Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5
But Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. – 1Timothy 6:6
It is such a blessing to know what is important; to have a strong grip on what truly matters in life. As I age I am beginning to learn more about my destiny and what is crucial to my existence. The period that can be wasted on frivolities and inconsequential things are long gone. Time is now an extremely rare and valuable resource to me. Luckily, I have never been one to be controlled by money. I was content growing up and I still am as an adult. I do not have everything I would like nor am I where I would like to be but I am wise enough to know that God knows where I ought to be. I am confident that I will have what He says that I will have and I will be whatever He says that I will be. I watch with a sense of pity at those who sacrifice their family lives, their health and their sanity trying to get rich. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 23:4-5 that “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle”. When we spend our lives chasing after money, it’s either we never quite catch it or when we lay our hands on it, we realize that financial wealth is not all that is cracked up to be.
As long as Almighty God in heaven promises to stand by our side, why we do we worry? Why do we find it hard to be content with what we have and where we are? Why do we find it hard to believe that we are on a journey and the Great God who has brought us this far will definitely see us to the end? Why can we not see that Jehovah that was graceful and merciful enough to start a good work in us, will surely bring it to completion? My friend, be content with what you have – little or much. When you pray, ask God for what you need. Accompanied with the right motives in your heart, He will surely supply all your needs.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Curse of Self-Centeredness
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. – John 12:24-25
My command is this: Love ach other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. – John 15:12-14
Self-centeredness is described in the dictionary as being concerned solely with one’s desires, needs or interest. Self-centeredness is a force that drives the carnal lifestyle. The carnal and self-centered man strives as hard as he can to get everything that he can. He cans all that he gets and sits on the lid. He lives a life that is geared solely towards getting without any thought of sacrifice. He tries all that he can within his power to preserve all that he has accumulated, not understanding that unless you live a life of sacrifice you can never be fruitful. His love for his life is so intense that there is no room to give up anything to preserve the life of another. His ambitious desires have gotten so out of control that his concern is only for himself and no one else. There is no room for dependence on God – only on self.
We all have the desire and ability to strive, to be assertive, self-promoting and to focus heavily on what we want. No one is immune to the desire to get ahead. Truth be told, there is nothing wrong with ambition. But the price we are willing to pay to satisfy this human need varies from one person to another. Where self-centeredness abounds, pride is not hard to fine and the Bible tells us that pride goes before destruction. When we are successful with our ambitious plans, we glorify in self rather than in the Lord. Living a life of I, me and mine is not what Christ requires of any believer. Jesus was not thinking of Himself when He went to the Cross. He sacrificed Himself so that we can have life and have it abundantly.
Unless we get to a point in our lives when we recognize that we ought to live a life of service to others, we will truly miss our calling in this realm. Until we understand that we are called to serve and live a life of servant-hood, we will continue to live solely for self.
My command is this: Love ach other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. – John 15:12-14
Self-centeredness is described in the dictionary as being concerned solely with one’s desires, needs or interest. Self-centeredness is a force that drives the carnal lifestyle. The carnal and self-centered man strives as hard as he can to get everything that he can. He cans all that he gets and sits on the lid. He lives a life that is geared solely towards getting without any thought of sacrifice. He tries all that he can within his power to preserve all that he has accumulated, not understanding that unless you live a life of sacrifice you can never be fruitful. His love for his life is so intense that there is no room to give up anything to preserve the life of another. His ambitious desires have gotten so out of control that his concern is only for himself and no one else. There is no room for dependence on God – only on self.
We all have the desire and ability to strive, to be assertive, self-promoting and to focus heavily on what we want. No one is immune to the desire to get ahead. Truth be told, there is nothing wrong with ambition. But the price we are willing to pay to satisfy this human need varies from one person to another. Where self-centeredness abounds, pride is not hard to fine and the Bible tells us that pride goes before destruction. When we are successful with our ambitious plans, we glorify in self rather than in the Lord. Living a life of I, me and mine is not what Christ requires of any believer. Jesus was not thinking of Himself when He went to the Cross. He sacrificed Himself so that we can have life and have it abundantly.
Unless we get to a point in our lives when we recognize that we ought to live a life of service to others, we will truly miss our calling in this realm. Until we understand that we are called to serve and live a life of servant-hood, we will continue to live solely for self.
