Ephesians 4.22-24 (MSG)
22.Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything - and I do mean everything - connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life - a God-fashioned life,
23.a life renewed from the inside
24.and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
Hebrews 10.26 (GWD)
26.If we go on sinning after we have learned the truth, no sacrifice can take away our sins.
There is a belief among some Christians that "once saved, always saved". We think that Christ's death and Resurrection, being baptized and going to church automatically signs us for entry into Heaven. We pray empty prayers and quote scripture yet continue in sin like we have a "Get Out of Hell Free" card tucked safely in our wallet. This is a dangerous misconception. Yes, once Christ died for us, that act only needed to happen once to cover the totality of all sin to come. The problem is understanding the difference between committing a sin and living in sin.
We understand that we will falter, we were born into sin and direct our own wills, so God gives us mercy and grace to help us in that regard. However, once we sin, we are to repent (turn away) and avoid repeating that act. . .
If I become overwhelmed about a lack of money and commit an act that is dishonest, I am to confess, ask for forgiveness and choose to work on increasing my faith in God instead of relying on self in order to avoid repeating the sin. Mercy says that God will withhold the punishment I really deserve because of this fallacy. Grace says that he will continue to bless me in spite of the fact that I have sinned and do not deserve it. In this example, I have "committed a sin".
Now, suppose I meet Mr. Wonderful, the man I have prayed for forever. We plan to marry, but the timing just isn't right. Unfortunately, my desire for him physically is killing me and I give in. The next day, I confess, ask for forgiveness and choose to renew my commitment to waiting for sex until we are married. Then, the next time we are together it happens again. I repeat my confession, begging for forgiveness, etc. but can't seem to stick with my commitment to wait. In this example, I am "living in sin" - I have disregarded the truth of God's Word and submitted to fulfilling my own desires. Now, mercy can't help me because I have not repented (turned away from the act). Grace is of no use to me, because God will not "bless my mess". But this isn't to say that it's too late to repent, only that repentance isn't complete unless I turn away from the sin. Then, mercy will withhold the punishment I truly deserve for breaking God's law; and Grace will give me the blessing of making us able to marry to avoid the sin.
If you read all of the promises that God makes to us in the Scriptures, you will notice that each is attached to a condition:
"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37.4
"Bring ye all the tithes . . . and I will pour you out blessings . . ." Malachi 3.10
". . . if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear [their prayer] from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their country." 2 Chron 7. 14
"We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God - those whom he has called according to his plan." Romans 8.28
Please know that God has a plan for each of us that He has called into His family. He is shaping us to be like Him, so that we can be with Him in eternity. Unless we submit ourselves to His plan, we can not be transformed. We can not use Christ's sacrifice, our baptism or "doing church" as a "Get out of Hell Free" card. We must surrender ourselves to His Holy Spirit so that we can be taught, led and directed in the way that our lives should go in order to fulfill God's plan.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
How will I know? . . .
I was asked yesterday, how will you know if a man is right for you if you don't "try it out" first? Then, someone else told me that no man will want to marry me if he can't "see what he's getting first." They all assume that because I choose abstinence, I am a hurt, bitter and lonely woman.
It is hard to understand my choice from a purely natural state-of-mind. You have to look at my life in the spiritual, with the assistance of The Spirit. Just as a puppy doesn't understand what you say until she has been taught and trained into understanding, we can not understand the things of God without teaching and training through His Holy Spirit.
I will know that a man is right for me without "trying it out" because I have that much faith in God. I believe that He is all-knowing and all-powerful. I believe the Psalmist who said "delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37.4) And I believe that God gave us laws not to restrict us, but to protect us from dangers unseen. Consider how few divorces there would be if we all sought God's guidance in choosing a mate. My faith tells me that every good and perfect gift from God (James 1.17) also includes His choice of my husband.
Any man that does not want to wait for me until marraige isn't a man that God has ordained for me. We wouldn't be equally yoked (2 Cor 6.14). So, I am glad that my mention of abstinence runs some men away! This then begs the question of whether I will be able to find a man that IS on the same spiritual page as me. To that I answer: IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD? (Jeremiah 32.27)
Finally, it was said that I must have been hurt by a man and now have renounced them all. My response was that in my old nature I would do the opposite of what I do now: when depressed, disappointed or hurt I sought out destructive behaviors. So, instead of abstinence, I practiced promiscuity. Instead of prayer, I self-medicated. Instead of reserving, I indulged. In fact, God healed my broken heart before I ever considered abstinence. My decision was born in my renewed mind. God initially took the desire away until after my renewal. Then, the desire returned, but with a changed mind I chose obedience over lust.
Everyone understands God's position on fornication, but we have chosen to ignore it, thinking that God must understand that He is asking too much of us to give this up. This is not true. God's Word hasn't changed. Again, God gave us these laws to protect us. Consider how many broken hearts, fatal attractions, unwanted babies, struggling single mothers, AIDS cases, etc. would be avoided if we followed this one single rule. How different the world would be! God saw all of the harm that fornication would cause and asked us to avoid it. Just think how different your life would be if you avoided it.
