Is the Desire for Righteousness Your Primary Longing?

Two essential needs of human beings are food and water. If these are satisfied, the tendency is to then focus on other important needs like what gives meaning and purpose to life. Needs are indisputably allied with desire and longing.

A need implies the existence of internal stress to seek and satisfy whatever is required to reduce the stress that is felt. The drive to satisfy a need may create a vicious circle and consequently cause other problems that demand attention.

It’s helpful to ask, “Is what I’m doing good for me? How can I direct my resources toward what pleases the Lord God?” Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Ask God to create in you a longing for the righteousness of Jesus. This makes it possible for you to be in a loving, caring relationship with God and to be blessed by him.

 Make this your first priority.

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Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

~Psalm 37:5-6 New Living Translation

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What Are Your Heart's Desires at This Moment?

Hunger and thirst are two of our strongest drives for sustaining life. As these basic requirements are satisfied, the human tendency is to focus on other needs such as a particular lifestyle, a specific neighborhood, career advancements, and other amenities.

The need for close, nurturing relationships consistently rises to the highest priority with most individuals. Without these God-created desires and needs actively working for your benefit, life evolves into vicious circles that question life’s meaning and purpose.

Vicious circles diminish the rewards derived from having close, intimate relationships with the family and being a servant of God. Overcoming vicious circles begins by asking, “What are my priorities, what is my heart’s desire, what will it amount to at the end of days and for eternity?” Listen to an invitation from God’s word: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, for it is the power of God to give life abundantly." Will you accept?

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God will give you his constantly overflowing kindness. Then, when you always have everything you need, you can do more and more good things.

~2 Corinthians 9:8 God’s Word Translation

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How Are Solutions for Anger Discovered?

When anger becomes intense, feelings of love and affection gradually diminish. The old cliché, “Love conquers all,” is true if anger is not used as a weapon to diminish another person’s self-image and integrity. Angry feelings signal emotional hurt and disappointment.

Continuously obsessing about anger rarely produces desired results but rather ratchets up anger to a higher level of intensity. Seldom is the trouble associated with anger resolved without teamwork and the help of the one to whom the anger is directed. When anger’s objective is to punish, it can destroy a relationship.

Solutions for anger are discovered by communication between the offender and the offended. It takes courage and God’s grace to approach either the offended or the offender. Ask God for self-control, courage, and the words to describe your hurt feelings. Refrain from condemning your offender by remaining in prayer until you have the grace and mercy to forgive.                   

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Happy are the kind and merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

~Matthew 5:6 The Living Bible

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Want to Be Filled Completely?

Everyone has been guilty of seeking shortcuts to happiness. Parents have been duped into believing if children have enough toys, clothes, cars and the latest electronics, they'll surely be happy. Yet children can still feel deprived, lonely and depressed. Living in a rushed, hurried world shrinks quality time for love and affection shared with their parents.

 

Once caught in this trap of indulgence, parents may need a miracle to break its stronghold, but habits can be broken. First, set clear-cut objectives for children to appreciate and respect what you provide, regardless of how little that may be. Although family time is hard to come by in our society, make it a priority, for this becomes a major contributor to happiness.

Re-assess your quest to satisfy yourself with indulgences to see if they provide the happiness you crave. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled." He said this because he knew that whoever seeks God and his righteousness will have their needs satisfied completely. Be committed to this objective.  

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Happy are those who long to be just and good, for they shall be completely satisfied.

~Matthew 5:6 The Living Bible

Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and be safe.

Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire.

Give yourself to the Lord; trust in him, and he will help you.

He will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun.

~Psalm 37:3-6 Good News Bible

Don't Dance with the Devil! - Part 4

Every Christian has two conflicting natures which consist of desires and attitudes that often battle for dominance. God’s word informs us that Jesus had our human nature, but without the weakness that permits us to sin and fall short of God’s glory. Balaam, the Old Testament prophet and sorcerer, wanted to be God’s spokesman but permitted evil desires to nullify that calling.

God told him to renounce this evil, but he could not resist exploring what was forbidden by God. This compulsion to explore the world of evil would lead him along the path of destruction. While it's apparent we all have this tendency, the choices we make determine the extent of our shame and humiliation.

It's possible to stand against the temptations to defy God's purpose and plan. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled." To hunger and thirst is to crave the peace and joy that only Christ Jesus provides. It means finding satisfaction and contentment with what God supplies to you. 
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To coordinate with KHCB’s “Five Days of Christmas” programming, I will post special Christmas thoughts on my blog Wednesday-Sunday, December 21-25. On those days, KHCB will air only Christmas music and short thoughts from the programmers. 

On Monday, December 19, and again beginning December 26, my blog posts will coordinate with the radio broadcast schedule of Attitudes/Answers that airs at 5:45 PM on KHCB radio at 105.7FM in the Houston area. To stream it live or for a listing of sister stations in TX, OK, LA, and FL, you may click on the KHCB link in the "About Me" section of this page.

Re-making Wrong Choices - Part 3

We often make choices that produce guilt and shame. Decisions that show weakness and vulnerability also leave us wounded and fearful. After eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil Adam and Eve wanted to hide from God's presence and voice. They illustrate how vulnerable we are to making decisions that cause grief and shame.

These strong emotions can damage our self-esteem, making us feel  incapable of being loved and accepted. Guilt is a judgment we pass on to ourselves after we've been unfaithful or unethical. Shame is a sense of being judged negatively by oneself and others. Shame causes feelings of unworthiness and of being undeserving of trust and love.

Making decisions for positive change cannot do away with previous decisions, but we can accept that God loves the wounded soul and stands ready to forgive and heal. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” This can be your chance for renewing of your faith in Christ Jesus.