Nuggets from my Writings and Books

Nuggets From My Writings & Books

Why I’m Never Disappointed with God-Part 1

Over the course of fifty-two years walking with the Lord, I have experienced continual maturation as a man and growth in my humanity. This long journey has profoundly shaped my understanding and relationship with God. All believers have a personal relationship with the Almighty through the Lord. Still, the Lord is not our personal servant like a chauffeur, driving us to our destination, a concierge providing amenities, or a waiter serving us whatever we want on our menu.

In contrast to seeing God as some kind of genie in a lamp, those who have matured spiritually tend to develop a broader perspective. They come to understand that not everything will happen according to their personal desires, and they gain insight into why God's plans might differ from their own.

When disappointment sets in, those who lack spiritual growth, when things don’t go their way, it can cause indecision. They may attempt to force open doors that God has already closed, which is ultimately futile. This struggle can then lead us down alternate paths, often resulting in further setbacks.

It is common for church members, and people of faith in general, to experience disappointment with God, especially when circumstances do not unfold as they had hoped. This isn’t overt criticism, simply a result of unmet expectations that are directed towards God and others.

We Must Check Ourselves before Checking Others: In this context, from 2016 to the present, I have learned not to lash out and argue with God against those I perceive as my enemies or as enemies of God’s people, even those who act with wickedness and seek to harm. Many suffer under the destructive oppression of others, and it is tempting to respond in kind.

When my faith is confronted and challenged by words of admonition that I don’t like, whether by others or by the Lord, I strive not to react defensively or take it personally. We all have human shortcomings, and sometimes others can see our flaws more clearly than we do—this is what psychologists refer to as the “looking glass self.” Often, our ability to see ourselves accurately is hindered by internal psychological defense mechanisms designed to shield our conscience from pain.

Nuggets From My Writings & Books

Why I’m Never Disappointed with God-Part 2

Continued from part 1-Whys some are disappointed with God and complain: Consider the wisdom of Hosea 4:6 for the lessons we learn in our walk of faith: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me; seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children—AMPC.”

Many quote only the first part, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” but overlook the importance of the rest of the verse. The message is not about aptitude, the intellectual ability to learn, but about attitude, the resilience that blocks the willingness to learn.

When we refuse to learn, especially about ourselves, we put ourselves at a disadvantage in service to the Lord as a “holy priesthood” before God and others, disregarding the mandate of God’s Word. This not only affects us, but also those connected to us, as our witness is meant to be a bridge for others to God.

When we lash out, rebut, retort, and argue when we don’t get our way, we can complain our way out of a blessing, and it becomes like vindictiveness. Scripture reminds us, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”

This principle teaches two important lessons: First, those who are vindictive and seek retribution will ultimately face self-judgment, both in this life—through the law of reciprocity—and in the next, through the consequences of a guilty conscience and shame.

We are not called to return evil with evil or use angry, hateful words, even if we hope for justice. Such responses only serve to poison our own spirit.

The Lord’s example when cleansing the temple demonstrates that righteous indignation must be submitted to His authority. Instead of seeking revenge, we are called to overcome evil with good, responding through prayer and petitions for the salvation of those who harm us.

That is God’s indirect directive for loving our enemies. “But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44—AMPC).

I Timothy 2:1-4, “First of all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men, For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way. For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior, Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth” (AMPC).

These principal kingdom concepts apply to any person on our radar that we perceive as hurtful to us and those we love.

Nuggets From My Writings & Books

Why I’m Never Disappointed with God-Part 3

Consider the Wisdom of Scripture according to James 1:19-20, “Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].”

I am deeply passionate about Scripture, especially poetic books. Proverbs stand out as a source of daily wisdom and practical guidance, contrasting fools and wise individuals, as well as the wicked and the righteous.

In Proverbs, fools are depicted as reckless idiots, while the wise serve as prudent guides. Wicked individuals bring destruction, whereas the wise offer constructive leadership.

This narrative cautions us not to follow the ways of fools or wicked people, as doing so leads to self-destruction. Ultimately, we must each choose our path: Will we follow wisdom or folly?

God dwells in eternity and does not move by time, but according to His providence of how He takes care of us in His wise counsel.

I am never disappointed with God because His living Word, as found in Scripture, has become real and active in my daily life.

“The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]” (Psalms 37:23—AMPC).

When compared to Psalm 37:4 and Matthew 6:33, this teaching reveals two central life objectives: Godly Aspirations and Personal Ambitions—the desires of the heart.

However, reaching these goals in the Lord does not happen automatically or according to our own timetable. Instead, they are achieved through our daily walk with the Lord, as we follow the mandates of Scripture.

Scriptural Mandates for Aspirations and Ambitions: Two “old school” sayings, rooted in Scripture, apply here: “Delayed blessings are not denied blessings,” and “He doesn’t come when you want Him, but He’s always right on time.”

These principles are reflected in Matthew 6:34 (AMPC): “So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.”

In spiritual terms, this means that in the various places we live, work, and play—beyond just church activities—we are called to live in the moment.

This is not a call to reckless living (“eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die”), but rather to focus on our prayers and petitions to God without anxiety if answers do not come that same day.

The phrase “Sufficient for each day is its own trouble” reminds us that each new day brings its own challenges to our faith. If what we hope for does not happen today, there is always another day.

This is echoed in James 4:13-15 (AMPC): “Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money. Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air]. You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live, and we shall do this or that [thing].”

Nuggets From My Writings & Books

Why I’m Never Disappointed with God-Part 4

Results and Consequences that require waiting on the Lord. There is always a consequence to our words and actions—a principle referred to as “cause and effect” in scientific terms and “reciprocity” (sowing and reaping) in Scripture.

When we make rash decisions, especially when we don’t see what we expect from God, it can lead to poor choices and misguided direction. Although it is possible to recover from wrong decisions, they often cause unnecessary delays.

On the other hand, when we choose to wait on the Lord—serving Him as we wait—disappointment with God, frustration with people, and depression are flushed from our system through the internal work of God’s Word and Spirit.

If blessings or answers do not come today, another day is coming. Come back for more nuggets!

The Final Analysis—Conflict of Natures

Conflict Between the Old Man and the New Man: In my book, “Memoirs & Critiques of Family & Church Dynamics,” I highlight the ongoing struggle between the “old man” and the “new man.”

This conflict is vividly illustrated in Galatians 5:16-17, which states, “But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do” (AMPC).

Detoxing from Old Habits: I refer to the process of overcoming the tendencies of the “old man” as “detoxing” from ingrained habits that characterize our fallen nature. Spiritual detoxification, as described in Scripture, is closely related to mortifying the deeds of the flesh.

This can be likened to going through “withdrawal from an addiction,” where one actively resists and sheds behaviors that are contrary to spiritual growth.

Needs Versus Wants: Addressing Scarcity and Greed: Although some individuals experience scarcity, I have observed that a major issue arises in the tension between our needs and our wants.

Disappointment often occurs when we do not receive what we desire from God or others, and this is frequently rooted in our tendency toward excessive materialism and pleasure-seeking.

Greed drives overspending and dissatisfaction, complicating our spiritual journey.

The Importance of Spiritual Discipline: To overcome these challenges, we must commit to spiritual detoxification and embrace discipline. It is essential to heed admonition without rebuttal, allowing us to be guided and refined.

Through this process, we move closer to living by the Spirit and less by the impulses of our old nature.