Friday, April 1, 2011
Spring Break Is Over
I finally recooperated from spring break. That is the reason for the double post. My hope is to get caught back up seeing I am about 4 posts behind where I should be. I'd appreciate your prayers for God's inspiration.
Matthew 20:4
“And said unto them; Go ye into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right, I will give you. And they went their way.”
I’ll never forget the first time I worked with my grandpa. I was about 15 years old and minimum wage was $4.25 an hour at that time. He had a job pouring a large concrete slab in the customer’s backyard. My job was to push a wheelbarrow full of liquid concrete (mud) from the truck, through a gate, and into the backyard where I dumped it into the forms that had been set up. It was one of the most physically challenging jobs I had done in my life. It was also the most rewarding. I earned $50 for 2 hours of work.
Grandpa could have paid me minimum wage. He could have even got away with paying me $20, since I was still a kid. Instead, I was paid what was right. That is exactly what God has promised you. He is not bound by man made laws that determine minimum compensation. There is no need for the government or a union to “protect” you either. God is the benevolent employer who always compensates adequately. Can you think of a better boss to have?
I’ll never forget the first time I worked with my grandpa. I was about 15 years old and minimum wage was $4.25 an hour at that time. He had a job pouring a large concrete slab in the customer’s backyard. My job was to push a wheelbarrow full of liquid concrete (mud) from the truck, through a gate, and into the backyard where I dumped it into the forms that had been set up. It was one of the most physically challenging jobs I had done in my life. It was also the most rewarding. I earned $50 for 2 hours of work.
Grandpa could have paid me minimum wage. He could have even got away with paying me $20, since I was still a kid. Instead, I was paid what was right. That is exactly what God has promised you. He is not bound by man made laws that determine minimum compensation. There is no need for the government or a union to “protect” you either. God is the benevolent employer who always compensates adequately. Can you think of a better boss to have?
Jeremiah 31:16
“Thus saith the Lord; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord, and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.”
There is a running joke in my family about “experience.” My uncle Bill is a patriarch and ran a family landscaping business. Many of his brothers and nephews worked many sweaty hours in the hot Arizona sun so they might obtain financial reward. One particular summer my cousin, Doug, came over from California to work. One particular Friday everyone was paid except him. When he asked Uncle Bill about his pay, he was told that he got experience, thus no pay. Being the loving family that we are, he was lead to believe this to the point that he called his mom, overwhelmed with tears and anger. When the joke had played itself out, Doug was eventually given his due pay.
I am not saying God has a morbid sense of humor and will toy with your emotions, but He has promised to reward you for your work. The devil and many in the world would have you think that there is no reward for serving God; emphasizing everything you “have to give up.” He will even try to convince you that all you are getting is some type of dull “experience”, but God has said “thy work shall be rewarded.” The next time you feel like doing God’s work is a waste of time, think of the reward that He has promised and take courage. You will need patience because God did not promise when the reward would come, only that it would.
There is a running joke in my family about “experience.” My uncle Bill is a patriarch and ran a family landscaping business. Many of his brothers and nephews worked many sweaty hours in the hot Arizona sun so they might obtain financial reward. One particular summer my cousin, Doug, came over from California to work. One particular Friday everyone was paid except him. When he asked Uncle Bill about his pay, he was told that he got experience, thus no pay. Being the loving family that we are, he was lead to believe this to the point that he called his mom, overwhelmed with tears and anger. When the joke had played itself out, Doug was eventually given his due pay.
I am not saying God has a morbid sense of humor and will toy with your emotions, but He has promised to reward you for your work. The devil and many in the world would have you think that there is no reward for serving God; emphasizing everything you “have to give up.” He will even try to convince you that all you are getting is some type of dull “experience”, but God has said “thy work shall be rewarded.” The next time you feel like doing God’s work is a waste of time, think of the reward that He has promised and take courage. You will need patience because God did not promise when the reward would come, only that it would.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Titus 2:11
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,"
Have you ever had an unexpected guest over for Christmas? The only thing worse is if you are having a gift exchange. I have known people who can't handle the awkwardness so they will regift a present or find something around the house to wrap up. The only thing funnier are the looks on the faces of the guests who pretend to enjoy a random gift from a complete stranger. God is promising that He will not offer you some random gift of lesser quality that reflects no personal knowledge of you as a person. Show up as an "unexpected guest" and He already has the perfect gift waiting for you.
Not everyone will have a pan that makes toast with the Virgin Mary's likeness. Not everone will have dirt spots depicting Jesus mysteriously appear on the wall in their home. Thank God these aren't requirements for salvation. The reality is simple. God's grace will appear to every man, woman, and child. God is promising His grace is adequate to bring about any person's salvation. I know there is a common thought that only "elect" people will be offered this grace, but God is not Ed McMahon and His salvation is not a Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstake. He has invested too much to leave it to random chance and that is why His grace affords you the opportunity to choose. Are you willing to accept it? Of a truth it is the only "gift that keeps on giving."
Have you ever had an unexpected guest over for Christmas? The only thing worse is if you are having a gift exchange. I have known people who can't handle the awkwardness so they will regift a present or find something around the house to wrap up. The only thing funnier are the looks on the faces of the guests who pretend to enjoy a random gift from a complete stranger. God is promising that He will not offer you some random gift of lesser quality that reflects no personal knowledge of you as a person. Show up as an "unexpected guest" and He already has the perfect gift waiting for you.
Not everyone will have a pan that makes toast with the Virgin Mary's likeness. Not everone will have dirt spots depicting Jesus mysteriously appear on the wall in their home. Thank God these aren't requirements for salvation. The reality is simple. God's grace will appear to every man, woman, and child. God is promising His grace is adequate to bring about any person's salvation. I know there is a common thought that only "elect" people will be offered this grace, but God is not Ed McMahon and His salvation is not a Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstake. He has invested too much to leave it to random chance and that is why His grace affords you the opportunity to choose. Are you willing to accept it? Of a truth it is the only "gift that keeps on giving."
Friday, March 11, 2011
Psalms 55:17
"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."
Just a minute. Not right now. Shhhhhhhh. I'm sorry, did you say something? We all have heard these and even used them ourselves. People are busy, preoccupied with what is important to them. God isn't! Here He is promising to always listen. This thought reminds me of a song titled when we pray.
"When we pray, the door to heaven will open. The Father is moved when prayers of faith are spoken.
All of heaven stands at attention, when the name of Jesus is mentioned.
He hears every word we say... when we pray"
Basically God is telling you, "If you'll care enough to share it with me, I'll care enough to drop whatever I am doing and give you my undivided attention." One of the greatest human needs is to be heard. That is exactly what God is promising you. How long has it been since He has heard from you; I mean really heard from you?
Have you ever wanted to call someone and talk, but then hesitated or even decided not to simply because it was not a "good time?" As if this promise wasn't awesome enough, God even promised extended office hours! Anytime is a good time for God. Unlike 24-hr grocery stores or fast food chains, God doesn't offer stripped down, cost saving service for prayers offered at seemingly "inconvienient" moments. With Him, you always get His best.
Just a minute. Not right now. Shhhhhhhh. I'm sorry, did you say something? We all have heard these and even used them ourselves. People are busy, preoccupied with what is important to them. God isn't! Here He is promising to always listen. This thought reminds me of a song titled when we pray.
"When we pray, the door to heaven will open. The Father is moved when prayers of faith are spoken.
All of heaven stands at attention, when the name of Jesus is mentioned.
He hears every word we say... when we pray"
Basically God is telling you, "If you'll care enough to share it with me, I'll care enough to drop whatever I am doing and give you my undivided attention." One of the greatest human needs is to be heard. That is exactly what God is promising you. How long has it been since He has heard from you; I mean really heard from you?
Have you ever wanted to call someone and talk, but then hesitated or even decided not to simply because it was not a "good time?" As if this promise wasn't awesome enough, God even promised extended office hours! Anytime is a good time for God. Unlike 24-hr grocery stores or fast food chains, God doesn't offer stripped down, cost saving service for prayers offered at seemingly "inconvienient" moments. With Him, you always get His best.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Proverbs 19:21
“ There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.”
