Author Archives: famtree2014

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March 26, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Promises, Love & Works, Temptation & Sin, Today: Make it Count

What Goes Around, Comes Around

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. [Galatians 6:7 (NLT)]

This verse from Galatians makes me think of the character Larry David plays in the HBO comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Easily aggravated by the pettiest of annoyances, he inappropriately expresses his irritation at the drop of a hat. He can make a molehill into a mountain and will stop at nothing to prove his point. Having no filter and little consideration or compassion for others, he manages to aggravate and alienate nearly everyone around him. Inevitably, the person he has offended is exactly the person from whom he needs something later in the episode. That kind of behavior may make for good comedy but it is not the way to live our lives. What we sow in our actions, we will reap. Just as good deeds can bring a harvest of blessings, bad conduct brings a harvest of weeds. Let’s never get tired of doing what is generous, kind and good.

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. [Galatians 6:8-9 (NLT)]

 

         

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March 25, 2014

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God's Plan, Wisdom & Guidance

Who’s the Boss?

God’s nonsense is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. [1 Corinthians 1:25 (GW)]

Thank you for reminding us that we’re not the ones with the answers, Lord; it is you. Our very best plans are nothing when compared with yours. Let us not forget that no matter how hard we try to make our plans successful, unless they are also part of your design, our plans will fail. Truly, what you want for us is infinitely wiser and better than anything we could conceive of by ourselves. You’re the boss!

”My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways,” declares the Lord. “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.” [Isaiah 55:8-9 (GW)]

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March 24, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Money & Wealth, Obedience

What Does God Want from Us?

What should I bring when I come to the Lord’s presence, when I bow in front of the God of heaven? [Micah 6:6a (GW)]

In spite of all the rules regarding temple offerings in The Old Testament, the sacrifices of calves, oil or grain were hardly the most important thing in the Jews’ relationship with God. I’m not sure God is all that impressed today when we “sacrifice” (often reluctantly) our time, talents or money to the church today. There is only one sacrifice He really wants at His altar: a living sacrifice of our hearts, souls and minds.

Your mortals, the Lord has told you what is good. This is what the Lord requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God. [Micah 6:8 (GW)]

So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. [Romans 12:1a (GW)]

 

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March 23, 2014

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Thanks & Praise

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Greatness, power, splendor, glory, and majesty are yours, Lord, because everything in heaven and on earth is yours. The kingdom is yours, Lord, and you are honored as head of all things. [1 Chronicles 29:11 (GW)]

Can you hear us, Lord? We are singing your praises from the bottom of our hearts!

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
[“Doxology,” words by Thomas Ken (1674)]

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March 22, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Forgiveness

People Who Live in Glass Houses

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. [Matthew 7:1-2 (MSG)]

Father, thank you for the reminder that the only condemning I should be doing is of me, not of my brothers and sisters. May I always remember that old phrase, “People who live in glass houses, shouldn’t throw stones!” Keep me from a critical frame of mind so I always think the best of others, as I hope they do of me.

What we really want is to evaluate those around us with a divine justice, while we want them to evaluate us with a divine compassion. [From “Pieces of Eight” by Sidney Harris]

It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. [Matthew 7:3-5 (MSG)]

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March 21, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Spiritual Gifts

Each in HIs Own Way

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. [Romans 12:6a (NLT)]

Some of us are like Martha, busy doing for others, and some are like Gideon, reluctant servants. Some are like John the Baptist, loudly exhorting, and others are like Martha’s sister Mary, quietly listening and worshiping. Some of us are leaders, like Peter, and others are like Thomas, searchers for the truth. Some, like Paul, are dedicated evangelists and others, like Solomon, have great wisdom. Isaiah had the gift of prophesy and John had the gift of love.

Thank you, Lord, for the variety of gifts you’ve given to us, your children. May we never fail to use our gifts to your glory and may we always respect the way that other people serve you.

Just as our bodies have many special parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. [Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)]