Have you shown kindness to your neighbor lately?

Do we get so focused on serving God in this way or that way that we neglect to show kindness to our neighbors? If showing kindness to our neighbors is off the radar and not in our thoughts then we are missing the broad side of the barn. This is a major teaching in the Bible and setting it aside is neglecting His will for us. 

If you have let this teaching slip through the cracks then why not make a plan today to correct it.  Think about an idea as to how you will bring your neighbor good in the near future. And then do it. And in bringing them good do it with pure motives.  Bring them good without any expectation of receiving something  in return. Not only will you bless your neighbor but you will cause God to smile as well.

The ears and mouths of the wise and the foolish

Here are some contrasts between the wise and the foolish concerning the use of their ears and mouths. The wise are teachable and listen to Godly correction. The foolish will not listen to a rebuke. The wise know when to restrain their words and are able to do so. And as a result they protect themselves. The foolish don't hold back their tongue and bring ruin upon themselves. Ideas taken from Proverbs 13:1-3

God detests cheating one another.

In Proverbs 11:1 and 20:23 we find that it is an abomination to God when people cheat others by using dishonest business practices. But on the other hand God delights in honest business dealings.

Proverbs 11:1

1 A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, 
But a just weight is His delight.

Proverbs 20:23
23 Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, 
And a false scale is not good.

Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org )

Troubled? Don't neglect rejoicing.

Whenever we are bogged down with trouble, disappointment with others or even with ourselves we need to make sure we have a time of rejoicing in the midst. A steady diet of negative thinking is not healthy. We need to have a separate compartment in our lives that is dedicated to rejoicing. During this time think on things that are worthy. Praise and thank God for them. Count your blessing and be thankful for them.

Some of the many benefits of obeying God

God' ways bring long life
God's ways bring favor with man and God
God's ways bring healing and refreshment
God's ways bring blessings
God's ways are pleasant ways.
God's ways are peace.
God's ways are life and happiness.
(Some thoughts within Proverbs 3:2-18)

Are you eating a balanced Spiritual diet?

Many of us have several Bible Teachers / Preachers to which we listen. To make sure that we are getting a well balance spiritual diet I recommend doing something. Pay attention to the words in the messages over the next month or so. See if at some point you are instructed to turn from sin. If week after week there is no reference to repentance then your spiritual diet is lacking. We all stray and from time to time. As a result we need times when someone speaks words to us that turn us back into right paths. Additionally in our personal time of getting into the Word we must not get in an unbalance diet of verses that are only encouraging. All of God's Word is good for us. Even the uncomfortable ones that correct and discipline us.  God bless

God's can provide in any economy.

God's can provide in any economy. 

No matter what happens in the economy or how much gasoline cost, God is still able to provide for His children. He created the stars. His ability to provide is not limited to what is happening on the earth. Make it your first priority to seek after His righteousness and His kingdom and your needs will be met. Also read Matthew 6:25-34

Growing and being equipped from trials

Trials are painful but they cause us to grow. But in them God counsels and comforts us. And then that same comfort and counsel equips us to be a blessing to someone else. We are being grown and equipped at the same time!

Got peace?

Here are a few things that brings peace to the child of God

Hope in God brings peace - Psalm 42:5

Prayer brings peace - Philippians 4:6-7

Obedience brings peace - Psalm 119:165

Avoiding the Gang's enticement for easy money

Today's devotion encompasses several things. It speaks about avoiding bad company and it's deadly consequences. To be more specific it speaks about the dangers of joining a gang in order to obtain easy money. For being lured into these things leads to spiritual death and can result in physical death too. Please turn to Proverbs 1:8-19 so you can follow along.

In verse 8 we see one safeguard against being lured into this trap is listening to the Biblical teachings of godly parents. Note here the importance of the mother's teaching within the home. The child needs the teachings to be reinforced from both father and mother. 

Starting at verse 10 notice the use of words that are plural such as: "sinners", "us", "we", "them", and "they". This may refer to a group of people. Since verse 11 states the group's desire to do harm to the innocent it is possible to label them as a gang.

And how are they enticing him. In a couple of ways. In verses 13-14 they are enticing the youth with fast and easy money. In verse 13 notice the use of the phrases, "all kinds", "precious wealth" and "fill our houses". The gang is painting a picture of obtaining various kinds of wealth that is of high quality and that is plentiful.

There is another enticing draw in verses 13-14. The youth is being offered the opportunity to be part of a brotherhood. They promise that everything that they obtain will be shared amongst themselves. We will all be one big family. But this promise of being a brotherhood is deceptive. They attack the innocent because they lack compassion. Since they lack compassion, how can the youth expect them  to fulfill their promise of being a tightly knit family?

The advice from the youth's godly parents is - don't consent to go with them. Avoid their company altogether. Their deeds will boomerang back on them. It will take away their life. And you will suffer the same fate too if you align yourself with them. 

Here are a couple of additional safeguards against this type of temptation. Since the desire to be part of a brotherhood was part of the enticement, one counteragent would be developing a network of godly friends. Choose to meet that God given desire for fellowship with godly people. Another safeguard is to recognize that happiness can't be found in material things. I'll close with what Jesus said in Luke 12:15 

 ¹⁵ Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.".  

Scripture quotations taken from the "NASB" (www.lockman.org )