Three Leaves

 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Hebrews 11:24-25

 My title is not the name of a restaurant but refers to the 'three leaves' of the poison ivy plant that serve as a warning to not touch it or else you will get a horrible rash and may need a visit to the emergency room in worst case scenarios. Wouldn't it be nice if sin was as obvious as those three leaves on poison ivy? I know when I hike and see poison ivy I avoid it at all costs.

 Mankind likes to define sin in terms of things like drinking,smoking, cussing, getting a tattoo when in fact none of those are listed as outright sins in the Bible. Of course it is not good to drink too much or you could wind up an alcoholic or your drunkenness can result in killing someone in a car wreck or stupid immoral behavior. Smoking is not good for your body, which is the temple of God, and can cause cancer. Cussing doesn't glorify your witness for Christ at all and much is said in the Bible about the dangers of the tongue. Then there are tattoos. In the Old Testament there is something(Leviticus19:28)  about not making marks on your body but it will not send you to hell. There you have it.

Look at the Ten Commandments in Exodus chapter 20. And remember we ALL have sinned and fallen short of God's glory in says in Romans 3:23. Sex sin is a pretty big one. But if you have had an abortion, had sex outside marriage, committed adultery,  chosen an alternate lifestyle, committed murder that is sin that can be forgiven just as is the sin of gossip, gluttony, lying, judging, and stealing(office supplies ring a bell?). My point is we should avoid sin, period. Satan is out trying on a daily basis to sugar coat sin and deceive us. Be on guard. Don't fall for it.

 PRAYER: Help me Lord to make a point daily of getting into the word so I know what pleases you and what to stay away from. Help me not be led astray by Satan's tricks. Above all help me not point fingers at other people but to pray instead. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Funny.....Not Really!

Fools make a mockery of sin, But among the upright there is good will. Proverbs 14:9

Recently in a grocery store parking lot I saw a bumper sticker that read as follows 'Jesus Paid For Our Sins So Let's Get Our Money's Worth'. Similar to the Darwin stickers of the Christian fish with feet, this bumper sticker just pure and simple mocked God and mocked believers. I immediately felt sorry for the person and said a quick prayer.

Many may joke about Jesus, 'religious' people, healing, miracles, or things of the faith, but God is not to be mocked. I always feel a person's heart must be so hardened to display stickers such as this one. The good news is, people change, thank goodness. All we can do is pray and believe. Don't condemn these lost people and you may even know someone like this. Keep praying and keep showing love and grace. 

Go out today and know that the world we live in is not always friendly to those who love Jesus. Do your best to shine His love onto a lost world. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you for saving me and I pray for others who may be lost and do not realize it. I pray for those who are 'lukewarm' to things of the faith. I will keep persevering in prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen.