Frank’s Reflections

What motivates you? Have you ever given it a thought? Where does the thought originate? Why did you have it? Were your intentions honorable?

All good things have their roots in God. Conversely, all evil things are not of God but of His enemies. The ultimate source of evil is the devil. When you really think about the previous three sentences, they can make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

God knows every heart of every person on His earth. He knows our thoughts and intentions; yet He still loves us. That’s hard to fathom. In spite of us, our Lord still cares about us. He wants only the best for His children.

His best requires our obedience, not perfection. No one can reach flawlessness. That’s impossible because of our sin nature. Recognizing our imperfections and limitations should motivate us to live honestly before our Savior.

When you pray, bring your heart, not your mind. Our thoughts can try to justify everything. Whatever our wrongful actions are, God already knows about them. Trying to convince Him otherwise is useless. Instead, be honest with God and yourself. You can fool yourself but never try to fool God.

Your best motive and action should be to do what pleases the Lord. Treating people right, including those who mistreat you, is a better choice. That will bring inner peace to your heart. Even that thought originated from God. The Bible says, “But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you (Matthew 6:33 CSB).

Most of us don’t understand our potential, whether in our early or senior years. Our mindset isn’t open to achieving beyond our call to duty. We limit ourselves mentally. We are afraid to attempt something new or extraordinary. There’s a biblical pattern for doing more for God and ourselves. It’s found in 1Thessalonians 5, starting with verse 14.

The first directive is self-encouragement. You can do more, but you have to try. Certain things do not fall into your lap. There is initiative on your part, coupled with determination, effort, and patience to achieve.

With the above, there should be enjoyment. You must like what you’re trying to do or achieve to build the inner satisfaction that you are making a difference in your world. It may not be tangible, but someone or something will improve as a result of your efforts. That’s the inner joy of companionship, thanksgiving, and the privilege of knowing your prayers bring results.

When you examine your accomplishments, whether large or small, there’s a sense of pride. Be warned not to gloat but to savor the moment. Self-induced harm may occur from elation lasting too long. Or the failure to recognize those who helped along the way. None of us are independent of others.

The next thought is to keep going forward. There’s always more to do. More people to help, more ways to improve. God’s not finished with you until you breathe your last breath. Even then, you may do more by leaving a self-sustaining project. You can leave the means to help others after you arrive inside the pearly gates. That may not happen if you quit along the way. Your potential is unlimited with the proper mindset.

Many of us are in a hurry. We think the prize is for the quickest, the one who is ahead of everybody else. That’s what the hare thought about the tortoise. That’s what society generally thinks.

There’s a story in the Bible about the wheat and the tares. The laborers considered pulling up the weeds among the young, tender wheat. They thought the wheat would grow better without the weeds’ struggling influence. But the Lord knew better. He said, “Let both grow together, and at harvest time, the better results will be obvious.” Trusting in our all-knowing God is difficult for us in certain areas. The surprising benefit of waiting is that the tares make the roots of the wheat stronger. By doing so, the wheat can grow and produce golden grain at harvest. The weeds fade in influence. The wheat becomes the true harvest, reassuring us that God’s timing is perfect.

Believers need troublemakers! Mischief makers strengthen the faithful. Wisdom comes with time and develops through trials. Steadfastness endures the storms.

The sun will come out. Your day will glisten. God is in control. The reward will come at harvest and not before. The faith to wait is your wisest choice.

We complain when people use us. They get what they want, and then they’re gone, for a while, until the next time they have a need. That explains the typical Christian.

We’re fine as long as God meets our needs and some of our wants. When something goes wrong, as it often does, we cry for help, maybe even complain about it to someone. Sometimes, we are bold enough to blame God for the situation. That’s a bad idea, but God still loves us.

Our situation may be a learning experience for us or someone else. I think of Daniel in the Bible. He was in the lion’s den. He was guilty of praying in defiance of the king’s order. When the king realized his mistake, he couldn’t undo his edict. The king’s decree allowed Daniel to sleep with the lions. King Darius rushed to the den the next morning to see if Daniel’s God was the true God of deliverance. God has a way of showing up to demonstrate His power. 

If perchance we are mistreated, it may be so that others can see that our faith is real. Our mistreatment is not to hurt us but to show that our Lord wants to use us to reach others. Our hurt is for our good, both here and in eternity.

Our dilemma, whatever it is and wherever it is, is for our eternal good and a witness to all who see or hear about our situation. If Daniel can sleep with lions, then you can look to the same God and know that He can take care of us.

