Appeal to God

Have ever asked the question, “Why me?” Has something happened to delay a project you were working on, and you were frustrated? Did you ask God, “Why?” Did you later realize it was for your benefit? Did you see God at work on your behalf in the delay?

There can be times when we experience setbacks, and we are frustrated. We may even become angry. Yet, God may be working in that setback, doing something for our benefit. Rather than being upset, we are to trust God is in control and everything will work out for our good.

The Apostle Paul exposes a situation as he writes a letter to Philemon. Paul calls him a co-worker and mentions that Philemon hosts a church within his house. Based on what Paul’s description of Philemon, we can also assume he was somewhat wealthy. Paul appeals to Philemon in his letter, explaining that God has done a good work on his behalf.

Onesimus was a slave of Philemon’s who had evidently run away. He ended up with Paul and Paul spoke to him of Christ. Onesimus becomes a Christian and is serving Paul as he is in prison. According to Paul’s letter, Onesimus was not a good worker beforehand but has now become a good worker. Paul is sending Onesimus back to Philemon and asking that Philemon both accept him back warmly and treat him as a brother.

There are many lessons in this single chapter letter of Paul’s. One is that God is working for our good, even when we don’t see it. A second lesson is that when someone commits their life to Christ and the Holy Spirit works on them, they change for the better. A third lesson is, we are to do what is right according to the laws of the land, even when we don’t agree with them, and trust God with the results. When we trust God is in control and appeal to him, we relieve ourselves of stress and grow in our faith.

I pray we all choose to trust that God is in control. I pray we choose to follow the laws of our nation. I pray each one of us will appeal to God in all situations, turning the results over to him. Know God is in control. Follow the laws. Appeal to God. Know he is working for your good.

Philemon 15-16 Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for the long term, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

See Faith

How often do you recognize the faith of people you know? Do you recognize the love others have for their brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you thank God you know them, and they are in your life? Do pray their faith will be strengthened and they recognize their blessings?

Recognizing the faith in our brothers and sisters in Christ is important. Seeing their love for others by their actions lifts us up. It is also important that we thank God for the faithful people in our lives. For it is God who put them in our lives and us in their lives.

Praying for one another is important. Each of us has our own struggles—some spoke, others not. As we pray for the faith of others and give thanks to God for him blessing us through them, we not only praise God but bless them as well. It is also good for us to tell them that we recognize their faith, that they have been an encouragement to us, and let them know we are praying for the continued strengthening of their faith.

Mutually praying for one another, not just to heal illnesses or recovering from surgeries, but that the faith of each other is strengthened blesses all of us. God works through each of us so that we may be a blessing to others. That blessing comes in many ways, not the least of which is praying for one another. That is what the community, family of Christ does for one another.

I pray we all recognize the faith others have. I pray we take time to pray for one another. I pray each one of us share the blessings God has blessed us with to be an encouragement to others. See the faith of others. Pray for one another. Share God’s blessings. Be an encouragement.

Philemon 4-6 I thank my God always when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the partnership of your faith may become effective as you comprehend all the good that we share in Christ.

Wonderfully Made

Have you ever stopped to consider the amazing human body? Have you thought about how a baby is formed? How one cell splits into two? How two splits into four, and so on until there is a fully formed infant? Have you considered that God knows exactly how many days you will live?

The human body is amazing. To think that God created each one of us. I know some will say it is our DNA that gives us our physical form. Yet, who created DNA? The deeper you dig into how things began, the more you realize there is no other answer than we were created by God.

Though we don’t like to think about it, our days are numbered as well. We have a set number of days on this earth. God knows exactly how many each of us have. Our limited view cannot see the future. We plan. We save. We procrastinate. We wait. We rush. All the while not knowing what the next day will bring. Why?

The simple answer is…faith. We may not call it that. In fact, many won’t. Yet, it is faith, nonetheless. Unfortunately, for far too many, it is blind faith. Without faith in God, trusting he is in control, we blindly run down the road of life. When we realize God has created us for a purpose, trust and seek his guidance, we then run the race he designed for us.

