Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-04-03-2018

This is devotional thought number 58 in our devotional series titled, “Wisdom for the Ages.”

“The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning.” (Proverbs 17:27, NET).

I have said it before and I will say it again, “The power of life and death is in the tongue.” We need to put a prayerful guard on our speech. We can build up or destroy through our speech. We can support life or condemn to death with our words. Our speaking can be like cool water to a thirsty soul or like pouring gasoline on an inflamed person who needs guidance.

When I was young, a rapper said, “Real bad boys move in silence.” While I don’t make it a habit to quote rappers, no truer words can be said. Of course, in the culture to whom he spoke, there was an underlying, positive meaning, that suggested that the loudest mouths don’t necessarily have the most to say. The ones who make the most noise are no necessarily the ones who make the most difference. The one beating the pots and pans for attention are not necessarily the ones who should actually be in the spotlight. If those who embrace the world’s paradigm understand this, what about God’s people?

Many of you are the embodiment of our theme text for today. You embrace the 2:1 ears to mouth ratio. You espouse the 2:1 eyes to mouth ratio. You observe and process more than you speak. You choose not to blurt out every fleeting thought that enters your mind. You choose to let your words be always sprinkled with grace. You give soft answers while others spew vitriol like angry volcanos. When you do need to be passionate and advocate for freedom, justice, equity, and the rights of the voiceless, you are circumspect, measured, and wise when you speak, and act. You embrace the outgrowth of the fruit of the Spirit, which manifests as self control.

Wise people choose their words carefully and use them economically, so when they are heard, the hearers recognize their value. Calmness in the presence of life’s storms, as long as our trust is in Him who calmed the troubled waters, is a virtue we would all do well to pursue. Let God be in charge of the fortress that houses your words. Let Him help you open or close the gate as He sees fit, and you will be seen as wise in the kingdom of God.

A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, April 2, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-04-02-2018

This is devotional thought number 57 in our devotional series titled, “Wisdom for the Ages.”

“Pride goeth before destruction, And an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18).

We often make public demonstrations and seek corrective actions against the sins of murder, sexual indiscretion, abuse, extortion, and governmental over-reach or under-involvement; and appropriately so. Have you ever thought of the root of most types of sin? Could it be that the thing that makes people unreacheable, if cherished, is the thing that is seldom checked in board rooms, the high courts, or courts of public opinion? Could it be that the thing that builds the fortress against change, is the very thing that flies stealthily below the radar? Pride. Pride is a four letter word (or should be considered a four letter word) that is the source of our continual affair with sin. Pride sets itself up as the authority on all things. Pride puffs up its chest when all signs point to a need for an attitude adjustment. Pride buries its head in the sand so it cannot see that all is not well. It turns a blind eye and stops up its ears when justice is being trampled under foot and love and empathy have become biwords. Pride is fuel for the fires of racism, misogyny, abuse, breakdowns in diplomacy among the nations, and all kinds of hatred. Pride is the muck and mire that blinds otherwise reasonable people’s eyes to the need for change before it’s too late. Pride stops the ears of those who embrace it, to the persistent calls of entreaty from the Holy Spirit. The wiseman said it this way: “He who loves strife and is quarrelsome loves transgression and involves himself in guilt; he who raises high his gateway and is boastful and arrogant invites destruction.” (Proverbs 17:19, AMP). When we refuse humility, we accept destruction. When we abhor meekness, we love ultimate condemnation.

What is the antidote for pride? Simple. Invest your best energies in God’s presence through genuine prayer, submissive searching of the Scriptures as a way to have close encounters with your Savior, worship like your life depends upon it, and serve others like Jesus served. If you invest your time in God’s presence on a daily basis, and learn to appreciate His love and holiness, it becomes increasingly difficult to be proud. In His presence, if we are submitted to God, the contrast between our hopeless sinfulness and His eternal righteousness becomes more evident. Our darkness really stands out in light of His effulgence. Pride dissipates as God transforms our characters. Let Him transform you today, will you?

A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, April 1, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-04-01-2018

This is devotional thought number 56 in our devotional series titled, “Wisdom for the Ages.”

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1).

The power of life and death are in the tongue. God created much of the world by speaking, and it was so. He commanded and it stood firm in reality. We can speak peace and faith, or choose to speak condemnation and hatred. We can speak love and approbation, or choose to speak disrespect and disgracefulness. We can agree with God in our speaking, or choose to speak contrarily to Him.

