heaven is the ultimate goal. what we do on earth is going to determine our outcome for eternal life. normally i would be freaked out completely by this, and would be stressing over this now. this is the year though that i have challenged myself to completely let go and let GOD'S rules take over.
our pastor said something yesterday that was a burden lifted that i didn't even realize i had. i have been begging for years to have some of my emotional pain be removed and it's never gone away. what if GOD has intended for me to have it, so i will continue to rely on HIM? our pastor stood before the congregation and with great humility confessed the terrible pain that he had been going through in his marriage which ultimately ended in divorce.
what i took away from that sermon was that there are some things in life that will never go away; the pain of it. i still have pain over my parents divorce. i've been praying for it to be taken away, and most of it has actually been taken away. i have forgiven those that i know caused this pain; i love them dearly. this emotional heartache is actually a huge driving force in my life that encourages me to strive. this actual pain is what makes me continue to make my marriage stronger.
my husband and i have a joke that when we got married we were "blinded" by the love. for those of you that are married you remember the euphoric, romantic love that blinded all sense of reality to what marriage was really going to be like that is what "blinded by the love means." the month before we were married was hell, actually the whole time planning the wedding was not much fun. the end result was beautiful; i loved my wedding.
if there is any advice that i could give someone getting married is that you must be willing to continually sacrifice for one another, or you're not going to make it. there are some things that i know you can't sacrifice and that will always be a challenge. when you're young and getting married remember this. the marriages that have lasted over 20, 30, 40 years i'm sure know this already. the other is to remember that you will change over time, sometimes for the better and sometimes not.
our marriage is preparing us over the course our lifetime to be graced by HIM. what we choose to do in our marriage is a reflection on HIM. your relationship with CHRIST is the same. GOD tells you what is right and what is wrong. GOD tells you what is acceptable and what isn't. GOD tells you what is offensive and what isn't. GOD is continually teaching us to learn from HIS word; not just ourselves, but from each other.
i remember an argument that i had with my father years ago. i was a teenager and in my selfish and prideful ego i asked my father to choose me over my step-mother; to put me first. he said no. i remember that i was so angry and hurt by this, but i get it now. i can imagine how destroying that would have been to their marriage. in that one moment my father showed me one of the greatest lessons about love and marriage.
a friend yesterday that i've known for years said "10 years ago if you had told me that you would become religious i wouldn't have believed it." my response was that i got sick, but i have reconsidered that answer. i got sick and got married. two of the greatest blessings that i have ever been given by GOD.
"15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." colossians 1:15-20
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
clothe ourselves in humility
"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble" 1 peter 5:5
last night was the last sermon in the sermon series "thirsting for GOD" by gary thomas. for those of you that don't know me i am a gary thomas junkie. i love his teachings. one of the things i know i admire about him is his humility. to be quite honest i can't name many individuals that have humility. what a shocker! as c.s. lewis said "pride is a cancer."
in our society it is viewed as a weakness; to GOD it is one of the ultimate acts of serving HIM. all of us have pride. for those of us that say we have humility; that's another act of pride. selfishness equals pride. the world has told us that we need to be glorified at all times for our choices and our acts of serving another. does GOD do this? in my opinion, no. our egos are too big to admit the gifts we've been given, or the failures that plague us.
mr. thomas said last night one of the main reasons why most marriages fail is because of pride. this didn't really surprise me. the reason why i say that is because every act that happens to force a marriage into divorce is pride. we begin to resent our spouse for not realizing what we need in a marriage, so pride and sin take over. we can't see past our own selfishness to see what the other individual needs and why. GOD designed marriage to be graced with humility; to serve one another with no other reward other than to GLORIFY GOD. husbands and wives are to serve one another.
i take pride in my failures more than i do my gifts. totally big issue right there! i have no idea how to create balance. i don't know how to accept someones encouragement, or compliments because i can't believe that about myself. this is a struggle i realize, and i need to work on this.
mr. thomas also brought up parenting and having humility in the home. i thought long and hard about this. if a couple cannot admit their failures too each other, seek forgiveness, and show humility how will our children learn that? one of the greatest gifts we can give children is humility; the complete act of serving GOD and another before themselves.
i have no idea how to find balance with the act of humility. i am also finding that i can only count maybe 3 individuals in my life that have found this balance. i know a lot of people.
i do know that two of the most disgusting displays of pride is our government and oprah winfrey. see i don't care what they have done for individuals; i just want them to do it without seeking glorification from everyone else. the only reason why they are doing it is for their own selfish means; they want the world to see them as wonderful beings - they are playing GOD.
"6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 peter 5:6-8
last night was the last sermon in the sermon series "thirsting for GOD" by gary thomas. for those of you that don't know me i am a gary thomas junkie. i love his teachings. one of the things i know i admire about him is his humility. to be quite honest i can't name many individuals that have humility. what a shocker! as c.s. lewis said "pride is a cancer."
in our society it is viewed as a weakness; to GOD it is one of the ultimate acts of serving HIM. all of us have pride. for those of us that say we have humility; that's another act of pride. selfishness equals pride. the world has told us that we need to be glorified at all times for our choices and our acts of serving another. does GOD do this? in my opinion, no. our egos are too big to admit the gifts we've been given, or the failures that plague us.
mr. thomas said last night one of the main reasons why most marriages fail is because of pride. this didn't really surprise me. the reason why i say that is because every act that happens to force a marriage into divorce is pride. we begin to resent our spouse for not realizing what we need in a marriage, so pride and sin take over. we can't see past our own selfishness to see what the other individual needs and why. GOD designed marriage to be graced with humility; to serve one another with no other reward other than to GLORIFY GOD. husbands and wives are to serve one another.
i take pride in my failures more than i do my gifts. totally big issue right there! i have no idea how to create balance. i don't know how to accept someones encouragement, or compliments because i can't believe that about myself. this is a struggle i realize, and i need to work on this.
mr. thomas also brought up parenting and having humility in the home. i thought long and hard about this. if a couple cannot admit their failures too each other, seek forgiveness, and show humility how will our children learn that? one of the greatest gifts we can give children is humility; the complete act of serving GOD and another before themselves.
i have no idea how to find balance with the act of humility. i am also finding that i can only count maybe 3 individuals in my life that have found this balance. i know a lot of people.
i do know that two of the most disgusting displays of pride is our government and oprah winfrey. see i don't care what they have done for individuals; i just want them to do it without seeking glorification from everyone else. the only reason why they are doing it is for their own selfish means; they want the world to see them as wonderful beings - they are playing GOD.
"6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 peter 5:6-8
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
desires of the heart
the desires of our heart only GOD truly knows. the last year i have been praying for something and it has been given to me. it is a testament to the power of prayer. it was something that i have feared for so long and when i finally gave it up to HIS control it was granted.
GOD's greater purpose and time frame is not always how we choose. control over our own lives and others seems to be the way of the world. maybe their is too much fear in us to really give up the control to HIM. the desire to be fully HIS is something that is hard to do.
when paul began his journey to spread the gospel at GOD's command i wonder if he struggled with trying to control the outcome to his own will? i fear every day posting these words and what the individuals will think when reading it. i fear if GOD is truly leading me in the right direction for the course of my life. i have many desires in my heart, but i know that not all them will be granted because that may not be the course HE wants me to take.
i have the strong desire to have another child. physically i can't do this and i know that it would be selfish of me to give into this desire. i think as a mother that desire never really goes away.
i have the desire to be beautiful physically again, but i'm exhausted. that is pure vanity on my part. i realize that i want to control my age and that time is taking over. what a great sin.
i think sometimes after a while some of our desires mask what we already have. we tend to focus on our wants and what we don't have instead of the blessings that we do have. all of of us do this, i just sometimes wonder if we will ever be able to give this up.
