Thoought for Monday, April 1st

April 1, 2013

Knock, Knock – Who’s There

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 John  10:9-10

“I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one less traveled by.

And that has made all the difference.”

-       Robert Frost

To celebrate life: is also to acknowledge the need for choices.

We cannot have life in Christ, unless we lay down our life to take up our crosses and follow Him.

We can not have peace, unless we choose to surrender our will, our ways and our thoughts to His.

We can not accomplish His will unless we choose to serve and love one another.

God, in His ultimate wisdom, chose to give the greatest single element of His creation the freedom of will to choose whether or not we want to love, serve and commit ourselves to the one who created us.

He knocks at the door of our heart: but we must choose whether we will answer His bidding or whether we will ignore His call.

For us, it seems that choice is all there is.  We must choose death, which is the road we are on: or we must choose life, which is the road on which He wants to lead us.

What choice have we made as we have all approached that point in the woods on our journey?

Today’s Prayer

Father, I have got up and answered the door and I have made a conscious choice to follow You down whatever path you may lead me.  Keep me focused, faithful and thankful, as I journey along the highway of life to my eternal home.

Thouoght for Saturday, March 30th

March 30, 2013

Easter – The Real Reason

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 John  10:9-10

“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.”

-       Carl Jung

I would never want to diminish the significance of all that culminates together causing the purpose of the Easter season to hold the meaning it does for us.

The final trip into the city of Jerusalem, riding on a Donkey: the washing of the disciples feet and the Last Supper in the Upper Room: the time of prayer in the Garden: the betrayal by Judas: the mock trial: the scourging and the crown of thorns: carrying the cross up the hill to Golgotha to the ‘Place of the Skull’: the driving of the nails into His feet and hands: the grueling hours on the cross, culminating in the utterance of His final declaration, ‘It Is Finished’: the placement in a borrowed tomb and the absence of the body three days later because He arose victoriously:  but these are only the elements that accomplished the real purpose for and the reason we celebrate.  We celebrate life: His and the life He came to give us in Him.  The true reason for the Easter Season is to celebrate the Life we receive because of all that He has done on our behalf and in our place.

He came not just to give us life, but life in greater measure.  He came to give us life everlasting and life that is resplendent with hope, peace joy and potential because of Him.

To borrow from a very familiar phrase from “The Fiddler on the Roof,” sang by Tevye:  as we celebrate Easter this season may we say ‘L’haim, l’haim to Life’ and let all honor and glory be given to the Giver of Life.

And may the purpose of our life be to illuminate our world and be a source of His life-light to those who are lost and dying.

Today’s Prayer

Father, without Your gift, made possible through Your Son all I have is death: but because of You and Jesus I have not only life, but abundant life: Thank You!

Thought for Friday, March 29th

March 29, 2013

A Message from Singing Hills and Clapping Trees

 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah  55:1-12

“The Holy Bible is an abyss. It is impossible to explain how profound it is, impossible to explain how simple it is.”

-       Ernest Hello

What possible message could singing hills and clapping trees have for us, who live in such an advanced society with such sophisticated means of procuring and accessing information?

The message is really quite simple, really: and that message is this; God’s Word is true and His creation will accomplish His will

We may not always comprehend His methodology, His reasoning or His plan of execution: and we don’t need to.  We simply need to believe that He is who He says He is and that He is capable of accomplishing everything He desires to do: and then we need the leave the how it gets done up to Him.

Our part is simple: we need to focus on Him: embrace Him by faith: repent of our sins: and submit to His will.

Our failure to do so does not complicate His plans or His life: it only complicates ours.

Today’s Prayer

Father, help me to stop trying so hard to figure it all out and understand it all: rather help me to accept what seems impossible: and embrace what seem improbable; in short, ‘Help Thou my unbelief.’

Thought for Thursday, March 28th

March 28, 2013

Sin By Any Other Name – Still Displeases God

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

James  4:17

“All sin tends to be addictive, and the terminal point of addiction is what is called damnation.”

-       W. H. Auden

Apparently to label something as a sin: is to be politically incorrect in our modern society.

We have indulgences, indiscretions, little slip ups, slips of judgment, moral or ethical mistakes, foibles, secret passions, naughty little secrets and the list could go on and on: but at the risk of being politically incorrect: anything of a nature that causes us to disobey or displease God is a plain and simple sin.

Sin has no shades or colors and it does not come in sizes or shapes.  Sin is in the most simplistic, non-illustriously eloquent terms – disobedience.

Sin gets in our way of being all that God desires us to be.

Sin separates our hearts and thoughts from God’s and it does nothing to strengthen our connection to Him.

And while God is always willing to forgive our sins: our sins in and of themselves serve no good purpose.

Yet, we all sin with regularity.

Isn’t it amazing that something that has no good purpose; has no eternal or spiritual value and serves no significant good; is so hard for us to separate ourselves from?

We know all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory: and that there are none of us that are righteous: aren’t we so blessed and don’t we have so much to be thankful for because of God’s grace and mercy towards us and His passion and love for us.

It doesn’t matter what we choose to call it, sin is sin and anything that is disobedience is sin: but grace is greater and mercy is mighty and because of the blood our sins can be washed away.

Today’s Prayer

Father, though Paul claimed the title of chiefest of sinners: I think he has a lot of competition: forgive me my sins and help me to minimize my propensity towards disobedience.

Thought for Wednesday, March 27th

March 27, 2013

Scoffers

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

2 Peter  3:3-14

“When a man is unable to understand a thing, he ridicules it.”

-       Leo Tolstoy

What is a scoffer?

According to the Webster’s Dictionary, “A scoffer is a person who shows contempt by derisive acts or language.  To scoff is to treat or address with derision: To make a mockery of or to mock.”

In short it is to make a laughing stock or joke out of someone or some thing.

As Christians we know there are many who make a joke of our faith and a laughing stock, by their jokes and anecdotes, of what we believe in and how we express ourselves in worship: and scripture warns us that this will occur.

But we also need to be careful that we don’t allow ourselves to become modern day scoffers by belittling or deriding God’s Word by making less of it than it is or by diminishing it because it isn’t convenient for us to live up to.

Most Christians would not consider themselves to be scoffers of God: but are we sometimes not guilty, of doing that very thing, because of the way we live and the things we say?

Today’s Prayer

Father, forgive me if ever my actions or my utterances remotely or ostentatiously prove me to be a scoffer: for this is not what I want to be when it comes to my commitment and devotion to You.

Thought fir Tuesday, March 26th

March 26, 2013

Scandals, Lies and Videotape

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.  And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.  And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.  And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.  But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.  And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.  And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.  And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.  And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.

Genesis  39:1-20

“It is difficulties that show what men are.”

-       Epictetus

Perception does not have to represent reality and accusations do not have to be accurate to be hurtful: but it is the way in which we handle them that says more about us than maybe those things believed or spoken.

Had any of us been a witness to Joseph’s departure, in the situation above: it would have been easy to believe the accusations that were brought against him: if you see a man running away naked from a woman’s room, don’t you assume he was up to no good?   Yet, many if not most of us would have been ready to believe the worst of Joseph, if we had been no where near the event and we had just heard about it.  How often does this occur in our churches today:  we hear about brother or sister so and so and where they were or what they were perceived to have been doing and we immediately believe the worst?

Joseph was innocent of all the accusations railed against him; yet this did not prevent him from being sent to prison. 

Sometimes we suffer because of false perception or unjust accusations, yet just like Joseph, if we prevail, stay true to God and persevere, we will be vindicated in the end and God will take what we see as hurtful and harmful and He will turn it into the completing of His plan and His will for our lives; if we will let Him.

Sometimes, bad things do happen to good people; and most often we don’t understand why; but God does.

More often than not, in the times of being misunderstood or wrongly accused; we are just going through the process of God’s refinement and perfection of His plan and His purpose for us.

It may not be fun while it’s happening: but it will be worth it in the end.

We just need to remain faithful and true.

Today’s Prayer

Father, I never like to be falsely accused, misunderstood or unjustly suspected of things I did not do: but then I remember that Jesus not only faced the same, but He eventually died a cruel and physically brutal death because of them:  May I have the determination and the endurance that He did to allow Your will to be accomplished in me.

Thought for Monday, March 25th

March 25, 2013

Respect

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Acts  10:34-35

“The more things a man is ashamed of, the more respectable he is.”

-       George Bernard Shaw

Respect is an often sought after; greatly desired affirmation that most of us hope for and many long for as a validation to who we are and what we represent.  Yet for many the degree or level, of respect they desire sometimes seems elusive and even at times unattainable.

It would seem that, to some extent, we have become a highly skeptical society, who has little or not trust in most of what we see and what we hear.  And of course the inconsistencies and discrepancies perpetrated upon us by the media and many of our leaders cause us to be somewhat skeptical and thus disrespectful.

And it seems we are teaching our younger generation less and less respect for authority.  If I would have spoken to my teachers or school administrators, or my parents the way many youth do today, I might have had some difficultly with my seating arrangements for a day or two.

And even more sadly, we seem to have transferred this same lassie-faire attitude towards respect to God in our Christian lives too.

