Games People Play With God-Part 2 by Jerry Vinson
Gospel Anchor On-Line Edition (http://www.gospelanchor.com)
Trivial Pursuit
The Psalmist wrote, "One thing I have desired of the Lord,
that will I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord..."
(Psalm 27:4). He understood the importance of pursuing the one
thing that really mattered. Everyone needs to give up the bad
things for the good things. Every Christian needs to give up the
good things for the important things that really matter.
"Trivial Pursuit" was a popular game a few years ago.
Contestants tested their knowledge of trivial facts in several
categories. It's a fun game to play occasionally. Today, I see
people playing spiritual versions of "Trivial Pursuit"
with God.
Jesus mentioned those who were caught up in the game of "Trivial
Pursuit" (Matthew 6:24-34). These were consumed by worry
over the necessities of life. Consequently, they pursued these
things, never developing a confiding trust in God to provide.
They were as those are today who rarely, if ever, have time for
God in their life - certainly no time to pursue things that build
trust in Him. They're too busy working long hours, overtime, or
second and third jobs, in pursuit of trivial things in comparison
to the "one thing" that is most important.
Jesus taught His disciples that God's reign in their life, and
their pursuit of His righteousness, was the most important thing.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).
"Seek first!" - to do otherwise is to play "Trivial
Pursuit."
King Solomon played the game of "Trivial Pursuit" (Ecclesiastes
1 - 12). He conducted a practical experiment to find purpose,
meaning, and happiness in this life by doing what most people
do. He pursued purpose, meaning, and happiness in life through
knowledge, possessions, wealth, luxury, and pleasure. The end
result was always the same - "all is vanity and striving
after the wind" (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
Solomon's life was empty, incomplete, and frustrated. Something
was missing that could not be filled by pursuing any of those
things. His conclusion was, "Fear God and keep His commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
"Duty" is not in the original language of this scripture.
This scripture is emphasizing that the "whole," the
"completeness," of a man is found in honoring and obeying
God. To do otherwise is to play "Trivial Pursuit."
Friend, what is the "one thing" that you desire and
seek? Are you playing the game of "Trivial Pursuit,"
or are you pursuing the "one thing" that will lead to
eternal happiness in "the house of the Lord?"
The Soldier of Christ by Mark B. Pape
(Reprinted with the author's permission. Mpape@logantel.com)
"No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Tim 2:4 NKJV).
With the call to arms, the well-trained soldier's thoughts immediately race to the scene where his training will be put to the ultimate test - the battlefield. With that scene before him, he is confronted with a multitude of thoughts - thoughts of victory, defeat, the injured, and inevitable casualties. Duty and obligation to a worthy cause are noble reasons that motivate a person to enlist.
1. The Cause of Our Conflict. The gospel of Christ must fight
against sin and its perpetrator the devil, which Jesus came to
destroy. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested,
that He might destroy the works of the devil." (1 Jn 5:8)
The cause of Christ is the battle for the salvation of souls from
eternal banishment and to enjoy the blessings of eternal life
with the Creator. To be engaged in battle for the cause of Christ
is the highest plateau to which man can ascend. Are we ready to
take up arms, and go to battle for such a great cause?
The cause of Christ demands the entire attention of the soldier
to the exclusion of any other matter that would provoke the jealousy
of our God (2 Tim.2:4). The figure of a soldier is used to illustrate
the dutiful relationship of the faithful to Christ, the "Captain
of their salvation."
2. The Power Of Our Weapon. A successful campaign in warfare requires adequate weaponry to overcome the resistance, coupled with the skill and ability to use such. Our Lord assessed the enemy and furnished the Gospel; the only weapon that will accomplish His objective, the conquest of the sin cursed world. Jesus said, "go ye into the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mk 16:15). The Gospel was designed to reveal, achieve and sustain the cause of Christ. Paul said of the Gospel: "it is the power of God unto salvation" (Rom 1:16). Testifying to the type of war, object of our offensive, and the sufficiency of our weapon, he wrote: "neither the war nor the weapon is fleshly, and that our weapon is mighty through God, capable of overthrowing strongholds, and able to penetrate the source of imaginations" (2 Cor 10:5).
3. The Surety Of Our Success. The Captain of our cause, Jesus
Christ, has all power in Heaven and earth, thereby insuring victory,
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Cor 15:57). Satan may make great
gains in the world, his servants may seem to prevail in their
cause, but their victories are short lived, passing away with
this world. However, our victory through Jesus carries with it
absolute triumph for eternity.
Will we then be standing on the winning side?
A Bit of Frog Wisdom...
(Contributed by B. Collum)
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
This story teaches two lessons. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill him or her. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path. The power of words...it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. So from this day forward, think before you speak.
It is too easy to fall in the trap of negativity. It becomes a habit. It affects everyone around us and many people don't have the skills to deal with it - so it brings them down. Do you want to be responsible for your mouth destroying the day of another person? We need to realize that the words that we speak are only a reflection of where our heart is. What can you do to ensure that your heart dictates positive thoughts to others?
PSALM 119 - Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
VAU. (Ps 119:41-48).
[41-44. The sentiment more fully carried out. God's mercies
and salvation, as revealed in His Word, provide hope of forgiveness
for the past and security in a righteous course for the future.]
41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation,
according to thy word.
42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me:
for I trust in thy word. [The possession of God's gift of "salvation"
(Ps 119:41) will be the Psalmist's answer to the foe's "reproach,"
that his hope was a fallacious one.]
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for
I have hoped in thy judgments.
44 So shall I keep thy law continually forever and ever.
[45-48. To freedom from reproach, when imbued with God's truth,
there is added "great boldness in the faith" [1Ti 3:13],
accompanied with increasing delight in the holy law itself, which
becomes an element of happiness.]
45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will
not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have
loved.
48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments,[that is,
I will prayerfully (Ps 28:2) direct my heart to keep Thy commandments.]
which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
PARTING THOUGHT
Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Ps. 35:1 (NAS)