Insight and Encouragement

Sunday, October 4, 2026

I would rather have God as my protector than all, the armies, navies and air forces of the world combined. Recent events in the world have proven all that can be shaken will be shaken. It is only those who trust in the Lord will not. Those who trust in man’s goodness will fall. Those who trust in God’s goodness will stand. God is good all the time is not an adage, cliché or bumper sticker it is a truth to stand on. You will never understand the depths of God’ love when you stay on the beach.

The wise never test the waters with both feet. You will never scale the heights of God love in bare feet you need the good walking shoes of the Word. The redeemed and the unredeemed look at heaven differently. The unredeemed thinks of it as a place of People, sitting on clouds playing their harps. The redeemed know it is a destination of beauty, light, love and peace. Why would the unsaved want to go to heaven. It will be hell to them. The problem with the unsaved is that they want heaven but they think this world is the best.

REAL LUXURY

People have told me that luxury is all about possessions and the finer things of life but here is what I think real luxury is when you are an adult. Living five minutes from work or from a local gym. Having a quiet and nice neighbors or having money at the end of the month and being about to invest in what you want.

Real luxuries in life are being able to have a coffee or tea in a quiet time and place. It is peace at home and family that loves and respects you. It is sleeping at night with a clear conscience and laughing with people who get your sense of humor. People who laugh with you and not at you. It is traveling and enjoying you holidays and not having to worry about work.

Real luxury is walking up without an alarm and without pressure. It is having a body that doesn’t ache or be in pain all the time. It is owning your weekend and not someone else. It is saying no without feeling guilty. It is not having to worry about bills or having to contact your bank app for small purchases. Most importantly not living in fear about the future.

Luxury is not about possessions or status it is about peace of mind and feeling positive about where you are in life. So maybe it is time to change your perspective on what is important and reorder your life along those lines.

ORDERING LIFE

When career people were asked what they would like to find more time for, they said more family time, better management of time, regular exercise and a trustworthy person they could talk to. What I have discovered is that priorities are more often driven by preference. What we like or dislike what we want or do not want to do. Priorities are also driven by urgency or accidents.

Priorities is often driven by the moment not the long term goals. They are also driven by perceived importance. A college professor asks his class what their philosophy of life and no one could answer. The question challenges are priorities and goals. Truth be told your priorities reflect what you think is important. It is sad commentary when people think they job or making money is more important than families, friends or personal growth. May it is time to reorder your priorities according to a good philosophy of life.

Saturday, October 3, 2026

Oct 4 – Glorious Future - Isaiah 60:13-17

Isaiah is painting s wonderful picture about the glorious future, The glory of Lebanon and its many trees will adorn the sanctuary and glorify and beautify it. In the city of the Lord, the Holy One of Israel children of the oppressor and all who despise the Lord and His people will bow down and honor the Lord.

At one time the Jewish nation was despised, forsaken, and hated in that day they will become the jewel of the Lord and the joy of all generations. They will drink from the nations and be nursed from royal breasts. In that day they will know that the Lord is the redeemer, mighty one and the God of Jacob.

Instead of bronze, wood, iron, or silver, the Lord is going to give gold, bronze, precious stones, and silver.

He will make peace their governor and well being their ruler. It is going to be a glorious time.

WISE THOUGHTS

The way you can tell a person is growing in the Lord is they are getting smaller in their own esteem. Unless we are willing to decrease the Lord will never increase in our lives. No matter how hard the stars try to shine they will always fade away when the morning light breaks. We

will never truly shine until the full light of God is breaks through in our lives. No matter how you try to insulate yourself from trouble it always comes. The best defense is to trust the

Lord and learn from the experience so you do not have to go through it again.

Here is one simple truth. You will go through the same thing over and over till you learn from it. Humility will always break a proud spirit. On the path of sorrow and pain it is so sweet to hears the word of the Savior, “I am with you.”

The greatest statement you can ever make is, “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.” The world shudders and heaven rejoice. The word’s, “fear not,” are repeated in the Bible for one reason is because it is the only way to break the Spirit of fear. You want to break fear in your life then focus on God and fear will flee.