Oh, that they were wise…

The following is an extract taken from my Bible notes for 29 October. I include it here because it made me think about how I spend my time…

The Bible says: ‘Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!’ One of life’s greatest challenges is thinking and doing the things that ultimately matter and bring success. A life in which anything goes, is a life in which nothing goes. Wisdom means having the discipline to prioritise and the ability to work toward a stated goal. The question is not, ‘Will my calendar be full,’ but ‘Who will fill it,’ and ‘What will it be filled with?’ To know your life’s priorities you must frequently pause and ask: 1) ‘Lord, what do You want me to do?’ (Acts 9:6 NKJV). 2) What is required of me that nobody else can do? 3) What will bring the greatest return? God doesn’t reward wasted effort, He rewards wisdom.

The story’s told of a lighthouse keeper on a rocky stretch of coastline who received a new supply of oil each month to keep the light burning. Being close to the shore he had lots of guests. A woman from the village needed some oil to keep her family warm; a farmer requested some for his tractor; a mechanic wanted some to lubricate a wheel. All the requests seemed legitimate so the lighthouse keeper tried to please everybody. Before the month was over his oil was gone and the beacon went out. As a result several ships were wrecked and lives were lost. When the authorities investigated, the man was very repentant. But to his excuses and pleading their reply was, ‘You were given oil for one purpose – to keep the light burning.’ Be wise – prioritise!

The above notes we produced by UCB,  for more info go to http://www.ucb.co.uk

Visible Proof

It was V and R who prompted me to read about the inspirational George Muller. Only a few pages into the Roger Steer book and it’s gripping stuff. It gives account after account of how God provided for Muller, his family and the orphanages for needy children he set up..

Like Muller we have not asked people for financial or practical assistance, but we certainly have received it. As a family on pretty much a daily basis we have prayed for Gods help, that He might show His hand and meet our needs. (Visible proof) And we want to give testimony to his goodness to us…

Unlike Muller, however,  we are novices at this and tend to fall back into searching out ways to make money for ourselves. (Is this a lack of Faith?)

Interestingly, over the last seventeen months or so we have received the following:-  funds for two holidays, financial gifts that total more than £2500, huge bags and boxes of bits (including. toys and books, clothes, jigsaws, a keyboard, a television, mini hifi system), for our direct benefit or as we chose, to sell at Car Boot Sales.

That’s not all, God has provided, through others, payment for last years Car MOT and Service, my place on a Mens church Weekend, accommodation at the recent Church gathering at Butlins, we’ve enjoyed curries and other meals with friends, been provided with ‘food parcels’, petrol money, cups of coffee, the occasional beer and much more.

We have been provided us with really good (and new) supportive friends and family members who are standing by us. Many of them have their own needs, issues and struggles. So they give at a cost.

We continue to trust God, and approach Him in prayer often, that He will see our needs met, and we have not been disappointed. Mr Muller is one such man who, over one hundred and fifty years ago, believed God would provide for him – and he did.

As he opened to the Bible to speak and in his own devotions, it would appear that Muller was struck by the Psalms and Psalm 81 v 10 about Gods provision in particular … “Open your mouth and I (God) will fill it”.

If you are struggling to cope in some areas, whether in relationships, health, finances, or job prospects, don’t call the ‘A Team’, ‘Ghostbusters’ or ‘118 118’, talk to your maker, it won’t cost you a penny!

Delighted in God (The Story of George Muller) is written by Roger Steer.