Ephesians 5:16 "Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days." (NLT)
Ephesians is an awesome book of the Bible. I have to say, most anything Paul writes in the Bible is super powerful. But that is because it was inspired by our Almighty, Great and Powerful God. However, I am getting off track.
This verse tells us to make the most of EVERY opportunity. Not just some opportunities. EVERY opportunity.
What on earth does that even mean?
Looking at the context of the chapter, Paul is addressing how a Christian is to live in this world that is overcome by darkness, sin, and just plain ol' evil. Paul is warning Christians to not participate in evil deeds, but expose them. (vs 11) He warns Christians to be careful in how they are living. (vs 15) In verse 17, we are also told to not act thoughtlessly, but know what the Lord wants us to do.
There is always a way to make the most of every opportunity. When we are faced with temptation of doing some evil deed (let's say party or drink) we can take that opportunity to reach out to Jesus, and maybe even teach those who are around us about Jesus, and not give in to the temptation to sin. We can learn to say no to the temptation, and do the right thing; aka, make the most of the opportunity.
When we are tempted to live and act in a thoughtless way, (talking behind people's backs, being mean to others, etc.) we can think, "Is this something the Lord would want me to do, or approve of me doing?" Answering this question honestly can give you an opportunity to really decide whether you are going to make the most of the opportunity before you, or if you are going to make a poor choice, and live in a thoughtless and careless manner.
Let's bring this closer to home now. You are at work, and everything seems to be going wrong. Nothing is working out the way it should, and everyone is grumpy. YOU have a choice. YOU can decide whether you are going to fall into this grumpy and negative state of mind, or you can do what you can to make things better. Keep a positive attitude. Encourage others. Be kind and helpful. Don't let the grumpiness spread, but try to bring smiles and laughter back.
Maybe this was something only I needed to realize. Maybe this post was just for me. But, I think it is a valuable lesson for all of us to learn...
GO OUT AND MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY! :)
Showing posts with label courage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label courage. Show all posts
Monday, June 12, 2017
Thursday, October 3, 2013
A Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us there is a specific time for everything to occur. For example, there is a time for people to be born and a time for them to die. There is a time to plant and a time to reap (verse 2). There are times to kill, and times to heal. There are times to break down walls (spiritual, physical, or emotional), and times we need to build them up (verse 3).
Verse 4 tells us there are times to weep and times to laugh; times to mourn and times to dance. The next verse tells us there are times to cast away stones and times to gather stones. {In today's terms, that would mean to prepare things for use and then to use them and let them go.} There are also times to embrace and times to refrain from embracing. The next verse, 6, says that there are times that we will gain and times we will lose. There are times to keep things and times to throw them away.
We have times to tear and times to mend, and times to be silent and times to speak out (verse 7). There are times for love and times for hate. There are times of war and then come times of peace.
This last one makes me think of the time we have on earth and the thing we look forward to; our heavenly home. We have to face the war - life; to gain peace - eternal life.
We don't always like the things we have to face in life; especially mourning and times of breaking down walls. But God is with us even in the darkest moments. He will provide opportunities for us to grow and learn more about Him and the world He has placed us in, even in the darkest times of our lives. Ultimately, He has a plan for each one of us. No matter where you are, no matter what you are facing, He has a plan for you. He will reveal it to you; just listen to His voice! It may not be revealed right away, and it may not be beyond today, but it will be just enough at the time. Keep up the faith, and listen to Him; He loves you and longs for you to love Him too. He wants to be part of your life, and to direct it for you, so you will never have to worry!
Verse 4 tells us there are times to weep and times to laugh; times to mourn and times to dance. The next verse tells us there are times to cast away stones and times to gather stones. {In today's terms, that would mean to prepare things for use and then to use them and let them go.} There are also times to embrace and times to refrain from embracing. The next verse, 6, says that there are times that we will gain and times we will lose. There are times to keep things and times to throw them away.
We have times to tear and times to mend, and times to be silent and times to speak out (verse 7). There are times for love and times for hate. There are times of war and then come times of peace.
This last one makes me think of the time we have on earth and the thing we look forward to; our heavenly home. We have to face the war - life; to gain peace - eternal life.