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Main Thing
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33
Aligning our priorities right is so crucial to having a fruitful and productive life. God must be our number one priority. Yes – things are tough and we have lots of things to do but if we do not place the Lord in His rightful place, we can very quickly find ourselves busy but going round and round the mulberry bush. Being constantly busy and occupied does not equate being fruitful and productive.
God wants to be in relationship for each one of His children but we must seek His face. God has given us freewill to spend our time in any manner that we choose. He does not want robots that are forced to spend time in His presence. He wants us to choose to commune with Him because we understand how important it is to be in constant fellowship with the Lord of our lives.
When we come into the presence of God we have the opportunity to share our joy, pain and desires with Him. Most importantly, we get the wonderful opportunity to clear our minds, remain silent and focus on what He wants to say to us. Putting God first in our lives is not a choice; it is a necessity. The peace and contentment that comes from placing God above any other thing or person cannot be achieved by any other means.
Aligning our priorities right is so crucial to having a fruitful and productive life. God must be our number one priority. Yes – things are tough and we have lots of things to do but if we do not place the Lord in His rightful place, we can very quickly find ourselves busy but going round and round the mulberry bush. Being constantly busy and occupied does not equate being fruitful and productive.
God wants to be in relationship for each one of His children but we must seek His face. God has given us freewill to spend our time in any manner that we choose. He does not want robots that are forced to spend time in His presence. He wants us to choose to commune with Him because we understand how important it is to be in constant fellowship with the Lord of our lives.
When we come into the presence of God we have the opportunity to share our joy, pain and desires with Him. Most importantly, we get the wonderful opportunity to clear our minds, remain silent and focus on what He wants to say to us. Putting God first in our lives is not a choice; it is a necessity. The peace and contentment that comes from placing God above any other thing or person cannot be achieved by any other means.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
His Mercy
Be merciful to us, O Lord, for we are in distress;
Our eyes grow weak with sorrow, our souls and our bodies with grief.
Our lives are consumed by anguish and our years by groaning;
Our strength fails because of our afflictions, and our bones grow weak.
But you compassionate and gracious; slow to anger, abounding in love.
You does not always accuse, nor do you harbor your anger forever;
We are grateful that you do not treat us as our sins deserve.
You do not repay us according to our iniquities.
As high as the heavens are above the earth so is your love for us.
You are exceedingly rich in mercy.
You make us alive with Christ even though we are dead in transgressions.
We thank you Lord for your love endures forever.
We thank you because you are indeed good.
(Psalm 31:9-10; Psalm 103:8-11; Ephesians 2:4; Psalm 136:1)
Our eyes grow weak with sorrow, our souls and our bodies with grief.
Our lives are consumed by anguish and our years by groaning;
Our strength fails because of our afflictions, and our bones grow weak.
But you compassionate and gracious; slow to anger, abounding in love.
You does not always accuse, nor do you harbor your anger forever;
We are grateful that you do not treat us as our sins deserve.
You do not repay us according to our iniquities.
As high as the heavens are above the earth so is your love for us.
You are exceedingly rich in mercy.
You make us alive with Christ even though we are dead in transgressions.
We thank you Lord for your love endures forever.
We thank you because you are indeed good.
(Psalm 31:9-10; Psalm 103:8-11; Ephesians 2:4; Psalm 136:1)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
God Lift's Us Up
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went on a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree. Sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” – 1 Kings 19:3-4
“What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? Do I have the power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me? – Job 6:11-13
Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. – Psalm 41:9
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon – from Mount Mizar. – Psalm 42:5-6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7
Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. – Psalm 3:2-3
Things may be tough right now but God sees all that we are dealing with. We are never alone and He is truly the lifter of our heads. It is crucial that we understand that we are in a controlled environment and nothing happens to us unless God allows it. Even though the present economic circumstances dictate that we live on less and some of us are without jobs, God still has a plan for our lives. Maybe you have been abandoned by a spouse or a friend and all hell is breaking loose around you. Or maybe you lost a loved one to death by disease, accident or old age. It is a give that financial trouble leads to some level of anxiety, emotional and physical distress but God tells us in His Word that He stands by to supply all our needs.
God’s word reminds us in Psalm 37:25 that the righteous will neither be forsaken nor their children begging for bread. Sadness, grief, fear, anxiety, depression, helplessness and stress are all negative emotions that can drag us down. But there is hope. There is hope because even Elijah, God’s own prophet in the Bible felt like giving up. The Apostle Paul complained in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 about a thorn in his flesh. He pleaded with the Lord to take it away but God reminded him that His grace is sufficient and that His mighty power is made perfect in weakness. When we are weak because of disappointment, God strength is revealed in our lives.
