Wednesday, February 12, 2020
What about Love?
Valentines Day is quickly approaching... Most of us have heard the "love is patient, love is kind" spill before. But, how many of us have actually meditated on that passage, and really gone through an exercise of introspection, and asked ourselves how closely we line up with the ideas presented there? The passage is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 of the bible: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Wow, as I consider how much my "love" for others, especially my immediate family, looks like this, I quickly realize that i just don't measure up very well. I have been married to my beautiful bride for almost 20 years, and I thank God often that she has exhibited some of these qualities over the last 20 years. She has been patient, and kind, and not too proud to say she's sorry, never boastful. Day in and day out, she gives of herself to make sure her family feels loved and accepted, and has their basic needs met. She cherishes truth, and despises evil. She has shown me and taught me through her own actions what love is. Love is not a feeling, nor is it something we just happen to fall into or out of. Love is a commitment... a promise to those who mean the most to us, a promise to put our own selfish ways aside, and seek to serve the one(s) we "LOVE". Be selfless today and throughout the year of 2020, sacrifice your own selfish wants and desires to make someone else's dreams come true. Love never fails, and makes others feel great! So, Love Intensely!
I love you Steph, and thank God for you!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Submit Yourselves.....
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21
As Christian husbands, wives, children, cousins, or even friends; we are commanded to submit ourselves to each other. What does that mean? When you hear the word submit, you probably automatically think of allowing yourself to be dominated. However, I would submit that is not what is intended. We are commanded to exhort and encourage our fellow man. I believe that the word submit would imply that we are to support/edify our friends and especially our families. I wonder why it is so easy to be impatient, rude, and abrupt with the people we claim to love the most. For instance why can I be really rude to my wife in one instant, and in the next, answer a phone call with the most polite and caring attitude and voice that you could imagine. We are to submit to our spouses. We are to do our part in helping them reach their goals in life.
Be submissive!
As Christian husbands, wives, children, cousins, or even friends; we are commanded to submit ourselves to each other. What does that mean? When you hear the word submit, you probably automatically think of allowing yourself to be dominated. However, I would submit that is not what is intended. We are commanded to exhort and encourage our fellow man. I believe that the word submit would imply that we are to support/edify our friends and especially our families. I wonder why it is so easy to be impatient, rude, and abrupt with the people we claim to love the most. For instance why can I be really rude to my wife in one instant, and in the next, answer a phone call with the most polite and caring attitude and voice that you could imagine. We are to submit to our spouses. We are to do our part in helping them reach their goals in life.
Be submissive!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Who ya hanging with?
Do you believe in Divine Appointments? Sometimes..... no not sometimes, all times, God puts us in certain situations at certain times to use us, or speak to us...
I was reminded today, just how imperative it is to spend time in the word of God. Do you know that mored than 70% of Americans claim to be Christain. That is 7 out of every 10 people you know or see everyday. I want you to know that Christainity is not just a box to mark on a survey. We as Christains have a number of commands we are to obey. Do you know what they are? Start to the ten most famous ones...... don't steal, don't kill, don't be jealous, don't tell lies, honor your parents, etc. How about the greatest commandment, do you know that one?
My point is this... we all would like to see the benefits (blessings) that come with being a Christ follower. However, we seem to want the benefit without having to keep up our end of the deal. Christainity is not a socialist society! We have responsibilities as Christains, when asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus said we are to "love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength" he said the second is equally as important, "love your neighbor as yourself".
How are you doing keeping the greatest commandment? Who you hanging with? How much time have you spent with God this week, in His Word, in a church pew, in prayer, listening to praise and worship music, reading Christain literature, etc. You are influenced by the people you hang with. Allow God to be the one to influence you, build you up, become your "ever present help in your time of need". How can you allow this if you aren't spending time with you creator.
I like to say that I am an influencer, not the one to be influenced. However, when my spirit is weak, when I haven't been spending time with God, having my faith built up;what kind of influence can a possibly be? I encourage you today, spend time with your creator. He loves you, and cherishs every minute you spend with Him.
I was reminded today, just how imperative it is to spend time in the word of God. Do you know that mored than 70% of Americans claim to be Christain. That is 7 out of every 10 people you know or see everyday. I want you to know that Christainity is not just a box to mark on a survey. We as Christains have a number of commands we are to obey. Do you know what they are? Start to the ten most famous ones...... don't steal, don't kill, don't be jealous, don't tell lies, honor your parents, etc. How about the greatest commandment, do you know that one?
My point is this... we all would like to see the benefits (blessings) that come with being a Christ follower. However, we seem to want the benefit without having to keep up our end of the deal. Christainity is not a socialist society! We have responsibilities as Christains, when asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus said we are to "love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength" he said the second is equally as important, "love your neighbor as yourself".
