Meditation: April 12

“Their job is to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, to show them how to discern between unclean and clean.” Ezekiel 44:23

The job of the preacher is not merely to entertain people or to build buildings. Neither is he successful when he possesses the ability to draw large crowds. God has assigned us to teach the difference between the sacred things and the secular. We must do all to the glory of God, but not all things warrant the same attention. The neglect of foundational truths will erect structures of wood, hay, and stubble that cannot withstand the waves of adversity or the strong winds of erroneous doctrines. Only those who are well taught will be able stand being fully equipped with the full armor of God. They are led in the path of holiness and righteousness thus developing their discernment between good and evil, the clean and the unclean. The paralyzing sin of sameness has dulled the senses of many. But God will raise up His priests who have not bowed their knees to Baal and remain faithful for such a time as this.

Meditation: March 20

“Let’s decide which of us is in the right. God may avenge me, but it is in his hands, not mine.” (MSG) 1 Samuel 24:12

We are in a battle for the souls of men. The opposition has the populous vote and has gained momentum over the years. It often appears as if we are on the losing side while vices seem to be virtuous. What the fathers of our faith established is now under attack led by those who ought to be defenders of the faith. Their creeds have been reinterpreted or altogether ignored. Their values have been viewed as obsolete and often amended. Who is listening while God is yet speaking through the faithful few? There are those who are willing to stand against the winds of adversity and defy the storms of error that are unleashed in order to overtake, if possible the very elect. Let God decide who is right and who is wrong. God will avenge His elect. Truth crushed to the earth will rise again. The argument of who is right and who is wrong will eventually be settled. It will not be a draw between two opposing views. God know those who are His and will avenge His own, but it is in His hands and not ours.

Meditation: March 19

“And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it’s all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward.” Dan 12:13 (MSG)

There are places to go and things yet to be done by those who have put their trust in the Lord. None can predict the future, but we can rest assured that the outcome is in His hands. Situations can be paralyzing to those who have no hope beyond what they are able to see. Then others have completely ignored the signs and have not prepared themselves for what we have been prophetically forewarned. There is a God-given task to which the sons of men ought to be engaged. We are to occupy until He comes. The threats are real, but should not create fretting or worrying to the prepared. We have One in whom we have placed our trust. When the storms have passed us over, and the clouds have lifted, we will be standing on our feet to receive our rewards from God who rewards the faithful.

Meditation: March 6

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10:13

Is it possible for a faithful servant of God to be tempted? Experience provides evidence that all are tempted on occasion. Yet temptations do not have to overtake you. The objective of the Tempter is to overtake the lives of those who do not deliberately fight against what has come to mind. When it becomes a thought that is difficult to erase from the memory, it is easy to yield to the temptation exclusively tailored for you. Yet there is a way of freedom to cancel thoughts that would otherwise translate into actions. It does not lie on the surface but must be sought after. He reveals His sacrifice of life and love in contrast to the current offer. Only then will you be provoked to respond rightly. On the other side of the temptation is the evidence of true love expressed from your heart as a sign of gratitude. When you bear under the pressure of temptation, you are providing evidence that you love Jesus more than any object of affection or attraction that is there to replace what He alone can give.

Meditation: February 17

“No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.” Exodus 23:26

The curse of barrenness shall be broken over the lives of God’s people. There may be a period of dryness where it seems as If nothing is being produced. Some will think that God has disfavored those who appear without while many others rejoice with plenty. Can God be trusted in seasons of drought as much as when the sun and rain bring forth an abundant harvest? After what was thought to be the promise is aborted that God prepares the womb for the future delivery. He will show His people what they otherwise would not be in place to see nor understand. There is something much greater awaiting those who are faithful to Him. Much more will be gained that what was previously lost. God will turn their mourning into dancing. As the result of the sowing of His people, they shall bear much fruit and their fruit shall remain!

Meditation: February 13

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10

The household of faith is the instrument in God’s hands to bring sinners to salvation. They are the carriers of the Gospel message with the potential of setting the captives free. To do good concerning those who are of faith is participating in the expansion of faith. Our practice must be to do good to all. Benevolence must be practiced until it becomes a habit. But special care must be given to those who are of the household of faith. It frees the hands to work and the soul from unnecessary burdens so that it may be extended to those to whom God will to reach. The world is awaiting the release of love bestowed from God that is free from pretense and selfish ambition. Therefore we must take care in prayerfully considering those who are faithful within the household assisting them so that they may distribute to others what they so desperately need. Where should we lend a helping hand, and where should we direct our giving? God unites our hearts to a household of faith where charity must first begin.

Meditation: January 20

“Known to God from eternity are all His works.” Acts 15:18-19

What may appear as a difficulty or even defeat for many who are engaged in the works of God is no more than a part of a sentence in a completed story. The script has been written and complete while each has entered onto the stage with an assignment. It is only when everything comes together as the Author has prearranged, will we fully understand the significance of portions that does not seem to make any sense. “Known to God from eternity are all His works.” God has always known what He is about to do next in time because it is already established in eternity. This little stretch of time, in the vastness of eternity, is like a little boat in the sea. There is much more to life than we have been given to know and understand. That is why life often doesn’t make sense. Some would think that God doesn’t make any sense, because their judgments of Him are based upon the little knowledge made known to man. God’s will is that we participate with Him in what He is doing. There we will find both rest and peace. There is an eternal purpose, a God-given task to which the sons of men ought to be occupied. As we are faithful to align ourselves with His will, He will then show us from His perspective more of what He is all about. All is contained in Jesus Christ, His Son.