Being a Christian does not make us immune from the pressures that an economic downturn can present. We all suffer directly or indirectly when things go bad. The fact that we are having a difficult time does not mean we have no faith. I have heard a lot of hogwash that faith is the key to a smooth sailing life. It is so not true. Just because you have no issues with your life right now does not mean that you have more faith or favor in and with God. Without adversity there is no spiritual growth in the life of a man. We all need tough times to see God at work. When you expect nothing to change in your life you have no need for faith. Personally, it is because of the circumstances that I have overcome with God by my side that my faith is built up.
Regardless of what you are going through right now, hold on and don’t give up. God will show himself strong in your life. He never disappoints and He is always right on time.
“What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? Do I have the power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me? – Job 6:11-13
Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. – Psalm 41:9
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon – from Mount Mizar. – Psalm 42:5-6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7
Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. – Psalm 3:2-3
Things may be tough right now but God sees all that we are dealing with. We are never alone and He is truly the lifter of our heads. It is crucial that we understand that we are in a controlled environment and nothing happens to us unless God allows it. Even though the present economic circumstances dictate that we live on less and some of us are without jobs, God still has a plan for our lives. Maybe you have been abandoned by a spouse or a friend and all hell is breaking loose around you. Or maybe you lost a loved one to death by disease, accident or old age. It is a give that financial trouble leads to some level of anxiety, emotional and physical distress but God tells us in His Word that He stands by to supply all our needs.
God’s word reminds us in Psalm 37:25 that the righteous will neither be forsaken nor their children begging for bread. Sadness, grief, fear, anxiety, depression, helplessness and stress are all negative emotions that can drag us down. But there is hope. There is hope because even Elijah, God’s own prophet in the Bible felt like giving up. The Apostle Paul complained in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 about a thorn in his flesh. He pleaded with the Lord to take it away but God reminded him that His grace is sufficient and that His mighty power is made perfect in weakness. When we are weak because of disappointment, God strength is revealed in our lives.
Being a Christian does not make us immune from the pressures that an economic downturn can present. We all suffer directly or indirectly when things go bad. The fact that we are having a difficult time does not mean we have no faith. I have heard a lot of hogwash that faith is the key to a smooth sailing life. It is so not true. Just because you have no issues with your life right now does not mean that you have more faith or favor in and with God. Without adversity there is no spiritual growth in the life of a man. We all need tough times to see God at work. When you expect nothing to change in your life you have no need for faith. Personally, it is because of the circumstances that I have overcome with God by my side that my faith is built up.
Regardless of what you are going through right now, hold on and don’t give up. God will show himself strong in your life. He never disappoints and He is always right on time.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Six Things Our Lord Hates
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
Haughty eyes
A lying tongue
Hands that shed innocent blood
A heart that devises wicked schemes
Feet that are quick to rush into evil
A false witness who pours out lies
A man who stirs up dissension among brothers – Psalm 6:16-19
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. – Proverbs 16:18-19
God has many scriptures in his word to warn us about the things He dislikes. Most of them are pretty straight-forward. We are called to live holy lives by following in the footsteps of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Having haughty eyes means being disdainfully prideful. One of the things the Lords hates is the proud. There is good pride and bad pride. Good pride is being happy about doing a good job on an assigned task. Bad pride is feeling self-sufficient and self-righteousness; having no need for a Savior.
Pride is a high-speed train that leads to destruction. When we are prideful in a negative way, we are engaging in an emotion that is the direct opposite of humility. When we think of ourselves more highly than others, we tend to cross the line in an effort to keep up the image of ourselves that we are desperate to maintain. Lying becomes very easy when we are prideful. We are quick to lie and shed innocent blood to keep the image we are proud of. We easily start to devise all sorts of plans that are wicked in the sight of the Lord - whatever it takes to maintain the status quo. Our heart becomes the wellspring of evil rather than the wellspring of life. Evil thoughts allow us to lose self-control over our actions. We start rumors and spread them in the church, amongst families and friends – all in an effort to satisfy our evil agendas. The Bible is clear that pride will almost always end in disgrace but humility always brings wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).
