The other day I found the Bible I had as a kid packed away with some books. I don’t remember when, where or how I got it and there is nothing special about it other than the content. Many emotions and memories came to me as I looked it over. I remember in many hard times I read it, no rhyme or reason, I just read parts flipping through the pages hoping God would answer me somehow. In that time, I really had no idea how to approach reading the Bible, which I think is something many people can relate to. I knew there was much to learn and know, but I had no idea how to gain this knowledge. This was the beginning of my love for the Word of God.
In the last several years I have been feeling the call to teach from the Bible. So in trying to work out what I felt was a call 4 or so years ago, I started a Christian blog and a little later a bible study podcast on the book of 1st Peter. Now I may be a terrible writer, bad speaker and lacking as a teacher, but I love doing it. I love talking about the Bible and what Jesus did for us and more personally, what He did for me. I am very much a work in progress and I thank God at minimum, every morning when I wake up and every night before bed for what He has blessed me with. I love my family more than anything on this earth and if I can pass on something to all four of my children, it would be my passion to love and learn more about Jesus. I hope they will always stay on the narrow path.
I love looking at that old bible because it reminds me of where much of my curiosity for learning about God came from and how far I have come as a man and how much more I have to go. More importantly it reminds me how forgiving, loving and awesome God is and how far He has brought me as a Christian. In this life I will never be worthy of what Christ did for me, but I don't want it to be for a lack of trying.
So go dig out your bible and read it. Find out why after 2000 years, Jesus, a poor carpenter who never traveled more than 200 miles from home, is still the most important and compelling figure of all time. It could change your life. May God bless you.
Merry Christmas everyone, thanks for checking in >>John
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
This is the REAL way “Love Wins”
Serve God with Spiritual Gifts
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Behave Like a Christian
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. - Romans 12:1-13 (NKJV)
I was reflecting on Romans 12:3-13 today and it got me thinking about how many people we take for granted around us that allow our lives to go so smoothly. I’ll give you this, my smoothly may be much different than your definition, but we in America have it pretty easy compared to most around the world.
For now, we can worship freely without fear of violence. We are protected by the most advanced military in the world. Most of us live pretty close to hospitals, EMS, Fire and rescue (many of them volunteers). We have Police to protect us, people to come pick up our trash, water treatment plants that make sure we have clean running water and sewage treatment plants that make everything else “goes away”. Here is a biggie, we have food everywhere. I can drive 5 minutes and pass 20 places that serve food.
We can live our lives the way we do because of the love, caring, talent and hard work of people of the past and present. I have heard the term that “we stand of the shoulders of giants” that so many greats came before us. There are so many great people in this world that do so much for so many. We Christians owe so much to so many, so shouldn’t we live lives worthy of the sacrifice of so many?
In verse 9 it says “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”
We hate evil, we should serve and thank one another, love and lift each other up. We should not be self absorbed shut-ins spending our time trying to avoid contact with the “outside” world.
Verse 2 tells us “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Let’s change our hard coded mind sets to think outside the box when it comes to helping others. Lets humbly and thankfully serve each other. Think of someone who makes your life easier day in and day out. They don’t do it for praise or thanks....but why not make their day and do something for them, not just a “thank you”, but a gesture that shows you care about what it is they do and who they are? In using our individual talents in helping and loving each other, we can lift each other up as one in the body of Christ.
This is the REAL way “Love Wins”.
“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Thanks for checking in and God Bless>>John
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Behave Like a Christian
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. - Romans 12:1-13 (NKJV)
I was reflecting on Romans 12:3-13 today and it got me thinking about how many people we take for granted around us that allow our lives to go so smoothly. I’ll give you this, my smoothly may be much different than your definition, but we in America have it pretty easy compared to most around the world.
For now, we can worship freely without fear of violence. We are protected by the most advanced military in the world. Most of us live pretty close to hospitals, EMS, Fire and rescue (many of them volunteers). We have Police to protect us, people to come pick up our trash, water treatment plants that make sure we have clean running water and sewage treatment plants that make everything else “goes away”. Here is a biggie, we have food everywhere. I can drive 5 minutes and pass 20 places that serve food.
We can live our lives the way we do because of the love, caring, talent and hard work of people of the past and present. I have heard the term that “we stand of the shoulders of giants” that so many greats came before us. There are so many great people in this world that do so much for so many. We Christians owe so much to so many, so shouldn’t we live lives worthy of the sacrifice of so many?
