Against the grain

In listening to Jesus, much of what He is saying (see Matthew 5) goes against the grain of what I have thought brings happiness. Here are some of the things that don't make sense in this world but lead to happiness in His Kingdom:

• With less of me there is more of God and his rule.


• I have to lose what is most dear to me.


• I must be content in who I am in His kingdom.


• I must be a glutton for Him spiritually. Hunger for Him more than food.


• I must care for others, not myself.


• I must get my inside world, mind and heart, right first.


• I must show others how to cooperate not compete.


• I must be comfortable that my commitment to God will provoke persecution.


• I must please Him first.

So, there it is. It is not conventional wisdom at. It is God's way.

"You will find the key to success under the alarm clock." ~~Benjamin Franklin

“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way." ~Babe Ruth

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.” ~~Dr. Seuss

Things way over my head

That God has done something in my life is a real surprise, Him handling every single detail. It is nothing but a gift, His riches which I have a hard time understanding, coming to me every day. I am writing about things that are way over my head.

My task is to bring out into open what He is doing. His generosity is amazing. It is hard to get my arms around it. The credit goes to Him. It is His work for sure.

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, Ephesians 3:8

"The Message that points to Messiah on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction." ~~Apostle Paul

The way God works seems silly to those who don't know Him. For many, "Why" is the big barrier to a true relationship with God. "Why did this happen?" "Why would God work that way?"

Of course, this is the way children think as well. "I don't get it" they say. "Why can't I do X?" they ask. "I don't understand why you want let me" they protest after we have explained it 10 times. Our decisons seem silly to them.

That what God is doing makes sense to me is a sign that I am on the way to salvation. I am on the road. I must stay focused on what He is doing and not get diverted by what He isn't. If I stay focused on His wisdom, I will be more than happy.

The Message that points to Messiah on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It's written, I'll turn conventional wisdom on its head, I'll expose so-called experts as crackpots. So where can you find someone truly wise, truly educated, truly intelligent in this day and age? Hasn't God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered dumb—proclaiming the Message, of all things!—to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation. 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

"Do not be anxious about anything." ~~Apostle Paul

My part is to rejoice. God is so very good and He is always in this amazing mood. Jesus has a mission to bring Good News to me. Am I hearing bad news? It is a lie then. That is from my enemy Satan. So, I will rejoice at the good God is doing now.
 
I need to talk with my Father, ask Him for what I need, and be thankful in my conversations with Him. He knows what I need and will do more than I can imagine.
 
I don't understand it, but as a result, His peace is mine. I can rest and relax. His peace is at attention in my heart. He is protecting me and the enemy can't reach my heart.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-9

 

 

"People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Maya Angelou

Isn't it true. Life is short. Live long. Treat people like it is your last day.

"People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Maya Angelou

"I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart." ~~King David

It all starts at home. Work is important and so is the church, but living love out at home is where it all starts and ends. It can't be faked at home. Either I do things out of love with a blameless heart or I don't. Everyone at home knows.

And so I seek to do every act at home out of pure love. No selfishness. No boasting. No ego gratification. Only love.

I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. Psalm 101:2

 

"Regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." ~~ Apostle Paul

God has chosen us for a new life. It is a life of love. It's characteristics are:

• Compassion
• Kindness
• Humility
• Quiet strength
• Discipline
• Even tempered
• Forgiving

And so, we should wear love everyday. It is a garment we should always put on.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Colossians 3:12-14

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." ~~Dorothy Parker

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." ~~Dorothy Parker

"I've made myself available to those who haven't bothered to ask.' ~~God

Our God is amazing. He doesn't wait on us. In fact, He did it all by sending Jesus to take care of everything we need to meet God's goal for us. He just  did it even though we didn't bother to ask. What an amazing God.

He is there. He is available. He is ready.

"I've made myself available to those who haven't bothered to ask.' ~~God (Isaiah 65:1)

"My arms wave like banners of praise to you." ~~King David

I must find the place of worship. I must open my eyes. In His generous love, I can really live. It is about His strength. It is about His glory. I must praise Him in an excessive way. I must go overboard in my thanks.

So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open,
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners of praise to you. Psalm 63

Mere busywork

Not all work is the same. Some things are much more important in the Kingdom than others. I shouldn't waste my time on useless work. Am I just doing busywork? Do I see that as a sham? How would this look in the light of Jesus and His glory?

May I know what He wants me to do and may I do it with enthusiasm!!

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them--Ephesians 5:11

"I pray for good fortune in everything you do—that your everyday affairs prosper." ~~ Apostle John

God wants me to prosper. He has every good thing in mind for me and wants me to have them. He is in a good mood. Period.

And, it is not just for a few parts of my life, it is for everything I do. Every part of my life. My health, my finances, my relationships. Everything. He wants me to prosper. That is just His way.

May my everyday affairs prosper, as He has them in mind for me.

I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul! 3 John 2

 

A man after His heart

What is the BIG THING my heavenly Father is looking for? He is desperately seeking a man after his own heart. How will I know what is in His heart? Have a relationship with Him. Know what makes Him tick. Seek to please Him at all costs.

May I be a man after God's own heart!! May I do what He asks me to do.

"The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people ..." 1 Samuel 13:13-14

"Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

How true this is. A Godly life isn't thinking alone. We must act and that comes from being responsible for what we hear from God.

"Action springs not from thought, but from a readiness for responsibility." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer