The Gift of the Blessing.Jesus was a master at communicating love and personal acceptance. He did so when He blessed and held… little children. But another time His sensitivity to touch someone was even more graphic. This was when Jesus met a grown man who was barred by law from ever touching anyone again…. To touch a leper was unthinkable. Banishing lepers from society, people would not get within a stone’s throw of them. (In fact, they would throw stones at them if they did come close!)… With their open sores and dirty bandages, lepers were the last persons anyone would want to touch. Yet the first thing Christ did for this man was touch him. Even before Jesus spoke to him, He reached out His hand and touched him. Can you imagine what that scene must have looked like? Think how this man must have longed for someone to touch him, not throw stones at him to drive him away. Jesus could have healed him first and then touched him. But recognizing his deepest need. Jesus stretched out His hand even before He spoke words of physical and spiritual healing. (From The Gift of the Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent) Jesus shows us the power of gentle love. Who do you have trouble “touching” because they are not loveable in any way? Love requires more than words, compassion requires action. Look for ways to express compassion to those who are starving for a tender touch. What is the “time of fulfillment,” and the “reign of God” mean to you? Time is running out! What are you going to do about it? “The New Testament, therefore, says that we are to live according to the demands of the Kingdom of God. We are to make God the center and source of our being” (Catholicism-Richard P. McBrien, Pg. 962). Commitment? “Love me with all your heart” became the great commandment from God (Deut. 6:5). It indicated not just the top requirement set by God for our behavior but also His deep desire to be known and loved by His human creatures and to interact with them. “Religious conversion is a total being-in-love with God: Heart, soul, mind and strength” (Catholicism-Richard P. McBrien, Pg 962).
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Perseverance Some Christians have been taught that all one has to do to get things from God is to speak the word of faith, believe, and receive. That comes close to the truth, but it neglects the universal Law of Perseverance. God slowly yields the good things of the kingdom and the world to those who struggle. Jacob, for instance, wrestled all night with an angel before he became Israel, a prince with God. Abraham waited a hundred years before he received Isaac, the child of promise. The people of Judah waited and struggled seventy years in capacity before God brought them home.
This does not negate the necessity for asking in faith, the believing, and the receiving. But many times those steps are only the beginning of the process. The fulfillment may take years…. Jesus knew men inside out. He knew our tendency to give up quickly, to become inconsistent and lackadaisical. Yet he pleaded with us to persist, in prayer and in all aspects of life. Keep on asking, he said, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking. Don’t be afraid even to make a ruckus. God prefers persistence much more than slothfulness and indolence. He wants people who will travail and perhaps stumble a bit, but keep on going forward, just like a toddler who’s trying to learn to walk. The child builds muscles and learns. One day he will run. (From The Secret Kingdom by Pat Robertson) Psalms 37:24 Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. Proverbs 4:18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. Jeremiah 32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, promising not to stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. 14And everything you do must be done with love. As the Corinthians awaited Paul’s next visit, they were directed to (1) be on their guard against spiritual dangers, (2) stand firm in the faith, (3) be courageous, (4) be strong, and (5) do everything with kindness and in love. Today, as we wait for the return of Christ, we should follow the same instructions. Hebrews 10:23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. My Ramblings What tasks are hard for you to finish? What attitudes make finishing difficult? Boredom? Indifference? Loneliness? Ask a close friend to be firm with you when your motivation falters. Pray for perseverance. My current life is based on perseverance. I am in my 70’s and work hard to keep my body in shape so that God can use it to achieve His will. Trials Jesus said that out of the nature of the heart a man speaks. There’s nothing like a good thump to reveal the nature of a heart. The true character f a person is seen not in momentary heroics, but in the thump-packed humdrum of day-to-day living….
Begin by thanking God for thumps. I don’t mean a half-hearted thank you. I mean a “rejoicing, jumping for joy” thank you from the bottom of your heart. Chances are that God is doing the thumping. And he’s doing it for your own good. So every thump is a reminder that God is molding you…. Beware of “thump-slump” times. Know your pressure periods. For me, Mondays are infamous for causing thump-slumps. Fridays can be just as bad. For all of us there are times during the week that we anticipate an unusual amount of thumping. The best way to handle thump-slump times? Bolster yourself with extra prayer and don’t give up. Remember, no thump is disastrous. All thumps work for good if we are living for and obeying God. (From On the Anvil by Max Lucado) Job 23:10 But he knows where I am going. And when he has tested me like gold in a fire, he will pronounce me innocent. In chapter 22, Eliphaz had tried to condemn Job by identifying some secret sin that he may have committed. Here Job declares his confidence in his integrity and God’s justice. We are always likely to have hidden sin in our lives, sin we don’t even know about because God’s standards are so high and our performance is so imperfect. If we are true believers, however, all our sins are forgiven because of what Christ did on the cross in our behalf (Romans 5:1; 8:1). The Bible also teaches that even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts (1 John 3:20). His forgiveness and cleansing are sufficient; they overrule our nagging doubts. The Holy Spirit in us is our proof that we are forgiven in God’s eyes even though we may feel guilty. If we, like Job, are truly seeking God, we can stand up to others’ accusations as well as our own nagging doubts. If God has forgiven and accepted us, we are forgiven indeed. Psalm 94:12 Happy are those whom you discipline, LORD, and those whom you teach from your law. At times, God must discipline us to help us. This is similar to a loving parent disciplining his child. The discipline is not very enjoyable to the child, but it is essential to teach him or her right from wrong. The Bible says that “no discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way” (Hebrews 12:11). When you feel God’s hand of correction, accept it as proof of his love. Realize that God is urging you to follow his paths instead of stubbornly going your own way. Proverbs 3:11 My child, don’t ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. Discipline means “to teach and to train.” Discipline sounds negative to many people because some disciplinarians are not loving. God, however, is the source of all love. He doesn’t punish us because he enjoys inflicting pain but because he is deeply concerned about our development. He knows that in order to become morally strong and good, we must learn the difference between right and wrong. His loving discipline enables us to do that. It’s difficult to know when God has been disciplining us until we look back on the situation later. Not every calamity comes directly from God, of course. But if we rebel against God and refuse to repent when God has identified some sin in our life, he may use guilt, crises, or bad experiences to bring us back to him. Sometimes, however, difficult times come even when there is no flagrant sin in our life. Then our response should be patience, integrity, and confidence that God will show us what to do. Romans 5:3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. For first-century Christians, suffering was the rule rather than the exception. Paul tells us that in the future we will become, but until then we must overcome. This means we will experience difficulties that help us grow. We rejoice in suffering, not because we like pain or deny its tragedy, but because we know God is using life’s difficulties and Satan’s attacks to build our character. The problems that we run into will develop our perseverance—which in turn will strengthen our character, deepen our trust in God, and give us greater confidence about the future. You probably find your patience tested in some way every day. Thank God for those opportunities to grow, and deal with them in his strength (see also James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6, 7). 