Why do the Evil Prosper?

Posted on August 7, 2006 by gophumek | Permalink 0

Why Do the Evil Prosper?
Psalm 37:35-39

A question arose the other day, “How can I be doing wrong if things are going good for me?” This question has been asked for thousands of years and I’ve come to realize that life is simply hard to understand at times. Have you or anyone you know ever asked this question? If so, this may be evidence of a great need in the life of the one asking.

David offers evidence in Psalm 37:35-36 which demonstrates that prospering does not equal a blessing from God. He states, “I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.”

Those who do wrong and prosper won’t prosper forever. Some may say they will get what they deserve. However, my prayer is that they simply change their ways and become a forgiven follower of Christ. For if we look at things truthfully; the greatest difference between the evil who prosper and the devoted follower of Christ is the forgiveness provided by the blood of our savior.

This past week, I’ve heard stories of painful lives full of distressful decisions which need to be made. I will leave you with a similar sentiment as was found in my tidbit from last week, “The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.” – Psalm 37:39.

In Christ y’all,
Brian

P.S. Could you please place on your prayer list the many folks who receive this devotional who are hurting and have a lot of pain in their lives. Their names and situations are unknown by you, but they are known by God. Just a simple mention to God about those who read this devotional will suffice. Thank you so much.

God's Love, Sin, Struggles

God is my Rock

Posted on August 2, 2006 by gophumek | Permalink 0

God is My Rock

Psalm 62:6

Is your world troubled? Have relatives passed away? Has unemployment caused you uncertainty? Have relationships been rocked by the everyday struggles of life? If you answered “yes” to any of the above, I pray that God will quickly take away your heavy burden. I also pray that you come away stronger from whatever trial you may be enduring at this time.

A question may arise when your times are bad. Your pre-Christian friends and co-workers may ask, “Where is Your God?” – that question comes straight from Psalm 42:10. Doubt may arise in their mind whether God exists at all. Don’t let your struggles make you doubt too. God does exist and he is the same God in your time of struggle as he was when you were prospering and all was right with your world. He doesn’t change. He is a rock. He is a fortress. (Psalm 62:10). To be more specific, He is my rock and my fortress. I hope he’s yours too.

There are times when I need encouragement and tonight I found it in the 62nd Psalm. If you find yourself troubled, please read the entire Psalm by turning to page 898 (if you have the Holy Bible Read to me Edition with a picture of Jesus and little children on the front). This Psalm is magnificent, especially verses 5-8. May God bless your week.

Attributes of God, God's Love

Does Bible Reading Affect You Too?

Posted on July 24, 2006 by gophumek | Permalink 0

Does Bible Reading Affect You Too?
Luke 17:3-4

In college I had to read a story about a man that turned into a roach. That story impacted my life in such a way that I now, sometimes, think twice before stepping on a roach. Of course, that’s after I scream. The point is that we read a lot during high school and college which is usually just a means to an end. If we want a good grade, we must read. This concept of reading things we don’t want, but knowing we must read them, seems to have spread to our reading of the Bible. Our lives are so busy that God sometimes gets squeezed out little by little. Sometimes we put reading God’s word on the back burner, I mean way way back. At other times we read the Bible just to get a good grade or to put a check mark on our list; this just isn’t good enough.

This morning I read quite a bit in the Bible and a question that sometimes goes through my mind is, “Will this make a difference?”  I think if we answer that question honestly, we would say that some days we can see an immediate difference in our life and other days we see no difference at all. As a creature of our society, I sometimes want instant gratification. I’d like to see an immediate effect because of my Bible reading. 

Among my reading today was a passage on forgiveness. Not long after my Bible reading, I had a disagreement with my wife about something that just didn’t matter. She apologized. I apologized. Then I sat there stewing in my juices of unforgiveness when I remembered what I had just read. My attitude changed completely in a single moment. God’s word pierced my heart this morning and helped this day be the great day God intended it to be. I won’t lie and tell you that God’s word affects me or that it will affect you like this after every reading. But simply praise God on those occasions when it does.

In Christ y’all,
Brian

P.S. – I just happened to hear a song for the first time as I was beginning to send today’s tidbit, it’s called “The Fight Song.” Here are some lyrics –

Did you really want to fight over something that’s really nothing?
It doesn’t matter
Did you really want to scar my heart with words that hurt me?
Don’t hurt me
I don’t really want to cry over issues
Wet tissues stick to my shoes
We can’t take back words we’ve spoken
But I’m hoping you’ll forgive me

The Bible

Miracles

Posted on July 18, 2006 by gophumek | Permalink 0

Miracles

Passage: Any Bible verses that speak of a miracle

There are many miracles in the Bible. Let us consider the following: creation, the parting of the Red Sea, the flood, the raising of Lazarus, the blind receiving sight, Jesus walking on water, and his resurrection. Have you had any such miracles in your own life? Have you had any that were a little less dramatic? I’m sure you have. Think about it for a moment. Do you want to see any more miracles in your life? I certainly do. For whatever reason, sometimes our personal miracles are very slow in arriving. At other times, they may come on a regular basis. What is your miracle time schedule? When was the last time something even a bit miraculous happened in your life? If you are a follower of Christ, a miracle is working in your life right at this moment. God is working in you and through you to make you a better person, to help you help others, and he is reserving you an everlasting residence in Heaven. You will live forever. What can be more miraculous than that? Praise God for his miracles, the little ones and the big ones. After all, we didn’t do anything to deserve his miracles. He simply provides them because he loves us.

Attributes of God, The Bible