THE FOREVER LOVE OF GOD

“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” (Psalm 86:5) 

          I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time understanding how God can love me when I do some of the dumb, selfish things I do. I suppose the reality of it is that it’s not about me. It’s not about my mistakes or selfishness or lack of faith. It’s about God and who He is and who I am to Him and in Him. 

          I have a sneaking suspicion I’m not alone when it comes to understanding the forgiving nature of God. He knows us intimately. Jesus said in the Gospels that our Heavenly Father has the hairs on our head numbered. He knows each and every thought we have before we have it. He can see through the noise to our heart and knows our motivation for the things we say and do. He cares for us individually as if we were the only one in existence. If we call out to God, He will hear us and provide what we need exactly when we need it. His love has been shown to us by the gory, horrific death of His own Son on a bloody, criminals cross. God forgives those who call upon Him for that forgiveness and He loves us with an unconditional, sacrificial love that never dies. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

BEING LIKE CHRIST

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2) 

          The Apostle Paul writes to the believers in Ephesus and the surrounding area churches exhorting them to put into practice that which he has taught; namely, to live with a humble and gentle spirit. That combined with tolerance and patience will make them less likely to judge those around them. It is time for them, just as it is time for us, to put into practice those things we know to be true. 

          The world sees Christians as nothing more than a bunch of hypocrites; people who preach one thing then do something quite different. We can’t even get along within our own churches let alone with those from different denominations. We are sinners saved by the grace of God. We should take a hard look at our Lord then apply the characteristics that He exemplifies to our own lives. How else will a non-believer ever know Christ? 

          In John 3:35 Jesus instructs His disciples to love one another just as He has loved them. He told them this was how others would know they were followers of Christ. Let us live out the word of God and let our actions speak louder than our words. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

BEING LESS THAN OTHERS

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” (Mark 9:35) 

          Jesus’ disciples were arguing about who among them was the greatest. Because God knows the motives of our hearts, He knew what they had been arguing about without them saying a word and His response is shown above.  When I read it I think of other verses, such as: “(God) must become greater, I must become less.” (John 3:30) and “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31) We are not being asked, but rather being told to make ourselves less important than God and all others through humility and grace. 

          This world devotes its time and energy pumping up the importance of its inhabitants in an effort to glorify them; yet no one is to receive glory but Almighty God, for it is He and He alone who can save the sin sick soul. 

          The world laughs at the notion that someone whose existence cannot be scientifically proven to exist could have any impact on the lives of men. They side step faith in favor of presumed facts, though in reality they are nothing more than theories. Trust in God and His word. Live your life placing others above yourself and you will find the fulfillment unregenerate souls only wish for. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

BE FULL OF GOD’S SPIRIT

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” (John 6:63) 

          This world wants you to believe you can achieve success by looking a certain way, but it’s a lie. We pump up our bodies and buy the finest clothes to, at the very least, give the appearance of success. In reality, true lasting success only comes from knowing Christ. How can I say this? Jesus tells His listeners in the Gospel of John that our flesh counts for nothing. It is a temporary home for our spirit and soul. It will disintegrate to dust in the ground over time. That which will last an eternity is our spirit and soul. That which Jesus speaks gives life for it is spirit driven. Life is found in knowing God through Christ. 

          How can we experience the fullness of His spirit and life? By surrendering our stubborn, self-centered will to Him. As we allow God to minister peace to our soul and spirit, we begin to feel His glory and majesty as it is revealed to us. The more we become acquainted with His word the more we begin to understand His mercy and grace. Allow God to speak life to your soul as you strive to live for Him. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

DARKNESS ALL AROUND US

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:12-13)

          Those believers in Ephesus and the surrounding area had been dealing with the occult, false religions and demons, along with other teachings that were designed to strip them of their ethical principles. This is one reason why Paul writes to them. He tells them nothing offers more than the Gospel and because they are in Christ every spiritual blessing was already theirs. 

