"therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" james 5:16
i pray that if you are sad you will find happiness.
i pray that if you are sick you will be healed.
i pray that if you are weak in spirit that HE will find your heart.
i pray that if you are lost in sin that you will find the light.
i pray that if you are anxious about anything that you will give it to the LORD.
i pray that if you are worried about money that GOD will ease your worries and show you the way.
i pray that if your life is full of blessings that you praise HIM for all that you have been given.
i praise HIM for your uniqueness, because GOD has made each one of you beautiful and you are loved.
i pray that if you have not accepted HIM into your hearts that you will.
i pray that each of you seek scripture so that you can find the true meaning of life.
i pray that you forgive those that have wronged you, or that you seek forgiveness from those that you have hurt.
i praise GOD for each one of you, because you are my brothers and sisters in CHRIST.
"this is the message that we have heard from HIM and declare to you: GOD IS LIGHT; in HIM there is no darkness at all. if we claim to have fellowship with HIM yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. but if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of JESUS, HIS SON, purifies us from all sin." 1 john 1:5-7
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
ephesians 5
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.">
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.">
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
the window to our souls; our eyes
on the way home from church last week when we were stopped at a stoplight a homeless person came to our car window. you could tell this woman had been living on the streets for a long time. we rolled down our window to give her money and we took the time to look into her eyes.
i have to admit that this is a new thing for me to do. i used to never look into a homeless person's eye's, not so much out of fear, but out of guilt. i felt guilt that i had a home, food to eat, or clothing to wear. i felt guilt that my life was better financially, so i never saw them as a person. do be quite honest, i very rarely gave them money, because i didn't want to give up any of mine.
i had the usual stereotypical response that most homeless individuals were drug addicts, alcoholics, or just plain lazy. i looked into this woman's eyes and saw pain. i saw that life had beaten her down, but just this one act of kindness by looking at her in the eyes made her smile. she is a child of GOD just as much as you and i.
we often forget that those around us are living in poverty, or that their life has taken a much different road than ours. i can pretty much bet that most of us can't turn water into wine, or make 5,000 loaves of bread from a few. i do know though that GOD sees each one of us as HIS children, so compassion and grace should be in our hearts. judgement should never play a role in our motives for not helping an individual.
it is not the responsibility of the government, or a foundation to help those that are in need. it is the responsibility of GOD's children to help those that cannot help themselves. GOD challenges us to look into the souls of others without judgement, but with great compassion just as he has shown us.
"share with GOD's people that are in need. practice hospitality" romans 12:13
"we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." romans 15:1
"if you have any encouragement from being united with CHRIST, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others." phillipians 2:1-4
i have to admit that this is a new thing for me to do. i used to never look into a homeless person's eye's, not so much out of fear, but out of guilt. i felt guilt that i had a home, food to eat, or clothing to wear. i felt guilt that my life was better financially, so i never saw them as a person. do be quite honest, i very rarely gave them money, because i didn't want to give up any of mine.
i had the usual stereotypical response that most homeless individuals were drug addicts, alcoholics, or just plain lazy. i looked into this woman's eyes and saw pain. i saw that life had beaten her down, but just this one act of kindness by looking at her in the eyes made her smile. she is a child of GOD just as much as you and i.
we often forget that those around us are living in poverty, or that their life has taken a much different road than ours. i can pretty much bet that most of us can't turn water into wine, or make 5,000 loaves of bread from a few. i do know though that GOD sees each one of us as HIS children, so compassion and grace should be in our hearts. judgement should never play a role in our motives for not helping an individual.
it is not the responsibility of the government, or a foundation to help those that are in need. it is the responsibility of GOD's children to help those that cannot help themselves. GOD challenges us to look into the souls of others without judgement, but with great compassion just as he has shown us.
"share with GOD's people that are in need. practice hospitality" romans 12:13
"we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." romans 15:1
"if you have any encouragement from being united with CHRIST, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others." phillipians 2:1-4
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
sharing the word of GOD
i am much more comfortable sharing the word of GOD by writing about it then speaking about it. i find that i can speak easily about it with friends that i attend church with, or friends that i know to be strong in their walks with CHRIST.
scripture teaches us that we should be sharing the words of GOD with everyone. it has become politically incorrect to mention christianity to others in the american society today. we have the fear of being labeled radical, bible beater, or even have a sense of shame when it comes to sharing our faith. why is that?
being persecuted for your faith in CHRIST is nothing new; take for example paul. the majority of the new testament was written by paul because of his meeting with GOD on his journey to damascus. paul's conversion is one of the greatest testaments in all of CHRISTIANITY to the POWER OF GOD. his journey to fulfill the teachings of CHRIST was met with many hardships, but he persevered, because he knew this is what GOD required of him. GOD requires all CHRISTIANS to share HIS truth.
