Would you feel cheated and taken advantage of? Would you feel as though justice was being perverted? What emotions are stirred up as you think about those questions?
Interestingly, the story doesn't end there. The guy who bought the lobster and steak turned around and sold the food at 50 cents to the dollar. In essence, he used the food stamps as an ATM machine. But why would he do that? Why was he willing to forfeit half of the money in order to get cash...?
You probably have a few ideas, and it probably makes you angry. It doesn't seem right, does it? It seems unfair and unjust, doesn't it?
That's because it is. In fact, the spokesperson for the Department of Human Services said that the purchases go against the intent of the program.
That's because it is. In fact, the spokesperson for the Department of Human Services said that the purchases go against the intent of the program.
You were cheated, and how does that make you feel?
I keep asking you to consider your feelings, because I want you to consider God's feelings. We are cheating God when we say "I'm going to sin now and ask for forgiveness later," and how do you think He feels? Even more importantly, are you concerned with His feelings?
Those are hard questions to think about, because many times we are more concerned about ourselves than Him. At least, I know I'm guilty of that. God has feelings, and I am sorry for the way I have hurt Him. That was sinful of me.
As we continue to read about God's incredible love for us, let's remember to use that love appropriately.
Read Paul's prayer for other
Christians in Ephesians 1:15-23 (NLT):
Ever
since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your
love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God
for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so
that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your
hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the
confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who
are his rich and glorious inheritance.
I
also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s
power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that
raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at
God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any
ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in
this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things
under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things
for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is
made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere
with himself.
Answer the following questions:
- What does Paul teach us about prayer as he describes his prayer for other believers?
- What do we learn about Jesus Christ and what do we learn about the Church? How are they related to one another?
- What do you need that you believe only God can satisfy?
- Who do you pray for? Does anyone pray for you?
Conclusion:
Focusing on God is
important, but it's also important to have the right motives. Some
people believe they can earn God's forgiveness by reading the bible
and going to church, others believe God's love is a license to sin, while still others might believe that God is mean and
will send them to hell if they don't go to church and read the bible.
However, all of these motives are wrong. God's forgiveness
is a gift that we can't earn, but it's a gift He wants to give us. Our motive for prioritizing God should be based on His love for us,
and next week we will discover why God's love is so amazing.
p.s. If you want to read the food stamp story online, here is the link:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/signs/receipt.asp
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