"The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." Isaiah 29:13.
How do you worship God? Do you worship Him by being righteous and obeying the law and by going around and doing the Christian things like: going to church, wearing a cross, and owning a Bible? Or do you worship Him by having a relationship with the Lord: by praying, reading and growing in His word, praising His name, loving all others, helping others in need not because you need others to see you, but because you have compassion for your brothers. Do you condemn others because they sin or do you love others and just hate the sin?
When we are only obedient to God, being righteous in our own eyes, we are actually far from God. We have actually forgotten the relationship God wants to have with us; a relationship where we continually grow closer and closer to Him and then begin to reflect Him. In that reflection we will be obedient, not because we are trying but because we have gotten so intimate with Him that we imitate His traits.
Have you ever seen a dog and their owner and thought they actually resemble one another, well that is because they have been in a loving relationship for so long that they do start to take on each others traits. Or have you ever seen a couple that look so much alike that they could actually pass as brother and sister? It probably didn't start that way it just happened over time as they began to grow closer together and reflect one another's traits through their relationship. So, are you just following the law or are you growing in your relationship with God and beginning to reflect Him to the World?!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
We are all One
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galations 3:26-28
If we all believe the Bible to be true, we can't agree with one verse and then not another. We shouldn't manipulate the Bible to say what we want it to, but over the decades we have been able to do this.
In the beginning God created people, all people and all groups. When sin came into being not long after we were created we began to separate and segregate ourselves. It happened all over the earth, not just in America. We have done this since the beginning of time. That doesn't make it right. We can't justify it. Even God's chosen people, the Israelites, were there for the sole purpose of bringing all people groups to the feet of God.
We are all sons of God through our faith in Christ Jesus, and if we are all sons we are all brothers. Even though son is a male form of child, the word was used because the son is the one who receives the inheritance. No matter our race, our gender, our place in life, our place in society, we are all One in Christ and we need to treat each other that way.
And what does the Bible tells us to do to one another? "This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another." 1 John 3:11. And "This is how we know love: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." 1 John 3:16. We've already been told we are all brothers, so we must be selfless toward each other and lay down our life to show love. Do you hold negative opinions toward someone different than you? Lay those opinions down at the feet of Jesus and ask for His power in Love.
If we all believe the Bible to be true, we can't agree with one verse and then not another. We shouldn't manipulate the Bible to say what we want it to, but over the decades we have been able to do this.
In the beginning God created people, all people and all groups. When sin came into being not long after we were created we began to separate and segregate ourselves. It happened all over the earth, not just in America. We have done this since the beginning of time. That doesn't make it right. We can't justify it. Even God's chosen people, the Israelites, were there for the sole purpose of bringing all people groups to the feet of God.
We are all sons of God through our faith in Christ Jesus, and if we are all sons we are all brothers. Even though son is a male form of child, the word was used because the son is the one who receives the inheritance. No matter our race, our gender, our place in life, our place in society, we are all One in Christ and we need to treat each other that way.
And what does the Bible tells us to do to one another? "This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another." 1 John 3:11. And "This is how we know love: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." 1 John 3:16. We've already been told we are all brothers, so we must be selfless toward each other and lay down our life to show love. Do you hold negative opinions toward someone different than you? Lay those opinions down at the feet of Jesus and ask for His power in Love.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
No Fear!
"He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." Psalms 112:7
Do you remember the branding, No Fear? I wonder if they got the comcept from the Bible. The shirts read, No Fear, and then pictured someone doing something that would leave them to fear. They were telling us to have no fear of the bad things that could happen, but where were they putting their trust. Then you had Nike stating, Just Do It! Another fearless logo. Maybe No Fear and Nike should have joined up and made the logo, Trust in God, because that is our reason for No Fear and to Just Do It.
Putting our trust in ourselves or a pair of shoes will not save us from the inevidible, but putting our trust in God will allow Him to save us from all problems and shelter us during the storm. We should have no fear of bad things or bad news because Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." John 14:1. And then when the bad news may come we shouldn't fear it because, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea." Psalm 46:1-2. No matter what news may be waiting around the corner, we should have no fear and trust in God because He has already seen it and promised to protect us.
Do you remember the branding, No Fear? I wonder if they got the comcept from the Bible. The shirts read, No Fear, and then pictured someone doing something that would leave them to fear. They were telling us to have no fear of the bad things that could happen, but where were they putting their trust. Then you had Nike stating, Just Do It! Another fearless logo. Maybe No Fear and Nike should have joined up and made the logo, Trust in God, because that is our reason for No Fear and to Just Do It.
