Pros And Cons Of Modern Technology

Rom 6:1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that Grace my abound?"

I would be the first to admit that I really enjoy the modern technology. I remember several years ago when I took typing in High School. Believe it or not, it was on a manual typewriter that didn't even have the letters on the keys. I actually became fairly good at typing and spent many hour at the keyboard during college and even in the military. Ah, but now, we have modern technology with the variety of work processing programs. Has it made my life easier? By all means!. But, I have also noticed a downside to it. By using my computer, my mistakes are so easily corrected. Some may ask "why is that a downside"? Because the ease of correction makes me sloppy and careless. I can speed along and even if I don't catch my mistake at the time, I can always use spell check and it can tell me just how careless I really was. I enjoy that feature, but to be honest, it is rather frustrating sometimes because I have made so many mistakes. Hum, it sounds like there should be a message in there somewhere. Ah, yes, here it is. When a person receives Christ as his Lord and Savior, his sins are forgiven and nothing can cause him to stand before God in eternal condemnation. He still has a sin nature and is prone to sin as a result. As a new Christian, we usually are more sensitive to our sin and the conviction of the Holy Spirit, because we are really trying to live a separated life, free from sin. But, as time goes on, we realize that as we sin, I John 1:9 tells us that when we confess that sin, He is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So, we become more lax in our attempt a living righteously, because it is so easy to make things right. Here is the problem with that idea. To confess means to "agree with God that what we have done is a sin". Okay, so what does that mean? Glad you asked. It means that when I confess my sin, I am saying to God that I really don't want to do that any more. So, I guess when I sit down at my computer and when I live my life, I really do need to try not to make mistakes.

Life Is A Bed Of Roses

Psa 24:1 "The Earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell thterein."

That has always been an interesting statement to me. It, like so many other cliches, stops just a little too short of reality. Now, if they had said that life is like a bed of rose pedals, that would make much more sense to me. After all, rose pedals are fragrant, beautiful and very soft. On the other hand, a rose, though fragrant, beautiful and very soft, is also on a stem that is hard and filled with thorns. Thorns that will prick your fingers and cause bleeding, and in some cases, leave a scar. Let's take a look at another saying that we are familiar with - "life is like a rose garden". Ah, now we are getting closer. When you approach a rose garden from a distance, it is a very beautiful place. And, as you get closer you begin to smell the sweet aroma that accompanies that beauty. Now, you are there, in the garden, and desire to partake of a single rose (like partaking of a single day in life). You can just reach out haphazardly and grab it, or you can, with great care, look for the thorns and cautiously place your fingers so that they do not get stuck. Honestly, you can pick a rose either way. But, it seems to me that one way is far more enjoyable than the other. Unfortunately, too many people approach life with the same reckless abandonment and wonder why they find themselves bleeding and scarred. Solomon said "there is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov 14:12 There is also a way that is right for man - God's way - and it brings life. Go ahead, pick a rose and enjoy life.

What Wilt Thou Have Me To Do?

Isa 6:8 "Also, I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then said, here am I; send me!"

The Apostle Paul made this statement at his conversion on the road to Damascus. We often look back at that statement and think of how powerful it really was. The implication is that he was willing to do anything that God asked of him. Was that the truth? I think it was. Because we see that Paul (Saul at the time) was already serving God - or he thought that he was. At least he was trying to. Now, he truly knows God, personally, as Lord and Savior. Jesus is now his Messiah and his desire is serve him the rest of his days. Can you just imagine what this world would be like if every Christian had that same attitude? "Here I am Lord, in Church today, ready to get my marching orders for the days ahead." But, in reality, only a small number of those professing to believe in Christ are actually concerned with God's will for their life. They have established themselves in a career, with a family and obligations. They already have their life planned out as to what will make them happy and secure. Even if they are willing to ask God what He would like for them to do, they usually have restrictions placed there to safeguard them. "Lord, I'll do this, but You know I can't get involved in this because those times are already taken up". When you look at the life of Paul and all that he went through, it is not a desirable life. But, that is what God had for Paul, not you. Paul was very content to serve God and to suffer for God. And God blessed him for that. If you can be content with God's will for you, He will bless you as well. Go ahead, give it a try. You'll be glad that you did.

Our Changing Perspecitve On Life

Ecc 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

Isn't it amazing how our outlook on life changes as the years go by? I remember when I was just a kid in school and looked at my teachers who were "so old". I couldn't wait to get out of school so I could be out on my own. My whole life was before me and the thought of it coming to a close never entered my mind. That seems like only yesterday and yet it was over 40 years ago. Remember those "old people" from before? Well, I am one. James tells us in James 4:14 that life is just a vapor. It quickly comes and quickly goes. How much time do I have left on this earth before God sees fit to take home? That is strictly up to God - He knows and I don't. But, one this is certain, I spend more time thinking about the past in my life than I do about the future here on earth. If I am not careful, I will find myself thinking about what could have been and what I should have done differently. Instead, I need to consider what I can still do, and what I need to do differently in my future. Before, I thought I had lots of time so I can do that at another time. Now, I realize that today isn't just the first day of the rest of my life, it could be the last day. What I can do, I must do. Some of you who will read this will say, "well, I am in the early stages of life, so I do have plenty of time. But, the reality of the matter is that Jesus could come for us "TODAY" and we are going - whether young of old. So, what is your perspective on life?

Being Faithful To A Faithful God

Eph 1:1 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:"

We know that the Bible says we are to live by faith. But, sometimes we are a little one sided in our thoughts about the subject. We only think of living by faith and trusting God for the unknown things in life. Of course, we mean unknown to us, but known to God. There is also the idea of being faithful to God in living by faith. What do we mean by faithful? Well, I guess in this situation, it would be consistent. Here is our problem. We find that we need God for something in life and we are reminded that in order to receive it from Him, it takes a step of faith on our part. We take that step, believing, and sure enough, God answers. Just, as He said He would do. He is Faithful! Now that we have our need met, we go on about our lives, business as usual, until such time as we need Him again. What God is looking for is a consistency in our walk of faith. A trusting Him everyday for every situation. To do that gives us a constant flow of joy and peace in life that the world cannot understand, nor provide. Often times, when we think of being unfaithful, our minds go to an immoral application where a person cheats on their spouse with someone else. In James 4:4 we see where God calls those who have a friendship with the world adulterers and adulteresses. Because they have turned to the world rather than to Him. I want to encourage you today to set your sights on being faithful every day, to your faithful God.