Haughty eyes
A lying tongue
Hands that shed innocent blood
A heart that devises wicked schemes
Feet that are quick to rush into evil
A false witness who pours out lies
A man who stirs up dissension among brothers – Psalm 6:16-19
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. – Proverbs 16:18-19
God has many scriptures in his word to warn us about the things He dislikes. Most of them are pretty straight-forward. We are called to live holy lives by following in the footsteps of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Having haughty eyes means being disdainfully prideful. One of the things the Lords hates is the proud. There is good pride and bad pride. Good pride is being happy about doing a good job on an assigned task. Bad pride is feeling self-sufficient and self-righteousness; having no need for a Savior.
Pride is a high-speed train that leads to destruction. When we are prideful in a negative way, we are engaging in an emotion that is the direct opposite of humility. When we think of ourselves more highly than others, we tend to cross the line in an effort to keep up the image of ourselves that we are desperate to maintain. Lying becomes very easy when we are prideful. We are quick to lie and shed innocent blood to keep the image we are proud of. We easily start to devise all sorts of plans that are wicked in the sight of the Lord - whatever it takes to maintain the status quo. Our heart becomes the wellspring of evil rather than the wellspring of life. Evil thoughts allow us to lose self-control over our actions. We start rumors and spread them in the church, amongst families and friends – all in an effort to satisfy our evil agendas. The Bible is clear that pride will almost always end in disgrace but humility always brings wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).
Monday, June 8, 2009
What Do You See?
The Lord said to Moses, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.” – Numbers 13:1-2
When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” – Numbers 13:17-20
When they reached the valley of Eschol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. – Numbers 13:23
They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and large. - Numbers 13:28
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it. But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We seemed like grasshoppers in their own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” – Numbers 13:30-32, 32b
Moses had sent them to scope out the land of Canaan as instructed by God. Even though they were able to bring back good fruit from the land, only one person felt that they could possess the land. The others felt timid and intimidated. They started to make up fearful stories to prevent them from moving forward with possessing the land. One saw a great opportunity and others saw definite defeat.
What makes a huge determination of how far we will go in life is based on how and what we see. Do you see difficulties and obstacles everywhere you turn or do you see God-given opportunities? The way we perceive and view situations in which we find ourselves will determine whether we will be victorious or victims. If we choose to focus on only the difficulties, we will not get very far. A wise man once said that whatever we focus on will get bigger. If you are positive like Caleb and focus on the opportunities – refusing to view them as stumbling blocks but rather as stepping stones, you can ascend to great heights. But if you elect to grumble, complain and retreat in defeat anytime things don’t go your way you will forever remain a victim of the system.
Change how you see and change your life.
When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” – Numbers 13:17-20
When they reached the valley of Eschol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. – Numbers 13:23
They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and large. - Numbers 13:28
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it. But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We seemed like grasshoppers in their own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” – Numbers 13:30-32, 32b
Moses had sent them to scope out the land of Canaan as instructed by God. Even though they were able to bring back good fruit from the land, only one person felt that they could possess the land. The others felt timid and intimidated. They started to make up fearful stories to prevent them from moving forward with possessing the land. One saw a great opportunity and others saw definite defeat.
What makes a huge determination of how far we will go in life is based on how and what we see. Do you see difficulties and obstacles everywhere you turn or do you see God-given opportunities? The way we perceive and view situations in which we find ourselves will determine whether we will be victorious or victims. If we choose to focus on only the difficulties, we will not get very far. A wise man once said that whatever we focus on will get bigger. If you are positive like Caleb and focus on the opportunities – refusing to view them as stumbling blocks but rather as stepping stones, you can ascend to great heights. But if you elect to grumble, complain and retreat in defeat anytime things don’t go your way you will forever remain a victim of the system.
Change how you see and change your life.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Rejoice Today and Always
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! – Philippians 4:4
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Regardless of our circumstances, we must make a conscious decision to praise and rejoice in the Lord always. The joy of the Lord is not based on circumstances; it is with us at all times. When the Holy Spirit dwells within, there is an indescribable type of rest that comes into our hearts that gives us an assurance and confidence that everything will be alright. The Holy Spirit reinforces the scripture passage in Romans 8:28 that tell us in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Joy is a choice. It is a state of mind and a state of being not a mere feeling. The only way to experience joy is to give thanks to God at all times, understanding that we are a work in progress and not a final product. When we understand that God is at work in our lives and our situations, we can accept that things don’t have to be perfect at this time. We can freely give thanks and praise even with the imperfections that surround our lives. We can do this while trusting that God has his hand upon us and everything will turn out ok.
