The Road to the Good Life

Being a person who is living their Christian walk in humility doesn’t seem very rewarding.  It seems like giving in to other people’s wants and desires would leave us short of the good things in life.  Yet, God’s Word tell us to the contrary.   Proverbs 22:4 –

“Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.”

When we lead a life that honors God through humility towards others, God will honor us in return.  He will bless us.  What an encouragement to know that God will honor us when we honor others.  We need to remember that the road to the good life or the successful life is based on humility that honors God.

Devoted to the One I Love

What a simple, yet great set of instructions we are given regarding our prayer life in Colossians 4:2 –

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

First we are told to be devoted to prayer.  That means we are displaying a strong affection or attachment to our prayer life.  We are dedicated, loyal and devout to our prayer life.  We are set apart for prayer.  That doesn’t mean we just pray when we can fit it in.  It doesn’t mean it is two sentences of, “Hi God! and “How are you?”.  Prayer is a time of communication, conversation and relationship growing.  We should want to be spending time in prayer with God who loves us.  Just like those conversations we long for with our new boyfriend or girlfriend.  We want to share everything with them.  We want to learn everything about them.  We can’t wait for those stolen moments to be together and talk.  Phone calls last for hours and are regular.  How come we don’t feel like that about our Lord who saved us and gave us eternal life?  How come we don’t feel that way about God who made the ultimate sacrifice for us?  Yet for someone we just met, we can’t wait to spend every moment with them.  We need to adjust our thinking and follow these instructions, because they will greatly benefit us.  Next it tells us to be watchful.  Watchful means that during our prayer time and after we are closely observant, alert; vigilant, aware, careful, not sleeping and awake.  Just like when the disciples fell asleep in the garden instead of spending just one hour in prayer with the Lord.  It meant a lot to Him and he was disappointed.  We are to be looking for something.  We are to be expectant.  It is after all a two way conversation.  Shouldn’t be expected God to converse with us?  Shouldn’t we be expected His thoughts on the subject we are praying about?  Shouldn’t we want to hear an answer?  After all He is the wisest source of knowledge and best provider there is.  Lastly we are instructed to be thankful.  We really truly should be thankful that the omnipotent and omniscient God is so loving, kind and merciful to us and wants to be a friend that converses with us regularly.  We should be truly thankful for whatever He allows in our lives.  It is all meant for good.

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.

Instruct Your Children

I am so amazed when I watch TV these days.  I see commercials and public service announcements that contain instructions to parents on how to be parents.  It is almost like the parents of today have never learned how to be a parent.  The movement in society to let kids have more freedom and not to discipline has helped to lead to parents not paying attention to their kids.  There has been far too much concern with damaging the children’s egos or self-esteem levels.  Teaching a child and giving them boundaries or rules can only help them.  Instructing a child will give them wisdom that will protect them throughout life in a multitude of ways.  God makes it clear in multiple places in the Bible that he expects parents to instruct their children and to instruct them in the ways of God.  God also expects children to listen and obey their parents.  Of course, no child will do that naturally, just like we don’t naturally with ease listen to and obey God. So it is up to parents to teach children that they need to listen and obey for their own good.  It won’t be easy.  It will be difficult at times emotionally, but it will be worth it in the end.  The children will grow up wiser and godlier as a result of our efforts as parents.  Here are just two verses that teach us God’s expectations for parents and children.

Ephesians 6:4 – And fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 13:1 – A wise son [hears his] father’s instruction, but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke.

We have to remember as parents that God is with us and will take care of us.  He will provide what we need to be good parents.  He will give us instructions, so that we can instruct our children.  We need to depend on God for strength, knowledge, parental skills and wisdom.  He wants us to succeed at parenting and He will helps us to do just that.  Go ahead, don’t be afraid to be a parent that instructs, leads, guides and disciplines.  It doesn’t make you a bad parent if you say “No”.  If it did then that would make God a bad God, because He tells us “No” when we need to be told “No”.  We all know God is a good God.  So it is ok to say “No” and to instruct our children.  Glorify God with your parenting!

Keep On Keeping On

It’s interesting to read different translations of the Bible.  Reading different translations can help you gain different perspectives or insights in to a verse.  However, you have to be careful there are translations that are inaccurate.  To really get an accurate translation and deeper insight in to the Word it is always better to go back to the Greek or Hebrew and do a word study.  Some translations are accurate, but they may only get across a concept or basic meaning.  Other translations may pull out more of the correct tense and definition of the words.  For example, take a look at the verse we looked at yesterday, Matthew 7: 7-8.

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (NIV 2011)

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (New King James)

⁷ “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (NIV 1984)

 ⁷ “Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

 All four versions are basically ok, but two, NIV 2011 and New King James, give us the concept and two, NIV 1984 and Holman, give us the original intended tense.  The original Greek wording and tense deepens the instruction being taught in this verse.  We aren’t just to ask, we are to keep asking.  We aren’t just to seek/search, we are to keep seeking/searching.  We aren’t just to knock once, we are to keep knocking.  As the old saying goes, we are to “Keep on keeping on”.  Be persistent.  Be like the persistent widow in the parable in Luke 18: 1-8.

The Road to the Good Life

Being a person who is living their Christian walk in humility doesn’t seem very rewarding.  It seems like giving in to other people’s wants and desires would leave us short of the good things in life.  Yet, God’s Word tell us to the contrary.   Proverbs 22:4 –

“Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.”

When we lead a life that honors God through humility towards others, God will honor us in return.  He will bless us.  What an encouragement to know that God will honor us when we honor others.  We need to remember that the road to the good life or the successful life is based on humility that honors God.

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.