Moral Filth

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. ~ James 1:21

If I claim to be a follower of Jesus, I must turn away from sin and pursue a Christ-like lifestyle.  Sin will always be in the world and I will always be a sinner, but I must let the Holy Spirit guide me and choose to get rid of the sin that may have permeated my life before becoming a follower.  We make choices everyday that affect our spiritual walk and people are watching what we do.  The world is full of moral filth and explicit evil, that everyone agrees with as being sinful, but what about the self-centered sins of me, me, me, or gluttony of material things, or lust for someone other than your spouse?  Sins of the selfish us that others may not know, or see.  These may be the hardest to acknowledge and turn from – the secret sins.  God sees and we must make a daily choice to humbly accept Christ and His goodness, for only through His righteousness and forgiveness are we truly saved from ourselves.  We must choose to make a conscious effort to put our sinful wants behind us, ask for forgiveness and accept and trust in God’s goodness to save us.  For only Christ can save us when we decide to accept what He has done for us through His sacrifice and when we choose to dive into His word to grow our spiritual garden and weed the choking sin out.  Just because you know of the Word doesn’t make your spiritual walk better.  You have to receive God’s scripture and accept it with humility before God can really grow you.  It’s a heart issue.  You must be willing to learn, listen and love like God.  You cannot come to God arrogant and prideful and expect to flourish.  It’s about being humble, putting away your sinful nature and trusting God. ~ Amen

Your Life

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ~ Matthew 6:25

I feel anxious around payday; always hoping and praying there will be enough to cover all our bills and some of our wants.  And you know what? I don’t know why.  God has always been faithful in HIs provision for this family even though we are not nearly as faithful to Him.  Our family has never experienced a real need and I am very thankful for that as I know some have.  Yeah, maybe He met the need in a different way than I expected, but it was still met.  And I emphasize need because sometimes as humans, especially here in the United States, we get our needs and our wants mixed up and sometimes what we want God to provide for is really our want.  While God does want to give us the desires of our heart, that is not His first priority.  His first priority is to bring you back to Him.  Where do your worries come from?  Are you more concerned about your material well being than your spiritual well being?  Most people who listened to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount were considered poor and Jesus still told them not to worry, but to trust.  To live one day at a time and trust Him.  Human nature is selfish and wants more, more, more, and here in 2025 God would want us to not only stop worrying about our needs, but stop chasing after material things.  We have become so obsessed with trying to keep up with the neighbors and their “toys” that we have compromised our spiritual growth.  Our worry, anxiety, and constant desire for more, or greed at its core, hinders our growth and our outreach to others.  For some of us, it may be debt outside of our control that has us stressed, but God cares for us more than anything else in this world and you can trust in His faithfulness to help you.  In the end, it’s a heart issue.  Where does your heart belong?  Trusting God, or worrying?  Lay your cares and worry at His feet, live one day at a time in obedience to Him, and trust.  May you feel His peace. ~ Amen

Walk Humbly

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with your God. ~ Micah 6:8

On our kitchen cabinets I have taped note cards with scripture that I find to be very helpful little notes for daily living.  It would come as no shock that this is one of them taped up.  Straight and to the point, it’s a good daily reminder of how to live in Christ’s character.  Relationship with God is always better than a long list of religious rules and love is at the heart of justice, mercy and humility.  To act justly you must do what is morally right and fair no matter what the circumstances are and no matter who is involved.  Even when it’s unpopular.  We cannot and should not always follow the crowd.  We are called to be compassionate leaders.  We must be merciful, or kind even when we would rather turn the other way.  God has shown us great mercy and kindness even while we were far from Him.  We are required to do the same.  Then we must walk humbly with God; which means we walk willingly with God in His ways and do not become arrogant, or self-absorbed.  Humility is a heart issue.  It comes from knowing God’s goodness has granted you all you are and all you have.  Putting yourself in the right place with God ultimately first followed by service to others and you last.  The people of Israel in Micah’s time thought that God wanted more lavish sacrifices to pay for their debt, but what God truly wanted was for them to show the same justice, kindness and mercy that He had shown them.  I dare say He would love to see the same from His followers two thousand years later.  The Mosaic Law had been given to the Israelites; the Lord had told them what was good, they just weren't the best at following through.  The same is true today.  We know what is good; let’s start doing it.  Act justly, love kindness, and humbly walk with Him.  As a follower of Christ, I am called to walk in the Spirit to the glory of God and my actions must follow. ~ Amen

