Christian Living
Speaker of the House
So what do you think of the Speaker of the House? Oh, I’m not talking about the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. I’m referring to the Speaker of God’s House, the Speaker of Righteousness, as Isaiah 45:19 describes the LORD.
“I have not spoken in secret, in some dark land…I, the Lord, speak righteousness, declaring things that are upright” (Isaiah 45:19).
How wonderful that we have a Speaker of the House who is a Speaker of Righteousness. While reading the Bible, we hear His righteous voice. As citizens of His Kingdom, we can ponder and practice the ways our Speaker of Righteousness tells us to live.
The LORD is not a silent God. He speaks through His Word. He speaks into our hearts and minds through His Spirit.
Are we listening to the Speaker of our House?
Are we sharing the Speaker of Righteousness’ words with others?
Thank You, Lord, SPEAKER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. May I listen to and follow Your voice above all others. May I faithfully share You with others in my sphere of influence.
One of the ways Hill Country Ministries shares what God has spoken is through our ministry pages on Facebook and Instagram. They are “microphones” we use to “go out into the world” as Jesus tells us to do. When you “Like” our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram, it increases Christ’s, our Speaker’s, reach.
Quick Question
Quick question: Have you ever been ungrateful? Have you ever needed a loan? Have you ever been wrongly judged? Have you ever crossed the line or done something really bad?
That was more than one question, wasn’t it? But they all point to topics that Jesus addressed prior to His statement in Luke 6:36, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
That’s something to think about, isn’t it?
Our Heavenly Father is merciful to us.
Now He says that we’re to show mercy to others. That’s a good reminder for me. Is it for you? Why not record a list of ways God has shown mercy to you? Then thank Him for each one and consider how you might show mercy to someone.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being MERCIFUL to me each and every day. Fill me with Your Spirit of mercy towards others.
Would you like an organized way to record you prayers and praises? Grab a copy of the Prayers of My Heart prayer journal.
If You’re Getting Run Over
If you’re a parent or teacher, have you ever “laid down the law” to a child and said, “Look left and right before you cross the street”? Why do we say that? Because we don’t want them to get run over by cars. In like manner, our Heavenly Father lays down moral and ethical laws so we don’t get run over by the devil and our fleshly carnal nature.
If we don’t obey Christ and His teachings, we hurt ourselves and those close to us. Flattened by sin, face in the gravel, groaning in pain (physical or emotional), our eyes are opened to the “why” of God’s commands that we perhaps ignored. Isaiah 33:22 explains why as citizens of God’s kingdom we are to live by His laws. “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us.”
Our Heavenly King gives us laws to save us from pain, guilt, untimely death, loss, regret, and so much more. In what way might you be running in the streets of sin chasing a ball of self- indulgence, pride, money, resentment, or an unhealthy friendship about which God has warned you to stop?
God is our spiritual, physical, mental, financial, emotional, and relational lawgiver. We’re saved from pain and blessed beyond measure when we listen to Him and obey His commands. Are we?
Heavenly Father, I praise You as the LAWGIVER. I praise You for Your commands and teachings that protect me from getting run over by sin.
God is not only our Lawgiver, He is also our Judge. In a world that often resists truth, are you prepared to stand before Him? Debbie’s Contend Earnestly for the Faith Jude Bible Study will equip you to recognize deception, stand firm in your faith, and be ready for the day of judgment. Click HERE to get your copy.
Hellooooooo! Are We Listening?
PRAISING JESUS, OUR HEALER! AFTER 9 MONTHS OF CHEMO, SURGERY, & RADIATION, I AM CANCER FREE! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS! CELEBRATING GOD’S GOODNESS!
When Moses first asked God what His name was, He replied, “I AM.” Then, after the Israelites “played the harlot” by worshiping a golden calf, the Lord made it clear that we are to live for Him and Him alone.
In Exodus 34:11-12, 14 God states, “Be sure to observe what I am commanding you this day… Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst…. for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”
God clearly says that His name is Jealous. It is not okay to put things or people before God. Ouch! Does that hit close to home because other things slip in before God? How do we know if that’s happened? One way is to look at our calendar. What is our priority every day? Is it to check the news, social media, or is it to check in with God by hearing from Him through His Word and worshiping Him?
Another way is to check our bank account. Where are we spending our money? Do we give first to God’s kingdom work knowing He will provide for our needs?
A third way to check if we are putting things before God is to consider what preoccupies our mind.
Yes, our thoughts, time, and money show God and us who and what we worship. When something or someone slips into God’s place, it is important we correct, not ignore, it.
Heavenly Father, You are a JEALOUS God. May I always worship You above all else.
As believers, we can often find that we want to put God first, but we struggle against our own human nature and habits. The Apostle Peter, who struggled more than once with his human nature, boldly encourages us that we have everything we need for life and godliness in 2 Peter 1:1-4. To listen to Debbie’s teaching on the subject, click HERE.