DUBLEV - that's my license plate. I've had it for years. It is intended to mean "Do you believe?" It's been a neat way to share Christ with people over the years . Although, one time I had someone think it was for Cher's song "Do You Believe In Love?" No, I'm not a Cher worshipper--I'm a Jesus Christ worshipper. When asking someone, 'do you believe in Christ?' I have found that many say they believe in Christ. What I find disconcerting is that although many believe in Christ they choose not to have a relationship with Him or live as though they do.
Christ's sacrifice alone should compel us to live life holy and set apart. What an incredible sacrifice and gift we received and yet we do not live a life that reflects this wonderful gift. It perplexes me how a holy God can go through such great lengths to make a way for us to be restored to a relationship with Him by sacrificing His one and only Son and we still respond very filpantly. It saddens me because I'm just as guilty.
God knew our sinful hearts and bent toward selfish ambition and still chose to go through with His plan of salvation (thank you Lord).
In Deteronomy 6:5 it says, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. He wants us to love Him with everything in us. He created us to love Him and to worship Him. In Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; When we choose to trust Him and be certain that we are on the right path. Proverbs 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Through Jesus Christ God has given us everything that we need to live out our life here on earth. 2 Peter 1:3 says, His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
Do you believe? Are you living like you believe?
Monday, August 22, 2011
Complacent Faith
Hebrews 11:1 describes faith: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11 is often described as the 'Hall of Fame' that tells of many of the patriarchs who took God at His Word. Hebrews 11:3 says, By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
I put my faith in Jesus Christ when I was eleven years old. Romans 10:17 says, Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
I believed that He was the Son of God (John 20:31), was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:22), died on the cross for my sins (John 19:33) and rose again on the third day (John 20:17) having victory over death. (1 Corinthians 15:55)
Having faith means putting your trust in God. Trusting God involves obeying Him even when it doesn't make sense. He knows what is best for us and has a plan for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. As we grow up we sometimes get too big for our own britches and make decisions that are not best for us. As a follower of Jesus Christ I have the luxury (yes, luxury) of having the Holy Spirit living within me to guide me. All too often I become complacent in my relationship with God and my faith wanes. Complacent is defined as: marked by self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.
My faith becomes complacent when I choose not to obey God. Isaiah 32:9 warns, You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say! We need to always be willing to listen when God speaks as well as those that He sends to us to speak truth (friends, family, etc.)
One way to avoid complacent faith is to obey immediately when God calls.
I put my faith in Jesus Christ when I was eleven years old. Romans 10:17 says, Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
I believed that He was the Son of God (John 20:31), was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:22), died on the cross for my sins (John 19:33) and rose again on the third day (John 20:17) having victory over death. (1 Corinthians 15:55)
Having faith means putting your trust in God. Trusting God involves obeying Him even when it doesn't make sense. He knows what is best for us and has a plan for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. As we grow up we sometimes get too big for our own britches and make decisions that are not best for us. As a follower of Jesus Christ I have the luxury (yes, luxury) of having the Holy Spirit living within me to guide me. All too often I become complacent in my relationship with God and my faith wanes. Complacent is defined as: marked by self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.
My faith becomes complacent when I choose not to obey God. Isaiah 32:9 warns, You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say! We need to always be willing to listen when God speaks as well as those that He sends to us to speak truth (friends, family, etc.)
One way to avoid complacent faith is to obey immediately when God calls.
Divided Heart
You hear the famous quote "Follow your heart" from Napolean Dynomite. We all follow after something. We choose what it will be filled with--cars, homes, stuff, people but it gets filled. The difference is what you choose to fill it with. There is only one thing than can fill it and keep you satisfied--God and only God--everything else will keep you unfulfilled. God created us with an inner desire for Him. Our heart becomes divided when we choose other things over God. Ezekiel 11:19 says, I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
You will remain unfulfilled if you choose to give God half-hearted worship. Any area of your life that is closed off to people is closed off to God. I had closed off certain areas of my heart to 'protect' me over the years and continued to worship God but could not fully worship Him wholly. As God has restored me I have found that He has enlarged my heart and worship has taken on a whole new meaning for me. As a result, I now find myself overwhelmed with emotion as I've given Him my heart fully.
Ezekiel 36:26 says, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I can truly say that I have a new heart and a new spirit within me. I don't have to tell anyone--they can see it in my actions, my smile, my demeanor.
Allow God to do heart surgery on you--His transplants are always successful and well worth it!
You will remain unfulfilled if you choose to give God half-hearted worship. Any area of your life that is closed off to people is closed off to God. I had closed off certain areas of my heart to 'protect' me over the years and continued to worship God but could not fully worship Him wholly. As God has restored me I have found that He has enlarged my heart and worship has taken on a whole new meaning for me. As a result, I now find myself overwhelmed with emotion as I've given Him my heart fully.
Ezekiel 36:26 says, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I can truly say that I have a new heart and a new spirit within me. I don't have to tell anyone--they can see it in my actions, my smile, my demeanor.
Allow God to do heart surgery on you--His transplants are always successful and well worth it!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Joy
Joy is defined as the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation. And the expression or display of glad feeling.
I read somewhere recently that joy is not merely happiness but rather an unshakable confidence that God is in control. Wow! I love that. Do I believe it? Yes! Do you? Do I live it? Not always. One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Psalm 51. Psalm 51:12 says, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit. I find that I need my joy restored often and I meditate on 'grant me a willing spirit'.
So often I find myself not doing the things that I truly want to and doing the very things that I don't want to do. Paul said it best in Galatians 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. Essentially because of my sinful nature I need God's help to have a willing spirit. I cannot do anything good in my own strength. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do everything through him(Christ) who gives me strength."
Knowing the source of where your joy comes from is a start. John 15:11 says "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." and John 16:24 says, "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." Joy is ours!
If we find our happiness in our possessions, status, bank account, etc. we will find our joy is like a roller coaster--up and down. However, when our joy comes from Christ it is constant and consistent no matter what the circumstances.
I learned Philippians 4:8 as a young girl but did not recognize the significance of the verse until recently. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. If I am meditating on these things I am certain I will be filled with unshakable joy.
May your joy be complete and unshakable in Christ Jesus.
I read somewhere recently that joy is not merely happiness but rather an unshakable confidence that God is in control. Wow! I love that. Do I believe it? Yes! Do you? Do I live it? Not always. One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Psalm 51. Psalm 51:12 says, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit. I find that I need my joy restored often and I meditate on 'grant me a willing spirit'.
So often I find myself not doing the things that I truly want to and doing the very things that I don't want to do. Paul said it best in Galatians 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. Essentially because of my sinful nature I need God's help to have a willing spirit. I cannot do anything good in my own strength. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do everything through him(Christ) who gives me strength."
Knowing the source of where your joy comes from is a start. John 15:11 says "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." and John 16:24 says, "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." Joy is ours!
If we find our happiness in our possessions, status, bank account, etc. we will find our joy is like a roller coaster--up and down. However, when our joy comes from Christ it is constant and consistent no matter what the circumstances.
I learned Philippians 4:8 as a young girl but did not recognize the significance of the verse until recently. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. If I am meditating on these things I am certain I will be filled with unshakable joy.
May your joy be complete and unshakable in Christ Jesus.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Prodigal Returns
dictionary.com defines prodigal as: Spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant. A person who spends money in a recklessly extravagant way.
There is a story (parable) in the gospel of Luke 15 about a prodigal son. The parable tells of a father with two sons. The younger son asked for his share of the inheritance. The father gave him the share of inheritance and the son went away with his wealth. He squandered his money and became destitute--as far as desiring the scraps of pigs. He realized his father's servants were well fed and a better state than he. He decided to go to his father and seek to become a servant as he felt unworthy to be called son. As he returned his father saw him from a distance and went to him. The father threw a big party and celebrated the sons return.
This parable came to mind as my daughter has returned home. I'm grateful for her to be home and received her with open arms. Her story is a bit different than the prodigal son's but there was also similarity. It seemed more appealing at the time to live in another city with her father. The reality was much different. As I thought about this it occurred to me that we are all live the prodigal son and my daughter. We all desire what we 'think' is the better option when in reality God knows what is best for us. 1 Samuel 15:22 says But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. God desires our obedience...He demands it. Jeremiah 7:23 says "but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you."
As a fallen woman (man) we all stumble at times. Praise God we have a loving Father that will receive us when we come to our senses and repent. God receives us with open arms and celebrates our return. Deuteronomy 4:29-31 tells us But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.
Whether you find yourself as the father or the prodigal today remember to seek God first. Matthew 6:33 says But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. and Matthew 7:6-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
My heavenly Father is ready to receive you and through a party in celebration of your return!
There is a story (parable) in the gospel of Luke 15 about a prodigal son. The parable tells of a father with two sons. The younger son asked for his share of the inheritance. The father gave him the share of inheritance and the son went away with his wealth. He squandered his money and became destitute--as far as desiring the scraps of pigs. He realized his father's servants were well fed and a better state than he. He decided to go to his father and seek to become a servant as he felt unworthy to be called son. As he returned his father saw him from a distance and went to him. The father threw a big party and celebrated the sons return.
This parable came to mind as my daughter has returned home. I'm grateful for her to be home and received her with open arms. Her story is a bit different than the prodigal son's but there was also similarity. It seemed more appealing at the time to live in another city with her father. The reality was much different. As I thought about this it occurred to me that we are all live the prodigal son and my daughter. We all desire what we 'think' is the better option when in reality God knows what is best for us. 1 Samuel 15:22 says But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. God desires our obedience...He demands it. Jeremiah 7:23 says "but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you."
