OCT. 6, 2025

Be careful what you watch.

"I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar." Ps 101:2-3 NLT

As a teen, Megan arrived home from school just in time to watch an hour of soap operas before doing her homework. She enjoyed the escape into the TV world and wasn't aware that the programs were arousing sexual curiosity in her. After years of exposure to these soaps, her perspective on life took a shift.

She began to think, "Relationships don't need to be pure. In fact, the impure ones seem more exciting. Fidelity doesn't matter, as long as a person is happy." As a college student, Megan found it easy to participate in one-night stands. Then after a short marriage ended in catastrophe as a result of her infidelity, she sought help from a counselor.

At first it was difficult for the counselor to understand why Megan engaged in extramarital affairs. She had been a model teenager at home, church, and school, as far as her public behavior was concerned. Finally the counselor discovered the source of the temptation that drove Megan to participate in her supposed hidden life. What you watch on television and the internet becomes part of your memory bank. You're putting images on file that Satan will use against you. David's affair with Bathsheba started with a wrong look and ended up bringing tragedy to his family.

Later David wrote: "I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar...I will reject perverse ideas and stay from every evil...! will search for faithful people to be my companions" (vv. 2-4, 6 NLT).

Be careful what you watch Your memory bank

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OCT. 7, 2025

You're walking a "prepared" path.

"Created...to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph 2:10 NIV

The word "prepared" derives from an ancient custom of sending servants ahead of a king to have things ready for his arrival. But the King of Kings goes in advance of His servants and prepares the road ahead of us. We don't know this in advance, so we have to overcome our fears, step out in faith, and follow Him. And as we look back, we can say, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" (Ps 23:6).

In Ephesians 2:10, notice the words "good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." When you follow God, you're walking a prepared path. It's important to keep this in mind. When you find yourself in difficult circumstances, you need to know that God is directing your footsteps (See Ps 37:23).

You have assurance because you know that God has considered every contingency in your life and that He always has your best interest at heart.

The psalmist David wrote: "I'm an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I'm never out of your sight. You know everything I'm going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you're there, then up ahead and you're there, too-your reassuring presence, coming and going...I can't take it all in!" (Ps 139:1-6 MSG).

If David, whom God called "a man after My own heart" (Acts 13:22 NKJV), couldn't take it all in, you won't either. But God is not asking you to figure Him out; He is just asking you to trust Him.

You're walking a "prepared" path Your reassuring presence

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ост. 3, 2025

Peace that defies human logic.

"The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and...minds in Christ Jesus." Php 4:7 NIV

No matter what problems you're grappling with, it's good to know that the peace of God "which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and...minds in Christ Jesus."

Author Lorie Newman said: "For me, that peace came when my husband lost his job...We were a one-income family with seven children, a mortgage, [and] bills. Would we lose our house? How could we feed our large family? These questions fogged my mind like suffocating smoke. But, in the midst of it, God tenderly spoke life into my worried heart.

Unemployment remained. In fact, it remained for nearly two years. But day-by-day, step-by-step, the truth of God's Word began to eclipse the despair and I had incredible peace! God's Word came alive as never before as I navigated the turbulent waters of that rough season of life. I had read that God was my provider, but I began to know and experience him as my provider! What should have been a time of horrific stress...became a place of peace."

When problems arise, our natural inclination is to panic. When we do that, we open the door for the Enemy to come in, get us off track, and make us feel victimized. Take these words of Jesus to heart: "My [own] peace I now give...you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed...do not permit yourselves to be fearful and...unsettled.]" (Jn 14:27 AMPC).

Peace that defies human logic "Do not let your hearts be troubled."

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OCT. 2,2025

Your emotions matter to God (2).

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger...be put away from you." Eph 4:31 NKJV

Like Jesus, we have been created in the image of a God who expresses emotions.

Neither the Father nor the Son was afraid or embarrassed to feel deeply, and we shouldn't be either. In Scripture God's heart broke for His wayward children (See Hos 11:8-9).

• Jesus wept openly at the grave of His dear friend Lazarus (See Jn 11:35).
• He expressed righteous anger over moneylenders defrauding worshipers in the temple (See Lk 19:45-46).

And when it comes to our own feelings, we are neither powerless pawns nor fearful fugitives. God wants us to own them, understand their message, and seek His counsel in engaging them for His glory and the benefit of others.

The psalmist often voiced his emotions before God. In Psalm 22:1, he cried out, "My God...why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?" (NLT). Think how he must have felt to make him say those words:

• intense fear,
• panic,
• confusion,
• disappointment, and betrayal.

But note what he did with his emotions. He took them to God, addressed Him personally, and called on His help: "Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me" (v. 11 NLT).

David's approach was bold, and he found the help he needed: "For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help" (v. 24 NLT).

When you bring your feelings to God, you will find that "all who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy" (v. 26 NLT).

Your emotions matter to God We are neither powerless pawns nor fearful fugitives.

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OCT. 1, 2025

Your emotions matter to God (1)

"We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality." Heb 4:15 MSG

Emotions—we all have them. Some we enjoy, some we endure. The question is, what does God say about how we should handle them?

• "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (Jas 1:2 NKJV).
• "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger...be put away from you, with all malice" (Eph 4:31 NKJV).
• "Be...full of sympathy toward each other" (1Pe 3:8 TLB).

God has appointed designated seasons for us to weep, laugh, mourn, love-and even hate (See Ecc 3:1-8).

Does He demand that we instantly and completely control all our emotions? No.

Instead He makes Himself available to transform our hearts and character, so we can manage our emotions in ways that exalt Him. Rather than providing a manual on emotional self-management, He comforts, encourages, convicts, and reorients us by patiently inviting us to do this: "Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you" (1Pe 5:7 TLB).

Even painful feelings can provide opportunities to develop a deeper relationship with our heavenly Father.

It also helps to remember that we're created in the image of an emotional God, and His Word indicates that He sees our feelings as fundamentally good.

Even anger, an emotion commonly deemed pejorative, can glorify Him when we handle it in unselfish ways. It's not about what we feel, it's how we handle those feelings. And God can give us the grace to turn any emotion into an attribute that glorifies Him.

Your emotions matter to God

"Let him have all your worries and cares."

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SEP. 30, 2025

Don't speak too quickly.

"Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them." Pr 29:20 NIV

When you speak too quickly, you can send the wrong signal and get results you don't want. This is particularly so when you're negotiating for the best deal.

Speaking impulsively, and overtalking, are not signs of strength but of weakness and insecurity.

Here is a story that illustrates the point: A young computer salesman named Kurt was delighted when one of his business clients expressed interest in buying a used computer system-one that Kurt had installed two years ago but that had recently been replaced with an upgrade.

After careful consultation with his head office, Kurt fixed a price of $800,000.00 for the used system and documented in writing all his reasons for requesting that amount. As he sat down to negotiate, he heard an inner voice saying, "Wait. Let them do the initial talking." The buyers quickly filled the silence with a long rundown of their own research about this particular computer system's strengths and weaknesses, the age of the equipment, and the need for new software. "Can you throw upgraded software into the deal?" one of the buyers asked. "Sure," Kurt offered. The buyers then said, "We will give you $950,000.00 for the system, but not a penny more." Less than an hour later, the paperwork was signed, and Kurt walked away with a much better deal than he ever imagined, having said little more than thank-you.

The apostle James writes, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak" (Jas 1:19 NIV).

Don't speak too quickly Quick to listen, slow to speak

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SEP. 29, 2025

Submit to "Spirit control".

"Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." Pr 25:28 NIV

In Bible times cities were built with high walls around them for protection. Why? Because an enemy strong enough to tear down those walls was strong enough to take the city.

Now you understand this Scripture: "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control."

An anonymous poet wrote "The Man in the Glass." Here it is: "When you get what you want in your struggle for self, and the world makes you king for a day, just go to the mirror and look at yourself, and see what that man has to say. For it isn't your father or mother or wife who judgment upon you must pass, the fellow whose verdict counts the most in your life is the one staring back from the glass.

Some people may think you a straight-shooting chum and call you a wonderful guy, but the man in the glass says you're only a bum if you can't look him straight in the eye. He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest, for he's with you clear to the end. And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test, if the man in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life and get pats on the back as you pass, but your final reward will be heartaches and tears if you've cheated the man in the glass." The Bible says, "The fruit of the Spirit is...forbearance [self-control]" (Gal 5:22-23 NIV).

And the best way to have self-control is to submit to "Spirit control."

Submit to "Spirit control" Self-control is Spirit control.

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SEP. 24, 2025

A relationship governed by rules.

"If you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says...God will bless you for doing it." Jas 1:25 NLT

Going to heaven is based solely upon having a relationship with Christ; one in which you place your total trust in Him. This relationship also involves rules you live by and guidelines that make you more godly.

• A tennis player isn't free to play tennis if there is no baseline to let him or her know whether the ball is "in or out."
• A baseball player isn't free to play baseball without a foul line.
• A football player is not free to play football without sidelines.
• You cannot be truly free without restraints.

For example, a fish is not free to wander through the jungle, and a lion is not free to dwell in the ocean. Neither was made for that.

• Freedom is having the benefits accumulate to you that you were created to receive.
• Freedom doesn't mean no boundaries.
• Freedom "in Christ" means that within the right boundaries, you get to experience "life more abundant" (See Jn 10:10).

James writes, "If you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says...God will bless you for doing it."

On top of the Statue of Liberty is a crown with seven spikes depicting the seven seas and seven continents, meaning wherever you are, you can come to America. At the bottom of the statue is a broken chain, meaning you can come to America and find freedom.

But when you come, you must agree to honor the rules that govern the relationship.

A relationship governed by rules Freedom "in Christ"

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