John 1:1-5 "In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."
Did we also exist at the beginning? If life was in Christ at the beginning then we existed in God's thoughts even before we came into "being".
Our salvation was set up from the very "beginning" with Christ.
I recently went over to a men's bible study. Rick is a retired doctor was talking about the complexity of the human body and how doctors can not see exactly how complex the human body really is because it is much like looking at the universe with a telescope. A doctor can take a human cell under a microscope and it doesn't matter how powerful that microscope is - it’s impossible to see the end of that tissue sample as it is impossible to see the end of the universe with a telescope.
Cal then asked, "So how are all these things that make up our body held together if we are just a universe of particles floating around?"
Rick answered, "We are held together by strings essentially."
This got me to thinking: We as Christians are considered the body of Christ- are we not?
The body of Christ is also complex.
A while back I read Colossians which states in 2:19 "But they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For we are joined together in his body by his strong sinews, and we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God."
The human body is held together by strings but so it the body of Christ. This scientific fact points to Christ. I found this extremely interesting.
Revelation 4:11 "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to recieve glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created."
And just as most of us don’t "visibly" see God's awesome power with the human eye, but instinctively know he is a work and now are being allowed by scientific discoveries to see a small glimpse of the complexity and measure at God works wonders.
I think Colossians 3 says it best. "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
And just as the most powerful microscope can not see the end of a human cell and the most power telescope can see the ends of the universe so are we hidden in Christ yet by the Holy Spirit we work and are tied together so someone might see into the vastness and stumble upon God's wonders and works in our life.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
As A Stone in a River.
You know what I miss? I miss hiking up into the hills where there isn’t another soul around and where there are mountain rivers that bring calmness and reflection to ones soul.A few blogs ago I wrote about understanding hurt.
How about when there is no understanding of why someone has hurt you? How about when there is just the continual or constant reaping of hurtful actions towards you even though you have done nothing to deserve it?
Obviously you haven’t been hostile toward them. You haven’t quarreled with them. You haven’t been jealous of them. You haven’t had some selfish ambition that regards them in anyway. You haven’t wanted division. You haven’t envied them or gossiped about them. (Galatians 5:19) But still you receive these hurtful actions from these people.
You try to practice forgiveness and kindness towards them but you are starting to realize a clog. You want to pull back from everything and everyone one and become a solitary hermit because you see the world and everyone in it as fallible. You don’t want to share with anyone your troubles because they will probably tell you everything you already know instead of give a truly sympathetic and understanding ear.
The reflective hurt of past trespasses circle around you as these same individuals again offend you and leave you bleeding internally. The wound is only made larger has others pile on their ideas, perspectives, struggles and frustrations out upon you. Soon a deadly bacterium called "resentment" begins to consume your soul and you don’t want to care anymore.
You keep hearing Peter in Matthew 18:21 ask Jesus, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" and Jesus replies to Peter with "No! Seventy times seven!"
You know Jesus tells us to love our enemies in Matthew 5:44. But your soul is screaming, "When is enough ENOUGH?" I too have felt this way.
This is where the mind knowledge and the natural tendencies of a Christian soul must fight and seek God’s peace and perspective on situation. We need intercession by God's Spirit to help us fix our thoughts on God alone (Isaiah 26:3). I have cried so many times in the lap of Jesus but each time I have - this jagged rock of myself has become more rounded as a river stone being rounded in the different currents of a river.
I too hope one day, that these hurts won’t mean that much to me anymore and they will run over around me like water over a smooth rounded stone. .
Jesus is our rock and he was beaten so that we might have peace (Isaiah 53:3) I say without Jesus in my life I would find no peace. God doesn’t promise life without hurt and without suffering- we all know that. And it seems mercy is something we cannot attain enough of in this life.
There is time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3).
I’ll leave you with this:
"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. So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters." Galatians 6:8-10
Friday, November 17, 2006
Understanding Through Hurt
When we hurt someone or someone hurts us… what are the reasons for it?
Why do people choose the words they do? Why do these words hurt so much?
The enemy of our soul knows the exact why to hurt us. He knows what words to use. He knows what words stop us in our tracks. And he will use anyone to say them... Some do not believe this but what words scream out for you to speak in the midst of conflict?
What voice are you listening to in the midst of hurt? Do we absorb those hurtful words- those words that sometimes come out of no where like a sniper shot. Why now? Why come after you? What did you deserve to get such words? Or were you just in the path at the wrong time? Or is it because you are a child of God?
Why did people hurt each other? Do they hurt us because of something in their past? Do they lack understanding and compassion? Are they suffering themselves? Do they lack self-esteem? Are they so hard hearted that it has made their brain hard as well. The brain seems to not know or even care what is coming out of their mouth. Not only that but have seemed to forgotten has badly they have treated you. You confront them on it and they seem to have to no recollection of those times. They seem to even think they have done you some kind of good service by doing what they did. They had some reason to say and do the things they did....
Beware of such folks... forgive them but keep them arm distance away from you. Some people believe to forgive is to forget... and I tell you: You are to forgive where they have "pained" you so so the pain doesn't fester and become infected and cause you resent and hate and become revengeful and drag your soul to hell but you don't forget. God tells us we must forgive others or we will not be forgiven besides you want to go to hell for someone's wrong? You want to live in a prison of your own hate while they walk around free? WHY? Christians aren't their own... not only do they have to answer to God for their wrongs but we should feel sorry for those who hurt us because they will have to answer to God because we are His.
I have found we must be careful who we lean towards and trust. We must be careful who we look to for affirmation. Some people will take the very words you have spoken in confidence and use them against you. Learn from those situations.... just because people give you tokens of their thoughts you don't have to spill your thoughts as well especially if you don't want what you have shared to be given to other people.
