How is everyone doing in your lives? Are we lost once again, roaming aimlessly in this life with things that don't last? Are you feeling lost, worried or defeated? If you are, you really do not know God as our Father. All of us at any point of time in our lives are susceptible to that if we do not remain close to the Lord every moment of our lives. We indeed need Him every Hour!
2 Peter 1:2-4:
"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
My prayer is that we do not lose our purpose and goal in life. If we live as how the world is and carry on thinking that we are fine, we will soon find ourselves lost and entangled in so many things that it crowds out the fullness of God's greatness and power. This is especially true in tough situations we face in our lives. I read one of Mr. Jim Berg's book in which he mentioned one of the ways of finding out how good the essence of a tea bag is. The way is by dipping it into hot water. Well, that applies to us in the same way. The 'hot water' brings out what we are really inside. The aroma that is emitted to the surroundings will tell all. When friends forsake or things fail to happen the way we really hoped and prayed for, do we break down and just give up? In the midst of so many trials and testings, do we find ourselves in defeat, always caught in the sin of unbelief, despair and self-pity?
James 1:12:
"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him"
James 5:11:
"Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord - that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful."
All of us know the story of Job, how he lost almost everything but yet still chose to trust God. He came to a right conclusion because he realised that he is finite and that God, the Creator of the World is all-knowing. Having all being taken away from him, he continued seeking God and concluded that he will not question God since He had everything in control.
It is very clear that our Lord is very compassionate and merciful. If we crumble and fall into the sin of defeat, we really do not know the God who is Our Father. Our Lord is all we need. He is the God of everything! Are we taking Him seriously and truly? Or do we often find ourselves in defeat to sin when things do not go our way? If we are, then our hope is in something esle instead of the Lord. Ask yourself, your Hope is in ...?
3rd verse from the Hymnal: Like A River Glorious
Every Joy or trial falleth from above,
traced upon our dial, by the Son of Love;
We may trust Him fully, all for us to do-
They who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true.
Matt 5:13
" You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing and trampled underfoot by men"
" You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing..."
When we find ourselves defeated, depressed, worried and troubled, we lose our effectiveness in this world as God's children. We lose our flavor(stink), no longer shine and lose the burden to bring lost souls to Him (the great commission: Matt 28:19-20).
"...and trampled underfoot by men."
Sometimes when you are defeated, do u look at your friends and wonder why they are living so happily without the Lord? Whenever this happens, the feeling is like one of being trampled under the foot of men.
Here are some reminders from the bible in response:
Eph 5:1-7
"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them."
Col 3:1-3
"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
1 John 3:1-3
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.'
May we all cling close to God and indeed behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called children of God! We all must not give to a life that is defeated, thinking that God is not sufficient for us. Our God is more than enough! With Him alone, we find peace, joy and satisfaction. Seek the Lord, pray and read your bible. If you don't at all, you are lacking behind.
1 Peter 2:1-2
"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby"
Gal 5:24 (My recent memory verse)
"And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Take care! Always remember our Hope is in the Lord!
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