As a fallen woman (man) we all stumble at times. Praise God we have a loving Father that will receive us when we come to our senses and repent. God receives us with open arms and celebrates our return. Deuteronomy 4:29-31 tells us But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.
Whether you find yourself as the father or the prodigal today remember to seek God first. Matthew 6:33 says But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. and Matthew 7:6-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
My heavenly Father is ready to receive you and through a party in celebration of your return!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Joining the Battle
Have you ever thought about the difference between a battle and war? A war is a series of battles. A battle is an encounter with opposing forces. Both terms describe hostile military forces engaging one another. Now think about yourself--body, soul and spirit. Our body (physical) will perish one day. Our soul is dead without Christ Jesus. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. Colossians 2:13 Our spirit--Christ Jesus gives us life in the spirit. Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. How amazing: our physical bodies will perish, our souls have been made alive in Christ and our spirit will live on with Christ.
Understanding body, soul and spirit let's get back to the battle vs. the war. At the moment you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of you. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;"
There is a famous quote "You may have one the battle, but not the war." The moment that Christ gave up His last breath and said, "It is finished" (John 19:30) we were given victory over death. 1 Corinthians 15:54 says, "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
Although the war for our soul has already been won through the blood of Christ there are battles we must fight daily. We must be willing to engage in battle with the enemy. Paul describes it perfectly in Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Although we now have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us we still have a sinful nature. This is where the battle begins--within each of us. Sometimes I feel completely defeated for not doing the things that I want to do. I must remember that victory is mine through Christ Jesus and I must persevere. Romans 5:3-5 says, Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
When we allow God to fight our battles for us we can be confident we will gain new strength. Isaiah 40:31 says, "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." I have felt defeated, tired and weary over the last few months. It took me a while to see that I was trying to fight my battles in my own strength and not allowing God to fight them on my behalf. Join the battle for your soul today but make sure you go forward in the strength of God--not your own and claim victory in Jesus' name daily.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Understanding body, soul and spirit let's get back to the battle vs. the war. At the moment you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of you. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;"
There is a famous quote "You may have one the battle, but not the war." The moment that Christ gave up His last breath and said, "It is finished" (John 19:30) we were given victory over death. 1 Corinthians 15:54 says, "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
Although the war for our soul has already been won through the blood of Christ there are battles we must fight daily. We must be willing to engage in battle with the enemy. Paul describes it perfectly in Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Although we now have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us we still have a sinful nature. This is where the battle begins--within each of us. Sometimes I feel completely defeated for not doing the things that I want to do. I must remember that victory is mine through Christ Jesus and I must persevere. Romans 5:3-5 says, Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
When we allow God to fight our battles for us we can be confident we will gain new strength. Isaiah 40:31 says, "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." I have felt defeated, tired and weary over the last few months. It took me a while to see that I was trying to fight my battles in my own strength and not allowing God to fight them on my behalf. Join the battle for your soul today but make sure you go forward in the strength of God--not your own and claim victory in Jesus' name daily.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Be Still And Know
Most people are familiar with the verse Psalm 46:10, Be still, and know that I am God; (but are not as familiar with the remainder of the verse) I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. I memorized this verse many years ago but God brought it to mind recently.
God used a colleague and an acquaintance to bring this verse to my attention. The verse came from both of them the same day. Has God ever done that to you? God has a knack for repeating messages when we don't get it the first time--He does this with me alot. I am so grateful that He knows me so well...and loves me so much to persist. As I meditated over this scripture and thought about being still it sounded simple enough but when I tried to 'be still' and quiet myself before the Lord I found very difficult. I learned something about myself that my friends, family and co-worker already knew--I'm a little ADD.
and know that I am God here again I meditate and begin reflecting on what I 'know' about God. Knowing God, relationally, requires time alone with God. Jeremiah 29:13 says You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I've known who God is most of my life but haven't known Him intimately. Intimacy requires an investment of time and commitment.
Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: In Proverbs 3:5-6 it says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
When I've truly been still before the Lord I've trusted Him with my life. I've learned that to be still I must seek Him first, commit to follow Him wherever He may lead me and trust Him to guide me.
God used a colleague and an acquaintance to bring this verse to my attention. The verse came from both of them the same day. Has God ever done that to you? God has a knack for repeating messages when we don't get it the first time--He does this with me alot. I am so grateful that He knows me so well...and loves me so much to persist. As I meditated over this scripture and thought about being still it sounded simple enough but when I tried to 'be still' and quiet myself before the Lord I found very difficult. I learned something about myself that my friends, family and co-worker already knew--I'm a little ADD.
and know that I am God here again I meditate and begin reflecting on what I 'know' about God. Knowing God, relationally, requires time alone with God. Jeremiah 29:13 says You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I've known who God is most of my life but haven't known Him intimately. Intimacy requires an investment of time and commitment.
Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: In Proverbs 3:5-6 it says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
When I've truly been still before the Lord I've trusted Him with my life. I've learned that to be still I must seek Him first, commit to follow Him wherever He may lead me and trust Him to guide me.
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