Mark 4:36-41 (KJV) Says "And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake Him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" (KJV)
Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV) Says "Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
The above scripture from the book of Mark shows us that there have been people who demonstrated a lack of faith even with Jesus physically in their midst during a storm. This makes it a bit less surprising that many people today exhibit that same lack of faith as they face storms of their own. It is certain that we will meet up with trials, tribulations, temptations, and storms in our lives, and God's Word tells us so. You may have lost a loved one, lost your job, went through a painful break-up or divorce, maybe you lost your house, your car, or you're facing some other storm, and you feel you just can't make it through. Alone you may not have the strength to, but by placing your faith in God, and calling on Him I have no doubt that you can. God will strengthen you, and He will provide you with shelter from any storm.
If you are facing a difficult time in your life, go to God in pray and ask Him to be with you, to lead, guide, and direct your path. Ask Him to give you the strength you need to make it through whatever it is you're facing, and put your faith and trust in Him. He will not leave you nor forsake you. I know because I have leaned on Him many times in my life, and He has never let me down. I have faced some personal storms of late, and I'm not going to lie, and tell you it has been easy because it hasn't. As a matter of fact, it has been extremely difficult and very painful, but I have no doubt that God will see me through just as He has so many times before.
The above scripture from Philippians promises us that if we will take our problems to God in prayer, He will give us peace in our hearts and our minds. He promises not just peace, but peace to a degree that we can't understand it, a divine peace greater than any we have known. We only have to keep our faith and put our trust in Him. If you are facing a storm, I encourage you to go to God in prayer, cast your cares on Him, ask Him to give you the strength you need to endure, and He will be there for you. He will see you through.
There are times when sad thoughts, discouragement, or depression attempt to creep up on me, and I interrupt these attacks immediately. I think to myself, or sometimes even say out loud, something to remind myself that God will see me through. Lately it's been "God is my Rock." That four word phrase has the power to rebuke the lies Satan attempts to attack me with. I encourage you to try it. You may find some other phrase from scripture that you prefer to use, and that's fine just choose one that suites you, and use it.
Don't give up in the midst of your storm. If you have taken your issue to God in prayer, then leave it there. Don't be fearful and doubting like the men in the boat. When we do what we can then God will do what we can't. The holidays are wonderful, but at this time of year many people become sad and depressed for various reasons. As I mentioned above some are mourning the loss of a loved one, some have financial trouble, job loss, sickness, others are broken hearted over a failed relationship, and the list goes on and on. Whatever storm you're facing, whatever the source of your pain, hold on, trust God, have faith in Him, and remember you are His child, you are special to Him, and He loves you tremendously.
I have no problem admitting that as I face heartache and pain from the storms in my life, I depend on God to see me through. I don't understand how anyone goes through storms without Him, or why they would attempt to. Isaiah 41:13 (KJV) says "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." He makes it clear in this scripture that we don't have to be afraid, that He will help us, and that He will hold our hand, when we need Him to do so.
God is my Lord and Savior, and He is first in my life. He is my rock, and my strength. I am extremely grateful that He is there for me to lean on, always. I can trust Him to keep His promises, and to never fail me. I can go to Him anytime day or night in prayer and talk to Him about absolutely anything. I praise Him and I thank Him for the many blessings He has given me. When I'm facing a storm, He is there to comfort me, strengthen me, and hold my hand as He walks me through it. He will do the same things for you. If you're facing a storm and feeling overwhelmed as though you can't make it through, I urge you to pray, ask God for comfort, strength and direction. I urge you not to go it alone, but to reach out and take His hand.
If you haven't accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and you have the desire in your heart to do so, don't put it off. Go to God in prayer immediately, right where you are. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins, tell Him you believe that Jesus was born, that He died on the cross for your sins, and that He rose again. Ask Him to come into to your heart and be your Lord and Savior. Friends this is the most important thing you'll ever do, and it is the greatest gift you could ever receive.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Heal the World
James 3:8-12 (KJV) Says "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."
The above scripture makes it clear that having an unruly tongue is serious business. It tells us that an unruly tongue is evil and filled with deadly poison. That's a powerful description, given in an attempt to make perfectly clear the importance of monitoring what we allow to come out of our mouths. The scripture points out that many are using the same tongue to praise God, and to curse their fellow men, who are created by God in His own image. Therefore, out of the same mouths are coming blessings, and cursing. This scripture plainly tells us this should not happen, and gives us examples using a fountain, and stating it can't send forth both sweet and bitter water. Another example it gives us is that a fig tree cannot bring forth both olive berries and figs. The final example it gives us is that a fountain cannot yield both salt water and fresh. A fountain is either spewing salt water or it's spewing fresh water, it cannot spew both from the same spout simultaneously. In other words, we either speak in a manner that is pleasing to God or we don't.
Guarding my tongue, and the things I allow to come out of my mouth has been a work in progress, and initially it was very difficult for me. Although it is a constant work, and will continue to be the longer you work on it, the easier it becomes to monitor your mouth, and the fewer slip ups you have. I am no different from anyone else when it comes to battles of the flesh, we are all mere humans. However, we each need to make a conscious effort to work on the issues that we know we need to correct within ourselves, and the tongue is a great place to start.
Having an unruly tongue is a wide spread problem in today's world, and it is one that seems to be growing at a rapid pace. As Christians, all forms of our communication should reflect that of a Christian. Often times, however, we hear people who identify themselves as Christians say things like "Praise the Lord," "God is good," and then curse someone or something in the same breath. I honestly believe that many Christians have become numb and unconscious in regards to how this type behavior damages their credibility as witnesses for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We can't keep proclaiming to be Christians, and continue to watch filth on television, listen to music filled with cursing and violence, and curse one another using terms like "bitch" which some have even come to accept as endearing. I personally detest the word, and find it alarming that so many people use it to curse, describe, or address the women in their lives. I am sickened by all of the things that have somehow become acceptable in today's society. It is nothing for some who claim to be Christians to sing along to a song on the radio made up of lyrics that should cause a Christian to cringe. Violence, nudity, and cursing, have all become common place on prime time television, and can be found in what many Christians have no problem claiming as their favorite shows.
I believe that most Christians who do these things do them unconsciously, and not to purposefully dishonor God. When we take time to pray and to read and study the Bible,we further develop our personal relationship with God drawing closer to him. This helps keep us more sensitized to wrong behavior allowing the Holy Spirit within us to give us a nudge should we start to do something that as Christians we know we shouldn't. We are living in a world that needs now more than ever for Christians to set a Godly example for all those around them. When we live our lives in a righteous manner, and allow God's light to shine through us it can have a major impact on all those we come in contact with. When we set a Godly example for the children in our lives as they watch us, and follow In our footsteps, it has a profound impact on them as they grow into adults, and head out into the world.
It is time for Christians to start behaving like Christians. I work on watching my mouth, and keeping my behavior in check daily. While knowing I'll never be perfect, I will continue to do my best to live my life in a manner that is pleasing to God, and will do so for as long as I live. The point is we must recognize within ourselves our weaknesses, and begin to work on them. Go to God in prayer and profess to Him that you struggle with this or that sin, and He will give you the strength to conquer it. We can't expect God to answer our prayers, rain blessings down upon us, and do everything we want Him to do, while we continue to ignore the things that we need to work on within ourselves. Most people I know don't reward their children for misbehaving, and God is no different.We are all children of God, and just as we are hurt when our children misbehave, God is hurt when His do.
The world is in a state of devastation, and we desperately need to come together as Christians displaying, love, understanding, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and all other Godly traits as we go about as witnesses for Him. We must keep our mouths pure, our hearts right, and our eyes focused on God, if we have any hope of Him turning this ungodly world around. We should have the desire in our hearts to do what is pleasing and right in the sight of God. If we as Christians will work on ourselves, and our relationship with God, repent of the things we are guilty of, and turn back to Him, He will hear our prayers. Let's join together and pray for the healing of our nation, and for the healing of this world.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
The above scripture makes it clear that having an unruly tongue is serious business. It tells us that an unruly tongue is evil and filled with deadly poison. That's a powerful description, given in an attempt to make perfectly clear the importance of monitoring what we allow to come out of our mouths. The scripture points out that many are using the same tongue to praise God, and to curse their fellow men, who are created by God in His own image. Therefore, out of the same mouths are coming blessings, and cursing. This scripture plainly tells us this should not happen, and gives us examples using a fountain, and stating it can't send forth both sweet and bitter water. Another example it gives us is that a fig tree cannot bring forth both olive berries and figs. The final example it gives us is that a fountain cannot yield both salt water and fresh. A fountain is either spewing salt water or it's spewing fresh water, it cannot spew both from the same spout simultaneously. In other words, we either speak in a manner that is pleasing to God or we don't.
Guarding my tongue, and the things I allow to come out of my mouth has been a work in progress, and initially it was very difficult for me. Although it is a constant work, and will continue to be the longer you work on it, the easier it becomes to monitor your mouth, and the fewer slip ups you have. I am no different from anyone else when it comes to battles of the flesh, we are all mere humans. However, we each need to make a conscious effort to work on the issues that we know we need to correct within ourselves, and the tongue is a great place to start.
Having an unruly tongue is a wide spread problem in today's world, and it is one that seems to be growing at a rapid pace. As Christians, all forms of our communication should reflect that of a Christian. Often times, however, we hear people who identify themselves as Christians say things like "Praise the Lord," "God is good," and then curse someone or something in the same breath. I honestly believe that many Christians have become numb and unconscious in regards to how this type behavior damages their credibility as witnesses for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We can't keep proclaiming to be Christians, and continue to watch filth on television, listen to music filled with cursing and violence, and curse one another using terms like "bitch" which some have even come to accept as endearing. I personally detest the word, and find it alarming that so many people use it to curse, describe, or address the women in their lives. I am sickened by all of the things that have somehow become acceptable in today's society. It is nothing for some who claim to be Christians to sing along to a song on the radio made up of lyrics that should cause a Christian to cringe. Violence, nudity, and cursing, have all become common place on prime time television, and can be found in what many Christians have no problem claiming as their favorite shows.
I believe that most Christians who do these things do them unconsciously, and not to purposefully dishonor God. When we take time to pray and to read and study the Bible,we further develop our personal relationship with God drawing closer to him. This helps keep us more sensitized to wrong behavior allowing the Holy Spirit within us to give us a nudge should we start to do something that as Christians we know we shouldn't. We are living in a world that needs now more than ever for Christians to set a Godly example for all those around them. When we live our lives in a righteous manner, and allow God's light to shine through us it can have a major impact on all those we come in contact with. When we set a Godly example for the children in our lives as they watch us, and follow In our footsteps, it has a profound impact on them as they grow into adults, and head out into the world.
It is time for Christians to start behaving like Christians. I work on watching my mouth, and keeping my behavior in check daily. While knowing I'll never be perfect, I will continue to do my best to live my life in a manner that is pleasing to God, and will do so for as long as I live. The point is we must recognize within ourselves our weaknesses, and begin to work on them. Go to God in prayer and profess to Him that you struggle with this or that sin, and He will give you the strength to conquer it. We can't expect God to answer our prayers, rain blessings down upon us, and do everything we want Him to do, while we continue to ignore the things that we need to work on within ourselves. Most people I know don't reward their children for misbehaving, and God is no different.We are all children of God, and just as we are hurt when our children misbehave, God is hurt when His do.
The world is in a state of devastation, and we desperately need to come together as Christians displaying, love, understanding, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and all other Godly traits as we go about as witnesses for Him. We must keep our mouths pure, our hearts right, and our eyes focused on God, if we have any hope of Him turning this ungodly world around. We should have the desire in our hearts to do what is pleasing and right in the sight of God. If we as Christians will work on ourselves, and our relationship with God, repent of the things we are guilty of, and turn back to Him, He will hear our prayers. Let's join together and pray for the healing of our nation, and for the healing of this world.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Higher And Higher
Genesis Chapter 37 - Chapter 47 tells us the story of Joseph, and of all the trials and tribulations he faced in his life. In Genesis 50:20 (KJV) Joseph says "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
Have you ever found yourself in a low place, and wondered why you were going through the trial or trials that landed you there? When you are in pain and suffering through trials in your life, do you ever wonder where God is in all of it? Most of us have experienced valleys in our lives, and suffered through things that at the moment we couldn't understand. The above scripture tells us that things some people mean for our harm, God will turn around and use for our good. The story of Joseph is an excellent example of this, and of the promise found in Romans 8:28 (KJV) which says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." That means you, me, and all others who have chosen to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Most of us are familiar with the story of Joseph, and his coat of many colors, but let's look at his story in depth. Joseph's father, Jacob, favored Joseph because he was born when Jacob was an old man. Because he favored Joseph, Jacob made and gave to him a coat of many colors. Being aware that their father favored Joseph, his brothers became jealous, and they hated him. They hated him to the degree that they had difficulty even talking to him without sounding agitated. Fuel was added to the fire, when Joseph shared a dream he had with his father, and his brothers. He told them he had dreamed that they were binding sheaves in a field, and his sheave stood up as theirs bowed down to him. This further angered his brothers, and prompted them to ask him if he thought he was going to reign over them. Joseph then dreamed another dream, and shared it with his father, and brother's as well. He told them he dreamed that the sun and the moon, and the eleven stars bowed to him. This further infuriated his brothers, and their hatred for Joseph grew even stronger. Jacob rebuked Joseph asking him if he thought the entire family would one day bow down to him.
Then one day Joseph's father called him, and told him his brothers had gone out to feed the flock, and they'd been gone a long while. Jacob requested that Joseph go find them, and make certain nothing was wrong. Joseph obeyed his father, and headed out. As he approached his brothers they saw him coming toward them, and they began plotting among themselves to kill him. They said here comes the dreamer let's kill him, and put him in a pit then we'll see what becomes of him, and his dreams. They said we can tell our father that a wild beast devoured him. Reuben one of Joseph's brothers had compassion on him, however, and said let's not kill him, but rather throw him in a pit in the wilderness. Reuben had thought to convince them to keep Joseph alive so that he could return him to his father. So when Joseph approached them, his brothers stripped him of his coat of many colors, and threw him into a pit. They then sat down to eat, and as they were eating a group of Ishmaelites happened by. When they came up, Judah, another of Joseph's brothers, said lets not kill Joseph, but instead sell him to the Ishmaelites, then we are rid of him without having to kill our own brother. They did just that. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for 20 pieces of silver, and he was taken to Egypt. Joseph's brothers then killed a goat, dipped his coat of many colors in it, and took it back home with them to their father. They presented the coat to Jacob, their father, and told him that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob's heart was broken.
