Category: Wisdom

Changing Hearts.

I recently finished reading the book of Genesis, and this time through there were two stories that stood out to me. Both stories are about brothers in serious conflict that somehow manage to reconcile. The first is the story of Jacob and Esau, and the second is the story of Joseph and his brothers (especially Judah). In both stories we see that God can change even the hardest of hearts.

Jacob’s Trickery

Jacob was a bit of a snake. In Genesis 25 we read how he acquires his brother’s birthright. He took advantage of Esau’s famished state, and traded a bowl of stew for Esau’s birthright. Then in Genesis 27 Jacob tricked his father into giving him the blessing that rightfully should have gone to Esau.

It’s important to understand the value of the things Jacob took. The birthright entitled the firstborn son to a double portion of the inheritance and status as the head of the family when the father died. The blessing was a way of transferring God’s covenant promise (which began with Abraham) on to the next generation. Acquiring this blessing ensured that Jacob’s descendants, not Esau’s, would flourish and ultimately inherit the land that God had promised.

Esau was understandably upset. So much so that he planned to murder his brother!

From that time on, Esau hated Jacob because their father had given Jacob the blessing. And Esau began to scheme: “I will soon be mourning my father’s death. Then I will kill my brother, Jacob.”

~Genesis 27:41

And so, Jacob fled. He moved far away to live with his Uncle and begin a new life.

Going home.

Eventually God tells Jacob it’s time to return to his homeland (Genesis 31:3). Jacob obeys. He takes his wives, children, and everything he owns back home.

Some twenty years have passed since Jacob cheated his brother, but Jacob fears that Esau’s anger could still be raging.

O Lord, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children.

~Genesis 32:11

The last we heard of Esau, he was ready to murder his brother. We can easily imagine a scenario where Esau grew angrier and more bitter over the years. He had every right to hold onto his grudge and seek revenge. But somehow, Esau let it go.

Then Jacob went on ahead. As he approached his brother, he bowed to the ground seven times before him. 

Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.

~Genesis 33:3-4

If you read through the rest of Genesis 33, you can see the extent to which Esau forgave Jacob. God had truly softened Esau’s heart.

Joseph and Judah.

Our second story involves the same family. The theme of brothers at odds continues with the children of Jacob.

Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe.

But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.

~Genesis 37:3-4

Clearly Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him, and Joseph threw gasoline on the fire by telling his brothers about a dream in which he ruled over them.

One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever.

“Listen to this dream,” he said. 

“We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!”

His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them.

~Genesis 37:5-8

The brothers hated Joseph enough that they seriously considered killing him.

At this point I want to focus in on one brother in particular: Judah. Note that it was Judah’s idea to sell Joseph into slavery.

 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime.

Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed.

~Genesis 37:26-27

Judah didn’t care what would become of Joseph, nor did he care about the pain that losing Joseph would inflict on his father. He simply hated his brother and wanted to be rid of him, no matter the cost.

Judah’s transformation.

The Bible chronicles Joseph’s journey from slave, to prisoner, to ruler. Because the story is told from Joseph’s point of view, we usually focus our attention on him. And Joseph’s story is truly an amazing example of how God can take things meant for evil and turn them into good. As we read, we’re encouraged by God’s care for Joseph, and we’re inspired by the way Joseph is able to forgive his brothers for what they did to him.

But I want to shift the focus a little bit and concentrate on Judah’s point of view. Go to Genesis 44, near the end of the story. Joseph is testing his brothers. He has accused Benjamin of stealing a valuable silver cup, and even had evidence planted to make Benjamin look guilty. The fate of Benjamin rests in Judah’s hands, and here’s what Judah says:

“Your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons. 

One of them went away from me, and I said, “He has surely been torn to pieces.” And I have not seen him since. 

If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in misery.’

“So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy’s life, 

sees that the boy isn’t there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow. 

Your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father. I said, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!’

“Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 

How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.”

~Genesis 44:27-34

We see a transformation in Judah just as radical as the one in Esau. The same brother who had showed no regard for his father and was happy to sell his brother into slavery was now willing to sacrifice himself for the wellbeing of his father and youngest brother. A complete 180!

Application.

These two stories brought to mind this verse:

I [the LORD] will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

~Ezekiel 36:26

Take some time to examine your own heart. Maybe you can relate to Esau. Are you angry at someone who has wronged you? Have you let bitterness harden your spirit? Ask God to soften your heart and help you to forgive.

Or maybe, like Judah, you have been callous and cruel toward others who annoy you. Ask God to help you see these people in a new light. Ask him to give you a new spirit so that you can begin to show genuine love and concern for those around you… even the ones that get on your nerves.

God is in the business of changing hearts. Ask Him to soften yours, and He will.

Near And Far.

“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away?”

~Jeremiah 23:23

I’ve been thinking about the above verse a lot lately. Is God nearby? Far away? Is He both near and far? What do near and far even mean in this context?

To get a better understanding of what this verse means, let’s first conceptualize God as being “far away,” and then we’ll think about God as being “nearby.”

Far.

In many ways, God is unfathomable. Consider for a moment the first words of Genesis:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

~Genesis 1:1

Once, there was no universe. No people, planets, stars, or galaxies. There was no time, space, matter, or energy. But there was God. Self-existing, self-sustaining, eternal. Not just a being, but Being itself! God spoke, and the universe began to exist. That kind of power is far beyond human understanding.

The following verses give us further glimpses into God’s greatness and power. As you read them, think about the vast differences between us and God.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

~Genesis 1:3

Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being.

~Psalm 148:5

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

~Isaiah 55:8-9

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

~Romans 11:33

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.

I Chronicles 29:11

These are just the beginning of all that [God] does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?

~Job 26:14

This is but a small sample of what The Bible tells us about God and His nature. When I consider God in light of verses like these, I feel very small indeed. I wonder how you or I, insignificant as we are, could possibly matter to God. King David wondered the same thing when he penned these words:

What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?

~Psalm 8:4

When we begin to understand who God is, that He is so far above us and greater than we can comprehend, it should fill us with awe, wonder, and reverential fear. It should bring us to our knees in worship. One should never lose this view of God. A God who is powerful, mysterious, awesome… far away.

Yet, while this is an accurate picture of God, it is incomplete. As we will see from other verses, though God is great and powerful beyond our comprehension, He is not an unknowable, untouchable, impersonal force.

Near.

There are two verses I memorized recently that, for me, really encapsulate the idea of God being nearby:

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

~Psalm 16:8

Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.

~Psalm 73:23

There is incredible intimacy in these two verses. How comforting to know the God of the universe is with me. Right beside me. Holding my right hand.

These verses remind me that He’s here, now, ready to help and to heal. Ready to listen and to guide.

It’s incredible that the same God who created and sustains all things, cares for me personally, but it’s true! God desires to be near us, to love us, and to bless us.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

~James 4:8a

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.

~Psalm 145:18

Perhaps the ultimate example of God’s “nearness” is His Holy Spirit living inside those of us who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.

He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.“

~John 14:16-17

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.“

~John 14:26

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

~Romans 8:26

He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

~Titus 3:5

Both.

To sum up, Scripture teaches that God is simultaneously far away and nearby. As we think about God, we should strive to maintain balance between these two views. If we overemphasize the far away aspect of God, we miss out on the intimate fellowship God desires with us. On the other hand, if we stress God’s nearness to us, we forget who we’re dealing with, and fail to show proper adoration and respect. We have to remember that while God is our friend, He is also our King. Thank God for all that He is, and all that He does!

Contrast.

