Truth, Convictions or Opinions - Which is it?

I don't know about you, but I can be very opinionated at times.  There have been so many controversial issues lately and most of us have opinions on many of them.  But, I've been thinking - are my "opinions" just that or are they convictions.  Opinions don't really matter, but TRUTH does and convictions do.

Have we become so numb (callous) to what sin really is?  Have we let the world influence what we believe to the point of questioning what we believe to be a sin?  Do we search for the truth?  Do we have any real convictions anymore or do we only have our opinions?

God's Word is TRUTH.  We can't change it to suit ourselves.  Our opinions aren't really worth much but God's Word is priceless.  In 1 Peter 1:24-25, we find these words:  "For all men are like grass; and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever." (NIV)  I think our opinions are much like the grass!

God's Word is eternal.  It stands firm.  It doesn't change so let's read it and believe it as it stands.  If the Word says adultery is a sin, then it's a sin.  The same goes for greed, homosexuality, slander, idolatry (this one gets us all whether we realize it or not), drunkenness, etc.

Sin is falling short of God's standards.  We are all sinners - some of us are saved sinners by the grace of God (of which I am one) - but we are all sinners.  Okay, saved sinners (also known as Christians), let's call a spade a spade (or a sin a sin) and trust that God forgives those who have repentant hearts.  Let's stick to the TRUTH of God's Word and let it convict us.

 

Barbecue Beef Brisket

I have had several requests for this recipe so decided to post it on my blog.  Seasonings can be adjusted to suit your family's taste.  A high school friend (Carolyn Tyler) gave this recipe to me years ago and it has proved to be a favorite through the years.


Barbecue Beef Brisket

1 5-6 pound Beef Brisket (or any boneless cut will do)
3 oz. Liquid Smoke
Celery Sale, Onion Salt, Garlic Salt
Salt and Pepper
Worcestershire Sauce, Barbecue sauce

2 T. Flour
1/2 Cup Water

Place meat in shallow pan or dish.  Pour liquid smoke over meat (pierce both sides several times with fork).  Sprinkle generously with salts.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper
Pour on worcestershire sauce (about 2-3 T.)

Cover with foil and bake at 275 degrees for 5 hours

Uncover and pour barbecue sauce on meat
Bake uncovered for 1 hour

Remove meat to platter.  Let sauce cool, remove fat and add flour and water.
Cook until gravy thickens somewhat.

David - Low Self Esteem?

Yes, David could have suffered from low self esteem.  Some of us who suffer from this malady actually have less reason than David.  When God told Samuel to go anoint one of Jesse's sons as the king who would take Saul's place, Jesse, David's father, didn't even think David was worthy to make the line-up. (1 Samuel 16:8-10)

God did not choose any of Jesse's sons who passed in front of Samuel - those who made the line-up - so Samuel asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" (1 Samuel 16:11)  Almost as an afterthought, Jesse said "There is still the youngest, but he is tending the sheep." (Tending sheep - a very menial job.)

Jesse still seemed to think David just couldn't be the one God would choose as king.  We can be thankful that God sees us differently than man.  David's father saw a shepherd boy, but God saw a king when he looked at David.

Just remember,  "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
If you experience low self esteem, quit focusing on how people see you and even how you see yourself and remember how God sees you.  He created you in His image and He sees you as worthy.

Patience - Not My Long Suit

Often, I am short on patience and yet, God's Word reminds me that God "acts on behalf of those who WAIT for Him."  (Isaiah 64:4)

Our world is an "instant" world.  We want everything now or yesterday!  We want our food "fast", we want instant gratification, we want whatever we desire and we want it now.  Scripture says, "Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength." (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

Wait on the Lord - wait patiently for Him.  The Lord continues to teach me (in my later years) that waiting, being patient is an important part of the Christian life.  The Fruit of the Spirit includes patience ("love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" - Galatians 5:22)

The psalmist tells us to wait on the Lord.  "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." (Psalm 27:14)  Waiting takes patience.

My prayer this morning:  "Lord, help me wait patiently for you, knowing you have perfect timing in all things."  

