Doesn’t anyone appreciate what I do? Why doesn’t someone offer to help? It wouldn’t hurt him to do his part. No one ever does me a favor. I’m an educated professional, and they expect me to do that? Why doesn’t she … ? I can’t believe they …
I have caught myself too often making similar comments. Last week was a special challenge. These types of comments were readily flowing out of my mouth. Now I had legitimate reasons. I felt they were justified. But my gripes were not acceptable. We as Christians have no excuse. If we are striving to be “Jesus with skin on,” such comments should be abhorrent to us.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV
Yes it is easy to fall into the self-centered comments when we are exhausted and feel overburdened because of the present set of circumstances. We become frustrated when others do not recognize our efforts to do what is right or acknowledge our selfless servant behaviors. It is humanly understandable. But…
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
So why are we grumbling? We are listening to Satan guiding us to prideful and sinful ways of thinking and behaving. Grumbling certainly does not originate with God! He abhors our sin. God knows and wants us to recognize that when we are busy complaining, we cannot be serving him. God may be calling us to action, and we will miss the opportunity because of self-pity. How sad. We missed something that might affect someone eternally because we were childishly focusing on a selfish temper fit. Handled rightly, each frustrating situation is a chance to carry out God’s calling—a chance to glorify him.
“See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10 NIV
Let’s take a moment to be honest with ourselves by thoughtfully answering these questions.
1. What do I spend time thinking about? Me or God?
2. Do I focus on my problems or God’s promise?
3. Are my thoughts about my current situation or what God has called me to do at this moment?
4. Do I look to self for solutions or do I look to God?
5. Do others recognize I am a committed Christian?
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NIV
Grumbling happens when we are unhappy about the behavior of others. However, I am not in control of anyone except me. I am not responsible for the choices made by others. My responsibility is to follow God’s instruction manual—the Bible. It tells me that I am to be meek, humble, serve, witness, and give thanks.
“ give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
Lord, forgive my selfish grumbling. Make me receptive to opportunities to glorify you in each and every circumstance I experience today.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Serve How?
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:12-13 NIV
Joyfully!
Now that is one tall order! Any of us can serve joyfully for a short time doing something we want to do that just happens to be of service. But what about serving in a way we do not want? What about serving when we would rather be doing something else?
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV
Do I really serve joyfully? It is easy to say “Of course” when I am sitting comfortably at home relaxing while I sip ice tea. And of course I can answer that I joyfully serve as I do volunteer work at church or in the community—well most of the time I am joyful—as long as things go as I want and as long as I am with my friends.
One solution to not serving joyfully is to just not serve at all. If it is not something I want to do with the people I want to be with, I just will not do it. But is that pleasing to God?
“The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 NIV
Whoops! That verse does not say anything about serving only when I want to serve. To make matters worse, my Savior served others without complaining even at great distress to himself and without his friends encouraging him.
“...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 NIV
So we are to serve joyfully no matter what we are called to do. We are to gladly serve God doing whatever he lets us know is needed whenever it is needed.
“But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” Psalm 68:3 NIV
Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, make me a joyful servant—no matter the task.
Joyfully!
Now that is one tall order! Any of us can serve joyfully for a short time doing something we want to do that just happens to be of service. But what about serving in a way we do not want? What about serving when we would rather be doing something else?
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV
Do I really serve joyfully? It is easy to say “Of course” when I am sitting comfortably at home relaxing while I sip ice tea. And of course I can answer that I joyfully serve as I do volunteer work at church or in the community—well most of the time I am joyful—as long as things go as I want and as long as I am with my friends.
One solution to not serving joyfully is to just not serve at all. If it is not something I want to do with the people I want to be with, I just will not do it. But is that pleasing to God?
“The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 NIV
Whoops! That verse does not say anything about serving only when I want to serve. To make matters worse, my Savior served others without complaining even at great distress to himself and without his friends encouraging him.
“...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 NIV
So we are to serve joyfully no matter what we are called to do. We are to gladly serve God doing whatever he lets us know is needed whenever it is needed.
“But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” Psalm 68:3 NIV
Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, make me a joyful servant—no matter the task.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Chocolate or Tea or God
What do you do to console yourself when life is tough? When I need comfort I tend to seek food especially if it has chocolate as an ingredient, or I might brew a cup of tea and sit on the deck by myself listening to the birds and the gurgle of the fountain.
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:28-29 NIV
So the only source of true comfort is God. Generally while sipping tea on the deck I do pray. Instead of being an “Oh, yah, maybe I should pray” behavior, prayer to my God and Savior should be my first source of comfort.
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you'…you will rejoice in the Lord and glory in the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:13, 16b NIV
So God brings renewal and strength to those who seek him. He holds our hands and helps us.
"But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs…so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it." Isaiah 41:17b-18, 20 NIV
So God can do the impossible and does do the impossible so we can understand he is the Creator and Controller of all things.