We don't always like the things we have to face in life; especially mourning and times of breaking down walls. But God is with us even in the darkest moments. He will provide opportunities for us to grow and learn more about Him and the world He has placed us in, even in the darkest times of our lives. Ultimately, He has a plan for each one of us. No matter where you are, no matter what you are facing, He has a plan for you. He will reveal it to you; just listen to His voice! It may not be revealed right away, and it may not be beyond today, but it will be just enough at the time. Keep up the faith, and listen to Him; He loves you and longs for you to love Him too. He wants to be part of your life, and to direct it for you, so you will never have to worry!
Friday, May 10, 2013
Wise Prayers?...
What have you prayed for lately? If you're at all like me, most of the prayers are for family, friends, missionaries, sponsored kids, etc. But what does God really want us to pray about?
Well, there are many ways that we can pray. God sets us a good guideline in Matthew 6: 5-15. That is the Lord's Prayer. But what I want to talk about is the content of our prayers; all that we pray about. What does God want us to pray about?
Solomon, the son of king David (David killed Goliath, and later on in his life, became king) offered sacrifices to the Lord. The Lord was pleased with Solomon, and asked him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you" (1 Kings 3:5). Wow! What an amazing opportunity! Anything he asked for, he would be given! What did Solomon do with this opportunity? Ask for death of his enemies? Ask for a bunch of useless stuff? NO!
He asked for something that really pleased God. He asked God for a "discerning heart." (Aka wisdom.)
Now, that seems to be a little bit strange-- especially for someone who could have whatever he asked for! I suggest you read the whole story in 1 Kings 3: 1-15. It is truly a good story-- one that is worth reading! And don't just read it; study it and try to apply it to life. Now, this won't be easy, but who says being a Christian is easy? I am realizing now how hard being a Christian is; trying to balance work, school, chores, and reading and studying my Bible is extremely hard! There are days when I want to just give up; but if I would stop feeling sorry for myself and turn to God for help, my life would be so much easier! So, I'm not saying I'm a person who has this all together-- really, I am learning as I go along! But I ask you to join me and learn with me.
Ultimately, God wants our physical, spiritual and mental lives to line up with His will. And, when you think about it, isn't that the best way to go? After all, He can see the whole picture; we can only see a small part of it! God has an amazing plan for our lives; He wants us to trust that He will see it through! Join me in learning to lean on God. He is the most stable thing in the universe; after all, He created it!;D Come on; what are you waiting for? Pray for wisdom!;D
NIV USED
Well, there are many ways that we can pray. God sets us a good guideline in Matthew 6: 5-15. That is the Lord's Prayer. But what I want to talk about is the content of our prayers; all that we pray about. What does God want us to pray about?
Solomon, the son of king David (David killed Goliath, and later on in his life, became king) offered sacrifices to the Lord. The Lord was pleased with Solomon, and asked him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you" (1 Kings 3:5). Wow! What an amazing opportunity! Anything he asked for, he would be given! What did Solomon do with this opportunity? Ask for death of his enemies? Ask for a bunch of useless stuff? NO!
He asked for something that really pleased God. He asked God for a "discerning heart." (Aka wisdom.)
Now, that seems to be a little bit strange-- especially for someone who could have whatever he asked for! I suggest you read the whole story in 1 Kings 3: 1-15. It is truly a good story-- one that is worth reading! And don't just read it; study it and try to apply it to life. Now, this won't be easy, but who says being a Christian is easy? I am realizing now how hard being a Christian is; trying to balance work, school, chores, and reading and studying my Bible is extremely hard! There are days when I want to just give up; but if I would stop feeling sorry for myself and turn to God for help, my life would be so much easier! So, I'm not saying I'm a person who has this all together-- really, I am learning as I go along! But I ask you to join me and learn with me.
Ultimately, God wants our physical, spiritual and mental lives to line up with His will. And, when you think about it, isn't that the best way to go? After all, He can see the whole picture; we can only see a small part of it! God has an amazing plan for our lives; He wants us to trust that He will see it through! Join me in learning to lean on God. He is the most stable thing in the universe; after all, He created it!;D Come on; what are you waiting for? Pray for wisdom!;D
NIV USED
Friday, April 12, 2013
Really A Christian?
