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Just recently my beloved unbelieving husband brought me an article from the Tulsa World newspaper. The title of the article is, Priest: Stealing is OK at times. The priest from northern England made a statement that reflects Man’s Ways vs. God’s Ways. His statement caused a disturbance in the congregation, fellow clergy, shop owners and police. The priest told his congregation that it is “sometimes acceptable for desperate people to shoplift – as long as they do it at the large national chain stores, rather than small, family businesses.” The priest also said that, “Shoplifting could help people who are legally entitled to welfare benefits but have them delayed for bureaucratic reasons.”
When man depends on his own reasoning of what is right or wrong, he rejects God’s Ways, “thou shalt not steal.” (Deuteronomy 5:19 [show] [19]"'And you shall not steal. (ESV)
) The Holy Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is our Instructor, our Guide and the One who reveals the wisdom of God to us as our sensitive Counselor. (John 14:16, 26 [show] [16]And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (ESV)
[26]But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (ESV); 16: 7-13.)
Some might agree with what appears to be a “compassionate” priest, when they read his reasoning to why he said what he did. But again, Man’s Ways are not God’s Ways and to ignore what God says can cause another to stumble, and in this case those that are struggling with the hardships of life or those that are young in their faith. (Psalm 119:9, 165 [show] [9]How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
[165]Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.) We in the end know that those in authority as in the priest’s case, distort what Scripture says and in the end brings about destruction. (II Peter 3:16 [show] [16]as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (ESV))
We as God’s people have a responsibility not only to observe God’s Law but to obey God’s Word and then to teach other’s God Ways. God’s children are nourished by His Words through faith. It brings delight to their spirits when they receive it and produces growth, so that they might live a righteous life before God and others. One way we can teach others to live out their faith is to teach them the importance of giving to others in need. This in itself will help those that are facing difficult times and show them the love of Christ in a practical way through the offering of money and the overflow of our abundance.
God’s Word is the same yesterday, today and forever. It is changeless and all powerful. When we apply it in our lives to do things God’s Way, we see that our circumstances as a time to lean on God for His direction and strength. We also learn to be interdependent on one another in the body of Christ for accountability and receive their support and encouragement.
Take time today to read the amazing Scriptures posted and be encouraged of God’s continuous faithfulness, power and hope of years past. Let it encourage you as you look at your circumstances and the purpose and hope God has in store for you and your life. (Joshua 1:8 [show] [8]This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (ESV); Psalm 19:7-11, 119 [show] [7]The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
[8]the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
[9]the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
[10]More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
[11]Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.:160; Isaiah 55:11 [show] [11]so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.; Matthew 24:35 [show] [35]Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (ESV); I Peter 1:24-25 [show] [24]for
"All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
[25]but the word of the Lord remains forever."
And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (ESV); Hebrews 4:12 [show] [12]For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV); Romans 15:4 [show] [4]For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (ESV))
Let me ask you, what is your opinion of what this Priest said to his congregation? Do you see the importance of God’s Way vs. Man’s Way? What could this priest have instructed his congregation that would have lined up with God’s Word? We can see there is a reason God has set His rules and regulations before us. It is up to us to appropriate what He instructs us and He will surely bless us. (James 1:22-24 [show] [22]But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23]For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. [24]For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. (ESV); Luke 11:28 [show] [28]But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (ESV); John 13:17 [show] [17]If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (ESV): James 1:25 [show] [25]But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (ESV))
Have a blessed day!!
Just recently, I was talking to a dear Christian friend of mine, who was sharing about her job and how she loved taking care of the little children she had been assigned to. Even though she loved what she was doing and was very faithful to her employer, she was becoming frustrated and discouraged over the lack of appreciation and respect she received in return.
She examined her life and realized that she had been doing so many things right and yet the return was less than satisfying and very confusing. She wondered what she was doing wrong and why she was not blessed for all of her hard efforts. She went on to share, that she had been faithful in her Christian life, consistent in tithing, reading her bible, prayer and fasting. She was a Bible teacher in her church and was faithful to be there every time the church doors opened. Had God not seen her efforts and could God not change her working circumstances? After all, she was doing her part!
Her story brought back to my remembrance, my early years in my own Christian walk with the Lord. My life was filled with excitement. It started with falling in love with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I worshipped Him through song and praise. His Word became my daily food as well as fasting and tithing on a regular basis. Prayer was the ultimate part of my Christian life, you might say, it was the topping on the cake!
My marriage of almost 42 years, this coming November, met everything to meant even then. I worked hard at being a submissive wife and showing biblical love. I prayed for my precious unbelieving husband without ceasing. In return, I received rejection, persecution and a great division in our marriage. My husband didn’t want to hear the name of Jesus mentioned, did not want prayer taking place in our home and ridiculed me for reading my Bible. Life had become the very opposite of what I had prayed for and desired in my marriage.
I remember, like my dear godly friend, going to the Lord and pleading with Him that my husband be saved, and that my marriage would be one that would glorify Him. I had become so defeated and discouraged. What was wrong? Did God not see I had done all the things that a Christian wife should do? Did God not see that I had poured my life into His Word, prayer, loving and serving Him with all my heart?
God being slow to anger and quick to compassion, spoke to my heart, with His sweet and gentle voice. He reminded me that the things I did as a Christian is what a Christian is supposed to do. I had to sit back and examine my own heart at this point. I realized I was bargaining with God and expecting Him to come through with some sort of payment, like saving my husband and giving me the perfect godly marriage, for being obedient and faithful to His Word.
Have you ever wondered why things never change? Or what is the point of working hard as a Christian, only to see things around you either staying the same or getting worse? Do you ever wonder why God doesn’t see what is going on and intervene on your behalf? Trust me; this is where I was and what I was doing? I was questioning God, instead doing all the things God called me to do, just because it is right. With no strings attached but just shear obedience.
