All in Family
This morning I read of God's provision and gifts to us. I am strengthening myself in the understanding that He is always there, always good, and always hears and answers my prayers. My confidence in these facts forms the basis for my expectation in Him and relieves me of worry.
Am I placing my focus on the eternal, or concentrating my efforts on those things that are fleeting, and that will fall away? Is my pride in the possessions of this world, at the demise of my very soul that lives forever? This is my thought today as I seek to redirect my attention towards the single most important attribute of my life.
Am I reluctant to claim the grace of God in all aspects of my Christian life? Do I attempt to walk the Christian way and only call on the grace of God when I stumble or face hardship? If so, then I am not trusting in Him, and my prayers are not without ceasing.
How many times have I experienced sorrow in my life? I would be unable to count them. Sorrow is a fact and the result of caring, loving, and regret. God uses sorrow for His purposes, and we should see His hand there. In our sorrow God teaches us of Himself.
Do I believe in Christianity or do I believe in Jesus Christ? When we first come to faith we ask Jesus to come into our lives... where is our faith based today? Is it still in Jesus, or in the practice of Christianity? Let's take a few moments and consider our own lives and the faith we proclaim.
Do you follow Jesus without second thought? Do you give your faith free and unquestioned rein to rule your life? These are the questions that face us all and the crux of my morning contemplation.
June is the Month that most weddings occur, and since Ann and I just celebrated our anniversary I thought this would be a good time to talk about what is required to stay married. Will a marriage last, or is there a black cloud hanging over it? How do we approach conflicts between husband and wife? What happens when the world collapses on us?
Do I have the serenity in my life that Jesus had in His? Is my life spent settled into constant comfort and peace, and if not... why isn't it? Perhaps I am not truly abiding in Christ. These thoughts were provoked in me by my reading this morning.
Where do I make my abode? Where is my place of residence? This morning I am trying to determine whether I claim my earthly home as my permanent residence, or whether I list my heavenly home as such. Then there are the times, in my travels, thathome becomes the place where I lay my head.
Jesus said that He would do anything we ask in His name. What do you think that means? Are we the type people who gets an offer of a free dinner and orders the most expensive thing on the menu? Is it an open invitation to ask for the moon, or something quite different? Why is Jesus making this offer?
I will not be afraid today. My God stands with me, and in trusting this, I fear nothing. Are you facing the world alone? Do you come up against trouble and then seek God? Try walking with Him before hardship arrives!
God never forsakes us, but this morning we will contemplate the fear of His abandonment. We will think about a particular time of doubt... the routine nature of our lives.
Today I am mulling over what it means to really know God. What should a life be like that is fully engaged with the will of God? I am considering that place in faith where the struggle is less and the comfort has settled over us.
Do you place a bit of yourself before God when He asks something of you? Do you use such language as "I will but", or, "just let me do this first", or perhaps you ask "what about this?" Do you place your own conditions on following God's will for you? Maybe it's time to just responded "here am I."