Joseph was a man of God, but having been thrown into a pit, literally, and sold into slavery by his own brothers had to be devastating. I doubt at that moment Joseph could see the good that God would bring out of this, but he remained steadfast in his faith. When the Ishmaelites arrived in Egypt with Joseph, they sold him to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian. It wasn't long before Joseph's master noticed that God was with him, because everything he touched prospered. After seeing this, he promoted Joseph to overseer of his house, and for a time things went well. Then his master's wife made known to Joseph that she wanted him to be with her. Joseph told her he could not possibly betray his master, and refused her request. She continued her pursuit of Joseph, and one day when they were alone in the house she ripped her clothing, and accused him of rape. Joseph was sent to prison. Now Joseph found himself in another pit. He was in prison for something he didn't do. Here he was again, I'm certain, unsure of how this could possibly turn out for his good, but yet continued to remain steadfast in his faith.
While in prison, Joseph had two fellow prisoners, Pharaoh's chief butler, and his chief baker come to him with dreams they had, desiring an interpretation of them. He advises them that it is God who makes known the interpretation of the dreams to him, and that he just delivers the meaning that God gives him. Then he goes on to interpret their dreams. He advises the chief butler that his dream means Pharaoh will restore him to his duties, and he advises the chief baker that he will be hanged, Joseph requests of the chief butler, that he mention him to Pharaoh after he is restored to his duty in hopes that Pharaoh will release him from prison. In just a few days, the chief butler was restored to his duties, and the chief baker was hanged. When the chief butler was restored, however, he failed to mention Joseph to Pharaoh as he had promised to do. It wasn't until Pharaoh had a dream of his own that no one could interpret that the chief butler remembered Joseph to Pharaoh, telling him that there was one in prison who could interpret his dream So Pharaoh had Joseph brought up, and Joseph tells the king that it is God who interprets the dreams. He advises that his dream is to show him that there will be seven years of plenty during harvest, and that seven years of famine will follow those good years. Pharaoh told Joseph that since God had shown him the interpretation of his dream he was putting him over all Egypt, and that he would be second only to Pharaoh himself. Joseph would be in charge of storing food during the seven years of plenty, and distributing it during the seven years of famine.
Now the famine was in all the land, and Joseph's father, and his brothers didn't have enough to eat. In order to prevent dying from starvation they had to go to Egypt for food. In short Joseph's father, and his brother's wound up in Egypt bowing before a man, asking him to sell them food, a man they would soon learn was Joseph. God had taken Joseph from the pit his brothers threw him in, meaning to cause him harm, to a palace where he was second in charge of Egypt. Joseph not only gives his father and brothers food, but he gets permission from Pharaoh to give them land on which to live.
Joseph remained steadfast in his faith through every trial he faced. He could have hated his brothers, and behaved bitterly toward them, but instead he wept with joy upon seeing them. He had missed them, and his father. He even sends everyone else out of the room when he makes his identity known to prevent them from being embarrassed. He told them as the above scripture states that what they had meant for his harm, God had meant for his good. He advised them that as a result of everything that had transpired he was able to save many lives from starvation. He then made certain they had everything they needed and more, in order to survive the famine. They mistreated him greatly, and in return he repaid them with love and kindness. What a Godly example he set for us.
Are you in a pit? Are you going through something that you feel couldn't possibly be turned around for good? If so, I encourage you to remember Joseph and his story, he was hated, betrayed, sold into slavery, wrongfully accused and placed in prison. God turned all that around for his good. Not only did he bring him out of all those trials, but each time God lifted Joseph up, he lifted him higher and higher. God will do the same thing for you and me, if we do as Joseph did and remain steadfast in our faith, as we go through the trials that we are faced with in our lives.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Have you ever found yourself in a low place, and wondered why you were going through the trial or trials that landed you there? When you are in pain and suffering through trials in your life, do you ever wonder where God is in all of it? Most of us have experienced valleys in our lives, and suffered through things that at the moment we couldn't understand. The above scripture tells us that things some people mean for our harm, God will turn around and use for our good. The story of Joseph is an excellent example of this, and of the promise found in Romans 8:28 (KJV) which says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." That means you, me, and all others who have chosen to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Most of us are familiar with the story of Joseph, and his coat of many colors, but let's look at his story in depth. Joseph's father, Jacob, favored Joseph because he was born when Jacob was an old man. Because he favored Joseph, Jacob made and gave to him a coat of many colors. Being aware that their father favored Joseph, his brothers became jealous, and they hated him. They hated him to the degree that they had difficulty even talking to him without sounding agitated. Fuel was added to the fire, when Joseph shared a dream he had with his father, and his brothers. He told them he had dreamed that they were binding sheaves in a field, and his sheave stood up as theirs bowed down to him. This further angered his brothers, and prompted them to ask him if he thought he was going to reign over them. Joseph then dreamed another dream, and shared it with his father, and brother's as well. He told them he dreamed that the sun and the moon, and the eleven stars bowed to him. This further infuriated his brothers, and their hatred for Joseph grew even stronger. Jacob rebuked Joseph asking him if he thought the entire family would one day bow down to him.
Then one day Joseph's father called him, and told him his brothers had gone out to feed the flock, and they'd been gone a long while. Jacob requested that Joseph go find them, and make certain nothing was wrong. Joseph obeyed his father, and headed out. As he approached his brothers they saw him coming toward them, and they began plotting among themselves to kill him. They said here comes the dreamer let's kill him, and put him in a pit then we'll see what becomes of him, and his dreams. They said we can tell our father that a wild beast devoured him. Reuben one of Joseph's brothers had compassion on him, however, and said let's not kill him, but rather throw him in a pit in the wilderness. Reuben had thought to convince them to keep Joseph alive so that he could return him to his father. So when Joseph approached them, his brothers stripped him of his coat of many colors, and threw him into a pit. They then sat down to eat, and as they were eating a group of Ishmaelites happened by. When they came up, Judah, another of Joseph's brothers, said lets not kill Joseph, but instead sell him to the Ishmaelites, then we are rid of him without having to kill our own brother. They did just that. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for 20 pieces of silver, and he was taken to Egypt. Joseph's brothers then killed a goat, dipped his coat of many colors in it, and took it back home with them to their father. They presented the coat to Jacob, their father, and told him that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob's heart was broken.
Joseph was a man of God, but having been thrown into a pit, literally, and sold into slavery by his own brothers had to be devastating. I doubt at that moment Joseph could see the good that God would bring out of this, but he remained steadfast in his faith. When the Ishmaelites arrived in Egypt with Joseph, they sold him to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian. It wasn't long before Joseph's master noticed that God was with him, because everything he touched prospered. After seeing this, he promoted Joseph to overseer of his house, and for a time things went well. Then his master's wife made known to Joseph that she wanted him to be with her. Joseph told her he could not possibly betray his master, and refused her request. She continued her pursuit of Joseph, and one day when they were alone in the house she ripped her clothing, and accused him of rape. Joseph was sent to prison. Now Joseph found himself in another pit. He was in prison for something he didn't do. Here he was again, I'm certain, unsure of how this could possibly turn out for his good, but yet continued to remain steadfast in his faith.
While in prison, Joseph had two fellow prisoners, Pharaoh's chief butler, and his chief baker come to him with dreams they had, desiring an interpretation of them. He advises them that it is God who makes known the interpretation of the dreams to him, and that he just delivers the meaning that God gives him. Then he goes on to interpret their dreams. He advises the chief butler that his dream means Pharaoh will restore him to his duties, and he advises the chief baker that he will be hanged, Joseph requests of the chief butler, that he mention him to Pharaoh after he is restored to his duty in hopes that Pharaoh will release him from prison. In just a few days, the chief butler was restored to his duties, and the chief baker was hanged. When the chief butler was restored, however, he failed to mention Joseph to Pharaoh as he had promised to do. It wasn't until Pharaoh had a dream of his own that no one could interpret that the chief butler remembered Joseph to Pharaoh, telling him that there was one in prison who could interpret his dream So Pharaoh had Joseph brought up, and Joseph tells the king that it is God who interprets the dreams. He advises that his dream is to show him that there will be seven years of plenty during harvest, and that seven years of famine will follow those good years. Pharaoh told Joseph that since God had shown him the interpretation of his dream he was putting him over all Egypt, and that he would be second only to Pharaoh himself. Joseph would be in charge of storing food during the seven years of plenty, and distributing it during the seven years of famine.
Now the famine was in all the land, and Joseph's father, and his brothers didn't have enough to eat. In order to prevent dying from starvation they had to go to Egypt for food. In short Joseph's father, and his brother's wound up in Egypt bowing before a man, asking him to sell them food, a man they would soon learn was Joseph. God had taken Joseph from the pit his brothers threw him in, meaning to cause him harm, to a palace where he was second in charge of Egypt. Joseph not only gives his father and brothers food, but he gets permission from Pharaoh to give them land on which to live.
Joseph remained steadfast in his faith through every trial he faced. He could have hated his brothers, and behaved bitterly toward them, but instead he wept with joy upon seeing them. He had missed them, and his father. He even sends everyone else out of the room when he makes his identity known to prevent them from being embarrassed. He told them as the above scripture states that what they had meant for his harm, God had meant for his good. He advised them that as a result of everything that had transpired he was able to save many lives from starvation. He then made certain they had everything they needed and more, in order to survive the famine. They mistreated him greatly, and in return he repaid them with love and kindness. What a Godly example he set for us.
Are you in a pit? Are you going through something that you feel couldn't possibly be turned around for good? If so, I encourage you to remember Joseph and his story, he was hated, betrayed, sold into slavery, wrongfully accused and placed in prison. God turned all that around for his good. Not only did he bring him out of all those trials, but each time God lifted Joseph up, he lifted him higher and higher. God will do the same thing for you and me, if we do as Joseph did and remain steadfast in our faith, as we go through the trials that we are faced with in our lives.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Can I Get A Witness?
In John 8:32 (KJV) Jesus says "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. "In Luke 10:16 (KJV) Jesus says "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."In Matthew 5:11-12 (KJV) Jesus says "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
As born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are expected to be witnesses for Him in this world, and to share the gospel with others. It seems that in today's society, however, many believers have opted to keep the good news, and their testimonies to themselves. Meanwhile there are many lost souls who desperately need to come to know Christ. What a shame this epidemic of silence is. I believe a couple of the main reasons people are quiet when it comes to witnessing for the Lord is fear of the reaction they will receive, and concern for what others will think about them in general. This is putting oneself above the work we as Christians are called to do.
The truth is, when we go out into the world and witness to others we can expect various reactions. The above scripture states that the truth will set you free, and I'm here to tell you it will make some folks mad too. When you hear or read the truth of God's word and apply it to your life, it will set you free from sin. When some people hear your testimony or you begin witnessing to them and you touch on something that they are under conviction about they may react in a rude manner toward you. The source of their irritation is not you personally, but rather something within themselves.
The above scripture also tells us that when people hear us, and are open and receptive to the good news as we share it, they are hearing Jesus and being open and receptive to Him. If they despise us then they despise Him, and if they despise Him they despise the one who sent Him. Again, when someone becomes rude or testy with you as you share God's word with them, they are treating Jesus in the same manner. They are uncomfortable with what they see in you, and that is the Holy Spirit. We cannot allow people like this to prevent us from pressing forward as witnesses for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
If you are one who worries about what people think of you then that is a problem you need to go to God in prayer about. Ask God to help you get over caring what others think, and to focus on the work you desire to do for Him. If you witnessed to ten people in one day, and nine of them shunned, mocked, and scoffed at you with only one of them coming to know the Lord as their personal Savior then hallelujah it was worth it. It is always worth it. If all ten of them shunned, mocked, and scoffed at you well then move on to the next ten.
When you have been persecuted in any way because of your belief in the Lord, or while doing His work rejoice. Jesus tells us in the above scripture that we will be rewarded in heaven if we are mistreated for His names sake. Jesus also reminds us that this type treatment is not new, as the prophets were persecuted before us. We cannot let our own ego or negative reactions from others silence us. We must continue to let our light shine and to spread the good news of Almighty God, and his precious gift of salvation. Press forward as a witness for Him, remembering that Jesus Himself was persecuted.
I would like to encourage all believers to serve as witnesses for the Lord, get out there and spread the good news. If you are one who is under conviction then I encourage you to humble yourself before the Lord, and invite Him into your heart. You will become a new creature in Christ, and experience a joy, divine peace and a comfort like you've never before known.
As fellow believers we can set good Christian examples for others through the way we live our lives, and we can serve as powerful witnesses for our Lord and Savior, if we will only choose to do so. Remember Matthew 5:14-15 (KJV) where Jesus says "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." I encourage you to let the light that is Christ within you shine for all the world to see.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
As born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are expected to be witnesses for Him in this world, and to share the gospel with others. It seems that in today's society, however, many believers have opted to keep the good news, and their testimonies to themselves. Meanwhile there are many lost souls who desperately need to come to know Christ. What a shame this epidemic of silence is. I believe a couple of the main reasons people are quiet when it comes to witnessing for the Lord is fear of the reaction they will receive, and concern for what others will think about them in general. This is putting oneself above the work we as Christians are called to do.
The truth is, when we go out into the world and witness to others we can expect various reactions. The above scripture states that the truth will set you free, and I'm here to tell you it will make some folks mad too. When you hear or read the truth of God's word and apply it to your life, it will set you free from sin. When some people hear your testimony or you begin witnessing to them and you touch on something that they are under conviction about they may react in a rude manner toward you. The source of their irritation is not you personally, but rather something within themselves.
The above scripture also tells us that when people hear us, and are open and receptive to the good news as we share it, they are hearing Jesus and being open and receptive to Him. If they despise us then they despise Him, and if they despise Him they despise the one who sent Him. Again, when someone becomes rude or testy with you as you share God's word with them, they are treating Jesus in the same manner. They are uncomfortable with what they see in you, and that is the Holy Spirit. We cannot allow people like this to prevent us from pressing forward as witnesses for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
If you are one who worries about what people think of you then that is a problem you need to go to God in prayer about. Ask God to help you get over caring what others think, and to focus on the work you desire to do for Him. If you witnessed to ten people in one day, and nine of them shunned, mocked, and scoffed at you with only one of them coming to know the Lord as their personal Savior then hallelujah it was worth it. It is always worth it. If all ten of them shunned, mocked, and scoffed at you well then move on to the next ten.
When you have been persecuted in any way because of your belief in the Lord, or while doing His work rejoice. Jesus tells us in the above scripture that we will be rewarded in heaven if we are mistreated for His names sake. Jesus also reminds us that this type treatment is not new, as the prophets were persecuted before us. We cannot let our own ego or negative reactions from others silence us. We must continue to let our light shine and to spread the good news of Almighty God, and his precious gift of salvation. Press forward as a witness for Him, remembering that Jesus Himself was persecuted.
