"For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.
Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,
knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.
For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey it's lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."
- Romans 6:5-13
It's an amazing thing to know, isn't it? That Christ paid that price of death for us, so that we wouldn't have to die and would have everlasting life. The God of heaven and earth, the Creator of everything you see...HE died for you. HE gave a gift to you. HE will forgive you, no matter what you've done.
"So I know you've been running, searching for something. But you're looking in a place you don't belong. But it's never to late, you can't outrun grace. No, Mercy doesn't care what you've done.
From the shadows, from the wrong roads, from the darkness, from the unknown. To redemption, something beautiful, to a new love, to a new home." -Luminate, "Come Home"
We search and search for "something". We don't exactly know what we're searching for...and a lot of the world won't ever find it even though it's right in front of their face. In every piece of land, in every flower and tree. In the birds songs and the roosters good morning. He is real, He is alive, and no matter how often you deny Him, He will not be any less real.
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell."
-C.S.Lewis
"There's a life that I've been aiming for, to please the world I see
and live by taking more. But I'm lost because I always come up short. I guess living for yourself will leave you wanting more."
"I am found, and there's nowhere left to hide. Love's found me where I am and the change I can't deny. Love is here, I'm not letting go this time.
My second birth grace, through death I am alive." - Luminate, "New Beginnings" (1st and 3rd verses)
Living for Jesus is the only way you'll find hope and fulfillment in your life. Simply having a life doing things for yourself will never give you that fulfillment. End of story.
The good news that people think "everyone" knows, sadly, is kept between one person and God a lot of the times. There are people who claim to be Christians that don't even have the slightest outward testimony. Having the title "Christian" doesn't mean a free ticket to a great place. We must give our heart, mind, soul...and life...to God and show others how real He is by our actions. What we do is what people watch. Not many people will listen to what we have to say, but they all watch how we live. When Christ enters our hearts, we ARE a new person. Completely made new. It's a feeling that is so amazing...and one that should be shared!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Is anger taking over your life?
"You don't have to accept the invitation to get angry. Instead, practice forgiveness, empathy and encouragement."
Many of us just let it all out when someone does something that just gets on our nerves. Sometimes it might be a snap, a bite, or a blow up. Any of these can cause serious side affects. More so to the one who has become angry, given in to it, than the one having it taken out on. Anger eats you from the inside out, like a disease. It rots away your life, happiness...and heart. Where there is anger, there is no room for love or forgiveness.
Proverbs talks a lot about anger, and how dangerous it is.
A quick tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.
—Proverbs 14:17
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
—Proverbs 14:29
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
—Proverbs 15:1
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute.
—Proverbs 15:18
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who captures a city.
—Proverbs 16:32
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
—Proverbs 19:11
Do not associate with a man given to anger, or go with a hot-tempered man,
or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself.
—Proverbs 22:24-25
An angry man stirs up strife, and and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
—Proverbs 29:22
God said over and over in the bible, "love one another" or "anger stirs up strife". Every single day it's a challenge to not give in to all the little (or big) things that upset me and want to make me take out my anger on people. We cannot resist the temptation. It is not humanly possible...but it's possible for God. And He WILL help us overcome these things; through Him we can be made new and be released of the burden of anger.
Something my mom has said ever since I was little is, "Every time you want to get mad or do something wrong, you think about that "little" thing you're doing, and remember that it put Jesus on the cross. Every time you want to get mad, pray for someone. Satan will finally realize that by getting you angry, he is only making you draw closer to God."
Take out that "anger" and put all of that feeling and energy into something that NEEDS it. Like people. Prayer; so simple yet SO incredibly powerful.
Many of us just let it all out when someone does something that just gets on our nerves. Sometimes it might be a snap, a bite, or a blow up. Any of these can cause serious side affects. More so to the one who has become angry, given in to it, than the one having it taken out on. Anger eats you from the inside out, like a disease. It rots away your life, happiness...and heart. Where there is anger, there is no room for love or forgiveness.
Proverbs talks a lot about anger, and how dangerous it is.
A quick tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.
—Proverbs 14:17
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
—Proverbs 14:29
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
—Proverbs 15:1
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute.
—Proverbs 15:18
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who captures a city.
—Proverbs 16:32
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
—Proverbs 19:11
Do not associate with a man given to anger, or go with a hot-tempered man,
or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself.
