Month: February 2025

We go to work in the morning and work all day to earn money to pay for clothes, food, and a place to live. Some people work six days a week and some seven— all day long, every day.

We work long hours, often to neglect of family, and our reward comes in the form of a paycheck, which often is not enough to do all we want or need it to do.

And, all of this is necessary, if we are to live a responsible life. In fact, the Bible teaches that ” if a man does not take care of his family, he is worse than an infidel.” (1 Timothy 1:5)

But is this all there is to life? Isn’t there something more? Jesus asked the question:

” What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

Yes, we are to work to provide for our families, but not to the neglect of our relationship with God.

Jesus said: ” Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25)

And again, Hè said: ” Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…….” (Matthew 6 :19,20)

He also instructed us to: “…… seek “first“ “His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these “things” will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6 :33)

The responsible person will work and provide for family. However, for life to have meaning, we must first establish a meaningful relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. So, where, what or who is your priority? Take time today from your busy schedule and seek God as He is revealed in the Bible. If you need help, make an appointment with your Pastor or a Christian friend.

Seek Him and He will bless you and your family.

And remember:” Is” is, only as “Is” does. (James 2:20)

1954 A popular singer, Kitty Fallen, recorded a song that was instantly loved. It was entitled Little Things Mean a Lot. It was a touching song of love and the need for love. While this is a secular song, I realized a very significant spiritual parallel.

The song speaks of a love that transcends the” big” and focuses completely on the “small.” Little things do mean a lot! However, our heavenly Father blesses us daily with the big and the small.

Here are a few stanzas of the song that may be interpreted in a spiritual sense as a prayer for love and an assurance:

Give me your hand when I have lost the way. Give me your”shoulder”to cry on. Whether the day is bright or gray, give me your “heart” to rest on. Send me the warmth of a “Secret smile”, to show me you haven’t forgot. Forever and ever, now and forever, “little things” mean a lot.

As believers we are too prone to focus our attention on the big-ticket items and to overlook the small…. the last car payment-— the mortgage — the cost of last year’s vacation — junior’s braces— mother’s surgery. All provided for by our Heavenly Father.

But what about the small things that you take for granted?…… the motorists that stopped to help you when you had a flat tire— the note your daughter left for you that said, “I love you”—- when you were hurting the boss said,” take the day off”— the phone call from a friend that encouraged you. Be thankful for the big-ticket items, but it is the small things, the unexpected, that brighten the day.

The Bible is very clear on this issue: ” In” everything” give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (First Thessalonians 5-18)

Did you know that it takes a minimum of 10 muscles to produce a smile, but it takes only 6 muscles to produce a frown. This is one instance where greater is better than lessor.

Take a moment now and think about the little things that mean a lot to you, thank your Heavenly Father for them and then share them with someone who needs encouragement.

Kitty Fallon was correct, little things do mean a lot.

” My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe My ways” (Proverbs 23:26)

Satan says to you, ” My son Give me your heart and do what I say.”

Apparently, the heart is the source of our thoughts, and the mind is the executor. What then does Satan want us to do? He wants to deceive us precisely the way he deceived Eve way back there in the Garden of Eden. He enticed her with that which was good, but which God had forbidden.

Satan will encourage you to get a good job, get a good education, buy a home, start a business, stay healthy and I could go on and on.

These are all good things for us to desire and to pursue. And the evil one will not hinder you. Actually, he will encourage you, and he will give you success.

What then is the issue? The issue is a matter of priority and Satan will not discuss this with you. Each time you turn away from him and try to be what God wants you to be; he will distract you. He will encourage you to do good and dissuade you from doing the best.

Jesus said, ” But seek you “first” the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. ” (Matthew 6:33)

And let me emphasize the word “first” for God has given you the responsibility and the privilege of determining what is first in your life.

Do an inventory of your life and put pursuit of God at the top of the list and just watch the other “things” noted above fall into place.

Simply put, just obey the voice of the One who loves you and tell Satan to get lost.

” Oh Lord, you have searched me, and you know me. You know when I stand and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down, you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in—- behind and before: you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” (Psalm 139: 1-8)

As thought provoking and complete as these words are, they are just a preamble to the entire Psalm. It speaks to all that God knows about you and me.

We don’t need to read the rest of the chapter and list all that God knows. However, I would encourage you to read it, in its entirety, and then realize how special and precious you are in God’s sight. God knows all about you and He still loves you! Yes, He knows “all” about you.

You and I don’t operate on this level. We judge, condemn and criticize the words and actions of others. and treat them in accordance. However, just as God loves us, we must love one another, pray for one another, forgive one another, be there for one another, struggle with one another and live as fruitful Christians with one another.

Take a moment now and do a quick inventory on who you “really ” are. I’m not going to list all the possibilities, because I know I would miss some. But here are just a few that come to my mind:

I am quick to judge and criticize others,
I am slow to forgive the offense of others,
I often fail to do what I promise to do,
I have thoughts that are not pleasing to God,
I am inclined often to take what is not mine,
I have often dishonored my parents.