Richly Provides

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ~ 1 Timothy 6:17

Being rich sounds great!  And while that has never been one of my goals in life, I wouldn’t mind trying it out for a day.  Oh wait!  Compared to most of the world, I am rich. I am blessed with a house, a mattress as my bed, running water, food at my fingertips, transportation and a number of accessories that are only considered necessary here in the USA.   Being born in America has already blessed me above someone born in a third world country.  The sheer fact that I was born here gives me a head start.  The world tells us to “accumulate more, get as much as you can, make as much as you can,” but God has never said any of that.  Wealth doesn’t just come from our own hard work, but from God above who has allowed the gift of wealth to some.  It’s important to realize that in His goodness wealth is given to be used in a way that glorifies Him.  The attitude of the heart is what is important to the Lord no matter if your bank account balance proves you wealthy, or not.  No one has the right to be proud of what they have; it all comes from God.  We have to be careful to not pride ourselves on being a “self made” man.  There is no such thing.  That is a vile and abhorrent view of life in God’s eyes.  To become greedy and work hard towards a self made wealthy attitude is to forget who your dependence really should lie with.  When you start developing an attitude of self-reliance and self-dependance you are starting down a road that may just leave Christ behind.  Don’t do that!  Enjoy your blessings, be generous and be mindful that it’s all God’s.  Give Him the glory. ~ Amen

Demolish Arguments

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

We live in a broken world physically separated from our Creator. I don’t believe God ever intended for us to be apart from Him, but that’s what happened when Adam and Eve fell for the sly serpent and sin entered the Garden of Eden.  The rest of mankind was affected.  Now we are in a constant spiritual battle whether you believe that or not, the truth of the matter is there is a war waging everyday for our souls in the spiritual realm.  When battles are fought on earth, world leaders send their strong military lines to fight with weapons ranging from hand held swords, to complex systems like missiles, submarines and tanks.  As followers of Christ, fighting against unseen demonic and evil forces, our weapons are much different, but still have the power of a destructive tank.  Our weapons are not physically seen, but spiritually fueled and fought with through prayer, persistence, hope and standing on God’s word.  As followers of Christ we have an army of angels ready to fight on our behalf if we would only stand firm and call on the Holy Spirit to fight for us.  We can tie up lies, bind up sin and toss negative thoughts into the pit of hell when we stand with confidence and faithfully pray for God’s help.  You can break that sinful cycle, you can break that stronghold of fear, you can resist discontentment – hit your knees in prayer and soak in and memorize God’s word.  Our quest to resist the devil with prayer, reciting scripture and speaking God’s truths and promises has divine power that you will not find in the world and those faithful acts will help you win your battle and break strongholds. Stand firm.  Scream at the devil in Jesus name.  He cannot stand against you when you have Jesus fighting for you.  Declare victory and always be ready to battle.  Do not get spiritually lazy.  Be at the ready.  If the devil hasn’t waged war with you lately, believe me, it’s coming.  Arm yourself with His truths.  Prayer can go where we can’t.  It’s a mighty weapon that brings great peace.  Use it and clothe yourself in scripture.  Pray, faithfully seek God, speak scripture, take captive every thought that isn’t from Christ and watch the arguments be destroyed and the battle won! ~ Amen

