I have always wondered why the human in me is so rebellious. Why do I continue to SAY and DO the things that I have already been well trained NOT to say, or NOT to do? And right behind that is another question. Why do I continue to NOT say and NOT do the things that I have already been well trained to DO and to SAY? Who can make sense out of that? THAT is a couple of really great questions, and the answer is simple, and it is clearly spelled out in Romans 7:7-25. It’s an interesting read. Take sometime today to treat yourself to a real eye-opener. The bottom line, basically, is that our fleshly desires war with the spirit within us. Unfortunately, it is human, but the really good news is that even if I can’t reach the point of truly understanding all that our dear Apostle Paul was trying to say…. God’s mercy for me is fresh and new every morning of my life. Read this and grow. Don’t discard the teach, but do not get discouraged either.
There are enough negative things in all our lives to make it desirable to WANT to leave our world behind. Rather, take a long look at all the beautiful things God HAS given you to build your joy on. Do that so as not to lean on your vein imagery of the way you THINK your life MIGHT look like if you were to obtain…well, let’s say, that perfect get away island??? Neat graphic though, isn’t it.
“My heart is on fire…” Cute, but what in the world does that mean? Well simply put it just means that whatever you are so sold out to, or love, is what you are on fire for. Here’s another statement I have heard that falls into the aftermath of that statement… “whatever makes you happy, man.” But there is a glitch in that second statement, and it is best brought to light by this other old statement. “There are ALWAYS two sides of any coin.” Let me use a campfire to illustrate. When you first prepare the logs for your fire, you place them in a predictable pattern. You set them up so that they burn correctly and will keep burning for a long time. Then you light the fire and experience that happy thought that comes from being able to get the job done. That initial burst of blaze produces a happy thought. “I did it!” But then, and as it should be, that initial blaze dies out as the really large logs catch and, your campfire has arrived. That’s when you realize that it will only go out now if you deliberately put it out Now if you are like me, you’ll want to throw that used paper plate into the fire and when you do, you once again experience that fun-filled happy blaze again. But it is that long lasting bed of hot coals created by the slow burning off of those large logs that really fills your need for enjoying your campfire. Our happinesses and our joys can be explained using the campfire analogy. Things that make us happy come from happenings. Things that occur very often, or even regularly, that make us happy to be there at that time. Those things are like that short lived initial blaze in our campfire. They will die out. Additionally, those happiness things are usually temporary. But our joy, is like those hot coals in your campfire. They provide not just happiness, but long-lasting warmth, trust, love, and friendships that won’t burn out quickly or at all. Joy comes from living with, and giving into solid, life enhancing relationships that endure the test of time. My heart is on fire for my Lord and Savior Jesus, God’s only Son, and His Word. And it is because of that, that I can totally enjoy the joy of life in all things. Oh, and yes, I love the things that make me happy also, but I don’t count on them…. nuff said
There was an old saying I heard many times, many years ago, and its meaning is as important to grasp now as it was back then. This encouragement is for anyone, but mostly for all of us who are doing our best to follow the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus, and especially His words found only in the Holy Bible Here’s that old saying… “Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ at all times, and if necessary…USE WORDS! You see…The way we are, the way we respond, and the things we do, say more in most cases about who we really are, than all the words we could use to convince anyone of anything. Be encouraged today to be glad, and content to simply be HIS. Be encouraged also to know that we all face this same scenario… every day. It’s a good idea to check our actions and responses to anything before we speak, and it’s also wise to remember that God gave us two ears, and only one mouth for a reason. But if it is appropriate to speak, then speak, but then step back and let Him be Him.
So many times, I have heard, “Where does the love of God go?” I like that question, because the answer is right in front of us. God’s love is certainly right in front of us. The problem always has been that we sometimes are simply too busy to recognize His involvement in our lives. Sometimes we just are not looking or listening. But He shows us His love every day in so many ways, and especially in His creation. Look around and acknowledge Him in the beauty He has created. Sometimes that beauty…is right in our own back yard!
“May the wind be always at your back, & your sails always full,” is an ambiguous statement, unless you are an avid sailor. But the meaning is not lost on us landlubbers. I was in the U.S. Navy long after wind power stopped being used to propel ships of any major size over the waves. Of course, the meaning in that verse has nothing to do with deep water, trying to get somewhere, or the hope that you get to your destination across the waters with comfort. It is simply a statement issuing optimism that all will go well with you. Not bad. Not at all. It is a cutesy way of wishing someone smooth sailing in life. But… There is a better way of expressing that sentiment. Proverbs 3: 5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all you heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Certainly, I wish for you to have smooth sailing, but I would rather cheer you on to trust in the Lord with all your heart, letting Him show you what vehicle you need to arrive wherever He would like you to go. Oh… and not leaning on your own imaginations is the key!
Life can be a puzzling adventure, or as Forest Gump would say, “Life is like a box of chocolates… You never know what you are going to get.” Between work or school and all the other activities you do not have time for, any definition of what peace really is, can be conjured up to pacify your way-too-full schedule, if in fact you can call it a schedule. No? That does not define your, ah peace mode of operation? Not true about you? Yeah, me too! “Peace I leave with you,” Jesus told his disciples, (recorded in John 14: 27 NKJV), “My peace I give you…” So, what’s the problem? Why is it that sometimes, in this puzzling world, we find ourselves totally unable to experience that peace Jesus is talking about? Well…we are missing only one piece to that peace puzzle. Now I suspect you may be asking… “So, do you have an answer?” Well, as a matter of fact I do, and thanks for asking. First go back and read vs, 25 – 28 of that chapter in John to get the full picture of exactly what Jesus was teaching. Then ask yourself…Do I honestly believe Him? If you do, then all that is necessary for you to experience that peace, He told you that He is leaving with you, is to make a dedicated effort every morning to give Him the time He wants you to give, and He will exchange that time you give Him for the peace you need to do your day. There is more to this story but trust in this process. The one additional advice here, is that when you sit down to do this… put all the world’s things out of your mind so that He is gifted with the whole you. Peace comes when you give up your right to be right.