It seems life as a Christian is filled with minor hills and valleys as I ascend and descend in altitude. To put it another way I know my spirit is strengthened from spending time with God, waiting to hear His voice, and obeying but even while doing this I can sense this notion that I am either about to go through a battle (usually with my own flesh) or I don’t quite understand the battle is already taking place but the decision to do right or wrong hasn’t taken place yet. Somehow my decision that is yet to come is being impacted by the things I believe or don’t believe right now so when that time comes the battle is either over very fast or I resist but feel the attack will only grow in strength. As an end result I feel weaker than I should be and a defeated attitude washes over me.
I know this, somehow victory is tied to rejoicing in the Lord for what He has done. Too often I find myself in a state of minor frustration because of surrounding circumstances or relationships with co-workers, family, and friends. This position wears on me spiritually until my resolve is broken and surprise that is when the battle (not necessarily the same issue) reveals itself and my spirit which had been strong from spending time in God’s Word is now weary and unprepared. I believe rejoicing as the Israelites did, even when they didn’t feel like it, was not only for God’s benefit but for theirs as well. In rejoicing your spirit reminds your flesh that God is in control regardless of what you see, hear, or feel. By letting circumstances impact the way you live makes you sensitive yes but I don’t want to be sensitive by means of my flesh but I want to live a life that is sensitive to the moving of God’s Holy Spirit. Being sensitive to the needs of my flesh only ends in defeat but being sensitive to the desire of God’s Holy Spirit leads me into His victory!
So God thanks for this revelation, thanks for loving me even when I cannot love myself, and thanks for caring enough to bring about change in my life so that I may live according to your will. Please help me not to be tied down by my needy flesh but strengthen my spirit so that it constantly reminds me that you are a loving God and my whole life and every situation and every relationship that involves me fits in the palm of your hand. It is not my place to control but to obey, please take this offering and be glorified as I lay it at your feet. Help me to change O’ God for I cannot be who I was made to be without you in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
God's promises remain
The Lord isn't really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
(2Pe 3:9 NLT)
Jesus’ returning is no less urgent today than it was two thousand years ago, as a matter of fact the time is nearer now than ever before but because our time table is much shorter than God’s people do not concern themselves with such things. Because of this many come to the conclusion that God lied, does not exist, or is dead as a means of justifying their self-centered lives but those who believe God’s Word is truth know Jesus’ returning will be like a thief in the night and only those who overcome the flesh will be ready to leave this world behind. From the beginning God told His select few to keep their lamps burning continually and though they did not, nor could not understand why they obeyed through the generations (Exodus 27:20). Today we are reminded to do the same and though we do not know the hour of the Lord’s returning we obey. Jesus said this…
"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn't take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. "At midnight they were roused by the shout, 'Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!' "All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, 'Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.' "But the others replied, 'We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, 'Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!' "But he called back, 'Believe me, I don't know you!'
(Mat 25:1-12 NLT)
How do we keep our lamps burning, how do we make sure like the five wise bridesmaids we keep enough oil? Relationship – seeking and finding, listening and obeying, following the unseen! Do you spend time alone with God, do you seek Him because that is what you desire or do you do it begrudgingly or not at all because the Lord has delayed? What will you do when His return catches you off guard and you are not prepared, surely then it will be too late. Don’t be short-sighted, look to His promises and understand that nothing in this world holds value when compared to the next. Again Jesus said…
Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
(Mat 13:45-46 NLT)
Are we willing to sell everything we call “ours” to buy that which we could never afford if it were not for the magnificent grace and great love of our Lord Jesus Christ? He was obedient unto death can we not give ourselves as living sacrifices so that we might be called His? God’s promises are true, for He does not change and His timing is impeccable. Like the Israelites it is not ours to question but simply obey because of who God is. With same reckless abandonment as the disciples we hear Jesus’ call and walk away from the known to win that which is promised, because of what He has done.
God loves us and anticipates great things for us but to receive those blessings we must align ourselves with the Word of God. So many people are looking to receive a word from God but overlook the provisions He has already given in the Bible and through His Holy Spirit. What you seek is here waiting but you have to be the one to initiate the change, otherwise we would accuse God of controlling and manipulating us. He has given us freewill and out of that He wants us to respond to the love He has shown so that the blessings He has stored up for us can be realized to the fullest extent!
(2Pe 3:9 NLT)
Jesus’ returning is no less urgent today than it was two thousand years ago, as a matter of fact the time is nearer now than ever before but because our time table is much shorter than God’s people do not concern themselves with such things. Because of this many come to the conclusion that God lied, does not exist, or is dead as a means of justifying their self-centered lives but those who believe God’s Word is truth know Jesus’ returning will be like a thief in the night and only those who overcome the flesh will be ready to leave this world behind. From the beginning God told His select few to keep their lamps burning continually and though they did not, nor could not understand why they obeyed through the generations (Exodus 27:20). Today we are reminded to do the same and though we do not know the hour of the Lord’s returning we obey. Jesus said this…
"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn't take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. "At midnight they were roused by the shout, 'Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!' "All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, 'Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.' "But the others replied, 'We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, 'Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!' "But he called back, 'Believe me, I don't know you!'
(Mat 25:1-12 NLT)
How do we keep our lamps burning, how do we make sure like the five wise bridesmaids we keep enough oil? Relationship – seeking and finding, listening and obeying, following the unseen! Do you spend time alone with God, do you seek Him because that is what you desire or do you do it begrudgingly or not at all because the Lord has delayed? What will you do when His return catches you off guard and you are not prepared, surely then it will be too late. Don’t be short-sighted, look to His promises and understand that nothing in this world holds value when compared to the next. Again Jesus said…
Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
(Mat 13:45-46 NLT)
Are we willing to sell everything we call “ours” to buy that which we could never afford if it were not for the magnificent grace and great love of our Lord Jesus Christ? He was obedient unto death can we not give ourselves as living sacrifices so that we might be called His? God’s promises are true, for He does not change and His timing is impeccable. Like the Israelites it is not ours to question but simply obey because of who God is. With same reckless abandonment as the disciples we hear Jesus’ call and walk away from the known to win that which is promised, because of what He has done.
God loves us and anticipates great things for us but to receive those blessings we must align ourselves with the Word of God. So many people are looking to receive a word from God but overlook the provisions He has already given in the Bible and through His Holy Spirit. What you seek is here waiting but you have to be the one to initiate the change, otherwise we would accuse God of controlling and manipulating us. He has given us freewill and out of that He wants us to respond to the love He has shown so that the blessings He has stored up for us can be realized to the fullest extent!
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
What controls you?
They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.
(2 Peter 2:19-20 NLT)
There is no victory without purity, you want to overcome then you must let go of the weight that so easily besets you. Choose you this day whom you will serve, for no one can serve two masters. Those who try do not know the Word of God but there is a thin line between attempting to serve two masters and a genuine struggle between your flesh and your spirit. Dying to self is a daily exercise, you can have a great victory one day and be defeated the next but the key is the condition of your heart, do you love the things God loves and hate the things He hates or have you become indifferent and numb to sin?
Those who know what sin looks like only know because the Holy Spirit has revealed it to them and therefore have crossed a spiritual bridge (the cross of Jesus Christ). This bridge allows them to boldly come to the Heavenly Father and ask for His help but those who become numb to sin in their lives have effectively returned back to the land on the other side of that bridge and have forsook all that has been provided for them and in this way the master that they have chosen has been selected. The unseen trick is when the enemy causes this individual to believe all is the same as when they first came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and in that way they would have been better off not to ever have known the truth. Yes, this time their blindness will not be as easily removed but only through a deep cleansing self-inventory, a shaking off of the denial, and humbling themselves before Christ Jesus once more. You see great life change comes when we come face to face with desperation. Why do you think people have end of live revelations that cause them to turn from their wicked beliefs they held onto all their lives? Because they realize their own desperate situation and how they are about to cross over into the unknown but we don’t have to wait until then. Jesus told Thomas you believed because you have seen but how blessed are those who believe and haven’t seen! See John 20:29. Don’t wait choose this day who you will serve and live in God’s blessings today so that tomorrow you will have no regrets.
(2 Peter 2:19-20 NLT)
There is no victory without purity, you want to overcome then you must let go of the weight that so easily besets you. Choose you this day whom you will serve, for no one can serve two masters. Those who try do not know the Word of God but there is a thin line between attempting to serve two masters and a genuine struggle between your flesh and your spirit. Dying to self is a daily exercise, you can have a great victory one day and be defeated the next but the key is the condition of your heart, do you love the things God loves and hate the things He hates or have you become indifferent and numb to sin?
Those who know what sin looks like only know because the Holy Spirit has revealed it to them and therefore have crossed a spiritual bridge (the cross of Jesus Christ). This bridge allows them to boldly come to the Heavenly Father and ask for His help but those who become numb to sin in their lives have effectively returned back to the land on the other side of that bridge and have forsook all that has been provided for them and in this way the master that they have chosen has been selected. The unseen trick is when the enemy causes this individual to believe all is the same as when they first came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and in that way they would have been better off not to ever have known the truth. Yes, this time their blindness will not be as easily removed but only through a deep cleansing self-inventory, a shaking off of the denial, and humbling themselves before Christ Jesus once more. You see great life change comes when we come face to face with desperation. Why do you think people have end of live revelations that cause them to turn from their wicked beliefs they held onto all their lives? Because they realize their own desperate situation and how they are about to cross over into the unknown but we don’t have to wait until then. Jesus told Thomas you believed because you have seen but how blessed are those who believe and haven’t seen! See John 20:29. Don’t wait choose this day who you will serve and live in God’s blessings today so that tomorrow you will have no regrets.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Self-control and patient endurance
By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
(2Pe 1:3-9 NLT)
Peter tells us we must supplement our faith with moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, and with brotherly love for everyone. This was not just a laundry list of good things to do but each item was selected by God and led by His Holy Spirit as Peter went through them. You see what the carnal Christian forgets is that true faith leads us to action, it is not enough to simply believe and go back to living the way you used to. Because we have been changed we no longer choose to live for ourselves, the immoral lifestyle no longer binds us because of the knowledge we are given through God’s Word, which leads us to self-control and patient endurance. It is because of these things we reflect God’s character and as we begin to understand all that we’ve been given we are able to freely give it away and love as we are loved. These are inseparable you cannot be moral without godliness and you cannot be patient without self-control and all of these are required in order to show God’s love to your neighbor.
