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“Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.” (Psalm 125:4 NIV)

Good intentions equals an upright heart.  One of the prayers I pray most often:  “Lord, bless my efforts.”  As I take steps of faith to follow Jesus, I pray I’m heading in the right direction.  Oftentimes, people misjudge our actions.  They don’t understand our intent is good, our actions bumbling.  God understands the intentions of our heart.  He blesses our efforts when our hearts are inline with His.

Good intentions equals an upright heart.

I have a knack for touching the tip of the iceberg with people.  Unwittingly, I ask the right question that touches a nerve.  My intent is not to harm.  However, people aren’t always receptive to the truth, nor do they want to discuss it.  Jesus experienced the same thing in His ministry.  People weren’t receptive to His truth:

“Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:37 NIV)

Why wouldn’t people want to know the truth?  Why wouldn’t they want the unconditional love of Jesus in their life? The Jews rejected the truth of Jesus.  People reject the truth we try to speak into their lives.  One reason, the truth is hard to accept.

The truth is, none of us are perfect.  We are all sinners.  In order to enter into a relationship with Jesus, we have to accept these truths about ourselves.  Admitting I have sinned isn’t easy.  When I’ve offended a friend and have to apologize, it’s humbling.

I have a dog walking business.  When I walk someone’s dog, I always text a picture and update how the walk went.  I’ve forgotten twice in the last couple of weeks to text an update to one of my clients.  The owner had to text me to make sure I walked her dog.  I’m a communication major, yet I failed at the most basic of communication.  Admitting my faults to my client isn’t easy.  But it is necessary.  I have to take responsibility for my actions.  I have to tell the truth.  My client knows my intent isn’t bad.  She understands my humanity.  She gave me grace.  I experienced God’s goodness through my client, who gave me grace.  

Our intentions are what makes an upright heart.  When we try to do good, we please God.  We may falter in our attempts, but He knows our intent: 

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)

God sees your heart.  He knows you’re trying.  Ask Him to bless your efforts today.

Question of the Day:

Where do you need God’s help today in aligning your heart with His?

Further Reading: 1 Kings 2:1-3:2 NIV, Acts 5:1-42 NIV, Psalm 125:1-5 NIV, Proverbs 16:25 NIV

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.” (Acts 4:32 NIV)

Sharing creates unity.  The people in today’s verse are the first church.  They listened to Peter and John share the gospel.  The group prayed the Believer’s prayer, God filled them with the Holy Spirit.  The young congregation were of one heart and mind.  Praying united them. Because of their unity, they didn’t consider their possessions their own.  Instead, they pooled their material things with each other.   People who had abundance, provided for those who didn’t.  Sharing creates unity.

Sharing creates unity.

Liberty Healthshare is an example of this verse in today’s world.  My husband and I joined this non-profit organization a few years ago.  Both of us are self-employed.  Our health care costs rose to where we couldn’t afford the premium.  On a cruise for my husband’s 50th birthday we met a family who told us about Liberty.  We came home, did the research and made the decision to join.  We haven’t looked back.   Each month we contribute our share to the co-op.  Those who have bills receive the contribution.  When we incur medical bills, they are likewise shared with the community.   We are one body with the other members.  We share with them, they share with us.  We’re sharing God’s goodness:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17 NIV)

Understanding that all we have comes from God makes sharing easier.  Our possessions aren’t truly ours.  They are gifts from God, on loan during our time here on earth.  What we do with God’s gifts is our gift to Him.

When we tithe, we’re uniting ourselves with our local church.  We’re investing in the lives of the people who attend.  During the pandemic, a large percentage of people stopped giving to their churches.  Unemployment is at an all time high.  Larger churches like Life Church in Oklahoma are helping small churches survive.  More than ever, Christ followers are banning together as one.  Sharing unifies us.

What are you to share?  Whatever you have:

“They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything–all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44 NIV)

Jesus is watching the crowd in the temple give.  The wealthy gave from their wealth.  The poor widow gave everything.   She gave her heart, her soul and her possessions, two coins, to Jesus.  The amount isn’t as important as the intent to Jesus. He created us to unite with others. Share your heart with Jesus, become one with His body.

Question of the Day:

What can you share with others today?

