Dearest Saints.
Earlier this month, we celebrated by taking time to remember those who fought against enemy forces alongside with our allies so that we may enjoy the democratic freedom we are so blessed with, known as either Remembrance Day as we celebrate each year in Canada and other nations know as Veterans Day. As I continue to serve in the Naval Reserve and served in the Regular force, I have often been away working from home of great distances and in very remote regions, like in the middle of the ocean for weeks or in the high arctic as a couple of examples. When I give time to think of my experience in this, it gives me much greater appreciation to those who were gone much greater period of time than I ever had and to experience a much greater volatile situation, like those who fought in the past world wars. When I take time to think of my experience, I understand the sacrifices much more than others who never experience being away on duty in an operational environment. I sense a greater appreciation to others when we understand others by what we experience. When God tells us to get understanding, I realize that when we do desire understanding, we come to a point where we are able to appreciate others in a much greater way who may not be similar in our own character and our own way of thinking. By understanding more to those who fought for our freedom and are often away fighting terrorism and attempting to rebuild nations far away from home, we have a greater appreciation when we truly understand others when we take the time to reflect and contemplate situations when others may have endured hardships. I find we fail to appreciate when we don't take the time to stop and think of what others may have had to endure and the consequences of being away from the comforts of home and family. When we fail to understand, we don't end up appreciating others for what they have had to endure and sacrifice, even when it is to our own benefit and comfort.
I find the same thing in our own churches. When we fail to understand and desire true knowledge, wisdom and understanding that comes from God, we often see the results of making harsh and rash judgments about others in our own circles and often base our critical views of the actions of other people rather than the intentions of the heart of people. By this, we fall in to the hands of the enemy by doing his destructive will. Sure, people may have made dumb mistakes, but have we not all made some dumb mistakes ourselves? People in our Churches who lack understanding often find fault of others and often fail to see their own faults. When I stop and think, God has been impressing upon me to reflect to understand others in a way that will allow me to cease being rash and becoming critically judgmental and rather, to pray for the individual. When I think of how people have misunderstood me and have failed to forgive me, it is often the case that they have misunderstood my intentions which is the result of lacking understanding. Therefore, I am continuing to learn from my experience of this, that maybe I have misunderstood others and should be mindful to quickly forgive. I believe when we truly desire to gain understanding, we will be able to forgive others rather than being lead to not forgive by the actions of others and not knowing their intentions. We will also desire unity more and be in the will of God by praying more for others when we choose to get understanding. When we gain understanding, we see the big picture because it is only natural that man judges by appearances because the natural man has no understanding when it comes to the things of the Spirit (1 Cor 2:24). Just as David says in Psalm 73:12-19, that when he understood the end of the wicked, he felt sorry for them rather than harboring bitterness towards them. David was envious towards the wicked when he felt they were always prospering until it was when he finally understood by going to God and saw the big picture rather than focusing on the present activity of injustice. I believe besides Jesus, Stephen was a man of understanding, because he was able to feel sorry for those who were stoning him to death because he saw the big picture of the consequences of their ways and how his oppressors were blind to their wicked ways. No wonder God emphasizes for us to gain understanding, because it is a priceless gift to receive in order to truly develop a wonderful character of Christ. Refusing to seek and receive understanding is like letting down our shield when our enemy attacks.
When we learn to get understanding from the One who is able to give to those who hunger and ask, getting this is truly better than all the gold, silver and precious jewels one could ever attain, because this is a real need to develop that wonderful strength and character of Christ. Therefore, let us ask for understanding and believe He gives liberally to those who ask (James 1:5) because of His wonderful ability to work in a heart that is hungry. I believe Churches today would be much better off if we would all choose to get understanding. Good scriptures of this is found in Psalm 119:104; Proverbs 3:13; 4:5; 16:6 and 23:23.
Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences], (Prov 3:13) Amplified Version
Be blessed to browse my updated blog and both websites. God bless.
