SENSES BUT NO SENSE!

9-30-2010. . . .SENSES BUT NO SENSE!

"This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah: 'They hear, but don't understand; they look, but don't see!   For their hearts are fat and heavy, and their ears are dull, and they have closed their eyes in sleep, so they won't see and hear and understand and turn to God again, and let me heal them." (Matt 13:14-16 TLB)  Senses don't automatically equate to sense.  One may have eyes and not see.....ears and not hear. (senses)  The result, a complete absence of understanding. (sense)   Hardly seems possible, but it's true.  Don't be guilty of having senses, but no sense!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for creating us with senses.  Help us not be guilty of having senses without sense!  Amen!

Prov 1:5-6. . . . A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.  KJV

QUICK LISTENERS!

9-29-2010. .  . .QUICK LISTENERS!

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:19-21 NIV)  What a great advice if we'd just heed it!  Being slow to speak but quick to listen can only yield greater understanding.  Greater understanding alleviates the need for anger.  How quick are you to listen. . . .How slow to speak. . . . How slowly are you angered?  Let your quickness be on the former and not the later two.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for instructing us in the ways of wisdom.   Help us to be quick listeners and to temper our speaking and anger.  Amen.

Prov 16:32. . . . It is better to be slow-tempered than famous; it is better to have self-control than to control an army. TLB

DON'T GO WRONG....LISTEN!

9-28-2010. . . . DON'T GO WRONG....LISTEN!

"Listen to me, you wise men.  We can choose the sounds we want to listen to; we can choose the taste we want in food, and we should choose to follow what is right. (Job 34:2-4 TLB)  A wise person will always listen!  A wiser person choses what to listen to.   The valuable knowledge obtained through listening will serve as a guide in following the ways that are right!  Don't go wrong.....Listen!

Prayer: Lord, help us always train our ears to listen and choose what is right.  Amen!

Job 34:16. . . . "If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. (NIV)

GUARD WHAT YOU HEAR!

9-27-2010. . . .GUARD WHAT YOU HEAR!

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:18 KJV)  What we 'HEAR' has a direct correlation to our faith.  It would be wonderful if the only thing we ever heard was the word of God.  Then, our faith would grow uninhibited.  The truth is, there are many things that daily enter into our realm of hearing.  Some good, some not so good.  Some things we hear are unavoidable.  We would do well nevertheless, to guard what we allow ourselves to hear voluntarily.   Remember, what we hear affects our faith, and thus, our lives.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word and the faith that comes by hearing it!  Help us filter out ever unnecessary thing that our ears might remain pure.  Amen.

Matt 13:16. . . .But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. NIV

AN ADVANTAGE!

9-24-2010. . . .AN ADVANTAGE!

"Oh, how I love your law!  I meditate on it all day long.  Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me." (Ps 119:97-98 NIV)  As a believer, you will always encounter enemies (haters, perpetrators,impersonators) along your path to glory.  The one advantage we have that makes us wiser than any foe, is His word.  His word is our light and guide.  If will follow it, we will always arrive in Victory lane!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word that give us an advantage over all our enemies.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Amen.

 Ps 18:2-3. . . .The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. (NIV)

 

9-22-2010. . . .GOOD CONSEQUENCES!

"I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.  I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame."  Ps 119:30-31 (NIV)  Our choices have consequences!  The nature of the consequence is contingent upon the nature of the choice.  Bad choices bring bad consequences; good choices bring good consequences.   What's your choice?  Choose the ways of truth and hold fast to them!  So shall you experience good consequences.

Prayer: Lord, lead us daily in the ways of truth and help us daily to make that choice our own.  Amen!

2 Chron 6:30-31. . . . Hear from heaven where you live and forgive, and give each one whatever he deserves, for you know the hearts of all mankind.  Then they will reverence you forever and will continually walk where you tell them to go. TLB

WHICH GROUP ARE YOU IN!

9-22-2010. . . .WHICH GROUP ARE YOU IN!

"My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.  You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from your commands."  (Ps 119:20-21 NIV)  How would you feel if a child of yours willfully disobeyed and dified you?  Imagine how God must feel.  It is good that His ways are not like our ways and instead of justice, He extends mercy and lovingkindness.  Imagine now how it makes you feel when your children are obedient and submissive to your will and guidance!  Imagine again, how God must feel.  Which group are you in?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for rewarding those that diligently seek you.  May we forever be cosumed with pleasing you.  Amen.

1 John 3:20-22. . . .For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  KJV