Repentance and a soft heart

 S - Prov 28: 13 -14 (NASB)

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
    but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,
    but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

O -  I have fallen in to both of these traps and been the fool who conceals sin and hardens my heart.   I know from experience these truths and need to even now make sure I am not one who operates in secret and who hardens his heart and buries my feelings deep down.  

A - The application for me is to confess and repent my sins, to truly mourn the loss of God in me and to humbly soften my calous heart, allowing emphathy for my wife and family to rule my heart and mind.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's reminder of what  I need to become in order to lead and love my family well.  I pray Lord for a softened heart and a righteous life so that I might love well my family and recover from my past season where I let sin creep in and make unwise actions and foolish words dominate my life.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Love your enemies

  S - Luke  6 : 27-36    (NASB)

27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who [o]mistreat you. 29 Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your [p]coat, do not withhold your [q]shirt from him either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 [r]Treat others the same way you want [s]them to treat you. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, [t]expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 [u]Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

O -  This paradox of how we are to treat others, especially others who are not for us, goes to the heart of who God is and who He wants us to be.   God does not return to who are bad,  bad things,  instead He extends grace.   He shows mercy to those who turn towards Him, despite their past.

A -  I have a tendency to make enemies of those who I feel are against me.   I watch and vilify the actions they are taking.   God is telling me this is not a healthy habit.  I must learn to bless those that curse me, to pray for those who don't treat me right.   This will change my heart and attitude towards them and will perhaps change their attitude toward me.  Do not return to others what you receive from them but rather return to them what you would have liked to have received.  

P -  Lord I confess that I have not been treating my wife and kids right.  I need to be a source of strength and encouragement for them.  Lord help me to see them as you see them, and give me the words that build them up and make them feel valued and loved.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Lead with Kindness

 S - Prov 19:21-22 (NASB)

What is desirable in a man is his [o]kindness,
And it is better to be a poor man than a liar.
23 The [p]fear of the Lord leads to life,
So that one may sleep satisfied, [q]untouched by evil.

O - This proverb is a great reminder that we (I)  must choose kindness all the time.  The fruit of the spirit is love, joy , gentleness,   ... kindness.    I must be spirit led and full of the Holy spirit to desire and act with kindness.   My fear of the lord or reverence needs to be greater than the fear of the judgement in the world.

A -  The application for me is really take this message to heart, listen to the holy spirit inside me and act with kindness when interacting with my kids,  my wife, those I work with and those I meet along the way.   I have been known to be a hammer and treat people like nails, but the Lord is calling me to trust in kindness.

P -  Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's word, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would give me a spirit of gentleness and kindness, so that those I am with feel peace and love when they are around me, not tension and stress.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name. 

Stay on God's course for your life

 S -  Proverbs 16:1-4 (NASB)
The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the Lord weighs the [a]motives.
3 [b]Commit your works to the Lord
And your plans will be established.

Psalm 128:1-5 (NASB)

How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways.
2 When you shall eat of the [a]fruit of your hands,
You will be happy and it will be well with you.
3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
[b]Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the Lord.

O -  The observation is God has a good plan for your life, and those that seek Him and whose heart is led by Him have a fullfilling life.  Those that don't, though they may live,  face self inflicted trials.   The Lord has no problem with us facing trials in our life, but self inflicted ones are doubly hard.   This is because we likely have turned from  the path the Lord is trying to guide us on and blazed a trail that is far from His.   This does not mean the Lord changes his path, it only means the further you get from His path the larger the correction will have to be and the longer it will take to get back to Gods path for your life.  

