Today's Lesson: Our Perfect Parent Moves in His Own Time

When your foundations are shaking and you wish you could run and hide, remember that Our Perfect Parent is still in control.

As the One who created this world, the sun, the moon, the planets, the stars, mankind, and everything else some billion of years ago, everything is still working in perfect order. They haven't crashed into each other or run out of the energy He breathed into them.

And His power is not diminished by any turn of events. Nothing happens without His knowledge and permission.
So, the next time you feel like running away, instead, run to Our Perfect Parent.

The bottom line: He restores justice and goodness on the earth . . . When? . . . in His Good, Old Time. Our Perfect Parent's GOT this!

Today's Lesson: Friends in Our Walk with God, Help or Hindrance?

In my reading today Psalm 1:1 begins extolling the joys of obeying God and refusing to listen to those who discredit or ridicule him.

Our friends and associates can have a profound influence on us, often in very subtle ways.

However, we ought to pay caution here because, if we insist on friendships with those who mock what God considers important, we might sin by becoming indifferent to God's will. This attitude is the same as mocking.

Time check: Do your friends build up your faith, or do they tear it down? True friends would help you to draw closer to God, not hinder your relationship with him.

The bottom line: Think wisely about the friendship you collect.

Today's Lesson: Treating People Justly

The Bible tells us that King David's reign was characterized by doing what was "just and right."

As ruler and king, he was fair in interpreting the law, administering punishment with mercy, respecting people's rights, and recognizing people's duties toward God.

Is it any wonder that almost everyone trusted and followed David?

Justice is best characterized by the way you relate to people.

The bottomline: Treat everyone justly.

Today's Lesson: Take Time to Reflect

Remember in the Bible Samuel reminded the people to take time to consider what great things God had done for them? Why do you suppose he did that?

Could it have been that he knew that by taking time for reflection it would allow people to focus their attention upon God's goodness and strengthen their faith in Him?

Samuel was not a psychologist, but I do believe that he was on to something. He had what psychologists today would say is insight.

Sometimes we are so progress-oriented and future-oriented that we fail to take time to recall all that God has already done.

The bottomline: Remember what God has done for you so that you may continue your life accompanied with gratitude.

Today's Lesson: Keeping Our Promises to God

Be careful what you promise in prayer because God may take you up on it.

In the Bible Hannah so desperately wanted a child that she was willing to strike a bargain with God. God took her up on her promise, and to Hannah's credit, she did her part, even though it was painful.

Although we are not in a position to barter with God, He may still choose to answer a prayer that has an attached promise.

When you pray, ask yourself: "Will I follow through on any promises I make to God if He grants my request?"

It is dishonest and dangerous to ignore a promise, especially to God.

The bottomline: God keeps His promises, and He expects you to keep yours.

Just Testing the Waters

This post is being created using my android smart phone.

Between the smart phone and this user-friendly blog, I can almost post new entries here with my eyed closed.

It took me less than five to complete this.

Today's Lesson - What's Your Idol?

The Bible tells us that Micah made idols and hired a priest to run his personal religion. When the men of Dan took his idols and priest, nothing remained. 

What an empty spiritual condition! 

I always thought that an idol was some form of man-made statue serving as a god. But, my Bible studies have taught me that an idol is anything that takes God's place in a person's life. 

As I pondered this new definition and looked around, I came to realize that some people invest all their energy in the pursuit of money, success, possessions, or a career. If these idols are taken away, only an empty shell is left. 

The bottom line: The only way we can protect ourselves against such loss is to invest our life in the One, True Living God, whom we can never lose.