Not only are we skeptical of those individuals God has chosen to be our spiritual leaders: but we also find ourselves questioning God and more often than not: doubting that God is really going to do what He has promised too in His word.

I believe that when we are instructed to fear God: it means we are charged to honor and respect Him: to trust Him and to believe that whatever He tells us is true.

I know with us humans there are often plenty of reasons for doubt and uncertainty; but this is not the case with God.

He has never failed.  He has never fallen short and He has never disappointed or let us down.  It is we who have let Him down.

I have always heard that to get respect, you have to give respect: but I don’t deserve God’s though He certainly deserves mine.

Today’s Prayer

Father, I know I often say I respect you and want to honor you; but I know I don’t always live up to my claim: so help me in my weaknesses and give me grace, strength and boldness to live to the level that will give you the respect you truly deserve.

Thought for Saturday, March 23rd

March 23, 2013

Quitters Never Win

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews  12:1-2

“For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name,

He writes – not that you won or lost – but how you played the Game.”

-       Grantland Rice

There is no room for quitters in the Army of the Lord.  There is no excuse for walking away from the challenges of life when you are on God’s team.

We are told to run the race: to press towards the mark: to reach to obtain the goal and to walk as victors and over comers in this life, because we have the promise and assurance that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

We win, if only we will persevere.  As the end of time draws near: it will be a greater challenge: as our faith grows we will face our giants and endure tribulations: as we learn patience as we watch and wait upon the Lord – we will face fire and testing: but in it all we will win if we endure, continue on, trust and obey and continue to bless the Lord at all times, allowing His praise to be continually and constantly on our hearts and in our mouths.

You can’t win if you don’t play and winning does not mean you take your marbles and run home if things don’t go your way.

Winning is about teamwork, cooperation, working together and never giving up or giving in and being committed to keep on keeping on until you reach the end.

For each of us winning is being the best we can be and becoming the most we can become for God’s glory, in accordance with His design and to fulfill His plan for our lives.

Today’s Prayer

Father, thank you that I am a winner in you and because of you and never let me lose sight of the prize I seek to win, which is your approval and pleasure with what I do and say.

Thought for Friday, March 22nd

March 22, 2013

Power Walkin’- Spirit Talkin’

   See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Ephesians  5:15-20

“If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men’s cottages prince’s palaces.”

-       William Shakespeare

In an age where getting into shape and getting ahead is a major priority, many like to power walk and power talk.

As Christians we are challenged to do both: yet in the process we are to remain humble, meek and gentle.

We must walk by faith; walk in the spirit and we need to allow our steps to be ordered by God.  We need to talk a spirit filled talk; seasoned with Godly wisdom and flavored with love.

When it comes to being a Christian many can talk the talk of a Christian: but when it comes to walking the walk of a Christian that is a horse of a different color, so to speak.  This is a task that is obviously easier to talk about than it is to do.

To stay in shape spiritually speaking we need to feast upon the word; rejoice in the Lord always; and pray without ceasing.  We need to allow our words to be brought into obedience under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and we need to live like Jesus lived: desiring to accomplish the will of the Father and serving each other as we go about doing it.

As a Christian it’s not just about walking or talking – it is about doing both in a way that brings glory and honor to the only one who is really worthy.

Today’s Prayer

Father, grant me wisdom to speak and power to walk so that in all I do my life will be an example and a good reflection on you.

Thought for Thursday March 21 2013

March 21, 2013

Pickin’ and Grinnin’

   When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.  Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalms  126:1-6

“Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.”

-       Benjamin Franklin

Happiness, joy, a feeling of contentment and satisfaction are commonly sought after but not always realized to the degree or extent that they could be.

Often we tend to associate these feelings with grand or great moments or events: yet happiness can often be found in the most simplistic and often ordinary occurrences or things.

Scripture admonishes us to be content regardless of the circumstances around us; and isn’t contentment a form of happiness?

We need to be more conscience as we pick those things that we quantify as capable of making us happy and we need to realize there is a lot to grin about in the most routine and rudimentary aspects of our daily life.

For example if we stop to realize and recognize each moment of each day just how much we are loved by God: that in and of itself should raise our happiness level tremendously.

To be happy we need to realize things won’t always be easy but we will always be blessed.  We don’t need to seek after happiness of a world kind but rather contentment peace, joy and fulfillment of a God kind.

Today’s Prayer

Father, when I loose my focus and begin to feel I don’t have anything to be happy about or rejoice over: please just remind me, that I always have You.

Thought for Wednesday, March 20th

March 20, 2013

Everybody Needs

  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.  Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians  3:1-21

“Teach thy necessity to reason thus:

There is no virtue like necessity.”

