Deception is dangerous, confusion is costly, and sin is serious. And these things characterize the world in which we live. That makes life difficult and dangerous. It’s been that way since the fall, but getting worse. The natural man is corrupt, confused and condemned. He can be delivered only by the truth, so until he conquers his confusion he has no hope.

Confusion is never a good thing. Thinking you know all the facts when you don’t causes you to make costly choices, even deadly decisions. And these days it seems that you can’t trust anyone. Politicians lie to us, businesses misrepresent their products, the media distorts the facts, preachers butcher the Bible, and even history books are being rewritten so as to hide the facts.

We watch the news and read the papers trying to stay informed. Then we draw conclusions and make choices based on what we’re told. But we don’t always know the truth. Nations go to war and both sides have their version of the truth, but in many cases both are wrong. In many instances we find out years later that we gave credence to the wrong side. Things are not always what they seem. For that reason we must be cautious about what and who we listen to.

The only sure standard and infallible guide is the Word of God. That’s why we should be students of the Bible. It’s not just about making heaven and missing hell. The Bible deals with all the issues of life and should govern all our affairs. That brings the church into the picture– as much as some resent it. 1 Tim.3:15 describes it as “The pillar and ground of the truth”. For that reason, every Christian should be a member of a good Bible believing church. We all need what it provides. It is the Christ appointed conservator of the truth, and truth is what we need —it will set you free!

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.–Romans 12:18
I recently read a message delivered in 1898 entitled “Getting Along With People”. Although the message was interesting, I was most impressed with the practicality of the Bible. The message didn’t say anything new, but it was a great reminder— something we all need. We would do well to remember that the Bible, more than anything else, gives us practical instructions on everyday issues.

Think about it. To this very day, after all these years, getting along with others is still one of our biggest challenges. As someone said, ” The world would be a pretty good place to live if wasn’t for people”. I’m sure you have felt that way sometimes. Regardless of where you go or what you do, you have to deal with people– all kinds of people. Sometimes we don’t do it very well. And that comes with a high price tag. Think of all the misery brought on by our inability to get along with others. It results in families being divided, churches being split, crimes being committed, and nations going to war. Yeah it’s that bad!

Strange, we can put a man on the moon and communicate with them, but haven’t learned how to get along with our next door neighbor. We need help. And that’s exactly what the Bible provides. It gives us precepts, principles, and promises to live by. We fail because we refuse to adhere to them. The bottom line is this– we will never truly be in touch with one another until we are in fellowship with Christ. Not until we love Him are we able to love one another.

There are many books and seminars, etc. on this subject, offering good advice, but in the heat of an argument, or in the face of an insult you can usually throw them out the window. When raw emotions take over we usually say and do dumb things. The only way we can respond to adversity properly and treat others respectfully is to be regulated by the Word of God and in fellowship with the Son of God. That’s the key to everything! Wanting a better relationship with others, without having a good relationship with God, is like hoping for water when there is no well. Christ is the source for everything we need. Neglect Him and everything unravels. Take time to read Eph. 4:29-32 and you will discover what it takes to get along with others. Please do it.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us– Galatians 3:13

God is holy. God is perfect. And because God is perfect, He demands perfection of us. He reflects His perfect expectations for us in the perfect law that He has given us.

But we have not perfectly obeyed God’s law; and so now we are in a perfect mess. We are in the terrible predicament of being sinners who must one day give an account to a holy God for our sinful actions. What hope do we have of surviving the judgment day that God says is coming?

The only hope in all the world is that your sins were paid for by Christ when He died on the cross. Because if Christ died for you, then He has taken upon Himself the punishment for your sins.

The curse that the law demands was put upon Christ as He hung on the cross. If your sins were put upon Christ, then your penalty has been paid and you have been redeemed from the curse of the law! There is no better news than to know that those that are in Christ are now blessed because Christ has taken their curse upon Himself.

What is your hope? Will you stand before God on your own, or are you represented in the finished work of Christ? If you are Christ’s, then Christ has redeemed you, being made a curse for you.–The Baptist Bible Hour

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.–Psalm 90:12
Whether you are racing, raising kids, or reaching for your goals, a good start is a big help in achieving success. So it is with a life well lived. But we need to remember that that a life is made up of “days”. What we do with our days determines the outcome of our lives. Wasted days = wasted lives. And, how you start your day has a great effect on how it turns out. So, how do you start your days? How did you start this one?

Did you start today by allowing God to speak to you through His Word? Did you speak to Him through prayer? Have you spent any time today giving God thanks and praise? Chances are good that the answer is “No”. And that is a big mistake! Hopefully that’s not the norm for you.

The outcome of such failure is predictable, and it’s an ugly picture. Such neglect means, less resistance to temptation, more sin, decrease of joy, increase of worry, more complaints, and less contentment— just to mention a few. A great many people live defeated lives needlessly. Their defeats and failures could have been easily prevented, had they got off to a good start. Don’t misunderstand– Bible study and prayer is not some magical formula that insures success, but it sure goes a long way in helping get us there. No Christian, not ever your pastor, can live victoriously without prayer and Bible study. Yet most refuse. Communion with God is the lifeline for successful living (John 15:5). Refuse it and you drown in defeat.

Too many people are concerned about a better life when they should be concerned about a blessed life. They ought to be more concerned about better ways than better days. A successful life is a life lived for God, but never forget— how your life ends depends greatly on how our days begin. A good start can lead to a strong finish. Finish well my friend!

And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken . – Deuteronomy 6:18-19

Suffering from terminal cancer at the age of 47, former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano did an interview where he admitted to being overly obsessed with winning in his younger years. In fact, when he was a young coach at 23, he told his players, “The final score defines you. You lose, you’re a loser. You win, you’re a winner.”

After years of living and countless nights waking up in a cold sweat, shaking from the fever chills of chemotherapy, Valvano changed his perspective on what it meant to be a winner. “It’s effort,” he said, “not result.- – , what a great human being I could have been if I’d had that awareness back then.”

There are undoubtedly times in your life when you fail. The breaks simply don’t always go your way. But the question is not how much you fail, but rather how you fail. When you fail, are you failing in obedience? Are you in the will of God? If so, then you can’t be held to blame for the results.

It’s obedience, not results, that really matters in the Christian life. So instead of always trying to succeed, shift your focus toward trying to obey and leave the results up to God. That’s how you’ll find real and lasting success in the spiritual life!

Ask God to help you shift your focus away from the results and onto simple obedience to His will.– Copied