Godly Leadership

Nehemiah was a leader who was able to cast a vision of the work that needed to be accomplished (the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem).  He inspired cooperation from men of all stations of life.  They worked shoulder to shoulder - goldsmiths, perfumers, leaders, etc. (Nehemiah 3)

Our homes, churches and our country need leaders like Nehemiah who can cast a vision of what needs to be done, who set the proper example and who can inspire cooperation and unity.  We need leaders who stand strong even in the face of opposition from inside and outside (Nehemiah 6).  We need leaders with character and leaders who pray like Nehemiah.  "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, . . . . ., let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to the prayer Your servant is praying . . . . ." (Nehemiah 1:5-11)

Throughout the book of Nehemiah, we see instances of Nehemiah's habit of praying.  In Nehemiah 2:4, the king asked Nehemiah what he wanted and before he responded, Scripture states, "Then I prayed to the God of heaven."

When opposition and threats arose from their enemies concerning the rebuilding of the wall, Nehemiah prayed, "Now strengthen my hands." (Nehemiah 9:6b)

Several times Nehemiah asked God to remember him and show mercy and favor.  We need leaders who pray, who have character, who are able to cast a vision and lead by example.  "Where there is no vision, the people perish." (Proverbs 29:18a, KJV)

We need to pray for these kinds of leaders in our homes, churches, our towns, our state, our country and even in the world.  We are urged to pray for our leaders.  In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, we are told to pray for everyone, including kings and all those in authority so we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Pray America.  Pray church.  Pray, pray, pray for godly leadership.

Being Still - Times of Reflection

"Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)  Sometimes it takes an injury or illness to get many of us to be still.  I am dealing with what most would consider a very small foot injury.  About 2 1/2 weeks ago, I turned my foot over/off of a comfortable, but too large shoe and probably broke it.  I have iced, elevated and rested it while looking at all that was going undone around me.

I have bemoaned the fact that I did not finish my "To-Do List" the day before the injury occurred -  specifically, buying groceries and vacuuming.  The groceries were bought a few days later, but alas, no one seemed bothered by the unvacuumed floors but me!  I have since managed to get that accomplished a little at a time.  During this time of being still, I have had much time for reflection.  I have been able to put in perspective this small injury.  It is simply a blip on the radar of my life.  It is not a permanent injury or loss.  God reminded me of those I know who walk with a walker, who have lost a foot or have to use a cane.  Wouldn't they like to have my little injury instead of their permanent situation?

My own carelessness caused my small injury but God has a way of working something good out of everything.  (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. . . ." Romans 8:28)  He also uses times like this to still my spirit within me so I can know more of who He is.  I have been still and quiet and have had time for reflection.  God has spoken to me and shown me some areas in my life that need a little work (maybe a lot!).

"My plans" were put on hold/delayed but God has used this time to give me some much needed rest, time to read, relax and reflect.

Isaiah 48:17 says, "This is what the LORD says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the LORD your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go'."  We need to be still so God can teach us and direct us.  May we choose to be still and know He is God - choose - without the injury.
 

Is it Okay For Christians to Cry?

Is it okay for Christians to cry, to grieve, to express emotions?  When Nehemiah heard the Jewish exiles, who had survived the exile, were in great trouble and the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, he wept.

Nehemiah 1:4 "When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.  For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." 

Nehemiah wept, mourned, fasted and prayed - for some days.  He expressed the emotions he felt for his people and their plight.  He didn't ignore his hurt as we sometimes think Christians should.  We are not being honest if we ignore our emotions.  Are we being immature as Selwyn Hughes says in Every Day Light (pg. 67)?  "Regardless of our spiritual maturity, we will feel the pain of misfortune or loss acutely.  To pretend that we do not is evidence of immaturity."

Go ahead and allow yourself to feel these emotions that come from loss, hurt, betrayal, etc., but don't wallow in them.  Remember Nehemiah's example - weep, mourn, fast if God leads you to and definitely pray.  Then, get busy doing what God leads you to do and maybe, it will be rebuilding a "wall" as it was for Nehemiah.