Putting our trust in ourselves or a pair of shoes will not save us from the inevidible, but putting our trust in God will allow Him to save us from all problems and shelter us during the storm. We should have no fear of bad things or bad news because Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." John 14:1. And then when the bad news may come we shouldn't fear it because, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea." Psalm 46:1-2. No matter what news may be waiting around the corner, we should have no fear and trust in God because He has already seen it and promised to protect us.
Monday, September 26, 2011
There's Always Hope!
"There is surely a future hope for you and your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 23:18
No matter how dreary it may seem, no matter how low in the pit we may go, God has promised us a future hope that He will never take away.
I believe that God wants us to place our hope in eternal things. In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." If we hope for things that are earthly those things can be taken away in an instant, but if we hope for things that make an eternal difference, those things can never be taken away.
I once hoped for a bigger house, more land, a nicer car, and more money, and those things were taken from me in an instant. But now I hope for those in need, for mission trips, for cancer patients, for souls lost, for lived changed, for family, for friends, and for neighbors. My future hope is ".....To preach good news to the poor....to bind up the brokenhearted...to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1. And God reminds me, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5.
No matter how dreary it may seem, no matter how low in the pit we may go, God has promised us a future hope that He will never take away.
I believe that God wants us to place our hope in eternal things. In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." If we hope for things that are earthly those things can be taken away in an instant, but if we hope for things that make an eternal difference, those things can never be taken away.
I once hoped for a bigger house, more land, a nicer car, and more money, and those things were taken from me in an instant. But now I hope for those in need, for mission trips, for cancer patients, for souls lost, for lived changed, for family, for friends, and for neighbors. My future hope is ".....To preach good news to the poor....to bind up the brokenhearted...to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61:1. And God reminds me, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Suck up or Fill up?
"My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right." Proverbs 23:15-16
How awesome it is to think that our Heavenly Father will rejoice and be glad if we are wise and speak what is right.
I'm a people pleaser and always have been. When I was young, middle school actually, I was called a suck up, my feelings were beyond hurt. When all I was doing was trying to bring joy to others, my peers were viewing me in a negative way. But they were wrong because when you are a suck up you are trying to gain something from someone for the good deed you do, but when I am trying to please others it is because I want them to be happy. I do for others so that they can have joy, not so that I can gain anything. I'm not trying to suck up, I'm trying to fill up.
So when I am unwise and I make the wrong decisions or say the wrong thing, my heart will actually break; I get so down on myself I feel horrible. In these instances I immediately go to prayer. I ask God to forgive me and then I try to figure out how I can rectify the situation. Usually it is as easy and as hard as just humbling myself and saying I'm sorry. Easy because it is 2 words, hard because we have made these 2 of the hardest words to say.
If only we could always do the right thing, be wise, and say truth; we would be bringing joy and gladness to our Father in Heaven. If we were wise and saying the right things we would be filling the world with God's joy, peace, and love, instead of sucking the joy, peace, and love from it. When Jesus left this earth He sent us the Holy Spirit to reside in us and the Spirit will give us wisdom, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; we just need to ask. Then we can fill up others and God will rejoice and be glad.
How awesome it is to think that our Heavenly Father will rejoice and be glad if we are wise and speak what is right.
I'm a people pleaser and always have been. When I was young, middle school actually, I was called a suck up, my feelings were beyond hurt. When all I was doing was trying to bring joy to others, my peers were viewing me in a negative way. But they were wrong because when you are a suck up you are trying to gain something from someone for the good deed you do, but when I am trying to please others it is because I want them to be happy. I do for others so that they can have joy, not so that I can gain anything. I'm not trying to suck up, I'm trying to fill up.
So when I am unwise and I make the wrong decisions or say the wrong thing, my heart will actually break; I get so down on myself I feel horrible. In these instances I immediately go to prayer. I ask God to forgive me and then I try to figure out how I can rectify the situation. Usually it is as easy and as hard as just humbling myself and saying I'm sorry. Easy because it is 2 words, hard because we have made these 2 of the hardest words to say.
If only we could always do the right thing, be wise, and say truth; we would be bringing joy and gladness to our Father in Heaven. If we were wise and saying the right things we would be filling the world with God's joy, peace, and love, instead of sucking the joy, peace, and love from it. When Jesus left this earth He sent us the Holy Spirit to reside in us and the Spirit will give us wisdom, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; we just need to ask. Then we can fill up others and God will rejoice and be glad.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Whose Plans? His Plans!
"The Lord Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand." Isaiah 14:24.
I'm a planner. I like looking at a calendar and seeing what I have to do for the day. I don't like when my plans are changed. (Just ask my husband!) I'm not resistant, I just get frustrated. But no matter how much I plan, if it's not God's Will it won't work; my plan will change.
God is a planner too. He planned for Adam and Eve to live a peace filled life in the Garden of Eden. Satan disturbed those plans, and God threw Adam and Eve out of the garden. He sent them to die in a life of Sin, but He saw how wicked the earth was becoming. God set out on a second plan to wipe off everyone from the face of the earth except Noah and his family. Noah's family however became just as corrupt as before because they still had sin living within them. So, God made a 3rd plan; He began to form a nation out of Abraham, a nation that was to be obedient to Him, and all the world would come to God through this nation. Well, this plan would have worked if sin hadn't overcome obedience, so God made a final plan. He sent His Son to the earth to save all people through Him and to remove all of our sins forever through His death on the cross. God's plan was completed and Jesus saved us of our sins. God has already promised Jesus will come again and gather all of His chosen people to a new Heaven to complete His original plan.
I'm a planner. I like looking at a calendar and seeing what I have to do for the day. I don't like when my plans are changed. (Just ask my husband!) I'm not resistant, I just get frustrated. But no matter how much I plan, if it's not God's Will it won't work; my plan will change.
God is a planner too. He planned for Adam and Eve to live a peace filled life in the Garden of Eden. Satan disturbed those plans, and God threw Adam and Eve out of the garden. He sent them to die in a life of Sin, but He saw how wicked the earth was becoming. God set out on a second plan to wipe off everyone from the face of the earth except Noah and his family. Noah's family however became just as corrupt as before because they still had sin living within them. So, God made a 3rd plan; He began to form a nation out of Abraham, a nation that was to be obedient to Him, and all the world would come to God through this nation. Well, this plan would have worked if sin hadn't overcome obedience, so God made a final plan. He sent His Son to the earth to save all people through Him and to remove all of our sins forever through His death on the cross. God's plan was completed and Jesus saved us of our sins. God has already promised Jesus will come again and gather all of His chosen people to a new Heaven to complete His original plan.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Strength in Weakness
"If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." 2 Corinthians 11:30.
When I write I tend to write about my weaknesses. I speak on all of the things I've done wrong and all of the trouble I have gotten myself into. These stories I write, are about the thorns in my side. The thorns are the sins of my flesh, the things that cause me pain, but that I alone can't get rid of. I write of these things specifically to show how Christ works in me, how He delivers me from all of my problems, and to show how His love can cover all sins. I do not boast at what I am good at (which is very minimal), but those things in which I struggle with so that Christ can be seen and others will be drawn to His glory. I want all people to know Jesus and have Him as a part of their lives.
I can do nothing on my own. I can only do what Christ strengthens me to do. Do you know Christ in this way? Do you struggle with issues you just can't seem to get rid of on your own? Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior. "That if you confess with your mouth, that Jesus is LORD and Savior, and believe in your heart, that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.
Jesus saved me and He works in me daily. "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:10.
When I write I tend to write about my weaknesses. I speak on all of the things I've done wrong and all of the trouble I have gotten myself into. These stories I write, are about the thorns in my side. The thorns are the sins of my flesh, the things that cause me pain, but that I alone can't get rid of. I write of these things specifically to show how Christ works in me, how He delivers me from all of my problems, and to show how His love can cover all sins. I do not boast at what I am good at (which is very minimal), but those things in which I struggle with so that Christ can be seen and others will be drawn to His glory. I want all people to know Jesus and have Him as a part of their lives.
I can do nothing on my own. I can only do what Christ strengthens me to do. Do you know Christ in this way? Do you struggle with issues you just can't seem to get rid of on your own? Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior. "That if you confess with your mouth, that Jesus is LORD and Savior, and believe in your heart, that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.
Jesus saved me and He works in me daily. "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:10.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Light of the World
"And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." 2 Corinthians 11:14.
No wonder we want to do all the things God wouldn't want us to, Satan makes them seem so good and fun. Come on....Adam and Eve had been in the Garden and had seen the fruit of the Tree, but Satan made the apple seems so big, juicy, and good for them. He told them that not only would it taste delicious, but it would give them great sight to see as God does and gain them a wisdom unsurpassable. Then Eve began thinking, like any other woman, isn't wisdom from God, didn't He say he would provide delicious food for us, isn't the sight of Him great, what could be so bad?
What do you think? What could be so bad to eat this piece of fruit? It seems so good!
GOD SAID DO NOT EAT! What makes it bad is that God knows what is best for us. He put the tree there in the first place to make sure we would be faithful to Him. We failed because Satan masqueraded as an angel of light and made it seem so good.
Do not allow Satan to disguise bad things as good. Don't let him bring false light to darkness. We need to be fully aware of the things that he makes seem so good, but are truly bad. We need to pray that the Holy Spirit brings us Wisdom and Discernment to see through Satan's schemes. In fact, we also need to be aware of how He makes good things become bad.
For instance, the internet, a place to learn, a place to communicate with efficiency, a place to get work done, a great piece of technology. But Satan got His hand on the good of the internet and spoiled it. He ruins marriages by bringing porn to the touch of a finger, by inableing people to have online affairs; he teaches us to rely on it for all communication instead of face to face interaction; he taunts children into using it to post cruel things and to reveal their bodies to the world. Satan brought his darkness to a good thing.
Just be aware of where Satan lurks. Don't fall into his grip. Stand firm in God's Word because He is the true light of the world. "Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD." Isaiah 2:5.
No wonder we want to do all the things God wouldn't want us to, Satan makes them seem so good and fun. Come on....Adam and Eve had been in the Garden and had seen the fruit of the Tree, but Satan made the apple seems so big, juicy, and good for them. He told them that not only would it taste delicious, but it would give them great sight to see as God does and gain them a wisdom unsurpassable. Then Eve began thinking, like any other woman, isn't wisdom from God, didn't He say he would provide delicious food for us, isn't the sight of Him great, what could be so bad?
What do you think? What could be so bad to eat this piece of fruit? It seems so good!
GOD SAID DO NOT EAT! What makes it bad is that God knows what is best for us. He put the tree there in the first place to make sure we would be faithful to Him. We failed because Satan masqueraded as an angel of light and made it seem so good.
Do not allow Satan to disguise bad things as good. Don't let him bring false light to darkness. We need to be fully aware of the things that he makes seem so good, but are truly bad. We need to pray that the Holy Spirit brings us Wisdom and Discernment to see through Satan's schemes. In fact, we also need to be aware of how He makes good things become bad.
For instance, the internet, a place to learn, a place to communicate with efficiency, a place to get work done, a great piece of technology. But Satan got His hand on the good of the internet and spoiled it. He ruins marriages by bringing porn to the touch of a finger, by inableing people to have online affairs; he teaches us to rely on it for all communication instead of face to face interaction; he taunts children into using it to post cruel things and to reveal their bodies to the world. Satan brought his darkness to a good thing.
Just be aware of where Satan lurks. Don't fall into his grip. Stand firm in God's Word because He is the true light of the world. "Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD." Isaiah 2:5.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Immanuel - God with Us
"Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14
I hear these words and instantly I am picturing Christmas.....joy, peace, happiness, family, love, compassion. Jesus was the fulfillment of this prophecy to Isaiah. Jesus was and is Immanuel, God with us. I know it is the middle of September and Christmas is still 3 and 1/2 months away, but I think we should act like it is Christmas today and throughout the year.
We celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ because God told the world that He would send His Son as a baby born to a virgin so not to be born with the sins of Adam. Jesus is the long awaited answer to a long ago prophecy, and He was called Immanuel. God was now with us on earth, and we shouldn't just celebrate it at Christmas but always. We should have the joy of Christmas and the peace that surrounds it at all times throughout the year. Christ birth wasn't to be celebrated just as a Milestone Birthday, but as the fact that "God was now with us".
2 and 1/2 years ago Brett and I went to Tampa for a one night getaway. The 3 kids we had had worn us down and we needed some time alone. As soon as we got to the hotel I blacked out. Immediately we knew something was wrong, and we had this huge feeling we knew what it was. (The only time I ever blackout is when I'm pregnant.) I was devastated. Yes, I said it, devastated. I questioned God! I asked Him, why? How would Brett and I afford another a child? How was I going to be able to love another? How would I take care of another? Where would we put the baby? We didn't have anymore room. What was He thinking? Let's just say I went through a very quiet time with God. I felt like I couldn't hear Him speak; I thought I was all alone. How was I going to be able to tell anyone I was pregnant when I didn't want to be pregnant in the first place. 3 months past and still nothing, no comfort, no guidance, no words, nothing from God. Wasn't He supposed to be with me? HE WAS! I just had blinders on my eyes and ear plugs in my ears. I wasn't getting down on my hands and knees, face to the floor, and talking with Him. I wasn't doing my part, but He was doing His. I began to pray; constantly and fervently. He calmed my nerves and gave me peace; He walked me through the process and filled me with JOY. He revealed to me that He had given me another BLESSING, a new child, a baby boy. I went from destraught to Christmas Joy; God was always with me, and He gave me the reminder with Hayden Emmanuel.
Make every day, month, and season like Christmas. Fill your home with peace and joy, and remember...."The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us".Matthew 1:23. Not for one day, but always.
I hear these words and instantly I am picturing Christmas.....joy, peace, happiness, family, love, compassion. Jesus was the fulfillment of this prophecy to Isaiah. Jesus was and is Immanuel, God with us. I know it is the middle of September and Christmas is still 3 and 1/2 months away, but I think we should act like it is Christmas today and throughout the year.
We celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ because God told the world that He would send His Son as a baby born to a virgin so not to be born with the sins of Adam. Jesus is the long awaited answer to a long ago prophecy, and He was called Immanuel. God was now with us on earth, and we shouldn't just celebrate it at Christmas but always. We should have the joy of Christmas and the peace that surrounds it at all times throughout the year. Christ birth wasn't to be celebrated just as a Milestone Birthday, but as the fact that "God was now with us".
2 and 1/2 years ago Brett and I went to Tampa for a one night getaway. The 3 kids we had had worn us down and we needed some time alone. As soon as we got to the hotel I blacked out. Immediately we knew something was wrong, and we had this huge feeling we knew what it was. (The only time I ever blackout is when I'm pregnant.) I was devastated. Yes, I said it, devastated. I questioned God! I asked Him, why? How would Brett and I afford another a child? How was I going to be able to love another? How would I take care of another? Where would we put the baby? We didn't have anymore room. What was He thinking? Let's just say I went through a very quiet time with God. I felt like I couldn't hear Him speak; I thought I was all alone. How was I going to be able to tell anyone I was pregnant when I didn't want to be pregnant in the first place. 3 months past and still nothing, no comfort, no guidance, no words, nothing from God. Wasn't He supposed to be with me? HE WAS! I just had blinders on my eyes and ear plugs in my ears. I wasn't getting down on my hands and knees, face to the floor, and talking with Him. I wasn't doing my part, but He was doing His. I began to pray; constantly and fervently. He calmed my nerves and gave me peace; He walked me through the process and filled me with JOY. He revealed to me that He had given me another BLESSING, a new child, a baby boy. I went from destraught to Christmas Joy; God was always with me, and He gave me the reminder with Hayden Emmanuel.
Make every day, month, and season like Christmas. Fill your home with peace and joy, and remember...."The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us".Matthew 1:23. Not for one day, but always.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Good = Good and Evil = Evil
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Isaiah 5:20
When riding a horse you yell "WOE" when you want the horse to stop abruptly. Ususally there is an issue ahead or you don't want to fall off the next cliff. Well when "Woe" is stated in the Bible it means, don't do it; or Warning! You are heading in the wrong direction. Even Jesus uses "Woe" when he is talking to the Pharisees, calling them hypocrites and blind guides. They are doing wrong, and Jesus wants them to stop.
Well when Isaiah is writing to the Jews he is saying, 'stop saying something evil is good or something good is evil'. Evil is evil and good is good! Have you ever tried to justify doing something wrong by saying, well it wasn't that bad or I had to lie, it was for their own good. No, doing something wrong isn't for anyone's good. In business, many Christians hurt people in the way to the top and think well it's okay because when I got to the top I was going to do good. No, hurting people on the way up makes nothing good. Good is good and evil is evil! We can't make something bad be good, and we shouldn't sin for a good reason; there is no reason good enough. It is better to be faithful. If we do right things for the right reasons God will bless what we do.
