Contentment

Listened to a great lesson this morning at church regarding grumbling and complaining. We are a nation of complainers. It doesn't matter what it is about, we grumble about it. If we get 100%.....we complain that we didn't get 110%. There is always something and it's never good enough. 

Our resulting feelings are that we never happy. Never satisfied. Never content. As Christians that isn't how we should be or act. We should lead others and not follow suit with all the other grumbling people around us everyday. We become like them if we listen to them or associate with them. This spins out of control. 

Chapter 4 of Philippians gives us a powerful message of hope and encouragement. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:4-9 NKJV

Think on this things and remain positive. 

ET This I Believe. 

Eugene Thompson

Sermon on the Mount - The Summary

I've just finished teaching a class at the Princess Anne Church of Christ on Sunday morning that ran for over 18 months. I was asked to prepare a detailed study of the the chapters in Matthew. I have studied it before but not necessarily in detail, nor did I ever think that it would take that long. A lot of information and sharing was done over that time. I just hope others got as much out of it as I did. I probably have 280 pages of notes on Matthew 5-7. Far more information written and prepared than I could ever share during the class. Teachers often learn more than the students just because so much time was done in preparation of the class. I know I did.

Here is a quick summary of the sermon in the mount as we quickly hit highlights last week to close out the class. Feeling blessed that I was given the opportunity.

The Sermon on the Mount describes what our life should be like while we live in faith, in our thoughts, words, and actions. Jesus said six times in Chapter 5, “You have heard it said”, or “But I tell you..” He was calling people to a new life instead of a legal system, that the Pharisees had put upon the people.

Lesson 1   Matthew 5:1-16

Jesus teaches us the eight attitudes. These attitudes or beatitudes explain that we are to live differently than the world for Christ’s sake. Blessed means happy. So when these attributes become part of us God is pleased and we are blessed. The beatitudes are to be poor in spirit,  mourn for sin, be meek, and to hunger and thirst for righteousness. We are to be merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. When we follow Christ in this manner we may become persecuted for our faith, but this too becomes a blessing and we will receive a heavenly reward.

We are called to be light and salt of the world. Salt has two functions. It flavours and it stops corruption. We must not lose our saltiness, because if we do we will lose our ability to be a committed Christian, who does not think or act like the world. Salt also creates a thirst, a thirst for the Lord and His righteousness.

Being light in the world refers to the way you show others in public what being a Christian means. How many of your friends see your personal commitment to Christ? How bright a light are you?

Lesson 2   Matthew 5:17-26

Here Jesus explains the Christian’s relationship to the law, and that he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfil it. The Old Testament continues until all things are accomplished. He warned the disciples to do and to teach all the commandments, and that a better righteousness than the Pharisees’ is needed to enter the kingdom of heaven. And how can we keep God’s laws? We can’t. The Pharisees’ couldn’t, and that is one reason why they created their own set of laws. It is the indwelling Holy Spirit that empowers us and convicts us. Where do you need to let the Holy Spirit help you obey what Jesus has taught?

God’s Word does not change over time. His standards for behaviour or morality does not change. It does not change from one situation to another or from one century to another.

Jesus gives illustrations of our relationship to the Law. The Pharisees often taught about people’s actions, but Jesus always goes further by raising the bar. He speaks of our thoughts, emotions, and attitudes of our hearts.

So what does He begin with? What is the most condemning sin you can think of? Murder. Jesus expounds on this and says that wrong attitudes and words count the same as murder. How could that be? Murder begins with anger, unforgiveness, hatred, contempt, envy and bitterness. All of it sin. To be full of such things reveals a heart condition that is condemning.

What is the remedy? It is the spirit of love and reconciliation. We must be reconciled with each other, no matter who the fault may lie with. Come to one heart and mind with that person, so that we can have an open relationship with the Lord.

Lesson 3  Matthew 5:27-37,   6:22-23

Here Jesus teaches that lustful imagination counts the same as adultery. Being tempted is not a sin, but we must reject the seed that get planted in our mind, so that sin is nipped in the bud. He said if necessary we should cut off whatever causes us to sin even if this causes discomfort or pain. What causes immoral thoughts in your mind? What books are you reading and what TV shows are you enjoying and what are you laughing and joking about? What do you need to cut out of your life to live a life of pure actions and thoughts?

