Maybe "TIME" has nothing to do with seconds, minutes and hours at all. At just the right time, when the sun is at our back, the rain is ahead of us, the raindrops reflect the sun to form a rainbow (maybe two). Maybe THE RIGHT TIME is when various (related and unrelated) elements, activities and thoughts come together in harmony to become part of us. At just THE RIGHT TIME, there is a season, and a time to every purpose..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The RAINBOW is real, it can be seen and photographed; it can even be described in mathematical terms; but it cannot be located at a specific place. THE RAINBOW IS AN IMAGE IN INFINITY!
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A young person resented for years that his dad would not come to his games to watch him play. Then, on his dad's death bed he heard these words, "I enjoyed your games". His dad didn't let him know he came when he could so his son would not be nervous and try to be what he was not. And some nights he had to work so his son could have the equipment he needed to play. Did the dad feel bad because he was "wrongly judged", or was he at Peace because because he knew he did right? For who can search the deepness of the inward mind and heart of man (Psalm 64:6)? Did the dad feel the same Peace while being judged; as he did when the Truth were known? If "affirming judgement" makes us feel good, while "disparaging judgement" makes us feel bad; WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE JUDGED; WHERE THERE IS NO PEACE (1 Corinthians 4:3-5).
Our actions are more revealing about ourselves than we may think. Mark 10:37, "Grant us to sit, one at YOUR right and one at YOUR left". Are we obedient to a "point", but then want recognition and authority for it? JESUS knew that to give James and John their desires that they not only could not drink from the cup; but that they would no longer to be WILLING to take of HIS cup or have HIS kind of baptism. How do we envision a servant or slave? Are they common positions of disgrace and hardships; or are they positions of HONOR AND PROMINENCE?
Are we like electricity; "ALWAYS TAKING THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE"? We refuse to let JESUS guide our lives, while freely giving our SPIRITUAL AND MENTAL independence to any other "authoritative master". Are we SQUINTING OUR EYES in the darkness to see what we want to see; instead of the reality of what is there? Luke 18:8; "When the SON OF MAN comes, shall HE find FAITH on earth"? Do we freely give our SOULS to someone other than JESUS, letting their gods be our gods, because it is easier? DO WE TAKE THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE?
We don't have to convince anyone; we don't have to "memorize" what to say in order to have the perfect answer when our Faith is questioned. IN FACT, IN REALITY, do Christians feel threatened, angry or insecure when confronted about JESUS? Or, are we "QUIETLY CONFIDENT" that the SPIRIT within us will tell us at the time what we should say (Luke 12:12)? We do not try to "convince", but with gentleness and respect we give the reason for our PEACE (1 Peter 3:15). We are not threatened, fearful or even "intimidatingly prepared". WE ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS FOR HIMSELF WHILE WE REMAIN "QUIETLY CONFIDENT". THERE ARE NO CHALLENGES, ONLY CONFIRMATION OF HIS PRESENCE.
At a bus stop, a non-believer was challenging "WHO GOD WAS OR IS". Are there any Christians here, he asked? A quite man raised his hand. Why do you believe in GOD the non-believer asked? The man answered, because HE is the reality, the peace, the REALITY OF TRUTH, and HE NEVER CHANGES. NEVER CHANGES, the non-believer said, "in the old testament HE was vengeful and wrathful; in the new testament HE is loving", HE CHANGED. The Christian asked the man if that was his son standing beside him. "Yes, why"? To him you are loving, kind and merciful. But if someone were to try and hurt him, you would use any and all means to protect him and destroy the enemy. You are the same person, but in both circumstances, your love is expressed differently (Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:17). GOD continually reveals HIMSELF through events and relationships with people, although we may learn more about HIM; HE NEVER CHANGES.
We have heard the same story "over and over" from the same person and yet we listen without interrupting. It is like the first time they told it, and the first time we heard it. Why do we do that? Because the "story teller" receives great JOY in telling it, and we are JOYFUL IN THEIR JOY. Is it alright to repeat the same prayer to GOD over and over? Is it lack of Faith to keep Praying, or is it just the PURE JOY OF PRAYING (1 John5:14)? It's OK to Pray the same Prayer, as long as we don't expect a different answer. Abundant Blessings Always, WE ARE ALL CONNECTED. A new phenomena is going around that everyone in the world is connected. Each life influences and affects the lives of everyone else. There are no accidents and there are no "by chance" happenings. It is not a coincidence that we all are reading this meditation right now; whether we agree or disagree; we are all affected. Is it just a theory, or has it already been confirmed? JESUS said, "though we are many, we form one body, and each member belongs to all the others" (Romans 12:5). Is it "BY CHANCE" that we were created at this particular time in all Eternity to not be touched by the lives of others? I THINK NOT.
Do we just decide to become Christians, or does someone have to persuade us that it is the best choice of all alternative religions (Acts 26:28)? Or, do we know, without being told, that we are a part of SOMETHING OR SOMEONE far greater than ourselves (Ecclesiastes 3:11)? Have we heard the words in the Gospel that completed our emptiness; and caused us to think about and meditate upon its Message? Is this what is meant "to think of higher thoughts"? Surprisingly, we no longer have to fight against sinful thoughts because we constantly think of GODLY THINGS. We don't decide to be Christians; IT'S ALREADY DECIDED.
SOMEONE IS PRAYING FOR YOU. Before you woke up and after you do; someone is PRAYING FOR YOU (Philippians 1:4). To the Saints before, the Saints now, and the Saints to come; JESUS HAS WHISPERED YOUR NAME. BEFORE YOU WOKE UP, SOMEONE WAS PRAYING FOR YOU; AND PRAYERS CONTINUE. JESUS WHISPERED YOUR NAME.
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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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