Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
I once heard a man bragging about his religion, saying that God has never promised anyone their next breathe. I am in agreement to that belief. However, I prefer a more sanguen approach to viewing a day. I like to ask myself and others this question: How can you best assure that you will be serving God in His will 10, 20, and maybe even 50 years from today? (Barring the Jesus' rapture of His church)
Would it not be great to know with a certain amount of confidence that you could be doing that very thing. Just think in a era where many Christians are falling out of God's will every day, and you are heading in a direction of "well done thou good and faithful servant". Can that be true?
Yes it can. But how you ask? Just remember this simple answer: Be in the will of God TODAY! That is the great power of today, it always leads into the next today. If I live for God today, today will turn into next week, next month, next year, and next decade. Tomorrow may never come, but there is always today.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Have We Thought of That?
Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
I am so glad that God created a secret place that others can not interfere or invaded. It is a wonderful thing the brain and the ability to have a thought life. It is sort of like a blog that only the author goes to. One can express thoughts ideas and opinions without fear of offending others, or embarassing one's self. It is certain that because of this no one person can completely know another person. This can be comfort to one person and extreme lonliness to another.
But no one can escape this truth. God is listening to the thoughts and intents ofthe heart of every person alive. When David penned the verse above he knew that God who is in charge of all creation is paying close attension to his thoughts and desires as well. God is so amazing that He is able to sustain all of creation and yet listen to my every care.
How many times in the mist of work have we been angry, envious, or jealous of events or coworkers. Did our thoughts go to mercy or grace for that person? Did we remember what grace and mercy was extended to us. Are we endeavoring throught power of the Holy Spirit to not only to behave in an acceptable (well pleasing) manner to God, but also in our thought life.
I am so glad that God created a secret place that others can not interfere or invaded. It is a wonderful thing the brain and the ability to have a thought life. It is sort of like a blog that only the author goes to. One can express thoughts ideas and opinions without fear of offending others, or embarassing one's self. It is certain that because of this no one person can completely know another person. This can be comfort to one person and extreme lonliness to another.
But no one can escape this truth. God is listening to the thoughts and intents ofthe heart of every person alive. When David penned the verse above he knew that God who is in charge of all creation is paying close attension to his thoughts and desires as well. God is so amazing that He is able to sustain all of creation and yet listen to my every care.
How many times in the mist of work have we been angry, envious, or jealous of events or coworkers. Did our thoughts go to mercy or grace for that person? Did we remember what grace and mercy was extended to us. Are we endeavoring throught power of the Holy Spirit to not only to behave in an acceptable (well pleasing) manner to God, but also in our thought life.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
No Penalty At Any Cost?
Psalm 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
King David knew what being broken was like. Whether being on the run from a jealous violent King Saul, or a spoiled out of control son. He knew how to live in the wilderness of Israel cold and wet. In these and other situations it is clear that God is working in David's life. The difference though was in earlier occasions God put David into peril for the sake of being better servant. The later events were God chastening David for acts of disobedience.
In the case of Psalm 51 God is chastening David. David of all people guilty of adultry, murder and coverup. David in some sense was fortunate that God did not strike him dead when Nathan the prophet confronted him about the sin. The people would have been justified in overthrowing this murderous king. But God in His Sovereign Wisdom chose this route instead. Yet David still is heart broken. Most men would be happy that they got off the hook with just a preacher yelling at them. But not David. Why the guilt trip? Was he manic depressant? Did he have low self-esteem? What was the big deal?
To David, his relationship with God was more important than just getting off the hook with an unwanted penalty. David wanted more than anything else being right with God. How about you? Do you care more about being free for penalty or chastisement from human authority than being right with God?
King David knew what being broken was like. Whether being on the run from a jealous violent King Saul, or a spoiled out of control son. He knew how to live in the wilderness of Israel cold and wet. In these and other situations it is clear that God is working in David's life. The difference though was in earlier occasions God put David into peril for the sake of being better servant. The later events were God chastening David for acts of disobedience.
In the case of Psalm 51 God is chastening David. David of all people guilty of adultry, murder and coverup. David in some sense was fortunate that God did not strike him dead when Nathan the prophet confronted him about the sin. The people would have been justified in overthrowing this murderous king. But God in His Sovereign Wisdom chose this route instead. Yet David still is heart broken. Most men would be happy that they got off the hook with just a preacher yelling at them. But not David. Why the guilt trip? Was he manic depressant? Did he have low self-esteem? What was the big deal?
To David, his relationship with God was more important than just getting off the hook with an unwanted penalty. David wanted more than anything else being right with God. How about you? Do you care more about being free for penalty or chastisement from human authority than being right with God?
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
It is Never Really Worth It
Genesis 39:8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
My grandfather once told me in a warning tone that many a man has given up wealth, power, and more importantly respect of others just for the "thrill" of having sex with a woman. It is incredible to think that such a physical act can have such sway and power over what would appear to be the strongest of men. I do not believe I have ever heard of anyone making such a decision as this and later saying the consequences were all worth it.
