To Glorify God

It is our chief purpose in life.

Many of life’s perplexing situations are much easier to accept when trusting that God has a purpose.

During an interview with Sarah Palin when asked regarding her son Trig, who has Down’s Syndrome, she indicated that the entire family has learned so much from having him in their lives these few months. She demonstrated that the family has already been blessed by seeing the good in the child with whom God had blessed them.

The next day while out in the garden picking camellias I came across a flower with an obvious “mistake’ in the flower. It had a white stripe on a pink flower. All the other flowers on the bush of a solid color and this one flower uniquely blemished. Its’ blemish giving it a beauty all its own. I immediately thought of little Trig. Folks would say, “blemished”…a mistake in the DNA…yet beautiful, special, the only one on the bush like this.

Last week, while at the ACEA competition, a dear lady introduced herself to me and my parents. She has been a faithful mother, her son is now 27 years old. He has autism. She shared with us that many years ago the following passage in John gave her such peace regarding the life of her son. Her testimony really touched me and brought me back to my earlier ponderings.
John 9:2-3
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

God’s definition of good and ours sometimes greatly differs. The pain and suffering we would deem terrible is the tool so often used to make manifest the power and might of God.
Psalm 34:10
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

II Cor 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I Peter 4:16, 19
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Gentleness

Gentleness

I Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

II Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

I Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

II Samuel 22:36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Psalm 18:35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Colossians 3:12-14Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

I Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Grief (visited throughout God's Word) Part two

Grief associated with giving a negative report…

Hebrews13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Suffering wrongfully?
I Peter 2:18
Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:


Grievous words have an effect.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.


Chastening is grievous, yet has great yields.
Hebrews 12:11
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Evidence of salvation…
I John 5:2-3
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

The hymn writer of old experience grief and sorrows common to folks of all eras. The study regarding grief and things grievous prompted my contemplation of this dear old, comforting hymn. May the lyrics uplift and comfort your heart. His heart is touched by our grief.

Does Jesus Care?

Lyrics ~ Frank E. Graeff, 1860 - 1919

Music ~ J. Lincoln Hall, 1866 - 1930

Stanza 1:

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth and song;

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

Stanza 2:

Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

Stanza 3:

Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief I find no relief,

Tho my tears flow all the night long?

Stanza 4:

Does Jesus care when I've said goodbye

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks ­

Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Chorus:

O yes, He cares- I know He cares!

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary,

The long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares. (He cares.)

Gracious Words

Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Luke 4:22
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?

Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 8:8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Ephesians 5:6
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Romans 14:19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Ephesians 4:29
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 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, (yes this applies to how we speak to one another) tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Grace

Unmerited….undeserved…unearned favor

Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

John 1:16-17 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Acts 18:27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:20-21 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

II Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.


Recommended reading Romans 6:1; Ephesians 2:1-9

Giving

Commercialism has tainted the true essence of giving. Our giving should be an outflowing of the love of God shed abroad in our hearts for the meeting of needs of others. The overriding idea of giving is that of self sacrifice. The ultimate sacrifice of self being that of our Saviour. What an example to emulate! This time of year gets so absolutely hectic that it is easy to give a toy for a needy child, but are we available to give of our time for the needs of others. I challenge us all to make time for others...even if that is our own child in need of our time. God help us not just strive for the good, but make time for, and give of our best!

Readiness, cheerfulness, and love ought to be characteristic of our giving.

Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Luke 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

II Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (also Mark 9:41)

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

I Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

The purpose of our laboring is to ultimately to be able to help others in need.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

We recognize that our daily needs are ultimately provided by our loving Heavenly Father.
Luke 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.

The most amazing and wondrous gift ever given was the life of our Saviour.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.