Conquering the Earth: Not Your Job

Have you ever come to the point when you feel like you are not doing enough? Life is busy, you are surrendered to God, but you wonder, "Am I really fulfilling God's will for me?". While the Bible commands us to be faithful stewards and endure hardness, we must see that life is about magnifying what God did/does, not get as much work done as we can.

John chapter 9 accounts the history of a man who was blind from birth. He become an object of judgment: was it his parents' sin that resulted in his blindness or his own? Jesus not only opened this man's eyes, but our own also to understand that guilt was not the cause. God allowed him to be unable to see from birth that God's works might be recognized. "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him, (John 9:3)." During the years of sitting on the roadside, perhaps that man wondered, "Am I worth living? Do I accomplish enough?". Although the man could do little in his years of blindness, he was accomplishing God's will for him. God's power is demonstrated through weakness. While this is never an excuse for sin or halfheartedness, know that as God's children we are required to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly --not conquer the world. God's will for your life will probably be monotonous at times, or seem unimportant. That's OK. This is why we should walk humbly.

James is a toddler. He does not a have a job, manage a bank account, or drive Daddy's truck. That is Dad's business. Although little James does not control those things, he does benefit from them. He is fed, has health insurance, and is sheltered and cared for. In the same way, we as children of God should not try to manage God's care of us, but trust it. Others should see that we benefit from our relationship with God, not take over God's role. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world, (John 16:33)."  God does not expect us to overcome the world-- Jesus already did.

Jesus, I am resting, resting

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,

And Thy beauty fills my soul,

For, by Thy transforming power,

Thou hast made me whole.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,

I behold Thee as Thou art,

And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,

Satisfies my heart,

Satisfies its deepest longings,

Meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings,

Thine is love indeed.

Joy or Void?

All of mankind is born with a hole in himself. As we grow and experience the world, each of us choose what we will fill that chasm with. The Pharisees of Bible times filled this hole with ceremony, religious practices, knowledge of law, and good appearances. Regardless of their performances, they had no place for Jesus and were joyless, unsatisfied, and incomplete. Jesus told them,

"I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because My word hath no place in you." John 8:37

The Pharisees had a good heritage --with priceless covenants-- but no joy in life. No Jesus.

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What fills the void in your life? Full schedule? Cares of this world? Entertainment and food? Politics or sports? Spouse hunting? Working towards the dream house, career, or car? While these are all things we can enjoy or participate in, are they worth taking the place of Christ, our eternal glory? Read this familiar hymn closely. (Whenever you see the word world or earth, replace it with my life.)

Joy to the my life! the Lord is come;

Let my life receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing.

Joy to my life! the Saviour reigns;

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found.

He rules my life with truth and grace,

And makes my life prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love.

Does He really rule your life with truth and grace? And make your life prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love?

"If I do not remember Thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." Psalm 137:6

True joy in the human heart is only possible if there is a place for Christ in it. The more room we prepare for Christ, the more joyful we will be! God created this hole in mankind that we might see our need that only His Son can fill.

What Makes a Family

A family is made up of parents and children... but what makes those individual people live in a home together in harmony? Family is about others, not yourself. For example, being part of a family is 

Daddy hugging little sister who has the flu to comfort her,

Older brother eating a sandwich so the other kids could have the much-wanted leftovers,

Older sister babysitting the little kids so the other older siblings could go to a friend's house,

Little sister not arguing back when the other sibling was clearly in the wrong,

Little brother considerately taking time to listen to grandma,

Mommy daily sacrificing ________ (you fill the black!) to spend time with her children,

One spouse spending their vacation time with in-laws for the other spouse's sake... (etc!)

Being part of a family is sacrificing in regard to others' interests, not living for our own pleasures. 

Even in the little things. Especially in the little things.