over the last week i have had the great opportunity to share memories of my grandmother with my family members. the amazing thing about it was that all of us had the same perception of my grandmother. you knew where she stood, what she believed and how she applied that to her life. the greatest characteristic of her was that she put GOD first and everything else after no matter what others thought of that. that is her legacy and what a powerful legacy it is to those that knew her.
words from an individual can be very powerful when you hear them, but you have to wonder what they are basing those beliefs on and why they are saying those words. in our journey not to offend others with "political correctness" we have forgotten to ask what shapes this individual's beliefs. we should be asking if this individual's beliefs are from GOD, or from the world?
i have just learned that men and women are not equal (crazy i know). as much as the world has tried to teach us the perception that we are we have forgotten that GOD said something different. HE didn't say that women should be "doormats" don't misinterpret what i am saying. GOD said man was to love a woman as he would CHRIST and the church. the simple misinterpretation of "women should submit to their husbands" created an entire movement of women that turned from CHRIST.
i am going to give you two events from our world's history that have many different perceptions. the first is from a book that i read and it had a profound effect on me, because i knew the history of this individual but never knew how they came into such great power. the second is about two men and their political parties, but they chose to go against that.
"there was once a strange small man. he decided three important details about his life: he would part his hair from the opposite side as everyone else, he would make himself a small strange mustache, and he would one day rule the world. the young man wandered around for quite sometime, thinking, planning, and figuring out exactly how to make the world his. then one day out of nowhere, it struck him the perfect plan. he'd seen a mother walking with her child. at one point, she admonished the small boy, until finally he began to cry. within a few minutes, she spoke very softly to him, after which she soothed and even smiled. the young man rushed to the woman and embraced her "WORDS!" he grinned. "WHAT?" but there was no reply. he was already gone."
the above man was adolf hitler. the book is "the book theif" by marcus zusak. hitler's hatred of jews stemmed from just one jewish family alone. their poor treatment of his mother created his perception that all jews were the same, so he killed 6 million.
lyndon b johnson and martin luther king jr had the same passion. they strived to create the civil rights movement in this country. they strived to make all men equal, because GOD had made them that way. the misconception would be that these two men were apart of the same political party. johnson was a democrat and king was a republican. both men put GOD first in this great piece of legislation. we can only pray and hope that our current government would put GOD first.
i often wonder if hitler had put CHRIST first he wouldn't have created such evil. i feel great pride knowing that two men in this country went against so many individuals to put CHRIST first and do what was right. we have lost our way. we have allowed our beliefs and morality to be shaped by the world and not CHRIST. if we took time to actually apply what JESUS was trying to teach us maybe the world would be a better place. history repeats itself. when will we learn what HE was trying to tell us?
9What shall we conclude then? Are we any better[b]? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. 10As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
11there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
12All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."[c]
13"Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."[d]
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."[e]
14"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."[f]
15"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16ruin and misery mark their ways,
17and the way of peace they do not know."[g]
18"There is no fear of God before their eyes." romans 3:9-18
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
amazing grace by john newton
"amazing grace. how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. i once was lost, but now i'm found, was blind, but now i see. twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear. the hour i first believed. thro' many dangers, toils and snares, i have already come; tis grace hath bro't me safe thus far and grace will lead me home. whenever we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing GOD'S praise than when we first begun." john newton
amazing grace is my favorite hymn. i cry almost every time with joy, or pain at the sound of these words.
we have been granted grace by the LORD when we seek eternal life with him. when our hearts become HIS and we seek HIS glory we are the same as a child going to their parents seeking forgiveness. what we do in this lifetime; how we live, how we love, how we cherish will be judged by our FATHER in heaven.
our legacies will not be judged on the world's view, but GOD'S view. we will not be judged by how much money we make, but how we use that money. we will not be judged by how large are home is, but whom we welcome into that home. we will not be judged on the clothing we wear, but if we are willing to give that clothing to someone in need.
many of us reading this are in their thirties. we are trying to live our lives or, raise our families. we don't know how we will be perceived by the world or GOD, but i can pretty much bet we worry more about how the world perceives us than GOD. all that should matter to you is how GOD perceives you; HE knows your heart. HE knows if you have tried to the best of your ability to put HIM first and follow HIS laws. live your life by CHRIST'S example in scripture. we may stumble, but seeking forgiveness and grace from HIM should be the only thing you should worry about.
take for example the man that wrote amazing grace. john newton was a captain on a slave trading ship for britain. later in his life he accepted CHRIST into in his heart and devoted his life to GOD. it is hard for us to justify forgiveness for such horrific sins, but in the end it is GOD'S forgiveness and grace we should seek.
"for this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge." 2 peter 1:5
amazing grace is my favorite hymn. i cry almost every time with joy, or pain at the sound of these words.
we have been granted grace by the LORD when we seek eternal life with him. when our hearts become HIS and we seek HIS glory we are the same as a child going to their parents seeking forgiveness. what we do in this lifetime; how we live, how we love, how we cherish will be judged by our FATHER in heaven.
our legacies will not be judged on the world's view, but GOD'S view. we will not be judged by how much money we make, but how we use that money. we will not be judged by how large are home is, but whom we welcome into that home. we will not be judged on the clothing we wear, but if we are willing to give that clothing to someone in need.
many of us reading this are in their thirties. we are trying to live our lives or, raise our families. we don't know how we will be perceived by the world or GOD, but i can pretty much bet we worry more about how the world perceives us than GOD. all that should matter to you is how GOD perceives you; HE knows your heart. HE knows if you have tried to the best of your ability to put HIM first and follow HIS laws. live your life by CHRIST'S example in scripture. we may stumble, but seeking forgiveness and grace from HIM should be the only thing you should worry about.
take for example the man that wrote amazing grace. john newton was a captain on a slave trading ship for britain. later in his life he accepted CHRIST into in his heart and devoted his life to GOD. it is hard for us to justify forgiveness for such horrific sins, but in the end it is GOD'S forgiveness and grace we should seek.
"for this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge." 2 peter 1:5
Monday, October 25, 2010
my grandma - a woman of noble character
yesterday my family lost my grandmother. my father and his sister lost their mother. it was a very sad day, but a day of relief knowing that she was no longer in pain. a day spent reflecting her beauty and her love of CHRIST.
my grandmother had seen the depression, pearl harbour, WWII, the korean war, the vietnam war, 9/11, two iraq wars and the war of afghanistan. she was married for over 50 years and bore two children. she saw the birth of 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. her greatest loves were GOD and her family.
she made the best christmas cookies, which there was never enough of. i remember dying easter eggs in her kitchen, or pulling out every pan from her cupboards (which if you knew my grandma that was love right there). she could play a mean game of candyland, dominoes and checkers. she always had the paper dolls out for your use when you came.she introduced me to the movie "meet me in st. louis," which to this day is still one of my favorites. she loved "little house on the prairie" and at one time "all my children."
she always wore a dress, and i think i saw her once in a pair of pants (still shocked about that). she wore her hair long and i don't ever remember a touch of makeup on her face. she was a truly beautiful woman. her smile made you want to smile. when she laughed it filled your heart with joy. she always told you she loved you.
her faith in GOD was strong during her 93 years of life, almost 94. i think she had the bible memorized from front to end. she knew scripture for every part of your life and could always quote it. my grandmother always held true to her beliefs and i don't think she ever waiver ed. you always knew where you stood with her.
proverbs 31 epilogue of a wife of noble character was my grandmother in my opinion. there will never be anyone else like her and i will miss her terribly, but it is a great comfort knowing that she is in the arms of CHRIST in the glorious eternal life of heaven.
