Pursuits and Purpose (James)

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. James 1:11

Fade away: equivalent to to have a miserable end

Ways: purpose, pursuit, undertaking

What will I be remembered for when I die? When I am no longer around, what will last? All the stuff we accumulate is that —stuff, no real lasting value. And as the old saying goes, "You can't take it with you."

What legacy am I creating now? The pursuits and purposes for earthly gain while can be enjoyable on earth, have no lasting value. Just as a spring flower withers and dies in the heat of the day, pursuits that have no eternal value will also have a miserable end. 

So, are my pursuits and purposes like a flower? Or am I like a tree planted by the waters? 

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:3

If I want to be like a tree rather than a flower than my pursuits must be following God's Word.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2

What is my pursuit? Am I after things that will have a miserable end? Or am I pursuing a life that will prosper by God's standards? 

Thanks Living: Your Purposes

Psalm 5

Can you hear, O God, what I have to say? Do You feel something of what I feel this morning? 

I know, O God, that You are grieved by the selfishness of Your children.The world You created seems to be falling apart. Your creatures are living for themselves alone, proud and self-suffieient. They thing they don't need You any longer.I also know, O Lord, that I cannot exist without the assurance of Your eternal love. Thus I commit myself once more to You and Your purposes. Help me walk in Your path for this life.Give me grace to overcome the many obstacles. 

The philosophies that come out of our world bear little resemblance to the truth You revealed to us. These subtle, seductive world views lead people astray through forked tongues and suave soft-sell.  Enable us to recognize them for what they are: shallow, superficial, ultimately destructive. 

Those who follow You need not be dismayed.They can sing and dance in the joy of the Lord.You will continue to reveal Yourself to them and care for them and work out Your purposes in and through them. 

Psalms Now by Leslie Brandt 

Thanks Living remembering that God cares for me and is working out His purposes in and through me.

Broadcast

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 96. Here is what I learned.

Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples. Psalm 96:3 (AMP)

Tell the nations of his glory [his manifest presence]; tell all peoples the ·miracles [wonderful acts] he does. Psalm 96:3 (EXB)

In order to “declare” or tell something, I first must KNOW it myself. That means that if I want to declare God’s glory and marvelous works to others, I first must realize and recognize them! 

What exactly is a “marvelous work” of God? First there are the “simple” things which I often overlook, like a beautiful sunrise or sunset, a rainbow, a bird singing, a beautiful cloud formation. Then there are the blessings that God provides, including friendships, encouraging words from others, a reason to smile, and unexpected surprises such as a contest win. And lastly, the eternal works, such as God’s never-ending love, care and support. 

I’m to declare, tell, show God’s marvelous works to each and every one with whom I have contact. And in order to do that, I have to be alert so that I don’t miss the amazing things God does. It’s a conscious effort to be aware of what God is doing. And when I recognize a marvelous work of God, I take the time to first, thank God, then broadcast it LOUD and often to those around me. 

How do I broadcast God’s glory and marvelous works? On Fridays I wear RED to Remember Everyone Deployed. I broadcast my support for our Military Heroes by wearing RED each Friday. It’s easy for others to see my support. Yet, I don’t have a “Marvelous Works” shirt to wear, so how do I broadcast what God is doing? 

First, I broadcast is, by the honoring God with my actions. Hopefully, as others watch me, they will see God through my actions and reactions to everyday life. 

Secondly, I broadcast by honoring God with my words (tweets, posts, etc). What I say needs to be honoring to God and reflect what God is doing in my life.

Thirdly, I broadcast by honoring God with my attitude. How do I respond when things don’t go my way? How do I respond when others “do me wrong”. How do I respond when someone says something unkind? How do I respond...... is my response God honoring? 

Lastly, I broadcast by honoring God when faced with unknowns. When I don’t understand what or why something happened or is happening, I need to continue to trust God. When life isn’t working out the way “I planned” I need to acknowledge that God’s plan has a greater purpose and trust that God in His loving kindness is working out His will.

