Trouble comes into our lives, “as the sparks fly upward,” according to Job. There is trouble in this world, for both the rich and the poor, the popular and the recluse. Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” Trouble comes from living on a sin-cursed planet. That which we might call a natural disaster or health trouble is not of our own making.

Some people have a bigger dose than others, but it seems that everyone possesses some measure of envy. When someone sees another person with something they do not have, they want it. The feeling is not just covetousness, it is an evil intention; it is covetousness with a dose of spitefulness; it is a desire for something with malice attached.

Some sins are easy to cover and easy to categorize as “not so bad."
Envy and covetousness are easily hidden and frequently justified, but God says much about these sinful attitudes of the heart.  

Most of us understand that life is busy, although, some people think they are busy because they cannot sleep when they want, play when they want, and watch television when they want.

Isaiah 1:2 “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.”

Life is not about expediency, comfort, ease, or worldly success but about RIGHT AND WRONG.

“I” is a very small word, yet it speaks loudly.
Isaiah 14:12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”


There are many reasons to keep good music in our lives, but in Deuteronomy 31, we see a special place for music.

Mankind frequently thinks he knows more than God, whether it be about origin of humanity and the planets, or family or church; man is totally stuck on himself. (Sorry, but that thinking is way beyond foolish.) How could the creature know more than the creator?

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 often think young people need advice about dating, jobs, school, finances, and the various new situations they will face, and we are right. For the first time they are facing a serious relationship; for the first time they are leaving home to live in either college dorms, barracks, a house of their own, etc.

There is much talk in our world about people finding a purpose, a reason to live, and feeling fulfilled about their lives. This is the reason people get involved in the preservation of some endangered species or the care and protection of animals. There is a need to have a purpose and to feel as though your life is making a difference.

In our church and many other churches, one person runs the weekly routine of teaching a certain class or junior church, and they continue to do so year after year. These people are unsung hero’s! These people make a continuous impact on eternity and receive no accolades or articles written praising their influence; they are simply making a consistent impact for good in the world.

I hope we are all keeping our 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.

Our current leadership in America has done much to slander and attack our nation, our wealth, our power, and our influence in the world. The poor folks running our nation, had they only been in a decent Sunday school, would have learned the Bible instead of liberalism and socialism.

We have witnessed some astonishing politics between the White House and the Middle East. Notice what Isaiah says about being good to the wicked:

While reading the last Psalm, I found a simple outline of the deeds of evil men.

All of us go through trials; in fact God says we are “subject to like passions.” (James 5:17) Paul wrote that we are all tempted in a common (similar) manner.

I am afraid that many Christians have grown comfortable in their Christian lives. At some point, each Christian received Christ and grew in faith, mercy, and love, and God provided a stable life for them. Their jobs, homes, and marriages are stable, and no great fear drives them — they are safe and secure. The fear I have for them is the fact that they may easily drift from the Lord. Trouble and danger drive us to God; ease leads us to casual and complacent living.