"...to whom it is due..."

Interesting verse. 

Proverbs 3:27-28(NKJV)

27    Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,      When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

28    Do not say to your neighbor,     “Go, and come back,     And tomorrow I will give it,”     When you have it with you.
 

Here is what I find interesting about the verse.  It goes to what I perceive as the belief that "the saintly poor" are entitle to all the benefits of being a Christian whether they believe or not.

Notice what it says.  "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,".  Doesn't that indicate then that there are some to whom good is not due?  What will be interesting as I continue studying this issue is what guidance Scripture gives us on how to make the determination as to whom good is due. 

Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!

Mark 6:10-11(NKJV)

10Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. 

11And £whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. £Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

Just another example of Jesus saying Move on!

Again we have people who have made a conscious decision that they are not going to be followers of Christ.  Does Jesus tell the disciples to keep going back and try to convince them?  Nope.  Does Jesus tell the disciples to go back and keep pouring out blessings on these people until you simply overcome them with God's love?   Nope.

What does Jesus tell them to do?  Move on!  They had their chance, now let God deal with them.

This is an issue that I am becoming more and more convinced is important.  I think we spend way too much time trying to convince people who have already made a decision against Christ when there are so many people out there who haven't even heard the message yet. 

Bring the message, let them make their free will choice and then move on.  Our job is to bring the message.  The rest is up to God.  As RC Sproul said "I had to realize that I was just part of God's plan, I wasn't the whole plan."

Now let's go do what God has instructed us to do.  Bring the message!

Wisdom Calls!

I am back to my favorite book in the Bible.  So much wisdom in such a short space.  If only people would actually put that wisdom to use instead of just reading the Bible, mumbling words of support, and then going right back to doing it their way.

Here is a great example of the wisdom in Proverbs along with a couple of comments. 

Proverbs 1:20-33(NKJV)

20    Wisdom calls aloud outside;      She raises her voice in the open squares.

21    She cries out in the £chief concourses,     At the openings of the gates in the city     She speaks her words:

22    “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?     For scorners delight in their scorning,     And fools hate knowledge.

Love that.  Reminds me of those people who when they graduated from high school swore they would never crack open a book again and they were proud of it.  Wonder how that worked out for most of them?  :)

23    Turn at my rebuke;     Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;     I will make my words known to you.

24    Because I have called and you refused,     I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,

25    Because you disdained all my counsel,     And would have none of my rebuke,

26    I also will laugh at your calamity;     I will mock when your terror comes,

27    When your terror comes like a storm,     And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,     When distress and anguish come upon you.

28    “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;      They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

29    Because they hated knowledge     And did not choose the fear of the Lord,

30    They would have none of my counsel     And despised my every rebuke.

31    Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,     And be filled to the full with their own fancies.

32    For the turning away of the simple will slay them,     And the complacency of fools will destroy them;

33    But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,      And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

Love this whole part as well.  To me it seems to be God saying "Hey tried to help but you didn’t want my help so you are getting what you deserve; and I'm not even going to feel sorry for you about it.  You brought it on yourself!  " 

Looks like God's example of tough love to me!

Basking!

Monday, November 24, 2014

11:17 AM

I am basking today!  What a great feeling!

What the heck am I talking about?

bask

1. to lie in or be exposed to a pleasant warmth:

to bask in the sunshine.

2. to enjoy a pleasant situation:

He basked in royal favor.

Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/basking>

I think I have written in the past about how so much of my prayer time ends up just being praise.  I figure God knows His job better than I do so I try not to get in the way.  That results in my not asking for much and spending most of the time just praising and thanking Him for giving me such a great life to lead.

But along with that praise I also sometimes lapse into just basking in God's love.  It's hard to describe but I think basking is the only word that adequately describes the feeling I get. 

In my prayer time I will sometimes go from praise to just being silent and enjoying my connection with God.  As it says above I feel a pleasant warmth envelope me at those times.  Even on a cold wet day like today. 

If you've never experienced it  give it a try sometime.  Get connected with God and then just fall silent for a while and enjoy the connect.

