Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Solid Food!


“You need milk, not solid food.” Hebrews 5:12


            By the third grade, all the students and teachers realized that Daniel always brought an insulated lunch bag to school to keep his milk cool. That in itself, was not a radical thing to do. But in his case, milk was all his lunch bag contained. Finally his teacher met with the principal and they decided to talk with Daniel’s parents.

            “This may seem strange to you, Mrs. Phillips but we are concerned about your son’s diet in that he seems to only be drinking milk; no solid foods.”

            “Once we realized how packed-full of protein, vitamin D and calcium milk is, his father and I decided there was nothing better Daniel could take-in each day,” said Mrs. Phillips.

            “Do you mean to say you son eats no solid food?”

            “That’s correct, he only drinks milk. Of course we add little flavor treats at home and on weekends like chocolate, vanilla, and ice cream. We all need a little variety in our diets!”

            Fortunately for Daniel, the school provided professional dietary help for the Phillips family which included adding vegetables, grain, and fruits.

            Although this fictionalized version of extreme behavior seems silly or worse to us, we are warned by God to move away from a spiritual diet based on milk alone. Specifically, we are cautioned that instead of being able to teach others and understand more of His teachings, we remain as children, with stunted comprehension.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Floundering or Flourishing?

“But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.” Romans 12:24

            My friend had been a Christian for 15 years, having the same combination of joys and struggles most of us have, when he began listening to a pastor who proclaimed that God wanted all believers to enjoy prosperity, better jobs, health, happiness and that elusive promotion.
            “God loves you so much,” the man said, “that he wants you to enjoy your piece of heaven right now while you're here on earth. Don't believe the talk about a recession or bad economic times,” he continued, “it is during these times that God moves all obstacles in our way so we can prosper and be an example to the world!”
            After listening for several months and sending his tithe and offerings, suggested by the pastor (as you give so shall you reap), his overall fortunes took a dive. My friend was floundering. He was discouraged and disappointed with God. Instead of realizing that the pastor was in error, he looked higher and fixed the blame on God. His heavenly dispensing machine had failed to produce according to his wishes.
            My friend had been lured away by the promises of a worldly pastor, using materialistic bounty to distort and confuse the truth of the Gospel.

          

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?




Life in America is permeated with the call for “Blessings from God.” If that is what we believe and are striving for, then what happens to our hearts when a gasoline can explodes in our hands? Are we blind? Are we not aware of the thousands of children who die from starvation every year? And what of those who are blown to bits in the Middle East almost daily. People going about their lives, walking and riding here and there when suddenly a huge roar explodes in the air and life is forever changed. For some life on this earth is ended, for others, months of pain and suffering lay ahead.
God's promise of unconditional love for those who come to Him stands true. His promise of eternal life with Him also stands true. In the interim, we have life here. A life filled with daily challenges and trials. We are told to not only consider them but expect sufferings in various forms.

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.