Life's Little Frustations

Have you ever taught a teenager to drive?

You're always grateful to arrive alive!

Journeying Together

When we become Christians, God places us in His forever family, and other Christians become our brothers and sisters and our fellow travelers along life's journey. God puts us together because He knows how much we need each other.

What do we have to give to each other that is so important? First of all, there's love. We all have a deep need to be loved, accepted, and appreciated. That is why Jesus said, John 15:12, "My command is this: love each other as I have loved you."

We go through some tough times in this old world. I don't know of a single person who doesn't need encouragement along the way. That's why we are told in I Thessalonians 5:11a, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...."

We need instruction to know how to get on the path of life that God has designed for us in His Word. We need to be rebuked when we stray from that path. And we need correction to help us get back on the right path again. II Timothy 4:2b says, "Correct, rebuke, and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction."

People can become sharper as they rub against each other and trade thoughts and ideas. Ecclesiastes 4:9, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work." This verse must be the origin of the adage, "Two heads are better than one." Proverbs 27:17 tells us, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

When one person falls, others can pick him up and restore him. Ecclesiastes 4:10, "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up."

We are stronger together. Ecclesiastes 4:12, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

God puts us together so we can help each other grow spiritually. Ephesians 4:16, "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

God has given us a network of support, and He has also made us part of that network to support others. Sometimes we are the helpers, and sometimes we are the needy ones.

How grateful I am for my fellow travelers. Thank You, Father.

Life's Little Frustrations

I dial the phone, and in answer these are the words I hear,

"Press one for _____, press two for _____,"

and I just think, "Oh, dear!"

I don't want option one or two or even three or four.

I need a different alternative, but they don't offer any more.

Now what to do? Somehow I need to make some kind of choice.

Step One

There is a saying that "A journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step." Actually there is a first step for each of us as we begin our life's journey. The beginning is physical birth. There is also a first step on the journey to heaven. In order to have spiritual life, one must have a spiritual birth. That's what Jesus was telling Nicodemus when He said, "You must be born again." The journey to heaven begins with spiritual birth. Without it, people remain helpless sinners with a hopeless future. Romans 6:23 tells us, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

There is a second step that makes the journey of life much more exciting and rewarding. That step is called "the Lordship of Christ." It's a matter of committing your life completely into His keeping, placing it totally under His direction and supervision.

No one can tell you how wonderful it is to have grandchildren. You must experience it for yourself to really believe how gorgeous, how brilliant, and how much fun they are and how much you love them. No one can tell you how amazing it is to experience the abundant life which Jesus gives us when we are committed totally to Him. You must experience it for yourself to realize how incredible and delightful it is to walk hand in hand and step by step with Him all along life's journey. The psalmist challenges us, Psalm 34:8, to "Taste and see that the Lord is good." As the children's blessing reminds us, "God is great. God is good."

Father, You are a great and mighty God, and yet You are so personal and loving and caring and good to each of us. Thank You. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

The traffic light ahead is green.

I carefully survey the scene.

I drive along with cautious dread.

When will that traffic light turn red?

Oh, no, it's yellow--what to do?

Slam on my brakes or speed on through?