God reminded me that even if my circumstances never changed, He was enough. He had given up so much for me, by sending His own Son to die for me on the cross for my sins. ( John 3:16 [show] [16]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV))
That God called me to himself and not my husband. I was responsible to God. God was not responsible to me. Jesus had set the example of how we live in a troubled world with success and obedience, even if the end is death. Dying to self, living for God, doing His will not ours. (Matthew 26:39 [show] [39]And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." (ESV))
Satan had told me a lie, just as he had Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:4-5 [show] [4]But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. [5]For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (ESV)) Be perfect and keep it up forever. I had tried and found out I could not. I might have fulfilled many of the duties of a Christian but I was failing in my attitude and expectations of what God was to do for me. I realized I had much to learn about my walk with the Lord and what it truly means to live out the life of a Christian, no matter what God allows into our life.
If you find yourself dealing with these same issues, I encourage you to examine your heart and see if perhaps you to have bought into Satan’s lies. He insists that you be perfect like God and keep it up forever. He is the master at playing that game but fails to remind us he lost! He wants to make us believe that God doesn’t really care. Satan is the master at planting doubts in our mind about who God is and the way things are supposed to be for God’s children. Satan wants us to quit, destroy our testimony and walk away from God.
The devil forgot one thing, God never lets go of those He loves. Those He has called to Himself and the purpose He has for each of our lives. My husband is still, after all these years, not saved. Did that stop me in my service to God, no! In fact, when I could not change my situation, save my husband by my good works or manipulate God into doing what I thought was best, I had only one thing left to do, surrender! (Jeremiah 29:11-13 [show] [11]For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. [12]Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. [13]You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (ESV))
My beloved, what a Savior we have. He loves us and knows what is best for us. If you would like to leave a comment, I would love to hear it. You are an important part of my life in Christ Jesus and I cherish your thoughts. Have a blessed day in Him.
In recalling, my first encounter and journey and with Jesus, is a refreshing thought. I was so excited to be met by the Savior in one of deepest hours of my life. Alone, scared, depressed, and wondering how I would ever make it another day. While crying out in desperation, a still sweet voice came to me saying, "Pick up your Bible on your end table." My grandmother had given me a little Bible many years ago, during a closet cleaning expedition. Since that time it sat on my end table.
I argued with the thought of picking up my Bible and said out loud, "What good will that do? That is not going to help me!" Again, I heard a soft, sweet voice say, "Miriam, pick up your Bible." On my way over to pick up the Bible, I said again, "What good will that do? This is not going to help me."
This was the beginning of my journey with Jesus. Have you ever been so low that the only place for you to look is up and the only thing left to do is yell out loud, hoping some answer will appear to bring about the hope or answers to your life’s problems. Well that is where I was 37 years ago.
The Bible says in Hebrews 13:8 [show] [8]Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (ESV), "Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever." I am grateful for His constant reminder, that He remains faithful. In Jeremiah 29:13 [show] [13]You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (ESV), God tells us, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
I find it comforting that when no one else seems to have the answer, or it appears that no one is listening or cares, He, Jesus Christ is able to hear and reach us in our time of need. In my desperation, He heard me. In my deepest sorrow, He knew my heart. In my emptiness He filled it with Himself. On that beautiful day, I became a new believer in Christ Jesus, the Son of the Living God, and my encounter and journey with Jesus, changed my life forever.
Where are you at this moment? Is the journey you are on, leading you into a deeper depression, filled with hopelessness and despair? Is it time that you too, cry out to the Savior, Jesus Christ and allow Him to fill you with His presence in your life? Don’t take a journey in life by yourself but ask Jesus to become your Lord and Savior, right now.
Romans 10:9-10 [show] [9]because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10]For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (ESV) “9That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Pray with me, Dear Father, I am lost and afraid. I am a sinner and ask for forgiveness of my sins. I believe that Jesus died for my sins and was raised from the dead and sits at your right hand of God. Lord Jesus, would you please come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. Amen
There is a time for everything and that includes the middle class family I grew up in. My mother worked part-time and my father had his own Well Drilling business. I was reared with three older brothers. Each one of us is unique and spent countless hours playing together as children. During our childhood years my parents never focused on our abilities, talents or gifts given to us by God. In fact, God was not a part of our life or our conversations.
I remember as an adult listening to a testimony given by a young woman who was talking about her home life as a child. Her story was so strikingly different from my childhood that I found myself delighting in the beauty of God’s love demonstrated through her parents and the importance of parenting God’s way. As a result of their devotion to God and recognizing the importance of their daughter’s spiritual needs, she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at a very young age. Again, there is a time for everything, and this young woman’s parents seized the moment of living a life pleasing to God, and reflecting His love for their daughter. Read the rest of this entry »
Just recently I experienced a very sad moment in history. A young woman of 24 years of age died of leukemia. She left behind her husband and family who had the freedom to chose to pray daily, hourly, and minute by minute that God would heal her. I understand that they also had the freedom to choose to pray that God’s will be done and His name be gloried.
It leaves all of us confused and stunned over why God would chose not to heal her but take her home to be with Him. God says in Isaiah 55:8, 9 [show] [8]For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
[9]For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your way my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
I don’t know about you but the grief becomes greater the more I learn how little control we have over the outcome of those that we love or the circumstances we face on a daily basis. We ask ourselves, what is the point of the freedom of choosing to pray, asking for others to pray, and to plead on our behalf to a God who appears to have His mind made up.
So the bottom line is, we can choose to pray or just wait to see what God has planned right? Read the rest of this entry »
