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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Condemnation

            Many times we are easily distracted as humans much less as Christians in doing what we should. There are far too many avenues in which we can get lost in while trying to navigate life. Simply put "Mantenere la fede" We all have been in situations where the only thing we can think about is the thing that is slapping us in the face or trying our patience or both. It can be scary "taking the road less traveled" and these days, doing what is right even when no one is watching is a road being traveled less and less, but we should not fear or be ashamed no matter the outcome of us doing what is right. Recently, I personally have seen what happens when you "stick to your guns" and refuse to do what is popular to achieve a higher status or recognition at work. I was demoted and sent out of the office for my belief. This choice is one that I would make again with only slight difference.
          It is far too easy to take the easy road in life, or love, or anything else for that matter. A wise man once said that life is not only the destination but the journey as well. Life teaches us many lessons, and if your lessons are anything like mine, many are not fun to learn. Choices are important, and life changing. The smallest decision sometimes makes the biggest differences. So make your choices make a positive difference. We each hold great power in the words we speak and the actions we make to make the world brighter, or darker. As I have written before the battle rages everyday between good and evil, and what you do feeds either one or the other.
         So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) make your choices with the word as a back up, for there can be no greater help but your creator. God still loves you and wants to help you even if you don't consider yourself to be a "christian". all that is important is that you understand that you have a personal relationship with God.
        For many years I was taught that a good Christian did not associate with sinners and that you stayed away from people that were not like you. I do not believe this is what God had in mind when he sent his son to the cross. The most recited verse in the bible is John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son, that who so ever believed him would not perish but have everlasting life." the sad part is many churches automatically skip the very next verse which I feel is just as important John 3:17 says that God sent not his son to condemn the world, but so the world through him might be saved... If God says very plainly I do not condemn the world....how is it that many churches feel they have a right to condemn sinners for many various reasons? Why is it that we all as Christians think it is okay to look down our noses at people living in sin? I work with a guy that actually makes me sick because anyone that does not believe exactly like him is going to hell... I've got news for him and all like him. That mindset right there sends thousands of people to eternal death every day. Many simply do not have an desire to come to the father because they want no part of it.
          God is love, not condemnation. God will not condemn you, and has never desired to make anyone feel like they aren't special. This is the reason God made all people unique.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Follow Me............

Follow me... and I will make you fishers of men. Matthew 4:19 

It is no coincidence that Jesus chose this phrase over and over again throughout his 30 years of preaching, teaching, and healing on this planet. It is also not just a "fluke" that in everything he taught, he also lived. How many of us have had a person of authority, (a boss, a supervisor, a team leader) that were very good at delegating jobs and work, but rarely "practiced what they preached"? All too often we see someone that we look upon as a leader but instantly lose respect due to the fact that they did not lead by example, rather they led by orders.
        Many times we lose sight of the whole reason Jesus walked this planet. Those of us that grew up in church and Sunday School know that Jesus came to earth to die for our sins. John 3:16 ""For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."  What is less known is this wasn't the only reason! God sent his only son to show us how to live. SHOW us by EXAMPLE how to live. Jesus could just as easily have fallen to temptation like all the rest of us. He walked a human life. Because Jesus kept his heart pure he was the lamb chosen to give you and me hope of a new life, a better life, one after this life is over. It is our commission from Christ to "follow him" and to "lead" others to Christ. You will not find anywhere in the Bible where it says, go unto the world, grab people by the nose, yell and scream at them and tell them they are going to hell while you look down your nose and act like the pharisees in the bible. Apparently people don't remember that Jesus himself really did not like the Pharisees at all who those put themselves above all others and did not follow the law they commanded others to follow. John chapter 8 is a good place to read about this.
     Even Paul, my personal favorite apostle, was very specific in his letters to Corinth. Read 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Paul was very adamant about spending all of his time encouraging others and focusing on the will of God. This man just would not quit! Paul lived such a example that many who harmed him eventually followed him. How many of us can say that our enemies turned and followed us?  I posted on my Facebook page today, "A good man leads, a great man leads by example." This quote weighed heavy on my heart all day today and I really don't think most people really understood what the phrase said to me, then again, maybe it wasn't for anyone else but me. I like most people make many mistakes, but it's the idea, that Jesus is still telling us 2000 years later that, you know your commission is to drop your concerns and follow me, in turn I will teach you to lead BY EXAMPLE others to fulfill their place in heaven. This isn't like the Jehovah's Witnesses. God has set aside a place in Heaven for everyone ever created. All we have to do is pick up the cross and follow him and lead others to him. I could go on and on about all the scriptures in the Bible telling us to "follow him" According to statistics, Jesus says "follow me" 23 times in the bible. Keeping in mind that Jesus states only 4 times more (27 times) the phrase "I am" I would think this is really powerful.
          Keep in mind that you are always being watched. Like it or not, people determine who you are not just by what you say, but more so what you do. When I was much younger, I did a really good job of following God closely. I didn't do a lot of things of the world and had no problem being around people that did, the way I saw it, it was my commission to be a light and to be an example. There came a point when I became overcome with selfishness and stopped putting effort into being an example eventually falling into sin. I had a friend come to me and said, " you were always the one I looked at for consistency, no matter what you stuck to your faith, but I'm disappointed in you." This was said to me almost 10 years ago and still haunts me to this day. I led people astray because of my selfishness, and willingness to throw my hands up and turn from God. I am working on getting back to God, and to reflect his image by everything I do, I'm not perfect, not even close, but I am not going to go down with out a fight again. I have made a commitment to God that I will do my level best to lead by example. To follow him.




