In Exodus chapter 20 we learn a little bit about the character of God within the Ten Commandments. This specific characteristic of God ties into relationships. Jealousy.
One would think jealousy has a negative connotation. But after reading scripture I see that it is not the case. El Qanna, God calls himself. Which means jealous God.
Exodus 20:4-5 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God..."
For God to be jealous for us means that he desires that we worship Him and him alone and no one else. I would relate this to a Husband and Wife being jealous for one another. That they do not want their spouse to desire someone else.
That kind of jealousy a one out of love is positive.
Now what does this have to do with relationships?
Simple. Our relationship with God has an impact on our relationship with others. The closer we are to God the more we learn to love. And in marriage, for it to work as God designed each one needs to draw near to Jesus. For the closer man and wife gets to God the closer they can get to one another.
The problem that can happen is focusing your 100% attention towards someone you have a relationship with and expecting the same in return. The only one worthy of 100% attention is El Qanna. But by grace, the Lord has designed it so that by drawing closer to Him you can become closer to other people. So by putting all of your attention into one person, you end up making them into an idol in which you worship.
The effects of this can be devastating and can ruin a relationship you have with someone. If one person is drawing near to God and the other is going away but trying to go towards the other person a gap starts to form in the life of that relationship. Only by both people drawing near to God can they draw close together.
So in a relationship if you are giving your 100% to that person what is left for the Lord? It is heart breaking to see relationships break. But the Lord is a God of mercy, grace, and restoration. If you seek first the Lord your God all things after will come.
How wonderful it is to have a God who loves us so much that he sent His son to die for us. That jealousy for us has given us life. May we turn our hearts to the Lord and by placing Him first in our life we will be able to have others that much closer to us in our lives.
God Bless and I hope you place God first in your life. I know that I know that His love is real and is life changing. Let Him change you and make you into something beautiful.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Fight!
Ding! And the match is on! In the red corner David the Shepard boy. In the blue corner Goliath the Giant. David takes a stone from his sash loads it into his sling. WOOOSH There it goes! BAM! Goliath is down. KNOCK OUT! David is the winner!!!
How was it that a tiny stone took down a Giant? I would say David fought the good fight of faith. He trusted not in his strength but the Lords. The question I have to ask is, "Will we fight like David did for the kingdom of God?" I think it important to take note and learn from a passage in the New Testament as it provides great insight into how Jesus works in our life.
In 1 Timothy 6:12 we read "Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
As we read this passage lets study up on some of the key points.
What does it mean to fight? As by definition its to battle or combat, contest or struggle and quarrel. If we look in other parts of the Bible we see people's faith in action.
Hebrew 11 dictates that "...faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
I am convinced that fighting entails being sure and certain of God's promises. Hebrews 11 goes on to say "... This is what the ancients were commended for." And then lists Abraham and many other's acts of faith. Abraham obeyed God. Therefor I think obeying what God has told us to do is also part of this fight. There was admittance of not being of this world. Meaning they recognized that their residence was in the Lord. Jacob worshiped the Lord. The Israelites followed God's direction when crossing the Red Sea. It goes on to list David, Samuel, Samuel and the prophets as ones who had faith.
The Lord has shown us what fighting the good fight of faith is through the lives of many. These men and women of God trusted in the Lord.
The passage goes on to talk about taking hold of eternal life. I think this is best explained in John 17:3, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Corinthians 2:2 and John 14:6. "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
Taking hold of eternal life is knowing Jesus is the son of God whom was crucified and believing that he died for our sins.
Lord, please help me fight the good fight of faith. I am weak, please make me strong. Shine brightly through me to bring you glory and I ask that you also strengthen all my brothers and sisters in Christ so that they too may fight the good fight and bring glory to you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
DING! The match is on. May you choose Jesus as your manager and trainer to help you in this life. Focus your eyes on Jesus and know that he's got you covered on all fronts.
How was it that a tiny stone took down a Giant? I would say David fought the good fight of faith. He trusted not in his strength but the Lords. The question I have to ask is, "Will we fight like David did for the kingdom of God?" I think it important to take note and learn from a passage in the New Testament as it provides great insight into how Jesus works in our life.
