Tag Archives: hard

Debt – Romans 13:8

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Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. (NIV)

I have heard before in books and on TV that a Christian should not borrow, perhaps even citing this verse.  In everyday life however it is nearly impossible, if not completely impossible not to incur debt.  Many companies bill you after you have used their service like gas and electricity, so until you have settled that account, you are in debt!  Purchasing a home now-a-days is impossible without a mortgage which is a large long term debt.  If we were to take on a vow of being debt free, it would be extremely difficult to live.

Businesses too rely on acceptable levels of debt to allow their business to function whilst money is being turned over.  Over the period of the year, money in covers that debt and profit is made.  Many businesses would struggle without working this way especially in the early years of a new start.

You see I don’t think this verse is saying “do no borrow”.  I believe that is is telling us to keep up-to-date with our bills!  It is a warning against missing payments of a mortgage or avoiding paying a gas or electricity bill.  OK so gas and electricity bills did not exist in biblical days, however they certainly would have the need to borrow money or possessions as well as pay for services rendered.

I do think we also need to be careful here too.  Although we can have an acceptable level of debt, we need to avoid getting into debt for those items that aren’t necessary.  For example paying off a games console, or the latest style of TV when the one you bought last year is perfectly OK!  We do need to live within our means.  Our debts like mortgages, and standard bills need to be manageable, when payments are made, the overall amount owed should be decreasing and not remaining the same or gaining more in interest.

If you are in a situation where you are struggling to control your accounts, and you are in debt to many people, turn to the Lord in prayer.  Lay your burdens at His feet.  Seek pearls of wisdom like this verse.  Seek to agree repayment plans with your creditors to get rid of any excess debt.  Make sacrifices with the non essentials in life (even if it means unsubscribing from cable TV or disconnecting broadband!).

If you are struggling with debt and live in the UK, please check out this website:  http://www.capuk.org.

Faith Tester – Matthew 11:1-6

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Doubt is definitely a faith tester!  Our Daily Bread hits the nail on the head, when it comes to the sorts of questions that regularly come to mind with regards to the existence of God, with regard to Jesus claims, with regards to pretty much any matter of faith!  The reassuring thing is that I would appear not to be the only one who has these moments!

John too when the going got tough did too experience those sorts of feelings.  It can be difficult to remain positive on the bleaker circumstances of life.  The test in these circumstances though are what you do with these thoughts.  Do you let them eat you up inside?  Do you let them take over your thoughts?  Do you give up all hope?

John did not do that!  He turned to Jesus and brought his questions to Him!  Jesus responded with encouragement and with examples of His miracles.  He was able to reassure John in difficult times.  We too should give any of these thoughts to Jesus and ask Him to help us.  He can and will through the power of His Holy Spirit encourage us, build us up and give us the knowledge and confidence in Him.

If anyone is reading my ramblings today, I really recommend you look at today’s Our Daily Bread.  Also if you find my ramblings useful, please take the time to contact me and let me know!

Hard to Forgive – Genesis 45:1-15

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What strikes me immediately about this event, is how Joseph over came the natural urge to “hold a grudge”, and instead was able to see the situation and the past actions of his family as part of God’s plan!  He understood that the Lord had allowed his brothers to sell him into slavery as God had the foresight to see what was ahead.  He knew Joseph would be able to minister to Pharaoh and be a shining light of Gods Glory in Egypt.

It takes some doing to be able to take a step outside of oneself, and begin to understand the benefit of forgiveness.  It does not come naturally, and we have a tendency to want revenge for when we have been wronged.  And yet we need to remind ourselves of the cross.  How our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ bore all our sin on that cross that we might be forgiven.  When we turn to Him and seek forgiveness of our sin, by His grace he is faithful

and forgives.

Colossians 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)

The Lord keeps on forgiving us, and as in the above verse, we are told to forgive anyone, of anything, whomever they are, just as the Lord forgave us.

Simple – 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

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In verse 1 we are called to spread the message.  A reminder of the great commission in Matthew 28:16-20.

…we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’ s con

science in the sight of God. (NIV)

Verse 2 we are advised in how we can do this.  We see an emphasis on not steering away from the Word of God.  We shouldn’t add to the message for convenience or effect to try and win souls for the Lord, or even to boost ourselves.  We should rely on whole heartedly on His word.  Keeping what we say simple, easy to understand of which anyone can then understand.

I think of times when I have shared the gospel with someone and have often forgotten that some people do not know all the “religious” words and abbreviations I have learnt from years of growing up in a Christian family.  So that may be a bad example, and I think this passage is warning too more importantly on changing the meaning of what the Word is saying.  It is important we take it as truth and do not try and change it to our own agenda.  Our agenda should be Gods agenda, for His Glory.

I think from verse 3, if we are to disguise or hide the true meaning of the word, by false representation or over complicating what we are trying to communicate, then the truth will not be apparent to those who are listening and potentially souls could be lost whom simply needed to hear the simple honest truth that would soften their heart.

Verse 5 again emphasises communicating the truth, after all a preacher doesn’t (or shouldn’t) stand speak in the church about himself the entire service!  Jesus Christ is the Word, the Word is Truth.  It is truth that will win souls and advance Gods Kingdom.

Verses 6-7.  God has shone His light into our hearts so that we can understand and believe.  It is our duty to let Him shine through us so that others too may be brought out of the darkness of sin, disbelief and slavery and into His glorious light.

Keeping the message simple, without adding or taking away helps us communicate easily to those who do not yet believe what the Lord would want them to know.  I pray that the Lord will bless us with the right words, and the ability to sense when we may need to go into a little more detail with someone, or simply step back and make it clearer.  We have such a responsibility to be shining examples of His Glory that others may be saved, and I pray that the Lord will continue to pour His Holy Spirit into our lives to build us up, give us strength and wisdom.  Amen.

Trust in Him – Psalm 27

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King David’s Psalm here talks of trusting and waiting on the Lord.

In all the hard times, David is asking the Lord for protection and strength.

14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Verse 14 in a nutshell? Trust in the Lord. In the good times and the bad, we should trust in the Lord, focus our attention on Him, and we will will be strengthened.

In many other readings I have realised how often we can try “going it alone” in life and following our own desires, and yet when the going gets tough, we crumble, things go wrong around us. Issues seem unsolvable, things can get pretty bleak. We so often forget our loving saviour is there just waiting on us to turn to Him, and to Trust in Him.

Trust in Him and he will give you protection and strength.