Are You Determined to Keep Your Promises to God?

Who hasn’t made mistakes or acted impulsively, only to feel regretful as the price for a foolish decision becomes evident. Acting instinctively to avoid an accident or to protect yourself is appropriate, but I’m referring to acting impulsively without regard for the after-effects.

Saul, the first King of Israel, would often permit his weaknesses to rule his life. When facing difficult situations, anxiety and fear would tend to override his faith. He would make promises God never required of him, giving evidence of his weaknesses superseding his better judgment.

God does not require you to make irresponsible promises to get through difficult situations. Ask God for insight and wisdom to manage important life decisions. God promises to hear your prayers and to answer them. When tempted to act impulsively, ask God if it’s in accordance with his purpose for you. Wait for his reply.

_________ 

You answered me when I called to you; with your strength you strengthened me.

~Psalm 137:14 Good News Bible

_________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week. 

How Is God's Plan Linked to Pivotal Events?

A pivotal moment can occur when your purpose in life is redefined. When my father was in his forties, he was offered a job as a craftsman at an aircraft factory. This opportunity was a stretch for him, but he realized it was a pivotal moment he couldn’t let slip away.

This new job gave him confidence that life could be better and enabled him to later buy a farm and build a new house where he and my mother could retire. Pivotal events occur infrequently during a lifetime but are closely coupled to God’s purpose for each individual’s life.

If you are experiencing a pivotal moment in your life, perhaps God is preparing you for a significant place in his plan for you. While anxiety may be present, expect strong assurance from God that he is leading you. His word promises that the good work he began in you to secure his plan for you, he will finish. 

So give thanks and praise to God!  

_________        

Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you! Be brave, stouthearted and courageous. Yes, wait and he will help you.

~Psalm 27:14 The Living Bible
_________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week. 

How Can Expectations Comply with Reality?

We’re not perfect enough to be continuously happy. Knowing this should prevent unrealistic expectations from being placed on oneself and others. A woman in her mid-twenties related how she canceled her engagement to a man she had dated for three years. The man could not meet her expectations as a future husband.

It’s not uncommon for those stricken with romantic love to project perfection onto the object their affection. I’m not implying that romantic love should not be part of the equation. However, it is possible to overrule the reality of imperfections in order to embrace a desired relationship.

God is always faithful in revealing the true nature and character of another person, where there is an open mind to accept what is true and factual. God sees us as we really are and still loves us unconditionally, and so I offer my thanksgiving. Expectations based on reality make happiness a greater possibility. The faithfulness of God is our greatest source for joy and peace.  

___________ 

To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness.  

~Ecclesiastes 2:26 New International Version

 

I rely on your constant love; I will be glad, because you will rescue me. I will sing to you, O Lord, because you have been good to me.

~Psalm 13:5-6 Good News Bible

____________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

Wait for God – Avoid the Razor's Edge

One of the most difficult tasks in life is waiting patiently on God's timing for what is needed or wanted. Instead, we tend to rush forward, determined to make something happen. Samson wanted what was prohibited. He evidently derived pleasure and excitement from deliberately living on the edge of what he knew was unacceptable to God.

The sixteenth chapter of Judges portrays Samson out on this razor-sharp edge. Movies and songs have told the tragic story of Samson and Delilah. He continually set himself up for disappointment and rejection by choosing what was forbidden and unacceptable to God. So what was missing inside him that drew him to the razor's edge? 

Judges 16:4 conveys that Samson gave his heart to Delilah, but for Delilah it was a scheme for Samson’s entrapment. When we wait patiently for God's guidance and direction, the outcome will be what is good and right. "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." This is faith encouraging faith.  

______________________

But those who keep waiting for the Lord will renew their strength. Then they’ll soar on wings like eagles; they’ll run and not grow weary; they’ll walk and not grow tired.

~Isaiah 40:31 International Standard Version

______________________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

Take Courage, My Friend

Great challenges demand extraordinary courage. Amos was an Old Testament prophet who received such a challenge. He was unable to attend the Institute for Prophets and was not the son of a prophet. When the Lord God called him, he was a shepherd who also cared for sycamore trees.

Leaving home and family took courage. All Amos possessed was the assurance of God’s call plus these words from Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." This promise gave him courage to face those who refused to believe he was a prophet called by God.

The high priest tried to humiliate Amos by rejecting the fact that God gave him a message to preach to Israel. Amos had a lot to forgive, but God gave him courage never to compromise his calling. God enabled Amos to remain faithful by giving him courage, a virtue and character trait that empowered him to stand firm against all detractors.  

___________________________

Keep alert. Be firm in your faith. Stay brave and strong. Show love in everything you do.

~1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Contemporary English Version

Wait for the Lord;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord.

~Psalm 27:14 New American Standard Bible