Phil's Thoughts

As A Child

Jesus said,” I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he/she is born again” ( John 3:3 ). “ I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” ( Matthew 18:3 ). OK … Here’s the million dollar question … Was kids back then any different than kids today ? Cuz yall…i know some kids…i WAS one way back when, and they ain’t the innocent little angels Jesus is makin em out t’ be in these two instances ! They’re selfish … they’re lazy … they’re messy … they scream and holler when everything ain’t perfect … they talk back and they’re needy…all the time ! So why is Jesus so hung up on our being like a little kid, so as to inherit His kingdom ? He must know something we don’t … see something we’ve missed. Let’s look a little deeper; shall we ? Think back … you’ve either had a child, a niece or nephew, a grandchild, or been in close proximity to one at one time or another. Shoot…maybe you’ve just watched a movie or tv show with one in it. Anyway, recall their entry into this world … naked and covered in slime, completely vulnerable, innocent as all get-out, hungry and dependent. Fast-forward a few weeks … you look into those tiny little eyes and wonder what they’re seeing…what they’re thinking … their tiny fingers clutch one of your fingers as if they really believe “you” are their lifeline. They have no way of getting their own nourishment, so they’re dependent on “you”. They’ll waller in their own filth, if “you” don’t clean em up. Yeah…they cry a lot…but it’s their way of communicating their needs…and “you” are who they’re trusting to meet those needs. See why Jesus says we must be born again … must change and become like a little child ? He knows, unless we “start over”, we ain’t never gonna be dependent, humble, submissive, trusting, or innocent. If a little child knows to cry out loud for their every need…because they know they’re gonna receive whatever that “need” is… then why won’t we ? When we reach and grab hold of our Father’s finger, He feels like the most important person in our lives … like He’s “somebody” … needed . And OH the love that He must have for us ! It’s immeasurable ! Just imagine … being loved by the One who created you ! And calling “you”, His son/daughter ! ( John 1:12, 3:1 )

Climbing

When i was a boy, i liked to climb. It didn’t matter what “it” was…I’d look at it as a challenge, something that was put there for me to conquer. Every high tree, in and around our property, got climbed … the backstop and goalposts at the ballfield got climbed … every set of stairs was a particular enticement because it provided an extra thrill when i climbed em on the outside of the handrail. I climbed water towers and cell towers, the small brick ledges jutting out from my aunt and uncles 2-story house, and one time, i climbed to the top of a tower in the center-court of the ol’ Jackson Mall…something the Boy Scouts had erected…( had to wait till my mama went into Gayfers before i went up it😁 ). Something bout “heights” got my adrenaline pumpin … and still does. I can just picture Jesus standing on the precipice of the highest point of the temple that day when Satan was trying to get him to sin. The devil told Jesus, “ If you are the Son of God, jump … for it is written,’ He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in your hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ “ Jesus answered him, “It’s also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’ .” ( Matthew 4:5-6 ) So often, we’ll be dared, or worse, double-dog dared, to do something foolish. Folks don’t wanna hurt themselves, but they don’t have a problem with someone else gettin hurt. People make good money off of other people’s idiotic behavior … just look at You Tube or Facebook Reels. Daredevil or dummy ( see? I’m learning not to write some of the things I’m tempted to write 😁 )… we do some pretty stupid things; right ? Why is that ?!? Most of the time, it’s a “pride” thing. We’d rather be recognized and bragged on by our peers than by God. It’s easier to live up to the world’s, and our peer’s expectations than it is to live up to God’s. We fear being ostracized or “left out”, therefore, we try to “blend in” and compromise as the need arises. So… what if Jesus hadda compromised ? What if he’d’ve “jumped”…just to prove that he wasn’t scared ? What if he’d’ve said, “ You know what ? Ya’ll wanna play god if yall want to…I’m goin home !” His humility outshined His heavenly prestige ( Philippians2:7 ). His love for humanity overruled His comfort . He was lifted up on an old rugged cross to die for something He didn’t deserve to die for … “us”… but that didn’t stop him ! He rose to defeat hell, the grave ( 1 Corinthians15:55-58 ), and the sin that holds many of us hostage … and offers us the same opportunity ! If we’d climb down off our high places and humbly submit to His Lordship, we could experience freedom and peace like we never thought possible ( John 8:36 ) ! We wouldn’t have anything to prove, because Jesus already proved it ( John 16:33 ) for us ! Answer Satan’s temptations with the truth contained in God’s word. Jesus did… and ain’t we spose t’ be followin His example ?

Handcuffed

While driving the almost-empty Beach Boulevard in Ocean Springs, Ms early this morning, i came upon a scene normally witnessed on the tv program, “Cops”. Two officers were having to handcuff a young man ( that didn’t wanna be handcuffed ), who supposedly broke the law in some way or another. It wasn’t hard to hear the suspect cussing and vowing to sue the two officers who were just doing their jobs. Funny…I’ve never been handcuffed, taken to jail or even “whooped” for somethin i “didn’t” do. This episode brought to mind the words of our Lord …” Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there’s no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” ( Romans 13:1 ). Evidently, that young man hadn’t recognized these words of God, hadn’t heard em or else he decided in his heart that those words didn’t apply to him. Either way, he wasn’t going to be leaving in the car he “came in” or rest his head on the pillow he woke up on … at least for a little while. Listen to what God has to say about it : “ Consequently, he who rebels AGAINST the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so WILL bring judgment on themselves” ( Romans 13:2 ). So…when we decide to run that red, go over the posted speed limits, talk back to our parents, run illegal tint, create undue noise pollution , disrespect our spouse, cheat on our taxes, talk bad about our president, etc; etc; etc;, we are in fact, REBELLING AGAINST GOD and subjecting ourselves to HIS judgement !😳😳😳!!! I don’t know about you, but this is a serious matter ! Being “judged” by God can ( and will ) have some serious consequences. His mercies are new every morning ( Lamentations 3:23 )… His grace is always sufficient ( 2 Corinthians12:9 )… He’s faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins, but He’s also “just”… He HAS to dole out discipline and punishment like any good daddy that loves his child ( Hebrews12:5-6 ). Have you noticed, if you “get away” with an infraction against authority, the more likely you’ll lose even more respect for it and continue to disobey it ? My parents knew i was a special case, therefore, they loved me and did not withhold the necessary discipline when the need arose. Like i said earlier, i can’t remember a single whoopin i didn’t deserve. If we’d all just obediently follow God’s commands, precepts and statutes…intent on glorifying Him and His name… we’d find life more enjoyable and beneficial. The tv show,”Cops” would probably have to go off the air due to its boring content 😄.

It’s Personal

Listen to the definition of the word, “personal” : “ Of, affecting, or belonging to a particular person rather than to anyone else. Of or concerning one’s private life, relationships, and emotions rather than matters connected with one’s public or professional career.” Lately, I’ve been aware of how we’re getting further and further from the “personal” connections that were once commonplace. Examples: Instead of talking on the phone, one-on-one, more emails are used. Go to a fast-food restaurant…the employees cooking, preparing and serving, aren’t taking orders at the counter, much less giving us the “welcome to _____. Can I take your order?” anymore … there’s that aggravating kiosk where you haveta place your own order. God help us … navigating these things automatically makes my pressure go up ! Go to any Walmart, Home Depot or Lowe’s and try t’ find an employee … they’ve either found the perfect hiding places or else their faces are so buried in their cellphones, they “don’t have time” to help the very people who spend money in their establishments. I guess that’s why Amazon is so successful … just order from home, get it off the porch when you feel like stretching your legs. It’s pitiful ! And what about those self-checkouts ?! You do all the work yourself, and then the cardreader asks you for a survey on your experience ! And many of em try to make you slip up and “tip”, even though they never came back to your table to see if you needed more water or tea ! Fortunately for us, God’s interpretation/definition of “personal” doesn’t “exclude”…it “includes”. We just haveta get it in the correct order. We can continue the downward spiral of remaining “our” own boss and living to please “ourselves”. We can even continue choosing where “we’re” gonna go, what “we’re” gonna do and tell ourselves that nobody will ever be the boss of “me”, now that we’re out from under our parent’s house-rules. “Self” ain’t always a “bad” thing … we need to be self aware that it ain’t about “us”. We also need to be self conscious of the paths we’re about to take … cause plenty of em contain traps and snares. It’s also wise to practice self-control. Going “overboard” in most situations or activities will lead to poor health, busted relationships or consequences that leave us wondering how we got so far off the tracks. GOD says, “ I’ve got a better plan…come to me, all yall who are tired of doin it your way and gettin the same results…I’ll give you rest ( Matthew 11:28-30 ). Start a relationship with me through my Son, Jesus, and let me prove to you that my way is better ( John 14:6 ). If you’ll seek me with all your heart, you’ll find me. Draw near to me and I will draw near to you ( Jeremiah 29:13; James 4:8 ). Let’s begin a “personal” relationship that will have EVERYTHING t’ do with ALL your other relationships. I’ll help you find your place in this life and have a place reserved for you in the next ( John 14:3 ). I’ll never leave you to ‘figure things out on your own’, and I will fight ‘for you’ ( Hebrews 13:5; Exodus 14:14 ). We’ll do life together, and I’m gonna show you what it’s like to do it in ABUNDANCE ( John 10:10 ) ! “ “Personal” … the word takes on a new meaning when we begin a personal relationship with GOD through faith in Jesus Christ ! He proves it EVERY day.

Partners

“Partner in crime” … It’s been a “thing” for as long as i can remember … and it refers to someone who collaborates with another, either in illegal activity or playful, mischievous schemes. I refer to my wife, Pennye Jacobs Lewis, with this endearment, at times…for the simple fact that we’ve partnered in some pretty crazy activities over our 45 years together. Been alotta laughin … alotta great adventures … alotta great memories made … but, there’s also been alotta “tears” … happy and joyful tears, as well as sad and heartbreaking tears. Therefore, she’s not only my “partner in crime”, she’s also my “partner in cryin”. And that’s OK . GOD created us to cry, as well as laugh. And don’t we cry for alotta different reasons ? Shoot…I’ll catch myself laughin over the memory of a bygone family member…maybe somethin they said, somethin they once did … and next thing i know, I’m cryin while I’m still grinnin. It’s funny enough, but sad that they’re not still around to share the memory with me. We cry when our kids are goin through hard times … even though we know God’s refining them…testing them…proving up their faith in Him ( James 1:1-4 ). It still hurts us when they’re hurting or struggling…so yeah, we cry. Seeing tragedy befall others…strangers…breaks our hearts and causes us to cry. We don’t know why bad things happen to innocent people, but it does ( Matthew 5:45-47 )…and good or bad, we’re told to pray for them and administer service when we’re able ( Matthew 25:40 ). We see tears at weddings, as well as, funerals. We cry when the pain is unbearable, and we cry when relief comes … whether for ourselves or, the ones we love. Some of us cry easily … some of us, only when no one is around. God cried. He cried when He knew He was about to call His friend back from the grave … i like t’ believe He cried because He knew what Lazarus was experiencing … and He hated to take that from him ( John 11:20-44 ). On another occasion, Jesus stood looking out over Jerusalem and muttered to himself, “If only yall woulda accepted me…but you choose instead to forfeit forgiveness of sin and the salvation of your souls”…and tears went down His cheeks ( Luke 19:42 ). See ? It’s ok to cry … Jesus did. In fact, our sacrifice unto God is a broken and contrite heart and spirit that He will not despise ( Psalm 51:17 ). Being a “partner in cryin” doesn’t make us look weak … it’s God’s way of showing that our hearts are still tender and pliable. A hardened heart cannot be penetrated … but Jesus has the remedy for that, too ( Ezekiel 36:26 ) ! Get you a “partner in cryin” … you’ll never get over it !

