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Bring Back the Joy --- B B t J . O r g
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ATTITUDE MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Recently, I wrote Why aren't you Doing it? The idea behind the question is to ask why hasn't one taken the teaching of the Bible to heart and put them into practice. Today, I'd like to look at this from another angle--that of attitude. A friend of mine related a conversation she recently had with her mother who has recently begun reading the Bible. It's easy for those of us who have been familiar with the "story line" to not really think about the significance to the historical events. When "Mom" got to the story of David, she began telling her daughter what a horrible person he was. This man lied, plundered, murdered, committed adultery. He wasn't a good father or husband. The list could go on and on. Yet God said that David was a man after his own heart. Acts 13:22 (NIV) Many theologians have conjectured how that could be. No, David wasn't perfect. But he did consult God and the attitude of wanting to do what was right. David didn't blame God when things didn't go the way he wanted. There will always be obstacles. David had to continually flee from Saul. But he trusted God that someday he would be King and didn't take advantage of an opportunity to kill Saul. I Samuel 24:10-11 David wasn't perfect; in some ways he was a major sinner. But he did have a real relationship with God; God recognized his attitude. Let's also look at the example of the Israelites. They had witnessed the plagues and the miracle of the death angel passing over Egypt; none in Goshen who stayed inside their houses (with the blood on the doorposts) lost any firstborn. Yet, when faced with the Red Sea before them and the Egyptian army behind them, the Israelites looked to circumstances instead of God. Moses told the people that God would fight their battles while yet worrying about it to God. Exodus 14:14-16 God response was that Moses should use his rod to part the Red Sea; Israel was to go through the gap. That Israel should move forward. We've all seen Charlton Heston as Moses re-enacting the parting of the Red Sea. This must have been a tremendous moment in the lives of the real life Hebrews. I would think that those who were there that day would never forget this miracle or doubt the power of God. Yet a mere three days later, these same people were whining about lack of water. When God satisfied that need, they began to grumble that they were out of meat and bread. These people just couldn't trust God! Do we trust God to fight our battles for us? This isn't to say we just sit around doing nothing. But the question is: do we include God in our daily plan? Do we let him know our needs and ask him to supply what He wants for us? Philippians 4:6 That's something I am still trying to learn. To ask His opinion about the things I think I want and need. Several years ago I attended a lecture by Becky Tirabassi . Part of her daily prayer life is to talk to God about the things that she wants to do. She asks Him to help her prioritize the tasks for each day. Her lectures and books are inspiring. (Disclaimer) Today, I'm trying to learn a lesson from the Israelites and David. To put my trust in God and above all, recognize lessons in the experiences of others. Paul assures us His God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will supply our needs. Philippians 4:19 Every day I ask God to help me with my trust in Him. To bring to my remembrance all the blessings he has given to me. When I do remember those little blessings, then I thank Him for them. |
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