Recently, I was reading the book, The Hiding Place, a story on Corrie Ten Boom and how she made it through the Nazi invasion in Holland, hiding Jews in her home, and being sent to a concentration camp. It was all by her obedience and trust in God. She did things that put her and others at the risk of death, but she was faithful to what God's Will is. One day, she was having lunch with her sister and her niece and nephew. Her nephew, however, was at the age to be taken away to work camps, he couldn't be caught in the streets or he would be gone. While they were at her house a member of the Gustapo came to Corrie's home, and Corrie's nephew hid in a false floor under the table. The Gustapo asked if their was a boy in the house, and Corrie's niece who was taught that God said never lie openly told the man her brother was under the table. The man immediately threw off the table cloth and no boy was to be found. He got angry and left the house. Corrie was astonished, she couldn't believe her niece ratted out her brother, but the niece trusted that God would take care of her family because of her obedience to His Word. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty positive I would have lied. Even though I would have lied for the life of my brother it would have been wrong.
Even when we say a small lie like, "Oh did you get a new cut? Your hair looks great!" and then in the back of our head we are thinking, 'oh honey you shouldn't have done that', it is wrong. Our false information will cause reprecussions.
God says when we sin He will still love us, but their will be consequences to us or others. You never know, if the niece had said a lie, she might have seem more terrified and the gustapo would have searched the whole house and found the others. Or when you tell someone you really like their haircut and there are other mean people out there who may snicker and make comments to her, and her feelings get beaten down to nothing.
We can't make evil good and we can't make good evil. We just need to keep the good things good, and be obedient out of our love for Jesus. He will provide for us in our Faithfulness.
When riding a horse you yell "WOE" when you want the horse to stop abruptly. Ususally there is an issue ahead or you don't want to fall off the next cliff. Well when "Woe" is stated in the Bible it means, don't do it; or Warning! You are heading in the wrong direction. Even Jesus uses "Woe" when he is talking to the Pharisees, calling them hypocrites and blind guides. They are doing wrong, and Jesus wants them to stop.
Well when Isaiah is writing to the Jews he is saying, 'stop saying something evil is good or something good is evil'. Evil is evil and good is good! Have you ever tried to justify doing something wrong by saying, well it wasn't that bad or I had to lie, it was for their own good. No, doing something wrong isn't for anyone's good. In business, many Christians hurt people in the way to the top and think well it's okay because when I got to the top I was going to do good. No, hurting people on the way up makes nothing good. Good is good and evil is evil! We can't make something bad be good, and we shouldn't sin for a good reason; there is no reason good enough. It is better to be faithful. If we do right things for the right reasons God will bless what we do.
Recently, I was reading the book, The Hiding Place, a story on Corrie Ten Boom and how she made it through the Nazi invasion in Holland, hiding Jews in her home, and being sent to a concentration camp. It was all by her obedience and trust in God. She did things that put her and others at the risk of death, but she was faithful to what God's Will is. One day, she was having lunch with her sister and her niece and nephew. Her nephew, however, was at the age to be taken away to work camps, he couldn't be caught in the streets or he would be gone. While they were at her house a member of the Gustapo came to Corrie's home, and Corrie's nephew hid in a false floor under the table. The Gustapo asked if their was a boy in the house, and Corrie's niece who was taught that God said never lie openly told the man her brother was under the table. The man immediately threw off the table cloth and no boy was to be found. He got angry and left the house. Corrie was astonished, she couldn't believe her niece ratted out her brother, but the niece trusted that God would take care of her family because of her obedience to His Word. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty positive I would have lied. Even though I would have lied for the life of my brother it would have been wrong.
Even when we say a small lie like, "Oh did you get a new cut? Your hair looks great!" and then in the back of our head we are thinking, 'oh honey you shouldn't have done that', it is wrong. Our false information will cause reprecussions.
God says when we sin He will still love us, but their will be consequences to us or others. You never know, if the niece had said a lie, she might have seem more terrified and the gustapo would have searched the whole house and found the others. Or when you tell someone you really like their haircut and there are other mean people out there who may snicker and make comments to her, and her feelings get beaten down to nothing.
We can't make evil good and we can't make good evil. We just need to keep the good things good, and be obedient out of our love for Jesus. He will provide for us in our Faithfulness.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Born Again
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone the new has come." 2 Corinthians 15:17.
Have you ever thought to yourself, I wish I could start over? I wish I could just be born again. Well, when you choose to have Christ as your LORD and Savior you are born again. You allow Him to live in you, and in return you become a totally new creation in Christ. All of your old ways have been washed away, and now you are to fully follow Christ.
