Freedom of Choice Act
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Freedom of Choice Act (H.R. 1964/S. 1173) is a bill in the United States Congress which, if enacted, would abolish all restrictions and limitations on women in the United States to have an abortion prior to fetal viability, whether at the State or Federal level, or after the point of viability when the life of the mother is endangered.
Findings
The bill states in its findings section that Congress has the affirmative power to legislate abortion based, in part, on the crossing of state lines by abortion providers, women seeking abortions, and medical supplies used in abortions.
Sponsorship
The Freedom of Choice Act was sponsored in the House of Representatives by Congressman Jerrold Nadler, and originally co-sponsored by Congressman James Greenwood, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, and Congresswoman Diana Degette. In the Senate, it was sponsored by Senator Barbara Boxer, and originally co-sponsored by Senators Jon Corzine, Patty Murray, Frank Lautenberg, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Maria Cantwell, Jim Jeffords, Joseph Lieberman, Diane Feinstein, Paul Sarbanes, and Barbara Mikulski. The bill was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on January 21, 2004, and in the United States Senate on January 22, 2004. Barack Obama promises to sign it if it is passed by Congress.
Status
The bills were referred to the Judiciary Committees of their respective Houses. Neither bill received further action in the 108th Congress. The bills were reintroduced in the 110th Congress, but like their predecessors, have been referred to committee without further action.
Description
The bill is described by NARAL Pro-Choice America president Nancy Keenan as a bill to "codify Roe v. Wade" which would "repeal the Bush-backed Federal Abortion Ban," referring to the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, "and other federal restrictions," [1]. Similarly, opponents of the bill assert that[2] it would, if passed, invalidate every restriction on an abortion before the stage of viability, in every state, even those previously found consistent with Roe v. Wade by the United States Supreme Court, such as parental notification laws, waiting periods, requirements of full disclosure of the physical and emotional risks inherent in abortion, and the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. Opponents further assert that it would challenge the right of religiously-based hospitals or clinics to refuse to perform abortions, and that it would force the repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts the use of Federal funding for abortions. Conservative legal scholar Douglas Kmiec disagrees with the latter assertion, noting that the Hyde Amendment is renewed annually by Congress and argues that this legislation would not supersede it [3].
Debate
President-elect Barack Obama became a co-sponsor of the 2007 Senate version of the bill (S. 1173). Responding to a question regarding how he would preserve reproductive rights in a speech given to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund on July 17, 2007, he declared "The first thing I'd do, as president, is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do."[4] Although those who oppose the Act have interpreted it as an attempt to obligate religious hospitals to either "do abortions or close"[5], supporters point to conscience clause laws[6] that would protect religious hospitals.[7] Opponents counter that such conscience clauses are weak and easily reinterpreted, and do not explicitly allow religious hospitals to ban the abortion procedure within the hospital.[8]
Some opponents point out that the rationale for legislating abortion on a federal level could logically be extended to every act of commerce that may occur across state lines, and say that such a rationale is likely to be deemed unconstitutional.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has been vehemently opposed to the Freedom of Choice Act. According to the USCCB's Secretariat for Pro-Life Activites, FOCA would not only "codify the Supreme Court's 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade" but "in allowing and promoting abortion, FOCA goes far beyond even Roe."[9] On November 12, 2008, Francis Cardinal George, president of the USCCB, warned that FOCA would limit the right of Catholic hospitals and doctors to not offer abortions adding that, "those who support FOCA must realize that if Catholic hospitals are ever required to perform abortions, the bishops will close every one of them; no one would be hurt more than the poor."[10] Drawing on Pope Paul VI's encyclical Humanae Vitae, the Catholic apologist Frank M. Rega, S.F.O., writes[11]:
The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is legislation co-sponsored by Barack Obama which would nullify all state laws that in any way attempt to limit or regulate abortion, including partial-birth abortion. Ironically, it specifies that government will not interfere with a woman’s choice to keep or to kill her unborn child. Nevertheless, FOCA would be a major move towards the dangerous precipice of government-mandated abortion, since it would consolidate all power over birth control into the hands of federal law and authorities. From there it would only be a small step to amend it in the light of overriding national health interests, environmental or population concerns, or any other reason deemed appropriate. Thus the FOCA clause in section 4.b.1.a, stating that a woman has the “right to choose to bear a child” could conveniently and easily be changed to, for example, that a woman has the right to choose to bear up to two children. More ominously, it could be amended to state that a woman has the right to bear a child, except in cases of rape, incest, Down syndrome, etc.
The pro-life organization Americans United for Life (AUL) began a petition called Fight FOCA to collect signatures to oppose FOCA. AUL also wrote an open letter to Senator Barack Obama on FOCA.[12] As of Friday, December 5, 2008, at 22:39:00 UT, the Fight FOCA petition has 311,013 signatures.
C.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Not As Graphic..Abortion Part 2
Psalm 139; 13,14 "For you formed my inward parts you covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well."
In this psalm, David affirms that the work of God in his life extended back to his development in his mother's womb. Who was in the womb? David was. The Bible NEVER uses anything less than human terms to describe the unborn. Science teaches us that an unborn child is just as much an independent human being as you are. The original human cell consists of 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent. At no point during pregnancy does the mother contribute any new cells to the child. The original cell divides itself and multiplies to provide development and growth for the child. Scientifically speaking, the child is just as independent at six months before birth as they are six months after birth. That means the baby is unique, having half mom and half dad in them at conception. Yes the mother does provide nourishment to the unborn child, but she also provides nourishment with breast milk to a newborn child.
Matthew 7:12 "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law of the prophets."
Would you care to be pickled to death with an injection? Or have your life scraped away with a tool that looks like a spoon? Or maybe you desire to have your brain removed? Abortion goes against this golden rule passage that Jesus personally delivered to us. No one desires these things.
Psalm 51:3 "For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me."
David confessed this to God after his sin with Bathsheba. David had a constant conviction and regret for what he did. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered on the battlefield. And he regretted this deeply. Most women who have abortions, spend the rest of their lives regretting it. I ask that you visit with some woman who has had an abortion. Ask her if she would do it again, ask her if she has any regrets. Abortion brings shame, heartache and deep deep regret. Why would this be if it wasn't wrong?
Psalm 127:3 "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward."
Many translations as this translation refers to say children are a gift from God. The fact that one becomes pregnant is a reward from God. Why would you want to terminate that?
2 Kings 8:12 "And Hazael said, “Why is my lord weeping?”
He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel: Their strongholds you will set on fire, and their young men you will kill with the sword; and you will dash their children, and rip open their women with child.”
This is a prophecy of the bad things Hazael would bring upon Israel. These are not good things, young men being killed by the sword, children being killed and pregnant women being ripped open. These are bad things according to this passage as they should be.
Matthew 2:16 "Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men."
Luke 2:12 "And this will be the sign to you; you will find a babe in swaddling clothes lying in a manger."
This verse calls newborn children babes. And this is referring to the baby Jesus. But Luke 1:41 uses the same word babes to describe unborn children in the womb. There is no distinction between whether they're born or in the womb, they're both described as human life, as children. In the book of Daniel, Daniel, Meshach ,Abed-nego and Shadrach would not defile themselves with a portion of the king's food nor with the king's wine. They also would not bow down and worship the king. That ended up getting the three in a fiery furnace and landed Daniel in a den of lions. I'm sure many of us know these stories, but I would like to just point out that the Bible calls out many times not to live a compromising life. We are not to compromise our views and our convictions from the Lord and His word. If broken, Keep the faith. If in financial ruins, keep the faith. If in a blazing furnace, KEEP THE FAITH!
Again I will end like my last post. Let us see from God's word that abortion is wrong in many many ways. Let us make it and see it as the big issue that it is. My prayer is that God shows mercy on us, a nation that claims to be founded on Christian beliefs, yet so often overlooks God and His will and ways for "rights", or economy, or just plain greed. Let us wake up and lean on Him, it saved Daniel and his companions, and it can save us too.
With love,
C.
In this psalm, David affirms that the work of God in his life extended back to his development in his mother's womb. Who was in the womb? David was. The Bible NEVER uses anything less than human terms to describe the unborn. Science teaches us that an unborn child is just as much an independent human being as you are. The original human cell consists of 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent. At no point during pregnancy does the mother contribute any new cells to the child. The original cell divides itself and multiplies to provide development and growth for the child. Scientifically speaking, the child is just as independent at six months before birth as they are six months after birth. That means the baby is unique, having half mom and half dad in them at conception. Yes the mother does provide nourishment to the unborn child, but she also provides nourishment with breast milk to a newborn child.
Matthew 7:12 "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law of the prophets."
Would you care to be pickled to death with an injection? Or have your life scraped away with a tool that looks like a spoon? Or maybe you desire to have your brain removed? Abortion goes against this golden rule passage that Jesus personally delivered to us. No one desires these things.
Psalm 51:3 "For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me."
David confessed this to God after his sin with Bathsheba. David had a constant conviction and regret for what he did. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered on the battlefield. And he regretted this deeply. Most women who have abortions, spend the rest of their lives regretting it. I ask that you visit with some woman who has had an abortion. Ask her if she would do it again, ask her if she has any regrets. Abortion brings shame, heartache and deep deep regret. Why would this be if it wasn't wrong?
Psalm 127:3 "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward."
Many translations as this translation refers to say children are a gift from God. The fact that one becomes pregnant is a reward from God. Why would you want to terminate that?
2 Kings 8:12 "And Hazael said, “Why is my lord weeping?”
He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel: Their strongholds you will set on fire, and their young men you will kill with the sword; and you will dash their children, and rip open their women with child.”
This is a prophecy of the bad things Hazael would bring upon Israel. These are not good things, young men being killed by the sword, children being killed and pregnant women being ripped open. These are bad things according to this passage as they should be.
Matthew 2:16 "Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men."
Luke 2:12 "And this will be the sign to you; you will find a babe in swaddling clothes lying in a manger."
This verse calls newborn children babes. And this is referring to the baby Jesus. But Luke 1:41 uses the same word babes to describe unborn children in the womb. There is no distinction between whether they're born or in the womb, they're both described as human life, as children. In the book of Daniel, Daniel, Meshach ,Abed-nego and Shadrach would not defile themselves with a portion of the king's food nor with the king's wine. They also would not bow down and worship the king. That ended up getting the three in a fiery furnace and landed Daniel in a den of lions. I'm sure many of us know these stories, but I would like to just point out that the Bible calls out many times not to live a compromising life. We are not to compromise our views and our convictions from the Lord and His word. If broken, Keep the faith. If in financial ruins, keep the faith. If in a blazing furnace, KEEP THE FAITH!
Again I will end like my last post. Let us see from God's word that abortion is wrong in many many ways. Let us make it and see it as the big issue that it is. My prayer is that God shows mercy on us, a nation that claims to be founded on Christian beliefs, yet so often overlooks God and His will and ways for "rights", or economy, or just plain greed. Let us wake up and lean on Him, it saved Daniel and his companions, and it can save us too.
With love,
C.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Warning:Graphic Abortion Part 1
The Bible is quiet about abortions. No where does it say, thou shall not have an abortion. However, the Bible does mention loud and clear respect and love for life and prohibits murder...what I feel abortion is. I know this is a touchy subject for some and I won't deny that I'm probably going to offend some. First we'll start with some general info.
There are five basic types of abortion being performed in America today, while one may be added in the near future due to the election results.
1.) Suction type abortion this is where the unborn child is literally vacuumed from the womb during the early stages of pregnancy.
2.) The currette abortion.....this is where the child is cut from the mother's womb with a spoon like object.
3.) Cesarean operation.......this is where the baby is surgically removed from the mother and allowed to suffocate because the child's lungs are not developed.
4.) The salt brine technique...this is the method where the child is literally "pickled" to death by the injection of a strong salt solution. A few days after the injection, the baby is stillborn.
5.) The RU-486 Abortion pill..This pill works by inhibiting pregnancy hormones and is normally used within 7 weeks from conception. However it sometimes fails and if so, you would need to undergo a surgical abortion.
There is currently much debate over the practice of partial birth abortions which as of now is illegal. This practice will be allowed if the president elect follows through with the "freedom of choice act" as he said he would. Partial birth abortion is where a child is partially delivered (everything but the baby's head) then stabbed in the skull and has his/her brain removed. This technique can be done up to nine months.
