The Company You Keep

Malachi 3:16Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 17"They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

Do your friends keep you on the straight and narrow or do they let you go astray. If they don't help you cling to God, what shall you do? Prune? Thus sayeth the Lord.

Simply Saved

If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life —Romans 5:10

Thanks be to God for his mercy and grace upon me and you, who believe, and live lives worthy of the calling that we have been given. This message is given freely to those who acknowledge their sinfulness and need for reconciliation with God. No, not perfect people, no, not unblemished lives, only because of God's gift of his son at the cross can we even think, let alone mention, our great God's name.

Stewardship

Luke 12:48 But the one who did not know his master’s will 1 and did things worthy of punishment 2 will receive a light beating. 3 From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, 4 and from the one who has been entrusted with much, 5 even more will be asked. 6

Did the bubble pop? I just went to the wedding of a friend and it was opulent, extravagant and probably over the top. I am so happy for the couple. They are smart, warm, and have an embrace life attitude. But the event probably would put alot of people to shame. Alot of $$ and time went into the planning and execution of the wedding. But then I thought about it, as a % of wealth, it probably was less than what people with ordinary means would spend. How does your faith guide you in how you consume and spend? Not just $$, mind you, how do you spend your time, do you build relationships or "consume" people?

Way of the World

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing, and perfect will. When you wake up do you like what you see? When I turn on the news, there is alot of unease. There is brokenness. This is the world we have. If it was all there was, it would be a bleak world. A world of sickness, corruption, and injustice. Against all these things is a wonderful knowledge that our Creator, who wants and has provided victory against all these things through His Son, Jesus. Then I say, 'thank you'.