"i became a servant of this gospel by the gift of GOD's grace given to me through the working of his power. although i am less than the least of all GOD's people, this grace was given to me: to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of CHRIST, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery , which for ages was kept hidden in GOD, who created all things." ephesians 3:7-9
by not sharing this truth with others we are sinning and failing him. it is in each us through our spirits, through nature, or by scripture that GOD has made himself know to us. we all have the sense of knowing what is right and what is wrong.
last night i was going through some books that were my grandmother's and i found an article that was between a child and the reverend billy graham. i thought i would share it with you. it had a profound effect on me.
show concern about teaching others, by billy graham
"question: i am 10 years old and a CHRISTIAN. i would like to know how to teach others about the LORD JESUS without them laughing at me."
"answer: i am delighted to know of your faith in CHRIST and your concern to share your faith with others. many of us who are older could profit from your example.
first, i would urge you to pray specifically for your friends and relatives who do not know CHRIST. only the HOLY SPIRIT can convict them of their need for CHRIST, and we should pray that HE will do this.
then ask GOD to give you a greater love for your friends, especially those who laugh at you. pray also that GOD will give you opportunities to express your love to them in specific ways.
in addition, remember peter's statement that we are to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 peter 3:15)." learn more of what the bible teaches that GOD has done for you in CHRIST.
finally, be sure your life reflects JESUS CHRIST. often this will do more to draw people to CHRIST than anything we may say."
scripture teaches us that we should be sharing the words of GOD with everyone. it has become politically incorrect to mention christianity to others in the american society today. we have the fear of being labeled radical, bible beater, or even have a sense of shame when it comes to sharing our faith. why is that?
being persecuted for your faith in CHRIST is nothing new; take for example paul. the majority of the new testament was written by paul because of his meeting with GOD on his journey to damascus. paul's conversion is one of the greatest testaments in all of CHRISTIANITY to the POWER OF GOD. his journey to fulfill the teachings of CHRIST was met with many hardships, but he persevered, because he knew this is what GOD required of him. GOD requires all CHRISTIANS to share HIS truth.
"i became a servant of this gospel by the gift of GOD's grace given to me through the working of his power. although i am less than the least of all GOD's people, this grace was given to me: to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of CHRIST, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery , which for ages was kept hidden in GOD, who created all things." ephesians 3:7-9
by not sharing this truth with others we are sinning and failing him. it is in each us through our spirits, through nature, or by scripture that GOD has made himself know to us. we all have the sense of knowing what is right and what is wrong.
last night i was going through some books that were my grandmother's and i found an article that was between a child and the reverend billy graham. i thought i would share it with you. it had a profound effect on me.
show concern about teaching others, by billy graham
"question: i am 10 years old and a CHRISTIAN. i would like to know how to teach others about the LORD JESUS without them laughing at me."
"answer: i am delighted to know of your faith in CHRIST and your concern to share your faith with others. many of us who are older could profit from your example.
first, i would urge you to pray specifically for your friends and relatives who do not know CHRIST. only the HOLY SPIRIT can convict them of their need for CHRIST, and we should pray that HE will do this.
then ask GOD to give you a greater love for your friends, especially those who laugh at you. pray also that GOD will give you opportunities to express your love to them in specific ways.
in addition, remember peter's statement that we are to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 peter 3:15)." learn more of what the bible teaches that GOD has done for you in CHRIST.
finally, be sure your life reflects JESUS CHRIST. often this will do more to draw people to CHRIST than anything we may say."
Monday, October 4, 2010
is all sin equal in GOD's eyes?
one of the topics of our monthly small group was whether or not in GOD's eyes all sin was equal. for most us murder and lying are not the same thing, but they are both sin.
we will all be held accountable for each sin we commit, but are we going to be judged on the degree of the sin? by accepting HIM we are washed of our sins by HIS blood. take for example, the criminal that hangs beside CHRIST during the crucifixion.
