Is It Possible to Embrace Uncertainty?

Since uncertainties cannot be avoided, believing something good will evolve eases anxious feelings. Under these circumstances, self-awareness of your thoughts and feelings will help evaluate what should be avoided and what needs to be embraced.

Embracing uncertainties does sounds abnormal. Try to imagine the Apostle Paul’s conversion. He was struck down by an intense light that blinded him. He also heard the voice of Jesus accusing him of persecution but later calling him to a life-changing ministry.

The key to preventing a negative attitude from controlling you is self-awareness of what is actually taking place so an accurate assessment can be made of how to respond. It’s important to believe God is working with  you to change your life in ways that will prove to be good and supportive. God promises to “supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”              

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To keep me from becoming conceited, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it from me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses… For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

~2 Corinthians 12:8-10 New International Version 

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What Makes False Trust Believable?

God created human beings with an innate ability to trust, otherwise he would not have commanded people to trust him. Do you realize what a blessing it is to have confidence that God is able to "supply all your needs according to his riches in Glory by Christ Jesus"?

False trust believes God will supply everything you want, no matter how out of bounds it is. False trust believes that something exists when there is no basis for its existence. False trust believes someone cares for you when evidence proves it isn’t true.

False trust attempts to make something believable when it’s a sham. False trust believes when you’re married, you will be completely happy and children will fulfill all your needs to be loved and respected. Healthy trust derives from making the Lord Jesus Christ your stronghold, an anchor that holds you firm through the storms of life. Healthy trust remains assured of God’s love.                 

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Blessed is the [person] who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. He is like the tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water, a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by the long months of drought. Its leaves stay green and it goes right on producing its luscious fruit. ~Jeremiah 17:7-8 The Living Bible  

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Will We Accept God's Endless Provision for Our Needs?

Sometimes we forget that Jesus was promised to be our Everlasting Father, as Isaiah 9:6 announced. We may also forget that our Everlasting Father is capable of providing for our needs. Regardless of our social status, a day comes when our needs exceed our resources. When Jesus is your Everlasting Father, you are within the bounds of all his resources.

God sent Jesus to be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. As we give thanks for God’s gift of Jesus, let us celebrate Christmas with joyful hearts for the privilege of being the recipients of his love and kindness. Merry Christmas and God bless you.                                 

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For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder. These will be his royal titles: …“The Everlasting Father,” …

~Isaiah 9:6 The Living Bible

You, [Lord,] make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

~Psalm 16:11 New International Version

And it is he who will supply all your needs from his riches in glory, because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.

~Philippians 4:19 The Living Bible

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From Saturday, December 21 through Christmas Day, blogs are posted daily to coincide with KHCB radio's special music and short devotional programming, "Five Days of Christmas".

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Is It Possible to Overcome Immaturity?

Maturity is a continuous developmental process that extends throughout life. Each person may experience an impulse to act immaturely just to get one’s way, regardless of what’s appropriate. Immaturity can  prevent a person from achieving happiness or even the potential for success.

Immaturity is a stumbling block for good judgments. It determines if other-centeredness or self-centeredness will dominate a marriage or friendship. An immature person demands that others cater to their needs, while ignoring the other person’s needs.

To struggle against immaturity, ask God to give you strength to do what is right and appropriate. 

Asking God for insight and wisdom to make necessary changes in oneself is the source of power for getting it done. Listen to Philippians 4:19: “And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” True worship follows making things right with others.  

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Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant then yourselves.

~Philippians 2:3 English Standard Version

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Is Continual Happiness Possible?

Casual observation reveals that we expect to be consistently happy. We may not be completely unhappy or disgruntled, but this slight degree of unhappiness keeps us hoping for positive change. Studies reveal that we will be exposed to unhappiness but change and growth may occur only during this timeframe.

Dissatisfaction and unhappiness can push us to seek help for personal and relationship problems. Yearning for change inspires us to reach out in search of solutions before troublesome problems expand beyond the scope of being resolved.

God wants you to remember that he is the giver of all good things. The cattle on a thousand hills belong to him, meaning he is the source of whatever you need, and he will supply your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. God recognizes your need, so give thanks for what he has already provided. His desire is to help you, so thank him for that blessing.   

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You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings.

~Psalm 63:7 Contemporary English Version 

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

~Psalm 9:1 New International Version

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Trusting in God's Provision

A request you may have expressed spontaneously is, “Deliver me from ever experiencing that situation.” Avoiding painful situations or people is a natural desire for most individuals. However, all conflictual situations and people that test your faith and endurance cannot be avoided. In these moments, reach out to God for help and solutions.

Genesis 22 relates how Abraham faced the death of his son Isaac. God commanded him, “Take Isaac and sacrifice him as a burnt offering.” Innocently, the boy questioned his father about where the lamb was that was to be sacrificed. Abraham answered, “God will provide a lamb for the burnt offering,” and God did just that.

God’s name, Jehovah-Jireh, which means “the Lord will provide,” is a name you also can trust even when the situation appears hopeless and bleak. Never give up and constantly be on alert for his help, provision, and solutions. God will provide as you remain faithful and true to his word and instructions.   

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Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.

