Good Sense

Why is it some people seem to go out of their way to make you feel bad?  Human nature would say to strike back... to do something mean and nasty back to them as revenge. But the Bible tells us that Good Sense dictates that we restrain our anger... that we overlook the offensive things that others do. This opens the door for love to come in.

Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense.

Proverbs 19:11 [AMP]

⁸ Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].

⁹ Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him).

1 Peter 4:8-9 [AMP]

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Our long-form audio teaching Love is Your Protection is available for on-line listening... free of charge.

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The Lord is Your Defender (Part 3 of 3)

God will see your righteous behavior and defend you. Unfortunately, people sometimes see your righteous behavior and accuse you of being unrighteous.

We see an example of that in the Old Testament. A woman who wanted to have a baby prayed to ask God for a blessing. The man of God saw her and assumed she was drunk.

 



 

And as she continued praying before the Lord, Eli noticed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk.

1 Samuel 1:12-13 [AMP]

 

In the Bible, Hannah (not to be confused with Hannah Montana) was falsely accused by the prophet of being drunk when, in fact, she was praying to the Lord. And would you believe that this Old Testament faux pas is repeated today in the 21st Century? But just as He did in the olden days, God still protects those whose hearts are right in His eyes.

 

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The Lord is Your Defender (Part 2 of 3)

Our friend Charlie Peacock wrote a wonderful song called “Monkeys At The Zoo” to describe those things in our lives that can wreck our personal walk with The Defender.

 

 

You may be a perfect Christian, but I definitely am not.  I know what it is like to catch yourself (or to be caught by The Spirit) acting like a monkey in the zoo. Fortunately, we can repent... receive forgiveness... and continue to live within the protection and defense of the Lord.

 

My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.

Psalm 51:17 [AMP]

 

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

1 John 1:9 [AMP]

 

God is our Defender. He will send His hosts to deliver you from those who rise up to destroy you. What a wonderful promise.  However, it is important to remember that, in order to be a recipient of His protection, we must live the type of life that honors Him.

 

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The Lord is Your Defender (Part 1 of 3)

A favorite TV show from our childhood was The Equalizer, a master spy who would be your personal defender in times of trouble.

 



 

That show has since been canceled.  The star of the series is now deceased.  And worse of all... this was fiction and not real life.  But there is a Defender Who is real, Who will never go away, Who will be quick to defend you... and He is always there!

 

For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

Psalm 91:11 [AMP]

 

God will defend and protect you. He will send His angels to accompany and defend and preserve you. He does this because He is a loving Father.  Part of the requirement for receiving His protection is when we obey and serve God. As you walk with Him, you will grow to know Him more.

God will defeat your enemy (satan) and hold off all who would work against you… and he will discipline you when you screw up.  He is your Father.  He is your defender.

 

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Elimelech

Times are hard. But just because times are hard doesn’t mean you should stray away from God to try to find something in the world.  

Are You Helping or Hurting the Cause?

Are you helping to bring people into the Kingdom of God... or are you chasing people away?  

The $80 Blessing

While getting money is fun to do... remember this biblical principle:

What You Oughtn’t Do

What is the worse sin? Is it lying? Murder? Adultery? The Bible lists seven things that God hates. If God hates something, then logic and reasoning would say that you ought not to do such a thing. What are those seven things that God hates?

¹⁶These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him:

¹⁷A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

¹⁸A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil,

¹⁹A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19 [AMP]

This week’s podcast is seven minutes of wisdom on those things that God hates. Don’t do those things!



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