What is the approach when a mistake is made? I know that I have experienced deflection and denial and excuses for the mistake and ultimately the mistake is blamed on someone else.

“¹²Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, ‘Return, faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the Lord: I will not be angry forever. ¹³Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the Lord your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the Lord. ¹⁴Return, O faithless children, declares the Lord; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.’” – Jeremiah 3:12-14 (ESV)

Here the Lord is speaking to Jeremiah and giving him direction on how to interact with the people. God makes it clear that the mistakes have been made and are clearly in the past. The Lord declares that He will move on from the mistakes of the past and provide for those that acknowledge the mistake.

I have seen too many times those that hold on to the lie to save face. Ultimately they are found out and the consequences are much worse than if the acknowledgment had occurred so that it could be dealt with and move on from. Denying, lying, making excuses, these are the actions displayed by those that are guilty and are not willing to take responsibility for their actions.

I remember many times in my career where I have been confronted about some actions I took or failed to take. I can tell that the one confronting me is looking for me to put up walls and deflect, deny, lie, or make excuses as to what happened. The deflation in their face and countenance when I acknowledge my mistake is amazing to behold. The fight in their demeanor is completely removed when I do not fight back and take ownership of the action or inaction. There is such a disbelief that at one point it was stated by the person, “you are not going to deny it, or try to wiggle out of it?”. (With that one, not another word was said about the incident and similar instances have never materialized.)

I am still responsible for the consequences of my actions, however those consequences are deemed adequate for the instance and are not revisited going forward. God wants the people to know that when they acknowledge their guilt He will put it in the past and move forward. The consequences of the actions are there, however they are overshadowed by the love displayed in the rewards for repentance.

What is your approach to mistakes or instances that come up in your life? Are you willing to take ownership in the action or inaction? Will you acknowledge the mistakes and guilt and own the instance and accept God’s declaration that He will move on?

Have I acknowledged God in everything in my life? I like to think I do, but in my heart, I know that I lean on myself for a lot of things.

“⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ⁷Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. ⁸It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” – Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV)

I struggle daily with different things. One day it is in my personal life. The next in my career. The next in my financial well being. The reality is that I have those struggles and will continue to have them because I am human. The key thing for me to remember is that I should be turning them over to God for his guidance.

I have great days as well. One day in my personal life. The next in my career. The next in my financial well being. I have and will continue to have them because I am human. The key thing for me to remember is that I should be turning them over to God for his guidance.

I know, the previous paragraphs are basically the same with the substitution of great days for struggles being the biggest difference. The thing is that it is true. Why would I acknowledge God in one and not the other? Why would I turn one over to Him to guide me through and not the other?

There are a number of reasons why and I have to work through those with God personally. The thing is that I have to acknowledge Him in all things at all times. When I am in the middle of doing things on my own, I miss things that I cannot see based on my perspective. I have to yield to the one that knows all and can see all, GOD.

What areas are you seeking God’s guidance? Are you leaning on yourself for the vast majority of scenarios in your life? Are you acknowledging God in everything?

In my career as a training professional, one of the most important items to learn is empathy. A very basic definition of empathy is to understand and even before understanding comes acknowledgment.

“³³When your people Israel are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and if they turn again to you and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, ³⁴then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land that you gave to their fathers.” – 1 Kings 8:33-34 (ESV)

Notice above that Solomon brings to the Lord for mercy. He does not try and pretend that the people of Israel are somehow better and do not deserve to destroyed. He makes it clear that the reason for their destruction is due to their sin. Solomon petitions for God to have mercy if and when the people acknowledge God and “pray and plead” for forgiveness.

In this case empathy is from the side of the people in that they must acknowledge and understand the position they have placed God in and that He is in control to take whatever action He feels is necessary. Shouldn’t I do the same. I am the sinner that places God in the position of choice. I have to acknowledge that fact and understand what would be the choices if I had to be the one dealing with this choice.

What would I do in the situation? How would I handle the disobedience?

I am a sinner and cause great pain to my Lord each time I sin, regardless of the “size” of that sin, and whether I know I sinned or not. It is up to me to acknowledge that I have sinned and understand the position I have placed my Father in and know that I can only repent and pray for forgiveness. The consequences to my sin are left up to God and it is up to me to acknowledge, understand, and accept those consequences of my actions.

