I remember right around the year 2000 I think it was Pepsi was doing these commercials and in these commercials it talked about Generation X. It was the slogan they were using to mark our or my generation of kids. The idea is that were the future and the generation and that it was no in our hands to move things forward. The truth is our generation is a blessed generation, because of our parents generation and how they grew up most of our parents made sure we could live an easier life. That was a great thing and still is, its just that our generation got use to being spoiled and that easy that we didnt get some things that maybe could've gone a long way for us in the long run. Our parents didnt fail us as a matter of fact they slaved for us (most of us anyway) they just didnt want that strict doctrine that forced them to serve God they still taught us Jesus was the only they werent as hard on us as their parents were on them. They didnt give room for anything else but they didnt force us either. Unfortunately the world grew to embrace Jesus less and less so that our generation began to seek out new replacements for God and the knowledge of the bible grew less, the desire for God grew even lesser. Eventually habitual lawlessnes took its place, a desire to be "free" became the new motto of this age, and church if attended at all was a favor to God instead of an oppurtunity for growth for us. Eventually, the bible just wasent enough and the thirst for something "new" came into place so the discovery of different versions of the gospel or turning to an all new religion became the next move. As the world became more and more distant and resistant to Jesus so did this generation. A generation where the children were taught that sex was ok so that young men and young women were virtually using each other up play toys and throwing each other away like old clothes you never wear any more. Wasteful with each other's hearts and a general disconcern with the risk we were putting each other in. Marriage was least desired and monogomy (even if married) was "tiresome and boring". Perversion over conversion was the mindset and the this generation is having it pumped into them a mile a minute via devices that were to be used for positive purposes, thus the creation of Generation XXX.
This generation actually is no different than any other generation, as a matter of fact it's just the same, the difference is its no longer masked as it used to be. If David (in the bible) was commiting acts of adultry, Moses committing murder, or Noah being a drunk then there is nothing new under the sun. The deal is "back in the day" people hid it better but the same the hearts haven't been changed so the sin is still the same. The crazy part of this is that now we live in such a world that embraces sin all the more that now more than ever its hard to get this generation to turn from it but this is no surprise Paul warns of this in 2 Timothy 3:2 where he wrote "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy" The change that our generation could make and actually is being called to make is to live for God anyway. During a great conversation with my brother he said something profound "our generation suffers from being the most biblically illterate generation" that seems offensive but its truth. The knowledge of the bible is severely lacking and it is that knowledge that empowers us to grow closer to God. Often times its heard said that "I am still young and I just want to enjoy my youth, God know's my heart" My brother again said it like this "That is a stupid position and arrogant position". I know that sounds rude but it's an excuse to continue you like you were before. I'm not saying I am perfect because God knows I am far from it but knowing you can do better and choosing not too is foolish. The reality is our generation no longer are kids we are the one's having children, starting families, and we are expecting raise to another generation of children that equally have no knowledge of the true and living God. Demonstrating to them that its ok to live as free as you want or live anyway you want in a pursuit to "enjoy themselves". God's ultimate plan for us is Sanctification. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 "For this is the will of God, your sanctification;" That word sanctification simply means to be set aside for use or special purpose, the process of becoming holy like God. We are on this earth for that purpose and that purpose only, that is Goal number one. All of our goals like careers, and marriage, and family are things that through the scope of sanctification to God we do. That means its all from his perspective first. This is not to bash or push anyone out it's to help you and me out, most of us will be parents one day and we need to have the tools needed in order to teach our children to be followers after Christ. The message or gospel of Jesus Christ was sent to bring good news of salvation and forgivness of sins. The idea is that we are made right through Christ through grace. We are still young but are held responsible for every action that we make, and while striving to be young and wild hell is still burning. I'm not saying you can't have a social life but the real question is when this is all over do you know where your going? That conversation is scary but this world is not the final resting place, we are here to do one thing work for God we labor for him. The reward for the diligent and true believers of Christ is rest in heaven. I'm not saying will cease as a matter of fact the more that turn to God the worser the times will get. It's not Generation X its Generation NEXT. WE are up to bat and I'm sorry I want to spirtually equipped to lead a wife and father Children. The reality is this will be offensive to someone who is in opposition to this, to those who want after God this will be the message to encourage you to fight for Christ. If your not saved this could be the message to lead towards steps to salvation. We are not the lost generation, God has big plans for us, we have to run after those plans and live boldly for God.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Mediocrity is A- Ok with me.
