Sibling Rivalry

How many of you have ever had your siblings hate you so much that they could not tolerate the thought of your existence? In fact, they hated you so deeply that they planned and carried out your fake death and eventually sold you into slavery. Most, if not all of us, have never had such an act take place against us. However, if this were to happen to you, would you be able to forgive those that so carefully ruined your life?

In Genesis, we meet a man named Joseph that was subject to all that has just been mentioned. He was his fathers favored son. He had been given more responsibility and power than the rest of his brothers. Even though he had been mistreated and left to die, Joseph makes it clear that he had no right to be angry or bitter against them. As a matter of fact, Joseph had a forgiving spirit that helped him overcome the problems that he faced. Genesis 50:20 says “ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.”

As God’s people, we must have this same mentality. We must look past the offense and realize that God is trying to develop character qualities in us as a result those actions. We must learn to pray for those who have hurt us and realize that we have no right to be bitter. Ask God to help you view the offense as His way of drawing attention to the needs of your offender.

We need more Christians like Joseph. Please understand that God is working all things together for good in order to conform your life to the image of Christ. Thank God for what He plans to do in our lives if we respond correctly when others do us harm

You Are Cordially Invited...

Has there ever been a time in your life when you received an invitation that you just could not turn down? Maybe someone invited you to the social event of the year and it was an honor to be invited. There is no doubt that we all like to be remembered for important occasions.

In the gospel of John there is an invitation extended to you that surpasses all others. In chapter fifteen, Jesus Christ Himself invites you and I to abide in Him. Once you trust Christ as your Savior, the real privileges and opportunities begin. It all starts when we accept the invitation and abide in Him. We can have the peace and joy that is available to us on a daily basis if we take our position in Christ and realize that victory has been made available to each and every one of us!

As we approach the new year, make the decision to accept the invitation that Christ has extended. "Abide in Me, and I in you!" (John 15:4)

You're on Candid Camera!

What would you do if you knew that your every move was being video taped? Better yet, what wouldn’t you do? Would you speak only kind words and say only those things that were helpful and encouraging to others? Would you think only the things that were pure and clean? Would you act in a way that was decent and above reproach? If everything you did was seen by all, would your life change? I am sure that all of us have something in our lives that we would immediately do away with if we knew we were completely exposed.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 15 that “the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” In other words, we are completely exposed before a holy God. We need to understand and remember that every word, thought, and deed are always before the Lord and we will give an account to Him some day.

So what about those things that need to change? Are you now ready to only speak encouraging and helpful words? Are you now ready to think on those things that are pure and of a good report? Based on this verse, are you now ready to live above reproach? God is our Judge and we need to take this matter seriously. He died on the cross for you to be able to escape the torments of an eternal flame and expects us to live and walk in newness of life. Remember that the Lord sees it all, hears it all, and knows it all. Let this thought guide you in every step you take in order to live in a way that pleases HIM!!!

Revenge!

Has there ever been a time in your life when somebody did you wrong? Maybe that person hurt you, or was mean and rude to you. No matter who you are, I know that we all have had things happen to us for which we sought revenge.

When I was young, my older brother, Brent, used to do things to me that I did not appreciate. On one occasion, he threw a dirt clod and hit me right in the back of the head. Of course, I did not think that this incident was as funny as he did, so I immediately began to devise a plan to get even quick. As you may know by now, I have a deep fascination with regard to weaponry and firearms. My young mind was quickly reminded of the fact that my brother owned a BB gun. I hurried into the house, loaded the gun and headed back outside. I was pleased to find my brother sitting on a split rail fence facing the opposite direction. I began shooting at him as though I was in the midst of a raging battle. I got my revenge!

As foolish as this story of my childhood may be, this is the way that many Christians act when someone does them wrong. The Bible tells us in I Thessalonians 5:15 that we must not render evil for evil unto any man. In other words, when someone does us wrong we should follow the teaching and example of Christ and turn the other cheek. Don’t let pride get involved in any decision that you make. The apostle Paul told Timothy to endure hardness as a good soldier of Christ. We must do the same. I Peter 2:20 tells us that if we suffer for doing what is right, this is acceptable to God. Make it your desire to live a life that pleases God rather than taking action against the wrongful doings of man.

Peer Pressure

Now that summer vacation is long gone and school is well underway, I am sure that many of you are beginning to feel the weight of the world on your shoulders. Homework, practices, chores and responsibilities are just a few of the many burdens you are facing right now. As you all know, there will be many pressures that come your way in the next few weeks and months. When I was in high school, peer pressure was the leading cause for stress in my life. I had so many friends that I wanted to please and at times I was worn very thin. Many of those friends encouraged me to do things that were not always right. I knew in my heart that I was better off to say no, but the fear of being an outcast drove me to participate in these things. Looking back, I wish that I would have had listened to the wisdom and teaching of others who tried to keep me out of trouble. More importantly, I wish that I would have taken the advice of the Lord that He gives in His word.

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers who were under severe persecution. They were being tempted to return to their old ways and leave the new life that they had in Christ. The author encouraged them to stay strong and do what they knew was right. Hebrews 13:13 says “let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.” No matter what is happening around you, press on for the cause of Christ. No matter what people may say, do, or think stay strong in the Lord. I encourage all of you to go forth unto HIM! Make it a point this year to not simply be one of the crowd. Leave “the camp” and do what you know is right for the One who bought you with His own shed blood!

Prized Possessions

Has there ever been a time in your life when you had a certain possession that was more precious to you than anything? Maybe it was a teddy bear, or some other stuffed animal. Perhaps the object of your affection was some sort of toy that you just had to have with you at all time. I once saved my money for an entire summer just so that I could afford to buy a certain pair of shoes. I mowed lawns, raked leaves, washed cars and even cleaned out dirty rain gutters so that I could afford the shoe I had wanted my entire life. I remember the day that I finally had the money that I needed to buy them. My Mom drove me to the mall, and as we got closer, the excitement started to build. Once we arrived, I made my way to the shoe store and finally purchased my first pair of Air Jordans! I was so careful to keep these shoes clean and neat. I washed them everyday, and even went as far as to put them back in the box every night. These shoes were special to me. I had my eye on them for so long, and now I had a pair of my very own.

The Bible tells us in the book of I Peter that we are a “peculiar people.” In other words, we are a prized possession to Almighty God. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for the salvation of your soul, and if you have trusted Him as your Savior you are the object of His divine affection. He lives to help you through every trial and He promises to never leave you nor forsake you. No matter what life may bring, remember that God loves you with an undying love and cares for you beyond any human comprehension. You are His precious object of affection!