It's Your Opinion

People have differing opinions on major topics in life.  Who’s right, who’s wrong?  What makes one person’s opinion more accurate than another person’s opinion?  Can a difference of opinion separate a relationship, friendship, a family bond or even a job?  Yes, and it happens every day.

As humans we are given free will to make choices in life.  Your parents made choices for you when you were a child, but then you grew into an independent thinker, capable of good and bad choices.  Without a doubt, in your life you will make many good choices and just as many bad choices. Many times we believe that our bad choices are actually good, and we stand firm on the principles which led us to these choices.  What are these things that influence your decision process and choices in life?  A few examples might include: your upbringing, your social connections, your self-interests, your fears, beliefs and moral values.  With the known fact that your opinions, your choices in life are based on your own perspectives, why would you expect that others should fall in line with your thoughts? 

If the entire world thought the way you thought and had the same opinions and perspective on life, we would break the truth of independent free will.  Do you want the entire world to think like you, share your opinion and agree with your choices on major topics?  We are all convicted about our opinions and to assume that everyone else is going to have the same opinion implies that you are right and they are all wrong.  That seems a little bit arrogant and self-centered to me. 

The first and second commandments say; (Exodus 20:3-4) “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol.”   If you are choosing to hold your opinion as fully righteous and judge all others as wrong, who are you lifting up as god?  There is only One who is righteous and knows absolute right from wrong.  We all interpret and draw conclusions from His word, but should we assume that we are capable of fully comprehending and knowing His thoughts?  Impossible.  Isaiah 55:8 tells us: ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.”  We cannot know the true spirit of the Lord, for we are evil in our nature and He is not.  Paul the Apostle wrote to those in Corinth: “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.”  (1 Corinthians 2:11)

Shall we think we have a better understanding of God’s ways than these men?  Are we that confident that we know God’s ways?  Knowing comes from studying, prayer, worship, and becoming completely enveloped in His presence and spirit.  Few of us can claim that.  Let us not place our opinions upon those around us, but help them to see His truth through His word and through a closer relationship with Him.  Keep in mind that God is sovereign, omniscient and knows exactly where this world is, in relationship to His grand plan.  We are servants, we are not God.  Love those around you, and trust that God is in control and cannot be overcome.

More Than That

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD” – Isaiah 55:8

  Some will say that the Bible is a book filled with stories of adventures, wars, trials, temptations, rules and guidelines, love, peace and mercy. Some of these individuals might even make the comment that the Holy Bible is not pertinent in today's world. Even that the context for these stories were appropriate in ancient times, but we are so much more knowledgeable and intelligent today. I mean seriously, look at the technology of our modern day: iPAD, iPHone, Wireless Internet, Space Shuttles, Airbus A380 and of course the toaster. It is often stated, “they needed the scriptures in Moses day, they had no other way to communicate but the written word. We know so much more today, these ancient writings just don't apply.”

  You've heard the arguments, right? If not this, than something very similar, in an attempt to obfuscate the holiness and righteousness of God's word. In my opinion that's what it comes down to. People today do not believe there is a need for God's daily involvement. Oh sure, He's great when they’re in a pickle or facing life/death situations, but most people feel pretty comfortable that they're in control of the day to day activities. Such short sightedness on behalf of humanity.

  The Holy Bible is not a checklist or a novel, although many have attempted to market it as such. They weren't bad because of their intentions, just plain wrong. God doesn't need marketing genius' to push His word to the world, He needs His people to carry it one by one if necessary. The scriptures are there for our education, sanctification and relationship with Him. The depth of information contained inside of the 1,189 chapters of the Bible give us a foundation of truth, regardless of the timeframe in which we live. We learn from the Old Testament the very moral code that has existed for mankind for thousands of years. Of course, the knowledge and relationship baseline that is established in the New Testament sets in place the future of all man-kind, both here on earth and in eternity.

  Get past the “thus” and “beget” and “maketh” and “thou” to discover who God is. Read each day about His mercy, grace and examples of righteousness. To build a relationship with Christ, being in the word daily is essential. Through the scriptures we learn who He is, why He came and where He will take us. One of the most important things you will learn in studying the bible though is how to bring His message to the masses. We are told to take the Word to the world, and in order to do so, we must have a comfort level in what we believe and know. God tells us that "...His ways are not our ways...", so do not become complacent in waiting until you know enough, God will use the little bit you do know and change the world with it. Just keep learning, one day at a time. Those around you will begin to see the difference when you begin acting and living in accordance with what you are learning. He's proven in the past He's capable of speaking through a donkey, so what makes you think He can't speak through you? You need to be willing, that's it.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
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The Omniscient God

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“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”   – Hebrews 4:13

  I heard them whispering in the back seat.  “How did Dad know what we were doing?  He didn’t even look back at us.” ”He’s got eyes in the back of his head, he sees everything”   It was something that had been used time and time again to keep the kids in line when I wasn’t watching them directly.  At the age of 4 and 6 it’s easy to convince them of something so idiotic.  I can’t help but to draw the correlation to our relationship with the Lord.

  There comes a time in every person’s life when the question, “How big is God?” comes to mind.  Many will also wrestle with understanding, “How can God be everywhere at once?”  Try explaining that one to a 5 year old, when they believe that if they hold their hands in front of their eyes you can’t see them.  As adults though, we must come to grips with the understanding that God is Omniscient.  The dictionary defines this word as:  having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things.  I myself have wrestled with trying to comprehend the vastness and depth of God.  In doing so, I quickly get beyond the scale of man’s knowledge.  A verse in the bible which is often quoted to cover this lack of understanding is Isaiah 55:8: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord” 

  With this knowledge that God knows ALL things, we must consider what constitutes ALL.  Is there anything that fits outside of the word ALL?  Of course the answer is no.  All means the whole, everything or complete.  The comprehensive creation of humans; including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual elements; fit within this grouping.  Is there anything in your life that does not fit into one of these areas? Your thoughts about your boss? – yep.  Your desires, wants and lusts for life? – yep.  Your anger, joy, confusion and sorrow? – yep.  Your weight, health, stress and struggles? – yep.  Face it, there is not a single element or action in your life that is not known by God Almighty.  Come to this understanding not with an attitude of guilt or shame, but with an attitude of gratefulness. 

  For if you can fully accept that God is all knowing, this knowledge can bring you comfort and peace.  Having an understanding that God knows what is on your lips and mind means that He knows your stress, struggles and pains in life before you ever come to Him.  There is nothing you can do to surprise God, for before you did it, He knew about it.  There is nothing you can do to eliminate yourself from His available grace, for He has complete knowledge of all of your actions and yet, despite all of this, still offers you grace through His Son.  Present yourself to the Lord, with the understanding and awareness that there is no condemnation for those who have accepted Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1).  Realizing that He is omniscient and still wants you with Him in heaven, tells you just how unbelievable His love for you truly is.  Relish in it, absorb it and live for it, and by all means be blessed.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father,
  We come before Your throne of authority, wisdom and grace to acknowledge Your omniscient existence in our lives.  As with King David, we come before You, knowing there is no where we can go to flee from your presence, wherever we are You are there. You know our thoughts, You know our heart, You know our joys and sorrows; Lord we thank You for the grace that You bestow upon us in our undeserving state.  Your word tells us that there is nothing that can separate us from Your love and in this we trust.  Amen.