Calvin Synod Herald, 2012 (113. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2012-01-01 / 1-2. szám

C ALVIN SYNOD HERALD

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change of heart, and the change of heart produces a change in our behavior.

What is it that we must believe? What has God said to us that can make us righteous?

Well, there are hundreds of ways to say it, and hundreds of Bible verses we could turn to. Let’s look at just a few:

John 1:12 .. .to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:11, 13

So genuine faith expresses itself in love and good works. If a person says, “I believe,” but does not obey God, then they have missed something along the way. God’s righteousness makes us new people in Christ! The old way of living is gone! Everything becomes new.

Seeking God’s righteousness means believing God and living like we believe God! God Himself is the One who will help us do right things, as we seek to please Him and honor Him by first believing Him, but also doing His will.

There is one more thought I’d like to share here. Righteousness can also refer to justice. When Jesus said to seek God’s righteousness, I believe He was telling His listeners to realize that God is their Judge.

Number three: Trust God for His Provision

That means don’t worry! Folks, as our economy declines, and gas prices rise to $4 per gallon, and groceries and utilities increase, we might feel the urge to worry. How are we going to make it? What will happen?

Jesus said not to worry about your basic needs. That is the mark of an unbeliever: someone who worries that they won’t have adequate food, clothing, shelter, or stuff do not really believe that God can supply. So they devote their time and energy to the act of accumulation. Get all you can and can all you get! Store up everything you can.

Those who trust God can devote themselves to seeking Him, seeking His rule over every area of their lives, and seeking His righteousness. When we prioritize doing life with God and honoring Him, then we can claim this promise: all these things (adequate food, clothing, and shelter) will be given to you as well.

So, as you begin the journey of this New Year, you will take a good look at your life. Look back over the past year or more and evaluate the direction of your life. If you have not plotted a course that included Jesus, He will help you set a new course today - if you will let Him.

The answer to your questions and doubt comes by Jesus in Matthew 6:33 “...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ”

N.N.

What is better, and from whose viewpoint?

Text: “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. MARY HAS CHOSEN WHAT IS BETTER, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:38-41.

AS WE ENTER LENT, THE TIME OF SELF-OBSERVATION AND SELF-CONTROL, IT IS GOOD TO ASK OURSELVES, HOW DO WE MAKE A DECISION, HOW DO WE CHOOSE, AND HOW OBJECTIVE ARE WE?

We constantly choose; when we go to a restaurant we select from the menu, when we buy a car we wish to buy he best one, and when we wish to get married we hope to find the perfect mate. Obviously it is impossible to make decisions one after the other in such a way that each selection will turn out to be the best choice without any disadvantage. You can destroy anyone with these three steps: set up an alternative situation, make him or her choose between the two possibilities, and after the decision was made, blame him or her why did not he or she pick the other one.

For the sake of those who blame others so easy and assume that they know everything better, here are some choices - and ask yourself which one do you prefer?- It is easier to be critical than to be perfect. If you have ever held a leading and decision-making position then you know how

hard it is to satisfy everybody. Can you be successful and popular at the same time? In the case of emergency what is more important a quick action that may not be the best later, or a slow, careful decision?- It is easier to see only one part of the event than the whole situation. What were the causing, influencing, or contributing factors? Were the past, present, and the future taken into consideration?- It is easier to be a “Monday morning quarterback” than to be a good football player Sunday afternoon facing a tough, challenging team and win the game. Hindsight versus foresight.- It is much easier to expect more from others than I am able to offer or perform. You are right: You deserve the best, however, when you do or give something to others, will your gift or service be of the highest quality?- It is easier to excuse yourself (I am not a joiner) than to get involved in community affairs, be a volunteer, and help others. “Hello! Ambulance service? We need medical help fast.” - “Sorry our medical staff is busy at home, and our volunteers did not come in today.” If you are not a joiner or participant, why should others get involved?- It is easier to be a freethinker or agnostic than to realize that God is our heavenly Father and we are his adopted children. In the first case you do not feel obliged to respect the teachings of the Bible, and you are free from the obligations of a faithful life, however, on the other hand, what would happen if everybody would think in the same way as you do? Can anyone receive when nobody gives? Why is it said: Today nobody cares? What do these words mean to us: mutual, reciprocity, interactive, and bilateral? Can balance be maintained in a lopsided situation?

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