We’re all susceptible to spending a fair amount of time and energy evaluating the lives of others,  passing judgment on whether or not they are doing the right thing in their lives.  But what really should matter to us is how we’re doing with our own lives.

The Bible warns us that we should not look with contempt toward others because of what they may or may not be doing.  The reason?  It’s simple.  We will all stand before the judgment seat of God to give an account for ourselves (Rom.14:10).

That said, we should be much more concerned about whether or not we are doing what’s right, and less concerned about what the other guy does.

Doing what you know is right can be one of the best things you can do with your life.  It liberates you from fear and guilt, and enables you do look to your future with confidence as you seek to make the most of your days.

Just this morning I saw a news report about a woman who had chosen to do the right thing after being engaged in an evil activity for eight years.  Recently, her conscious began to bother her, and finally she came to the point where she could not be involved in this activity any longer.  She had to do what was right – and she did.

And the result?  She’s happy and feels clean.  She’s looking forward to the rest of here life knowing she’s done what’s right.

Like this woman, we are all confronted with decisions as to whether or not we are going to do what’s right or not.  It might involve cheating or lying.  It might involve some immoral, unethical or even criminal activity. Whatever the case, we all face such choices.

Making the right choice can be difficult.  You may have a lot vested in staying with a way that’s wrong.  And making the right choice may bring down all kinds of undesirable consequences.  But, it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong (1 Pet.3:17).

When Joshua led the people into the promised land, he warned them that they would have to contend with the old idols of their past and new idols that they would face.  And in the midst of that challenge, they would have to choose who they were going to serve.  Would it be the idols of their heart, or the God who made them and sustained them.

“Choose this day whom you will serve,” Joshua said (Jos.24:15).

We must choose the same.

And how do we make that choice?  By the grace of God.

In His grace, God sent His Son Jesus Christ so that we would be forgiven for all the times we have chosen the wrong.  And by the same grace, He empowers us to choose the right from this point on.

It’s always encouraging to see someone make a choice for righteousness after being convicted by the wrong that’s been done.  May her numbers increase!

Watch the video.

If you’ve been out and about much lately, you can’t help but notice the splendor of color that has been cast across the tree-lined sky.  The various shades of yellow, orange, and red on display have been captivating.

What do you think about when you see these colors?  Do you wish you could take a few days off for a color tour?  Do you think about the need to rake the leaves in your yard?  Do you have a renewed sense that it’s good to be alive?

Whatever else you may think about, I encourage you to think about this:  In the beauty of all that color is the revelation of God and His glory.

We may find it hard at times to see the evidence of God’s existence, but He has not left us without witness.  One of the strongest testimonies of His presence is through His creation.

The book of Psalms tells us,  “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.   There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world” (Ps.19:1-3).

Do you get the idea?  The God who made it all, continually reveals Himself in what He has made.  And it’s a message that can be heard by the whole world.

The New Testament puts it even stronger when it says,  “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Rom.1:20).

The thrust here is that God has given such a clear witness to Himself in creation that there is no excuse for disbelieving Him.

Remember that when you take a look at those beautiful leaves.  Through them God exclaims that He has made all things –  including you.  And as He is faithful to bring forth seed time and harvest (Gen.8:22), He is also faithful to watch over you (Pr.15:3).

Nearly 500 years ago, John Calvin referred to the world as a “theater of God’s glory.”  As we take notice of this theater ourselves, we are to pay attention to the One who directs the whole show.

Just as Moses humbled himself before the Lord at the burning bush on Mt. Sinai, so should we humble ourselves before Him as we see our neighbor’s burning bush across the way.

The brilliant colors of fall present a golden opportunity to remember our Creator as He has revealed Himself in nature.  It’s also a wonderful occasion to seek to know Him better by attending to the revelation He has given us in His Word and in His Son as well.

“You cannot preserve true freedom if you create a society in which freedom is not balanced by responsibilities and duties.”

~ Paul Johnson

If you are an ordinary person trying to do what’s right and do the best you can with your life, you probably have your moments of frustration.  You wonder, “What’s the use?”  No matter how hard you try, nothing seems to change much for the better.  And as you look at others who do not seem to care about what is right like you do, they appear to be better off.  You may even be tempted to go over to the dark side.

If you find yourself feeling this way on occasion, you are not alone.  There are many people who at one time or another despair over whether doing what’s right and keeping their commitments in life is worth it.

Although this scenario is common, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken seriously.  It should, because it creates a crisis that forces you to choose what direction you are headed with your life.

So what’s a person struggling with such thoughts to do?  Keep going.  Don’t quit.  Keep looking to the Lord in faith.  And here are a few things to keep in mind as you do. . .

First, remember that we live in a fallen world.  It’s easy to get discouraged if you keep wondering why your life is not just the way you want it to be.  But if you accept that we live in a world that remains filled with mundane activities, trials and temptation, you will be in a much better position to endure them with contentment.

