The Vicissitudes of Life

The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study moves on with the letter V. Life surely has its changes--its vicissitudes. The way you handle these vicissitudes defines your attitude. Life will never be fair. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. Now that we know this to be a fact, how can we deal?

Mark 9:22-24 says, "...Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Just like the father who son was possessed by demons, ask for help. This father took his son to Jesus and asked Him to remove the demons--if you can. Jesus told the father, "All things are possible to those who believe."  If Jesus said it then, He says it now. You just got to believe. If you are still struggling with the concept, then just like that father, ask Him to help you overcome your unbelief.


As a believer, we have a Savior that always has our best interest at heart. You may not understand the test or the trial. Still there is Someone watching out for you and the changes you deal with. Therefore, trust God. Believe in Him. These vicissitudes are nothing compared to the God we serve. So if something comes along that causes you to not believe, ask God for help. He will oblige. 


Soli Deo Gloria,


SA Brown

You may not understand it.

The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study marches on. As the letter T mentions how you will be tested and shaken and stirred, some of us struggle with the ways of God. Yet, there are many times in the bible that He tells us you may never understand. He flat-out says you cannot understand Me, but He leaves you instructions when you don't.


Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need.  The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."


With that in mind, I would like to offer you my comfort when I feel like God doesn't know what He's doing. I'll admit, I have said that to myself. God, what are You doing? Truth is, God knows. You may not know but He knows. 


Prayerfully, I hope you know Him. That should be enough but oftentimes, it is not. How your heart, emotions, and flesh deceive you. Knowing God is enough. Knowing that He is a loving and caring Father is enough. Knowing He will withstand nothing that is good for you from you is enough. Knowing that He cares enough to correct you is enough. Knowing God... Learn to make that enough.


As I grow in my own personal walk, I hope I can inspire others to spend time with their Higher Power. Whatever you conceive Him to be, know that His will is better than yours. Always has been; always will be. Sometimes we all struggle with His choices and His decisions. Keep in mind that His actions depend upon yours (free will). Yet, He is so omniscient that He already knows your mistakes before you make them and has made provision for the consequences. (praise moment) God loves you more than you could love yourself. Embrace that love and all of benefits that come with it. He has already told us in Romans that all the good and all the bad work together for your good. Please understand that.


When the struggle comes (and it will come), I hope you can remember Philippians 4:6-7. Don't worry about your circumstances and situations; instead pray over them. Always be grateful for what He has done as you ask Him, humbly, for things you need. Experience God's peace which passes anything we could ever understand. He will protect your heart and mind as you do so.


A peace that passes all understanding? God can give you so much peace that you don't have to understand.


Deo Soli Gloria,


SA Brown

Tests, Trials, and Tribulations

The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study is in the latter part of the alphabet. The goal is to be complete by July 4. So let's get it.


Hopefully by the title, you can tell what this week's letter is. Everyday, we have a chance to get better. God uses other people, our situations, and our own lives to test us. Each test gives us a chance to be better on the other side. 


Job loss, death, financial woes, betrayal, abuse. Just about anything you can think of that pushes you further than you believe you can go is a test. Your job is to get closer to God and ask for the lesson to be learned. You should make yourself palatable. Allow God to make you into what He wants. The way He makes these transformations is by bending you, breaking you, shaking you. There is no way around it.


In 1 Peter, we are reminded to "count it all joy" when you suffer for Christ's sake. But there are tests. There are trials. There are tribulations that are about you becoming the person He wants. 


Most of us know the story of Job. He lost everything, more than most realize. He went through it all. He praised God. He questioned God. I believe we have all been there. In the end, Job got double for the trouble. 


The point is that we ALL have things to deal with. There are no expectations; this is the rule. Deal with it. As you go through, please try to remember our example of Job. Job had no idea what God was doing in his life but Job knew it was the best thing for him. For me, I find myself quoting Job 23:10. You can borrow it if you wish.


Job 23:10 reminds me that He know where I am going and when He tests me, I shall come forth as pure gold.


Soli Deo Gloria,


SA Brown

Study for yourself.

The weekly alphabet bible study moves on. This week's letter is S. I would like to encourage everyone to Study this week. Even God asks you to study. 


