Don't we all have people that want to give us unasked for advise or tell us we are doing the wrong thing? I've always been amazed at how often this happens.
I have to admit before I continue that there have been times I have been very guilty of this kind of intrusion both on friends and family. You might say well me too, but my heart was in the right place (my excuse exactly).
In I Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV) it says: Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Just before these two verses they were admonishing the believers (brothers in Christ) that they love each other and to love each other more and more. God has really been dealing with me about the fact that to love does not include delving into the business of those we care about. If we really care we are there for them when they ask and give the help asked for if it is in your means to do so.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I've been thinking a lot lately about the measure with which you judge someone else. You know in Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV) Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
The thing is that if we begin to talk about what is wrong with someone else (even the statement, that guy is really odd), we have to consider that someone out there is saying we are odd. A person should really think about what we say, if we gossip and even who we are mad at and why in consideration of this scripture.
The scripture will convict and that being said, the mere fact that I can't get this one out of my mind makes me realize I must really need to be thinking about it.
Do you have a scripture that has been revealing something about you to yourself? I would be interested in hearing about it.
The thing is that if we begin to talk about what is wrong with someone else (even the statement, that guy is really odd), we have to consider that someone out there is saying we are odd. A person should really think about what we say, if we gossip and even who we are mad at and why in consideration of this scripture.
The scripture will convict and that being said, the mere fact that I can't get this one out of my mind makes me realize I must really need to be thinking about it.
Do you have a scripture that has been revealing something about you to yourself? I would be interested in hearing about it.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Just Because It Looks Good Is No Indication!
Did you ever see a dessert at the front of a restaurant that looks just wonderful and told the waitress, I want that one not one from the kitchen, that one. She probably told you it was plastic! Likewise, in magazines the ice cream on top that never melts during the photo shoot is usually a lard.
People are often not what they appear to be. What about a skunk? It is gorgeous until you get a whiff of the little darling.
The same is true of various religions being promoted today and the thing is Christians are being fooled into believing things that are not true and even bringing those things into the church. I John 4:1-10(NIV)- tells us: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowldge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Be careful who you believe, if you have a doubt open the Bible for yourself and see if what you are being told lines up with the Word of God. Don't just acept it because it looks good!
People are often not what they appear to be. What about a skunk? It is gorgeous until you get a whiff of the little darling.
The same is true of various religions being promoted today and the thing is Christians are being fooled into believing things that are not true and even bringing those things into the church. I John 4:1-10(NIV)- tells us: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowldge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Be careful who you believe, if you have a doubt open the Bible for yourself and see if what you are being told lines up with the Word of God. Don't just acept it because it looks good!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Don't Look Back
When I was a little girl my grandmother would tell me stories about her high school days. When I was in high school she told me stories about her high school days. When I was a young married my grandmother told me stories about her high school days. At some point I began to realize my grandmother somewhat lived in the past. (Don't get me wrong, she was my best friend and I loved her dearly.) It made me sad for her though that high school seemed to be a peak in her worldly existence.
As Christians many people never grow and become adults in their faith. They want to believe that they can just go back to their old way of life and it was great to become a Christian, and wasn't that quite an experienc. I Peter 1:13-15(NIV) says this: Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be self controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who call you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
We do not have a calling to live in our past life, we have been called out of it to repent, be saved and do the work Christ has asked of us. It is impossible to prepare your mind for action if you don't know where to look for the answers.
God has provided all of the answers in the sword of the Spirit, God's holy Word. The Word is the truth of Jesus Christ. Open your Bible today and find His revelations to you that you may be holy in him.
As Christians many people never grow and become adults in their faith. They want to believe that they can just go back to their old way of life and it was great to become a Christian, and wasn't that quite an experienc. I Peter 1:13-15(NIV) says this: Therefore, prepare your minds for action, be self controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who call you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
We do not have a calling to live in our past life, we have been called out of it to repent, be saved and do the work Christ has asked of us. It is impossible to prepare your mind for action if you don't know where to look for the answers.
God has provided all of the answers in the sword of the Spirit, God's holy Word. The Word is the truth of Jesus Christ. Open your Bible today and find His revelations to you that you may be holy in him.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Asleep In Church, Asleep At The Wheel
When my children were little I never let them sleep in church. There was always the hope that something the pastor said would soak into their little heads. Sometimes they say things now that make me think it possibly did, however neither one became truly saved until adulthood.
Ephesians 5:13-14 says, But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Many are still asleep to the truth of the word of God, the dead spoken of here and many times over in the new testament is being spiritually dead. When we wake up to the calling of God by the Holy Spirit through salvation in Jesus Christ we hear, and see the word in a new light.
Have your eyes and ears been opened to the word or do you find yourself not wanting to hear it, read it or live it. If you find yourself in these words, perhaps you are asleep at the wheel of your life. Get to church and stay awake. Why? The Lord is calling! Listen and HE will tell you what to do.
Ephesians 5:13-14 says, But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Many are still asleep to the truth of the word of God, the dead spoken of here and many times over in the new testament is being spiritually dead. When we wake up to the calling of God by the Holy Spirit through salvation in Jesus Christ we hear, and see the word in a new light.
Have your eyes and ears been opened to the word or do you find yourself not wanting to hear it, read it or live it. If you find yourself in these words, perhaps you are asleep at the wheel of your life. Get to church and stay awake. Why? The Lord is calling! Listen and HE will tell you what to do.
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