Are you willing to acknowledge your responsibility? Do you understand the position that you put God in each time you sin? Will you acknowledge, understand, and accept the consequences of your actions?

Living a life like Christ means that I am to love. Love all. Well to go along with that love is to bless.

“⁸Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. ⁹Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV)

I have to bless for this I was “called” to do. I am tasked with doing the work of God in this world and when I really look at it, love is action and so is to bless. One is done with the other in mind. I am to bless to show love and I am loving to be a blessing. When I think of the one, the other is part of the equation by default.

I am here to not think of myself. I am here to think of you. And as I think of you, I love you and bring you blessing through my actions in this world. I LOVE YOU, and I BLESS YOU!

I may not know you. I cannot see you. I do not get to personally speak with you in general, but that does not stop me from loving and blessing you. You are my purpose as given to me by God. You are the one I am here to reach. God placed me here to be love for you and bless you.

When you look at your life, what are you here for? God loves you and provides blessings for you, are you aware of that? Will you be love and blessing for others?

“³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)

I may not feel right now. I may not experience right now. I may fully understand right now. God has already blessed me with all spiritual blessing. This one is difficult for me to grasp, even as I have been a Christian for over 35 years.

What makes this hard to believe is that I have already received my spiritual blessings. I received them when I accepted Christ as my Savior. I received them as a condition of repentance. I am already rich with reward.

It is difficult to see that reward each and every day. With the difficulty that is experienced, I find it hard to stay focused on the reward of heaven and avoid the negative thinking that creeps into my mind.

Some blessings I have been given are their and I have to remind myself that they are there. Right in front of me, like my wife and sons are physical blessings and I am just not realizing them each day.

But these blessings are not what my Lord has given in the way of spiritual blessings. I will realize those when I get to heaven as they are from the heavenly realm, and are part of the inheritance I received with my salvation. I was added to the family of God and with that addition, I was granted all of the same as my brothers and sisters in Christ were when they accepted Christ as their savior. Some are enjoying their reward as they have passed on, and yet others walk along side me and will enjoy theirs when they arrive at the appointed time Christ has for them just as I will. I have to remember that my greatest blessings are in heaven when I arrive.

What are you looking for in the way of blessings? Are you focused on those that you have here in the world? Are you looking for the spiritual blessings that you will enjoy when you arrive in heaven?

“²⁶Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’” – Matthew 26:26 (ESV)

I know, this is Matthew’s account of The Lords Supper. I want to look this morning at the blessing performed by Jesus. The disciples were sitting with Him and taking the Passover feast. And here, they were reaching the end of the meal when Jesus gets the attention of them. He gets their attention and offers up blessings for the bread and the wine. At this point in the meal, it was not customary to offer blessings. That would take away from the feast that was being had.

Talk about getting the attention of the disciples. Eating a meal and having great conversation when all of a sudden Jesus gets up to offer blessings to all to hear. Imagine reaching the end of the wedding and the groom stands to offer up blessings for the feast that had already been eaten. Or toward the end of the thanksgiving meal the patriarch of the family stands to give thanks for everyone being there. Not out of the realm of possibility, but certainly a little odd given the timing.

I am taking away here this morning the reminder that there is never a bad time to give thanks. There is no harm in offering blessings at the end. Anytime they are needed I should feel comfortable and led to giving thanks and offering blessings. I know that there are so many times when I have been in a position to do more than just be there, and have not had the courage to do what I should and give thanks or offer blessings in the situation. I have to be better at knowing when to and taking the opportunity when led to be the voice that others need to hear. No matter the time, situation, or timing.

Have you found yourself in a situation where you felt led to offer, and didn’t? What could you have done differently in those times? What actions can you take to be sure you do not miss the opportunities offered to you by God in the future?

“¹ON that day they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, ²for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.” – Nehemiah 13:1-2 (ESV)

O how often I have been “given” something other than a blessing. I have been mistreated and beat down and frankly felt completely unworthy of anything.

But, God has always pulled me through. He has always gotten me to a better place after the suffering I went through. God certainly allowed my suffering to “teach me something”.

I have witnessed the questions as to how could a God of Love allow for suffering, adversity, and persecution. That is just the part that demonstrates love is the willingness to allow for the suffering, adversity, and persecution. I have to learn somewhere what is right and proper. Even as a parent, as much as I want to, I cannot protect my boys from the difficulties they will face. I have to let them suffer, encounter adversity, and be persecuted for them learn.

