In Luke 10:30-37(KJV) Jesus speaks in a parable. The scripture says, "And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves? Then Jesus says in verse 37 to "Go, and do thou likewise."
The above scripture tells us that this man had been robbed, stripped of his clothes, and beaten near death. When the priest came along and saw the man, not only did he fail to help him, he crossed over to the other side away from him to avoid him altogether. Then a Levite comes along, looks at the man, and does the exact same thing that the priest did. He crosses to the other side of the road, and proceeds on his way. Now you know these guys knew this man needed help he was laying there naked and wounded to the point that he was near death, yet they both kept walking.
Finally, a Samaritan man comes walking by, sees the man needs help, and approaches him to render aid. The above scripture tells us that the Samaritan man had compassion on him. Compassion is a Christ like trait. The Samaritan bandaged the man's wounds, put him on his own horse or donkey, and led him into the next town while he walked beside him. He brought him to an inn, took care of him over night, and then made certain the innkeeper would tend to the man's needs the next morning prior to leaving him. He gave the innkeeper money to take care of whatever the man needed, and a promise to pay him back for anything over he might spend, when he came back through the town.
The Samaritan man in the above parable went above and beyond in helping this poor injured man. In short he reacted in a manner in which all people should, doing so without hesitation. In today's world, however, the number of people who see someone in need and behave the way the priest and the Levite did seems to be growing. I have seen videos, news clips, and heard personal stories where a human being was injured and in need of help and passersby did nothing to help them. It is important for me to add that in at least one of these stories some who kept walking knew the injured individual personally, and even called them their friend. Many people today upon seeing someone in need of help do one of two things, they either keep walking, or they video the person and put it on social media for all to see, then they walk away. I'm left to wonder if these people temporarily lose their minds and forget that their video devices are also phones which can and should be used to dial 911 in order to get help for the injured. It's sad really. We live in a world where many seem to have allowed their hearts to become hardened, and their consciences seared.
People can also be in pain emotionally, and they too can use our help. It isn't just the physically wounded that need help, but those in emotional pain as well. It is usually obvious when someone is sad, depressed, or struggling with an emotional issue. We can see it in their behavior, what they write on social network sites, hear it in their tone of voice, and we can see it in their eyes. As Christians, we need to pay attention to others, look in their eyes when they talk to us, truly listen to what they are saying, and the tone in which they are saying it. We need to notice changes in their behavior that may indicated they are feeling down, and could use encouraging. The unfortunate thing is many people are so wrapped up in themselves that they rarely notice anyone else who may be struggling with an issue. The Bible tells us that the second greatest commandment is to love one another as we love ourselves. How is it possible to obey this commandment and ignore those around us that are suffering?
I urge you to pay attention to those around you, and to love one another as God's commandment dictates. If you see someone physically injured don't keep walking, call for help. If you see someone who needs to be encouraged and lifted up emotionally, don't ignore them, encourage them and lift them up. We have all needed love, encouragement, help and support of one kind or another at times in our lives, so who are we when someone else needs us to keep walking?
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, July 31, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
The Vine
John 15:1-2 (KJV) In this passage of scripture Jesus says "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." John 15:5-7 (KJV) In this passage of scripture Jesus says "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
In the above scripture Jesus is speaking in a parable. In this parable God is the gardener of the vineyard, Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. No branch can grow, produce fruit, or be productive in any way when it is separated from the vine. Once separated from the vine a branch withers, dries up, and dies. In the above passage of scripture God makes it clear, that just like the branch separated from the vine can do nothing but wither, we can do nothing apart from Him.
Just as a branch on a grapevine cannot flourish and bear fruit apart from that grapevine, we cannot mature and produce fruit apart from Christ. A grapevine produces little shoots that grow along the ground, and they eventually mature into branches. This can only occur if the gardener lifts these shoots up from the dirt onto a trellis preventing them from being buried in the dirt, and allowing them to receive the sunlight necessary to grow and produce fruit.
Unlike the branches of a grapevine, we are born with a freewill, and therefore it is up to us as to whether or not we will have a close personal relationship with God. We can choose a close relationship with God, be lifted up, nourished, and bear fruit in abundance, or we can neglect God, and become like a new shoot from a grapevine growing along the ground allowing ourselves to be covered by the dirt of the world, and remain fruitless.
When we abide in Christ, we bear fruit in many forms. For example, God is glorified when we abide in him, through our behavior. When others see something different in our behavior, and discover it is Christ, we have witnessed to them via the way we live our everyday lives. We have shown ourselves to be disciples of Christ by our behavior, and those around us who notice may decide they want to surrender their lives to the Lord. That is great fruit my friends. We bear fruit by glorifying God, doing good deeds, praising and worshiping God, caring for the poor and needy, and all other Christ like behavior and actions. Without a close relationship with God we cannot live a life worthy of witness because it is His light shining through us that is the true witness, and when we neglect Him we tend to fall prey to worldly behavior which dims our light with a quickness.
I urge you to make time for God everyday. If you say you can't because you're too busy, then you need to rework your schedule because nothing is more important than your personal relationship with God. Set aside time for God, pray, read and study his word, and listen to him. Allow God to lead, guide, and direct your path. I urge you to live your life in a manner that witnesses to those around you, and leads them to Christ. When you walk in Gods ways and have a close personal relationship with Him, you will become more fruitful, God will be glorified, and you will be blessed. God tells us in the above scripture that if we abide in Him, and His Word abides in us, we can ask what we want, and it will be done. The choice is ours we can keep God first in our lives being fruitful and blessed, or we can be separate from Him and be as the branch separated from the vine, withered and fruitless. For me the best choice is obvious, what about you?