Throughout the book of Proverbs you will find many “pairs” that are contrasted. For example, there are lots of verses that contrast the wise man with the fool. Other examples include:

  • rich vs. poor
  • hardworking vs. lazy
  • humble vs. proud
  • generous vs. greedy
  • patient vs. hot-tempered

One pair that comes up again and again is godly vs. wicked. The many verses that compare and contrast this pair do two things. First, they define the terms “godly” and “wicked”. Second, they explain why choosing to be godly is the better option.

Defining the terms.

The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

~Proverbs 10:11

The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.

~Proverbs 10:32

The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.

~Proverbs 12:6

The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

~Proverbs 15:28

If you want to know if someone is godly or wicked, listen to their words. What comes out of a person’s mouth is a reflection of what’s in their heart (Mathew 15:18-19). Proverbs 15:28 tells us that, “…the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”

Are you careful with what comes out of your mouth? Are your words godly or wicked?

The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.

~Proverbs 12:10

Never be cruel to creatures you deem beneath you. Compassion for animals is a sign of godliness, cruelty to animals is wicked.

The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.

~Proverbs 28:1

The godly have courage, the wicked are cowards.

Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

~Proverbs 28:5

The godly love justice, the wicked pervert it.


In these verses (and many more throughout the book of Proverbs) the difference between the godly and the wicked is made clear. Godliness or wickedness manifests in what we say and do.


Why be godly rather than wicked?

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

~Proverbs 4:18-19

The wicked are spiritually blind, marching toward their own destruction, while the godly can see the correct path to take.

The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.

~Proverbs 10:3

This verse is about more than food. The godly find satisfaction in life, while the wicked are never satisfied.

We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away.

~Proverbs 10:7

The godly leave a legacy, while the memory of the wicked grows rotten and foul.

The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.

~Proverbs 10:24

We don’t always see this. Sometimes the godly suffer while the wicked prosper. But in the end, God will judge the wicked and redeem those who came to Him for forgiveness and redemption. In the end, God will fulfill this promise.

When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.

~Proverbs 10:25

Life is hard, but the godly have a secure foundation on which they can depend.


Take some time now to read through Proverbs 10. Pay attention to all the contrasting pairs you see. When you finish, pray and ask God to help you be godly in word and deed.

Which Wolf Are You Feeding?

Have you heard the story, The Two Wolves? There are many variations of it, and I couldn’t find a definitive answer on where it originated, but here’s a version that I like:

AN ELDERLY CHEROKEE BRAVE TOLD HIS GRANDSON ABOUT A BATTLE THAT GOES ON INSIDE PEOPLE.

“MY SON,” HE SAID, “THE BATTLE IS BETWEEN TWO ‘WOLVES’ INSIDE US ALL. ONE IS EVIL. IT IS ANGER, ENVY, JEALOUSY, GREED, ARROGANCE, SELF-PITY, RESENTMENT, LIES, PRIDE, AND EGO.

THE OTHER IS GOOD. IT IS JOY, PEACE, LOVE, HOPE, HUMILITY, KINDNESS, BENEVOLENCE, EMPATHY, GENEROSITY, TRUTH, COMPASSION AND FAITH.”

THE GRANDSON THOUGHT FOR A MINUTE, AND THEN ASKED HIS GRANDFATHER:

“WHICH WOLF WINS?…”

THE OLD CHEROKEE REPLIED, “THE ONE YOU FEED.”

This story came to mind as I was reading Romans 8.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

~Romans 8:5-6

The flesh and the Spirit are the two wolves. When we fulfill the desires of the flesh, we feed the evil wolf. When we fulfill the desires of The Spirit, we feed the good wolf.

Which wolf we feed is no trivial matter. The stakes are literally life and death! I don’t know about you, but I want to choose the path that leads to life and peace over the path that leads to death. Let’s look at some ways that we can feed the Spirit and starve the flesh.

What we look at.

Every day we make important choices about what we allow into our minds via our eyes. Which T.V. shows and movies are you watching? What internet sites are you visiting? What books are you reading? These choices have a massive impact on your life.