I remember when I was a teenager and during that time I was a part of a youth ministry that had sunday services called J.A.M.(Jesus and Me). This service was designed to keep the youth focused on Christ and providing a confidence in being young and a Christian. I remember the youth pastor at the time used this as focus always " Mediocrity is unacceptable." It was to teach us to never live beneath our means, and to encourage us to live for the best that God has for us. To be mediocre is to be "barely adequate", that means your it's just enough to make it but only just that. Imagine now if your whole life is in that way, that means everything you are doing is barely enough to make it. For the Christian believer this is dangerous, that means your worship is barely adequate, and the same with your service, praying, bible reading, belief, and even your every day dealings with everyone. It causes tension in your life constantly because you realize that everyone around you is not settling or no longer settling. Mediocrity causes you too sink, it causes your living for Christ to be stagnant and your concern for your own self to be the same. It usually starts when a comfort level has been reached with just making it. Imagine if Christ had been mediocre, I know that's kind of deep but this issue is really that DEEP! If Christ lived a mediocre life he would not have cared too much about certain issues, he would not have worked so hard preaching sermons, performing miracles, or even worse dying on the CROSS! Think of it like this, What if God is trying to birth something in you that will bless many and even more bring people to the light of Christ, but because you won't come out of a mediocre attitude they are not getting that message. Ultimately God will get the message across but you will not be the vessel he uses(that should not be ok for you). Your life is just as valuable as the person to your left or right, when you live beneath that your slapping God in the face. Your telling him that this gift he gave you is barely adequate and that it will JUST do. You cannot maintain healthy relationships, live a healthy life, or worse experience the fullness of God with a mediocre attitude. You will never be able to enjoy your life because your stagnant--that means your not moving your standing still. A Dream is just a dream, but our friend Joseph in the bible had dreams that came to past, they were more than just mere fantasies. So if your tired of mediocrity than talking to God about it is the first step, and then walking out that change. You want something different on the job than get there on time, do the job your paid to do, and avoid complacency even if others are encouraging it. Push for more and challenge yourself always. Want that relationship to be more I suggest you stop doing the same thing if you know its not working and if that same thing that your doing is SIN than STOP! Live for God in everything you do and stay in constant communication with God. You should be tired of how it feels every morning and every night if your living this way. You should be tired of watching everyone live out their dreams and following God's plan and your not. The clark sisters had a song they sang that asked a simple question "Is my living in vain?". Live for Christ always his approval is whose you want to gain , no job, no significant other, no person, no family member will ever give you the approval that God is only able to give. Those things are imperfect and will sometimes let you down. That means that people patting you on the back should not be the goal of doing well, but the achievement and the work you did to get there should be the peace of mind. If your desiring change and you don't know how I direct to you as it was directed to me by a good friend James 4:7a "Submit therefore to God. " Until you decide enough is enough it will never change for you...this is your life and in this instant it has to be about you and God. No one else no matter how much they care for you and even love you can help you with this and that might create even more frustration because of that dependency but the idea is this you need to face yourself in front of God and submit to his plan and flee from this disease known as mediocrity. In the words of my old youth pastor "Mediocrity is Unacceptable". A sick person won't get better until they take the medicine prescribed by the doctor.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Helping Goes Both Ways
What an interesting quote right? I know what it seems like but honestly have you heard the saying "too much of anything can kill you"? Or how about this saying "everything must be done in moderation"? Christ made his life and his ministry (really one in the same) about helping humanity but at no point did he compromise his character or his standard of life. Sometimes when you want so badly to help others you get so caught in the help part that you forget about the purpose. Helping them simply means your aiding them and not hindering them. When you reach the point when you have traded places...and you are where they were and they are now where you were there is a problem. At no point where you to downgrade to help they rather the idea was for them to raise themselves up to where you are. That is how you elevate them, your not helping them when you take on their characteristics in order to "relate" to them. The true mark of the Christian believer is the model that Christ set. Christ met Mary Magdalene after she had been caught in the act of fornication, but surely he didn't engage in the act with her did he? John 8:1-11 "1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." The premise is he overlooked her sin and then even helped her out and sent her on her way encouraging to repent from sin. I can say that my testimony is this...I have spent most of my young adult life helping or trying to help people desiring for people to know Christ in a very real way. I realized that I had exerted so much energy into seeing people with God that I start slacking, not reading, not praying, as much because I was too busy trying to give them advice. The most effective part of Christ ministry was that he was living out his ministry. Helping ALWAYS GOES BOTH WAYS. The inability to lead by example enables a position when you being to slack in your walk. Funny thing is when your focus became about helping people for gain because honestly that's what it is about, you wanted them to say "look how much you have done for me" the whole time they were learning the lessons of the bible. When Peter saw the wind he got scared and begin to sink. Not only was his faith lingering but his focus was on the wrong thing. When you get distracted by doing a good for the wrong reasons your not helping yourself. God is using you even still to bless them. You end up frustrated and questioning whats going on with you? The idea is everything you do is for God. The minute you allow yourself to be led away from God even when doing his work you need to stop and readjust your focus. If the only way someone will listen to you is if you meet them at the club, smoke with them, go to compromising places then they don't really want the help. You don't want to wake up one day and see your growth come to a halt, because the reality is if your not careful everyone your helping may end up in heaven as you head straight to hell. My brother told me all the time and still does "the road to hell was paved with good intentions". I currently was convicted by this and am now in a position where I have to steal away from people to study, and pray because I noticed I was not in the right mind or living as I used to. It is truly to possible to be out of fellowship with God even when you look like (outward) you aren't. 1 Samuel 16:7 simply says this "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, (A)
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Withdrawl....
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.-2 Corinthians 6:17.
I don't believe I ever finished my last 4 days of blogging which was bad of me so here is one blog to encompass those three days. Lets begin with a story that will act as a metaphor for this entire blog today.
I remember when I watched this movie called "The G.O.A.T." it was about a famous basketball player named Earl Manigault and the character was played by Don Cheadle. In this movie he was a insanely good basketball player who of course played in high school and played in some in college. He ended up messing up his career in college ball because he turned to a habit that would try to ruin his life and that would be drugs. He began using drugs alot and it began to take him into a life he never knew he could find. When he came to the realization that he needed to quit because of all that he was losing he had to kick the habit. In order to do that he had to go through withdrawl, this process would cause him to feel pain like he never felt and even made him sick to the point of vomitting. It was not a pleasant experience to say the least. When he finished going through withdrawl he went back to hanging out with friends and ran into a friend who was still using drugs and he found himself ALMOST relapsing but what stopped him is watching is best friend overdose and die right in front of him. The worst pain one could feel right? Suffice to say, Earl stayed clean for the rest of his life and started a basketball program that I believe is still up and running even until today.
Paul's scripture up above in 2nd Corinthians 6:17 is his encouraging word for the believers not be like the world, but to maintain Christian values (not compromising them) while still living in this world. I submitt to you this morning, we sometimes have to go through WITHDRAWL!! Like a drug user the body develops a dependency on the habit and at first what used to feel wrong now feels right. You are still aware that its wrong but you keep doing it. Why? Because your gaining a dependence on it and most times the habit is a way out. Again, using the metaphor of drugs the dependency is coming from constant consumption of the product, and whats its inside of you thats whats coming out. The user and the dealer may say it feels good and they rationalize. To make it practical we make excuses and blame others for our habits that we know we should not indulge in. But Jesus differently in Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh" It's in your heart, when you keep indulging its no one else, that person just sparks a recognition of those things inside of you and gives them a way to move. It's easy to say "I lie so much because THEY cause me to lie", or " I hate so much because THEY make me so angry". Why is it they and not I. They should never have any control over you like that and if they THEY do then there is your dependency. I am guilty of this, calling on Jesus, trying to teach somebody about the gospel but my dependency aint on him fully. You see when it's on him I cant and wont blame someone else for my sin, I won't make an excuse for why I can't (and subsequently won't ) get right. The issue is I have become dependent and therefore comfortable with my sin. When we do that we are so dependent on the sin and others that we wait on them to move first and we "find a way out". When we know that we need not induldge these habits any more for our own growth we have to go through that withdrawl. I believe I said it on twitter last night, withdrawl from bad habits can be hard, painful, and even frustating. It can also weigh a ton on you, but it is the cross we must bear in order to see growth. You may feel alone, most times when people see you are trying to rid yourself of those habits they either try to get you to fall or they won't want to be around you as much. Sometimes you could be that person in someone elses life.(think about it). It can be days filled with lonely nights, feeling the urge to want to relapse but experience the battle your spirit man and the flesh and as the spirit of God is overcoming the flesh it will weigh on you like a ton but it all will pass away. You may even hurt inside because you feel that lonliness but for God I say lose it all for his gain in your life. However, those who truly LOVE would never let you go through this alone unless it was absolutely necessary. The point is that God wants you not to desire the attention of the habits or those people, he wants you to desire his attention. We all must walk this walk in our quest to grow stronger in him. It maybe something like over eating or fornicating, or stealing, or lusting or anything. It will benefit you all the more to "seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and all his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you"-Matthew 6:33.
Peace to all...God Bless.
I don't believe I ever finished my last 4 days of blogging which was bad of me so here is one blog to encompass those three days. Lets begin with a story that will act as a metaphor for this entire blog today.
I remember when I watched this movie called "The G.O.A.T." it was about a famous basketball player named Earl Manigault and the character was played by Don Cheadle. In this movie he was a insanely good basketball player who of course played in high school and played in some in college. He ended up messing up his career in college ball because he turned to a habit that would try to ruin his life and that would be drugs. He began using drugs alot and it began to take him into a life he never knew he could find. When he came to the realization that he needed to quit because of all that he was losing he had to kick the habit. In order to do that he had to go through withdrawl, this process would cause him to feel pain like he never felt and even made him sick to the point of vomitting. It was not a pleasant experience to say the least. When he finished going through withdrawl he went back to hanging out with friends and ran into a friend who was still using drugs and he found himself ALMOST relapsing but what stopped him is watching is best friend overdose and die right in front of him. The worst pain one could feel right? Suffice to say, Earl stayed clean for the rest of his life and started a basketball program that I believe is still up and running even until today.
