Most of us are aware of the vulgar language used by Vice President Biden, caught on an open mic earlier this week, when introducing President Obama during the heath care reform signing. Unfortunately this is not the first time our VP has used this type of language in public. And, for the sake of bipartisanship, our previous VP, Dick Cheney, also was often heard using similar indefensible language. The fact that this is laughed off and regarded as a non-event by the media is a sad commentary on where we are today with our Country's leaders (role models of the highest order) in setting an example (character and integrity) for our children.
A few weeks ago I did notice where Biden, during a news conference, appeared to be very proud of his Christian (Catholic) faith by retaining the ashes on his forehead, received during Ash Wednesday's Mass, for an extended period of time. As a fellow Catholic, I would simply like to remind Biden of his responsibility as a mature adult, Christian parent, and as the second highest ranking leader of the most powerful nation on earth. He should be more spiritually disciplined and mature...and have much more self-awareness of the consequences of his careless speech!
High School student McKay Hatch has some great advice for Biden:
SOUTH PASADENA, Calif. -- The teenager who persuaded the California Assembly to approve a No Cussing resolution earlier this month has a message for Vice President Joe Biden: Watch your mouth.
South Pasadena High School student McKay Hatch held a news conference Friday in front of his city's post office where he asked the vice president to apologize for letting a profanity slip during a bill-signing ceremony earlier this week.
Hatch,17, said he also plans to mail Biden one of his No Cussing Club's penalty jars and an official club T-shirt.
We should applaud Hatch for his incredible witness and maturity.
Finally, this passage from Scripture (Catholic Bible) is not only for VP Biden, and former VP Cheney but for anyone who is consistently careless, thoughtless and unguarded with their language.
Sirach 23:9-10,13-15 "Let not your mouth form the habit of swearing, or becoming too familiar with the Holy Name. One who swears continually by the Holy Name will not remain free from sin. Let not your mouth become used to coarse talk, for in it lies sinful matter. Keep your father and mother in mind when you sit among the mighty, lest in their presence you commit a blunder and disgrace your upbringing. A man who has the habit of abusive language will never mature in character as long as he lives."
Note: The Book of Sirach is a work from the early second century BCE, originally written in Hebrew. Sirach is listed as one of the Deuterocanonical books, a term used since the sixteenth century to describe certain books and passages of the Christian Old testament that are not part of the Hebrew Bible. However, Sirach is accepted as part of the biblical canon by Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and most Oriental Orthodox but not by most Protestants.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Holy Spirit Guide Us
From: Leading The Way Ministries - Michael Youssef
Psalm 143:10 "Teach me to do Your will, for you are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground."
Although all Christians have access to true spirituality through the Holy Spirit, many of them fail to understand who the Holy Spirit really is. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity of God. He is the very Spirit of the mighty God Himself. He leads us into faithfulness and reveals God's truth and will. He equips us to do the work of God's kingdom. He guides, leads, and empowers us to live holy and righteous lives.
We must not make the mistake of trivializing or undervaluing the power and role of the Holy Spirit. He is the breath of the living God. He is the hurricane force that created the universe. He is the mighty wind that blew on the dust that formed Adam. He is the mighty wind that parted the Red Sea.
Do you feel that something is missing in your Christian walk? Are you going through the motions of attending church and worshiping God? If so, then what you are missing is the Holy Spirit. He is a gift and can breathe upon you to revive your soul and bring you active and genuine spirituality. Begin praying today, and continue every day, to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with His presence and guide you in righteousness.
"When the Paraclete comes, the Spirit of truth Who comes from the Father and Whom I Myself will send from the Father, He will bear witness on My behalf." (John 15:26)
Psalm 143:10 "Teach me to do Your will, for you are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground."
Although all Christians have access to true spirituality through the Holy Spirit, many of them fail to understand who the Holy Spirit really is. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity of God. He is the very Spirit of the mighty God Himself. He leads us into faithfulness and reveals God's truth and will. He equips us to do the work of God's kingdom. He guides, leads, and empowers us to live holy and righteous lives.
We must not make the mistake of trivializing or undervaluing the power and role of the Holy Spirit. He is the breath of the living God. He is the hurricane force that created the universe. He is the mighty wind that blew on the dust that formed Adam. He is the mighty wind that parted the Red Sea.
Do you feel that something is missing in your Christian walk? Are you going through the motions of attending church and worshiping God? If so, then what you are missing is the Holy Spirit. He is a gift and can breathe upon you to revive your soul and bring you active and genuine spirituality. Begin praying today, and continue every day, to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you with His presence and guide you in righteousness.
"When the Paraclete comes, the Spirit of truth Who comes from the Father and Whom I Myself will send from the Father, He will bear witness on My behalf." (John 15:26)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Our Convictions Determine Our Conduct
From: The Purpose Driven Life Ministries
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Dictionaries usually define conviction as a fixed or strong belief. Conviction is really much more than that. Your convictions include your values, commitments, and motivations.
I like the definition of conviction I once heard from the great Bible teacher Howard Hendricks: "A belief is something you will argue about. A conviction is something you will die for!" Our convictions determine our conduct. They motivate us to act in certain ways.
Biblical convictions are essential for spiritual growth and maturity. What is ironic today is that people often have strong convictions about weak issues (football, fashions, etc.) while having weak convictions about major issues (what is right and what is wrong).
Think about your walk with Jesus and the convictions you now hold. Are your convictions weak on any major issues?
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Dictionaries usually define conviction as a fixed or strong belief. Conviction is really much more than that. Your convictions include your values, commitments, and motivations.
I like the definition of conviction I once heard from the great Bible teacher Howard Hendricks: "A belief is something you will argue about. A conviction is something you will die for!" Our convictions determine our conduct. They motivate us to act in certain ways.
Biblical convictions are essential for spiritual growth and maturity. What is ironic today is that people often have strong convictions about weak issues (football, fashions, etc.) while having weak convictions about major issues (what is right and what is wrong).
Think about your walk with Jesus and the convictions you now hold. Are your convictions weak on any major issues?
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Guard Your Inner Life
From: Ambassadors For Christ International - John North
Proverbs 4:23 "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."
What flows out of your life comes from inside you. This inner life—the whole non-physical part of you—is called your "heart" in the Bible.
God's clear message to us from this passage is that we must constantly work to take care of our inner lives. The pressures of deadlines and financial issues and temptation all work together to distract us from our inner lives and make us focus on our outer lives. But if you want your outer life to stay in balance and not overwhelm you, you must make your inner life your first priority.
Take time with God each day. Develop your walk with Him. Look at your priorities. Are the most important things in life coming first? Fix your gaze on them; don't be distracted.
Don't neglect your heart. Watch over it with all diligence.
If you want godliness to flow out of you, guard your inner life!
Proverbs 4:23 "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."
What flows out of your life comes from inside you. This inner life—the whole non-physical part of you—is called your "heart" in the Bible.
God's clear message to us from this passage is that we must constantly work to take care of our inner lives. The pressures of deadlines and financial issues and temptation all work together to distract us from our inner lives and make us focus on our outer lives. But if you want your outer life to stay in balance and not overwhelm you, you must make your inner life your first priority.
Take time with God each day. Develop your walk with Him. Look at your priorities. Are the most important things in life coming first? Fix your gaze on them; don't be distracted.
Don't neglect your heart. Watch over it with all diligence.
If you want godliness to flow out of you, guard your inner life!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Patience Comes By Silence
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass Ministries
Psalm 84:12 "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."
Often the toughest times in life are those moments when all we know about God doesn't seem to help or get us the results we want. That's when we learn about His silence. Whenever God doesn't say a word, He's teaching, even in stillness. He's allowing us to grow by forcing us to think, study and arrive at conclusions while He stands by like the loving parent He is.
Faith comes by hearing, but patience comes by silence. Patience is what God gives you when bad things remain unchanged. It's His sedative for the troubled heart. It's the balm He rubs into your aching muscles when it feels like you're being stretched to the breaking point. These are the times when the pain lasts so long that only God can release the patience required - the sheer grace to get you through it.