I understand a lot of people view abortion as wrong unless it puts the mother or child in grave danger or is a result of incest or rape. Well the facts show that 3% of abortions are done because of the mother's health. Another 3% are because of the baby's health. While 1%, that's right only 1% abortions are done because of rape or incest. That leaves a staggering 93% of abortions done simply because the babies are unwanted. An average of 1,500,000 abortions are done per year. That amounts to 4,000 abortions per day, which comes out to nearly 3 per minute. How many unborn children will die while you read this blog?
Prior to the Roe V Wade decision of 1973 an estimated 500,000 illegal abortions were occurring each year. By 1975, 2 years after abortions became legal, that number doubled to 1 million per year.
I had a fellow from work tell me that back in the 70s, Larry Flint of Hustler magazine did an issue which showed a bunch of women who "bled out" and died while having an illegal "back alley abortion". He said that's why he feels it should be legal, since women will do it anyway and might as well have a safe environment to do it in. I must admit that's a good argument, but if that's the case, should we then legalize heroine since people get AIDs from the needles or get bad drugs and die? Under this way of thinking, we can even have the abusers have doctors in their offices shoot them up. What do you think?
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
Jeremiah was keenly aware that the call of God in his life had been determined by God before his conception. In reference to pregnant women in the Bible, the term "with child" occurs 26 times. The term "with fetus" is nowhere in the Bible. God does not see unborn children as fetuses or merely tissues, but a person, a human life. If God allows a child to be conceived, then he may have plans for that child. Mary's parents didn't know she would give birth to the Savior of the world. On the last post I did, I used Luke 1 to show that John the Baptist, being in the womb, leaped for joy. That's what got me thinking about this abortion issue. And also, K was telling me that last night on the news, it showed people can buy a gift card from Planned Parenthood that can be used for abortions. Tell me how that really sounds? You can buy a gift card for someone to go have an abortion! Does that sound right? I take this issue extremely serious because I believe 100% it is the act of killing innocent life. I found out years ago my mom had an abortion appointment while pregnant with me and my dad turning off the highway is the only reason I'm here. I have not changed the world, but I'm glad I'm here and my kids are here.
Abortion lowers the moral fabric this country is barely hanging onto as is. Many of you will call me extreme, but honestly, if we let doctors in the name of science and rights kill unborn children then what's next? Should we be allowed to kill our grandparents or parents if they end up suffering from senility? Or maybe we should have the right to kill mentally retarded or seriously sick people? Should we maybe kill people like me, who in the name of Christ refused be conformed to this world and its views of right and wrong? This is all a reality that could happen and it starts by giving sin an inch. Sin will end up growing and taking a mile, and much much more. That's it for tonight. I will post part 2 with much more scripture demonstrating the act is wrong. Feel free to leave your opinions and feedback....either way.
I pray we make this issue the size it deserves. These abortions would be healthy human lives made in the image of our Heavenly Father.
With love,
C.
There are five basic types of abortion being performed in America today, while one may be added in the near future due to the election results.
1.) Suction type abortion this is where the unborn child is literally vacuumed from the womb during the early stages of pregnancy.
2.) The currette abortion.....this is where the child is cut from the mother's womb with a spoon like object.
3.) Cesarean operation.......this is where the baby is surgically removed from the mother and allowed to suffocate because the child's lungs are not developed.
4.) The salt brine technique...this is the method where the child is literally "pickled" to death by the injection of a strong salt solution. A few days after the injection, the baby is stillborn.
5.) The RU-486 Abortion pill..This pill works by inhibiting pregnancy hormones and is normally used within 7 weeks from conception. However it sometimes fails and if so, you would need to undergo a surgical abortion.
There is currently much debate over the practice of partial birth abortions which as of now is illegal. This practice will be allowed if the president elect follows through with the "freedom of choice act" as he said he would. Partial birth abortion is where a child is partially delivered (everything but the baby's head) then stabbed in the skull and has his/her brain removed. This technique can be done up to nine months.
I understand a lot of people view abortion as wrong unless it puts the mother or child in grave danger or is a result of incest or rape. Well the facts show that 3% of abortions are done because of the mother's health. Another 3% are because of the baby's health. While 1%, that's right only 1% abortions are done because of rape or incest. That leaves a staggering 93% of abortions done simply because the babies are unwanted. An average of 1,500,000 abortions are done per year. That amounts to 4,000 abortions per day, which comes out to nearly 3 per minute. How many unborn children will die while you read this blog?
Prior to the Roe V Wade decision of 1973 an estimated 500,000 illegal abortions were occurring each year. By 1975, 2 years after abortions became legal, that number doubled to 1 million per year.
I had a fellow from work tell me that back in the 70s, Larry Flint of Hustler magazine did an issue which showed a bunch of women who "bled out" and died while having an illegal "back alley abortion". He said that's why he feels it should be legal, since women will do it anyway and might as well have a safe environment to do it in. I must admit that's a good argument, but if that's the case, should we then legalize heroine since people get AIDs from the needles or get bad drugs and die? Under this way of thinking, we can even have the abusers have doctors in their offices shoot them up. What do you think?
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
Jeremiah was keenly aware that the call of God in his life had been determined by God before his conception. In reference to pregnant women in the Bible, the term "with child" occurs 26 times. The term "with fetus" is nowhere in the Bible. God does not see unborn children as fetuses or merely tissues, but a person, a human life. If God allows a child to be conceived, then he may have plans for that child. Mary's parents didn't know she would give birth to the Savior of the world. On the last post I did, I used Luke 1 to show that John the Baptist, being in the womb, leaped for joy. That's what got me thinking about this abortion issue. And also, K was telling me that last night on the news, it showed people can buy a gift card from Planned Parenthood that can be used for abortions. Tell me how that really sounds? You can buy a gift card for someone to go have an abortion! Does that sound right? I take this issue extremely serious because I believe 100% it is the act of killing innocent life. I found out years ago my mom had an abortion appointment while pregnant with me and my dad turning off the highway is the only reason I'm here. I have not changed the world, but I'm glad I'm here and my kids are here.
Abortion lowers the moral fabric this country is barely hanging onto as is. Many of you will call me extreme, but honestly, if we let doctors in the name of science and rights kill unborn children then what's next? Should we be allowed to kill our grandparents or parents if they end up suffering from senility? Or maybe we should have the right to kill mentally retarded or seriously sick people? Should we maybe kill people like me, who in the name of Christ refused be conformed to this world and its views of right and wrong? This is all a reality that could happen and it starts by giving sin an inch. Sin will end up growing and taking a mile, and much much more. That's it for tonight. I will post part 2 with much more scripture demonstrating the act is wrong. Feel free to leave your opinions and feedback....either way.
I pray we make this issue the size it deserves. These abortions would be healthy human lives made in the image of our Heavenly Father.
With love,
C.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Advent
Advent time is here again. This is a time that we observe and contemplate the birth of Christ. It is also a time to remind us (which we should keep ready at all times) that as our Lord came once, he is coming again.
We should take this time to reflect on what really happened that first Christmas. The harsh realities of the dark stank stable, the cold night, and the door to the inn closed. And most importantly we should reflect and rejoice that in that time, God came into our mist. This is something that's not only happened in the past, but is still happening in the lives of repentant believers still today through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Advent is not only a celebration of the anniversary of our Lord who came, but is an opportunity to consider the future, the second advent, the promised coming of God's kingdom on earth. (Revelation 22:20, 2Peter 3:13) We should never forget the grandness of what happened in the small town of Bethlehem. We are all familiar with the nativity scene, a small precious child laying in a manger, shepherds coming to see the king, wise men bringing gifts...this is all relevant and to be recognized. Yet the one thing we should always remember is that baby that laid in that manger is the same man who was crucified on the cross at the hill of Golgotha. The same man who promised to return in all His splendor and glory bringing His kingdom with Him.
They have wreaths, calendars, devotional books and on and on for the entire month of advent. I urge anyone to take part in such things and enjoy them. But I cannot stress enough, in this season, don't get wrapped up with the holiday rush around and all the consumerism that commercials and retailers are shoving on us. Remember the old saying, "Jesus IS the reason for the season. "
I ask that we all take some time this Christmas season and examine ourselves in the light of the gospel to see how far we are from Christ and what is our character of His faith and love. How many of us share the longing of the prophets for the Messiah to come. Mother Theresa once noted that the first person to welcome Christ was John the Baptist, who leaped for joy on recognizing him, though both of them were still in their mother's wombs. (Luke 1:39-45) Do you welcome Jesus into your lives like this? Do you recognize him for who he really was and not just some holiday we celebrate every year to give gifts?
I wanted to do this advent topic because most churches don't celebrate advent. Its lost in the consumerism and rush of the season. Most of my ideas and the Mother Theresa info came from the book, Watch For the Light, reading for advent and Christmas. A good read I recommend.
My prayer for all is that we forget the hustle and bustle of the season, that we forget how work is going, that we forget how the economy's doing, and that we concentrate on the one thing that really does matter, Jesus of Nazareth
With love,
C.
Luke 1:39-45
Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
We should take this time to reflect on what really happened that first Christmas. The harsh realities of the dark stank stable, the cold night, and the door to the inn closed. And most importantly we should reflect and rejoice that in that time, God came into our mist. This is something that's not only happened in the past, but is still happening in the lives of repentant believers still today through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Advent is not only a celebration of the anniversary of our Lord who came, but is an opportunity to consider the future, the second advent, the promised coming of God's kingdom on earth. (Revelation 22:20, 2Peter 3:13) We should never forget the grandness of what happened in the small town of Bethlehem. We are all familiar with the nativity scene, a small precious child laying in a manger, shepherds coming to see the king, wise men bringing gifts...this is all relevant and to be recognized. Yet the one thing we should always remember is that baby that laid in that manger is the same man who was crucified on the cross at the hill of Golgotha. The same man who promised to return in all His splendor and glory bringing His kingdom with Him.
They have wreaths, calendars, devotional books and on and on for the entire month of advent. I urge anyone to take part in such things and enjoy them. But I cannot stress enough, in this season, don't get wrapped up with the holiday rush around and all the consumerism that commercials and retailers are shoving on us. Remember the old saying, "Jesus IS the reason for the season. "
I ask that we all take some time this Christmas season and examine ourselves in the light of the gospel to see how far we are from Christ and what is our character of His faith and love. How many of us share the longing of the prophets for the Messiah to come. Mother Theresa once noted that the first person to welcome Christ was John the Baptist, who leaped for joy on recognizing him, though both of them were still in their mother's wombs. (Luke 1:39-45) Do you welcome Jesus into your lives like this? Do you recognize him for who he really was and not just some holiday we celebrate every year to give gifts?
I wanted to do this advent topic because most churches don't celebrate advent. Its lost in the consumerism and rush of the season. Most of my ideas and the Mother Theresa info came from the book, Watch For the Light, reading for advent and Christmas. A good read I recommend.
My prayer for all is that we forget the hustle and bustle of the season, that we forget how work is going, that we forget how the economy's doing, and that we concentrate on the one thing that really does matter, Jesus of Nazareth
With love,
C.
Luke 1:39-45
Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Does God Change His Mind?
We are told in the Bible to pray on all things. We are also told to be anxious for nothing, but to offer prayers and petitions to God. Well I have been asked before and even asked this question myself. If and when we pray, does that or will that change God's mind?
In the beginning, the first book of the Bible, Genesis, Abraham the forefather of the Israelites, is asking that the Lord not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. He pleads as we will see in the verses below to save the cities if they have any righteous in them.
23Abraham came near and said, "Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
24"Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?
25"Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?"
26So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account."
27And Abraham replied, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.
28"Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?" And He said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there."
29He spoke to Him yet again and said, "Suppose forty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it on account of the forty."
30Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."
31And he said, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the twenty."
32Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the ten."
33As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.
First of all, as we asked in our Wednesday prayer class when looking at the passage, why did Abraham stop at ten? Did he feel like he was pushing the Lord too much? Did he in pleading with the Lord get a revelation or sense as to what God was going to do anyway? He was pleading for Lot, that's why he didn't want the cities destroyed...Lot lived there. Well even though Abraham was a great bargainer, the Lord in the next chapter sends to angels to Sodom and Gomorrah to destroy them. Abraham's prayer was still heard though in that Lot and a handful of his family was brought out of the cities before they were destroyed. Unfortunately his wife disobeyed the Lord and looked back as they were leaving and turned into a pillar of salt. That's a subject for another time, but I do want to note, don't do anything God tells you not to do.
