“YOU HAVE HEARD IT SAID, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AND HATE YOUR ENEMY.’ BUT I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU, DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU, AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU, THAT YOU MAY BE SONS OF YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN; FOR HE MAKES THE SUN RISE ON THE EVIL AND ON THE GOOD, AND SENDS RAIN ON THE JUST AND ON THE UNJUST.” MATTHEW 4:43-45
This is the test isn’t it? To be a Christian is to live in opposition to your natural nature; it means to love those who hate you and to good to those who use you. There is no place within the believing heart for malice; no secret room where it is safe to store anger or revenge, no peg upon which you are to hang grudges.
Have we not been told, even if we perform all manner of miracle and yet do not love that our actions are useless? How easy it is to “love” those who love us; how easy it is to give if when we think there is a possibility of return or reward for such gifts. Sincere love is however when we sacrifice knowing there is nothing to be gained; greater love is when we give just as freely while understanding that we are being used.
We do not love for our sakes; we love for those around us, showing them the unconditional love of their Heavenly Father. Though our love is always tempered by our humanness, we can in small ways hint at the boundless depths of the Father’s love for us all.
God gives abundantly to all His children; the sun shines upon the good, the bad and the ugly, while the rain refreshes both those who are fair and those who are unfair.
Believer, your job is simple, but there is nothing easy in it; that is it is uncomplicated, but not easy to perform; Jesus says,
“YOU HAVE HEARD IT SAID, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AND HATE YOUR ENEMY.’ BUT I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU, DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HATE YOU, AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU, THAT YOU MAY BE SONS OF YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN; FOR HE MAKES THE SUN RISE ON THE EVIL AND ON THE GOOD, AND SENDS RAIN ON THE JUST AND ON THE UNJUST.” AMEN!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
A Man Most Content
I sat with a man today; a man most content
I spoke but never an answer gave he,
He was troubled neither by thought or rebuttal
I shifted in my chair after some time,
My weary bones aching from toil and age
But he who kept me company was most relaxed,
without even the slightest twinge of pain
I challenged him with politics, religion and moral debate
Like a skilled listener, he held his tongue; as though both heart and mind were locked away
He had neither a worry nor care
He felt neither an ache nor pain
No matter how I rambled
His silence convinced me of his vast wisdom
And his greater self-control
His appearance was perfect;
He looked younger than he had in years
His hair was neatly combed, every hair in place
His clothing without spot or wrinkle
And His very presence caused me to pause; to consider
For who is the man who is most content?
Who is the man without worry, thought or care;
Who is the man without ache or pain,
who is the man looking better today than he has for years?
Who is this man who is the picture of control and repose?
He is the man who is dead
He who lies so quietly in his casket
Perfectly at ease without the slightest tinge of dread
He is the man who is most content; the man who is already dead.
8/21/2009 Gary L. Holman
I spoke but never an answer gave he,
He was troubled neither by thought or rebuttal
I shifted in my chair after some time,
My weary bones aching from toil and age
But he who kept me company was most relaxed,
without even the slightest twinge of pain
I challenged him with politics, religion and moral debate
Like a skilled listener, he held his tongue; as though both heart and mind were locked away
He had neither a worry nor care
He felt neither an ache nor pain
No matter how I rambled
His silence convinced me of his vast wisdom
And his greater self-control
His appearance was perfect;
He looked younger than he had in years
His hair was neatly combed, every hair in place
His clothing without spot or wrinkle
And His very presence caused me to pause; to consider
For who is the man who is most content?
Who is the man without worry, thought or care;
Who is the man without ache or pain,
who is the man looking better today than he has for years?
Who is this man who is the picture of control and repose?
He is the man who is dead
He who lies so quietly in his casket
Perfectly at ease without the slightest tinge of dread
He is the man who is most content; the man who is already dead.
8/21/2009 Gary L. Holman
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
LOOK TO GOD
“TROUBLE AND DISTRESS HAVE COME UPON ME, BUT YOUR COMMANDS ARE MY DELIGHT.”PSALM 119:143
Nothing touches the heart of a parent as much as the concern for the well-being of a son or daughter. Other troubles may camp at your door routinely; other trials pass, at times nearly unnoticed, but when are children are in danger or making risking decisions or participating in risky behavior, our lives can come to a screeching stop.
