And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
-2 Peter 1:5-11 KJV
The word "temperance" is replaced by self-control in many translations, but as we were going over this verse in our Teen challenge meeting, this translation really struck me.
The root of temperance is temper(or tempering), which is a process of softening a metal in order to increase structural stability. In the terms of pottery,temper is what you add to the clay to minimize shrinkage.
As God works us (tempers), he causes the situations to build self-control. The more we yield to His hand and to trusting in Him even when it seems all is lost, we gain self-control. True self-control is allowing God to wield you and allowing Him to keep you giving you strength to resist.
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen
-Jude 1:24-25 NIV
Showing posts with label intimacy with Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label intimacy with Christ. Show all posts
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
This helped my day!
The guests at a certain hotel were being rendered uncomfortable by repeated strumming on a piano,done by a little girl who had no knowledge of music. They complained to the proprietor with a view of having the annoyance stopped. 'I am sorry you are annoyed' he said. 'But the girl is a child of one of my very best guests. I can scarcely ask her not to touch the piano. But her father,who is away for a day or so,will return tomorrow. You can then approach him,and have the matter set right.' When the father returned, he found his daughter in the reception-room and, as usual,thumping on the piano. He walked up behind the child and, putting his arms over her shoulders, took her hands in his,and produced some most beautiful music. Thus may it be with us, and thus will it be, some coming day. Just now , we can produce little but clamour and disharmony; but one day the Lord Jesus will take our hands of faith and prayer, and use them to bring forth the music of the skies."
ANON (Taken from an E.M. Bounds' book on prayer.)
Isn't that worth praising the Father for!
ANON (Taken from an E.M. Bounds' book on prayer.)
Isn't that worth praising the Father for!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I don't feel like being a Christian today. Part 1
Well...It is the truth!!
Today started fairly like any other...well maybe not.
Last night I dreamt that I created an altar to an unknown god. At this altar, the lady who attended it basically told me that this was a secret altar. It immediately caused anger to stir up in me! And against the grain of what I felt was right in my dream, I violently destroyed the altar! I woke up with the belief that this was a dream from the Father.
So as I prepared for the day I felt like He would reveal a "high place" in me that was secret. And I asked Him to reveal it! (If you ever want to grow, sometimes it takes this, no matter how earth-shattering it may feel like!)
DID HE EVER ANSWER!!!!!!!!!
I had a situation with a fellow worker within 5 minutes of entering the job I work at! Normally it would have just been an irritation, but today it felt as if I was a liar for claiming that I was God's. I didn't feel like being who I was! An Overcomer! I wanted to dredge around in rage and spew on everyone! Don't know if I did leak any but for the longest time I hated the restraints of being who I was really carried. But you can probably glean from my dream explanation that I do often "go against the grain" of my feelings. I asked some brothers to pray for me. If an verse could explain it the best it would be James 5:16. It was so true! Within 30 minutes God gave me peace to believe again. Being a disciple is beyond feeling like you are.
What is your foundation in Christ? A feeling? Someone else's faith? I've been in both of those. Both lead to great disappointment.
You see...like the parable of the two houses, God sends the Adversary to test our foundation. Hopefully before it is too late, but all the same...
Like both Job and Simon Peter.
With Job, God allowed the Adversary to take everything from him. To give him one thing. Himself. He was the most blessed man in the land. He, like many of us are very blessed. The adversary basically beat his body physically and mentally, till he finally called out for an explanation of why he was going through this. I've actually been to this place many times with God. Job's friends told him he deserved what he got. His wife told him to curse God. Basically to throw in the towel. God then showed up and told Job that he needed humility in coming before Him. He openly rebuked Job's friends and told them that their only salvation was to give Job animals to sacrifice and ask for Job to pray for them. Job prayed...and because of the one possesion he obtained, he was given increase for giving.
See I don't feel like being a Christian today-Part 2for the rest
Today started fairly like any other...well maybe not.
Last night I dreamt that I created an altar to an unknown god. At this altar, the lady who attended it basically told me that this was a secret altar. It immediately caused anger to stir up in me! And against the grain of what I felt was right in my dream, I violently destroyed the altar! I woke up with the belief that this was a dream from the Father.
So as I prepared for the day I felt like He would reveal a "high place" in me that was secret. And I asked Him to reveal it! (If you ever want to grow, sometimes it takes this, no matter how earth-shattering it may feel like!)
