The Simple Life

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV) The weak and weary do not lose strength if their strength is dependent upon God, for God never grows faint or weary. He is never overtired, never loses His temper, and never loses sight of His purpose. Humans are frail and dependent by design. When we strive for independence, we strive to be something we cannot be, thereby magnifying our weaknesses and losing any strength that has been offered to us. Those who wait on the Lord, who trust in Him, will never be disappointed, ...

A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:6-8 (ESV) We must keep life and death in perspective. We all know that people live and die. We understand that all people die, and those who have some terminal illness are, in some ways, specially gifted in that they get a chance to better prepare for the inevitable. You would think, since we all know that we will die and that we will be dead a whole lot longer than we are alive, that we would all be ready for such a time. Yet, for most of us, death is a surprise, a moment for which we were not prepared. Perhaps we should live in the context of reality and be prepared for the things of which we are certain. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: "O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord.” Isaiah 37:14-20 (ESV) Good leaders have a singular purpose — to make it known that God alone is God. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

Do not listen to Hezekiah. For thus says the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern. Isaiah 36:16 (ESV) Those in political power often tell us to listen to them and ignore the "Christian" leaders who obviously are against national unity. Those in political power are constantly trying to gain a majority vote to validate their belief system. To do this, they spend tremendous amounts of time, money, and energy to convince us that the lies they believe are actually the only way one can live. Truth defeats lies and requires no exorbitant resources to do so. A crooked politician will spend millions of dollars to convince the world that something like abortion is good for society. Special interest groups may spend millions trying to convince us that same sex marriage is acceptable. Yet, all the resources in the world canno...

Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: "Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria! Thus says the king: 'Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you. Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord by saying, "The Lord will surely deliver us. This city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’"” Isaiah 36:13-15 (ESV) Whoever tells you to trust in the only living God is not deceiving you. Trusting in God is all we have and will ever have. Trusting in God allows one to live a life of purposeful peace. Trust in God is always rewarded well, whereas trust in anything or anyone else is always met with discouragement and defeat. When we read Rabshakeh's decree, we can fret or relax and live by faith. If we know God, we live by faith and allow our quiet confidence to rule. If we do not know Him, we focus on the ever-present dangers and live anxious-filled lives. For now, the c...

The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: "Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?" He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil. Isaiah 33:14-15 (ESV) "It is certain that no man shall find his profession to be of use to him in testing times but he that is true in it, he that is thorough in it, he that is neither a sinner nor a hypocrite in the sense in which those words are here used. Safety in Zion belongs to those born in her by regeneration, reared in her by sanctification, enfranchised in her by faith in the Son of God, settled in her by fixed principles, confirmed in her by obedience to her laws, and bound to her by intense love of her King and her citizens. Such "shall dwell on high" secure from danger, an...

The fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable. For the fool speaks folly, and his heart is busy with iniquity, to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the Lord, to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and to deprive the thirsty of drink. As for the scoundrel—his devices are evil; he plans wicked schemes to ruin the poor with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is right. But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands. Isaiah 32:5-8 (ESV) The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. Psalm 14:1 (ESV) A London clergyman met with all infidel who wished all the churches were swept from the land, beginning with Spurgeon's. "Then which of your infidels will be the first to take upon himself the responsibility of Mr. Spurgeon's orphanage?" was the clergyman's reply. The silence following the question was ver...

The fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable. For the fool speaks folly, and his heart is busy with iniquity, to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the Lord, to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and to deprive the thirsty of drink. As for the scoundrel—his devices are evil; he plans wicked schemes to ruin the poor with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is right. But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands. Isaiah 32:5-8 (ESV) The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. Psalm 14:1 (ESV) Those who do not believe in the only God who exists are fools and are capable of horrendous acts of horror. We will never achieve lasting peace among people who remain hopelessly lost. We will never be an honorable, just nation apart from God. We were not made to exclude God from our lives, for life makes no sense without Him. ...

The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together. Isaiah 31:3 (ESV) The spirit world is alive and well, and God rules over all, including those who dwell in the spirit world. Mankind, for now, is in a unique position in that we are allowed to obey or ignore God. We, for now, have choice, and our choices actually matter. Satan is always limited as to what he may do by God, who is the ultimate Spirit in all of existence. We need not fear the things that our God, who loves us, controls, and He controls all things. Even though God allows man to have choice, He controls the outcome. If a man wants to use his choice to instill fear in another, God can provide peace. If man wants to murder, God can give life. If man wants to harm, God can choose to bless. God is older and smarter than I am and loves me. I can trust Him. https://www.pod...