I would like to encourage all believers to serve as witnesses for the Lord, get out there and spread the good news. If you are one who is under conviction then I encourage you to humble yourself before the Lord, and invite Him into your heart. You will become a new creature in Christ, and experience a joy, divine peace and a comfort like you've never before known.
As fellow believers we can set good Christian examples for others through the way we live our lives, and we can serve as powerful witnesses for our Lord and Savior, if we will only choose to do so. Remember Matthew 5:14-15 (KJV) where Jesus says "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." I encourage you to let the light that is Christ within you shine for all the world to see.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Depression
I Kings 19:1-18 (KJV) Says "And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also,, if I take not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under the juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and behold, there was a cake baked on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very Jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets, with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And He said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord, And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way too the wilderness of Damascus; and when thou comest; anoint Hazael to be King over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him."
During the holiday season depression proves to be common among many. People become depressed for various reasons, missing a loved one who has gone home to be with the Lord, financial difficulties, job loss, broken relationships, and the list goes on and on. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of. In the above scripture we see that even Elijah one of the greatest of the prophets experienced many symptoms of depression. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life, he had suicidal tendencies, he was extremely tired, and was struggling with feelings of rejection. He remained in this state for nearly two months.
Just a few days before becoming depressed Elijah had preached a great sermon. He had confronted 400 prophets of Baal, and exposed them as the false prophets that they were. God sent fire down from heaven to consume the sacrifice that Elijah offered, and sent rain down in that area for the first time in three years because of Elijah's faith and obedience. After all of this, however, Elijah finds himself experiencing fear, hopelessness and despair. He runs to a desolate corner of the world desiring to die.
There could be any number of reasons for Elijah's depression, but the point is even he was susceptible to depression.
Notice that God didn't come down and lecture Elijah or make light of his condition. He didn't say something like snap out of it, get up, or get over it, but rather allows Elijah time to rest and to think. God doesn't say a word. He allows Elijah time to sleep, then He has angels feed him, allows him to sleep some more, and has the angels feed him yet again.
After Elijah has had plenty of rest and has eaten, then God begins to deal with his depression. Notice God takes Elijah's depression seriously in no way making light of it. God knows Elijah's suffering from a condition that is real. Rather than lecture Elijah, God deals with him kindly and gently. The first thing the Lord has him to do is go to Mt. Horeb where he spends time talking with God. When, we are feeling depressed finding a quiet place to pray, and read God's word can be very beneficial. If you're feeling down, get some alone time with God.
Secondly, God got Elijah to tell Him what the problem was. God already knew, but He was aware that Elijah having the opportunity to discuss what was troubling him would be therapeutic for him.
Thirdly, God dealt with the false belief's that where running around in his head. God corrects Elijah's thinking. He tells him that he is not the only prophet left and that in fact he has set aside 7,000 more in Israel who have not bowed to Baal. Elijah had fallen into a negative, woe is me way of thinking, and that is typical of people suffering from depression. God talks with him, and he is then able to let those negative thoughts go recognizing them for what they are, and that is lies from Satan.
Lastly, God puts Elijah back to work, giving him tasks that He desires for him to complete. God knows we are only human, and He understands far more than we give Him credit for understanding. He knew exactly what Elijah needed, and He made certain He gave it to him. Elijah was exhausted, hungry, lonely, convinced he was the only prophet left alive, and he was anxious and running in fear. Most if not all of us have experienced this type of despair at one time or another in our lives.
The next time depression begins to creep in on you get some rest, and make sure you are not allowing yourself to go hungry. Lacking in these two areas alone can open the door for a spiral into despair. Once you are rested and have nourishment in your body you will begin to think more clearly. You can then get out and attend Church. Attending Church, and hearing the Word of God is food for your Spirit. It is uplifting, and you also gain fellowship which prevents you from feeling lonely. Now that you're back in balance you're prepared to press forward in whatever work God has planned for you. Never allow yourself to become to hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. If you feel your depression is to deep to deal with without the help of a professional physician, then seek help remembering there is no shame in becoming depressed, and that most if not all of us go through it at one time or another.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
During the holiday season depression proves to be common among many. People become depressed for various reasons, missing a loved one who has gone home to be with the Lord, financial difficulties, job loss, broken relationships, and the list goes on and on. Depression is nothing to be ashamed of. In the above scripture we see that even Elijah one of the greatest of the prophets experienced many symptoms of depression. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life, he had suicidal tendencies, he was extremely tired, and was struggling with feelings of rejection. He remained in this state for nearly two months.
Just a few days before becoming depressed Elijah had preached a great sermon. He had confronted 400 prophets of Baal, and exposed them as the false prophets that they were. God sent fire down from heaven to consume the sacrifice that Elijah offered, and sent rain down in that area for the first time in three years because of Elijah's faith and obedience. After all of this, however, Elijah finds himself experiencing fear, hopelessness and despair. He runs to a desolate corner of the world desiring to die.
There could be any number of reasons for Elijah's depression, but the point is even he was susceptible to depression.
Notice that God didn't come down and lecture Elijah or make light of his condition. He didn't say something like snap out of it, get up, or get over it, but rather allows Elijah time to rest and to think. God doesn't say a word. He allows Elijah time to sleep, then He has angels feed him, allows him to sleep some more, and has the angels feed him yet again.
After Elijah has had plenty of rest and has eaten, then God begins to deal with his depression. Notice God takes Elijah's depression seriously in no way making light of it. God knows Elijah's suffering from a condition that is real. Rather than lecture Elijah, God deals with him kindly and gently. The first thing the Lord has him to do is go to Mt. Horeb where he spends time talking with God. When, we are feeling depressed finding a quiet place to pray, and read God's word can be very beneficial. If you're feeling down, get some alone time with God.
Secondly, God got Elijah to tell Him what the problem was. God already knew, but He was aware that Elijah having the opportunity to discuss what was troubling him would be therapeutic for him.
Thirdly, God dealt with the false belief's that where running around in his head. God corrects Elijah's thinking. He tells him that he is not the only prophet left and that in fact he has set aside 7,000 more in Israel who have not bowed to Baal. Elijah had fallen into a negative, woe is me way of thinking, and that is typical of people suffering from depression. God talks with him, and he is then able to let those negative thoughts go recognizing them for what they are, and that is lies from Satan.
Lastly, God puts Elijah back to work, giving him tasks that He desires for him to complete. God knows we are only human, and He understands far more than we give Him credit for understanding. He knew exactly what Elijah needed, and He made certain He gave it to him. Elijah was exhausted, hungry, lonely, convinced he was the only prophet left alive, and he was anxious and running in fear. Most if not all of us have experienced this type of despair at one time or another in our lives.
The next time depression begins to creep in on you get some rest, and make sure you are not allowing yourself to go hungry. Lacking in these two areas alone can open the door for a spiral into despair. Once you are rested and have nourishment in your body you will begin to think more clearly. You can then get out and attend Church. Attending Church, and hearing the Word of God is food for your Spirit. It is uplifting, and you also gain fellowship which prevents you from feeling lonely. Now that you're back in balance you're prepared to press forward in whatever work God has planned for you. Never allow yourself to become to hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. If you feel your depression is to deep to deal with without the help of a professional physician, then seek help remembering there is no shame in becoming depressed, and that most if not all of us go through it at one time or another.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
All About Me
Romans 15:1-3 (KJV) Says, "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me."
The above verses of scripture plainly tell us that we are suppose to look after those who are weaker than we are. We are not to put our pleasure, and wants above what our weaker brothers and sisters need from us in order to please ourselves. This scripture also explains that Christ provided the ultimate example of this, when all of our reproaches fell on Him. He certainly did not please Himself when He being sinless was crucified on the cross for our sins. He did so knowing that we are weak, but He is strong. That is the ultimate sacrifice, and it was made for us, by the one that is perfect. There are many people in today's all about me society who are unwilling to help those that are weaker than themselves simply because it may interfere with their plans for self indulgence. Many people are suffering from some sort of self-centered syndrome. They are living in a world that they have come to believe revolves around them, and consists of whatever makes them happy.
God never intended for us to be self absorbed, with an unwillingness to help others. I was raised to help those I saw in need of assistance, and to do so without having to be asked. For example, if I drove to a friends house and saw that they were busy with a task, I volunteered to help immediately. Not these days some people will walk within two feet of you, and pretend not to notice you are in need of anything. I was taught to hold the door open for a person entering a store close behind me. These days I advise you to be careful, because there are those who will let the door close on you. If you're on the phone with someone, and mention you have a chore you could use help with, many will wish you well on finding someone to come to your assistance in the matter.
Some of us have family members, and friends who on occasion need to be driven to the grocery store, or a doctor's appointment. If you are one of these people, how do you respond when they ask you to drive them? Do you kindly say yes, and enjoy the time you get to spend with them, or do you instantly begin thinking about what you could be doing for yourself instead? I took my grandmother to the grocery store on occasion before she went home to be with the Lord. I wish I could take her again, and shop until we were asked to leave. I also drove my aunt to work each morning for a season prior to her going home to be with the Lord. I wish I could drive her again, and I'd take the longest route possible. My point is if you have loved ones who need your help, then help them willingly, and enjoy every minute of it.
When we help those that are weaker than us and do so in the right spirit, it is pleasing to God, and we will be rewarded for it. We all need help from someone stronger than us at some time in our lives because we all find ourselves weak on occasion. For example, if we have surgery we need someone to care for us, when we come home. If we grow old and can't drive or have never driven, we need someone to drive us. For various reasons we can all be certain there will be times in our lives, when we need help from others. When we do, what kind of attitude do we want them to have toward our needing assistance from them? I think we all agree on the answer to that question. With that said, the next time someone asks a favor of us, and we are not feeling up to it, maybe we could benefit from calling to mind the golden rule.
Be kind toward those who are weaker than you and be willing to help them, when they are in need. Put their needs before your wants. Do it first and foremost because it is pleasing to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Do it with a good Christian spirit, and not because you will be rewarded for it. Do it because you have the desire to follow Jesus' example of how we are to behave toward one another, and do it out of love. If Jesus, being sinless, can make a sacrifice of such magnitude for all of us, it seems we should be willing to make small sacrifices for one another.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
The above verses of scripture plainly tell us that we are suppose to look after those who are weaker than we are. We are not to put our pleasure, and wants above what our weaker brothers and sisters need from us in order to please ourselves. This scripture also explains that Christ provided the ultimate example of this, when all of our reproaches fell on Him. He certainly did not please Himself when He being sinless was crucified on the cross for our sins. He did so knowing that we are weak, but He is strong. That is the ultimate sacrifice, and it was made for us, by the one that is perfect. There are many people in today's all about me society who are unwilling to help those that are weaker than themselves simply because it may interfere with their plans for self indulgence. Many people are suffering from some sort of self-centered syndrome. They are living in a world that they have come to believe revolves around them, and consists of whatever makes them happy.
God never intended for us to be self absorbed, with an unwillingness to help others. I was raised to help those I saw in need of assistance, and to do so without having to be asked. For example, if I drove to a friends house and saw that they were busy with a task, I volunteered to help immediately. Not these days some people will walk within two feet of you, and pretend not to notice you are in need of anything. I was taught to hold the door open for a person entering a store close behind me. These days I advise you to be careful, because there are those who will let the door close on you. If you're on the phone with someone, and mention you have a chore you could use help with, many will wish you well on finding someone to come to your assistance in the matter.
Some of us have family members, and friends who on occasion need to be driven to the grocery store, or a doctor's appointment. If you are one of these people, how do you respond when they ask you to drive them? Do you kindly say yes, and enjoy the time you get to spend with them, or do you instantly begin thinking about what you could be doing for yourself instead? I took my grandmother to the grocery store on occasion before she went home to be with the Lord. I wish I could take her again, and shop until we were asked to leave. I also drove my aunt to work each morning for a season prior to her going home to be with the Lord. I wish I could drive her again, and I'd take the longest route possible. My point is if you have loved ones who need your help, then help them willingly, and enjoy every minute of it.
When we help those that are weaker than us and do so in the right spirit, it is pleasing to God, and we will be rewarded for it. We all need help from someone stronger than us at some time in our lives because we all find ourselves weak on occasion. For example, if we have surgery we need someone to care for us, when we come home. If we grow old and can't drive or have never driven, we need someone to drive us. For various reasons we can all be certain there will be times in our lives, when we need help from others. When we do, what kind of attitude do we want them to have toward our needing assistance from them? I think we all agree on the answer to that question. With that said, the next time someone asks a favor of us, and we are not feeling up to it, maybe we could benefit from calling to mind the golden rule.
Be kind toward those who are weaker than you and be willing to help them, when they are in need. Put their needs before your wants. Do it first and foremost because it is pleasing to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Do it with a good Christian spirit, and not because you will be rewarded for it. Do it because you have the desire to follow Jesus' example of how we are to behave toward one another, and do it out of love. If Jesus, being sinless, can make a sacrifice of such magnitude for all of us, it seems we should be willing to make small sacrifices for one another.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Run Your Race
Hebrews 12:1-2 (KJV) Says, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
The above scripture tells us that we are surrounded by people who can serve as great witnesses to us on how exactly we are to run the race set before us, and how we are to live out our lives as Christians. It also tells us that we should look to Jesus as the ultimate example because He not only left us instructions on how to do so in scripture, He ran His race, finished it, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
The first thing this passage tells us to do is to lay aside every weight. We cannot run an effective race carrying around a heavy load of guilt, shame, remorse, unforgiveness, worry or any other like baggage. In order to run our race of faith, serve as effective witnesses to others, and follow the plan God has for our lives, we must get rid of any emotional issues that stand in our way. If we have any unsettled emotional baggage, we need to settle whatever issues we have, drop that weight, and move on. If you are carrying around a burden of guilt, shame or remorse due to something you've done, go to God in prayer and ask forgiveness for it. He will forgive you immediately, and when he does don't dwell on whatever it is any longer. Once you ask God for forgiveness you are forgiven so accept that, and move forward without the weight of that burden. If you feel you have offended someone, hurt their feelings, or wronged them in some way, apologize to them. If you owe someone an apology, humble yourself and apologize. Humility is a wonderful trait. If you are carrying around a load of worry take it to the Lord in prayer, and leave it there. Cast your cares on God He loves you and He is always there for you. Leave the weight of your worry in His hands, this also lightens your load enabling you to run your race more effectively.