1 Peter 1:7 These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. As gold is heated, impurities float to the top and can be skimmed off. Steel is tempered or strengthened by heating it in fire. Likewise, our trials, struggles, and persecutions refine and strengthen our faith, making us useful to God. My Ramblings The problems and obstacles we encounter in life are meant to cultivate faith, wisdom, patience, and confidence. We can profit from facing such obstacles as we allow God to shape our character through them. What events today could bring obstacles into your path? Ask God to increase your faith through those difficulties. One of the ways you may be thumped is to make you wait. This also will help shape your character. It will help you depend on our LORD God. It also gives you time for conversations with God, otherwise known as prayer and listening for answers. It also gives you time to work on Loving God with your whole heart, mind soul and strength. It might even give you time to show that love by loving His other children. Waiting is an awesome time for developing a closer and stronger relationship with who should be your best friend, Jesus Christ. Listening to God Yu came home cranky because a deadline got moved up. She came home grumpy because the day care forgot to give your five—year-old her throat medicine. Each of you was wanting a little sympathy from the other, but neither got any. So there you sit at the dinner table – cranky and grumpy – with little Emily. Emily folds her hands to pray (as she has been taught), and the two od you bow your heads (but not your hearts) and listen. From where this prayer comes, God only knows.
“God, it’s Emily. How are you? I’m fine, thank you. Mom and Dad are mad. I don’t know why. We’ve got birds and toys and mash potatoes and each other. Maybe you can get them to stop being mad? Please do, or it’s just gonna be you and me having any fun tonight. Amen. The prayer is answered before it’s finished, you both look up in the middle and laugh at the end and shake your heads and say you’re sorry. And you both thank God for the little voice who reminded you about what matters. That’s what “lovebursts” do … Lovebursts. Spontaneous affection. Tender moments of radiant love. Ignited devotion. Explosions of tenderness … They remind you about what matters. A telegram delivered to the back door of the familiar, telling you to treasure the treasure you’ve got while you’ve got it. A whisper from an angel, or someone who sounds like one, remaining you that what you have is greater than what you want and that what is urgent is not always what matters. (From He Still Moves Stones by Max Lucado) Exodus 9:12 But the LORD made Pharaoh even more stubborn, and he refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted. God gave Pharaoh many opportunities to heed Moses’ warnings. But finally God seemed to say, “All right, Pharaoh, have it your way,” and Pharaoh’s heart became permanently hardened. Did God intentionally harden Pharaoh’s heart and overrule his free will? No, he simply confirmed that Pharaoh freely chose a life of resisting God. Similarly, after a lifetime of resisting God, you may find it impossible to turn to him. Don’t wait until just the right time before turning to God. Do it now while you still have the chance. If you continually ignore God’s voice, eventually you will be unable to hear it at all. 1 Kings 19:11-13 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah knew that the sound of gentle whisper was God’s voice. He realized that God doesn’t reveal himself only in powerful, miraculous ways. To look for God only in something big (rallies, churches, conferences, highly visible leaders) may be to miss him because he is often found gently whispering in the quietness of a humbled heart. Are you listening for God? Step back from the noise and activity of your busy life, and listen humbly and quietly for his guidance. It may come when you least expect it. Proverbs 1:23-28 Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise. 24“I called you so often, but you didn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. 25You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. 26So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—27when calamity overcomes you like a storm, when you are engulfed by trouble, and when anguish and distress overwhelm you. 28“I will not answer when they cry for help. Even though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. God is more than willing to pour out his heart and make known his thoughts to us. To receive his advice, we must be willing to listen, refusing to let pride stand in our way. Pride is thinking more highly of our own wisdom and desires than of God’s. If we think we know better than God or feel we have no need of God’s direction, we have fallen into foolish and disastrous pride. Mark 4:9 “Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!” We hear with our ears, but there is a deeper kind of listening with the mind and heart that is necessary in order to gain spiritual understanding from Jesus’ words. Some people in the crowd were looking for evidence to use against Jesus; others truly wanted to learn and grow. Jesus’ words were for the honest seekers. Hebrews 2:1-3 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 The message God delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience. 3 What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on£ to us by those who heard him speak, The author called his readers to pay attention to the truth they had heard so that they wouldn’t drift away into false teachings. Paying careful attention is hard work. It involves focusing our mind, body, and senses. Listening to Christ means not merely hearing but also obeying (see James 1:22-25). We must listen carefully and be ready to carry out his instructions. “The message God delivered through angels” refers to the teaching that angels, as messengers for God, had brought the law to Moses (see Galatians 3:19). A central theme of Hebrews is that Christ is infinitely greater than all other proposed ways to God. The author was saying that the faith of his Jewish readers was good, but faith must point to Christ. Just as Christ is greater than angels, so Christ’s message is more important than theirs. No one will escape God’s punishment if he or she is indifferent to the salvation offered by Christ. Eyewitnesses to Jesus’ ministry had handed down his teachings to the readers of this book. These readers were second-generation believers who had not seen Christ in the flesh. They are like us; we have not seen Jesus personally. We base our belief in Jesus on the eyewitness accounts recorded in the Bible. See John 20:29 for Jesus’ encouragement to those who believe without ever having seen him. My Ramblings How do you react to problems and pressures? Ask God to help you lighten up with laughter, forgiveness, and trust – that God will give you all the energy you need. When you have truly love and trust God enough to turn over control of your life to God’s control. You will find that all you have to do is do your best, because he is in control. Joy-Unity-Love A heart filled with God’s heart is free both to glorify and to enjoy God. There is no grimness in David’s relationship with God. He could weep out his loneliness and fear to the Lord, but he could also dance with unrestrained fervor. When we love God with all our heart we can openly express our emotions to him, and then to others. He wants us to be real with him. When we are in the valley of despair or the mountain peaks of sublime joy, we can express it.