The worry, the concern, the heart-ache and the sorrow can consume us; how we want to make their decisions for them. In such times, we need to remember the laws of God are in place. His Word is true and if He cares for you and me, He will certainly care for our children and loved ones as well.
Jesus said, “IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLES, BUT I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” You and I must cry out to God with loud voices; “we trust you God, we know that you are God and you are good and merciful and just!
In as much as we love our children; in as much as we love our parents; in as much as we love our spouses, He loves them more. When we have done all that we can to teach them and guide them and care for them and love them; then the test comes for us to release them,
It is God’s Word that orders the lives of His children; we must place our trust in His commands.
FATHER GOD, W COME TO YOU AND WE ASK FOR STRENGTH. Allow the angels to intervene on our behalf. As trials and troubles rise around us like a flood we place our trust in the security of your commands. Speak where we cannot speak; say what we cannot say, direct and protect those we love for where our arms are too short, your love never fails. In Jesus mighty name, we pray; Amen!
Nothing touches the heart of a parent as much as the concern for the well-being of a son or daughter. Other troubles may camp at your door routinely; other trials pass, at times nearly unnoticed, but when are children are in danger or making risking decisions or participating in risky behavior, our lives can come to a screeching stop.
The worry, the concern, the heart-ache and the sorrow can consume us; how we want to make their decisions for them. In such times, we need to remember the laws of God are in place. His Word is true and if He cares for you and me, He will certainly care for our children and loved ones as well.
Jesus said, “IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLES, BUT I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” You and I must cry out to God with loud voices; “we trust you God, we know that you are God and you are good and merciful and just!
In as much as we love our children; in as much as we love our parents; in as much as we love our spouses, He loves them more. When we have done all that we can to teach them and guide them and care for them and love them; then the test comes for us to release them,
It is God’s Word that orders the lives of His children; we must place our trust in His commands.
FATHER GOD, W COME TO YOU AND WE ASK FOR STRENGTH. Allow the angels to intervene on our behalf. As trials and troubles rise around us like a flood we place our trust in the security of your commands. Speak where we cannot speak; say what we cannot say, direct and protect those we love for where our arms are too short, your love never fails. In Jesus mighty name, we pray; Amen!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
IN WHOM WILL YOU TRUST?
“YOU HAVE PLANTED MUCH BUT HARVESTED LITTLE. YOU HAVE FOOD TO EAT, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO FILL YOU UP. YOU HAVE WINE TO DRINK, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO SATISFY YOUR THIRST. YOU HAVE CLOTHING TO WEAR, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO KEEP YOU WARM. YOUR WAGES DISAPPEAR AS THOUGH YOU WERE PUTTING THEM IN POCKETS FILLED WITH HOLES!” HAGGAI 1:6
The prophet speaks to the condition of those who disobey God. There is no success a part form the blessing of God.
As conditions around us deteriorate our only hope is in the mercy and grace of God. Men look to men, but the ways of men are riddled with selfish intent. Only God gives graciously and freely and abundantly; only God has the unlimited resources to satisfy all our needs and the ability to keep us in spite of enduring trials.
If you find yourself frustrated with each step, perhaps you should reevaluate with whom you are walking. If you your good faith comes back to you void, perhaps you should reconsider in whom you are placing your good faith.
As David reminds us, “I HAVE BEEN YOUNG, AND NOW I AM OLD; YET I HAVE NOT SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN, NOR HIS SEED BEGGING FOR BREAD.” PSALM 37:25
The prophet speaks to the condition of those who disobey God. There is no success a part form the blessing of God.
As conditions around us deteriorate our only hope is in the mercy and grace of God. Men look to men, but the ways of men are riddled with selfish intent. Only God gives graciously and freely and abundantly; only God has the unlimited resources to satisfy all our needs and the ability to keep us in spite of enduring trials.
If you find yourself frustrated with each step, perhaps you should reevaluate with whom you are walking. If you your good faith comes back to you void, perhaps you should reconsider in whom you are placing your good faith.
As David reminds us, “I HAVE BEEN YOUNG, AND NOW I AM OLD; YET I HAVE NOT SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN, NOR HIS SEED BEGGING FOR BREAD.” PSALM 37:25
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Hold Tight Your Shield
“AS FOR GOD, HIS WAY IS PERFECT; THE WORD OF THE LORD IS PROVEN; HE IS A SHIELD TO ALL WHO TRUST IN HIM.” 2 SAMUEL 22:21
This fallen world is full of opportunity for compromise. Following our deceitful hearts, we so easily compromise what we know to be truth; we compromise our health; physically, emotionally, mentally and unless we remind ourselves of God’s goodness to us; we too often compromise ourselves spiritually.