All of that difficulty has been a blessing for the future in that I am now stronger and more able by coming through it. God allowed and continues to allow me to figure it out on my own. I have to remember that just because I came through okay, that does not mean I will not have the same challenges in the future. I will continue to be challenged, only this time the experience from yesterday is a blessing for tomorrow.

Have you experienced suffering, adversity, and persecution? How do you look at those times in your life? What if you looked at them as blessings for tomorrow?

“²And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. ³I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” – Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV)

This is the passage where Abram is called by God, and whereas that is the greatness of the passage, as I read this morning, I picked up on verse 2 above. God called Abram to go and he did. The end of the verse is where I was impacted this morning.

Abram and his family was blessed, yes. Abram was a blessing to those around him. He and his family were the blessing to others. You can see that fact in verse 3, but when I look closely at verse 3 I see the same. God blessed Abram so that he could be a blessing to others.

I have to allow God to bless me and my family. I do not and should not resist Him. I should be approaching things with those blessings in mind. God will bless me and my family and I need to be on the lookout for those blessings. I have for so long been only seeing the adversity and persecution. I am a child of God and He will bless me, I should be looking for and using those blessing to be a blessing for others.

I was telling my youngest son, Aarron, not too long ago that giving does not have to be around the world. We have a neighbor that asked if we could keep up with her yard on occasion. Not really to be the gardener, but just to weed eat and mow on occasion. That is the giving and where we can have a greater impact. We take care of those around us and be a blessing to them.

What have you not been allowing as a blessing? Are you receiving the blessings that God has for you? Are you then being a blessing thanks to your reception of blessing?

Being financially satisfied is something that is desirable in society today, especially here in the United States. I would argue that there are more that are secure than we believe if only there were a shift in priorities and view of what satisfied means.

“²Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good and delight yourselves in rich food.” – Isaiah 55:2 (ESV)

Here, Isaiah is demonstrating that my “money” should be spent on my physical “need”, and the other things I “spend” on are not satisfying. How can that be? I am sure that Isaiah is not aware of how “Miss Me” jeans, “Bentley” cars, a closet full of shoes, that zero turn lawn mower, and a 6000 square foot house satisfy me. Isaiah is speaking to and for those that cannot afford those items and not to me as I NEED each of those above to live a satisfied life.

Well, Isaiah is NOT speaking to the less fortunate exclusively. Just because I CAN afford something, does not mean I NEED it. Satisfaction does not come from the monetary items I collect. Satisfaction comes from the Lord and fellowship with Him. I can sit in my living room or back porch, go to the office in my 2005 Neon, wear the same shoes for three years, mow with my nine year old push mower, all while in my $20 five year old jeans.

God provides for our NEEDS and with that provision I can be satisfied. I only focus on Him and doing His work to gain more satisfaction. I have to be content with the provisions of God at this time and look to heaven for my ultimate reward. Money only gets me so much, my true satisfaction comes from living a life with Christ as the center and focus of my yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

What is it that satisfies you? Are you looking at the monetary for your satisfaction? Are you able to be satisfied with God provides?

God continues to teach me over and over again from the same passages. This morning I am in Psalm 90 and was here back in September of 2018. I was studying the word “teach” and today, the word “satisfy”. My focus is two verses later in the passage, and my learning is so great.

“¹⁴Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” – Psalm 90:14 (ESV)

How often have I gotten up in the morning looking to be satisfied? How often have I looked to the world to be satisfied?

I have the choice to live for Christ and when doing so I will be satisfied regardless of what happens in the world. I should not be hanging on for the worlds view of me. The world has nothing to offer me related to satisfaction. All comes from God and He is where I should look. When I go to bed in the evening I will be satisfied with tomorrow before it even arrives. I have been given the gift of salvation and in that I will be satisfied.

I will continue to do the work of God each day and look to Him as He is where I direct my actions. I work to please and glorify God and the world does not have to accept that for I am not looking to the world. I am satisfied each hour of the day. And if I am not satisfied, I have only myself to blame and I will take action to direct again to my Lord to regain satisfaction.

How are you approaching the day? Are you looking for satisfaction from a world that does not even know you? Are you satisfied for tomorrow before you go to bed today?