TODAY'S QUOTATION

"Someone has said that there are more than 1,000

commentaries on the book of Acts in the English

language - but not 100 Christians living with the 

power of the New Testament Christianity.

"All too often it seems, we're willing to be students

of Christianity rather than disciples of Christ.  The

fact is that most of us are substituting learning and

information for practical obedience." 

 

-K.P Yohannan in

The Road To Reality

BLESSED FRUSTRATION

Frustration.  Oh!, blessed frustration.

What is frustration?

Webster has a very good explanation with fancy

words.  But to us simple people frustration is 

simply - things are not going right, or to suit

us, and we don't know what to do about it.

But frustration has a purpose.

If you are a parent you have even used it to teach

your kids.  They want to do something.  And the 

way they want to do it will not work.  As kids

[Of any age.] being kids, will not listen to you.  So,

you just let them do it their own way - which don't

work.  After they try hard enough, long enough,

they "MIGHT" listen to your instructions.

Hey!

God does the same thing with us.  He let's us get

frustrated so we will stop going our way and seek

his way.   Like some of us who have to be knocked

down, before we will look up.

It can be almost anything from "a bad hair day",

work, marriage, even pleasure.  But when you are

frustrated - LOOK UP FOR HELP.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Never rely on what you think you know.

Remember the Lord in everything you do,

and he will show you the right way."

(Proverbs 3:5,6 GNT)

Here was my latest frustration.

Isn't God good.

I have liked working with engines for over seventy years.

Amongst other things, I had been an automobile  technician

for over twenty five years.  So when I got real old and was

forced to retire, working on small engines on my bench

looked like a good thing to this old man.  Well, that is 

where I started with engines as a kid so why not?

But it is like some of you know.  There is a difference

between raising rabbits and bees.  (I know from experience.)

And there is a lot of difference between working on these

small two cycle engines and car engines.

BUT!

Every time I begin to think about this as a possible small

business to make some money, it turns into total frustration.

However, each time I do it to help someone out,

God seems to bless and it goes great.

There is nothing wrong with trying to earn some honest

money.  In fact that is the way God would have us do it.

But in my retired state, my real purpose is to try and do

good to help others.  That is a desire God has put in 

my heart.  So, when my motive shifts to financial

ends, I'm into frustration big time.

As one of God's kids I am learning.

But often the hard way.

THE BEST SCHOOL

"The law of the LORD is perfect,

converting the soul:

the testimony of the LORD is sure,

making wise the simple.

The statutes of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart:

the commandment of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring for ever:

the judgments of the LORD are

true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,

yes, than much fine gold:

sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is your servant warned:

and in keeping them there is great reward."

-Psalms 19:7-11 (AKJV)

WHO IS TEACHING YOU?

I am constantly appalled by the utter ignorance of professing 

"Christians" of the very Scriptures that are the 

source of their salvation. 

If you discuss Scripture with them it becomes apparent 

they are only parroting some preacher they have heard.

They would rightly turn up their nose at regurgitated food.

But willingly accept regurgitated teaching.

Jesus told us,

"Human beings cannot live on bread alone,

but need every word that God speaks."

-Matthew 4:4 (GNB)

You do not get any nourishment if someone

else is eating your sandwich for you.

Yes, God gave the church teachers and even pastors.

But they are not to predigest your spiritual food for you.

God gave YOU and me a personal teacher, the HOLY SPIRIT.

 Photo courtesy of www.theforerunnerministry.net

"The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the father
will send in my name, will teach you everything 
and make you remember all that I have told you."
-John 14:26 (GNB)


"So then, we do not speak in words taught by human
wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, as we 
explain spiritual truths to those who have the Spirit."
-1 Corinthians 2:13 (GNB)


"But as for you, Christ has poured out his Spirit on you.
As long as his Spirit remains in you, you do not need
anyone to teach you.  For his Spirit teaches you about
everything, and what he teaches is true, not false.  obey
the spirit's teaching, then, and remain in union with Christ."
-1 John 2:27 (GNB)

Photo courtesy of www.davejackson.com

God instructs us to test the teachers.
Even the most honest, wise, serious and holy
person can make a mistake.  Or, may have been mislead
by some other teacher.


"The people there were more open minded than the people 
 in Thessalonica.  They listened to the message with great 
eagerness, and every day they studied the Scriptures to 
see if what Paul said was really true."
-Acts 17:11 (GNB)


"You study the Scriptures, because you think that in them
you will find eternal life.  And these very Scriptures speak 
about me!"
-John 5:39 (GNB)


"Put yourselves to the test and judge yourselves,
to find out whether you are living in faith.
Surely you know that Christ Jesus is in you?
- unless you have completely failed."
2 Corinthians 13:5 (GNB)


"Put all things to the test:
keep what is good and avoid
every kind of evil."
-1 Thessalonians 5:21 (GNB)


"My dear friends, do not believe all who 
claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find
out if the spirit they have comes from God.
For many false prophets have gone out everywhere."
-1 John 4:1 (GNB)


The only book in the world that really matters.
Let's get serious with it for ourselves.