" A man has joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!"Proverbs 15:23

A modern parable has been written about the tools of the enemy that I believe we can really learn from. "Some time ago, an advertisement appeared in which the devil was putting all his tools up for sale. On the day of public inspection, each one of his tools was marked with its selling price: Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on, were each on the block. Set apart, however, from all the rest of the pile, was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn, but priced very high -- it was discouragement!" Someone asked the devil, 'why is that one priced so high?' He replied, 'Ah, that one is more useful to me than all the rest. With it I can pry open a man's heart and enter, when I cannot get near him with any other tools. Once inside, I can lead him any way I choose. The tool is very worn because I use it on almost everyone, since few people know it belongs to me.' The enemy loves to sow discouragement -- but believers have a tool much more powerful -- encouragement! We can speak a word into the lives of those who desperately need to hear it: to the college student adjusting to his new environment; to the missionary who may feel alone in the harvest field; to the disillusioned newlywed young couple; to the forgotten servants of God who labor in an obscure and difficult ministry; to the orphans and the widows; to all those who need to hear a word in due season! Brothers & Sisters, we have the power in our lips to rekindle a discouraged soul. Let's inspire one another with words of encouragement! It costs nothing, and reaps an eternal reward...encourage one another daily, as you see the Day draw near. [Hebrews 10:25] DISARM DISCOURAGEMENT!

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."Isaiah 43:19

It is among popular "Christian" belief that an abundance of material and other blessings follow those whose hearts are truly after God and that those who seem to consistently struggle to that end, cannot possibly be in God's perfect will. I want to submit to you a realization I had about this very thing. I think we might have it all backwards. Almost all the great men of faith I've read about in the Bible had to spend some time in the wilderness. Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist, just to name a few. God had to make them desperate. He had to cause them to be quiet and undistracted enough to hear His still, small voice. He had to make them hungry and thirsty enough to cry out for a miracle. Some of us are walking through the desert right now. It's hot by day -- there is only rugged, thorny, sandy terrain for miles and miles and there seems no end. By night, the wind is unbearably cold and we stumble over things we can barely see. Snakes and scorpions live here. It seems like a lonely place. But this is actually a place of blessing! It is for our growth, and ultimately for our prosperity that God has brought us here! Like it or not, the wilderness is where He can speak to us most effectively. It is the place He can most easily get our attention. It is the place we will cry out to God and truly listen for His voice Brothers & Sisters, know that God is with you today! He is walking along with us through this wilderness and longing to comfort us! If we would only cry out to Him and heed His voice! The promised land awaits! EXCUSE ME, COULD YOU DIRECT ME TO THE PROMISED LAND?

"And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."Revelation 21:3-4

As the world celebrates the end of 2014 and enters into 2015, it looks toward the conclusion of yet another year. However, God has not been working his plan according to your own calendar -- but rather according to His own calendar. For example, when Jesus was crucified, and became the Lamb of God slain for the world, it was on the Biblical feast of Passover. When He rose again from the dead, His resurrection was precisely on the feast of first fruits. Fifty days later, the Holy Spirit was poured out at the Pentecost. While the world focuses on life now -- on youth, beauty, health and ability -- these things fade away and according to the world, in the autumn of life -- life goes downhill. However, we as believers realize that it's completely the opposite in God. The best is yet to come for those of us who are believers! God is saving the best for last! While things of the world get worse, become old and fade away. The things of God only get better! Rejoice and look toward the day when there is no more death, no more sorrow, and no more pain because in Him all these things will pass away. Make 2015 your best year yet in the Lord! Throw away all the worldly pursuits and pursue God like you've never done before -- because the greatest celebration awaits us! Brothers & Sisters, with another year under our belts as we close out 2014 -- let's go into 2015 remembering that the best is yet to come -- soon enough we'll enter a time where "every chapter is better than the one before!" IT ONLY GETS BETTER IN GOD!

