Mid-Week Reflection

"When the righteous are in authority,

the people rejoice;

But when a wicked man rules,

the people groan."

Proverbs 29:2

Pesky Flies

I spent a good portion of my morning yesterday chasing flies. They seemed to come out of nowhere, and the moment I’d get rid of one, another seemed to take its place.

It’s a mystery how they entered the house. The back screen door was in place. The flies could have squeezed through a crack in the door, but the area looked too skinny for any to fit through. All I know is that they were a nuisance and they wasted a lot of my time and energy as I worked hard to get rid of them.

Sin can be pesky like flies. We try to shoo it away, even chase it out of our lives, but then all of a sudden we are confronted with it again and again. Unlike flies that we can capture and permanently get rid of, sin cannot be exterminated through our own labors. Only God can permanently remove the offenses that seem to inundate us. Only He can make us pest free.

But in order for Him to eliminate our sins, we must relinquish them to Him. We must be willing to admit our transgressions, ask for forgiveness, and then submit to His will so we can be remolded and reshaped into the person He has planned for us to be.

Are you letting pesky sins expend your time and energy? Ask the true Exterminator for help. He is the only eradicator you’ll ever need, guaranteed.

Signs

A few days ago someone stepped onto our property during the night and stole two signs we had that supported a particular proposition for the upcoming election. Our vandal wanted to remove our influence in the neighborhood; but it only spurred us to speak out more. We have another sign out again, with the foresight now to pull it in each night.

How interesting that the opposition feels they must resort to crime to silence us. Don’t they believe in our democratic process? Perhaps they are afraid they will lose and want to do whatever it takes to keep us quiet.

We must remember our vote is our voice. Through our political process here in America the average citizen can speak out to defend the rights and beliefs he/she holds dear. As Christians we have a duty and a responsibility to stand up for the principles we are to live by. It’s too bad that more Christians don’t share this view. I think our country would be in a far better state if we voted our values and stood for what was important to God.

Stealing signs may slow down a message, but it won’t squelch it. Stand up and speak out, while we are still free to do so.

The Right Standard

Let’s face it. No matter what we do, we aren’t going to please everyone. There will always be differing opinions and alternate points of view. Election time is a perfect example of this. The person you feel is the best qualified can be the worst choice for someone else.

The problem is we can’t all be right, especially in moralistic views of life. That is why there must be a standard to follow; something concrete that will not sway with an ever changing society. For all people, whether we like it or not, that standard is God’s Word. He will hold us accountable for the message within the Bible that declares that the only way to Heaven is through His Son, Jesus.

Some call this narrow minded. Yes, it is, but it is not human standards that declare it; it is God who says it. You want to argue about it, talk to Him. His Word states in Jeremiah 29:13, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” If you truly want to complain or grumble, take it to God and speak to Him openly and honestly. He will make Himself real to you.

But why, you may ask, do we need to follow God’s standards? Why can’t we do whatever we want? Because life was never meant to revolve around us; it was to revolve around God. He is Lord, He is King, and He is Holy. His standards show His great love for us because when we follow His ways, we benefit. He gives us hope, He gives us life, and He gives us eternity when we trust in Jesus.

We have choices in this world to choose whatever principles we feel is best for us. But only one standard, God’s standard, gives us true hope for tomorrow.

A Nudge for November

Do you plan to vote this November? Do you think it matters? Every vote counts, especially in a representative government like we have. WE have a say; and WE have a responsibility to speak for the future of our children. Will they have the freedoms we share now, or will it slowly be stripped away because people refused or neglected to vote when they had the chance?

Does one vote matter? Absolutely! There have been several examples in our nation’s history where one vote determined the outcome of federal elections. The winners owed their victory to one person who chose not to sit by the sidelines, but to participate in the civic process of choosing his representatives.

As a Christian our vote counts even more because we are responsible for speaking up for righteousness. When we choose leaders that will protect our family and freedoms, or when we vote on propositions that uphold life and liberty, we are taking a stand for Godly values and principles. If a Christian will not speak up and speak out for what is right and true, then who truly will?

Your vote can make a difference, but you have to get out and vote!

Simpler Living

With the uncertainty of our economy, family budgets are tighter than ever. The realization that you can’t spend as wild as you once did looms ever in the forefront of the mind. Certain desirable items are now moved into the luxury category. Eating out is not so common any more. That new outfit may have to wait another paycheck or two.

In many ways we have been spoiled here in the United States. Instant gratification has made us spenders instead of savers and eager beavers instead of cautious consumers. Often we buy beyond our means, confident that we will have the money later on to pay for it. But is this wise? Too many people live paycheck to paycheck. That credit card debt won’t get paid if we get laid off or lose our jobs because of lack of work.

Credit isn’t bad, but too many people fall victim to its enticements, creating an insurmountable debt because of a lack of self-control. We need to look at our needs, not our wants. The wants seem to get us into trouble.

We need to live simpler lives. I’m not saying to go back to the days when you sewed your own clothes and carded your own wool. I’m talking about realizing we can’t (and shouldn’t) have it all. We need to be content with what we have, and we need to pray about the things we need, asking God to allow those things into our lives that will be for our benefit.

I sometimes pray Proverbs 30:7-9, “Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches – Feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.”

Putting ourselves into God’s hands, especially with our finances, is the wisest thing we can do. He is the best Financial Advisor, Comforter, Provider, Investor, Counselor, and Friend you will ever find. Why don’t you try living His way for a change? You may be surprised at what He can do for you.

Mid-Week Reflection

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

And whose hope is the LORD.

For he shall be like a tree

planted by the waters,

Which spreads out its roots

by the river,

And will not fear when heat comes;

But its leaf will be green,

And will not be anxious in

the year of drought,

Nor will cease from yielding fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8