          With the current fixation on vampires, zombies, witchcraft and the paranormal, it is not far-fetched at all to sense that the dark world is attempting to infiltrate God’s dominion. While our enemy will never succeed, it is disturbing how many new believers are lured away into circles of darkness with promises of power and spiritual superiority. Scripture is clear, the devil is a liar and his promises are a façade that cover up his true intentions, to thwart the efforts of God’s people. 

          This is why we are told in James 4:7-8a “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” Our trouble comes when we don’t listen to the Lord and stay close to Him. Always remember this: there is nothing that will happen to you that God is not in ultimate control of. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8) 

          In this world there are always plenty of things to think about. If you are a random thinker like myself, your mind can go all over the place until it settles on one thought to focus on. Here in Paul’s letter to the believers in Philippi, he instructs them regarding the things they should devote their time thinking about. They are all positive things; things that lift up rather than tear down. It's far more spiritually profitable to think on such things than to think on things that are of obvious distaste to our Lord. We know what the distasteful things are for we are drawn to them. The enemy of our soul is constantly looking for a weak, soft spot in our armor to plunge his dagger into. Focusing on things that are negative, perhaps even destructive can in the end bring about our own destruction. Thinking on the things of God will encourage us and bolster our faith. Listening to music with uplifting lyrics that glorify God can bring us to a higher level of trust in the Lord as well. 

          If you are one of the many people who accentuate the negative and omit the positive from your thinking process, make a reassessment of your relationship with God and consider what He would have you do. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

SPIRITUAL RESTORATION

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1) 

          Paul writes to the Galatians upon hearing they are being “bewitched” by another teaching that speaks of spiritual superiority and even calls Paul’s teaching into question. He makes a strong case for his own spiritual authority and points out that no one believer is any more spiritual than another. 

          In reality, we are all walking along the same narrow path that leads to heaven, where there are pitfalls and rabbit trails to our left and our right all along the way. Becoming entangled in sin isn’t so far fetched, for the siren’s song is sweet, enticing the strongest believer to stumble. 

          Before we should treat a person caught in sin too harshly we should examine our own heart, comparing it to the heart of God and not the one caught in sin. We are all no better than anyone else. At our core we are truly all the same. God has forgiven us; therefore, since we have been shown such mercy, we should show that same mercy to those believers around us who have become entangled in sin. As Paul instructs, we’re to gently guide them into a state of spiritual renewal and restoration understanding that temptation can draw any one of us into its clutches at any time. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

SEEKING WISDOM

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5) 

          James, in his letter “to the 12 tribes scattered among the nations”, instructs them to seek wisdom from God if they find themselves in need of it. Being no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), God gives all who ask what they need at the time they most need it. 

          Proverbs 26:12 issues the following warning: “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” We think we know exactly what we’re doing in any given situation, but most times do not. We think it’s a sign of weakness to admit our inability to figure out a solution to our problems. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s a matter of admitting our need of a higher intellect, that being Almighty God. He alone knows the beginning from the end and will allow us to use sound judgment in our decision-making if we ask. God doesn’t indiscriminately dole out His gifts to unsuspecting recipients, but rather presents them to those who seek them out. Therefore, if you lack wisdom, simply and sincerely ask the Lord for it along with guidance and direction and you shall receive it at the moment that it’s needed most. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

THE GOLDEN RULE

“In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 – NET*) 

          It’s referred to as ‘The Golden Rule’; treating others the way we would like to be treated. It’s a nice thought and gracious when it is acted out, but what of the times when we don’t receive like treatment in return? If we treat others with patience and loving-kindness, our reward will come from knowing we have done as we have been instructed. Is there ever a situation where we are not to treat others with patience and loving-kindness? Apparently not for if there were Christ would have pointed that out in scripture. No, He only tells us to fulfill the Law of Moses by, essentially, emulating Him. Jesus was and is the epitome of kindness, mercy and grace. It’s only as we become less and He becomes more in our lives that we can begin to put our own feelings and emotions aside and do that which benefits others without concern for ourselves. If we truly believe God will take care of our every need then that knowledge frees us up to reach outward instead of inward. We are to treat others with kindness, mercy and grace as a natural outcropping of our life in Christ. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

* New English Translation

OUR DESIRES

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

          It’s interesting to me when people jerk this one verse of scripture out of context. They hang their collective hats on it, as a means of proclaiming that whatever their little heart desires is what God will furnish for them. What they don’t realize is that David doesn’t refer to our casual wishes, but rather our deepest desires. 

          Those that love God will desire those things that are pleasing to Him. Riches and other material treasures have no place in this portion of scripture. In Matthew 6:21 Jesus instructs His listeners that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. God meets our needs according to His riches in glory (Phil 4:19). We have nothing to concern ourselves with but to lift His name and voice our unwavering trust in Him. Deuteronomy 31:6 declares that God has never failed or forsaken any of His children, so that’s even a greater reason to let our desires line up with His heart. The Lord may take you right to the edge of the ledge, but He will never let you fall. There is no record in scripture of Him failing to do that which He has promised to do for His children. Let your desires reflect your devotion to God. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

GROWTH THROUGH TRIALS

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3) 

          Trials and tribulations come to us all; but it’s our choice how we deal with them. We can grumble and complain at our misfortune, whining and moaning like children or we can stand tall in the face of our troubles. It’s far more effective to seek the face of God for wisdom and guidance in the face of our troubles then to succumb to them. God can cause you to move forward in spite of them, but it takes submission to His will for that to take place. 

          Trials test our faith. Will we fold like a lawn chair or stand on our belief and trust in Almighty God to show us the way to the other side of our troubles? There’s no doubt that it’s much easier to languish in a pool of self-pity than fight; however, nothing positive has ever been gained through self-pity. 

          As you encounter trials stop and ask God what He wants to teach you. There are always lessons to be learned if we are open to them. This is how we increase our faith and develop perseverance. It takes time, but the time taken is well worthwhile. Years down the road you will look back and see how God caused all the pieces to fall into place in your life. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

TEMPTATION

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.“ (1 Corinthians 10:13)

            The temptation to do that which you know you ought not do is common to all men. Christians have a weapon to combat these temptations and that is the Holy Spirit.  He will guide and direct us throughout our life if we let Him.  He will provide a way of escape if we will avail ourselves of it.

            The trouble with temptation is that it’s appealing.  When we’re confronted with them it is hard to see or hear anything else.  It’s the siren’s song; that which allures us to its’ call only to destroy us.  Proverbs 14:12 tells us “There is a way that seems right, but in the end it leads to death.”  It could be physical death or spiritual death depending on the nature of the temptation, but either way it is the wrong path to take.  Sometimes it is only after the damage is done that we realize our tragic error in judgment.  A way of escape was available, but we ignored it in favor of that which seemed to be a better option. 

            We must turn from any and all temptation that threatens to take us down.  Do this by immersing yourself in God.

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

KNOWING CHRIST

“… I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…” (Philippians 3:8a) 

          Paul has no real doctrinal issues to deal with in his letter to the Philippians so he expresses the joy he has for their strong faith in Christ. Here he expresses his own gratitude for knowing Christ by saying that everything else is worthless garbage to him by comparison. He is telling us in effect that we mustn’t allow anything to interfere with knowing Christ in the fullest. We need to have an intense longing to know Christ intimately and as a result, know Almighty God for they are one in the same. The righteousness we enjoy, our being made right with God, is part of the gift of salvation that He offers us. Knowing Christ is a far greater thing than all the riches this world could ever offer. The hope of winning lottery millions cannot compare to the contentment that comes from ‘the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus’ as both Lord and Savior of ones life. 