Hear the words of the man of God; embrace the wisdom of lessons learned, remind yourself of your Father whose heart is broken by our willful sin.
“AS FOR GOD, HIS WAY IS PERFECT”; For our sake’ “THOU SHALT NOT. . .” is written. Being the One who created us, He knows what is most profitable for us. Our sin does not threaten His Lordship; it breaks His heart, for us. He knows the destruction that awaits His rebellious children. “FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD!” ROMANS 6:23
“THE WORD OF THE LORD IS PROVEN; God’s communication is perfect. His Word is a Light unto our way, Lamp unto our feet; life and that abundant and eternal. The more the darkness of the world assails us, the more we need His Light, the more confusing the path before us the more we need His direction; the more death surrounds us and demands that we make more of it than we ought; His Word reminds us and keeps us; “OH DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VISTORY?” 1 CORINTHIANS 15:55
“HE IS A SHIELD TO ALL WHO TRUST IN HIM.” Only a ruthless, conniving, deceptive enemy would convince his foe to drop his shield in the heat of battle; only sin-prone man could be foolish enough to do so, yet how often, at the very time we have need to place all our trust in God, do we choose to abandon such trust; do we push aside God who is our shield.
About 30 years ago, after faithfully fighting the enemy for years, in an area of my life. I let down my shield; I let down God. I listened to my heart; I reasoned with my brain and I choose to ignore the counsel of the Word of God for this area of my life. I felt abandoned by God and man and so I pushed aside the shield who had been protecting me from the firey darts of the enemy. Without God to keep me the projectiles hit their mark and I fell wounded and dying.
In the heat of battle, out of loneliness and fear and sorrow and feeling abandoned, I compromised God’s will for my life; after years of flirting with temptation; I sinned, and my world tumbled. I suffered tremendous loss.
And even though I eventually sought and found God’s forgiveness; even though I would recommit to God’s will in the situation; even though by His great mercy, like Job, I was given back everything I had lost and more; my greatest sin came when I failed to continue to trust God to resurrect what was already dead; I failed when I pushed God who is my shield away and leaned unto my own hurt and twisted understanding.
Oh, how I should have said, ‘WHAT TIMES I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN GOD!” PSALM 56:3
“AS FOR GOD, HIS WAY IS PERFECT; THE WORD OF THE LORD IS PROVEN; HE IS A SHIELD TO ALL WHO TRUST IN HIM.” 2 SAMUEL 22:21 Every day in big and small ways we have opportunity to prove or fail God; my prayer is that you hold tight toGod who is your shield. AMEN!
This fallen world is full of opportunity for compromise. Following our deceitful hearts, we so easily compromise what we know to be truth; we compromise our health; physically, emotionally, mentally and unless we remind ourselves of God’s goodness to us; we too often compromise ourselves spiritually.
Hear the words of the man of God; embrace the wisdom of lessons learned, remind yourself of your Father whose heart is broken by our willful sin.
“AS FOR GOD, HIS WAY IS PERFECT”; For our sake’ “THOU SHALT NOT. . .” is written. Being the One who created us, He knows what is most profitable for us. Our sin does not threaten His Lordship; it breaks His heart, for us. He knows the destruction that awaits His rebellious children. “FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD!” ROMANS 6:23
“THE WORD OF THE LORD IS PROVEN; God’s communication is perfect. His Word is a Light unto our way, Lamp unto our feet; life and that abundant and eternal. The more the darkness of the world assails us, the more we need His Light, the more confusing the path before us the more we need His direction; the more death surrounds us and demands that we make more of it than we ought; His Word reminds us and keeps us; “OH DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY VISTORY?” 1 CORINTHIANS 15:55
“HE IS A SHIELD TO ALL WHO TRUST IN HIM.” Only a ruthless, conniving, deceptive enemy would convince his foe to drop his shield in the heat of battle; only sin-prone man could be foolish enough to do so, yet how often, at the very time we have need to place all our trust in God, do we choose to abandon such trust; do we push aside God who is our shield.
