A rare occurrence where you can see the three personalities of God in one place in separate form. The voice of the Father, the Spirit of God in the form of the dove, and. The Son of God in the form of human.
I just thought this was cool.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Trinity
As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” (Mark 1:10, 11 NLT)
Following Him Outside Our Comfort Zones
Matthew 9: 9-13
When I look at the way many of our church activities are lined up, I see a lot of hanging out with the healthy or the righteous. From reading this passage, it looks like the Pharisees thought much like we do. So they ask his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with sinners?" Jesus heard them and answered. His response is one that should grab our attention, especially if we have no part of our time set aside for offering mercy to those around us.
This takes us out of our comfort zone. If we are going to be like Jesus, then we need to realize that Jesus wants to heal, feed, bless, and save those who are broken, hungry, without hope, and lost.
I for one need to be better about this.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Lessons from the Plagues:
Other Info
Exodus 7-11
There are a lot of things to learn from the plagues in how God works. You can do research to find out just how God was combating each of the gods of Egypt. But there is one thing that really caught my attention through it all as I read through them this time. PHARAOH!
I found myself relating to Pharaoh. He reminds me of me. He reminds me of us.
How often do I know what the right thing to do is, and still I don't do it? How often do I say I believe and trust in God, yet still refuse to let go of total control. Pharaoh does just that. He knows all along that God is all powerful and the only true God, but he fears the total surrender to him.
Now I know that in this case, God has already determined to use Pharaoh at his discretion, but perhaps so we can see how we are just like Pharaoh. Or perhaps to show how God can do what ever he wants and we have to decided if we are good with that.
So two things I get:
1. If I am like Pharaoh, how can I break out of the same outcome?
2. If God can do whatever he wants with me, how can I have a say in my salvation?
1. I Am Like Pharaoh!
I am not God! I know he is powerful. I also have "gods" to which I hold on. You do too. We all hold onto certain things that keep us from fully giving ourselves to our God. Just listen to any excuse we give when asked to do something for our Lord that is outside our comfort zone. Just pay attention when we are asked to let go of somethings because it hinders our relationship with God, or even is an abomination to God.
Pharaoh knew from the very beginning the difference between the signs shown by God and the work of his magicians. But his heart was hardened. Pharaoh knew God was who he said he was and that his gods were no comparison, but he was too proud to completely surrender to him. He fought it to the very end. He saw that he was at a point of no return. I believe this to be true. He couldn't let go of pride, power, or the past. He couldn't let go of his belief or his way of life. He knew truth and rejected it. He knew truth, and fought against it.
Sounds like me. Sounds like you.
So How do I break out of this? Surrender!
Unless God is the one hardening your heart (see next section) then you have the power to break the pattern. It will not be easy! You will want to give up! You will want to fight the truth! But you can do it. And once you do, you will truly be free. (more can be said here about this freedom, but for the purpose of this blog, I will move on to the next section.)
2. God Can Do Whatever He Wants AND I Am in Charge of My Own Salvation.
God is all powerful. He is HOLY! I am nothing like Him. He IS GOD!! He put the world in motion. He gave man breath. He created the rules. He can change them at anytime. He doesn't have to ask my permission to do something outside of my comfort level. What makes us think he does?? Why do we think God can't do certain things. He is God and He can do whatever he wants to do. We do not have a say to question why certain things happen. We don't get to choose what God will or will not do.
So this brings to my mind the following:
1. Why do we pray?
2. Why do we bother trying to save ourselves?
3. Why do we bother trying to do good?
4. What hope can we offer others when our God is unpredictable?
There are other truths about God that are important to realize. GOD IS GOOD!!! He is LOVE!! and HE IS HOLY!!
Why does God HARDEN Pharaoh's heart? What kind of mean God is that?
Look at the life of Pharaoh! He made things hard on God's People. God heard HIS Peoples cries of help and desperation. Look at all the people who were freed by this act. God hardened Pharaoh's heart because he loved his people. More people were delivered through this act that would have been otherwise. Through Pharaoh's hardened heart, the Egyptian world was able to see who God was. Egyptians were already beginning to empathize with God's people. They gave them things before they left Egypt to go worship God. The world back then got the message.
