—-be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.–Matthew 10:16   We can all think of a lot of things in America that needs to be changed. Bringing about those changes, however, can be very difficult. Lately I’ve read several articles about what actions ought to be taken. You can’t believe what some folks are suggesting, preachers included. If certain changes don’t happen in the next few years, I fear for our nation. At this very moment some people are arming themselves to the teeth and preparing to do battle! The frustration of seeing so many things wrong is about to push some people over the brink. We best remember the old saying,”Two wrongs don’t make a right”.    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had to deal with this problem while working in the Civil Rights struggle in the 1960s. In an effort to do things in the right way, Dr. King required every volunteer to sign a pledge. Here’s what his followers agreed to do:   1. Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus. 2. Remember always that the movement seeks justice and reconciliation–not victory. 3. Walk and talk in the way of love, for God is love. 4. Pray daily to be used by God so that all men might be free. 5. Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy. 6. Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world. 7. Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue or heart.   I had no idea that such a pledge existed until a few years ago and I realize that not everyone was true to this pledge, but it seems very wise and helpful. We would all be better off if we lived according to these seven principles.This pledge is good advice for anyone.   Our nation has installed into office men and women who are determinated to destroy the American way of life and drastic changes need to be made. But, in our zeal for change we must not resort to ungodly means to bring it about. Remember, we are to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

“–as thy days,so shall thy strength be.”
Deuteronomy 33:25

The year before our eyes may hold in its bosom,
events which may deeply concern and affect us.
We do not know what is to come. What personal
trials, what family trials, what providential trials
may await us-we do not know. Every year hitherto
has brought its trials in its train; and how can we
expect the coming year to be exempt?

Sickness may attack our bodies,
death enter our families,
difficulties beset our circumstances,
trials and temptations exercise our minds,
snares entangle our feet, and
many dark and gloomy clouds, make our path
one of heaviness and sorrow.

If, indeed, we are His, whatever our trials
may be-His grace will be sufficient for us.

He who has delivered-can and will deliver.

And He who has brought us thus far on the road,
who has so borne with our crooked manners in the
wilderness and never yet forsaken us-though we
have so often forsaken Him-will still lead us along;
will still guide and guard us, and be our God, our
Father and our Friend-not only to the end of the
next year, if spared to see it, but the end of our life.

Blessed with His presence-we need fear no evil;
favored with His smile-we need dread no foe;
upheld by His power-we need shrink from no trial;
strengthened by His grace-we need panic at no
suffering.

Knowing what we are and have been when left to
ourselves-the slips that we have made, the snares
that we have been entangled in, the shame and sorrow
that we have procured to ourselves-well may we dread
to go forth in the coming year alone. Well may we say,
“If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. ” Exodus 33:15  —By A.C. Philpot

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy unto the LORD.
Leviticus 27:30

According to Forbes magazine’s March 2009 ranking, Bill Gates, retired co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation, is the world’s richest person with a net worth of approximately $40 billion–down from $58 billion in 2008. Suppose you were feeling particularly generous one day and offered Mr. Gates a penny to help with his daily expenses. He might take your penny so as not to offend you, but does he really need it? What is one cent compared to 40 billion dollars?

Comparing America’s smallest coin with the world’s largest fortune doesn’t come close to equaling the disparity between God’s wealth and our tithes and offerings. Does the God who owns everything (Job 41:11b; Haggai 2:8) need our money? Of course not. Why, then, do we give? We give a tenth (or more) of everything to the Lord as a reminder that nothing belongs to us–that everything we have comes from Him and belongs to Him. Giving is an obedient act of worship that reveals what we believe about that which we call “ours.”

God doesn’t need us to give for His sake, but we need to give for ours. Giving is how we remember how much we have been given.   ——–from Turning Point

Are you giving God what is right or what is left?
Unknown

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. –Daniel 6:4

A young Christian professional interviewed for a position in a thriving business once, and brought with him a top-notch resume. In it, he listed many references, including his pastor, his Bible study teacher, and a church deacon.

Unbeknownst to the young man, the business owner was also a Christian. After he had studied the resume, he said, “Young man, I appreciate these recommendations from people in your church. However, what I would really like is a word of recommendation from people who know you during the week as well.”

Oftentimes, the way people live their lives on Sunday is very different when compared to the way they live their lives the rest of the week. Often people act differently at church than they do out in the real world. But the truth is, the biblical truth we hear on Sunday should also be practiced throughout the week! Worship should be a way of life…not a weekly event.

Daniel was a perfect example of someone who was consistent in his relationship with both God and man. In fact, even his enemies couldn’t find any fault with him!

As a follower of Christ, does your life look differently during the week than it does at church on Sunday? The old adage is true: “Actions speak louder than words.” Determine to live a consistent Christian life on Sunday and every other day of the week!

Ask the Lord to help you walk consistently with Him throughout the week…and pray that your life would be a constant reminder to those around you of Christ, the One you serve. (From Senior Living)

—shine as lights.-Philippians 2:15   Do you remember the old song, “Brighten the Corner where you are”? Lots of folks in the South used to wake up each morning listening to the Blackwood Brothers Quartet sing that as their theme song on the radio. It’s a message we would do well to remember. We live in a sin darkened world in desperate need of light.   Most of us will never be known around the world or able to make an impact beyond the county line where we live, but we all have a little corner where we come in contact with people–a circle of influence. The problem is that we don’t always see the importance of our presence.   Those who would break their neck in an effort to do something great, if they knew the world was watching, or if it paid big bucks, don’t make any effort in their little corner. Others refuse to do anything because they feel their efforts would be futile–as though that relieved them of duty. But, there’s another excuse that is often used. These folks say,”I’m not very good at it” or “Someone else can do it better”. That might be true, but does that give you the right to do nothing? Shine! If everyone did nothing because someone does it better nothing would get done. I confess there are times when I’m tempted to never write another article. I’m a preacher, not a writer. My English is terrible and I have an awful time trying to figure out the proper grammatical structure of a sentence. I’m a Christian who writes, but I’m sure not a” writer” in the strict sense of the word.I have to hunt and peck on the computer and it makes me a nervous wreck! But I write, because folks in my little corner of the world need to be informed, warned and encouraged. So I do what I can. This is my corner and I am responsible for what I do in it.   Where are you at in your corner of the world? It might be a pleasurable place–don’t let it keep you from your duty. It may be painful–push through the pain and help others get through theirs. You are not responsible to change the course of the world, but you are accountable to God for what you do in your little corner. Folks there need the Sonshine that you can bring into their lives.Shine!