If Only

Do you ever get the “If Onlies”?  That’s when you basically regret whatever decision you made, because you now are experiencing the consequences of it.  Such as, “If only I had focused on my college education while I was in College, then maybe I would know what to do in this job situation.”  “If only I had not driven so fast, then I wouldn’t have gotten that ticket.”  “If only I had listen to my parents, then I wouldn’t have stayed with that boy and ended up in this predictment.”  We all get the “If Onlies” once and awhile.  Hopefully, we can learn from them and not make the same mistake twice or even be able to offer advice to others.  God gets the “If Onlies” about us.  Read Psalm 81: 13-14.

13 If only My people would listen to Me and Israel would follow My ways, 14 I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes.”

God gives us so much that it should be easy to obey Him.  Yet it is like we are never satisfied or we still don’t trust Him.  We are just as stubborn as the Israelites.  They saw so many miraculous and wonderful things done by God and yet they instantly would not obey Him and wonder off His chosen path for them.  They ended up so many times during their history fighting enemies, starving and having their homes taken from them.  God thinks to Himself, “If only My people would have listen to Me and Israel (or put your name here) would follow My ways.”  Look what blessings He would have given the Israelites (or put your name here) if they/we would have only followed Him whole heartedly. If we had not followed our selfish desires, our enemies would have been subdued.  If only we had obeyed, life might have been better.  Wisdom would be not to have the “If Onlies” or to cause God to have the “If Onlies”, but instead to follow His ways and obey.

All Things

They say that the original language that the New Testament was written in was the perfect language to use for all time to get the clear meaning across to the readers.  God is so perfect in everything He does.  For Jesus to come in to this world at the perfect time when the Greek language was being used so that His story would be told accurately is a wonderful thought.  It is always great to see how God is so in control of everything.  You can learn a lot of important things by going back to the Greek.  For instance, take a look at Philippians 4:12-13.

¹² I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content]—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

There are so many of us that can quote Philippians 4:13 from memory.  It is one of those verses that encourages us when we are about to take on something beyond our normal means.  In the Greek language the most important words are first in the sentence.  In this particular verse the first words are “all things”.  In other words “All things I can do.”  What an encouragement to know that I can do all things.  Not some, but all.  If Christ gives us an assignment, there is no doubt that we can do it.  Let’s say that He wants you to tell your neighbor about Him.  You have never witnessed before.  You have never attended a training class on how to share the gospel, etc.  Well, now you know there is no doubt that you will have the ability to share the gospel with your neighbor.  This verse also contains the words “Him who strengthens me”.  The reason we can do all things is due to the fact that Christ strengthens me.  What a great encouragement this verse is.  Memorize it.  Take it to heart and apply it to all that Christ calls you to do.

No Batteries Required

Don’t you just hate it when you go and buy a toy or some other battery operated device and find out after you get home that the batteries were not included.  Now your new toy won’t work.  Very frustrating to have to run out and find batteries or wait until you do have to go out again.  We have a wide variety of energy sources we use for all of equipment and gadgets that help us to get our work done.  We have just as difficult when are missing a power source such as gasoline from our lawn mower or a power cord from our vacuum cleaner.  We have the same dilemma in our spiritual life.  God has work for us to do, but we need a power source to do it.  Sometimes we just don’t feel we have the power or abilities to accomplish His work. Read Philippians 4:12-13.

¹² I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content]—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

These verses tell us that we do have a never ending power source.  It really is common sense to know that if God asks you to do something He will strengthen you to do it.  It’s like God has provided us wonderful gadgets to make our lives pleasurable as we serve Him and told us that no batteries are required.  Isn’t it wonderful to know that you have a never ending power source?

