One for the Road – “A Multitude of Counselors”

A multitude of counselors.  That has to do with consensus.   Solomon says that purposes fail… without the input of capable counselors.  Of course… there is the solitary voice of a prophet… who has heard from God.   But… as a principle…plans can fail without the agreement of wise and godly counselors.   Sometimes… pride gets in the way.  People choose to go it on…

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One for the Road – “Debt-Free”

Debt-free.  That’s a good thing.   Mortgage paid.  Credit cards at zero.  The last payment on the car in the mail.   It feels good.   But…there is another payoff that is better…by far.  Being debt-free from sin.   The Apostle Paul called it redemption.   In his day it referred to the payoff to secure freedom for a slave.   Jesus told a story about a man who was in…

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One for the Road – “Fear of People”

The fear of people.  It can have a crippling effect…and ruin one’s effectiveness.   Aaron feared the people…and made a golden calf for them.  Elijah feared Jezebel…and ran for his life. Peter feared the crowd…and denied his Lord.   What will people think?  That’s the question that can compromise integrity…paralyze initiative…and immobilize progress.   Consider the example of Jesus.  He did the will of his Father…with…

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One for the Road – “Incongruity”

Incongruity.  That’s when something doesn’t make sense.   Why do bad things happen to good people?  Why are the righteous persecuted?  Why do the innocent experience injustice?   Godly people have learned how to live with incongruities.   The Apostle Paul had a thorn in the flesh.  But…he received a promise of sufficient grace – instead of a miracle.   That’s an incongruity – something that doesn’t…

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One for the Road – “Bad Memories”

Bad memories.  Most people have some.   Missed opportunity.  Wrong decision.  Accident.  Rejection.  Abusive childhood.  Betrayal.   The result is a bad memory.   Some are self-imposed…others because of circumstances.  Either way…the results are bad memories.   So…what do you do with them?   Isaiah said of Jesus that He would…“bind up the brokenhearted…”  That includes bad memories. But…the first step is repentance…asking Jesus to forgive the sins of the…

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One for the Road – “Distraught”

Distraught.  That’s how people sometimes feel.   Out of control.  Confused options.  Indecisiveness.   It’s not a comfortable feeling.   The night Jesus was betrayed was like that.   The temple guard came in the darkness of the night – swords drawn and torches blazing.   One of the disciples drew his sword.  H missed the mark…but cut off a man’s ear.  It was a moment of extreme confusion.   But…in…

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One for the Road – “Pacing Yourself”

Pacing yourself.  Life will be a lot better that way.   Long-distance runners think of the end…at the beginning.   Some people sprint…when they should walk.   Jesus paced Himself.  There is no record of Him rushing…or under pressure to get someplace.   In fact…He never shied away from interruptions.  He always had time for people — blind Bartimaeus…the woman with the issue of blood…the ten lepers.   His…

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One for the Road – “Your Life in Review”

Your life in review.  How will it look?   The journey of life has a conclusion.  “…it is appointed unto men once to die…”   At that moment…how will your life look?   Here’s a testimony worth considering.   Joshua lived through Israel’s forty years in the wilderness…   And through the battles to inherit the Promised Land.   Here is his look back: “Every promise has been fulfilled; not one…

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One for the Road – “Stench”

The stench of sin.  Try as you might…it is impossible to hide   But…people try.  Excuses – denials – blame.  It’s to no avail.   Why?  “He that covereth his sin shall not prosper.”   The stench never goes away.   Achan tried – but Joshua knew.  David tried — but Nathan knew.  Ananias tried — but Peter knew.   The stench never goes away.   Wait.  That’s not true.  “Thou…

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