The Simple Life

Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." Jeremiah 1:4-6 (ESV)   Those who desire to teach evolution also attempt to hide the fact that man was made, on purpose, in the image of God. There is no human being who has ever been an accidental blob of protoplasm. God is deliberative, purposeful, and perfectly capable of carrying out His work.   Those who want to ignore the evidence will not, because they cannot, find their purpose in life. Purpose always begins with God and will end with Him judging as to whether or not the intended purpose was achieved. Therefore, the most essential thing in life would be to align ourselves with His thoughts and purposes.   If we do that, even if we do not understand everything, everything will make sense. For now, we...

Thus says the Lord: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." Isaiah 66:1-2 (ESV)   God honors those who honor Him. When we think correctly, we think in terms of the all-powerful God and the non-powerful man. We think about the mercy God has extended to us, the grace He has made available, and we respond in harmony with both.   The older I get, the dumber I am. The older I get, the less powerful I feel. There will come a time when, as it was in my beginning, I will be helpless and realize that I can do nothing without help.   I am not self-perpetuating. I cannot control my destiny, but I can love the one who can, and will, and I can rest in the fact that He loves me. https://www.podbean.c...

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (ESV) God makes it clear who has the authority in this life. Clay has no way to claim authority over the potter, and for man to do such a thing is ludicrous.   It is interesting that Adam, the first man, was formed from clay, and this sculpted clay was lifeless until God breathed the breath of life into it. In a way, man is nothing more than living, breathing clay, and when his breath runs out, he goes back to clay.   The prophet continues to talk of the craziness of some people by saying this: "I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices…." Isaiah 65:2 (ESV)   Created clay listening to its own advice and ignoring the creator's directives--there may be nothing crazier.   Yet, how often do I listen to my "advice?" How frequently do I even acknowledge God in my ever...

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (ESV)   It is incredible to hear of the one who is all-powerful using that power to die for us, to redeem us, and to demonstrate His love to us. He did not use His power or authority for himself. He used it on our behalf.   There will always be authority and authoritative people. Authority will always have some "power" that comes with it. Those who understand life and leadership also recognize that the only legitimate use of power is for the benefit of others.   Power becomes abusive when it is used to benefit the one who holds the power. Those who have any power need to examine Christ's example of how power is used correctly, and then adjust their lives accordingly.   Jesus did not need to die. He chose to die.   Power is never the purpose, and always needs to ...

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:1-6 (ESV)   Long before Jesus came, we knew He would come, and why He would come. We need not defend these statements. We need to be awe...

I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the wrath of the oppressor? Isaiah 51:12-13 (ESV)   God is the only one who can comfort. All others can only numb our pain. The people in our lives can temporarily ease our pain using methods such as medication, entertainment, and conversation, but God alone can comfort us in our pain.   The Godless have gotten used to seeking and finding temporary comfort in the things of this world. It is possible to get lost in a movie, a splendid meal, or find relief in drugs, alcohol, or sex. Yet, when the effects of such wear off, the desperate situation remains.   Without God, there is no absolute comfort or purpose in your pain and in ...