About 30 years ago, after faithfully fighting the enemy for years, in an area of my life. I let down my shield; I let down God. I listened to my heart; I reasoned with my brain and I choose to ignore the counsel of the Word of God for this area of my life. I felt abandoned by God and man and so I pushed aside the shield who had been protecting me from the firey darts of the enemy. Without God to keep me the projectiles hit their mark and I fell wounded and dying.
In the heat of battle, out of loneliness and fear and sorrow and feeling abandoned, I compromised God’s will for my life; after years of flirting with temptation; I sinned, and my world tumbled. I suffered tremendous loss.
And even though I eventually sought and found God’s forgiveness; even though I would recommit to God’s will in the situation; even though by His great mercy, like Job, I was given back everything I had lost and more; my greatest sin came when I failed to continue to trust God to resurrect what was already dead; I failed when I pushed God who is my shield away and leaned unto my own hurt and twisted understanding.
Oh, how I should have said, ‘WHAT TIMES I AM AFRAID, I WILL TRUST IN GOD!” PSALM 56:3
“AS FOR GOD, HIS WAY IS PERFECT; THE WORD OF THE LORD IS PROVEN; HE IS A SHIELD TO ALL WHO TRUST IN HIM.” 2 SAMUEL 22:21 Every day in big and small ways we have opportunity to prove or fail God; my prayer is that you hold tight toGod who is your shield. AMEN!
Monday, August 10, 2009
SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP
“THINK OF ME AS A FELLOW-PATIENT IN THE SAME HOSPITAL WHO, HAVING BEEN ADMITTED A LITTLE EARLIER, COULD GIVE SOME ADVICE.” C.S. LEWIS
I adopted a new way of considering what it means to be a pastor; this is not a new perspective, I believe as much as it is the correct perspective. My vision of who pastors are to be is less authoritarian; more visionary, less elevated; more comrade, less religious relic; more human and subject to life as all others.
A pastor is perhaps walking with you on an unknown trail, but not necessarily pointing out the directions as much as he is helping you to find them along with himself, He may know where he wants to go, but he is convinced that God will speak through anyone present to help get everyone there together. He places more confidence in God; less in himself. He listens to the voice of God through others, as much as he listens for the voice of God within Himself.
His title means little; it is his heart that sets him apart. C.S. Lewis describes a spiritual leader well when he says, “THINK OF ME AS A FELLOW-PATIENT IN THE SAME HOSPITAL WHO, HAVING BEEN ADMITTED A LITTLE EARLIER, COULD GIVE SOME ADVICE.”
How liberating such an attitude brings! It is not MY church or MY people; it is NOT MY responsibility to make people attend, grow or remain. God calls a group of people together to be his church and we leaders merely assist in finding a time and place to grow together; what happens beyond that, is up to God and to those who are called to come together.
Where is this Church? A part of it is in O.S.U. East Hospital this morning, another part is working at the laundry on Route 3, another part is attending to children at a day care in Sunbury, and another part of it is in Whitehall, Reynoldsburg and on Cleveland Avenue. The Church is not a place or a location, the Church is the people of God and the Church is wherever God’s people are gathered. We meet, where we can.
God help humility replace arrogance, love replace ambition, earnest submission replace manipulation, vision replace schemes, faith replace self-preservation, The Holy Spirit Ministry replace man-directed programs. Amen!
I adopted a new way of considering what it means to be a pastor; this is not a new perspective, I believe as much as it is the correct perspective. My vision of who pastors are to be is less authoritarian; more visionary, less elevated; more comrade, less religious relic; more human and subject to life as all others.
A pastor is perhaps walking with you on an unknown trail, but not necessarily pointing out the directions as much as he is helping you to find them along with himself, He may know where he wants to go, but he is convinced that God will speak through anyone present to help get everyone there together. He places more confidence in God; less in himself. He listens to the voice of God through others, as much as he listens for the voice of God within Himself.
His title means little; it is his heart that sets him apart. C.S. Lewis describes a spiritual leader well when he says, “THINK OF ME AS A FELLOW-PATIENT IN THE SAME HOSPITAL WHO, HAVING BEEN ADMITTED A LITTLE EARLIER, COULD GIVE SOME ADVICE.”
How liberating such an attitude brings! It is not MY church or MY people; it is NOT MY responsibility to make people attend, grow or remain. God calls a group of people together to be his church and we leaders merely assist in finding a time and place to grow together; what happens beyond that, is up to God and to those who are called to come together.