With all this power to build or break down kingdoms, in our speaking, we must be responsible and vigilant in all we say, even if our “speaking” is through typing with our thumbs in social media. Oftentimes, we have one chance to shift the atmosphere in a room or change the trajectory in someone’s life. When someone who, in the moment, lacks self control and spews vitriol, our privilege and responsibility is to refuse repaying evil for evil. It is our privilege to walk humbly and circumspectly in the presence of God and speak only words that edify, even when there is a need for corrective actions. It is our privilege and responsibility to refuse adding fuel to the fire when people are passionate and disrespectful towards us. It is our privilege and responsibility to speak life giving words in all circumstances.

I am not naive. I recognize that some will think all I have said here is idealistic. I also recognize, and have experienced the power of the blessed Holy Spirit to give self control and a peacemaking spirit to all who are willing to become the children of God. When you are tempted to give an impassioned response to those directing wrath towards you, send a silent prayer into the portals of God’s throne room. Await His power and directions for how to speak, and what to speak. Take the low road. Provide a wrath nullifying, soft answer and allow God to quench the fiery darts of the wicked.

A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sabbath, March 31, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-03-31-2018

This is devotional thought number 55 in our devotional series titled, “Wisdom for the Ages.”

“The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: But the rich hath many friends.” (Proverbs 14:20).

I wish I could gainsay today’s Scripture focus. I wish the have and have nots disparity were not as it is. I wish society embraced the poor and wealthy alike. I wish honor had nothing to do with socioeconomics or perceptions of affluence. Unfortunately, my wishes are not reality. There are so many invisible poor and afflicted among us. So many refuse to see them, perhaps because they represent mirror images of what we would be if our circumstances were different. The problem is (or one of the many problems is) that we are all the same. We all live and die, and are dependent upon God for all we have. We all have sinned and come short of God’s glory. We all need love. We all need the Savior. We all feel pain. We all can experience joy and give gratitude. We have just somehow espoused a figment of our societies’ collective imagination, that the money, accumulation of things, and our perceptions of what makes one important drives a wedge between members of the human family.

What should we do? How about we become honest with ourselves and others? How about we tell the truth and say that we are not only our brother’ keepers, but we are also our brothers. When our brothers and sisters have needs, and it is within our abilities to help, we must help. None of us should be so wealthy in our own eyes that we become standoffish. None of us should be so poor in our own eyes that we discount, or allow others to discount our value. The truth is, it only takes a few minutes for anyone in society to trade places. We must never allow our stations in life to determine our worldview. Be of service to all who need you, according to God’s calling on your life. We all have our work to do for the Creator. By all means, do it with all your might.

A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, March 30, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-03-30-2018

This is devotional thought number 54 in our devotional series titled, “Wisdom for the Ages.”

“Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12).

You may have heard the adage, “Good things come to those who wait.” It is true that if we resist the microwave lifestyle or fiber optic speeds of receiving rewards quickly, we will learn to appreciate that which we receive at just the right time. If we get rich quick, odds are we will fritter away our riches. If we fall for the love at first sight concept, odds are that we will become discouraged when the movie-like whirlwind of emotionalism dies down, and it’s back to life as usual.

There is, however, a flip side to this discussion. When we ask God for His help to fix a relationship problem that is too big for us to handle, and we see Him come through for us, we rejoice. When we hope that our wayward spouses, who may have stepped out on our marriages, finally see that the grass is actually not greener on the other side, and choose to come tend to their own lawns, the reward for our waiting is great. When we are burdened as we hope our children will stop wasting their lives through addiction to drugs, alcohol, violence, pornography, or evil associates, and the Lord gives them a breakthrough as their lives trend upwards towards healing, it’s like a refreshing cup of cool water to our souls that have been parched in a dry desert.

The blessing in all this is that if we surrender our desires, hopes, and dreams to God, when He keeps His promises to do exceeding abundantly above anything we can ask or think, we have a deeper appreciation for His blessings than if all that we hoped came quickly, on demand. It is true that awaiting the outcomes for which we hope is difficult. It is also true, that when God gives us all we need in the end, we know that we could not have done it without Him, and the effects of His blessings will extend into eternity if we keep faith in Him.

