Pray without ceasing.
Praise without ceasing.
Make your life a praise and acknowledge God's greatness anytime it comes to mind.
Think of His greatness often, so that it often comes to mind.
He often blesses us most when we least expect it or when we become most grateful for the things He's already given us.
1 Thessalonians 5
1 Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.
2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.
3 While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief;
5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day We are not of night nor of darkness;
6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.
7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.
8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,
13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
16 Rejoice always;
17 pray without ceasing;
18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit;
20 do not despise prophetic utterances.
21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;
22 abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27 I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
if there was a club, we'd all have t-shirts
Recently, I've caught myself slightly irritated by the various songs that are coming out hosting lyrics pointing to people being perfect. We're not. You're not. I'm not. If we were all perfect, or if any of us were perfect, we'd never make mistakes or handle problems incorrectly. Our friends would never get hurt by something we say because we'd always know how to say things just the right way. We would never park even slightly crooked. And impatience would be a mystery to us. These things are just not the case.
And while I'm not condoning pointing out the flaws of others, these songs about perfection of any human are off key. God created us in our own imperfections so we would seek Him to become more like Him...He is perfection. We all have things we can tweak in our lives, even if we do follow all the ten commandments.
Take the rich young ruler for example. He comes to Jesus in Luke 18:18-23 and asks what more can he do. This guy is well off, he's kept the commandments, and still God has more for him to improve on. We do too.
It really does not matter whether people think you are a dreadful sinner or a perfect saint. You have room to improve. Don't let this discourage you, though--this is a good thing. The most successful people in life are the ones that set goals for themselves. If our goal is constantly becoming more and more like God, and if we are taking small steps at a time, but consistent steps nonetheless, then we will be successful in becoming closer to perfection.
Does this mean we'll be successful as in wealthy? Not necessarily. Does this mean we'll get all the attractive girls'/guys' attention? Nope. Does this mean we'll be the best at everything we do? Not that either.
Here's the key: you are the best you there is. This does not mean that you don't have room for improvement. I'm not talking about glamor and beauty, awards or success. You could be in a fire that deformed your face and limited many of your abilities. Would you have a purpose and would you still be productive and the best you? Indeed, you would. That's why the things we can change and improve about ourselves are mostly inside.
Don't worry about your complexion or physique. Health is important, but beyond that, we pressure ourselves too much into becoming something other than the creation we are. If we spent as much time on our inward failures as the ones we claim to have outwardly (i.e. unattractive, overweight, pale, etc.), we would be much better people.
You are weak. The good news is that God knows this. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "But he [Christ] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." That's the pursuit we should have: acknowledging our weaknesses, allowing God to strengthen them, and allowing Him to receive the glory through it all.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Scripture referenced in text)
Luke 18:18-23
" 18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”
21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
And while I'm not condoning pointing out the flaws of others, these songs about perfection of any human are off key. God created us in our own imperfections so we would seek Him to become more like Him...He is perfection. We all have things we can tweak in our lives, even if we do follow all the ten commandments.
Take the rich young ruler for example. He comes to Jesus in Luke 18:18-23 and asks what more can he do. This guy is well off, he's kept the commandments, and still God has more for him to improve on. We do too.
It really does not matter whether people think you are a dreadful sinner or a perfect saint. You have room to improve. Don't let this discourage you, though--this is a good thing. The most successful people in life are the ones that set goals for themselves. If our goal is constantly becoming more and more like God, and if we are taking small steps at a time, but consistent steps nonetheless, then we will be successful in becoming closer to perfection.
Does this mean we'll be successful as in wealthy? Not necessarily. Does this mean we'll get all the attractive girls'/guys' attention? Nope. Does this mean we'll be the best at everything we do? Not that either.
Here's the key: you are the best you there is. This does not mean that you don't have room for improvement. I'm not talking about glamor and beauty, awards or success. You could be in a fire that deformed your face and limited many of your abilities. Would you have a purpose and would you still be productive and the best you? Indeed, you would. That's why the things we can change and improve about ourselves are mostly inside.
Don't worry about your complexion or physique. Health is important, but beyond that, we pressure ourselves too much into becoming something other than the creation we are. If we spent as much time on our inward failures as the ones we claim to have outwardly (i.e. unattractive, overweight, pale, etc.), we would be much better people.
You are weak. The good news is that God knows this. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "But he [Christ] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." That's the pursuit we should have: acknowledging our weaknesses, allowing God to strengthen them, and allowing Him to receive the glory through it all.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Scripture referenced in text)
Luke 18:18-23
" 18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”
21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Monday, March 28, 2011
laces were not made for tripping over
This was part of last night's message and something good that we all could use to be reminded of every once in a while:
Romans 9:15-18,
"15 For he says to Moses,
'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and
I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.'
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: 'I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.'
18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden."