Bible reading refreshes your mind, spirit, and soul. The Lord knows just what we need and when we need it. Our refreshment is truly timely for each believer. Surprisingly, the Holy Spirit, in writing the Bible (2 Peter 1:20,21), tucked in some jewels right before our eyes. Such was the case in reading Psalm 119. I know it’s the longest chapter in the Bible, but one term inside caught my eye. The King James Version uses the term “quicken,” whereas the New King James Version uses the word “receive.” “Preserve” is the term found in the NIV, and “give” is in the ESV. Each of these terms appears nine times in its respective Bible. But each of these verses carries a different admonishment.

We will look at these words. This Psalm repeats two of them for emphasis. I’ll use the term from the New King James Version. Receiving the “word” is the first designated term in the list of nine and appears twice (vs 25, 107), signifying that the Bible provides foundational principles for living. The second term to receive in the sequence is “in your way.” There is only one true way for believers to serve God, and that is with our whole heart. And all of us fall short in this category, but it’s our goal to live for God with our whole heart.

The next expression is “righteousness,” indicating the degree of our commitment. We are encouraged to receive what is right in God’s sight. The word “lovingkindness” comes next, and it appears twice, also, in this Psalm (vs 88 and 159). It is also the last term, indicating our pattern for living in loving God and humanity.

“Justice” appears in verse 149, directing and correcting our conduct. God brings justice to all. The last term to appear is judgment in verse 156. God certainly will bring punishment for the wrongdoings of those without Christ.

Our kind, heavenly Father gives the last word again:” lovingkindness.” It’s a reminder for all of us to be kind in all that we do. Kindness is better received by more people than anger.

If we receive these nine terms and apply them to our lives by spreading them amongst our friends and acquaintances, our lives will be better, and so will our community.

Everybody has their own definition of prayer. We describe it differently, particularly in desperate times, even some non-believers think that prayer can help them in their call for aid or mercy. But is prayer only in place when we can’t solve our hopeless condition? Talking to God is good; talking to God regularly is even better. Talking to God early and late in the day is even better. The Bible says we can talk to Him about anything at any time. Prayer comforts our hearts in our hurts; you can even ask for wisdom in handling your pains. God desires that we ask for guidance in all our situations. He always answers in a way that is best in His eyes, for you and me.

Pause and consider this: you always have access to the heart of God. He is never too busy to listen. In fact, every request, whether small or great, is recorded in heaven with your name on it (Revelation 5:8). Our wonderful God values your prayers. Only heaven knows how many prayers for salvation He has answered, bringing you and me into His great family.

Think for a moment how many times He’s cleansed your soul from your selfish sins. It wasn’t because you were good, but it was because you belonged to Jesus, who was constantly asking His Father for your betterment. Your sweet fellowship with our heavenly Father is a result of Jesus’ gift of salvation. The Holy Spirit continually asks the Lord for your protection and provision.

I know you didn’t get all your requests answered like you wanted. Our all-knowing heavenly Father knew what you really needed. He knew those you prayed for, and if they were ready to accept the very best result for eternity.

So, the next time you question God’s decision for your life, recognize that all things do work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28). It doesn’t make any difference whether we like the results or not.

There are two sides to every prayer. What is best for you now? What is best for you for eternity? If we are wise, we will always want what is best for eternity.

Often, discouragement finds its way to our doorstep. Your location doesn’t exempt you. You can be at home, work, or anywhere else when things don’t go your way. Some occasional depression is normal. Why? Because you’re human, and those around you are, too. Even your own body doesn’t always cooperate, let alone your mind.

John the Baptist, one of the great Saints in the Bible, had doubts. He even sent messengers to Jesus, asking, “Are you the one we should be looking for? Or are we supposed to wait for someone else?” (Luke 7:20 CEV). The Lord even said, “No one ever born on this earth is greater than John” (Luke 7:28 CEV). If John had an occasional bad day, what makes us think we are immune? 

Your past may be worry-free, you could be struggling in your present, and even hesitant about your future. The only part that counts is now. Do the obstacles around you seem impossible? Maybe in your eyes, but what about God’s eyes? Jesus says, “All things are possible with God?” (Matthew 19:26). Trusting God for solutions is faith in action. We believe that for others, but what about you? You may say, “But nothing like that happens to me.” Why? Because of our unbelief.

The widow of Zarephath thought she was down to her last meal—then starvation, but God sent Elijah 70 miles just for her (1 Kings 17:1-16).