 

 

Strength

Where do you go for your strength ? Alotta times, where we “go for it”, may not be the best source. We tend to return to what we know…what works…maybe what someone else said works for “them” … and well still wind up feeling empty, alone and unloved . One o’ my sons is into strength conditioning, losing some unhealthy weight and just overall, gettin in better shape. He hasn’t been “at it” long, but he’s remained committed to…and the results are obvious…his belly is looking more like mine did back in my 20’s. My attention span won’t allow me to exercise like i used to. My equilibrium ain’t what it used to be. I’m just suffering from that “chestodrawers” syndrome … my chest has done dropped toward my drawers … and I’ve built a substantial shed over em😄. Hear all them lame excuses ? Truth is, i like my sweets ( that’s why i love my Pennye Jacobs Lewis so much 😍 ) and i can’t stand goin to a gym. So where do i … where do you, get your strength ? If we’re to believe some of our friends, it may be that “bottle”…those “pills” or that other illicit drug of choice. It could be money, prestige, power or “things”. Material possessions can be very stimulating and give us a false sense of security and strength. What about “food” ? We’ve used that as our source of strength for ages … we even label it as “comfort food” at times. How did we ever get so off-track ?!? We were created by God and for God … period. ( Colossians 1:16 ) Every time we go outside His boundary lines and search for our strength from any other source, we set ourselves up for disappointment, for failure…and GOD and GOD alone can “fix us”. ( 2 Chronicles 16:9 ) would remind us : “ For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” Since there’s no way we can escape His sight, why don’t we try it His way more…and see if He will give us, not only the physical strength we’re needing, but also the mental and spiritual strength we so need ?! He will do His part, but He expects us to do ours also. “The LORD will remain faithful even when we’re faithless ( 2 Timothy 2:13 ). How committed are you to the things and people that have disappointed you and let you down ? I heard a resounding, “Too much !”. So…why don’t we try it “God’s way”? He has never disappointed or ever lied ! And He can supply the strength we need to get through any and all areas of this life’s journey. Just trust Him ! Stay focused and fully committed to Him ! And may He bless you !

 

All the People

I was just sittin here thinkin about ALL the people I’ve encountered in life over the years…and it’s been a bunch of em ! Been some gooduns, as well as, some , not so good. You ever wonder about folks … how some can be so pleasant to be around, and some just act like they can’t stand bein alive ? Nothin satisfies em … they act like they’re better than you … that smile on their face is more like a grimace, as if they’re tryin to suppress gas than promote happiness. Talk about conceited … they lather themselves up as if they’re “it-on-a-stick” and all they wanna talk about is “themselves”…”I” this and “I” that. It makes a person wish they hadn’t run into em or had to deal with em. Yall know the type. But God says,” Hey…better check yourself…I died for that one just like I died for you…and I love em no less or no more than I do you. See ? I don’t play favorites, discriminate or show favoritism” ( Romans 2:11; Acts 10:34 ). For those of us who follow Christ and benefit from it, we need to make allowances for those who still walk in darkness ( Isaiah 9:2 ). They don’t know no better … but hopefully, they will come to a point in their lives when “it’ll” all make sense and become clear to em. Until that time, expect em to use foul language ( Ephesians4:29 ), live like stray dogs ( Isaiah 56:9-12; Ephesians 5:3-4 ), drink like fish ( Galatians 5:21; Proverbs 23:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:10 ) and overindulge in the corrupt things of this world. Their minds are still blinded by the enemy ( 2 Corinthians 4:4 ) and they can’t see or know what the believer sees and knows. Therefore, be patient and kind…living the example of Christ as you should ( Ephesians 4:32; 1 Corinthians 11:1 ). Pray for them and with them…that “your” Jesus becomes “their” Jesus ! One more thing … as you walk out your journey with God, don’t succumb to worldly ways just because you’re around folks of this world. It leaves a false impression of our Lord and Savior. This world ain’t your home…( Hebrews 13:14-16; John 17:14-16 ). You may live “on”it, but don’t be “of” it. Ten Four ?

