Saturday, November 14, 2009
Happy Homecoming
I've described myself before as an excited puppy at the Savior's feet. I'm so desperate to please Him! When I saw this video, it hit a soft spot in my heart. I wondered if this is how I will react somewhat when the Savior calls personally to me and I get to see Him face to face. I will be at least this happy... Happy Homecoming
Friday, November 13, 2009
What Does It Mean?
The gospel is Christ crucified.
"For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles... When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech of wisdom. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." 1 Corinthians 1:22-23, 2:1-2
So what does the cross represent to you?
I haven't to listed anything so that you won't read over them lightly. That's too easy to do. Take the time today to ponder all the cross means to you, and pray to have the Spirit impress upon your heart new ways to appreciate it.
"For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles... When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech of wisdom. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." 1 Corinthians 1:22-23, 2:1-2
So what does the cross represent to you?
I haven't to listed anything so that you won't read over them lightly. That's too easy to do. Take the time today to ponder all the cross means to you, and pray to have the Spirit impress upon your heart new ways to appreciate it.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Mean Monkey
How would you define sin? As doing something bad, mean, hateful, mischievous, or just plain wrong?
Watch the following video: Mean Monkey
Was that a sin? If it were a human would it be considered a sin?
The Hebrew word ḥāṭā’ most often translated as the verb form of "sin" is defined by Strong's as "...to miss the mark, to wrong, to sin, to lead to sin..." In the Greek, there are two main words that define sin. Hamartanō, meaning, "To sin, to miss a mark on the way, not to hit the mark. One who keeps missing the mark in his relationship to God...", and hamartia: "Sin, missing the true end and scope of our lives, which is God. An offense in relation to God with emphasis on guilt."
Sin is not doing something mean or wrong. It is missing the mark in your relationship with God. Yes, one way is by ignoring His commands to love one another, but the issue is in the relationship to God - not in the act between two people.
Have you been missing the mark?
Watch the following video: Mean Monkey
Was that a sin? If it were a human would it be considered a sin?
The Hebrew word ḥāṭā’ most often translated as the verb form of "sin" is defined by Strong's as "...to miss the mark, to wrong, to sin, to lead to sin..." In the Greek, there are two main words that define sin. Hamartanō, meaning, "To sin, to miss a mark on the way, not to hit the mark. One who keeps missing the mark in his relationship to God...", and hamartia: "Sin, missing the true end and scope of our lives, which is God. An offense in relation to God with emphasis on guilt."
Sin is not doing something mean or wrong. It is missing the mark in your relationship with God. Yes, one way is by ignoring His commands to love one another, but the issue is in the relationship to God - not in the act between two people.
Have you been missing the mark?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Being Flexible
There just never seems to be time enough in our hectic schedules for just talking with people. Yesterday, I had too many things to do in too short of a time to do them. Even though I really wasn't behind too bad, I felt that way a little since my wonderful husband had got up and taken the kids to school in order to let me sleep in a bit. I did: And woke up at 10:45. I guess I needed it more than I thought.
After we had breakfast together, I started in on my day's work. Now, I'm the type of person who has a hard time getting in too much studying at home because of all the things I see which need to be done. Right there. Calling to me. So, after being prompted by the Spirit to go shopping for a few particular things, I figured it would make sense to stop by and get work done at a local coffee shop until time to pick up the kids from school. I only had about an hour, but figured it was time to get one or two things accomplished.
However, as I got there, a wonderful lady whom I have met briefly before, and I started talking. As we continued on in our conversation, my flesh was telling me over and over how much I needed to do and I was wasting time. Yet the Spirit within me kept me gabbing away. At the end of our conversation, which came only because I was about to be late picking up the kids, I realized how blessed I was to have spoken to her. Not only because I was able to proclaim the glory of the Lord and how amazing He is, but because we as Christians seldom take the time to encourage and uplift one another in the Lord. This precious sister in Christ and I have a heavenly Father who we needed to talk about! How else can we show our love for Him while sitting there?
Yes, I still had much to do, but I truly believe the Father honored that time, by allowing me to complete everything I needed to get done anyway: Even though I was further behind than I had realized at that point. As the Lord has been teaching me to love the way He desires me to, I've noticed that entails spending more time, one-on-one, with people. Not planning what to do for them, studying about them, or even just praying for them. But being with them.
As I am still learning, I ask you the question I ask of myself: Are you being sensitive to the Spirit, and flexible enough to follow through with His daily direction to encourage and strengthen those we come in contact with?
