Give Your Troubles to God
The Book of Psalm is full of crying out to God and venting frustrations and just letting God know you heart. In Psalm 120:1 we are told that the writer (possibly David or another- do some research) took their troubles to God, first. If you read through Psalm 119:169-176 we see that these troubles consisted of straying away from God and wanting to know God on a deeper level. But, first the troubles were taken to God. That takes wisdom to know to whom to turn. It also takes humility to not try and "fix it." The writer "cried out to Him" which is an expression of the writer's despair. If you don't talk to God, then how do you express to God what you feel and what you want? Simply, you don't. And finally God answered the prayer. But what prayer was it? If you read the through Psalm 119 again and see the problems that were spoken then you see that they were in line with what God wanted for them and for us.
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Be Patient, Stay Strong in Him
If you have read through Proverbs then you know that there is plenty of wisdom to obtain from that book. In Proverbs 16:7 we read "When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." This is not specific to just men, but women too. First, look at the phrase "man's ways please the Lord." These are not ways that you justify that are just what you want to do, but what God wants from you. How do you know what God wants from you? Look at John 13:34 and know that Jesus himself said that he wants us to love others as he has loved us. Remember he died for your sins. Also remember this was a command, not a suggestion. Secondly, "He makes even his enemies be at peace with him." Have you ever heard the term "misery loves company"? It is hard to argue with someone who won't argue with you. Let "Jesus take the wheel" to your heart and soul and steer you away from sin and troubles.
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Being Wise Instead of Foolish
The reminders are so important. Paul wants the church in Ephesus to focus on what is important and not what isn't important. Whether you are single or married there needs to be a focus on doing what is wise and not what is foolish. In Ephesians 5:3-4, Paul points out the foolishness he sees in the church such as sexual immorality, all impurity, filthiness, foolish talk or crude joking. Paul says that they are all out of place and should be replaced with giving thanks. Paul continues and tells the church to make the most of every opportunity, not for selfish gain, but as to what honors God. Those who are married have to also honor God, but differently than those who are single. Also, in Ephesians 5:22 tells wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord. Many will argue, but I say if your husband is not worthy of being lord in the home, you married the wrong guy. But also, in verse 25, we have a different take on things that focuses on the husbands responsibility to his wife. They should love their wives as Christ loved the church. If we all did what was God honoring, we all would be in a lot less trouble.
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Why We Need God Time
Life is busy. There is so much to do everyday. You have to get to school
or wake up the kids and take them to school before work. One your day
gets started it is so hard to get refocused and spend time with God or even think about what God wants from you since you have been in 5th gear since you woke up. We need God time. It helps keep us focused on what God wants from us which should be (if you are a Christ follower) your number 1 priority.
Try this for a week: make time with God, first. Right when you wake up take 5 minutes to pray and read some scripture. or read the scripture and pray while you are showering. Make that happen. Devotionals
can be good, but if you go to those over reading the scripture as a
whole, the author of that devotional can become your new god, so to
speak. God's word provides direction as we see in James 1:5 that tells us to ask God for wisdom as He gives it to us generously. Go directly to God, not some other source like tarot cards and palm reading. That is not of God. Mediums are not of God. Seek God's direction.
We should seek God's peace in our lives. We need reminders that God wants our lives to be peaceful and that there is peace in Him. We don't need external things and drugs for God's peace. It is free and no one can charge you a dime for it. Look at Psalm 85:8 that tells us that David was seeking to heard what God would say knowing that God will speak peace to His people and not lead them into folly.
We also need understanding. We can try and function on our own and seek what we think is the best way, but since we didn't talk to God, how good can that way really be? We can look at Proverbs 21:2 and see the same thing said there that people think they know which way is right but God looks at the heart. God knows why we do what we do. We just need to seek His way so we know what to do and when to do it.
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Spiritual Gifts and One Body
There are various types of spiritual gifts. These are not just things that you are good at, but gifts given to you by God for the "manifestation of the Spirit for the common good (verse 7)." The gifts are listed in verses 8-11 and range from utterances of wisdom and knowledge in the same spirit, prophecy, miracles and tongues. All these gifts are of the same spirit and not different ones. Why would Paul be pointing this out? Because there needed to be an understanding that the spiritual gifts were under the same God and this could also help create more unity which the Corinthian church lacked.
We see in regard to spiritual gifts (verse 13) a solid statement by Paul that whether Jew or Greek or slave or free, our source is under the same Jesus. He continues and tells us that the body does not consist of one member but many. If everyone had the same gift then there would be missing needs in the church. In verse 17 he explains that if a body was an eye then how would you hear or be able to smell. Each gift is important and special and needed for the church and God to be given glory.In summation, verse 27 tells us that we are all the body of Christ and individually members of it.
