Hello there! Once again, back on another Monday, if you haven't already, please check out the Facebook page by clicking ---> HERE <---, there's a voting poll to your right, so if you get the time I'd love some feedback! If you have any suggestions for topics, or anything of the sort, please let me know! I really, really appreciate feedback! From bible verses to read up on or even ideas to add/take away, anything, I so appreciate it! Anyhow, dig in.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- Having a form of Godliness but denying it's power. Have nothing to do with such people.
Have you ever found yourself around people like this? Or, maybe, do you see any of these character traits being reflected in your life? I know in this verse it asks is to have nothing to do with such people, but that kind of left a question in my mind... who does this leave us with to evangelize to!? If we are not supposed to associate ourselves with such people, why are these the kind of people Jesus spent so much of his life around? I thought about this for a while, and another bible verse came to mind- John 15:19- If you belonged to the world, it would love you as it's own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. that is why the world hates you. When you put these verses next to each other, you see what God means to us- to be with these people, but not of their nature. Do not fill yourselves with what these people bring to the world, because we only get out what we put in- we "reap what we sow", but, be among these people, transforming their lives. It's like the proverb of the wineskin- Mark 2:22- And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the bottles destroyed; but new wine is to be put into new wineskins. Basically, not only are we told not to fill ourselves with what these people bring to the world, but we are warned that to be of them would "burst the wineskin", or more literally, ruin us. We can not be part God, part Sin. God's grace removes the sin when we repent and seek his heart, but it is stupidity to think God's grace extends to the unrepentant- He still loves you, but continuing in sin won't save you. You need to fill your wineskin with the wine it was intended for, or bear the consequences.
One of the troubles I have with this, Is not to reflect what people like this can bring to you. Hanging with the wrong crowd too often leads us to begin to conform and fit in with what and who they are. It's good to be there and reflect a light, but only when you know your not going to fall over! I had to move school recently, I to'd and fro'd with the reason why, but ultimately, and admittedly, I didn't have a strong enough foundation to stand in the place I was standing. I was persecuted, that didn't stop me loving the people there, many are still my friends, but I couldn't cope with what was going on. I was becoming more and more "of the world" as I spent more time with them, and it was literally tearing me apart. I'm still dealing with this now, but I suppose what i'm saying, is don't let pride get in the way. If you need to remove yourself from somewhere, you can. If the people you are with are hurting your faith, you can step back and refocus for a while. God always provides a way out. Sometime our foundation isn't ready to face the storm we're standing in, and it's okay to step back. Remember being a Christian isn't about the comfort life. Luke 9:23- Then he said to them: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" We're called to serve, often in conditions that can harm and hurt us, but just because that's our calling doesn't mean you need to risk losing your faith for the cause. Make sure your heart, and your faith, is in the right spot before you start evangelizing, if not, you may end up doing them, as well as yourself, more harm than good. Be Blessed.
Until the Whole World Hears- Casting Crowns
Romans 10:9-10
Monday, 29 August 2011
Monday, 22 August 2011
Bring me Justice
I'm back! Well, duh. Anyway, if you haven't already, please follow THIS LINK!!!! and like the Facebook page for this blog, check out the little features around the page, like the voting poll to the left -----> and, if you get the chance, do leave some feedback! You have no idea how much I always appreciate it!!
Amos 5:24- But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
When you think of Justice, what's the first though that springs to mind? Punishment, dealing out what people deserve, teaching someone their lesson so they learn and move on? I'm reading a book right now, that talks about a guy who married his high school sweet heart. He goes through the whole story of his relationships with her prior to dating, the night he asked her out, all the way up until they were happily married with 3 kids. The marriage began heading downhill from there, until one day in a marriage counselling session, she turns to her husband and informs him she never really loved him and that she was seeing one of his friends behind his back. Reading this story, you can't help but feel for him. I'm not even in his situation and my thoughts switched straight to how he should break up the relationship with the friend and bring himself justice. To be fair, they we're the same thoughts he shared at the time. But after months of praying and seeking God, he began to ask himself- What does justice actually look like?
