When Philippians 4:8 challenged us to think on the right things, the second subject is "honest". Honest, in this setting, speaks to the heart of ones character. It is also referred to "as what is honorable" and "to be revered".
To do the honorable thing is not always the easiest choice. The word "Honest" is not necessarily about not cheating on your taxes, when, obviously, we should render unto Caesar what is Caesar's. There was a day when being "honorable " was a more plenteous trait. But, because the Lord placed special emphasis here in His Word, we should give extra special care to exhibiting what is "Honest" and what is "Honorable".
Life is a test. Everything we go through will reveal something about our character. Need an example?
As Israel wandered in the desert those forty years, at strategic points and places, God revealed Himself to her. At the place of "bitter waters", He was revealed as "The Healer" and so on. The same, of course, was true on Israel's side of the relationship - meaning - their character was revealed too. When things didn't happen as fast as they wanted, their hearts strayed.
So, life is a test to reveal our hearts and thought processes. To be "Honest" or "Honorable" is not just a matter of "what we do", but also "who we are". Selah. Think on these things...
3/10/08
What Are You Thinking About These Days?
Beloved, what are you thinking about these days? Philippians 4:7-9 encourages us to think upon the things that will bring the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, and shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The first among the list is: think upon whatsoever is TRUE. Wow! What a dynamic word. Much of the world is seeking for truth and discover what is true. The things that are true and summed up in the following: what is proven to be faithful, consistent, invariable, and rock solid. Sounds like the Lord's character to me!
Not only is He truth, He is true! The Book of Revelation calls the Lord, "Faithful and True." From everlasting to everlasting, our God is dependable and unwavering. "In Him there is no variableness and no shadow of turning" James 1:17 says.
So many things today are undependable. But you and I can depend on the immovable Christ. He is TRUE, and what He says is truth. He, and His Word, has been stood the test of time. His timeless Words are just as true today as it was the day He spoke them. If it's peace you're looking and waiting for, think on these things. Meditate on what is TRUE and Who is TRUE!
The first among the list is: think upon whatsoever is TRUE. Wow! What a dynamic word. Much of the world is seeking for truth and discover what is true. The things that are true and summed up in the following: what is proven to be faithful, consistent, invariable, and rock solid. Sounds like the Lord's character to me!
Not only is He truth, He is true! The Book of Revelation calls the Lord, "Faithful and True." From everlasting to everlasting, our God is dependable and unwavering. "In Him there is no variableness and no shadow of turning" James 1:17 says.
So many things today are undependable. But you and I can depend on the immovable Christ. He is TRUE, and what He says is truth. He, and His Word, has been stood the test of time. His timeless Words are just as true today as it was the day He spoke them. If it's peace you're looking and waiting for, think on these things. Meditate on what is TRUE and Who is TRUE!
3/5/08
Kingdom Relationships (part 5)
A Kingdom Perspective
What would happen if each one of us had a more biblical, kingdom perspective regarding relationships? You know...it is possible. Don't you? As God's Word becomes our relationship compass, we are promised that our lights will perpetually shine brighter and brighter, until the day Jesus returns. Relationships within the Kingdom of God is somewhat of a barometer of sorts to measure Christ's light, especially in the home.
All of us are capable of allowing emotional buttons to be pushed, thereby displaying flesh against flesh; even though we know that we are not to wrestle against flesh and blood. But you know, we can elect not to go there. We can resist Satan's temptation to bring further ruin to godly relationships by immediately submitting to God. We often forget this and get the cart before the horse. If you re-read the scripture, it says, "Submit yourself to God, then resist the devil". Sometimes it is easier to resist than to submit. Huh?
This is because flesh defends it's rights and justifies its wavering position. Part of submitting to God is yielding our right to argue flesh's case before God. After all, we want immediate justice through "getting even". But, of course, this is not God's way. We are to submit our will to His, and, in doing so, He will defends and bring justice (with grace and mercy in mind) to our situation.
God sees the bigger picture, and, especially where two of His children are involved in a squabble, He has to speak truth into both. God will not be convinced that our way of resolving things is right or fair. He will only respond from His righteous perspective. If we really, really trust Him, we should be able to release relationship difficulties into God's hands without hardly any hesitation. Selah!
What would happen if each one of us had a more biblical, kingdom perspective regarding relationships? You know...it is possible. Don't you? As God's Word becomes our relationship compass, we are promised that our lights will perpetually shine brighter and brighter, until the day Jesus returns. Relationships within the Kingdom of God is somewhat of a barometer of sorts to measure Christ's light, especially in the home.
All of us are capable of allowing emotional buttons to be pushed, thereby displaying flesh against flesh; even though we know that we are not to wrestle against flesh and blood. But you know, we can elect not to go there. We can resist Satan's temptation to bring further ruin to godly relationships by immediately submitting to God. We often forget this and get the cart before the horse. If you re-read the scripture, it says, "Submit yourself to God, then resist the devil". Sometimes it is easier to resist than to submit. Huh?
This is because flesh defends it's rights and justifies its wavering position. Part of submitting to God is yielding our right to argue flesh's case before God. After all, we want immediate justice through "getting even". But, of course, this is not God's way. We are to submit our will to His, and, in doing so, He will defends and bring justice (with grace and mercy in mind) to our situation.
God sees the bigger picture, and, especially where two of His children are involved in a squabble, He has to speak truth into both. God will not be convinced that our way of resolving things is right or fair. He will only respond from His righteous perspective. If we really, really trust Him, we should be able to release relationship difficulties into God's hands without hardly any hesitation. Selah!
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