Monday, March 31, 2014

DELUSIONAL




The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

Proverbs 28:11

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Are you delusional?

Many people are today and they may not be the people you would expect to be.

For when we think of delusional, we typically think of the underdog, the one who thinks they have a chance to do something big in life although the odds of them achieving what they seek are between slim and none.

We find it in athletics as people dream about making it to the pros, not so much for the opportunity to be considered one of the best in their profession but rather because they hear about all the money and stature that comes with being a pro athlete and want a piece of that fame.

We find it in daily life with people with people dreaming of having more money than they would ever be able to spend although they’re working in menial jobs. How will they get to the pinnacle of financial prowess from where they are? By way of any of the number of lotteries that are out there, of course. No matter that the odds are astronomically stacked against them. It’s the delusion of winning that leads them to put down their precious dollars to either scratch a ticket or wait for balls to drop in the right sequence. The same mindset goes for those who regularly frequent the casinos and gamble away their money.

When I was in the Navy, I found another form of delusion that existed at many levels of leadership. The delusion was that the leaders thought they were a lot wiser than the people who worked for them, so much so that they chose to never listen to anyone but themselves. Smitten by their rank and authority, they were consumed by pride and conceit and vanity and arrogance, brilliant in their own eyes and in their own eyes only. Despised by the people who they were leading, those of lesser rank who could see just how deluded they were while entrapped by their self-importance.

The matter of people suffering from delusion goes back to the days of the Bible. We know because Solomon writes about it in today’s proverb, the 11th verse of Proverbs, Chapter 28. Here’s what he had to say about the matter:

The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

Here, the delusional are the ones who have money and with it stature. Their money places them in the upper crust of society and in a place where they feel entitles them to influence the way things go. They feel that they know what’s best for the country they live in when in reality they only really care what’s best for them in most instances. This is why you see people with money trying to impact elections by putting their money behind candidates who will support legislation that serves their best interest. The rich think they are wise in their own eyes but in reality, their motives are driven by a self consuming selfishness that seeks to serve their needs above the needs of others.

Funny how the more discerning people can be the people who are really in need, the people who can see right through the motives of the rich toward what’s really happening. They can see because they are not blinded by money or fame. They only see that what is happening bears no real benefits for them.

Often, people who are poor are the more discerning because they don’t place their trust in money or prestige. Rather, they come to place their trust and hope in the Lord, the One they rely on to help them in the midst of their difficulties, the One who gives them clarity and peace in life. And as they place their trust and hope in the Lord, they gain His wisdom and discernment in all matters of life.

You see, this is the message the Lord is sending us today.

Want to avoid being delusional?

Then turn to the One who never sends delusion but rather vision, the One who shines light into every place where there might be darkness in life, the Lord who is always with us, leading and guiding us through the all the days He blesses us with. All we need to do is depend on Him and Him alone, seeking His righteousness and wisdom.

For when we do, we will never be left void or confused or misguided. Instead, we’ll always be where the He wants us to be as we carry out His will and way through the guidance and direction of His holy word and Holy Spirit.

Only someone who was delusional would opt for anything else.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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Sunday, March 30, 2014

FOLLOW THE RIGHT LEADER



Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk.com.

In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

Proverbs 28:10

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

I remember when I was growing up and my parents used to advise me on watching who I associated with. They knew I was young and impressionable, prone to be led down the wrong path if I got in with the wrong crowd. Of course, there was no shortage of options available for me, some good and some bad. Today, I am grateful to have had a father and mother who cared enough for me to ensure I chose my friends wisely and stayed out of trouble.

That education on properly selecting people to follow would serve me well into adulthood. For as I left school and stepped out into the world on my own, I discovered I was faced with the same kinds of decisions I had as a youth. The only difference was that I could make my own choices without having to consult Dad or Mom, a difference that had its share of good points associated with it.

