Category: <span>thoughts by John Grant</span>

Published March 30, 2010

Don’t be Ashamed of the Gospel

by John Grant

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels“. Luke 9:26

As I turned to leave an office, the receptionist said to me, “Have a nice day.” to which I responded, “and may you have a blessed one.” She then said, “That’s what I wanted to say to you, but we are not allowed to since we might offend someone.”

As I walked down the hall, I felt sorry for her, trapped in a work environment where she could not even express her faith. I felt sorry for our country, one where our founding fathers declared that we were a Christian nation and where God’s words and scripture references adorn everything from our money to the walls of the halls of justice. What happened? How did we get here?

It has been a long and slow process that is not gathering speed like a rolling snowball. In the late 1800s, Charles Spurgeon warned that the church was drifting away from the purity of the gospel, candy-coating God’s Word rather than boldly proclaiming the truths of Scripture. As a result, Christianity’s influence in nineteenth-century England was severely weakened. Today, the church in most all of Europe has become insignificant in a post-Christian era.. the United States is following right behind.

Songwriter Joseph Grigg wrote nearly two hundred years ago “Ashamed of Jesus! of that friend on whom for heaven my hopes depend! It must not be! Be this my shame, that I no more revere His name.”

I am shocked to see how ‘political correctness‘ has infected even the minds of Christians. We are cautious so as to not offend anyone. We dilute and sanitize public prayer and we back away from sharing our faith when opportunities arise. We are being held captives of post modern culture in a time when more than ever we should be speaking out and speaking up for our faith.

The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans at a time when their culture was decaying from within, said to them (Romans 1:16) “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentiles.”

We must be bold as we live and share our faith and never be ashamed of the Gospel of our Lord. Shout it from the hilltops and share it with all.

Have a blessed day!  (a thought on life from John Grant )
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published March 2, 2010

Getting Ready for the Long Trip

by John Grant

“But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us.  And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face to face”. Psalms 17:15 (The Living Bible)

It’s time to pack, usually at the last minute, and it seemed that I always forgot something. So, I made a trip list and all I have to do is check off each item. The clothes are not the problem. It’s those other things, especially the electronics that seem to make the list grow.

I need my lap top and cell phone and appropriate chargers, extra glasses and sun glasses. Don’t forget the ever growing list of medications. Then there is reading material, especially my Bible and daily devotionals, along with my I-Pod and a neck pillow for those long trips. I need a notebook to take notes and write down things I forgot that need to be added to the packing list before I travel again. And the list goes on.

Did you ever think of life as sort of a packing list too? Of all the times we wake up and have to face yet another day, one day we will wake up in heaven.  Although we can attempt to walk on this earth with our heads up high, we will not be fully satisfied until we see Him face to face.

When we arrive, will there be anything we have left off the list? After all, we could really consider this earth “choir practice” for the main event.  Heaven, where we will worship with the angels, day and night!  Have you gone through your heavenly packing list? If not, here are a few places in the Bible to start:

•    The Bible teaches that the only way to have eternal life is through the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

•    John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

•   Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

•   I John 5:11 …God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

•   I John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

I am ready for the trip, spiritually packed and ready to go….are you?
(a thought on life from John Grant)

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/02/jg_long-trip/
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant

Published February 6, 2010

Which Wolf are you Feeding?

by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” James 1:19-21

There’s an old fable about a Cherokee Indian elder who was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, “A fight is going on inside you. It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight going on inside of you is inside every other person, too.”

The children thought about it for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee elder replied simply, “The one you feed.”

A Rabbi expressed it this way: “The two wolves symbolize the Evil Inclination (Yetzer Hora) and the Good Inclination (Yetzer Hatov). The former thrives on bodily appetites, while the latter thrives on Torah, prayer, and good deeds. Eventually, one swallows the other.”

Paul talked about in his letter to the Galatians, telling them to live by the Spirit, and not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. He said the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.

In case the Galatians didn’t know how to identify these traits, Paul spelled them out: sexual immorality, impurity debauchery, idolatry witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. And then he went on to enumerate the fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Reading this causes me to take inventory of my inner self. Clearly, I can see the two wolves within me. Clearly they are in competition. Clearly, on my own I have not the ability to triumph good over evil from within. But the wonderful part of the story is that through the Spirit of Christ, I can overcome all things and I can be the kind of person God uniquely created me to be. I can be all things through Christ who strengthens me.

