Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder

What would happen if you were invited into a conversation with God Himself? What if you knew you would be seen, known, and truly understood in it?Join me for just 6 minutes to be summoned to a secret chat room with God the Father. He has made the invitation. He has made the pathway. Will you RSVP yes? He'd love to hear from you today. https://youtu.be/DDTb88WAT6A

We can even ruin generosity by congratulating your right hand of giving with your left hand of pride.We must be careful, because thinking of ourselves too highly, is maybe just ½ a step away from thinking about God too lowly.Don't ruin generosity by what can happen when your personal pr department starts tooting its own trumpet.Listen 6 ½ minutes to get this right. https://youtu.be/B6EcjlIBFuE

We live in the world of Trumpeting. That is, we live around a people "Blowing their own horn". Unfortunately for us, we are one  of those people. Watch for 6 ½ minutes as we hear what the good Lord would have for us when we leave the trumpeting to Him. https://youtu.be/ovyj1LGW-pY

The Bible says the strangest things.  You must be PERFECT. This will merit about 6 ½ minutes of our consideration.  There is a goal of maturity and completeness to shoot for.  There is a purpose behind the "perfection".Christians are called to a high standard because: People are gonna notice.https://youtu.be/-Z5lStArnJQ

What might compel me to not act like Clint Eastwood in practically every justice/revenge movie he's ever done? Maybe there is another hero I should be following.Join me as we look at who exactly I should be extending grace to. Also, we'll examine the why of the motivation. Without it, not a bit of this will make sense. Thank you for being here for 6.5 minutes with my dog Asa.https://youtu.be/tak_EzfCq-E

When evil comes, should I respond with "an eye for an eye?" Perhaps the justice system has a societal job, and I have a personal job. Perhaps I should give this some thought. If an "eye for an eye" is given personally, doesn't this leave everybody blind metaphorically?  Do not let evil overcome you by you becoming evil.When you encounter evil against you: throw goodness at itLeave room for wrath. Not yours, but God's. Trust Him that He's got this.https://youtu.be/Pr7Mxc_-SRw

Why do we sometimes attach oaths to our words? Why might we be tempted to add an oath, for example, "I swear on the grave of my mother?" Why would something I say, merit the calling upon the support of the burial plot of someone dear to me? This is such a strange thing: that adding an OATH somehow increases the likelihood of a statement being TRUE. The fact that there are oaths at all tells us one thing: that often, our words aren't true. Join me for 6 minutes to see what Jesus has to say about it. https://youtu.be/VR3iVyroWw0

The Bible has some things to say about the marriage promise. It also has some things to say about the ending of the marriage promise, that is divorce. Jesus speaks clearly and protectively about marriage in the Sermon on the Mount. There is not a person watching/reading this who has not been touched somehow by divorce. This is a no-shame-podcast. My hope is that it will help you "keep your troth."Join me for 6 minutes as we go to the source https://youtu.be/N-YpRn6CvHY

Sex is serious business. To say that it will characterize and define your life is putting it mildly.  To change your sexual trajectory is likely to be difficult.  Jesus has some things to say about how aggressive to be in rooting out errors in sexual thoughts and sexual behaviors.  Join me in listening and considering. https://youtu.be/Lcik2TrN5VQ

Humans have been attracted to each other since Adam's "Eureka!" exclamation in the garden. So we are not the first generation to try and get it right.Jesus expands adultery to include even lustful thoughts in Sermon on the Mount. Mostly today we'll turn to Proverbs of 3000 years ago to steer us into truth.  Remarkably, it will tell us exactly which breasts to be intoxicated by. It will clarify which "cistern" ;-) to drinking from. Proverbs wants joy for you, if you do this right.  Watch for 6 minutes. subscribe. https://youtu.be/mpACkK8bkg0

You know that moment when you are standing in the parking lot of the outfitter,  just about ready to get in your raft to go white water rafting?         Your crew is assembled. Life jackets are on. Wetsuits are on because it is the spring thaw and the river is high. . Paddles are in hand.Then your guide: Rafe (with the good arms) will  be your guide. He'll instruct you on the commands you need not to die on your day.  He'll instruct you on how to have appropriate fun without suffering the occasional fatal consequences of the river.Such is our passage from the good book today.  Please watch. Like, subscribe and survive: https://youtu.be/Pf-BE2RqwwI

In Toy Story, Woody is in trouble. Before the other toys embark on their rescue mission, Mrs. Potato Head packs Mr. Potato Head's bag.  "I'm packing you an extra pair of shoes and your ANGRY EYES, just in case" .Should we welding our ANGRY EYES upon our relationships?Listen 7 minute to find out if we should also be packing our ANGRY EYES!Share. Retweet. Like. Subscribe. Just don't be angry about it. https://youtu.be/1yNbNJ4agzE

God takes anger seriously.  Deathly seriously.Anger=Murder as a rule in our human interactions. There just isn't much daylight between the intent of the two. Our Scripture passage is a call to immediately go and fix this breach before someone is harmed: YOU! Drop everything and make this right. If you have been angry, you probably have been murderously sinful.  Take these 7 minutes as seriously as if your life depended upon it. https://youtu.be/1mmR3x4eeFs

All the good stuff in the Bible serves to tell us about how we make it into heaven.  We're tempted to think we can earn our way in. The good book will shut our mouths and disabuse us of such notions. We'll will never enter heaven by being good.We'll only enter heaven by HIS GOODNESS.Join me for 7 minutes right now to see if you are going to make it. Of course, we'll let Him decide.https://youtu.be/GOm50eCm_IM

Jesus teaches that at least one of the goals of Christianity IS TO BE SEEN. Your salt is to be tasty, your light is for the world. Your city is to be on a hill. Your lamp should be on a stand, not in a basket.The goal is to be seen. Why? For me? Nope. It is for Him. He is the one that is ultimately glorified and worshipped.  Join me for 7 minutes to assess whether your lamp is under a basket. ;-).https://youtu.be/n728z28Acw8

The Beatitudes are a GREAT WAY TO LIVE: bent before God, mourning over sin, working in this world towards peace, being poor in spirit, thirsting for righteousness, & extending a fistful of mercy towards those who deserve a fistful of justiceIn so doing,  you'll get a reward NOW and LATER too: You'll be a son of God, demonstrating His character, receiving mercy yourself, & being spiritually satisfied. You'll be getting a KINGDOM and best of all: The KING.Like. (what's not to like?) Share. Send money.(Just kidding)https://youtu.be/VC6VsfJj3sw

Are you ready for service? Blessed are the pure.Are you prepared with a fistful of mercy for some knucklehead that deserves a fistful of Justice? Blessed are the merciful.Do you want justice? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for it. The beatitudes are for you.https://youtu.be/cXBUicP0rZs

The Bible is of particular use if it shows us how we might live beautifully. We place ourselves before the beatitudes for a reason: to help us live right.Join me for a little recap of the first three beatitudes. God loves the poor in spirit, and the mourning over our state of sin. He examples meekness for us in Jesus.If your life could use a little improvement, consider the beatitudes for the next 7 minutes. Subscribe and follow.https://youtu.be/h4CwPeAtIp4

So what if persecution comes my way for being a Christian? Should I be surprised?Actually, it should be expected. Trouble comes to the people of God by the humans the Lord is troubling in their souls.  At least they are near enough to the kingdom to hear about the Lord's story.  They get stirred up and then the target of their persecution is you.  In a sense, you should be honored.Listen 7 minutes to help you gear up for this particular trouble. https://youtu.be/bNt_dqvzjgA

To be persecuted means to be "chased after for the purpose of giving flight".It means that you are in the game, fighting the fight, doing the right thing. It means that you are participating in "the offense of the Gospel". Persecution happens when a particular stand is being taken. Welcome to being pursued. Like, subscribe and share.https://youtu.be/e7BiNTjN_Fc

My poor mother watch us 4 boys fight for 20 years straight, all the while desiring that "we all get along".Her desire was indeed a godly desire. She wanted peace in her little kingdom of the family.Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons and daughters of God.  Why? Because peace-making is a godly, God-representing-here-on-earth, activity. Listen to the story.  See if you are a peace maker. subscribe and comment.https://youtu.be/OBeGtSxMt-8

How are men made to be at peace with God?Peace is made by the most violent of activities: the Cross. It is there that He takes the alienated, the hostile and the evil, and makes peace with them.What happens to the previous state of hostility? It is killed at the cross.Join me for a 7 minute look at this state of war and peace. https://youtu.be/ir3XsuVMBy4

As this is written, the US and Iran are at WAR.When peace is made, DIVIDENDS are enjoyed.  For my silly example, the stock market goes up.He had made PEACE WITH ME. The least I can do is act like it.There should be a PEACE DIVIDEND that is seen and demonstrable.Spend 6 minutes with me to see if your life demonstrate a PEACE DIVIDEND.Subscribe and Like and share.  Perhaps that can be such a dividend.https://youtu.be/WJ1iaEAkWXk

Go be a peacemaker.  First, you gotta have peace yourself. God has made PEACE WITH ME. The least I can do is act like it.Then, there should be a PEACE DIVIDEND that is demonstrable to my fellow combatants. Listen 7 minutes toward peace.https://youtu.be/--JOea0upMA

The pure in heart get to see God. In the end, literally, to see God. That's right: face to face. When the people of God change their zip code to the same one as God, the scenery is going to change a bit. There's some stuff that won't be seen any more: death, pain, and mourning. But there are some new sights in the real estate and relational categories.Visualise for 7 minutes with me today: https://youtu.be/QFdsZLCuufE

We sometimes have "Hearts of Stone" in regards toward God.We sometimes require " Heart of Stone" surgery.We must not "harden our hearts" to the HEART-OF-STONE surgery that is offered for us. Listen 7 minutes to see how we can do it! Then subscribe and share: https://youtu.be/jnM9uWJRMpo

Being pure in heart doesn't happen by accident. A pure heart is a heart that is KNOWN. A pure heart is a heart that enjoys the affection of God.We do not wear an INVISIBILITY cloak before God, but an ACCEPTABILITY Cloak.  A pure heart is one of borrowed purity. Find out how:https://youtu.be/3rSfRMZ_j-4

What is purity? It means Clean, without blemish. A pure object as used in Revelation is one ready to be of service. Blessed are the PURE in Heart, for they shall see God Mt.5:8Why be pure? God likes it, you'll like it, and others will like it.         Being pure in heart doesn't happen by accident. Join me today to get started.https://youtu.be/IWWagStJjno

We are Living in MERCY-WORLD, at least for now.That is, we live in a mercy-world, yet we won't always live in a mercy-world.Our charge today is to do the right thing while we live in mercy-world. Namely:         Repent while the repenting is still available         Extend mercy to the knuckleheads you live with.Nothing better shows the mercy of God than the mercy of a fellow knucklehead. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. HURRY. This mercy-world will not last forever. Share. Like. Comment. It will be a mercy to me. https://youtu.be/ghMyDc_PTr0

What should I do with the worst person in my life? Ironically, they may play the largest role in who I become.I hope you have somebody in your life who doesn't deserve your mercy; maybe deserves your wrath. To do the right thing with mercy (blessed are the merciful...) you have to start with somebody hard; with someone who does not deserve it. Endeavor Give mercy to one who should be receiving JUSTICE, and watch the kingdom of God, which is the kingdom of MERCY, be extended.https://youtu.be/YVmSsbDDbgM

It is recommended, in living a beautiful life, to do so with a FISTFUL of MERCY.  Certainly, a fistful of mercy has already been extended to you, and an appropriate response is to live with a fistful of mercy extended toward others.  Then as you do so, even more mercy is extended to you.  That is, by giving a fistful of mercy you get a fistful of mercy. Go find someone you'd like to wreak JUSTICE upon, and give them a fistful of mercy. See. Share. Subscribe. Send a comment: https://youtu.be/yVlUv76GxsE

Let's go with the inclination to be JUST; to be RIGHTEOUS.  It is a godly and noble thing.  How can I get there? What is the pathway and what is at the end of the search.  Who is at the end of the search?What if I told you the search is FREE of cost?  What if I told you the search would be of GREAT COST?Join me today in our search for JUSTICE.https://youtu.be/SHwjfH3U9ic

You've seen our hero, carrying the sign that illustrates our thought for the day: "We Want Justice!"  He realizes that things are not quite right.  God agrees with him.  Blessed are those who HUNGER and THIRST for righteousness.(Now) They will be satisfied.(Not quite now)Join me to hear the real source for this desire for Justice. Join me in our quest for justice. 

It is particularly helpful to think about righteousness as being in right-standing before God.  The problem is that every human has spoiled that standing. So how are we going to restore relationship?  Well, we'll need a bit of help.To do it yourself will not end well because there is no such thing as self-righteousness that is not an offense to God.“Self-righteousness” is NO Righteousness at all!Share this with the most righteous person you know.https://youtu.be/QV5e5rHVhuM

An inheritance means resources and riches that were not sourced by you, are made available to you.  Though it might be my first day in considering God, it is not God's first day. He has a storehouse ready.How do I get it?  The road to this inheritance leads through the pesky concept of meekness. Short answer: the Lord LOVES meekness. He is biased toward the bowed-down person.  Join me for 7 minutes and then SHARE.https://youtu.be/key5StbrRa4

Meekness takes a bad rap in our world today.  No surprise, it is one of God's favorite characteristics.  In fact, Jesus Himself describes His own heart as meek.If we have spiritual meekness aka gentleness, we are Settled, submissive, secure,  solid and SATISFIED.As a bonus, God describes this character quality as PRECIOUS to Him.  This is why it might be best to SEEK TO BE MEEK.https://youtu.be/UxADnm4n3sM

For all you Richard Scarry fans out there, this one's for you.  Blessed are the MEEK. It means BENT. I couldn't help think of Scarry's best character of all time: Lowly Worm.Blessed are the Lowly Worms out there.  Picture his skinny little earthworm shape, green hat with a little feather in it; blue skinny jacket, bowtie and my favorite part: the ONE sneaker.Open your Bible to Matt 5:5 and draw his little picture there. https://youtu.be/BycU7GkRweo

Perhaps you are discouraged. If so, turn with me to the beatitudes to look for a beautiful way of living.The road to encouragement often starts with grief. Disobedience towards the ways of God often leads to relational disaster.           “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."Mourning is Godly grief that goes somewhere. Mourning is a key to right relationship with God. The route towards encouragement often leads thru mourning.  Join me for 7minutes and let's see if Jesus is right.https://youtu.be/Syg6x3jQl4I

If only “poor in spirit” would mean just "plain ol' poor"! Financially I mean. It would be a lot easier to achieve than what everyone is called to in the Beatitudes. Financial poverty is easier to achieve than spiritual poverty. It certainly would require less of me. This is worth figuring out, for the inheritance of a KINGDOM is at stake.  As the Lord allows, I am here most every day. Will you join me?https://youtu.be/TXTqPykQg3U

Christians are to be the most repenty people on the planet. We have much to be broken over. We start, and often continue in a state of offense.  The Lord loves such bent people. Why should I care? And care enough to be counted among the "POOR IN SPIRIT?" Well, there is a KINGDOM on offer; which is to say there is a King to have a relationship with. Listen if you are KINGDOM-READY.  subscribe if you are NOT kingdom-ready.https://youtu.be/HIoR4Wwq66E

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...etc. etc.Does this sound good to you? Perhaps not.Join me today as we "dip our toe" into the beatitudes. The beatitudes are great, but perhaps we are not. We'll ask for help to be "Beatitude Ready" and even "Beatitude Eager." We might even RUN to the Beatitudes.One day just won't do it.  You must subscribe and follow!https://youtu.be/gGF10_FENZ0

When Jesus came, He healed EVERYBODY in His little orbit.Does He still heal? If so HOW and What does He heal?Also, what might the attention of the Lord during my affliction look like? Write this down: We have the ATTENTION of the Lord during our AFFLICTIONS.You'll have one of the afflictions we'll talk about in these 7 minutes. I guarantee it. Share this, if I am right. https://youtu.be/Bcd0rST9XSo