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
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Weak...
I often get the feeling that I am useless.
With all my faults and quirks, it seems like I'm one of those vessels which were mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:20.
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.
Even with my friends telling how much they care about me daily and hearing how much Christ is in love with me, I'm insecure,emotional...a wreck.
As a man I feel like I should be in control of myself.
I often find that I tear up at times when others don't. I take offense at the silliest things and find it hard to be glad for how God made me.
For Christmas I received a handmade shirt with a quote by Hudson Taylor:
All God's giants have been weak men
who did great things for God
because they reckoned on
God being with them
--Hudson Taylor
I believe that quote to be true. The Beloved is showing this more and more each day. From the diagnosis of a good friend Paul Pavao with leukemia to the accident that happened to Steve Saint, both in this past year. Not including the history of "flawed" individuals that were mightily wielded because they found their worth in Christ.
2 Corinthians 12:9 is a great verse to remember (I'll take note of it for later! :-] )
Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
-NLT
I leave you with Philippians 3:8 as a closing thought
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
May we all gain Christ together!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Give it to me NOW!!!!!!
Been on my mind the past couple weeks.
You've probably seen it multiple times, in both infant and adult alike. The case of the "It's MINE, GIVE IT NOW!"
In the parable of the prodigal son, the youngest son demands of his father this birthright. As it went, his father didn't withhold it but gave what was asked of him. The son then wasted the inheritance and ended in the depths. The story ends well... and the son is given even more in his humility than in his arrogance.
Many stories: Abraham and Hagar, David and Bathsheba, and Moses.
Each took from God something. A thing which they believe was owed them or they thought God was too slow in his promise (Ishmael's birth) -Genesis 16:1-12
I used to believe the saying, "God helps those who help themselves." What a lie! God HATES self-sufficiency! Self -Sufficiency is a lie from the Adversary! Ever since the time in the garden, he has been trying to separate us from the provisions of the Almighty.
David talked often of the lengths that The Almighty went to to provide for him. In all of his debauchery, adultery, and murderous nature he was still called a man after God's own heart.
You see..."messing up" is a part of us. He wants us to turn back to Him.
The Almighty, Shepherd, and Bridegroom.
The story of Hosea and Gomer is a great example of God wanting his Bride even though she is the "backslider"
(Isn't amazing that we are taught through [living words] LIVES?!?!?!?!)
For those who haven't read the story, it really is revealing of a piece of the Heart of God.
He brings us back to His side to be : RECEIVERS.
It shouldn't matter if we know it may be ours...with a promise. We must hold our hands out to receive.
Luke 11:13
He knows the exact time to give us what we need. The Ark is a great example. Imagine if God told Noah only months before the flood?
You've probably seen it multiple times, in both infant and adult alike. The case of the "It's MINE, GIVE IT NOW!"
In the parable of the prodigal son, the youngest son demands of his father this birthright. As it went, his father didn't withhold it but gave what was asked of him. The son then wasted the inheritance and ended in the depths. The story ends well... and the son is given even more in his humility than in his arrogance.
Many stories: Abraham and Hagar, David and Bathsheba, and Moses.
Each took from God something. A thing which they believe was owed them or they thought God was too slow in his promise (Ishmael's birth) -Genesis 16:1-12
I used to believe the saying, "God helps those who help themselves." What a lie! God HATES self-sufficiency! Self -Sufficiency is a lie from the Adversary! Ever since the time in the garden, he has been trying to separate us from the provisions of the Almighty.
David talked often of the lengths that The Almighty went to to provide for him. In all of his debauchery, adultery, and murderous nature he was still called a man after God's own heart.
You see..."messing up" is a part of us. He wants us to turn back to Him.
The Almighty, Shepherd, and Bridegroom.
The story of Hosea and Gomer is a great example of God wanting his Bride even though she is the "backslider"
(Isn't amazing that we are taught through [living words] LIVES?!?!?!?!)
For those who haven't read the story, it really is revealing of a piece of the Heart of God.
He brings us back to His side to be : RECEIVERS.
It shouldn't matter if we know it may be ours...with a promise. We must hold our hands out to receive.
Luke 11:13
He knows the exact time to give us what we need. The Ark is a great example. Imagine if God told Noah only months before the flood?
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Pinocchio
How real are you?
You'd say that you are right? I mean.. you breathe,eat sleep, and are self aware. You are even aware of God.
re·al, real/ˈrē(ə)l/, /rāˈäl/
or
Reality, the state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they may appear or may be thought to be.
