When The Door Slams
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
Deuteronomy 29:29
If there is really a God, why do so many people suffer? Why is there a murder every minute? Why do good people die painful, prolonged deaths? Why do bad people seem to prosper? Why is sin so hard to resist? Why does God allow people to spend eternity in hell? How could a God of love allow me to have so much heartache?
We have heard these questions hundreds of times, and for most of them we have a very simple answer: we don't know. When we were young, cocky students in the world, we thought we knew almost everything there was to know. In fact, for perfectionists like us, saying "I don't know" to students, patients, or even our own children used to be quite humiliating. Perfectionists want to know everything, and uncertainty is anxiety-producing.
Think about this: Now that we are older, we are getting more comfortable with "I don't know." I trust God. He knows the answers to all those questions. We don't always need to know. If He wanted us to know, He would have plainly told us. He desires us to live a life of faith in Him.
Listen to this: Many secrets are known only by God. Accept that. Trust Him to work everything out fairly in the long run. Learn what He has told us in His Word. Live by it and teach it to your children.
Ask the Spirit to search your and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin.
Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Saturday, July 11, 2020
The Reality Principle
When The Door Slams
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
In true Christian circles, we like to talk about "The Reality Principle": the ability to delay gratification to the appropriate time and place. Wise people have it. Immature people do not.
Sociopaths are extremely immature persons who are impulsive and selfish and experience little, if any, guilt. If they want to feel high, they take drugs. If they feel a sexual urge, they find someone, almost anyone, quickly. If they desire a material possession, they steal it or steal the money to by it. They complain and pit people against each other just to relieve boredom. They are phony.
God demonstrates that He loves sociopaths, while absolutely hating what they do to hurt their fellow human beings. God loves to show His great power and mercy by saving sociopaths and gradually sanctifying them toward Christlike behavior.
Think about this: There are some sociopathic tendencies within all of us. We must accept this "badness" in ourselves and cooperate with God in our own sanctification. Be encouraged not to live for earthly treasures, but by the Reality Principle. But if we live for sinful pleasures and try to live godly lives, we can look forward to the fantastic treasure and pleasures we will not have in heaven. The Wise men seek the truth and change their attitudes and behaviors to fit in with the truth
Ask the spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin.
Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
In true Christian circles, we like to talk about "The Reality Principle": the ability to delay gratification to the appropriate time and place. Wise people have it. Immature people do not.
Sociopaths are extremely immature persons who are impulsive and selfish and experience little, if any, guilt. If they want to feel high, they take drugs. If they feel a sexual urge, they find someone, almost anyone, quickly. If they desire a material possession, they steal it or steal the money to by it. They complain and pit people against each other just to relieve boredom. They are phony.
God demonstrates that He loves sociopaths, while absolutely hating what they do to hurt their fellow human beings. God loves to show His great power and mercy by saving sociopaths and gradually sanctifying them toward Christlike behavior.
Think about this: There are some sociopathic tendencies within all of us. We must accept this "badness" in ourselves and cooperate with God in our own sanctification. Be encouraged not to live for earthly treasures, but by the Reality Principle. But if we live for sinful pleasures and try to live godly lives, we can look forward to the fantastic treasure and pleasures we will not have in heaven. The Wise men seek the truth and change their attitudes and behaviors to fit in with the truth
Ask the spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin.
Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Dysfunctional Homes
When The Door Slams
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
Psalm 103:15-18
Those who have grown up in dysfunctional homes consistently report that one of the hardest things to cope with was the unpredictable in their home. Fun and laughter might greet them when they returned from school, or they might face an angry verbal or physical attack. Things might be OK, and then some word or action would set a parent off and result in physical abuse.
There is a dramatic contrast between human nature and the nature of God. People are changeable. They are like grass: growing and healthy one moment, but soon withered and gone. They are like a beautiful flower which quickly fades as the drying wind passes over it.
Think about this: In contrast, God is a forever God. He is unchanging. This God who lives forever and is unchanging is also merciful. He will always be fair, understanding, and forgiving in His treatment of us. He will be our eternal friend.
A child growing up in a dysfunctional home never knows if his or her parent will be merciful or mad. God is always merciful! Thank You, Lord, that there is one place I can go and be greeted consistently with love, understanding, and mercy.
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
Psalm 103:15-18
Those who have grown up in dysfunctional homes consistently report that one of the hardest things to cope with was the unpredictable in their home. Fun and laughter might greet them when they returned from school, or they might face an angry verbal or physical attack. Things might be OK, and then some word or action would set a parent off and result in physical abuse.
There is a dramatic contrast between human nature and the nature of God. People are changeable. They are like grass: growing and healthy one moment, but soon withered and gone. They are like a beautiful flower which quickly fades as the drying wind passes over it.
Think about this: In contrast, God is a forever God. He is unchanging. This God who lives forever and is unchanging is also merciful. He will always be fair, understanding, and forgiving in His treatment of us. He will be our eternal friend.