In 1 Timothy 6:12 we read "Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
As we read this passage lets study up on some of the key points.
What does it mean to fight? As by definition its to battle or combat, contest or struggle and quarrel. If we look in other parts of the Bible we see people's faith in action.
Hebrew 11 dictates that "...faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
I am convinced that fighting entails being sure and certain of God's promises. Hebrews 11 goes on to say "... This is what the ancients were commended for." And then lists Abraham and many other's acts of faith. Abraham obeyed God. Therefor I think obeying what God has told us to do is also part of this fight. There was admittance of not being of this world. Meaning they recognized that their residence was in the Lord. Jacob worshiped the Lord. The Israelites followed God's direction when crossing the Red Sea. It goes on to list David, Samuel, Samuel and the prophets as ones who had faith.
The Lord has shown us what fighting the good fight of faith is through the lives of many. These men and women of God trusted in the Lord.
The passage goes on to talk about taking hold of eternal life. I think this is best explained in John 17:3, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Corinthians 2:2 and John 14:6. "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God."
Taking hold of eternal life is knowing Jesus is the son of God whom was crucified and believing that he died for our sins.
Lord, please help me fight the good fight of faith. I am weak, please make me strong. Shine brightly through me to bring you glory and I ask that you also strengthen all my brothers and sisters in Christ so that they too may fight the good fight and bring glory to you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
DING! The match is on. May you choose Jesus as your manager and trainer to help you in this life. Focus your eyes on Jesus and know that he's got you covered on all fronts.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
May you know my God
Family, friends, people who I meet in the future and people in Japan, I want above everything else that you may know the God who gives life and saves from the pits, my God. For this he has done for me through the death of his son Jesus on the Cross. Praise be to God for His love endures forever.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Broken
I am broken, but praise be to God that I am not in a pit of destruction; but on the Rock being renewed.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Seeing the Lord's Fingerprints
When thinking about a fingerprint what comes to mind is mine is one of a kind. No one else in the entire world has the same fingerprint as myself. Even twins have different fingerprints. This identification system is quite intricate.
When I look around I see fingerprints all over. Who's fingerprints? The finger prints of God. Upon reflecting on my life I see where God has worked and when looking at my situations now I can see where God is working. I was once blind but now I can see.
In His word he tells me that Truth. John9:39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
I can see that the Lord has been good to me. I've experienced abuse, feeling of abandonment, hopelessness and feeling lost in the past. I couldn't see Jesus in any of the bad circumstances but I know now that those experiences are a stepping stone to reaching the lost and hopeless. I know the same pain and can reach out to them. Through the people he placed in my life in my past has given me a passion to reach Japan. I can see his fingerprints in my life, in the bad and good times.
I thank the Lord for the blessings he has poured out on me. The body of Christ he has made me a part of in San Diego is so amazing and is more than I could ever have imagined. The people he has placed in my life are a testament to when he calls himself Jehova Jireh, The Lord will provide. Everywhere I look I see his fingerprints. He has surely provided for me and I thank him for his loving kindness. I am so grateful for all he is doing and I'm excited at the works he is preparing me to do.
When I look around I see fingerprints all over. Who's fingerprints? The finger prints of God. Upon reflecting on my life I see where God has worked and when looking at my situations now I can see where God is working. I was once blind but now I can see.
In His word he tells me that Truth. John9:39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
I can see that the Lord has been good to me. I've experienced abuse, feeling of abandonment, hopelessness and feeling lost in the past. I couldn't see Jesus in any of the bad circumstances but I know now that those experiences are a stepping stone to reaching the lost and hopeless. I know the same pain and can reach out to them. Through the people he placed in my life in my past has given me a passion to reach Japan. I can see his fingerprints in my life, in the bad and good times.
I thank the Lord for the blessings he has poured out on me. The body of Christ he has made me a part of in San Diego is so amazing and is more than I could ever have imagined. The people he has placed in my life are a testament to when he calls himself Jehova Jireh, The Lord will provide. Everywhere I look I see his fingerprints. He has surely provided for me and I thank him for his loving kindness. I am so grateful for all he is doing and I'm excited at the works he is preparing me to do.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Spiritual Fitness
"Oh no...they said fitness. This is not going to be fun."
