Who Needs Directions?

Scripture:
Psalm 119:9-16

Ecclesiastes 5:8-17

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Why is it that most people, mostly men, do not like to read the directions.  Guys generally do not like to stop and ask for directions to get somewhere.  I remember one of the first trips I made to my parents house in Fayetteville Ga.  I drove in circles trying to find the house.  Finally after being completely lost I stopped to ask how to get there.  Well, I actually had to ask two more times before I could find their street.  

People will often turn to God when help is needed.  After the fact we cry to God to help fix the problem.  Instead we need to read the scripture on a regular basis.  Reading God's word will give us daily instructions on how to live our lives.  I know when I seek God first in my life things tend to go smoother and turn out much better.  When I try to figure things out on my own I tend to get it wrong.  it is like building something out of legos.  When you look at the picture and think you can build it.  Only after messing up several times do you open the directions.  Then and only then can you assemble the image on the box.  The Bible is our instruction book for life.  We get only one life.  It is up to each one of us to determine how we live it.  

Once this life is finished we get eternal life.  Where do you want to spend eternity?  How do you want your next life to be?  You cannot take what you have in this life with you.  Ecclesiastes 5:15 "Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands." It is imperative that we get it right here so that we can have an abundant life in heaven.  The Bible will keep us on the right path. Psalm 119:9 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word."

Being Prepared...

Scripture:

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Ephesians 6:10-18

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When I use go out to work on a computer I can always tell when I am not prepared.  If I forget tools or software I usually end up having problems of some sort.  I would get to a client site and if I had to open the case I would have to borrow a screw driver.  The worst though was not having software to run diagnostics or scan for viruses.  I wouldn't be able to complete the job.  On the other hand when I had all my tools and software I could complete the job.  The computer would be fixed and running properly.

An auto mechanic would not be very effective if they didn't have their scopes, scanners and tools.  They wouldn't be able to accurately diagnose the problem and fix your car.  You wouldn't take your car back there again.

It is much the same for Christians.  We must be prepared at all times.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that the scripture is inspired by God and profitable for our usage.  We can and should use the Scripture to teach, correction and training in the ways of God.  Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us what we need to get ready and to be prepared.  By putting on the full armor of God will we be protected and able to withstand attacks from the enemy.  without God's armor we cannot hope to prevail.  Without arming ourselves with scripture, faith, salvation, righteousness, truth, and prayer we cannot be ready.  Without these we cannot stand firm in the battle. God gives us the resources to triumph all we have to do is use them. 

Nag, Nag, Nag...

Scripture:

Judges 16:4-17

Hebrews 12:5-7

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We all get frustrated and worn down by nagging.  There are times when I come home from work and feel overwhelmed by all the commotion.  Aaron wants to play on the computer, Lois & Jane want to watch a movie or show, Megan wants to watch a movie.  It seems there is always something.  When Nancy goes out for an evening I get the task of getting the little ones to bed, clean the kitchen, and take care of the things she normally does.  Lois will ask to watch Dora or Diego or something else.  I will tell her maybe later.  No sooner has she left that she returns to ask again, and again, and yet again.  After about the eighth time I start getting annoyed.  I tell her to stop asking or the answer will turn from a maybe to a NO.  Yet she will still keep asking, just not as frequent.

Delilah wore down Samson about subduing him.  Even though he knew it would weaken him he told her his secret.  As I read the passage I kept thinking Samson you idiot she has attempted to weaken you how many times before and brought the philistines in.  Yet he gives her the answer anyway.

How must God feel.  We keep bombarding him with selfishness.  We then cry and threw tantrums when we do not get what we want.  God wants to give us what we want.  He doesn't want to give us what will lead us into sin.  He will guide and discipline us.  When we do not get what we want  or He disciplines us we can react as a two year old.  We go into our tantrums and complain that God isn't listening or that He doesn't answer our prayers.  When in reality He does listen and tries to correct us from our mistakes.  He does answer our prayers.  We just did not like the answer.  We do not like being disciplined.  When we are disciplined we tend to get angry and rebellious.  

Our parents lovingly disciplined us to correct bad behavior or to encourage good behavior.  God does the same with us.  In the end we are better for our parents corrections.  Again how much better are we because of God's...

Are You Attached...

Scripture:

John 14:26-27

John 15:1-8

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We all like to be independent.  We do not like to rely on anyone.  I can do it myself is a common theme you will here all over.  Cora, who is now 2, loves to do it herself.  For dinner last night Nancy made stew.  Cora had a little bowl and spoon set and ready for her.  I sat down with her to help her and make sure she didn't fall.  I grabbed her spoon full of stew for her to take a bite.  She promptly said "no."  I had to put the spoon full of food back down in her bowl.  She then picked it up and ate the stew.  She then dipped her spoon by herself back into her bowl for another bite.  As long as I didn't touch her spoon she was happy.

People tend to not stop for directions.  I know I have driven around in circles looking for a place.  Why, so I don't have to stop for help.  Working on projects around the house we tend to think oh I can do that.  Next thing you know the patch in the wall is now a huge hole.  It would have been easier and in the long run cheaper to have help...  I have had clients who attempted to fix their computers themselves.  Finally after failed attempts they will call me to come in and fix their computer.  By the time I am done I have spent twice the amount of time on it.  

Jesus tells us that we need Him in order to bear fruit.   John 15:4 "⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."  John 14:26 "²⁶"But the ^(A)Helper, the Holy Spirit, ^(B)whom the Father will send in My name, ^(C)He will teach you all things, and ^(D)bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."  We are given a helper, the Holy Spirit.  Why would we be given a helper if we are capable on our own?  The answer is we cannot go at it alone.  Jesus tells us we will wither and die if we do not remain in Him.  We cannot bear fruit if we are not attached to the branch.  

It can be extremely hard to recognize the fact that we are not independent after all.  When we are young we rely on our parents for care and our needs.  We mature into adults and think we are independent.  The irony of it is when we grow old we return into the care of others.  Somewhere in the middle we lose touch with the fact we cannot go at it alone.  That is why God gave us fellowship.  We are to assist one another.  Christ being in us will allow others to see Him through us.  Christ being in us means we are attached to the branch...