Self Will by Adam Edelstein (Christ in Tech)
March 12, 2010
1. Self-will turned Paradise into a desert.
It has been well said, "My will NOT Thine be done, turned Paradise into a desert. Thy will not Mine be done, turned the desert into a Paradise." Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Because our Lord Jesus was obedient in all things, willing to go to the cross for our sakes, and to do the Father's will, we have redemption. In Luke 22:42, He said, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."
2. Self-will is the mother of sin.
Isaiah records the sin of Lucifer where in his heart he said, "I will"-- Isaiah 14:12,13: How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.
"I will"...This is illustrated in Cain, when he in self-will came to God in his own way instead of God's way, and was jealous because Abel's sacrifice was accepted and his was rejected, which jealousy led him to kill his brother. "Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." (1 John 3:12)
3. Self-will is the forerunner of disaster.
Lot chose the well-watered plain of Sodom, but he lost all he had in Sodom, and only escaped with his life (See Genesis 13:10).
4. Self-will shuts out from blessing.
Moses struck the rock twice-- when God told him to speak to it, and was shut out of the Promised Land in consequence. That Rock symbolized Christ. Numbers 20:11,12 says: And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the LORD spoke unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
5. Self-will brings punishment.
King Saul, through pride and disobedience lost his kingdom and the favor of God through consulting his own will in opposition to God's Word, when God told him to destroy ALL the Amalekites. (1 Samuel 15:23). Saul forgot that it was God who made him king over the people, he refused to obey the Lord and because of his transgression was removed out of his place.
6. Self-will brings injury to others.
Pharaoh of Egypt would not let the children of Israel go. His own people begged him to release the Israelites but he refused until his own land was devestated by plagues and the first-born of every house in Egypt died as a consequence. Pharaoh was a man filled with pride and self-will. He saw the power of God-- and he refused to obey the Lord and so God hardened his heart some more. Pride always goes before a fall and self-will accompanies pride.
Exodus 10:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these my signs before him.
Exodus 10:7 And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?
In the end, he lost his wealth, his first-born son, and his army.
7. Self-will means a loss of blessing.
The prodical son learned the hard way the difference between the swine troughs and the father's table, and between the far country and the homestead. (Luke 15:16,17). There is forgiveness with God, as with the case of the prodical son, but he still had reaped what he had sown and discovered that self-will leads to a loss of blessings and wasted years. As Believers in Christ, we are not under wrath but under grace, but we too can forfeit many blessings simply by not yielding to God.
Conclusion:
We could go on and on with examples in the Bible of the Kings of Israel and Judah, who were rebellious in self-will. Not to mention Jonah, who learned the hard way, the consequences of self-will. Barnes writes in his commentary concerning Jonah:
"...he acted, as people often do, who dislike God’s commands. He set about removing himself as far as possible from being under the influence of God, and from the place where he “could” fulfill them. God commanded him to go to Nineveh, which lay northeast from his home; and he instantly set himself to flee to the then furthermost west. Holy Scripture sets the rebellion before us in its full nakedness. “The word of the Lord came unto Jonah, go to Nineveh, and Jonah rose up;” he did something instantly, as the consequence of God’s command. He “rose up,” not as other prophets, to obey, but to disobey; and that, not slowly nor irresolutely, but “to flee, from” standing “before the Lord.”
After being swallowed up by the great fish, Jonah repented of his sin in the belly of the fish and God had mercy upon the prophet and the great fish spit Jonah out...but he learned the hard way that self-will is a sin. When we say, "my will," in opposition to God's will, it is a very dangerous condition of the heart. Yet our blessed Savior-- the Lord Jesus Christ, was obedient to the Father in all things: "My meat is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work." And the Book of Romans tell us to yield ourselves unto God:
Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
And it is God who empowers us, as Believers in Christ, to do His will: Hebrews 13:21: Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Let us always pray in the manner in which the Lord Jesus taught us: "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven..."
Showing posts with label Christian article. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian article. Show all posts
Friday, March 12, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Footprints of Satan by Adam Edelstein
Footprints of Satan by Adam Edelstein
March 8, 2010
Once he was approached by a leper, who knelt before him begging his help. “If only you will,” said the man, “you can cleanse me.” In warm indignation Jesus stretched out his hand, [and] touched him. Mark 1:40–41, NEB
I was in an emergency room late one night last week. Victims of Satan filled the halls. A child—puffy, swollen eyes. Beaten by her father. A woman—bruised cheeks, loody nose. “My boyfriend got drunk and hit me,” she said, weeping. An old man— unconscious and drunk on a stretcher. He drooled blood in his sleep.
Jesus saw the victims of Satan, too. He saw a leper one day … fingers gnarled … skin ulcerated … face disfigured. And he got indignant … angry. Not a selfish, violent anger. A holy anger … a controlled frustration … a compassionate disgust. And it moved him. It moved him to action.
I’m convinced that the same Satan stalks today, causing the hunger in Somalia … the confusion in the Mideast … the egotism on the movie screen … the apathy in Christ’s church. And Satan giggles among the dying.
Dear Father,
May we never grow so “holy,” may we never be so “mature,” may we never become so religious” that we can see the footprints of Satan and stay calm.
March 8, 2010
Once he was approached by a leper, who knelt before him begging his help. “If only you will,” said the man, “you can cleanse me.” In warm indignation Jesus stretched out his hand, [and] touched him. Mark 1:40–41, NEB
I was in an emergency room late one night last week. Victims of Satan filled the halls. A child—puffy, swollen eyes. Beaten by her father. A woman—bruised cheeks, loody nose. “My boyfriend got drunk and hit me,” she said, weeping. An old man— unconscious and drunk on a stretcher. He drooled blood in his sleep.
Jesus saw the victims of Satan, too. He saw a leper one day … fingers gnarled … skin ulcerated … face disfigured. And he got indignant … angry. Not a selfish, violent anger. A holy anger … a controlled frustration … a compassionate disgust. And it moved him. It moved him to action.
I’m convinced that the same Satan stalks today, causing the hunger in Somalia … the confusion in the Mideast … the egotism on the movie screen … the apathy in Christ’s church. And Satan giggles among the dying.
Dear Father,
May we never grow so “holy,” may we never be so “mature,” may we never become so religious” that we can see the footprints of Satan and stay calm.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
If you never take a drink...you will always remain thirsty.. by Adam Edelstein
If you never take a drink...you will always remain thirsty...by Adam Edelstein
March 4, 2010
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.' 'Why do you say that?' asked the customer. 'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.
Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain! I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.' The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: 'You know what? Barbers do not exist.'
'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber. 'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!' 'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.' 'Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.'
'Exactly!' affirmed the customer. 'That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.'
Be Blessed
March 4, 2010
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: 'I don't believe that God exists.' 'Why do you say that?' asked the customer. 'Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist.
Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain! I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things.' The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: 'You know what? Barbers do not exist.'
'How can you say that?' asked the surprised barber. 'I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!' 'No!' the customer exclaimed. 'Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside.' 'Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me.'
'Exactly!' affirmed the customer. 'That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world.'
Be Blessed
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Taking our lives back...part 1 by Adam Edelstein (Christ in Tech)
Taking our lives back...part 1 by Adam Edelstein
Christ in Tech
February 23, 2010
Lets not let satan distract us from GOD Principles (pray for each other)
It's weighing heavy on me. It's all I can think about, night and day. Before I bring it to you in prayer, I suppose I should pray for those who are less fortunate than me----- those in this world who have barely enough food for this day, and those who don't have a roof over their heads at night.
I also pray for families who have lost loved ones in sudden death, for parents whose children have leukemia, for the many people who are dying of brain tumors, for the hundreds of thousands who are laid waste with other terrible cancers, for people whose bodies have been suddenly shattered in car wrecks, for those who are lying in hospital with agonizing burns over their bodies, whose faces have been burned beyond recognition.
I pray for people with emphysema, whose eyes fill with terror as they struggle for every breath merely to live, for those who are tormented beyond words by irrational fears, for the elderly who are wracked with the pains of aging, whose only "escape" is death.
I pray for people who are watching their loved ones fade before their eyes through the grief of Alzheimer's disease, for the many thousands who are suffering the agony of Aids, for those who are in such despair they are about to commit suicide, for people who are tormented by the demons of alcoholism, and drug addiction.
I pray for children who have been abandoned by their parents, for those who are sexually abused, for wives held in quiet despair, beaten and abused by cruel and drunken husbands, for people whose minds have been destroyed by mental disorders, for those who have lost everything in floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
I pray for the blind, who never see the faces of the ones they love, or the beauty of a sunrise, for those whose bodies are horribly deformed by painful arthritis, for the many whose lives will be taken from them today by murderers, for those wasting away on their deathbeds in hospitals.
Most of all, I cry out for the millions who don't know the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ.... for those who in a moment of time will be swept into Hell by the cold hand of death, and find to their utter horror the unspeakable vengeance of eternal fire. They will be eternally damned to everlasting punishment. O God, I pray for them.
Strange, I can't seem to remember what my problem was.
In Jesus name I pray,Amen."
Be Blessed
Christ in Tech
February 23, 2010
Lets not let satan distract us from GOD Principles (pray for each other)
It's weighing heavy on me. It's all I can think about, night and day. Before I bring it to you in prayer, I suppose I should pray for those who are less fortunate than me----- those in this world who have barely enough food for this day, and those who don't have a roof over their heads at night.
I also pray for families who have lost loved ones in sudden death, for parents whose children have leukemia, for the many people who are dying of brain tumors, for the hundreds of thousands who are laid waste with other terrible cancers, for people whose bodies have been suddenly shattered in car wrecks, for those who are lying in hospital with agonizing burns over their bodies, whose faces have been burned beyond recognition.
I pray for people with emphysema, whose eyes fill with terror as they struggle for every breath merely to live, for those who are tormented beyond words by irrational fears, for the elderly who are wracked with the pains of aging, whose only "escape" is death.
I pray for people who are watching their loved ones fade before their eyes through the grief of Alzheimer's disease, for the many thousands who are suffering the agony of Aids, for those who are in such despair they are about to commit suicide, for people who are tormented by the demons of alcoholism, and drug addiction.
I pray for children who have been abandoned by their parents, for those who are sexually abused, for wives held in quiet despair, beaten and abused by cruel and drunken husbands, for people whose minds have been destroyed by mental disorders, for those who have lost everything in floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
I pray for the blind, who never see the faces of the ones they love, or the beauty of a sunrise, for those whose bodies are horribly deformed by painful arthritis, for the many whose lives will be taken from them today by murderers, for those wasting away on their deathbeds in hospitals.
Most of all, I cry out for the millions who don't know the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ.... for those who in a moment of time will be swept into Hell by the cold hand of death, and find to their utter horror the unspeakable vengeance of eternal fire. They will be eternally damned to everlasting punishment. O God, I pray for them.
Strange, I can't seem to remember what my problem was.
In Jesus name I pray,Amen."
Be Blessed
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
19 Horses by Adam Edelstein
19 Horses by Adam Edelstein
February 1, 2010
One rich man owned 19 horses when he died. In his last will and testament he had written that upon his death, half the horses he owned should go to his only son; one fourth to the village temple and one fifth to the faithful servant. The village elders could not stop scratching their heads. How can they give half of the 19 horses to the son? You cannot cut up a horse. They puzzled over this dilemma for more than two weeks and then decided to send for a wise man who was living in a neighboring village.
The wise man came riding on his horse and asked the villagers if he can be of any help to them. The village elders told him about the rich man's last will and testament which stated that half of the (19) horses must be given to his only son, one fourth must go to the temple and one fifth to the faithful servant.
The wise man said he will immediately solve their problem without any delay whatsoever. He had the 19 horses placed in a row standing next to one another. Then he added his own horse as the 20th horse. Now he went about giving half of the 20 horses that is ten horses to the son. One fourth of 20-that is 5 horses were given to the temple committee. One fifth of twenty-that is 4 horses were given to the faithful servant. Ten plus five plus four made 19 horses. The remaining 20th horse was his own which he promptly mounted, spoke a few inspiring words, and rode back home.
The villagers were simply dumfounded, full of disbelief and filled with admiration. And the parting words of the wise man were inscribed in their hearts and minds which they greatly cherished and passed on to their succeeding generations till today.
The wise man said: In our daily lives, in our daily affairs, simply add God's name and then go about facing the day's happenings. Ever come across problems in life that are seemingly insurmountable? (Like the villagers, do we feel that such problems cannot be solved?).
The wise man continued: Add the God Principle in our daily lives and the problems will become lighter and eventually will disappear. In the manner of the ice which, with the addition of the heat principle will turn into water, and that will eventually evaporate as steam and disappear. And how do we add God's name in our daily lives? Through prayers, filled with true love and devotion with sincerity of purpose and dedication that only total faith can bring about. Meditation is a powerful means of directing the mind Godward.
But without true love and devotion entering into it, it remains like a boat without water. It is not difficult to push a boat that is floating in water, but extremely hard to drag the same boat on dry land.
February 1, 2010
One rich man owned 19 horses when he died. In his last will and testament he had written that upon his death, half the horses he owned should go to his only son; one fourth to the village temple and one fifth to the faithful servant. The village elders could not stop scratching their heads. How can they give half of the 19 horses to the son? You cannot cut up a horse. They puzzled over this dilemma for more than two weeks and then decided to send for a wise man who was living in a neighboring village.
The wise man came riding on his horse and asked the villagers if he can be of any help to them. The village elders told him about the rich man's last will and testament which stated that half of the (19) horses must be given to his only son, one fourth must go to the temple and one fifth to the faithful servant.
The wise man said he will immediately solve their problem without any delay whatsoever. He had the 19 horses placed in a row standing next to one another. Then he added his own horse as the 20th horse. Now he went about giving half of the 20 horses that is ten horses to the son. One fourth of 20-that is 5 horses were given to the temple committee. One fifth of twenty-that is 4 horses were given to the faithful servant. Ten plus five plus four made 19 horses. The remaining 20th horse was his own which he promptly mounted, spoke a few inspiring words, and rode back home.
The villagers were simply dumfounded, full of disbelief and filled with admiration. And the parting words of the wise man were inscribed in their hearts and minds which they greatly cherished and passed on to their succeeding generations till today.
The wise man said: In our daily lives, in our daily affairs, simply add God's name and then go about facing the day's happenings. Ever come across problems in life that are seemingly insurmountable? (Like the villagers, do we feel that such problems cannot be solved?).
The wise man continued: Add the God Principle in our daily lives and the problems will become lighter and eventually will disappear. In the manner of the ice which, with the addition of the heat principle will turn into water, and that will eventually evaporate as steam and disappear. And how do we add God's name in our daily lives? Through prayers, filled with true love and devotion with sincerity of purpose and dedication that only total faith can bring about. Meditation is a powerful means of directing the mind Godward.
But without true love and devotion entering into it, it remains like a boat without water. It is not difficult to push a boat that is floating in water, but extremely hard to drag the same boat on dry land.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Rocking Horse Christian by Adam Edelstein
Rocking Horse Christian by Adam Edelstein
February 15, 2010
Rowland Hill, the great evangelist and preacher, visited once a home and saw a child riding a rocking horse. After watching the little boy for some time, he said with his natural wit, "He reminds me of certain Christians. There is plenty of motion, but no progress."
Such "rocking horse" Christians are in evidence everywhere in the professing church. They are running here and there; they are taken up with much service; social service, charitable service; and service for different kinds of improve-ments. There is almost a perpetual motion in "Churchism" today. But where is the real spiritual progress?
Like the child on the rocking horse, there is no progress; and sometimes with all the motion, getting nowhere, the rocking horse instead of remaining stationary, slips back. Real spiritual progress is not achieved by continual motion in Christian service.
It is conditioned on two things: The first is prayerful, daily study of the Bible. This takes time. We do not mean the mere reading of a chapter each day, but the meditation of what God has spoken. Such intense meditation means listening to God. It is in this we keep in fellowship with our Father and with our Lord. There can be no spiritual progress without an earnest, prayerful reading of God's Word. A believer may belong to every society in Christendom, be first in every Christian service, but if he neglects the real study of God's Book, he is and remains a rocking horse Christian.
The second condition is prayer. In our long Christian experience we have found that the best incentive, the greatest encouragement to prayer is listening to His voice, as He speaks to the heart through His Word.
Thus the two go together. Only as we spend much time on our knees speaking to Him in worship, in thanksgiving, raise, supplication and intercession, do we make real progress. Far be it from discrediting Christian service. But the genuine Christian service is the result of spiritual progress. Are you a rocking horse Christian?