In verse 9 it says “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”
We hate evil, we should serve and thank one another, love and lift each other up. We should not be self absorbed shut-ins spending our time trying to avoid contact with the “outside” world.
Verse 2 tells us “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Let’s change our hard coded mind sets to think outside the box when it comes to helping others. Lets humbly and thankfully serve each other. Think of someone who makes your life easier day in and day out. They don’t do it for praise or thanks....but why not make their day and do something for them, not just a “thank you”, but a gesture that shows you care about what it is they do and who they are? In using our individual talents in helping and loving each other, we can lift each other up as one in the body of Christ.
This is the REAL way “Love Wins”.
“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Thanks for checking in and God Bless>>John
Thursday, February 24, 2011
8 Ways God Blesses Us
By : 8 Ways God Blesses Us
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 lists eight ways God blesses us through Christ.
About 1 Corinthians
Corinth was the major commercial center in the Roman Empire. The city was famous for its wealth and also for being filled with every kind of evil. It was home to twelve pagan temples, including the Temple of Aphrodite, which housed over one thousand prostitutes. The city was so wicked that the term “Corinthianize” was coined to describe someone who practiced sexual immorality.
It was a city many would describe as God-forsaken, but God loves the unlovable and saves the unsaveable. So He sent Paul to preach the gospel and establish a church there.
Now living in this environment you can imagine that these new Christians would have trouble – and they did. There were divisions, legal problems, impurity and scandals throughout the Corinthian church. Instead of the Christians influencing the culture, the culture was influencing the Christians. So God lead Paul to write the book of 1 Corinthians to address these problems.
The book begins with nine verses laying out the believers standing before God and Paul uses this standing as the reason why they should change their ways. He basically says, “This is who you were, but this is who you are now in Christ, so live accordingly.”
1) God blesses us by adding us to His Church
Paul addresses the Corinthians in verse 2 as “the church of God which is at Corinth”. The word church means, “The called out ones”. It refers to people of every generation, every race, every nation, every walk of life, who were called out of the world and into the family of God.
1 Peter 2:9 describes the church as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,” who are to “proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
It’s a group made up of people so flawed and so deep in sin, yet they’re called “the Church of God.” The reason this is possible is because of the second way God blesses us.
2) God blesses us by sanctifying us
In verse 2 Paul first calls the Corinthians “the church of God”, now he calls them “those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus.”
To be sanctified means to be set apart for God’s purpose. We’re sanctified in three ways: positionally, progressively and ultimately.
We’re sanctified “positionally” when we come to Christ. Hebrews 10:10-12 explains: “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
In the Old Testament the priests would continually make sacrifices because they never permanently paid for sin. But Christ offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice and has paid for our sins once and for all. So we’ve sanctified, or set apart, to obtain salvation through Christ.
Then we’re sanctified “progressively” throughout our Christian lives. Progressive sanctification is the process of dying to sin and living for Christ by becoming more like Him. Galatians 5:22 explains that whereas before we did the works of the flesh we’re now to produce the fruit of the Spirit which “is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Progressive sanctification isn’t about our salvation it’s about how we live after we’ve been saved.
Then finally we’re sanctified “ultimately” when we go to heaven. Throughout our lives we wrestle with sin but when we go to be with the Lord our sinful nature is left behind. 1 John 3:2-3 explains that “now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
That brings us to the third way God blesses us.
3) God blesses us by making us saints
Paul continues his address in verse 2 by referring to the Corinthians as “called to be saints or literally “called saints”. The word “saint” means the same as sanctify – to be made separate or to be made holy. Those who are the recipients of sanctification are called saints. So we could refer to saints as “the sanctified ones”.
Notice that they’re called saints now. Saints aren’t canonized by the church. Verse 2 goes on to explain that saints are those “who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.” If that describes you then you are a saint right now.
Now we move on to verse 4 and find the fourth way God blesses us.
4) God blesses us by making us recipients of His grace
In Verse 4 Paul says, “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus. The reason we’re the church of God, the reason we’re sanctified, the reason we’re called saints is because of God’s grace.
To receive grace means to receive undeserved favor. Just as there are different aspects of sanctification there are also different aspects of grace that the Christian enjoys.