1 Corinthians 15: 33, 58 (NKJV)
"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' "
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
So, I'm a Christian. But how does the world see me? Am I really what I say I am in the worlds' eyes? Do I live differently and "set apart" from the world? Do I live in, and not "of" the world? I think-- no, I know-- that I am failing in that category!
You may ask, "Does this really matter? After all, we are in busy and weird times! No one notices anything I do!" Let me tell you a secret. IT DOES MATTER!!!!! People are always watching Christians, waiting for them to mess up, it seems. But this concept is more important; Jesus and His Father have Their eyes on us at all times. The only difference is that Jesus and His Father's eyes are loving; the world's; not so much!
Jesus calls us all to be examples to the world; good examples. He doesn't call us to be halfway Christians; Christian on Sunday, while the rest of the week out partying, having fun in sin. Can we, as teenagers, live for Jesus with all of the pressures of the world pressing us on every corner? Not easily. But by the light of God's Word, we can learn how.
Leviticus 11:44 says, "I am the Lord your God. You must... be holy, because I am holy." Hmm... What else does the Bible say?... Amos 5:24 "I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living." God says this! He is speaking these words! I am not making this up!
One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Timothy 4:12. It is a long verse, but read it thoroughly, and then read it again. "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all the believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." Wow! Apparently, we can do this. No, it is not easy. In fact, it may not even be fun. But Christianity isn't about fun. I could go on a whole rant about this, but I would be getting off track.
In the end, we need to examine ourselves. Our lives. Our thoughts. Ouch! That hurt me! Thinking about what you need to change is never comfortable and never easy. Whoever tells you it is, is either perfect or completely off their rocker! I see the mark floating somewhere in the distance, and it sometimes seems when I take off to get at it, I fall, or it moves! But, everything is about moving forward. God wants us to always keep moving forward, pushing onward for him. But, it sometimes feels like I'm Captain Hook off of Peter Pan. When the crocodile is seen, he runs the other way. But, really, he should face up to his fears and master them. Will you join me in examining yourself and moving forward and making a difference in this world for God? You know, one random act of kindness can go a long way!
For further study;
Galatians 5:22-23
Romans 12:21
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 15*
2 Corinthians 5:17
Acts 16:31
Joel 2:32
Psalm 119: 98-99
1 John 4:20
2 John 1:6
Job 17:9
* This chapter may or may not help. Please read it sometime anyway, though!
NLT version used
"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' "
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
So, I'm a Christian. But how does the world see me? Am I really what I say I am in the worlds' eyes? Do I live differently and "set apart" from the world? Do I live in, and not "of" the world? I think-- no, I know-- that I am failing in that category!
You may ask, "Does this really matter? After all, we are in busy and weird times! No one notices anything I do!" Let me tell you a secret. IT DOES MATTER!!!!! People are always watching Christians, waiting for them to mess up, it seems. But this concept is more important; Jesus and His Father have Their eyes on us at all times. The only difference is that Jesus and His Father's eyes are loving; the world's; not so much!
Jesus calls us all to be examples to the world; good examples. He doesn't call us to be halfway Christians; Christian on Sunday, while the rest of the week out partying, having fun in sin. Can we, as teenagers, live for Jesus with all of the pressures of the world pressing us on every corner? Not easily. But by the light of God's Word, we can learn how.
Leviticus 11:44 says, "I am the Lord your God. You must... be holy, because I am holy." Hmm... What else does the Bible say?... Amos 5:24 "I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living." God says this! He is speaking these words! I am not making this up!
One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Timothy 4:12. It is a long verse, but read it thoroughly, and then read it again. "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all the believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." Wow! Apparently, we can do this. No, it is not easy. In fact, it may not even be fun. But Christianity isn't about fun. I could go on a whole rant about this, but I would be getting off track.
