Looking Ahead!

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:10-14 NLT

"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it" (Winston Churchill).

On the surface, it would appear that there is a contradiction to what Paul is saying and what Churchill said (hundreds of years later)--but is there really? On the one hand Paul is telling us to forget the past--all the wrongs committed by us or against us before we knew Christ and look ahead--focused on Jesus. And on the other hand--Churchill reminds us to remember--all those things that led us into precarious situations and learn from them so we don't do them again.

If we really look at what is being said and the context in which it is said, there is no contradiction--but a concern--expressed to help us to keep moving forward.

Holding onto to past hurts and never forgiving others--keeps us in a holding pattern and for some--in a rut--stuck in the past and never able to move forward. We are reminded in God's Word to let go--of those things that burden us--and keep us from achieving what God has planned for us. I can say--without hesitation--that keeping things bottled inside because of something that happened in the past causes more damage--physically, emotionally and spiritually--than it ever helps.

So what if someone hurt your feelings? So what if they stole from you? So what if you didn't get the job you wanted? If we allow hurt feelings to get in our way or keep us from living a full life--the only person we're hurting is us. People--bad people--steal from others all the time, but things can be replaced, so we must keep moving forward and not allow that deter us from receiving God's best. And yes, many of us have been overlooked for positions we wanted and were qualified to do, but perhaps--just perhaps--those who overlooked us did us a favor by freeing us to receive what God has for us. 

But what we must remember--not holding grudges--is to think about what led us into the predicament with an open mind, so we can learn what not to do. If someone hurt our feelings--how did we get to that place? Was it because of our misplaced trust--low self-esteem or simply being naive? If they stole from us--was it because of our negligence in securing what belonged to us? If we were overlooked for a position--was it because we trusted mere mortals more than God? Did we seek Him--and His wisdom in making all decisions? If we are not able to "study" what we've done in the past, we'll never learn from it and will--keep repeating the past--ensuring the same results. And this is what Churchill was talking about--in the broader sense of what leads to wars and loss of life.

What did we learn from history about racial equality? Did slavery--treating other human beings as sub-humans not teach us anything about the fact that none of us are superior to another? Did we not learn from the past that in any society, women should be treated with equality--same pay and respect shown to men? Did we not learn that words have power and we should watch what we say about and to others? Must we continue on a merry-go-around that is moving faster with each generation--trying to hold onto to myths about people--until we are flung off because of our pride? We cannot keep doing the same foolish things over and over expecting different results--which is the definition of insanity (Einstein).

It's time for us to get off the merry-go-round of life holding onto misguided beliefs about people that do nothing to unite us as human beings, but do everything to keep us from grasping and achieving what God wants for us. Let's learn--from past histories and yesterdays--how to treat each other with loving kindness so we can forego all the bitterness that is bound to occur when we refuse to learn from the past.Let's move on--looking forward to all the great things God has in store for us.

Find Wisdom--Find Happiness!

"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her." Proverbs 3:13-15 NKJV)

Many people are seeking a superficial happiness through--the things they amass--rather than in knowing that those things offer only a temporary appeasement, lasting only as long as they last or through people--who are so fickle they are always changing their minds. True happiness--that lasts--is in seeking and finding wisdom from God.

Wisdom, once obtained, can never be taken and God lets us know that when we gain understanding--knowing what to do with the wisdom He gives, we will discover that nothing compares to the wisdom He gives.

Solomon--the wisest man who ever lived--did not ask God for things--for riches, or gold, or silver, or lands--He asked God for wisdom and with the wisdom he obtained, he gained understanding in how to manage the riches that were given because he did not ask for them. God knows what we need!

Finding a job or a better paying job won't bring us true happiness, which is why people are always complaining about the jobs they have. No matter how much they make, it is never enough--there is always a plea for more.

Here's a plan--instead of asking or seeking God for more--tangible things--let's seek wisdom and knowledge in how to manage what we have and gain understanding from exercising wisdom so that we never have to ask for things.

