BEYOND DISAPPOINTMENT

BEYOND DISAPPOINTMENT

READ:  Genesis 29:14-30

Hope in the LORD and keep

His way.  Psalm 37:34

Perhaps you’ve seen the video of the little boy who learns he’s getting another sister.  In the middle of his meltdown he laments, “It’s always girls girls girls, girls!”

It is an amusing glimpse into human expectations, but there’s nothing funny about disappointment.  It saturates our world.  One story from the Bible is steeped in disappointment.  Jacob agreed to work 7 years for the right to marry his boss’s daughter Rachel.  But after fulfilling his contract, Jacob got a wedding night surprise.  In the morning he discovered not Rachel but her sister Leah.

We focus on Jacob’s disappointment, but imagine how Leah must have felt!  What hopes and dreams of hers began to die that day as she was forced to marry a man who did not love or want her?

Psalm 37:4 tells us, “Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  Are we to believe that God-fearing people are never disappointed?  No, the psalm clearly shows that the writer sees injustice all around him.  But he takes the long view:  “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him” (v.7).  His conclusion:  “The meek will inherit the land” (v.11).

In the end, it was Leah whom Jacob honored and buried in the family grave plot with Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 49:31).  And it was through the lineage of Leah-who in life thought she was unloved-that God blessed the world with a Savior.  Jesus brings justice, restores hope, and gives us an inheritance beyond our wildest dreams.          TIM GUSTAFSON

Lord, its, hard to wait patiently for good things.  Forgive us for comparing ourselves to others and complaining about what we don’t have.  Help us to meet you in a new way.

Jesus is the only friend who never disappoints.

Have a blessed night.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace

HOPE IN YOUR ETERNAL INHERITANCE

Today's promise: God has great rewards for those who remain faithful

Hope In Your Eternal Inheritance

"I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.

I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him."

Ephesians 1:18-19 NLT

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians

While the believers in Ephesus enjoyed the luxuries and wealth of a cosmopolitan city located on major trade routes, Paul was confined to a small room in Rome, under the constant watch of a Roman guard. But who would ever guess from Paul's prayer that he was deprived of anything?

Paul's confident description of God's power does not betray a hint of hopelessness. Instead, Paul speaks of the rich inheritance and wonderful future he would have in heaven. Paul's future on earth was in the hands of Caesar. Yet Paul's ultimate hopes weren't set on this world; his hopes were set on heaven and eternity.

In your prayers, place your hopes on your eternal inheritance in heaven, just as Paul did. Pray that God might help you understand how powerful he is.

A prayer for today…

Dear Lord, help me understand the wonderful future you have promised me…

From The One Year® Book of Bible Prayers edited by Bruce Barton (Tyndale) entry for December 6

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

SOUNDS OF SILENCE

THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE

READ:  Proverbs 10:19-21

The lips of the righteous nourish 

many.  -Proverbs 10:21

A fishing buddy of mine observed, “Shallow streams make the most noise,” a delightful turn on the old adage, “Still waters run deep.”  He meant, of course, that people who make the most noise tend to have little of substance to say.

The flip side of that problem is that we don’t listen well either.  I’m reminded of the line in the old Simon and Garfunkel song Sounds of Silence about folks hearing without listening.  Oh, they hear the words, but they fail to silence their own thoughts and truly listen.  It would be good if we all learned to be silent and still.

There is “a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Eccl. 3:7).  Good silence is a listening silence, a humble silence.  It leads to right hearing, right understanding, and right speaking.  “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,” the proverb says, “but one who has insight draws them out” (Proverbs 20:5).  It takes a lot of hard listening to get all the way to the bottom.

And while we listen to others, we should also be listening to God and hearing what He has to say.  I think of Jesus, scribbling with His finger in the dust while the Pharisees railed on the woman caught in adultery (SEE JOHN 8:1-11).  What was He doing?  May I suggest that He could have been simply listening for His Father’s void and asking, “What shall we say to this crowd and this dear woman?”  His response is still being heard around the world.                                                                     DAVID ROPER

Father, today may Your Spirit remind us to seek the quiet so that we may listen first to Your voice and then understand the hearts of others.  Teach us when to speak and when to be quiet.