Much has been written about Joseph of the Old Testament, but the incident with Potipher's wife is the one event that should stand out more than all the rest. A young man with power, good looks, and God's blessing. What more could a man ask for even above his freedom. Yet he was at a point if choice in his life. I guess from the short sighted view he did not seem to win with either choice. But even though he ended up in jail anyway, he still was able to stand before God innocent. God blessed him from the jailhouse to the palace. And even if he did not end up the number 2 man in Egypt he still pleased God with his decision.
In our lives we will face decision with bad consequences but God has entrusted us with so much. We could just in a moment of pleasure seeking loss it all. Or we could please God and let Him direct us. How can we commit such evil when He has given us so much to be steward over?
My grandfather once told me in a warning tone that many a man has given up wealth, power, and more importantly respect of others just for the "thrill" of having sex with a woman. It is incredible to think that such a physical act can have such sway and power over what would appear to be the strongest of men. I do not believe I have ever heard of anyone making such a decision as this and later saying the consequences were all worth it.
Much has been written about Joseph of the Old Testament, but the incident with Potipher's wife is the one event that should stand out more than all the rest. A young man with power, good looks, and God's blessing. What more could a man ask for even above his freedom. Yet he was at a point if choice in his life. I guess from the short sighted view he did not seem to win with either choice. But even though he ended up in jail anyway, he still was able to stand before God innocent. God blessed him from the jailhouse to the palace. And even if he did not end up the number 2 man in Egypt he still pleased God with his decision.
In our lives we will face decision with bad consequences but God has entrusted us with so much. We could just in a moment of pleasure seeking loss it all. Or we could please God and let Him direct us. How can we commit such evil when He has given us so much to be steward over?
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Never Too Old
Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
The world lost a precious saint yesterday. This man has been a clown, a business owner, a veteran, a husband, and father. He only just within the last 3 years received Christ as his personal savior. At the young age of 68, he made the decision to change what most his age would be set in their ways about. He was in bad health for years before his conversion, but I dare say no one who knew him would have predicted this detour this late in life.
Before he was saved all would say he was a loveable guy. He loved life but, he would have told that he was empty in his purpose before Jesus. When he would have to be admitted for his failing health, there was always fear and maybe even some anger at the condition with which he had no control over.
After he got saved he became very involved with the church he attended. He quickly became part of the family, and knew no strangers. The members also were drawn to him. He and his pastor had a close relationship through prayer. He would tell you that he was enjoying the last two years of life more than any of the previous 68.
But soon his heart was catching up with him. The admissions into the hospital were more and more frequent. He would go into the hospital with congestive heart failure and would always come home feeling much better. Eventually though he had to be put on permanent oxygen. You could hear the clicking of his tank in the church services that he faithfully attended. His smile would never dim. His charm would never cease.
A couple of Sunday nights ago from this writting, after an unusually harsh stay at the hospital. He made an unexpected attendence. He was visibily weak. He got up to give a word of testamony as his custom was. This time however everybody in the congregation (including himself) knew this was probably the last time he would do this. He expressed his disapointment at not being able to bounce back from this one as he did in the past. But, he never, never doubted the love of his Savior.
He died on Monday April 3 at 3am. We will miss him. But two exciting thoughts just bubble to the top: 1) God can transform anyones life at any age into something beautiful and memorable; 2) The memorable moments and people may end here on earth, but through Jesus the Christ both will last for eternity.
By the way, this man was saved through a co-worker of his wife's.
The world lost a precious saint yesterday. This man has been a clown, a business owner, a veteran, a husband, and father. He only just within the last 3 years received Christ as his personal savior. At the young age of 68, he made the decision to change what most his age would be set in their ways about. He was in bad health for years before his conversion, but I dare say no one who knew him would have predicted this detour this late in life.
Before he was saved all would say he was a loveable guy. He loved life but, he would have told that he was empty in his purpose before Jesus. When he would have to be admitted for his failing health, there was always fear and maybe even some anger at the condition with which he had no control over.
After he got saved he became very involved with the church he attended. He quickly became part of the family, and knew no strangers. The members also were drawn to him. He and his pastor had a close relationship through prayer. He would tell you that he was enjoying the last two years of life more than any of the previous 68.
But soon his heart was catching up with him. The admissions into the hospital were more and more frequent. He would go into the hospital with congestive heart failure and would always come home feeling much better. Eventually though he had to be put on permanent oxygen. You could hear the clicking of his tank in the church services that he faithfully attended. His smile would never dim. His charm would never cease.
A couple of Sunday nights ago from this writting, after an unusually harsh stay at the hospital. He made an unexpected attendence. He was visibily weak. He got up to give a word of testamony as his custom was. This time however everybody in the congregation (including himself) knew this was probably the last time he would do this. He expressed his disapointment at not being able to bounce back from this one as he did in the past. But, he never, never doubted the love of his Savior.
He died on Monday April 3 at 3am. We will miss him. But two exciting thoughts just bubble to the top: 1) God can transform anyones life at any age into something beautiful and memorable; 2) The memorable moments and people may end here on earth, but through Jesus the Christ both will last for eternity.
By the way, this man was saved through a co-worker of his wife's.
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