The Psalmist states the wonder of God creating us and having seen our lives from beginning to end. He saw all of it before we ever existed in the timeline in which we live. It is difficult for us to wrap our minds around. Yet, when we try, not fully comprehend, and realize God is far more than we can understand, we begin to see a glimpse of who God is.

I pray we all know that God created us. I pray we understand that God knows the number of our days. I pray each one of us will put our faith in God and run the race he designed for us. God created you. God knows the number of your days. Put your faith in God. Follow the path he has set before you.

Psalm 139:13-14a, 16

For it was you who formed my inward parts; 

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. 

In your book were written 

all the days that were formed for me, 

when none of them as yet existed.

God Knows All

Have you ever felt déjà vu? Have you seen something or done something and like you have seen it or done it before? Ever wonder why that could happen? What if everything you see, everything you do, and everything you say is already known? How would you feel?

Déjà vu feels puzzling to us. We may say it is a weird feeling. We don’t understand it. Some will explain it as there being parallel universes and the knowledge of something happening in the other universe crosses over to us. There is a much simpler explanation, if you are willing to accept it.

God knows everything we will do, everything we will say, and every situation we will face. He doesn’t force us to do anything. He has granted us free will. We make our choices. Yet, because God lives outside of time, he sees all of time in a single moment. The Apostle Peter tells us a single day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a single day in God’s eyes (2 Peter 3:8).

The Psalmist says that God knows our path. He knows all our thoughts. He knows how we will react to specific situations. He even knows what we will say before we say it. It is hard for us to wrap our mind around it. I like how C. S. Lewis describes how this happens in his book Mere Christianity. He says for us to imagine a piece of paper. Draw a line on it. Put a dot on the line. God is the paper. The line is time. Our life is the dot. We live within God, and therefore, God knows everything all at once.

So, how does God change his mind? I don’t think he does. He already knows what we are going to ask. He already knows how we will change. He doesn’t change. He does exactly what he decided to do all along. We change. We gain a new perspective. We misinterpret our change for God’s change. Again, something that is hard for us to understand. Yet, déjà vu is God giving us a glimpse into his knowledge.

I pray we all know that God already knows everything about us. I pray we seek to follow his guidance. I pray each one of us trust that God is leading us on the path he wants us to walk. God knows all. God sees all. God is directing all. Follow the path God has for you. 

Psalm 139:3-4

You search out my path and my lying down 

and are acquainted with all my ways. 

Even before a word is on my tongue, 

O Lord, you know it completely.

Molded By God

Children can be molded by their environment, teaching, and discipline. If we teach them good life skills at a young age, we set them up for success later in life. Yet, if they turn away from the good life skills they were taught, calamity can befall them. They are much more open to learn when they are young.

How pliable are you? Are you open to learn something new? Are you open to changing your ways for the good? Will you learn good life skills to be successful? Unfortunately, far too many of us are not. We are comfortable where we are at, even if it is lying in a ditch.

God compares Israel to clay in a potter’s hands and God is the potter. He says that he can do what he wants with Israel. If Israel obeys God, he will bless them and make them successful. If they disobey, he will bring calamity on them, just as the potter flattens the clay if the mold he was making isn’t going as planned.

What we need to remember is that God can do the same to us. Not that he is holding a hammer over our heads. Quite the contrary. God is extremely patient. Yet, if we continually discard his guidance, he will eventually discard us. It is not something God wants to do any more than we want it. Knowing that God could discard us, why would we continue to tempt him? The simple answer? We’re human and have our own fleshly desires.

What can we do to follow God? We need to go back to those principles for being taught good life skills ­­­— seek a good environment, seek a good teacher (Jesus), and discipline ourselves. If we are willing to change and put in the effort, God is willing to invest in us and bless us.

I pray we all are willing to change for the good. I pray we seek to learn from Jesus. I pray each one of us will commit to discipline ourselves and allow God to mold into the person he wants us to be. Be willing to change. Learn from Jesus. Commit yourself to God. Allow him to mold you.

Jeremiah 18:5-6 Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

Share Your Blessings

What are your dinners like? Is it only your family who is invited to join you? Do you occasionally invite friends over? What about parties? Do you invite anyone other than friends and family? Have you ever considered inviting someone else? Why not? Will you in the future?

Family dinners can be a wonderful time of laughing, remembrance, and enjoying a good meal. Inviting friends to dinner can be much the same. There is the familiarity and common stories to be shared. The collective memory of the group fills in the details of those stories.

Most of us will not invite people we do not know to dinner. Yet, Jesus tells us to do so. Let’s not go overboard here. What Jesus is saying is that we are to care for those on the margins as much as we care for our family. When we host a meal for the homeless, we are doing good for those who can never repay us. Jesus says that is when we are repaid by God.

However, we should not invite those on the margins with the intent of being rewarded by God. Yes, our motivation and intent are important. We are to do things for others, especially those who are less fortunate, not to gain a reward, but with the love of God in our hearts. Our motivation is to be us returning God’s love for us by sharing his love for others.

On multiple occasions Jesus demonstrates His care for people, especially those who are in need, less fortunate, rejected, or outcast. He set the example for us. When He says we are to care for the widow, the hungry, and the orphans, He is telling us to follow His example. If we are going to follow His example, we must overcome stereotypes and prejudices. May we all do so.

I pray we all choose to follow Jesus’ example. I pray we choose to care for people on the margins. I pray each one of us will choose to share our blessings from God with others. Follow Jesus’ example. Care for others. Care for people on the margins. Share your blessings with others.

Luke 14:13-14 “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

The Humble are Exalted

We see many people today who toot their own horn. They seek everyone’s applause. They claim to be the greatest in whatever they do. By definition, there is only one greatest, for it means that there is one who is greater than all others. Of course, it is used as slang to mean far less than its original meaning.

Yet there are some people who seem to get it. For example, I believe Taylor Swift gets it. Though she is a highly accomplished singer/songwriter, she remains humble. Sure, she puts on a show for the crowds, but immediately comes back down to earth when she walks off the stage. She knows that she has not accomplished all she possibly can and continues to work toward it. She remains humble, knowing there are things she is not good at.

We can argue the points I made about Taylor Swift. After all, they are just one person’s opinions. Personally, her music is not my type of music, even though her early country songs were catchy. What is not debatable is that people who humble themselves and give their all toward a goal will often find themselves lifted up by others.

Jesus tells a parable about a wedding banquet. He says not to sit in a place of honor but sit in a lowly place. When the host sees you, he will then move you to a more honorable seat. Of course, this parable is not about a literal wedding banquet but making a point for how we are to conduct ourselves before God. Rather than assuming we are righteous of our own accord and assume a seat at the front of God’s throne, instead be humble as a servant and allow God to determine where your seat is.

The most exalted servants of God’s were humble. Moses claimed he was not a good speaker. Jeremiah stated he was too young and inexperienced. Elijah fled for his life and cried out to God. David was a man after God’s own heart, but knew he was a sinner and asked God for forgiveness. Jesus was the humble Servant who obeyed God’s will to the point of going to the cross to save each one of us.

Thoughts to ponder: what will God do with you if you humble yourself before him? How will God exalt you if you are willing to do what he asks? What is your motivation? Is it to seek honor for yourself? Or are you seeking to honor God? Answers to these questions speak loudly about us. Why we do things is as important as how we do them.

Rather than seeking to be the one on stage with thousands cheering for you, seek to be the one who does God’s will and have him cheering for you. For when God is the one cheering, he is also the one who lifts us up. Great is the reward for the one who is humble and obedient to God.

Luke 14:11 “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Sacrifice of Love

Are you willing to sacrifice? Will you sacrifice for the good of others? Will you sacrifice for your children? Will you sacrifice for your parents? Do you consider sacrificing as doing good? Do you believe it is pleasing? Have you thought of what you say as a sacrifice?