If you have 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 is speaking in a parable. In this parable God is the gardener of the vineyard, Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. No branch can grow, produce fruit, or be productive in any way when it is separated from the vine. Once separated from the vine a branch withers, dries up, and dies. In the above passage of scripture God makes it clear, that just like the branch separated from the vine can do nothing but wither, we can do nothing apart from Him.
Just as a branch on a grapevine cannot flourish and bear fruit apart from that grapevine, we cannot mature and produce fruit apart from Christ. A grapevine produces little shoots that grow along the ground, and they eventually mature into branches. This can only occur if the gardener lifts these shoots up from the dirt onto a trellis preventing them from being buried in the dirt, and allowing them to receive the sunlight necessary to grow and produce fruit.
Unlike the branches of a grapevine, we are born with a freewill, and therefore it is up to us as to whether or not we will have a close personal relationship with God. We can choose a close relationship with God, be lifted up, nourished, and bear fruit in abundance, or we can neglect God, and become like a new shoot from a grapevine growing along the ground allowing ourselves to be covered by the dirt of the world, and remain fruitless.
When we abide in Christ, we bear fruit in many forms. For example, God is glorified when we abide in him, through our behavior. When others see something different in our behavior, and discover it is Christ, we have witnessed to them via the way we live our everyday lives. We have shown ourselves to be disciples of Christ by our behavior, and those around us who notice may decide they want to surrender their lives to the Lord. That is great fruit my friends. We bear fruit by glorifying God, doing good deeds, praising and worshiping God, caring for the poor and needy, and all other Christ like behavior and actions. Without a close relationship with God we cannot live a life worthy of witness because it is His light shining through us that is the true witness, and when we neglect Him we tend to fall prey to worldly behavior which dims our light with a quickness.
I urge you to make time for God everyday. If you say you can't because you're too busy, then you need to rework your schedule because nothing is more important than your personal relationship with God. Set aside time for God, pray, read and study his word, and listen to him. Allow God to lead, guide, and direct your path. I urge you to live your life in a manner that witnesses to those around you, and leads them to Christ. When you walk in Gods ways and have a close personal relationship with Him, you will become more fruitful, God will be glorified, and you will be blessed. God tells us in the above scripture that if we abide in Him, and His Word abides in us, we can ask what we want, and it will be done. The choice is ours we can keep God first in our lives being fruitful and blessed, or we can be separate from Him and be as the branch separated from the vine, withered and fruitless. For me the best choice is obvious, what about you?
If you have 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, July 21, 2013
In God's Eyes
Judges 21:25 (KJV) Says, "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
The book of Joshua covers a period of about 300 years stretching from the death of Joshua in 1367 B.C. until the time of Samuel (c.1064-1044 B.C.). Judges is an account of the failures of the children of Israel to maintain the high spiritual standards laid down by Moses and Joshua. They failed to conquer the land of Canaan as God had challenged them to do, and they fell into idolatry and the sinful practices of the people of Canaan. They grew more and more disobedient to God, and did what was right in their own eyes. Their increased disobedience to God brought on a progressive moral degeneration.
When we take a good look at all that is going on in the world today, it is more than obvious that we are witnessing history repeat itself. We are definitely seeing an increase in disobedience to God, and a progression in moral degeneration. The horrible results of disobeying God have been made crystal clear, and can be seen all over the world.
I think I would be hard pressed to find many people who would disagree with the fact that the world is in desperate need of healing, The state of the world will continue to decline as long as we continue doing what is right in our own eyes instead of walking in obedience to God. There are enough Christians in the world to make a huge difference and bring about great changes, if we would all take a good inventory of ourselves, and face our own faults. Improvements in the world will come, when we collectively begin working on our own personal areas of weakness. We all know our areas of weakness, myself included. I work on mine daily. Becoming more Godly, and building a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior is something we must work on until the day we go home to be with Him. None of us will ever be perfect because we are human beings, and God understands that. The thing is there are far too many Christians who are showing blatant disregard for what God tells us is right in His Word. Many Christians either ignore the fact that something is a sin, or they convince themselves that what they are doing is not a big deal because they evidently have created a system where sins are categorized by their severity. Friends, there is no such system, As far as God is concerned a sin is a sin. We cannot straddle the fence, continue to do what is right in our own eyes, attack others for sins they commit while ignoring our own, and expect positive changes to occur in the world. If we want God to heal our world, we must repent of our sins and turn back to HIm.
It is easier to be offended by someone suggesting that we take a look at our own behavior than it is to actually do the inventory, and therefore the truth tends to upset people who have no desire to hear it. I understand that, but it is necessary if we want to see changes. We have gotten so far away from the basic instructions that God has given us that there is no wonder the world is in the state it is in. For instance, how many families read God's Word and pray together these days? How many families actually sit down and have dinner together? How many families say the blessing over their food before they start eating? How many people include the words I and me in almost every sentence that comes out of their mouth? How many people respond to things that upset them in a way that would be pleasing to God? Do you get angry and express it without cursing, throwing things, screaming, and yelling? Do you react to things in an ungodly manner in front of your children, and then expect them not to throw tantrums, and scream or yell when they get upset? Do you do random acts of kindness? Are you a giver or are you a taker? Do you watch movies and television programs that are full of violence, sex, cursing, and nudity? Do you honestly think that is a small thing to God? These type television shows and movies will continue to be created as long as they are being supported by viewers, and in today's world they currently have all the support they need to press on. Do you listen to music that contains vulgar, degrading, and violent lyrics? Is that Godly? There are lyrics that call females terrible names and degrade them horribly. Women and girls not only buy these CD's, but they sing the lyrics and then call one another these same names in everyday life. To the guys that purchase them, do you have sisters, mothers, daughters? What are we thinking? All I can say is, Wow! Really? Where is our sense of self-respect? How can we expect others to respect us, if we don't respect ourselves? Do you honor your parents or are you disrespectful to them? Do you make jokes about people, and their appearance in order to get a laugh? Do you think God smiles down on someone making jokes at the expense of one of His children? If it was your child that was being made the brunt of a joke, how would you feel? And how funny would it be? Are you a gossiper that loves to stir the rumor pot, and start trouble? Do you like to read your horoscope, follow mediums, tarot card readers, or psychics? This seems to be really popular, but it is something that is greatly frowned upon by God. The way God sees it, when we read horoscopes, follow mediums, tarot card readers, psychics, and the like we are seeking advice from them instead of going to Him in prayer, and seeking His advice and guidance in our lives. I would say that is huge. Do you pray for your enemies? Do you remind yourself that vengeance belongs to God? Do you know what's going on in the lives of your children? Do you listen to them? Do you hear them? Do you tithe? Do you help the poor and needy? What kind of friend are you? Are you there for your friends when they need you? What kind of husband? What kind of wife? What kind of father? What kind of mother? What kind of grandparent? Do you witness to non-believers as a disciple for Christ?
I could go on and on and I'm certain many of you could add to this list as well, but we get the general idea. We need to look at all areas of our lives, and identify our weaknesses so that we can begin working on them. I made a list of areas in my life that need work, and I will continue to work on them as long as I live. I'm sure there are some things that I will be able to mark off the list as God helps me to alleviate them. I am also well aware that I will never be perfect, and that I will work on some of my weaknesses for as long as I live. God knows our hearts, however, and He knows when we are trying to do and be our best, and when we aren't.
We are watching moral decay spread throughout the world in a rapid fashion as the result of so many people, including many Christians, showing a blatant disregard for God and His Word. Imagine the wonderful changes we could see come about and the love that could spread, if all Christians decided to work on the areas in their lives that need improvement, and stop straddling the fence, when it comes to living a Godly life. If you have convinced yourself that some of the things that are now acceptable by society are no big deal, then I urge you to watch one world news program, a local news program, or simply read your local newspaper, and check out the consequences. What kind of world do we want to live in? What kind of world do we want our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to live in? It's not to late to begin doing what's right in the eye's of God, and until we do, this world will continue on its downhill spiral.
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 book of Joshua covers a period of about 300 years stretching from the death of Joshua in 1367 B.C. until the time of Samuel (c.1064-1044 B.C.). Judges is an account of the failures of the children of Israel to maintain the high spiritual standards laid down by Moses and Joshua. They failed to conquer the land of Canaan as God had challenged them to do, and they fell into idolatry and the sinful practices of the people of Canaan. They grew more and more disobedient to God, and did what was right in their own eyes. Their increased disobedience to God brought on a progressive moral degeneration.
When we take a good look at all that is going on in the world today, it is more than obvious that we are witnessing history repeat itself. We are definitely seeing an increase in disobedience to God, and a progression in moral degeneration. The horrible results of disobeying God have been made crystal clear, and can be seen all over the world.
I think I would be hard pressed to find many people who would disagree with the fact that the world is in desperate need of healing, The state of the world will continue to decline as long as we continue doing what is right in our own eyes instead of walking in obedience to God. There are enough Christians in the world to make a huge difference and bring about great changes, if we would all take a good inventory of ourselves, and face our own faults. Improvements in the world will come, when we collectively begin working on our own personal areas of weakness. We all know our areas of weakness, myself included. I work on mine daily. Becoming more Godly, and building a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior is something we must work on until the day we go home to be with Him. None of us will ever be perfect because we are human beings, and God understands that. The thing is there are far too many Christians who are showing blatant disregard for what God tells us is right in His Word. Many Christians either ignore the fact that something is a sin, or they convince themselves that what they are doing is not a big deal because they evidently have created a system where sins are categorized by their severity. Friends, there is no such system, As far as God is concerned a sin is a sin. We cannot straddle the fence, continue to do what is right in our own eyes, attack others for sins they commit while ignoring our own, and expect positive changes to occur in the world. If we want God to heal our world, we must repent of our sins and turn back to HIm.
It is easier to be offended by someone suggesting that we take a look at our own behavior than it is to actually do the inventory, and therefore the truth tends to upset people who have no desire to hear it. I understand that, but it is necessary if we want to see changes. We have gotten so far away from the basic instructions that God has given us that there is no wonder the world is in the state it is in. For instance, how many families read God's Word and pray together these days? How many families actually sit down and have dinner together? How many families say the blessing over their food before they start eating? How many people include the words I and me in almost every sentence that comes out of their mouth? How many people respond to things that upset them in a way that would be pleasing to God? Do you get angry and express it without cursing, throwing things, screaming, and yelling? Do you react to things in an ungodly manner in front of your children, and then expect them not to throw tantrums, and scream or yell when they get upset? Do you do random acts of kindness? Are you a giver or are you a taker? Do you watch movies and television programs that are full of violence, sex, cursing, and nudity? Do you honestly think that is a small thing to God? These type television shows and movies will continue to be created as long as they are being supported by viewers, and in today's world they currently have all the support they need to press on. Do you listen to music that contains vulgar, degrading, and violent lyrics? Is that Godly? There are lyrics that call females terrible names and degrade them horribly. Women and girls not only buy these CD's, but they sing the lyrics and then call one another these same names in everyday life. To the guys that purchase them, do you have sisters, mothers, daughters? What are we thinking? All I can say is, Wow! Really? Where is our sense of self-respect? How can we expect others to respect us, if we don't respect ourselves? Do you honor your parents or are you disrespectful to them? Do you make jokes about people, and their appearance in order to get a laugh? Do you think God smiles down on someone making jokes at the expense of one of His children? If it was your child that was being made the brunt of a joke, how would you feel? And how funny would it be? Are you a gossiper that loves to stir the rumor pot, and start trouble? Do you like to read your horoscope, follow mediums, tarot card readers, or psychics? This seems to be really popular, but it is something that is greatly frowned upon by God. The way God sees it, when we read horoscopes, follow mediums, tarot card readers, psychics, and the like we are seeking advice from them instead of going to Him in prayer, and seeking His advice and guidance in our lives. I would say that is huge. Do you pray for your enemies? Do you remind yourself that vengeance belongs to God? Do you know what's going on in the lives of your children? Do you listen to them? Do you hear them? Do you tithe? Do you help the poor and needy? What kind of friend are you? Are you there for your friends when they need you? What kind of husband? What kind of wife? What kind of father? What kind of mother? What kind of grandparent? Do you witness to non-believers as a disciple for Christ?
I could go on and on and I'm certain many of you could add to this list as well, but we get the general idea. We need to look at all areas of our lives, and identify our weaknesses so that we can begin working on them. I made a list of areas in my life that need work, and I will continue to work on them as long as I live. I'm sure there are some things that I will be able to mark off the list as God helps me to alleviate them. I am also well aware that I will never be perfect, and that I will work on some of my weaknesses for as long as I live. God knows our hearts, however, and He knows when we are trying to do and be our best, and when we aren't.
We are watching moral decay spread throughout the world in a rapid fashion as the result of so many people, including many Christians, showing a blatant disregard for God and His Word. Imagine the wonderful changes we could see come about and the love that could spread, if all Christians decided to work on the areas in their lives that need improvement, and stop straddling the fence, when it comes to living a Godly life. If you have convinced yourself that some of the things that are now acceptable by society are no big deal, then I urge you to watch one world news program, a local news program, or simply read your local newspaper, and check out the consequences. What kind of world do we want to live in? What kind of world do we want our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to live in? It's not to late to begin doing what's right in the eye's of God, and until we do, this world will continue on its downhill spiral.
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, July 14, 2013
Unworthy
Jeremiah 1:6-8 (KJV) Says, "Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord." Exodus 3:11-12 (KJV) Says, "And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And He said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou has brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain." Judges 6:15-16 (KJV) Says, "And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man." I Kings 3:7 (KJV) Says, "And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in."
In the above scripture we find several examples where prominent figures confess to God that they feel unworthy of the tasks he has called them to accomplish. Jeremiah is called to go and prophesy to Israel regarding their sinful behavior, and he does not feel worthy as he feels he is not a good speaker. Moses in the scripture taken from Exodus expresses to the Lord that he doesn't feel worthy or capable of bringing the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. In the scripture taken from Judges, Gideon tells the Lord that he doesn't feel worthy or capable of saving Israel from the Midianites. In First Kings, Solomon tells God he doesn't feel capable or worthy of being King because he lacks the wisdom it requires to do so, and his lack of wisdom is what prompts him to refer to himself as a child. At the time he made this statement, he wasn't literally a child, but was already a father himself.
These are just a few examples of individuals who felt unworthy to carry out all that God had called them to do. There are many more examples just like these found throughout the Bible. It is extremely important to note that in each of the above cases God assured the individuals that they could carry out the tasks He had for them because He would be with them. All of these men were afraid, and expressed to God their feelings of unworthiness. What they were doing was looking only at what they felt they themselves were capable of, and not at what God was capable of accomplishing through them. As we know each one of these men obeyed God, and He accomplished all He set out to accomplish working through them.
God has a plan for, and a call on each of our lives, just as He had a plan for Jeremiah, Moses, Gideon, and Solomon. He will also be with us as we answer His call, just as He was with these great men. God has given each of us gifts to be utilized in carrying out His plan. You can identify your gift easily, as it will be a skill that comes naturally to you. We are all skilled at something because we all received gifts from God. His desire is that we answer His call, use the gifts He has given us, and that we do so unafraid knowing that He will be with us all the way. It is our fear and feelings of unworthiness that prevent us from stepping out in faith and fulfilling all that God has called us to do.
Do you pray, read God's word, and listen for direction? Surrender your life to God, pray, read and study His Word, listen for Him to respond, however long that takes, and He will lead, guide, and direct your path. Do you feel the Holy Spirit within you encouraging you to do something, and you're allowing fear to hold you back? Remember that God tells us numerous times in His Word not to be afraid, and that He is with us. Have you resisted following the plan God has on your life because you feel people will ridicule and reject you? I have to be honest, the question is not, will people ridicule and reject you it is how many times will you be ridiculed and rejected? Remember, Luke 10:16 (KJV) Says, "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth Him that sent me." When we are rejected by others they are rejecting Christ within us, and in turn He will reject them. Don't take the rejection and ridicule of others to heart, and allow it to prevent you from doing all that God has called you to do. Anything that gets in the way of you following the plan God has for your life is the work of Satan. He will attempt in any way possible to make you give up, and walk away from all that God has planned for you in the form of tasks, blessings, and rewards, and that includes using people. Be aware of that fact, and don't allow him to win. Believe me, he would like nothing better than for us to give up, and allow God's gifts to be wasted. He would love to see us stop short of allowing God to accomplish all He desires to accomplish through us. Have faith, trust in God, and press forward.