The things Peter mentions here takes a lifetime to get right, that’s why we are told not to grow weary of doing good (2 Thessalonians 3:13) and it does not matter how well we did them yesterday if today we decide to take a break and please ourselves. A race is not won by starting well but by the way we finish. We have all seen those who pull out of the pack at the beginning and are praised by people saying “What marvelous things he is doing, surely he will do mighty works for the Lord.” Only to watch the same person fall behind partway through the race and it matters not who you are, pastor, evangelist, or teacher. When we let go of the hand of Jesus and decide to “I’ve got this” through pride we fall and though we can get back up it is only through full surrender to the Holy Spirit of God that we can be fully restored, for there is a proving that takes place in our hearts and minds that must happen if we are to once again lead others.
(2Pe 1:3-9 NLT)
Peter tells us we must supplement our faith with moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, patient endurance, godliness, and with brotherly love for everyone. This was not just a laundry list of good things to do but each item was selected by God and led by His Holy Spirit as Peter went through them. You see what the carnal Christian forgets is that true faith leads us to action, it is not enough to simply believe and go back to living the way you used to. Because we have been changed we no longer choose to live for ourselves, the immoral lifestyle no longer binds us because of the knowledge we are given through God’s Word, which leads us to self-control and patient endurance. It is because of these things we reflect God’s character and as we begin to understand all that we’ve been given we are able to freely give it away and love as we are loved. These are inseparable you cannot be moral without godliness and you cannot be patient without self-control and all of these are required in order to show God’s love to your neighbor.
The things Peter mentions here takes a lifetime to get right, that’s why we are told not to grow weary of doing good (2 Thessalonians 3:13) and it does not matter how well we did them yesterday if today we decide to take a break and please ourselves. A race is not won by starting well but by the way we finish. We have all seen those who pull out of the pack at the beginning and are praised by people saying “What marvelous things he is doing, surely he will do mighty works for the Lord.” Only to watch the same person fall behind partway through the race and it matters not who you are, pastor, evangelist, or teacher. When we let go of the hand of Jesus and decide to “I’ve got this” through pride we fall and though we can get back up it is only through full surrender to the Holy Spirit of God that we can be fully restored, for there is a proving that takes place in our hearts and minds that must happen if we are to once again lead others.
Friday, May 16, 2014
The battle line is drawn
The battle is clear and no one knows it better than you. It has been with you for so long that it seems to have complete control, as if you don’t realize where it is leading you until you arrive and realize you don’t want to be there. Yes, you have made bad decisions and to further exasperate the issue you have even justified and excused the sin as a way of coping with it persistently being present in your life but that is not where your story ends, for your spirit has been growing stronger as well. Strange that both the spirit and the flesh can be strong at the same time but there is one major difference. The flesh has been strong and it has a stronghold that is true but the spirit is growing stronger each day as you seek the Lord and draw closer to Him. The fiercest fighting comes just before the battle is won and the devil knows he is on the losing end, if your relationship with Jesus continues to grow. However, if he can persuade you to relax your efforts to know Christ and do His will he might still have a chance. Doesn’t it seem odd you are tempted to listen to different kinds of music? There are many songs written to be something other than worship songs that in themselves no wrong can be found but in this crucial state, the balancing of power between spirit and flesh, they can and will cause the flesh to have the upper hand. The same is true for every decision you make, so choose carefully your spiritual wellbeing is at stake.
In the class I teach, me and the other instructor talk often about taking the thirty day challenge. If you are tired of your life going the way it is and you truly desire change then guess what change must happen! Change the music you listen to, the people you hang around, the places you go for just thirty days and see if the things you thought never would change don’t actually start to shift. See it’s not whether change can happen but more about are you ready for it to happen? Have you hit bottom and have you seen the folly of your ways? Until this revelation is revealed to you denial rules the day and the further into the enemy’s camp you unknowingly walk. Just know with each blind step into his camp the more difficult it becomes to be the person you were meant to be.
Finally, do not lose hope, do not despair but do know once you make the decision to stop living for yourself and instead know what it is to be a living sacrifice for Christ Jesus only the limitations you place on yourself can stop you. For nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. He will walk with you and though this journey can sometimes be treacherous and seemingly impassable Christ has already been this way and has made it through and has come back for you. There will be battles that you must face and do not misunderstand it is your feet that must take the initial steps out onto the battlefield to face your giant but God is with you and in you and when the time is right somehow you’ll notice it is no longer your knees knocking but the enemy shaking in fear. I believe it was the Disney cartoon “The lion king” where the young lion boldly faces an enemy who could tear him apart except for behind the young lion cub stood the might lion king and so it is with us when God walks with us. So do not fear and do not doubt, even though you know how great your enemy is but instead know God and trust Him and know you are His own. The key to the lion cub’s success that day was that he was walking with his father and was not led astray by his own desires to do what pleased him.
In the class I teach, me and the other instructor talk often about taking the thirty day challenge. If you are tired of your life going the way it is and you truly desire change then guess what change must happen! Change the music you listen to, the people you hang around, the places you go for just thirty days and see if the things you thought never would change don’t actually start to shift. See it’s not whether change can happen but more about are you ready for it to happen? Have you hit bottom and have you seen the folly of your ways? Until this revelation is revealed to you denial rules the day and the further into the enemy’s camp you unknowingly walk. Just know with each blind step into his camp the more difficult it becomes to be the person you were meant to be.