There is no denying that God is indeed good – especially when you think back to all the things He has brought you through in your life. When you think back on all the messes you were in and God showed up just in time to rescue you, it allows you to thank God and rejoice in Him knowing that He will see you through yet again. So rejoice today and always in Almighty God. No matter how tough things seem there is always something or someone that we can be thankful for. We can be thankful for the life of a loved one, a relationship or a career. Everyone has something to rejoice about.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! – Philippians 4:4
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Regardless of our circumstances, we must make a conscious decision to praise and rejoice in the Lord always. The joy of the Lord is not based on circumstances; it is with us at all times. When the Holy Spirit dwells within, there is an indescribable type of rest that comes into our hearts that gives us an assurance and confidence that everything will be alright. The Holy Spirit reinforces the scripture passage in Romans 8:28 that tell us in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Joy is a choice. It is a state of mind and a state of being not a mere feeling. The only way to experience joy is to give thanks to God at all times, understanding that we are a work in progress and not a final product. When we understand that God is at work in our lives and our situations, we can accept that things don’t have to be perfect at this time. We can freely give thanks and praise even with the imperfections that surround our lives. We can do this while trusting that God has his hand upon us and everything will turn out ok.
There is no denying that God is indeed good – especially when you think back to all the things He has brought you through in your life. When you think back on all the messes you were in and God showed up just in time to rescue you, it allows you to thank God and rejoice in Him knowing that He will see you through yet again. So rejoice today and always in Almighty God. No matter how tough things seem there is always something or someone that we can be thankful for. We can be thankful for the life of a loved one, a relationship or a career. Everyone has something to rejoice about.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Be a Peacemaker
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God. – Matthew 5:9
There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. – Proverbs 12:20
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. – Romans 14:17-19
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. – Hebrews 12:14
The world is full of strife today. Family members are at odds with one another. Husbands and wives are fighting with one another with no regard for the wellbeing of the children. The family, the foundation upon which society must be built is crumbling to pieces. The Bible knows how destructive discord can be that is why it tells us in Colossians 3:13-15 to bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances we may have against one another. We are called to forgive as Christ forgave us. Love is to be a garment that we put on to bind all o us together in perfect unity. The peace of Christ must rule in our hearts as we are all parts of one body that is called to peace.
The only way we can live in peace with others as God instructs is to first be at peace with our individual selves. When each and every one of us is at peace with our own bodies, we can extend peace to others. I have found that I guard the peace of God that I finally found with great vigor. Because I want to hold onto it, I avoid strife at all costs. Even when I have cause to retaliate towards another offensively, I make a conscious choice to overlook the offense and move on. I am careful not to let anyone or anything contaminate me on the inside because it took a lot of work to get my mind to where it is today.
To be a peacemaker is to be called a son of God. When we choose peace over discord we are affirming the God to whom we belong; we are beginning to be more Christ-like. Being peaceful means that we are learning how to focus on God and not ourselves.
There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. – Proverbs 12:20
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. – Romans 14:17-19
Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. – Hebrews 12:14
The world is full of strife today. Family members are at odds with one another. Husbands and wives are fighting with one another with no regard for the wellbeing of the children. The family, the foundation upon which society must be built is crumbling to pieces. The Bible knows how destructive discord can be that is why it tells us in Colossians 3:13-15 to bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances we may have against one another. We are called to forgive as Christ forgave us. Love is to be a garment that we put on to bind all o us together in perfect unity. The peace of Christ must rule in our hearts as we are all parts of one body that is called to peace.
The only way we can live in peace with others as God instructs is to first be at peace with our individual selves. When each and every one of us is at peace with our own bodies, we can extend peace to others. I have found that I guard the peace of God that I finally found with great vigor. Because I want to hold onto it, I avoid strife at all costs. Even when I have cause to retaliate towards another offensively, I make a conscious choice to overlook the offense and move on. I am careful not to let anyone or anything contaminate me on the inside because it took a lot of work to get my mind to where it is today.
To be a peacemaker is to be called a son of God. When we choose peace over discord we are affirming the God to whom we belong; we are beginning to be more Christ-like. Being peaceful means that we are learning how to focus on God and not ourselves.
