I want to talk to all of you who are going through any kind of pain or suffering whether it was brought on by your own doing or from an outside source. I would like you to stop and think about whatever it is rationally. Think about how it is affecting you and if there is anything you can do to alleviate the pain. I am not talking about a headache or a sickness that you can take a pill for, I am talking about someone hurting you intentionally or unintentionally and you hurting yourself by the way you perceive what someone else said or did.
I have been hurt many times over the years but regardless of how it happened I had to make a choice about the way I would handle it. Sometimes I didn’t handle things so well and I would allow myself to get very angry and upset. I remember going to bed angry and thinking about whatever it was that happened until it was like seeing it over and over in my mind like a movie projector cementing the incident in my mind and keeping me from sleeping. I would at times let this go on for a long period of time before I would forgive and be set free of the incident. Now I try to keep short accounts with the Lord choosing to forgive the person, or persons, who hurt me in a short period of time asking the Lord to help me to love them.
I have chosen to look at people as a reflection of everyone else, it helps me to deal with people better. I know that whatever someone else does to me I am capable of doing to them or someone else given enough time. Think of these words "But for the grace of God there go I!" I can also back up what I am talking about with scripture. In Romans 1:18-32 it gives a long list of attributes that we possess because of the sin nature we were born with before becoming believers. These are very sinful things and we were all guilty of some of them at one time or another. And many of us that are in the church still have not overcome some of these things in our lives. So whether we are believers or not we still end up hurting each other in different ways.
In the second chapter of Romans it talks about our response to the people in the first chapter. Chapter 2 verse 1 says, "You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things."
Sometimes I think about the different ways people handle trespasses against them! Some people seem to never forgive, taking it to their grave and forfeiting Heaven. Hospitals, walk-ins and doctors offices are full of people that bring sickness on themselves because they are bitter and won’t forgive some trespass done to them. Most of the time when we get offended it is because of our pride, something that God hates. I have heard that "Bitterness is the poison you take while you wait for the other person to die." It is a fact that bitterness and unforgiveness can make you miserable and sick and may even cause a heart attack or stroke.
If you are fretting and mourning because of unforgiveness, turn these things into joy, laughter and dancing. All you have to do is let go of the unforgiveness and bitterness you are hanging onto. Tell the Lord, "I choose to forgive, please help me to forgive from the heart and help me to see and love my offender the way You do." If you are sincere God will help you because that is God’s purpose for each one of His children. Don’t let Satan deceive you into becoming bitter, angry and unforgiving anymore, resist him and he will have to flee.
Remember this, if you don’t forgive others their trespasses, you will not be forgiven your trespasses either. Don’t forfeit Heaven for anyone. Turn your mourning into dancing ~ forgive.
Have a great day God bless and don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
What Is Required For Salvation
What are some of the things that have to take place to bring about salvation, or the born-again experience, into a person’s life?
Is it enough to get all emotional then go to the altar? I don’t think the Word teaches that. Think about emotions, they’re different every day. In fact emotions can change momentarily. We as humans have all kinds of emotions and some are good and some aren’t so good. One minute we can be up and all excited and it might be a very short time and we are devastated again and feeling down and depressed.
Is it enough to hear God’s Word preached? I don’t think so, the Word of God can prepare you for the salvation experience and it helps build faith. The Word says in Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God,” but I think it takes more than just hearing the Word. Think about this; most, if not all, the cults that exist teach some truth sprinkled in their doctrine. They may have heard the Word preached or they may have read some verses so they could use them to deceive unsuspecting converts but that is not going to get them to Heaven or to achieve the born- again experience or salvation. Many sermons are watered down, user-friendly sermons that stir people so they might bring a response because people want to hear what their itching ears want to hear as found in 2 Timothy 4:3, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” and they won’t put up with sound doctrine, but those kinds of sermons hinder God’s plan of salvation.
Is believing on the Lord Jesus enough? Think about this; the Devil and the demons believe, they know that Jesus is the Son of God, but they will never receive salvation or be born again. I know there are verses that say, “If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you will be saved.” Paul said to the jailer in Philippi when he and Silas were in prison, “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved, you and your household.” Paul my have said other things that weren’t recorded, we don’t know.
This is a very important topic and I don’t want to go beyond what the Word says. Let me ask you this, can we take one or two verses that speak of the same issue and make a case? I think we need to get the overall view of the topic before we can make a true assumption of what is being said.
Now I want to talk about what I think is the biblical way to receive salvation or to be born again. When I read the Word I see that John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ. He came to make known who Jesus was. He proclaimed Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Also John had another calling, he was to baptize for the repentance of sins. What does repentance mean? It means to turn away from your sins. Then when Jesus started his ministry he preached about repentance. Jesus said, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” All down through the Old Testament, God’s people had to repent for their sins because they were a stiff-necked people and continually rebelled against God. When they repented, God would have mercy on them and, for the most part, forgave them of their sins. There are so many verses on repentance in the Word that if you read it they can’t be overlooked. I believe that repentance is a prerequisite for salvation.
John 6:65 says, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” This I believe is another prerequisite for salvation, God has to draw you to Jesus.
Another prerequisite is hearing the Word. The Bible says we are responsible for what we know. That is why I think the end will not come until the Word has been preached to every nation. Mark 13:10, Matthew 24:14
Another prerequisite would be godly sorrow over your sins. Paul says in 2nd Corinthians 7:10, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldy sorrow brings death.” It also says in Romans 2:4, Paul speaking, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you towards repentance.” In 1st John 1:9 it says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I believe we need to confess our sins, just as David did when he sinned against Bathsheba and her husband. You can find his repentant prayer in Psalms chapter 51. I think all these things are required for salvation.
And we can do none of these things on our own. Every one of these things has to come from the Lord before we can say yes and receive Jesus into our hearts and lives. All we bring to the salvation plan is a humble and contrite heart, God does all the rest. God resists the proud and draws to the humble, so humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up.
To wind this up let me give you two more verses in Ephesians 2:8 & 9, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast.” As far as salvation, we have a choice, to receive or not to receive, the rest is brought about by the Lord. Praise His name! It is your move I hope the answer will be “yes” and you will respond accordingly.
God bless you, have a great day.
Will You Overcome
Question: will you overcome or will the enemy of your soul overcome you?
Everyone needs to contemplate that question. Have you taken time to study your enemy? Have you prayed and asked the Lord to enlighten you with wisdom and knowledge, understanding and discernment? These things you can be sure are God’s will for your life. These are important in your Christian walk if you are going to be an overcomer.
When a military conflict is about to take place the opponents get ready for battle. But before they do they find out all they can about their enemies by studying their past records and how they can strategize and defeat them.
We have a formidable foe who is bent on knocking us out of the battle and taking the victory from us, one who is much too clever and cunning for us to fight with on our own. If he deceived a third of the angels that were perfect and also Eve who was perfect we need someone in our corner that is more powerful than our enemy is, we need one that cannot be defeated. We need the One that knows all the strategies of the enemy. There is only one with those credentials. The Lord himself, yes, the righteous and holy one, we need Him in our corner.
Many people think our enemy is like a cartoon character. Some believe that because he was defeated at the cross that he is nothing to worry about, still others think that he doesn’t exist. Jesus said, “The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy, I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” In the New Living Translation it says in 1st Peter 5:8, “Be careful, watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him and be firm in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.”
Does this sound like a cartoon character or someone that doesn’t exist or one that is totally defeated to you? Satan is alive and still raising havoc with God’s people. One thing we can know for sure if we resist the devil he will have to flee from us. The Lord has provided us with everything that we need to overcome the enemy but how many really know that? How many are being blind sighted because of ignorance? The Bible says, “My people perish from lack of knowledge.” There seems to be so many people that claim to be believers that spend so little time with the Lord and Bible reading and prayer that they are not fully prepared for the battle they’re in.
I know we live in a world of fast paced living and many are running from here to there and are very busy, but if you think about it most people find time for their priorities. Shouldn’t the Lord be our first priority? Think about this, it is not just Satan that is trying to destroy us but also his helpers, every wicked spirit that exists. Ephesians 6:10–12 says, “A final word be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness, who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” So to be overcomers we should take these things very seriously. We need to spend time with the Lord and not just when it is convenient, and not just when we don’t have anything better to do.
The Bible says, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” It also says, “If you seek me with all your heart you will find me.” Like I said before it is so important that you make the Lord your first priority.
If you do all these things you will do well, and you will be an overcomer!
Praise God! Have a great day and may God bless you.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
You Were Born To Fly
If you know anything about the Albatross you know that it can fly and soar for long periods of time. It is like one of the mighty ones in the sky. It is a fairly large bird with large powerful wings that can dominate the skies gliding along with ease.
Do you know why they fly so well and soar with ease covering the sky with perfection and stability? Because God and His creative ability, created them to fly and soar above the earth in beauty and splendor.
I want to encourage you today by telling you that God wants you to soar and fly also. I am not saying that we are birds or that we have wings, no I am saying that God wants us to be all that He has planned for each one of us to be. The Bible says, “God knows the plans He has for you, plans not to harm you but to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God spoke these words to the Israelite captives who were exiled to Babylon but I think God intends these words for all His sons and daughters. Just like He had a plan and a purpose for the Albatross He has plans for you and me and also each person that was ever born. The sad thing is that many will never achieve God’s plan for their lives because they won’t submit to God and His perfect plan for them.
Let me explain something else about the Albatross. When they are on land they are very clumsy. When they try to get airborne they seem to have a real struggle. Their wings are so long they seem to wobble and they need a long runway to get off the ground. As you watch them it seems they have a hard time getting in the air, but once they do it is amazing how they can glide and soar effortlessly for long periods of time because God has equipped them for that purpose.
