Frustration can slow you down or stop you altogether. One day my family and I were cleaning the house. I was determined to get things in order. As I was cleaning my room their task was to clean the living room. Later, my two oldest began arguing with one another when I asked them to fold clothes and put them away.
I noticed when they were told to work together as a team, they argued. I then decided I would not raise my voice but call them in one by one to discipline them, so they may return to the business at hand.
I was reminded of the Apostle Paul addressing the church about having order in Corinth. The city had become completely out of order, as a result Paul called a meeting to get things to flow accordingly to God’s arrangement. He spoke to them saying “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
When considering this scripture I gave attention to the words decent and order. According to the Concordance, to be decent is to be honest, working in harmony. Order is a regular arrangement, setting in proper order.
In our life there is a system of patterns. These patterns help us to categorize the flow of our days. When there is structure life flows as a river and tranquility is vibrant. Yet, when things are piled from the ceiling inside your home; likewise, outside your home is disorderly, you have no sanctuary to rejuvenate yourself to face another day.
Imagine a person leaving to work, sitting in traffic. Upon arriving to work this person is bombarded with people not cooperating or not doing their task creating more work for the one individual to do, which is additional pressure. Then when the person enters their home, shoes are piled in front of the door. Picture clothes splattered on the floor; while, dinner is in the fridge, and people are running around having fun. Peace is so far from this person, he or she becomes stressed in their own home.
As I reflect upon the scenario with my children, I conclude it is in order for me to discipline my children, when they insist on arguing when required to work in love. If I allow them to fuss, then I am going against to decency and order. There is no harmony when arguing is occurring. As their mother I have to take charge in a gentle manner, so order is maintained.
Gentleness is strength under control. I was not happy with the bickering that was going on but I was able to control myself through the fruit of the Spirit of gentleness. I did not join them by raising my voice. I disciplined them and enforced the continuation of cleaning.
What do you do when you get frustrated? Do you slow down or become paralyzed never completing your task?
You have a choice to reflect your old nature or the fruit of the Spirit. Don’t allow sinful nature to take root and choke the Spirit that dwells in you to be devoured. Pray to God to show you how to be gentle when you are annoyed. Ask the Father to channel your attention to the Fruit of the Spirit, He has given you and not your nature. Request to have your fruit produced more and more to look more as His image.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Having Joy
Night after night, a couple argues in disagreement. The children view them at odds with one another as they prepare for bed. The night falls and the children are tucked in bed. As the sun rises they are not greeted by their father for the parents are no longer one, but two.
Many years pass and the children grow as adults and they all spiral out of control when things are out of order. These children whom are now adults don’t understand why they have so much anger inside.
The mind can be tricky. Our mind is compiled with thoughts that are negative and positive. At times those past thoughts can have control over our present reactions. In the book of Romans it speaks of how our mind can divide us from God. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be” (Romans 8:7).
Having control over yourself, denying the impulse to satisfy your human nature is a requirement; if you are serious about reframing from sin.
I imagine these children never fathomed why the smallest thing would cause them to tick. They never tapped into the root of why they are instilled with such anger and remain clueless to their mannerism.
I propose that the stem of their anger is from the divorce of their parents. The last impression they had of their parents together was of them arguing with each other. It is normal for them to respond to things in a hostile manner because it’s the most vivid illustration they have upon the laying of their foundation. These adults are consumed with a carnal mind and can’t see were their joy comes from.
Joy is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It is often times confused with happiness. However, it is the source of happiness. Joy is a strength which comes from the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10). Having joy is being supremely blessed by the Father.
Perhaps you have walked with joy in the midst of struggles. Possibly you were able to control yourself because you recognized your joy came from the Lord and not past experiences.
Do you have experiences from the past that you never resolved? How do you respond when reminded of it? Can you recognize that you are being controlled by the past?
Consider evaluating the carnality of your mind. Pray to God to bring the things which make you tick to the light. Ask the Father to help you grab a hold of yourself so you can control your emotions. As you examine yourself, request for the Spirit to lead you, so you may walk in love, peace, in addition to joy.
Many years pass and the children grow as adults and they all spiral out of control when things are out of order. These children whom are now adults don’t understand why they have so much anger inside.
The mind can be tricky. Our mind is compiled with thoughts that are negative and positive. At times those past thoughts can have control over our present reactions. In the book of Romans it speaks of how our mind can divide us from God. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be” (Romans 8:7).
