Opions, trust, and peace

The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that. Proverbs 29:25

Each and every day this fear of opinion grips us, shapes us, and undermines our walk with Christ. I know, I’m not immune.

Are you?

Are you consumed by what others think of you? Or, is your concern the opinion of God? There is a world of difference. One is fearful… the other… peace; peace of mind.

Peace of mind proclaims confidence, a trust in God. Not the confidence of this world but a confidence in Christ. The confidence of this world leads to cruelty, arrogance, and selfishness. The confidence of Christ is very, very different. This confidence trusts in God while viewing the frailty of human nature. This confidence has mercy in the face of this frailty and desires to help, to hold, and to give. This confidence desires the opinion of God over that of others. This confidence is humble, broken-hearted, often quiet, tender, and merciful.

So how do I/we develop such a trust in God, how are we strengthen in God? Reading the Bible is a place to start. Often, for new believers it is good for them to start with the New Testament, the Proverbs, and the Psalms. Why read the Bible? Scripture reading sheds the light of God’s principles to our minds. We need heavenly principles flowing in our thoughts to counter-act the principles taught us in this world. We are soldiers and our warfare is spiritual. (Ephesians 6:12) Scripture is filled with the stories and testimonies of folks just like you and me who went before us to demonstrate God working in their lives. (Romans 15:4) Their stories are filled with men and women who knew that the opinions of others were faulty and that their own thinking was faulty at times as well. Learning this they turned to God’s Word and to prayer.

Learn to develop prayer. How do you pray when prayer seems so foreign? This and scripture reading is where trust begins. Can you type? Can you text? Can you hold a conversation with a friend, with family, or co-workers. Then you can pray. Prayer is not a formula, prayer is a conversation with God. Prayer is expressing your thanks, displaying your honor, and asking your Heavenly Father for help, for guidance, and for forgiveness. Prayer can occur anywhere and at any time, for prayer is a consciousness of God, a trust in God, a walk with God…

And having a consciousness of God brings peace; peace of mind and trust in God.

The opinions of others need consideration but they should never rob our hearts of the peace of God.

In the Day of Adversity...consider

For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, There'll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it'll be too late to help them. Proverbs 29:1

It’s not easy to hear someone tell you that you are wrong. It cuts across our senses as ‘failure’, ‘not good enough’ or we may even cynically consider the messengers intent. Those are two choices but there is one better and more noble.

When a messenger comes and tells you that you are wrong, agree. (Matthew 5:25) Agreeing takes the ammunition away. Agreeing soothes your own stinging pride and gives you time to pray and to consider (Ecclesiastes 7:14). For in the midst of trouble we need consideration before action. Yet even much more important than these, is agreeing leads to humility. We need humility if we are to influence… if we are to lead.

What did King David do with adversity? He agreed. When a member of King Saul’s house cursed him, did David curse back? No. He instructed his men to leave Shimel alone as the Lord had given Shimel a heart to speak evil of David. Do you think David liked it? Was David joyful and happy at this? No. He endured. He accepted. He considered. (2 Samuel 16).

Today, we won’t accept pain or discouragement or heartache. We run or hide or bury it deep. Pride will not allow us to accept that we truly are just dumb sheep, sheep that need the Good Shepherd. Most of us get insulted. Our pride is burning and we want to act. We want action because we want to appear courageous, bold, and fearless. Or, we want action because we want… revenge.

Ever consider what God wants? God wants us to trust in Him.

Can you trust God in the midst of trouble or will you shoot the messenger? If you do, God will only send another. For during adversity God is after our attention and our response. God wants to know if His character within us is developing or do we trust our carnal nature? Have we changed or our we the same inside?

And what of that messenger? (2 Samuel 19) Is he or she really the enemy? Could they be someone bold enough and caring enough to correct you, while all the while dreading your ugly response! What happens when you agree? In what light do they view you in then? For most will curse back, most will pick up the spear thrown so as to throw it back. What will you do?

‘Lord, so often my view point is all wrong. Often I fear what others may say, think, or respond to me. Lord, the truth is I don’t trust you enough. For if I truly trusted you my concern would be what you say, think, and your response. Help me and these readers develop a pure heart. A heart so pure that we can see you work in our daily lives. Help us to overcome evil with good, your goodness dear Heavenly Father!

Faith & Promises

“We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, "You're going to have a big family, Abraham!" Romans 4:17 (The Message)

We live in times of unrealized and awesome possibilities. For just beyond reach… on the other side of glories veil reigns our God of hope and possibility. Through God we can see beyond today and peer into the unknown tomorrow without fear, frustration, or doubt. All these are attainable… through faith in God. Faith that believes the promises of God. (2 Cor. 7:1)

Faith that believes the promise that “He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5), in believing that, you can never be truly lonely.
Faith that assures us “to give thanks to God with prayer” even when life stinks, even when every emotional-fiber of our being is trembling with anger, frustration, or despair. By faith in God’s Word we can drag our stubborn nature to the altar and give a sacrifice of praise. Even if our ‘feelings’ don’t like it. Believing that after the tears are dried, God will give us true peace (Philippians 4:6-7; Psa 51:17; Psa 116:17).

Faith that is dissatisfied with this world. Faith that sees our nation, our core values, and our prosperity vanish before our eyes day after day. All seemingly spiraling out of control, without checks and balances, discernment, or honorable conscience. Believing that God is shaking everything out to put in place a beastly power structure. All for His ultimate glory.

Faith to understand that ultimately we are enslaved to the love of God. We are compelled by His love to go where we would not go, speak his truth and endure ridicule, give to those who hate what we stand for. A love that forgives and gives in secret. A love that breaks our hearts, molds our nature, and determines for us one singular goal.

To glorify God with our lives.

The Comforter's Voice

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

Throughout America and this world tonight many cannot sleep. Seemingly on every side and wherever they turn there is trouble and anguish. Much of it brought on… by themselves and other trouble through greed and deceit of others. When sleep is hard to come by, consider a sin-check.

It’s hard to sleep with a guilty conscience. Oh it can be done, sort of, I’ve done it many times, or I should say, I tried to. Yet my sleep was troubled and interrupted until I repented to the Lord and made things right between us. Then I peacefully snoozed the night away.

Why? Well, since coming to Christ in 1978 there’s been this quiet, tender, peaceful ‘voice’, called the Holy Spirit. A sweet presence deeply abiding in my soul. He’s also called the Comforter or the Spirit of Truth. When a person accepts Christ as Lord and Savior, God imparts the Comforter to abide with a believer. John 14:16; John 14:17; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7; John 16:13

So, what is this new thing that you are talking about… what is this Spirit of Truth for? Well, the Bible teaches that when Jesus instructed his disciples that when he left them that he would not leave them and us comfortless (John 14:18).

God’s Spirit brings us peace and comfort and helps us through the rough patches on life’s road. Scripture also states that the Holy Spirit was given us to “guide us into all truth” (John 16:13). We need a guide as God’s wisdom must be “spiritually discerned” (1 Cor 2:14), that’s why some people really detest anything dealing with God and why believers of Christ can’t seem to get enough!

The Spirit of God aids us in bringing spiritual things to our mind, He reminds us. (John 14:26) The Spirit of Truth helps us remember what scripture taught us. That is why Bible reading is such a good thing, it gives us ammo for the spiritual battles we will face and comfort while facing it. We also need our discernment sharpened to discern between good and evil.

Yet, the main purpose for God giving us the gift of his Spirit is to build the character of Christ is our lives. Characteristics such as “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Gal. 5:22-23). Why? To witness for him in word and in deed.

Our shepherd desires to commune with our hearts, to draw close and for us to follow Him. As Christ said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

Do you hear his voice today?

Be still and know that I am God

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

There is a rush, rush, rush, and a busyness about us that feeds our anxieties and quiets-out the voice of our Lord. That still-small voice that whispers our name in the middle of the night, early in the morning, and throughout our day. It whispers, ‘be still, be quiet, and be at peace.’

In the maddening-craziness of our world we often fly right by the voice. It’s just another voice, another message, or another distraction; a distraction from ‘our agenda’. We are in a hurry. We have a mission. That is to do, to be, to achieve, to impress, to possess… for what, may I ask?

Why do we labor so… for the wind? For what we strive for today is gone in a moment. There is nothing eternal in the chaff of such achievements. Come judgment, will they stand the flaming test or will our resume of works burn to ash?

For what purpose then are we here? Why were we created? What is our true mission in life? Or, is this life all there is? Are we beasts that live and feast and die? Or, are we more? Do we have a purpose?

Questions for your heart to ponder, twist, or search out. God’s Word holds the answers to such a quest. Will you hear his voice? Can you be still and know God?

‘Lord Jesus, most every day I ignore your voice. Too often I’m captured by so much anxiety that I’m fearfully trying to please, appease, or look the part. I’m undone. Wash me in the blood of Jesus. Teach me how to pray, what to say, how to be… for I’ve bypassed stillness for the praises of others. I’ve kicked courage to the curb to fit in, to melt away, and to just get along. Help me O God, wash me anew, restore unto me the joy of your salvation and help me to be still.'

Trust in God

Psalm 118:8It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
The Psalms remind us to not put our trust in mankind. Its easy to put your trust in someone else, we all do it. But do we trust others before God? Do others in our life replace God in our life?

We live in a cold and spiritually dark world and it’s natural to seek comfort, friendship, and encouragement. Some, so desperate for a good word or any word of encouragement will do many good deeds, hoping to get noticed, to receive any good word at all. In today’s failing society folks want hope and they want to hear about hope and they will follow anyone who speaks of hope. Sheep need hope.

But what do you do when your encourager, your friends, and even other Christians let you down? Do you sulk in the corner? Do you get angry and get in their face? What do you do with the knife that’s in your back? Are you a Saul and throw javelins? Or a David who ducks for cover and runs instead of insulting the office of the King? Who did David trust? Who did Saul trust?

How do you respond when a leader fails the test of integrity? When shepherds become wolves and devour or beat up the sheep. When that good boss suddenly turns nasty. When someone betrays your trust and it burns in your gut like a hot spike that will not be quenched. Who will you trust when trust is lost?

To whom do we turn to when anger fills our veins? When power is abused? When secrets are leaked out? When sorrow fills your heart and depression sinks in?

The Bible has an answer. That answer is put your trust in God, in the Lord Jesus Christ. Not in man or woman or the youth or the aged or the rich or the powerful; have they not all at some time betrayed the character of Christ?

Why? Why does God so desire the throne of our heart? Is He after power? Is He starving for attention? Or does his want to be the dictator of us without our input? No! God knows that our nature is frail, fallen, and fractured. We need help! We need God in our lives.

For consider that the character of God is without limitations. God is unfailing and eternal. God’s character exceeds history and prophecy. Again, please consider God’s faithfulness, his great mercy, his limitless kindness and his love towards you. Recall his work in your life. The times He’s answered your prayers. The times He did not answer because the motive behind the prayer was unjust. The times He “lead you beside the still waters” or up the slope of a half-frozen mountain trail. God was there for you… should we not return the favor and put our full trust in Him?

2 Kings 18:21

Psalm 56:11

Jeremiah 17:5

Psalm 34:8

Psalm 18:2

Psalm 20:7

Psalm 44:6

Tuning into God

He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Luke 24:38

This time of year is a beautiful time of year. In November we are reminded to give thanks. We are reminded of the early settlers to this country, their trial and test, (nearly 50% perished in the first year), and of those native Indians who gave. Their giving of substance and more importantly knowledge gave… life.

Then in December we are reminded to give, boy are we reminded. Retail is worried and they want stuff off their shelves, so they make their push. There’s a lot of tension in the airways and byways of our land. There’s this sense that seemingly overnight we went from being o.k. to now… that we are in big, big trouble. At least this is what are told and asked to believe. One question I have is, why so sudden… the change?

Regardless of the answer we live in this world and we are stuck with it. But I don’t have to share in the worry and fear that it seemingly heaped upon us daily and daily we are assured of just how really bad things are. So, Belinda and I did the smart thing right before the election… we tuned out.

We turned on God’s Word and let me tell you, it’s the greatest joy! The deepest peace! The greatest comfort! Instead of filling our minds with all that is said that is wrong… we tuned into what God had to say about the whole matter. And you know what… He’s in control and He’s got things under control.

God has a master plan for you life. He has ambitions, hopes, and dreams for you to fulfill. He’s not against you… he’s for you. It’s our attitudes, behaviors, and wrong thinking that he’s lovingly and sometimes sternly trying to adjust. For He knows even if we don’t or won’t see that there is simply nothing good that comes from raw human nature. So, why do we trust it so?

Has not God always proven faithful? Has He not always given you what you need instead of what you want? Has He ever lied, cheated, or treated you unjustly? No, God’s fair. God’s just and justified in how He treats us… don’t spoiled children sometime need the woodshed and the sad ones a hug?

We are God’s children and if we act childishly he will treat us so. We can either run and hide in the face of what is coming or we can stand and proclaim the truth. The truth found in Christ Jesus. What other truth is there?

Facing the three Ds

“Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.”Proverbs 13:12

Disappointment, discouragement, and down-heartedness… all are apart of life. All are a needed ingredient in God’s recipe towards maturity. Like sunshine and rain, snow or flowering spring flowers… change comes.

Environmental changes causes us to adjust, to rethink, and to pray.
Since we tend not to change on our own, God helps us out. After all he’s looking out for our best interest, even if we are not. He would rather us endure a season of unpleasantness to form in us lasting character.

Now, some good meaning or either immature Christians believe that we should always be happy, always be joyful, all smiles, and always be in good spirits. Well, that kind of thinking is a delusion, it’s a lie. Or maybe they’ve not faced failure, or seen a loved one racked in pain, or seen a parent melt away from the ravages of cancer.

Facing disappointment, discouragement, and down-heartedness gives us the tools to help others in their need. Facing some of the pains of life teaches us mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. In this season of giving… these are the greatest of gifts.

‘Father, thank you for trials and tests, for disappointment, and for failures. Thank you for sending these special events our way to change us, mold us, and create in us your lasting character. May we have a heart to encourage and lift up those who are enduring. They need a hearing ear, a tentative heart, and a friend who will remind them of your great purpose… your great plan in our lives.’

It's better to have a friend

It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there's no one to help, tough!” Ecclesiastes 4:9

When times are tough it is so good to have someone to lean on. They can pick you up with a few words, they can listen and hear your heart. A heart weighed down needs a release, it needs a friend, it needs someone to trust.

At home, at work, and in life we all have great needs. We may think that we are strong, we may believe that we are invincible, and we may be convinced that alone we are at our best.

At some time in life… life will teach you just how tough life is and how weak we truly are. So if you are blessed with a friend… truly you are very blessed indeed.