David’s abandoned freedom to express his praise is contrasted with his wife Michal’s reserve and contempt…. Michal was like her father Saul. Her emotional energy was not guided by firm beliefs about God’s sovereignty and grace. There was little in her mind about God’s loving-kindness, and therefore, little capacity of emotional delight in him…. There are Michaels in all our lives, people whose minds are starved for liberating truth about God and whose emotions are stunted by malnutrition of lively belief. The conviction of God’s grace results in the expression of joy…. The tragedy of religion is that it produces more Michals than Davids…. A heart that has never felt God’s presence in sorrow or pain will seldom express his delight in adoration and praise. (From Lord of the Impossible by Lloyd John Ogilive) Joy 1-Thessalonians 5:16-22 Always be joyful. Our joy, prayers, and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our circumstances or feelings. Obeying these three commands—be joyful, keep on praying, and be thankful—often goes against our natural inclinations. When we make a conscious decision to do what God says, however, we will begin to see people in a new perspective. When we do God’s will, we will find it easier to be joyful and thankful. Unity Romans 15:5-6 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other—each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. 6Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as we take Jesus’ view on the authority of Scripture, the nature of heaven, and the resurrection, we are to have his attitude of love toward other Christians as well. As we grow in faith and come to know Jesus better, we will become more capable of maintaining this attitude of loving unity throughout each day. Christ’s attitude is explained in more detail in Philippians 2. Love Romans 12:9-21 Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection,£ and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. 13 When God’s children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night. 14 If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. 19 Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, “I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,”£ says the Lord. 20Instead, do what the Scriptures say: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you.”£ 21Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good. Most of us have learned how to be courteous to others—how to speak kindly, avoid hurting their feelings, and appear to take an interest in them. We may even be skilled in pretending to show compassion when we hear of others’ needs, or to become indignant when we learn of injustice. But God calls us to real and sincere love that goes far beyond being hypocritical and polite. Sincere love requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money, and personal involvement. No individual has the capacity to express love to a whole community, but the body of Christ in your town does. Look for people who need your love, and look for ways you and your fellow believers can love your community for Christ. We can honor others in one of two ways. One involves ulterior motives. We honor our bosses so they will reward us, our employees so they will work harder, the wealthy so they will contribute to our cause, the powerful so they will use their power for us and not against us. God’s way involves love. As Christians, we honor people because they have been created in God’s image, because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, and because they have a unique contribution to make to Christ’s church. Does God’s way of honoring others sound too difficult for your competitive nature? Why not try to outdo one another in showing honor? Put others first! Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host: The home must be spotless; the food must be well prepared and abundant; the host must appear relaxed and good-natured. Hospitality, by contrast, focuses on the guests’ needs, such as a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or just acceptance. Hospitality can happen in a messy home. It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is canned soup. It can even happen while the host and the guest are doing chores together. Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are too tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain. These verses summarize the core of Christian living. If we love someone the way Christ loves us, we will be willing to forgive. If we have experienced God’s grace, we will want to pass it on to others. And remember, grace is undeserved favor. By giving an enemy a drink, we’re not excusing his misdeeds. We’re recognizing him, forgiving him, and loving him in spite of his sins—just as Christ did for us. In this day of lawsuits and incessant demands for legal rights, Paul’s command sounds almost impossible. When someone hurts you deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul says to befriend him. Why does Paul tell us to forgive our enemies? (1) Forgiveness may break a cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation. (2) It may make the enemy feel ashamed and change his or her ways. (3) By contrast, repaying evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy. Even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness. Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions. If you find it difficult to feel forgiving toward someone who has hurt you, try responding with kind actions. If appropriate, tell this person that you would like to heal your relationship. Lend a helping hand. Send him or her a gift. Smile at him or her. Many times you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings. My Ramblings Keep a prayer journal. Be completely honest with God. Write down disappointments, then devote pages to successes. Make God your “BFF” (Best Friend Forever). Work on loving Him with your WHOLE heart, mind, soul, and strength. When you achieve that, you will find that you TRUST him with everything. You will have then turned over control of your life to Him. When you achieve that; you will become His “good and faithful servant". One you’re their, you will find “true peace” and joy. Because all you have to do is take the next step/do the next thing God gives you to do. Doing this will allow you and the Holy Spirit to for a team that will allow you to be one of God’s soldiers in the spiritual battle each of us face. Then you will have “Heaven on Earth.” Choosing “We develop toughness or fortitude by repeatedly being tested and prevailing. The more tests we pass, the tougher we become. As a boxer engages in bout after bout, he toughens and becomes wiser and stronger. After a time he develops such fortitude, perseverance, and staying power that he can take on the best. There is no way a fighter, or any of us, can develop toughness without testing! The endurance and fortitude of the Apostle Paul or William Carey or Corrie ten Boom did not come overnight and did not come apart from trials….
