It is interesting to look at different Bible translations of verses, to help bring out the meaning of the text.

I found that the God’s Word translation of Proverbs 14:14 brings relevance to what is a somewhat “matter of fact” verse in other translations. It says:

“A heart that turns from God becomes bored with its own ways, but a good person is satisfied with God’s ways.”

Isn’t it common to see someone searching for their way in life and rather than turning toward God, they turn away looking for life satisfaction in many things, only to be left feeling incomplete. In contrast, when we turn toward God looking for his will and ways and following, we find peace.

Dear Lord, as you said, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, help us turn toward you for fulfillment in life, and you will guide our steps. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Question one: What did you do to become a child of your parents? Nothing, It was what they did that made you their child.

In the same way, It is what God has done that makes us his children. Romans 8:15 writes, “… you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.”

People can, and many do, reject God’s invitation to be his children, but as John 1:12 writes, “to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Question two: What do you do to please your parent or parents? You listen to their direction, learn and follow. You treat them with respect. You make them proud by your behavior.

Is it any different with God? God is pleased with us when we have faith in him and his teaching, and live lives that glorify him; Loving him and loving each other. When we don’t, we cannot expect that God is happy with us.

Romans 8:8 says, “That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.”
Hebrews 10:38 says, “And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

Dear Lord, It is your will that all would come to know you and accept your offer to be your child and be saved. Help us find the great joy in being your child, so that we will do what pleases you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

There is a story about Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Computer and John Sculley, who was hired by Steve Jobs to be the CEO of Apple in the mid 1980’s. John Sculley had been a vice president at PepsiCo, where he had made Pepsi the number one Cola brand.

The story goes that when John Sculley was reluctant to leave PepsiCo for Apple, Steve Jobs asked him, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?”

In a similar way, we have a calling to do God’s will while we are doing our daily work and in our daily activities

Paul writes in Acts 20:24 his view, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus; the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”

And Jesus says in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Dear Lord, We know the question you have for us, “Are we going to spend all our lives focused on getting everything we want for ourselves, or are we going to be part of your work in the world?” Help us choose wisely. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I had some technical difficulties with sending this message yesterday, so I am re-sending it today. Peace and Joy!

Wouldn’t it be great if we could vote for Jesus?

In a way we can do this by letting our faith guide our politics. It is not a popularity contest, it is about whether the ideas and ideals of the candidates align with the two great commandments in Matthew 22:37-39, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ and…. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

We each have to decide for ourselves which candidates and positions align with this, but step one would be whether the candidate agrees with these texts in the first place.

Not the popular opinion in the secular world.

Jesus tells us in John 15:18,19, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

What a blessing and responsibility we have to peacefully influence our government. I am always amazed by, and grateful for, what the US Founders did. “…with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence (God), we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” US Declaration of Independence.

Dear Lord, thank you for the freedom you granted us through our founders and past leaders in the USA. Give us wisdom and discernment during this election season to prayerfully use our faith in you and your word to guide us in our duty as citizens. Please put your hand of blessing and success on those candidates who trust you and do your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I have heard it said, “coincidences are God’s appointment book.

Have you noticed that when you are keeping your priorities right, keeping your focus on God and his will, things that seem like random circumstances bring us into contact with someone who is just the right connection for something on which we are working; or we run across someone who needs just the experience or expertise that we have.

Acts 8 tells the story of Phillip and the Ethiopian. After Jesus had risen, and ascended, the disciples become inspired by the Holy Spirit to split up and begin telling the good news to people everywhere. Phillip goes to Samaria and while there he is led to help an Ethiopian official understand some prophesies in Isaiah. Philip uses this opportunity to tell the Ethiopian the Good News about Jesus.

Acts 8:29 says, “The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” and verses 34-38, “The Ethiopian asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. As they rode along, they came to some water, and the Ethiopian said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.”

It is interesting to note that Ethiopia has a population of about 100 million people today, and the population is over 60% Christian. Could this have been a result of this witness by Philip?

Dear Lord, You are always working through us and others to complete your plan. Help us realize your work in the coincidences that occur in our lives, and look for the reason, and our role in the plan. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.