Priorities

Mat 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 Living a successful Christian life requires that we keep our priorities in order.  The things which pertain to this life only thrust themselves upon us….things like making a living, acquiring things, taking care of our things.  If we are not careful, we can begin to believe that life consist of things and making a living.  Our life can be consumed worrying about material things, and cause us to forget the most important things of life.  Instead of worrying about and pursuing money and things, our spiritual life and the things of God are to be the most important pursuits of our life.  This passage reminds us that God does a good job looking after the needs of His creation.  If He takes such care of the birds and the flowers of the field, how much more can He be depended on to take care of His children.  Don’t let your life be consumed with pursuing material things….this is how those who don’t know the Lord live.  Instead, let’s give priority to the kingdom of God and God can be depended on to supply what we need.  Let’s keep our priorities in order.    

Loving others

Pro 14:21  He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

 Being a Christian is more than just having our sins forgiven.  The experience of salvation changes us from loving our self above everything else to loving God supremely and loving others as our self.  One sins who despises his neighbor; despises them by words, scorn or by ignoring their needs.  On the contrary, one who shows mercy, has compassion on the poor will be blessed.        

God knows and cares

Luk 12:6  Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Luk 12:7  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

 God sees all, knows all.  He sees everything that happens in His creation.  Even the little sparrows, which have little value or significance in this world, are seen of God.  Not one of them falls to the ground without God seeing and caring.  God knows all about us.  He knows more about us than we know about ourselves.  He knows every detail, even insignificant details like the number of hairs on our head.  Jesus reminds us that we need not fear, need not worry.  If God concerns Himself with these lesser things, how much more can He be depended on to take care of His own children.  I pray our faith take in God’s great concern and care, and allow our faith to replace our worries and fears.  

Waiting in hope

(Psa 130:5 KJV)  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

(Psa 130:6 KJV)  My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

 There are times when disappointment and discouragement seem to come in like a flood.  In such times, our hope is in God and in the promises of His Word.  The Psalmist expresses an intense longing for God’s help.  The expectation and intensity is even more than that of those who are waiting for the dark night to pass with the dawning of morning. We share that same longing during times of intense or prolonged trouble and trials.  Notice in this passage that we have more than hope; we have an expectation.  There is an expectant waiting and looking for His help and deliverance.  Stay steady, continue to trust and expectantly wait; God’s help is as certain as the bright morning of a new day after a long night.  

Priorities

Pro 15:17  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

 How easy it is for us to get our priorities mixed up.  Too often we strive to obtain things, to get ahead, to accumulate money, to live the good life.  However, these are not the things that really make life good and pleasant.  What makes life good and pleasant is the warmth and security of being loved, the joy of an atmosphere of love.  It is better to have fewer of the finer things of life and enjoy love, than to live the “good life” and contend with bitterness and ill will.  Let us strive for the best life, to show love, to promote love, to build those things that make life truly good.  

Hope in God

(Psa 42:11 KJV)  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

 There are times when we find ourselves mired down in worry, discouragement and restlessness.  As the Psalmist, we need to remind ourself of God’s care and faithfulness. We can revive our hope in the midst of our difficulties by knowing that God is our God and will never forsake us.  We can praise Him now for who He is and in confidence that He will once again prove faithful.       

Wait

(Psa 130:5 KJV)  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

 Waiting is the hard part.  Waiting for answers to prayer, waiting to see God’s promises fulfilled.  Delays test our faith.  Waiting tests our faith.  This Psalm describes waiting in faith.  The waiting in this passage has expectation, anticipation.  It is like waiting for a bus, with an expectation that it will come.  Waiting in faith has the same expectation…we are waiting, looking and expecting the Lord to come, to answer, to move.  This waiting in faith hopes and expects God to honor His word.  Wait on the Lord in faith, in anticipation, in expectation. Rely on His Word, rely on His promise…..wait on the Lord.

Good things

Mat 7:11  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

 How often Satan tempts us to believe that God is hard, difficult to move, tight fisted.  God is good, all the time, perfectly good, in every way.  He is compassionate, tender hearted toward His children.  We know it is not difficult for our own children to get those things they need from us.  God is so much more holy and good than we are.  How much more, then, should we trust Him to give us those things that we need.  Trust Him, as a good and compassionate heavenly Father. 

Generosity

Pro 11:24  There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. Pro 11:25  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

 Generosity is a Christian attribute; it is a Christian attitude toward the needs of those who are around us.  We are cautioned against selfishness. Notice the Proverb; its bit of a riddle: “Scatters but increases, holds tight but tends to poverty”. Verse 25 tells us why:  God is at work.  God takes care of those who take care of others. We are called to be generous in meeting the needs around us; it is a visible example of love.  History tells us this was one of the great witnesses of the early morning church.  This is not a call to give away all, but a call to generosity: “withholdeth more than is meet”.   Our heart ought to be moved with compassion on the needs around us.  One of our responses should be generosity, sharing what God has blessed us with.

