Tag: personal growth

Are You Just Hanging Around?

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Are You Just Hanging Around?

It’s not an understatement to say there are a lot of people who will complain, and feel down about themselves and their lives, but how many truly put forth the effort to change their circumstances? People want God to fix everything for them, and they expect God to deliver the answer to their prayers and never have to put their boots on the ground to make anything better. Scripture talks about laziness and the need to work hard for what you want in your life.

I have seen so many people in relationships where financial hardships seem to rule the day. How many men today refuse to work to take care of their families? How many single mothers are there because the father of their child has decided not to work to take care of their responsibilities? I have listened to a great many people tell me all kinds of stories and I have seen some who work incredibly hard to try and better their situations, and some who only complain about it but offer no real sustenance of change. Scripture is clear about the importance of taking care of and providing for ones family. 1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV) 8 “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

 Another point I’d like to make is those who live in financial hardships. While I understand sometimes it’s just the way life goes, but others I have to say it seems largely someone’s own fault. Americans love the overspending lifestyle. Americans love to spend and rack up credit card debt. Americans also love to get degrees that are not likely to make a return on their college investment. With so many people building debt at an alarming rate we as Americans have failed to understand scripture. Proverbs 10:4 (NKJV) 4 “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.” We must learn to work hard and in our work not waist time being lazy. We as Christians must learn that hard work will reap big rewards. We must take pride in what we do.

In all we say and do work to bring glory to God. If instead of us being upset about how bad our boss is, we look at what we do is for the Lord, working should bring us more joy. In the event we don’t like our work, or where we live, or our situation in general, we may not be able to change our situation right away, but we need to always work to better our circumstances. Colossians 3:17 (NKJV)17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

 When I think of motivation I think of Batman. There’s a difference between being patient and being lazy. Batman often skulks around on rooftops waiting to crack a fist on some thug’s head. Batman is always calculating in his actions. Nothing is done without purpose. I think we can all take a few notes from Batman’s pages. We must learn to train our lives to be with purpose. We must always work to better ourselves and never become stagnant or lazy in life. Batman is always training to be better then he was, and is always learning and growing. We must remember that for the Lord we too must always learn and grow. We must always be willing to go the extra mile, and when we sew well in good soil, we too will reap the benefits of our many works. If you want change, you must be the change. If you don’t like where you are, work to make it better. This doesn’t mean it’s easy, but nothing in this life ever is. The thing with living life in bad situations is how unwilling we are to do what is necessary to improve our lives. We truly have become lazy and expect God to drop all the answers into our laps like a cosmic Santa Claus. This isn’t at all what scripture teaches us. Work for what you want, and bring glory to God in everything we do.

 

 

 

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Identity

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Identity

I was told recently there are few Christian men. Convictions to stand up for Christ and accept the Salvation in Christ must be shared. As a man we must understand our place. Why is it that so many women complain about the lack of good guys? Are there really that few good guys out there, or is that a myth. 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” Who do you want to be?

I’ve spent a lot of time these last few months considering my own place in the world and my identity. The man I want to be is a good Godly man, faithful, a good significant other, some day a good father. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” It pains me that there are people out there that are cruel for selfish reasons. It pains me that because of other people’s selfish thought, selfish nature, good people faithful people have been hurt. Despite so much pain and suffering I’ve been through an awful lot, and I would like to think I’ve acted with distinction, and that my actions would honor God.

The true nature of Christianity is to be Christ like. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” It’s easy to fall pray to the expectations of the world. The world’s cruel and evil nature can easily rub off on someone. It’s hard to be a good man in a world so dark and corruptible as ours.

Sadly it seems that finding a good Godly woman has been equally has difficult. The mistakes I have made in my life remind me that a good person may not always stay that way. I’ve struggled with the idea that someone can change so much. Have they changed, or where they hiding who they really were this whole time? It’s hard to travel down that rabbit hole. The lies the Devil whispers into your ear can sound good and can get you to fall for bad decisions.

