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CHOOSE PEACE

Bloged in Worship Music by DeNelle Stotser Thursday June 28, 2007
 
   “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33)
 
   What an awesome gift God gave to us when He sent Jesus.  I suppose one of the greatest things given to us is the revelation of God Himself as shown to us by Jesus.  In order that we might see how God would have us to live, God enters into the world in Jesus, showing us the heart and the will of the Father.  That revelation comes with a price tag; that we love God with our all, and love each other as we would be loved.  This is the simple truth of the life we are created for and called to live.  This life is known as a life of peace.
 
   One has to wonder, if our life is to be ruled by and demonstrated by peace, then why does peace elude us so often?  Why do we get in our jams then wonder where God is?  When our lives become frayed and fragmented inside and out, we scratch our heads and wonder what happened.  Surely this is not what God intended!  Question is, how do we make that u-turn and get back to restoration?
 
   As always, God doth provide.  He is always on the sidelines waiting for our petition.  As broken people, there will be trouble, mistakes, misfortunes as we suffer consequences of being just plain people.  The good news is that God has provided the ‘good news of Jesus Christ.’  His love transcends far beyond this world and every one of its challenges.  Forever and always we are one prayer away from His gracious hand of mercy and help.  Why would we settle for trying to solo through this life?  Not me!
 
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A BALANCED LIFE

Bloged in Worship Music by DeNelle Stotser Wednesday June 27, 2007
 
   “All thinks are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable.  All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”  (1 Corinthians 6:12)
 
   I know that age can sometimes obtain privilege, but not always.  Certainly when we see the News coverage on TV we wonder how so called mature people can do such crazy and horrific acts.  It really blows one’s mind the irrational thinking of some.  I know that most of us won’t often be tempted to commit obvious acts of sin such as armed robbery, murder, or rape.  Satan’s tack is to entice one to push something good beyond the boundary of the will of God until it becomes sin.  He treats one like the proverbial frog in the pot of water.  You know that story?  We can sure get in tight situations but we must learn to jump out of the water before we are incapable of jumping.
 
   Everything is good and lawful for us because we are free from sin and no longer under the condemnation of the law.  But the following statements reveal how we can wrongly take good things beyond the boundary of God’s will:  (This list was given by Neil Anderson)
  • physical rest becomes laziness
  • ability to profit becomes avarice and greed
  • enjoyment of life becomes intemperance
  • physical pleasure becomes sensuality
  • interest in the possessions of others becomes covetousness
  • enjoyment of food becomes gluttony
  • self-care becomes selfishness
  • self-respect becomes conceit
  • communication becomes gossip
  • cautiousness becomes unbelief
  • anger becomes rage and bad temper
  • lovingkindness becomes overprotection
  • judgment becomes criticism
  • same-sex friendship becomes homosexuality
  • conscientiousness becomes perfectionism
  • generosity becomes wastefulness
  • self-protection becomes dishonesty
  • carefulness becomes fear

    We must seek always a balance in our lives.  We must strive to be profitable without being mastered by anything other than the good things of the Lord.  Whatsoever things that are good, pure, lovely and of good report should be our guide.

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HIS EYE IS UPON ME

Bloged in Worship Music by DeNelle Stotser Monday June 25, 2007
 
   “His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.”  Don’t you just love that hymn?  It has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it.  It brings such comfort to know that God is watching over me and is concerned and caring about my welfare.  Of course, if He is watching over me, and He is, He also sees very closely what I am doing.  He knows everything, even the thoughts and intents of my heart.  What an awesome God!  He is not only awesome but His all-knowing should bring a sobering attitude to me.  If I really believe that He knows everything, then I should be very careful about my actions and thoughts.
 
   Our Father wants us in a place where we’re not afraid to obey Him in any area of His Word.  A major reason that God’s people are sometimes not obedient or yielded to His Word is that they have a fear of what might happen to them if they do obey.  God says in His Word that His blessings will overtake the one who is obedient to His Word.  The reason that He wants our obedience is so that He can bless us. 
 
   In Luke 1:74-75 we read, “That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.” The more we yield to God, the more that we place ourselves in His covenant care.  When we disobey, we are pushed a little farther away from His blessings. 
 