Watch your words

Pro 12:18  There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

 There probably isn’t any area that gives Christian more trouble than controlling our words.  We often talk without thinking, or let our emotions spill out in our words.  Our words are very important.  They can cut and pierce and do much damage.  On the other hand, wisely chosen words can bring health and healing.  Let’s purpose to be wise in our words, to build up and not tear down.        

God will be with you

2 Co 13:11  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

  This is Paul’s closing admonition to the church at Corinth.  There is a promise attached to following this admonition.  The promise is that the God of love and peace will be with us.  What a promise! What more could we ask?  God will be with us and for us.  God, in whose presence is love and peace, assurance and security, will be with us.  The route to having the presence of God with us is this: strive to grow in holiness, to be mature (perfect), complete.  We are to encourage one another, strengthen one another, live at peace with one another.  We are to be in unity of the Spirit, striving together toward the common goal of doing the work of God and helping others come to know Him.  If we make these things our focus, the presence of God will be with us.     

Rejoice!

Psa 5:11  But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

 Our God is faithful and trustworthy.  He is our provider and our protector.  He can be depended on in every situation, every time.  There is a thrill, a joy that comes from knowing God is watching over you, caring for you, loving you.  There is a deep joy and happiness that comes from knowing God loves us and we love Him in return.  In the midst of difficulty, don’t forget that God still loves you, and He is faithful and trustworthy.  Allow God’s faithfulness to restore the joy of your salvation.

Incredible

1 Ch 29:11  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.  1Ch 29:12  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.  1Ch 29:13  Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

 Our God is an incredible God, indescribable in every aspect.  Everything in creation is by Him and for Him.  Every good thing, every mighty thing is from Him.  To Him belongs all glory, honor and praise.  For all that God is, and all that He does, He deserves great praise and thanks.  The glory and greatness of God is beyond compare.  He is worthy of great praise and honor.  He is worthy of a standing ovation, not just a smattering of applause.  May we better take in the enormity of His glory and greatness, and may our hearts well up in praise befitting that greatness.

Christianity is for everyone

Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Act 17:31  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

 Christianity isn’t just for Christians.  This is God’s world, all of it.  God was patient until His revelation was complete in the sending of His own Son.  He gave infallible proof of His truth in the sending of Jesus Christ.  Now, God no longer overlooks the unrepentant and unbelieving, but commands everyone to repent. There is a day appointed, already circled on God’s calendar when all people everywhere will be called to account.  For that reason, Christianity is for everyone…in fact it is an absolute necessity. Let’s not be ashamed, but rather be bold in our call for people everywhere to repent and believe the gospel.    

Love in action

1Jn 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

 Our love must go beyond warm words and good intentions.  Our love must be shown in how we act and behave.  Our love must be sincere enough to be acted upon.  Love is known by how it behaves. Let us live our lives demonstrating our love for God by our obedience and our love for one another by our treatment of those around us.

A soft answer

Pro 15:1  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

 Dealing with anger is a major lesson in life to be learned, both our own anger and anger of others.  Anger is often expressed in words, and also is often provoked by our words.  Part of dealing with anger is learning to control our mouth.  Learning to speak calmly, with reason and kindness, will help to diffuse anger, much like throwing water on a fire.  However, responding with bitter hateful words will lead to more anger, much like throwing gasoline on the fire.  Lets learn to be firemen, quenching the flames of anger by our words.

Receive instruction

Pro 10:8  The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

 Let us never get so wise that we can’t be instructed.  Those who are truly wise are open to being taught and instructed.  It is a fool who thinks they best that will fall, that will bring harm and loss on themselves.  We need to learn with humility that acknowledges that we don’t know it all, and remain open to instruction, particularly in the things of God.

Beware of bitterness

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

 Being a Christian does not exempt us from loss and disappointment.  One of the dangers of disappointments and loss is bitterness.  There is a certain pain and discouragement that naturally accompanies loss and disappointment.  However, we need to learn to seek God’s grace, to rely on His love and care, to be able to overcome our discouragement.  To allow our self to seek comfort in self pity exposes us to spiritual danger and bitterness.  Bitterness is a poison that will prove to be spiritually fatal to our self and a great hindrance to those around us. Don’t fail the grace of God; seek comfort and refreshing in His love and care.  

Stay alert

1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 The idea of a real and living Devil has lost favor in the modern church.  However, we are warned in God’s word that there exists an evil being who is intent on destroying us.  We have one who opposes us and works to see us lost eternally.  For this reason we are to be diligent and alert, on guard for his deception and opposition.  Live a careful life; be aware that we have a dangerous and powerful enemy who is intent on our destruction.

Contentment

Pro 15:16  Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

 It is a great spiritual attainment to find contentment.  Too often we create trouble and difficulties because we over reach, stretching to try to accumulate too much, and in the process wound our own conscience. This verse reminds us where real contentment and satisfaction in life is to be found.  It is found in a life of reverence to God, obeying Him and trusting Him.  As such, we can rest from anxiety knowing He is caring for us, and we can sleep peacefully knowing all is well between us and God.  This verse isn’t advocating poverty, but rather it is a reminder that the security and contentment we seek must be in God, not things.  The real joy of life, contentment and security are only found in Him.  Let’s make sure we are pursuing the right means to a happy life.