The Plumbline

Those who only praise God because he DOES them good should rise to a higher note and give thanks to him because he IS good. (Charles Spurgeon) Thank God because he’s good, because his love never quits. (Psalm 118:1) God's love never quits. His lovingkindness toward us never fails. What is lovingkindness anyway? Most would say it is tenderness and consideration toward another. The Hebrew term is CHECED, and it means God's covenant loyalty. In most places in scripture, the term 'lovingkindness' describes God's character. It actually is used to describe God's heart toward those he calls his own. We are told to see and consider his kindness and the steadfastness of his love toward his children. Then we are to give him praise because that kindness and steadfast love never quit! The most important thing we can remember is that his lovingkindness toward us never quits. It never fails. It never gets outdone by anything we do. It will always reach out for us when we fail...

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. (Psalm 107:1-2) We might not realize how vital our testimony of grace can be in helping others realize how good God really is. We are actually told to 'tell others', not just in words, but in all our actions. We might think none will listen, but when they 'see' his goodness at work in and through us, they are really seeing a living testimony. The faithfulness of God's love is best observed - not just talked about. We can say God is good, that his mercies are new every morning, but when these mercies become evident in our lives so that others can see them, we are living out grace's outcome. God's actions always have an outcome - in us and through us. We need to be faithful to declare his goodness. God has always come to those who call upon his name. Those who are lost need only call on his...

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (Romans 12:9-10) It is easy to put on a 'mask' and 'pretend' to be one way when everything inside of you is crying out to be a different way, isn't it? Don't believe me? How many times has someone asked you how you were, only to receive the 'pat answer', "Fine, and you?" The moment they ask, we 'mask' our real condition of spirit, soul, or body, don't we? We have aches and pains, but we don't declare that. We have doubts and worries, but we don't put those out there. We just go along with the flow and declare that we are 'fine'. Whatever that means anyway! It is impossible to 'pretend' to love one another, though. The genuineness of that love will come through, as will the ingenuine!  Genuine love is something we learn at the ...

Reputation and respect - two sometimes very contradictory states in life, right?  We can have anywhere from a disreputable to "holier-than-thou" reputation, but neither is really a well respected reputation.  We can have a pretty disreputable reputation in some individual's eyes and still be very well respected in our circle of influence, such as when a gang member is respected by those in his/her gang.  Reputation isn't always based on the "good" we do, but on the way and varied reasons people want to pay us honor.  We can gain respect by various means - not all of them honorable and upright.  Reputation can be good or bad, and sometimes at a point right in between.  Respect can be earned, but it can be lost quicker than it can be earned.  Maybe this is why scripture reminds us that reputation and respect are worth MUCH MORE than silver or gold - neither can really be bought, nor can either be maintained through our wealth or "status" in life! ...