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and, from the Yahoo Group-
I don't have a specific reference for this one, but it's something
I've come across in the Bible from time to time and have been giving
some thought.
Sometimes, the consequence of our sin is not God's wrath, but simply
the natural consequence of that sin. When we do something that is
not Biblically directed, be it large or small, often there are
natural consequences. I think the Biblical direction is often trying
to warn us away from those consequences just as much as it is giving
us specific direction on sin. KWIM?
For instance, my DH has a relatively secure job and our income is
pretty easy to predict. So if we want something bad enough, our
tendency is to buy it- going into debt. We were discussing this
issue recently as I was trying hard to get us out of our (relatively
minor) debt. We had at one point chosen to be debt free on Biblical
reasons, but backslid. So now, though we are not in danger of any
financial hardship we are paying consequences. First, everything I
buy has to be weighed not only in terms of whether I need or want it,
but also in terms of whether it is important enough to have that I will
continue to be in debt to have it. See, everything I buy now reduces
the amount I can set toward debt. So I can't "enjoy" the purchase as
it is always accompanied by the weight of the debt.
Also, we don't have the security of knowing that all we have we own.
We don't. If DH's job suddenly ended, we wouldn't start with going
out to make enough money to meet our needs, we'd have to start with
figuring out how to pay the debt and then meet our needs.
Finally, having accepted that debt is "OK", I no longer restrain
myself if there's something I want. Oh it's just a few more $ on the
credit card, I'll pay it off next month... Whereas before, if the
money wasn't in my wallet- it was too expensive to buy. The credit
card companies love it when we think a little more won't hurt. It
all adds up, much more quickly than I think. LOL! So anyway, much as
I love shopping, I have to accept that choices have consequences and
sometimes God has already told us what those natural consequences
will be if only we will read his word.
Now, I'm in no way saying everyone should be debt free every minute-
obviously we aren't. This is just the easiest example I have for you
of how the Bible sometimes imparts wisdom for the sake of protecting
us. We are well served to follow its good advice. KWIM?
So that's my thought for today.
Monday, November 20, 2006
On Contentment
1 Timothy 6:6-10 Well, religion does make a person very rich, if he is
satisfied with what he has. What did we bring into the world? Nothing!
What can we take out of the world? Nothing! So then, if we have food
and clothes, that should be enough for us. But those who want to get
rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and
harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction. For the
love of money is a source of all kinds of evils. Some have been so
eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have
broken their hearts with many sorrows.
I know this has been true in my own life. We used to be a two-income
family and as I look back I have no idea what we spent our money on. I
certainly didn't spare much for those less fortunate and it all seemed
to disappear as soon as it touched my fingers. We still have a desire
to better ourselves of course, but we consciously strive to improve our
stewardship of what we are given and to truly recognize what a glorious
gift from God it is to not need. We do have food and clothes and thus
are blessed beyond measure.
Whenever I start to fret about a situation in our lives, I remind
myself that we are blessed in not only the simple needs like food and
shelter but also in knowing God. How many people in the world have not
had the opportunity or have not taken the opportunity to come to Christ?
How many don't have food and shelter today. I pray that His truth will
be revealed to them, even in the midst of their suffering and that His
power will strengthen them to persevere.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
My grace is sufficient for all your needs.
That was the kids' Bible lesson today. The lesson pointed out how
foolish it is of us to ever think God doesn't have the power to provide
for our needs. Which reminds me of a verse from the OT that actually
made me laugh when I read it. In the verses, Moses is questioning how
God will provide something for the Israelites as they are in the middle
of a desert. God's response was something along the lines of "have my
arms been shortened?" Ladies, his arms reach around the whole
universe. They can reach what you need. Remember to keep praying and
don't let the deceiver trick you into giving up hope. His grace IS
sufficient.
Friday, November 17, 2006
...warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with
everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Be patient with EVERYONE. The holidays are fast approaching and how
many of us have some issue with someone that we know will rear its
ugly head on Thanksgiving? Instead of treating that person as
someone who knows you and should know better how to treat them, treat
them as a stranger who you have the chance to bring closer to God.
Look at them with the eyes of a God who loves them rather than a
relative who is sick of their behavior. ;-)
Be joyous always, pray at all times, be thankful in all
circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Wow that's hard isn't it. But you know, if you do the 2nd, it's a
lot easier to do the first and the third. Think about it.
Have a good day.
Sorry I missed you yesterday, we were having a good school day and I
didn't get to do *my* reading until late. The kids' study today
reminded them to ask God for their every need no matter how big or
small. Hmmm... sort of like mine, "pray at all times". Neat. :-)
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Wasn't sure if I was going to have one today. In my own Bible
reading I did find good verses, but I felt I was finding them for the
sake of having something to post- they didn't necessarily reach out
to me for the purposes of sharing.
But, tonight as I read through John, Chapter 9 with DH I did see
something, which struck me. So here it is:
...His disciples asked him, "Teacher, whose sin caused him to be born
blind? Was it his own or his parents' sin?" Jesus answered, "His
blindness has nothing to do with sins or his parents' sins....
Here's the part that called out to me:
"...He is blind so that God's power might be seen at work in him."
So that God's power might be seen at work in him.
Remember that ladies. Sometimes we suffer as a correction, sometimes
we suffer under a spiritual attack, sometimes we suffer so that God's
power might be seen at work in us.
I know from my own experience this is true. Through the troubles
we've had with my son's health God has wrought incredible changes in
me, my DH and many members of our extended family. I can see God's
work in my DS as well. I would not wish his condition on anyone, but
I can say that I would not wish it away if the changes in all of us
were lost as a result.
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