I never thought that I could live without it, but I'll be celebrating two years of abstinence next month. It amazes me what God has done in my life, simply because I say to Him each day, "I surrender all."
It is hard to understand my choice from a purely natural state-of-mind. You have to look at my life in the spiritual, with the assistance of The Spirit. Just as a puppy doesn't understand what you say until she has been taught and trained into understanding, we can not understand the things of God without teaching and training through His Holy Spirit.
I will know that a man is right for me without "trying it out" because I have that much faith in God. I believe that He is all-knowing and all-powerful. I believe the Psalmist who said "delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37.4) And I believe that God gave us laws not to restrict us, but to protect us from dangers unseen. Consider how few divorces there would be if we all sought God's guidance in choosing a mate. My faith tells me that every good and perfect gift from God (James 1.17) also includes His choice of my husband.
Any man that does not want to wait for me until marraige isn't a man that God has ordained for me. We wouldn't be equally yoked (2 Cor 6.14). So, I am glad that my mention of abstinence runs some men away! This then begs the question of whether I will be able to find a man that IS on the same spiritual page as me. To that I answer: IS THERE ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD? (Jeremiah 32.27)
Finally, it was said that I must have been hurt by a man and now have renounced them all. My response was that in my old nature I would do the opposite of what I do now: when depressed, disappointed or hurt I sought out destructive behaviors. So, instead of abstinence, I practiced promiscuity. Instead of prayer, I self-medicated. Instead of reserving, I indulged. In fact, God healed my broken heart before I ever considered abstinence. My decision was born in my renewed mind. God initially took the desire away until after my renewal. Then, the desire returned, but with a changed mind I chose obedience over lust.
Everyone understands God's position on fornication, but we have chosen to ignore it, thinking that God must understand that He is asking too much of us to give this up. This is not true. God's Word hasn't changed. Again, God gave us these laws to protect us. Consider how many broken hearts, fatal attractions, unwanted babies, struggling single mothers, AIDS cases, etc. would be avoided if we followed this one single rule. How different the world would be! God saw all of the harm that fornication would cause and asked us to avoid it. Just think how different your life would be if you avoided it.
I never thought that I could live without it, but I'll be celebrating two years of abstinence next month. It amazes me what God has done in my life, simply because I say to Him each day, "I surrender all."
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Taking off my casual clothes . . .
Sunday, my pastor preached about "Casual Christianity" meaning being morally indifferent, spiritually idle and lukewarm in faith. The Casual Christian has knowledge of God and believes in Him but is strongly tied to the world and afraid to let go - basically trying to serve two masters. Jesus instructs us in Matt 6.24 that this is not possible.
I remember trying to live out my Christian life without letting go of the world. I would show up at church and rush into the choir stand with the stenches of the club and some random guy clinging to my skin. I would teach a Sunday School lesson, maybe dip out of service early, and go smoke a blunt and lay up with my boyfriend. Eventually, my service in church was less and less because it was hard to wake up with a hangover and go to 9am service. It was rough trying to encourage someone with prayer when my mind was clouded with guilt. Listening to the pastor "step on my toes" every Sunday was more than my conscience could take. I knew I had to let one of my masters go. Unfortunately, it was easier to indulge in the world than sacrifice for God.
My problem was thinking that changing myself to live for God would make life too restrictive and boring. That trying to get rid of my vices, desires and indulgences was impossible and would never happen. Actually, I was right.
If I try to change myself, then yes, life will seem cut-off from all of the things I enjoy. I won't be able to have the fun that I'm used to having. And letting go of my vices, addictions, desires?? Impossible!! That is why God doesn't expect me to change myself. He doesn't ask me to clean up and then dedicate my life to Him. The only thing He asks of me is to love Him, with all of my heart, soul and strength (Deut. 6.5). Giving Him myself completely - in whatever state I am in - allows God to mold me and shape me (heart, soul and body) into what He needs me to be in order to serve Him best. ("The LORD your God will cleanse your heart . . . so that you will love him with all your heart and soul, and so you may live!" Deut. 30.6)
So now, my life isn't restricted and boring to me, because my mind has been changed and those things I used to desire to do, I don't desire anymore. Now, there are desires that remain, but my changed heart doesn't want to partake. Don't think that all desires or weaknesses will leave you. Just like there is no cure for addictions, there is no cure for sin. A drug addict must work daily against his addiction. In the same way, I have to work daily against the flesh. Becoming like God is a process that must grow and continue unto completion. God leaves us with certain struggles so that we will continue to lean on Him and seek Him daily - allowing the process to continue.
In Pastor's sermon, he discussed suffering for our faith. First Peter 4.1-5 tells us that we are to put on a mind of suffering as Jesus did. Verse 13 goes on to say we should be rejoicing over suffering because suffering is a spiritual refining process. It helps to wean us from a life of sin. Suffering also makes us stronger, e.g., "No Pain, No Gain." We have to go through the fire of suffering to come out changed. This is all apart of the process of becoming like God.
