Murphy’s Law states, “What ever can go wrong, will go wrong.” Have you ever had a time in your life where Murphy’s Law was in full effect? Where everything seems to be going wrong? Maybe you’re going through that time right now. If so read on…
Sometimes it seems that we cannot do anything right. Every decision we make seems to be the wrong one. Every thing we say seems to be taken the wrong way or said at the wrong time. We start to question every choice we make and every thing we do—down to picking the right shoes to wear when we leave the house in the morning!
We may find ourselves in this rough patch in our lives suddenly, and without warning. “Just when everything was going so well!” Or, “Just when I was finally starting to get ahead, here this comes to knock me back down!” And the worst part about it is that it makes us feel so bad. Sometimes, the pressures of life weigh so heavily on us, they feel like they’re going to crush us.
Recently, while going through a rough patch of my own, a good friend of mine passed along a scripture to help me put things in perspective, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” What hope we find in those verses!
As Christians, we are not promised a life without disappointment and hard times. Unpleasant experiences are par for the course in living on earth. However, the difference between Christians and unbelievers is a simple matter of faith: When everything goes wrong, Christians are not left without hope. We can talk to God about our problems; we can read His Word for strength and encouragement; we are comforted by the Holy Spirit. And we bounce back!
The most important thing we can do is recognize that when everything is going wrong, there is only one thing to do—take our problems before the Lord. He hears our prayer and He is faithful to respond to us.
In the end, you win!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
The Choice Is Yours
You’ve no doubt heard someone in authority say at least once in your life, “You can do this one of two ways…my way—or the hard way.” You may have even said it yourself. No matter what we do in this life, it usually boils down to a simple choice.
In almost every aspect of our lives, there is usually some sort of authority over us. If we are employed, we have a boss/manager/employer. If we play a sport, there is a coach/referee/official that keeps us in line. Even when we volunteer our time, there is an organizer/chairperson/leader with certain requirements for the task at hand.
Of course, as Christians we know that there is an even greater authority we must answer to in life—God. He has given us a set of basic rules and principles to live by in life.* For those of us who accept His Son, Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are free from the penalty of sin (death). However, we are still responsible for living in a way that is pleasing to Him. If we don’t there are consequences.
Rest assured, God is not “out to get us” nor does He take pleasure in seeing us suffer. In fact, He has given us the opportunity to enjoy the fullness of life. The direction God gives us is not for His benefit, but ours. When we live in a way that is pleasing to Him, it only benefits us in the end.
For example, if we live a life that is sexually moral, we have a better opportunity of protecting ourselves from STDs or unwanted consequences. If we refuse to allow ourselves to be greedy for the wealth of the world, we stand a better chance of making wise financial decisions and living a life that is even more prosperous. If we focus our thoughts on God and allow Him to direct our daily walk, we are less likely to be consumed by things that bring us guilt and shame.
One of the tricks of the enemy is to suggest that God’s way is undesirable and that the wrong way is better. If you remember in Genesis 3, the serpent made the sin of eating from the forbidden tree look very appealing to Eve. Although she readily admitted that God directed her and Adam not to eat from it, she “saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye.” That wrong choice led to dismissal from a perfect environment and a spiritual separation from God.
In the end, the choice is pretty clear. We can live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God—or we can do it the hard way. Which way do you choose?
*Please read your Bible for more information.
In almost every aspect of our lives, there is usually some sort of authority over us. If we are employed, we have a boss/manager/employer. If we play a sport, there is a coach/referee/official that keeps us in line. Even when we volunteer our time, there is an organizer/chairperson/leader with certain requirements for the task at hand.
Of course, as Christians we know that there is an even greater authority we must answer to in life—God. He has given us a set of basic rules and principles to live by in life.* For those of us who accept His Son, Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are free from the penalty of sin (death). However, we are still responsible for living in a way that is pleasing to Him. If we don’t there are consequences.
Rest assured, God is not “out to get us” nor does He take pleasure in seeing us suffer. In fact, He has given us the opportunity to enjoy the fullness of life. The direction God gives us is not for His benefit, but ours. When we live in a way that is pleasing to Him, it only benefits us in the end.
For example, if we live a life that is sexually moral, we have a better opportunity of protecting ourselves from STDs or unwanted consequences. If we refuse to allow ourselves to be greedy for the wealth of the world, we stand a better chance of making wise financial decisions and living a life that is even more prosperous. If we focus our thoughts on God and allow Him to direct our daily walk, we are less likely to be consumed by things that bring us guilt and shame.
One of the tricks of the enemy is to suggest that God’s way is undesirable and that the wrong way is better. If you remember in Genesis 3, the serpent made the sin of eating from the forbidden tree look very appealing to Eve. Although she readily admitted that God directed her and Adam not to eat from it, she “saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye.” That wrong choice led to dismissal from a perfect environment and a spiritual separation from God.
In the end, the choice is pretty clear. We can live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God—or we can do it the hard way. Which way do you choose?
*Please read your Bible for more information.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
My Favorite Person of the Week
This week, one of my parents ended up in the hospital. What could have been an even more stressful or upsetting situation was made more bearable, thanks to a stranger. By demonstrating the love and compassion of Jesus Christ, she helped my family more than she could know.
Let me tell you, the emergency room can be a miserable place. Many people there are in pain and the level of anxiety is high. No doubt hospital staff is accustomed to dealing with angry and frustrated people all day long. I was the last of my siblings to arrive and I was relieved to find that my family was still in relatively good spirits—but my siblings had experienced some confusion with the woman who handled the paperwork. Later, after helping to answer questions and complete the paperwork, the woman turned to me and asked if we wanted to go with her down to the hospital cafeteria since she was going on break.
I had the feeling we would have a long night ahead of us, so I grabbed my nephew—a growing boy who loves to eat—and followed her. She was a very lovely person and full of conversation. When we reached the cafeteria, she wouldn’t even let me pay for my nephew’s meal and treated him to dinner! I was humbled and impressed. Admittedly, back when she processed the paperwork, I had figured her to be jaded to the feelings of ER visitors, and thought we were just numbers and data to her. I couldn’t thank her enough for her kindness.
This woman, who I’ll call Sister F, really touched my heart. I mean, she had no reason whatsoever to be so nice. Based on the confusion upstairs earlier, she could have written off my family or ignored us altogether. But through her conversation I learned—not surprisingly—that she is a Christian. Through her actions, Sister F proved she not only knows Jesus, she shows Him in her daily walk.
When we returned to the ER waiting area after her break, Sister F checked on us a few times to provide updates on the progress in getting us to the next step—and gave us a some tips about what to expect. Our experience with Sister F helped to relieve a lot of collective stress—and set the stage for a pleasant experience the rest of the way. Dealing with my parent’s medical emergency was still a little scary, but God is still in the healing business and all is well!
My experience with Sister F reminded me of Matthew 25:35, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” As a Christian, I know I’m always on call to do these things for others—but I was humbled to be among the “least of these” who was a recipient of such kindness.
Thanks be to God for Sister F for her spirit of love and compassion!
Let me tell you, the emergency room can be a miserable place. Many people there are in pain and the level of anxiety is high. No doubt hospital staff is accustomed to dealing with angry and frustrated people all day long. I was the last of my siblings to arrive and I was relieved to find that my family was still in relatively good spirits—but my siblings had experienced some confusion with the woman who handled the paperwork. Later, after helping to answer questions and complete the paperwork, the woman turned to me and asked if we wanted to go with her down to the hospital cafeteria since she was going on break.
I had the feeling we would have a long night ahead of us, so I grabbed my nephew—a growing boy who loves to eat—and followed her. She was a very lovely person and full of conversation. When we reached the cafeteria, she wouldn’t even let me pay for my nephew’s meal and treated him to dinner! I was humbled and impressed. Admittedly, back when she processed the paperwork, I had figured her to be jaded to the feelings of ER visitors, and thought we were just numbers and data to her. I couldn’t thank her enough for her kindness.
This woman, who I’ll call Sister F, really touched my heart. I mean, she had no reason whatsoever to be so nice. Based on the confusion upstairs earlier, she could have written off my family or ignored us altogether. But through her conversation I learned—not surprisingly—that she is a Christian. Through her actions, Sister F proved she not only knows Jesus, she shows Him in her daily walk.
