Uncategorized – Page 4 – Instructions To A Young Life

A Life Understanding God’s Word

God’s Word is God’s revelation to us of who He is. He has given it to us as a gift so that we might know Him and obey Him.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29

The Lord reveals Himself to us through His Word. We are to observe and obey it exactly as He has spoken.

God’s Word is profitable in every area of our lives.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” II Timothy 3:16

We all have blind sports and need God’s Word to correct us in every area. Spending time in God’s Word is the most profitable thing we can do.

God’s Word is the truth and is what the Lord has given to us to help us and to save us from ourselves and the lies of the evil one.

“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44

The only way that we can identify a lie is if we know the truth. If we don’t know the truth and we act on our understanding then we are doing the desire of the devil.

Jesus Christ is God’s Word. The only way we can know God is through Jesus Christ and His Word.

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

We all worship a god, whether it is a god that we have made up in our mind or what we think god is like. However, there is only one true God and that is Jesus Christ.

God’s Word is equal with His name.

“For You have magnified Your word together with Your name.” Psalm 138:2b

We are to honor God’s Word as we are to honor His name. His Word is holy.

God’s Words are His thoughts and His ways. The only way that we can know His thoughts and His ways is if we know His Word.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8.

We are to replace our thoughts with His thoughts and our ways with His ways.

When we subvert His way in our lives then we get angry. Only a fool gets angry with God.

“The foolishness of man subverts His way and his heart rages against the Lord.” Proverbs 19:3

When we are angry we need to examine our own life.

God’s Word is power.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16

If we want more power in our lives then we need to saturate our minds and hearts with the Word of God.

God’s Word is His language.

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, To all who call on Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

Just as when we are in a foreign country and we hear our language we are glad, so the Lord draws near to the one who calls upon Him through His Word.

God’s Word is the food for our spirit and soul.

“But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”Matthew 4:4

If we are to thrive spiritually and also in our mind, will and emotions then we need to feed on the Word of God. If we are depressed or discouraged or anxious then we need to hear from the Lord through His Word.

God’s Word cleanses us.

” You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” John 15:3

When we sin we especially need to get into God’s Word so that our soul and spirit will be cleansed from the garbage of sin.

God’s Word is the truth and sets us free.

” and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32.

If we are struggling with bad thoughts or bad habits then we need to saturate ourselves with God’s Word until we experience the freedom that the work of Jesus Christ on the cross did for us. Also, God’s Word is the only thing that can set you free from your fears.

We are not to tweak it or change it neither are we to judge it. God’s Word is to change us and judge us.

“For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

It is not our role in life to make judgements on what is right and wrong or fair and unfair. God’s Word is the standard for right and wrong. Nor can we judge anyone else’s heart or even our own hearts but God’s Word can.

God’s Word sets us apart.

“Sanctify them in the truth, Thy Word is truth” John 17:17

It is God’s Word that makes us holy and makes us usable to Him.

God’s Word restores us.

“The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul” Psalm 19:7a

Our souls need to daily be restored and especially if we have been hurt, then we need restoring.

God’s Word is what produces in us a fear of God.

“Establish Thy Word to Thy servant as that which produces reverence for Thee” Psalm 119:38

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We all need wisdom.

God’s Word is what counsels us and also gives us the correct counsel to give to others.

“Your testimonies also are my delight; my counselors. Psalm 119:24

“There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against the Lord.” the Lord says elsewhere in His Word. The only true counsel is God’s Word which is seen in His ways and in His Word.

When we love God’s Word, the Lord gives us great peace and keeps us from stumbling.

“Those who love Thy Law have great peace and nothing causes them to stumble”. Psalm 119:165

The Word of God warns us about trouble so that we may avoid it.

“Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:11

If you find yourself in trouble then you need to go to God’s Word to see where you did not keep His ways so that you will not repeat the same mistakes over and over again.

God’s Word will bring us much joy and delight.

“Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

If you struggle with getting in God’s Word then your biggest need is to get into His Word. The more you are in it and it is in you then the greater will be your desire for His Word.

