Put your problems in God's Hands

It was November and I was driving to work.  It was roughly ten or so years ago.

My wife and I were having severe financial troubles.  So much so that even after working a full-time job and a part-time job, we still had barely enough money to cover the overdrafts in our checking account.

We listened to Dave Ramsey daily on the radio, we read his books--we wish we could've afforded his Financial Peace University class at the time, but there was no way we could afford it.

I don't remember what prompted me to do this, but I clearly remember the exact spot on the road when I prayed to God.  I not only pleaded with Him to help us, I said, "God, I put all of our money problems in Your hands.  Please show us what we need to do."

Immediately, three words came to mind: property tax refund.

Living in Minnesota--I'm sure this is the same across many states--we qualified for a property tax refund.  It was a separate form that we needed to send in, after our tax forms.  I forgot to do so.  I made a note to check it out.  That night, I got the forms and sent them in.  In less than two weeks, we got our refund.

And it all came about because I placed our problems in God's Hands.

One of my wife's (and mine) favorite poem is Footprints in the Sand.  In it, where it talks about where there are only one set of prints, that was when God carried you.  I get the chills just thinking about it.  Well, in doing so, you are asking God to lift you up, to guide you, to help you.

In other words, place your troubles in God's Hands.  You'll be amazed at what could happen when you do so.

Amen.

Why are Christians so critical of other Christians?

Christians have a large enemy: Satan.

And Satan loves it when Christians fight against other Christians.

There has been a fantastic surge of great Christian movies out on the market lately.  From God's Not Dead and I Can Only Imagine to Fireproof and Christian Mingle.  And that is only the tip of the iceberg.

The other day, a relative of mine complained about the God's Not Dead franchise and how it doesn't preach about certain Christian values the way he thought they should be.  Other Christians have also complained about mega church pastors like Joel Osteen, and how his message isn't Christian enough.

Whatever your opinion is on all these, step back and imagine Satan watching all of this unfold.  He's enjoying the show.

Why do us Christians do this to other Christians?  We believe in the same God, the same Son of God Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross for our sins.  So what's the problem?

Stop chastising other Christians!

Stop criticizing other Christians!

To paraphrase what it says in the book of John, chapter 8, verse 7: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Enjoy the positive movies and positive messages.  Let each one come to God in their own way, by His Holy Hands.

Amen.

Rehoboam

Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and king of what was left of his kingdom, namely the land of Judah.
In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 12, Rehoboam met with the people and they asked him if they could lighten their load, for his father laid a heavy burden on them.
He turned them away for three days as he consulted with the elders.  They gave advice, saying he should be a servant to the people and they'd do whatever he asked.  He did not like this advice, so he asked advice from younger men he had grown up with.  They said to punish the people harder than what his father did.
So that is what he did.
And in doing so divided the kingdom up even more.

My refuge in the Lord

Frequently, I find myself harboring some troubling thoughts or up against something I need God's help with.  Now, I'd like to say that I always consult with God in these matters, but we all know that would be a lie.
It's funny how, at those times, God finds a way of sneaking Himself into my life by offering either a solution or relief from whatever ails me.
That was the case a few days ago when I was reading chapter 31 in the book of Psalms.  Its opening line is: "In you, O Lord, do I take refuse; let me never be put to shame . . ."
The chapter talks about the Lord being a rock, a fortress, a refuge as one commits their spirit to Him.
This particular chapter set my whole soul at peace.
And it will yours, if you let Him.

King Solomon Shuns the Lord

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 11, we find Solomon, King of Israel, with about 700 wives from various tribes.  The Lord warned him about this, but Solomon ignored those warnings.  The gravity of so many wives and concubines turned his heart away from God, toward the false gods the Lord warned him about.
God was angry by this.  Instead of taking Solomon's kingdom away from him, he gathered adversaries against Solomon.  He also was going to give all but one tribe to others.  But He was going to wait until Solomon died.  Solomon's son, the next one in line for the title of king, would not gain the title because of his father's foolish deeds.

Queen Of Sheba

In chapter 10 from the book of 1 Kings, the queen of Sheba heard all that was said of King Solomon.  Instead of relying on second hand knowledge of Solomon's conquests and knowledge, she wanted to question him herself.
She arrived in Jerusalem with a bounty of spices, gold, and precious gems.
She also arrived with difficult questions.  And questions Solomon answered.  Nothing was hidden from her.

The Lord's Warning To Solomon

In the book of 1 Kings, chapter 9, Solomon had finished building the Lord's Temple, the king's house, and all that he wanted to build.
The Lord God told Solomon that He had heard Solomon's plea, based on a promise to his father King David.
God instructed Solomon that if he or his people were to turn away from the Lord, by worshiping other gods and not keeping with His commandments, He would lay Israel into a pile of ruins.  Those who would pass by the once fabled city would say it was because they abandoned their God was the reason for their destruction.