Are you a fool?

"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Psalm 14:1)
According to this verse, the person who says that there is no God, is a fool.
So far, so good. As Christians we don't reject God's existence. I have never heard a born-again believer in God say that there is no God. We believe in God, we believe in His existence and in His power and might. And we don't want to be called fools.
However - and this might come as a surprise to you - there are many Christians whose lives testify that there is no God!
"What do you mean?" you might say.
If you read the rest of Psalm 14 and also Psalm 15, you see what I mean. And it can be summed up thus: What I say with my mouth is one thing, what I do in actions and deeds might be something totally different. Here are some thoughts for consideration:

• How do I treat my family?
• Are my everyday actions a testimony to God or to myself (am I selfish)?
• Do I sow good seed?
• Do I sow love and kind words or do I sow discord, hatred and strife?
• Am I a blesser or a curser through my words and actions?
• When people meet me, do they see and feel Jesus in me?
• Do I love my neighbor more than I love myself?

I know this is tough, but I also know that if we want to live victorious lives that bear witness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we need to consider, not only what we believe, but how we live. The life people see in me, is what I really am. It's not enough to say: "I believe in Jesus, Halleluja, Amen!" and then turn around and gossip about my pastor or my friend. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16: "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Your and my good deeds is the witness the world sees. They don't see what I believe, they see how I live!
So today, if you want to live a life that is a witness for Jesus, pray this prayer with me:
Dear heavenly Father. Thank you that you have given me your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior. Thank you that you have given me the Holy Spirit to guide me through this day. I don't know exactly how I ought to lead my life today, but You know, Father. And I ask you to show me, step by step, how I can be the example of your love, kindness and mercy that the world needs today. Let them see Jesus in me, Father. I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me today, and I put my life in your hands today, Father. Thank you for helping and guiding me today. In Jesus' name, amen.
If you prayed that prayer from a sincere heart, expect God to guide you today. Be open and expectant for possibilities to show His goodnes, love and mercy to people around you. Maybe someone needs a smile today? You can give them that smile. Maybe someone needs a helping hand to cross the street today? You can be that helping hand today. Let someone see Jesus in you today!
Don't be a fool, but be a real Christian.

Who are you - really?

"Wherefore if any man is in Christ, [he is] a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new" (2 Cor 5:17).
Old or new? Who are you? That's the question.
As born-again children of God, we are new creatures in Christ. And with this "new-creature-status" comes certain qualities that we didn't have as unsaved men and women. Let's look at some qualities of a new creature in Christ. Because who you are in Christ is who you really are. Let's look at a passage of Scripture from Romans 8,6:11,
"For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
Here we see clearly the contrasts between an unsaved and a saved person.

1. Death versus life and peace
2. Enmity against God versus pleasing God
3. Flesh versus Spirit
4. Sin versus righteousness
5. Mortal versus immortal

If someone were to ask you if you wanted death, enmity against God, the flesh, sin and mortality or if you wanted life, peace, to please God, the Spirit, righteousness and immortality, what would you answer? You would probably answer the latter qualities. And as a born-again child of God, you have all these qualities. The sad fact is, however, that many born-again children of God don't know this or don't want to take the time to read the Bible enough to find out what salvation really means to them.
I hope you're not one of those ignorant people, but when you're asked "Who are you - really", you can answer with confidence based on the Word of God:
"I am a person who has life, peace, the Spirit of God, immortality, righteousness and I am pleasing God through Jesus Christ."
The table is set, you're more than welcome to help yourself to the most wonderful dishes!

Blessed to be a blessing

Do you want to be a blessing? Then you first have to be blessed. Do you want to set people free? Then you first have to be set free yourselv. This is a Biblical principle. You cannot give what you have not gotten. In Isaiah 61, Isaiah prophecies about Jesus (see Luke 4:18-21) that He will set people free. " The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3, my emphases). To sum it up, we could say that Jesus came to set the capitves free, free from everything that binds us.
It's wonderful to be set free. However, it's even more rewarding when you're set free yourself, and have experienced to go from being in shackles, so to speak, to complete freedom, that you can help other people be set free. And that's what verse 4 tells us: "They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations" (Isaiah 61:4). When you're set free, you will rebuild other people, restore God's peace to them and becoming a tool in renewing their lives. "They" in vers 4, are those who are set free in vv. 1-3.
You're blessed to be a blessing!

Who's your comfort?

"This is my comfort in my trouble; that your sayings have given me life" (Psalm119:50).
I believe every person has someone or something that he or she turns to when things are tough, when life's storms seem to be overwhelming, or when you see no way out of the rut you're in. For a child, it should be their parent(s); for a spouse it should be the other spouse; for a single person, it might be a friend or relative. It's good to have other people to turn to when you need someone. However, other people are just as fragile and vulnerable as you and I are, and they are not able to give us the comfort and security we need.
There's only ONE source you and I can turn to for complete 100 % comfort and security, and His name is Jesus. He not only gives us comfort and security, He gives ut LIFE, everlasting life! "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (Joh3,16).
That's what I call comfort! That's what I call security in an unsecure and volatile world where everything seems to be falling apart.
Who's your comfort? If you haven't already done so, make Jesus your comfort today by inviting Him into your life. He is already standing at the door and knocks, all you have to do is open the door and let Him in.

Are you struggling to keep the Law?

I don't know who will read this, but I can imagine you're nodding and saying: "Yes, I try as hard as I can to live a good life and keep the law".
My next question is: Why are you trying to keep the law? And I can hear someone answer: "To justify myself and live a righteous life. I do want to go to heaven, you know!"
If that's your answer, you're not alone. Millions of people on this earth believe that in order to go to heaven, they have to live "righteous" lives, pull themselves together and do as little harm as possible.
I have news for you: YOU CANNOT DO IT!
No-one has ever or will never live a life righteous enough to go to heaven based on their own works, except ONE; His name is Jesus. Romans 10:4 says,
"Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes" (Romans 10:4). Christ lived that righteous life for you and me so that we don't have to struggle to keep the Law. Jesus did all that for us. Our job is to believe in Him, and that will count as our righteousness.
That doesn't mean that we live mean and bad lives, it just means that the life I live in the flesh, I live to the best of my ability with God's help, but my righteousness does not come from my works, but from Jesus' work.
"For what the law was not able to do because it was feeble through the flesh, God, sending his Son in the image of the evil flesh, and as an offering for sin, gave his decision against sin in the flesh (Romans 8:3).
If you're struggling to keep the Law because you want to please God and be counted as righteous, stop it! Your righteousness comes from Jesus and His work for you. Accept His righteousness, and you'll be free to live the life God has planned for you, in His love and in His power. That's an exciting, relaxing and rewarding life.