February 15, 2010
Rowland Hill, the great evangelist and preacher, visited once a home and saw a child riding a rocking horse. After watching the little boy for some time, he said with his natural wit, "He reminds me of certain Christians. There is plenty of motion, but no progress."
Such "rocking horse" Christians are in evidence everywhere in the professing church. They are running here and there; they are taken up with much service; social service, charitable service; and service for different kinds of improve-ments. There is almost a perpetual motion in "Churchism" today. But where is the real spiritual progress?
Like the child on the rocking horse, there is no progress; and sometimes with all the motion, getting nowhere, the rocking horse instead of remaining stationary, slips back. Real spiritual progress is not achieved by continual motion in Christian service.
It is conditioned on two things: The first is prayerful, daily study of the Bible. This takes time. We do not mean the mere reading of a chapter each day, but the meditation of what God has spoken. Such intense meditation means listening to God. It is in this we keep in fellowship with our Father and with our Lord. There can be no spiritual progress without an earnest, prayerful reading of God's Word. A believer may belong to every society in Christendom, be first in every Christian service, but if he neglects the real study of God's Book, he is and remains a rocking horse Christian.
The second condition is prayer. In our long Christian experience we have found that the best incentive, the greatest encouragement to prayer is listening to His voice, as He speaks to the heart through His Word.
Thus the two go together. Only as we spend much time on our knees speaking to Him in worship, in thanksgiving, raise, supplication and intercession, do we make real progress. Far be it from discrediting Christian service. But the genuine Christian service is the result of spiritual progress. Are you a rocking horse Christian?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Are You A Real Christian? by Regina A. Mckinney (Posted on Christ in Tech)
Are You A Real Christian? by Regina A. Mckinney
Posted on Christ in Tech
September 3rd, 2009
Are you a real Christian or just a church-goer? Please don’t think they are the same. Remember this eternal truth from the Lord:
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Mt. 7:21).
Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a Christian is one who gets dressed up, goes inside a building commonly called a “church” and sits through a sermon! Many that will go to Hell do this every week, but don’t possess an obedient faith in Christ needed to enter God’s Kingdom.
So how does the Bible describe the real Christian between initial and final salvation? Is his life now, because of grace, one in which he can sit back, relax, pursue the pleasures of this world and even start to live again according to the sinful nature with no possible hindrance to his personal entrance into the kingdom of God? According to the Bible, the Christian in this life now is:
a soldier in a battle (2 Tim. 2:3,4),
a runner in a long distance race (Acts 20:24; 1 Cor. 9:24; etc.),
a worker in a vineyard (Mt. 20:1-16),
a fruit tree required to bear good fruit (John 15:5,6),
a self-denying Jesus follower (Lk. 9:23),
a manager or steward (Mt. 25:14-30),
a witness of Jesus (Acts 1:8, 22; 2 Tim. 2:2; Rev. 2:13),
a wrestler against the forces of darkness (Eph. 6:12),
in a struggle against sin (Heb. 12:4),
an alien-stranger in this world (1 Pet. 1:1, 17; 2:11),
and a servant (or slave) of God (Acts 4:29; 1 Thess. 1:9).
Instead of striving to please God and live holy lives, many people who once believed are now lukewarm, drunkards and sexually immoral with some of them thinking they are guaranteed an entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven because of the false teaching of eternal security. Sadly, that “sin gospel” is embraced by most popular teachers of our apostate day and has adversely affected the church worldwide. It is also one of the greatest threats to holiness, which has lead to untold broken homes, criminal acts and many suicides!
Then there is the rampant problem of divorce and remarriage which has resulted with multitudes of illegitimate marriages, with both parties being adulterous (Mt. 5:32; 19:9; Lk. 16:18; Rom. 7:2,3; etc.). Even many pastors, elders and worship leaders in local congregations are adulterous, according to those Scriptures, with no fear of going to an eternal Hell, in spite of the clarity of Scripture (1 Cor. 6:9,10; Eph. 5:5-7; Rev. 21:8; etc.)
What the world needs today are spiritual leaders who, like John the Baptist, will fearlessly declare God’s truths without concern of repercussions. Rather than thinking of their own ministries they are to be guards over the eternal souls entrusted to them. But very few seem to be this God fearing. Folks, this is serious! We, our loved ones and friends will be affected throughout all eternity by what we are doing now in this short life. Paul shed his blood at least nine different times and spent years in prison in his battle for eternity. In our day, professing “Christians” spend years of their lives in front of TV as they view things that can spiritually defile them and their loved ones!
In closing remember the following, as you assess yourself spiritually:
He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice” (Lk. 8:21).
The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4).
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5:28,29).
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life (Rom 2:7).
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction;
The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Gal 6:8,9).
Most People Will Go To Hell (Mt. 7:13,14)
Posted on Christ in Tech
September 3rd, 2009
Are you a real Christian or just a church-goer? Please don’t think they are the same. Remember this eternal truth from the Lord:
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Mt. 7:21).
Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a Christian is one who gets dressed up, goes inside a building commonly called a “church” and sits through a sermon! Many that will go to Hell do this every week, but don’t possess an obedient faith in Christ needed to enter God’s Kingdom.
So how does the Bible describe the real Christian between initial and final salvation? Is his life now, because of grace, one in which he can sit back, relax, pursue the pleasures of this world and even start to live again according to the sinful nature with no possible hindrance to his personal entrance into the kingdom of God? According to the Bible, the Christian in this life now is:
a soldier in a battle (2 Tim. 2:3,4),
a runner in a long distance race (Acts 20:24; 1 Cor. 9:24; etc.),
a worker in a vineyard (Mt. 20:1-16),
a fruit tree required to bear good fruit (John 15:5,6),
a self-denying Jesus follower (Lk. 9:23),
a manager or steward (Mt. 25:14-30),
a witness of Jesus (Acts 1:8, 22; 2 Tim. 2:2; Rev. 2:13),
a wrestler against the forces of darkness (Eph. 6:12),
in a struggle against sin (Heb. 12:4),
an alien-stranger in this world (1 Pet. 1:1, 17; 2:11),
and a servant (or slave) of God (Acts 4:29; 1 Thess. 1:9).
Instead of striving to please God and live holy lives, many people who once believed are now lukewarm, drunkards and sexually immoral with some of them thinking they are guaranteed an entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven because of the false teaching of eternal security. Sadly, that “sin gospel” is embraced by most popular teachers of our apostate day and has adversely affected the church worldwide. It is also one of the greatest threats to holiness, which has lead to untold broken homes, criminal acts and many suicides!
Then there is the rampant problem of divorce and remarriage which has resulted with multitudes of illegitimate marriages, with both parties being adulterous (Mt. 5:32; 19:9; Lk. 16:18; Rom. 7:2,3; etc.). Even many pastors, elders and worship leaders in local congregations are adulterous, according to those Scriptures, with no fear of going to an eternal Hell, in spite of the clarity of Scripture (1 Cor. 6:9,10; Eph. 5:5-7; Rev. 21:8; etc.)
What the world needs today are spiritual leaders who, like John the Baptist, will fearlessly declare God’s truths without concern of repercussions. Rather than thinking of their own ministries they are to be guards over the eternal souls entrusted to them. But very few seem to be this God fearing. Folks, this is serious! We, our loved ones and friends will be affected throughout all eternity by what we are doing now in this short life. Paul shed his blood at least nine different times and spent years in prison in his battle for eternity. In our day, professing “Christians” spend years of their lives in front of TV as they view things that can spiritually defile them and their loved ones!
In closing remember the following, as you assess yourself spiritually:
He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice” (Lk. 8:21).
The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4).
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5:28,29).
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life (Rom 2:7).
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction;
The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Gal 6:8,9).
Most People Will Go To Hell (Mt. 7:13,14)
Monday, February 1, 2010
We are not perfect, but God is by Jon Walker (Posted by Mia Swanepoel on Facebook)
We are not perfect, but God is by Jon Walker
Posted by Mia Swanepoel on Facebook
February 01, 2010
(This guest devotional is an excerpt from, Growing with Purpose, available from Saddleback Resources.)
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV)
We are not perfect; God is perfect
We are flawed; God is flawless.