DID HE EVER ANSWER!!!!!!!!!
I had a situation with a fellow worker within 5 minutes of entering the job I work at! Normally it would have just been an irritation, but today it felt as if I was a liar for claiming that I was God's. I didn't feel like being who I was! An Overcomer! I wanted to dredge around in rage and spew on everyone! Don't know if I did leak any but for the longest time I hated the restraints of being who I was really carried. But you can probably glean from my dream explanation that I do often "go against the grain" of my feelings. I asked some brothers to pray for me. If an verse could explain it the best it would be James 5:16. It was so true! Within 30 minutes God gave me peace to believe again. Being a disciple is beyond feeling like you are.
What is your foundation in Christ? A feeling? Someone else's faith? I've been in both of those. Both lead to great disappointment.
You see...like the parable of the two houses, God sends the Adversary to test our foundation. Hopefully before it is too late, but all the same...
Like both Job and Simon Peter.
With Job, God allowed the Adversary to take everything from him. To give him one thing. Himself. He was the most blessed man in the land. He, like many of us are very blessed. The adversary basically beat his body physically and mentally, till he finally called out for an explanation of why he was going through this. I've actually been to this place many times with God. Job's friends told him he deserved what he got. His wife told him to curse God. Basically to throw in the towel. God then showed up and told Job that he needed humility in coming before Him. He openly rebuked Job's friends and told them that their only salvation was to give Job animals to sacrifice and ask for Job to pray for them. Job prayed...and because of the one possesion he obtained, he was given increase for giving.
See I don't feel like being a Christian today-Part 2for the rest
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Glowing (Warning: THIS POST MAY BE A LITTLE GRAPHIC!)
Warning: THIS POST MAY BE A LITTLE GRAPHIC!
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. -Exodus 34: 29-31
Could you imagine spending so much time with God that your face glowed? This is an amazing thought.
How about to have communion with God so much that his radiance was reflected by you.
Moses was unaware of the glory he shone. This is because he reflected it. He even veiled his face so that the radiance would not cause fear in the hearts of the people.
When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face.But whenever he entered the LORD's presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded,they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD. - Exodus 34:33-35
It was believed that to see the face of God meant death. Which is still true. While we are in His presence, we don't matter.
This is something to be in awe just in it's self.
What is even more amazing is that we can enter into His presence with confidence. He wants us there. A major purpose we exist, if not the purpose.... is communion with God. All else dims and fades while we are with Him. Emotions cannot explain this. It surpasses situation and "feeling."
To stay in His presence we must accept that EVERY corner of our darkness is exposed and dealt with. Places that shake us to the very core sometimes. All we can do is fall on our face before Him who is our portion to make us in His image. An illustration I think about when I think of His Exposing and purification of our being:
Cockroaches. Anyone who has ever seen them knows exactly what I'm talking about. They HATE light. If you want to know if you have them, turn your kitchen light at night. The second the light goes on, the scatter. I've never met anyone who likes them and they seem to come if you have food(not always though!). Often you can catch one or two out and can deal with them, if you want to kill them you have to call an exterminator. God wants not only to turn on the light of our "kitchen" but every room in our house. Sometimes even the rooms we have "spotless" are lit. He turns on the light and the infestation is exposed. When we allow Him to do this, He allows a closer relationship. It becomes less like a "sacrificial life" to the life being a response to His love.
Obedience leads us to Friendship...Friendship leads us to inheritance...Deeper still is intimacy with Christ as the Bride. The one who has the heart of the Bridegroom Christ.
LET US RUN THIS RACE TO WIN!!!!!!!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
A Meditation
When vision fadeth
And the sense of things
and powers dissolve
like colors in the wind
And no more can I bring any offering
Nor an ordered prayer....
Then like a great wind from paradise...
Falleth a healing word upon mine ear.
Let the lifting up of my hands be as the evening offering
THE LORD DOES HEAR
Amy Carmichael
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Be Salty
What is food without salt? Some of it is very tasteless.
Let me throw an aspect which I'm sure is not new to most of you.
First , a common fact. Salt makes you thirst. It makes you crave liquid. Simple.
We as disciples should, in our lives, cause people to thirst after the everlasting water of Christ. Our lives should not need to answer. Because the answer is Christ. We are a means to show others (together) what He looks like.
Like a mirror.
The "greatest" men and women in history have pointed to Christ as their strength.
If we as disciples lose our ability to point to Christ as our refuge and salvation..we become useless.
