NOT EXPEDIENT

 

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

NOT EXPEDIENT

1 Cor 10:23

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. KJV

1 Cor 10:23

…not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. AMP

          In all seven occurrences of the word “expedient” in the New Testament it is translated from the Greek word sumphero which, curiously, means “to collect together.” Think of it this way. Of all the things on the table from which you might choose, which is better?

          In John 11:50, Caiaphas declared, regarding Jesus, that it was expedient (the best of all things on the table) that one man should die for the people and that the whole nation perish not. He probably had no idea how right he was!

          Jesus said in John 16:7 that it was expedient or better for him to go away [die and return to heaven] so that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, could be given to us. While He was “in the flesh” he was local but in the form of the Spirit He could indwell and be with every believer. We must agree that is better.

          Paul said in 2 Cor. 8:10 that it is expedient or better to gather the offering to send to the poor saints in Jerusalem. Systematic giving always garners more than casual or haphazard giving that is emotionally driven. Yes, that is better.

          Paul says again in 1 Cor 6:12 and 10:23 that grace has made most things “lawful”, but all things are not expedient. Essentially, he is saying that just because you CAN does not mean that you SHOULD. Of all the lawful things on the table expediency gathers together what is best and chooses that one thing.

          Obeying the law is much easier than making discretionary choices. If it is unlawful or sinful, just don’t do it. But what if it is lawful but not wise? Ah, that requires the gathering of good information. I find that, without complete understanding of all the aspects of a possible choice, I must make that choice based upon the information that I have and leave the consequences to God.

          Of all the choices presented to us today we must gather together those opportunities and choose what is better. Happy sorting!

Dear Lord, help me to make wise choices. AMEN

 

A DREAM COMETH

 

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

A DREAM COMETH

Eccl 5:3

3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

          Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, is also the writer of the proverbs. That truth gives this verse the ability to stand alone even while it is connected to the context. It also gives it the possibility of at least two meanings.

          The strict meaning is that a hard day’s labor might cause dreams which are a compilation of the day’s activities. That being the case, I have had some “doozies!” Some can’t even be repeated here! Without a Daniel to interpret and make sense of them, most of those dreams are dismissed.

          The other meaning is that any worthwhile venture, a dream, only becomes a reality through careful planning and hard labor. If you pass any large or successful venture, you can be assured that it began as someone’s dream or vision.

          What is your vision for yourself, your career, your family, and your church? Are you satisfied with the way things are, or do you dream of something bigger and better? If you are a dreamer, God can use you if you apply the labor and patience to bring those dreams about.

Acts 2:17

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, [to tell forth truth or foretell events under inspiration] and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: [be given insight while sleeping]

Dear Lord, help me to be a visionary! Give me the strength to add the labor that is necessary to bring those dreams to pass. AMEN

 

MY STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE

 

Monday, November 9, 2026

MY STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE

Nah 1:5-7

5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

John 1:5

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

 

          In the above verse the word “comprehended” is the Greek word katalambano which literally means “to catch what has been thrown.” It means that the darkness dropped the ball and did not, either by failure or refusal, lay hold on it. It would be easy for the light to blame itself for the failure, but it is the darkness that is at fault.

Matt 6:23-24

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

          We now see that the problem of our nation is a sin problem and not a political one. The economy is in danger because of greed! The home is in shambles due to our failure to love! Our government is deadlocked due to a lust for power. The following verses seem clear enough.

Here is the problem: Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. (Isa 1:2)

And here is the result: Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

7 Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. (Isa 1:4-7)

Here is the solution: Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (Isa 1:16-20)

What our nation needs is not another Tea Party, but a prayer meeting!

Dear Lord, make our message clear and plain. Open ears and hearts and minds to your truth. Heal our land. AMEN