This is the only word that can actually explain how I feel, WOW!! For the past, oh I'm not sure three days, though it feels like forever, I've felt pretty down and out. I hit this season in my life that everyone told me would come, but I didn't give it a second thought. I felt like I've plateaued in my walk. Like I was running up the mountain and there was just a flat spot that I reached and I knew it wasn't the top because if I looked up I can see more mountain but in front of me just flat lands. Confused really, but also depressed. Here I am trying to get to the mountain top and I know I'm not there but have run out of places to climb. So what do I do? I just keep walking, hoping that I come to the mountain side and get to start climbing again.
Today, in fact not to long ago I ran smack into the side of the mountain. It's like I was looking down at my feet and not really paying attention then BOOM!! I look up and there it is, my mountain. That's an exiting feeling. I look back and think, that was pretty uncharacteristic of me to keep walking instead of sitting down in the dirt discouraged and lost. I kept walking in hopes I find my mountain side. There it is, I know why. There are more than one reason for that. First, is that I had hope. My hope that was given to me because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. That's right, with Christ there is always hope, because there is absolutely nothing that He can't do and there is absolutely nothing that He won't be able to get you through. He may not pull you out of the fire, but He will make sure wile your in there you won't get burnt. So what did I do? Well at the bottom of the mountain before I started climbing I had a guide. This is the one person I knew that knew the way up better than anyone else. When I figured out and told Him I trust Him and that I believe that He is the only one who can get me to the top I latched my rope to his back and started following Him up the mountain. After a while I got tired and started climbing slower and eventually take a brake, oh but not Him, He doesn't need a brake He's a professional climber the best there is and He just keeps on going, only because He knows my rope is connected to Him, and I keep calling out to make sure He is still there.
Eventually I realized that I couldn't see Him anymore so I started climbing again, and I got stronger and faster until I was looking like a pro climbing so fast. But, I got smart, I started cutting off pieces of the rope as I am catching up so if I fall behind again it won't be so far this time, and as I keep catching up to Him I'll cut off more and more. This way if I ever stop again the slack in the rope will tighten and give me a tug to keep me going.
That's exactly what happened. I thought I was stopping and I was going to fall behind again, but just as I got ready to stop the slack in the rope tightened and kept me walking, gave me that hope to keep going.
Now, I'm going to keep climbing and cutting off those pieces of the rope, I'm sure there will be more flat spots along the way and some pretty slick rocks. But that's OK, because I know that I've got my rope tied to the best climber there is and if I slip He'll be able to pull me past those tough spots and get me back on track. One day when I get to the top of this mountain He will be there and He'll put His arm around me and say" Good Job, son I"m proud of you."
See, Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life, and the only way to get to the Father(the top of the mountain) is through Him. So lets make sure you take Him as your guide and clip onto His belt, because there is no other way up to the mountaintop.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Sunday, September 30, 2007
For God So Loved The World
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Last night I read this verse, and this is just awesome. God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. To die FOR us, so that we don't have to. So Jesus, the Son of God, being in the very nature of God, as it says in Philippians, died for us. Wow! What does that say to you? Lets look at it this way, Jesus not only died for us, but he did so while we were still sinners. Romans 5:6-8 "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." I've heard people talk about how their brother or sister, or mother, or father, etc, did something that made them angry to the point where they hate them, and don't speak to them for years. I have actually heard someone say to be that they hope their sister would die. That's crazy to me, Jesus(God on earth) came to die for us while we were sinners. And it's not like He came down here and some people got a hold of Him and killed Him. He allowed them to kill Him. He is God, death has no authority over Him and He became obedient to death. So, Jesus allowed Himself to die for us, so that we could be saved and have eternal life with Him in the Kingdom of God, and we are sinners. How many people would even take a punch for a guy that they just met. Not many, and this guy hasn't done anything wrong, imagine someone who has just cursed you or cut you off. That's love. in fact the bible tells us in John that there is no greater love than when someone lays his life down for someone else. No greater love, so there is no greater love than that of Christ Jesus because He didn't just lay His life down for you, or me, but for the WORLD. For all of us. So, that ANYONE who believes in Him, ANYONE will have eternal life. It's there, eternal life is right there, for anyone who wants it. All you have to do is believe in Jesus, have faith in God. The gift of salvation is right there in our hands all we have to do is open it.
