All Circumstances, Lord? ALL Circumstances?

All Circumstances, Lord? ALL Circumstances?

By Shelly Burke, Editor

Give thanks in all circumstances.               1 Thessalonians 5:18

About 10 years ago my kids and I and my sister and her daughter went to southern Missouri, where our parents retired, for Thanksgiving. My other sister and her husband, from Canada, were there too. It’s the one time a year we’re all together.

From the beginning, the trip seemed jinxed. Cody and Morgan and I drove to southern Nebraska to pick up Becky and Logan, and we got a flat tire on the way. In the dark. On a cold, cold night.

We got to Kansas City at rush hour time, and somehow ended up going through KC instead of around it (sidenote: in all the years mom and dad have lived in Missouri, I think there has been ONE TIME I’ve gotten AROUND Kansas City…the rest of the trips I’ve somehow managed to go through part or all of it!) The low fuel light was on…and we were stuck in construction.

We stopped at the first gas station we came to and my sister’s comment, after we got on the road again, was “Let’s stop at a prison next time…the restroom would probably be cleaner than that one!”

Within hours of getting to mom and dad’s, Cody complained of a stomach ache and started vomiting. The next day dad took us for a ride in his boat and on the way back to their home Morgan threw up…in the back of their car…that they’d just started leasing. There’s not one picture of us all together that Thanksgiving because either Cody or Morgan were sick in bed the whole three days we were there.

Early in the morning of the day after Thanksgiving, Becky woke me up. “Logan isn’t feeling good. I think we should leave so we get home before you and I get sick…or we could be here for a long time.” (Mom and dad and my sister Deb and her husband Steve were glad we left...as we drove out they were throwing open the windows to air out the house, despite the temperature being in the low 30’s.) We loaded up the green-faced kids, mom gave us an armload of towels, and we started the 400 mile drive home.

We stopped 8 times in the first two hours, in a few parking lots…gas stations…and at least once on the side of the road. It was very long trip.

Give thanks in ALL circumstances Lord? What could I possibly be thankful for about that Thanksgiving trip?

As it turns out, many things. We were able to coast into town on the flat tire, and it only took AAA a little while to get there and change the tire. We didn’t run out of fuel in the middle of construction in downtown Kansas City. I hope I’ve been in have been in the filthiest gas-station restroom that I will ever be in. Although there’s not a picture of all of us together that Thanksgiving, we were all together!  Becky and I didn’t get sick until we were home…and dad (who had to preach in church that Sunday) didn’t get sick at all.

Of course, our circumstances on that trip were very minor compared to many things people face every day—a terminal diagnosis, the sickness of a child, the break-up of a marriage, loss of a job. But God’s command is the same: Give thanks in all circumstances.

What can we give thanks for during trying, terrible times? If nothing else, our faith. And we can be thankful for Jesus and His death that gave us life. Nothing, and no one, no circumstance, can take away our salvation. No matter what the outcome of anything you are going through, you are not alone. The Lord is with you. And believers will be with Him, for eternity. And that is something to be thankful for!

Read more by Shelly at www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com. 

"The Only Way" Scripture Memory Challenge December

The Only Way

By Shelly Burke, Editor

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

                John 14:6

Chances are, if you’re reading the Nebraska Family Times, you know that Jesus is the only way to eternal life--heaven. Many people, however—even so-called believers—do not believe this.  Some believe that “it doesn’t really matter who I believe in—Mohammad, for example—or what I believe, as long as I really and truly believe it, I’ll get to heaven.”

Others believe in Jesus, but only believe that He was a “good man” or that He “didn’t really die and come back to life.”

Others believe that Jesus is part of the way to heaven…but to get there they must also be a  ”good enough”  person or pray “enough” of the right prayers or give “enough” money to the church or to charities.

In the verse above, Jesus does not say that He is “part of the way” to heaven, or “one of the ways” to get to heaven. He is very clear that He is the way to the Father, to God, to eternal life. Jesus does not say he is “part of the truth” or “one of the truths”; He says that He is the truth.

Do the people you love and  care about know this? Are you sure? If not (or even if you know they know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life), invite them to one of the many church services that will be held this Christmas season. It’s easy—simply say, “Would you like to go to church with me Christmas Eve? Our church has a beautiful service—I just love singing the Christmas songs”, or “The choir concert at our church is wonderful—would you like to go with me?” or “I love starting Christmas Day celebrating the real reason—Jesus’ birth—and then continuing the celebration with family and our special dinner. Would you like to come with me to church?”

What better gift could you give someone than to introduce them to the eternal truth?

Shelly is the editor and publisher of the Nebraska Family Times. Read more at www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com. If you would like to receive FREE Scripture Memory Cards, email shellyburkern@gmail.com. 

7 Steps to Escaping Temptation 
By Shelly Burke, Editor 

God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 
1 Corinthians 10:13

To receive your FREE Scripture
Memory Card, see previous post!