10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate
my grandmother had seen the depression, pearl harbour, WWII, the korean war, the vietnam war, 9/11, two iraq wars and the war of afghanistan. she was married for over 50 years and bore two children. she saw the birth of 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. her greatest loves were GOD and her family.
she made the best christmas cookies, which there was never enough of. i remember dying easter eggs in her kitchen, or pulling out every pan from her cupboards (which if you knew my grandma that was love right there). she could play a mean game of candyland, dominoes and checkers. she always had the paper dolls out for your use when you came.she introduced me to the movie "meet me in st. louis," which to this day is still one of my favorites. she loved "little house on the prairie" and at one time "all my children."
she always wore a dress, and i think i saw her once in a pair of pants (still shocked about that). she wore her hair long and i don't ever remember a touch of makeup on her face. she was a truly beautiful woman. her smile made you want to smile. when she laughed it filled your heart with joy. she always told you she loved you.
her faith in GOD was strong during her 93 years of life, almost 94. i think she had the bible memorized from front to end. she knew scripture for every part of your life and could always quote it. my grandmother always held true to her beliefs and i don't think she ever waiver ed. you always knew where you stood with her.
proverbs 31 epilogue of a wife of noble character was my grandmother in my opinion. there will never be anyone else like her and i will miss her terribly, but it is a great comfort knowing that she is in the arms of CHRIST in the glorious eternal life of heaven.
10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate
Sunday, October 24, 2010
psalm 91
years ago a dear friend told me to read psalm 91 to see the strength that GOD gives us each day of our lives. at the time i was still learning about the gospel and THE LORD, so i didn't understand HIS almighty power yet. each time i read this psalm it reaches out to me to trust HIS power and HIS strength alone.
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a]
2 I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a]
2 I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
Friday, October 22, 2010
judgement
when i first began my journey with CHRIST years ago at the beginning of my marriage (almost 9 yrs ago) one of the main reasons why i didn't want to attend church was i knew i was going to be judged by others. there are very few individuals in my life that i would allow judgement to come from; my pastor, my husband, and my best friend. the bible tells me that i shouldn't even allow these individuals to judge me, but i value their opinions.
when we seek advice from others we are allowing a door to be opened - but remember you are seeking the advice. when we ask for a solution to a problem, or are just seeking a different way to solve a trial we may not always get the answer we want to hear. i find that asking a fellow christian that i know to be true in their walk is much more acceptable to me, or reading scripture to find the answer is much more comforting.
when we pass judgement on another for the way they are living their life that is wrong. when we give advice to another when they haven't asked that is wrong. when we pass judgement on the person that is giving the unwanted advice we are wrong. we are no more justified when we lash out in anger, or accusations. can you see the parable of this. when JESUS allowed the woman to wash HIS feet with the expensive perfume and the disciples questioned with accusation that the perfume could be sold to help the poor they were wrong, not the woman (matthew 26:6-13).
when we justify our reasons for doing it out of love, but it is unwanted then you are wrong. taming of tongue is by far one of the hardest things an individual can do (james 3:1-12) . we pass judgement as though we are GOD HIMSELF. none of us have the right to assume that our way is correct, only GOD'S way is right because it is the only TRUTH.
by writing this blog i have opened more doors to judgement than i may have wanted too, but i feel in my heart that GOD wants me to share my journey. their is no one out there that could be harder on me than myself; i promise you. that is one of my demons that i have to fight alone. i am very aware my sins, but that is between GOD and i.
1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.
12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. romans 2:1-16
when we seek advice from others we are allowing a door to be opened - but remember you are seeking the advice. when we ask for a solution to a problem, or are just seeking a different way to solve a trial we may not always get the answer we want to hear. i find that asking a fellow christian that i know to be true in their walk is much more acceptable to me, or reading scripture to find the answer is much more comforting.
when we pass judgement on another for the way they are living their life that is wrong. when we give advice to another when they haven't asked that is wrong. when we pass judgement on the person that is giving the unwanted advice we are wrong. we are no more justified when we lash out in anger, or accusations. can you see the parable of this. when JESUS allowed the woman to wash HIS feet with the expensive perfume and the disciples questioned with accusation that the perfume could be sold to help the poor they were wrong, not the woman (matthew 26:6-13).
when we justify our reasons for doing it out of love, but it is unwanted then you are wrong. taming of tongue is by far one of the hardest things an individual can do (james 3:1-12) . we pass judgement as though we are GOD HIMSELF. none of us have the right to assume that our way is correct, only GOD'S way is right because it is the only TRUTH.
by writing this blog i have opened more doors to judgement than i may have wanted too, but i feel in my heart that GOD wants me to share my journey. their is no one out there that could be harder on me than myself; i promise you. that is one of my demons that i have to fight alone. i am very aware my sins, but that is between GOD and i.
1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.
12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. romans 2:1-16
Thursday, October 21, 2010
utopia
1. often Utopia An ideally perfect place, especially in its social, political, and moral aspects.
2. A work of fiction describing a utopia.
3. An impractical, idealistic scheme for social and political reform.
utopia is man's never ending goal too return to eden. throughout history the world has been flooded with stories of how to have a perfect society. this doesn't exist, it will never exist, because we gave that up the moment adam and eve ate the apple.
"and the LORD GOD said, the man has now become like one of us knowing good and evil. he must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."
we are constantly striving to have the perfect society, perfect marriage, perfect children, perfect home, etc. what inside us makes us think that we have to be perfect? some of us already think we are perfect. i heard a saying a while back and i believe it to be true; pride is the cancer of the soul.
the only place that you will ever have eden is in heaven. GOD promises eternal life to be found only through HIM. there will always be war and poverty. there will always be turmoil and anger. nothing in this life is free. there is always a consequence to an action whether it is good or bad. the foundation of society should not be based on man, but on GOD alone.
i often think of three examples in our world where men tried to control society to such a degree that devastation came upon them; babylon (isaiah, jeremiah) WWII germany, and irag. when a government trys to tell you that they can do it better than GOD i would be nervous. all great societies have fallen. all were controlled by men and their idols.
"the wrath of GOD is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, because what may be known about GOD is plain to them, because GOD has made it plain to them." romans 1:18-19
we will always have sin, because it is who we are. GOD has given us choices to make, but if you don't return to HIM how do you know you've been saved? none of us will know this until by the grace of HIS hand alone allows us to enter heaven. HE gives us many chances to choose between HIM and society, but what will you choose is the question?
"for everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the FATHER but from the world. the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of GOD lives forever
2. A work of fiction describing a utopia.
3. An impractical, idealistic scheme for social and political reform.
utopia is man's never ending goal too return to eden. throughout history the world has been flooded with stories of how to have a perfect society. this doesn't exist, it will never exist, because we gave that up the moment adam and eve ate the apple.
"and the LORD GOD said, the man has now become like one of us knowing good and evil. he must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever."
we are constantly striving to have the perfect society, perfect marriage, perfect children, perfect home, etc. what inside us makes us think that we have to be perfect? some of us already think we are perfect. i heard a saying a while back and i believe it to be true; pride is the cancer of the soul.
the only place that you will ever have eden is in heaven. GOD promises eternal life to be found only through HIM. there will always be war and poverty. there will always be turmoil and anger. nothing in this life is free. there is always a consequence to an action whether it is good or bad. the foundation of society should not be based on man, but on GOD alone.
i often think of three examples in our world where men tried to control society to such a degree that devastation came upon them; babylon (isaiah, jeremiah) WWII germany, and irag. when a government trys to tell you that they can do it better than GOD i would be nervous. all great societies have fallen. all were controlled by men and their idols.
"the wrath of GOD is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, because what may be known about GOD is plain to them, because GOD has made it plain to them." romans 1:18-19
we will always have sin, because it is who we are. GOD has given us choices to make, but if you don't return to HIM how do you know you've been saved? none of us will know this until by the grace of HIS hand alone allows us to enter heaven. HE gives us many chances to choose between HIM and society, but what will you choose is the question?
