Dusty Dreams a Novella

Hi all, thanks for visiting!

I have finished and published Dusty Dreams,
here is the link if you would like to have a look:
Dusty Dreams

Also, I now have an author's page on Amazon - it is:
https://www.amazon.com/author/sherriward

Not the only one

Apparently I am not the only one finding time for blogging to be difficult. I checked in with a blog or two I like to follow, and I see others are finding that life is busy as well! I'm still here, and when I can I am writing in the background - often more editing than writing anything new.

The only real "event" in our lives that helped to keep life busy was a family get-together in May at cabins in the mountains, and it was wonderful! I was one happy mom/mil/grandma/wife/camper!

My friends the Treats returned from their missionary trip, and I have heard briefly from Jan that things went well. Hope to learn more soon!

I can't really blame my Etsy shop for my being too busy as sales are practically nil! Still, I try to add new items because if I'm going to do this, it takes some honest effort. Plus, it's fun!

As for the writing I'm working on, I have been researching just a bit as far as publishing. I'm wondering about some things, such as Amazon's Create Space, and I believe Google also has a similar product. How about you? Are you publishing, or trying to decide what direction to go in that arena?

I look forward - somehow - to getting back into blogging, but other than this, not today... Hope you all are having a fun and blessed summertime!

Friday Fiction, The Family

Welcome to Friday Fiction! It is my privilege to host it right here this week. Once again, due to a busy week, this story is one you may have read before, a little story I wrote for fun a couple of years ago. I am apparently out of the linky loop (I didn't know the rules had changed!) so if you are participating with your own fiction, please leave a comment with the url to your blog and story.


THE FAMILY

“What’cha see?”

“Just the family. Baby’s taking a nap.” He doesn’t answer, but I know he’s thinking I should put the binoculars down and get on with my own business. He’s probably right, but it’s hard not to be fascinated.

At first it was just the two of them. They arrived on the scene several months ago, and they were such a delightful pair, this new couple. He seemed a bit independent, mind you, but if you ever wanted to know where he was, all you had to do was look at her. Her eyes were always on him like a compass needle pointing north. It seemed more than admiration, as though she could not bear to be without him for a moment. Not that you could blame her, he was quite the handsome sort.

The day did come, though, when he just disappeared, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he had gone for good. I also couldn’t help feeling badly for her as I watched her through the long, cold winter. I knew she had to be incredibly lonely.

Visitors were few. Once some children came with a few kind words, and I could tell she was grateful, but it didn’t change anything. Another time there was a scruffy loner who seemed somewhat interested in her, circling about as though she were prey. I admired her courage because she ignored him entirely, behaving as though he didn’t even exist. It was apparently the right thing to do, because he left after a short while. I was relieved, and yet sorry to see him go just because I rarely saw his sort hanging around here. Just a bit of morbid curiosity, I suppose.

“You know,” I had mentioned to my husband around that time, “I think she’s going to have a baby.”

He didn’t react much. Just a “Hmm,” and a shrug, that’s about it.

When the time came, I couldn’t help but gloat a bit. “I told you she was going to have a baby!” Earlier I had noticed that the object of her affection had returned, and was he ever racing about! Now I think it had to be because of all the excitement of the new baby, and he was a very proud papa.

All speculation, of course. I have never spoken to them nor they to me, and all these affairs are their own business. If I did speak to anyone, though, it would be to the rancher who owns them. I would ask him if he couldn’t move them to the closer pasture, so I wouldn’t have to use my binoculars so much. They are beautiful, and I fully intend to keep watching them, especially now that the baby is really gaining his legs. My, how that foal can run! Even if the rancher does move them to the closer pasture, I’ll still be using the binoculars, if only to keep an eye out for the scruffy coyotes that occasionally loiter about.

***
Psalm 147:10-11NASB He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness.

Friday Fiction Wolf in a Bunny Costume (Rerun)

Welcome to Fiction Friday! Catrina Bradley of Speak to the Mountainis the host for this week. Be sure to head on over there to read some great fiction. If you are participating today with your own fiction, you'll find the Mclinky following her story.

I just have not found time of late for writing something new for Friday Fiction - I am working on two novels when I can, usually more "editing" than actually writing. But FF is fun, so at least I can join in with a rerun! If you've been around my blog for awhile, you may have read it before...

WOLF IN A BUNNY COSTUME

Baleful shifted uncomfortably in his bunny rabbit costume. He tried to nibble on the grass, but it was difficult to manage through the makeshift mouth of the mask. Grass wasn’t nearly filling for a wolf anyway. Nearby, rabbits chewed happily. How did the green wispy stuff keep their tummies full? At least now they were happily munching rather than arguing about the newcomer.

