Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Relationships
I was thinking about relationships yesterday, first you study the person you notice everything about them, then you began to show them things about yourself. Next thing you know your off to the honeymoon stage where everything is great and lovely. Then reality hits and things start to shift you have to began to work to understand the other person and to be understood.
This is also how it is being with Christ since we are in a relationship with him. As a new Christian we are in love, bubbly truly seeking Christ and showing Him parts of ourselves we think He hasn't seen. Then we get into the honey moon stage where you cant stop talking about Him. Then reality hits and things start to shift you have to began to work to understand God and you stop realizing He already knows you. You have to make your self study, you have to study His word and seek Him for answers.
The great thing is that in doing this you fall in love all over again. You start to notice the little amazing things He does in your life. How He goes out of His way for you. My parents have been married 23 years and my grandparents over 45 years and they have told us often that to reap the benefits of a happy, healthy marriage it takes work. So I encourage you today to go back to truly studying your first love make time for Him. He is amazing and He thinks your pretty amazing too.
This is also how it is being with Christ since we are in a relationship with him. As a new Christian we are in love, bubbly truly seeking Christ and showing Him parts of ourselves we think He hasn't seen. Then we get into the honey moon stage where you cant stop talking about Him. Then reality hits and things start to shift you have to began to work to understand God and you stop realizing He already knows you. You have to make your self study, you have to study His word and seek Him for answers.
The great thing is that in doing this you fall in love all over again. You start to notice the little amazing things He does in your life. How He goes out of His way for you. My parents have been married 23 years and my grandparents over 45 years and they have told us often that to reap the benefits of a happy, healthy marriage it takes work. So I encourage you today to go back to truly studying your first love make time for Him. He is amazing and He thinks your pretty amazing too.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Condemnation
Condemnation is one of the devils biggest tools its the one that tells you, your not good enough, you don't try hard enough and it leaves you feeling depressed long after you have been forgiven. It can lead to sadness, depression, even lack of sleep. Yes it is important to be convicted but condemnation is NOT of GOD. Lets look at the difference between condemnation and conviction.
Condemnation comes from Satan and is meant to tear you down. Condemnation continually points out what a failure you are, and how badly you've messed up. Condemnation is showing you the problem, but avoiding the solution.
Jesus did NOT come to condemn the world John 12:47 says, ""As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it." God comes to save not to tell us were failures. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,". Christ coming doesn't mean we wont sin it does mean however that we are delivered from sin. We are free to repent, grow, and move on. Satan on the other hand is KNOWN for accusing us.
Conviction is known in the Bible as Godly sorrow. God's Word tells us that Godly sorrow is what leads us to repentance. Conviction tells you, "Come to me... and I will forgive you!" Not only is God willing to forgive your sins, but He longs to do so! Isaiah 30:18, "Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him." (NASB)
1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness."
Romans 2:4, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"
Conviction shows you the answer to your problem. Conviction shows you the blood of Jesus that wipes away your sins!
So today we have homework (only if you are 16 or older with an adults permission) I want you to get a piece of paper and tear it up so you can write on smaller pieces. Write down the things that have you condemned, or the things the devil tells you about yourself. Things like, "I cant believe you did that again, how are you supposed to minister now?" "You know you don't deserve this (gift, joy, happiness)look at all you have done." Write down the things you hold on to because you think God doesn't care because of your past sins. Write them down put this in a pie pan and lite them on fire. This is symbolic of letting it all go of giving it back to GOD. Sometimes we find it so easy to forgive others but we have a very hard time forgiving ourselves.
Condemnation comes from Satan and is meant to tear you down. Condemnation continually points out what a failure you are, and how badly you've messed up. Condemnation is showing you the problem, but avoiding the solution.
Jesus did NOT come to condemn the world John 12:47 says, ""As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it." God comes to save not to tell us were failures. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 says, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,". Christ coming doesn't mean we wont sin it does mean however that we are delivered from sin. We are free to repent, grow, and move on. Satan on the other hand is KNOWN for accusing us.