Nature teaches us the same principle. Free a butterfly from its chrysalis, and thus from the struggle of liberating itself, and you destroy its life, for it will never develop the strength to soar as it should.” (From James by R. Kent Hughes) Joshua 24:15 But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, or obey the local gods, which were only man-made idols. It’s easy to slip into a quiet rebellion—going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God’s Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day. n taking a definite stand for the Lord, Joshua again displayed his spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, because Joshua had made a commitment to God, he was determined to set an example of living by that decision. The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to serving God. Ruth 1:16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Ruth was a Moabitess, but that didn’t stop her from worshiping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly. The Jews were not the only people God loved. God chose the Jews to be the people through whom the rest of the world would come to know him. This was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born as a Jew. Through him, the entire world can come to know God. Acts 10:35 says that “in every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.” God accepts all who worship him; he works through people regardless of their race, sex, or nationality. The book of Ruth is a perfect example of God’s impartiality. Although Ruth belonged to a race often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness. She became a great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus. No one should feel disqualified to serve God because of race, sex, or national background. And God can use every circumstance to build his kingdom. 1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How long are you going to waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. Elijah challenged the people to take a stand—to follow whoever was the true God. Why did so many people waver between the two choices? Perhaps some were not sure. Many, however, knew that the Lord was God, but they enjoyed the sinful pleasures and other benefits that came with following Ahab in his idolatrous worship. It is important to take a stand for the Lord. If we just drift along with whatever is pleasant and easy, we will someday discover that we have been worshiping a false god—ourselves. 2 Kings 17:41 So while these new residents worshiped the LORD, they also worshiped their idols. And to this day their descendants do the same. Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Jesus says we can have only one master. We live in a materialistic society where many people serve money. They spend all their lives collecting and storing it, only to die and leave it behind. Their desire for money and what it can buy far outweighs their commitment to God and spiritual matters. Whatever you store up, you will spend much of your time and energy thinking about. Don’t fall into the materialistic trap, because “the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Can you honestly say that God, and not money, is your master? One test is to ask yourself which one occupies more of your thoughts, time, and efforts. Jesus contrasted heavenly values with earthly values when he explained that our first loyalty should be to those things that do not fade, cannot be stolen or used up, and never wear out. We should not be fascinated with our possessions, lest they possess us. This means we may have to do some cutting back if our possessions are becoming too important to us. Jesus is calling for a decision that allows us to live contentedly with whatever we have because we have chosen what is eternal and lasting. My Ramblings Are you willing to stand up for your faith? Think about the people and circumstances that might challenge your standards of humor, entertainment, or activities, and plan how you can respond. God is All Powerful “Fifty-six times in the Bible the word almighty is used. Always it is used of God; never of anyone else. God is all powerful, or omnipotent. Again we are forced to use a negative to explain the concept – there is nothing He can’t do. That is a staggering idea. He has no bounds to His energy.
God can do one thing as easily as He can do another. It is no more difficult for God to create a universe than it is for Him to make a butterfly, and He does everything without losing any of His strength. Isaiah 40:28 says, “The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired.” God never needs to be replenished. Where would He go for more strength? There is no power outside of God. Built into absolute power is the authority to use it. God not only has the power but He has the authority to do anything He wants to do. While God can do anything He wants to do, however, His will is totally consistent with His nature. That’s why, for example, He cannot lie and will not tolerate sin. It is also why He shows grace and mercy. Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He ‘leases.” Have you ever asked the question,”Why did God do this?” He did it because He wanted to. If this doesn’t seem like a sufficient answer to you, it’s because you don’t understand God…. We worship an unchanging, all powerful God. If that makes Him seem far beyond your ability to comprehend, that is good. If you think of God as someone simple enough for the human mind to understand, your god is not the true God. What is your concept of God? Do you see Him as a timeless, infinite, all powerful, unchanging, glorious being? Or do you, like many, tend to minimize God’s greatness, preferring to think of Him as one who may be manipulated or fooled by human hypocrisy, or one who may be mandated to do what we want? Such a view of God is utterly pagan. A vision of the steadfastness of our immutable God brings a sense of security and stability to our unsettled lives. And the understanding that His power is unlimited and undiminishing strengthens and encourages even the weakest believer. The natural response to that is praise and adoration that overflows in a life that worships. (From The Ultimate Priority by John MacArther, Jr.) Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? About a year from now, just as I told you, I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” The obvious answer is, “Of course not!” This question reveals much about God. Make it a habit to insert your specific needs into the question. “Is this day in my life too hard for the Lord?” “Is this habit I’m trying to break too hard for him?” “Is the communication problem I’m having too hard for him?” Asking the question this way reminds you that God is personally involved in your life and nudges you to ask for his power to help you. Exodus 15:6 “Your right hand, O LORD, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O LORD, 1 Samuel 14:6 “Let’s go across to see those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” Jonathan and his armor bearer weren’t much of a force to attack the huge Philistine army. But while everyone else was afraid, they trusted God, knowing that the size of the enemy army would not restrict God’s ability to help them. God honored the faith and brave action of these two men with a tremendous victory. Have you ever felt surrounded by the “enemy” or faced overwhelming odds? God is never intimidated by the size of the enemy or the complexity of a problem. With him, there are always enough resources to resist the pressures and win the battle. If God has called you to action, then bravely commit what resources you have to God, and rely upon him to lead you to victory. Psalm 93:4 But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore-- the LORD above is mightier than these! Psalms 115:3 For our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Luke 1:37 For nothing is impossible with God.” Revelation 19:6 Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a huge crowd, or the roar of mighty ocean waves, or the crash of loud thunder: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. My Ramblings Is your God too small? Take a moment to pray as you contemplate God’s almighty power. Ask him to help you realize his greatness and worship him. Small Acts of Faith “A hospital is a microcosm of the world.