Not On Our Own

Have you ever attempted to do something you were not skilled at?  For example, you are not a contractor, but you tried to add a room on to your house.  Or you are not trained as a chef, and yet you decided to cater an event. There was an I Love Lucy episode that had Lucy sewing her own dress and doing her own hair care.  Two things she had never done before.  In the end she didn’t end up looking so good.  The problem was that she tried to it on her own with no guidance from anyone with sewing knowledge or hair care knowledge.  Her goal was to save money.  She might have still saved money if she had hired someone to sew it for her, instead shopping like she normally did downtown New York.  Then she could have still had nice looking cheaper clothes and depended on someone else to do the work.  Sometimes we have trouble giving control over to others. We want to do the work all on our own.  Our pride gets in the way.  However, God will give us assignments to do and not expect us to do it on our own.  Read Philippians 4:12-13.

¹² I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content]—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.

God gives us instructions in these verses that for us to be able to do something for Him in His Kingdom work that we need to do it through Christ.  We cannot do it on our own.  It will not be 100% successful.  It could come out fine, but it may not come out wonderful.  God wants us to depend on Him to do the work.  We are like the vessel that carries the water to water the plants.  Our vessel won’t do much good for the plants if we don’t have the water in it.  We need Jesus to control us and work through us.  We cannot sew our own dress.  We do not want to look like Lucy did.  So hire a good tailor.  Let Jesus take control.  Let Him build your room, cater your dinner, sew your dress, and water your plants.

The Adequacy of Being Inadequate

Most of us struggle with feeling inadequate.  When we were in school we felt inadequate to sing in the high school musical or make a speech.  When we were looking for our first job, we felt inadequate to answer the questions during the interview.  When we were meeting someone we knew that was not a Christian, we felt inadequate to share the gospel with them.  The list could probably go on and on.  We try to do things to improve our self-esteem.  We take a speech class.  We get a book on interviewing.  We take an evangelism class at church.  Yet, when it comes down to it we still feel inadequate.  The truth is we are in adequate for most things in life.  After all, we are human.  We are imperfect creatures.  We are sinners.  Yet, with all that knowledge about whom we really are, God who is perfect and holy still asks us to do things for Him.  He calls us to serve Him and reach out to others.  There is a reason for that.  Read Philippians 4:12-13 and I Timothy 1:12-14.

¹² I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content]—whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.(hcsb)

^12-14I’m so grateful to Christ Jesus for making me adequate to do this work. He went out on a limb, you know, in trusting me with this ministry. (msg)

God is trying to give us a little bit of wisdom in these verses.  He is trying to show us that yes, we are inadequate in ourselves, but He does not expect us to do it on our own.  It will be God who is able to do it.  Strengthen and adequate are carrying the same meaning in these verses.  In a way this is a good thing to know…that we are inadequate.  It keeps us from bragging on ourselves and should push us to brag on God.  Therefore, we can now glorify God through our inadequacies.  What great adequacy there is in being inadequate for God.

The Best Investment We Can Make

People good with their money will usually take some of their money and invest it in safe investments to earn some interest on their money.  They may buy land or stocks.  Of course as many of us have seen over the last few years some of the things we thought were safe and sound investments have turned in to major losses.  There is something else we can invest in that is even more important.  As good parents we should be investing in our children emotionally, physically and spiritually.  We should be spending time with them physically.  We should be encouraging them emotionally and teaching them spiritually.  The Bible takes this investing a step further.  Read Proverbs 13:22:

A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

All of us love our kids, even when they drive us nuts.  So why not after we have spent years investing in them to help them have a good life as they grow up shouldn’t we be leaving them an inheritance to remember us by and help them out in the future when we are gone?  It just makes good common sense that when you love someone that you would want to help them in any way you can.  It’s interesting to note that this scripture makes the point leaving an inheritance helps to define us as a good parent or grandparent.  This inheritance can be in a variety of forms.  Maybe it is the obvious, money.  Maybe it is some land.  Maybe it is some prized possession or family heirlooms.  Maybe it is book that you have written full of the wisdom you learned living your life.  Maybe it is family history outline and photographs.  Even these sentimental things are a wonderful inheritance.  Not everyone has money that they can leave behind.  Things happen in life to destroy excess money.  However, we can leave something special to our children and grandchildren that will either help them in life physically, emotionally or spiritually.  The important thing is that they see through this inheritance gift your love and a reminder of what you were to them in their lives.  So start now thinking about how you can invest in your children and grandchildren after you are gone with an inheritance you have left for them.