~Genesis 22:13-14 New International Version 

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Trusting God's All-Sufficient Competence

What do you consider your most urgent need at this moment? Some of you would say financial need if there is not enough money to take care of necessities. Others would say healing for medical or emotion problems that are scary and critical. Relationship problems can evolve into a crisis.

Managing urgent needs one at a time can be accomplished, but encountering several simultaneously can be disconcerting. The old cliché, “Troubles often come in batches,” can be true. Medical problems can create financial problems, which compound the stress and strain experienced by the entire family.

One stress-reducer is trusting God’s all-sufficient competence. One name for God is El Shaddai. Listen to Philippians 4:19. "My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." God will help regardless of the way your needs are defined. Present your needs to Christ Jesus right now and trust him to help.       

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And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.   

~1 Peter 5:10 English Standard Version

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A New Year of Hope: Lay a New Foundation with God's Promises

We are now beginning a New Year and a new phase of life for each of us. God does not give us the ability to know the future, but we can speculate about what is to come. Our speculations can produce either trust and assurance that God is at work to bring about our good or worry and anxiety about what might happen.

My dad was the worrying type and capable of projecting troublesome times, yet he consistently got up and went to work each day to prepare for an unseen future. Faith and peace are gifts from the Lord God who promises to meet our needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

So what would you say are your needs that are different from what you would say you want? Do you remember God’s promise that when we seek him and his kingdom by trusting in him with all our heart, he will never fail to meet our needs? To dispel your worries, express your gratitude to God for his goodness, and then rest in his peace and mercy. Happy New Year. 

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[Jesus said,] “Don’t worry, then, and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or, ‘What are we going to drink?’ or, ‘What are we going to wear?’ The people of the world run after all these things. Your Father in heaven knows you need them all. First, be eager to have God as your King and his righteousness, and you’ll get all these other things, too.”

~Matthew 6:31-33 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

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Join Hands and Celebrate God's Good Gifts

Throughout history mankind has devised ways to celebrate life. Douglas Jerrold, the British playwright, humorously said of the English people, “If an earthquake were to swallow up our property tomorrow, my people would meet and dine somewhere in the rubbish to celebrate the event.” God is especially honored when we celebrate his intervention in our lives.

When I was in the military, I attended a church whose mission was to provide a home for young men and women serving their country. At the close of our Bible study, we would join hands and celebrate by singing, “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.”

Jesus in Matthew 5:12 commands us to “rejoice and be glad” even in difficult, hard times. You can do this seemingly impossible task by staying focused on the Lord God, who gives more than life itself. “For my God shall supply your every need according to the riches of his glory by Christ Jesus.”  

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Tell the heavens and the earth to celebrate and sing;

command every mountain to join in the song.

The Lord’s people have suffered,

but he has shown mercy and given them comfort.

~Isaiah 49:13 Contemporary English Version

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.

~Romans 12:12 Good News Bible

Pay Your Dues – Activate Your Gifts

Studies indicate that many intelligent people spend their lives being underachievers. One reason could be they may feel too insecure to activate their gifts. Joseph had every excuse to be an underachiever. Although intelligent and insightful, he faced incredible harsh realities like being sold into slavery, falsely accused of a crime and sent to prison.

 

Joseph paid his dues, but never believed God abandoned him or left him to his own devices. God supplies your needs, as Jeremiah 32:17 confirms. "O Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and out-stretched arm. You reward everyone according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve."

Joseph consistently made the best use of his abilities when in prison and while serving the king of Egypt. His confidence was securely anchored by faith in God's purpose for him even when that purpose seemed unclear. Yet Joseph believed God was capable of unimaginable success in completing an extremely difficult task, so trust God completely.  

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You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours out from Jesus.

~Philippians 4:19 The Message

Conflict: Deterrent or Encouragement to Change? - Part 3

Conflict can define a relationship. Conflict is about struggling for control to establish power and influence decision making. The very nature of conflict gives rise to the potential endangerment of a relationship’s safety and security. Regardless of how much individuals care for one another, disagreements can evolve into separation and alienation.

A man with custody of two young children married a woman who seemed to love and accept them. Yet he refused to let his new wife have much of a role in taking care of the children. The children, sensing their father’s protective role, refused to respond to their stepmother’s guidance, leaving her frustrated and hurt.

A change took place when the father became incapacitated, leaving the stepmother with the responsibility for the children. The father finally realized she was capable of loving and caring for his children. Trust and faith in her blossomed. When we see how God provides for our needs, faith and trust in his love and care become permanent.

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.

Integrity: Character Strength for a Lifetime - Part 2

Experiencing a crisis of integrity at any stage of adult development is possible. Integrity is one of those words that has far-reaching implications, for it's deeply enmeshed into our character and personality. Integrity reaches into the core of our soul and, in some respects, serves as a guiding light for all of life's opportunities and problems.

When integrity is diminished, our character suffers grave consequences. How would you define integrity? A friend in her late fifties responded with: "A person of integrity has backbone." Another friend said: "A man of integrity is a square shooter." Courage and conviction to do what is right, along with honesty, define integrity for these two people.

God intends for us to evaluate the strength of our integrity because it's vulnerable to change. Our choices sustain, elevate, or diminish integrity, so it's crucial  to remember that God supplies us with his grace, mercy, and forgiveness when sin damages our integrity. God promises to restore and strengthen our integrity as we, in faith, ask him to do so.