Thanks for Nothing, God!!
The phrase “Thanks for Nothing” is often used as a sharp rebuke to someone for not meeting our expectations. I would like to twist the usual use of the phrase just a little because we should thank God for a few “nothings”.
Disobedience or Reluctant Obedience
I heard a story about a mother and her small daughter back in the day before car seat laws. The little girl was standing up in the seat as her mother drove and the mom told her daughter several times to sit down. Finally, the mother became more adamant telling her daughter to sit down. Knowing that her mother meant business, the child reluctantly sat down but told her mother, “I’m sitting down but in my heart I’m standing up!” I imagine many of us are like this, we comply with certain laws or guidelines but in our hearts we are somewhere in the realm of compliance in the spirit of rebellion.
Like a Child
Like a Child
Jesus in one of his greatest illustrations used a child to teach an important lesson from a question that was asked wrong. In Matthew’s Gospel, the disciples asked Jesus, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1 NKJV)? Wrong question!!
When I Look Into Their Eyes
When I Look Into Their Eyes
I have seen some pitiful folks in my time. It is not the ragged clothes I see or their crippled limbs but their eyes that give me a glimpse of their misery and hopelessness. I believe every person was granted to BE by God; this in itself makes me to know that there is dignity in every life. Many choose to go a path that is not God’s best but some seem to have it thrust upon them by poverty, abuse, sickness, or where they were born. I have come to know with more awareness and certainty of the dignity of every human being. I know Christ loves them just as He loved the women He saved from a stoning, the demoniac He delivered from legions of demons, and even my wretched soul.
Revelation of Jesus
Revelation of Jesus
How many cold hearts have yearned for salvation’s heat but found no ember in my heart?
Who has longed for the peace of Christ but found only trouble on my tongue?
What number looked for Jesus but found no resemblance of His image in my life?
What crippled beggar has longed for someone with the hope of Jesus but my feet never sought him out?
The Unlikely Messiah
The Unlikely Messiah
Hollywood tries to portray Jesus as a robed and sandaled Fabio. But according to scripture there was nothing about His appearance to attract us to Him, “He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2 NKJV).
Spiritual Burden
SPIRITUAL BURDEN
As a child and young man growing up in church, I often heard people use the word “burden” quite often. Pastors would say they had a burden for their church. Friends would speak of “carrying a burden” for a family member. I don’t hear people use the term much anymore but I am very familiar with the term and the experience. I would define “burden” as a deep concern planted by the Holy Spirit to motivate us to prayer and action.
Cure-All-Pill for Hell’s Ills
CURE-ALL-PILL FOR HELL’S ILLS – Just say that phrase three times real fast. Yep, it could be a tongue twister for sure. If it was an infomercial, they would be hawked for $19.99 for a thirty-day supply plus shipping and handling; and if you call in the next thirty minutes they would double your offer, just pay separate shipping! NO, I am not peddling pills. It is just a phrase with a truth behind it.
Continue reading “Cure-All-Pill for Hell’s Ills”Salt of the Earth
Salt of the Earth
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matthew 5:13 NKJV).
SALTINESS OF CHRIST – Jesus used salt as an analogy to show the importance of being a true disciple. Salt without its saltiness is contaminated salt. In the time of Jesus, salt was derived as it is today from the sea or from salt deposits in the earth. The salt we buy today is consistent and mostly free from contaminates but salt in the times of the New Testament was not so pure.
Paradox of Faith
One of the definitions of paradox is a “statement that seems to say two opposite things but that may be true” (Merriam—Webster Dictionary). I assume most Christians struggle in some way with their faith-walk. In less than transparent environments, many would be afraid to admit.
Everyone looks a little better from a distance. I have viewed a few strutting Christians at a distant but when I got a closer I wondered why they strut. We all have some struggles of faith even though at times people may think we have it altogether.
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Pathway Journey 