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RE: Just a thought ... - 10/31/2008 6:17:09 PM
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mvic
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Proverbs 19:3.
Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the LORD.
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RE: Just a thought ... - 11/7/2008 8:11:11 AM
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mvic
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Difficult as it might be; living one day at a time is a wholesome self-control mechanism which teaches us patience and genuine reliance on our Lord.
Of course, we all like to plan ahead, to be in control of our future, and to prepare for all eventualities. There’s nothing wrong in that, and it would be foolhardy to leave all to chance and do nothing.
Yet, at the same time, we should balance our every plan with the reality of what is now. We should live each day in gratitude for what God has given us rather than look ahead to what is yet to come.
They say “You never know what’s round the next corner”. How true. All it takes is a sudden event, an illness, an accident, something out of our control, to put all our plans into disarray.
Thank you Lord for another today.
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RE: Just a thought ... - 11/9/2008 2:52:27 PM
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mvic
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What is Faith?
In Hebrews Chapter 11 we read: To have Faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.
In other words: To have Faith is to believe when your common sense tells you not to.
There are a lot of people who believe in God. They have Faith in Him and they have proved, to themselves at least, that He exists. These people’s beliefs grow stronger all the time, even when they face great difficulties and tribulations in life. I’ve know people who are very ill, or have endured enormous problems, yet their Faith in God remains forever strong.
How do they do it? What makes their Faith so unyielding even through the most difficult of times? Is it a special gift from God? Or is it of their own doing?
Other people, however, although they have Faith in God, yet, when faced with a problem or a difficulty they doubt whether He will hear their cries for help. They pray that God may help them out of their particular difficulty; or that He might heal them, but still, somehow, they feel frightened. Scared that He may not answer. That somehow their illness will not be healed or their problem will not be resolved. Their doubts get the better of them.
Do these people feature less positively in God’s sight? Is He disappointed that their Faith is weak? Does He forgive their wavering and doubting?
I understand that people aren’t all the same. Some are stronger than others. Some have more Faith than weaker ones who waver. These people have not necessarily denied God. They believe in Him, yet they are not so sure whether He will help them right now or not. They are, after all, human. With human frailties, fears and doubts. I can forgive their wavering.
I believe God does too. Whether He answers their prayers or not, He understands why they waver and He does forgive them.
In Mark 9:24 The father of the sick boy was honest enough to say to Jesus: I do have Faith, but not enough. Help me to have more.
Jesus took pity on him and healed his son.
So too will He have pity on those amongst us whose Faith wavers from time to time.
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RE: Just a thought ... - 11/20/2008 4:52:24 PM
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mvic
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I saw an interesting nature programme on TV the other day. A wolf cub had been injured in the wild and abandoned by its mother. He was all alone, frightened, hungry and defenseless. Left there he would soon perish.
The TV crew and resident vet tried to capture him and send him to an animal hospital where he could be treated and looked after until he is strong enough to be released in the wild once again. Every time they approached the wolf cub he bared its teeth and attempted to bite his benefactors. Eventually, he was caught and taken to the hospital where, within weeks, he was well again.
When things go wrong in our lives we too tend to behave like that wolf. We are angry at what’s happened, we’re concerned, frightened even, about the future - and we go on the attack. We believe that God has abandoned us, just like that she-wolf abandoned her cub.
When we behave like that, we shut off a channel of communication with God.
When God is temporarily put aside, He doesn’t stop loving us, but we block His influence to do good in our lives. Like the wolf cub, every time God tries to help us we bare our teeth in anger. Our behaviour is futile and un-productive.
The wolf did not realize that by being caught he’d soon improve his hopeless situation. But we should know better, and trust our Lord rather than lash out at Him without thinking.
“I will be with you always, to the end of time.” Matthew 28:20.
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RE: Just a thought ... - 11/27/2008 8:04:00 PM
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mvic
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A new indoor mountaineering and abseiling center was featured on TV lately. It consists of a large hall wherein a 100 feet high “mountain” has been built with different routes one can climb to the top. Some routes are just vertical walls with tiny crevasses for climbers to fit their hands and feet and pull themselves up to the top. Once at the top, you can walk from one peak to another on this false mountain via rickety bridges made from rope or wooden slippery logs tied together. Alternatively you can slide (abseil) down a vertical smooth wall all the way to the bottom and start again.
Youngsters as well as experienced climbers use this indoor facility to learn and practice before taking up the sport outdoors on real mountains. And it is perfectly safe. Everyone is tied in to elaborate harnesses and ropes which allow you to climb freely, and walk across unsafe bridges freely, yet, should you happen to fall the ropes would hold you and keep you suspended in mid-air until a supervisor pulls you back to safety.
One of the staff explained that it is a unique experience. The climbers know that they are safe because if they lose their grip or footing the ropes and harnesses will take over and save them from a fatal fall. Yet they are subconsciously nervous and fearful that they might fall.
This made me think about our relationship with God. We know He is there and that He loves us and cares for us. Yet, sometimes our doubts and fears take over and play havoc with our Faith – especially when we face difficulties and troubles in our lives.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1 NIV.
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RE: Just a thought ... - 12/6/2008 6:28:53 PM
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mvic
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This is a story about a little girl about 18 months old. She was born a perfect normal child, but just before her first birthday she contracted a virus infection. This has left her brain damaged, sight and hearing impaired and she cannot eat normally. She has a tube fitted to help her eat.
Her Christian parents have not lost Faith in God. They say they have accepted what has happened and are now moving on. They love her dearly and will do all they can for her. They are an example to us all.
Of course, these parents are not alone in maintaining and even growing in Faith when faced with difficulties. There are many people who have endured terrible illnesses or great problems in life and yet they continue to believe that God is by their side. They do not turn their back on Him, or blame Him for what has happened to them.
When things go wrong in our lives it is natural for us to feel sorry for ourselves. To feel frightened of the future; angry even that this has happened to us.
God knows how we feel and how frightened we are. He forgives our human failings and our panics when we are hurting and concerned for our uncertain future.
He may appear distant to us as our emotions are in turmoil. But as we calm down and learn to trust Him we will, once again, feel His comforting love for us.
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RE: Just a thought ... - 12/14/2008 4:42:35 PM
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mvic
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Why do bad things happen?
It is important to realize that God allows bad things to happen. He does not make them happen. More often than not, when bad things happen, they are the results of our actions or in-actions. God allows these things to happen to serve His own purpose in His own time and in His own way. We really do not know why He allows them to happen; but we must trust Him.
When bad things happen, it is important to remember that God is still in control. He knows what has happened, how it affects people close to the event, and even people far away and totally detached from it. He never loses control of the situation.
Our reaction to these events is therefore vital. Our human nature will take over and all our emotions will come to the fore – shock, fear, denial, anger and so on.
However, when we have calmed down a little, we should turn to God and praise and thank Him.
We are praising and thanking Him for still being in control of the situation - not because He allowed it to happen.
Our praise acknowledges His supreme power over the whole universe. We are in effect saying that we accept that He allowed the bad things to happen, yet we still trust Him, and trust that His will be done.
When we acknowledge, in such terrible situations, that His will is still paramount; we open the way, in certain circumstances, for Him to turn the situation to the good.
I have seen this happen several times.
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RE: Just a thought ... - 12/20/2008 11:45:43 AM
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mvic
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I wish all my readers a very Blessed Christmas and may the Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and your families always.
Thank you for visiting this Blog. I really appreciate it. Should you wish to comment on anything I say here please either PM me or contact me through my website.
God bless.
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RE: Just a thought ... - 12/30/2008 10:31:24 AM
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mvic
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People sometimes ask: Why pray? Will it change the will of God, or budge Him in any way?
As parents, we do sometimes change our minds and give way to our children’s demands, (eventually), especially when they go on and on about something that they want. Perhaps they make us see reason and we oblige them because we love them.
Are we to believe that our Father in Heaven loves us less than we love our own children?
In Luke 18:2, Jesus tells the story of a widow who pestered a judge for so long that he eventually gave in and helped her. This parable teaches us not to be discouraged and always pray to God for our needs. Not what we want. But what we need.
Yet again, in the Lord's Prayer, we are taught to ask God our Father, and we will receive.
Over the years I have learnt that by praying, especially when praying for others, God does listen and sometimes our prayers are answered.
Now then, whether He answers our prayers because we prayed, or He meant to answer them anyway (i.e. it was His will all along); is a debating point which can go on for ever - without us reaching a conclusion.
This is simply because we are not meant to understand Him, and to understand the reasoning behind His actions. He is God. We are not. We really should stop bringing Him down to our level by trying to understand Him with human minds.
Thus, our lack of comprehension is not a good reason not to pray. Jesus often prayed and encouraged us to do the same. We should follow His example and pray - in thanksgiving, in hope, and in the sure knowledge that He is listening.
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RE: Just a thought ... - 12/31/2008 7:07:46 AM
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mvic
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I wish all my readers a very happy, blessed and peaceful New Year.
Thank you for your support and for your words of encouragement. Much appreciated.
God bless.
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