Bask! 

Jesus Could Do No Mighty Work

I may have commented on this before but as I read it I am again struck by what it says to me.

Mark 6:4-6(NKJV)

4But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 

5Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 

6And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

We've all heard the first part before and if you've been fairly successful in life you have probably experienced it as well.  Those who have experienced it know what I mean.

You are one of the people at the top of your profession.  An expert.  And yet the people that watched you grow up don't understand any of that.  They just remember you as little Jimmy from down the street who always used to do this or that.

Well imagine what that was like for Jesus.  Talk about being at the top.  Jesus is turning water into wine.  He is walking on water.  He is healing the sick and raising the dead.  But when He comes home all He gets is "Hey, isn't that Joe and Mary's kid? "

What strikes me about this though is the effect that it had on Jesus.  First it says "He marveled at their unbelief".  I find that odd.  It's like another part of Scripture that says something like God was surprised.  How can you be surprised when you are prescient? 

But the issue that I find more interesting is the faith issue.  Jesus could do no mighty work there.  Really?  What was limiting Him?

First of all, lets talk about what it means that Jesus "could do no" mighty work.  I believe that Jesus is capable of doing anything He wants to do at any time He wants to do it as long as God is in agreement with Him; which is pretty much always.  So I don't think it is so much that He can't as He chooses not to.

But back to the limiting factor.  It is faith or more specifically lack of faith.  Their lack of faith I believe is the limiting factor.  Without the faith, Jesus just isn't going to bother putting ore effort into it than the people themselves are.

Jesus can do amazing things in each of our lives if we'll let Him.  All it takes is faith!

Interesting Request of "Peaceful and Loving" Jesus

Now before I get to my point please let me make real clear that I do indeed believe that Jesus is peaceful and loving.  But as I have mentioned many times before, the Bible is a book of balance and I think that sometimes peoples views get a bit unbalanced.

Such is the case with "peaceful" Jesus.  It just seems to me that many see Jesus only as peaceful and that everybody gets the loving benefits of Jesus whether they commit to Him or not.  I just don't believe that is scripturally true.

Take a look at the verse and then I'll make my point.

Mark 5:1-7(NKJV)

1Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the £Gadarenes. 

2And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 

3who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind £him, not even with chains, 

4because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 

5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

6When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 

7And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”

Think about this for a minute.  The guy has an unclean spirit.  I believe in the Bible that is somewhat allegorical  with them being demon possessed.    Notice that he doesn't ask if Jesus is the Son of God, he already knows it.  Now what is his request?

"Jesus...do not torment me." 

Think about that.  Not just don't kill me but don't torment me.  Torment to me indicates a level of punishment way over and above normal punishment.  In fact it almost reaches the level of torture in my mind.

And the possessed man asked Jesus not to torment him! Wow, that doesn't sound very "peaceful and loving" does it? 

Once again I believe that we see a Biblical difference in the way God deals with  those who are of His family verses those who have declared themselves enemies of God. 

Now what about a loving Jesus?  I believe that Jesus offers all the love in the world to those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior.  I also believe that Jesus offers all the love in the world to those who have rejected Him if they choose to change their minds and accept Jesus.   He won't hold their previous rejection against them.  That shows love.

However, if someone declares themselves an enemy of God by rejecting Jesus, God will respect their choice, but the Bible tells us that the results of that choice will be torment.  

So don't be fooled by those who tell you that it really doesn't matter because Jesus is very loving.  Some may be surprised with the form that love takes!

What is the most pleasing thing we can do for God?

Isn't that a great question?  There are many things that come to mind.  Obedience to God.  Spreading the Gospel.  Helping the less fortunate.  But let's take a look at this verse.

Psalms 147:11(NKJV)

11    The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,     In those who hope in His mercy.

OK as I write this I guess my title is a bit of hyperbole because I can't say that this is the most pleasing but I'll bet it ranks right up there.  While this verse doesn't specifically say it and if you say I'm jumping to conclusions here I wouldn't be offended but here is what I think it alludes to.

One of the things that brings God pleasure is when we make a consistent, heartfelt, and genuine effort at building our relationship with God.  When we consistently make an effort to know Him.  When we make a consistent effort to find out what God wants us to do for Him and then we attempt  to go out and do it.  That's what I think brings God immense pleasure.
 

Now think about that for a minute.  Think about the word used here.  Pleasure.  We can bring God pleasure?  God.  The guy who created everything including every pleasure known; and can have those pleasures anytime He wants.

Why do you think God gets so much pleasure from our efforts to build our relationship with Him?   I have a guess.  I think it is because it is a pleasure that He can't grant himself.  Think about it.  God has immense respect for our free will.  He won't violate it.
 

I think that is why our puny efforts are so meaningful to Him.  Because we give them freely and lovingly.  So while God is always superior to us in our relationship, isn't it nice to know that we do bring a little something to the table?  Isn't it nice to know that we can bring a smile to God's face after all that he does for us?

Listening to the voices

I watched an old movie the other night called Joan of Arc.  It is the true story of a woman who led the French people way back in the day.  She was a simple peasant girl with a deep faith who believed that God or His angels spoke to her.

Do God or His angels ever speak to you?  Or too put it another way, do you hear the Holy Spirit speak to you and guide you?  And the most important question.  When they do speak, do you listen?

You're probably wondering where I am going with this. 

In the movie the one time that Joan got into trouble was when she didn't listen to the voices and follow them.  I have found in my own life that the same thing is true. 

Now I'm not comparing myself to Joan of Arc because I certainly haven't been called to do anything like what she was called to do.  My point however is that the principal is the same.  If God takes the time to guide your life, please take the time to listen and follow His lead! 

How do you get God to lead you?  Simple.  Start by asking Jesus, God's son, to come into your life and be your Lord and Savior.  Ask Him for direction.  Ask Him to lead you.  Just have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."
 

Is Satan In Our Churches?

Interesting question isn't it?  Here is what caused me to ask it.

Mark 1:23-24(NKJV)

23Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 

24saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

Not sure of the answer but this makes me think it may be so. 

"Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war"

I ran across this verse today and it made me think of all of our veterans.

Psalms 144:1(NKJV)

1    Blessed be the Lord my Rock,      Who trains my hands for war,     And my fingers for battle—

Sometimes war is necessary and it is comforting to know that God not only recognizes that, but that he helps prepare our warriors for success.

Thank you for all you do veterans!

ALWAYS!

Do you ever wonder or doubt if Jesus is really with you, even when you don't necessarily feel His presence?  Well don’t do that!

Matthew 28:18-20(NKJV)

18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 

19Go £therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” £Amen.

Unless you think Jesus would lie to you, you can stop worrying about that.  Jesus was very clear on the subject.  ALWAYS

He is always with us, whether we feel Him or not.  One of the benefits of being in the Word on a regular basis is that you are building that relationship with Jesus which makes it easier to feel His presence.

You won't believe how much better life goes if you start as many of your days as possible in the Word!

First born of the dead…What does that mean?

I've always wondered what exactly that means as it is used to describe Jesus.  What reminded me of it was this section of Matthew that I read today.

Matthew 27:51-53(NKJV)

51Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 

52and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 

53and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

The reason it has never made sense to me is that I have always interpreted it to mean Jesus was the first person raised from the dead and we know that isn't true.  There were people raised from the dead in the Old Testament.  Jesus raised Lazarus.  And the passage above tells us that many more were raised. 

So what is the deal?  I guess it is time to find out.  Let me do a quick search of the internet and see what I find.  BRB.

Well isn't that interesting.  If I had only known Greek it would have been clear to me to begin with.  I've been teaching myself Spanish.  Maybe I should work on Greek next.

Here is what I found.

