Devotional Archive

There are two powerful forces working in the world today. One force is pulling everything apart, while the other force is trying to put things back together again. Sin is the destroyer, but Jesus Christ is the builder.

It is an undeniable fact that many of the problems we struggle with in the present are the result of what has happened to us in the past, whether as a result of our own deliberate choices or because of circumstances which were relatively beyond our control.

The person we are today is a product of all our yesterdays. We can blame our problems on genetic inheritance or the environment. In fact, it is often easier for us to shift the blame for our problems on to others, but to do so is to ignore our own actions or inactions. More important than the circumstances of the past are the ways in which we have decided to react to them. Such behavior often grows into patterns, which harden into solid convictions, which in turn prepare and direct our present feelings.

We can’t run away from our problems. We can’t avoid taking with us the basic cause of most of our problems, which is an unbelieving and disobedient heart.

So many people need to put their lives together today. Lives and homes are being pulled apart and jobs are in jeopardy. For these people, everything seems to be crashing down around their shoulders. People are falling apart physically, mentally, financially, and worst of all spiritually.

Want to destroy your life? Make these same three mistakes: try to run away from your troubles, try to cover up your disobedience and become bitter against God. Mark my words. If you take these three steps, your life will begin to fall apart.

Why do people, why do we, try to run away from our problems?

I think one reason is that many today, are living by sight and not by faith. We look at the world and we can’ help but see greener pastures. But are those pastures what God has in mind for us? That’s the real question. We have a tendency to look at the physical and not the spiritual.

That was the mistake the Esau made, He scorned his God-given birthright and sold it for a bowl of soup. Esau put his physical desires ahead of God’s plan for his life. Can you imagine what would have happened if Jesus had put the physical ahead of the spiritual? What if He had been more concentrated on His own comfort and pleasure than doing the will of His Father? Where would we be today? I don’t even want to think about that.

It is much better to be poor and hungry in God’s will than to have all the comforts of life outside of God’s will.

I think another reason why people try running away from their problems is because they are living for the world and not for the Lord. The problem today is that people are adapting to the world with its disobedient environment and attitudes. When you start running away from your problems, you are living for the world and not for the Lord. If we are not careful, our excuse will be, “Hey, everyone is doing it, why not me?” When that happens, you begin to do that which is right in your own eyes.

And finally, people run from their problems because they are ignoring the real source of the problem – their own heart. It boils down to this…the real source of every problem is inside - - not outside. The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart. Let me say that one again. The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart. It is so easy for us to blame circumstances and sometimes even blame God. But when you reach the root of the problem, it is us who are to blame, no one else.

We doubt God and disobey His Word. We put the world and the flesh ahead of the will of God. We somehow think we can successfully run away. But God’s Word makes it very clear that when you run away, you take your sinful heart along for the ride. No matter how fast your run, no matter how far you run - - - - there you are.

Just before the death of actor W.C. Fields, a friend visited Fields' hospital room and was surprised to find him thumbing through a Bible. “Bill, what are you doing with a Bible?” his friend asked. Fields replied, "I'm looking for loopholes."

There are no loopholes in God’s Word. You can’t run away from your problems and you certainly can’t run away from God.

- ALAN MURPHY

There is a lot of confusion regarding what Easter Sunday is all about. For some, Easter Sunday is about the Easter Bunny, colorfully decorated Easter eggs, and Easter egg hunts. Most people understand that Easter Sunday has something to do with the resurrection of Jesus, but are confused as to how the resurrection is related to the Easter eggs and the Easter bunny.

Biblically speaking, there is absolutely no connection between the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the common modern traditions related to Easter Sunday. Basically, what happened is that in order to make Christianity more attractive to non-Christians, the ancient Roman Catholic Church mixed the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection with celebrations that involved spring fertility rituals. These spring fertility rituals are the source of the egg and bunny traditions.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week, Sunday. You can read the account in Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2,9; Luke 24:1; and John 20:1,19. Jesus’ resurrection is most worthy of being celebrated. While it is proper for Jesus’ resurrection to be celebrated on a Sunday, the day on which Jesus’ resurrection is celebrated really should not be referred to as Easter. Easter has nothing to do with Jesus’ resurrection on a Sunday.