Where is this Church? A part of it is in O.S.U. East Hospital this morning, another part is working at the laundry on Route 3, another part is attending to children at a day care in Sunbury, and another part of it is in Whitehall, Reynoldsburg and on Cleveland Avenue. The Church is not a place or a location, the Church is the people of God and the Church is wherever God’s people are gathered. We meet, where we can.
God help humility replace arrogance, love replace ambition, earnest submission replace manipulation, vision replace schemes, faith replace self-preservation, The Holy Spirit Ministry replace man-directed programs. Amen!
Friday, August 7, 2009
DO NOT BE DECEIVED
“BE NOT DECEIVED; GOD IS NOT MOCKED: FOR WHATEVER MAN SOWS, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP.” GALATIANS 6:7
Believer, do NOT think for a New York Minute that you cannot be deceived.
The prophet told us, “THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS, AND DESPERATELY WICKED: WHO CAN KNOW IT?” JEREMIAH 17:9 So the advice, “Just follow your heart” is horrible advice; your heart will deceive you more times than not. You need to follow the Word of God which does NOT change. In it there is light and life.
I was a young man and now I am old; I have learned a few things, some through very painful lessons, that help be avoid deception; for example,
if I need to ask whether a situation is right for me – it isn’t!
If I want to know if my attitude or my actions are ok than I need to examine whether of not I would ever be ashamed of them.
For example, “Am I being too friendly with a member of the opposite sex? Would I behave the same way if my wife were present?
Should I look at something on the computer? Would I look at it with my Pastor or a member of my church?
Should I say this? Would I say it in front of the person it concerns?
Relationships are built or torn apart due to
trust or lack of it;
communication or lack of it,
nurturing or lack of it.
Here is another simple truth; If an action of mine offends my wife, that should be reason enough for me not to pursue it further; whether I feel it is right of me or not, as a married man if it’s not right with her, it’s not right for us, if it’s not right for us, it’s not right for me.
Perhaps I didn’t realize that this limitation would come with this relationship, but if I am committed to my relationship, I must do what is best for it, sometimes to my temporary chagrin (she does the same for me). Relationships are give and take – sometimes you give-up something you love for your mate and sometimes she does the same for you.
When you argue (and you will) the argument should not be about who is right and who is wrong, but how can we resolve this difference and each grow closer to God through it?
Finally, you never get away with ANYTHING. You can call it Karma; I call it the law of God – what goes around comes around. EVERYONE thinks they will never get caught; EVERYONE does sooner or later, but you will get caught and you will pay the highest price for your bad decision.
How did the serpent win over Eve? Through deceit and lies, “Surely this isn’t wrong – God will understand!” “REMEMBER, IT IS SIN TO KNOW WHAT YOU OUGHT TO DO AND THEN NOT DO IT.” JAMES 4:17 But be care also that you are not deceived. Forget your emotions; what does the Word of God say? What does God want you to do? Do you really need to ask?
“BE NOT DECEIVED; GOD IS NOT MOCKED: FOR WHATEVER MAN SOWS, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP.”
Believer, do NOT think for a New York Minute that you cannot be deceived.
The prophet told us, “THE HEART IS DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS, AND DESPERATELY WICKED: WHO CAN KNOW IT?” JEREMIAH 17:9 So the advice, “Just follow your heart” is horrible advice; your heart will deceive you more times than not. You need to follow the Word of God which does NOT change. In it there is light and life.
I was a young man and now I am old; I have learned a few things, some through very painful lessons, that help be avoid deception; for example,
if I need to ask whether a situation is right for me – it isn’t!
If I want to know if my attitude or my actions are ok than I need to examine whether of not I would ever be ashamed of them.
For example, “Am I being too friendly with a member of the opposite sex? Would I behave the same way if my wife were present?
Should I look at something on the computer? Would I look at it with my Pastor or a member of my church?
Should I say this? Would I say it in front of the person it concerns?
Relationships are built or torn apart due to
trust or lack of it;
communication or lack of it,
nurturing or lack of it.
Here is another simple truth; If an action of mine offends my wife, that should be reason enough for me not to pursue it further; whether I feel it is right of me or not, as a married man if it’s not right with her, it’s not right for us, if it’s not right for us, it’s not right for me.
