Thursday, July 12, 2018

I Want...


What is it that we really want?   We search day in and day out longing to find the missing piece that will bring about the ultimate fulfillment to our lives. 

We want…

Happiness.  Contentment.  Love.  Fulfillment.  Joy.  Worry-free.  Money.  Time.  Peace.  Relationships. 

We don’t want…

Sadness.  Disappointment.  Hate.  Failure.  Depression.  Worry.  Debt.  No Time.  Distress.  Loneliness 

How can we get what will make us happy and content and feel loved and enjoy a fulfilling life and experience inner-joy and not have to worry about life problems and have enough money and feel the inner-peace that relaxes our hectic life and know that there are solid relationships in our lives that we will have someone to talk to or share a life with?   

Getting what we want takes work…hard work.  Some will say that “God doesn’t always give you what you want, but rather, what you need.”  True.  However, wanting is the catalyst of what one will ultimately work toward and will discover along the journey if that is what she needs to fulfill her life. 

King Solomon said, What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?  Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles.  Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea.
Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.” Ecclesiastes 1:3-8 (NLT)

When it is all said and done, life is about seeking God, not self.  There is nothing wrong in wanting to be happy and content, feeling loved, finding fulfillment, wanting joy, having no worries, making enough money, getting time, being at peace and developing relationships.  But, they must not be the totality of ones life in the pursuit of getting what is wanted. 

It is possible that we can worry ourselves senseless in the pursuit of not worrying or lack inner joy or peace trying to make ourselves feel it.  Paul, one of God’s Apostles said it this way, “I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. “  Philippians 4:11-13 (MSG)

It is true that Jesus said not to worry.  It is also true that the Spirit will develop within us joy and peace.  The way one experiences a worry-free life, joy and peace is to deepen the relationship with Jesus.  God never said life would be easy, but he did say, “[I] will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NLT)

The key to wanting is to know how it will affect my relationship with God, my life and those in my life.  Wanting something or someone isn’t a negative; it is ensuring it is in its proper framework to compare how it will ultimately affect my relationship with God. 

The saying, “Take all you want, but eat all you take” is a good principle to live by in wanting anything in life.  Ensure that whatever you want, isn’t too much, too little or not the right fit.  Measure it will God’s plan for your life and pray often about it.  Don’t let anyone detour you in what you want if you believe strongly God will bless it.

Remember, Be God Controlled!  

Brian     

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Forgiving Isn't So Easy!


Forgiving isn’t so easy!  It is amazing how times I've heard people say, “Forgive and forget!”  Where in the Bible does it say, “Forgive and forget?”  It is true that God said forgive, Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (MSG) and it is true that Jesus said that if we want God to forgive us, we have to be willing to forgive anyone to does us wrong. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.” Matthew 6:14-15 (MSG)
Ouch, Jesus! 

How do I forgive the man who raped me or the gang member who murdered my daughter?
How Can I forgive the mom who abused me or the husband who beats me day after day after day?
How in the world do I forgive the one who molested me or the co-worker for lying and ruining my reputation?
How do I forgive my dad for running out on us or the kid who bullied me all throughout high school?

Jesus, you make it sound so easy, but it isn’t!  I want God to forgive me, but the pain…the pain is tremendous.  The hurt is real.  The memories of that day are embedded in my mind so deeply.  I see him.  I still feel the slaps to my face and the punches to my gut.  I was just a child when he came into the room and took my innocence.  He was supposed to be a dad, but he left…he just left without ever saying goodbye. 

Ok, I get it Jesus! You forgave the thugs who beat you.  Nailed you.  Speared you.  Spit on you.  Slapped you.  Lied about you.  Ridiculed you.  Mocked you.  Denied you.  Sold you out. 

But…

No buts.  If you love me, obey my commandments.” John 14:15 (NLT).  Ok, Jesus!  Forgive?  Now love?  You’ve got to be kidding me?  Checkout what my disciple Peter said, Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1st Peter 4:8 (NLT) Personally Jesus I don’t like it!  Forgiving is hard.  Loving someone who beat me, raped me, ran out on us, lied and bullied me isn’t exactly easy to let go and forgive them.  I get what you’re saying, but holding on to the past hurts will not allow you to move beyond where you are in your life.  Another one of my disciples makes a great point, “Love keeps no record of being wronged....” 1st Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) Keep no records of wrong?  My memory of that night is deeply embedded in my mind…how can I forget?  The beating I got just because has left me not trusting anyone.  I still see my daughter in that coffin and that will never go away…ever!

No one is asking you to forget!  It is impossible for anyone to forget the horrific acts that have been done; but what is being said is that when one chooses to love, forgiveness becomes a much more doable process.  A relationship with God that is built on trusting him will allow one to work through the painful memories and place all of the hurt and pain and sadness and troubled life in God’s hands. 

Forgiving isn’t so easy!  It is hard.  Going through life with bitterness in ones heart gets us nowhere fast!  Opening the door of our heart and releasing every situation, person or problem that has been endured over ones life time will bring about a relief that will be felt deep within ones soul. 

Forgiving isn’t so easy, but necessary!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian