A Lying Tongue

The next thing on God's hate list is: A lying tongue. Pride is first and lying is next, but these two go together in many ways. Pride is the result of lying to yourself until you believe you are better than others. Then you keep the pride fed by lying to those around you. Since God Hates these things we had better keep them out of our lives.

S.O.A.P.

4-10-2015      Romans 14:13

S.       13Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

O.      Being an example to our weaker brothers.

A.      If I live after the example of Jesus I will not be a poor example of faith.

P.       Father; reveal my weakness that I may learn and grow. Amen.

4-11-2015      Romans 14:14-18

S.       14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is un-clean.15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.16Let not then your good be evil spoken of:17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.18For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

O.      I must consider those around me and where they are in their spiritual walk.

A.      To know and understand the weaknesses in my fellow man I must acquaint myself with the person, live with them, eat with them, fellowship with them. Then and only then can I share my faith at a high level and in a responsible manner.

P.       Father; bring me into close fellowship with those that I may serve as a shepherd should. Give me wisdom to minister as Christ would minister. Amen.

THINKING

Why do we focus more on people than God? If someone says the wrong thing to us we become angry even when we know that they are not properly informed. We worry about what others think of us and how we will be received. I am praying for a lady that thinks the whole world hates her. She never has peace. Please God, teach her to look at you instead of those around her. Teach her to bring her thoughts into alignment with your Holy Word. Amen

S.O.A.P.

3-24-2015      Romans 12:3

S.       3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

O.      Man must think of himself in the proper manner.

A.      I am not above others in any form. All are created in the image of God. I must guard against conceit and arrogance. I will be the man God would have me to be.

P.       Father; open my eyes to the evil of conceit and arrogance and keep me from that trap. Amen.

3-25-2015      Romans 12:4-5

S.       4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

O.      All believers are of one body.

A.      The goal is unity with each person filling their respective place. I will seek to live the second great command; love thy neighbor.

P.       Father; Show me how to fill my place in this world and support those around me with love and understanding. Amen.

Dry and dusty

The rain is falling on my thirsty land. Any day now I will be setting out onions in the garden. This rain will help my garden soil to be workable. Seems like some Christians I meet could use a little rain on their souls.

S.O.A.P.

1-21-2015      Romans 5:9-11

S.       9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

O.      Atonement comes by the blood of Jesus.

A.      Jesus has paid my sin-debt and empowers me to live a justified life. How can words express the gratitude, peace and joy that is mine today? The only word that covers this is Grace!

P.       Father; I stand before you today washed in the Blood of your son Jesus; whole, safe and complete. Thank you God for loving me. Amen.

 

No Faith---No Results

7-9-2014         Acts 19:13-17

S.       13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

O.      Non-believers are trying to perform miracles and find that they have no power or authority. This failure causes many to change their mind concerning Jesus.

A.      Everything of a divine nature must begin and end with Jesus. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”. I will seek to have Jesus as the very center of my life rather than someone I have only heard “about”.

P.       Father; wash all my sin away, I confess, I repent and I seek to have his redeeming blood cover me both inside and out. Use me today to help others in their walk and lead me to one that has never heard the words of life. Amen.

When man takes credit

5-26-2014      Acts 12:21-25

S.       21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

O.      Herod is judged by God and dies. The church grows and Mark travels with Barnabas and Saul.

A.      Man should never take credit for the mighty works of God. When God uses me to deliver a message, a healing or prophesy I will be careful to give the glory to God. I am a vessel, to be filled and refilled, poured out and filled again and again, a vessel not an angel or king or anything that is worthy of exultation.

P.       Father in Heaven; remind me of the danger of pride and self-exultation. Reveal the path for me to walk that will truly bring glory to you. Help me in my weakness to be courageous and submitted under your loving will. Amen.