This week, we are yet again, coming to terms with the fleeting nature of our days on this earth. With the passing of Brother Dave Carnes, we realize that life is full of uncertainty. But it can be comforting to know that God is always faithful. He is the anchor that steadies our souls, even when the waves of life are crashing around us.

We see God’s faithfulness in the words of beloved hymns and songs. In “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow,” we are reminded that even when tomorrow is unknown, we can trust in the One who holds the future in His hands. In “Abide with Me,” we are assured that God is present with us in every moment, walking beside us through the darkest valleys and the brightest mountaintops. And in “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” we are reminded that God’s faithfulness transcends time and distance.

These hymns and songs point to a God who is always faithful, no matter what we face. When we trust in God’s faithfulness, we find peace, strength, and hope.

Friend, is your trust anchored in God’s faithfulness?

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one.

Above are verses from one of my favorite hymns. It makes me happy whenever it is sung during services. This song has a compelling message. The cliff notes version of this hymn is simple. When life goes astray, people will be blessed spiritually and physically. Blessings are available to everyone. If a blessing is small or large, it must be remembered. 

One of the verses in the song says, count your blessings. It is such an easy thing to do yet how often do we take the time to do so? Think about the simple things in life. 

· Do you have a roof over your head? 

· Do you have the funds to pay your bills? 

· Do you have adequate transportation? 

If you answered yes to any of these or all of them, then you can say you are blessed. In any situation, our emotions can overtake our spiritual thinking. I’m guilty of this, and I’m guessing everyone else is as well. We are all humans and make mistakes. My challenge is for you to pause and reflect and count your blessings. Below are verses about blessings that are a great reference:

2 Samuel 22:3-4

³ my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
    my stronghold and my refuge,
    my savior; you save me from violence.

⁴ I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

⁷ “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord.
⁸ He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
    for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,
    for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Every day I remove debris from my pond. Just as we clean our physical surroundings, purifying our souls is essential. What specific steps are needed to be HOLY?

1st Humble yourself to Identify sin: By acknowledging our weaknesses and surrendering to God’s wisdom and guidance, we will be able to recognize and eliminate harmful habits, toxic relationships, and worldly desires. Pray like David: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

2nd Overcome Temptations through Repentance and Confession: Take these identified sins and repent and confess, seeking God’s forgiveness. As 1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

3rd Live in Love by Forgiving and then Seeking God’s Forgiveness: By embracing love as the driving force behind our actions, we will forgive others as God forgives us (Mt. 6:13-15), cultivating a culture of compassion and kindness in all relationships. To this, Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”

4th Yield to the Spirit to Fill the Void with Holy Fruit: Galatians 5:16 tells us how to yield, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” And then Galatians 5:22-23 tells us what will fill us up, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Friend, are you ready to strive “for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14)?

Our acquisition of information through reading, whether from printed pages or computer screens, engages our senses and can be likened to soaking up knowledge like sponges. However, there exists a challenge in this process. We can fall prey to deception, both in misinterpreting what we see or hear and in allowing emotions to override reason.

Suppose we were studying history in college; it would be crucial to understand our teacher’s perspective. For instance, if our teacher is a Marxist historian with a belief in economic determinism, being aware of this viewpoint is important. We can still learn from such individuals, but it’s essential to comprehend their worldview.

The same principle applies to watching television news. We must consider the preconceived notions of the speakers or writers and be mindful of any potential agenda at play. It is important to encourage critical thinking and ask the question: “Where is the writer, speaker, teacher, or preacher coming from?” Understanding the source of information is vital in processing it effectively.

Unfortunately, many people neglect to apply common sense, making them susceptible to manipulation by those who aim to deceive. These principles extend to all sorts of public discourse, including classrooms, politics, and the media.

Nowhere is the application of these principles more critical than in matters of religion. The Bible serves as a comprehensive source of truth for understanding our spiritual lives. It provides revealed and absolute guidance on how to live a life of faith. God teaches us to think in two ways: by observing the rational order of the world and through examples in the Bible that illustrate correct thinking.

When contemplating our spiritual life, it is essential to evaluate both the source of our information and the manner in which we approach it. Are we relying on a televangelist who simply seeks financial gain, or are we diligently studying the Bible? The source of our spiritual information matters. Additionally, we must consider whether our thinking is driven solely by emotions or if we engage our minds. The way we think significantly influences our perception of information and ultimately determines what is right or wrong based on God’s standard.

Regarding spiritual matters, let us carefully assess the source of our information and approach it with thoughtful consideration. This discernment can make all the difference between eternal life and eternal damnation.

1. Acts 2:38 ESV states, “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ Without baptism, you would be missing the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

2. Acts 22:16 ESV urges, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” Without baptism, you would be missing the opportunity to wash away your sins and experience their cleansing.

3. 1 Peter 3:21 ESV explains, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Without baptism, you would be missing the chance for salvation and the opportunity to appeal to God for a clear conscience.

4. John 3:5 ESV reveals Jesus’ words, “‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” Without baptism, you would be missing the ability to enter the kingdom of God and undergo spiritual rebirth.

5. Mark 16:16 ESV states, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Without baptism, you would be missing the opportunity for salvation and instead face condemnation.

6. Romans 6:3-4 ESV explains, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Without baptism, you would be missing the participation in Christ’s death and resurrection, as well as the opportunity to walk in newness of life.

7. Galatians 3:27 ESV states, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Without baptism, you would be missing the act of putting on Christ and being united with Him.

8. Colossians 2:12 ESV says, “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” Without baptism, you would be missing the symbolic burial and resurrection with Christ, accomplished through faith in the power of God.