Paul's scripture up above in 2nd Corinthians 6:17 is his encouraging word for the believers not be like the world, but to maintain Christian values (not compromising them) while still living in this world. I submitt to you this morning, we sometimes have to go through WITHDRAWL!! Like a drug user the body develops a dependency on the habit and at first what used to feel wrong now feels right. You are still aware that its wrong but you keep doing it. Why? Because your gaining a dependence on it and most times the habit is a way out. Again, using the metaphor of drugs the dependency is coming from constant consumption of the product, and whats its inside of you thats whats coming out. The user and the dealer may say it feels good and they rationalize. To make it practical we make excuses and blame others for our habits that we know we should not indulge in. But Jesus differently in Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh" It's in your heart, when you keep indulging its no one else, that person just sparks a recognition of those things inside of you and gives them a way to move. It's easy to say "I lie so much because THEY cause me to lie", or " I hate so much because THEY make me so angry". Why is it they and not I. They should never have any control over you like that and if they THEY do then there is your dependency. I am guilty of this, calling on Jesus, trying to teach somebody about the gospel but my dependency aint on him fully. You see when it's on him I cant and wont blame someone else for my sin, I won't make an excuse for why I can't (and subsequently won't ) get right. The issue is I have become dependent and therefore comfortable with my sin. When we do that we are so dependent on the sin and others that we wait on them to move first and we "find a way out". When we know that we need not induldge these habits any more for our own growth we have to go through that withdrawl. I believe I said it on twitter last night, withdrawl from bad habits can be hard, painful, and even frustating. It can also weigh a ton on you, but it is the cross we must bear in order to see growth. You may feel alone, most times when people see you are trying to rid yourself of those habits they either try to get you to fall or they won't want to be around you as much. Sometimes you could be that person in someone elses life.(think about it). It can be days filled with lonely nights, feeling the urge to want to relapse but experience the battle your spirit man and the flesh and as the spirit of God is overcoming the flesh it will weigh on you like a ton but it all will pass away. You may even hurt inside because you feel that lonliness but for God I say lose it all for his gain in your life. However, those who truly LOVE would never let you go through this alone unless it was absolutely necessary. The point is that God wants you not to desire the attention of the habits or those people, he wants you to desire his attention. We all must walk this walk in our quest to grow stronger in him. It maybe something like over eating or fornicating, or stealing, or lusting or anything. It will benefit you all the more to "seek ye first the kingdom of heaven, and all his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you"-Matthew 6:33.
Peace to all...God Bless.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Day 4: You cant love me because I dont love me.
"Therefore (T)I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with (U)distresses, with (V)persecutions, with (W)difficulties, (X)for Christ's sake; for (Y)when I am weak, then I am strong."
I can remember when I was younger sitting in a room with friends shootin the breeze about various topics and of course since I surely was not trying to run for jesus all the conversations went to about girls or all kinds of stuff we probrably should not have been talking about. I can remember in all those conversations there was always one person who just would not join in on the conversation. Often times he was called weak or being a "punk" because he didnt feel a need to talk about those things. After a while everyone left him alone because he no longer responded to the insults any more he just kept quiet and felt no need to constantly prove himself anymore. The word esteem by definition means "respect or regard"and then the word self means you. So self-esteem is the respect or regard you have for yourself. If I truly have respect and regard for myself than I feel no need to justify you why I don't do like you do. I'm not saying I am better than you but surely I'm not worse than you either. The struggle sometimes is when everyone does it one way but because of the respect for yourself you go another way, and the ridicule you recieve because you did difference. I like what Paul does here in this scripture he affirms that his idenity is in Christ he boldly says that he is ok with weakness(human weakness), insults, distresses, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ sake, because where he is weak (in the flesh) he is strong or powerful (in Christ). Therefore, there is no need to constantly change your position or re-affirm yourself so that others will like you. Paul makes it clear persecute me or make fun of me because of how I walk, how I talk, it really does not matter I am clear that my value and identity is firmly rooted in Christ. Alot of times our identity is in so many different things that our esteem for ourselves flucuates when those things arent going well. Most popularly are relationships...when your identity is in your relationship that thing controls you and when your worried about losing that person that thought crushes you and to some extent you should feel some heartbreak but no much that you lose your sense of existence. When a person has made up in their mind that they would have someone else over you there is nothing you can do but accept that and even thank them for no longer waisting your time. The idea is that is difficulty that can occur and like Paul said just accept that and move on because in Christ you are made stronger. I am not saying that you should not love someone because that is a beautiful thing what I am saying is that if you dont love you first they never will. When you have a strong sense of identity in Christ you have no reason to worry, or re-affirm, or go crazy, you are so confident in him that created you that you know whatever happens will happen for my good. That's how Joseph was able to tell his brothers after the pit, the prison, and the palace "what you meant for my bad God meant for my good.(Genesis 50:20). When your on the job and they all wana go left but GOd says go right than GO RIGHT!! They will make fun of you, ridicule you but "Blessed are those who have been (M)persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for (N)theirs is the kingdom of heaven."