The Simple Life

“And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands. But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you." Jeremiah  1:16-19  (ESV)   God is the judge, and we are judged. When we judge, we mess up. Our focus should be on obedience. We were not made to be a judge. We were made to be followers of the one who judges, for He alone knows how well we followed.   Those who listen to God will never be alone or disappointed with the final results.   https:...

But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 1:7-8 (ESV)   There is always a "good" reason to ignore God: I'm too young, I'm too old, I'm not experienced enough, I'm lacking resources, and so on. Successful people focus on and listen to God. They realize that their inadequacies allow them the opportunity to point to God, and thereby fulfill the reason for which they were created. Excuses demonstrate the fact that we do not trust God.   Sometimes it seems as if we do our best to eliminate God from our lives. We think that we need to get good enough, rich enough, powerful enough, or smart enough to make it without Him, hoping that will yield more stability than trusting in our sovereign, most powerful, all-loving God.   Amazingly, we can think such bizarr...

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 ...