—Proverbs 22:24-25
An angry man stirs up strife, and and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
—Proverbs 29:22
God said over and over in the bible, "love one another" or "anger stirs up strife". Every single day it's a challenge to not give in to all the little (or big) things that upset me and want to make me take out my anger on people. We cannot resist the temptation. It is not humanly possible...but it's possible for God. And He WILL help us overcome these things; through Him we can be made new and be released of the burden of anger.
Something my mom has said ever since I was little is, "Every time you want to get mad or do something wrong, you think about that "little" thing you're doing, and remember that it put Jesus on the cross. Every time you want to get mad, pray for someone. Satan will finally realize that by getting you angry, he is only making you draw closer to God."
Take out that "anger" and put all of that feeling and energy into something that NEEDS it. Like people. Prayer; so simple yet SO incredibly powerful.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Suffering
Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
I was reading my Bible tonight and stopped here. It's pretty comforting. Not that we will suffer...but that suffering isn't the end. We have a hope that no other has because we are suffering for a purpose, suffering by choice, whereas those who still belong to the world suffer for themselves, with no hope in sight.
Every time there are hard times or you seem to be suffering more than other people, remember that Christ told us we would suffer for His name's sake. We weren't promised a perfect life here on earth, but we are told we will have a perfect life in heaven one day.
Besides being a God of justice, power, wrath, mercy and grace...he is a God of love. So even though we go through so many "unbearable" things, God is right there with us. We often suffer more than we have to because we try to handle everything on our own. We WILL have a hard life, especially if we've given it to Christ, but we don't have to go through it alone.
The comfort many people wish for is right there for the taking...yet they refuse to see it.
Have you chosen to suffer for Christ?
I was reading my Bible tonight and stopped here. It's pretty comforting. Not that we will suffer...but that suffering isn't the end. We have a hope that no other has because we are suffering for a purpose, suffering by choice, whereas those who still belong to the world suffer for themselves, with no hope in sight.
Every time there are hard times or you seem to be suffering more than other people, remember that Christ told us we would suffer for His name's sake. We weren't promised a perfect life here on earth, but we are told we will have a perfect life in heaven one day.
Besides being a God of justice, power, wrath, mercy and grace...he is a God of love. So even though we go through so many "unbearable" things, God is right there with us. We often suffer more than we have to because we try to handle everything on our own. We WILL have a hard life, especially if we've given it to Christ, but we don't have to go through it alone.
The comfort many people wish for is right there for the taking...yet they refuse to see it.
Have you chosen to suffer for Christ?
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The eternal gift
I was thinking today about Christians... when they get saved. Some people actually think that if someone who claims to have been a Christian "turns away from the things of God" that they lose their salvation. I've never believed that... It's funny how the one verse that almost everyone in America knows (and many other people besides here) can be take so lightly, even Christians don't truly believe what it's saying.
John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life."
Whoever believes has everlasting life. If you believe, you have everlasting life. Period. It cannot be lost. There are people in the circle of Christians that seem to be "Christians" but then one day they seem to just "leave Christianity." The honest truth is, they were probably never saved in the first place. God doesn't give a gift and then take it away the second we do something wrong.
We have been given a gift. Eternal life means exactly that; eternal life. Not "eternal life...IF you follow these steps" or "eternal life so long as you do every single thing that I say." We will always mess up, because we were born into sin and will sin until the day we die. But "God so loved the world" US, everyone. And He gives this permanent gift to all who will humbly come before Him, ask for forgiveness, and believe fully in Christ Jesus. A life of a Christian is not a perfect life. But we are to do everything with the power of Jesus to be like Christ. That is what "Christian" means.
John 3:16.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life."
Whoever believes has everlasting life. If you believe, you have everlasting life. Period. It cannot be lost. There are people in the circle of Christians that seem to be "Christians" but then one day they seem to just "leave Christianity." The honest truth is, they were probably never saved in the first place. God doesn't give a gift and then take it away the second we do something wrong.
