Saved by the Gospel

Most everyone has read, or at least heard of, Norman Vincent Peale’s book, “The Power of Positive Thinking.” But no book demonstrates the power of positive thinking than Numbers chapters thirteen and fourteen, an account of those spies who were sent to spy out the promised land. We remember the names of those spies who had a positive attitude, Joshua and Caleb. Yet the names of the others are soon forgotten. A positive attitude says “We can,” while a negative attitude says, “We can’t.” A positive attitude encourages others, while a negative attitude discourages others. Those with a positive attitude will receive the rewards God has promised, while those with a negative attitude will miss out on God’s greatest rewards.

Ever wonder why no one ever wrote a book called, “The Power of Negative Thinking?” A negative attitude has no power to accomplish anything.

Our body’s largest organ is our skin, a waterproof wall that keeps fluid in our bodies and prevents harmful bacteria from entering our bodies. One third of our blood circulates through our skin, where capillaries expand and contract to control our body’s temperature. Our eyes dilate when we enter a dark room, making it easier to see, yet we squint when the light is too bright. Interestingly, the eye serves as a basic model for most cameras. The average person has 206 bones. In addition to providing support and protection for our bodies, our bones store calcium, a necessary ingredient for blood to clot. No wonder the psalmist wrote, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalm 139:14.

How easy it is to act out of anger. To speak rashly, only to later regret what was spoken.  To act hastily, only to later wish you could turn back time and erase your actions. No wonder the wise man wrote, “He that isslow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Proverbs 14:29.

I’m sure you’ve had someone tell you how they’ve been wronged by another person. They were treated unfairly. They were taken advantage of, maybe even lied about, or lied to. When you hear someone talk like this, don’t be too quick to take sides. Remember, there’s always another side to the story. “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” Proverbs 18:17 (ESV)

The sun is roughly 864,000 miles in diameter and is approximately 93 million miles from the earth. That’s no accident. It’s all part of God’s design. If the sun were significantly larger, or closer to the earth, the temperature of the earth would be too hot to support life. Likewise, if the sun were significantly smaller or further way from the earth, the temperature of the earth would be too cold to support life. No wonder the psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalm 19:1.

When someone you love is away on a trip you miss them. You long for the time they come home and you can be together again. Christians long for the time they can be at home with God. Paul wrote, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” I Thessalonians 2:19.

But have you ever thought about God longing to be together with us? Surely, He must! He loved us enough to give His Son for us so that we might be with Him. John 3:16. God does not want anyone to perish. He wants all to repent and be saved. II Peter 3:9.

I hope everyone of you are longing to be with God, for I know He is longing to be with you!

“Do all things without complaining and disputings:” (Philippians 2:14)

Complaining is a sign of ingratitude. God delivered his people from their Egyptian bondage. Later, they complained against Moses, saying they had better food back in Egypt (Exodus 16:1-3). “Why,” they wondered, “did Moses take us into the wilderness to die of hunger?” Would they have complained had they been truly thankful for God freeing them from their slavery in Egypt?

Second, complaining is discouraging to others. The apostle Paul wrote, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” Ephesians 4:29.

Third, complaining is un-Christ-like. Christ bore the suffering of the cross without complaining. I Peter 2:21-24. He left us an example, that we should walk in his steps.

Today, I will do my very best to refrain from complaining!

Our English word “worship” is often translated from two words meaning “toward” and “kiss” (or “kiss toward”). In certain cultures, it was a common practice to prostate oneself before another and kiss his feet, the hem of his garment, or the ground. This was especially done by the Persians to express reverence toward their deified kings or by the Greeks to honor their idols.

Our common English word “worship” has its origin in an old English word meaning “worth-ship.” This indicates the worth, or value, of the one being worshipped. God is worthy, or deserving, of our worship because of who he is and what he has done.

God is worthy of our worship because he is our creator, our provider and our savior. God is seeking those who will worship him. Are you seeking opportunities to worship God?

Do you realize your friends will help determine where you spend eternity? It’s true! Your friends can help strengthen your faith! But they can also help weaken your faith! Consider these words from Proverbs 13:20 – “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (ESV). Your friends have a definite influence on your character. If you want to be wise, establish friendships with wise people. If you want to be a fool, establish friendships with foolish people.

This thought is repeated in the New Testament: I Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals” (ESV). Some may deny this, saying, “Oh no, my friends will never have so strong an influence on me! Never!” But Paul says the person who denies the influence of bad company is deceived.

What lesson can Christians learn from this? If you want to strengthen your faith and stay loyal to Christ, surround yourself with friends who want to do the same – strengthen their faith and stay loyal to Christ.

While traveling out of town, I passed by a self-storage rental company. I’m sure you’ve seen them – storage units you can rent to store your belongings”

The storage rental company had a slogan on their sign – “It’s your life. Store it with care.” As far as I know, it is a reputable company providing a valuable service to its customers. But nonetheless, the slogan got my attention. Especially the first part – “It’s your life.”

My life is not defined by things. “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). There’s nothing permanent about the things of this world. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (II Peter 3:10).