          As you go about your day, reflect on what Jesus Christ truly means to you. Giving Him your all each day and striving to be more like Him is what we are meant to do with our new lives in Christ. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

SPIRIT WALKING

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify (1) the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (Galatians 5:16-17)

          Walking in the Spirit is a sign that you are one of God’s children. Satisfying your own selfish desires is human and the natural inclination of an unregenerate soul. Once saved the two war against one another continuously. It doesn’t have to be that way. Our relationship with God is a personal one and can be as intimate as we want it to be. It isn’t meant to be a head nod as you thank ‘the big guy upstairs’ for this or that. It is to be an alteration of your lifestyle. God is to become the driving force behind all you think, say and do. This is a progressive act that can take a lifetime to accomplish. It really all depends on how much you put into it. It’s what God expects in exchange for the forgiveness He purchased for us through the death of His own Son. We are missing out on nothing of any import or eternal value by living in the Spirit rather than in the flesh. Our adversary the devil will lie to you by telling you God doesn’t want you to have any fun, but the fun that is had is fleeting, temporal and most of the time produces consequences that are undesirable. God knows what is best for us at all times. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

(1) Indulge or satisfy. (www.oxforddictionaries.com)

CHRIST IDENTIFIED

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58)

          In this portion of scripture the Jewish religious leaders are disputing who Jesus truly was. The Jews are contesting Jesus at every turn, yet He is unperturbed, for He knows their hearts’ motive isn’t pure. They seek to rid themselves of Jesus, but are unable to at this time for man cannot alter God’s plans. 

          When Jesus makes the above statement He is essentially identifying Himself with God the Father, since “I AM” is the name God gave Himself when He spoke to Moses on Mount Horeb in Exodus 3:14. Before there was time God was and by association so was Jesus, for the Trinity is inextricably (1) linked. Therefore, Jesus was saying that He was God, as in, God the Son. 

          When we give our lives over to Jesus Christ we are in fact giving ourselves over to the entirety of the Triune God; which is to say God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The Father gives us grace and mercy, the Son purchases our freedom from sin by His shed blood and the Spirit enters into us to lead and guide us. It’s God’s complete package; the gift that provides for us eternal life with Him. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

 (1) Impossible to separate; closely joined or related.

LOVE AS WE ARE LOVED

“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” (1 John 4:20-21) 

          The church John wrote to was experiencing a division. Tradition tells us many left to follow Gnostic teacher Cerinthus, who was known to be an opponent of Johns’. Cerinthus denied the reality of the Incarnation, opposed John’s teachings regarding sin and taught that a general lack of love was needed. These teachings didn’t line up with authentic Christian beliefs. To combat these false teachings, John emphasized in his letter that God is light, He is righteous and He is love. “The whole letter revolves around these three themes … .“(1)  

          What does this mean to us today? It’s very simple. We are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Some will be unlovable in our eyes; crass, inconsiderate and somewhat intolerable. This is irrelevant. God loves them and if we say we are related to God through salvation, then we are to love them just as we are loved. I’m not saying it is always easy, but as we strive to be more like Christ we will slowly begin to see people the way God sees them … as a blessing. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

(1) Asbury Bible Commentary; The Situation

AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

“…he (Christ) has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:19b-20a) 

          Reconciliation is the restoration of friendly relations between two or more parties. We are called to bring about a restoration between Almighty God and unregenerate man. When we receive Christ we become His representatives or ambassadors. Whether we realize it or not, we are representing Him every moment of every day. Are the things that we think, say and do each day a good representation of who Christ truly is? I fail miserably more times than not in my own walk with the Lord. It isn’t easy. This is why we need to stay as close to God as possible. This isn’t something we can fake. We must live authentic lives. People need to see something different in us that compels them to seek what we have found. The Holy Spirit desires to flow through us enabling us to make a dramatic difference in this world. What would the world see in you that would make them sit up and take notice? Perhaps it’s time to reassess our walk with God? Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

NO FEAR

“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 118:5-6) 

          David had to deal with insurgents from within his own family as well as powerful enemies from without that threatened the safety of Israel in his lifetime. His faith in God was strong and unyielding; therefore when trouble came to him he prayed. It was David’s belief, as recorded in this Psalm (and elsewhere as well), that if the Lord was with him he had absolutely nothing to fear. David believed that victory wasn’t assured by the amassing of a mighty arsenal of weapons, but rather on reliance in Almighty God. He took his belief so far as to believe that mortal man might be able to kill the body, but never the soul of a man. 

