One of the hardest aspects of a broken home is betrayal.  Rejection is hard, but to be betrayed by one you love is unbelievable.

Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…"
1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
Most certainly, we all desire to have our lives count for the glory of God. We strive to have a marriage, children, and personal life pleasing to God.

In the book of Mark, chapter five, we read about the man who lived in the cemetery. He was possessed by many devils, and the Savior crossed the sea of Galilee with his disciples when he met this poor man.

I recently spent some "Morning Moment" time on trusting the Lord with our enemies, not lifting our hands against the Lord's anointed, and on similar thoughts.  Reading today, I find more Scripture on the same subject.  

The Bible says we ought to serve one another. Our Lord said that a servant is the greatest of all.

We live in a culture that does not want to compare or act as if some things are better than others; they attempt to create equality in every situation. That is foolishness. Or, as the farmer would say, "HOG WASH" (which, as you might imagine, is worthless).

Proverbs 31:30 tells us, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain…” Of the godless, vile deeds accomplished by beautiful women, there is no end in fiction or reality, literature or movie making.

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

We have all heard the statistic that 10% of the people do 90% of the work.  Often, the same is true in a church or community.  I do not know if the numbers are correct, but the principle is true.  Most people do not accomplish the majority of the work.

The doing of right will lead you to the right destination.

Too many believers get up each day defeated – that is certainly not what God had in mind. We are to get up each day needing the Lord. We are to get up each day seeking divine guidance. We are to get up each day knowing our flesh will let us down, but as the following Scriptures and many other passages tell us, the Christian life is one of victory.

Sorrow and mourning are a part of this world.  From the first sin, God said that in “pain” Eve would bring forth children; to Adam God said,

Years ago, the famous Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, grew to have amazing size and productivity: souls were saved and this ministry was probably was the most successful missionary-sending church in America. Dr. Lee Roberson was the pastor there for approximately forty-five years and built his ministry on simple things. His sermons were basic, and his ministry was simple.

When Eve faced the serpent, Eve made it clear that she knew God said not to eat it! After some discussion, she made the decision that another course was better. She trusted her own heart. She had an opinion, and felt her idea was just as important as the ideas of God; and once all suggestions were out in front, she could make the decision as to what was best. WRONG!

As we move quickly through the year, I hope we are all staying with some spiritual “resolutions” — to resolve to read our Bibles, pray, be faithful to church, to break the ties of certain besetting sins — all of which are good to improve upon.

During stewardship month, we are talking about taking care of the things God has given us. Stewardship does not mean just protecting, it means using our time, talents, and treasure in a way that is pleasing to the One Who gave them to us. The book of James tells us that every good gift comes from the Father, and His stewards should use what they have in a way that will please God.

The book of Joshua mentions the word courage several times. Courage is a rare, but wonderful trait.

We sit in a world of almost hopelessness. Something happened in the last fifty years that killed the dream and dare in the hearts of young people. We blame our situations on the world around us, and we give no hope to those with a difficult path. Some people do have a more difficult path, but no path is impossible. In reading about Ruth, I find those ideals repulsive.

While praying for our missionaries in Africa and the South Pacific, I was very conscious of the weaknesses of these dear friends and the fierceness of the enemy they face. Some of these missionaries I prayed for have been my friends since college or the early years in our ministry. For over a third of a century, these faithful servants have served; and as I watch them age, I pray more for them and their families.

GREED - Proverbs 23:4 "Labour not to be rich..."