Sometimes life makes no sense. This can happen when it seems that everyone is against us, when we've lost a job, or our health is in jeopardy, when we experience relationship problems, or maybe our friends abandoned us during difficult times. When these series of negative events happen, it seems like life makes no sense.
The Good News is that God doesn't abandon us!
"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." - Psalm 46:1 (NLT).
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. God doesn't back down from a challenge or crisis! He embraces hardship, suffering, obstacles and difficulties because He knows that He has the power, resources, ability and wisdom to overcome anything that confronts Him. This is why it is important for us to always be aligned with God, in both good times and bad times. We need to anchor our lives upon the One who can lead us into triumph and victory!
GOD WANTS YOU!!!
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Thursday, February 20, 2014
What is True Success?
Living in 21st Century America is a privilege in many ways because this country is so prosperous, wealthy, abundant, and filled with opportunities to become successful in life. But what is success? Who or what defines success, and how do you know if or when you have achieved success?
Some people define success by making a lot of money, driving the best cars, living in the best neighborhoods, being able to travel around the world at the drop of a hat, or sending your children to the best schools in the country. How do you define success? What are you sacrificing in your life in order to obtain what you think is successful?
The Holy Bible has its own criterion for defining success. After Moses died, God ordained Joshua to lead the Hebrews into the Promised Land of Canaan. Joshua was scared initially, but God encouraged him and spoke these words:
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:7-9
According to this passage, Joshua's success and prosperity would be measured by how well he incorporated God's commands into his everyday life. God instructed the Israelites how to live healthy lives, how to love Him, their neighbors, and even foreigners. The LORD instructed His people how to worship Him, how to take care of their new land, how to conduct themselves in marriage, and other close relationships. Adherence to these divine commands would mark true prosperity that would count into the ages.
In the New Testament, John writes a letter to his friend Gaius, and pens these words:
"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." ~ 3 John 2
This verse reveals the essence of true prosperity and success. Not only is good physical health important to enjoy a good life, but taking care of our souls (our spirituality) is even more important, because it is our relationship to and with God that will transcend time.
What are you working toward in your life? Are you wearing yourself out to obtain that which is destined to perish in a few short years, or are you investing in those things that will last beyond this world?
REMEMBER .... GOD WANTS YOU!!!!
Living in 21st Century America is a privilege in many ways because this country is so prosperous, wealthy, abundant, and filled with opportunities to become successful in life. But what is success? Who or what defines success, and how do you know if or when you have achieved success?
Some people define success by making a lot of money, driving the best cars, living in the best neighborhoods, being able to travel around the world at the drop of a hat, or sending your children to the best schools in the country. How do you define success? What are you sacrificing in your life in order to obtain what you think is successful?
The Holy Bible has its own criterion for defining success. After Moses died, God ordained Joshua to lead the Hebrews into the Promised Land of Canaan. Joshua was scared initially, but God encouraged him and spoke these words:
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:7-9
According to this passage, Joshua's success and prosperity would be measured by how well he incorporated God's commands into his everyday life. God instructed the Israelites how to live healthy lives, how to love Him, their neighbors, and even foreigners. The LORD instructed His people how to worship Him, how to take care of their new land, how to conduct themselves in marriage, and other close relationships. Adherence to these divine commands would mark true prosperity that would count into the ages.
In the New Testament, John writes a letter to his friend Gaius, and pens these words:
"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." ~ 3 John 2
This verse reveals the essence of true prosperity and success. Not only is good physical health important to enjoy a good life, but taking care of our souls (our spirituality) is even more important, because it is our relationship to and with God that will transcend time.
What are you working toward in your life? Are you wearing yourself out to obtain that which is destined to perish in a few short years, or are you investing in those things that will last beyond this world?
REMEMBER .... GOD WANTS YOU!!!!
Friday, September 13, 2013
Which Path Do I Take?
