Honoring Commitments

A FICO score is a measure of a persons credit worthiness. FICO an acronym for Fair Isaac Corporation was founded by Bill Fair and Earl Isaac in 1956. Today the FICO score  is considered accurate enough to determine the likely hood of an individual to pay back a loan. This score is generated by a history of past credit performance. If a person has been consistent with their payments and has done this over a period of time they have developed a history that suggests they are likely to make payments or to return the balance on time.

Acts chapter 4 closes with a description of the early church. The Apostles preached with power and the people gave of their substance. The Bible says those that had houses and lands sold them and gave so that everyone's need was met (Acts 4:34-35). They set a trend that defines the history of the early church. They gave that everybody would be on equal ground. There was no need to borrow because there was provision and all could come to the treasury and make a request. Chapter five opens with the introduction of a man and wife. Ananias and Sapphira were members of this church, but they were unwilling to make the same commitment. We are not told whether or not they had as much as the Rich Young Ruler. We are told they decided to keep back part of their proceeds. They were unwilling to embrace freewill giving. They conspired together to keep a portion for themselves. What they did not realize is that they were establishing their history. They were creating their credit worthiness with God. How could they be trusted with greater things if they were not faithful with the smaller less important things.

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much (Luke 16:10). We build our relationship with God on a daily basis. He trusts us with the unsearchable truths that can turn a man's heart towards Him. How is you history?

Willing and Able

Isaiah 6:1-3

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory

After years of living in obstinance, I came to know God. Coming to God requires something of us. Being able to see beyond the natural and look into the spirit realm where a Holy God resides is not a human ability. This ability has to given by God (1Cor. 2:14). Isaiah, had an encounter after a good man died. After the death of Uzziah, Isaiah sought refuge in the understanding of an all wise and all knowing God. He began to look upward. As Isaiah looked to God he saw something. A very detailed description of the throne of God. And not just the throne, but those who attended the throne. Seraphim are angels. He saw how they looked and how they conducted themselves in the presence of God.

The description was of what they possesed and how they used it. They each had six wings. They covered their faces with two. They covered their feet with two. They used the two they had left to fly. I made and attempt to picture these heavenly creatures and compared them to the people of God. They had no ability to see or walk because they willingly surrendered this unto God for His glory (2Cor. 5:7-10).

I can't help but see the symbolism and the irony in these verses. The number six is the number of man. We as man rely heavily on these two abilities. Any person who for one reason or another does not posess the ability to see or walk is considered handicaped. The apostle Paul wrote both about seeing and walking because they are the first reactions of a selfwilled being. With our eyes we see and percieve. With our feet we move about from place to place without regard to God or having our steps ordered. The faithful are able to see God in His exhaulted state and to honor Him with their lives.

While Isaiah was there he heard the question asked: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah responded with the voice of an obedience servant. Isaiah was willing to surrender his sight and his ability to walk for the sake of pleasing God. We have to ask ourselves if we would do the same.

Growth Spurts

It's an awesome thing to watch children grow up. I look at my daughters today and say to myself, "I remember when they were just babies." I watched as my eldest daughter wrote her first paper in high school. I told her she would be asked to express herself in writing more often as she continues her education. She said she didn't mind writing as long as she got to choose the topic.

How much would we like to choose the things we deal with in our lives? Growing is not about being able to choose but being able to accept. We can not always determine what is ahead, but we must be ready to release the things that just don't fit us anymore. If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and savior, each day brings us closer to where we are going. Our narrow faith patterns get too small and we out grow the same old way of doing things. I know that pair of shoes fit so well. You would convince yourself they did not hurt your feet. You probably kept them longer than you should have. Those pants were too short but they were just what you were looking for when you bought them and you just can't seem to find another pair just like them in your size. I was fine when all I had to believe God for was health and strength. I liked praying just once a day. I still had time for everything else.

That's life. The Serenity Prayer states, "To accept the things I can not change and to have the courage to change the things I can." Acceptance offers the opportunity to release and courage presents the opportunity to embrace the new with all of its difficulty and struggles. As a child, sometimes we will have to grow into things. I am God's child and I thank Him for growth spurts. I bless Him for change and all of its challenges.

One More Time

Never before has the past been so significant to the present. Clothing Styles from years past repeat themselves over again during shorter periods of time. Music has its revival after a short period of being considered out dated. After being created a few short years ago, a duplication of effort and small improvements to a design is all it takes to breathe new life into an otherwise lost version.

There was a time when duplication was considered offensive. In the 80's to repeat another person's style was considered, "Biting." In other words one would be criticized for taking a piece of an idea conceived by another. Today to duplicate someone or something is almost considered paying respect to the originator.

Duplication has always been a part human society. In fact, traditions were formed by the repetition of a past generations actions. We celebrate days during the calendar year. We take time off or special care to honor the day on holidays, anniversaries and birthdays. Traditions are formed as a result. Paying homage to the significance of special days has always been a means of remembering the past and or looking forward to the future. New Year's day has the special ability to do both. On New year's day one can etch old and new. One hundred and eighty degrees in the other direction is the opposite of where you were. Give yourself another chance to do whatever you missed in the last year. Duplicate the things you did correctly. Place a twist on your past sins. Repent and be made new in Jesus Christ.

Mark 8:23-25
And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

We have come to a new place in time. There are many things that may not be as clear as they should be. Let us allow the Word of God to touch a place in our hearts and remove confusion while clearing our blurred vision.