There are so many things I did in my youth that I regret. I have asked God to forgive me of all of them. I know He has, but I still wish I had never done them in the first place. If I had chosen the narrow path then, I wouldn't have had to go through so many hard times because of the consequences of my choices. But the great thing is, when I became a devoted follower of Christ, He used all of my past discretions to make me stronger. He uses all of my horrible situations in my testimony to build others up. He uses me just as I am, so that I am a living sacrifice to Him. Sure, I still sometimes wish I could go back and redo the things I once did, but then I think, where would my testimony be? How would I be able to speak from experience? "Known, yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." 2 Corinthians 6:9-10.
I'm just overjoyed to know I'm Born Again!
Have you ever thought to yourself, I wish I could start over? I wish I could just be born again. Well, when you choose to have Christ as your LORD and Savior you are born again. You allow Him to live in you, and in return you become a totally new creation in Christ. All of your old ways have been washed away, and now you are to fully follow Christ.
There are so many things I did in my youth that I regret. I have asked God to forgive me of all of them. I know He has, but I still wish I had never done them in the first place. If I had chosen the narrow path then, I wouldn't have had to go through so many hard times because of the consequences of my choices. But the great thing is, when I became a devoted follower of Christ, He used all of my past discretions to make me stronger. He uses all of my horrible situations in my testimony to build others up. He uses me just as I am, so that I am a living sacrifice to Him. Sure, I still sometimes wish I could go back and redo the things I once did, but then I think, where would my testimony be? How would I be able to speak from experience? "Known, yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." 2 Corinthians 6:9-10.
I'm just overjoyed to know I'm Born Again!
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Be a modern day Robin Hood: Take from your riches and give to the poor.
"In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:19
In this day and age the world tells us that if we buy the bigger and better toy of the day we will have a happier life, and then as soon as we buy "It" there's something even newer and better than before. Before you know it you don't have enough space for all of your collection of things and Ikea is giving you even better cabinets to store it all. We never feel satisfied, and we never seem to have enough.
Today as I was studying for an upcoming speaking engagement, researching my topic "Treasures Stored", I began to realize how much God warned us of storing up things here on earth and how easily we can get attached to these earthly things. What we should really be doing is storing up our treasures in heaven because the things here on earth mean nothing eternally. We can receive treasures in heaven by loving others as He first loved us, sharing of what we have, and helping those who need help. We need to be a modern day Robin Hood and take from our riches and give to the poor.
Last night I was working at a festival telling others about the Florida Baptist Children's Homes. Many people were coming up to speak to me, but my eye caught the sight of a woman and small child who came up to see my booth. I could tell she was looking to see if I had anything for free and I began talking with her about her little boy. She had a really hard time speaking, but she was able to tell me her son was 5. (He looked about 3 years old by size.) He was in an old t-shirt and pajama bottoms. Without a doubt these people were homeless. As they walked away from my booth I watched them walk to the edge of the lake to gather a fish that was on the sidewalk. I looked a little closer and noticed a man on the edge of the lake casting a net for their dinner. I had no money, nothing worth anything in my possession, and no food to give. My heart was literally breaking right there for this family. Immediately I text my husband and asked him to bring something for this family. Even though at this time Brett and I are losing our own possessions, everything we once thought made us rich, I knew without a doubt these people needed our money more than we did. Last night instead of each of my family members having a separate meal we would just share one. I knew that the money we gave this homeless family wouldn't last long, but my heart wouldn't have been able to survive if we hadn't done something. That all just makes me wonder how others just walked on by.
If you are reading this you are rich enough to have a computer. If you have a computer you are probably living in a home. If you live in a home you have a roof over your head and walls around you to protect you. What are you doing with what you have? What are you doing for Christ? Be blessed by God by providing for the poor. "The king will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
In this day and age the world tells us that if we buy the bigger and better toy of the day we will have a happier life, and then as soon as we buy "It" there's something even newer and better than before. Before you know it you don't have enough space for all of your collection of things and Ikea is giving you even better cabinets to store it all. We never feel satisfied, and we never seem to have enough.
Today as I was studying for an upcoming speaking engagement, researching my topic "Treasures Stored", I began to realize how much God warned us of storing up things here on earth and how easily we can get attached to these earthly things. What we should really be doing is storing up our treasures in heaven because the things here on earth mean nothing eternally. We can receive treasures in heaven by loving others as He first loved us, sharing of what we have, and helping those who need help. We need to be a modern day Robin Hood and take from our riches and give to the poor.