   Yes, I know His eye is upon me, and that He watches over me with the caring of the very best parent. I am grateful that I can live with an untroubled spirit because of His tender care.  I choose to do my very best to be the child that brings glory to Him today and every day.   
 
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COMFORT THE OPPRESSED

Bloged in Worship Music by DeNelle Stotser Sunday June 24, 2007
 
   “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation?”  (Psalm 68:5)  “The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.”  Psalm 103:6)
 
   If one studies the Bible to any length, we find that God’s compassionate heart was toward the oppressed and poor.  He had a soft place for orphans and widows because of their vulnerability.  Across the earth today the number of people who get a fair deal and are treated honorably is a small proportion of the human race.  They are unjustly and unfairly treated.  Too often the wealthy, famous and well-known are treaty with better respect.  That shouldn’t be! 
 
   In Psalm 140:12 David says “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.”  In the book of Job, we read Job saying, “If I’ve seen anybody in need of clothing and did nothing about it, then that would be sinful.  If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, when I saw I had help in the gate, then let my arm fall from my shoulder, let my arm be torn from the socket.”
 
   In Luke 3:10-11 we read; ‘So the people asked Him, saying, “What shall we do then”"  He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”  Jesus gave us not a complicated theology, but a concern about the people that need us.  Question is, what are we doing, or what are we going to do about it?  Someone once said that the secret to happiness is not being loved, but having someone to love.  There are people all around us that need our love.  They may not be too lovable, but who knows how people can change when they find someone taking time to show kindness and respect. 
 
   Unfortunately the opposite of this is selfishness which is a sure key to misery.  When we live within our own little box we become limited, dried up and impotent.  The only way out is to take inventory of our assets (abilities, talents, monetary aid, etc.), and find a place to offer what we have.  Suggestions of some things that we can do:
  • Seek out single mothers and widows.  Remember that their children are a type of orphan.  Offer to baby-sit so mother can have a break in her routine.  Provide child care for a working mother.
  • Open your home to foster children, or adopt.
  • Offer to do grocery shopping for a widow, or rides to her appointments.  Spend some time with her.  Ask with concern about her life and needs.
  • Donate some time to a child who otherwise would not be getting much-needed help. 
  • Volunteer time or donate funds to relief groups.
  • Give your used clothing and furniture to local thrift stores whose profits aid those in need.
  • Invest somewhere in prison ministry. 
  • Visit nursing homes.  If your have small children take them with you.  The elderly love having the children around.
  • Reach out to a struggling family.  Invite them to dinner or out to lunch.  Help them with their needs at home.  Pay a bill for them.  Gift certificates are welcomed.

   There are so many ways that we can be helpful.  We might commit to obey Isaiah 1:17:  “I will seek justice and encourage the oppressed.  I will defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

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WE NEED SOLOMON’S WISDOM

Bloged in Worship Music by DeNelle Stotser Saturday June 23, 2007
 
   “Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in ….So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil.”  (1 Kings 3:7,9)
 
   I have just seen a program on Fox News where four of six men, who are running for mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, were interviewed.  Since the homeless population there in Nashville is so high in number, these would-be candidates attempted to spend one night on the streets.  The interview was quite short, but ‘long story short’ showed that they were incapable of completing the evening.  I’m sure they did come away with a good deal more knowledge than when they started out.  Since I have never been in the homeless person’s shoes, I am not able to promote or condemn their cause.  My opinion is that some can’t do better and others could.  I do know that God loves them and we need too as well.  The answer to the problem would have to be Solomon’s prayer answer as well; “Give me an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil.” 
 
   The Lord’s reply to Solomon’s prayer was: “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies…I have done according to your words.  Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.”  (vv11-12)
 
   Instruction from Solomon gives us some wisdom.  Below is some of his counsel.
  • If you plan to eat, you’d better work!
  • You’ll never succeed by sleeping!
  • Don’t squander your savings.
  • Make honesty your financial foundation.
  • Wealth is only temporary.
  • Give God what belongs to Him.  In Proverbs 3:9,10 Solomon says; “Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” 

   I know that God loves a cheerful giver.  The best way for Him to bless us is for us to give Him something to multiply back to us.  Every person has at least something to give.  The precious little lady with the two humble coins shows God’s heart on that matter.  He said that she had given more than them all.  Could it be that the homeless need to hear this?

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