DELIVERANCE

Psalm 120:2 (CEB) “LORD, deliver me from lying lips and a dishonest tongue!”

Psalm 34:4 (CEB) “I sought the LORD and he answered me. He delivered me from all my fears.”

Psalm 54:7 (CEB) “… God has delivered me from every distress. My eyes have seen my enemies’ defeat."

Psalm 107:6 (CEB) “So they cried out to the LORD in their distress, and God delivered them from their desperate circumstances. “

Throughout our lives there will come people who will feel it necessary to lie about you and speak or act in a dishonest manner regarding you for their own gain. It has happened to me and it no doubt has happened to you. Some of the things that have been said, albeit untrue, have had a very negative effect on relationships with those who are connected somehow to both parties. There are times when dishonesty can cost a person their job, even though the evidence of the accusation is nonexistent. It can be a very bitter pill to swallow.

Know this; God is not mocked. If you are His child retribution for those who lie, cheat or steal for their own gain is coming. We need do nothing but continue to live for our God. He will take care of those who seek to destroy our lives or our reputations. Nothing can harm us any more than we allow it to. God is our protector and will not allow us to fall if we are living for Him. Even when we slip up and make a disappointing mistake, when we seek forgiveness with a contrite or sincere heart, we stand forgiven as if it had never taken place. The consequences must play out and there may be some associated pain that comes with that, but your enemies will not prosper forever at your expense. Their day is coming. God will see to it.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

AVOID INANE TALK

2 Timothy 2:23 (CEB) “Avoid foolish and thoughtless discussions, since you know that they produce conflicts.”

There are those in this world who are convinced that what they believe is the one true way to God. I went to a church like that for several weeks until it became apparent that they felt they had a special tap into God’s REAL truth. It became a little unnerving to say the least. Guilt, restrictions, strict adherence to God’s word without room for mistakes; a preacher who spoke for over an hour, repeating himself multiple times for no reason other than to get a chuckle at the comical illustration he was giving … and giving … and giving again. It did no good to discuss any differences in opinion with them, I tried … they justified each and every word and action with an argument that was well thought out, yet not directly from scripture. I could have had that “foolish and thoughtless” discussion all day long, but it would have been fruitless.

Satan, at times, draws us in these mindless, inane discussions to rob time from us. They serve no purpose. They only keep us from staying focused on Christ.  Foolish babble and mindless discussions are a waste of our good time and should be avoided if at all possible. Strive to not get sucked into conflict producing discussions which end up only being arguments that irritate and unsettle our spirit. No good comes from them. We have been given a spirit of discernment. Become familiar with it. The Spirit of God will lead you into all righteousness and tip you off when you are somewhere you need not be, even if that is being in a conversation that leads nowhere but to frustration.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!!

SELF-CONTROL

Galatians 5:22-23 (CEB) “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

SELF-CONTROL (def): the ability to exercise restraint or control over one's feelings, emotions, reactions.

RESTRAINT (def): the ability to control or moderate one's impulses, passions.

We are asked to restrain ourselves in scripture. I have a very hard time restraining myself when it comes to eating. Even when I eat things that are good for me, I eat too many of them. But these verses aren’t talking about eating per se; they are referring to the way we act and react to things around us.

Back in the 1970’s, when America was experiencing gas shortages and long lines to fuel our vehicles was the norm, some people LOST their self-control and literally shot other people to death over cutting in the line. We need to remain calm even in the most trying circumstances. I tend to lose my temper when I misplace something around the house. It is a ridiculous display of anger than I am ashamed to even have to admit, but I could not seem to restraint myself … I lost control of my emotions.

How about you? Do you “lose it” from time to time. Ask God to teach you how to use self-control in all areas of your life. You will be more at peace with yourself and be a greater example to others. People are watching us, make no mistake about it. They want to know how this Jesus makes us any different from them. What are we showing them?

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

RANDOM RAMBLINGS 16

Decisions we make in haste often end in disaster. I resemble that remark. Getting ahead of God can cost us time, money and unnecessary pain and heartache. We think we know what we are doing but find out, usually too late, that we were wrong. 

I was reflecting on my past early this morning and that opening line came to me. Some folks blame God for the calamities that befall them, as if He sits on His throne thinking of ways to trip us up. The calamities are our own fault, no one else. We rush ahead with giddy excitement toward the person or thing that we think we need, when all it is is a mirage; something whose attraction will probably fade in the coming days, months or years after acquiring them or it. Doing things on a whim is no way to live. Seeking the face of God in all circumstances, patiently waiting for Him and then doing that which you know in your heart is FROM Him is the way to peace and contentment. Anything else is a mistake that will throw you off course on your way down the narrow path of life with God. Trust me, I know.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!           

CONSIDERATION

Galatians 5:22-23 (CEB) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

GENTLE (def): Considerate or kindly in disposition; amiable and tender.

Gentleness is the characteristic in an individual that shows them to be tender, kind and considerate. I would like to highlight being considerate. While it is not dead, it is certainly dying. Consideration for others seems to be a thing of the past. People cut in front of you whether on the road or on foot. Holding doors for someone, especially a person loaded down with small children or an elderly person, seems to still be intact, but the art of taking other people’s feelings into account is all by dead, at least that has been my experience. What is happening to us as a culture; have we really become a society of “me first” and “get out of my way”. Do we really think it is alright to speak our minds at the expense of another’s feelings’.

As Christians we should speak the truth in love, but that doesn’t mean we “shoot our own wounded” or thrash another with our righteousness. We are to be peace loving individuals who strive to emulate Christ and speak those things He taught in Scripture. Strive to be gentle in all you think, say and do. You will be the better for it and so will those around you.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

CONSISTENCY; it takes practice

Galatians 5:22-23 (CEB) “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

FAITHFUL (def): Adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, cause, or idea; loyal; worthy of trust or belief; reliable; consistent with truth or actuality; the steadfast adherents of a faith or cause.

CONSISTENT (def): Reliable; steady; not liable to or capable of change.

We know what faith is; believing in something that cannot be seen as if it CAN be. Our belief in Almighty God is based on faith. Being faithful is to be devoted or steadfast, but the word I want to look at in relation to faithfulness is CONSISTENT.

If a person isn’t reliable, then what is he? In one of the political campaigns several years back one of the presidential candidates was accused of “waffling” in his stance on key issues. He wasn’t being consistent. Our actions must line up with our words and our thoughts and words must line up with the Word of God or we will eventually come to ruin. Consistency in our walk with Christ is critical. Without a consistent walk with Christ we will be an unreliable witness of His mercy and grace. We will be as a burned out light, unable to lead anyone anywhere.

Seek to be CONSISTENT in your walk with God and know the peace that comes with steadfastly holding to and living His truth.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

FOR GOODNESS SAKE

Preface: You may have noticed that my entries have gotten shorter. I started to realize that I was beginning to over pontificate; in other words, I was getting too wordy. I decided to ask the Lord to help me be more succinct in my entries that I might say something meaningful, encouraging and helpful, but in much fewer words. My recent entries are the result. Be blessed! rk

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Galatians 5:22-23 (CEB) “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

GOOD (def): Having the qualities that are desirable; being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor; of high quality; worthy of respect; honorable; reliable; sure; valid or true; genuine; real; well-behaved; obedient.

GOODNESS (def): the state or quality of being good; generosity; kindness; moral excellence.

In a world where people try to hide behind false personas and alter egos, we are called as believers to be genuine and real. Nips and tucks have risen to epidemic proportions, with celebrities leading the way. Dolly Parton expressed it best when she said several years back, “If it’s a-sagging, a-bagging or a-dragging, I go get it fixed! … I get it sucked, plucked or tucked!” What people say and do is up to them, but how sad it is to me that some people simply can’t grow old gracefully. Anyway, being who you are as a person is being true to who God made you.

Being good in life isn’t simply NOT being bad; it is wrapped up in all the descriptive words listed in the above definitions. It is thinking of others before yourself. It is seeking God’s will over your own. It is reaching outward rather than inward. Having a quality of goodness in your heart, mind and spirit is admirable and pleasing to God. If we truly believe He is our provider and sustainer in this life, why would be strive to be anything else.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!