Monday, May 30, 2011
In need of Him
Have you ever realized that God is most closest to you when you really are in need?
The times when you are aware of your failure, inadequacy, and lack? That he covers you when you repent of your sin?
I've been becoming more aware of this fact lately.
Even throughout the Old Testament , he shows his devotion through his people.
Judges 3:1-6
Judges 4:1-23
Judges 3:12-30
Many times the children of Israel turned to the Baals and Ashroths, so God delivered them into the hands of their enemies.
When they cried out to Him for deliverance from the oppression, He would deliver them.
Over and over...God shows love!
How often do you get into sin , you repent, and God forgives you?
He has done this for me many times. What is more, he shows us that there is no way... apart from HIM stepping in...can we be purified each day by him.
Think of sin as a person. No matter what you do, you cannot get away from it. No praying, fasting, or ANYTHING you do..apart from calling on him, He stands in-between you and Sin. Each time you repent.. to truly turn away from Sin and ask to be freed, he steps in.
That is love! Never give up my friend!
The times when you are aware of your failure, inadequacy, and lack? That he covers you when you repent of your sin?
I've been becoming more aware of this fact lately.
Even throughout the Old Testament , he shows his devotion through his people.
Judges 3:1-6
Judges 4:1-23
Judges 3:12-30
Many times the children of Israel turned to the Baals and Ashroths, so God delivered them into the hands of their enemies.
When they cried out to Him for deliverance from the oppression, He would deliver them.
Over and over...God shows love!
How often do you get into sin , you repent, and God forgives you?
He has done this for me many times. What is more, he shows us that there is no way... apart from HIM stepping in...can we be purified each day by him.
Think of sin as a person. No matter what you do, you cannot get away from it. No praying, fasting, or ANYTHING you do..apart from calling on him, He stands in-between you and Sin. Each time you repent.. to truly turn away from Sin and ask to be freed, he steps in.
That is love! Never give up my friend!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
His alone
"Whom I have in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My heart and flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
-Psalm 73: 25-26
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
-Revelation 3:12
These are two incredible verses.
First of all. The first verse shows absolute love for God. It represents absolute dependency on Him alone. He is our daily bread, our life-blood, and our only desire. It doesn't matter that we may be a mess, our lives are going the way we think they should go, or even that we look non-spiritual. Because our lives cease to be about us. We, like a bride, become his.
Which leads me on to the next excellent verse.
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out."
Isn't that an incredible thought?
Never to leave the presence of the Most High?
To be a part of His work?
A pillar upholds a building...fairly simple. It does not move, do it's own thing but stays forever in place until the end.
Can you imagine that?
Not to live "Your own" life
but to be FOREVER in His presence?
"And I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name."
Normally, when a bride gets married, she takes on her husband's name. She is no longer who she was. She has no rights apart from her husband...she is his.
On the other side... She gains him. Everything that he is hers.
They belong to each other.
It is fairly similar to what Christ calls his bride to be.
We cease to look like ourselves, lose who we were, and are joined to Him. We are then changed by him until we are a reflection of him. We no longer move on our own, go anywhere he doesn't, and He is our delight.
These are my thoughts on two verses.
I hope these thoughts have encouraged you, that you realize how much it costs to be with Him, and that you are ready to be His alone.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Is it about you or Him?
I just got done dumping my disappointments on God. I've wanted to go on a "missions" trip for a while now. It really feels like a burning inside my heart to touch people in other countries. To feel their pain and be changed into a more caring person.
But then comes reality.
Every time I start saving...something comes up. Right in my face. It may be a need in the house I live in to help out, a friend who needs support, or God wants to lavish on someone and he chose me as the vessel.
After all that, I end up spending all that I'd saved. Though I don't want to fool you, I do plenty of self pampering as well with my savings. (I'm learning that no matter what I have, it never seems enough! Black hole syndrome )
Anyways....
I asked God why this was happening and He really answered! This was no way in my mind.
He asked : Are you wanting it for you or me?
Big question. I just know I'll look back at this post on a later date and feel like it was for then as well.
If it was God I should be able to wait. If it is just me wanting to say that I did something, it will most likely never happen.
One question for all my readers.
Are you living your life for Him? Or is it wrapped up in the affairs of the world?
Do you feel like God has spoke now YOU need to make it happen?
If so, it may not be God after all. Though that is just from my experience. God works differently with different people. But please consider the answer.