II Timothy 2:15 reads: Study to show yourself approved unto God; a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of God.


Now that seems pretty straight-forward. Study to show yourself approved. I know many people go to church every week to listen to someone else tell them what God says. Yet, they never know the word for themselves. I believe God wants a personal relationship with each one of us and that does not involve your pastor. Three really can be a crowd. 


You must give God's Word a place of priority in your everyday life. Practically speaking, this could mean that you confess the Word while getting ready in the mornings. Maybe you could listen to teaching or worship music on the way to work. You may want to use your lunch hour to read the Word or walk outside and pray. Just make sure you pursue His truth on a regular, ongoing basis. Giving His Word a place of top priority will change your life.


I am not trying to discourage anyone from attending church. What I am encouraging is for you to study His Word for yourself. How will you know if your preacher is getting it right if you don't know what is right in the first place? Besides, it says to study to show yourself approved. Not your pastor or minister or preacher or teacher. But YOU and you alone. When the time comes, it will be you standing in judgement. Will you have studied? Will you be approved?


Soli Deo Gloria,


SA Brown

Reasons....

"Reasons--the reasons that we're here..." You might be tempted to belt out the Earth Wind and Fire tune, but today's reading has nothing to do with that song.  I know at some point in your life, you've asked, 'Why, Lord?  Why am I here?  Why is this happening?  Why...'  You need to stop wondering why and simply do what the bible tells you to do.


Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight."


The bigger question to be asked is why not you.  God does not play favorites.  His Word tells us that He causes the sun to shine on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust.  So why not you?  What exempts you from the lessons everyone has to learn.  There is always a reason things happen.  YOU are a reason that happened.  Good or bad, there is always a lesson in that reason.  It could be a chance to grow or a chance to repent.  Either way, the reason is to make you a better person and more Christ-like.  You could be sowing a seed of a future action or reaping a consequence of a past one.  Your duty is to ask God for revelation but don't be upset if you never get your answer.  The goal is to learn to trust God.  That's the reason--the reason that we're here.


Soli Deo Gloria,


SA Brown

No qualms...

The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study picks up where it left off. Qualms represent the letter Q. I realize I say the following statement: 'I have no qualms with it.' When I say that, I mean that I have no problem with the whatever is in reference. 


I've always been told that there will be trials in life to make us better on the other side. God never meant for you to go through something and not get something out of it. He intended for you to be better because you went through what you went through.


I have to borrow from TD Jakes this week as he shares a new spin about the miracle of the two fish and five loaves. 


Mark 8: 18-20 reads: "Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven."


Jesus feeds five thousand with just two fish and five loaves of bread. Jesus takes a little boy's lunch and blesses it. That's when the miracle occurs. He blesses something that is not enough. Until you can be thankful for not enough, you cannot have access to more than enough. Jesus holds two fish and five loaves but when He breaks them, they multiply. So the blessing is in the breaking. The blessing is allowing God to break you. It really is true; no pain, no gain.


So now, I think I finally understand that parts of my childhood were about my brokenness. My early adult life was a part of my brokenness. Today's trials are all a part of being broken so He can use those times to help me share with others. With that understanding, I come forth to say I no longer have qualms with my past. The good, the bad, and the ugly all make me the person I am today. Well, if God's plan for me has more brokenness, I have no qualms with that.


Soli Deo Gloria, 


SA Brown

Not Until You Bless Me

The Weekly Bible Study moves on with the letter, P. Jacob came to my mind as I thought about the word Persistence for this week's lesson.

So many lessons envelope Jacob and his twin brother, Esau. The ultimate sibling rivalry. They fought in the womb. Jacob pulled Esau by the ankle as they went through the birth canal. As boys, Esau was Daddy's favorite and Jacob was the Mama's boy. As men, Jacob manipulates Esau out of his birthright and steals his blessing. Yet, Jacob suffers the consequences of his actions.

Jacob, too, falls for a deception as his own uncle tricks him in to marrying the wrong daughter. I think they call that karma. Once Jacob decides to reconcile with Esau, the brothers are able to make peace with each other.

Despite all his wrongdoings, Jacob has a one-on-one encounter with God.