A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, March 29, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-03-29-2018

This is devotional thought number 53 in our devotional series titled, “Wisdom for the Ages.”

“The one who works his field will have plenty of food, but whoever chases daydreams lacks wisdom.” (Proverbs 12:11, NET).

We all have a short time to positively impact the world around us. The wise capitalize on that time and resist slothfulness and schemes that suppose to reward laziness. Inspiration says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

When you wake up every morning, what do you do? By what are you driven? Do you invest your time getting to know God better? Do you submit all of your plans to Him for approval? Is it your highest aim to glorify Him and edify others? Does your family get the best of you? When you do your work, whether as an employee or entrepreneur, do you always put forth your best efforts? What contributions are you making to your community? Let me ask it this way: If you died today, would you be missed because of your kindness, diligence in service, advocacy for the downtrodden, and tireless labor for those who need to know God? These are sobering questions for all of us.

The truth is that those of us who work diligently, in all things, will reap the rewards. There are rewards of our daily substance. That is, when we need food, clothing, and shelter, God will provide them. There are rewards of persons saved from lives of degradation and sin. That is, people will see our good works and learn to love our God who is the Author and Finisher of our good works through faith. There are rewards of building legacy. That is, when we work the proverbial fields of pouring into the next generation, to train them for service, we will stem the tide of violence, lawlessness, slothfulness, abuse of all types, etc. The next generation will have core values that elevate them in relationships, industry, civic duty, healthy bodies and minds, and godly religion.

Do not just allow life to “happen.” With God’s guidance and power, move deliberately forward and impact the world around you for time and eternity.

A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-03-28-2018

This is devotional thought number 52 in our devotional series titled, “Wisdom for the Ages.”

“When it goes well with the [uncompromisingly] righteous, the city rejoices, but when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.” (Proverbs 11:10, AMP).

Before we briefly unpack our theme text, I would like to share a similar thought from another of the wiseman’s writings: “When the wicked gain control, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.” (Proverbs 28:28, NET). The golden cord that runs through these two related verses is the overwhelmingly positive impact righteousness and righteous people have on the society around them. The converse is also true - wickedness and lawless people are a danger and drain on society. Think of the many blessings God’s people, in His strength provide. They are kind to those who need a word of encouragement. They are generous when people need food, clothing, and shelter. They are vigilant when the downtrodden suffer from injustice, poverty, loneliness, racism, and, health crises. They are prayerful and intentional when civil government and religion get out of balance, or lose sight of their purpose. When the righteous rule, peace abounds. The Bible says: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: But when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2).

What does all of this mean for you? If wish to see society prosper in terms of peace, wealth, justice, health, equity, law and order, and wisdom, first surrender your will to God and then help others do the same. Don’t get me wrong, I do not want to give you the wrong impression, that we can create utopia down here. The Bible is clear. God told us that those who don’t love Him will grow colder and spread their evil paradigms far and wide. Even with that being the case, God promised that His people can have a preserving effect on larger society. His people can provide light in dark places. His people can share wisdom in areas that befuddle thought leaders that do not love God. The question really comes, then, “Do you want to just let things all round you fall apart and allow evil to run rampant, unchecked?” Sensible people want society to grow and prosper in every way possible, and when more uncompromisingly righteous people are doing well, everyone benefits. When those who hate love, refuse to turn their lives over to our Creator, and who espouse wickedness lose influence and move off the scene, everybody wins.

A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-03-27-2018

This is devotional thought number 51 in our devotional series titled, “Wisdom for the Ages.”

“With his speech the godless person destroys his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous will be delivered.” (Proverbs 11:9, NET).

When I read and understand our theme text, I immediately think of Daniel, the prophet. After serving God with all his heart, and more than one earthly king, it seems godless men had had enough. They could not deal with the fact that he was favored by God and powerful men, so they devised a scheme to destroy him. They could not tarnish his reputation, because he was faultless before God. He stayed connected to Him and whatever sins he committed, he readily confessed and forsook them. These evil men realized that the only way they could get to him was to use his dedication against him. They schemed and tricked the king into making a law that would force all people to worship him, and since they knew Daniel only worshipped the King of the universe, they thought they held him fast in their snare. The law stated that those who worshipped anyone besides the king would be thrown into a den of hungry lions.

