Matthew 8:24-25
Without warning, a furious storm came upon the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" (NIV)
As with the disciples it seems that SUDDENLY "Furious Storms" come into our lives. Does God know that they are there? Most certainly! Is he the Lord over that situation again most certainly. Are we allowing him to be the Lord over the situation??? Does it seem to us that Jesus is sleeping in the bottom of the boat and unconcerned????
In the mist of the storms that pop up in our lives we need to trust him. Do you think that Jesus would have let the boat sink, of coarse not. Nothing in Heaven or hell could have sunk that boat because the Son of God was on it. You say that that's fine because Jesus was with them! Well don't we have the promise that he will NEVER leave us or forsake us, and If God be for us Who can be against us?
We his children need to realize that we mean AS MUCH TO HIM AS ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN OR WILL BE.
There is so many times we want to escape the storm when the lesson is in the storm. But without storms and diversity in our lives there is no chance for our faith to grow.
Welcome the Storms not because of what they are but because of the storm we will be have a chance to be drawn nearer to him. Remember 1 Thes. 5:18 "In everything give THANKS for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. We give thanks not for the situation but that we belong to the LORD over the situation.
So when suddenlys come upon us and they seem to sneak or drop in remember this is the opportunity to give thanks and to have our Faith in Him increase.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
How do you view Problems or Conflect
The presence of a conflict or problems
doesn't mean the absence of God.
Which do you FOCUS on?
It/they should be viewed as an opportunity!
As I have mentioned many times here the PROBLEMS & CONFLICTS we have are not problems for GOD. So many times we relate to what the world would think and forget to look with our Spiritual eyes. If we look through our GOD eyes we might see the testimony that will come out of this, we might see the opportunity to share with someone later that "I've been there or gone through that". Remember Rev 12:11 how we overcome.
If you talk to some "CHURCH" members (religious people) they will tell you that it must be because of sin the trouble your in, remember when Jesus healed the blind man in John 9:2, "WHO SINNED" was the big question but we see in John 9:3 Jesus said in answering, It was not because of his sin, or because of his father's or mother's sins; it was so that the works of God might be seen openly in him.
How many times do we miss opportunities for the works of God to be seen worrying about our circumstances when we see the works of God openly in us if we only were dependent on him?
There are times God wants to SHOW OFF AND SHOW OUT as a preacher friend of mine used to say. Do we in worry and fretting over the issues DENY him that privilege? Definitely a YES!!!
I can only wish I had achieved this life style but with each speed bump that comes along I get closer.
There is an old saying "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff".
IT'S ALL SMALL STUFF FOR GOD.
doesn't mean the absence of God.
Which do you FOCUS on?
It/they should be viewed as an opportunity!
As I have mentioned many times here the PROBLEMS & CONFLICTS we have are not problems for GOD. So many times we relate to what the world would think and forget to look with our Spiritual eyes. If we look through our GOD eyes we might see the testimony that will come out of this, we might see the opportunity to share with someone later that "I've been there or gone through that". Remember Rev 12:11 how we overcome.
If you talk to some "CHURCH" members (religious people) they will tell you that it must be because of sin the trouble your in, remember when Jesus healed the blind man in John 9:2, "WHO SINNED" was the big question but we see in John 9:3 Jesus said in answering, It was not because of his sin, or because of his father's or mother's sins; it was so that the works of God might be seen openly in him.
How many times do we miss opportunities for the works of God to be seen worrying about our circumstances when we see the works of God openly in us if we only were dependent on him?
There are times God wants to SHOW OFF AND SHOW OUT as a preacher friend of mine used to say. Do we in worry and fretting over the issues DENY him that privilege? Definitely a YES!!!
I can only wish I had achieved this life style but with each speed bump that comes along I get closer.
There is an old saying "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff".
IT'S ALL SMALL STUFF FOR GOD.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
What is a relationship?
There are many types of relationships in the world today.
When you ask this quite a few things come to mind:
1. Is this a MARRIAGE?
2. Is this a FRIENDSHIP?
3. Is this a working relationship?
This is only a few that I could think of. I'm sure you can come up with more.
A relationship means that we can relate, share, speak about or we have a deep understanding of the other person or situation.
