Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

David wrote this psalm after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had sent Uriah to his death.  David certainly needed to start over with a clean slate.  David could not reverse his actions from which he was repenting.  However, he wanted to re-establish his relationship with God.

I had a friend who was once asked if he smoked.  Being a jokester, his reply was, “Absolutely not.  My lungs are clean.  It’s only my mind that’s dirty.”

We may not be able to have our lungs cleaned, though it would be nice if that were possible.  (What’s impossible with man is possible with God). However, it is possible to have our heart and mind cleaned.  The Bible says in the Book of Acts that “…He (God) cleansed their hearts by faith.”  In Romans, Paul writes that we are to “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

We may not be able to change the damage we have done to others or ourselves, but we can certainly change our thoughts and actions in the future (with God’s help).  Paul tells us that he was the worst of sinners. However, after a supernatural encounter with Jesus, he became one of the most prominent figures of the Apostolic Age; spreading the gospel far and wide; and writing a large portion of the New Testament.

Let us pray then that the Lord gives us a clean heart and slate (and where necessary – clean lungs) and renew our minds and spirit.

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

This is probably the most commonly quoted scripture out of the Book of Hosea.  Well, part of it anyway.  “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.”  This part is often used to point out how lack of knowledge, wisdom, good sense, or information can doom a person, project or nation.

Some point out that this “lack of knowledge” is specifically a rejection of God and His Word, in particular among the ministers of God’s Word (remember: Peter wrote that we all are a part of the priesthood).

Both are true.  I think this is a perfect example how scripture is alive.  The Word of God works on at least three levels.  It means something for the people that it was given to at the time.  It brings forth a universal truth.  It means something to a given reader at a given time.  (That’s why the same scripture can drive home a particular point to you now, it meant something else when you read it years ago, and it will be applied differently in another situation to you in the future).

What is clear in any instance, for this particular scripture, is: when we reject God or the knowledge that God has provided, it will have a very bad consequence.

Thank God, He is merciful.

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (NLT)

I believe everyone has heard the age old question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  There is a myriad of answers, questions, and tangents that we can go off on that subject.  Perhaps I will, at another time.

What I want to point out is something else.  Jesus, Himself, said this would happen.  We are going to face problems, sickness, suffering, sorrow, and death.  In this world, it cannot be avoided.  No one is gonna get out alive! (Not in the normal thinking anyway)

Jesus sacrificed Himself for our redemption and as an example for us.  What we have been promised is that we are not alone.  God is with us.  He is for us. He will aid us.  We are asked to be fearless, not be faint, be Christ-minded, and not be swayed from the work of God.

There is a curious thing about the above verse.  The Greek word used for overcome comes from the root word… wait for it … “Nike.”

The very nature of the word implies that for us to be victorious, to conquer, to overcome, and to prevail that there will be a battle.  Sometimes to do that, we must make sacrifices.  I guess we need to just do it.

Proverbs 3:5,6  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

There was a man named George Muller who lived in the 19^th century. (Most of it actually, from 1805-1898).  He brought reforms to the orphan care system in England.  He provided care and education for some 120,000 children through the years.  He did not receive government support nor did he solicit donations.  All he did was pray.

Money and other types of donations always came, sometimes just in the nick of time.  By man’s understanding, this would not be the way to run such an enterprise.  I’m certainly not saying to do things exactly the way George Muller did except… Follow the path that the Lord has for your life.

In Psalms, we are told that the steps of a man are ordered by God when He delights in him… though he may fall, he will not be utterly cast down.  Throughout the Bible we are told to do what we can and then stand firm.

So what do we do?  Do all we can? Simply stand? Just pray?

The Bible says pray in all things; stand firm in faith always; Do what we can, but always as if it is unto the Lord.  During the times that I have slipped up (which there are too many to count) it usually happened when I thought I had a better idea or wasn’t doing those things.

Is this a guarantee for success?  Depends what our idea of success might be.

Luke 18:27  And He (Jesus) said to them, “The things that are impossible with man, are possible with God.” (KJV)