So, I encourage you to do as I did. Take an inner inventory. Decide who you want to be and who God wants you to be. And, above all else, make sure each day that you take time to feed the right wolf.

Question: Which wolf are you feeding today?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
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Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published January 31, 2010

Getting Jesus out of the Box

by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” Acts 10:44

Over the years, I have toured many industrial facilities, always having an interest in how things are made, packaged and delivered to the customer. It has also been a good place to ask for votes at election time and I have shaken many hands on assembly lines and lines formed to change shifts.

So, when I was invited to tour a book bindery recently in Bogota, Columbia it didn’t appear to be that exciting of an engagement, but when I walked through the doors and onto the assembly floor, my perspective suddenly changed. You see, this was no ordinary book bindery. It was a Bible bindery, where pre-printed blocks of printed paper are bound into a variety of covers and bindings, for shipment in several languages to a number of countries in the world.

As I stared at the rows of cardboard boxes, I was told that on that floor, ready to be shipped, were a little less than a quarter of a million Bible, in different sized, different bindings and in different languages, but all containing the same message of God’s redemptive love that runs like a scarlet thread all the way from Genesis to Revelation. I wasn’t looking at a book inventory, I was looking at God’s message to the world, all neatly packed in a well sealed, weather protected box destined for shipment to many people in many lands.

As I looked at the hundreds of boxes, I could only visualize the ultimate recipient of each one and what impact it would make on one life. I thought about how each Bible would get placed in the hands of the ultimate recipient and how someone would tell them and help them to grow in a more dynamic, personal and Intimate relationship with Him so that they could become more like Him.

There is nothing more important in the world than knowing Jesus Christ and we know Him through his Word. It is powerful, it is divine, it is life changing … and it has to be communicated. That’s our calling as followers of Christ, spread the Word. But how many of us keep the Word of God tightly wrapped up in a box, failing to share the greatest message in all the world to someone even as close as our next door neighbor?

Looking at those boxes touched my heart. I thought of all who had never had a Bible and had never heard the Word of God or had even an opportunity to appropriate His saving grace. I asked myself how often I take my faith for granted, keep it to myself and fail to share with others before it is too late.

Recently I came upon the scene of a bad automobile accident, right after it happened. People were running from every direction to help as they could, pulling bandages, or whatever they had from the trunks of their car to do what they could until the paramedics arrived. It was a tragic, yet beautiful sight to see people doing everything they could to help people they didn’t even know.

Yet, when we see someone lost without the security of God’s assurance and plan for salvation, how often do we drop what we are doing and run to help before it is too late? I am ashamed to say that all too often, I don’t respond they way I should. How about you? Can we both make a commitment to share God’s Word and make sure Jesus doesn’t stay trapped in the delivery box?

Question: Do you care if those around you hear about Jesus?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
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Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published January 6, 2010

Precise Formulas to Fix Anything

by John Grant
(John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney)

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”” John 14:6

Have you ever stood in a book store and surveyed the number of books that have a number of ways to do most anything? There’s everything from 8 Minute Workouts to 8 Mindful Steps to Happiness to 7 Principles for Making a Marriage and 7 Days to Whiter Teeth. Remember Steven Covey’s, Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People? He put the words “proactive” and “synergize” on the map.

An edition of U.S. News featured on the front cover “50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2006.” The inclusive list covered everything from flossing your teeth to enjoying a massage to joining a singing group. It seems that everybody writes or reads books that boil anything down to less than ten precise steps to accomplish any goal.

We live in a scientific and technological culture where people believe that every problem can be solved by applied techniques (six steps to a better whatever). How much has this way of viewing life shaped you?

Christian bookstores are not immune this way of thinking. Notice how much it looks like the self-help section of your local secular bookstore. Whether it’s a better marriage or a stronger prayer life, there are numerous books that offer it in six or seven easy steps.

Pastors run to church growth conferences to hear the latest “formula,” in however many steps the speaker may think it takes to grow their church. It all seems so right, so logical so reasonable. The sell books like 5 Good Minutes to Change Your Spiritual life and 100 Morning Practices to Help You Stay Calm and Focused All Day Long.