The Bible tells us to run our race with endurance, to fight the good fight, to keep the faith, because it recognizes that life is difficult and that we will be tempted to lose heart.  We need to recognize this as well if we are to endure.

Second, remember that salvation comes by grace.  There are those who become weary of doing good because they believe that they must keep doing so in order to be accepted by God.  But the Bible teaches us otherwise.  We are justified by faith and saved by grace.

This does not mean that there is no place for doing good.  There is.  God has prepared good works for us to extend His kingdom and brighten our world.  But these do not in any way cause us to merit favor with Him.  Realizing that He has ordained our works as part of His mission in the world causes them to become a joy and not a burden.

Finally, remember the long-term, eternal perspective.  If you spend too much time thinking about how those around you are doing, it won’t take long before you grow covetous and discontent, and you will be regularly tempted to slip away from your faithful course.  To overcome this temptation, you must keep a long-term, eternal perspective.

It is how you live your life before God for the duration that counts.  “The conclusion,”  the Bible tells us, “is to fear God, and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person” (Ecc.12:13).

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Gal.6:9).

The Bible tells us that children are a blessing (Ps. 127:3), but for those in the midst of parenting, it’s often wondered how this can be, as bringing up children is one of the most challenging tasks on earth.

When you first begin as a parent you don’t know much of what you are doing. Then, when you get some experience, the children you are working with are older and are much less pliable. Fortunately, along with the assurance that children are a blessing, the Bible also gives us the instruction needed so that the blessing the Bible speaks of would be experienced in our homes.

The clearest of these instructions says this: “do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph.6:4). This short statement about parenting has two parts. It tells us what not to do, and and what to do.

First, what not to do. Do not provoke your children to anger (or, as some translations put it, do not exasperate them).

There are a number of ways a parent can exasperate their children. Some of the most common ways include ignoring them or failing to communicate with them, acting hypocritically or having a double standard toward them, or being too harsh or lenient with them.

Children, we must remember, are people. And because they are people, they desire to be treated as such. Because they are younger and inexperienced people, they need extra care and attention. If we forget either of these things, children are easily exasperated.

You want to work hard to avoid exasperating your child, because when a child is exasperated he will harden his heart toward you, and refuse your influence while seeking it elsewhere.

Does your child seem distant from you and resistant to your influence? Then consider how you may have provoked some anger in your child by your own actions, and take measures to close the distance that’s been created.

Second, what to do. Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Children need guidance in order to develop into mature adults who can make it on their own. Given too much freedom too soon, they will plunge themselves into harms way and suffer for it. But with the proper level of discipline and instruction for their age, they will learn how to become self-controlled and how to make their own contribution to the world with the gifts that God has given them.

Vital to the discipline and instruction that is passed onto children is a knowledge of right and wrong. Children need a moral compass, and there is none better than the one given by God in the Ten Commandments (Ex.20).

Also vital for children is a knowledge of who they are, or a clear sense of identity. And this is where faith is critical for both parents and children. The Bible tells us that the promises of God are for those who believe and their children (Acts 2:39).

What does this mean? It means that if you believe God, He has a purpose and destiny for your children, too. Remember that, and treat them accordingly. And make sure they know it and believe it as well.

I love the book of Proverbs. How come? Because I need wisdom, and Proverbs offers it in abundance.

The Book of Proverbs was originally intended for young men who would grow to assume leadership positions. But it is beneficial for all, and it invites all to come and partake of it.

“Turn to my reproof,” wisdom cries, “And I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make my words known to you” (Pr.1:23).

Because you surely need wisdom, I commend Proverbs to you. Take one chapter a day, and you will get through the book in a thirty-one day month. If you do so with an attentive and faithful heart, you will be blessed with peace and joy – in addition to wisdom.

There are a number of themes in Proverbs that relate to everyday life. God and man, wisdom, the fool, the sluggard, friendship, words, the family, and life and death, are all themes that you’ll find through this book.

Dominant among these themes, of course, is wisdom itself.

But what is wisdom? One good definition is, “the right use of knowledge.” But if you take a closer look, you’ll find that wisdom has different shades that make it full and rich.

Wisdom, for example, involves instruction and training. It doesn’t just come with the passing of time. It’s hard won, because it involves character as much as the mind.

Wisdom also involves understanding or insight. When Solomon became king he prayed that God would give him the ability to discern between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9). What is it that gives such discernment? Wisdom.

Wisdom also contains an element of what we would call shrewdness, prudence, or wise dealing. Each of these abilities can be used to scheme and bring harm. But with the right heart they can bring good out of tight circumstances because such wisdom gives the ability to handle tough situations.