“He can’t really be one of us,” one had said. “He’s big and funny looking.”

“I say we let him stay. He looks like a rabbit – sort of.”

“Yeah, it’s okay if he’s big and funny looking. Close enough is close enough.”

The argument ended when hunger turned their attention to the lush foliage of the hillside. Baleful sighed with short-lived relief. Wise Old Bunny had not hopped away with the others, and now nibbled on grass nearby, even hopping closer for a blade or two. Did he know? Why did he keep stopping to sniff the air?

At last Wise Old Bunny spoke. “You don’t make a very good rabbit.” Not looking directly at Baleful, he nibbled on another blade of grass.

Baleful tried to stifle a whine, which came out as a nervous whimper. Only yesterday Wicked, the wolf pack leader, had made a similar pronouncement. “You don’t make a very good wolf,” he had snarled.

“I can’t eat bunnies,” Baleful had wailed. “They’re too cute.”

“Cute?” Wicked had growled menacingly as the rest of the pack circled and howled in laughter. “They’re not cute, they’re food! What do you suggest we eat instead?”

“Well,” Baleful said with a hopeful sniff, “Maybe we could eat grass like the bunnies.”

This was too much, and Wicked’s snarling mouth was now inches from Baleful’s quivering throat. The pack stopped circling and watched expectantly. Suddenly Wicked stopped snarling and sat back on his haunches. “Very well. You like the bunnies. You shall become one of them. Yes,” he said with a sly, toothy grin, “You will live with them until they become used to the smell of a wolf. That way you can eat all the grass you want and we shall be able to sneak up and catch all the bunnies we can eat!”

The pack had howled approvingly, and a costume was constructed from past hunts. Baleful wasn’t happy, but the menacing pack gave him no choice, and he, a wolf, had gone to live among the bunnies.

Now nothing was going right, and Baleful crouched on the ground with his nose between his rabbit hair covered wolf paws. “No,” he admitted to Wise Old Bunny, “I’m not a rabbit, I’m a wolf. But I’m not a good wolf, either. I can’t eat bunnies.” He resisted an urge to sit up and howl mournfully.

Wise Old Bunny didn’t seem alarmed at the news, and ate another blade of grass before speaking again. “You know, if you really were a rabbit, you would be satisfied eating grass.”

Baleful stopped sniffling and sat up. “Are you saying I could become a real rabbit?”

“It happens. But there is only one way. You have to go to the Big Bunny Master, and ask him to transform you into a real rabbit.”

Baleful had heard the story of the Big Bunny Master, but had not been sure it was true. The story was that the Big Bunny Master had been killed by wolves, but instead of really dying he had somehow become bigger than any mere rabbit could ever be, and now had complete power over the realm of not only the bunny rabbits, but the wolves as well. The story, naturally, was forbidden to be told in wolf lairs. He listened now as Wise Old Bunny continued, “There is one nonnegotiable condition.”

“What is it?” Baleful’s wolf ears twitched under the fake bunny ears.

“You have to drop the mask, take off the costume, and come to the Big Bunny Master just as you are, a wolf.”

Baleful hesitated. “But I’m a despicable wolf. When the Big Bunny Master sees me… and if the other wolves see me… and if the bunnies see me…”

“Well, that’s it. Not an easy choice, but the only way.”

Baleful thought earnestly for a time. At last he removed his costume and spoke quietly, “Will you take me to him?”

Soon after, Baleful and Wise Old Bunny munched grass contentedly side by side while other bunnies nibbled grass nearby and hungry wolves howled in the distance.

A Thousand Tongues

O’ for a thousand tongues to sing… remember the old song? I always loved it. Recently it’s been on my mind, and every time I hear it in my mind, I can’t help but think, “Lord, thank you that the reality is I only have one tongue.” It isn’t that I don’t appreciate the sentiment behind the words – how can I adequately sing the praises of God with only one tongue? A heart bursting forth with praise for our God and King, that’s a good thing.

However, I’ve always considered my tongue to be my worst fault. How many times in my life have I asked myself, “When are you going to learn to keep your big mouth shut?” Way more times than I can count. How many times have I had to ask for forgiveness almost as soon as words are out of my mouth. “I’m sorry for calling that other driver an idiot. Lord, please help them in their driving… Lord, I’m sorry I spoke rudely, I forgot to consider the feelings of that person… Lord, I know I shouldn’t have said anything about that situation, it’s not my business and I was gossiping… Lord, I’m sorry I spoke out in anger, I should have turned to You and kept my mouth shut… ” The list goes on and on.

Imagine on a daily basis trying to control not just one, but a thousand tongues! Oh my! So, today my prayer is, “Lord, thank you for one tongue! Help me to use it to praise You and bless others at all times! Amen!”