I enjoy movies and T.V. as much as anyone, but it’s important to be selective in our entertainment choices. Much of what Hollywood produces is designed to cater to the desires of our flesh. Choose wisely.

What about benign entertainment, like watching sports? Nothing wrong with that, but its like consuming empty calories. We should be careful not to “fill up” on things that have no spiritual value. When it comes to neutral entertainment, moderation is key.

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

~Mathew 6:22-23

What we listen to.

The music you listen to has a powerful influence on you, for good or bad. Talk radio and podcasts can be uplifting or discouraging. The messages you listen to every day feed one wolf or the other.

If you want to feed the Spirit, choose carefully who and what you listen to. Test what your favorite podcaster says against scripture and see if it holds up. Pay attention to the lyrics in the songs you listen to, and ask if they are in line with biblical teaching.

Then [Jesus] added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. 

To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

~Mark 4:24-25

The company we keep.

“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” ~Dan Peña

Who do you spend most of your time with? We become like the people we hang around. Do your friends move you closer to God or farther from Him?

We humans are social creatures. We need each other. But it’s vital to surround yourself with people who lift you up, encourage you, and who care about your spiritual growth.

The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

~Proverbs 12:26

Take stock.

The choices you make every day matter. Take some time this week to assess how you spend your time and who you spend it with. Is there room for improvement? Are there changes you need to make regarding what you watch and listen to? Do you need to make adjustments in your social life? Ask God to help you make changes that will draw you closer to Him. Choose carefully which wolf you feed every day!

Faith Misplaced.

People put their faith in lots of different things. Some put their faith in money, believing that wealth provides security. Others put their faith in charismatic leaders, trusting them to have all the answers. Many put their faith in science and technology. The list could go on and on, but the point is, we all put our faith in something. The question is, when that moment of crisis hits, will the thing(s) you have placed your faith in actually deliver?

A hard lesson.

In I Samuel 4:1-10 the Israelites learn the hard way what happens when you put your faith in the wrong things.

Israel is at war, and it’s not going well:

The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men.

~I Samuel 4:2

After this crushing defeat they asked, “Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?”

The Israelites had expected to win. Instead they were soundly beaten, losing thousands of soldiers. Why? Because they weren’t trusting in God to give them the victory, they were trusting in their own strength.

An incorrect correction.

The Israelite leaders realize they need a new approach. But rather than turn to God for help, they put their faith in an object: the Ark of the Covenant. At first it seems to work! When the Ark arrives on the scene, the Israelites are inspired, and the Philistines are terrified. The Israelites march forward, confident that this time they will be victorious. But things do not go according to plan.

So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents.

~I Samuel 4:10

Once again, the Israelites had misplaced their faith. They failed to realize that without God, the Ark of the Covenant is nothing more than a fancy box. Israel paid a heavy price: tens-of-thousands dead, and the loss of the Ark of the Covenant.

The details about what happens to the Ark of the Covenant are found in I Samuel 5-6, but the short version is that God forces the Philistines to return it to Israel.

It then takes twenty years before Israel is finally ready to acknowledge and remedy their mistakes.

The Ark remained in Kiriath-jearim for a long time—twenty years in all. During that time all Israel mourned because it seemed the Lord had abandoned them.

~I Samuel 7:2

Getting it right.

Finally, when the Israelites are ready to listen, Samuel instructs them:

Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you want to return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.”

~I Samuel 7:3

Samuel issues a challenge and a promise to the people of Israel.
The challenge: put your faith in God alone.
The promise: God will rescue you.

Now read I Samuel 7:4-11 and see what happens when the Israelites turn back to God and put their faith in Him.

How about you?

Take a few moments to examine your own life. What are you putting your faith in?

Put your faith in God alone. Trust that He will keep the promises in His Word. When that moment of crisis hits, you can count on Him to deliver.

New Life.

Read Colossians 3: 1 – 16.

This is both an encouraging and challenging text. It focuses on what it means to have new life in Christ, and how we ought to conduct ourselves as a result. Here’s some of what I gleaned from this passage:

New focus.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

~Colossians 3:1-2

One of the greatest blessings we have as Christians is a hope that lies beyond this world. This earth will pass away, but that needn’t concern us if our eyes are fixed on heaven where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal (Mathew 6:20).

As you go through life, with all its trials, remember that this world is temporary, and think about the wonderful future God has prepared you. That shift in focus should put things in perspective and give you comfort and peace.

New habits.

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.

~Colossians 3:5a

I love the way that Paul phrases this. As Christians, sinful urges still lurk within us, but thankfully we are no longer slaves to them. With God’s help, we can put them to death, and live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Paul gives a list of things that have no place in our new lives, including: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

These are old, sinful habits that need to be eliminated. How? Paul gives us the answer in verse 10:

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

~Colossians 3:10

The key is to put on your new nature. Study the Bible daily, get to know God better and become more like Him. As a result, those old habits get replaced with new ones.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

~Colossians 3:12-14

When you compare the list of things associated with our old lives to the things that make up our new lives in Christ, it’s a night and day difference, is it not?

Take a moment and self assess. How much of the old life do you still struggle with? What areas of the new life do you need to manifest more? Continually ask God to help you shake off the old, put on the new, and become more like Christ.

New future.

What an amazing thing it is to have new life in Christ! What a future we have to look forward to! One day, Jesus will come back, and those of us who have found new life in Him will not be disappointed.

For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 

And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

~Colossians 3:3-4

“Lord, help me to keep my focus on things above. Help me to put away the old nature and to put on the new. Thank you for the promise that one day you will renew all things and that I will share in your glory. Amen.”

But I Say…

We all have opinions about everything. But Jesus never uttered opinions, only truth. The question is, how closely do your opinions match up with the teachings of Jesus? You might be surprised. What Jesus taught was often contrary to conventional wisdom and popular opinion.

Read Mathew 5: 21-45. Pay close attention when Jesus says, “But I say…”

On murder and adultery.

The sixth and seventh of The Ten Commandments are: do not kill, and do not commit adultery. Most likely you’ve never killed anyone, and hopefully you have never cheated on your spouse. But don’t be too quick to pat yourself on the back.

Jesus explained that these commandments go deeper than we realize. It’s not just about the physical acts; it’s a matter of the heart.

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’

But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!”

~Mathew 5: 21-22

“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’

But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

~Mathew 5: 27-28

God knows our hearts. We may not commit the physical acts of murder or adultery but sometimes the desire is there, and if we knew we could get away with it…

The bottom line is, Jesus taught that if you have ever looked at woman with lust, or burned with hatred against another person, you are guilty of breaking God’s law the same as if you had committed adultery or murder!

On divorce.

In our modern times, divorce is not seen as a big deal. If you’re unhappy, unfulfilled, or unsatisfied with your marriage in any way, just call it quits.

But Jesus taught that marriage is a sacred commitment, and that the only valid reason for divorce is an unfaithful partner.

But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

~Mathew 5: 32

Some Pharisees came to [Jesus] to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

~Mathew 19: 3-6

On making vows.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I swear on my mother” or, “I swear on my kid’s lives”? It’s a fairly common thing, and it’s meant to show that the person is serious about the claim they are making.

But Jesus said not to use such oaths. We are to live with such integrity that people know our word is good at all times.

But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.

And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.

Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.

Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.

~Mathew 5: 34 -37

On revenge.

The desire for revenge when we are wronged is a natural impulse. We want those who hurt us to pay a price.

But Jesus taught that we should resist the urge for revenge and instead “turn the other cheek.” It’s hard to overstate how radical (and difficult) this teaching is. It goes against our every instinct.

But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.

~Mathew 5: 39

Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

~Proverbs 20:22

On enemies.