Finally, do not lose hope, do not despair but do know once you make the decision to stop living for yourself and instead know what it is to be a living sacrifice for Christ Jesus only the limitations you place on yourself can stop you. For nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. He will walk with you and though this journey can sometimes be treacherous and seemingly impassable Christ has already been this way and has made it through and has come back for you. There will be battles that you must face and do not misunderstand it is your feet that must take the initial steps out onto the battlefield to face your giant but God is with you and in you and when the time is right somehow you’ll notice it is no longer your knees knocking but the enemy shaking in fear. I believe it was the Disney cartoon “The lion king” where the young lion boldly faces an enemy who could tear him apart except for behind the young lion cub stood the might lion king and so it is with us when God walks with us. So do not fear and do not doubt, even though you know how great your enemy is but instead know God and trust Him and know you are His own. The key to the lion cub’s success that day was that he was walking with his father and was not led astray by his own desires to do what pleased him.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
The young and the elder
In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for "God opposes the proud but favors the humble."
(1 Peter 5:5 NLT)
When the younger assume they know better and out of pride go their own way they condemn themselves to be snared by the same traps the devil laid for their elders but God created this way so that each generation will learn from the one before it. When you reject wisdom passed down from your elders you don’t reject their plans but God’s. That being said not every elder is trustworthy and not every elder has a relationship with Christ Jesus, even those who call themselves Christians are not justified by association or filiation of the local church but it is required you start there if you are to please God. Who are you listening to? Examine their lives before following them. Do you know for a fact they have a daily relationship with our Heavenly Father, do they go to church, are they leading others in the ways of Christ Jesus. Who you follow is who you become so if you are following the ungodly you will become ungodly but if you follow the righteous you yourself become righteous not because of works or boasting but because Jesus is central in the lives of the those Jesus calls righteous and as you follow you yourself become closer to Christ.
When He sees all that is accomplished by His anguish, He will be satisfied. And because of His experience, My righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for He will bear all their sins.
(Isaiah 53:11 NLT)
My son, make God’s ways your ways. The things that please God may they please your heart as well and the things that bring dishonor may the impact of these things be far from you all the days of your life so that you may be called righteous in His sight but even if you should fall always know His grace is sufficient and keep moving forward. It’s not about how you began the race but instead how you finish that matters.
The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.
(Job 17:9 NLT)
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
(Acts 20:24 NLT)
(1 Peter 5:5 NLT)
When the younger assume they know better and out of pride go their own way they condemn themselves to be snared by the same traps the devil laid for their elders but God created this way so that each generation will learn from the one before it. When you reject wisdom passed down from your elders you don’t reject their plans but God’s. That being said not every elder is trustworthy and not every elder has a relationship with Christ Jesus, even those who call themselves Christians are not justified by association or filiation of the local church but it is required you start there if you are to please God. Who are you listening to? Examine their lives before following them. Do you know for a fact they have a daily relationship with our Heavenly Father, do they go to church, are they leading others in the ways of Christ Jesus. Who you follow is who you become so if you are following the ungodly you will become ungodly but if you follow the righteous you yourself become righteous not because of works or boasting but because Jesus is central in the lives of the those Jesus calls righteous and as you follow you yourself become closer to Christ.
When He sees all that is accomplished by His anguish, He will be satisfied. And because of His experience, My righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for He will bear all their sins.
(Isaiah 53:11 NLT)
My son, make God’s ways your ways. The things that please God may they please your heart as well and the things that bring dishonor may the impact of these things be far from you all the days of your life so that you may be called righteous in His sight but even if you should fall always know His grace is sufficient and keep moving forward. It’s not about how you began the race but instead how you finish that matters.
The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.
(Job 17:9 NLT)
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
(Acts 20:24 NLT)
Monday, May 12, 2014
Be not surprised for the end is coming
The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
(1 Peter 4:7-8)
Like storm clouds in the distance so is the end of this life as we know it. God is preparing His people for this fearful and wonderful event, He prepares us in ways that we are unfamiliar with and even though we can see the end if we are not careful we can be caught off guard. Did Jesus not suffer in order to bring a pleasing sacrifice to His Heavenly Father? Are we not followers of Christ and therefore His disciples? Then what makes us think as true followers we would not also suffer so that our sacrifices might also be pleasing to our Heavenly Father? It does not matter from where the suffering comes from but it does matter why we suffer. Are you suffering because of sinful choices or are you suffering because of living for Christ? It’s not always so clear cut. To live as a sinner before coming to Christ and then turning your life over to Him you suffer because old friends don’t understand the change that has taken place in you is good and God is pleased. What about bad decisions made as a Christian, through God’s discipline you are faced with the wrong you’ve done and then you change, does that suffering count as good or is it because of selfish living? In the end the only thing that matters is a continual growing relationship with Jesus Christ and that you put into practice the things He leads you to do. Be thankful He cares for His children enough to correct them and know the suffering for Christ’s sake is necessary to bring about the change that is required to be called His. Do not run from this correction, it’s time to stop running but instead trust God that He knows what He is doing and that His love is far beyond that of the love of man.
Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. [On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.] If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by His name!
(1 Peter 4:12-16)
For daylight will soon be gone and there is a calling to come in before it is too dark so that we don’t stumble and fall and lose our way. You see in the daylight we cheerfully played as children but as darkness grows closer there is an urgency that was not known before. In that urgency we will be tested and tried as a departure from the things we have known are removed from us. At that point we can either trust God or turn from Him as spoiled children.
For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God's household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God's Good News? And also, "If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?" So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail you.
(1 Peter 4:17-19)
(1 Peter 4:7-8)
Like storm clouds in the distance so is the end of this life as we know it. God is preparing His people for this fearful and wonderful event, He prepares us in ways that we are unfamiliar with and even though we can see the end if we are not careful we can be caught off guard. Did Jesus not suffer in order to bring a pleasing sacrifice to His Heavenly Father? Are we not followers of Christ and therefore His disciples? Then what makes us think as true followers we would not also suffer so that our sacrifices might also be pleasing to our Heavenly Father? It does not matter from where the suffering comes from but it does matter why we suffer. Are you suffering because of sinful choices or are you suffering because of living for Christ? It’s not always so clear cut. To live as a sinner before coming to Christ and then turning your life over to Him you suffer because old friends don’t understand the change that has taken place in you is good and God is pleased. What about bad decisions made as a Christian, through God’s discipline you are faced with the wrong you’ve done and then you change, does that suffering count as good or is it because of selfish living? In the end the only thing that matters is a continual growing relationship with Jesus Christ and that you put into practice the things He leads you to do. Be thankful He cares for His children enough to correct them and know the suffering for Christ’s sake is necessary to bring about the change that is required to be called His. Do not run from this correction, it’s time to stop running but instead trust God that He knows what He is doing and that His love is far beyond that of the love of man.
Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. [On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.] If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by His name!
(1 Peter 4:12-16)
For daylight will soon be gone and there is a calling to come in before it is too dark so that we don’t stumble and fall and lose our way. You see in the daylight we cheerfully played as children but as darkness grows closer there is an urgency that was not known before. In that urgency we will be tested and tried as a departure from the things we have known are removed from us. At that point we can either trust God or turn from Him as spoiled children.
For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God's household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God's Good News? And also, "If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?" So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for He will never fail you.
(1 Peter 4:17-19)
Friday, May 9, 2014
Respect for the king
For the Lord's sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.
(1 Peter 2:13-17)
Even when you don’t agree or those who have authority over you are clearly wrong show respect. Those of the older generation who tell the younger generation that respect is earned is doing them no favors, as they have set themselves contrary to the Word of God. Because of disobedience, whether out of ignorance or self-centered motivations or led astray from “older Christians” the result is the same – you miss out on the blessings God had set aside especially for you! Whether that blessing is healing, wisdom, peace, relationship, or many, many other things all intended for your good from your Heavenly Father. Look at what Peter goes on to say…
You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
(1 Peter 2:18-25)
You see there are different types of suffering but to suffer for doing good, regardless of who is right (remember if we truly belong to Christ Jesus (slaves) we give up our rights to be right) and you endure patiently the Bible says God is pleased with you. Why, because it is a necessary step in our spiritual growth and if you keep resisting it you never grow beyond that point! God is patient and as long as you keep avoiding spiritual development He will keep providing opportunities for you to listen to His call. The real question is how long do you want to keep going through the same thing, resisting and fighting the training that has been tailor made just for you? You see if everything happens for a purpose then we must believe God knows what He is doing but if you believe some are lucky and others are not then it makes sense to keep fighting and resisting because soon you are bound to be lucky too but I don’t want to depend on luck and if God says I must go through something then I say “let’s go!” For with God all things are possible and as long as I am holding His hand I know eventually I will weather the storm. As for those elders, even Christian elders, who offer wisdom from places other than the Bible I would ask you what is your purpose? Is your intent to really lead young people away from what the Bible says or are you ignorant as well and you are simply offering what the world has taught you? Be warned for Jesus would say to you…
But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
(Matthew 18:6)
(1 Peter 2:13-17)
Even when you don’t agree or those who have authority over you are clearly wrong show respect. Those of the older generation who tell the younger generation that respect is earned is doing them no favors, as they have set themselves contrary to the Word of God. Because of disobedience, whether out of ignorance or self-centered motivations or led astray from “older Christians” the result is the same – you miss out on the blessings God had set aside especially for you! Whether that blessing is healing, wisdom, peace, relationship, or many, many other things all intended for your good from your Heavenly Father. Look at what Peter goes on to say…
You who are slaves must accept the authority of your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
(1 Peter 2:18-25)
You see there are different types of suffering but to suffer for doing good, regardless of who is right (remember if we truly belong to Christ Jesus (slaves) we give up our rights to be right) and you endure patiently the Bible says God is pleased with you. Why, because it is a necessary step in our spiritual growth and if you keep resisting it you never grow beyond that point! God is patient and as long as you keep avoiding spiritual development He will keep providing opportunities for you to listen to His call. The real question is how long do you want to keep going through the same thing, resisting and fighting the training that has been tailor made just for you? You see if everything happens for a purpose then we must believe God knows what He is doing but if you believe some are lucky and others are not then it makes sense to keep fighting and resisting because soon you are bound to be lucky too but I don’t want to depend on luck and if God says I must go through something then I say “let’s go!” For with God all things are possible and as long as I am holding His hand I know eventually I will weather the storm. As for those elders, even Christian elders, who offer wisdom from places other than the Bible I would ask you what is your purpose? Is your intent to really lead young people away from what the Bible says or are you ignorant as well and you are simply offering what the world has taught you? Be warned for Jesus would say to you…
But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
(Matthew 18:6)
Thursday, May 8, 2014
To love the unseen
And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls.
