Romans 6:12-14
12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Some of my favorite verses in the Bible right now. These are some of the most convicting and encouraging verses. "Do not let sin reign in your mortal body." No sin. None. Sin can be controling. You can become slave to it. No part of our body is to sin. Matthew 5:29-30 says, "29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." Therefore we need to get rid of everyting in our lives that causes us to sin. We, being human, will not be able to fully accomplish this. It is something to strive for though. Then Romans goes on to say that we have been brought from death to life. God has saved us and provided a way for us to stay away from sin. This sould be a desire of ours as Christians, to stay away from sin. And the best part of this passage (in my opinion) is that we "are not under las, but under grace." How good is it to know that God has given us grace? I hate to think of where we'd be without it.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
God's amazing grace
I was told yesterday that I need to find something in me to change for. Not something of this world that can be taken from me. I was given this verse: John 3:19-20) "And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light lest his works should be exposed." This made me angry at the one who gave this verse to me. Was he in fact telling me that I was living in darkness therefore Christ could not be glorified in my life? I don't know but that is how I took it. After I got over being mad I asked, "Was he right? Do I still need to get rid of some things in my life?" Well, the answer was yes. I still have alot of things to work out in my life. I am so thankful that we serve a forgiving and patient God.
Then this morning at Bible Study we were in Romans 6. Verses 15 and 16 says, "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?" I love how God knows that I am slow to learn and that I need repetition. I know that I need to die to myself daily so that He may be glorified through my life. Then why is it so difficult?
We also talked about progressive sanctification. (Sanctification is the act of being set apart for God) We take 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. Sometimes I take 7 or 8 steps back :) still the fact that we get up and dust ourselves off is a vital part of the process. It is good to know that I am not alone in this struggle of trying to be set apart for Him.
Then this morning at Bible Study we were in Romans 6. Verses 15 and 16 says, "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?" I love how God knows that I am slow to learn and that I need repetition. I know that I need to die to myself daily so that He may be glorified through my life. Then why is it so difficult?
We also talked about progressive sanctification. (Sanctification is the act of being set apart for God) We take 3 steps forward and 2 steps back. Sometimes I take 7 or 8 steps back :) still the fact that we get up and dust ourselves off is a vital part of the process. It is good to know that I am not alone in this struggle of trying to be set apart for Him.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A little thing called slacking...
So I really can't apologize for not posting anything sooner because I just made the choice not too. I have made excuses as to why not to spend time in the Word like I should. Today is a brand new day though and I plan on making the most of it. Last night I was asked to pray for a friend who was leading some college freshmen through 'Don't Waste Your Life' by Piper. Last week was his first week and it didn't go so well. As I began to pray for him I began to pray that he would drcrease so that Christ could increase. If we try and take things in our own hands most of the time they don't go well. When we rely on God to get us through that's when unexpected things happen. I'm praying for this group of students for around an hour and a half when I get a call. My friend is calling me to tell me that it went amazing. That he could have never expected the outcome of things. The sutdents were talking and sharing personal stories. He was so overjoyed that things went well. This is what happens when we let Christ take control-when we give ourselves to His glory. Why then would we do anything else?
Friday, September 18, 2009
Deamon possessed pigs
Mark 5
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
I can't take credit for this one. I am just sharing something that touched me this morning at Bible Study. This one is thanks to Nathaniel...
I have read this story in the Bible many times but didn't really get the meaning of the message being portrayed. I was asked to think of the deamon-possessed man and myself and how I am without Christ.
This man was lonely, harmed himself, hopeless and deamons controled him. When we are without Christ we are controled by sin, we have no hope, we can't find anything to fill that void in our hearts, and we often intintionally harm ourselves with our actions.
This man saw Jesus and ran to Him, falling on his knees in worship. This is what we should do daily-run to Jesus. Jesus allowed the deamons to be cast into pigs. Then Jesus was getting back on His boat and the deamon-possessed man wanted to go with Him and spend more time with Him. For myself personally, I have found it hard to have that kind of worshipful attitude about Christ. I have also found out though that the more time I spend with Him and in the Word the more I want to spend time with Him. The more He consumes my thoughts. It's like the saying "you become who you spend time with." The more time I spend with Him the more I become like Him.
Jesus told the man to, instead of going with Him, go and share with everyone what He had done. Chris calls us to share what He has done for us with others. Here is yet another place that I stumble. I fail to share what God is doing in my life for fear of what other people think. I am working on this but still sumble alot.
