be faithful Archives – Sonshine's Journal

March 19, 2024March 19, 2024

Don’t be a hornet

2 Timothy We have heard the phrase “don’t disturb a hornet’s nest” and I can attest that to be true. When I was a teenager helping my dad clean out the tobacco barn I inadvertently disturbed one and the result was massive insect bites for hornet’s unlike bees, can sting and sting again. So that phrase is true, not just in the insect world but also in the affairs of men. Paul encourages Timothy to not be engaged in controversial issues for they just raise the anger and the endless back and forth with no resolution. “But reject foolish and ignorant controversies because you know they breed infighting. “ [2 Tim 2:23] How true that is today as we seek to be discerning regarding the men who seek to fulfill the office of president.

Instead, Paul encourages us to be faithful using the examples of a soldier, an athlete and a farmer. All of these are rewarded with advancement and blessings when they are obedient and faithful by remaining steadfast. Which example would you choose to follow? That holds true not just in the world of occupations but also in the Lord’s army. May we study to be approved, a workman who is unashamed before our Lord.

Don’t be a hornet but choose to be a faithful steward of God’s Word.

October 10, 2019

What Do People Say About Us?

zechariah 8 people asking2a

Zechariah 8 The leaders from Bethel had come to inquire regarding the fasts they had been keeping. Should we continue as we have these last 68 yrs.? God did not directly answer that question of them but He did tell them what He required. It is the same answer He gave to Micah and later to James which is “do good, love mercy and faithfulness and obey God.” James added to those words by saying care for the orphans and widows in their adversity.

Instead of directly answering their question, he probed their hearts and saw their hypocrisy. He asked them “did you truly fast for me…and now are you not doing it for yourselves?” An outward ritual of fasting and keeping the traditions is not what God is looking for. Isaiah had prophesied correctly about their hypocrisy. “You honor God with your lips, [and their fasting,] but your heart is far from Him.”

But when our heart is pure and righteous and we do that which God loves, others take note! They want to know why God is blessing us. They want to know the secret of our peace. They will say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. ”

Are others asking those questions of you? Are you ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess?

March 9, 2015

Living Righteously in an Unrighteous World

Jesus challenged us to be a proclaimer of the Good News of the Kingdom which essentially means that we seek to glorify Him that brought us to redemption and salvation. But, practically what does that mean and how is it evidenced? One of the ways we can be a proclaimer is to live righteously in an unrighteous world, a world that defies God and denies His existence. The entire book of Proverbs’ theme is to teach us how walk in the paths of righteousness so that we may glorify God in all that we do, all the time with all we have. Prov 6 is a reminder of what Moses told the Israelites: “I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing if you take to heart the commandments of the Lord; the curse if you pay no attention to his commandments…” [Deut 11]

Thus the author now reveals to us wise counsel on how to be discerning between good and evil [Heb 5] and how to live that out practically in our conduct and attitudes by listing 7 attitudes and behaviors that the Lord detests. If we mirror the contrasting qualities we are thus proclaiming the Lord to a world that needs to see Him as the leader of our lives and as we live humbly “He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord really wants from you: promote justice, to be faithful, and to live obediently before your God.” [Mic 6:8] The author of Proverbs is challenging us to look within and then see what we do with our eyes, our tongue, our hands for this reveals what is in our heart. If we want to be righteous in an unrighteous world we must begin in the heart and let that flow forth in our words and deeds.