Many Christians are a little like the albatross. Many want to do great and amazing things for God but many times they miss the plan God has for their lives. They get into ministries and end up very frustrated because they are doing what man wanted and not what God wanted for them to do. Remember “Unless the Lord build the house ye labor in vain that build it.” God doesn’t always call the equipped but He always equips the called. I am not saying that you shouldn’t try different things. What I am saying is that if you are struggling and stressed and feel overwhelmed in the ministry you’re in it may be time to press into God in prayer and even fasting to understand what God really has for you to accomplish in your life. And don’t just keep struggling until you get burned out and throw in the towel and give up. Please don’t give up, please take these words to heart I am talking from experience I have been there.
Another thing I want to mention is this, it is so easy at times to jump into a ministry with the wrong motives. That will set you up for failure and pain most of the time. Then on the other hand sometimes we jump into ministries for the right reason but it isn’t God’s plan and we mess up terribly then we get upset, angry and frustrated and even jealous of someone else that is doing a great job in the same ministry. That is when bitterness and unforgiveness can invade your lives and, if you are not careful, it can cause you to be separated from the Lord giving the evil one a foothold in your life. Don’t fall into that trap, if you are in God’s will He will equip you for whatever it is He wants you to do.
Now think of this, the Bible says, “Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, they will rise up as on wings of eagles, they will walk and not grow weary, they will run and not faint.” I think that’s the key if you are going to soar, you will have to spend time with the Lord seeking His will and plan for your life and when it is revealed go with it. If you are in God’s perfect will, He will equip you and it will seem more like you are soaring and not struggling because you will enjoy what you are doing. Then don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord.
God Bless you, have a great day. If any of these messages are a blessing to you, please leave a comment I would appreciate it thanks.
Discouragement And Disappointments
All of us experience these things at one point or another in our lives. Sometimes we experience these things because our expectations are much too high. We may set too high a standard for our lives, plus our goals and dreams may go way beyond our abilities to accomplish them. What we need is to try to understand our limitations.
I know that God has a plan for each of our lives and, if we are willing with God’s help, we can and will accomplish that plan or goal. There is a verse in the Bible that says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Does this verse mean that we can do everything? I don’t think so, I think it means we can accomplish whatever God’s will may be for our lives at the time.
Sometimes we experience discouragement and disappointments because of our health and it is easy to blame God when we are afflicted with different ailments. But do we ever think about the lifestyles we live or have lived over the years, the food we eat or have eaten? Most of us can thank God for whatever health we have considering how many times we have abused our bodies in the past with substance abuse and many other things we brought on ourselves over the years. And what about the lack of exercise we perform, how many of us are just plain couch potatoes doing very little outside of watching the "boob tube" or spending hours on the computer? What about many of the things we indulge in after we become believers that are affecting our health in many ways?
Let’s talk about prayer, sometimes when we pray we experience discouragement and disappointment because we pray selfish prayers or we only pray when we want God to do something in our lives or we pray haphazardly without any faith whatsoever. Remember a relationship isn’t just throwing a request up when we are in trouble or only when we want something. A relationship with the Lord will take dedication, time, sacrifice and a commitment. Spending time with the Lord should be your first priority not your last resort.
Discouragement and disappointments also come from outside sources, things that you can’t control. It may be people or it might be weather, it might be a car broken down or a loss of a job or a loss of a loved one. It may be the loss of a home, there are multitudes of things that can take place that are out of your control. These things can cause stress, discouragement, disappointment, heavy depression, strokes and heart attacks and other illnesses.
Let me share with you something that would be very helpful in your healing. This may sound weird and strange but I think you should start praising the Lord. The Bible says that, "God inhabits the praise of His people." When you start praising the Lord from the heart God will show up, He will be in it. The Bible says to "sing a new song to the Lord," "Come before Him with praise and thanksgiving." There seems to be such a lack of sincere praise in the church today.
I have written some praise songs with the Lord’s help over the years, none that are famous and you may never hear them but I sing some of them almost every morning when I have my devotions. You may never hear me sing them and most churches would never allow me to sing them but I think God is pleased with me singing them. God said, "Man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart" and pleasing God is what really matters.
How many times do you just praise the Lord regardless of the situation you find yourself in? I have written on this subject and I have spoken on this subject and I have prayed about this subject and I probably will never stop. It seems like most people think that singing songs is the only way to praise the Lord but I have some news for you that is only one way to praise the Lord. It is not the song and it is not the music that is the main factor in praising the Lord, no, it is the attitude of the heart that is much more important to the Lord. Do you ever think that the Lord may get a lot more lip service than praise when people sing praise songs, and what about the lies that take place when singing some praise songs?
Please don’t get mad at me. I have been there. Just do me, and yourself, a favor, think about the words you are singing when you are in a praise service, or the praise time in your church with an open mind and be honest, I think what you will find is that what I am saying is true.