We have been given a gift. Eternal life means exactly that; eternal life. Not "eternal life...IF you follow these steps" or "eternal life so long as you do every single thing that I say." We will always mess up, because we were born into sin and will sin until the day we die. But "God so loved the world" US, everyone. And He gives this permanent gift to all who will humbly come before Him, ask for forgiveness, and believe fully in Christ Jesus. A life of a Christian is not a perfect life. But we are to do everything with the power of Jesus to be like Christ. That is what "Christian" means.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Lessons still to learn
At times, life seems so simple. We can see where we are headed, what the road ahead leads to. Or so we think. In a matter of seconds our world changes. Sometimes in a bad, unthinkable way; other times, in an amazing way. With everything I've ever been through (keep in mind I'm not even 20 yet lol) God has taught me one lesson over and over countless times.
For my life to turn out okay, *I* don't need to know what the future holds. Amazingly enough, it's almost a shock every time I remember this once again. I feel I need to keep things in my control for them to go alright...or maybe it's just that I'm a control freak when it comes to how my life turns out, I don't know. lol
Different situations result in different reactions and decisions. My prayer is that I will, one day, finally get this lesson to stick in my head. Little by little I'm learning. Those wiser than I teach me quite a lot, sometimes I listen, sometimes I pull away and do what *I* want. I pray that I will work harder to listen to God's leading and simply let go of my will...and follow His.
"Let God's promises shine on your problems." ~Corrie Ten Boom
For my life to turn out okay, *I* don't need to know what the future holds. Amazingly enough, it's almost a shock every time I remember this once again. I feel I need to keep things in my control for them to go alright...or maybe it's just that I'm a control freak when it comes to how my life turns out, I don't know. lol
Different situations result in different reactions and decisions. My prayer is that I will, one day, finally get this lesson to stick in my head. Little by little I'm learning. Those wiser than I teach me quite a lot, sometimes I listen, sometimes I pull away and do what *I* want. I pray that I will work harder to listen to God's leading and simply let go of my will...and follow His.
"Let God's promises shine on your problems." ~Corrie Ten Boom
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Love for people, or yourself?
Tonight I was flipping through an old journal I had written a bunch of quotes in awhile back. It's so interesting how things that I was going through then and the quotes that encouraged me, still apply. The last one I wrote down was very interesting. I wanted to write tonight and since this was the last thing I read, it was random enough for me to think of a post. lol :)
"The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not twist them to be our own image. Otherwise, we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them." -Thomas Merton
It hit me big time, because I have done this... still do sometimes. It's sad to know that I was loving someone simply because I found things in them that had become because of me. I had been an "influence" on a persons life, and loved them for my own selfish reasons. Like the quote said "I loved only the reflection of myself."
One of the things that has always comforted me more than anything, is the fact that I know without a doubt that God made me the way I am. He didn't mess up and He sure didn't make me broken. I am uniquely me. I am Jessica, and whereas there may be other girls who look like me, share my name, or have similar personality traits...not a one is an exact duplicate of me. Nobody can ever change that, no matter how hard they try. God has made each of us perfectly. Each little quirk or funny thing we do, He made. Each difference in our bodies...big ears, pale skin, thick hair, short stature, an extra toe...is specially made. All these things other people, and even ourselves, think are "mess ups" are simply God's creative skills at work.
You are who God made you to be. He didn't have a slip of the hand and accidentally give you freckles or a tiny nose. All of these things are a gift, ones which were thought out and presented with love from the Creator.
We can't love someone if our motive for giving that love has any selfishness in it. I can't truly love my sister Emily unless I love her for HER, not because she likes the same design style and music as I do. I must love my brother Joshua for who HE is, and not because he has my passion for baking, or my same feelings on certain topics. I can't love my parents if my only reason is because we agree on everything and get along perfectly. Love doesn't just happen. It is a choice, and one that we all must make. Loving a person takes giving up oneself, and throwing away any selfish motives we might have. Otherwise, all you love IS yourself.
God teaches me so much every single day. A judging heart comes from someone who thinks others should do things the way they do them. The funny thing is, the one being judged is often not the victim. It's the one doing the judging, because they lose so much of their life to being unhappy...they could have so much joy through Christ.
Chose love, as Christ chose to love us; it will be the most freeing decision you'll ever make.
"The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not twist them to be our own image. Otherwise, we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them." -Thomas Merton
It hit me big time, because I have done this... still do sometimes. It's sad to know that I was loving someone simply because I found things in them that had become because of me. I had been an "influence" on a persons life, and loved them for my own selfish reasons. Like the quote said "I loved only the reflection of myself."
One of the things that has always comforted me more than anything, is the fact that I know without a doubt that God made me the way I am. He didn't mess up and He sure didn't make me broken. I am uniquely me. I am Jessica, and whereas there may be other girls who look like me, share my name, or have similar personality traits...not a one is an exact duplicate of me. Nobody can ever change that, no matter how hard they try. God has made each of us perfectly. Each little quirk or funny thing we do, He made. Each difference in our bodies...big ears, pale skin, thick hair, short stature, an extra toe...is specially made. All these things other people, and even ourselves, think are "mess ups" are simply God's creative skills at work.
You are who God made you to be. He didn't have a slip of the hand and accidentally give you freckles or a tiny nose. All of these things are a gift, ones which were thought out and presented with love from the Creator.
We can't love someone if our motive for giving that love has any selfishness in it. I can't truly love my sister Emily unless I love her for HER, not because she likes the same design style and music as I do. I must love my brother Joshua for who HE is, and not because he has my passion for baking, or my same feelings on certain topics. I can't love my parents if my only reason is because we agree on everything and get along perfectly. Love doesn't just happen. It is a choice, and one that we all must make. Loving a person takes giving up oneself, and throwing away any selfish motives we might have. Otherwise, all you love IS yourself.
God teaches me so much every single day. A judging heart comes from someone who thinks others should do things the way they do them. The funny thing is, the one being judged is often not the victim. It's the one doing the judging, because they lose so much of their life to being unhappy...they could have so much joy through Christ.
Chose love, as Christ chose to love us; it will be the most freeing decision you'll ever make.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Life in general
Today I was reminded how important it is to "keep your eye on the prize." Life can sure drag a person down sometimes, but you know what? If things didn't go wrong occasionally, we'd be bored (that is, at least I would). I have a hard time coping with things every now and then; (my family would say more often than that, but for time's sake we'll just say every now and then ;) I have a plan for something, and...well, it just doesn't happen the way I was expecting! Who would have thought.
This is when I have to go back to a valuable lesson I learned from a friend once. Life is hard, that's the sad truth. But that doesn't mean we have to go around moping. Things may go wrong, circumstances may change, but God will always stay the same no matter how whacked out our world seems to get. He is always in control and will always be more powerful than anything we face. It's a nice reassurance, one I forget too often.
There was a quote I found that was pretty neat.
"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm,
but to add color to my sunset sky." - Rabindranath Tagore
Sometimes all that we seem to get from life is storm clouds and rainy days. Some people enjoy these, like myself, but it sure makes for a difficult time accomplishing anything or going anywhere. It can seem dark and stormy, and life seems to be stopped; it's at a stand still wherever we turn.
The bible says that God can close doors that no man can open, and open doors that no man can close. It's kind of like a car with a flat tire. You can try and try to drive on, but until you get that tire changed, you're not going anywhere. Live life following God, and though life won't be any "easier", it will sure have more meaning.
The first step is to have a good relationship with Christ because if you don't have that, you won't hunger for His will or desire to dig into His word. We see Christians out doing all kinds of things for Christ, and though it may not be what we are called to do, we have this envy of them, wishing we could have what they have. Don't we, though? If we're saved, we DO have what they have! We have simply lost that "close" relationship with Christ. He still dwells within us, but we have stopped hungering for Him and His word. Oh 'tis a sad day when this happens. Figure out what is stopping you from having that kind of relationship with God, and fix the problem. If it is an item or hobby in your life, get rid of it. If it is a friend, then don't hang around them.
Do whatever it takes, because the most important relationship you'll ever have is the one you have with Jesus Christ.
This is when I have to go back to a valuable lesson I learned from a friend once. Life is hard, that's the sad truth. But that doesn't mean we have to go around moping. Things may go wrong, circumstances may change, but God will always stay the same no matter how whacked out our world seems to get. He is always in control and will always be more powerful than anything we face. It's a nice reassurance, one I forget too often.
There was a quote I found that was pretty neat.
"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm,
but to add color to my sunset sky." - Rabindranath Tagore
Sometimes all that we seem to get from life is storm clouds and rainy days. Some people enjoy these, like myself, but it sure makes for a difficult time accomplishing anything or going anywhere. It can seem dark and stormy, and life seems to be stopped; it's at a stand still wherever we turn.
The bible says that God can close doors that no man can open, and open doors that no man can close. It's kind of like a car with a flat tire. You can try and try to drive on, but until you get that tire changed, you're not going anywhere. Live life following God, and though life won't be any "easier", it will sure have more meaning.
The first step is to have a good relationship with Christ because if you don't have that, you won't hunger for His will or desire to dig into His word. We see Christians out doing all kinds of things for Christ, and though it may not be what we are called to do, we have this envy of them, wishing we could have what they have. Don't we, though? If we're saved, we DO have what they have! We have simply lost that "close" relationship with Christ. He still dwells within us, but we have stopped hungering for Him and His word. Oh 'tis a sad day when this happens. Figure out what is stopping you from having that kind of relationship with God, and fix the problem. If it is an item or hobby in your life, get rid of it. If it is a friend, then don't hang around them.
Do whatever it takes, because the most important relationship you'll ever have is the one you have with Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Love
Seeing as how yesterday was Valentines Day, I thought I might write a little about love.
Personally, I had a fabulous day. I spent most of it with Nathan, my sister, brother-in-law and niece. We went shopping, out to lunch, then for a walk at the park while taking pictures. It was a perfect day. It ended with making an amazing spinach dip (lol ;) and playing Super Smash Bro's with my three younger brothers. I ate lots of smarties, Nathan had loads of Nerds (candy) and we all laughed the rest of the evening before Nathan finally had to head home. God has blessed me tremendously with all the amazing people in my life that show me everyday that I am loved.
Most people who have a "someone" can't wait for this specific holiday to come around. It usually means the girl gets flowers, a stuffed bear, chocolates, dinner, a card, and so on and so forth. The guy...well, he gets a hug or something, and MAYBE even a card. For those who are by themselves, it can be a depressing day. Believe me, I used to know that feeling well. They feel alone, and unloved on a day where the rest of the world is focused on love.
The question is: what IS love? It's a very hard question, because most people have a different answer. Some people say words of affirmation make them feel loved, some say gifts, others say doing something for them. Even then, that's not really getting down to what love is, and means. The best place to find the answer is in the bible.
Humans, most of the time, have a love that doesn't go very deep. Most husbands and wives have a deeper love for each other than most other relationships (though in today's society that is getting rare). But is that the picture of perfect love?
The bible says that we all have someone who loves us. Not only does He love us, and want the absolute best for us, but He also gave His life for us. True story. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." That kind of love is perfect, unselfish, and deep. John 15: 12-13 says, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." Whether friend, sibling, husband and wife or parent, we should love like Christ loved us. This may not mean literally going and giving our physical body to die for the ones we love, but should we not devote our lives to loving them no matter what happens, "giving our life" for them; to protect them? Dying for another human being is the biggest act of love one can do. But can we not do the next thing possible...spend our lives loving like Christ loved us? That unconditional, agape love. (Which means "selfless love of one person for another.")
Christ tells us of perfect love all through the bible. He is our perfect example.
Over in 1 John 4 God talks about love, how we are to love, and who we are supposed to love. He gives us a commandment to love, not a suggestion. (It's also a good reminder for us as Christians to watch how we treat other people, since we are displaying Christ's name through our title "Christian".)
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also."
So whether it be Valentines Day, or any other day of the year...know you're loved, and make sure you are SHOWING love to everyone around you. I can't think of a worse feeling than that of being unloved. We should all take Christ's example, and go live it.
Personally, I had a fabulous day. I spent most of it with Nathan, my sister, brother-in-law and niece. We went shopping, out to lunch, then for a walk at the park while taking pictures. It was a perfect day. It ended with making an amazing spinach dip (lol ;) and playing Super Smash Bro's with my three younger brothers. I ate lots of smarties, Nathan had loads of Nerds (candy) and we all laughed the rest of the evening before Nathan finally had to head home. God has blessed me tremendously with all the amazing people in my life that show me everyday that I am loved.
Most people who have a "someone" can't wait for this specific holiday to come around. It usually means the girl gets flowers, a stuffed bear, chocolates, dinner, a card, and so on and so forth. The guy...well, he gets a hug or something, and MAYBE even a card. For those who are by themselves, it can be a depressing day. Believe me, I used to know that feeling well. They feel alone, and unloved on a day where the rest of the world is focused on love.
The question is: what IS love? It's a very hard question, because most people have a different answer. Some people say words of affirmation make them feel loved, some say gifts, others say doing something for them. Even then, that's not really getting down to what love is, and means. The best place to find the answer is in the bible.
