Thought for Wednesday, June 26th

June 26, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

No More Drama

 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John  16:33

“A lion doesn’t loose sleep over the opinions of sheep.”

-          Anonymous

Or in other words:

“A real man/woman avoids drama.  He/she knows that time is precious and it’s not worth wasting it on unimportant things.

-          Anonymous

Drama seems to happen almost everywhere you go.  There appears to be no shortage of prince or princesses: or king or queens of drama to enact upon the stages of life the extremes of their emotional frenzies for the entertainment of any observer who is unfortunate enough to become a captive audience.  And, how easy is it for many of us who have a smidgeon of a proclivity towards the royal ideals to become ensnared in the traffic of their stage and occasionally even to offer a valiant attempt to upstage them?

Alas, this should not be so!   Especially not for us as Christians! 

The only drama that we should allow to have a place in our lives is that enactment of a story or message upon a platform or stage for the purpose of conveying a story or message to an actual audience for their edification and or enjoyment.

The Bible is resplendent with persons of a dramatic nature: and I can only imagine that there was a degree of drama amongst the twelve disciples: Peter being one of the chiefest drama kings.

But, we need to remember that God is not the author of confusion: but rather He is the Master of peace.

There is nothing wrong with good old fashioned Holy Ghost inspired enthusiasm for the things of God: but enthusiasm and drama are two completely different things.   Enthusiasm for Godly things will draw attention to God: while histrionic dramatics, of the nature we are referring to, will draw attention away from God.

So let’s stop the drama and get down to the business of asking God for some genuine, Heaven sent, Holy Ghost enthusiasm.

 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

-          1 Corinthians 1:3-5

Prayer:

Father, help me be a lot less dramatic about the things that are happening in my life and a lot more enthusiastic about what You are doing in me and in others around me.

Thought for Saturday, June 29th

June 29, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The End of the Beginning

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

John  14:12

“Measure not the work – Until the days out and the labor done.”

-          Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Have you ever stopped to consider the preponderance of all the things that Jesus did in just the three and a half short years of His ministry?  This does not include his ability to confound the priests in the temple when He was still a pre-teen.

Jesus taught with authority: He turned water into wine: He healed the lame, the sick the deaf and the blind:  He brought dead people back to life: He cast demons out of naked crazy people and brought them to a place of peace, calm and soundness of mind:  He ministered hope to the despondent and brought help to the needy:  He fed multitudes with nothing but morsels: He enlightened the world by revealing the Father to them and so much more.  He was nothing short of amazing, miraculous and awe-inspiring.

Add to this that He suffered rejection, false accusations, physical torture and death for no other cause than that He loved us and desired to do the will of His Father.  And then as if that were not enough He arose from death three days later, just as He had promised He would do.

He never lied, never sinned and never fell short of all that God expected of Him. 

And yet, He told His disciples and thus tells us that we can do even greater things than He did if we believe.   So do you ever wonder why we are so limited in our effectiveness of service and why we fall so short of doing more than amazing things, in His name for our Father’s kingdom?

The potential is there.  The possibilities are endless.  Yet something is amiss for we are, for the most part, not doing anywhere near what He did.

Do we really believe?  Is our faith that limited?

What needs to change in us so that we can see the fulfillment of this promise realized and actualized in and through our lives? 

Prayer:

Father, I know I am not all that I can be, and not even close to all that I want to be: which must make me really far away from all that you desire me to be.  Help me believe more, so that all that you are can become all that I am.

Thought for Saturday, June 15th

June15,2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Help – Don’t Hurt

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew  7:12

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.  And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”

-          Dalai Lama

How many times do we really treat other people in a way that we would like to be treated ourselves?

How often are we dismissive, inattentive; or on occasion even rude?  How many times are we short tempered or do we take out our frustration on the wrong person?

Jesus taught His disciples, and hence us: that we should love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul and that we should love each other as well.

When we look at the attributes of love in Corinthians, chapter thirteen: I wonder how successful are we at successfully loving each other?

