I've been reading/doing a study book called 30 Life Principles by Charles F. Stanley. A friend of mine recommended it and WOW has it been a good one! It's been challenging me in so many ways. The first few lessons are about obedience to the Lord. So much of it has been about God's purpose for each of his children and how our plans don't always match up to his plan.
Just the other day I went over lesson 7, here's how it started... The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us. 1 Samuel 30:1-6 - in this passage David has faced some very difficult circumstances in life, his kingdom and family has been destroyed and taken from him. People were turning against him, placing the blame on him. In verse 6 it says "But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God".
There will always be new trials to endure, there will always be times that are difficult and cause us distress. But God is ALWAYS good! I've been really struggling this year with trials and it's a daily battle for me to keep focused on the Lord and the many blessings he's given me. It's been hard to be obedient to what he's asking me to do, actions to take in my job, ways I need to treat my co-workers and myself too. He's given me plenty of opportunities to be obedient to him, yet I still have chosen to do it my way.
A pastor at my church has been preaching a lot about obedience and just recently about doubting God. Our obedience to God is so necessary, complete and total obedience. If we choose to only obey God half way then it's still not obedience to him. As Christians we like to only do what we feel like or want to do... how many times have you only cleaned the bathroom partially or halfway cleaned up after yourself to leave the rest for someone else to clean. How about serving at church, you say to your pastor you're going to help in kids ministry, yet everytime they call for your help you say you're busy or out of town. Or helping a friend with a favor they asked, have you ever said "sure I'd love to help" but then never followed through with your promise. Wait... here's a good one, how about the Lord specifically asks you to go sit by that lonely person and invite them to your next BBQ. But you only partially obey by saying hello but you don't sit by them or invite them to your BBQ.
So why do we respond in disobedience so often? Well my answer to that is doubt and fear. Many times we doubt ourselves and we doubt that God is really going to bless us or he has the ability to use us in someone else's life. Fear is huge! For me I'm so afraid I'll say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, be rejected and it ends up being a displeasing thing to the Lord. Here's the reality, the Lord will never ask us to do anything that he doesn't give the strength to do (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). He has given us the Holy Spirit, our Helper (John 14:15-31) for us to call upon for strength, just like David did. He needed to remind himself of the mighty power of the God he served.
Sometimes we need to take a minute or 2 or 30 to remind us who we serve, the mighty, all powerful God over all things. So please don't forget to take time each day to read his word and give yourself a reminder!
4.19.2012
Broken Promises
As I'm sitting here at my desk, casually working on my homework my heart is full of brokenness. The feeling of broken promises comes to mind. My heart is so tired of being let down and forgotten. I'm sure everyone can relate to having a promise broken at some point in their life.
It breaks my heart everytime it happens. But lately it's been reminding me of the feeling that our Heavenly Father must feel when we break our promises to him. Even the simple ones like having a daily quiet time with him, how many times do you skip it or say "I'll get to it later", and then never call on him?! Guilty! I've done it. If I feel so much hurt and heartache when a friend breaks a promise or doesn't meet up with me when they said they would, then think about how much greater that heartache and hurt is for our God.
In 2 Corinthians 1:12-22 Paul talks about how the Lord's response is always a definite YES or a definite NO. It's not a maybe. He is clear with his responses. He doesn't break his promises, he holds to his Yes's and his No's. He is our guarantee!
So as for relying on and trusting in the people of this world I would say guard your heart. People are going to break promises and let you down. Show them grace and forgiveness just as Jesus has shown us, over and over again! It's not always easy, but go to him in prayer and ask for his help. I've had to do that, especially lately. So please do your best to keep your promises, keep your word, be faithful to others and most importantly to our Heavenly Father. He desires our faithfulness to Him and to others.
It breaks my heart everytime it happens. But lately it's been reminding me of the feeling that our Heavenly Father must feel when we break our promises to him. Even the simple ones like having a daily quiet time with him, how many times do you skip it or say "I'll get to it later", and then never call on him?! Guilty! I've done it. If I feel so much hurt and heartache when a friend breaks a promise or doesn't meet up with me when they said they would, then think about how much greater that heartache and hurt is for our God.
