Instructions for the Heart

"The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;" Psalm 19:8

This is so simple. God's precepts for living are perfect. Those who follow them will rejoice. It's not complicated, so why do we make it so? Some people rip out the pages of the Bible they don't like, so to speak, but that doesn't make God's word any less authentic. They miss out on so much joy by refusing to accept God's principles and follow them. For your heart's sake, accept the Lord's instruction.

Overcoming Fear

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline."

1 Timothy 1:7

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to young Timothy to encourage him. He wanted Timothy to boldly share the gospel as he himself was doing. In the original Greek, this verse literally means God has not given us a mental disposition of fear (as in faithless fear), but of miraculous power and affection and self-control. Whenever we feel fearful, we should remember that fear does not come from God. If not from God, it must come from ourselves, or from our enemy Satan. This is a good verse to remember and meditate upon when we lack courage. God has already given us everything we need to accomplish His purpose, but we must discipline our minds to grasp and act upon it.

Seven Principles for Living

"Trust in the LORD and do good;

         Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 

    Delight yourself in the LORD;

         And He will give you the desires of your heart. 

    Commit your way to the LORD,

         Trust also in Him, and He will do it."

Psalm 37:3-5

When I look at these verses I see seven principles for living a life that pleases God. First, put all our faith in the Lord and Him alone. He wants to be first in our lives. Second, show integrity; continue to do good to others, even if they do not do good to us. Righteousness trumps unrighteousness every time. Third, bloom where we are planted. Learning contentment whatever our circumstances is honoring to God. Fourth, joy is to be found in loving the Lord. If we look for things or other people to bring us happiness, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. Only Christ can satisfy the deepest longing of our hearts. Fifth, make sure our desires align with God's word. God wants to give us the desires of our hearts, IF they agree with what He says. We should look at scripture and ask ourselves, "Is what I'm asking of God in agreement with what He has said is good?" Sixth, commit to follow Him no matter if He gives us what we want or not. Seventh, trust that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. Faithfulness, integrity, contentment, joy, alignment, commitment, trust. Seven scriptural principles for a God-pleasing life.

Let Your Heart Bring an Offering

"Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,

         Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 

    Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name;

         Bring an offering, and come before Him;

         Worship the LORD in holy array." 

1 Chronicles 16:28-29

The Lord has done great things. Look around and see the beauty of creation. Stop and listen to the birdsong. Open your heart to the Lord today. Whatever is troubling you, put it aside for just five minutes and bring the Lord an offering by counting your blessings. The Lord is not a genie, waiting for you to rub the bottle so He can address your wants. He is the Lord God Jehovah, the Mighty One, the Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Ascribe to Him today all that He is due. Worship Him with the offerings of your heart. He is worthy.

Winning The Battle For Your Mind

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!"  

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Is is possible to have peace of mind, no matter what our circumstances?  Absolutely. If our thoughts are fixed on God. Paul wrote, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5) The mind is a spiritual battlefield. It is where Satan wages warfare, and we must be forearmed to stand against his attacks. In his message "The Battle For Your Mind", given at the Desiring God 2010 National Conference, Rick Warren lists five principles for renewing your mind to win the battle:

1. Don't Believe Everything You Think

2. Guard Your Minds From Garbage

3. Never Let Up On Learning

4. Feed Yourself Daily With God's Word

5. Let God Stretch Your Imagination

To hear Pastor Warren's entire message at no cost, click on this link: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/the-battle-for-your-mind#/listen/full

God's Reputation

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." 

Matthew 5:16

Salvation can't be earned through good works; it is a gift from God by grace through faith. After we receive this gift we become the Lord's ambassadors. And from then on everything we do reflects on Him, good and bad. Jesus instructed us to behave in a way that would bring glory to God, showing others the goodness and beauty of our Lord. We have a responsibility to uphold our Father's reputation. How are you doing?

Exalt the Lord our God

"Exalt the LORD our God 

       and worship at his holy mountain, 

       for the LORD our God is holy." 

Psalm 99:9

There is no God like our God. The Creator of all we perceive. He deserves to be exalted, far above the heavens. Lifted higher than the highest mountain. His loving kindness reaches to the farthest ends of the earth. Worship him, praise him, because he is worthy.