I remember in the past that I dreaded the word fitness. It meant that I'm going to have to do something that I don't like doing. In physical education in school they made me run, work out and feel tired. I was not a happy camper when it came to P.E. It was probably my least favorite class next to mathematics. I always thought it was pointless, "after all I can run if I want too, I can play sports just fine, etc." What happened to me was that I conditioned myself to think negatively about keeping myself healthy.
Now that's a word I liked better, health, I thought to myself, "I'm healthy, I don't need to do this at all."
I'm 22 now and the Lord has changed my attitude towards fitness. Physical fitness isn't so bad anymore, but there is one type of fitness that is even more important. And that's spiritual fitness. Being spiritually healthy. Living life to the fullest in a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Lord has promised us so much, but if we are dying spiritually, that is, our relationship with God is being put off to the side, then we cannot enjoy the rest for our soul the Lord has promised.
Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Along with this in scripture there are a few verses talking about walking and running. First I want to pose this questions, "If you are not physically fit are you able to run well?" In my experience it kills me to run when I'm not in shape.
I do believe this applies to spiritual health as well. If you try running the race without being equipped by God and putting Him first you're setting yourself up to fall down.
Hebrews 12
God Disciplines His Sons
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
To run the race marked out for us, we need to be spiritual fit which is fixing our eyes on Jesus. This is seeking first the kingdom of God. Our relationship with God comes first.
Matthew 6:33-34
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
So we're to seek Him first. It then tells us not to worry about tomorrow. I think this is key to finding rest for your soul in the Lord. To be fit is to persevere under trials, such as running a marathon. You cannot run a marathon if you are not fit to do so. Therefor you cannot run the race marked out if you are not spiritually fit. Walking the race is not what we've been called to do.
My prayer is that we would come to desire to know the Lord more, that we would grow in our relationship with the Lord and become spiritually fit. Spiritually fit so when God speaks us into motion we can run and not be weary. The power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead is the same power that is in us. May we trust in the Lord and take life lived for him to the next level. I love you Lord and thank you for being El Shaddai to me.
I remember in the past that I dreaded the word fitness. It meant that I'm going to have to do something that I don't like doing. In physical education in school they made me run, work out and feel tired. I was not a happy camper when it came to P.E. It was probably my least favorite class next to mathematics. I always thought it was pointless, "after all I can run if I want too, I can play sports just fine, etc." What happened to me was that I conditioned myself to think negatively about keeping myself healthy.
Now that's a word I liked better, health, I thought to myself, "I'm healthy, I don't need to do this at all."
I'm 22 now and the Lord has changed my attitude towards fitness. Physical fitness isn't so bad anymore, but there is one type of fitness that is even more important. And that's spiritual fitness. Being spiritually healthy. Living life to the fullest in a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Lord has promised us so much, but if we are dying spiritually, that is, our relationship with God is being put off to the side, then we cannot enjoy the rest for our soul the Lord has promised.
Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Along with this in scripture there are a few verses talking about walking and running. First I want to pose this questions, "If you are not physically fit are you able to run well?" In my experience it kills me to run when I'm not in shape.
I do believe this applies to spiritual health as well. If you try running the race without being equipped by God and putting Him first you're setting yourself up to fall down.
Hebrews 12
God Disciplines His Sons
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
To run the race marked out for us, we need to be spiritual fit which is fixing our eyes on Jesus. This is seeking first the kingdom of God. Our relationship with God comes first.
Matthew 6:33-34
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
So we're to seek Him first. It then tells us not to worry about tomorrow. I think this is key to finding rest for your soul in the Lord. To be fit is to persevere under trials, such as running a marathon. You cannot run a marathon if you are not fit to do so. Therefor you cannot run the race marked out if you are not spiritually fit. Walking the race is not what we've been called to do.
My prayer is that we would come to desire to know the Lord more, that we would grow in our relationship with the Lord and become spiritually fit. Spiritually fit so when God speaks us into motion we can run and not be weary. The power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead is the same power that is in us. May we trust in the Lord and take life lived for him to the next level. I love you Lord and thank you for being El Shaddai to me.
Friday, March 26, 2010
*knock knock* "Jesus, can you get that?"