Conviction is known in the Bible as Godly sorrow. God's Word tells us that Godly sorrow is what leads us to repentance. Conviction tells you, "Come to me... and I will forgive you!" Not only is God willing to forgive your sins, but He longs to do so! Isaiah 30:18, "Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him." (NASB)
1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness."
Romans 2:4, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"
Conviction shows you the answer to your problem. Conviction shows you the blood of Jesus that wipes away your sins!
So today we have homework (only if you are 16 or older with an adults permission) I want you to get a piece of paper and tear it up so you can write on smaller pieces. Write down the things that have you condemned, or the things the devil tells you about yourself. Things like, "I cant believe you did that again, how are you supposed to minister now?" "You know you don't deserve this (gift, joy, happiness)look at all you have done." Write down the things you hold on to because you think God doesn't care because of your past sins. Write them down put this in a pie pan and lite them on fire. This is symbolic of letting it all go of giving it back to GOD. Sometimes we find it so easy to forgive others but we have a very hard time forgiving ourselves.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Fear
I read this blog http://cyndijustsayin.blogspot.com and it had a very interesting post on fear....
I remember a story someone told me of a missionary who wanted to prove the protecting power of God. This missionary went up to a man who was sick and frothing at the mouth. He wiped the foam off this man’s lips and smeared it on his own.
Sometimes death is imagined as a stalker who is forever following you. When you are a newborn or very old it is always breathing down your neck. And when something violent happens that is when it runs up to you when you are not thinking and you turn around startled at the fact that it came up on you so fast. What if we just stopped looking around our shoulders and face death? Not only face death but surprise the hell out of it and kiss it smack on the lips.
I hate fear. It’s a trap. We think that if we embrace it we will be protected and prepared for any evil that might befall us. But the truth is that fear kills you. It robs you. It hurts you. It makes you do dumb things. It is wisdom, prayer, knowledge and faith that protects, prepares and gives peace. My son sales home security systems. And I think the reason he is so crappy at it is because he is not a scary guy. He can’t tell a good horror story with a straight face if his life depended on it. He stands at the front doors of strangers and tells them, “since the recession crime has increased by twenty percent” and they feel no fear. Instead they invite him and offer him cookies and lemonade. If he let his hair grow out and braid it in cornrows and places his big foot on their doorjamb then look into their souls like a soothsayer and say, “ since the recession crime has increased in your neighborhood by twenty percent…ask me how I know”, well he could retire his mother early.
Fear gets people to do what they don’t want to do. I don’t want to fear death because I am tired of thinking about it all the time. I am not afraid to die. I can look at my stalker death angel straight in the face and have no fear. But when it comes to my children and husband I feel as anxious as Obama Bodyguards. “Put on your seat belts”, “Did you check your sugar?”, “…because if you are having sex I hope you are using a condom”, “You’re warm. Get me the thermometer.” “Honey, should you be eating that?” I am like a ninja standing in the shadows willing to lay down my life if necessary to keep that death from reaching my family. I am afraid all the time. I don’t want to be overbearing, nosey, stressed out and depressed but that is the price I have to pay when I partner with fear.
What if it instead of sharing my fears with my children I share my wisdom. And instead of complaining to my husband I complement him when he makes good choices. Instead of dying to save others I rely on my faith that reminds me that Jesus already did that and He did a damn good job. If I did those things it would be like kissing death on the mouth; saying, “I am not intimidated by you. Death you are just a tool God uses to transport us from one existence to another and you can’t do anything unless He commands it. So tell your little toothless mongrel, Fear, to shut up!”
I think the foam tasting missionary was stupid but at least he wasn’t afraid.
I remember a story someone told me of a missionary who wanted to prove the protecting power of God. This missionary went up to a man who was sick and frothing at the mouth. He wiped the foam off this man’s lips and smeared it on his own.
Sometimes death is imagined as a stalker who is forever following you. When you are a newborn or very old it is always breathing down your neck. And when something violent happens that is when it runs up to you when you are not thinking and you turn around startled at the fact that it came up on you so fast. What if we just stopped looking around our shoulders and face death? Not only face death but surprise the hell out of it and kiss it smack on the lips.
