What would happen if, as Christians, we started actually living out what Jesus taught us?Jesus teachings on love attacks several traditions and misinterpretations of scripture that we sometimes use to justify our sinful and unloving nature.While we have learned to love thy neighbor, we sometime seem to exclude our enemies. But Jesus shatters this line of thinking by instructing us to love and do good to our enemies. The love Jesus instructs us to love with, does not result from any merit or attractiveness in the other person, but comes solely from the heart of the one loving, and we are to seek the best interest of that person, despite their behavior toward us. Now this love does not result from a weakness or failure to stand up for truth or justice, it is a purposeful love that flows from a strong heart that seeks the eternal salvation of others. This sacrifical love demonstrates that our purpose for living is larger than ourselves.
Jesus commands us to pray for and bless those that offend us. Our natural responce is to strike back when mistreated, but Jesus teaches us to do the opposite. Jesus gave two illustrations to show the extent of how far our love for others should go, there is a blow to the face and stolen clothes, in such cases we are not retaliate.The purpose is to reach out in love instead of satisfying ourselves through revenge.
Our love must be strong and purposeful in accepting mistreatment,as it shows our trust in the Lord and his ability to use the situation for his Glory. Jesus not only taught us our love must be strong and purposeful when mistreated, but we must also be merciful to others in our daily lives, as the Father daily pours out new mercy on us.
The standard of sacrificial love goes beyond what others might do or what we might feel we should, but it is what Jesus teaches us to do, it is what he did.The prime example of selfless giving is our heavenly Father himself, who showed kindness to all humanity regardless of how they treated him, as he gave his only begotten son that we might have everlasting life. When we love others the way Jesus instructed us to, we show the world we are his.We often ask WWJD, well now you know, will you follow! Got Jesus? Tell a friend change a life....
Thursday, December 2, 2010
He upholeth me ;He lifts me up, with his right hand
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am God: I will strenghthen thee; I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
How do people handle going through life without God? Gods promise to never leave or forsake us, is perhaps the best of all promises. In spite of our rebellious hearts toward God, with love he still tells us "I have chosen you and have not rejected you".Did we we earn this love?deserve it?, ask for it? No. God is committed totally to his children, even though our walk with him is inconsistant and shakey. What would we do without God? Many seek solis in a number of false gods, they enter into bad relationships of all kinds, they chase careers, money, material goods, sex, substance abuse and even religion.These are just a short list of the false gods he create.But there is only one true God. He says " fear thou not", we have nothing to fear, for he offers his presence to support us in life, for he is with us, the Lord is our shepherd, he provides for us, he is our provision, our hope, our guide, our direction and his two wonderful sheep dogs goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life to protect us.With Gods presence in our life we are never at a loss. He is God, so let us be grateful to him, and thankful for him, in our worship and praise to him,(not with an empty shouts of joy, or a ritulistic hand praise), But by living a life before men, worthy of the name we bear, we are children of the most high God, he is our strenght, so let us walk like it; he is our ever present help, so let us talk like it; and he upholds us with the right hand of his righteousness! so let us live like it.Jesus the Christ, the righteousness right hand of God, that hold up all who believes.......Live victoriously in Christ..............
How do people handle going through life without God? Gods promise to never leave or forsake us, is perhaps the best of all promises. In spite of our rebellious hearts toward God, with love he still tells us "I have chosen you and have not rejected you".Did we we earn this love?deserve it?, ask for it? No. God is committed totally to his children, even though our walk with him is inconsistant and shakey. What would we do without God? Many seek solis in a number of false gods, they enter into bad relationships of all kinds, they chase careers, money, material goods, sex, substance abuse and even religion.These are just a short list of the false gods he create.But there is only one true God. He says " fear thou not", we have nothing to fear, for he offers his presence to support us in life, for he is with us, the Lord is our shepherd, he provides for us, he is our provision, our hope, our guide, our direction and his two wonderful sheep dogs goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life to protect us.With Gods presence in our life we are never at a loss. He is God, so let us be grateful to him, and thankful for him, in our worship and praise to him,(not with an empty shouts of joy, or a ritulistic hand praise), But by living a life before men, worthy of the name we bear, we are children of the most high God, he is our strenght, so let us walk like it; he is our ever present help, so let us talk like it; and he upholds us with the right hand of his righteousness! so let us live like it.Jesus the Christ, the righteousness right hand of God, that hold up all who believes.......Live victoriously in Christ..............
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Take no thought:
Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;and all these things shall be added unto you."