Where is the mind when we "expectantly or unexpectedly" get hurt by someone? Is it all based on emotions and the natural tendency to get even, flee, to get on the side of offense or defense....? Some people, particularly men have a difficult time pin pointing why they feel a certain way so they cover it over with some other defense... some so afraid of what others might think of them lie and lie and lie and when the lies don't do anything for them anymore they RUN. That is why is is so important to have loving respectful honest conversation with our spouse. If they don't feel safe in sharing their feelings and feel as if their feelings will be used against them then you are pushing that person AWAY!
What is our natural tendency to do when we get hurt? Do we "stuff it" only for it to blow up later. Do we let it burden us? Do we take it to heart? Where does the mind GO when it gets hurt? Do we believe what people say more then what God has told us? Do we hold onto the hurt or give it God? Do we say, "HERE GOD take it" but on our way out, pick it up again?
Why do you think God’s word says to love Him with all your heart and mind?
God says to not strike back in word or action for God has total knowledge of the situation. TURN the other cheek but it is difficult to do when we don't put our focus on God and our spiritual scale is off kilter.... God emphasis on our lives need to be more then people's words and actions- good or bad. For we will not stand before people but God when God takes an account of our life.
Matthew 5:22 "But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell."
Some people might want to seek an explanation but depending on the person we might not want an explanation. We might humbly say we are sorry for whatever offense we might have caused and if nothing else is said- maybe it is best to let it go without an explanation. When you talk to someone about how they hurt you, don't get sucked into even more damaging emotions and feelings... some people have a special ability to make you feel worse after speaking to them.... If you know that is the tendency with such a person it is best to let it go. Do what you know is right... God knows... God knows... God knows... Honor God and at the right time God will honor you.
When we get hurt, not of any fault of our own, are we gaining some kind of understanding or getting a little taste of what Christ went through for us?
So the actions and whipping tongues hurt for a little while but as long as we are "reminded" what Christ took upon himself we will not lose faith. We will not give into negative thoughts that breed resentment, anger, fear, frustration, revenge and/or wrath but we will hold fast to the tower of our strength and be encouraged by the Holy Spirit. Grace and forgiveness will flow from us- replacing the natural tendencies that only come from human understanding.
Remember everything not done in love is worthless. (1 Corinthians 13:3) Ask yourself, will what I do and say be out of love or out of pointless selfishness and/or vengeance? Ask yourself- do you belong to yourself or God?
Words can be an ally or an enemy according to Proverbs.
Ephesians 5:25 says "And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church." (Ephesians 5:28) "Husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man is actually loving himself when he loves his wife." ( 1 Peter 3:7) "In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together"
Love is what? God’s word says love is:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
Jesus says this in Matthew 22:37-39: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself."
Jesus says in Matthew 5:43 "You have heard the law of Moses says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."
In order to love someone who has hurt us we must take on the attributes of Christ.
1 Peter 3: 13-17 "Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t be afraid and don’t worry. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, then to suffer for doing wrong!"
Many martyrs for Christ have died and suffered for doing what was right and because of their suffering and deaths many souls have been saved.
1 John 5:3 "Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really, that isn’t difficult. For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God."
2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 3:2, 3:7, 3:13-18; Ephesians 1:8; Ephesians 6:10-17, 1 Peter 4:1-19
Why do people choose the words they do? Why do these words hurt so much?
The enemy of our soul knows the exact why to hurt us. He knows what words to use. He knows what words stop us in our tracks. And he will use anyone to say them... Some do not believe this but what words scream out for you to speak in the midst of conflict?
What voice are you listening to in the midst of hurt? Do we absorb those hurtful words- those words that sometimes come out of no where like a sniper shot. Why now? Why come after you? What did you deserve to get such words? Or were you just in the path at the wrong time? Or is it because you are a child of God?
Why did people hurt each other? Do they hurt us because of something in their past? Do they lack understanding and compassion? Are they suffering themselves? Do they lack self-esteem? Are they so hard hearted that it has made their brain hard as well. The brain seems to not know or even care what is coming out of their mouth. Not only that but have seemed to forgotten has badly they have treated you. You confront them on it and they seem to have to no recollection of those times. They seem to even think they have done you some kind of good service by doing what they did. They had some reason to say and do the things they did....
Beware of such folks... forgive them but keep them arm distance away from you. Some people believe to forgive is to forget... and I tell you: You are to forgive where they have "pained" you so so the pain doesn't fester and become infected and cause you resent and hate and become revengeful and drag your soul to hell but you don't forget. God tells us we must forgive others or we will not be forgiven besides you want to go to hell for someone's wrong? You want to live in a prison of your own hate while they walk around free? WHY? Christians aren't their own... not only do they have to answer to God for their wrongs but we should feel sorry for those who hurt us because they will have to answer to God because we are His.
I have found we must be careful who we lean towards and trust. We must be careful who we look to for affirmation. Some people will take the very words you have spoken in confidence and use them against you. Learn from those situations.... just because people give you tokens of their thoughts you don't have to spill your thoughts as well especially if you don't want what you have shared to be given to other people.
Where is the mind when we "expectantly or unexpectedly" get hurt by someone? Is it all based on emotions and the natural tendency to get even, flee, to get on the side of offense or defense....? Some people, particularly men have a difficult time pin pointing why they feel a certain way so they cover it over with some other defense... some so afraid of what others might think of them lie and lie and lie and when the lies don't do anything for them anymore they RUN. That is why is is so important to have loving respectful honest conversation with our spouse. If they don't feel safe in sharing their feelings and feel as if their feelings will be used against them then you are pushing that person AWAY!
What is our natural tendency to do when we get hurt? Do we "stuff it" only for it to blow up later. Do we let it burden us? Do we take it to heart? Where does the mind GO when it gets hurt? Do we believe what people say more then what God has told us? Do we hold onto the hurt or give it God? Do we say, "HERE GOD take it" but on our way out, pick it up again?
Why do you think God’s word says to love Him with all your heart and mind?
God says to not strike back in word or action for God has total knowledge of the situation. TURN the other cheek but it is difficult to do when we don't put our focus on God and our spiritual scale is off kilter.... God emphasis on our lives need to be more then people's words and actions- good or bad. For we will not stand before people but God when God takes an account of our life.