-       William Shakespeare

There is not one person who was, has been, or will be born that will not have needs.

We have needs for food, air, shelter and the like: but we also have needs for love, forgiveness and assistance from someone bigger, wiser and stronger than we are.

Everyone whether they are willing to admit it or not needs the Lord.

All of us have been guilty of sin, which has separated us from God: hence we need a Savor, so that we can be reconciled back to God and given eternal life.

We can not have life eternal with out His forgiveness and His gift of life would not be available to us if it were not for the unconditional love He extends towards us.

We need His wisdom, strength, grace and power once He has given us life; because in and of ourselves we do not know how to or are we capable of achieving the fullness of what life has to offer, nor can we overcome the obstacles we will face without His help.

We also need His Healing at various stages of our live (physical, emotional and spiritual) and we need His peace, His joy, His overcoming power and His presence to ensure that we live in a way that will please and honor Him.

If He had not created us and given the breath of life: if He did not create the earth and all that is in it and the air and water and beasts, what would we have to eat and wear and how would we breathe?

I guess it goes beyond the realization that we simply need Him, to the actualization of just how much we need Him.

Today’s Prayer

Father, I have come to realize I need you every hour of every day and every minute of every hour: so thank you that you are there and that you have promised to never leave or forsake me.

Thought for Tuesday, March 19th

March 19, 2013

Run Your Race

  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews  12:1-2

“If it were possible to talk to the unborn, one could never explain to them how it feels to be alive, for life is washed in the speechless real.”

-       Jacques Barzun

The day of great expectancy arrived: your race down the path of life begin – this is the day you were born.

It is as if an invisible announcer raises the start gun in the air and declares; ‘get ready, ‘get set’ and ‘go!’

The journey of a thousand twists and turns begins and along the way you make many choices; take a few detours and eventually you will end up at your finish line; which will bring you into the presence of  Almighty God; to stand before Him to answer for the race or life you have just lived or run.

You will account for your choices, for your decisions for your success, as well as your failures – no one else – just you.

See, your not racing against me or your pastor or some other person in your life, you are just running your race.  You must work out your salvation; your relationship and your walk (or run) with God between you and Him.

I can’t decide what He wants for you, nor can anyone else.  I can’t determine where you should go or which turns you should take, only you and He can.

But if you don’t want to get lost on your journey, you have to be willing to listen to, learn about and be willing to follow the navigator who knows the best path for your life to follow.   We must be careful not to get so busy trying to navigate another’s journey that we miss the turn in our own road.

Some times our sprints along life’s pathway may have us running side by side and sometimes we will be on separate paths completely.  But our duty is to run that race that is set before us.

We prepare by acquiring all the right nutrients we need, the appropriate tools or equipments we must have, and we must know how to connect to, hear from and follow the Navigators directions.

We each have a life to live; a race to run: may we do so in a way that will optimize the prize at the end of the journey: which will be to hear the Navigator say; “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Today’s Prayer

Father, keep me on course; help me to stay in shape and above all increase my drive and desire to run to You.

Thought for Monday, March 18th

March 18, 2013

Deception Has A Cost

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Galatians  6:7-8

“Oh, what a tangled web we weave,

When first we practice deceive!”

-       Sir Walter Scott

The story of Isaac and Rebekah’s twin boys, Esau and Jacob illustrates for us the cost of or consequences that deception can carry.

Esau being the eldest son was entitled to a special blessing from his Father; with Rebekah’s help, Jacob disguised himself as his older brother and tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing instead.

While this deception resulted in Jacob receiving the blessing: it did not come without a cost.  He had to flee in fear for his life and thus it cost him his family and everything that was familiar too him. In fact he spent many years in fear of Esau and it was not until a much later time in their lives that they were actually reconciled.

Deception is just another word for lying and we all know what the Bible says about lying.

Yet how many of us, in some form or another set out to deceive others; or even worse how many of us spend a great amount of time trying to deceive ourselves.

We know deceiving God is not an option, since He is all knowing: and always present: but often I think we believe if we convince ourselves that some of our pet sins are not as bad as some think they are that God will be convinced too.

Deception has a cost: regardless of the depth or degree of it.  It may cost us the trust of others: or it may cost us a closer connection to God: but regardless any time we set out with the objective of deceiving: we can be sure that at some point our deceptions will unravel and when they do the price we pay may not prove to be worth the prize we sought to attain.

Today’s Prayer

Father, help me accept the truth about myself: always be honest about who I am and what I do and keep me from deceiving myself in to thinking I can deceive others or You.