Tag: jesus

Wisdom Creates Positive Perspectives

Rays of Hope ~ Tim Stockton

Some may say that they see the glass half empty while others will say it is half full.  Those who see it almost gone are typically labeled as more pessimistic.  They tend to believe that things will always work out negatively for them.  However, those who see the glass half full are said to be a little more optimistic and hopeful.  They try to see how some good possibly could come out of bad things that have happened. 

In the book of Job we can read about a righteous man that had some very traumatic events happen in his life.  He became very distraught and full of grief, yet he kept his faith and belief in God.  His wife even told him to just “curse God and die,” but he knew that was a foolish statement and he would not give in.  

Another person who suffered horrendous and unfortunate events was Joseph.  He had a belief from a young boy that God would use him in some great way but I’m sure he never thought that he would have to endure terrible things in order to get to the place where God then did use him in mighty and powerful ways.  

His brothers hated him and wanted him gone.  They threw him in a pit and eventually sold him into slavery.  Then he was a slave for a time until he was falsely accused and then thrown in prison for years. Being human there had to be times as he was sitting in his jail cell wondering why such atrocities had happened to him.  

However, even through the bad things he had to endure he realized that God was with him and was blessing him.  The day finally came that the impossible happened.  A former slave and prisoner who had been hated by his brothers and wanted dead was now second in command over all of Egypt.   

When Joseph finally revealed his true identity to his brothers he made a statement that needs to become a perspective we choose to live by.  He explained that what they had meant for evil, God was able to use for the good.  When things don’t seem to be going well in your life, or in the world just continue to trust in God. Realize in His timing we will be able to look back and see how His hand and His will was able to work through all the negative things that others or Satan himself tried to destroy us with.  When we trust in the Lord and place our faith in Him then we will be able to look at life from a Godly perspective that will help us have rays of hope. 

This was true a couple of years ago when I originally wrote this and it is still true today.  A few more positive quotes, “If you don’t like something, change it.  If you can’t change it, change your attitude” (Maya Angelou). “Keep your face always towards the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you” (Walt Whitman).  “I never lose. Either I win or learn” (Nelson Mandela). “Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without consent” (Eleanor Roosevelt). “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you figure out why” (Mark Twain). “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity” (Albert Einstein).  

God explained that when Solomon asked for wisdom when he could have asked for anything  that no one before and no one after him would be as wise as God made him to be and he said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” These will be the ones who are always pessimistic and never learning, nor making opportunities.

7-24-24 ~TRS

Simplicity of Salvation

In many if not most churches throughout the decades children and adults alike have been taught what has been called the ABCs of salvation.  It is a simple way to help someone know what to do once they understand why they need the “ABCs” that lead to “salvation.”   If I did not believe that I was “sick” and you came around trying to sell me or even give me a tonic of cure I wouldn’t want it because I would see no need in it.  I have to believe or know that I was diagnosed with a sickness and then I would be more open to hearing about the “cure” that was being offered.  

The “Good News” which is what is also referred to as “The Gospel” has to be preached and taught that others may “hear” for themselves and then make a choice.  One has to come to the realization that they are in need of saving before they can be saved. One would have to believe the basics that God exists.  He created all things, which includes all “angelic” beings; a third of them rebelled at the urging of a prideful enemy of God. The universe and earth and all that’s upon it was created.  God saw it all as good.  The enemy was even more jealous and was determined to marr the creation, which happened that God was aware from the foundation of the world would happen.  This is why Jesus was known as the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” 

God created free choice to have relationships with anyone who chooses Him and understands that because of the “Fall” as it is called all are born into “sin,” which is a broken relationship with God and the only way to heal it is what some call the ABCs.  

A is for Acknowledging or admitting we are sinners; not able to live up to the truth and laws and commands of God.  B is to believe that Jesus is the remedy.  He is the “only way, no other” and any variation of this truth is still a lie.  The C is to confess with your own mouth you have done A and B.  This process of the ABCs is also called “repentance.”  Some mistakenly think that is the end of the journey, but it is only the beginning.  

God is the Alpha and the Omega the beginning and the end.  So there has to be the XYZ.  The X is to x-out anything in your life that is not within the will of God or lines up with the Bible.  You may have to X on certain people, places, and things that before seemed ok to you.  This doesn’t mean you are “better than” others but if others who may not share the same beliefs cause you to stray it may be wise to stay away.  

The Y is to continually “yield” yourself to the will of God.  This means to submit and yielding also means there is a “crop,” a “harvest.” of fruit in the way we now choose to live with the help of God. Jesus told a parable that the kingdom of God belongs to a people who are “producing fruit.” Just read the parable of the sowers and the seeds. 

The Z is to encourage us to have a zeal in serving the Lord.  We should have a great desire and hunger to know Him more and to make Him known.

~TRS 3-31-24 

Live Truth. Be Different.

At the beginning of each year I try to have a new “motto” for the new year.  That seems better for me personally than trying to hold onto a new year’s resolution.  If one were to look up what is a motto they could read that it is defined as, “a short sentence or phrase chosen as expressing the beliefs or ideals guiding an individual, family, or institution that encourages a rule for sensible behavior.” 

Some of the more “famous” or well known mottos that most have either said or heard are; When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  Live everyday like it’s your last.  Be the change you would like to see in the world.  Always find a reason to laugh.  Taking one day at a time and if you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.  According to the web every state either has an official or unofficial state motto.  Kentucky’s is “united we stand, divided we fall.”  

Most people probably have some “saying” that they will often say or live by even if they don’t even realize it.  If it is something that you truly believe in, the saying would have to be rooted in your values and the things you hold important.  It would need to be something that when thought of or said out loud would inspire you to make better choices in your life.  

As the title of this column says, Live Truth.  Be Different.  This is my motto for this year.  To break it down as to what this motto means to me is to put it into action.  The word “live” means one is actively and continually doing something, but how do I want to live?  Truth is what some may think is relative (subjective, changing, or conditional) whereas absolute truth is not changing and eternal.  In John 14:6 Jesus claims, “I am the way, the Truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Me.” 

I choose to believe this is the truth and to live in that truth as what John 15 explains as abiding in the vine. Truth has been before the beginning of time and actually created time until He returns and time will be no more, but those who believe and abide will live with Truth for eternity.  However, as we are choosing to live truth in our daily lives we will not be able to help but “be different’ than those who choose not to abide.  This does not make one perfect or  untouchable.  Life will still happen and sorrows will come, but our perspectives on how we deal with what life dishes out will be different.  

We will also hold true to Romans 12:2 which encourages us to “not conform or copy the ways of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  It is only then that we will be able to truly know the will of God for our own life that is good, pleasing, and perfect.  If the decisions you make and the way you live are like those who have no faith or belief in Truth then you may want to seek Truth and believe the declaration of the Lord, that promises for those who seek Me with all their heart shall find Me.  Once He is found you will Live Truth and Be Different.

1-28-24 ~TRS