Good Morning,
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
So, we think that our "private" thoughts and our "hidden" attitudes are ours alone and that we can keep them to ourselves? Is that what most of us really believe? I mean, I don't go around telling people about my innermost thoughts, most of the time. And I surely keep some of my attitudes about things to myself and deep inside. So, what's the harm, right?
The thing is, NOTHING can be kept from God! Even those "private" and "hidden" things that we keep secret from the rest of the world are known to God. He knows our thoughts and attitudes about everything, no matter how far buried they might be inside us. We simply cannot hide from God, nor can we keep anything from Him.
He knows.
And what we read today tells us that we can judge our thoughts and attitudes by simply reading and studying the Bible. Yes, we can judge ourselves about what we think and the way we feel about our thoughts. It's all there for us to know and understand. You see, God doesn't hide anything from us. Just as we are open books to Him, HE has give us a book to open so we will understand HIM and understand those thoughts and attitudes that we have; those thoughts and attitudes we probably ought NOT to have.
Nothing complicated here. All pretty simple. Everything actually very easy to understand. Right there for us to comprehend.
So, our part? Read what God has put there for us. He will, through His words in the Bible, let us know if we're wrong or right. Even to our deepest thoughts and attitudes.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Too Old?
Good Morning,
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Now I am old and what was my future is now my present, and even, perhaps, my past. The days, weeks, months, and years of my life have gone by and seem to be passing now even more quickly than ever. Time, unfortunately, does not stand still for any of us and what once was all in front of me has now gone by.
So, does this verse of Scripture we read today still stand as truth for those of us who have lived long and are not young any more? Does this verse speak to ALL of us? Even those of us who have only a few more years (or less) to live out this life we've been given?
I ask, "Lord, WHAT plans do you have for me now that my future is now? And, how will I prosper now that I am no longer in the work force and out in those places where that might happen? Will I, Lord, be kept from harm now that my body is frail and harm seems to come from almost everywhere?"
The answer, of course, is a resounding "Yes!" from God to these questions that I've posed today. How long we've been alive on this planet has nothing at all to do with the promises of God. The questions, I think, come from the enemy to place seeds of doubt on what God can...AND WILL!...do in our lives, no matter the number of years we have been here, or might have left. The enemy wants those of us who are more mature (being politically correct here!) to think that our usefulness has past and that God will not use us; has no plans for us; will not prosper us; and will allow us to come to harm. LIES! LIES! LIES! Never forget that the enemy is the master of lies and the supreme liar of all time.
Who we are and how old we are has nothing to do with believing what God has told us in this short verse of Scripture. He DOES have plans for every one of us no matter who, what, where, or our when in life. He DOES want to prosper us (let's not misunderstand "prosper" here, ok?). And He WILL protect us from harm in so many, many ways.
Let's close our ears, those of us who have lived long to this point, to the lies that might come from many places about us being "too old" to be useful any more. Let us not listen to those who might tell us to just relax and not try to "do too much" because we're just not that competent any more.
God can and will use every one of us to accomplish His purposes, in His ways, and most importantly, in His time.
(A little P. S. here for the younger ones who might read these words. Don't, please, put "out to pasture" the older ones in your congregations. Learn from them. Let them show you so very much that they've gone through. Be kind and gentle and, who knows, maybe God will show YOU how to help that "senior citizen" see God's plans for him or her and how God will prosper them and keep them from harm. YOU, young people, can truly be God's implements in this. Just look and see. Oh, most importantly? Obey!)
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Now I am old and what was my future is now my present, and even, perhaps, my past. The days, weeks, months, and years of my life have gone by and seem to be passing now even more quickly than ever. Time, unfortunately, does not stand still for any of us and what once was all in front of me has now gone by.
So, does this verse of Scripture we read today still stand as truth for those of us who have lived long and are not young any more? Does this verse speak to ALL of us? Even those of us who have only a few more years (or less) to live out this life we've been given?
I ask, "Lord, WHAT plans do you have for me now that my future is now? And, how will I prosper now that I am no longer in the work force and out in those places where that might happen? Will I, Lord, be kept from harm now that my body is frail and harm seems to come from almost everywhere?"
The answer, of course, is a resounding "Yes!" from God to these questions that I've posed today. How long we've been alive on this planet has nothing at all to do with the promises of God. The questions, I think, come from the enemy to place seeds of doubt on what God can...AND WILL!...do in our lives, no matter the number of years we have been here, or might have left. The enemy wants those of us who are more mature (being politically correct here!) to think that our usefulness has past and that God will not use us; has no plans for us; will not prosper us; and will allow us to come to harm. LIES! LIES! LIES! Never forget that the enemy is the master of lies and the supreme liar of all time.
Who we are and how old we are has nothing to do with believing what God has told us in this short verse of Scripture. He DOES have plans for every one of us no matter who, what, where, or our when in life. He DOES want to prosper us (let's not misunderstand "prosper" here, ok?). And He WILL protect us from harm in so many, many ways.
Let's close our ears, those of us who have lived long to this point, to the lies that might come from many places about us being "too old" to be useful any more. Let us not listen to those who might tell us to just relax and not try to "do too much" because we're just not that competent any more.
God can and will use every one of us to accomplish His purposes, in His ways, and most importantly, in His time.
(A little P. S. here for the younger ones who might read these words. Don't, please, put "out to pasture" the older ones in your congregations. Learn from them. Let them show you so very much that they've gone through. Be kind and gentle and, who knows, maybe God will show YOU how to help that "senior citizen" see God's plans for him or her and how God will prosper them and keep them from harm. YOU, young people, can truly be God's implements in this. Just look and see. Oh, most importantly? Obey!)
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
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