(1 Peter 1:5-9)
To truly love God is to trust Him with your whole being, to not give in part but to give completely. Because of your faith, given to you by God’s Holy Spirit, you have new life again, not in part but in whole. This life does not end once your body becomes old but instead it is life eternal meant to live with the Lord God throughout the ages and though God’s Word gives great insight to what will be the half has not been told.
So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.
(1 Peter 1:13-15)
What in this life is worth missing out on the next? To give away the eternal for the temporary is utter foolishness yet by not thinking clearly, not exercising self-control, and not living obedient lives that please Christ Jesus that is exactly what is done. Even worse in order to live this way after coming face to face with the truth means we deliberately put blinders on as the Holy Spirit calls out for us to come back to our first love but there is still hope as long as it is called today. His loving mercy is great and His Father’s heart is filled with compassion for His children but we cannot forget He is holy and righteous and therefore will require the same of all who enter in to the place He has prepared.
(1 Peter 1:5-9)
To truly love God is to trust Him with your whole being, to not give in part but to give completely. Because of your faith, given to you by God’s Holy Spirit, you have new life again, not in part but in whole. This life does not end once your body becomes old but instead it is life eternal meant to live with the Lord God throughout the ages and though God’s Word gives great insight to what will be the half has not been told.
So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.
(1 Peter 1:13-15)
What in this life is worth missing out on the next? To give away the eternal for the temporary is utter foolishness yet by not thinking clearly, not exercising self-control, and not living obedient lives that please Christ Jesus that is exactly what is done. Even worse in order to live this way after coming face to face with the truth means we deliberately put blinders on as the Holy Spirit calls out for us to come back to our first love but there is still hope as long as it is called today. His loving mercy is great and His Father’s heart is filled with compassion for His children but we cannot forget He is holy and righteous and therefore will require the same of all who enter in to the place He has prepared.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Backslide?
My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
(James 5:19-20)
Is it possible to be counted among those who know the truth, then leave what you knew, and be brought back again? James was speaking to his spiritual family, he called them his brothers and sisters, yet he indicated that there will be those who will wander away. Look at the progression of the condition of the person to whom he is referring. Starting out he refers to him or her as his own brother or sister in the Lord who then decides to turn away. The very next line he refers to the same person as a sinner as he instructs the others, who remained in the truth, that it is good if this person can be brought back to what he or she once knew and like the farmer waiting for rain (verse seven) and the bountiful harvest that follows so will the sinner receive forgiveness of many sins but you must be patient and believe that God will send the rain that soften the hardened soil of the heart.
I notice a change in me if I go several mornings without meeting God in the morning. Sure my excuses seem justified and I can pray in the car but I’m tired because I got to bed late, because of such and such. Ok, so I need to keep my schedule for going to bed on time in order to wake up on time but who says my time with God must be sacrificed because my schedule is off? When this happens I start seeing my attitude change, the way I respond to people changes, and my motives become more self-centered. I then pray and ask God what is going on and it is then He reminds me I haven’t been praying or seeking Him each morning. It doesn’t take very long for you to realize how important it is to live a disciplined life, regardless of what you “feel” like doing but what about those who ignore the warning signs? As you could imagine their attitudes and motives become more and more like that of the world’s until one day God’s ways are strange and no longer known by them, so much so that they abandon their faith that once led them to the truth. Yes, backsliding is real and can and will happen. Our decision to love Christ Jesus doesn’t happen once and then we forget it but if we love Him we will seek Him daily, understanding we are going through a transformation, leaving what we once knew to the truth that has been revealed to us by His Holy Spirit. If we stop progressing we don’t stand still but the current of this world sweeps us away. Now I am glad the Holy Spirit that led us to the cross of Christ Jesus also remains with us to guide and protect our hearts, for knowing the truth is not enough, we need a Savior, a hero to rescue us from the rapids and the falls that would eventually consume us. How does God do this? By having relationship with us, if we don’t spend time with Him then our ability to follow the truth is limited by our own means. I’ve tried that and know it does not work. So is a disciplined life really that hard to live? Jesus said in Matthew 11:30 “For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT) and Paul told the Thessalonians “…never get tired of doing good.” 2Th 3:13 (NLT) and I know in my own life obedience is better that sacrifice
(James 5:19-20)
Is it possible to be counted among those who know the truth, then leave what you knew, and be brought back again? James was speaking to his spiritual family, he called them his brothers and sisters, yet he indicated that there will be those who will wander away. Look at the progression of the condition of the person to whom he is referring. Starting out he refers to him or her as his own brother or sister in the Lord who then decides to turn away. The very next line he refers to the same person as a sinner as he instructs the others, who remained in the truth, that it is good if this person can be brought back to what he or she once knew and like the farmer waiting for rain (verse seven) and the bountiful harvest that follows so will the sinner receive forgiveness of many sins but you must be patient and believe that God will send the rain that soften the hardened soil of the heart.