We are living in very uncertain times. These days it is very hard for one to plan ahead, we have people in washington who can't seems to come together on what is best for the american people. One side pulling this way and the other side pulling that way, and we are left in the middle full of doubt and uncertainties.We just don't know, will we have a job or not,will we have a income, will we have a house to live in, what will we eat and what shall we wear. We just don't know what we should do, yes saints these are some tough times.But we have comfort in Gods word. He says "take no thought" take no thought for tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. Take no thought for what you will eat, or wear for your father in heaven knows you have need of these things."But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and these things shall be added unto you." He starts off with "But" see saints God has a but for everyone of our doubts and fears. You say " I don't see no way thru this", But "I am the way" a way out of no way. You say " what are we going to eat" But "I am the bread of life". So he says "But",then, seek ye first; Saint this has to be the first thing on our agenda, let him who is first have the first, the first of our thoughts, the first of our day, the first of all our fruits, let all our waking thoughts be of God first.( In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path) "seek ye first the kingdom of God" now when we seek him , we must really seek him. Seek him like we do when we can't find the car keys and we are about to be late to work. Turn over everything , move everything, look even in places you know they are not, and that you've look in before. So move greed, and pride out of your hearts,turn over unrighteousness, self pitty, doubt and fear,remove all things and people which might hinder you seeking and finding the kingdom of God.(This action will bring you to a moment of self actulization, allowing you to see where you are, in contrast to where God needs you to be, if you really seek him that is). He says" But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" When seeking the kingdom, make sure you also seek the righteousness of that kingdom; Jesus the righteousness of God, seek him diligently for he is a rewarder of them who diligently seek him. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you". Saints just trust and believe Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide.....So take no thought
We are living in very uncertain times. These days it is very hard for one to plan ahead, we have people in washington who can't seems to come together on what is best for the american people. One side pulling this way and the other side pulling that way, and we are left in the middle full of doubt and uncertainties.We just don't know, will we have a job or not,will we have a income, will we have a house to live in, what will we eat and what shall we wear. We just don't know what we should do, yes saints these are some tough times.But we have comfort in Gods word. He says "take no thought" take no thought for tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. Take no thought for what you will eat, or wear for your father in heaven knows you have need of these things."But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and these things shall be added unto you." He starts off with "But" see saints God has a but for everyone of our doubts and fears. You say " I don't see no way thru this", But "I am the way" a way out of no way. You say " what are we going to eat" But "I am the bread of life". So he says "But",then, seek ye first; Saint this has to be the first thing on our agenda, let him who is first have the first, the first of our thoughts, the first of our day, the first of all our fruits, let all our waking thoughts be of God first.( In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path) "seek ye first the kingdom of God" now when we seek him , we must really seek him. Seek him like we do when we can't find the car keys and we are about to be late to work. Turn over everything , move everything, look even in places you know they are not, and that you've look in before. So move greed, and pride out of your hearts,turn over unrighteousness, self pitty, doubt and fear,remove all things and people which might hinder you seeking and finding the kingdom of God.(This action will bring you to a moment of self actulization, allowing you to see where you are, in contrast to where God needs you to be, if you really seek him that is). He says" But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" When seeking the kingdom, make sure you also seek the righteousness of that kingdom; Jesus the righteousness of God, seek him diligently for he is a rewarder of them who diligently seek him. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you". Saints just trust and believe Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide.....So take no thought
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Truly Blessed
Psalms 1:1 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
I'm too blessed to stress; Blessed and highly favored: these are popular saying we throw around all the time.But are you really blessed? Truly blessed? The word of God says that "Blessed is the man that don't continue to walk in the advice of the wicked, or stand in the way of the sinner, or sits in the seat of the scornful.See the character and condition of a Godly man allows him to walk in the righteousness of God. God knows those that are his by name, but we only know them by character.The character of a Godly man is given by the rules he chooses to walk by and the advice he takes his direction from.The Godly man takes his direction from the word of God, he meditates on it day and night. This keeps him on the narrow road, the staright path ,so he is blessed not to walk in the ways of the wicked.The ungodly are unsettled, they have no pacific goal or aim, they don't walk by no certain rule, as they stand for nothing and seem to fall for everything ,thinking they are free, they become slaves to many masters, they are at the command of every lust and the beck and call of every temptation.The Godly man sees them with a sad heart, but he does not do what they do, his character won't allow him to follow their advise, stand in their unrighteousness or to seek rest in their unbelief. He takes his rest in the word of God, and is blessed with a blessing which flows like a flowing river of water, and in all that the Godly man does, he prospers.
So if you think you're blessed now just think of how blessed we would be if we meditated on the word of God day and night, if we were to walk worthy of the name by which we are called. Got Jesus? tell a friend save a life................................