In 2 Corinthians 1:12-22 Paul talks about how the Lord's response is always a definite YES or a definite NO. It's not a maybe. He is clear with his responses. He doesn't break his promises, he holds to his Yes's and his No's. He is our guarantee!
So as for relying on and trusting in the people of this world I would say guard your heart. People are going to break promises and let you down. Show them grace and forgiveness just as Jesus has shown us, over and over again! It's not always easy, but go to him in prayer and ask for his help. I've had to do that, especially lately. So please do your best to keep your promises, keep your word, be faithful to others and most importantly to our Heavenly Father. He desires our faithfulness to Him and to others.
3.16.2012
One Way
The other night the pastor of the Bible study I attend was giving a sermon on John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
He, meaning Jesus, truely is the ONLY way to Heaven. He has given the world a life full of abundance. There are not many different ways to get into Heaven, it has been made very clear and simple. One way! John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
By simply believing in Jesus Christ we can have eternal life, life with him for all eternity in Heaven. We can't attain that life through works (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5; Galatians 2:16) We can't attain this eternal life one our own, we must accept Jesus as our Savior. There are not multiple ways of getting to Heaven, there is only one simple thing to do, simple admit you're a sinner, believe that Jesus is the one true God, accept his grace and mercy, and commit your life to living by His word.
He, meaning Jesus, truely is the ONLY way to Heaven. He has given the world a life full of abundance. There are not many different ways to get into Heaven, it has been made very clear and simple. One way! John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
By simply believing in Jesus Christ we can have eternal life, life with him for all eternity in Heaven. We can't attain that life through works (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5; Galatians 2:16) We can't attain this eternal life one our own, we must accept Jesus as our Savior. There are not multiple ways of getting to Heaven, there is only one simple thing to do, simple admit you're a sinner, believe that Jesus is the one true God, accept his grace and mercy, and commit your life to living by His word.
3.11.2012
What is Lent?
This one is a bit more scholastic for me... so here it goes!
Usually this time of year Lent is in full swing. When you hear the word Lent what usually comes to your mind? It usually makes me think of Catholics and a time for them to fast from something. Now let me clarify, I didn't grow up Catholic. I don't know a lot about Lent and I've never participated in it. But this year I decided to participate in my own, small way. Along with that I decided to do some research on what it actually means, when it came about, and where it came from.
According to Webster Dictionary the word “lent” means the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by the Roman Catholic, Eastern, and some Protestant churches as a period of penitence and fasting.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia it means “40 days” or “Spring season”.
Lent originated from the Babylonians as a time of celebration for their god, Tammuz. This time of “lent” was a pagan holiday of celebration of the false Messiah, Tammuz. In Ezekiel 8 it talks about what abominations were taking place at the Temple. Tammuz is mentioned in verses 14-15. This pagan holiday was originally celebrated in June, but the Romans wanted to be in “agreement” with the Babylonians so they agreed to move it to the same time as Passover. Because of this move the Passover become known as Easter.
Now that we know where it originally came from what does the “fasting” part really mean and why for 40 days?
Lent was seen as a time for purification and preparation for the Easter season. Most people fasted for about a week, some one or two days, or 40 hours. The 40 days was believed to represent or correspond with the 40 days of fasting that Jesus spent in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2).
It was believed the when fasting it was a time for “fasting from sin and sinful ways.” With fasting and having self-discipline one would receive “control over himself that he needs to purify his heart and renew his life.” But fasting is not what brings us purification and closeness to the Lord. The renewal of our minds by the Holy Spirit is what purifies us (Titus 3:5). And by cleansing our hearts by having faith in the Word of God (Acts 15:8-9). I believe that when we are tempted to participate in something that’s selfish and that God doesn’t agree with then we are to go to Him in prayer, asking for His wisdom and strength to not give into a temptation. We are to have faith in His power to overcome and to do His will.