Finally, wisdom also has to do with knowledge and learning. Not merely head knowledge, but the knowledge of God. And this helps us to see how wisdom is actually attained.

Where does wisdom come from? It comes from the Lord.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Pr.9:10). This means that if you want wisdom, you must turn to the Lord and devote yourself to Him.

As one commentator on Proverbs put it, wisdom is not for the man who is wise in his own eyes, but the one who watches daily at the gates.

Some years back there was a slapstick comedian who used to regularly say, “I’m a victim of circumstance.” That line sums up the thoughts of a lot of people today.

There’s a growing number of people who look at the direction of their lives and see it getting out of control. They see themselves as “victims of circumstance.” The outcome is that stress, conflict, and depression are on the increase. Rash and foolish decisions are becoming more common, too.

Are tough circumstances getting you down? They don’t need to. The key is to live with a perspective of God’s covenant.

When people think of the Bible and living the Christian life, they often think in terms of living up to a moral code. That’s all.

But this falls so far short of the truth.

God’s call upon us is so much deeper than just living trying to live up to His standards. He calls us to look to Him as our God, and see ourselves as His people. “I will be your God, and you shall be my people” is the refrain of Scripture (Jer.30:22; Heb.8:10).

The basis of this deep relationship between God and His people is His covenant.

A covenant is a solemn bond between two or more parties. Within a covenant relationship there are both privileges and responsibilities.

The type of covenant most familiar to most of us is the marriage covenant. In this covenant, husbands and wives share privileges and responsibilities toward one another involving lifelong intimacy and devotion.

But behind the marriage covenant – and every other human covenant – is the covenant that God makes with His people.

God has taken the initiative to call a people to Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ. When individuals respond to God’s gracious call upon their lives and turn to Him in faith, they enter into a covenant with Him. In this covenant relationship, God promises to love and never forsake His people. At the same time, we are called to love Him and keep His commandments.

What difference does this make? All the difference in the world.

Instead of viewing life as a wearisome battle against a flood of overwhelming circumstances, you can view it with hope. You can see it from the perspective of God’s covenant, believing that though hard circumstances will come, God is in control and working out His purpose through them.

The result? You’ll see yourself as safe within God’s loving plan. You’ll be less desperate and self-centered, and more joyful and capable of serving others.

Don’t be a “victim of circumstance.” He who began a good work in you will perfect it. Trust God in the midst of your trials. Nothing can separate you from His love.

The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that people’s lives are driven by their emotions more than they realize.

We like to think that we’re rational creatures who thoughtfully govern all our decisions and actions.  But the reality, I believe, is quite different.  So often it’s our feelings that drive us in one direction or another.  And those feelings can often lead us to do some foolish things.

The big role that feelings play in our lives should not be surprising when we realize all the attention that the Bible gives to different emotions.  Anger, guilt, bitterness, peace, joy, and hope are just a sample of the many emotions that the Bible addresses.

It’s interesting, too, that the Bible shows us that there’s an important relationship between the two most powerful emotions of them all – fear and love – when it says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. . .” (1 Jn.4:18).

Understanding this relationship will go a long way in helping you prevent negative emotions from leading you astray.

Just about every negative emotion you can think of is related to fear.  Take anger, for example.  Beneath the anger that people often possess is usually some fear — like the fear of losing control or having one’s faults exposed.

At the same time, just about every positive emotion is related to love.  People who have lives characterized by peace and joy, for example, are those who are secure in the fact that they are loved, and able to love others.

Once you see this connection, you can see how important it is to have your life oriented according to love rather than fear.

Let’s say you are having a bad day.  You begin to fear things will get worse.  Because you’re fearful you isolate yourself with your thoughts and begin getting angry about your circumstances  – and you start  to show that anger toward others around you.  Then, you say or do some dumb things, and now you’re afraid of what those consequences will be!

How do you break out of this pattern?  Love.  “Perfect love casts out fear.”

Though your love is not perfect, God’s is.  He has shown this in giving His Son so that those who trust Him have no condemnation to fear (Rom.8:1).  And not only that, they may be assured that no matter what trial we may face, nothing will separate us from from His love (Rom.8:38,39).

Does this mean that you will be immune to fear and worry?  No.

But it does mean that when these emotions seek to dominate your life, you know what to do with them.  You can cast them far away from you as you trust God and His love dwelling in you through His Son, Jesus Christ.

I’ve been reading about Jacob.  It’s apparent that though he was a blessed man, his life had a lot of difficulty in it.  Jacob’s relationship with Esau and his grief over Joseph are just a couple of examples of the hardship he experienced.

There’s a point worth remembering in this.  The blessing of God does not necessarily come without trouble.  So, just because you are experiencing hardship does not mean you aren’t blessed.  This is likely why the the Bible commands us to be thankful in all things.  In the midst of our difficulties we easily miss the way that God is blessing us.