In the end, we need to examine ourselves. Our lives. Our thoughts. Ouch! That hurt me! Thinking about what you need to change is never comfortable and never easy. Whoever tells you it is, is either perfect or completely off their rocker! I see the mark floating somewhere in the distance, and it sometimes seems when I take off to get at it, I fall, or it moves! But, everything is about moving forward. God wants us to always keep moving forward, pushing onward for him. But, it sometimes feels like I'm Captain Hook off of Peter Pan. When the crocodile is seen, he runs the other way. But, really, he should face up to his fears and master them. Will you join me in examining yourself and moving forward and making a difference in this world for God? You know, one random act of kindness can go a long way!
For further study;
Galatians 5:22-23
Romans 12:21
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 15*
2 Corinthians 5:17
Acts 16:31
Joel 2:32
Psalm 119: 98-99
1 John 4:20
2 John 1:6
Job 17:9
* This chapter may or may not help. Please read it sometime anyway, though!
NLT version used
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Facing the Lions
Most of you have probably at one time or other heard the story of Daniel in the lions den. He had three friends-- Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego who have quite a story too. They loved and served God with all of their heart. The king that ruled at the time was evil; he wanted people to bow down and worship a statue he had made of himself. Daniel's friends, however refused to worship the statue. This was reported to the king, and he called Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego into his presence. He told them, "But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?" (Daniel 3:15)
Shadrach and his friends told the king, "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. BUT IF NOT let it be known to you, O king, that we DO NOT serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." (Daniel 3: 17-18, emphasis mine.)
Can you imagine? Picture three people who work for the king rejecting what he wants! Can't you see the king turning redder and redder with rage as these young men spoke to him without fear or repentance? As soon as they were done speaking, he commanded that the furnace be heated SEVEN TIMES HOTTER THAN NORMAL. This was done quickly, of course. Then, Nebuchadnezzar, the king, ordered some of his mighty men to bind the three and put them in the furnace. (Sidenote: Why would Nebuchadnezzar order mighty men to tie up the three? Was it because of the heat, or his fear? Please share your thoughts with me!:) The mighty men took them to the furnace and threw them in. And guess what? The mighty men were killed because of the heat! How did the three friends make out? Well, lets look at verse 24 and 25 to see what happens.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king."
"Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
The king could hardly believe his eyes! He went close to the fire to call them out, and told them that a decree would be made that anyone who did not worship their God would die.
In the end, there are a few things we can learn from this story. (1)Standing up for God will result in blessing; whether evident at the moment or not; (2) we need to serve the One True God, and not whatever comes our way; and (3) God will protect and be with those who love Him. These three young men had a lot of faith, trust, and belief in God. They knew that He would be with them no matter whether He showed Himself at the moment or not. Faith goes a long way. Will you trust Him and give Him yours?
Used NKJV version.
Shadrach and his friends told the king, "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. BUT IF NOT let it be known to you, O king, that we DO NOT serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." (Daniel 3: 17-18, emphasis mine.)
Can you imagine? Picture three people who work for the king rejecting what he wants! Can't you see the king turning redder and redder with rage as these young men spoke to him without fear or repentance? As soon as they were done speaking, he commanded that the furnace be heated SEVEN TIMES HOTTER THAN NORMAL. This was done quickly, of course. Then, Nebuchadnezzar, the king, ordered some of his mighty men to bind the three and put them in the furnace. (Sidenote: Why would Nebuchadnezzar order mighty men to tie up the three? Was it because of the heat, or his fear? Please share your thoughts with me!:) The mighty men took them to the furnace and threw them in. And guess what? The mighty men were killed because of the heat! How did the three friends make out? Well, lets look at verse 24 and 25 to see what happens.
Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king."
"Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
The king could hardly believe his eyes! He went close to the fire to call them out, and told them that a decree would be made that anyone who did not worship their God would die.
In the end, there are a few things we can learn from this story. (1)Standing up for God will result in blessing; whether evident at the moment or not; (2) we need to serve the One True God, and not whatever comes our way; and (3) God will protect and be with those who love Him. These three young men had a lot of faith, trust, and belief in God. They knew that He would be with them no matter whether He showed Himself at the moment or not. Faith goes a long way. Will you trust Him and give Him yours?
Used NKJV version.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Courage
Courage. There are so many different opinions on what it is! Mark Twain says that "courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear--not absence of fear...Consider the flea! incomparably the bravest of all the creatures--if ignorance of fear were courage."
