If you have ever been disappointed by a promise that was broken or unfulfilled, you know what it means to become jaded. Maintaining faith or trust in someone or something becomes difficult, not knowing when or if you will be let down again. This is where I currently find myself, some where between healing and humility.
The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health, Psalm 41:3.
A part of me still holds out hope that the condition of my eyes will be restored. Passages in the Bible like the one above provides assurance of my desire for complete healing. Yet, the apostle Paul did not have his thorn in his flesh cured. Instead, this ailment humbled Paul as he was forced to make the best of things without complete healing.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted, Luke 14:11.
Jesus provides a different perspective on life. God humbles the proud and lifts up the humble. Thus, as I continue with my battle to see, the Lord knows my pain. However, in my anguish God does not honor those who complain or pout. Therefore, as I endure this trial praying for healing, I have to accept the fact that humility may be the final outcome.
Recently, I have noticed an unpleasant change in my life. Whenever I find myself in a no win situation, complaining consumes my vocabulary. While venting frustrations may feel good initially, I came to the conclusion I was wasting my breath.
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, Philippians 2:14.
While there is nothing wrong with expressing disagreements, the Bible seeks to resolve and improve situations. Grumbling or questioning others doesn’t help. Rather, if I only can find a common ground, perhaps I won’t waste my breath anymore.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you, 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
In a letter addressing a community known for hostility, Paul encourages people to give thanks in all circumstances. Thinking every thing in life will go your way in life is unrealistic; some sort of pipe dream, but the opposite is true. In view of this, the next time you have the urge to explode in the form of wasted breaths, may God bring these verses to memory to avoid saying something you might regret.
A kitten may become enamored with their own tail and begin chasing after it. Puppies tend to run after any critter which enters their domain. Meanwhile, children follow a plethora of dreams until one captures their attention.
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, 2 Corinthians 4:4.
Along the way, individuals may be deceived or simply unsatisfied when they get to the end of the rainbow. The apostle Paul refers to those who are blinded by the god of this world. Perhaps, Paul is eluding to those things in life that are appealing externally but lead to disappointment in the end.
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God, 1 Peter 2:16.
While driving home from work this week I heard the Britt Nicole song After You for the first time. The lyrics refer to the temptation to chase after worldly pursuits. Feeling empty, Britt realizes her she was chasing after the wrong things. Rather, a spirit of conviction has inspired her to begin running after God. May this blog and the song motivate you to start chasing after God’s will for this life.
The vigor of youth often breeds self-reliance. The concept of praying for healing is not relative, especially if good health has always been maintained. Thus, many young people will continue to press on without relying on God’s power to survive.
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise, Jeremiah 17:14.
Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. This nickname comes from the messages Jeremiah often shared with Israel. The majority of the prophecies he receives from God we negative, focused on pending doom and punishment. Yet, there are some rays of hope, illustrating the power of prayer.
Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security, Jeremiah 33:6.
As for me, the older I become the more I need God’s help to get through each day. Over the last week, my vision has faded, unable to see or read letters unless the font is 48 is bigger. While I may need glasses, I still believe and cling to God’s power to deliver miracles. Whatever mountain standing in your way, may you find hope in God’s power to transform your current situation.
With the dawn of each new age, changes are made to adjust so that the world can understand what has happened in the past. In the context of the Bible, 3 distinct stages exist: oratory, letters and publication. The words of the Old Testament were passed on orally from one generation to the next. Hebrew families raised their children by regularly recounting stories of faith to guide their steps into adulthood. The celebration of Bar Mitzvahs for boys and Bat Mitzvah for girls culminates in years of biblical training by memorizing the Torah, the first five books of the Bible.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ, Romans 10:17.
During the first century, only the wealthy could afford education. Thus, illiteracy among the middle and lower class was high. As the Holy Spirit began to inspire authors to pen individual books of the New Testament, not many could read. Therefore, apostles, disciples and pastors read these letters during gatherings for prayer. This explains why the apostle Paul selects the phrase faith comes from hearing the word of Christ.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6.
The next age of faith began in 1450 following Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. This made the publication of Bibles accessible to common people. However, segments of the church do not embrace this initially. Major denominations like the Roman Catholic Church believed only priests could interpret the Bible correctly. The average Christian could not be trusted to handle the Word of God. This mindset and resistance led to the dark ages tainted by spiritual corruption.
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success, Joshua 1:8.
Today, we live in an age of over saturation. Multiple translations are available with a click of a mouse, downloading an app or read on a cell phone. This access in great for those who desire to grow their faith. Yet, there is a temptation to change translations until you make the Bible say what you want. Who knows what the next age may bring. Nonetheless, if you want to growth your faith, the best way remains by daily reading, studying and memorizing the Bible. This spiritual discipline often leads to putting faith into action.
