Living Now

We waste so many days waiting for the weekend, the next holiday, or big event in our lives. We race past a thousand moments to pause at a so-called special one. Our perpetual desire for future comfort has got to be our biggest thief of life. Slow down, enjoy the life God provides. When you do, you start realizing there are more moments to enjoy than previously recognized. 

Leo Buscaglia said, “Live now. When you are eating, eat. When you are loving, love. when you are talking with someone, talk. When you are looking at a flower, look. Catch the beauty of the moment”

Breathlessly moving from point A to B in our daily routines leave many roses unobserved, people unrecognized, and opportunities missed. There is beauty in every scene, an experience in every moment, and treasure in every routine.

Looking into the distance and always expecting future fulfillment robs me of what exist around me in my present. Remember, my present was yesterday’s future. Taking advantage of today will make your tomorrow that much sweeter.

Reuben Egolf

A Willing Heart

Psalm 110:3 
³ Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

The word “willing” here means “volunteer, freewill offering, willing, and plentiful.” Look at the following verses using this same concept.

Exodus 25:2 (KJV)
² Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

Psalm 54:6 (KJV)
⁶ I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good. 

Many times while preaching, the temptation to force people into compliance is ever present. Pastors will tell you that one of the leading frustrations of ministry is the lack of willingness in many to participate in doing the ministry and sharing the responsibility of the gospel. People can be manipulated into obedience by being guilt riddled by a fiery condemnation, or embarrassed by the shame. However, the Lord is interested in the person making up their mind clearly, being inspired by an inward desire and “want to.” We as ministers are to present the truth, facts, and the case, but then it is up to the individual to make up their own minds. We can’t force, manipulate, spiritually whip, and take out our frustration on them by brow beating them with the Word.

Where the motivation to do service for God comes from, determines the success of the person as well as the rewards given. 

Luke 18:11-14 
¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
¹² I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
¹³ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 

Notice that what the Pharisee did was not wrong. Praying, fasting, and giving, are good things but it was the motivation that was wrong. His motivation came from looking pious and holy in the eyes of people. If you would have taken away the audience and his self-importance, he would not have prayed, fasted, or gave. His love for God was not willing based on a loving intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, but came from a place of pride and self-exaltation. The spiritual success and rewards were completely different for the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee left church spiritually impoverished and no rewards, while the tax collector left church spiritually rich and rewarded by God promotion. 

Let’s pray until our hearts become willing to do anything God wants us to do. May we come to the place that long before the offering plate comes by, our hearts already gave willingly and with great excitement. Instead of praying because it’s something we should do, let’s pray because of wanting to and desiring more of Him. When it is time to fast, instead of doing it simply because someone told us to, let’s do it because of why Jesus said it should be done. The Lord said when the bridegroom would be taken away, then they would fast in those days. This was the result of an inward desire to want close fellowship. That is much different than the Pharisee doing it out of mere ritual. 

I wonder what God could do with one or more willing hearts?

 

In the past he 

• brought down the walls of Jericho 
• sustained a widow woman through a severe drought 
• fed 5000 people 
• brought countless revivals throughout history 

Romans 12:1
¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

What could He do with you?  

Reuben Egolf 

 

Pointers to Stabilize the Relationship

“Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.” – William James

Some years ago, an evangelist told me about his first date with his future wife. When she got in the car, he took notice she placed a bible between them on the seat. He asked her why she put the bible between them and she responded “if you are going to get to me, you will have to go through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John first!” I never forgot that and I appreciated her placing God at the beginning and center of this possible relationship. I believe all new relationships would benefit greatly if they started out on this proverbial right foot. 

The value of the Word of God is inestimable. Like food is to the physical body, so is God’s word to the spiritual man. It is referred to in 1^st Timothy 4:6 as food that nourishes the spiritual person. When the bible is kept alive by a husband and wife practicing its principles, then success is guaranteed. Their marriage will be nourished and be healthy instead of famished and dying. Colossians 3:16 says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” When it lives in us then it creates sustained joy, peace, love, and develops our strength. 

You don't need a man as much as you need the Word! 

When the need of a person becomes more pressing than the criteria being met for who I commit to, then I am headed for trouble. You don’t need a man you want, but a man God wants for you!

Points for effective communication and relationship

Be careful of what and how you say things.

Proverbs 12:18

¹⁸ There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

James 1:19

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

2 

Remember, there are always two sides to every story.

Proverbs 18:13

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

  

Speak words that encourage the spouse           

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

   Let love rule

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
⁴  Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
⁵  or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
⁶  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
⁷  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

5   

Allow no competition to make the spouse feel less than your priority.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Grow up and become mature by putting away the childish pursuits.

2 Timothy 2:22

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

  Remain committed to each other and accept each other’s family as your own

Ruth 1:16

¹⁶ And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

     

 Be careful of who your friends are

1 Corinthians 5:9

⁹ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB)

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

Be honest and open with each other. If there is a misstep, be willing to forgive and permit healing to take place

James 5:16 

¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Peter 4:8

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Keep God at the center of the relationship at all times

Psalm 46:5

⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 

 Reuben Egolf