To stay on topic, Abraham asked God to not destroy Sodom and Gemorrah, even pleaded with him, but it was God's will to do it. So it had to be done. God did know of Abraham's wish to have Lot spared and God being merciful and gracious granted him that. God did answer Abraham's prayer just not in the way Abraham had wanted or asked. Remember that...God knows what's best in the end for us and that is how he will answer all our prayers. Not for our will, but for His.
7Then the LORD spoke to Moses, "Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
8"They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, 'This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!'"
9The LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people.
10"Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation."
Moses' Entreaty 11Then Moses entreated the LORD his God, and said, "O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
12"Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, 'With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth'? Turn from Your burning anger and change Your mind about doing harm to Your people.
13"Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants to whom You swore by Yourself, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.'"
14So the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.
This is the story of the golden calf and the plea from Moses to God to spare the people from God's wrath. God had planned to pour out His wrath on them and make a great nation out of Moses. After Moses' plea, verse 14 says "so the Lord changed his mind about the harm which he said he would do to his people." (NASB) The King James version says God repented and other versions say God relented. What it boils down to is God did not destroy the Israelites like He was going to and make a great nation for Moses. So does God change His mind? In the end, God's will is always carried out. God may change the means to which the end comes about but it is always according to His will since He is sovereign. His mind may change, but His will does not. For His will to change would mean God is not perfect, which is absolutely not true. God is true perfection.
My prayer for all is that we bring our troubles and thanks and prayers to God no matter how big or small they may seem. That we may open our eyes to glimpse the way of which God's hand is working in all our prayers.That we see the beauty and glory of His perfect will.
With Love and prayers always.
C.
In the beginning, the first book of the Bible, Genesis, Abraham the forefather of the Israelites, is asking that the Lord not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. He pleads as we will see in the verses below to save the cities if they have any righteous in them.
23Abraham came near and said, "Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
24"Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?
25"Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?"
26So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account."
27And Abraham replied, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.
28"Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?" And He said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there."
29He spoke to Him yet again and said, "Suppose forty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it on account of the forty."
30Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."
31And he said, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the twenty."
32Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the ten."
33As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.
First of all, as we asked in our Wednesday prayer class when looking at the passage, why did Abraham stop at ten? Did he feel like he was pushing the Lord too much? Did he in pleading with the Lord get a revelation or sense as to what God was going to do anyway? He was pleading for Lot, that's why he didn't want the cities destroyed...Lot lived there. Well even though Abraham was a great bargainer, the Lord in the next chapter sends to angels to Sodom and Gomorrah to destroy them. Abraham's prayer was still heard though in that Lot and a handful of his family was brought out of the cities before they were destroyed. Unfortunately his wife disobeyed the Lord and looked back as they were leaving and turned into a pillar of salt. That's a subject for another time, but I do want to note, don't do anything God tells you not to do.
To stay on topic, Abraham asked God to not destroy Sodom and Gemorrah, even pleaded with him, but it was God's will to do it. So it had to be done. God did know of Abraham's wish to have Lot spared and God being merciful and gracious granted him that. God did answer Abraham's prayer just not in the way Abraham had wanted or asked. Remember that...God knows what's best in the end for us and that is how he will answer all our prayers. Not for our will, but for His.
7Then the LORD spoke to Moses, "Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
8"They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, 'This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!'"
9The LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people.
10"Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation."
Moses' Entreaty 11Then Moses entreated the LORD his God, and said, "O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
12"Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, 'With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth'? Turn from Your burning anger and change Your mind about doing harm to Your people.
13"Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants to whom You swore by Yourself, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.'"
14So the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.
This is the story of the golden calf and the plea from Moses to God to spare the people from God's wrath. God had planned to pour out His wrath on them and make a great nation out of Moses. After Moses' plea, verse 14 says "so the Lord changed his mind about the harm which he said he would do to his people." (NASB) The King James version says God repented and other versions say God relented. What it boils down to is God did not destroy the Israelites like He was going to and make a great nation for Moses. So does God change His mind? In the end, God's will is always carried out. God may change the means to which the end comes about but it is always according to His will since He is sovereign. His mind may change, but His will does not. For His will to change would mean God is not perfect, which is absolutely not true. God is true perfection.
My prayer for all is that we bring our troubles and thanks and prayers to God no matter how big or small they may seem. That we may open our eyes to glimpse the way of which God's hand is working in all our prayers.That we see the beauty and glory of His perfect will.
With Love and prayers always.
C.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
"STORMS"
I wanted to do this blog on Jesus' teachings on love and compassion to all His creation, and all the analogies He uses referring us and Him many times as animals of one kind or another. Well that is still in the works so I'm gonna do this one on the storms that come along in our lives. We all face trials and temptations in life, and in times like that I find great comfort in the teachings Jesus gives us on the storms others have faced in His day and the way God uses it to show Himself and His power to us. I am pretty sure I have done a blog before on problems we face and go through in life. The Bible teaches that such times will come, for not even Jesus was spared trials and temptations. We will not be spared hard times, but instead we will be made and conformed into that of which God wants us to be through them.
James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
Matthew 8:23-27 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
Now this is a literal storm that the disciples went through here, and imagine the fear that must have gripped them, for they thought they were gonna die. Now I gotta ask, how is it Jesus was sleeping during a raging storm like this? Do you sometimes feel that God is sleeping when you are in the middle of a raging storm that is trying to consume your life? Do you feel like He is not hearing your cries and waking up to calm the storm like He did for the disciples here? Well, the storms will and are coming, and rest assured that Jesus knows that they are and He knows the best way to calm them.
I have no doubt that Jesus knew this storm was coming before He even got in the boat. He slept and was in the boat during the storm with them (as in life He is with us) and He wanted to show them what faith really was, and to in times of trouble cry out and call upon Him. Many times in the gospels things like this happened so that Jesus could teach the disciples (and us) to rely, depend, and trust in Him completely. This story shows a touching picture of Christs humanity that He fell asleep and was so weary that not even the violent rocking of the boat woke Him. This story also shows us of His power as the Son of God that He awoke and rebuked the sea and winds and they obeyed Him. In the storms and the good times of life, that's the type of Saviour I choose to serve and obey!
The next set of scriptures I am gonna comment on is the story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus found in John 11:1-44. (Bear with me for I know this is alot of scriptures.)
1Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
2It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
3So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick."
4But when Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it."
5Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
6So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was.
7Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."
8The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?"
9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
10"But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."
11This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep."
12The disciples then said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover."
13Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep.
14So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead,
15and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him."
16Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, so that we may die with Him."
17So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.
18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off;
19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.
20Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house.
21Martha then said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
22"Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."
23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,
26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
27She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world."
28When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you."
29And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him.
30Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him.
31Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
32Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."
33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled,
34and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see."
35Jesus wept.
36So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved him!"
37But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?"
38So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.
39Jesus said, "Remove the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days."
40Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"
41So they removed the stone Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
42"I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me."
43When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth."
44The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
This is the story of Lazarus. Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus as we see in verse 5. His sisters sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick. When Jesus received this news He waited two days until He decided to go back to see him. Now He tells His disciples that they are going back to see Lazarus because he has fallen asleep (verse 11). The disciples are worried about the Jews in that area wanting to kill Jesus and say if he has fallen asleep he will awaken, and this is the part to really ponder, Jesus says "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe." It goes on to show how distressed Mary and Martha were over the death of their brother and the power of Christ to come back and raise Him from the dead on the forth day of Lazarus' death.
Jesus knew the storm was coming and as we see He had the power to calm it. He said that Lazarus' sickness would not end in death. You say he did die? Yes he did but in the end he was alive and I bet more alive than he had ever been. Lazarus died and lived again to bring glory to God. Never forget that God is Huge! So huge that our biggest storms in life, including death, are nothing to Him. No one can begin to even ponder the greatness and awesomeness of God. The human mind literally does not have that capacity. So please, in the storms of your life call and lean on Him. He may not answer your prayers and requests how you make ask or like, but He is sovereign and does have your best interests in mind in all that He does. He let Lazarus die, and was glad, because it showed many who He was and the power He has.
My prayer for all is that we do indeed try to see things in the holy and awesome way that God does. That we see the beauty that lies just beyond the storms in our lives, and the power and glory in the hand whom calms the storms. With love and prayers always.
C.
James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
Matthew 8:23-27 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
Now this is a literal storm that the disciples went through here, and imagine the fear that must have gripped them, for they thought they were gonna die. Now I gotta ask, how is it Jesus was sleeping during a raging storm like this? Do you sometimes feel that God is sleeping when you are in the middle of a raging storm that is trying to consume your life? Do you feel like He is not hearing your cries and waking up to calm the storm like He did for the disciples here? Well, the storms will and are coming, and rest assured that Jesus knows that they are and He knows the best way to calm them.
I have no doubt that Jesus knew this storm was coming before He even got in the boat. He slept and was in the boat during the storm with them (as in life He is with us) and He wanted to show them what faith really was, and to in times of trouble cry out and call upon Him. Many times in the gospels things like this happened so that Jesus could teach the disciples (and us) to rely, depend, and trust in Him completely. This story shows a touching picture of Christs humanity that He fell asleep and was so weary that not even the violent rocking of the boat woke Him. This story also shows us of His power as the Son of God that He awoke and rebuked the sea and winds and they obeyed Him. In the storms and the good times of life, that's the type of Saviour I choose to serve and obey!
The next set of scriptures I am gonna comment on is the story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus found in John 11:1-44. (Bear with me for I know this is alot of scriptures.)
1Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
2It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.
3So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick."
4But when Jesus heard this, He said, "This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it."
5Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
6So when He heard that he was sick, He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was.
7Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."
8The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?"
9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
10"But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him."
11This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep."
12The disciples then said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover."
13Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep.
14So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead,
15and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him."
16Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, so that we may die with Him."
17So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.
18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off;
19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.
20Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house.
21Martha then said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
22"Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."
23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,
26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
27She said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world."
28When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you."
29And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him.
30Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him.
31Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
32Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."
33When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled,
34and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see."
35Jesus wept.
36So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved him!"
37But some of them said, "Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man also from dying?"
38So Jesus, again being deeply moved within, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.
39Jesus said, "Remove the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days."
40Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"
41So they removed the stone Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.
42"I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me."
43When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth."
44The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go."
This is the story of Lazarus. Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus as we see in verse 5. His sisters sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick. When Jesus received this news He waited two days until He decided to go back to see him. Now He tells His disciples that they are going back to see Lazarus because he has fallen asleep (verse 11). The disciples are worried about the Jews in that area wanting to kill Jesus and say if he has fallen asleep he will awaken, and this is the part to really ponder, Jesus says "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe." It goes on to show how distressed Mary and Martha were over the death of their brother and the power of Christ to come back and raise Him from the dead on the forth day of Lazarus' death.
Jesus knew the storm was coming and as we see He had the power to calm it. He said that Lazarus' sickness would not end in death. You say he did die? Yes he did but in the end he was alive and I bet more alive than he had ever been. Lazarus died and lived again to bring glory to God. Never forget that God is Huge! So huge that our biggest storms in life, including death, are nothing to Him. No one can begin to even ponder the greatness and awesomeness of God. The human mind literally does not have that capacity. So please, in the storms of your life call and lean on Him. He may not answer your prayers and requests how you make ask or like, but He is sovereign and does have your best interests in mind in all that He does. He let Lazarus die, and was glad, because it showed many who He was and the power He has.
My prayer for all is that we do indeed try to see things in the holy and awesome way that God does. That we see the beauty that lies just beyond the storms in our lives, and the power and glory in the hand whom calms the storms. With love and prayers always.
C.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Compassion To All: Part One
We had some real good storms a couple weeks back with a lot of rain. As I was walking into work I noticed that this soaking we needed had really brought out the frogs (toads). So I mentioned this to a fellow employee sitting at one of the picnic tables outside. And he tells me, "ya they are really out, but it's a shame because some idiot will start stomping on them on his way in".
