Reluctant Retiree

How did we ever get so confused about what we should say? There are some who purport to say it like it is, but only express what their inflated ego tells them. There are some who seek to tear others down so they can be lifted up, at least in their own minds. And there are some who confidently speak lies in order to improve their status in life. Are these the reasons that we were given the gift of speech?

I Peter 3:10-11 says, “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” Dishonesty and speaking evil about others only brings discord and chaos. We may gain some short term benefit, but will suffer the long term consequences of our evil words. Speaking the truth in love brings goodness and a love for life. These are long term benefits that we all truly desire.

“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog,and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” Psalm 40:2

Many things can hold us back from becoming the people we want to be or doing the good that we want to do. We can feel like circumstances are against us or even that other people are obstacles. The reality is that we are the problem. The poor choices that we have made and the sins that we have committed act as a miry bog to hold us back.

Fortunately, God, in His mercy, gave us the means to become the people we want to be and do the good that we desire to do. The rock that He places us on is Jesus Christ, God’s own Son. When we walk with Him our steps are secure and our path is made straight. Apart from Him we remain in the muck of our own making.

Experience and know the freedom of walking with Jesus. He will release you from the miry bog of sin and make your steps secure in the knowledge of Him and His redemption. Walk upon the Rock, Jesus Christ.

Many things may frustrate us in life, but many other things bring us joy. Perhaps you have found joy in your family, friends, job, recreation, or volunteering. I trust that you have found some joy in the things you do and the people you know.

I Peter 1:8-9 says, “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” I testify to the truth of these verses. Faith in Jesus Christ results in inexpressible joy and glory. Sometimes circumstances are difficult but my faith in Jesus brings me joy even in the most trying times. I know that His love for me is steadfast, abundant, and eternal. I can rest in His arms and leave the rest to Him.

He will do the same for you. It begins by placing our lives in His hands and accepting His gift of salvation and redemption. Inexpressible joy is then on the way to our hearts.

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Genesis 1:3 “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

Genesis 1:6, 8 “And God said, ‘Let there be an expanse,’ And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven.”

Genesis 1:9 “And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so.”

Genesis 1:11 “And God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation.’ And it was so.”

Genesis 1:14 “And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night.'”

Genesis 1:20 “And God said, ‘Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth.'”

Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'”

God created all things. When God speaks life appears. Apart from God, life does not exist.

Jesus often spoke in terms that go against modern thinking. One recurring theme that Jesus spoke of was humbling ourselves before God and serving the interests of others even before our own. Jesus said that it is when we humble ourselves that God can make us better and even exalt us.

James added to this conversation when he wrote, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” James 4:10 Make God bigger in your life and He will exalt you. He wants to give you the peace, joy and love that you desire. But first, you need to let Him work these things into your life.