Monday, April 16, 2012

Doorways

We all make choices. Each choice we make is a doorway. We either open a door to darkness and allow darkness to freely walk right in and make itself at home. Once you have opened a door, it is much more difficult to close. We need to be ever mindful of what is on the other side of the door before we open it. If you are in a bad neighborhood, you wouldn't simply open the door without looking through the peephole, you should guard your heart and soul with the same cautiousness and even more so. There is spiritual war fare we all fight regardless if we realize it or not. Battle can be won by simply not opening the door. Be mindful of what you watch, what you listen to, what words you speak because as I've written in other posts, words are so extremely powerful and once you have uttered them, you will never be able to take it back. God spoke the world into existence. spoke... his voice split the heavens wide open. The bible says that God created man in his own image. (Genesis 1:27) do you not think he also gave us the power of words? Be very careful what you say and do..
      At some point we all as adults have seen or heard "hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil" remember the cute little monkeys ? This could be a comical way to look at it, but the truth is, the key to a pure heart is to put away all things that are not of God. To turn your back on sin and evilness and turn your face to God and start walking a brisk walk. We sink and fall and stumble and become useless when we take our eyes off of God. I personally lost a lot when I turned from God. but it's so amazing how quickly he restores your life, your peace, your hope when you turn your eyes back to him. Let's look at Peter. (Matthew 14:29) Peter saw Jesus walking among the waves and was frightened. Jesus bid him to come to him and Peter got out of the boat in a raging storm and walked on water. But soon Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and immediately started to sink. When each of us take our eyes off our father, we sink. We sink in despair, in hopelessness, but fortunately our father reaches down and takes us by the hand and pulls us from the muck, the sin, the evilness, the doubt, the fear and replaces all of those with hope, and love, and forgiveness.
          It does not matter what you have done, or said. Jesus tells us, Go and sin no more. He died so that we could have complete forgiveness, and hope, and peace. There is so much more to hold with God than without him. Turn away from the things that are questionable, if you doubt, turn away from it. If you question if it's a sin, don't do it. Put your eyes on God, he is the key to every doorway righteous and good and true. Be mindful of the door ways in your life. Close the doorways that do not give God glory, and honor, and praise. This world is not our home and we only have one soul. guard it wisely. Do not freely give it away to darkness. Lock it in the grace of heaven to which only Jesus has the key. He took the keys to death hell and the grave for you and me. Only he is able to protect it.
          Love like Jesus, reach out to others like Jesus, reflect Jesus. This is our commission to all. I am more driven right now to be like Paul then anything. If only we could kill the flesh and live for the Glory of God, how great is the reward. No riches on earth could compare. Remember this is NOT home. We are only passing through. It is not the past that defines us, it's how we reflect Jesus. How clean is your mirror?