The book of James has a lot to say about the tongue - here are just a few of the verses:

James 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.

James 3:8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;

10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
***

What Else do You do?

What else do you do? If you are here visiting my blog, chances are you like to write Christian-themed stuff, such as fiction or just sharing the things the Lord puts on your heart. We all have different styles and even reasons for pursuing Christian writing. But beyond writing, are there things you enjoy, God-given talents or creativity you nurture, and if so, what are they, if you are inclined to share?

I have been making greeting cards for years, and more recently have learned to create my own art for the cards I make, and I’ve found the art developing into more than just cardmaking. Beyond being useful for other paper crafting, such as scrapbooking and what not, I began to see it as a way to hopefully bring in a bit of extra money. After all, many small businesses start out as hobbies. So, in February of 2010, I opened a shop on Etsy.

I would love to be able to say I can’t keep up with sales, but that’s not even close to the truth, sales are few! Still, I am really enjoying the journey. For one thing, I have joined a couple of Christian teams on Etsy. Conversing on the forums and blogging with other Christian artisans is fun and also encouraging, as you might imagine.

That said, I am taking it prayerfully, a day at a time. I find this passage from James to be perfectly fitting for my business venture:

James 4:13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit."

14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."

I believe that many of the things the Lord allows are for times and seasons, and I really do not know what tomorrow may bring. This I do know, He is with me, and that does not change. God gives His children good things to enjoy in the here and now, but truly, the here and now is not what lasts. Like you, I am looking forward to what does last, our life in Christ for eternity.

Friday Fiction Marcy's Choice

Welcome to Fiction Friday! I haven't been joining in the fun in quite awhile, but hey, today I'm hosting, so here I am! If you are participating today with your own fiction, you'll find the Mclinky following the story.

This is the first new fiction I have written lately, and it wasn't at all what I would have chosen to write just for fun, but I felt the Lord nudging me about it...

Marcy's Choice

Looking out over the snow-covered field, Marcy let her eyes rest for a moment on the snowy branches of a pine tree. A tiny bird, a junco, hopped from branch to branch, dislodging some of the white powdery crystals. She wondered how the little birds ever found enough to eat in the frigid terrain. It hadn’t yet warmed up enough to melt the powder into slush, and she wondered how long it would be before the weather would finally restore the winter white to the usual winter brown. The green of spring was surely a long way off. She wondered, too, how long it would take for the cold in her heart to melt away.

The doctor had told her to expect a certain amount of depression, that was normal following the procedure. But would it ever really go away? Would she ever really not feel any sense of guilt over what she had done? She had been reassured that she should not feel guilty, that it was not reasonable to think she had to be responsible for the life of the baby she didn’t want. It had all been just a mistake, she hadn’t planned on being pregnant, and she certainly hadn’t wanted to let her whole life be turned upside down. But wasn’t that the way it felt now, anyway?

Marcy turned away from the window with a dismal sigh and sat down on the sofa. She had thought she might catch up on some reading, but she couldn’t seem to get past reading the first few pages of any book she picked up. The magazines didn’t hold her interest either, they were so full of advertisements that even the articles seemed to screech, “Buy, buy, buy!” That thought brought up an unnerving memory of the doctor. He’d said all the right words, to be sure. It was not her fault, and it was really just a simple procedure, and everything would be okay. And yet, she couldn’t shake the impression he’d left her with. For him, was it really nothing more than money, a mere business transaction? “Buy, buy, buy…” Somehow she was beginning to wish she hadn’t. She eyed her cell phone on the coffee table and thought again about calling her sister.

Amy lifted her cell phone only to put it back down for what must have been the tenth time that morning. I should call her, she said to herself. I can’t call her, she doesn’t want to talk to me. I asked her to please call me before she made any choices after seeing that doctor. She hasn’t called. I can’t force her. “Lord, please help her, if it’s not too late, to choose to let that child live. Lord, is it too late? It’s been over a week now and I haven’t heard a thing. If it is too late, what do you want me to say? Condemning her, making her feel worse than she surely already does won’t help. But neither will ignoring it and treating her as if she’s just had nothing more than a tooth removed. Lord, I don’t know what You want me to do. Lord, please help me, and most of all, please help Marcy.”

Marcy stepped out of the house and started down the walk to the mailbox. She stopped in a bit of surprise as she heard the trickle of melting snow flowing steadily through the rain gutters. There had been snow on top of snow for what seemed like such a long time. But today the sunshine was different and she knew spring was finally coming. She stood still for a moment, letting the sun warm her face. Looking at the snow from inside the house had made her get her jacket even for such a short walk, but she knew now it could have been left inside. The warmth of the sun seemed to penetrate her being. She proceeded slowly down the walk, wishing she had more excuse to be outside than just fetching the mail.

