Author: Frank

Looking good in public begins with looking good in private. That sounds vain, but it can be spiritual. Very spiritual. 

How’s your private life, the one that is obvious only to God? Bible reading and Bible study will enhance it. That’s a Christian’s foundation. It is what you’re standing on and walking on spiritually. It is the footing that holds you upright. It’s the stability under your feet. 

If your feet are spiritual, then your walk may be spiritual. You can only walk where your feet will take you. Your spiritual feet and journey are connected. You can’t go anywhere spiritually without your spiritual feet. The Bible encourages us to walk worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1). As Saints of God, we should no longer walk like others. The believer is unique from others because of his relationship with God. 

Would you stop what you’re doing for a moment? Look at your feet. Examine the direction that you’re going. Are you going in the direction that God has intended for you? If so, great. If not, you need to make a concession. Take off in the God-given direction of His choice. Don’t get sidetracked or lost on your way. We do that sometimes. 

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The easiest way, the least cumbersome way to stay on track, is to bathe yourself in prayer. Prayer is a neglected tool for Christians. If it was a physical tool in one’s toolbox, look for the instrument with rust all over it. That would be the prayer tool.

Prayer unlocks the doors of privilege, responsibility, and opportunity for all of God’s people. Real prayer is not something we do when we get in trouble, although that’s when most Christians get serious about it.

Sweet prayers should be an everyday occurrence: good days and bad days. But to neglect prayer makes a miserable day. Make prayer a wonderful time in the presence of God, with the world locked out. It’s just God and you in communion with each other. 

If you add to this prayer time, praise and thankfulness, the day can become heavenly. The reason  is because you are in the presence of God.

God longs for that abiding presence with each one of His children. He does, really. We miss out if we neglect that time with him. 

Have you ever thought about prayer in that way? If you haven’t, you have missed something very precious.  God desires that all His children come and sit in His lap and snuggle up to Him. You can do that in prayer; it’s a place of warmth, comfort, and love. There’s no other place like it. Would you take the time to get close to God? It’s a joy that words cannot describe. It can only be experienced. 

My parents taught me, as a kid, to share. It was one of those simple little lessons that God has allowed me to learn. As life goes on, the principle of sharing has taken on a more profound meaning. 

Sharing time with others, and building meaningful relationships, has been a blessing while at other times, a heartache. Some have drifted away as the paths of life have gone in different directions. 

Learning the lesson of sharing with others has brought profound experiences. Appreciation of people as well as the arrogance of others; which has caused me to investigate my motivation for sharing. It is through those  that I have learned more about my heart. Why did I give? Was it to help others? Was it to feel good about myself? Just what was the real motive behind the act of generosity? Was it to feel superior? Hopefully, it was none of these.

Listening to God’s whispers to extend a helping hand requires of me a deeper growing relationship with the Almighty. It means for me to have a quiet time. A time beyond reading God’s Word. Even a time beyond my average prayer time. It’s time to set aside all the cares of my life and reflect on the goodness of God. This time of reflection brings a fresh appreciation of the things that He has allowed me to experience, and especially the times He has brought me out of some self-imposed catastrophe.

It is that time of meditation that He brings that thought of sharing. It could be words of encouragement to give to someone. Maybe a short visit to say I was thinking of you. The personal touch means more. Much more. Whatever God impresses you with is indispensable. Important to the recipient. Later, when you reflect on the day, it is genuinely a pure warm feeling, “God used me today.” That peace when I realize that the God of the universe spoke to my heart. That is gratifying.

Whenever God whispers, listen with your heart. Then go and do whatever He instructs. Sharing will make a difference in someone’s life both now and in eternity.

The unseen element of humanity. Perhaps as a parent, grandparent, or teacher, you have seen the potential in a child and said to yourself, “That child has potential.” You see something that is unique, but attention-getting. Perhaps the suspect is quiet, unsure, even introverted. Then perchance, you have seen quite the opposite. Extroverted, outgoing, an attention-getter, even obnoxiously self-confident. There can be a third group. These blend into the group. Nothing seems to stand out. But inside their minds, there is imagination. Inwardly wheels are turning, but the outward appearance seems dormant. 

Years pass, sometimes decades then the bud blossoms. Self-confidence has sprouted. Their wings begin to soar.

Christians can be like that.

Jesus spent three years nurturing 12 men. We have the writings of Matthew, John, and Peter. The others seemed to disappear in scripture, yet each one has a part in turning the world upside down for Christ. Just because they did not write books in the Bible doesn’t mean that they were nonproducers in God’s army. 

It’s the unknowns that may have crowns with the most jewels to give to Jesus. These nobodies were faithful and used by God to make a difference in others for the Lord. They were parents, grandparents, friends, coworkers, neighbors, old military buddies, and classmates. There was something about them that stood out and inspired you. Something that gave you confidence. That reassurance that you could do something great for God. Yes, for God.

The Lord of the universe is still looking for people to work in His vineyard. He sees your potential. He wants to give you that nudge to get you started.

If we are willing to take that one step of faith, God will help you on your journey. He’s been waiting patiently for you to say yes. When you do say yes to God, that is when He will strengthen you. Enable you. Teach you. Bless you. Empower you. He will cause you to accomplish more than you’ve ever dreamed. 

So, get ready to walk where He directs with you trusting Him each step of the way and depending upon Him for your daily guidance, strength, and courage.

God wants to use you. Will you let Him?

We human beings are from dirt. That’s what the book of Genesis says. Some of us are sandy and gritty. Others are like dry clay hard as a rock. Hopefully, many are fertile soil that can grow good things. And then a few may need some tender loving care and fertilizer. 

Soil conditions can describe people. That type of soil determines the potential spiritual fruit that can grow in that particular environment. All fruit must start with a tiny seed. Plants begin with a genesis of some sort. The seed can be large like avocado or small seed like a mustard seed. Regardless of the size, the seed will produce after its type.

Parents are like these plants. Parents may vary in size and height, yet their seeds (children) will be like their parents. Maybe in height, bone structure, hair color, or certain mannerisms. They may have different interests from their parents. Somewhere in their journey through childhood to young adulthood, they chose a different path from their parents; for example, some parents are the hands-on type who can fix or make almost anything. They have individual creativity. Then they may have children who  turned out to be problem solvers. Other children may be inventors. They’re all problem solvers like their parents just finding new solutions for different kinds of problems. 

Then there’s another type of a child, the one who asked themselves, “what does God want me to do and be?” The “be” part of developing is a work-in-progress. It’s the doing that gets that person to the “be” part of their lives. The continual asking of themselves, directs that passage to their distinction, what does God want me to do? It’s one thing to know God’s vocation for your life, but it’s another to fine-tune it along the way. That’s where faith comes into our lives.

Our goal is to have faith to trust Him every day and then follow His instructions. Faith in God is the main ingredient that’s makes life so exciting. How do you see God in your situations? Do you go as He leads? It may be one full of challenges, but it is a day of opportunities.

When you reflect and remember, all this came about because God started with a handful of dirt. He made man and woman, and they reproduced … and made you.

In a sense, we’re all dirt in motion, designed to please and serve our Lord.

Dictionary publishers add new words to every new edition. I don’t know if they remove words that are no longer in use. If they do, soon, the word integrity will disappear. It is a word that is not used that much anymore. And with certain people, it is not practiced. Google defines the word “as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, moral uprightness.”

It seems fewer and fewer people are honest and moral in their manner of living. Lying is normal. Immorality is practiced. Loyalty with integrity, what’s that?

Maybe it’s the fault of the older generation saying they didn’t instill integrity in their children. Some blame Hollywood. Others place the blame on job advancement. Wherever the responsibility belongs, honesty is undoubtedly disappearing. That’s a shame. Integrity is the moral foundation of any society. Morality and truthfulness, the ingredients of integrity are the basis of rewards in heaven.

So, what does your Bible say about the subject of integrity? Here are a few thoughts on the subject.