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Spiritual Wisdom
Paul writes and tells the church in Corinth that they do impart wisdom among the mature (spiritually mature, but not regular earthly wisdom. The wisdom Paul is referring to is that of God. He calls it a secret hidden wisdom of God that God decreed before the ages (beginning of time). Paul says if the rulers of the current (at that time) age had known about this wisdom they would not have crucified Christ (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Good point.
Paul also writes that they have received the spirit of God, not the spirit of the world (1 Corinthians 2:12). That is two differnet types of spirit. The spirit driven by man seeks to fulfill the man in which it dwells. The spirit of God drives people to glorify God's name. Self vs. others. People of the world will reject spiritual wisdom because it makes no sense to those as they are not discerning with the same spirit.
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God's Direction is Best for Our Lives
As mush as we think that God's way for our lives is best for us, do we act accordingly? In other words, are you following God's direction in all parts of life, or just certain areas? Maybe you don't steal money, but you don't tithe for the church. Maybe you don't fight people, but you hang on to bitterness with a strong grip. Maybe you go to church all the time, but once you leave your life does not bear any fruit.
The path we walk in life can be directed by our own ways. Our Own ways of thinking direct what we do, but it should be God's. We know Jesus served many and did not only do it on or around holidays, yet we often only serve people on Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are so often focused on ourselves and what we need to do and what are priorities to us than what is a priority to God. In Proverbs 16:25 we read "there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." The way we choose can be disconnected from God which is a spiritual death. Self medicating (drugs and alcohol) for personal problems can lead to physical death.
When we need that direction, where do we go? Where do we turn? We turn to God. We turn to God's word. We don't justify our ways became they are natural or normal for us. That is an excuse to simply say "I want to do it my way." Look at James 1:5 and see that when we lack wisdom we should seek God's wisdom. We don't turn to tarot cards, we turn to God. The Bible is for use for us with no charge. We don't turn to the random person who is not Christ led. We don't turn to new age spirituality. We turn to Jesus and seek his will for us.
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Remember Why
John 19's focus is on Jesus and his crucifixion. I cannot say that there is a parable or words of wisdom from Jesus. I cannot say that he performed another miracle. This chapter is a huge reminder. This is a reminder of the prophecies coming true and of why Jesus died.
In John 19:24, we see a prophecy fulfilled from Psalm 22:18. When Jesus was on the cross soldiers gambled for his clothing. How is it possible a reference from generation before could come true?
In John 19:36-37, we see another prophecy fulfilled from Psalm 34:20. Once again, how is it possible a reference from generation before could come true? God's power is bigger than we can even fully explain.
Jesus's death on a cross was the ultimate example of God's grace for us. Remember John 3:16 and "for God so loved the world?" If God not love us then He would not have come down in Heavenly human form to reunite us with Him. Think about it this way, for all that we did wrong and all that we still will do, God still loves us. God didn't send Jesus just for 5 or 6 people who lived at that time. Jesus's sacrificial death was for all of us who accept him as the son of God and want to receive that redemption. The next time someone upsets you or breaks your heart, think of the God sized forgiveness in the size of Jesus.
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Discernment
Matthew 25:12 "“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’" commentary- This section of Matthew 25:1-13 has Jesus warning people once again what it will be like if they do not follow him now and then wait until the last minute. When they wait to follow and just live their lives without Jesus, they can find themselves "left behind" when he returns. He compares it to 10 women awaiting to get married and 5 of them are prepared with extra oil for their lamps and 5 are not prepared. The bridegroom was delayed and those who had extra oil for their lamps were ready to meet him. Those who needed the get extra oil for their lamps (I assume to see at night and meet the bridegroom) missed out because thy were not prepared for the future they knew was coming. If you aren't ready when he returns you will be left out. Jesus can't spell it out any better than this. But he does keep giving more parables.
Wasting Time
In Matthew 14-30, the parable of the servants/talents,the master gives three servants talents (money) for them to invest and give back upon the master's return. One servant had more talents and doubled the master's investment. The second servant didn't have as many talents, but still doubled the master's investment. The third servant hid the money in the ground for safe keeping, he did nothing to help the Master. The Master did not say "hide my ,money and give it back to me upon my return." He wanted the servant to invest it at least and let the Master gain interest upon his return so that it was not wasted. Basically, the servant did what the Master could have done himself. The Master did not need the servant since he served no purpose.
Selfless Service
Lastly in Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus gives another example of how we love people selflessly. We don't feed the homeless for photo opportunities. We don't help heal the sick so that they can do the same for us later. We don't visit prisoners so that we feel better, we do it to ease their hurts and pains. In verse 40, Jesus says “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" We can overlook so many in society from children to orphans to homeless, the sick and falsely accused. We tend to "mind our own business" or just say that we will pray for them. There is nothing wrong with prayer, but there are opportunities you are passing up due to your busy schedule or pride that thinks that types of selfless service are beneath you you. If any type of selfless act of love and service is beneath you (or you think you are better than that) then you have missed then point of what Christ was teaching.
