Yesterday, I didn't put up any new post, not because of a lack of desire, or that I didn't have anything to write, because honestly I have several post on the back burner that I am working on as the spirit moves me, but because yesterday was a very busy day, with so much that could have gone much worse. I wanted to take this morning and share what happened yesterday to glorify to the Father in heaven for His provisions!
On my way into work yesterday there was a freezing rain coming down, I leave for work pretty early in the morning so it was also very dark as the sun had not even begun to rise yet. I tried to turn on the heater in my car to warm up but it never seemed to get hot, it just kept blowing cool air. Then as I was driving up one of the big hills on the road I take to work I noticed I didn't seem to have any power, my car was struggling to get up the hill. I looked at the dashboard and saw that the gage in my car that says if it's hot or cold was all the way up at hot. I decided I needed to pull over and turned on my flashers. As I tried to cross the lane of on coming traffic to pull in to the parking lot in front of a volunteer fire department the car completely stopped. It wouldn't move and I was stuck in the road, in the pouring rain.
I had no idea what to do next, but I popped the hood of my car and prayed for help because I was clueless. Several cars went around me, but shortly someone pulled over to help. The man didn't bother to give me his name but after waiting for a lull in the traffic he told me what to do and pushed my car safely off the road and into the parking lot. I thanked him several times and tried to give him money he would not take. I thank God for that man!
After he left to go to work himself I called for a tow truck and called my boss to tell him I'd be very late but my husband was on his way, I got the day off paid instead, thank God! Nick and I went with tow truck to our usual mechanic who said that our timing chain had gone and the engine may be bad because of it. He told us that he couldn't do that kind of repair and sent us to someone who could and would be able to tell us for sure if the engine was bad or not. We then towed the car to the other mechanic's shop.
At this point we were both very frustrated, the car situation seemed like it was another financial blow that felt like it was about set us back to the start again or put us further in debt. I put up a prayer request at that point asking others to pray and explaining the situation and I started speaking faith over the situation. I started to praise God for what had gone right and kept reminding myself that the Lord works all things for the good of those who love Him. Then my husband and I started focusing on what we could do right now to improve the car situation. We rented a car for the rest of this week so I can get to and from work and then we started to decide and look into our vehicle options, trusting that God would somehow work it all out for us in accordance with His will.
We soon after received bad news, the engine was bad, it would be over $4000 to fix it, if they could even find an engine because we have a Suzuki and it is getting hard to find parts for it. A little bit later they called back and said they had no luck finding an engine. We accepted at that point we would have to get a newer car, like it or not. We had just decided to take out a loan for a new car when my cousin, who works for a auto salvage company called. He said that they had just picked up a car that was the same make and model as ours, and the engine was good! He said they could hold the engine for us, and my cousin even offered to put it in for us this weekend for much less! We thank God for the way things went, for providing when it seemed like it wasn't going to happen. We are in awe of how God provides!
I shared this today to give praise to God and tell of His works, but also for those struggling. If you are struggling, hang in there, ask others to pray with you or for you, pray for guidance and give praise to God regardless of what the circumstances look like, trust that God has you, and know in your heart that He will work it all out for your good, if you love Him.
Psalm 150:1-6
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
1 Peter 1:6-7
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
Only When Needed
It totally sucks when someone you love only calls when they need something. I really feel used, and even disrespected sometimes by that, and it got me to think, is this how God feels when we only pray if we are in need? Is this hurt what He feels when we talk to Him only when we want something? Does Jesus get upset about being treated this way? Does God even feel?
I know as a Bible believer we were created in His image (Genesis 1:27); and I know that God has emotions because many verses acknowledge that including one of the shortest verses in the Bible, where it simply says "Jesus wept." (John 11:35) which obviously shows that He was saddened by the death of His friend, or if you prefer one where He wasn't in the form of man how about Genesis 6:6 where it talks about how the Lord was grieved by the evil in the hearts of man.
So now we have answered with certainty that God feels, and we can assume being made in His image that the things that hurt us, hurt Him also, that would make sense as to why we all tend to experience similar emotional reactions to certain situations, we are feeling how He feels or would feel. I believe this is why we all generally feel happy when we are praised and hurt when we are rejected by people we care about.