What satisfaction does a person get from something I see as so terrible? Why would you kill something (whether a frog, dog, cat, mouse, whatever) for fun? I really don't get people at times. I think we should do all we can to protect God's creation since we were entrusted with dominion over them. (Genesis 1:28-31) I think so many people misunderstand that statement. We do have, granted by God, dominion over the birds and creatures of the earth. Should we not use that dominion in a compassionate and merciful way like our Heavenly Father who has dominion over us does? An old quote I found interesting goes like this; "A truly religious man does not ask how far this or that deserves sympathy...,to him, life as such is sacred."
There are many verses in the Bible that deal with God's relationship with us and animals. As well as our relationship with animals. Look at the great flood in Noah's day. God saved Noah's family and two of every kind of animal (seven of each of the clean animals) in Genesis 7:1-3. And after the flood we see that God made a covenant with Noah, his family and all animals and earth that he will never destroy earth again with a flood. Genesis 9:8-10 "Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying; and as for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you; the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you of all that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth." I find it interesting that God mentions the animals too. They are his creation after all, for we cannot breathe life into things, only God can.
Ecclesiastes 3:19-20 "For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. All go to one place: all are from the dust and all return to the dust." This verse tells us that in the end, whether beast or man, we all die. For all come from dust and all will return to dust. We are guaranteed eternal life through Jesus Christ, animals are not mentioned in that salvation. So to all the people who ask if they're dog or cat went to "doggy or kitty heaven", I must admit that the Bible does not teach this. However I can say in the beginning in the garden of Eden there were animals. And many prophecies for the future kingdom of God show animals present and in harmony with one another. Isaiah 11:6-9 "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; there young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobras hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the vipers den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
Hosea 2:18 "In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, with the birds of the air, and with the creepy things of the ground. Bow and sword of battle I will shatter from the earth, to make them lie down safely."
Both these scriptures we just read speak of the coming kingdom of Christ where all will live in harmony as was in the garden of Eden. I love the verse where the lion will eat straw like an ox. I will do my next blog on the New Testament and Jesus' teachings on compassion and love to all including his Father's creation. I hope I didn't lose any of you in this cause it got longer than I'd hoped. But so many people are just mean to animals and I don't get it! They have the breath of life in them just as you and I do. I don't get how a Christian can ask for mercy from God who is above when he shows no mercy to what is below him. The scriptures make clear that God expects humans to be caretakers of his creation.
My prayer for all is that we see the value and the beauty of God in his creation of us, his animals and nature. That we treat all people and animals with love, mercy and compassion as God so wonderfully does for us. With love and prayers always.
C.
What satisfaction does a person get from something I see as so terrible? Why would you kill something (whether a frog, dog, cat, mouse, whatever) for fun? I really don't get people at times. I think we should do all we can to protect God's creation since we were entrusted with dominion over them. (Genesis 1:28-31) I think so many people misunderstand that statement. We do have, granted by God, dominion over the birds and creatures of the earth. Should we not use that dominion in a compassionate and merciful way like our Heavenly Father who has dominion over us does? An old quote I found interesting goes like this; "A truly religious man does not ask how far this or that deserves sympathy...,to him, life as such is sacred."
There are many verses in the Bible that deal with God's relationship with us and animals. As well as our relationship with animals. Look at the great flood in Noah's day. God saved Noah's family and two of every kind of animal (seven of each of the clean animals) in Genesis 7:1-3. And after the flood we see that God made a covenant with Noah, his family and all animals and earth that he will never destroy earth again with a flood. Genesis 9:8-10 "Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying; and as for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you; the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you of all that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth." I find it interesting that God mentions the animals too. They are his creation after all, for we cannot breathe life into things, only God can.
Ecclesiastes 3:19-20 "For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. All go to one place: all are from the dust and all return to the dust." This verse tells us that in the end, whether beast or man, we all die. For all come from dust and all will return to dust. We are guaranteed eternal life through Jesus Christ, animals are not mentioned in that salvation. So to all the people who ask if they're dog or cat went to "doggy or kitty heaven", I must admit that the Bible does not teach this. However I can say in the beginning in the garden of Eden there were animals. And many prophecies for the future kingdom of God show animals present and in harmony with one another. Isaiah 11:6-9 "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; there young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobras hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the vipers den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
Hosea 2:18 "In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, with the birds of the air, and with the creepy things of the ground. Bow and sword of battle I will shatter from the earth, to make them lie down safely."
Both these scriptures we just read speak of the coming kingdom of Christ where all will live in harmony as was in the garden of Eden. I love the verse where the lion will eat straw like an ox. I will do my next blog on the New Testament and Jesus' teachings on compassion and love to all including his Father's creation. I hope I didn't lose any of you in this cause it got longer than I'd hoped. But so many people are just mean to animals and I don't get it! They have the breath of life in them just as you and I do. I don't get how a Christian can ask for mercy from God who is above when he shows no mercy to what is below him. The scriptures make clear that God expects humans to be caretakers of his creation.
My prayer for all is that we see the value and the beauty of God in his creation of us, his animals and nature. That we treat all people and animals with love, mercy and compassion as God so wonderfully does for us. With love and prayers always.
C.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
"The Small Things"
I was at a education committee meeting at church a while back and we read a story of some American missionaries that were in a poor third world country working to spread the good news of Christ. The story talked of the things they were learning, especially how poor other parts of the world really are. The lady writing it said that her family always said grace before a meal and gave thanks for the food they were blessed with, yet didn't realize how much of a blessing that was til they had to go with lack of on their missionary journeys. That really got me to thinking how spoiled we are in this country in the sense of food.
How many times have you had to go to bed hungry because you had nothing in the pantry to cook or eat? How many times have you had to tell your kids its time to go to bed, we will eat tomorrow? I am not a wealthy man according to this societies measure but that is something I am fortunate enough to say I have never been through. Many people in other countries and even this one face this struggle everyday. I know we have all seen the starving kids on TV and heard about the lack of food elsewhere and the crisis that it is. I do not say this to make you feel bad or anything of that nature.
Think about the faith that would produce in a person if they literally had to rely on God completely for their next meal. Something we so often take for granted yet need to survive. I have heard of remarkable miracles happening in places like these that we don't hear often here and I just wonder if it has to do with the amount of faith people like this have. You have to truly go without something to know what a blessing it really is and these people know this firsthand. It's easy to say God is great and go to church on Sundays and maybe volunteer for some church activities, but its when the true hardships come and we are forced to go without that true awesome faith is produced in us. That's when God does His most powerful acts and works to and through us. We so often, and I am extremely guilty of this at times, overlook all the "small things" in life that actually are not that small. Many people will die in their sleep tonight and we will go through the day never thanking God for the breath in our lungs. We will eat at least two to three meals tomorrow not realizing what a treasure and blessing it is. We will notice our friend has a nicer car than ours and we will not thank God that we have a vehicle that runs and gets us to work and our kids to school. We will forget what a blessing it is we can cloth our kids and send them to get a free education. On and on and on I could go.
I am going to put the story of Elijah and the widow at the end of this post for any who would like to read don't have to go find their bibles right away. Most of you know the story, the widow had enough oil and flour for one cake for her and her son then she was going to starve to death. Elijah said to make him a cake from it and them one as well as The Lord will not allow the oil to dry up nor the flour jar to be used up until the rain comes. (There was a severe famine because Elijah said the Lord will not allow it to rain because of their disobedience and worshipping of false Gods. This drought lasted about three and a half years. James 5:17) Think about the faith of this woman. Her last meal for her and her son and this stranger walks in and wants that last meal. Look at verse 12 says, she isn't even a believer in Elijah's God for she says "As the Lord your God lives...".
Now I got to ask you a question, what would you do. Be honest with yourselves. You would say no. I would say no. Most of us in this situation would honestly say no and in essence would miss this miracle that God wanted to do through us. I have a hunch that the Lord really pressed this on her heart but that is just my opinion, either way it is still amazing to me. This woman was down to literally nothing and not even a believer in the true God at this moment, yet had the faith to try anything since she had nothing to lose. We can all learn a great deal from this remarkable story, there is alot more in here than just some story we tell our kids.
This post is dedicated to my grandpa. I asked him today if he ever had to go without because I knew he was raised in extremely poor conditions and he remembered his mom saying we just have to go to bed tonight because we have no food. I pray that he and us see God in these situations for he is now sixty five years old. The Lord brought him through those times safe and with a great future. I pray we all see Gods hand in all the "small things" as well as the big things in our lives. May we a go forth with our faith, hope, and trust completely in Him.
With love and prayers.
C.
Elijah and the Widow (1 Kings 17:8-16)
8 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 So she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.’” 15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah.
How many times have you had to go to bed hungry because you had nothing in the pantry to cook or eat? How many times have you had to tell your kids its time to go to bed, we will eat tomorrow? I am not a wealthy man according to this societies measure but that is something I am fortunate enough to say I have never been through. Many people in other countries and even this one face this struggle everyday. I know we have all seen the starving kids on TV and heard about the lack of food elsewhere and the crisis that it is. I do not say this to make you feel bad or anything of that nature.
Think about the faith that would produce in a person if they literally had to rely on God completely for their next meal. Something we so often take for granted yet need to survive. I have heard of remarkable miracles happening in places like these that we don't hear often here and I just wonder if it has to do with the amount of faith people like this have. You have to truly go without something to know what a blessing it really is and these people know this firsthand. It's easy to say God is great and go to church on Sundays and maybe volunteer for some church activities, but its when the true hardships come and we are forced to go without that true awesome faith is produced in us. That's when God does His most powerful acts and works to and through us. We so often, and I am extremely guilty of this at times, overlook all the "small things" in life that actually are not that small. Many people will die in their sleep tonight and we will go through the day never thanking God for the breath in our lungs. We will eat at least two to three meals tomorrow not realizing what a treasure and blessing it is. We will notice our friend has a nicer car than ours and we will not thank God that we have a vehicle that runs and gets us to work and our kids to school. We will forget what a blessing it is we can cloth our kids and send them to get a free education. On and on and on I could go.
I am going to put the story of Elijah and the widow at the end of this post for any who would like to read don't have to go find their bibles right away. Most of you know the story, the widow had enough oil and flour for one cake for her and her son then she was going to starve to death. Elijah said to make him a cake from it and them one as well as The Lord will not allow the oil to dry up nor the flour jar to be used up until the rain comes. (There was a severe famine because Elijah said the Lord will not allow it to rain because of their disobedience and worshipping of false Gods. This drought lasted about three and a half years. James 5:17) Think about the faith of this woman. Her last meal for her and her son and this stranger walks in and wants that last meal. Look at verse 12 says, she isn't even a believer in Elijah's God for she says "As the Lord your God lives...".
Now I got to ask you a question, what would you do. Be honest with yourselves. You would say no. I would say no. Most of us in this situation would honestly say no and in essence would miss this miracle that God wanted to do through us. I have a hunch that the Lord really pressed this on her heart but that is just my opinion, either way it is still amazing to me. This woman was down to literally nothing and not even a believer in the true God at this moment, yet had the faith to try anything since she had nothing to lose. We can all learn a great deal from this remarkable story, there is alot more in here than just some story we tell our kids.
This post is dedicated to my grandpa. I asked him today if he ever had to go without because I knew he was raised in extremely poor conditions and he remembered his mom saying we just have to go to bed tonight because we have no food. I pray that he and us see God in these situations for he is now sixty five years old. The Lord brought him through those times safe and with a great future. I pray we all see Gods hand in all the "small things" as well as the big things in our lives. May we a go forth with our faith, hope, and trust completely in Him.
With love and prayers.
C.
Elijah and the Widow (1 Kings 17:8-16)
8 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 So she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.’” 15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Drug Raids
So Friday night there was a huge drug raid that went on here in our town. It was a 3 county project that aimed at cracking down on those who deal crack cocaine and other illegal drugs. Any of you out there have a serious addiction? I have talked about illegal drugs and addictions before. This instance hit close to home, literally, considering it was practically in my front yard. And after reading the list of people arrested, I saw a good friend I had in high school was one of them. Apparently he has not changed much since high school and has stayed on the same path. It got me to thinking that I could have been one of those names on the list had I stayed on that same path.
