--Paul, 1Tim. 4:7-8
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Purpose of Godliness
"...discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;...[because] godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Confess Your Experiences to Praise Jesus Christ
Christians have experiences that they could use to testify about God’s grace, peace, provision, deliverance, rest, nourishment, restoration, etc. Yes, just the whole gamut of God’s goodness and mercy. Regrettably, there is not enough intentionally reflections on using those personal experiences to praise the Lord. Rather we go back more times to request additional things [I am no exception]. Have mercy on us Lord!
David knew what it was to use his daily experiences to praise God. In Psalm 23, he talks about God being his Shepherd, implying he was a sheep. Oh, how humbly David presents himself as being timid; fearful; easily panicked; dumb; stupid; gullible; almost, if not at all, defenseless; vulnerable; etc., just using a few descriptive characteristics of sheep. Not to mention sheep need the most care of all livestock; are creatures of habit; and, are totally dependent on the shepherd for their every need. David expresses such a dependent relationship between God and himself: the Shepherd/sheep relationship.
Yes, the Lord is your Shepherd. One who better understands your needs; better understands your impending danger; better understands your weaknesses; disciplines and corrects you in His way; yet comforts you when you hurt or are fearful.
How blessed you are that the Lord is your Shepherd! It is comforting to know that, among other things, He provides you His protection; fulfillment; direction; restoration; friendship; maintenance; love; joy; and refuge. You should be glad Jesus prepares the path ahead of you.
It is so rejuvenating to know that the Lord is your Shepherd! You should praise Him with your experiences!
David knew what it was to use his daily experiences to praise God. In Psalm 23, he talks about God being his Shepherd, implying he was a sheep. Oh, how humbly David presents himself as being timid; fearful; easily panicked; dumb; stupid; gullible; almost, if not at all, defenseless; vulnerable; etc., just using a few descriptive characteristics of sheep. Not to mention sheep need the most care of all livestock; are creatures of habit; and, are totally dependent on the shepherd for their every need. David expresses such a dependent relationship between God and himself: the Shepherd/sheep relationship.
Yes, the Lord is your Shepherd. One who better understands your needs; better understands your impending danger; better understands your weaknesses; disciplines and corrects you in His way; yet comforts you when you hurt or are fearful.
How blessed you are that the Lord is your Shepherd! It is comforting to know that, among other things, He provides you His protection; fulfillment; direction; restoration; friendship; maintenance; love; joy; and refuge. You should be glad Jesus prepares the path ahead of you.
It is so rejuvenating to know that the Lord is your Shepherd! You should praise Him with your experiences!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Point-2-Ponder
"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill"
--Jesus, Matthew 5.17
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Similar Faith For The Same God
Hebrew 11:24-26 says:
"It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him."
Moses’ faith was not determined nor deterred by his position, authority and/or wealth. He knew and trusted God the Creator so much that man’s appointment did not blind him to God’s divine purpose. He knew that God was ‘The Source’ of all authority and appointment. Moses made the decision to go along with God’s plan to free His people. God made the suggestion, Moses accepted it. There were some rough points, but he accepted it. He relied on God’s judgment.
Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Notice the word ‘and.’ Used as a conjunction, it implies amongst other things - in addition to, after that, as well as. In essence, He is a never-changing Person. If God could do it for Moses and many others, and He is a never-changing Person, He can do it for you.
As a Bible believing Christian, are you willing to exhibit similar faith?
"It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him."
Moses’ faith was not determined nor deterred by his position, authority and/or wealth. He knew and trusted God the Creator so much that man’s appointment did not blind him to God’s divine purpose. He knew that God was ‘The Source’ of all authority and appointment. Moses made the decision to go along with God’s plan to free His people. God made the suggestion, Moses accepted it. There were some rough points, but he accepted it. He relied on God’s judgment.
Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Notice the word ‘and.’ Used as a conjunction, it implies amongst other things - in addition to, after that, as well as. In essence, He is a never-changing Person. If God could do it for Moses and many others, and He is a never-changing Person, He can do it for you.
As a Bible believing Christian, are you willing to exhibit similar faith?
Five Basic Steps to Success
Success today, defined by the standards of the world is equated to fame and fortune. Sadly enough, it revolves around power, money and sex. Yet, there is a plethora of cases where people accomplish the world’s definition of success and they are empty, unsatisfied, feel guilty and useless. The foolish commit suicide. They ignore there is a God and things can be turned around for them. The wise ones accept God’s grace and experience true success. How many of you reading this now want success in life? How many of you think you will have success? So, what is success?
What is Success?
According to the Bible, success can be to communicate and meditate on God’s Word both day and night and do what it says (Joshua 1:8). James reminds us to not be mere hearers of the Word but doers (James 1:22). David knew this so in his meditation and prayer he cried out, “Your Word I have hidden [treasured] in my heart that I will not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). You see, sin is simply not doing what the Word of God says.
Using the Scripture reference 1 Chronicles 13, let’s look at five basic steps to success:
1. Your thoughts or plan must be of God (v.2): Whatever are your thoughts and plans, they must be of God. Yes YHWH! Yes Jehovah Elohim! God is the Alpha and the Omega, so your thoughts and plans begin with Him in mind and end with Him in mind. In the verse, David said, “if it seems good to you, and if it is from the LORD our God…” The Bible says only good and perfect things are from God.
