Respecting Boundaries

Proverbs 22:28 - "Do not move the ancient boundary which your fathers have set."

If our descendants from a hundred years were around today, would they be proud or dismayed of the heritage they have entrusted to us? Would their ethics regarding respect for life and selflessness be part of the fabric of our lives? Solomon saw the danger in disrespecting absolutes and adopting an attitude of relativity toward life. That is why he warns us not to remove boundaries that are meant to give us life, instead of robbing the heritage meant to prosper.

God’s word confirms the arbitrary attitude toward sin and lawlessness in our society would cause those who have gone before us to be appalled. If they could, they would testify to our dark world rather than the enlightenment so many believe we have attained.

Sin is still sin. God does not change and neither do His boundaries. Lord, help us return to You and the life-giving parameters You have established to give us a future and a hope if we will but turn toward You.

Encourage One Another

Hebrews 3:13 - "But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today,' so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

When we go and encourage our friends and relatives at marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, etc., it would be superfluous to show up a day early or a day late to do so. If we are to encourage these, we must show up on race day and position ourselves accordingly along the course to give them our support and encouragement.

This is likewise true for the race set before all who know Christ. Oftentimes, the reason we do not feel encouraged by others is because we haven't shown up at the appropriate time to encourage them. If we are not sensitive to those around us who need a word of support, then often these will not be there when we need the same. As with most things, the law of reciprocity is in effect regarding what we give and receive.

May we all sow encouragement in other's lives. Conversely, when we need support, then others will be there for us.

Possession Through Confession

Titus 3:5 - "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."

According to recent studies, forty-five percent of Americans say they are born again Christians. However, how many of these actually live different lives? Of these, what is the percentage of "Christians" who share the life of God in all they say and do? I would venture to say it is far less than those who profess a second birth.

God came in the form of His Son to wash away our sins. If we have believed in God and trusted in His Son, this is a reality that is eternal. However, if we are not being renewed by the Holy Spirit in how we speak and live our lives, then maybe we our salvation is false. Conversion of the mind is much different than salvation of the heart. With the heart we believe, resulting in salvation (Romans 10:10). Beloved, may our confession be aligned with our profession of Christ in our lives that testifies of our possession of Him.

Food That Satisfies

Deuteronomy 8:3 - "He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord."

God makes us hungry for the things that nourish. He will satisfy our godly appetites if we will but trust in Him. However, familiarity can often be the soil where contempt takes root. Therefore, it is important to cultivate gratitude in a humble manner. When God then brings His proverbial "meat"—as He did when bringing the quail to the Israelites—we will then be ready and appreciative for His great bounty He rains down upon us (Numbers 11:30-32).

When we get our eyes on our circumstances rather than keeping them on the Lord, then we are candidates for ingratitude leading to rebellion. God wants us to trust for the manna He will send our way, everyday. Grateful hearts will enable the Father to pour down a blessing of the meat of His word. This type of wisdom makes wealth in all areas of our lives – physically, materially, and most importantly, spiritually.

A Scoffer's Dilemma

Proverbs 14:6 - "A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge is easy to one who has understanding."

Pride cannot coexist with wisdom. A judgmental mind that seeks to elevate itself against the things of God will always be led astray. Paul used the Greek word "mōrainō" when describing self-proclaimed seekers of wisdom. He literally says those who profess themselves to be wise have become morons in their attempt to conceptualize God to fit their desires (Romans 1:22).

The psalmist tells us that the fool has said in his heart, "There is no God" (Psalm 14:1). Whenever we scoff in judgment at God or others, we have denied God's existence and have elevated ourselves to God's place. Our license to judge righteously only comes when we are meek and humble like the Lord Jesus (John 7:24). Conversely, arrogant scoffing at God or humankind will only reveal our foolish heart.

The Non-negotiability of God's Word

Isaiah 51:7 - "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."

If we know Christ, His righteousness, and His law, then we stand a good chance to be reviled when we stand up for our faith. We will be ridiculed for saying things such as homosexuality is sin, as well as same-sex marriage. However, we are merely agreeing with God and His word when we do so.

Ambassadors from another country do not purport their own agenda. They merely communicate the ideals of the kingdom they represent. Likewise, God has called us to witness to his word. As the world gets darker with sin, may we grow bolder in our witness, hating the sin but loving the sinner.

The Promised Land

Deuteronomy 6:23 - "He brought us out from there in order to bring us in, to give us the land which he had sworn to our fathers."

God has not saved us from hell and from our past lives of sin merely to abandon us to a joyless, mundane life in our proverbial wildernesses. He tells us in His word that He came to give us life, and that our lives can be filled with abundance (John 10:10). So, why do so many believers experience little of this promise? Many refuse to relinquish their unbelief, not trusting God for all things He has promised. They choose to experience life by what they see rather than believing God will do as He says.

Paul tells in Philippians that God will fulfill His plan in our lives (Philippians 1:6). Do we believe this? Have we surrendered to God in such a way that testifies to the abundance in our life – even when we can't see it? God's Promised Land will only be realized or relinquished by our choice. What or who will we believe this day?