Finding Peace and Deliverance in the Midst of Tribulations
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Each of us has a story that God is writing for our lives. But are you content with the story that God is writing for your life? In 1 Corinthians 7:17, you are reminded that each person should lead the life that the Lord has assigned and called them to lead.
Some people are always seeking to obtain more. They can never be content because their desires are not godly. In 1 Timothy 6:9-11, there is a warning, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
The thought of looking at other people’s lives and wishing it were your own is not being content. When you are content, you are satisfied with your own achievements and purpose in life. There is great gain in godliness with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6).
“The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus” was told by Jesus in the gospel of Luke 16:19-31. This denoted emphatic theological notion on the present and the future. Both men were presently living on earth, but one was rich and the other was poor. The rich man disregarded the poor man’s predicament. To point out, he showed no empathy, love or compassion to Lazarus. However, both men would eventually pass from the present life on earth, to their future destinations –Heaven and hell. Consequently, Lazarus was at peace and comfort in Abraham’s bosom in Heaven, while the rich man was facing torment in hell.
Additionally, the rich man begged Father Abraham to send Lazarus to come and quench his torment; but his request was refused (v.24). Notwithstanding, his plea presented a situation of pay-back, so to speak. In their present life on earth, Lazarus was desiring to be fed with the crumbs from this rich man’s table, but his plea was totally ignored (v.21). Now, this man was in hell feeling what Lazarus felt on earth, when he was living the rich life, and Lazarus was living the poor life. In other words, this parable denoted that our evil on earth will eventually have dire consequences.
Further, the rich man made a request to have Lazarus go to his father’s house to warn his brethren not to come to the place of torment that he was in. This request was also denied. Father Abraham said that they had Moses and the prophets to warn them, but the rich man believed that they would not listen to them. Instead, he thought if Lazarus go to them from the dead, they would repent. But Father Abraham told him that they would not listen to Lazarus, if they did not want to listen to Moses or the prophets.
Accordingly, this parable depicted another type of exhortation or public plea to get the attention of people, especially rich people who would treat others, who were less fortunate than themselves with disdain, unkindness, and lacking in compassion, that there would be dire consequences for this type of evil.
In Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Jesus tells about two men, both of whom sold everything for the kingdom of heaven. To those men, God’s eternal kingdom was so valuable that they were willing to give up everything they had in order to invest in it.
That’s exactly the same attitude God wants us to have toward wealth. Money is an excellent servant but a terrible master. Unfortunately, many people in society are mastered by their money, unable to control their greed.
Yet God is more important than all these things in the world. He requires that we be willing to sell all for Him.
Mark 10:17-22 tells the story of a rich man’s encounter with Jesus: As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good — except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'”
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
He owned great wealth, but really his wealth owned him. Remember that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).
This man’s heart was so attached to his money that his money owned him. His attitude is very different from that of the two men, who sold everything for the kingdom of heaven.
If, like this man, you become so hungry to own more money, be aware that really your money will own you.
“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). This Scripture speaks for itself. To be abased means to humble or bring down to a lower status. To be exalted means to raise or elevate to a higher status.
If you humble yourself, then the Lord will elevate you, by blessing you. On the other hand, if you are too exalted, then you will be brought down or humbled to a lower status. God needs a humble heart to work with, as He does not appreciate a proud and boastful person.
If you’re abundantly blessed, God does not want you to boast about it and try to draw attention to yourself. He instead wants to get His glory by your sincere testimony about how He has brought you through the most devastating time of your life. I want to share this inspirational song with you:
A lot of folks want to feel important, highly regarded and praised, and so they want people to address them by their title, they show off their flashy cars, their big houses, and their money. However, the Scripture highlights that, “God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). If He blesses you, He wants you to be a blessing to others, instead of a boaster to others. Don’t get it twisted; He wants you to be happy, appreciative and thankful, yet humble.
I once heard of a young man who was very friendly. He used to walk pass his neighbors everyday and say hello to all of them. However, one day he got a brand new car, and since then, he didn’t even offer his neighbors a ride, or say hello again. One day while driving, he had an accident and lost his car. He was now back to his old method of transportation – his feet.
I am not sure how this young man felt after he was reverted to his old status. But one thing I have learned; it always pays to be humble, because in life, nothing is guaranteed. You can go right back to square one in a split second. In light of this, when you humble yourself before the Lord, and He sees your humbleness, He will begin to pour out His blessings upon your life.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I decided to share this picture with you, to illustrate that in life, it’s not the amount of money you have, the position you occupy, or the fact that you have it all, that brings you true happiness and peace.
You can have all these things, and still be miserable. You do not have to be rich and famous to be happy. It’s the little things that count, such as the thought of having the persons you love and care about by your side, which can definitely give you that motivation to go on.
Having it all, does not prove true happiness and peace in itself. Happiness simply means, being thankful to the Lord for all you have!
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13) NIV
Trust me, I've been there, I've looked, I've searched and I know now, that there are no answers to be found in the bottom of a bottle or on the edge of a blade! Fighting Hard, Recovering, Rebuilding, REBORN. Moving on from addiction to a new life.
Executive Chef Robbie Joseph brings more than 35 years of culinary experience to his Montego Bay, Jamaica based restaurants and bars: THE SEAHORSE GRILL and ROBBIES KITCHEN. Specializing in fresh seafood, steaks, pastas, local Jamaican favourites and world class, gobal cuisine with a twist of west indian flare. Combine this simply great food with the casual elegant ambiance of both restaurants and you have an experience you won't soon forget!!!
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