Having control over yourself, denying the impulse to satisfy your human nature is a requirement; if you are serious about reframing from sin.
I imagine these children never fathomed why the smallest thing would cause them to tick. They never tapped into the root of why they are instilled with such anger and remain clueless to their mannerism.
I propose that the stem of their anger is from the divorce of their parents. The last impression they had of their parents together was of them arguing with each other. It is normal for them to respond to things in a hostile manner because it’s the most vivid illustration they have upon the laying of their foundation. These adults are consumed with a carnal mind and can’t see were their joy comes from.
Joy is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It is often times confused with happiness. However, it is the source of happiness. Joy is a strength which comes from the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10). Having joy is being supremely blessed by the Father.
Perhaps you have walked with joy in the midst of struggles. Possibly you were able to control yourself because you recognized your joy came from the Lord and not past experiences.
Do you have experiences from the past that you never resolved? How do you respond when reminded of it? Can you recognize that you are being controlled by the past?
Consider evaluating the carnality of your mind. Pray to God to bring the things which make you tick to the light. Ask the Father to help you grab a hold of yourself so you can control your emotions. As you examine yourself, request for the Spirit to lead you, so you may walk in love, peace, in addition to joy.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Victory Over Control
I remember growing up and my mother never raised her voice. It is surprisingly, strange because it was six children and we were not the most well behaved children. I am puzzle, how one can restrain from ever going off, no matter the circumstance.
I decided to call her and ask her how she controlled herself. She replied, “I never was bothered by much and I did not allow things to get to me.”
"God has not given us a Spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (II Timothy1:7).
To have a sound mind is to have self-control. Self control is having mastery of one’s desires and impulses. “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down without walls” (Proverbs 25:28).
This scripture depicts the image of a city whose walls are just about gone. Therefore, their enemies can come in and take over the city or destroy it. A person who does not have restraint over their spirit has no defense against anger, temptation and any other emotions that will demolish their personality.
God gives us His Spirit to begin the formation to His image. As a multi-vitamin consist of multiple vitamins but packaged as one vitamin; the fruit of the Spirit is one fruit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Each aspect of the fruit is packaged as one fruit that we need to become the spiritual image which He has created.
Can you control your emotions? Do you have power over the pitch of your voice when someone is as a glass cutting at you? Has your enemy had the upper hand?
Maybe you have been enrolled in the course of “Self-Control through the Father’s Spirit, for far too long. Perhaps you keep wondering when will get activation of my gift from the Lord.
Consider evaluating what triggers you to losing control. Don’t allow desires or impulses to control you. Ask the Father to open you whole heartedly to consume you with His Spirit. Pray that you pass the course of self control with the help of the Lord. For you have the victory.
I decided to call her and ask her how she controlled herself. She replied, “I never was bothered by much and I did not allow things to get to me.”
"God has not given us a Spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (II Timothy1:7).
To have a sound mind is to have self-control. Self control is having mastery of one’s desires and impulses. “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down without walls” (Proverbs 25:28).
This scripture depicts the image of a city whose walls are just about gone. Therefore, their enemies can come in and take over the city or destroy it. A person who does not have restraint over their spirit has no defense against anger, temptation and any other emotions that will demolish their personality.
God gives us His Spirit to begin the formation to His image. As a multi-vitamin consist of multiple vitamins but packaged as one vitamin; the fruit of the Spirit is one fruit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Each aspect of the fruit is packaged as one fruit that we need to become the spiritual image which He has created.
Can you control your emotions? Do you have power over the pitch of your voice when someone is as a glass cutting at you? Has your enemy had the upper hand?
Maybe you have been enrolled in the course of “Self-Control through the Father’s Spirit, for far too long. Perhaps you keep wondering when will get activation of my gift from the Lord.
Consider evaluating what triggers you to losing control. Don’t allow desires or impulses to control you. Ask the Father to open you whole heartedly to consume you with His Spirit. Pray that you pass the course of self control with the help of the Lord. For you have the victory.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Am I Pleasing
Recently, we had a marriage conference that the Lord blessed in a mighty way. Prior to the event, there were times I felt like I was on a roller coaster but the Lord never let me go. He never let me fall on my face. At the end, all I could think of was, “Father, did I please you?”
Couples came to me saying how blessed they were, Pastors commended me but my heart searched ‘if I pleased God.’ When all was still a warm feeling came over me and I knew that very moment, I grew, to seeking, to only please Him and not others.