As Christians, we often think there is some magic formula out there to dramatically change us and make all of our problems go away overnight. Well, it isn’t quite that easy. A lot of self help, spiritual and otherwise are on the shelves of local book stores. Some contain sound advice and some are marginal, if not outright incorrect. Be careful what you load into your brain and be sure you know the core values of the author and don’t believe that a few steps practiced and applied in your life can remake you.

There is only one way and it is a one step process. Jesus said:, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). I suggest that if you really want to change your life this year, commit yourself to follow Him and read His Word every day.

In a world that tells us to conform, Jesus tells us to transform and to present ourselves as a living sacrifice.

So, for us all, may this be the year of transformation, the year of presentation, the year we surrender all we have to the one who holds the keys to joy, peace and contentment. The path to that goal is daily Bible reading, committed worship, not just in church, but in all we do. May this year be the year we renew our pledge to love God more, to seek His face and His plan for our lives more clearly and to draw close to His Word each and every day.

Right now is our most exciting time ever. Last year is history. Next year lies in the future, but this is the only time we will ever have to live right now. So let’s live it to the fullest, changing our lives and changing the lives of others.

Question: What is a goal that you have for the future, and how can your goal be used to honor God?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/01/06/jg_precise/

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published December 21, 2009

A Christmas Message from Our House to Yours

by John Grant
(John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney)

This holiday season let’s remember that not all gifts are wrapped in shiny paper and decorated with ribbon and bows. As we have grown spiritually this year, God has pointed us to a life of simplicity and a realization that the most valuable things in life are those that have no price.

There are many intangible gifts we can share with those who deserve special recognition…..for who they are, what they do, and the importance they play in our lives.

Here are some items on our gift list and hopefully you will add them to yours:

-    To yourself….respect, confidence and faith
-    To a friend….a heartfelt and caring spirit
-    To a family member….dedication, communication and understanding
-    To a good cause….generosity and ardent advocacy
-    To a traveler….an open door of hospitality
-    To our military and first responders….honor and appreciation
-    To a customer or client….excellent service
-    To the ill and hurting….concern and healing comfort
-    To the hungry and homeless….compassion and emergency services
-    To the abused, neglected and abandoned….hope and security
-    To someone with a special challenge….recognition and acceptance
-   To the addicted and troubled….a positive path to recovery
-   To an infant and toddler….attachment, attention and safety
-    To a child and teen….roots and a legacy
-  To a parent in need….a helping hand
-    To an elder, reverence….gratitude and dignified care
-   To everyone you see, friends and strangers alike….smiles and positive energy
-    To people of every age….unconditional love.
-   To all the peoples of the world….justice and peace and the Jesus story of  Christmas

At this Christmas season, may we remember that the door to Heaven begins at the manger and ends at the cross. It is not trees and tinsel or packages and bows that define this season, but the baby in the manger who came to save the world. He remains our only hope for a fallen world and for our individual life for eternity with God our Father.

We are drawn to that prayer written by St. Francis of Assisi nearly a thousand years ago, but every bit as true today:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy; O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

To each of you we send our most warm greetings this Christmas season and pray that God will truly bless and protect you throughout the coming New Year.

Merry Christmas to All! (John and Beverley Grant)
You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/12/21/jg_message/

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published November 22, 2009

A Smart Place to Stash Your Cash

by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

“But store up for yourself treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” Matthew 6:20

What a financial roller coaster this past year has been. The real estate market has tanked, 401k’s have become 201k’s and it seems like no one has escaped this past year’s economic devastation, as unemployment is up and the stock market is down.

The banking industry has been hit hard. I remember when if you opened an account they would give you a new toaster. Now, I heard that if you buy a toaster, they will give you a bank!

It seems like we all have less than we had and the real question on everyone’s mind is where if a safe place to keep it. Will Rogers, that great cowboy humorist, once said that he was more concerned with the return of his investment than the return on his investment. Maybe burying your cash in a coffee can in the back yard or stashing it under a mattress isn’t such a bad after all, but even the dollar is taking its hits.

