Reluctant Retiree

As I go through my day, I usually face many interruptions to what I am doing or planning to do? I am sure that this same obstacle is true for all of us. As I search the Bible, however, I do not find any situations where Jesus was interrupted. Oh, many people came up to Him on the road asking for healing, which, of course, Jesus did for them. One time, Jesus was teaching and some men opened up the roof and lowered their sick friend down by ropes, asking Jesus to heal him, which again he did. These events may seem like interruptions to us, but to Jesus they were all part of the plan. He walked the specific roads and was in the specific places that the Father’s will lead Him to, so that He could do the miracle required and demonstrate His divinity.

Hebrews 7:25 says, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” You cannot interrupt Jesus or catch Him at a bad time. He is always available for your requests and to speak to the Father on your behalf. You just need to trust Him to hear and answer your request like He did while on earth.

I have seen politicians, celebrities, and athletes on television doing some good deed through the beginning of some project. As you, I have wondered whether this was simply a photo opportunity or some heartfelt gesture to serve the needs of others. Will this project remain strong and vibrant once the celebrity leaves? I admit, that sometimes, I too have been active in some project mostly to be seen by others.

Matthew 6:1 says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” This verse does not forbid doing righteous deeds before other people, but it does say that if you are doing these deeds simply to be seen and feed your pride, then your Heavenly Father will not reward you. Join me in asking the Father to give us a sincere and compassionate heart, so that the good we are trying to do truly meets the needs of others, rather than our selfish pride.

I am dealing with an infection right now. Although the infection is localized it is affecting my whole body. Parts far removed from the infection site are causing me discomfort.

Matthew 13:33 says, He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” Jesus is speaking of the impact of yeast or leaven upon the whole dough. Yeast has a positive impact upon the dough, helping it to rise to a more useful state. In the same, the kingdom of God is able to make us rise to a more useful state, if we allow it to permeate our whole being. Let God’s Word and His Spirit touch and control every part of your being and life, then God can use you to do good works and bear fruit for His kingdom.

Jesus also warned about bad leaven. It can also impact your whole life, like my infection. Stay away form bad leaven in the form of evil acts and thoughts. Keep the leaven of your life pure and fruitful.

Who can we believe? Politicians promise and don’t deliver. Salesmen promise but include all sorts of conditional promises. Businesses promise but are more concerned with their bottom line than truth and fulfillment. The weather man promises but cannot truly predict with confidence. Friends and family promise but relationships still falter.

Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” God fulfills His promises. He always speaks the truth and will never change His mind. Search for His promises in Scripture and believe that God will do this words for you.

Jesus starts His famous Sermon on the Mount by describing the people whom God blesses. These people are “poor in spirit, mourners, meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers”. If we were to put together a list of blessed people we would say things like they are strong, powerful, rich, gifted, leaders, good looking, with superstar talents. But God is opposed to the proud and blesses the humble.

Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Anything good in us: that is our abilities, talents, wisdom, etc.: is given by God. So let’s have a humble attitude about them. God will abundantly bless us when our attitudes are right and match up to what He desires, not what the world admires.