Take the taste test!

Psalms 34:8 KJV
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

We all have candy and sweets that we love. The taste of it sticks in our mind and calls us to seek it out if we have none or run low.

Have you tasted the goodness of Jesus for yourself? Try Him and your life will never be the same. After all God is your creator (Colossians 1:16) and He developed an instruction manual (the bible) to tell you who you are and what your purpose is (Jeremiah 29:11)! You wouldn't operate a power tool without the manual, so don't operate the one life you have been given without instructions from the Word of God!

Trust in the Lord especially in times of difficulty and trouble. It is a true test when we still believe God in great distress and turmoil. God rewards such faithfulness. In fact, He promises that blessed is the man and woman that trust in the Lord!

I absolutely love how it is stated in the message bible! It is powerful and speaks for itself:

Psalm 34:8 MSG
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.

What is your mouths reputation?

Proverbs 16:23-24 KJV

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Wisdom enables us to teach our mouth discipline in a world of hurtful words spoke and sent to fast. Words cannot be deleted once they are received and they add to our reputation good or bad. The bible says that pleasant words are a blessing to people's soul and healing to thier body. Choose today to speak blessings and not curses to or about anyone.

A legacy of words
How we handle people with our mouth is something we all will be remembered for. How do you want to be remembered? I have been to funerals where people said "he was known for giving you a piece of his mind!" I have also been blessed to hear a room of love ones agree that "she never had anything bad to say about anyone." Even though this person was imperfect people remembered mainly thier pleasant words. This person had a teachable mouth.

I Can!

Philippians 4:13 KJV

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

During our weekly family devotional and game night my wife and I shared a "quick attack" verse with our children as they prepared for this new school year. We told them that with this new grade level some things may be challenging and unfamiliar but their response should be "I can do ALL things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

What challenges are before you today? Do you know the best way to fight life's challenges, issues, and enemies are like Jesus did against Satan (Matthew 4:3-11); Apply defense and block with the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16) and then attack with the Word of God!

When doubt, fear, and despair fills your heart, block with faith, knowing that you can trust in the Lord and then attack with a verse to defeat your opposition! Never forget to tell yourself: I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am (MSG version).

Philippians 4:13 MSG

I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

Revive the dead places of your life!

Proverbs 3:7-8

7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.

3 steps
1. Dont think you have all the answers
2. Fear the Lord
3. Turn from the practice of sin

Result
Healing and refreshment in multiple areas of your life!

Do you have dead places in your life? The word "refreshment" here means to water or moisten in Hebrew. Let the refreshing power of the Holy Spirit water your bones (the dead places in your life). If you seek healing you can find it in the Lord.

What should I put on?

Colossians 3:12-14

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Have no doubt about what you should put on in the morning! It is love and a heart with compassion.

Not only does this passage define our attire, it also encourages us to bear with each other. This means we are to be patient with one another! Patience and love is needed in today's world of instant communication and itchy "send" fingers.  If you have an issue with someone... forgive them!

God bless you!