Every day we face trials and temptations of many kind. Our past sins try creeping up on us to snare us and drag us into the pit. They lie and wait for their chance to strike.
Unfortunately when we strike at the sin we tend to get snared somehow. Aren't we supposed to be able to fight this head on? Are our bodies not the temple of the Most High God? Can't we do all things through Him who strengthens us? Then why are we getting snared when we take on these temptations head to head?
First and foremost we need to go to Scripture, 1 Corinthians 10:12-14(NIV) and see what the Lord has said about sin.
12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
In verse 12 we read about how someone believes they are standing firm and is warned about falling. When I think of standing firm I think of being strong in faith in Jesus Christ. I've known people of strong faith slip. So why is that?
"13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
In verse 13 we read that these temptations are common to man. "Common to man" goes to a personal level. I think this here is talking about sins that a Christian has fallen prey to in the past many times that it was common due the frequency of indulgence. The scripture goes on to say that God has provided a way out. Okay, so this means we fight this head on, right? Not quite...
14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
In verse 14 we are told to flee. This is very interesting. No where in the scriptures are we told to fight these temptations. And this is where the title of this post plays it's role.
When sin comes knocking on our door and we open the door. We are inviting it into our life. We think we can fight sin. But Jesus Christ was the one who was victorious over sin. If we try to take it head on by ourselves we fall victim to it. We are told to flee 4 times in the New Testament. 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Timothy 6:11, 1 Corinthians 10:14, 1 Corinthians 6:18. The reasoning I think is because we can never be strong enough or far enough in our walk with God to try standing on our own against what we've fallen to in our past.
In Matthew 26:41: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." we read that the spirit is willing but our bodies are weak.
So when temptation comes knocking on the door. Do not answer the door and invite it in to fight. Simply ask Jesus, who stood victorious against Satan's temptations, "Jesus, can you get that?" And as the Lord promises in 1 Cor 10:13, he provides the way out.
My dear brothers and sisters. I pray that you will call upon Jesus in the time of temptation. Do not think you can fight this on your own. Flee from it and have Jesus get the door when temptation knocks.
Unfortunately when we strike at the sin we tend to get snared somehow. Aren't we supposed to be able to fight this head on? Are our bodies not the temple of the Most High God? Can't we do all things through Him who strengthens us? Then why are we getting snared when we take on these temptations head to head?
First and foremost we need to go to Scripture, 1 Corinthians 10:12-14(NIV) and see what the Lord has said about sin.
12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
In verse 12 we read about how someone believes they are standing firm and is warned about falling. When I think of standing firm I think of being strong in faith in Jesus Christ. I've known people of strong faith slip. So why is that?
"13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
In verse 13 we read that these temptations are common to man. "Common to man" goes to a personal level. I think this here is talking about sins that a Christian has fallen prey to in the past many times that it was common due the frequency of indulgence. The scripture goes on to say that God has provided a way out. Okay, so this means we fight this head on, right? Not quite...
14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
In verse 14 we are told to flee. This is very interesting. No where in the scriptures are we told to fight these temptations. And this is where the title of this post plays it's role.
When sin comes knocking on our door and we open the door. We are inviting it into our life. We think we can fight sin. But Jesus Christ was the one who was victorious over sin. If we try to take it head on by ourselves we fall victim to it. We are told to flee 4 times in the New Testament. 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Timothy 6:11, 1 Corinthians 10:14, 1 Corinthians 6:18. The reasoning I think is because we can never be strong enough or far enough in our walk with God to try standing on our own against what we've fallen to in our past.
In Matthew 26:41: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." we read that the spirit is willing but our bodies are weak.
So when temptation comes knocking on the door. Do not answer the door and invite it in to fight. Simply ask Jesus, who stood victorious against Satan's temptations, "Jesus, can you get that?" And as the Lord promises in 1 Cor 10:13, he provides the way out.
My dear brothers and sisters. I pray that you will call upon Jesus in the time of temptation. Do not think you can fight this on your own. Flee from it and have Jesus get the door when temptation knocks.
Monday, February 8, 2010
The mountain of God.
The mountain of God and the mountain of worry. One in which I want to stand but always find myself climbing the other.