Now, to the unbeliever (and maybe some believers) this is not appealing. Why should I leave a life of doing what I want to enter a life of pain, discomfort and suffering? What I've realized is, life outside of God is full of pain, discomfort and suffering, as well. The difference is having God to ease the pain, take away the discomfort and heal the suffering. When I suffer for God, I am rewarded in a way that is unlike the rewards of the flesh. When I suffer for my faith, I don't have to turn to addictive drugs or destructive lifestyles to numb the pain or alleviate discomfort. God has promised never to put more on us than we can bear, because He makes everything bearable!
God has allowed Satan to be god of this world - for the time being - so he has some power over those who are not empowered by God. Thus, the choice is essentially whether to serve God or Satan. The more I understood this, the more I realized that I had to make a choice. I decided that if I kept living for Satan I would end up dead and possibly by my own hands (there were many close calls). That life was fun, but the fun came at a cost: my sanity, my joy, my peace. So, I made up my mind to give my life to God and "introduced my Sunday self to my Monday self." I took off the my Casual Christian uniform that I'd worn to fool the world and put on the true Armor of God that is my gift from Him. My mind is clear, joy has been restored and I live with abundant peace. The changes come one-by-one, slowly buy surely. But as long as I wake up and choose Christ, the change will continue.
I remember trying to live out my Christian life without letting go of the world. I would show up at church and rush into the choir stand with the stenches of the club and some random guy clinging to my skin. I would teach a Sunday School lesson, maybe dip out of service early, and go smoke a blunt and lay up with my boyfriend. Eventually, my service in church was less and less because it was hard to wake up with a hangover and go to 9am service. It was rough trying to encourage someone with prayer when my mind was clouded with guilt. Listening to the pastor "step on my toes" every Sunday was more than my conscience could take. I knew I had to let one of my masters go. Unfortunately, it was easier to indulge in the world than sacrifice for God.
My problem was thinking that changing myself to live for God would make life too restrictive and boring. That trying to get rid of my vices, desires and indulgences was impossible and would never happen. Actually, I was right.
If I try to change myself, then yes, life will seem cut-off from all of the things I enjoy. I won't be able to have the fun that I'm used to having. And letting go of my vices, addictions, desires?? Impossible!! That is why God doesn't expect me to change myself. He doesn't ask me to clean up and then dedicate my life to Him. The only thing He asks of me is to love Him, with all of my heart, soul and strength (Deut. 6.5). Giving Him myself completely - in whatever state I am in - allows God to mold me and shape me (heart, soul and body) into what He needs me to be in order to serve Him best. ("The LORD your God will cleanse your heart . . . so that you will love him with all your heart and soul, and so you may live!" Deut. 30.6)
So now, my life isn't restricted and boring to me, because my mind has been changed and those things I used to desire to do, I don't desire anymore. Now, there are desires that remain, but my changed heart doesn't want to partake. Don't think that all desires or weaknesses will leave you. Just like there is no cure for addictions, there is no cure for sin. A drug addict must work daily against his addiction. In the same way, I have to work daily against the flesh. Becoming like God is a process that must grow and continue unto completion. God leaves us with certain struggles so that we will continue to lean on Him and seek Him daily - allowing the process to continue.
In Pastor's sermon, he discussed suffering for our faith. First Peter 4.1-5 tells us that we are to put on a mind of suffering as Jesus did. Verse 13 goes on to say we should be rejoicing over suffering because suffering is a spiritual refining process. It helps to wean us from a life of sin. Suffering also makes us stronger, e.g., "No Pain, No Gain." We have to go through the fire of suffering to come out changed. This is all apart of the process of becoming like God.
Now, to the unbeliever (and maybe some believers) this is not appealing. Why should I leave a life of doing what I want to enter a life of pain, discomfort and suffering? What I've realized is, life outside of God is full of pain, discomfort and suffering, as well. The difference is having God to ease the pain, take away the discomfort and heal the suffering. When I suffer for God, I am rewarded in a way that is unlike the rewards of the flesh. When I suffer for my faith, I don't have to turn to addictive drugs or destructive lifestyles to numb the pain or alleviate discomfort. God has promised never to put more on us than we can bear, because He makes everything bearable!
God has allowed Satan to be god of this world - for the time being - so he has some power over those who are not empowered by God. Thus, the choice is essentially whether to serve God or Satan. The more I understood this, the more I realized that I had to make a choice. I decided that if I kept living for Satan I would end up dead and possibly by my own hands (there were many close calls). That life was fun, but the fun came at a cost: my sanity, my joy, my peace. So, I made up my mind to give my life to God and "introduced my Sunday self to my Monday self." I took off the my Casual Christian uniform that I'd worn to fool the world and put on the true Armor of God that is my gift from Him. My mind is clear, joy has been restored and I live with abundant peace. The changes come one-by-one, slowly buy surely. But as long as I wake up and choose Christ, the change will continue.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Celebrate Independence Day everyday . . .
Over 230 years ago a small country of rebellious people were set free from their overbearing parent country and came to be known as Americans. Almost 2,000 years ago a world of rebellious people were set free from the overbearing hold of sin and came to be known as Christians.
When America was freed, it came on the backs of troops and brave men who fought for what they wanted. It was birthed in the minds of politicos who sought a better life for those they represented. When believers were freed, it wasn't on the backs of troops or through the work of politicians, but by the sacrifice of one man - Jesus Christ.
