Exploring His Wonders
Friday, March 28, 2008
Trusting in His Plan
As many of you know, there have been some recent events in my life (and others) that I’d rather not have happened. I do know that God is good and that He is working His will even in these times.
I guess I thought I would never experience having those you trust explicitly to not only reject you, but to take it a step further and to slander you. Boy, was I ever wrong.
I am very grateful to the Pastors, Elders, and Friends who have taken the time to listen to me and to give me sound advice. Thank you guys! God has truly blessed me through the people He has placed in my life.
Here are the things that God has taught me through what has happened so far:
Why is it that we strive so often for spirituality and piety but NOT righteousness? Often we strive to look “good” before others, but make compromises in other aspects of our lives. Righteousness is who you are and what you do in the dark, if we are afraid to have the darkness exposed, should we not reconsider the pathway we have chosen?
Anger
Ephesians 4:26 says that we are to not let the sun go down on our anger.
I think it is important to realize that simply ignoring a matter, or letting it brew inside of us will never make anything better.
Proverbs 29:22 says “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression. ”
When we become angry with someone, our sinful nature causes an emotional reaction, and makes us want to retaliate. When we let our anger control us, we hurt others.
Gossip
Proverbs 16:28-30 “A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.”
One of the ways anger reacts is by spreading gossip (either true or untrue) about the other party. The Bible speaks very strongly against those who participate in gossip. Not only is it harmful, it fails to work towards resolving the situation in a Christlike manner.
Proverbs 11:12,13 “Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.”
It is unhelpful to discuss a matter with anyone not directly involved with the problem or solution. If you are not comfortable with dealing with those involved individually, ask God to help give you the courage and strength to take the steps necessary for forgiveness.
God’s Call
Luke 6:27-38 ‘’The Lord has called us as His people, by His name. This means that we should be living for Him. We are His representatives, and this is what he has called us to do: “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others, as you would have them do to you. ‘’
‘’If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners’, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicket. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Isn’t that wonderful? Not only has the Lord called us to love those who hate us, he says He will bless us for doing so.
I have discovered that there are people that I love that don’t respect or appreciate my love or care for them. But, I’m not going to stop loving them or giving to them. God has called me to love others because He first loved me. How selfish would it be to only worry about how it was affecting me, and not all of those involved?
My application for this life lesson is that I will live my life “Coram deo” (Before the face of God) In the presence of God, and under the authority of God. Ultimately, it is only His view of the matters at hand that will matter. I should not concern myself with empty gossip, but rather concentrate on the things that He has called me to do.
I guess I thought I would never experience having those you trust explicitly to not only reject you, but to take it a step further and to slander you. Boy, was I ever wrong.
I am very grateful to the Pastors, Elders, and Friends who have taken the time to listen to me and to give me sound advice. Thank you guys! God has truly blessed me through the people He has placed in my life.
Here are the things that God has taught me through what has happened so far:
Why is it that we strive so often for spirituality and piety but NOT righteousness? Often we strive to look “good” before others, but make compromises in other aspects of our lives. Righteousness is who you are and what you do in the dark, if we are afraid to have the darkness exposed, should we not reconsider the pathway we have chosen?
Anger
Ephesians 4:26 says that we are to not let the sun go down on our anger.
I think it is important to realize that simply ignoring a matter, or letting it brew inside of us will never make anything better.
Proverbs 29:22 says “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression. ”
When we become angry with someone, our sinful nature causes an emotional reaction, and makes us want to retaliate. When we let our anger control us, we hurt others.
Gossip
Proverbs 16:28-30 “A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.”
One of the ways anger reacts is by spreading gossip (either true or untrue) about the other party. The Bible speaks very strongly against those who participate in gossip. Not only is it harmful, it fails to work towards resolving the situation in a Christlike manner.
Proverbs 11:12,13 “Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.”
It is unhelpful to discuss a matter with anyone not directly involved with the problem or solution. If you are not comfortable with dealing with those involved individually, ask God to help give you the courage and strength to take the steps necessary for forgiveness.
God’s Call
Luke 6:27-38 ‘’The Lord has called us as His people, by His name. This means that we should be living for Him. We are His representatives, and this is what he has called us to do: “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others, as you would have them do to you. ‘’
‘’If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners’, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicket. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Isn’t that wonderful? Not only has the Lord called us to love those who hate us, he says He will bless us for doing so.
I have discovered that there are people that I love that don’t respect or appreciate my love or care for them. But, I’m not going to stop loving them or giving to them. God has called me to love others because He first loved me. How selfish would it be to only worry about how it was affecting me, and not all of those involved?
My application for this life lesson is that I will live my life “Coram deo” (Before the face of God) In the presence of God, and under the authority of God. Ultimately, it is only His view of the matters at hand that will matter. I should not concern myself with empty gossip, but rather concentrate on the things that He has called me to do.