Further Reading: 1 Kings 1:1-53 NIV, Acts 4:1-37 NIV, Psalm 124:1-8 NIV, Proverbs 16:24 NIV

“The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.”  (Proverbs 16:23 NIV)

Wise hearts have prudent mouths.  Prudent means: Cautious; circumspect; practically wise; careful of the consequences of enterprises, measures or actions; cautious not to act when the end is of doubtful utility, or probably impracticable.  In other words, think before you speak.  Think about the words that are coming out of your mouth.

I just finished leading a women’s Bible study.  We looked at the prayers of Paul.  In our last session, we talked about saying things in love.  As Christ followers, we are to speak truth at all times. Speaking the truth isn’t easy.  Of all things, I used the example of someone asking if they looked fat in their outfit.  Arguably, one of the hardest questions to answer without offending the person.  But you can answer the question in love to the best of your ability.  Suggest another outfit they’ve worn which flattered their curves, or an accessory that enhances the outfit.  My husband is a master at answering this particular question with love.  I ask it often.  He has a wise heart and speaks prudent words.

Wise hearts have prudent mouths.

God will hold us accountable for the words we speak:

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36 NIV)

We all speak empty words.  I’ve spoken empty words.  Jesus’ words in this verse help me think about my speech.  I walk away when angry, or try too.  By distancing myself from the person, I’m less likely to say something I will regret.  Once I gain control of my emotions, I think objectively and revisit the conversation.  

When in a difficult situation, I ask God for words as we’re talking.  God amazes me with the words He gives me.  But if I don’t ask Him for help, I get into trouble.  I only know in part, God knows in whole.

Recently, a friend who’s daughter is graduating highschool asked me to do a video.  The topic: what life advice would I give her as she prepares for college.  I prayed for two days before God gave me this simple message:  Call your mother.  

Once the words leave our mouths, they don’t come back.  When we put our words in writing, they are hard to dispute.  The only way we are able to speak prudently is to give God control of our mouths.  Often, the words God gives me are the scriptures I’ve memorized.  The more scripture I memorize, the readier God gives me a response. And sometimes God doesn’t give me words, instead He wants me to say nothing at all.  Let God direct your mouth, He’ll give you a prudent one.

Question of the Day:

Is your mouth prudent?

Further Reading: 2 Samuel 23:24-24:25 NIV, Acts 3:1-26 NIV, Psalm 123:1-4 NIV, Proverbs 16:21-23 NIV

“Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” (Proverbs 16:19 NIV)

Better to hang with the downtrodden than the proud.  When we hang out with prideful people, we are asking for trouble.  Webster’s dictionary of 1828 defines pride as:  Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one’s own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.  

Prideful people lead you down the wrong path.  They have a false sense of security that is easily broken.  They are incapable of recognizing their need for Jesus.  Pride blinds them from the truth.  Pride destroys.  Jesus wasn’t prideful, nor did he hang out with prideful people.  Jesus spent His time with those who were willing to accept His help, the lowly in spirit.  Those humble in spirit are the best companions.

Those humble in spirit are the best companions.

Pride is a battle we all face.  I listened to a podcast interview of Laurie Santos, a professor from Yale. She teaches a class on Happiness, currently available online for free. Part of the discussion was about gratitude.  Practicing gratitude makes you happier.  Laurie studies the science behind the emotions.  In the United States, we compare up. 

Say you’re at a concert.  You are third row from the stage, with excellent seats.  In the U.S., statistics show we’re more focused on the people who have seats three rows ahead of us, instead of appreciating the fact we’re not sitting in one of the hundreds of rows behind us.  Pride makes us jealous of what we don’t have instead of thankful for what we do.  Pride causes us to focus on those who we perceive as better off, versus gratitude for having anything at all.

Solomon warns us about pride:

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 NIV)

Pride gets us in trouble.  Pride makes us think we’re better than we are.  Pride takes away our ability to see our faults.  Pride causes us to not get the help we need.  Pride causes us to lie to ourselves.  Pride keeps us from Jesus.

When we fall at the feet of Jesus, humility leads the way:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30 ESV)

Jesus led with humility.  He was not prideful.  He spent His time with those who were lowly in spirit and gave them rest for their souls.  Pride destroys our relationship with Jesus and others, humility builds them.  Those humble in spirit are the best companions.

Question of the Day:

How is pride affecting your relationships?

