Month: November 2020

Have A Wise and Discerning Heart for God

Scripture: Proverbs 3: 5-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a] 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

Scripture Commentary:

My way is the right way; it’s the only way! Does this sound familiar? These days everyone feels that s/he is wise. We have been told to do some things but for many, those things don’t fit our plans or the way we do things. So we go off doing what we want, not caring who or what it may affect.

We’re all going through a trial in our lives with coronavirus. We have people telling us what to do to be safe, and people telling us to go into the world as if nothing is different and to do what we want.

God has placed His Holy Spirit in us to guide and direct us. As Jesus said, “My people know my voice.”

What is the difference between sound judgment and discernment?

Discernment is the ability God gives us to think and make correct choices. For sound judgment we need to know the voice of God. If it’s not God’s voice we hear, if it’s focused on “me, myself, and I,” then it’s Satan’s.

So the question is are you listening to God or Satan?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Proverbs Chapter 3

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Proverbs:

Trust in the Lord

Use God’s Gifts to You

Innocent Blood Redeems Us

Scripture: Matthew 27: 3-4

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

Scripture Commentary:

“I have betrayed innocent blood.” Judas returned to the priests exclaiming that he had sinned.

What is that to us? Rather than help him find forgiveness, the priests said, “That is your problem. Deal with it.”

Who do you go to when you sin?

No man or women of flesh and skin can truly forgive you. Only God can. Without Judas, Jesus would not be crucified. When Jesus picked His disciples, He knew who Judas was and what Judas had to do.

Psalm 41:9 foretells of Judas’ betrayal. It was preordained for him to do this. In Matthew 27: 3 it says that Judas repented and then hung himself. In Luke 23: 43 after the thief on the cross repented, Jesus forgave him and told him he would be with Him in paradise.

We may not want to think of Judas in paradise with Jesus but he repented of his sin in asking God to forgive him. Even at the last second, God forgives.

God forgave Judas; God will forgive you.

If you are reading this, you have time to go to God and pray for forgiveness.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Matthew Chapter 27

Psalm Chapter 41

Luke Chapter 23

Read Other Commentary from the New Testament:

The Circumcision of Christ Cuts Your Sinful Nature

Husband and Wife: Keep God in Your Marriage

We Know God Is Always With Us

Scripture: Romans 8: 28-29

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 

Scripture Commentary: As believers we know that we aren’t left to our own resources.

Even when we’re lost and do not know the right words to pray, we know that God’s Holy Spirit in us will give us what we need. Just call on Him.

Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you in accordance with God’s will.

God works in all things – not just in isolated incidents. This doesn’t mean that all that happens is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our good as long as it is in His will.

God is not working to make us happy for our own gratification but to fulfill His purpose. This call to serve is not for everyone; it is meant for those who are called according to His purpose. Those who are called are those the Holy Spirit convinces and enables to receive Christ.

Such people have a new perspective, a new mindset on life. They trust in God, not this world’s treasures. Their security is in Jesus and not the things of this earth.

Are you hearing Jesus’s call?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Romans Chapter 8

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Romans:

Jesus Set Us Free with His Sacrifice on the Cross

Who Are You to Pass Judgment on Others?

God Told Us Things To Give Us Peace

Scripture: John 16: 33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Scripture Commentary:

The disciples did not fully understand what Jesus told them, and at the time they had questions. One of the questions was if Jesus went away, what would happen to them?

One answer Jesus had for them, and us today, is not to long for answers to the problems in our life. That’s an unrealistic goal since in this world, we will have trouble. There’s an eternity of problem-free living reserved for us in heaven. Rejoice in that inheritance. No one can take from us.

We can have a personal relationship with God through Christ

Christ’s death on the cross made a personal relationship with God available to each of us. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us on how to live and follow in the path of righteousness.

This time on earth is temporary. Our home in God’s kingdom is permanent. So, what we are going through now is only for a short time. In spite of these inevitable struggles, we are not alone.

The ultimate victory has already been won. We can claim Christ in the most troublesome times.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

John Chapter 16

Read Other Commentary from the Book of John:

God Didn’t Send Jesus to Condemn the World

God So Loved You That He Gave His Son

Jesus, Tell Me to Come to You on the Water

Scripture: Matthew 14: 28-31

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Scripture Commentary:

Peter, of all the disciples, questions Jesus the most, denies Jesus three times and now asks Jesus to call him to walk on the water.

How many times have you called Jesus but didn’t wait to hear His answer?

Peter starts to sink because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the high waves. His faith wavers when he realizes he was not focusing on Jesus. When we stop focusing on Jesus and turn our attention on the world, we become lost.

Our walk through the situations of everyday living can be like walking on water without Jesus at our side. If we focus on the difficulties around us without Jesus, we will sink.

Peter’s faith faltered, but he reached out to Jesus, the only one who could help. He was afraid but he looked to Jesus. As we go through life, we must remember that Christ is with us. He will never leave us to sink in our walk in life.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Matthew Chapter 14

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Matthew:

Do Not Worry – Give It to God

Store Up Your Treasures in Heaven