Last night I was working at a festival telling others about the Florida Baptist Children's Homes. Many people were coming up to speak to me, but my eye caught the sight of a woman and small child who came up to see my booth. I could tell she was looking to see if I had anything for free and I began talking with her about her little boy. She had a really hard time speaking, but she was able to tell me her son was 5. (He looked about 3 years old by size.) He was in an old t-shirt and pajama bottoms. Without a doubt these people were homeless. As they walked away from my booth I watched them walk to the edge of the lake to gather a fish that was on the sidewalk. I looked a little closer and noticed a man on the edge of the lake casting a net for their dinner. I had no money, nothing worth anything in my possession, and no food to give. My heart was literally breaking right there for this family. Immediately I text my husband and asked him to bring something for this family. Even though at this time Brett and I are losing our own possessions, everything we once thought made us rich, I knew without a doubt these people needed our money more than we did. Last night instead of each of my family members having a separate meal we would just share one. I knew that the money we gave this homeless family wouldn't last long, but my heart wouldn't have been able to survive if we hadn't done something. That all just makes me wonder how others just walked on by.
If you are reading this you are rich enough to have a computer. If you have a computer you are probably living in a home. If you live in a home you have a roof over your head and walls around you to protect you. What are you doing with what you have? What are you doing for Christ? Be blessed by God by providing for the poor. "The king will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
Friday, September 16, 2011
The Veil is Gone
"But whenever anyone turns to the LORD, the veil is taken away." 2 Corinthians 3:16.
This morning as I was driving my oldest son to school I noticed the sun wasn't shining like it usually does. Actually, at first sight I thought it was the moon! I could look directly at it without it blinding me, and I could see every edge of its form and its enormity. But I realized at 7:30am in the morning the moon was a little to far in the east; it was definitely the sun. It was almost as though the sun had a veil over it. I never realized how the sun is a perfect circle; the sight was absolutely beautiful. Normally, you can't even look at the sun for a second because it is so illuminating, but today there was a veil.
When Moses had received the 10 Commandments he stood on the mountain and asked God to reveal himself to him. God held His hand over Moses face until he passed, and as he passed by He let Moses see Him. From just that small amount of sight Moses face shined with God's glory, and he put a veil over his face so the other Israelites would be able to look at him. God's glory eventually faded from Moses face, but God's glory won't fade from those who follow Christ. The Bible says there is still a veil over those who live by the law, but those who live by faith in Christ are unveiled and God's glory will never fade. "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the LORD's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18.
As I was leaving my son's school this morning, heading to the west, I looked in my rearview mirror and the veil that had been over the sun was lifted. I could no longer stare at the sun because the sun was now shining in all of its glory. I can't say it wasn't cool to see what the sun looks like without its gleaming rays, but I know without those rays of light things of the earth could not grow and everything would die. Just as if we all wore a veil, the glory of Christ could not be seen in this earth and all hope would be lost! Thank you Jesus for removing the veil!
This morning as I was driving my oldest son to school I noticed the sun wasn't shining like it usually does. Actually, at first sight I thought it was the moon! I could look directly at it without it blinding me, and I could see every edge of its form and its enormity. But I realized at 7:30am in the morning the moon was a little to far in the east; it was definitely the sun. It was almost as though the sun had a veil over it. I never realized how the sun is a perfect circle; the sight was absolutely beautiful. Normally, you can't even look at the sun for a second because it is so illuminating, but today there was a veil.
When Moses had received the 10 Commandments he stood on the mountain and asked God to reveal himself to him. God held His hand over Moses face until he passed, and as he passed by He let Moses see Him. From just that small amount of sight Moses face shined with God's glory, and he put a veil over his face so the other Israelites would be able to look at him. God's glory eventually faded from Moses face, but God's glory won't fade from those who follow Christ. The Bible says there is still a veil over those who live by the law, but those who live by faith in Christ are unveiled and God's glory will never fade. "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the LORD's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18.
As I was leaving my son's school this morning, heading to the west, I looked in my rearview mirror and the veil that had been over the sun was lifted. I could no longer stare at the sun because the sun was now shining in all of its glory. I can't say it wasn't cool to see what the sun looks like without its gleaming rays, but I know without those rays of light things of the earth could not grow and everything would die. Just as if we all wore a veil, the glory of Christ could not be seen in this earth and all hope would be lost! Thank you Jesus for removing the veil!
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