FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE!

 

Friday, June 26, 2026

 

FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE!

 

1 Tim 1:18-20

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

 

          Combat gear can weigh what seems to be a ton, but warriors know that some pieces of equipment are absolutely essential in a fire fight. Mess kits may be abandoned and bed rolls tossed aside until the battle is over, but your weapon and sufficient ammo are a must.

 

          Such was the instruction of Paul to young Timothy. Two pieces of spiritual equipment are essential to “war a good warfare” and those are faith and a good conscience.

 

          Webster's Dictionary defines conscience as "the sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action." The word “conscience” is the Greek word suneidesis and means “being aware of your moral condition.”

 

          The conscience can be “seared” by repeated exposure to the abuse of wrong decisions. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (1 Tim 4:1-2). It is dangerous to ignore your internal alarm! The result is shipwreck.

 

          Dr. Charles Stanley says that our conscience responds to “programming.” It is formed by either good or bad input. If that is so we must filter and control what we allow into our mind.

 

Prov 4:23

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 

Dear Lord, I can’t trust my conscience to be my guide. Guide me by Thy Holy Spirit today. AMEN

 

UNHEALTHY COMPROMISE!

 

Thursday, June 25, 2026

 

UNHEALTHY COMPROMISE!

 

Rom 12:1-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

          Compromise is part of the give and take of daily life. Husbands and wives compromise on which restaurant to visit but both are still able to enjoy a good meal. No deep-seated values have been damaged and harmony is maintained. That is what we would call a healthy compromise. Each one gives up something to gain something.

 

          Unhealthy compromise is when we give up deeply held values to avoid ridicule or discomfort. Paul understood that maintaining strong values required sacrifice. It often involved denying comfort to the body. It ignores the holiness of God and considers the reward of such a decision reasonable.

 

          Conformity to the world always presents a danger to the spiritual integrity of man. Resistance requires a new way of thinking. We preface each decision with the question “Would this please God?” God is always given the right to refuse us what we want to maintain our spiritual strength. We listen to God. We obey God.

 

1 Peter 2:11

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

 

Dear Lord, I often spoil myself with luxuries. Prompt me whenever my self-pampering endangers my values and convictions. AMEN

 

ENCOURAGING TRUTHS FOR THE DOWNHEARTED!

 

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

 

ENCOURAGING TRUTHS FOR THE DOWNHEARTED!

 

2 Cor 7:5-6

5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

 

We all get down from time to time. Even the Apostle Paul, though a spiritual giant, admitted to being “troubled on every side.” Externally there were fightings and internally there were fears. He was cast down and then comforted.

 

What can we do when we are cast down? Let me suggest that we check the balance in our spiritual account. We need a reality check to see just who we are in Christ. Consider the following truths.

 

1. GOD HAS ALWAYS LOVED YOU!

 

Jer 31:3

3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

 

Ps 103:17

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

 

2 Thess 2:13

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

 

2. GOD LOVED YOU ENOUGH TO ALLOW JESUS TO DIE!

 

1 Peter 1:18-19

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

 

Heb 9:12-14

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

 

3. GOD HAS INVITED YOU TO BE PART OF HIS FAMILY!

 

Rom 8:16-17

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

Gal 4:7

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

 

4. HE IS COMING FOR YOU SOON!

 

Luke 21:27-28

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

Ps 126:2-3

2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

 

Dear Lord, whenever my heart is downcast help me to count the many blessings of my salvation. AMEN