Are You As Stubborn As A Mule?

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. ~ Psalm 32:8-10

We learn from these verses that God will instruct us and teach us the way that we should go. He will guide us with his eye! He is willing to impart to us wisdom and guidance. He wants to direct all our paths.

Interestingly, He also tells us to not be like a horse or mule. What does He mean by that?

In order to get a horse or mule to follow your lead and do as you are directing it to do, you must use a bit or bridle on it. The former will inflict a slight pain under the animal's tongue. These instruments are necessary to control the animal.

Why?

Because the animal has a will of it's own. He may stubbornly want to go in his own direction. Yet, a slight tug on the bit and bridle will prompt the large beast to comply to your will and go the direction you desire. He can be made willing to follow your lead.

God doesn't want us to be like that. He doesn't want to have to use a 'bit' or 'bridle' on us, so to speak, in order to make us willing to follow His lead. He wants us to be willing of our own accord. He wants us to humbly submit to His guidance and instruction. He does not want us to be as the horse or as the mule.

Are you willing surrendered to God's guidance and leadership or are you being as stubborn as a mule?

Have You Forsaken All Your Idols?

"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

The Apostle Paul instructed the Christians at Colosse to:

'Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.' (Colossians 3:5)

Mortify means to put to death. He told the early Christians to put these types of deeds to death in their mortal bodies. That is, he was telling them not to practice these things.

You will note that he likened coveting specifically to idolatry. What is coveting you may ask?

Coveting is being greedy. It is having a miserly desire to gain or horde wealth, even to the extent of fraud or extortion. It can also mean to eagerly wish for something of pleasure or gain beyond what you currenlty have.

Now, the question is, 'Have you turned from idols to serve the living and true God?'

What Are Your Days Like?

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good: let him seek peace, and ensue it.
~ 1Peter 3:10-11

What kind of days are you having? Good or bad? Would you like to see good days? Are you doing the things necessary for that?

By the way, the wages of sin is death. So, ask yourself, 'Do I really love life?'

What Will Your Harvest Be Like?

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." ~ Galatians 6:7-8

You've heard the saying, "You reap what you sow." Here is the Bible verse that inspired it and also explains the meaning to us.

Sow to the flesh = reaping corruption.

Sow to the Spirit = reaping life everlasting.

Are you sowing to your flesh or sowing to the Spirit?

What will your harvest be like?

What's Your 'One Thing'?

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. ~ Psalm 27:4

So, if you could have anything you asked for; but, you could only ask for one thing...what would you want?

How's Your Portfolio Looking Lately?

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." 1 Timothy 6:27-19

How have you been investing in your future? Are you building a good foundation against the time to come?

Who Taught You?

"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." ~John 6: 44-45

Have you heard and learned from the Father about His Son? Who taught you about Jesus?

Why Do You Believe In Jesus?

'And many more believed because of his own word; and said unto the woman,"Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world."'~ John 4:41-42

So, do you believe in Jesus because of what you have heard about Him, or because you have heard HIM yourself? Think about that...seriously.

Are You Having Good Conversation?

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." ~Philippians 1:27

The word conversation in this verse has the meaning of 'conduct'. A person's conduct is their behavior, their deeds, their speech.

A Christian should have conduct that becometh the gospel of Christ. Their conduct should testify to the truth of the saving, cleansing power of Jesus.

Are you having good conversation lately?

What Are Your Affections Set On?

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.~ Colossians 3:1-2

Are the majority of your thoughts and desires centered on the things of this earth? Such as: material possessions, recreational activities, jobs or careers, politics, friends, family or physical fitness. You get the idea. What are your affections set on?

If you are truly risen with Christ, your affections should be set on things above.

Why?

Because that is where HE is at!

What Are You Doing With Your Hands?

"Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands."~Proverbs 14:1

In this verse, hands symbolize our deeds.

By your deeds are you 'building' your house or 'plucking' it down?

What Are You Singing About?

"Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage."~Psalm 119:54

The Psalmist said, "Thy statutes have been my songs."

The statutes he's referring to are God's written word, His laws and commandments.

What songs are on your lips?

What are you singing about?

How Are You Doing?

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. ~ Colossians 3:17

Whatever we do is to be done for the glory of God.

Whatever we do should bring honor and praise to Jesus blessed name.

Whatever we do should not be for the praises of men, but rather the approval of God.

How are you doing?

What Makes You Cry?

"I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word."~Psalm 119:158


Does sin in your life burden your heart?

When you see sin in others does is grieve you?

What makes you cry?

What's Your Wattage?

Let your light so shine, before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16

Are your deeds bringing glory to your Father in heaven?

Is your lamp trimmed and burning bright?

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

What Are You Listening To?

"A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue."~Proverbs 17:4

A 'naughty tongue' has the meaning of one who seeks to work ruin or is mischievous, such as a talebearer or slanderer. However, you will notice that the one who 'listens' to this type of speech is called a 'liar' and lying is an abomination unto the Lord.(Proverbs 12:22)

"Oh, be careful little ears what you hear."

What Are Your Children Learning?

"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk with them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."~Deuteronomy 6:6-7


Are you 'diligently' teaching the things of the Lord unto your children?

What are they learning and whom are they learning it from?

Who Do You Seek Counsel From?

"Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors."~Psalm 119:24

I've often heard it said, that there is 'nothing' which pertains to our lives that God has not covered in His holy written word, the Bible. Amen!

Are you in need of marriage counseling? Read the Word.

Maybe you'd like more wisdom for parenting? Read the Word.

Are you having financial problems? Yep, it's in there.

The more you study the Bible, the more you'll see just how loving God is and how much He wants to 'counsel' us as we go along in this life.

Truly, He's covered it all for us. So... READ THE WORD!

What's Your Dream Job?

For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."~Psalm 84:10


The Psalmist said he'd rather have the job of opening and closing doors in heaven than to dwell with the wicked.

Looking for a better job or position than you currently have?
Maybe you should consider applying for this one.

What Are You Looking At?

"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."~Psalm 101:3

Let this be a litmus test for what things are 'before your eyes'.

What sort of things are you looking at when you read, watch T.V. or a movie, go to the mall, etc.

Are they evil, or good?

What Are You Hungry For?

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.~Matthew 5:6

Righteousness means to be in a 'right relationship' with God.

It means to be accepted as holy and without sin.

The only righteousness we can have is found in the Lord Jesus Christ, who 'is our righteousness'. (2Peter1:1)

So, the question is: What are you hungry for?