Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Sometimes it's so easy to keep hidden the things we struggle with. We don't want people to think that we are bad people. We don't want to be rejected. Or perhaps the shame of our sin is too great. And in some cases, we may feel that no one can possibly understand because our situation is unique. But you know, all sin is common to man. Oh, it may be dressed up in a different package at times, but it's certainly not unique. What I've found over the years is that Satan would love nothing better than to keep you isolated from other believers by making you feel a horrendous guilt and shame. Don't get me wrong, guilt and shame have their place, but they should never come without mercy extended. If they do, you need to question where it is coming from. There is a dramatic difference in condemnation and conviction. Condemantion offers no hope, while conviction offers hope. And that hope is found in Jesus Christ and His shed blood. In Him you can find forgiveness of sin.
As humans, we often feel the need to interact with others, to be able to voice our concerns, our trials, our struggles. But as I said, we may not always want to. You may not want all of your dirty laundry aired for the world to see (or hear). I personally have a few select friends who I can confide in if I need to talk. I know that my secrets are safe with them, and that they won't become that day's gossip. I can count on those friends for moral support, for encouragement, for prayer, and for accountability. They can speak truth into my life even when I don't always want to hear it. This is exactly what the enemy would like to prevent. If you've ever felt so alone then you may know all too well how easy it is to fall into a depression when you become isolated from human interaction. And with depression can come despair. It's a pit you don't want to fall in. It's a set up for your destruction.
As humans, we often feel the need to interact with others, to be able to voice our concerns, our trials, our struggles. But as I said, we may not always want to. You may not want all of your dirty laundry aired for the world to see (or hear). I personally have a few select friends who I can confide in if I need to talk. I know that my secrets are safe with them, and that they won't become that day's gossip. I can count on those friends for moral support, for encouragement, for prayer, and for accountability. They can speak truth into my life even when I don't always want to hear it. This is exactly what the enemy would like to prevent. If you've ever felt so alone then you may know all too well how easy it is to fall into a depression when you become isolated from human interaction. And with depression can come despair. It's a pit you don't want to fall in. It's a set up for your destruction.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Rash Vows
Have you ever been in a tough situation and in your desperation you cried out for God's help? Maybe you never really thought much about God, but it seemed you had nowhere to turn but God. And did you in that moment make promises to God? You know the kind of promises I'm referring to..."If you do this, I'll serve you forever. I'll use my gifts and talents for you, Lord." And what happened when the troubles eased up? Did you stick to that commitment? Many people don't.
As I was meditating on some scriptures this week I was reading about how it's better to not make a vow than to make one and then break it. I wonder if those who break vows really considered that when they were making promises. I would suppose they didn't, or that possibly they didn't care. Or maybe they really intended to keep the promise. Kind of like how you go into a marriage with the expectation of it lasting forever, but sometimes that just doesn't turn out to be the case. I have to ask though, "how much effort did you put into keeping the vow?" I think far too often people are ready to call it quits the moment it gets tough. I'm not just referring to marriage here (though this does apply to marriage as well). I'm referring to serving God in general. Being a follower of Christ requires dedication and commitment. If you expect to grow and mature it will also require time spent in God's word and in prayer. When we read and meditate the scriptures we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. The old way of thinking is replaced with God's way of thinking. And when our thinking is changed our actions will change. It will become easier to be obedient to His commands. Our relationship with Christ will strengthen, making it much easier to stick it out when the going gets tough.
Another area where people make rash vows is with their finances. Sometimes we feel pressured to give more than we can reasonably give. If God is nudging us to do that, then stepping out in faith is a good thing. But if you are giving for reasons other than God's direction, you may regret making that vow to give. There are a lot of valid ministry opportunities that I would love to give to. But without prayer and consideration of what God wants me to give, I don't just hand every good ministry money.
While I'm mentioning making vows, let's also include making a promise to help someone or some ministry and then backing out of it. There may be times when it can't be helped. Maybe you're sick or in the hospital or there's a death in the family, car troubles that prevent you from getting there, etc. People understand those things. But when you just wake up and don't feel like doing it...well, that's a whole other thing. People need to know they can rely on you. Your word should mean something.
In closing, let me just say, "think before you make promises." Don't be like the politicians who want to look good and get votes by promising to do something. Many times they fail to fulfill those promises. And how does it make the people feel? Pretty bad, huh? Makes you regret voting for them. It's the same thing with promising something outside of the political arena. People get hurt when they can't trust you to do what you said you would do. So that being said, be a man (or woman) of your word...
As I was meditating on some scriptures this week I was reading about how it's better to not make a vow than to make one and then break it. I wonder if those who break vows really considered that when they were making promises. I would suppose they didn't, or that possibly they didn't care. Or maybe they really intended to keep the promise. Kind of like how you go into a marriage with the expectation of it lasting forever, but sometimes that just doesn't turn out to be the case. I have to ask though, "how much effort did you put into keeping the vow?" I think far too often people are ready to call it quits the moment it gets tough. I'm not just referring to marriage here (though this does apply to marriage as well). I'm referring to serving God in general. Being a follower of Christ requires dedication and commitment. If you expect to grow and mature it will also require time spent in God's word and in prayer. When we read and meditate the scriptures we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. The old way of thinking is replaced with God's way of thinking. And when our thinking is changed our actions will change. It will become easier to be obedient to His commands. Our relationship with Christ will strengthen, making it much easier to stick it out when the going gets tough.
Another area where people make rash vows is with their finances. Sometimes we feel pressured to give more than we can reasonably give. If God is nudging us to do that, then stepping out in faith is a good thing. But if you are giving for reasons other than God's direction, you may regret making that vow to give. There are a lot of valid ministry opportunities that I would love to give to. But without prayer and consideration of what God wants me to give, I don't just hand every good ministry money.
While I'm mentioning making vows, let's also include making a promise to help someone or some ministry and then backing out of it. There may be times when it can't be helped. Maybe you're sick or in the hospital or there's a death in the family, car troubles that prevent you from getting there, etc. People understand those things. But when you just wake up and don't feel like doing it...well, that's a whole other thing. People need to know they can rely on you. Your word should mean something.
In closing, let me just say, "think before you make promises." Don't be like the politicians who want to look good and get votes by promising to do something. Many times they fail to fulfill those promises. And how does it make the people feel? Pretty bad, huh? Makes you regret voting for them. It's the same thing with promising something outside of the political arena. People get hurt when they can't trust you to do what you said you would do. So that being said, be a man (or woman) of your word...
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