Ok. In our minds we are real...but to God are we?
Like the story of Pinocchio, do we hope to be real like he did? He even went to the same lengths to be a real boy.
Wow, to think about it, Pinocchio is very much like an allegory of a Christian!
Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person.Genesis 2:7
Carved by a woodcarver named Geppetto in a small Italian village, Pinocchio was created as a wooden puppet, but dreamed of becoming a real boy.
We often, like the wooden puppet try to take this "turning real" into our own hands.
We attempt to be Godly and isolate ourselves from sinners.
Like the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, we can often take the side of that we are more "real" than another a thus we completely miss God.
Christ is the first real man. The Father created us to be like Him, yet we often choose to have the "strings" of this world on us...while saying we are free. The enemy wants to try to put a false picture in our heads of the way and some completely lose interest.
We cannot in ourselves ever hope to be real.
It is a painful journey. Since Adam, our kind has hid from exposing light. When Christ came, he gave us a choice. No longer were we stuck to just live "good" lives, but He made us able to be recreated as REAL beings! It will be a lifelong journey since this body is but a shadow of what is to come.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Part of me
A little piece of me:
One of the biggest prayers that I've had for at least the last 5 years... is that my faith would be increased. Reading all the stories of men and women with unshakable faith in the midst of great opposition really inspired this desire. In the beginning, my fervor was like a wildfire. Thus youth provides the flame of passion that must be put under control. This has lead to some of the biggest internal and spiritual battles I'd ever been in my life. Like Peter, Christ shows me daily to trust in His strength and in the mean time, shattering hope in my own.
I've experienced "storms" in my life in which I felt like the disciples while Christ was asleep in the storm. Every-time...without fail he stills the turmoil. (For those who haven't gathered from my previous posts, I'm a major introvert!) I've literally been to the point of wanting to die! Telling God to strike me down. Yet, through all of my foolishness, He has smiled on me.
I actually started this blog in a last "ditch" effort to stay on the path. Looking back on my first posts, like journal entries, I thank the Almighty for never walking away. I cannot tell you how many times I've wanted to.
He's given me so much more than I could ever imagine. Most of my friends are now married, leaving me as one of the only guys who isn't. I often pray that God would really have someone for me... like many my age have.
I'm very grateful that He hasn't though. I wouldn't have changed a thing. He knew what he was doing creating me, giving me the desires, and drawing so near to me. I thought I needed to become a foreign missionary to get close to God (I'm still hoping to get to go,but now I can offer someone!)and cultivate life away from everyone, instead He started right here!
The adventure has been awesome!
God has given me so much. I'm an uncle twice, first niece on the way, and an amazing household that I really am learning to love. It's amazing the learning part. I'm glad that Love is not exhausted!
I'll have to continue more later since I need to get to bed!
May the blessing of The Lover be upon you!
One of the biggest prayers that I've had for at least the last 5 years... is that my faith would be increased. Reading all the stories of men and women with unshakable faith in the midst of great opposition really inspired this desire. In the beginning, my fervor was like a wildfire. Thus youth provides the flame of passion that must be put under control. This has lead to some of the biggest internal and spiritual battles I'd ever been in my life. Like Peter, Christ shows me daily to trust in His strength and in the mean time, shattering hope in my own.
I've experienced "storms" in my life in which I felt like the disciples while Christ was asleep in the storm. Every-time...without fail he stills the turmoil. (For those who haven't gathered from my previous posts, I'm a major introvert!) I've literally been to the point of wanting to die! Telling God to strike me down. Yet, through all of my foolishness, He has smiled on me.
I actually started this blog in a last "ditch" effort to stay on the path. Looking back on my first posts, like journal entries, I thank the Almighty for never walking away. I cannot tell you how many times I've wanted to.
He's given me so much more than I could ever imagine. Most of my friends are now married, leaving me as one of the only guys who isn't. I often pray that God would really have someone for me... like many my age have.
I'm very grateful that He hasn't though. I wouldn't have changed a thing. He knew what he was doing creating me, giving me the desires, and drawing so near to me. I thought I needed to become a foreign missionary to get close to God (I'm still hoping to get to go,but now I can offer someone!)and cultivate life away from everyone, instead He started right here!
The adventure has been awesome!
God has given me so much. I'm an uncle twice, first niece on the way, and an amazing household that I really am learning to love. It's amazing the learning part. I'm glad that Love is not exhausted!
I'll have to continue more later since I need to get to bed!
May the blessing of The Lover be upon you!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
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