“My future is righteousness.” Bob Marley

The fact that we don’t always do what is right, is an important clue that something is wrong inside us. That something is one reason, though we might not know it at first, why we come to Christ. We look to Him, not only to forgive us when we do wrong, but to fix us somehow, so that we can do those things we know are right and good and true. He begins that healing the moment we invite Him into our lives. He will finish it the moment we enter completely into His.

“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2Cor.5.21 “Conversations Within” ts 11/22/2019

“I only knew that there was a certain rightness in life--the feeling you got when you did something the way you knew you should.” Laurence Yep

There is great satisfaction when we look back on a choice we have made and know that we did the right thing. I think we can experience more of this simply by sincerely wanting it and seeking it every time we begin some new adventure. “Seek and you will find.” Righteousness is first a desire, then a decision. 

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 11/21/2019

“The worst of all deceptions is self-deception.” Plato

I fear deceiving myself--to think I am in the right, when in fact, I am in the wrong. I have known the blindness that comes from being self-centered. May God deliver us all from it. That means of course that He must at times deliver us from ourselves. Let me be right, at least about that.

“Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.” Prov.21.2 “Conversations Within” ts 11/20/2019

“Here lies the body of William Jay who died maintaining his right of way -He was right, dead right, as he sped along, But he's just as dead as if he was wrong.” Tombstone

There are some very real negatives when we become a stickler for always being right. It has been wisely asked, “What good is winning an argument if we lose our friend?” If we insist on being right, let it be for the right reasons--reasons which promote love and goodness not some silly notions of pride that we may harbor.

“Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise--why destroy yourself?” Ecc.7 “Conversations Within” ts 11/19/2019

“The time is always right to do the right thing.” Martin Luther King Jr.

When we are privileged enough to know the right thing to do, we feel honored to do it. How honorable it is to serve others; to leave people and places better than we find them; to say a kind word, or give to those in need. Never tire of doing the right thing. Indeed doing what we know is right can energize our days and give stoke to our steps like nothing else.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Gal.6.9 “Conversations Within” ts 11/18/2019

“When in doubt, do the right thing.” Unknown

It is hard to beat knowing the right thing to do, except perhaps doing it. Most of the time when we wonder what is the right thing to do, it is not so much a moral dilemma as it is a question of will everything turn out alright if I do this. Wisdom is needed, and the wonderful thing is that God offers it. We can be sure that the right thing to do always begins when we ask God for it, with an attitude willing to do it.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1.5 “Conversations Within” ts 11/17/2019

Every day is Father’s day. Every day is Mother’s day.

Respect for authority is the mark of the mature and wisdom for life. Without it, life disintegrates into the tyranny and horror of a self-centered rule. With it, life thrives under the light and warmth of God’s love and protection. God’s first gift to us is the instruction of godly parents. The first gift we give ourselves it to honor and obey them.

“Honor your father and mother.” God “Conversations Within” ts 11/15/2019

“If they respect you, respect them. If they disrespect you, still respect them.” Mohammad Zeyara

Respect is certainly earned, but we can choose to give it even when it is not. First century slaves were encouraged as Christians to spread an ambiance of humility and respect, and even do so to unreasonable masters. When a person does this, it makes them the masters of their own attitudes and actions, and they express the greatest respect for themselves. Thankfully slavery is all but abolished, but these principles work in every workplace.

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.” 1Pet.2.18 “Conversations Within” ts 11/14/2019

“Respect your elders, they made it through school without Google and Wikipedia.” Unknown

When we show respect to our elders, we show respect to God. He is pleased when we know the value of honoring our seniors. Our backward culture often gives preference to the strength of youth, while God encourages us to value the strength of wisdom and experience in those who have been blessed with age.

"You shall rise up before the gray headed and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the LORD. Lev.19.32 “Conversations Within” ts 11/13/2019

“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” Calvin Coolidge

People know the value of a giving and generous friend. Let me be one. Be a spring of refreshment that overflows with goodness, not a stagnant lake that only holds what comes its way. Give goodness and honor to others and goodness and honor will return to you.

“Outdo one another in showing honor.” Rom.12.10 “Conversations Within” ts 11/12/2019

“There is no honor among thieves?” Adage

Do I choose to honor what is honorable? Inner city gangs give respect to the most violent warlord. Such honor is not honorable. If we are to give someone or something our respect, we should take care that the object of our loyalty is worthy of it. There are times when withholding honor is the most honorable thing we can do.

“Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Rom.13.7 “Conversations Within” ts 11/11/2019

“Self-control is the chief element of self-respect.” Thucydides

The word “honorable” is used often in the context of people who practice self-restraint in word and actions. It is honorable to stand watch over what we say. It is honorable to stand watch over one’s appetites. It is honorable to act honorably, and to value what has real value.

“For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.” 2Cor.8 “Conversations Within” ts 11/10/2019

“This above all, to thine own self be true.” Shakespeare

It is rather silly to lie to God when we know He knows everything. It is equally silly to lie to ourselves as well. We do this when we compromise and talk ourselves into doing something we know is wrong even when our conscience is urging us not to. Call it what you will, telling a “white lie,” “fudging” on the truth, or wanting something so bad we justify it to ourselves. Never lie, especially to yourself.

“Blessed is the man… in whose spirit there is no deceit.” Ps.32.2 “Conversations Within” ts 11/9/2019

The best way to spot what is fake is to know what is real.

Knowing what is true helps us determine what is false. Who would argue that knowing the difference between the two has immeasurable value. Each of us decides what we believe to be true. For me, “the proof is in the pudding,” but sometimes as a Christian, I am required to trust one truth before I can taste the validity of another. My faith in what God says about the afterlife is greatly influenced by the “pudding” I eat everyday at His table.

“My cup runs over and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Ps.23 “Conversations Within” ts 11/8/2019

“Above all things, I believe in love.” Ewan McGregor

What truths define my understanding and actions? What centers me, and gives meaning to my life? As a disciple of Jesus I would of course reply, “God,” not that He exists, but His every expression of love. I can honestly say that one of the reasons I believe in God is that I believe in love, and God is love. I am not referring to the love of feelings, but the love of beneficial actions-actions that bless. 

“God is love and those who abide in love abide in God and God abides in them.” 1Jo.4.16 “Conversations Within” ts 11/6/2019

“Perception and reality are often two different things.” (Saying)

Is it true that a pedestrian has the right of way to cross any road at any time? Of course it isn’t. What we believe to be true or not can have lasting consequences. We sometimes act as if it doesn’t matter what we believe about God or spirituality or life after this life. People can of course believe whatever they want, but this will not change reality nor the consequences of ignoring the physical and spiritual laws set down by the Creator.

“It is appointed for people to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Heb.9.27 “Conversations Within” ts 11/6/2019

“Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” Martin Luther King Jr.

The best sincerity is when it matches the way things actually are. Be sincere but make sure you are sincere about what is true. This is the value of knowing what is good, right and true. This way our sincerity is not based on a warm feeling we may have, but on facts and they are worth putting our faith in them.

"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”" John 4:24 “Conversations Within” ts 11/5/2019

Just because a prayer is sincere does not mean it is a good prayer. A person may pray sincerely that they would win the lottery, or that God would bless an unfaithful relationship.

We should not confuse truth with sincerity. Sincerity can be a good thing but people can be sincerely wrong. A sincere person tries to be true in what they say, believe and practice. Even so, we all get the facts wrong from time to time. Truth is measured by its fruit and it final measure is in the ruling of God.

“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth…” Josh.24.14 “Conversations Within” ts 11/4/2019

“The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.” Winston Churchill

When something is true, it is actual, and factual to what really is. In other words, it can be confirmed. This does not mean that we always have the means to confirm it now. The invention of the microscope gave one generation a means that was not available to another. Of course this changed nothing where the factual presence of germs was concerned. If something is true then it is true whether we confirm it or not.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 11/2/2019

“Don’t trust everything you see. Even salt looks like sugar.” Unknown

How can I know if something is true? Take for instance the statement that “God loves you.” How can we know if this is actually the case? How can we know if there is a God at all? Well, it is my understanding that God encourages us to test the truthfulness of every matter. And, it is my experience that God doesn’t mind testing us in the process. Take a step in His direction and you may find Him running in yours.

“Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Mal.3.10 “Conversations Within” ts 11/1/2019

“You are what you eat.” Axiom

How true this is for both the body and soul. Our physical and spiritual diet are directly related to our overall health. Dr. Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food.” It is wise to watch, not only what we feed the body, but what we allow ourselves to mentally feed upon. We also become what we think about.

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Phil.4.8 “Conversations Within” ts 10/31/2019

God is a holistic doctor. His concern is our total health, body and soul. It should come as no surprise that His prescriptions might use a physical malady to cure a spiritual one.

I don’t think for a moment that God causes physical illness to punish people, but I am certain He will use it to bring about spiritual healing. I think we lean more toward physical health while God leans more toward the spiritual side of things. After all, the spiritual will survive the physical and the health of our body is certainly tied to the health of our soul.

“May you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.” 3Joh.2.1 “Conversations Within” ts 10/30/2019

“The greatest wealth is health.” Unknown

If you have health, you are blessed indeed. Be grateful for it. Never take it for granted, or neglect it. Know its value and use it to live an abundant and fruitful life. If you are in a season of ill health, do what you can to restore it, but don’t make it worse by worry, fear or feeling sorry for yourself. Health is as much spiritual as physical, and a heart overflowing with joy is wonderful medicine.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Prov.17.22 “Conversations Within” ts 10/29/2019

“Slow down, you move too fast, you gotta make the morning last.” Paul Simon

Don’t rush around, just settle yourself down. Live each day with ease and grace. We miss so much when we hurry. Is there any joy when we live at a hectic pace? Live with deliberation and make every movement count. Caress every activity as you would a soft puppy. Cherish the moments given you.

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 10/27/2019

”I'm in a hurry to get things done . Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun.” Alabama

I hate to hurry. But there are a lot of things I don’t like doing that I foolishly keep on doing. Why? The reason is because I do not love the choices that will keep from them. If I don;t want to live a hurried life, I must learn to use my time wisely and prepare. Someone wisely said that we should “plan to plan.” Plan now, so we don’t have to hurry later. 

“...whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” Prov.19.2 “Conversations Within” ts 10/26/2019