With the recent crisis in Wall Street, the panic of many investors has caused stocks to drop dramatically. The solution, according to one financial person interviewed on the radio, was to control the fear, since the system, given time, will make its own corrections.
But how were people to control their fears? Is that where the government’s so called bail-out was to come into play? Was the government the answer to fear?
I am not willing to place my mental security in the hands of a man-made institution. I would rather place myself in the hands of my loving, sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God. He can give me a peace that goes beyond any human understanding. He can bring calm to chaos, tranquility to turmoil, and comfort to confusion.
Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
Want peace in the midst of a crazy and mixed up world? Call out to God and place yourself in His tender loving care.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Having Hope
Is your world falling apart? Are the things you were clinging to for stability (stocks, bonds, real estate investments, savings) vanishing before your eyes? Have you wondered what’s going to happen to you and your family?
If you look at the economic circumstances of our day you can certainly see a dismal future. But there is something I can offer you. I can give you hope. That hope is Jesus Christ.
Jesus is God incarnate. He came down to earth, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the dead to allow us a way to get to Heaven. Since He is the creator of the universe, He can provide for us even when our minds are screaming, “Impossible!” He knows our needs, and if we will just trust Him, He will make Himself real and take care of the necessities of life.
The Bible is full of God’s provision for His people, especially in the midst of difficulties and impossible situations. Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-32, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” It also says in Psalm 33:18-19, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.”
God will provide. Being a Holy and Just God, He cannot deny His Word; therefore, He must and will do as He says. If you trust in Him, He will take care of you in His own way and His own timing. God loves you. He wants to bless you. Trust Him in the hard times and wait to see what amazing things He does.
If you look at the economic circumstances of our day you can certainly see a dismal future. But there is something I can offer you. I can give you hope. That hope is Jesus Christ.
Jesus is God incarnate. He came down to earth, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the dead to allow us a way to get to Heaven. Since He is the creator of the universe, He can provide for us even when our minds are screaming, “Impossible!” He knows our needs, and if we will just trust Him, He will make Himself real and take care of the necessities of life.
The Bible is full of God’s provision for His people, especially in the midst of difficulties and impossible situations. Jesus said in Matthew 6:31-32, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” It also says in Psalm 33:18-19, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.”
God will provide. Being a Holy and Just God, He cannot deny His Word; therefore, He must and will do as He says. If you trust in Him, He will take care of you in His own way and His own timing. God loves you. He wants to bless you. Trust Him in the hard times and wait to see what amazing things He does.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
If You Can Read This...
I expected the car sticker to say, “If you can read this, you are too close.” Instead it said, “If you can read this, you can thank a teacher.” What a great thought! Sometimes we forget to thank the very ones who have supplied us with the means to function in life. We take many things for granted, not remembering all the building blocks that have led to our development.
I think we can easily do that with God. We forget that He gave us the brain, the breath, and the ability to become someone special. We forget that He blesses constantly, through opportunity, through family and friends, and through His grace. But ultimately, we forget that through Jesus, He came down to earth to die on a cross in order to restore the broken relationship we had with God because of our sins.
If you can read this, don’t forget to thank the One who created you, Who loves you, and Who paid the ultimate price of His life to save you!
I think we can easily do that with God. We forget that He gave us the brain, the breath, and the ability to become someone special. We forget that He blesses constantly, through opportunity, through family and friends, and through His grace. But ultimately, we forget that through Jesus, He came down to earth to die on a cross in order to restore the broken relationship we had with God because of our sins.
If you can read this, don’t forget to thank the One who created you, Who loves you, and Who paid the ultimate price of His life to save you!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Fickle
Our weather has been very fickle lately. Here it’s supposed to be fall, and we had heat waves last week, rain and cold temps over the weekend, and we’re back to very hot weather again. I can’t stand the inconsistency.
It’s too bad we don’t often recognize our fickleness with God. Sometimes we are completely on fire for Him. Other times we become too busy to pray or serve the Lord with a full heart.
God doesn’t like this inconsistent behavior. In Revelation 3:15-16, the Lord rebuked the church of Laodicea because of their lukewarm attitude. They were neither hot nor cold.
The days are getting tougher; the values of the nations are waning. We have two choices during these tough times. We can be fickle with our faith, or we can be sold out for the Lord. There are no other true choices for the believer.
It’s too bad we don’t often recognize our fickleness with God. Sometimes we are completely on fire for Him. Other times we become too busy to pray or serve the Lord with a full heart.
God doesn’t like this inconsistent behavior. In Revelation 3:15-16, the Lord rebuked the church of Laodicea because of their lukewarm attitude. They were neither hot nor cold.
The days are getting tougher; the values of the nations are waning. We have two choices during these tough times. We can be fickle with our faith, or we can be sold out for the Lord. There are no other true choices for the believer.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Glimpses of Possibilites
Have you ever had glimpses of possibilities? These are what I call God’s little hints of His plans for you. When you are following His will for your life, and when your desire is to love, serve, and please Him, He gives us a tidbit or two to show us what lies ahead.
I get glimpses of possibilities for my writing career. Through the Scriptures He’s given me, I know He has wonderful things planned. He has called me to “Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does” (1 Chron. 16:24 NLT). He has already blessed me with a lot of publishing credits, including a book deal. And I’ve only been writing for about 6 years!
What glimpses has God given you? I hope you are thanking and praising Him and giving glory to His name!
