During these times of turmoil and uncertainty, we need security, which society is unable to give us. Solomon was a man who had tried wine, women, and apparently all other ways of the world, but had come to the conclusion that nothing the world has to offer can bring peace and security. Many of us have worked hard throughout our lives, and now some are concerned about the little nest egg which was invested, but is giving us almost nothing for the use of our money. Perhaps it would be safer to bury our money, as did some of our ancestors for safekeeping. Many advances have …
David’s Formula for Security
A man, by the name of David, who lived long ago, gave us some good advice about how to find security in an insecure world. Perhaps you will remember that he was referred to as a man after God’s own heart, but also he was a man who fought many battles, had a host of enemies, and in a moment of temptation and weakness, sinned grievously against God. After he committed adultery with Bathsheba and knew she was bearing his child, he stooped to murder in an effort to cover his sin. However, his guilt weighed heavily on his conscience and even …
Fret and Envy Not
The first ingredients in David’s formula are Fret not and Envy not and as was true during David’s tempestuous life, currently we encounter many challenging and discouraging situations in life which cause us concern, frustration, and sometimes even dismay. All around us we see those who show little or no concern for others. Many who take a firm stand for moral and Spiritual values, are slighted or ridiculed as perhaps David was. We may have a problem accepting the inequities of life: we have worked diligently all our lives, but during old age we do not have much of the world’s …
Be Faithful and Delight in God
I believe including David’s faithfulness as a trait in his formula for security, indicates it is not an inborn trait. Even after faith is exercised, it can grow. A farmer or gardener can not cultivate plants until seeds sprout and come through the ground. Neither can an individual become faithful until after the seed of faith was planted in her heart. So faith planted in the believer’s heart at salvation needs to be cultivated in the believer’s life through service so it will grow. The word faithfulness isn’t listed as part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit; however, these traits of steadfastness, reliability, trustworthiness, constancy, and conscientiousness …
Commit Problems to God and Rest in Him
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived on earth, wrote these encouraging words found in Proverbs 3: 5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” In these verses we are told to turn everything over to God; when we are able to do so, we have the promise God will direct our paths. Commitment means a complete hands off; God is able to solve my problems no matter how difficult, and all He asks me to do is trust Him with all my …
Wait Patiently
I am not a good waiter but this admonition will help me rest in the arms of Jesus while waiting for God’s answer to the problem no matter how insurmountable. It’s much easier, however, to write these words than to live by them. For instead of waiting patiently, usually I focus on my problem, and Satan laughs with glee. So I wrestle with all possible answers, and become so frustrated, it is impossible to focus on my problem objectively. I remind myself of an earthworm whose pathway has become blocked, and it wiggles, squirms, and writhes from side to side in an effort to reach its …
Why do Christians Suffer?
The answer is S-I-N! Before creating man, God prepared a perfect place for him to live, and in that Garden made every beautiful tree to produce food. Also in the midst of the garden, He planted the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Also a river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there divided into four streams. So God prepared a perfect place for the first two people; but perhaps Satan still was raging with hatred toward God for having him cast of heaven and will try to spoil His perfect people. God created Adam and placed him in the Garden of …
God’s Remedy for Man’s Sin
From the time God slew animals and used their pelts to clothe the nakedness of Adam and Eve, a blood sacrifice has been required to atone for sin. But God knew that blood from animals sacrificed on the altars of man provided only temporary cleansing of sin, and the kind of cleansing man needed would cost Him His only Son. But I believe that God had this sacrifice in mind when He gave this message to His prophet Isaiah to share with his sinful people. God said, “Come now, let us reason together: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall …
Why Does God Allow Troubles?
As long as everything appears to be progressing as we like, it is easy to thank God and enjoy our blessings, and how many of us while enjoying God’s blessings ever bother to ask God, Why me? But when those same people begin to suffer trials and heartaches, they may be the first to ask in their minds, if not audibly for fear of appearing irreverent, why me, God. The fact that you and I are God’s children, does not mean we’ll be exempt from trials and temptations. I never imagined the extent of Satan’s temptations until after accepting Jesus as the Savior …
Waiting Can Produce Patience
“For who hopes for what she sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8: 24-27 I am ashamed to write this, but at almost 100 years of …
All Things Work Together for Good
“For we know that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord, to those who are called according to his purpose.” This verse does not say all things are good; we know many things are not good: cancer causes deaths of individuals from infancy to old age, divorce has caused many children to be robbed of two loving parents, wars have caused the deaths of many brave soldiers. And with all the evils Satan stands by and claps with glee! Though all things are not good, God can take some things which in themselves are bad and combine them …
Reward of God’s Pruning
After saying all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose, Paul added: “For those whom he foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” Romans 8: 29a. We are getting into some deep theology here, but in my words I believe this scripture means that in God’s foreknowledge He knew I would be saved, was aware of the years I would waste, but that I would become one of His children, and through the process of sanctification would become more like Jesus. Knowing that …