Moses selected judges for the nation of Israel that were, “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.” (Exodus 18::21 NKJV)

In Samuel’s farewell address (I Samuel 12:2-4 ESV) to Israel, he said, I am old and gray … who’s ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? … They (Israel) said, “you have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man’s hand.”

And the New Testament, the book of Romans states, do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. (12:17 CSB)

The Apostle Paul admonished us,” but as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” (I Thessalonians 3:13 NASB)

The above verses relate that our faith is a faith of truth. That is integrity.

Integrity rests on our trust in the Lord Jesus, whose words remind believers that unbelievers are watching us. They will come to us in a time of their trouble. When worldly things fail, unbelievers may come to you because they know that you belong to Him, who is the Truth. Can you practice the truth?

Truth is the foundation of true integrity.

Every encounter with Jesus is life-changing. 

The unnamed woman at the well had an experience of a lifetime. She was doing what she did every day — getting water for her home. It was an ordinary day until she engaged in a conversation with Jesus. It may not have been convenient, but she permitted the interruption. In her talk with the Lord, she offered excuses regarding salvation and the proper place to worship. But Jesus kept on talking about the Messiah. To make a long story short, she finally realized that Jesus was the Messiah, and she accepted Him as her Savior.

What if she had refused to talk to the stranger at the well? Would there be a portion of the Bible that would never have been written? If she refused to speak to Jesus, a whole city might not have been converted. What if a Jew, the Lord, refused to enter a town of non-Jews where no self-righteous Jew would appear, but Jesus did.

Sychar, the Samaritan city was on God’s target list. A list for spiritual conversions. A town in need of a savior.

People everywhere need a savior. At the well, McDonald’s, the grocery store, the gym, wherever.

One of the reasons why there are so few conversions in this world is Christians. Yes, Christians, many Christians are afraid of starting a conversation with a stranger. The world is full of strangers— literally billions of them. The one in front of you in a line is no accident. It may be a divine appointment. You and them. One on one. Prearranged by the Devine appointment Maker. 

Take a moment to ponder your steps. The ones ordained by the Lord. You’re standing in line, waiting to purchase your item. Why did God arrange that person to be there in that store at that specific time? The same time that you were going to be there. Could it be for you to share the Gospel? Could it be a divine appointment? You won’t know if you do not open your mouth. Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do. To unlock your mouth to speak about the Lord or His church. It is also the thing that you do the most. You open your mouth to eat, drink and talk. Some of us open our mouths to snore. My wife says amen,here. So, when the Lord places an opportunity before you, take advantage of it. It may make a difference for all eternity. It also may be the ONLY time that you will ever talk to that person.

All societies live on certain principles. They are the foundational support on which everything else stands or falls. They are the bedrock for that society’s advancement. When this basic principle begins to crack, it’s only a matter of time before that culture crumbles. So, what is the mainstay that societies need? In a word—truth!

It is the presentation of facts, not opinions. Understandable, simple, bare-bones presentation of collaborative information on which everything else rests.

There is only one truth in the universe—Jesus. Jesus revealed this great truth to Thomas, one of the 12 disciples, in John 14:6. In this verse, Jesus said, that He was the way to heaven, the correct standard for Godly living, and life ever after.

So how do we live according to this principle of truth? There is something within you that believes honesty is the best way to live. What that means is that you have a conscience. When the truth is not commonplace in your life and those around you, you know that something is not genuine. The truth is either accepted or rejected by man. There’s no discussion about it. Scripture does not defend itself. It can stand alone without any support.

God makes a simple statement in Titus 1:2, that lying is not possible with the Father. Jesus did not lie. The Holy Spirit could not write a lie.

God is always about the truth.

If God spoke one lie, then everything He said will be subject to doubt. Because God cannot lie, then everything written in the Bible is correct.

As a Christian, you have a spiritual heart that can detect a lie. There’s something inside of you that says that doesn’t sound right. That’s God, the Spirit, the third person of the Trinity speaking. Watch out! Something is not agreeing with the Bible. Remember the Holy Spirit lives within every child of God. That’s like having a heavenly radar system inside you warning you.

God wants His children to be more like Jesus, who is the Truth. It is what makes a better family, church and society. That makes the earth a little bit more like heaven.

