Mine

 

Mine

Romans 11: ³³ How great are God's riches! How deep are his wisdom and knowledge! Who can explain his decisions? Who can understand his ways? ³⁴ As the scripture says,

 

“Who knows the mind of the Lord?
    Who is able to give him advice?
³⁵ Who has ever given him anything,
    so that he had to pay it back?”

 

³⁶ For all things were created by him, and all things exist through him and for him. To God be the glory forever! Amen.

 

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Driving my old car, anyone and everyone was allowed in. The seats were full of junk I tossed in the back, so I would ask the unexpected passenger to move the stuff out the way. But then I bought my first “new” car. I had a car note that was exactly the same amount as my rent. I washed it weekly and vowed to keep it clean. I restricted who would ride in “my” car.

 

• There have been many things I have had that I claimed to be “mine.”
• There have been many possessions I have had that I worried about protecting.
• There have been many items that I had that I thought were “mine.”

 

Paul and the other prophets ask great questions about GOD to show how powerful and incredible HE is. HIS riches, wisdom and knowledge is unsurpassed. HIS decisions and ways cannot be explained or understood. No one has given HIM anything especially money or advice.

 

• GOD wants me to know that all things were created by HIM.
• GOD wants me to know that all things exist through HIM.
• GOD wants me to know that all things exist for HIM.

 

Knowing all things were made by HIM and exist through HIM and for HIM is scary. I mean, even though humans make things, they still exist because of GOD. When I use the things humans make I should be using it “for” GOD. While it sounds extreme, it seems true.

 

GOD wants me to use “my” computer to spread HIS word versus searching for porn or ways to become GOD and be in control. HE wants me to use “my” phone to spread the gospel versus sending text messages complaining about “that” person.

 

HE wants me to use “my” food to feed those who are hungry. Many ways I have neglected GOD by thinking I own anything. I am grateful GOD forgives me and accepts any portion of what I acknowledge as HIS.

 

• What are you trying to protect?
• Do you think you “own” anything?
• Will you release your hold on “your” stuff and allow GOD to guide you to HIS peace today?

Long Lessons are Great Lessons

Psalm 39: ¹¹ When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,
    you consume their wealth like a moth—
    surely everyone is but a breath.

¹² “Hear my prayer, Lord,
    listen to my cry for help;
    do not be deaf to my weeping.
I dwell with you as a foreigner,
    a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
¹³ Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
    before I depart and am no more.”

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With my last three hundred dollars, I bought a car. It ran and had seats so I was excited, but months later I found myself on the side of the road. I had no car again and this time, no money. Walking was my alternative to get to work. “Why is this happening to me?”, I wondered at the time, not considering the lifestyle I was keeping up.

• My sin blinds me to the point where I think things are “happening to me.”
• My sin deafens me to the point where I cannot hear.
• My sin mutes me so I cannot speak about the wonders of GOD.

Many times I think about the consequences of sin rather than the wages of sin. I think GOD is going to be mad at me for something I did and HE will whoop me or take my stuff away for being bad. BUT GOD has shown me something different.

• GOD said to me “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.”
• GOD said to me “I want you to have life and have it more abundantly.”
• GOD said to me “I stand at your door and knock, if you will open it I will come in and sup with you.”

The LORD gives and the LORD takes away is a hard scripture to swallow when I have my eyes focused on money, but when my eyes are focused on GOD I can see things differently. I can see the blessing of dependence on HIM and recognize that stuff may have clouded my vision of HIM. I would get nervous about sinning because the consequence may be that I would lose my stuff.

The reality is I should be focused on the “wages” of sin in which GOD had to lose HIS life for me. HE lost everything just for me and is now alive above everything. I am eternally grateful.

• Are you afraid of losing your stuff?
• Do you have fear that GOD is punishing you for something?
• Can you let things go and let GOD guide your path?