Another big hindrance to running an effective race is sin. Do you have sins in your life that you know God has been dealing with you about? Do you have anything going on in your life that you know does not coincide with your Christian walk? We all sin as we are all human, and no human being is perfect. There is only one perfect, and that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If you are having a problem with an area in your life that you know is resulting in sin, and you are struggling with letting it go, take the issue to God in prayer. Ask him to forgive you for whatever it is, to grant you the strength to stop whatever it is, and to stay away from it forever. Stay strong, God will help you. Once you decide you're going to listen to God regarding whatever sins He may be dealing with you about, and you make the appropriate changes in your life, you will be able to lay down the weight of your sins, and continue running your race.
We are instructed to run the race set before us with patience, and in order for us to do so, we must drop all of the excess baggage that is weighing us down. We cannot live our lives in a manner that sets a good Christian example for others, and follows the plan God has for our lives, if we are bogged down with extra weight.
Finally we are instructed to look to Jesus as a perfect example of how we are to run our race. He laid out and designed the course, He ran, and finished His race. Jesus experienced what it is like to be in high demand, He was followed every where he went by multitudes of people. He experienced what it was like to have many people wanting something from Him. On more than one occasion he separated Himself from everyone, sought solitude, and prayed. This set a great example for us, in how to prevent becoming overwhelmed. He knew when he needed to be alone, and pray, and He did so. Jesus was mocked, spit on, betrayed, rejected, lied about, beaten, crucified, and suffered in many other ways, still He stayed the course, and He finished the race set before Him.
I would like to encourage you today to lay down any extra weight you've been carrying. Lay it down, and walk away from it. Stay your course, setting an example for others on how a true Christian lives their life. Run your race, following the plan God has for you. When the race gets tough, look to Jesus He experienced many things firsthand, He is all knowing, He is always there for you, and He is greater than any problem you have.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
The above scripture tells us that we are surrounded by people who can serve as great witnesses to us on how exactly we are to run the race set before us, and how we are to live out our lives as Christians. It also tells us that we should look to Jesus as the ultimate example because He not only left us instructions on how to do so in scripture, He ran His race, finished it, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
The first thing this passage tells us to do is to lay aside every weight. We cannot run an effective race carrying around a heavy load of guilt, shame, remorse, unforgiveness, worry or any other like baggage. In order to run our race of faith, serve as effective witnesses to others, and follow the plan God has for our lives, we must get rid of any emotional issues that stand in our way. If we have any unsettled emotional baggage, we need to settle whatever issues we have, drop that weight, and move on. If you are carrying around a burden of guilt, shame or remorse due to something you've done, go to God in prayer and ask forgiveness for it. He will forgive you immediately, and when he does don't dwell on whatever it is any longer. Once you ask God for forgiveness you are forgiven so accept that, and move forward without the weight of that burden. If you feel you have offended someone, hurt their feelings, or wronged them in some way, apologize to them. If you owe someone an apology, humble yourself and apologize. Humility is a wonderful trait. If you are carrying around a load of worry take it to the Lord in prayer, and leave it there. Cast your cares on God He loves you and He is always there for you. Leave the weight of your worry in His hands, this also lightens your load enabling you to run your race more effectively.
Another big hindrance to running an effective race is sin. Do you have sins in your life that you know God has been dealing with you about? Do you have anything going on in your life that you know does not coincide with your Christian walk? We all sin as we are all human, and no human being is perfect. There is only one perfect, and that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If you are having a problem with an area in your life that you know is resulting in sin, and you are struggling with letting it go, take the issue to God in prayer. Ask him to forgive you for whatever it is, to grant you the strength to stop whatever it is, and to stay away from it forever. Stay strong, God will help you. Once you decide you're going to listen to God regarding whatever sins He may be dealing with you about, and you make the appropriate changes in your life, you will be able to lay down the weight of your sins, and continue running your race.
We are instructed to run the race set before us with patience, and in order for us to do so, we must drop all of the excess baggage that is weighing us down. We cannot live our lives in a manner that sets a good Christian example for others, and follows the plan God has for our lives, if we are bogged down with extra weight.
Finally we are instructed to look to Jesus as a perfect example of how we are to run our race. He laid out and designed the course, He ran, and finished His race. Jesus experienced what it is like to be in high demand, He was followed every where he went by multitudes of people. He experienced what it was like to have many people wanting something from Him. On more than one occasion he separated Himself from everyone, sought solitude, and prayed. This set a great example for us, in how to prevent becoming overwhelmed. He knew when he needed to be alone, and pray, and He did so. Jesus was mocked, spit on, betrayed, rejected, lied about, beaten, crucified, and suffered in many other ways, still He stayed the course, and He finished the race set before Him.
I would like to encourage you today to lay down any extra weight you've been carrying. Lay it down, and walk away from it. Stay your course, setting an example for others on how a true Christian lives their life. Run your race, following the plan God has for you. When the race gets tough, look to Jesus He experienced many things firsthand, He is all knowing, He is always there for you, and He is greater than any problem you have.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Be Thankful
Philippians 4:4-7 (KJV) Says "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation's be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
In the above scripture we are told to let our moderation's meaning our graciousness and our ability to be reasonable be known unto all men. The scripture also advises us to be careful for nothing. It instructs us to turn to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving and let our requests be known to Him. That means that we are to worry about nothing, but to take our issues of concern to God, and leave them there, trusting in Him to resolve them in whatever manner He chooses knowing that He has our best interest at heart.
It is all to common for people to find these instructions rather difficult to follow. I would venture to say that we all fall short of coming across as gracious and reasonable on occasion, and most of us could use work in this area. If we begin our day with prayer and God's word, then it will make these things come much easier. I think most of us have no problem taking our worries to God in prayer, but I feel confident that quite a few have difficulty leaving them there. We must remind ourselves that there is no problem to great for God, and that when we leave our worries in His hands there is nowhere better for them to be. When we leave our worries with God, we are showing Him that we trust Him completely, and we gain inner peace knowing our worries are in the best hands possible.
Notice that this scripture encourages us to take everything to God in prayer, with thanksgiving. Being thankful to God is of the utmost importance, and we should never forget to let Him know that we are. We should be thankful to God for everything we have because without Him we would have nothing. When we begin each day with God, praying, reading and studying his word, and giving Him thanks for all things, we strengthen our relationship with Him, and we are much better equipped to face whatever the world sends our way.
Now let's focus on the portion of scripture that advises us to go to God with thanksgiving. We are not born being thankful. When we come into this world the first thing we learn is that if we cry our needs will be met, and rapidly. If we need food, a diaper change, or we want to be held until we go to sleep then we learn we can let out a cry and our Mom will make whatever we need happen, and do so with a quickness.
Growing up we are taught by our parents to be thankful. If someone does something for us, gives us something, pays us a compliment, or blesses us with any other kind gesture, our parents teach us to say thank you. It is during this period that we learn what it means to be thankful, and how to verbally express our gratitude. As we grow older, and begin spending our own money, raising our own children, taking care of ourselves, etc...the depth to which we are grateful grows, and we graduate to a whole new level of thankfulness when it comes to all our parents, grandparents, and others did for us as children. As children we tend to take many things for granite because we haven't had the experiences that teach us how much others have done for us, and how grateful we should be. It is only when we leave the nest, and begin taking care of ourselves and our families that we truly get it.
As adults many of us tend to forget to be thankful to God for all He blesses us with, but rather we fall into the trap of groaning and complaining. When we have a stressful day at work we tend to make statements like I hate my job, in lieu of thanking God we have a job in an economy where they are very difficult to come by. We may complain about having to clean our house, instead of being grateful we are not among the many homeless people in existence today. We may complain about our vehicle because it doesn't look the best instead of thanking God we have transportation. These are just a few examples of how we can allow ourselves to begin to think and feel, when we fail to count our blessings and be thankful to God for all He has blessed us with.
We should give God thanks everyday for all He has blessed us with. The world would be a happier place, if we reversed our celebration of Thanksgiving and expressed our gratitude 364 days a year, while setting aside one day for anyone who feels the need to grumble and complain. This thanksgiving I would like to encourage you to pause and take the time to count your blessings, and to thank God for each of them.
Friends Go to God everyday in prayer, giving thanks for all He's done for you. Take time to count your blessings, and I think you will be surprised at how blessed you truly are. Remember to spend time with God everyday, praying, reading and studying his word, praising Him, and giving thanks. I encourage you to heed the instructions in the above scripture, and accept the divine peace that comes with doing so. I urge you to remember to thank God always for all things.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
In the above scripture we are told to let our moderation's meaning our graciousness and our ability to be reasonable be known unto all men. The scripture also advises us to be careful for nothing. It instructs us to turn to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving and let our requests be known to Him. That means that we are to worry about nothing, but to take our issues of concern to God, and leave them there, trusting in Him to resolve them in whatever manner He chooses knowing that He has our best interest at heart.
It is all to common for people to find these instructions rather difficult to follow. I would venture to say that we all fall short of coming across as gracious and reasonable on occasion, and most of us could use work in this area. If we begin our day with prayer and God's word, then it will make these things come much easier. I think most of us have no problem taking our worries to God in prayer, but I feel confident that quite a few have difficulty leaving them there. We must remind ourselves that there is no problem to great for God, and that when we leave our worries in His hands there is nowhere better for them to be. When we leave our worries with God, we are showing Him that we trust Him completely, and we gain inner peace knowing our worries are in the best hands possible.
Notice that this scripture encourages us to take everything to God in prayer, with thanksgiving. Being thankful to God is of the utmost importance, and we should never forget to let Him know that we are. We should be thankful to God for everything we have because without Him we would have nothing. When we begin each day with God, praying, reading and studying his word, and giving Him thanks for all things, we strengthen our relationship with Him, and we are much better equipped to face whatever the world sends our way.
Now let's focus on the portion of scripture that advises us to go to God with thanksgiving. We are not born being thankful. When we come into this world the first thing we learn is that if we cry our needs will be met, and rapidly. If we need food, a diaper change, or we want to be held until we go to sleep then we learn we can let out a cry and our Mom will make whatever we need happen, and do so with a quickness.
Growing up we are taught by our parents to be thankful. If someone does something for us, gives us something, pays us a compliment, or blesses us with any other kind gesture, our parents teach us to say thank you. It is during this period that we learn what it means to be thankful, and how to verbally express our gratitude. As we grow older, and begin spending our own money, raising our own children, taking care of ourselves, etc...the depth to which we are grateful grows, and we graduate to a whole new level of thankfulness when it comes to all our parents, grandparents, and others did for us as children. As children we tend to take many things for granite because we haven't had the experiences that teach us how much others have done for us, and how grateful we should be. It is only when we leave the nest, and begin taking care of ourselves and our families that we truly get it.
As adults many of us tend to forget to be thankful to God for all He blesses us with, but rather we fall into the trap of groaning and complaining. When we have a stressful day at work we tend to make statements like I hate my job, in lieu of thanking God we have a job in an economy where they are very difficult to come by. We may complain about having to clean our house, instead of being grateful we are not among the many homeless people in existence today. We may complain about our vehicle because it doesn't look the best instead of thanking God we have transportation. These are just a few examples of how we can allow ourselves to begin to think and feel, when we fail to count our blessings and be thankful to God for all He has blessed us with.
We should give God thanks everyday for all He has blessed us with. The world would be a happier place, if we reversed our celebration of Thanksgiving and expressed our gratitude 364 days a year, while setting aside one day for anyone who feels the need to grumble and complain. This thanksgiving I would like to encourage you to pause and take the time to count your blessings, and to thank God for each of them.
Friends Go to God everyday in prayer, giving thanks for all He's done for you. Take time to count your blessings, and I think you will be surprised at how blessed you truly are. Remember to spend time with God everyday, praying, reading and studying his word, praising Him, and giving thanks. I encourage you to heed the instructions in the above scripture, and accept the divine peace that comes with doing so. I urge you to remember to thank God always for all things.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
What Are You Known For?
Genesis 11:3-9 (KJV) Says, "And they said one to another, Go to let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, go to let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one anothers speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth."
As you notice in the above scripture in the beginning all people spoke with one language. In the above passage a group of people had come together to build a city and a tower. They didn't want it to be just any city and tower, however, they wanted it to be grand. This is indicated when they state that the top of the tower may reach heaven, and that they wanted to build a name for themselves. They were planning to build a city and a tower that they felt would give them prestige, and impress those who saw it. This was displeasing to the Lord, and this is made clear, when He comes down and makes the statement that the people are all one and speak one language, and this is what they decide to do this. He therefore spreads them abroad, and gives them different dialects, and languages. They could have come together, and focused on accomplishing work for the Lord, or helping others in need, but no they came together to build a grandiose city and tower to make a great name for themselves. They were prideful, and wanted to be known for greatness. God put an end to that in an instant.
What are you known for? Are you constantly trying to impress others with your possessions? Do you feel the need to drive the most expensive car in the neighborhood? Is it imperative that you have a huge house with which to impress others? Do you deem expensive jewelry a necessity? Do you have to dine at the most expensive restaurants, and shop at the most expensive stores? Do you refuse to wear anything but designer clothes? Do you make certain you work the fact that you do these things and an impressive list of all you own into every conversation possible?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, I encourage to re-evaluate what is truly important in life. Building a reputation of wealth based on pride does not do one single thing in the way of pleasing or serving the Lord. It is material, shallow, and fruitless. More importantly as the above scripture shows us it is not pleasing to God, and it can be gone in an instant. God can put a stop work order on your empire as quickly as he did the people in the above scripture.
We should never strive to impress others with our actions, material possessions, the restaurants we dine at, the people we surround ourselves with or any thing else we have in our solely to impress others collection. When we opt to make impressing others and owning the best of everything for prides sake our goal in life, we can count on the fact that it will not last. If you are one of these people I would like to encourage you to change courses immediately. Focus on things that have value, and are of true importance. Focus on putting God first in your life, and loving him with all your heart, mind, and soul. Focus on surrendering your life to Him, and following the plan He has for your life. Go to Him in prayer, and He will lead guide, and direct you. When you put God first in your life, and you choose to serve Him, He will bless you. Putting God first in your life and serving Him will make you happier than any material possession ever could, and you will experience a divine peace and contentment like you have never before known.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
As you notice in the above scripture in the beginning all people spoke with one language. In the above passage a group of people had come together to build a city and a tower. They didn't want it to be just any city and tower, however, they wanted it to be grand. This is indicated when they state that the top of the tower may reach heaven, and that they wanted to build a name for themselves. They were planning to build a city and a tower that they felt would give them prestige, and impress those who saw it. This was displeasing to the Lord, and this is made clear, when He comes down and makes the statement that the people are all one and speak one language, and this is what they decide to do this. He therefore spreads them abroad, and gives them different dialects, and languages. They could have come together, and focused on accomplishing work for the Lord, or helping others in need, but no they came together to build a grandiose city and tower to make a great name for themselves. They were prideful, and wanted to be known for greatness. God put an end to that in an instant.
