Self-Exam.

Here is a quick self-exam that we can use to evaluate our behavior.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,  O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

 Are your words acceptable to God?  Are you using truthful, kind, encouraging, soft answers, and helpful words or are your words lying, harsh, cutting, hurtful, discouraging, and disrespectful?

How about your thoughts?  Are your thoughts acceptable to God?

It would probably be helpful for all of us to included Psalm 19:14 in our daily prayers.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,

 O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

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Prepare your “to-do” list thoughtfully.

What are your plans for today?  Is your “to-do” list in order?

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

How much have you thought about your agenda for today?  Does today’s “to-do” list provide opportunities for God to be glorified?

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Getting Focused and Enjoying the Experience

Something to think about.

15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. (Psalm 119:15-16 ESV)

Today’s challenge:

Enjoy focusing on God’s Word.

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It’s time for an alignment.

From time to time when I take my vehicle in for an oil change I am told that it is time for a front end  “alignment.”  The mechanic explains in detail the importance of keeping my vehicle properly “aligned.”

The Fourth of July may be a good time to remind America that it is time for an “alignment” with God.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! …. ¹⁸  Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, (Psalm 33:12 & 18 ESV)

A nation that aligns itself with the Lord God can expect His blessing.  A nation that is out of alignment with the Lord has no reason to expect to expect His blessings.

I think it is time for America to get back in alignment with the Lord God.

Happy Independence Day

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If-Then statements

If-Then statements are conditional statements.  If this happens (hypothesis), then that will happen (conclusion).

2 Chronicles 7:14 is a powerful conditional statement.

…. if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

Check out my interpretation of this verse.

…. if the Christians in America humble themselves, and pray and seek God’s face and turn from their wicked ways, then God will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal America.

What do you think?

 Enjoy your 4^th of July Holiday.

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Another Awesome Promise

Meditating on scripture will enrich our lives.

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3 ESV)

Spending time in the Word can be life changing.  When we focus our minds on scripture throughout the week we are blessed and we become a blessing to others.  As we are rooted in the Word we become useful and productive to the Lord, yielding fruit in season.

Are you planted by a stream of living water?

Take some time today to delight in and meditate on scripture.

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Take advantage of “teachable moments.”

When is a good time to share God and His Word with others?

⁶  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV)

Many times our best teaching takes place outside of a formal teaching setting.  Some of life’s greatest lessons are learned from activities and conversations held informally throughout the day.

We all need to be looking for opportunities to share God and His Word with others anywhere and anytime throughout the day.

Look for and take advantage of “teachable moments.”

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Do you want to do something good for your country?

…. tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. ….6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, 7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; (Psalm 78:4, 6- 7 ESV)

We can do this.

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It takes effort to acquire wisdom.

Getting God’s wisdom involves hard work.  We must want God’s wisdom. We have to ask for God’s wisdom.  We must value God’s wisdom.  We must be willing to search diligently to get God’s wisdom.

1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; (Proverbs 2:1-6 ESV)

Ask yourself the following questions.

Do I want God’s wisdom?

Have I asked God for wisdom?

How much do I value wisdom?

Am I willing to search diligently for wisdom?

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What’s better than a Maglite?

I’m a big believer in Maglites.  I own a big four cell Maglite and numerous small Maglites.  I frequently carry one of my smaller flashlights around with me throughout the day.   I also have a flashlight in my bedroom, several at my desk, and one in the living room.  My flashlights help me avoid stumbling around and bumping into things in the darkness.  They bring about a sense of security.  My Maglites turn darkness into light.

What could be better than a Maglite?

How about a Bible?

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  Psalm 119:105

We live in a dark world that wants to trip us up.  We desperately need a powerful “light.” God gave us that powerful light when he gave us His word.  We ought to use it frequently.

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