God takes his perfection, mixes it with the blood of Jesus Christ, and paints his perfection over our imperfection.
God takes his flawlessness, couples it with his strength, and forges it to the flaws that weaken us.
What does this mean?
If you struggle with perfectionism, then ask God to help you deeply understand that he loves you unconditionally. You can not earn your way into his love because he freely gives it. You not only need not be perfect; there is no way you can be perfect. Praise God for Jesus.
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:22-24 NIV)
If you are frustrated with your flaws, then be honest with God. Ask him to help you see how he works through your flaws and accept your flaws as God's way of keeping you dependent upon him.
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
*** *** *** *** ***
Jon Walker is the managing editor of the Daily Hope devotionals. This devotional is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.
Posted by Mia Swanepoel on Facebook
February 01, 2010
(This guest devotional is an excerpt from, Growing with Purpose, available from Saddleback Resources.)
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV)
We are not perfect; God is perfect
We are flawed; God is flawless.
God takes his perfection, mixes it with the blood of Jesus Christ, and paints his perfection over our imperfection.
God takes his flawlessness, couples it with his strength, and forges it to the flaws that weaken us.
What does this mean?
If you struggle with perfectionism, then ask God to help you deeply understand that he loves you unconditionally. You can not earn your way into his love because he freely gives it. You not only need not be perfect; there is no way you can be perfect. Praise God for Jesus.
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:22-24 NIV)
If you are frustrated with your flaws, then be honest with God. Ask him to help you see how he works through your flaws and accept your flaws as God's way of keeping you dependent upon him.
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)
*** *** *** *** ***
Jon Walker is the managing editor of the Daily Hope devotionals. This devotional is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
God's Provision: Maintain Integrity by Rick Warren
God's Provision: Maintain Integrity by Rick Warren
January 30, 2010
God cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business. Proverbs 16:11 (MSG)
God promises to meet all your financial needs, if you (1) ask him for help; (2) learn to be content; (3) practice giving in faith; and (4) maintain your integrity --
God doesn't bless dishonesty. Proverbs 16:11 (NLT) says, "The Lord demands fairness in every business deal." That includes wages, sales and taxes.
If you want God's blessing on your finances, you've got to be honest. You can't rip people off. Profit made dishonestly always brings trouble. Always.
"The blessing of the Lord brings wealth and he adds no trouble to it." (Proverbs 10:22, NIV) Have you ever known anybody who made money, and it just brought trouble? You will always reap what you sow. If you are dishonest with others, it will be returned to you. If you think you haven't been caught, understand that the clock is still ticking. You cannot mock God and get away with it.
Be honest. Be honest with your finances: "It is the Lord's blessing that makes you wealthy." (Proverbs 10:22, TEV)
Tomorrow we'll look at trusting God, another condition for answered prayer.
January 30, 2010
God cares about honesty in the workplace; your business is his business. Proverbs 16:11 (MSG)
God promises to meet all your financial needs, if you (1) ask him for help; (2) learn to be content; (3) practice giving in faith; and (4) maintain your integrity --
God doesn't bless dishonesty. Proverbs 16:11 (NLT) says, "The Lord demands fairness in every business deal." That includes wages, sales and taxes.
If you want God's blessing on your finances, you've got to be honest. You can't rip people off. Profit made dishonestly always brings trouble. Always.
"The blessing of the Lord brings wealth and he adds no trouble to it." (Proverbs 10:22, NIV) Have you ever known anybody who made money, and it just brought trouble? You will always reap what you sow. If you are dishonest with others, it will be returned to you. If you think you haven't been caught, understand that the clock is still ticking. You cannot mock God and get away with it.
Be honest. Be honest with your finances: "It is the Lord's blessing that makes you wealthy." (Proverbs 10:22, TEV)
Tomorrow we'll look at trusting God, another condition for answered prayer.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
God's Provision: Contentment by Rick Warren
God's Provision: Contentment by Rick Warren
January 28, 2010
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV)
God promises to meet all your financial needs, if you (1) ask him for help and (2) learn to be content --
If you've ever seen a baby born, you know they don't come into the world with a whole lot. They're not holding onto cigars, cars and a stock portfolio. They don't come into the world with anything but a little umbilical cord and that quickly gets cut.
And then, at your funeral, you don't take anything with you. The Bible teaches that we should learn to be content.
What is contentment? Contentment means my happiness is not dependent upon circumstances. Most people get caught into "when" thinking: "When I get a certain job ... When I can retire ... When I get the house paid off ... When I get the bills paid off ... then I'll be happy!"
God says, "No, once you get there, you'll always want something else." If you don't learn contentment, you'll never be happy. You'll always want more.
"Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content." (1 Timothy 6:6-8, NLT)
Tomorrow we'll look at faithful giving, another condition for answered prayer.
January 28, 2010
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV)
God promises to meet all your financial needs, if you (1) ask him for help and (2) learn to be content --
If you've ever seen a baby born, you know they don't come into the world with a whole lot. They're not holding onto cigars, cars and a stock portfolio. They don't come into the world with anything but a little umbilical cord and that quickly gets cut.
And then, at your funeral, you don't take anything with you. The Bible teaches that we should learn to be content.
What is contentment? Contentment means my happiness is not dependent upon circumstances. Most people get caught into "when" thinking: "When I get a certain job ... When I can retire ... When I get the house paid off ... When I get the bills paid off ... then I'll be happy!"
God says, "No, once you get there, you'll always want something else." If you don't learn contentment, you'll never be happy. You'll always want more.
"Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content." (1 Timothy 6:6-8, NLT)
Tomorrow we'll look at faithful giving, another condition for answered prayer.
Are You a Success or a Failure? by Dan Lacich (from Provocative Christian Living email)
Are You a Success or a Failure? by Dan Lacich
Provocative Christian Living
January 27, 2010
How would you answer that question? What criteria do you have for measuring success? For some, success is measured by their income. For others it is measured by the size of their office or home or car. One popular measure of success today is simply that you are famous. I am reminded of a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean. British officer to Captain Jack Sparrow, “You are possibly the worst pirate I’ve ever heard of” To which Sparrow responds, “Yes, but you have heard of me”.
Within Christian circles we know that the measures of success that are found in the secular world are not our measures. it is easy to say that having lots of possessions, popularity, or power are not the answer. Yet in churches we often still measure success in concrete, numerical terms. Successful churches are the ones growing the fastest or with the biggest budgets or the most popular. Maybe in some of our better moments we say that success is found in the number of baptisms, or people in a Sunday School Class or on short-term mission trips. In families we might say that is it having your children all believing in Jesus and a healthy marriage. While those things get closer to what success for Christians and ministries needs to look like, they still fall short. And in some ways because they are close yet so far away, they are perhaps more dangerous because they make us think we are successful in the right way.
If you watch little kids playing soccer for the first time it looks more like a giant amoeba moving up and down the field chasing a ball than it looks like soccer. On one occasion the ball ended up in the net, more by accident than by any intent. It was the first goal scored. Parents on the sideline screamed and clapped and cheered. From the reaction it was obvious that the children playing the game were stunned. The coach saw recognition dawn on the faces of his players. Putting the ball in the net is what the game is all about. The coach had assumed that they understood that. The kids had missed that point. They saw success as running up and down the field, kicking the ball around. Although that is part of the game it is not the whole deal. Success is putting the ball in the net.
Going to Bible classes, having people come to church, meeting budget and all the other things we associate with ministry are certainly part of the deal. Having your children believe in and follow Jesus is certainly a part of what it means to be a successful parent. But they are not, “putting the ball in the net”. Those are more like the running up and down the field part of the game. Jesus gave us what success looks like. He said “going into all the world, make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you, an I will be with you to the end of the age” Matthew 28:19-20. Success is living a life that shows other people what it means to follow Jesus. It is an ongoing thing. He literally said, “as you go”, meaning that as you go through life, live out the truth in radical ways so others follow too.
This is not a new concept with Jesus. In Deuteronomy 6 it says that we are to speak of the truth of God, as we walk along the road, as we rise up and lay down, as we eat, we are to tell it to our children in all these cases and even as we enter and exit our homes. In other words, you pass on the faith to your kids by being a living demonstration of what it means to follow God.
All of that is well as good and certainly many would say that they are doing just that. Many churches would say that they have programs that are accomplishing all this through evangelism and discipleship. But this is often just more, “kicking the ball up and down the field”. There is one more passage that we need to focus on that ultimately defines success for the Christian. In 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul says this to Timothy; “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others”. It was at a conference in India that I was confronted with the power of this verse like never before. As I spoke with Christians who were having incredible impact among Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists I heard this verse over and over again. What they said was that you are not successful unless your ministry goes to the fourth generation. You are the first, those you train are second, then there are those who they pass it on to who in turn pass it on to others.
Far too much of what we do as Christians is a “one-off” dead-end. Preachers give the message to a congregation and we think we have scored. Parents see their children confess faith in Christ and they shout, “GOAL”. The real test of success is not that my kids all have faith in Jesus. The real test is have a demonstrated a faith that they then pass on to others who pass on to others? The test is not did the message impact the congregation and inspire them. The test is, are they taking it to others who are passing it on to others?
The kind of four generation success that real discipleship produces requires investing your life in people everyday. It is as you are going. It is not a program. It is a passion. It pours out of you and into others and it overflows from them to the next generation and beyond. Christians in India are reaching hundreds of thousands of the most resistant people on the planet. They are doing it to the fourth generation because they have marked that as real success.
Provocative Christian Living
January 27, 2010
How would you answer that question? What criteria do you have for measuring success? For some, success is measured by their income. For others it is measured by the size of their office or home or car. One popular measure of success today is simply that you are famous. I am reminded of a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean. British officer to Captain Jack Sparrow, “You are possibly the worst pirate I’ve ever heard of” To which Sparrow responds, “Yes, but you have heard of me”.
Within Christian circles we know that the measures of success that are found in the secular world are not our measures. it is easy to say that having lots of possessions, popularity, or power are not the answer. Yet in churches we often still measure success in concrete, numerical terms. Successful churches are the ones growing the fastest or with the biggest budgets or the most popular. Maybe in some of our better moments we say that success is found in the number of baptisms, or people in a Sunday School Class or on short-term mission trips. In families we might say that is it having your children all believing in Jesus and a healthy marriage. While those things get closer to what success for Christians and ministries needs to look like, they still fall short. And in some ways because they are close yet so far away, they are perhaps more dangerous because they make us think we are successful in the right way.
If you watch little kids playing soccer for the first time it looks more like a giant amoeba moving up and down the field chasing a ball than it looks like soccer. On one occasion the ball ended up in the net, more by accident than by any intent. It was the first goal scored. Parents on the sideline screamed and clapped and cheered. From the reaction it was obvious that the children playing the game were stunned. The coach saw recognition dawn on the faces of his players. Putting the ball in the net is what the game is all about. The coach had assumed that they understood that. The kids had missed that point. They saw success as running up and down the field, kicking the ball around. Although that is part of the game it is not the whole deal. Success is putting the ball in the net.
Going to Bible classes, having people come to church, meeting budget and all the other things we associate with ministry are certainly part of the deal. Having your children believe in and follow Jesus is certainly a part of what it means to be a successful parent. But they are not, “putting the ball in the net”. Those are more like the running up and down the field part of the game. Jesus gave us what success looks like. He said “going into all the world, make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you, an I will be with you to the end of the age” Matthew 28:19-20. Success is living a life that shows other people what it means to follow Jesus. It is an ongoing thing. He literally said, “as you go”, meaning that as you go through life, live out the truth in radical ways so others follow too.
This is not a new concept with Jesus. In Deuteronomy 6 it says that we are to speak of the truth of God, as we walk along the road, as we rise up and lay down, as we eat, we are to tell it to our children in all these cases and even as we enter and exit our homes. In other words, you pass on the faith to your kids by being a living demonstration of what it means to follow God.
All of that is well as good and certainly many would say that they are doing just that. Many churches would say that they have programs that are accomplishing all this through evangelism and discipleship. But this is often just more, “kicking the ball up and down the field”. There is one more passage that we need to focus on that ultimately defines success for the Christian. In 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul says this to Timothy; “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others”. It was at a conference in India that I was confronted with the power of this verse like never before. As I spoke with Christians who were having incredible impact among Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists I heard this verse over and over again. What they said was that you are not successful unless your ministry goes to the fourth generation. You are the first, those you train are second, then there are those who they pass it on to who in turn pass it on to others.
Far too much of what we do as Christians is a “one-off” dead-end. Preachers give the message to a congregation and we think we have scored. Parents see their children confess faith in Christ and they shout, “GOAL”. The real test of success is not that my kids all have faith in Jesus. The real test is have a demonstrated a faith that they then pass on to others who pass on to others? The test is not did the message impact the congregation and inspire them. The test is, are they taking it to others who are passing it on to others?
The kind of four generation success that real discipleship produces requires investing your life in people everyday. It is as you are going. It is not a program. It is a passion. It pours out of you and into others and it overflows from them to the next generation and beyond. Christians in India are reaching hundreds of thousands of the most resistant people on the planet. They are doing it to the fourth generation because they have marked that as real success.
Monday, January 25, 2010
But You Promised by Rick Warren
But You Promised by Rick Warren
January 25 2010
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. Proverbs 20:25 (NIV)
Have you ever ...
... promised to deliver by a set date and later regretted it?
... volunteered for a job you had no idea would take so long?
... agreed to a deal that looked great but wasn't?
... accepted an invitation you wish you hadn't?
Eventually, we all learn by experience a basic law of life: It's always easier to get in than get out! The Bible says, "It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows." (Proverbs 20:25, NIV)
There are three common commitment traps:
The Money Trap -- It's always easier to get into debt than out of debt! It's always easier to borrow than to pay it back.
The Partnership Trap -- It's always easier to get into a partnership, or a relationship, than to get out of one!
The Time Trap -- It's always easier to fill your schedule than to fulfill it! You can get so many irons in the fire that you put out the fire!
The solution: remember what the Bible says; don't make rash vows.
In other words, choose your commitments carefully; think before you speak; under-promise and over-deliver. With this, you'll build a reputation as a person of your word.
January 25 2010
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows. Proverbs 20:25 (NIV)
Have you ever ...
... promised to deliver by a set date and later regretted it?
... volunteered for a job you had no idea would take so long?
... agreed to a deal that looked great but wasn't?
... accepted an invitation you wish you hadn't?
Eventually, we all learn by experience a basic law of life: It's always easier to get in than get out! The Bible says, "It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows." (Proverbs 20:25, NIV)
There are three common commitment traps:
The Money Trap -- It's always easier to get into debt than out of debt! It's always easier to borrow than to pay it back.
The Partnership Trap -- It's always easier to get into a partnership, or a relationship, than to get out of one!
The Time Trap -- It's always easier to fill your schedule than to fulfill it! You can get so many irons in the fire that you put out the fire!
The solution: remember what the Bible says; don't make rash vows.
In other words, choose your commitments carefully; think before you speak; under-promise and over-deliver. With this, you'll build a reputation as a person of your word.
A REMINDER OF ETERNITY by Robert Soto
A REMINDER OF ETERNITY by Robert Soto
January 25, 2010
Matthew 13:31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
As we drove to San Antonio this weekend, a city about four hours north of my home town, I noticed a palm tree. If it had been while still in my home town that would not be unusual because our city is known as the City of Palms. But here we were, in the middle of nowhere and in the midst of the Texas desert brushland, so it stood out like a sore thumb. It was totally out of place so I figured that this palm tree had been transplanted for someone's own personal use and entertainment, but now their home is gone and the palm tree stands as a reminder of a people who are no long there, and the creation which outlasted them.
I guess the palm tree standing in the midst of desolate land reminded me that life in this world will not last forever. That there is nothing in this world that is eternal. That all things as we know it today will someday be gone and nothing that now stands will last forever. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Life as we know it will be gone except for the eternal word of God the Creator which will last for eternity. One palm tree in the wilderness. One reminder of God's eternal plan for us in the world around us. One motive to live our lives in a way that pleases Him. A little hope for the future as we remember that our lives are in the hands of a great God and Creator who is seeking the best for His people.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
January 25, 2010
Matthew 13:31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."
As we drove to San Antonio this weekend, a city about four hours north of my home town, I noticed a palm tree. If it had been while still in my home town that would not be unusual because our city is known as the City of Palms. But here we were, in the middle of nowhere and in the midst of the Texas desert brushland, so it stood out like a sore thumb. It was totally out of place so I figured that this palm tree had been transplanted for someone's own personal use and entertainment, but now their home is gone and the palm tree stands as a reminder of a people who are no long there, and the creation which outlasted them.