God’s Word is what allows us to live in His love if you obey His Word.

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” John 15:10

If you ever struggle with God’s love then look for His commandments and do them.

The Word of God is pure and purifies our hearts so that we might see the Lord and receive insight and enlightenment.

Psalm 19:8b “The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

Our greatest need is to see the Lord. Our hearts are deceitful and will give us a twisted view of God, thereby causing us to sin by not trusting Him.

The Word of God keeps us from sin.

“Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11

Sin destroys us. If we will put God’s Word in our hearts then we will sin less.

God’s Word is what gives us a desire to do His will, if we put it in our hearts.

“I delight to do Thy will, Thy Law is within my heart.” Psalm

The Word of God is what gives us a word for the weary.

“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.” Isaiah 50:4.

The Lord wants to give us a good word to give to others. The Bible says that the lips of the righteous feed many. It is God’s Word that sustains us.

The Word of God gives us success.

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Joshua 1:8

If you ever feel like a failure then learn to meditate on God’s Word and do it daily.

God’s Word keeps us from experiencing much sorrow if we will obey it.

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36

God’s wrath is poured out on ungodliness and unrighteousness. When we don’t obey God’s commandments then we will experience the pain and sorrow that comes from God’s wrath.on the particular activities that are abominable to Him. The Lord came to give us life and life abundantly. However, if we don’t obey Him and the Words He has given us then we won’t see the life.

God’s Word is what gives us the faith to believe Him.

“So faith from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”Romans 10:17

If you ever feel like your faith is small then get into God’s Word and you will see your faith becoming greater. Great faith comes from believing God’s Word. “Just speak the Word” the centurion said to Jesus.

In God’s Word we find eternal life. Eternal life is knowing Jesus Christ. When we come into a relationship with Jesus Christ we begin the eternal life that He gives us.

“Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” John 6:68

A Life that Receives Instruction

The Bible describes a fool as one who will not receive instruction. A wise person receives instruction, benefits from it and is blessed. A wise person seeks out instruction and is grateful for it. A wise person’s life is saved through instruction. The Lord wants to give us instruction on how to live that we may truly experience life and not death.

Psalm 78:1 Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

He will become your gold and your treasure when you learn to receive His instruction. Good will come to you and you will be at peace with God. He will restore you where you are broken. You will find delight in Him and He will hear your prayers. He will become your Savior and your Deliverer. Return to Him if you have strayed from Him and receive His instruction.

Job 22:21-30 “Yield now and be at peace with Him;
Thereby good will come to you.
“Please receive instruction from His mouth
And establish His words in your heart.
“If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored;
If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent,
And place your gold in the dust,
And the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks,
Then the Almighty will be your gold
And choice silver to you.
“For then you will delight in the Almighty
And lift up your face to God.
“You will pray to Him, and He will hear you;
And you will pay your vows.
“You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you;
And light will shine on your ways.
“When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence,
And the humble person He will save.
“He will deliver one who is not innocent,
And he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.”

Don’t be a fool but learn to fear the Lord. He is good and He loves you. He will forgive you of any wrong doing and He will instruct you in the way you should go.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

When He gives you instruction then do it, exactly as He says.

Proverbs 4:13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.

Don’t neglect your time in His Word for it is through His Word that He will give you instruction.

Proverbs 8:33 “Heed instruction and be wise, And do not neglect it.

He came that you might have life and His instruction will keep you on the path of life. Is there something that He has been trying to tell you?

Proverbs 10:17 He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who ignores reproof goes astray.

Don’t ignore what the Old Testament has to say for it was written for our instruction so that through perseverance and the encouragement of His Word we might have hope.

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

The Lord has put people in our lives to give us instruction. Listen to them. For they will give an account to the Lord.

I Thessalonians 5:12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,

Finally, as the Lord has called all of us to instruct others, let it be done according to God’s Word, with great patience.

II Timothy 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Always, let the goal of our instruction be love…that others might love the Lord and excel in loving others. That the world might know that we are Christians by our love for one another.

I Timothy 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

A Life of Who We Are and What We Do

Often we as humans get things backwards. We think that who we are comes from what we do. The Lord seems to place a greater emphasis on who we are first and then on what we do. Jesus spent thirty years becoming who He was before He spent about three years doing what He did.

“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52.

Jesus had to learn obedience.

“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” Hebrews 5:8.

Jesus lived thirty years on earth unrecognized and unknown seeking to be pleasing to the Father.

When Jesus came to earth as a human, He emptied Himself and laid aside all of His God powers.

“who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8

He lived in submission to the Father and it was the Father’s work that was done through Him. It was the Father’s power that did the miracles and it was the Father who raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus trusted the Father completely and lived by faith in what the Father had promised Him.

“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” Romans 10:9

Jesus did nothing on His own initiative. He did not do His own will but only the will of the Father.

“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 5:30.

Jesus had to learn the Father’s will and Jesus was taught by the Father.

“So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me.” John 8:42.

Jesus was a disciple just as He as taught us to be a disciple. Jesus had to learn the Word of God in the Old Testament Scriptures. We must first learn to listen to the Lord’s Words before we speak the Lord’s Words.

Jesus was well pleasing to the Father before He did anything. His worth was in who He was in the Father’s eyes and not in what He did.

“and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Matthew 3:17

Jesus told His disciples that their joy must be in their relationship with God and that their names are recorded in heaven and not in what they do or how fruitful their ministry was.

Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” Luke 10:20

Jesus chose His disciples first to be with Him and then to preach. Jesus chooses us to be with Him first before we do anything for Him. This needs to be the pattern of our lives. There is an old saying that has much truth in it. “Before we talk to men about God, we must first talk to God about men.”

“And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach,” Mark 3:14

Jesus praised Mary for choosing the good part, that is, for choosing to be with Him rather than serving Him.

“but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42

The first of the apostles who was martyred was James. James was one of the three that was with Jesus in His most intimate times. Peter, James and John were the three closest to Jesus. We know some of what Peter and John did after the resurrection and we are familiar with the books that John and Peter wrote, however, nothing is spoken of what James did. In our minds we might think that it would have been a better choice to choose one of the lesser known apostles rather than James who was a main leader. However, if the Lord chose James just to be with Him, is there anything greater?

Also, it does not seem that the Lord is concerned with the length of our ministry and work for Him as He is with our availability. In the story of the servants going out to work for the day, the landowner gave the same pay to the one who only had worked one hour as he did to those who worked the full day. However, the one who worked only one hour had been waiting and hoping all day that he would be given some work to do.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard.And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the market place;and to those he said, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went.Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did the same thing.And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing around; and he *said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day long?’They *said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard *said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last group to the first.’When those hired about the eleventh hour came, each one received a denarius.When those hired first came, they thought that they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius.When they received it, they grumbled at the landowner,saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’ Matthew 20:1-12

The work we do in the Lord’s name is important as He says that we are His workmanship prepared for good works that He has prepared beforehand. He wants us to walk in the good works that He has already created for us. He says if we are to serve Him then we are to follow Him and He will lead us into those works.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

When we do His work in His timing and in His way then He receives the glory and we share in the joy. These works must be done after He has done His work in us, for we are His workmanship. When we live according to His ways and seek Him first then we are protected from our biggest enemy of all and that is our pride. It is our pride that makes us want to be somebody because of what we do. The Lord calls this wickedness when we worship the work of our hands, whether it is something in the world or it can even be in ministry.

“I will pronounce My judgments on them concerning all their wickedness, whereby they have forsaken Me and have offered sacrifices to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands.” Jeremiah 1:16

We must worship the Lord and the Lord alone. We must receive our worth from Him and from Him alone. We must be with Him first and then do what He has called us to do.

“For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Matthew 4″10b

A Life to Whom the Lord Looks

If we only understood the greatness of God then we would never doubt His knowledge, wisdom or ways. The Lord is so great that He is unsearchable in the depths of who He is and His greatness.

Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:3 and He says it again in Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! The Lord does “great and unsearchable things, without number”. Job 5:9.

The Lord is so great that He placed a tent for the sun, otherwise, there would be no need for the sun. He outshines the sun. The sun actually makes a circuit around the throne of God. So, all of creation revolves around the Lord.

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat. Psalm 19:1-6

All of time and history revolves around the Lord as time and history is either B.C. (Before Christ) or A.D. (In the year of our Lord). Geography is centered around Jesus Christ as the the east is wherever is east of Mount Zion and the west is what is west of Mount Zion.

Mount Zion is where the Lord will return when He splits the tent curtain that He has placed over the sun and comes again, as He promised that He would come again for His people. There will be no need for the sun as Jesus Christ is brighter than the light of the sun.

However, it is His love that we long for. If only we knew His love more and felt His love more then we would know that not only can He do all things but that He will do all things that we need. We know that “He has established His throne in the heavens and He does what He pleases” but…would it please Him to do the longings of our soul? Will He come to us now? Not only does He want us to rest in His power and wisdom but He wants us to rest in His love and faithfulness.

“For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. Isaiah 66:2

“The Lord longs to be gracious to us and He waits on high to have compassion on us” the Lord says in His Word. The Lord delights in loving His children but He wants us to love Him, to long for Him. He wants us to trust Him and to wait on Him. He wants us to worship Him and He alone. He wants to be our salvation and He alone is worthy of all of the glory and honor. He wants us to rest in Him.

The king is not saved by a mighty army;
A warrior is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a false hope for victory;
Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Psalm 33:16-17

We will not be saved by a team of doctors or by the brilliance of man. Science is a false hope for healing nor does it save anyone from the horrific destruction of disease. Money can buy nothing that the Lord does not give us. Knowledge can not take our fears away or give us health. There is no healing apart from the Lord and there is no salvation apart from the Lord. All that we have comes from Him. We must be like Job, “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord”. The Lord alone holds the keys to life and to death.

However, the Lord cares for us. He knows our needs. He wants us to ask and He wants to answer and He wants to give.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You. Psalm 33:18-22

But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. Psalm 13:5

A Life that Overcomes Bitterness

Bitterness is one of the most damaging emotions. Bitterness can be an unresolved hurt in our hearts. Someone hurt us and we can still feel it as if it just happened yesterday. Bitterness can be a wound that has never been healed. It will cause you trouble and poison many.

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

When sin abounds then God’s grace abounds also but unless we receive His grace and are healed from the hurt and pain of wounds from others we will become bitter.

Romans 5:20,21 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life which is through Jesus Christ our Lord. When you do what is right after someone has done you wrong, and you can only do this through God’s grace, then you will be set free from the bitterness which would result from not experiencing His grace. If you will turn to Him in your pain then He will heal you and restore you.

Exodus 15:26 And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.”

The opposite of bitterness is thankfulness. He will remove the bitterness and fill your heart with gratitude and joy. Only the Lord can do this but He can and He wants to.

I Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Bitterness also comes from forsaking the Lord.

Jeremiah 2:19 Your own wickedness will correct you,
And your apostasies will reprove you;
Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter
For you to forsake the Lord your God,
And the dread of Me is not in you,” declares the Lord God of hosts.

Bitterness can come from the misfortune of bereavement.

Ruth 1:20 She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

The Lord healed Naomi and she became the great great grandmother of King David. The Lord restored her joy. She trusted the Lord and He was faithful to her.

Ruth 4:16,17 Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse. The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi!” So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Bitterness can come from unfulfilled desires and longings. Hannah was greatly sorrowful that she could not have any children.

I Samuel 1:10 She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.

Hannah turned to the Lord and the Lord heard her prayer and gave her a son, who became the last judge and first prophet in Israel. Her prayer that is recorded became Mary’s prayer when she found out that she was going to bear a Son and His name would be Jesus, the Son of God.

I Samuel 2:1,2 Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord;
My horn is exalted in the Lord,
My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
There is no one holy like the Lord,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.

When you experience great loss then you might feel bitter. Job lost everything but his wife and then she also tried to get him to forsake the Lord.

Job 3:20 Why is light given to him who suffers,
And life to the bitter of soul,

Job was faithful to the Lord and the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him even more.

Job 42:10 The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.

Great sorrow and pain comes to all of us at some time in our life. How we respond to it will determine whether our life becomes bitter or sweet. If we turn to Him, He is faithful and will not disappoint you, for that is the promise He has made to us.

Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

If you don’t turn to Him then your bitterness will eat you up and destroy you from the inside and will make it’s way out through your countenance and your tongue. Not only will it destroy you but it will defile those around you, as mentioned earlier. Don’t substitute what the Lord wants to give to you. His plan for you is sweet. It is the devil who wants to rob you through bitterness.

Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Turn to the Lord in you sorrow, loss, disappointment and unfulfilled desires and longings. He will give to you even more than what you can imagine and He has a plan for your life that is good for you and sweet.

A Life that Does What is Right

One aspect of the meaning of righteousness is doing what is right. Jesus walked in perfect righteousness, which means that He did what was right all of the time. Righteousness is the opposite of sin. One of the definitions of the word righteousness in the Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament, is literally “do not destroy”. When we sin and do not do what is right then we are destroying something, whether it is our family, our reputation, our relationships, our marriage or whatever else that is a part of us.

Psalm 58:1,2 Do you indeed speak righteousness, O mighty ones?
Do you judge uprightly, O sons of men?
No, in heart you work unrighteousness;
On earth you weigh out the violence of your hands.

In our hearts all of us are guilty of unrighteousness. We deceive our selves by rationalizing or saying something is not that bad, in other words, we weigh out the degree of our sin to determine if it is that bad. Violence is violating the Word of God and in the end we are the ones who are violated. The word violate means to change. When we sin, then something in us is changed. When we sin we lose our innocence in that area and have come into the knowledge of evil. We are no longer the same and it has taken us away from the image of God. When we sin then a part of us is destroyed.

Deuteronomy 6:25 It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the Lord our God, just as He commanded us.

When we do what is right then it keeps us from being destroyed. It is not the kind of righteousness that saves us but it is the righteousness that preserves us. The righteousness that comes from God that saves us is the righteousness that is based on faith. When we believe God then our faith is reckoned to us as righteousness. However, we can be a Christian and still experience destruction if we do not live according to His Word.

I Samuel 26:23a The Lord will repay each man for his righteousenss and his faithfulness;

The Lord rewards each man according to his righteousness. This is a reference to the blessings that he receives, whether it is rewards on earth or in heaven. When you do what is right in God’s eyes then He rewards you.

I Kings 3:6a Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You;

He gives us the righteousness of Christ when we become a Christian but then He wants us to walk in His righteousness after we have come to know Him. He wants us to put on His righteousness, in other words, He wants us to walk in a manner pleasing Him, that is, doing what is right. You are to put on the new self. When you put on the new self the outcome will be righteousness.

Ephesians 4:22-24 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

You are to wear the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate is what guards your heart. When you do what is right then you will guard yourself from much pain in your heart.

Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

This is the righteousness that the Lord spoke of in Ezekiel when He mentioned Noah, Job and Daniel, that they could only save themselves by their own righteousness. He is not talking about eternal salvation, for all have sinned and fall short of God’s standard of righteousness. However, they preserved their own lives from destruction on earth because they sought to live out God’s standard of righteousness and while others were destroyed their lives were not destroyed. Let them be our examples of living a godly life in a godless world. God’s judgments are coming and He will judge the world in righteousness.