We are reminded that marriage is a lifelong commitment. God hates divorce but it is a forgivable sin, and he allows it for infidelity. Let’s remember to love and pray for those who have been hurt in abusive relationships and know that God would not want them to stay in this treacherous situation.

Lesson 4   Matthew 5:38-48,   6:14-15

So what does “an eye for an eye mean?

The next topic was retaliation or getting even. Again Jesus quotes an OT command, one that was meant to limit the penalty for a wrong action. The person who was treated wrongly was only to demand repayment that was fair and fitting. And again Jesus asks us to go even further. He says to give to the person who asks, even when that person is asking something that may be unfair. Jesus’ disciples had been taught to love their neighbours and hate their enemies. Once again Jesus wants you and me to go beyond the old teachings. We are to love our enemies and pray for them. Will you ask God to give you His love for those who are unkind or unforgiving to you? What can you pray for them?

Lesson 5   Matthew 6:1-18

Here we learn that our righteous deeds are not so righteous when they are done to impress others. Therefore they are to be done before God and not before people. Jesus was concerned that the people, especially the Pharisees, wanted others to see them give to the needy or pray in public so that they would be noticed. They were pretending to pray with a sincere heart but were more concerned with what others thought of them. To do this is to lose our reward with God because our reward becomes an earthly reward of wanting praise from men.

The Lord’s Prayer was given to the disciples as an example. When we say it we should repeat it thoughtfully and not aimlessly. The point is, that we should pray, and we should have a regular time each day to pray privately. If you do not will you set aside a regular time and place to establish this time to spend with the Lord?

Lesson 6   Matthew 6:19-21, 24-34

Here Jesus teaches that faith is having a trusting heart knowing that He will supply all our daily needs. If we put these worries aside and first seek the kingdom of God all things will be given to us. He knows we need these things. Often in this life especially in the US we are bombarded daily about material possessions. We are told that we need many things to be successful and happy. So Jesus was concerned about people’s attitudes toward their treasures and possessions. He warned them about storing up treasures on earth. They can be lost, stolen, destroyed etc. We can set our eyes on power and wealth instead of God and what really matters. We cannot serve both God and money. We cannot have two masters.

We are not to worry. Worry is a lack of faith in God’s care. Worry and fret lead to sin. Remember to put God first in your life and to live right for Him. Live one day at a time doing your best to please God. He will supply your needs in His timing.

Lesson 7   Matthew 7:1-12

The judge not passage. The person who makes a practice of judging others will be judged with the same measure. Judging ourselves instead prepares us to help others. Also we have to judge between good and evil and we must make determinations each and every day. We have to separate truth from error or we will believe lies. We must pray for wisdom in this area. If we know of sin in our lives, and try not to remove it, yet try to help others with the same sin, then we are hypocrites, like the Pharisees. There is no room for pride or stubbornness when we are trying to help others.

Jesus commanded his disciples to think before giving sacred and precious truths from God to unholy people. Sacred things could be worship or communion or the Bible. These things are not holy to those who do not believe in God and they will ridicule the truths told to them. It is in this way they trample them under their feet….Christians are to be discerning but not condemning.

Prayer comes up again, in that we are ask, seek and knock. He wants us to be persistent in our prayer. And He gives good gifts to his children as a good father gives to his son. He wants our hearts in our prayers and doesn’t want us to give up when we think a prayer has not been answered quickly….Continue to pray. God will give you what is right and he will answer your prayer His way and in His time. What kind of things are you praying for? A car? Fame? Sunshine? Or are you praying for things that will please Him? A good list would be something like wisdom, love, healing, increased faith, boldness to speak for God, the filling of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, etc. If you are persistent in asking for things that please God, He will give them to you.

Lesson 8  Matthew 7:13-29

As we end the Sermon on the Mount Jesus now speaks of our life in faith, and the dangers of not following His teachings.

Those who go their own way will have difficulty discerning that there are two pathways. Jesus only gives us two. There are not many paths to God. False teachers offer a wide gate that welcomes many. It may seem kind and loving to accept all religious teachings, but it is not. The broad road leads to destruction. In fact the way is narrow and constricted and it will not be an easy path…but the end result is well worth it. Everlasting life with Jesus. Which path have you chosen and how are you persuading others to choose?