By the way, the resurrection of Jesus is one of the most documented events in human history. And not just religious writings but secular. Noted historian Josephus wrote quite a bit about the resurrection.

As a result, many Christians feel strongly that the day on which we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection should not be referred to as "Easter Sunday." Rather, something like "Resurrection Sunday" would be far more appropriate and biblical. I, for one, agree wholeheartedly. For the Christian, it is unthinkable that we would allow the silliness of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny to be the focus of the day instead of Jesus’ resurrection.

By all means, celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday. Christ’s resurrection is something that should be celebrated every day, not just once a year. Meanwhile, if we choose to celebrate Easter Sunday, we should not allow the fun and games to distract our attention from what the day should truly be all about—the fact that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and that His resurrection demonstrates that we can indeed be promised an eternal home in Heaven by receiving Jesus as our Savior.

- ALAN MURPHY

God has given us His Word for very specific reasons. The Bible, the Word of God, is a history of ourselves. It is where we came from. All the characters of the Bible are distant relatives of ours. God’s Word tells us how we are to act and react. God’s Word tells us how we are live our lives. His Word tells us how to grow closer to Him. His Word tells us how to live with other people. God’s Word is a guide book to proper living.

Sure there may be some things that we don’t particularly like about the Bible, and that’s because it hits close to home or gnaws a little too close to the bone. When His Word hits our sin head on, it hurts. We have a sinful nature and when it is brought to our attention, we have a tendency to get our back up.

That doesn’t negate His Word in any way or fashion. His Word convicts us of our sin and leads us in the right direction, whether we like it or not. It is no different than life with your parents. Let’s face it, when we were growing up, they told us to do things that we didn’t like and there were times that we didn’t like them very much, but we didn’t stop loving them. When we rebelled, we were punished or reprimanded for our actions. Well, God is no different. When we disobey, He chastises us and works to get us back on the straight and narrow.

We all know someone or several someones that pick and choose what they want to believe out of the Bible. They will use phrases like:

“Things were different back then.”

“Life is more complicated now.”

“That just doesn’t apply to our lives today.”

“That was fine in Jesus’ day.”

“The world has changed since then.”

Those, and the many others, are just excuses to do things that they know deep down inside they shouldn’t be doing. When the Bible confronts their sinful ways, they reject that part because it makes them uncomfortable.

God gave us the 10 Commandments, not the 10 Suggestions.

Folks, God’s Word is not an á la carte menu that we get to pick from. If we reject one part of His Word, we reject all of His Word. God’s Word is all or nothing, you can’t pick and choose what you want to accept.

- ALAN MURPHY

Backsliding is not an instantaneous event. It is very subtle and starts out very slow. It is a gradual, methodical progression. And it all starts when we stop paying attention to God’s Word. It comes from a desire to do things our own way and in our own time. You can read the pattern in Psalm 81.

God’s Word is gradually transformed from commands to suggestions. We just slowly stop obeying God. We stop submitting to God. And we no longer comply with God’s simple declarations in His Book. God’s will for our lives suddenly is open to change and becomes conditional on our own will.

It often starts by skipping an occasional Wednesday evening service because that’s the night of the play-offs, or it’s League Night at the bowling alley, or any number of other weak excuses. Then it progresses to missing one or two Sunday evening services a month. Next thing you know it is one or two or more Sunday Morning Services. And it grows from there to stop reading God’s Word and only attending church services a couple times a month.

Backsliders were once devoted followers of God, but have stopped. Sadly they start to do those things that they know are wrong. They hang with the wrong people, go to the wrong places, listen to the wrong music, watch the wrong TV programs and simply do the wrong things. After that, they put away the things of God; they stop going to church, they stop reading their Bible and they stop praying.

God does not force us to trust Him. He doesn’t force us to obey Him, He doesn’t force us to serve or love Him. God has granted us free will. And when free will gets in the way of God’s will, we stop serving God and start serving ourselves. When we stop seeking the counsel of God, we will follow the counsel of our own hearts and start doing what we think we want and should do.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Don’t give into the devil, resist him and he will flee from you. Stay strong, God has a plan for you.

- ALAN MURPHY

...

Have you ever given thought to your name? I don’t mean your ethnical origin or heritage, but your name. Who you are. Your name is perhaps the single most valued possession you will ever own. You might think that would be your home or your car. Maybe you think it is your intellect or your bank account. Fact is, the most important thing you own is your name.