You can praise the Lord in song and with just plain music and everything else you do if you do the things to honor the Lord and to glorify God.
I am convinced that if you live a life of praise and thanksgiving the discouragement and disappointments will have to dissipate and you can be set free and the joy of the Lord will be your strength. Try sincerely praising the Lord, if you are experiencing these things in your life and see what happens. Live a life of perpetual praise and thanksgiving, your perspectives will have to change. Don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself. God Bless You and have a great day.
I know that God has a plan for each of our lives and, if we are willing with God’s help, we can and will accomplish that plan or goal. There is a verse in the Bible that says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Does this verse mean that we can do everything? I don’t think so, I think it means we can accomplish whatever God’s will may be for our lives at the time.
Sometimes we experience discouragement and disappointments because of our health and it is easy to blame God when we are afflicted with different ailments. But do we ever think about the lifestyles we live or have lived over the years, the food we eat or have eaten? Most of us can thank God for whatever health we have considering how many times we have abused our bodies in the past with substance abuse and many other things we brought on ourselves over the years. And what about the lack of exercise we perform, how many of us are just plain couch potatoes doing very little outside of watching the "boob tube" or spending hours on the computer? What about many of the things we indulge in after we become believers that are affecting our health in many ways?
Let’s talk about prayer, sometimes when we pray we experience discouragement and disappointment because we pray selfish prayers or we only pray when we want God to do something in our lives or we pray haphazardly without any faith whatsoever. Remember a relationship isn’t just throwing a request up when we are in trouble or only when we want something. A relationship with the Lord will take dedication, time, sacrifice and a commitment. Spending time with the Lord should be your first priority not your last resort.
Discouragement and disappointments also come from outside sources, things that you can’t control. It may be people or it might be weather, it might be a car broken down or a loss of a job or a loss of a loved one. It may be the loss of a home, there are multitudes of things that can take place that are out of your control. These things can cause stress, discouragement, disappointment, heavy depression, strokes and heart attacks and other illnesses.
Let me share with you something that would be very helpful in your healing. This may sound weird and strange but I think you should start praising the Lord. The Bible says that, "God inhabits the praise of His people." When you start praising the Lord from the heart God will show up, He will be in it. The Bible says to "sing a new song to the Lord," "Come before Him with praise and thanksgiving." There seems to be such a lack of sincere praise in the church today.
I have written some praise songs with the Lord’s help over the years, none that are famous and you may never hear them but I sing some of them almost every morning when I have my devotions. You may never hear me sing them and most churches would never allow me to sing them but I think God is pleased with me singing them. God said, "Man looks on the outside, but God looks at the heart" and pleasing God is what really matters.
How many times do you just praise the Lord regardless of the situation you find yourself in? I have written on this subject and I have spoken on this subject and I have prayed about this subject and I probably will never stop. It seems like most people think that singing songs is the only way to praise the Lord but I have some news for you that is only one way to praise the Lord. It is not the song and it is not the music that is the main factor in praising the Lord, no, it is the attitude of the heart that is much more important to the Lord. Do you ever think that the Lord may get a lot more lip service than praise when people sing praise songs, and what about the lies that take place when singing some praise songs?
Please don’t get mad at me. I have been there. Just do me, and yourself, a favor, think about the words you are singing when you are in a praise service, or the praise time in your church with an open mind and be honest, I think what you will find is that what I am saying is true.
You can praise the Lord in song and with just plain music and everything else you do if you do the things to honor the Lord and to glorify God.
I am convinced that if you live a life of praise and thanksgiving the discouragement and disappointments will have to dissipate and you can be set free and the joy of the Lord will be your strength. Try sincerely praising the Lord, if you are experiencing these things in your life and see what happens. Live a life of perpetual praise and thanksgiving, your perspectives will have to change. Don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself. God Bless You and have a great day.
Friday, May 20, 2011
The God Of All Comfort
If you have been through tribulations, trials and persecutions you probably can testify about God’s comfort. God is the God of all comfort. Why? Because He loves and cares for us.
But remember this God doesn’t only comfort us because He loves us and cares for us, He also comforts us so that we can and will comfort others. Quite awhile ago I used to wonder why God blessed my family and me so much. Then I realized He blessed us not so we would just soak up the blessings but that we would pass them on to others by blessing them as well. When the Lord does something for His people it is never just for their benefit but it is to encourage them and to teach them to bless others.
Remember when Jesus washed His disciples feet, He was teaching them that the greatest among them would be the servant of all. It wasn’t just for their benefit but they were to pass it on. Who was the greatest among them at the time? Jesus was. Jesus said at one time, "I haven’t come to be served but to serve." His whole life was lived serving others by passing on what He received from His heavenly Father.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:3–5, "All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God that comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ." Those are very encouraging words and we can’t thank Him and Praise God enough for these things.
Many of us look at troubles, trials and persecution a lot different than Paul did. We would rather run from them and not experience them at all. Paul seemed to look forward to them. Paul wanted to know Christ in every way, not just in His resurrection but in His suffering as well. Paul went on to say in verse 6 and 7, "So when we are weighted down with troubles it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us it is so we in turn can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in suffering you will also share God’s comfort."
I think Paul was trying to convey to the Corinthian church that their salvation was the result of Paul’s suffering, or came about because he was willing to suffer for their benefit. Paul was expressing that the comfort of God surpassed the suffering and trials he faced for them. And the comfort he received he would pass on to them so that he would be a comfort and encouragement to them in their trials so that they could endure their suffering victoriously. Paul was very confident that if they suffered for the Lord He would in turn comfort them also.
Then Paul goes on and shares his experiences in the Province of Asia with them so they would get a better understanding of what he was teaching them.
Paul goes on to say in verses 8–10, "I think you ought to know dear brothers and sisters about the troubles we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed and we thought we would never live through it. In fact we expected to die. But as a result we learned not to rely on ourselves but on God who can raise the dead. And He did deliever us from mortal danger. And we are confident that He will continue to deliever us."
This reminds me of some other verses that relate to this subject:
Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12, " If anyone lives a godly life they would be persecuted."
Jesus said in John 16:33, "In this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world."
James said in James 1:2-4, "Dear brothers and sisters whenever troubles come your way let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow for when your endurance is fully developed you will be strong in character and ready for anything."
Suffering was nothing new for Paul. He not only accepted it, he grew through it. He knew the God he served and he knew nothing would happen to him that wasn’t filtered through the hands of God. He also knew that if God allowed him to suffer, it was for Paul’s good. He also knew whatever he suffered, he was not alone and that God would always comfort him and be with him through it all.
My purpose in writing this is so that you will be comforted and encouraged, knowing if you are a believer you will receive that same comfort Paul received when you experience trials, tribulation and persecution. Praise God!
Have a great day and may God Bless You!
But remember this God doesn’t only comfort us because He loves us and cares for us, He also comforts us so that we can and will comfort others. Quite awhile ago I used to wonder why God blessed my family and me so much. Then I realized He blessed us not so we would just soak up the blessings but that we would pass them on to others by blessing them as well. When the Lord does something for His people it is never just for their benefit but it is to encourage them and to teach them to bless others.
Remember when Jesus washed His disciples feet, He was teaching them that the greatest among them would be the servant of all. It wasn’t just for their benefit but they were to pass it on. Who was the greatest among them at the time? Jesus was. Jesus said at one time, "I haven’t come to be served but to serve." His whole life was lived serving others by passing on what He received from His heavenly Father.
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:3–5, "All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God that comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ." Those are very encouraging words and we can’t thank Him and Praise God enough for these things.
Many of us look at troubles, trials and persecution a lot different than Paul did. We would rather run from them and not experience them at all. Paul seemed to look forward to them. Paul wanted to know Christ in every way, not just in His resurrection but in His suffering as well. Paul went on to say in verse 6 and 7, "So when we are weighted down with troubles it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us it is so we in turn can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in suffering you will also share God’s comfort."
I think Paul was trying to convey to the Corinthian church that their salvation was the result of Paul’s suffering, or came about because he was willing to suffer for their benefit. Paul was expressing that the comfort of God surpassed the suffering and trials he faced for them. And the comfort he received he would pass on to them so that he would be a comfort and encouragement to them in their trials so that they could endure their suffering victoriously. Paul was very confident that if they suffered for the Lord He would in turn comfort them also.
Then Paul goes on and shares his experiences in the Province of Asia with them so they would get a better understanding of what he was teaching them.
Paul goes on to say in verses 8–10, "I think you ought to know dear brothers and sisters about the troubles we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed and we thought we would never live through it. In fact we expected to die. But as a result we learned not to rely on ourselves but on God who can raise the dead. And He did deliever us from mortal danger. And we are confident that He will continue to deliever us."
This reminds me of some other verses that relate to this subject:
Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:12, " If anyone lives a godly life they would be persecuted."
Jesus said in John 16:33, "In this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world."
James said in James 1:2-4, "Dear brothers and sisters whenever troubles come your way let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow for when your endurance is fully developed you will be strong in character and ready for anything."
Suffering was nothing new for Paul. He not only accepted it, he grew through it. He knew the God he served and he knew nothing would happen to him that wasn’t filtered through the hands of God. He also knew that if God allowed him to suffer, it was for Paul’s good. He also knew whatever he suffered, he was not alone and that God would always comfort him and be with him through it all.
My purpose in writing this is so that you will be comforted and encouraged, knowing if you are a believer you will receive that same comfort Paul received when you experience trials, tribulation and persecution. Praise God!
Have a great day and may God Bless You!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Enjoying What You Have
I was reading in the book of Ecclesiastes part of chapters 11 and 12, and I don’t know where else, this morning and what I read seemed to be very negative. I thought about the author of the book and I thought about all the wisdom he was given by the Lord. He was King David’s son and he was the wisest king that ever lived, his name was Solomon, but even with all that wisdom he had some flaws.