I recently read where the purchase of home safes had reached an all time high. People just don’t trust financial institutions anymore and are choosing to keep their assets in their own hands. By keeping assets in your own safe, you may not make any interest, but at least your cash is safe.

But maybe, really those assets are not all that important anyway. The world has tricked us into believing that the more we have the happier we are. We buy things we don’t need to impress people we don’t like.

Like many, I have lost a lot in the recent past. I realized how much when I had to recently do a current financial statement for my bank. I compared it with the last OE and looked at the figure I had lost and I remember thinking that if someone had suggested two years ago that I give that amount to the Kingdom, I would have said,  ‘no way‘. I could not afford to live on what was left over. But guess what: It’s gone and I am living on what is left. It is an experience that has really helped me understand what it means to be a generous giver.

More than a hundred years ago, Thomas Chisholm wrote “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is The faithfulness, Lord unto me”

The moral compass of my life, the Holy Bible, says that my God will supply all of my needs and I should share the surplus with those who need it more. Believe it and practice it and your life will take on a new dimension.
(a thought on life from John Grant)

 

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published November 15, 2009

CHRISTIANS: Imitation or Real?

by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.� 1 Peter 2:21

It was a beautiful watch, one of the top brands. I loved wearing it and it always gave the right time. I priced one in a jewelry store at more than $5,000. But after wearing it for nearly a year, the stem broke and I threw the beautiful watch in the trash. Now, you might ask, why would I throw away such a valuable timepiece rather than getting it fixed. The answer is that it was a fake, one that I purchased for $25 at a flea market in Beijing. The watch gave every exterior evidence of being the real thing, but inside, it was a cheap imitation.

A lot of Christians are like that…. imitation Christians. “Oh, I believe Christ was our Great Example“. I always ask myself, ‘What would Jesus do?’ and then I try to do it.” Sorry, my friend, there’s no place in the New Testament that comments on following the example of Jesus to be saved or in any way confirms the doctrine of “salvation by imitation.”

The apostle Peter mentioned Christ (in 1 Peter 2:21) as an example who was sinless even under gross mistreatment and who entrusted Himself completely in His suffering to His Father. Peter continues, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; for by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

We are not saved by imitating Jesus. We are saved by surrendering our life to Him. The biggest problem with being saved by following Christ’s example is that we’ve already blown it. It’s awfully hard to imitate someone with a perfect record, especially when the only “passing grade” in that system is perfection.

Jesus is not only our example but He is also our substitute. He took the consequences of our sin upon Himself so that through faith in Him we might receive forgiveness and healing and abundant eternal life. Even if your concept is close, when you try to “be like Jesus” in your own strength, you are doomed to frustration. You can’t do it. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life and that comes not from imitation, but from total surrender.

You must transfer your trust from your own “trying” to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. You must divorce your notions of what you think Jesus would do, and accept the Scriptures as the standard for what you believe and do. And, put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross and arose again from the dead, to be your only Savior and the King of your life.

Are you an “imitation Christian” or the real thing?
(a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/11/15/jg_imitation/

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published October 28, 2009

Happy Holidays?

by John Grant
Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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“I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.“  Acts 26:17-18

The cashier handed me back my credit card and gave me a receipt, while saying “Happy Holidays.� Holidays? Isn’t it a little early for Thanksgiving and Christmas. “No,� she said…… “this is Halloween.� Maybe it is my imagination, but it seems that Halloween has been ratcheted up a notch or two this year.

The stores are full of Halloween merchandise and it seems that there are neighborhood decorations like I have never seen before. Houses in my neighborhood are all decked out with orange lights and all kinds of grotesque characters adorn front lawns.  One house down the street have even erected a cemetery on the front lawn complete with tombstones and an iron fence over which a witch hangs from a tree.

It is as if the Devil himself is celebrating and bragging that he now has this country in his firm grip and wants to beef up his holiday. Historically, it was a Christian holiday, known as “All Hallows Eve,� since the day following was “All Saints Day,� an official day of worship and celebration in the Catholic Church. Later, it became a day of “harvest Festival,� noting the completion of gathering in the crops before the winds and cold of winter set in.

