A simple directive

Friends,

Have you ever been so overwhelmed with life's circumstances that you just can't figure out what to do?
Have you so desired to serve God, but you have no idea where to start?
Have you ever been paralyzed with the fear of disobeying the Lord because obedience seems so complicated?

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow. [NKJV]

Simple.

Impossible to do without the grace of God.

Simple.

Be encouraged, Jose

The purpose of learning

Friends,

For many young people across our land, today marks the start of the new school year. There are new friends to meet and old friendships to renew. There are new teachers, new subjects, new schedules, and plenty of other exciting things to look forward to. And - of course - many are already looking forward to a particular day of the school year ... the last day!

Let's take a moment, though, and focus on the ultimate purpose for learning.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20
Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel. [NKJV]

The LORD specifically commanded rulers to transcribe His Law in their own hand as a learning tool. God's desire was for them to really know His thoughts, plans and decrees.

But this desire is not limited to kings of old. You and I are members of a Royal Priesthood. You and I are, therefore, kings. As such, we are under the same command. We are to learn what God wants of us, His people. We do this so that His kingdom - which is our Kingdom, by virtue of salvation - will be made manifest in glory and power.

Be encouraged, Jose

Where Did That Come From?

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7 [KJV]

We reap what we sow is something that my grandmother drilled into my head over and over as a child growing up.  I always took it to mean that what we put out, we would get back.  So, if we were very mean to others, someone would be mean to us.  Conversely if, we were nice to others, then someone would be nice to us.  The lesson was a this for that lesson.  As I have grown up, the lesson takes on a different context.  

I have learned that what you put in the ground is what you get out.  As well as what you put into your mind, you get out.  You read and study the bible, you act out biblical principles. You listen to music and teaching about praise and worship, you act out praise and worship naturally.  I recently talked about coaching and teams executing.  This verse is valuable in reminding us that we execute what we know and we can't fool our ultimate Coach on what we know since He has seen us in practice.  Let's look at what we practice so we can execute.  

Be Encouraged,

Martin