"one of criminals who hung there hurled insults at HIM: aren't YOU the CHRIST? save YOURSELF and us! but the other criminal rebuked him. don't let you fear GOD, he said, since you are under the same sentence? we are being punished justly, for we are getting what are deeds deserve. but this MAN has done nothing wrong. then he said, JESUS remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom. JESUS answered him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with ME in paradise." luke 23:39-43
i put the question to you then; are you more righteous than a man that commits murder and accepts CHRIST? according to scripture; NO. if you have learned the words of GOD, but aren't trying to live in CHRIST's image and accept HIM as the truth then you are failing in GOD'S eyes. HE gave HIS only SON so that you could be saved. GOD knows your hearts. each one us is equal in HIS eyes.
below is an excerpt from john piper's www.desiringgod.org website. john piper is a very well respected theologian and pastor. his interpretation of sin in the bible is one of the best i've read and it confronts how GOD will view our sin whether it be small or large.
"I've often heard it said that all sins are equal before God. But this just doesn't seem right. What would you say?
I have heard that too. And the reason people have said that is because of James 2:10 where it says, "If you have committed one sin you are guilty of all." Which seems to mean that, whether small sin or big sin, I'm totally guilty of all the commandments. Therefore every sin is equally damning to me.
That's not the whole story, is it?
First, not everybody is hurt in the same way by every sin. In other words, if I shoot Michael dead right now, or if I just spit on him, both are very ugly sins and Jesus calls hatred murder. But he's not dead if I only spit on him!
So worse sin—meaning worse in its effect—would be killing over spitting. And I think we should say that. It is! Because consequences matter—at least for you!—and for me, I think, because here is another text we have to bring in.
Jesus taught that there would be degrees of punishment. If you know the right and don't do it, you'll be beaten with more stripes than if you don't know the right and do wrong.
So there's degrees of punishment, which must mean degrees of guiltiness, which must mean that some sins are more blameworthy than others.
Let me go back to James and just say what I think is meant there. The argument is, The reason why you are guilty of all if you do one sin is because one God said all.
Therefore, what he is drawing attention to is, if I say to God, "I'm going to do this against you"—this small sin, say, spitting on somebody—"and I'm going to do this big sin against you," in both cases you've defied God. In both cases you've said no to God. That's what he's saying. He wants us to feel that every sin, from the smallest to the greatest, is against God and not just against people and their consequences.
And in that sense every sin is infinitely heinous.
So you just have to carve this up and say that when it comes to God being defamed in my heart, I am committing an infinite evil against him if I do a small sin or a big sin."
we will all be held accountable for each sin we commit, but are we going to be judged on the degree of the sin? by accepting HIM we are washed of our sins by HIS blood. take for example, the criminal that hangs beside CHRIST during the crucifixion.
"one of criminals who hung there hurled insults at HIM: aren't YOU the CHRIST? save YOURSELF and us! but the other criminal rebuked him. don't let you fear GOD, he said, since you are under the same sentence? we are being punished justly, for we are getting what are deeds deserve. but this MAN has done nothing wrong. then he said, JESUS remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom. JESUS answered him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with ME in paradise." luke 23:39-43
i put the question to you then; are you more righteous than a man that commits murder and accepts CHRIST? according to scripture; NO. if you have learned the words of GOD, but aren't trying to live in CHRIST's image and accept HIM as the truth then you are failing in GOD'S eyes. HE gave HIS only SON so that you could be saved. GOD knows your hearts. each one us is equal in HIS eyes.
below is an excerpt from john piper's www.desiringgod.org website. john piper is a very well respected theologian and pastor. his interpretation of sin in the bible is one of the best i've read and it confronts how GOD will view our sin whether it be small or large.
"I've often heard it said that all sins are equal before God. But this just doesn't seem right. What would you say?
I have heard that too. And the reason people have said that is because of James 2:10 where it says, "If you have committed one sin you are guilty of all." Which seems to mean that, whether small sin or big sin, I'm totally guilty of all the commandments. Therefore every sin is equally damning to me.
That's not the whole story, is it?
First, not everybody is hurt in the same way by every sin. In other words, if I shoot Michael dead right now, or if I just spit on him, both are very ugly sins and Jesus calls hatred murder. But he's not dead if I only spit on him!
So worse sin—meaning worse in its effect—would be killing over spitting. And I think we should say that. It is! Because consequences matter—at least for you!—and for me, I think, because here is another text we have to bring in.
Jesus taught that there would be degrees of punishment. If you know the right and don't do it, you'll be beaten with more stripes than if you don't know the right and do wrong.
So there's degrees of punishment, which must mean degrees of guiltiness, which must mean that some sins are more blameworthy than others.
Let me go back to James and just say what I think is meant there. The argument is, The reason why you are guilty of all if you do one sin is because one God said all.
Therefore, what he is drawing attention to is, if I say to God, "I'm going to do this against you"—this small sin, say, spitting on somebody—"and I'm going to do this big sin against you," in both cases you've defied God. In both cases you've said no to God. That's what he's saying. He wants us to feel that every sin, from the smallest to the greatest, is against God and not just against people and their consequences.
And in that sense every sin is infinitely heinous.
So you just have to carve this up and say that when it comes to God being defamed in my heart, I am committing an infinite evil against him if I do a small sin or a big sin."
Saturday, October 2, 2010
my 5th greatest blessing
next to james, proverbs is my 2nd favorite book. last summer a pastor in our church talked about proverbs having all of life's answers of what it means to live a christian life. i agree with him, because not only does this book cover everything, it puts GOD'S words in small verses that can be easily understood.
"the proverbs of soloman son of david, king of israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young - let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance - for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." proverbs 1:1-7
my favorite verse in the entire bible comes from proverbs; "trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." proverbs 3:5-6
this verse to me is by far one of the hardest things to do about being a christian. it challenges us to put all our faith in him, and tests our understanding of what it means to be a CHRISTIAN. the reality of the verse is that through good times and bad, our only solution is to trust that GOD is doing what is meant for our lives. the devil will slowly take over if you are not putting your complete trust in CHRIST. "the faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his" proverbs 14:14
with my ms i have had to realize over and over again that i have no control over the progression of this disease. GOD really is the ONLY ONE that does. i can take every med that is provided for the treatment, and every suggestion of my doctor, but in the end it all comes from HIM. this is a hard pill to swallow. in giving me this disease i realize that HE gave me something that will continually test my faith in HIM. what a blessing! this is my gift that brought me to HIM; my fifth greatest blessing in my life next to HIM and my family.
"the proverbs of soloman son of david, king of israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young - let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance - for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." proverbs 1:1-7
my favorite verse in the entire bible comes from proverbs; "trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." proverbs 3:5-6
this verse to me is by far one of the hardest things to do about being a christian. it challenges us to put all our faith in him, and tests our understanding of what it means to be a CHRISTIAN. the reality of the verse is that through good times and bad, our only solution is to trust that GOD is doing what is meant for our lives. the devil will slowly take over if you are not putting your complete trust in CHRIST. "the faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his" proverbs 14:14
with my ms i have had to realize over and over again that i have no control over the progression of this disease. GOD really is the ONLY ONE that does. i can take every med that is provided for the treatment, and every suggestion of my doctor, but in the end it all comes from HIM. this is a hard pill to swallow. in giving me this disease i realize that HE gave me something that will continually test my faith in HIM. what a blessing! this is my gift that brought me to HIM; my fifth greatest blessing in my life next to HIM and my family.
Friday, October 1, 2010
a healthy fear of the LORD
"the LORD detests all the proud of heart. be sure of this: they will not go unpunished. through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil." proverbs 16:5-6
the big question of the day is; do you fear GOD? the answer should be yes, but i don't think the world any longer fears HIM. GOD expects you to have a healthy fear of him, just as you would a child to parent, or in your relationships. we are here to hold each other accountable with love and grace, to live by HIS rules. if we live through HIM we are truly free people; all people are equal in HIS eyes.
it is much easier in human nature to blame another, than to accept the blame for our mistakes. we hardened hearts to those around us if a wrong is committed. we become prideful and righteous without looking to ourselves first. we judge them harshly without consequence. we begin to ignore the voice in our minds and the heaviness in our hearts when we make choices. i think HE gives us a very clear messages on how to live if we just listen and read HIS words. if your heart is telling you something feels wrong then it probably is. the devil is just waiting for an opportunity to step in to take your deeper into the darkness.