Special Invitation Men, Join me at our annual men's spring retreat at Silver Birch Ranch!  You can find information at:  https://www.silverbirchranch.org/campretreat/mens-spring-retreat https://www.podbean.com/relate365

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Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! Isaiah 31:1 (ESV) What is it that I rely on when I need to rely on something or someone? Do I rely on my money? My nation? My family? My job? My health? My thought processes? Everything I possess is temporal and capable of breaking down. Academically, Christians usually claim that we trust in God and God alone, but I often wonder if that is our reality or our fantasy. Sometimes it seems easier to consult those who are flesh and blood than it is to consult God, even though it is easier to consult with God since He abides within us. We often trust something that we can manipulate, but it seems unreasonable to think that something capable of manipulation is worthy of our trust. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He cannot be bought or sold, cannot be manipulated, a...

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Isaiah 30:18 (ESV) The waiting game is not a game I play well. I like to get things done, and usually, the sooner, the better. If we need to paint the house, I'd like to get the paint and finish it tomorrow. If I need a new car, I want to go and buy one today. Waiting is difficult, but necessary, and people like myself need to learn to wait things out, to let the process work, and to be patient. Those who know God love God. Those who love God know that the process He is working out will be best for all of those whom He loves. Pain, sorrow, joy, and wonder are all part of the process. We can wait confidently because we are confident of the outcome. Whatever situation we are in at the moment is tempered by the fact that in the end, we win, and we win big. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." But you were unwilling…. Isaiah 30:15 (ESV) "In quietness and confidence is our strength, but not in thinking of quietness and confidence, or grieving that we have so little of either, but in simply assuring ourselves of the ground that we have to believe that God is our Friend now and ever, and that He can be nothing else, and that the forgetfulness of this and nothing else has been our sin and our shame." (F. D. Maurice to his mother.) "I used to think I had to do it," says one of the most successful evangelists of the nineteenth century, "and the result was great physical strain and exhaustion; but now I feel He has to do it through me: the responsibility His; the message His; the strength His." (J. G. Mantle) Rest and quietness that comes from trust is a combination the evil one cannot beat. Those w...

"For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." But you were unwilling…. Isaiah 30:15 (ESV) The idea of quietness and trust being a source of strength sounds somewhat unusual to my American mind. Usually, we want to be anxious and demonstrate our anxious ways to ensure we are heard. We typically need to make noise in order to attract the attention of the authorities. Trust (faith) is something that sounds good, but somehow we live by the idea that God helps those who help themselves. Yet, Isaiah is clear in telling us that those who are restored, or return to God, and rest in Him, will see the salvation that comes from such actions. Those who can quietly endure and trust in God will confidently persevere and ultimately be victorious. Mob rule does not work with God. Christianity is not a democracy, and God is not impressed by the loudest group https://www.podbean.com/relate...

"Ah, stubborn children," declares the Lord, "who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin…." Isaiah 30:1 Making a deal with an enemy gives the enemy a gradual victory. Enemies by nature will destroy you if they ever get the opportunity, and making a "deal" with them is the first step to destruction. If we put it in terms of making a deal with the "devil," we would run from it; so, the devil has his henchmen who make the deals more palatable. The face of evil is often soft and tender, one that is contrite, and appeals to our sense of mercy, love, and grace. The face of evil frequently taunts tolerance as the ultimate human virtue, while displaying intolerance for all who have any authority over their lives. To compromise with evil is to be evil. To be somewhat right on matters that are clearly defined makes one completely wrong. There is no room for error in truth, and those who w...

You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, "He did not make me"; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, "He has no understanding"? Isaiah 29:16 (ESV) I love to take on God's characteristics. I would never really admit to wanting to do such a nonsensical thing, but it seems as if I am drawn to such silliness. I want to think that I am the creator and sustainer of life, when, in reality, I am the created one who needs sustaining. I would love to believe that I have power and authority over my circumstances, when, in fact, I need to have the only true power and authority walk me through life's circumstances. When we mess up the power lines, we ruin the ability to enjoy life as life was created. The Bible tells us that Jesus came to give us life, an abundant life. Therefore, to enjoy this life, we need to live it as Jesus intended us to live it. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden." Isaiah 29:13-14 (ESV) It is possible to be in a relationship that is all talk and little relationship. We often talk about good marriages and friendships, yet we rarely experience them. We talk about relationships at church and work, while we live desperately lonely lives. We talk about how we love God, yet we don't spend time with Him. We long for Him, yet we don't even know Him. Talk can convince me of things that do not exist. I can hear the words in a message from my pastor and think that the hearing of the words is all that matters, because my thoughts and life will not change due...

