In Galatians 6:2 it says, Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Many years ago a read a book that opened my eyes to this scripture. The author spoke of her friend who was going through a very difficult time. She very lovingly told her friend that she would take on a portion of the burden. What a tremendous act of love! To willingly take on the burden of another person personifies Christ.
I shared this with a friend several years ago and had taken on a portion of a burden she was carrying at the time. It had an impact on her and she has also chosen to carry the burdens of others. We talked about our burdens and carrying those of another and how we can easily be weighed down. While we are called to carry one another's burdens God does not intend for us to hold onto them. He does not call us to hold onto our own, and in the same way He does not intend for us to hold onto anothers.
When we carry one another's burdens we simply taken it on in order to carry it to the cross on behalf of another. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28 to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Carrying burdens (our own or another persons) will wear us out. It is not a load that God intends for us to carry (long term). When we carry a burden for another we need to remember that Christ implores us to come to Him with them.
Proverbs 11:25 says, A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.God blesses those that choose to refresh others by carrying their burdens. I have a friend that has a tagline that reads, "May the blessing your receive today be the blessing that you need the most". We receive blessings daily. When we give new strength to another God strengthens us. As we pour into the lives of others by sharing Christ, God will continue to pour back into us.
2 Corinthians 9:12-13 says This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Training For Life
I set out earlier this year with two goals in mind when I began this blog. The first was to deepen my spiritual walk with God (becoming Spiritually Fat) and adapting a consistent healthier lifestyle by losing weight, eating right and running (Physically Fit). As you can see from the trailing posts and lack of fitness updates I've flown through half year unsuccessful. I truly intend and desire these things but have lacked the self-discipline to follow through. I don't know if you've struggled in this area but it gets to me at the deepest level. Paul said it in Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Then I came across 2 Timothy 1:7 and it says For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. There it was--God has given me a spirit of self-discipline. The interesting thing is I've been trying to do this whole thing in my own strength--which will never work. A verse that has been the foundation of my life is Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. I've been missing a key step to making this successful--full reliance on God as my strength.
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. I Corinthians 9:27 In order to do this I must be willing to submit my entire self to God's authority and allow Him to direct every step I take. Similarly, as I take each step in obedience walking in His will for my life, the physical steps that I take will get me closer to my goal of running a 5k then a 1/2 marathon.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 9:24, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." I don't think about it very often but this life we live now--it is a race. It is a race against time. We are given only so many days and I can tell you that I have personally wasted far too many. I do want the prize that Pauls speaks about in his letter.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 I must be willing to throw off (get rid of) anything that prevents me from moving forward in my walk with Christ and achieving my spiritual and physical goals. It means I have to take a long look in the mirror and be honest with myself. What is slowing me down? What entangles me? What keeps me from running the race? What about you?
Seek His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Then I came across 2 Timothy 1:7 and it says For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. There it was--God has given me a spirit of self-discipline. The interesting thing is I've been trying to do this whole thing in my own strength--which will never work. A verse that has been the foundation of my life is Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. I've been missing a key step to making this successful--full reliance on God as my strength.
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. I Corinthians 9:27 In order to do this I must be willing to submit my entire self to God's authority and allow Him to direct every step I take. Similarly, as I take each step in obedience walking in His will for my life, the physical steps that I take will get me closer to my goal of running a 5k then a 1/2 marathon.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 9:24, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." I don't think about it very often but this life we live now--it is a race. It is a race against time. We are given only so many days and I can tell you that I have personally wasted far too many. I do want the prize that Pauls speaks about in his letter.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 I must be willing to throw off (get rid of) anything that prevents me from moving forward in my walk with Christ and achieving my spiritual and physical goals. It means I have to take a long look in the mirror and be honest with myself. What is slowing me down? What entangles me? What keeps me from running the race? What about you?
Seek His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Obedience
It astounds me how stubborn I can be sometimes. Seriously! I think you can be so blinded that you don't even realize you are being stubborn.
Obedience is defined as 1. Compliance with someone's wishes or orders or acknowledgment of their authority. 2. Submission to a law or rule. Obey is found over two hundred times in the New International Version (NIV) Bible. God commands us to obey Him. Throughout the Old Testament God commands us to obey Him and we will receive great reward. There are also many warnings if we do not obey.
Obedience is not difficult but for many (myself included) we make it difficult. We do not like submitting to anoher's authority. We are self-rulers. We do not want to submit (as though it implies weakness). On the contrary, it takes great strength to submit to authority--God first, family, government, etc. Leviticus 25:18 “‘Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land.
Walk in obedience--what does that really mean? Obedience is a moment by moment, step by step process. Joshua 23:6 says “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. As we obey God will direct our steps. Psalms 27:11 says Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
As we walk in obedience we are strengthened by God. Jesus says in John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. Obedience is an act of love. 1 John 4:19 says "We love because He first loved us." 1 John 2:5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:
As you take each step remember to walk in obedience.