Don't ever rush Him. You will ALWAYS miss opportunities that he gives along the way.
Remember the words of Paul: "To live is Christ and to die is gain."
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Whatever you ask..do you really believe this?
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13 (KJV)
Have you ever really thought about this verse? Not just a fleeting thought but had your mind truly fixed on it? This verse means different things for each person, so here is an example of it that happened to me this week.
Well, let me start a little back in time. A few years ago, I read Hudson Taylor's autobiography. Within his life he had many examples of this verse. Whenever he asked Christ to put him in situations that would cause him to have to draw closer to the Creator, it happened. Most of the time, it really tested his faith. Hudson became so close to Christ that he eventually went to China. In his time in China, the lessons he learned before arriving caused him to trust that Christ was in control.
Just last week, I had a similar situation. Wednesday I asked God to cause a deeper relationship with himself,no matter what it took. I've had a few times like this before.
Well, He gave me an opportunity.
I have been wanting to go help a friend in Mexico for a few months now. I started saving money this past week and had a budget plan. Everything seemed to fall into place.
Now comes the fun part.
Friday I got a text from a brother who I live with that I was behind on my ministry dues. For those few non-RCV'ers who follow, we have been supporting "Mercy Homes" in India see http://mercyhomes.org/), a couple orphanages in Myanmar (formerly Burma) through Heaven's Family (see http://www.heavensfamily.org/), and helping a church in Africa by micro-loans to start their businesses.
I wasn't just a little behind, I was $215 behind! That really hit me. It wasn't a convicted reaction either. I threw a fit. A 25 year old disciple of Jesus Christ, someone who is supposed to have given up everything to follow him...threw a fit. I said I didn't understand. My good friend and brother in Christ, John Bob, told me that it was my responsibility. He told me (not perfectly quoted) " you want to be a missionary, but miss God right in front of you." He was right. I found out later after I made a payment plan to get caught up, I had overdrawn my bank account recently. All my "savings" for Mexico had disappeared.
It was then I heard, "No matter what?"
Yep. As you can guess, I got a first hand example of Him answering my prayer for His glory.
I believe even more.
May He always get the glory in my life.
No matter what.
Have you ever really thought about this verse? Not just a fleeting thought but had your mind truly fixed on it? This verse means different things for each person, so here is an example of it that happened to me this week.
Well, let me start a little back in time. A few years ago, I read Hudson Taylor's autobiography. Within his life he had many examples of this verse. Whenever he asked Christ to put him in situations that would cause him to have to draw closer to the Creator, it happened. Most of the time, it really tested his faith. Hudson became so close to Christ that he eventually went to China. In his time in China, the lessons he learned before arriving caused him to trust that Christ was in control.
Just last week, I had a similar situation. Wednesday I asked God to cause a deeper relationship with himself,no matter what it took. I've had a few times like this before.
Well, He gave me an opportunity.
I have been wanting to go help a friend in Mexico for a few months now. I started saving money this past week and had a budget plan. Everything seemed to fall into place.
Now comes the fun part.
Friday I got a text from a brother who I live with that I was behind on my ministry dues. For those few non-RCV'ers who follow, we have been supporting "Mercy Homes" in India see http://mercyhomes.org/), a couple orphanages in Myanmar (formerly Burma) through Heaven's Family (see http://www.heavensfamily.org/), and helping a church in Africa by micro-loans to start their businesses.
I wasn't just a little behind, I was $215 behind! That really hit me. It wasn't a convicted reaction either. I threw a fit. A 25 year old disciple of Jesus Christ, someone who is supposed to have given up everything to follow him...threw a fit. I said I didn't understand. My good friend and brother in Christ, John Bob, told me that it was my responsibility. He told me (not perfectly quoted) " you want to be a missionary, but miss God right in front of you." He was right. I found out later after I made a payment plan to get caught up, I had overdrawn my bank account recently. All my "savings" for Mexico had disappeared.
It was then I heard, "No matter what?"
Yep. As you can guess, I got a first hand example of Him answering my prayer for His glory.
I believe even more.
May He always get the glory in my life.
No matter what.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Discouragement....be a kite!
I have been running into Nehemiah Chapter 4 for many months now. All completely on accident. I did the Open the Bible to a random place thing. In that chapter the children of Israel are given the support from the king of Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem. The are constantly harassed by Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod. The enemies of Israel were very angry when they found out the walls of Jerusalem were being erected.