As she sorted through the few items on the way back inside, she stopped again, this time to open an envelope. It was from a lady she had met in a Bible study she had recently started attending. Inside the envelope she found a greeting card with a pretty flower on the outside and a simple greeting on the inside, Welcome to our little group, we are so glad you have found us! Be blessed today! Amy had invited her to come to the group, assuring her that she would fit in just fine. She had been right, they had all made her feel welcome and even cared about.

Although for such a long time Marcy had resisted Amy’s efforts to talk to her about God, she had finally come to the conclusion that if indeed He was real, and Jesus was real, then it was time for her to receive forgiveness, just as Amy had said. Amy had been right about a lot of things, and the most important thing was that the only thing to do with guilt was to bring it to the cross and leave it there. All her efforts to reassure herself and reason the guilt away had done nothing to dislodge it. But leaving it at the cross – knowing that God only required her to acknowledge the guilt, and let Him remove it, because He had placed all that guilt on Jesus, and knowing that He still loved her, and that He forgave her, and even had a wonderful plan for her life – knowing all these things filled Marcy’s heart with more warmth than the sunshine ever could. “Lord,” she whispered, “It’s just like springtime in my heart, like everything is new again!” With a happy smile she went inside.

God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First In the First Place

Often people like to begin stating their stance on a given issue with the phrase, “In the first place…” as though they have the final say on the matter. However, the first word spoken on a given matter is not necessarily the final say. After all is said and done, it turns out the dragonfly is not a dragon, but merely a fly.

Proverbs 18:17 The first to plead his case seems right,
Until another comes and examines him.

Have you noticed that when Jesus was tempted by the devil, it was the devil who spoke first after the forty days and forty nights of fasting in the wilderness? He even used scripture itself – the absolute truth of God – to try to dissuade Jesus from God’s perfect plan.

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.

3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"

5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,

6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU';
and
'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,
SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"

7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"

8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;

9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."

10 Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"

11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.

Well, Satan may have had the first word in this instance, but he certainly didn’t have the final say. In every instance Jesus, knowing full well the will of the Father and being fully committed to it, gave the final answer, and that with absolute authority.

Be blessed today as you keep the Lord first in everything!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
***

God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First The Beatitudes

On Being First, the Beatitudes

Have you ever read the beatitudes (which may be found in the fifth chapter of Matthew) with a “first… then…” perspective? What I mean by that, for example, is to read, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” like this, “First, be poor in spirit, then the kingdom of heaven will be yours.”

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” becomes something like, “First comes mourning, but then you shall be comforted.”

“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth,” becomes “First be gentle, then you shall inherit the earth.”

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied,” becomes “First hunger and thirst for righteousness, then you shall be satisfied.”

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy,” becomes, “First be merciful, then you shall receive mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” becomes, “First be pure in heart, then you shall see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,” becomes, “First be a peacemaker, then you shall be called a son of God.”

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” becomes, “First comes persecution, then the kingdom of heaven is yours.”

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you,” becomes, “First comes persecution, then comes rejoicing because you have great reward in heaven.”

Be blessed today as you keep the Lord first in everything!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
***

God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First Pleasing God

Do you ever find yourself in the position of having to make a difficult decision – and that is to keep the Lord FIRST in your heart even in regard to doing a good thing? The other day I was doing something “good,” something which I did not doubt that the Lord wanted me to do, and yet I clearly sensed Him saying to me, “Keep Me first.” Only after some soul-searching meditation did I recognize the temptation to try to gain the favor of certain people through the “good thing” I was doing. The desire to please people is a temptation I think we all face, and sometimes it is very subtle.

As people pleasers, we can end up in all sorts of difficult situations. Women, I think, are particularly good at taking on more volunteer activity than we are actually capable of maintaining. Who hasn’t, at some time or another, volunteered for yet one more church activity only to find herself too stressed out to be effective and a blessing? Too often we don’t seek the Lord, we simply jump in without recognizing the motivation coming from that ugly little voice that says, “But what will they think of me if I don’t volunteer?”

What about other areas in our lives where we find ourselves striving to please man rather than God? How about family tradition? Or wanting to be friends and fit in with non-Christian, worldly people? How about wanting to fit in with certain Christians – even when they aren’t being faithful to the Word of God? I suppose the list could go on and on. Often, it is difficult to choose faithfulness to the Lord over pleasing people. Yet, the Bible clearly tells us that pleasing the Lord, not man, is to be our goal.

2 Corinthians 5:9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

1 Thessalonians 2: 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

John 8: 29 "And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."

Colossians 3:22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.

In my situation the other day when I sensed the Lord reminding me to “keep Him first” – did I stop in my tracks, turn around and go home? No, because I still believed the “good deed” was the thing the Lord wanted me to do at that time. So I continued on, yet prayerfully. Faithfully praying about everything can make all the difference, because it helps us to keep the Lord first in all our “doings,” remembering that it is only what God thinks of us that matters. When we choose to fear the Lord, we are free from the fear of what people think of us, and our lives are more peaceful, less frenzied, and more effective, full of good fruit!

Be blessed today as you keep the Lord first in everything!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
***

God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First Ezra

This started out (by the Lord's inspiration, I believe) to be just a simple biblical study on the word, "First." I have found so much to be relevant that I am still focused on it! Recently I remembered a post from awhile back that is so completely fitting for this theme, and that is 'Ezra.' So, if you would like to read it, here's the link to that post:
EZRA
Be blessed as you continue to put the Lord FIRST in your life!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan Thoughts on Being First Be Thankful

Lately I've realized that I've been forgetting something simple yet so important with the result that my attitude fails to reflect how very wonderful God is. Often I am distracted, busy and even annoyed. I can easily become resentful and self-pitying, and I really have forgotten to keep a thankful heart at all times. So, today, I'm asking Him to help me remember to thank Him FIRST and help me keep a thankful heart all throughout the day.

Psalm 95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
3For the LORD is a great God
And a great King above all gods,

Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5For the LORD is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 50:23 "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God."

Paul reminds us that we ought to be devoted to prayer with an attitude of thanksgiving...

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;

And even when we are presenting requests to God, it ought to begin with thanksgiving – after all, has He not already given us so much to be thankful for?

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

This is an article I submitted to the weekly FW challenge way back in ’05:

Thanksgiving, Mighty Weapon of Warfare!

We cannot be thankful to God and despise a neighbor at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and wallow in self-pity at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and curse in anger at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and vent resentment at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and harbor bitterness at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and give in to temptation at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and display envy at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and gossip at the same time.
We cannot be thankful to God and ridicule others at the same time.

The list could go on, but the point is, what a powerful weapon against the enemy we have! Even negative feelings like fear, hopelessness and anxiety are hard to hold on to when we maintain an attitude of thanksgiving.

Judah used this mighty weapon of warfare. The sons of Moab, the sons of Ammon, and the Meunites had all come together to make war against Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast, and all Judah gathered together to seek the Lord. The Lord told them through a prophet that the battle was His, not theirs, and not to fear, but to trust Him.

2 Chronicles 20:18 – 24
And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
20 And they rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God, and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” 22 And when they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. 23 For the sons of Ammon and Moab rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir destroying them completely, and when they had finished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. 24 When Judah came to the lookout of the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and behold, they were corpses lying on the ground, and no one had escaped.

Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting, indeed!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God Had a Plan Thoughts on Being First Family

Recent events in this journey of life have me reflecting on family a lot. Often, it seems, there are things I want to do – things I ought to do – things I could do – but all get pushed aside when family issues become critically important. It’s then that I realize it’s all about choices, and family comes first.

When our children were babies, my husband and I made the decision that I would be a “stay-at-home” mom, and we have valued that decision – even in financially stressful times when it might have seemed that the right thing for me to do was get a job. We got through those times, and our boys are all grown up. Now often we miss the little people they once were, but we have no regrets, and we are so proud of the wonderful young men they have become.

Recently I have so appreciated having the time and being able to do some things that I believe are within the range of talents the Lord has given me. Yet, even now, I find that I have to work at keeping the appropriate balance in the different areas of my life. I am still a homemaker, although I no longer have to change diapers or drive to sports practice. I find usually that with a bit of creative scheduling, I can fit in the things that I don’t have to do, but I truly want to do – such as blogging.

But then there are the times, such as now, when all such scheduling pretty much goes right out the window, and survival mode kicks in. Having the time to get the laundry done and the meals cooked feels like a luxury. Now, much of my time is spent just sitting, watching my own mother as she stares at pictures on the wall of her grandsons, and tries to remember who they are. Or, watching as she tries to follow along with the activity director who is helping her create a special craft. My simply being there, smiling and nodding at her, telling her the craft is pretty, holding her hand – seems to make her happy, even though at times she introduces me as her sister.

I confess, I sometimes worry that the time will never be there to do the things I want to do – even the very things I have come to believe the Lord wants me to do – because of the other things I also want to do and believe the Lord wants me to do. I am not only praying for patience, but thanking Him for the patience He has already given me, and putting it into practice in my obedience which is by faith. I can only do each day so much, and so I have to trust Him with all of this. So, once again, I am putting family first, and in so doing, I keep the Lord first in my life.

1 Timothy 5: 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

… and verse 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
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God had a Plan, Thoughts on Being First Christ, the Firstborn

I’m still studying the word, 'first.' Isn’t it something how one small word can have so much depth? One of the most important aspects in this topical study has to be that Christ Himself is the Firstborn, (see verses 15 and 18 from Colossians 1 below) and (verse 18) that He will come to have first place in everything. Sometimes the scriptures are so powerful that it seems nothing else needs be said. Still, I would simply like to emphasize some things. Verse 15 – He is the image of the invisible God. Verse 16 – by Him all things were created. Verse 17 – He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. Verse 18 – He is the head of the body, the church. Verse 19 – all the fullness dwells in Him. Verse 20 – all things are reconciled to God through Him, and through the blood of His cross.

Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.

17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

19 For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

I am overwhelmed by these scriptures. If anyone ever has any doubt about just who the Lord Jesus Christ is, these scriptures are great reassurance that He is Emmanuel, God with us!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, First Covenant, Second Covenant - Which Came First?

Which came first – the “First Covenant” or the “Second Covenant”? Well, the answer seems obvious – the Old Covenant of righteousness by the keeping of the Law and the offering of animal sacrifices came first. That was followed by the New Covenant, that righteousness which comes, not by way of the keeping of laws and the offering of animal sacrifices, but through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. As the word says, according to 2 Corinthians 5:21, He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

The first covenant – the law contained in commandments and requiring the blood of animals to be shed – why not just keep it in place? Hebrews 8 is a good place to start to answer that question.

Hebrews 8:6-7 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.

Did you get that? If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second. The problem with the Old Covenant is that man was not truly able to keep the Law, try as he might. It has to do with the heart and nature of man – what man is on the inside, and his inability to be “good.” That’s why Jesus said we must be “born again.”

John 3:3 and 5-6 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." … Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Although as Christians we have been born again, and therefore have a new spiritual heart and a new spiritual nature, we know we still struggle in our efforts to obey the inclination of that new nature as opposed to obeying the inclination of the old nature that we are accustomed to. That’s why Paul told us to walk by the Spirit, not the flesh.

Galatians 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

4so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

But let’s look back at our original question – which came first, the “First (Old) Covenant” or the “Second (New) Covenant”? In truth, God’s ultimate plan was always the New Covenant. Yes, the Old Covenant was a part of His plan, of course, but it was never the goal – that man would somehow survive through obedience to the Law. That was not God’s plan! Jesus was not the “afterthought” but the “forethought.” He is the Beginning and the End, and He was the foundation from the beginning.

Ephesians chapter one is excellent for studying God’s “purpose from the beginning” – here are a few verses from the chapter.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love

5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight

9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him

11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,

12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.

13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

And from Revelation chapter 22:

Revelation 22:12"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.

13"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

15Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

16"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

17The Spirit and the bride say, "Come " And let the one who hears say, "Come " And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

Why then the Law? If God knew it would be, in a sense, futile, why enact it at all? The Law was given so that we might know our sin. Romans chapters 3 and 5 have a lot to say about God’s purpose for the law in the first place.

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;

20because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

25whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--

13for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

15But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

16The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.

17For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

18So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

19For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I know we all are so very thankful for the New Covenant – our reconciled relationship to our heavenly Father who loves us and gave His Son to save us, His plan from the very beginning!
***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, There Really is No Time Like the Present

I’m so glad God’s plan includes me! Part of His plan for me is to train me in the use of my time. I have to admit to you that although as a Christian I have pretty much always had a “quiet time” with the Lord on a fairly daily basis, often it was almost like an item on my “to do list” – once I got it done and crossed off, the rest of the day belonged to ME! Oh, my! So, although I did not practice outright sinful behavior, I sure could fritter away a lot of time on fairly useless activity, such as playing games on the computer.

One day several years ago I was talking to God about the computer game I was playing, and He told me very simply, “I would not make that choice.” I am not being legalistic – if I had limited the time I spent playing computer games wisely, I doubt God would have had to speak to me about it to begin with. In other words, taking a break now and then is a good thing. Unending hours spent playing computer games, on the other hand, is not time well spent. Not only that, it can become depressing, and I believe that is largely because we sense, as moral individuals, the negative value of time itself slipping away.

I didn’t immediately change my behavior, but I did think about what I believe the Lord had spoken. As I continued to move prayerfully forward with Him, He said some other things such as, “Organize your time and talents,” and “Too many hobbies.”

