Thinking on true, noble, just, pure, lovely things

This was a prior risk, but it's worth repeating: think and meditate on true, noble, just, pure, lovely things.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8, NKJV

I included a recent picture of my daughter, who I think of with this verse.

God bless ~

Prayer

Today's risk: pray for a country you know the name of, but do not know where it is. Pray for the Christian churches in that country to live bold lives.

Spiritual blessing

How much spiritual blessing do you have in your life? Or is that even the right question to ask?

Today's risk is to review this passage, and come to a better understanding of what God gives Christians:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3, NIV

Happy Valentine's Day from God

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13, NKJV, see also Romans 5:8)

If you have not yet received Christ's gift of grace, now is the "accepted time" to believe on Him! "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

For the Christian risk-takers who see this blog, God has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Today's risk is to share the good news of God's grace with others. Let us be bolder still in the ways we are willing to "make a fool" of ourselves for the sake of someone finally "getting it"!

Hooray for God's great love for us!

Quick, hide (for women also!)

Thanks to someone who commented last week on "Quick, HIDE!":

'Thanks for reminding us to rid ourselves of the things that tempt us - for women, I know that it's important not to watch shows that glorify thin women. It's too tempting to believe that we should all look like that, when the Bible clearly tells us that "You are ALL beautiful, my love, there is no flaw in you."' (Song of Solomon 4:7)

I have heard from older women that there are other temptations for women to be wary of. Titus 2 carries exhortations, the opposite of which can come understanding of common temptations. Or the challenge of not gossiping: "Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered." (Proverbs 11:13, ESV)

This week's risk? Understand temptations that affect you, and plan an evacuation route when that comes, just as occupants of a building on fire must know the exit path! Praise the Lord that He does not give us a temptation which we cannot handle! (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Quick, HIDE!

"The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it." Proverbs 27:12, ESV

Today's risk: scan for danger, and hide yourself. What does this mean? Well, one way to practice this is if you know where you are susceptible to temptation (such as letting loose gossip from your mouth), you can choose to 'not give opportunity for the flesh'.

On one business trip years ago, I learned that it was unhealthy for me to have a hotel room that overlooked a pool - being a single man, it just wasn't good to see women swimming below me, especially since they could not see me. Reading the Bible, I know that David had a very similar problem (see 2 Samuel 11), and thus it may be more of a universal problem for a man to 'look down' and see a woman. (Men, a similar issue is when you wear dark sunglasses to a beach so that your eyes can roam freely - be cautious not to give opportunity for the flesh!)

On a recent business trip, I checked into a room that was close to a pool. Realizing that was not healthy for me, I requested another room immediately. I felt at peace that I had made the right decision - I had "hidden myself" from the potential for temptation to lust after a woman as a married man.

Risk-takers: when you see danger (not to be confused with a risk that the Lord would be glorified in your taking), hide yourself! And in so doing, you will bypass suffering from "going on".