When we returned to the ER waiting area after her break, Sister F checked on us a few times to provide updates on the progress in getting us to the next step—and gave us a some tips about what to expect. Our experience with Sister F helped to relieve a lot of collective stress—and set the stage for a pleasant experience the rest of the way. Dealing with my parent’s medical emergency was still a little scary, but God is still in the healing business and all is well!
My experience with Sister F reminded me of Matthew 25:35, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” As a Christian, I know I’m always on call to do these things for others—but I was humbled to be among the “least of these” who was a recipient of such kindness.
Thanks be to God for Sister F for her spirit of love and compassion!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Whatever Happened to Patience?
I remember a time when people would say, “Patience is a virtue.” Not so much today. With everything running at warp speed, it’s no wonder people refuse to wait for anything—even in the name of common courtesy or spiritual growth.
Technology has afforded us nearly instant access to anything. There are few things that we still feel the need to wait for. Our food is prepared in seconds. We have medicine that can make us feel better in minutes. Even our entertainment is available “on demand.” Our culture has gotten us to the point where waiting is seen as a personal affront.
In some ways, a long line is a great spiritual gauge. When was the last time you waited patiently in a long line? Were you content to simply wait your turn, or were you constantly looking for a shorter line to jump into? Did you take your time in line to allow yourself to meditate on your Word for the day, or did you stand there the whole time worried about rushing off to the next thing? If a new line opened up, did you rush past someone who was not as strong or fast as you so that you could be first?
Some time ago, when a person demonstrated “the patience of Job,” they were to be commended. Now they are mocked and ridiculed. The scorn usually begins with, “If that was me….” And, by the way, this is coming from Christians. How in the world can we ever wait for the Lord, as is written in Psalm 27:14, when we aren’t disciplined enough to wait for anything else in our lives?
Without patience, we are prone to making rash decisions. We allow ourselves to be pushed by outside pressures instead of waiting for guidance from the Lord. There are folks who have jumped into marriages, jobs, major purchases, and other long-term commitments without taking the time to pray—or wait for God’s response to their prayer. And they ended up with dire consequences because of their impatience.
Patience takes practice. Look for areas in your life where you can apply it. Make a conscious effort to take your time with certain things. And ask God to give you the strength to make patient, deliberate moves even when it seems that everything else in life is rushing around you.
Have patience and wait for the Lord. He’s always worth the wait!
Technology has afforded us nearly instant access to anything. There are few things that we still feel the need to wait for. Our food is prepared in seconds. We have medicine that can make us feel better in minutes. Even our entertainment is available “on demand.” Our culture has gotten us to the point where waiting is seen as a personal affront.
In some ways, a long line is a great spiritual gauge. When was the last time you waited patiently in a long line? Were you content to simply wait your turn, or were you constantly looking for a shorter line to jump into? Did you take your time in line to allow yourself to meditate on your Word for the day, or did you stand there the whole time worried about rushing off to the next thing? If a new line opened up, did you rush past someone who was not as strong or fast as you so that you could be first?
Some time ago, when a person demonstrated “the patience of Job,” they were to be commended. Now they are mocked and ridiculed. The scorn usually begins with, “If that was me….” And, by the way, this is coming from Christians. How in the world can we ever wait for the Lord, as is written in Psalm 27:14, when we aren’t disciplined enough to wait for anything else in our lives?
Without patience, we are prone to making rash decisions. We allow ourselves to be pushed by outside pressures instead of waiting for guidance from the Lord. There are folks who have jumped into marriages, jobs, major purchases, and other long-term commitments without taking the time to pray—or wait for God’s response to their prayer. And they ended up with dire consequences because of their impatience.
Patience takes practice. Look for areas in your life where you can apply it. Make a conscious effort to take your time with certain things. And ask God to give you the strength to make patient, deliberate moves even when it seems that everything else in life is rushing around you.
Have patience and wait for the Lord. He’s always worth the wait!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
What CAN'T God Do?
