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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God told the Israelites that they would be blessed if they chose to obey His commands and they would be cursed of they chose to reject his commands.

“Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! 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 11:26-28 NLT

Jesus taught a similar principle.

 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” (Luke 11:28 NLT)

  “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” (Mathew 7:24 – 27 NLT)

 This is not “rocket science”.  When individuals (or nations) consistently choose to obey Biblical principles the long term outcomes are blessings from God.  When individuals (or nations) consistently choose to reject Biblical principles the long term outcomes are curses from God.

If you want to experience God’s blessings you need to know God’s Word and then choose to obey God’s Word.

 “… choose this day whom you will serve …
as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
(Joshua 24:15 ESV)

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How much of the Bible do you believe?  Do you have the option of labeling selected parts of the Bible as “God’s truth” and other parts of the Bible as being irrelevant or unnecessary?

Is it ever o.k. to “fill in the gaps” to make scripture relevant for us today or delete parts of scripture that appear to be unnecessary? NO!

 “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it. (Deuteronomy 12:32 ESV)

You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2 ESV)

Every word of God proves true; … Do not add to his words, … (Proverbs 30:5-6 ESV)

Is it ever o.k. to “modify” parts of scripture? NO!

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. (Joshua 1:7 ESV)

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19 ESV)

 We may not understand everything that we read in the Bible but God does expect us to believe that everything written in the Bible is true.

 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.  (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT)

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Are you experiencing the joy that comes from giving to the LORD?

Recently I was reading 1 Chronicles.  King David was gathering supplies and resources for the temple that his son Solomon was about to build.  King David challenged the leaders of the land to contribute to the temple’s “building fund”.

Here is their response.

Then the leaders of fathers’ houses made their freewill offerings, as did also the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officers over the king’s work.  They gave for the service of the house of God 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze and 100,000 talents of iron.  And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, in the care of Jehiel the Gershonite.  Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly. (1 Chronicles 29:6-9 ESV)

The verse, “Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD.” jumped out at me.

What had just happened?

• People were asked to help finance the building of the temple.
• The people responded willingly.
• The people rejoiced. (Their hearts were filled with joy.)

David challenged his leaders to give.  God challenges us to give.

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. (Malachi 3:10 ESV)

Scripture tells us to give willingly.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9: 7 ESV)

Good things happen when we give to the work of the LORD.

… give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38 ESV)

Challenge:

Give generously to your church and to other Christian ministries.  Give and experience real joy in your heart.

 … remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35 ESV)

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Are you able to say,

^“ …I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”  (Philippians 4:11-12 NIV)

or are the words in Ecclesiastes 1:8 a more accurate description of how you feel?

 Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we (I) see, we are (I am) never satisfied. No matter how much we (I) hear, we are (I am) not content. (Ecclesiastes 1:8 NLT)

Contentment is priceless.

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.  After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.  So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.  (1Timothy 6:6-8 NLT)

Be content with the life God called you to live.

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him… (1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV)

Be content with your resources.

 “…. And be content with your pay.”  (Luke 3:14 NLT)

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT)

Trust God to supply all of your needs.

Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.  (Psalm 37:3-4 NLT)

If you feel that something is lacking in your life tell God what you need.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

Hopefully you are able to say ^“ …I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”  

 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?  (Matthew 6:25-26 NLT)

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Recently I was rereading some papers written by one of my students nearly a decade ago. The following paragraph was included in his writing.

“After I became a Christian, I realized that being a Christian is a gift that we have to receive and we should receive it because he (Jesus) died on the cross for our sins, and going to heaven is a really good thing because there is no sin, death, or pain in heaven.  So I think whoever isn’t a Christian should become one because you never know when you are going to die.”

This student included the following verse in his writings.

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life …” (John 3:16 ESV)

This student’s writing showed that he had a basic understanding of a number of Biblical truths.

• Salvation is a gift from God.
• Jesus paid the penalty for our sins.
• We need to believe Jesus died for us.
• Heaven will be a good place to spend eternity.
• We need to accept God’s offer of salvation while we still have the chance.
• Most of us do not know when or how we are going to die.

It was very encouraging to me to be reminded of how well some of my students understood and responded to the message of salvation.

I was saddened to hear that this former student was recently killed.

