Live, learn, be free

Depending on God

It can be easy in the world we live in today to say we don't need God.  We can handle things on our own.  We give up on prayer.  We stop communicating with God.  Many say they are just too busy to pray.

It is true that God is all powerful.  He does not need us to pray.  God wants us to pray because it is how we communicate with Him.  We can talk honestly with God when we come to him in prayer.

There are many different ways of praying to God.  Different prayers have different purposes.  Petition, confession, adoration, intercession, meditation, thanksgiving and consecration are the different types of prayers.

Reading through Nehemiah recently I learned about his steadfast prayer life.  Nehemiah was confident in his prayer life.  Nehemiah was the cup bearer to the king.  This means he had to taste all of the king's drinks and food to make sure they were not poisoned.

I can not imagine how difficult it must have been for Nehemiah to go to work each day not knowing if he would be die of poisoning.  He trusted in God and he knew God would hear his prayers.  I like how he describes God as attentive to his prayers in Nehemiah 1:11. 

Nehemiah had to be dependent on God, not only because his job was life threatening but because he loved God.  He wanted others to know God and to know of His love.  Let us be people who are dependent on God, people who are courageous and will be open to participate in His work no matter the cost.

Running In Place

There are times in our lives when we think we are getting ahead and getting things done but it seems like nothing is happening.  It can be frustrating to feel like you are working hard only to not see the results you expected.

I understand this problem firsthand.  I am an impatient person.  I feel like if I am working hard on something I should be able to see the results.  Things changed for me when Elijah was diagnosed with Asperger''s Syndrome. 

The progress Elijah made was slow.  We were busy driving him around to all his therapies and programs.  He was progressing we just weren't seeing the results yet.  Then I was reading James 5 one day and it dawned on me, God wants us to be patient. 

Now I must say this was not an easy process and still isn't but God has been faithful.  He has followed through with His promise to us about our son.  After waiting patiently for 8 years Elijah is making amazing progress.  He had made some progress over the last 8 years just not the kind of progress he is making right now.

We persevered and now we are seeing the results from running in place.  James 5 warns us about wanting it all right now.  We need to be patient and wait on God, His timing is always the best.  We need to keep running in place and be patient, blessings await.

If you are currently struggling with this problem keep in mind the words of James 5.  Be patient and stand firm.  God will always follow through on His promises.  Keep running in place and your reward will come.

Marks of Jesus

Peer pressure still gets us as adults, we call it "keeping up with the Joneses."  What we wear, what we drive, and where we live can all be influenced by those around us.  Even our vocabulary can be affected, have you spent any time in the south?  That sweet southern accent can rub off in a second.

We are often tempted to change our behavior in order to be accepted by others.  This lifestyle has a very high price tag.  We need to figure out who's approval is worth it.  We all feel cultural pressure around us.  We must lay every pressure around us at the feet of Jesus. 

Sometimes you may even be tempted to hide your Christianity to make a good impression.  It is important that not matter what comes our way we bear the marks of Jesus.  These are marks of Jesus are the evidence of our faithful service to the King.

Do you have marks of Jesus?  Let us purify our motives in this life.  Let's not go after the approval of men, but let's chase after the approval of God.  The good news is we don't have to run as long or as hard to get God's approval.  He loves us just the way we are, all we have to do is run to him. 

Read through Galatians 6:11-18.  You have already made a good impression on God.  Wear your marks of Jesus with pride.  Give up chasing after man's approval you have already been accepted by God.   

Spiritual Inventory

An inventory usually takes stock of what you have and don't have.  Stores, businesses and factories take inventory.  But we can also use inventories to take stock of our spiritual lives.

We start our inventory by looking at what we have.  Look at your family, friends, home, job, children.  You can also look at your possessions, your talents and even your relationships.  You won't probably be surprised with what you come up with for these inventories.  Most of us know what we have in these arenas. 

Sometimes we start to look at all the things we have and we start to think we have done alright for ourselves.  We think we have done all this for ourselves.  We are wrong to think we got everything we have on our own.

When we start to take stock of what we don't have then we will really be surprised.  We can soon realize that we don't have it all.  Take stock of your security, happiness, contentment, patience, trust and peace.  What do you see?  Is this inventory list empty, or do you have some of these on the shelf?

Sometimes the things we don't have tend to outweigh the things we have.  We know we don't have a right standing before God.  Our relationship with our Heavenly Father is suffering.  Don't let pride get in the way, take inventory of the right stuff.  God wants to have a relationship with you don't shut him out.

Can You Be Content?

I will go ahead and spoil the surprise, the answer to the title is yes.  We can be content if we choose to be.  I am not saying it is easy but I am saying it can be done.  I will admit there are times I don't choose to be content but I catch myself and correct myself.

Philippians 4:11 tells us we are to learn to be content in every circumstance. Paul goes on to say in verse 12, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

We have to stop the insanity of trying to keep up with the Joneses.  We have to start looking around and realizing that we have everything we need.  We need to show God our gratitude for all He provides for us.  There will always be something better around the corner.

I know it's hard when you buy something and a few months later a better snazzier version is released.  It is tempting to want to get the new one.  That is the game the companies are counting on, they want us to grow discontent with what we have so we will buy the new product each time.

Let's all commit to being content with what we have.  Let's be thankful for what we have and show our appreciation to God.  Quit keeping up with the Joneses and be happy with what you have.  You can be content no matter what.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

I am sure of you have heard of the following saying, when life give you lemons use them to make lemonade.  This saying is in reference to using the bad things in our lives to make something good.  When you are experiencing difficulties in your life we can use them to glorify God.

Many of us have examples from our own life or we know people around us who are examples of this saying.  I was watching a Monday Night Football game recently.  If you are familiar with the recent trials and tribulations of the Washington Redskins then you may be familiar with their coach Jim Zorn.

Jim Zorn has been stripped of his offensive play calling duties.  In other words he been reduced to a cheerleader of sorts for his players.  It was interesting to see how he has dealt this predicament, not just in the media but on the sidelines. 

You would think Jim Zorn would not care about the team or even bother to get into the game.  Instead Jim Zorn stood tall on the sidelines and cheered on his players.  He ran up to players and would pump them up and encourage them to do well.

In life we can only control what we are choosing to do, how we deal with the troubles that come our way.  We can not control what others will do.  As Christians we can be an example to others of the hope we have in this life.  Jim Zorn is a Christian and he knows he can only control what he does, not what the owners and managers do. 

We need to realize that if we believe God and trust in Him then He will make good on His promises.  God has told us His word, that He wants good for us.  Pray and ask God to help you turn those lemons into lemonade because even if you don't like lemonade someone else will.  Others can learn from our difficulties.  Would you be willing to help others in this way?