In both situations, blood was shed and a call for sacrifice was made. Both situations sought to bring a better life to those being freed. In both instances, that better life, whether freedom to "make my own rules" or freedom from "the bondage of sin", was acheived.
Imagine if Pres. Obama announced a plan for all Americans to revoke our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A plan that would take away our freedoms of speach, worship, travel, assembly, etc. Riots, looting and impeachment would loom, for sure. So why is it that believers choose to go back to the bondage of sin and loose their freedoms of victory, salvation and eternal life?
Sin is powerful and its allure can be overwhelming. But it will soon make you a prisoner if you wallow in it for long. You will be held captive, and captivity is certainly not freedom. God, however, does not hold you captive but frees you from the bondage of guilt, error, deception, pain, ignorance and eternal damnation - all things that service to sin will produce.
We can not escape sin, we were born into it. However, we can escape living in sin. Focusing our lives on God, submitting to His will and surrendering to His Holy Spirit keeps us out of sin's grasp and let's us walk in the freedom of Christ.
Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4th with cookouts, parties, fireworks and family time. As believers, we should be celebrating independence everyday with prayer, praise,submission and time with God. Don't revoke your freedom; don't let Christ's death be in vain! Know Him as the Truth because the Truth shall make you free (John 8.32).
When America was freed, it came on the backs of troops and brave men who fought for what they wanted. It was birthed in the minds of politicos who sought a better life for those they represented. When believers were freed, it wasn't on the backs of troops or through the work of politicians, but by the sacrifice of one man - Jesus Christ.
In both situations, blood was shed and a call for sacrifice was made. Both situations sought to bring a better life to those being freed. In both instances, that better life, whether freedom to "make my own rules" or freedom from "the bondage of sin", was acheived.
Imagine if Pres. Obama announced a plan for all Americans to revoke our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A plan that would take away our freedoms of speach, worship, travel, assembly, etc. Riots, looting and impeachment would loom, for sure. So why is it that believers choose to go back to the bondage of sin and loose their freedoms of victory, salvation and eternal life?
Sin is powerful and its allure can be overwhelming. But it will soon make you a prisoner if you wallow in it for long. You will be held captive, and captivity is certainly not freedom. God, however, does not hold you captive but frees you from the bondage of guilt, error, deception, pain, ignorance and eternal damnation - all things that service to sin will produce.
We can not escape sin, we were born into it. However, we can escape living in sin. Focusing our lives on God, submitting to His will and surrendering to His Holy Spirit keeps us out of sin's grasp and let's us walk in the freedom of Christ.
Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4th with cookouts, parties, fireworks and family time. As believers, we should be celebrating independence everyday with prayer, praise,submission and time with God. Don't revoke your freedom; don't let Christ's death be in vain! Know Him as the Truth because the Truth shall make you free (John 8.32).
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Let us pray . . .
I was enlightened recently by a handout in Bible study. It breaks down the Model Prayer given in Matt 6. 9-13, when Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. As expected, I found that the prayer is more than just a prayer, it's a lesson we all need to embrace. (I have added my personal thoughts on each part.)
From: ("If God Talked Out Loud..." by Clyde Lee Herring pg.13-21. 1977 Broadman Press Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 76-27479.)
I cannot pray "OUR," if my faith has no room for others and their need.
My pastor told us to pray for others in OUR time of need and watch God help us, too. I tried this and it took the focus off of self and I felt better instantly. I also became aware of how selfish my prayers were.
I cannot pray "FATHER," if I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living.
I never call strangers Dad. I refused to even call my step-father Dad. That moniker was reserved for the man who really got all my love as my father. So, how can I call God "Father" when I treat Him like a stranger and don't really know Him?
I cannot pray "WHO ART IN HEAVEN," if all of my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.
If the only focus I have is on "my world" I'll never stop to think about God's reign over everything. My goals will be aimed at earthly living when they should be aimed at eternal living.
I cannot pray "HALLOWED BE THY NAME," if I am not striving for God's help to be holy.
Hallowed means set apart, devote, treat as holy. My actions should be setting God apart by devoting time to Him, treating Him with reverence and mimicking Him through word and deed.
I cannot pray, "THY KINGDOM COME," if I am unwilling to accept God's rule in my life.
Kingdom is from the greek "basilea" meaning not the actual kingdom but the right to rule or authority. Come is from the greek "erchomai" meaning to establish or find place. I must give God the authority to rule over my ENTIRE life and ask Him daily to establish His kingdom in me.
I cannot pray "THY WILL BE DONE," if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.
My pastor told us that if we find that our prayers aren't being answered, start asking God to let His will be done and not ours. Watch and see how quickly He'll start to move . . .
I cannot pray "IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN," unless I am truly ready to give myself to God's service here and now.
I wouldn't try to have my way in Heaven, the place where I KNOW God is running things. So, in order to submit to Him I must let Him have His way in "my world", too.
I cannot pray "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD," without expending honest effort for it or if I would withhold from my neighbor the bread I receive.
I can't worry about the light bill due on the 15th or the car note that was due last month. If I am aligned with God's will, and being a good steward over my money, then whether or not I lose my job God is never in a recession. I must praise Him for what He has given me TODAY. Also, I can't expect God to give to me if I am too stubborn or stingy to give and share with others.
I cannot pray "FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US," if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.
Forgiving means forgetting. In the greek it is "aphiemi" which means to let go, let alone, let be. I don't want God to hold a grudge against me, so I shouldn't hold a grudge against someone else.
I cannot pray "LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION," if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.
Since I have become celibate, I know that it would be dangerous for me to be alone with a guy in an intimate setting. I'd be setting myself up for failure. I can't ask God to "lead me not" if I'm already headed there myself.
I cannot pray "DELIVER US FROM EVIL," if I am not prepared to fight with my life and my prayer.
A guy at church told me how hard it is for him to separate from his old lifestyle. I told him to pray and not stop until God provided him with a way of escape. God promised he would: 1 Corinthians 10.13.
I cannot pray "THINE IS THE KINGDOM," if I am unwilling to obey the King.
In order for me to tell God that everything belongs to Him, I must act as if He is the ruler over my life. Not just when I need help, but all of the time.
I cannot pray "THINE IS THE POWER AND THE GLORY," if I am seeking power for myself and my own glory first.
Enough said.
I cannot pray 'FOREVER AND EVER," if I am too anxious about each day's affairs.
If God took care of me today, I must believe that He will take care of me "forever and ever".
I cannot pray "AMEN," unless I honestly say "Not MY will, but THY will be done, so let it be.
Thayer's Greek lexicon says that Amen was said by those listening to prayer as a way of taking the substance of what was said and making it their own. I need not say Amen if I don't agree with what came before it.
From: ("If God Talked Out Loud..." by Clyde Lee Herring pg.13-21. 1977 Broadman Press Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 76-27479.)
I cannot pray "OUR," if my faith has no room for others and their need.
My pastor told us to pray for others in OUR time of need and watch God help us, too. I tried this and it took the focus off of self and I felt better instantly. I also became aware of how selfish my prayers were.
I cannot pray "FATHER," if I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living.
I never call strangers Dad. I refused to even call my step-father Dad. That moniker was reserved for the man who really got all my love as my father. So, how can I call God "Father" when I treat Him like a stranger and don't really know Him?
I cannot pray "WHO ART IN HEAVEN," if all of my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.
If the only focus I have is on "my world" I'll never stop to think about God's reign over everything. My goals will be aimed at earthly living when they should be aimed at eternal living.
I cannot pray "HALLOWED BE THY NAME," if I am not striving for God's help to be holy.
Hallowed means set apart, devote, treat as holy. My actions should be setting God apart by devoting time to Him, treating Him with reverence and mimicking Him through word and deed.
I cannot pray, "THY KINGDOM COME," if I am unwilling to accept God's rule in my life.
Kingdom is from the greek "basilea" meaning not the actual kingdom but the right to rule or authority. Come is from the greek "erchomai" meaning to establish or find place. I must give God the authority to rule over my ENTIRE life and ask Him daily to establish His kingdom in me.
I cannot pray "THY WILL BE DONE," if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.
My pastor told us that if we find that our prayers aren't being answered, start asking God to let His will be done and not ours. Watch and see how quickly He'll start to move . . .
I cannot pray "IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN," unless I am truly ready to give myself to God's service here and now.
I wouldn't try to have my way in Heaven, the place where I KNOW God is running things. So, in order to submit to Him I must let Him have His way in "my world", too.
I cannot pray "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD," without expending honest effort for it or if I would withhold from my neighbor the bread I receive.
I can't worry about the light bill due on the 15th or the car note that was due last month. If I am aligned with God's will, and being a good steward over my money, then whether or not I lose my job God is never in a recession. I must praise Him for what He has given me TODAY. Also, I can't expect God to give to me if I am too stubborn or stingy to give and share with others.
I cannot pray "FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US," if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.
Forgiving means forgetting. In the greek it is "aphiemi" which means to let go, let alone, let be. I don't want God to hold a grudge against me, so I shouldn't hold a grudge against someone else.
I cannot pray "LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION," if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.
Since I have become celibate, I know that it would be dangerous for me to be alone with a guy in an intimate setting. I'd be setting myself up for failure. I can't ask God to "lead me not" if I'm already headed there myself.
I cannot pray "DELIVER US FROM EVIL," if I am not prepared to fight with my life and my prayer.
A guy at church told me how hard it is for him to separate from his old lifestyle. I told him to pray and not stop until God provided him with a way of escape. God promised he would: 1 Corinthians 10.13.
I cannot pray "THINE IS THE KINGDOM," if I am unwilling to obey the King.
In order for me to tell God that everything belongs to Him, I must act as if He is the ruler over my life. Not just when I need help, but all of the time.
I cannot pray "THINE IS THE POWER AND THE GLORY," if I am seeking power for myself and my own glory first.
Enough said.
I cannot pray 'FOREVER AND EVER," if I am too anxious about each day's affairs.
If God took care of me today, I must believe that He will take care of me "forever and ever".
I cannot pray "AMEN," unless I honestly say "Not MY will, but THY will be done, so let it be.
