Every now and then, I believe it does the mind good to step out of our comfort zones and think. We can think about many things, but today, I want to challenge you with a few questions regarding spiritual matters. Consider these questions to be about encouragement and action.
These are intended to be thought about for a little while. I call them, “Questions to Ponder.” The word “ponder” is defined as, “think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.”
I would ask that you ponder these questions, then decide to act.
- Who have you encouraged this week from your spiritual family?
- When is the last time you read your Bible for 15 minutes?
- How have you grown in your spiritual life this week?
- Where will you be on Sunday morning?
- Who was not here on Sunday that you sent a message too?
- Are your friends encouraging you to be a better Christian?
- Are you a Christian?
- Is there someone you need say, “Thank you” to, because of their spiritual support?
- What are your plans to grow spiritually in October?
- What are your plans on December 12, 2021?
Sometimes, the right question, at the right time, can make us think outside of our normal routine. Consider what we can do today to make a better life in the future. What are your answers to those questions?
Just a thought,
An ancient story is told of a little boy, a shipwreck and a rock:
During a furious storm at sea, a ship capsized and broke into pieces. The only survivor was a little boy who was swept by the waves onto a rock. He sat there all night long until, the next morning, he was spotted and rescued.
“Did you tremble while you were on the rock during the night?” someone later asked him.
“Yes,” said the boy. “I trembled all night—but the rock didn’t.”
At least 18 times in the book of Psalms, God is called a “Rock.” Each time, the psalmist is referring to God as his boulder, large rock, a place of refuge, or a fortress. The Hebrew words, “tsoor” and “sehlah,” bring the meanings of a stronghold of protection, but also an immovable strength.
Just as the boy in the story, are you holding onto your Rock? Is God your refuge? Your fortress? Your protection?
The Psalmist says, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalms 18:2)
Do you feel the same?
The world is a hard place to live. Sin is prevalent and we can allow the current events of the world to cause us to lose focus on our Heavenly home. One of the keys to staying faithful in a troubled world is to hold fast to our Rock.
What are you holding onto?
Just a thought,
Every week people ask us to pray for them and their situations. Whether it is on a Sunday, a Wednesday, or just a normal day throughout the week, people want us to pray for them. People know prayer works. They have seen it with their eyes, and they know the power of prayer mentioned in the scriptures,
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)
While we pray for others, do we also pray for ourselves?
When others ask us to pray for them, we take time to petition God on their behalf. However, do you take time and pray for yourself?
Let us not forget we need to pray for ourselves. Even Jesus, in John 17, prayed for Himself, that He might glorify the Father. Jesus needed strength, and especially in his final hours.
You and I also need the strength of God in our lives. Praying for others is a good trait of a Christian life, but we must not forget that we need the strength and wisdom God provides. (Psalm 34.4; James 1.5)
Charles Spurgeon was once quoted as saying, “I have now concentrated all my prayers into one, and that one prayer is this, that I may die to self, and live wholly to Him.”
We must pray for others, but we must pray for ourselves, our strength, and our faith so we may be able to continue. Remember the words of Paul,
“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Just some thoughts,
There are many thoughts which can be shared, but the book of Proverbs shares many timeless wisdoms, which finds the application beyond a graduation.
Solomon speaks from his experiences regarding life, decisions, marriage, knowledge, riches, poverty, and humbleness.
Consider Solomon’s inspired words in Proverbs 4.23-27 and how they will be a guiding light to the feet of those willing to investigate the sacred text. Each verse is a treasure of knowledge to guide your steps.
I would encourage you to take these verses to heart and use them each day as you walk in your new season of life.
- “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
- “Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.” (Proverbs 4:24)
- “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.” (Proverbs 4:25)
- “Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.” (Proverbs 4:26)
- “Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:27)
I would encourage each graduate, and each Christian, to take these verses to heart and use them each day as you walk in your new season of life.
Allow your life to flow from the lessons you have and will learn in the Scriptures. Let them be a light to your path and a lamp to your feet.
Just some thoughts,
On November 16, 2020, Radio France International made a blunder that made people laugh, yet they questioned why such a mistake would occur. The mistake also got people thinking, “I wonder what mine would say?”
Someone made a mistake and posted close to 100 obituaries on the Radio France International website. It does not sound like a mistake until you know those people were not dead. The obituaries included people such as Clint Eastwood, soccer legend Pele, and even Queen Elizabeth.
Within a few hours, readers let the website know of the error and the pre-written obituaries were taken down. Later, an apology note was posted to help clear up the error.
To think that someone is writing obituaries before a person passes away might sound odd, or even morbid, but it happens each day. Each of us are writing our own obituary as we live each day. Our lives are in constant motion and people will remember our lives, no matter what the written words say.
This mistake on the Radio France International website should serve as a remind that we are writing our obituaries as we live, but also, our death in this life is certain. So, here are a few questions to think about…
- What would your obituary say?
- How do you want to be remembered by your family?
- How do you want to be remembered by your friends?
- How do you want to be remembered by those who read your obituary?
But most important, no matter who remembers you, will they remember you as a shining light for Christ? Will they remember you as a Christian?
Just some thoughts,
