Not My Will Part 3

Now we face the third and most important question of all. Where are we going to spend eternity. There is a saying that there may be waiting a sweet by and by but we live in the nasty now and now. Aren't we supposed to be working hard and doing the best we can? God seems so far away and we feel is the pressures of family, friends and career. Who has time to think about eternity? Besides it is just depressing anyway. Making money and getting ahead in life is more exciting than living by and for God and His Word.

Such thinking maybe popular and even feel good for a while, death and eternity are not faraway from any of us. Someone once said "... None of us are getting out of this alive." This question of where one will spend eternity is the easiest of the three to put off but the one with the most lasting result. You see to make no decision is to make a decision. If you are trying to impress God by your works, and/or love your neighbor as you love yourself sincerely, then you are sincerely making the wrong decision. If you are putting off the decision of having Jesus pay for your sins by His shed blood until a more convenient time or a deathbed experience you are gambling against impossible odds.

God wants you to have the vocation that He created you for, and the spouse to spend your life with. But most of all He wants you to spend eternity with Him. He know that You could work your way because of sin, so He sent His own Son Jesus to pay that price of sin. He wants you to settle this question most of all. Your vocation may not always satisfy you. Your spouse may die, or God forbid run out on you, but God's gift of Salvation will not disappoint ever.
Why not answer this last question today, don't put it off, it could be too late later.

Bob Blair

Not My Will? Part 2

During last weeks election about six states had on their ballot a referendum dealing with the issue of Gay Marriage. The question of whether those of the same gender should be allowed to have the same status of union as opposite genders have for centuries. By its very definition marriage has been the union of one man to one woman for life. It has been and will continue to be the only stable building block of society.

For some reason in the past 35 - 40 years that has been a difficult course to follow. In the 60's and 70's marriage was considered to be oppressive to women. A way to shackle woman from finding themselves. In the 80's marriage was just a piece of paper that one could enter into but also get out of easily at the slightest whime. In the 90's marriage was not needed at all. Who needs the committment when you can move in and out of various relationships.

Now here we are in the new enlightened century. Marriage is still around and still one of the three most important decisions. If we have learned anything over the last 40 years it has been that each time we have tried to tinker with the institution of marriage the next generation seems to knowing or unknowing suffer consequences. Anything from abandonment to multipul step parents and sibblings. From latchkey conditions to abusive adults. Marriage is not a choice to be taken lightly. But then God knew that all along. What God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

Bob Blair

Not My Will?

When I got saved in 1979, I was told for the first time that every person will have to face and answer three important questions: 1)What is you vocation? 2)Who are you going to marry? 3)Where are you going to spend eternity?

Interestingly enough I found that one could answer any combination of these questions in different ways. The difference between the right and wrong answer is determined by what I want or what does God want.

The I wanters choose a vocation based on mostly selfish, selfpromoting motives. How much money does it make? How prestigious is it? How much power and influence does it have? Can I get the things I want? Even if all these motives are met and accomplished many have found these very empty and unfulfilling. Many turn to alcohol, have affairs, or go through "midlife crises".

On the other hand, the God pleasers use traits like patience, faith, humilty, and meekness to seek out what God has in mind for them. How has God equipted me? What does God want me to do with it? Who does God want me serve? When these are accomplished one will face trial, persecution, and maybe not alot of material gain, but definately needs met. The best of all is a guilty free conscience, and a "Well done thou good and faithful servant." By the way also a treasure of changed lives of those influence for Christ.
Next: Who are you going to marry?
Bob Blair

If it does not Serve it does not Exist

Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

In my vocation of comsumer electronic sales, I occasionally, heard one of my co-workers say about their job "it beats being a minimum wage hamburger flipper." Now maybe because I was one (among other many occupations)I took that somewhat personally. What is it that makes one job better than any other? The money, power, environment, what? I realize maybe pre-judging here, but, I think that is a very snobbish statement.

Tell me, what would life be without garbagemen, sewer cleaners, window washers, waiters/waitresses? These jobs exist because we want our streets clean, windows clear, and a place to sitdown and have meal brought to us. If we did not want them these jobs would not be around. Here is a truth that goes beyond that. There is not a job, career, or position that exist that does not offer a product, merchandise, or service that people want and are will to be pay for it.

Whether President of the USA, or janitor of a school all jobs only exist because they serve! That dream job that you think is so prestiagious, if it does not serve someone will not last long. Just ask your average dot com failure. When it really comes down to it we are all servants not masters. So where do we get off being so stuckup about someone with a "lesser" job.
Bob Blair

PS Joy is not found in dollars nor glamour, but in find out how God has equipped you to serve and to do it

Up Close and Personal

It has been said that how a person views God will directly reflect how that person views life. If one view God as being distant or maybe even non-existent, there can be a sense of purposelessness, or selfishness. Afterall, if God is not close by in personal contact why should one be accountable to Him.

The question that really is at stake here is, does God really care about what is going on in your life? Maybe you are a regular church goer, and consistant giver in the offering plate. Maybe you go once in awhile or not at all. In any case the God that is preached in church on Sunday, is not cutting it on Monday through Saturday. When at school, work, at home, in the neighborhood, God and Christian living just does not seem real.

If this is you, I have Great News for you! God does want a relationship with you. God does care about your victories, your defeats, and everything in between. God is not distant He promises to never leave you nor forsake you. When it comes to times of great physical need He want to supply according to His riches. When it come to Monday through Saturday, He wants to be the Everyday God for His Everyday Christians. On the job? Yes! At home? Yes! Even at school? Double yes.

Maybe as a start you could try prayer. Getting someplace early, quiet, and alone, ask Him for help through the day. Tell Him what you know to be in store for that day, and ask Him to help you perform, and behave in a way that pleases Him. Ask Him to help you through any and all the unplanned surprizes that you will face. The one surprize you will find is that God does want to be the up close and personal God.

To be continue.....
Bob Blair