Sunday, July 17, 2011

Is ambition and greed the same thing?

Having the drive to be successful is a good thing. Making good grades - excelling in sports - practicing a musical instrument to be a great player - making money - not a bad thing. Being ambitious is part of a lot of people’s make-up - and it should be! Where the gut check lies is in your priorities. When you become greedy - you will fall.

    Psalms 10:3 - "the greedy man curses and spurns God"
    Proverbs 11:6 - "the treacherous are caught by their own greed"
    Luke 12:15 - "be on guard against every form of greed; life is not in possessions"

So what's the difference? Ambition can be centered on using God given gifts to be good at something. Maybe even using that talent to further His kingdom. To use it to help others knowing that it is the right thing to do. To honor God with those very gifts. Greed is more about your 'stuff'. Keeping up with the Jones's so to speak. Some actually gain their total identity by what they do - what they have - what their title is. It's VERY easy to get caught up in worldly things - but it's a dangerous place to be. Especially for followers of Christ. If you want to lose something - make it your idol.

One of my all time favorite church sign messages is "if you really want to make God laugh - tell him about your retirement plans" Priceless...

True joy comes in wanting what you have. Not always wanting more. Taking what you are given with grace. Pure joy comes in giving or helping someone in need. If God has blessed you with the means to help others - make no mistake - it is expected of you to do so. In a world of Wall Street meltdowns - greed in this country has gotten out of control. A lot of folks are simply interested in what they have. Where their children go to school. What kind of house they live in. Guard yourself from that mind set.

If people in this country would follow God's principle in this area, we wouldn't need welfare - healthcare reform - bail outs or government redistribution of wealth. A country based on these principles would take care of itself. Truly loving your neighbor and caring for people in a real way. Given the opportunity I believe people with the means will always do the right thing. So as the Congress is battling over the debt ceiling and America is on the brink of default - think about that. Pray about it.

One Nation Under God doesn't sound bad to me.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Does your soul crave?


We are doing a series called Soul Cravings and I feel compelled to share some of what I’ve learned so far.

First of all – I believe every soul craves something. I’m not talking about food or even earthly companionship. I’m not talking about learning and knowledge – for I know some do crave those things. I truly believe that in every human being there is a true soul craving – a craving for something that will fill the void that we all have. And I believe we crave the same thing when it comes right down to it. God.

Even those who have had all the love in the world shown to them – I believe they crave love. Those who have more money than they could ever spend – I believe they are not fulfilled by it. Those who have perfect families with great parents and loving siblings – they still crave something. Those who have fame and fortune, privilege, with everything at their finger tips – they too crave. People with perfect health – great jobs – more opportunity than they can shake a stick at – crave. It doesn’t even matter where you stand with your personal religion. Jews, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindu, Shintoist, agnostic, and even with atheists – soul craving is just there.

It doesn’t take you being a broken person with a history of abuse, divorced parents, drug use, or even prison time to feel empty. There is that one spot that just seems to be void – even if you haven’t figured it out yet – it’s there. Welcome to the human condition.

I believe that God simply created us that way. With a yearning to know your maker – to know Him. Why? Because you can only achieve true joy and feel true completeness when you know God. He created us to WANT to know Him. No relationship, abundance of money, awesome family, or really ANY perfect situation can take the place of God. It just doesn’t work. It's broken!

But God will fill the void in every way. Seek Him through Christ to fill that place in your soul. You will be filled to the brim with peace and understanding. If you put God first – everything else just seems to fall into place. Relationships are better, families are closer, jobs are more fulfilling, and finances just seem to work.

Proverbs 3:
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
   but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
   and bring you peace and prosperity.
 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
   bind them around your neck,
   write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
   in the sight of God and man.
 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.[a]
 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
   fear the LORD and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
   and nourishment to your bones.
 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
   with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
   and your vats will brim over with new wine.
 11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,
   and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
   as a father the son he delights in.[b]
 13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
   those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
   and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
   nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
   in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
   and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
   those who hold her fast will be blessed.



That scripture is a great way to start. Fully trusting God with all aspects of your life. Listening to God - loving Him first - following the path He sets before you - trusting Him with your finances - accepting His discipline and seeking His wisdom - THAT can fill the void.
Know God and fill the void.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

When you're down - always look up

Sometimes when life seems to be going in the wrong direction - we clam up. It might be a family problem, a relationship problem, job (or lack of), or a tragedy looming on the horizon. When this happens to us - and it always does - prayer can be stifled. I know sometimes I find myself asking 'why?'. But in those very moments is when prayer is the most helpful. When things are good it's easy to sing praises to God. What about when we run out of rope? Are we the same cheerful people so ready to praise?

The scriptures tell us that we will suffer.

1 Peter 4:12–13
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

They also tell us that He will comfort those who seek Him.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5
 
 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
 
Even in the darkest times - seek God in prayer. He will comfort you. And even if everything is not immediately revealed to you - there is true comfort in knowing that someday you will understand why.
 
Always look up.