How are you doing keeping the greatest commandment? Who you hanging with? How much time have you spent with God this week, in His Word, in a church pew, in prayer, listening to praise and worship music, reading Christain literature, etc. You are influenced by the people you hang with. Allow God to be the one to influence you, build you up, become your "ever present help in your time of need". How can you allow this if you aren't spending time with you creator.
I like to say that I am an influencer, not the one to be influenced. However, when my spirit is weak, when I haven't been spending time with God, having my faith built up;what kind of influence can a possibly be? I encourage you today, spend time with your creator. He loves you, and cherishs every minute you spend with Him.
Who are you?
Do you ever wonder why it is, no matter how hard we try, we always seem to think about, or do things that don't line up with our claim to Christianity? Maybe it's just me. It might be as simple as gossiping, or harboring unforgiveness, or being rude to a friend or loved one. Whatever the "sin" may be...... why do we fall into It?
I was reading in Romans 8 today, and was intrigued by the idea of our two natures. We have a "natural man", the flesh and blood, bien into a fallen sinful world, thus born into a sinful nature. This man thinks about the problems of life, the devastating news heard on major media outlets. He thinks of himself first, do I have enough money, do I have enough food, do I need new clothes, do I need my hair and nails done, who am I "mad" at today.
Then there's the spiritual man. This man is a new creation, not condemned, of the kingdom of light, a royal priesthood, the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. This man considers others before himself. This man thinks on the noble, pure things of God. This man asks the Spirit of God to control and direct his thoughts. This man doesn't fear, nor does he become anxious for anything. This man is blessed beyond measure.
Which man are you allowing to control your thoughts, decisions, and ultimately your life? Have you thanked God for His free gift of salvation through His son Jesus today? Better yet, are you living a life worthy of the gift you have been offered?
I would encourage everyone today to be courageously committed to Creator God today. Be different.
I was reading in Romans 8 today, and was intrigued by the idea of our two natures. We have a "natural man", the flesh and blood, bien into a fallen sinful world, thus born into a sinful nature. This man thinks about the problems of life, the devastating news heard on major media outlets. He thinks of himself first, do I have enough money, do I have enough food, do I need new clothes, do I need my hair and nails done, who am I "mad" at today.
Then there's the spiritual man. This man is a new creation, not condemned, of the kingdom of light, a royal priesthood, the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. This man considers others before himself. This man thinks on the noble, pure things of God. This man asks the Spirit of God to control and direct his thoughts. This man doesn't fear, nor does he become anxious for anything. This man is blessed beyond measure.
Which man are you allowing to control your thoughts, decisions, and ultimately your life? Have you thanked God for His free gift of salvation through His son Jesus today? Better yet, are you living a life worthy of the gift you have been offered?
I would encourage everyone today to be courageously committed to Creator God today. Be different.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The fight of you 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.
We all need somebody to lean on.....
This week, I have already been blessed by people in my life who care enough to call and check on me. It got me to thinking a lot about life.... So I decided to compile some thoughts by different people who have inspired me recently.
As Pastor Joe Jones noted in a recent blog, we can either say what we have, or have what we say. Our creator who created us in His image, spoke the world into existence. He has tried to encourage us to speak of what is not, as if it were. BUT, in our warpped little human minds, we think it is weird to "claim" things that aren't visible. Such as saying "I am blessed coming and going, I will borrow from none and lend to many". When we consider such speach in the natural, we think it is foolish. But, when we realize that we are "not of this world", but rather we are of a different economic system, it becomes supernaturally real!
So I say thank you to Matt Bills! You always call at just the right time to give me that pick me up that I need. And I say thank you to my wife Steph. No matter how bad of a day you may have, you always strive to make mine and our kids' days better. You guys are God sent, and I am blessed to have you in my life.
So I say to the others that may read this...... Be available to be used by God. You never know when one of your "friends" may need to lean on you!
As Pastor Joe Jones noted in a recent blog, we can either say what we have, or have what we say. Our creator who created us in His image, spoke the world into existence. He has tried to encourage us to speak of what is not, as if it were. BUT, in our warpped little human minds, we think it is weird to "claim" things that aren't visible. Such as saying "I am blessed coming and going, I will borrow from none and lend to many". When we consider such speach in the natural, we think it is foolish. But, when we realize that we are "not of this world", but rather we are of a different economic system, it becomes supernaturally real!
So I say thank you to Matt Bills! You always call at just the right time to give me that pick me up that I need. And I say thank you to my wife Steph. No matter how bad of a day you may have, you always strive to make mine and our kids' days better. You guys are God sent, and I am blessed to have you in my life.
So I say to the others that may read this...... Be available to be used by God. You never know when one of your "friends" may need to lean on you!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Have you ever seen a miracle?
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
