Quiet Time: Blessed to Bless

Blessed to Bless

Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:9

God has blessed me; therefore, I must bless others (Pulpit Commentary)

“Skin for skin”, “an eye for an eye”, and “Don’t get mad-get even” are all well known and well practiced idioms of the day.

(1 Peter 3:9) tells us not to return: apodidontes: to give up, give back, return, restore; evil: kakon: bad, evil for evil or insult: loidorian: abuse, railing for railing. Then it goes on to say we are to give a blessing: eulogountes: to speak well of, to praise the person who insults us.

Why would God command such a realistically implausible and practically impossible response to verbal abuse? It is because He knows us better than we know ourselves. We need to do this. Also it is the fact that His Holy Spirit indwells and empowers the believer to do the seemingly impossible.

Actually, though, in this case, we are told to follow Him in this response because of our future, our inheritance. In other words, this world is where we walk by faith knowing that one day our faith will be sight and we will see Him face to face.

Just in case we think that it really is impossible to accomplish this command, God has given us several examples to follow:

• Joseph could’ve gotten back at his brothers but instead he, “Gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man's silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey.” – Genesis 42:25

• David had could’ve killed Saul. Instead he said, “But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go." – 1 Samuel 26:11

• Solomon tells us “Do not say, ‘I'll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you”. – Proverbs 20:22

• Jesus, the ultimate example tells us to, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you”. – Luke 6:28.

"If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). I think that something happens in our heart when we walk out the word. In that instant we experience a little bit of heaven here on earth. We are blessed by God at that moment so that we can give Him glory.

Be a blessing. (Romans 12:14)

 

 

 

Quiet Time: Dealing With Disappointment

Dealing With Disappointment

Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick,
    but a sudden good break can turn life around. – Proverbs 13:12

Everyone understands what it means to be heart sick. 

I’ve met people over the years that have developed personal philosophies to help them deal with disappointment. 

One friend builds his life around two words, “Never settle”.  Consequently, he has made and lost millions of dollars over the years. I asked him what that feels like. He said, basically, the difference between being rich and being broke is where he eats and what he drives. 

Another friend faces life by simply asking, “Who cares?” This guy is pretty steady, actually. He doesn’t take anything too seriously. He has suffered many life setbacks, as well as, his fair share of personal losses. But, all in all, he keeps a positive attitude and never seems flustered or stressed about anything.

Most of us are probably somewhere in between these two perspectives. Solomon, in Proverbs 13:12, does a good job in reminding the reader of how easily people are pushed from one emotional extreme to another. In short: when things are bad, life is bitter, and when they’re good, it’s great! 

So, how do we stop being tossed about by life’s circumstances; read the next verse (Proverbs 13:13)

We stop scorning the Word and start stepping in faith toward what God says is true. 

We have a hope and a future that is unshakable. (Proverbs 23:17-18)

Quiet Time: Time's Up

Time’s Up

"Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete." – Genesis 15:16

No one knows when their day of reckoning will come, but one thing is sure, whether it is four days or four hundred years, the Righteous Judge will judge rightly (Gen. 18:25).

God told Abram that his descendants would be strangers in a country not their own for four hundred years (Gen. 15:13).

True to His word, the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years, at the end of which they headed back home for Cana.

God also said that the Amorite’s would be disciplined for their heinous unrepentant sin and removed from Canaan around the time the Israelite’s returned; and that’s exactly what happened (Gen. 15:16).

Of course we understand that God is patient with people. He doesn’t want anyone to parish but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, it is reasonable to think that after 400 years of God reaching out; at least one of those Amorite generations should have chosen to love Him. But, that was not the case.

We may even be tempted in judging the Amorites too harshly, but, perhaps we should first take stock of our own foolish predicament.

Here we are, 2000 years after God's own Son gave His life for our sins and rose again, proving that He has conquered both death and the grave; yet, still we choose to question His grace, goodness, and method toward saving mankind.

Frankly, we humans have not changed much. Like Old Testament pagans we do not honor Him as God or give thanks, but we have become futile in our speculations and in the process, our foolish hearts have been darkened. Professing to be wise, we have become utter morons (Romans 1:21-22).

One thing no one will say when the time of reckoning arrives is, “God, You’re wrong.”

(2 Peter 2:21)

Quiet Time: First Things First

First Things First

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar – Genesis 8:20

He begins well who begins with God – Matthew Henry

The first thing Noah did upon leaving the arc was to worship God. 

According to survival books, the primary concern for humans is food, shelter, and clothing, but Noah chose to stop and acknowledge from Whom his existence was found. 

Man has changed little from Noah's day (Gen. 8:21). From the time we’re born we are self-centered and prone to sin. Perhaps that’s why so many of us no longer feel the need to set aside time each week to worship God.

What better way to begin each week than with a group of people who are heaven bent on serving their Creator?

Putting God first makes us happy at last.

See yah at worship tomorrow!

Quiet Time: Favor With God

Favor With God

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD... Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God. -  Genesis 6:8 & 9

The whole world was going nuts, following every sin and source of debauchury imaginable. One man and his family stood alone unmoved by the sea of filth surrounding them. Noah. 

How was it possible for this pitiful little band of believers in the living God to maintain their faith and integrity under such unrelenting pressure to conform? They chose to walk by faith just like their great great grandfather, Enoch, had done.

Like Enoch, Noah, strove to walk through each day and face every circumstance as if God were right there with him. Noah chose to do what God told him to do which led him to walk in righteousness regardless of the daily challenge to change.

This world constantly works to divert our attention from the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We must set our hand to the task … lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance the race that is set before us, - Hebrews 12:1

Favor with God is found by walking in faith.

Do not grow weary (Gal. 6:9)