Focus on Your Values - Part 1

I spent my elementary years of childhood growing up in a small farming community. My uncle owned a combination feed and grocery store there, in addition to being the postmaster and pharmacist. I can't remember crime being major concern, for safety and security seemed to be a given.

I cannot explain how I got this idea, except that human nature being as it is, it came naturally. When I was seven or eight, my cousin and I took some of my mother's hen eggs and sold them at my uncle's store. Sometime later I took a twenty-dollar bill from my mother's purse and hid it under our house. When my mom confronted me, I confessed and gave back her twenty dollars.

My mother confronted me because she loved me and what I did was wrong. Confronting weaknesses is a never-ending process. God’s word offers this challenge. "Continue to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Remain patient, keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith."  

Rising Above Character Weaknesses - Part 3

I was surprised when Saul, the first king of Israel, was featured in my college abnormal psychology text book. The way Saul is portrayed in the Bible, it’s understandable why he could be the subject for discussion in a psychology class at a state university.

Saul became so jealous of David that he tried to kill him. Initially Saul employed David to play the harp, which seemed to calm him when what were identified as evil spirits would take hold of him." This condition besieged Saul after the Spirit of the Lord departed him following his arrogant rejection of God's guidelines for his life.

Saul’s life doesn’t reflect complete failure. He forged together a nation out of twelve scattered tribes. He set up a state government and commanded an army that won major battles. He did, however, lose the battle for control over his weaknesses. Jesus said, "I have come to seek and save the lost," so our values should be anchored in Christ Jesus, who frees us from sin that besieges us. Great is God’s mercy!

Examine Your Choices: Consider the Cost - Part 1

Dr. R. G. Lee’s sermon, "Payday Someday," warns us there’s a cost linked to our choices. For those who choose Christ Jesus, a crown of righteousness is stored up and waiting. Jude 11 speaks to those who exist outside of God's favor. "Woe to those who take the way of Cain, motivated by greed and rushing straight into Balaam’s blunder."

Balaam and Cain shared a common problem. Although God spoke to each one personally, each rejected His guidance, love, and kindness, choosing instead to satisfy his own greedy, sinful attitudes. Each rejected God’s way to live.

God’s Word encourages us to follow in his plan of righteousness for he will compensate for what is lost financially, emotionally, or socially.  An ancient hymn from the Dead Sea Scrolls declares, "By his righteousness my sin is blotted out.  If I stumble because of weakness, my justification is certain in the righteousness of God, so by his loving kindness and mercy I am secure." God’s rewards are worth more than any earthly possession.