I notice a change in me if I go several mornings without meeting God in the morning. Sure my excuses seem justified and I can pray in the car but I’m tired because I got to bed late, because of such and such. Ok, so I need to keep my schedule for going to bed on time in order to wake up on time but who says my time with God must be sacrificed because my schedule is off? When this happens I start seeing my attitude change, the way I respond to people changes, and my motives become more self-centered. I then pray and ask God what is going on and it is then He reminds me I haven’t been praying or seeking Him each morning. It doesn’t take very long for you to realize how important it is to live a disciplined life, regardless of what you “feel” like doing but what about those who ignore the warning signs? As you could imagine their attitudes and motives become more and more like that of the world’s until one day God’s ways are strange and no longer known by them, so much so that they abandon their faith that once led them to the truth. Yes, backsliding is real and can and will happen. Our decision to love Christ Jesus doesn’t happen once and then we forget it but if we love Him we will seek Him daily, understanding we are going through a transformation, leaving what we once knew to the truth that has been revealed to us by His Holy Spirit. If we stop progressing we don’t stand still but the current of this world sweeps us away. Now I am glad the Holy Spirit that led us to the cross of Christ Jesus also remains with us to guide and protect our hearts, for knowing the truth is not enough, we need a Savior, a hero to rescue us from the rapids and the falls that would eventually consume us. How does God do this? By having relationship with us, if we don’t spend time with Him then our ability to follow the truth is limited by our own means. I’ve tried that and know it does not work. So is a disciplined life really that hard to live? Jesus said in Matthew 11:30 “For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT) and Paul told the Thessalonians “…never get tired of doing good.” 2Th 3:13 (NLT) and I know in my own life obedience is better that sacrifice
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Boasting my own plans
Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit." How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that." Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.
(James 4:13-16)
How is it that we allow the world to shape who we are so much so that we position ourselves contrary to the Word of God? Walking according to the unseen is not easy to say the least. That is why we have God’s Word to lead and guide us, for we can know the truth today and forget it tomorrow but to follow in His ways we must humble ourselves daily and seek Him through desperation and discipline so that we may become the people we were made to be.
For I fear not many realize the battle they are in and cost of not preparing. They hear with their physical ears while their spirit slumbers. If a man is overweight and wants to become healthy does he not seek out counsel on diet and exercise, does he not listen to what his doctor is saying and then make changes to become healthy? And does not the same man battle his own will to eat as he always has and be less than energetic even though he now knows better? Failure is bound to happen during the transition, the question we all must face is this, do I give up or do I consider the benefits of being healthy and become even more determined that change must happen? The same is true for our spiritual health and we must be determined to fight the battle of faith! Hearing with your physical ears is fine but make sure the message reaches your spirit and then be determined that will impact the way you live so that spiritually you are made whole.
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
(James 4:17)
So do not boast about your plans or abilities, for to do so is to leave God out and ignore the intervention of His grace and love. For one day you will need Him and if you have been busy boasting about your own capabilities it would be like blindfolding yourself and then trying to cross a busy intersection. That day is today and the time is now for we do not know what tomorrow holds.
"So fear the LORD and serve Him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone. But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."
(Joshua 24:14-15)
(James 4:13-16)
How is it that we allow the world to shape who we are so much so that we position ourselves contrary to the Word of God? Walking according to the unseen is not easy to say the least. That is why we have God’s Word to lead and guide us, for we can know the truth today and forget it tomorrow but to follow in His ways we must humble ourselves daily and seek Him through desperation and discipline so that we may become the people we were made to be.
For I fear not many realize the battle they are in and cost of not preparing. They hear with their physical ears while their spirit slumbers. If a man is overweight and wants to become healthy does he not seek out counsel on diet and exercise, does he not listen to what his doctor is saying and then make changes to become healthy? And does not the same man battle his own will to eat as he always has and be less than energetic even though he now knows better? Failure is bound to happen during the transition, the question we all must face is this, do I give up or do I consider the benefits of being healthy and become even more determined that change must happen? The same is true for our spiritual health and we must be determined to fight the battle of faith! Hearing with your physical ears is fine but make sure the message reaches your spirit and then be determined that will impact the way you live so that spiritually you are made whole.
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
(James 4:17)
So do not boast about your plans or abilities, for to do so is to leave God out and ignore the intervention of His grace and love. For one day you will need Him and if you have been busy boasting about your own capabilities it would be like blindfolding yourself and then trying to cross a busy intersection. That day is today and the time is now for we do not know what tomorrow holds.
"So fear the LORD and serve Him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone. But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."
