Good=God
Psalm 16:2 GW I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord. Without you, I
have nothing good."

We have nothing good without God because doesn't just "do" good. He is
just "good." God is the embodiment of good. Without a relationship
with God we have no intrinsic good within ourselves. The more we shut
God out of our lives and our nation, the more evil, hate, intolerance
and destruction takes over. To be good, I need God.

Other Side of Rain
Heb 6:7 GW God blesses the earth. So rain often falls on it, and it
produces useful crops for farmers.

The rain is coming down. Thunder growls by intervals. Sky is overcast
and gray. Sometimes the gloom of a rainy day makes me feel gloomy,
too. But gloomy weather and rain, bring cooling breezes on hot,
miserable summer days and rain helps plants to grow. In perspective,
rainy days are blessings to come. In my life, too, when problems and
struggles insert themselves into my life, I can grow weary and angry
or I can recognize God at work, helping me not to meet present
challenges, but also to grow and emerge victorious on the other side.

Polluted Environment
Ephesians 5:3-4 GW Don't let sexual sin, perversion of any kind, or
greed even be mentioned among you. This is not appropriate behavior
for God's holy people. It's not right that dirty stories, foolish
talk, or obscene jokes should be mentioned among you either. Instead,
give thanks to God.

We live in an unclean, polluted environment--not the earth as much as
the culture. Immorality and greed wins hands down. Many government
leaders, while seeking to make us believe all business owners are
greedy and evil, rationalize their greed for absolute power.

As Christ-followers, our lives are to be different, not buying into
either the culture's disintegrating morality or the rhetoric of
politicians mad for power. Our eyes need to be fixed on Jesus,
studying and putting into practice His practical principles for life,
love...and truth.

V. 5 GW You know very well that no person who is involved in sexual
sin, perversion, or greed (which means worshiping wealth) can have any
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Values
Psalm 1:1-2 GW Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of
wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of
mockers. Rather, he delights in the teachings of the LORD and reflects
on his teachings day and night.

Blessing comes when we set our minds and hearts on the Lord. Anything
we value higher than our relationship and obedience to Him and His
principles separates us from love and blessing and all God has for us.

What am I putting first in my life that is drowning out God's voice
and keeping me from the fullness of His blessings?

Mantra "God Bless America"
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 GW Carefully obey the LORD your God, and faithfully
follow all his commands that I'm giving you today. If you do, the LORD
your God will place you high above all the other nations in the world.
These are all the blessings that will come to you and stay close to
you because you obey the LORD your God: ...

What follows is a list of blessings for the nation that follows God.
Throwing out the words "God bless America" are more and more words
used to garner political support or simply wishful thinking. God does
not bless nations who dishonor Him by banning His name from schools,
public expression or even private practice of those seeking public
office or government service. God does not bless nations who condone
perversion while allowing, even condoning, the destruction of the most
vulnerable among us--the pre-born, disabled, the elderly.

If we seek God's blessing, we need to follow Him, live His principles
out in everyday life and vote for those who truly honor him in daily
life and choices.

What Really Matters
Without a focus of what really matters, our hope is misdirected and
our trust will be betrayed. When we focus on God and hope in God's
Word we will find Hope, Joy, Peace, Blessing and life.

Even age or circumstances can't take away God-directed, inspected, and
sent—hope. Psalm 130:5 Mkjv I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in
His word I hope.

Music
Ephesians 5:18-20 GW Don't get drunk on wine, which leads to wild
living. Instead, be filled with the Spirit by reciting psalms, hymns,
and spiritual songs for your own good. Sing and make music to the Lord
with your hearts. Always thank God the Father for everything in the
name of our Lord Christ.

The type of music we put into our minds and ears does make a
difference. Music has power to change mood, responses and attitude.
Make sure the music you allow lifts up, not tears down--not your
morals, your attitude toward others or toward God.

Music has rhythm, lyrics and context. Does your music lead you to or
away from God?

Causes and Respect
Ephesians 4:1-2 GW I, a prisoner in the Lord, encourage you to live
the kind of life which proves that God has called you. Be humble and
gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept
each other.

Too many of us get so caught up in righteousness "causes," we start
treating those who differ from our point of view as the enemy. No, we
shouldn't let threats stop us from doing/speaking truth. But we are
always to treat others with respect, without name-calling, and with
the remembrance that God loves them, too. However righteous our cause,
God's ultimately goal is for all to come to Him.

Does my behavior draw others Jesus?

V. 15 Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up
completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head.

Confidence
Ephesians 3:12 GW We can go to God with bold confidence through faith in Christ.

We don't need to be afraid our problems are either too big or too
small for God. He just wants us to trust Him enough to come to Him
with all our needs.

Do I?

Being Good Not Enough
Ephesians 2:8-9 GW God saved you through faith as an act of kindness.
You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God. It's
not the result of anything you've done, so no one can brag about it.

This is one of those passages we know and memorize, but think about
it. We make a decision then start to think we can "be good" and God
will favor us. That we can "do good" and God will wink at our bad
choices. But God's mercy isn't about what we do. Salvation is a gift,
pure and simple. It is a gift offered, the gift paid for by Jesus'
death on the cross and resurrection. It is a gift that does not become
ours until we accept it. God's grace isn't about me, but about He who
loved so much He died for me. How can I not want to know this Jesus
and follow Him?

Spirit of Wisdom
Psalm 139:1-2 GW O LORD, you have examined me, and you know me. You
alone know when I sit down and when I get up. You read my thoughts
from far away.

Why do we think we can hide our motivations from God? Sometimes we can
hide our motivations or rationalize our choices from others. Sometimes
even from ourselves. But when we think God doesn't know, we're really
living in la-la land. If we live in reality we know God knows. If
we're honest we know, too, whether our choices are good or bad.

God knows, so why aren't we honest enough to talk to Him about our
choices and seek His input and direction? Am I foolish or wise? To
claim wisdom, I need to recognize the truth that God knows. I know and
I cannot pretend my choices are His fault or the fault of anyone else
but me. Am I willing to grow wiser by asking and listening to God's
wisdom BEFORE making a choice?

Ephesians 1:1:17 GW I pray that the glorious Father, the God of our
Lord Jesus Christ, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as
you come to know Christ better.

Taking Responsibility
Galatians 6:4-5 GW Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you
can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to
others. Assume your own responsibility.

We live in a culture where it is all too easy to blame someone else
for our problems and difficulties. We don't like admitting something
was our fault in whole or in part. We don't like to admit we made bad
choices or even that the choices we made contributed to the situation.

A society cannot long endure when the citizens all act like children,
never assuming or taking responsibility for their actions, children
who expect others--especially government--to constantly bail them out.
God asks us to look beyond our own selfishness and to take
responsibility for our lives and actions. Self-esteem does not come
from a government program, but from standing up, taking
responsibility, and learning to live life to the fullest and under
God's guidance.

Galatians 6:9-10 GW We can't allow ourselves to get tired of living
the right way. Certainly, each of us will receive everlasting life at
the proper time, if we don't give up. Whenever we have the
opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for
the family of believers.

Praise
Has the week gone well? Has it been awful or someplace in between? It
is easier to praise God when things go well. We consider ourselves
blessed and take some of the credit for doing something for brownie
points. But problems do not mean we've done something wrong and no
problems may not have to do with us at all. Problems may just be a
step of growth to something greater.

God isn't into brownie points. He's into grace--unmerited favor--just
because He loves us. Whatever our circumstances, He is God. His is in
control. He does care. Do we understand enough to realize praise is an
encouragement to our hearts as well as His?

Psalm 134:2 Lift your hands toward the holy place, and praise the LORD.

Praise
Has the week gone well? Has it been awful or someplace in between? It
is easier to praise God when things go well. We consider ourselves
blessed and take some of the credit for doing something for brownie
points. But problems do not mean we've done something wrong and no
problems may not have to do with us at all. Problems may just be a
step of growth to something greater.

God isn't into brownie points. He's into grace--unmerited favor--just
because He loves us. Whatever our circumstances, He is God. His is in
control. He does care. Do we understand enough to realize praise is an
encouragement to our hearts as well as His?

Psalm 134:2 Lift your hands toward the holy place, and praise the LORD.

Benefits of Freedom
Galatians 5:1 GW Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits
of freedom. Therefore, be firm in this freedom, and don't become
slaves again.

The Apostle Paul talks here not about political freedom, but of
spiritual freedom. Those mired in hate, hurt, revenge and pain are not
free, regardless of their state of residence. True freedom comes from
letting go, learning forgiveness is not so much about the “other”
person or situation, but about releasing us so that our past doesn't
keep us from moving on to a future of hope and joy.

Lord, help me be free in Your love and forgiveness. Amen.