Why do we tell lies, when we know that lying is wrong? Sometimes we don't want to be held responsible, so we hide behind made up excuses. Telling the truth takes courage and confidence. It means taking risk that someone will reject you for owning up to your failures or fears. Being completely honest is not easy, but God's word is clear: do not lie. We are disciples of Christ, let us build trust with others by being truthful. Speaking the truth has consequences.
Colossians 3:9-10 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrw-k7bl3KE
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We may be powerless physically to deal with people and the challenges of this world on our own, but with God on our side, we don't have to be afraid. Let us come boldly with confidence to his throne and ask for help to deal with our problems.
Hebrews 13:5-6 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. 6 So we say with confidence, the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHvprO-hFy0 When it seems that life is getting out of control, we can take comfort in God's eternal knowledge and power. He knows and has everything under control. We need not to needlessly worry about the things of this life. God will work out things according to his will in every situation and at the right time. Philippians 4:6-76 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5FyqxldvHY God, in fear, You are my fortress. In darkness, You are my light. In doubt, You are my confidence, In despair, You are my hope, In the shelter of your love, I am secure
Isaiah 16:1 Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwD_Z9kFKhg My God has given me so many things to sing about. He has given me the basic things of life that people take for granted; food, shelter and clothing. He has given me spiritual blessings. These blessings are only found in Jesus Christ. He has given me the hope of living in heaven after this life is over. These are things I need to sing and shout about. Yes, my God has given me a song to sing. I shall sing that song with joy in my heart.
Psalm 94:19 When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAsecrsnZF8&index=16&list=PL2018498757FD7A76 Life may seem unfair at times. Things may come in our lives to test our faith and resilience. When we face the challenges of life, let us not give up hope. We need to remember God is with us in our hopelessness. He was with Joseph in Egypt, Moses and Joshua in leading Israel for forty years of hardship and unbelief. When we feel like giving up, let us remember Abraham who believed when it was not possible to have hope. God is able to make the impossible, possible in our lives.
Romans 8:18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be. Song-Whispering Hope http://www.grandsalinechurchofchrist.com/WhisperingHope.htm Our lives can be affected by bad news, tragedies and natural disasters. These things can affect our minds, bring stress and unhappiness to our lives. When the events of life unsettle us, we need to turn to God who is able to calm the stormy waters in our lives.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UnFNHWJ0tA God in his divine wisdom use simple, ordinary things and people to do his work and fulfill his plans. God may place us in the lives of people for a season and reason. He may call us from unknown places to do his work. There were many known women in Bethlehem, Judah, but God chose a simple unknown woman name Mary to be the mother of Jesus. There were many known and popular men in Israel, but Jesus chose twelve unknown men to represent him in the world. He gave them a simple message of his death, burial and resurrection to preach. God has a purpose for being simple.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xopH3jlfjg We take for granted the material things we have in this life. There are people in this world, living far and near, who are not privileged to enjoy the things we have. These people have real needs. They have no food, clothing, housing, money, shoes, education etc. Do we reflect and consider when we complain about what we do not have, that there are people who have nothing, yet they seldom complain? Jesus our Lord was a man of compassion. He was moved by the needs of people. "Each day I'll do a golden deed by helping those who are in need." Matthew 9:35-36 35 Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VycPZQvjb1g As a children of God, we need times of complete solitude, to deal with the spiritual, physical, emotional and moral realities of life and to be alone with God the Father in prayer. Yes, we need quiet time to talk and communicate our desires, needs and problems and give thanks to our creator. This quiet time will help to build our faith and and draw us closer to God.
Luke 5:15-1615 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg282my5QyU |
AuthorRoy Graneau is the full-time preacher for the South Edmonton Church of Christ. Archives
October 2018
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