Lord, draw me to you when I need comfort. Forgive my doubts and unbelief when faced with difficult circumstances. Mold me and make me please you and glorify you in all that I do no matter how difficult I may perceive the situation to be.
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:28-29 NIV
So the only source of true comfort is God. Generally while sipping tea on the deck I do pray. Instead of being an “Oh, yah, maybe I should pray” behavior, prayer to my God and Savior should be my first source of comfort.
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you'…you will rejoice in the Lord and glory in the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:13, 16b NIV
So God brings renewal and strength to those who seek him. He holds our hands and helps us.
"But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs…so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it." Isaiah 41:17b-18, 20 NIV
So God can do the impossible and does do the impossible so we can understand he is the Creator and Controller of all things.
Lord, draw me to you when I need comfort. Forgive my doubts and unbelief when faced with difficult circumstances. Mold me and make me please you and glorify you in all that I do no matter how difficult I may perceive the situation to be.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Confused
I am so confused. I do not know what to do, to think, to say. How am I to behave? How am I to respond? All of us at some time or another have expressed these thoughts.
So what does scripture say about confusion? Paul says he struggled with sin and the resulting confusion trying to take control of him. He even says he wanted deliverance from it because it tortured him. Who has not experienced painful struggles with confusion?
“but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 7:23-24 ESV
My most tumultuous times struggling with confusion have been a result of trying to discern God’s will verses cultural expectations of my community and middle American religious traditions. What is God’s will and what are the human expectations? It is often hard to discern what is right. When I take time to pray through the emotion and to seek God’s will, generally I have been able to proceed with confidence and peace. When I react too fast, often it is a human, culturally trained reaction which does not glorify God.
Throughout the Bible, numerous passages can be found exhorting those who love God to do what is right. Here is a sampling of passages urging us to respond rightly to situations.
“All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21:2-3 NIV
“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.” 1 John 3:7-8 NIV
So what is the secret to doing right? Prayer and knowing Scripture. For how can you know what is right in God’s eyes unless you study what he teaches?
Lord, create in me a thirst for studying Scripture. Make discerning how I am to respond in every situation clear because I know what you have commanded. Show me how my behaviors will be sin while they are still in my mind and I have not yet acted. Through the Holy Spirit give me the strength to resist committing sinful acts even if they would be praised by my peers.
So what does scripture say about confusion? Paul says he struggled with sin and the resulting confusion trying to take control of him. He even says he wanted deliverance from it because it tortured him. Who has not experienced painful struggles with confusion?
“but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 7:23-24 ESV
My most tumultuous times struggling with confusion have been a result of trying to discern God’s will verses cultural expectations of my community and middle American religious traditions. What is God’s will and what are the human expectations? It is often hard to discern what is right. When I take time to pray through the emotion and to seek God’s will, generally I have been able to proceed with confidence and peace. When I react too fast, often it is a human, culturally trained reaction which does not glorify God.
Throughout the Bible, numerous passages can be found exhorting those who love God to do what is right. Here is a sampling of passages urging us to respond rightly to situations.
“All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21:2-3 NIV
“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.” 1 John 3:7-8 NIV
So what is the secret to doing right? Prayer and knowing Scripture. For how can you know what is right in God’s eyes unless you study what he teaches?
Lord, create in me a thirst for studying Scripture. Make discerning how I am to respond in every situation clear because I know what you have commanded. Show me how my behaviors will be sin while they are still in my mind and I have not yet acted. Through the Holy Spirit give me the strength to resist committing sinful acts even if they would be praised by my peers.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Man Rules vs. Heart Rules
By what rules do you worship God?
Man rules say go to church and be friendly, be courteous most of the time, pray some, and read your Bible a little bit sometime during the week. After all, if you do these things you will be more religious than most people. God should reward your effort.
So what kind of worship does really God want?
“The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.’” Isaiah 29:13 NIV
Sounds like God could care less about if we are more religious than most people. As a matter of fact, he does not even desire our religious activities. He wants us—our hearts.
“You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘He did not make me’? Can the pot say of the potter, ‘He knows nothing’?” Isaiah 29:16 NIV
By following the guidelines set out by society and thinking we have worshipped good enough, we are actually telling God what we will do and how we will do it. HOW DARE WE? God made us! We do not have a right to tell him how we will do anything! Instead we should be on our faces confessing our arrogant sin!
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8, 11b NIV
To be holy means to be set apart. Let’s set apart one day a week to focus on God and not ourselves.
Lord, forgive my arrogance. Show me how you want me to worship you today.
Man rules say go to church and be friendly, be courteous most of the time, pray some, and read your Bible a little bit sometime during the week. After all, if you do these things you will be more religious than most people. God should reward your effort.
So what kind of worship does really God want?
