When The World is Falling Apart!

"Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!   Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven..."

Lamentations 3:40,41

There are days when life seems as though it is falling apart at the seams. We all want to know what we can do different, do over, what we can change to make things better.  We CANNOT change the past, nor can we change what HAS been done. You can’t change your parents, family, children. They are who they are and you are who you are.  You can’t change the gifts and talents God has or hasn’t given you. You can’t change a handicap you’ve been given. You can’t bring back someone who is dead.  The fact is, there are a LOT of things about life you cannot change. Peace in the midst of troubles can be found when you accept what you can’t change. Otherwise, you’ll make yourself and the people you love miserable. All of this said, there is  something important you can change: you.

The prophet Jeremiah, about 20 years of age, in the 13th year of King Josiah (Jer.1:2; 25:3), in the year 627 BC. He was active in this capacity from this time on to the destruction of Jerusalem which occurred in 586 BC. Even after the fall of Jerusalem,  he prophesied in Egypt at least for several years, so that his work extended over a period of about 50 years in all. The most devastating period of his life was when Jerusalem fell, during which time he wrote the Lamentations. To that, the verses quoted at the beginning of this article was a reflection of a breaking heart spoken about things that he could not change. His sentiment? Lamentations 3:40: “Let us examine our ways and turn back to the Lord”

We can't change the past, but we can change the present. Jeremiah's reflection shows that if he could have gone back and changed something that would have prevented Jerusalem's destruction, he would have. The same for us, we all lament when things go awry, and in wondering what we can change or what could we do; ask yourself what’s happening  in your life that doesn’t line up with what God wants? After all, God can see what we can't, and can do what we can't. To re-order your life God’s way, it’ll take some deep self-evaluation of every area of your life. You’ll need to take a look at your relationship with God, your spouse, your kids, and your co-workers. You’ll need to look at hurts, habits, and hang-ups that may be bringing you down. Nothing can be off limits in this. We cannot sugar coat this, and it is not and will not be easy. You WILL find things you don't like, and there are some things that as Jesus said to cut out of your life. It’s always tough to turn from sin even when it’s tearing us down.

Healing apart from repentance won't happen. When your world is falling apart, you can’t change everything — but you can change you. At times, that can mean everything.

What can you change right now that will make a positive impact on yourself and others? Ask yourself the hard questions about your priorities, relationships, and secret sins as you try to change your world.   "If you hear the message and don't obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave.   But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don't just hear and forget. (Jas.1:23-25)."

Jim

BOOK REVIEW: Sabbath by: Dan Allender

In our studies at church, we entered a study of the Mosaic Law so I began to search for materials that would supplement my library and help in in areas that I only had scant information on. Granted, the Internet has made this more abundant, but I wanted something I could hold in my hand, take with me, and read at my leisure. I came across Sabbath by: Dan Allender.

I received this book, anticipating a delve into the intricacies of Old Testament lifestyle, details of Mosaic statutes and establishment of Jewish tradition. Was I in for a surprise.

At first, I did not know how to take this book. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting. Instead of LAW - I found myself being pulled into considering the concepts or REST, DELIGHT, JOY, GRATITUDE, APPRECIATION and more. This was becoming intriguing. I had always thought of Sabbath as a DAY. And yet, even the scripture tells us, Heb 4:9 "..there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God...." and reminds us in vs.10 – “as God rested from His works.” A day in which God took delight, joy, peace in what He had created and done. And then prompted me with a question, Do I take delight, joy, and peace in God? Now, I was hooked! I read and studied further.

Once again, I knew that the Sabbath was a day of feast in the Old Testament, but because I had become entangled in the ins and outs of legality, I totally overlooked the fact that God meant this day to be a day of reconciliation. Not just reconciliation to Him, but to one another. I was reminded what Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "2 Cor 5:18 And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation.." Once again, I found delight to insights that I had never considered before and was coming to appreciate this book more and more.

I an nearing the end of this book now, and wishing that I weren't. But I discovered that I had one more thing to learn. That Gratitude goes beyond simply appreciating what has been done FOR you. Let me share what I gleaned. As in the traditional Sabbath of Moses, there was unleavened bread to commemorate the journey of Israel out of Egypt, we too have Sabbath Bread in our own day and time. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life (Jn.6:35, 38)." We too, are left with a commemoration (1 Cor.11:26-30), a day not to remember what the Lord has done FOR us, but offered TO us. A day to be grateful, to be reconciled not just to God, but to all men - even my enemies. To consider, that Psa.23:5 "...you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" is not a feast of vindication, but a feast of appreciation for what God has done for me and in turn for me to bring my enemies to the table to be reconciled. I cannot do that, unless I remember what Jesus offered FOR me, and what He gave TO me. It is what God did for Jesus, and it is what Jesus does for me.

Some of you will read this book with different review. Some will read and not know what to do with it. Some will look upon it legalistic and try to find its flaws. Some will read as I did and appreciate what it's author has tried to convey in words. I for one am appreciative of this book, and recommend it heartily. I feel that you would be blessed by it, if it is read with the right heart.