Quiet Time: Anarchy

Unstable Isotope by JP Talma

Anarchy
 

he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. - James 1:8

It's like the car has a mind of its own.

I mentioned in a recent blog Well What Do You Know how my son's automobile has required a lot of my time lately and how  I'd fixed the issue. Well, the instability problem (rough idle) is back.

 This reminded me of today's focal verse from James and how many of us slip into complacency in our walk with Christ. Consequently, our personal bible study becomes sporadic, our fellowship with believers is limited to Sunday mornings (at best), we seldom share the Gospel with anyone, and our prayer life is paltry and impotent.

James reminded his readers that being double minded; literally, "wavering between two minds" causes instability. Actually, the Greek word for unstable- akatástatos - is pretty strong; think: anarchic, turbulent, or even lawless. So, we are either following or fighting Christ.


Faith ends the fight and fixes our instability issues.


In other words, Christians simply cannot have a mind of their own; but, God can give us the mind of Christ.


By the way, I'm pretty sure the car problem has been pin pointed to the EGR (Exhaust Gas Return) valve. Time to get to work.




Casual Christian by DeGarmo and Key is an oldie but a goody:

 

Song Series: Good Good Father

Good Good Father

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" - Galatians 4:6

I've seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching for answers only You can provide
'cause You know just what we need before we say a word

This is verse 2 of the song Good Good Father. I've been listening to it lately and will begin working it out on the keys and vocals tomorrow in hopes of adding it to my praise and worship repertoire. The song speaks to the father heart in me, as well as, the Father's heart to me. 

It reminds me of how God's love for me has affected my love for others. For instance, I love my kids. I love them when they mess up and I love them when they do really well.  I even love them when they pretty much ignore  my very existence. Frankly, that's when my human love is tested the most...when my existence doesn't seem to matter much. But, tests have a way of turning a heart toward Father God.

His word says that He loved us "while we were His enemies" (Romans 5:8) and that when we are faithless He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). That's Who He is.

That kind of love inspires me to seek Him and praise Him all the more. 

Spending time each day with our Father God is important because it helps us remember Who He is, Whose we are, and molds us to who He wants us to be. 

In short, God is good; it's Who He is. 

     You are loved by Him; it's who you are.

Quiet Time: Well, What Do You Know

Knowledge Without Wisdom

Well, What Do You Know
  
Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool displays folly. - Proverbs 13:16

... increasing knowledge results in increasing pain. - Ecclesiastes 1:18 

 I've been spending a lot of time lately working on my son's car. The thing just wouldn't idle without conking out. So, a mechanic friend dropped by the house; and, after running an OBD (On Board Diagnostic) He recommended changing the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor). The TPS costs $130 new and once you break the seal on the package, you've bought it. That knowledge hurt!

Solomon, literally the wisest man on earth, wrote both of the aphorisms in today's devotional. He affirms the benefits of acting with knowledge. In other words, don't just be a parts changer; understand the how and why of something before moving forward. I'm sure we can all remember a moment when we acted or spoke before thinking. Not good. 

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon seems to contradict his own God given proverb; but, when viewed in context we see that he is referring to acquiring meaningless facts and trivialities without a view to godliness. God wants us to know Him in every circumstance; even something as mundane as working on a broken car (1 Corinthians 10:31). 

Knowledge is power, or so we've heard. However, I'm not so sure I agree. It seems that accumulating knowledge without acting upon it simply wears a person down. Kind of like knowing what the Bible says to do but not acting upon it. 

By the way, I did replace the TPS, but not before checking it with a digital multi-meter to determine if it actually needed replacing. (I also pulled a used TPS from a wrecked car at the junk yard for about $7). Outcome: I know how and why sensors work, how to test them, change them, and, oh yeah, no more conking out. Thank you Lord!


Here's a memory aid: