Friday September 23, 2011
Today's Passage: Psalms 1
Memory Verse: Psalms 1:4
Do we have control over who speaks into our lives, or are we forced to tolerate negative influences? Negative influences are dangerous for the mind and spirit. They are literally created to persuade, alter, and/or cause one to question what is right and true. The very word "influence" means to have the power to be a compelling force on actions and behavior. One thing we know for sure is, we can't allow negativity to dwell in us and still walk in the ways God instructed. So, let's dig deeper into this topic for today's revelation.
Psalms 1:1 says "Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful". God is telling us He knows we are surrounded by negative influences. It's in the media, it's in the music, and it's even in relationships. For example, television programs are laced with negative influences. They tell you "Hey, if you want to be cool, or enjoy the game, drink this! If you want men/women to like you, talk like this, or wear this!" Kid shows have songs that contain anti-parent and I-don't-have-to-listen-to-anybody messages. Along with that, reality shows teach people that they win in life when they befriend someone, then "vote/kick" them out. That's not all! If negative influences aren't coming at us through music and media, they're coming from family members and friends. Let's face it, there are people "in" our lives who'll never understand (or respect) the anointing "on" our lives. The real problem with this is, they're people we've come to love. They've "been there for us" for years. So, we feel obligated to listen to and receive everything they say to us.
Verses 4 through 6 in today's passage brings revelation to this subject. They say "The ungodly are not so (like the tree bringing forth fruit in verse 3), but they are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore, the ungodly will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the midst of the righteous. FOR THE LORD KNOWS THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS, but the way of the ungodly will perish". The ungodly in this passage are the people in our lives who attempt to lead us away from God's purpose. They use their "influence" to advise us to be things God didn't tell us to be, or go places God hasn't told us to go. And if we owe them something, that makes the influence stronger. They use the debt to manipulate us into giving them their way. Our passage says, however, THE LORD knows the way of the righteous, which means they don't know. So the fact that we receive "any" counsel from them, let alone negative counsel, is spiritually reckless. Only God knows where He's taking us, and why He's taking us there. So let's decide to lean on His understanding, not ours. Let's follow His voice no matter how much the alternative seems to make sense. We should always remember there's an enemy out there. And his fingerprints are often all over "good ideas". That's why we as believers only buy into "God ideas". Those are the ideas that are branded "His will.....not ours"! My will is the good idea, His will is the God idea. I choose His will, and so should you. Blessings!
Prayer: Father I thank You for covering me. You've known me since You formed me in my mother's womb. And as I live, I realize Your thoughts and plans for me have been rewarding and beneficial. As Jesus prayed, don't let me fall into temptation. Don't let me stray away from your path. My place is in Your hands, at Your feet, or under Your wings. That's where I'll stay until You bring me home, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Today's Passage: Psalms 1
Memory Verse: Psalms 1:4
Do we have control over who speaks into our lives, or are we forced to tolerate negative influences? Negative influences are dangerous for the mind and spirit. They are literally created to persuade, alter, and/or cause one to question what is right and true. The very word "influence" means to have the power to be a compelling force on actions and behavior. One thing we know for sure is, we can't allow negativity to dwell in us and still walk in the ways God instructed. So, let's dig deeper into this topic for today's revelation.
Psalms 1:1 says "Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful". God is telling us He knows we are surrounded by negative influences. It's in the media, it's in the music, and it's even in relationships. For example, television programs are laced with negative influences. They tell you "Hey, if you want to be cool, or enjoy the game, drink this! If you want men/women to like you, talk like this, or wear this!" Kid shows have songs that contain anti-parent and I-don't-have-to-listen-to-anybody messages. Along with that, reality shows teach people that they win in life when they befriend someone, then "vote/kick" them out. That's not all! If negative influences aren't coming at us through music and media, they're coming from family members and friends. Let's face it, there are people "in" our lives who'll never understand (or respect) the anointing "on" our lives. The real problem with this is, they're people we've come to love. They've "been there for us" for years. So, we feel obligated to listen to and receive everything they say to us.
Verses 4 through 6 in today's passage brings revelation to this subject. They say "The ungodly are not so (like the tree bringing forth fruit in verse 3), but they are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore, the ungodly will not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the midst of the righteous. FOR THE LORD KNOWS THE WAY OF THE RIGHTEOUS, but the way of the ungodly will perish". The ungodly in this passage are the people in our lives who attempt to lead us away from God's purpose. They use their "influence" to advise us to be things God didn't tell us to be, or go places God hasn't told us to go. And if we owe them something, that makes the influence stronger. They use the debt to manipulate us into giving them their way. Our passage says, however, THE LORD knows the way of the righteous, which means they don't know. So the fact that we receive "any" counsel from them, let alone negative counsel, is spiritually reckless. Only God knows where He's taking us, and why He's taking us there. So let's decide to lean on His understanding, not ours. Let's follow His voice no matter how much the alternative seems to make sense. We should always remember there's an enemy out there. And his fingerprints are often all over "good ideas". That's why we as believers only buy into "God ideas". Those are the ideas that are branded "His will.....not ours"! My will is the good idea, His will is the God idea. I choose His will, and so should you. Blessings!
Prayer: Father I thank You for covering me. You've known me since You formed me in my mother's womb. And as I live, I realize Your thoughts and plans for me have been rewarding and beneficial. As Jesus prayed, don't let me fall into temptation. Don't let me stray away from your path. My place is in Your hands, at Your feet, or under Your wings. That's where I'll stay until You bring me home, in Jesus' name. Amen.
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