Why? Let me explain. On the surface, a hospital appears to be a great place. The sheets are clean and the staff is friendly. Nurses come and go with warm smiles. Doctors periodically appear wearing nice loafers, a tie, and a kind face. Friends and family visit bringing pretty plants and friendly words. There’s a curiously large number of smiles here. I’ve walked the halls and been greeted by smiling Candy Stripers pushing the coffee cart. The gift shop downstairs is full of magazines with smiling people on the covers. The lady selling them smiled broadly at me when I bought one. The receptionist at the front desk smiles when you pass by.... Smiles, efficiency, distraction. I’ve seen some resorts that don't offer this kind of treatment. My, you almost forget where you are.... But just when you relax – just when you begin to smile to yourself... a siren reminds you. The scream of the patient next door reminds you. Paramedics rushing a stretcher towards the emergency room remind you. And the reminder is sobering. This is a hospital. The sole function of this building is to bargain with death. The walls can't be white enough nor the staff polite enough to hide the stark reality of the bottom line: People come here to give all they have to postpone the inevitable. We give it our best shot. We put up the best we have – the best technology, the best minds, the best equipment; and yet, at best we walk away with an extension, never a solution. And though we may walk or be wheeled out with smiles and waves of victory, down deep we know it is just a matter of time until the best we have won’t be enough and the enemy will conquer.... Our world is identical to a hospital. Have you ever noticed the endless extremes to which a person will go to hide the realities of life? Take age for example. Do you know anyone who has not aged? Do you know anyone who is younger today than when you met when you met him? Aging is a universal condition. But the way we try to hide it, you would think it was a plague!... Dentures bring youth to the mouth, wrinkle cream brings youth to the face, and color in a bottle brings youth to the hair. All to hide what everyone already knows – we're getting older. Death is another lump in the carpet. We don't like it. (If you ever want to stall a conversation at a party just say, “ How are you feeling about your approaching death?" It won't put much life into the conversation.) I have a friend who has cancer. At present the cancer is in remission. Recently he had to go to the doctor for a physical. A nurse, apparently unaware of his condition, was asking him questions for his medical record. "Are you presently ill?” "Well, yes. I have cancer." She dropped her pencil and looked up at him. "Are you terminal?" she asked. "Yes, aren't we all?" You'd think we weren't, the way the subject is kept hush – hush.... But this of obsession with fleeing the facts is as maddening as it is futile. For, as in the case of the hospital, the truth always surfaces. A siren sounds causing reality to shock us out of our sleep. An old college roomie retires and you have to admit that if he is in the autumn of his life, you must speak too. You walk your daughter down the aisle. "When did she grow up?"... Be the event pleasant or painful, the result is the same. Reality breaks through the paper – Mache mask and screams at you like a Marine drill sergeant. "You are getting old! You are going to die! You can't be someone you are not!"... The best thing for you to do now is pause and think. Take a good look at the facts. And while you're looking at them, it would be wise to take a good look at him. To those perched on the peak of Mount Perspective, His Majesty takes on special significance. Jesus does his best work at such moments. Just when the truth about life sinks in, his truth starts to surface. He takes us by the hand and dares us not to sweep the facts under the rug but to confront them with him at our side. Aging? A necessary process to pass on to a better world. Death? Merely a brief passage, a tunnel. Self? Designed and created for a purpose, purchased by God himself. There, was that so bad? Funerals, divorces, illnesses,, and stays in the hospital – you can't lie about life at such times. Maybe that's why he's always present at such moments. The next time you find yourself alone in a dark alley facing the undeniables of life, don't cover them with a blanket, or ignore them with a nervous grin. Don't turn up the TV and pretend they aren't there. Instead, standstill, whisper his name, and listen. He is nearer than you think. (From God Came Near by Max Lucado) Matthew 10:42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded. How much we love God can be measured by how well we treat others. Jesus’ example of giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty child is a good model of unselfish service. A child usually can’t or won’t return a favor. God notices every good deed we do or don’t do as if he were the one receiving it. Is there something unselfish you can do for someone else today? Although no one else may see you, God will notice. Matthew 25:34-40 Then the King will say to those on the right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ 40 And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ This parable describes acts of mercy we all can do every day. These acts do not depend on wealth, ability, or intelligence; they are simple acts freely given and freely received. We have no excuse to neglect those who have deep needs, and we cannot hand over this responsibility to the church or government. Jesus demands our personal involvement in caring for others’ needs (Isaiah 58:7). There has been much discussion about the identity of the “brothers and sisters.” Some have said they are the Jews; others say they are all Christians; still others say they are suffering people everywhere. Such a debate is much like the lawyer’s earlier question to Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). The point of this parable is not the who, but the what—the importance of serving where service is needed. The focus of this parable is that we should love every person and serve anyone we can. Such love for others glorifies God by reflecting our love for him. Mark 14:8-9 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be talked about in her memory.” Luke 10:33-35 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity. 34Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver£ and told him to take care of the man. ‘If his bill runs higher than that,’ he said, ‘I’ll pay the difference the next time I am here.’ There was deep hatred between Jews and Samaritans. The Jews saw themselves as pure descendants of Abraham, while the Samaritans were a mixed race produced when Jews from the northern kingdom intermarried with other peoples after Israel’s exile. To this legal expert, the person least likely to act correctly would be the Samaritan. In fact, he could not bear to say Samaritan in answer to Jesus’ question. This expert’s attitude betrayed his lack of the very thing that he had earlier said the law commanded—love. Acts 28:2 The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us and warm us. Hebrews 11:20-24 t was by faith that Isaac blessed his two sons, Jacob and Esau. He had confidence in what God was going to do in the future. 21 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff. 22 And it was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, confidently spoke of God’s bringing the people of Israel out of Egypt. He was so sure of it that he commanded them to carry his bones with them when they left! 23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid of what the king might do. 24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons, was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers (Genesis 37). Eventually, Joseph was sold again, this time to an official of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Because of Joseph’s faithfulness to God, however, he was given a top-ranking position in Egypt. Although Joseph could have used that position to build a personal empire, he remembered God’s promise to Abraham. After he had been reconciled to his brothers, Joseph brought his family to be near him and requested that his bones be taken to the Promised Land when the Jews eventually left Egypt (Genesis 50:24, 25). Faith means trusting in God and doing what he wants, regardless of the circumstances or consequences. Moses’ parents trusted God to protect their son’s life. They were not merely proud parents; they were believers who had faith that God would care for him. As a parent, have you trusted God enough to take care of your children? God has a plan for every person, and your important task is to pray for your children and prepare them to do the work God has planned for them to do. Faith allows us to entrust even our children to God. Moses became one of Israel’s greatest leaders, a prophet and a lawgiver. But when he was born, his people were slaves in Egypt, and the Egyptian officials had ordered that all Hebrew baby boys were to be killed. Moses was spared, however, and Pharaoh’s daughter raised Moses in Pharaoh’s own household (Exodus 1–2)! It took faith for Moses to give up his place in the palace, but he could do it because he saw the fleeting nature of great wealth and prestige. It is easy to be deceived by the temporary benefits of wealth, popularity, status, and achievement, and to be blind to the long-range benefits of God’s Kingdom. Faith helps us look beyond the world’s value system to see the eternal values of God’s Kingdom. Hebrews 11:30-34 It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho seven days, and the walls came crashing down. 31 It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute did not die with all the others in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. 32 Well, how much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. When Joshua planned the conquest of Jericho, he sent spies to investigate the fortifications of the city. The spies met Rahab, who had two strikes against her—she was a Gentile and a prostitute. But she showed that she had faith in God by welcoming the spies and by trusting God to spare her and her family when the city was destroyed. Faith helps us turn around and do what is right regardless of our past or the disapproval of others. The Old Testament records the lives of the various people who experienced these great victories. Joshua and Deborah overthrew kingdoms (the book of Joshua; Judges 4–5). Nehemiah ruled with justice (the book of Nehemiah). Daniel was saved from the mouths of lions (Daniel 6). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were kept from harm in the flames of a blazing furnace (Daniel 3). Elijah escaped the edge of the swords of evil Queen Jezebel’s henchmen (1 Kings 19:2ff). Hezekiah regained strength after sickness (2 Kings 20). Gideon was strong in battle (Judges 7). A widow’s son was brought back to life by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-37). We, too, can experience victory through faith in Christ. Our victories over oppressors may be like those of the Old Testament saints, but more likely, our victories will be directly related to the role God wants us to play. Even though our body deteriorates and dies, we will live forever because of Christ. In the promised resurrection, even death will be defeated, and Christ’s victory will be made complete. These verses summarize the lives of other great men and women of faith. Some experienced outstanding victories, even over the threat of death. But others were severely mistreated, tortured, and even killed. Having a steadfast faith in God does not guarantee a happy, carefree life. On the contrary, our faith almost guarantees us some form of abuse from the world. While we are on earth, we may never see the purpose of our suffering. But we know that God will keep his promises to us. Do you believe that God will keep his promises to you? My Ramblings What could you do for God this week? What are some ways you could serve that hardly seem worth mentioning (but could meet a real need)? Take the time to do even small deeds. They could be more important than the larger tasks you plan. True Wealth “From the looks of things, you're pretty impressive. You got a nice place. And I suppose your neighbors would agree that your hard worker ... climbing right up on up that ladder towards success, right? I realize you're not into big bucks; but face it, nobody’s going hungry. Far from it. Your job is fairly secure. Making more money than ever, you're on your way. But wait, I want to know about the "other half." These things I mentioned are all external – physical and material stuff. What I want to know is how things are internally.