 

Game of Life

I’m not a poker player, but I have played before … not professionally…just for matchsticks, plastic poker chips or “nothing”. If you’ve ever played or watched people play, you’ve no doubt heard somebody say, “ Let’s sweeten the pot”. It’s when more money is thrown in to entice the players to “stay in” ( continue playing ), in hopes of winning a bigger pot…collect a greater return on their investment. Nobody really “wants” to fold ( quit before the hand is played out ), for the simple reason that they’ll lose what they’ve already invested ( thrown in ) in that pot. For now, let’s think of “life” as a “poker game”. You’ve been sittin at the table for however long it’s been and it’s been goin pretty well. You’ve won a few hands and lost a few…but your hopes are high that you’ll come out a winner. ( For real…who wants to be a loser, right ?! ) As you play, you’re reading the faces of those playing with you…trying to imagine the hands they’ve got and whether there’s will beat yours. You’re trying to strategize…hoping for a particular card to increase your chances of winning. Do you discard these two, in hopes of getting two more of those ? What’s the odds ? Do you really wanna gamble on whether or not that other guy’s gonna have what you think they may have…do what you hope they’ll do ? And all the while, that pot keeps gettin sweetened. There’s one thing’s for sure … one person’s gonna win, and everybody else is gonna lose. That’s why it’s called “gambling” … to take risky actions in hopes of a desired result. GOD would have all of us know, life doesn’t haveta be a gamble. We can rest in assurance of a guaranteed win, as long as our “faith” ( not our money ) lies on Him. We don’t haveta know how to play, because He doesn’t consider it a “game” of “chance”. More like, a “choice”. We don’t haveta worry bout whether we can “afford it”, because He’s already covered it … with His Son’s precious blood. And Jesus’ blood trumps everything else ! There’s no gamble when we place our trust on Him ( John 14:6 ) ! Satan will try to strategize and try to bluff us, but once we’re “in”, we’re “in”…and no one, not even Satan, can steal us from the hands of GOD ALMIGHTY ( John 10:28-30; Romans6:10 ) ! He may be given permission to “try” us…to “tempt” us or “put us through the wringer”… but he cannot take away our inheritance that we’ve received from our Lord and Savior ( Matthew 4:1-11; Job 1-5; Luke 22:31-34 ) ! He’s ( Satan ) good , but he ain’t THAT good ! Jesus has already beaten him…he just dont wanna admit it ( Hebrews 2:14-15; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 12:10-11; 1 John 3:8 ) ! Hell, where is your sting ? Jesus done yanked it out ! ( 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 ) !! The one who quits playing Satan’s game, and instead, places EVERYTHING on JESUS, is a winner EVERY TIME ! It’s as easy as “ABC” … admit, believe and confess. Admit you’re a sinner in need of saving ( this is humble surrender )… believe that Jesus is your only hope ( this is faith )… and confess Him as your Lord ( verbal confession before mankind is more than “lip service”…it’s walking in newness ! Romans 10:8-9 ) “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation…old ways are gone, replaced by new ( and improved ) ways ! 2 Corinthians 5:17 ) Life in Christ ain’t a gamble. It’s “winner winner chicken dinner” every day !!