Friday, June 5, 2009
See the Light
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. – Psalm 36:9
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. – Isaiah 60:19-20
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” – Ephesians 5:8-14
It is indeed true that the eye is the lamp of our entire body. When our eyes are good, our whole body is full of light but when they are bad, the body is filled with darkness. The Bible warns us to see to it that what we are carrying around inside of us as light is not darkness. It is our responsibility to see the Light of God through His Word. It is impossible to be filled with the Light of the Lord if the Holy Spirit has not been invited to dwell within by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Doing what pleases the Lord is not possible without the assistance of the Holy Spirit. As long as we are human and we are flesh we cannot achieve any kind of righteousness before God in our own strength.
Accepting Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross of Calvary brings light into our dark lives. Darkness and light cannot dwell in harmony together so when the Holy Spirit comes in, darkness must take its leave. But there is work on our part to keep the Lamp of the Lord burning in our hearts and our lives. The enemy is forever lurking around looking for ways to snuff out the light we have inside of us. We must do our part by studying and listening to the Word of God. Anytime we feel darkness trying to creep in we must return to that place where we first encountered Christ so that we can be reminded of what He sacrificed for us. If we make a conscious decision to surround ourselves with the Light of God, darkness can never take over our lives.
Choose to see the light today. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Come out of the darkness into the Light of God.
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. – Isaiah 60:19-20
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” – Ephesians 5:8-14
It is indeed true that the eye is the lamp of our entire body. When our eyes are good, our whole body is full of light but when they are bad, the body is filled with darkness. The Bible warns us to see to it that what we are carrying around inside of us as light is not darkness. It is our responsibility to see the Light of God through His Word. It is impossible to be filled with the Light of the Lord if the Holy Spirit has not been invited to dwell within by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Doing what pleases the Lord is not possible without the assistance of the Holy Spirit. As long as we are human and we are flesh we cannot achieve any kind of righteousness before God in our own strength.
Accepting Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross of Calvary brings light into our dark lives. Darkness and light cannot dwell in harmony together so when the Holy Spirit comes in, darkness must take its leave. But there is work on our part to keep the Lamp of the Lord burning in our hearts and our lives. The enemy is forever lurking around looking for ways to snuff out the light we have inside of us. We must do our part by studying and listening to the Word of God. Anytime we feel darkness trying to creep in we must return to that place where we first encountered Christ so that we can be reminded of what He sacrificed for us. If we make a conscious decision to surround ourselves with the Light of God, darkness can never take over our lives.
Choose to see the light today. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Come out of the darkness into the Light of God.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Remedy For Troubled Hearts
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go there to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” – John 14:1-3
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. – Psalm 73:26
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. – Psalm 16:8-10
I find it very helpful when I am troubled to focus my attention on Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross of Calvary. Feeding a troubled heart with worrying about circumstances that cannot be changed is draining and time consuming. When we are stressed out, it’s almost always because of the worldly things of life. I have never heard anyone say that there were worried about the inheritance in heaven. Maybe it’s because we focus more on earthly treasures than what Jesus has promised to every believer. We allow ourselves to get frazzled about things that have no place in eternity. The world we live in today makes it extremely easy to get carried away. Believers have to make a conscious decision and effort to keep their focus on what God has deemed as important.
Someone once told me that perception is everything. The way we view and value things in our lives can make a world of difference. It stands to reason that where our hearts lie so there shall our treasures be. If what is most important to us is our material possessions, our foundation and anchor will be on those things. If unfortunate circumstances occur – which they sometimes will as we are experiencing with the current economic downturn, and we loose these things, our entire world crumbles.
I pray today that you will lay hold of the scripture passage above and refuse to let your hearts be troubled. I pray that you efforts will be placed on the things of heaven which are eternal rather than the things on earth which are temporal. Jesus has promised to go ahead of you and prepare a room for you in the house of the Father. What could be better or more important than that?
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. – Psalm 73:26
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. – Psalm 16:8-10
I find it very helpful when I am troubled to focus my attention on Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross of Calvary. Feeding a troubled heart with worrying about circumstances that cannot be changed is draining and time consuming. When we are stressed out, it’s almost always because of the worldly things of life. I have never heard anyone say that there were worried about the inheritance in heaven. Maybe it’s because we focus more on earthly treasures than what Jesus has promised to every believer. We allow ourselves to get frazzled about things that have no place in eternity. The world we live in today makes it extremely easy to get carried away. Believers have to make a conscious decision and effort to keep their focus on what God has deemed as important.
