Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  NKJV

Proverbs 29:15 – “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”  NKJV

Growing up I was disciplined with the belt or paddle and spanked my children.  Today my parents and I would be in danger of having our children taken from us and possibly charged with child abuse for following a biblical guideline.  In Proverbs 13 and 23 we read the directive to use the ‘rod’ in discipline and correction as a demonstration of love not hate or abuse.  In fact in Proverbs 22:15 we find, “Folly is bound up in the heart of the child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.”

Let me say that I never want to see an adult beating a child or even disciplining them when out of control in anger.  Yet, I also do not want to hear or see children being disrespectful, talking back and being out of control with no discipline.  Early in a child’s life there is need to shape that child’s will so they become disciplined and productive members of society.  The apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:4 warned fathers not to provoke their children to anger, but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  It is one thing to have a child become angry over correction and another to antagonize needlessly and provokingly.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:6, “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.”  If God disciplines us out of love how could we view failure to discipline our children as demonstrations of love?  Every child and person is different and respond to different stimuli requiring the parent to be careful to observe the nature and personality of that child.  A good parent or leader becomes a student of those they are responsible for seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to apply the ‘rod of discipline’ appropriately and in the right measure.

You may not believe in spanking your children and that is your decision but if you fail to discipline the child you are doing him/her no favor.  I would ten thousand times rather to be disciplined if it staves off ultimate destruction than the alternative.  I’ve been told by parents that they could not discipline their children because if they did the child would not like them.  Parents while it is wonderful to have your child like you but you have a responsibility to ‘train’ that child to live in a society that demands discipline and restraint.  If you fail to prepare the child for that the child liking you is of little consequence.

God disciplines His children and instructs us to discipline those we are responsible for.  By the time society becomes involved in the process it becomes punishment not discipline.  Discipline has at its heart the objective of salvation and preservation.  Punishment does not always have that goal in view it is payment or penalty enacted with possibly no other objective.

We should all be merciful, loving, kind and gentle but we should also know how to mete out what can only be called ‘tough love’ and take the difficult road of administering discipline for in doing so we mold and shape lives positively equipping them for societal interaction.

            May God be with you as you go through your day!

Proverbs 18:9 – “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.” NKJV 

Proverbs 18:9 – “A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.”  NLT

The Bible has much to say about LAZINESS and frankly I have not heard anyone mention it from the pulpit in decades.  In 2 Thessalonians 3:10 the apostle Paul made a declaration that would have certainly drawn the ire of today’s modernist and politically correct crowd saying:  “…if anyone is will not work, neither shall he eat.”  That would not go over very well in a society that wants to please, tolerate and excuse bad behavior.  Churches that seek to please people would run from that as though it were the plague but it is biblical.

There are numerous passages in scripture that refer to laziness and how God views that character trait.  Let me list a few of them:

Proverbs 13:4 – “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”

Colossians 3:23 – “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord and not to me…”

Proverbs 10:4 – “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

1 Timothy 5:8 – “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially those of his household, he had denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Proverbs 20:13 – “Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes and you will have plenty of bread.”

Proverbs 12:24 – “The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.”

2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 – “For we hear that some among in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.  Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly.”

Proverbs 14:23 – “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”

James 4:17 – “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father through Him.”

This is not an exhaustive list of verses regarding work and laziness but enough to demonstrate that IDLENESS and LAZINESS are not quality character traits and should NEVER be rewarded, justified or excused.

We live in a world that has poverty and lack and when we can help those less fortunate than ourselves we should.  However there is one caveat if they are LAZY then we SHOULD NOT HELP THEM.  You may think me calloused and uncaring but I care very deeply and know that if we allow a person to continue in a destructive path without intervention we are harming them and become complicit in their destruction.  We should seek to rescue the perishing not help them perish.

It is no wonder that the Bible tells in Proverbs 22:6 to “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  If we fail to discipline and tolerate laziness in our children they will become non-productive members of society.  Every person should be expected to WORK where possible and when possible and if a person demonstrates LAZINESS we should allow them to experience the pain of laziness.  That, to me, is a greater demonstration of love than enabling them to continue in that destructiveness.