Humans, most of the time, have a love that doesn't go very deep. Most husbands and wives have a deeper love for each other than most other relationships (though in today's society that is getting rare). But is that the picture of perfect love?
The bible says that we all have someone who loves us. Not only does He love us, and want the absolute best for us, but He also gave His life for us. True story. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." That kind of love is perfect, unselfish, and deep. John 15: 12-13 says, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." Whether friend, sibling, husband and wife or parent, we should love like Christ loved us. This may not mean literally going and giving our physical body to die for the ones we love, but should we not devote our lives to loving them no matter what happens, "giving our life" for them; to protect them? Dying for another human being is the biggest act of love one can do. But can we not do the next thing possible...spend our lives loving like Christ loved us? That unconditional, agape love. (Which means "selfless love of one person for another.")
Christ tells us of perfect love all through the bible. He is our perfect example.
Over in 1 John 4 God talks about love, how we are to love, and who we are supposed to love. He gives us a commandment to love, not a suggestion. (It's also a good reminder for us as Christians to watch how we treat other people, since we are displaying Christ's name through our title "Christian".)
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also."
So whether it be Valentines Day, or any other day of the year...know you're loved, and make sure you are SHOWING love to everyone around you. I can't think of a worse feeling than that of being unloved. We should all take Christ's example, and go live it.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
"Living for Jesus"
The sermon at church today was amazing. The biggest thing I got out of it was the way Christians should be living their lives. The way they talk to others and the way they live should be "what they preach." In other words, don't go telling people how important it is to keep a clean mouth (not use foul language etc) and use dirty words when "nobody" is around. Poor example, but it will have to do.
I find it absolutely amazing with how often I will tell someone something, then turn around and do the very thing I was telling them they shouldn't do. Normally, it's something like, "trust God no matter what comes your way," or "spend your money always remembering that it's not YOURS, but God's". It's as if it leaves my mind as soon as it comes out of my mouth. It's amazing, isn't it? How easy it is to forget what our talk is when it comes time to walking it.
There's a verse over in James 2 that says, Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." Some people believe that, to get to heaven, you must work your way there. That they have the power to get themselves a spot in heaven by being "good." Others believe that they can be "saved" and then live their life however they wish. Neither is right. When we are saved, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, God. Because we have His love in our hearts, we will WANT to do for others, and try and share that gift with them. We won't be doing good for ourselves, but for God. We won't be filled with a false sense of peace, because our lives can be spent working for the good of others, and not focused on ourselves. You can say all kinds of things that sound super. But what really matters, is if you're walking in the way God tells you to. How you walk will be a more powerful witness than anything you can say to someone. Just like a husband can show his wife how much he loves her better than he can tell her, we are to walk in God's will...after that, He will be able to more fully use us to speak.
"Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks."
I find it absolutely amazing with how often I will tell someone something, then turn around and do the very thing I was telling them they shouldn't do. Normally, it's something like, "trust God no matter what comes your way," or "spend your money always remembering that it's not YOURS, but God's". It's as if it leaves my mind as soon as it comes out of my mouth. It's amazing, isn't it? How easy it is to forget what our talk is when it comes time to walking it.
There's a verse over in James 2 that says, Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." Some people believe that, to get to heaven, you must work your way there. That they have the power to get themselves a spot in heaven by being "good." Others believe that they can be "saved" and then live their life however they wish. Neither is right. When we are saved, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, God. Because we have His love in our hearts, we will WANT to do for others, and try and share that gift with them. We won't be doing good for ourselves, but for God. We won't be filled with a false sense of peace, because our lives can be spent working for the good of others, and not focused on ourselves. You can say all kinds of things that sound super. But what really matters, is if you're walking in the way God tells you to. How you walk will be a more powerful witness than anything you can say to someone. Just like a husband can show his wife how much he loves her better than he can tell her, we are to walk in God's will...after that, He will be able to more fully use us to speak.
"Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks."
Saturday, February 12, 2011
"This is the day that the Lord has made"
My day has started out beautifully. I woke up feeling refreshed and fully energized. I haven't felt like that in quite a while. I got breakfast eaten, took my mom and sister to a brunch, and brought one of Ethan's friends home for the day. I got my shower, and read through some of Proverbs.
It's very interesting. If you think about what Proverbs says, you hear the same wisdom written over and over. You ready? You'll need your bible out for this one...take some time to look up the verses that are listed. "The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heads counsel is wise." "The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor." Over and over it states that we should listen to "correction" and not gripe about being told we've messed up -Proverbs 12:1, 13:1, 15:12, 15:22. We should work hard, and not be lazy -Proverbs 10:4, 10:16, 11:28, 12:24, 13:4, 13:11 16:26. It tells how we are to find wisdom. -Proverbs 4:7, 10:13, 10:19, 14:6, 14:8. We should watch our tongue...the bible says that the tongue is like a fire (James 3:6) -Proverbs 16:13, 15:2, 17:28, 10:19, 12:18, 16:24, 18:21. Pride is to be cut down, and humble men will go far -Proverbs 11:2 16:5, 16:18, 16:19. We should walk in the fear of the Lord. -Proverbs 1:17, 8:13, 10:27, 14:27, 16:6, 19:23, 22:4. We are to be slow to anger -Proverbs 14:17, 14:29 15:1 15:18, 15:28, 16:32. We are to be truthful -Proverbs 8:7, 10:18, 12:19, 17:4, 19:5, 21:6.
It's amazing how many verses go with one another. To be wise, you should watch your tongue, be humble, slow to anger, fear the Lord, etc, etc. It's pretty cool! A lot of the time when I read Proverbs I read it slowly, but my brain just thinks of all the different lessons it has to teach me. I certainly needs lots of work on every single one of these things. Seeking the Lord, DAILY, is one of the biggest contributions to becoming wise. Or even just having a day go smoother. God has given us a whole book full of tips on how to live a life that is pleasing to Christ. How often do I get into His word, though? Psalm 119 has some word having to do with "God's word" in every verse. If God had those 176 verses all in a row about keeping His word (not to mention all of the others throughout the rest of the bible!) don't you think it's kind of important? Yeah...that's been what my brain has come to the conclusion of. Seek the Lord. Every day. That is what my life should be about. Not ME. Not my friends. Not my family. I should be seeking the Lord, and His will for my life. I know one thing, God's plan for my life, and yours as well, is SURE better than the plan we have for our own lives!
It's very interesting. If you think about what Proverbs says, you hear the same wisdom written over and over. You ready? You'll need your bible out for this one...take some time to look up the verses that are listed. "The way of the fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heads counsel is wise." "The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor." Over and over it states that we should listen to "correction" and not gripe about being told we've messed up -Proverbs 12:1, 13:1, 15:12, 15:22. We should work hard, and not be lazy -Proverbs 10:4, 10:16, 11:28, 12:24, 13:4, 13:11 16:26. It tells how we are to find wisdom. -Proverbs 4:7, 10:13, 10:19, 14:6, 14:8. We should watch our tongue...the bible says that the tongue is like a fire (James 3:6) -Proverbs 16:13, 15:2, 17:28, 10:19, 12:18, 16:24, 18:21. Pride is to be cut down, and humble men will go far -Proverbs 11:2 16:5, 16:18, 16:19. We should walk in the fear of the Lord. -Proverbs 1:17, 8:13, 10:27, 14:27, 16:6, 19:23, 22:4. We are to be slow to anger -Proverbs 14:17, 14:29 15:1 15:18, 15:28, 16:32. We are to be truthful -Proverbs 8:7, 10:18, 12:19, 17:4, 19:5, 21:6.
It's amazing how many verses go with one another. To be wise, you should watch your tongue, be humble, slow to anger, fear the Lord, etc, etc. It's pretty cool! A lot of the time when I read Proverbs I read it slowly, but my brain just thinks of all the different lessons it has to teach me. I certainly needs lots of work on every single one of these things. Seeking the Lord, DAILY, is one of the biggest contributions to becoming wise. Or even just having a day go smoother. God has given us a whole book full of tips on how to live a life that is pleasing to Christ. How often do I get into His word, though? Psalm 119 has some word having to do with "God's word" in every verse. If God had those 176 verses all in a row about keeping His word (not to mention all of the others throughout the rest of the bible!) don't you think it's kind of important? Yeah...that's been what my brain has come to the conclusion of. Seek the Lord. Every day. That is what my life should be about. Not ME. Not my friends. Not my family. I should be seeking the Lord, and His will for my life. I know one thing, God's plan for my life, and yours as well, is SURE better than the plan we have for our own lives!
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