"for everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the FATHER but from the world. the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of GOD lives forever
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
solving problems with more problems
"in his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" proverbs 16:9
my husband and i have been doing a couples bible study for the past few weeks now. solving the problems that we have as a couple has been a huge commitment for us. not just is it for the strength of our marriage, but also for the love of our children that we tackle these issues.
communication and compromise seem to be the key. small issues turn to bigger issues. bigger issues seem to be replaced and the old are never resolved. our desire to control a situation without listening to what the other individual is saying is usually the root of the problem. most of us know there is a GOD we just choose not to listen.
every individual needs guidance at least once in their life. every individual has to learn to compromise at one point or another. the problem with our world seems to be that no one is willing to compromise so we end up creating even bigger problems than we had before. one group has a view and the other has a view, but which one is the right one? what if we said neither was the right one, just different?
"i will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; i will counsel you and watch over you." psalm 32:8
we each have the ability to discern what is good from evil. we know that it is wrong to commit murder. we know that it is wrong to steal. we know that it is wrong to rape. what about the small things that you never think of? envy of another is wrong. jealousy of another is wrong. worry is wrong. idolatry is wrong (think about money in this society). lust for another that is not your own is wrong. overindulgence is wrong. we know in hearts that this is wrong, because scripture has told us these things are wrong.
if you attend church, bible study, and read the bible daily but don't apply it to your life then you are committing a sin against GOD. if we continually commit sin then we will continually not be able to solve our problems. being able to face yourself in the mirror and confess your problems to the LORD and others is one of the greatest acts of humility you will ever make. being able to forgive yourself and others is what GOD has asked you to do.
we take for granted what CHRIST has done for us in our daily lives. we assume that even the smallest sins will be forgiven over and over again. we feel like GOD will never hold us accountable because HE has made a promise to us with the blood of HIS SON. what if GOD decided to take away that promise? what if HE said HE didn't forgive us for what we do; where would we be?
we can't solve problems with more problems. we have to have the strength and commitment to solve the problems we have no matter how hard they are.
"whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying this is the way; walk in it." isaiah 30:21
my husband and i have been doing a couples bible study for the past few weeks now. solving the problems that we have as a couple has been a huge commitment for us. not just is it for the strength of our marriage, but also for the love of our children that we tackle these issues.
communication and compromise seem to be the key. small issues turn to bigger issues. bigger issues seem to be replaced and the old are never resolved. our desire to control a situation without listening to what the other individual is saying is usually the root of the problem. most of us know there is a GOD we just choose not to listen.
every individual needs guidance at least once in their life. every individual has to learn to compromise at one point or another. the problem with our world seems to be that no one is willing to compromise so we end up creating even bigger problems than we had before. one group has a view and the other has a view, but which one is the right one? what if we said neither was the right one, just different?
"i will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; i will counsel you and watch over you." psalm 32:8
we each have the ability to discern what is good from evil. we know that it is wrong to commit murder. we know that it is wrong to steal. we know that it is wrong to rape. what about the small things that you never think of? envy of another is wrong. jealousy of another is wrong. worry is wrong. idolatry is wrong (think about money in this society). lust for another that is not your own is wrong. overindulgence is wrong. we know in hearts that this is wrong, because scripture has told us these things are wrong.
if you attend church, bible study, and read the bible daily but don't apply it to your life then you are committing a sin against GOD. if we continually commit sin then we will continually not be able to solve our problems. being able to face yourself in the mirror and confess your problems to the LORD and others is one of the greatest acts of humility you will ever make. being able to forgive yourself and others is what GOD has asked you to do.
we take for granted what CHRIST has done for us in our daily lives. we assume that even the smallest sins will be forgiven over and over again. we feel like GOD will never hold us accountable because HE has made a promise to us with the blood of HIS SON. what if GOD decided to take away that promise? what if HE said HE didn't forgive us for what we do; where would we be?
we can't solve problems with more problems. we have to have the strength and commitment to solve the problems we have no matter how hard they are.
"whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying this is the way; walk in it." isaiah 30:21
Monday, October 18, 2010
christians and voting
www.desiringgod.org has become one of my favorite sites. john piper is one of the greatest christian writers of our time. please take the time as christians to read what he has said about voting.
Voting is like marrying and crying and laughing and buying. We should do it, but only as if we were not doing it. That’s because “the present form of this world is passing away” and, in God’s eyes, “the time has grown very short.” Here’s the way Paul puts it:
The appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. (1 Corinthians 7:29–31)
Let’s take these one at a time and compare them to voting.
1. “Let those who have wives live as though they had none.”
This doesn’t mean move out of the house, don’t have sex, and don’t call her Honey. Earlier in this chapter Paul says, “The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights” (1 Corinthians 7:3). He also says to love her the way Christ loved the church, leading and providing and protecting (Ephesians 5:25–30). It means this: Marriage is momentary. It’s over at death, and there is no marriage in the resurrection. Wives and husbands are second priorities, not first. Christ is first. Marriage is for making much of him.
It means: If she is exquisitely desirable, beware of desiring her more than Christ. And if she is deeply disappointing, beware of being hurt too much. This is temporary—only a brief lifetime. Then comes the never-disappointing life which is life indeed.
So it is with voting. We should do it. But only as if we were not doing it. Its outcomes do not give us the greatest joy when they go our way, and they do not demoralize us when they don’t. Political life is for making much of Christ whether the world falls apart or holds together.
2. “Let those who mourn [do so] as though they were not mourning.”
Christians mourn with real, deep, painful mourning, especially over losses—loss of those we love, loss of health, loss of a dream. These losses hurt. We cry when we are hurt. But we cry as though not crying. We mourn knowing we have not lost something so valuable we cannot rejoice in our mourning. Our losses do not incapacitate us. They do not blind us to the possibility of a fruitful future serving Christ. The Lord gives and takes away. But he remains blessed. And we remain hopeful in our mourning.
So it is with voting. There are losses. We mourn. But not as those who have no hope. We vote and we lose, or we vote and we win. In either case, we win or lose as if we were not winning or losing. Our expectations and frustrations are modest. The best this world can offer is short and small. The worst it can offer has been predicted in the book of Revelation. And no vote will hold it back. In the short run, Christians lose (Revelation 13:7). In the long run, we win (Revelation 21:4).
3. “Let those who rejoice [do so] as though they were not rejoicing.”
Christians rejoice in health (James 5:13) and in sickness (James 1:2). There are a thousand good and perfect things that come down from God that call forth the feeling of happiness. Beautiful weather. Good friends who want to spend time with us. Delicious food and someone to share it with. A successful plan. A person helped by our efforts.
But none of these good and beautiful things can satisfy our soul. Even the best cannot replace what we were made for, namely, the full experience of the risen Christ (John 17:24). Even fellowship with him here is not the final and best gift. There is more of him to have after we die (Philippians 1:21–23)—and even more after the resurrection. The best experiences here are foretastes. The best sights of glory are through a mirror dimly. The joy that rises from these previews does not and should not rise to the level of the hope of glory. These pleasures will one day be as though they were not. So we rejoice remembering this joy is a foretaste, and will be replaced by a vastly better joy.
So it is with voting. There are joys. The very act of voting is a joyful statement that we are not under a tyrant. And there may be happy victories. But the best government we get is a foreshadowing. Peace and justice are approximated now. They will be perfect when Christ comes. So our joy is modest. Our triumphs are short-lived—and shot through with imperfection. So we vote as though not voting.
4. “Let those who buy [do so] as though they had no goods.”