But, slowly and meticulously Satan moved in to take over and declare it his day. It is a holiday that generally glorifies the dark things of this world, rather than the light of Jesus Christ, The Truth. Have you noticed how costumes and masks are getting generally more bloody, gory, and depraved each year? Unfortunately, the gruesome and grotesque and the occult are increasingly glorified in American society, not only on Halloween, but throughout the year in horror movies and in television programs.

Halloween has become a Satanic holiday and Christians have no place to be involved in it. Satan loves Halloween because it glamorizes the powers of darkness, drawing little kids into his realm. And it is paying off. Witchcraft is exploding among teens today. SO, I encourage you to pass this year on celebrating Halloween and find a good Christian Halloween alternative.
(a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/28/jg_holiday/

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Would You Short Change God?
Published October 27, 2009

Would You Short Change God?

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7

In this mega world of big box stores and shopping malls, somehow we have lost a lot of the small business establishments that have for years been the economic backbone of our communities.

The one perhaps missed most is the neighborhood drug store. But I am very fortunate to still have one right around the corner. My druggist knows me by name and I have his home phone number. I suspect that if I needed something in the middle of the night, he would bring it to me.

Last week I went in to pick up several prescriptions, but as I paid the bill, I noticed that I had not been charged for two of them, so I brought it to the attention of the cashier, who promptly, with appreciation, corrected the bill.

As I walked to my car, I thought about how many people would have taken advantage of the situation thinking that the drugstore could take the loss and never miss it. But that’s not the point. Stealing is stealing.

The Book of Malachi talks about shortchanging God, as people were not honoring their duty to tithe and were bringing the refuse of their animals for sacrifice. Imagine that, giving God the worst, not the best.

The country’s largest card company has for years had the slogan, “When you care enough to send the very best” God sent His very best, His Son, that we might have life eternal. Should we do anything less?

Should we be foolish enough to think that God would not miss it when we shortchange him or fail to give him our very best? The issue is not that He needs to receive it. The issue is that we need to give it.

God calls us to be generous givers and to leave a legacy. So take inventory of what you are giving – time, talents and treasure – to God and if it is not your very best, then ask yourself why not.

by John Grant
used by permission (a thought on life from John Grant )

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John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published October 22, 2009

Heavenly Investments

by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.â€?
Matthew 19:21-22

An initial shareholder with 100 shares (worth $1650) at the time of Wal-Mart’s 1970 IPO would now, after 11 stock splits, possess 204,800 shares worth $10.5 million! This 6330-fold increase over four decades represents an annualized return exceeding 25%!

Christians should make wise investments and strive to make the resources God has entrusted to them grow, but the key question is our investment goal…… to serve God or serve ourselves. The Bible very clearly gives us guides for investing. Jesus teaches us to
take responsibility for providing for our own needs, but at the same time, learning to trust God for all our financial and material needs.

Worrying over our finances is futile, sinful and dishonoring to our Heavenly Father. God expects Christians, those in His Kingdom, to devote their time, talent and resources to the furtherance of His Kingdom; not legalistically nor by compulsion, but in response to God’s grace poured out on us.

There is no sin in saving and investing some of our income for the future. God does not require that we spend every cent we earn. At the same time, we are encouraged not to worry. God knows our needs and He promises to supply each one.

Be prudent and prepare for your future, but leave the future to God who provides for birds and cares for the wild flowers of the field. So, don’t be concerned to the point of worry. Leave those concerns with God and devote yourself to His concern, seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness.

Though we live in a material world and have need for money and the things money can give us, we Christians are not to be so wrapped up in material things that they become everything to us. Beware of being snared by advertisements and the “I’ve just got to have it� mentality. Jesus tells us that the world craves money and the things money can buy and so much of what we buy is physically and spiritually unprofitable. Much of it tends to be a liability to us rather than an asset. When our toys control us, we have too many toys.

Can you relax and trust God? Can you trust God for your future care? Can you be satisfied with what you have?  The Bible needs to be your prime financial guide, as it contains four times as many references to money as it does to prayer. Be sure to invest by the Book and you will receive incredible returns on your investments…. even more than on a Wal-Mart IPO. God calls us to be generous givers.
(a thought on life from John Grant)

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/22/jg_investments/

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published October 11, 2009

A Mountaintop Experience

by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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“About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.� 
Luke 9:28

As we lifted off the runway and made a turn to the South over Puget Sound, I could see it in the hazy distance. As we got closer, it got bigger and more visibly clear. Suddenly we were there and as we flew around t the peak of Mt. Rainer…. so close that it seemed we could almost touch it. I reached for my camera.

