Changed Lives

Have you ever sat under instruction that changed your life? Perhaps it was some form of financial class that helped you better secure your future along with providing for your family now. Maybe it was some stress management seminar that helped you deal with the anxieties you face. Good instruction can improve our lives if we apply it properly.

I Timothy 1:5 says, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” The purpose of our faith is not just to receive eternal salvation, but also to experience a changed life evidenced by love from a pure heart, a good conscience and sincerity of faith. The life changing messages that we receive directly from God in His Word and indirectly through faithful teachers of His Word, can and should move us to change by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Our hearts do not change by the force of willpower, but rather through the impact of the Holy Spirit within us and in response to God’s love, grace, and mercy.

Comforted By Sticks

In Biblical times a shepherd carried a rod and a staff. The rod was used to fend off predators and the staff was used to draw the sheep close for protection and comfort.

Psalm 23:4 says, “for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” How do the rod and staff comfort us? They rod was used to drive away enemies, like drives away our fears. The staff was used to draw the sheep closer to the shepherd, like God draws us near to Him. Remembering that God draws His children close to Him and fends off things that trouble us should bring us great comfort.

Pursued By Goodness

In a race the frontrunner works feverishly to maintain the lead through the finish. The frontrunner wants to win by keeping the pursuers behind him. Most of us live with some regrets or things we want to leave behind us. We don’t want those regrets to catch up with us and impact our lives today and into the future. But how would our attitudes change if we looked back and saw only goodness and love?

Psalm 23:1, 6 says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” God is “the” shepherd to those who trust Him, His children. He is good and everything He does is good. His love will never fail. He is always working things for good in the lives of His children. Whether we look back at the past or forward to the future, we will see His love and goodness in everything He has done for us and in everything that He has given us.

Wages Versus Gift

We all understand the difference between wages and gifts. Wages we earn through work. We expect to get paid for the work we have done. Gifts are generally freely given. Gifts come from loved ones and express love to us. Wages are earned while gifts are freely given and received. The act of gift giving is not completed until it is received by the recipient, while wages are completed when the check is issued.

Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.” Because eternal life could never be earned, God gives it as a free gift to all who will receive Jesus Christ. We have all earned death as the wages for the sins we have committed. However, God demonstrated His love for us by freely giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins and to grant us eternal life. Just like other gifts, however, to complete the act of gift giving, we must receive God’s gift by trusting Jesus Christ as our Savior and forsaking our efforts to earn eternal life.

Stumbling

Yesterday I was walking through our grocery store, Meijers, and I suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground. I wasn’t hurt and only have a couple bruises, but I was embarrassed by my fall as several employees came to help me. I would like to say that this is an infrequent occurrence for me, but since I walk by basically shuffling my feet, I tend to trip on the smallest things.

Proverbs 3:21-23 says, “My son, do not lose sight of these; keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.” Walk in the wisdom of God’s Word and He promises that you will not trip and fall from the way that you should go. God leads in wisdom and understanding. Departing from the path He has designed for each of us will inevitably bring the obstacles and temptations we struggle with. Following Him is light for our ways and healing for our souls.