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."Ephesians 6:10-12

It ought to be obvious to all of us believers that we are in a spiritual war that is taking place all over the earth -- and that we are called to fight in this battle. In the world's armies, soldiers are not sent into battle before receiving many months of serious training. They need to get physically in shape first and then to learn how to handle different wartime situations and tactics of the enemy. For us, the moment we are saved, the Lord begins our training for the ongoing spiritual battle in this world. It begins with learning to trust Him for protection as young believers, and progresses through many phases even to the place where we may enter strenuous wrestling with principalities and powers, as the apostle Paul describes in these verses. Are you struggling in your walk with God? If so, realize that He is training you. Born into war, you are both protected and also necessarily engaged in the battle. Thank God for His protection and His preparation. We need both as we mature and become more involved and useful soldiers for Him against the diverse strategies and tactics of the enemy. The Lord's weapons are spiritual; they include a knowledge of the scriptures, the anointing of the Holy Spirit which increases with a devoted prayer life, the courage which comes only with deep trust, and His divine wisdom which reveals His strategy for our present situation. Realizing that we are in a battle, we ought to reflect on and discover where our weaknesses are. We may already be aware of some of them, but the Lord will show us if we ask Him for more insight. Our part is to cooperate with His development and sharpening of our spiritual weapons. If we cooperate with Him He will always lead us in triumph. Our present trial is the battle-ground for our next victory. So, Brothers & Sisters, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. With His armor you will stand, and with His weapons you will win. PREPARE FOR BATTLE!

“Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle…David stayed at Jerusalem. Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance.”2 Samuel 11:1-2

After spending most of his life faithfully serving God, David committed a wave of sins: Adultery. Murder. Lying. Manipulating. He was willing to do anything to hide his sin and protect his reputation. The Bible points to two events that were key turning points. First, David abandoned his post at the head of the army. Instead of going into battle as he had in the past, David for some reason decided to stay in Jerusalem. There, while he was at ease, he let down his guard and became vulnerable to temptation. Second, he saw Bathsheba. As Jesus taught, David actually was committing adultery when he looked at her with lust in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28). How did David react to this moment of temptation? There is no evidence he prayed or turned to God. No. He seemed bent on allowing the desires of his flesh to overcome him. He chose to enjoy a moment of pleasure, not thinking about the consequences. Yet David paid for his indiscretion for the rest of his life. David’s fall demonstrates how easily we can be lured into temptation. What happened to him can happen to anyone—to you. Brothers & Sisters stay vigilant in serving God. Remain focused on His calling. Don’t let down your guard. Remember, you will face temptations. But if you turn to Him, God will help you overcome. He is with you, all the time. Develop a more intimate relationship with Him. Fill your life with His Word. And be careful what you allow into your heart and mind.

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”2 Corinthians 13:5

In our younger years, parents and family members provide standards and rules for our lives. They correct and teach us. Later, this role is fulfilled by teachers, coaches, employers, and others. As adults, we realize that God is the ultimate Judge. We can be sure that all of us will stand before Him. We can read His Word and learn His standards. We also can know that the Holy Spirit is present in our lives to convict us of sin and show us of our need to change. But correction also is a part of church life. As Paul prepared to visit Corinth, he declared that he was ready to confront some and correct others, warning that he would “not spare them.” He wanted them to know that he was not exercising his own opinions but acting with the authority he had been given by Jesus. He hoped that the Corinthians would embrace this opportunity and recognize the need to make changes. They did not need to wait for his visit, or God’s judgment. They could examine themselves! While hoping they would take personal initiative, he also wanted them to understand his sense of his own personal responsibility for their actions—that his own ministry would be tested based on the degree to which the Corinthians changed: “I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.” Brothers & Sisters today, we can imagine that Paul might ask us the same questions. Are you satisfied with your life? Are you open to the transforming work of the Spirit? Are you listening, ready to change, as He directs? Let God speak to your heart. Let the Spirit search your thoughts, your actions, and your motives.

“In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain.’”Psalm 11:1

David certainly knew what it was like to feel hopeless and discouraged. When there seemed to be no realistic solution to his problems, some counseled him to “flee as a bird to your mountain.” They thought it best for him simply to run away, escaping to somewhere his problems did not to exist. David had every reason to feel this way. He had been “upright in heart” and did not deserve these attacks. In this environment, it didn’t seem to matter what he had done. He might have acted in the right spirit. He might have been pleasing to God and “upright in heart.” Yet he still was vulnerable, and there still did not seem to be any solutions. On the surface, the idea of running away probably seemed attractive. But David realized that even though this might temporarily avoid the problems, they still would linger. For David, the answer was to turn his heart toward the Lord. No matter what anyone else said or did, God had not changed. He still was “in His holy temple.” His throne still was in Heaven. He knew what was going on, and He was watching to see how David and others would respond. In fact, God was testing everyone, both “the righteous and the wicked.” David realized that God could be trusted to judge everyone perfectly, and that everyone would be rewarded according to His perfect standards. Yet, in the midst of problems, we can feel overwhelmed and want to escape. We can be tempted to ignore the problem or simply to run away. Brothers & Sisters, Do you ever feel like running away? In every situation you face, remember that God has not forgotten you. He still knows your circumstances, and He never changes. Don’t run away or give up. Refuse to give in to doubt, worry, or fear. Instead, like David, turn to God. Trust in Him!