we are HIS children, so there will always be a consequence to our actions, but that does mean that HE doesn't love us. do you still love your children when they do something wrong; of course you do! do you still love your spouse; of course you do! do you still love your friend; of course you do! GOD does not forsake you even if you have forsaken HIM; HE always fights for you and your love.
holding each other accountable shouldn't be offensive; that is the world's law not GOD'S. HE has created us to be brothers and sisters in CHRIST; to confront what is wicked. HE has asked us to be as merciful with each other as HE is with us. HE asks us to be forgiving and show grace to another. above all HE asks us to love our neighbors as you would yourself and even our enemies. HE created us in HIS image and HIS image alone.
the current state of affairs in this country and the world proves that we would rather blame our governments than to ourselves accountable. we became passive and turned a blind eye to those that we asked to administer our laws. we allowed the devil to take over and rule, not GOD. we as GOD'S children must always admit our wrongdoings and seek the forgiveness of HIM first and then others. by HIS hand alone we will be given grace; no matter what good deeds we do. the choices we make will play in part in that; so we should fear HIM just as we would our fathers and mothers.
our government alone is not to blame for our crisis. we chose to live beyond our means, we chose to look away and not guard our freedom. now that we have awakened to the light will we fight GOD'S way, or man's way? if we fear HIM and look to HIM. we can surely find the right answer, or we continue to suffer the consequence of following man's law. we can solve this problems with hard work and peace. we can learn too teach without it being offensive to another.
please take the time to read scripture, because you will learn just how much HE loves and cherishes us. HE is teaching us like a parent would a child.
"he who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for HIS children it will be a refuge. the fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death." proverbs 14:26-27
check out the accordance in the back of your bible and you will find so many verses regarding fearing GOD and not man.
the big question of the day is; do you fear GOD? the answer should be yes, but i don't think the world any longer fears HIM. GOD expects you to have a healthy fear of him, just as you would a child to parent, or in your relationships. we are here to hold each other accountable with love and grace, to live by HIS rules. if we live through HIM we are truly free people; all people are equal in HIS eyes.
it is much easier in human nature to blame another, than to accept the blame for our mistakes. we hardened hearts to those around us if a wrong is committed. we become prideful and righteous without looking to ourselves first. we judge them harshly without consequence. we begin to ignore the voice in our minds and the heaviness in our hearts when we make choices. i think HE gives us a very clear messages on how to live if we just listen and read HIS words. if your heart is telling you something feels wrong then it probably is. the devil is just waiting for an opportunity to step in to take your deeper into the darkness.
we are HIS children, so there will always be a consequence to our actions, but that does mean that HE doesn't love us. do you still love your children when they do something wrong; of course you do! do you still love your spouse; of course you do! do you still love your friend; of course you do! GOD does not forsake you even if you have forsaken HIM; HE always fights for you and your love.
holding each other accountable shouldn't be offensive; that is the world's law not GOD'S. HE has created us to be brothers and sisters in CHRIST; to confront what is wicked. HE has asked us to be as merciful with each other as HE is with us. HE asks us to be forgiving and show grace to another. above all HE asks us to love our neighbors as you would yourself and even our enemies. HE created us in HIS image and HIS image alone.
the current state of affairs in this country and the world proves that we would rather blame our governments than to ourselves accountable. we became passive and turned a blind eye to those that we asked to administer our laws. we allowed the devil to take over and rule, not GOD. we as GOD'S children must always admit our wrongdoings and seek the forgiveness of HIM first and then others. by HIS hand alone we will be given grace; no matter what good deeds we do. the choices we make will play in part in that; so we should fear HIM just as we would our fathers and mothers.
our government alone is not to blame for our crisis. we chose to live beyond our means, we chose to look away and not guard our freedom. now that we have awakened to the light will we fight GOD'S way, or man's way? if we fear HIM and look to HIM. we can surely find the right answer, or we continue to suffer the consequence of following man's law. we can solve this problems with hard work and peace. we can learn too teach without it being offensive to another.
please take the time to read scripture, because you will learn just how much HE loves and cherishes us. HE is teaching us like a parent would a child.
"he who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for HIS children it will be a refuge. the fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death." proverbs 14:26-27
check out the accordance in the back of your bible and you will find so many verses regarding fearing GOD and not man.
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