There’s just something spiritual and spectacular about being on a mountaintop. Have you ever thought about how many significant Biblical events occurred on a mountain top? Moses got the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai and later saw the Promised Land from Mt. Moab. Jesus was gloriously transfigured on the Mt. of Transfiguration.

We see God’s handiwork all around us, but perhaps in greater way than His spectacular creation of the might mountain peaks around the world. But mountains are also a symbol of challenge as they remind us that the best view is always from the top and in our spiritual growth, we should never stop half way up, as the real reward is at the peak. We gain our real strength, both spiritual and physical when we press  to reach the pinnacle.

Caleb is one of my Biblical heroes. When God was dividing up the land among the Israelites, the people were asking for the lush valleys and grassy plains, but Caleb asked for a mountain, for it was there that their enemies had been chased and built their fortresses. That did not intimidate Caleb, as he wanted a challenge. He trusted not in his own strength, but in God’s presence. He wanted to see God at work and choose a place where he would have to trust in God. He refused to allow the difficulty to stop him from enjoying all that God had promised him.

If you always choose the easy way, asking for peaceful valleys, you will never see God’s full power displayed to enable you to take a mountain. Seek out the mountains, and you will witness God doing things through your life that can be explained only by His mighty presence.
(a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/10/11/jg_mountaintop/

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published September 12, 2009

Living Life God’s Way and Enjoying it Too

by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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“You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like?  For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes.�  James 4:14

Recently, as I walked along the streets of Seattle, I became intrigued with the golden inserts in the sidewalks. As I stopped at one intersection, one in particular caught my attention. It said:

“I always knew that someday I would travel this road but yesterday I did not know it would be today.�

It reminded me of how casually I live my life, not considering that tomorrow could be totally different than anything I could have ever expected or for that matter, for me, tomorrow might not even exist. James tells us that my life is like a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. John Wesley said that life is like an arrow shot from a bow and passing swiftly over the sea of time.

Life is short and fragile and everyday is a gift. No one has ever gotten out of this world alive. We indeed all know that someday we will travel that road, but as the plaque in the sidewalk inferred, we know not when.

As an attorney, I have written hundreds of wills for clients and their focus is usually on what will happen with their estate when they die. I remind them that estate planning does focus on death, but it also ought to focus on life planning as will….. what you will do and how you will use your resources for your remaining days, however many that may be.

So, it is a reminder to live our lives more focused on the limitation of time we have on earth and how we can best use it for good and for God. Here are some thoughts and suggestions:

  • Live each day as if it were going to be our last. Never go to bed without resolving internal turmoil of external relationships that need to be resolved with others.
  • Be prepared to meet God face to face at any time by making sure you have made the right decisions about your relationship with Jesus and your salvation is secure. After all, the next life will be a lot longer and more important than this one.
  • Make sure that each day you live and love life the way God would want you to.
  • Live, laugh and experience each day to the fullest, so that when you die, you will have no regrets, no reservations and that you will be prepared to receive the greatest revelation of your life.
  • Take your eyes off your circumstances and focus on your relationship with God.

And, above all else make sure that you live each day with praise on your lips, love in your heart and worship in your soul……. and make sure that when the roll is called up yonder you will be there.
(a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/09/12/jg_gods-way/

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published September 6, 2009

Tossing the Plaques

by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.�
1 Corinthians 9:24-26

Boxes and ClutterThere must be some law of physics that holds to the premise that the amount of items you store away will grow to equal the amount of storage space you have available.  At least it seems that way in attics, storage closets and the like. Every once in a while my bride gets the idea that it is time to clean house and dispose of what we are collecting dust on and throw it out, but invariably a few years later the space is full again.

We recently went through that experience and I focused on five large boxes filled with plaques that had once adorned the walls of my capitol office when I was in elective office. They have been in our attic tarnishing from the heat and collecting dust for nearly ten years. I had enough in those boxes to provide the inventory for a small lumber yard.