The cool thing about eternal life, it starts now. Wait, wait, wait, what do you mean? Eternal life, you die you go to Heaven and that's eternal life. If that's what you think your missing the point. "that whoever believes in Him SHALL NOT PARISH, but have ETERNAL LIFE." See what is the result of sin? The answer is death, but that's the good news. Because of Jesus we no longer have to die for our sins, He already did. See the thing is, when I say eternal life begins now, I mean the day you are baptized into Jesus Christ you are put to death with Him, in Him you are dead to sin. Sin has no authority over you. Now, just as you were put to death with Jesus, don't you know that through the grace of God you will be resurrected with Him. Into a new life, no longer lead by sinful nature, but lead by the nature given graciously to us by God, led by the Holy Spirit. A NEW LIFE, an ETERNAL LIFE. If the result of sin is death, and we were put to death with Christ, and buried with Him, and also resurrected with Him, then your debt to sin has been payed and you are free from sin. So through Jesus your debt (death) to sin has been payed and you are no longer a slave to sin, a new debt is owed so give your life to Christ Jesus and be a slave to Him who you owe your life too. Your Eternal Life. Because, God so loved the world... and because of that love that He gave up His only Son, so I can have that gift of eternal life, then I give that eternal life that He gave me and use it to Do His Will.
Last night I read this verse, and this is just awesome. God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. To die FOR us, so that we don't have to. So Jesus, the Son of God, being in the very nature of God, as it says in Philippians, died for us. Wow! What does that say to you? Lets look at it this way, Jesus not only died for us, but he did so while we were still sinners. Romans 5:6-8 "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." I've heard people talk about how their brother or sister, or mother, or father, etc, did something that made them angry to the point where they hate them, and don't speak to them for years. I have actually heard someone say to be that they hope their sister would die. That's crazy to me, Jesus(God on earth) came to die for us while we were sinners. And it's not like He came down here and some people got a hold of Him and killed Him. He allowed them to kill Him. He is God, death has no authority over Him and He became obedient to death. So, Jesus allowed Himself to die for us, so that we could be saved and have eternal life with Him in the Kingdom of God, and we are sinners. How many people would even take a punch for a guy that they just met. Not many, and this guy hasn't done anything wrong, imagine someone who has just cursed you or cut you off. That's love. in fact the bible tells us in John that there is no greater love than when someone lays his life down for someone else. No greater love, so there is no greater love than that of Christ Jesus because He didn't just lay His life down for you, or me, but for the WORLD. For all of us. So, that ANYONE who believes in Him, ANYONE will have eternal life. It's there, eternal life is right there, for anyone who wants it. All you have to do is believe in Jesus, have faith in God. The gift of salvation is right there in our hands all we have to do is open it.
The cool thing about eternal life, it starts now. Wait, wait, wait, what do you mean? Eternal life, you die you go to Heaven and that's eternal life. If that's what you think your missing the point. "that whoever believes in Him SHALL NOT PARISH, but have ETERNAL LIFE." See what is the result of sin? The answer is death, but that's the good news. Because of Jesus we no longer have to die for our sins, He already did. See the thing is, when I say eternal life begins now, I mean the day you are baptized into Jesus Christ you are put to death with Him, in Him you are dead to sin. Sin has no authority over you. Now, just as you were put to death with Jesus, don't you know that through the grace of God you will be resurrected with Him. Into a new life, no longer lead by sinful nature, but lead by the nature given graciously to us by God, led by the Holy Spirit. A NEW LIFE, an ETERNAL LIFE. If the result of sin is death, and we were put to death with Christ, and buried with Him, and also resurrected with Him, then your debt to sin has been payed and you are free from sin. So through Jesus your debt (death) to sin has been payed and you are no longer a slave to sin, a new debt is owed so give your life to Christ Jesus and be a slave to Him who you owe your life too. Your Eternal Life. Because, God so loved the world... and because of that love that He gave up His only Son, so I can have that gift of eternal life, then I give that eternal life that He gave me and use it to Do His Will.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Faith
Today at church, Billy (our pastor) called me up in front of the congregation for somewhat of an interview. He wanted to tell the people of Whispering Pines what was going on in my life, and the door that has been opened to me for a chance at some incredible ministry. I will be organizing after school activities, bible study, get togethers for the community, events... Basically getting this multi-housing community together and introduce them to Christ. The overall goal is to eventually plant a church using their clubhouse. Anyway when he gets me up there and is talking to the congregation explaining how this all came about. God speaks to me, and tells me, "I know it's scary, and you have no idea what to expect or do, but hold my hand and we will walk through this door together." Ironically after church, Billy hands me a piece of paper with the study material for our Tuesday night bible study that I co-teach. The topic, Faith.