As a child, I would always want to make everyone happy. I would change everything to satisfy another. Yet this time, I did exactly what the Father asked of me, no matter how insane it sounded or even looked. At last, I did what God said with a heart to please only Him.
Doing what God says can be like a roller coaster. It can start off smooth and then it can feel as if you are going up a step incline. All of a sudden a jerk and an unexpected drop that twists and turns and a flat tranquil stop, once all is done out of obedience to the Father.
I am reminded "If ye love me, you will keep my commands" (John 14:15). Loving the Father means doing what He instructs us to do. Questioning Him or delayed obedience is a form of disrespect.
I have a two year old that has a fixation with balls. He is crazy about any type of ball. The other day I told him, “Move your hands off the ball.” As his hands were stretched towards the ball, he looked at me with a grin upon his face and then he turned away from the ball. I applauded him and he came running to me and I embraced him. I was pleased that my son obeyed me.
I can see the Father looking at me, looking at you, as he gives instructions. You hear Him but do you turn away and go His way or go your own way.
Maybe, you think you can’t do what He says. Perhaps your eyes are fixed on what you have or don’t have. Possibly, you have not tapped into the unlimited resources that our God has open to your access.
Consider the abilities of God. Can you see Him carrying the cross for the mistakes you made? Can you picture Him on the cross, hanging there bleeding for the mistakes you made? Can you imagine Him rising early in the morning as the sun, so you may rise?
Allow yourself to do as He says. Pray to God to help you during the roller coaster as He instructs you. Call upon the Father to forgive you for hesitating, for not moving, for not believing the one true thing He has asked of you. This is the love of God, that we maintain his commandments
(1 John 5:2).
Couples came to me saying how blessed they were, Pastors commended me but my heart searched ‘if I pleased God.’ When all was still a warm feeling came over me and I knew that very moment, I grew, to seeking, to only please Him and not others.
As a child, I would always want to make everyone happy. I would change everything to satisfy another. Yet this time, I did exactly what the Father asked of me, no matter how insane it sounded or even looked. At last, I did what God said with a heart to please only Him.
Doing what God says can be like a roller coaster. It can start off smooth and then it can feel as if you are going up a step incline. All of a sudden a jerk and an unexpected drop that twists and turns and a flat tranquil stop, once all is done out of obedience to the Father.
I am reminded "If ye love me, you will keep my commands" (John 14:15). Loving the Father means doing what He instructs us to do. Questioning Him or delayed obedience is a form of disrespect.
I have a two year old that has a fixation with balls. He is crazy about any type of ball. The other day I told him, “Move your hands off the ball.” As his hands were stretched towards the ball, he looked at me with a grin upon his face and then he turned away from the ball. I applauded him and he came running to me and I embraced him. I was pleased that my son obeyed me.
I can see the Father looking at me, looking at you, as he gives instructions. You hear Him but do you turn away and go His way or go your own way.
Maybe, you think you can’t do what He says. Perhaps your eyes are fixed on what you have or don’t have. Possibly, you have not tapped into the unlimited resources that our God has open to your access.
Consider the abilities of God. Can you see Him carrying the cross for the mistakes you made? Can you picture Him on the cross, hanging there bleeding for the mistakes you made? Can you imagine Him rising early in the morning as the sun, so you may rise?
Allow yourself to do as He says. Pray to God to help you during the roller coaster as He instructs you. Call upon the Father to forgive you for hesitating, for not moving, for not believing the one true thing He has asked of you. This is the love of God, that we maintain his commandments
(1 John 5:2).
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Triggered
A lady is preparing for a dinner party and a friend pops up to visit. He offers his help and she explains to him, ‘soon after he can come to assist her husband with moving some tables.’ Later the friend shows up to their house and she notices three other gentlemen with him. She is not happy about the extra company, which her friend brought over. She goes on because she doesn’t have much time until the guest arrive.
They finish in a timely manner and once the dinner is over mysteriously, the friend and three other gentlemen appear. At this point the lady is puzzled. As they are cleaning up they say good- bye and once she enters the kitchen, she notices all the food is gone.
She thinks of not having anything to eat and the plans she made for the left over food. As she thinks more she concludes that her friend and uninvited guest took the food. She calls her friend and he admits to taking the food.
The lady is more furious because she has not eaten, her plans for the food are demolished and the apology her friend gave could not change the reality of the food being gone.
Anger has a way of creeping in and controlling us without permission. The lady had every right to feel as she felt but she is still responsible for controlling her anger.
This scenario gives me the impression that maybe these people were hungry and that is why they took the food. Yet it does not justify them taking it without asking nor the lady loosing control. “But whosoever hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him"(1 John 3:17)?
Maybe you struggle with controlling your emotions. Perhaps giving is out of reach for you because you can’t seem to perceive giving as a great blessing. Do you loose control and miss the big picture at hand? What thoughts jab at you and cause your reactions to react according to your emotions? Our emotions respond according to the thoughts we are feeding off of.
The lady in the story was being feed with thoughts of being hungry and not having food for another time. Christ wants us to feed our minds with divine truth. The scripture says we are to have a gut feeling in our stomach that causes us to want to give to another that is without. Instead, this woman listened to the gut feeling that said, “I am hungry.”
Her emotions responded to her fleshly thoughts not the scripture. Possibly she has a mental issue. How do you react when you see someone in need? Do you initially think of what you don’t have? Can you consider the needs of others first?
Consider depositing divine truth for your thoughts. Pray to God to help you guard your mind when you are triggered by anger. Ask God to control your thoughts to focus on His Word. Call upon the Lord to have mercy on you for allowing your emotions to lead you. Pray that you do not have constraint in your affections so the Spirit may fill you with divine truth (2 Corinthians 6:12).
They finish in a timely manner and once the dinner is over mysteriously, the friend and three other gentlemen appear. At this point the lady is puzzled. As they are cleaning up they say good- bye and once she enters the kitchen, she notices all the food is gone.
She thinks of not having anything to eat and the plans she made for the left over food. As she thinks more she concludes that her friend and uninvited guest took the food. She calls her friend and he admits to taking the food.
The lady is more furious because she has not eaten, her plans for the food are demolished and the apology her friend gave could not change the reality of the food being gone.
Anger has a way of creeping in and controlling us without permission. The lady had every right to feel as she felt but she is still responsible for controlling her anger.
This scenario gives me the impression that maybe these people were hungry and that is why they took the food. Yet it does not justify them taking it without asking nor the lady loosing control. “But whosoever hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him"(1 John 3:17)?
Maybe you struggle with controlling your emotions. Perhaps giving is out of reach for you because you can’t seem to perceive giving as a great blessing. Do you loose control and miss the big picture at hand? What thoughts jab at you and cause your reactions to react according to your emotions? Our emotions respond according to the thoughts we are feeding off of.
The lady in the story was being feed with thoughts of being hungry and not having food for another time. Christ wants us to feed our minds with divine truth. The scripture says we are to have a gut feeling in our stomach that causes us to want to give to another that is without. Instead, this woman listened to the gut feeling that said, “I am hungry.”
Her emotions responded to her fleshly thoughts not the scripture. Possibly she has a mental issue. How do you react when you see someone in need? Do you initially think of what you don’t have? Can you consider the needs of others first?
Consider depositing divine truth for your thoughts. Pray to God to help you guard your mind when you are triggered by anger. Ask God to control your thoughts to focus on His Word. Call upon the Lord to have mercy on you for allowing your emotions to lead you. Pray that you do not have constraint in your affections so the Spirit may fill you with divine truth (2 Corinthians 6:12).
Monday, March 16, 2009
Your Offering
A child had been saving her money to buy a toy she wanted since Christmas. She finally reached her goal and was excited to know she could buy the toy. The mother planned to take her daughter to buy her toy yet first they had to go buy groceries. As they concluded getting the food the mother discovered she did not have enough money.
The mother searched her pockets and purse repeatedly and the child says, “Mom how much do you need, I have some money?” The clerk says “You need $1.60.” The mother is still searching her purse and the daughter reaches her hand out to her mother saying, “Mom stop looking, I have it.” The clerk is elated to see a child act in such manner and the mother is overwhelmed with joy knowing that her daughter sacrificed money she had been saving since Christmas.
This scenario reminds me of Abraham offering his son to God. For many years Abraham and his wife wanted a child. God finally opened Sarah’s womb and then told Abraham to go up to the mountain and offer his son. Abraham did not hesitate. He did not go back and talk things over with anyone else. He knew he heard the voice of the Lord.