Further Reading: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23 NIV, Acts 2:1-47 NIV, Psalm 122:1-9 NIV, Proverbs 16:19-20 NIV

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV)

God is our helper.  He is always available, waiting on us to turn to Him.  Remembering to ask for help is the problem.  When life throws a curveball, we lose focus.  Our emotions respond before our brain does.  We forget God in the moment, sometimes to our detriment.  Especially when people lie.  I’m amazed at the lies people tell.  They make my head spin.  In today’s world, deciphering between lies and truth is challenging.  Just trying to understand the truth about COVID19 is hard.  Now, more than ever, we need to remember where our help comes from, the Lord.  But if we don’t turn to Him for help, we won’t receive it.

God is our helper.

How does God help us?  Like this:

“He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;  the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”  (Psalm 121:3-8 NIV)

God never sleeps.  He is constantly watching over us.  When you turn to Him for help, He won’t let your foot slip.  He provides shade in the heat of the battle.  He protects you from harm.  He watches over your life.  But if we don’t access His power, we won’t receive His help.

Everyone has cell phones these days.  We use them not only to talk on the phone, but for a plethora of other things.  We send and receive text and emails.  We capture the moments of our lives with the camera.  We stream videos, track calories and read our Bibles. Our phones are an extension of ourselves.  But they don’t work without power.

Every night, I charge my phone by plugging into a power source. The electricity helps the mini-computer perform it’s required tasks.  God does the same for us.  He is our power source.  If we don’t plug into Him, we can’t access His power.  Each morning when I spend time reading my Bible, journaling and praying, I’m recharged. His word gives me direction on how to handle the situation.  His spirit gives me peace in the midst of turmoil.  His Son shows me how to live a life pleasing to God.  But if I don’t ask, I don’t receive.  

God is your helper, He’s just waiting for you to ask.

Question of the Day:

Have you asked God for help lately?

Further Reading:2 Samuel 20:14-21:22NIV, Acts 1:1-26 NIV, Psalm 121:1-8 NIV, Proverbs 16:18 NIV

“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16 NIV)

Wisdom is better than gold.  Insight is better than silver.  In other words, knowledge is worth more than money. Attaining wisdom helps you live a better life.  The wisdom found within the pages of the Bible will help you live a life beyond your wildest dreams.  Your relationships will thrive as you learn to love like Jesus.  God’s light within you will draw people to you.  Money is a resource, not a god.  Wisdom is a key to a better life.  Wisdom beats gold.

Wisdom beats gold.

Solomon is the wisest man whoever lived.  King David’s son, he was king after him.  One night, the Lord appeared to him in a dream.  He gave Solomon a directive:

“Solomon, ask for anything you want, and I will give it to you.” (1 Kings 3:5 NIV)

What Solomon asks for is the reason he’s the wisest man:

“Please make me wise and teach me the difference between right and wrong. Then I will know how to rule your people. If you don’t, there is no way I could rule this great nation of yours.” (1 Kings 3:9 NIV)

Solomon asked for wisdom.  He didn’t ask for money, long life, or his enemies destroyed.  Instead he asked for knowledge to rule the Lord’s people well.  He put others before his own needs or wants.  As a result, God gave him wisdom and blessed him with more than he asked:

“I’ll also give you what you didn’t ask for. You’ll be rich and respected as long as you live, and you’ll be greater than any other king.  If you obey me and follow my commands, as your father David did, I’ll let you live a long time.” (1 Kings 3:13-14 NIV)

Wisdom is more valuable than gold because it shows you how to have good relationships. When we ask God for wisdom, He gives it to us:

“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 NIV)

When we receive God’s wisdom and apply it to our lives, they blossom.  Our hearts align with God.  His love for His people will flow through us to those around us.  Just as a seed begins to grow where planted, we’ll begin to grow in our surroundings.  We’ll understand, God has us where we are for a reason.  His insight will help us see people in a new way.  We’ll have more understanding, more compassion, more love for them.  In order to have God’s wisdom, like Solomon, we have to ask.

God’s wisdom beats money.  He’s waiting for you to ask.  His answer is already prepared: “Yes!”

Question of the Day:

Have you asked God for His wisdom?

Further Reading: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13 NIV, John 21:1-25 NIV, Psalm 120:1-7 NIV, Proverbs 16:16-17 NIV

“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165 NIV)

Love of God’s law keeps you from stumbling in life.  Relationships are how we falter.  Everything we do involves a relationship.  As children, our relationships are with our immediate family. We go to school and have relationships with teachers and faculty, as well as friends.  In the working world we have bosses and co-workers.  We marry and begin our own family with its own relationships.  And last but not least, we have a relationship with God. Relationships formulate our lives.  If our relationships are not peaceful, we stumble.

When you look at the 10 Commandments, you realize they are about relationships.  The first four are about our relationship with God: no other gods, don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, no idols, keep the Sabbath holy.  The last six are about relationships with other people: honor parents, no murder, adultery, stealing, lieing or coveting (Exodus 20:1-17 NIV).  Applying these laws to your life will cause you not to stumble in your relationships.  Life is about relationships.  God made us for community with others.  Having solid relationships are a result of God’s law.  God’s law makes you surefooted.

God’s law makes you surefooted.

I’m working on my masters right now.  Each class has projects that I need to complete.  This past semester, I had three different projects I worked on throughout the term.  As the end of the semester drew near and the projects were nearing completion, I spent time reviewing the instructions for each of them.  With a fine tooth comb, I re-read them and made sure I had done the requirements for the project.  I made sure I used the right font and formatting.  Each project had a designated length, I met those requirements.  I checked off each point to ensure I had done all the work required.  By the time I turned in my finished assignments, I had peace because I knew I had done what my professors had asked me to do.

God is the same way.  His word is the instruction manual for our lives.  We get to know Jesus better as we read the words of His followers.  We see clearly, Jesus is a master at relationships.  No matter what the situation, Jesus had an answer.  Often He quotes Old Testament scriptures when he’s dealing with an issue.  Jesus loved the law.  He fulfilled the law.  He did not stumble.  When we follow Him, we’ll have the same results.  We’ll love the law more and more as we apply it to our relationships.  

God’s laws are the formula for healthy relationships.  When we apply them to our lives, our relationship with Him and others flourish.  We’ll have peace in our lives, we won’t stumble.

Question of the Day:

How has God’s laws helped your relationships flourish?

Further Reading: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10 NIV, John 20:1-31 NIV, Psalm 119:153-176 NIV, Proverbs 16:14-15 NIV

“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.” (Psalm 119:143 NIV)

God’s commands are delightful because they give direction.  In life, we are constantly faced with circumstances we can’t control.  COVID19 is something we can’t control.  We can’t stop the virus from spreading.  Yes, we can socially isolate and quarantine to slow the spread of the illness, but we can’t control it.  Focusing on what we can’t control stops us from doing what we can control.  Focusing on God’s commands is something we can control.  Obeying His commands gives us something we can do.  In times of uncertainty, having something to do is delightful.  God’s commands give us direction.  Direction is delightful.

Direction is delightful.

When I was in my late 20’s, my life was out of control.  I was not following Jesus.  I had alienated my friends and family.  I was not following any of God’s commands.  Financially I was in debt up to my eyeballs.  Spiritually I had turned my back on God.  Physically I was not treating my body as a temple.  The path of self-destruction I followed had left me desolate and alone.  I didn’t know what to do.  I needed direction.  In desperation, I turned to God.  I found delight in His commands.  

The first and greatest command God gives us is to love Him, love others (Mark 12:30-31 NIV).  In order to love God completely, I renewed my relationship with Jesus.  He is the link that binds me to God.  In today’s terms, Jesus is the wifi that connects my computer to God’s network.  The beauty of Jesus, His connectivity never fails.  His wifi signal is always at full bars.  As a result, love flows freely from God to me.  God’s love allows me to love Him, and others.  God gave me direction when I turned to Him.  He helped me gain control of my life by giving it to Him.

When we submit to God’s commands, we’re letting Him control our lives.  We’re saying, “Your way is better than mine.  You make the decisions for my life.”  For me, when I turned back to God, it meant I needed to make changes.  I started to rebuild human relationships as I built my renewed relationship with God.  I began to live within my means and pay off my debt.  I stopped having premarital sex.  My way had not worked.  I decided to try God’s way.  God’s way gave me direction.  Each day, I choose God’s commands over my desires.  After 20 plus years, I can honestly say, following God is the best decision I ever made.  In His commands, I found delight.