A child growing up in a dysfunctional home never knows if his or her parent will be merciful or mad. God is always merciful! Thank You, Lord, that there is one place I can go and be greeted consistently with love, understanding, and mercy.
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
Saturday, June 20, 2020
Addiction
When The Door Slams
In the same way, you should see yourselves as being dead to the power of sin and alive with God through Christ Jesus. So do not let sin control your life here on earth so that you do what your sinful self wants to do. Do not offer the parts of your body to serve sin, as things to be used in doing evil. Instead, offer yourselves to God as people who have died and now live. Offer the parts of your body to God to be used in doing good. Sin will not be your master, because you are not under law but under God's grace.
Romans 6:11-14
Think about this: Can any human activity become an addiction? Yes. When carried to an extreme, any behavior can veer out of control and become the dominant, driving force in a person's life. It can master her. It can consume him.
Whatever the habit, the two-step pattern is always the same. The first phase is the mental preoccupation--the obsession. The thought of the activity grabs hold of the person and preoccupies him or her to the exclusion of everything else. The person can't shake it loose, can't let it go. At this point, the shopaholic is absorbed, even obsessed with the idea of a buying binge. She wants to acquire, collect, and possess.
In the case of the relationship addict, he is obsessed with the notion of taking charge of the relationship, and perhaps even taking charge of the other person. After the obsession comes the second phase: acting out the obsessive thought. The action is the compulsion. The relationship addict or the shopaholic loses control, gives in to the mental preoccupation, and is compelled--even driven--to do whatever he or she feels is necessary. She shops. He flirts. Or, in the case of other addictions, he or she might exercise, work, worry, scrub, or gulp mega-vitamins incessantly, like me.
The list of compulsions is practically endless. [We have] divided the one common compulsions into six general groups: money matters, wellness and health; work and play; service and voluntarism; relationships; and my favorite category perfectionism.
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness. Never Rest Ministries
In the same way, you should see yourselves as being dead to the power of sin and alive with God through Christ Jesus. So do not let sin control your life here on earth so that you do what your sinful self wants to do. Do not offer the parts of your body to serve sin, as things to be used in doing evil. Instead, offer yourselves to God as people who have died and now live. Offer the parts of your body to God to be used in doing good. Sin will not be your master, because you are not under law but under God's grace.
Romans 6:11-14
Think about this: Can any human activity become an addiction? Yes. When carried to an extreme, any behavior can veer out of control and become the dominant, driving force in a person's life. It can master her. It can consume him.
Whatever the habit, the two-step pattern is always the same. The first phase is the mental preoccupation--the obsession. The thought of the activity grabs hold of the person and preoccupies him or her to the exclusion of everything else. The person can't shake it loose, can't let it go. At this point, the shopaholic is absorbed, even obsessed with the idea of a buying binge. She wants to acquire, collect, and possess.
In the case of the relationship addict, he is obsessed with the notion of taking charge of the relationship, and perhaps even taking charge of the other person. After the obsession comes the second phase: acting out the obsessive thought. The action is the compulsion. The relationship addict or the shopaholic loses control, gives in to the mental preoccupation, and is compelled--even driven--to do whatever he or she feels is necessary. She shops. He flirts. Or, in the case of other addictions, he or she might exercise, work, worry, scrub, or gulp mega-vitamins incessantly, like me.
The list of compulsions is practically endless. [We have] divided the one common compulsions into six general groups: money matters, wellness and health; work and play; service and voluntarism; relationships; and my favorite category perfectionism.
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness. Never Rest Ministries
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Ambition
When The Door Slams
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of self ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:1-5
Ambition or driven people often possess limited or undeveloped people skills. They are not noted for getting along well with others. They were not born without the capacity to get along with others, but projects are more important to them than people.
Think about this: Their eyes are upon goals and objectives, they rarely take note of the people about them, unless they can be used for the fulfillment of one of their goals. And if others are not found to be useful, then they may be seen as obstacles or competitors when it comes to getting something done.
There is usually a "trail of bodies" in the wake of the driven person. Where once others praised him or her for their seemingly great leadership, there soon appears a steady increase in frustration and hostility, as they see that the driven person cares little about the health and growth of human beings.
It becomes apparent that there is a non-negotiable agenda, and it is supreme above all other things.
Listen to this: Colleagues, friends, and subordinates in the world of the driven person slowly getaway, one after another, exhausted, exploited, and disillusioned. Of this person we are most likely to say, "He or she is miserable to work with, but they certainly gets things done."
And therein lies the problem or hardship..... The unexpected thing is that in almost every great organization, religious and secular, people of this sort can be found in key positions. Even though they carry with them the seeds of relationship disaster, they often are indispensable to the objectives.