Let Christians keep on buying while this age lasts. Christianity is not withdrawal from business. We are involved, but as though not involved. Business simply does not have the weight in our hearts that it has for many. All our getting and all our having in this world is getting and having things that are not ultimately important. Our car, our house, our books, our computers, our heirlooms—we possess them with a loose grip. If they are taken away, we say that in a sense we did not have them. We are not here to possess. We are here to lay up treasures in heaven.
This world matters. But it is not ultimate. It is the stage for living in such a way to show that this world is not our God, but that Christ is our God. It is the stage for using the world to show that Christ is more precious than the world.
So it is with voting. We do not withdraw. We are involved—but as if not involved. Politics does not have ultimate weight for us. It is one more stage for acting out the truth that Christ, and not politics, is supreme.
5. “Let those who deal with the world [do so] as though they had no dealings with it.”
Christians should deal with the world. This world is here to be used. Dealt with. There is no avoiding it. Not to deal with it is to deal with it that way. Not to weed your garden is to cultivate a weedy garden. Not to wear a coat in Minnesota is to freeze—to deal with the cold that way. Not to stop when the light is red is to spend your money on fines or hospital bills and deal with the world that way. We must deal with the world.
But as we deal with it, we don’t give it our fullest attention. We don’t ascribe to the world the greatest status. There are unseen things that are vastly more precious than the world. We use the world without offering it our whole soul. We may work with all our might when dealing with the world, but the full passions of our heart will be attached to something higher—Godward purposes. We use the world, but not as an end in itself. It is a means. We deal with the world in order to make much of Christ.
So it is with voting. We deal with the system. We deal with the news. We deal with the candidates. We deal with the issues. But we deal with it all as if not dealing with it. It does not have our fullest attention. It is not the great thing in our lives. Christ is. And Christ will be ruling over his people with perfect supremacy no matter who is elected and no matter what government stands or falls. So we vote as though not voting.
By all means vote. But remember: “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). Voting with you, as though not voting,
Pastor John
Voting is like marrying and crying and laughing and buying. We should do it, but only as if we were not doing it. That’s because “the present form of this world is passing away” and, in God’s eyes, “the time has grown very short.” Here’s the way Paul puts it:
The appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. (1 Corinthians 7:29–31)
Let’s take these one at a time and compare them to voting.
1. “Let those who have wives live as though they had none.”
This doesn’t mean move out of the house, don’t have sex, and don’t call her Honey. Earlier in this chapter Paul says, “The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights” (1 Corinthians 7:3). He also says to love her the way Christ loved the church, leading and providing and protecting (Ephesians 5:25–30). It means this: Marriage is momentary. It’s over at death, and there is no marriage in the resurrection. Wives and husbands are second priorities, not first. Christ is first. Marriage is for making much of him.
It means: If she is exquisitely desirable, beware of desiring her more than Christ. And if she is deeply disappointing, beware of being hurt too much. This is temporary—only a brief lifetime. Then comes the never-disappointing life which is life indeed.
So it is with voting. We should do it. But only as if we were not doing it. Its outcomes do not give us the greatest joy when they go our way, and they do not demoralize us when they don’t. Political life is for making much of Christ whether the world falls apart or holds together.
2. “Let those who mourn [do so] as though they were not mourning.”
Christians mourn with real, deep, painful mourning, especially over losses—loss of those we love, loss of health, loss of a dream. These losses hurt. We cry when we are hurt. But we cry as though not crying. We mourn knowing we have not lost something so valuable we cannot rejoice in our mourning. Our losses do not incapacitate us. They do not blind us to the possibility of a fruitful future serving Christ. The Lord gives and takes away. But he remains blessed. And we remain hopeful in our mourning.
So it is with voting. There are losses. We mourn. But not as those who have no hope. We vote and we lose, or we vote and we win. In either case, we win or lose as if we were not winning or losing. Our expectations and frustrations are modest. The best this world can offer is short and small. The worst it can offer has been predicted in the book of Revelation. And no vote will hold it back. In the short run, Christians lose (Revelation 13:7). In the long run, we win (Revelation 21:4).
3. “Let those who rejoice [do so] as though they were not rejoicing.”
Christians rejoice in health (James 5:13) and in sickness (James 1:2). There are a thousand good and perfect things that come down from God that call forth the feeling of happiness. Beautiful weather. Good friends who want to spend time with us. Delicious food and someone to share it with. A successful plan. A person helped by our efforts.
But none of these good and beautiful things can satisfy our soul. Even the best cannot replace what we were made for, namely, the full experience of the risen Christ (John 17:24). Even fellowship with him here is not the final and best gift. There is more of him to have after we die (Philippians 1:21–23)—and even more after the resurrection. The best experiences here are foretastes. The best sights of glory are through a mirror dimly. The joy that rises from these previews does not and should not rise to the level of the hope of glory. These pleasures will one day be as though they were not. So we rejoice remembering this joy is a foretaste, and will be replaced by a vastly better joy.
So it is with voting. There are joys. The very act of voting is a joyful statement that we are not under a tyrant. And there may be happy victories. But the best government we get is a foreshadowing. Peace and justice are approximated now. They will be perfect when Christ comes. So our joy is modest. Our triumphs are short-lived—and shot through with imperfection. So we vote as though not voting.
4. “Let those who buy [do so] as though they had no goods.”
Let Christians keep on buying while this age lasts. Christianity is not withdrawal from business. We are involved, but as though not involved. Business simply does not have the weight in our hearts that it has for many. All our getting and all our having in this world is getting and having things that are not ultimately important. Our car, our house, our books, our computers, our heirlooms—we possess them with a loose grip. If they are taken away, we say that in a sense we did not have them. We are not here to possess. We are here to lay up treasures in heaven.
This world matters. But it is not ultimate. It is the stage for living in such a way to show that this world is not our God, but that Christ is our God. It is the stage for using the world to show that Christ is more precious than the world.
So it is with voting. We do not withdraw. We are involved—but as if not involved. Politics does not have ultimate weight for us. It is one more stage for acting out the truth that Christ, and not politics, is supreme.
5. “Let those who deal with the world [do so] as though they had no dealings with it.”
Christians should deal with the world. This world is here to be used. Dealt with. There is no avoiding it. Not to deal with it is to deal with it that way. Not to weed your garden is to cultivate a weedy garden. Not to wear a coat in Minnesota is to freeze—to deal with the cold that way. Not to stop when the light is red is to spend your money on fines or hospital bills and deal with the world that way. We must deal with the world.
But as we deal with it, we don’t give it our fullest attention. We don’t ascribe to the world the greatest status. There are unseen things that are vastly more precious than the world. We use the world without offering it our whole soul. We may work with all our might when dealing with the world, but the full passions of our heart will be attached to something higher—Godward purposes. We use the world, but not as an end in itself. It is a means. We deal with the world in order to make much of Christ.
So it is with voting. We deal with the system. We deal with the news. We deal with the candidates. We deal with the issues. But we deal with it all as if not dealing with it. It does not have our fullest attention. It is not the great thing in our lives. Christ is. And Christ will be ruling over his people with perfect supremacy no matter who is elected and no matter what government stands or falls. So we vote as though not voting.
By all means vote. But remember: “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). Voting with you, as though not voting,
Pastor John
Friday, October 15, 2010
luke chapter 21:5-38, signs of the end of the age
5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6"As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
7"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
8He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. 9When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
10Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
12"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17All men will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By standing firm you will gain life.
20"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
29He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32"I tell you the truth, this generation[b] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
37Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
7"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
8He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. 9When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
10Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
12"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17All men will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By standing firm you will gain life.
20"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
29He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32"I tell you the truth, this generation[b] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
37Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
do we live in reality, or in a state of denial?
"whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, this is the way; walk in it." isaiah 30:21
hope is by far one of the most wonderful qualities a human being can have. we all hope that a bad situation will go away, but do you find yourself ignoring it or dealing with it head on? i think it depends on the situation.
i think most people do both. it bothers me when individuals say that they don't worry, or aren't anxious about something. that they take life as it comes without any stresses. that right there goes against scripture regarding trials and tribulations. each one has faced a trial, it just all depends on how we handle it.
"though you have made me see my troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up." psalm 71:20
can we judge a government that spends too much money that they don't have, when we do this ourselves? can we judge one another for an addiction they may have, when we may have one ourselves? can we blame a teacher for not educating our child when we don't teach them at home? can we judge our spouses on their actions when we have done something just as bad, but have sought their forgiveness? humility is far better than self-righteousness.
each one of us is not perfect. each one of us enables anothers sin (that's a sin in itself). each one of us would rather turn away from a trial instead of working hard to resolve it. each one of us has yelled out in anger and disrespect to prove a point. think about this; we say we forgive, but do you still bring it up over and over again in your minds and hearts? then you haven't forgiven.
"for men are not cast off by the LORD forever. though he brings grief, he will also show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. for he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." lamentations 3:31-33
we have choices to make; GOD gives you the choice if you take the time to listen. when you accept HIS words to be the only truth; then HE shows you the way. we will never be without sin, but that doesn't give us the right to continually commit sins over and over again. if you accept HIM into your hearts then a change begins in your soul; the HOLY SPIRIT has come alive in you. you have turned from the darkness, and now you are walking in the light.
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. these are the things I will do: I will not forsake them." isaiah 42:16
hope is by far one of the most wonderful qualities a human being can have. we all hope that a bad situation will go away, but do you find yourself ignoring it or dealing with it head on? i think it depends on the situation.
i think most people do both. it bothers me when individuals say that they don't worry, or aren't anxious about something. that they take life as it comes without any stresses. that right there goes against scripture regarding trials and tribulations. each one has faced a trial, it just all depends on how we handle it.
"though you have made me see my troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up." psalm 71:20
can we judge a government that spends too much money that they don't have, when we do this ourselves? can we judge one another for an addiction they may have, when we may have one ourselves? can we blame a teacher for not educating our child when we don't teach them at home? can we judge our spouses on their actions when we have done something just as bad, but have sought their forgiveness? humility is far better than self-righteousness.
each one of us is not perfect. each one of us enables anothers sin (that's a sin in itself). each one of us would rather turn away from a trial instead of working hard to resolve it. each one of us has yelled out in anger and disrespect to prove a point. think about this; we say we forgive, but do you still bring it up over and over again in your minds and hearts? then you haven't forgiven.
"for men are not cast off by the LORD forever. though he brings grief, he will also show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. for he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men." lamentations 3:31-33
we have choices to make; GOD gives you the choice if you take the time to listen. when you accept HIS words to be the only truth; then HE shows you the way. we will never be without sin, but that doesn't give us the right to continually commit sins over and over again. if you accept HIM into your hearts then a change begins in your soul; the HOLY SPIRIT has come alive in you. you have turned from the darkness, and now you are walking in the light.
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. these are the things I will do: I will not forsake them." isaiah 42:16
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
www.reviveyourhearts.com
"We need to live with an attitude of waiting on God with expectancy, anticipation, and alertness until God gives us an answer, however long that takes.
God speaks clearly today by His Spirit and through His written Word. Do not expect Him to speak to you apart from His Word.
When you speak to God, don't tell Him how to answer your prayers. God loves to surprise us. You may not think His answer is the right one, but I guarantee you that it is. That's where faith comes in."
i am sent these words of wisdom daily from the website www.reviveyourhearts.com and i would encourage you to sign up for them at the site. this is a great site for women of all ages that are married, or single. i believe this to be true of our FATHER no matter what the circumstances, whether we agree with HIM or not. if something in your gut is telling you that the choice you made is not the right one, then it usually means that it isn't.
God speaks clearly today by His Spirit and through His written Word. Do not expect Him to speak to you apart from His Word.
When you speak to God, don't tell Him how to answer your prayers. God loves to surprise us. You may not think His answer is the right one, but I guarantee you that it is. That's where faith comes in."
i am sent these words of wisdom daily from the website www.reviveyourhearts.com and i would encourage you to sign up for them at the site. this is a great site for women of all ages that are married, or single. i believe this to be true of our FATHER no matter what the circumstances, whether we agree with HIM or not. if something in your gut is telling you that the choice you made is not the right one, then it usually means that it isn't.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
hebrews chapter 6:7-19 - warning against unbelief
the simple question to ask yourself; is why can't you fully give yourself to GOD? are we so selfish in spirit and mind that we feel our way is better? we have come to a great turning point in this country to return our values to HIM. we are each a child of GOD, but do you have the courage to live by HIS rules or society's rules?
Warning Against Unbelief
7So, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
8do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the desert,
9where your fathers tested and tried me
and for forty years saw what I did.
10That is why I was angry with that generation,
and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.'
11So I declared on oath in my anger,
'They shall never enter my rest.' "[a]
12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15As has just been said:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion."[b]
16Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? 18And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed[c]? 19So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
Warning Against Unbelief
7So, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
8do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the desert,
9where your fathers tested and tried me
and for forty years saw what I did.
10That is why I was angry with that generation,
and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray,
and they have not known my ways.'
11So I declared on oath in my anger,
'They shall never enter my rest.' "[a]
12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15As has just been said:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion."[b]
16Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? 18And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed[c]? 19So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
Monday, October 11, 2010
GOD comes first
yesterday was a powerful day for me. the past week and half we have had some house issues that have been quite unexpected and challenging. i am not a creature of change unless it is expected. i like the norm of my schedule with my children and that was interrupted. to be quite honest it makes me very cranky.
one of those great life lessons presented itself to me when i needed to be reminded of it. i didn't do such a hot job on handling it. GOD's unconditional love in all circumstances is quite reassuring. i have been hard on my spouse since this all happened, and of course there is no reason for it because he didn't do anything wrong. home improvement should be in all pre-marriage classes before a couple weds; it is quite a test of strength for the couple.
after our bible study class and church service i started thinking about how GOD should always come first. we may at some point in our lives put HIM last, but HE is always waiting for us to return to HIM. it may be a situation, a scripture verse you read, or even just a conversation with a friend when the clarity hits you that you weren't relying on HIM first.
i was putting my anxiety and worry on my husband when i should have been giving it to GOD. last week i didn't focus each morning on writing the words out that i felt that GOD wanted me to write. i wasn't reading scripture the way i have been doing over the last couple of months and i didn't feel at peace. it's amazing to me how fast we can let the world take over in our hearts; in a blink of an eye.
GOD is always testing our faith, and i think most of us fail at it. sometimes, it can take a day, a week, a month or even a year for us to get that HE IS THE ONE WE SHOULD TURN TO FIRST. there is great comfort in knowing that GOD will not fail you, because HE doesn't make mistakes. if we aren't choosing to listen to HIM, or do what he commands first then we are sinning.
"so then just as you received CHRIST JESUS AS LORD, continue to live in HIM, rooted and built up in HIM, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" colossians 2:6-7
one of those great life lessons presented itself to me when i needed to be reminded of it. i didn't do such a hot job on handling it. GOD's unconditional love in all circumstances is quite reassuring. i have been hard on my spouse since this all happened, and of course there is no reason for it because he didn't do anything wrong. home improvement should be in all pre-marriage classes before a couple weds; it is quite a test of strength for the couple.
after our bible study class and church service i started thinking about how GOD should always come first. we may at some point in our lives put HIM last, but HE is always waiting for us to return to HIM. it may be a situation, a scripture verse you read, or even just a conversation with a friend when the clarity hits you that you weren't relying on HIM first.
i was putting my anxiety and worry on my husband when i should have been giving it to GOD. last week i didn't focus each morning on writing the words out that i felt that GOD wanted me to write. i wasn't reading scripture the way i have been doing over the last couple of months and i didn't feel at peace. it's amazing to me how fast we can let the world take over in our hearts; in a blink of an eye.
