Humble yourselves in sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

 Prior to GPS, people relied on a map to get them to their destination. Sometimes it also required a stop at a service station to ask for specific directions. For many people, especially men, that was a humbling experience to ask for help. The proud and confident driver would often try to figure out directions on the fly, finding themselves even further lost and time wasted. On the other hand, the humble driver who sought assistance would get there without delay.

 Today’s verse in James suggest that if we come to the Lord with a humble heart, He will do everything in His power to sustain us so we can fulfill His purpose for our life. Proverbs 16:5 makes it clear that God can’t stand a prideful heart, it’s an abomination to Him. Pride gets in the way of our relationship with God. It’s like that prideful driver, who thinks he knows best and is unwilling to seek help. The same is true for the child of God, we think we know what’s best for us, even demanding God give us our wants, yet God has something better planned. And sometimes that better plan doesn’t always come in a neat package.

 If you want God’s best for your life, you must be prepared to humble yourself to the degree that nothing else in your life matters as much as God’s perfect will. He has a plan for your life and if you humbly accept it, you’ll have His undivided attention and resources to ensure your journey towards His end game will result in spiritual success.  What part of your life needs to humbly submit to His will?

 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Hin who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shale not only the earth, but also heaven. Hebrews 12:25-26

 If you’ve followed the news over the past few months, you know there have been powerful earthquakes that have shook the foundations of many cities, brining down homes and businesses, turning them into ruble. From the images I’ve seen it looks like a war zone. The loss of people’s possessions, even lives, has made it difficult to watch. But the reality is our lives, and the things in them, are so fragile to the power of mother nature and catastrophic events.   

 If you were in a building that shook, knowing it would collapse, what is the one thing you’d take with you that wouldn’t get destroyed (besides your family)? Maybe it would be a photo album, a special gift someone gave you, or a particular thing that has brought you so much joy. We all have things in our lives that matter most to us and would be heartbroken if they were destroyed.

 Today’s verse should motivate us to take inventory of what truly matters in our lives, that would be our relationship with the creator of our world, including you and me. If you’ve spent anytime understanding God, you know that He is always faithful to be there for you, 24/7. Nothing is more important than your relationship with Him. Unfortunately, we allow things of this world, and people, get in the way of a perfect union with Him. God oftentimes takes a “back seat” to our priorities. After a while we can’t distinguish His voice of wisdom amongst the busyness and prized possessions in our lives. We miss the mark.

 If this is you, I encourage you to make God your prized possession. He’s unshakable, and will never faulter, no matter what catastrophe is happening in your life. You can put your complete faith and trust in Him, always!

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29

 Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:3.

 Over the course of my life, I’ve heard successful business men/women and athletes thank God for what He did in their lives. Many of them have made a huge impact on Americans and it would be easy to take credit for their achievements, but they acknowledge God’s hand in their success. As I reflect over my life, I can tell you it was God working through friends, family, and circumstances that has brought me to this wonderful place I’m in retirement after a successful career. I give God all the credit and glory!

 Whether you are a Christian or not, you must understand that it was God who created you. He permitted your existence and has a plan for your life. Some chose not to believe a higher power had anything to do with personal success, and one day they will find themselves standing before a Holy God, convicted of prideful living. I don’t want to be around when that happens.

 As we see worldly events unfold, they are perfectly aligning with prophecies that are documented in the bible’s book of Revelations. These events occur prior to the great Rapture of Christians, the Tribulation, and the second coming of Christ. No one knows the date and time, but you can be assured that time is coming. Are you ready?

 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

 God created you to be you. As 1 Peter 2:9 says, you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Receive Jesus Christ into your life, asking forgiveness of your sins, and do everything for His glory. He deserves it…and one day you’ll hear the words of God say….Well done my good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. Matthew 25:21

 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10

 One summer I came home from college and was hanging out with one of my friends. He asked me if I truly believed there was a God. I had accepted Christ at age 12, yet hadn’t really been questioned about my belief in God. I came home and asked mom, and her reply was to search out for God’s existence, and He will reveal Himself. Following that conversation, I also met with my youth pastor and even a counselor, in search of God’s existence. All of them said, God will reveal Himself to you.

 A few months later, I attended a youth event at our church. We had been running around outside the church playing games. At the conclusion, our newly married youth pastor realized he had lost his wedding ring. Immediately we all started searching the church grounds for his ring. I said out loud the following, “God if you are real, let me find that ring”.