When your name is mentioned, what is the first thing that comes to someone’s mind? Do they automatically think “godly,” “dedicated,” “caring,” ”religious,” or “loving” or maybe “cheater,” “liar,” “lazy,” “procrastinator,” or “unreliable.” Maybe their first thought is “hard-worker,” “trustworthy,” or “family man.” You can rest assured that your name evokes some thought or idea in the mind of the one who hears it.

How does that happen? Why does that happen? Simply because each and every thing that you say or you do creates an image of who you are in that person’s mind. That image tells that person who they think you are and what they think of you. This image is very hard to change and almost impossible to erase from their mind. The significance that other people place on your name will indicate how they will treat you.

It will come as no surprise to learn that the most frequent reference to the word ‘name’ has to do with God’s name. God’s name is used throughout the bible. God’s name stands for mercy, justice, faithfulness, love, compassion, honesty, grace, intelligence, life, power, supply, etc. “O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name is all the earth!” Psalms 8:9. You can also take a look at these verses. Psalm 8:1, Psalms 29:2, Psalms 102:15, 1 Chronicles 17:24, Psalms 54:6, Psalms 138:2, Isaiah 25:1, Isaiah 63:16, and Isaiah 9:6. You get the idea.

The Bible has a bit to say about our name and I’d like to take a look at just a few and give you a few additional references that you can look up on your own. The first verse that pops into my mind is from Solomon and can be found in Proverbs, chapter 22 and verse 1. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches…” This comes from the wisest man ever known other than Jesus Christ. Your name is more valuable than all the gold in Fort Knox.

When you do good, when you do the right thing, your name will bring up thoughts with a positive vibe. When you do bad or wrong things, your name will not bring very pleasant thoughts or memories. In fact your name might even be forgotten all together. If your name brings out undesirable thoughts in someone’s mind, you have no one to blame but yourself. This is also found in Proverbs 10:7. Solomon wrote “The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” Also read - Proverbs 21:24, Ecclesiastes 6:4, Ecclesiastes 7:1, Song of Solomon 1:3, Acts 24:16, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, 1 Timothy 3:7, Matthew 6:16-18, Acts 22:12-13 .

Your name means something to others, what will that be? The choice is yours. Will it be good or will it be not so good?

Your name also means something to God. What does God think of when He thinks of your name? (Sobering thought)

- ALAN MURPHY

Let’s face it, none of us likes to be told what to do, right? We didn’t like it as a child and we don’t like it as an adult. I mean really, who do these people think they are that go around telling us what to do all the time?

“I didn’t like it when mom and dad told me what to do. I don’t like it when my spouse tells me what to do and I sure don’t like it when a stranger tells me what to do and how to live my life.”

Sound familiar? Sorry, maybe I was typing what you have been thinking. Maybe I struck a nerve or a tender spot. Didn’t mean to. Well, actually I did. That’s the point of this message. We have to stop thinking that we have all the answers and don’t need anyone telling us how to live or what to do or how to act.

One of the common remarks heard in the majority of churches today is, “I’m not letting some preacher tell me how to live my life.” It is probably true for the older members of the congregation, but the younger have the same attitude. "It's my life and I will live it as see fit."

They won’t let “some preacher” tell them what to do or how to live their life, but they sure do listen and pay attention to the TV ads. Do you think all those infomercials would be paying all that money (millions of dollars) to run 30 minutes ads or one hour infomercials if it wasn’t profitable for them? Of course not, they are in it to make money and they do, hand over fist. These shows are making someone very rich by telling us how to live our lives

We won’t let “some preacher” tell us how to live, but we listen and pay attention to the Hollywood crowd. People try to model their lives after some movie star or soap-opera character that they watch on TV. Really? Have you paid attention to the Hollywood divorce rate? Those people get married at the drop of a hat and divorce just as quickly. They live together, have children and then go their separate ways. What can they possibly know about how to properly live our lives?

People won’t listen to “some preacher” but they will allow a backslidden relative or a carnal-minded Christian to serve as a life instructor. What’s up with that? Does that even remotely make sense?

Still others refuse to take wise counsel and listen to their own selfish heart instead. Who is it that we are letting repress the voice of a Spirit-filled, God-anointed man of God that loves them and cares about their spiritual well-being?

Do you know why you don’t want to listen? Probably because there is some sin in your life that you enjoy and don’t want to give up. Satan is telling you that you don’t have to listen and that it’s perfectly alright, everyone is doing it. After all you’re not hurting anyone.

Well, listen to what the writer of Hebrews says… (Hebrews 17)

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Who are these that have rule over us? The Pastor, that’s who. With a few (some notable) exceptions, these men have been called by God to preach the Word and lead a flock and to watch over the souls of others. These men are called and will give an answer, to God, for how they performed their duties.

Granted there are some preachers out there who are in it for personal gain, but I believe the majority are called by God to lead a church. I use myself as an example. At one time, I thought I wanted to pastor a church, but I have never felt the call of God to take that step. As a result I remain a faithful member of my local church. I have served several functions in our church including but not limited to teaching a Sunday school class, being a Trustee, singing in the choir, running the Audio Visual and serving as the Church Clerk. I support my pastor because he IS called to pastor.

If you say, “I don’t have a ‘God-called, Spirit-filled’ preacher, then go out and find one. Find a church where the man of God will stand up, preach and proclaim “Thus saith the Lord,” no matter what others may think or say.

The sinful you might want someone that can be pressured and manipulated, but your redeemed soul wants a “man of God.” If you don’t have one, FIND ONE.

- ALAN MURPHY

Mother’s Day — called Mothering Day in the U.K. — can be traced back to ancient pagan practices, but it has gone through a lot of changes and names to get to how we know it today. The history of Mother’s Day can be traced back to celebrations of ancient Greece in honor of Rhea, the mother of the gods. During the 1600s, the early Christians in England celebrated a day to honor Mary, the mother of Christ. By a religious order, the holiday was later expanded to include all mothers.

The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill designating the second Sunday in May as a legal holiday to be called “Mother’s Day”—dedicated “to the best mother in the world, your mother.” Jarvis would later denounce the holiday’s commercialization and spent the latter part of her life trying to remove it from the calendar. While dates and celebrations vary, Mother’s Day traditionally involves presenting moms with flowers, cards and other gifts. Mother’s Day occurs in the U.S. once a year on the second Sunday of May, while Mothering Day in the U.K. is celebrated the fourth Sunday of Lent. Traditional ways to celebrate Mother’s Day are to take mothers out to dinner and/or honor them with cards, flowers, or candy.

As Christians, we should be fully convinced that we are doing what God wants us to do. If we choose to celebrate Mother’s Day and we see nothing wrong with it, then we should celebrate with a clear conscience. If, however, celebrating is against one’s conscience, then celebrating is not appropriate. On the other hand, if one does not celebrate Mother’s Day or any other holiday for reasons of conscience, that is fine, as long as he/she does not become prideful, looking down on those who do celebrate. As with all issues not specifically addressed in Scripture, we have the freedom to celebrate or not celebrate Mother’s Day, according to personal preference.

Is there Scripture to support this? See references below.

Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2, Leviticus 19:3

The Bible never states that every woman should be a mother. However, it does say that those whom the Lord blesses to be mothers should take the responsibility seriously.

Mothers have a unique and crucial role in the lives of their children. Motherhood is not a chore or unpleasant task. Just as a mother bears a child during pregnancy, and just as a mother feeds and cares for a child during infancy, so mothers also play an ongoing role in the lives of their children, whether they are adolescents, teenagers, young adults, or even adults with children of their own. While the role of motherhood must change and develop, the love, care, nurture, and encouragement a mother gives should never cease.

Remember and honor your mother, not just on Mother’s day, but every day. She is a precious gift from God and should treated as such.

God bless our mothers!

- ALAN MURPHY

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God: …” This is one of my very favorite Bible verses. This foundational passage serves as a powerful reminder of divine sovereignty and peace, especially when navigating chaotic or stressful seasons of life.

Key Meanings of the Verse

Cease striving: The original Hebrew word for "be still" (rapa) translates to "let go," "slacken," or "stop fighting." It is a call to drop your weapons, quiet your anxious thoughts, and stop trying to control everything on your own power. It is a command to cease frantic efforts, worry, and the need to control every outcome.