Well-timed silence can be more eloquent than words.

INSIGHT

One of the major themes in  Proverbs is our speech (Proverbs 10:19-21; 15:1-4;, 23, 24; 16:24, 27, 28; 18:7-8;21:23).  In Proverbs 10 Solomon contrasts the wise and the foolish person, noting it is our speech that reveals which one we really are (vv.11,18-21).  Those who are righteous and wise are restrained and judicious in their words and sometimes choose silence as the best response.  If we keep silent, we will never say the wrong thing (v.19), and we will even be thought to be wise (17:28).  Jesus said that our words come from our heart and reveal whether we are good or evil.  He warned that one day we shall give an account for the words we have spoken (Matthew 12:35-36).     SIM KAY TEE

Have a blessed evening.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace

WHAT IS YOUR CONCEPT OF HEAVEN?

Today's promise: God has great rewards for those who remain faithful

What is your concept of heaven?

"How happy are those who fear the Lord — all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How happy you will be! How rich your life!"

Psalm 128:1-2 NLT

Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 NLT

He died for us so that we can live with him forever, whether we are dead or alive at the time of his return.

1 Thessalonians 5:10 NLT

Made for another world

Most of us find it very difficult to want "Heaven" at all — except in so far as "Heaven" means meeting again our friends who have died. One reason for this difficulty is that we have not been trained: Our whole education tends to fix our minds on this world. Another reason is that when the real want for Heaven is present in us, we might not recognize it. Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

C.S. Lewis

From the The Quotable Lewis edited by Jerry Root and Wayne Martindale (Tyndale) pp 286-87

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

THE MAIN EVENT

THE MAIN EVENT

READ: Luke 10:38-42

One thing is needed, and

Mary has chosen that good

part.  Luke 10:42 NKJV

While watching a fireworks display during a celebration in my city, I became distracted.  Off to the right and the left of the main event, smaller fireworks occasionally popped up in the sky.  They were good, but watching them caused me to miss parts of the more spectacular display directly above me.

Sometimes good things take us away from something better.  That happened in the life of Martha, whose story is recorded in Luke 10:38-42.  When Jesus and His disciples arrived in the village of Bethany, Martha welcomed them into her home.  Being a good host meant that someone had to prepare the meal for the guests, so we don’t want to be too hard on her.

When Martha complained that her sister Mary wasn’t helping, Jesus defended Mary’s choice to sit at His feet.  But the Lord wasn’t saying that Mary was more spiritual than her sister.  On occasion Martha seems to have shown more trust in Jesus than Mary did (John 11:19-20).  And He wasn’t being critical of Martha’s desire to look after their physical needs.  Rather, what the Lord wanted Martha to hear is that in the busyness of our service, listening to Him is the main event.           ANNE CETAS

Dear Lord, help me to remember that my service for You is important, but it can never take the place of intimate fellowship with You.

Jesus longs for our fellowship.

INSIGHT

Mary and Martha appear on three occasions in the Gospel accounts (Luke 10; John 11 and 12).  They were friends of Jesus and sisters of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11:17-37). It is interesting to note the significant interaction Jesus had with them.  In Jesus’ day women were not regarded as reliable witnesses, yet Mary and Martha played a large role in witnessing Jesus’ miracles and message.                                                            J.R. HUDBERG

Have a blessed evening.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR REWARDS ON EARTH?

Today's promise: God has great rewards for those who remain faithful

Are you looking for rewards on earth?

"…we who are still alive and remain on earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever."

1 Thessalonians 4:17 NLT

Awaiting our day

The story is told of an old missionary couple returning to the States after many years of thankless service in Africa. They happened to be on the same ship to New York as President Theodore Roosevelt, who was returning from a big game hunt in Africa. As the ship pulled past the Statue of Liberty and into the dock, huge crowds were gathered to welcome him home. The press was out in full force, and thousands of people had come to get a glimpse of the president.