            God bless you as you go through this day!

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Matthew 14:22-33 – “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.  27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”  31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”  NKJV

Most Christians believe that God has a plan for their lives and some spend their entire lives sitting in the boat of life waiting for a spectacular revelation of that plan.  They have seen storms come and go and were terrified at the prospect of not having the safety net and security of sitting in the boat.

We look at Peter in this account and focus on His sinking and the Lord’s rescue.  However, Peter would never have been in a position to be rescued had he stayed in the safety of the boat.  I do not know what your boat is.  Maybe it is your job or your local church but if you are sitting waiting on a detailed revelation of God’s plan for your life the boat will be your casket not your catalyst spiritually.  Peter, the impetuous one, had a question and a desire.  He wanted to be sure that what he was witnessing was truly the Lord Himself and an overpowering desire to break free from the paralyzing power of the boat.  He dared to dare to believe God in the uncertainty of the moment.

“Lord, if it is You…”   If what I am seeing or think I am seeing and hearing is You then issue the invitation for me to join you in the suspension of the natural and move into the supernatural.  Jesus’ response was simple and immediate saying, “Come!”  Peter fixed His eyes on Jesus and probably eased over the side of the boat, possibly at the dismay of the others and planted his feet on a substance that was not naturally capable of supporting him – water.  His began in faith but his attention was diverted from the object of his victory to that which could mean his destruction and his faith shifted from Jesus to the conditions whereas he began to sink.  Fear gripped his heart and in that moment of fear and despair he cried out and Jesus rescued him.

Peter learned a valuable lesson that would be demonstrated later in his life where he trusted God in the face of hostile authorities and impending death.  He knew that as he got out of the boat he would begin taking steps toward the fulfillment of his destiny.  Sitting in the boat will never bring us into that realm where we walk on the waters of life with Jesus.  It is important to remember that it was not Peter alone on the water but he was walking WITH Jesus.  That place outside the boat is not you alone but WITH Jesus.

It is time to Get Out of the Boat and begin Walking on the Water of Life!    God bless you as you venture out of your boat!  Blessings!

Daniel 6:1-5 – “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”  NKJV

That which set Daniel apart from his contemporaries is found in the words “because an excellent spirit was in him…”   Without attempting to be a Hebrew scholar the word translated excellent means:  what hangs over, which is abundant or more than enough.  It comes from a root that means:  too make plenteous.  What was in Daniel stood out, was abundant and more than enough it was plenteous.  It was not an anomaly of character but normal in his life for it proceeded from his spirit.  It was who he was!

Those who wanted to destroy Daniel acknowledged this in saying, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel UNLESS we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”  [Emphasis mine].  Daniel’s character was such they readily acknowledged his faithfulness and integrity would not offer them place to accuse him.  He not only talked the talk he walked the walk so they had to find another way to bring him down.

Daniel’s faith would be used against him for they knew that if they could make something within his faith illegal his integrity and commitment to God would ensnare him.  They were right.  Daniel’s excellent spirit endeared him to the king but once duped into making a decree he could not safe face and not condemn Daniel for violation of it.  Reminds me of the disciples with the Jewish leaders when commanded not to speak any more in the name of Jesus declared, “Whom shall we obey?  You or God?”  The Jewish leaders thought they could prevent the disciples from going forward whereas Daniels counterparts hoped for the opposite.  They wanted his devotion to God to cause him to disregard the decree of the king and thereby bring him to destruction physically.  They were right and they were wrong for we know the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den!

Would to God that we had more today who demonstrated an ‘excellent spirit’ where no fault could be found in our attitude or actions.  If we want to see revival, renewal and restoration in the land we must become more like Daniel having an ‘excellent spirit’ within enabling us to manifest Christ in our lives and interactions with others.  That which distinguishes a person or sets them apart is that which emanates from our core being.  No wonder David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart and renew in me a right spirit.”  He understood that ‘excellence of spirit’ was that which would have the greatest impact on the world in which he lived.