Works

“Saved by grace through faith…not from ourselves but by the gift of God…not by works, so no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus TO DO GOOD WORKS, which God prepared in advance for us to do” ( Ephesians 2:8-10 ). Too often, we like to hear 2:8-9, but we leave out verse 10. We want the salvation, but we don’t wanna work. We want the “stimulus check”, but we don’t want to GO BACK to work after it runs out. ( Sorry yall…i just get mad when folks get lazy. ) But seriously though…Ain’t that the way it is so often ? We want the BEST in life, but we don’t want to do anything to capitalize on it. Because it’s “free” ( which it wasn’t ! ), we don’t appreciate it as much as if “we” had to earn it. Go back to your first car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or 4-wheeler … If mama or daddy was paying for it, you’d boil the tires, rawhide it, speedshift it and never think twice about it…but, if “you” were makin the note and payin for the gas, that was a whole nother story. We tend to appreciate things more when the burden is on us. Why can’t we appreciate them more, for the simple fact that someone cared enough or loved us enough to bless us with it ? When God sent His Son to earth to live us an example and teach us His ways, He knew that Jesus would have to die. He didn’t see a people that would appreciate it, but He sent Him anyway. He foresaw the cruelty and disrespect that His Son would endure, but He sent Him anyway. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” ( Romans 5:8 ). That’s how God proved His love for us ! How do we take an example like that and incorporate it into our daily lives today ? BY OUR WORKS !! For which HE created for us to do !! ( Verse 10 !!! ) Unless we “die to self” and surrender to that cross, alongside Jesus ( Luke 9:23 ) , we’ll always live verses 8 and 9, but leave out verse 10 ! This is the greatest lie that Satan uses to keep so-called “Christians”, lost and useless. They live their whole lives thinking they’d checked the right box and secured their place in heaven, but they never produced any fruit ( Galatians 5:22-23 ) that proved their allegiance to Christ ! It’s like the old Wendy’s commercial back in the early 80’s, where the little old lady says, “ Where’s the beef ?!?”. If the tree don’t “produce”, it gets chopped down ( shoot ! chainsawed nowdays ! ) and thowed in the fire ( Matthew 7:19 ). This oughta wake us ”good Christians” up ! If salvation hasn’t changed us ( 2 Corinthians5:17 ) and we’re livin life as if we’re “entitled” … we better get out the coat hangers and hotdogs ! God’s grace is amazing alright ! The faith we exhibit we owe to Him also ! Christ did the work we couldn’t do ! Now it’s our turn ! Saved unto good works … and it’s all for HIS honor and glory !! What are we waiting on ?!? Times runnin out !!

God’s Food

I ain’t gon’ lie…i like t’ eat … and “good” food is as relaxing and enjoyable as the best day on a day off. My wife, Pennye Jacobs Lewis, is a great cook, and she ain’t scared t’ try a new recipe she’s seen somewhere. The real treat is, she enjoys cooking. So many modern-day women ain’t cookin anymore. I talk to dudes all the time that tell me they do most, if not all, of the cooking in their homes. To each his own, but for me, I’m blessed to have a wife that cooks ! Cereal and samwiches ( we don’t pronounce it, “sand”wiches” roun our house ) are ahight ever now an nen, but good food goes deeper…soothes the soul, so-t-speak. Again, i can’t speak for you, but i liken good food, to the Word of God. As regular food satisfies me physically, the Word of God satisfies me, spiritually. I can’t really explain it, but there’s something about “reading” God’s Word that fulfills, nourishes a deep hunger within me. Too often, I’ll allow my flesh to override my spirit. I KNOW i oughta get into the Word, but I’ll look at reels or tv instead. It never fails, when i “skip” God’s urging to study His Word, i wind up regretting my decision … just as if i “fasted” or skipped a meal. There’s just something about gravitating to Scripture and listening to what God wants to tell me. If i choose to ignore Him, i wind up payin the price. If God had a face, i can imagine the disappointing expression that must show in His eyes, when i choose some other activity over His Word. If my wife goes to all the trouble of purchasing grocery items, transferring them from shelf-to-buggy-to conveyer-to-buggy-to-car-to-countertop-to shelf/frig-to-skillet/oven/cooktop-to-plates…and i come home from work and turn my nose up at it, offer some lame, disrespectful comment and grab a bowl of cereal instead, how do you think she’d feel ? So why would we believe God would feel any different, after He’s gone to so much “trouble” to see that we have the spiritual food we need to thrive ?!? Let’s face it…we don’t give God even half of what He’s given us ! And He ain’t askin nothin from us that would do us harm ( Jeremiah 29:11 ) ! We’re quick t’ cry out to Him when we’re sick or in trouble … but when things are goin smooth, we tend to “put Him on the back burner”. He oughta mean more than that to us, yall. Just to have the “privilege” of puttin our feet under His table ( Psalm 23:5 ) oughta make us breathless. This is GOD we talkin about ! The Author and Creator of everything we see and don’t see ( Romans 1:20 ) ! Maybe that’s why we look so undernourished in the “spiritual department” …because we don’t feast on the good food He has prepared for us. We used t’ tell my Mama, “ You don’t eat enough t’ keep a bird alive”… and I’m bettin, God could say the same to us. Be an exception ! Show up at every meal that He supplies … savor every morsel and ask for seconds … and as an old pastor use t’ say, “ Save yer fork…dessert is on its way !” Let’s start lettin God see how grateful we are for His written Word … because one day, it might not be available ! “Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path” ( Psalm 119:105 ) . “ Your Words were found, and I ate them, and Your Words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart , for I am called by Your name, O Lord, God of hosts” ( Jeremiah 15:16 ). Buurrrpp ! I enjoyed it, Lord !
Now