I get glimpses of possibilities for my writing career. Through the Scriptures He’s given me, I know He has wonderful things planned. He has called me to “Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does” (1 Chron. 16:24 NLT). He has already blessed me with a lot of publishing credits, including a book deal. And I’ve only been writing for about 6 years!
What glimpses has God given you? I hope you are thanking and praising Him and giving glory to His name!
Friday, October 3, 2008
An Issue of Debate
When I was in high school I briefly joined the debate team. We had a big debate scheduled with several other schools, but torrential rains in the area where the event was to be held cancelled our participation. We ended up having a mock debate amongst our club members instead.
The presidential debates in this present day is a far cry from the debates of my youth. We discussed points in a polite, formatted way, sharing our arguments to get our view across to those in attendance. Now we see a flurry of accusations, the strewing of unverified information as fact, and a disrespectful attitude for the opponent.
It's sad that the mudslinging and the finger pointing have to take place. There seems to be less debate and more of a "Survivor's" mentality: out wit, out play, out last.
Satan constantly makes all sorts of accusations against us. He wants to have an "in your face" attitude to get the best of us. Thankfully, when Jesus is our Lord, we have an advocate who will not accept the testimony of Satan, no matter how factual it may be. Because of Jesus' death on the cross, our sins have been wiped clean, so those false accusations are tossed out, never to have any validity in our lives.
Are you being attacked with mudslinging and fingerpointing in your spiritual life? Cling to Jesus. He will only deal with the true facts: that you have been made clean by His sacrifice.
The presidential debates in this present day is a far cry from the debates of my youth. We discussed points in a polite, formatted way, sharing our arguments to get our view across to those in attendance. Now we see a flurry of accusations, the strewing of unverified information as fact, and a disrespectful attitude for the opponent.
It's sad that the mudslinging and the finger pointing have to take place. There seems to be less debate and more of a "Survivor's" mentality: out wit, out play, out last.
Satan constantly makes all sorts of accusations against us. He wants to have an "in your face" attitude to get the best of us. Thankfully, when Jesus is our Lord, we have an advocate who will not accept the testimony of Satan, no matter how factual it may be. Because of Jesus' death on the cross, our sins have been wiped clean, so those false accusations are tossed out, never to have any validity in our lives.
Are you being attacked with mudslinging and fingerpointing in your spiritual life? Cling to Jesus. He will only deal with the true facts: that you have been made clean by His sacrifice.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Rebirth
Nicodemus was an important religious leader in Israel in the days of Jesus. Because of his position, he must have been wise and knowledgeable of the Scriptures. But something was tugging at his heart. This man Jesus, who spoke with such authority, was unlike the other rabbis. His words touched one’s soul.
A man of Nicodemus’ standing, however, had to be careful. There were too many enemies around to been seen with Jesus by day; so Nicodemus came at night, probably to silence the nagging questions about this amazing Man.
Being God Jesus was well aware of who Nicodemus was. But God is not impressed by prestige or position. God looks at the heart. So it’s interesting that Jesus basically tells this very religious man, that his religion wasn’t good enough. Although Nicodemus was a prominent member of his faith, Jesus made it clear that he would not enter the kingdom of God unless he was born again. His physical birth was of no consequence. His knowledge of Scriptures and his good works performing his “church” duties were inadequate. Nicodemus had to have a spiritual rebirth in order to receive eternal life.
How many of you were raised going to a church since birth? Perhaps you know all the books of the Bible and can discuss Jesus’ parables with no problem. You may be very religious, saying your prayers and observing special regimens as required in your place of worship. These actions, though, don’t save you. Accepting Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior is what saves you. That’s what it means to be born again.
If this rebirth was not important, Jesus would not have put it into His Word. He would have made the works of man an acceptable payment for the forgiveness of sins. But if Jesus is LORD, then you must believe what He says to be true. Why are you resisting what is so clear in Scripture?
If you’ve never asked Jesus into your heart, you need to do so if you wish to enter God’s kingdom. The Bible is God’s authoritative word. Be obedient to what it says.
A man of Nicodemus’ standing, however, had to be careful. There were too many enemies around to been seen with Jesus by day; so Nicodemus came at night, probably to silence the nagging questions about this amazing Man.
Being God Jesus was well aware of who Nicodemus was. But God is not impressed by prestige or position. God looks at the heart. So it’s interesting that Jesus basically tells this very religious man, that his religion wasn’t good enough. Although Nicodemus was a prominent member of his faith, Jesus made it clear that he would not enter the kingdom of God unless he was born again. His physical birth was of no consequence. His knowledge of Scriptures and his good works performing his “church” duties were inadequate. Nicodemus had to have a spiritual rebirth in order to receive eternal life.
How many of you were raised going to a church since birth? Perhaps you know all the books of the Bible and can discuss Jesus’ parables with no problem. You may be very religious, saying your prayers and observing special regimens as required in your place of worship. These actions, though, don’t save you. Accepting Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior is what saves you. That’s what it means to be born again.
If this rebirth was not important, Jesus would not have put it into His Word. He would have made the works of man an acceptable payment for the forgiveness of sins. But if Jesus is LORD, then you must believe what He says to be true. Why are you resisting what is so clear in Scripture?
If you’ve never asked Jesus into your heart, you need to do so if you wish to enter God’s kingdom. The Bible is God’s authoritative word. Be obedient to what it says.
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