This was the thought the minister shared, "It is God who decides whether or not you run the race. Not you. So don't disqualify yourself. He chose you for a reason. Who comes to God? Anyone who comes to Jesus is qualified."
As Steven Curtis Chapman said, "...we've got a trail to blaze Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure"
So quit beating yourself up, quit doubting yourself, and put your sneakers on.
Romans 9:15-18,
"15 For he says to Moses,
'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and
I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.'
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: 'I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.'
18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden."
This was the thought the minister shared, "It is God who decides whether or not you run the race. Not you. So don't disqualify yourself. He chose you for a reason. Who comes to God? Anyone who comes to Jesus is qualified."
As Steven Curtis Chapman said, "...we've got a trail to blaze Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure"
So quit beating yourself up, quit doubting yourself, and put your sneakers on.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
the beverage of choice
Perhaps you've heard the story of the Wedding at Cana (see John 2:1-11 at bottom of blog). Jesus turned water into wine that day. In comparison to His multiple other miracles like healing the blind and bringing the dead back to life, this miracle used to seem a little lackluster to me. Especially since drunkenness is spoken against in the Bible more than once, I always wondered why Jesus' first miracle would be so controversial and so seemingly bland. Don't get me wrong, the changing of water to wine is a miracle--no easy task. I suppose my conundrum came from the fact that running out of wine does not create a NEED in my mind, where most of Jesus' other miracles filled the need for healing, etc. Why was this a miracle the Son of God would perform?
Turns out that in Biblical times, wine was often consumed in the place of water because the water was not purified, and thus was often unsafe to drink. (I could relate to this on a personal level since I have been in countries where I have not been able to drink the tap water). Also, the wine of that day had about half the alcohol content of wine as we know it today, and drunkenness was socially frowned upon, so they weren't drinking to get drunk. So by turning the water into wine, Jesus was purifying and cleaning the water so they could have something to drink. ...this is where I had the 'wow, God' moment.
The entire intent of Christ coming to earth--His purpose--was to cleanse and purify sinners (who would accept His salvation) from their sins. Purification. From the first miracle Jesus Christ ever performed until His last, He purified and made whole. This just hit me today that all along God was sending the message of Christ's power to cleanse us.
Also, Jesus is the Living Water (John 4:13-14: "Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."--meaning Christ provides ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction). Since Jesus is the Living Water, coming to quench the thirst, it is even more symbolic that His first miracle allowed just that--quenching thirsts.
Jesus often spoke in parables in the Bible. There was always a message behind the parables, but it was something His followers truly had to seek to understand. God wants us to hunger for Him. Those who diligently seek Him, will find Him in all His glory (Matthew 7:7-8) And what great glory it is.
As the Living Water, Jesus Christ is just that--a beverage of choice. It's up to you to choose.
John 2:1-11
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."
4 And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come."
5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."
6 Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each.
7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." So they filled them up to the brim.
8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it to him.
9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom,
10 and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now."
11 This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
Turns out that in Biblical times, wine was often consumed in the place of water because the water was not purified, and thus was often unsafe to drink. (I could relate to this on a personal level since I have been in countries where I have not been able to drink the tap water). Also, the wine of that day had about half the alcohol content of wine as we know it today, and drunkenness was socially frowned upon, so they weren't drinking to get drunk. So by turning the water into wine, Jesus was purifying and cleaning the water so they could have something to drink. ...this is where I had the 'wow, God' moment.
The entire intent of Christ coming to earth--His purpose--was to cleanse and purify sinners (who would accept His salvation) from their sins. Purification. From the first miracle Jesus Christ ever performed until His last, He purified and made whole. This just hit me today that all along God was sending the message of Christ's power to cleanse us.
Also, Jesus is the Living Water (John 4:13-14: "Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."--meaning Christ provides ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction). Since Jesus is the Living Water, coming to quench the thirst, it is even more symbolic that His first miracle allowed just that--quenching thirsts.
Jesus often spoke in parables in the Bible. There was always a message behind the parables, but it was something His followers truly had to seek to understand. God wants us to hunger for Him. Those who diligently seek Him, will find Him in all His glory (Matthew 7:7-8) And what great glory it is.
As the Living Water, Jesus Christ is just that--a beverage of choice. It's up to you to choose.
John 2:1-11
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;
2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine."
4 And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come."
5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."
6 Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each.
7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." So they filled them up to the brim.
8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it to him.
9 When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom,
10 and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now."
11 This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
WW[you]D?
Tonight I went to a large Easter pageant production at a church in my hometown. As they reenacted the life of Jesus, it became a bit more realistic to me the shoes that the disciples were in. They gave up EVERYTHING to follow Christ. They gave up their security of income. I don't even know if they had wives and children...I don't think so. They gave up a good portion of their normal social life. They changed their dreams to be revolving around Jesus. They were often at the center of controversy because those in power didn't like Jesus. Wow. And then I think, hmm, that's exactly what we Christians are supposed to do today--following Him takes sacrifice.