What are you known for? Are you constantly trying to impress others with your possessions? Do you feel the need to drive the most expensive car in the neighborhood? Is it imperative that you have a huge house with which to impress others? Do you deem expensive jewelry a necessity? Do you have to dine at the most expensive restaurants, and shop at the most expensive stores? Do you refuse to wear anything but designer clothes? Do you make certain you work the fact that you do these things and an impressive list of all you own into every conversation possible?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, I encourage to re-evaluate what is truly important in life. Building a reputation of wealth based on pride does not do one single thing in the way of pleasing or serving the Lord. It is material, shallow, and fruitless. More importantly as the above scripture shows us it is not pleasing to God, and it can be gone in an instant. God can put a stop work order on your empire as quickly as he did the people in the above scripture.
We should never strive to impress others with our actions, material possessions, the restaurants we dine at, the people we surround ourselves with or any thing else we have in our solely to impress others collection. When we opt to make impressing others and owning the best of everything for prides sake our goal in life, we can count on the fact that it will not last. If you are one of these people I would like to encourage you to change courses immediately. Focus on things that have value, and are of true importance. Focus on putting God first in your life, and loving him with all your heart, mind, and soul. Focus on surrendering your life to Him, and following the plan He has for your life. Go to Him in prayer, and He will lead guide, and direct you. When you put God first in your life, and you choose to serve Him, He will bless you. Putting God first in your life and serving Him will make you happier than any material possession ever could, and you will experience a divine peace and contentment like you have never before known.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The Greatest Commandments
Matthew 22:37-39 (KJV) Says, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." John 13:34 (KJV) Says, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
In the above scripture Jesus tells us we are to first love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, and soul. He tells us that secondly we are to love one another the way he loves us. He also informs us that people recognize us as his disciples by the love we have toward one another. God and our love for Him should always come first. With that said I want to elaborate on the second of the greatest commandments. Imagine how peaceful the world would be and the love that would surround us, if every Christian demonstrated toward their fellow man the kind of love that our Heavenly Father gives us. We would reach a new level of peace in the world, if we all obeyed these two commandments. They are the greatest because if we keep them, it isn't likely that we will break any other commandment. For example, you can't love the Lord with all of your heart mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself, and as God loves you, and then steal from him.
The concept of being nice, and loving one another seems so simple, yet it is far from it. There are several things that can make it difficult to love someone. They may be stubborn, rude, bitter, difficult, sarcastic, or simply not nice. They may disagree with you on every topic imaginable, and they may be the type that can't agree to disagree, but instead love to bait you into a full blown argument. Don't take the bait. These people are just looking for an argument, and your presence is convenient. With that said, we must love them.
I find it easier to show love to people who are difficult, when I pause to consider that they are not behaving this way because it makes them happy. Quite the contrary. More than likely, something is troubling them to such a degree they have grown sour and bitter toward life, and they have chosen to deal with it by mistreating those around them. They may be suppressing hurt and pain caused by an experience in their past that they haven't dealt with. Although these type people make it extremely difficult to love them, the truth is they need our love most of all. We need to pray for them, and help them in any way we can. We need to listen to them, if they desire to talk to us. We need to encourage them to go to God for assistance with what ever is troubling them, put it in His hands, and move forward with the joy filled life God desires them to have. If you are around someone like this on a regular basis, remember it may take time. Pray for them, God may change their heart in an instant. If that isn't the case, then be patient God's timing is perfect. Take baby steps, and continue to pray for them. Your love, patience, and kindness may help them break down the wall they have built around their heart.
As I mentioned above I am well aware that it is not easy to love a person who behaves in an ill manner towards us, but it is the Christian thing to do. It is easy to love someone who is kind and loving toward us, anyone can do that. It is virtually automatic. The true test of a Christian is being able to love those who are difficult to love secondary to their words and actions. It is easy to love someone who agrees with everything we say, those who think like we do, and share our likes and dislikes. There is no challenge in that. What separates disciples of Christ from others is the ability to love people who are behaving in a manner that is not lovable.
I want to encourage you today to remember to love others the way Christ loves you. Be loving, patient, kind, and understanding toward those who are difficult. In so doing, you may make a major difference in that persons life, you are setting a good Christian example, you are showing yourself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and most importantly you are behaving in a manner that is pleasing to your Lord and Savior.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
In the above scripture Jesus tells us we are to first love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, and soul. He tells us that secondly we are to love one another the way he loves us. He also informs us that people recognize us as his disciples by the love we have toward one another. God and our love for Him should always come first. With that said I want to elaborate on the second of the greatest commandments. Imagine how peaceful the world would be and the love that would surround us, if every Christian demonstrated toward their fellow man the kind of love that our Heavenly Father gives us. We would reach a new level of peace in the world, if we all obeyed these two commandments. They are the greatest because if we keep them, it isn't likely that we will break any other commandment. For example, you can't love the Lord with all of your heart mind and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself, and as God loves you, and then steal from him.
The concept of being nice, and loving one another seems so simple, yet it is far from it. There are several things that can make it difficult to love someone. They may be stubborn, rude, bitter, difficult, sarcastic, or simply not nice. They may disagree with you on every topic imaginable, and they may be the type that can't agree to disagree, but instead love to bait you into a full blown argument. Don't take the bait. These people are just looking for an argument, and your presence is convenient. With that said, we must love them.
I find it easier to show love to people who are difficult, when I pause to consider that they are not behaving this way because it makes them happy. Quite the contrary. More than likely, something is troubling them to such a degree they have grown sour and bitter toward life, and they have chosen to deal with it by mistreating those around them. They may be suppressing hurt and pain caused by an experience in their past that they haven't dealt with. Although these type people make it extremely difficult to love them, the truth is they need our love most of all. We need to pray for them, and help them in any way we can. We need to listen to them, if they desire to talk to us. We need to encourage them to go to God for assistance with what ever is troubling them, put it in His hands, and move forward with the joy filled life God desires them to have. If you are around someone like this on a regular basis, remember it may take time. Pray for them, God may change their heart in an instant. If that isn't the case, then be patient God's timing is perfect. Take baby steps, and continue to pray for them. Your love, patience, and kindness may help them break down the wall they have built around their heart.
As I mentioned above I am well aware that it is not easy to love a person who behaves in an ill manner towards us, but it is the Christian thing to do. It is easy to love someone who is kind and loving toward us, anyone can do that. It is virtually automatic. The true test of a Christian is being able to love those who are difficult to love secondary to their words and actions. It is easy to love someone who agrees with everything we say, those who think like we do, and share our likes and dislikes. There is no challenge in that. What separates disciples of Christ from others is the ability to love people who are behaving in a manner that is not lovable.
I want to encourage you today to remember to love others the way Christ loves you. Be loving, patient, kind, and understanding toward those who are difficult. In so doing, you may make a major difference in that persons life, you are setting a good Christian example, you are showing yourself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and most importantly you are behaving in a manner that is pleasing to your Lord and Savior.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Heal The World
Deuteronomy Chapter 28 (KJV) tells us of the blessings we can expect, when we are living our lives in a manner that is pleasing to God, and the curses we can expect, when we are living in a manner that displeases Him. In this passage of scripture Moses is speaking to the Israelites that had been led out of Egypt, and explaining the rewards to be expected if they are obedient to God, and the consequences to expect if they are disobedient to Him.
We are created and born with a freewill, and therefore it is up to us as to how we choose to live our lives, and what path we choose to follow. We can opt, as many do, to take the broad gate and the wide path, which Matthew 3:17 (KJV) tells us leads to destruction, or we can choose to follow God and enter in at the strait gate following the narrow path that Matthew 7:14 (KJV) tells us leads to life.
Many people have chosen the broad gate, and the wide path; yet there seems to be some confusion as to why the world is in a state of devastation, and what exactly if anything we can do about it. Let's take a look at what God promises in Deuteronomy Chapter 28: in the way of curses, when we opt to live our lives in a manner that is disobedient, and unpleasing to Him. This scripture tells us that the consequences for disobedience to God are, that we will be cursed in the cities and in the fields, that the fruit of our land will be cursed, the fruit of our bodies will be cursed, we will not have increase in anything, that we will be cursed coming in and going out, we will suffer with diseases that are long and drawn out, the Lord will blast us with fever, burning pain, inflammation, the sword, mildew,and with tumors, scabs, itches that cannot be healed.We will be cursed with madness and blindness. We will not prosper in our ways, and will be oppressed by our enemies and no man shall save us. If a man takes a wife another man will sleep with her. The fruit of our land and all our labors shall a nation that we are not familiar with eat up. The sight of the things we behold with our eyes will drive us mad. Much seed will be planted in the fields, but little harvest will be carried in. Worms will eat the grapes of the vineyards, and locust will eat the trees and fruit of the land. To sum it up there are consequences for disobeying God, just like there are consequences for all other decisions we make.
Just as there are negative consequences for disobedience to God, there are blessings for obedience to him. Let's look at a few of those promised in Deuteronomy Chapter 28 : All of these blessings will come upon us and overtake us, if we are obedient to God. We will be blessed in the cities and in the fields, blessed will be the fruit of our bodies, and we will have increase. We will be blessed coming in and going out. Our enemies will flee before us, and all that we put our hands to will be blessed. The Lord will see to it that we have plenty of everything we need. The Lord will open the treasures of heaven and rain blessings upon us. He will bless the work of our hands and we shall lend to many nations and not borrow. He will make us the head and not the tail, if we will only obey His commandments, choose to follow Him, and walk in his ways.
I think we all know that there are consequences for disobedience whether it is disobeying our parents, breaking the laws of society, breaking the rules at work or at school, and it is not any different with God. We are His children, and when we are disobedient to Him, there are consequences. Moses may have been talking to the Israelites in the above scripture, but the rules still apply today. There is mass evidence that they do, and it can be found all around us. We are constantly having recalls on food due to salmonella, ecoli, and other bacterias, there are many people suffering from various diseases, and long drawn out sicknesses. There are staph infections that have no cure, flesh eating bacteria, our nation has many enemies, and we are borrowing from other nations not lending. I don't think we have to search any further for an answer as to whether or not the above scripture applies to all of God's children, and whether or not it is still relevant today.
As for what we can do about it, the good news is God is loving, merciful, kind, and forgiving. Matthew Chapter 30 (KJV) tells us if we go to God in prayer, repent of our sins, and turn back to Him, He will forgive us, restore us, and rain blessings down upon us once more. We must come together as Christians, pray for the healing of our nation, and pray for those who have gone astray to repent and turn back to God. If we remain in denial about exactly what the problem is with the world, and why thing's are in a down hill spiral we will never have the peaceful, joyous, blessed lives that God intended for us to have. The longer people remain in denial refusing to turn back to God the worse things will get.
I know that there are those that only desire to hear scripture which contains promises from God that will bless them. The truth of the matter is, however, we cannot search God's word for what we want to hear, and what blessings He has in store for us while omitting the ones that instruct us on how we are to live our lives, and what things God expects from us in order to receive his blessings. It doesn't work that way. Pray for peace, repentance, love, kindness, mercy, and understanding toward one another. Pray for our nation and it's leaders, pray for the lost souls of this world. Pray for those who have strayed from the Lord to repent, and turn again to Him. Pray for healing all over the world. Pray that all people will opt to enter in at the strait gate, and that they will have the desire to walk the narrow way. We must come together, ask forgiveness for our disobedience, and turn back to God, if we have any intention of doing our part to heal the world.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
We are created and born with a freewill, and therefore it is up to us as to how we choose to live our lives, and what path we choose to follow. We can opt, as many do, to take the broad gate and the wide path, which Matthew 3:17 (KJV) tells us leads to destruction, or we can choose to follow God and enter in at the strait gate following the narrow path that Matthew 7:14 (KJV) tells us leads to life.
Many people have chosen the broad gate, and the wide path; yet there seems to be some confusion as to why the world is in a state of devastation, and what exactly if anything we can do about it. Let's take a look at what God promises in Deuteronomy Chapter 28: in the way of curses, when we opt to live our lives in a manner that is disobedient, and unpleasing to Him. This scripture tells us that the consequences for disobedience to God are, that we will be cursed in the cities and in the fields, that the fruit of our land will be cursed, the fruit of our bodies will be cursed, we will not have increase in anything, that we will be cursed coming in and going out, we will suffer with diseases that are long and drawn out, the Lord will blast us with fever, burning pain, inflammation, the sword, mildew,and with tumors, scabs, itches that cannot be healed.We will be cursed with madness and blindness. We will not prosper in our ways, and will be oppressed by our enemies and no man shall save us. If a man takes a wife another man will sleep with her. The fruit of our land and all our labors shall a nation that we are not familiar with eat up. The sight of the things we behold with our eyes will drive us mad. Much seed will be planted in the fields, but little harvest will be carried in. Worms will eat the grapes of the vineyards, and locust will eat the trees and fruit of the land. To sum it up there are consequences for disobeying God, just like there are consequences for all other decisions we make.
Just as there are negative consequences for disobedience to God, there are blessings for obedience to him. Let's look at a few of those promised in Deuteronomy Chapter 28 : All of these blessings will come upon us and overtake us, if we are obedient to God. We will be blessed in the cities and in the fields, blessed will be the fruit of our bodies, and we will have increase. We will be blessed coming in and going out. Our enemies will flee before us, and all that we put our hands to will be blessed. The Lord will see to it that we have plenty of everything we need. The Lord will open the treasures of heaven and rain blessings upon us. He will bless the work of our hands and we shall lend to many nations and not borrow. He will make us the head and not the tail, if we will only obey His commandments, choose to follow Him, and walk in his ways.
I think we all know that there are consequences for disobedience whether it is disobeying our parents, breaking the laws of society, breaking the rules at work or at school, and it is not any different with God. We are His children, and when we are disobedient to Him, there are consequences. Moses may have been talking to the Israelites in the above scripture, but the rules still apply today. There is mass evidence that they do, and it can be found all around us. We are constantly having recalls on food due to salmonella, ecoli, and other bacterias, there are many people suffering from various diseases, and long drawn out sicknesses. There are staph infections that have no cure, flesh eating bacteria, our nation has many enemies, and we are borrowing from other nations not lending. I don't think we have to search any further for an answer as to whether or not the above scripture applies to all of God's children, and whether or not it is still relevant today.
