Jeopardy

One of the things that I believe has become a cliche in sermons as well as in articles is beginning the information with a definition. It just slows down the process for the reader to get the information. Shall I write as if you don't understand? Will it be as if going through grade school again? Won't it be frustrating for you? Do you think its annoying for teachers to go over the same lessons as they had done before only to see their students in Summer school to learn it again? Its as if all of their efforts was for nothing. Do you think God thinks like that? Parents know they have to go over lessons again and again for their children to understand. Therefore, it can't be unusual and has to be a part of the learning process. Phew! It makes me feel better and explains so much in my own life. What about you?

As you recall in many of these entries, I made up my mind not to look at so many news stories. At the end of an hour or so, its just depressing. It doesn't make me more aware of the current events because there is always someone at the ready to tell of the bad news that was reported the night before. For instance, when a city's mayor was in all sorts of scandal, I believe that's when I stopped watching the news. I couldn't understand, why they gave this man so much press when he proved himself over and over again to be a crook. Then a pastor welcomed him in the church so he could further embarrass himself. He used God in his soliloquy making sure we all knew of the word forgiveness (Matthew 6:15 AMP). We also know of the words humility and being apologetic but we saw nor heard those things coming from him. He was a young mayor and his impeachment did not come as a surprise to anyone. Even when the District Attorney became involved and made the statement, "kindergarten children know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. For a grown man to use the defense that he didn't know, is ludicrous (paraphrasing)."

A famous news reporter had a relationship with a man who carried on with shady dealings. Her career is based on her credibility as a reporter, stating the facts which happen to be the truth. Many times a person is guilty by association and the police will pick up the friends along with the actual perpetrator (1 Corinthians 5:11 AMP). When her boyfriend was implicated in a scandal, the police also had questions for her. This ruined all that she was trying to build in the city where she was employed. She was fired solely because the news story had much to do with her involvement. Was she to report the news on herself? Was it that important to stay in a relationship with someone she knew that wasn't doing right and had no intentions of changing. Her salary was over a quarter of a million dollars a year when she was suspended. Was it really worth it?

As it stands, Brian Williams is in a mess. He lied about a news story for no other reason but to gain more notoriety. How much more does one need when the position you hold is an international news reporter? His questionable tactics also caused his suspension and a leave from his position and salary. Why go there? Why make statements that aren't true? Why mess with a life that was perfectly framed? What more would one need or want (Psalm 23:1 AMP)?

These questions are what also can be asked of you. I began this blog because I heard so many believers ask, is this all there is. I asked it myself. But as I continued to do research and write, I found that what I didn't have and needed was a better relationship with my Lord and Savior. Everything I need is in Him. It is why the scriptures state for there to be less of me and more of You (John 3:30 AMP). It is the reason I have to move out of the way for Him to do the leading. It is the reason we crucify the flesh daily so we can walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:24 AMP). All of these require Him. We don't know more then He does. We are not omniscient, omni-present, nor omnipotent. He is. So when we ask such foolishness like is this all there is, or where is the abundant life that was promised, or we are bombarded with all of the rules and none of the fun stuff, it tells others how immature you really are and how much more of God you need.

Without Him or believing you can do it all on your own, puts you on the path as the aforementioned. You are building on sand and with the storm that comes, your structure (your life, career, worldly possessions) will most assuredly fall (Matthew 7:24-27 AMP). That's a life of constant jeopardy. This doesn't make living more interesting. It puts a person on a broad path described in the bible as destruction, danger, and demise (Matthew 7:13-14 AMP). Where are those adjectives also used? Who is it that has access to those very things? You know, what's his name, whose entire assignment is to kill, steal and destroy. Oh, and for those still wondering if I am talking about the game show, the definition of jeopardy is a hazard or risk of or exposure to loss, harm, death, or injury. Calmly think
on that.

Letting Go Versus Giving Up

This blog serves the purpose for the practicing Christian in finding answers to the question, is this all there is? Or why aren't I receiving what was promised - abundant life? (Proverbs 10:24 AMP).  For all of these entries, there could be a myriad of reasons and contrary to what you might think, it is never God trying to keep the best from you. He didn't give His only begotten Son for nothing. In that, you have received much. So here is the first thing you could stop doing for you to be grateful again. Stop complaining (Ephesians 4:31 AMP).

I watched a mother explain her life and how she struggled financially with her husband and many times they had to make due with what they had. When things began to turn around for the better and she didn't have to keep up with the Jones' because the Jones' were trying to keep up with her, she had a child. The child grew up with the best of everything and her father was only too happy to give it. While he was enjoying watching his daughter enjoy all that she had, the mother remembering the struggle is saying, she will not raise a spoiled child. While her intentions sounded good, the child was making demands of the servants and for her father to purchase everything she touched. The child knows nothing of the struggle and will never feel the financial frustrations that her parents felt. Why? Because they let go of that and will never return to it, if at all possible.