"The title “firstborn of the dead” for Jesus is of great theological importance, especially with Easter in the background. The Greek word for “firstborn” that John uses is prōtotokos, a word that literally refers to birth order—the first child born. This is a concept of great significance in the Old Testament, where the firstborn son inherited his father’s place as head of the family, receiving the father’s blessing and a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17). After the Passover in Egypt, God told his people that every firstborn child was set aside as his own (Exodus 13:2), and the nation of Israel as a whole was referred to as God’s “firstborn son” (Exodus 4:22).

Because of the biblical significance attached to the concept, the word “firstborn” acquired a metaphorical sense and came to also refer to the special status of the firstborn as the preeminent son and heir. In the New Testament, Jesus is shown to be the “new Israel,” the culmination and fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all the nations through the offspring of Abraham (Galatians 3:7). Jesus fulfills the intended role of Israel as God’s faithful firstborn son in his perfect life and sacrificial death, and he is vindicated by God in his glorious resurrection."

Pasted from <http://www.christianity.com/god/jesus-christ/what-does-it-mean-that-jesus-is-the-firstborn-from-the-dead.html>

I've included a link to the article incase you'd like to read more.  Now I have a better understanding.  It has nothing to do with the order of being raised from the dead.  It has to do with this;  Jesus was first person to exist of all of those throughout history who have been or will be raised from the dead.  So in that sense He is the first born and therefore first heir to God.  

Gotta love the internet.  We have the sum total of man's knowledge at our fingertips.  Thank you for that God!

The correct answer...every time!

There will be times in life that God is going to ask us to do stuff that makes us uncomfortable and that we don't want to do. 

You have seen me write many times: when God calls, answer the call.  The more uncomfortable the call makes you the more important it is to answer the call because God has a new blessing He wants to lay on you if you'll let Him.

Well it is a great philosophy to live by but it isn't easy.  Human nature being what it is we try to rationalize why we don't need to act this time, etc.  Want to avoid all of that? 

Then make your response automatic.  Jesus, as always, set the example.  If we follow His example whenever God calls, I think things will work out just fine.

Matthew 26:39(NKJV)

39He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Feel free to tell God all about why He has the wrong person and how He must have made a mistake, but always end that conversation with "never the less, not as I will, but as you will."

As long as we put God's will first in our lives I believe everything will turn out just fine!

 

Same Parable, Different Question

We are all familiar with the Parable of the Talents.  It's one of my favorites.  Take a minute to read through it to refresh your memory.  I have highlighted the verses that really speak to me.  And remember, this is Jesus telling this parable.

Matthew 25:15-30(NKJV)

15And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 

16Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 

17And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 

18But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 

19After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 

21His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 

22He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 

23His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 

25And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 

27So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 

28So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 

30And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

I think we can all agree here that the main point is that God gives us all talents and abilities and we need to use them or lose them.  We are rewarded by God for developing and using those talents to serve God. 

The title of this blog mentions a different question and I am getting to that.  This parable, as well as several other parables in Matthew start with some version of this phrase.
 

Matthew 25:14(NKJV)

14“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 

OK so we understand the parable.  But how exactly do we understand it in the context of the verse that precedes it?  How exactly is the Parable of the Talents like Heaven? 

Is this just another way of stating that our rewards will differ in Heaven based on the work that we do for God?  Could be.  Or is there more to it than that?  It might make an interesting study to put them all together and look for any commonalities. 

Here is another one to ponder as you go about your day.  Enjoy!  :)
 

Matthew 25:1-13(NKJV)

1“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 

2Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 

3Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 

4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

5But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom £is coming; go out to meet him!’ 

7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 

8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 

9But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 

10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 

12But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

13“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour £in which the Son of Man is coming.

Which Comes First, Tribulation or Rapture?

I have written several times about end times predictions.  About my skepticism of anyone who says they have it figured out.  In Scripture Jesus tells us that even He doesn't know the exact time so what makes anyone on earth so sure they have figured it out.  

However we are told to keep watch and be ready because it will happen when we least expect it.  Jesus does give us some signs to watch for.  He says these signs are like the signs of the season.  Just as spring leads to summer, these things lead to the end.

