To many people, miracles are uncommon, supernatural occurrences. However, I would suggest that miracles happen all around us, all too often. Think about the last breath you took, or the last time you forced your heart to pump. See the point, we have miracles happening all around us.
Remember what Jesus said when the pharises quite him about healing on the Sabbath? He asked, which would be the greater miracle? To heal this man, and tell him to get up and walk; or to say to him "your sins are forgiven".
You see, salvation is a miracle. I am so thankful that I won't get what I deserve on judgement day. Thank you Lord for paying the debt for the sin that I have committed. He stands ready to pardon yours too. He has already paid for it, now its up to you to accept the gift.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Please God
I was talking to a friend a while back about the things of the Lord. We were talking about how our prayers seem to always be "oh, please God, come help me....".
We both thought it to be interesting how we dint give God two thoughts until we are in a pickle. In Deutoronomy 30, we are told that it is up to us. We have q choice to obey, or not to. And if we obey, we are choosing prosperity, health, peace, and joy. If we choose to he disobedient, we are choosing destruction..... essentially the polar opposite of the rewards of obedience.
I encourage you today to make your walk with God a lifestyle, and jot just a ceremony for Sundays. You see people, if we would live our lives on purpose, trying to please God, we wouldn't be crying out "OH PLEASE GOD!"
We both thought it to be interesting how we dint give God two thoughts until we are in a pickle. In Deutoronomy 30, we are told that it is up to us. We have q choice to obey, or not to. And if we obey, we are choosing prosperity, health, peace, and joy. If we choose to he disobedient, we are choosing destruction..... essentially the polar opposite of the rewards of obedience.
I encourage you today to make your walk with God a lifestyle, and jot just a ceremony for Sundays. You see people, if we would live our lives on purpose, trying to please God, we wouldn't be crying out "OH PLEASE GOD!"
Where have all the Elijahs gone?
If these are the days of Elijah, where are all the Elijahs? Elijah was a prophet of God who had a showdown with the false prophets of Baal. He encouraged these false prophets of Baal to have their god to burn up an altar. But, needless to say it didn't happen. Elijah then soaked the altar with water, and prayed to the true God to accept the offering. God sent down fire that completely consumed the altar.
You see, we often ask, where is the God of Elijah. The better question may be where are the Elijahs of God. We have to take God at his word, stand on our faith, and expect mountains to move when we speak to them.
You see, we often ask, where is the God of Elijah. The better question may be where are the Elijahs of God. We have to take God at his word, stand on our faith, and expect mountains to move when we speak to them.
Sowing and Reaping
I've been thinking alot lately about this biblical principle. In genesis, God established that a seed would reproduce after its own kind. Why want I understand this? If I need a financial blessing, I shouldn't think that "i can't afford to give money, so ill just volunteer". That's not how God designed it. He said, "whoever sows sparingly, will reap sparingly".
Also, I've wondered.... why are certain things happening to me? Well, in case you have forgotten, every action has an equal or opposite reaction.... what goes around comes around. He said "sow to the flesh, you will reap destruction..... sow to the spirit reap eternal life. You may ask... "what's the flesh?". It is the worldly sinful nature that we as Christians have to die to daily. It's greed, lust, jealously, deviousness(lying), anger, and anything else that is contrary to the fruits of the spirit.
We have to give what we want to receive. Want friends? Be a friend. Want someone's time? Give of your own time. Want a financial blessing? Be a financial blessing. Do you realize that the only area that God encouraged us to test Him in, is in the area of finances (Malachi).
It doesn't make sense, but to get, we have to give!
Also, I've wondered.... why are certain things happening to me? Well, in case you have forgotten, every action has an equal or opposite reaction.... what goes around comes around. He said "sow to the flesh, you will reap destruction..... sow to the spirit reap eternal life. You may ask... "what's the flesh?". It is the worldly sinful nature that we as Christians have to die to daily. It's greed, lust, jealously, deviousness(lying), anger, and anything else that is contrary to the fruits of the spirit.
We have to give what we want to receive. Want friends? Be a friend. Want someone's time? Give of your own time. Want a financial blessing? Be a financial blessing. Do you realize that the only area that God encouraged us to test Him in, is in the area of finances (Malachi).
It doesn't make sense, but to get, we have to give!
The fight of your life!
Have you ever wondered "Why can't I go one day without having sinful thoughts, words, actions, etc."? Well, I believe you can!
But, it will take effort on your part, and even more, SUBMISSION. Here's the deal... in Galations chapter 6, we are taught about sowing to please our flesh (worldly sinful nature) or sowing to the spirit.
7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
There is the reward, do you want a harvest of destruction, or of eternal life. See, if we will keep our eyes on the goal (eternal life with the Lord), we will desire to sow to the spirit daily. However, if we choose to let our short term "wants" to get in the way of our long term "goal", we will please ourselves now, and eventually reap destruction.
Back up a chapter to Galations 5, and you will see the difference in the Spiritual Nature (fruits of the spirit) and the Sinful Nature.
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other
So I encourage you today, spend time with God, ask Him to make His Spirit more prevelant in you today. Let's just see if we can do a day without the sinful thoughts, words, and actions. Let's try to replace thses things with thoughts, words, and actions that would yield a harvest of eternal life. Like it or not, you are a farmer, and every thought, word, and action you yield is a seed to be planted. Let's plant only worthwhile seeds.
But, it will take effort on your part, and even more, SUBMISSION. Here's the deal... in Galations chapter 6, we are taught about sowing to please our flesh (worldly sinful nature) or sowing to the spirit.
7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
There is the reward, do you want a harvest of destruction, or of eternal life. See, if we will keep our eyes on the goal (eternal life with the Lord), we will desire to sow to the spirit daily. However, if we choose to let our short term "wants" to get in the way of our long term "goal", we will please ourselves now, and eventually reap destruction.
Back up a chapter to Galations 5, and you will see the difference in the Spiritual Nature (fruits of the spirit) and the Sinful Nature.
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other
So I encourage you today, spend time with God, ask Him to make His Spirit more prevelant in you today. Let's just see if we can do a day without the sinful thoughts, words, and actions. Let's try to replace thses things with thoughts, words, and actions that would yield a harvest of eternal life. Like it or not, you are a farmer, and every thought, word, and action you yield is a seed to be planted. Let's plant only worthwhile seeds.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Know your weapon.......
We are all at least familiar with the "Armor of God". This passage can be found in Ephesians 6. We are told to put on the whole armor of God. The author compares the armor of God to armor a warrior would use. He encourages the reader to cover all the vital portions of the body. We are to cover our heads with salvation this would mean that through all of our words and actions, we should remember the salvation that is offered through Jesus Christ. We are to cover our torso with the breastplate of righteousness. Not our own righteousness (which are compared to filthy rags), but the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. We are to cover our feet the the Gosepel of Peace. We are to use our faith as a shield to not only deflect, but actually extinguish the devil's fiery darts. Equally important, we are to arm ourselves with an offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The Word of God can be applied to every aspect of our lives.
We all know that the words that we speak have the power of life and death.(Proverbs 18:21) That is important to realize when we are attempting to apply the Word of God. We have to get it into us enough that we can understand it within the context it was intended. We need to know who it was written to, and who it was written for! There is a difference, for instance, Paul wrote the majority of his letters to specific groups of people (churches) throughout the Roman Kingdom. However, the content was intended for us (believers) to learn or glean from his specific teachings addressed to them.
It encourages me to see people have a desire for God's Word. I just encourage you to make sure you understand what you are reading or being taught. The Sword is a powerful weapon, but if used incorrectly, it can cause great harm to the user.
MayGod Bless You!
Ephesians 6-
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
We all know that the words that we speak have the power of life and death.(Proverbs 18:21) That is important to realize when we are attempting to apply the Word of God. We have to get it into us enough that we can understand it within the context it was intended. We need to know who it was written to, and who it was written for! There is a difference, for instance, Paul wrote the majority of his letters to specific groups of people (churches) throughout the Roman Kingdom. However, the content was intended for us (believers) to learn or glean from his specific teachings addressed to them.
It encourages me to see people have a desire for God's Word. I just encourage you to make sure you understand what you are reading or being taught. The Sword is a powerful weapon, but if used incorrectly, it can cause great harm to the user.
MayGod Bless You!
Ephesians 6-
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
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