To ignore biblical teaching puts you in danger of listening to false teachers. Knowing scripture is important so you can recognise a false teacher by their faulty doctrine and bad fruit. Paul commended the Bereans for comparing his words against scripture. We must do the same. Those who say they know Jesus by using the phrase, “Lord, Lord” or even perform miracles may not truly know the Lord. Many will hear from Jesus on judgment day…”I never knew you.” The false prophets will be in the church itself. They will be disguised as sheep, but truly they are wolves.

Finally we are given an illustration of the person who is wise and the foolish person who does not obey the teachings. The obvious teaching is that Jesus is the rock and foundation and this is where we are to start building. This foundation is firm and solid. But there is a condition given in this passage. We must hear Jesus’ words and we must practice them. Then we are able to withstand the storms of wind and rain that will come upon us in this life.

The people were amazed at the authority that Jesus taught with. Whenever God’s Word is presented as it truly is, its power is unleashed. We too should be amazed and astonished with these teachings. God’s standards are high and today we have the Holy Spirit to help us live for God, illuminate scripture and lead us into truth.

There wasn't a lot of time to do a complete review of the study on Sunday but maybe a few of these highlights noted here will allow you to study further to become a better disciple for Christ.

ET This I Believe

Eugene Thompson

Comfort or Pain?

The history of the word “comfort” reveals an important narrative. The word is made from two Latin word parts, com-, an intensifying prefix which means “together with,” and fortis, which means “strong or strength.” Later, the Latin word confortare comes to mean, “to strengthen much.” Eventually, an Old French word, conforter, would add words like “solace” and “help” to the definition. In the 14th century, another French word conforten is defined as, “to cheer up, console.” Finally, by the 17th century, the English version of the word implies the sense of physical ease that we understand today. In about a millennia, this word went from meaning, “together-strength,” to meaning “pain-barrier.”

So which do you prefer? Comfort or Pain? When I first asked this question to my friends they immediately responded by saying COMFORT of course. Why wouldn't we all?! There aren't many of us that wouldn't automatically respond with anything else. Our life seems to exist surrounded with trials, work and effort to eventually gain an opportunity to relax......in COMFORT. Isn't that sort of the definition of vacation? 

Everyday opportunities allow us to enjoy comfort but we don't often recognize it. We hide it behind levels of achievement never reaching the ultimate goal of fulfillment. A hurdle set by many entrepreneurial minds. There is always another goal to reach. Never do we take the time to smell the roses.....of course unless it's on our calendar and cleared with others between two conference calls, production meetings and various other task generated objectives. How about when we finally rest in our bed? Is it comfortable? Or did we go find a bed of nails to relax on? We find COMFORT in our bed of course.....because we value a good nights sleep.

So when do we or should we choose PAIN? We've all heard the saying, "No Pain, No Gain". Mostly used in the gym or during some physical endurance. I once lifted weights in high school and was 4th place in the national powerlifting championships. To reach that achievement I had to work hard daily at lifting various levels of weights. The next day I was sore. It didn't matter how long I had been lifting, when I worked out different muscle groups strenuously I was sore the next day. Why? Well because it pushed my body past its limits to eventually gain strength. Without the pain.....I wouldn't have experienced the reward of gain.
 

So does that happen in our everyday lifes? Do we create PAIN? In our business world? In our home? Within our family? We should. We should find a way everyday to push the limits of ourselves to gain the opportunities. Opportunities for each of us to better ourselves. To be better bosses or employees; better spouses, parents or children; better Christians, servants, stewards. How about just being a better person in general. We must challenge ourselves to become stronger.

Some times these opportunities come to us in trials. We face trials, struggles and obstacles in our lives that gives us (mostly unwanted) experiences that eventually builds our endurance and helps us to rise to the occasion, face the challenge and persevere the trail. Once we come out of such trials we are usually much stronger, wiser and more than likely more humble. It's the reward of the trial.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,And by His stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5 | NKJV

ET This I Believe

Eugene Thompson

I Can Do All Things Thru Christ

Philippians 4:13 is used by so many as a motivational scripture to use us beyond what we ourselves can accomplish. So often it comes across that WE can DO ANYTHING with Christ's help. I don't disagree with that statement but I also don't want to get lost in what Paul is sharing in all of the surrounding scripture.

