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‎Tuesday, ‎July ‎19, ‎2022

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: Psalm 119:7

I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.

Memory verse: Romans 12:1: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Today's reading: PSALM 23-25 ACTS 21:18-40

Where Then Did Man Get All These Things?

The first time I heard, "You know, the man with the most toys when he dies, wins", I was more than a little shocked. It came from a man in a barber's chair as he was getting a haircut and I was next in line. The subject had started when the barber asked him if he had learned to fly that ultra-light airplane he had bought.

There is one story after another about the things we get into that are dangerous to life and limb. There seems to be no end to the things we cook up to get us closer to death. I have never understood that but some see no other way to live. One flies a little higher or goes a little faster and for what?

Envy is evil-plain and simple. Thrills give you a rush-like heroine.

Jesus was teaching in his hometown and the people in the synagogue just could not believe that someone they knew could have all this knowledge. Matthew 13:56..."Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.

Jesus was not flying higher or running faster but he had 'these things'. Mankind will always try to box something up, put a worldly value on it, then work to acquire more for personal pride. But this time it was different. Jesus was God speaking before them and they were offended. This was not the natural order of things. No, it was not. God is not natural to the world.

This is God's order of things. While man is driven to find more danger to life itself, God is always about making our lives deeper and richer without fear. Yes, God can thrill us without the 'fear of falling'. God promises to lift us up and He will if we let go of the world.

Remember,"That which does not kill us makes us stronger...but it always leaves a mark."

Colonel Samuel Johnson was shot down over Viet Nam and was captured and thrown into a cage as a prisoner with no medical attention. His many, many broken bones healed without proper attention. When he was released, the doctors had to break a bone at a time and reset them. But he had to give consent before each procedure.

Hearts broken and minds damaged by the world will never heal properly without God's proper attention. So, we must admit to God we have sin and then confess it and God will deal with it as we continue to return to Him.

John 10:10

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The world is full of attractive teachings...full of promises of thrill through danger. That does not mean we have to buy into them.

...because he loves us...

Father in Heaven,

I am sorry, Lord, I confess I am drawn to the promise of thrills. Have mercy on me and lead me to Your promises of abundant life.

Lord of all!

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen