Would A God of Love Do That?

I was listening to a very interesting coversation about the character of God. When one co-worker mentioned that natural disasters are sometimes seen as punishment from God, another co-worker asked "Would a God of love do that?" It was interesting because God is love but that does not mean He is a pushover. There are still consequences for ones actions, the bible says, in Proverbs 29:15 "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left [to himself] bringeth his mother to shame." Further verse 17 says, "Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul." So a God of love would correct and dicipline His children because He will not call us to do anything He wouldn't do.

Well naturally the next question would be, "Would God punish a nation?" There are many examples of this in the Old Testament, Noah's hometown and the world was flooded (God promised not to flood the entire world agian), Soddom and Gomorah, He even punished Isreal and for years they were enslaved then walked through the wilderness.

After Christ died on the cross, and rose again we were afforded grace, however, the character of God did not change. Hebrews 13:8 say, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

I am not saying that naturally disasters are punishments from God, but they could be. It can also simply be the result of our free will; we make decisions concerning our enviorment on a daily basis that effect the eco-system, another reason can be that God simply allows things to happen so future events can occur (if children don't learn to get up after falling they wont learn how to walk).

Be blessed.

Happiness or Love?

I realized the other day I am constantly being bombarded with the things the world says that sounds good but goes against everything God says. Like, "You do you, I will do me." or "If you like it, I love it." I have said both of these things and recently; just because it’s easier than taking the time or energy to care. Or how about, "I just want you to be happy."

This is something my mom never said to me and with good reason. There are things that make people happy like drugs, sex, booze, if that were the case if it was of most importance for everyone to be happy and to stay in their own little bubble then what would be the point of love. Love stretches both the giver and receiver it’s sometimes uncomfortable for both parties but is more necessary than happiness. Love understands that addiction, illness and helplessness are real, love weights the risks and the benefits and love acts accordingly regardless of one’s happiness. I wonder if this world will ever stop chasing the illusion of happiness and just open up to receive perfect love. Who knows one day they may look up and be happy.

God help us to live up to your definition of love (1 Corinthians 13) rather than chasing the worlds definition of happiness. Shape us and mold us to be more like you.

Love Keeps No Record of Wrongs

Yesterday a lady at my job was so rude. She was so irritating so I decided that today I would absolutely ignore her. I mean I didn't even look in her direction. The logic was eventually she would notice, then feel bad, then stop being so mean to me.

Well at the end of the day as I was walking to my car I realized how exhausted I was. The Holy Spirit laid on my heart that holding a grudge is hard work. Crazy thing is you dont even realize how hard you are working until you let it go!

I look at scriptures like the 10 commandments and can easily see how God put those rules in place to protect me, but to see that keeping no record of wrong is for my benefit took this lesson.

This society teaches us so many backward things like, "forgive, don't forget." The bible clearly states 1 Corinthians 13:5 "Love keeps no record of wrongs." All God has called us to do is love. Love our neighbor, our parents, our spouse, our children. If you are keeping a constant tally on what they do then that is not love and it will seep into every area of your life. Causing you to isolate yourself and find more things to put on your list.

You may ask, "How can I stop keeping track when I have done it for so long?" Stop and repent every time for as long as it takes. My husband and I were arguing and he stopped in the middle of the argument and said, "I am so sorry but while we are talking about this I keep thinking of everything else you have done wrong. Can we talk about this and this alone later." That was a hard and honest thing for him to say and sometimes it takes that.

Father,
Thank you for providing us with a blueprint for life. How foolish we are to look to anyone but you for insight and instruction. Thank you for showing us that by letting things go we are not being weak but strong, trusting that you are sovereign and that all things truly work out for our good. We love you Lord.

Shape us, mold us, make us more like you.
Amen

Hearing God

I am sitting here at work listening to worship music with my headphones on while my co-worker turns on her R&B music. It wasn’t a bad song but it was very distracting and made it hard for me to hear the worship music. As I was about to get frustrated the Holy Spirit stilled me. This is exactly how it is when it comes to hearing God sometimes. Life gets so loud and there may not be bad things going on just loud things that distract and make it hard to hone in on what God is saying. As I am writing this she turned down the music and now the worship music is louder and it’s on my favorite part of the song. There are times when you have to concentrate to hear what He is saying but if you search for His voice and ignore the noise it will be so worth it.

Everyone Needs A Rabbi

I love Rabbi Daniel Lapin's thoughts. It is important that we love the Jewish people and realize what they have to offer. We as Christians focus so much on the New Testment but there are vital lessons in the Old Testament as well. Click the link below, read, and enjoy.

http://www.rabbidaniellapin.com/thoughttools_htmlversion.php?id=133

Worry

I am back!! Okay, so 7 months ago on 3/13/10 I married the man of my dreams. It has been quite a spiritual journey and has really opened my eyees to how much the devil hates marriage. So far every month since being married my DH and I have gone through something. Its always new, always different, and it always hits us and stretches us a little differently. It also brings us closer to each other and to God. Nothing has happened this month, yet. With it being month 7 maybe we will get a break but you know we don't even fret about whats going to come next. God is really growing us from faith to faith. Isn't it amazing how God creates precedent in our lives. When we go through something new we can look back and say well God you got me through that so I know you can get me through this.

Let me tell you something about me. I worry, it comes so natural to me. I put it on like an warm coat in the winter. God is teaching me through this time to rest when it seems that I should worry. At one time DH and I were both not working and a friend of mine said, "What are you going to do? Don't you think you should get a job?" I said, "No, God didn't tell me too." Would you believe ALL of our bills were paid we were eating out and enjoying life. I got caught in a flash flood and our only car was totaled everyone said there is no way you can buy a car for cash that is a good car. Do you know that just when we were going to break down and finance a car (I mean the only thing we were missing was a ride to the dealership) the credit check was complete we just had to sign the papers. God stepped in and opened the door for us to get a car for cash that only had one previous owner and runs great. How dare I worry. I know these trials that I have gone through are God's way of answering my prayers that He show Himself to me anew. That He remind me that I am fact am His favorite.

Be encouraged "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

Baptism?

I was talking with my brother this morning about the importance of baptism. It was a great conversation. We read Acts 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." and began to discuss it. "Does this mean if you baptized you can't receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? Does baptism mean your saved?" Well we looked back into the word for our answers and this is what we found.

In Romans the Jews asked what to say to the Gentiles who wanted to be saved. Well Romans 8:9 states "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

We also looked at Acts 11:43-45 "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost." In verse 48 Paul then commands them to be baptized.

Through reading these and much discussion we have come to this conclusion. In order to be saved you must believe in God, if you believe in Him and that His son Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again than you will follow His steps and be baptized and open yourself up to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Salvation is not so simple, it is a process a daily evaluation of what one believes and how they operate in that believe. Its not just what you did that saves you its what you are doing. With that being said James reminds us in chapter 2 of his book that "faith without works is dead." So if you believe in Him read His word follow His teachings and be open for a miracle.