Pure Word

James 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Have you wondered it would be like to read the Bible for the first time but without all the preconceived ideas, agendas, and teachings of others? While it is good to listen to teachers of the Word but only if you back that teaching up with study and the Holy Spirit.

Many things will sound good. Satan, our enemy, uses the Word of God with a wicked twist.
Ninety percent truth can be dangerous. Read the temptations of Christ. That's what the devil tempted Him with. And each time, Jesus quoted what the Word did say.

Pray for wisdom from above. Check your own ideas and those of others against the pure Word and see that it is peacable and gentle, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy.

Get alone with the Lord. Sit at His feet and inquire. Read the Scriptures in the Light of the Holy Spirit.

But be aware of the enemy who wants to lead astray the believers into error.

Know the truth. The whole and Holy truth. And do not be deceived.

Shine, it's your day!

Numbers 6:25
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

Isaiah 60:1
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

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.

Matthew 13:43
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Someone didn't tell these little sunshine flowers that we have been in a drought, that fall is coming, that they have no reason to shine.

Like these golden treasures, as Christians, we need to know that this is our time to shine. God is good, loves us, and has good plans for our lives.

Don't give in to the way the circumstances appear. Take hold of the truth. Remember that God is in control. And SHINE.

Walk in the spirit, shining His light into the darkness.

WE win!

The Narrow Way

Matthew 7:14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

There are many ways and paths, but only one will bring life. We are inundated with knowledge. Books abound, screaming that they know the 'way' and for $15 dollars you can too.

TV shows, radio shows, magazines, and of course the Internet are full of the way we should go.

The good news - people are searching

The bad news - many are looking in all the wrong places. Listening to those who tickle their ears, entertain, and feed them what they want to hear.

2 Timothy 4:3 NASB

³For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Be strong in the Lord. Hide the Word deep in your heart.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

The world is watching us. The lost are searching for the narrow way. Be the light that shines on the truth and lead many to life.

The world is dying to see the Truth.

DAY 207

My word!

Words, they can bring life or sow death. The wise guard their mouths and what comes out. For even our words live forever, and all of them, we will have to account for before the Lord. Scary thought.

Best to consider that everything we say will go out into the universe. I read a poem in third grade that has stuck with me, (and that is a lot of sticking : )

It said something like -- Words are so proud, for once they go out, they can never be called back.

If we concentrate on the WORD, before we say our words, we might just catch some of those proud words before they escape.

Matthew 12:37
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

^{James 3:10 10}Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Fill your mind and heart with the pure Word of the Lord, memorize His Word, and guard your tongue. Speak words of blessing and truth.

DAY 163

Perspective - it's all in how you look at it.

Or is it?

Isaiah 55:8 ⁸For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Truth is how God sees things.

Psalm 86:11
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

In these chaotic times where many shout and clamor their wisdom, seek the Lord's wisdom. His truth.

Proverbs 14:12

¹²There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.