Two of those signs are the Tribulation and the Rapture.  According to what Jesus says in Matthew 24, both of those things have to happen before Jesus comes. 

The order of those two things happening is what I am confused about.  In Matthew 24 I think Jesus makes it pretty clear that the Tribulation happens first and the Rapture happens second.  What has me a little confused is that in the great book series "Left Behind" it happens in the reverse order. 

Which one is correct?  Something I'll have to watch for in future studies. 

Can we be saved against our will?

Interesting question isn't it?  Think about it.  God is all powerful, right?  He can do anything He wants.  So why doesn't God simply over ride our free will and make us all accept Jesus?

One of the things I love about God is that he has certain principals that He won't violate.  Things you can count on.  One of those things is that God gives us free will and respects our choices.  I think God wants our belief and submission to Him to be totally voluntary. 

So to answer the question above, I believe the answer is no.  As one proof I offer this verse that I read this morning. 

Matthew 23:37-39(NKJV)

37“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 

38See! Your house is left to you desolate; 

39for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”£

This is Jesus talking so I would say that is pretty definitive.  Jesus would love to have a relationship with each and every person out there but Jesus will never force Himself on anyone.  You have to come to Him.

Have you done that yet?  There is no better life in the world than a life lived with Jesus guiding you.  Why not let Jesus lead your life.  Just ask Him to take over.  "Dear Jesus…."

Faith, Witnessing and Service, Anything Else?

Matthew 20:24-28(NKJV)

24And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 

25But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 

26Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 

27And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—

28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

I love to be able to keep things simple.  It's easier to set goals and stay on task that way.  So I was thinking, if we had to boil our Christian life down to it's bare essentials, what would they be? 

The first and most obvious is a belief that Jesus Christ was God's son, who was crucified and raised from the dead by God  (LOL, let me clarify.  God didn't kill Jesus, He raised him from the dead.  :)  Christ died to pay for our sins so that we could be saved and have eternal life and fellowship with God.

Those of us who believe that have invited Jesus to lead our lives.  Have you done that yet?  If not I would encourage you to do so.  Have a talk with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus….".

But where do we go from here.  I would suggest that faith is the next most important building block.  Scripture speaks of faith and the importance of faith in many places.  Our very salvation depends on our faith in Jesus. 

I do however think faith goes even deeper than that in this case.  I think we are talking a deep and abiding overall faith that God always has our back!  Never any doubt that as long as we put in the effort to maintain and build that relationship with God, He will always give us as much help as we ask for, and usually a little bit more if we will simply get out of the way and let Him.  :)

OK.  What's next?  I think there are two things that could really be combined into one but because Scripture separates them I think we should too.  Those tow things are witnessing and serving others.

Witnessing can take many forms.  From giving our testimony to just witnessing by living Christ like lives.  What exactly is a Christ like life?  Well the Scripture above tells us that Jesus came to serve.  So I guess if we want to lead Christ like lives that includes serving others.

Now what do I mean by that?  Serving can be anything from selling everything you have and becoming a missionary to simply serving on boards in your community that have nothing to do with church but allow you to bring your Christian influence to try and help serve your community and improve peoples lives.

It can be anything from guiding a huge non profit foundation that serves the poor to simply extending a kindness to a stranger on a daily basis.  Touch someone's life in a positive way, even if it is just to get them to smile and make them feel appreciated.  Brighten their lives.  

As I think if I am missing anything I would add one final thing.  Being in the Word consistently and making a conscious effort to build that relationship with God. 

So have faith, purposefully build your relationship with God, witness, and serve!

Not bad.  Four things to focus on.  That makes it easier.  Am I missing anything?

Out of the mouth of babes….

Matthew 21:15-16(NKJV)

15But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant 

16and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read,      ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants     You have perfected praise’?” £

I never realized that phrase originated in the Bible.  Made me wonder what other common phrases originated in the Bible.  Found this page.  Pretty cool!

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bible-phrases-sayings.html

God is just too cool for school!