Nehemiah 4:8-12
8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”
12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
So many times when we are trying to "build the walls of Jerusalem" aka do the Father's will, we have a massive resistance come against us. I don't remember who said it, but one of the quotes that seem very pertinent is "the amount of resistance you receive is equal to the importance it is." The enemy likes to destroy the "infant" work. This is a very important stage. If he can destroy your foundation, the city will not stand. For instance; if he can place an irritation, distraction,or other separation between you and a brother/sister..you must realize that you most likely irritating the enemy. It's should be an absolutely encouragement! Take heart.
To give an analogy, without the resistance of the wind a kite cannot fly. Plain and simple. The more wind resistance it has, the higher it flies! Without the hand controlling us through the winds, we would get no where though. Pride has no place in this.The thing that would be used to frustrate and discourage us...makes us fly!
Nehemiah 4:13-23
13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
It is so easy for me to get frustrated most times,and to become condemning. God fights for us! He is asked by the enemy to "sift" us like he did Peter (Luke 22:31)
That is an AMAZING but scary thought. So my friends...Take heart. Grab your weapons (each other, the armor) and press forward! No matter whether you are "just" going to work, changing diapers, or anything..do it knowing you are building The City of The Most High with your very life.
Remember to be a kite!
Nehemiah 4:8-12
8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
11 Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”
12 Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
So many times when we are trying to "build the walls of Jerusalem" aka do the Father's will, we have a massive resistance come against us. I don't remember who said it, but one of the quotes that seem very pertinent is "the amount of resistance you receive is equal to the importance it is." The enemy likes to destroy the "infant" work. This is a very important stage. If he can destroy your foundation, the city will not stand. For instance; if he can place an irritation, distraction,or other separation between you and a brother/sister..you must realize that you most likely irritating the enemy. It's should be an absolutely encouragement! Take heart.
To give an analogy, without the resistance of the wind a kite cannot fly. Plain and simple. The more wind resistance it has, the higher it flies! Without the hand controlling us through the winds, we would get no where though. Pride has no place in this.The thing that would be used to frustrate and discourage us...makes us fly!
Nehemiah 4:13-23
13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work.
16 From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah 17who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, 18 and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.
19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”
21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” 23Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.[c]
It is so easy for me to get frustrated most times,and to become condemning. God fights for us! He is asked by the enemy to "sift" us like he did Peter (Luke 22:31)
That is an AMAZING but scary thought. So my friends...Take heart. Grab your weapons (each other, the armor) and press forward! No matter whether you are "just" going to work, changing diapers, or anything..do it knowing you are building The City of The Most High with your very life.
Remember to be a kite!
Friday, November 26, 2010
The Gavel.
Here is a thought. When was the last time you judged someone? When you looked down at a homosexual? When you looked down on someone for sinning in an area you felt God could not forgive? I know I have. It is also easy to look down on those who do judge.
Christ did not judge the adulteress woman. In fact, he told those who would have her stoned (as is the custom in Jewish history) that the one without sin could cast the first stone. No one could. But also how easy is it to say the Pharisees were evil people. If you look back in history, they saved Israel from a lot of idolatry. Judas Maccabees stood up for what was the truth then.
What got me thinking about this controversial subject is a movie entitled "To Save A Life." In it, a guy named Jake learned how to care for the un-lovely of this world. I could not do this movie justice. Anyways, think about it. Christ did not hang around with the "Godly." He fellowshipped with revolutionaries, prostitutes, thieves who he died beside, fishermen (one in particular named Peter),tax collectors who people considered traitors, and the list goes on. the point is...I am too "godly" for Christ.
I in particular have judged my family, friends (especially best friends), as people who do sin as if I myself am God. He commanded me as a follower of Christ( a Christian by what the world calls today) to love my enemies, bless those who speak bad about me...but instead, I judge people. This is hatred. James Heinrich Arnold wrote "a man who admonishes(corrects) his brother without love is a murderer.
Also, I judge God himself. I ask him why things in my life have happened to me. Why he lets people die lonely. In the movie I heard a thought that I've heard before, but it never hit me so hard. Why do I let people become lonely? Young people today cling to Gandhi's words "Be the change you want to see in the world."
Can you imagine in the mind of the prodigal son's dad? He did not judge his son. He ran to him and embraced him. Though the son hurt him, he loved his son. I cannot judge anyone. I pray Christ will make his love enter me.
WE ARE TO LOVE. GOD DOES LOVE EVERYONE. HIS JUSTICE IS PURE.
(Sorry this post is written so raw, I didn't know how else to write it)
Christ did not judge the adulteress woman. In fact, he told those who would have her stoned (as is the custom in Jewish history) that the one without sin could cast the first stone. No one could. But also how easy is it to say the Pharisees were evil people. If you look back in history, they saved Israel from a lot of idolatry. Judas Maccabees stood up for what was the truth then.
What got me thinking about this controversial subject is a movie entitled "To Save A Life." In it, a guy named Jake learned how to care for the un-lovely of this world. I could not do this movie justice. Anyways, think about it. Christ did not hang around with the "Godly." He fellowshipped with revolutionaries, prostitutes, thieves who he died beside, fishermen (one in particular named Peter),tax collectors who people considered traitors, and the list goes on. the point is...I am too "godly" for Christ.
I in particular have judged my family, friends (especially best friends), as people who do sin as if I myself am God. He commanded me as a follower of Christ( a Christian by what the world calls today) to love my enemies, bless those who speak bad about me...but instead, I judge people. This is hatred. James Heinrich Arnold wrote "a man who admonishes(corrects) his brother without love is a murderer.
Also, I judge God himself. I ask him why things in my life have happened to me. Why he lets people die lonely. In the movie I heard a thought that I've heard before, but it never hit me so hard. Why do I let people become lonely? Young people today cling to Gandhi's words "Be the change you want to see in the world."
Can you imagine in the mind of the prodigal son's dad? He did not judge his son. He ran to him and embraced him. Though the son hurt him, he loved his son. I cannot judge anyone. I pray Christ will make his love enter me.
WE ARE TO LOVE. GOD DOES LOVE EVERYONE. HIS JUSTICE IS PURE.
(Sorry this post is written so raw, I didn't know how else to write it)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Crickets are crunchy!
This post was inspired by a friend.They posted a YouTube link on Facebook from a youth pastor who wanted to prove proclaiming Christ was easier than eating crickets. Here is the link, in case you wanted to see what she posted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOr4OEPDtnU.
Anyways, that thought brought an idea to me. How often do I allow my self to "eat crickets" instead of living out a God-fearing life? I did eat a live one once... not to gross anyone out. It definitely seems like "eating crickets" can be easier. I mean, there's our pride...insecurities....desires. Not to say wanting to do something great is a bad thing. As long as it does not get in the way of what is in front of you right now. Doing what we want can be so simple sometimes...doing God's will takes a daily commitment to follow when it it hard.
Anyways, that thought brought an idea to me. How often do I allow my self to "eat crickets" instead of living out a God-fearing life? I did eat a live one once... not to gross anyone out. It definitely seems like "eating crickets" can be easier. I mean, there's our pride...insecurities....desires. Not to say wanting to do something great is a bad thing. As long as it does not get in the way of what is in front of you right now. Doing what we want can be so simple sometimes...doing God's will takes a daily commitment to follow when it it hard.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Becoming Needy
How often do you think that everything in your life is going how you would like it? You feel God is in control right? That you are in perfect peace with The Creator?
Or
Does it seem that your entire life seems to be on the verge of crashing down on you? That your good intentions seem to cause pain to others, and sometimes end up causing an inhibition of growth in your friends and family?
I tend to like the first option. To feel like you are always in God's will, always encouraging people, and you feel good about yourself. I mean, who doesn't like to be liked, have joy all the time, and to be full of life?
It makes you love to be a Christian.
But as we look at the life of Christ's disciples, we see that no one who follows the Father ever seem to have any life in this world. Peter went from being a fisherman to a "fisher of men (which wasn't a popular job as we can see in Acts)" and also denied the very one he swore under oath to protect, Paul became so hated that he was flogged multiple times, shipwrecked, and killed for his faith. Doesn't seem like a very fulfilling life, now does it?
Then there is God. He used Peter's experience in denying Him to cause Peter to learn to deny his own strength in himself. How often do I deny my own self and not know if I do love Christ and can only answer
Him "only you know." That is when we feel the power of His love, when we are weak in ourselves.
He is our strength and help in hard times.
God used Paul's experience before he ever knew Christ. He made a way for Paul to really fear himself. He caused a major stir in everyone when he became one of the very people he persecuted. Paul mentioned later to people that were trying to become perfected in the flesh that he was. I mean, he did have everything before he became a disciple of the Way. He was highly respected by Romans and many Jews alike. He was good in the eyes of man. He'd be the guy who thinks that he is doing God's work, zealous to do what he thinks is of God.....