I hate fear. It’s a trap. We think that if we embrace it we will be protected and prepared for any evil that might befall us. But the truth is that fear kills you. It robs you. It hurts you. It makes you do dumb things. It is wisdom, prayer, knowledge and faith that protects, prepares and gives peace. My son sales home security systems. And I think the reason he is so crappy at it is because he is not a scary guy. He can’t tell a good horror story with a straight face if his life depended on it. He stands at the front doors of strangers and tells them, “since the recession crime has increased by twenty percent” and they feel no fear. Instead they invite him and offer him cookies and lemonade. If he let his hair grow out and braid it in cornrows and places his big foot on their doorjamb then look into their souls like a soothsayer and say, “ since the recession crime has increased in your neighborhood by twenty percent…ask me how I know”, well he could retire his mother early.
Fear gets people to do what they don’t want to do. I don’t want to fear death because I am tired of thinking about it all the time. I am not afraid to die. I can look at my stalker death angel straight in the face and have no fear. But when it comes to my children and husband I feel as anxious as Obama Bodyguards. “Put on your seat belts”, “Did you check your sugar?”, “…because if you are having sex I hope you are using a condom”, “You’re warm. Get me the thermometer.” “Honey, should you be eating that?” I am like a ninja standing in the shadows willing to lay down my life if necessary to keep that death from reaching my family. I am afraid all the time. I don’t want to be overbearing, nosey, stressed out and depressed but that is the price I have to pay when I partner with fear.
What if it instead of sharing my fears with my children I share my wisdom. And instead of complaining to my husband I complement him when he makes good choices. Instead of dying to save others I rely on my faith that reminds me that Jesus already did that and He did a damn good job. If I did those things it would be like kissing death on the mouth; saying, “I am not intimidated by you. Death you are just a tool God uses to transport us from one existence to another and you can’t do anything unless He commands it. So tell your little toothless mongrel, Fear, to shut up!”
I think the foam tasting missionary was stupid but at least he wasn’t afraid.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Love Dont Cost a Thing?
I was listening to the radio yesterday while on a 13 hour road trip and I was blown away. This world is so desperate for love. People just want to be appreciated they want to have someone who is delighted in them. As I continued listening the to the radio I found the world feeds into this desire of love but has no way to quench that thirst. One song is about love like no other, the next is about drugs, sex, and money. Young woman believe love looks like someone who does drugs, wants to have sex, and/or gives me/has a lot of money. Young men go on to believe, ladies will like me if I do drugs cause that's cool, I will give them affection through sex, and if I have a lot of money they will really like me then.
That's not love. 1 Chronicles 13:4-8 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
What are your thoughts on love?
That's not love. 1 Chronicles 13:4-8 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
What are your thoughts on love?
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Submission
Often times people may look at submittion between a man and his wife. However, there are many ways God asks us to submit, single,married, widowed, or divorced. Lets look at what it means to submit. To submit means to give over or yield to the power or authority of another it can also mean, to present for the approval, consideration, or decision of another or others: to submit a plan; to submit an application.
Lets explore the first definition to give over or yield to the power of authority. Proverbs 13:13 states, "He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be destroyed." This scripture deems we submit to the word of God. Genesis 27:8 states, "Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you." We need to submit to the voice of God.
Now the second definition is interesting as well to submit a plan; to submit an application there are scriptures that tell us to do that as well. Romans 12:1 states, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." We not only have to submit to God but we have to submit our selves to God. We can also submit our ideas to God Habakkua 2:2 says, "Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make [it] plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it."
There are also rewards for submission
Gen 26:24-25 "And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws."
How do you feel about submission? In what areas do you need to submit?
Lets explore the first definition to give over or yield to the power of authority. Proverbs 13:13 states, "He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be destroyed." This scripture deems we submit to the word of God. Genesis 27:8 states, "Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you." We need to submit to the voice of God.
Now the second definition is interesting as well to submit a plan; to submit an application there are scriptures that tell us to do that as well. Romans 12:1 states, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." We not only have to submit to God but we have to submit our selves to God. We can also submit our ideas to God Habakkua 2:2 says, "Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make [it] plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it."