Ezekiel 14:12-20 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Son of man, if a country sins against Me by committing unfaithfulness, and I stretch out My hand against it, destroy its supply of bread, send famine against it and cut off from it both man and beast, even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,” declares the Lord God. “If I were to cause wild beasts to pass through the land and they depopulated it, and it became desolate so that no one would pass through it because of the beasts, though these three men were in its midst, as I live,” declares the Lord God, “they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters. They alone would be delivered, but the country would be desolate. Or if I should bring a sword on that country and say, ‘Let the sword pass through the country and cut off man and beast from it,’ even though these three men were in its midst, as I live,” declares the Lord God, “they could not deliver either their sons or their daughters, but they alone would be delivered. Or if I should send a plague against that country and pour out My wrath in blood on it to cut off man and beast from it, even though Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, as I live,” declares the Lord God, “they could not deliver either their son or their daughter. They would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.”

To sum up, you are not responsible for the wrongs done to you by others but you are responsible for doing the right thing in your relationships with others. The devil is the destroyer and the way he destroys is by deceiving us into believing a lie that it is okay to do certain things. Don’t let him destroy you by doing what is wrong. Learn the right way to do life so that you will experience life as the Lord designed and came to give you.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

A Life that Knows the Creator

When one comes into a relationship with Jesus Christ then they come into a relationship with the Creator of the universe. For the Lord created the earth, the heavens and all that is in them. His creation includes the moon, the stars, the sun and the effects of all of these, including the changes in climate. He is Lord of all and the Creator of everything.

Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.

The Lord also created the heavens and the earth in one day. He does not live in time for He is eternal and a day is the same to Him as a thousand years. If He wants to create something in a day then it is nothing to Him to do this for He is God.

Genesis 2:4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven.

God is the only One who can create something out of nothing. He spoke and it was done. Man can only use what has already been created to create something.

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

What God created was good and He established the earth so that it will not totter.

Psalm 104:5 He established the earth upon its foundations, So that it will not totter forever and ever.

The earth is the Lord’s and all that it contains.

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.

He is in control of the climate and even holds the water in the clouds. The clouds are His and He controls them also. He controls the rains, the storms and all the other aspects of the climate. He is God.

Job 26:7-9 He stretches out the north over empty space
And hangs the earth on nothing.
He wraps up the waters in His clouds,
And the cloud does not burst under them.
He obscures the face of the full moon
And spreads His cloud over it.

The Lord is the One who made the seasons and they also belong to Him. All the boundaries of the earth belong to Him.

Psalm 74:17 You have established all the boundaries of the earth; You have made summer and winter.

He made the nations from one man and sets the boundaries of the nations. He also appointed the times for the nations.

Acts 17:26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,

The Lord set the boundaries of the seas. He is the One that says they can go so far and no farther than what He has decreed.

Job 38:10,11 And I placed boundaries on it
And set a bolt and doors,
And I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther;
And here shall your proud waves stop’?

The earth is the Lord’s and He does as He pleases.

Exodus 19:5 Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;

The Lord is coming back one day and will create new heavens and a new earth. He says that the earth will wear out like a garment. Do not fear those who do not fear God and think that they can control the weather or anything else in God’s creation. Rather fear God who is the Creator of all things so that you may be ready when he comes back again.

Isaiah 51:6-8 Lift up your eyes to the sky,
Then look to the earth beneath;
For the sky will vanish like smoke,
And the earth will wear out like a garment
And its inhabitants will die in like manner;
But My salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness will not wane.
Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,
A people in whose heart is My law;
Do not fear the reproach of man,
Nor be dismayed at their revilings.
For the moth will eat them like a garment,
And the grub will eat them like wool.
But My righteousness will be forever,
And My salvation to all generations.”

He coming again because His Word says so and even though heaven and earth may pass away His Word never changes.

II Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Are you ready for His coming? Blessed will be those who are prepared, ready and looking forward to his coming again!