- Matthew 5:10. So he/she gone cheat or break up with you than let them have it...you have no reason to fear or think you won't make it. It will be hard and there will be some pain but again it does not matter any more if your idenity in Christ, in that moment of weakness when you feel that pain he will give you that strength. If your outspoken, quiet, intelligent, keen, respectful, organized or whatever than that is who God created you to be, and the reason you keep feeling so uncomfortable all the time is because your trying to fix that so that you can fit in with everyone else. When God saved you he never took those characteristics away from you, he merely uses them for his glory, after all he put them in you. When Paul was saved his high merit and intelligence never ceased he wrote those books like an astout man of God. He merely recognized that it was for Christ, and not for him. Apolgizing for living holy is absurd, one thing about Christ, he never had to prove himself. He walked his walk and talked his talk. Don't be you for the world but BE YOU IN CHRIST!! If you dont love you than that is why everyone wont love you either. You know who you are in Christ and what he has been telling you to do. Stop apologizing for who you and be that person. You dont have to cuss, you dont have to drink(nothing wrong with drinking if your 21 and up the idea is you dont need to do it to fit in), have sex, lie, steal,cheat. But if you choose too (no way in any way fashion or form condoning it or even encouraging it) do them because you think for yourself. Alot of has have the past we have and even the present now because we were too afraid to say no. God loves you not matter what you done, but you can avoid something by having the confindence and boldness to say...NO and keep going. My friends there is a rich treasure lying inside of you that you will untap when you become loving of you are in Christ. God will lead you to this discovery when you find yourself in Christ. God bless you all and thank you for reading.
I can remember when I was younger sitting in a room with friends shootin the breeze about various topics and of course since I surely was not trying to run for jesus all the conversations went to about girls or all kinds of stuff we probrably should not have been talking about. I can remember in all those conversations there was always one person who just would not join in on the conversation. Often times he was called weak or being a "punk" because he didnt feel a need to talk about those things. After a while everyone left him alone because he no longer responded to the insults any more he just kept quiet and felt no need to constantly prove himself anymore. The word esteem by definition means "respect or regard"and then the word self means you. So self-esteem is the respect or regard you have for yourself. If I truly have respect and regard for myself than I feel no need to justify you why I don't do like you do. I'm not saying I am better than you but surely I'm not worse than you either. The struggle sometimes is when everyone does it one way but because of the respect for yourself you go another way, and the ridicule you recieve because you did difference. I like what Paul does here in this scripture he affirms that his idenity is in Christ he boldly says that he is ok with weakness(human weakness), insults, distresses, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ sake, because where he is weak (in the flesh) he is strong or powerful (in Christ). Therefore, there is no need to constantly change your position or re-affirm yourself so that others will like you. Paul makes it clear persecute me or make fun of me because of how I walk, how I talk, it really does not matter I am clear that my value and identity is firmly rooted in Christ. Alot of times our identity is in so many different things that our esteem for ourselves flucuates when those things arent going well. Most popularly are relationships...when your identity is in your relationship that thing controls you and when your worried about losing that person that thought crushes you and to some extent you should feel some heartbreak but no much that you lose your sense of existence. When a person has made up in their mind that they would have someone else over you there is nothing you can do but accept that and even thank them for no longer waisting your time. The idea is that is difficulty that can occur and like Paul said just accept that and move on because in Christ you are made stronger. I am not saying that you should not love someone because that is a beautiful thing what I am saying is that if you dont love you first they never will. When you have a strong sense of identity in Christ you have no reason to worry, or re-affirm, or go crazy, you are so confident in him that created you that you know whatever happens will happen for my good. That's how Joseph was able to tell his brothers after the pit, the prison, and the palace "what you meant for my bad God meant for my good.(Genesis 50:20). When your on the job and they all wana go left but GOd says go right than GO RIGHT!! They will make fun of you, ridicule you but "Blessed are those who have been (M)persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for (N)theirs is the kingdom of heaven."- Matthew 5:10. So he/she gone cheat or break up with you than let them have it...you have no reason to fear or think you won't make it. It will be hard and there will be some pain but again it does not matter any more if your idenity in Christ, in that moment of weakness when you feel that pain he will give you that strength. If your outspoken, quiet, intelligent, keen, respectful, organized or whatever than that is who God created you to be, and the reason you keep feeling so uncomfortable all the time is because your trying to fix that so that you can fit in with everyone else. When God saved you he never took those characteristics away from you, he merely uses them for his glory, after all he put them in you. When Paul was saved his high merit and intelligence never ceased he wrote those books like an astout man of God. He merely recognized that it was for Christ, and not for him. Apolgizing for living holy is absurd, one thing about Christ, he never had to prove himself. He walked his walk and talked his talk. Don't be you for the world but BE YOU IN CHRIST!! If you dont love you than that is why everyone wont love you either. You know who you are in Christ and what he has been telling you to do. Stop apologizing for who you and be that person. You dont have to cuss, you dont have to drink(nothing wrong with drinking if your 21 and up the idea is you dont need to do it to fit in), have sex, lie, steal,cheat. But if you choose too (no way in any way fashion or form condoning it or even encouraging it) do them because you think for yourself. Alot of has have the past we have and even the present now because we were too afraid to say no. God loves you not matter what you done, but you can avoid something by having the confindence and boldness to say...NO and keep going. My friends there is a rich treasure lying inside of you that you will untap when you become loving of you are in Christ. God will lead you to this discovery when you find yourself in Christ. God bless you all and thank you for reading.
