“Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.”–Jeremiah 5:25 A single loose thread, if neglected, can result in the ruin of a garment. Even so, a single sin can bring about the downfall of the most devout Christian.F.B. Cobbe put it like this: A single sin, however apparently trifling, however hidden in some obscure corner of our consciousness,–a sin which we do not intend to renounce,–is enough to render real prayer impracticable. A course of action not wholly upright and honorable, feelings not entirely kind and loving, habits not spotlessly chaste and temperate,–any of these are impassable obstacles. If we know of a kind act which we might, but do not intend to, perform,–if we be aware that our moral health requires the abandonment of some pleasure which yet we do not intend to abandon, here is cause enough for the loss of all spiritual power.
To conquer sin you must confess it!
WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING
“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.”-Proverbs 4:5
Good intentions aren’t enough. We need to know what we’re doing. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:
A rookie police officer was assigned to ride with an experienced partner. A call came over the car’s radio telling them to disperse some people who were loitering. The officers drove to the street and noticed a small crowd standing on a corner. Convinced that this must be it, the rookie rolled down his window and said,”Let’s get off the corner.”
No one moved, so he barked out again, “Let’s get off the corner!” Intimidated, the group of people began to leave, casting puzzled glances in his direction. Proud of his first official act, the young policeman turned to his partner and asked, “Well, how did I do?”
“Pretty good”, replied the veteran,”especially since this was a bus stop.”
Even so,a lot of folks are doing an excellent job, but they are doing the wrong thing. Others are doing the right thing, but they going about it the wrong way. The remedy for both is wisdom and understanding. That is why Solomon gives us this wise counsel: “Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”(Proverbs 4:7)
ENJOYING YOUR SALVATION
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Being a joyless Christian is an oxymoron. Yet so many Christians today find a way to be one!
And yes, I know there are plenty of reasons not to have joy. Bad things happen. People lose their jobs. People lose their health. People lose loved ones.
And please know that I’m not minimizing these things, because there are things in life that can and should make us feel sad. We wouldn’t be human if we weren’t affected in some way by our circumstances.
But that’s the thing. If you and I base our complete joy and contentment on our circumstances, we’re going to be disappointed and let down most of the time.
That’s why it’s so important that we don’t base our happiness on what’s going on around us. We have to look up to Jesus as our source of joy and strength. We have to! That’s the only way to keep our joy when the smile has left our face.
And not only that, but there’s something irresistible about someone who radiates joy, someone who can feel pain and sadness, but also someone who’s not utterly devastated when bad things happen to them.
So today, I want to give you an assignment, if you will. If you would agree that you’ve let life steal your joy, I want to encourage you to spend some time alone in God’s Word.
And maybe you’d say, “Pastor, I don’t even know where to look in the Bible for encouragement.” Well, start with today’s verse. If nothing else, thank Jesus for the joy that he is and that’s already just waiting to burst forth from inside of you.
Then, echo Nehemiah’s prayer when he said, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Ask God that you would allow his joy to be your strength and encouragement today-not in how much money you make or what kind of car you drive or what your reputation is or whatever the circumstance is that may be dictating your attitude.
Ask God for his joy to be your strength. And ask him today! (By Jack Graham)
CONTROLLING YOUR THOUGHT LIFE
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
The late Adrian Rogers wrote: There was a sign in a business that said:
“We are not what we think we are; what we think – we are.”
What are you allowing into your mind that is thereby controlling your heart, your actions, and your words? God made you so that you can’t think two thoughts at one time. If you’re thinking what’s right, you can’t be thinking what’s wrong. And as you think, so you will become.
Guard your mind. Center your mind upon the Lord Jesus. Don’t let the devil take away your pure-hearted devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Stay in love with Jesus and there won’t be any room for those filthy, dirty, wicked, lascivious, lustful, and prideful thoughts that bombard us all.
Start today to become more active in marshalling your thoughts and bringing them into obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Use Philippians 4:8 as a sieve through which you pass each thought:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
STOP EXPECTING IT
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good—–“ Genesis 50:20 George Eliot wrote, “I’ve been a great deal happier since I have given up thinking about what is easy and pleasant, and being discontented because I couldn’t have my own will. Our life is determined for us; and it makes the mind very free when we give up wishing, and only think of bearing what is laid upon us, and doing what is given us to do.” He discovered what most folks never discover. The harder we work trying to make ourselves happy the more miserable we become. It is only when we resign ourselves to do the will of God, in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, that we discover happiness. To overcome anxiety we must accept what God allows, believing, as tough as it is, He will use it for some good and His glory. That is the path to peace. We simply must stop expecting people to beat a path to our door seeking to bless us. Gripe all you want about it being their duty—that doesn’t change anything for the better. We need to think of ourselves as being totally undeserving of anything, only then will we be thankful for everything. Oh yeah, one more thing—how many paths have you made to the doors of others, seeking to be a blessing? Expect a blessing and you will be disappointed. Be a blessing and you will be blessed—even if others ignore you. True happiness doesn’t depend on what others do or don’t do. It comes from a proper relationship with Christ. That puts happiness within the reach of every chlld of God.