A Life seeing the Heart of the Lord

Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court,they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” John 8:2-11

We all know this story. Most people remember this story as there is something within us that remembers the sins of others. Also, this story shows how we ask the wrong questions. Many times I have heard this story and the speculation of “what did Jesus write on the ground?” Maybe we should ask “why did Jesus write on the ground?”. I believe that Jesus wrote on the ground to take their eyes off of the woman. She was caught in adultery so there was a great possibility that she was not clothed properly. Jesus did not want to look at the woman and He saw her heart that she felt shamed in not only for what she had done but also for how she was not dressed appropriately. Jesus knew that everyone would be wanting to know what He was writing. What a beautiful picture of grace. He did not “disgrace” her but showed her love and grace. The Bible says that Joseph, being a righteous man, did not want to disgrace Mary when he thought that she had been unfaithful to Him. Love and righteousness does not disgrace. His grace for the “woman caught in adultery” gave time for someone to give her something (maybe a blanket) to cover herself up.

Jesus was full was “grace and truth”. It is not enough to just be full of grace but we must be full of truth as well. Jesus did not overlook her sin and neither did He overlook the sins of the men who brought her to Him. The next question is “what did He write on the ground?” By this time, the crowd had gotten larger. We don’t know how many were there but people seem to always be curious when a crowd gathers, even though one of the things that the Lord hates is “feet that run rapidly to evil”. Maybe not everyone could read what Jesus was writing on the ground so there is a good chance that He read it to them. “He who is without sin among you, let him first to throw a stone at her.” If He read it to them then they all would know what He was writing. The older we get the more sin we know we have committed and so beginning with the older ones, they all walked away. They began by judging her and Jesus, in His gracious way, allowed them to end by judging themselves. Judgment involves condemnation. Jesus also saw that she was filled with fear. These men wanted her killed. Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?”. At that moment, this woman’s life was changed. How do we know? She addressed Jesus as Lord. She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” Not only did He take away her shame but He took away her fears.

This is a beautiful picture of salvation. When Jesus becomes our Lord then He also becomes our Savior. Our sin is taken away and we are to “sin no more”. The Lord also takes away our fears when He takes our condemnation.

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1.

Jesus Christ is the only One who can take our condemnation for He took the judgment that we deserved. He is the only One who can set us free from our sin and give us life.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:2.

Jesus was “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” John 1. The sin in all of us is that we want to be our own lord. It is not until Jesus takes away our sin, can we be saved from our sins. “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21. Once Jesus takes away our sin then we become “one of His people” and He sets us free and saves us from our sins. Everyone’s sins look different. This woman’s sin was adultery but we are all guilty of many sins.

This story because it is a picture of me. Jesus forgave my sin and He saved me from my sins. How can we not love and trust Him with all of our heart, soul and mind? There is none like Him.

A Life that Is Compensated

The Lord is fair and He is just. He does all things right and well. He is also love. He also says that He recompenses a man according to his work.

Psalm 62:11,12 Once God has spoken;
Twice I have heard this:
That power belongs to God;
And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord,
For You recompense a man according to his work.

Apart from the Lord our hearts are proud and everything we do is tainted with that pride. If we are good it may be because we want the praise of others or we want to feel good about ourselves. When we do wrong we will still think that we are not that bad because we can always find someone who has done things worse than us, at least in our own eyes. All of this is apart from the new heart that the Lord gives to us when we give our old heart to Him. He can not reform our old heart and so He gives us a new one.

Psalm 31:23 O love the Lord, all you His godly ones! The Lord preserves the faithful And fully recompenses the proud doer.

When we receive a new heart then we become godly in His eyes because now we have God in us. He came to save us and to make us into the image of Jesus Christ.

Ezekiel 36:26,27 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

The evidence of a new heart is that you will want to walk in His ways and you will want to obey His Word. You will also be compensated but your compensation will come from walking in His ways and obeying Him. When you walk with Him then He leads you into good works that He has already prepared for you to do. You just have to obey Him and when you do, then you will enter into His joy and will know that you have done what He desired.

II Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

We will all appear before the Lord and be recompensed for the deeds we have done to other Christians. All they good or are they bad? Have you loved as the Lord has loved you? Have you withheld good from someone when it was in your power to do it? Are you ready to see the Lord?

Galatians 6:9,10 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.