Obedience is defined as 1. Compliance with someone's wishes or orders or acknowledgment of their authority. 2. Submission to a law or rule. Obey is found over two hundred times in the New International Version (NIV) Bible. God commands us to obey Him. Throughout the Old Testament God commands us to obey Him and we will receive great reward. There are also many warnings if we do not obey.
Obedience is not difficult but for many (myself included) we make it difficult. We do not like submitting to anoher's authority. We are self-rulers. We do not want to submit (as though it implies weakness). On the contrary, it takes great strength to submit to authority--God first, family, government, etc. Leviticus 25:18 “‘Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land.
Walk in obedience--what does that really mean? Obedience is a moment by moment, step by step process. Joshua 23:6 says “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. As we obey God will direct our steps. Psalms 27:11 says Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
As we walk in obedience we are strengthened by God. Jesus says in John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. Obedience is an act of love. 1 John 4:19 says "We love because He first loved us." 1 John 2:5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:
As you take each step remember to walk in obedience.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Are You Who You Want To Be?
This has been the tagline on my dear sweet friends email for a long time. My sweet friend Julie has a contagious smile. She has an incredible personality, loves the Lord and life. She has been an inspiration to me in so many ways. She has battled cancer fiercely for the past 10 months and went home to be with the Lord today.
I sit here full of sorrow and tears for the things that I will miss in my dear friend. I regret not spending more time with her these last several months, not talking as much, so many things. I serve and love my sovereign Lord and know that this was His plan to take her home to himself but oh how I struggle. I am grateful God allowed our paths to cross but deeply sorrowful because I will miss her. My heart aches for Regan. There are so many friends that have so many stories to tell him of his mother's wonderful and love and compassion for others. Her strength and resolve was incredible. She personified Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She lived life intentionally. I truly believe Julie was who she wanted to be....and who God wanted her to be. 2 Corinthians 5:7-9 says, Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. My precious friend, though she was young, fulfilled the purpose God had for her life which pleased Him and brought her home where she now rejoices. She is having her best party ever tonight....and she was a great party planner and hostess!
2 Timothy 4:8 says, Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Julie received her crown today; I can only imagine how many jewels were placed on it. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:31
Praise God sweet Jewels no longer suffers and is not in pain but oh how we mourn the loss of such an angel on earth. Heaven is singing praises to receive such an incredible woman today.
Continue to pray for her son Regan and the family. And remember, "Are you who you want to be?"--if you aren't make changes and start today. We are never promised a tomorrow. James 4:14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
I sit here full of sorrow and tears for the things that I will miss in my dear friend. I regret not spending more time with her these last several months, not talking as much, so many things. I serve and love my sovereign Lord and know that this was His plan to take her home to himself but oh how I struggle. I am grateful God allowed our paths to cross but deeply sorrowful because I will miss her. My heart aches for Regan. There are so many friends that have so many stories to tell him of his mother's wonderful and love and compassion for others. Her strength and resolve was incredible. She personified Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She lived life intentionally. I truly believe Julie was who she wanted to be....and who God wanted her to be. 2 Corinthians 5:7-9 says, Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. My precious friend, though she was young, fulfilled the purpose God had for her life which pleased Him and brought her home where she now rejoices. She is having her best party ever tonight....and she was a great party planner and hostess!
2 Timothy 4:8 says, Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Julie received her crown today; I can only imagine how many jewels were placed on it. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:31
Praise God sweet Jewels no longer suffers and is not in pain but oh how we mourn the loss of such an angel on earth. Heaven is singing praises to receive such an incredible woman today.
Continue to pray for her son Regan and the family. And remember, "Are you who you want to be?"--if you aren't make changes and start today. We are never promised a tomorrow. James 4:14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
True Freedom
Today is a day filled with celebration--celebrating our independance and freedom. Everyone celebrates July 4th but sometimes I think people forget about the significance of this day. The founding fathers of our country were men who founded this country on God's authority. As a nation we have drifted so far from recognizing God's authority. Thousands of men (and women) have fought for our freedom. We often forget the sacrifices made for freedom. True freedom does not come without sacrifice.
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Through Christ's death on the cross we were freed from sin and restored in our relationship with God. Living in a free country we do not give much thought to slavery.
I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:19-23
As we have been freed from sin through the blood of Jesus Christ and choose to walk in righteousness we become more like Christ.
May you not take your freedom in this country or in Christ for granted.
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Through Christ's death on the cross we were freed from sin and restored in our relationship with God. Living in a free country we do not give much thought to slavery.
I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:19-23
As we have been freed from sin through the blood of Jesus Christ and choose to walk in righteousness we become more like Christ.
May you not take your freedom in this country or in Christ for granted.
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