I guess the palm tree standing in the midst of desolate land reminded me that life in this world will not last forever. That there is nothing in this world that is eternal. That all things as we know it today will someday be gone and nothing that now stands will last forever. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Life as we know it will be gone except for the eternal word of God the Creator which will last for eternity. One palm tree in the wilderness. One reminder of God's eternal plan for us in the world around us. One motive to live our lives in a way that pleases Him. A little hope for the future as we remember that our lives are in the hands of a great God and Creator who is seeking the best for His people.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Sunday, January 24, 2010
NEVER FORGET THE CHILD IN YOU by Robert Soto
NEVER FORGET THE CHILD IN YOU by Robert Soto
December 26, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..."
Christmas day is almost over. In two hours it will be 364 days to the next Christmas. As I sit here writing these thoughts to you a lot is going through my mind. For a winter day, it has been a good day -sunny and mid-sixties. It was a new awakening for my grandson who is three years and two months old. He was not quite sure how to open the gifts he received but with each one he opened, a joyous feeling came into my heart as a little boy learned the art of receiving. We will work on the giving part for next year. I still enjoy the eyes of my three kids, even though they are in their twenties, as they opened each gift and thanked the person who gave them the gift. Then it was off to Grandma's house for our annual Christmas Dinner. My youngest brother drove with his family three hundred and seventy miles to be with us. After we finished eating, the party started. My mom gives us socks each year and so they started the 'sock dance.' Each time someone walked out of the living room with a package of socks, kids from ten to mid-fifties started to yell, "Sock Dance, Sock Dance, Sock Dance." And like a whole bunch of crazy Indians we all started to dance to an old Jewish song with Russian steps.
Then it was home for a short rest and then off to visit with some friends and the other side of the family. But it seemed like Christmas was a day of fun. It was a day to enjoy the spirit of giving and the spirit of the coming of God the Creator's Son. It was a day to forget our age and come together and celebrate in our own childish ways. To joke around and have fun. To remember the Christmases of times past and to plan for those in the future. We are a family who has suffered loss. We are a family who, each Christmas, remember those who are no longer with us. But we are also a family who knows that death is not the end but the beginning of life. We are a family who has its differences but we are a family that forgets the past and lives for today and the future. We are a family who still knows what it means to be young, regardless of our age, and I am the oldest of nine. As Solomon once said, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..." Today, was a day to laugh and dance. Today was a day to remember the child within given to us by our Lord and Creator above.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
December 26, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..."
Christmas day is almost over. In two hours it will be 364 days to the next Christmas. As I sit here writing these thoughts to you a lot is going through my mind. For a winter day, it has been a good day -sunny and mid-sixties. It was a new awakening for my grandson who is three years and two months old. He was not quite sure how to open the gifts he received but with each one he opened, a joyous feeling came into my heart as a little boy learned the art of receiving. We will work on the giving part for next year. I still enjoy the eyes of my three kids, even though they are in their twenties, as they opened each gift and thanked the person who gave them the gift. Then it was off to Grandma's house for our annual Christmas Dinner. My youngest brother drove with his family three hundred and seventy miles to be with us. After we finished eating, the party started. My mom gives us socks each year and so they started the 'sock dance.' Each time someone walked out of the living room with a package of socks, kids from ten to mid-fifties started to yell, "Sock Dance, Sock Dance, Sock Dance." And like a whole bunch of crazy Indians we all started to dance to an old Jewish song with Russian steps.
Then it was home for a short rest and then off to visit with some friends and the other side of the family. But it seemed like Christmas was a day of fun. It was a day to enjoy the spirit of giving and the spirit of the coming of God the Creator's Son. It was a day to forget our age and come together and celebrate in our own childish ways. To joke around and have fun. To remember the Christmases of times past and to plan for those in the future. We are a family who has suffered loss. We are a family who, each Christmas, remember those who are no longer with us. But we are also a family who knows that death is not the end but the beginning of life. We are a family who has its differences but we are a family that forgets the past and lives for today and the future. We are a family who still knows what it means to be young, regardless of our age, and I am the oldest of nine. As Solomon once said, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..." Today, was a day to laugh and dance. Today was a day to remember the child within given to us by our Lord and Creator above.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
To Whom It May Concern by Adam Edelstein
To Whom It May Concern by Adam Edelstein
January 21, 2010
I heard you were considering a new manager in your life. I would like to apply for the job. I believe I am the most qualified candidate. I am the only one that has ever done this job successfully. I was the first manager of human beings.
In fact I made them, so naturally I know how humanity works, and what is best to get people back into proper working condition. It will be like having the manufacturer as your personal mechanic.
If this is your first time considering me, I would just like to point out that my salary has already been paid by the blood of my son, Jesus on the cross of Calvary. What I need from you is the acknowledgement that the price is sufficient to pay for all of your sin and your independence from Me. I need you to believe this in your heart and to tell somebody else about your decision with your mouth.
The next thing I ask is the right to change and fix your life so you can learn how to stay close to Me. I will make some major changes and revisions. They are not for you to worry about. I need your permission to execute these changes, My way and in My time. I will change your desires and give you the strength to make the changes. Please keep your hands out of the way. Don't try to help me and Don't resist me. I really do need your full commitment and cooperation. If you give me those, the process can go smoothly, without delays.
Yours Sincerely,
GOD
P.S. I created the heavens and the earth. I AM. BELOW IS MY RESUME...
EXPERIENCE - From the beginning of time. Before the beginning of time. From everlasting to everlasting. I made time.
ABILITY - All Powerful
PRIOR EMPLOYMENT - Created the universe, put the galaxies in place, formed man. Established heaven and earth by My spoken Word and am currently holding up the world by My power.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING - I AM and I have all knowledge.
CHARACTER REFERENCE - Love, light, and life (1 John 4:16, 1 John 1:5, John 14:6). A representative, but by no means conclusive list of other character traits follows:
Wisdom - James 1:5
Comfort - Corinthians 1:3
Truth - John 8:32
Healer - 1 Peter 2:24
Strength - Phil. 4:13
Forgiveness - 1 John 1:9
Provider - Phil. 4:19
Mercy - Ephesians 2:24
Good - Matt. 19:17
Peace - Romans 14:17
AVAILABILITY - Willing and ready to take over your life. Able to put your life together again. Will bring all of who I AM into your life. Can start now. Will transform your life if you let Me.
SALARY REQUIREMENT - Work in your life has already been paid for through the blood of My Son, Jesus. Your only responsibility is to commit initially and on a daily basis. To trust and obey what Jesus has done and wants to do in your life.
REFERENCES - References available upon request.
January 21, 2010
I heard you were considering a new manager in your life. I would like to apply for the job. I believe I am the most qualified candidate. I am the only one that has ever done this job successfully. I was the first manager of human beings.
In fact I made them, so naturally I know how humanity works, and what is best to get people back into proper working condition. It will be like having the manufacturer as your personal mechanic.
If this is your first time considering me, I would just like to point out that my salary has already been paid by the blood of my son, Jesus on the cross of Calvary. What I need from you is the acknowledgement that the price is sufficient to pay for all of your sin and your independence from Me. I need you to believe this in your heart and to tell somebody else about your decision with your mouth.
The next thing I ask is the right to change and fix your life so you can learn how to stay close to Me. I will make some major changes and revisions. They are not for you to worry about. I need your permission to execute these changes, My way and in My time. I will change your desires and give you the strength to make the changes. Please keep your hands out of the way. Don't try to help me and Don't resist me. I really do need your full commitment and cooperation. If you give me those, the process can go smoothly, without delays.
Yours Sincerely,
GOD
P.S. I created the heavens and the earth. I AM. BELOW IS MY RESUME...
EXPERIENCE - From the beginning of time. Before the beginning of time. From everlasting to everlasting. I made time.
ABILITY - All Powerful
PRIOR EMPLOYMENT - Created the universe, put the galaxies in place, formed man. Established heaven and earth by My spoken Word and am currently holding up the world by My power.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING - I AM and I have all knowledge.
