Blessed to Believe
18/07/10 11:09
It is
early Wednesday morning and the day is as still and
as quiet as a snow covered evening forest. (I thought
I would try to get your minds off of the sweltering
heat and humidity that this summer has so generously
given us!) When I am up early like this, my mind
really seems to kick into fifth gear. My first
thoughts are of God and His protective blessing that
He has had on my life. He has blessed my family and I
owe all praise to Him. I am really thankful that
I’m a Christian.
On the other hand, my thoughts could go the other way just as easily; it begins with the “to do” list that is ever-present in the back of my mind. My thoughts can run roughshod over my faith with all the problems and fears that a new day can and will possess. I remember Jesus warning us not to worry about tomorrow, for the morrow will take care of itself and besides that, the present day has enough trouble for us to give thought about. And boy, is He right! Think of all the trouble that is in the world today; crime is running rampant and nobody is safe anywhere. Little towns, big cities; it doesn’t matter where one lives, it seems that anything can happen to anyone, at anytime. Then there’s the economy and the state of the nation. God have mercy on us!
You know, one of the hidden dangers of our society is our capability to hear and see all the news that the networks would have us to see, or should I say, think we want to see. I don’t know how many little news segments I’ve seen on the young nineteen-year-old man who is nicknamed the “Barefoot Bandit” or about the man seen urinating in the trees on a golf course, that may or may not have been Ben Roethlisberger. There are untold miseries in the world; wars, famines, human trafficking, child molestations and the like –and a “man” seen urinating in the trees makes the news! God have mercy on us. I think I’m real close to swearing off television. Life can be really ugly folks and there is only one answer for us all –Jesus Christ!
Paul tells us in Ephesians that at one time we were in this world without Christ. We were separated from Him and excluded from the citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God. But now, we who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Because Jesus Christ is our peace! God has so desired, that we should be partakers of His Divine nature through these promises that He has given us to believe on. Our belief in these promises is what causes our hope to become alive and enable us to endure the hardships of life. (Remember; our belief in God is even a gift that He has given to us. Phil.1:29 )
If we truly believe that if God be for us, who can be against us, then why can we not assume that the trials in our lives are actually given for our good.
Think of your lives this way: If a man found a diamond in the ground, he has still found a very valuable thing though it came from the dirt. But then, he takes that diamond to be cut and polished, making it even more valuable. Our lives are those diamonds and when God brought us near to Himself, we became valuable –our lives mean something! Now God allows life to be the diamond cutter and trials are given to cut and polish us, making us truly precious in His sight. When my thoughts begin to run roughshod –I begin to believe the promises all over again! and I am blessed!
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us…And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8
Think about it,
Pastor Jim
On the other hand, my thoughts could go the other way just as easily; it begins with the “to do” list that is ever-present in the back of my mind. My thoughts can run roughshod over my faith with all the problems and fears that a new day can and will possess. I remember Jesus warning us not to worry about tomorrow, for the morrow will take care of itself and besides that, the present day has enough trouble for us to give thought about. And boy, is He right! Think of all the trouble that is in the world today; crime is running rampant and nobody is safe anywhere. Little towns, big cities; it doesn’t matter where one lives, it seems that anything can happen to anyone, at anytime. Then there’s the economy and the state of the nation. God have mercy on us!
You know, one of the hidden dangers of our society is our capability to hear and see all the news that the networks would have us to see, or should I say, think we want to see. I don’t know how many little news segments I’ve seen on the young nineteen-year-old man who is nicknamed the “Barefoot Bandit” or about the man seen urinating in the trees on a golf course, that may or may not have been Ben Roethlisberger. There are untold miseries in the world; wars, famines, human trafficking, child molestations and the like –and a “man” seen urinating in the trees makes the news! God have mercy on us. I think I’m real close to swearing off television. Life can be really ugly folks and there is only one answer for us all –Jesus Christ!
Paul tells us in Ephesians that at one time we were in this world without Christ. We were separated from Him and excluded from the citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God. But now, we who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Because Jesus Christ is our peace! God has so desired, that we should be partakers of His Divine nature through these promises that He has given us to believe on. Our belief in these promises is what causes our hope to become alive and enable us to endure the hardships of life. (Remember; our belief in God is even a gift that He has given to us. Phil.1:29 )
If we truly believe that if God be for us, who can be against us, then why can we not assume that the trials in our lives are actually given for our good.
Think of your lives this way: If a man found a diamond in the ground, he has still found a very valuable thing though it came from the dirt. But then, he takes that diamond to be cut and polished, making it even more valuable. Our lives are those diamonds and when God brought us near to Himself, we became valuable –our lives mean something! Now God allows life to be the diamond cutter and trials are given to cut and polish us, making us truly precious in His sight. When my thoughts begin to run roughshod –I begin to believe the promises all over again! and I am blessed!
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us…And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8
Think about it,
Pastor Jim
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