Morning Moments

We have been looking at the struggles of this "friend of God", Abraham, in regards to that Altar of Grace and Altar of Growth. Let's move on now to the Altar of Grief: Suffering. This is the Place of Refinement. It is neither practical nor possible to look at every aspect of our detailed outline on the blog, but we will give you some dainty morsels for your morning moments.

Gen 13:18 says, "Then Abram removed his tent, and came dwelt in the Plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD." Read Genesis 21-23

We shall briefly consider two things: The Crisis and The Covenant.

1. The Crisis. Crisis is character's crossroad. It provides us with a choice of change. It provides us with a critical choices. We can get better or bitter through crisis. BUT that choice is ours.

A. The Crisis of Family - My friend, if you think you have seen trouble with one spouse, remember Abram had TWO! For you feminists, this would work both ways:) This was a case of barrenness, resentment, and bitterness. And it occurred simply because of a refusal to believe God would do EXACTLY what He said He would. Let me give you a simple illustration:

She came into my office, sat across from my desk, and said, "God has forsaken me." "What?" I asked. She repeated herself only this time she added, "What has He ever done for me?" I said, "DIE"! "Oh", with a sigh of disgust, "I know that, but my husband has..." and on and on. I stopped her and said, "In my observation, those who have the most often appreciate what they have the least, and those who have the least often appreciate what they have the most. Now into which class do you place yourself?" Then I proceeded to point out to her all the blessings God had bestowed upon her. Finally she responded, "I guess I am so selfish, huh?" "Well", I responded, "you said that, I didn't."

Why are there so many family problems today? Why is it that we have more seminars, conferences, books, CDs, DVDs, psychologists, counselors, therapists, and the like but we have MORE broken homes that ever. DUH! This does not take a rocket scientist to figure out. We have a propensity to selfishness. It is our way, our nature, our bent. That is why just having our sins forgiven does not exempt us from family crisis, BUT the power of HIS resurrection enables us to face ourselves with reality and the choice to do three things:
!) Identify the problem - call it what it is - selfishness.
2) Incarcerate the problem - Stop it!
3) Eliminate the problem - Get rid of it (put it away)
Through His resurrection power, we can conquer, not just cope. Only the clean conquer. The crippled and corrupt just cope.

The family conflict here was self imposed by accepting a substitute for the supernatural. A miracle is much better than a mistake. MORE ANOTHER TIME. ONE MORE THOUGHT: A miracle CAN do; a mistake is something He can't. A mistake is something you CAN do; a miracle is something you can't:)

PRAYER: Oh Dear God how often have I thought it was all about me, when in truth it was all about THEE. Teach me to recognize pride and selfishness, and REJECT them in the Name of my Loving Lord Jesus. Amen!

B. The Crisis of Finances -

C. The Crisis of Friendship -