Vengance: Whose it anyway?!
"You shall not take vengeance, (U)nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but (V)you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD."- Leviticus 19:18
Man, I surely can remember my ways...I love to go back forth with a person, if I got mad because of them I would just slice back and forth. However, one time when I kept doing it with my brothers they would just stop and say "Ok man..you got it". Of course that made me angrier so to get back at them in my foolishness I said something or did something outlandish. Why?!! I wanted to feel satisfied by hurting them to the point where they felt like I felt. This is what we do when we seek vengeance. When I attended the F.O.R.T. church I heard the pastor by the name of John Hollman say this "when we(humans) seek vengeance its pointless because our whole point is to make them feel the hurt we felt, but in order to do that you have to hurt them worse because its impossible for them to feel exactly as you felt at the moment when they hurt you so you have to hurt them worse" That right there is about as practical as it gets, when we take matters into our own hands and seek vengeance we make it worse. It's like a scab, when you pick at it it opens the wound back up and the healing process has to start over again. God takes vengeance and makes it his because he knows our hearts and he knows how to repay it so that it is completely JUST. What does that word just mean..it means its "guided by truth, reason, and fairness". When in our human mind take over that job, we are driven by anger so guess what? We dont reason correctly and we just act out of complete foolishness. In the end when the cloud has cleared someone is hurt badly and your left with the feeling of "why did I let it go that far". For some of us (yes believers) we don't even feel sorrow...we say "shoot I aint bout to let nobody get me like that..no not me". God says differently though...he says it's his and look at the end of that verse he tells you how to deal with your neighbor he says "you shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself". That right there affirms what Jesus said in Matthew 7:12 " "In everything, (A)therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for (B)this is the Law and the Prophet" When you love someone (yes even someone who has hurt you badly) you have to be overcome with LOVE and Love them as you love yourself. The issue is not about them, but its about you and God. Romans 12:20 explains this simply it says "On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Now literally you do not put burning coals on their head but what this means is that you are liberated from vengeance, you have truly let it go even to the point of helping them when they are in need. The idea with coals is like this...you ever been at home and the AC wasent working right and its started getting hot in the room you know at first you could stand but after a while that heat starts making things uncomfortable for you. You start to sweat and you desire some cool air to just come on so you can cool off. Likewise, when you resist the urge to seek that vengeance its no longer on you. God has it and now its on them, like coals on their head the heat from those coals causes a person to feel the shame and it makes it uncomfortable for them what happens next, it causes them to bend and repent and apologize. Thats why they get mad when you dont bite back at them when they bit you. They are being made uncomfortable with the fact that you acting like its no big deal. They don't realize you are just trying to be free and free indeed. When God takes it he asumes full control and knows how to repay it correctly. No matter if they say you are weak, or a punk, you know you know they are upset because they are uncomfortable with the fact that you are staying calm and not being like them. Transcending above foolishness is how we eliminate it by not giving it a place to take root. No matter what anyone says...it is better to heap those coals then get the coals heaped on you. God Bless you all and stay tuned for day 4.