Without Faith

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. ~ Hebrews 11:6

Faith; what a strange concept.  For a lot of us we put faith in things, or people.  Faith that our car will get us to work; faith that someone will show up when we have asked for their help, or how about faith in our communities and government.  However, Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  Honest, genuine faith comes from accepting, knowing and being confident in what you cannot see.  To please God you must exercise faith in believing He exists, diligently seek Him and watch Him bless you.  I need to make it clear though, this is not just an acceptance, or acknowledgement of God, but a belief and value that your moral being, doing, acting and love for people is built on.  It’s part of your life's fabric.  We must have a faith that follows after God’s own heart to please Him and be blessed by Him.  So many people want God’s blessing without being followers of Jesus.  This is contradictory to God’s Word.  It is impossible to please God without believing He exists.  Atheists cannot please God and therefore, cannot get His blessing.  Some people throw random prayers into the air in hopes of blessing, but no genuine faith.  This is also contradictory to God’s word.  A heart who has faith in His existence, believes and trusts Him, and seeks Him will have rewards here on earth, and in eternity.  There must be a deep conviction that God is real to draw close to Him.  Without believing God exists you cannot have a relationship with Him and therefore, cannot please Him.  Some people have accepted knowledge of God, but have not moved that knowledge to a heartfelt devotion, or genuine faith of becoming a Christ follower and therefore, have not pleased God.  Only through a genuine belief that God is real, and that He exists can one begin to establish a relationship with Him that will hopefully lead to a life of trust and salvation.  Faith.  It’s all you need. ~ Amen

Might Increase

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.  But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Romans 5:20-21

In this verse Paul is making the argument that the Mosaic law increased mankind’s sinning.  In essence, Israel sinned more once the Ten Commandments came into play because now they were actually rebelling against God by doing things they now knew were in direct conflict with Him.  It’s like when people drive however fast they want on the Autobahn highway because there is no speed limit posted. Sometimes no law = stupidity.  Rebellion = stupidity.  No law may mean to some that they can do whatever, whenever they want.  But here in the US of A, there is a speed limit, so going as fast as you want is not permitted and we all know that even though some of us chose to break the law anyway.  Likewise with the Mosaic Law and the Israelites.  Before the law there was no real law, so who really counts sin as sin?  But after the law was revealed, it increased the sinning as an unintended consequence because everyone was made aware of the law they were now breaking.  God, however, had a different plan.  One like non-other before.  While sin increased, His plan of grace and redemption through Jesus Christ was in motion.  Romans 6:23 says,  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  The reality is man was headed down a road of destruction and spiritual damnation because our sin was leading us to a death apart from God.  But God’s son, Jesus Christ, settled our payment through grace when he died on the cross so that we might have eternal life through Him.  Sin increased through the law, but Christ’s great gift of grace through Jesus’ righteousness overcame sin and death.  This is the way God has saved everyone who believes in Jesus Christ no matter your past, or what you’ve done.  You can have an abundance of grace through Him and eternal life with Him.  Where we once were helpless and hopeless in our sin, God showed up.  Through this great gift of grace, we can have joy, peace, and hope even in today’s broken world.  ~ Amen

Unsearchable Things

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. ~ Jeremiah 33:3

Communication with God.  A direct invite from the Creator of the universe to call out to Him. He will answer us.  Call out to Him no matter the time and no matter the problem.  He wants to help His children.  Jeremiah spent most of his life warning Judah and Jerusaleum of the judgement that was to come and was finally imprisoned, but the Lord wanted to remind Jeremiah that He was still there for Him.  By seeking God and calling out to Him, God promised that He will answer.  We may not always get the answer we want, but God is always there ready to help.  We have to remember that His ways are higher than ours and He has so much to teach us if we would just ask and listen.  Jeremiah was told by God that He would restore the Israelites and God wants to do the same thing for us.  He is a God of restoration no matter what you are going through, or where you have been.  Genuinely put your faith and trust in Him, leave difficulties at His feet and call out to Him.  He will answer.  An answer may come that would not have been revealed if you didn’t call upon the Lord; an answer you would have never guessed, or imagined.  If you want to grow a deeper relationship with God, this invitation to call out to Him in prayer is a great place to start.  He will reveal to you things you could have only known by asking Him.  He will reveal to you your true identity – a child of the Most High.  Your soul and spirit will be enlightened.  Trust God in the midst of hard challenges and life’s difficulties by calling out to Him.  Praise Him in good times; call on Him in bad times and converse with Him in the meantime.  Just pray.  Be humble, be faithful, be sincere and wait for His guidance.  He will answer.  Let this verse fill you with hope and assurance that God wants to help.  Call out to Him. ~ Amen