After Abraham went to offer his only son that he prayed and waited many years to have the Lord tells him “Now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me” (Genesis 22:12b).
“Can you sacrifice what you’ve worked so hard for?” The child in this story worked hard to save money to buy a toy. I imagine she even put it on her Christmas list; only to wake up Christmas morning to find her request of such toy was not there. She desired this toy for over six months and at last she attained enough money to get it. However, when she saw her mother needed part of the money she had been saving; willingly the daughter gave it to her mother.
Sometimes we can get so caught up in what we worked hard for and miss the blessing in giving up what we worked for. Have you ever spent time on something that you desired? Did you save your money for the investment of this one thing only to have to give it up for another?
Abraham and his wife wanted a child for so long. Prior they made mistakes trying to assist the Lord to get what they desired. At last God gave them what they hoped for, only to be asked to sacrifice the child. To many this makes absolutely no sense. Yet God's way is so much higher than our ways of thinking (Isaiah 55:9). Abraham and the daughter were willing to give even if it meant they would be without their desire.
Does giving seem to be more intense, possibly it is to determine the strength of your faith? Perhaps you have felt confused and sorrowful to give what is asked of you. Maybe even worried. However, the Father was pleased that Abraham obeyed Him in the midst of all the confusion. God will also be pleased that you obey Him when all makes no sense.
What is your desire? Have you worked hard for it? Are you working over time in effort to attain your goal? Would you be willing to give it up? God will not ask you to do anything to break His promise. Sacrificing is giving up what is valuable to you. Abraham’s act of faith showed that he did not place his son over the Lord. The daughter showed she did not place her toy over her mother.
Many are in need today and you have. Consider sacrificing to help another. Pray to God to open your heart to give. Ask the Lord to direct you as of where and when to give. Call upon the Father that you do not hesitate or make any fuss so you may give as He sees fit. God has shown us “by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35).
The mother searched her pockets and purse repeatedly and the child says, “Mom how much do you need, I have some money?” The clerk says “You need $1.60.” The mother is still searching her purse and the daughter reaches her hand out to her mother saying, “Mom stop looking, I have it.” The clerk is elated to see a child act in such manner and the mother is overwhelmed with joy knowing that her daughter sacrificed money she had been saving since Christmas.
This scenario reminds me of Abraham offering his son to God. For many years Abraham and his wife wanted a child. God finally opened Sarah’s womb and then told Abraham to go up to the mountain and offer his son. Abraham did not hesitate. He did not go back and talk things over with anyone else. He knew he heard the voice of the Lord.
After Abraham went to offer his only son that he prayed and waited many years to have the Lord tells him “Now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son from me” (Genesis 22:12b).
“Can you sacrifice what you’ve worked so hard for?” The child in this story worked hard to save money to buy a toy. I imagine she even put it on her Christmas list; only to wake up Christmas morning to find her request of such toy was not there. She desired this toy for over six months and at last she attained enough money to get it. However, when she saw her mother needed part of the money she had been saving; willingly the daughter gave it to her mother.
Sometimes we can get so caught up in what we worked hard for and miss the blessing in giving up what we worked for. Have you ever spent time on something that you desired? Did you save your money for the investment of this one thing only to have to give it up for another?
Abraham and his wife wanted a child for so long. Prior they made mistakes trying to assist the Lord to get what they desired. At last God gave them what they hoped for, only to be asked to sacrifice the child. To many this makes absolutely no sense. Yet God's way is so much higher than our ways of thinking (Isaiah 55:9). Abraham and the daughter were willing to give even if it meant they would be without their desire.
Does giving seem to be more intense, possibly it is to determine the strength of your faith? Perhaps you have felt confused and sorrowful to give what is asked of you. Maybe even worried. However, the Father was pleased that Abraham obeyed Him in the midst of all the confusion. God will also be pleased that you obey Him when all makes no sense.
What is your desire? Have you worked hard for it? Are you working over time in effort to attain your goal? Would you be willing to give it up? God will not ask you to do anything to break His promise. Sacrificing is giving up what is valuable to you. Abraham’s act of faith showed that he did not place his son over the Lord. The daughter showed she did not place her toy over her mother.
Many are in need today and you have. Consider sacrificing to help another. Pray to God to open your heart to give. Ask the Lord to direct you as of where and when to give. Call upon the Father that you do not hesitate or make any fuss so you may give as He sees fit. God has shown us “by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35).