If you have never accepted the gift of salvation you need to seriously reflect on this student’s challenge to you. “So I think whoever isn’t a Christian should become one because you never know when you are going to die.”

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,  so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.  (Hebrews 9:27-28 NLT)

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We just celebrated the 239^th birthday of our nation.  As we reflect on the past 239 years it is easy to become discouraged.  Looking back over the history of our nation, America does not appear to be the great world power it once was.  Attacks from terrorists seem to be more and more likely to occur. Our national debt is going through the ceiling.  Numerous politicians think that it is o.k. to tell lies. Morality seems to be at an all-time low. Violent crime is part of our everyday news.   A large portion of our nation is experiencing a severe drought.  Unemployment is an ongoing issue.  It really appears that things are out of control in America.

Know this.  The events occurring in America and throughout the world are NOT out of control.  We have a sovereign God and He is very much in control.

Rather than becoming discouraged, we need to remember God’s promises to His people.

 “… Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” ( John 16:33 NLT)

God is not asleep.  Take time to reflect on the following passage of scripture.

 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.

 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.

 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.  (Psalm 121 NLT)

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.  (Isaiah 41:10 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

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

Enjoy your 4^th of July Holiday.

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Do you want to be a good leader in your home, at school, at work, at church, in your community?  Do you want to be a good local, state, or national politician?  Do you know what it takes to be a good leader?

Listed below are some of the qualities of a good leader.

• A good leader is strong and courageous.

 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people ….”                                           (Joshua 1:6 NLT)

• A good leader knows that his strength comes from the Lord.

The Lord is my strength and shield.
    I trust him with all my heart. (Psalm 28:7 NLT)

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)

• A good leader knows and adheres to Biblical principles.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8 ESV)

• A good leader is not fearful or easily discouraged.

…. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 ESV)

•  A good leader is just and hates wrongdoing.

A just king gives stability to his nation … (Proverbs 29:4 NLT)

It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. (Proverbs 16:12 ESV)

• A good leader is diligent.

The hand of the diligent will rule… (Proverbs 12:24 ESV)

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is … to lead, do it diligently.…. (Romans 12:6 & 8 NIV)

• A good leader is honest.

But select from all the people … honest men who fear God …. Appoint them as leaders … (Exodus 18:21 NLT)

If a king judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever.  (Proverbs 29:14 NASB)

The Lord detests lying lips,
but he delights in those who tell the truth. (Proverbs 12:22 NLT)

• A good leader has a servant heart.

… the leader should be like a servant. (Luke 22:26 NLT)

• A good leader is humble.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3 ESV)

• A good leader is wise, understanding, and experienced.

Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’ (Deuteronomy 1:13 ESV)

• A good leader seeks wise council.

.Without wise leadership, a nation falls;
there is safety in having many advisers. Proverbs 11:14 NLT

Because of me (wisdom), kings reign,
and rulers make just decrees. (Proverbs 8:15 NLT)

• A good leader leads by example.

 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12 ESV)

A good leader:

A good leader is strong and courageous.

A good leader knows that his strength comes from the Lord.

A good leader knows and adheres to Biblical principles.

A good leader is not fearful or easily discouraged.

A good leader is just and hates wrongdoing.

A good leader is diligent.

A good leader is honest.

A good leader has a servant heart.

A good leader is humble.

A good leader is wise, understanding, and experienced.

A good leader seeks wise council..

A good leader leads by example.

How do you measure up as a leader?

How do those who lead you measure up?

How do the leaders that you want to put into political office measure up?

Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader …  (Ecclesiastes 10:17 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 their behavior is 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)

Believing we are right when in fact we are wrong is a behavior that applies to individuals as well as to nations (even to Supreme Courts).  This was true of the nation of Israel.

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 ESV)

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

What happens when we do things our way rather than God’s way?

• We lack success.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, …. ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’   But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. (Jeremiah 7:21-24 ESV)

• We are conquered by our enemies.

And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD …. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, …. And they provoked the LORD to anger. …. So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. Whenever they marched out, the hand of the LORD was against them for harm, as the LORD had warned, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were in terrible distress. (Judges 2:11-15 ESV)

• We experience death.

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

“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. …. Serve the Lord alone.  But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. …. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”  (Joshua 24:14-15 NLT)

(You may want to reread the posts entitled “Living the Life God Planned for You to Live”)

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