The apostle Paul was writing a letter to the Ephesian church concerning many facets of individual life and the life of the church as a whole. Then when he gets down to his final thoughts, he makes a remarkable statement: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might...for we wrestle not against flesh and blood; but against princialities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
He follows this up with a charge to the church to stand against the "wiles of the devil" by taking up the whole armor of God in order to withstand Satan in the evil day. If ever there was an evil day, we are living in it, and it is getting worse as time passes. A quick parousal of a newspaper will more than authenticate that truth. The more a nation blocks God out of their society, the more wickedness and evil prevail.
As Christians, it is our duty to stand against Satan, against wickedness and evil, and against a society that is moving further and further from God. By putting on the whole armor of God we will be able to stand. I'll discuss this more in the next blog.
Doug Thompson's InsightsTuesday, October 21, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Deferring to Others...by Doug Thompson
A faithful man shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. Proverbs 28:20
I was watching two little tykes playing the other day, when one of them decided that he was bored with the toy he had, so he tried to take away the toy the other little guy was playing with. Well the results were instantaneous; the struggle was on, the cries rang out, and both of them were very upset. The one was upset because he couldn't have the toy he wanted. The other was upset because he couldn't keep the toy he had and play with it.
As I watched, the mother of the tyke whose toy was being "stolen" went over and picked up the toy that had been disgarded by the other. When her son saw the other toy, he let go of the one he was struggling over, and grabbed with glee the other toy. The screaming and struggling stopped immediately, and peace reigned once again.
Sometimes as believers we set on sights on the things of others, and wonder why we don't have the same or similar things. We struggle with God to try to get what maybe is not ours to have. Or we get envious in our heart and try to "steal" a friend or a spouse. The struggle within will immediately alienate us from the Lord and His purpose for our life. In these instances it is best to just let go of these things, and defer to others what God has given them, and be content with what we already have.
God will bless this attitude, and will even give you the desire of your heart, if you will be faithful to Him, setting your sight on His purpose, and not your own.
I was watching two little tykes playing the other day, when one of them decided that he was bored with the toy he had, so he tried to take away the toy the other little guy was playing with. Well the results were instantaneous; the struggle was on, the cries rang out, and both of them were very upset. The one was upset because he couldn't have the toy he wanted. The other was upset because he couldn't keep the toy he had and play with it.
As I watched, the mother of the tyke whose toy was being "stolen" went over and picked up the toy that had been disgarded by the other. When her son saw the other toy, he let go of the one he was struggling over, and grabbed with glee the other toy. The screaming and struggling stopped immediately, and peace reigned once again.
Sometimes as believers we set on sights on the things of others, and wonder why we don't have the same or similar things. We struggle with God to try to get what maybe is not ours to have. Or we get envious in our heart and try to "steal" a friend or a spouse. The struggle within will immediately alienate us from the Lord and His purpose for our life. In these instances it is best to just let go of these things, and defer to others what God has given them, and be content with what we already have.
God will bless this attitude, and will even give you the desire of your heart, if you will be faithful to Him, setting your sight on His purpose, and not your own.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Dangling Your Feet In The Water...by Doug Thompson
Summertime is upon us here in the Northern Hemisphere of the world. It is during the summer that we usually take time out for family vacations. Some folks travel to distant destinations to find rest and relaxation on a sandy beach. Others plan elaborate activities of camping out, hiking or panning for gold. But others just sit beside the pool in their backyards and dangle their feet in the water, trying to cool off a little from the heat.
When God made water, he made an element that is so versatile. We drink it to stay alive. We pull fish out of it as a sport or as a job, but also to stay alive. It falls from the sky to water crops, that help us stay alive. We use it to clean our bodies, and help us stay alive. We are baptized in it as a symbol of eternal life that we have received through faith in Christ, testifying that we are alive in him. Water is vital to life.
It is also a biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit, which gives us life, and is a constant fountain springing up within us that lets us know we are his, and he is ever present within us. He gives us inner strength when we face difficult times. He cools us off emotionally from the heat of spiritual battles. He is our source of rest and relaxation spiritually. He fills us with refreshing, life-giving water that allows us to carry on daily. We should never take a vacation from him.
Surely water is the most common element on the face of the earth. We can dangle our feet in it to refresh us. But the Holy Spirit of God is far more important in our lives. We need his refreshing filling every day. And there is nothing common about the Holy Spirit of God. He is vital to our lives.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..."
Acts 1:8
When God made water, he made an element that is so versatile. We drink it to stay alive. We pull fish out of it as a sport or as a job, but also to stay alive. It falls from the sky to water crops, that help us stay alive. We use it to clean our bodies, and help us stay alive. We are baptized in it as a symbol of eternal life that we have received through faith in Christ, testifying that we are alive in him. Water is vital to life.
It is also a biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit, which gives us life, and is a constant fountain springing up within us that lets us know we are his, and he is ever present within us. He gives us inner strength when we face difficult times. He cools us off emotionally from the heat of spiritual battles. He is our source of rest and relaxation spiritually. He fills us with refreshing, life-giving water that allows us to carry on daily. We should never take a vacation from him.
