What we test and what we don't

You know, sometimes when I am buying shoes or something of relatively low value, I spend months and weeks trying out different ones to decide what I want.

I put them on, walk around in them, look at myself in the mirror and ask my wife what she thinks of the shoes.

The house I am living in - I didn't even sleep the night in it before buying it!

What about new beliefs?  Do I fully check them out before buying them?  Do I test them, do I see if they check out, do I talk to others about them?  

I Thessalonians 5:21 says "Test everything.  Hold onto the good."

Some things we do test.  The thoughts and beliefs we actively choose to pursue are likely to be tested - that is the front door so to speak.

But there are many other thoughts and beliefs coming to us that we don't seek out.  These come through the words and actions of others (and ourselves), our culture, our church, our surroundings and media sources to name some.  The unspoken assumptions and inferences that are behind what people say and do come to us and present themselves as the truth.  They try to enter in the backdoor and windows of our heart and mind.  They may not get the test unless we realise what we are receiving and measure it, test it, check it out to see if it is a truthful belief or not.  

II Corinthians 10:5 says "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ"

Be alert to what you are building your life on and make sure it aligns to the Truth of Jesus

Praying without ceasing

I have been having some thoughts on prayer recently.  It is the lifeblood of our relationship to God at a personal level and also corporate.

Check out my latest sermon on prayer

The measure of greatness

Whether someone's leadership is great or not depends on what criteria you use to measure greatness.  Jesus says the degree to which someone will serve others is the degree to which they are great in his eyes.  Hear my recent sermon on MP3 - The measure of greatness.

Living in God's will. Part IV - Prosperity?

Some people say that one way we can know we are in God's will, is when we are prospering, since God brings blessing.  Let's have a quick look at this verse:  

"I can do everything through him that gives me strength"

This is the kind of verse that sports people often put on their gear or person when competing (eg. Evander Holyfield) and others preach from or quote from to make a declaration that the world is their oyster.  

Taking a look at its context lets look at the 2 verses before

Php 4:11b-13

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all things though him who gives me strength"

So prosperity alone is not a guide.  Also check Jesus: the son of man has no place to rest his head...