Acknowledge God's control: To "know" means to recognize, remember, and completely rest in the fact that God is ultimate and unchangeable. It shifts the weight of your worries from your shoulders to a higher authority.

The historical context: In the full chapter of Psalm 46, the author is describing terrifying times of war, national crises, and natural disasters. In the middle of this chaos, the verse acts as an absolute command to both believers and raging nations to freeze and realize who is actually in charge

"Know that I Am God": This is a call to recognize and trust in God's supreme power and sovereign control, especially in the midst of turmoil or uncertainty. It means acknowledging that He is the ultimate authority, rather than ourselves.

How does this apply to you and your life?

1. Surrender Control: It is an invitation to lay down worries, fears, and the urge to "fix" everything yourself.

2. Find Quiet Moments: It encourages setting aside time to rest in God's presence, rather than filling every moment with activity.

3. Trust in His Strength: It is a reminder that you do not need to fight every battle on your own strength—the battle belongs to the Lord.

4. Acknowledge His Sovereignty: By "being still," you make space for God to work.

When life seems overwhelming and the world is screaming in your ear, remember Psalm 46:10.

- ALAN MURPHY

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul penned these words in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

I wonder if he thought about the stoning of Stephen as he penned those words. You’ll remember at the stoning of Stephen, that great Deacon of the early church, Paul (then Saul) agreed to the killing of this man of God. He was on a crusade to rid the world of these “Christ followers.”

It is hard to truly accept those God-inspired words when we look around us. We see the evil that man is doing to his fellow man. When we look at the conflict and renewed fighting in the Middle East (especially Israel and their fight with Hamas), it looks like Satan is control.

But we know that is not true. God is in control. And He has a plan for His people. He has a plan for you. Stephen’s death did more for the cause of Christ than a hundred of his best sermons could ever do. Over the centuries millions have taken comfort in that man’s life and sacrifice.

The concept of the control of God over everything is called the “sovereignty” of God. Nothing gives us strength and confidence like an understanding of the sovereignty of God in our lives. God’s sovereignty is defined as His complete and total independent control over every creature, event, and circumstance at every moment in history. Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent, God does what He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases. God is in complete control of every molecule in the universe at every moment, and everything that happens is either caused or allowed by Him for His own perfect purposes.

God isn’t finding out what’s going to happen as events unfold. He is continuously, actively running things—ALL things—here and now. But to think He needs our cooperation, our help, or the exercise of our free will to bring His plans to pass puts us in control over Him, which makes us God. Where have we heard that lie before?

The book of Job is a clear illustration of just who has the sovereign power and who doesn’t. Satan came to God and, in effect, said, “Job only serves you because you protect him.” So God gave Satan permission to do certain things to Job but no more (Job 1:6–22). Could Satan do more than that? No. God is in control over Satan and his demons who try to thwart God’s plans at every step.

No matter what is going on in your life, no matter how futile things may see, no matter how difficult the circumstance may be, take comfort in the fact that God is in control. And He cares for you. Remember these words of Jesus from Matthew 10, ”29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

Unlimited in power, unrivalled in majesty, and not thwarted by anything outside Himself, our God is in complete control of all circumstances, causing or allowing them for His own good purposes and plans to be fulfilled exactly as He has foreordained.

Fear not child of God, He has it all under control. Trust him!

- ALAN MURPHY

n case you hadn’t noticed, this world is in a real mess and it seems to be getting worse by the day. We have somehow come to the point where we accept that there are multiple genders (not biblical), that personal pronouns are a matter of personal preference (also not biblical). Society tells us that babies in the womb are not real people and can be aborted (murdered) up to the day of delivery. What has happen to our world?

When asked about our societal issues, Pastor Tony Evans recently said, “Our identity is to be rooted in the Imago Dei, in the image of God. But we’ve gotten so ingrained in the thinking of the culture, that we wind up being parakeets to what the society is saying, rather than taking a solid, loving but clear stance on what God is saying.”

Boy, that’s the truth! Our current culture can be deceiving and misleading and devious and a total sham. Instead of sharing biblical truth, society spreads falsehoods. It practices deceitfulness; it does not glorify God. Instead, it has begun glorifying dishonesty and a lack of any godly standards. Just watch the nightly news. Read your local newspaper. It’s everywhere.

