In The Good Times

Bad times are easy.

 

It really is. It is easy in the tough times, hard or bad times, to cry out to the Lord. It is easy to hear and accept the truth that, "God will never leave nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:8, Joshua 1:5, 1 Kings 8:57, Hebrews 13:5. It is easy to accept that God is always there when we need Him. 

How about when everything is going good? I know, if you are like me, when everything is going good you find yourself looking behind ya waiting for something to hit ya. All kidding aside though, what about the good times. Where is God in your mind, thoughts, heart, then? 

Did you know God warns us about this? About the good times? Look at Deuteronomy 8:11-20 

“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today,  lest when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end."

Stop here for a second. You may be saying to yourself, "I was never a slave in Egypt." You were a slave. You were a slave to sin. "I was never in the desert." You were in the world. A desert without God. "I was never starving or thirsty." You did not have bread from Heaven or the Living Water that is Jesus. God DID bring you out of bondage, feed you from Heaven and set you free. Never forget that.

"Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God." 

Today there is a giant Idol in the world today. There is a god that many find themselves worshipping. God even tells you that this god is a threat. It is the god of "Self." YouTub, Facebook, TikTok. Just to name a few. We are all about "Me." Look at me. Follow me. Like me. I get paid with the number of views I get. So I will wear skimpy clothes, or try to find funny ways to make you laugh, or try to be the next big "Influencer" 

Some of these "Stars" have millions in the bank now. They spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on homes and cars and everything else. They actually believe that THEY did it. That they owe no one credit for what they got because it is their "imagine" that makes the money. They do not need anything. What about when it is all over? It will be. What will they do then? Will their money save them? Their fame? 

If you are a Child of God, you need to always remember God, in all things, at all times. 

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." James 5:13

We do not have to fear. We do not have to worry. The Word tells us this is Philippians 4:6-7 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

You know what happens when one of my kids wants something? They simply walk into whatever room I am in and start talking to me. As a child of God, we have the ability to boldly walk right into the Throne Room of God Himself and start talking to Him. 

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

God is our Daddy. He is there always. Yes, yes, of course, He is there in the bad times. He may even be carrying you. He is never out of earshot when you cry out to Him. But He is also there in the good times. Always. He is always there. This is why as children of God, we must always remember this. It is never solely by our own hand that we do, or get, anything. 

Remember the advice Paul gave us in Romans 12:12

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

God is there in the good times. He gave you good times. He gave you the talents, abilities, opened doors to the possibilities, and blessed you richly. Never forget to say "Thank you, Father." "Thank you, Daddy." If for some reason that makes you uncomfortable, then simply say "Thank you, God." For with Him, all things are possible. Even the good times. 

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!