To create a positive day, I need to broadcast God’s glory and marvelous works—first to myself, than to the world around me.

His Generosity!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 13. Here is what I learned.

I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6 (KJV)

I will sing to the Eternal, for He is always generous with me. Psalm 13:6 (VOICE)

I sing to the Lord because he has taken care of me. Psalm 13:6 (NCV)

I do sing to Jehovah, For He hath conferred benefits upon me! Psalm 13:6 (YLT)

I will sing unto the Lord,.... In prayer faith is encouraged, through believing the heart is filled with joy; and this joy is expressed by the lips, in songs of praise to the Lord, ascribing the glory of salvation to him, and giving him thanks for every mercy and blessing of life;

because he hath dealt bountifully with me; both in a way of providence and grace, granting life and preserving it, and supporting with the comforts of it; blessing with spiritual blessings, and crowning with loving kindness and tender mercies; all which is generous and bountiful dealing, and affords a just occasion of praise and thanksgiving. Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Dealt bountifully, always generous, taken care of, conferred benefits upon me...... so often, when we hear those words, our minds toward the things we don’t have, rather than what we do have. 

If God is so generous, why don’t I have more... money, nicer things, etc? If God is so generous, why am I in pain, or sick, or ......? The lists continue. 

But I think that often we forget that God does not owe us anything. God in His mercy and grace first gave us the greatest gift, and that was His Son, Jesus, who died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. God gave us the gift of salvation, we only have to accept it. 

Secondly, God does give us many blessings, but with a specific purpose and plan in mind. He created us that we would bring Him glory and honor. And we each do that in different ways. Some sing, some preach, some through friendships, some.... yes, even because of their pain and illness. 

I know that in my own life, God has used my pain to introduce me to people I never would have met otherwise. And I have met many because I use crutches. God in His goodness, has provided me with a ministry to encourage others who live with chronic pain or illness. Now, I would not have chosen this ministry on my own...but God chose it for me. He knew that for me to serve Him best, I’d need to be in pain. Now, just because I am in pain, doesn’t mean that God has forgotten me, for He continues to bless me beyond measure! I am amazed daily at God’s generosity and love. 

To create a positive day, I only need to start counting the blessings God has generously given me, for in counting the blessings, I praise God for His generosity!

"Why doesn't God heal you?"

Many times I'm asked, "Why doesn't God heal you?" or "Why does God allow you to be in such pain?" 

What happened today, is a good example that...

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

I went to the Department of Motor Vehicles today. Waited 2 hours for them to complete the transaction in about 8 minutes (ordered a disability license plate). I was VERY thankful I was done in time to make it to my Chiropractor appointment for an adjustment and treatment. (Desperately needed after the 2 hour wait!)

But the 2 hours of waiting was not wasted as I talked to several people and shared that I could smile in spite of my pain—because GOD is good! If I had been "just another person waiting" I don't think anyone would have talked with me. However, since I was standing and pacing from time to time in the back of the room, people noticed me. Several standing near by asked if my injury was recent, or how long I'd be on crutches, etc. And questions such as those provided opportunities to talk about how much God cares for me and loves me—and them too. Seeds were planted today. Wonder who will water & reap?

So, to answer the questions: "Why doesn't God heal you?" or "Why does God allow you to be in such pain?" Living with chronic pain has provided many opportunities to share that God's love is real, and that He provided a way of salvation to all who believe. It seems like on the "higher" pain days, I'm given more opportunities to share God's Gospel with others.

I'm thankful that God's love and joy is able to shine through the pain and radiate to those around me. And that is in direct relation to all those who pray for me! Thank you for praying! God is Good all the time and all the time God is good!

The key to creating a positive day is remembering that God has a specific plan for my life. No matter how I feel or what I'm doing, I have a responsibility to share His love with those I meet.