Trouble Free Hearts

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."  John 14:1.  A peaceful mind comes through faith in God and Christ.  Hearts that are free of trouble have placed their unwavering trust in God and Christ.  Hearts that are free of trouble know without doubt the faithfulness of God and Christ.  Hearts that are free of trouble believe in the staying power of God and Christ.  Hearts that are free of trouble believe in the covering provided by God and Christ.  Heart that are free of trouble know the care and love of God and Christ.  Trouble free hearts know hope and tranquility.  Trouble free hearts are without anxiety and fretfulness.  Trouble free hearts release their burdens and worries to the keeping of God and Christ.  Hearts that are free of trouble have found the power of God and Christ.  Trouble free hearts know God and Christ to be an arm of stability; a harbor of peace; a refuge of calmness.  Faith calls the heart to be free of trouble.

Lips That Learn

"The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips."  Proverbs 16:23.  The mouth can speak truth or falsehood; praise or blasphemy; pure words or evil sayings.  From the lips can come truthfulness or lies.  Inspiring sayings or profane words can erupt from the mouth.  The seat of all words and sayings is the heart.  The mouth speaks the thoughts of the heart.  The mouth cannot speak what is not first thought in the heart.  The mouth is the judgment of wisdom or foolishness.  A pure and clean heart utters thoughts that enrich and uplift.  But, an evil heart will spew words that tear down and destroy.  Wisdom thinks cautiously and speaks calmly.  Wisdom thinks wisely and speaks slowly.  Wisdom thinks purely and speaks holiness.  Wisdom encourages and uplifts.  Wisdom rebukes with kindness.  Wisdom delays and mediates.  A foolish heart rushes without due deliberation of consequences.  A mouth speaking with such a heart can divide and harm.  The mouth speaks what is taught by the heart.  Wise hearts speak wise words.

From The Beginning

"That which was from the beginning..."  I John 1:1.  Jesus Christ existed in the beginning.  He was revealed unto mankind in human flesh.  "The word became flesh."  John 1:14.  God became man that He might redeem man.  Jesus was that "eternal life that was with the Father."  I John 1:3.  Love and grace prompted God to reveal Himself in such a manner.  Sin had invaded God's footstool and had corrupted God's creation.  Cleansing could only come by the revelation of a Savior.  Jesus left the Father and the glory of  heaven.  Love beyond comprehension.  Life upon earth had its conflicts.  Jesus faced the devil and all his wiles.  Jesus overcame so that He could offer Himself "without spot and blemish."  I Peter 1:19.  Death upon the cross would be His fate.  The eternal Son would suffer for the sins of all the world.  Redemption would be purchased by the One who was alongside God at the creation of all things.  Jesus died and arose from the dead.  Jesus, after His resurrection, was seen and touched by others.  His words were heard by His band of followers.  Eyewitnesses saw the divine and chose to announce the good news of redemption to the world.  Eternity touched earth with the blessing of grace.  Truly, "that which was from the beginning" made possible fellowship with the Father.  Such news should certainly be declared, but also, such news should be heard and received.

To Tell The Truth

Not all preachers tell the truth.  Some speak falsehood.  Many prefer to hear a message that will make them feel better about themselves.  Some become angry when they hear the truth of God.  "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"  Galatians 4:16.  Preachers have a responsibility to preach the truth.  Hearers should always have the desire to hear truth.  Truth saves.  Falsehood condemns.  Truth brings one near to God.  Falsehood drives one away from God.  God is not the author of false teaching, only true teaching.  The heart is purified by truth.  The heart is corrupted with falsehood.  Truth frees.  Falsehood enslaves.  Truth originated with God.  False teaching originated with Satan.  False teaching is a lie that can provide no hope.  Truth gives hope.  Falsehood gives a false security.  Truth builds an unmovable foundation.  Falsehood is sand.  Truth is rock.  Truth enlightens.  Falsehood darkens.  Truth is heaven.  Falsehood is hell. Truth can make enemies while falsehood can make friends.  Truth can crucify.  Jesus was truth and killed by lies.  Truth will triumph while falsehood will lose.  False teaching might make us feel better, but never give us freedom from sin.  Only truth releases the chains of sin's slavery.  Only truth offers an eternal relationship with the Savior.  Only truth provides the way to heaven.  

Trust In Me

Trust is a commitment that is made.  Trust is built upon words and actions.  Trust brings comfort and peace of mind.  Trust will endure.  Trust is a confidence and an assurance that is unshakeable.  Through the prophet, God said, "When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee: but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain."  Isaiah 57:13.  God proclaims that everything in which we might place our trust is incapable of help except Him.  God will not move away from the one who puts his trust in God.  God is the Almighty One who can do all things.  God places a stamp of certainty upon all His promises.  Many have known the ability of God, and as a result, have trusted Him without fail.  Trust in God comes with a price.  Trust in God comes with benefits.  The only surety of life is God.  Trust brings us into His presence and gives us access to His power.  Trust establishes a relationship.  Trust allows us to know Him and He to know us.  Trust will enhance our present and guarantee our future.  Trust gives meaning and understanding to our existence. Trust places us under the control of the One who holds tomorrow in His hand.  Trust insures victory in all battles.  Trust takes us through the valley to the mountaintop.  Trust delivers, yea, trust conquers.  God can be trusted, every hour of every day.

The Declaration of God

Yesterday was a beautiful day.  Of course, I have considered all my days to be beautiful.  Certainly, that is true now as I realize that I have fewer days.  All of us have fewer days to live.  That truth should give us a different perspective toward our life.  My wife and I watched a sunset.  The sky was absolutely gorgeous.  No painter's brush could have captured the exquisite beauty.  As I marveled at the hues across the sky, I thought of the majestic beauty of God's creation.  "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth his handiwork."  Psalms 19:1.  In every flower that blooms and every cloud that gathers, God has announced Himself.  Behind the universe, there is a divine hand.  Happenstance did not bring us to where we are.  The world has a Creator whom we know to be God.  Stars shine in the night sky.  The moon reflects the light of the sun.  The cycle of life continues.  Everywhere and all about us, there is a beauty that cannot simply be described with words.  What else?  Who else?  The only reasonable explanation to my mind is God.  I look at the night sky and see God.  I look at the dew on the rose and see God.  In all that I see, God is present.  The world of life, and even of death, declares the presence of God.  How beautiful is each day of life.

Marriage Is Honourable

"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."  Hebrews 13:4.  The originator of marriage is God.  Genesis 2:18-22.  Marriage has been ordained of God for the welfare of man.  With the institution of marriage, the human family began.  In the beginning of time, God created man and woman and brought them together in the union of marriage.  This union is not to be dissolved, but rather, marriage is to be honored and nurtured.  Marriage should begin with the understanding that only death should dissolve the union.  As each day passes, husband and wife should grow dearer to one another.  Conflicts may arise that threaten marriage, but the course must be stayed.  Marriage is be built upon a foundation of love and trust.  These ingredients will stabilize and secure the vow of commitment that has been made.  The husband seeks to please his wife, and the wife seeks to please her husband.  I Corinthians 7:33-34.  Self-denial will insure marriage.  In order for marriage to endure, we must have a respect for God and His law that governs marriage.  Husband and wife should have a hope for the future of their lives together, and a hope in the world to come.  How truly wonderful it is to grow old together.