I am all for law enforcement cracking down on drugs for that slavery of addiction to drugs and money causes the addict to do things he otherwise would not. Lying, cheating, stealing, sometimes even killing. I must admit though, my heart aches for these addicts as well. We are responsible for what we sow, I don't deny that. Yet when we make a bad decision that causes us to become a slave to an addiction that is hard to overcome it can be hard to recover from that bad decision since it leads into a cycle of bad decisions. Romans 6:17-19 "But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification."
I really feel that we need to pray for people who are addicted and so wrapped up in this drug world. I truly believe a lot of them will never be able to quit and get out of this slavery to drugs and money without the awesome hand of God interceding. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Many of us know this verse and it plainly tells us that with God we can overcome addiction any anything for that matter with Him.
I know it sounds crazy to some, but I ask that you pray for these drug addicts. James 5:15-16 "and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed sins they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
At church yesterday I asked to put these people arrested on our prayer list. And it turns out they were one step ahead of me by having a basket with all the names of the people arrested since it is public record in the paper. They asked us to take a name and pray for that person as much as possible in the days to come. Number one I love our church and number two, it really gets us to putting others before ourselves. Think if we could all do that, put others needs and prayers before our own. Jesus did just that for us.
May God grant us the gift of seeing the beauty in all things and all people.
With love and prayers always,
C.
I am all for law enforcement cracking down on drugs for that slavery of addiction to drugs and money causes the addict to do things he otherwise would not. Lying, cheating, stealing, sometimes even killing. I must admit though, my heart aches for these addicts as well. We are responsible for what we sow, I don't deny that. Yet when we make a bad decision that causes us to become a slave to an addiction that is hard to overcome it can be hard to recover from that bad decision since it leads into a cycle of bad decisions. Romans 6:17-19 "But thanks be to God that though you were slaves to sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification."
I really feel that we need to pray for people who are addicted and so wrapped up in this drug world. I truly believe a lot of them will never be able to quit and get out of this slavery to drugs and money without the awesome hand of God interceding. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Many of us know this verse and it plainly tells us that with God we can overcome addiction any anything for that matter with Him.
I know it sounds crazy to some, but I ask that you pray for these drug addicts. James 5:15-16 "and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed sins they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
At church yesterday I asked to put these people arrested on our prayer list. And it turns out they were one step ahead of me by having a basket with all the names of the people arrested since it is public record in the paper. They asked us to take a name and pray for that person as much as possible in the days to come. Number one I love our church and number two, it really gets us to putting others before ourselves. Think if we could all do that, put others needs and prayers before our own. Jesus did just that for us.
May God grant us the gift of seeing the beauty in all things and all people.
With love and prayers always,
C.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Pride
I did a post on envy and I could do many posts on that subject. Pride is another subject that I could do many on and I hope I do it justice. Let's look at a few scriptures on this subject.
2 Corinthians 10: 17- 18 "But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he who the Lord Commends."
I love how this verse begins. If you're going to boast, boast in the Lord, in His presence, in His power, in His grace. How true! Paul was an amazing man of whom was so Spirit filled and one minded in God and His ways. Paul through all his letters (epistles) shows by example the humility of which the Lord commends. He only boasts for the glory of God. He has no money, he tells Timothy at one time to bring his coat since he had none when it was cold, and he wrote many of his letters chained in Roman prisons. He never griped or complained, but kept "running the good race until finished" as he wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7. I bring all this up because it shows the true humility that Paul demonstrated for the gospel and as an example for us believers. Humility, of which I have talked before is the exact opposite of pride. Pride is a lot like money in the sense that it also is a root to all kinds of evil. It says in the Bible that money is the root to all kinds of evil, but I believe that pride and envy go hand in hand with that as well. Just look around, you see it everywhere today in society. Pride is a stronghold that can clasp onto us so easily that by the time we notice it it is hard to get under control. I've mentioned before in envy that an action we do so many times that leads into this sin is comparing. Comparing leads us into one of two things, being prideful or being envious. Both are serious sins we need to be extremely alert of. Pride is a sin that God will rebuke us of if we're not careful to quit and repent of.
Isaiah 2:11 "The pride look of man will be abased and the loftiness of man will be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day."
Proverbs 3:34 "Though he scoffs at the scoffers yet he gives grace to the afflicted." I've always taken this verse and other translations say it this way, that God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humbled and persecuted.
Let's look at an example of God against the proud in the Bible. 2 Chronicles 26: 16-23 I urge all to read this in their Bibles if you have the chance. This is a story of king Uzziah who was a God fearing man. What this story breaks down is he went into the temple to burn incense on the alter of incense. Now this is a practice that only the priests were allowed to do, but Uzziah being full of pride thought he could do it for the Lord. The priest told him get out of the sanctuary for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from the Lord God. This enraged Uzziah and instantly leprosy broke out all over his face. Now notice here, Uzziah attempted to do the role of the priests which is forbidden in Levitical code. God judged this king's refusal to heed the law, but was merciful in that he did not kill Uzziah. With leprosy, Uzziah had to submit to the priests in a new way according to the laws of leprosy and endure isolation the rest of his life from the temple. He also lost his kingdom to his son because of the leprosy. The Lord never cured him of this and his son took over the kingdom and he even had to live in a separate house than that of his mansion and could never enter the temple of the Lord ever again. Some would almost prefer death than these circumstances in those days. He lost it all over disobedience because of his pride. It's not fun to hear stories of God rebuking people for sin, but it does happen then and now.
Let us not be prideful of anything we have, rather let us share with all our blessings and gifts from God. That's what Jesus would do. Let us not be prideful in our health, financial status, spiritual knowledge, works and deeds or material possessions. Remember the Lord can take all of it in the blink of an eye, literally.
My prayer for all is that we see the sin of pride for what it is and not become ensnared in it like we so easily do. Let us call on God for clean hearts and cleans hands washed by the blood of our Lamb and Saviour Jesus Christ. In all things let us put Him and His will and His glory first.
With love and prayers always.
C.
2 Corinthians 10: 17- 18 "But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he who the Lord Commends."
I love how this verse begins. If you're going to boast, boast in the Lord, in His presence, in His power, in His grace. How true! Paul was an amazing man of whom was so Spirit filled and one minded in God and His ways. Paul through all his letters (epistles) shows by example the humility of which the Lord commends. He only boasts for the glory of God. He has no money, he tells Timothy at one time to bring his coat since he had none when it was cold, and he wrote many of his letters chained in Roman prisons. He never griped or complained, but kept "running the good race until finished" as he wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7. I bring all this up because it shows the true humility that Paul demonstrated for the gospel and as an example for us believers. Humility, of which I have talked before is the exact opposite of pride. Pride is a lot like money in the sense that it also is a root to all kinds of evil. It says in the Bible that money is the root to all kinds of evil, but I believe that pride and envy go hand in hand with that as well. Just look around, you see it everywhere today in society. Pride is a stronghold that can clasp onto us so easily that by the time we notice it it is hard to get under control. I've mentioned before in envy that an action we do so many times that leads into this sin is comparing. Comparing leads us into one of two things, being prideful or being envious. Both are serious sins we need to be extremely alert of. Pride is a sin that God will rebuke us of if we're not careful to quit and repent of.
Isaiah 2:11 "The pride look of man will be abased and the loftiness of man will be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day."
Proverbs 3:34 "Though he scoffs at the scoffers yet he gives grace to the afflicted." I've always taken this verse and other translations say it this way, that God is against the proud, but he gives grace to the humbled and persecuted.
Let's look at an example of God against the proud in the Bible. 2 Chronicles 26: 16-23 I urge all to read this in their Bibles if you have the chance. This is a story of king Uzziah who was a God fearing man. What this story breaks down is he went into the temple to burn incense on the alter of incense. Now this is a practice that only the priests were allowed to do, but Uzziah being full of pride thought he could do it for the Lord. The priest told him get out of the sanctuary for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from the Lord God. This enraged Uzziah and instantly leprosy broke out all over his face. Now notice here, Uzziah attempted to do the role of the priests which is forbidden in Levitical code. God judged this king's refusal to heed the law, but was merciful in that he did not kill Uzziah. With leprosy, Uzziah had to submit to the priests in a new way according to the laws of leprosy and endure isolation the rest of his life from the temple. He also lost his kingdom to his son because of the leprosy. The Lord never cured him of this and his son took over the kingdom and he even had to live in a separate house than that of his mansion and could never enter the temple of the Lord ever again. Some would almost prefer death than these circumstances in those days. He lost it all over disobedience because of his pride. It's not fun to hear stories of God rebuking people for sin, but it does happen then and now.
Let us not be prideful of anything we have, rather let us share with all our blessings and gifts from God. That's what Jesus would do. Let us not be prideful in our health, financial status, spiritual knowledge, works and deeds or material possessions. Remember the Lord can take all of it in the blink of an eye, literally.
My prayer for all is that we see the sin of pride for what it is and not become ensnared in it like we so easily do. Let us call on God for clean hearts and cleans hands washed by the blood of our Lamb and Saviour Jesus Christ. In all things let us put Him and His will and His glory first.
With love and prayers always.
C.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
True Freedom
As we all know, the first right in the bill of rights is the freedom of religion. As we just passed our Independence Day, it's good to reflect on our freedoms and rights. I must admit though I have of lately looked at freedom in a different way, not defining it as free to do whatever, rather defining it as free to do the right thing. I think that's what true freedom should mean and reflect.
My pastor gave a great sermon this past Sunday on freedom and I'm going to use the verse and a little material that he did as well as some of my own thoughts and opinions. John 8:31-36 "So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." They answered Him, "we are Abraham's descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that you say, you will become free?" Jesus answered them "truly truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."
Now that's where real freedom comes from, the Son. The truth here is not only the facts surrounding Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, but also the teaching he brought. No matter what man can promise or do, nothing sets you free like the Son. For the Son is the source of true freedom, because he is the only one who can free you from the slavery of sin.
Galatians 5:1 "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yolk of slavery." Christ set us free for freedom's sake that we may not be yolked to slavery again. The truest freedom we can obtain is through Christ, which is the deliverance from the curse that the law pronounces on the sinner who has been striving unsuccessfully to achieve his own righteousness but who has now embraced Christ and the salvation granted by Him through grace.
The John verse shows that Christ frees us from sin. The Galatians verse shows us that Christ frees us from the old law. Though we have the privilege of being born in the freest land of all, the only way to be truly free is not through our government, but through our Savior.
Romans 8:1,2 "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." Christ even frees us from the life of sin and death. Now don't get me wrong, you will still die a physical death, but with Christ you will still live even though the flesh dies. That's true freedom. Christ came to overcome death so that we might have eternal life through Him.
Romans 8: 31,32 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;" With God for us we cannot fail. I hope we all recognize what true and real freedom is and through Him of who it's obtained. Let us rejoice that we live in one of the greatest countries in the world and let us strive through our freedoms of the land to show the world God's kindness and love.
I wanted to post this closer to July 4th, but that did not work out. I really wanted to yesterday, but lightning had other plans with our modem. My prayer for all is that we reach out to all who need the freedom only the Son can give. Let us proclaim His message and His love for the glory of the Father always.
With prayers and love always.
C.
My pastor gave a great sermon this past Sunday on freedom and I'm going to use the verse and a little material that he did as well as some of my own thoughts and opinions. John 8:31-36 "So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." They answered Him, "we are Abraham's descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that you say, you will become free?" Jesus answered them "truly truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."
Now that's where real freedom comes from, the Son. The truth here is not only the facts surrounding Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, but also the teaching he brought. No matter what man can promise or do, nothing sets you free like the Son. For the Son is the source of true freedom, because he is the only one who can free you from the slavery of sin.
Galatians 5:1 "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yolk of slavery." Christ set us free for freedom's sake that we may not be yolked to slavery again. The truest freedom we can obtain is through Christ, which is the deliverance from the curse that the law pronounces on the sinner who has been striving unsuccessfully to achieve his own righteousness but who has now embraced Christ and the salvation granted by Him through grace.
The John verse shows that Christ frees us from sin. The Galatians verse shows us that Christ frees us from the old law. Though we have the privilege of being born in the freest land of all, the only way to be truly free is not through our government, but through our Savior.
Romans 8:1,2 "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." Christ even frees us from the life of sin and death. Now don't get me wrong, you will still die a physical death, but with Christ you will still live even though the flesh dies. That's true freedom. Christ came to overcome death so that we might have eternal life through Him.
