Power Of Being Right

Key Scripture:  “And do not let us grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season, we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.”  Galatians 6:9

Power Point:

     Having recently spent some time in Phoenix with my “grands”, I’ve observed something. Children are very targeted on who is “right”.  I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but adults do that too.

     Sometimes I think we’re missing God’s point. In Proverbs 16:7, He tells us that, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”  Who does that?  God does.  Why?  Because you are responding to your enemy in a way that pleases and honors Him.  From what I glean from scripture that means you are blessing and not cursing; you are making peace, as far as it depends on you, and you are filled with hope, faith and confidence in the eventual outcome. In other words, you do the right thing, even when its hard. That's what Jesus would do. He would forgive, refuse to be bitter, act with compassion and trust God that even His enemies would come to a place of peace with Him. He might even lay down His life for them so that they can see how real compassion and unconditional love work.

     You see Beloved, God knows how dangerous unforgiveness, bitterness, and being offended and angry can be to our soul. It crushes the Holy Spirit in us. It dams up the channels so that the River of Life can’t flow-to us or through us.  During an argument between my three oldest this week, JD was obviously right. Reagan was obviously wrong. Ben was on JD’s side. When I went in to talk to them, I said, “You know, sometimes we have to give up our right to be right. After we've made our point, then it may be time to take a breath and refuse to continue the battle which will only lead to more strife. When being right is more important to us than walking in love, and showing honor and respect, we're missing God's point. When we choose to stay in peace, we are pleasing God’s heart.  Isn't it more important to God that we trust Him to give us His wisdom? Isn't it more important to Him that we refuse to doubt that He is working this situation out for our good? If we choose to operate in our flesh, where what we want is the only thing we’ll accept, we move out of the flow of blessing." That caught JD’s attention.  He immediately did what was “right” in the “right” way. It was a sacrifice and God blessed him. He's got the "right stuff".

      Whatever the “enemy” is in your life today, I hope you’ll take some time to ask Holy Spirit, “What’s the right thing?” What would please YOU today in this situation Holy Spirit? Who do you want me to be right here, right now?” "What is important to YOU here?" "Do I yield this battle to win the war?" " Am I honoring YOU?" The answer may surprise you but it will also bless you.

    The Truth lies in that fact that we have this glorious promise that if we continue to do what pleases God, if we continue to trust that He is working things out for our good, we will reap at the right time.You can always do the right thing, because you've got the "right stuff" in you too. Just like JD.

Power Thought:

“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790);