CHARACTER REFERENCE - Love, light, and life (1 John 4:16, 1 John 1:5, John 14:6). A representative, but by no means conclusive list of other character traits follows:
Wisdom - James 1:5
Comfort - Corinthians 1:3
Truth - John 8:32
Healer - 1 Peter 2:24
Strength - Phil. 4:13
Forgiveness - 1 John 1:9
Provider - Phil. 4:19
Mercy - Ephesians 2:24
Good - Matt. 19:17
Peace - Romans 14:17
AVAILABILITY - Willing and ready to take over your life. Able to put your life together again. Will bring all of who I AM into your life. Can start now. Will transform your life if you let Me.
SALARY REQUIREMENT - Work in your life has already been paid for through the blood of My Son, Jesus. Your only responsibility is to commit initially and on a daily basis. To trust and obey what Jesus has done and wants to do in your life.
REFERENCES - References available upon request.
IT IS HERE WE BELONG by Robert Soto
IT IS HERE WE BELONG by Robert Soto
January 24, 2010
Matthew 17:4 "Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
The other day I had a dream. I dreamed I was with the old ones. As I walked alongside of them I could not help but feel connected to all they did. Nothing seemed strange to me. It seemed like everything they did I knew. I was part of them and they were part of me. There was a special bond between us. I understood them and they understood me. The more I walked with them the more my desire was never to return. All I could think about was staying there. My desire was to build my home with them and spend the rest of my life with my people. It was at that time that my eyes
opened and I was awake.
As I looked at my ceiling fan above me I could not help but feel sort of sad. Sad because, while I live in the twenty-first century, my heart still desired to be with them. It was at that time that a passage in the bible came to mind. There was a time when Jesus took Peter, James and John to the top of a mountain. While they were there praying and meditating, Moses and Elijah appeared. It was a tremendous experience. They had an opportunity to walk with the old ones of times past. To feel their heart and understand their world. It was then that Peter said, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." Then the dream stopped. They were focusing on the wrong thing. If God the Creator had wanted them in the time of Moses and Elijah, they would have been born then. But reality tells us that we belong here and that God the Creator has a purpose and plan for each of our lives, in our own time. So we seek His will and honor Him in our world and serve the people He has called us to serve.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
January 24, 2010
Matthew 17:4 "Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."
The other day I had a dream. I dreamed I was with the old ones. As I walked alongside of them I could not help but feel connected to all they did. Nothing seemed strange to me. It seemed like everything they did I knew. I was part of them and they were part of me. There was a special bond between us. I understood them and they understood me. The more I walked with them the more my desire was never to return. All I could think about was staying there. My desire was to build my home with them and spend the rest of my life with my people. It was at that time that my eyes
opened and I was awake.
As I looked at my ceiling fan above me I could not help but feel sort of sad. Sad because, while I live in the twenty-first century, my heart still desired to be with them. It was at that time that a passage in the bible came to mind. There was a time when Jesus took Peter, James and John to the top of a mountain. While they were there praying and meditating, Moses and Elijah appeared. It was a tremendous experience. They had an opportunity to walk with the old ones of times past. To feel their heart and understand their world. It was then that Peter said, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." Then the dream stopped. They were focusing on the wrong thing. If God the Creator had wanted them in the time of Moses and Elijah, they would have been born then. But reality tells us that we belong here and that God the Creator has a purpose and plan for each of our lives, in our own time. So we seek His will and honor Him in our world and serve the people He has called us to serve.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Saturday, January 23, 2010
ALL WE NEEDED TO SURVIVE (continued) by Robert Soto
ALL WE NEEDED TO SURVIVE (continued) by Robert Soto
January 23, 2010
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
Grace and love go together. God always loves His people and distributes His grace upon us because He loves us and desires the best for our lives. Grace means undeserved mercy. Thus when we do wrong and violate God's desire for us, He gives us grace. He treats us in a way that we do not deserve. Paul wrote, "The wages of sin is death..." That means when we violate His principles and desires for mankind we deserve death - but His grace gives us mercy. I often wonder what life would be like without His grace. I often wonder what life would be like without His love. God's love for us is unconditional. He does not love one person above another. When John wrote, "For God so loved the world..." he did not say, "For God so loved the American people more than he does the rest of the world." His love for the world was fully given to all through Jesus' death on the cross and His payment for sin. The gift of being forgiven and having our sins removed as far as the east is from the west which He, God, remembers no more, is a gift He gives to all humankind if he or she takes the time to receive it.
For the wages of sin is death (total separation from God) which is God's judgment for the wrong we have done; but the second part of that verse says, "But the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." That is the full extent of God's love. While judgment falls on our shortcomings, the blessing of eternal life comes when we put our faith and trust in Christ and what He did on the cross. When early Christianity came to America, it seems that the only message it brought to our Indian people was that the wages of sin is death. Death was our destiny unless we changed from our 'evil' ways. Some of those evil ways were the way we spoke (our tribal languages) the way we sang or dressed. For some it was the length of our hair or the way we looked (our physical characteristics). Some even went as far as judging us for the color of skin we had. As Christianity came to America, those bringing it remembered the wages of sin, but they seemed to forget the gift of God which was not given to mankind based on how long or short his hair was. A gift that was given, not based on whether they dressed in their traditional clothes or in the uncomfortable suits and dresses of the Europeans. A gift that was not based on whether or not they spoke English. It was a gift given to those who looked to the Son and believed in Him and accepted His free gift of love and eternal life.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
January 23, 2010
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
Grace and love go together. God always loves His people and distributes His grace upon us because He loves us and desires the best for our lives. Grace means undeserved mercy. Thus when we do wrong and violate God's desire for us, He gives us grace. He treats us in a way that we do not deserve. Paul wrote, "The wages of sin is death..." That means when we violate His principles and desires for mankind we deserve death - but His grace gives us mercy. I often wonder what life would be like without His grace. I often wonder what life would be like without His love. God's love for us is unconditional. He does not love one person above another. When John wrote, "For God so loved the world..." he did not say, "For God so loved the American people more than he does the rest of the world." His love for the world was fully given to all through Jesus' death on the cross and His payment for sin. The gift of being forgiven and having our sins removed as far as the east is from the west which He, God, remembers no more, is a gift He gives to all humankind if he or she takes the time to receive it.
For the wages of sin is death (total separation from God) which is God's judgment for the wrong we have done; but the second part of that verse says, "But the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." That is the full extent of God's love. While judgment falls on our shortcomings, the blessing of eternal life comes when we put our faith and trust in Christ and what He did on the cross. When early Christianity came to America, it seems that the only message it brought to our Indian people was that the wages of sin is death. Death was our destiny unless we changed from our 'evil' ways. Some of those evil ways were the way we spoke (our tribal languages) the way we sang or dressed. For some it was the length of our hair or the way we looked (our physical characteristics). Some even went as far as judging us for the color of skin we had. As Christianity came to America, those bringing it remembered the wages of sin, but they seemed to forget the gift of God which was not given to mankind based on how long or short his hair was. A gift that was given, not based on whether they dressed in their traditional clothes or in the uncomfortable suits and dresses of the Europeans. A gift that was not based on whether or not they spoke English. It was a gift given to those who looked to the Son and believed in Him and accepted His free gift of love and eternal life.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Friday, January 22, 2010
When serving God, listen to your heart by Rick Warren (Posted by Mia Swanepoel on Facebook)
When serving God, listen to your heart by Rick Warren
Posted by Mia Swanepoel on Facebook
January 22, 2010
A man's heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19 (NIV)
The Bible uses the term "heart" to describe the bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections that you have. Your heart represents the source of all your motivations -- what you love to do and what you care about most. Even today, we still use the word in this way when we say, "I love you with all my heart."
The Bible says what is in your heart is what you really are, not what others think you are, or what circumstances force you to be (Proverbs 27:19). Your heart is the real you. It determines why you say the things you do, why you feel the way you do, and why you act the way you do.
Physically, each of us has a unique heartbeat. Just as we each have unique thumbprints, eye prints, and voiceprints, our hearts beat in slightly different patterns. It's amazing that out of all the billions of people who've ever lived, no one has ever had a heartbeat exactly like yours.
In the same way, God has given each of us a unique emotional "heartbeat" that races when we think about the subjects, activities, or circumstances that interest us. We instinctively care about some things and not about others. These are clues to where you should be serving.