          The same is true today. While our pressure is at times self-induced, there are many times when unwanted circumstances create immense stress in our lives. As children of God we should say as David said long ago, “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can men do to me?” The answer to that question is simple … God is greater than anything or anyone that might come against us. That fact should give us peace. Remember, all things are either caused or allowed by God for His own purposes. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

BE HOLY AS I AM HOLY

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:14-16) 

          Peter wrote his letter to Gentile believers in several Christian communities scattered throughout Asia Minor. These believers were being verbally attacked for their new found faith and as a result were questioning the grace by which they stood. Peter instructed them to leave behind their former practices fraught with evil desires and live moral & ethical lives. He quotes from Leviticus in the Old Testament (1) as a means of showing that God declares Himself holy and asks nothing less of His people. 

          It should be noted that by virtue of our redemption God sees us as holy and righteous, although we are not literally so. We achieve our holiness or moral compass over time, for it is progressive in nature. As we desire to be more and more like Christ in our daily life we will begin to become more morally conscience. It is nothing that can be rushed. We must submit to the teachings of God and allow His Holy Spirit to do His work in us. 

          In a world where it is said that 'surrender is not an option', we are asked to surrender our will to an unseen spirit. Faith and trust enables us to do just that. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! 

(1) Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2

OUR TREASURE

“… where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) 

          I once knew a person whose greatest fear was being poor. This person did everything in their power to accumulate money so as to avoid such a calamity. They professed to be a Christian, yet didn’t trust God enough to meet their needs. Their thinking seemed to be if they had what they considered to be enough money they would have no worries. The problem was that they never felt they had enough. Their heart was in amassing a fortune to protect them from poverty. 

          While having riches isn’t wrong, making it your sole motivation for living is. The Lord wants us to be at peace and rely on Him to meet our needs. If we cling to our treasures rather than to the Lord we will come up wanting when we are truly in need. ‘Things’ cannot save us just as they cannot bring us peace, hope or contentment. There is always the thought that it isn’t enough or the fear that someone will take it from you. 

          Let your treasure be God and His wonderful grace and your heart will find the rest it seeks. That is something that moth and rust can have no effect on. 

Until next time, walk with the Lord and be a blessing!

DOING GOOD

“Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.” (Amos 5:14) 

          Amos, a common shepherd in Tekoa of Judah, was called by God to prophesy against Israel. In spite of their disobedience to God, the Jews were confident they still had God’s favor. Amos was sent to proclaim that they were about to receive God’s judgment for their severe oppression of the poor and abuse of the legal system. 

          In this day and age many say God is with them, yet show no evidence of it in the way they live. As believers in Christ we are to strive to seek that which is good and not evil. They only way to know that which is pleasing to the Lord is to draw close to Him and stay there on a daily basis. This is possible through the reading of scripture and applying His principles to our lives. Desiring to be more like Christ should be our one and only true goal as a Christian. Our own desires must come second. It is consistent living according to God’s precepts combined with the true genuineness of our faith that will get people’s attention and draw others to God. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

WALK WITH GOD

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2) 

          The church in Asia Minor had come face to face with cultic religions and new doctrines that contradicted that which had been preached to them by Paul. Though this letter is labeled Ephesians, it is supposed that it was more of a cyclical letter, being passed around to all the churches in that area. No specific destination is listed in the beginning and no personal greetings seen at the end, which is Paul’s common practice, leads scholars to come to this conclusion. 

          Paul deals with no particular issue; instead he points out that Christ is the only one who would willingly die for the sins of man. As a result of His death every blessing from God was readily available to those who place their faith and trust in Him. 

          In this day and age we are buffeted about by various belief systems that proclaim an easier way to get to heaven. Be careful, for scripture declares that there is only one way men can achieve a heavenly destination and that is through Jesus (Acts 4:12). He loved us and gave Himself freely to pay our sin debt. No other ‘religion’ offers that. This is why our allegiance to God must be steadfast and true. Live for God relentlessly. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

LIVING FOR CHRIST

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” (1 Peter 1:13) 

          The apostle Peter wrote this letter to gentile believers scattered throughout Asia Minor. It seemed they were being criticized, slandered and even ostracized by those non-believers around them due to their distinctive lifestyle. The believers were unfamiliar with the nature of God’s grace, so Peter wrote to explain it. We see in verse 13 that they should be prepared to stay alert and sober and set their hope on nothing other than the grace that has been given to them. They are to maintain a sustained effort, for the world about them will not relent. The more non-believers see their words and actions having a detrimental effect, the more diligently they will bring persecution. 

