SOMETIMES THE GRASS IS GREENER

 

Years ago, I taught a class of middle school students “Junior Achievement.”  It was a great experience and I believe the kids learned a lot about economics.  I discovered that I didn’t possess the patience I so often bragged about back then.

The semester was coming to an end, and Mr. Thomas recommended I throw a little party for the students.  Back then, funds were tight, and I didn’t have much to work with.  I decided to make cupcakes and serve peanuts. (Sweet & Salty)! I’m not very domesticated, so I don’t think much about the big picture concerning food.  The only thing I was interested in was consuming it.  After making the cupcakes, I was excited to reward my students with a little treat!  I didn’t realize how “little” that treat would be until the following day.

The students were loud and anxious that day anticipating the “party.”  The students sat down and I began to serve them the cupcake and peanuts; no complaints.  I was very proud of them, they came in 7th place in the “Stock Market Game.”  I eventually raffled off the last 3 cupcakes by having the students pick numbers out of a bowl.  Then, it happened!  From the other side of the classroom; music, laughter, pure jubilation!  One of the students peeked behind the partition to see what was going on in the other class. He started describing their party: Balloons, chips, sweets, soft drinks!  The envy and complaining started to prevail!  Then, one of the students told me they were thirsty.  Really? I was serving peanuts, and forgot to bring something to drink!  I gathered my change, ran down to the teacher’s lounge and bought 3 soft drinks, grabbed some “Dixie Cups” and quenched the little darling’s parched lips.

“The grass is always greener on the other side.”  Of course, this is something we say to keep ourselves somewhat thankful for what we have, and not to envy someone else’s situation.  Or maybe even imagining someone else’s life is less than ours, to comfort us in our present circumstances.

But what if “The Grass was a little Greener?”  It definitely was in this situation.

Yes, these were kids, and I understand why they were jealous of the other classes’ party, but how many of us adults are still acting like children, and are envious of our friends and neighbors?

Jesus told us to “Be content with such things as we have.”  How many of us have “Peeked behind the partition” of our neighbors, and wanted what they have?

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be deceived from the truth.  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.” James 3:14-15

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”  1 Timothy 1:6-7

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, and Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus walks into a bar…

This past June, I visited my family at my grandparent’s farm.  On my way driving back home, I felt God wanted me to go into a certain bar.  When I stepped inside, I took a seat and struck up a conversation with the bartender.  She was sweet, but there was something very sad about her.  You could tell she’d been down a hard road.  I spoke a little about my past as an agnostic and how God made himself very real to me.  I asked The Lord, What do you want me to say to her?  I felt He wanted me to tell her a few of my faults.  I thought to myself, that’s kind of weird?  So, I started confessing some struggles I have, and when I did this, she started to open up about her past:  She told me that her grandfather was a pastor and the people in the church ostracized she and her mother.  Her mom struggled with depression and got hooked on prescription drugs.  She also told me about becoming a dancer and going on a dark decent into depression.

I believe the Lord wanted me to confess my faults and be a little vulnerable so she wouldn’t feel like I was going to judge her.  God knows the poor girl had probably been through the mill regarding the self-righteous folks!

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16

I then started to feel God’s compassion for her.  I felt The Lord wanted me to write down a verse from a song.

I took a napkin and wrote the following:

“Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling for you to come home.  Come home, you who are weary, come home.”

I ran out to the car for something and when I came back in, she was standing there and gave me a big hug!  I told her Jesus loved her and she was precious to Him.

There are physical “wounded warriors” but also “spiritual wounded warriors” that have been hurt by people in the church, and the Pharisees of today.  These tares have portrayed God with a “hammer” instead of a “heart” to seek and save that which is lost; prostitutes, drunks, thieves, drug addicts, liars; in fact, every last one of us, He wants to save and become our heavenly father.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Luke 5:32 “I have not called those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

God has really been teaching me a lot about his love and mercy lately.  It’s been quite an awakening!  Even though I do fall short sometimes; like every day, I know He loves me and will continue to do a work in me until I’m a reflection of him.

“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:12

Did Jesus walk into that bar?  Well, if God lives in me…I believe so.

“The Golden Ticket”

If you’ve ever seen “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” everybody wanted a “Golden Ticket” which would get them into the factory; along with a lifetime supply of chocolate and an “Everlasting Gobstopper!”  In the end, only “Charlie” would win the prize because he passed the test.

If we’re believers in Jesus, we’re also being tested. “Think it not strange the fiery trial which is to try you as some strange thing has happened to you.” “The trying of your faith is more precious than gold.”

Martin Luther confronted the religious leaders on their “Indulgences” or so called “Golden Tickets” that supposedly gave people entrance into heaven.  He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God’s punishment for sin could be purchased with money or works.  Some of our modern day preachers do the same thing in a sense when they tell us, “If you join my church, give to this ministry, are baptized, or a “one time” confession of your sins” that you are saved. These teachers will tell you that you’re heaven bound, and nothing can take that away from you.

Hebrews 10:26-27 says “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”

According to what I’ve read in scripture, no person can guarantee our salvation because that’s something we work out with God. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12.  

How many of us depend on our preacher or priest to read and interpret the word of God for us?  I’m sure there are a lot of us out there.

Some of us might think we’re smarter than the enemy, but we’re not. Satan deceived a third of the angels that were with God; don’t think he can’t deceive us who are a little lower than the angels.”

When I was in my 20’s, I started listening to a “Wolf in sheep’s clothing.”  I was very young in the Lord, and vulnerable.  I was deceived by someone who was a leader, and that I respected. Little by little, I allowed this man to influence me; he became critical, and very controlling.  The Lord got me out of that mess, and I’m thankful for that.

Can you become disqualified as a Christian?

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says “Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we, an imperishable one.  Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

1 John 2:26, 27 says “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you; remain in him.”

This to me is a spiritual antidote against being deceived by false teachers.  The Lord said “The Holy Spirit will lead and guide you into all truth.”  There are some wonderful teachers out there that God has called, and there’s nothing wrong with doing a seminar-style Bible study with them under the guidance of The Holy Spirit.  2nd Timothy 2:15 is a “command” not a “suggestion” that we, as God’s people need to not only be convinced of what we believe, but also able to convey it to others and “give an answer for the hope that is within us.”

I watched “The Passion of the Christ” the other evening, and started weeping.  I often wonder why God would give us His precious son when we’re so evil.  I don’t believe we’ll ever understand God’s amazing love for us.  It blows my mind and I hope it always does.  He loves us so much!

After watching this movie, and seeing the suffering Jesus went through for us,  I get why God said in His word:  “How shall we escape, if we ignore so great a salvation?” Hebrews: 2:3

If I could say anything to someone seeking The Lord, it would be this:  Please read the bible and pray for understanding.  Keep seeking, knocking, and asking The Lord to have His way in your life with a sincere heart.  Ask The Lord to lead you to the church community He wants you to be involved in.  God doesn’t want us to be “Lone Rangers” His word is very clear,  we need other Christians to grow in our faith, learn to love, and encourage one another.

Regardless of where we are in this life, there is still hope in God.  He is so good and “His mercies are new every morning.”

Lord, please help me to understand; ‘I’m saved for good works, not by my works.”  

Thank you, Jesus.