We all get them: those What ifs that fill our thoughts when we have no idea what a particular situation will bring. We start thinking of all sorts of dialogues or resulting actions or consequences. The problem with What Ifs is that we worry...too much. What Ifs overwhelm our thoughts, causing our discernment to malfunction. Most importantly, they keep us from directing our cares and concerns to the One who can actually give us aid: the Lord God Almighty.
It's extremely difficult to get rid of these bothersome thoughts. We are prone to worry. But as we give our situations to the Lord, and constantly remember His wonderful promises to keep us and watch over us and provide for us, we notice that those pesky ponderings aren't consuming us as much. They are still there, but they are often more like wisps of thought instead of loud and boisterous roars.
Being bothered by some persistent What Ifs? Pray to the Lord. Tell Him about your problem(s). Dive into His Word and draw comfort. As you do these things, you will find that "...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tickled Ears
Do you go to church to get your ears tickled? There are lots of people who attend Sunday services for two reasons: because it's a habit and because they want to get their ears tickled. They don't go to improve their character. They go to hear a cutesy feel-good message. Or, if the message makes them slightly uncomfortable, they don't put the admonitions to practice or they find another church.
But should we be going to church to be entertained? No. And for those who like their ears tickled, can you honestly say you have a personal relationship with God? Is He your Lord and Savior? If He is not, then perhaps you need to re-evaluate your reason for going to church. Don't be a hypocrite if you aren't truly there to learn about Him. Just stay home.
That may sound harsh, but the reasons to go to church are to fellowship with other believers and to study God's Word. We are to hear and learn about the full counsel of God. We are to see how much He loves us, but we are also supposed to see how our sins separate us from having true fellowship with Him. We are to surrender our lives to our God and Savior so that He can work in and through us.
Tickled ears are fine once in awhile, but we don't grow that way. Try to find a church that will teach you who God really is, so that you may fulfill His purposes in your life.
But should we be going to church to be entertained? No. And for those who like their ears tickled, can you honestly say you have a personal relationship with God? Is He your Lord and Savior? If He is not, then perhaps you need to re-evaluate your reason for going to church. Don't be a hypocrite if you aren't truly there to learn about Him. Just stay home.
That may sound harsh, but the reasons to go to church are to fellowship with other believers and to study God's Word. We are to hear and learn about the full counsel of God. We are to see how much He loves us, but we are also supposed to see how our sins separate us from having true fellowship with Him. We are to surrender our lives to our God and Savior so that He can work in and through us.
Tickled ears are fine once in awhile, but we don't grow that way. Try to find a church that will teach you who God really is, so that you may fulfill His purposes in your life.
Friday, October 23, 2009
The Great I Am
What is it that you need? I mean really need? Do you need a sympathetic ear? Do you need someone to give you comfort and strength? Do you need someone to love you unconditionally? Do you need someone who sees potential in you despite your failures? Then you need the Great I Am. Fill in the blank and He can deliver...what you need.
Of course, I'm talking about God Himself. He can meet all your needs. He hears you. He can give you peace. He pours out His love for you in ways beyond human understanding. He can take away your fears. He looks at you and sees the hope of something yet to be. And, most importantly, He forgives you and grants you mercy.
The Bible is full of the evidence of who He is. We can learn more about His character if we read it. You will see how much He desires to love you. You will see how He can supply all your needs.
Call out to the Great I Am. Ask Him to enter your life. He can provide far beyond what you can imagine.
Of course, I'm talking about God Himself. He can meet all your needs. He hears you. He can give you peace. He pours out His love for you in ways beyond human understanding. He can take away your fears. He looks at you and sees the hope of something yet to be. And, most importantly, He forgives you and grants you mercy.
The Bible is full of the evidence of who He is. We can learn more about His character if we read it. You will see how much He desires to love you. You will see how He can supply all your needs.
Call out to the Great I Am. Ask Him to enter your life. He can provide far beyond what you can imagine.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Delete
The delete button can be a blessing or a curse. It can be good to rid your computer of some unwanted text or files. It can be bad when you hit the button accidentally, erasing something that took you hours to write.
Don't you wish that we had a delete button for the mistakes we've made in our lives? It would be nice if everyone could just forget that little incident that caused us embarrassment or that silly prank that turned into a fiasco.
Thankfully, God has a delete button when it comes to our sins. If we repent, the Bible says the Lord is faithful and just to forgive us. It also says that He will remember our sins no more. That means He won't count against us the sins of the past. Of course, we do have to take responsibility for our deeds and pay the consequences that resulted from our actions. But at least those past faux pas won't keep us from entering heaven.
Do you need God to delete your sins? Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior and He can get rid of those bad files in your life.
Don't you wish that we had a delete button for the mistakes we've made in our lives? It would be nice if everyone could just forget that little incident that caused us embarrassment or that silly prank that turned into a fiasco.
Thankfully, God has a delete button when it comes to our sins. If we repent, the Bible says the Lord is faithful and just to forgive us. It also says that He will remember our sins no more. That means He won't count against us the sins of the past. Of course, we do have to take responsibility for our deeds and pay the consequences that resulted from our actions. But at least those past faux pas won't keep us from entering heaven.