There’s saving grace which is described for us in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Then there’s sustaining grace which we find in 2 Corinthians 12:9 where Paul is asking God to remove some hindrance. God responds by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” And that caused Paul to say, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
So God’s grace doesn’t just save us, it also strengthens us, encourages us, and enables us to have joy in all circumstances.
5) God blesses us by enriching everything by Christ
Verse 5 says “You were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge.” Or, as the NIV puts it, “you have been enriched in every way-in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.”
James 2:5 tells us that “God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him.” In 1 Corinthians 2:16 we’re told we have “the mind of Christ” which enables us to think on spiritual things. God showers us with gifts of salvation, fellowship, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. We’re given everything we need to serve God and be fulfilled spiritually.
6) God blesses us by confirming us
Verse 6 says that “the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you”
When someone comes to Christ the Holy Spirit applies salvation to the believer. Ephesians 1:13-14 tells us that “In Christ you trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
We can rest secure in the knowledge that the promises of God are guaranteed to those who are in Christ.
7) God blesses us by causing us to be blameless in the day of our Lord
Verse 8 says that “you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The day will come when God will judge men according to their works. But Psalm 32:1-2 reminds us that “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity.” Through Christ we stand blameless before God because all our sins were covered on the Cross.
8) God blesses us by calling us into fellowship
Finally in verse 9 we’re told we’re “called into the fellowship.” We’re called into a relationship with God and with fellow believers. 1 John 1:3 says “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. God grants us the gift of a relationship with Him and the opportunity to join others in praising Him.
By : 8 Ways God Blesses Us
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 lists eight ways God blesses us through Christ.
About 1 Corinthians
Corinth was the major commercial center in the Roman Empire. The city was famous for its wealth and also for being filled with every kind of evil. It was home to twelve pagan temples, including the Temple of Aphrodite, which housed over one thousand prostitutes. The city was so wicked that the term “Corinthianize” was coined to describe someone who practiced sexual immorality.
It was a city many would describe as God-forsaken, but God loves the unlovable and saves the unsaveable. So He sent Paul to preach the gospel and establish a church there.
Now living in this environment you can imagine that these new Christians would have trouble – and they did. There were divisions, legal problems, impurity and scandals throughout the Corinthian church. Instead of the Christians influencing the culture, the culture was influencing the Christians. So God lead Paul to write the book of 1 Corinthians to address these problems.
The book begins with nine verses laying out the believers standing before God and Paul uses this standing as the reason why they should change their ways. He basically says, “This is who you were, but this is who you are now in Christ, so live accordingly.”
1) God blesses us by adding us to His Church
Paul addresses the Corinthians in verse 2 as “the church of God which is at Corinth”. The word church means, “The called out ones”. It refers to people of every generation, every race, every nation, every walk of life, who were called out of the world and into the family of God.
1 Peter 2:9 describes the church as “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,” who are to “proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
It’s a group made up of people so flawed and so deep in sin, yet they’re called “the Church of God.” The reason this is possible is because of the second way God blesses us.
2) God blesses us by sanctifying us
In verse 2 Paul first calls the Corinthians “the church of God”, now he calls them “those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus.”
To be sanctified means to be set apart for God’s purpose. We’re sanctified in three ways: positionally, progressively and ultimately.
We’re sanctified “positionally” when we come to Christ. Hebrews 10:10-12 explains: “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
In the Old Testament the priests would continually make sacrifices because they never permanently paid for sin. But Christ offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice and has paid for our sins once and for all. So we’ve sanctified, or set apart, to obtain salvation through Christ.
Then we’re sanctified “progressively” throughout our Christian lives. Progressive sanctification is the process of dying to sin and living for Christ by becoming more like Him. Galatians 5:22 explains that whereas before we did the works of the flesh we’re now to produce the fruit of the Spirit which “is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Progressive sanctification isn’t about our salvation it’s about how we live after we’ve been saved.
Then finally we’re sanctified “ultimately” when we go to heaven. Throughout our lives we wrestle with sin but when we go to be with the Lord our sinful nature is left behind. 1 John 3:2-3 explains that “now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
That brings us to the third way God blesses us.
3) God blesses us by making us saints
Paul continues his address in verse 2 by referring to the Corinthians as “called to be saints or literally “called saints”. The word “saint” means the same as sanctify – to be made separate or to be made holy. Those who are the recipients of sanctification are called saints. So we could refer to saints as “the sanctified ones”.
Notice that they’re called saints now. Saints aren’t canonized by the church. Verse 2 goes on to explain that saints are those “who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.” If that describes you then you are a saint right now.
Now we move on to verse 4 and find the fourth way God blesses us.
4) God blesses us by making us recipients of His grace
In Verse 4 Paul says, “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus. The reason we’re the church of God, the reason we’re sanctified, the reason we’re called saints is because of God’s grace.
To receive grace means to receive undeserved favor. Just as there are different aspects of sanctification there are also different aspects of grace that the Christian enjoys.
There’s saving grace which is described for us in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Then there’s sustaining grace which we find in 2 Corinthians 12:9 where Paul is asking God to remove some hindrance. God responds by saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” And that caused Paul to say, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
So God’s grace doesn’t just save us, it also strengthens us, encourages us, and enables us to have joy in all circumstances.
5) God blesses us by enriching everything by Christ
Verse 5 says “You were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge.” Or, as the NIV puts it, “you have been enriched in every way-in all your speaking and in all your knowledge.”
James 2:5 tells us that “God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him.” In 1 Corinthians 2:16 we’re told we have “the mind of Christ” which enables us to think on spiritual things. God showers us with gifts of salvation, fellowship, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. We’re given everything we need to serve God and be fulfilled spiritually.
6) God blesses us by confirming us
Verse 6 says that “the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you”
When someone comes to Christ the Holy Spirit applies salvation to the believer. Ephesians 1:13-14 tells us that “In Christ you trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
We can rest secure in the knowledge that the promises of God are guaranteed to those who are in Christ.
7) God blesses us by causing us to be blameless in the day of our Lord
Verse 8 says that “you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The day will come when God will judge men according to their works. But Psalm 32:1-2 reminds us that “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity.” Through Christ we stand blameless before God because all our sins were covered on the Cross.
8) God blesses us by calling us into fellowship
Finally in verse 9 we’re told we’re “called into the fellowship.” We’re called into a relationship with God and with fellow believers. 1 John 1:3 says “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. God grants us the gift of a relationship with Him and the opportunity to join others in praising Him.
By : 8 Ways God Blesses Us
Monday, February 14, 2011
Make today about real Love, Not Hallmark.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! I could not let this day go by without writing something about Love. I published Episode 9 of the 1 Peter Bible study Podcast which has the same theme. Check it out here.
God expects Christians to love others. By our fruit we can tell the level of love we have for our fellow man. Do you actively seek out ways in which to serve and love others? Or, is your thing just to cut checks and allow others to do the work, feeling like you've made a difference? When is the last time you actively sought out to make someone else have a good day?
We all know what it is like when people really make us angry; from rude comments, to inconsiderate behavior, taking too long with our dinner while eating out and so on. We all know how bad this makes us feel. I know I have been there more times than I would like to admit. I have my selfish moments, thinking it is all about me. We all have a tendency to view the world from the standpoint of us being the center and everything else needing to conform to our wants and needs. This is such a unhealthy way to live.
John 13:25 tell us, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” It is a very damaging to have Christians treating each other badly. It not only goes against what God expects from us, it is a bad witness to non-believers. If you quarrel in front of a non believer you may drive them further from Jesus because of your failings. To me, there can be nothing more sad than that. Is it worth sinning to make yourself feel better by snapping at someone to make them feel small because they have somehow wronged you? Would you be comfortable having lots of people see you at moments like that? I know I would not! How we act is proof that we belong to God. How many people right now would accuse you of belonging to God?
Proverbs 10:12 tell us that, “Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.” Pick your battles, and let things go. Nothing makes you feel better than saying I’m sorry and letting conflict go; doing right feels much, much better than being right most of the time. That last one is for me, this is a major flaw I have and I am sure many others have also.
Start with making someone’s day today. I know this is a day is a day to spend with your significant others. Think about how many people may be lonely today. Think of those who have had the love of their lives pass away; and about those who have their love ones fighting overseas so that others may live with simple freedoms that we all take for granted. Think of that little girl or boy missing their daddy or mommy right now when kids are giving their parents handmade cards and about the hugs and kisses they wish they could give them right now.
