Too Late

Sometimes, we can miss important deadlines. Prize contests limit the time available for entry. Product rebates generally have an expiration date. The amount of time for filing legal documents is often restricted. Missing these deadlines can mean missing out on prizes, compensation, and other benefits.

II Corinthians 5:2 says, “For he says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” We shouldn’t delay coming to God, asking for what we need, especially when that need is to be forgiven and saved. God always listens to us, but the right time to ask is now.

Rationalize

As human beings, we have the ability to rationalize our behavior. When we are caught making any kind of mistake, we may choose to justify ourselves by making excuses or blaming someone else. Some of us become quite good at rationalizing, so good that we hardly ever feel like we have done something wrong. Others of us are so focused on our own well-being that we never feel like we have done anything wrong and we don’t need forgiveness. We feel that God’s standards do not apply to us.

Judges 17: 6, 13 says, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes…Then Micah said, ‘Now I know that the Lord will prosper me, because I have a Levite as priest.'” We must be careful not to live as we want, ignoring God, and still expect Him to bless us. We cannot make God who we want Him to be and expect Him to give us whatever we want. Our faith is about knowing God and becoming like Him.

Giving Out of Love

It is the holiday season and for the next two months we will be encouraged to give. Advertisements and displays will draw our attention to the possibilities of what can be purchased for someone else. The season will culminate in one or many gift exchanges to demonstrate our love for someone. But we all know, that if we truly were motivated by love, we would give far more and more frequently.

II Corinthians 5:14 says, “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” We believe that Jesus Christ died to remove the penalty for sin, that is death, for all those who trust in His sacrifice. God’s great love for us compels us to live for Him, and no longer to live only for ourselves.

Seeking To Know

When is the last time that you did research in order to know more about a topic? Perhaps, you did some research into a new financial product in order to know if it would help you meet your goals. Maybe, you looked into a repair process for a household item that had recently malfunctioned. Most of us often do some form of research into things that we need to know or that we just find interesting. But do we do any kind of intensive search into the things that are really important to our lives and will provide long term benefits?

After God chose Solomon to succeed his father, David, as king over Israel, David tells Solomon, “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.” As David commissioned his son to be king, he speaks of what is most important from his own experience and knowledge. David’s final instructions to Solomon are to know God and to serve Him wholeheartedly. God promises that we will know Him if we seek Him.

“He Wants To See You”

Suppose you are invited to meet the highest dignitary of the land. You prepare yourself with nice clothes and have done your research. When you meet the dignitary, he has a special and crucial mission for you. You will be representing the dignitary at an incredibly important event. How will you conduct yourself at this event? Your primary goal should be to represent the dignitary in a way that honors the responsibilities of their role. You should endeavor to speak and act in ways that truthfully represent their authorities and intentions.

Ephesians 4:1-3 says, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Our calling comes from the highest authority in heaven and on earth. It comes from God Almighty. Because this calling is of great value, we must conduct ourselves in a way that is worthy of the calling and the One who called us. We do that, not through pride or promoting ourselves in the eyes of others, but rather, we walk in a worthy manner through humility, gentleness, patience and bearing with one another. These attributes truly represent God’s nature and will.