There seems to be an often-imitated image of Christian faith that associates any number of weaknesses with those who follow Christ. Weakness may be an experience physically, but should not be associated with the spirit of those who follow their Lord.
In the book of Proverbs, there is a pointed reprimand of those who would think it appropriate to declare their inabilities, when such weakness is not preventive of one’s ability to act.
“If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength being small; if you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death, those who go staggering to the slaughter; if you say, “Look, we did not know this” –does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it? And will he not repay all according to their deeds? (Proverbs 24:10-12 NRSV)
I do not think I have ever read a more powerful mandate to seize the day; to take action at the time of opportunity; to never fail to do what good can be done as we have the chance. We are called to rescue. As Paul said, we are “ambassadors for Christ.” Jesus said we are to minister to “the least of these.” We are to face the moment we find ourselves able act and to do it. Excuses are not good in the face of the God who knows every aspect of our hearts. Veiled pleas of ignorance fail in light of the knowledge of his knowing. Even our own declarations of weakness will not stand in the face of our abilities to do something.
For those of us who know we owe our Lord everything…it stands to reason that we owe Him our best, our most willing and valiant efforts, our highest commitment to go in His name to share with this world of dying men and women the truth of God’s love and forgiveness and new life. No excuses will stand.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Prepared?
Several years ago, a dear friend said to me that when her husband died, she had no idea what to do. “I had no knowledge of our family financial matters and no way to appropriately handle all the questions that came about his business when he died.” But she went on to say, “After I started working through all the things surrounding the business, I decided that the only way to support myself was to keep it going, so I did.” Years later, she has maintained a successful business enterprise that continues to provide for her needs and that of her family. She said, “God has blessed me to be able to take up where my husband left off and to keep the business operating. He has been so faithful to help me every day.”
Another friend shared, “When my husband suffered a stroke, all the things he had told me we were going to do were not possible. I had bills to pay, debts on cars, machinery, a camper, and a home and children with circumstances that needed my help. I sold the camper and a car, kept him at home and cared for him around the clock, and by God’s grace and with the help of Christian friends, we have been able to take care of things with what we had. God is so good!”
In the most challenging of times and the most difficult of circumstances, God is faithful to help us. As you think about helping your family in responsible ways, recognize the value and importance of a will, along with a living will describing your wishes in regard to medical care decisions, and a power of attorney and a medical power of attorney if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Wise counsel can help many families deal with very difficult and often complex business and legal matters if there are plans in place to provide for suddenly changing circumstances. It is not “bad luck” to plan for the future.
Making decisions about your spiritual journey are also vital to planning for any future.
Do you know your Savior, Jesus Christ? Have you publicly acknowledged him in your witness to family, friends, and those important to you to share with? Have you recognized the blessing of a church family with which to share your life’s journey and testimony of faith? Do you recognize the importance and value of friendships that are worth your time now to build and share daily?
God enables us and equips us to be heirs with Christ! Such a provision is beyond our dreams and yet it is God’s gift through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a gift to be lived now and in the future. Undertake preparation in the ways you can and trust God for His help and wisdom and provision of eternal hope.
Another friend shared, “When my husband suffered a stroke, all the things he had told me we were going to do were not possible. I had bills to pay, debts on cars, machinery, a camper, and a home and children with circumstances that needed my help. I sold the camper and a car, kept him at home and cared for him around the clock, and by God’s grace and with the help of Christian friends, we have been able to take care of things with what we had. God is so good!”
In the most challenging of times and the most difficult of circumstances, God is faithful to help us. As you think about helping your family in responsible ways, recognize the value and importance of a will, along with a living will describing your wishes in regard to medical care decisions, and a power of attorney and a medical power of attorney if you are unable to make decisions for yourself. Wise counsel can help many families deal with very difficult and often complex business and legal matters if there are plans in place to provide for suddenly changing circumstances. It is not “bad luck” to plan for the future.
Making decisions about your spiritual journey are also vital to planning for any future.
Do you know your Savior, Jesus Christ? Have you publicly acknowledged him in your witness to family, friends, and those important to you to share with? Have you recognized the blessing of a church family with which to share your life’s journey and testimony of faith? Do you recognize the importance and value of friendships that are worth your time now to build and share daily?
God enables us and equips us to be heirs with Christ! Such a provision is beyond our dreams and yet it is God’s gift through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a gift to be lived now and in the future. Undertake preparation in the ways you can and trust God for His help and wisdom and provision of eternal hope.
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