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Why we do something is just as important (if not more important) than what we do for someone. We may do great works for others, but the true intent may not be to bless them, but to be seen; receive special recognition or favors; money; or something of personal gain (Proverbs 16:2, 21:27). Though our motives may not be recognizable from the outside, they are never hidden from God – whom we must give an account on the Day of Judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10). In our daily living, we must ensure our motives are pure and righteous before man and the Lord.
If your motives aren’t right, you should think twice before proceeding.
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Being in the middle of here and there can be tough. Regardless of the process, circumstance, or situation, being in the middle can be frustrating. You’re happy that you’ve begun, but the end seems too far away. Your focus may not be as sharp, you feel tired, lazy, and angry that your goal, dream, or promise has not materialized.
Sadly, this middle ‘place’ is filled with aborted dreams, goals, and promises. Many become agitated with waiting and want to see change NOW, RIGHT NOW!!! It’s at this point that we make a decision (God hasn’t approved) just to ‘move’ in some direction, usually with dire results.
1. There are times when people lie on you, talk bad about you, mistreat you, and use you to their advantage. It’s times like these when you want to fight back, speak your mind (or at least give them a piece of it), defend yourself, and avenge the wrong done to you. Even though many know that vengeance is the Lord’s and He’ll repay (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19), the feeling of self-vindication doesn’t seem to go away.
2. There are times when you want to see the other person or group pay for what they did! You want them to know that you were the WRONG PERSON to mess with and to think twice before doing it again! You want to see them squirm and beg for your mercy and forgiveness (Proverbs 24:17-18).
The decisions we make and our attitudes throughout the day (that affects those decisions) are often based on the thoughts we allow to fill our minds. If I’m thinking about negative issues all day (people, places, and things), how can I expect to be happy and upbeat?! I’ll be just as negative as the thoughts I allow to run free within my mind.
You become what you think!
If you’ve been wondering why you’re mad and upset throughout the day, take time to inventory what you’ve been thinking about. A change of behavior is as close as a change in thought…well…that’s where it begins. Strive to keep your mind in perfect peace by thinking about the right things:
With the constant call of temptation around every corner, we can often feel helpless and a captive to its alluring call. Many times we want to get far away from temptation as possible, but then there are times when we don’t want to say ‘no.’ We make the choice to give into temptation and give birth to sin – repeating a constant cycle that wears us down, places us in harm’s way, and pulls us outside of God’s perfect will.
Just as we make the decision to give into sin, we can make the decision to say ‘no’ to sin. Please understand that there’s not enough strength in the world for you to say ‘no’ on your own, but through Christ, His grace and power will make up the difference in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)…but it all begins with a choice. We must want to change!
As long as we are on this earth, there is one sure guarantee: you will experience temptation. (Being tempted does not mean you that sin; it is the acceptance of the temptation that gives birth to it.) Regardless of the area, issue, or subject, Satan and our flesh will proposition us with temptation.
We have been victims of temptation, but we don’t have to give in! Often when we are presented with temptation, we mull over the prospect of committing the act. Thinking about temptation and the ‘acts’ that ensue only gives the temptation more strength, leaving us feeling helpless to overcome. Rather than listening and thinking about temptation and sin, we can give tempting thoughts a proper response:
In dealing with physical illness, car problems, marital issues, etc., we are given signs or symptoms that tell us something is not working in the manner it was designed. We treat the headache, bad fuel mileage, and disagreements at home, but we don’t always research the root cause of that symptom. We focus on the symptom without considering the root problem that may be lurking in the shadows.
The symptoms are a way of telling us something is wrong, but there is often a deeper root issue. In dealing with sin, we often treat the symptoms by having accountability partners or pornography blockers on the computer (for example). Having accountability partners and pornography blockers are good, but if the desire to sin is not uprooted, you will find ways to sneak around your accountability partners or go to the Adult Bookstore rather than surf the web…with Satan and the flesh helping you along the way.
Symptoms must be properly addressed, but we cannot afford to stop there. The desire to sin must be removed. That may come through the fear of the Lord, hating what God hates, meditating on the Word of God, being pro-active, etc. – these are ways to help you deal with your willful desire to sin. Your situation may be different than someone else, but you can seek the Lord about your specific circumstances.
Please do not allow these roots to remain in your life. Find them and uproot them!
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1. Ready for ‘full-time’ ministry. Right now, thousands of Christians are waiting for the opportunity to go into ‘full-time’ ministry. We are working jobs we dislike (mainly because they keep us from full-time service); supporting bosses we don’t care for; and are surrounded by people that drive us crazy!
As we think about the plight of our situation, we only become more discouraged and enraged because we cannot be where we like and do what we love. Dreams and visions of ‘running free’ for the Lord would dance through our minds, then in a flash, reality sets in – too far from our desire and too close to the surroundings that keep us ‘trapped.’
Proverbs 4:7 – Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
In reading the bible, it’s important to discover and understand the message each writer presented. As you gain a greater understanding of each biblical book, you’ll have the ability to not only assemble the entirety of God’s message within its proper context, but also find applicable passages for your life and others.
Below are a few questions for you to consider as you study the bible. Questions like the ones below and others can help you understand the basis and proper context of each biblical book:
WHO? – Who is the book written to? Who are the people illustrated in the book?
WHAT? – What are the cultures/people surrounding the timeframe of the book? What message is the author trying to communicate?
Impatient, lazy, foul-mouthed, angry, evil, lustful, dangerous, and spiteful people fill our homes, workplaces, and yes…churches. Through God’s infinite grace and mercy, you may have been among those delivered from the destructive traits and behaviors listed above. God has been so good to us, but often we fail to show that same goodness to others.
Jesus’ second commandment is for us to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:35-39). If we are not careful, we can find ourselves hating, gossiping, and harboring anger toward those we once resembled. We wanted mercy, we desired grace, we longed to be understood, we desired peace from our pain, and to be forgiven, but yet, we fail to do the same for others.
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