Month: November 2017

I got a dog bite a couple of weeks ago-trip to urgent care and two stitches.  I got involved in a dog fight with my gloved hand instead of the big mop located nearby-big mistake.  Isn’t it easy to react without thinking things through? There wasn’t time to think. My daughter had two dogs with one’s teeth clamped onto the other’s ear-not good so I tried to grab one collar while she had the other. Anyway, the hand is healing, but I’ve been thinking about how I sometimes react when I shouldn’t or react in the wrong way or with wrong motives.

Do we ever let our opinions separate us from our brothers and sisters in Christ?  Some opinions just aren’t that important, except to us, so why get “in a fight” over unimportant matters? The Bible teaches us to live in peace.  We  read in Romans 12:17-19, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

I’ve found there are times when I am just not going to agree with someone because our ideas or life styles are just so different, but that doesn’t mean I should “dog-fight” them.  I can still live in peace with that person.  It isn’t my job to change them (if change is needed) or vice versa–that’s God’s job.

I’m not happy when someone is disrespectful of me or wrongs me, but it isn’t my job to return that kind of behavior toward them. Forgiveness is necessary on my part whether the offender asks for it or not.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians concerning many problems in the church, but he closes his first letter with a reminder of Christ’s resurrection and our hope of resurrection at Christ’s return. Then Paul says, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Apparently, Paul thought that whatever differences we may have, Christ was most important.   I will do well to not get involved in “dog fights” but rather be involved in God’s work.

Dear God, help me to faithfully serve You by serving others.  Help me fully give myself to Your work without selfish ambitions. Remind me of the grace You offer to all who will receive it. Help me reflect that grace to others. Amen

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

Sometimes it’s hard to give thanks in every circumstance. I find it a bit easier to do so when I look for the blessing in the not-so-pleasant circumstance. I hope these suggestions will help you, also.

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When your to-do list is way too long give thanks for your mental capabilities to make the list. Then think about how to shorten it, either by delegating some tasks to others or deleting it if not absolutely necessary at this point in time. Be thankful you can figure that out.

When you’re busy with meal preparation give thanks for the family and friends who will share it with you.

When the car breaks down give thanks that you have a car.

When you pay the mortgage give thanks for the shelter provided by that house.

When your loved one is in the hospital give thanks for doctors and nurses who care for the sick.

When you’re feeling miserable with a cold give thanks for meds and a comfortable bed in which to rest.

When you are unable to be with family give thanks for phones or internet to stay in touch.

When your favorite recipe doesn’t turn out just right give thanks you had the strength to prepare it in the first place and the means to buy the ingredients.

When you’re so tired from working your job you don’t feel like putting one foot in front of the other give thanks for the job that provides an income.

When you’re up half the night with a sick child give thanks you have that child to love and care for. That child may need to care for you some day.

When your faith is weak and you doubt God, give thanks for His Word and other Christians. His Word can strengthen your faith and other Christians can encourage you on your way.

“I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3).

I am thankful for you, my readers.  I pray you will find a blessing in every circumstance.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

“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 4:18).

OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE SITS HERE

I recently saw these words on the side of a tractor-trailer parked on a lot near the road.  I have no idea what was in the trailer that was most valuable, but it got me thinking.  What is our most valuable resource? Is it the land, water, the sun, minerals, people, animals?  I suppose I could make quite a long list of valuable things.

Jesus told a parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matthew 13:44).  Jesus followed that parable by one about the pearl of great value. The merchant sold everything he had in order to buy it.   The kingdom of God is valuable.

In Luke 15 Jesus tells about the lost coin and the lost sheep. He said there was much rejoicing over finding the lost coin and the lost sheep.  The coin and the sheep were valuable but Jesus then said, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7).  People are valuable.

The Apostle Paul speaks of treasure in jars of clay. (See 2 Corinthians 4:7)  This treasure was the gospel entrusted to humans (jars of clay). Frail clay pots shine the light of the gospel by God’s abundant power. The gospel is valuable.

Think about what Jesus did on the cross. He bridged the gap between us and God. He made it possible for us to be part of God’s kingdom. He shines His light into our hearts so we can shine the light of the gospel to others.  Jesus is certainly valuable and He makes us valuable. With God’s Spirit living in us we can post a sign, “OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE SITS HERE.” Are we sharing the treasure?