Tuesday, June 19, 2007

The 'Sidekick' Shop


The 'Sidekick' Shop
Brad Reiches
Jun 19 2007 12:10AM


Tuesday, June 19, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"The 'Sidekick Shop'"

"I know, O Lord, that a man's way is not in himself,
nor is it in a m an who walks to direct his steps."
Jeremiah 10:23

My daughter Jennifer (10) and I were having a deep discussion the other day about how God guides and directs His children.  We were talking about how neat it is that "God knows the plans He has concerning us" (see Jeremiah 29:11), and that those plans will "fulfill the desires of our heart" (see Psalm 37:4), and that the Bible says, "Who is the man who fears the Lord?  He will instruct him in the way he should choose...I will teach you and instruct you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with My good hand upon you" (Psalm 25:12; 32:8).

It makes perfect sense to Jen that, "since God created us, He knows best what we need."  She also said,

"It's sad to think about all those people who go to the 'sidekick shops'
to try and figure out what decisions they should make."

I responded, "It sure is sad.  Why would you want to go to anyone else but God and His Bible to figure out how to live the life that He, Himself, has given us."  "By the way," I continued.  "What's a 'sidekick shop?'"

She explained, "You know - those places that people go to, to have their palms read and they tell them their future."

"There is a way which seems right to a man,
but its end is the way of death."
Proverbs 16:25

"OH...NOW I know what you're talking about," I said.  "You mean 'Psychic."

"YEAH!!!, she said.  "That's it!"


Monday, June 18, 2007

My Greatest Frustration!


My Greatest Frustration!
Brad Reiches
Jun 18 2007 01:48PM



Monday, June 18, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"My Greatest FRUSTRATION!"

What's my greatest frustration?  First the preface,

"Consider the work of God, for who can straighten what the Lord has bent?"
Ecclesiastes 7: 13

My greatest frustration has always been, "trying to straighten what God has bent!"  I've also been guilty of trying to "bend" what God has straightened!  Yes, I've found that when God opens a door...nothing and nobody's gonna' shut it, praise the Lord.  But I've also found that when God closes a door...it's not likely gonna’ open NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY!

You know, there are a lot of things worse than God saying "no," or "wait."  Here's one:

"He granted their request...but sent leanness into their souls."
Psalm 106:15 (King James Version)

On the other hand, I experience my greatest peace and rest WHEN I REMEMBER to apply Psalm 37: 3 which says,

"Trust in the Lord and do good. 
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness."

Ahhh....What a great place to be.  When you don't know what else to do...Just put your trust in the Lord, do what you know is right, be content with where you are, and cultivate your faithfulness to God. 

Yeah, it's a great place to be.  But sometimes I forget and have to be reminded.  How often?  Well...let's see..."What time is it?"



Thursday, June 14, 2007


AWE-INSPIRING!
Brad Reiches
Jun 14 2007 02:45AM



Thursday, June 14, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"AWE-INSPIRING!"

"Love...does not take into account a wrong suffered."
1 Corinthians 13:5

I've found it to be one of the most wonderful, powerful, and "awe-inspiring" realities of the indwelling presence of God...this kind of love.  To be free of ALL bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness is truly "other-worldly.  I've been basking in this specific aspect of love for more than nine years now...It's an entirely different life.

How is this love "accessed?"  Great question!  Important question.  It's certainly not available in the flesh, as I said, it is "other-worldly."  This kind of love is only found in God, and in  those that allow God to love through them.  It is the love of the Father.  "For God so loved the world..." (see John 3:16).  It is the love that Jesus modeled.  "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).  And it is the love of the Holy Spirit.  "The fruit of the Spirit is love..." (see Galatians 5:22-23).

Thus, the way to walk in the love that "does not take into account a wrong suffered," is to "walk by the Spirit."

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you
will not carry out the desire of the flesh."
Galatians 5:16

The "awe-inspiring" power of the Holy Spirit resides inside all who have truly placed their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Thus, the "other-worldly" potential to "walk by the Spirit and not carry out the desires of the flesh," and love in such away that is willing to forgive everybody of everything...all the time.

I call that "AWE-INSPIRING!"

 

AWE-INSPIRING!


AWE-INSPIRING!
Brad Reiches
Jun 14 2007 02:45AM



Thursday, June 14, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"AWE-INSPIRING!"

"Love...does not take into account a wrong suffered."
1 Corinthians 13:5

I've found it to be one of the most wonderful, powerful, and "awe-inspiring" realities of the indwelling presence of God...this kind of love.  To be free of ALL bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness is truly "other-worldly.  I've been basking in this specific aspect of love for more than nine years now...It's an entirely different life.

How is this love "accessed?"  Great question!  Important question.  It's certainly not available in the flesh, as I said, it is "other-worldly."  This kind of love is only found in God, and in  those that allow God to love through them.  It is the love of the Father.  "For God so loved the world..." (see John 3:16).  It is the love that Jesus modeled.  "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).  And it is the love of the Holy Spirit.  "The fruit of the Spirit is love..." (see Galatians 5:22-23).

Thus, the way to walk in the love that "does not take into account a wrong suffered," is to "walk by the Spirit."

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you
will not carry out the desire of the flesh."
Galatians 5:16

The "awe-inspiring" power of the Holy Spirit resides inside all who have truly placed their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Thus, the "other-worldly" potential to "walk by the Spirit and not carry out the desires of the flesh," and love in such away that is willing to forgive everybody of everything...all the time.

I call that "AWE-INSPIRING!"

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

What Will Your Reputation Be in...Hell?


What Will Your Reputation Be in...Hell?
Brad Reiches
Jun 12 2007 09:50AM



Tuesday, June 12, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"What Will Your Reputation Be in...Hell?"

"I beg you, Father, that you send him to my father's house-
for I have five brothers-that he may warn them, lest they
also come to this place of torment (hell)."
Luke 16:27

The preceeding quotation is from a parable that Jesus taught about the severity and permanence of hell, eternal separation from God (for an in-depth study on this subject, click on Hell).  The parable illustrates the deep and heartfelt regret that many will have upon arrival.

What will the people that you had a relationship with here on earth think about you at the time of their condemnation?  Please take a moment to ponder this future reality.  You're in Heaven...they're in Hell.  Family members?  Friends?  Co-workers?  Colleagues?  School-mates?  What will they say and think about the relationship they used to have with you?

"And these will go away into eternal punishment,
but the righteous into eternal life."
Matthew 25:46

I know that this is difficult to think about.  But is there anything more important than where we will spend our eternity?  Are we loving those around us enough to make sure, insofar as it depends on us, to let them know about Jesus?

What will your reputation be in...Hell?