An enemy, by definition, is someone hostile toward you. They don’t like you, and they want to see you come to harm. The natural tendency is to reciprocate.

But once again, Jesus tells us to take a radically different approach.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

~Mathew 5: 43-44

So how do your opinions about these topics line up with what Jesus taught? Do you find some of the teachings hard to accept? If so, ask God to help you adjust your thinking, then ask Him for the strength to put these teachings into practice in your day-to-day life.

No Worries.

I sometimes struggle with anxiety. If I let my mind wander, I can come up with all kinds of things to stress over. It’s the uncertainty of life that gets to me. I want to know what’s going to happen, and I want to have a say in it!

But the reality is, most things are out of our control. Disease, disaster, death, and destruction can strike without warning. Rather than despair, however, we can take comfort in the words of Jesus.

Worry is damaging.

Unchecked, worry can have devastating effects. It can make you physically ill, contributing to things like digestive disorders and cardiovascular disease. It can even lead to depression and suicidal thoughts.

Worry also affects your spiritual life. Listen to this warning from Jesus in Mathew 13, where he explains that the worries of life can prevent us from growing spiritually:

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

~Mathew 13:22

Take a moment now and read Mathew 6: 19-34.

Notice that right before Jesus addresses the topic of worry, He talks about the problem with focusing on wealth. Why? I think it’s because some people believe that more money will rid them of their worries. This is a trap. Wealth can evaporate in an instant, and no amount of it will ever satisfy your deepest needs. Not only that, but if you’re not careful, the pursuit of wealth can become all consuming. Money becomes your master, and it is a cruel master indeed.

Sources of worry.

God knows what we tend to worry about most. Our immediate physical needs are always front and center in our minds. We need food, water, shelter, and clothes to survive, and when those things are in jeopardy, we start to fret.

But Jesus reminds us that if we trust God, He will provide for us.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”

~Mathew 6:25-30

Letting go.

When you begin to worry, remember this quote:

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Worry is a sign that you are clinging to this world. Life is short and this world is temporary. Jesus said, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it” (Mathew 10:39).

So stop worrying! God is in control. If you seek first the kingdom of God and strive to live righteously, God promises to take care of your needs and work everything together for your good in the end.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28

Memorizing Scripture.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been memorizing one new verse of scripture a day. When I was trying to decide what to write about for this post, my daughter said, “Daddy, why don’t you write about the verses you’ve been memorizing?” That sounded like a great idea to me, so here goes!

Why memorize?

Memorizing scripture is not easy. It takes time and effort, but the process has many benefits.

  1. As you work to retain a verse in memory, you start to think deeply about the meaning of it and how it applies to your life.

  2. While you’re focused on scripture, your mind isn’t wandering aimlessly, or worse, thinking thoughts that are harmful / sinful.

  3. Once a verse is stored in memory, you can bring it to mind when you need it, and it can be a source of comfort, encouragement, or inspiration.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:11

Five verses:

I’m going to go through five of the verses I’ve memorized recently, and talk about what they mean to me:

1

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23

The “heart” in this verse is your innermost self. It’s the true, unfiltered, genuine you. It’s the seat of your emotions and desires. What’s in your heart is who you really are.

This verse is a warning to be careful what you allow to influence and shape you. Choose carefully what you watch, what you listen to, and who you associate with, because what you let into your heart becomes a part of you, and will determine how your life plays out.

2

I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.

Psalm 146:2

This is a pledge to be loyal and faithful to God to the end. By making this pledge daily, you’ll be able to say at the end of your life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (II Timothy 4:7).

3

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

Psalm 145:8

This verse encapsulates the nature of God. It is because of His mercy, compassion, and unfailing love that He sent His Son to die on a cross for our sins (John 3:16). It is His loving nature that motivates us to love Him. (“We love him, because he first loved us” I John 4:19).

4

He counts the stars and calls them all by name.

Psalm 147:4

This verse speaks of the unfathomable mind of God. Imagine a mind capable of knowing, not only the exact number of stars, but also their individual names! It reminds us how great God is, and how truly limited we are by comparison. (see also Isaiah 55:8-9).

5

Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp.

Psalm 131:1

This verse is a great reminder that we should always approach God with humility. We may not know why God allows certain things to happen in our lives, but we can trust that He is in control. We should let go of the things that are beyond our understanding.

You can do it!

I challenge you to commit more scripture to memory. Even memorizing one new verse a month is better than nothing. Find a verse that speaks to you, write it out on a 3 x 5 card, and go over it at least once a day. Meditate on it and see how it impacts your life. You’ll be glad you did!

Side note: If you have a hard time memorizing things, I hear ya. If you want to improve your ability to memorize scripture (or anything else), I recommend a book by Kevin Horsley called, Unlimited Memory. It’s not magic; you’ll have to work to learn the methods that he teaches, but I’ve found them to be quite effective.

Mind Your Tongue.

Julian Treasure gave a Ted Talk called, “How to speak so that people want to listen.” In this talk, he gives a list of seven things you should avoid when speaking. They are:

  • Gossip
  • Judging
  • Negativity
  • Complaining
  • Excuses
  • Lying
  • Dogmatism

When I heard the list, I smiled and thought to myself, where have I heard this before? (spoiler: it’s in the Bible!)

James chapter 3 reminds us just how unruly our tongues can be, and that if we are not careful our words can do great harm.

Proverbs 15: 4 says, “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

Let’s look at the Biblical reasons that we ought to avoid the seven things on Julian Treasure’s list.

Gossip

Talking about people behind their backs is rarely a good idea. The one exception is when you have something positive to say. If you can’t say something nice, say nothing!

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

Proverbs 11:13

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

Proverbs 16:28

Judging

Romans 3:23 reminds us that we all fall short of God’s perfect standard. God alone is qualified to judge.

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 

For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?”

Mathew 7: 1-3

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 

And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 

Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?

Romans 2:1-3

Negativity

A negative attitude is toxic. Negativity drags people down.

As Christians we always have a reason to be positive, because the trials of this life are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us (Romans 8:18)!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

Always be joyful. 

Never stop praying. 

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:16 – 18

Complaining

If you’re complaining, you’re probably focused on the wrong thing. You can complain that you’re stuck in traffic, or you can be grateful that you own a car. You can whine about needing to wear glasses, or you can appreciate the amazing gift of sight.

Shift your focus to the good things, and watch what happens. You’ll complain less, and smile more.

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Philippians 2:14-15

He comes to say that all are guilty for all the sin they have done and all the sinful things these sinners have spoken against God.

These men complain and are never happy with anything. They let their desires lead them into sin. When they talk about themselves, they make it sound as if they are great people. They show respect to people only to get something out of them.

Jude 1:15-16

Excuses

To make excuses is to abdicate responsibility. Never cast blame that you deserve onto someone or something else. Take responsibility for your actions.

[Adam] replied, “The woman you gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.”

So the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:12-13

Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.

Proverbs 24:12

Lying

The Bible has a lot to say about lies and truth. God is Truth. He cannot lie (Numbers 23:19 , Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18). We can trust in His promises.

The Devil is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).

We must strive to speak only truth.

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

Ephesians 4:25

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Proverbs 12:22

Dogmatism

Actually, sometimes, we should be dogmatic! When it comes to truth, we should stand firm, and never waver or compromise.

Where we should avoid dogmatism is in matters of opinion, or when we are uncertain about the truth. Dogmatism often stems from pride; from our need to be right. Be humble, and be open to the opinions of others.

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Colossians 4:6

Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the Lord is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions.

I Samuel 2:3

I don’t know how Julian Treasure came up with his list of seven things to avoid when speaking, but his advice is sound because it lines up with Biblical principles.

I challenge you to pick out at least a couple of things on the list, and make a commitment to eliminate them from your speech.

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