Love could be as simple as forgoing coffee and treating someone else to a free coffee, lunch or dinner…or just a smile and a hug for that person who looks like they need it. Call that person you know is alone; stop this time to acknowledge and help that person you ignore every day on the street. Lets us make this day not about Hallmark, expectations and “what did you get?” Lets us today, be what we should be everyday as Christians. Lets love in the Biblical since, let us fill others with love and compassion and overflow their cups; let that person or persons know they are a child of God and that they are loved.
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” - Hebrews 6:10
Peace be with all of you today. God Bless. >>John
God expects Christians to love others. By our fruit we can tell the level of love we have for our fellow man. Do you actively seek out ways in which to serve and love others? Or, is your thing just to cut checks and allow others to do the work, feeling like you've made a difference? When is the last time you actively sought out to make someone else have a good day?
We all know what it is like when people really make us angry; from rude comments, to inconsiderate behavior, taking too long with our dinner while eating out and so on. We all know how bad this makes us feel. I know I have been there more times than I would like to admit. I have my selfish moments, thinking it is all about me. We all have a tendency to view the world from the standpoint of us being the center and everything else needing to conform to our wants and needs. This is such a unhealthy way to live.
John 13:25 tell us, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” It is a very damaging to have Christians treating each other badly. It not only goes against what God expects from us, it is a bad witness to non-believers. If you quarrel in front of a non believer you may drive them further from Jesus because of your failings. To me, there can be nothing more sad than that. Is it worth sinning to make yourself feel better by snapping at someone to make them feel small because they have somehow wronged you? Would you be comfortable having lots of people see you at moments like that? I know I would not! How we act is proof that we belong to God. How many people right now would accuse you of belonging to God?
Proverbs 10:12 tell us that, “Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.” Pick your battles, and let things go. Nothing makes you feel better than saying I’m sorry and letting conflict go; doing right feels much, much better than being right most of the time. That last one is for me, this is a major flaw I have and I am sure many others have also.
Start with making someone’s day today. I know this is a day is a day to spend with your significant others. Think about how many people may be lonely today. Think of those who have had the love of their lives pass away; and about those who have their love ones fighting overseas so that others may live with simple freedoms that we all take for granted. Think of that little girl or boy missing their daddy or mommy right now when kids are giving their parents handmade cards and about the hugs and kisses they wish they could give them right now.
Love could be as simple as forgoing coffee and treating someone else to a free coffee, lunch or dinner…or just a smile and a hug for that person who looks like they need it. Call that person you know is alone; stop this time to acknowledge and help that person you ignore every day on the street. Lets us make this day not about Hallmark, expectations and “what did you get?” Lets us today, be what we should be everyday as Christians. Lets love in the Biblical since, let us fill others with love and compassion and overflow their cups; let that person or persons know they are a child of God and that they are loved.
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” - Hebrews 6:10
Peace be with all of you today. God Bless. >>John
Friday, January 21, 2011
Be a man, Biblically
Men, are you the leader of your family? Not a leader in the “Do as I say, or you’re going to get it!” leader, but as in a father leading his family to be Godly people way. Do you respect and honor your wife as your co-heir? Does SHE feel that she is respected, satisfied and happy? Does SHE feel you are a good leader, provider and spiritual shepherd for your family? Do your children see you as a role model of how a Christian, moral, honest, family loving man should act?
In relation to God, do you need to be drug to church? Does your wife have to leave you and take your kids to go to Church? What do you think this teaches your children? These are all question we as men need to ask ourselves and our families to get answers to. We as men cannot be truly Christian husbands and fathers unless we spiritually lead our families. If you don’t lead them society will, and we see what that leads to.
Men, ask yourself, “How do I change?”, “How do I become a man of God?”, “How do I become a better husband, better father and better man?” Men, these questions should always be on your mind. This change is done in the form of striving to change from a Godless, worldly (as in secular or of “this” world) man to a man of God. We are told to conform to the image of God in Romans 8:29, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.” - Ephesians 5:25
Below is a list I could not improve on from a sermon, “Marriage and Men”, by Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hills Church:
“Ephesians 5:25 calls men to love their wives as Christ loves the Church. Men are not ready to be good husbands until they are a part of the Church and understand how Christ loves the Church by taking responsibility for her and sacrificing himself for her.Men you need to understand that a wife’s fears (1 Pet. 3:6) are legitimate; men dominate the lives of women and children, for good or for evil. Honor your wife:
Honor your wife in marriage. Take a wife honorably. Establish right priorities, and be a one woman man—absolutely faithful to your wife.