Each of us as individuals were designed by Almighty God, and He created us in his own image. We are his children, and we are all special to Him. There is only one you, and He has a specific plan for you. When we fail to surrender to God, and follow His plan for us we have wasted a precious gift, and a precious opportunity. I wonder how many people who have gone home to be with the Lord, did so without ever utilizing the gifts God gave them or following his plan for their life. I wonder how many missed out on experiencing the joy, divine peace, contentment, blessings, and rewards that come along with following His plan for them. Sure you can accept God's precious gift of salvation, and go to heaven without utilizing your God given gifts, or following the plan He has for you, but you miss out on so much. Know that you are worthy of accomplishing all you're called to do because God will work through you, and be with you every step of the way. Know that you are worthy because you are His child, and He tells you that you are worthy.
Remember you're special, you're one of a kind, and that you were created in the image of God. Don't waste another second. Surrender your life to God, follow the plan He has for your life, put your faith and trust in Him. Utilize your God given gifts. Whatever your calling, mother, homemaker, father, listener, encourager, nurse, boss, custodian, minister, mechanic, police officer, fireman, construction worker, salesman, or other, give it your best. Do all things to the glory of God. No excuses, you are never to old, and it is never to late as long as you are living. The most magnificent words any of us could hear God say, when we go home to be with Him, and the ones I hope to hear him say to me are "Well done my good and faithful servant."
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 find several examples where prominent figures confess to God that they feel unworthy of the tasks he has called them to accomplish. Jeremiah is called to go and prophesy to Israel regarding their sinful behavior, and he does not feel worthy as he feels he is not a good speaker. Moses in the scripture taken from Exodus expresses to the Lord that he doesn't feel worthy or capable of bringing the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. In the scripture taken from Judges, Gideon tells the Lord that he doesn't feel worthy or capable of saving Israel from the Midianites. In First Kings, Solomon tells God he doesn't feel capable or worthy of being King because he lacks the wisdom it requires to do so, and his lack of wisdom is what prompts him to refer to himself as a child. At the time he made this statement, he wasn't literally a child, but was already a father himself.
These are just a few examples of individuals who felt unworthy to carry out all that God had called them to do. There are many more examples just like these found throughout the Bible. It is extremely important to note that in each of the above cases God assured the individuals that they could carry out the tasks He had for them because He would be with them. All of these men were afraid, and expressed to God their feelings of unworthiness. What they were doing was looking only at what they felt they themselves were capable of, and not at what God was capable of accomplishing through them. As we know each one of these men obeyed God, and He accomplished all He set out to accomplish working through them.
God has a plan for, and a call on each of our lives, just as He had a plan for Jeremiah, Moses, Gideon, and Solomon. He will also be with us as we answer His call, just as He was with these great men. God has given each of us gifts to be utilized in carrying out His plan. You can identify your gift easily, as it will be a skill that comes naturally to you. We are all skilled at something because we all received gifts from God. His desire is that we answer His call, use the gifts He has given us, and that we do so unafraid knowing that He will be with us all the way. It is our fear and feelings of unworthiness that prevent us from stepping out in faith and fulfilling all that God has called us to do.
Do you pray, read God's word, and listen for direction? Surrender your life to God, pray, read and study His Word, listen for Him to respond, however long that takes, and He will lead, guide, and direct your path. Do you feel the Holy Spirit within you encouraging you to do something, and you're allowing fear to hold you back? Remember that God tells us numerous times in His Word not to be afraid, and that He is with us. Have you resisted following the plan God has on your life because you feel people will ridicule and reject you? I have to be honest, the question is not, will people ridicule and reject you it is how many times will you be ridiculed and rejected? Remember, Luke 10:16 (KJV) Says, "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth Him that sent me." When we are rejected by others they are rejecting Christ within us, and in turn He will reject them. Don't take the rejection and ridicule of others to heart, and allow it to prevent you from doing all that God has called you to do. Anything that gets in the way of you following the plan God has for your life is the work of Satan. He will attempt in any way possible to make you give up, and walk away from all that God has planned for you in the form of tasks, blessings, and rewards, and that includes using people. Be aware of that fact, and don't allow him to win. Believe me, he would like nothing better than for us to give up, and allow God's gifts to be wasted. He would love to see us stop short of allowing God to accomplish all He desires to accomplish through us. Have faith, trust in God, and press forward.
Each of us as individuals were designed by Almighty God, and He created us in his own image. We are his children, and we are all special to Him. There is only one you, and He has a specific plan for you. When we fail to surrender to God, and follow His plan for us we have wasted a precious gift, and a precious opportunity. I wonder how many people who have gone home to be with the Lord, did so without ever utilizing the gifts God gave them or following his plan for their life. I wonder how many missed out on experiencing the joy, divine peace, contentment, blessings, and rewards that come along with following His plan for them. Sure you can accept God's precious gift of salvation, and go to heaven without utilizing your God given gifts, or following the plan He has for you, but you miss out on so much. Know that you are worthy of accomplishing all you're called to do because God will work through you, and be with you every step of the way. Know that you are worthy because you are His child, and He tells you that you are worthy.