(Joshua 24:14-15)
Friday, May 2, 2014
To the peacemakers
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
(James 3:17-18 NLT)
So you desire true righteousness, your heart yearns to be the person God intends, then make peace and do not be jealous or have selfish ambitions. To chase after the things that would build up an earthly kingdom is to relinquish that which is eternal. In your training to be a follower of Christ Jesus you must be single minded and whole hearted, undivided in your determination because all your efforts will be required as you move forward. The closer you get the more opportunities you will have to be distracted, as you begin to teach others the things you have learned the more criticism you will receive and the more prepared you must be. As you stand up to reclaim what the enemy has stolen not only do you make yourself a target from frontal attacks, which you are no doubt prepared for but also from behind, which will take you by surprise. There are many who choose to live in the land of familiar and come against any who would disturb their false peace and sense of security. It’s not good enough that they live there but they want everyone they know to remain in this place with them, numb and desensitized to the call of the unfamiliar.
In this journey let your heart be your guide and fight to listen to it, even when others would tell you that you have missed the mark. Make peace with them but remain determined, for the call that you hear has also called to them but they have let it die. Failures in battle cause us to lose the war unless we remain determined. As you continue you must realize the call is beyond you, it may be your dream but it did not originate from you and should you fail others will rise to continue where you left off so do not let go, even when you feel you cannot go on. Something inside you tells you it is the pearl of great price that you have always hoped for and something you could never obtain on your own but that it has been given to you. You are making progress so be encouraged even when you cannot see past the rock faced mountain in front of you. The seeds of peace you have planted will produce a bountiful harvest and rest will be provided before the journey’s end. Remember this, righteousness and victory cannot be separated, it is not by strength the war is won but by the spirit which led you to this place.
(James 3:17-18 NLT)
So you desire true righteousness, your heart yearns to be the person God intends, then make peace and do not be jealous or have selfish ambitions. To chase after the things that would build up an earthly kingdom is to relinquish that which is eternal. In your training to be a follower of Christ Jesus you must be single minded and whole hearted, undivided in your determination because all your efforts will be required as you move forward. The closer you get the more opportunities you will have to be distracted, as you begin to teach others the things you have learned the more criticism you will receive and the more prepared you must be. As you stand up to reclaim what the enemy has stolen not only do you make yourself a target from frontal attacks, which you are no doubt prepared for but also from behind, which will take you by surprise. There are many who choose to live in the land of familiar and come against any who would disturb their false peace and sense of security. It’s not good enough that they live there but they want everyone they know to remain in this place with them, numb and desensitized to the call of the unfamiliar.
In this journey let your heart be your guide and fight to listen to it, even when others would tell you that you have missed the mark. Make peace with them but remain determined, for the call that you hear has also called to them but they have let it die. Failures in battle cause us to lose the war unless we remain determined. As you continue you must realize the call is beyond you, it may be your dream but it did not originate from you and should you fail others will rise to continue where you left off so do not let go, even when you feel you cannot go on. Something inside you tells you it is the pearl of great price that you have always hoped for and something you could never obtain on your own but that it has been given to you. You are making progress so be encouraged even when you cannot see past the rock faced mountain in front of you. The seeds of peace you have planted will produce a bountiful harvest and rest will be provided before the journey’s end. Remember this, righteousness and victory cannot be separated, it is not by strength the war is won but by the spirit which led you to this place.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
O, God give me mercy!
Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws.
(James 2:8-10 NLT)
Where love is concerned, by preferring one over another or loving this one and rejecting that one you fall to sin. It does not matter by which means you justify your actions, by hating one you are just as guilty as a person who hates all. You could keep all of God’s commandments save one and of that one keep it completely except for one instance and you are still as guilty as the person who breaks all of God’s commandments!
More hate is born out of judging others than anything else, yet we still do it. This is so ingrained into who we have become as a people that we judge others because they themselves judge others but we cannot see that we are just like them! Mercy is unknown by those who hate but hate doesn’t always take the form you expect. Hate can be disguised with kindness or being polite to the very person that consumes you because society says we should be polite and we want to be accepted by others. Still God knows our heart and it is our heart that gives away our true feelings. Only the blood of Jesus can make us clean and it is the Holy Spirit that convicts us by God’s own law given to His people, whether we know it or not. Those who choose to obey rather than sacrifice seek out God’s will by reading His Word, praying, and spending time alone with Him quietly waiting to hear His voice. Those are the ones who cry out to the Lord for mercy who shall receive it.
There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.
(James 2:13 NLT)
(James 2:8-10 NLT)
Where love is concerned, by preferring one over another or loving this one and rejecting that one you fall to sin. It does not matter by which means you justify your actions, by hating one you are just as guilty as a person who hates all. You could keep all of God’s commandments save one and of that one keep it completely except for one instance and you are still as guilty as the person who breaks all of God’s commandments!
More hate is born out of judging others than anything else, yet we still do it. This is so ingrained into who we have become as a people that we judge others because they themselves judge others but we cannot see that we are just like them! Mercy is unknown by those who hate but hate doesn’t always take the form you expect. Hate can be disguised with kindness or being polite to the very person that consumes you because society says we should be polite and we want to be accepted by others. Still God knows our heart and it is our heart that gives away our true feelings. Only the blood of Jesus can make us clean and it is the Holy Spirit that convicts us by God’s own law given to His people, whether we know it or not. Those who choose to obey rather than sacrifice seek out God’s will by reading His Word, praying, and spending time alone with Him quietly waiting to hear His voice. Those are the ones who cry out to the Lord for mercy who shall receive it.
There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.
(James 2:13 NLT)
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