Christianity Oasis Forum

[Mackenaw]

Definition of Quid Pro Quo: a favor or advantage granted or expected in return for something

Having been a Believer for over 30 years now, I'm still struck at how easily a thought will have me behave in unbelief. Take for instance: having a need, then feeling like I have to do something to earn or exact God's favor. Even in the middle of prayer, one of those thoughts will just pop right up to distract me, or worse yet, to make me doubt. Doubt that God would grant my request, because of something I had done, or didn't do.

Faith in our Lord, isn't a quid pro quo proposition. God has already done the miraculous, so for me to believe, even for a moment, that God isn't going to grant me something because I have or haven't done...neglected to pray for another, or because I lost my temper the day before, is just nonsense, and a lie planted by the enemy of my soul.

My first job in the "work force" was in a restaurant when I was 16. I remember whenever the "big wigs" came for a visit, we were told by the manager to grab a cleaning rag and to keep busy. In other words, he wanted us to behave a certain way while the "big wigs" were there, but then we could return to normal pace after they left. What the heck is that? Normal pace was work, we all had assigned responsibilities, and for the most part, we all did what was expected. So, why were we to behave differently -- for appearance sake -- when the owners were present? Was it to exact some sort of favor, based solely on appearances sake?

The Bible does tell me that faith without works is dead, but, that doesn't mean that God has not already given me blessings and favor and 24/7 access to Him, and it is based on my faith in Him and what He did on the cross, not by what I did or didn't do yesterday, or may or may not do today or tomorrow. My faith in The Lord humbles me, strengthens me and then lifts me up. My faith in The Lord empowers me to love, inspires me to reach out to others, and it is all His doing, not mine. When and if I start believing that God has answered my prayer or given me a blessing based on my performance, that is when I can be sure that I've listened to the wrong voice.

Oh, child of God, your prayers are heard. While it is a blessed thing to have others join you in lifting up your petitions to The Lord in prayer, please do not believe for a moment that your own private prayers carry less weight. I do hope as you continue to grow in your relationship with The Lord that you'll be inspired and recognize His divine inspiration -- His power -- within you to pray for others, and to do for others in His name. I hope too, that you'll be quick to recognize the tempter if/when he whispers his lies, distracting you from The Truth, in his attempt to have you waver and start operating in the a quid pro quo mentality.

God is Good and He loves you.

Love,
Mack

[Mackenaw]

Glorious day today. Thank You Lord.

I enjoy gazing at the full moon, and noticing the cycle/changes of the moon throughout each month. Last night it was so beautiful, and it appeared brighter and bigger than most full moons. Really spectacular.

God's Word tells us to be aware, and to watch for Him. Throughout time, recorded in The Bible and currently, The Lord has set events that could and can be set by the moon. God is so very Good!

God bless

[Mackenaw]

Another full moon coming up: August 7, 2017



Lord, I'm waiting and watching patiently for Your glorious return.

\0/ \0/ \0/

Love,
Mack

[Mackenaw]

Hello All who pass by,

God bless you this day.

I try to eat healthy by incorporating lots of fresh veggies and fruits, whole grains, lean meats, healthier fat choices such unsaturated fats vs. saturated (olive oil vs. bacon fat or butter) in my daily diet. But, I'm not opposed to a good ole peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white bread or even a hotdog on occasion. I'm not a food snob, I'm just trying to make healthier choices whenever possible to support my aging body.

Hunger, real and true hunger, for food is truly a problem around the world. I am not going to sit back and do nothing while simultaneously criticizing others who are feeding hungry children and adults peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on white bread, because it is an affordable option to feed a group, plus, it's a quick solution to hunger pains.

Fear is used by the enemy to stop us from doing something to help another, even to the point of withholding encouragement or compassion to a hurting soul. Snarky hatred and contempt is also used by the enemy to stop us from doing something to help another.

I live in a small community/city surrounded by lots of farmland. We seldom see people holding signs begging for money for food. Rarely do people approach us outside a store asking for spare change. And, because scammers abound, we do need to be alert. But, my husband and I have made the decision that if we happen to notice a person or persons with a sign begging for money, or standing outside a store begging for spare change, that when we go into the grocery store, we'll buy a bag of apples and hand it to the individuals when exiting the store. It's food. It is sustenance. It is an act of kindness and love -- God's love that flows through us, whether or not the need is genuine or a scamming ploy.

I share this only in hopes of incouraging others to do what they can, when they can, free of fear and loathing. I don't have a lot of money, but what I do have is God pointing out need and also solutions, when I'm listening to Him, instead of listening to my carnal fears and contempts.

By nature I'm snarky. By nature I'm a critic. By nature I'm fearful. By the grace of God and the blood of Jesus I'm forgiven, renewed and super-naturally encouraged and used by God.

God bless and keep you,
Mack

[Mackenaw]

Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

[Mackenaw]

Lots of thoughts swirling around in my mind. Some lay heavy on my heart, while some of the thoughts are more in question form than anything else.

I felt compelled to revisit the 1998 movie: "Fallen" with Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland and several other good actors. It is an example of how evil may or may not work in our lives. I watched it back when it was first released, so it must have left an impression for me to go looking for it to watch again just this past week. I found it on Youtube, for free, so I was able to watch at my leisure when time allowed.

Several scriptures have come into my heart of late.

Job 1:6-7 (King James Version)
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.
7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

1 Peter 5:8-9 (King James Version)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Matthew 10:16-17 (King James Version)
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

Luke 22:3 (King James Version)
3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

John 13:27 (King James Version)
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

Matthew 12:43-45 (King James Version)
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Ezekiel 38:10 (King James Version)
10 Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:

Romans 12:1-3 (King James Version)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

May you find peace from The Lord to keep you in these trying times.

God bless and keep you, all.

Mack