The Plumbline

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; he will beautify the humble with salvation. (Psalm 149:4) God takes great delight in his people taking great delight in him. When we delight in something, we are doing more than just 'enjoying' something - it gives us a deep sense of value or worth. My children, although as imperfect as I am, give me great delight. I value their presence in my life, as well as find great enjoyment in their talents and unique personalities. One shares everything that is going on their life, from work to home; the other is content to just be quiet, share a few things, run a few ideas past me, and just hang out. One is not more valuable than the other. They both have great value. In God's kingdom, all of us have great value - we are something God takes great delight in. Do we take as much delight in being part of his family as he does in making us part of it? The promise to those who take great delight in him - they will be 'beautified' with ...

What does the Lord your God really want from you? The Lord your God wants you to respect him and do what he says. He wants you to love him and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. So obey the laws and commands of the Lord that I am giving you today. These laws and commands are for your own good. (Deuteronomy 10:12-13) I like it when scripture actually poses the question and then follows with a very clear answer. There is nothing vague about what God wants from us, is there? Love him! Give him your entire heart! Serve him from the heart! Put you entire being into your actions of obedience! Do what he says all the time, not just when it pleases us. Pretty plain instruction indeed. How does one show respect for God? It begins by getting to know who he is and then it continues as we step out in obedience to the things he asks of us. It begins by listening - really paying close attention to his still small voice. As we recognize his power and his sovereign ...

Even if you have never been "in love" with that special man or woman in your life, you likely understand this statement - where the heart is, there is your focus. If you have ever been in love, you might understand what I am about to say - no one else captivates your attention quite the same as the one you hold in that place of closeness deep within your heart. Over the past several days, I have felt God directing me to focus on my heart. As most may recognize, to teach, one has to be taught. Therefore, if you are picking up on anything in my blog, you are likely to know God is continually dealing with my heart, attitude, and commitment. In turn, he is dealing with my focus. How about your focus? Is he dealing with yours, too? Your profile turns all heads, commanding attention. The feelings I get when I see the high mountain ranges—stirrings of desire, longings for the heights—remind me of you, and I'm spoiled for anyone else! (Song of Solomon 5:7) I love this pass...

If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both. (I John 4:20-21) Let's take a moment to get honest with each other here, shall we? Do you think you are a pretty good person? Go ahead, answer that one honestly. If you answered affirmatively then a follow-up to that one is who do you NOT love? Who do you find yourself around that you kind of feel like you are just at opposite ends of the pole and you are forced to kind of like them so you can work with them, live nearby them, or perhaps even live with them in your own family/household? If you could name someone there, good! You are being honest with yourself and God. Now back to the one who answered they are a pretty good person. Who do you NOT love? Chances are it doesn't matter whi...