"2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 2 peter 1:2-4
GOD's greater purpose and time frame is not always how we choose. control over our own lives and others seems to be the way of the world. maybe their is too much fear in us to really give up the control to HIM. the desire to be fully HIS is something that is hard to do.
when paul began his journey to spread the gospel at GOD's command i wonder if he struggled with trying to control the outcome to his own will? i fear every day posting these words and what the individuals will think when reading it. i fear if GOD is truly leading me in the right direction for the course of my life. i have many desires in my heart, but i know that not all them will be granted because that may not be the course HE wants me to take.
i have the strong desire to have another child. physically i can't do this and i know that it would be selfish of me to give into this desire. i think as a mother that desire never really goes away.
i have the desire to be beautiful physically again, but i'm exhausted. that is pure vanity on my part. i realize that i want to control my age and that time is taking over. what a great sin.
i think sometimes after a while some of our desires mask what we already have. we tend to focus on our wants and what we don't have instead of the blessings that we do have. all of of us do this, i just sometimes wonder if we will ever be able to give this up.
"2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 2 peter 1:2-4
Monday, January 24, 2011
being too comfortable
i have been reading these books about spiritual warfare. they are both fiction, but it is quite interesting on how GOD and satan use our circumstance and emotion to battle against each other; which is not fiction. during our sunday school class yesterday one our teachers made a comment about how "we should always be a little uncomfortable in the world." i started thinking about this, because of how many individuals or societies that have just gotten a little too comfortable with their surroundings.
i'm never truly at peace, which is the opposite of what society tells me. i am constantly seeking GOD for more wisdom on how to do something, or what i should have done in a situation. when peace finally does show itself then i know that i have done what GOD required of me to do at that time. my husband and i have be struggling, and actually arguing about a decision that both of us didn't feel right about making. we ended up going the opposite direction and we stopped arguing. GOD put it on both our hearts that we were making the wrong decision for our family.
sometimes when we are given the chance to do something that we thought was the right choice, or the desire of our hearts it turns out to be the wrong choice. our teacher talked about having to give up a battle that had been going on for over 2 years in their life. he said now he is going to have to basically re-train his mind and heart to realize the battle is over. i started thinking what if they cured ms and i had to live my life without the disease anymore. it would be an incredible blessing, but it would also be a whole new journey to conquer.
there was a situation that occurred in me and my husband's life a few months ago that still has me questioning the outcome on what could have been done differently, and how we should live up to the end decision that came from it. my husband has already resolved it in his mind and i haven't. the reason is because i am still trying to learn wisdom from it. first of all it got way out control; second of all it actually brought to light some things that had been going on for years. with all the parties involved there will always be a reminder of what not to do and what we should be doing.
when we get a little too comfortable in our journey with GOD then i wonder if we are too prideful. maybe we've decided that we can control our lives better than GOD can. do we ever stop to think that maybe the hardships we suffer, aren't about the other individual, but what we are actually doing. when we say "i don't do this", or "i don't that"; then maybe we should look into ourselves and see if we actually do. sometimes it will hit you in the face, heart and mind so hard that you think; "what have i been doing all these years." we have to step out of our comfort zones sometimes and just face the facts.
"15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[g] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant." colossians 1:15-23
i'm never truly at peace, which is the opposite of what society tells me. i am constantly seeking GOD for more wisdom on how to do something, or what i should have done in a situation. when peace finally does show itself then i know that i have done what GOD required of me to do at that time. my husband and i have be struggling, and actually arguing about a decision that both of us didn't feel right about making. we ended up going the opposite direction and we stopped arguing. GOD put it on both our hearts that we were making the wrong decision for our family.
sometimes when we are given the chance to do something that we thought was the right choice, or the desire of our hearts it turns out to be the wrong choice. our teacher talked about having to give up a battle that had been going on for over 2 years in their life. he said now he is going to have to basically re-train his mind and heart to realize the battle is over. i started thinking what if they cured ms and i had to live my life without the disease anymore. it would be an incredible blessing, but it would also be a whole new journey to conquer.
there was a situation that occurred in me and my husband's life a few months ago that still has me questioning the outcome on what could have been done differently, and how we should live up to the end decision that came from it. my husband has already resolved it in his mind and i haven't. the reason is because i am still trying to learn wisdom from it. first of all it got way out control; second of all it actually brought to light some things that had been going on for years. with all the parties involved there will always be a reminder of what not to do and what we should be doing.
when we get a little too comfortable in our journey with GOD then i wonder if we are too prideful. maybe we've decided that we can control our lives better than GOD can. do we ever stop to think that maybe the hardships we suffer, aren't about the other individual, but what we are actually doing. when we say "i don't do this", or "i don't that"; then maybe we should look into ourselves and see if we actually do. sometimes it will hit you in the face, heart and mind so hard that you think; "what have i been doing all these years." we have to step out of our comfort zones sometimes and just face the facts.
"15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[g] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant." colossians 1:15-23
Thursday, January 20, 2011
death and time
we are to live each day as if it were our last. i don't do this and i don't think most of us do. we are to live our lives with the goal of reaching heaven everyday. last night in gary thomas's sermon he talked about our denial of death. we live as though we are going to have an infinite amount of days to live. this is a morbid topic i know, but i actually had not thought about death this way before.
he used two visuals for our imagination. would you have an affair knowing that you would be facing GOD within a few hours? would you meet GOD in a drunken stupor if you were to be facing GOD within a few hours? to be honest these visuals scared the crap out of me, not that i done those things that day, but i thought "oh my" what have i done today that glorified GOD? well i don't know if i can do enough everyday to glorify HIM, but i do know that just taking the time in my choices does glorify HIM.
i fear GOD way more than i do people. if i am choosing time away from my loved ones when i should be choosing time for my loved ones than i have failed. my immediate family comes before all others. my time with GOD comes before my immediate family. i get up early each day, so that i can spend time with GOD reading scripture and writing this. i do this not just for personal wisdom, but in the hope that someone will value GOD more. i also do this early in the morning, so i am not taking the time away from my children.
scripture tells us that we do not know when CHRIST will come again, so we must prepare ourselves each day for HIS coming. scripture also tells us that we must prepare ourselves each day, because we do not know when we will die. we must be prepared for when HE holds us accountable for our choices. repentance for our choices is most important when it comes to this, so i hope most of us take the time to repent, or seek forgiveness.
my ultimate goal is time on my marriage. the time will come when my children are grown and if i haven't made the time with my husband to make our marriage grow, than what will we have? neither one of us knows when that time will be taken away, so we must live each day together as if it were our last. if i choose something over my marriage, or allow something to interfere in my marriage then GOD is going to hold me accountable for this. in my opinion this will be my ultimate judgement; what i allowed to come in between me and my husband.
when i have an attack i have to go back and look at how i spent my time up to that attack. did i rest enough? did i take on more than i should have? did i allow stresses, or situations to interfere with my time? if the answer to any those questions is that i did or didn't then i have failed. i need to rid my life of it, or make the effort to choose my time wisely. when i am sick that takes time away from my husband and my children. that is something that i'm not willing to give up.