Wisdom would have planned that situation differently. No matter how much that mother would like to have her child grow up with integrity and character, that wrestling match is already over. Integrity and character lost. Wisdom would have those parents in a modest home, socking away all of the profits for their children's future (1 Timothy 5:8 AMP). If the parent's first concern is the children and not their own comfort, the children would never have the threat of being spoiled. The Jones' would be the least of their concerns along with socialites, paparazzi, and the latest fashion trends. Discipline and structure brings character and integrity. If a parent lets go of the discipline and structure in a child's formidable years, that parent has given up (Proverbs 22:6 AMP).

Another faith filled woman was believing God for her dream home. She had bought a house a few years back and paid it off. She thanked God for leading her to it. It served her and her family well. But it was always meant to be a starter home and now she was ready to get the house she really desired. She had been looking through various neighborhoods and narrowed her choices down to a couple of places. Now she believed all she had to do was wait for the opportunity to present itself. Years passed and as they did, instead of keeping herself encouraged she became distressed. The neighborhood she currently resided in had become dilapidated. Her humble abode became the half way mark of the block for the undesirable. She prayed and prayed hoping God would quicken things and put those that needed to be in place, there already. More years passed. Her children grew and moved into places of their own. When this woman was asked what happened to her purchasing her "dream" home, she said, "I just don't care anymore. Thirty years I waited on God and nothing happened. At this point, if I get a house - fine. If I don't - fine." She gave up her dream.

Wisdom would have planned this differently (Proverbs 1:33 AMP). If this woman really wished to have a home as much as she stated, she would have moved in the same manner that she did when purchasing the "starter" house. She found a Realtor, made appointments to see the inside and outside of some houses, she weighed her options and made a bid. She didn't do any of these things but expected God to do it all. Though it is impossible to please Gd without faith, faith without works is dead (James 2:18-26 AMP). All of which takes growth and maturity...which in of itself, is a lesson.

A new parent was feeding her toddler strained baby food for the first time. She had heated some fruit, vegetables and a little cereal. The toddler was used to the cereal and a little fruit but the vegetables were going to be something new. The mother gave the toddler small spoonfuls of the familiar food. Then she slowly introduced the strained peas. The baby stopped for a few seconds, squinted, and then spit the peas out. The mother tried again with the same results. She tried using diversion tactics, sad/happy faces, and even making promises for a new toy. Nothing was working. The new mother then gave up as she entertained thoughts about her child's slowly failing to get nutrients and eventually becoming sick. She fed the child the very thing that the child liked: cereal and fruit.

Wisdom would have planned differently (Proverbs 2:2-10 AMP). In introducing new food to a baby, first get the food the child is used to and with a small bit of the strain peas on the back of the spoon. Fill the tip of the spoon with the fruit. The first thing the baby tastes is the fruit but the swallow is with the peas.

Did you notice that in all 3 scenarios, there is a solution and it is with Wisdom? This is a weapon of warfare that has not been taught as often as it should be in a way that can be easily applied. The Word tells us if we ask God for Wisdom, He gives it liberally and upbraids it not. In the Old Testament, it is written and My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6 AMP). There is no measurement with that verse. It would seem all or nothing. So while we have been complaining about all that we don't have, what have we been doing to gain what we could? Has an education been obtained? Have you read any good books lately? Have we at least prayed to have common sense?

Seriously, if we were truly honest with ourselves, we could see most of our problems have come from us wanting to do what we want to do. We haven't let go of our will for a better way of doing things. If we let go that doesn't mean we have given up. Letting go of our own principles based on our limited knowledge or someone else living vicariously through us, or us being influenced by someone else's life - which ever the reason, its not God's will (John 3:30 AMP). Now you can use the argument that everything we desire is permissible (1 Corinthians 10:23 AMP). Yes, it is, but this is the problem with what we are going through; and its not just us but the way the clergy has taught us. There is a measure on that verse. You must not take it out of its context but read the entire thing. While all that we wish to do is permissible because of the new covenant, grace, and liberty; there is still boundaries, of which we can cross too (James 1:12-16 AMP). Everything that we wish to do, isn't always profitable to do it. How would we know what to do?

The only one that knows where our specific blessings are. The only one that is here and there. The only one that saw your outcome while you were still being formed in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5 AMP). The only one that has loved us since the very beginning and hasn't changed from then to now. The only one to trust. The only one to pray to. The only one to believe in for everything. Seriously, it is over due time to let go of you so there could be more of Him (1 John 4:4 AMP).