When it came to women, he seemed very foolish.
What caught my eye in these passages was that Solomon said we should enjoy what we have while we are young, before we get too old to enjoy it. Think about that for a moment, do you enjoy what you have? I think Solomon was including everything in what he said. I think that what he said would be the ideal thing to do and there is much wisdom in it. If we enjoyed the things we have we would be content. Materialism wouldn’t be a problem because we wouldn’t have to have everything that comes out new.
Think about all the things that you have now and how many of these things you really need or use. How can we be happy when our life is consumed with getting something new most of the time? Contentment and happiness don’t come from the things we own. When I think about it, it is like chasing after the wind that you can never catch. I have been around a long time and I am so guilty of this.
And what about the time we waste so often on the things we think we have to have. Think about motorcycles, cars and boats and I could go on and on. Many people buy things like these just to show off. I am not talking about the things we need, I am talking about the things we don’t need but we think we have we to have. Why have we bought into this craziness of thinking that we always need the new and popular thing that comes out? It seems like I could sit down and write a whole book on this subject.
Now think about this, many of the things that we buy we can’t afford so we put them on the credit card. When I think about all the people that have destroyed their lives because of credit card debt it makes me angry and sad. Think of the marriages that have been destroyed because of money problems. Their debt was so bad that it consumed most all their time thinking about it. Then the arguments and fights occurred and the marriage ended up a disaster.
Now think about all the time that is wasted on television, computers, video games and many more electronic things that we spend our money on. How many hours of trash have we filled our minds with over the years? It seems most people would rather text on their cell phones and chat on their facebook accounts then they would want to talk to someone on a personal level.
If you think about these things with an open mind you know that Solomon was right on. Solomon also said enjoy every minute of your life. Do everything you want to do, take it all in. His advice while you are young is to be happy and enjoy life. But then he throws in a warning saying, remember you must give an account to God for everything you do.
In chapter 12:1 he says, "So remember your Creator while you are still young, before those dismal days and years come when you will say I don’t enjoy life." Throwing "caution" to the wind isn’t a good idea. There is a verse in the Bible that goes something like this and I think Paul said it ~ All things are permissible but not all things are good. So whether we are young or old we need a healthy fear of the Lord. This is a quote from Reverend Bill Hayes, "the fear of God: A steadfast disposition that takes God extremely serious in every area of my life"
Then King Solomon in conclusion of all that he said in this book made this statement in chapter 12:11-13, "But my child be warned, there is no end to opinions ready to be expressed. Studying can go on forever and become very exhausting. Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commandments, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing whether good or bad."
So after all that you have read, what should your response be if you find yourself guilty of these sins? Repent and confess and ask the Lord to forgive you. Then try to do the best you can with the rest of your life so that you will honor the Lord. The Bible says in 1st John 1:9, "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness." I’ve got to go and ask the Lord to forgive me and help me to honor Him more with the rest of my life. Have a great day. God bless you!
When it came to women, he seemed very foolish.
What caught my eye in these passages was that Solomon said we should enjoy what we have while we are young, before we get too old to enjoy it. Think about that for a moment, do you enjoy what you have? I think Solomon was including everything in what he said. I think that what he said would be the ideal thing to do and there is much wisdom in it. If we enjoyed the things we have we would be content. Materialism wouldn’t be a problem because we wouldn’t have to have everything that comes out new.
Think about all the things that you have now and how many of these things you really need or use. How can we be happy when our life is consumed with getting something new most of the time? Contentment and happiness don’t come from the things we own. When I think about it, it is like chasing after the wind that you can never catch. I have been around a long time and I am so guilty of this.
And what about the time we waste so often on the things we think we have to have. Think about motorcycles, cars and boats and I could go on and on. Many people buy things like these just to show off. I am not talking about the things we need, I am talking about the things we don’t need but we think we have we to have. Why have we bought into this craziness of thinking that we always need the new and popular thing that comes out? It seems like I could sit down and write a whole book on this subject.
Now think about this, many of the things that we buy we can’t afford so we put them on the credit card. When I think about all the people that have destroyed their lives because of credit card debt it makes me angry and sad. Think of the marriages that have been destroyed because of money problems. Their debt was so bad that it consumed most all their time thinking about it. Then the arguments and fights occurred and the marriage ended up a disaster.
Now think about all the time that is wasted on television, computers, video games and many more electronic things that we spend our money on. How many hours of trash have we filled our minds with over the years? It seems most people would rather text on their cell phones and chat on their facebook accounts then they would want to talk to someone on a personal level.
If you think about these things with an open mind you know that Solomon was right on. Solomon also said enjoy every minute of your life. Do everything you want to do, take it all in. His advice while you are young is to be happy and enjoy life. But then he throws in a warning saying, remember you must give an account to God for everything you do.