In the Matchless Name of Jesus
Richard
Associate Director
Answers2Prayer
http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife
http://www.answers2prayer.org/
Friday 25 November 2011
Sunday 6 November 2011
Remembering His Goodness
Dearest Saints,
We are coming to one of my favorite times of the year, when we are to take time to remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for us to enjoy our freedom. I am glad that as we reflect to remember, we remember the One who gave the greatest sacrifice by what Jesus paid so we can be offered eternal life. It is these times that when we are truly grateful to those whom we should honor, this happens when we choose to remember. When we take communion, Jesus tells us to do this often in remembrance of Him. In other words, we need to be mindful to purposefully remember why we celebrate when otherwise it would become nothing more than a ritual and would lose its deep meaning. However, sometimes when we remember the wrong events in our lives, we can become bitter from the negative actions of others that had its negative effect on us. For myself, I can remember working for a retail outlet (after I have retired from the Regular Forces) and worked hard to do my best. However, I wanted to honor the Lord, so when I had no choice but to go to work 4:00 in the morning on Sunday, I would stop working by 10:00. I was asked to see if I would stay back to work more, and I said I would like to go and attend church service. Nevertheless, several months later, the employers decided to hand out some pink slips to their employees and lay them off for no apparent reason. Of course, I was one of them and others who chose to stay working rather than having to do anything with Church, were granted to remain being employed. So, knowing my flesh, I would be upset and envious and question God "Why this injustice?" This happened about 10 years ago. If I continue by choosing to dwell on this particular scenario about this injustice, I would continue to remain in bondage by harbouring bitterness, which we know would only do us more harm in every way. This is where that "self pity" becomes destructive. As I reflect from this on the other side of the coin, I could have been like the others and chose to not go to the service just to save my job. However, what man had closed the doors on me, the Lord opened wide the doors of much better opportunity because we delight to do His will. I have had the privilege of being employed full time in the Naval Reserve with much better pay, much better working conditions and much better working hours, where I don't have to get up at 3:00am and work different shifts. I have been privileged to travel with my work and be invited to many different units to help them out in their finance section and help train junior members and teach classroom, which I love to do immensely. Had I chosen to do otherwise, I would have missed out so much on the rich blessings by following His ways. So, when I could have remained in bondage to what I had believed to be a great injustice, I choose now to reflect and remember the blessed outcome of my decision because of what the Lord has graciously done for me. In many other instances, I could also dwell on the negative circumstances that occurred in my life from some of the past events that took place. Again, what helps me is when I stop dwelling on the injustice, but how the Lord has opened wide His arms when I reached up to Him. Those who have offended are the ones who still are wandering in spiritual darkness and perhaps I would never have reached out to the Lord in my time of need had I not gone through some of the valleys of life. Perhaps, I would remain like them by trying to be like one of them and remain to this day in spiritual darkness. It reminds me of a scripture that for every trouble, we will receive a double blessing (Isa 61:7) For your shame ye shall have double, and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess the double; everlasting joy shall be unto them.
Therefore, I realize what I need to do is to choose not to dwell on the negative circumstances, but the rejoice in the blessings of the outcome that the Lord has opened up to us. Just to know we are His, is a rich blessing beyond any amount of money anyone on this earth could ever attain. Who knows, maybe we would not have reached out to the Lord if it weren't for our enemies?? When we see Jesus as our common denominator, we can believe that whatever man or the powers of darkness has ever done against us, God is able to do exceedingly if we will simply believe. I can truly testify that when trouble came against me in the past, God made a better way for me. I can now claim the power of the promises of His Word and know that when God is for us, who can stand against Us? (Rom 8:31); and read Deut 20:4.
I encourage you that when you are tempted to dwell on the negative actions that others may have done to you because God is able to do exceedingly for us. We can have victory as we dwell on how good He is to us and the promises we can live according to His Word if we will choose to keep our mind steadfast upon the Lord and His goodness and He promises that we will have perfect peace (Isa 26:3). It is easier for us to remain thankful to Him who is worthy when we remember His goodness to us, because His faithful promises are reserved for those of us who love the Lord.
Be blessed to browse my updated blog and both websites. God bless.
In the Matchless Name of Jesus
Richard
Associate Director
Answers2Prayer
http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife
http://www.answers2prayer.org/
We are coming to one of my favorite times of the year, when we are to take time to remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for us to enjoy our freedom. I am glad that as we reflect to remember, we remember the One who gave the greatest sacrifice by what Jesus paid so we can be offered eternal life. It is these times that when we are truly grateful to those whom we should honor, this happens when we choose to remember. When we take communion, Jesus tells us to do this often in remembrance of Him. In other words, we need to be mindful to purposefully remember why we celebrate when otherwise it would become nothing more than a ritual and would lose its deep meaning. However, sometimes when we remember the wrong events in our lives, we can become bitter from the negative actions of others that had its negative effect on us. For myself, I can remember working for a retail outlet (after I have retired from the Regular Forces) and worked hard to do my best. However, I wanted to honor the Lord, so when I had no choice but to go to work 4:00 in the morning on Sunday, I would stop working by 10:00. I was asked to see if I would stay back to work more, and I said I would like to go and attend church service. Nevertheless, several months later, the employers decided to hand out some pink slips to their employees and lay them off for no apparent reason. Of course, I was one of them and others who chose to stay working rather than having to do anything with Church, were granted to remain being employed. So, knowing my flesh, I would be upset and envious and question God "Why this injustice?" This happened about 10 years ago. If I continue by choosing to dwell on this particular scenario about this injustice, I would continue to remain in bondage by harbouring bitterness, which we know would only do us more harm in every way. This is where that "self pity" becomes destructive. As I reflect from this on the other side of the coin, I could have been like the others and chose to not go to the service just to save my job. However, what man had closed the doors on me, the Lord opened wide the doors of much better opportunity because we delight to do His will. I have had the privilege of being employed full time in the Naval Reserve with much better pay, much better working conditions and much better working hours, where I don't have to get up at 3:00am and work different shifts. I have been privileged to travel with my work and be invited to many different units to help them out in their finance section and help train junior members and teach classroom, which I love to do immensely. Had I chosen to do otherwise, I would have missed out so much on the rich blessings by following His ways. So, when I could have remained in bondage to what I had believed to be a great injustice, I choose now to reflect and remember the blessed outcome of my decision because of what the Lord has graciously done for me. In many other instances, I could also dwell on the negative circumstances that occurred in my life from some of the past events that took place. Again, what helps me is when I stop dwelling on the injustice, but how the Lord has opened wide His arms when I reached up to Him. Those who have offended are the ones who still are wandering in spiritual darkness and perhaps I would never have reached out to the Lord in my time of need had I not gone through some of the valleys of life. Perhaps, I would remain like them by trying to be like one of them and remain to this day in spiritual darkness. It reminds me of a scripture that for every trouble, we will receive a double blessing (Isa 61:7) For your shame ye shall have double, and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess the double; everlasting joy shall be unto them.
Therefore, I realize what I need to do is to choose not to dwell on the negative circumstances, but the rejoice in the blessings of the outcome that the Lord has opened up to us. Just to know we are His, is a rich blessing beyond any amount of money anyone on this earth could ever attain. Who knows, maybe we would not have reached out to the Lord if it weren't for our enemies?? When we see Jesus as our common denominator, we can believe that whatever man or the powers of darkness has ever done against us, God is able to do exceedingly if we will simply believe. I can truly testify that when trouble came against me in the past, God made a better way for me. I can now claim the power of the promises of His Word and know that when God is for us, who can stand against Us? (Rom 8:31); and read Deut 20:4.
I encourage you that when you are tempted to dwell on the negative actions that others may have done to you because God is able to do exceedingly for us. We can have victory as we dwell on how good He is to us and the promises we can live according to His Word if we will choose to keep our mind steadfast upon the Lord and His goodness and He promises that we will have perfect peace (Isa 26:3). It is easier for us to remain thankful to Him who is worthy when we remember His goodness to us, because His faithful promises are reserved for those of us who love the Lord.
Be blessed to browse my updated blog and both websites. God bless.
In the Matchless Name of Jesus
Richard
Associate Director
Answers2Prayer
http://sites.google.com/site/greatestbuilderforourlife
http://www.answers2prayer.org/
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