Sonshine for your soul
Jun 13th, 2017 by admin
We can mock the poor. Or we can help them.
Here’s why it’s very important to make the right choice.
“Those who mock the poor insult their Maker.” (Proverbs 17:5)
I can’t imagine it being a good idea to insult God. Can you?
Encourage and bless those who are struggling financially. I f we don’t, what does that say about us?
Jun 7th, 2017 by admin
I was gripped by conviction this morning when I read Proverbs 16:25.
Why? Because I have to become more effective at helping people to take the right path in life.
“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”
It’s not enough that I can quote John 14:6 that says Jesus is the only path to salvation. And it’s certainly not enough simply to know that God gave His only Son to die so that we might live eternally (John 3:16).
More people need to hear words of hope like these from me. And so, I will start praying for more opportunities and more determination.
How about you?
As always, I love you
Martin
Jun 6th, 2017 by admin
The Jerusalem big shots — who were fast losing spiritual market share — didn’t want Peter and John talking about Jesus anymore (Acts 4:1-22).
But for Peter and John, the choice was simple.
“But Peter and John replied, ‘Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.’” (vv. 19-20)
Hmmm….. a good passage to keep in mind the next time somebody seeks to pressure us to keep quiet about the Savior of the world.
As always, I love you
Martin
May 24th, 2017 by admin
A light bulb went on for me this morning during my devotional reading in John 13.
It involves the question of why some people choose humility as a life pattern while others do not.
I had long viewed humility as a sign of internal strength rather than weakness. But why Jesus so frequently and so clearly displayed humility wasn’t as clear to me previously as it now is.
“Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.” (vv. 3-5 NLT).
Jesus had the internal strength of knowing that God had chosen Him for a special mission to save souls, He knew that He faced no challenge greater than His ability to overcome and He knew that His personal relationship with the Father was absolutely solid and that Father and Son would be reunited forever.
With that assurance and sense of purpose, Jesus knew that no matter how menial a task might be in the world’s eyes — even to the point of perceived humiliation — He was still Almighty God’s child entrusted with a vital ministry until He went home to His Abba Father.
His emotional security was based not upon what He was doing at the moment but instead upon the certainty of His spiritual relationship with His Father.
Hmmm…..
The more confidence we have in our eternal relationship with God, the more willing we’ll be to display humility on behalf of others.
Humility is never about weakness. It’s always about strength.
Humbly look to serve rather than pridefully looking to be served.
Humbly forgive rather than pridefully craving apologies from others.
Humbly donate to others’ needs rather than pridefully acting entitled to be given things.
Humbly apologize for misunderstandings and bruised feelings even when others share the blame.
Such choices don’t devalue us, no matter what lies Satan might be whispering to our minds. Instead, they show the value we place on our confidence in God’s love and His promise of eternity with Him.
As always, I love you
Martin
May 22nd, 2017 by admin
Thanks, Solomon. Everybody needs this reminder.
“The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking” (Proverbs 15:28).
Nobody would close their eyes and then jump off a sinking ship toward a lifeboat being tossed to and fro by the waves. No, we’d have eyes wide open so as to make sure that we landed in the boat.
Yet, when we talk before thinking, we’re essentially jumping without looking. Not a smart move.
Let’s think about how our words will be understood. Let’s consider if our words will build cooperative spirits or build hurt feelings and high walls.
As bullets can’t be reeled back into a barrel, our words can’t retroactively be unsaid. Let’s speak words that heal, words that help, words the encourage, words that guide, words that protect, words that warn.
The world already has enough words flying around that condemn, that curse, that corrupt, that criticize.
As always, I love you
Martin
Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me. Please pass this message on to family and friends. Blessings!
Martin Drummond