Within a 48 hour period, my son Daniel experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Last Saturday he placed 5th in the state in Pole Vault earning St. Georges four points. After the final event, his school won the state track title by three points. On Monday, playing in an qualifier for the state golf tournament, Daniel fell 7 shots short. A few bad holes led to his demise.
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us, Romans 5:3-5.
The apostle Paul writes about the role of failure in life. Disappointment serves as teachable moments. Failure allows suffering to change your perspective on life. If you deal with this in a mature manner, character is developed. If not fits of rage will likely follow. Each failure you endure allows growth to take shape. However, it only depends upon how you respond.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever, Psalm 73:26.
No matter what you tell a younger generation, sometimes you have to let people learn the hard way. You can only hold someone’s hand so long. Eventually, you have to let the people you love sink or swim. Shielding children from failure will only hurt in the long run. Therefore, let go and let God use trials to strengthen the people you love.
Time can serve as a foe or a friend. When you are young, classes, days or months may drag on seeming endless. Yet, special moments are portions of time that you never want to end, savoring each second while it lasts. Unfortunately, all things in life will eventually pass.
Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah, Psalm 39:5.
Human being shouldn’t be surprised by death. God created Adam out of dust and Job came to the realization from “ashes we were created and to dust we will return.” As great as celebrating the birth of a new child can be, the news of death can ruin your day. When I called my father to tell him Leanne was pregnant for the first time, he responded your grandmother is dead.
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes, James 4:14.
The worst aspect of any passing is for those who don’t get the chance to say goodbye. My dog Autumn passed away earlier in the week after being part of the family for over ten years. While Autumn and I had our differences, it’s strange not seeing her by our bed each morning. Since my son Daniel was at a baseball game, he never got the chance to say a final goodbye. Whether its a person or a pet, live each day like its your last so you take the time to say goodbye to those whom you love.
Frayed, ragged, shabby and tattered are synonyms for worn. While most people will visualize a physical condition, there are other ways to become worn. Counselors, psychologists and therapists can become emotionally overwhelmed by a patients life. Meanwhile, clergy, pastors and spiritual leaders may be shaken by the problems of their flock.
“Man is also chastened with pain upon his bed, and with continual strife in his bones;” Job 33:19.
When disease, illness or sickness strike individuals, just getting up for a moment can make someone exhausted. Depending upon the severity of a condition, physically features may be altered. Without a cure or medicine to improve, bodies will continue to deteriorate. In the passage below, time has a way of wasting away bodies.
His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen; and his bones which were not seen stick out, Job 33:21.
Currently, I find myself in a different state of worn. One that involves a loss of energy, passion and vigor for life. Trying to keep any type of positive momentum is a grind. Thus, I struggle to experience joy in this life. Perhaps I need to remember the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 embracing my weakness so that Christ may be strong.
It’s been fifty years since Aretha Franklin introduced her version of Respect. This hit song has been part of advertisements, commercials and movies. One of my favorite synonyms for respect is reverence. This is one of these terms which been forgotten, rarely practiced anymore.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor, Romans 12:10.
Unfortunately, the popularity of social media has gradually flushed respect down the toilet. Every day Twitter wars disregard decency to bully, defame and lash out at those with whom you disagree. While the Bible encourages individuals to outdo others in a positive manner, this message is either ignored or simply scoffed at.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you,” Exodus 20:12.
The reason why respect is vanishing can be found in one of the ten commandments. When individuals begin to dishonor fathers and mothers, this decision opens the door to every area of life. No one is immune resulting in a culture that trashes everyone or everything in sight. Atheists helped kick God out of American public schools in the 1960’s. Fifty years later respect is one of the casualties of this war on religion. If you want to keep respect alive, start honoring fathers and mothers and maybe, just maybe respect will survive.
One of my common expressions at work is “that’s a strange one.” The context is based upon items and products that I stumble upon which I have never heard of before or seen. Many people have the same response to the Bible, especially when you read a term that doesn’t make any sense initially.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit, Galatians 5:25.
When the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he makes a distinction between the Sinful Nature and the Spirit. If you read chapter five from the beginning you will find there is an internal battle going on. What you want to do and what God desires for you to carry out. Those who live according to the world’s standards give into self gratification. Meanwhile, those who truly decide to follow Christ must internally die to self to allow God’s Spirit to reign.
But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand, Job 32:8.
Elihu of the Old Testament is the first person to make this comparison. Yet, Elihu is referring to signs of spiritual understanding. When someone demonstrates or speaks words of wisdom, its not just the Spirit within mankind. Rather, godliness comes forth through the breath of the Almighty God. May this be your goal in life by yielding control so that the Holy Spirit will shine through you.