Our human nature is to take care of ourselves. We won’t naturally sacrifice. There must be a reason for us to give up something of ourselves for someone else. We often call that something: love. Loving our spouse and children will cause us to sacrifice for them.

It is also love that will cause us to sacrifice for God. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to praise God continually. He calls it our sacrifice to him. Why would praise be a sacrifice. Praising God puts him above us. It is lifting God up and humbling ourselves. It is a demonstration of our love for him.

In addition to praising God, we are to do good and share what we have. This is both a sacrifice and a blessing. As God has blessed us, we are to share those blessings with others. While sharing those blessings we are blessed again. All of this is done because of the love God has for us and our loving him in return.

Love and sacrifice go hand-in-hand. God loves us. We love God. We demonstrate our love through sacrifice. We praise God for his blessings. We share his blessings. We bless others. It is a loving cycle we all desire to be a part of. When we are, we are joyful.

I pray we all are willing to sacrifice. I pray we know God loves us and experience his blessings. I pray each one of us praise God for his blessings and share those blessings others, being doubly blessed. Sacrifice to God. Sacrifice for others. God loves you. Show your love for him. Praise God. Share with others.

Hebrews 13:15-16 Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Contentment

Are you content? Do you experience contentment? Or are you continued discontented? What is it that you are discontented about when you are not content? Are you seeking to be contented? Do you know how to achieve it?

Being contented can be allusive. We can chase after it in many ways for a very long time and never achieve it. We attempt to achieve it with possessions, making more money, finding the right partner, raising a family, or you name it. Yet, we may never be fully content.

The writer of Hebrews says we are to live free from the love of money. He doesn’t say we should not work to be paid. But we are not to make it a priority to make more money. We are not to make climbing the corporate ladder our priority. Now, that doesn’t mean we don’t do the best we can in our job for we are told to work as though we are working for God (Colossians 3:23).

We find contentment when we live for God. It is when we come to the full realization that God is always with and always working things for our good that we find the peace that is beyond understanding, resulting in a contentment we cannot explain. When we trust God in all situations, we live without worry, anxiety, and fear.

Being content may appear to some as being indifferent, yet it isn’t. Others will be amazed at the calmness we have when things go wrong. The Apostle Paul said he had learned to be content in with whatever he had (Philippians 4:11). So, it is something we can learn. Therefore, we should seek to learn to trust God is in control and he is always with us.

I pray we give up our love of money. I pray we learn to trust God is in control and working things for our good. I pray each one of us find the peace of God and the contentment only he can give us. Give up your love of money. Trust God. Know he is always with you. Find contentment.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Show Hospitality

How is your hospitality? Do you think of hospitality as being a host of a big party? Are you only hospitable to people you know? Are you only willing to be hospitable who can repay you at some point later? Have you ever invited a stranger into your home?

Hospitality is taken to a high level by some. They throw large parties. They pull out all the stops. They provide the best meals and desserts. They invite all the popular people. To be on their guest list is to be part of the whose who in town. Yet, that isn’t what we are encouraged to do.

The writer of Hebrews says to show mutual affection to one another. He tells us to show hospitality. But it’s not hospitality to the popular people or the people we know. We are to show hospitality to strangers. He says by doing so, some have entertained angels. Wow!

This is an encouragement to take care of those in need. Why? In the first century, travelers often relied on people hosting them. Not every town had a hotel. Often, people would allow travelers to stay in a stable (think Mary and Joseph). The host would also provide a meal or two for the stranger.

Today, we don’t rely on people to allow us to stay in their home when we travel. We either arrange to stay with family, book a hotel room, or we may even rent a house. So, how do we apply this to our time? We can still show hospitality to those in need. We can welcome them into our churches. We can provide them with clothing, food, housing, or whatever it is they need. If we do, we are fulfilling the directive to show hospitality.

I pray we all show affection to one another. I pray we care for one another. I pray each one of us will determine to show hospitality and care for people in need. Show mutual affection. Care for one another. Show hospitality to people in need. Know you will be blessed for doing so.

Hebrews 13:1-2 Let mutual affection continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.