In the middle of the chaos, the aged missionary couple fought their way through the crowds with their large suitcases in tow. Silently they hailed a cab and made their way to a cheap hotel. The missionary sat on the bed and said to his wife, "It just doesn't seem right. We gave our lives to Christ to win souls for the Kingdom in Africa, and when we arrive home there is no one here to meet us. The president shoots a few animals and receives a royal welcome."

His wife sat beside him on the bed and said softly, "That's because we're not home yet, dear."

It may seem at times as if our work for Christ is going unnoticed. Faith doesn't bring a lot of praise on this earth. But that's only because our trip is not yet over.

Our day will come, you can be sure. And when it does, the ceremony will last for an eternity.

From Embracing Eternity by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank M. Martin (Tyndale) p 346

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

FROM STRESSED TO BLESSED

From Stressed to Blessed

I’m stressed…not because I have to wear a vest to walk down my block.  Not because the cops tell me to stop because I fit the description of a nigga they’re chasin’.  Not because I live in a nation where segregation was a tool for regulation of a population.

I’m stressed…not because my seed was taken from me by this angelic chick that was really a female dog in disguise.  Not because I tried so hard to find a job but no one seemed to be hirin’.  Not because enquirin’ eyes stare at me as if times haven’t changed.  I’m like a slave with hidden chains.

I’m stressed…not because love is a word used so loosely in today’s society.  Love is a verb but people use this four-letter word like a noun; a person place or “thing”.  Not because my bling doesn’t shine as bright as a man who did time.  I went to college to gain knowledge while he’s on the block makin’ profits.  I’m not hatin’, I’m just sayin’.

I’m stressed…not because the president of my country is so concerned with overseas that he can’t see that his own country is in need.  Not because greed is a necessity to succeed in today’s world.  Not because girls are growin’ up to fast, givin’ up that behind before they are ready.  Babies havin’ babies makin’ ladies grandmothers before they reach their thirties.

I’m stressed…not because the best things in life are said to be free but the only thing free I’ve seen in my life was cheese.  Not because sellin’ trees is illegal; this law coming from a country that used to sell people.  Not because a lethal injection can be given to a man who killed more people than I can count on one hand.  For all his pain causin’ sins he is given a peaceful syringe…” call out the firing squad”!!!

I’m  stressed…not because Dr. King had a dream that nearly came true; yes I can use the front door but it’s obvious…we’re not equal.  Not because some people are confused to the rules of fair play.  While one man is ready to throw his hands the other grabs his AK.  Not because today lying’ in a bed and sexin’ without a condom is equally as deadly as a child with a shotgun.

I’m stressed…not because I passed all my tests in college except one and that one held me back from my graduation.  Not because the sun is getting’ hotter and hotter but it doesn’t bother some people that the ozone layer has been eaten through.  Not because my nephews and nieces will inherit a world where diseases will grow faster than they do.

I’m stressed; but why am I stressed?  Cause life itself is a mess, though it’s a blessing from God.  It seems Satan throws obstacles in the way to make it hard.  Every grey cloud has a silver lining; the key to survivin’ is findin’ that linin’.  God never gives you more than you can handle, so whenever you feel stressed just do what I do…pray.  Just like an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a prayer from your heart sends God’s blessings your way.  It may happen today, tomorrow, next week, in a year but fear not cause when needed, He’ll be there.

I’m blessed with air in my lungs so I can breathe.  I’m blessed with a good job without pullin’ tricks from my sleeve.  I’m blessed with a sense of empathy, which gives me the decency to help a fellow human being.

I’m blessed with a college education earned athletically; parents who are proud of me and the ability to make them be.

I’m blessed the gift of writin’ like this.  Keepin’ minds in the midst cause they’re boggled by my script.

I’m blessed with a rep on my block.  Not for shootin’ niggas or getting’ shot; my family is blessed with positive props.  Speakin’ of my family, I’m blessed with one that’s there for me.  Especially and effortlessly in my greatest times of need.

J. WIGGINS AKA OFFICIAL

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