So that's what we talked about this morning and what was on my mind.
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"
9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
I can't take credit for this one. I am just sharing something that touched me this morning at Bible Study. This one is thanks to Nathaniel...
I have read this story in the Bible many times but didn't really get the meaning of the message being portrayed. I was asked to think of the deamon-possessed man and myself and how I am without Christ.
This man was lonely, harmed himself, hopeless and deamons controled him. When we are without Christ we are controled by sin, we have no hope, we can't find anything to fill that void in our hearts, and we often intintionally harm ourselves with our actions.
This man saw Jesus and ran to Him, falling on his knees in worship. This is what we should do daily-run to Jesus. Jesus allowed the deamons to be cast into pigs. Then Jesus was getting back on His boat and the deamon-possessed man wanted to go with Him and spend more time with Him. For myself personally, I have found it hard to have that kind of worshipful attitude about Christ. I have also found out though that the more time I spend with Him and in the Word the more I want to spend time with Him. The more He consumes my thoughts. It's like the saying "you become who you spend time with." The more time I spend with Him the more I become like Him.
Jesus told the man to, instead of going with Him, go and share with everyone what He had done. Chris calls us to share what He has done for us with others. Here is yet another place that I stumble. I fail to share what God is doing in my life for fear of what other people think. I am working on this but still sumble alot.
So that's what we talked about this morning and what was on my mind.
Work ethic
I meant to post this yesterday but the day flew by too fast. Better late than never, right?
I was at work yesterday morning and I was having to put price stickers on all of our Bible studies since that is my section of the store. I have to admit that I have been putting this off and making up excuses not to do it. Well, yesterday we were very well staffed-which is unusual for us-so I decided that it would be the day to finish. As I was working part of me just wanted to do it to get it done. Then God reminded me of this verse: 1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." If we work everyday and in everything we do with this on our minds how much better could be? God only wants our best. He knows what we are capable of. So many times I just do things half-hearted. That is not what God wants from me. He wants me to put everything I have into glorifying Him. Can we glorify Him if He isn't the focus of everything we do?
I was at work yesterday morning and I was having to put price stickers on all of our Bible studies since that is my section of the store. I have to admit that I have been putting this off and making up excuses not to do it. Well, yesterday we were very well staffed-which is unusual for us-so I decided that it would be the day to finish. As I was working part of me just wanted to do it to get it done. Then God reminded me of this verse: 1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." If we work everyday and in everything we do with this on our minds how much better could be? God only wants our best. He knows what we are capable of. So many times I just do things half-hearted. That is not what God wants from me. He wants me to put everything I have into glorifying Him. Can we glorify Him if He isn't the focus of everything we do?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
If we are given grace...
Romans 5:20-6:4 (New International Version)
20The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
So many times I have talked to people who believe that because God 'is faithful and just to forgive us our sins' (1 John 1:9) that they can sin over and over and still be forgiven. We, as christians should want to live a righteous life. Yes, we will stumble and fall and God will for give us. There is a big difference in sinning (even though you know it is worng) knowing that God will forgive and sinning unintentionally (if that makes sense). It is all in where the heart is. We have a human nature that causes us to sin. As christians we become dead to this life of sin, we are no longer bound to it. We are made free in Christ.
I believe that if someone is truly saved that you can tell by their actions. In Matthew 7:15-20 it says, 15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." The fruit might look good on the ourside but on a diseased tree the friut can be rotten on the inside.
So just because we are given the gift of grace does not mean that we can abuse it. If we are true believers though, would we want to? Or would we want to strive for righteousness?
20The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
So many times I have talked to people who believe that because God 'is faithful and just to forgive us our sins' (1 John 1:9) that they can sin over and over and still be forgiven. We, as christians should want to live a righteous life. Yes, we will stumble and fall and God will for give us. There is a big difference in sinning (even though you know it is worng) knowing that God will forgive and sinning unintentionally (if that makes sense). It is all in where the heart is. We have a human nature that causes us to sin. As christians we become dead to this life of sin, we are no longer bound to it. We are made free in Christ.
I believe that if someone is truly saved that you can tell by their actions. In Matthew 7:15-20 it says, 15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." The fruit might look good on the ourside but on a diseased tree the friut can be rotten on the inside.