Yet, we want people to love us, respect us, treat us fairly, kindly and we most certainly don’t want people to blame us for things that are not our fault: hold grudges against us when we apologize when things are our fault: and we most certainly don’t want to be misjudged and judged unfairly – yet how often do we do these things to others.

Sadly it has been my experience that some of the most hurtful people and one of the most hurtful places can be found within the walls of the local church.  As Christians often I think we demand and expect more from each other while at the same time we give less and less to each other.

We talk avidly about a passion for lost souls, while we treat our brothers and sisters with disdain and disrespect.

Shouldn’t we be the examples for the world: so that when they see us in our halls of worship or outside in the community at large that we are demonstrating that love for each other.

For though we may be kind to the sinner: if we treat the saint badly: the sinner may see this and think – they will be nicer to me if I don’t become one of them.

Sometimes it can be a challenge to treat others well, kindly and compassionately: but maybe if we could step back and think of how we would want to be treated in a similar situation, it might help fashion our behaviors and if that doesn’t work: ask yourself if you would treat Jesus that way.  For just as when you do something good for someone – it is the same as doing good to Him – the same truth holds true in reverse.  If you are hurtful or mean or judgmental to someone – you are in essence treating Him the same way.

Prayer:

Father, I know I am not always easy for you to love – but you love me anyway: help me to be equally as caring and compassionate for those around me.

Thought for Friday, June 14th

June14, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Avoiding Boredom

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Phillippians  4:11-13

“I am never bored anywhere: To be bored is an insult to oneself.”

-          Jules Renard

Do you ever find it intriguing or at least somewhat interesting that in a world where there are so many technological advances: so many electronic options and so much varying forms of entertainment and interactive engagement available: that we often find ourselves bored?

If you have ever spent much time around children aged seven or eight to eighteen you might find yourself a wealthy person if you had a dollar for every time they complained of boredom.

Though, adults aren’t much different: we are just usually not as vocal about it.

How many times have you found yourself bored by the television, though you keep on watching it; while you simultaneously play a game on a tablet, while texting or talking on your phone.  None of your activities capture your full an undivided attention because none of them of themselves, would keep you from being bored out of your mind?

Sadly, often the same is true of our spiritual pursuits as well.  If the program at church isn’t fast passed enough; captivating enough or entertaining enough, we loose interest and our mind begins to wonder.   How many times have we thought that church or bible study was boring?   How many times has one of our complaints for not reading the Bible more consistently been that it was too boring and it didn’t captivate our attention?

Do you ever wonder if our lack of interest and attention to the things of God might not be a testament to the idea that we find God boring?

Yet when you look at the universe, the world and even the complexity of your own anatomy: how can we ever perceive God as anything less than amazing and captivatingly interesting and intriguing?

Just the idea that His ways are so far beyond our ways and our attempts to comprehend and understand Him fall so short of the depth of His reality: we should stay engaged for years just imagining the possibilities that are God and possible with God: yet sadly we don’t.

We seem to have become a people who think we are so advanced that we often are bored even by amazing things that transcend us, because we think anything we don’t comprehend and understand is beneath us and not worthy of our time and anything mastered to easily by us is to be conquered and left behind.

We can neither comprehend nor conquer all that God is: but if we will allow ourselves we can be totally captivated by Him and boredom will never again cross our minds. 

Prayer:

Father, always remind me if ever I begin to think I am bored: that in you there is always another amazing revelation and experience to be had.

Thought for Thursday, June 6th

June 6, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Don’t Stop Doing The Little Things

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Matthew  25:40-45

“Never get tired of doing little things for others, sometimes these little things, occupy the biggest part of their hearts.”

-          Anonymous

Doing the big things occasionally is generally easier than doing the little things consistently:  that is probably why more of us would rather expend extra effort on occasion: rather than consistently expend, what might be less energy: but what generally requires more commitment in the long term to be constantly about doing the little things that often make the biggest differences in peoples lives.

And don’t the big things get more attention and create more of an awareness of our spirituality to others: though not necessarily to God.

Yes: often the big projects do need attention and they do require laborers: but I like to think that the little things that God expects from us; should not be so much as effort driven: but should rather be more a by-product of a way of life as a Christian.