Matthew 5:22 "But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell."
Some people might want to seek an explanation but depending on the person we might not want an explanation. We might humbly say we are sorry for whatever offense we might have caused and if nothing else is said- maybe it is best to let it go without an explanation. When you talk to someone about how they hurt you, don't get sucked into even more damaging emotions and feelings... some people have a special ability to make you feel worse after speaking to them.... If you know that is the tendency with such a person it is best to let it go. Do what you know is right... God knows... God knows... God knows... Honor God and at the right time God will honor you.
When we get hurt, not of any fault of our own, are we gaining some kind of understanding or getting a little taste of what Christ went through for us?
So the actions and whipping tongues hurt for a little while but as long as we are "reminded" what Christ took upon himself we will not lose faith. We will not give into negative thoughts that breed resentment, anger, fear, frustration, revenge and/or wrath but we will hold fast to the tower of our strength and be encouraged by the Holy Spirit. Grace and forgiveness will flow from us- replacing the natural tendencies that only come from human understanding.
Remember everything not done in love is worthless. (1 Corinthians 13:3) Ask yourself, will what I do and say be out of love or out of pointless selfishness and/or vengeance? Ask yourself- do you belong to yourself or God?
Words can be an ally or an enemy according to Proverbs.
- "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger."
- "Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."
- "Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."
- "A person’s words can be life-giving water, waters of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook."
- "Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person’s lips bring satisfaction."
Ephesians 5:25 says "And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church." (Ephesians 5:28) "Husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man is actually loving himself when he loves his wife." ( 1 Peter 3:7) "In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together"
Love is what? God’s word says love is:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."
Jesus says this in Matthew 22:37-39: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself."
Jesus says in Matthew 5:43 "You have heard the law of Moses says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust, too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."
In order to love someone who has hurt us we must take on the attributes of Christ.
- We must not get caught up in our emotions of ourselves. If you do you’ll find yourself with more heartache.
- We must fully realize the truth that we are not our own but Christ’s.
- We must be reliant on God's love not just on people who are unpredictable.
- We must seek direction from God. Be in his word gaining a great depth of wisdom and "knowing" knowledge of God's word where God can help us use them in every situation that arises.
1 Peter 3: 13-17 "Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t be afraid and don’t worry. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, then to suffer for doing wrong!"
Many martyrs for Christ have died and suffered for doing what was right and because of their suffering and deaths many souls have been saved.
1 John 5:3 "Loving God means keeping his commandments, and really, that isn’t difficult. For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God."
2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 3:2, 3:7, 3:13-18; Ephesians 1:8; Ephesians 6:10-17, 1 Peter 4:1-19
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Spiritual Truths
A friend and I were having a conversation about spiritual truths and how individuals know these truths instinctively but they either ignore these truths or interrupt them in human ways of thinking and understanding. (Find it in Romans 1)
The culture of the day has many spiritual truths. Our ear instinctively appreciates them when we hear them because God has planted them in every human soul. But throughout time we have watered down these truths into a human understanding instead of a Godly understanding. These truths that originated in and from God now have become mere words - that we have dis-attached from the owner of these truths (GOD).
Spiritual truths, to the world, have essentially become a tootsie roll pop without the tootsie roll in the center. They are sweet on the outside but no deep meaning or understanding in the inside. They are so because we have ignored the original of their meaning.
Look at these movies: The Matrix, Starwars, Lord of the Rings, Kingdom of Heaven, The Four Feathers, Narnia, Hidalgo…. We like and enjoy the message of these movies why?
God's truths are far greater and deeper then our own limited understanding and because of this they sound great to us but because we don't look to God for deeper understanding into these truths they quickly get washed away in the cares of life and are forgotten. God puts the one seeking Him (faith) on a foundation in which these truths not only sound good and make sense but also grow in deeper understanding.
Job 12:13 "But true wisdom and power are with God; counsel and understanding are his.
Read 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
We must give our lives over to God for these great truths to be revealed. He will make them plain and he will make sure we will remember them by his Holy Spirit. He will also give us clarity, direction, caution, and insight in "questionable" situations.
In every level and aspect of the human intellect there is either a certain level of vagueness of God or vagueness of the wisdom of God. And you will find that even well studied and faithful followers of Christ find there is no end to seeing the dots and greatness of God. There seems to be this constant turning key of knowledge that allows us to see a bit more into the endless insight, enlightenment and encouragement of God as we stay mindful and reliant on God and his love and grace.
A love and grace that we should not take lightly or for granted.
A journey of Christian faith brings spiritual truths to light and helps us grow in our assurance, peace and love that God has for us.
In a world of limited understandings, who dares to reach your hand to lead you and help you see the truth? Who?
Jesus says this:
John 10:9-10 "Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all it’s fullness."
John 14:6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know Him and have seen Him!"
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to those who call on Him as Lord and Savior. He is our foundation and where true understanding comes from.
John 16:13-14 "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me."
The culture of the day has many spiritual truths. Our ear instinctively appreciates them when we hear them because God has planted them in every human soul. But throughout time we have watered down these truths into a human understanding instead of a Godly understanding. These truths that originated in and from God now have become mere words - that we have dis-attached from the owner of these truths (GOD).
Spiritual truths, to the world, have essentially become a tootsie roll pop without the tootsie roll in the center. They are sweet on the outside but no deep meaning or understanding in the inside. They are so because we have ignored the original of their meaning.
Look at these movies: The Matrix, Starwars, Lord of the Rings, Kingdom of Heaven, The Four Feathers, Narnia, Hidalgo…. We like and enjoy the message of these movies why?
God's truths are far greater and deeper then our own limited understanding and because of this they sound great to us but because we don't look to God for deeper understanding into these truths they quickly get washed away in the cares of life and are forgotten. God puts the one seeking Him (faith) on a foundation in which these truths not only sound good and make sense but also grow in deeper understanding.
Job 12:13 "But true wisdom and power are with God; counsel and understanding are his.
Read 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
We must give our lives over to God for these great truths to be revealed. He will make them plain and he will make sure we will remember them by his Holy Spirit. He will also give us clarity, direction, caution, and insight in "questionable" situations.
In every level and aspect of the human intellect there is either a certain level of vagueness of God or vagueness of the wisdom of God. And you will find that even well studied and faithful followers of Christ find there is no end to seeing the dots and greatness of God. There seems to be this constant turning key of knowledge that allows us to see a bit more into the endless insight, enlightenment and encouragement of God as we stay mindful and reliant on God and his love and grace.
A love and grace that we should not take lightly or for granted.
A journey of Christian faith brings spiritual truths to light and helps us grow in our assurance, peace and love that God has for us.
In a world of limited understandings, who dares to reach your hand to lead you and help you see the truth? Who?
Jesus says this:
John 10:9-10 "Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all it’s fullness."
John 14:6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know Him and have seen Him!"
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to those who call on Him as Lord and Savior. He is our foundation and where true understanding comes from.
John 16:13-14 "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me."
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Why God Allows Pain
A relative recently sent this to me in an email and I thought I would share it with you.
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."
"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.
"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here and I am a barber! And I just worked on you!"
"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is that people do not come to me."
"Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens is that people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
From: "Faith is a journey, not a destination."
Sidenote to this email:
I think suffering does happens to those people who believe in God but it's a person's level of dependence (or faith) on God in how a person will successfully and unsuccessfully get through it. There is a book in the bible called Job. God called him righteous and a friend of God. He suffered more then most of us can even imagine but it was his dependence, reliance and belief in God that got him through it. Job's life was to prove to Satan that even when God's people suffer for reasons beyond their understanding - their faith in God still remains strong.
God has given us all a choice to love and know Him. He doesn't want us to perish in the fires of hell - by us not believing in his Son Jesus Christ, who paid for our sins and made us acceptable by His own blood. He also didn't want his creation to be forced to love Him -because what kind of love and relationship would that be then? God paid the price for us by giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to die a criminals death on a cross for us. And Jesus' obedience to His Father and his love for us made him give up his life for us. Jesus died for you and me and rose again to prove that he was God's son and - so we could have the fullness of life and eternity in heaven and not hell. He was the messiah that all the prophets of old had talked about in the bible. Jesus was the ultimate sign of God's love for us. God and Jesus have done all the work for us to come to him and it's only our choice to believe or not.
God also has given us a choice to do things that are wrong or do things that are right (to sin or not sin). These things are spelled out in the bible. God hates sin. For us to be right in God's sight is to strive to do right with the help of God's Holy Spirit and depend on Jesus Christ as our "interceder and sole priest" for the forgiveness of our sins. There are no payments to get your mother, father, brother, sister, or uncle Joe's big toe or anything else out of hell. It was their faith in Christ that saves them - NOTHING else. Jesus was our payment and to say we can buy someone's salvation over God's only son's body is CRAZY!
Bad things (also) happen to the innocent because individuals choose to sin which affect other people. They choose to drink and drive. They choose to kill and steal. They choose to have prematerial sex. They choose to have to multiple partners who may carry and spread diseases such as herpes and HIV and AIDs. They choose drugs over their own children. They choose to believe in a false god who tells them to kill millions of people. They choose to pick and choose what they want to believe in God like He is some salad bar god. They choose to rape. They choose to hold on to all their hurts, worries and anxieties. They choose to believe more in their circumstances then the power of God. They choose to not listen to God and not believe in what God says is true. We curse only ourselves in our non-belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Innocent people get poked and stabbed by the thorns of others because "these" others don't have their eyes focused on God but themselves and their situation.
Does pain allow us to see in the mirror? Here's an example: If a person says they are a Christian and then they get crushed by someone- what is going to come out of their mouth and actions? Is it going to be something sweet or something bitter? Is it something that Christ would approve of or not? If it isn't something we know God wouldn't approve, then we know we need go to God to and have him minister to us and encourage us to do better.
Pain also shows us all that we are in need of help and we need to give that pain to God instead of holding onto it. Have you noticed that we aren't vessels capable of carrying around hurt and pain? We don't function the way God wants us to - when we hold on to the hurt and heavy burdens. God made us very dependent on him but when we try to handle hurt and pain ourselves we don't do a very good job (Frankly we stink at it) and often it affects others around us.
Well I am sure there are more reasons why their is pain in this world but this is what I was given.
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."
"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.
"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here and I am a barber! And I just worked on you!"
"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is that people do not come to me."
"Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens is that people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
From: "Faith is a journey, not a destination."
Sidenote to this email:
I think suffering does happens to those people who believe in God but it's a person's level of dependence (or faith) on God in how a person will successfully and unsuccessfully get through it. There is a book in the bible called Job. God called him righteous and a friend of God. He suffered more then most of us can even imagine but it was his dependence, reliance and belief in God that got him through it. Job's life was to prove to Satan that even when God's people suffer for reasons beyond their understanding - their faith in God still remains strong.
God has given us all a choice to love and know Him. He doesn't want us to perish in the fires of hell - by us not believing in his Son Jesus Christ, who paid for our sins and made us acceptable by His own blood. He also didn't want his creation to be forced to love Him -because what kind of love and relationship would that be then? God paid the price for us by giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to die a criminals death on a cross for us. And Jesus' obedience to His Father and his love for us made him give up his life for us. Jesus died for you and me and rose again to prove that he was God's son and - so we could have the fullness of life and eternity in heaven and not hell. He was the messiah that all the prophets of old had talked about in the bible. Jesus was the ultimate sign of God's love for us. God and Jesus have done all the work for us to come to him and it's only our choice to believe or not.