"As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it." ecclesiastes 8:8
"He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority." acts 1:7
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord" acts 3:19
"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God" 1 corinthians 4:5
he used two visuals for our imagination. would you have an affair knowing that you would be facing GOD within a few hours? would you meet GOD in a drunken stupor if you were to be facing GOD within a few hours? to be honest these visuals scared the crap out of me, not that i done those things that day, but i thought "oh my" what have i done today that glorified GOD? well i don't know if i can do enough everyday to glorify HIM, but i do know that just taking the time in my choices does glorify HIM.
i fear GOD way more than i do people. if i am choosing time away from my loved ones when i should be choosing time for my loved ones than i have failed. my immediate family comes before all others. my time with GOD comes before my immediate family. i get up early each day, so that i can spend time with GOD reading scripture and writing this. i do this not just for personal wisdom, but in the hope that someone will value GOD more. i also do this early in the morning, so i am not taking the time away from my children.
scripture tells us that we do not know when CHRIST will come again, so we must prepare ourselves each day for HIS coming. scripture also tells us that we must prepare ourselves each day, because we do not know when we will die. we must be prepared for when HE holds us accountable for our choices. repentance for our choices is most important when it comes to this, so i hope most of us take the time to repent, or seek forgiveness.
my ultimate goal is time on my marriage. the time will come when my children are grown and if i haven't made the time with my husband to make our marriage grow, than what will we have? neither one of us knows when that time will be taken away, so we must live each day together as if it were our last. if i choose something over my marriage, or allow something to interfere in my marriage then GOD is going to hold me accountable for this. in my opinion this will be my ultimate judgement; what i allowed to come in between me and my husband.
when i have an attack i have to go back and look at how i spent my time up to that attack. did i rest enough? did i take on more than i should have? did i allow stresses, or situations to interfere with my time? if the answer to any those questions is that i did or didn't then i have failed. i need to rid my life of it, or make the effort to choose my time wisely. when i am sick that takes time away from my husband and my children. that is something that i'm not willing to give up.
"As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death. As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it." ecclesiastes 8:8
"He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority." acts 1:7
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord" acts 3:19
"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God" 1 corinthians 4:5
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
can someone define what is offensive now?
i just got done reading an article about the new alabama governor regarding a speech he made. he said that all those that had accepted JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOUR were his brothers and sisters in CHRIST. he also said that those that haven't accepted CHRIST weren't his brothers and sisters.
the media and a another group have implied that because he said this he may not be tolerate, or accepting of those that don't believe CHRIST is their saviour. my question is do they even know if that is true? has his past suggested that he wouldn't be tolerate, or caring to non-christians?
it seems that we can't even speak anymore without everything being offensive. i don't know why this is. i am more offended that the group assumed that he wouldn't be tolerate. we live in almost fear of everything we do, or say anymore so we don't offend someone. when did GOD become so offensive to speak of?
there are some things that are truly offensive that we seem to ignore as a society. i don't understand how a black man can call another black man "a nigger." this word is terribly offensive. i often think what would martin luther king jr think of this? he fought and died so individuals could understand how offensive this is to another human being.
i find it offensive that our own president doesn't say CREATOR when he reads the declaration of independence. i find it to be very disrespectful to our founding fathers that based the laws of the united states on scripture and GOD.
i'm sure that i have offended quite a few individuals that have read this blog. it's my opinion only. does that mean that you have to read it; no. the truth of scripture is offensive. it's not comfortable always to hear. it's not a continually, tell all book of how wonderful you are. scripture tells you what is sin and what you need to do to live as christian. one of those is to spread the gospel no matter how offensive that is. others don't have to listen, or accept CHRIST. we are not responsible for anothers salvation, only GOD is.
we were once a christian nation. we at one time held scripture and the truths of CHRIST to be the most important thing. CHRIST tells us to tell the truth to each other; to hold each other accountable. this isn't easy. HE never said that it was going be easy. we did this to ourselves when adam and eve ate the apple. HE gave us HIS SON so we could be saved from our sin. why have so many forgotten that?
"6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:6-10
the media and a another group have implied that because he said this he may not be tolerate, or accepting of those that don't believe CHRIST is their saviour. my question is do they even know if that is true? has his past suggested that he wouldn't be tolerate, or caring to non-christians?
it seems that we can't even speak anymore without everything being offensive. i don't know why this is. i am more offended that the group assumed that he wouldn't be tolerate. we live in almost fear of everything we do, or say anymore so we don't offend someone. when did GOD become so offensive to speak of?
there are some things that are truly offensive that we seem to ignore as a society. i don't understand how a black man can call another black man "a nigger." this word is terribly offensive. i often think what would martin luther king jr think of this? he fought and died so individuals could understand how offensive this is to another human being.
i find it offensive that our own president doesn't say CREATOR when he reads the declaration of independence. i find it to be very disrespectful to our founding fathers that based the laws of the united states on scripture and GOD.
i'm sure that i have offended quite a few individuals that have read this blog. it's my opinion only. does that mean that you have to read it; no. the truth of scripture is offensive. it's not comfortable always to hear. it's not a continually, tell all book of how wonderful you are. scripture tells you what is sin and what you need to do to live as christian. one of those is to spread the gospel no matter how offensive that is. others don't have to listen, or accept CHRIST. we are not responsible for anothers salvation, only GOD is.
we were once a christian nation. we at one time held scripture and the truths of CHRIST to be the most important thing. CHRIST tells us to tell the truth to each other; to hold each other accountable. this isn't easy. HE never said that it was going be easy. we did this to ourselves when adam and eve ate the apple. HE gave us HIS SON so we could be saved from our sin. why have so many forgotten that?
"6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:6-10
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
facing my ms; facing my fear
a couple of nights ago i had a dream where each time i sat down and then got up my legs wouldn't move as well as they had the last time. each time i had a harder time walking than i did before. each time i picked myself up and moved no matter how hard it was to go forward.
not being able to walk and being in a wheelchair at some point with this disease is probably one of my biggest fears. i have denied this for years. instead of facing that fear, i buried it. GOD always has a different plan in mind when HE decides it's time for us to face something. this last attack HE made sure that it was time for me to face that reality. i have realized that i carry a great deal of shame and vanity about this. i don't want individuals to see me as a woman in just a wheelchair.
what's interesting about ms is that it forces you into seasons. each season of the disease is different. life of course is that way. i have always had too much pride in the way i handle my disease, instead of enough humility. i have pushed my body more than i should way too many times because of pride and fear. lately instead of burying the fact that i have ms i have had to deal with it. without GOD guiding me i would still be in denial. if we seek wisdom from HIM, HE will at some point give it to us.
when you see me physically you wouldn't even know i have ms unless i told you. my husband has become an observer of my ms. he knows when something is going on with me physically and he questions me about it. for years i have said i am fine even when i wasn't. usually, within a few weeks i am in a full blown attack. see, i have even made my husband forget that i have ms, because i didn't want him to worry. we both have had to change our way of thinking about it.
for years i have prayed that i didn't have ms; that my doctor was wrong. i have been trying to prove to myself and others that i can still do all the things that others can do physically. i have been lying to myself for years. GOD has allowed me to do this for years; HE finally said enough. HE finally said you will have peace about this and you must give it to ME.
i have had a great deal of peace about my ms since i let it go to HIM. i have had a great deal of peace about realizing that i can't do it all. what's funny about this is, HE has been trying for years to get me to face this. HE knew i wasn't ready yet, until now. i have to finally tell the truth to myself and others that it is real. GOD BLESS all of my family and friends that have had to wait for me to do this.
i love this about GOD. i love that i am still growing in HIM. i love that HE is in control of this and that i don't need to worry so much about it. it is freeing to be able to tell the truth about how this disease makes me feel physically and emotionally. i thank HIM for giving me the wisdom to finally give it up.
"yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through HIM who loved us. for i am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to seperate us from the love of GOD which is in CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD." romans 8:37-39
"for you will light my lamp; the LORD MY GOD will enlighten my darkness. for by YOU i can run against a troop, by my GOD i can leap over a wall. as for GOD, HIS way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; HE is a shield to all who trust in HIM." psalm 18:28-30
"then JESUS spoke to them again, saying I am the light of the world. HE who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of LIFE." john 8:12
not being able to walk and being in a wheelchair at some point with this disease is probably one of my biggest fears. i have denied this for years. instead of facing that fear, i buried it. GOD always has a different plan in mind when HE decides it's time for us to face something. this last attack HE made sure that it was time for me to face that reality. i have realized that i carry a great deal of shame and vanity about this. i don't want individuals to see me as a woman in just a wheelchair.
what's interesting about ms is that it forces you into seasons. each season of the disease is different. life of course is that way. i have always had too much pride in the way i handle my disease, instead of enough humility. i have pushed my body more than i should way too many times because of pride and fear. lately instead of burying the fact that i have ms i have had to deal with it. without GOD guiding me i would still be in denial. if we seek wisdom from HIM, HE will at some point give it to us.
when you see me physically you wouldn't even know i have ms unless i told you. my husband has become an observer of my ms. he knows when something is going on with me physically and he questions me about it. for years i have said i am fine even when i wasn't. usually, within a few weeks i am in a full blown attack. see, i have even made my husband forget that i have ms, because i didn't want him to worry. we both have had to change our way of thinking about it.
for years i have prayed that i didn't have ms; that my doctor was wrong. i have been trying to prove to myself and others that i can still do all the things that others can do physically. i have been lying to myself for years. GOD has allowed me to do this for years; HE finally said enough. HE finally said you will have peace about this and you must give it to ME.
i have had a great deal of peace about my ms since i let it go to HIM. i have had a great deal of peace about realizing that i can't do it all. what's funny about this is, HE has been trying for years to get me to face this. HE knew i wasn't ready yet, until now. i have to finally tell the truth to myself and others that it is real. GOD BLESS all of my family and friends that have had to wait for me to do this.
i love this about GOD. i love that i am still growing in HIM. i love that HE is in control of this and that i don't need to worry so much about it. it is freeing to be able to tell the truth about how this disease makes me feel physically and emotionally. i thank HIM for giving me the wisdom to finally give it up.
"yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through HIM who loved us. for i am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to seperate us from the love of GOD which is in CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD." romans 8:37-39
"for you will light my lamp; the LORD MY GOD will enlighten my darkness. for by YOU i can run against a troop, by my GOD i can leap over a wall. as for GOD, HIS way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; HE is a shield to all who trust in HIM." psalm 18:28-30
"then JESUS spoke to them again, saying I am the light of the world. HE who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of LIFE." john 8:12
Monday, January 17, 2011
letting go
by now most of are well into our resolutions for the year, or we have completely thrown them by the waste side. i normally don't do resolutions because i know that i won't complete them and i will fail. this year though i decided i needed to let go of my idols and try to learn about letting go. this is not going to be a one year process, this is going to be many years in the making. i have made the choice to let these idols go. LORD HELP ME and HE will.
two things happened yesterday; one a bible lesson, the other a sermon. one was on GOD's principles and the other about sovereignty. both are the same. GOD's laws are the laws of the world and HE is in complete control of the world. i'm not saying this is easy, because we have actual human nature to deal with. all throughout the bible you see individuals and societies that have fallen from HIS rules, and then you get to see the individual that is brave enough to bring GOD back to them.
the sin of being in control of our life has got to be the hardest sin to let go of. we are not GOD's equal. we will never be HIS equal. so why would we try to be; pride, selfishness, righteousness. last week i heard a story about an alcoholic. he decided to stop drinking. he didn't go to rehab, he just stopped. for over 3 years he fought the urge to drink and he overcame it. what if we looked at addictions this way? what if it wasn't really addiction? what if it was just our choice to continue the addiction? it is my choice to continue to hold onto things; no one else's.
i have sins that i committed years ago that still haunt me; i haven't let them go. sin has consequence. not only does it affect you, but it affects others around you. when we carry a past sin; it becomes an even bigger sin. when we can't let it go and cast it onto HIM then we are still sinning. sooner or later i have to give them up in my journey, or i will never be truly HIS. all of us have it with something; all of us. to think that we don't is the sin. being humble enough to admit that you carry it is a bigger step to letting HIM in to take control.
if i talk about GOD's principles to my children, but don't reflect that in my everyday life then i'm teaching them a lie. if you read scripture and it tells you how to live a christian life then why aren't we living it. if we fail and we don't seek forgiveness from HIM first and then the one we have wronged then we are too prideful. not only are we prideful about ourselves; we are too prideful in thinking that GOD will forgive us.
c.s. lewis described pride as a cancer; it is just that. it spreads and then we can't humble ourselves enough to see what we may have done wrong. this is my year of trying to let go. i have to let go these idols go. i have to rid my life of past hurts, past wrongs, past pride to live by HIS principles and HIS rules. that is HIS love for me.
"pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. he who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he." proverbs 16:18-20
"do not love the world or the things in the world. if anyone loves the world, the love of the FATHER is not in HIM. for all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the FATHER but is of the world. and the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of GOD abides forever.
"for GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 timothy 1:7
"they profess to know GOD, but in works they deny HIM, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." titus 1:16
two things happened yesterday; one a bible lesson, the other a sermon. one was on GOD's principles and the other about sovereignty. both are the same. GOD's laws are the laws of the world and HE is in complete control of the world. i'm not saying this is easy, because we have actual human nature to deal with. all throughout the bible you see individuals and societies that have fallen from HIS rules, and then you get to see the individual that is brave enough to bring GOD back to them.
the sin of being in control of our life has got to be the hardest sin to let go of. we are not GOD's equal. we will never be HIS equal. so why would we try to be; pride, selfishness, righteousness. last week i heard a story about an alcoholic. he decided to stop drinking. he didn't go to rehab, he just stopped. for over 3 years he fought the urge to drink and he overcame it. what if we looked at addictions this way? what if it wasn't really addiction? what if it was just our choice to continue the addiction? it is my choice to continue to hold onto things; no one else's.
i have sins that i committed years ago that still haunt me; i haven't let them go. sin has consequence. not only does it affect you, but it affects others around you. when we carry a past sin; it becomes an even bigger sin. when we can't let it go and cast it onto HIM then we are still sinning. sooner or later i have to give them up in my journey, or i will never be truly HIS. all of us have it with something; all of us. to think that we don't is the sin. being humble enough to admit that you carry it is a bigger step to letting HIM in to take control.
if i talk about GOD's principles to my children, but don't reflect that in my everyday life then i'm teaching them a lie. if you read scripture and it tells you how to live a christian life then why aren't we living it. if we fail and we don't seek forgiveness from HIM first and then the one we have wronged then we are too prideful. not only are we prideful about ourselves; we are too prideful in thinking that GOD will forgive us.
c.s. lewis described pride as a cancer; it is just that. it spreads and then we can't humble ourselves enough to see what we may have done wrong. this is my year of trying to let go. i have to let go these idols go. i have to rid my life of past hurts, past wrongs, past pride to live by HIS principles and HIS rules. that is HIS love for me.
"pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. he who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he." proverbs 16:18-20
"do not love the world or the things in the world. if anyone loves the world, the love of the FATHER is not in HIM. for all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the FATHER but is of the world. and the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of GOD abides forever.
"for GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 timothy 1:7
"they profess to know GOD, but in works they deny HIM, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." titus 1:16
Saturday, January 15, 2011
hearing the truth
hearing the truth is something that most of say we want, but do we really want to know? there is passage in matthew where CHRIST talks about the cost of following HIM and it pretty much tells you that you will hear the truth from HIM, but you may not like HIM for it. scripture is full of the truth whether we want to hear it, or not. we have become a nation where we would rather have our emotion fed than to hear the truth.
my husband and i are notorius, blame game fighters with each other. we both throw it each other's faces about what the other hasn't done, or has done. we both hate to admit our mistakes to each other in our marriage. this is one of the most destructive things about our marriage. neither one of us is always willing to accept the blame for the problem, instead of resolving the problem. i think a lot of people are this way. it is much easier to turn the blame on someone else than it is to face that we were wrong.
my parents are pretty "no nonsense" kinda people. my mom and dad really didn't believe in that term feed your children's self-esteem. i used to resent it, now it has prepared me for the very, harsh reality of the world. i really do believe that if they hadn't been this way i wouldn't have been able to handle having ms. when they told me that they were proud of me recently i knew that i had earned that compliment from them. they would not have given it to me if they weren't.
GOD said that we would have hardship and trials; HE told us the truth. HE said that we would have to work hard for what we earn in this life; HE told us the truth. why all of the sudden do we have to give respect and praise where it isn't deserved? my husband gets up every morning and goes to provide for himself and his family. i respect his drive to do that, because a lot of men don't do that. the truth is this is what GOD told men to do. every morning i get up to take care of my children, because GOD gave me them and GOD told me this is what women are to do. it doesn't matter how i feel, it is my job to raise these young men.
i see it this way, would i have respect for myself if i didn't provide for them in this way; no. i haven't earned that respect from my husband, my children, OR GOD if i just lay there. a friend did something for me this past week that showed me how much she respects and loves me. she told me the truth.
for the past couple of weeks my husband and i have been looking for a larger home. the reason is because at some point my mother will be moving in with us. she is by herself and i will not be able to physically always care for my children the way i do now. that's the harsh reality of it. we found a beautiful, two story home that is us all the way, but i'm not going to be able to walk up the stairs forever. my friend told me this truth and i had to accept that. she's right, because that is the hand i have been dealt with having MS.
the funny thing about this is that years ago i would have been so offended and hurt by this truth that i probably wouldn't have talked to her again. CHRIST told us to tell the truth of a situation, not sugar coat it. if we are doing something wrong we are supposed to hold each accountable for that. this is now called being too harsh and offensive.
this is all about growing and learning from HIM. it's ok to say the truth no matter how much it hurts. i don't always want to hear the truth, because then i have to face my own failures. paul in 1 corinthians 13 talks about love. he is talking to the church about the love of CHRIST and what that means. love is speaking the truth, love is sometimes harsh. it's a hard thing to tell someone you love the truth, but CHRIST commands you to.
"So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth." Luke 20:21
"They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen." romans 1:25
"6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 corinthians 13:6-7
my husband and i are notorius, blame game fighters with each other. we both throw it each other's faces about what the other hasn't done, or has done. we both hate to admit our mistakes to each other in our marriage. this is one of the most destructive things about our marriage. neither one of us is always willing to accept the blame for the problem, instead of resolving the problem. i think a lot of people are this way. it is much easier to turn the blame on someone else than it is to face that we were wrong.
my parents are pretty "no nonsense" kinda people. my mom and dad really didn't believe in that term feed your children's self-esteem. i used to resent it, now it has prepared me for the very, harsh reality of the world. i really do believe that if they hadn't been this way i wouldn't have been able to handle having ms. when they told me that they were proud of me recently i knew that i had earned that compliment from them. they would not have given it to me if they weren't.
GOD said that we would have hardship and trials; HE told us the truth. HE said that we would have to work hard for what we earn in this life; HE told us the truth. why all of the sudden do we have to give respect and praise where it isn't deserved? my husband gets up every morning and goes to provide for himself and his family. i respect his drive to do that, because a lot of men don't do that. the truth is this is what GOD told men to do. every morning i get up to take care of my children, because GOD gave me them and GOD told me this is what women are to do. it doesn't matter how i feel, it is my job to raise these young men.
i see it this way, would i have respect for myself if i didn't provide for them in this way; no. i haven't earned that respect from my husband, my children, OR GOD if i just lay there. a friend did something for me this past week that showed me how much she respects and loves me. she told me the truth.
for the past couple of weeks my husband and i have been looking for a larger home. the reason is because at some point my mother will be moving in with us. she is by herself and i will not be able to physically always care for my children the way i do now. that's the harsh reality of it. we found a beautiful, two story home that is us all the way, but i'm not going to be able to walk up the stairs forever. my friend told me this truth and i had to accept that. she's right, because that is the hand i have been dealt with having MS.
the funny thing about this is that years ago i would have been so offended and hurt by this truth that i probably wouldn't have talked to her again. CHRIST told us to tell the truth of a situation, not sugar coat it. if we are doing something wrong we are supposed to hold each accountable for that. this is now called being too harsh and offensive.
this is all about growing and learning from HIM. it's ok to say the truth no matter how much it hurts. i don't always want to hear the truth, because then i have to face my own failures. paul in 1 corinthians 13 talks about love. he is talking to the church about the love of CHRIST and what that means. love is speaking the truth, love is sometimes harsh. it's a hard thing to tell someone you love the truth, but CHRIST commands you to.