Romans 8: 31,32 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;" With God for us we cannot fail. I hope we all recognize what true and real freedom is and through Him of who it's obtained. Let us rejoice that we live in one of the greatest countries in the world and let us strive through our freedoms of the land to show the world God's kindness and love.
I wanted to post this closer to July 4th, but that did not work out. I really wanted to yesterday, but lightning had other plans with our modem. My prayer for all is that we reach out to all who need the freedom only the Son can give. Let us proclaim His message and His love for the glory of the Father always.
With prayers and love always.
C.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Envy and Jealousy
What does the Bible say about envy and coveting? I put envy and coveting together here because they are synonyms. Jealousy is not a synonym with the two as we often make the mistake in assuming. Synonyms can be used interchangeably, which is usually the case with envy and jealousy, but not always. Try substituting envy in Exodus 34:14 "Your Lord who's name is jealous is a jealous God." God is not envious, He is jealous. And His jealousy is His possessiveness of His people for it protects us from being plucked out of His hand. Paul talks of a Godly jealousy in 2nd Corinthians 11:2. All jealousy is not bad,but do not be fooled, our jealousy is a bad jealousy 99% of the time. Jealousy causes so many "good" people to do so many "bad" things. We see it all around us. So I say leave jealousy to God and try to rid it from our lives.
James 3:13-18 "Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there is disorder in every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed who's food is righteousness is sewn in peace by those who make peace." James tells us that where envy is, there you will find disorder and every evil practice. He also tells us that such jealousy and selfish ambition is earthly, natural, and demonic. Them are some pretty strong words that are straight to the point. In our walk with Christ and our choosing of the narrow path of which we are called, envy and jealousy should have no part of our lives. Let us not "drool" over what our neighbor has that we don't. We have salvation and a personal relationship with our Savior. Gifts of which we could never earn on our own at any expense, gifts of which also no man could ever take away. So you envy your brother because he has a $200,000 house and yours is only worth $50,000? Do you realize how many people don't have a home at all? Or the millions of people who rent? Or possibly those in the third world countries, those who don't know where their next meal's coming from? We need to have the mindset of Christ. We are so blessed, yet I see so many of us Christians crying about what we don't have rather than giving thanks and praise to what we do have.
Luke 15:31-32 "And he said to him son you have always been with me and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live and was lost but has been found." This is the end of the parable of the prodigal son and the father's telling his devoted son you are always with me and all that I have is yours. That's what God is trying to get across to us. We have what is His and that is so much that no man could ever truly comprehend it until they are united with the Father. We have a relationship with God which is the most priceless thing a man can have. Don't get me wrong though, never should we think we are better than unbelievers because of this, for that would drift us into the sin of pride. Instead we should want all to come to that knowledge and relationship with Christ.
We see Jesus telling us this in Matthew chapter 20. (This chapter's too long to type out. It's the parable of the laborers and I resolve any and all to read it if possible.) This chapter starts off with the story of the laborers. Some were hired early in the morning to work the vineyard all day for one denarius. Well the land owner went out again the third, sixth, and ninth hour and hired more people each time. Well when the end of the day came, the landowner paid them all one denarius. Now we can all understand why the early workers are a bit envious, but the landowner paid them what they agreed on. Fair is fair. That's what the Lord wants us to know. No matter when we come to him he will gift us all the same. We just need to be able to come and work for His kingdom and His namesake. And no matter when we come and how long we work for Him we should rejoice rather than be envious when another comes later and gets the same reward. We should be glad that they are saved and have heard Jesus knocking, and have opened the door to have let him in.
The Bible tells us in 2nd Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." That is the true mindset of Christ, when we think out of the spirit rather than out of our flesh. No matter what the situation or how one serves God or how one is blessed by God, let us be glad and rejoice in the fact that they are children of God, for none of us are worthy of the grace we have received which makes grace so awesome.
In the Old Testament, Joseph's brothers were very envious of him and would have killed him had it not been for Reuben and Judah. Ya I know he was sold into slavery, but it was that or death. Killing over envy, it's a serious sin that can lead to death. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) For it's amazing how all sin measured to it's fullest equals death. Porn can lead to rape can lead to death. Jealousy can lead to envy can lead to death. Every sin measured at it's fullest equals death. We have to many times heard in the news of a jealous spouse who ended up shooting their spouse over jealousy because they caught them cheating with another person. Cheating lead to death, jealousy ended up leading to death, the Bible does not lie when it says the wages of sin is death. As Christians we should not have envy in our lives and any excuse against this is just pure carnal thinking. Let us leave jealousy, vengeance, and judgement to the one of whom it belongs, the Lord. A simple step to eliminate jealousy and envy from our lives is to stop comparing. Comparing will lead to one of two things; pride or envy. Both are sins, so if we stop comparing things, that may help us with this temptation.
Let's end with Isaiah 30:21 "Your ears will hear a word behind you," This is the way, walk in it". Whenever you turn to the right or to the left." Listen to that voice and it will always direct you away from jealousy and envy, for the spirit within will always tell us the way to walk rightly for the pleasing of God.
I could do blog after blog after blog on this subject and still not scratch the surface on this topic,for there are many verses on the subject that I did not even use. Envy and jealousy are things we will deal with daily. I will probably do more in the future on this topic, but my prayer right now is that we recognize this sin and the deadly effects it can have on relationships and our lives in general. Let us be strong and not give into this temptation that so often tries to snare us. With love and prayers always
C.
James 3:13-18 "Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there is disorder in every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed who's food is righteousness is sewn in peace by those who make peace." James tells us that where envy is, there you will find disorder and every evil practice. He also tells us that such jealousy and selfish ambition is earthly, natural, and demonic. Them are some pretty strong words that are straight to the point. In our walk with Christ and our choosing of the narrow path of which we are called, envy and jealousy should have no part of our lives. Let us not "drool" over what our neighbor has that we don't. We have salvation and a personal relationship with our Savior. Gifts of which we could never earn on our own at any expense, gifts of which also no man could ever take away. So you envy your brother because he has a $200,000 house and yours is only worth $50,000? Do you realize how many people don't have a home at all? Or the millions of people who rent? Or possibly those in the third world countries, those who don't know where their next meal's coming from? We need to have the mindset of Christ. We are so blessed, yet I see so many of us Christians crying about what we don't have rather than giving thanks and praise to what we do have.
Luke 15:31-32 "And he said to him son you have always been with me and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live and was lost but has been found." This is the end of the parable of the prodigal son and the father's telling his devoted son you are always with me and all that I have is yours. That's what God is trying to get across to us. We have what is His and that is so much that no man could ever truly comprehend it until they are united with the Father. We have a relationship with God which is the most priceless thing a man can have. Don't get me wrong though, never should we think we are better than unbelievers because of this, for that would drift us into the sin of pride. Instead we should want all to come to that knowledge and relationship with Christ.
We see Jesus telling us this in Matthew chapter 20. (This chapter's too long to type out. It's the parable of the laborers and I resolve any and all to read it if possible.) This chapter starts off with the story of the laborers. Some were hired early in the morning to work the vineyard all day for one denarius. Well the land owner went out again the third, sixth, and ninth hour and hired more people each time. Well when the end of the day came, the landowner paid them all one denarius. Now we can all understand why the early workers are a bit envious, but the landowner paid them what they agreed on. Fair is fair. That's what the Lord wants us to know. No matter when we come to him he will gift us all the same. We just need to be able to come and work for His kingdom and His namesake. And no matter when we come and how long we work for Him we should rejoice rather than be envious when another comes later and gets the same reward. We should be glad that they are saved and have heard Jesus knocking, and have opened the door to have let him in.
The Bible tells us in 2nd Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." That is the true mindset of Christ, when we think out of the spirit rather than out of our flesh. No matter what the situation or how one serves God or how one is blessed by God, let us be glad and rejoice in the fact that they are children of God, for none of us are worthy of the grace we have received which makes grace so awesome.
In the Old Testament, Joseph's brothers were very envious of him and would have killed him had it not been for Reuben and Judah. Ya I know he was sold into slavery, but it was that or death. Killing over envy, it's a serious sin that can lead to death. The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23) For it's amazing how all sin measured to it's fullest equals death. Porn can lead to rape can lead to death. Jealousy can lead to envy can lead to death. Every sin measured at it's fullest equals death. We have to many times heard in the news of a jealous spouse who ended up shooting their spouse over jealousy because they caught them cheating with another person. Cheating lead to death, jealousy ended up leading to death, the Bible does not lie when it says the wages of sin is death. As Christians we should not have envy in our lives and any excuse against this is just pure carnal thinking. Let us leave jealousy, vengeance, and judgement to the one of whom it belongs, the Lord. A simple step to eliminate jealousy and envy from our lives is to stop comparing. Comparing will lead to one of two things; pride or envy. Both are sins, so if we stop comparing things, that may help us with this temptation.
Let's end with Isaiah 30:21 "Your ears will hear a word behind you," This is the way, walk in it". Whenever you turn to the right or to the left." Listen to that voice and it will always direct you away from jealousy and envy, for the spirit within will always tell us the way to walk rightly for the pleasing of God.
I could do blog after blog after blog on this subject and still not scratch the surface on this topic,for there are many verses on the subject that I did not even use. Envy and jealousy are things we will deal with daily. I will probably do more in the future on this topic, but my prayer right now is that we recognize this sin and the deadly effects it can have on relationships and our lives in general. Let us be strong and not give into this temptation that so often tries to snare us. With love and prayers always
C.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
"I AM"
So I saw a spot in my study bible that tells of the "I AM" statements Jesus made, especially in the gospel of John. I figured I'd type some of them up for all of you, hopefully giving a better understanding of Jesus and who He was.
John 6:35 Jesus said to them,"I AM the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."
John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying,"I AM the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
John 10:7 So Jesus said to them again,"Truly, truly, I say to you, I AM the door of the sheep."
John 10:9 "I AM the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
John 10:11 "I AM the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I AM the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."
John 15:1 "I AM the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser."
Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I AM the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades."
John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her,"I AM the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
My question to all is simple, what is your answer to Jesus' question in the last line of the last verse? You don't have to tell me but I ask you to look at your relationship with Christ and answer that question to yourselves honestly and openly. It's one question Jesus straight out asked Martha in the verses John 11:22-25 as well as all of us reading His word. Do you believe this? I'll end with that.
My prayer for all is that we know who Jesus was, is, and always will be. That we cast all our cares, doubt, and love on Him and His greatness. May God richly bless each and everyone of you. With love and good tidings always.
C.
John 6:35 Jesus said to them,"I AM the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."
John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying,"I AM the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
John 10:7 So Jesus said to them again,"Truly, truly, I say to you, I AM the door of the sheep."
John 10:9 "I AM the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
John 10:11 "I AM the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I AM the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."
John 15:1 "I AM the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser."
Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I AM the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and Hades."
John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her,"I AM the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
My question to all is simple, what is your answer to Jesus' question in the last line of the last verse? You don't have to tell me but I ask you to look at your relationship with Christ and answer that question to yourselves honestly and openly. It's one question Jesus straight out asked Martha in the verses John 11:22-25 as well as all of us reading His word. Do you believe this? I'll end with that.
My prayer for all is that we know who Jesus was, is, and always will be. That we cast all our cares, doubt, and love on Him and His greatness. May God richly bless each and everyone of you. With love and good tidings always.
C.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Christian Marriage
I talked about divorce in my last blog, now let me talk about the role of husband and wife in a good marriage. The Bible tells us in Genesis 2:22 that God took the rib of man and created woman from it. The Bible also teaches us that the man is the head of the wife. (Ephesians 5:23) Sorry to all feminists, but that's what the Bible teaches.
Ephesians 5:22-33 "Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of his body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Never the less, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband." (NASB)
Looking at these verses we see that we husbands are to love our wives as Christ loved the church. How much did Christ love the church? So much that he gave his own life for it. Also we are to love our wives as our own bodies. Verse 22, where it says wives be subject to your own husbands is addressed to the wives willingly and lovingly obeying their husbands, which is right, not the husband commanding or demanding it. Honestly, if the wife is not living up to her end, scripture does not give the husband a free pass to forget how he ought act and treat his wife. It also does tell the man that he is to demand respect and obedience. So when people, especially Christian men, argue with you that women are completely inferior to men and completely low on the totem pole, here is some scripture that tells us completely different. The Bible does tell us that man is head over the woman, but only the husband over his own wife. I don't have dominion over my friend's wife, only my own. This point shows up the perfection and oneness of marriage. Yes I am head of my wife, as Christ is head of me. Well, Christ shows me mercy and blessings constantly, so should I not do the same for my wife?