Another word for heart is passion. There are certain subjects that you feel deeply passionate about and others that you couldn't care less about. Some experiences turn you on and capture your attention, while others turn you off or bore you to tears. These reveal the nature of your heart; listen for inner promptings that can point to the ministry God intends for you to have.
When you were growing up you may have discovered that you were intensely interested in some subjects that no one else in your family cared about.
Where did those interests come from? They came from God!
God had a purpose in giving you these inborn interests. Your emotional heartbeat is a key to understanding your shape for service. Don't ignore your interests; consider how they might be used for God's glory. There is a reason that you love to do these things.
Listen for inner promptings that can point to the ministry God intends for you to have.
Posted by Mia Swanepoel on Facebook
January 22, 2010
A man's heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19 (NIV)
The Bible uses the term "heart" to describe the bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections that you have. Your heart represents the source of all your motivations -- what you love to do and what you care about most. Even today, we still use the word in this way when we say, "I love you with all my heart."
The Bible says what is in your heart is what you really are, not what others think you are, or what circumstances force you to be (Proverbs 27:19). Your heart is the real you. It determines why you say the things you do, why you feel the way you do, and why you act the way you do.
Physically, each of us has a unique heartbeat. Just as we each have unique thumbprints, eye prints, and voiceprints, our hearts beat in slightly different patterns. It's amazing that out of all the billions of people who've ever lived, no one has ever had a heartbeat exactly like yours.
In the same way, God has given each of us a unique emotional "heartbeat" that races when we think about the subjects, activities, or circumstances that interest us. We instinctively care about some things and not about others. These are clues to where you should be serving.
Another word for heart is passion. There are certain subjects that you feel deeply passionate about and others that you couldn't care less about. Some experiences turn you on and capture your attention, while others turn you off or bore you to tears. These reveal the nature of your heart; listen for inner promptings that can point to the ministry God intends for you to have.
When you were growing up you may have discovered that you were intensely interested in some subjects that no one else in your family cared about.
Where did those interests come from? They came from God!
God had a purpose in giving you these inborn interests. Your emotional heartbeat is a key to understanding your shape for service. Don't ignore your interests; consider how they might be used for God's glory. There is a reason that you love to do these things.
Listen for inner promptings that can point to the ministry God intends for you to have.
ALL WE NEEDED TO SURVIVE by Robert Soto
ALL WE NEEDED TO SURVIVE by Robert Soto
January 22, 2010
Deuteronomy 8:7-8 "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land--a land with streams and pools of water...a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing..."
Yesterday as I drove through the Texas desert we passed through one of the most beautiful places in Texas that I have ever seen. I do not think many people know about it because it's in a remote are of the land and the only way to see it is to take a back road which can be sort of dangerous because there are miles and miles of nothing. So if you have an emergency, you are without any kind of service, including cell phones. But as you drive up a small hill, it overlooks one of the most beautiful mesas and valleys I have ever seen our state. It looks like a place time forgot. In my overactive imagination I can imagine a dinosaur creeping up behind me and chasing my van. One of these days I will have to find out who owns it and see if we can take a hike up and down the valleys.
But as we were driving through the valley, my foster son who is a registered member of our tribe, reminded me that not too long ago, this valley was part of our lives. That in this valley my people hunted and lived and found ways to survive. It just reminded me that we have such a great God and Creator who took care of us and desired nothing but the best for us. It reminded me that in the midst of a desolate land, He still cared for His people and took care of them and provided for them. My people once found an oasis in the midst of the desert. God the Creator provided them with all they needed to live and see another day. It was a land promised and given to our people. Moses said, "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land--a land with streams and pools of water...a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing..." God the Creator will always take care of those who honor Him. Our land might not have been overflowing with wheat or barley or fig trees or honey and oil, but our good land was given to us by God the Creator and it was all we needed to survive.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
January 22, 2010
Deuteronomy 8:7-8 "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land--a land with streams and pools of water...a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing..."
Yesterday as I drove through the Texas desert we passed through one of the most beautiful places in Texas that I have ever seen. I do not think many people know about it because it's in a remote are of the land and the only way to see it is to take a back road which can be sort of dangerous because there are miles and miles of nothing. So if you have an emergency, you are without any kind of service, including cell phones. But as you drive up a small hill, it overlooks one of the most beautiful mesas and valleys I have ever seen our state. It looks like a place time forgot. In my overactive imagination I can imagine a dinosaur creeping up behind me and chasing my van. One of these days I will have to find out who owns it and see if we can take a hike up and down the valleys.
But as we were driving through the valley, my foster son who is a registered member of our tribe, reminded me that not too long ago, this valley was part of our lives. That in this valley my people hunted and lived and found ways to survive. It just reminded me that we have such a great God and Creator who took care of us and desired nothing but the best for us. It reminded me that in the midst of a desolate land, He still cared for His people and took care of them and provided for them. My people once found an oasis in the midst of the desert. God the Creator provided them with all they needed to live and see another day. It was a land promised and given to our people. Moses said, "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land--a land with streams and pools of water...a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing..." God the Creator will always take care of those who honor Him. Our land might not have been overflowing with wheat or barley or fig trees or honey and oil, but our good land was given to us by God the Creator and it was all we needed to survive.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Ministry: Shaped to serve by Rick Warren (Posted by Mia Swanepoel on Facebook)
Ministry: Shaped to serve by Rick Warren
Posted by Mia Swanepoel on Facebook
January 20, 2010
Your hands shaped me and made me. Job 10:8 (NIV)
God formed every creature on this planet with a special area of expertise. Some animals run, some hop, some swim, some burrow, and some fly. Each has a particular role to play based on the way they were shaped by God. The same is true with humans. Each of us was uniquely designed, or "shaped" to do certain things.
Before architects design any new building they first ask, "What will be its purpose? How will it be used?" The intended function always determines the form of the building.
Before God created you, he decided what role he wanted you to play on earth. He planned exactly how he wanted you to serve him, and then he shaped you for those tasks. You are the way you are because you were made for a specific ministry.
The Bible says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10, NIV). Our English word "poem" comes from this Greek word translated "workmanship." You're God's hand-crafted work of art. You're not an assembly-line product, mass-produced without thought. You're a custom designed, one-of-a kind, original masterpiece.
God deliberately shaped and formed you to serve him in a way that makes your ministry unique. He carefully mixed the DNA recipe that created you. David praised God for this incredible personal attention to detail God gave in designing each of us: "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous" (Psalm 139:13-14, NLT).
Not only did God shape you before your birth, he planned every day of your life to support his shaping process. David continues, "Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (Psalm 139:16, NLT).
This means nothing that happens in your life is insignificant. God uses all of it to mold you for your ministry to others, and shape you for your service to him.
God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory. By identifying and understanding these factors you can discover God's will for your life.
The Bible says you are "wonderfully complex." You're a combination of many different factors: "The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises." (Isaiah 43:21, NJB)
Posted by Mia Swanepoel on Facebook
January 20, 2010
Your hands shaped me and made me. Job 10:8 (NIV)
God formed every creature on this planet with a special area of expertise. Some animals run, some hop, some swim, some burrow, and some fly. Each has a particular role to play based on the way they were shaped by God. The same is true with humans. Each of us was uniquely designed, or "shaped" to do certain things.
Before architects design any new building they first ask, "What will be its purpose? How will it be used?" The intended function always determines the form of the building.
Before God created you, he decided what role he wanted you to play on earth. He planned exactly how he wanted you to serve him, and then he shaped you for those tasks. You are the way you are because you were made for a specific ministry.
The Bible says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10, NIV). Our English word "poem" comes from this Greek word translated "workmanship." You're God's hand-crafted work of art. You're not an assembly-line product, mass-produced without thought. You're a custom designed, one-of-a kind, original masterpiece.
God deliberately shaped and formed you to serve him in a way that makes your ministry unique. He carefully mixed the DNA recipe that created you. David praised God for this incredible personal attention to detail God gave in designing each of us: "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous" (Psalm 139:13-14, NLT).
Not only did God shape you before your birth, he planned every day of your life to support his shaping process. David continues, "Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (Psalm 139:16, NLT).
This means nothing that happens in your life is insignificant. God uses all of it to mold you for your ministry to others, and shape you for your service to him.
God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory. By identifying and understanding these factors you can discover God's will for your life.
The Bible says you are "wonderfully complex." You're a combination of many different factors: "The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises." (Isaiah 43:21, NJB)
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