Mr. Bob's Weblog

Well, my work for the semester ended last week when I took my last exam. Though I had trouble maintaining full-time thanksgiving, I survived through my first full-time semester while working. At times I thought that being a full-time student and working was going to tear me down, but I made it.

The funny thing about all of this is that at times I believed I would have to sacrifice my job for my schoolwork, or vice versa, during the semester. However, I gave my two weeks notice the day after my last exam. It seems very strange, even to me, as why I would wait until after the semester to leave my job. Maybe God just wanted to show me that I could survive it.

I sometimes feel that I could’ve done more to keep my job, but I don’t regret my decision. I would often find myself to entangled in work, even when I went home afterwards. I was starting to become bitter and cynical. I was starting to focus on worldly matters, over spiritual matters. I don’t want to end up that way. Losing my focus towards eternity with my Father isn’t in my list of goals. When the choice is between my job or my Father, I’m going to choose my Father.

Anyway, wherever I go from here, I must keep my eyes fixed on God, and not myself.

Have you ever remembered a passage from scripture, not knowing the exact verse numbers? I had this happen not too long ago. I was reading this post on a message board involving universalism (Jesus=Mohammed=Confucious,etc.) which mentioned seeking a human form of God for guidance. When reading it, I immediately thought of the many times the Bible mentions God and his Son dwelling in us in spirit, but couldn’t remember any verse numbers.

When I searched for a passage, I got a lot more than I expected. It can make a believer realize (again) that we are not alone.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
– 1 John 4:15 (KJV)

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.
– John 6:56 (NIV)

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
– 1 John 4:12 (KJV)

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you…
– Romans 8:9 (KJV)

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
– 1 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV)

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
– 1 Corinthians 6:16 (KJV)

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
– 1 John 4:16 (KJV)

But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
– 1 John 3:17 (KJV)

Him and his son are inside of me, and–if you believe, you too. It’s something to think about, isn’t it?

As some may have noticed, Dictionary.com’s Word of the Day is alacrity, a noun meaning, “a cheerful or eager readiness or willingness, often manifested by brisk, lively action or promptness in response.”

It made me think how I should serve God with alacrity. I should not only be willing, but cheerful. It’s just something I thought about.

I started another semester at Germanna (a community college) this week . However, unlike the past two semesters, I’m enrolled full time now. I must say, it’s pretty hard focusing on all of the courses at once, especially with a job in the mix. I now feel very thankful though. Some students at the college at full-time students and have a full time job, along with bills to pay. It makes me realize how good I have it.

I have a job with a flexible schedule and an affordable college nearby. Not only that, but I also live in a comfortably-sized house with my folks, and have a reliable, working car. They’re many other things I’m thankful for (or should be), but if I were it list them–let alone know them, I’d die before I’d finish.

So what’s the point? I’m thankful for all the wonderful things God has given me.

…having food and clothing, we will be content with that. – 1 Tim. 6:8 (WEB)

If I’m supposed to be content with food and clothing, how happy and joyful I should be!

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. – Psalm 69:30 (WEB)

TheGodBlog.com: Anxiety

I found this to be a great analogy. Trust is oil. Even working at a job that involves such things, I would’ve never thought of that. If you don’t read this blog (TheGodBlog) often, you’re doing yourself a great disservice.

Anyway, with life rushing all around us, it’s hard not to worry about things. Sometime we get anxious over even the silliest of things. However, we have to remember that God cares for us, and won’t let us down, we have to have the oil of trust.

Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. 12:23 Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 12:24 Consider the ravens: they don’t sow, they don’t reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds!

-Luke 12:22-24 (WEB)