Lent is not a tradition that come from the Bible and it is not a tradition the we are commanded to follow. It originally came from pagan traditions and the Lord does not approve of pagan traditions. Obviously it has changed over the centuries, many people still participate in their own ways. I think it matters where your heart is, what’s your purpose of participating in Lent? Are you doing it because it’s a tradition or are you doing it because we are called, by God, to abstain from the wicked, selfish and sinful ways of the world (Romans 12:2a)?
Here is the website I got most of the information. I'm sure they do a much better job explaining this subject but I found this very interesting.
http://rcg.org/articles/ttmol.html
Usually this time of year Lent is in full swing. When you hear the word Lent what usually comes to your mind? It usually makes me think of Catholics and a time for them to fast from something. Now let me clarify, I didn't grow up Catholic. I don't know a lot about Lent and I've never participated in it. But this year I decided to participate in my own, small way. Along with that I decided to do some research on what it actually means, when it came about, and where it came from.
According to Webster Dictionary the word “lent” means the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by the Roman Catholic, Eastern, and some Protestant churches as a period of penitence and fasting.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia it means “40 days” or “Spring season”.
Lent originated from the Babylonians as a time of celebration for their god, Tammuz. This time of “lent” was a pagan holiday of celebration of the false Messiah, Tammuz. In Ezekiel 8 it talks about what abominations were taking place at the Temple. Tammuz is mentioned in verses 14-15. This pagan holiday was originally celebrated in June, but the Romans wanted to be in “agreement” with the Babylonians so they agreed to move it to the same time as Passover. Because of this move the Passover become known as Easter.
Now that we know where it originally came from what does the “fasting” part really mean and why for 40 days?
Lent was seen as a time for purification and preparation for the Easter season. Most people fasted for about a week, some one or two days, or 40 hours. The 40 days was believed to represent or correspond with the 40 days of fasting that Jesus spent in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-2).
It was believed the when fasting it was a time for “fasting from sin and sinful ways.” With fasting and having self-discipline one would receive “control over himself that he needs to purify his heart and renew his life.” But fasting is not what brings us purification and closeness to the Lord. The renewal of our minds by the Holy Spirit is what purifies us (Titus 3:5). And by cleansing our hearts by having faith in the Word of God (Acts 15:8-9). I believe that when we are tempted to participate in something that’s selfish and that God doesn’t agree with then we are to go to Him in prayer, asking for His wisdom and strength to not give into a temptation. We are to have faith in His power to overcome and to do His will.
Lent is not a tradition that come from the Bible and it is not a tradition the we are commanded to follow. It originally came from pagan traditions and the Lord does not approve of pagan traditions. Obviously it has changed over the centuries, many people still participate in their own ways. I think it matters where your heart is, what’s your purpose of participating in Lent? Are you doing it because it’s a tradition or are you doing it because we are called, by God, to abstain from the wicked, selfish and sinful ways of the world (Romans 12:2a)?
Here is the website I got most of the information. I'm sure they do a much better job explaining this subject but I found this very interesting.
http://rcg.org/articles/ttmol.html
1.26.2012
Falling In Love
I know what you're thinking, why am I going to write about falling in love?! Well I'm not talking about a romantic love, I'm talking about the love of our Savior.
After missing church this Sunday I got the notes and sat down at my computer to listened to the sermon online (so thankful for technology!) A quote that my pastor said was this "the Bible never talks about falling in and out of love". It got me thinking. The Bible never talks about God's love decreasing or going away, it talks about it increasing and abounding.
So much of our world today is about heartache and falling out of love with people. I've had my share of heartbreaks and the worldly love just fading away. But God's love is a different kind of love, His love never, ever, never, ever, never, ever.... infinity forever, never STOPS. It's always increasing! Through all the heartaches and disappointments of this world and through out my life God's love has always been there. He has written a book that speaks of his love for me and you.
"Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens," Psalm 36:5a
"I have loved you with an everlasting love;" Jeremiah 31:3
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
After missing church this Sunday I got the notes and sat down at my computer to listened to the sermon online (so thankful for technology!) A quote that my pastor said was this "the Bible never talks about falling in and out of love". It got me thinking. The Bible never talks about God's love decreasing or going away, it talks about it increasing and abounding.
So much of our world today is about heartache and falling out of love with people. I've had my share of heartbreaks and the worldly love just fading away. But God's love is a different kind of love, His love never, ever, never, ever, never, ever.... infinity forever, never STOPS. It's always increasing! Through all the heartaches and disappointments of this world and through out my life God's love has always been there. He has written a book that speaks of his love for me and you.
"Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens," Psalm 36:5a
"I have loved you with an everlasting love;" Jeremiah 31:3
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
1.14.2012
Knowledge Unattainable By Man
As of this moment there are 6,840,507,000 people in the world. Wow! that's a lot of people. And wrap your mind around this one, the One true God of this universe knows ALL things about each one of those people.
"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are aquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you." Psalm 139: 1-6, 17-18
He knows all those things, every tiny detail about me and you. All this knowledge about every single person is to great for me to understand. My mind was not created to know everything about everyone. I would go stir crazy if I did know everything about everyone. Imagine how hard it would be to focus on one thing, yet our God, who is mighty, great, powerful and BIG can know such things.
He knows what I will do in 10 minutes, in 10 weeks and even in 10 years. How? I don't know... He is God and that's it. Because I don't now my future I don't have to worry about it, I shouldn't because He knows and I can just let him work it out, put his plan into motion. His plan is way better than mine, and his plan will always be accomplished.
"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are aquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you." Psalm 139: 1-6, 17-18
He knows all those things, every tiny detail about me and you. All this knowledge about every single person is to great for me to understand. My mind was not created to know everything about everyone. I would go stir crazy if I did know everything about everyone. Imagine how hard it would be to focus on one thing, yet our God, who is mighty, great, powerful and BIG can know such things.
He knows what I will do in 10 minutes, in 10 weeks and even in 10 years. How? I don't know... He is God and that's it. Because I don't now my future I don't have to worry about it, I shouldn't because He knows and I can just let him work it out, put his plan into motion. His plan is way better than mine, and his plan will always be accomplished.
1.03.2012
Conquering Fear
Romans 8:37-39 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Today was a day of victory and conquering a fear I've lived with, actually wrestled with, for a LONG time... way to long! It being a new year, leaving behind 2011 and beginning 2012, I have told myself that I am going to stop living under fear. I'm going to face it and conquer it. Well, actually, it wasn't hard in itself. It went rather smoothly and I know now that I am not longer under it's "control".
It wasn't going to seperate me from anything, take away anything that's mine, or even kill me. My mind had been believing lies and letting the fear control me. It even kept me from going to a specific place, but not anymore! I know I'm free from it and I'm way more powerful, because the Lord is on my side. Without the Holy Spirit in me I would not have been able to act on this, I would have continued to "huddle down into a ball" so to speak, and hide from facing it.
Praise Jesus for His mighty power!
Today was a day of victory and conquering a fear I've lived with, actually wrestled with, for a LONG time... way to long! It being a new year, leaving behind 2011 and beginning 2012, I have told myself that I am going to stop living under fear. I'm going to face it and conquer it. Well, actually, it wasn't hard in itself. It went rather smoothly and I know now that I am not longer under it's "control".
It wasn't going to seperate me from anything, take away anything that's mine, or even kill me. My mind had been believing lies and letting the fear control me. It even kept me from going to a specific place, but not anymore! I know I'm free from it and I'm way more powerful, because the Lord is on my side. Without the Holy Spirit in me I would not have been able to act on this, I would have continued to "huddle down into a ball" so to speak, and hide from facing it.
Praise Jesus for His mighty power!
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