December 24, 2007
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Posted in My Faith
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For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. - Isaiah 9:6-7 I wish you a very merry Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace who changed the world forever! I pray that He will be at home in your hearts this Christmas and that His kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven. Hosanna in the highest! |
December 14, 2007
Walking as Jesus Did
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"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 Too often, we Christians just don't show love - either to other Christians, or to people in the world. We act just like other people do - we spend too much time fighting each other and looking down on those in the world. As the church, universal, we would be flattering ourselves if we said people could truly tell a difference in our love for each other. "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11-12 It's often hard to tell Christians apart from the world. Divorce rates are just as high (if not higher) in the church as outside it, and Christians watch the same movies, listen to the same music, and wear the same clothes as everyone else. I'm not saying it's wrong to do anything even remotely secular - I'm just saying that although Jesus prayed that we be in the world, he also prayed that we not be of it (John 17:15-16). Our job on this earth is to represent Christ, and right now we're not doing a very good job of reflecting Christ or showing His love to others. A few months ago, one of my friends told me that the reason she has rejected Christianity is because she has seen so many pastors and Christian leaders that get involved with worldly things - that their walk wasn't lining up with their talk. I told her that just because some Christians had acted stupid and done a poor job of showing Christ to her, that didn't mean Christ was like them. I think she took that to heart, but I think it's sad that I had to defend Christ to her because of the terrible job that some Christians had done representing Him. Another girl I met told me that she doesn't go to church anymore because people at one church threw her family out because of her dad's tattoos. She said her dad hasn't darkened the door of a church since then, and she stopped going to church several years ago. I'm not saying I'm innocent of this kind of behavior. In fact, I can think of too many situations where the way I've lived could push someone farther away from God instead of drawing them closer. I am saying that I'm recommitting myself to live like Jesus - to shine for Him and show His love to others in the way I live my life. Walking the walk makes a much bigger impression on people than any amount of street preaching or tract distribution, and I think if people could truly see Jesus in us, then Heaven would be much fuller. 1 John 2:6: "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." |
September 12, 2007
Faith
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help me believe cause I don't wanna miss any miracles maybe I'd see much better by closing my eyes... Lord, help me close my eyes. "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." "God loves people who love to give. God can bless you with everything you need, and you will always have more than enough to do all kinds of good things for others." "Don't get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don't give up." It says so, doesn't it? Right there on the page. It's in the Book. So why isn't it happening? Harvest. It's coming. It better be. I'll reap when the time is right. God, I need a harvest NOW. I don't want it for myself. I want it "to do all kinds of good things for others." I'm going on a mission trip, for Pete's sake? Shouldn't that be good enough? As if there is such a thing as "good enough" with God. I'm not trying to brag on myself. But God knows I have sown. I've sown money into His kingdom, and I've sown my time into the lives of His people. And God knows I'm ready for a harvest. Lord, please help me to wait for your timing. You know what I need when I need it. Lord, time - and money? I think I need these things now. Maybe I don't. Please just help me trust You to provide them when I need them. |