"So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth." Luke 20:21
"They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen." romans 1:25
"6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 corinthians 13:6-7
Thursday, January 13, 2011
we justify our sin
"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 timothy 6:11-12""
our sin is that we justify sin"....i didn't get this quote correct from gary thomas's sermon last night, but you get the idea. the idea of pursuing something with great endurance made me think about all the things we pursue, but we don't pursue our relationship with GOD that way.
what is so wrong with pursuing a relationship with GOD? what is so wrong with pursuing HIS words through scripture? fear is what it seems to amount to. we are scared of what we will find in ourselves that sins against HIM. gary thomas last night said "that we must accept and deal with the fact that we have sin and temptation instead of hiding from it. if given the opportunity would we choose the sin." would we have the endurance and strength to walk away? the reality is most of us would choose the sin, because we find ok to justify it and we think GOD will always forgive us for it.
envy, greed, gluttony, vanity, etc..the list could go on and on. what drives us? are we doing these things because GOD told us to, or are we doing these things because of what's inside us? think about this; are you pursuing CHRIST everyday for HIS glory, or are you forcing yourself to do it because that is what chrisitan society and the church tells you to do? when you give you must do it with your whole heart and if you aren't giving your whole heart to HIM then why are you doing it?
don't get me wrong i believe you should read scripture, because what starts to happen in your heart is so wonderful that it is hard to step away from that. it's what we take from it that seems to be the problem. we want to read scripture, but we don't want to live that way. we want to manipulate it to our advantage; that's our sin.
take for example abortion. GOD says that all life is a gift, it doesn't matter the circumstances in which that life was created; wouldn't this be murder? take for example money. we pursue more and more money even when we have enough to live on; does it become greed then? take for example beauty. we buy more and more make-up, starve ourselves, or even resort to plastic surgery; isn't this vanity?
one of my greatest sins will be my temper. it will be the one that will take me years and years to fight. i have to fight it, because GOD told me to. every time i fail i must seek HIS forgiveness and those that i have been on the receiving end of my temper. every time i lose it i have let the devil in. i hope and pray through my faith and with HIM in my heart i can conquer it.
our sin is that we justify sin"....i didn't get this quote correct from gary thomas's sermon last night, but you get the idea. the idea of pursuing something with great endurance made me think about all the things we pursue, but we don't pursue our relationship with GOD that way.
what is so wrong with pursuing a relationship with GOD? what is so wrong with pursuing HIS words through scripture? fear is what it seems to amount to. we are scared of what we will find in ourselves that sins against HIM. gary thomas last night said "that we must accept and deal with the fact that we have sin and temptation instead of hiding from it. if given the opportunity would we choose the sin." would we have the endurance and strength to walk away? the reality is most of us would choose the sin, because we find ok to justify it and we think GOD will always forgive us for it.
envy, greed, gluttony, vanity, etc..the list could go on and on. what drives us? are we doing these things because GOD told us to, or are we doing these things because of what's inside us? think about this; are you pursuing CHRIST everyday for HIS glory, or are you forcing yourself to do it because that is what chrisitan society and the church tells you to do? when you give you must do it with your whole heart and if you aren't giving your whole heart to HIM then why are you doing it?
don't get me wrong i believe you should read scripture, because what starts to happen in your heart is so wonderful that it is hard to step away from that. it's what we take from it that seems to be the problem. we want to read scripture, but we don't want to live that way. we want to manipulate it to our advantage; that's our sin.
take for example abortion. GOD says that all life is a gift, it doesn't matter the circumstances in which that life was created; wouldn't this be murder? take for example money. we pursue more and more money even when we have enough to live on; does it become greed then? take for example beauty. we buy more and more make-up, starve ourselves, or even resort to plastic surgery; isn't this vanity?
one of my greatest sins will be my temper. it will be the one that will take me years and years to fight. i have to fight it, because GOD told me to. every time i fail i must seek HIS forgiveness and those that i have been on the receiving end of my temper. every time i lose it i have let the devil in. i hope and pray through my faith and with HIM in my heart i can conquer it.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
are you on the fence?
one of our sunday school teachers used this phrase regarding our belief in CHRIST on sunday. the attack of a christian church by a suicide bomber in egypt was mentioned. the church had to cancel it's christmas services for fear of another attack. are christians realizing that their faith is being attacked more and more; or do you think it is isolated?
i think most of us have seen christianity attacked with just having GOD removed from almost everything, because it is offensive to others that don't believe. a nativity scene that had been displayed for over 50 years in front of a church was removed this year, because it offended an individual that drove by it everyday. are these attacks on christianity; yes they are.
i was thinking about this comment sunday night and most of yesterday. we could apply this to any one of our beliefs. most of us base our beliefs because of , not what GOD says. we are more willing to believe what society tells us to believe than what CHRIST has told us. all of CHRIST'S disciples died because of great suffering for following HIM. would we be willing to do that? that's really the question you have to ask yourself. JESUS asked us to leave all things behind to follow HIM. there is a verse in scripture where CHRIST describes what really must happen before we fully understand what it means to follow him.
"Not Peace but Division
49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” luke 12:49-53
there will have to be division and discord in the world for individuals to fully accept HIM. it's not going to happen with just our enemies, but with our families and friends that do not accept HIM. harsh reality i know. most of say we accept HIM, but i don't know if we really know what it takes to follow HIM. as i journey further into scripture i realize more and more how i have not fully accepted HIS TRUTHS and WORDS into my heart.
CHRIST wants us to have all the joys, love and grace HE has given us. HE wants us to enter HIS beloved kingdom, but if we don't do all things that HE requires of us we will be held accountable for that. remember, it is by HIS HAND and HIS GRACE alone that you enter HIS kingdom. (check out revelations)
with that said i think of all the times i have denied HIM just as peter did when i haven't glorified HIM, or rebuked because of fear. i think of how i have hid my faith from some, but not others. i think of how i have betrayed HIM just as judas did because of worry of offending another. radical i know, but that is what HE expects from me.
"Interpreting the Times
54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?
57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” luke 12:54-59
i think most of us have seen christianity attacked with just having GOD removed from almost everything, because it is offensive to others that don't believe. a nativity scene that had been displayed for over 50 years in front of a church was removed this year, because it offended an individual that drove by it everyday. are these attacks on christianity; yes they are.
i was thinking about this comment sunday night and most of yesterday. we could apply this to any one of our beliefs. most of us base our beliefs because of , not what GOD says. we are more willing to believe what society tells us to believe than what CHRIST has told us. all of CHRIST'S disciples died because of great suffering for following HIM. would we be willing to do that? that's really the question you have to ask yourself. JESUS asked us to leave all things behind to follow HIM. there is a verse in scripture where CHRIST describes what really must happen before we fully understand what it means to follow him.
"Not Peace but Division
49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52 From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” luke 12:49-53
there will have to be division and discord in the world for individuals to fully accept HIM. it's not going to happen with just our enemies, but with our families and friends that do not accept HIM. harsh reality i know. most of say we accept HIM, but i don't know if we really know what it takes to follow HIM. as i journey further into scripture i realize more and more how i have not fully accepted HIS TRUTHS and WORDS into my heart.
CHRIST wants us to have all the joys, love and grace HE has given us. HE wants us to enter HIS beloved kingdom, but if we don't do all things that HE requires of us we will be held accountable for that. remember, it is by HIS HAND and HIS GRACE alone that you enter HIS kingdom. (check out revelations)
with that said i think of all the times i have denied HIM just as peter did when i haven't glorified HIM, or rebuked because of fear. i think of how i have hid my faith from some, but not others. i think of how i have betrayed HIM just as judas did because of worry of offending another. radical i know, but that is what HE expects from me.
"Interpreting the Times
54 He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?
57 “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? 58 As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” luke 12:54-59
Monday, January 10, 2011
trying to plan our futures
during a conversation with some friends this weekend we were talking about living in the present; living in the moment. this is hard one, because for most of us we have been trained to plan ahead with our lives. i realized that i do this all the time, all the time. i am wasting precious time by not enjoying what GOD has put in front of me.
the one thing that i try to plan ahead for is my ms. ms doesn't work that way, and neither does GOD i am realizing more and more. i can choose to rest more. i can choose not to do physically more than i should. also, i have to realize if i don't do these things then there is a great possibility that i will get sick. the same goes for following HIM; i can choose to follow HIM, or there is a great possibility that i will fail. i don't know if i'm willing to take that chance anymore.
really the main point is that GOD didn't say we could plan out our futures, because HE is the only one that does that. HE knows every choice we are going to make before we even know. HE try's HIS hardest to move us in the direction we should be going, whether we choose that or not is the question. i have made choices over the years that went against what HE sought for me, what HE tried to tell me not to do, and i failed.
for most of us this is going to be hard to do, because we aren't trained to think this way. take for the example the economy. no matter what economists say about what the long term holds; it's what happening now in the economy. groceries, gas, and utilities have already sky-rocketed. whether we want to believe it or not, even medical care is going up. i have had to face this after a drug that is used for my treatment was no longer covered after being covered for 9 years.
GOD has really been trying to tell us for years that we cannot sustain our economy with the rate we have been spending. great civilizations have fallen because of this. this is a verse i heard in church yesterday and boy did it home to what one of my personal goals is for my life; to lean on HIM for all things, not myself.
"i am the vine; you are the branches. if a man remains in ME and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from ME you can do nothing." john 15:5
i have a great amount of fear regarding the future, but i have to learn to give this to HIM. this is what HE requires of us when we are submissive to HIM. HE tells you that you can't have it both ways. blind faith is what it is - the hope that all things will work out. my ms is this way; it is complete blind faith that my ms will take it's course and i really can do nothing about it.
"what I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do." isaiah 46:11
"the LORD is my light and salvation - whom shall i fear? the LORD is the stronghold of my - of whom shall i be afraid? psalm 27:1
the one thing that i try to plan ahead for is my ms. ms doesn't work that way, and neither does GOD i am realizing more and more. i can choose to rest more. i can choose not to do physically more than i should. also, i have to realize if i don't do these things then there is a great possibility that i will get sick. the same goes for following HIM; i can choose to follow HIM, or there is a great possibility that i will fail. i don't know if i'm willing to take that chance anymore.
really the main point is that GOD didn't say we could plan out our futures, because HE is the only one that does that. HE knows every choice we are going to make before we even know. HE try's HIS hardest to move us in the direction we should be going, whether we choose that or not is the question. i have made choices over the years that went against what HE sought for me, what HE tried to tell me not to do, and i failed.
for most of us this is going to be hard to do, because we aren't trained to think this way. take for the example the economy. no matter what economists say about what the long term holds; it's what happening now in the economy. groceries, gas, and utilities have already sky-rocketed. whether we want to believe it or not, even medical care is going up. i have had to face this after a drug that is used for my treatment was no longer covered after being covered for 9 years.
GOD has really been trying to tell us for years that we cannot sustain our economy with the rate we have been spending. great civilizations have fallen because of this. this is a verse i heard in church yesterday and boy did it home to what one of my personal goals is for my life; to lean on HIM for all things, not myself.
"i am the vine; you are the branches. if a man remains in ME and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from ME you can do nothing." john 15:5
i have a great amount of fear regarding the future, but i have to learn to give this to HIM. this is what HE requires of us when we are submissive to HIM. HE tells you that you can't have it both ways. blind faith is what it is - the hope that all things will work out. my ms is this way; it is complete blind faith that my ms will take it's course and i really can do nothing about it.
"what I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do." isaiah 46:11
"the LORD is my light and salvation - whom shall i fear? the LORD is the stronghold of my - of whom shall i be afraid? psalm 27:1
Saturday, January 8, 2011
doors close, doors open
i look at my life this way now no matter how much i want to return to the door that has been closed. when things seem so far out of reach, or just plain out of control, everything seems to fall into place one way or another at some point. i haven't exactly agreed with every door that GOD has opened for me, but i can understand now why HE would open it and close the others.
my husband and i have been struggling with what to do with a great gift that was given to us. the amazing part about it is that it is something that i have been praying for, for a long time. we want to be wise with this gift, but we also are dealing with the pressure of what to really do with it. we have been given something that would actually be a huge burden lifted from us. society is telling us one way to use it, but GOD is really telling us something different.
GOD answers our prayers period. HE is always going to give us what our hearts really need when we turn to HIM for guidance. i have found though that it isn't always what i wanted, but it was for the best. in the long run i have to give this to HIM also. i have to believe that HE will give us the right choice as long as we follow HIM. i am having to heed some of my own advice and that of others; if it doesn't feel right then it's not right.
so now the praying begins on what to really do. right now he is saying "slow down, look at the bigger picture, and i will guide you." if my husband and i are to live a christian life, we are to listen to HIS words fully. the book of proverbs gives countless verses on wisdom and discernment. this morning HIS voice came to me fully and said "i gave you the gift for one reason, but your are trying to use it for another."
what a huge burden lifted right there. my husband and i both made a decision to slow down and take a breath. we both realized that we were pushing ourselves to make a decision that didn't need to be made this week, next week, or a month from now.
all i know is that we will make the decision that GOD wants us to. we will make the decision that is right for our family. we will both have to seek more wisdom from CHRIST and our mentors as to what to do. in the end, it will be what GOD wants us to do.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. proverbs 3:5-6
my husband and i have been struggling with what to do with a great gift that was given to us. the amazing part about it is that it is something that i have been praying for, for a long time. we want to be wise with this gift, but we also are dealing with the pressure of what to really do with it. we have been given something that would actually be a huge burden lifted from us. society is telling us one way to use it, but GOD is really telling us something different.
GOD answers our prayers period. HE is always going to give us what our hearts really need when we turn to HIM for guidance. i have found though that it isn't always what i wanted, but it was for the best. in the long run i have to give this to HIM also. i have to believe that HE will give us the right choice as long as we follow HIM. i am having to heed some of my own advice and that of others; if it doesn't feel right then it's not right.
so now the praying begins on what to really do. right now he is saying "slow down, look at the bigger picture, and i will guide you." if my husband and i are to live a christian life, we are to listen to HIS words fully. the book of proverbs gives countless verses on wisdom and discernment. this morning HIS voice came to me fully and said "i gave you the gift for one reason, but your are trying to use it for another."
what a huge burden lifted right there. my husband and i both made a decision to slow down and take a breath. we both realized that we were pushing ourselves to make a decision that didn't need to be made this week, next week, or a month from now.
all i know is that we will make the decision that GOD wants us to. we will make the decision that is right for our family. we will both have to seek more wisdom from CHRIST and our mentors as to what to do. in the end, it will be what GOD wants us to do.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. proverbs 3:5-6
Thursday, January 6, 2011
dealing with our past; the good and the bad
our past is what shapes and molds us. we all have pasts. we have good and bad things that we have either been influenced by, or that we have done ourselves. one of the books that i have been reading is called "building the christian family you never had" by mary e. demuth. there is a great chapter in here about dealing with your past.
i don't really know if everyone deals with their past, or even their childhoods. GOD tells us to move forward and let go. GOD also wants us to deal with our pasts, so that we can fully leave all things behind to let HIM in. there is a passage in luke that says we must leave all behind to follow HIM.