Read Paul's full statement in context:

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:10-13 NKJV

Im reading into his statement that he is content in whatever situation he is in. And he has learned to accept it regardless of the situation. He has been very "FULL" and he has been very "HUNGRY" and he is happy that God has provided. Regardless of his situation.....he can do EVERYTHING because Christ will strengthen him. 

I don't think he arbitrarily is stating that he will be able to accomplish anything. I believe that he is stating that what he does.....for God.....he is capable.

My thoughts.....share yours......would love to hear from you.

ET This I Believe

Eugene Thompson

It Is Not A Race...It Is A Chase

I have been doing a lot of running lately. Actually it is more like jogging....at a slow pace for some. Saturday, I did 7.5 miles but truthfully had to walk a bit of it because my knee was giving out. The month of August I ran nearly 50 miles.  I am getting there.  All of this running was to keep the weight off, be healthy, control my diabetes etc. However, there are times that I feel I am CHASING not really RACING.

I have used the running analogy on everything.  You can apply it to your spiritual life as described in Ecclesiastes 9:11 "I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all."

or

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."

or
  2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

There you go, my sermon for the day. Good stuff to apply to our lives. You can add so much more when it comes to your health, work, stress, rest, comfort, etc.....there isn't anything (I don't think) that you cannot compare running to. It is a self challenging opportunity.

But what I have been feeling isn't running.  Running (in my mind) is running towards a goal. I feel like there are times in my life where it has gone from running to chasing.  I seem to be chasing that goal. Almost as if it is an ever moving target. A target that avoids being hit. A target that may never be hit due to the many obstacles that continuously obstruct my goal for reaching it.

I have gone through nearly 47 years of my life and have pretty regularly and continuously focused on goals that I want to reach in my life.  A bit of a perfectionist thing. Things I want to do, places I want to go and yes even the materialistic goals of having things I have always wanted. Too many times I find myself thinking...."wouldn't it be nice..." Even the bible tells us that we should be content in the state we are in, but sometimes that is difficult to do.  The villains of our mind and body keep us chasing the goals even if they appear too distant.

You know, I would like to have a nice house.  I would love to live in a house that I actually designed from scratch....foundation up! Not one that is constantly the ever evolving money pit in a lackluster neighborhood. However is seems that once you fix something or repair something or build something...the next day (ok, the next few days) it breaks, or something else breaks.  After all, I am an architect. Is that so bad to want? Always chasing the goal of completing this race.

You know, I would love to paint and do artwork again. Easy task that doesn't involve money, however it involves time. Time that seems to slip away each day as all the other tasks takes a forefront to my attention. And then it is the challenge of okay, I am ready to paint.....what do I paint?......I don't know what to do. Or maybe it is even the villain of procrastination.  That one pops up ever too often while we are chasing this race.

You know, I would love to travel and see the world.  Maybe even take some time off to do a little camping. There again the time villain pops up. It is difficult to get way from the office, housework, yardwork or the money villain. The money villain takes all the fun away. We were hopping to get away to Bolivia this fall to see my son and then run over to Machu Pichu. Unfortunately the villains of time and money ganged up on us.  Chasing the race.

You know, I would love to design some really exciting structures. My work has seen some success.  After all we have been around for 13 years. Enduring some of the recent economic struggles is somewhat success in itself. But for an architect, achieving a bit of immortality within their work is a common goal. We study great a famous architecture for years and then expect to only design something that will probably last only a few years.  That is the frustrating chase. It is the patience chase. It is the endurance chase. It is the prefectionistic chase.

You know, I should just keep reminding myself that today...I am in a good place.  Today I should live right where I am.  Tomorrow will come along and then I can deal with tomorrow. Today, I woke up healthy, fresh and alive.  That is a good thing.  Today, I have shelter over my head that keeps be dry and warm. Today, I have a little bit of achy knees because I was able to run 7.5 yesterday (ok, mostly 7.5) That is a good thing. Today, I have time (if I choose to take it) to paint a picture, mow the lawn (if it isn't raining again), fix something broken in the house (again), or even just sit and enjoy the company of my beautiful bride.

You know, CHASING isn't that bad after all.  If I stop, where will I be? If I had stopped long ago, would I even be here? If I don't keep chasing......will I ever keep up with each of these races? I guess I just need to go back and read the scriptures again... Hebrews 12:1, "...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Have a great day my friends and I will see you all out on the racetrack!