Your Object of Faith

Now Faith is...
concerning things expected...reality,
concerning things not seen...confidence.
(Personal rewording of Hebrews 11:1)

We look to the future. Yet even scientific discoveries, statistical analysis, and historical research leave many questions unanswered. There are problems needing resolution. There are deep needs that yearn for fulfillment. We often feel a void of uncertainty.

What is it that offers hope? What is it that offers the possibility, or better yet, a true expectation of filling the void or solving the problem? What is it that provides the confidence that tomorrow’s uncertainties will be manageable?

What is that unseen force, power, or being that gives you strength of confidence and a real expectation that with it, you can face tomorrow; you can overcome life’s uncertainties, your needs will be met?

Do you expect financial success to provide?
A higher paying job, a more lucrative investment, a bigger or better deal?

Do you expect career to provide?
A step up on the career ladder, more authority at work, your own business, career success?

Do you expect physical strength or beauty to provide?
A quest for health and a longer life, pursuit of strength that cannot be overcome, pursuit of beauty to charm and sway the hearts of men?

Do you expect knowledge to provide?
A greater knowledge and a deeper wisdom to outthink and outwit and outlast life’s competitors?

Do you expect the relationship of family, friends, or associates to provide?
The acceptance and tolerance of friends and family; a relationship with someone of importance, someone of wealth, someone of power?

Men have pursued these and other things to provide confidence and hope to meet the challenges of life’s uncertainties.
And yet...
If financial success is that which provides hope and confidence...wealth is your god.
If position or fame is that which provides hope and confidence...success or power is your god.
If physical strength or beauty is that which provides hope and confidence...your body is your god.
If knowledge and wisdom are that which provide hope and confidence...intellect is your god.

To what or to whom do you turn when conflicts arise in your life? When uncertainties and needs arise, who or what first comes to your mind? Who or what stands foremost in your mind as the reality that can bring about needed changes to solve your problems and fill your needs?

Or, do you, perhaps, simply trust in yourself??

The object in which you place your faith, that which, though perhaps unseen, stands as the reality in your life on which you depend for answers… that is your god/God!

I am the Lord your God...

You shall have no other gods before Me.

--Exodus 20:2-3

Mark Stinnett

July 21, 2024

Fixing "A House Divided"

The famous quotation, “A house divided against itself cannot stand,” is attributed to Abraham Lincoln from one of his debates against Stephen Douglas. He actually adapted his statement from Jesus who was responding to an accusation that He had cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub (a reference to Satan). He said...

How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished!
—Mark 3:23-26

How insightful and clever of Jesus to respond in that way. How wise of Lincoln to recognize that the words of Jesus were applicable in his day. How foolish we are when we cannot see how these words apply to our daily lives.

In a general sense dysfunctional families could be described as a house divided against itself. A child appeals to dad who overturns mom’s previous answer (or vice versa). The parents argue. Or, dad confides in one of his kids criticizing mom (or vice versa). Divided house.

Unresolved anger, constant disagreements and arguments; unwarranted criticism. He does his thing, she does her thing. Divided house.

Churches may be dysfunctional when there are unresolved differences in the leadership. Division in leadership will inevitably divide the congregation.

When a church is divided, whether it is because of the leaders, biblical teachings, prejudice, gossip or anything else, it no longer functions as “a pillar and support of truth.” It cannot grow spiritually and it cannot grow numerically. Young people are not fooled; they are not blind to the hypocrisy among adults; many (most) will leave a divided church. Divided house.

Did you know that a person can actually be a divided house? I am thinking about a person who is constantly battling decisions of the heart with no solution. For one person the battle is ongoing temptation. The evil is so alluring that she is determined to indulge, yet she does not wish to violate her conscience. Divided house.

For another person it is an honest but naïve struggle to know God’s will for himself. Indecision paralyzes him; he wants a sign. He is afraid to live and becomes ineffective in God’s kingdom. Divided mind; divided house.

The good thing is that a divided house can be repaired. God has appealed to families in His word by describing the roles and responsibilities of husbands and wives, of parents, of children. God has described the roles and responsibilities of church leaders. He has also instructed His people on how to love one another and preserve unity in the family of God.

God has clearly described His will for His people and it applies to every individual. You’ll not find any kind of “Moses, deliver my people” message directed to you by name. So, you are free to choose a college, a career, a mate, a mission, or whatever. Just choose. Live for God.

The idea of Satan casting out Satan is almost laughable. Yet among God’s people a house divided against itself is quite sad. A house divided does not stand...it will be destroyed.

Do you know how to repair a divided house?

Open the Bible and find your role as it applies to your divided house (family, church, self). Then, in humble faith accept your role just as God has instructed...and live for God.

Mark Stinnett

March 1, 2020

Wealth or Relationships?

     Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
     Than a house full of feasting with strife.
     --Proverbs 17:1

When we read the word ‘better’ we automatically recognize that one thing is more beneficial than another. The reader is given a comparison of the value of two things. A choice is presented.

Without knowing specific circumstances, one might reason that it is not really a sin to be in a house full of feasting with strife, but it is NOT better. The word ‘strife’ in this verse indicates complaining, arguing, and even fighting (probably verbally). So, there is nothing ‘wrong’ with a house of feasting (with strife). Of course, the strife part is not good.

We might be tempted to continue meandering around the words until we eventually wash out the meaning of the proverb. Let’s be reasonable; what do you think God expected us to learn by reading this proverb? What kind of response do you think He expects?

The ‘dry morsel’ and ‘feasting’ are contrasting terms that represent a measure of wealth. ‘Quietness’ and ‘strife’ describe human interaction. How often do we think about there being a relationship between wealth and human interaction?

Surely it is better to have plenty of food instead of going hungry. Feasting is better than starving. However, that is not an absolute truth; there are circumstances that might change the way we look at wealth. Solomon advises that if you are placed in circumstances in which you must choose between wealth and peace in human relationships, choose peace.

One might conclude that, in general...

The way you manage your relationships

IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN 

The way you manage your money!

Manage wisely!
Invest in friends and family.
Invest in people.

(As we approach the upcoming whirlwind of holiday fun, feasting and festivities, we would do well to remember that our relationships with friends and family and fellow believers are more important than finances and gifts.)