Thought for September 12

One of our readers asked for me to place the Thought in bold to make it easier for her to read. 

 History:

  • 1755: Casanova sentenced to 5 years in prison for an affront to religion and common decency
  • 1792: Court martial for Bounty crew begins at Portsmouth
  • 1928: Hurricane kills 6,000 in florida
  • 1958: Supreme Court orders Central High School in Little Rock to integrate
  • 1959: Bonanza premiers
  • 1964: Canyonlands National Park designated
  • 1970: Phyllis George named Miss America
  • 1972: Maude premiers
  • 1984: Barbara Mandrell badly injured in car wreck
  • 1992: Mae Jemison is first black American woman in space
  • 2000: Netherlands passes law allowing same-gender marriage, adoption and divorce
  • Born: Henry Hudson, Alexander Campbell [founded Disciples of Christ], Richard Gatling [Gatling Gun], HL Mencken, Jesse Owens, George Jones, Linda Gray [Sue Ellen on Dallas], Barry White, Ricky Rudd [NASCAR], Paul Walker, Jennifer Hudson, 
  • Died: Peter Mark Roget [Thesaurus], Steven Biko [died in police custody in South Africa], Anthony Perkins [Psycho], Raymond Burr, Johnny Cash, Jack Kramer [tennis], Ray Dolby [sound expert], 

Thought:
When I was in high school, I had a a saying which continues to be true 60 years later--different expectations make for bad relationships.  If Jan and I have different expectations about a project or a trip, we are likely to have a rocky spot in our relationship. If you and your employer have different expectations of your time, commitment, and production, you will likely have a bad relationship. As I read Deuteronomy 10, I understand that if God and I have different expectations, my relationship with Him will be broken. Read 10:11-13 and notice:
  • God's goal for us--that we will possess the land He promised us. [10:11]. For the children of Israel in the wilderness, this was the Promised Land of Canaan. For us, we are bound for the Promised Land of eternity with Christ in a place we call heaven. God's goal is for everyone to have the opportunity to possess the promised land--not own it, for just like the earth and everything that's in it, it belongs to God. Just possess it. 
  • What does the Lord require of us if we desire to possess the promised land?
    • Fear the Lord. Live in a constant state of awe at His power, glory, majesty, grace, mercy love. Remind myself daily, what is man that God should care about us. 
    • Walk in ALL His ways. I do not get to pick which of God's ways I want to follow--I am to walk in all His ways--in the light, in love, with patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. Humbly, thankfully, joyfully, peacefully. 
    • Love Him. My actions and attitude match my words of praise and love. And my love for Him is greater than anyone or anything else.
    • Serve Him with all our heart and soul. Yes, I serve, but I do it joyfully, enthusiastically, not hesitantly or begrudgingly or resentfully. 
    • Keep His commandments. Love God and love my neighbor. 
  • What if I mess up? Jesus met every requirement, so if I place my faith and trust in Him, God transfers the righteousness of Jesus to me and I get to enter the promised land. 
Different expectations make for bad relationships--God has told me what He expects. Reminds me of that hymn, I am satisfied with Jesus--then the question comes to me as I think of Calvary is my Master satisfied with me.

Blessings
Larry

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thought for July 19

History: 1553: Lady Jane Gray deposed after 9 days 1692: 5 people hung during Salem Witch Trials 1848: First women's rights convention -Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. Wesleyan Chapel at Seneca Falls NY 1910: Cy Young wins his 500th game 1941: US Army flying school at Tuskegee AL dedicated 1945: USS Cod saves 51 sailors from Dutch sub--only sub-to-sub rescue 1957: Firing of first rocket with nuclear warhead-Nevada 1984: Geraldine Ferraro is first major party female VP candidate 1996: Olympics open in Atlanta 2007: Madmen debuts 2018: Duck Boat sinks in Table Rock Lake killing 17 Born: Samuel Colt, Edgar Degas [painter], Lizzie Borden, Charles Mayo [Mayo Clinic], George McGovern, Al Haig, George Hamilton IV, Vikki Carr, Ilie Nastase, Stuart Scott, Benedict Cumberbatch,  Died: Syngman Rhee [President South Korea], Clyde Beatty [circus animal trainer], Mary Jo Kopechne [passenger with Ted Kennedy], Jack Warden, Frank McCourt [Angela's Ashes], James Garner, Garry Marshall...
Read more

Thought for April 5, 2024

1722: Easter Island discovered 1792: First Presidential veto 1815: Mt. Tambora erupts. Largest eruption ever witnessed. Created year without summer in 1816--frost and snow in North America in June and July. Largest part of eruption on April 10th. Killed 10,000 in initial blast.  1906: Mt. Vesuvius erupts killing 100 1923: Firestone begins producing inflatable tires 1936: Tupelo almost completely destroyed by a tornado--216 die 1972: Baseball strike costs 86 games 2063: On "Star Trek", earth has its first contact with the Vulcan species Born: Thomas Hobbes, Joseph Lister, Booker T Washington, Spencer Tracy, Bette Davis, Gregory Peck, Arthur Hailey. Gale Storm, Frank Gorshin, Colin Powell, Pharrell Williams Died: Robert Raikes [Sunday School], Douglas MacArthur, Howard Hughes, Abe Fortas, Sam Walton, Allen Ginsberg, Saul Bellow, Charlton Heston, Honor Blackman Thought: Reading Daniel 1:5-7 this morning. Continuing with the thoughts about Nebuchadnezzar's plan. Having brough...
Read more

Thought for June 27, 2024

  1864: Battle of Kennesaw Mountain 1905: Russian sailors mutiny on the Potemkin 1923: First aerial refueling 1950: Truman orders Air Force and Navy into the Korean conflict 1955: First automobile seat belt law--Illinois 1972: Atari founded in Sunnyvale CA.  1977: Terrible day--Supreme Court allows lawyers to advertise 2023: Ryan Seacrest announced as successor to Pat Sajak on "Wheel of Fortune" Born: Helen Keller, Bob Keeshan [Captain Kangaroo], Ross Perot, Vera Wang, Lorrie Morgan, JJ Abrams, Tobey Maguire,  Died: Joseph Smith, Lottie Dod, Albert Broccoli, Jack Lemon, Shebly Foote ["The Civil War"], Gale Storm,  Thought: Psalm 139 is a very popular and often read Psalm. The first 6 verses speak of God's omniscience---He knows me and everything about me. This means I cannot fool Him, trick Him,  lie to Him. But it also means He loves me despite knowing everything--what a Friend. And because He knows everything, He can meet every need--He is my sufficiency. Vers...
Read more