In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:6
God made mankind with a free will to choose. Each one of us makes thousands of decisions every day that determine the direction our life will take. Some of these decisions are menial, unimportant things that don't make much difference in anything. But there are those larger moments when the choices we make change the entire path and purpose of our lives.
Some decisions are made after much deliberation and careful thought. Others are forced upon you in a split second with no thought even possible. In either case it is always essential that you be in communication with God or sensitive to His Word when faced with your decisions, because if your way is not His way, you are in for negative results.
Acknowledging God in every decision you make results in two basic things: 1. You maintain a clear conscience, and 2. God directs your paths or in other words makes your paths straight and smooth. How positive your life can be by simply employing the principles and promises that God has given you in His Word, and proving what is His good and acceptable and perfect will. When God is working in your decisions, your faith is real and your path becomes crystal clear. Acknowledge God in all of your decisions, and watch Him work on your behalf!
Doug Thompson's InsightsMonday, May 19, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Disintegrating Families by Doug Thompson
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy... 2 Timothy 3:1,2
Perilous times! Paul, in writing to Timothy, describes what life would look like during the church age, or the age of grace. He gives a very precise description of life, as if he were reading today's newspapers. The truth is that Paul had to face the same things back in the first century that we do today, including homosexuality, incest, boasters, proud people etc.
One thing he did mention to Timothy was the breakdown of the family, that is, lovers of their own selves and disobedient to parents. The family today, in general, has ceased to find harmony and purpose, both individually and as a unit, and is disintegrating from within. Parents no longer care for the morality, integrity and character of their children, much less their own. Children have no reason to obey their parents. Families today are individuals, each doing his or her own thing, going their individual ways, and just stopping off at the house long enough to find a change of clothing, eat a quick bite, and grab a few hours of sleep before taking off again and doing the same thing.
God is no longer in the picture of the greater majority of homes in America, and less than 25% of all families attend church on Sundays, the Bible and God have been expelled from our public schools and then we wonder why the moral fiber of the United States is disappering. It is a sad scenario, and even the churches of today don't have the backbone to teach the full truth of God's Word. It is a tragedy to see families split up, not just once, but multiple times, and children raised under these circumstances. Commitment seems to be a thing of the past.
It is high time for America to wake up and see what has happened, and what God wants to do to restore America to its foundational principles. This will only happen when parents accept their responsibility to God and to their children. Take time for the Lord. Teach your children Biblical principles. Let God know that the door is open to your family and your household. Let's be the exceptions in our land.
Perilous times! Paul, in writing to Timothy, describes what life would look like during the church age, or the age of grace. He gives a very precise description of life, as if he were reading today's newspapers. The truth is that Paul had to face the same things back in the first century that we do today, including homosexuality, incest, boasters, proud people etc.
One thing he did mention to Timothy was the breakdown of the family, that is, lovers of their own selves and disobedient to parents. The family today, in general, has ceased to find harmony and purpose, both individually and as a unit, and is disintegrating from within. Parents no longer care for the morality, integrity and character of their children, much less their own. Children have no reason to obey their parents. Families today are individuals, each doing his or her own thing, going their individual ways, and just stopping off at the house long enough to find a change of clothing, eat a quick bite, and grab a few hours of sleep before taking off again and doing the same thing.
God is no longer in the picture of the greater majority of homes in America, and less than 25% of all families attend church on Sundays, the Bible and God have been expelled from our public schools and then we wonder why the moral fiber of the United States is disappering. It is a sad scenario, and even the churches of today don't have the backbone to teach the full truth of God's Word. It is a tragedy to see families split up, not just once, but multiple times, and children raised under these circumstances. Commitment seems to be a thing of the past.
It is high time for America to wake up and see what has happened, and what God wants to do to restore America to its foundational principles. This will only happen when parents accept their responsibility to God and to their children. Take time for the Lord. Teach your children Biblical principles. Let God know that the door is open to your family and your household. Let's be the exceptions in our land.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Disputes...by Doug Thompson
And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? Mark 9:33
It is nearly impossible to live without having a dispute with someone. If you are married, you know what I mean. Disputes usually result from differences concerning small, insignificant matters that are blown out of proportion, and become unrealistic or unproductive points of contention.
In the case above, Jesus perceived that a couple of the disciples were disputing the matter of which one of them would be the greatest. They were embarrassed about the issue of their dispute, and kept silent. Mind you, they were arguing this point in the presence of THE GREATEST who ever lived on the earth. From there Jesus gave a concise explanation of "greatness" that is involved in true discipleship. In a word, servant! He who humbly becomes a lowly servant in last place may possibly be elevated to first place.
Most disputes are about who is right, or who is in control, or who has the right perspective, or who has all the facts. And most disputes are usually settled when one party humbly admits error, or yields control, or gains understanding concerning the issue, or gets all the facts straight, and seeks harmony rather than disputing.
Wouldn't the world be a better place if we could get this principle right? Think about what Jesus said the next time you get into a dispute with someone.
It is nearly impossible to live without having a dispute with someone. If you are married, you know what I mean. Disputes usually result from differences concerning small, insignificant matters that are blown out of proportion, and become unrealistic or unproductive points of contention.
In the case above, Jesus perceived that a couple of the disciples were disputing the matter of which one of them would be the greatest. They were embarrassed about the issue of their dispute, and kept silent. Mind you, they were arguing this point in the presence of THE GREATEST who ever lived on the earth. From there Jesus gave a concise explanation of "greatness" that is involved in true discipleship. In a word, servant! He who humbly becomes a lowly servant in last place may possibly be elevated to first place.
Most disputes are about who is right, or who is in control, or who has the right perspective, or who has all the facts. And most disputes are usually settled when one party humbly admits error, or yields control, or gains understanding concerning the issue, or gets all the facts straight, and seeks harmony rather than disputing.
Wouldn't the world be a better place if we could get this principle right? Think about what Jesus said the next time you get into a dispute with someone.
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