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” luke 9:57-62
the harsh reality of this is that we have to put HIM first above all things; including our family. i was thinking about this yesterday and how really hard that is to do. dealing with our emotional baggage whether it be good, or bad is a tough thing. when we become adults not only we are asked to leave physically from our parents, or others that have raised us we are asked to leave them emotionally as well. GOD wants all of you.
i don't really know if everyone deals with their past, or even their childhoods. GOD tells us to move forward and let go. GOD also wants us to deal with our pasts, so that we can fully leave all things behind to let HIM in. there is a passage in luke that says we must leave all behind to follow HIM.
57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” luke 9:57-62
the harsh reality of this is that we have to put HIM first above all things; including our family. i was thinking about this yesterday and how really hard that is to do. dealing with our emotional baggage whether it be good, or bad is a tough thing. when we become adults not only we are asked to leave physically from our parents, or others that have raised us we are asked to leave them emotionally as well. GOD wants all of you.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
what controls us, what drives us
as i mentioned before in my last posting one of my idols is money. that got me to thinking what other idols i have in my life that are in control above GOD. what is scary is i came up with a whole list of them. i had never thought of these things as idols, but after reading certain passages of scripture i realized how much control i have given to these things in my life.
for most of us we see an idol as a little figurine, or statue of another god. we see temples that aren't worshipping THE GOD OUR FATHER. throughout the old testament we continually see individuals worship something other than GOD. not much changes in the new testament. while the old was replaced with new, because of JESUS CHRIST being born, crucified, and resurrected we still seem to have continued our worship of idols.
"Dear children, keep yourselves from idols" 1 john 5:21
here's a list of my idols:
money
worry
anxiety
regret
guilt
addiction
low self-esteem
pride
each one of these controls and drives me in some way. i am breaking GOD's commandment of idol worship every day. these are not going to be easy things for me too give up. an idol by definition takes you away from allowing GOD to be number one in your life. it takes you away from relying fully on HIM. most idols become a sort of security if you've done them long enough. i cannot remember a time when i didn't have one of these things in my life controlling me in some way.
the funny thing is you could have idols that you think are totally fine. for example; t.v., your computer, video games, or even a hobby. even giving of your time could become some sort of idolatry if you aren't doing it with a happy heart.
"blessed are those who keep HIS testimonies, who seek HIM with the whole heart! with my whole heart i have sought you; oh, let me not wander from YOUR commandments!" psalm 119:2, 10
it would be easier to say to the LORD i will give up these things fully to you, but i can't do that. i have to learn to break the habit of allowing them to control me in some way; to release each one of these idols.
"For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” 1 samuel 15:23
"Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden." deuteronomy 4:23
for most of us we see an idol as a little figurine, or statue of another god. we see temples that aren't worshipping THE GOD OUR FATHER. throughout the old testament we continually see individuals worship something other than GOD. not much changes in the new testament. while the old was replaced with new, because of JESUS CHRIST being born, crucified, and resurrected we still seem to have continued our worship of idols.
"Dear children, keep yourselves from idols" 1 john 5:21
here's a list of my idols:
money
worry
anxiety
regret
guilt
addiction
low self-esteem
pride
each one of these controls and drives me in some way. i am breaking GOD's commandment of idol worship every day. these are not going to be easy things for me too give up. an idol by definition takes you away from allowing GOD to be number one in your life. it takes you away from relying fully on HIM. most idols become a sort of security if you've done them long enough. i cannot remember a time when i didn't have one of these things in my life controlling me in some way.
the funny thing is you could have idols that you think are totally fine. for example; t.v., your computer, video games, or even a hobby. even giving of your time could become some sort of idolatry if you aren't doing it with a happy heart.
"blessed are those who keep HIS testimonies, who seek HIM with the whole heart! with my whole heart i have sought you; oh, let me not wander from YOUR commandments!" psalm 119:2, 10
it would be easier to say to the LORD i will give up these things fully to you, but i can't do that. i have to learn to break the habit of allowing them to control me in some way; to release each one of these idols.
"For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” 1 samuel 15:23
"Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden." deuteronomy 4:23
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
a new year, a new beginning
First of all I can't believe it is 2011. Time does seem to move faster as you get older. I have no idea what this new year will hold. Its a new year to discover all the things HE wants for our family.
My husband and I have just spent a couple of days alone to enjoy each other and set up the priorities we want to achieve for our family this year. We went over our personal goals, our goals for our marriage, and goals for our children. A book was suggested to me by a friend that we decided to go over as a couple. WOW, is all i can say. it is a book with sound, biblical advice that can actually be achieved.
a new year always seems to give us the sense that we have a new beginning; a chance to start over. we try to get over bad habits, lose weight, or get out of debt. there are a few things that we decided must be done in our home to fully give glory to GOD and his blessings for us. it won't be easy, but the rewards are far more beneficial for us as a family.
one of my idols that i have to let go of is the worry of money. i've realized that this is one of my idols. i worry way too much about it, because of the impending doom that is plaguing our economy right now on the media. i read statistics of inflation, taxes, and medical costs so i worry about what it is going to cost us over the year. i am getting ready to set up the 2011 budget and i have to admit that all of these things i mentioned are going to play a major role.
next to the devil i think money is just as evil. it is the major idol in our lives that controls us. GOD told us not to worry about money that he would provide what we needed. that's hard lesson to learn, because it is a tangible object that we can control to some level. idolatry has got to be the biggest commandment breaker in the world.
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." colassians 3:5.
it is going to be a hard habit for almost all of us to break; i mean all of us. most of us just go out and buy what we want, but the problem seems to be now that the things we could buy at reasonable rate are going up. the bible teaches us to be good stewards of our money; it seems like the world is going have to learn this one. now is the best time of all to cast all your fears and worries on HIM.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." matthew 6:24
My husband and I have just spent a couple of days alone to enjoy each other and set up the priorities we want to achieve for our family this year. We went over our personal goals, our goals for our marriage, and goals for our children. A book was suggested to me by a friend that we decided to go over as a couple. WOW, is all i can say. it is a book with sound, biblical advice that can actually be achieved.
a new year always seems to give us the sense that we have a new beginning; a chance to start over. we try to get over bad habits, lose weight, or get out of debt. there are a few things that we decided must be done in our home to fully give glory to GOD and his blessings for us. it won't be easy, but the rewards are far more beneficial for us as a family.
one of my idols that i have to let go of is the worry of money. i've realized that this is one of my idols. i worry way too much about it, because of the impending doom that is plaguing our economy right now on the media. i read statistics of inflation, taxes, and medical costs so i worry about what it is going to cost us over the year. i am getting ready to set up the 2011 budget and i have to admit that all of these things i mentioned are going to play a major role.
next to the devil i think money is just as evil. it is the major idol in our lives that controls us. GOD told us not to worry about money that he would provide what we needed. that's hard lesson to learn, because it is a tangible object that we can control to some level. idolatry has got to be the biggest commandment breaker in the world.
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." colassians 3:5.
it is going to be a hard habit for almost all of us to break; i mean all of us. most of us just go out and buy what we want, but the problem seems to be now that the things we could buy at reasonable rate are going up. the bible teaches us to be good stewards of our money; it seems like the world is going have to learn this one. now is the best time of all to cast all your fears and worries on HIM.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." matthew 6:24
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