“A land flowing with milk and honey.” We read this expression in scripture and are very familiar with it in relation to the promise of God to the Children of Israel. But what does it mean? It really is strange, since the land did not have rivers of milk or guizers of honey. Even when the spies came back, they did not bring milk or honey!

Moses is reading the Law to the Children of Israel at Mt. Nebo, the second giving of the Law known as Deuteronomy. Moses encourages and warns the people through a series of “curses and blessings.” We are familiar with encouragements such as Duet 6, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.…” But there is a warning which specifically applies to us today. Deuteronomy 8:11-18, “Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments…. When you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them…. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’” 

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard

It occurred to me, in no uncertain terms, that credit and blame are basically the same thing, or at the very least two sides of the same coin. Think about it…

One side - something good occurs, you seek the credit, you want to be recognized and be elevated.

Other side - something bad happens, you assign blame, you want someone else to take the fall.

Isn’t this all the same of vanity or self-exaltation?!

Look at me, look at me, but only when it’s a good thing.

Look away from me when it’s bad.

Keep me in the good light

Highlight the good and hide the bad

Keeping up appearances

The social media profile… huh… only showing off what’s a good thing. The facade that is my story, my profile.

#credit #blame #pride #selflove #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalLove #GodIsLove #FaithPodcast #ScriptureStudy #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #LoveInAction #FaithAndLife #SpiritualGrowth #BibleVerses #ChristianTeaching

Recognition, Appreciation and Approval

We all need and want these. Everyone needs to be recognized for existing, for being here, for being a part. Everyone needs appreciation for who they are, their talents, their activity in work, home and family. And everyone needs approval for all that they do, that positive affirmation for contributing. These are basic elements needed to build self-esteem and develop relationships. Without them people become isolated, trapped in a vortex of doubt and self-loathing.

That is why God demands we develop relationships as a family, serve together as soldiers, support one another as Citizens, and mature together as Saints. No matter our age, experience, or capabilities; God wants us collectively involved to recognize, appreciate, and approve of one another.

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard

We have so many advantages today that they can cause sensory overload, such as the new ways to communicate instantly that can detach us from the people we’re “talking” to.

Our world offers so many possibilities. All of them can be good, but they can also become distractions. Here is an example: sea turtle eggs. Female sea turtles swim to shore between May and August to dig nests in the sand and lay their eggs. Months later, the eggs hatch and the baby turtles follow the pure light of the moon back to the surf.

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard #walkwiththelord

To begin… I asked ChatGPT this questions: Can you describe how pride is at the basis of all evil in the world? 

And it provided me with these verbatim 4 points without going into any other detail…  

How pride can lead to other forms of evil:

Pride says “my will matters most” 

Pride resists correction 

Pride creates division 

Pride replaces worship of God with worship of self

And these are absolutely on point! Pride says, 

“I can do it all on my own.”

“I don’t need anyone’s help.”

“I built this…”

“I did that…”

It’s refusing to acknowledge that God is in control, God is the maker and sustainer of all things, and that we are in complete dependence upon God. Without God, I can do nothing.

#pride #selflove #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalLove #GodIsLove #FaithPodcast #ScriptureStudy #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #LoveInAction #FaithAndLife #SpiritualGrowth #BibleVerses #ChristianTeaching

When we look at the life of Jesus, the Apostles, and many others in both the Old and New Testament who were leaders; several things come to the forefront regarding their character and conduct.  Great leaders are not special in that they were particularly charismatic, good looking, intelligent or possessing great skill.  Some did, most did not.  Except for Jesus, none were sinless.  All had some significant problems.  They doubted, became angry, were morose, depressed, even ran away at times.  They were mostly ordinary people, living ordinary lives, with one special exception.  They were committed to a great cause.

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard

Have you ever considered the idea that the term “scripture” was predominantly used to reference Old Testament writings?  

I hadn’t.  

I was recently introduced to this idea, and I appreciated this comparison that I was shown in

1 Timothy 5:18 - For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain (Deut 25:4)” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages (Matt 10:10 or Luke 10:7)” that used “scripture” and referenced both an Old & New Testament source.  

I know that’s pretty vague, but I encourage you to investigate it.  

I think I took for granted the use of the word scripture, as just a term that references just the Bible or where something is found, which… it certainly has that application to direct where to find a biblical idea, but rather now I see it is a term that more likely references the inspiration of the Bible.  It has a more powerful emphasis, because when we reference scripture, we are also claiming its inspiration.  

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard #voiceofGod #discernment

I like snow skiing.  I have fun in the cold and snow.  The beauty, the brisk air, the falling snow, the brilliant blue of mountain skies, the vistas of snowcapped mountains; its’ all so wonderful.  I see God in these things.  His amazing design, the absolute brilliance of his creative imagination, the awe of his power!  Truly Awe-some!

But every time I go, someone tells me, “Don’t hit a tree!”  For real!   I really don’t want to hit one.  They are really tough and do not move.  Duh!  I certainly don’t intend to.  When I was learning to ski, the instructor told us the same thing, don’t hit a tree.  Someone in the group asked, “how do you avoid hitting trees?”  Without hesitation, the Ausie instructor responded, “Don’t look at it!”  He explained that you go where you look, so focus upon your intended path and you will keep away from the trees.  Brilliant!  Out of the mouth of a 20 something Australian comes great wisdom.

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard

Paul wrote, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things ahead, I press on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:13-14).

First, Paul’s not saying he forgot the past or stop learning from it. In fact, some nine or ten times he refers back to his time as a persecutor of The Way. He never forgot what he did to those who were Christians. He also never stopped learning from that time in his life when he did those things. Further, there were those who would never let him forget: Judaizers who were all the more fervent to pursue him and put him to death.

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard #walkwiththelord

At a camp designed to help strengthen the bond between children and their fathers, there was an exercise where the fathers each took a child of theirs as a group into the woods nearby the camp site. They were instructed to blindfold the children and guide them to the lead them out of the woods.  

Each father was told to inform the child of 3 things…

1. I will never leave you
2. You can ask Me anything that you want
3. Only listen to My voice

Repeat them as many times as possible before the exercise begins.

How many times do you feel you’re lost or wandering in the woods?

Who are you listening to on Social Media, or news outlets, or at school, or on the radio/podcasts/music etc…?

#christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard #voiceofGod #discernment