Arguments about unimportant things; the inability or stubbornness to recognize what is important. WHEN THE DUST CLEARS, when devastation upon devastation comes, the only thought that is important is GOD. When catastrophe comes, we do not want to go to work, we cannot tolerate bickering and we are offended with the least "UNGODLY" action or thought. "For as we think in our hearts, so are we" (Proverbs 23:7). WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TODAY?
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Do you need some money? How much do you need? Have we ever noticed that when we ask "quantifying" questions we limit our Grace in Giving? Do we give what is in our hearts to give (2 Corinthian 9:7) or do we ask in the hope that we don't have to give it all? When the SPIRIT moves us today, let us not ask, "how much", let us give what the SPIRIT has told us. WHEN IT IS IN OUR POWER TO ACT (Proverbs 3:27).
When did we stop respecting our parents? Was it when their teachings contradicted what was being taught in school? Was it when we thought our teachers, friends and financially successful people were much "cooler" than our parents? Or was it when we stopped listening to Church and Sunday School because the teachers were only "moms and pops" with little or no "formal" education? Was it when they "embarrassed" us or we were "embarrassed" by them? Or, was it when we began to "sass" and verbally rebel because we had no PEACE WITHIN OURSELVES? Or was it because our rebellion was from worshiping idols (1 Samuel 15:23)? Maybe we thought our knowledge was WISDOM where there could be NO HONOR. Was it when our gods were no longer GOD? Do we think that If a LITTLE is good, then MORE is better? Do we think because we do not over eat that we are not "GLUTTONS"? Has our emphasis on our physical desires become our RELIGION where it no longer reflects the CHARACTER OF GOD? Do we over-buy, over-accumulate, over-react, or over-want? Does our "GLUTTONY" steal from others who do not have enough (Philippians 3:18)? If we break one COMMANDMENT do we break all (James 2:10)? When is the last time we prayed before going shopping; or putting gas in the car (if we have one); or prayed before we spoke? Did we wake up this morning with the thought of finishing what was not done yesterday? Is the sunrise just a continual progression with no new meaning and no awareness of the Glory of GOD rising upon us (Isaiah 60:1)? Do we not hear the songs of creation welcoming the RISING SUN which removes the darkness? Could this be GOD reminding us of HIS RISING SON piercing the very depth, width and Truth of our hearts removing our darkness? AND HIS SONG SOARS WITHIN AND ABOVE US.
Does being "chosen", "privileged" or "set aside" mean that we are preferred above all others? Are we chosen to be innocent, guiltless or acquitted of sin by our "birthright" or by our "actions"? Wouldn't this "set aside the GRACE of GOD; and make 'righteousness' the result of actions not FAITH, and in that case, CHRIST DIED IN VAIN (Galatians 2:21)? Could "chosen" or "privileged" be having contact with GOD'S WORD where the possibility of FAITH comes from hearing GOD'S WORD (Romans 10:17)? Then is it true that being "chosen" or "privileged" is no benefit in itself; just because something is available it is still of no value if we don't accept it, and act upon it? The Message has never changed; "for it is by Grace you have been saved, through FAITH (Ephesians 2:8). NOW THAT IS BEING CHOSEN, PRIVILEGED AND SET ASIDE!
We are the most CONFIDENT when we are the most HUMBLE. We are most HUMBLE when we know who we are in CHRIST. Matthew 11:29, "...humble in heart". "We are less than the least", "but not inferior", Ephesians 3:8). HUMILITY is not having a low opinion of ourselves; maybe it is having no opinion about ourselves at all, because we rarely think about ourselves. Could HUMILITY be the ability to act freely in the mystery of who we really are? Humility is not weakness, it provides the greatest strength. HUMILITY moves us from human weakness and limitation into DIVINE POWER OF EXPRESSION,
If we don't feel loved, then let others know they are loved more. If we don't feel appreciated, then let others know they are appreciated and cherished. Sing so everyone hears our songs; dance and the world will dance with us. And if they don't, it doesn't matter, because the LAST THING we did, MATTERED. Matthew 24:43, "If we knew when the thief was coming..." We don't waste and sleep today, because we might not wake up tomorrow.
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About the Author and writerThe writer for our daily devotionals wishes to remain anonymous in regard to his work, giving instead Glory to the Author. Archives
December 2015
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