Your identity shouldn’t fall within your job, or who someone else says you are. People can say all kinds of mean and cruel things to you. As difficult as it may be to the contrary we shouldn’t allow other’s negative actions towards us influence how we see ourselves. I’ve spent my life trying to overcome this, and sadly, I’ve only had minimal success at best. 1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” Because we are members of Christ’s family which is defined Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” We cannot loose our hope because of the Devil, the Devil’s work that is perpetrated by the evil of mankind.

Try not to let the world define you. Try not to let other people’s anger or hatred tell you who you are. Be the person you want to be. Follow the light of the Lord and you will find your place in this world. Only through Jesus will you find your place. Have faith, and trust in the Lord.

The Lonely Tree

thearrowpreacher13 Comments

The Lonely Tree

 The tree stands in the middle of the forest. It’s not the biggest or the tallest, but it’s still a good tree. It’s surrounded by the forest on all sides, with some of the biggest, prettiest trees. This tree isn’t special or unique in any way. There’s nothing that makes this tree stand out in the greatness and wonders of the beauty it’s surrounded by. This tree like many others survived from a seedling, to the tree it is today. The tree flows in the wind, the leaves rustle just a bit. The branches are sturdy as are the roots. Birds come and go but pay the tree no mind. The occasional squirrel plays to and fro the branches, but sadly the tree has no hope to make friends with the squirrels or the birds. Along come the spiders that only use the tree, expect the tree to not mind the silky webs being strewn about in any manor the spiders want.

The tree wonders to itself why couldn’t I grow in a nice back yard someplace? Someplace where a couple kids would climb, and laugh, have a swing, or a glorious tree house to invite their friends over to play. Then the tree would stand out and be important. The kids would love that tree, and there they would create memories of the tree that they would have forever. Surrounded by other trees this tree is lonely. What can this tree do to feel better?

The Tree grows day after day, bigger and bigger it reaches for the sky. For years this tree stands in the forest questioning it’s existence. “Why am I here Lord?” the tree asks. “I have a plan for you, but be patient.” God said in return. So the lonely tree continued to host the spiders, the squirrels, the occasional birds and waited as God commanded.

Several more years had passed and the tree felt even more alone and out of place. The tree can’t believe there is no purpose. The day came when there was much commotion in the forest. Men flooded the forest with large pieces of equipment. “God I’m scared” said the tree. “You’ve been faithful to your own understanding. You’ve been home too many and you’ve lived a long life. You’ve given yourself to a cause and you’ve been patient, and for that you will give back in ways you can only dream of.” “I don’t understand what you mean God.” Responded the tree. “Trust in me, have faith, and you will.” God reassured the tree. “All I’ve ever wanted to be was special.” Said the tree. “You will be more special then you could ever imagine.” Replied God.

In the following days the men with the equipment were cutting down other trees. The day came when the men started to cut down the old tree. “I’m scared.” Said the tree. “My child, just as men, there’s a plan for all my creation. You will help reach almost a hundred people. My darling tree you are destined to be used to print Bibles. You will be made into Bibles that will be sent all over the world. Your sacrifice, your purpose will create nearly 100 Bibles. Those Bibles will touch the lives of almost 100 people and offer an opportunity for my children to know me.” “I am honored to give back my Lord.” Said the tree. “You’ve never been alone, and you never will be alone.” Replied God.

No mater what we think of our lives, we don’t know what God will plan for us. We don’t know our usefulness. What we do know is when we give the Glory to God, when we give faithfully, we will be given in return. Proverbs 28:20 “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” And finally Luke 16:10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” As the tree was faithful for all those years and all it wanted was to be useful, to be bigger then what it was. The tree’s prayers would be answered after a lifetime of waiting. Sometimes God will say No because it’s not the right time, or it’s not what’s good for us. You don’t have to be the biggest, or strongest, fastest or smartest in order for God to use you. You only need to be willing to be a servant for God and you shall be blessed for it. No matter whom you are or how you think you don’t fit in, you will always fit in, in Gods kingdom.