Then, FLASH!
The very person he thinks that he is serving he finds out that he is persecuting. I just wrote this paragraph and automatically flashed back to my past. I was a "zealous" servant of God, looked good in many people's eyes(LOL),and went through an experience that I thought made me a good person who God was proud of. Then, one day, I woke up to find that all of my zeal was gone, my love for others "mysteriously" disappeared, and I saw a little of the person who I was. He then chose to spread his cloak of Love over me.
The feeling of him is like no other thing. There is no human word to explain it. Now outside of Him, there is no life.
He should be our focus everyday.
I over heard a good friend say to someone the other day, "Don't ask if God will let you do something, ask if it would be pleasing to Him."
Thank you so much Shammah.
Or
Does it seem that your entire life seems to be on the verge of crashing down on you? That your good intentions seem to cause pain to others, and sometimes end up causing an inhibition of growth in your friends and family?
I tend to like the first option. To feel like you are always in God's will, always encouraging people, and you feel good about yourself. I mean, who doesn't like to be liked, have joy all the time, and to be full of life?
It makes you love to be a Christian.
But as we look at the life of Christ's disciples, we see that no one who follows the Father ever seem to have any life in this world. Peter went from being a fisherman to a "fisher of men (which wasn't a popular job as we can see in Acts)" and also denied the very one he swore under oath to protect, Paul became so hated that he was flogged multiple times, shipwrecked, and killed for his faith. Doesn't seem like a very fulfilling life, now does it?
Then there is God. He used Peter's experience in denying Him to cause Peter to learn to deny his own strength in himself. How often do I deny my own self and not know if I do love Christ and can only answer
Him "only you know." That is when we feel the power of His love, when we are weak in ourselves.
He is our strength and help in hard times.
God used Paul's experience before he ever knew Christ. He made a way for Paul to really fear himself. He caused a major stir in everyone when he became one of the very people he persecuted. Paul mentioned later to people that were trying to become perfected in the flesh that he was. I mean, he did have everything before he became a disciple of the Way. He was highly respected by Romans and many Jews alike. He was good in the eyes of man. He'd be the guy who thinks that he is doing God's work, zealous to do what he thinks is of God.....
Then, FLASH!
The very person he thinks that he is serving he finds out that he is persecuting. I just wrote this paragraph and automatically flashed back to my past. I was a "zealous" servant of God, looked good in many people's eyes(LOL),and went through an experience that I thought made me a good person who God was proud of. Then, one day, I woke up to find that all of my zeal was gone, my love for others "mysteriously" disappeared, and I saw a little of the person who I was. He then chose to spread his cloak of Love over me.
The feeling of him is like no other thing. There is no human word to explain it. Now outside of Him, there is no life.
He should be our focus everyday.
I over heard a good friend say to someone the other day, "Don't ask if God will let you do something, ask if it would be pleasing to Him."
Thank you so much Shammah.
I hope that that would be true of all of us.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Our purpose
I'm pretty full tonight. I just got through my first (of this year) "two people meeting" an hour ago. It was very enlightening. The facts don't matter of how I got there, the exciting thing is what I got out of it.
First of all, I wanted to share something I've been thinking about lately.I have been wearing a ring on my wedding finger for about a week now. People ask me why, but until now I've held out. The ring helps remind me that the relationship that Christ started with me (others as well) is like a marriage. I am unmarried by the world's standards, but I'm joined to Christ in the standards that really count. I'm reminded to keep my thoughts about how I can please him. It's a radical idea, but big changes are caused by little steps.