There are great benefits to waiting. For example, if you learn to wait and observe, you'll make better choices. The thing you think you can't live without today, you may be glad to live without tomorrow. "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." So when God says, "Wait," trust Him. Either it's not what you need at this time, or He has something better in mind for you.
You say, "But what am I going to do in the meantime?" The Bible says, "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart… " (Psalm 27:14) Stop fussing, stop pushing, allow God to work and you'll come out of this stronger and with a better result.
Psalm 84:12 "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."
Often the toughest times in life are those moments when all we know about God doesn't seem to help or get us the results we want. That's when we learn about His silence. Whenever God doesn't say a word, He's teaching, even in stillness. He's allowing us to grow by forcing us to think, study and arrive at conclusions while He stands by like the loving parent He is.
Faith comes by hearing, but patience comes by silence. Patience is what God gives you when bad things remain unchanged. It's His sedative for the troubled heart. It's the balm He rubs into your aching muscles when it feels like you're being stretched to the breaking point. These are the times when the pain lasts so long that only God can release the patience required - the sheer grace to get you through it.
There are great benefits to waiting. For example, if you learn to wait and observe, you'll make better choices. The thing you think you can't live without today, you may be glad to live without tomorrow. "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." So when God says, "Wait," trust Him. Either it's not what you need at this time, or He has something better in mind for you.
You say, "But what am I going to do in the meantime?" The Bible says, "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart… " (Psalm 27:14) Stop fussing, stop pushing, allow God to work and you'll come out of this stronger and with a better result.
Monday, March 22, 2010
No Loopholes In Love
From: Paul Wallace Ministries
Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
It has been said that W.C. Fields on his deathbed was caught by a friend reading the Bible. Quite surprised he said, "I did not know you were a religious man W.C." Flipping through the pages of Scripture Fields replied, "Are you kidding? I'm just looking for loopholes."
The law, given to Moses in the Old Testament, may have had loopholes by which we could avoid a cost to self. The Spirit closes all those loopholes and directs us to a love like Jesus' love. How in tune with the Spirit's direction have you allowed your life to be? Those who are led by the Spirit are the children of God (Romans 8:14). The only way to fulfill these two great laws is to be led of the Spirit.
What does it mean to love the Lord our God with our all in a given situation. The Spirit of God, indwelling those who receive Christ, reveals that to us. He guides us into all truth. He directs us into an expression of the love that pleases the heart of God and brings the kingdom of God into our lives and those with whom we interact. Jesus shows how to express love toward our neighbor. He redefined the word 'neighbor' to include anyone we come in contact with.
Consider: What has the Spirit of God been directing me to do?
Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
It has been said that W.C. Fields on his deathbed was caught by a friend reading the Bible. Quite surprised he said, "I did not know you were a religious man W.C." Flipping through the pages of Scripture Fields replied, "Are you kidding? I'm just looking for loopholes."
The law, given to Moses in the Old Testament, may have had loopholes by which we could avoid a cost to self. The Spirit closes all those loopholes and directs us to a love like Jesus' love. How in tune with the Spirit's direction have you allowed your life to be? Those who are led by the Spirit are the children of God (Romans 8:14). The only way to fulfill these two great laws is to be led of the Spirit.
What does it mean to love the Lord our God with our all in a given situation. The Spirit of God, indwelling those who receive Christ, reveals that to us. He guides us into all truth. He directs us into an expression of the love that pleases the heart of God and brings the kingdom of God into our lives and those with whom we interact. Jesus shows how to express love toward our neighbor. He redefined the word 'neighbor' to include anyone we come in contact with.
Consider: What has the Spirit of God been directing me to do?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Absolute Trust In Christ
From: InTouch Ministries
Psalm 37:5 "Commit your way to the Lord; trust that He will act."
Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord. When times are good, this doesn't seem like a difficult task. However, when trials arise, it is much more difficult to rely fully upon Him.