You look secure and successful, but the half is not been told, right? Part of you is insecure and fearful. Underneath, you're pretty weak. You appear to be happy, easy – going, and fulfilled; will; but the half has not told, has it? You wonder about where all this is leading you. Your restless drive for more and your desire calm,, peaceful contentment seem poles apart ... because they are poles apart. Deep down, nothing within you smiles. Your salary is good and your material possessions are growing in number, but again, the half has not been told. The truth is that you are empty on the inside and you're taking it on the outside. Not one thing you own in all you own in your your "kingdom" has brought you the happiness you long for. So you're thinking, “maybe if I could land that better job,” or “get into that bigger house,” or … or … But don’t allow the smoke screen of more money to blind your eyes to the truth. There’s a lot more to being rich than making more money. Seneca, the Roman, was right, “Money has never yet made anyone rich.” Do you want riches? Then listen to Jesus: but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. For the real riches, try switching kingdoms. (From Living on the Rugged Edge by Charles Swindoll) Deuteronomy 4:40 If you obey all the laws and commands that I will give you today, all will be well with you and your children. Then you will enjoy a long life in the land the LORD your God is giving you for all time.” Was Israel guaranteed prosperity for obeying God’s laws? Yes—but we have to look carefully at what that means. God’s laws were designed to make his chosen nation healthy, just, and merciful. When the people followed those laws, they prospered. This does not mean, however, that no sickness, no sadness, and no misunderstandings existed among them. Rather, it means that as a nation they prospered and that individuals’ problems were handled as fairly as possible. Today God’s promise of prosperity—his constant presence, comfort, and the resources to live as we should—extends to all believers. We will face trials; Jesus assured us of that. But we will avoid the misery that directly results from intentional sin, and we will know that a great treasure awaits us in heaven. Mark 10:17-31 As he was starting out on a trip, a man came running up to Jesus, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19But as for your question, you know the commandments: ‘Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not testify falsely. Do not cheat. Honor your father and mother.’”£ 20“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was a child.” 21 Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. “You lack only one thing,” he told him. “Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22At this, the man’s face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard£ to get into the Kingdom of God. 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” 28 Then Peter began to mention all that he and the other disciples had left behind. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. 29 And Jesus replied, “I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30will receive now in return, a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—with persecutions. And in the world to come they will have eternal life. 31 But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then.”£ This man wanted to be sure he would get eternal life, so he asked what he could do. He said he’d never once broken any of the laws Jesus mentioned (10:19), and perhaps he had even kept the Pharisees’ loophole-filled version of them. But Jesus lovingly broke through the man’s pride with a challenge that brought out his true motives: “Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor.” This challenge exposed the barrier that could keep this man out of the Kingdom: his love of money. Money represented his pride of accomplishment and self-effort. Ironically, his attitude made him unable to keep the first commandment: to let nothing be more important than God (Exodus 20:3). He could not meet the one requirement Jesus gave—to turn his whole heart and life over to God. The man came to Jesus wondering what he could do; he left seeing what he was unable to do. What barriers are keeping you from turning your life over to Christ? When Jesus asked this question, he was saying, “Do you really know the one to whom you are talking?” Because only God is truly good, the man was calling Jesus “God,” whether or not he realized it. What does your money mean to you? Although Jesus wanted this man to sell everything and give his money to the poor, this does not mean that all believers should sell all their possessions. Most of his followers did not sell everything, although they used their possessions to serve others. Instead, this incident shows us that we must not let our possessions or money keep us from following Jesus. We must remove all barriers to serving him fully. If Jesus asked, could you give up your house? your car? your level of income? your position on the ladder of promotion? Your reaction may show your attitude toward money—whether it is your servant or your master. Jesus showed genuine love for this man, even though he knew that the man might not follow him. Love is able to give tough advice; it doesn’t hedge on the truth. Christ loved us enough to die for us, and he also loves us enough to talk straight to us. If his love were superficial, he would give us only his approval; but because his love is complete, he gives us life-changing challenges. Jesus said it was very difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God because the rich, having their basic physical needs met, often become self-reliant. When they feel empty, they buy something new to try to fill the void that only God can fill. Their abundance and self-sufficiency become their deficiency. The person who has everything on earth can still lack what is most important—eternal life. The disciples were amazed. Was not wealth a blessing from God, a reward for being good? This misconception is still common today. Although many believers enjoy material prosperity, many others live in poverty. Wealth is not a sign of faith or of partiality on God’s part. Jesus assured the disciples that anyone who gives up something valuable for his sake will be repaid a hundred times over in this life, although not necessarily in the same way. For example, someone may be rejected by his family for accepting Christ, but he or she will gain the larger family of believers. Along with these rewards, however, we experience persecution because the world hates God. Jesus emphasized persecution to make sure that we do not selfishly follow him only for the rewards. Jesus explained that in the world to come, the values of this world will be reversed. Those who seek status and importance here will have none in heaven. Those who are humble here will be great in heaven. The corrupt condition of our society encourages confusion in values. We are bombarded by messages that tell us how to be important and how to feel good, and Jesus’ teaching about service to others seems alien. But those who have humbly served others are most qualified to be great in heaven. Luke 12:33 “Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no holes in them. Your treasure will be safe—no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Money seen as an end in itself quickly traps us and cuts us off from both God and the needy. The key to using money wisely is to see how much we can use for God’s purposes, not how much we can accumulate for ourselves. Does God’s love touch your wallet? Does your money free you to help others? If so, you are storing up lasting treasures in heaven. If your financial goals and possessions hinder you from giving generously, loving others, or serving God, sell what you must to bring your life into perspective. Luke 16:1-13 Jesus told this story to his disciples: “A rich man hired a manager to handle his affairs, but soon a rumor went around that the manager was thoroughly dishonest. 