The first good point came in that I still had to make the right choices but do so without their influence. How would I be able to make those choices without them and still be as successful as I was when I was younger at home? Well, I knew I still needed some advice and counsel and so I turned to the Lord for it, knowing that He, as my heavenly Father, would never lead me astray just as my parents had never done. And He always led me the right way to the right people to do the right things.

Through this, I learned that there was a second good point associated with not having my parents to lean on as much. For I learned that I could go to the Lord, not just in times when I needed to know who to associate with, but anytime concerning any matter of life, fully confident that He would always deliver and provide the direction I needed, whenever I needed it.

It’s this subject, the subject of watching whose lead you follow that is at the heart of our proverb for today. Look at verse 10 of Proverbs, Chapter 28:

Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

First, God’s word has a stern warning for all leaders out there. Take advantage of someone who has been predominantly right and lead them into evil and you will fall prey to the very evil you are espousing, trapped in your sin and wickedness, subject to the Lord’s wrath and consequences. The Lord will not look kindly on anyone who leads another person into transgressions for that person is partnered with Satan, plain and simple, and their actions are earmarked by that malevolent relationship.

Conversely, lead blamelessly, guiding those who follow you to right and righteous living and you will get to enjoy the blessings and rewards that come with living fully in the light of the Lord’s favor, blessings and rewards that include a portion of the rich inheritance that comes to everyone who place their faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ.

Friends, the word of the Lord is asking us two questions today:

1. What kind of leader are you? Are you leading others in and into righteousness? Or are you leading others into sin and wickedness?

2. What kind of leaders are you following, those who are leading in righteousness or those leading in wickedness? For it has to make a difference to us as to who we connect ourselves to.

Whether we’re talking about being the leader or following one, one thing is sure. We’ll only success in leading or properly following if we seek the Lord and His direction.

He will never lead us the wrong way. Trust in that.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

DETESTABLE PRAYER?




If anyone turns a deaf ear to My instruction, even their prayers are detestable.

Proverbs 28:9

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Communication is the lifeblood of relationship.

This is a saying I have used over and over again when I talk about the subject of relationships with others.

It’s true, isn’t it? We simply have to communicate (and do so properly) if we have any hope of establishing and then maintaining a relationship with someone else.

If you don’t believe it, then try it sometime. Don’t speak with someone you know for a period of time for a period of time and see if things don’t change in the way you relate to one another. I have experienced it first hand and definitely know the negative consequences that come with poor or non-existent communications.

We need to keep in mind that this problem has a wider set of implications than just looking at it from a worldly view. For when people choose to turn from sound communication practices, it impacts not just their physical worldly life but their spiritual one as well.

For what would happen if we stopped communicating with the Lord in our life, a process we accomplish through prayer? Wouldn’t our relationship with Him begin to die on the vine? Indeed, it happens each and every day as people choose to shut the Lord out of their lives seemingly with little time to just stop and listen to His still small voice calling out to love and guide them.

How do we even consider this as a possibility? How could we ever ignore the very God who made us?

It’s simply mind boggling to me that this happens and yet it does. People simply think they have life all figured out and neither need to consult the Lord or listen to Him. We are our own masters by choice way too often.

If this describes your approach toward the Lord then you should continue to read for today’s proverb from King Solomon offers us a stern warning from the mouth of God Himself, a warning that says to us, “Do not fail to heed my instruction!” Look at this verse:

If anyone turns a deaf ear to My instruction, even their prayers are detestable. Proverbs 28:9

Huh? Can a prayer really be detestable to God?

Obviously, it can. For if a person does not want to receive God’s direction and guidance then He is not exactly interested in receiving that person’s petition. In fact, I’m sure nothing angers the Lord more than being ignored by a man or woman when He tries to guide them. He has to wonder who we think we are that we would ever turn a deaf ear to Him. This is why a prayer lifted up by someone who chooses to not listen to the Lord is received with such detestability and loathing. Maybe you would feel the same way if someone ignored you over and over and over again and then all of a sudden came to you asking for something like nothing had ever happened. You wouldn’t be very receptive either to that person, would you?

Friends, it’s time we get this matter straight. When the Lord speaks, we had better listen. There had never be an instance when we ever turn a deaf ear toward Him. For every time the Lord speaks to us, it’s for our good as He tries to shape us into being the people He longs for us to be. Listen to Him, learn from Him, open your heart to Him, and seek Him always in all matters of life, and you will assure yourself that He will always listen to you when you cry out for Him and never see your prayers as ever being detestable in His sight.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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Friday, March 28, 2014

HELP FOR THE POOR

Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk.com.

In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another who will be kind to the poor.

Proverbs 28:8

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you. Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you. You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit. Leviticus 25:35-37

God’s word from the Book of Leviticus was clear. The people of Israel were to take care of one another and the poor in particular. God was the God of all, those who were prospering and those who weren’t and He expected His people to care for one another the same way as He did. There was to be no division, no separation caused by worldly socioeconomic differences.

The poor were in need of help and often needed a loan of money or food. Those who could provide to help meet the needs of the poor were to give with compassion and without the expectation of profit through raising the price of food over its value or charging interest on money lent. They were to do this out of respect for the Lord who would ensure they were provided for and blessed for caring for those who were struggling.

So what would happen if someone would not adhere to the law, disobeying God by abusing the poor through charging them interest on money loaned or raising food prices to try and profit off those who were in need?

Our proverb today provides the answer to that question. Look again at the words of Solomon:

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another who will be kind to the poor. Proverbs 28:8

Note here that if a person chose to neglect the poor, taking interest or profiting off of them in direct violation of God’s word, they would not get use of the money they gained but rather God would see that the money would go to someone else who would use it to be kind to the poor. In other words, if a lender or food vendor chose to greedy and exploit the less fortunate, they would not get to enjoy the fruits of their sinful ways. God would have the last say on what happened to their profits and His will would be to ensure the poor were cared for.

Friends, can we see the message here, a message that is more fundamental than charging interest or seeking to profit off of the needy?

We need to see that God has a heart for the poor. They are not forsaken or forgotten or without favor. The Lord God Almighty is watching over them and will meet their needs and He expects us to do likewise. In fact, He has provided the people in this world with all the resources to ensure that no one would ever go without having what they need to live and survive. And yet we have countless children and adults dying around the world every day because they lack the most basic of things to just live, things like food and water and medicine. It’s the greatest tragedy happening in our world outside of the number of people who have decided they don’t need Jesus in their lives. Perhaps the two are connected.

For anyone who has Jesus in their heart will feel compelled to do something for anyone in need. It would be a priority because they would live selflessly and self-sacrificially. Their money would not be seen as their own but of the Lord’s and they would seek to use it to His glory to make a difference in the world and care for what Jesus called the least of these (Matthew 25:34-40). If all people accepted Jesus and received Him into their lives, there would be no one perishing from starvation or dehydration or preventable medical conditions. Rather, there would be a bounteous plenty for all to draw from and everyone could have a lease on the precious life that God has granted them.

How long will the people of God stand on the sidelines and watch their brothers and sisters who are poor perish?

How long will it take for us to feel compelled to see how blessed we are and seek to bless others as God has blessed us?

Friends, today is the day to respond to this word of God and my prayer is that you will take action and act in some way to make a difference in the lives of those who are poor, those who need our help so very much. Won’t you pray and ask the Lord what He wants you to do in this matter? Know and trust that He’s waiting for that prayer to provide you guidance as He uses you in some special way to provide for the poor.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

OBEY THE LAW: A DEVOTION FOR THE YOUNG AND THE YOUNG AT HEART



Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to OurChristianWalk.com.

In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.

Proverbs 28:7 NLT

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

In this life, we have laws to follow and we have officers whose sole job is to enforce many of those laws, particularly the laws that have to do with public safety.