Choose today God’s demands over your desires.  Let Him have control of your life.  Let His commands bring you delight.

Question of the Day:

How has God’s commands given you delight?

Further Reading: 2 Samuel 17:1-29 NIV, John 19:23-42 NIV, Psalm 119:129-152 NIV, Proverbs 16:12-13

“Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.” (Psalm 119:116 NIV)

God keeps our hopes alive.  His promises are what spurs us on.  Believing God’s promises holds Him accountable to His word.  According to Biblegateway, God has made 5467 promises in His love letter to us.  God fuels our hope with His mighty words.  His promises are irrevocable and trustworthy:

“God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19 NIV)

His faithfulness assures our hope:

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” (Hebrews 10:23 NIV)

His promises overflow from His goodness and glory:

“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” (2 Peter 1:4 NIV)

God’s promises are our hope.

In this time of COVID19, we need hope.  News outlets and social media report doom and gloom predictions for our world.  Division in our country is unrelenting.  But those are not promises of God, they are people’s perspectives.   People’s opinions destroy hope. God’s word ignites hope.

God’s promises bring peace:

“I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people.” (Psalm 85:8 NIV)

To receive the hope we find in God’s word, we must be obedient.  We must listen to what His promises say in order to have the hope they offer.  We must faithfully seek God daily to learn His promises.  If we studied one of God’s 5467 promises a day, it would take just under 15 years to complete.  God has given us enough hope in His word to last a lifetime.  Our job is to seek what He has already given.

Where does God’s hope begin?  Jesus:

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV)

I’ve been following Jesus all of my life.  At 50 years old, I feel like I have just dipped my toes in the water.  The hope Jesus offers is unending.  The lessons Jesus teaches us are invaluable.  The promise Jesus fulfills gives us life eternal.  He overcame death so that we can too.  Hope springs eternal in the promise filled by Jesus.

God keeps our hope alive with Jesus. Renew yours today with His promise of Jesus.

Question of the Day:

Have you found hope in Jesus?

Further Reading: 2 Samuel 15:23-16 NIV, John 18:25-19:22 NIV, Psalm 119:113-128 NIV, Proverbs 16:10-11 NIV

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”  (Psalm 119: 105 NIV)

God’s word lights your path.  When we need direction, we can find it from the authors of the Bible.  Solomon, who wrote the majority of Proverbs gives us practical wisdom for all aspects of life.  During this pandemic, fear of death is the primary emotion guiding people’s actions.  However, fear of God is how we gain knowledge:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  (Proverbs 1:7 NIV)

Fear of the Lord is accepting the Bible’s teaching as truth.  Within the books pages, there is instruction for all aspects of life.   Solomon informs us:

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV)

If we have fear of God, we no longer need to fear death.  When we believe God’s written instruction as truth, then apply it to our lives, He will direct our paths.  His word will illuminate our paths.  We no longer walk in darkness, but in light.

God’s word lights our path.

Solar lights are like Christ followers.  Solar lights receive power from the sun, Christ followers receive power from the Son.  Only when you spend time in God’s word, with God’s people, in God’s presence does He fill you with His light.  Just like solar powered lanterns, we can’t help but shine God’s light when we’ve spent time with Him.  

Solar lights bring light to the darkness.  When the sun sets, the lights turn on.  In the same way, when we walk into the world after spending time with God, we light the darkness.  God’s presence in our lives will allow us to lead with grace and humility.  We’ll love the unlovable because of His light in us.  The dark world will have light  because of God’s power at work within us.

But solar lights can’t stay in the darkness.  They must have the sun’s rays to re-fuel them.  By the time the sun rises in the morning, their energy has been spent.  In the same way, if we spend all of our time in the world, we will run out of God’s light in us.  We need refueling daily to continue to shine in the darkness.  Each morning, when we spend time with God, he fills our batteries and turns the light back on within us.

Solar lights depend on the sun for their light.  Christ followers depend on the Son for their light. In order for our light to shine brightly, we must read God’s word.  When we fill ourselves with His word, we are a solar light to the world.   God’s word illuminates our path and brings light to the world.

Question of the Day:

Does your solar battery need charged with God’s word?

Further Reading: 2 Samuel 14-15 NIV, John 18:1-24 NIV, Psalm 119:97-112 NIV, Proverbs 16:8-9 NIV