Apophatica

I was reading over James and 1 Timothy and it really struck me how much responsibility we have as Christians to be successful. I know that sounds a bit strange, but when you read the Word, you find that we have a responsiblity to God and to our families to do well in life. We owe it to God, to our families, and to ourselves to have a quality-filled life and to make it far in life.

If we do well, our families are provided for and have less stress and the same goes with us. If we are successful, we show that God blesses us and our life becomes a testament of His love and blessings. After all, Christ came that we may have life, and have it to the FULLEST!!

As I was driving (as I am usually doing), I heard a Christian song that said “Why do we wait to live life until it is time to die?” Think about it! We have to stay healthy and be blessed so that those we are responsible for can be blessed too! So, what are we waiting for?

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Every week and sometimes every day we are faced with decisions. We are not always confident that we are making the right decision. Other times, we know we are not making the right decision, but do it anyway. So, how do we know how to choose the right?

In James Chapter 1 it says “5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

James is using some pretty strong language here and basically saying that God will give us WISDOM if we just ask. The only condition is that we have to believe that it will happen. With the wisdom of God, wouldn’t our paths be so much clearer? Wouldn’t we have so much more confidence that we are choosing the right path, job, business, partner, etc.?

How will God give us such wisdom? That’s up to Him. It could come through a friend, a family member, a pastor, a trusted advisor, or even directly from God. So, all we have to do is ask, believe, and receive!

Blessings,

Pastor B

Did you have stop and take a moment to think why you are living? Perhaps what your purpose in life is? I am currently reading Built to Last by Jim Collins and it is amazing that NONE of the companies that have become so great over the years – HP, Disney, Sony, etc. – have existed solely for profits. ALL of the companies had something in their vision about improving society and helping people. Is this how we are living? Do we live for ourselves or for others? Maybe the key to greatness is caring for others first. Just something to think about . . .

Pastor B

A few years back I had the opportunity to listen to a lecturer in Tokyo. He was talking about being human vs. being humane. He said that a tadpole will naturally become a frog. It does not have to do anything but exist and it will eventually sprout legs, lose its tail and become a frog. Humans, on the other hand, once born as a baby will not naturally become humane just because we are human. We have to have such traits as love, kindness, compassion, sympathy, empathy and so many others before we can call ourselves humane. According to the lecturer, when we have all of these traits and truly think of others before we act or speak no matter what the situation, then we have attained enlightenment. Or, as Christians, we have become Christ-like. So, how about joining me in taking that first step in becomine humane humans? We can start by simply taking an extra 10 seconds to think before we react when we are angry, or before we act when we are going to do or say something.

Just a thought!

Pastor B

Welcome to First Step Ministries’ blog by Pastor B!  This blog will contain information on topics ranging from caregiving to resources to self development.  I hope that these posts will be beneficial to you and like all of the services offered by First Step will enrich and improve your lives!

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Pastor B

Most of us have heard of the shortest verse in the Bible – “Jesus wept.”  The interesting thing about this verse is not that it is the shortest verse in the Bible, rather it is that although Jesus knew he was just hours from his his terrible death, he did not weep for himself.  He was weeping for what he saw as he looked out over the people.  He had compassion for the pain and suffering that the people were experiencing.  What about us?  Do we care about others or are we merely focused on our own perceived problems.  Let’s try something new and focus outside of ourselves and see what we can do for others.  I promise that you will find that the solutions to many of our problems lie in helping others.

Just a thought!

Pastor B