How Does Being Faithful to God Insure His Blessings?

Is it more difficult today for men to find their place in life than at any other time in history? My father was born in 1907 to a farming family. He saw only one option for himself as a young man, and that was to farm the land where he grew up. He later worked as a craftsman in an aircraft factory.

With so many options available today, it would appear that finding a career could be done with ease. Two generations ago if a man was fortunate enough to find a good job, it meant security until retirement. With mega-mergers and outsourcing, job security diminished for both men and women.

When Abraham was 75 years old, God told him to move to a new place. He, his wife, and nephew went in search of God’s promise. Hebrews 11 tells us Abraham believed God would keep his promise, and it was counted to him for righteousness.

Being faithful to God insures his blessings.  

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Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise.

~Hebrews 10:23 Good News Bible

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Which of God's Promises Are More Important to You?

“So many unfortunate things happened to me last year, and it’s hard to believe the rapid sequence in which they occurred!” These words came from a positive, energetic believer who is a person of faith. The parade of troubles pushed to the breaking point the person's ability to cope.

When troubles permeate your life, it’s important to believe that God is not necessarily singling you out for punishment. God is not responsible for bringing every bad and painful experience into your life. It may be the result of impulsive choices that would now be judged as inadvisable.

Philippians 2:13 is God’s promise to you: “It is God who works in you, helping you to want to obey him and then helping you to do what is required.” Keep in mind that “all things work together for good to them that love God, who are called according to his purposes.” With this attitude, better choices are possible, so praise God for being active in your life.  

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When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obeyed my Father and live in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.

~John 15:10-11 The Living Bible

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What Is God Calling You to Change?

Since the earliest days of recorded history, there has been evidence of man seeking new beginnings. The Bible continuously chronicles God’s calling his people to follow him on new adventures. What could be his reason for this? Whenever we become too dependent on the status quo, we tend to stagnate.

God told Noah to build the ark, for mankind had regressed into a low, decrepit moral state of being. God called Abraham to leave his people and move to a new place. Listen to God’s promise in Genesis 12. “I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you and you will be a blessing to others.”

Could God be calling you to make changes? Change is not easy, so consider this one step. Clearly define what has to be done to reach your objective. Then focus on each aspect of the change. Remember, Noah built the ark one board at a time.

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The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. 

~Psalm 9:9-10 New International Version

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What Causes Stress to Get Out of Bounds?

Stress is the product of a hurried, rushed lifestyle. My grandmother’s favorite quip for being stressed out was that she had “too many irons in the fire”. What she meant was that she needed a break from the stress and pressure she was experiencing. She realized it was her responsibility to make some needed changes.

Stress can produce impatience, irritability, even depression, when the pressures of life become overwhelming. Catching up at work or school may appear impossible when stress becomes intolerable. Whatever causes prolonged stress and anxiety, self-defeating thoughts and behaviors create even more stress.

A better strategy for stress management is to ask yourself, “Is what I’m doing honorable to God? If I am ‘God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which he prepared in advance’ for me to do, then I will focus on that promise.” 

Whatever God gives you to do, he will enable you to do it in a way that honors him.  

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May this God of peace prepare you to do every good thing he wants. May he work in us through Jesus Christ to do what is pleasing to him.

~Hebrews 13:21 God’s Word Translation

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Does Delayed Action Set You Up for Failure?

Have you ever made a promise that was extremely difficult to keep? Most everyone will surely answer with a firm, yes. Perhaps it’s time to reassess your situation since keeping a promise back then was too problematic. However, delaying to take responsibility now will not dissolve feelings of guilt and shame.

Failing to keep a promise to yourself, others, and God often gives birth to negative consequences that can follow you for a lifetime. The most persistent emotions to surface after guilt and shame are anxiety and fear. To clear your conscience, it’s critically important to apologize and seek forgiveness.

This crucial step will include some degree of suffering but listen to Psalm 119:49-50. “O Lord, remember your promises to me your servant. They have given me hope. Even in my suffering I was comforted because your promise gave me life.” As you determine to keep your promises now, the Lord God will be your source of strength and courage to do what is right.    

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God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.

~2 Peter 1:4 Contemporary English Version

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What Does the Mirror of Your Mind Reflect?

A few years ago young people began wearing a bracelet engraved with the letters WWJD, meaning “What Would Jesus Do?" The bracelet reminded them to seek an alternative to temptation or to know what to do in difficult situations. Temptation can have a destructive impact on our lives when disguised as a playground for fun, pleasure or our perceived needs. 

 

The imagination plays a critical role in each person's mind and is indicative of what the future may hold. So the mind is the forerunner for either godly endeavors or self-centered behaviors focused only on personal need satisfaction. Therefore the mind reflects and exposes motives for a person’s choices, beliefs, and attitudes.

 

The mind is capable of being wounded but can be healed with God’s love and the care of professionals and loved ones. St. Paul noted that "the mind has not conceived, the eye has not seen, nor has the ear heard what God has prepared for those who love him." So let your mind be fixed on these promises from God.

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If you hear [God’s] message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget.

~James 1:23-25 Contemporary English Version

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Free to Change – but Hold God's Hand

We’re occasionally given the privilege of making a new beginning. My grandfather would periodically sell his possessions and move to another farm, hoping for better crops and a brighter future for his family. While we are at liberty to make needed changes, it takes a serious sacrifice to make needed change become a reality.

As commitment empowers change, hard work and consistency ensure its success. Listen to this challenge: "Always act as if the future depends on what you do now." You can move forward to overcome most obstacles when God is the source of insight and wisdom for your decisions, even when being successful appears problematic.

With God, all things are possible. God gave Joshua what seemed to be an impossible task of conquering the Promised Land for the Israelites. However, God promised, “I will be with you and you will prosper and be successful, so make sure you do not neglect to obey the commandments I gave to Moses.” Included here are God’s promise and your commitment.  

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But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going.

I’ll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country.

I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch.

These are the things I’ll be doing for them – sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute!

~Isaiah 42:16 The Message

If you do what the Lord wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure. 

The Lord will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won’t fall.

~Psalm 37:23-24 Contemporary English Version

Gifts from God ~ Hope and Faith

Sixteen months after Hurricane Harvey, recovery is still in process, maybe not so much from the physical aspect of the disaster, but from emotional stress caused by grief and uncertainty. We do our best to avoid trials and struggles by pretending or wishing they did not exist or promising to address the issue later.

 
    
             Even as we’re forced to face problems, God promises you hope for now and the future. It’s possible to rejoice when facing struggles by realizing God is present to help and sustain you. As you receive God’s gifts of FAITH and HOPE, be assured His provisions are adequate. God bless you with hope as you celebrate His gift of Christ Jesus. Merry Christmas!