God Owes Me Nothing
2009-07-27

Back to the routine...vacation over, back to work...not enough sleep, etc.

I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon next Tuesday morning to look at my MRI films. Doesn't necessarily mean surgery...just a consultation to begin with.



Here's a prayer request from the PPT site.

Israel response to Iran. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been told by the Israeli Defense Minister that his country is taking "no option" off the table, including military strikes, in response to Iran's nuclear program. The United States and Israel believe Iran is attempting to develop atomic weapons, and both Gates and Clinton are trying to persuade Israel to give diplomacy more time.



Psalm for today: 85:1-8

1-3 God, you smiled on your good earth! You brought good times back to Jacob!
You lifted the cloud of guilt from your people,
you put their sins far out of sight.
You took back your sin-provoked threats,
you cooled your hot, righteous anger.
4-7 Help us again, God of our help;
don't hold a grudge against us forever.
You aren't going to keep this up, are you?
scowling and angry, year after year?
Why not help us make a fresh start�a resurrection life?
Then your people will laugh and sing!
Show us how much you love us, God!
Give us the salvation we need!

8-9 I can't wait to hear what he'll say.
God's about to pronounce his people well,
The holy people he loves so much,
so they'll never again live like fools.
(The Message)

"After God has sufficiently chastised his church, he will at length, show himself merciful to her, that the saints, taught by chastisements, may exercise a stricter vigilance over themselves in the future."

(Commentary from Heart Aflame: Daily Readings from Calvin on the Psalms)



Tabletalk Magazine

"The Family's Duty to Its Own"
1 Timothy 5:8

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (ESV)

Paul seems to be thinking of three generations in these verses...grandparents, parents, and children. If there is a family member who is able to help any of these people, related to him by blood, and he refuese to, he is worse than an unbeliever! It requires no special revelation for us to know that we are supposed to care for our mothers and grandmothers if they cannot care for themselves.

"Capable believers who will not help out needy relatives have 'denied the faith.'"



Holiness Day by Day

"Some Things Don't Change"
Philippians 4:11

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (ESV)

Being content with what we have is worth much more than all that we don't have. One who is living solely on the basis of merit can never be happy. It is better to adopt the attitude that grace does not depend on merit, but, rather, on the "infinite goodness and sovereign purpose of God."

However, being content with what we have does not mean that we should be satisfied with the "status quo" or never seek improvement. But we must realize that there are some things that just aren't going to change. (I'm probably never going to own a Corvette...) "In those arease, we must learn to be content, always accepting the fact that God doesn't owe us something different."

So, we would do well to focus on two facts: God doesn't owe us anything, and what he has given us is by grace alone.



Father, I pray that my family and I will always be able to care for any of our relatives that need anything. We have had many opportunities in the past to do so, and have been able to. Keep our hearts open to needs as they arise and give us a generous spirit, no matter what our own circumstances.

I pray that you will give me contentment. I have always had a probelm wanting more or bigger stuff. At the same time, I don't feel overly attached to my "stuff." Give me a good, Godly balance when it comes to worldly things. Let me never be too attached to them. I especially pray for contentment in the coming days.

Father, we are at a sort of crossroads in our lives right now. We pray for wisdom as we move forward from this place. There is a strong feeling that we might want to stay at our church, even though we would not be on staff anymore. Give us wisdom to know the right thing to do. We ask your continued blessings on the people of South Haltom Community Church, and pray that you would lead someone there to give them great blessings in worship ministry.



I will meditate and remember these two truths: God owes me nothing, and everything he has given me is by his grace. I have earned nothing from God

Grace and peace, friends!



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