Someone once told me that perception is everything. The way we view and value things in our lives can make a world of difference. It stands to reason that where our hearts lie so there shall our treasures be. If what is most important to us is our material possessions, our foundation and anchor will be on those things. If unfortunate circumstances occur – which they sometimes will as we are experiencing with the current economic downturn, and we loose these things, our entire world crumbles.
I pray today that you will lay hold of the scripture passage above and refuse to let your hearts be troubled. I pray that you efforts will be placed on the things of heaven which are eternal rather than the things on earth which are temporal. Jesus has promised to go ahead of you and prepare a room for you in the house of the Father. What could be better or more important than that?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Instead of Worrying Choose to Rejoice Always
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:4-7
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than clothes? – Matthew 6:25
Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. – Luke 21:34
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7
Experience has taught me that worrying is pointless. I worried myself so badly at some point in my life that I became sick and suffered nervous breakdowns. I can tell you firsthand that worrying is a futile exercise. It serves no purpose except that it raises one’s blood pressure and causes a great deal of anxiety. Precious time that can otherwise be used doing fruitful things is wasted worrying. God calls us as Christians not to worry. Instead of worrying we are told to spend our time rejoicing in the Lord. Rather than waste our time and energy worrying about circumstances that we cannot change, we are to turn over our problems to Him and let Him be the God over our lives. When we have the faith and courage to allow God to be God, He promises to give us His peace which transcends all understanding.
Choosing to worry displays a lack of trust in God. If we spend our time worrying instead of rejoicing, we cannot pray effectively. If we choose to focus on what is going on around us rather than the God of the heavens, we lose focus and direction. I have found a few remedies that help with worry and anxiety:
· Praise and Worshipping God
· Exercising
· Writing a list of what I need to do and taking steps to get them done
· Get enough rest
· Go out and do something I enjoy
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than clothes? – Matthew 6:25
Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. – Luke 21:34
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7
Experience has taught me that worrying is pointless. I worried myself so badly at some point in my life that I became sick and suffered nervous breakdowns. I can tell you firsthand that worrying is a futile exercise. It serves no purpose except that it raises one’s blood pressure and causes a great deal of anxiety. Precious time that can otherwise be used doing fruitful things is wasted worrying. God calls us as Christians not to worry. Instead of worrying we are told to spend our time rejoicing in the Lord. Rather than waste our time and energy worrying about circumstances that we cannot change, we are to turn over our problems to Him and let Him be the God over our lives. When we have the faith and courage to allow God to be God, He promises to give us His peace which transcends all understanding.
Choosing to worry displays a lack of trust in God. If we spend our time worrying instead of rejoicing, we cannot pray effectively. If we choose to focus on what is going on around us rather than the God of the heavens, we lose focus and direction. I have found a few remedies that help with worry and anxiety:
· Praise and Worshipping God
· Exercising
· Writing a list of what I need to do and taking steps to get them done
· Get enough rest
· Go out and do something I enjoy
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
No One Can Steal Your Joy
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. – Psalm 30:11-12
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; - Psalm 31:14 – 15a
A friend of mine spoke with me at length recently about troubles that he was facing in his life. He sounded drained and weary. He had been fasting and praying but he was not getting any relieve. Life seemed to have lost its luster and his peace was gone. I could understand that the circumstances he was dealing with were very difficult. This economy has put a lot of people in a very tough spot. Suicides are suddenly on the rise and many see no other way out of their problems. I volunteered to pray with him and tried my past to encourage him to divert his attention off of himself and unto the Lord. We sometimes place too much importance on the problems of this world. Material things may come and go but the Kingdom of God is everlasting. I explained to him that regardless of how much money he had in the bank; how much he has in is 401K or whether his house was up for sale or not, his spirit belonged to God. His credit may be maxed out but his inheritance in heaven is sure and secure. Letting financial woes bring one down does not do the heart any good neither does it improve the situation.
Keeping one’s attention on God and His Word makes it easier to maintain peace and joy while taking steps to rectify financial problems. A life with God is a life filled with joy. It is a life that allows you to dance with joy even when things are not going so well. When our relationship with God is intact, we are able to give thanks to the Lord at all times. The presence of God clothes us with joy and peace in spite of difficult times. Difficulty is what tests the faith of a blood-washed believer. When we start to run around like a chicken with it's head cut off rather than looking up and seeking the counsel of God, peace will elude us. As long as we are seeking the opinion of others instead of talking to God and doing what He tells us, our joy will be stolen from us.