Thayer's Greek lexicon says that Amen was said by those listening to prayer as a way of taking the substance of what was said and making it their own. I need not say Amen if I don't agree with what came before it.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Life After Death . . .
The recent flurry of high-profile deaths has caused me to consider mortality and where these souls will spend eternity, but that actually is none of my business. It is, however, my business to spread the Truth of God's Word to those who are living to the best of my God-given ability.
"So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you." Matt 28.19-20a
So . . .
If you believe in God and believe that when you die there is eternal life for believers, please, please read the following. The time is NOW for us to "get right" with God!
The recent flurry of high-profile deaths has caused me to consider mortality and where these souls will spend eternity, but that actually is none of my business. It is, however, my business to spread the Truth of God's Word to those who are living to the best of my God-given ability.
"So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you." Matt 28.19-20a
So . . .
If you believe in God and believe that when you die there is eternal life for believers, please, please read the following. The time is NOW for us to "get right" with God!
Every time someone dies we say things that imply that a person is in heaven "looking down on us" or "singing with the angels," etc. I was conflicted about this because of things that I have read in the Scriptures, so I did some research and what I found contradicts these conceptions.
(This is kinda long, but please stay with me, it's too important to miss!)
MYTH: Everyone who hasn't done something really bad goes to Heaven.
If this was so, that would make God a liar. Consider the Scriptures:
Romans 2:7-9a says that eternal life is only promised to those who "persist in doing good . . . There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on sinning . . ."
1 Cor 6.9 says ". . . those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God. Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers, none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God."
Gal 6.7, "Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit."
More importantly, just believing in God is not enough! "You believe that there is one God. That's fine! The demons also believe that, and they tremble with fear. You fool! Do you have to be shown that faith which does nothing is useless?" (James 6.19-20)
So, if you believe in God and His Word, then you know that He can not lie and His Word does not change or become void. Therefore, those of us who go to church, who do more good than bad, who say that we believe and have never done anything really awful will still not be with God if we do not submit our lives to Him and serve Him in obedience.
MYTH: We go straight to Heaven after we die.
I do believe that upon death, everyone goes to "a better place." That place is sleep, in our graves . . .
Eccl 9.5-6, 10 ". . .but the dead know nothing. . . Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. . . for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."
Daniel 12:2 "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."
John 5.28-29 "A time is coming when all the dead will hear his voice, and they will come out of their tombs. Those who have done good will come back to life and live. But those who have done evil will come back to life and will be judged. "
Acts 2:29, 34 "Let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.. .. For David did not ascend into the heavens."
John 3:13 "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven."
Plus, Paul discusses in 1 Cor 15 (the Resurrection chapter) how our bodies will rise upon Christ's return. There can not be a resurrection if we are already in Heaven.
And now, a question . . .
DO WE GET A SECOND CHANCE TO REPENT AFTER DEATH?
The Scriptures discuss resurrection of the dead that occurs what seems to be three times. The first is when Christ returns to set up God's Kingdom
(1 Corinth. 15.23, Rev. 20.4, 5b-6a), the second after the millennial rule of Christ (Rev. 20.5, 11-12) and the third after Satan is destroyed (Rev. 20.13).
Now those who rise when Christ returns are the faithful who will join with those who are still alive and spend the 1,000 years with Christ (they won't need to repent). Those who rise next, are apparently those who never received the opportunity to accept or reject salvation, i.e. those who died before Christ, those who lived in places that didn't allow for this knowledge to reach them, babies and those without the faculties to understand. They will be given the chance to repent and learn about God and be offered salvation . Finally, the remaining dead will arise and then EVERYONE will be judged and those whose life actions did not make the grade will be tossed (Rev. 20.14-15). I haven't found anything that says they will get a second chance.
I say all of that to say this: if you have heard the truth of God and you choose to rebel against this knowlegde and refuse to submit to His will, don't believe that you have a second chance. So many of us are "lukewarm believers" just going through the motions of doing church and saying the right things when are hearts are hardened to God. I know when I was living this kind of life, I always thought that I would have time to change later, when I was older. Just looking at your local news shows us that it can all be over in the blink of an eye.
So, dear departed souls Rest In Peace. There is nothing else that I can do for them, but there is something that I can do for us who yet live. After the resurrection of us all, I want to be sure that you AND I are given eternal life, which should be our ultimate goal - not prosperity, not acceptance, but ETERNAL LIFE. If you believe in God and you believe the Bible, please believe the He is coming back to judge us whether we are living or dead. And please believe that unless you accept God, commit yourself to Him and serve Him for the rest of you days on Earth, you will NOT spend eternity with Him.
Peace and Blessings . . .
(If anyone reading this needs prayer or wants to accept salvation, PLEASE send me a message and I will be more than happy to help you.)
"So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you." Matt 28.19-20a
So . . .
If you believe in God and believe that when you die there is eternal life for believers, please, please read the following. The time is NOW for us to "get right" with God!
The recent flurry of high-profile deaths has caused me to consider mortality and where these souls will spend eternity, but that actually is none of my business. It is, however, my business to spread the Truth of God's Word to those who are living to the best of my God-given ability.
"So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you." Matt 28.19-20a
So . . .
If you believe in God and believe that when you die there is eternal life for believers, please, please read the following. The time is NOW for us to "get right" with God!
Every time someone dies we say things that imply that a person is in heaven "looking down on us" or "singing with the angels," etc. I was conflicted about this because of things that I have read in the Scriptures, so I did some research and what I found contradicts these conceptions.
(This is kinda long, but please stay with me, it's too important to miss!)
MYTH: Everyone who hasn't done something really bad goes to Heaven.
If this was so, that would make God a liar. Consider the Scriptures:
Romans 2:7-9a says that eternal life is only promised to those who "persist in doing good . . . There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on sinning . . ."
1 Cor 6.9 says ". . . those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God. Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers, none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God."
Gal 6.7, "Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit."
More importantly, just believing in God is not enough! "You believe that there is one God. That's fine! The demons also believe that, and they tremble with fear. You fool! Do you have to be shown that faith which does nothing is useless?" (James 6.19-20)
So, if you believe in God and His Word, then you know that He can not lie and His Word does not change or become void. Therefore, those of us who go to church, who do more good than bad, who say that we believe and have never done anything really awful will still not be with God if we do not submit our lives to Him and serve Him in obedience.
MYTH: We go straight to Heaven after we die.
I do believe that upon death, everyone goes to "a better place." That place is sleep, in our graves . . .
Eccl 9.5-6, 10 ". . .but the dead know nothing. . . Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. . . for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."
Daniel 12:2 "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."
John 5.28-29 "A time is coming when all the dead will hear his voice, and they will come out of their tombs. Those who have done good will come back to life and live. But those who have done evil will come back to life and will be judged. "
Acts 2:29, 34 "Let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.. .. For David did not ascend into the heavens."
John 3:13 "No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven."
Plus, Paul discusses in 1 Cor 15 (the Resurrection chapter) how our bodies will rise upon Christ's return. There can not be a resurrection if we are already in Heaven.
And now, a question . . .
DO WE GET A SECOND CHANCE TO REPENT AFTER DEATH?
The Scriptures discuss resurrection of the dead that occurs what seems to be three times. The first is when Christ returns to set up God's Kingdom
(1 Corinth. 15.23, Rev. 20.4, 5b-6a), the second after the millennial rule of Christ (Rev. 20.5, 11-12) and the third after Satan is destroyed (Rev. 20.13).
Now those who rise when Christ returns are the faithful who will join with those who are still alive and spend the 1,000 years with Christ (they won't need to repent). Those who rise next, are apparently those who never received the opportunity to accept or reject salvation, i.e. those who died before Christ, those who lived in places that didn't allow for this knowledge to reach them, babies and those without the faculties to understand. They will be given the chance to repent and learn about God and be offered salvation . Finally, the remaining dead will arise and then EVERYONE will be judged and those whose life actions did not make the grade will be tossed (Rev. 20.14-15). I haven't found anything that says they will get a second chance.
I say all of that to say this: if you have heard the truth of God and you choose to rebel against this knowlegde and refuse to submit to His will, don't believe that you have a second chance. So many of us are "lukewarm believers" just going through the motions of doing church and saying the right things when are hearts are hardened to God. I know when I was living this kind of life, I always thought that I would have time to change later, when I was older. Just looking at your local news shows us that it can all be over in the blink of an eye.
So, dear departed souls Rest In Peace. There is nothing else that I can do for them, but there is something that I can do for us who yet live. After the resurrection of us all, I want to be sure that you AND I are given eternal life, which should be our ultimate goal - not prosperity, not acceptance, but ETERNAL LIFE. If you believe in God and you believe the Bible, please believe the He is coming back to judge us whether we are living or dead. And please believe that unless you accept God, commit yourself to Him and serve Him for the rest of you days on Earth, you will NOT spend eternity with Him.
Peace and Blessings . . .
(If anyone reading this needs prayer or wants to accept salvation, PLEASE send me a message and I will be more than happy to help you.)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Remember Lot's wife . . .
"But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." Gen 19.26
Imagine being a famous person. Your picture on magazines and all over TV. You are given royal treatment everywhere you go - never having to stand in line, wait on others or be overlooked. Everyone knows your name and calls you friend. Then God tells you to give it all up. The fame, fortune and prestige you had become so accustomed to; how eager would you be to leave it all behind and never look back? Lot and his wife probably enjoyed similar standing in Sodom and she may have struggled with leaving the "fabulous" life behind.
There is debate over exactly what made Lot's wife disobey the command not to look back, but I think it is left this way because there are several lessons to be taken from her transgression.
In the New Testament, Jesus warns of loving the world more than God:
"Remember Lot's wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." (Luke 17.32-33)
And John backs this up:
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world." (I John 2:15-16)
It is possible that Lot's wife was so enamored of the charmed life she led as the wife of a wealthy and important man that the seduction of it forced her to stop and take one last look at what she was giving up. I personally understand the allure of "stuff". It was strong enough to bankrupt me and send my life spiralling. I recall that on the day I was forced to leave my life and possessions behind, I stopped and looked back as well.