Man, I surely can remember my ways...I love to go back forth with a person, if I got mad because of them I would just slice back and forth. However, one time when I kept doing it with my brothers they would just stop and say "Ok man..you got it". Of course that made me angrier so to get back at them in my foolishness I said something or did something outlandish. Why?!! I wanted to feel satisfied by hurting them to the point where they felt like I felt. This is what we do when we seek vengeance. When I attended the F.O.R.T. church I heard the pastor by the name of John Hollman say this "when we(humans) seek vengeance its pointless because our whole point is to make them feel the hurt we felt, but in order to do that you have to hurt them worse because its impossible for them to feel exactly as you felt at the moment when they hurt you so you have to hurt them worse" That right there is about as practical as it gets, when we take matters into our own hands and seek vengeance we make it worse. It's like a scab, when you pick at it it opens the wound back up and the healing process has to start over again. God takes vengeance and makes it his because he knows our hearts and he knows how to repay it so that it is completely JUST. What does that word just mean..it means its "guided by truth, reason, and fairness". When in our human mind take over that job, we are driven by anger so guess what? We dont reason correctly and we just act out of complete foolishness. In the end when the cloud has cleared someone is hurt badly and your left with the feeling of "why did I let it go that far". For some of us (yes believers) we don't even feel sorrow...we say "shoot I aint bout to let nobody get me like that..no not me". God says differently though...he says it's his and look at the end of that verse he tells you how to deal with your neighbor he says "you shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself". That right there affirms what Jesus said in Matthew 7:12 " "In everything, (A)therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for (B)this is the Law and the Prophet" When you love someone (yes even someone who has hurt you badly) you have to be overcome with LOVE and Love them as you love yourself. The issue is not about them, but its about you and God. Romans 12:20 explains this simply it says "On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Now literally you do not put burning coals on their head but what this means is that you are liberated from vengeance, you have truly let it go even to the point of helping them when they are in need. The idea with coals is like this...you ever been at home and the AC wasent working right and its started getting hot in the room you know at first you could stand but after a while that heat starts making things uncomfortable for you. You start to sweat and you desire some cool air to just come on so you can cool off. Likewise, when you resist the urge to seek that vengeance its no longer on you. God has it and now its on them, like coals on their head the heat from those coals causes a person to feel the shame and it makes it uncomfortable for them what happens next, it causes them to bend and repent and apologize. Thats why they get mad when you dont bite back at them when they bit you. They are being made uncomfortable with the fact that you acting like its no big deal. They don't realize you are just trying to be free and free indeed. When God takes it he asumes full control and knows how to repay it correctly. No matter if they say you are weak, or a punk, you know you know they are upset because they are uncomfortable with the fact that you are staying calm and not being like them. Transcending above foolishness is how we eliminate it by not giving it a place to take root. No matter what anyone says...it is better to heap those coals then get the coals heaped on you. God Bless you all and stay tuned for day 4.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Deal with it or God Will!!
Hello All,
This is day 2 of my 7 days of blogging and today we are talking about dealing with an issue before God deals with it. Today the scripture reference comes from 2 Samuel 12:1-9. Let's check it out!
"1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, "There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
4 "Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him."
5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity."
7 Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own."
If we follow this story from 1 Samuel 11 we the story of David and Bathsheeba. David looks onto this beautiful women bathing. Lets deal with this issue first. Was David supposed to be at home? The pastor at the church I used to attend brought this to our attention in 2 Samul 11:1 "In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war" Why was David (the king of isreal) at home when all the other kings have gone off to the war. Thats an issue but not the main issue here. David see's Bathsheeba and with lusting eyes he desires to have her, he sleeps with her and she becomes pregnant. The thing is David has slept with a married woman. Her husband one of the men in David's army Uriah is her husband. He has committed adultry with this women. David then goes on to send for Uriah in an effort to cover the mess up hoping Uriah will go home and sleep with his wife but Uriah does not go home instead this is what happens:
" When David was told, "Uriah did not go home," he asked him, "Haven't you just come from a distance? Why didn't you go home?"
11 Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord's men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!"-2 Samuel 11:10-11
So now to cover up the mess he tries to trick Uriah by getting him drunk so than he will go sleep with his wife and no one will know the difference. Of course Uriah is an up right man and does not go home but instead he sleeps on the mat among the master's servants. So David does the next thing he writes a letter instructing that Uriah be put on the front lines in battles and sends the letter back with Uriah. So Uriah was put on the front lines and killed. The problem is solved right? No, the bible says in 2 Samuel 11:27 "....but the thing he did displeased the Lord".
What happens when you have created a bed for yourself to lay in and gotten so comfortable in that bed that you love the way it feels and feel nothing is wrong? In that instance in your mind nothing really is wrong. David wanted Bathsheeba (another man's wife) so bad that he would kill her husband to be with her. The issue is not just lust but rather SIN knowing no end. He doesent even stop and repent because in his mind nothing is really wrong. You want it to be practical dont you? Here it is in 2010, if I have a drug problem, an anger problem, a sex problem, or any kind of problem, if I have gotten comfortable in it what really will stop me from doing it any longer? Im comfortable here and no matter who I am (my status in the church) I am not leaving. I ignore my conscience and my God for my desire. In the scripture passage at the beginning it was God who had to send Nathan to correct David. Do you know David would have kept on living like nothing was wrong if Nathan had not have been sent. When nathan came he did not come with a warning, he charged David. He made him aware of his offense and then told him of the repercussions. "This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.' "-2 Samuel 12: 11-12. It was then and only then that said "I have sinned against the Lord". The moment of repentance comes when the punishment was handed down. We often times will wait till stuff gets so bad that its un-bearable to make change, or to stop, and repent. We forget God doesent force himself on us but he is watching. And like David if you are amongst the many who accept Christ then you are held to a higher standard. When you decide to choose your way over his way. Then he lets you have it, he wont fight with you on it. Romans 1:28 tells us "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." You want it than you can have it. But when he sends Nathan, reality kicks in. Thats when you have to deal with what you have done. The good news today is that Christ comes to take away the guilt and shame and forgiveness is avaialble. The reality is why wait till the problem becomes more than a problem but now an issue. Once you see it beginning to manifest deal with it then. If David had not had taken that second look or a first look he would've never had this issue. Most times we don't think its a problem we rationalize it and make excuses to do it. When are feeling desperate, lonley, ashamed, strung out, careless we turn to things that we know we ought not do. The greatest trick the enemy uses against us is things like that, when feeling alone we search for a way out, the thing is that the point after sin can one of the lonliest times you feel because you know you have wronged God, and your left alone with that feeling. Worst than that you are so far from God like David you don't even feel its wrong. It takes someone like nathan having to come to show you what you did. I admonish you people whatever problem (if any) you are dealing with it. Deal with it now or God Will!! Stay tuned for day 3!