May God be with you as you go through your day!

Daniel 11:40-45 – “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.” – NKJV

Daniel 11 is speaking of The Man of Sin, The Antichrist and clearly reveals what is going to happen to him and his followers.  “He shall come to his end…”   He will have ZERO help because God will deal with him directly.  That is the conclusion and I have cautioned believers for years to refuse to focus on the wrong thing.  STOP worrying about the Antichrist and focus on The Christ!

While working for a company that is also a very large bank we went through training and one of those sessions dealt with counterfeiting.  The lead instructor asked, “What is the best way to identify counterfeit bills?”  There were any number of responses and he then said, “It is by becoming so familiar with the original and real that it is second nature to notice subtle variations.”  I have thought about that with regard to the devil and his deceptions that if we know the Truth, the Real, Christ and hold the reality that God will not be defeated by the devil we can lay fear to rest.

Please understand, I am not saying there will not be chaos and destruction at the hands of the Antichrist but even if he were to kill us he has only accomplished the silencing of our singular voice.  He has not hindered the plan or purposes of God.  Through my lifetime I have heard so many theories of who the Man of Sin is and most of those are now dead.  Some of the modern ones are living and none of them meet my understanding of the Bible prophecies for who he is or his land of origin.  I won’t get into that debate here for that is not my purpose.  My objective is to urge everyone to shift the focus from WICKEDNESS to HOLINESS. 

Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33 where He cautioned against fretting over what is or might happen in this world but to make the foundational focus of our hearts, the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  There are so many things in biblical eschatology that I cannot answer I seldom get into debates over them.  I love to discuss biblical prophecy and end time events in a session where we are brainstorming and civilly sharing ideas and even theories but when the discussion becomes overly consuming I move on.  I am concerned about where we are as a nation, a world and a race of people.  However, I know biblically that the best way to know the ‘false’ is to know the ‘true’ and that is Jesus and God’s Word!

My understanding of Scripture and even Daniel 11 suggests that the Antichrist will not dominate the entire world for we are told some escape out of his hands and the news of opposition infuriates him.  He will impact the world but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is our rock.  I have found that which dominates the thoughts controls the life and I refuse to allow the devil to dominate my thoughts.  I desire and strive to bring every thought ‘captive’ to the obedience of Christ.  There is a place to ‘warn the wicked’ of impending danger and destruction but at the end of the day Jesus must be our focus.  In warning others we may prevent their destruction but just warning is insufficient UNLESS we have something for them to ‘run to’ when they ‘run from’ something.   That something is the Cross, the Gospel and the Grace of God.

God bless you as you go through this day and refuse to allow fear overcome you!  God is God and He always will be God!  Blessings!

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 – “And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”  NKJV

I had someone recently tell me that they were a ‘self-made person’ and I could not help but snicker a bit.  The quizzical look on their face quickly turned to irritation as I delayed any comment.  The individual huffed, “Well, I guess you think I’m not!”  Actually, I do think you are not ‘self-made’ although that is a popular characterization of someone who has built a business from the ground floor and made it successful or accomplished many things in life.  I simply base my opinion on the following:

• We Are Created Beings.

Therefore, in the strictest sense (not what is usually being referred to) we are not self-made we are God-made.  

• We Are Not Self-Sufficient.

The Bible makes it clear that all the talents, gifts, abilities and even the breath we breathe is from God.  Oh, I acknowledge that we may have honed and developed those abilities but they came from God as did the breath we breathe.  

Paul makes it clear that our sufficiency is from God and that we should not think of anything as being ‘self-made’.  We become ‘sufficient’ in what we do and can even ‘excel’ but the origination was from God not self.  The idea of being ‘self-made’ is often accompanied by unhealthy pride and detracts from our appreciation of what we have been given and true recognition of the source of our accomplishment.