Genesis 32:24-30 says: This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”
But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
“What is your name?” the man asked.
He replied, “Jacob.”
“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”
“Please tell me your name,” Jacob said.
“Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”

Sometimes, you just have to keeping fighting. If you have a word from God, keep believing in that word and keep pursuing it. God's word will come to pass. Then, at that time, you get your blessing. Find that interest, that project, that movement, that whatever it is that won't let you go. Therein lies your passion; your purpose. Tell God you won't let Him go unless He blesses you.

Be persistent in your well-doing.

Soli Deo Gloria,

SA Brown

Service...

The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study took a short break. It's time to get back on track. We left with the letter O needing to teach its lesson. I'd like to focus on Others.


Jesus left His seat from on high and took human form because others needed Him to become a blood sacrifice for all of their sins. His physical ministry lasted three years. During that time, Jesus taught others, saved others, loved others. Jesus was about others. 
Jesus tells us to be available to serve others. Our purpose on earth is to help others. You help someone and another someone helps you. That is the way this world should work. Unfortunately, this world does things differently. 


But the precedent has been set: John 13: 12-15 reminds us When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.


We know what we should do. It's just a matter of doing it. Everyday you make choices and on Judgement Day, God will make decisions.


Just some fat to chew on...


SA Brown

Judgement Day

The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study moves with the letter N. Today, we will discuss what some consider to be the scariest book of the Bible. God knows you better than you know yourself. In a way, you are always NAKED before God. There are no secrets between you and Him. When I was young, I was told never think something that you would not want others to hear out loud. Honestly, it does not matter what the others hear because they are not your Judge.


Revelation 20:12-15 says: And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.


On Judgement Day, you will stand before God and give an account of every thought, every word, and every action you have done in this life. You will stand there all alone and face His judgement. He will read from the pages and if your name is not there...


Please realize there are no secrets. He sees everything. He knows everything. He knows your thoughts before you think them, your words before you say them, your actions before you do them. You are truly naked before Him. 


Deo Volente, 


SA Brown

Before Amazon's Kindle

The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study is on the letter K. With that in mind, I thought of the word KINDLE. According to Webster, kindle means to ignite, to catch fire, to stir up and arouse.

As believers, we should be on fire for God. He created us with a purpose in mind. You were never an afterthought to God. There is a reason for this season. And you owe it to yourself and the others you will affect to ask God what is your role and purpose. After you ask Him, patiently await his perfectly-timed answer.

Isaiah 46:10 says Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass; for I do whatever I wish.

Jeremiah 10:23-24 says I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. So correct me, Lord, but please be gentle. Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.

In the history of Israel, Joseph was born to save them from starvation, Moses was created to deliver them from slavery and Esther was divinely appointed to prevent their extinction. Even outcasts from the nation of Israel, like Rehab the prostitute who helped Joshua and his men, had their use.

Whether big or small, recorded or unrecorded, notable or unknown to the public, you were born to fulfill a need. That need arose even before your birth. Allaround you are people who need you. You might be their evangelist and share the Gospel with them. You might be their teacher and teach them the Word. You could be their exhorter and encourage them to do their purpose for God. The point is be open to what God has for you to do. Know that you have a purpose otherwise you wouldn't be here.

Allow God to light a fire in you to fulfill His divinely-appointed purposes. His will is perfect. Forget Amazon...  It's God who should be your kindle.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown

Emotional Creatures

The Alphabet Bible Study goes on. This week, the letter is E. I have chosen Emotions to tackle. Emotions are a touchy subject. We are warned about those deceitful emotions and how closely we should guard our hearts.

Galatians 5:16-17
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

It's weird to think of your emotions as your sinful nature. In essence, they are. Emotions are selfish. And selfishness is not selflessness. (Hope I didn't lose you.) When we want something, we want something. Most times, we don't care how we get it, just so we are satisfied. Emotions can be a good thing but they need to be kept in check. That's the key.

I didn't want to fill this post with scriptures. I was hoping you would pick up where I left off. There is a list of emotional desires that we should avoid. Like any good Father, He lists the feelings we should have in our hearts.

It's sad to say that we are fighting a battle within our hearts YET we know who wins. Thus, it should be easy to decide which side to fight for. But those pesky emotions...

Soli Deo Gloria,

Step Brown