OIL - WHO CONTROLS IT ?
By: Pastor Mike
In a word . . GOD DOES !! , as well as everything else in this world .
It never ceases to amaze me how the secularists whine , gripe and boo-hoo over the high cost of gas , food , housing , etc . . . yet they think nothing of throwing away money by paying the exorbitant prices of the latest movies out of Hollywood (Ca) , which as far as I'm concerned are nothing more than Satan's 'PR' people .
They will also spend and spend on worldly luxuries and things of the flesh - yet they look the other way when it comes to GIVING to those in need , be it a homeless person , a struggling ministry , or charitable organizations such as the Red Cross , Make-A-Wish Foundation , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , etc . Oh Yeah , let's not forget the WASTED BILLIONS spent on the recent 'sunday drive' to the planet mars !
The 'pin-head' Ph.D's and their ilk , chase their proverbial tails like dogs , looking for an "answer to the rising oil prices " , when the ANSWER is right above them .. . GOD !!
Frankly , we've had it too good in this country far too long , getting wrapped up in the " things of the world " , as it states in 1 John 2:15 ; " Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. "
You see , the things of the world may be desired and possessed for the uses and purposes which God intended, and they are to be used by his grace, and to his glory; but we must not seek or value them for those purposes to which sin abuses them. The world draws the heart from God; and the more the love of the world prevails, the more the love of God decays.
The things of the world are classed according to the three ruling inclinations of depraved nature. 1. The lust of the flesh, of the body: wrong desires of the heart, the appetite of indulging all things that excite and inflame sensual pleasures. 2. The lust of the eyes: the eyes are delighted with riches and rich possessions; this is the lust of covetousness. 3. The pride of life: a vain man craves the grandeur and pomp of a vain-glorious life; this includes thirst after honour and applause.
The things of the world quickly fade and die away; desire itself will ere long fail and cease, but holy affection is not like the lust that passes away. The love of God shall never fail. We become so complacent when the economy is booming and the country
is at Peace - THAT WE FORGET TO THANK - GOD !
In the Book of HOSEA in the Bible , whose name means " Salvation , " he ministers to the northern kingdom of Israel ( also called Ephraim , after is largest tribe ) . Outwardly , the nation is enjoying a time of prosperity and growth ; just as WE had been doing ; but inwardly , moral corruption and spiritual adultery permeate the people . Hosea , instructed by God to marry a woman named Gomer , finds his domestic life to be an accurate and tragic dramatization of the unfaithfulness of God's people . During his half century of prohetic ministry , Hosea repeatedly echoes his threefold message : God abhors the sins of His people ; judgment is certain ; but God's loyal love stands firm .
You see , just as Gomer lost interest in Hosea and ran after other lovers , we too , can easily lose appreciation for our special relationship with God and pursue dreams and goals that do not include Him . When we compromise our Christian lifestyles and adopt the ways of the world , we are being unfaithful . God wanted the Northern Kingdom to turn from their sin and return to worshipping Him alone , but they persisted in their wickedness . Throughout the book , Israel is described as ignorant of God ( just as the majority of THIS nations people are ! ) , with no desire to please HIM ! Israel did not understand God at all , just as Gomer did not understand Hosea . Like a loving husband or patient father , God wants people to know Him and to turn to Him daily .
Now , don't get me wrong . I don't jump up and down with joy every week when I fill up my SUV at . . now , $ 4.02 a gallon . BUT . . . as a Christian , I THANK-GOD that we have a vehicle to fill up with gas ! As I've said many times before - it isn't MY money to begin with - it's GOD'S !! I just 'manage ' it for Him . I also THANK GOD that there IS gasoline to even buy !!
Oftentimes , God uses difficulties and tragedies in our lives to 'shake us up ' - to let us KNOW - that HE is the one in CONTROL !! People need to be CONTENT with what GOD HAS GIVEN THEM !! We need to be Content With our Needs Being Met - Beware Of Materialism !! In Hebrews 13:5 , it says ; " Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. "
So, here are earnest exhortations to several Christian duties, especially contentment. The sin opposed to this grace and duty is covetousness, an over-eager desire for the wealth of this world, with envy of those who have more than ourselves. Having treasures in heaven, we may be content with mean things here. Psalm 37:16 states ; " A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. " What this verse is telling us is let us be satisfied that God will make all to work for good to us. Let us not discompose ourselves at what we see in this world. A fretful, discontented spirit is open to many temptations. For, in all respects, the little which is allotted to the righteous, is more comfortable and more profitable than the ill-gotten and abused riches of ungodly men. It comes from a hand of special love. God provides plentifully and well, not only for his working servants, but for his waiting servants. Let the secularists continue to 'chase their tails' about how to "solve" our current economic woes , but , as God's 'Chief Financial Officer ' , my family and I will CONTINUE to THANK HIM , and to GIVE to those less fortunate than us and will GIVE - NOT , in OUR name , but in the HOLY NAME OF JESUS - giving HIM , ALL THE HONOR AND PRAISE !!
So , my brothers and sisters , in conclusion , I use the words of Joshua ( 24:15 ) ; " And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. "
Until next time , May God Bless and keep you ALL - ALWAYS -
Your Brother in Christ , Pastor Mike