Our society likes to second guess a lot of things and point fingers and blame to cause doubt. If God doesn't meet our understanding of who WE think he should be and OUR definition of love, then he is no god at all. We want God to be nice and neat and full of love and compassion without the counter side of justice that comes with it. The problem is, we all have a different understanding of love and justice. Love without discipline is no love at all. True joy cannot be experienced if there is an absence of pain.
God loved us so much that he gave is only Son. HIS SON suffered! Because God is a JUST God! He took on OUR sin.
God is unpredictable, but he is a constant. He is always there! His is always loving! He is always just! He is always right! He did what he did with the plagues because he loved. He does what he does with us, because of love.
So how can we offer hope to others when our God is unpredictable? Because God is LOVE! He wants a relationship with us. He wants to save us from judgement. He wants to free us from sin.
Why do we pray? Because he cares and he listens. When God chooses a different answer for our prayers that what we pray, it doesn't mean he doesn't care. His ways are higher than our ways. We don't know why he does the things he does. But we trust that he is good. He does't promise us an easy live, or a painless life. He promises to be with us to the end and to provide a home for us. Can we live with that?
Why do we bother trying to save ourselves when he has the ability to harden our hearts? Because he gives us the ability to do so. Pharaoh had the same ability. He had the ability of choice. We see that in his mental battles. But you can be so set in your ways that you are beyond return to the right ways. Pharaohs heart was harden already. God used him for his purpose. God didn't take a good man and make him an enemy. He took his enemy and used him for His purpose. So, are you an enemy of God? or are you a friend of God?
You might ask, what about Judas? Judas was the treasurer and had some problems of his own to deal with. Throughout the Bible, you will see God using imperfect people to accomplish his tasks. Judas wasn't perfect, but I do believed He knew Jesus was God's Son. I believed he had battles in his heart for who would sit on the thrown of his life. A famous battle he lost was when he sold Jesus. A sign that this was indeed a battle, was when he realized what he had done, and no longer had the mental capacity to keep fighting, and so he hung himself. Some of us have been quick to say that his place is in Hell. I'm not so sure. God is God! He knows the heart. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Judas in Heaven! God used him for HIS purpose. God is LOVE! I don't think God would send a believer who struggles to HELL for others good. I believe he uses people where they are.
In the story of the plagues, God used Pharaoh right where he was. God's will was done, and freedom was given to a people who were in a foreign land 460 years to the day. GOD BE PRAISED!!
Monday, July 30, 2012
How Sin Finds Us
Genesis 13:10-13 NIV
"Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord."
See it at YouVersion.com: http://bible.us/Gen13.10.NIV
We may wonder how sin finds us. We have come up with many excuses as to why we do some of the things we do. Truth is, if we would just pay attention to where we are everyday, we might find why we are so prone to sin the way that we do.
Here is an example with Lot. Lot chose what he thought was a great place to live. He set up his home just outside of Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. But Sodom was a wicked city. I don't think lot knew that when he made his decision to live in this area, but it definitely had an influence on him, because before you know it, he is living in the actual city (after he knew it was evil) He became desynthesized by their way of living.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Keep yourself free from sin.
Here is an example with Lot. Lot chose what he thought was a great place to live. He set up his home just outside of Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. But Sodom was a wicked city. I don't think lot knew that when he made his decision to live in this area, but it definitely had an influence on him, because before you know it, he is living in the actual city (after he knew it was evil) He became desynthesized by their way of living.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Keep yourself free from sin.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Life Changing Unity
Philippians 2:1-4
So now that you are in Christ and are enjoying life in the Spirit, isn't it great. Isn't it amazing the way that when Christians are at their best, there is a oneness that is out of this world.
So if you have been encouraged by seeing and experiencing the selfless love of others toward you, then let's make Paul's joy in this unity complete. Let us turn around and do the same.
Let us all be like-minded. It is not about us!! Consider the interests of others as more important than yours. (Romans 12:9-16 also speaks to this)
What would your co-workers think if you started treating their ideas as more important than yours? What about your wife or your husband? How about your kids? When is the last time you really listened to what they said and not just wait till they were done before you got the last say?
This verse will really hit home when we allow it to be seen at home! And when this happens, there is not greater joy!
So now that you are in Christ and are enjoying life in the Spirit, isn't it great. Isn't it amazing the way that when Christians are at their best, there is a oneness that is out of this world.
So if you have been encouraged by seeing and experiencing the selfless love of others toward you, then let's make Paul's joy in this unity complete. Let us turn around and do the same.
Let us all be like-minded. It is not about us!! Consider the interests of others as more important than yours. (Romans 12:9-16 also speaks to this)
What would your co-workers think if you started treating their ideas as more important than yours? What about your wife or your husband? How about your kids? When is the last time you really listened to what they said and not just wait till they were done before you got the last say?
This verse will really hit home when we allow it to be seen at home! And when this happens, there is not greater joy!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Strong Leaders - Titus 1
The setting is Crete, an island off the coast of Greece in the Mediterranean. The people of Crete are known for their business tactics and not in good way.
They are known to be liars and cheats. Check out verses Titus 1:10-12. A pretty tough environment to start a church. But the church was established in many cities in Crete, and it is in dire need to have solid leaders.
Paul gives Titus the instruction to establish these leaders throughout the island.
There are some high standards of living that these men must live up too. Among the standards are living a blameless life and living honestly. A quality that was not real easy to find on the island. But Titus did it.
Actually, when you look at the standards for elders, they really should be the standards for Christians everywhere. But if you are wanting an entire new church to take on these characteristics, it better start with the leadership. They are the ones who are to lead by example. They are the ones that members can look to in order to see what God expects. While no body is perfect, elders should be the cream of the crop.
This is not an easy task when you stop and think about it. After all, if you know that you are among the top, you run the risk of developing a proud heart. Elders should be humble yet know that they have a task and shepherding the flock. In other words, they know they have the gifts of leadership and are humbled by it. They recognize where the gifts came from and realize the need to use those gifts. In other words, it is a calling. One that is not taken lightly. They realize the importance of living a higher standard and must be disciplined and surrendered in all they do.
Caring for the body of Christ is no easy task, but it is an important one. And a good elder is priceless to the young Christian who is trying to see how to live life on earth with a heart that wants to serve God.
The churches in Crete definitely needed Godly leadership if they were to change their behavior to be more inline with God's teachings.
So as I conclude my thoughts on Titus 1, what I see is that God has a structure in place in the church that is designed to foster relationships, teachings, caring, and sometimes judging. He does this to help all believers come to know him more. When elders are in place that lead their flock and provide opportunities for growth and relationship with others and God, then you a church that will flourish and grow in amazing ways. What a great impact that would have on the church and the community the church is in.
At least that's what I think.
They are known to be liars and cheats. Check out verses Titus 1:10-12. A pretty tough environment to start a church. But the church was established in many cities in Crete, and it is in dire need to have solid leaders.
Paul gives Titus the instruction to establish these leaders throughout the island.
There are some high standards of living that these men must live up too. Among the standards are living a blameless life and living honestly. A quality that was not real easy to find on the island. But Titus did it.
Actually, when you look at the standards for elders, they really should be the standards for Christians everywhere. But if you are wanting an entire new church to take on these characteristics, it better start with the leadership. They are the ones who are to lead by example. They are the ones that members can look to in order to see what God expects. While no body is perfect, elders should be the cream of the crop.
This is not an easy task when you stop and think about it. After all, if you know that you are among the top, you run the risk of developing a proud heart. Elders should be humble yet know that they have a task and shepherding the flock. In other words, they know they have the gifts of leadership and are humbled by it. They recognize where the gifts came from and realize the need to use those gifts. In other words, it is a calling. One that is not taken lightly. They realize the importance of living a higher standard and must be disciplined and surrendered in all they do.
Caring for the body of Christ is no easy task, but it is an important one. And a good elder is priceless to the young Christian who is trying to see how to live life on earth with a heart that wants to serve God.
The churches in Crete definitely needed Godly leadership if they were to change their behavior to be more inline with God's teachings.
So as I conclude my thoughts on Titus 1, what I see is that God has a structure in place in the church that is designed to foster relationships, teachings, caring, and sometimes judging. He does this to help all believers come to know him more. When elders are in place that lead their flock and provide opportunities for growth and relationship with others and God, then you a church that will flourish and grow in amazing ways. What a great impact that would have on the church and the community the church is in.
At least that's what I think.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
On the Road Marked With Suffering - Job 2-3
Job 2-3
Satan tries again
Round 2.
Satan tries again to get Job to curse God and die.
Satan has his meeting with God where he is adamant about his reasons why Job still hangs on to his integrity. It is because God has protected his health. So Satan gets permission go touch his health without killing him.
So Satan does his worst. He inflicts boils upon Job.
Picture the scene. A man who has just lost all of his possessions, including his children now sits in ashes that have fallen from his own body from a painful condition. He sits with shards to scrap the boils from his skin.
He sits.
He hurts
He winces.
He screams in his pain and yet never curses or blames God.
His own wife is fed up with the misery and is in Jobs face telling him he is an idiot for still holding on to his God.
How do you handle calamities? What is your response when things in this world go so very wrong that you feel God has left you? How would you respond to your spouse if they were to try to persuade you to curse God and quit holding on to him?
Would they think that you have done something wrong and so God is punishing you? How would you respond to that?
Job, in his morning, and in his pain, and in the berating of his wife.. (get this)...sins not one time.
Are you kidding me?
How could anyone go through that and not sin?
Was he really in pain? Oh yes! When his friends show up on the scene, they did not recognize him. They ripped their clothes in acknowledgement of the pain Job was going through. And they sat with him.
That's it! No talking or anything! They just sat for seven days!
Then finally, Job spoke! Not afraid to tell God how he felt about his life. He laid it all out there. He cursed the day he was born wishing he never was. He laments over the worth of being born when life seems like nothing but pain and misery. Why be born? Why offer hope?
You ever feel like that? Ever feel like screaming , "Why???"
That's what Job does, and yet he still does not sin. He still does not curse God. Throughout it all, you will find him acknowledging that God is in control.
Job learns lessons along the way. We will see that. But at the end of the day, he is humbled at the Father's feet. He is fully surrendered to the one who can bless and curse.
I hope to never have to go through the pain that Job does. Though I already have gone through much pain as a result of my own sin. But I hope I never have to endure pain because of my efforts to do the right thing like Job. But if I do, I pray I can handle it like him. Worshiping God the whole way.
"BLESSED BE YOUR NAME, ON THE ROAD MARKED WITH SUFFERING. THOUGH THERE IS PAIN IN THE OFFERING, BLESSED BE YOUR NAME!"
Satan tries again
Round 2.
Satan tries again to get Job to curse God and die.
Satan has his meeting with God where he is adamant about his reasons why Job still hangs on to his integrity. It is because God has protected his health. So Satan gets permission go touch his health without killing him.
So Satan does his worst. He inflicts boils upon Job.
Picture the scene. A man who has just lost all of his possessions, including his children now sits in ashes that have fallen from his own body from a painful condition. He sits with shards to scrap the boils from his skin.
He sits.
He hurts
He winces.
He screams in his pain and yet never curses or blames God.
His own wife is fed up with the misery and is in Jobs face telling him he is an idiot for still holding on to his God.
How do you handle calamities? What is your response when things in this world go so very wrong that you feel God has left you? How would you respond to your spouse if they were to try to persuade you to curse God and quit holding on to him?
Would they think that you have done something wrong and so God is punishing you? How would you respond to that?
Job, in his morning, and in his pain, and in the berating of his wife.. (get this)...sins not one time.
Are you kidding me?
How could anyone go through that and not sin?
Was he really in pain? Oh yes! When his friends show up on the scene, they did not recognize him. They ripped their clothes in acknowledgement of the pain Job was going through. And they sat with him.
That's it! No talking or anything! They just sat for seven days!
Then finally, Job spoke! Not afraid to tell God how he felt about his life. He laid it all out there. He cursed the day he was born wishing he never was. He laments over the worth of being born when life seems like nothing but pain and misery. Why be born? Why offer hope?
You ever feel like that? Ever feel like screaming , "Why???"
That's what Job does, and yet he still does not sin. He still does not curse God. Throughout it all, you will find him acknowledging that God is in control.
Job learns lessons along the way. We will see that. But at the end of the day, he is humbled at the Father's feet. He is fully surrendered to the one who can bless and curse.
I hope to never have to go through the pain that Job does. Though I already have gone through much pain as a result of my own sin. But I hope I never have to endure pain because of my efforts to do the right thing like Job. But if I do, I pray I can handle it like him. Worshiping God the whole way.
"BLESSED BE YOUR NAME, ON THE ROAD MARKED WITH SUFFERING. THOUGH THERE IS PAIN IN THE OFFERING, BLESSED BE YOUR NAME!"
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