God always has a way through discouragement. Somehow, time and people help us get through the valley called downheartedness. The sun will come out tomorrow. Enjoy the sunshine, encourage those around you with a smile, and then enjoy a bowl of ice cream.

Have you ever thought of yourself as guilty of bribery? Saying something like, “I have something you want, but I’m going to keep it, unless you do something that I want?” Or maybe it wasn’t an object you were using as a bargaining tool but a behavior. “I’ll do this for you, but first you must do this for me.” All of us are guilty of this way of thinking at some point in our lives.

Selfishness is a subtle personal sin of greed. I want, is our attitude, and we’re willing to engage in some form of trade. I have something you want, and you can have it if you’re willing to give me what I want. But if you won’t give me my desires, there’s no deal. Somehow, we think we are the deal makers. Thinking we are in an advantageous position.

There’s a problem with this type of thinking, primarily because it’s selfish. And selfishness is the ultimate loser. 

Now let’s shift our thinking to spiritual matters. Specifically, to the subject of behavior. Have you ever told God, I’ll behave in a certain way if you give me the desire of my heart? Think for a moment! Are we guilty of that type of thinking? The truthful conclusion is yes. We are all guilty of such thinking. We forget that God is in control and we are not. The Lord is the ultimate authority, and we are not.

Submission to God’s authority is our best response. Doing what He wants, regardless of our desires, always works out for the best.

When we place ourselves in a submissive mode, we are a winner. It’s then that we have the protective hand of God shielding us from our adversary, our selfishness. By giving our desires to God and taking His desires, we become what He wants us to be. Isn’t that the better choice? No bargaining on our part. Recognizing and appropriating God in His rightful position. He is the only one who knows what’s best for all. Bribery will never work with God; it may work with man, but what is really best for our individual lives?

When was the last time you complimented someone? What about going beyond a polite compliment in praising somebody for something? Praise may have several meanings to you, but the dictionary defines it as l warm approval for another person. What about God? Do you praise Him in more than one or two sentences? Specifically, do you praise our heavenly Father? What about Jesus? Do you forget the Holy Spirit? He’s God, too.

We are who we are by the grace of God. But we can do more and be more for Him if we start taking some extra time to praise the Lord. Matthew 6:9-13 is known as the Lord’s Prayer. Actually, these verses give us instructions for prayer.

The introductory words in the Lord’s prayer are words of praise. If you meditate on the words “Our Father in heaven,” you realize you are talking to God, the Father. Then, as you follow Jesus’ example, you will begin to praise Him for who He is and what He is doing for you as a believer. Lastly, you will praise the Holy Spirit for leading you in your time of personal worship.

According to Hebrews, effective praying will consist of praise, “the fruit of our lips,” (13:15 NKJV). Take the time to relate to our heavenly Father why you’re thankful. Be specific, don’t say, “I’m thankful for everything.” Each time I start my routine walk, I praise God for being able to walk, for my heart beating, for my lungs working, and for being able to see; be specific.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV).

Every day that you wake up, thank the Lord for another day to praise Him, then go out and say something for Jesus. That’s praise in action.

Springtime brings about a new season for growth. Leaves turn a radiant green, only to dull in a few weeks while growing into maturity. Seasons also belong to believers. The sprouting green of a new season in our lives demonstrates our new spiritual journey.

Like every tree, there are times of visible growth; the green leaves are obvious, but we fail to see the inner growth of its trunk. We even forget the spreading of its roots. They are the things that absorb the moisture from God’s green earth for growth.

Every year, a tree leaves invisible evidence of its growth. It’s called rings. Each year, a new ring expands and strengthens the trunk’s diameter. They were unseen to the eye. We only know them in the harvesting. That’s how we determine its age.

God’s children have some similarities. Age brings increased stature. People usually reach their maximum height in the 15-year range while their knowledge flourishes. Mental maturity, the unseen part, continues its growth pattern, but how to use it correctly may be lacking. Intelligence and its application are also part of a growth pattern.

The same principle applies to our spirituality. When redemption occurs, a new growth pattern begins in the believer, and this one has the potential for growth throughout the individual’s lifetime.

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen automatically as our bodies grow. God knows our initiative to know more about Him. That’s one of the reasons we attend our place of worship. We need to be around other believers. Still, there’s a deeper need for the individual, and it can only be satisfied by reading and studying the Bible, God’s Word. As we absorb its contents, a new layer of spiritual growth emerges.

The sharing of our knowledge of Jesus with others is the greatest evidence of our continuing spiritual growth.

Take the time to share what God has given you so that others may have the same inner peace that you have and grow spiritually for the Lord.