Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sermon
Christ died for all of us; believers (Christians) and non-believers. However, without putting our faith in Him, is doesn't do us any good. Just knowing what God did and that He exists will not get you into heaven. Even if you try to obey the ten commandments, or follow "the golden rule" (do unto others as you would have them do unto you.) The greatest question one could ask, is, "are you a good person." Most everyone you ask that to will say, "yes, I believe so. I try to do for others, I try not to cuss and hate. Yes, I think I'm a very good person compared to a lot of other people." However, we start going through the ten commandments together...one by one. Your mind MIGHT change...just a little bit.
For God (the greatest giver)
So loved (the greatest reason)
The world (the greatest number)
That he gave (the greatest gift)
His only son (the greatest cost)
That whoever (the greatest invitation)
Believes in him (the greatest condition)
Should not perish (the greatest guarantee)
But have everlasting (the greatest time)
Life (the greatest possession)
Think on it some. Are you living your life for YOU, or for HIM? Have you taken His gift, or left it to work your way to heaven? If it is the second...you will be sadly disappointed when you're judged.
- Have you ever stolen? Even something as simple as taking a cookie from the kitchen when you were little? If so, what does that make you? --- A theif ---
- Have you ever lied? Even just a little "white lie?" If so, that's makes you...a what? ---A liar---
- Have you ever used God's name as a curse word, or a word to show your disgust with something? God says He will not hold a man guiltless that takes his name in vain (aka: cursing)
- Have you ever killed anyone? Now wait, before you answer this question....God said if you hate your brother/neighbor, you've already murdered them in your heart. Have you ever hated anyone? If so, that makes you ---A murderer at heart---
- Have you ever committed adultery? God says if you look at someone with lust, you've committed adultery with them already in your heart. Have you ever looked with lust? If so, you are: ---An adulterer at heart---
For God (the greatest giver)
So loved (the greatest reason)
The world (the greatest number)
That he gave (the greatest gift)
His only son (the greatest cost)
That whoever (the greatest invitation)
Believes in him (the greatest condition)
Should not perish (the greatest guarantee)
But have everlasting (the greatest time)
Life (the greatest possession)
Think on it some. Are you living your life for YOU, or for HIM? Have you taken His gift, or left it to work your way to heaven? If it is the second...you will be sadly disappointed when you're judged.
Law, or self contentment?
A guy is driving down the road, it's long and straight...it's alright to go over the speed limit because he couldn't hurt anyone...right? He goes faster, faster, and faster...that rush of speed is just amazing! He's totally caught up in the moment, then all of the sudden, he's gone further down the road than he'd planned, and a car is pulling out...he hits it. The person in the other car dies, he lives with injuries...but he now has the blood of another person on his hands. Was speeding worth it? His idea: that speeding was alright. Yet, he killed someone from his belief, instead of what the law said. There are a lot of laws...all given for our safety. Laws of man, and laws of God. Laws of man, sadly, are kept a lot more than the laws of God, even though they're all written on our hearts. Everyone knows that stealing, killing, and lying are wrong. While people do have to make their own decisions and find out what they believe, there are laws that tell us what's right and what's wrong. A lot of people seem to do things simply because everyone else is doing them. After that we say, "everyone is doing it, so it's normal" which makes it accepted by most people. If you don't "go with the flow" then you're considered an outcast. What is it that Christ told us? We're not to fit in with this world. If we didn't stand out, people wouldn't come and ask us what we have that makes us so different.
Monday, August 17, 2009
The wise old man
There was once a very wise old man who lived up in a mountain. Everyone in the village below knew he could answer any riddle you asked him. One day two young men decided they would try and trick the old man, so they could tell everyone they had outsmarted him. Their plan was to catch a bird, and as the man if the bird was alive, or dead. If the old man said alive, they would crush it... and kill it. If the old man said it was dead, they would let it go. Either way they'd win.
So, they went to the old man's house. When they asked him if their bird was alive or dead, the man was silent. He thought to himself, "If I say the bird is alive, they will kill it, if I say the bird is dead they will let it go. Either way they will win." He sat a moment longer, and then said, "The bird is, what YOU will it to be."
So often in life I think we all "will" our life to be the wrong thing. We either try to be "perfect" and are terribly shocked when we find out it's impossible, or we make excuses for living the wrong way. We have the ability to choose the right thing to do...so our lives are, "what we will them to be." God cannot make our decisions for us. That's why there's so much evil in the world. He's given us the freedom to make every decision on our own...but, He does use the bad choices people make and turn them into good. We may not be able to see them right away, but He doesn't ever leave things just as "bad." Everything in life, sometime or another, will come back to glorify God. Always remember that. Would you like for your BAD decision to come back later and glorify God, or your GOOD decision to not only glorify God, but bless everyone else around you as well? Nobody can be perfect, but if we'd simply CARE about the things we choose to do, I think it would make a HUGE difference in not only OUR life, but others as well!
So, they went to the old man's house. When they asked him if their bird was alive or dead, the man was silent. He thought to himself, "If I say the bird is alive, they will kill it, if I say the bird is dead they will let it go. Either way they will win." He sat a moment longer, and then said, "The bird is, what YOU will it to be."
So often in life I think we all "will" our life to be the wrong thing. We either try to be "perfect" and are terribly shocked when we find out it's impossible, or we make excuses for living the wrong way. We have the ability to choose the right thing to do...so our lives are, "what we will them to be." God cannot make our decisions for us. That's why there's so much evil in the world. He's given us the freedom to make every decision on our own...but, He does use the bad choices people make and turn them into good. We may not be able to see them right away, but He doesn't ever leave things just as "bad." Everything in life, sometime or another, will come back to glorify God. Always remember that. Would you like for your BAD decision to come back later and glorify God, or your GOOD decision to not only glorify God, but bless everyone else around you as well? Nobody can be perfect, but if we'd simply CARE about the things we choose to do, I think it would make a HUGE difference in not only OUR life, but others as well!
Long last
Well, I know I haven't written on awhile. Sorry about that. I just seem to be adding more and more to my life each month. School has started back, which means most of my day is now filled with reading. That's alright though, I love to learn. I am now doing a math program online, and it is SO awesome! The things God puts in our life...it's just amazing. For YEARS I have had trouble with my school, and now I get so excited to learn simple things. God knew exactly what I needed, and provided it.
The things God has been doing in my family lately just blows me mind. SO many things have changed, spiritually and many other ways. I'm now doing things I never thought was possible. I am (don't laugh) going into stores by myself now, which was UNHEARD OF months ago, trying things I never would have tried, talking to people...long conversations, not hiding behind people. I don't think many people would recognize me now if they hadn't seen me in a long time. I still have my issues, but God is working wonders in my life, and I am SO blessed for the ones who've helped me through all of my fears.
I'm thinking about taking some college classes online later on...which is very new to me. Never in my life would have thought I would even THINK about that. Thinking about, maybe, starting a business one day; I have something in mind, just not sure about it yet. I am thinking (key word: thinking) about writing a book. Yes, me...the one who writes forever long...well, everything! =)
Each new day God brings yet another challenge, and yet ANOTHER blessing into my life, it's like my whole life is just overflowing with His love! I so wish people could get up the courage to take a leap of faith so they could have a life as wonderful as mine. In the meantime, I will just pray for them. For everything in life, God has a reason and a purpose. Nothing will be that God doesn't want. Learning patience is one of the hardest things in life, but God teaches it as we ask for it. Not before...because if we just want Him to give it to us, then we will be waiting forever. God doesn't give us everything we want, you know? Sometimes He makes us wait, and work for it! What better way is there to get patience than to make you WAIT?!
Ok, so I'm going to try and do better with writing on here. I just get so busy that I tend to forget about so many things that are important.
God bless, and have a GREAT night!
The things God has been doing in my family lately just blows me mind. SO many things have changed, spiritually and many other ways. I'm now doing things I never thought was possible. I am (don't laugh) going into stores by myself now, which was UNHEARD OF months ago, trying things I never would have tried, talking to people...long conversations, not hiding behind people. I don't think many people would recognize me now if they hadn't seen me in a long time. I still have my issues, but God is working wonders in my life, and I am SO blessed for the ones who've helped me through all of my fears.
I'm thinking about taking some college classes online later on...which is very new to me. Never in my life would have thought I would even THINK about that. Thinking about, maybe, starting a business one day; I have something in mind, just not sure about it yet. I am thinking (key word: thinking) about writing a book. Yes, me...the one who writes forever long...well, everything! =)
Each new day God brings yet another challenge, and yet ANOTHER blessing into my life, it's like my whole life is just overflowing with His love! I so wish people could get up the courage to take a leap of faith so they could have a life as wonderful as mine. In the meantime, I will just pray for them. For everything in life, God has a reason and a purpose. Nothing will be that God doesn't want. Learning patience is one of the hardest things in life, but God teaches it as we ask for it. Not before...because if we just want Him to give it to us, then we will be waiting forever. God doesn't give us everything we want, you know? Sometimes He makes us wait, and work for it! What better way is there to get patience than to make you WAIT?!
Ok, so I'm going to try and do better with writing on here. I just get so busy that I tend to forget about so many things that are important.
God bless, and have a GREAT night!
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