This is day 2 of my 7 days of blogging and today we are talking about dealing with an issue before God deals with it. Today the scripture reference comes from 2 Samuel 12:1-9. Let's check it out!
"1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, "There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
4 "Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him."
5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity."
7 Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own."
If we follow this story from 1 Samuel 11 we the story of David and Bathsheeba. David looks onto this beautiful women bathing. Lets deal with this issue first. Was David supposed to be at home? The pastor at the church I used to attend brought this to our attention in 2 Samul 11:1 "In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war" Why was David (the king of isreal) at home when all the other kings have gone off to the war. Thats an issue but not the main issue here. David see's Bathsheeba and with lusting eyes he desires to have her, he sleeps with her and she becomes pregnant. The thing is David has slept with a married woman. Her husband one of the men in David's army Uriah is her husband. He has committed adultry with this women. David then goes on to send for Uriah in an effort to cover the mess up hoping Uriah will go home and sleep with his wife but Uriah does not go home instead this is what happens:
" When David was told, "Uriah did not go home," he asked him, "Haven't you just come from a distance? Why didn't you go home?"
11 Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord's men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!"-2 Samuel 11:10-11
So now to cover up the mess he tries to trick Uriah by getting him drunk so than he will go sleep with his wife and no one will know the difference. Of course Uriah is an up right man and does not go home but instead he sleeps on the mat among the master's servants. So David does the next thing he writes a letter instructing that Uriah be put on the front lines in battles and sends the letter back with Uriah. So Uriah was put on the front lines and killed. The problem is solved right? No, the bible says in 2 Samuel 11:27 "....but the thing he did displeased the Lord".
What happens when you have created a bed for yourself to lay in and gotten so comfortable in that bed that you love the way it feels and feel nothing is wrong? In that instance in your mind nothing really is wrong. David wanted Bathsheeba (another man's wife) so bad that he would kill her husband to be with her. The issue is not just lust but rather SIN knowing no end. He doesent even stop and repent because in his mind nothing is really wrong. You want it to be practical dont you? Here it is in 2010, if I have a drug problem, an anger problem, a sex problem, or any kind of problem, if I have gotten comfortable in it what really will stop me from doing it any longer? Im comfortable here and no matter who I am (my status in the church) I am not leaving. I ignore my conscience and my God for my desire. In the scripture passage at the beginning it was God who had to send Nathan to correct David. Do you know David would have kept on living like nothing was wrong if Nathan had not have been sent. When nathan came he did not come with a warning, he charged David. He made him aware of his offense and then told him of the repercussions. "This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.' "-2 Samuel 12: 11-12. It was then and only then that said "I have sinned against the Lord". The moment of repentance comes when the punishment was handed down. We often times will wait till stuff gets so bad that its un-bearable to make change, or to stop, and repent. We forget God doesent force himself on us but he is watching. And like David if you are amongst the many who accept Christ then you are held to a higher standard. When you decide to choose your way over his way. Then he lets you have it, he wont fight with you on it. Romans 1:28 tells us "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." You want it than you can have it. But when he sends Nathan, reality kicks in. Thats when you have to deal with what you have done. The good news today is that Christ comes to take away the guilt and shame and forgiveness is avaialble. The reality is why wait till the problem becomes more than a problem but now an issue. Once you see it beginning to manifest deal with it then. If David had not had taken that second look or a first look he would've never had this issue. Most times we don't think its a problem we rationalize it and make excuses to do it. When are feeling desperate, lonley, ashamed, strung out, careless we turn to things that we know we ought not do. The greatest trick the enemy uses against us is things like that, when feeling alone we search for a way out, the thing is that the point after sin can one of the lonliest times you feel because you know you have wronged God, and your left alone with that feeling. Worst than that you are so far from God like David you don't even feel its wrong. It takes someone like nathan having to come to show you what you did. I admonish you people whatever problem (if any) you are dealing with it. Deal with it now or God Will!! Stay tuned for day 3!
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