Archive for February, 2021

Guard your Mind…

Posted: February 27, 2021 in Something to think about
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The older I get the more fascinated I am with the abilities of the human mind. It can take us places we have never been before just by thinking. Have you ever read a book about a place you have been to and you are immediately transported back and can see everything in vivid color? Or, just by using your imagination, you can visit places you have never been to. I just find that to be amazing… a full-color video for memories and thinking…all on board…

Keep in mind though that like most things on this earth, the enemy has warped it into something that can be really bad. The enemy provides things for you see that can cause your mind to drift into places it shouldn’t.

I will be blunt-

Did you know that you can have sex with a woman and never even have met her? All inside your mind. Of course you know this…and you know I am telling you the truth.

You have the choice to take your thoughts in any direction you want.

John MacArthur, the acclaimed pastor says it this way, “If you truly want to exercise self-control, you have to start by controlling your thoughts.”

I saw a quote the other day that resonates with this as well, ”your strongest muscle and worst enemy is your mind. Train it well.”

The Apostle Paul recognized this same issue and wrote about this in Phillippians 4:7b when he told us to “guard our hearts and our minds.”

Honestly, the best way for the enemy to attack you is through your thoughts. You are vulnerable there because you think you are alone. I wrote a post a few years ago called “God will Judge Men’s Secrets” after reading the verse, Romans 2:16 where it says just that. You and I will be judged on our secrets. The things we assumed were hidden.

My point is this, we need to protect ourselves by controlling our thoughts from going in the wrong direction. More importantly, don’t think that because your thoughts are personal and ONLY your thoughts, that no one knows. God knows and we will be held accountable. God will judge men’s secrets…your secrets and mine.

Finally, I am not leaving you without a solution. Paul gave us the answer, we just have to execute. It requires self-control and consistency, but it can be accomplished.

In verse 8 of Phillippians from above, Paul says this;

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,  whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.

The quote from above referred to your mind as a muscle. Paul is telling us to exercise your mind muscle by dwelling on good things and by resisting the temptation to dwell on the bad.

Stay in control…It is really up to you-

Until next time Guys-

Why do the Wicked Prosper?

Posted: February 20, 2021 in Devotional
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I read Psalm 73 the other day and found that I identified with the Psalmist who wrote it. He was struggling with a question that many of us have asked before; why do the wicked prosper? In other words, while Christians who follow the almighty God suffer, the wicked seemingly get more and more and more.

In this case, the writer admitted that he “envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” vs 3. They seem to be free with no burdens. They wear their pride around like a necklace for all to see but yet inside they are callous. “The evil conceits of their minds know no limits” vs 7b.

As their only pursuit in life is more stuff, they begin to speak with malice and arrogance essentially evolves into this idea that they know everything. “Their mouths lay claim to heaven and their tongues take possession of the earth” vs 9. All the while Christians struggle with suffering and working just to make ends meet and at the same time, seeing the worst of the worst continue to gain human glory.

As mentioned, the writer of this Psalm could not understand this idea that while our God is Sovereign and Just sometimes wicked people prosper. Even though he served God faithfully, it was easy to see how he became discouraged with his situation as he compared his difficulties with the ease of these people. Every day he was punished with this knowledge and just the act of trying to understand “why” was oppressive to him.

WHAT TO DO?

As he searched he learned 2 VERY important things that I want to share with you-

  1. He learned the fate of the wicked. 

“How suddenly they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!” Vs 19

God shows him that the fate of those who pursue this lifestyle is sudden death and one of pure terror. Jesus said it this way:

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 

Matthew 16:26

  1. He learns what the fate of the righteous will be.

Till I entered the sanctuary of God, then I understood their final destiny. Vs 17

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Vs 25

When the writer enters the sanctuary of God, his perspective is changed completely. Yes, he learns what happens to the wicked but more importantly, the presence of God changes him. The presence of God is his reward for keeping his eye on the prize even though his eyes showed him things in life that were confusing. When he felt the presence of God, all of his discouragement and confusion left him and suddenly, none of it mattered anymore. Just being with God made everything in his life good.

But as for me, it is good to be near God, I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Vs 28

BOTTOM LINE

Let the wicked prosper; our hope, treasure, and life is GOD himself – who is always with us.

Until next time guys…