I'm writing this time as a reminder to myself that the Lord has everything under control and there is no need to worry about the future. His grace is enough. There is no need to worry about the things in which I desire. From learning Japanese to completing the Navy in 3 years.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (New International Version)
8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
With a promise like this, "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." There is no reason for me to have any doubts. I've seen the Lord work in mysterious and wonderful ways. He saved me from depression and lifted me higher than I had ever been before. I know that I know that the Lord is good. So I need to continue reminding myself of His promises. To be in continual prayer.
Again it is said in His living word, "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." We can rest assured that the Lord will always be with us.
So I ask the Lord to help me stop climbing the wrong mountain and stand firm upon His mountain. The Rock which is Jesus Christ. My loving savior and friend. I thank you Lord and I pray that you reign in the hearts of my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus and lead them to your mountain to stand firm. Amen.
I'm writing this time as a reminder to myself that the Lord has everything under control and there is no need to worry about the future. His grace is enough. There is no need to worry about the things in which I desire. From learning Japanese to completing the Navy in 3 years.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (New International Version)
8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
With a promise like this, "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." There is no reason for me to have any doubts. I've seen the Lord work in mysterious and wonderful ways. He saved me from depression and lifted me higher than I had ever been before. I know that I know that the Lord is good. So I need to continue reminding myself of His promises. To be in continual prayer.
Again it is said in His living word, "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." We can rest assured that the Lord will always be with us.
So I ask the Lord to help me stop climbing the wrong mountain and stand firm upon His mountain. The Rock which is Jesus Christ. My loving savior and friend. I thank you Lord and I pray that you reign in the hearts of my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus and lead them to your mountain to stand firm. Amen.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Cleaning up the Temple
Today I decided I was going to clean my room and organize all of my books. Over the past couple of weeks I slowed down on cleaning and slowly but surely disorder came upon my room.
I picked up a broom and started sweeping. Normally I always listen to music while I clean. It's a habit picked up from the days my mother would clean the house while listening to Ray Boltz, Carman, Amy Grant, etc.
As I was sweeping, I was singing along and I look down at the pile of dirt I just made. I stared at it for a bit and thought, "my room looks clean in the spots I just swept but this spot is dirty still, if I don't get a dust pan and pick this up, then the dirt will just get kicked around all over the room."
At that moment the Temple of God came to my mind, that our bodies are God's temple.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
If we are God's temple, the sins we get entangled in needs to be more than swept, they need to be swept into a dust pan and thrown out. When you sweep dirt into the dust pan you have the intention of putting it in the trash then taking the trash outside to be picked up.
Colossians 3:5-10
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
My prayer is the the Lord shows me the areas in my life and the things I still harbor that is dirtying the temple that I am. I want my heart to be filled with hope in Him not with anger or malice. I want my thoughts and meditations to be of His majesty, love and awesome power. Not on the idols. We need to allow Jesus to not only sweep the earthly nature but to sweep it into a dustpan and throw it out. Through Jesus we are new creations.
After I swept up the dirt and threw it away, I thought to myself on how to prevent my room from getting this dirty again. I figured I could put things away right after I'm done using them. And if anything gets dirty don't let it build up, clean it right away.
Now after I thought about that I thought about the verses that follow Col 3:5-10. Which talks about what to do after throwing off the things of one's old self.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
My prayer is that everyday by God's grace I will trust in Him to clothe myself with these things to help me keep His temple clean.
I find it amazing how God can reveal things to us in things such as cleaning up a room. He is truly the God Most High, the lover of our souls.
Allow God to clean His temple which is you. For the blood of Jesus has made you as white as snow. Trust in the Lord all of your days and as he polishes and cleans you, may you reflect his Glory to those around you.
Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
I picked up a broom and started sweeping. Normally I always listen to music while I clean. It's a habit picked up from the days my mother would clean the house while listening to Ray Boltz, Carman, Amy Grant, etc.
As I was sweeping, I was singing along and I look down at the pile of dirt I just made. I stared at it for a bit and thought, "my room looks clean in the spots I just swept but this spot is dirty still, if I don't get a dust pan and pick this up, then the dirt will just get kicked around all over the room."
At that moment the Temple of God came to my mind, that our bodies are God's temple.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
If we are God's temple, the sins we get entangled in needs to be more than swept, they need to be swept into a dust pan and thrown out. When you sweep dirt into the dust pan you have the intention of putting it in the trash then taking the trash outside to be picked up.
Colossians 3:5-10
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
My prayer is the the Lord shows me the areas in my life and the things I still harbor that is dirtying the temple that I am. I want my heart to be filled with hope in Him not with anger or malice. I want my thoughts and meditations to be of His majesty, love and awesome power. Not on the idols. We need to allow Jesus to not only sweep the earthly nature but to sweep it into a dustpan and throw it out. Through Jesus we are new creations.
After I swept up the dirt and threw it away, I thought to myself on how to prevent my room from getting this dirty again. I figured I could put things away right after I'm done using them. And if anything gets dirty don't let it build up, clean it right away.
Now after I thought about that I thought about the verses that follow Col 3:5-10. Which talks about what to do after throwing off the things of one's old self.
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
My prayer is that everyday by God's grace I will trust in Him to clothe myself with these things to help me keep His temple clean.
I find it amazing how God can reveal things to us in things such as cleaning up a room. He is truly the God Most High, the lover of our souls.
Allow God to clean His temple which is you. For the blood of Jesus has made you as white as snow. Trust in the Lord all of your days and as he polishes and cleans you, may you reflect his Glory to those around you.
Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Attitude
We can't let our circumstances affect our attitude. Our attitude needs to affect our circumstances. By letting our attitude get the best of us, we do not reflect the image of Jesus. Our actions are important, the eyes of the world our upon us, if we slip we risk the chance of losing everything the Lord has given to us.
Because of my past anger problems, my attitude and anger are areas where, if I slip, I know I will fall deep into the pit. And it might take ages for me to try climbing out only to realize God is the sole one who could lift me out of a pit as such.
But I thank the Lord for His grace everyday. And ya know, at the end of the day. We're still in the Lord. And we can trust in the promise of life with Christ.
In response to this my younger brother in Christ, Timothy, responded, So do I. Everyday. Even when I don't feel like it. Because I know I need it.
Our feelings can sometimes lead us astray. By God's grace we have life each day we wake. God's grace is not only a want, but it is a need. Without the Lord we cannot do a single thing.
I started the day off excellent with the Lord. I was going over Romans 16 and the Holy Spirit was bringing things to my attention that I hadn't seen before. And as the day progressed things got worse and worse at work.
It always seems that when I get one step closer to God. The Enemy wants nothing more than to make me take 10 steps away. The enemy may want me to take 10 steps back. The Lord is my strength. I shall walk by faith and trust in the promise of the Cross. That my life has meaning in the Lord and I shall live for Him.
"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." Rom 16:20
We can trust in the Lord that Satan has no dominion over us because we are in Jesus. This is the lesson that God has taught me today. And rest assured the victory has already been won through the Cross.
May you trust in the Lord with all of your heart.
Because of my past anger problems, my attitude and anger are areas where, if I slip, I know I will fall deep into the pit. And it might take ages for me to try climbing out only to realize God is the sole one who could lift me out of a pit as such.
But I thank the Lord for His grace everyday. And ya know, at the end of the day. We're still in the Lord. And we can trust in the promise of life with Christ.
In response to this my younger brother in Christ, Timothy, responded, So do I. Everyday. Even when I don't feel like it. Because I know I need it.
Our feelings can sometimes lead us astray. By God's grace we have life each day we wake. God's grace is not only a want, but it is a need. Without the Lord we cannot do a single thing.
I started the day off excellent with the Lord. I was going over Romans 16 and the Holy Spirit was bringing things to my attention that I hadn't seen before. And as the day progressed things got worse and worse at work.
It always seems that when I get one step closer to God. The Enemy wants nothing more than to make me take 10 steps away. The enemy may want me to take 10 steps back. The Lord is my strength. I shall walk by faith and trust in the promise of the Cross. That my life has meaning in the Lord and I shall live for Him.
"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." Rom 16:20
We can trust in the Lord that Satan has no dominion over us because we are in Jesus. This is the lesson that God has taught me today. And rest assured the victory has already been won through the Cross.
May you trust in the Lord with all of your heart.
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