As for what we can do about it, the good news is God is loving, merciful, kind, and forgiving. Matthew Chapter 30 (KJV) tells us if we go to God in prayer, repent of our sins, and turn back to Him, He will forgive us, restore us, and rain blessings down upon us once more. We must come together as Christians, pray for the healing of our nation, and pray for those who have gone astray to repent and turn back to God. If we remain in denial about exactly what the problem is with the world, and why thing's are in a down hill spiral we will never have the peaceful, joyous, blessed lives that God intended for us to have. The longer people remain in denial refusing to turn back to God the worse things will get.
I know that there are those that only desire to hear scripture which contains promises from God that will bless them. The truth of the matter is, however, we cannot search God's word for what we want to hear, and what blessings He has in store for us while omitting the ones that instruct us on how we are to live our lives, and what things God expects from us in order to receive his blessings. It doesn't work that way. Pray for peace, repentance, love, kindness, mercy, and understanding toward one another. Pray for our nation and it's leaders, pray for the lost souls of this world. Pray for those who have strayed from the Lord to repent, and turn again to Him. Pray for healing all over the world. Pray that all people will opt to enter in at the strait gate, and that they will have the desire to walk the narrow way. We must come together, ask forgiveness for our disobedience, and turn back to God, if we have any intention of doing our part to heal the world.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Knowing This
Galatians 3:26 (KJV) Says "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
I Corinthians 3:16 (KJV) Says "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV) Says "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee nor forsake thee."
The above scripture tells us that we are all children of God, and once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Spirit of God comes to dwell in us. It also tells us that God will not fail us, and that He will not forsake us. John 3:16 (KJV) Says "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This scripture tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us so that we may have eternal life. Knowing these things, how could we ever, under any circumstances, allow another human being to make us feel unworthy, inferior, incompetent, or inadequate?
Unfortunately, many people do allow others to chip away at their self esteem until they are convinced that they're unworthy, inferior, incompetent, and inadequate. The truth is those who choose to berate others feel inadequate themselves, and therefore they think they have to bring people down to where they feel they are in order not to feel threatened by the person's potential. Berating others, and convincing them they are worthless, allows them to be in full control. They are full of insecurity, fear, and a lack of self worth. By berating others continually, and having them convinced what they're saying is true, they are able to control how the person thinks, feels, and how they see themselves. This allows the controller to keep the person exactly where they want them. Controllers will behave as though they are superior to others, when in fact, they feel inferior, and that is why they behave in the manner they do.
When we buy the negativity that a controller spews, we allow them to virtually steal our lives from us. It is highly unlikely that someone who is being berated by another human being, and believes all they are being told will ever fulfill the plan God has for their life. It is also highly unlikely that the controller will ever fulfill the plan God has for their life because somewhere along the way they have been convinced that they are unworthy. It is truly a vicious cycle, and it is one in which there are no winners.
If you are a controller, I encourage you to go to God in prayer, and ask him to help you deal with whatever it is that is troubling you. Maybe someone in your past has hurt you, someone made you feel inadequate and you can't seem to get past it, someone you love rejected you, whatever the problem is, take it to God in prayer, and ask Him to heal your heart. If you have a friend, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, family member, co-worker or someone else in your life that is a controller, I encourage you not to fall prey to their discouragement, and not to believe the lies they tell you about yourself. Do not allow another human being to convince you that you are unworthy, or allow them to crush your self esteem and take control your life.
Whether you are the victim of someone attempting to control you or you're one who attempts to control others, and you have the desire to heal, I encourage you to remember the above verses of scripture, and the power within them. You are a child of God, the Holy Spirit dwells within you, God will never leave you nor forsake you, and God loves you tremendously. That is the truth of God's word. Knowing this truth, there is no way any one of us should ever allow ourselves to be made to feel inadequate, and unworthy, and no one should feel so inadequate that they feel they need to control others. In the end, the decision is yours. Are you going to choose to believe the things that people say to berate and belittle you? Are you going to allow another human being to control your life? Are you going to spend your life attempting to control others? Or, are you going to choose to believe the truth of God's Word and to remind yourself of who you are in Christ?
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
I Corinthians 3:16 (KJV) Says "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV) Says "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee nor forsake thee."
The above scripture tells us that we are all children of God, and once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Spirit of God comes to dwell in us. It also tells us that God will not fail us, and that He will not forsake us. John 3:16 (KJV) Says "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." This scripture tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us so that we may have eternal life. Knowing these things, how could we ever, under any circumstances, allow another human being to make us feel unworthy, inferior, incompetent, or inadequate?
Unfortunately, many people do allow others to chip away at their self esteem until they are convinced that they're unworthy, inferior, incompetent, and inadequate. The truth is those who choose to berate others feel inadequate themselves, and therefore they think they have to bring people down to where they feel they are in order not to feel threatened by the person's potential. Berating others, and convincing them they are worthless, allows them to be in full control. They are full of insecurity, fear, and a lack of self worth. By berating others continually, and having them convinced what they're saying is true, they are able to control how the person thinks, feels, and how they see themselves. This allows the controller to keep the person exactly where they want them. Controllers will behave as though they are superior to others, when in fact, they feel inferior, and that is why they behave in the manner they do.
When we buy the negativity that a controller spews, we allow them to virtually steal our lives from us. It is highly unlikely that someone who is being berated by another human being, and believes all they are being told will ever fulfill the plan God has for their life. It is also highly unlikely that the controller will ever fulfill the plan God has for their life because somewhere along the way they have been convinced that they are unworthy. It is truly a vicious cycle, and it is one in which there are no winners.
If you are a controller, I encourage you to go to God in prayer, and ask him to help you deal with whatever it is that is troubling you. Maybe someone in your past has hurt you, someone made you feel inadequate and you can't seem to get past it, someone you love rejected you, whatever the problem is, take it to God in prayer, and ask Him to heal your heart. If you have a friend, spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, family member, co-worker or someone else in your life that is a controller, I encourage you not to fall prey to their discouragement, and not to believe the lies they tell you about yourself. Do not allow another human being to convince you that you are unworthy, or allow them to crush your self esteem and take control your life.
Whether you are the victim of someone attempting to control you or you're one who attempts to control others, and you have the desire to heal, I encourage you to remember the above verses of scripture, and the power within them. You are a child of God, the Holy Spirit dwells within you, God will never leave you nor forsake you, and God loves you tremendously. That is the truth of God's word. Knowing this truth, there is no way any one of us should ever allow ourselves to be made to feel inadequate, and unworthy, and no one should feel so inadequate that they feel they need to control others. In the end, the decision is yours. Are you going to choose to believe the things that people say to berate and belittle you? Are you going to allow another human being to control your life? Are you going to spend your life attempting to control others? Or, are you going to choose to believe the truth of God's Word and to remind yourself of who you are in Christ?
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
The Love Of Money
I Timothy 6:10 (KJV) Says "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Many people say that money is the root of all evil, but as the above verse of scripture tells us it is not money, but the love of money that is the root of all evil. This scripture uses the term root meaning source, and the love of money is the source of many types of evil. It is not the only source from which all evil comes, but it is a major one. There are those who have strayed in different ways from their faith while striving to increase their bank account. The above verse of scripture also tells us that some have coveted after money causing themselves much sorrow meaning some have sought money to the degree that they made it their goal in life, and in the end they were filled with sorrow.
For these people the line between what they need, and what they want becomes blurred. Need is a strong word, and one that is misused quite often. For example, if you have a three bedroom house and two children, but would like a fourth bedroom for a home office, that fourth bedroom is a want not a need. Friends, be careful not to spend so much time earning money that you abandon God, family, and friends in order to do so. It is necessary to work and provide for your family, but to spend so much time working that you abandon faith, family and friends due to your love for the almighty dollar is to head down a road that leads to sorrow. The truth is for those who fall into the trap of chasing money, there will never be a time when they feel they have earned enough of it to relax. The million dollar question is what is enough?
If you are doing your part to provide for your family then God will certainly do His. Luke 12:27-31 (KJV) Says "Consider the lilies how they grow they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." This scripture plainly tells us that if we put God first in our lives, then there is no need to worry that we will lack clothing, go hungry, or thirst to death because God knows what we need, and He will provide it.
Don't spend so much time working that you push God to the side, and declare that you have no control over having done so. Don't spend so much time working that your children grow up without you having spent any time with them. Don't spend so much time working you grow old, and have no friends because you neglected them for years. What good is a large bank account, when in the end you find yourself lacking all that truly matters?
I would like to encourage you to evaluate where you place money on your list of priorities. Is God first in your life? Do you spend enough time with Him? Do you spend enough time with your children? With your other family members? Do you make time for your friends? Are you headed down a path that leads to sorrow? I have spent time with quite a few people on their death bed, and I've watched as some drew their last breath. Not one of these people, let me reiterate here, Not One of them requested that I bring them their purse or their wallet, but there is one thing they all ask for, and that was their loved ones. Each one of them requested that they be surrounded by the people they loved. They wanted to see them one last time.
Do your part to provide for yourself and your family, put God first in your life. Spend time with your children, and make time for your family and friends. Do it while there is time. In the end you'll be glad you did. I have attended many funerals in my life, and I can promise you this not once have I seen a Brinks truck follow a hearse to the cemetery.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Many people say that money is the root of all evil, but as the above verse of scripture tells us it is not money, but the love of money that is the root of all evil. This scripture uses the term root meaning source, and the love of money is the source of many types of evil. It is not the only source from which all evil comes, but it is a major one. There are those who have strayed in different ways from their faith while striving to increase their bank account. The above verse of scripture also tells us that some have coveted after money causing themselves much sorrow meaning some have sought money to the degree that they made it their goal in life, and in the end they were filled with sorrow.
For these people the line between what they need, and what they want becomes blurred. Need is a strong word, and one that is misused quite often. For example, if you have a three bedroom house and two children, but would like a fourth bedroom for a home office, that fourth bedroom is a want not a need. Friends, be careful not to spend so much time earning money that you abandon God, family, and friends in order to do so. It is necessary to work and provide for your family, but to spend so much time working that you abandon faith, family and friends due to your love for the almighty dollar is to head down a road that leads to sorrow. The truth is for those who fall into the trap of chasing money, there will never be a time when they feel they have earned enough of it to relax. The million dollar question is what is enough?
If you are doing your part to provide for your family then God will certainly do His. Luke 12:27-31 (KJV) Says "Consider the lilies how they grow they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." This scripture plainly tells us that if we put God first in our lives, then there is no need to worry that we will lack clothing, go hungry, or thirst to death because God knows what we need, and He will provide it.
Don't spend so much time working that you push God to the side, and declare that you have no control over having done so. Don't spend so much time working that your children grow up without you having spent any time with them. Don't spend so much time working you grow old, and have no friends because you neglected them for years. What good is a large bank account, when in the end you find yourself lacking all that truly matters?
I would like to encourage you to evaluate where you place money on your list of priorities. Is God first in your life? Do you spend enough time with Him? Do you spend enough time with your children? With your other family members? Do you make time for your friends? Are you headed down a path that leads to sorrow? I have spent time with quite a few people on their death bed, and I've watched as some drew their last breath. Not one of these people, let me reiterate here, Not One of them requested that I bring them their purse or their wallet, but there is one thing they all ask for, and that was their loved ones. Each one of them requested that they be surrounded by the people they loved. They wanted to see them one last time.
Do your part to provide for yourself and your family, put God first in your life. Spend time with your children, and make time for your family and friends. Do it while there is time. In the end you'll be glad you did. I have attended many funerals in my life, and I can promise you this not once have I seen a Brinks truck follow a hearse to the cemetery.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Bitterness
Hebrews 12:15 (KJV) Says "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled,"
The above verse of scripture reminds us that bitterness has roots, and as we know roots grow deep and spread out. When a plant first bursts through the soil it appears tiny, but if the root system of that plant were exposed, the plant wouldn't seem tiny at all. The roots of bitterness are very similar to the roots of a plant in that they too spread out, are deep, and continue to grow. Bitterness eats away at every aspect of your life, and it will not cease until you get rid of it in its entirety. It has destroyed families, relationships, businesses, and the spiritual lives of many individuals.
Life is full of disappointments, and there will always be people who hurt and offend us. Jesus Says in Luke 17:1 (KJV) "It is impossible but that offenses will come:" He is telling us here that it is inevitable that we will be hurt, disappointed, and offended in this life. We do not, however, have to allow the offenses, disappointments, and pain to take root and spread bitterness into every aspect of our lives. We can instead opt to respond in a manner of forgiveness, and move forward maintaining our sense of joy and peace.
Most of us either know or have known someone who has allowed bitterness to consume them. If you ask them what's wrong they give you a stern one word response like "nothing," but by their demeanor you can see that something or someone in their life has caused them a great deal of emotional pain. They no longer find joy in anything, they become angry when certain topics are discussed, they always have something negative to say about whatever is being discussed, they refuse to smile, and laughter is out of the question. They become the grumpy old lady who lives in the house on the corner or the grumpy old man who wears a frown daily. Almost every neighborhood has individuals like this residing in their midst, and everyone knows who they are. The things they get snippy about are often small, and it is very obvious they are suffering from deep emotional pain.
People who live their lives in a constant state of agitation and anger stemming from a seed of bitterness couldn't possibly want to go around feeling that way. They have allowed bitterness to spread within their spirit to the degree that they see no way of conquering it. They have allowed the pain caused by disappointment, hurt or offense to consume them, and they have accepted a life of bitterness as their fate.
If you know you're bitter about something and it has taken over your life, decide today that you are no longer going to allow it to have control over you. If you need to forgive someone do so, and move on. Forgiving is healing for you. I urge you to go to God in prayer, and ask Him to help you move past whatever is causing the pain and bitterness in your life. God never intended for any of his children to live bitter lives. He wants us to have joy, happiness, divine peace and contentment, and that is not possible as long as we are harboring bitterness. Decide today that you are going to live the life of happiness that God desires for you to live. Get rid of the bitterness you're harboring roots and all. Knock down the wall you've built around your heart, and give love, trust, happiness, and life another chance. I encourage you to remember that God loves you, and that with Him all things are possible.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
The above verse of scripture reminds us that bitterness has roots, and as we know roots grow deep and spread out. When a plant first bursts through the soil it appears tiny, but if the root system of that plant were exposed, the plant wouldn't seem tiny at all. The roots of bitterness are very similar to the roots of a plant in that they too spread out, are deep, and continue to grow. Bitterness eats away at every aspect of your life, and it will not cease until you get rid of it in its entirety. It has destroyed families, relationships, businesses, and the spiritual lives of many individuals.
Life is full of disappointments, and there will always be people who hurt and offend us. Jesus Says in Luke 17:1 (KJV) "It is impossible but that offenses will come:" He is telling us here that it is inevitable that we will be hurt, disappointed, and offended in this life. We do not, however, have to allow the offenses, disappointments, and pain to take root and spread bitterness into every aspect of our lives. We can instead opt to respond in a manner of forgiveness, and move forward maintaining our sense of joy and peace.