There is a real responsibility to those who are put in charge of people, and one can rule like a tyrant, or one can choose to rule out of love like our Heavenly Father does. 1 Peter 3:1-2 "In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be one without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior." This verse is addressing wives to be submissive to their husbands so if they are not of the faith, they may be won over by your Christian conduct. You know the greatest evangelistic tool we posses as men and women is living the life of a Christian for others to see not just merely talking about it. So wives, be submissive to your husbands except if it goes against the Lord. The Lord is always first then the husband. So often people get the order of things wrong and it destroys marriages fast. First and foremost is always God, then your spouse, then kids. I have seen many people put their kids or their parents or even friends above their spouse and there is always trouble when this is done. The worst thing a couple can do is have a marriage without the Lord in it and the head of it.
1 Peter 3:7 "You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered." Submission is also the responsibility of the Christian husband as well, though not submitting to his wife as the leader, a believing husband must submit to the loving duty of being sensitive to the needs, fears and feelings of his wife. It says of the wife here as someone weaker. My MacArthur study Bible notes this saying, "While the woman is fully equal in Christ and not inferior spiritually because she is a woman she is physically weaker and in need of protection, provision and strength from her husband."
So the next time someone says that Christianity is unfair to women remember these verses. Especially Galatians 3:28. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither man or female; for you all are one in Christ Jesus." Let us all know that in God's eyes we are all spiritually equal no matter who's rich, poor, famous, man, woman, black, white and on and on. We are all the same to God, beloved children of His whom He gave special talents and blessings.
My prayer for all is that we see the proper way to treat our spouses and to submit to them willingly and lovingly as we do to the Lord. Husband, or wife, let us do all to show the proper love that God so desires in marriage of which he instituted and so graciously created.
With love and good tidings always,
C.
Ephesians 5:22-33 "Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of his body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Never the less, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband." (NASB)
Looking at these verses we see that we husbands are to love our wives as Christ loved the church. How much did Christ love the church? So much that he gave his own life for it. Also we are to love our wives as our own bodies. Verse 22, where it says wives be subject to your own husbands is addressed to the wives willingly and lovingly obeying their husbands, which is right, not the husband commanding or demanding it. Honestly, if the wife is not living up to her end, scripture does not give the husband a free pass to forget how he ought act and treat his wife. It also does tell the man that he is to demand respect and obedience. So when people, especially Christian men, argue with you that women are completely inferior to men and completely low on the totem pole, here is some scripture that tells us completely different. The Bible does tell us that man is head over the woman, but only the husband over his own wife. I don't have dominion over my friend's wife, only my own. This point shows up the perfection and oneness of marriage. Yes I am head of my wife, as Christ is head of me. Well, Christ shows me mercy and blessings constantly, so should I not do the same for my wife?
There is a real responsibility to those who are put in charge of people, and one can rule like a tyrant, or one can choose to rule out of love like our Heavenly Father does. 1 Peter 3:1-2 "In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be one without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior." This verse is addressing wives to be submissive to their husbands so if they are not of the faith, they may be won over by your Christian conduct. You know the greatest evangelistic tool we posses as men and women is living the life of a Christian for others to see not just merely talking about it. So wives, be submissive to your husbands except if it goes against the Lord. The Lord is always first then the husband. So often people get the order of things wrong and it destroys marriages fast. First and foremost is always God, then your spouse, then kids. I have seen many people put their kids or their parents or even friends above their spouse and there is always trouble when this is done. The worst thing a couple can do is have a marriage without the Lord in it and the head of it.
1 Peter 3:7 "You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered." Submission is also the responsibility of the Christian husband as well, though not submitting to his wife as the leader, a believing husband must submit to the loving duty of being sensitive to the needs, fears and feelings of his wife. It says of the wife here as someone weaker. My MacArthur study Bible notes this saying, "While the woman is fully equal in Christ and not inferior spiritually because she is a woman she is physically weaker and in need of protection, provision and strength from her husband."
So the next time someone says that Christianity is unfair to women remember these verses. Especially Galatians 3:28. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither man or female; for you all are one in Christ Jesus." Let us all know that in God's eyes we are all spiritually equal no matter who's rich, poor, famous, man, woman, black, white and on and on. We are all the same to God, beloved children of His whom He gave special talents and blessings.
My prayer for all is that we see the proper way to treat our spouses and to submit to them willingly and lovingly as we do to the Lord. Husband, or wife, let us do all to show the proper love that God so desires in marriage of which he instituted and so graciously created.
With love and good tidings always,
C.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Divorce
First off, I'm sorry to all who may enjoy my blog, that I have not been posting in a while. Weather is nice and there is much to fix, paint and remodel around our house. K and I have also been doing some landscaping which has been a lot of work, yet very rewarding.
In society we see that divorce is very common even among the brethren. What does the Bible say of this topic? Divorce is permitted if it is done Biblically and there are three reasons, according to the Bible, that one may divorce. One of them is if either the man or woman dies. Romans 7:2 and 3. "For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man."
The second reason the Bible allows divorce is found in the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:31 and 32. "It was said, whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
So this passage talks of unfaithfulness. A person has biblical grounds for divorce if their spouse is unfaithful to them.
The third reason for a divorce is found in 1 Corinthians 7:15. "Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace." The whole of chapter 7 in 1 Corinthians is on marriage and gives good advice on issues pertaining to it. I urge all to read this entire chapter to understand verse 15 because it is too much to type out on this blog. Verse 15 that we just read tells us that if a brother or sister in Christ is with an unbeliever and he or she wants to leave, let them for you are not to stay with them quarreling and without peace over the one's faith and the other's lack of it. This usually takes place and addresses the issue of, if two people who are not believers come together, both not of the faith, and one becomes a Christian and the other can't or won't deal with that the Christian is to keep the peace and let them go granting them the divorce they seek. Now don't get me wrong, for the few verses before 15 says, if the unbeliever of the two will stay, then let it be and stay married. I am not writing this blog to show people how to get a divorce and please God. In Malachi 2:16 God says straight up, "I hate divorce." So in marriage we are to take every extreme step we can to stay together and keep the marriage.
The divorce rate in this country is way out of control and I would love to see people marry "the right person" and stay together "til death do them part." That's the key though, finding the "right person." So often we think we know what's best for us and exactly what we want, that we make the grave mistake of not allowing God to guide us, relying on our own wits. Whatever happened to being a Christian that prays on decisions in life to know and to be led in the right direction? I am a fortunate man for I have found the woman of my dreams who is perfect for me and I found her at one of the roughest points of my life. We have been together almost 13 years and happily married 8 of them this fall.
I will try to blog more often, at least once a week if I can and again do apologize to anyone who enjoys reading my blog that I have been away so long. Beautiful weather with much to do makes a mess of my computer time.
My prayer for all of those reading this is that you recognize the importance and holiness of marriage. So often we don't look at marriage as a holy commitment given to us by the Lord. If any are having marriage problems, I ask you to pray pray pray on it. Have the Father guide you before you make any hasty decisions. I also ask that we with great spouses and marriages give thanks to our God always for such a wonderful blessing.
With prayers and love always,
C.
In society we see that divorce is very common even among the brethren. What does the Bible say of this topic? Divorce is permitted if it is done Biblically and there are three reasons, according to the Bible, that one may divorce. One of them is if either the man or woman dies. Romans 7:2 and 3. "For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man."
The second reason the Bible allows divorce is found in the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:31 and 32. "It was said, whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of divorce; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
So this passage talks of unfaithfulness. A person has biblical grounds for divorce if their spouse is unfaithful to them.
The third reason for a divorce is found in 1 Corinthians 7:15. "Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace." The whole of chapter 7 in 1 Corinthians is on marriage and gives good advice on issues pertaining to it. I urge all to read this entire chapter to understand verse 15 because it is too much to type out on this blog. Verse 15 that we just read tells us that if a brother or sister in Christ is with an unbeliever and he or she wants to leave, let them for you are not to stay with them quarreling and without peace over the one's faith and the other's lack of it. This usually takes place and addresses the issue of, if two people who are not believers come together, both not of the faith, and one becomes a Christian and the other can't or won't deal with that the Christian is to keep the peace and let them go granting them the divorce they seek. Now don't get me wrong, for the few verses before 15 says, if the unbeliever of the two will stay, then let it be and stay married. I am not writing this blog to show people how to get a divorce and please God. In Malachi 2:16 God says straight up, "I hate divorce." So in marriage we are to take every extreme step we can to stay together and keep the marriage.
The divorce rate in this country is way out of control and I would love to see people marry "the right person" and stay together "til death do them part." That's the key though, finding the "right person." So often we think we know what's best for us and exactly what we want, that we make the grave mistake of not allowing God to guide us, relying on our own wits. Whatever happened to being a Christian that prays on decisions in life to know and to be led in the right direction? I am a fortunate man for I have found the woman of my dreams who is perfect for me and I found her at one of the roughest points of my life. We have been together almost 13 years and happily married 8 of them this fall.
I will try to blog more often, at least once a week if I can and again do apologize to anyone who enjoys reading my blog that I have been away so long. Beautiful weather with much to do makes a mess of my computer time.
My prayer for all of those reading this is that you recognize the importance and holiness of marriage. So often we don't look at marriage as a holy commitment given to us by the Lord. If any are having marriage problems, I ask you to pray pray pray on it. Have the Father guide you before you make any hasty decisions. I also ask that we with great spouses and marriages give thanks to our God always for such a wonderful blessing.
With prayers and love always,
C.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
A Quick Fun Note
I am sure you have all heard of the Golden rule.
Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Well while you all are having your weekend fun, go ahead and memorize this verse. It is a good one to have etched in the brain. I'm gonna tell you such a easy way to memorize it too. The hardest part is to remember Matthew the name. He was the tax collector that Jesus called to follow Him as a disciple and who wrote a Gospel of Jesus' life.(The first gospel in the new testament) So we are going to remember the name Matthew. Now remember, how do you want people to treat you? Good, right? So we should treat them the same, hence the Golden rule; do to others as you would have them do to you. So how often do we want them to treat us good and us treat them good? 7 days a week 12 months a year. So Matthew 7:12 Treat others as you would have them treat you 7 days a week 12 months a year. Thought that was interesting and felt I would share. You all have a safe and fun-packed weekend. With love and prayers always.
C.
Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Well while you all are having your weekend fun, go ahead and memorize this verse. It is a good one to have etched in the brain. I'm gonna tell you such a easy way to memorize it too. The hardest part is to remember Matthew the name. He was the tax collector that Jesus called to follow Him as a disciple and who wrote a Gospel of Jesus' life.(The first gospel in the new testament) So we are going to remember the name Matthew. Now remember, how do you want people to treat you? Good, right? So we should treat them the same, hence the Golden rule; do to others as you would have them do to you. So how often do we want them to treat us good and us treat them good? 7 days a week 12 months a year. So Matthew 7:12 Treat others as you would have them treat you 7 days a week 12 months a year. Thought that was interesting and felt I would share. You all have a safe and fun-packed weekend. With love and prayers always.
C.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
What about a little weed?
So we know in Genesis(first book of the Bible) that God said He gives us every seed bearing plant and herb to use. Ive heard and have used that argument myself to say that smoking weed isn't that bad and should be something we should be allowed to do recreationally. The old band (Cypress Hill) I used to listen to in high school even quotes that scripture. " Also that God doesn't mind it considering He gave us every herb to use. I used to also say how the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper, that hemp is one of the strongest fibers known(way more stronger than cotton)and that one acre of hemp produces way more paper than one acre of trees and takes way less time to mature then those trees. So yes we should use hemp, I agree with that completely, but I think smoking it to alter our mind and make us feel loopy is not the reason God put it here. All things have their purpose and if you use any of them by putting their smoke into your body, you're probably not using them responsibly. I believe the verse actually is Genesis 1:29 " Then God said, I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has seed in it. They will be yours for food."
