Without God, I Can Do Nothing

People often wonder why some people seem to have "good luck" and others seem to make wrong decisions on every turn. Some of our brothers and sisters seem to have the "magic touch," where everything they touch prospers, while others seem to be living witnesses of Murphy's Law: everything that can happen, will happen. The answer is simple: when we remain in Christ, He remains in us. In John 15:4-5, Jesus states "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." In order to prosper, in accordance with God's will, we must remain in Christ. In our own strength, our own will, our own wisdom, our success will limited; but with Christ, we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

Overcoming the Drought

Every day, the news and media remind us that poor economic conditions are worsening, and it seems as though there is little hope in sight. There is a drought in the land; a drought of finances, and for many, a drought of hope. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 declares that we should "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." These simple principles provide the recipe for hope in any situation: be glad, pray, and be thankful. When your focus and hope is in God instead of any circumstance, hope becomes inevitable.

God Has a Plan

Sometimes things happen in our lives that we simply don't understand. At times, it seems as if God has forgotten about us or forsaken us. Our plans are simply not working out the way that we planned. As stated in Jeremiah 29:11, where Lord declares that “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Be encouraged to know that God has a master plan for all of our lives; He already worked out the plan long before we were born; a plan for hope, a future, and expected an end. No matter how things appear to be, know that God has a plan for your life that cannot fail, even when your own plans have already failed.

God's Time

We are busier now than ever before. We have committed ourselves to too many things, sometimes, more than we are able to handle. Even in the midst of our running, God still desires to speak to us. How can we make more time to commune with God and read Word, and less time on the frivolous activities with which we fill our days?

Forgive and Forget It

It is terribly easy to offend or hurt our brothers and sisters. Generally, too many of our brothers and sisters have become fragile, both in faith and in nature, and must be handled with care. If someone has committed an offense against you, intentional or not, forgive them. Is someone has offended or hurt someone close to you, forgive them. Not only should you forgive them, but never bring it up again. Proverbs 17:9 states that “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” Consider this; is the offense worth losing a friend or loved one? Is it much better to promote love, show love one to another, than to sever a treasured relationship? It takes time, and it takes God to heal the hurt from an offense; in the meantime, consider the benefit, to yourself and the "offender" when you choose to both forgive and forget.

Too Many Blessings?

If you have not heard, or are familiar with the name Nadya Suleman, I'm sure that you are familiar with her story. She is the mother of six who recently gave birth to octuplets, bringing her child count to fourteen children. There is little doubt that children are a great blessing to almost any family. Psalm 127: 3-5 states that "children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward...How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them." It's true that children are a blessing, however, it is unlikely that she will be able to care for and provide for all fourteen children alone. What is our responsibility, as the church, as society, to assist her in supporting her family? How should we respond to someone with more children than they can support?

Just a Little Faith

Oftentimes, it is easy to forget all of the wonderful things that God has done, and what He has promised to do, when we find ourselves in trying situations. Hebrews 11:6 declares that "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Instead of focusing on the circumstances, remember the promises of God and his mighty promises. It is difficult to seek God, and nearly impossible to have faith in God and fear or doubt at the same time. Have faith to know that God is more than real, but he will reward you when you seek God's face, and not just his hand.

Resolving a Church Hurt

At some point in our Christian journey, we will have some disagreement, be offended, or hurt by another one of our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is easy to broadcast that hurt to your family, friends, even your pastor, without resolving the issue with the person who caused the hurt or offense. In Matthew 18: 15-17, Jesus provides a clear method to resolve these issues. He says, "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." Instead of publishing the offense to anyone who will listen, consider resolving the issue privately first, one-on-one, instead of recruiting others into the conflict.

Our Own Master

What do you do when you disagree with your fellow brothers or sisters? If you have a disagreement with someone at church, particularly about their personal beliefs, their dress, or their personal habits? In Romans 14:4, Paul asked a very pointed question, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." If their dress is too short, their tattoos are showing, or if they order an alcoholic drink during dinner, do you express your disagreement, or allow the Lord to "make them stand" to be a stronger Christian?

Safe in His Arms

Friday the 13th is a great day for telling spooky stories and watching scary movies; it's also a day when those who are superstitious live in fear. Some people refuse to leave their houses until midnight, and celebrate their survival on the next day. In Psalm 27:5, David declares that "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." God is are refuge, our protector, and our salvation, even on a day such as this, he will keep us safe. When all sorts of confusion and calamity is going on around us, we must maintain our confidence in knowing that our God is greater than our fears.

God's Kind of Love

The phrase "I love you" has become so common that it is almost a trite expression. Those three little words are incredibly powerful, particularly when so many people in our churches are deprived of love, abused, or misused in their social circles, on their jobs, and even in their own homes. How can we love each other with the kind of love that God commands, love is " bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things?"

No New Temptation

With so much around us to arouse our senses, it's easy to gaze too long on a beautiful woman or a handsome man, and allow that gaze to turn into a fantasy. That fantasy can easily turn into a temptation, if you allow it to become such. 1 Corinthians 10:13 declares that "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." There are no new temptations, no new tricks, just the same focus on the imagination that too easily leads to action. When we are tempted, God always makes a way of escape from that temptation. How can we avoid being tempted in the first place?

God's Masterpiece

There is little reason to doubt that God knows all about us. When our culture places so much emphasis on unrealistic outward appearances, it is of little wonder why so many people have low self-esteem. Instead of being insecure of who we are, we must hold on to our security in him. As Psalm 139:14 declares, we should be like David and praise God because "I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." The next time that anyone tries to make you feel inferior, remember that you are one of God's greatest creations.

One Flesh...Almost

Recent statistics reveal that more than half of all marriages end in divorce; the statistic is surprisingly higher in Christian marriages. With the high rate of divorce, should couples who are seriously dating, and intending to marry, live together before their wedding date? Should those couples who have a domestic partnership, which means they live together as husband and wife without the actual marriage, be considered as a married couple?

Strange Orders

When we ask God for direction, oftentimes he does not speak or move the way that we intended. What we consider as wisdom, God often considers foolish, as the word declares in 1 Corinthians 1:27, that God chose the "foolish things to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." What do we do when God does the unexpected? What should be our reaction when God speaks or moves in way that just doesn't make sense to us?

Our First Love

Without a doubt, it is easy for us to say that we love God because he has done so much for us, but what about our brothers and sisters? Can we honestly say that we love them as well? 1 John 4:19 states that "We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." The phrase "I love you" is as common in our churches today. It's almost rude to walk by a fellow brother or sister in Christ without giving them a quick hug and telling them that you love them, but what are we doing to show them our love? As Christians, how can say that we love God, yet neglect to treat our brothers and sisters with the love of Christ?

Love Doesn't Cost a Thing

Love is in the air as Valentine's day is rapidly approaching. With all of the romantic plans for lovers to show each other their love for one another in candlelit dinners, concerts, and other romantic excursions, it's easy to forget that most of those events come with a hefty price tag. How do you balance paying for household expenses, and still having a little left over for romance? Who decides when the cost of those romantic events outweigh the benefits of a night out on the town?

Get in the Spirit

In today's society, we are often encouraged to live for today because the fate for tomorrow is uncertain. If we desire to know what is God's will for our lives, we only need to seek the Lord, as 1 Corinthians 2: 9-10 declares" As it is written, no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. " We may not know what the future holds, but we have the assurance that God has prepared a sure reward for those who love him.