God is Testing Them
Because I don't read the newspaper and rarely watch the news, I have been somewhat insulated from the economic woes of our country. As I have stated before, it is a dangerous thing to obtain information that will influence the way you think and live when it comes from sources that have their own agenda and biases. That is not to say that we shouldn't be informed but the addiction to news among Christians, particularly cnn and fox seems to lean toward entertainment more than information. A godly seminary professor once said to me, "You know Mark, I think Jesus really meant what he said, when he shared that if we seek first the
This morning I was reading Ecclesiastes chapter 5...you must read this chapter! It is so fitting for our present day. If people only realized that God has given us His Word for each occasion of life, they would have not only the information they need but the wisdom. God's Word is written and supernaturally compiled in such a way that when you read it, you will find the newsworthy information you need for each day. For thirty years the Scriptures have provided me with the direction and wisdom I have needed to make the right decision for each need in my life--the secular news has never helped one iota!
I would like to share some insights from chapter 5. First, I have noticed lately that I have been dreaming more during the night. This is unusual for me. I am usually a pretty sound sleeper and don't remember too many dreams except on occasion. But lately, they have been many and bizarre. In Ecclesiastes 5 Solomon writes: "For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words." What insight! These past 9 weeks have been among the busiest days of my life. Directing Lamplighter, speaking, learning aviation (hardest thing I have ever attempted), still learning how to be a husband and father, discipling a new believer, working with new staff...and I haven't had time to rake the leaves yet; and this is the short list, which tells me that my life is out of balance and the increased dreams according to Solomon is a result of "much business."
Solomon continues this thought in 5:7 by saying, "For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity, but God is the one you must fear." Doesn't that put things into perspective, especially in our economic climate? God has placed in each one of us a spiritual barometer that helps us gauge when we start disconnecting from our great and awesome God. Are there too many dreams? Too many words? Too much fear? Apart from Him, Jesus said, "You can do nothing." I would highly recommend reading all of Ecclesiastes, but particularly chapter 5. There are some golden morsels there that I promise that you will find newsworthy...and the author is a reliable source .
posted by Mark Hamby | 6:26 AM
2 Comments:
"..You always hit what you are looking at....
If you resolve to live the life of your dreams, if you refuse to settle for a life other that the one God created you to live, your going to see the waves and the wind. And its going to terrify you and you going to sink.
Concentration is directing all of our energies and resources to a specific task, idea, and direction. So to focus, you have to make this adjustment....to concentrate all of your energy and resources on where you are going. Set your eyes on where God is calling you and dont look back..(dont even look around)...
Your potential becomes talent only when it is harnessed and developed. Your talents become strengths when they are focused and directed. It is here where you begin to discover who you are and the potential God has placed within you.
Without a sense of destiny, you will diffuse your energy. When you are focused you are your most powerful. A destiny is not something waiting for you but something waiting within you.
The power of focus brings not only the strength of concentration but also the power of convergence-it harnesses all of your talent, gifting, skills, passions, intellect, experience, the whole of you and brings it all together to unleash your hightest potential. Without focus, not only do obstacles ovewhelm us, but we also become distracted by opportunities..."
Wide Awake...Erwin McManus
praying for you and all..
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Timothy Treadwell loved grizzly bears. He spent more than a dozen summers among bears in Alaska, naming them and getting close enough to touch them.
But then, in 2003, his life among the bears ended when one fatally mauled him on the Alaskan Peninsula. Wild animals can’t be reformed. Even if you’re comfortable around them, eventually they’ll act according to their nature.
There’s a beast that’s far more dangerous than any bear. It’s called sin. Most of us would never get cozy with a wild animal, but we’re not always so careful when it comes to sin. If we play with sin, it will eventually dominate and destroy us.
Proverbs 5:22 says, “The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.”
If there’s a sin you’ve been playing with, would you ask God to help you stop? Don’t wait for the beast to reveal its true nature.
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