Happy New Year, precious loving Lord, I will heed and obey Your holy Word.
As Christians we are responsible for our choices. On the spur of the moment we can forget that all choices have consequences. Some of the tragic consequences can last a lifetime. Here are just a few of the many cases where people made very foolish and unwise choices.
It was uncomfortable, hurtful and disappointing to be hated by siblings, and to be imprisoned on a false charge.
Think about all the things that invade our lives every day. They can be unexpected – surprising – pleasant – upsetting – hurtful – difficult – and often baffling. Do we truly believe (Oswald Chambers) “that God engineers ALL of our circumstances.” If we do, we will remain steadfastly loyal to Jesus. We will trust Him whether or not we understand.
Will anyone enjoy eternal bliss in heaven because of the compassion I have shown as a good neighbour while on earth?
Hippocrates known as the father of modern medicine, lived in the 4th century B.C. He wrote that wine and oil should be poured on sores and wounds. The alcohol in the wine would cleanse and disinfect and the oil would soothe and heal. Jesus referred to this remedy in (Luke 10:25-37) His parable about the Good Samaritan. (I heard that doctors no longer take the Hippocratic Oath. How could those who perform abortions and participate in assisted suicides?) The question of (Luke 10:29) the deceitful, self-righteous lawyer was – who is my neighbour? But the intent of the question of Jesus was (Luke 10:36) – what kind of neighbour are you? The priest, Levite and Samaritan all saw the victim of a brutal mugging. The first two did not want or intend to get involved. The difference was that (Dr. Swindol) “the Samaritan had compassion”. As I was meditating, I realized that – Compassion Compels Involvement. On the dangerous winding road to Jericho there were many caves and large rocks where robbers would hide in wait for unsuspecting travellers. The Samaritan was also busy and heading to a business destination. Also, he recognized that the victim was a hated Jew who would never help him. BUT!!! he did not go with his head and take the path of prejudice and self-protecting logic. He went with his heart and took the costly path of compassion. It could have been very dangerous for the Samaritan to linger on that road. Do you see lurking possibilities of danger in some of your compassion opportunities and do they make you fearful? (Dr. Jeremiah) “Faith is not a medication which you take after the feared disease has infected you (Isaiah 12:2) but faith is the vaccine which prevents the feared disease from ever getting a grip on you.”
The time remaining is short, Satan is firing all his missiles and strategies to do as much damage as possible.
God so loved (John 3:16) the world.
Love not (1 John 2:15) the world.
A thankful heart cannot be cynical.
Why is it good to give thanks to the Lord? Because (Psalms 92, 105, 106, 107 and many more Scriptures) God says it is good. In everything (Thessalonians 5:18) give thanks because whatever it is, apart from disobedience, it is God’s will for us. We know that God’s will for us is also God’s best for us so we have every reason to be thankful. My anything – my everything – whatever happens to me – never surprises God or catches Him off guard. I can always be thankful because I know that the Lord is always in control and His purpose is always for my spiritual enrichment.