 

You may not “be there” yet, but hopefully, you can hear GOD clearly through the words of Haggai and find what you’ve been searching for. Haggai’s one o them “minor prophets” back in the days before God came as baby Jesus … around 520 BC…and even though his “book” doesn’t contain but 2 chapters, the words he relays from God packs all the punch needed. It points to a specific “problem” that the people had THEN, and the main problem that people have NOW. GOD wanted the temple rebuilt and the people kept putting it further down on the priority list ! The LORD says through the prophet Haggai, “ How yall gon’ keep building your fine houses when Mine lays in ruin !? Yall better recognize ! Yall are plantin a lot, but notice how little you’re harvesting. Yall eat, but notice how you never feel full. Yall drink, but you never feel hydrated. Y’all’s closets and dresser drawers are overflowing, but it’s never enough. Yall make plenty o’ money, but it’s never enough ( purse got holes in it ). GIVE CAREFUL THOUGHT TO YOUR WAYS. Yall expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why ? Because of My house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you, I’ve withheld all the things that would fulfill you and your household ( paraphrased ).” Haggai 1:3-11 I can hear that brain whirring from here ! You’re thinkin, “ What temple ? I ain’t ignoring anything. I’m doin all i can right now just to keep my head above water ! What’s that Old Testament stuff got t’ do with me and today ?” Hey … that’s good ! At least you’re askin the right questions and wanna know how it relates to you and yours “today”. Because of the people’s procrastination and lack of care, God’s house stayed in ruin, while the people were focused on their own material and physical happiness. They weren’t practicing the mandates of God and giving Him their “firstfruits” ( Proverbs 3:9 )…shoot…they hardly gave Him their leftovers ! We get so caught up in ourselves and forget about God. We begrudgingly give, ( if we give at all ), our time, talents and treasures ( that’d be the money He allows us to earn ), and we wonder why we can never “get ahead”. Even livin from paycheck-t-paycheck seems impossible ! “On a fixed income” … more like “broke income” ! If we’d only put into practice what God’s been tryin to teach us ! Seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness , and HE will see to it our cars run, the paycheck is enough , our marriages are happy , the kids are well-fed and successful and our homes are leak-free. “Contentment” doesn’t come when GOD is placed low on the priority scale. “We” are His “temple” ( 1 Corinthians 6:19 )… If we ain’t livin our lives to please Him FIRST , why would He bless us ?!? He told us to “love the Lord with all our hearts , souls , minds and strength …and to love others as we do ourselves” ( Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37-40 ). Can you honestly say you do this !?? ( And by the way, He asks the same of me ). If everything else comes before God and His desires, what does that say about His “worth” ? When we finally get to the point that we can’t stand the way things are…hopefully , we’ll seek God’s forgiveness and repent of our selfish and evil ways and turn to Him for restoration. “ If my people , who are called by My name , will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways , then I will hear from heaven , and I will forgive their sin and heal their land” ( 2 Chronicles 7:14 ). By refusing to live in accordance with God’s will , we can expect things to get only worse… But, if we’re ready to hear and heed His message , we can repent and follow with an obedient heart and enjoy life “in abundance” ( John 10:10 ) ! Haggai…you didn’t have a whole lot t’ say , but you said a mouthfull !