In chapter 12:1 he says, "So remember your Creator while you are still young, before those dismal days and years come when you will say I don’t enjoy life." Throwing "caution" to the wind isn’t a good idea. There is a verse in the Bible that goes something like this and I think Paul said it ~ All things are permissible but not all things are good. So whether we are young or old we need a healthy fear of the Lord. This is a quote from Reverend Bill Hayes, "the fear of God: A steadfast disposition that takes God extremely serious in every area of my life"
Then King Solomon in conclusion of all that he said in this book made this statement in chapter 12:11-13, "But my child be warned, there is no end to opinions ready to be expressed. Studying can go on forever and become very exhausting. Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commandments, for this is the duty of every person. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing whether good or bad."
So after all that you have read, what should your response be if you find yourself guilty of these sins? Repent and confess and ask the Lord to forgive you. Then try to do the best you can with the rest of your life so that you will honor the Lord. The Bible says in 1st John 1:9, "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness." I’ve got to go and ask the Lord to forgive me and help me to honor Him more with the rest of my life. Have a great day. God bless you!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A Wife Of Great Value
What are the characteristics of a godly wife according to Proverbs 31:10-30?
1. She is not easy to find, finding one is like finding treasure!
2. She can be trusted!
3. She greatly enriches her husband’s life!
4. She makes sure that her family is taken care of.
5. She is strong and a hard worker!
6. She looks for bargains and spends her money wisely!
7. She keeps herself busy!
8. She helps the poor and needy!
9. She fears not the weather for she has provided for her family!
10. She has no fear of the future!
11. Her words are wise and kind!
12. She watches over her household and does not bear the consequences
of laziness!
Because of her characteristics her children bless her and her husband praises her. He says there are many virtuous women and capable women in the world but you surpass them all.
To be honest this is the way I feel about my wife. She is all these things and more. Praise God! She is truly the most precious gift outside of the Lord Himself that I could have ever received. She has surpassed most of my expectations and I am so blessed and privileged to have her. She is a super wife, a super mother to my kids and a super grandmother to my grandkids. She is also my best friend, she always helps me when I need help with something, if she can, without complaining. She never criticizes me and she allows me to be the head of our household. To be honest it is hard for me to believe she is the way she is. I can’t even get her to argue with me because she never has to have the last word. When my wife and I have a problem I might as well argue with the wall because she won’t waste her time fussing with me, she just walks away and leaves me there talking to myself.
When she married me I was a total freak and I didn’t even love her but she loved me and showed it by her actions and not just by her words. No matter what I looked like, or the way I acted, she loved me and I saw it every day like I had never experienced it before or since. I think she told me if I married her that she would never make me sorry and she never has. Have I ever been mad at her? Yes, many times but not because I was justified, it was because of my foolish, selfish and stupid behavior. Has she ever tried to change me? No, she leaves that to the Lord. When I am struggling with something, she prays for me, without my knowing it, then she looks for articles in magazines or something in God’s Word that she thinks will help me in whatever situation I am. She doesn’t complain or nag, she knows I am an avid reader so she puts these things in places where I sit and leaves the rest up to the Lord.
What do you think I would do if she ever left me? I would pack my bags and go with her, or something to that extent. I have told people if they ever find a wife like mine they better hold onto her with both hands, both feet and a chain so that she doesn’t get away.
She doesn’t do all the things mentioned in this proverb, she doesn’t quilt or make her own clothes, she doesn’t dress in royal gowns and she doesn’t sit in meetings with civic leaders. I do think the first 12 things cover her pretty well.
Then verse 30 says, "Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise."
The thing that makes women charming and beautiful is a sweet and gentle spirit.
Let me add this, when the charm and beauty fade away, and it will if you live long enough, the sweet and gentle spirit will still be a sign of charm and beauty for any woman and my wife truly possesses that. Praise God! I want you to know I didn’t write this to condemn anyone, it is just food for thought. My purpose is to encourage you and to let you know that this kind of life is possible even in this day and age. Have a great day and God bless you!
1. She is not easy to find, finding one is like finding treasure!
2. She can be trusted!
3. She greatly enriches her husband’s life!
4. She makes sure that her family is taken care of.
5. She is strong and a hard worker!
6. She looks for bargains and spends her money wisely!
7. She keeps herself busy!
8. She helps the poor and needy!
9. She fears not the weather for she has provided for her family!
10. She has no fear of the future!
11. Her words are wise and kind!
12. She watches over her household and does not bear the consequences
of laziness!
Because of her characteristics her children bless her and her husband praises her. He says there are many virtuous women and capable women in the world but you surpass them all.
To be honest this is the way I feel about my wife. She is all these things and more. Praise God! She is truly the most precious gift outside of the Lord Himself that I could have ever received. She has surpassed most of my expectations and I am so blessed and privileged to have her. She is a super wife, a super mother to my kids and a super grandmother to my grandkids. She is also my best friend, she always helps me when I need help with something, if she can, without complaining. She never criticizes me and she allows me to be the head of our household. To be honest it is hard for me to believe she is the way she is. I can’t even get her to argue with me because she never has to have the last word. When my wife and I have a problem I might as well argue with the wall because she won’t waste her time fussing with me, she just walks away and leaves me there talking to myself.
When she married me I was a total freak and I didn’t even love her but she loved me and showed it by her actions and not just by her words. No matter what I looked like, or the way I acted, she loved me and I saw it every day like I had never experienced it before or since. I think she told me if I married her that she would never make me sorry and she never has. Have I ever been mad at her? Yes, many times but not because I was justified, it was because of my foolish, selfish and stupid behavior. Has she ever tried to change me? No, she leaves that to the Lord. When I am struggling with something, she prays for me, without my knowing it, then she looks for articles in magazines or something in God’s Word that she thinks will help me in whatever situation I am. She doesn’t complain or nag, she knows I am an avid reader so she puts these things in places where I sit and leaves the rest up to the Lord.
What do you think I would do if she ever left me? I would pack my bags and go with her, or something to that extent. I have told people if they ever find a wife like mine they better hold onto her with both hands, both feet and a chain so that she doesn’t get away.
She doesn’t do all the things mentioned in this proverb, she doesn’t quilt or make her own clothes, she doesn’t dress in royal gowns and she doesn’t sit in meetings with civic leaders. I do think the first 12 things cover her pretty well.
Then verse 30 says, "Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise."
The thing that makes women charming and beautiful is a sweet and gentle spirit.
Let me add this, when the charm and beauty fade away, and it will if you live long enough, the sweet and gentle spirit will still be a sign of charm and beauty for any woman and my wife truly possesses that. Praise God! I want you to know I didn’t write this to condemn anyone, it is just food for thought. My purpose is to encourage you and to let you know that this kind of life is possible even in this day and age. Have a great day and God bless you!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Push The Rewind Button
Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord, for it is fitting to praise Him. Psalms 33:1
This lesson goes along with yesterdays lesson.
For those of you who feel down and discouraged because you are being bombarded by the evil one, you feel like you are at your wits end, and nothing you do seems to go right, when you feel like your back is against the wall and it seems you have nowhere to turn and you’re ready to throw your hands in the air and scream, push the rewind button. If your life feels like it is spiraling out of control, stop what you are doing and push the rewind button.
Think about what your life was like when you were drawn to Jesus and you repented and confessed your sins and committed your life to Him. Think about the peace, love and joy you experienced. The Lord delivered you of things in your past and cleansed your sins and also took the guilt of your past life away and set you free. Think of the joy you had and the excitement you felt. You were overwhelmed with what you were experiencing, you couldn’t put into words what you felt like.
You felt clean and pure and forgiven for the first time in your life. Things didn’t seem near so complicated and you felt like you were floating through life without a care in the world. But as time went on life and circumstances and situations changed and little by little all these things took a toll on your life and you lost much of your joy and excitement. Now instead of feeling like you’re floating through life, you feel like you are being dragged!
The Lord never intended life to be that way for His children. Jesus said in John chapter 10 verse 10, “The thief’s purpose is to kill, steal and destroy, my purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” Praise the Lord, He wants the best for us. The problem is we get our eyes off Jesus and put them on many of the things that hinder us. We get ourselves so busy we have no time for the Lord, and if we do take time with the Lord our minds are so cluttered with other things all we are doing is going through the motions and accomplish nothing. If all you do is give the Lord lip service then you will continue in your downhill spiral and end up crashing.
What you and I need to do if we find ourselves in this condition is stop and push the rewind button.
We need to remember what we did when we first believed and start doing that again.
It is sort of like a Christian marriage, most marriages start out very passionate many people think that they can live on love forever. That goes on for a while then reality sets in and many things start to change. Careers may change then babies start coming along and they take up a lot of the time you once spent with each other. Many times unforeseen circumstances and situations arise and put a strain on the marriage and you realize the honeymoon is over. Then instead of spending time communicating with each other many couples start drifting apart. Then many times with the busy schedule your time with the Lord gets shortened or put on hold all together, and with all these things going on, not to mention the fights and arguments, it is easy to start falling apart.
Then it is time to push the rewind button before the marriage falls apart completely. Remember that in a Christian marriage it takes three to be successful, and I am not talking about one where you are just hanging on. It takes a husband and a wife and the Lord to make a great marriage. A Christian marriage is not just a feeling but it is a commitment to the Lord and also to each other.
I am convinced that if married couples that are committed to the Lord live out what the Word says they will have a great-blessed marriage. So don’t forget if you find yourselves in either one of these scenarios push the rewind button and start doing the things you used to do and don’t be shocked when you find the peace and joy flooding back into your lives. Remember the joy of the Lord is our strength, so start praising and thanking the Lord and have a great day.
God Bless You!
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