“A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.”–Proverbs 17:10

Every parent knows the frustration of trying to get their children to accept reproof and live righteously. Pastors often find it even more difficult with church members. None of the should surprise us, since we all are selfish and stubborn by nature. Few people ever learn to receive reproof with a good attitude.

Pastor Paul Chappell said, the evangelist Gipsy Smith would often counsel with people after the end of a service where he preached. He told of meeting with a man once who told him he was not getting anything out of his Bible reading. The man said he received no inspiration although he had “gone through it several times.” “Let it go through you once,” replied Smith, “then you will tell a different story!”

“Remember the poor.”–Galatians 2:10
God’s people sometimes experience great difficulties that leave them feeling deprived–even deserted at times, and they wonder, “Why?” Charles Spurgeon left us this food for thought regarding this mystery:

“Why does God allow so many of his children to be poor? He could make them all rich if he pleased; he could lay bags of gold at their doors; he could send them a large annual income; or he could scatter round their houses abundance of provisions, as once he made the quails lie in heaps round the camp of Israel, and rained bread out of heaven to feed them. There is no necessity that they should be poor, except that he sees it to be best. “The cattle upon a thousand hills are his”—he could supply them; he could make the richest, the greatest, and the mightiest bring all their power and riches to the feet of his children, for the hearts of all men are in his control. But he does not choose to do so; he allows them to suffer want, he allows them to pine in penury and obscurity. Why is this? There are many reasons: one is, to give us, who are favoured with enough, an opportunity of showing our love to Jesus. We show our love to Christ when we sing of him and when we pray to him; but if there were no sons of need in the world we should lose the sweet privilege of evidencing our love, by ministering in alms-giving to his poorer brethren; he has ordained that thus we should prove that our love standeth not in word only, but in deed and in truth. If we truly love Christ, we shall care for those who are loved by him. Those who are dear to him will be dear to us. Let us then look upon it not as a duty but as a privilege to relieve the poor of the Lord’s flock—remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Surely this assurance is sweet enough, and this motive strong enough to lead us to help others with a willing hand and a loving heart—recollecting that all we do for his people is graciously accepted by Christ as done to himself.“

As we consider the various events in our life, or think about what course of action we should take, it would be wise if we kept this one simple word in mind—“afterward”(Hebrews 12:11). To only live for the moment, the here and now, as many do, is a big mistake. Things today do not seem as they will be seen tomorrow. You need to remember that. If we judge what we see without any consideration for what shall be we will end in a fog of confusion and perhaps a slough of despair.

The providence of God is a mystery to our finite mind. We often wonder why God causes this or allows that. And, because of our ignorance we sometimes judge God to be unkind, unfair, or unable. We misunderstand His ways. Even when we open the Bible searching for answers we do not always see what shall be. We see the shadow, but the substance doesn’t come until “afterward”. We feel the pain, but do not see the profit, until “afterward”. We sense a tragedy, but “afterward” we see it was a treasure.

This however is no reason to neglect the Scriptures. That would prove disastrous. Even though the Bible doesn’t answer every question it addresses every issue in some way. The Word of God tells us that God is too loving to be unkind, too good to do bad, and too wise to make a mistake. The Bible assures us that He is perfect in all His ways and that He does all things well. It also gives us precious promises that cheer our hearts when it seems that we have no reason for joy. We are told that the grievous shall become glorious, “afterward”. Seeing that is true we should trust God throughout this sin darkened night of life on earth—knowing that joy cometh in the morning. “Afterward”, the morning will come and the darkness shall vanish. The storm clouds shall pass and peace shall prevail—“afterward”.

Now we live in a fallen world, in feeble bodies of flesh, in perilous times, amid many enemies, with limited understanding. We don’t like it, but it is what it is and we shouldn’t expect it to be different—at least for now. But,”afterward” things will be different, better, perfect. Meanwhile, we “have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise”(Hebrews 10:38). Now we hope, “afterward” we will have. Now we are in the school of Christ, ever learning, “afterward” graduation day comes. Now we are earth-bound in bodies of flesh, “afterward” with glorified bodies we shall enter that place prepared by Christ and receive “the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him”(1 Cor. 2:9).

Stop your complaining! You are a child of the King and joint-heir with Jesus. It is tough now, but “afterward” you will receive the fulness of your inheritance. Things now are not as they shall be. “Afterward”  we will realize the truth, receive the promise, and reap what we’ve sown. The songwriter had it right when he wrote “Until Then”—“I’ll go on singing. Until then I’ll carry-on”! Inspired by the hope of God’s promise and with our eyes on the prize, let us endure our hardships with joy, knowing they “worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”–“afterward”!

A prominent Christian leader was known for his willingness to help needy individuals with their social and financial problems. When asked why he took time out of his busy schedule to do this, he replied, “When I was a boy, I worked in our family grocery store. I was taught that I should never ask a customer, ‘Is that all?’ Instead, I was told to say, ‘Isn’t there anything else?’ I have carried this philosophy over into my Christian work.” That man of God was filled with so much love for others that he wanted to see them develop in all areas of their lives.

In Romans 16, the apostle Paul commended many in the church who were like this man. He singled out Priscilla, Aquila, Mary, Persis, and several others who had labored for the Lord with willing hands and loving hearts. They were not content to do minimal service but were always busy ministering to the needs of fellow believers.

When we have experienced the matchless grace of God, our hearts should be filled with compassion for our brothers and sisters in Christ. By extending to them a helping hand and assisting them in whatever way possible, we’re actually saying, “God has given me so much. Isn’t there anything else I can do for you?”

You may serve God without loving Him, but you cannot love God without serving Him —Our Daily Bread

Give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people– Psalm 105:1

Cultivating a thankful heart is the key to overcoming discouragement, grief, pain, or discontentment. If we develop the habit of counting our blessings then we, like Paul, can learn to be content—even joyful—in the darkest of times or most difficult of circumstances.

However, the psalmist here reminds us that the greatest benefit of a grateful heart, and therefore the greatest motivation to a thankful spirit, is not the blessing that it brings to us but the witness it is to others. Anyone can be happy and thankful when everything is going well; but what a testimony it is when God’s people are rejoicing among the ruins of their temporal pleasures!

When a child of God is seen searching through the wreckage of shattered dreams, lost loved ones, or debilitating pain for reasons to praise their Lord it is an unparalleled proof of the power of Christ to transform and to satisfy His people. When they publicly call upon His name, making His deeds known among the masses, the gratefulness of God’s children redounds to the glory of God’s grace.

We are nowhere as able to shine for Christ as in the darkness of our own heartache and loss. In that moment we have the greatest potential to fulfill the greatest purpose of our lives — to exalt the name of our Lord Jesus.

So, no matter what your current circumstances, give thanks to the Lord, calling on the name of Christ as your joy and sufficiency. Make known His goodness among the masses.–(A Good Thing)