Daily Meditation: Dealing with a Liar.

Proverbs 25:18 (KJV) ¹⁸  A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Dishonest people are engaged in making false pronouncements and/or false promises.  Verse 18 is referring to those who make false pronouncements. 
Maul=Large wooden hammer or club.
Sword=cuts and wounds.
Sharp arrow=pierces to the heart.
A person who makes false and misleading statements against another person can inflict terrible wounds on their victim.  They can cause a person to lose his reputation or worse.  I know we always quote the childhood saying; "sticks, and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me".  However, the reality is that people making false and misleading words do hurt others.
Some practical advice in dealing with false witnesses and false testimonies:

1.  Remember, you are not a garbage can with a hairy lid.  Don't listen to slop if you can avoid it.
2.  Don't believe everything you hear. 
3.  If you don't know the facts, don't make a judgment.
4.  If someone says false things against you, confront them.
5.  If the confrontation does not produce repentance, move on.
6.  Remember, eventually people will judge you on the content of your character, not the words of a liar.
I know that false words made against us hurt, and can cause damage in relationships.  However, it is best if we do not allow our concern of what others think and say about us to effect our daily walk with the Lord.  The meditation of our heart must not be on what the false witness said or the damage he inflicted to our reputation, but on the goodness of our God.  Paul instructs us to "think on these things".
  
Philippians 4:8 (KJV) ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I John 3:18-22 Daily Meditation on Love.

1 John 3:18-22 (KJV)18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.   19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.  20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.   21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.   22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.


 1.  Love is more than words. (18)


We describe people as "all talk" or we say "talk is cheap".  Love is more than just words...


2.  Love is a lifestyle of helping others while having the right motive. (18)


Deed= our work or our labor.  Our occupation. It is referencing a lifestyle of doing works in helping others.
Truth= the right action with the right motive.
Love is living a life constantly helping others according to what is right with a right motive.  This would disqualify good deeds that are not rightly motivated.  This would disqualify good deeds that glorify self or benefit self. 


3. Love produces a heart that is right with God (19)


4. Love produces a heart free from guilt (20)


Our actions not done in Biblical love will produce a guilt in our heart.  No worries, God is able to forgive and cleanse us.




5.  Love produces an open and  real relationship with God (21)


Interestingly when the fruit of the Spirit is listed in Galatians 5, love is listed first.  The primary indication of a Spirit-filled life is a life lived loving others the way Jesus did!  This was not a compromising self-serving love, but a sacrificial and giving love.  A love that was demonstrated clearly on Calvary's cross.


If you want an open, close, and real relationship with God, don't violate the love principle! Love God and love others.

Handfuls of Purpose

Ruth 2:16 (KJV) ¹⁶  And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.


Boaz showed kindness and encouragement to Ruth as she gleaned in his fields. The Lord does the same for you and me! How many times have you gotten tired and weary in faithful service to the Lord? Perhaps, your blessing meter started getting low and the Lord came alon...g and dropped a handful of blessing on purpose for you. He does this a number of ways. He may use a truth in the word of God to satisfy and comfort you or may bring a person into your life to lift your heart, faith, and encourage you. He might encourage you by answering your prayer. There are many ways the Lord drops those handfuls of purpose.
Are you a handful of purpose in the Lord's hands? People need love, encouragement, kindness, or the Gospel. God wants to use you to be a blessing, a handful of purpose in the lives of others if you are willing. You will get more out of your Christian life if you will invest your life into the lives of others..