          It’s no different today. Personal attacks based on our faith and our godly lifestyle exist and are, as they have always been, based on fear and ignorance on the part of the attackers. As Christians, we must stand firm and allow God’s wonderful, yet undeserved favor to clothe us in peace even in the face of opposition. We must stand tall for Christ if by no other way then through the lifestyle we display. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

THREE REQUIREMENTS

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8) 

          Micah was a prophet who lived in Moresheth, a small town between Judah and Philistia, roughly 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem. Because he lived outside the city, Micah, whose name means “Who is like Jehovah”, was able to objectively prophesy regarding the destruction of both Judah and Jerusalem in the mid-700’s BC. He could clearly see all the corruption and grieved over the recklessness with which the people lived. 

          It has been said that David reduced the 613 requirements of the Mosaic Law to 11 and Micah, in turn, reduced them to just 3. They are listed in verse 8: to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Some manuscripts use the word prudently, instead of humbly. To be prudent is “to act with care and thought for the future”. 

          This is what we can take from the above passage of scripture for today. As we move forward with the Lord we should take heed of the prophets words and do to others that which is just and merciful in the sight of God. We should also live being mindful of the future, for our actions will dictate the consequences. Live for God in peace. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

BEING LIKE CHRIST

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,” (Titus 2:11-12) 

          Titus was ministering on the isle of Crete, the 4th largest island in the Mediterranean. Cretans were said to be “liars, evil beasts and lazy gluttons” by some of their compatriots. (Titus 1:12b) For this reason Paul felt compelled to stress in his letter to Titus that followers of Christ must deny ungodliness and the lusts of this world. 

          It’s no different today. Man, in general, can be a brutish lot. They can be selfish, self-centered, judgmental and unforgiving with regularity. Even the most proper among us can resort to this type of behavior when they feel necessity demands it. This is all the more reason why we, as ambassadors of Christ, must seek to be more like our Lord. Reacting with what comes naturally to us may result in consequences we will regret. We’ll never be perfect this side of heaven, failing frequently; however, that is never a reason to cease trying. Live as righteous men, following the precepts laid out for us in scripture. Strive to be more Christ-like each day. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

TIME WITH GOD

“So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) 

          Have you ever procrastinated? I have. Wasted time? I’ve done that too. While it’s not a sin, we do tend to overlook the importance of time. I have often said that time means nothing to God and that’s true. We, however, operate within the constraints of time and must weigh the importance of each day we are alive. God wishes to use us for His own purposes; purposes which will be unclear to us if we don’t spend time with Him. 

          There will always be times for relaxation and rest. There are weekend excursions with family and friends to be taken; vacations to enjoy. That isn’t what I speak of. I speak of the things of the spirit. We must allow time for that as well. 

          To know God is to know His will. To know God is to spend intimate time with Him. He wishes to bless us and use us, but we won’t be prepared if we are not the least bit attentive to our own spiritual growth. There is wisdom to be gained from spending quality time with our God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

LIVE FOR CHRIST

“He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. … Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:15, 17) 

          The New Year has arrived full of hope and promise. It’s seen as a fresh start, a do over of sorts. For the Christian it can be seen as if we are being born again all over again. It should be a time for reflection and introspection. The slate is clean. What will we write on it in 2014? 

          If we have allowed Christ into our lives then we should no longer be living for ourselves, but rather for the One who died and rose again. This is a perfect time to make an assessment of our walk with God. Have we allowed Him to have His way in us? Are we striving to be more like Christ in all we think, say and do? Do we see those around us as God sees them? 

          Embrace this opportunity to make positive strides in our walk with Christ. He died for us, paying the price for our sin. Should we not live for Him?  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! May God bless each and every one of my readers with good health in the coming year and may you prosper even as your soul prospers. (3 John 1:2)