As I have grown older I become more fond and nostalgic about childhood memories. Each time I go back to visit Arizona, I like to go back and visit my old elementary school. My favorite site to visit is the old Red School house. Originally it served as the only building. Prior to my arrival it served as a library until it was changed to the music room during the middle of my tenure as a student.
Each time I visit, I can’t help but remember the day the entire school stood in a line and passed books from the old library to the new one. That memory gives way to many more that took place in the shadow of that old red school-house. The comfort of each memory is solidified by the sight of that building, still standing tall despite decades of torment from the intense sun and seasonal monsoons. There is something comforting each time I see that building, probably because one thing hasn’t changed in this ever-changing world.
In a world where today’s technology and discoveries make yesterday’s knowledge obsolete, even inaccurate it is easy to lose faith in “truth.” While the truth of this world is ever changing, God’s truth isn’t. It has already been established and will never change; it shall stand. One of the many benefits is the comfort and security afforded the believer of God’s truth (counsel).
As I have grown older I become more fond and nostalgic about childhood memories. Each time I go back to visit Arizona, I like to go back and visit my old elementary school. My favorite site to visit is the old Red School house. Originally it served as the only building. Prior to my arrival it served as a library until it was changed to the music room during the middle of my tenure as a student.
Each time I visit, I can’t help but remember the day the entire school stood in a line and passed books from the old library to the new one. That memory gives way to many more that took place in the shadow of that old red school-house. The comfort of each memory is solidified by the sight of that building, still standing tall despite decades of torment from the intense sun and seasonal monsoons. There is something comforting each time I see that building, probably because one thing hasn’t changed in this ever-changing world.
In a world where today’s technology and discoveries make yesterday’s knowledge obsolete, even inaccurate it is easy to lose faith in “truth.” While the truth of this world is ever changing, God’s truth isn’t. It has already been established and will never change; it shall stand. One of the many benefits is the comfort and security afforded the believer of God’s truth (counsel).
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
James 4:8
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
During my childhood I used to visit a makeshift dump about 1 mile behind our house. One of my favorite activities was to rummage through the dump looking for things to destroy with my hammer. I was, and unashamedly still am, fond of the sound of breaking glass. In the midst of all my destruction I discovered magnets, compliments of some broken speakers.
When I got back to the house I would spend hours playing with magnets and broken pieces of metal. The most vivid memory is how the little shreds of metal stood at attention and eagerly “scooted” towards the magnet when I brought it close. The slightest movement towards the scraps of metal would propel them into the magnetic force field where they inevitably became stuck on the magnet.
This is what God is promising you. If you will point your magnet in His direction, He will “scoot” Himself towards you so that you can be joined together. It is just like when two magnets are slowly moved towards each other. There is an initial action by your hands and then the gravitational force takes affect. God promises to provide a force if you will only make a move in His direction.
Pay special attention to the fact that God is not asking you to create the gravitational force. He has promised to take care of that. There doesn’t have to be good feelings for this to work. There are times when you are embarrassed or ashamed, thus you do not “feel” like God even wants to be around you. This promise hinges on obedience, not feelings. He simply said, If you will just look my way, I will come running yours.
During my childhood I used to visit a makeshift dump about 1 mile behind our house. One of my favorite activities was to rummage through the dump looking for things to destroy with my hammer. I was, and unashamedly still am, fond of the sound of breaking glass. In the midst of all my destruction I discovered magnets, compliments of some broken speakers.
When I got back to the house I would spend hours playing with magnets and broken pieces of metal. The most vivid memory is how the little shreds of metal stood at attention and eagerly “scooted” towards the magnet when I brought it close. The slightest movement towards the scraps of metal would propel them into the magnetic force field where they inevitably became stuck on the magnet.
This is what God is promising you. If you will point your magnet in His direction, He will “scoot” Himself towards you so that you can be joined together. It is just like when two magnets are slowly moved towards each other. There is an initial action by your hands and then the gravitational force takes affect. God promises to provide a force if you will only make a move in His direction.
Pay special attention to the fact that God is not asking you to create the gravitational force. He has promised to take care of that. There doesn’t have to be good feelings for this to work. There are times when you are embarrassed or ashamed, thus you do not “feel” like God even wants to be around you. This promise hinges on obedience, not feelings. He simply said, If you will just look my way, I will come running yours.
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