And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden." Isaiah 29:13-14 (ESV) It is possible to be in a relationship that is all talk and little relationship. We often talk about good marriages and friendships, yet we rarely experience them. We talk about relationships at church and work, while we live desperately lonely lives. We talk about how we love God, yet we don't spend time with Him. We long for Him, yet we don't even know Him. Talk can convince me of things that do not exist. I can hear the words in a message from my pastor and think that the hearing of the words is all that matters, because my thoughts and life will not change due...

As when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he is eating and awakes with his hunger not satisfied, or as when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he is drinking and awakes faint, with his thirst not quenched, so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion. Isaiah 29:8 (ESV) Dreaming about something does not make it a reality. Dreams are real thoughts, but not real life. If one dreams about being a basketball player but sits on the couch day after day eating ice cream, the dream will be just that —a dream. In fact, one who continually dreams lives a disappointing life, as reality is always out of reach. When we dream dreams apart from God, we ultimately lose, for God is the author of reality. Satan peddles lies; God dispenses truth. The fruit of lies is passivity, anger, lust, greed, anxiousness, depression, loneliness, and so on. Those who suffer from these symptoms can alleviate their suffering by understanding and responding to reality. John 8:32 says this: ...

Give ear, and hear my voice; give attention, and hear my speech. Does he who plows for sowing plow continually? Does he continually open and harrow his ground? When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, and put in wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and emmer as the border? For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him. Isaiah 28:23-26 (ESV) Life is seasonal. There are times of ignorance that, after years of precept upon precept, turn to times of understanding. There are times of great sorrow and times of great joy. There are times of fasting and times of feasting. God knows what times are coming up, and He knows how to prepare us for the challenges and joys we are about to face. It is vitally important that we position ourselves to listen to Him, for He alone will prepare, guide, and ultimately help us conclude this life. It is wise to understand the seasons of life and to live in the context of that season, knowing that the season will change ...

Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem! Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter." Isaiah 28:14-15 (ESV) Making a lie a refuge leads to a tragedy. To believe that you are well when you are sick keeps you from treatment. To think that you are "set" financially when you are not keeps you from making wise financial decisions. An alcoholic who thinks they have no problem can never free themselves from the grip of alcohol. Lies are easy to come up with, hard to live with, and once believed, hard to expose. It almost seems as if we want to believe lies, and sometimes we like the lie over the truth. We must have a way to check what we believe against the truth, or be subject to the tremendous and disastrous consequences of believing a l...

"To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast? For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little." Isaiah 28:9-10 (ESV) God teaches us slowly, through His Word, as we are in a position to understand what is taught. His teaching is slow and methodical, and quite effective. We do not take toddlers who are showing an interest in a musical instrument and teach them music theory. Instead, we provide them with an instrument that can be "abused," and allow them the chance to learn how to respect, handle, use, and experiment with it. As time passes, we begin to teach beginners how to organize notes into patterns and lay the foundation for a time when they can become accomplished musicians.  No matter how accomplished one becomes, the basics of music theory will still apply, for it is the precept upon precept, and line...

These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment. For all tables are full of filthy vomit, with no space left. Isaiah 28:7-8 (ESV) A young mentally challenged boy was asked about alcoholic drinks, and he immediately responded that he would not touch them because alcohol is a "solvent." When the questioner had a puzzled look on his face, he replied, “It dissolves marriages, friendships, ability to work, and more.” There are many warnings about alcohol in the Scriptures, yet "believers" tend to look at passages that mention "wine" in passing, and they try to make it proof texts for their own drinking habits. The downside of alcohol is enormous, as would be indicated by the amount of health care, law enforcement, and emergency services that are dedicated to the effects of its abuse. Satan h...

The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous. In the path of your judgments, O Lord, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:7-9 (ESV) A righteous person does what is right. In many cases, right and wrong are very clear. In some cases, right and wrong are mysterious. It seems to me that our loving God and Father is the one who makes things "level," and that the most critical aspect of our responsibility is to want to please Him. As a child, I may not always know what is right, but I can always have the desire to do what is right, and that makes all the difference. God can make it so that one who has a pure heart can avoid the rugged peaks and valleys of this life. I need to trust in Him. https://www.podbean.com/relate365