Proverbs 14:2-3 

²Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways. ³A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

Tesla

         Autumn is here. Green leaves of trees are changing. The next assignment will be raking fallen leaves, and then winter snow. Are you excited to see the first snowfall? Enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves first; they will be gone in few weeks.

         Of course, preparing for snowfall should be seriously considered when you wish to buy a new car. Which vehicle do you prefer, gas-operated car or electric? When you buy your electric car, have you considered buying a Tesla? Someone observed that there are only few Tesla vehicles in Winnipeg, why?

         Well, Tesla cars are expensive, and charging stations for electric cars are hard to find. Maybe, electric cars will increase in the next few years. Speaking of Tesla cars, you may have known that Tesla Company was named after Engineer Nikola Tesla. Accordingly, Engineer Nikola Tesla had hundreds of patents under his name including his contribution to electric cars. But he died very poor, why?

         You can search the internet about Tesla on why he became poor despite all those hundreds of significant accomplishments under his name. Was Tesla satisfied with his life? Well, his life story proves that accomplishment in this world will be left behind when we are gone. What is the point of worldly attainments?

         As much as possible, we enjoy our life, accomplishment, achievement, or attainment. And remember what Christ prescribed in Matthew 6:19-21, ¹⁹Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

         What do you value or treasure, life on earth or life in heaven? We’ve got to keep in mind that in everything we plan or do, we also store up our treasures in heaven. When you travel abroad with your family or just simply walking with your children at the park or at the mall, use that moment to tell them how the Lord showered his grace and love in your life ever since you practice faith in him.

         Together, let us seriously reflect on what the Lord God reiterated to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 8:10-14, ¹⁰When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. ¹¹Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees… ¹²Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, ¹³and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, ¹⁴then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God.

Do you accept this godly instruction to the Israelites as reminder for us?

The Israelites who obeyed the Lord entered the Promised Land. It reminds us of the moment when believers who obeyed the Lord enter the Promised Heaven. Prayerfully seek inspiration of the Holy Spirit to follow him and walk uprightly.

1.  Walk

²Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

Have you heard about “imprecatory prayer?” To “imprecate” means “to invoke evil upon” or “curse” one’s enemies. Those who despise the Lord consider imprecatory prayer as hateful. So, never pray imprecatory prayer in public.

King David prayed imprecations; he invoked negative circumstances for his enemies. His imprecatory prayers may not exact revenge upon his enemies, but rather David prophesied on God’s abhorrence of evil, his sovereignty over all mankind, and his divine protection of his chosen people. King David imprecated in Psalm 35:6, “May their path be dark and slippery.” In Psalm 3:7, ⁷Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

God is holy, righteous and just. And, King David expressed his trust that the Lord God will ultimately judge the wicked for the evil they do. Apostle Paul quoted what King David wrote Psalm 69:22 and said in Romans 11:9, ⁹May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.

Personally, what do you think about the imprecatory prayer of King David? Do imprecatory prayers allow God to soften heart toward enemies? Does it free our heart from bitterness or anger to imprecate? God decreed eternal destiny for all: the wicked will be eternally cursed, and believers will live with God forever.

Anywhere in the society, there will always people who never fear the Lord. Bad elements in the society may harm anybody physically or psychologically. What do you do, if you’re a victim? Human inclination resorts to negative attitude.

All genuine Christians have been changed; the old sinful nature is gone.

And, we leave room for God’s judgment. We seek wisdom to do his will for us. We pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and trust that the Lord does what is best for our situation. In that way, we can be at peace with God and all mankind.

         Christ exhorts us to pray for our enemies, but he did not say that we pray for their death or bad things to happen to them. He prescribed in Luke 6:27-28, ²⁷You who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

What should we pray for our enemies? We pray that the will of God shall happen to them and also for their salvation first and foremost. There’s no greater blessing than a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. How is that? If enemies trust God, they will fear him and walk uprightly. Isn’t it wise to pray for enemies?

2.  Wise

³A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.

Someone said that if a person may know every wonder in this world, but if he has no idea about the Holy Scripture, that person is not very wise in the eyes of God. It is wise to plan for long term or future events, but we do not necessarily disregard the present moment. It’s wiser to plan for eternal dwelling in heaven.

Reality TV Show

         What is the title of the Reality TV Show where participants were brought to survive alone in a forest or wilderness? Participants who can stay in the place where they are left alone on their own to survive will win millions of dollars price.

         And truly, winning the million dollar price was a motivation to participate. Most often, the first thing that participants do is to prepare for their shelter that they would use as dwelling place for the period of their stay in the wilderness. Tarpaulin or piece of canvas is provided as their temporary shelter from rain.

         At one Episode of the Reality TV Show, one participant was satisfied with the tarpaulin as shelter, and another participant made a log cabin as shelter for a longer time. Who do you think can survive the wilderness for longer time?

         Similarly, we should not be satisfied with temporary leisure and pleasure that this temporal world may offer. We have to keep reminding ourselves that we are citizens of heaven. This world is not our permanent home. We’re transients.

         Let’s seriously reflect on Philippians 3:18-21, ¹⁸Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. ²⁰But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

         Everyday, we struggle with personal concerns and family matters; church activities, work-related interest or school requirements keep us busy and active. When we go to sleep at night, all those involvements keep us awake. But we keep on and live one day at a time, as we wait for the return of Christ.

         Always keep in mind that Christ may return anytime sooner.

         Will you be ready? Are you prepared for your eternal life in heaven?

If Christ won’t come sooner, we will still leave this earth when our time expires. This reality should not keep us from living our life to its fullness. Instead, we should live as if we will be transported into eternity anytime sooner.

So, keep seeking inspiration of the Holy Spirit to have reverent fear of the Lord. Pray that you will always be filled with spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

With the fruit of the Holy Spirit, you will live your life in its fullness. Amen!

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