Psalm 26:2 “Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.”

What does examine mean? The Greek word for examine, bḥn (בחן) was a term used by blacksmiths to test the character of metals by melting, to remove debris, in order to detect and determine the purity and strength of the metal: they were put to the test. David understood the need to be put to the test by God. He was willing to allow God to examine him in order to remove the impurities (debris) of the world, that he might be found worthy and faithful to be God’s representative in the earth.

The true Follower of Christ understands the importance of spiritual examination. It is during this time that the Lord makes us aware of all that aligns with His will and that which does not. He removes what is not useful in order to strengthen what remains. We must be both open and sensitive to the promptings of the Lord. When we are willing to be transparent to allow God to examine us, it will reveal every area of our lives that needs to be addressed so that we can walk in unbroken Fellowship with the Father.

I challenge you today to allow Him to examine your heart and mind. It will lead you to a more enriched relationship with God.

Prayer: Father, in every area of my life, make me transparent before You. Reveal and remove every inconsistency and strengthen and perfect what remains: I yield and give them to You to make me into the Servant You desire for me to be. I love You Lord, Amen.

Dr. J. Elvin Sadler

Job 42:10 ‘After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.’

Have you ever experienced a day when you wondered how you were going to make it through?  It seemed that when you got out of bed early that morning things began to go wrong. The phone rings and its more bad news.  Pain begins to rack through your body.  You start to question God and your purpose in life. You expect to hear some encouragement but there is none.  No friends to count on to give you comfort!  What a lonely depressing state to find yourself!  But let me remind you of Job and his situation.  Job had to struggle with great loss.  He had to contend with friends who constantly criticized and accused him of sinning against God.  Although Job had to endure this agony and defend himself against false accusations, he held on to his integrity.  Job never gave up on God’s love for him.  He believed that God had a plan and purpose for his life. It is amazing, even though Job lost practically everything he had, we see that God restored to Job twice as much as he had before.  If we keep our eyes set on the LORD, we too can trust God to see us through our darkest times no matter how long it takes.  God’s love never fails!

Matthew 19:26b . . .with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Man has been gifted to do so many things.  Down through the ages, men have attributed many wonderful inventions to this world.  Garrett Morgan is noted for the creation of a traffic sign to help control the flow of traffic.  Physicist George Carruthers known for inventing a UV telescope, Dr. Mark Dean, computer; Dr. James West, microphone; Dr. Betty Harris, chemistry of explosives; and of course, Dr. Patricia Bath for her Laserphaco Probe and procedure for the removal of cataracts. Not to diminish or take away from any of these distinguished men and women and their contributions to the world, yet we must note that man is still limited in his knowledge and ability. We read in Matthew 19:26 that with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.  Jesus is speaking of man’s inability to save himself.  Man’s ultimate need is salvation and it only comes from God through Jesus Christ. God’s offer of salvation is to all and is a free gift to all.  Therefore, I challenge you today to accept this free gift of God. Do not delay.  God desires to give eternal life to you.

Romans 4:7  “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven; whose sins are covered.”

Sin is known to cause great shame and guilt.  Guilt is hard to deal with and we often internalize the pain it brings.  The weight of guilt can make life seem unbearable.  It’s not always easy to forgive when so much hurt has been inflicted.  So, we tend to build walls to guard against further hurt.  However, forgiveness is the way to relieve guilt and to embrace freedom.  When you are able to forgive your transgressors, you are able to free yourself of hurt.  Yet, true freedom comes as a result of acknowledging and confessing your sins to God.  When we open up to God and ask for forgiveness of our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins.  The Bible declares blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven; whose sins are covered.  When God covers our sins, they are no longer held against us. David experienced this freedom when he cried out to God for forgiveness of sin.  David was guilty of committing adultery, murder and lying.  Yet, God forgave David and covered his sins.  I challenge you today to confess to God any unconfessed sins so that you may be able to walk joyously as you continue on this daily journey.  God is a forgiving God.  And God delights in one who comes to Him with a broken and contrite heart.

Proverbs 1:33   “But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Many people say they want to live a life of peace and security, a life free of trouble.  How realistic is this in this world?  In a world of chaos, hatred, racism, and violence, where can one find peace and security.  The promise found in Proverbs 1:33 tells us whoever listens to me (wisdom) will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. The condition is to listen to wisdom.  Wise counsel comes from God.  Rejection of wisdom brings harm.  Listening is an action word and it is not simply hearing but it is acting upon what you have heard.  Listening to God’s instructions will lead you to a life of safety and peace. You may still face troubles and conflict but wisdom provides the ability to avoid problems as well as the skill to handle them when they arise. God has promised He will be with you always. I challenge you today to listen to God’s words and obey so that you will find security and peace even in this world full of trouble.

Proverbs 14:12     “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

Every day we make decisions.  With every decision we make there are consequences, which could be positive or negative; life-giving or deadly.  As we face our daily decisions, we must not forget to seek wise counsel.  It is easy to make a quick decision based upon our own limited knowledge or understanding.  This could, in fact, prove to be very costly.  Solomon writes in Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.  We can avoid many pitfalls if we would go to God who gives true wisdom and understanding. If we fail to seek for God’s guidance, then we are easily influenced by our own desires and ways that may lead to destruction.  Things are not always what they seem. Therefore, before making a rash decision, seek the One who sees all and knows all. What decision are you faced with today?  Financial decisions, relationship decisions, medical, emotional or spiritual. I challenge you to lean not to your own understanding but seek God who gives life to all men.  God will direct you in the right way!

Jeremiah 29:11    “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Many of us are so accustomed to making plans to enrich our lives.  We make plans for annual vacations.  We make plans to further our education and even our children’s education.  We make plans to protect our families from dangers.

Although we make these plans with real good intentions, plans are often interrupted.  As we find ourselves in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, we have been forced to rearrange, alter or abort our plans.  Yet, we must not lose heart because God has promised that He has plans for us.  God’s plans will keep us even in the darkest of situations.  God’s plans can take us to places we never dreamt we could go.  God’s plans for our lives are not affected by natural disasters or mishaps along the way.  God’s plans are secure and His promises are always kept.  So fret not in these unprecedented times but trust in God’s plans.  Remember, God’s plans are to prosper you and not to harm you, His plans are to give you hope and a future.  Trust in God’s plans!

Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? What does it mean to have a friend in whom you can trust?  What does it mean to have someone who can lift you when you are down?  What does it mean to be able to call upon someone and tell them all your secrets and never hear it repeated again?  What is your expectation of a friend? A friend is one you can rely on, one who will be there when you need them the most.  On the many social media platforms, we have numerous friends.  Friends who follow us and chant with us from time to time. These are friends we have accepted by request. However, these friends are not always available when we need them.  We cannot afford to share with these friends our deepest thoughts and be assured of no violation of our privacy.

Proverbs 18:24 says ^{24 “}One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  Jesus is a friend indeed.  He is a friend to the lonely.  He is a friend to the weak.  He is a friend to in whom you can trust.  Jesus is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.  If you are friendless, Jesus will be your friend.  He is an everlasting friend.  He is able to pick you up when you are down.”

I Have A Friend In Jesus
I have a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul; The Lily of the Valley,
In Him alone I see, All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, In trouble He’s my stay,
He tells me every care on Him to roll; He’s the Lily of the Valley,
The Bright and Morning Star, He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.