Do you need God to delete your sins? Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior and He can get rid of those bad files in your life.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Crazy Weather
We've been having some crazy weather lately. First we had some rain with a high of 65 degrees. Then, two day later, we had temps reaching 98 degrees. I know Southern California weather can be unpredictable, but this is far beyond the norm. You would think I'd get used to this by now, having lived here all my life. But just like this week, I get my share of surprises.
The trouble with crazy weather is that our bodies don't have a chance to adapt to the extremes. This leaves us susceptible to sore throats and colds. I've been fighting a sore throat for weeks, particularly in the evenings and mornings.
Unpredictable weather reminds me of the unpredictability of life. We never know what the next day will bring. Some days we'll get typical days with little or no problems. Another day may bring a series of trials. We can get our share of extreme conditions that can lead us feeling weary and hopeless.
But thankfully we have a God who has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). He will be our shield (Psalm 22:20), and a very present help in our troubles (Psalm 46:1). Romans 8:31 reminds us, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" With all this backup, we should have no problem facing difficult days because we have the support and hope of our God.
Is crazy weather or a crazy life getting you down? Ask God to be your protector and comforter amidst your trials.
The trouble with crazy weather is that our bodies don't have a chance to adapt to the extremes. This leaves us susceptible to sore throats and colds. I've been fighting a sore throat for weeks, particularly in the evenings and mornings.
Unpredictable weather reminds me of the unpredictability of life. We never know what the next day will bring. Some days we'll get typical days with little or no problems. Another day may bring a series of trials. We can get our share of extreme conditions that can lead us feeling weary and hopeless.
But thankfully we have a God who has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). He will be our shield (Psalm 22:20), and a very present help in our troubles (Psalm 46:1). Romans 8:31 reminds us, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" With all this backup, we should have no problem facing difficult days because we have the support and hope of our God.
Is crazy weather or a crazy life getting you down? Ask God to be your protector and comforter amidst your trials.
Friday, October 16, 2009
As Time Flies
Have you noticed how fast these days are flying by? I mean, wasn't it just Saturday yesterday? Of course, I wonder how much of this has to do with how busy we are. We take on way too many projects or are involved in far too many things, so we have very little rest.
The Bible states that there will come a time when the days will be shorter in order to deal with the trials ahead (see Matthew 24:22). Could this be that time? Perhaps, but even if its not, those days are getting closer. And that means Jesus' return is imminent.
So because these hours are just zooming by, how are you handling your time? Are you in step with your deadlines and obligations, or are you scrambling because you're wasting what little time you have? Maybe in order to stay ahead of the game you need to re-evaluate your schedule and see if there is something you can either delete or postpone temporarily. Then again, maybe you need to work on prioritizing your life.
As the days fly by let's ask the Lord to help us make the best use of them. He gives us the hours; so if we give Him our time, then I'm more than certain He can help us manage it better.
The Bible states that there will come a time when the days will be shorter in order to deal with the trials ahead (see Matthew 24:22). Could this be that time? Perhaps, but even if its not, those days are getting closer. And that means Jesus' return is imminent.
So because these hours are just zooming by, how are you handling your time? Are you in step with your deadlines and obligations, or are you scrambling because you're wasting what little time you have? Maybe in order to stay ahead of the game you need to re-evaluate your schedule and see if there is something you can either delete or postpone temporarily. Then again, maybe you need to work on prioritizing your life.
As the days fly by let's ask the Lord to help us make the best use of them. He gives us the hours; so if we give Him our time, then I'm more than certain He can help us manage it better.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Chiseled
I find it amazing how a sculptor can take a block of marble and create a masterpiece with only his chisel, mallet, and lots of imagination. In the artist's trained eye he already sees the form and nuances of his creation before he even picks up his tools.
We are like that marble block when we become believers. To the untrained eye we are just a plain piece of stone; but our Master Sculptor, the Lord Almighty, sees wonderful potentials that can only be revealed by force and sharp edges. Bit by bit He removes the outer layers of pride, selfishness, greed, laziness, and other ills. The procedure takes time and causes pain. Often tears are shed. But after much effort the hints of a marvelous work of art begin to appear.
We need to be chiseled by the Lord. His cuts and chips are exact, trimming off precisely what needs to be removed at the proper time. We won't see the full benefits in this lifetime, but the changes are often stunning since it is so different from where we began. Chiseling hurts, but as long as the Lord is doing the work, I know I will come out okay.
Is God trimming off your rough edges? Are His loving cuts causing a few tears in your life? Don't fret. The process won't last forever, but the results will be amazing.
We are like that marble block when we become believers. To the untrained eye we are just a plain piece of stone; but our Master Sculptor, the Lord Almighty, sees wonderful potentials that can only be revealed by force and sharp edges. Bit by bit He removes the outer layers of pride, selfishness, greed, laziness, and other ills. The procedure takes time and causes pain. Often tears are shed. But after much effort the hints of a marvelous work of art begin to appear.
We need to be chiseled by the Lord. His cuts and chips are exact, trimming off precisely what needs to be removed at the proper time. We won't see the full benefits in this lifetime, but the changes are often stunning since it is so different from where we began. Chiseling hurts, but as long as the Lord is doing the work, I know I will come out okay.
Is God trimming off your rough edges? Are His loving cuts causing a few tears in your life? Don't fret. The process won't last forever, but the results will be amazing.
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