Tell me what YOU see

The entire world around us is filled with plenty of things, places and people to see. It's because of our physical surroundings that we do many of the things we do; the rural man plants his crops in good soil, the hunting man goes out to catch his dinner in the forest, the scholar goes to college and pursues his degrees, etc. Because we see so many opportunities in the world to progress our lives towards higher levels of comfort, we take full advantage of them. I wouldn't be a student if I found a better opportunity to get ahead in my life. However, the realm of visibility only goes as far as we can physically view it, and in the end there's always something to try to get a better look at.

As we pursue ambitions, hopes, dreams and goals, I wonder sometimes, "why?" The answer is, there's all sorts of desires that we have to quench (thirsts). No matter what, we will find some thing to satisfy them, and it doesn't even have to be an enjoyment of ours. Over time, though, we begin to enjoy those things. Once, I would just "pass the time" by playing Fifa Soccer (never so much as watched a soccer match prior). Eventually, the game became more than a pastime, but a regular hobby. Finally, I couldn't wait to play the game once I got home from work. This simple example goes to show that given proper circumstances, we can and will give in to whatever it is we find to satisfy our desires. 

My desire to pass the time slowly but surely evolved into a hope for playing Fifa Soccer once I got home from work. Of course me playing was dependent upon whether or not my roommates were playing, but I looked forward to playing regardless. We are hope creatures, or creatures of hope. Once we come into certain experiences, though, hope evolves into expectation. After getting a call back from a job I applied for, I hoped to get a second interview. Once on the job, though, I expected to get paid. And all of this came from me pursuing the job opportunity, which I saw in the "Now Hiring" sign in the company window.

People, we must turn our hope to God! I'm sure I'm not the only one who has desired, hoped and even expected plenty of things to come my way during life, only to have been disappointed. It's very displeasing to the soul. That's just the way this life is; the world is designed by God for us to run out of worldly pleasures, only for us to run into His salvation to escape the dissatisfaction that the world gives. What can a man give in exchange for his soul? NOTHING! That's why our Lord poses the rhetorical question, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26). The point our Lord makes, is that we can search throughout the entire earth, and find nothing to fill the voids of our desires, outside of salvation in Him. 

I encourage you to take a deeper, introspective observation of yourself, and to note what it really is that you are living this life for. What is it that you are giving time, energy and soul to? Is it just to pay bills, to please some significant other, or to be accepted in society? Or, are you just simply "passing the time"? Please don't let Jesus pass you by!!!! He is here, and He wants to be inside of you, filling any and all holes that may have you waiting for hope deferred! Plainly, once you are born again, the things of this life will  be brought into their proper perspective and pass away before your eyes- and your hope will be in the unchangeable, eternal, awe-striking and great God of all creation! Trust Him, He will not leave you hanging!

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for (it)? Romans 8:24

Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? Saith the LORD. Jeremiah 23:23

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.Hebrews 11:1

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.Romans 12:2

Longsuffering

Well, after a long, frigid and rough winter, Spring has sprung. Personally, I have long awaited for this new season to arrive. Although I'm a native Michigander, seeing the green grass, blossoming trees and feeling the warm sun always gives a refreshing sense after enduring a few feet of snow. Technically, the first day of Spring was this past Sunday, March 20. Right now, it's only about 37° outside, with freezing rain! Looks like we'll have to put up with a bit more of this Midwest temperate climate for a moment.


There's nothing wrong with anticipation. Many times, we find ourselves waiting and expecting in several situations. Sometimes, the longer we have to wait, the anticipation becomes heavier and anxiety becomes a factor into our waiting... which may cause detriment. Waiting for a significant other (and/or spouse), the call back for a job, or even a meal in the drive-through at McDonald's may all very well test our patience. This is nothing wrong; however, our level of expectation to whatever- or whomever- it is we're waiting on will certainly affect our commitment to wait. 


Even when dealing with individuals, patience is necessary. There are some folk who are just plain difficult to agree with (some aren't agreeable at all). Be that as it may, they still deserve love. As much as God has loved me through many situations, I cannot afford to resist to show it to others. Waiting on people to change, though, is not wise. Only the Lord can change a person; but your love for that person may be just what they need to change over time. If you're stuck on a job or in class with someone who you can't avoid, love them through the experience. 


In whatever season you may be in, expect the Lord to meet all of your needs! No matter what you're waiting on, He is the perfect Father and will not leave you hanging. Whatever He says you can have, commit to His will and it is yours. His children need not to worry about who in the world approves of them, who will comfort them, or having an abundance of things to validate them. The Lord will do all of the above for all who wait on Him! Obedience to His Word brings peace, joy, comfort and expectation which far exceeds anything the world can offer. I love you!


And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Isaiah 32:17


Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3


And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation... 2 Peter 3:15


...walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in love; Ephesians 4:1-3

True Witnesses Prov 14:25

A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. (prov 14:25)

A true witness is someone who is focused on witnessing to people for their spiritual deliverance. There are so many leaders in the christian church today who have shifted the focus to not being on spiritual deliverance, but natural deliverance. Deliverance from poverty, God bringing you out of your trials and hardships. All this is fine in its proper context, but Jesus died on the cross for us to have salvation, and not to expand our investment portfolio.

What are some are your thoughts on this scripture, and individuals who focus more on natural deliverance than on the spiritual deliverance that our souls desperately need???