Surely water is the most common element on the face of the earth. We can dangle our feet in it to refresh us. But the Holy Spirit of God is far more important in our lives. We need his refreshing filling every day. And there is nothing common about the Holy Spirit of God. He is vital to our lives.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..."
Acts 1:8
Monday, June 16, 2008
Discerning God's Purpose...by Doug Thompson
"...for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45
The rains have come and gone, leaving destruction, distress, and disaster; even death. The sun comes out and shines as if nothing had happen at all. Yet it's rays illuminate the countryside revealing all of the damage that so many folks have suffered, and are still suffering. Some have said that we haven't seen this kind of flooding in nearly 100 years in many parts of the country.
So, where does God fit into all of this? Surely he controls the sky, the clouds, the rains and the winds. Yet the Scriptures clearly tell us that no evil proceeds from God, nor is he the author of evil. James puts it this way: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing". James 1:3,4
Wanting nothing, or lacking nothing. The life of Joseph reflects this very idea. Sold into Egyptian slavery by jealous brothers, Joseph went through a series of trials, temptations and testings. He never lost hope and his faith in God was rewarded by being elevated from prison to the highest position in Egypt under Pharaoh. What his brothers meant for evil, God used to save Jacob and all his family from the terrible seven years of famine lacking nothing.
When you suffer pain, God can use it to bring something worthwhile into your life through it. When the floods of life produce great loss, God can replace it with something far better. When one of your expectations in life is not realized, God can substitute something of greater value in its place. Truth is, we don't have to understand God; we just have to trust him and let him turn our negatives into positives. Let him fulfill his purpose in your life.
The rains have come and gone, leaving destruction, distress, and disaster; even death. The sun comes out and shines as if nothing had happen at all. Yet it's rays illuminate the countryside revealing all of the damage that so many folks have suffered, and are still suffering. Some have said that we haven't seen this kind of flooding in nearly 100 years in many parts of the country.
So, where does God fit into all of this? Surely he controls the sky, the clouds, the rains and the winds. Yet the Scriptures clearly tell us that no evil proceeds from God, nor is he the author of evil. James puts it this way: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing". James 1:3,4
Wanting nothing, or lacking nothing. The life of Joseph reflects this very idea. Sold into Egyptian slavery by jealous brothers, Joseph went through a series of trials, temptations and testings. He never lost hope and his faith in God was rewarded by being elevated from prison to the highest position in Egypt under Pharaoh. What his brothers meant for evil, God used to save Jacob and all his family from the terrible seven years of famine lacking nothing.
When you suffer pain, God can use it to bring something worthwhile into your life through it. When the floods of life produce great loss, God can replace it with something far better. When one of your expectations in life is not realized, God can substitute something of greater value in its place. Truth is, we don't have to understand God; we just have to trust him and let him turn our negatives into positives. Let him fulfill his purpose in your life.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Delight To Do The Will Of The Lord...by Doug Thompson
I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8
Why does it seem to be so hard to remain upbeat all the time? I guess what I mean is, how can I maintain a constant, positive attitude in everything I do? Now before you accuse me of being an idealist, let me try to explain from God's Word what I mean.
The first factor we consider is the word "delight". It means to please, or to satisfy, or to find joy. All of those things seem positive to me, which brings up the second factor, "Just where do I find that delight?" The Psalmist indicates that doing the will of God produces "delight". And the way that is accomplished is to know where and how to discover God's will.
The Psalmist goes on to show us the dynamics, or the third factor, of knowing God's will. It is accomplished by searching for and finding the "law" of God written in the heart, or in other words, memorizing God's principles. When faced with any situation, the Spirit of God will prompt us with the Word, allowing us to faced the issue with truth, leaving us free, positive and delighting in God's will.
Memorize the Word where you discover the many facets of God's will. And then when faced with a difficult situation, ask the Lord to remind you what His will is concerning the issue at hand, and you will delight in knowing that God has given you the answer already. What a mighty God we serve!
Why does it seem to be so hard to remain upbeat all the time? I guess what I mean is, how can I maintain a constant, positive attitude in everything I do? Now before you accuse me of being an idealist, let me try to explain from God's Word what I mean.
The first factor we consider is the word "delight". It means to please, or to satisfy, or to find joy. All of those things seem positive to me, which brings up the second factor, "Just where do I find that delight?" The Psalmist indicates that doing the will of God produces "delight". And the way that is accomplished is to know where and how to discover God's will.
The Psalmist goes on to show us the dynamics, or the third factor, of knowing God's will. It is accomplished by searching for and finding the "law" of God written in the heart, or in other words, memorizing God's principles. When faced with any situation, the Spirit of God will prompt us with the Word, allowing us to faced the issue with truth, leaving us free, positive and delighting in God's will.
Memorize the Word where you discover the many facets of God's will. And then when faced with a difficult situation, ask the Lord to remind you what His will is concerning the issue at hand, and you will delight in knowing that God has given you the answer already. What a mighty God we serve!
Monday, May 19, 2008
DOING THINGS MY WAY...by Doug Thompson
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:6
God made mankind with a free will to choose. Each one of us makes thousands of decisions every day that determine the direction our life will take. Some of these decisions are menial, unimportant things that don't make much difference in anything. But there are those larger moments when the choices we make change the entire path and purpose of our lives.
Some decisions are made after much deliberation and careful thought. Others are forced upon you in a split second with no thought even possible. In either case it is always essential that you be in communication with God or sensitive to His Word when faced with your decisions, because if your way is not His way, you are in for negative results.
Acknowledging God in every decision you make results in two basic things: 1. You maintain a clear conscience, and 2. God directs your paths or in other words makes your paths straight and smooth. How positive your life can be by simply employing the principles and promises that God has given you in His Word, and proving what is His good and acceptable and perfect will. When God is working in your decisions, your faith is real and your path becomes crystal clear. Acknowledge God in all of your decisions, and watch Him work on your behalf!
God made mankind with a free will to choose. Each one of us makes thousands of decisions every day that determine the direction our life will take. Some of these decisions are menial, unimportant things that don't make much difference in anything. But there are those larger moments when the choices we make change the entire path and purpose of our lives.
Some decisions are made after much deliberation and careful thought. Others are forced upon you in a split second with no thought even possible. In either case it is always essential that you be in communication with God or sensitive to His Word when faced with your decisions, because if your way is not His way, you are in for negative results.
Acknowledging God in every decision you make results in two basic things: 1. You maintain a clear conscience, and 2. God directs your paths or in other words makes your paths straight and smooth. How positive your life can be by simply employing the principles and promises that God has given you in His Word, and proving what is His good and acceptable and perfect will. When God is working in your decisions, your faith is real and your path becomes crystal clear. Acknowledge God in all of your decisions, and watch Him work on your behalf!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Disintegrating Families by Doug Thompson
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy... 2 Timothy 3:1,2
Perilous times! Paul, in writing to Timothy, describes what life would look like during the church age, or the age of grace. He gives a very precise description of life, as if he were reading today's newspapers. The truth is that Paul had to face the same things back in the first century that we do today, including homosexuality, incest, boasters, proud people etc.
One thing he did mention to Timothy was the breakdown of the family, that is, lovers of their own selves and disobedient to parents. The family today, in general, has ceased to find harmony and purpose, both individually and as a unit, and is disintegrating from within. Parents no longer care for the morality, integrity and character of their children, much less their own. Children have no reason to obey their parents. Families today are individuals, each doing his or her own thing, going their individual ways, and just stopping off at the house long enough to find a change of clothing, eat a quick bite, and grab a few hours of sleep before taking off again and doing the same thing.
God is no longer in the picture of the greater majority of homes in America, and less than 25% of all families attend church on Sundays, the Bible and God have been expelled from our public schools and then we wonder why the moral fiber of the United States is disappering. It is a sad scenario, and even the churches of today don't have the backbone to teach the full truth of God's Word. It is a tragedy to see families split up, not just once, but multiple times, and children raised under these circumstances. Commitment seems to be a thing of the past.
It is high time for America to wake up and see what has happened, and what God wants to do to restore America to its foundational principles. This will only happen when parents accept their responsibility to God and to their children. Take time for the Lord. Teach your children Biblical principles. Let God know that the door is open to your family and your household. Let's be the exceptions in our land.
Perilous times! Paul, in writing to Timothy, describes what life would look like during the church age, or the age of grace. He gives a very precise description of life, as if he were reading today's newspapers. The truth is that Paul had to face the same things back in the first century that we do today, including homosexuality, incest, boasters, proud people etc.
One thing he did mention to Timothy was the breakdown of the family, that is, lovers of their own selves and disobedient to parents. The family today, in general, has ceased to find harmony and purpose, both individually and as a unit, and is disintegrating from within. Parents no longer care for the morality, integrity and character of their children, much less their own. Children have no reason to obey their parents. Families today are individuals, each doing his or her own thing, going their individual ways, and just stopping off at the house long enough to find a change of clothing, eat a quick bite, and grab a few hours of sleep before taking off again and doing the same thing.
God is no longer in the picture of the greater majority of homes in America, and less than 25% of all families attend church on Sundays, the Bible and God have been expelled from our public schools and then we wonder why the moral fiber of the United States is disappering. It is a sad scenario, and even the churches of today don't have the backbone to teach the full truth of God's Word. It is a tragedy to see families split up, not just once, but multiple times, and children raised under these circumstances. Commitment seems to be a thing of the past.
It is high time for America to wake up and see what has happened, and what God wants to do to restore America to its foundational principles. This will only happen when parents accept their responsibility to God and to their children. Take time for the Lord. Teach your children Biblical principles. Let God know that the door is open to your family and your household. Let's be the exceptions in our land.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)