I went through them once by one and box by box. I saved a few that had special meaning, but tossed the bulk of them, but not before holding them in my hand and recalling the circumstances under which I received them. At the time they were important and impressive as I was named the outstanding legislator of the year or recognized for passing or defeating significant legislation and the like.

But now, in some cases more than twenty five years after getting them, they were worthless. Some of the people or groups that presented them to me have forgotten that I ever existed and some of the work I was recognized for doing has been subsequently been undone by succeeding legislators. At the time, I thought that these awards had great merit and for a short time they did, as they secured political strength and re-election momentum. Some signified my role in the passage of legislation for which I had great passion. But now, they are relatively meaningless.

As I went through the sorting process, I thought about Paul’s writings in 1 Corinthians, where he talked about athletes competing for a crown that will not last, but how we as Christians must commit our lives to get the crown of glory that will last forever.

I have to ask myself what I am competing for….. What the world calls important or what God calls everlasting. What a shame for people to devote their efforts to worldly awards which become meaningless in the passage of time, and run right past the opportunity to enter the gates of Glory for eternity. Ask yourself – what is the most important thing you are competing for and what it has to do with your life beyond this world.
( a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/09/06/jg_plaques/

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published August 29, 2009

Spiritual Family Financial Goals

by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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“He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish.”  Proverbs 11:28 (NIV)

Young Couple viewing LaptopIt was 150 years ago this year when Charles Dickens wrote his literary great, A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. It depicts the plight of the French proletariat under the brutal oppression of the French aristocracy in the years leading up to the revolution, and the corresponding savage brutality demonstrated by the revolutionaries toward the former aristocrats in the early years of the revolution.

The opening lines are:  ” It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”  Now 150 years later, these words speak to our land, our time, our society. No, we are not necessarily going through the same kind of revolution, but nonetheless, we are in a cultural, spiritual and financial revolution that is touching all of us, worldwide.

In many ways, it is the best of times. We live longer, eat better and enjoy pleasures of life unknown to our ancestors even a couple of generations ago. But in many ways, it is also the worst of times. We are morally slipping away from traditional Judeo-Christian ethics and are losing touch with traditional cultural values. Spiritual values have an influence on less people than ever. And, publically, corporately and personally, we have overextended ourselves and are in a collective financial mess. Somehow, I believe that the moral, spiritual and financial declines are inextricably intertwined.

Here in America, we are experiencing the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and there are no signs of it letting up anytime soon. People, even those with employment, are caught in a financial squeeze since they have presumed on the future, borrowed to live beyond their means and bought things to impress people they didn’t even like. And, statistics show that Christians, notwithstanding biblical teachings on the management of money, are no less immune to the current financial squeeze than non-Christians.

I recently participated in a retreat on Christian financial concepts and I was particularly touched by it. Perhaps the most eaningful time was when we were asked to take ten minutes of silence to hear what God was saying to us about finances, money and stewardship.

I wrote it down exactly as it came to me and it is giving me some new guidelines for material management in my life. I couldn’t wait to get home to share it with my bride and we talked about each point for a long time. We have made our share of bad financial decisions and are paying the consequences, but with biblical handles to work our way to financial freedom, we are moving in the right direction.

Here is what I wrote down in that exercise of ten minutes of listening to God:

  • eliminate materialism in our life
  • totally trust God to meet our needs
  • simplify our lifestyle
  • get totally out of debt
  • don’t dwell on past financial mistakes and losses
  • don’t fear our financial future…. Trust God
  • be thankful for what we have
  • be accountable to my wife and she to me in mutually agreeing on all financial decisions
  • live within our means
  • focus on God, not on money, things and security
  • use the time I would otherwise worry about money and finances to focus in and on God’s word
  • use the Bible as the best guideline for financial management and pray together asking God’s guidance before making any major financial decision.

Each of these are requiring some adjustments in our lives, some more than others, but we look forward to the spiritual growth at will come from it.

We are claiming Proverbs 3:9-10:

 “Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”

So in these tough economic times, if you want true financial freedom, the Bible is the manual and God is the manager. Seek them both and you shall be free.

Questions: Are you living beyond your means and bought things to impress people that you don’t even like? What adjustments in your lifestyle will you need to make in order for spiritual growth to take place in your life?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/08/29/jg_financial/

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men