Focusing on the thought of those who reject you and only have time for you when they are in need or want something from you, I have to ask you to think for a minute. Would you allow yourself to be treated that way forever or would you at some point say enough is enough and give up trying to have or expect a genuine relationship with them? I think most of us would stop expecting a relationship, and some of us would stop trying all together, some may even lash out in hurt and anger. And this coincides with what the Bible says about how God will respond to those who treat Him thusly, and I will add a few verses at the bottom to show this. But for now I want to end by saying, we still have time at the moment to change, to be considerate and obedient to God, we still have time to give Him the respect a loving Father deserves, but we won't for long. Time on earth will end and not even the scientists dispute that. So while we still have a chance to make things right with God I urge you to do so.
2 Kings 17:7-20
John 12:47-49
47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.
I know as a Bible believer we were created in His image (Genesis 1:27); and I know that God has emotions because many verses acknowledge that including one of the shortest verses in the Bible, where it simply says "Jesus wept." (John 11:35) which obviously shows that He was saddened by the death of His friend, or if you prefer one where He wasn't in the form of man how about Genesis 6:6 where it talks about how the Lord was grieved by the evil in the hearts of man.
So now we have answered with certainty that God feels, and we can assume being made in His image that the things that hurt us, hurt Him also, that would make sense as to why we all tend to experience similar emotional reactions to certain situations, we are feeling how He feels or would feel. I believe this is why we all generally feel happy when we are praised and hurt when we are rejected by people we care about.
Focusing on the thought of those who reject you and only have time for you when they are in need or want something from you, I have to ask you to think for a minute. Would you allow yourself to be treated that way forever or would you at some point say enough is enough and give up trying to have or expect a genuine relationship with them? I think most of us would stop expecting a relationship, and some of us would stop trying all together, some may even lash out in hurt and anger. And this coincides with what the Bible says about how God will respond to those who treat Him thusly, and I will add a few verses at the bottom to show this. But for now I want to end by saying, we still have time at the moment to change, to be considerate and obedient to God, we still have time to give Him the respect a loving Father deserves, but we won't for long. Time on earth will end and not even the scientists dispute that. So while we still have a chance to make things right with God I urge you to do so.
2 Kings 17:7-20
7 All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods 8 and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. 9 The Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. 10 They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. 11 At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the Lord had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that aroused the Lord’s anger. 12 They worshiped idols, though the Lord had said, “You shall not do this.” 13 The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.”
14 But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the Lord their God. 15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.”
16 They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. 17 They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.
18 So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, 19 and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced. 20 Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence.
2 Chronicles 24:20
Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’ ”
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
John 12:47-49
47 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Two Parts; One Book
I don't know how many of you have ever read the Old Testament but I encourage you to do so, it will give you a more complete picture of the character of God, as well as allow you to see how God does keep His promises and brings everything to completion. Reading the Old Testament confirms the New and builds more confidence and trust in God because you know Him better.
I honestly can't say why I wrote that, I just did and now that I have and I read it, I won't erase it because it is important. It's not what I sat down intending to write but it is a topic I feel should be addressed. The Bible should be read in its entirety to gain a better understanding of God's character and how Jesus fulfilled prophecy. By reading both the Old and New Testaments you better equip yourself to understand the times we are living in and how it has been repeated on an ever worsening scale, since the beginning of time. You get a more clear picture of how the church began, and what God intended for it to look like, and you get a clear picture of God's perfect justice.
I know some churches today that teach only from the New Testament and I have heard a pastor defend this by saying the New Testament abolishes the Old, that because of Jesus the Old Testament is unnecessary and it was more important to teach the mercy of the New Testament than the judgment of the Old. That through Christ's death and resurrection the laws were abolished and heaven made open to all. I have also heard pastors talk about the 'God of the Old Testament' and the 'God of the New Testament' like He was two different entities, but that's not what His book says.
What these people don't realize is that by leaving out the Old Testament they are robbing themselves and others of a foundation. They are robbing themselves and others of understanding. The two parts of the Bible are not contrary to each other, there is not an Old Testament God and a New Testament God, there is only ONE unchanging God. To deny His justice, judgment, or vengeance on those who reject Him is to deny Him, when you do this you are creating and worshipping your own idea of God rather than the God of the Bible.
The Old Testament is necessary to form a foundation for the New, the Old Testament sets up the New. If you read the Old Testament you learn about the prophecies, the prophets, and great leaders that Jehovah raised up to serve Him. You start to understand that many things God had the leaders and prophets do where only precursors to the coming of Christ. You learn to recognize more clearly the ways in which God works because you are coming to know Him in fullness. And as for the those who think that the Old Testament doesn't matter because Christ abolished the law, I direct you to Matthew 5:17-20 where Jesus says 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
2 Peter 3:1-7
I honestly can't say why I wrote that, I just did and now that I have and I read it, I won't erase it because it is important. It's not what I sat down intending to write but it is a topic I feel should be addressed. The Bible should be read in its entirety to gain a better understanding of God's character and how Jesus fulfilled prophecy. By reading both the Old and New Testaments you better equip yourself to understand the times we are living in and how it has been repeated on an ever worsening scale, since the beginning of time. You get a more clear picture of how the church began, and what God intended for it to look like, and you get a clear picture of God's perfect justice.
I know some churches today that teach only from the New Testament and I have heard a pastor defend this by saying the New Testament abolishes the Old, that because of Jesus the Old Testament is unnecessary and it was more important to teach the mercy of the New Testament than the judgment of the Old. That through Christ's death and resurrection the laws were abolished and heaven made open to all. I have also heard pastors talk about the 'God of the Old Testament' and the 'God of the New Testament' like He was two different entities, but that's not what His book says.
What these people don't realize is that by leaving out the Old Testament they are robbing themselves and others of a foundation. They are robbing themselves and others of understanding. The two parts of the Bible are not contrary to each other, there is not an Old Testament God and a New Testament God, there is only ONE unchanging God. To deny His justice, judgment, or vengeance on those who reject Him is to deny Him, when you do this you are creating and worshipping your own idea of God rather than the God of the Bible.
The Old Testament is necessary to form a foundation for the New, the Old Testament sets up the New. If you read the Old Testament you learn about the prophecies, the prophets, and great leaders that Jehovah raised up to serve Him. You start to understand that many things God had the leaders and prophets do where only precursors to the coming of Christ. You learn to recognize more clearly the ways in which God works because you are coming to know Him in fullness. And as for the those who think that the Old Testament doesn't matter because Christ abolished the law, I direct you to Matthew 5:17-20 where Jesus says 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
2 Peter 3:1-7
1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Growing Pains
This morning for some reason I started to think about how growing up that whenever my brother or I had a growth spurt it was often accompanied by growing pains. This thought led me to think about how in life situations this was true too, the process of maturing and growing into an adult usually came from experiencing frustration, pain or disappointment. And I have realized that it is a necessary thing for my spiritual growth as well, I am realizing that from the pain we learn and grow and often it is in this process that the fruits of the spirit become manifested into our character.
I can't say this is something that just hit me, I believe God has been showing this to me for a while and I have even been expressing it in post like the one I did recently 'Grateful for the Lesson' or the one that followed 'Grateful for my Pain', I didn't realize it then but what I was grateful for was the change in my character. I have come to the realization recently that bad things happen not necessarily because we are being punished, but sometimes because God sees that we have done well in one aspect and is now growing and teaching us so we can do more.
I can say as someone who used to be a pre-school teacher I myself have done that to children in my class before, if I saw that one child was doing well in a certain area I would push them to the next developmental goal in that area. Often that meant for a period of time they would struggle as they tried to grasp this new concept, this typically caused them frustration because just like adults, they hated struggling. But after I helped them and with time and practice they would overcome the struggle and have a new skill (or fruit if we compare it to the spiritual sense) to show for it as well as the feeling of gratification for overcoming their obstacle.
I see, and now finally understand that this is the process the Bible talks about with verses like Romans 5:3-4; Hebrews 12:6-11; James 1:2-4; and 1 Peter 5:10 among others. They knew that suffering, frustration, and pain were only for a season and when that season ended it would bring them closer to God by purging them of their sinful flesh nature and instead producing fruits of the spirit, if they continually sought His guidance through it. I wanted to stress to you that they had to continually seek Him during the season of growth to produce fruit because it can't be done without God. Likewise, when I was teaching I could not set a piece of paper and pencil in front of a pre-school child and tell them to write their name without first helping and teaching them to do this, they had to seek out or take the offered help in order to progress.
I don't know if this made sense to anyone else, maybe it's just me. Regardless, I pray we have growing pains, and I pray that we seek God during them so that we may have the good fruits, the fruits of the spirit manifested in our lives. I pray that during our storms we lean on Jesus and listen to His words learning to follow Him in obedience, and that we continually seek to honor and glorify Him. Amen.
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
I can't say this is something that just hit me, I believe God has been showing this to me for a while and I have even been expressing it in post like the one I did recently 'Grateful for the Lesson' or the one that followed 'Grateful for my Pain', I didn't realize it then but what I was grateful for was the change in my character. I have come to the realization recently that bad things happen not necessarily because we are being punished, but sometimes because God sees that we have done well in one aspect and is now growing and teaching us so we can do more.
I can say as someone who used to be a pre-school teacher I myself have done that to children in my class before, if I saw that one child was doing well in a certain area I would push them to the next developmental goal in that area. Often that meant for a period of time they would struggle as they tried to grasp this new concept, this typically caused them frustration because just like adults, they hated struggling. But after I helped them and with time and practice they would overcome the struggle and have a new skill (or fruit if we compare it to the spiritual sense) to show for it as well as the feeling of gratification for overcoming their obstacle.
I see, and now finally understand that this is the process the Bible talks about with verses like Romans 5:3-4; Hebrews 12:6-11; James 1:2-4; and 1 Peter 5:10 among others. They knew that suffering, frustration, and pain were only for a season and when that season ended it would bring them closer to God by purging them of their sinful flesh nature and instead producing fruits of the spirit, if they continually sought His guidance through it. I wanted to stress to you that they had to continually seek Him during the season of growth to produce fruit because it can't be done without God. Likewise, when I was teaching I could not set a piece of paper and pencil in front of a pre-school child and tell them to write their name without first helping and teaching them to do this, they had to seek out or take the offered help in order to progress.
I don't know if this made sense to anyone else, maybe it's just me. Regardless, I pray we have growing pains, and I pray that we seek God during them so that we may have the good fruits, the fruits of the spirit manifested in our lives. I pray that during our storms we lean on Jesus and listen to His words learning to follow Him in obedience, and that we continually seek to honor and glorify Him. Amen.
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Open and Direct Rebellion
I have never questioned the existence of God, but there were many years where I lived in direct and intentional disobedience to Him. I had watched helplessly for a year as a girl I had grown up with wasted away and died from a vicious form of childhood cancer, this particular form of cancer had had only 5 survivors and all were boys. I was told repeatedly when I asked why God would allow this to happen that it was His will and I just had to accept it, this did not sit well. At thirteen I became very angry at God because of this, I wanted to hurt Him because He had hurt me by making my friend suffer and die, by taking away my parent's good health and forcing me into a position of responsibility, for taking so much of my family all around the same time, and causing my grandfather to have another stroke, for all this pain and more I wanted to punish God.
I no longer believed in the loving God that I had spent hours talking to as a child, I saw Him now as cruel and uncaring, and I didn't want a relationship with Him anymore. I rejected Him, and His salvation and started blindly wandering around trying to find my own way. I started to mess around with witchcraft, I drank a lot, took pills, smoked cigarettes, swore like a sailor, and was so cold to people that I earned the name 'ice queen' from a group of friends. I did all of it with every intent in my heart to hurt God, and I know I succeed because I know now it hurts Him when we break His laws.
No matter what I did to hurt Him though, God stayed with me. God waited patiently for me to come back to Him, to recognize that He did love me and had been there to comfort me had I only turned to Him. But I didn't see it or maybe I just didn't want to believe it then, I wasn't ready. I was growing everyday more depressed and angry as I grew away from Him and I couldn't understand why He wouldn't let me die when I wanted too, I couldn't understand why He stopped it, but had taken my friend when she wanted to live. I couldn't comprehend that it all had purpose, all I saw was my pain and I blamed God.
Why I am talking about all of this? What point am I getting at? If you have been feeling unworthy, like your past is so bad that God can never forgive you I want you to know He can and He will if you're ready to change. If God can forgive my open and direct rebellion He can forgive your sin too, He wants to forgive us, 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.' Jesus opened the door to your forgiveness and is waiting on you to enter it, don't worry whether you're good enough, He will make you good. Don't be afraid or ashamed because He will cleanse you of who you are and change your heart when it is offered completely and who you were will be forgotten, (1 John 1:9).
Psalm 111:9
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!
Isaiah 44:21-22
Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Luke 13-1-5
1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
John 11:25-26
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
I no longer believed in the loving God that I had spent hours talking to as a child, I saw Him now as cruel and uncaring, and I didn't want a relationship with Him anymore. I rejected Him, and His salvation and started blindly wandering around trying to find my own way. I started to mess around with witchcraft, I drank a lot, took pills, smoked cigarettes, swore like a sailor, and was so cold to people that I earned the name 'ice queen' from a group of friends. I did all of it with every intent in my heart to hurt God, and I know I succeed because I know now it hurts Him when we break His laws.
No matter what I did to hurt Him though, God stayed with me. God waited patiently for me to come back to Him, to recognize that He did love me and had been there to comfort me had I only turned to Him. But I didn't see it or maybe I just didn't want to believe it then, I wasn't ready. I was growing everyday more depressed and angry as I grew away from Him and I couldn't understand why He wouldn't let me die when I wanted too, I couldn't understand why He stopped it, but had taken my friend when she wanted to live. I couldn't comprehend that it all had purpose, all I saw was my pain and I blamed God.
Why I am talking about all of this? What point am I getting at? If you have been feeling unworthy, like your past is so bad that God can never forgive you I want you to know He can and He will if you're ready to change. If God can forgive my open and direct rebellion He can forgive your sin too, He wants to forgive us, 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.' Jesus opened the door to your forgiveness and is waiting on you to enter it, don't worry whether you're good enough, He will make you good. Don't be afraid or ashamed because He will cleanse you of who you are and change your heart when it is offered completely and who you were will be forgotten, (1 John 1:9).
Psalm 111:9
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!
Isaiah 44:21-22
Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Luke 13-1-5
1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
John 11:25-26
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Monday, December 8, 2014
He's Got Things Planned
After hoping, waiting, and praying I didn't have things turn out the way I wanted yet, but I made a promise to God to praise Him anyway. I understand that it must not yet be time for that, and I should trust the situation to Him knowing and accepting that He knows best. It's so hard to do that some times though, especially when the very selfish and childlike part of myself wants to have a fit and throw a pity party for myself.
One part of my brain wants to be angry and question God, part of me like I said wants to feel bad about not getting my way. But more so than anything I hear what I prayed to the Father about this situation, "Father if it be not your will for this to happen right now than provide for me the comfort I will need, and the strength of character to accept your will." These other parts of myself are there, those sad and selfish feeling are definitely trying to assert themselves, but each time I start to go that way my own words come back to me and I let the emotions pass without indulging in them.
It may not seem like it to some, but I feel that God has answered my prayer. And right now I want to say thank you, because obviously He's got things planned for me. I want to give Him glory because His plans are better than mine. I am taking my disappointment over not getting what I wanted and instead I'm choosing to thank God that He answered my prayer and has provided me with comfort and strength of character. I am choosing to see this as lesson for myself that I can make the right choice in the face of disappointment and as an opportunity to encourage others. God's ways are not our ways; no, they are so much better, and they are right, and righteous. Praise Him always because He is worthy!
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
1 John 2:16-17
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
One part of my brain wants to be angry and question God, part of me like I said wants to feel bad about not getting my way. But more so than anything I hear what I prayed to the Father about this situation, "Father if it be not your will for this to happen right now than provide for me the comfort I will need, and the strength of character to accept your will." These other parts of myself are there, those sad and selfish feeling are definitely trying to assert themselves, but each time I start to go that way my own words come back to me and I let the emotions pass without indulging in them.
It may not seem like it to some, but I feel that God has answered my prayer. And right now I want to say thank you, because obviously He's got things planned for me. I want to give Him glory because His plans are better than mine. I am taking my disappointment over not getting what I wanted and instead I'm choosing to thank God that He answered my prayer and has provided me with comfort and strength of character. I am choosing to see this as lesson for myself that I can make the right choice in the face of disappointment and as an opportunity to encourage others. God's ways are not our ways; no, they are so much better, and they are right, and righteous. Praise Him always because He is worthy!