Anyways, back to what I learned. I was reminded how Christ called us not to live how we want to, do what ever we dream of, or even feel happy all of the time. He wants to totally destroy our lives, make us ask for death, and to hunger for him. When we truly are emptied of our reputations, pride,and emotional stabilities (for myself) he pours himself into us. We then find out that all of our pain,struggles, and hard times are for one thing. To rid us of everything but him. We are become like a child. The more time we spend with him, the more we are fulfilled. Separation becomes our fear. He becomes our all in all and we desire nothing else. Even in our low times, he is right there. It is such an amazing God we serve!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Obsessed by God
Can you honestly say that the consideration of God fills every waking thought? I know that I can't. I tend to have things that are more important than God. Things that feel my day and push me further away from God. One of them is how much time I spend on the computer each day (Meaning this won't be a long post.).I consider time with God to be a chore. It is something I do to keep my day going well, to fulfill some "quota,"or only when I truly need something. Getting stuck in doing just enough is like what the Jews did with the law. We tend to strive to give God our "leftovers" in the words of Francis Chan. We give God only whats required, then wonder why we feel so empty of the Spirit. The goal of Christ was to call us higher. We can never give enough, be humble enough, or praise him enough to satisfy him. He wants our all. He wants us to be so obsessed with him that we have to trust in him for our daily necessities. when Christ called his disciples, he told them not to go back for supplies for their trip. No extra money, tunic,or walking staff. This type of devotion caused the disciple to be intimate with God. He was forced to trust that the Lord would provide. In the story of Abraham, he had to rely on the fact that God would provide. What would have been like if Abraham had killed his son only to be mocked by others for having faith? Are we so afraid to have faith that God will provide for all of our needs? I know I have many times. When hard situations arise, I tend to get really anxious, forgetting what Christ has done for all who had faith in him before me. Becoming obsessed with God means letting go of all our anxieties and focusing on him, making every experience we go through cause us to want him more, to fall madly in love with him. Like we were meant to do.I pray that he would do this in me. He is our provider and we are his delight.When you fall in love, like everyone knows, you don't need to be reminded to think about someone, they are on your mind all the time. You will no longer serve God because you have to, but because you are so deeply in love that not serving him would be crazy.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Awesomeness of our Creator.
Psalms 19:1-4: For the choir director: A psalm of David. The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.( NLT)
These verses are so incredible. How true they speak of our Father's work. To the conscious mind, we may sometimes think, "Oh thats a neat sun-set" or "Wow that storm sure made things green," but when do we really stop to awe at God's creation?
Here's two awesome videos from Francis Chan to better explain my point.
Recently I've been really struggling to grasp a relationship with God.
What should I expect? How does it happen? Why did He choose me?
I don't have answers for these questions yet, because I'm new, but I thought they would help inspire a radical change in mindset. The one thing I can say about becoming intimate with Christ is: It is not easy. The closer you get, the more
I AM EVIL.
For some people (LOL...like me), we have hidden for so long, that when we are revealed, we shun from the light. We think we are too far gone for God to want to deal with us, so we feel we were better not knowing how we are. Our only remedy is to look at his face and cling to him. Instead of pushing away in the pain of the moment, draw closer to Him. But don't worry if you haven't experienced the brightness yet, God reveals more the closer we get to becoming his Beloved. He allows certain
Monday, May 10, 2010
Missing Him
"I slept, but my heart was awake,
when I heard my lover knocking and calling:
“Open to me, my treasure, my darling,
my dove, my perfect one.
My head is drenched with dew,
my hair with the dampness of the night.”
But I responded,
“I have taken off my robe.
Should I get dressed again?
I have washed my feet.
Should I get them soiled?”
My lover tried to unlatch the door,
and my heart thrilled within me.
I jumped up to open the door for my love,
and my hands dripped with perfume.
My fingers dripped with lovely myrrh
as I pulled back the bolt.
I opened to my lover,
but he was gone!
My heart sank.
I searched for him
but could not find him anywhere.
I called to him,
but there was no reply." - Song of Solomon 5:2-6
For each disciple, the journey often takes different routes, but for anyone who seeks to fall in love with Christ, in the intimate way, we find that often, when he calls,we have something we want to do and we reply "I have taken off my robe.Should I get dressed again? I have washed my feet. Should I get them soiled?” Just like the woman in the story, we give excuses why we cannot answer the call. When we hear him trying to enter our heart, as we try to let him in, he seems to disappear. We are left with the feeling that we were abandoned. Like Christ on the cross, we ask "My God why have you forsaken me?" This experience draws us closer to the lover of our soul. It also teaches us to answer him quicker. Christ is multi-dimensional. When we think we know why he allows something to happen to us, and even if we see a small benefit a little later down the road, he uses the experience for many other reasons. The thought that comes to mind, is that the will of God is like a diamond, when you look at one side,you don't see the entire gem; you must turn it around in your hand and look at each facet. That is the way God shows us the effects of how our obedience, suffering, and self-denying actions effect others and even our own life. He wants to be near us, and longs to make us just like him. Such love he has for us!
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