Honor your wife physically. Be strong for your wife, not against her. Be protective of her and present with her.
Honor your wife emotionally. Be emotionally present and intimate. Take her on dates.
Honor your wife verbally. Speak honorably to her. Speak honorably of her, when she is present and absent.
Honor your wife financially. Provide for the financial needs of your family, organize your budget, and be generous towards your wife.
Honor your wife practically. Consider her needs and how you can serve her.
Honor your wife parentally. Be “Pastor Dad” by shepherding your children (praying with them, teaching them about Jesus, reading the Bible with them, etc.).
Honor your wife spiritually. You initiate and lead prayer, Bible, chats, church attendance, etc. Take responsibility for your church.”
“You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” - (1 Pet. 3:7). Repent.
So men, humble yourselves, speak to your wives, speak to your children, man up and lead your family for good, not evil. You need to step up and not be little boys; do the job that was given to you by God and rise up and lead your Christian family. If you are not doing the job, repent; commit yourself to being a man and a family leader in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Top 5 reasons Christians don’t defend Christianity: by John Christian Doe
5. They believe everything is okay. That society should dictate morality, what the masses believe is true and that is the way it should be. Besides, what secular society likes is more fun, even though most of it goes against the Word of God right?
4. They don’t want to look un-cool. Christians are portrayed as buffoons and thoughtless followers on TV and movies. So they don’t want to look like what they see on TV. So at Church they are super Christian and in the world they are trying their hardest to blend with the non believers.
3. They believe they are saved because they said a prayer one time, so it’s not their fight. They believe that because they said this prayer and “got saved” they are good to go and there is no need to stand up and fight. Everyone else is on their own; they don’t want to get that involved. They believe that the gate is narrow, but WOW this path getting there is wide!
2. They really don’t believe this “God stuff” that much, but they hope some of it is true because that would be awesome. These guys are trying to cover all their bases. They want to be of the world, but if that God stuff is true, they hope that prayer they said was enough to get them on the “good” list.
1. They don’t know enough about their faith to defend it to anyone. Their biblical knowledge can be thoroughly questioned and shaken by a 5 year old. The extent of their Bible reading is on Bumper stickers, T-Shirts, Facebook statuses and what their Pastor has said in funny feel good stories on Sundays. They don’t know why there is only one way to God or why the Bible is the inherent word of God. So when questioned by a non believer who pulled some verse out of context to refute Christianity, they say “I have faith its true” or even worse “I don’t know”.
Thanks for checking in and Let’s all keep growing in our faith!!
4. They don’t want to look un-cool. Christians are portrayed as buffoons and thoughtless followers on TV and movies. So they don’t want to look like what they see on TV. So at Church they are super Christian and in the world they are trying their hardest to blend with the non believers.
3. They believe they are saved because they said a prayer one time, so it’s not their fight. They believe that because they said this prayer and “got saved” they are good to go and there is no need to stand up and fight. Everyone else is on their own; they don’t want to get that involved. They believe that the gate is narrow, but WOW this path getting there is wide!
2. They really don’t believe this “God stuff” that much, but they hope some of it is true because that would be awesome. These guys are trying to cover all their bases. They want to be of the world, but if that God stuff is true, they hope that prayer they said was enough to get them on the “good” list.
1. They don’t know enough about their faith to defend it to anyone. Their biblical knowledge can be thoroughly questioned and shaken by a 5 year old. The extent of their Bible reading is on Bumper stickers, T-Shirts, Facebook statuses and what their Pastor has said in funny feel good stories on Sundays. They don’t know why there is only one way to God or why the Bible is the inherent word of God. So when questioned by a non believer who pulled some verse out of context to refute Christianity, they say “I have faith its true” or even worse “I don’t know”.
Thanks for checking in and Let’s all keep growing in our faith!!
Friday, January 14, 2011
The blessing the love of family brings us
Have you ever been on fire for God so much to preach and spread his word that it makes it almost hard to get it all out. I feel so convicted right now the words escape me; I don’t have the hours in the day to devote the time I want or need to. God has led me to pour this attention and love into my family, and I have never been happier or felt more blessed to have them. I see an excitement to learn from my children, which makes my heart overflow with joy. They truly are and always will be my greatest ministry and next to our Lord Jesus Christ, my wife and my children are the best thing to ever happen to me. Please take a moment to marvel in the splendor of what God has given to us in family, and recognize the blessing the love of family brings us.