A - The application for me is to look at my recent season of correction and realize that I had strayed from the Lords path for a few years.  My focus on work,  my fading away from the church, and my imbalance at home was at least 4 years long.   My correction was large and only occurred when I could no longer hold onto it all by myself.  I broke down, mentally, physically, and spirtually.   I hit a hard reset that has taken me almost two years to get to the right place in my life.  And though I am not there yet,  especially when it comes to my  relationship with my family and the local church.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for what you have done in my life, I pray that you keep doing a good work in me and help me restore my marriage and my family.   I need help also connecting to the body of Christ, the local church, so I don't once again wander away from your people.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

- 

Wisdom of a gentle answer

 S - Proverbs 15:1-3 (NASB)

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a [a]harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge [b]acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly

O -  I am pretty sure at least annually the Lord speaks to me about my anger and my tongue through proverbs.   Today is much of the same, that the heart of God for me is to tame my anger, and put words of life into my heart and mouth.   In this season in particular I am to learn to do this when interacting with my wife.

A - And so the application of these verses is to quite simply reflect on these truth's and apply them to when I am first listening to my wife,   I am to see and hear what is going on through these lenses of truth.   First through the lens of gentle response,  no reason to hammer here.  The second is through the lens of wisdom, out of this lens I am to speak wisdom, truth, and love to my wife. 

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's message for me.  I receive them with an open head and heart,  Lord help me to live them through your holy spirit that is in me.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Being Proactive - allowing God's wisdom to guide your steps

 S - Prov 14: 14-18  (NASB)
The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied [g]with his.
15 The [h]naive believes everything,
But the sensible man considers his steps.
16 A wise man [i]is cautious and turns away from evil,
But a fool is arrogant and careless.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of evil devices is hated.
18 The [j]naive inherit foolishness,
But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

O - Wisdom and knowledge are so awesome, especially when they come from the Lord.  Solomon rips off like 20 pieces of golden wisdom bits, and I chose just a portion of which to reflect for today.    Wisdom is often juxtaposed to what is unwise so we understand that wisdom is a choice more than a matter of understanding.     Backsliders (which has been me)  have done so when they try and control all of their life in their ways instead of God's ways.   Don't be naive, but consider carefully your steps.   Run away from evil, don't be arrogant and careless because your path will be full of troubles.   Maintain an even temperedness,  because in your quick temperateness you act foolishly.  Check your feelings against God's truth and then respond as God designed you to respond. 

A =  The action for me to take is to be WISE!   Act in these manners by leaving a space between how I feel and how I act.  This space is reserved for God to speak truth into each and every situation I face.  This is a practiced habit,  proactiveness vice reactiveness. 

P -  Lord thank you so much for today's word, may it be sealed to my heart.  I love you Lord and your ways, they are so much better than my ways and you are so much smarter than me.   Help me Lord to walk in your ways, especially with my wife in this season of recovery.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen

The righeous who turn away from God must repent

 S -  Ezek 33:12-16   (NASB)

‘The righteousness of a righteous man will not deliver him in the day of his transgression, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he will not stumble because of it in the day when he turns from his wickedness; whereas a righteous man will not be able to live [g]by his righteousness on the day when he commits sin.’ 13 When I say to the righteous he will surely live, and he so trusts in his righteousness that he commits iniquity, none of his righteous deeds will be remembered; but in that same iniquity of his which he has committed he will die. 14 But when I say to the wicked, ‘You will surely die,’ and he turns from his sin and practices justice and righteousness, 15 if a wicked man restores a pledge, pays back what he has taken by robbery, walks by the statutes [h]which ensure life without committing iniquity, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 16 None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. He has practiced justice and righteousness; he shall surely live.

O -  This message from the prophet Ezekial to the people of Israel displays how great God's grace in.  Even before Jesus,  the message was that the repentant and those who turn away from their transgressions will be forgiven and find favor with God.   A strong juxtaposition is also shown that a man who has lived a life of right living and then sins is condemned... if he stays mired in his sin.... but if he repents and turns from his evil ways God is trustworthy and will forgive these transgression and restore to the repent the crown of life.