GOD is always testing our faith, and i think most of us fail at it. sometimes, it can take a day, a week, a month or even a year for us to get that HE IS THE ONE WE SHOULD TURN TO FIRST. there is great comfort in knowing that GOD will not fail you, because HE doesn't make mistakes. if we aren't choosing to listen to HIM, or do what he commands first then we are sinning.
"so then just as you received CHRIST JESUS AS LORD, continue to live in HIM, rooted and built up in HIM, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" colossians 2:6-7
Sunday, October 10, 2010
a prayer for each of you reading
"therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" james 5:16
i pray that if you are sad you will find happiness.
i pray that if you are sick you will be healed.
i pray that if you are weak in spirit that HE will find your heart.
i pray that if you are lost in sin that you will find the light.
i pray that if you are anxious about anything that you will give it to the LORD.
i pray that if you are worried about money that GOD will ease your worries and show you the way.
i pray that if your life is full of blessings that you praise HIM for all that you have been given.
i praise HIM for your uniqueness, because GOD has made each one of you beautiful and you are loved.
i pray that if you have not accepted HIM into your hearts that you will.
i pray that each of you seek scripture so that you can find the true meaning of life.
i pray that you forgive those that have wronged you, or that you seek forgiveness from those that you have hurt.
i praise GOD for each one of you, because you are my brothers and sisters in CHRIST.
"this is the message that we have heard from HIM and declare to you: GOD IS LIGHT; in HIM there is no darkness at all. if we claim to have fellowship with HIM yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. but if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of JESUS, HIS SON, purifies us from all sin." 1 john 1:5-7
i pray that if you are sad you will find happiness.
i pray that if you are sick you will be healed.
i pray that if you are weak in spirit that HE will find your heart.
i pray that if you are lost in sin that you will find the light.
i pray that if you are anxious about anything that you will give it to the LORD.
i pray that if you are worried about money that GOD will ease your worries and show you the way.
i pray that if your life is full of blessings that you praise HIM for all that you have been given.
i praise HIM for your uniqueness, because GOD has made each one of you beautiful and you are loved.
i pray that if you have not accepted HIM into your hearts that you will.
i pray that each of you seek scripture so that you can find the true meaning of life.
i pray that you forgive those that have wronged you, or that you seek forgiveness from those that you have hurt.
i praise GOD for each one of you, because you are my brothers and sisters in CHRIST.
"this is the message that we have heard from HIM and declare to you: GOD IS LIGHT; in HIM there is no darkness at all. if we claim to have fellowship with HIM yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. but if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of JESUS, HIS SON, purifies us from all sin." 1 john 1:5-7
Friday, October 8, 2010
ephesians 5
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.">
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.">
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
the window to our souls; our eyes
on the way home from church last week when we were stopped at a stoplight a homeless person came to our car window. you could tell this woman had been living on the streets for a long time. we rolled down our window to give her money and we took the time to look into her eyes.
i have to admit that this is a new thing for me to do. i used to never look into a homeless person's eye's, not so much out of fear, but out of guilt. i felt guilt that i had a home, food to eat, or clothing to wear. i felt guilt that my life was better financially, so i never saw them as a person. do be quite honest, i very rarely gave them money, because i didn't want to give up any of mine.
i had the usual stereotypical response that most homeless individuals were drug addicts, alcoholics, or just plain lazy. i looked into this woman's eyes and saw pain. i saw that life had beaten her down, but just this one act of kindness by looking at her in the eyes made her smile. she is a child of GOD just as much as you and i.
we often forget that those around us are living in poverty, or that their life has taken a much different road than ours. i can pretty much bet that most of us can't turn water into wine, or make 5,000 loaves of bread from a few. i do know though that GOD sees each one of us as HIS children, so compassion and grace should be in our hearts. judgement should never play a role in our motives for not helping an individual.
it is not the responsibility of the government, or a foundation to help those that are in need. it is the responsibility of GOD's children to help those that cannot help themselves. GOD challenges us to look into the souls of others without judgement, but with great compassion just as he has shown us.
"share with GOD's people that are in need. practice hospitality" romans 12:13
"we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." romans 15:1
"if you have any encouragement from being united with CHRIST, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others." phillipians 2:1-4
i have to admit that this is a new thing for me to do. i used to never look into a homeless person's eye's, not so much out of fear, but out of guilt. i felt guilt that i had a home, food to eat, or clothing to wear. i felt guilt that my life was better financially, so i never saw them as a person. do be quite honest, i very rarely gave them money, because i didn't want to give up any of mine.
i had the usual stereotypical response that most homeless individuals were drug addicts, alcoholics, or just plain lazy. i looked into this woman's eyes and saw pain. i saw that life had beaten her down, but just this one act of kindness by looking at her in the eyes made her smile. she is a child of GOD just as much as you and i.
we often forget that those around us are living in poverty, or that their life has taken a much different road than ours. i can pretty much bet that most of us can't turn water into wine, or make 5,000 loaves of bread from a few. i do know though that GOD sees each one of us as HIS children, so compassion and grace should be in our hearts. judgement should never play a role in our motives for not helping an individual.
it is not the responsibility of the government, or a foundation to help those that are in need. it is the responsibility of GOD's children to help those that cannot help themselves. GOD challenges us to look into the souls of others without judgement, but with great compassion just as he has shown us.
"share with GOD's people that are in need. practice hospitality" romans 12:13
"we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." romans 15:1
"if you have any encouragement from being united with CHRIST, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others." phillipians 2:1-4
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
sharing the word of GOD
i am much more comfortable sharing the word of GOD by writing about it then speaking about it. i find that i can speak easily about it with friends that i attend church with, or friends that i know to be strong in their walks with CHRIST.
scripture teaches us that we should be sharing the words of GOD with everyone. it has become politically incorrect to mention christianity to others in the american society today. we have the fear of being labeled radical, bible beater, or even have a sense of shame when it comes to sharing our faith. why is that?
being persecuted for your faith in CHRIST is nothing new; take for example paul. the majority of the new testament was written by paul because of his meeting with GOD on his journey to damascus. paul's conversion is one of the greatest testaments in all of CHRISTIANITY to the POWER OF GOD. his journey to fulfill the teachings of CHRIST was met with many hardships, but he persevered, because he knew this is what GOD required of him. GOD requires all CHRISTIANS to share HIS truth.
"i became a servant of this gospel by the gift of GOD's grace given to me through the working of his power. although i am less than the least of all GOD's people, this grace was given to me: to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of CHRIST, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery , which for ages was kept hidden in GOD, who created all things." ephesians 3:7-9
by not sharing this truth with others we are sinning and failing him. it is in each us through our spirits, through nature, or by scripture that GOD has made himself know to us. we all have the sense of knowing what is right and what is wrong.
last night i was going through some books that were my grandmother's and i found an article that was between a child and the reverend billy graham. i thought i would share it with you. it had a profound effect on me.
show concern about teaching others, by billy graham
"question: i am 10 years old and a CHRISTIAN. i would like to know how to teach others about the LORD JESUS without them laughing at me."