I'm too blessed to stress; Blessed and highly favored: these are popular saying we throw around all the time.But are you really blessed? Truly blessed? The word of God says that "Blessed is the man that don't continue to walk in the advice of the wicked, or stand in the way of the sinner, or sits in the seat of the scornful.See the character and condition of a Godly man allows him to walk in the righteousness of God. God knows those that are his by name, but we only know them by character.The character of a Godly man is given by the rules he chooses to walk by and the advice he takes his direction from.The Godly man takes his direction from the word of God, he meditates on it day and night. This keeps him on the narrow road, the staright path ,so he is blessed not to walk in the ways of the wicked.The ungodly are unsettled, they have no pacific goal or aim, they don't walk by no certain rule, as they stand for nothing and seem to fall for everything ,thinking they are free, they become slaves to many masters, they are at the command of every lust and the beck and call of every temptation.The Godly man sees them with a sad heart, but he does not do what they do, his character won't allow him to follow their advise, stand in their unrighteousness or to seek rest in their unbelief. He takes his rest in the word of God, and is blessed with a blessing which flows like a flowing river of water, and in all that the Godly man does, he prospers.
So if you think you're blessed now just think of how blessed we would be if we meditated on the word of God day and night, if we were to walk worthy of the name by which we are called. Got Jesus? tell a friend save a life................................
Monday, November 29, 2010
Have you counted up the cost?
John 6:69 "And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the son of the living God"
" No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." For which of you , intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it. Saints who hath believed our report?And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? Do you believe? have you truly counted up the cost? Will you go on with Jesus, or will you go back, and walk no more with him. Here in this chapter of John we have what can be called the revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus reveals who he is , why he came and our work in this great plan of salvation.(since the fall of man ,it has always be about reconciling man back with God, noah's ark, Joseph in egypt, moses leading them from Egypt even Samson's battle all about the salvation of Gods people.)Here in the story we have a great multitude following Jesus,( all following Jesus were not Follwers of Jesus,are you following him or a follower of his) many followed seeking the miracles he preformed and the food which they ate.( we have many today seeking Jesus for what they can get out of him, and not for what he can give to them). Jesus reveals to us our work in this great plan, he took the loaves Blessed it then broke it and gave to the disciples, who then distributed it among the people, Jesus then instructed them to gather up the fragments that none be lost. See Jesus came that none be lost,he has given us the blessed word of God for us to take out and share with a dying world, that none be lost, we are then to take up the fragments of broken lives, and lead them to Jesus. Then Jesus reavels who he is, stating that all who don't eat of his flesh and drink of his blood shall not enter the kingdom.See we must get Jesus on the inside, he is the living word by which we shall have everlating life. He is the abundant life promised us by Gods word. God never promised us big cars, fancy houses, large bank accounts, he never said the road would be easy , a narrow road is never an easy road. But what he did promise is that he would never leave you nor forsake you, and life more abundantly, what can be more abundant that a life with one who has all power..........Got Jesus? Tell a friend change a life
" No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." For which of you , intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it. Saints who hath believed our report?And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? Do you believe? have you truly counted up the cost? Will you go on with Jesus, or will you go back, and walk no more with him. Here in this chapter of John we have what can be called the revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus reveals who he is , why he came and our work in this great plan of salvation.(since the fall of man ,it has always be about reconciling man back with God, noah's ark, Joseph in egypt, moses leading them from Egypt even Samson's battle all about the salvation of Gods people.)Here in the story we have a great multitude following Jesus,( all following Jesus were not Follwers of Jesus,are you following him or a follower of his) many followed seeking the miracles he preformed and the food which they ate.( we have many today seeking Jesus for what they can get out of him, and not for what he can give to them). Jesus reveals to us our work in this great plan, he took the loaves Blessed it then broke it and gave to the disciples, who then distributed it among the people, Jesus then instructed them to gather up the fragments that none be lost. See Jesus came that none be lost,he has given us the blessed word of God for us to take out and share with a dying world, that none be lost, we are then to take up the fragments of broken lives, and lead them to Jesus. Then Jesus reavels who he is, stating that all who don't eat of his flesh and drink of his blood shall not enter the kingdom.See we must get Jesus on the inside, he is the living word by which we shall have everlating life. He is the abundant life promised us by Gods word. God never promised us big cars, fancy houses, large bank accounts, he never said the road would be easy , a narrow road is never an easy road. But what he did promise is that he would never leave you nor forsake you, and life more abundantly, what can be more abundant that a life with one who has all power..........Got Jesus? Tell a friend change a life
Sunday, November 28, 2010
The Lord; my strength
Psalms 18:1" I will Love thee, O Lord my strength"
I heard a story of a father and his son on a camping trip. They were traveling on a ready made path to a camp ground. As they were making their way up the path a large rock blocked the path. The father said to the son "I'm going to make a man out of you, use your strenght and move the rock." The boy gripped the rock on both sides and tried pushing the rock but it never moved. The boy told his father "It won't move". His father told him he wasn't using all his strenght, so the boy tried again pushing with everything he had, but the rock still didn't move. The boy said father I used all my strenght and I just can't move it. The father said you haven't used all your strenght, the boy a little upset now grabb hold of the rock and pushed, sweet rolling down his face ,yet the rock never moved. The boy said father I used all my strength and still the rock didn't move.His father looked at him and said you didn't use all your strenght, because you never asked me to help.