If you have never tried just letting God lead your life I highly recommend it!  As the Bible says, if gives you a peace that surpasses all understanding.  In addition to that, it's just really, really cool to experience. 
 

Sometimes it is in great big earth shattering ways.  Most times, at least for me, it is the little things that I really notice and appreciate. 

Let me share a series of events that culminated today that I think are just a great example of how God can bless each and every one of us if we'll let Him.

I've been working on my son's car rebuilding the transmission.  This has been a several month project.  In taking the engine and transmission out back in the spring I managed to break off a couple of vacuum lines. 

I didn't know what they were called so I couldn't really look them up to see what replacements would cost, but God told me not to worry about it.  So over the months, occasionally I would remember that I needed that part and while I was curious, I never really worried about it.  God said not to so I just trusted that He had it covered. 

There was another part that we would have liked to have for the rebuild but it was around $150 so we had used some rubber hose and devised a workaround but it clearly was an inferior repair to what we could have done if we'd had the proper part. 

On Friday night I was replacing the thermostat.  It didn't need to be done but it is only a $5 part so it is kind of like might as well do it while I am there.  Well, the thermostat housing cracks.  A $5 repair just became a $150 repair because that is what they want for a new one.

I spend Saturday driving to the local junk yards and nobody has the part.  I end up in Three Rivers.  The company's Yellow Pages ad says they are open until 5:00 on Sat.  I get there at 1:30 and they are closed.  New winter hours.  The guy that runs the place is still there and he is sure he has what I need but I'll have to come back on Monday.  (This is a junk yard where you have to take the parts off yourself.)

You're probably wondering what this has to do with God guiding me.  Let me make the connection.  I believe that God guided me down to this place, but I don't think it was an accident that I got there late.  I had to decide what to do next.

This is where it is hard not to be human.  We like to be in charge.  I know I certainly do.  So right away on the ride home my mind starts thinking of ways of repairing the part I have.  I even stopped on the way home and bought some epoxy putty to use in the repair. 

But here is the difference letting God lead your life makes.  While I was trying to solve the problem myself I was also asking God what He wanted me to do.  Please give me some guidance.  I didn't get the answer right away but over the next couple of hours as I worked on other stuff I knew God was saying "don't waste time trying to fix it" so I didn't.  I could have chosen to ignore God and bulled my way through fixing it and saved myself a second trip to Three Rivers, but I chose to listen. 

And remember, although the guy down there said he was sure he would have the part, no other junk yard I visited had the part so there was no guarantee that I would find one there either.

Now let me wrap this up.  First I got up early on Monday so I could get to the junk yard early.  I decided to do my Bible study and blog before I left this morning.  I had something happen that had never happened before.  I wrote the complete blog and was getting ready to post it and it disappeared!  Gone!

I was going to take the time to redo it but I heard God saying nope, do it later.  So again I did what God told me to do. 

I get to the junk yard and guess what I found?  I found the thermostat housing.  And oh by the way, I also found that proper part that we wished we had had.    And oh by the way, remember that vacuum line I broke that God told me not to worry about?  Yeah, I found that whole assembly as well!  All for under $9!!!  Talk about living in God's favor!

Now think about that.  If I had taken control and bulled my way through and repaired the part, that wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world.  I would have saved some time and money.  But look what I would have missed out on!  

For those of you who let God guide your life as I do I'm sure you have had similar experiences.  For those of you who have never experienced this, would you like too?  It is easy to do and it is totally in your control.

The first and most important step is to accept Jesus.  Simply ask Jesus to come into your life and take over and lead you.  Have a conversation and let Jesus know where you are at in life and what you are looking for.  "Dear Jesus…."

Now get into God's word on a consistent basis and develop your relationship with God.  Constantly look to Him for guidance before you act instead of after.  You'll get the hang of it after awhile.  Then you too will have stories like this to tell about how God guided your life. 

Now aren't you glad I listened to God and didn't redo the blog post this morning?  Trust me, this story was way better than that post.  God knew what He was doing as always!