Revised on 10/31/2012
|
I watch my television shows and there are constant advertisements to make you want to shop for something – clothes, shoes, jewelry, toys, electronics and even food. It’s everywhere. This time of year has become so severely commercialized that we as a nation have lost touch with its current financial structure. Devastation presides throughout the Eastern seaboard. Citizens are hungry, cold, destitute and overwhelmed with loss. The nation is in unprecedented debt, homelessness and poverty are at record highs, unemployment is ravaging the homes of Americans who are splitting up for various reasons – drugs/violence/pursuit of individual career opportunities/crime/suicide – and it goes on and on. Yet, Madison Avenue is doing a great work at pushing product. People are shopping in droves.
Not all people. There are many people that are not able to even begin to understand how they are going to make it through the day. Whether their dilemma is of a socioeconomic origin or not, what is a fact in this great nation is this: people are loosing everyday during this holiday season. How do you appeal to them during this huge commercial event that is sweeping our nation? Do you just ignore the fact that they exist? Do you count your blessings, focus on your “haves” and forget about the “have nots”? Or, do you do anything and everything that you can to make a difference within the lives of this large sect of Americans. I pray that you are in agreement with the latter.
Isa 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Psalms 24:1 The LORD owns the earth and all it contains,
the world and all who live in it.
The essence of reality in these scriptures is that EVERYTHING you can put your hands on or get your hands on is HIS. Working a good job, managing a thriving business or incurring a comfortable lifestyle is possible because of Him. Too many people get that twisted.
Humans put stock in the idea that you have gains because of who you are. You’ve been deceived. You are who you are ONLY BECAUSE OF THE GRACE OF GOD. What makes you any different than the man that is confined to a wheelchair/the woman that is addicted to drugs and living on the streets/the child who is homeless, hungry and alone? GOD’S GRACE. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from the Father above.”(James 1.17)
If you want to experience maximum gains that are ETERNAL it begins with a decision.Mar 8:34 Following Jesus
Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
Mar 8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it.
Mar 8:36 For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life?
Mar 8:37 What can a person give in exchange for his life?
Mar 8:38 For if anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Conquerors make a difference in the lives’ of others any way that they can. Loss is gain.
|
Related articles
- Hurricane Sandy: Disaster threatens $20 billion in economic damage (independent.co.uk)
- 29 Breathtaking Photos Of Hurricane Sandy’s Devastation (buzzfeed.com)
- The Worst Hurricane Sandy Climate Change Column Has Already Been Written (motherboard.vice.com)
ConquerorShots 
It’s tough. I’ve been laid off 4x in 4 years, but praise God my bills are paid!! This is a difficult time for parents as well. I’m a single mom and my daughter has that Christmas list. Again, praise God I was able to fulfill it. THAT IS CALLED FAVOR. I will say this, it is very key for me to pray that I prioritize my money and put my money EXACTLY where God wants it to go. Also, start with your children YOUNG making them give back to the poor so that they realize, people are hurting.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Every good leader must know when to follow.
Stay well.
Thank you for you inspiring post. We need to always remember that God gave us what we have, & as his ambassadors, we should be willing to give to those in need. I don’t believe in Socialism (the forced transfer of money from one to another), but I do believe that God would have those who have more willingly give to those who have less. And we who believe in Him should trust that He will always provide for us.
I appreciate your comment. Merry CHRISTmas friend.
Reblogged this on ConquerorShots and commented:
I woke up with a strong reminder of this post from 2011. There is relevance in it for today. To all who are dealing with loss, THERE IS AN ETERNAL SOLUTION. I pray your heart is prepared to FOLLOW CHRIST”s leadership through all the manifestations of LOSS and GAIN ALL OF GOD’S GOODNESS, through His unfailing love, power and grace.
Darrin