“He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who cares for his master will be honored.” (Proverbs 27:18)
Our investment in the happiness and well-being of others will pay off. Forget all the drivel about putting yourself first and self-care before all else. A selfish society only shares its unhappiness.
The road to joy runs right through the town of Service.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
This Week’s Reading: Judges 8-15; Psalm 27; Proverbs 27 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision
“He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him.” (Proverbs 27:14)
Manners. Learn them.
Christianity is people work.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
This Week’s Reading: Judges 8-15; Psalm 27; Proverbs 27
This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision
“A prudent man sees evil and hides himself; the naïve proceed and pay the penalty.” (Proverbs 27:12)
It is not strength to endure temptation when you could avoid it. It doesn’t make you brave to put yourself in compromising situations or unhealthy environments. The recovering alcoholic who decides to visit the bar isn’t strong – he’s deluded.
Stay away from things, people, and places which you know lead you to evil. The brave are humble enough to understand their own weaknesses.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
This Week’s Reading: Judges 8-15; Psalm 27; Proverbs 27
This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision
“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4)
David penned these words as a man who knew what it was like to be driven away from the house of the LORD. When Saul sought David’s life, David had to flee to foreign lands, and he couldn’t worship God at the tabernacle or make the feasts and festivals.
The ability to freely worship God is a precious gift, one that is often wasted on those who have the ability to do it. When we are old and feeble or sick or persecuted, we realize what a rare gift it is to gather with God’s people to encourage each other and strengthen our faith.
It is a tragedy that we often miss the value when we are healthy or have the freedom to assemble. It is most often the young, healthy, carefree person that forsakes the assembly only to yearn for the company of God’s people when we are in need.
Don’t waste the gift. Whenever you can, be with God’s people, worship Him, and seek His face amongst His people. You will never regret the Sunday you showed up, but you are likely to regret the ones you skipped.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
This Week’s Reading: Judges 8-15; Psalm 27; Proverbs 27
This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision
“Do you not possess what Chemosh your god gives you to possess? So whatever the LORD our God has driven out before us, we will possess it.” (Judges 11:24)
When Jephthah spoke these words to the Ammonites, he made a very good point. Whoever we serve, we must be content with what that god has the power to give us. One way to assess your life is to ask: what will the thing I am dedicating my life to give me?
Dedicate your life to career and wealth? You can expect nothing more than what riches can buy. Forget about love, family, home, health, and peace of mind – your career can’t give you those things.
Dedicate your life to pursuing your dreams? In the day of adversity, expect no one to be there for you but yourself. A life dedicated to the ‘Big Me’ ends up alone in both victory and defeat.
Perhaps charity is the route of preference? Unfortunately, a giving heart is open to both joy and pain. People take advantage of givers. Even family lets us down, and friends which are made through acts of service often flee when it is their turn to give instead of receive.
Health and long-life? Nope, that won’t work either. Death trumps life every time. Everyone’s days are numbered, and even a long-life is not guaranteed to be a good one. It might just be long, not long and happy. (I’ve had plane flights like that!)
You only possess as much as what your god gives you to possess. So worship well.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John. 10:10)
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
This Week’s Reading: Judges 8-15; Psalm 27; Proverbs 27 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision
“He who hates disguises it with his lips, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.” (Proverbs 26:24-25)
One of the signs that our hearts are filling with hate for someone is when our words no longer match our actual sentiments. Anyone can sound friendly in a public setting or use good manners because culture and society dictate that they should… but our hearts tell the true story.
Do we wish the best for a person? Do we want them to succeed? Do we wish they knew the full extent of how we feel about them, or do we fear our innermost thoughts being exposed?
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
This Week’s Reading: Judges 1-7; Psalm 26; Proverbs 26
This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision
“Then Barak said to her [Deborah], ‘If you will go with me, then I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.’ She said, ‘I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours…” (Judges 4:8-9)
The problem was not that Deborah was too strong, it was that Barak was too weak. Men who want power without courage and sacrifice are paper tigers. We don’t need more men who call themselves leaders but won’t lead.
God’s picture of male leadership is selfless and honorable. It is willing to die for others, lead through example, pick up the cares of others, and deprive itself of comforts. God’s men don’t sit on the couch in their pajamas eating Cheetos and playing Call of Duty – they are called to duty.
God’s men are the first ones into the fire and last ones off the ship.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
This Week’s Reading: Judges 1-7; Psalm 26; Proverbs 26
This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision
“Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, ‘Was I not joking?’ ” (Proverbs 26:18-19)
Just because you think it is funny doesn’t mean it is. “Just kidding” is not a get-out-of-jail-free card phrase.
If our humor doesn’t take into account the sensitivities and feelings of others, then it is wrong.
“Love is not rude” (1 Corinthians 13:5)
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
This Week’s Reading: Judges 1-7; Psalm 26; Proverbs 26
This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision
“I will never break My covenant with you, and as for you, you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land. You shall tear down their altars.” (Judges 2:1-2)
When you read Judges it is important to understand why all the trials of the nation of Israel happened. It wasn’t simply that they hadn’t driven the other nations out. They hadn’t torn down the idolatrous altars. God gave them the land, and they accepted false gods within that same land.
Every altar left untouched should have infuriated God’s people. The righteous should have risen up as one to remove every wicked abomination that dared to claim the title ‘god’ that rightly belonged only to Jehovah.
Remember – leave no altars in your soul. Seek to tear them all down until only Jesus sits upon the throne of your heart.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
This Week’s Reading: Judges 1-7; Psalm 26; Proverbs 26 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision
“Like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.” (Proverbs 26:17)
Only one Man was asked to save the world, and you aren’t Him.
If it’s none of our business, we are best to stay out of it.
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
This Week’s Reading: Judges 1-7; Psalm 26; Proverbs 26 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision
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