Look What I Found

Little children have amazing curiosity. Everything is new and exciting to them. They will come across the most ordinary thing on the ground, and find in it an amazing story. As adults, a fare degree of curiosity has faded from our mindsets. We have made decisions about our values and they cloud every thought. Ideologies have hamstrung our leaders so that they are often unable to investigate and understand the truth. Personal experiences and environmental influences have clouded our thinking so that we are not open to the fundamental truths of life.

In I Chronicles 28:9 King David tells Solomon, “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” We may be able to hide our selfish and wicked thoughts and plans from others, but God knows our hearts, plans, and thoughts. He will be found by those who sincerely seek Him, but He rejects those who reject Him. Let us be found walking close to God with our whole hearts and willing minds.

Moral Compass

When our children were little, we often played board games with them. We would sometimes change the rules to make them simpler. Other times we would eliminate some rules to better enjoy the game. But would have happened if we eliminated all the rules. Everyone would play by the rules that satisfied them, bringing about chaos. Our culture wants to cast off rules, policies, and laws, even going so far as to not punish criminals for their crimes. Chaos and catastrophe await us under these conditions.

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” Where divine inspiration and guidance is absent, people are unrestrained and do whatever they desire. If we do not follow God’s wisdom, we will have no moral base and chaos and catastrophe will ensue.

Be Silent

We Americans believe that we should stand up for our rights. If no one will speak on our behalf, we will. If something needs to be done, speak up! If we are not treated in the way that we want, we will complain. All this is well and good, but when taken too far, anger grows and resolution becomes distant. We have become a country of complainers and division.

Exodus 14:13-14 says, “And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.'” Stuck between the Red Sea and an angry army, Moses spoke to God’s people. When we are walking close with God, we need only to stand firm in our faith, not crying out in fear or complaint. God will fight for us, protect us, and lead us through our troubles to a place of peace.

Choosing the Best

Someone estimated that we make 35,000 decisions per day. No wonder we become mentally exhausted. Some decisions are somewhat minor, but others have long-term impacts. On what basis do we make these decisions. Sometimes, it is just basically necessity. But many times, we make decisions based upon what pleases us at the time. Making decisions based upon selfish motivation will often keep us from making the best decisions.

Mark 10:21 says, “And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.'” Is there something that is holding you back from wholeheartedly loving God and following Jesus? Is it worth keeping this thing in your life, but then missing out on the fullness of joy, love, peace, salvation, redemption, and hope that fully walking with Jesus by faith brings to our lives?

Pure and Blameless

Our behaviors and attitudes do not occur in a void. These things affect our lives and those around us. When we choose to be kind and love another person, it will positively impact their lives and our lives as well. When we choose to become angry and take it out on another person, it will negatively impact their lives and our lives as well. When we choose to follow Jesus and receive His love and grace, it will forever lovingly impact our lives and those around us.

Philippians 1:9-11 says, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” We find a progression in these verses. Increasing love, together with knowledge of God, leads to a discernment that chooses the excellent over even the good. These excellent choices lead to a pure and blameless walk with Jesus Christ that then bears the fruit of righteousness in our lives. All this comes together to bring glory and praise to God.