If you relate to these thoughts and others, take heart all is not lost. God loves you and has a great plan for your life, and He will help you fulfill it. But the ball is in your court. You must take action. You must claim the promise of God; ” If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1;9)

Also, the words of King Solomon speak to this issue: ” Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 20: 8- 13)

Make your to do list today and begin work immediately.

Determine in your heart to allow God to make the necessary changes!

o

If you make the right choice your treasure can be both here and there.

” Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21)

The bottom-line question here is not where your treasure is, but rather where your heart is. The Bible says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ” (Jeremiah 17: 9).

Therefore, do not trust your heart in this matter. Trust what Jesus said In Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”

I have many friends who are wealthy and successful in this life and who also have treasures waiting them in heaven. They have all made the right decision.

Also, the Bible is very clear on this issue in that the Father wants his children to enjoy the blessings bestowed upon them: ” …… charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasures for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” (1 Timothy 6 17 – 19)

My prayer for you is that you will realize the transitory-ness of all you possess, enjoy what you possess, put God first in your life, and when you have opportunity, send it on ahead.

In the year 496 AD the Roman Emperor Claudius II forbade all marriages or engagements in Rome. A Catholic priest named Valentine secretly married couples in love, and for this, on February 14th 496 AD, Claudius had him put to death.

Later, Valentine became Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, and today several nations observe Valentine’s Day each year on February 14th. Valentine’s last act before his death was to leave a note for a young girl which he signed,” From your Valentine. “

This is a marvelous testimony to love. St Valentine gave his life for love. But there is another who gave his life, not for a few lovers, but for all mankind.

St Valentine gave his life that people might love. Jesus gave his life that people might live.

The Bible says: ” Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”(John 15:13).

And again, the Bible teaches:

” This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9).

The amazing thing about God’s love is that He loves us because He wants to love not because we deserve to be loved.

” This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

And his love is for all nations:

” For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (john 3:16).

Take a moment now and thank God for loving you and for being your heavenly Father.

If you haven’t already accepted Him into your life, do it right now. This is done by a simple prayer of faith in which you tell God that you want a new way of life, and that you accept his son Jesus into your life, and that you will serve him daily.

If this is a new beginning for you, as a new person, you must seek out a believer who will be able to give you guidance in this new life.

The trees have no leaves and the grass is brown. In some parts of the world snow and ice cover the ground causing severe damage to trees, plants, and crops. Homeless people shiver through the night hoping for the day and the warm sun. This is winter. In most ways winter is a time of great suffering for both nature and people. But if it is winter, spring is coming. This is the law of God’s creation!

The snow and ice melt and provide refreshing water for rivers and lakes. Colors return as flowers bud and bloom and green grass replaces the brown deadness. Trees begin the process of producing fruit. First, the green leaf, then the small flower, then the bud and finally, in God’s time, the fruit. This whole process is a form of resurrection which is an arising again from the dead.

It is no coincidence then, that at this time of the year people across the world remember and celebrate the greatest and most significant ‘arising again’ ever to occur in the history of the world———- The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead.

This is the gospel, the good news from God:

'... That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he's raised on the third day According to the Scriptures" (First Corinthians 15: 3,4)

" What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons.  They're not the same anymore, for the old life is gone a new life has begun:"   (Second Corinthians 5:17}.

" But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead.  He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again" (First Corinthians 5:20).

This day of remembrance is not about Easter bunnies and Easter eggs. It is a time to rejoice in the new life God has provided for us through the resurrection of his Son, Jesus.

Be encouraged: if winter is upon you, spring is coming! If you are discouraged take hope and look to Jesus as your Savior and friend.

” The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear it if the spirit is crushed?” (Proverbs 18: 14)

The most difficult part of life is not the physical, but the spiritual.

Modern medicine can replace or repair broken body parts such as the heart, lung, or liver. Impaired sight or hearing may be improved through mechanical devices. Disease or infection can be controlled by antibiotics.

But what about loneliness, discouragement, heartaches, failures, frustration and too many activities— and just not enough hours in the day. Where do we find relief for the crushed spirit?

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28 -30)

Notice that Jesus said ” …take my YOKE upon you………..” (v.29) The yoke was a harness used to join two work animals. One was usually older, wiser and stronger, and the other was to benefit from his age, wisdom and strength.

Jesus wants to be a part of your life; He wants to harness with you. He wants to be there with you as you live life with all of its problems. He will give you rest when you take on his yoke. Do not overlook that we must “take” the yoke. it will never be forced.

He has not promised to remove you from difficult circumstances, but He has promised to go alongside with you in those circumstances.

The Bible says: ” For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never forsake you. That is why we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? “(Hebrews 13: 5, 6)

The Psalmist spoke to this principle when he said: ” The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm 145: 14)

I dare say that more people today suffer from a broken spirit than from a broken body. We all need help, and the Lord is willing to come alongside and to be our yolk fellow. This is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength, which we all need.

Finally, let me encourage you to look away from the futility and darkness of this world and look to Jesus. He is waiting to be invited into your life and wants to be your strength and light. This is the first step. The second step is to ask the Lord to bring into your life a true yoke fellow. When that happens just say, thank you.

One final note, a person is never too old or too young to be a yoke fellow.