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
1 John 2:16-17
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Who do you Serve?
When I was first saved and started going to church I was a very active member in the church I belonged to at that time, I volunteered for just about everything I could possibly fit into my busy schedule. But as busy as I was with church business, college, and work I made time for my friends as well because I believed that was important. The problem was, that my friends were not necessarily good for me. We partied quite a bit having weekly poker games, with lots of booze, despite the fact that we were all underage. I justified this behavior to myself by saying that my entire life couldn't be about God and work, I needed time to blow off steam, and have some fun too. I thought I was serving God at that time, and I thought He was okay with my lifestyle because I did lots of works at the church, so my drinking and partying was okay because my works canceled that out. I was so wrong in every way.
I was not serving or pleasing God at that time, I was serving myself and pleasing myself. There is no way to serve God part time, it is all or nothing. In reality I was a total hypocrite at that point and time, I was a liar deceived by my own heart and chasing after the things of the flesh, clinging to a belief that if I did enough good works in His name that I would be forgiven of my transgressions. But that is not what the Bible says, that is not how God told us it works. In Ephesians 2:8-10, we read this: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Nothing I did in service of that church ever brought me closer to God, nothing I did by my own hands could bring Him glory or praise because I was not serving God. I said my faith was in Jesus, and that I loved Him, but truthfully I was in love with my 'idea' of Jesus, and I served only my flesh appeasing and easing my conscience with myself that I wasn't a bad person because I volunteered at the church. This deception I lived in left me with a very shallow understanding of scripture because I was not seeking the Lord, I was seeking my wants. I wanted to look good at church, and I wanted to party, and I wanted to go to Heaven, so I justified my actions so I could believe it was all okay.
Then the Holy Spirit woke me up and convicted me for my actions. I suddenly saw myself for what I was and I was deeply grieved in my heart over the pain I had caused my Father. I was given a way out of that group of people, and I obeyed when He told me to not look back, I pressed forward without any friends, except the man God used to separate me from them.
So, now I ask you to look in your heart and truly ask yourself; who do you serve? Is your life all God or all about you? Is it all about glorifying God, or your own pleasures? Is it about what you can do for others, or what you can get out of them? Are you chasing after money, or trusting the Lord's provision? Are you seeking God's advice, or man's? Where does your faith really lie, in the God of the Bible or in the god of your heart?
1 Samuel 12:24
Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 4:10-11
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
I was not serving or pleasing God at that time, I was serving myself and pleasing myself. There is no way to serve God part time, it is all or nothing. In reality I was a total hypocrite at that point and time, I was a liar deceived by my own heart and chasing after the things of the flesh, clinging to a belief that if I did enough good works in His name that I would be forgiven of my transgressions. But that is not what the Bible says, that is not how God told us it works. In Ephesians 2:8-10, we read this: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Nothing I did in service of that church ever brought me closer to God, nothing I did by my own hands could bring Him glory or praise because I was not serving God. I said my faith was in Jesus, and that I loved Him, but truthfully I was in love with my 'idea' of Jesus, and I served only my flesh appeasing and easing my conscience with myself that I wasn't a bad person because I volunteered at the church. This deception I lived in left me with a very shallow understanding of scripture because I was not seeking the Lord, I was seeking my wants. I wanted to look good at church, and I wanted to party, and I wanted to go to Heaven, so I justified my actions so I could believe it was all okay.
Then the Holy Spirit woke me up and convicted me for my actions. I suddenly saw myself for what I was and I was deeply grieved in my heart over the pain I had caused my Father. I was given a way out of that group of people, and I obeyed when He told me to not look back, I pressed forward without any friends, except the man God used to separate me from them.
So, now I ask you to look in your heart and truly ask yourself; who do you serve? Is your life all God or all about you? Is it all about glorifying God, or your own pleasures? Is it about what you can do for others, or what you can get out of them? Are you chasing after money, or trusting the Lord's provision? Are you seeking God's advice, or man's? Where does your faith really lie, in the God of the Bible or in the god of your heart?
1 Samuel 12:24
Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 4:10-11
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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