His Ways

One thing we believe as Christians is God’s omniscience. We believe 100% that God knows everything. And so it follows that since God knows everything, then God, of course, knows what is best for each of us, right? Right. So then, here comes the million dollar question. Why do we not put this into practice? And at times when we need it most. How many times do we doubt God? He says He will never leave us, yet we sometimes feel alone and wonder where He is. He says to be bold and we sometimes shrink from responsibility or any extra effort. He says that with Him there is nothing we cannot do. Yet very often we hardly make any effort to stretch ourselves for Him and really do something with our lives. Why?

I’ll tell you and if you’re really honest, you will agree-Fear. Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of being rejected, fear of financial loss, even fear of the unknown and the list goes on. But, as Christians, if we have all these promises from God then why do we fear? The reason is that fear happens when we start to experience a lack of faith. When we begin to stray from God’s word, His ultimate love for us, fear starts knocking. And there is the enemy-always ready-working overtime. He’s just waiting to get a foot in the door! Always lying in wait like an animal about to pounce on it’s prey.

We cannot let this happen! The Bible talks about not giving the enemy a foothold because that is all he needs to start with. But intellectually this doesn’t’ make sense. Why would we (want to) give the enemy this foothold? Actually, we don’t do it as a conscience decision. It just seems to ‘happen’ doesn’t it? This world is so go, go, go and we are bombarded constantly by meaningless distractions. Our cell phone rings, junk mail, the TV, email, the list is endless and you know what they are for you personally too. The vast majority of these interruptions are not important and some even meaningless! (Do you get those emails too?!)

So what can we do? What can we consciously do to keep us focused on God’s love and His will for our lives? Really simple but effective: read the Bible. Read it everyday. Even if it’s for ten minutes; even if it’s only one chapter which is about two pages. And then take the scriptures that give you strength and faith and write them down where they will be easy to locate. Strive to memorize them so you don’t even need to look at them.
That’s all you need to do.

Here are a few of my favorite scriptures that I try to remember when I need them most. They are classified by how I sometimes feel:

When I feel:

Incompetent, Overwhelmed
“…be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner self,….” (Eph 3:16)

“Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matt 17:20)


Weak, Hopeless
“Everything is possible to one who has faith. “ (Mark 9:23)

“Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. (Eph 6:10)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:8)



Hard to persevere, Feel like giving up
“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)

“Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up…for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age;…and eternal life in the age to come.” (Mark 10:29-30)


Temptation
“Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.” (1 Cor 16:13)

“It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” (Luke 4:8)


Losing Hope
“Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.” (2 Cor 3:4)

“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)


Alone, Feeling vulnerable
“And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matt 28:20)

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, no present things nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)


Stuck in a rut
“Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.” (1 Cor 9:24)

“In the morning sow your seed, and at evening let not your hand be idle.” (Ecc 11:6)


Distracted, Self-absorbed
“Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil.” (Eph 4:26)

“…for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:13)


Lacking faith, Doubt
“…for we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor 5:7)

“Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me but not what I will but what you will.” (Mark 14:36)

“For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance. In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness;….” (Rom 8:24-26)


Anger, Unforgiveness, Feeling unfairly treated
“When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.” (Mark 11:25)

“Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a gentle spirit, looking to yourself, so that you also may not be tempted.” (Gal 6:1)


Now after reading those awesome quotes how do you feel? Do you have more faith or less? Do you feel tired or energized? Do you feel weak or strong? Friends, this is the Word of God. His message is always there for us to give us faith when we need it most, when we fear and begin to doubt his wisdom for our lives. Yes, God does know all. But we need to do our part to remember that.

Now imagine how your life would be if you held these quotes dear to your heart and mind. What kind of person would you be? How would you go through life? How would you carry yourself? How would you feel on the inside? What would you do with your life?

We need to be proactive with this. Most of what we see on a daily basis, the TV, radio, magazines don’t talk about God’s power and wisdom. We need to put it there in front of us everyday. This will guarantee our strength, our peace and give us that strong faith that we all need so we can be happy and even joy-filled in Christ.

God Bless You!
To Him be the Glory!

Making the Most of the Opportunity

The word opportunity is very often used in today’s culture. We speak of things like job opportunities with our co-workers. We ask about opportunities on things like the stock market to hear of a good tip with family and friends. We even express regret over a missed opportunity.

One wouldn’t naturally think of the word opportunity being used the the Bible. But it is used and used often. Webster’s defines the word opportunity as “1-A favorable juncture of circumstances or 2- A good chance for advancement or progress.” The second definition describes how the Bible uses it.

Just like we experience opportunity at work for example, we too, can experience opportunities in our spiritual life. How? It’s quite simple. At times in our life & even in the course a day, there are options that are presented to us. These options are choices. But really, these choices are opportunities. We make a choice and depending on what we choose, we are either progressing to, or regressing away, from God. When we choose the plan that is away from God we will experience a lost or missed opportunity. But when we choose the path that God wants us to take, clearly we make the most of that opportunity. As a result we will advance or progress to more of God’s blessings and abundance.

Remember the story in the Bible about the Talents? Three men were given talents or money to watch for the master while he was away. When the master returned he asked his three servants about the how they used the talents. The first and second man took the money and doubled it in the time the master was gone. But the third man did not. Why? He was afraid to lose his master’s money so he buried it. Trying to protect his master’s money is fine but he missed a big opportunity. He didn’t handle the money wisely and was chastised as a result. This story is a great illustration of what happens when we don’t make the most of the opportunity. God gives us situations to see what we’re going to do just as the master gave the money to the three servants. It’s up to us not to bury our opportunities. When something is buried it’s in a dark place. There’s no air & there’s lots of stuff piled on top of it. Let’s not do that to God’s opportunities. Let us embrace them & seize them!

But how do we find these opportunities?
Remember their just decisions in disguise. Here are just a few examples:

- Do I choose to be nice to this check-out person in the store or do I give him or her the same negative attitude back to them that they are giving me?
Opportunity
- Do I give up a few hours a month to do some volunteer or charity work or do I spend those hours with the remote control in my hand?
Opportunity
- Do I speak my mind to a family member to make a point or do I choose not to get into an argument to keep peace for my family?
Opportunity

These are all wonderful opportunities to advance and progress with the Lord! But as great as these opportunities are it is still not always going to be so easy to do. It is hard. It seems to almost go against our human nature sometimes and it is! But always remember we won’t be here forever. We are not of this world. More is expected of us.

The Bible says:

“Watch carefully how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity.” (Eph 5:15)

“So then, while we have we opportunity, let us do good to all….” (Gal 6:10?)

So don’t miss out. Webster’s definition is true. This is a chance for advancement or progress. So not only don’t miss the opportunity but seize it! You’ll be glad you did but most important God will be pleased!
God Bless You!
To Him Be the Glory!