What is Faith? The bible describes it in Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." God tells me "Hold my hand and we will go through this door together" "Have Faith in Me" He says, God is telling me don't let the fact that you are scared, the fact that you don't know what to expect stop you from walking through that door. See, I know that just because God has opened that door for me doesn't mean that when I walk through it, it will be all peaches and cream, blue skies and rainbows, a nice little walk in the park. This door God has opened isn't going to lead to some place where all is good in His eyes, He is putting me in a place where he needs work done. In Matthew 9:12 Jesus said " it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." That just tells me that when He sends us to do work He sends us to a place where evil is strong. Not only strong, but ready for battle. God is sending us into a place where evil has found a home, and into that home we go to bring God into it and "flip" it. If you have ever seen that TV program flip that house, where they buy a house renovate it and sell it, then you know what I'm talking about. That's it though, He is going to renovate that apartment complex. The coolest thing is that He plans to use me as the project supervisor.
This whole thing about faith got me thinking about the story of David and Goliath. A young boy, a servant to Saul, and the watcher of his fathers sheep, was sent to the battlegrounds of the Israelites and the Philistines to take some things to his brothers and bring back word of them to his father. When he gets there they are both lining up in the battle formations, so David runs up to the battle lines and talks to his brothers, as he is talking to them this huge giant comes up from behind the enemy lines and lays out this challenge, Israel should send out the one man to fight him and if he should win the Philistines would serve Israel. David hears this and is like, "WHAT?" Did you hear what this guy said?" He sees that no one will stand up to this challenge and all are scared. So he kind of asks around to find out whats in it for the guy who kicks this giants butt? Finally he said "I'll do it." So, Saul hears word that some one is going to do this and calls for him. He gets there and Saul says, "What are you crazy, your a little kid and this guy is a giant who has been fighting basically all his life, he'll wreck you." And this is where I have been coming to with all this, you know what he said to Saul? He said, "Dude, Saul, I've been watching my dad's sheep, and when I'm watching them and a lion comes or a bear, and takes one of those sheep I chase him down and hit him, when he drops the sheep they get away, then when the come after me I grab them by the hair and kill them. This big guy will be as easy as one of them, because he is challenging the army of God, and just like when God keeps me safe from the lion and bear, He is going to do the same here, so no worries I got this."
Now that is faith. This guy David is about to fight is over nine feet tall, and by the way the bible describes him in 1 Samuel he wasn't skinny either. David knew that God will deliver this giant to him, he knew that the only armor and weapon he needs is God.
So when God opens the door for me, I will know that evil will be on the other side, and I will face my giant knowing that in the name of Jesus Christ no one, or nothing will be able to harm me, and I will have faith in the Lord to deliver this evil to me so that I might turn on the light and introduce God to the people. I will go into battle as it says to in Ephesians 6: 13-18 "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." I will be ready, and God will do the work all I have to do is let him take me through the steps.
In the name of Christ Jesus our savior, may the love and peace and strength of the Lamb be with you all.
What is Faith? The bible describes it in Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." God tells me "Hold my hand and we will go through this door together" "Have Faith in Me" He says, God is telling me don't let the fact that you are scared, the fact that you don't know what to expect stop you from walking through that door. See, I know that just because God has opened that door for me doesn't mean that when I walk through it, it will be all peaches and cream, blue skies and rainbows, a nice little walk in the park. This door God has opened isn't going to lead to some place where all is good in His eyes, He is putting me in a place where he needs work done. In Matthew 9:12 Jesus said " it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." That just tells me that when He sends us to do work He sends us to a place where evil is strong. Not only strong, but ready for battle. God is sending us into a place where evil has found a home, and into that home we go to bring God into it and "flip" it. If you have ever seen that TV program flip that house, where they buy a house renovate it and sell it, then you know what I'm talking about. That's it though, He is going to renovate that apartment complex. The coolest thing is that He plans to use me as the project supervisor.