The Wisdom of Discipline

Raising up children can be a difficult thing.  I remember as a kid I said that I would never do some of the things my parents did.  Well, I did end up doing some of the things my parents did.  It isn’t until you have children of your own that you see why your parents did the things they do.  The Bible has a lot of great wisdom contained in it for bringing up your children.  The Holy Spirit can also help you raise your children.  Other Christian parents are also a great resource for wisdom on dealing with your children.  In other words, you are not alone.  Both of my children were very different.  We sometimes had to use different approaches when it came to disciplining them.  All children need disciplined at one time or another.  No child is perfect.  Some will test you until you have reached your last straw of control.  Even if you don’t have children yet, or just help baby sit others kids, some good planning and training ahead of time can be of benefit.  For example, knowing what the Bible says will be a good place to start.  Here are three great verses that teach us some wisdom about disciplining children:

Proverbs 13:24 - The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Proverbs 19:18 - Discipline your son while there is hope; don’t be intent on killing him.

Proverbs 22:15 - Foolishness is tangled up in the heart of a youth; the rod of discipline will drive it away from him.

Some parents and some parts of society/culture think that children should be allowed lots of choices and freedom.  That they will naturally do what is good for them or learn from their mistakes.  The first thing parents or caretakers for children need to remember is that we are all born with a sinful nature and none of us are ever going to naturally do what is good for us and many of us don’t learn from our mistakes.  The Bible teaches us that if we love our children we will discipline them, just like God disciplines us.  It is out of love that we show them what is right and wrong.  We want to protect them and show them the safer and better way to go.  In the next scripture we see that if we let a child go their own way, we may get so stressed that we get to the point we just want to shake them and wake them up.  I know my teenagers sometimes pushed me to the limit.  Not that I would want to kill them literally.  This verse is really making more the point that when someone keeps going down the wrong path in life it is like you are the one helping them to harm themselves.  It’s like intending to kill them when you don’t help them or getting them going in the direction that is safe.  In the last verse we see the age old concept that young people are fearless and may make foolish decisions based on their lack of experience or wisdom.  Sometimes kind words of wisdom are not enough and they need to be warned much more strongly.  Yes, even the rod of discipline might be needed with some personalities.  For different children that rod may look very different.  It might be grounding, no TV or an actual rod, etc. 

People are afraid to discipline thinking that their child won’t love them, but in reality discipline will keep them safer and they will still love you.  Sometimes we were strong with our kids, but they always knew where we stood and in the end still loved us.  They can look back on things now and understand why we did the things we did.  So use the wisdom of discipline to improve your child’s life and future.

Politician Speak

Politicians are pretty interesting people to watch when they speak.  Their goal is to win over their audience to whatever they are pushing for.  Whether they are running for office and want to win the vote or they are trying to get the public to accept their new bill or policy.  Unfortunately, some politicians pre-plan every word they speak and others don’t plan enough.  It only takes one wrong word to cause the speech maker’s goals to not be met.  As Christians we too, need to watch what words we speak.  Our words will protect us or destroy us.  They will keep us from trouble or throw us head first in to it.  We will glorify God with our words or we will cause people to question our faith and our God.  Here are two great Proverbs that remind us of these points:

Proverbs 12:13 – An evil man is trapped by [his] rebellious speech, but the righteous escapes from trouble.