To make a long story short, Daniel continued to worship the only True and Living God. The king was forced to have him thrown to the lions, although he regretted succumbing to the trickery of his counselors, but God delivered Daniel out of their snare. His intimate knowledge of the Lord positioned him to escape the devil's snare. The Lord’s angel stopped the lion’s mouths, and much to the king’s relief, Daniel came up out of the lions’ den unscathed.

This story is an illustration of our theme text. The words of trickery from hypocritical men were targeting the man of God for destruction; however, Daniel’s knowledge of his Creator positioned him to be delivered just in the nick of time. In the same way God stopped the lions’ mouths for Daniel, He will stop the devil, the roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, from making sure of his prey. “Take note of the one who has integrity! Observe the godly! For the one who promotes peace has a future. Sinful rebels are totally destroyed; evil men have no future. But the Lord delivers the godly; he protects them in times of trouble. The Lord helps them and rescues them; he rescues them from evil men and delivers them, for they seek his protection.” (Psalm 37:37–40, NET).

A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, March 26, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-03-26-2018

This is devotional thought number 50 in our devotional series titled, “Wisdom for the Ages.”

“Riches profit not in the day of wrath: But righteousness delivereth from death.” (Proverbs 11:4).

I love when we see complimentary principles displayed in various places in the Bible. Jesus made the point of today’s Scripture focus, in a parable. Let’s have a look and see how we might apply it to our lives. Here it is: “He then told them a parable: “The land of a certain rich man produced an abundant crop, so he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’Then he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to myself, “You have plenty of goods stored up for many years; relax, eat, drink, celebrate!” ’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself? ’So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself, but is not rich toward God.”” (Luke 12:16–21, NET).

One thing all persons, rich or poor, have in common is mortality. All of us live and die according to God’s sovereign will and the effects of living on a planet full of sin. While the rich and wealthy have an advantage when it comes to their mortality due to their access to healthcare, where the poor do not, the bottom line is: whether we are rich or poor, at some point we all can die. A rich man or woman may be able to afford the most advanced surgeries and treatments, and the poor suffer beneath the burden of easily addressable diseases and other illnesses, but at some point, depending on how bad things get, every class of persons are subject to the cold cruel hands of death. If we live selfishly, allow others around us to suffer lack when we can be of service to them, we are not fulfilling God desires for us. Moreover, the day of God’s final judgment is coming. He will reward everyone for all of the deeds done in this life. The question is, “Am I living according to God’s ideal whether I am rich or poor?”

When all is said and done, richness toward God is all that matters. Character and holiness is what registers in heaven. Surrendering to God’s will through the power of the Holy Spirit prepares us to live eternally. Whether we live or die now, when Jesus returns will His testimony of our lives be that we trusted in our humanity and our accomplishments, or that we placed our all into His care, to live according to His will? If the latter, we can be assured that a crown of life is awaiting us at the Second Coming. Being fully submitted to God and covered in His righteousness will deliver us from eternal death, not our human accomplishments.

A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, March 25, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-03-25-2018

This is devotional thought number 49 in our devotional series titled, “Wisdom for the Ages.”

“Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but an accurate weight is His delight.” (Proverbs 11:1, HCSB).

Today’s counsel is so far reaching, we need to be disciplined to keep it simple; and simple it will be.

If you sell produce by the pound at market, make sure your scales are correctly adjusted and your prices are honest. If your scales show one pound when the produce or grains really weigh three quarters of a pound, your scales are dishonest and detestable.

If you are a judge who hears cases for the poor and the affluent, the scales of justice must not be tipped in favor of anyone. Justice must remain blind and the scales must be equal, no matter the situation. Wealth or influence must have no bearing on the outcome of any case that it tries in any court in the world. If politics, finances, or any other element besides the facts of the case are considered in your legal opinion, your scales are dishonest and detestable.

If you are a parent and you favor one child over another; you are a school principal and give preference to more successful students over those who are struggling to make it through; you are a business person who charges more than market rates just because you can get it; you are a mechanic using used parts while telling your customers they are getting genuine new parts, your scales are dishonest and detestable.

However, if your ways are honest before the King of the universe and you have surrendered your daily dealings with others, to Him, and you are fair, God delights in you! Whenever we submit all that we do and say, to God, and let Him teach us how to move with integrity, He will show us areas we can improve, and empower us to do His will even when it seems we will not get what we are due in the process. Ask God to make you fair, honest, and impartial in all your ways, and He will do it!

A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)