Monday, March 19, 2012

Life

We get so caught up in life and trying to keep our heads above water that sometimes we forget the journey is what life is about. It's not the house, car, boat, or even people. It's simply living life to the fulfillment of God. We all fail. We all stumble. We all make horrible choices, but we must all realize that God knows how flawed we are as humans. Romans chapter 3 says "God's righteous­ness through the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah—[q] for all who believe. For there is no distinction among people,[r] 23since all have sinned and continue to fall short of God's glory. 24By his grace they are justified freely through the redemption that is in the Messiah Jesus, 25whom God offered as a place where atonement by the Messiah's[s] blood would occur through faith." Most of us have read this passage, but have never really stopped and looked at it. We are redeemed, we have been forgiven, but we must ask and feel remorse for what we have done.
      I am definitely not perfect, as well as not even close. But, every day I learn something new. God has been teaching me step by step and scolding me from time to time as well. Like any good parent, he understands when we mess up, but still has to discipline us. Discipline is the part we all hate. No one likes to be corrected. But, it's part of the "growing pains" we must all endure. I have realized that my focus as been mis directed. I have realized that anything you do if it's not for God's glory, then it's in vain. He is the only one you should worry about impressing, but the beauty is, you don't have to impress him, he loves you as broken and battered as you are. the clay pot that is broken and cracked and good for nothing becomes an amazing tool for our potter.  Jeremiah 18 -  1The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD saying, 2“Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will announce My words to you.” 3Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. 4But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.
5Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, 6“Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. 7“At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; 8if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. 9“Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; 10if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it. 11“So now then, speak to the men of Judah and against the inhabitants of Jerusalem saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am fashioning calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh turn back, each of you from his evil way, and reform your ways and your deeds.”’
I do not write this blog to be in an elevated position, or to make anyone feel that I'm leading them, I follow God.. What I write is what is spoken to me and I feel that maybe someone else can use what I'm learning.. I'm not perfect, I'm still clay.. the potter is still molding me. I'm trying to be a willing vessel.
    Keep the faith, keep your eyes on God. Those of you that are so focused on being wealthy, or anything other than holy, will be sadly disappointed, for when your heart is the wrong place, your blessings are sparse. God takes care of his children. Your riches are stored in heaven for there we should all work toward. Money will not buy you happiness, acceptance, or even true friends.

Friday, January 13, 2012

WAR

Spiritual warfare is an ugly vicious thing and happens around us every second of the day. You are not always able to see exactly where the enemy is or where he may strike, yet you know that the fight is imminent. When you are working toward the will of God and are trying to follow his will, you will be attacked over and over again, sometimes the greatest act for God is standing your ground when you are being beaten in battle and not giving up faith or hope. God is mightier, God is greater, God will win. It can be so difficult to stand against all odds and keep fighting for your belief, that's why when this happens in the military, we call them heros. There is a reason that ones that stand when others run are called heros, it takes an insurmountable courage to stare fate in the face and not back down. It takes a great faith and hope in God to feel peace in the storm. When Peter looked out across the sea and the huge waves and looked at the lightning racing through the air and then seen what he thought was a ghost at first that looked like Jesus, it took great courage, faith, and perhaps a little craziness in the mix to say, "Jesus, if that's you, bid me to come to you" would you do it? We all know the story that Peter stepped out on water and started walking on it. We all know that he started taking his eyes off Jesus and started to sink. You see, the waves weren't anything for the creator, the lightning was just a song, and Faith overcame all.
     Don't be deceived, we are all in a battle of worlds so to speak, and sometimes complete victory is measured simply by not retreating. It's something like a poker game, bluff can play a huge part of winning or failing. Satan will bluff you straight to Hell if you let him. He would rather not fight, Satan is smart enough to know that he cannot beat God, He is also smart enough to not even try, that's why he convinces us humans who are dumb and encouragable, and easily misled to do his dirty work. He sits back and watches the battle with out a scratch while everyone else pays the price.  My point in this post is to simply keep your ground
Ephesians 6:14~Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Frustration

Most of us know what it is to be frustrated in one form or another. For me, frustration is something that is really difficult to deal with and usually ends up putting me in a foul mood. There is something that puts all of us in a dark place and makes us who we aren't. Small things control our mood, our attitude, and our presentation of Christ both positively and negatively. Thing is, our environment directly affects our outlook. My Great Aunt always says, "happiness is a state of mind, if you aren't happy, change your mind" Point is, by simply changing your environment, you can completely change your outlook on life, on love, and on your spirituality.
   There have been times when my faith was under severe attack and it was so easy to slip back into the old way of doing things. It's so easy to fall back into a routine, but we simply do not realize a lot of times how dangerous doing that is. I have made it a point to surround myself with things that are positive because I, like a lot of people, struggle with being positive. I've been told, "you're always positive and upbeat and in a good mood." It's not because i'm just a happy go lucky guy, I've suffered a lot of pain in a lot of areas in my life, but thank God I'm forgiven and he loves me anyway. But, by simply surrounding myself in hope, and God's love, it is directly reflected to all who see me.

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Proverbs 17:22 ESV

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Transform yourself by transforming your mind and your attitude.

Proverbs 17:22 ESV

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

There are many verses in the Bible that reminds us to keep a positive attitude, let's remember to do just that. You never know who is searching high and low to see it.