Friday, March 13, 2009
Good Investments
A couple went to a workshop to hear about making investments. The presenter had a chart displaying how the couple would profit within 2-5 years of a monthly contribution of $5. The more money they were willing to invest monthly, their profit would increase handsomely.The husband was amazed and eager to start right away; yet, his wife was hesitant.
The wife was the main source of income after her husband was laid off. The wife was considering all the bills she was responsible for paying, while the husband was in view of the profit for the future. He proposed to sacrifice his daily trips to Starbucks; if she would agree to sacrifice taking her to lunch to work three times a week so they could invest $50 a month.
His wife willingly agreed once he sealed the deal with preparing her lunch once a week.
This scenario reminds me of Jesus speaking to the rich man about inheriting eternal life. The man asked of him “What else do I need to do to get to heaven?”
Jesus replied “You still lack one thing, go sell what you have and give to the poor and then you will have treasure in heaven (Matthew 19:21).
“But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions (Matthew 19:22).
Jesus proposed an investment to this man. He was willing to invest his time in learning the commandments and willing to keep them. However, he was not willing to invest his valuables which he related as wealth to any one.
I find it interesting that Jesus did not welcome him to join Him until he invested in His ministry of giving to the poor.The couple considered making an investment by sacrificing; in great hopes of building their income.
Are you being asked to make an investment? It is a great time to invest in the stock market today. However, it does not have the guarantee of the Father’s prosperity.
Many companies are seeking investors. People are joining sessions in great hopes to collect on the dollar. Jesus is still presenting investments. He is not proposing for you to get rid of everything. He is proposing for you to invest in His ministry and then follow Him.
Where is your money going today? People are still spending because the parking lot of malls, Wal-mart, Target, Ross and many others are still full. Are you ready to let go of going out to eat weekly? Have you prepared a basket for the needy? Do you have a list of items to give to the poor? How are your investments?
Consider not letting anything you have or want to be more important than pleasing the Lord. Seek ways to invest in our Lord’s mission. He is still launching ministries therefore the investments are still open.
Don’t run to the companies for the biggest investment yet run to the Father and seek His proposal. Pray to God to help you not be consumed with you obligations so much that it hinders you from giving to the Lord. Call upon the Father to have mercy on you for placing things above Him. Ask Him to forgive you for not being open to His mission yet open to your pleasures. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21).
The wife was the main source of income after her husband was laid off. The wife was considering all the bills she was responsible for paying, while the husband was in view of the profit for the future. He proposed to sacrifice his daily trips to Starbucks; if she would agree to sacrifice taking her to lunch to work three times a week so they could invest $50 a month.
His wife willingly agreed once he sealed the deal with preparing her lunch once a week.
This scenario reminds me of Jesus speaking to the rich man about inheriting eternal life. The man asked of him “What else do I need to do to get to heaven?”
Jesus replied “You still lack one thing, go sell what you have and give to the poor and then you will have treasure in heaven (Matthew 19:21).
“But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions (Matthew 19:22).
Jesus proposed an investment to this man. He was willing to invest his time in learning the commandments and willing to keep them. However, he was not willing to invest his valuables which he related as wealth to any one.
I find it interesting that Jesus did not welcome him to join Him until he invested in His ministry of giving to the poor.The couple considered making an investment by sacrificing; in great hopes of building their income.
Are you being asked to make an investment? It is a great time to invest in the stock market today. However, it does not have the guarantee of the Father’s prosperity.
Many companies are seeking investors. People are joining sessions in great hopes to collect on the dollar. Jesus is still presenting investments. He is not proposing for you to get rid of everything. He is proposing for you to invest in His ministry and then follow Him.
Where is your money going today? People are still spending because the parking lot of malls, Wal-mart, Target, Ross and many others are still full. Are you ready to let go of going out to eat weekly? Have you prepared a basket for the needy? Do you have a list of items to give to the poor? How are your investments?
Consider not letting anything you have or want to be more important than pleasing the Lord. Seek ways to invest in our Lord’s mission. He is still launching ministries therefore the investments are still open.
Don’t run to the companies for the biggest investment yet run to the Father and seek His proposal. Pray to God to help you not be consumed with you obligations so much that it hinders you from giving to the Lord. Call upon the Father to have mercy on you for placing things above Him. Ask Him to forgive you for not being open to His mission yet open to your pleasures. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21).
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