Maybe there were friendships formed in Sodom that she didn't want to leave. I also understand the difficulty of leaving behind friends, physically and figuratively. When you leave a job or school or neighborhood, it can be a sad to say goodbye to people who've become fixtures in your life. I recall times when I almost changed my mind because the feeling was so great. Likewise, having to let go of unbelieving friends and associates when you decide to follow Christ can be difficult and cause you to have second thoughts.
Yet, maybe it's not material things, friends or even status that God is asking you to leave behind. One thing we must consider is that Lot and his wife had more than the two daughters they left the city with. . ."So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, 'Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!' But his sons-in-law thought he was joking." (Gen 19.14)The angel also says "take your daughters who are here" suggesting that there were other daughters who were not there. What if God was commanding you to let go of your child or parent or significant other? How easy would it be to walk away?
There are parents whose children just won't act right of whom God is telling them to let go. There are parents that somehow lost their way and won't listen to children who beg them to return to God. And there are new believers who find themselves in relationships that are not ordained by, nor approving to God. How do you find the strength to walk away and never look back?
People will say to you, "but that's your mom" or "that's your son;" "how can you just turn your back on them?" And I'm sure we are all acquainted with Love's call! The carnal desire to cling to that woman who had your children or that man you've been with since high school. Even if you are a woman being supported by a man and don't know how you'll survive without his help. Maybe your gay friends are all you know. They were there for you when your family turned away. How do you reconcile in your mind doing what God is telling you in your heart?
Look at what the Scriptures say:
"If you prefer father or mother over me, you don't deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me. If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me." (Matthew 10:37-39 The MSG)
Our human nature tells us that leaving behind flesh and blood is wrong. Our carnal nature tells us that the world has so much more to offer than God. Our lack of faith tells us that we can't live without wealth, status and power. But God tells us He is all we need. So, Jesus reminded us to remember Lot's wife. Remember the sacrifice that was asked of her and what happened when she disobeyed.
Yet God made us a promise if we do obey:
"If my people, who are called by my name, will 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. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." (2Chronicles 7.14)
Imagine being a famous person. Your picture on magazines and all over TV. You are given royal treatment everywhere you go - never having to stand in line, wait on others or be overlooked. Everyone knows your name and calls you friend. Then God tells you to give it all up. The fame, fortune and prestige you had become so accustomed to; how eager would you be to leave it all behind and never look back? Lot and his wife probably enjoyed similar standing in Sodom and she may have struggled with leaving the "fabulous" life behind.
There is debate over exactly what made Lot's wife disobey the command not to look back, but I think it is left this way because there are several lessons to be taken from her transgression.
In the New Testament, Jesus warns of loving the world more than God:
"Remember Lot's wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." (Luke 17.32-33)
And John backs this up:
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world." (I John 2:15-16)
It is possible that Lot's wife was so enamored of the charmed life she led as the wife of a wealthy and important man that the seduction of it forced her to stop and take one last look at what she was giving up. I personally understand the allure of "stuff". It was strong enough to bankrupt me and send my life spiralling. I recall that on the day I was forced to leave my life and possessions behind, I stopped and looked back as well.
Maybe there were friendships formed in Sodom that she didn't want to leave. I also understand the difficulty of leaving behind friends, physically and figuratively. When you leave a job or school or neighborhood, it can be a sad to say goodbye to people who've become fixtures in your life. I recall times when I almost changed my mind because the feeling was so great. Likewise, having to let go of unbelieving friends and associates when you decide to follow Christ can be difficult and cause you to have second thoughts.
Yet, maybe it's not material things, friends or even status that God is asking you to leave behind. One thing we must consider is that Lot and his wife had more than the two daughters they left the city with. . ."So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, 'Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!' But his sons-in-law thought he was joking." (Gen 19.14)The angel also says "take your daughters who are here" suggesting that there were other daughters who were not there. What if God was commanding you to let go of your child or parent or significant other? How easy would it be to walk away?
There are parents whose children just won't act right of whom God is telling them to let go. There are parents that somehow lost their way and won't listen to children who beg them to return to God. And there are new believers who find themselves in relationships that are not ordained by, nor approving to God. How do you find the strength to walk away and never look back?
People will say to you, "but that's your mom" or "that's your son;" "how can you just turn your back on them?" And I'm sure we are all acquainted with Love's call! The carnal desire to cling to that woman who had your children or that man you've been with since high school. Even if you are a woman being supported by a man and don't know how you'll survive without his help. Maybe your gay friends are all you know. They were there for you when your family turned away. How do you reconcile in your mind doing what God is telling you in your heart?
Look at what the Scriptures say:
"If you prefer father or mother over me, you don't deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me. If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me." (Matthew 10:37-39 The MSG)
Our human nature tells us that leaving behind flesh and blood is wrong. Our carnal nature tells us that the world has so much more to offer than God. Our lack of faith tells us that we can't live without wealth, status and power. But God tells us He is all we need. So, Jesus reminded us to remember Lot's wife. Remember the sacrifice that was asked of her and what happened when she disobeyed.
Yet God made us a promise if we do obey:
"If my people, who are called by my name, will 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. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." (2Chronicles 7.14)
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