Do you want people to think well of you?  Do you want a good reputation?

You are known by your actions.

Even children are known by the way they act,
whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.  (Proverbs 20:11   NLT)

If a good reputation is important to you, consider putting the following points into practice.

• Walk with integrity.

The godly walk with integrity…  (Proverbs 20:7 NLT)

• Don’t use inappropriate language.

Don’t use foul or abusive language.  (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)

• Use encouraging words in your conversations.

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.  (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.  (Colossians 4:6 NLT)

• Get rid of inappropriate behaviors.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.  (Ephesians 4:31 NLT)

•  Practice doing good deeds.

… let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.  (Matthew 5:16 NLT)

Do to others as you would like them to do to you.  (Luke 6:31 NLT)

… be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another… (Ephesians 4:32 NLT)

A good reputation does not happen automatically.  A good reputation can be earned and a good reputation can be lost.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!  (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)

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Just because something is right in our eyes doesn’t mean that it is, in fact, right.

Many people believe they are capable of making good decisions without God’s help, and believe that all of their behaviors are appropriate.

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes… (Proverbs 16:2 ESV)

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes… (Proverbs 21:2 ESV)

However, in reality, what they believe or how they act is contrary to the will of God.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT)

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God.  1 Corinthians 3:19 (NLT)

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 16:25 ESV)

Doing whatever seems right in our own eyes is often doing evil in the sight of the Lord.

Instead of doing what you think is right, discover God’s will for your life.

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.
People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.  (Proverbs 16:1-3 NLT)

 You can find God’s will for your life.

Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.  (Psalm 105:4 NLT)

 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT)

Let God guide you along life’s pathway.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.  (Psalm 32:8 NLT)

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Matthew 7:24 (NLT)

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Waves of anger, frustration, violence and civil unrest are starting to sweep across the United States.  The stock market is unstable and unpredictable.  Many 401K plans are losing money. Job security is a thing of the past.  Many churches no longer adhere to Biblical truths. Health care costs are going through the roof.  Numerous government officials seem to think that it is o.k. to tell lies.  Marriage vows are frequently broken.  This list could go on and on.

Something we need to know is that we can’t put our trust in people.

This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans,
who rely on human strength …  (Jeremiah 17:5 NLT)

Who can we trust?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.  (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

Our help comes from the Lord.

From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
(Psalm 121:1-2 ESV)

God loves us and cares about us.

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. … So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 NLT)

The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. (Psalm 34:19 NLT)

Ask God for help.

Come with great power, O God, and rescue me!
Defend me with your might.
Listen to my prayer, O God.
Pay attention to my plea.  (Psalm 54:1-2 NLT)

Now may the Lord value my life…  May he rescue me from all my troubles.”  (1 Samuel 26:24 NLT)

Summary:

• We can’t put our trust in people.
• Our help comes from the Lord.
• God loves us and cares about us.
• We can ask God for help.

Where does our (real) help come from?  Our help comes from the Lord.

^… the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.  (2 Timothy 4:18 NLT)

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It’s not all about Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump (or any politician).

Think what could happen if all of the Christians in America humbled themselves, and prayed and sought God’s face and turned from their wicked ways.

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.  (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)

Think what could happen if all of the Christians in America looked to God, instead of politicians, for direction.

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.  (Psalm 23:1-3 NLT)

…. when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  (Jeremiah 29:12-13 NLT)

Think what could happen if all of the Christians in America knew, understood, and practiced Biblical principles.

 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  (Matthew 7:24 NLT)

 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”  (John 14:21 NLT)

Think what could happen if all of the Christians in America recognized the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:9-11 NLT)

Are you looking to Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, or any politician for help or can you say, along with the psalmist,

“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”  (Psalm 121:1 NLT)?

What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
(Psalm 33:12 NLT)

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It’s not all about Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump (or any politician).

Think what could happen if all of the Christians in America humbled themselves, and prayed and sought God’s face and turned from their wicked ways.

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.  (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)

Think what could happen if all of the Christians in America looked to God, instead of politicians, for direction.

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.  (Psalm 23:1-3 NLT)

…. when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  (Jeremiah 29:12-13 NLT)

Think what could happen if all of the Christians in America knew, understood, and practiced Biblical principles.

 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  (Matthew 7:24 NLT)

 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”  (John 14:21 NLT)

Think what could happen if all of the Christians in America recognized the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:9-11 NLT)

Are you looking to Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, or any politician for help or can you say, along with the psalmist, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”  (Psalm 121:1 NLT)?

What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,
whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
(Psalm 33:12 NLT)

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Some choices are difficult to make.  We know that choices have consequences, so we are tempted to think that if we don’t make choices we won’t have to face the consequence.  Life doesn’t work that way.  We are all faced with a choice that needs to be made.  This choice will determine our future for all of eternity.

We must make the choice to love God or to love the world.

The Bible discusses the choice of loving the world vs. loving God.

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.  And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17 NLT)

Too often we want to divide our loyalties between God and the world.  We want to love both God and the world.

Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.  (James 4:8 NLT)

The Bible tells us that we can’t love both God and the world.

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. (Matthew 6:24 NLT)

Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.  (James 4:4 NLT)

Divided loyalties are repulsive to God.

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!  But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! (Revelation 3:15-16 NLT)

Divided loyalties do not work.

…. choose today whom you will serve. ….  (Joshua 24:15 NLT)

Are you going to love God or are you going to love the world?

“…. choose today whom you will serve.
…. But as for me and my family, we will serve  the Lord.”
(Joshua 24:15 NLT)

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“It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor”

– President George Washington

“I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God’s help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can’t expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living.”

– Ronald Reagan

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD … (Psalm 33:12 ESV)

Enjoy your 4^th of July Holiday.

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The Bible tells us that we are free to make our own choices.

 …. choose today whom you will serve. …. (Joshua 24:15 NLT)

 “Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! (Deuteronomy 11:26 NLT)

 We are free to make our own choices, but remember, choices have consequences.

 You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the Lord your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before.  (Deuteronomy 11:27-28 NLT)

Blessings or curses.  What will it be?

 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! (Deuteronomy 30:19NLT)

What choices do you need to make to receive God’s blessings?

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. (Deuteronomy 10:12 NLT)

Fear the Lord your God.

Live in a way that pleases God.  (Do what God says.)

Love God and serve Him with all your heart and soul.

Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.  (Deuteronomy 13:4 NLT)

Serve only the Lord your God.

Fear Him (God) alone.

Obey God’s commands.

Listen to God’s voice.

Cling to God.

Doing what God requires is for your own good.

And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. (Deuteronomy 10: 13 NLT)

Are your choices leading to life or are your choices leading to death?

You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the Lord your God ….  (Deuteronomy 11:27-28 NLT)

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How many times have you heard the expression, “I guarantee it” or “Try it, you’ll like it”.

For many of us, these phrases have been so over used that we tend to ignore them.

If you are not currently experiencing God’s goodness, there is a phrase I would like for you to take seriously.

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!

Give the Lord a chance to show you how good he is.

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!  Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!  … those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:8-10 ESV)

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.  (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)

If you are not experiencing God’s goodness, spend time reading your Bible on a daily basis.  Tune in to what God is saying to you.  The more you read the scriptures, the better you will know God.  As your relationship with the Lord matures, you will experience more of His goodness.  Try it.  You’ll like it. I guarantee it. 

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT)

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I recently enjoyed eating blackberries that I picked off blackberry bushes that are growing in our backyard.  Several years ago I planted two blackberry bushes.   I didn’t make the bushes (seeds). God was the one who made the blackberry plants.

Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.  (Genesis 1:29 NLT)

I didn’t make the bushes grow.  God is the one who caused these blackberry bushes to grow.

You (God) cause grass to grow for the livestock
    and plants for people to use.
You (God) allow them to produce food from the earth— (Psalm 104:14 NLT)

All I did was plant two small blackberry bushes.

Good things can happen when we plant seeds (or in some cases transplant small plants).

The Bible talks about planting another kind of seed.  In Mark chapter 4 there is the Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed.

The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others.  (Mark 4:14 NLT)

Christians are told to plant seeds.  In the Bible, Christians are told to take God’s word to others.

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach (proclaim or tell) the Good News to everyone. (Mark 16:15 NLT)

Jesus is with those who tell others about Him.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT)

The power comes from God.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8 NLT)

God equips Christians for doing His will.

Now may the God of peace…. equip you with all you need for doing his will. (Hebrews 13:20-21NLT)

God makes the seed grow.

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.  It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.   (1 Corinthians 3:6-9NLT)

Christians are asked to plant seeds by sharing the Gospel with others.  God does the rest.

For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.  (John 6:44 NLT)

Have you planted any seeds recently?  

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.  But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33 NLT)

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