“The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.’” Isaiah 29:13 NIV
Sounds like God could care less about if we are more religious than most people. As a matter of fact, he does not even desire our religious activities. He wants us—our hearts.
“You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘He did not make me’? Can the pot say of the potter, ‘He knows nothing’?” Isaiah 29:16 NIV
By following the guidelines set out by society and thinking we have worshipped good enough, we are actually telling God what we will do and how we will do it. HOW DARE WE? God made us! We do not have a right to tell him how we will do anything! Instead we should be on our faces confessing our arrogant sin!
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8, 11b NIV
To be holy means to be set apart. Let’s set apart one day a week to focus on God and not ourselves.
Lord, forgive my arrogance. Show me how you want me to worship you today.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
I Don't Want To
I didn’t want to do my Bible study today.
Workmen had been at the house all day working on the bathroom remodeling project to make our bathroom more handicap friendly. To our chagrin, we discovered we were going to have to paint the ceiling tonight. We had planned on painting the walls before the commode and sink were installed. However, painting the ceiling was not even on our radar. This discovery meant a quick trip to the paint store right after supper. The store closed fifteen minutes before I arrived which necessitated I go to the next closest paint store. Ray stayed home to watch his mother and to paint the bathroom walls since we had already purchased that paint.
We were on a tight time schedule because we had to wait for workmen to leave, and Ray has an early bedtime because he takes the "wee hours of the morning" shift to care for his mother. Besides fixing supper and making the quick run to the paint store, I had to get her ready for bed and meet her other evening needs. Ray finished painting the ceiling and made it to bed only a half hour later than usual. While caring for his mother’s needs, I used a trim brush to do the detail work.
By the time I sat down, all I wanted to do was to pamper myself and read a magazine. I did not want to do my Bible study.
"You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 NIV
So what was wrong with reading the magazine? Nothing except I was putting more importance on a magazine than on God. I cannot believe I even could contemplate such a thing!
“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1 NIV
I would have missed the blessing of this verse if I had placed my selfishness above my love for God. I would have missed the joy of praising my Lord and Savior.
Lord, I confess that at the end of a busy day all I want to do is to pamper myself. Create within me a desire to indulge myself by becoming immersed in Scripture and prayer instead of worldly pleasures.
Workmen had been at the house all day working on the bathroom remodeling project to make our bathroom more handicap friendly. To our chagrin, we discovered we were going to have to paint the ceiling tonight. We had planned on painting the walls before the commode and sink were installed. However, painting the ceiling was not even on our radar. This discovery meant a quick trip to the paint store right after supper. The store closed fifteen minutes before I arrived which necessitated I go to the next closest paint store. Ray stayed home to watch his mother and to paint the bathroom walls since we had already purchased that paint.
We were on a tight time schedule because we had to wait for workmen to leave, and Ray has an early bedtime because he takes the "wee hours of the morning" shift to care for his mother. Besides fixing supper and making the quick run to the paint store, I had to get her ready for bed and meet her other evening needs. Ray finished painting the ceiling and made it to bed only a half hour later than usual. While caring for his mother’s needs, I used a trim brush to do the detail work.
By the time I sat down, all I wanted to do was to pamper myself and read a magazine. I did not want to do my Bible study.
"You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3 NIV
So what was wrong with reading the magazine? Nothing except I was putting more importance on a magazine than on God. I cannot believe I even could contemplate such a thing!
“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1 NIV
I would have missed the blessing of this verse if I had placed my selfishness above my love for God. I would have missed the joy of praising my Lord and Savior.
Lord, I confess that at the end of a busy day all I want to do is to pamper myself. Create within me a desire to indulge myself by becoming immersed in Scripture and prayer instead of worldly pleasures.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Nothing to Say
I have had several topics running through my mind as possible topics for today’s blog. But none of them solidified into anything worth writing. I am taking this as a sign from God that I am not to use my words today. So here are God’s words.
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 NIV
So no matter what is happening in my life, God is with me and renewing me spiritually. He gives me encouragement and strength to restore my spirit. All I have to do is to look for those signs of encouragement and to focus on them for they are God's gift to me.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 NIV
Lord, thank you for the little nuggets of encouragement you send daily even though the troubles of the day may seem overwhelming. You know just what I need to give me strength to praise you in every situation. For I can rest assured that you have called me according to your purpose and are conforming me to the likeness of Jesus Christ. Please continue to make me more mature spiritually.
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 NIV
So no matter what is happening in my life, God is with me and renewing me spiritually. He gives me encouragement and strength to restore my spirit. All I have to do is to look for those signs of encouragement and to focus on them for they are God's gift to me.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 NIV
Lord, thank you for the little nuggets of encouragement you send daily even though the troubles of the day may seem overwhelming. You know just what I need to give me strength to praise you in every situation. For I can rest assured that you have called me according to your purpose and are conforming me to the likeness of Jesus Christ. Please continue to make me more mature spiritually.
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