In having a relationship w/GOD we need all the definitions listed above, and without him there is no true relationship. In a true relationship there will be times of trouble, heart ache, when you wonder about the sincerity of the other party, times you want to leave, bad times, questionable times, doubtful times, trying times, etc. etc.. There are also GREAT TIMES, FUN TIMES, TIMES OF JOY, TIMES OF PEACE, TIMES THAT ARE ONLY MEMORABLE WITH THE 2 OF YOU OR THE GROUP INVOLVED. TIMES YOU WANT TO GO AND SHOUT, TIMES YOU WANT TO STAY SILENT AND REVERENT. TIMES WHEN YOU'RE NOT SURE WHATS GOING ON BUT IT'S WELL.
In a true relationship you have to have COMMITMENT. GOD never intended us to leave or walk out of a relationship, his are eternal and he wants ours to be also. It's a shame today that folks get mad over the smallest things. We throw a fit at the first signs of hard times and leave, walk away, spread gossip or even worse. In general today commitment is fulfilled by taking care of MY needs (remember relationships are two sided).
In a relationship you also have to have two way face to face COMMUNICATION, this is something in our FaceBook, Tweeter, I-Net, online world has lost. When is the last time you sat down and really talked to those your in relationship with FACE to FACE, especially with GOD.
There is a whole society today that only has ONE way communication, and expects everyone to know their needs, wants and desires and say they care about others but their lives don't show it, I believe this could fall under IDOLATRY or PRIDE, two MAJOR sins.
There is a lot more that could be said, but I hope that this gets you thinking about relationships.
If we have Godly relationships then our lives will change and we will see the ministry of Christ come into our lives. That is that we serve others and put Christ above all.
Can you sit and think right now about the relationships you have. How can you enrich them? What about that relationship with GOD???? Does it exist? Do you need to have a deeper walk with him, James tells us if we draw close to him he will draw close to us (WOW)?
Sit down and try talking to him and see what he has to say.
Try this: Get some quite time and get some juice and cracker or bread and have communion just you and GOD, (don't let the juice and bread deal freak you out & don't be religious)
I know he wants relationships with us... John 3:16
When you ask this quite a few things come to mind:
1. Is this a MARRIAGE?
2. Is this a FRIENDSHIP?
3. Is this a working relationship?
This is only a few that I could think of. I'm sure you can come up with more.
A relationship means that we can relate, share, speak about or we have a deep understanding of the other person or situation.
In having a relationship w/GOD we need all the definitions listed above, and without him there is no true relationship. In a true relationship there will be times of trouble, heart ache, when you wonder about the sincerity of the other party, times you want to leave, bad times, questionable times, doubtful times, trying times, etc. etc.. There are also GREAT TIMES, FUN TIMES, TIMES OF JOY, TIMES OF PEACE, TIMES THAT ARE ONLY MEMORABLE WITH THE 2 OF YOU OR THE GROUP INVOLVED. TIMES YOU WANT TO GO AND SHOUT, TIMES YOU WANT TO STAY SILENT AND REVERENT. TIMES WHEN YOU'RE NOT SURE WHATS GOING ON BUT IT'S WELL.
In a true relationship you have to have COMMITMENT. GOD never intended us to leave or walk out of a relationship, his are eternal and he wants ours to be also. It's a shame today that folks get mad over the smallest things. We throw a fit at the first signs of hard times and leave, walk away, spread gossip or even worse. In general today commitment is fulfilled by taking care of MY needs (remember relationships are two sided).
In a relationship you also have to have two way face to face COMMUNICATION, this is something in our FaceBook, Tweeter, I-Net, online world has lost. When is the last time you sat down and really talked to those your in relationship with FACE to FACE, especially with GOD.
There is a whole society today that only has ONE way communication, and expects everyone to know their needs, wants and desires and say they care about others but their lives don't show it, I believe this could fall under IDOLATRY or PRIDE, two MAJOR sins.
There is a lot more that could be said, but I hope that this gets you thinking about relationships.
If we have Godly relationships then our lives will change and we will see the ministry of Christ come into our lives. That is that we serve others and put Christ above all.
Can you sit and think right now about the relationships you have. How can you enrich them? What about that relationship with GOD???? Does it exist? Do you need to have a deeper walk with him, James tells us if we draw close to him he will draw close to us (WOW)?
Sit down and try talking to him and see what he has to say.
Try this: Get some quite time and get some juice and cracker or bread and have communion just you and GOD, (don't let the juice and bread deal freak you out & don't be religious)
I know he wants relationships with us... John 3:16
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Being Born Again and Being Saved, are they different?
I found this question from a friend of mine A.S. that text it to me months ago.
I was also talking to some friends at lunch today and the same topic came up. We are born again only 1 time, to be born again more than that means somethings wrong with our relationship with GOD, it can NOT happen more than once. We can be born twice( remember Christ conversation with Nicodemus)BUT WE DIE ONCE! We do have to DIE one time, remember (Heb. 9:27) It's APPOINTED unto man once to die then the judgment. I can NOT die again, I'll go to sleep in Christ.
During our initial Salvation process we die to ourselves and are reborn (BORN AGAIN) unto the Spirit of GOD through Christ Jesus, we're saved.
The salvation process then becomes something that we need daily! There is a statement we use "I WAS saved, I am BEING saved and I WILL BE saved". What does this mean?
At the moment we're born again we have started a salvation process hence I WAS saved.
As life goes on we are in need of salvation every moment of every day, we are being saved. This is the wonderful and sometimes challenging part of our life in Christ, where we learn to trust him for everything from healing, forgiveness, finances and EVERYTHING else in between. This takes commitment and great TRUST (FAITH) in Christ, it's learned by living it, not reading about it or hearing about it.
What do we need saving from?
It's sad today that in most of our Churches don't teach on sin, they will tell you that sin is breaking the Law of Moses or has to do with drinking, adultery, gambling etc. and it does but lets go a bit deeper into our lives: what about unforgiveness, pride, lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh, this is how sin enters into our lives.
Just curious also how many of us have predetermined thoughts and judgments about homosexuals, prostitutes, drunks, drug addicts, drug dealers or the person of a different color: after all our churches are the most prejudice places on earth? Could you worship with them and LOVE them being an example of Christ LOVE?
Lets get closer to home, how many of us have unforgiveness in our hearts because of something that happened to us, and we just CAN'T forgive them, (Jesus said if we can't forgive then he can't forgive us). Was it RAPE, ABANDONMENT by a parent or spouse, was it abuse mental or physical, was it something that you have even hidden in a room in your heart and won't think about it, Jesus said "Behold I stand at the door and knock, he wants in all the rooms in our lives. Was it something that we're blaming on GOD? What about the LUST in our lives, chasing after the Jones' wanting more of he world more than wanting what GOD has for us in his SON? Is the STUFF in our lives the things that the WORLD has to offer us that has enticed us to go against our Spiritual leading?
To me worst of all could it be the Religious things that have crept up and snared us, these are hard to find?
These are only some of the things we need to be SAVED from and can be ONLY through CHRIST. GOD can and will SAVE, and DELIVER us if we allow him to. We have to abandon ourselves and put complete trust and faith in him.
Yes I do believe there is a difference in Being Born Again and Salvation.
I was also talking to some friends at lunch today and the same topic came up. We are born again only 1 time, to be born again more than that means somethings wrong with our relationship with GOD, it can NOT happen more than once. We can be born twice( remember Christ conversation with Nicodemus)BUT WE DIE ONCE! We do have to DIE one time, remember (Heb. 9:27) It's APPOINTED unto man once to die then the judgment. I can NOT die again, I'll go to sleep in Christ.
During our initial Salvation process we die to ourselves and are reborn (BORN AGAIN) unto the Spirit of GOD through Christ Jesus, we're saved.
The salvation process then becomes something that we need daily! There is a statement we use "I WAS saved, I am BEING saved and I WILL BE saved". What does this mean?
At the moment we're born again we have started a salvation process hence I WAS saved.
As life goes on we are in need of salvation every moment of every day, we are being saved. This is the wonderful and sometimes challenging part of our life in Christ, where we learn to trust him for everything from healing, forgiveness, finances and EVERYTHING else in between. This takes commitment and great TRUST (FAITH) in Christ, it's learned by living it, not reading about it or hearing about it.
What do we need saving from?
It's sad today that in most of our Churches don't teach on sin, they will tell you that sin is breaking the Law of Moses or has to do with drinking, adultery, gambling etc. and it does but lets go a bit deeper into our lives: what about unforgiveness, pride, lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh, this is how sin enters into our lives.
Just curious also how many of us have predetermined thoughts and judgments about homosexuals, prostitutes, drunks, drug addicts, drug dealers or the person of a different color: after all our churches are the most prejudice places on earth? Could you worship with them and LOVE them being an example of Christ LOVE?
Lets get closer to home, how many of us have unforgiveness in our hearts because of something that happened to us, and we just CAN'T forgive them, (Jesus said if we can't forgive then he can't forgive us). Was it RAPE, ABANDONMENT by a parent or spouse, was it abuse mental or physical, was it something that you have even hidden in a room in your heart and won't think about it, Jesus said "Behold I stand at the door and knock, he wants in all the rooms in our lives. Was it something that we're blaming on GOD? What about the LUST in our lives, chasing after the Jones' wanting more of he world more than wanting what GOD has for us in his SON? Is the STUFF in our lives the things that the WORLD has to offer us that has enticed us to go against our Spiritual leading?
To me worst of all could it be the Religious things that have crept up and snared us, these are hard to find?
These are only some of the things we need to be SAVED from and can be ONLY through CHRIST. GOD can and will SAVE, and DELIVER us if we allow him to. We have to abandon ourselves and put complete trust and faith in him.
Yes I do believe there is a difference in Being Born Again and Salvation.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Well it's been a month!
It's been a month and quite a bit has happened.
God has shown me that if I trust him he will do what he said he will. God is still a healing God, a faithful God and one who really LOVES to show us how much he LOVES us, if we will let him.
I keep learning how simple it is to follow him if we will keep our hearts and minds out of the world and off of ourselves. There really is a reason he gave us his printed WORD, one reason is that he wants to show off to the world how much he loves us through the printed WORD and then wants to reinforce it by guiding us into his blessings through THE WORD (John 1:1). Yes I know they are both the same, but the world doesn't see that.
Regardless of what me eyes see, my ears hear, my body feels and my mind tries to tell me, GOD IS GOOD, FAITHFUL and GRACIOUS!!!!
God has shown me that if I trust him he will do what he said he will. God is still a healing God, a faithful God and one who really LOVES to show us how much he LOVES us, if we will let him.
I keep learning how simple it is to follow him if we will keep our hearts and minds out of the world and off of ourselves. There really is a reason he gave us his printed WORD, one reason is that he wants to show off to the world how much he loves us through the printed WORD and then wants to reinforce it by guiding us into his blessings through THE WORD (John 1:1). Yes I know they are both the same, but the world doesn't see that.
Regardless of what me eyes see, my ears hear, my body feels and my mind tries to tell me, GOD IS GOOD, FAITHFUL and GRACIOUS!!!!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
We're learning!
As stated in the title all of us are learning, every day, every moment, every circumstance and situation, we are all at different levels and stages in our lives, but we're all learning.
The purpose of my posting here is to throw out some things that will provoke study and seeking the LORD.
Yes we're all learning, and sometimes we don't allow it to SOAK in our hearts and we as Israel have to go around the mountain again.
About 6 or 7 weeks ago I was thinking that my wife and I had been through pretty much everything that is possible. I had the thought that we've never gone through either of us being hit in our health where we don't have an answer. Well guess what, I'm LEARNING to listen to the Holy Spirit because as I was having those thoughts I honestly felt the Spirit tell me to trust HIM regardless. Shortly after that on a Saturday afternoon I awoke from a nap and couldn't walk. My back hurt so bad I was almost in tears.
After seeing my doctor who told me this would be a long drawn out healing, and after many many trips to the Chiropractor it felt a little bit better. I pushed it one day and re-injured it. While going through the pain again I noticed I was getting shorter and shorter breath and had no energy.
Well after 4 or 5 test on my heart and the doctors not knowing what was going on the LORD reminded me through a song that I don't have to worry about these things, my health, family, what to eat where to stay and the other thing the enemy is trying to get me to worry about and believe his lies.
All that to say this: I'M LEARNING again that I'm not my own I've been bought with a price. If there is any worry of fretting to be done it's got to be done by GOD. If I do I'm interfering with his will or my chance to have faith in the creator of the universe to take care of my life which is his.
I don't worry about Obama's health care, the Republicans or the Democrats, what ever. I have a lover of my soul, one who sings songs over me, one who has my name tattooed in the palm of his hand so when he works in my life he's reminded of me.
I'm learning that I have a LOVER of my soul that sought after me with his love and forgiveness and Blood which cleanses me. Each time I learn a little bit more of this I become more and more convened that GOD IS in control. WHERE HE AND I WANT HIM TO BE!
The purpose of my posting here is to throw out some things that will provoke study and seeking the LORD.
Yes we're all learning, and sometimes we don't allow it to SOAK in our hearts and we as Israel have to go around the mountain again.
About 6 or 7 weeks ago I was thinking that my wife and I had been through pretty much everything that is possible. I had the thought that we've never gone through either of us being hit in our health where we don't have an answer. Well guess what, I'm LEARNING to listen to the Holy Spirit because as I was having those thoughts I honestly felt the Spirit tell me to trust HIM regardless. Shortly after that on a Saturday afternoon I awoke from a nap and couldn't walk. My back hurt so bad I was almost in tears.
After seeing my doctor who told me this would be a long drawn out healing, and after many many trips to the Chiropractor it felt a little bit better. I pushed it one day and re-injured it. While going through the pain again I noticed I was getting shorter and shorter breath and had no energy.
Well after 4 or 5 test on my heart and the doctors not knowing what was going on the LORD reminded me through a song that I don't have to worry about these things, my health, family, what to eat where to stay and the other thing the enemy is trying to get me to worry about and believe his lies.
All that to say this: I'M LEARNING again that I'm not my own I've been bought with a price. If there is any worry of fretting to be done it's got to be done by GOD. If I do I'm interfering with his will or my chance to have faith in the creator of the universe to take care of my life which is his.
I don't worry about Obama's health care, the Republicans or the Democrats, what ever. I have a lover of my soul, one who sings songs over me, one who has my name tattooed in the palm of his hand so when he works in my life he's reminded of me.
I'm learning that I have a LOVER of my soul that sought after me with his love and forgiveness and Blood which cleanses me. Each time I learn a little bit more of this I become more and more convened that GOD IS in control. WHERE HE AND I WANT HIM TO BE!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
All you need is LOVE!
The song lyrics are familiar to all of us, the Beatles sang about it and a whole generation sought after it.
Most of the time the LOVE we want is acceptance (total). Acceptance by our family, friends, church, social groups and finally ourselves. Acceptance meaning that we are considered without fault, issues, and a part of, wanted by others or GOD (one of the best things to help gain the trust, admiration and acceptance of others is to make them feel like their a PART of whatever, wanted by and belong to).
It's really strange what we will do sometimes to gain LOVE from others. We've all seen the couple in LOVE where the guy or girl will do REALLY dumb things to become accepted by the other. I'm sure you know of all kind of stories. I think of teenagers today and in my teen days who would dress different or wear their hair a certain way to become accepted or LOVED.
Lets go to the next level. We will do some really dumb and far fetched things to gain acceptance, LOVE from GOD. We play games of all sorts, we think that only those that believe the way we do, those who dress a certain way will or will not make it, if we do this or that, if we DO enough good works, follow the law etc..
While thinking today I realized that GOD SO LOVED, HE GAVE (that's GRACE). We're LOVED to the highest degree by GOD, he gave his most precious so that you and I could be LOVED, accepted, become a part of, feel wanted by and belong to, HIM.
Isn't it amazing about GRACE, we can't earn it, work for it, buy it or do GOOD enough to deserve it. IT'S A GIFT, waiting to be accepted by faith by those who want most to be accepted (how ironic).
It's true "ALL WE NEED IS LOVE" Perfect LOVE!
Most of the time the LOVE we want is acceptance (total). Acceptance by our family, friends, church, social groups and finally ourselves. Acceptance meaning that we are considered without fault, issues, and a part of, wanted by others or GOD (one of the best things to help gain the trust, admiration and acceptance of others is to make them feel like their a PART of whatever, wanted by and belong to).
It's really strange what we will do sometimes to gain LOVE from others. We've all seen the couple in LOVE where the guy or girl will do REALLY dumb things to become accepted by the other. I'm sure you know of all kind of stories. I think of teenagers today and in my teen days who would dress different or wear their hair a certain way to become accepted or LOVED.
Lets go to the next level. We will do some really dumb and far fetched things to gain acceptance, LOVE from GOD. We play games of all sorts, we think that only those that believe the way we do, those who dress a certain way will or will not make it, if we do this or that, if we DO enough good works, follow the law etc..
While thinking today I realized that GOD SO LOVED, HE GAVE (that's GRACE). We're LOVED to the highest degree by GOD, he gave his most precious so that you and I could be LOVED, accepted, become a part of, feel wanted by and belong to, HIM.
Isn't it amazing about GRACE, we can't earn it, work for it, buy it or do GOOD enough to deserve it. IT'S A GIFT, waiting to be accepted by faith by those who want most to be accepted (how ironic).
It's true "ALL WE NEED IS LOVE" Perfect LOVE!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Why do you believe what you believe?
Have you ever considered WHY you believe something? Something about your Christian walk, your family, work, friends etc.. There are many people that can tell you what they believe but can't tell you why. This should lead us to investigate what's going on in our minds and lives.
For example: People believe that baptism is essential for salvation but do they know why. People don't believe in miracles today but can you tell someone why.
Quite a bit of our believes are so call because Momma said or Daddy did the preacher said so. Do we really want to know, are we basing our eternal life and our walk here on earth on what SOMEONE said?
When I was a young Christian I had a man try to convince me that the Bible said "Black people COULD NOT go to heaven"! I ask him to tell me where and he said look it's in there. Clearly he was basing what he believed on HIS prejudices.
Again a preacher to me one time that it said, "it's better for a man's seed to fall into the belly of a whore than to fall on the ground". This clearly is a justification for fornication.
It really is amazing what you here and we'll take it for common place. I encourage you to know WHY you believe WHAT you believe.
For example: People believe that baptism is essential for salvation but do they know why. People don't believe in miracles today but can you tell someone why.
Quite a bit of our believes are so call because Momma said or Daddy did the preacher said so. Do we really want to know, are we basing our eternal life and our walk here on earth on what SOMEONE said?
When I was a young Christian I had a man try to convince me that the Bible said "Black people COULD NOT go to heaven"! I ask him to tell me where and he said look it's in there. Clearly he was basing what he believed on HIS prejudices.
Again a preacher to me one time that it said, "it's better for a man's seed to fall into the belly of a whore than to fall on the ground". This clearly is a justification for fornication.
It really is amazing what you here and we'll take it for common place. I encourage you to know WHY you believe WHAT you believe.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happiness or Joy
In looking around today it seems that everyone wants and says that God wants them happy. Can we find anywhere God promised us happiness without his Joy? I don't think you'll find one either. God in numerous places talks about his children having JOY.
What is the difference? Our happiness and joy have to do with our will, nature and pleasures, true JOY on the other hand has everything to do with GOD and his nature, pleasures, likes and dislikes. Doesn't the word tell us that the JOY of the LORD is our strength?
I've had both and through the years I'd rather have the JOY of the LORD than happiness any day. Happiness is temporary Joy will last as long as we seek, draw close and desire him. That will bring true Godly happiness.
We have to consider that we are DEAD to ourselves and ALIVE in him. That should bring JOY all over us, up and down, side to side & top to bottom. The challenge from the Holy Spirit in our lives is to allow him control and have such a dependency on him that that alone should bring us JOY & I believe it will.
A friend of mine told me once that JOY is a CHOICE, we choose moment by moment to walk in the JOY of the LORD. Whatever comes our way, whatever tries to distract us, JOY is a choice.
What is the difference? Our happiness and joy have to do with our will, nature and pleasures, true JOY on the other hand has everything to do with GOD and his nature, pleasures, likes and dislikes. Doesn't the word tell us that the JOY of the LORD is our strength?
I've had both and through the years I'd rather have the JOY of the LORD than happiness any day. Happiness is temporary Joy will last as long as we seek, draw close and desire him. That will bring true Godly happiness.
We have to consider that we are DEAD to ourselves and ALIVE in him. That should bring JOY all over us, up and down, side to side & top to bottom. The challenge from the Holy Spirit in our lives is to allow him control and have such a dependency on him that that alone should bring us JOY & I believe it will.
A friend of mine told me once that JOY is a CHOICE, we choose moment by moment to walk in the JOY of the LORD. Whatever comes our way, whatever tries to distract us, JOY is a choice.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
What ever happened?
What ever happened with people being concerned about their integrity? As a child most of us are told not to lie or to say yes Mam or yes Sir, we're taught to have manners and to respect our elders. It seems that today we are in a SELF oriented mode stuck in HIGH GEAR.
I think of Matt 25: 35 - 40 and the question is ask, WHEN did I see you and you were hungry, naked, thirsty, etc. I ask the same questions today. We have people in our communities and even in our Churches that are not in the click, not easy to look at or be around and we often ignore or want to LEAVE them for some else. If CHRIST is no respecter of persons then what gives us the right to be?
How can we take care of others when we can't even get the basic principles down? If I can't be trusted to keep my word, to respect others or act Godly then how in the world can I be expected to go out of my way and against my principals, worldly popularity and will to go where I know I should?
A man once told me that God gives daily the opportunity to exercise what we know and preach.
I think of Matt 25: 35 - 40 and the question is ask, WHEN did I see you and you were hungry, naked, thirsty, etc. I ask the same questions today. We have people in our communities and even in our Churches that are not in the click, not easy to look at or be around and we often ignore or want to LEAVE them for some else. If CHRIST is no respecter of persons then what gives us the right to be?
How can we take care of others when we can't even get the basic principles down? If I can't be trusted to keep my word, to respect others or act Godly then how in the world can I be expected to go out of my way and against my principals, worldly popularity and will to go where I know I should?
A man once told me that God gives daily the opportunity to exercise what we know and preach.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Ever wonder??
Do you ever wonder or give serious thought to why God let's things happen to us that aren't pleasing to us.
I guess the key word here is pleasing, there are things that happen to us and we certainly don't like them. We even go as far a to say "That's not of or from God". If I'm reading Rom. 8:28 correctly it says that ALL things work TOGETHER to them that LOVE the Lord.
Throughout the years I have noticed in my life that the things that happen or have happened will eventually work for me not against me. I can reference them or I can relate to them to help me out of situations in my life at this or a future time. The trials I go through today are building blocks tomorrow.
So is it pleasing, is it easy, is it enjoyable, most likely not. But (a conditional word) enduring, trusting, having faith through Christ I will overcome. So even if we ask "What If"? I find that God is the master of allowing us to get to the "What If" points in our lives.
The way I relate to this is from a quote of a friend of mine, "Life is always choices". When It comes to "What If" we need to stop and take a minuet and decide what path we will take. The FASTER we do this the faster we can overcome. If we don't we allow the enemy or ourselves time to take root into the matter.
An interesting thing to remember,,, There were two trees in the garden. Again choices "What If"
I guess the key word here is pleasing, there are things that happen to us and we certainly don't like them. We even go as far a to say "That's not of or from God". If I'm reading Rom. 8:28 correctly it says that ALL things work TOGETHER to them that LOVE the Lord.
Throughout the years I have noticed in my life that the things that happen or have happened will eventually work for me not against me. I can reference them or I can relate to them to help me out of situations in my life at this or a future time. The trials I go through today are building blocks tomorrow.
So is it pleasing, is it easy, is it enjoyable, most likely not. But (a conditional word) enduring, trusting, having faith through Christ I will overcome. So even if we ask "What If"? I find that God is the master of allowing us to get to the "What If" points in our lives.
The way I relate to this is from a quote of a friend of mine, "Life is always choices". When It comes to "What If" we need to stop and take a minuet and decide what path we will take. The FASTER we do this the faster we can overcome. If we don't we allow the enemy or ourselves time to take root into the matter.
An interesting thing to remember,,, There were two trees in the garden. Again choices "What If"
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