So Hemp(or the marijuana plant) has many uses that it can be used for to benefit mankind, yet in our depravity we would rather use it to get "high". Another reason that smoking weed is bad is that it is the "gateway drug". Deny it all you want, but all the hard drugs I was ever exposed to were through my "hook-ups" who happened to have this or that to buy too. So you figure, why not, a little won't kill me, but all it can take of some drugs is just a little to drive you to get a little more and after that a little more and on and on and on. Next thing you know you're broke and have a serious problem with drugs. You end up being that guy who said "it would never happen to me". It's a dirty game and ever dirtier cycle, and weed is a gateway to it all in many instances.
Many people say that alcohol is legal, and it alters your mind a lot more then weed. That's true if you smoke weed daily, the buzz is not so intense that you can't drive like with alcohol. Let us not forget though that you are still not as sharp as when sober and that your reaction time will be much slower then when sober. To the issue of making it legal because alcohol is legal, well I think that's looking at it the wrong way. Why not make alcohol illegal with it. Oh yeah I said it, start throwing things and logging off now. If these things are legal, people have access to them and will use them, if they are illegal there will be a black market for them and people will still use them. Black market equals a risk equals big money and many people love money and will take the risk, we all know that. From the words of our Lord; Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
The last reason to stay away from marijuana (or drugs in general) is that people put their problems and bad days in the wrong hands. I've heard many people say they're not hurting anyone coming home after a rough day and smoking a joint. Well maybe not, but you're giving your troubles to weed rather than God. You want to feel better and truly lifted up, call upon the Son and not some crappy little weed that makes you tired and hungry. God created weed, worship the Creator rather then the created. Right? I hope you all enjoyed this topic, I get tired of hearing people talk about smoking marijuana as no big deal when in reality and in God's eyes it is. Truth be told, A sin is a sin is a sin in God's eyes. Plain and simple.
I didn't use much scripture in here so let me end with one of my favorite verses;
Matthew 628-29 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow? They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these"
I pray that all of us can have the eyes like God to look at sin as it really is and not brush it off as no big deal. May we everyday grow in that discerning divine nature that He plants in His children through His Spirit. I pray for safety and health for all of you. With love and prayers always.
C.
So Hemp(or the marijuana plant) has many uses that it can be used for to benefit mankind, yet in our depravity we would rather use it to get "high". Another reason that smoking weed is bad is that it is the "gateway drug". Deny it all you want, but all the hard drugs I was ever exposed to were through my "hook-ups" who happened to have this or that to buy too. So you figure, why not, a little won't kill me, but all it can take of some drugs is just a little to drive you to get a little more and after that a little more and on and on and on. Next thing you know you're broke and have a serious problem with drugs. You end up being that guy who said "it would never happen to me". It's a dirty game and ever dirtier cycle, and weed is a gateway to it all in many instances.
Many people say that alcohol is legal, and it alters your mind a lot more then weed. That's true if you smoke weed daily, the buzz is not so intense that you can't drive like with alcohol. Let us not forget though that you are still not as sharp as when sober and that your reaction time will be much slower then when sober. To the issue of making it legal because alcohol is legal, well I think that's looking at it the wrong way. Why not make alcohol illegal with it. Oh yeah I said it, start throwing things and logging off now. If these things are legal, people have access to them and will use them, if they are illegal there will be a black market for them and people will still use them. Black market equals a risk equals big money and many people love money and will take the risk, we all know that. From the words of our Lord; Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
The last reason to stay away from marijuana (or drugs in general) is that people put their problems and bad days in the wrong hands. I've heard many people say they're not hurting anyone coming home after a rough day and smoking a joint. Well maybe not, but you're giving your troubles to weed rather than God. You want to feel better and truly lifted up, call upon the Son and not some crappy little weed that makes you tired and hungry. God created weed, worship the Creator rather then the created. Right? I hope you all enjoyed this topic, I get tired of hearing people talk about smoking marijuana as no big deal when in reality and in God's eyes it is. Truth be told, A sin is a sin is a sin in God's eyes. Plain and simple.
I didn't use much scripture in here so let me end with one of my favorite verses;
Matthew 628-29 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow? They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these"
I pray that all of us can have the eyes like God to look at sin as it really is and not brush it off as no big deal. May we everyday grow in that discerning divine nature that He plants in His children through His Spirit. I pray for safety and health for all of you. With love and prayers always.
C.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Drugs and Addictions in General
Can an alcoholic be a Christian? Or how about a "pothead" who smokes a little weed here and there? I even dare ask, what about a person who smokes cigarettes? There are some denominations that say no, a person who is addicted to drugs cannot truly be a saved Christian, even if it's legal tobacco products. I must say in essence that I disagree with them to an extent and agree also to an extent. Now wait, before you start throwing things at me, hear me out.
I know many people who say they are Christians and smoke cigarettes. I actually was one of them two years ago. I knew I needed to quit, I felt guilty at times going out to smoke a cigarette rain or shine with a few others after our men's bible study meetings. My conscience was getting to me worse and worse as time went on, you know, that little voice in you that you don't audibly hear but instead feel, (kokopelli called it the Holy Spirit and I can agree with that) and made me feel guilty and wrong every time I lit a cigarette. It doesn't help when you have small kids you wish to never smoke, who you will always tell smoking is bad, yet you yourself do that exact thing. God was every day more and more laying cold hard conviction on my heart. I knew what it was and I knew what I was expected to do. Quiting smoking was one of the hardest trials in my life thus far that I have had to overcome, it was not easy, but I did it. I will not sit here and act all smug and self righteous about it, instead I want to glorify God by letting all know that on my own I could not have quit, only with the strength that God gave me did I overcome tobacco and it's horrible grip. It reminds of; Luke 1:37 "For nothing is impossible with God"
I had a good heart that was devoted to God while I smoked, I knew of the salvation that was mine in my faith in Christ. I truly believe that I was a saved Christian even when I smoked. I gave my life and heart to God, so it did not surprise me when I was convicted internally of things I did not need in my life. That conviction gets stronger in your walk with God daily, for he wants to conform you to the image of His son. Please don't get me wrong, don't feel you have to change before you become a Christian, take that step right now! Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me,all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Come to Him today no matter what your situation! God will change you, fight it all you want, but he will. If you have been a Christian for many years and still smoke or are an alcoholic or drug addict, I ask you, have you really given your life completely to God? He can and will help you overcome your trials and faults, but you got to give you life truly and fully to Him. The gospel of Christ is not just all fluffy and happy, it is a gospel of repentance and obedience. I once heard it said that it takes a real man (or woman) to be a True Christian. How true is that!? 1John 2:6 "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus walked"
I don't remember Jesus physically hurting himself on purpose. That is what drugs and alcohol do to us, science has proven that. Cigarettes are linked to something like 400,000 deaths a year.(I don't think that touches on the harm that second hand smoke causes) We all know the bad effects of drunk driving, the "mean drunk"behavior that is violent, and the harmful physical effects alcohol causes. I know what you're thinking, well Jesus and His disciples drank wine. You are absolutely right! Can you find in the bible where Jesus, or the disciples, or the apostle Paul sat around drinking to get drunk? . Phillipians 4:8-9 "Finally bothers, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Romans 12:1 "Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of Gods mercy,to offer your body as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."
How can we do this if we are tied down by addictions that control our lives rather then God. Many people here in Ohio are constantly going outside of places to smoke, it controls where they go. The alcoholic can't wait to get his next drink to take the edge off. The drug addict can't wait to get his next fix, many times doing immoral or illegal things to obtain funds to fuel his addiction. That's not offering your body as holy to the Lord, rather it's destroying a temple of which His Spirit should be in. When things control what we do and take that control from God, it's also a form of idolatry. Scary stuff.
Ephesians 5:18"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
The Greek word translated into witchcraft, magicians and magic spell is pharmakia. From this word comes the English words pharmacy and pharmaceutical.
Did you know that pagan cultures around Israel used drugs as part of their religious ceremonies? In those times a witch or a shaman would prepare drugs used to induce worshippers into an altered state of mind to allow their "gods" to take over their minds. So there is a rich connection between drug use and the occult which a person cannot ignore.
I have gone way more into this than I should have, I hope I have not bored you all. I will touch on drugs and alcohol more at a later time. Cigarettes are bad for us and those around us, so let us be strengthened by God to quit.
My prayer for all of you is that God helps you in whatever big or small addiction or trial you may be going through. May the God we serve shine His light into the dark places of our lives to reveal the dirt that needs cleaned. We are not perfect, but let us each day walk more like He did. Many prayers and blessings always.
C.
I know many people who say they are Christians and smoke cigarettes. I actually was one of them two years ago. I knew I needed to quit, I felt guilty at times going out to smoke a cigarette rain or shine with a few others after our men's bible study meetings. My conscience was getting to me worse and worse as time went on, you know, that little voice in you that you don't audibly hear but instead feel, (kokopelli called it the Holy Spirit and I can agree with that) and made me feel guilty and wrong every time I lit a cigarette. It doesn't help when you have small kids you wish to never smoke, who you will always tell smoking is bad, yet you yourself do that exact thing. God was every day more and more laying cold hard conviction on my heart. I knew what it was and I knew what I was expected to do. Quiting smoking was one of the hardest trials in my life thus far that I have had to overcome, it was not easy, but I did it. I will not sit here and act all smug and self righteous about it, instead I want to glorify God by letting all know that on my own I could not have quit, only with the strength that God gave me did I overcome tobacco and it's horrible grip. It reminds of; Luke 1:37 "For nothing is impossible with God"
I had a good heart that was devoted to God while I smoked, I knew of the salvation that was mine in my faith in Christ. I truly believe that I was a saved Christian even when I smoked. I gave my life and heart to God, so it did not surprise me when I was convicted internally of things I did not need in my life. That conviction gets stronger in your walk with God daily, for he wants to conform you to the image of His son. Please don't get me wrong, don't feel you have to change before you become a Christian, take that step right now! Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me,all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Come to Him today no matter what your situation! God will change you, fight it all you want, but he will. If you have been a Christian for many years and still smoke or are an alcoholic or drug addict, I ask you, have you really given your life completely to God? He can and will help you overcome your trials and faults, but you got to give you life truly and fully to Him. The gospel of Christ is not just all fluffy and happy, it is a gospel of repentance and obedience. I once heard it said that it takes a real man (or woman) to be a True Christian. How true is that!? 1John 2:6 "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus walked"
I don't remember Jesus physically hurting himself on purpose. That is what drugs and alcohol do to us, science has proven that. Cigarettes are linked to something like 400,000 deaths a year.(I don't think that touches on the harm that second hand smoke causes) We all know the bad effects of drunk driving, the "mean drunk"behavior that is violent, and the harmful physical effects alcohol causes. I know what you're thinking, well Jesus and His disciples drank wine. You are absolutely right! Can you find in the bible where Jesus, or the disciples, or the apostle Paul sat around drinking to get drunk? . Phillipians 4:8-9 "Finally bothers, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Romans 12:1 "Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of Gods mercy,to offer your body as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship."
How can we do this if we are tied down by addictions that control our lives rather then God. Many people here in Ohio are constantly going outside of places to smoke, it controls where they go. The alcoholic can't wait to get his next drink to take the edge off. The drug addict can't wait to get his next fix, many times doing immoral or illegal things to obtain funds to fuel his addiction. That's not offering your body as holy to the Lord, rather it's destroying a temple of which His Spirit should be in. When things control what we do and take that control from God, it's also a form of idolatry. Scary stuff.
Ephesians 5:18"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
The Greek word translated into witchcraft, magicians and magic spell is pharmakia. From this word comes the English words pharmacy and pharmaceutical.
Did you know that pagan cultures around Israel used drugs as part of their religious ceremonies? In those times a witch or a shaman would prepare drugs used to induce worshippers into an altered state of mind to allow their "gods" to take over their minds. So there is a rich connection between drug use and the occult which a person cannot ignore.
I have gone way more into this than I should have, I hope I have not bored you all. I will touch on drugs and alcohol more at a later time. Cigarettes are bad for us and those around us, so let us be strengthened by God to quit.
My prayer for all of you is that God helps you in whatever big or small addiction or trial you may be going through. May the God we serve shine His light into the dark places of our lives to reveal the dirt that needs cleaned. We are not perfect, but let us each day walk more like He did. Many prayers and blessings always.
C.
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