Articles for April 2017

 Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” 

When something comes into our lives that doesn’t meet with our standards or expectations, our first reaction is often to murmur and complain. It may even lead to contention and arguments.  This seems to be the natural human response to the irritations of life.  But, as usual, God does not want us to react with our natural tendencies.

The word ‘all’ is used frequently in the scriptures. All, covers a large scope of happenings, in fact, it covers everything.  God is not even allowing us wiggle room to complain about the things that we feel ‘justified’ to complain about.  This statement is all inclusive, leaving nothing out.

This verse tells us that we live in a wicked and perverse nation. This statement covers America today, as well as the Jewish nation of yesteryear.  God says if we refrain from murmuring and complaining, we will stand out and shine for Him.  (Shine – give light, be bright and brilliant,  1828 Dictionary).

When we respond to the happenings of life with grace and trust in God, it will be noticed by those around us and it will be a testimony for the Lord.  People need to know that God makes a difference in our lives and we show them this by our actions!

So…o…o…o the next time you are tempted to complain or murmur, ask God to help you respond in a manner that will please Him. Be the light in this dark world that God wants you to be!

Proverbs 18:13, “He that answerth a matter before he hearth it, it is folly
and a shame to him.”

I love God’s Word – it is so pertinent to our lives. It not only covers the Spiritual aspect – how to be saved and how to have the assurance that we will spend eternity in Heaven. It also covers how we are to live in a manner that will please God and help us to get along with others. (We just covered the subject of speaking softly, which can diffuse the most tense situation.)

This verse is basically telling us not to jump to conclusions. This can be a problem for a lot of us. We need to get the facts (all the facts) before we give an answer concerning a matter. We half hear, we half see, and then we give our opinion. God is saying this is unwise and a shame to us.

I’m sure you’ve been on both sides of this situation. You have been relating a thought and the person you are talking to assumes where you are going and jumps in and takes over. The problem is that they are taking it in a total different direction from what you intended. On the flip side, you have done the same thing to others. It is a common fault with people – we don’t listen!

Here is some practical advice from God, Himself. He says to stand back and understand the whole of a matter before you evaluate it. Be a good listener. Understand all the facts – only then give an opinion. Good advice!

Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” 

This verse is another example of the fact that God gives us good, practical advice in His Word. Your first reaction may be ‘Duh’, of course He does, He knows what is best.  But–we need to incorporate this good advice into our lives and follow it.  That is the part that we often fail to do.

A soft answer is a quiet and controlled response to whatever is going on around you. God is not saying that you may not have a point that you desire to get across.  He is saying HOW you do it is of utmost importance to your testimony and to the response that you receive.

A soft answer defuses a situation. It can quiet things down.  Often we answer harshly and quickly and anger will escalate on every ones part.  God is telling us not to speak loudly even if we are upset.  Anger not only makes the blood pressure go up, but it also seems to make the volume of our voices get louder.  God is telling us NO.  This is not pleasing to Him and it always leads to more anger.

Our goal needs to be – ALWAYS – answer softly and in love. (This can happen with God’s help!)   It is encouraging to me when God points out areas in my life that will benefit me if I follow His instructions. Read the Bible, know the Bible, and follow the Bible, it will make your life happier and more fruitful for the Lord.

Romans 4:20,21, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” 

This verse is a great commendation on the life of Abraham. He wasn’t double minded.  He didn’t waver in his trust of God.  His faith was strong.  He fully believed if God promised it, it was a done deal.  He knew God would do what He said He would do and he lived accordingly.

God did not give Abraham an exclusive on ‘faith’. The opportunity for each one of us to trust God in this same manner is open to all of us.  We just need to realize and trust that every single promise in the Scriptures is set in granite.  It is sure and trustworthy – backed up by God Himself, and He cannot lie.

There are many promises in the Scriptures that if we could get a hold of, they would change our lives. Promises such as:

• God promises to meet all our needs. (Philippians 4:19)
• He promises never to leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
• He promises to hear and answer our prayers. (Psalm 138:3)
• He promises to help in times of trouble. (Psalm (46:1)
• He promises to give us wisdom to live by. (James 1:5)

He promises………add to this list as you read and study the Scriptures and then believe and stand on every single one of them. Be fully persuaded that if God promises it, then it will happen — for sure, positively, and absolutely!

James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” 

This is an invitation to ‘YOU’ personally. I never cease to be amazed that there are so many Scriptures where God talks to us as individuals.  He cares about each one of us and often addresses us personally in His Word.

I think all of us would like to be ‘wise’ in the way we live, (having the power to discern and judge correctly, 1828 Dictionary) When we are unsure how to handle a situation or decision, God is telling us that we can ask Him for His help and wisdom in making the proper choices.  This can involve any area of our lives.  We all know that life can throw us curve balls when we least expect them.  This should make this promise all the more appreciated by us.

Our heavenly Father says, “Ask Me to help you live wisely and I will do so, freely and bountifully.   I will not reprove you or scold you because you asked and I promise to answer you.”  ( Jackson paraphrase)

Think about it. It really is foolish for us to muddle through life and try to manage on our own when God promises His help and wisdom.  Our job is to ASK for this wisdom.  Don’t forget the verse that follows this promises, James 1:6a, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”

God gives us promises, but we must believe and claim these promises by faith!

Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” 

Let nothing be done through strife (contention in anger) or vainglory (empty pride) – 1828 Dictionary. In other words – not ever, no way, no how, should we allow anger or self promotion to motivate our lives.  Self cannot be allowed to be number one in our considerations.

This is so-o-o-o contrary to our nature. It seems to be automatic for us to make decisions on the  ‘how does this affect me?’  basis.  But, God says – NO.  We are to put others before ourselves and we are to be kind while we are doing it.  We are even to consider that others are better than we are.

God is instructing us here to be humble. God desires that we should be free from pride and arrogance.  The Scriptures are full of God’s directives on how He wants His children to live, they are to be: kind, forgiving, loving, soft spoken, not argumentative, helpful, humble, not grumblers…  I’m sure you can add many more desirable traits to this list.

God does have standards of conduct for our lives if we profess Jesus as our Saviour.   Our desire should be to know these standards (by reading and studying the Bible) and then by striving to incorporate these traits into our lives.  How we live is how we show to the world that God has made a difference in our lives.

We all know that we are not capable of making these changes in our own strength. But remember Philippians 4:13,  “I can do all things through Christ which strentheneth me.”  God is always near to help us – we just need to want to follows His ways and then ask for His help to do so!

Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” 

Ecclesiastes 9:10a, follows this thought, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”

The ‘whatsoever’ in these verses covers a lot of ground. Come to think of it – it covers everything.  God is telling us (quite clearly) that any job, small or large should be done with zeal and eagerness and to the best of our ability.  It doesn’t matter if it’s singing in a choir, teaching a Sunday School class, working at a job, or doing the dishes. If our thoughts are wanting to please God in what we are doing, then this will be counted as serving the Lord and God will bless our efforts.

We are all on equal ground.   It’s true that some may have more talents or abilities than others, but it is a matter of the heart.  If the ‘whatsoever’ you are doing is done with a humble spirit and wanting to please the Lord, it has the same value before God.

God made you—you. So thank Him for the abilities YOU have, and serve Him with those abilities to the best of your ability!  (O.K. I overdid the word ability – but I am sure you get the idea.)  You can be a great servant for God by following His leading.  Do the best you can and do it as to the Lord.  This is God’s way and this is what He desires from YOU!

Psalm 112:7, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:  his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.” 

This verse is the answer in a ‘nut shell’ to all the evil tidings we are bombarded with every day. Morally, politically, economically, spiritual false teachings – the list can go on and on.  It seems to get more bizarre every day.  The world seems to be going crazy and evil seems to be taking over, but —

 Praise God, the Christian needs not to be afraid in the midst of all of this chaos.

Fixed means: settled, established, firm, fast, stable  (1828 dictionary).

God says our hearts (our innermost self) need to be fixed (settled and established) on Him. Our eyes need to be looking at Him and His power, not on man and his evil ways.  When we are trusting God and acknowledging that He is in control, then we will be able to stand firm in our faith, and nothing will be able to shake our resolve to serve God.

Our emotions do not need to be on a roller coaster because our society is so off kilter. Watching the news can make you want to stop the world and get off!  But, God says that if our eyes are focused on Him and we are trusting Him no matter what is going on around us, there will be no room for anxiety and fear.  What a GREAT PROMISE!

II Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 

This verse is telling us that God’s grace is sufficient – it’s enough. Actually it’s more than enough to meet every need we may have in life.

As we read God’s Word, much seems to bounce back into our laps. God says His grace is sufficient – if it doesn’t seem so to us – guess who has the problem…WE DO!.  God’s promise is there, and He cannot fall short on a promise. Therefore,  all the frustrations and anxieties we face in life are magnified simply because we do not reach out and accept this grace that God has promised to us.

This verse is not saying that there will be no problems or heartaches in this life. What it is saying is that God’s strength is available to us so that we will be able to face these problems with assurance and peace.

“That the power of Christ, may rest upon me.” What a great thing.  We can walk in the power of Christ.  We do not have to depend on our own feeble strength to get us through the day.  This promise sure makes the future look brighter and the hardships we may have to endure seem less daunting.

God’s grace and Christ’s power – This is a promise we need to claim daily!

Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for faithful is He that promised;)” 

This is a commission from God Himself. He is telling us to hold fast, stand firm, and not vacillate in our faith.  Now, we all realize that we cannot do this in our own strength.  BUT, it is our decision if we are going to reach out for God’s help during the trials and challenges of life.  We are not puppets that have no control on how we serve God, it really is our choice.

Basically, our faith and trust in God should be so settled and firm in our lives that nothing will be able to shake it – NOTHING.  We need to be like that tree in Jeremiah 17:8, “For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”  If our lives are planted deep into the soil of God’s Word, and our roots are reaching for the water of His grace, then our life will be fruitful – no matter what is going on around us.  The wind can blow, the draught can come, the heat can beat down on us, but we will stand tall and firm in our faith.  Our testimony will hold fast for God.

For us to be the faithful people that God wants us to be, we need to read the Word and meditate on the Word daily.  This is how we grow and are nourished in our Christian life.

I know that you know this, but we often let ‘life’ get in the way of what we know we should do.  To know and to do are very different things.

My prayer is that my faith will be strong, and that your faith will be strong; strong enough to stand firmly for God in this unsettled world.  He promised to help us and give us strength and He will do so if we are seeking that help and asking for it.  Remember – faithful is He that promised