Tuesday... Being invited can make all the difference.

The writer of Psalm 15 asks a great question. In verse 1 (MSG) he asks, "God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?" And the answer heads us in the right direction. The NIV gives another perspective. It says, "Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?"

David, the writer of this Psalm puts the answer in a very interesting list. In verse 2 (MSG) he says, "Walk straight, act right, tell the truth." Right to the point.

He goes on in verse 3, "Don't hurt your friend." Now that would make a big difference if we would strive to do that, wouldn't it? Loyalty in our world has gone by the wayside. He then says, "don't blame your neighbor." There's a whole lot of blaming going on.

And then verse 4 (NLT) says, "Those who despise flagrant sinners," there's a whole lot of flagrant sinning going on "and honor the faithful followers of the Lord". It can be easy for us in the day in which we live to get these two mixed up. We honor the flagrant sinner and despise the faithful followers of the Lord. That's what the Evil One wants us to do.

Verse 4 continues, "and keeps their promises even when it hurts." Now that is what Christ did and so should we who are followers of Him. Then verse 5 (NIV), "who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken."

Now Paul over in Galatians 5:13-15 (NLT) says, "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another."

And then verses 25-26, "Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every path of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another."

And we want to be invited, don't we? Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

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Tuesday... It is so worth it. It really is!

Tuesday... It is so worth it. It really is! Look at this, Proverbs 5:21-23 (CEV) says, "The Lord sees everything, and he watches us closely. Sinners are trapped and caught by their own evil deeds. They get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control." That is true of so many. Now look at this, Luke 15:1-7 says, "Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses started grumbling, 'This man is friendly with sinners. He even eats with them.' Then Jesus told them this story: If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won't you leave the 99 in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? And when you find it, you will put it on your shoulder and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, 'Let's celebrate! I've found my lost sheep.' Jesus said, 'In the same way there is mo...

Friday... Yes, we need them. We really do

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Monday... Three ifs and two thens. They go together!

Monday... Three ifs and two thens. They go together! They really do. And this is what caught my attention this morning as I was reading Proverbs 2. Verse 1 (NRSVUE) says, "My child, if you accept my words and treasure my commands within you." Verse 3 (NIV), "Indeed i f you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, Verse 4, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, Verse 5, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." And verses 9-11, " Then you will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." There will always be some effort we must do, some ifs for the thens to be realized in our lives. So many of us want to understand without the ifs. But the thens are so worth, so very worth the effort. Verses 5-6 in the Ampli...

Todays Beginning

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