I never cease to be amazed by the limitations people assign to God. I often hear people say what He wouldn’t do—and some go so far as to say what He couldn’t do. Since when is God restricted by the extent of our imagination?
Walking on water, healing the sick, driving out demons, and raising the dead were just a few of the miracles performed by Jesus. It was hard for some of those who were alive during the time of Christ to accept these signs and miracles. So I can understand how this may be just as difficult to accept for some of those living 2,000 years later.
Those who see Jesus only as a “good man” or simply a “prophet” would no doubt find it hard to fathom how this “guy” could turn water into wine or feed thousands with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread. There would have to be a logical explanation. But those of us who accept the deity of Jesus should recognize that God defies logic. Our belief in Jesus’ resurrection hinges on the understanding that God can do the things that we know to be impossible.
When we think of the Almighty, our brain cannot fully comprehend all that He encompasses. Our God is the Lord of all. Psalm 24:1 tells us “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” There are no exceptions. There is nothing outside of His jurisdiction. (Someone once even questioned if God could stop time. A quick look at Joshua 10:1-15 answered that!)
But at the end of the day, it’s all about faith. I would be a little disappointed to serve a God that is only as great as I could imagine. The fact that God surpasses all human understanding fortifies my faith. I know without a doubt that I can rely on Him for anything and everything. And I am encouraged to know that with God, nothing is impossible!
I believe God can do anything—except fail. ☺
Walking on water, healing the sick, driving out demons, and raising the dead were just a few of the miracles performed by Jesus. It was hard for some of those who were alive during the time of Christ to accept these signs and miracles. So I can understand how this may be just as difficult to accept for some of those living 2,000 years later.
Those who see Jesus only as a “good man” or simply a “prophet” would no doubt find it hard to fathom how this “guy” could turn water into wine or feed thousands with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread. There would have to be a logical explanation. But those of us who accept the deity of Jesus should recognize that God defies logic. Our belief in Jesus’ resurrection hinges on the understanding that God can do the things that we know to be impossible.
When we think of the Almighty, our brain cannot fully comprehend all that He encompasses. Our God is the Lord of all. Psalm 24:1 tells us “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” There are no exceptions. There is nothing outside of His jurisdiction. (Someone once even questioned if God could stop time. A quick look at Joshua 10:1-15 answered that!)
But at the end of the day, it’s all about faith. I would be a little disappointed to serve a God that is only as great as I could imagine. The fact that God surpasses all human understanding fortifies my faith. I know without a doubt that I can rely on Him for anything and everything. And I am encouraged to know that with God, nothing is impossible!
I believe God can do anything—except fail. ☺
Sunday, February 20, 2011
God’s Time
We often give ourselves ultimatums: “I want to have this thing done by this time.” But when we make up timelines without first consulting with God, we set ourselves up for tremendous disappointment.
The truth is, people want what they want when they want it. We become impatient with delays and setbacks. And many of us are easily ruffled when things don’t run according to our schedule.
But the moment we decide to do things “our way” we fall into Satan’s trap. And sometimes we do it with all the best intentions—“Lord, I’m going to raise $6,000 by July and I’m going to be on a plane to Haiti by September to do some mission work!” But when a wrench is thrown into our plans and we don’t meet our own self-imposed deadlines, we become angry and frustrated.
Imagine how frustrating it was for Moses to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. When he originally set out on the journey, he couldn’t have planned for it to take 40 years! But imagine if he had said, “Okay, if we’re not in the Promised Land by the end of February, I’m just going to quit!” All would have been lost. Thankfully, Moses was a man of great faith and was willing to follow God’s timing—and not his own—until the end.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” There’s no plan that we should make without first consulting with the Lord. And once we get the green light to move forward, we must accept that His plans are perfect and His timing is right.
Allow God to do the planning and watch how it all unfolds—right on time!
The truth is, people want what they want when they want it. We become impatient with delays and setbacks. And many of us are easily ruffled when things don’t run according to our schedule.
But the moment we decide to do things “our way” we fall into Satan’s trap. And sometimes we do it with all the best intentions—“Lord, I’m going to raise $6,000 by July and I’m going to be on a plane to Haiti by September to do some mission work!” But when a wrench is thrown into our plans and we don’t meet our own self-imposed deadlines, we become angry and frustrated.
Imagine how frustrating it was for Moses to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. When he originally set out on the journey, he couldn’t have planned for it to take 40 years! But imagine if he had said, “Okay, if we’re not in the Promised Land by the end of February, I’m just going to quit!” All would have been lost. Thankfully, Moses was a man of great faith and was willing to follow God’s timing—and not his own—until the end.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” There’s no plan that we should make without first consulting with the Lord. And once we get the green light to move forward, we must accept that His plans are perfect and His timing is right.
Allow God to do the planning and watch how it all unfolds—right on time!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Love
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and many hearts and minds will turn to all things romantic. There will be plenty of flowers, candy, and big red hearts to be seen. But looking aside from the overly commercialized, Hallmark version of love, how many people really know true love? And do we only get to experience it once a year?
Despite the hype centered on “love” this time of year, in our daily lives, we generally experience 4 types of love—they go by the Greek names of storge, philia, eros, and agape. Here’s a breakdown:
• Storge is what you would call “family love.” It’s the kind of love you often see at weddings, birthday parties, and family reunions. Good times!
• Philia is also known as “brotherly love.” Yes, it’s the word at the root of the name Philadelphia—the City of Brotherly Love. This is the kind of love that allows people to stand up for one another and have compassion for others.
• Eros is “romantic love.” This word is the root of “erotic.” It’s the kind of love shared between a husband and wife, which binds them for a lifetime.
• Agape is “unconditional love.” This is the love that God has for us and shows us each and every day.
The Bible offers the perfect definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Be sure to give it a read—especially if you haven’t in a while. Some of the highlights: Love is patient, love is kind, and love never fails!
Do you know the Love of Jesus?
Jesus Christ displayed the greatest Love of all, by laying down His life so that we may receive salvation. And it didn’t end there—as Christians, we experience the perfect Love of the Living God each and every day in our lives.
If you want to experience the Love of Christ in your life, it’s easy. Just say the following prayer, “Lord, I know that I have sinned. But I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son and that He died for my salvation. And I believe that He rose from the dead so that I may enjoy eternal life with You. Jesus, I accept your gift of Love, please come into my life as my personal savior and help me to live in a way that is pleasing to You. Amen.”
If you have said this prayer for the first time, you are saved from the penalty of sin! Let the Holy Spirit guide you to a place of worship where you can fellowship with and be encouraged by other Christians—and enjoy the Love of Christ!
Despite the hype centered on “love” this time of year, in our daily lives, we generally experience 4 types of love—they go by the Greek names of storge, philia, eros, and agape. Here’s a breakdown:
• Storge is what you would call “family love.” It’s the kind of love you often see at weddings, birthday parties, and family reunions. Good times!
• Philia is also known as “brotherly love.” Yes, it’s the word at the root of the name Philadelphia—the City of Brotherly Love. This is the kind of love that allows people to stand up for one another and have compassion for others.
• Eros is “romantic love.” This word is the root of “erotic.” It’s the kind of love shared between a husband and wife, which binds them for a lifetime.
• Agape is “unconditional love.” This is the love that God has for us and shows us each and every day.
The Bible offers the perfect definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Be sure to give it a read—especially if you haven’t in a while. Some of the highlights: Love is patient, love is kind, and love never fails!
Do you know the Love of Jesus?
Jesus Christ displayed the greatest Love of all, by laying down His life so that we may receive salvation. And it didn’t end there—as Christians, we experience the perfect Love of the Living God each and every day in our lives.
If you want to experience the Love of Christ in your life, it’s easy. Just say the following prayer, “Lord, I know that I have sinned. But I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son and that He died for my salvation. And I believe that He rose from the dead so that I may enjoy eternal life with You. Jesus, I accept your gift of Love, please come into my life as my personal savior and help me to live in a way that is pleasing to You. Amen.”
If you have said this prayer for the first time, you are saved from the penalty of sin! Let the Holy Spirit guide you to a place of worship where you can fellowship with and be encouraged by other Christians—and enjoy the Love of Christ!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