9. Titus 3:5 ESV explains, “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Without baptism, you would be missing the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which manifests God’s mercy.

10.  Ephesians 4:5 ESV states, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Without baptism, you would be missing the inclusion in the one body of believers through the one baptism.

The book of the prophet Micah has been in the daily Bible reading this week and its primarily devoted to describing God’s judgement on the Israelites because of “Jacob’s transgression” and “because of the sins of the house of Israel” and it lists some of their despicable sins. But, in the midst of this overwhelming prediction of judgement and destruction, Micah gives hope and consolation because he also describes God’s love.

Micah 6:8 (NIV) ”He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

As the book of Micah describes, like the Israelites, people have tried all kinds of ways to appease God, but God has made His wishes clear, He wants His people to be just, merciful, and to walk humbly with Him.

What does it mean to “act justly”, to “love mercy” and to “walk humbly”.

To “act justly” means to treat one another as you would want to be treated, to act right, to be fair, and to not take advantage of others.

To “love mercy” means to provide others grace as a way of life, not just when it’s convenient.

To “walk humbly” means to restrain from the pride of life, to have humility, but more importantly, to trust God’s will and to follow Him.

Micah preached that God’s greatest desire was not the offering of sacrifices at the temple or the religious festivals of the past, but instead, God wants changed lives.

In your efforts to please God, examine these areas of your life on a regular basis.

Are you fair in your dealings with others? Or do you prefer to take advantage of people?

Do you show mercy to those who wrong you? Or do you hold a grudge?

Are you learning humility? Or do you continue in your pride of life?

“And what does the Lord require of you?”

True faith in God generates kindness, compassion, justice, and humility. We can please God by seeking these attributes in our families, our church, and our community. God wants us to become “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1, 2) not just doing religious deeds, but living rightly (Hebrews 9:14). It is impossible to follow God consistently without His transforming love in our hearts. God delights in a faith that produces justice, humility, love for others, and most importantly, an obedience to Him.

Our gender is a gift from God, and it is a key part of who we are. When we embrace our God-given gender, we can live with a profound sense of confidence and purpose.

The Bible tells us that God created humanity in his image, male and female (Genesis 1:27). This means that our gender is not an accident or a mistake. It is part of God’s intentional design for us.

As the psalmist writes, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:14). This verse reminds us that we are not a random collection of cells or a product of evolution. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving God who has a purpose for our lives.

When we recognize our gender as part of God’s design, we can begin to embrace our unique qualities, talents, and roles within society. We can also begin to discover our true potential.

Our gender is not a limitation, but a foundation upon which we can build a meaningful and purposeful life. It is a gift that allows us to contribute to the world in unique and valuable ways.

When we embrace our God-given gender, we also open ourselves up to the possibility of healthy relationships. When we understand the distinct roles and complementary nature of male and female, we can appreciate and value our unique contributions. This can lead to harmony, understanding, and mutual respect in our interactions with others.

The Bible teaches that there are only two genders: male and female. This is clear from the creation account in Genesis 1:27, where God says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Friend, do you think of gender as a choice or as a gift from God and something that we should embrace?

Sheryl and I have been trying to go to Planet Fitness 4-5 times a week.  (With our insurance we get in free, so I guess it pays to be OLD!!)   We meet all kinds of people there; most are very friendly and nice.  There’s always the guy with the barbwire tattoos and big muscles who reminds me of the classic Franz and Hans who want to “Pump you up!”  Then there’s Dallas who must be at least 85.  He comes in everyday with a walker and a smile from ear to ear.  When I ask him, “How are you doing?”  he will answer, “I’m still winding and grinding!”  I watch him go from machine to machine putting in a decent workout. I can tell you that Dallas’ determination and persistence is always an inspiration to me!

Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 4:5  For physical training is of SOME
value, but GODLINESS HAS VALUE FOR ALL THINGS!

Brothers and Sisters, Paul reminds us of what is important.  Godliness has great value all the time.  To live a life of godliness, we need to have the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.  Do we have love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith in our actions at all times? 

We often work to strengthen our physical bodies, but are you working to strengthen your spiritual bodies? Is your spiritual workout an inspiration to others?

I beseech you, therefore by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as living sacrifices, Holy, acceptable to God!  Romans 12:1

THIS WEEK, STRIVE TO BE AN INSPIRATION TO OTHERS!!

One of my favorite Yogi Berra’s quotes is:  “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”  It is not because it is a wise saying, but rather because of the memories it raises.  I remember my Uncle B.J. telling my Aunt Virginia that saying and then seeing a puzzled look on her face change to a mischievous look and with a matter of fact reply, “ Why would anyone stop in the middle of the road and pick up a fork?  You don’t know whose mouth it has been in!” Then the giggling would start, and her daughter would say, “You would Mother.”  Fond memories.

We experience “forks in the road” – which way to go?  It is not something we have to stop and pick up, but rather a direction we should take.   When Nehemiah was the governor of Jerusalem, the Israelites stood to listen as the Law of Moses was read and explained to them.  The people were reminded of God’s leadership in showing them the way to go during their escape from Egypt.   “By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.” NE 9:9

Our God always provides leadership to His children.  Isaiah wrote to the People of Zion these words:

“…you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. ²⁰ Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. ²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” ISA 30:19-21

When we are on the right way His voice, Spirit, Words and/or Thoughts will show us which fork in the road to take.  Jesus knew this and reminded His disciples with these words recorded in John 14:16, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  Always following Jesus will remove the confusion in deciding which fork to take. 

Following that path will always provide us with good memories, which will last as long as our memory will remember.  Or as Yogi said, “ It’s déjà vu all over again.”