Indeed, it’s against the law to do many things and anyone who chooses to willingly violate those laws will typically find themselves in the midst of consequences when they are caught.

One of the sets of laws we are probably most familiar with is the set of traffic laws we are expected to know and obey. We’re not to speed. We’re not supposed to drive recklessly. We’re never supposed to drink and drive or even text and drive in many states. Some have also banned the use of handheld devices (namely cell phones) while driving.

These laws were put in place to keep us safe on the roads but just one drive around a metropolitan area like the one I live in (Hampton Roads, Virginia) and you will find people breaking the laws all over the place. People know the laws but they don’t feel the need to comply with them. And this applies to many other instances involving laws people are to follow. I hate to say this but we are ever more becoming a lawless society, a collection of people who simply don’t want to play by the rules.

In many instances, you can trace this disobedience all the way back to youth. We lived under the roof of our parents or care providers and were expected to follow the rules of the house. Our parents would give us the do’s and don’ts as they sought to teach us to do right and be responsible. But let’s all be honest. Didn’t we look for opportunities to break those rules as often as we could get away with? It’s sad but you know I’m telling the truth. Satan has been working on us for a long time with the hope of taking us to a place where we don’t see laws as mattering anymore, to a place where we just do what we want to do, even if it’s wrong.

The danger with this attitude is that it crosses over to other parts of living like our spiritual side.

Now, some people may not be believers in the first place but where a lawless attitude hurts them is that they love that lifestyle so much that they wouldn’t even consider giving it up for a life that would be regulated in any way. After all, it’s so much fun just doing whatever you want. This is obviously the unwise decision to make.

Believers, when adopting a lawless attitude in their earthly lives, will find themselves less compliant with the laws of the scriptures. Violating the word of the Lord becomes a routine as sin and its pull takes a foothold and anchors a person in the world and its ways, far away from the righteousness and goodness that the Lord desires from all His people.

Solomon touched on this matter of complying with the law and youth in our proverb for the day. And although the verse mentions youth, I believe he is speaking to all of us. In other words, it’s a timely word of God for the young and the young at heart, a polite term for those who are older. Look at these words:

Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends bring shame to their parents. Proverbs 28:7

The message here is clear. Obey the law and you will be wise. This is because you have allowed the Lord, the creator of wisdom, to lead you to a life of right living or righteousness, a life that will always be in compliance with the laws of the scriptures.

Of all those laws, the ones that are probably most widely known are the Ten Commandments. You can find them in the 20th Chapter of Exodus as God gave Moses a series of commandments to share with the people, commandments that would dictate how people were to relate to Him and how they were to relate to each other. For today’s discussion about obedience and the law, I would like to use the fifth of the Ten Commandments which simply says this:

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12

The message here is clear and it applies to young and old alike. We are to honor our parents with our behavior. There is no exception here, no room for interpretation. What we do in life isn’t just about us. There are often more people who suffer in the midst of disobedient behavior and its associated consequences and those people can often be parents.

Our scripture today cautions us to watch who we associate with for if we run with the wrong crowd, we’ll often find ourselves doing wrong and often those wrongs come back and haunt the very parents who raised us as they experience shame in the aftermath of our dishonorable behavior. If only we would have just obeyed the laws of the Lord and honored our father and mother instead of disgracing them. This is a common lament of those who have opted for disobedience and experienced the destructive repercussions of those actions.

Friends, life would be so much better if we would just choose to obey the Lord’s law and remain steadfast in our compliance to it. For in a life like that we all would choose wisdom over sin, righteousness over wickedness, and discernment over folly. Even more so, we would live in ways that would make our father and mother proud, ways that would make God, our heavenly Father, proud as well.

Isn’t that where we should want to be in life, living in a way that honors our Lord which in turn will honor our father and mother?

Our answer had better be, “Yes.”

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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