Wise Understanding

Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ~ Jame 3:13

I like how James opens chapter 3 talking about the need for all of us to control our tongues and then asks, “who is wise and understanding among you?”  I don’t think that was by coincidence, but rather he was telling us that one way we could show our wisdom is by our actions and not our words.  Sometimes we need to be quiet and let our lives be our example.  Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”  Buying into the world’s wisdom that is mostly understood by senses, emotions, feelings and intellect is not necessarily bad, but if you put that wisdom before God’s you will be most likely disappointed.  Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”  So we cannot always follow our heart as the world would tell us to do.  Before we can be considered wise, we must fear the Lord.  Not fear Him as be scared of Him, but fear Him as meaning to have great reverence, or respect for Him.  To be in awe of Him.  We must put Him in His rightful place as the leader in our lives.  The headship.  By putting ourselves to the side, and humbly coming to Christ for His guidance we show wisdom.  Many people believe that wisdom comes from knowledge and intellect, but Godly wisdom comes from a humble heart that lives out the daily life in pursuit of God’s righteousness.  True wisdom has nothing to do with earthly knowledge, but everything to do with our relationship to God and how we live that out.  To lead a life of submission to God will produce a life of wisdom through humility and gentleness.  We will act and live our lives out according to the wisdom we follow; we will act worldly and for knowledge and ambition, or we will act in kindness, in goodness, in humility, in love for others and in Christ first.  The only way I know to get Godly wisdom is to seek God py prayer, studying His word, and living the way God has instructed us by putting Him first and humbling ourselves before Him.  The wisdom we want from Him will be a light to others by our good conduct and our humble attitude.  This is the good life. ~ Amen

Stumbling Blocks

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.  If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. ~ Romans 14:13-15

To be a follower of Jesus means we are called to serve others and be mindful of what is good for them and to be considerate of their well being before our own.  Yes, you have been given grace to have a glass of wine with dinner, but who are you in company with?  If one of your table guests struggles with alcohol, you should put your right to a glass off to the side so that your friend does not stumble.  Our right to do something is not as important as our friend’s spiritual well-being, so put your right aside.  Most people are concerned about their own personal satisfaction and have a “me first” attitude, but as followers of Jesus, we are to put others first.  The world thinks of “me first” and we, the church, should be striving to be “we first” starting with the very family of Christ we are a part of and continuing out to our communities.  Most of us are self-absorbed (myself included), but how different our world would look if we put others before ourselves and genuinely helped people become better versions of themselves spiritually and walked humbly by their side.  I don’t ever want to be a stumbling block for someone else, so I must remember that just because something may be permissible for me, that does not mean it is for every believer, or even that it is beneficial.  The heart of a Jesus follower should always put others first no matter what the situation, or circumstance.  Be mindful of those around who are learning from you and help them grow without being a hindrance. ~ Amen

Wait Patiently

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. ~ Romans 8:25

Sometimes waiting in anticipation of something to happen is part of the excitement; other times it can be excruciating.  Like waiting for two more days before you go on that vacation of a lifetime; waiting another week before the arrival of your first child; the anticipation of walking down the aisle to your prince charming.  The anticipation, the expectation, the forecast, or hope for all of these journeys and milestones is exciting.  As followers of Christ, we should have the same hope and excitement for our glorious eternity with Jesus and our new redeemed bodies.  Being made to wait for anything good is hard, but while we are on this side of eternity, God is still using us and blessing us to help others and build more of His character into our faith.  Most people struggle with waiting; after all, patience is a virtue, but in God’s view, waiting and perseverance almost always leads to significant growth.  We want to hurry up and get to the end goal of things, but Christ would have us cherish each step and take note of lessons learned along the way.  Hence one of the reasons you are still on this planet earth.  The path and purpose God placed you here for, specifically your calling, is yours alone and is not finished yet.  While we wait we should be producing a faith filled life full of good fruit for us to share and for others to enjoy.  Your mission here on earth and to mankind has not been fulfilled if you are still here.  God has bigger plans for you still; more for you to do and more for you to grow.  Be open to the waiting and be confident in what is to come.  Keep planting seeds of faith here for others to see.  Spread the good news.  Know that there is a purpose in the waiting and anticipation and learn to be glad in it.  I may not always understand, but I do believe He has perfect timing in everything He does; which means I will be in His glorious presence at the right time.  In the meantime, I will live my life the best I can to serve Him and wait with anticipation and hope. ~ Amen