Most of us either know or have known someone who has allowed bitterness to consume them. If you ask them what's wrong they give you a stern one word response like "nothing," but by their demeanor you can see that something or someone in their life has caused them a great deal of emotional pain. They no longer find joy in anything, they become angry when certain topics are discussed, they always have something negative to say about whatever is being discussed, they refuse to smile, and laughter is out of the question. They become the grumpy old lady who lives in the house on the corner or the grumpy old man who wears a frown daily. Almost every neighborhood has individuals like this residing in their midst, and everyone knows who they are. The things they get snippy about are often small, and it is very obvious they are suffering from deep emotional pain.
People who live their lives in a constant state of agitation and anger stemming from a seed of bitterness couldn't possibly want to go around feeling that way. They have allowed bitterness to spread within their spirit to the degree that they see no way of conquering it. They have allowed the pain caused by disappointment, hurt or offense to consume them, and they have accepted a life of bitterness as their fate.
If you know you're bitter about something and it has taken over your life, decide today that you are no longer going to allow it to have control over you. If you need to forgive someone do so, and move on. Forgiving is healing for you. I urge you to go to God in prayer, and ask Him to help you move past whatever is causing the pain and bitterness in your life. God never intended for any of his children to live bitter lives. He wants us to have joy, happiness, divine peace and contentment, and that is not possible as long as we are harboring bitterness. Decide today that you are going to live the life of happiness that God desires for you to live. Get rid of the bitterness you're harboring roots and all. Knock down the wall you've built around your heart, and give love, trust, happiness, and life another chance. I encourage you to remember that God loves you, and that with Him all things are possible.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Out Of Step
Galatians 6:1-2 (KJV) Says "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
In the above scripture Paul is advising that it is our responsibility to help fellow Christians who we see straying from their walk with Christ. If we are aware that a fellow believer is being overtaken by sin and straying from their Christian walk, we are to go to them in the spirit of meekness, meaning with a gentle approach, and assist in guiding them back to the Lord. It is our responsibility to encourage them with love, kindness and understanding with the hope they opt to repent and be restored. If we approach them with harsh criticism and judgment, that will serve only to push them further away. Paul also advises that as we approach them we are to consider ourselves, meaning we are only human, and we must be mindful that we are not tempted and overtaken by sin while attempting to encourage our brother or sister in Christ.
If you see someone falling away from the Lord, pray for them and approach them as soon as you notice. The earlier you approach them the better, because the further they stray from their walk with God, the more difficult it will be to get them to return. The earlier you approach them, the more willing they will probably be to listen to you, and the more open their heart will be to receive your encouragement. You may want to invite them to lunch, or to dinner, call them on the phone, or offer some other gesture that reminds them you are there for them, and that you care. We must be careful not to be overzealous in attempting to encourage them, however, because we certainly don't want to become annoying and increase any resistance they may have to hearing us.
Being only human it is in our nature to sin and we are all guilty of doing so. Romans 3:23 (KJV) Says "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." When we see a fellow Christian getting further and further out of step with the Lord, however, we need to pray for them and let them know we notice, we care, we are there for them, and that we love them, and we need to do it as soon as possible. Sin is like a wound in that, if treated early it can be healed with relative ease, but if left untreated becomes an infection that runs rampant continuing to spread, and destroying everything in it's wake. We must support, uplift, strengthen, and encourage one another with brotherly love; as we are all one in Christ Jesus.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
In the above scripture Paul is advising that it is our responsibility to help fellow Christians who we see straying from their walk with Christ. If we are aware that a fellow believer is being overtaken by sin and straying from their Christian walk, we are to go to them in the spirit of meekness, meaning with a gentle approach, and assist in guiding them back to the Lord. It is our responsibility to encourage them with love, kindness and understanding with the hope they opt to repent and be restored. If we approach them with harsh criticism and judgment, that will serve only to push them further away. Paul also advises that as we approach them we are to consider ourselves, meaning we are only human, and we must be mindful that we are not tempted and overtaken by sin while attempting to encourage our brother or sister in Christ.
If you see someone falling away from the Lord, pray for them and approach them as soon as you notice. The earlier you approach them the better, because the further they stray from their walk with God, the more difficult it will be to get them to return. The earlier you approach them, the more willing they will probably be to listen to you, and the more open their heart will be to receive your encouragement. You may want to invite them to lunch, or to dinner, call them on the phone, or offer some other gesture that reminds them you are there for them, and that you care. We must be careful not to be overzealous in attempting to encourage them, however, because we certainly don't want to become annoying and increase any resistance they may have to hearing us.
Being only human it is in our nature to sin and we are all guilty of doing so. Romans 3:23 (KJV) Says "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." When we see a fellow Christian getting further and further out of step with the Lord, however, we need to pray for them and let them know we notice, we care, we are there for them, and that we love them, and we need to do it as soon as possible. Sin is like a wound in that, if treated early it can be healed with relative ease, but if left untreated becomes an infection that runs rampant continuing to spread, and destroying everything in it's wake. We must support, uplift, strengthen, and encourage one another with brotherly love; as we are all one in Christ Jesus.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Angels Among Us
Hebrews 1:13-14 (KJV) Says "But to which of the angels said he at any time, sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" Hebrews 13:2 (KJV) Says "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
In the first verses of scripture listed above, the writer of Hebrews is explaining that Christ is superior to the angels, and that angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who are heirs of salvation. Then we are told in Hebrews 13:2 that it is possible for us to have encounters with angels, and be completely unaware of it. In Genesis Chapter 18 (KJV) three angels visit Abraham, and in Chapter 19 of Genesis (KJV) two angels visit Lot. Angels are mentioned numerous times in the Bible, and they are not always identified as angels by those they are sent forth to visit.
I have no doubt that angels exist, and that they come in contact with people; sometimes without being identified as angels. This has been evident in my life, and in the lives of some who opted to tell me about their experiences. Allow me to share a couple of those amazing stories with you.
One man who I know very well, was struggling with some rather large issues in his life and was headed down a path of self-destruction. He had been saved and baptized some years back, and had always believed strongly in the Lord. During his recent struggles, however, he had not turned to the Lord for help, and guidance. He found himself at a loss, and his spirit was deeply troubled. Then one day he was several feet away from a pay phone, when it began to ring. He stared at the phone, and knowing the call wouldn't be for him he opted to let it ring. It rang continuously, and when it became obvious that it wasn't going to stop ringing until someone answered it, he chose to pick up the receiver. He lifted the phone to his ear and said hello. The caller responded with a question. Do you know Jesus? The man wanted to make certain he heard the caller correctly, and so he said pardon me? The caller repeated the question. Do you know Jesus? The man answered yes and the caller fell silent. Seconds later the man heard nothing but a dial tone. Jesus was the answer to this man's problems, but he had been so troubled he had failed to see that help was only a prayer away. That man was reminded to turn to Jesus that day, and he did just that. Though all of his problems didn't vanish in an instant, he brought God and prayer back to the forefront of his life, and that has remained.Who was that caller with perfect timing, and a perfect one liner? The caller was a stranger, but was he an angel? I think so.
I was blessed, and honored to have a long friendship with a great man, Captain Sammie Davis, who has now gone home to be with the Lord. As a firefighter, he spent many years rescuing people, fighting fires, and saving lives. Needless to say he worked closely with death, and he saw many things that most of us will go through our entire lives without ever seeing. After he retired we had many opportunity's to have long chats, and he would share stories, telling me about some of the experiences he had while serving with the fire department. During one of our conversations he told me a story I'll never forget. He told me he was working an apartment fire one night, and it was no small fire. He and the other firemen were going up and down a flight of stairs carrying people out of their apartments, and some of the people were in pretty bad shape, suffering from smoke inhalation. He said he carried one woman down, and it was certain she wasn't going to make it. He told me that as he knelt down beside her he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He looked up, and saw a woman in a beautiful white gown. He said the gown was so white it had a brightness about it. He said the woman in the gown knelt down beside him, and ask if she could pray with the woman he had just brought out of the fire. He told her sure, and so she took the woman's hand and said what he described as one of the sweetest prayers he had ever heard. He had bowed his head and closed his eyes as the woman was praying, and when he opened his eyes he found that the woman had disappeared as quickly as she had appeared. He was baffled because there had not been ample time for her to walk out of sight before he opened his eyes. He said he went around asking other people if they'd seen her, but no one had.This story touched my friends heart, and when he shared it with me, it touched mine. The woman he carried out of the fire passed away, and the woman who prayed for her... Well, did she come to share the final moments of this woman's life? To escort her home? She was a stranger, but was she an angel? I think so.
Those are just a couple of the experiences that have been shared with me over the years, and there have been many more. Each time I think about even one of these stories it touches my heart. Pay attention to the people you cross paths with, even if the meeting is brief. Make certain you don't miss a message intended for you, and sent by God via a stranger/angel. Don't fail to acknowledge the fact that you have witnessed something divine. What a powerful testimony it is to share our experiences with others.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
In the first verses of scripture listed above, the writer of Hebrews is explaining that Christ is superior to the angels, and that angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who are heirs of salvation. Then we are told in Hebrews 13:2 that it is possible for us to have encounters with angels, and be completely unaware of it. In Genesis Chapter 18 (KJV) three angels visit Abraham, and in Chapter 19 of Genesis (KJV) two angels visit Lot. Angels are mentioned numerous times in the Bible, and they are not always identified as angels by those they are sent forth to visit.
I have no doubt that angels exist, and that they come in contact with people; sometimes without being identified as angels. This has been evident in my life, and in the lives of some who opted to tell me about their experiences. Allow me to share a couple of those amazing stories with you.
One man who I know very well, was struggling with some rather large issues in his life and was headed down a path of self-destruction. He had been saved and baptized some years back, and had always believed strongly in the Lord. During his recent struggles, however, he had not turned to the Lord for help, and guidance. He found himself at a loss, and his spirit was deeply troubled. Then one day he was several feet away from a pay phone, when it began to ring. He stared at the phone, and knowing the call wouldn't be for him he opted to let it ring. It rang continuously, and when it became obvious that it wasn't going to stop ringing until someone answered it, he chose to pick up the receiver. He lifted the phone to his ear and said hello. The caller responded with a question. Do you know Jesus? The man wanted to make certain he heard the caller correctly, and so he said pardon me? The caller repeated the question. Do you know Jesus? The man answered yes and the caller fell silent. Seconds later the man heard nothing but a dial tone. Jesus was the answer to this man's problems, but he had been so troubled he had failed to see that help was only a prayer away. That man was reminded to turn to Jesus that day, and he did just that. Though all of his problems didn't vanish in an instant, he brought God and prayer back to the forefront of his life, and that has remained.Who was that caller with perfect timing, and a perfect one liner? The caller was a stranger, but was he an angel? I think so.
I was blessed, and honored to have a long friendship with a great man, Captain Sammie Davis, who has now gone home to be with the Lord. As a firefighter, he spent many years rescuing people, fighting fires, and saving lives. Needless to say he worked closely with death, and he saw many things that most of us will go through our entire lives without ever seeing. After he retired we had many opportunity's to have long chats, and he would share stories, telling me about some of the experiences he had while serving with the fire department. During one of our conversations he told me a story I'll never forget. He told me he was working an apartment fire one night, and it was no small fire. He and the other firemen were going up and down a flight of stairs carrying people out of their apartments, and some of the people were in pretty bad shape, suffering from smoke inhalation. He said he carried one woman down, and it was certain she wasn't going to make it. He told me that as he knelt down beside her he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. He looked up, and saw a woman in a beautiful white gown. He said the gown was so white it had a brightness about it. He said the woman in the gown knelt down beside him, and ask if she could pray with the woman he had just brought out of the fire. He told her sure, and so she took the woman's hand and said what he described as one of the sweetest prayers he had ever heard. He had bowed his head and closed his eyes as the woman was praying, and when he opened his eyes he found that the woman had disappeared as quickly as she had appeared. He was baffled because there had not been ample time for her to walk out of sight before he opened his eyes. He said he went around asking other people if they'd seen her, but no one had.This story touched my friends heart, and when he shared it with me, it touched mine. The woman he carried out of the fire passed away, and the woman who prayed for her... Well, did she come to share the final moments of this woman's life? To escort her home? She was a stranger, but was she an angel? I think so.
Those are just a couple of the experiences that have been shared with me over the years, and there have been many more. Each time I think about even one of these stories it touches my heart. Pay attention to the people you cross paths with, even if the meeting is brief. Make certain you don't miss a message intended for you, and sent by God via a stranger/angel. Don't fail to acknowledge the fact that you have witnessed something divine. What a powerful testimony it is to share our experiences with others.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Searching For Peace
Philippians 4:6-9 (KJV) Says "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
In the above scripture Paul tells us how to go about gaining true peace, which is something I've noticed more and more people seem to be lacking. Paul tells us to be careful for nothing, which means we are not to worry about anything. He instructs us to pray, give thanks, and allow God to handle the things we are worried about. In short, don't waste time worrying give it to God. Paul explains that once we learn to do that, as children of God, we will gain a divine peace from Him that is so great it surpasses understanding. Paul goes on to tell us what things to think on. We are to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report.
Paul gives us simple instructions on where to find divine peace, and how to obtain it. Many people go through their entire lives restless, unhappy, discontent, and lacking peace. The reason for this is they are searching for peace and contentment everywhere, but where it can actually be found. These people are never satisfied. They may purchase a home believing it will make them happy only to discover that it's not the right one so still discontent they buy another one yet they are still lacking peace so they sell it, and repeat the process over and over again. There are those who think they will find peace and contentment just as soon as they purchase the ideal vehicle. These people fall into the same vicious cycle of buying and selling as those who thought they'd be content with the right home. People go to extremes searching for peace and contentment. Some look for it in a relationship, and they go through one after another thinking they will find what they are looking for as soon as they find the right person. How about money? Some people live to work so they can save money thinking this will bring them peace and contentment, but it never does. They continue on in their pattern of living to work thinking they will feel at ease just as soon as they make enough money, but they can never make enough. How about a thrill seeking adventure? Maybe if you bungee jump, parachute, hand glide or participate in some other daring activity you will find the peace you are searching for. Maybe the right outfit, shoes, a manicure, pedicure, something has got to bring you peace. They may try vacation after vacation thinking that getting away for a bit will bring them the peace and contentment they long for. This never works of course because true peace is gained from God, and is given to you through your relationship with Him. It is not found at an island resort somewhere off the coast.