Fill our heart with the love of Christ so that only truth and purity can come out of the mouth- Warren Wiersbe
Jesus came to earth, down to his own creation. We, as his followers, mess up every day. We sin, we fail to trust God, we turn from him and trust to our own devices almost every day that goes by. If anyone had a right to serve justice, it was certainly God. You know what? He does. He sends his son, to die for us and bring us salvation. God's idea of justice isn't to hurt, harm and punish us all the time. Of course if you continue to turn from him that may come, but God's heart is to forgive you and pour blessing out over you. This man experienced the same with his Wife. He new it was beyond his power to repair the relationship, so he served justice, praying a blessing over her new relationship so the children could grow up in a stable environment. Can you imagine doing that? That's what God calls us to though. To swallow our pride and search out hearts for the strength to forgive. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Have you been seeking for justice and praying God deal out his judgement on someone? You know the truth of it is, often his judgement is to forgive and bless them. Can you find it in your heart to accept that and trust God?
Lord I Give You My Heart- Hillsong
Matthew 18:21-22
Amos 5:24- But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
When you think of Justice, what's the first though that springs to mind? Punishment, dealing out what people deserve, teaching someone their lesson so they learn and move on? I'm reading a book right now, that talks about a guy who married his high school sweet heart. He goes through the whole story of his relationships with her prior to dating, the night he asked her out, all the way up until they were happily married with 3 kids. The marriage began heading downhill from there, until one day in a marriage counselling session, she turns to her husband and informs him she never really loved him and that she was seeing one of his friends behind his back. Reading this story, you can't help but feel for him. I'm not even in his situation and my thoughts switched straight to how he should break up the relationship with the friend and bring himself justice. To be fair, they we're the same thoughts he shared at the time. But after months of praying and seeking God, he began to ask himself- What does justice actually look like?
Fill our heart with the love of Christ so that only truth and purity can come out of the mouth- Warren Wiersbe
Jesus came to earth, down to his own creation. We, as his followers, mess up every day. We sin, we fail to trust God, we turn from him and trust to our own devices almost every day that goes by. If anyone had a right to serve justice, it was certainly God. You know what? He does. He sends his son, to die for us and bring us salvation. God's idea of justice isn't to hurt, harm and punish us all the time. Of course if you continue to turn from him that may come, but God's heart is to forgive you and pour blessing out over you. This man experienced the same with his Wife. He new it was beyond his power to repair the relationship, so he served justice, praying a blessing over her new relationship so the children could grow up in a stable environment. Can you imagine doing that? That's what God calls us to though. To swallow our pride and search out hearts for the strength to forgive. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Have you been seeking for justice and praying God deal out his judgement on someone? You know the truth of it is, often his judgement is to forgive and bless them. Can you find it in your heart to accept that and trust God?
Lord I Give You My Heart- Hillsong
Matthew 18:21-22
Monday, 15 August 2011
The Hidden Truth
Hey hey hey! Powering through the casual admin stuff, we got the Facebook page link ---> HERE, PLEASE click and like, send it to your friends, show your cat, your dog, neighbor, whoever!!! Haha as usual, do check out some features around the page and so on, I'm thinking about running themes, like, spending a few weeks diving into some more specific topics or something, so if you think that would be cool, leave some feedback and suggest some themes! Anyways, less talk more blog.
St. John of Damascus- The spirit of God is direct, authorative, the foundation of wisdom, life and holiness.
David Brinkley- A successful man is a man who can build a foundation with the bricks men have thrown at him
2 Timothy 2:19- But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his", and "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
I wanted to move back more to the central theme this week, all about Foundations. I spent most of this week building a chicken shed with my brother. One of the guys we had with us was saying the whole time how building the foundation was the most boring part. You know what? He was right. Digging holes and putting concrete in, building some frame work, its a lot of digging, going deep, and clearing the ground, getting all the debris out of the way. And even then, no matter how much work you put in, no one ever see's it. No one walks up to a shed and goes WOW! Look at that foundation! I mean, there's no real reward for it anyway. All anyone see's is the glitz and glamour (or in this case, chicken coops and fencing), but never the foundation. However, the point was stressed that whilst it is perhaps the most boring part, it is the most vital. The whole structure is built off this underlying truth that no one else ever see's, and ultimately, nothing will stand unless the foundation itself has been put to the test. Do you ever see a great preacher get up, and think to yourself wow, what a gift they have for preaching! You're right, but that's the glamorous side of it. The truth is that behind that, is a person who has gone through trial upon trial and spent years upon years honing their skills, and that effort isn't something anyone else will ever really see or appreciate, but it's vital for what you can achieve later in life. You know who does see it though? God. Jesus himself is called the cornerstone. Isaiah 28:16- So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; The one who trusts will never be dismayed." Remember, that whilst no one else see's the work you do in secret, God does, and he blesses that.
How long do you spend on a foundation though? Spending so much time on something no one see's is so hard...
It is hard. That's something I struggle with everyday. You spend so much time praying and psyching yourself up, but when push comes to shove, you realise you still haven't got it all right. Ultimately, spending time on a foundation can take as long as you like. You could do it in a month, but you'll only reap a months worth of preparation That can spread from there, but look at it like a building. You may only spend a day building the foundations, and you can build it as high as you like from there. But, when a storm comes, the foundation can only support a tower that goes so high, and often you'll find it inadequate. Not only that, but a days worth of laying doesn't cover a lot, you can't spread the base over more areas of ministry. How long you spend depends entirely on what you (or God) want's to achieve. Like I have said before, Jesus spent 30 years building his, despite all his authority. He could have stepped into it from day one, but if even Jesus spent time building faith and learning to trust God, how much more should we! Don't be discouraged if you're not seeing the fruit of your hard work yet. The harvest will come in time, just keep preparing those fields! The longer you spend preparing, the greater the harvest will be. Too few put time into the labors, Matthew 27:19 says- Then he said unto his disciples: "The harvest truely is plentiful, but the laborers are too few."- Yet expect the same reward. I promise you, that reward will never come. You need to plant if you want to see growth. If you trust God has his hand in everything, you can trust him enough to put everything in his hands, and build that foundation. You are the only person that can do that for yourself.
Savior Please- Josh Wilson
Luke 6:48
St. John of Damascus- The spirit of God is direct, authorative, the foundation of wisdom, life and holiness.
David Brinkley- A successful man is a man who can build a foundation with the bricks men have thrown at him
2 Timothy 2:19- But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his", and "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
I wanted to move back more to the central theme this week, all about Foundations. I spent most of this week building a chicken shed with my brother. One of the guys we had with us was saying the whole time how building the foundation was the most boring part. You know what? He was right. Digging holes and putting concrete in, building some frame work, its a lot of digging, going deep, and clearing the ground, getting all the debris out of the way. And even then, no matter how much work you put in, no one ever see's it. No one walks up to a shed and goes WOW! Look at that foundation! I mean, there's no real reward for it anyway. All anyone see's is the glitz and glamour (or in this case, chicken coops and fencing), but never the foundation. However, the point was stressed that whilst it is perhaps the most boring part, it is the most vital. The whole structure is built off this underlying truth that no one else ever see's, and ultimately, nothing will stand unless the foundation itself has been put to the test. Do you ever see a great preacher get up, and think to yourself wow, what a gift they have for preaching! You're right, but that's the glamorous side of it. The truth is that behind that, is a person who has gone through trial upon trial and spent years upon years honing their skills, and that effort isn't something anyone else will ever really see or appreciate, but it's vital for what you can achieve later in life. You know who does see it though? God. Jesus himself is called the cornerstone. Isaiah 28:16- So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; The one who trusts will never be dismayed." Remember, that whilst no one else see's the work you do in secret, God does, and he blesses that.
How long do you spend on a foundation though? Spending so much time on something no one see's is so hard...
It is hard. That's something I struggle with everyday. You spend so much time praying and psyching yourself up, but when push comes to shove, you realise you still haven't got it all right. Ultimately, spending time on a foundation can take as long as you like. You could do it in a month, but you'll only reap a months worth of preparation That can spread from there, but look at it like a building. You may only spend a day building the foundations, and you can build it as high as you like from there. But, when a storm comes, the foundation can only support a tower that goes so high, and often you'll find it inadequate. Not only that, but a days worth of laying doesn't cover a lot, you can't spread the base over more areas of ministry. How long you spend depends entirely on what you (or God) want's to achieve. Like I have said before, Jesus spent 30 years building his, despite all his authority. He could have stepped into it from day one, but if even Jesus spent time building faith and learning to trust God, how much more should we! Don't be discouraged if you're not seeing the fruit of your hard work yet. The harvest will come in time, just keep preparing those fields! The longer you spend preparing, the greater the harvest will be. Too few put time into the labors, Matthew 27:19 says- Then he said unto his disciples: "The harvest truely is plentiful, but the laborers are too few."- Yet expect the same reward. I promise you, that reward will never come. You need to plant if you want to see growth. If you trust God has his hand in everything, you can trust him enough to put everything in his hands, and build that foundation. You are the only person that can do that for yourself.
Savior Please- Josh Wilson
Luke 6:48
Monday, 8 August 2011
Rejoice, for Salvation has come!
Pizza, a good glass of milk, and I'm set to write this blog. How is everyone? I'd love to make a shout out to Amy Dawson, a wise friend of mine, who gave me the idea for this weeks blog! As usual, Facebook page, click here, please like or leave comments, I absolutely love feedback! check out some features around the page, like the voting poll, subscription bar and so on. This week i'm looking into the idea of Sadness and Grief... so, dig in!
2 Corinthians 7:10- Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Have you had a hard time lately? Or are you even at one of those points where nothing is actually going wrong, but, not a lot's going right either, so you really don't know what to do with yourself. I get like that sometimes. It's not a sin to be sad, or grieve. But what can turn it into sin is to revel in that misery. To take on this stance that everyone's against you, or to simply get to a point where you accept sadness as a "normal" in your life. If 2 Corinthians is right, that kind of wordy sorrow can bring around death. What God does for us here is paints a picture of the kind of sorrow that can actually benefit us. If your sorrow or sadness is in response to sin or something in your life you know is not of God, you can actually rejoice! John 16:22 says- So with you, now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, so no one will ever take away your joy. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some of that joy! A few good, practical ways to break out of that sorrow cycle, coupled with prayer, can totally change your perspective and put you in a new place with God, ready to step forth and serve him. Music helps, a LOT! There are so many songs i can chuck on and instantly transform my mood. Go for a walk to clear your head, read the bible- especially a lot of the Psalms, or even chat to some friends and share whats on your mind.
I've tried so many things, but i'm finding it easier to just revel in sorrow. Its much easier to just cope with it. Can't I just do that?
Truth of it is, yeah. You can. But in the end, it doesn't achieve anything. A few pro active actions can totally turn your life around. Even if what's going on is no big deal, it's so much more powerful to revel in God's joy. Proverbs 17:22 shows you just how powerful Joy can be in your life- A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Anyone else here up for some spiritual medicine? Joy is like an adrenaline rush to the soul. Start now! Rejoice! Gos is so much bigger than what you're facing. Luke 4:7- Therefore submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you! If the Devil is putting earthly sorrow on your heart, I say its time we fought back with Joy! Even if your not feeling it, fake it till you make it. Rejoice, be glad, and watch what happens in your life!
Joyful Joyful- Casting Crowns
Psalm 30:5
2 Corinthians 7:10- Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Have you had a hard time lately? Or are you even at one of those points where nothing is actually going wrong, but, not a lot's going right either, so you really don't know what to do with yourself. I get like that sometimes. It's not a sin to be sad, or grieve. But what can turn it into sin is to revel in that misery. To take on this stance that everyone's against you, or to simply get to a point where you accept sadness as a "normal" in your life. If 2 Corinthians is right, that kind of wordy sorrow can bring around death. What God does for us here is paints a picture of the kind of sorrow that can actually benefit us. If your sorrow or sadness is in response to sin or something in your life you know is not of God, you can actually rejoice! John 16:22 says- So with you, now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, so no one will ever take away your joy. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some of that joy! A few good, practical ways to break out of that sorrow cycle, coupled with prayer, can totally change your perspective and put you in a new place with God, ready to step forth and serve him. Music helps, a LOT! There are so many songs i can chuck on and instantly transform my mood. Go for a walk to clear your head, read the bible- especially a lot of the Psalms, or even chat to some friends and share whats on your mind.
I've tried so many things, but i'm finding it easier to just revel in sorrow. Its much easier to just cope with it. Can't I just do that?
Truth of it is, yeah. You can. But in the end, it doesn't achieve anything. A few pro active actions can totally turn your life around. Even if what's going on is no big deal, it's so much more powerful to revel in God's joy. Proverbs 17:22 shows you just how powerful Joy can be in your life- A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Anyone else here up for some spiritual medicine? Joy is like an adrenaline rush to the soul. Start now! Rejoice! Gos is so much bigger than what you're facing. Luke 4:7- Therefore submit to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you! If the Devil is putting earthly sorrow on your heart, I say its time we fought back with Joy! Even if your not feeling it, fake it till you make it. Rejoice, be glad, and watch what happens in your life!
Joyful Joyful- Casting Crowns
Psalm 30:5
Monday, 1 August 2011
Street Sweepers
Welcome back!!! Now, im hoping to get this post (or my views in general) over the 500 mark for one month. Im sitting on 410 right now for this month, and I really want to see if I can break that cap! So, if you get the chance, please share a link to this with someone you know who might like it, but don't just sit there tapping the refresh button, I'd prefer they were actual views! If you haven't already, please take the time to check out and "like" the Facebook page for this blog, you can find a link HERE! As always, check out the song and bible reference down the bottom, vote on the voting poll to the right of this if you get the chance to, and all that other stuff. Thanks to all of you who voted, I will work on some more bible verses in my blogs, as well as maybe posting more (and shorter) blogs! Anyway, lets get into this...
Do you have a Spiritual gift? I don't always mean praying in tongues or anything like that, I mean, what are you gifted at? Perhaps its caring for people. Blessing people. Listening to them, there are so many ways we can serve people it's just crazy. What I mean to ask though, is are you really using that gifting to the best of your ability? Mark 12:41 says this- Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. but a poor widow came and placed in to very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a dollar. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth, but she gave out of her poverty, put in everything-- all she had to live on." See, it doesn't matter what your spiritual gifting is. You could be good at cleaning toilets for all I care, but, if you take what little you have, and offer it to God, he will use it. Trust God and give him the best you have to give, and he will bless you NOT for the gift you give, but the heart you have that says "God, I give the best of my life to you, because the best of me is worth nothing compared to your love" Martin Luther King put it well- If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of Heaven and Earth will pause to say 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well'". It doesn't matter what you have to put on offer to God. you offer him your life, and honor him in all you do, and he will use what little you have to do incredible things!
But Josh, I don't even know what I have to offer God, and really, It makes no sense as to how he can use that.
I don't care if you're a student, stuck in a retirement home, poor, rich, whatever. God has a place for you, and when you choose to take all you have, and trust God, ultimately, it doesn't matter what you can or can't achieve out of your own strength, because God will work out of your weakness, as you surrender all, to do a work far beyond what you could achieve alone. You can trust God with your gifts... I promise you no matter how stupid he sounds, he always has a plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says- "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans for a hope and a future. Wherever you are in life, pray and ask God how he wants you to reflect his Love. Take what he asks of you, and trust him to use that. Even if others think you're crazy, if it's really God's plan, he has a purpose. Psalm 118:8- It is better to put trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. If you don't know what you have to offer God, start with your heart. Love him, seek to serve him no matter where you are. I guarantee he'll start to show you what you can do for him. Be Blessed.
I'll show you how to live- Sanctus Real
1 Timothy ch.4
Do you have a Spiritual gift? I don't always mean praying in tongues or anything like that, I mean, what are you gifted at? Perhaps its caring for people. Blessing people. Listening to them, there are so many ways we can serve people it's just crazy. What I mean to ask though, is are you really using that gifting to the best of your ability? Mark 12:41 says this- Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. but a poor widow came and placed in to very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a dollar. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth, but she gave out of her poverty, put in everything-- all she had to live on." See, it doesn't matter what your spiritual gifting is. You could be good at cleaning toilets for all I care, but, if you take what little you have, and offer it to God, he will use it. Trust God and give him the best you have to give, and he will bless you NOT for the gift you give, but the heart you have that says "God, I give the best of my life to you, because the best of me is worth nothing compared to your love" Martin Luther King put it well- If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of Heaven and Earth will pause to say 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well'". It doesn't matter what you have to put on offer to God. you offer him your life, and honor him in all you do, and he will use what little you have to do incredible things!
But Josh, I don't even know what I have to offer God, and really, It makes no sense as to how he can use that.
I don't care if you're a student, stuck in a retirement home, poor, rich, whatever. God has a place for you, and when you choose to take all you have, and trust God, ultimately, it doesn't matter what you can or can't achieve out of your own strength, because God will work out of your weakness, as you surrender all, to do a work far beyond what you could achieve alone. You can trust God with your gifts... I promise you no matter how stupid he sounds, he always has a plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says- "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans for a hope and a future. Wherever you are in life, pray and ask God how he wants you to reflect his Love. Take what he asks of you, and trust him to use that. Even if others think you're crazy, if it's really God's plan, he has a purpose. Psalm 118:8- It is better to put trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. If you don't know what you have to offer God, start with your heart. Love him, seek to serve him no matter where you are. I guarantee he'll start to show you what you can do for him. Be Blessed.
I'll show you how to live- Sanctus Real
1 Timothy ch.4
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