We cannot save ourselves, did not create ourselves, and cannot add inches to our height.  If we were self-made we could do all those things but we cannot.  I know some will accuse me of splitting hairs and making much ado about nothing declaring, “Well, that is not what I’m talking about.”  Isn’t it?  Are we declaring ourselves to be the creator and originator when we declare ourselves ‘self-made’?  Are we not, in a very real sense, declaring that God’s work was insufficient and inadequate when we describe ourselves as ‘self-made’? 

When I realize that even the various members of my body were identified by God before my conception I should be humbled.  When I realize that only as long as God’s finger is on the keys of the organ of life do I live, I should be humbled.  When I realize that God sets up kings and takes them down, I should be humbled.  To have the audacity to declare myself ‘self-made’ is to display an arrogance that places me equal to or elevated above my Creator and I do not wish to travel that road.

I understand that to declare oneself or another as ‘self-made’ is meant to complement their work ethic, ingenuity, enterprise, perseverance and willingness to risk and all those are good.  However, to fail to note that God gave us the ability and breath is to ascribe to a position and condition that places one in competition with God and He shares His glory with no person.

Instead of proclaiming ‘I am self-made’ proclaim ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I live, move and have my being in Him.’  Acknowledge His contribution and then I will gladly acknowledge your efforts, commitment and perseverance.  I will praise you for your part but only if you give God glory for His.

            God bless you as you go through your day!

Psalm 34:19 – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”  NKJV

I had a person tell me once that if becoming a Christian was a guarantee against problems they would readily accept Christ.  That individual had been witnessed to on numerous occasions by some well-meaning believers who suggested that by accepting Jesus all life’s problems were over.  The Problem of settling our eternal destiny and have access to heaven’s resources to life is provided an answer but if one is to understand that you will never face another battle you are in for a rude awakening.  In fact, in some ways accepting Jesus is the beginning of some major problems, difficulties, afflictions and battles.  At that point the devil declares full scale war on you personally and will do all he can to shipwreck your life.

Now please do not understand me as suggesting the devil is more powerful than he is.  However, I suggest we remember that although the Bible identifies him as a defeated foe it does not declare him no longer existent.  He will attempt to destroy until he is finally thrown in the Lake of Fire.  In fact, the very idea that by becoming a Christian excludes you from problems would call into question the many passages regarding the devil and the weapons of warfare the Lord has provided for us.  If by receiving Christ our problems are over then why bother with weapons you do not need them.

The Psalmist declares that MANY are the afflictions of the righteous.  If that were all he said it would be most depressing and I’ve experienced times when I could almost believe that was the end of the story as wave after wave of demonic attacks came my way.  There have been times when I, like the apostle Paul, almost despaired of life wondering if there would ever be a reprise in the assaults.  Yet deep inside, I clung to the latter portion of the Psalmist’s declaration, “BUT the LORD delivers him out of them ALL…”   When the enemy comes in like a flood I expect God to raise a standard against him.  When I am oppressed I expect the Holy Spirit to come and comfort me.  I take the words of our LORD to heart where He declared in Matthew 11:28 that I can come to Him in my weariness and fatigue from the assault and/or labors of life weighed down under the heavy burden pressed upon me and HE will give me REST.

Trouble will knock on your door from time to time as you traverse from cradle to grave and when it does, if you are a believer, “Lift up your eyes and look to the hills for your help comes from the LORD.”  He has not forsaken you and you can cling to the promise here in Psalm 34 that although you may face many and serious afflictions in life GOD will deliver you out of them all even if that deliverance is taking you out of this world and home.

 May the Lord be with you as you go through this day!  Do not expect a life free of problems but a life filled with promise!   God bless you as you go through your day!

James 3:16-18 – “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  NKJV

John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  NKJV

William Penn wrote, “The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.”   Oliver Stone said, “Never underestimate the power of jealousy and the power of envy to destroy.  Never underestimate that.”  Both are powerful statements and then when we read in Song of Solomon 8:6 – “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame.”  In numerous passages of scripture we find a theme and thread of understanding that should be an immediate red flag regarding the vicious enemy of ‘Jealousy’ and ‘Envy’.  Both are incredibly destructive and virtually always fruit of the same seed.