General Geaorge Patton says this; "Courage is fear holding on a minute longer."
Harold Wilson says that "courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're the only one who knows you're scared to death."
A true showing of courage is presented in the Bible. Esther had true courage. She was a young girl chosen to be taken to Xerxes' palace to become his new wife. (Xerxes' wife had shamed him by being defiant; refusing to come and show her beauty to his guests.) Esther went, underwent beauty treatments, and was taken to the king. He fell in love at first sight, and they were wed.
Now, Esther was a Jew. But Mordecai, her uncle who raised her, told her to not reveal that to anyone. She obeyed his instructions-- that is until she was asked to do otherwise.
Haman, the king's right-hand man, hated Mordecai. Why? Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. Mordecai was doing the right thing of course, but it caused trouble still.
Haman devised a plan to have all the Jews annihilated (or killed). He went to the king and told him that there were people who were a threat to the kingdom, got the king's seal and set the decree in motion.
Mordecai told Esther about the plan, and she had to do something. He told her this; " For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
After fasting and praying for three days, she went to the king. Luckily, he welcomed her. She invited him and Haman to dine with her. So, they came. Xerxes asked her what she really wanted; he told her he would give her anything up to half of the kingdom. She asked them to dine with them again the next night. They agreed.
That night, when they were all dining, Xerxes asked her what she really wanted, and told her he would give it to her, up to half of the kingdom. That was the moment of truth--she revealed Haman's plot. The king was so angry that he had to go walk in the garden to cool down. Haman went to the queen, and was so scared he fell on top of her. The king walked in at that moment, and ordered him to be put to death. The proclamation that Haman had put out could not be revoked-- Xerxes fixed that by saying that the Jews could fight to protect themselves when the soldiers came to kill them.
What Esther did took courage. She won because she because she put her faith in God. She could have been killed for what she did! But God protected her and helped her. He does the same for anyone who asks. Ultimately, TRUE COURAGE COMES FROM GOD! NO ONE OR ANYTHING ELSE CAN PROVIDE THAT FOR US!
General Geaorge Patton says this; "Courage is fear holding on a minute longer."
Harold Wilson says that "courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're the only one who knows you're scared to death."
A true showing of courage is presented in the Bible. Esther had true courage. She was a young girl chosen to be taken to Xerxes' palace to become his new wife. (Xerxes' wife had shamed him by being defiant; refusing to come and show her beauty to his guests.) Esther went, underwent beauty treatments, and was taken to the king. He fell in love at first sight, and they were wed.
Now, Esther was a Jew. But Mordecai, her uncle who raised her, told her to not reveal that to anyone. She obeyed his instructions-- that is until she was asked to do otherwise.
Haman, the king's right-hand man, hated Mordecai. Why? Mordecai refused to bow to Haman. Mordecai was doing the right thing of course, but it caused trouble still.
Haman devised a plan to have all the Jews annihilated (or killed). He went to the king and told him that there were people who were a threat to the kingdom, got the king's seal and set the decree in motion.
Mordecai told Esther about the plan, and she had to do something. He told her this; " For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
After fasting and praying for three days, she went to the king. Luckily, he welcomed her. She invited him and Haman to dine with her. So, they came. Xerxes asked her what she really wanted; he told her he would give her anything up to half of the kingdom. She asked them to dine with them again the next night. They agreed.
That night, when they were all dining, Xerxes asked her what she really wanted, and told her he would give it to her, up to half of the kingdom. That was the moment of truth--she revealed Haman's plot. The king was so angry that he had to go walk in the garden to cool down. Haman went to the queen, and was so scared he fell on top of her. The king walked in at that moment, and ordered him to be put to death. The proclamation that Haman had put out could not be revoked-- Xerxes fixed that by saying that the Jews could fight to protect themselves when the soldiers came to kill them.
What Esther did took courage. She won because she because she put her faith in God. She could have been killed for what she did! But God protected her and helped her. He does the same for anyone who asks. Ultimately, TRUE COURAGE COMES FROM GOD! NO ONE OR ANYTHING ELSE CAN PROVIDE THAT FOR US!
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