I am still learning in these areas – but I can tell you for sure that writing would have forever remained a “something I want to do someday” if I had not listened. In the exploration of just how the Lord might want me to spend the time and talents He gave me, in addition to writing deliberately, I began to develop other computer talents, things I never would have even thought to attempt – but I now can create basic websites and fairly simple computer art. If I had not obeyed Him and begun to “organize my time and talents” none of these things would have come about.

Why is there really no time like the present? At best, the past has been a great teacher and springboard for the present, and at worst, the past can only serve to haunt you, especially if you dwell on it. And no matter how bright the hope of tomorrow may be, every tomorrow, when it arrives, is really once again only today. The only moment we can exercise any control over is the present moment.

What do I mean by ‘exercising control over the present moment’? Exactly how to do that is certainly a bit different for each individual, especially considering our differing lives and circumstances. I am not suggesting leaving out the vital areas of our lives – the things we may not even have much choice about. Who gets up in the morning and says, “Shall I feed my children today, or let them go hungry because I have more important goals such as writing to attend to?” Nah, that would be really bad! Hah!

However, planning ahead is something ALL of us have to do if we hope to have any time for goals. One of the practical things I have begun to do once again lately is printing out a calendar and writing out my goals. It helps me stay focused – and it helps me divide my time wisely. If I continue to just let the days cruise along with me dangling in the wake, I will not be satisfied with the results. I will have managed to feed those poor children, no doubt, but the writing will remain a blank page.

So, organizing time – how relevant is that? Crucial, I believe. Otherwise goals are merely lies we tell ourselves as we fritter away the hours in pursuit of meeting immediate need or satisfaction. Long term consequences? All the tomorrows we dream of continue to turn into the todays we survive without ever realizing the accomplishment of God-given vision.

Psalm 90 contains some awesome words of wisdom concerning time. I especially like verse twelve.

So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, THOUGHTS ON BEING FIRST, part 2

Thoughts on Being First – The Foundation

Once I was listening to a woman talk about her frustration with a certain couple whom she and her husband were counseling as the marriage counselors for their church. After awhile I asked her a simple question, “Do you know for sure that they are Christians? Because if they are not, the problem could be that you are trying to help them build on a foundation that isn’t even there.” She decided that made sense, and determined to pursue the message of the gospel with the couple before continuing efforts to help them salvage their marriage.

1 Corinthians 15:3- 8 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

I like these verses from 1 Corinthians because they remind me of that which is ‘of first importance’. I believe that means not only ‘most important’ but also the ‘beginning of what is important.’ In other words, without the gospel, all religious efforts are without meaning and futile.
Jesus spoke about being first through an angel to John in Revelation:

Revelation 22:13 and 16 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
16"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

There are many people in many religions or philosophies in many nations all over the world that strive to build their lives into something good. The problem is that without salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no foundation that is recognized by God.

1 Corinthians 3:9-11 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Luke 6:47-49 "Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. "But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."

God’s plan? Get that foundation in place FIRST, then build.

***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, THOUGHTS ON BEING FIRST

Sometimes it is not easy to be first. For example, being first to be chosen for the team may seem great – until you look back and see one who hasn’t yet been chosen – perhaps a friend. Suddenly it may not feel so good to be first.

The apostle Paul received his salvation and calling before many of his countrymen, the Jews. It was a great thing for him to be called and used by God because many people believed in the Lord Jesus Christ because of his obedience to that call. And yet, in one way in particular Paul grieved – over the lost souls of his countrymen who did not yet believe. He was chosen, on the team, and yet he looked back with deep sadness at those he loved who did not also believe. Christians whose families have not also become united in belief can empathize with Paul. There’s a division and a sadness that doesn’t go away until loved ones come to faith in Christ.

Often, people want to be first out of selfish ambition and an exaggerated sense of self importance. That’s just human nature, but it’s not a godly attitude. Ambition, on the other hand, is a good thing when kept in balance. The opposite of ambition could be viewed as laziness, and that’s not a good thing. Prayerful ambition, keeping the needs of others in mind, even first, will help guard against failure in the very things we ought to be successful in.

3 John 1:9-10 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

Ever noticed how people are often slow to line up at the buffet – because no one seems to want to be first in line? Then, when someone finally goes ahead, the line quickly forms because no one wants to be last in line, either.

Sometimes it’s uncomfortable, or even scary to be first – but someone has to lead, or set a good example for others to follow, or be the first to stand up for what’s right in a difficult situation. Fear of what others may think – or even do – can be a huge hindrance to godly boldness. Paul asked others to pray for him, that he might be bold in the preaching of the gospel. And he later was able to say that he had not shrank back from declaring the whole purpose of God among them.