Temptations are part of living in a world full of sin. However, we are not powerless in the face of temptation. While God doesn’t promise that we won’t be tempted, in this verse he does promise us a way out. However, we have to be active in resisting sin; God probably will not whisk you away to a safe place or cause an earthquake for distraction! 

Here are some ways to be active in preparing for temptation: 

1. Know your boundaries. Scripture gives us many absolute  boundaries; we are not to lie, steal, gossip, have sex outside of marriage, murder, or curse. When you have it in your mind that you will not do these things, based on God’s Word, you are much less likely to give in. 

2. Define your boundaries. Some boundaries are not absolute. Where limits are not specified in the Bible, determine your own limits. The Bible doesn’t forbid watching TV or listening to music or reading as long as it doesn’t lead us to sin, or distract us from Him. Ask God for discernment in choosing these activities. 

3. Avoid temptation. Do everything you can not to even be in a situation in which you’ll be tempted. Discuss limits if you are dating. Don’t be alone with a guy or girl if you’ll be tempted sexually. Avoid the breakroom at work if there is only negative talk and gossip among the people who are in there. 

4. Plan what you will do when you are in a tempting situation. Despite attempts to avoid temptation, at some point you will probably find yourself in a less-than-optimal situation. What will you do? Depending on the circumstances, you may choose to leave the situation quietly, speak up for your beliefs, or explain your beliefs. In some situations you might have to take dramatic action, like quitting a job in which you’re expected to lie or cheat. You might decide to stop hanging out with friends who cheat on their spouses. 

5. Pray. Ask God to give you the wisdom to know how to get out of the situation. Ask Him for the words to say and action to take. Ask Him to keep you strong. 

6. Role play with your kids. They face temptation too! Teach them at a young age what God’s Word says they should not do. Talk about copying homework, bullying other kids, stealing, sexual temptation, pornography, explicit books and movies, alcohol and drugs, playing violent video games, and so on. Define your limits (which are their limits too) and be firm in enforcing them. Talk about situations in which they might find themselves, and how they can “escape”. Discuss the importance of choosing friends with similar values. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.”   Some parents have an agreement in which if the child calls and says “Can you pick me up?” or gives a code word, the parent will, without question, pick them up and remove them from the situation. Our kids could tell their friends, “If I do that my mom will ground me for six months!” because it was the truth!  

7. Remember—God forgives! We can all relate to the words of Paul in the book of Romans: “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:19) God forgives, just for the asking, any and all of our sins. He provides a way of escape for us, but He also knows that in our sinful nature, we will still sin. And He forgives. 

To receive your FREE Scripture Memory Challenge verse card for the month, and for the rest of the year, send your name and address to 
shelly@shellyburke.net or 
Nebraska Family Times, 209 27th St., Columbus, NE 68601. $10 suggested donation to cover postage costs.  

April Scripture Memory Challenge

The Treasure of Wisdom

By Shelly Burke, Editor

How much better to get wisdom than gold!

To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. 

Proverbs 16:16

In our society, success is often (if not usually) measured in material goods and money. The Scripture Memory Challenge Verse for April, however, tells us that wisdom and understanding are better than gold and silver (money or any earthly possessions). 

How are wisdom and understanding better than gold and silver? 

1. No one can take away your wisdom and understanding. You will always have it. Gold and silver can be lost in many different ways—through misuse, the stock market crashing, or even others stealing your possessions. 

2. Wisdom and understanding can only improve our lives by guiding us through everyday life as well as difficult situations. Earthly possessions have the potential to be a detriment in our lives if not used correctly, or if they are emphasized above the Lord or others. 

3. Wisdom and understanding can only enhance our relationship with the Lord by helping us understand Him and His will for us and drawing us closer to Him. Earthly possessions can get in the way of our relationship with the Lord and others when we place the love of them, or striving for them, above all else. 

How can you gain wisdom and understanding? 

1. First, of course, by reading, learning and understanding God’s Word, the greatest source of wisdom and understanding. “All Scripture is…profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training…” (2 Timothy 3:16) in other words, gaining wisdom and understanding. 

2. Pray for God to help you understand His words about wisdom and understanding. 

3. Worship and attend Bible classes. Hearing others teach and talk about the Bible will increase your understanding. 

4. Consult advisers as you make plans (Prov. 15:22)—parents, pastors, experts, Christian counselors. Just remember that all who claim to be “experts” are not; be discerning in the advice that you take and act upon. 

5. Underline or highlight in your Bible and/or write out on notecards verses about wisdom and understanding (look up the words “wisdom” and “understanding” in the concordance in the back of your Bible and you’ll find a list of all the verses that contain these words). Refer to these verses when you need wisdom and understanding. 

6. Ask Him  to guide and lead you to make wise decisions. Seek his leading in your life through prayer, worship, and Bible study. Listen for His still small voice as you are making decisions. 

To receive your FREE Scripture Memory Verse Cards, see the Scripture Memory Challenge information on this page. 

Read more by Shelly at Nebraska Family Times.