"answer: i am delighted to know of your faith in CHRIST and your concern to share your faith with others. many of us who are older could profit from your example.
first, i would urge you to pray specifically for your friends and relatives who do not know CHRIST. only the HOLY SPIRIT can convict them of their need for CHRIST, and we should pray that HE will do this.
then ask GOD to give you a greater love for your friends, especially those who laugh at you. pray also that GOD will give you opportunities to express your love to them in specific ways.
in addition, remember peter's statement that we are to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 peter 3:15)." learn more of what the bible teaches that GOD has done for you in CHRIST.
finally, be sure your life reflects JESUS CHRIST. often this will do more to draw people to CHRIST than anything we may say."
scripture teaches us that we should be sharing the words of GOD with everyone. it has become politically incorrect to mention christianity to others in the american society today. we have the fear of being labeled radical, bible beater, or even have a sense of shame when it comes to sharing our faith. why is that?
being persecuted for your faith in CHRIST is nothing new; take for example paul. the majority of the new testament was written by paul because of his meeting with GOD on his journey to damascus. paul's conversion is one of the greatest testaments in all of CHRISTIANITY to the POWER OF GOD. his journey to fulfill the teachings of CHRIST was met with many hardships, but he persevered, because he knew this is what GOD required of him. GOD requires all CHRISTIANS to share HIS truth.
"i became a servant of this gospel by the gift of GOD's grace given to me through the working of his power. although i am less than the least of all GOD's people, this grace was given to me: to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of CHRIST, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery , which for ages was kept hidden in GOD, who created all things." ephesians 3:7-9
by not sharing this truth with others we are sinning and failing him. it is in each us through our spirits, through nature, or by scripture that GOD has made himself know to us. we all have the sense of knowing what is right and what is wrong.
last night i was going through some books that were my grandmother's and i found an article that was between a child and the reverend billy graham. i thought i would share it with you. it had a profound effect on me.
show concern about teaching others, by billy graham
"question: i am 10 years old and a CHRISTIAN. i would like to know how to teach others about the LORD JESUS without them laughing at me."
"answer: i am delighted to know of your faith in CHRIST and your concern to share your faith with others. many of us who are older could profit from your example.
first, i would urge you to pray specifically for your friends and relatives who do not know CHRIST. only the HOLY SPIRIT can convict them of their need for CHRIST, and we should pray that HE will do this.
then ask GOD to give you a greater love for your friends, especially those who laugh at you. pray also that GOD will give you opportunities to express your love to them in specific ways.
in addition, remember peter's statement that we are to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 peter 3:15)." learn more of what the bible teaches that GOD has done for you in CHRIST.
finally, be sure your life reflects JESUS CHRIST. often this will do more to draw people to CHRIST than anything we may say."
Monday, October 4, 2010
is all sin equal in GOD's eyes?
one of the topics of our monthly small group was whether or not in GOD's eyes all sin was equal. for most us murder and lying are not the same thing, but they are both sin.
we will all be held accountable for each sin we commit, but are we going to be judged on the degree of the sin? by accepting HIM we are washed of our sins by HIS blood. take for example, the criminal that hangs beside CHRIST during the crucifixion.
"one of criminals who hung there hurled insults at HIM: aren't YOU the CHRIST? save YOURSELF and us! but the other criminal rebuked him. don't let you fear GOD, he said, since you are under the same sentence? we are being punished justly, for we are getting what are deeds deserve. but this MAN has done nothing wrong. then he said, JESUS remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom. JESUS answered him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with ME in paradise." luke 23:39-43
i put the question to you then; are you more righteous than a man that commits murder and accepts CHRIST? according to scripture; NO. if you have learned the words of GOD, but aren't trying to live in CHRIST's image and accept HIM as the truth then you are failing in GOD'S eyes. HE gave HIS only SON so that you could be saved. GOD knows your hearts. each one us is equal in HIS eyes.
below is an excerpt from john piper's www.desiringgod.org website. john piper is a very well respected theologian and pastor. his interpretation of sin in the bible is one of the best i've read and it confronts how GOD will view our sin whether it be small or large.
"I've often heard it said that all sins are equal before God. But this just doesn't seem right. What would you say?
I have heard that too. And the reason people have said that is because of James 2:10 where it says, "If you have committed one sin you are guilty of all." Which seems to mean that, whether small sin or big sin, I'm totally guilty of all the commandments. Therefore every sin is equally damning to me.
That's not the whole story, is it?
First, not everybody is hurt in the same way by every sin. In other words, if I shoot Michael dead right now, or if I just spit on him, both are very ugly sins and Jesus calls hatred murder. But he's not dead if I only spit on him!
So worse sin—meaning worse in its effect—would be killing over spitting. And I think we should say that. It is! Because consequences matter—at least for you!—and for me, I think, because here is another text we have to bring in.
Jesus taught that there would be degrees of punishment. If you know the right and don't do it, you'll be beaten with more stripes than if you don't know the right and do wrong.
So there's degrees of punishment, which must mean degrees of guiltiness, which must mean that some sins are more blameworthy than others.
Let me go back to James and just say what I think is meant there. The argument is, The reason why you are guilty of all if you do one sin is because one God said all.
Therefore, what he is drawing attention to is, if I say to God, "I'm going to do this against you"—this small sin, say, spitting on somebody—"and I'm going to do this big sin against you," in both cases you've defied God. In both cases you've said no to God. That's what he's saying. He wants us to feel that every sin, from the smallest to the greatest, is against God and not just against people and their consequences.
And in that sense every sin is infinitely heinous.
So you just have to carve this up and say that when it comes to God being defamed in my heart, I am committing an infinite evil against him if I do a small sin or a big sin."
we will all be held accountable for each sin we commit, but are we going to be judged on the degree of the sin? by accepting HIM we are washed of our sins by HIS blood. take for example, the criminal that hangs beside CHRIST during the crucifixion.
"one of criminals who hung there hurled insults at HIM: aren't YOU the CHRIST? save YOURSELF and us! but the other criminal rebuked him. don't let you fear GOD, he said, since you are under the same sentence? we are being punished justly, for we are getting what are deeds deserve. but this MAN has done nothing wrong. then he said, JESUS remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom. JESUS answered him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with ME in paradise." luke 23:39-43
i put the question to you then; are you more righteous than a man that commits murder and accepts CHRIST? according to scripture; NO. if you have learned the words of GOD, but aren't trying to live in CHRIST's image and accept HIM as the truth then you are failing in GOD'S eyes. HE gave HIS only SON so that you could be saved. GOD knows your hearts. each one us is equal in HIS eyes.
below is an excerpt from john piper's www.desiringgod.org website. john piper is a very well respected theologian and pastor. his interpretation of sin in the bible is one of the best i've read and it confronts how GOD will view our sin whether it be small or large.
"I've often heard it said that all sins are equal before God. But this just doesn't seem right. What would you say?
I have heard that too. And the reason people have said that is because of James 2:10 where it says, "If you have committed one sin you are guilty of all." Which seems to mean that, whether small sin or big sin, I'm totally guilty of all the commandments. Therefore every sin is equally damning to me.
That's not the whole story, is it?
First, not everybody is hurt in the same way by every sin. In other words, if I shoot Michael dead right now, or if I just spit on him, both are very ugly sins and Jesus calls hatred murder. But he's not dead if I only spit on him!
So worse sin—meaning worse in its effect—would be killing over spitting. And I think we should say that. It is! Because consequences matter—at least for you!—and for me, I think, because here is another text we have to bring in.
Jesus taught that there would be degrees of punishment. If you know the right and don't do it, you'll be beaten with more stripes than if you don't know the right and do wrong.
So there's degrees of punishment, which must mean degrees of guiltiness, which must mean that some sins are more blameworthy than others.
Let me go back to James and just say what I think is meant there. The argument is, The reason why you are guilty of all if you do one sin is because one God said all.
Therefore, what he is drawing attention to is, if I say to God, "I'm going to do this against you"—this small sin, say, spitting on somebody—"and I'm going to do this big sin against you," in both cases you've defied God. In both cases you've said no to God. That's what he's saying. He wants us to feel that every sin, from the smallest to the greatest, is against God and not just against people and their consequences.