Acts 20:26-27 "Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

I plan to write more on this theme because I find that the bible has a lot to say about ‘being first.’ Meantime, here’s a parting thought: Keeping Jesus ‘first’ will help keep all the other ‘firsts’ in my life in proper order and balance, and it will ensure I find the plan of God for my own life.

***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, Finding the Balance

Recently I posted some thoughts on what we choose to believe regarding such things as suffering and poverty. I believe God has also put it on my heart to “balance the message.” Because truthfully speaking, we can get any message out of perspective, or out of balance, and a message that is out of balance is distortion, not truth.

So what is the balance? Having now understood that God does have a place for human suffering, does that mean that whenever adversity comes along, do we simply accept it without question, saying something like, “Well, I’m just suffering for Jesus.”? That is going to an unscriptural extreme, or imbalance, in the opposite direction.

When we encounter any difficulty, we should begin with prayer.

James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.

Concerning his “thorn in the flesh,” Paul sought the Lord three times before the Lord gave him an answer – and no, it wasn’t the answer Paul was looking for, but it was the only answer that was the will of God for Paul in that situation at that time.

2 Corinthians 12: 7-10
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!
Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

God wants us to learn from this event in Paul’s life, however it is not a formula to be applied dogmatically any time we encounter any trying circumstance. Isn’t that what we often try to do – rather than seeking God each and every time, don’t we often just want a formula to apply? At least in part, the reason we do that is because it’s easier, after all, than having to get answers from God, isn’t it? Not much different from other kinds of legalism, is it?

From James, chapter four, we find that often the reason we don’t have something is that we don’t ask God for it. However, if you read the entire chapter, you will find that God is far more concerned with things like our attitudes and motivations than He is with our being able to ask for and obtain things. Near the end of the chapter, you will even find that assuming something we want to be God’s will, not including the simple words in prayer, “If You are willing…” amounts to evil boasting. Evil boasting!

James 4:2-3 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

James 4:13-16 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit."
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."
But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.

The fourth chapter of Philippians also has a lot to say about asking God for things.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

I like the word ask, because it shows humility before God, it allows God to be God, and it shows the need to wait on Him for answers. Truth faith is not afraid to do that. So, in keeping the balance of the scriptures, don’t ‘name it and claim it,’ but on the other hand, don’t forget to ask either, trusting Him to supply all your needs in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

***

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]

God had a Plan, Poverty Mentality?

Well, here’s something to think about. The apostle Paul never said, “Join with me in believing God for personal comfort, good health and the prosperity of material possessions.” He did say, “Join with me in suffering hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” What a contrast! Paul had many other things to say about materialism, teaching instead that we should learn to be content with food and covering. And if God did happen to bless us with material riches, we ought not be smug about that.

Now, I don’t know for sure who originally coined the phrase, “poverty mentality,” but it seems to me that person must have believed it to be a personal problem Paul had. But wait a minute – which is scriptural – the sayings of Paul – or the phrase, “poverty mentality?” I think you know the answer.

Apart from the apostle Paul, the bible does have a lot to say about poverty and the poor. God, in case you are wondering, does not despise poor people. If you do a keyword search on ‘poor’ you will find many scriptures which simply clearly show God’s heart – including this one:

Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker,
But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

It’s true also that there are many verses indicating poverty to often (not always) be the direct result of poor choices. One example:

Proverbs 14:23 In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.

We need to live out our lives as Christians in wisdom, not being arrogant if we happen to be rich, and not despairing if we happen to be poor. It is good not to be lazy, but to do the work God has called us to with diligence, whatever it happens to be. We should always be thankful, and if we find ourselves in any need, don’t be discouraged from praying and asking Him to meet that need. Greed, however, the bible still counsels against, and certain phrases such as “name it and claim it” are not scriptural, whereas “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” is – along with many, many others!

Even as I write this, I recognize my own failures – I am not “gracious to the needy” nearly as much as I should be, and there are times I am lazy, or I just make the wrong choices in how I spend my time. I think we all certainly have room for improvement in many areas.

But truly, this article is not so much about caring for the poor (although that’s important) as it is about how we go about choosing what to believe. There is so much false doctrine out there, and one group teaches the next, and it becomes pervasive in our Christian society. Our thoughts are not about pleasing God, but about how we can get God to please us. We swallow the popular teachings of the day hook, line and sinker – you know, the ones designed to tickle our ears and tell us just what we want to hear.

I know most if not all of you reading this truly have a desire to please God, and not just please self. So, join with me – learning, like Paul, to be content in whatever circumstance – to not only enjoy God’s blessings because He truly does bless us with good things – but also when there are trials and need, to continue on being thankful because God is always good! He uses the bad times perhaps even more than the good to build our lives into that which pleases Him!

Job 42:1-2 Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]