The sad reality is, society is not about truth but personal gain at any cost. God knew that humanity would act this way. Jesus also knew that. That is why He went to the cross, paid our sin debt, and purchased our redemption. Those who accept His salvation will experience this truth for all eternity.

I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. Romans 14:14 ESV

Who is the real you? Is it your personality where you work? Is there another personality that appears at a social event? The true you is the one who shows up when you are all alone, and no one else is around.

Each one of us has specific characteristics, some are public, and some are private. What is expected of us? Is it what we perceive to be accepted by a particular group of people? Our actions are usually those that are deemed necessary to gain respect and recognition. In other words, are we esteemed and valued by others? The question we need to ask ourselves is, is that the real me? What happens to our self-esteem when our actions are not acceptable? 

Can we live our lives regardless of the company we keep or where we work? Are we Christians at work and social events, or are we Christians just when we are at church, if then? Is our self-worth measured by the salary we make and the possessions that we have? Who we are is our reality. We can change and we are continually doing so whether we realize it or not. That change is never-ending, and our family, friends, and acquaintances are watching us.

In our heart of hearts, who are we? Only God knows for sure. Regardless of what is going on in our life, who are we? Events do not define our life. We are responsible for our life. Yes, circumstances and crises have an effect but, do those events control you, or do you control you?

If we let events and other people control us, then who are we? Are others our real judge? Every Christian will appear before our Lord, and we will answer for our own lives. What will He say? What the Lord says is the FINAL word. That’s all that matters. It doesn’t make any difference what others think. It’s what the Lord knows.

Our accumulation of things is just that—things. People are God’s creation, not cars and bank accounts. Where are we investing our lives, in things that are temporary or eternal? Who are we? Are our relationships based on possessions or character? If character, Godly character, then others will see and respect it. If possessions, they will be left behind for someone else to take care of, and we will enter eternity empty-handed. 

Remind yourself now and then, it is God that made us, and it does not matter what others think. It is what God knows! He knows who we are!

For we are His creation — created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 HCSB

Take a moment to think about each little phrase of the above verse. By doing so, you will recognize we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalms 139:14 NKJV The second thought seen in this verse is that God has a plan for every person.

Hopefully, each of us is on course for God’s plan. No, we do not know where the potholes in life’s road are. We do know that we are on His path. Not only that, but we are confident that He is with us. He is holding our hands, so we will not fall when we stumble. Even if we do fall, look up, and you will see His outstretched hand ready to assist you. He will pick you up and plant your feet on solid ground so you can keep on going for Him.

What does this verse say to you? First, each of us is His creation. That means we are His, made the way He wants our physical bodies to appear. That’s important for us to accept. It doesn’t make any difference if we are short or tall. Even the color of our eyes is His design.

Each child of God is designed to perform good works for Him. That eliminates all our excuses. When we feel unqualified or undeserving, that‘s not God talking to our hearts. Because He designed every believer for good works, he wants His children and His family to do good things for Him and others. We do not have the right to refuse Him. God has placed them before us to do them.

As believers, we are in Jesus. Consider the fact that of the billions of people on this earth, we could hear the gospel and accept Jesus as our Savior. What a privilege we have experienced. But the scripture doesn‘t stop there.

What a thought. Hopefully, there is a realization on our part that God knows all the events that will take place in our lives. He has equipped us with the resources to handle them. Stop for a moment. Take a deep breath. Realize that God is here. Right now. He arranged all of this. He wants you to be His hands and mouth. The Creator of all things has arranged all of this ahead of time. He is directing our steps. He knew these circumstances would coincide right now for His servant, you, to be here. If that doesn’t put chills up your back, then you aren’t listening to God.

Our all-knowing God arranges our lives this way for this time, for us to walk this road for His glory. Our obedience to His directions will bring about His desires for us and others. All it takes on our part is a willing heart to trust His leadership. God knows you. He has prepared all the events in your life ahead of time. He wants you to be a willing, obedient believer in saying yes. This YES will reap eternal dividends for His glory.

Do we want to be part of His glory?