Daily Word of God - Micah 4:2

Micah 4:2 New Living Translation (NLT)

People from many nations will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the house of Jacob’s God.
There he will teach us his ways,
    and we will walk in his paths.”
For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion;
    his word will go out from Jerusalem.

Daily Word of God - Joshua 24:18

Joshua 24:18 New Living Translation (NLT)

It was the Lord who drove out the Amorites and the other nations living here in the land. So we, too, will serve the Lord, for he alone is our God.

Daily Word of God - Deuteronomy 33:27

Deuteronomy 33:27 New Living Translation (NLT)

The eternal God is your refuge,
    and his everlasting arms are under you.
He drives out the enemy before you;
    he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’

Daily Word of God - Genesis 21:33

Genesis 21:33 New Living Translation (NLT)

Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God.

Daily Word of God - Isaiah 40:28

Isaiah 40:28 New Living Translation (NLT)

Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

Daily Word of God - James 3:13

James 3:13 New Living Translation (NLT)

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

Mid-Week Message - The Blame Game

"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."  Proverbs 28:13

"When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the Lord."  Proverbs 19:3

Comedian Flip Wilson portrayed a character that he named "Geraldine."  That character is credited with the phrase, "The devil made me do it!"  No matter how funny it was, it was also quite accurate.  When we do something we shouldn't or make a questionable choice, we often tend to blame another person or a circumstance for it rather than taking personal responsibility.

This has become rampant in our society.  If a child makes bad grades, his teacher must be doing something wrong.  If we aren't successful at our job, it is because of bad management.  If we have a horrible habit, it is because our parents didn't teach us correctly.  Do any of these sound familiar?  I'm not saying that we never have negative circumstances that influence our choices.  What I am saying is that, in the end, we use the mind that God gave each of us to ultimately make the choice.  

Proverbs 28:13 warns us against concealing our transgressions.  In other words, we need to own up to our actions.  If someone makes us angry and we respond with ugly words, we need to take responsibility for those words.  To wound someone else is never acceptable.  They may have transgressed against us in some way, but that does not give us permission to respond with hurtfulness.  

Another regular occurrence is placing the blame on God.  "I wouldn't have done that if God had only provided what I asked for."  "God made me this way.  He knew I would be like this."  That second phrase hits very close to home.  I have an eating disorder.  Rather than asking Him for His help, which He is ready and willing to give, I have spent far too many years in my life blaming Him for creating my body in the way He did.  Yes.  He did create me. And yes, He did know what weaknesses I would have.  However, His plan was for me to walk with Him and to trust that what is impossible for me is possible with Him.  Our Father wants to be just that.  Our Father.  He desires for us to turn to Him in times of difficulty.  No matter what we are tempted with, He can get us through it. 

What do you struggle with?  What is there in your life that it is easier to blame someone or something else for rather than take the responsibility yourself?  What would change if you turned to the Lord and allowed Him to cleanse you and guide you in the future?  Whatever it is, I hope you let Him transform it.  Take His hand.  He loves you far more than you can ever imagine.  May He bless your week. 

Daily Word of God - John 14:21

John 14:21 New Living Translation (NLT)

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 127:1

Psalm 127:1 New Living Translation (NLT)

Unless the Lord builds a house,
    the work of the builders is wasted.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
    guarding it with sentries will do no good.

Daily Word of God - Isaiah 46:4

Isaiah 46:4 New Living Translation (NLT)

I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
    until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
    I will carry you along and save you.

Daily Word of God - Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 New Living Translation (NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Daily Word of God - Titus 2:2

Titus 2:2 New Living Translation (NLT)

Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.

Daily Word of God - Ephesians 5:20

Ephesians 5:20 New Living Translation (NLT)

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Give Thanks for 5 Kernels

Many years ago, my wife and I started a series of messages that started weeks before Thanksgiving Day. The series was based on a story about a Thanksgiving tradition that stemmed from the first winter the Pilgrims endured. That first winter was very bitter and cold. With food supplies dwindling, rationing was the only solution. Each pilgrim received 5 kernels of corn daily to sustain them.

After surviving that winter, the Pilgrims received a gift from God. The Indians came as friends to help the Pilgrims by teaching them planting techniques in this new world. They showed them areas to hunt and fish. Truly blessings from God.
During that first Thanksgiving of bounty, they placed 5 kernels of corn on each plate to remind them of the blessings that they had received and to be truly be thankful. We, too, sometimes need to be reminded of our blessings. Those blessings that truly sustain us daily.

In the coming Sundays and the day before Thanksgiving, we will look at the tradition of those 5 kernels of corn.

Daily Word of God - Colossians 3:15-17

Colossians 3:15-17 New Living Translation (NLT)

15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Daily Word of God - Psalms 27:4

Psalm 27:4 New Living Translation (NLT)

The one thing I ask of the Lord—
    the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
    delighting in the Lord’s perfections
    and meditating in his Temple.

Signs of Salvation - Jesus Reforms

Trinity Baptist Church

Newnan, GA 30263

God formed. Sin deformed. Jesus reformed.

Daily Word of God - Proverbs 28:13

Proverbs 28:13 New Living Translation (NLT)

People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
    but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

Daily Word of God - Acts 20:35

Acts 20:35 New Living Translation (NLT)

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Daily Word of God - Romans 8:1-2

Romans 8:1-2 New Living Translation (NLT)

1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.