Peace, Trust, Joy, Hope

1 Timothy 6:17
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in GOD, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Hello all, I know its been awhile since last I blogged. My attention has been on my recovery from the second back surgery, I have recently started school, and of course when the holidays come, so does all the family and friends. We had a great time, I pray all of you did too, this year was different though, as most, we tried to watch the spending, how we spent our times with others, wanting to be with as many family and friends as possible.

We have a lot of people that are nervous, worried, and plain scared, with the world today. We have a new President, new and different ideals in charge, and financial instabilities that have the simplest of households in worry. I think that's why the verse above stood out to me. I like the command from God on where to put our trust, especially those with the wealth. It tells me that God knows what He's doing, He's in charge, not us, why are there people that still say, "the bible is outdated, that it doesn't add up, or make sense."? How many wealthy people lost their "shirts" in these times, and look at what the Word says, look, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so (uncertain), but to put their hope in God." This passage was written over 2000 years ago, (give or take), and how relevant is it today. This is God's word folks, it never changes, but is always true and relevant. The world can and will continue to change but God doesn't, His word is always Right.

I put four words as the heading, and I think trust and hope were talked of in the last paragraph, Peace and Joy are very relevant in the above verse. "God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." One of my favorite Preachers is Chuck Swindoll, a Godly man who laughs with all his might and enjoys life. He once asked a series of questions in a sermon,

"Do you have any idea how many people have lived their lives thinking that God is against us, how many folks believe God is sort of roaming about heaven looking for someone to club, or slap into place, or to get back at, you know how many Christians lived half their lives believing that somehow they needed too please God so as to keep Him from being mad at them? Scripture says Gods for us, scripture says we have been given all things to enjoy, did you see that? Did you read that? If not you need to read it, again and again, because chances are good you don't laugh enough, chances are good that you don't see enough funny in life, chances are good that you take yourself to seriously."

Now I don't know about you, but I understand those questions, I can see where some misguided people would see that. Do you laugh enough? I have several family members that I know love to laugh. Friends who take the time to just chuckle. My brother in law Jerry and his lovely wife, have three children all under the age of 8, they have got to be some of the happiest people I know. Yes like all the rest of us, they have ups and downs, and get tired, but they enjoy life. I see it their faces, in their smiles and eyes. I see it in their children themselves, what happy kids. The youngest one, O my, what a smile, he'd soon as smile as he's running through a brick wall. It is a joy to watch them, I watch my two, my youngest was given a nickname from another little boy years ago, (Happy Jack). Now I think that says it all. I try to make them smile, I think I don't smile as much as I should, I could smile more, and is a goal of mine. I have fallen off the truck some in recent years, in any situation I would try to make light of things, make my wife smile; joke, laugh at things. Recently it has been more of a challenge to smile, to laugh, but God is not done in our lives, he's not finished. He said to enjoy all things, so now lets enjoy, I know, its easier said than done. But if a little one can smile through anything, or get labeled "happy", then why can't we. Just cause we're older doesn't mean we get more serious, God is our Father, He always will be, there is no changing that, so lets let him take our lives in hand, and lets start enjoying what he has given us.

Life right now is to serious. The market is falling, I have no money, are we losing our home, I don't like the new president, or I'm glad the old one's gone. Who's right, who's wrong, why, why, why??????????? STOP!!!!!!!!!!

Stop the worry, look at it differently if you have no money, chances are the other guy doesn't either, is there a roof over your head? Good some don't even have a piece of card board. Republican, Democrat, Right, Left, correct, wrong, ...... Bush, Obama, Clinton, McCain,......

How about Jesus Christ, God, our Father, the Holy Spirit.? You show me a man or woman that has or is roaming this earth other than Christ that can predict like the verse above of money and uncertainty, plus an abundance of other subjects that we could spend years going over, like God has. You can't, its all about God. Where does he stay on a subject, or where do the views of our God, Jesus Christ stand. You want to know look it up, its all there in the bible. His word, not mine, not yours, His, and its the final word, the last word. You don't agree with that, that's fine, you have that right, however it is in my charge as a follow of Christ and born again Christian, to inform you that you, that if you don't agree, if you choose to take another path, or like some others out there, and add to His word, you are on a sure fire road to Hell, and that's a fact. Its not my fact, its in the book, I take it literally, no fluff, no muss, that's how it is.

My faith, my trust does not lye in one man in any color house, white house, brown house, blue house, it doesn't matter. My faith, is in Christ, His way and His way alone. My faith only allows me to vote a certain way, to teach my kids a certain way, and to discuss a certain way. He who made this wonderful world, who knew us before we were born, who lovingly constructed our hearts before our births. Who am I to question Him. To have questions, things we don't understand, is one thing, but don't question God on being God, and how to run His world.
It His world, He made it, we're His, He made us, and all He wants is our love. For us to follow Him with our hearts. Its not some superficial thinking, superficial type of thinking runs really thin when the bills come due, its Christ like thinking. Christ, who when hanging on the cross saying, "it is finished, it is done." Rather, instead of saying, "God how could you do this", its Father forgive them, they don't know what they are doing". Its attitude, a Christ like attitude.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for questioning, forgive us for even thinking we know what is best. Forgive us for being the children we are, You are Holy, and Worthy of it all, it is to You that the glory be and You alone. I give you these words, I pray they honor You, and convey what is right. Thank You for Your love, and for Your gift of Your son. We praise You, and adore You, and pray in the name of Your son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
amen

Peace,