Lending a helping hand, when we see a brother or sister in need: listening when a soul is burdened or hurting: giving a bite to eat or a cup of water to someone who is hungry or thirsty: reaching outside of ourselves to invest some time, love and compassion into the lives of those around us – these are among the little things that we should be doing everyday, not because we have to think about them; but simply become we are loved and we should be loving others.

There is so much hurt and pain in the world:  shouldn’t we who are so loved by God be a part of the solution, rather than a party to adding to the problem?

Isn’t it those little things that should just be a part of our reasonable service to Him and aren’t these things a way of our being able to express our love back to Him? 

So don’t feel weary in your well doing: just keep doing those little things: because often they are the greatest expressions of your love to not just others, but also to God.

Prayer:

Father, keep me busy doing little things by providing the opportunities for me to show my love to you by showing love to others.

Thought for Wednesday, June 5th

June 5, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The Real Reason For Learning More About God

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy  2:15

“The basic purpose of education is to achieve maturity.  Not just physical maturity, but intellectual maturity, emotional maturity and above all moral and spiritual maturity.  Without maturity there can be no wisdom, no insight, no judgment, no compassion; nor can there be any real understanding of oneself, or other human beings or of the great questions of our time.”

-          From a 1980’s Add excerpt from The Tiffany Company

Ultimately the most significant and important reason we need to study and learn more about God; who He is and what He desires for us: is to that we can grow in our relationship with Him, maturing in every way and thus becoming better equipped to do the work He desires for us to do.

I can not walk into a kitchen and prepare a sumptuous meal, from scratch, unless I have first learned something about the process of cooking.

I could never hope to repair a car engine: unless I first came to grips with a knowledge and understanding of the mechanics, functions and construction of the engine itself; and even then without simulated practice and guidance I would probably still not want to depend on my mechanical abilities.

Yet often we want to act like or serve like mature, well versed, wisdom filled saints of God without a basic understanding, comprehension or sometimes even awareness of what His word says and who He actually is.

We often want the benefits of a dedicated, committed life of Bible study and prayer without having to expend the energy or invest the time it takes to acquire them.  We want to become spiritually mature without having to face the giants and experience the trials and testing’s that come with the journey to reaching spiritual maturation and growth.

Education is not limited to a classroom; nor is it only relegated to the subjects of reading, writing and arithmetic: learning is a process of the experiences that comprise life and in order for us to have the optimum knowledge, wisdom and maturity that we need to attain to spiritually to become all that we can be for God; we must be willing to heed and follow the instructions Paul gave to Timothy and we must study to show ourselves approved.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be a well rounded student of life, both spiritual and physical so that I can have the best possible education both naturally and spiritually.

Thought for Thursday, June 13th

June 13, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The Choosing

 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1 Peter  2:9

“The highest calling of all – to know God and then, in union with the Holy Spirit, to reveal God!”

-          Larry Trammell

No one likes to be the last person chosen for a team or a task.

There is probably not one of us; who if we are being frank and honest, would say that we like finding out that we were not the first, or even second choice for a position or promotion.

The good news, when it comes to God choosing us is that we are never last.  In fact He chose us before the foundations of the world and He desired a relationship with us before we were ever conceived or born into this world.

With God there are no second places: no less favored children: no last one’s chosen for His team, His family, or His tasks.

God is not a respecter of persons: but He cherishes us all and has chosen each one of us to be a part of His family; on His team: and active in service for His kingdom.  To God we are all important, needed, necessary and purposeful.

The real issue in this dynamic is do we choose Him first?  Is He as important to us as we are to Him?  Do we choose Him and the things of His kingdom in last place in terms of the priorities in our life?

God desires that all should accept His gift of salvation and become heirs and joint heirs in His family: He doesn’t want anyone to perish.

And God is willing to choose anyone willing to serve to minister for Him and be His representative in this lost and dying world.

We can never be last with God; but He isn’t always first with us: so if you don’t want to miss out or be left out: then God needs to be your first choice too.

Prayer:

Father, there are times when my priorities get misaligned and I don’t make You the first and most important choice of my day: forgive me when I do that: and help me to be more conscience about my choices.