So just because we are given the gift of grace does not mean that we can abuse it. If we are true believers though, would we want to? Or would we want to strive for righteousness?
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Soccer...
So we all know that in soccer (and many other sports) the main objective is to get the ball in the goal. I was thinking about this and in Philippians 3:12-14 it talks about pressing on toward the goal.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Daily we need to press on for the greater good that God has for us. We need to not focus on the past and what we have done but look to the future and where we are going. We should want to be where God's will places us-for that is where true happiness is. This takes work and isn't easy that is why we need a team of people to help us get to the goal. I feel a good support system of fellow believers is critical to our pressing on. We need people (teammates) to help us 'get the ball in the goal.' I am so thankful that God has blessed my life with amazing teammates who help me press on.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Daily we need to press on for the greater good that God has for us. We need to not focus on the past and what we have done but look to the future and where we are going. We should want to be where God's will places us-for that is where true happiness is. This takes work and isn't easy that is why we need a team of people to help us get to the goal. I feel a good support system of fellow believers is critical to our pressing on. We need people (teammates) to help us 'get the ball in the goal.' I am so thankful that God has blessed my life with amazing teammates who help me press on.
How easy it is to stumble
It is so easy for us as humans to stumble in our walk with God. Matthew 7:13-14 talks about the wide and narrow gates.
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
It is so much easier for me to stay on the wide path all the while knowing that I need to be on the narrow one. God did so much for us-He sent His Son to die for us. Jesus suffered a horrible death to give us the narrow path to walk on. Why can't we stay on the narrow path? Is it really that hard? I am always content when I am walking on the narrow path even though there might be some trials. I never find that on the wide path yet that is where I find myself running back to. I want to be one of the few that stays on the narrow path.
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
It is so much easier for me to stay on the wide path all the while knowing that I need to be on the narrow one. God did so much for us-He sent His Son to die for us. Jesus suffered a horrible death to give us the narrow path to walk on. Why can't we stay on the narrow path? Is it really that hard? I am always content when I am walking on the narrow path even though there might be some trials. I never find that on the wide path yet that is where I find myself running back to. I want to be one of the few that stays on the narrow path.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Do not be anxious...
I was once again in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6: 25-34 specifically) where it talks about not being anxious. Jesus tells us not to worry about what we are going to eat or drink or wear. He gives the example of our heavenly Father taking care of the birds and how much more valuable we are then them. If He takes care of the birds why can't we trust Him to take care of us? I know in my mind that God has been, is and will take care of me forever. Then why do I worry about tomorrow? What should it matter?
In verse 34 it says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
God only gives us what we can handle. He is all-knowing and all-powerful.God is in control of our lives. Why can't we, as Christians (myself included), just accept that fact and stop trying to take things into our own hands? He will take care of us.
In verse 34 it says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
God only gives us what we can handle. He is all-knowing and all-powerful.God is in control of our lives. Why can't we, as Christians (myself included), just accept that fact and stop trying to take things into our own hands? He will take care of us.
Waiting faithfully
Today I was reading Genesis chapters 7 and 8-the story of Noah. Just another reminder of how faithful God is to those who serve Him. Noah was seen as righteous-or in right standing with God-therefore, God protected him and his family. Even though Noah was looked at as crazy by the people around him he still followed God. He served God with all his heart. I see Noah as a very patient man. He spent many years building the ark in preperation for God to move. I for one am not a very patient person. I want things to happen now. I need to have the patience and perseverence to faithfully serve my God and trust in His timing.
Finding joy in the hard times.
God is continually teaching me that His will is best. I need to rely fully on Him for my joy. I so often base my contentment on earthly things. God clearly states that we are to rely on Him to fulfil our desires.
Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
I need to give God the time and energy that He deserves from me then my desires will match up with His will. I need to stop to filling my with things that do not satisfy. Jesus clearly states in the Sermon on the Mount that we need to put our focus on the things of heaven.
Matthew 6:19-20 states: "19Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
I can have hope that God will fulfill his promise that He will give me the desires of my heart if I seek Him.
Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
I need to give God the time and energy that He deserves from me then my desires will match up with His will. I need to stop to filling my with things that do not satisfy. Jesus clearly states in the Sermon on the Mount that we need to put our focus on the things of heaven.
Matthew 6:19-20 states: "19Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
I can have hope that God will fulfill his promise that He will give me the desires of my heart if I seek Him.
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