God also has given us a choice to do things that are wrong or do things that are right (to sin or not sin). These things are spelled out in the bible. God hates sin. For us to be right in God's sight is to strive to do right with the help of God's Holy Spirit and depend on Jesus Christ as our "interceder and sole priest" for the forgiveness of our sins. There are no payments to get your mother, father, brother, sister, or uncle Joe's big toe or anything else out of hell. It was their faith in Christ that saves them - NOTHING else. Jesus was our payment and to say we can buy someone's salvation over God's only son's body is CRAZY!
Bad things (also) happen to the innocent because individuals choose to sin which affect other people. They choose to drink and drive. They choose to kill and steal. They choose to have prematerial sex. They choose to have to multiple partners who may carry and spread diseases such as herpes and HIV and AIDs. They choose drugs over their own children. They choose to believe in a false god who tells them to kill millions of people. They choose to pick and choose what they want to believe in God like He is some salad bar god. They choose to rape. They choose to hold on to all their hurts, worries and anxieties. They choose to believe more in their circumstances then the power of God. They choose to not listen to God and not believe in what God says is true. We curse only ourselves in our non-belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Innocent people get poked and stabbed by the thorns of others because "these" others don't have their eyes focused on God but themselves and their situation.
Does pain allow us to see in the mirror? Here's an example: If a person says they are a Christian and then they get crushed by someone- what is going to come out of their mouth and actions? Is it going to be something sweet or something bitter? Is it something that Christ would approve of or not? If it isn't something we know God wouldn't approve, then we know we need go to God to and have him minister to us and encourage us to do better.
Pain also shows us all that we are in need of help and we need to give that pain to God instead of holding onto it. Have you noticed that we aren't vessels capable of carrying around hurt and pain? We don't function the way God wants us to - when we hold on to the hurt and heavy burdens. God made us very dependent on him but when we try to handle hurt and pain ourselves we don't do a very good job (Frankly we stink at it) and often it affects others around us.
Well I am sure there are more reasons why their is pain in this world but this is what I was given.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Routine Crumbs
The alarm clock goes off. You drag yourself out of bed and head to the kitchen after a brief stop to the restroom. Clean dishes in the dish washer. Dishes that didn't fit into the dish washer sitting in the sink. Crumbs from last nights dinner sit on the stove top.
Your mind thinks.... remember that started load of laundry you started before bed.
Remember the car needs an oil change.
Remember we need more toilet paper.
You put your bagel into the toaster.... you watch the coils turn red as it toasts your bagel. You try to keep your eyes open.
The bagel pops up and you remember there is no cream cheese. You aren't into sticky warm peanut butter in the morning so you take what little remains of butter on the butter dish in the frig and spread the cold dabs of butter on halves of bagel.
Add to list... butter, cream cheese you say to yourself.
Car needs gas...you were too tired to get it yesterday.
You flip on the television to see the traffic report. It reports 20 minute delays in the normal spots.
Yep just another day of routine you say.
Then out of no where another a thought comes swimming out of the murky glum in your mind,
"You don't have to except these crumbs."
"I don't have to except these crumbs? This is just life...." you reply back to the thought.
The thought replies, "You don't have to except the routine, the ordinary, the same messes, the same drive, the same story... The gutter thinking you find yourself in every morning."
You take a glance out the window to see the view... something you usually ignore and take for granted. The morning sun in shining through the wispy clouds. The trees have that lovely dark and light green coloring as the light hits them.
You turn off the television. You hear a bird singing its morning praises.
Those were no ordinary thoughts. It was God speaking. "Ok Lord what do you have in store for me today."
Crumbs. I guess there are really two types of crumbs. The crumbs we "limit" ourselves to or the crumbs God gives us, making the ordinary into the extraordinary.
John 6:32 Jesus said, "I assure you, Moses didn't give them bread from Heaven. My Father did and now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
Jesus gives life to the world. We have to faithful in the small things and he will be faithful in all things. The small things for us is sometimes getting our mind away from ordinary crumbs of life. Sure we have do those things we seem routine but what matters most is where the mind is at and waiting to receive from God.
Scriptures:
Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path."
Luke 8:16 "No one would light a lamp and then cover it up or put it under a bed. No, lamps are mounted in the open, where they can be seen by those entering the house."
Note Matthew 15: 21-28 (If Jesus considers healing a little girl from demon possession as crumbs. Just think what a piece of bread must be. God's crumbs are a lot better then our crumbs.)
Ephesians 5:8-9 "For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true."
Thessalonians 5:5-6, 8 "For you are all children of light of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like others. Stay alert and be sober.
Your mind thinks.... remember that started load of laundry you started before bed.
Remember the car needs an oil change.
Remember we need more toilet paper.
You put your bagel into the toaster.... you watch the coils turn red as it toasts your bagel. You try to keep your eyes open.
The bagel pops up and you remember there is no cream cheese. You aren't into sticky warm peanut butter in the morning so you take what little remains of butter on the butter dish in the frig and spread the cold dabs of butter on halves of bagel.
Add to list... butter, cream cheese you say to yourself.
Car needs gas...you were too tired to get it yesterday.
You flip on the television to see the traffic report. It reports 20 minute delays in the normal spots.
Yep just another day of routine you say.
Then out of no where another a thought comes swimming out of the murky glum in your mind,
"You don't have to except these crumbs."
"I don't have to except these crumbs? This is just life...." you reply back to the thought.
The thought replies, "You don't have to except the routine, the ordinary, the same messes, the same drive, the same story... The gutter thinking you find yourself in every morning."
You take a glance out the window to see the view... something you usually ignore and take for granted. The morning sun in shining through the wispy clouds. The trees have that lovely dark and light green coloring as the light hits them.
You turn off the television. You hear a bird singing its morning praises.
Those were no ordinary thoughts. It was God speaking. "Ok Lord what do you have in store for me today."
Crumbs. I guess there are really two types of crumbs. The crumbs we "limit" ourselves to or the crumbs God gives us, making the ordinary into the extraordinary.