The answer to all this nonsense is found in 1 John 4: 1 – 6. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”

The Apostle John recorded these words of Jesus, in John 14:16-17, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

That is our answer folks. When we encounter deceit—knowingly or unknowingly—our Helper, the Holy Spirit, points us to the Truth—God’s Word.

If you are feeling confused by all the “truth” that’s out there in our world today, call upon the Helper today for support; the real Truth will be revealed to you.

By the way, my personal pronoun is “Child of God.”

- ALAN MURPHY

We are fortunate to live in a land of freedom and liberty. And we all have a certain responsibility to keep and protect those freedoms and liberties intact for future generations. Sadly, this country is heading in the wrong direction.

Fifty six brave men sacrificed everything they had to secure our nation’s freedom and independence over 200 hundred years ago. They recognized God was Sovereign over this country and its people. We have slowly and methodically allowed the devil to move in and we have transformed what our forefathers thought so dear into license. Those brave men and the millions who have served and died defending this country in the armed forces are dishonored when we turn “freedom of choice” into a license to murder millions of innocent, unborn babies every year. They are, and God is, dishonored when we turn our “freedom of speech” into a license to poison our children’s eyes and ears with rampant pornography and unmentionable images of immoral behavior.

What has happened and where have we gone so far astray that we would somehow agree that God made a mistake when He made us? “God was wrong when He made me a boy, I am a girl.” “God made a mistake when He made me a girl because I should have been a boy.” And then we have the audacity to medically change what God had created into something else. God doesn’t make mistakes. And don‘t get me started on “I identify as a cat,” causing schools to include litterboxes in our classrooms.

Folks, this is how Satan wins.! This is how Satan wins people. This is hos Satan wins nations.

We must take America back and stand up to those ‘pinheads’ who think they know more and better than God. We must take a stand and say, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!”

Let freedom ring!

2 Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

1 Peter 2:16, Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

John 8:32, And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:36, So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John George Diefenbaker, the 13th prime minister of Canada, wrote:

Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong.

- ALAN MURPHY

In order to think right about God, we must first have a proper outlook on God. God is holy and wants us to be holy as well.

The question begs, how can we have a right concept of God while living according to the world? How can we think right about Him when our minds are flooded with thoughts of anything and everything except Him.

Our minds must be stayed on Him and not ‘strayed’ from the path of personal holiness. For us to think right about God, we must think about right things.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Like any relationship, the longer you know someone the more you get to know them. This is true with God, too. The longer you know God (walk daily with Him) the better you know Him. The longer you know Him, the better acquainted you will be with His traits and actions. To know Christ is to know God. Knowing God gives purpose and a reason to live a life that is pleasing to Him and brings Him glory.

When you get to know Jesus, make sure it is the ‘right’ Jesus. We are warned in scripture about false prophets, false teachers and a false gospel. We should not be too quick or carless in following a personable preacher just because he ‘preaches Jesus’ or because he urges us to ‘receive the spirit.’ We must not make the mistake of following the wrong Jesus. Jesus is very popular among worldy people today, but it is not the true Jesus. The popular Jesus may be the baby in the manger at Christmastime, or perhaps the ‘buddy’ Jesus of gospel music or the rhythmic Jesus of Christian rock music. Trust me when I say that none of these is the true Jesus that the Apostle Paul preached, the Jesus who saves the souls of men and women, the Jesus who forgives us of our sins and sets us free.

Jesus is the Lord Jesus Christ, the offended Creator of the universe (Colossians 1:16), the One who had to die as a man on a cross in order to redeem us through His shed blood (Col 1:14) and who rose from the dead to be set “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named.” (Ephesians 1:21) It is the Jesus “who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.” (2 Timothy 4:1)

The Lord Jesus, as He really is, is not the popular Jesus of T-shirts and bumper stickers, politicians and entertainers. He was “despised and rejected of men, according to Isaiah 53:3, so they “crucified the Lord of Glory.” (1 Corinthians 2:8)

He is the mighty God, the perfect man, the only Savior, the eternal King and Lord of lords, God-called teachers and preachers will not preach this imaginary Jesus who appeals to the flesh, but rather the true Christ of creation and salvation.

Focus your thought on the real Jesus, love like Jesus loved, care like Jesus cared, live like Jesus lived, be like Jesus. How can we do that? Look at Colossians 3:1-10

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

Live to be like Jesus!