John 3:16 speaks of the incredible Love of God and man’s salvation as a result.  James 3:16 speaks of the wickedness and danger of allowing ‘envy’, ‘jealous’ and/or ‘self-seeking’ to spring up.  It is virtually always accompanied by a ‘root of bitterness’ whereby many are defiled with its poison and pollution.  In John our Lord offers us hope and in James the apostle warns of a carnal danger if we do not anchor ourselves in the hope of John 3:16.

Jealous and envious people are virtually always miserable and tend to make everyone around them miserable or at least uncomfortable.  I had someone tell me that ‘jealousy’ was a wrong focus on others and I said, “No, I believe it is a wrong focus on self.”  Yes it is a focus on others but the root is self.  It is a woe is me attitude that laments and becomes angry or covetous regarding our lack and someone else’s supply.  It shifts the blame for whatever condition, problem or difficulty from any personal responsibility or choice to an external stimuli.  It allows self-justification, self-excuse and abdication of responsibility and accountability.  That is much easier than adopting the attitude that Jesus suggested when Peter questioned him about John’s ultimate fate.  Jesus said, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me.”  

Imagine that!  Don’t worry about what someone else has, experiences or does or does not experience. Don’t let that be a cause for envy or jealousy.  You deal with you, your situation, your circumstances and your mission in life.  In Matthew 6:34 our Lord advised that worry which is an element in jealousy, envy and bitterness should not be a part of our lives.  Do not worry about what someone else has or that they are not encountering what you are encountering for each day has enough problems of its own.  I am not suggesting that you not care about others but NEVER allow another’s blessings, benefits, gifts, opportunities or victories cause you to become jealous, envious or bitter.  That attitude and condition will poison you more than others but will affect all you come in contact with.

Allow John 3:16 to become foundational in your life so you can avoid the ravages of James 3:16.   Blessings as you go through this day!

John 16:12-15 – “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.  14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.  15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”  NKJV

I read a quote attributed to Confucius, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”  I think there is a lot of truth in that but at the same time do not think life is simple.  I believe that life is often incredibly complex, confusing and sometimes conflicting and for that reason no human can successfully navigate it waters without guidance.  I would no more plan a cruise in a sailboat over waters and to a destination that I have not heretofore navigated without adequate charts, maps, bearings and possibly navigational assistance than attempt to fly a jet airplane.  I would have a general understanding of the direction but would not know the possible pitfalls along the route so I would seek guidance.

I know men are accused of being unwilling to stop and ask directions and male ego may be involved in believing that we know where we are going or can find our way but I do not believe this stereotype to be 100% accurate.  I have stopped numerous times to ask directions only to find that the people giving directions knew less about where I wanted to go than I and relied upon my natural instincts, sense of direction and previous training to find my way.  Having crossed two oceans by ship I have a limited understanding of the problem and need of navigational guidance as do pilots of airplanes.  In those cases we depend upon those who have gone before and created charts and maps, GPS, or other navigational assistance such as harbor pilots to guide us past or through the dangers.

We have a Life Pilot known as the Holy Spirit to help us navigate the difficult waters of life.  The question is:  “Do we rely on His guidance or attempt to go it alone?”  Unfortunately, it appears, too often we take the latter approach and either do not ask for the help of the Comforter or ignore His guidance.  Either way we do so to our hurt.  Life is either incredibly difficult or incredibly simple and which almost certainly depends on what or whom we rely for guidance.

Two of the most significant and impacting ministries of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer are:  Guide us into All Truth and Comfort us in All Things.  He knows the mind of God.  He knows the pitfalls in our path.  He knows the secrets of our hearts.  He knows the motives and intents of those we deal with.  HE KNOWS and therefore is an Expert Life Guide.  If He guides us into All Truth and Jesus declared that it is Truth that makes us free why would we fail to accept His guidance?

Making life simple or difficult is largely our choice.  I say that simply in the light of God’s offer of guidance.  What is your choice?    May the Lord richly bless you, continually guide you, carefully guard you and abundantly cover you is my prayer!  Blessings!