Related Bible Texts: 1 Samuel 18:1-16; Acts 9:1-9; James 4:6
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for his forgiveness. Never Rest Ministries
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of self ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:1-5
Ambition or driven people often possess limited or undeveloped people skills. They are not noted for getting along well with others. They were not born without the capacity to get along with others, but projects are more important to them than people.
Think about this: Their eyes are upon goals and objectives, they rarely take note of the people about them, unless they can be used for the fulfillment of one of their goals. And if others are not found to be useful, then they may be seen as obstacles or competitors when it comes to getting something done.
There is usually a "trail of bodies" in the wake of the driven person. Where once others praised him or her for their seemingly great leadership, there soon appears a steady increase in frustration and hostility, as they see that the driven person cares little about the health and growth of human beings.
It becomes apparent that there is a non-negotiable agenda, and it is supreme above all other things.
Listen to this: Colleagues, friends, and subordinates in the world of the driven person slowly getaway, one after another, exhausted, exploited, and disillusioned. Of this person we are most likely to say, "He or she is miserable to work with, but they certainly gets things done."
And therein lies the problem or hardship..... The unexpected thing is that in almost every great organization, religious and secular, people of this sort can be found in key positions. Even though they carry with them the seeds of relationship disaster, they often are indispensable to the objectives.
Related Bible Texts: 1 Samuel 18:1-16; Acts 9:1-9; James 4:6
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for his forgiveness. Never Rest Ministries
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Strongholds
When The Door Slams
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5
Understanding human behavior has revealed that it usually takes three to five times to establish a habit. Beyond that point, the habit or thinking process becomes even more rooted as it is further practiced or repeated (deception and disobedience). Often these behaviors seem unchangeable, when put in a strong position.
This passage refers to them as "strongholds." Historically, a stronghold was a well established city that could withstand any outside forces that attempt to enter and overtake it. In God, we have weapons that can be used to help us break the strongholds in our lives.
Think about this: What behavior or thought has put down a root in your life? What habit has become part of you? Since a new habit can be started in three to five practice, you can choose to behave differently. Yes, it will take effort, but you can change, stop deceiving yourself by lying.
Lord God's spiritual weapons to assist you in change are His Word, His people and prayer. The old pattern can be broken. The stronghold can be torn down, You can establish a new habit. What habit has became a stronghold in my life? Will I invest three to five times a week of concentrated effort with God's help to make the change?
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5
Understanding human behavior has revealed that it usually takes three to five times to establish a habit. Beyond that point, the habit or thinking process becomes even more rooted as it is further practiced or repeated (deception and disobedience). Often these behaviors seem unchangeable, when put in a strong position.
This passage refers to them as "strongholds." Historically, a stronghold was a well established city that could withstand any outside forces that attempt to enter and overtake it. In God, we have weapons that can be used to help us break the strongholds in our lives.
Think about this: What behavior or thought has put down a root in your life? What habit has become part of you? Since a new habit can be started in three to five practice, you can choose to behave differently. Yes, it will take effort, but you can change, stop deceiving yourself by lying.
Lord God's spiritual weapons to assist you in change are His Word, His people and prayer. The old pattern can be broken. The stronghold can be torn down, You can establish a new habit. What habit has became a stronghold in my life? Will I invest three to five times a week of concentrated effort with God's help to make the change?
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Undeserved Blessings
When The Door Slams
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water. He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of His name.
Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because You are with me. Your rod and Your walking stick comfort me. You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies. You pour oil on my head; You fill my cup to overflowing. Surely Your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:3-6
Think about this: The basis of serenity for the believer: trust in God. Even on the verge of Death, David was not afraid that God would abandon him. In fact, David trusted God to remain with him. When anointing someone's head with oil was an ancient tradition to signify honor and blessing. Our cups run over with abundant, undeserved blessings.
The Hebrew word for "goodness" In verse 6 is hesed, implying "Good loyal." God's good loyal love for us results in blessings and continued mercy and forgiveness throughout all the of our lives. We do not needs to fear the shadowing trials in our life, or even death, because the Lord and His blessing are with us.
Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success. Proverbs 3:5-6
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness. never rest ministries
The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water. He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of His name.
Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because You are with me. Your rod and Your walking stick comfort me. You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies. You pour oil on my head; You fill my cup to overflowing. Surely Your goodness and love will be with me all my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:3-6
Think about this: The basis of serenity for the believer: trust in God. Even on the verge of Death, David was not afraid that God would abandon him. In fact, David trusted God to remain with him. When anointing someone's head with oil was an ancient tradition to signify honor and blessing. Our cups run over with abundant, undeserved blessings.
The Hebrew word for "goodness" In verse 6 is hesed, implying "Good loyal." God's good loyal love for us results in blessings and continued mercy and forgiveness throughout all the of our lives. We do not needs to fear the shadowing trials in our life, or even death, because the Lord and His blessing are with us.
Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do, and He will give you success. Proverbs 3:5-6
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness. never rest ministries
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