2. Your plan’s goal must be to bring you closer to God to glorify Him (vv. 3-4): Your goal must draw you closer to God! Say it to yourself: must! Your goal must be right in God’s sight. He wants everything to be good in your life. He said He knows the thoughts [plans] He has towards you, that are good and that will cause you to prosper. He said He will turn everything around for your good because He loves you. So your goal must be to draw near to Him so He can draw near to you; to see you to an expected end. Remember that if God is the Alpha and the Omega, then He knows the beginning and He knows the end. So if your plan’s goal is of God at the beginning the end will be of God if done according to what He has planned.
3. Let God be in charge of the process (v.10): God is Omnipotent. God is Omniscient. You cannot help God take care of Himself or to do His work. He created you. It might at times seem as though things are not going according to what your thoughts are, but that’s okay. The Bible tells you to lean not on your own understanding. If God can take care of the fields and the birds in the air what about Himself? He created everything and that was in six days. God can take care of Himself as He gets things right and accomplishes what He has said He will do. You are the one who panic when He is doing a good work. You are the one who doubts, lose heart, lose sleep, and lose appetite. You are the one who worries after He has told you to be anxious for nothing! He says before Abraham was “I AM.” If only you understand His name, “I AM,” you would not lose anything, rather gain everything.
4. Avoid anger when things don’t go as you think they should go (v.11): The fundamental question here is who is in control. You are not in control. God is! You see, your thoughts are not God’s. His thoughts are different. The LORD declares in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
God does not say His thoughts are ‘better’ rather “higher.” He compares His ways and thoughts to yours using the distance between the heavens and the earth. If you can determine that distance, then you know how different they are and how great they are compared to yours. However He wants to reach His expected end, it is His decision. You cannot change it through your anger or attitude. Remember, you need Him to work through you.
The LORD goes further to show you in verses 10-12a, that a mishap in life gives you no right to get angry. The Bible cautions you to not let your anger cause you to sin. It says your anger cannot do God’s righteousness. Don’t lose heart, put you faith in action, and continue to believe in God through Jesus Christ. A mishap is what you see, and the blessing is not seen. The latter is an expectation. That’s faith in a living God! Yet, it is all good, because the Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:1 that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction [evidence] of things not seen.”
5. Do not be afraid (vv. 12-14): “Fear not for I am with you,” says the Lord repeatedly in the Bible. Avoid being afraid. Fear is from not from God. Fear destroys your relationship with God. God wants to perform His purpose in your life. Always He says in His Word, “Fear not…” He says He will never leave you nor forsake you. So why should things around you cause you to become angry, and then afraid? Fear causes you to put the things of God aside and you focus on the things that seem right in this world. Fear robs you of receiving your blessings.
In concluding, remember these things:
•If you have a thought which seems right, go to God in prayer for confirmation!
•If it is from the LORD our God, go for it in your life!
•If you think things are not happening in the process of God doing a great thing in your life as He said He would, don’t give up or become frustrated, keep on doing and going for it!
•Don’t let fear discourage you. Fear is not from the LORD. Exercise faith!
•There is an expected end from the LORD. Receive your blessings in the name of Jesus Christ.
AMEN!
What is Success?
According to the Bible, success can be to communicate and meditate on God’s Word both day and night and do what it says (Joshua 1:8). James reminds us to not be mere hearers of the Word but doers (James 1:22). David knew this so in his meditation and prayer he cried out, “Your Word I have hidden [treasured] in my heart that I will not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). You see, sin is simply not doing what the Word of God says.
Using the Scripture reference 1 Chronicles 13, let’s look at five basic steps to success:
1. Your thoughts or plan must be of God (v.2): Whatever are your thoughts and plans, they must be of God. Yes YHWH! Yes Jehovah Elohim! God is the Alpha and the Omega, so your thoughts and plans begin with Him in mind and end with Him in mind. In the verse, David said, “if it seems good to you, and if it is from the LORD our God…” The Bible says only good and perfect things are from God.
2. Your plan’s goal must be to bring you closer to God to glorify Him (vv. 3-4): Your goal must draw you closer to God! Say it to yourself: must! Your goal must be right in God’s sight. He wants everything to be good in your life. He said He knows the thoughts [plans] He has towards you, that are good and that will cause you to prosper. He said He will turn everything around for your good because He loves you. So your goal must be to draw near to Him so He can draw near to you; to see you to an expected end. Remember that if God is the Alpha and the Omega, then He knows the beginning and He knows the end. So if your plan’s goal is of God at the beginning the end will be of God if done according to what He has planned.
3. Let God be in charge of the process (v.10): God is Omnipotent. God is Omniscient. You cannot help God take care of Himself or to do His work. He created you. It might at times seem as though things are not going according to what your thoughts are, but that’s okay. The Bible tells you to lean not on your own understanding. If God can take care of the fields and the birds in the air what about Himself? He created everything and that was in six days. God can take care of Himself as He gets things right and accomplishes what He has said He will do. You are the one who panic when He is doing a good work. You are the one who doubts, lose heart, lose sleep, and lose appetite. You are the one who worries after He has told you to be anxious for nothing! He says before Abraham was “I AM.” If only you understand His name, “I AM,” you would not lose anything, rather gain everything.
4. Avoid anger when things don’t go as you think they should go (v.11): The fundamental question here is who is in control. You are not in control. God is! You see, your thoughts are not God’s. His thoughts are different. The LORD declares in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
God does not say His thoughts are ‘better’ rather “higher.” He compares His ways and thoughts to yours using the distance between the heavens and the earth. If you can determine that distance, then you know how different they are and how great they are compared to yours. However He wants to reach His expected end, it is His decision. You cannot change it through your anger or attitude. Remember, you need Him to work through you.
The LORD goes further to show you in verses 10-12a, that a mishap in life gives you no right to get angry. The Bible cautions you to not let your anger cause you to sin. It says your anger cannot do God’s righteousness. Don’t lose heart, put you faith in action, and continue to believe in God through Jesus Christ. A mishap is what you see, and the blessing is not seen. The latter is an expectation. That’s faith in a living God! Yet, it is all good, because the Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:1 that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction [evidence] of things not seen.”
5. Do not be afraid (vv. 12-14): “Fear not for I am with you,” says the Lord repeatedly in the Bible. Avoid being afraid. Fear is from not from God. Fear destroys your relationship with God. God wants to perform His purpose in your life. Always He says in His Word, “Fear not…” He says He will never leave you nor forsake you. So why should things around you cause you to become angry, and then afraid? Fear causes you to put the things of God aside and you focus on the things that seem right in this world. Fear robs you of receiving your blessings.
In concluding, remember these things:
•If you have a thought which seems right, go to God in prayer for confirmation!
•If it is from the LORD our God, go for it in your life!
•If you think things are not happening in the process of God doing a great thing in your life as He said He would, don’t give up or become frustrated, keep on doing and going for it!
•Don’t let fear discourage you. Fear is not from the LORD. Exercise faith!
•There is an expected end from the LORD. Receive your blessings in the name of Jesus Christ.
AMEN!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Repent and Live!
Christians truly think that repentance is saying “I am sorry” for whatever wrongs they have done. Ummm…that’s what we have been taught in churches, prayer meetings, and Bible studies. But true repentance is actually having a “change of mind.” Old things become history and everything from then onward becomes the future. Yes the future is new. There is a new life, even though it will be the same physical you.
So, as a Christian, live the rest of your earthly life being controlled by God’s will and not by human desires. Yes, with God all things are possible! If there is any burden you have, take it to the Lord in prayer and He will take care of it. Not your will dictating how He should take care of it, but His!
So, as a Christian, live the rest of your earthly life being controlled by God’s will and not by human desires. Yes, with God all things are possible! If there is any burden you have, take it to the Lord in prayer and He will take care of it. Not your will dictating how He should take care of it, but His!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sin is Still Sin!
During a recent class, the facilitator listed seven "areas" - depression, regression, obsession, etc - that the devil uses to tempt Christians. I was unsuccessful in getting a Biblical reference for any of these "areas" of temptation from the facilitator. I explained that these things are all incorporated and part and parcel of psychology. Regrettably, Christians have gradually gotten to accept, adopt and apply psychological "diagnosis," rather than relying on the Word of God.
I further explained that God's diagnosis reveals that all of our iniquities and transgressions are found in one, or more, of three things. Namely: lust of the eyes; lust of the flesh; and, the pride of life. For example, when Cain made his offering to God and the latter "did not look with favor" [NIV] upon it or that He "had no regard" [NASB] for it, Cain became "very angry, and his face was downcast" [NIV]. The NASB says he was "very angry and his countenance fell."
Look at the following verses from Genesis 4.
vv.6-7: "Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is you face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
The New Testament tells us not to let our anger cause us to sin. Sin has remained what it is - sin! Nothing has changed about it. It has been and remains sin since it entered the world and will remain sin until Christ returns.
Today, as in the past, sin is alive and exists. We should not rename sin based on man’s diagnosis. God calls it sin and it must remain sin.
I further explained that God's diagnosis reveals that all of our iniquities and transgressions are found in one, or more, of three things. Namely: lust of the eyes; lust of the flesh; and, the pride of life. For example, when Cain made his offering to God and the latter "did not look with favor" [NIV] upon it or that He "had no regard" [NASB] for it, Cain became "very angry, and his face was downcast" [NIV]. The NASB says he was "very angry and his countenance fell."
Look at the following verses from Genesis 4.
vv.6-7: "Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is you face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
The New Testament tells us not to let our anger cause us to sin. Sin has remained what it is - sin! Nothing has changed about it. It has been and remains sin since it entered the world and will remain sin until Christ returns.
Today, as in the past, sin is alive and exists. We should not rename sin based on man’s diagnosis. God calls it sin and it must remain sin.
A New Page
Today starts a new page in my life as I endeavor to set up a blog, with the purpose of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Welcome and may we continue to glorify Him!
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