John 6:32 Jesus said, "I assure you, Moses didn't give them bread from Heaven. My Father did and now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
Jesus gives life to the world. We have to faithful in the small things and he will be faithful in all things. The small things for us is sometimes getting our mind away from ordinary crumbs of life. Sure we have do those things we seem routine but what matters most is where the mind is at and waiting to receive from God.
Scriptures:
Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path."
Luke 8:16 "No one would light a lamp and then cover it up or put it under a bed. No, lamps are mounted in the open, where they can be seen by those entering the house."
Note Matthew 15: 21-28 (If Jesus considers healing a little girl from demon possession as crumbs. Just think what a piece of bread must be. God's crumbs are a lot better then our crumbs.)
Ephesians 5:8-9 "For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true."
Thessalonians 5:5-6, 8 "For you are all children of light of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like others. Stay alert and be sober.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Battles that Are Close To The Heart
The hardest spiritual battles you will face are the ones closest to your heart. They are things you hope and pray for and when they don’t happen or turn out the way you thought, you feel betrayed by GOD. It’s even harder when you know God as your Father, Jesus as your brother, Savior, Lord and King and the Holy Spirit your guide, comforter and encourager.
The Holy Spirit aches inside your soul but anguish rises within your soul too. You have been cut deep and you think God has let you down and not fulfilled His promises but has HE?
Who is the one who made these requirements of GOD? Who made this dagger? Then who slipped slanderous suggests to God in which you swallowed whole? Who said you were to have all those things? Who made up this plan and this hope or desire? You or GOD?
Did your actions "in the end" speak of why you didn’t get what you desired to get?
Did you get so involved in the situation that you ignore the Holy Spirit's advice?
Mentally a seasoned Christian knows what they’re suppose to do spiritually in a spiritual battle.
And in some way God has prepared his children with the knowledge they need to endure such trials for God never gives us anything more then we can handle.
But it is often when a Christian sets the desires of their heart in front of God's desires, God's preparation/timing, and His will, they become confused, angry and feel betrayed.
Anguish causes our mind to be clouded and we let the enemy's fiery of arrows to strike.
Every destructive suggestion goes unchecked against arsenal of biblical teachings and in turn cause major havoc.... for the enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy the Christian.
And it’s not that Christians aren't aware of these tactics and attacks but a lack of thought and judgment at particular moment which is based on "self" can be like standing in a puddle of gasoline and holding a sparkler.
When we are concentrated only on ourselves and the something goes wrong, it is easy to question God, justify our dark thoughts and actions, and fall.
And this trap… once you are in it, can be hard for most people to crawl out of because of pride, hurt, guilt, shame, anger, rejection, and our assumptions of God.
And people who "feel" that they have been hurt by God will sometimes look upon the hurt similarly as if their earthly father had hurt them.
The truth is the devil works pretty hard on the Christian.. but we make it easier when we don't pay attention to what God has to say. Satan has no power over you unless you give it to him.
Dangerous tempting pathways and poisoned philosophy will be offered to you but don't take them. Christ was tempted so we too will be tempted especially when the battle is close to the heart.
Tough battles do come but don't let them separate you from GOD. The Bride of Christ should always be able to approach the throne from of God even with tears of hurt and sorrow.
Remember what God has said. Nothing can separated us from God's love. Romans 8:38-39
Nothing God has shown you and said to you can be taken away but you have the choice to drop your sword and surrender. You have a choice to turn and try to forget. You have a choice to forsake God or not forsake God.
Healing and wisdom often comes when we are willing to admit our failure, our hurt and confusion to God. It comes when we realize that it's not God that has let us down but ourselves.
Sometimes, we may not ever understand the "reasons" why such "things" happen in our lives but we need to let them go and know God is in charge even when we think things have gone wrong.
And if you can't immediately feel peace knowing this - take one step in front of the other, breath in and out, pour out your heart to God, and know this feeling or season won't last forever ... God comforts the hurting. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
The Holy Spirit aches inside your soul but anguish rises within your soul too. You have been cut deep and you think God has let you down and not fulfilled His promises but has HE?
Who is the one who made these requirements of GOD? Who made this dagger? Then who slipped slanderous suggests to God in which you swallowed whole? Who said you were to have all those things? Who made up this plan and this hope or desire? You or GOD?
Did your actions "in the end" speak of why you didn’t get what you desired to get?
Did you get so involved in the situation that you ignore the Holy Spirit's advice?
Mentally a seasoned Christian knows what they’re suppose to do spiritually in a spiritual battle.
And in some way God has prepared his children with the knowledge they need to endure such trials for God never gives us anything more then we can handle.
But it is often when a Christian sets the desires of their heart in front of God's desires, God's preparation/timing, and His will, they become confused, angry and feel betrayed.
Anguish causes our mind to be clouded and we let the enemy's fiery of arrows to strike.
Every destructive suggestion goes unchecked against arsenal of biblical teachings and in turn cause major havoc.... for the enemy wants to kill, steal and destroy the Christian.
And it’s not that Christians aren't aware of these tactics and attacks but a lack of thought and judgment at particular moment which is based on "self" can be like standing in a puddle of gasoline and holding a sparkler.
When we are concentrated only on ourselves and the something goes wrong, it is easy to question God, justify our dark thoughts and actions, and fall.
And this trap… once you are in it, can be hard for most people to crawl out of because of pride, hurt, guilt, shame, anger, rejection, and our assumptions of God.
And people who "feel" that they have been hurt by God will sometimes look upon the hurt similarly as if their earthly father had hurt them.
The truth is the devil works pretty hard on the Christian.. but we make it easier when we don't pay attention to what God has to say. Satan has no power over you unless you give it to him.
Dangerous tempting pathways and poisoned philosophy will be offered to you but don't take them. Christ was tempted so we too will be tempted especially when the battle is close to the heart.
Tough battles do come but don't let them separate you from GOD. The Bride of Christ should always be able to approach the throne from of God even with tears of hurt and sorrow.
