Learn to Discern!

Beloveds, picture yourself as a rock fish swimming around in the Chesapeake Bay. Above you are numerous boats and commercial fisherman bobbing up and down on the surface of the water. Fishing lines are dangling around you with fat, juicy bait.

Now, how will the you know the difference between a safe enjoyable meal and one deadly bite? Is there a fish manual to inform the fish what to eat and what to avoid? NO! They are fish!

Now, consider our lives. We also swim in a sea full of temptations. And like those of the fish, our temptations are also hard to recognize. They attract our eyes, they appeal to our flesh, but really they are just juicy bait covering a nasty hook. So, how do we discern a hidden hook designed for our destruction?

Unlike the fish, we have a manual! It's the Bible! The Word of God trains you to discern good and evil. (Heb 5:14) Matthew Henry says that the Bible enables us to "distinguish between what is helpful and what is hurtful" to our souls. Therefore, you must abide in the scriptures. Otherwise, you willl not have the strength to swim away from temptations.

So, my beloveds, read the Bible and remain in it. The stakes are too high to neglect it.

Please, join your hearts with David's , who wisely said:
Ps 119:11
You word I have treasure in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

Don't Be Deceived

Beloveds, shortly after I met your dad, we went fishing. While there, he noticed me threading a worm on a hook.

To this day, he lovingly reminds me of how this one act of bravery (my worm threading) was the “hook”. He knew I was the one for him!!! Little did he know that would be the first and last time he would see me load a worm on a hook.

In fact, I don’t remember any of it. I must have been loony at the time. You know I have a disdain for God’s slimy creatures.

The point is: He was deceived. I’m not the Indiana Jones woman he thought I was going to be. Maybe this is a bad illustration, but I thought it would get your attention!!!

A lot of things in this world are not what they appear. They seem to promise much, but they deliver little.

Examples: A bigger house will not satisfy you. A fancy car will not keep you happy. A friend will not meet your deepest needs. Money will make itself like wings and fly away.

On the surface these things are appealing and even dazzling, but once you have acquired them, you will be disappointed. They are deceitful.

Good news, however, God is not deceitful. God is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do. He will never disappoint.
So, my beloveds, passionately seek Him as a lost treasure. He is living water, and He alone will satisfy your soul.

Matt 6:19
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Oaks of Righteousness

The Lord is faithful to open our eyes to behold beautiful things from His Word, and this morning He did just that. My strength was wavering, but He renewed my faith and gave me the encouragement I needed.



Is 61:1-3 says:
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord And the day of vengeance of our God. To comfort all who mourn, To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting, So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified!

Numerous times I have read this passage praying that our family and descendants would be faithful to spread the Gospel and be involved in building His kingdom. However, this morning, God gave me fresh eyes. There was a role reversal! We, my beloveds, are the ones who are afflicted, brokenhearted, captives, and prisoners. But, good news! God's promises are for everyone, even us! He promises to repair and restore our ruins. He promises to make us into oaks of righteousness.

And when He does, HE alone will receive all the glory!!!!