Yet it is always important for us to place our trust in the living God, especially when everything around us seems to be falling apart. That may well have been the situation that inspired the writing of Psalm 37.
Distress over a situation is the opposite of trust, and fretting has ill effects. For one thing, it can take a toll on physical and emotional wellbeing. Another problem is that feeding worry can lead to evildoing: by attempting to manage the situation quickly in our human way, we may miss God's best solution. A third consequence is that others may not enjoy our company, so we could lose our effective witness for the kingdom.
What, then, is the antidote for worry and stress during a difficult time? Absolute trust in Christ. Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." This means we are to lay all our burdens at His feet, believing that He is good, loving, and in control.
When trials arise, do you run toward the Lord? Or do you try to handle things yourself? He who created you can handle any difficulty and pain, even when it seems overwhelming. What He desires is your surrender and trust. It is in His arms that you will find rest for your soul.
Psalm 37:5 "Commit your way to the Lord; trust that He will act."
Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to trust in the Lord. When times are good, this doesn't seem like a difficult task. However, when trials arise, it is much more difficult to rely fully upon Him.
Yet it is always important for us to place our trust in the living God, especially when everything around us seems to be falling apart. That may well have been the situation that inspired the writing of Psalm 37.
Distress over a situation is the opposite of trust, and fretting has ill effects. For one thing, it can take a toll on physical and emotional wellbeing. Another problem is that feeding worry can lead to evildoing: by attempting to manage the situation quickly in our human way, we may miss God's best solution. A third consequence is that others may not enjoy our company, so we could lose our effective witness for the kingdom.
What, then, is the antidote for worry and stress during a difficult time? Absolute trust in Christ. Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." This means we are to lay all our burdens at His feet, believing that He is good, loving, and in control.
When trials arise, do you run toward the Lord? Or do you try to handle things yourself? He who created you can handle any difficulty and pain, even when it seems overwhelming. What He desires is your surrender and trust. It is in His arms that you will find rest for your soul.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Put God First In Everything
From: Ambassadors For Christ International - John North
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
"He will make your paths straight"—that is, the way forward will be obvious to you, and God will remove the obstacles that would keep you from following His will for you. It sounds wonderful, doesn't it? But why are we not experiencing it every day? Notice that there are three conditions to this promise.
Trust in the Lord. When you sense Him leading you and you don't know where you will end up or how you will get through, obey Him anyway. Act on the reality that God is there. If He leads you, you can trust Him. This is not just verbal trust, but the kind that is with all your heart!
Don't rely on your own understanding. Don't try to be the master of your own fate. Don't get the idea that you can plan your way through life. Recognize that you desperately need God's hand in your life, both guiding you and enabling you.
In all your ways acknowledge Him. Make sure that your life shows that God is the One you honor, love and obey.
Meet these three conditions and you can rest in the reality of God's guiding hand.
If you want God to lead you in life, put Him first in everything!
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
"He will make your paths straight"—that is, the way forward will be obvious to you, and God will remove the obstacles that would keep you from following His will for you. It sounds wonderful, doesn't it? But why are we not experiencing it every day? Notice that there are three conditions to this promise.
Trust in the Lord. When you sense Him leading you and you don't know where you will end up or how you will get through, obey Him anyway. Act on the reality that God is there. If He leads you, you can trust Him. This is not just verbal trust, but the kind that is with all your heart!
Don't rely on your own understanding. Don't try to be the master of your own fate. Don't get the idea that you can plan your way through life. Recognize that you desperately need God's hand in your life, both guiding you and enabling you.
In all your ways acknowledge Him. Make sure that your life shows that God is the One you honor, love and obey.
Meet these three conditions and you can rest in the reality of God's guiding hand.
If you want God to lead you in life, put Him first in everything!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Our Primary Goal
From: My Utmost For His Highest Devotionals - Oswald Chambers
2 Corinthians 5:9 "We make it our aim . . . to be well pleasing to Him."
It requires a conscious decision and effort to keep our primary goal constantly in front of us. It means holding ourselves to the highest priority year in and year out, seeking only "to be well pleasing to Him." It is not a lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but a lack of working to keep our eyes focused and on the right goal. We should examine ourselves often, before God, to see if our life is measuring up to the standard He has for us.