Proverbs 13:3 – The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Like the Politicians, we as Christians, have a goal.  We are to glorify God in everything we do.  It just makes common sense therefore to guard our speech.  We need to resist temptation to speak instantly when asked a question, insulted, angered or hear an off-colored joke.  We need to stop and think.  We need to pray more often before we rashly speak out or up.  As Christians, we need to think more about our words as if they were to save our life, keep us from ruin or trouble.  We need to apply “Politician Speak” to our speech.  In other words, be concerned about what we say like a Politician is concerned about what they say.

 

Encouragement For Those Times When You Deal With Mockers

So many Christians are going through their daily lives just trying to live good and upright lives and yet many will be attacked by those who don’t believe.  They are treated badly, ridiculed, teased, mocked and scoffed at for no real reason sometimes.  Other times the actions of a few mis-guided Christians cause the Christians who are on the right track to be bombarded because of their actions, such as in the case of those who were mistaken about the May 21st and soon to be the Oct 21st dates that they promote.  We have to learn to accept as followers of God that we will be mis-treated and mis-understood during our lives this life on Earth.  If Jesus was mis-understood and mis-treated, we will be too.  However, we can put our hope in God during those times.  We can learn from His Word that He does take care of those who mis-treat His children.  Their time of judgment is coming.  Read II Peter 3:3-7.

“3 First, be aware of this: scoffers will come in the last days to scoff, following their own lusts, 4 saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.” 5 They willfully ignore this: long ago the heavens and the earth existed out of water and through water by the word of God. 6 Through these the world of that time perished when it was flooded by water. 7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth are held in store for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”

In Noah’s day there were scoffers that would not listen to Noah’s message that he preached to them warning them of the judgment that was to come to those who would not obey God.  He suffered through 120 years of hard physical work building the ark while he emotionally suffered through the mocking and scoffing of those who watched him.  In the end he saw God’s judgment come to pass and the mocking ended.  He saw his faith rewarded for his persistence and endurance during the mocking times.  Joshua and Caleb were others who also had great faith and endured others lack of faith.  In Numbers chapters 13 and 14 we read about the people of Israel reaching the edge of the promised land.  Moses sends out 12 men to spy out the land and come back give a report.  Only Joshua and Caleb give a good report and show faith that God will take them in to the land.  As a result the people get to the point where they are even going to stone Joshua and Caleb.  They scoffed at them.  God suddenly intervenes and the people stop while Moses goes and hears what God says.  The end result was that the people would not enter the land.  They were judged as despising God and would have to wonder in the wilderness until they died and then their children could go in.  Only Joshua and Caleb would be allowed to cross over.  They received the promise after enduring the mocking.  The others received judgment.

As we see in II Peter, all people will receive their judgment for their mocking and scoffing.  God will keep His word to us and see us safely to eternity, despite the mocking we may have to endure.  God will punish those who despise Him.  So cling to that hope and promise.  God’s promises found in His Word will serve as encouragement for those times when you deal with mockers.

 

A Great Reward

How many times have you competed for something in your life?  Go back to your childhood.  You probably competed in a spelling contest or drawing contest.  Or maybe you competed in track at school in Jr High.  Most likely you would win a ribbon for those grade school competitions.  Then maybe in High School or College you were on a team and your team competed for a trophy.  Next in life you probably competed for a job promotion and the prize was a better office and pay raise.  Maybe you were a salesperson and you competed to sell the most of your company’s product.  They offered a trip to Hawaii for the most sales made.  As humans we tend to love competition and the chance for a great prize.  Yet we could have a great reward that would surpass any prize we could think we would want to win.  Read Psalm 19:11-13.

“11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me.”

Previous to these verses we had read that God’s Word did many other great things for us.  In verse 11 we see that it also provides us with a great reward.  It may sound strange, but to understand our sins, our ability to be cleansed from them and to not be dominated by them anymore is a great reward.  To have that freedom is a marvelous feeling.  No earthly prize could ever compare.  So it just makes good common sense to know God’s Word and receive God’s great reward.