And in that sense every sin is infinitely heinous.
So you just have to carve this up and say that when it comes to God being defamed in my heart, I am committing an infinite evil against him if I do a small sin or a big sin."
Saturday, October 2, 2010
my 5th greatest blessing
next to james, proverbs is my 2nd favorite book. last summer a pastor in our church talked about proverbs having all of life's answers of what it means to live a christian life. i agree with him, because not only does this book cover everything, it puts GOD'S words in small verses that can be easily understood.
"the proverbs of soloman son of david, king of israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young - let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance - for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." proverbs 1:1-7
my favorite verse in the entire bible comes from proverbs; "trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." proverbs 3:5-6
this verse to me is by far one of the hardest things to do about being a christian. it challenges us to put all our faith in him, and tests our understanding of what it means to be a CHRISTIAN. the reality of the verse is that through good times and bad, our only solution is to trust that GOD is doing what is meant for our lives. the devil will slowly take over if you are not putting your complete trust in CHRIST. "the faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his" proverbs 14:14
with my ms i have had to realize over and over again that i have no control over the progression of this disease. GOD really is the ONLY ONE that does. i can take every med that is provided for the treatment, and every suggestion of my doctor, but in the end it all comes from HIM. this is a hard pill to swallow. in giving me this disease i realize that HE gave me something that will continually test my faith in HIM. what a blessing! this is my gift that brought me to HIM; my fifth greatest blessing in my life next to HIM and my family.
"the proverbs of soloman son of david, king of israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young - let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance - for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." proverbs 1:1-7
my favorite verse in the entire bible comes from proverbs; "trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." proverbs 3:5-6
this verse to me is by far one of the hardest things to do about being a christian. it challenges us to put all our faith in him, and tests our understanding of what it means to be a CHRISTIAN. the reality of the verse is that through good times and bad, our only solution is to trust that GOD is doing what is meant for our lives. the devil will slowly take over if you are not putting your complete trust in CHRIST. "the faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his" proverbs 14:14
with my ms i have had to realize over and over again that i have no control over the progression of this disease. GOD really is the ONLY ONE that does. i can take every med that is provided for the treatment, and every suggestion of my doctor, but in the end it all comes from HIM. this is a hard pill to swallow. in giving me this disease i realize that HE gave me something that will continually test my faith in HIM. what a blessing! this is my gift that brought me to HIM; my fifth greatest blessing in my life next to HIM and my family.
Friday, October 1, 2010
a healthy fear of the LORD
"the LORD detests all the proud of heart. be sure of this: they will not go unpunished. through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil." proverbs 16:5-6
the big question of the day is; do you fear GOD? the answer should be yes, but i don't think the world any longer fears HIM. GOD expects you to have a healthy fear of him, just as you would a child to parent, or in your relationships. we are here to hold each other accountable with love and grace, to live by HIS rules. if we live through HIM we are truly free people; all people are equal in HIS eyes.
it is much easier in human nature to blame another, than to accept the blame for our mistakes. we hardened hearts to those around us if a wrong is committed. we become prideful and righteous without looking to ourselves first. we judge them harshly without consequence. we begin to ignore the voice in our minds and the heaviness in our hearts when we make choices. i think HE gives us a very clear messages on how to live if we just listen and read HIS words. if your heart is telling you something feels wrong then it probably is. the devil is just waiting for an opportunity to step in to take your deeper into the darkness.
we are HIS children, so there will always be a consequence to our actions, but that does mean that HE doesn't love us. do you still love your children when they do something wrong; of course you do! do you still love your spouse; of course you do! do you still love your friend; of course you do! GOD does not forsake you even if you have forsaken HIM; HE always fights for you and your love.
holding each other accountable shouldn't be offensive; that is the world's law not GOD'S. HE has created us to be brothers and sisters in CHRIST; to confront what is wicked. HE has asked us to be as merciful with each other as HE is with us. HE asks us to be forgiving and show grace to another. above all HE asks us to love our neighbors as you would yourself and even our enemies. HE created us in HIS image and HIS image alone.
the current state of affairs in this country and the world proves that we would rather blame our governments than to ourselves accountable. we became passive and turned a blind eye to those that we asked to administer our laws. we allowed the devil to take over and rule, not GOD. we as GOD'S children must always admit our wrongdoings and seek the forgiveness of HIM first and then others. by HIS hand alone we will be given grace; no matter what good deeds we do. the choices we make will play in part in that; so we should fear HIM just as we would our fathers and mothers.
our government alone is not to blame for our crisis. we chose to live beyond our means, we chose to look away and not guard our freedom. now that we have awakened to the light will we fight GOD'S way, or man's way? if we fear HIM and look to HIM. we can surely find the right answer, or we continue to suffer the consequence of following man's law. we can solve this problems with hard work and peace. we can learn too teach without it being offensive to another.
please take the time to read scripture, because you will learn just how much HE loves and cherishes us. HE is teaching us like a parent would a child.
"he who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for HIS children it will be a refuge. the fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death." proverbs 14:26-27
check out the accordance in the back of your bible and you will find so many verses regarding fearing GOD and not man.
the big question of the day is; do you fear GOD? the answer should be yes, but i don't think the world any longer fears HIM. GOD expects you to have a healthy fear of him, just as you would a child to parent, or in your relationships. we are here to hold each other accountable with love and grace, to live by HIS rules. if we live through HIM we are truly free people; all people are equal in HIS eyes.
it is much easier in human nature to blame another, than to accept the blame for our mistakes. we hardened hearts to those around us if a wrong is committed. we become prideful and righteous without looking to ourselves first. we judge them harshly without consequence. we begin to ignore the voice in our minds and the heaviness in our hearts when we make choices. i think HE gives us a very clear messages on how to live if we just listen and read HIS words. if your heart is telling you something feels wrong then it probably is. the devil is just waiting for an opportunity to step in to take your deeper into the darkness.
we are HIS children, so there will always be a consequence to our actions, but that does mean that HE doesn't love us. do you still love your children when they do something wrong; of course you do! do you still love your spouse; of course you do! do you still love your friend; of course you do! GOD does not forsake you even if you have forsaken HIM; HE always fights for you and your love.
holding each other accountable shouldn't be offensive; that is the world's law not GOD'S. HE has created us to be brothers and sisters in CHRIST; to confront what is wicked. HE has asked us to be as merciful with each other as HE is with us. HE asks us to be forgiving and show grace to another. above all HE asks us to love our neighbors as you would yourself and even our enemies. HE created us in HIS image and HIS image alone.
the current state of affairs in this country and the world proves that we would rather blame our governments than to ourselves accountable. we became passive and turned a blind eye to those that we asked to administer our laws. we allowed the devil to take over and rule, not GOD. we as GOD'S children must always admit our wrongdoings and seek the forgiveness of HIM first and then others. by HIS hand alone we will be given grace; no matter what good deeds we do. the choices we make will play in part in that; so we should fear HIM just as we would our fathers and mothers.
our government alone is not to blame for our crisis. we chose to live beyond our means, we chose to look away and not guard our freedom. now that we have awakened to the light will we fight GOD'S way, or man's way? if we fear HIM and look to HIM. we can surely find the right answer, or we continue to suffer the consequence of following man's law. we can solve this problems with hard work and peace. we can learn too teach without it being offensive to another.
please take the time to read scripture, because you will learn just how much HE loves and cherishes us. HE is teaching us like a parent would a child.
"he who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for HIS children it will be a refuge. the fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death." proverbs 14:26-27
check out the accordance in the back of your bible and you will find so many verses regarding fearing GOD and not man.
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