Entirety

We rarely get to know the entirety of a subject or circumstance. If we witness a car accident, we probably don’t know all the factors that caused the accident. If we study a topic, our knowledge is growing, but it is rarely complete. If we create something, then our knowledge is more complete than when we merely receive something.

Revelation 1:8 says, “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'” As the creator of all things, Jesus was before all things and will reign over all things eternally. He has never changed and never will because He is perfect in every way. He has all knowledge, power, and authority as the Almighty.

Why Am I So Restless?

There remains something within us that wants to control everything, from emotions, to circumstances, and even to other people. We express this desire to exercise control by working hard to make everything work out as we would like. When it doesn’t work out as we would like, or even if it is just slow at working out as we would like, we get restless. We remain restless until we work it out. Some people do this even with religion. They worship a God who will do as they want and they work hard to make sure that God does what they want.

Hebrews 4:9-10 says, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” Our natural instinct is to try to control our lives and circumstances. We think that if we work hard enough these circumstances and our lives will work out well. But the opposite is true. The harder we work at controlling things, the less rest we have. Rest is only found in submitting to God’s control. We can do that by knowing Him more and acting upon our trust in Him.

Light of the World

These Indiana winters are hard for me to bear. I believe that it is true that prolonged periods of mostly darkness can negatively one’s attitudes. While my attitude hasn’t yet reached one of despair, I can’t say that my thoughts are extremely positive. Some good weather will help, but my attitude about the weather is a choice.

Psalm 4:6-7 says, “There are many who say, ‘Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!’ You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” Even in the darkest times, God’s face brings light to this fallen world. His presence gives us greater joy than anything this world has to offer. Let us be bearers of this joy and light to those around us.

Corruption or Blessing

Increased knowledge can lead us in one of two directions. Knowledge may help us gain some power and power certainly has the ability to direct us in corrupt ways. But knowledge can also lead us into godly wisdom. The difference may be in the source of our newfound knowledge and our attitudes toward this knowledge. Knowledge from God’s truths lead to godly wisdom, while knowledge of worldly ways lead to corruption.

In Matthew 10:16 Jesus says, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Because the one who trusts Jesus will face opposition, we should learn the ability to make sound judgments and decisions based upon experience, knowledge, discernment, and truth. At the same time we must learn to be pure from the world’s deceptions. Wisdom from God’s truths and innocence through godly sanctification will render opposition defenseless and ineffective.

Hard of Hearing

I am old and can’t hear very well. I have discovered some advantages to hearing less. My wife often has her sleep disrupted by noises outside the house, while I can’t hear them and am not disturbed. Sometimes conversations turn in a direction that I am not interested in or am offended by, but my hearing deficiency keeps me from hearing what I don’t want to hear. But, I admit, most of the time I would like to hear better, because I am missing out on important information.

I Peter 2:15 says, “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” We may be criticized when we do wrong things. Although we may also be criticized when we do good things, these criticisms are generally do not gain an audience or support. Let our good works speak as loudly and as effectively as our words. Let’s be lights in the world that dispel the darkness around us. Let God shatter the darkness in His power and make evil become silent.