Saints there are stumbling blocks that sometimes block the path that God has called us to travel , and many of us get frustrated and change course because we try to move these obsticles by ourselves; But the Lord is our strength in our time of weakness. Let us call on the Lord to aid us in moving the mountains which hinder our journey, let us use all our strength.........Got Jesus? tell afriend change a life........
I heard a story of a father and his son on a camping trip. They were traveling on a ready made path to a camp ground. As they were making their way up the path a large rock blocked the path. The father said to the son "I'm going to make a man out of you, use your strenght and move the rock." The boy gripped the rock on both sides and tried pushing the rock but it never moved. The boy told his father "It won't move". His father told him he wasn't using all his strenght, so the boy tried again pushing with everything he had, but the rock still didn't move. The boy said father I used all my strenght and I just can't move it. The father said you haven't used all your strenght, the boy a little upset now grabb hold of the rock and pushed, sweet rolling down his face ,yet the rock never moved. The boy said father I used all my strength and still the rock didn't move.His father looked at him and said you didn't use all your strenght, because you never asked me to help.
Saints there are stumbling blocks that sometimes block the path that God has called us to travel , and many of us get frustrated and change course because we try to move these obsticles by ourselves; But the Lord is our strength in our time of weakness. Let us call on the Lord to aid us in moving the mountains which hinder our journey, let us use all our strength.........Got Jesus? tell afriend change a life........
A vessel of honor
2nd Tim.2:20 "But in the great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor"
The new testiment gives us many beautiful parables about what it means to be saved, to be a member of the family of God, and to serve the lord Jesus Christ. In the book of ephesians, Paul talks about the church as the household of God. Here in 2nd tim. he speaks of the child of God liken to a vessel in this great house. He speaks of two types of vessels in this house; a vessel of honor and a vessel of dishonor. Saints every christian is a chosen vessel unto Christ, the question is are we to honor or to dishonor. Every believer should live a dedicated life having a compelling desire to be used of God in whatever way he chooses.We must be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ, we must study Gods word, that we might be a workman who needs not be ashamed, and be useful to the master, prepared for every good work.See it is Jesus Christ which gives us the power and the tools to fight this spiritual battle, he equips us for this ministry of reconcilliation, thru Christ, the presence of God enters our hearts, and has the power to transform and convert a vessel of dishonor into a vessel of honor. Gods grace allows us to endure all things, that we might with a singleness of mind proclaim with a loud voice the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of God unto salvation. Let us walk in the power of God, and walk worthy of the name by which we are called that we will be victorious over are enemy and lead all in darkness into his marvelous light.....Got Jesus? tell a friend change a life
The new testiment gives us many beautiful parables about what it means to be saved, to be a member of the family of God, and to serve the lord Jesus Christ. In the book of ephesians, Paul talks about the church as the household of God. Here in 2nd tim. he speaks of the child of God liken to a vessel in this great house. He speaks of two types of vessels in this house; a vessel of honor and a vessel of dishonor. Saints every christian is a chosen vessel unto Christ, the question is are we to honor or to dishonor. Every believer should live a dedicated life having a compelling desire to be used of God in whatever way he chooses.We must be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ, we must study Gods word, that we might be a workman who needs not be ashamed, and be useful to the master, prepared for every good work.See it is Jesus Christ which gives us the power and the tools to fight this spiritual battle, he equips us for this ministry of reconcilliation, thru Christ, the presence of God enters our hearts, and has the power to transform and convert a vessel of dishonor into a vessel of honor. Gods grace allows us to endure all things, that we might with a singleness of mind proclaim with a loud voice the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of God unto salvation. Let us walk in the power of God, and walk worthy of the name by which we are called that we will be victorious over are enemy and lead all in darkness into his marvelous light.....Got Jesus? tell a friend change a life
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