Remember what God has said. Nothing can separated us from God's love. Romans 8:38-39
Nothing God has shown you and said to you can be taken away but you have the choice to drop your sword and surrender. You have a choice to turn and try to forget. You have a choice to forsake God or not forsake God.
Healing and wisdom often comes when we are willing to admit our failure, our hurt and confusion to God. It comes when we realize that it's not God that has let us down but ourselves.
Sometimes, we may not ever understand the "reasons" why such "things" happen in our lives but we need to let them go and know God is in charge even when we think things have gone wrong.
And if you can't immediately feel peace knowing this - take one step in front of the other, breath in and out, pour out your heart to God, and know this feeling or season won't last forever ... God comforts the hurting. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Sunday, October 08, 2006
What is a Christian?
Are you intrigued or interested?
Someone recently informed me that they considered themselves a Christian but it was evident by their life style that they weren’t knowledgeable enough to know what a Christian is. This troubled me.
85% of American claim to be Christians but this survey included "religions" that are not considered "Christian Faith".
So who is a Christian?
A "Christian" is a person:
1.Who belongs to Christ Jesus and believes he is the Son of GOD.
2. They believe Jesus Christ is the only way into heaven and to be accepted by GOD the Father.
3. They have invited and received Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior of their life.
4. They believe Christ died for them on the cross for their sins and rose from the grave. By Jesus’ sacrifice, they are children of GOD.
5. They believe and live according to how Jesus said we should live with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
6. They should confess this "Good News" to others so they too will be saved and have eternal life.
7. They believe salvation can not be earned but it is a gift from GOD if you only believe in Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
8. Believes in every word of GOD to be true.
9. Who loves the LORD, their GOD with all their heart, soul and mind.
10. Who loves their neighbor as themselves.
The book of Romans in the bible is a good place to start reading about all this good stuff.
To learn how and why you should be a Christian check out this link below: http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp
Someone recently informed me that they considered themselves a Christian but it was evident by their life style that they weren’t knowledgeable enough to know what a Christian is. This troubled me.
85% of American claim to be Christians but this survey included "religions" that are not considered "Christian Faith".
So who is a Christian?
A "Christian" is a person:
1.Who belongs to Christ Jesus and believes he is the Son of GOD.
2. They believe Jesus Christ is the only way into heaven and to be accepted by GOD the Father.
3. They have invited and received Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior of their life.
4. They believe Christ died for them on the cross for their sins and rose from the grave. By Jesus’ sacrifice, they are children of GOD.
5. They believe and live according to how Jesus said we should live with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
6. They should confess this "Good News" to others so they too will be saved and have eternal life.
7. They believe salvation can not be earned but it is a gift from GOD if you only believe in Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
8. Believes in every word of GOD to be true.
9. Who loves the LORD, their GOD with all their heart, soul and mind.
10. Who loves their neighbor as themselves.
The book of Romans in the bible is a good place to start reading about all this good stuff.
To learn how and why you should be a Christian check out this link below: http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Where Good Healthy Spiritually Thinking Starts.
What I say may or may not be elementary but sometimes even when things seem to be elementary they can be easily over looked.
We are creatures that love to look inward at ourselves… and sometimes we may look too deeply into ourselves or a situation and make ourselves miserable.
Life outside self. To find "life" we have to look pass our own feelings, thoughts, distractions, evaluations and circumstances.
To "persevere" and find "strength" and "hope" we must look past ourselves to the one who set up the very foundation of hope.... GOD.
To find restraint and keep every dark seeded thing from "flying out" we must trust God more then ourselves. We must listen to God more then we listen to ourselves and watch out for carefully crafted pointed suggestions from the enemy... Satan.
In truth that can be very difficult at times especially in anguish and sorrow. Thank God for His Holy Spirit that prays for us when we can't seem to pray.
When life has got you down or frazzled or you seem to be just barely clutching onto some kind of healthy spiritually thinking, ask "rooted" questions to yourself.
Examples:
1. Where do these thoughts come from?
2. Are these thoughts actually true or are they my assumptions of what I perceive?
3. Are these thoughts based on what God has told me or what the world wants me to believe?
4. Am I seeking revenge or trusting in God's justice.
I am constantly amazed how far my mind can drift, get intoxicated or fall asleep in a short period of time by thoughts.
In college some of my friends would refer to this as: "How far off the dock are you willing to walk?"
Ever look down from your thoughts and realize there is nothing between your feet and the pointlessness?
I find myself at fault of this. I will be working on something and my mind will drift to these ideas which will play with my emotions.
I wish I had a better thought filter or trap because sometimes I can sail quite a ways down river before I realize I need to get myself back where I need to be spiritually.
Kind of like body boarding. You are body boarding the waves at the ocean- out in front of your beach "spot" and before you know it... the current has taken you down the beach a ways and you have to end up walking half a footballs field length to back up the beach to your beach "spot".
Sometimes I asked myself, if God’s spirit is living inside of me, why do I even bother listening to these suggestions that are slung at me throughout the day? Where is the "thought" filter that keeps the "slug" out of the mental pump?
Now imagine being intoxicated or under the influence of a drug or even a powerful emotion. That is where sin can take a great foot hold in a person's thinking and life. That is why God says,"And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' Mark 12:30
Because who do you trust in the mind and heart, if you don't trust and love God? What is the outcome if a person trusts and loves only themselves and what they receive from others?
A man finds out his wife is cheating on him. How is he going to constructively handle the situation? He certainly isn't going to handle the situation correctly if he trusts in himself. Not saying it doesn't hurt a man if his wife cheats on him but how is he going to constructively handle the situation better if he looks to God in contrast to looking into himself.
Paul said this in Philippians 3 "I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes everything is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him."
You depend on the praises of men, the money of men, your possessions, your looks, your friends, your spouse, your health, your position, your portfolio, your retirement, what do you got when they fail you? (Those who know the bible think about Job.)
Where does your mind go when they fail you?
Christ Jesus said this in Matthew 16:24-26
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?