Remember you're special, you're one of a kind, and that you were created in the image of God. Don't waste another second. Surrender your life to God, follow the plan He has for your life, put your faith and trust in Him. Utilize your God given gifts. Whatever your calling, mother, homemaker, father, listener, encourager, nurse, boss, custodian, minister, mechanic, police officer, fireman, construction worker, salesman, or other, give it your best. Do all things to the glory of God. No excuses, you are never to old, and it is never to late as long as you are living. The most magnificent words any of us could hear God say, when we go home to be with Him, and the ones I hope to hear him say to me are "Well done my good and faithful servant."
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, July 10, 2013
Pride
Proverbs 16:18-19 (KJV) Says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud." Proverbs 16:5 (KJV) Says, "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished." Proverbs 26:12 (KJV) Says, "Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him." James 4:6 (KJV) Says, "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." Proverbs 8:13 (KJV) Says, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate."
The above scripture makes it perfectly clear to us that God does not like pride, and there are many more passages to reiterate that point. When most of us think about pride we associate it with individuals who boast about things like the car they drive, the house they live in, their careers, the school their children attend, and anything else they can use to build themselves up to all who will listen. Some individuals look at what others possess, compare it to what they own, and then make the decision to lift themselves up above them because they don't feel their material possessions are equal to or greater than their own. When we decide that we are better than someone else because, we drive a better car, live in a more expensive home, our children go to private schools, we make a higher salary, we put our career above theirs, we think their sin is somehow greater than ours, and things of this nature it is pride and arrogance. This is probably the most common and recognized way in which pride is manifested, but there are others that tend to be a bit less obvious.
Failing to recognize our own faults is a form of pride. When I was growing up my Mom taught me many valuable lessons, and one of those was to take a look at my own behavior in situations where I had a disagreement with someone. For example, If throughout the day I had argued with all four of my siblings at different times, then the problem may be me. It forced me to acknowledge that my siblings were getting along well with one another, and that the common denominator in all of the arguments that had occurred that day was me. I was not for one minute entertaining the idea that I could be at fault until Mom suggested I take a look at how I was behaving. On most, if not all, of these occasions, after heeding her advice and taking a look at my behavior and attitude, I realized rather quickly I was the instigator. I would then admit to Mom it was me, and share with her what was behind my behaving in the manner I had. There was always an underlying issue that had nothing whatsoever to do with my siblings. Although I didn't think about it at the time, my failing to see that I could possibly be at fault was pride. I never considered it could be me, and I think there are many individuals today who are guilty of the same thing. Whenever problems, disagreements, or issues of any sort arise that prompt us to start pointing the finger and blaming others, we should first evaluate whether we could be partially or entirely at fault.
Failing to apologize when we know we are wrong, is another way in which pride can manifest itself. I've heard many people make excuses for individuals who refuse to apologize, and most say it's because the person is stubborn. Although they may be stubborn, when someone knows their wrong and refuses to apologize, pride is standing in their way. Being stubborn is an entirely different problem. As Christians, we are to follow the example set for us by Jesus, and he being perfect, demonstrated humility. No human being is perfect, and therefore there are times in all of our lives where we need to humble ourselves, and apologize for something we've said or done. Apologizing for a wrong we've done is freeing to our conscience, it is the right thing to do, and we will feel so much better for having done it. Most importantly, it is pleasing to God.
Do you have a problem with pride in your life? Do you boast and brag about your worldly possessions, and anything else you can find to boast and brag about? Do you hold yourself above others? Have you ever considered that some people may be placed in your path by God as a test of pride and humility? If God placed a test of pride and humility in your path, would you pass it? Do you remember God, and give him the glory for all you've accomplished, and all the blessings he has bestowed on you or do you take all the credit? Do you struggle to apologize even we you know you are wrong because you are filled with pride? Do you consider your faults, or are you a finger pointer?
There is nothing wrong with having a healthy pride in ourselves or for one another, when we accomplish something. The problem comes when we begin to boast and brag on ourselves and our possessions, refuse to admit when we are wrong, refuse to apologize when we should, and when we fail to give God the credit and the glory he deserves for all He accomplishes through and for us. If you have a problem in any of these areas, I encourage you to begin working on them today. Remember God in all things, and follow the example that Jesus set for us by walking in love and humility. Remember it is God who lifts up, and brings low. Remember it is impossible to learn a persons story at a glance, and we all have a story. Finally, if you find yourself feeling as though you are above a task or an individual, remember that Jesus was born in a manger, and that He washed the disciples feet.
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 perfectly clear to us that God does not like pride, and there are many more passages to reiterate that point. When most of us think about pride we associate it with individuals who boast about things like the car they drive, the house they live in, their careers, the school their children attend, and anything else they can use to build themselves up to all who will listen. Some individuals look at what others possess, compare it to what they own, and then make the decision to lift themselves up above them because they don't feel their material possessions are equal to or greater than their own. When we decide that we are better than someone else because, we drive a better car, live in a more expensive home, our children go to private schools, we make a higher salary, we put our career above theirs, we think their sin is somehow greater than ours, and things of this nature it is pride and arrogance. This is probably the most common and recognized way in which pride is manifested, but there are others that tend to be a bit less obvious.
Failing to recognize our own faults is a form of pride. When I was growing up my Mom taught me many valuable lessons, and one of those was to take a look at my own behavior in situations where I had a disagreement with someone. For example, If throughout the day I had argued with all four of my siblings at different times, then the problem may be me. It forced me to acknowledge that my siblings were getting along well with one another, and that the common denominator in all of the arguments that had occurred that day was me. I was not for one minute entertaining the idea that I could be at fault until Mom suggested I take a look at how I was behaving. On most, if not all, of these occasions, after heeding her advice and taking a look at my behavior and attitude, I realized rather quickly I was the instigator. I would then admit to Mom it was me, and share with her what was behind my behaving in the manner I had. There was always an underlying issue that had nothing whatsoever to do with my siblings. Although I didn't think about it at the time, my failing to see that I could possibly be at fault was pride. I never considered it could be me, and I think there are many individuals today who are guilty of the same thing. Whenever problems, disagreements, or issues of any sort arise that prompt us to start pointing the finger and blaming others, we should first evaluate whether we could be partially or entirely at fault.
Failing to apologize when we know we are wrong, is another way in which pride can manifest itself. I've heard many people make excuses for individuals who refuse to apologize, and most say it's because the person is stubborn. Although they may be stubborn, when someone knows their wrong and refuses to apologize, pride is standing in their way. Being stubborn is an entirely different problem. As Christians, we are to follow the example set for us by Jesus, and he being perfect, demonstrated humility. No human being is perfect, and therefore there are times in all of our lives where we need to humble ourselves, and apologize for something we've said or done. Apologizing for a wrong we've done is freeing to our conscience, it is the right thing to do, and we will feel so much better for having done it. Most importantly, it is pleasing to God.
Do you have a problem with pride in your life? Do you boast and brag about your worldly possessions, and anything else you can find to boast and brag about? Do you hold yourself above others? Have you ever considered that some people may be placed in your path by God as a test of pride and humility? If God placed a test of pride and humility in your path, would you pass it? Do you remember God, and give him the glory for all you've accomplished, and all the blessings he has bestowed on you or do you take all the credit? Do you struggle to apologize even we you know you are wrong because you are filled with pride? Do you consider your faults, or are you a finger pointer?
There is nothing wrong with having a healthy pride in ourselves or for one another, when we accomplish something. The problem comes when we begin to boast and brag on ourselves and our possessions, refuse to admit when we are wrong, refuse to apologize when we should, and when we fail to give God the credit and the glory he deserves for all He accomplishes through and for us. If you have a problem in any of these areas, I encourage you to begin working on them today. Remember God in all things, and follow the example that Jesus set for us by walking in love and humility. Remember it is God who lifts up, and brings low. Remember it is impossible to learn a persons story at a glance, and we all have a story. Finally, if you find yourself feeling as though you are above a task or an individual, remember that Jesus was born in a manger, and that He washed the disciples feet.
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, July 7, 2013
Jesus: The Son of God
John 8:14 (KJV) Says, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. John 5:33 (KJV) Says, "Ye sent John, and he bare witness unto the truth." John 5:36-37(KJV) Says, But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father Himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape." John 5:39 (KJV) Says, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John 5:46 (KJV) Says, "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me."
In the above passages of scripture Jesus tells us of six witnesses to his person already evident in John. The first is Jesus himself, the second witness was John the Baptist, the third his works and his miracles, the fourth the Father, the fifth the scriptures, and the sixth Moses who wrote of him.
Jesus is witness to Himself throughout the book of John. He makes statements affirming who He is. He says "I am" many times. For instance, He says "I am the Messiah," "I am the Bread of Life," "I am the Light of the World," "I am the Good Shepherd," "I am the Resurrection and the Life," and "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
The second witness Jesus gives us is John the Baptist, who we are told in scripture was sent from God. John went around evangelizing, and bearing witness of Jesus so all men might believe. The third witness Jesus speaks of are all the miracles He performed, and His good works. Jesus performed several good works and miracles which were witnessed by multitudes, and a great number of these are recorded in scripture. The miracles and works recorded could only be accomplished by the divine power of Almighty God.
The fourth witness that Jesus speaks of is God, the Father. God makes it known that Jesus is His Son, and even speaks out in Matthew 3:17 (KJV) saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," after Jesus is lifted up out of the water by John, when He was baptized. This is just one example of God identifying Jesus as his Son. The fifth witness Jesus points to is the scripture, which is God breathed. There are several prophesies in the Bible that have already come to pass, and there are several eyewitnesses to the events recorded in the Bible as well. The final witness Jesus lists among the six in the above passages, is Moses, who spoke with God directly on more than one occasion. Moses met with God on Mount Sinai where he received the ten commandments, not once but twice.
Now Jesus listed the above six witnesses, but there were many more. There were the multitudes He taught, and walked among. There were those who He taught among in the temple, those whose houses He visited, those He healed, the disciples, those who witnessed His crucifixion, those who witnessed His resurrection, and those who saw Him after he had risen. My point is there were multitudes who witnessed that Jesus was in fact, the Son of God.
In the days that Jesus walked the earth there were many people spreading the good news of Him, and His teachings. We read of some who learned of Him or were healed by Him, and immediately afterwards the Bible says they "ran" to tell others about Him, and all He had done for them. Having documentation of such a multitude of witnesses, and having the Word of God before us, which holds proven truths and covers any topic you can imagine all within one book, should be enough to warrant non-believers to at least consider that Almighty God does in fact exist. It should also be enough to prompt considering that He is the divine power responsible for the creation of all. If you are one who struggles to believe, then you should also consider that nothing physical can explain its own existence no matter how far back you trace it, because eventually you will go back so far you have nothing, and something cannot be created from nothing without the divine power of Almighty God.
If you are one who doesn't believe in God, or you are on the fence as to whether you believe or not, I encourage you to consider all these things. Consider the fact that the Bible is full of history, and that history documented in textbooks is believed without question or hesitation. If individuals can so readily accept and believe everything the pages of the textbooks in this world hold, then why hesitate to accept and believe the most powerful book that has ever existed? To deny Jesus exists is to believe that millions of eyewitnesses got it wrong, and even worse, it is to risk forfeiting God's precious gift of salvation and the opportunity to spend eternal life with him and your loved ones who have gone on before you. I encourage you to consider all these truths, and to choose to spend eternal life with God in heaven, in lieu of spending it with Satan himself in the pits of hell. Those are our options according to God's word, and he wants nothing more than for us, his children, to choose eternal life with him. There is far too much evidence that God exists, and far too great a price to pay for anyone to die without coming to know Him. Where you will spend eternal life is a very serious matter, so I encourage you not to procrastinate when making that choice. Remember, we are not promised tomorrow.
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you would like to do so, simply go to God in prayer, ask him to forgive you of all 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 your heart, and be your Lord and Savior. Please don't wait for a better place or a better time to accept Christ, there is no better place or time than right now, right where you are. If you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will discover it to be the greatest decision you have ever made, and you will find a divine peace, joy, and contentment like you've 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.
In the above passages of scripture Jesus tells us of six witnesses to his person already evident in John. The first is Jesus himself, the second witness was John the Baptist, the third his works and his miracles, the fourth the Father, the fifth the scriptures, and the sixth Moses who wrote of him.
Jesus is witness to Himself throughout the book of John. He makes statements affirming who He is. He says "I am" many times. For instance, He says "I am the Messiah," "I am the Bread of Life," "I am the Light of the World," "I am the Good Shepherd," "I am the Resurrection and the Life," and "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
The second witness Jesus gives us is John the Baptist, who we are told in scripture was sent from God. John went around evangelizing, and bearing witness of Jesus so all men might believe. The third witness Jesus speaks of are all the miracles He performed, and His good works. Jesus performed several good works and miracles which were witnessed by multitudes, and a great number of these are recorded in scripture. The miracles and works recorded could only be accomplished by the divine power of Almighty God.
The fourth witness that Jesus speaks of is God, the Father. God makes it known that Jesus is His Son, and even speaks out in Matthew 3:17 (KJV) saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," after Jesus is lifted up out of the water by John, when He was baptized. This is just one example of God identifying Jesus as his Son. The fifth witness Jesus points to is the scripture, which is God breathed. There are several prophesies in the Bible that have already come to pass, and there are several eyewitnesses to the events recorded in the Bible as well. The final witness Jesus lists among the six in the above passages, is Moses, who spoke with God directly on more than one occasion. Moses met with God on Mount Sinai where he received the ten commandments, not once but twice.
Now Jesus listed the above six witnesses, but there were many more. There were the multitudes He taught, and walked among. There were those who He taught among in the temple, those whose houses He visited, those He healed, the disciples, those who witnessed His crucifixion, those who witnessed His resurrection, and those who saw Him after he had risen. My point is there were multitudes who witnessed that Jesus was in fact, the Son of God.
In the days that Jesus walked the earth there were many people spreading the good news of Him, and His teachings. We read of some who learned of Him or were healed by Him, and immediately afterwards the Bible says they "ran" to tell others about Him, and all He had done for them. Having documentation of such a multitude of witnesses, and having the Word of God before us, which holds proven truths and covers any topic you can imagine all within one book, should be enough to warrant non-believers to at least consider that Almighty God does in fact exist. It should also be enough to prompt considering that He is the divine power responsible for the creation of all. If you are one who struggles to believe, then you should also consider that nothing physical can explain its own existence no matter how far back you trace it, because eventually you will go back so far you have nothing, and something cannot be created from nothing without the divine power of Almighty God.
If you are one who doesn't believe in God, or you are on the fence as to whether you believe or not, I encourage you to consider all these things. Consider the fact that the Bible is full of history, and that history documented in textbooks is believed without question or hesitation. If individuals can so readily accept and believe everything the pages of the textbooks in this world hold, then why hesitate to accept and believe the most powerful book that has ever existed? To deny Jesus exists is to believe that millions of eyewitnesses got it wrong, and even worse, it is to risk forfeiting God's precious gift of salvation and the opportunity to spend eternal life with him and your loved ones who have gone on before you. I encourage you to consider all these truths, and to choose to spend eternal life with God in heaven, in lieu of spending it with Satan himself in the pits of hell. Those are our options according to God's word, and he wants nothing more than for us, his children, to choose eternal life with him. There is far too much evidence that God exists, and far too great a price to pay for anyone to die without coming to know Him. Where you will spend eternal life is a very serious matter, so I encourage you not to procrastinate when making that choice. Remember, we are not promised tomorrow.
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you would like to do so, simply go to God in prayer, ask him to forgive you of all 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 your heart, and be your Lord and Savior. Please don't wait for a better place or a better time to accept Christ, there is no better place or time than right now, right where you are. If you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will discover it to be the greatest decision you have ever made, and you will find a divine peace, joy, and contentment like you've 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.
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