If you have been watching the news lately, you’ve seen that a lot of attention has been on the upcoming election in the United States. In the coverage of people who are seeking to be elected, analysts have provided information about the work that the candidates have done in the past and what policies they are promoting now. Watching this reminded me that we often think about what we did in the past. We have some regrets about doing some things that we shouldn’t have done and neglecting to do other things that would have been beneficial. Hopefully, you have many memories of times when you were blessed by family, friends, and others.
Karen and I recently saw some friends that we hadn’t seen for many years. It was great to hear some of their experiences. One of my favourite authors is Max Lucado, whose 365-day devotional is “God is With You Every Day.” In his devotional for August 24, he writes: “Today’s problem is not necessarily tomorrow’s problem. Don’t incarcerate yourself by assuming it is. Resist self-labelling. ‘I’m just a worrier.’ ‘Gossip is my weakness.’ ‘My dad was a drinker, and I guess I’ll carry on the tradition.’”
Lucado advises: “It is not God’s will that you live a defeated, marginalized, unhappy, and weary life. Turn a deaf ear to the old voices and make new choices.” When I read that, I thought about my visit a few days ago to a clinic where I had the wax removed from my ears. We all need to take care of our bodies and we need to ask the Lord to show us His will and trust Him to lead us in His ways.
Here are a few more insights from Max Lucado: “Live out of your inheritance, not your circumstance. God has already promised a victory. And he has provided weapons for the fight.
Every battle, ultimately, is a spiritual battle. Every conflict is a contest with Satan and his forces. Paul urged us to stand ‘against the wiles of the devil’ (Ephesians 6:11). Satan is not passive or fair. He is active and deceptive. He has designs and strategies. Consequently, we need a strategy as well. And God gives us one: let him do the fighting for us.”
If you have never asked God’s forgiveness for your sins, you can do so today. As the old expression goes: “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” The Lord left the splendour of heaven to come to Earth to die for your sins and mine. To learn more, please go to: https://www.insightforliving.ca/read/articles/how-does-death-jesus-save-me?
If you are a Christian, may you be encouraged in your walk with the Lord, knowing that He loves you with an everlasting love.
Scripture for the weekend: “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV)
Thought for the weekend: “Christianity is the power of God in the soul of man.” – Robert B. Munger
Steve