I explained to my friend that doing nothing will only make matters worse. The truth is no one can squeeze water out of a stone. Things are tough today but with God nothing is impossible. You can only pay back what you have and many institutions are willing to work with their customers. I am glad to say that my friend is now taking positive steps in line with his prayers to turn things around. He is now facing the problems head on and his joy in the Lord is returning in the process. He now understands that his life is in the hands of God and not in the hands of the financial institutions or the economy.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; - Psalm 31:14 – 15a
A friend of mine spoke with me at length recently about troubles that he was facing in his life. He sounded drained and weary. He had been fasting and praying but he was not getting any relieve. Life seemed to have lost its luster and his peace was gone. I could understand that the circumstances he was dealing with were very difficult. This economy has put a lot of people in a very tough spot. Suicides are suddenly on the rise and many see no other way out of their problems. I volunteered to pray with him and tried my past to encourage him to divert his attention off of himself and unto the Lord. We sometimes place too much importance on the problems of this world. Material things may come and go but the Kingdom of God is everlasting. I explained to him that regardless of how much money he had in the bank; how much he has in is 401K or whether his house was up for sale or not, his spirit belonged to God. His credit may be maxed out but his inheritance in heaven is sure and secure. Letting financial woes bring one down does not do the heart any good neither does it improve the situation.
Keeping one’s attention on God and His Word makes it easier to maintain peace and joy while taking steps to rectify financial problems. A life with God is a life filled with joy. It is a life that allows you to dance with joy even when things are not going so well. When our relationship with God is intact, we are able to give thanks to the Lord at all times. The presence of God clothes us with joy and peace in spite of difficult times. Difficulty is what tests the faith of a blood-washed believer. When we start to run around like a chicken with it's head cut off rather than looking up and seeking the counsel of God, peace will elude us. As long as we are seeking the opinion of others instead of talking to God and doing what He tells us, our joy will be stolen from us.
I explained to my friend that doing nothing will only make matters worse. The truth is no one can squeeze water out of a stone. Things are tough today but with God nothing is impossible. You can only pay back what you have and many institutions are willing to work with their customers. I am glad to say that my friend is now taking positive steps in line with his prayers to turn things around. He is now facing the problems head on and his joy in the Lord is returning in the process. He now understands that his life is in the hands of God and not in the hands of the financial institutions or the economy.
Monday, June 1, 2009
If You Need Help.....
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. – Isaiah 50:7
We all need a helping hand at some point or another in our lives. The cares of life can get extremely overwhelming and hard to deal with. Many are extremely blessed to have close friends and family who act as God’s hands and feet and come to their aid. But maybe you are one of those who have no one to turn to in times of trouble. The “friends” you thought you had quickly vanished as your circumstances changed. Those who were screaming accolades when everything was going well are now nowhere to be found. All of a sudden, you are all alone with your secrets and your pain.
But there is a God is who is waiting to rescue you. He is willing to be closer to you than any friend or brother. He wants to be there for you when no one else will. He is the only true anchor that there is. Once you invite God into your life, you will never be alone. He will be with you in good times and bad times; in sickness and in health. With God by your side, what you are going through may hurt you; it may bring you pain but it will never destroy you. God has the power to turn everything negative in your life around for good and for His glory. Get to work now with renewing your mind with the Word of God. Refuse to be destroyed by external circumstances that will not last for ever. Stand firm with God and in His Word. All the difficulties and obstacles that you are facing today will surely come to pass.
We all need a helping hand at some point or another in our lives. The cares of life can get extremely overwhelming and hard to deal with. Many are extremely blessed to have close friends and family who act as God’s hands and feet and come to their aid. But maybe you are one of those who have no one to turn to in times of trouble. The “friends” you thought you had quickly vanished as your circumstances changed. Those who were screaming accolades when everything was going well are now nowhere to be found. All of a sudden, you are all alone with your secrets and your pain.
But there is a God is who is waiting to rescue you. He is willing to be closer to you than any friend or brother. He wants to be there for you when no one else will. He is the only true anchor that there is. Once you invite God into your life, you will never be alone. He will be with you in good times and bad times; in sickness and in health. With God by your side, what you are going through may hurt you; it may bring you pain but it will never destroy you. God has the power to turn everything negative in your life around for good and for His glory. Get to work now with renewing your mind with the Word of God. Refuse to be destroyed by external circumstances that will not last for ever. Stand firm with God and in His Word. All the difficulties and obstacles that you are facing today will surely come to pass.
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