It is common place for people to look for peace and contentment in worldly things, but not one person has found it in a material possession. It is not possible. How many celebraties have we seen that are restless, lonely, unsatisified, discontent, and lacking peace even though they have enough money to have any material thing in the world. Many people with unlimited access to whatever they desire have literally died searching for peace and contentment because they never looked to God for it.
Do you feel unsettled? Are you constantly buying something new in order to feel content or at peace? Do you have to be moving around, going on vacation after vacation because you are on a quest for peace that you just know will be found in that next home or on that next island? Are you a thrill seeker that just knows you'll find peace and contentment as soon as you participate in the right daring adventure? Have you had several failed relationships because you thought you'd find peace and contentment in them only to discover you didn't? Have you had multiple jobs, and you're still searching for the one that you feel content and at peace with? Are you living to work knowing you'll be content, and have peace just as soon as you earn and save the amount of money it takes to have those things?
If you are searching for peace in your life, look in the correct place. Divine peace comes only from God, and you can have it in your life. God loves you, and He wants you to have it. Peace and contentment will never be found in worldly possessions, and you can save yourself a great deal of time, trouble, and money by recognizing that. I urge you to stop searching through the things of the world, and go to God in prayer, cast all your cares upon Him, ask Him to fill your heart with His divine peace, ask Him to lead, guide, and direct your steps, surrender your life to Him, and as Paul advises think only on good things. If you will do these things, you will develop a divine peace and contentment like you have never before known. I know this to be a fact. First, because the Word of God tells me so, and second because I have experienced it firsthand.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
In the above scripture Paul tells us how to go about gaining true peace, which is something I've noticed more and more people seem to be lacking. Paul tells us to be careful for nothing, which means we are not to worry about anything. He instructs us to pray, give thanks, and allow God to handle the things we are worried about. In short, don't waste time worrying give it to God. Paul explains that once we learn to do that, as children of God, we will gain a divine peace from Him that is so great it surpasses understanding. Paul goes on to tell us what things to think on. We are to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report.
Paul gives us simple instructions on where to find divine peace, and how to obtain it. Many people go through their entire lives restless, unhappy, discontent, and lacking peace. The reason for this is they are searching for peace and contentment everywhere, but where it can actually be found. These people are never satisfied. They may purchase a home believing it will make them happy only to discover that it's not the right one so still discontent they buy another one yet they are still lacking peace so they sell it, and repeat the process over and over again. There are those who think they will find peace and contentment just as soon as they purchase the ideal vehicle. These people fall into the same vicious cycle of buying and selling as those who thought they'd be content with the right home. People go to extremes searching for peace and contentment. Some look for it in a relationship, and they go through one after another thinking they will find what they are looking for as soon as they find the right person. How about money? Some people live to work so they can save money thinking this will bring them peace and contentment, but it never does. They continue on in their pattern of living to work thinking they will feel at ease just as soon as they make enough money, but they can never make enough. How about a thrill seeking adventure? Maybe if you bungee jump, parachute, hand glide or participate in some other daring activity you will find the peace you are searching for. Maybe the right outfit, shoes, a manicure, pedicure, something has got to bring you peace. They may try vacation after vacation thinking that getting away for a bit will bring them the peace and contentment they long for. This never works of course because true peace is gained from God, and is given to you through your relationship with Him. It is not found at an island resort somewhere off the coast.
It is common place for people to look for peace and contentment in worldly things, but not one person has found it in a material possession. It is not possible. How many celebraties have we seen that are restless, lonely, unsatisified, discontent, and lacking peace even though they have enough money to have any material thing in the world. Many people with unlimited access to whatever they desire have literally died searching for peace and contentment because they never looked to God for it.
Do you feel unsettled? Are you constantly buying something new in order to feel content or at peace? Do you have to be moving around, going on vacation after vacation because you are on a quest for peace that you just know will be found in that next home or on that next island? Are you a thrill seeker that just knows you'll find peace and contentment as soon as you participate in the right daring adventure? Have you had several failed relationships because you thought you'd find peace and contentment in them only to discover you didn't? Have you had multiple jobs, and you're still searching for the one that you feel content and at peace with? Are you living to work knowing you'll be content, and have peace just as soon as you earn and save the amount of money it takes to have those things?
If you are searching for peace in your life, look in the correct place. Divine peace comes only from God, and you can have it in your life. God loves you, and He wants you to have it. Peace and contentment will never be found in worldly possessions, and you can save yourself a great deal of time, trouble, and money by recognizing that. I urge you to stop searching through the things of the world, and go to God in prayer, cast all your cares upon Him, ask Him to fill your heart with His divine peace, ask Him to lead, guide, and direct your steps, surrender your life to Him, and as Paul advises think only on good things. If you will do these things, you will develop a divine peace and contentment like you have never before known. I know this to be a fact. First, because the Word of God tells me so, and second because I have experienced it firsthand.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Broken
II Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) Says "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Are you feeling broken, as if the pieces of your life are scattered everywhere and you don't have any idea where to begin putting them back together? There are many people feeling that way these days, and many who have felt that way in the past. When we find ourselves in this state of emotion, it is overwhelming, but the good news is it doesn't have to be.
If you are currently feeling as if your life is out of control, don't accept this as your plight and start decorating for the big pity party you plan to have. Feeling sorry for yourself will only make matters worse. The above scripture tells you exactly how to get your life back on track. First we must humble ourselves and go to God in prayer, turning away from the things we have been guilty of doing, knowing that they don't coincide with righteous living, and are not the will of our Father. If we simply go to Him in prayer, ask forgiveness for our sins, and confess our regrets, then He will hear us, and He will forgive us instantly, and assist us in getting our lives back together.
After we turn to God in prayer and are forgiven, it is important that we not dwell on our past mistakes, but rather that we move forward and learn from them. Ask yourself what part you played in landing where you're at. Are you having financial difficulty because you wasted money? Have you been unkind to someone who has been nothing but kind to you? When things were going great for you did you fail to praise, and thank God for it? Recognize the actions you took that contributed to you being in the situation that you're in. If you've been spending money you don't have on things you don't need? If so, stop it. If you have mistreated someone who has been nothing but kind to you, then acknowledge it, and apologize to them. If you have failed to thank and praise God when things were going great in your life, tell Him you realize it, and ask Him to forgive you. Do whatever you can do to rectify the mistakes you've made, and God will do the rest.
I know from experience what it's like to make a mess of your life, and wind up with your ducks all over the pond. I'm still gathering up a few of mine. None of us will ever be perfect, and God understands that, but we must make a sincere effort to live our lives in a manner that reflects who we are in Christ. We need to make choices and decisions that are wise and responsible, not those that are spur of the moment and filled with reckless abandon.We can't go around living unrighteous lives, making bad choices then blame and question God when things wind up in disarray. Sometimes it takes a broken state to force people to take an honest look at themselves, their actions, where they've wound up, and what landed them there. It takes a broken state for some to pause, reflect, and re-evaluate their lives. It is only by taking an honest look at our self and our situation that we will see clearly the changes we must make in order to get back on track.
It is imperative that we are willing to recognize, acknowledge, and take responsibility for our faults, and our actions. It is impossible for us to work on improving the areas of our life that need improving, if we are unwilling to admit that we have faults, and problem areas. If you're feeling broken, go to God in prayer, ask forgiveness, and He will hear you and forgive you. Do what you can to improve your situation through apologizing to others, changing your financial habits, or whatever it is you can do that will improve your particular situation, and God will certainly do His part.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Are you feeling broken, as if the pieces of your life are scattered everywhere and you don't have any idea where to begin putting them back together? There are many people feeling that way these days, and many who have felt that way in the past. When we find ourselves in this state of emotion, it is overwhelming, but the good news is it doesn't have to be.
If you are currently feeling as if your life is out of control, don't accept this as your plight and start decorating for the big pity party you plan to have. Feeling sorry for yourself will only make matters worse. The above scripture tells you exactly how to get your life back on track. First we must humble ourselves and go to God in prayer, turning away from the things we have been guilty of doing, knowing that they don't coincide with righteous living, and are not the will of our Father. If we simply go to Him in prayer, ask forgiveness for our sins, and confess our regrets, then He will hear us, and He will forgive us instantly, and assist us in getting our lives back together.
After we turn to God in prayer and are forgiven, it is important that we not dwell on our past mistakes, but rather that we move forward and learn from them. Ask yourself what part you played in landing where you're at. Are you having financial difficulty because you wasted money? Have you been unkind to someone who has been nothing but kind to you? When things were going great for you did you fail to praise, and thank God for it? Recognize the actions you took that contributed to you being in the situation that you're in. If you've been spending money you don't have on things you don't need? If so, stop it. If you have mistreated someone who has been nothing but kind to you, then acknowledge it, and apologize to them. If you have failed to thank and praise God when things were going great in your life, tell Him you realize it, and ask Him to forgive you. Do whatever you can do to rectify the mistakes you've made, and God will do the rest.
I know from experience what it's like to make a mess of your life, and wind up with your ducks all over the pond. I'm still gathering up a few of mine. None of us will ever be perfect, and God understands that, but we must make a sincere effort to live our lives in a manner that reflects who we are in Christ. We need to make choices and decisions that are wise and responsible, not those that are spur of the moment and filled with reckless abandon.We can't go around living unrighteous lives, making bad choices then blame and question God when things wind up in disarray. Sometimes it takes a broken state to force people to take an honest look at themselves, their actions, where they've wound up, and what landed them there. It takes a broken state for some to pause, reflect, and re-evaluate their lives. It is only by taking an honest look at our self and our situation that we will see clearly the changes we must make in order to get back on track.
It is imperative that we are willing to recognize, acknowledge, and take responsibility for our faults, and our actions. It is impossible for us to work on improving the areas of our life that need improving, if we are unwilling to admit that we have faults, and problem areas. If you're feeling broken, go to God in prayer, ask forgiveness, and He will hear you and forgive you. Do what you can to improve your situation through apologizing to others, changing your financial habits, or whatever it is you can do that will improve your particular situation, and God will certainly do His part.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Family Tradition
II Timothy 1:5 (KJV) Says "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."
In the above scripture, Paul is reminding Timothy that he knows firsthand that he comes from a family of steadfast, and unwavering faith. Paul tells him that he saw it in his grandmother first, then his mother, and he knows that Timothy possesses it as well. Paul is writing this letter to encourage Timothy, and he does so partly by reminding him of his strong faith, which has been evident in his family for generations.
Often times parents fail to realize the impact that they have not only on their children's lives, but their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so forth. Parents and the family traditions they implement within their homes have an impact on their children, and the many generations that follow. That impact is powerful.
Let me give you an example of one of the many ways parents pass down faith based family traditions to multiple generations, and the impact it can have. My Mom's parents always said grace before each meal, and they passed that tradition down to their five children. When their five children married, and moved into homes of their own there were then six families saying grace before each meal. When their children had children the tradition was passed on to them. This meant, when my grandparents, grandchildren, of which there are a total of fifteen, moved into their own homes, grace was being said before each meal in twenty-one homes, and the importance of this faith based family tradition continues to be instilled in generation after generation within our family.
Biblical bedtime stories, and saying our prayers with Mom before going to sleep each night are also faith based family traditions which took place in our home.I have seen these traditions forwarded to generation after generation within our family as well. It is amazing the lives that one set of parents can touch, and the impact they have in so many areas, but most fail to realize it.
What a great opportunity parents, and grandparents have to impact multiple generations in such a powerful way. Each faith based family tradition you pass on to your children, and grandchildren continues on with every generation that follows.
I would like to encourage you today to take the time to consider the power you have as a parent, or grandparent to impact so many lives in so many positive and powerful ways. Each faith based family tradition that you implement is a seed of faith planted in the hearts of the children in your family, and in the hearts of those to come in future generations. You are setting an excellent Christian example for your children to not only follow, but to pass down to their children, and grandchildren, who will then set a great Christian example for their children, and grandchildren, and so on and so forth to infinite generations. I am old enough now to have seen this working through four generations of my family, and it is wonderful.
What faith based family traditions are you implementing in your home? What are you teaching your children and grandchildren that they will want to implement in the lives of their own children and grandchildren someday? What kind of example are you setting? Take the time to consider the positive impact you can have, and the important role you as a parent and grandparent play not only in the lives of your children and grandchildren, but in the lives of the generations that follow. When you stop and think about it, you'll see what an amazing opportunity you have to make a great impact on an infinite number of lives.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
In the above scripture, Paul is reminding Timothy that he knows firsthand that he comes from a family of steadfast, and unwavering faith. Paul tells him that he saw it in his grandmother first, then his mother, and he knows that Timothy possesses it as well. Paul is writing this letter to encourage Timothy, and he does so partly by reminding him of his strong faith, which has been evident in his family for generations.
Often times parents fail to realize the impact that they have not only on their children's lives, but their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so forth. Parents and the family traditions they implement within their homes have an impact on their children, and the many generations that follow. That impact is powerful.
Let me give you an example of one of the many ways parents pass down faith based family traditions to multiple generations, and the impact it can have. My Mom's parents always said grace before each meal, and they passed that tradition down to their five children. When their five children married, and moved into homes of their own there were then six families saying grace before each meal. When their children had children the tradition was passed on to them. This meant, when my grandparents, grandchildren, of which there are a total of fifteen, moved into their own homes, grace was being said before each meal in twenty-one homes, and the importance of this faith based family tradition continues to be instilled in generation after generation within our family.
Biblical bedtime stories, and saying our prayers with Mom before going to sleep each night are also faith based family traditions which took place in our home.I have seen these traditions forwarded to generation after generation within our family as well. It is amazing the lives that one set of parents can touch, and the impact they have in so many areas, but most fail to realize it.
What a great opportunity parents, and grandparents have to impact multiple generations in such a powerful way. Each faith based family tradition you pass on to your children, and grandchildren continues on with every generation that follows.
I would like to encourage you today to take the time to consider the power you have as a parent, or grandparent to impact so many lives in so many positive and powerful ways. Each faith based family tradition that you implement is a seed of faith planted in the hearts of the children in your family, and in the hearts of those to come in future generations. You are setting an excellent Christian example for your children to not only follow, but to pass down to their children, and grandchildren, who will then set a great Christian example for their children, and grandchildren, and so on and so forth to infinite generations. I am old enough now to have seen this working through four generations of my family, and it is wonderful.
What faith based family traditions are you implementing in your home? What are you teaching your children and grandchildren that they will want to implement in the lives of their own children and grandchildren someday? What kind of example are you setting? Take the time to consider the positive impact you can have, and the important role you as a parent and grandparent play not only in the lives of your children and grandchildren, but in the lives of the generations that follow. When you stop and think about it, you'll see what an amazing opportunity you have to make a great impact on an infinite number of lives.
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.
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