It's a choice a person has to make everyday if not every minute of the day. You want to think clearly and healthy- don't just trust in in what you see or perceive but trust in God. He is higher then our thoughts and when we put him higher then our thoughts (and we don't give into our thoughts) he gives us peace and right action- even though it may be difficult.
"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:1-4)
It's starts with your choice.
We are creatures that love to look inward at ourselves… and sometimes we may look too deeply into ourselves or a situation and make ourselves miserable.
Life outside self. To find "life" we have to look pass our own feelings, thoughts, distractions, evaluations and circumstances.
To "persevere" and find "strength" and "hope" we must look past ourselves to the one who set up the very foundation of hope.... GOD.
To find restraint and keep every dark seeded thing from "flying out" we must trust God more then ourselves. We must listen to God more then we listen to ourselves and watch out for carefully crafted pointed suggestions from the enemy... Satan.
In truth that can be very difficult at times especially in anguish and sorrow. Thank God for His Holy Spirit that prays for us when we can't seem to pray.
When life has got you down or frazzled or you seem to be just barely clutching onto some kind of healthy spiritually thinking, ask "rooted" questions to yourself.
Examples:
1. Where do these thoughts come from?
2. Are these thoughts actually true or are they my assumptions of what I perceive?
3. Are these thoughts based on what God has told me or what the world wants me to believe?
4. Am I seeking revenge or trusting in God's justice.
I am constantly amazed how far my mind can drift, get intoxicated or fall asleep in a short period of time by thoughts.
In college some of my friends would refer to this as: "How far off the dock are you willing to walk?"
Ever look down from your thoughts and realize there is nothing between your feet and the pointlessness?
I find myself at fault of this. I will be working on something and my mind will drift to these ideas which will play with my emotions.
I wish I had a better thought filter or trap because sometimes I can sail quite a ways down river before I realize I need to get myself back where I need to be spiritually.
Kind of like body boarding. You are body boarding the waves at the ocean- out in front of your beach "spot" and before you know it... the current has taken you down the beach a ways and you have to end up walking half a footballs field length to back up the beach to your beach "spot".
Sometimes I asked myself, if God’s spirit is living inside of me, why do I even bother listening to these suggestions that are slung at me throughout the day? Where is the "thought" filter that keeps the "slug" out of the mental pump?
Now imagine being intoxicated or under the influence of a drug or even a powerful emotion. That is where sin can take a great foot hold in a person's thinking and life. That is why God says,"And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' Mark 12:30
Because who do you trust in the mind and heart, if you don't trust and love God? What is the outcome if a person trusts and loves only themselves and what they receive from others?
A man finds out his wife is cheating on him. How is he going to constructively handle the situation? He certainly isn't going to handle the situation correctly if he trusts in himself. Not saying it doesn't hurt a man if his wife cheats on him but how is he going to constructively handle the situation better if he looks to God in contrast to looking into himself.
Paul said this in Philippians 3 "I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes everything is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him."
You depend on the praises of men, the money of men, your possessions, your looks, your friends, your spouse, your health, your position, your portfolio, your retirement, what do you got when they fail you? (Those who know the bible think about Job.)
Where does your mind go when they fail you?
Christ Jesus said this in Matthew 16:24-26
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?
It's a choice a person has to make everyday if not every minute of the day. You want to think clearly and healthy- don't just trust in in what you see or perceive but trust in God. He is higher then our thoughts and when we put him higher then our thoughts (and we don't give into our thoughts) he gives us peace and right action- even though it may be difficult.
"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:1-4)
It's starts with your choice.
Monday, August 28, 2006
He's Listening - Hold on.
Ever hear these words in your heart? "O' Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most?" (Psalms 10:1)
I am sure David hasn't been the only one who felt this way... And (if we are honest with each other) you and I have felt the same way from time to time.
It is like a wall has been put up between God and us.
God where are you?
Our minds starts to wonder as we try to rationalize why we aren't hearing from God. It starts to wear and drain on us and before we know it we are a mess and confused as person who gets up in the middle of the night and forgets he is staying at a friend's house.
God hasn't gone any where....
My oldest daughter talks so fast sometimes I have to tell her to slow down and take a breath. I enjoy our talks but sometimes it just seems like just this ramble of noise and there is no insert point where I can join in the conversation. Sometimes we like my daughter, we get so involved in ourselves that we don't hear what God has to say to us.
Ever know anyone is who so very self orientated?
They sound like the entire world is against them at times. They constantly have doubt, fear, anxiety, and they can make up entire situation that hasn't even happened yet to make themselves angry and even sick to their stomach.
Drifting is a dangerous thing. Allowing thoughts that are not even base on fact to nest in your mind can cause major havoc.
Remember where God has placed you. When you gave your life to God and he then in turn gave your life to Christ- you were put on a solid rock where you began to see all truth.
There is are to sayings that the Holy Spirit constantly reminds me of:
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God.; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God. - R. W. Emerson
We can hear from God when we "exalt" him over thing else in our lives- including ourselves. We let everything take a subordinate position to him and in allowing him to be exalted over everything else we have peace and can hear him clearly. Hearing him clearly we do not just have peace but we can handle conflict "constructively".
Matthew 28-29 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.
Cast your cares on the Lord BUT also listen as you cast your cares on the Lord. Make sure you know what direction the Lord is heading and wants you to take because if you don't you will find yourself in a struggle again.
Example: I wanted to work on the car the other morning but I had received plenty of signs that I wasn't (mentally) ready to take on that challenge but because "I" wanted to get the job done "I" proceeded and what was only going to be a $234 job to fix jumped another $200 dollars, more scraped knuckles and a lot more work. Needless to say I was plenty upset.
Remember the angel who got held up fighting a fallen angel and because of the brawl it took a while for the prophet to get his reply from God? Well in same way, God does prepare the way. We just have to be willing to listen and wait until he has prepared the way and the direction we have to take.
So cast your cares, listen, exalt, and wait for direction for He is listening and waiting.
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