I am convinced that some of us will never have all that God desires for us to have because we have not mastered being a good steward over that we already have. Help us, Lord! We want--to squander--which is why we don't have what we want. It is never too late to learn the lesson of sound financial management, planning, and saving. I'm a late bloomer--in understanding financial wisdom, but I'm willing to backtrack and learn to the extent that I can. Giving of our resources is a good thing, but saving is equally important. Even though my grandson is only 13 years-old, I'm teaching him now to save half of everything he gets from monetary gifts, chores, etc. It is never too early to learn and never too late--unless we are dead or have nothing to manage.

What we have to remember is that God can take a little--bless it--and multiply it beyond our expectations--when we exercise the wisdom, He freely gives. I'd rather have His wisdom poured out upon me than all the riches in the land because I can use the wisdom to obtain the riches!

Adversary or Advocate?

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8):

An adversary is a person or group or force that opposes and attacks another.The Adversary is Satan.

An advocate is someone who writes, speaks, supports or pleads or intercedes on behalf on others. Our Advocate is Jesus!

Now, to put this in perspective--any time someone opposes truth or deliberately creates problems for others, they become an adversary. This is true on a spiritual level as well as a natural one.

In a classroom--when students oppose or create the teacher or create problems for the entire classroom--they are adversaries to peace.

In a home--when children oppose parents or create problems they are adversaries to discipline.

In the churches--when opposition arises against the people--regardless of its origin--they become an adversary to order in the congregation.

In communities--when rowdy citizens create disturbances that keep others from enjoying peace and quiet where they live--they are adversaries to rights of others.

In nations--when leadership or the people--oppose policies that are for the greater good for all--they become adversaries to justice and sanity.

Those who fight for the rights of others on almost any front--except the promotion of sin--are the advocates who will find themselves aligned with the Will of God. Those who don't--are aligned with The Adversary's plans to destroy mankind.

Now is a good time to think which side you are aligned with--as an advocate or an adversary.

Are you adversary or advocate? You are the only one who can make that determination.

Lord, help us to be advocates for truth according to Your Word and not our opinions or emotions. Help us to advocate for the benefit of others who are overwhelmed with fighting their adversaries alone. Give us wisdom and courage to do all that is right in Your sight, keeping The Adversary in his placed, defeated and under our feet.

The Lord Helps!

"My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:2 NASB).

Many people look for help for a variety of situations from various venues. Some people--standing on the street corners look for help from those passing by them. Some people seek help from non-profit organizations. Some people seek help from government agencies. Some seek help from family and friends. And then there are those who know-our help comes from The Lord!

To make this clear, God uses people to help people, but ultimately, it is He who determines who will be used to help those in need. I make this distinction simply because there are some people who pray and do nothing else. And when nothing happens, they get mad at God. For instance, it is absolutely pointless to pray for a job and never apply for one. It is absolutely pointless to pray for a mate and never prepare to be one. It is absolutely ludicrous to pray for anything and not do something. Prayer without action, is a waste of time. We must do something before, and after prayer to see the prayers answered.

THIS DOES NOT NEGATE MIRACLES! I know of too many times when people prayed and God touched hearts to respond to the prayer. But He still used "people" to address the issues for which people prayed. 

"We don't have what we need because we don't always know how to ask for it." When we pray, we must believe that God will answer in order for us to receive that for which we prayed in accordance to His will. We cannot ask for foolish things and expect to receive anything from God. "Seek and we shall find. Ask and  that for which we ask, shall be given if we have the faith of a mustard seed to receive it"

Ultimately, all of our needs are met through Christ Jesus (by whatever venue or person He decides to use) and He gives us the desires of our heart when we please Him. All of our help-comes from The Lord--who loves us and will not withhold any good thing from us. Praise Him for His Goodness and be grateful for His Love and Mercy! Praise Him for speaking to the hearts of people who are in a position to be the answer we need. Praise Him just because of who He is--our Help in all things!

Father, in the name of Jesus, help us to understand that You are not a man--that You change Your mind about anything You have said. You have promised to meet every need and all of Your promises are Yes and Amen. You have said in Your Word that if we seek the Kingdom of God (come to You) all the things we have need of would be ours. Give us wisdom to understand You clearly and determination to obey You in all things.

And The Question is...Why?

When you have done everything you can to support a person,

Why do they betray your trust?

When you done everything you can to be considerate of other people,

Why do they not return the consideration?

Why is it that people can hold onto past hurts—hating what was done, and yet inflict upon others the same things they claim hurt them?

Why is it that we can condemn others for their lack of integrity and yet have no integrity ourselves?

Why do people feel the need to impress others?

Why is it that people are not is satisfied with who they are?

Why can’t people acknowledge their insecurities and shortcomings and seek help?

Why do people feel the need to draw attention to themselves, without thinking about the consequences?

Why are people so quick to make rash decisions without thinking beyond the moment?

Why is it so difficult to admit when one is wrong and seek forgiveness for the wrongdoing?

 
We probably have more questions than answers, but there are solutions to every problem in His Word.

Who's Really Against You?

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31 NIV)

In the previous verses, Paul expounds on how the Holy Spirit operates--interceding on behalf of God's people.  God has predestined the path of believers and when we move along that path, an arc of safety precedes us.  Even when it appears that we have lost our way, we discover that we need an experience to bring us even closer to God so He allows us to explore and discover--just how great He is. "And we know all things work together for our good."

So, who is it that is really against us?  Who interferes with our thought processes trying to get us to believe a lie? Who is it that tries to twist God's truth and cause some to believe it? Who is it that really wants us to fail so we won't have a reason to praise God?  Who is it that hates all that God loves?

Don't get angry with people--get mad at the enemy who influences people into doing what he wants them to do. There are people out there, who by their own confession, do not believe God, in God, or in His saving grace.  They deny the divinity of Jesus and ridicule the role of the Holy Spirit. It's not their fault.  The enemy has deceived them and others who have led them to feel this way. 

Get mad at the devil and make sure that when you wake up every morning, he trembles. Wake up praising God and looking forward to seeing Him operate in not only your life, but in the lives of others.  Help those you can when you see a need.  Pray without ceasing for people all over the world. Love like you've never loved people before in your life.  Tell people they are loved.  Show them they are loved.  Remind them of God's love. 

The devil will slink away from you when he knows that because of who you are and Whose you are, he doesn't stand a chance. God's got this!  Make sure you know who is against you and power up--with the Holy Spirit to keep the devil on the run! 

Everyday People!

"I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations" (Romans 6:19a NIV).

I cannot begin to explain how many times I have heard some people say, "the bible has no relevance for us today.  That was then, this is now." If they really understood, having a heart open to God, they would know that just as "everyday" was for that time, "everyday" is still the same for us today.

When Paul was writing to the Church in Rome, he was very concerned about how the people in the church were selectively choosing which rules to live by.  Some wanted to hold people to the letter of law, while he was trying to explain the difference between the spirit of the law and the wonders of grace--to everyday people.

In this passage of scripture (please read the entire chapter), he is specifically talking about people who commit sin, what grace has done, and why we should not continue to sin.  God's grace, His unmerited, we can't earn favor, does not mean we continue to commit sin or encourage others to do so.  Paul reminds the everyday people that once in our lives before knowing and understanding the work of the cross, we did commit sin, but now that we know better, we should not participate.  And he used, examples from everyday life (as it was did and is applicable now), to illustrate what he said.  The strong language--"once slaves to sin" still applies to many today.  Many everyday people are slaves to--drugs, porn, fornication, adultery, alcohol, stealing, lying, manipulating, favoritism, complacency ("I'd rather you were hot or cold instead of lukewarm"), etc., hence the use of everyday examples (relevant now), about everyday people.

I think it was Sly and The Family Stones who wrote the song, Everyday People, (if I have the wrong artist, feel free to correct me).  God does not expect us to live like people in ancient times, but He does expect us to adhere to righteousness, using everyday life examples.  He gave us His Word as a guideline because of our human limitations (unwillingness to hear The Spirit of the Lord) so we would be without excuse. 

O God, help us--everyday people, to live  every day in righteousness, to your glory.