Early this morning I received a phone call, and was informed about some news that prompted me to get away for a little while. So I decided to go exercise at a local gym in my neighborhood in order to clear my head. After I worked out for some time, I took a walk around the neighborhood, and went into a wooded area. At some point in my journey through the wooded area, I faced a fork in the road, and realized that I could go either right or left. I took that time to stand in the middle of the pathway while calling out loud to my God. I thought, reflected about my life; where I have been, and where I would like to go. I felt confused, at a loss for words, but amazingly clear after considering some things.
When God closes a door, He opens another door. When opportunity is lost, another opportunity is gained. Things started making sense to me. Interestingly enough, it also made sense to me which pathway through the wooded area that I should take. I realized where I had parked my car, and so I decided to go left because that was the pathway that would lead me back to my car.
The question comes up frequently during a lifetime: "Which Path Do I Take?" In our lives, we are faced with countless decisions that we must make. The decisions we make can greatly affect us in either positive or negative ways. I am mindful of the great Biblical Proverb that says:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[a] your paths." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
God desires for each of us to ultimately choose a path that points us in His direction, so that we may draw closer to Him!
Remember ... GOD WANTS YOU!!
Friday, March 8, 2013
The Problem of Debt
For most of us in this country, not having enough money is not the real problem. The real problem is not handling or managing the money we do have effectively. What do I mean? Many Americans are overwhelmed by personal debt. A man earning $35,000 per year with no debts is far better off than a man earning seven figures who is over his head in debt. Facts are facts, folks! We are in a much better position financially when we don't owe anything to anyone! We can be more free to give generously to those who are really in need, we can save, we can invest wisely, and we can leave a financial legacy to our children.
The Bible speaks powerfully on these points. Consider these passages about debt:
"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender" - Proverbs 22:7
"Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you." - Proverbs 22:26-27
God wants us to be free from debt so that we can better testify of what it means to be a good steward (manager) of everything He has given to us.
Let us beseech and pray earnestly to the God of heaven to release us from the bondage to debt, so that we as a people can be liberated to live as our Creator has intended us to live.
For most of us in this country, not having enough money is not the real problem. The real problem is not handling or managing the money we do have effectively. What do I mean? Many Americans are overwhelmed by personal debt. A man earning $35,000 per year with no debts is far better off than a man earning seven figures who is over his head in debt. Facts are facts, folks! We are in a much better position financially when we don't owe anything to anyone! We can be more free to give generously to those who are really in need, we can save, we can invest wisely, and we can leave a financial legacy to our children.
The Bible speaks powerfully on these points. Consider these passages about debt:
"The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender" - Proverbs 22:7
"Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you." - Proverbs 22:26-27
God wants us to be free from debt so that we can better testify of what it means to be a good steward (manager) of everything He has given to us.
Let us beseech and pray earnestly to the God of heaven to release us from the bondage to debt, so that we as a people can be liberated to live as our Creator has intended us to live.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
What
Do You Say?
What
do you say to fellow Christians when it seems like everything else takes
precedence over God? How do you
challenge your brothers and sisters in Christ who are supposed to know better?
Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness … Matthew
6:33. The church is most certainly a part of the kingdom of God. It is the body of Christ, the hands, feet,
arms, & mouth of Jesus on earth.
Christians meet together for the express purposes of collective
worship/praise, communion of the Lord’s Supper, and to hear a word of exhortation
from those called/gifted in that area of ministry.
But
what happens when work, sports, prior engagements, family issues and other
things begin to compete and even supersede the importance of meeting with the
church during those designated times of the week?
Does
the Bible encourage the meeting together of Christians?
Acts 2:46 - Every day they continued to meet together
in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together
with glad and sincere hearts,
Acts 5:12 - The apostles performed many signs and
wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together
in Solomon’s Colonnade.
Hebrews 3:13 - But encourage one another daily,
as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s
deceitfulness.
Hebrews
10:24-25
- And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
love and good deeds, not
giving up meeting together, as some
are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you
see the Day approaching.
In
all of these passages, there seems to be a common theme of meeting together,
encouraging one another, breaking bread (meal/communion), and spurring each
other on to deeper love and commitment to Christ.
What
Do You Say? God has already spoken about this: Christians must make time with
God and His people a priority!
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