Perhaps I didn’t realize that this limitation would come with this relationship, but if I am committed to my relationship, I must do what is best for it, sometimes to my temporary chagrin (she does the same for me). Relationships are give and take – sometimes you give-up something you love for your mate and sometimes she does the same for you.
When you argue (and you will) the argument should not be about who is right and who is wrong, but how can we resolve this difference and each grow closer to God through it?
Finally, you never get away with ANYTHING. You can call it Karma; I call it the law of God – what goes around comes around. EVERYONE thinks they will never get caught; EVERYONE does sooner or later, but you will get caught and you will pay the highest price for your bad decision.
How did the serpent win over Eve? Through deceit and lies, “Surely this isn’t wrong – God will understand!” “REMEMBER, IT IS SIN TO KNOW WHAT YOU OUGHT TO DO AND THEN NOT DO IT.” JAMES 4:17 But be care also that you are not deceived. Forget your emotions; what does the Word of God say? What does God want you to do? Do you really need to ask?
“BE NOT DECEIVED; GOD IS NOT MOCKED: FOR WHATEVER MAN SOWS, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP.”
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
CARNAL OR SPIRITUAL?
The carnal man demands his rights. The carnal man wants to live at the edge of Sodom where he can flirt with sin without being marked by it. Such a desire is foolish for no flirtation with sin can leave us unmarked. Carnal man takes the blessings of God and uses them for his own enjoyment, promotion and comfort. The carnal man needs the law to bring control to his behavior he himself is not willing to control. The carnal man lives for himself.
The spiritual man understands that he has no rights. The spiritual man wants to live as far away from sin as he possibly can for he understands that even the passing shadow of sin will leave him scarred. The spiritual man recognizes the blessings that come from God to be vehicles of salvation for those who are yet to come. The spiritual man only needs the Word of God to direct him; it is the “LAMP UNTO HIS FEET” in a darkened sinful world. The spiritual man lives for others.
2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 “DON’T TEAM UP WITH THOSE WHO ARE UNBELIEVERS. HOW CAN GOODNESS BE A PARTNER WITH WICKEDNESS? HOW CAN LIGHT LIVE WITH DARKNESS?
Life is often difficult; there are few seasons of pure joy; where there are no heartaches or challenges. We cannot control what tomorrow brings into our lives, but we can choose how will respond to those challenges. Our response can determine the outcome of many more tomorrows; our tomorrows and the tomorrows of our children and our children’s children.
It is natural to seek to ease our pain, but we must be cautious for the most immediate answers are seldom the permanent solutions; “THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT TO A MAN, BUT THE END THEREOF ARE THE WAYS OF DEATH. PROVERBS 16:25
Hear the voice of Jesus, “COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE BURDENED DOWN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. MATTHEW 11:28
The carnal man excuses his sin until it has grown and overtaken him and destroyed the blessings of God in His life. The spiritual man avoids even “THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL” that God might shine forth and strengthen his life for the difficult days ahead. Amen!
The spiritual man understands that he has no rights. The spiritual man wants to live as far away from sin as he possibly can for he understands that even the passing shadow of sin will leave him scarred. The spiritual man recognizes the blessings that come from God to be vehicles of salvation for those who are yet to come. The spiritual man only needs the Word of God to direct him; it is the “LAMP UNTO HIS FEET” in a darkened sinful world. The spiritual man lives for others.
2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 “DON’T TEAM UP WITH THOSE WHO ARE UNBELIEVERS. HOW CAN GOODNESS BE A PARTNER WITH WICKEDNESS? HOW CAN LIGHT LIVE WITH DARKNESS?
Life is often difficult; there are few seasons of pure joy; where there are no heartaches or challenges. We cannot control what tomorrow brings into our lives, but we can choose how will respond to those challenges. Our response can determine the outcome of many more tomorrows; our tomorrows and the tomorrows of our children and our children’s children.
It is natural to seek to ease our pain, but we must be cautious for the most immediate answers are seldom the permanent solutions; “THERE IS A WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT TO A MAN, BUT THE END THEREOF ARE THE WAYS OF DEATH. PROVERBS 16:25
Hear the voice of Jesus, “COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE BURDENED DOWN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. MATTHEW 11:28
The carnal man excuses his sin until it has grown and overtaken him and destroyed the blessings of God in His life. The spiritual man avoids even “THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL” that God might shine forth and strengthen his life for the difficult days ahead. Amen!
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