 I went around to the back of the church parking lot; a large area covered in newly poured white gravel. It was getting dark and I had difficulty seeing. At one point, something physically stopped my body from moving and I heard a voice inside my head say, “David, I give you the power to see in the dark”. I looked ahead and saw something in the rocks. I had a flash light in my hand and I heard the voice say “turn on the light”. In the middle of that light’s circle was his wedding ring!

 Still today when I share this story, I get emotional. I had a personal encounter with God. Since then, I’ve never questioned His existence and it actually increased my faith and belief that God is with us continually. He is always looking out for us, even at times when we stray off the path of righteousness, He is there, encouraging us to step back into His light.

 Maybe you question God’s existence. I encourage you to search out the truth. Read your bible (God’s word), ask God to reveal Himself to you. He wants you to know He’s with you and will reveal Himself at just the right moment.

 James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are  done in the meekness of wisdom. 

Have you ever heard someone say “they are wise beyond their years”? I have only known a few people who fall into this category. And the reality is they have embraced the word of God, and from all appearances live it out in their daily lives. Whether by word of mouth or by their actions, they've encouraged me to walk inside the narrow path of righteousness. 

Godly wisdom makes no sense in a worldly mind, and it can't be achieved by one's own doing. It's a partnership between you and God, through His Holy Spirit living inside you. It's a sacrificial life, completely surrendered to God, willing to follow in strict obedience, regardless of how others around you act, and believe. Very few people in this world mature to a level of wisdom beyond their age. 

James 3:17 NKJV

[17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 

The Christian life is a process of maturing in Godly wisdom. It won't happen without reading God's word daily and accepting it as the truth of God. As you age spiritually, you become more Christ-like, and others take notice and hopefully they too will be encouraged by the One you live for. 

 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4 

“Man, if only I could win the lottery I’d build a nice big house, help my family with their finances, and give to those in need”. Maybe you’ve said those exact words before, I know I have and even today as I see the crime in my small-town grow, I want so badly to locate to a more peaceful area.

 God understands and knows our wants and our needs and has the benefit of seeing beyond those things we pray for, even beg God to give us in hopes of a better tomorrow. He also knows that giving us the perfect conditions will distance our need for His help, thus communicating less and less with Him.

 Think about it for a minute, if you gave your own child everything they wanted, what would they expect? More toys, more trips to Disneyland, and eventually their selfish wants would soon turn to sour grapes. Studies have revealed that 70% of lottery winners end up going bankrupt. Let that sink in for a minute.  

 The reality is God created you with a limit of resources He knows you can properly manage. The extras you receive are His blessings, and it’s those blessings that you lovingly embrace, thanking God for His thoughtfulness. He loves receiving praise and when you do, it opens the door to more of what He knows you can handle. Simple blessings such as a lower utility bill, your child gets accepted to a special college, a promotion at work, the car repair bill ends up being small…the list of His blessings are endless!

 As a child of God, you might never become rich by worldly standards, but your riches come in the form of God’s blessings. By living a humble life, honoring God for His provisions, and living rightly aligns you to receive blessings that have more value than a million dollars. Thank God for His provisions and trust Him to sustain you, no matter your bank account, or address. He’s got your winning ticket to paradise.

 

 I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Psalm 85:8

 Have you ever heard God speak to you? I can say without a doubt that God has spoken to me on numerous occasions throughout my life. It wasn’t an audible voice, but something deep within my soul. When He speaks, He brings a powerful message of wisdom, guidance, and sometimes judgment. It’s up to me to decide what to do when He speaks, and the majority of the time I take heed to His words, so I don’t fall back into folly.

 How can you get a conversation started with God? It begins with prayer. I’ve found praying on my knees exhibits a spirit of humbleness, preparing myself to receive His words of wisdom. Sometimes it’s necessary to stop praying and simply listen for His soft voice of reason. I can usually confirm His words as they align with scripture. It’s a masterpiece of a conversation that only God can orchestrate. And what’s wonderful, it’s free to His children.

 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne room of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

 No fortune teller can give you advice like God, who knows every thread of your being. He wants to communicate His will for your life, as you enter each new day. When you get off track, He will question your motives and strongly advise you to return to the narrow path He’s guaranteed for spiritual success. Staying ingrained in God’s word is critical in the process of confirming God’s words. Sometimes Satan will try to mimic God and send you down a path of destruction. So, it’s important to always back up what you hear with biblical truth. Trust me, it's enlightening to hear from God and He is ready to speak to you today.