A - God's grace is real.  I have personally experienced it as for a years I had slowly faded away from His righteousness and persuade treasures in this world,  ultimately sinning against God and my wife.   I have since repented, turned towards God and He is healing me and my marriage.  This is my application,  not if I sin but when,  I must be quick and humble to repent and turn towards God for correction and healing.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for making me the way you have.  I am so sorry I fell short of your righteousness, and am so thankful for your grace.  I pray you continue to heal and guide me in ways to restore my life with you as my Lord and Savior, and in my leadership of my family and marriage.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

A season of mental breakdown

 S - Prov 12:89-90 (NASB)
Give thanks to the Lord, who is good,
    whose mercy endures forever.
90 Bless the God of gods, all you who fear the Lord;
    praise and give thanks,
    for his mercy endures forever.”

Daniel 4: 31-34 (NASB)

31 When this period was over, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes to heaven; my reason was restored to me, and I blessed the Most High, I praised and glorified the One who lives forever,

Whose dominion is an everlasting dominion,
    and whose kingdom endures through all generations.
32 All who live on the earth are counted as nothing;
    he does as he wills with the powers of heaven
    and with those who live on the earth.
There is no one who can stay his hand
    or say to him, “What have you done?”

33 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and my splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles sought me out; I was restored to my kingdom and became much greater than before. 34 Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, all of whose works are right and ways just; and who is able to humble those who walk in pride.

O -  The change of the state of mind of Nebuchadnezzar was one that was God ordained, and this was intended because of the lack of respect Nebuchadnezzar had,    and a lack of humility from where his Kingship came.  Now Daniel had told Nebuchadnezzar what His dream meant and that he would be dethroned and live a life of an Ox, banished from His kingdom.  But then God allows reason to return to him, and his kingdom to be restored, and only then did Nebuchadnezzar praise and exalt God and acknowledge His ways were right and just, being able to humble those who walk in pride.

A -  I can't help liken Nebuchadnezzar's experience to that of my own.   I was at the top of my leadership throne as a Navy Captain , and my leadership had become suspect as I did not have the right attitudes toward those I led, and to my God who I serve.   My whole life I have likely struggled with Bipolar disorder, but in this season the Lord allow me to snap and lose my mind.  I was hospitalized for 30 days and wandered the earth with thoughts of hopelessness and low self worth.  I perceived falsely perceived reality and was benched for about 1.5 years where I could do nothing.   But God was good and faithful to not let me live like that.  He restored my mind and my spirit to one of thanksgiving and clarity.   He has given me a chance to lead again at Amazon, and I am determined to live a God pleasing one, in which I show my love for God and for His people that He wishes to save, restore, and lift up.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this day in which you have poured out your truth on me.   I am thankful that you were with me through the season that I had to go through to break the chains of sin, and the lies of the Satan that I had allowed to be planted.  I pray Lord you guard my heart and mind now and in the future from Satan's lies.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen. 

Seek favor of God and all righteousness

 S -  Prov 11:27-31 (NASB)

He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.
29 He who troubles his own house will inherit wind,
And the foolish will be servant to the wisehearted.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise [n]wins souls.
31 If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth,
How much more the wicked and the sinner!

O -  I so want to be like the green leaf who seeks God's righteousness and thrives in this life.   I pray that the riches of this world won't be my focus but the abundance and satisfaction in God's provision would be my strength.   I pray that I seek righteousness above all else, so might right living will be a source of life to my family and those around me. 

A -  The application for me is to simply heed these proverbs and seek a God pleasing righteous life.  Don't be drawn into evil ways.   Seek wisdom of God and not of man, and look to serve those around me, vice serving myself.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for you decision to not let me go.  I have fallen far from the righteous living that you designed me to live, and only now am I turning back to you to seek your forgiveness and direction that I may live a righteous and pleasing life.   I pray that you help heal the affects of the last few years both in me and in my family.  I pray that you clean me up and send me again back into the world as a ready and willing servant.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Fountain of life

 S - Prov 10:11-12 (NASB)

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all transgressions.

O - The goal here is to be humble and righteous because this gives life giving water to those in need and ready.  For those seeped in sin,  their evil ways are concealing their violence.     Love covers all transgressions in life while hate only stirs up problems.  This wisdom definitely applies to me.

A -  I have to guard my heart and mind that I not allow my unhumble righteousness doesn't lead me to hatred of people.  

P - Lord help me to be humble and righteous so that I might be a fountain of life to my family and those I work with.   I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.

Seek Godly wisdom

 S - Prov 9:7-10 (NASB)

He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And he who reproves a wicked man gets [e]insults for himself.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

O - The wisdom of Solomon, as granted by God, is always so precise in describing godly wisdom.    Godly wisdom applied to one who has no ear for truth and God's ways has no fruit.  But correct a wise man and he will be even more the wiser,  teach a righteous man and he will increase his knowledge.   And the take away if you have a healthy fear of the Lord,  this is the foundation from which wisdom and knowledge of God becomes possible.

A -  The application for me is to begin with the end in mind.   Have a healthy fear of the Lord,  knowing he loves me but doesn't want me to live ignorantly but rather with the wisdom of Solomon.    The fear comes wanting to flee from ways that are not from God and run towards Him and His ways.   From there I can seek wise mentors to garner like lessons and filter what is from God and what is from man, through the Holy Spirit in me.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's lesson, may it be stored to my heart.   I pray Lord that you would help me to have a healthy fear of not aligning with your ways, and help me to find and listen to godly mentors.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

A season in Babylon

 S - Jeremiah 42:7-16  (NASB)

7 Now at the end of ten days the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. 8 Then he called for Johanan the son of Kareah and all the [g]commanders of the forces that were with him, and for all the people both small and great, 9 and said to them, “Thus says the Lord the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your petition before Him: 10 ‘If you will indeed stay in this land, then I will build you up and not tear you down, and I will plant you and not uproot you; for I [h]will relent concerning the calamity that I have inflicted on you. 11 Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you are now fearing; do not be afraid of him,’ declares the Lord, ‘for I am with you to save you and deliver you from his hand. 12 I will also show you compassion, so that he will have compassion on you and restore you to your own soil. 13 But if you are going to say, “We will not stay in this land,” so as not to listen to the voice of the Lord your God, 14 saying, “No, but we will go to the land of Egypt, where we will not see war or hear the sound of a trumpet or hunger for bread, and we will stay there”; 15 then [i]in that case listen to the word of the Lord, O remnant of Judah. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “If you really set your [j]mind to enter Egypt and go in to reside there, 16 then the sword, which you are afraid of, will overtake you there in the land of Egypt; and the famine, about which you are anxious, will follow closely after you there in Egypt, and you will die there

O - This example of how God treats those he is correcting.   In this case God has allowed the people of Israel to be cast out of Jerusalem into Bablyon where they would be held a captive people.   Even though they were cast out because of how they were not following the commandments of God,  He was good and faithful to speak through Jeremiah the prophet and tell the people He is for them if they will trust and follow Him.

A -  This verse speaks straight to my heart.   I have been through a Babylon season which was the darkest period of my life.  God is saying if I will stay in this land , there is growth and healing that can and will occur, if I trust in Him to do a good work in me.  I can't try and escape from dealing with the spirit that inhabited me the past eight years, but rather face this spirit of unrighteousness.  I am not to be afraid of facing my giants but know that the Lord will show compassion on me if I will stay in this land and allow the mess that is the this illness, to allow God to turn that into fertilizer to grow my roots in Him and in my marriage. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you would do a good work in me and help me grow because of this season I am in and because you have plan for me, plans for me to prosper.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Dealing with sin

 S -  Prov 6: 2-5,16-19       (NASB)

If you have been snared with the words of your mouth,
Have been caught with the words of your mouth,
3 Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself;
Since you have come into the [b]hand of your neighbor,
Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.
4 Give no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids;
5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

...

There are six things which the Lord hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination [i]to Him:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies,
And one who [j]spreads strife among brothers.

O -