Thanks for checking in and God Bless>>
Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy New Year from John Christian Doe Podcast!
Thanks for a great year Lord! Thank you so much to my listeners and readers, your support is awesome! May all of us grow in your faith this year.
Thanks for checking in >>John
Thanks for checking in >>John
Monday, December 27, 2010
I have to love who? Aww come on...
He answered: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' - Luke 10:27 - NIV2010
Ahhh, a tough one for most of us, to love our neighbor as ourselves. We all love lots of things, family, food, cars, homes, TV shows, TV Stars, Facebook, our phones…but do we truly love anything as much as ourselves? I know I love my family, without a doubt beyond anything on this earth. Do I love others more than myself? That guy who cut me off or the person in the 12 or less items line with way more than 12 items or the neighbor who throws weedy dirt clumps over my fence or the other neighbor whose father tried to cut down my 60 foot tall tree with a machete?
Do I love people that can be self centered, self serving and rude? Yes. Do I love the "act" or the “sin”. No. Do I think that all of us in some way fall under the category I just described? Yes. I would most definitely help most anyone with anything I could, but I know my heart needs work.
In Luke 10:25-37 the Samaritan proves himself a neighbor by his unprejudiced mercy and compassion.I need to be more like this, we all need to be like this.
But who is our neighbor? Our neighbor is determined without distinction of race, nationality, or religion; the people that affect us either good or bad are our neighbors. More specifically in light of the Good Samaritan parable, he who needs our aid, no matter who he is, is our neighbor. Now this leads me to the question, “are WE neighborly?" Are we gracious, kind, helpful, merciful, friendly and compassionate to our fellow man? Do we wish to help our fellow man more than we desire to please ourselves? Most of us I am sure fall short.
We have the model for how a good neighbor should act; he was perfect in his execution of how we should be or strive to be in every way. Jesus saw awful sinners whose sin robbed their potential, stripped their spiritual ideals and broke them. Jesus helped them rise by coming down to where they are….he was the supreme Samaritan. In his greatest feat he gave mankind a corresponding act of mercy by his sacrifice and secured our salvation through his resurrection. No matter how much we don’t deserve his grace mercy, no matter how un-neighborly we are. Jesus is always there, and he loves us. God gives us abundantly more than we ask. Let’s try to do that for others.
Thanks for checking in >>John
Ahhh, a tough one for most of us, to love our neighbor as ourselves. We all love lots of things, family, food, cars, homes, TV shows, TV Stars, Facebook, our phones…but do we truly love anything as much as ourselves? I know I love my family, without a doubt beyond anything on this earth. Do I love others more than myself? That guy who cut me off or the person in the 12 or less items line with way more than 12 items or the neighbor who throws weedy dirt clumps over my fence or the other neighbor whose father tried to cut down my 60 foot tall tree with a machete?
Do I love people that can be self centered, self serving and rude? Yes. Do I love the "act" or the “sin”. No. Do I think that all of us in some way fall under the category I just described? Yes. I would most definitely help most anyone with anything I could, but I know my heart needs work.
In Luke 10:25-37 the Samaritan proves himself a neighbor by his unprejudiced mercy and compassion.I need to be more like this, we all need to be like this.
But who is our neighbor? Our neighbor is determined without distinction of race, nationality, or religion; the people that affect us either good or bad are our neighbors. More specifically in light of the Good Samaritan parable, he who needs our aid, no matter who he is, is our neighbor. Now this leads me to the question, “are WE neighborly?" Are we gracious, kind, helpful, merciful, friendly and compassionate to our fellow man? Do we wish to help our fellow man more than we desire to please ourselves? Most of us I am sure fall short.
We have the model for how a good neighbor should act; he was perfect in his execution of how we should be or strive to be in every way. Jesus saw awful sinners whose sin robbed their potential, stripped their spiritual ideals and broke them. Jesus helped them rise by coming down to where they are….he was the supreme Samaritan. In his greatest feat he gave mankind a corresponding act of mercy by his sacrifice and secured our salvation through his resurrection. No matter how much we don’t deserve his grace mercy, no matter how un-neighborly we are. Jesus is always there, and he loves us. God gives us abundantly more than we ask. Let’s try to do that for others.
Thanks for checking in >>John
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)