After we had breakfast together, I started in on my day's work. Now, I'm the type of person who has a hard time getting in too much studying at home because of all the things I see which need to be done. Right there. Calling to me. So, after being prompted by the Spirit to go shopping for a few particular things, I figured it would make sense to stop by and get work done at a local coffee shop until time to pick up the kids from school. I only had about an hour, but figured it was time to get one or two things accomplished.
However, as I got there, a wonderful lady whom I have met briefly before, and I started talking. As we continued on in our conversation, my flesh was telling me over and over how much I needed to do and I was wasting time. Yet the Spirit within me kept me gabbing away. At the end of our conversation, which came only because I was about to be late picking up the kids, I realized how blessed I was to have spoken to her. Not only because I was able to proclaim the glory of the Lord and how amazing He is, but because we as Christians seldom take the time to encourage and uplift one another in the Lord. This precious sister in Christ and I have a heavenly Father who we needed to talk about! How else can we show our love for Him while sitting there?
Yes, I still had much to do, but I truly believe the Father honored that time, by allowing me to complete everything I needed to get done anyway: Even though I was further behind than I had realized at that point. As the Lord has been teaching me to love the way He desires me to, I've noticed that entails spending more time, one-on-one, with people. Not planning what to do for them, studying about them, or even just praying for them. But being with them.
As I am still learning, I ask you the question I ask of myself: Are you being sensitive to the Spirit, and flexible enough to follow through with His daily direction to encourage and strengthen those we come in contact with?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Oops!
Yesterday my husband and I actually got to have a date for lunch. Very seldom do we have the chance to go out to eat together, so we were really looking forward to it, and there was a local Japanese restaurant with an all your can eat sushi special we'd been wanting to try.
As we were eating and sharing food, there was a roll Kevin had ordered with mango that I wanted to try. However, just as I was swallowing it, I realized that there was some sort of pepper in it. I am very allergic to any sort of pepper. Quickly swallowing my medicine for allergic reactions, I hoped that perhaps it would not be as bad as I thought, but before long I was coughing, shaking, and my lungs felt like they were being squeezed. Just as I was about to tell him to head to the ER, the reaction leveled off and within 5 minutes was starting to get a little better.
I am usually so careful, and was a little upset with myself that I had not checked the food more carefully. Even though the worst part of the reaction was over fairly quickly, I knew I would feel crummy the rest of the day. It always wipes me out after having a reaction.
I realize that no mater how careful we are in our walk with Christ, we still slip up. There are times that we know we shouldn't do something or feel a certain way, but we find ourselves falling for it before we even knew it was there to tempt us. Yes, it is frustrating, but we are human. No matter how much we want to be perfect, we never will be here in this lifetime. So don't beat yourself up over it, just give in to it, and don't deny it ever happened. No one is perfect, but Jesus Christ our Lord. That is why He is able to save us from those sins. Those people who think they never slip up, or that their slip-ups are nowhere near as bad or important as others are just blind to the fact that sin is sin. Don't let them make you feel worthless. You are a precious jewel to your Father in heaven. It only matters between Him and you. Not you and anyone else.
Just take an extra dose of healing medicine, the Word, and get back to being productive and useful for the Kingdom. Even if you feel crummy about whatever it was, don't let it stop you from living for Christ to the fullest.
As we were eating and sharing food, there was a roll Kevin had ordered with mango that I wanted to try. However, just as I was swallowing it, I realized that there was some sort of pepper in it. I am very allergic to any sort of pepper. Quickly swallowing my medicine for allergic reactions, I hoped that perhaps it would not be as bad as I thought, but before long I was coughing, shaking, and my lungs felt like they were being squeezed. Just as I was about to tell him to head to the ER, the reaction leveled off and within 5 minutes was starting to get a little better.
I am usually so careful, and was a little upset with myself that I had not checked the food more carefully. Even though the worst part of the reaction was over fairly quickly, I knew I would feel crummy the rest of the day. It always wipes me out after having a reaction.
I realize that no mater how careful we are in our walk with Christ, we still slip up. There are times that we know we shouldn't do something or feel a certain way, but we find ourselves falling for it before we even knew it was there to tempt us. Yes, it is frustrating, but we are human. No matter how much we want to be perfect, we never will be here in this lifetime. So don't beat yourself up over it, just give in to it, and don't deny it ever happened. No one is perfect, but Jesus Christ our Lord. That is why He is able to save us from those sins. Those people who think they never slip up, or that their slip-ups are nowhere near as bad or important as others are just blind to the fact that sin is sin. Don't let them make you feel worthless. You are a precious jewel to your Father in heaven. It only matters between Him and you. Not you and anyone else.
