Vigilance Ever Needed

Vigilance Ever Needed

Vigilance is ever needed in that deception comes in many forms. Personal and group familiarity with truth is essential in avoiding last-day deception. There is never a good time to be lax in study and application of the word of God in that the enemy ever waits to exploit our weakness. Standing firm and always holding on are the watchwords for the people of God. Given the resources of truth and the Spirit of God, we have the essential weapons, but they must ever be appropriated into our lives, individually and as the church.

I Will

Psalm 101 speaks of integrity.  It’s pretty clear-cut, in the ESV version, the Psalm is even called “I will walk with integrity”.  The way it’s put there speaks to me, it isn’t saying “I should”, there is no question in that statement, “I will walk with integrity”.  I’ll wrap back to the part about integrity later.

First, I want to focus on a phrase. Throughout the whole Psalm, the phrase that we read over and over is “I will”.  Throughout the world, and even in myself, I don’t hear that sort of conviction in daily life.  “I will” is substituted for “I might”, “I could”, etc.  These all convey a sense of being able to back out.  Even the term “I can” lacks the certainty that “I will” has.  “I can” can mean that you can but lack the conviction to do it.  And taking it a step further, even the phrase “I will” can lack conviction.  For example “I will go take out the trash” or “I will drive you to school”.  In Psalm 101 it’s a much different form of “I will” from those.  

So we have conviction, but for what? As said before with the heading, integrity.  When I  search for the definition of the word “integrity”, I get this in response, “integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.” I think this definition has been generalized for the public and for the rest of the world.  The word moral can be subjective in exactly what it entails.  I think we as Christians have a great example of what to look for in integrity though, Psalm 101.  It lays out our “moral principles” pretty well throughout it.  Which I think makes it a great thing to read and study. 

 As I said at the start, I would challenge you to read Psalm 101 again.  But this time, focus on the conviction behind it, and look at the integrity it talks about.  Take it one line at a time and dwell on what is said. 

© Philip Kirkpatrick, 2024

Set an Example

Set an Example

This also plays into something called a logical fallacy.  A logical fallacy is an illogical argument in its simplest form.  In this case, it’s an Ad Hominem fallacy.  This logical fallacy can be used to state that someone who may typically not have good ideas, someone young and inexperienced in this case, can’t come up with good ideas. The Ad Hominem Fallacy in other words; it is an attack against the person, not the argument or idea they are proposing.  So in the case of someone young, it’s saying you can’t dismiss it simply due to age.

Mercy & Forgiveness

Mercy & Forgiveness

If ever someone needed mercy and forgiveness, it was the apostle Paul. His own descriptive words convey his guilt: blasphemer, persecutor, and violent aggressor. Completely misguided in his religious zeal, he violently opposed God’s own Son. But, great as his guilt was, “the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.” Grace far outweighted guilt.

Blessings

Blessings

I also want to see the prosperity of Jerusalem and peace in Jerusalem.  That will happen when King Jesus returns.  I’d like to be around to see that too.  But if I should close my eyes in the sleep of death, I will see Jesus, and I hope my family, my church, and my friends at the first resurrection.

Hearing Good Things

Hearing Good Things

Paul would later remark to this church which had brought him such joy: “for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord” 1 Thessalonians 3:8. Those whom we are related to in the faith should similarly bring such joy to us, and especially those whom we have personally assisted in growth. Our greatest joy should be found in those we mentor/disciple.

Rules for Life

Rules for Life

Have you ever felt like you don’t know what to do in life? You feel like you need a book of instructions to take with you everywhere you go? Well, there may not be any instruction manuals available, but the Bible as our guide is. In 1 Timothy chapter 2, Paul lists these sets of rules that we should live by, either through worship, or living through daily life.

Taming the Tongue

Taming the Tongue

My 3-year-old son made the joyful revelation when talking and making faces at his baby cousin this summer - “If I’m happy at her, she’s happy at me!”  Life isn’t quite always like this, but typically, if you speak kindly to someone, you are much more likely to get a positive response from them whether it is a kind word back or help in an area you are looking for.

Will You Stand Firm or Topple?

Will You Stand Firm or Topple?

Judy Hopps, from the movie Zootopia, is a good example of how your mentality can help you stand firm or be swayed. Judy is a small bunny whose childhood dream was to become a cop. She worked her hardest to pass from the police academy. She continued to work towards her strong desire to do good even when everyone around her didn’t think she could do it.

Mindset

Mindset

Many have discussed and debated this section of Philippians 2 as to the doctrinal nature of Christ. But, the main point must not be overlooked: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” The key issue here is not doctrine, but mindset.

Your Perfect Parent

Your Perfect Parent

Psalm 94 uses some harsh language at the start of the Psalm. To start, the psalmist calls God: “God of Vengeance” and is asking God to let His vengeance come down on the wicked. The psalmist also calls upon God to have judgment upon those who are proud. This Psalm calls upon God’s justice against the wicked. It even ends with saying that God will destroy the wicked because of their sin. This paints a rather harsh and commanding picture of God’s character. This is similar to Psalm 7 where it displays that God will sharpen His sword against those who do not repent. 2 Chronicles, it shows that God sent Egypt to rise up against King Rehoboam due to his sinful ways.  

Utilization of Our Time

Utilization of Our Time

Someone dying of cancer commented that they thought they still had more to accomplish in life, but limited time prohibited those ambitions. Perhaps one of the devil’s great tricks is to lull us into lethargy as time swiftly passes, regardless of whether our years be few or many. We cannot reclaim time and opportunities past.

Children of the Light

Children of the Light

Our identity is found within the Bible. We can find peace and hope in our identity. You are a child of light. You are light through Christ. This means you are filled with the love and goodness of God, and your life has been sanctified through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. What you have read about in the last few devotionals are all centered around living out this light. Living in a manner that brings glory to God by shining your light to all those around you. 

Plan to the Pain

Plan to the Pain

There is increased pain in the world these days. Tensions are rising between nations, and there are areas of significant conflict, war, suffering, and death. These may portend earth’s final conflict, prior to the return of Jesus. But, beyond the world scene, there is private pain. Death’s tentacle reach brings profound grief to friends and families. Fractured relationships result in painful, agonizing isolation. The death of hopes and dreams leave deep emotional scars.

Quiet Living

Quiet Living

In 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, Paul discusses one of the ways to live a sanctified life. Paul reminds the readers to love one another which God has taught them previously. In the case of the Thessalonians they were doing well with showing this brotherly love to those around them. Because they are doing well, Paul encourages them to love even more. What a high praise to have received from Paul and great encouragement to continue not only in doing well but to do it even more! If Paul wrote you a letter inspired by God, would he praise you for the love you show others or would he need to teach you what it means to love those around you?