Any goal we have that diverts us even to the slightest degree from the central goal of being "acceptable to God" (2 Timothy 2:15) may result in our rejection from further service for Him. When you discern where the goal leads, you will understand why it is so necessary to keep "looking unto Jesus." (Hebrews 12:2)
We must learn to relate everything to the primary goal, maintaining it without interruption. Our worth to God publicly is measured by what we really are in our private life. Is our primary goal in life to please Him and to be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how lofty it may sound?
"I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus. We must have this attitude. If you see it another way, God will clarify the difficulty for you." (Philippians 3:14-15)
2 Corinthians 5:9 "We make it our aim . . . to be well pleasing to Him."
It requires a conscious decision and effort to keep our primary goal constantly in front of us. It means holding ourselves to the highest priority year in and year out, seeking only "to be well pleasing to Him." It is not a lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but a lack of working to keep our eyes focused and on the right goal. We should examine ourselves often, before God, to see if our life is measuring up to the standard He has for us.
Any goal we have that diverts us even to the slightest degree from the central goal of being "acceptable to God" (2 Timothy 2:15) may result in our rejection from further service for Him. When you discern where the goal leads, you will understand why it is so necessary to keep "looking unto Jesus." (Hebrews 12:2)
We must learn to relate everything to the primary goal, maintaining it without interruption. Our worth to God publicly is measured by what we really are in our private life. Is our primary goal in life to please Him and to be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how lofty it may sound?
"I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus. We must have this attitude. If you see it another way, God will clarify the difficulty for you." (Philippians 3:14-15)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Don't Let Worry Take Up Residence
From: The Word For Today - Bob Gass
Psalm 55:22 "Cast your care upon the Lord, Who will give you support."
When worry comes knocking on your door, stop it on the doorstep or it will move in and take up residence. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) God cares about the things that worry you and prey upon your thoughts. He cares about them more than you do. Not one nagging, aching, worrisome, gut-wrenching, blood-pressure-raising thought escapes His notice. Because "you are His personal concern", He watches over you day and night.
What qualifies as a worry? Anything that robs you of joy, anything you can't change, anything you're not responsible for, anything you're unable to control, anything that torments you, anything that keeps you awake when you should be asleep. All of that "stuff" needs to be transferred from your worry list to your prayer list.
The Bible says, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace…" (Philippians 4:6-7) Give each worry, one by one, to God. The more you practice doing this, the more exciting your walk with Him will become. You'll be amazed at how easily He handles things that overwhelm you.
Remind yourself that He's able to handle it, willing to handle it, and waiting for you to give it to Him. "Cast your care upon the Lord, Who will give you support." Those who live worry free are those who keep casting their burdens on the Lord until it becomes as natural to them as breathing!
Psalm 55:22 "Cast your care upon the Lord, Who will give you support."
When worry comes knocking on your door, stop it on the doorstep or it will move in and take up residence. "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) God cares about the things that worry you and prey upon your thoughts. He cares about them more than you do. Not one nagging, aching, worrisome, gut-wrenching, blood-pressure-raising thought escapes His notice. Because "you are His personal concern", He watches over you day and night.
What qualifies as a worry? Anything that robs you of joy, anything you can't change, anything you're not responsible for, anything you're unable to control, anything that torments you, anything that keeps you awake when you should be asleep. All of that "stuff" needs to be transferred from your worry list to your prayer list.
The Bible says, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace…" (Philippians 4:6-7) Give each worry, one by one, to God. The more you practice doing this, the more exciting your walk with Him will become. You'll be amazed at how easily He handles things that overwhelm you.
Remind yourself that He's able to handle it, willing to handle it, and waiting for you to give it to Him. "Cast your care upon the Lord, Who will give you support." Those who live worry free are those who keep casting their burdens on the Lord until it becomes as natural to them as breathing!
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