2So his employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about your stealing from me? Get your report in order, because you are going to be dismissed.’ 3“The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? I’m through here, and I don’t have the strength to go out and dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. 4I know just the thing! And then I’ll have plenty of friends to take care of me when I leave!’ 5“So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe him?’ 6The man replied, ‘I owe him eight hundred gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ‘tear up that bill and write another one for four hundred gallons.£’ 7“‘And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ‘Here,’ the manager said, ‘take your bill and replace it with one for only eight hundred bushels.£’ 8“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the citizens of this world are more shrewd than the godly are. 9 I tell you, use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. In this way, your generosity stores up a reward for you in heaven.£ 10 “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12And if you are not faithful with other people’s money, why should you be trusted with money of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Our use of money is a good test of the lordship of Christ. (1) Let us use our resources wisely because they belong to God, and not to us. (2) Money can be used for good or evil; let us use ours for good. (3) Money has a lot of power, so we must use it carefully and thoughtfully. (4) We must use our material goods in a way that will foster faith and obedience (see 12:33, 34). We are to make wise use of the financial opportunities we have, not to earn heaven but to help people find Christ. If we use our money to help those in need or to help others find Christ, our earthly investment will bring eternal benefit. When we obey God’s will, the unselfish use of possessions will follow. Our integrity is often put on the line in money matters. God calls us to be honest even in small details we could easily ignore. Heaven’s riches are far more valuable than earthly wealth. But if we are not trustworthy with our money here (no matter how much or little we have), we will be unfit to handle the vast riches of God’s Kingdom. See that you maintain your integrity in all matters, whether big or small. Money has the power to take God’s place in your life. It can become your master. How can you tell if you are a slave to money? (1) Do you think and worry about it frequently? (2) Do you give up doing what you should do or would like to do in order to make more money? (3) Do you spend a great deal of your time caring for your possessions? (4) Is it hard for you to give money away? (5) Are you in debt? Money is a hard master and a deceptive one. Wealth promises power and control, but often it cannot deliver. Great fortunes can be made—and lost—overnight, and no amount of money can provide health, happiness, or eternal life. How much better it is to let God be your master. His servants have peace of mind and security, both now and forever. My Ramblings Is wealth your aim? Put that dream aside and give priority to God. Do something today to curb the appetite for money, and be content with what you have. Related articles Self-Control “We must realize that the battle for self control is fought primarily within our own minds; it is a battle with our passions, thoughts, and desires. In those areas where we have failed to curb our appetites and emotions, we seem to have invisible antennae sensitively attuned to the corresponding temptations. The proverbial "chip on his shoulder" describes the person whose antennae is constantly searching for the minor incident that you can magnify into an occasion for losing his temper. The person who habitually yields to some bodily appetite or lust is constantly alert for opportunities to indulge that carnal desire. We must learn to say no to those passions when they first enter our minds.
Above all we, we must pray for the inner strengths of will necessary to curb our passions and desires. It is God who works in us to will and to act. Our own particular areas of vulnerability must be made the subject of earnest, beseeching prayer for God’s grace to work in our wills. At the same time we must realize that the will is strengthened by obedience. The more we say no to simple desires, the more we will be able to say no. But to experience this, we must persevere through many failures. A large part of learning self – control is breaking bad habits and replacing them with good ones.... As we grow in the grace of self-control, we will experience the liberation of those who, under the guidance and grace of the Holy Spirit, are freed from the shackles of self – indulgence and are brought into the freedom of true spiritual discipline. (From The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges) Proverbs 1:2-4 The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings. 3 Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people. Proverbs 21:23 If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut! Don’t be a fool who doesn’t realize that mindless offerings to God are evil. 2 And don’t make rash promises to God, for he is in heaven, and you are only here on earth. So let your words be few. When we enter the house of God, we should have the attitude of being open and ready to listen to God, not to dictate to him what we think he should do. Acts 24:25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” Paul’s talk with Felix became so personal that Felix grew fearful. Felix, like Herod Antipas (Mark 6:17, 18), had taken another man’s wife. Paul’s words were interesting until they focused on “righteousness and self-control and the judgment to come.” Many people will be glad to discuss the Good News with you as long as it doesn’t touch their lives too personally. When it does, some will resist or run. But this is what the Good News is all about—God’s power to change lives. The Good News is not effective until it moves from principles and doctrine into a life-changing dynamic. When someone resists or runs from your witness, you have undoubtedly succeeded in making the Good News personal. Galatians 5:22-23 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s control—we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without his help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our life to his (see John 15:4, 5). We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law—to love God and our neighbors. Which of these qualities do you want the Spirit to produce in you? Because the God who sent the law also sent the Spirit, the by-products of the Spirit-filled life are in perfect harmony with the intent of God’s law. A person who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit fulfills the law far better than a person who observes the rituals but has little love in his or her heart. My Ramblings Are you disciplined even under difficult circumstances? Say no to the temptation to indulge every appetite. Substitute an old habit with a new one: praise, don’t complain; support, don’t argue; encourage , don’t brag. All of that is made easier, if you have turned over control of your life to God. And with that control gone; you can become “His good and faithful servant.” then you have only to do the next thing He gives you to do. |