There are also rewards for submission
Gen 26:24-25 "And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws."
How do you feel about submission? In what areas do you need to submit?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Once Saved Always Saved?
The Bible talks about salvation.
John 10:9 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
So my question today is once your saved are you always saved?
John 10:9 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
So my question today is once your saved are you always saved?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Does God need us?
The other night a friend and I were talking and he brought up an interesting topic. Did God create us to fulfill his need of praise? He went on to say that him thinking this way makes him want to praise God more, because he feels he can give back a portion of what God gives us daily. I had an interesting thought that followed his. We are made in Gods image and likeness, and God talks about love often one of the easiest ways to show love is by praise.
1 Cr 13:4:8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. If He gave us that desire does He not posses that same desire.
Lets explore that. As I searched the web I found many different responses. Some suggest that God needs us to praise Him or to spread his word, Others suggest that it is not a need but a desire, some believe He does not need us at all. I am not sure if we were created to fulfill a need for God but lets look at some things the bible says we were created to do.
Rev. 4:11 says, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." We are created for His pleasure, the first thing I would like to point out is back up to the fact that we are made in His image He creates like we do. Some people need to create while others create out of necessity (ex. setting up their house, or clothes a certain way.) I'm sure God is capable of doing both.
Colossians 1:16 states "For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him."
The Bible doesn't clearly define wither God had a need or not but it is very interesting to talk about so what do you think?
1 Cr 13:4:8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. If He gave us that desire does He not posses that same desire.
Lets explore that. As I searched the web I found many different responses. Some suggest that God needs us to praise Him or to spread his word, Others suggest that it is not a need but a desire, some believe He does not need us at all. I am not sure if we were created to fulfill a need for God but lets look at some things the bible says we were created to do.
Rev. 4:11 says, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." We are created for His pleasure, the first thing I would like to point out is back up to the fact that we are made in His image He creates like we do. Some people need to create while others create out of necessity (ex. setting up their house, or clothes a certain way.) I'm sure God is capable of doing both.
Colossians 1:16 states "For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him."
The Bible doesn't clearly define wither God had a need or not but it is very interesting to talk about so what do you think?
Im God's Favorite
What does it mean to be God's favorite? I woke up this morning feeling super amped about the things that God is doing in my life it drew me to one conclusion I am his favorite. We say that in a teasing kind of way, but we can see the word itself proves it.
Reading Genesis chapter one we see that God prepared for us. God knowing all things even outside the realm of His present He knew that He would in fact create us therefore He prepared for us.
In Genesis 1:26 it says "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."
He made us like Him!!! Clearly we are His favorite not only did He make us like Him in image, but He also saw fit to give us authority.
Genesis 3:21 says, "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
Even when we disobey Him He covers us. Have you ever been in the wrong with God yet even though He chastised you, He covered you?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
He gives us His word, so we can continue to strive to be more like Him.
He gave us a book on Love through the Song of Solomon, a book of wisdom through Proverbs, examples on faith, integrity, love most amazingly He gives us complete instruction on how to form and maintain a relationship with Him. We truly are Gods favorite.
Reading Genesis chapter one we see that God prepared for us. God knowing all things even outside the realm of His present He knew that He would in fact create us therefore He prepared for us.
In Genesis 1:26 it says "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."
He made us like Him!!! Clearly we are His favorite not only did He make us like Him in image, but He also saw fit to give us authority.
Genesis 3:21 says, "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
Even when we disobey Him He covers us. Have you ever been in the wrong with God yet even though He chastised you, He covered you?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
He gives us His word, so we can continue to strive to be more like Him.
He gave us a book on Love through the Song of Solomon, a book of wisdom through Proverbs, examples on faith, integrity, love most amazingly He gives us complete instruction on how to form and maintain a relationship with Him. We truly are Gods favorite.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Are you Glad you didnt get it?
I woke up this morning and was singing in the shower the song that was on my heart goes like this, "I seek your face in the morning when I wake up until I lay down at night...." I started to think of all the things I asked God for and how He responded. I was overwhelmed with gratefulness and so thankful. Glad that He didn't make me a wife to those I wanted, that He gave me amazing opportunities while closing doors to others, that no matter how far I strayed He never took His eyes off me. Have you ever been grateful like this?
Here are some examples where God said, "No." Read them and leave you thoughts
1 Kings 19:14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Im sure Elijah was glad God did not answer that prayer of his.
There are more examples where prayers were not answered due to sin but this is about being thankful that God says no.
And God Said No
I asked God to take away my pride. And God said "No".
He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. And God said "No".
He said her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience. And God said "No".
He said patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn't granted, it is earned.
I asked God to give me happiness. And God said "No".
He said He gives me blessings, happiness is up to me.
I asked God to spare me pain. And God said "No".
He said suffering draws me apart from worldly cares and brings me closer to Him.
I asked God to make my spirit grow. And God said "No".
He said I must grow on my own. But He will prune me to make me fruitful.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. And God said "No".
He said He will give me life, that I may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me love others, as much as he loves me.
And God said "Ah, finally you have the idea!"
Copyright © Claudia Minden Weisz (the mother of a Rett Syndrome child)
[Graham Pockett]
Graham Pockett
Here are some examples where God said, "No." Read them and leave you thoughts
1 Kings 19:14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, [there appeared] a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Im sure Elijah was glad God did not answer that prayer of his.
There are more examples where prayers were not answered due to sin but this is about being thankful that God says no.
And God Said No
I asked God to take away my pride. And God said "No".
He said it was not for Him to take away, but for me to give up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. And God said "No".
He said her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience. And God said "No".
He said patience is a by-product of tribulations. It isn't granted, it is earned.
I asked God to give me happiness. And God said "No".
He said He gives me blessings, happiness is up to me.
I asked God to spare me pain. And God said "No".
He said suffering draws me apart from worldly cares and brings me closer to Him.
I asked God to make my spirit grow. And God said "No".
He said I must grow on my own. But He will prune me to make me fruitful.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. And God said "No".
He said He will give me life, that I may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me love others, as much as he loves me.
And God said "Ah, finally you have the idea!"
Copyright © Claudia Minden Weisz (the mother of a Rett Syndrome child)
[Graham Pockett]
Graham Pockett
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Faith
Good Morning,
Last night in bible study we talked about hope, vision, and faith. They all tie in together so I am going to focus on faith. The easiest example of faith for me in Joseph. We are introduced to Joseph in Genesis 30:24 and as you continue to read the chapter you find that he lacked nothing. Now as you moved forward to Genesis 37 that's where Josephs story as we know it begins. Verse 3 says "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he [was] the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of [many] colors." Lets take a look at Luke 12:48 for a second "But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." So we do realize that at this point Israel gave his son much. Keep you eye on the tunic we will come back to that. Verses 5-9 talk about a dream Gods vision for Joseph. Now I believe at one point or another God gives us His dream for us, if He hasn't given you your dream yet start to pray for that. As we look at Genesis 37:23 it reads "And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, [his] coat of [many] colors that [was] on him;" Joseph was stripped of his tunic.
Some of you may ask, "OK, so where does faith come into play?" Well faith starts in the pit. The bible doesn't go into much depth about what happened in the pit, but we do see the aftermath. After being sold into slavery by his own brothers he went to Potiphar's house. Here Joseph was successful and was made overseer of the house. We see this in Genesis 39:4. So we know that Potipher's wife came on to Joseph but I want to focus on verse 12 it reads "And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out." Again we see Joseph's garment taken away. Joseph then gets put into prison for a crime he did not commit. Do we see the pattern here, Joseph is elevated, then stripped of his authority, then persecuted. Well how does he show his faith? Even in the mist of all this turmoil he continues to serve God this is evident because he continues to do his best which therefore continues to place him in a place of authority. Even in prison he goes on to interpret the dreams of the butler and the baker and then went on to interrupt that of Pharaoh. His dream was realized in Genesis 42:8-29. So I pose these questions what is the dream God has given to you? Can your faith endure the pit, and the prison to receive it? Do you realize that you may be elevated then removed from authority for that dream to be achieved? How do you feel about that?
Scriptures to read
Genesis 37, 39, 40 and 41
Hebrews 11
Thought of the day Hebrews 11:39-40 "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Joseph and other hero's of the old testament showed great faith and they did not have the example of Christ only the promise of Him. Now having Him how much more faith should we show.
Last night in bible study we talked about hope, vision, and faith. They all tie in together so I am going to focus on faith. The easiest example of faith for me in Joseph. We are introduced to Joseph in Genesis 30:24 and as you continue to read the chapter you find that he lacked nothing. Now as you moved forward to Genesis 37 that's where Josephs story as we know it begins. Verse 3 says "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he [was] the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of [many] colors." Lets take a look at Luke 12:48 for a second "But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." So we do realize that at this point Israel gave his son much. Keep you eye on the tunic we will come back to that. Verses 5-9 talk about a dream Gods vision for Joseph. Now I believe at one point or another God gives us His dream for us, if He hasn't given you your dream yet start to pray for that. As we look at Genesis 37:23 it reads "And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, [his] coat of [many] colors that [was] on him;" Joseph was stripped of his tunic.
Some of you may ask, "OK, so where does faith come into play?" Well faith starts in the pit. The bible doesn't go into much depth about what happened in the pit, but we do see the aftermath. After being sold into slavery by his own brothers he went to Potiphar's house. Here Joseph was successful and was made overseer of the house. We see this in Genesis 39:4. So we know that Potipher's wife came on to Joseph but I want to focus on verse 12 it reads "And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out." Again we see Joseph's garment taken away. Joseph then gets put into prison for a crime he did not commit. Do we see the pattern here, Joseph is elevated, then stripped of his authority, then persecuted. Well how does he show his faith? Even in the mist of all this turmoil he continues to serve God this is evident because he continues to do his best which therefore continues to place him in a place of authority. Even in prison he goes on to interpret the dreams of the butler and the baker and then went on to interrupt that of Pharaoh. His dream was realized in Genesis 42:8-29. So I pose these questions what is the dream God has given to you? Can your faith endure the pit, and the prison to receive it? Do you realize that you may be elevated then removed from authority for that dream to be achieved? How do you feel about that?
Scriptures to read
Genesis 37, 39, 40 and 41
Hebrews 11
Thought of the day Hebrews 11:39-40 "And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Joseph and other hero's of the old testament showed great faith and they did not have the example of Christ only the promise of Him. Now having Him how much more faith should we show.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
How and Why we Pray
Good Evening. I hope the day went well. I have been going through this course called "The Alpha Course" by Nicky Gumbel. It has been very informative. This past week we talked about how and why we pray. Nicky brought up some good points the first being why you pray? Most Christians function in a realm of prayer. It becomes a way of life. They next question is who you talk to when you pray. Are you talking to God the Father, are you looking for God your friend, your counselor who are you praying to? Matthew 6:9 let us know that in Jesus’ example of prayer He prayed to the father. Does God always answer prayers and what can be barriers to prayer? How do you pray? How do you talk to God?
Well I looked at these things in my prayer life I do try to follow a certain model when I pray. I give God thanks or admiration, then I repent, then I tell God what I need if anything. Of course the easiest example would be Christ himself when He prays before His crucifixion. In Matthew 6:9-13 He outlines how to pray. Sometimes I talk to God reverently, sometimes like He is my friend. So I pose this question how do you pray?
Scriptures to Read
Matthew 6:9-13
Ephesians 2:18
Philippians 4:6-7
John 16:24
Matthew 7:7-11
Well I looked at these things in my prayer life I do try to follow a certain model when I pray. I give God thanks or admiration, then I repent, then I tell God what I need if anything. Of course the easiest example would be Christ himself when He prays before His crucifixion. In Matthew 6:9-13 He outlines how to pray. Sometimes I talk to God reverently, sometimes like He is my friend. So I pose this question how do you pray?
Scriptures to Read
Matthew 6:9-13
Ephesians 2:18
Philippians 4:6-7
John 16:24
Matthew 7:7-11
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