Are You Enslaved?

DECEMBER 23, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 23:6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

       It is easier than ever to get credit now days. I will often receive mailings from Credit Card Companies wanting me to use their cards. Why are they so interested in me using these little pieces of plastic? It is because they know the average person will run up more bills on these accounts than they can pay for in a month’s time. This is especially true during these Gift Giving Seasons. Then when the accounts are not paid by month’s end, they get to charge you interest. Many people today are paying monthly payments to these companies that just barely pay’s the interest. Some people are still paying off last year’s Christmas while charging ahead into this year’s debt. Once a person is caught in this high interest nightmare, for some it seems almost impossible to get out.

    They never told you this when they called or sent the invitation to join their card did they? Did they say, “Hello, we would like you to run up an account with us you can never pay back so we can charge you interest on that amount until you die?” Well of course not. They tell you all about the benefits and the low interest for the first three months. Usually when I tell them I pay off my cards every month and have a “zero” balance on all of them, they are not interested in talking with me anymore. Why, it is simple math. It is because I will not make them any money.

     Our verse today refers to this very thing. Do not get sucked into the fancy speeches and nice voice. Do not desire their dainty goods. This may very well lead you into a path of financial nightmares.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    I know there are some Christian Economists who say that we as Christians are not to be in debt at all. This seems from time to time impossible. However, being a good steward of what God entrusts us with means keeping our debt manageable and to a minimum. Give people your love this Christmas. Really, this is all they want anyway. If they want more than your real love for them, should you be buying them gifts anyway? Let’s not owe our life to the world. Why should we? We gave our life to God.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 23, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING 
(O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Nehemiah 3, 4      /      Psalm 142      /      Proverbs 23      /       Revelations 10, 11

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Nahum      /      Revelation 12-13

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

We are going through some changes at

Living In His Word Ministries

UPDATES
UPGRADES
and sometimes
Up the Creek without a paddle…

Please be patient with us over the next few days as we
try very hard to make these adjustments as painless as possible.

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Watch Me God!

DECEMBER 22, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 141:3-4 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     Have you ever thought, I sure wish I had not said or done that? Well, I have. Too often, we find ourselves in the position of feeling as if we have not just placed one foot in our mouth, but both feet and part of a leg. We spout off a few words or commit deeds with little or no thought for the feelings of others, much less their good or well-being. Then when it is done, we look back and think I really wish I could do that over. Well, YOU CAN’T.

     You cannot do things over. You might have an opportunity to make things right from time to time. You may have the chance to repeat something again, correcting what you should have done right the first time. However, the truth is, time marches on and you cannot do things over. Once a comment or gesture is made, it is done. Those who heard your first words or saw your first action will know what you did the first time no matter what you do to correct it. They may forgive, but hardly ever forget. This is why the Psalmist was praying and begging God to help him guard his comments and his actions. That he might do and say the right things that would be honoring and pleasing to God the first time around.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    As we prepare in the next few days to meet with family and friends, there are several opportunities to say and do the right things or the wrong things. We can be Christ like or be worldly. What we do will honor or dishonor God in front of those around us. This challenge is almost, if not completely impossible to do without God’s help. We all need to pray this prayer of the Psalmist asking God to guard and guide our conversation and actions. That all we do would be pleasing unto HIM.

GOD TALKING TO ME: DECEMBER 22, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING 
(O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Nehemiah 1, 2     /     Psalm 141     /     Proverbs 22     /     Revelations 8, 9

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Micah 5-7           /    Revelation 10-11

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Is It Yours?

DECEMBER 21, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Haggai 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    In this passage of scripture, we find the people of God rebuilding the House of God. God tells them the silver and gold of this world is His. Some people still today do not seem to get the truth in this statement. They read this or another verse where it says God owns everything and will say things like, “If God owns everything, all the gold and silver, then why does He need my money and things?” We kind of look around and see so many others who have so much more and wonder why does God want my money?

    It is in this thought pattern we find the problem. Everyone seems to think what he or she has is their own. The thinking is along the lines of, “I worked for it, earned it, so it is mine.” The truth is we do not own anything. It is all on loan from God. God did not say the REST of the gold and silver is mine. He says the gold and silver, all of it, including what He loaned you, belongs to Him. What you have is someone else’s. It all belongs to God.

    Let’s pretend for a moment, ok? Let’s pretend that you are rich and decide to share your wealth with others. (We are pretending) You choose to give someone a thousand dollars, and plan to give them another thousand every week for several years. However, you did not tell them of your ongoing plans. You simply gave them one thousand dollars. After you give them the money, you turn and say, “Could I have one hundred of the one thousand back?” Instead of a grateful heart for any gift amount given them, they say, “no way, you gave it to me, and I am keeping it.” They reach out their hand and say, “here, you can have a dollar.” Your wealth never changes. However, would you want to give them the planned amount next week? Sadly, this is how many people treat God and then cannot seem to understand when financial problems come their way.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

  OK pretending is over. Let’s get real about this. If God owns it all, why does it seem He is so greedy with His money? The answer is He is not. He is trying to teach us a life lesson. We are not to be careless with what He gives us, nor are we to be greedy. Life is more than money. God loves to supply for our needs and have us to realize He is doing it. God is so generous to us. Yet, how do we treat Him in return?

GOD TALKING TO ME: DECEMBER 21, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING 
(O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Haggai     /     Psalm 140     /     Proverbs 21     /     Revelations 6, 7

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Micah 1-4           /    Revelation 9

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12