Week Twelve, 2018
SPILLED MILK
By John Grant
Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him. – 2 Samuel 14:14
There are all kind of special holidays. Many of which you probably haven’t heard of. For example last month on the 11th, it was National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day. When I saw that, it started my thinking. While I haven’t cried lately over spilled milk, I have fretted over a lot of other things I cannot change.
The spilled milk line is an old saying that reminds us that just like spilled milk cannot be put back in the glass, there are many events in life that are irreversible and cannot turned back, so why fret about that which you cannot change?
We cannot put the milk back in the bottle, but with expectation we can strive for and look forward to the next glass of milk.
2 Samuel 14:14 reminds us that some things we cannot control are in the future and we should not worry about them. For example, we are all going to die, so we should not worry about it. Rather prepare for it, be certain of your eternity and look forward to the greater life.
Jesus pointed out, we cannot change anything by fretting and worrying! (Matthew 6:27) No amount of worrying can add a single hour to your life. If we are willing to receive it, He will give us the grace to laugh instead of worry, to rejoice in all things, and to joyfully trust Him no matter what.
Paul opines to the Church at Philippi: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:16)
God encourages his followers to fear not 365 times in the Bible, one for each day of the year, emphasizing that He didn’t intend for Christians to spend their days preoccupied with anxiety and worry.
Learn from your past mistakes, but don’t dwell on them. Instead, set your mind on things above. Look forward and with God’s help, finish strong.
Start today and take small steps today toward living fully free from anxieties, don’t worry about the things you cannot change (like spilled milk) and don’t underestimate the power of God to make you whole again.
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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
Religion……..
• Doesn’t go deep enough.
• Doesn’t go far enough.
• Doesn’t go high enough.
–o–
We love God …………………………… We love people
We worship God……….. OR ………. We worship people
We use things …………………………..We love things
–o–
THE BOOK:
Did you know that the Bible is not simply one book? It is 66 books in one, composed and compiled by more that 40 human authors over a period of more than 1,600 years. Its human writers included kings, fisherman, diplomats, prophets, shepherds, lawyers, doctors, soldiers, historians and many others.
Furthermore, the Bible addresses hundreds of subjects, including life, death, marriage, the family worship, truth, and eternity. Yet despite its many authors and countless topics, the Bible is in perfect harmony from cover to cover, is entirely consistent within itself and proves its supernatural origins through its supernatural unity.
No wonder it is the most widely published and the best selling book of all time.
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QUOTES YOU CAN USE
God does not grade on the curve. He grades on the cross. —Ken Whitten
What distractions hinder you as a leader from recognizing opportunities? If you can minimize distractions and focus on mission accomplishment, you will soon move forward in obtaining the goals you set in strategic planning. —General Dick Abel.
Enjoy your day, no matter what it brings! —Kathy Merlino.
Christianity is a fact-based religion. —John 20:27.
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©2018 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618