Reluctant Retiree

Over 20 years ago, a scandal broke out at the Little League World Series. Coaches and parents conspired to alter birth records so that players older than the limit could play. The coaches were banished from the Little League and several leagues in the area were dissolved. Players and coaches from the area are still blackballed from many competitions. Just the name of the head coach still brings strong reactions.

If you come from a loving and supportive family, you are most likely proud of your family name. But more and more people come from abusive and unloving families. This people, and families rocked by some scandal, are not proud of their family names.

Where can we find a secure place of love and affection? Believers in Jesus Christ are adopted into God’s family. They receive the everlasting love, endless mercy, and amazing grace of God. But that is not all. Ephesians 3:14-16 says, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.” God has also promised to give His family members the power to be the person we want to be. By His Spirit, we also can be loving, merciful, and kind.

The blessings of adoption into God’s family are endless and certain, resting on the power and faithfulness of God. God stands ready to adopt you. He is just waiting for you to come to Him and ask. Become a member of a family where you can always be proud of the family name.

Over the last couple years the federal government has issued stimulus checks to many citizens. The checks were meant to stimulate the economy by encouraging people to purchase goods and services. Businesses were also issued checks with the intent of keeping these businesses open during difficult times.

God issues us stimulus checks in the form of blessings. He wants us to enjoy these blessings, but He also wants us to be generous in sharing the blessings with others. II Corinthians 9:11 says, “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”

God has given each of us blessings of time, treasure, and talent. You may think that you have just enough of these blessings to get by. But this verse says that if we are generous with the blessings God gives us, He will enrich us to give even more. Thank God for the blessings that He has given you. Enjoy these gifts of grace. Then share your blessings with others.

I Corinthians 1:27-29 says, “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”

Where you see yourself in these verses has significant impact upon where you spend eternity. If you view yourself among the wise, strong, and highly esteemed of the world, your pride may keep you from Heaven and God’s presence. If, however, you see yourself among the foolish, weak, and lowly of the world, you have made the first step toward God by acknowledging your need for Him.

It is time to take an honest look at ourselves. Are we pursuing what the world has to offer? Are we trying to obtain honor in the world’s system? Are we trusting in our own strength and abilities? If these things are true about us, then we are saying that we have no need for God and are rejecting His love and mercy.

If, however, we are pursuing God and His kingdom. If we are seeking to please God rather than men. If we are dependent upon God’s strength. Then we are in position to receive His amazing grace and love.

Don’t feel bad about your weaknesses. God wants to use them to bring Himself the glory due His name.

It is an annual rite of summer in the Midwest to have roads blocked for repairs. Winter takes its toll on the streets every year, requiring a aggressive repair schedule in summer. Our city has taken road repair very seriously this year. Many streets are blocked off and it has become difficult to get to our destination or pass through the city. You go around one blockade only to find another.

As we live our daily lives, we look for the path of least resistance. We try to avoid blockades and search for open and smooth roads. God has prepared a path for us. It may not always be smooth, but it promises joy. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Notice that the verse says “the” path of life. There is only one path that gives joy and pleasure forever. This path is the presence of God. If we are far away from God, we are removed from the path of joy. But as we draw near to God, He makes known to us His joy and pleasures. Draw close to God and discover His joy.

A lot of trains pass through our area daily. This area is sometimes called the crossroads of America, because so many goods are carried through here. These trains are spread longer than a mile in length and have three or more engines to keep them moving. They rely on the engineers, communications, and tracks to keep them moving in the right direction.

If we want our lives to move in the right direction, we also need some things to assist us. First, we need love for God and for other people. It is love that motivates us to do good for others and to walk with God. Secondly, we need to stay on the right track. We do this by obtaining knowledge of the truth in God’s Word and through discernment in applying that knowledge to our lives. Thirdly, we need the guidance of God, as He maneuvers us through life situations. Without Him at the controls, we will surely head for disaster, going too fast downward and unable to climb upward when needed.

Philippians 1:9-10 says, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” Love is the engine that moves us to walk uprightly and do good works, while knowledge with discernment show us the way and keep us on the right track.