Determine Not To Be Moved

Are you easily swayed when it comes to your Christian walk? Do you get blown around with every new teaching? Are you eager to jump on board when you hear teaching that makes life easier for you?

I think it is a natural thing for us to want the easy way out of whatever situation we might be facing. We may very well even want to take the easy road through life. We get to the point we don't want to offend someone...or anyone for that matter. 

There is a good deal of wrong headed Bible teaching going on these days. Those teaching the error may be sincere but they are sincerely wrong. 

As Bible believers we must take a stand for God. We must be determined that we will not be moved. That reminds me of an old hymn. The words to the chorus are as follows:

I shall not be I shall not be moved!

I shall not be I shall not be moved!

Just like a tree planted by the water,

Lord, I shall not be moved!

We must stand firm and be determined not to be moved from the old time gospel. Don't be led astray by the watered down "gospel" message so many are settling for today. This "tickle my ear but stay off my toes" just won't do.

It's important to say, "I'll not be shaken" when bad times come our way. Bad times will come to each of us. That's pretty much a guarantee. That's life. 

We can acknowledge that Jesus, our Savior, is the one who stays. He will see us through anything that comes our way if only we call on Him and seek His help. 

I encourage you to be determined not to be moved no matter what. Stand with Jesus. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and He will see you through. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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Family Rules

In late November Cindy and I visited a very nice family. They are a mom, dad, and two young children. They are good people. We certainly enjoyed our visit with them.

Before we left the children were asked to tell us their “Family Rules”. They recited them together. These were the Family Rules for their family:

1. Listen
2. Always tell the truth
3. Be kind

I later put these rules in the memo on my iPhone thinking that would make a good blog post some day. That time has come. 

With all that is going on in politics, government, churches and families perhaps it is time we take a good look at these rules. Can you imagine how much different things would be in our world if these rules were being followed?

If only our leaders (political, governmental and church) would listen, always tell the truth and be kind. Wow! That would turn the world upside down and inside out from where it is now. 

A couple of nights ago I looked up a few Bible verses to go with these rules. I want to share these with you. At the very least it will give you something to ponder.

Listen 

Psalm 78:1 CSB - My people, hear my instruction; listen to the words from my mouth.

 Proverbs 1:5 CSB - Let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance

James 1:19 CSB - My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger

Always Tell The Truth

Psalm 119:30 CSB - I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me.

Proverbs 12:17 CSB - Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.

Ephesians 4:25 CSB - Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

Be Kind

Proverbs 11:17 CSB - A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel person brings ruin on himself.

Ephesians 4:32 CSB - And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Colossians 3:12 CSB - Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience

This is just great advise for everyone everywhere at all times. If you want to see a dramatic change in your life put these rules in action in your life. 

These rules will change your attitude. Let’s face it, some of us need an attitude adjustment from time to time. Let’s try them. Let’s put them in to action in our lives. 

Let us listen, always tell the truth and be kind to others. See what happens.   

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

Check out my website at www.rayspellbrink.com

A Sweet Friendship Refreshes The Soul

Friends. True friends are precious. They are there for you and you are there for them. Friends walk together in good times as well as bad times. Friends laugh at and with each other and cry with each other. They joke around and are serious when the occasion calls for it. Friends can go weeks or months without chatting with one another and when they do chat they pick up where they left off. 

We spent some time with some friends this week. They had just faced a situation and needed some encouragement. We,along with some other friends, went to visit and encourage these friends. As we got together we talked, we shared experiences and we laughed. 

I believe its good and needful to have friends who care about you and will take the time to spend with you when they sense a need. Friends who will pray for you when you are struggling or going through something. Friends who will lay it on the line and even be blunt, when needed. Not to hurt you but because they love you and want the best for you. 

Most of us have many acquaintances. Ask yourself how many true friends do you have? Some people have many true friends while others have but a handful. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

Check out my website at www.rayspellbrink.com

A Critical Spirit

Have you ever spent much time around someone who is critical? They criticize situations. They criticize people. They criticize those in authority. Many even criticize the church and their brothers and sisters. 

In my observation, those who continually critcize are, generally speaking, unhappy and miserable people. Nothing is ever right. They find fault with nearly everything and everyone around them. Frankly, they are not pleasant people to be around. 

The Bible has some things to say about this. Let’s go right to the Source. 

James 4:11-12 CSB

[11] Don't criticize one another, brothers and sisters. Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. [12] There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

James 5:9 CSB

Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door! 

 It has been said that there are three questions we should ask ourselves before indulging in criticism of others: 

1. . What good does it do your brother or sister you are criticizing? 
2. What good does it do yourself? 
3. What glory for God is in it?

According to the Believer’s Bible Commentary on this these two verses, “The royal law of love says that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. To speak evil against a brother, therefore, or to judge his motives, is the same as speaking against this law and condemning it as worthless. To break a law deliberately is to treat it with disrespect and contempt. It is the same as saying that the law is not good, and not worthy of obedience. ‘He who refuses obedience virtually says it ought not to be law.’ Now this puts the one who speaks evil of a brother in the strange position of being a judge rather than one who is to be judged. He sets himself up as being superior to the law rather than subject to it. But only God is superior to the law; He is the One who gave it and the One who judges by it. Who then has the audacity to usurp the place of God and judge another?”

It is easy to point a finger at others. It is easy to be critical. Unfortunately many professing Christians have far too much experience in this. 

Instead of a critical spirit let’s show a compassionate spirit toward others. Let’s lend a hand. Let’s pray for them. Let’s be there for them to lean on and to sound off to. Let’s allow God to use us to make a change in someone’s life. 

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward  a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.

Check out my website at www.rayspellbrink.com