Meditation: January 14

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9-10

The act that becomes a habit, the habit that equates into a lifestyle of doing good, is the life we have been called to live. We enter into the life and experience of Christ and grow into giving a fuller expression of Christ. It has to do with a new nature of the believer. He focuses his attention on the Lord, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will compel him to do things that are pleasing to the Father. It is easy to begin to feel used and not appreciated by the recipients of your benevolence. There are even times when it may even feel that all of your efforts are in vain, but God has promised benefits to those who would remain faithful. You will first reap the reward of being like Jesus when we see Him as He is, then we will be enabled to enjoy all that God offers throughout eternity. We are being changed to appreciate heavenly things and heaven’s order on the earth so that we are made fit to love God and to enjoy Him forever.

Meditation: November 27

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17

One of God’s greatest gifts is a true and loving friend and a brother. He is there when others may have abandoned you and moved on. The love of a friend is not always soft and easy. There are occasions when tough love is necessary. An honest friend is not the person that agrees with our wrongdoings. He insists that his brother follow a course of righteousness. He is neither a fatalist nor an eternal optimist. He is acquainted with human frailties, but help to seek a path for recovery and restoration.

The adversity may be external or internal. The troubled soul is in need of someone who will help him take an objective look at what he would otherwise be left unquestioned. There are many who fall off the cliff without warning. Their companions were too afraid to say anything thinking that they may cease walking together. While there are others who do not care enough to speak the truth in love. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” But there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

November 2015 Article: “Hours of Grateful Reflection”

“If I’m sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection.” Psalm 63:6 (The Message Paraphrase)

God gives His children peaceful rest. They have the stamina to work diligently, but they also have the calm and contentment to rest peacefully. The reason behind both their rest and their peace is the knowledge that God is still in control. Oftentimes, it appears as if no options remain for those who wish for harmony within nature and among mankind. The current events projected on our television screens, along with the daily grind of day to day activities, appear to only lead to deeper levels of frustration. Every effort of peace is contested by greater conflict, and the soul is filled with discontent. The pursuit is for a better life and a better world. The prevailing question is “where can peace be found?” Just maybe the search is in the wrong direction. The question ought to be “where can truth be found?” Peace is located along the same path that truth has already paved. The unaltered and unadulterated truth contained with the One who sent it forth will always remain as the only way to effectively address the current crises of our day. Unfortunately, many are in search of an alternative reality at the expense of all things that would otherwise provide for their peace. The sleeplessness of the Psalmist was not as the result of his resolve. His commitment was to a Godly standard, even though his sinful nature, along with the world around him, would oppose it.

Needless is the effort and wasted are the opportunities of grace when time and energy are spent in worry. The stagnant posture of worry inhibits the growth of the individual and paralyzes his potential as one who could otherwise be a part of the solution rather than the problem (You are either on one side of the issue or the other).

Nighttime is intended for sleep and not restlessness. One’s occupation or preoccupation will influence the conscience when meditations are not deliberate. Even when the intent is to erase from the mind those things that fill it with thought, the more one tries to not think of a thing, the more of that thought invades the mind and holds it captive. Sleeplessness in the middle of the night is when the night has been far spent leaving little energy for tomorrow. The battle throughout the night is a phantom war against imaginary troops. If one is exhausted from the nightshift of worry, can that individual be relied upon to answer destiny’s call? The Psalmist spent his hours in grateful reflection. Instead of worry, he is reminded of God’s divine promise and strength. If He was the One who rescued him from the perils of the past, then He is able to handle the challenges that lie ahead. Instead of counting sheep, he is counting victories.

There were lessons learned through his temporary failures and temporary setbacks. Yet his God is faithful in using every situation for his ultimate good and for His own glory. When more time is spent in grateful reflections falling to sleep becomes easy. Confidence in God relaxes the mind and muscles, for it was never his efforts, but the power of God working through him mightily, that produces victory after victory. Sleeplessness tried to enter in but found no lasting abode. When doubt tried to enter in, he would reflect upon the fierceness and ferociousness of the lion and the bear. He initiated and offensive attack against them along with the taunting Philistine giant Goliath. They were no match to him as his God was present.

What do you have standing as a lion, bear, or giant before you? Did you face them with Godly courage or in timidity and fear? Only faith in God alone is sufficient to stand against the wiles of devil. Faithlessness robs one of the potential provided by God to overcome in battles set forth for our destruction. Without faith, God cannot be pleased through one’s life. Gratitude is easy when reflections and meditation on God’s goodness have become our way of life. Moreover, the rest at night will also provide strength in the daytime. Trusting God for our daily bread and strength will cause spiritual growth to occur so that when greater battles come and greater challenges occur, confidence in God will rise to such a level so that it would be a part of your nature to say, “What God has done, He is still able to do!”