Just take an extra dose of healing medicine, the Word, and get back to being productive and useful for the Kingdom. Even if you feel crummy about whatever it was, don't let it stop you from living for Christ to the fullest.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Translating
Yesterday morning the worship service at our church combined with the Hispanic congregation who usually meets after us. We were able to sing songs together in English and Spanish: Even the choir special switched between the two languages during the chorus. It was such a beautiful reminder that our God is the God of “...every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)
As my pastor, Mike, gave the sermon, the Hispanic pastor, Jorge, would translated. Because of this, Pastor Mike had to speak in short, or broken sentences in order to let Pastor Jorge interpret without getting too bogged down or lost. I have to say I was tickled by the fact that Wal-Mart is Wal-Mart, no matter the language and Paul is called Pablo. I just never pictured him as a Pablo.
As I sat there listening, it occurred to me that the sermon was more concise because of the need to listen and translate. Stopping to wait allowed Pastor Mike time to chose his next words more carefully instead of a thought being allowed to play out in full. It also gave Pastor Jorge time to figure out how best to translate a sentence. What a wonderful example of how we should speak to others! Not only do we need to take time to stop and think even as we are speaking, but we need to take time and hear what the Spirit has to say to us before we open our mouths to those around us.
Our tongue, or words, are difficult to control. Psalm 52:4 says, “You love any words that destroy, you treacherous tongue!” and in Proverbs 21:23, “The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” The book of James gives us further insight on the wisdom of pausing to tame the tongue. James 1:26, “If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless.” and again in James 3:2, “...If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his body.” What amazing emphasis is placed on controlling our words: It will effect our whole body!
As we pause before speaking, we are to be listening to what the Spirit guides us to say for the Father. “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.” (John 16:13) Christ also tells us over and over in the book of Revelation, “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Chapters 2 & 3)
I realize that we can not stop every few moments in our conversations with people to cock our heads skyward, listening for guidance from the Spirit. It is something we just have to pray for and be sensitive to while we are speaking. And the only way to accomplish that is by spending time in the Word daily and praying constantly! So take a few moments to pray for His guidance in your speech today. Ask Him to keep you sensitive to His promptings and for your tongue to get stuck to the roof of your mouth if your flesh starts taking over!
As my pastor, Mike, gave the sermon, the Hispanic pastor, Jorge, would translated. Because of this, Pastor Mike had to speak in short, or broken sentences in order to let Pastor Jorge interpret without getting too bogged down or lost. I have to say I was tickled by the fact that Wal-Mart is Wal-Mart, no matter the language and Paul is called Pablo. I just never pictured him as a Pablo.
As I sat there listening, it occurred to me that the sermon was more concise because of the need to listen and translate. Stopping to wait allowed Pastor Mike time to chose his next words more carefully instead of a thought being allowed to play out in full. It also gave Pastor Jorge time to figure out how best to translate a sentence. What a wonderful example of how we should speak to others! Not only do we need to take time to stop and think even as we are speaking, but we need to take time and hear what the Spirit has to say to us before we open our mouths to those around us.
Our tongue, or words, are difficult to control. Psalm 52:4 says, “You love any words that destroy, you treacherous tongue!” and in Proverbs 21:23, “The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” The book of James gives us further insight on the wisdom of pausing to tame the tongue. James 1:26, “If anyone thinks he is religious, without controlling his tongue but deceiving his heart, his religion is useless.” and again in James 3:2, “...If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his body.” What amazing emphasis is placed on controlling our words: It will effect our whole body!
As we pause before speaking, we are to be listening to what the Spirit guides us to say for the Father. “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.” (John 16:13) Christ also tells us over and over in the book of Revelation, “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Chapters 2 & 3)
I realize that we can not stop every few moments in our conversations with people to cock our heads skyward, listening for guidance from the Spirit. It is something we just have to pray for and be sensitive to while we are speaking. And the only way to accomplish that is by spending time in the Word daily and praying constantly! So take a few moments to pray for His guidance in your speech today. Ask Him to keep you sensitive to His promptings and for your tongue to get stuck to the roof of your mouth if your flesh starts taking over!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)