Bitter, bruised and broken

Sad headline? Yes, very sad. But even sadder than the headline is the fact that so many Christian people are bitter, bruised and broken, and they either don't want to or don't know how to do something about their situation.
Life is not fair, but God is good is one of many good phrases by Dr. Robert H. Schuller of the Chrystal Cathedral Ministries in California. Life is not fair. Let's just face it, things happen, people let us down, people desert us, a life and a lifestyle that we thought was stable and would last a lifetime, is shattered in a few seconds, and we're left with nothing.
Been there, done that? Ok. Then what? Settling for bitterness? That's what many people do when their life lies in ruins. And they end up bitter, bruised and broken.
The Bible talks very plainly against bitterness. And it's very clear from God's Word that it's poisenous (in the literal meaning of the word) to harbor bitterness. Take a look at these Scriptures, and you know what I mean;
"Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water? ... But if you have bitter envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true" (Jakob 3:11+14).
"So that there may not be among you any man or woman or family or tribe whose heart is turned away from the Lord our God today, to go after other gods and give them worship; or any root among you whose fruit is poison and bitter sorrow" (Deut.29:18).
"Looking with care to see that no man among you in his behaviour comes short of the grace of God; for fear that some bitter root may come up to be a trouble to you, and that some of you may be made unclean by it" (Hebr 12:15).
According to these few Scriptures, bitterness leads to lying, a falling away from God, a poisened life, bitter sorrow, coming short of the grace of God, uncleanness.
Let me ask you a simple question: Is what you've gone through worth all these negative and deadly consequences?
Ok, your husband left you for a younger woman. Your wife cheated on you while you were in the hospital, fighting for your life. You were laid off from work after 25 years of faithfully doing your job. You were treated unfairly by your parents. Etc., etc.. The list goes on. Life is not fair! Things happen to us.
However, what we do about what happens to us, determines what kind of people we become in life. Someone has said: Whatever territory you surrender, God will fill it with His glory. Whatever territory! Bitterness is a territory. There are reasons why people are bitter, but we don't have to stay that way. Even though life is not fair, God is good. And the Bible gives us the hope, comfort and strength we need to overcome our bitterness.
"God is our harbour and our strength, a very present help in trouble.  For this cause we will have no fear, even though the earth is changed, and though the mountains are moved in the heart of the sea; Though its waters are sounding and troubled, and though the mountains are shaking with their violent motion. (Selah.) (Psalms  46:2-4).
God is my refuge when nothing or no-one else seems to be there for me. He is my very present help in times of need. Even though things happen, people desert me, I am left alone and no-one seems to care, God is my refuge. He cares. He never leaves me nor forsakes me. And because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, where He bore not only my sicknesses, but my sins (including my bitterness), I can lay my bitterness on Him and He will fill me with His glory. I surrender my bitterness to Him, and He gives me His glory in return!
I like the thought of that swap. He gets my bitterness, I get His glory! Hallelujah!
Don't go another day bitter, bruised and broken. Let Jesus into your hurting soul, and He makes everything new!

Who is your bodyguard?

"Bodyguard? Do I have a bodyguard?"
Yes, and so does everybody else. It's not only the rich and famous who have bodyguards, we all do. David was rich and famous, and he had his bodyguard: "And David put him in charge of his bodyguard" (1 Chron 11:25). However, even thou you and I are "ordinary" people, we have a bodyguard. What is a bodyguard? A bodyguard is a man or group of men whose job is to protect an important person (Oxford Advanced learner's dictionary). Bodyguards protect people. So far, so good. But who is your and my bodyguard?
Well, since Jesus is our example and our big brother, let's see who His bodyguard was. Who protected Jesus?
If we need protection, it is because someone is out to get us. And at the beginning of His earthly ministry, there was someone who definitely was out to get Jesus. His name is Satan. Jesus went out in the desert to fast and be tested for forty days before his public ministry, and Satan was right there to distract Him, yes, even kill Him. And several times he comes to Jesus with enticing words. However, Jesus answered every attack with the same weapon: "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).
Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, Thou shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God (Matthew 4:7).
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve (Matthew 4:10, my emphasises).
Three times Jesus' bodyguard went to work for Him. Three times He went victoriously out of the battle with Satan. What was Jesus' bodyguard? The Word of God. The Word of God was Jesus' bodyguard, and it is your and my bodyguard. "... withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]" (Eph 6:16). What is better than to 'quench all the fiery darts of the evil one'? If I quench all the fiery darts the evil one sends against me, I am not overtaken, I am a victor. And how do I quench the fiery darts? By holding up my shield of protection; the Word of God.
That requires, however, that I know what the Word says about my situation. So the next time a situation arises that you feel is overwhelming and that wants to render you helpless, look up Scriptures that pertain to your situation, read them again and again until they become giants inside of you, and hold them up against the fiery darts of the enemy. Nothing - NOTHING - can withstand the Word of God.