When we were watching the life of Jesus reenacted in a play, I had to ask myself, "would I give up everything and follow Him around if I had lived in that day?" Would I risk death and social persecution, accept poverty and perhaps singleness...all so that my life could revolve around His? Would you?
Well, do you? Something to think about. How far are you willing you carry your faith? --to the cross, or just to the bumper sticker?
When we were watching the life of Jesus reenacted in a play, I had to ask myself, "would I give up everything and follow Him around if I had lived in that day?" Would I risk death and social persecution, accept poverty and perhaps singleness...all so that my life could revolve around His? Would you?
Well, do you? Something to think about. How far are you willing you carry your faith? --to the cross, or just to the bumper sticker?
Friday, March 18, 2011
blue and green and all things seen.
While I lived in China this past summer, I got used to being stared at. Not just me, but everyone in my group. It seems that foreigners are exciting and eye catching. This only makes sense since many Chinese people (especially in the smaller, less tourist attracting areas) have not seen a lot of non-Asians (whether that be blacks, whites, etc.) There was one point on my trip that we were walking through the parking lot at the train depot and 2 men on a parked tour bus about 30 feet away were looking at us with binoculars. That happened. While this made us giggle a little, like I said--it would be like you meeting a celebrity, since they have seen Americans mostly on TV.
This got me thinking tonight about how we are constantly being watched. No this isn't a freaky 'big brother' thing, but rather the point that in our every day lives people evaluate our actions from a distance. Most people don't do this intentionally, writing down your every move, but they notice. And it influences the way they respond to you, the way they carry themselves, and even their decisions in their life where you are not involved.
Children especially do this. They pick up our bad habits. They pick up our good ones too, but we notice those less. It's the 4 year olds slip of a cuss word that calls our attention, not their openness to strangers and trust of others. Children have a lot to learn, true, but there's a lot we can learn from them too.
Watch what you're doing and saying and being. What are your words and actions telling others? Do they inspire or leave a bitter taste. It's up to you. This is one place where you have total and complete control...your actions. Step one: evaluate them ahead of time, and prepare yourself to be watched and even mimicked. What do you want the world to look like?
Better yourself. Better the world.
...Mark 10:14
This got me thinking tonight about how we are constantly being watched. No this isn't a freaky 'big brother' thing, but rather the point that in our every day lives people evaluate our actions from a distance. Most people don't do this intentionally, writing down your every move, but they notice. And it influences the way they respond to you, the way they carry themselves, and even their decisions in their life where you are not involved.
Children especially do this. They pick up our bad habits. They pick up our good ones too, but we notice those less. It's the 4 year olds slip of a cuss word that calls our attention, not their openness to strangers and trust of others. Children have a lot to learn, true, but there's a lot we can learn from them too.
Watch what you're doing and saying and being. What are your words and actions telling others? Do they inspire or leave a bitter taste. It's up to you. This is one place where you have total and complete control...your actions. Step one: evaluate them ahead of time, and prepare yourself to be watched and even mimicked. What do you want the world to look like?
Better yourself. Better the world.
...Mark 10:14
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
there's intention in the very fabric of your life
My father received a Bible as a gift on behalf of the loss of his father. Inside the box the Bible came in was the following poem:
The Plan of the Master Weaver
"My life is but a weaving between the Lord and me,
I may not choose the colors, He knows what they should be;
For He can view the pattern upon the upper side
While I can see it only on this, the under side
Sometimes He weaveth sorrow, which seemeth strange to me;
But I will trust His judgment and work on faithfully;
'Tis He who fills the shuttle, and He knows what is best,
So I shall weave in earnest, leaving Him the rest.
Not 'til the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why--
The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned."
Sure, it's old English, and many of us probably don't know much about weaving. But there is hope in His eternal, hope in what lies ahead, and a great promise the He will not give you more than you can bear.
Hang in there.
Isaiah 55
“1 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,for he has glorified you.
6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout,giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 “For you shall go out in
joy
and be led forth in
peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into
singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
The Plan of the Master Weaver
"My life is but a weaving between the Lord and me,
I may not choose the colors, He knows what they should be;
For He can view the pattern upon the upper side
While I can see it only on this, the under side
Sometimes He weaveth sorrow, which seemeth strange to me;
But I will trust His judgment and work on faithfully;
'Tis He who fills the shuttle, and He knows what is best,
So I shall weave in earnest, leaving Him the rest.
Not 'til the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why--
The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned."
Sure, it's old English, and many of us probably don't know much about weaving. But there is hope in His eternal, hope in what lies ahead, and a great promise the He will not give you more than you can bear.
Hang in there.
Isaiah 55
“1 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,for he has glorified you.
6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout,giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 “For you shall go out in
joy
and be led forth in
peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into
singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
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