This whole thing about faith got me thinking about the story of David and Goliath. A young boy, a servant to Saul, and the watcher of his fathers sheep, was sent to the battlegrounds of the Israelites and the Philistines to take some things to his brothers and bring back word of them to his father. When he gets there they are both lining up in the battle formations, so David runs up to the battle lines and talks to his brothers, as he is talking to them this huge giant comes up from behind the enemy lines and lays out this challenge, Israel should send out the one man to fight him and if he should win the Philistines would serve Israel. David hears this and is like, "WHAT?" Did you hear what this guy said?" He sees that no one will stand up to this challenge and all are scared. So he kind of asks around to find out whats in it for the guy who kicks this giants butt? Finally he said "I'll do it." So, Saul hears word that some one is going to do this and calls for him. He gets there and Saul says, "What are you crazy, your a little kid and this guy is a giant who has been fighting basically all his life, he'll wreck you." And this is where I have been coming to with all this, you know what he said to Saul? He said, "Dude, Saul, I've been watching my dad's sheep, and when I'm watching them and a lion comes or a bear, and takes one of those sheep I chase him down and hit him, when he drops the sheep they get away, then when the come after me I grab them by the hair and kill them. This big guy will be as easy as one of them, because he is challenging the army of God, and just like when God keeps me safe from the lion and bear, He is going to do the same here, so no worries I got this."
Now that is faith. This guy David is about to fight is over nine feet tall, and by the way the bible describes him in 1 Samuel he wasn't skinny either. David knew that God will deliver this giant to him, he knew that the only armor and weapon he needs is God.
So when God opens the door for me, I will know that evil will be on the other side, and I will face my giant knowing that in the name of Jesus Christ no one, or nothing will be able to harm me, and I will have faith in the Lord to deliver this evil to me so that I might turn on the light and introduce God to the people. I will go into battle as it says to in Ephesians 6: 13-18 "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." I will be ready, and God will do the work all I have to do is let him take me through the steps.
In the name of Christ Jesus our savior, may the love and peace and strength of the Lamb be with you all.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
One Body, Different, Parts
One of the things that I have noticed around here is that a lot, not all, but a lot of the churches around here don't really do things together. In fact there is quite a bit of maybe not outright and open, but almost a dislike for each other. Bashing each others styles if you will of teaching. This church doesn't like the way the other one does certain things, the members of this church left the other and are bad mouthing it because they didn't like the way the did this. Nonsense like that. I feel like people are not really getting it. I'm not sure that, actually I'm pretty convinced that, that isn't how God wants it to work.
In the last chapter of Matthew, Jesus tells us to take all that He has taught us and go make disciples of the nations. Now, my question is how do we do that if we are putting down the other churches? Especially if they are trying to do the same thing. I would think that it would work better if we would all unite and use our gifts, though different, all given to us by God for that very reason, and work together to do as we were told and make believers out of the nations. I know some would like to believe it, but the army can't win a war by itself, it take all of the armed forces together to do so. One player can't win a basketball game. Wait, I can't use that, Coby Bryant did it. Sorry, a little joke. You get what I'm saying though.
The only way we can actually get the word to the whole world is if we all come together and work as a team, as ONE BODY. We all have our gifts, we were all given them by God to do his work, so we need to accept the gifts of others and use them all together and be more successful. Just because the church down the road does things a little different, doesn't mean they are wrong. After all though they are different gifts they come from the same place, the Spirit of God. And if the Spirit of God is where the gifts come from then how can they be wrong. Lets look at 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." Now, I'm not only talking about the buildings when I say "church", I mean the people. I don't care whether you meet in a Church building or in a house, we are the church. So when you get together wherever you are instead of gossiping and speaking ill of another believer and their style, or gift, you should be thinking of a way to use the gifts of others and yours together to do what was told to us to do.
All I'm saying is be careful, because if there are people meeting together and giving glory to God. No matter how, if they are giving glory to Him then you haven't the right to judge them, because know that, we can't praise Him, worship Him, or even pray to Him without being led by the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. So remember that the spirit will never do it wrong, and if the other guy is led by the Spirit then you especially as a man has no authority to say otherwise.
In the last chapter of Matthew, Jesus tells us to take all that He has taught us and go make disciples of the nations. Now, my question is how do we do that if we are putting down the other churches? Especially if they are trying to do the same thing. I would think that it would work better if we would all unite and use our gifts, though different, all given to us by God for that very reason, and work together to do as we were told and make believers out of the nations. I know some would like to believe it, but the army can't win a war by itself, it take all of the armed forces together to do so. One player can't win a basketball game. Wait, I can't use that, Coby Bryant did it. Sorry, a little joke. You get what I'm saying though.
The only way we can actually get the word to the whole world is if we all come together and work as a team, as ONE BODY. We all have our gifts, we were all given them by God to do his work, so we need to accept the gifts of others and use them all together and be more successful. Just because the church down the road does things a little different, doesn't mean they are wrong. After all though they are different gifts they come from the same place, the Spirit of God. And if the Spirit of God is where the gifts come from then how can they be wrong. Lets look at 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." Now, I'm not only talking about the buildings when I say "church", I mean the people. I don't care whether you meet in a Church building or in a house, we are the church. So when you get together wherever you are instead of gossiping and speaking ill of another believer and their style, or gift, you should be thinking of a way to use the gifts of others and yours together to do what was told to us to do.
All I'm saying is be careful, because if there are people meeting together and giving glory to God. No matter how, if they are giving glory to Him then you haven't the right to judge them, because know that, we can't praise Him, worship Him, or even pray to Him without being led by the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. So remember that the spirit will never do it wrong, and if the other guy is led by the Spirit then you especially as a man has no authority to say otherwise.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Making things right
Matthew : 23-26 23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
There is this guy at work, who is a real pain in my neck. I mean this guy seems like his goal in life is to fight me, for some reason. The real weird part of it all, is when I started there he kind of took me under his wing and helped me in the areas I had problems with. Not to mention because of him my paper work is perfect for the most part. He is older than I am and more experienced than me, so I listened. Well for that I thank him. After just a couple of weeks working there they hired another new guy. This was great for me, because I'm no longer the new guy,(YES!!!). I hate being the new guy, but anyway that's not the point here. It seemed like he started focusing his attention towards him. That's okay with me, in fact it kind of felt good, you know being released. Now I wasn't being looked over and I started to feel like one of the crew. Well, it seemed like at just about the same time he kind of started in on me. I was like, wait a minute. First this guy comes and really puts a lot of time and effort into me and now he is taking cheap shots.
One of the things God has been doing in my life is working on my temper and willingness to fight, both physically and verbally. I am very good at improvisation of insults, funny I used to think that was a gift, not any more. Now I feel like its a weight on my feet. So, one of the great things about God is that he is stronger than any weight that can try to hold me back. So, instead of trying to walk with these "weights" I'm just going to jump on his back and let him give me a piggy back ride, that way I know He is taking me through every step with no effort at all.
So, anyway as I was saying before I got a little side tracked, sometimes the holy spirit just takes over and goes off on a tangent. It's a lot of fun when that happens. I have been able to deal with this guys ignorance for a long time now, for me anyway. I know that,that was but for the grace God I was able to take it for so long. Then finally the devil started to whisper in my ear and egg me on to use that "gift" to retaliate. Now, before I get too far ahead, this guy has had a pretty rough year. He was arrested, now on probation, lost his house, has to go to anger management classes that he has to pay for. Now, this is the kicker, all of these things are happening to him because of the lies of his ex-wife who left him for another girl. It gets much deeper but I don't know all of it, and if I did I don't think its my place to say. So this guy has a lot on his mind all of the time, and the only way for him to deal with it and not go crazy in his thoughts I guess is to do the things he does to keep him mind off of everything else.
The other day Rebecca(my wife) comes to work to go to lunch with me. He calls me over when she goes into the showroom to wait for me, and he makes some ignorant remark about the size of her breasts. That was it, that was the line that I couldn't deal with. I didn't say anything then, and I walked away. Yesterday was the first day I saw him after his day off. Didn't say anything then either. Today I was still quiet, but that is three days that it has been boiling inside of me. I don't know how, he said something today that made me explode inside, and still I said nothing to him. Later God gave me the power to talk it over with him and explain why I was obviously mad at him. He took it, and apologized to me, and I don't think now we will have any problems like that anymore. See, now he knows my boundaries, and I don't think he really wants to hurt anyone. So, like I said God is stronger than any weight.
25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
There is this guy at work, who is a real pain in my neck. I mean this guy seems like his goal in life is to fight me, for some reason. The real weird part of it all, is when I started there he kind of took me under his wing and helped me in the areas I had problems with. Not to mention because of him my paper work is perfect for the most part. He is older than I am and more experienced than me, so I listened. Well for that I thank him. After just a couple of weeks working there they hired another new guy. This was great for me, because I'm no longer the new guy,(YES!!!). I hate being the new guy, but anyway that's not the point here. It seemed like he started focusing his attention towards him. That's okay with me, in fact it kind of felt good, you know being released. Now I wasn't being looked over and I started to feel like one of the crew. Well, it seemed like at just about the same time he kind of started in on me. I was like, wait a minute. First this guy comes and really puts a lot of time and effort into me and now he is taking cheap shots.
One of the things God has been doing in my life is working on my temper and willingness to fight, both physically and verbally. I am very good at improvisation of insults, funny I used to think that was a gift, not any more. Now I feel like its a weight on my feet. So, one of the great things about God is that he is stronger than any weight that can try to hold me back. So, instead of trying to walk with these "weights" I'm just going to jump on his back and let him give me a piggy back ride, that way I know He is taking me through every step with no effort at all.
So, anyway as I was saying before I got a little side tracked, sometimes the holy spirit just takes over and goes off on a tangent. It's a lot of fun when that happens. I have been able to deal with this guys ignorance for a long time now, for me anyway. I know that,that was but for the grace God I was able to take it for so long. Then finally the devil started to whisper in my ear and egg me on to use that "gift" to retaliate. Now, before I get too far ahead, this guy has had a pretty rough year. He was arrested, now on probation, lost his house, has to go to anger management classes that he has to pay for. Now, this is the kicker, all of these things are happening to him because of the lies of his ex-wife who left him for another girl. It gets much deeper but I don't know all of it, and if I did I don't think its my place to say. So this guy has a lot on his mind all of the time, and the only way for him to deal with it and not go crazy in his thoughts I guess is to do the things he does to keep him mind off of everything else.
The other day Rebecca(my wife) comes to work to go to lunch with me. He calls me over when she goes into the showroom to wait for me, and he makes some ignorant remark about the size of her breasts. That was it, that was the line that I couldn't deal with. I didn't say anything then, and I walked away. Yesterday was the first day I saw him after his day off. Didn't say anything then either. Today I was still quiet, but that is three days that it has been boiling inside of me. I don't know how, he said something today that made me explode inside, and still I said nothing to him. Later God gave me the power to talk it over with him and explain why I was obviously mad at him. He took it, and apologized to me, and I don't think now we will have any problems like that anymore. See, now he knows my boundaries, and I don't think he really wants to hurt anyone. So, like I said God is stronger than any weight.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
The Living Word
Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
For the word of God is living and active. Wow, the word of God. So that means that the words that God speaks to us, and uses to teach us about him, are living and active? So does that mean that the bible is not just a book, but a living, active, ever going lesson? Well, I believe so. In reading the bible, have you ever noticed that if you go back and study the same thing you have once studied in the past, you get something totally different than what you originally got out of it? I know that for me that is an almost daily occurrence.
In prayer we talk to God. I think that any time we talk to God we are praying, doesn't necessarily mean we are always bowing our heads and on our knees, but talking to him during the day like you would be talking to a friend is also a form of prayer. Now the question is, isn't conversation two ways? So does He talk back? I say yes. In a lot of different ways, God reveals himself in so many different ways, through your thoughts he speaks to you, maybe a dream, or vision. How about actually talking to you perhaps a voice from the heavens. I think that there is one way that he speaks to me the most, and that is through the bible itself.
Gods word is living and active, that means that as your reading the message is ever changing. The actual words don't change in the book itself but the meaning of the words in your heart change pertaining to what your going through at that particular season. See, as long at we are studying, he is teaching, as long as we are looking he is showing, so all we need to do in order to learn what he wants us to know directly from him then all we have to do is let him show us. See God wants us to know him, he wants us to learn from the word he has so graciously given unto us and all you have to do to see this Living and Active word of our heavenly father is: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7
For the word of God is living and active. Wow, the word of God. So that means that the words that God speaks to us, and uses to teach us about him, are living and active? So does that mean that the bible is not just a book, but a living, active, ever going lesson? Well, I believe so. In reading the bible, have you ever noticed that if you go back and study the same thing you have once studied in the past, you get something totally different than what you originally got out of it? I know that for me that is an almost daily occurrence.
In prayer we talk to God. I think that any time we talk to God we are praying, doesn't necessarily mean we are always bowing our heads and on our knees, but talking to him during the day like you would be talking to a friend is also a form of prayer. Now the question is, isn't conversation two ways? So does He talk back? I say yes. In a lot of different ways, God reveals himself in so many different ways, through your thoughts he speaks to you, maybe a dream, or vision. How about actually talking to you perhaps a voice from the heavens. I think that there is one way that he speaks to me the most, and that is through the bible itself.
Gods word is living and active, that means that as your reading the message is ever changing. The actual words don't change in the book itself but the meaning of the words in your heart change pertaining to what your going through at that particular season. See, as long at we are studying, he is teaching, as long as we are looking he is showing, so all we need to do in order to learn what he wants us to know directly from him then all we have to do is let him show us. See God wants us to know him, he wants us to learn from the word he has so graciously given unto us and all you have to do to see this Living and Active word of our heavenly father is: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7
Life
September 3, 2007 - Monday
Life Current mood: happy Category: Life
You know, I have a lot of different things going on in my life, and I just so happen to know of a few people in my life who are going through some rough times. I guess the reason I'm posting this blog is because God has led me to do so, and whom ever reads this I hope that you get something out of it. About two months ago I lost my job, and didn't work for those two months, I had rent and a lot of bills that I unfairly put in my wife's responsibility knowing that it is mine. That in itself killed me inside, stress was up and moral was down. My wife and I were at each others throat every day, I was stuck home with the kids all day because we could no longer afford child care. So there I was being a complete jerk to my kids, my wife , my friends, and blaming everyone I could, sure I was looking for work, but the question is how hard? Any way here I am in my mom's house with my wife and two girls, living back with mommy. I no longer have my truck that I've pretty much waited all my life to get. The funny thing is stress is down and moral is up. Why? Good question I'll tell you why. Well in those two months the greatest thing that could have happened, did. My relationship with God grew at a rapid pace and am happy to say still is growing. Stress: why is it low? No, not because I'm back at home and bills are low and I have a job now, but because it is written to place my burdens on God because his burden is light and he can take mine for me. Its that easy? All I have to do is trust in God and everything will be ok? Easy, well yes, and no. That's all it takes and its very hard to do, but man is it worth it, No stress, why because God promised me that He will take care of me, and if the one that created all things says He is going to take care of me, well guess what. I believe Him. So lets look back, the house I was living in is gone. Yeah, so, that wasn't mine, God let me take care of it for a while and use it for what He had planned, I took an exchange student in for a month and got to host a weakly bible study for a month, now that's what he wanted me to do, I did it and now He has another plan for me. The truck, it wasn't mine, He just let me take care of it for a while, I helped people move stuff, I helped my brother rip out some trees,(that was fun), I pulled the trailer for the church and now we don't need it anymore and I don't have the truck anymore, go figure. It's all figured out, do I know whats going to happen? No, but He does and I trust Him so I really don't need to worry, because it'll all work out, because I can't do anything right, but he can't do anything wrong an He is in charge not me. So I'll just let him take over and I'll follow his lead, because its all for his glory anyway not mine. It says in the Bible "don't worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough problems of its own". So lets not worry about tomorrow, let Him take care of it, because all we will do is screw it all up. The only advice I have for anyone is this, Get in the word, build that relationship with God, and as is says in Philippians 2:5 "your attitude should be like that of Christ Jesus." Love everyone, humble yourself,serve,be connected to God always, and just let the spirit guide you because in the flesh all the decisions we make are self centered and for our glory, and if you are always connected to God then you can always ask him for the right decisions. So, I'll leave you with this, "I am the way and the truth and the light..." Trust in Him and He will take care of all things.
Live, Love , and laugh a whole bunch.
Mauricio
Life Current mood: happy Category: Life
You know, I have a lot of different things going on in my life, and I just so happen to know of a few people in my life who are going through some rough times. I guess the reason I'm posting this blog is because God has led me to do so, and whom ever reads this I hope that you get something out of it. About two months ago I lost my job, and didn't work for those two months, I had rent and a lot of bills that I unfairly put in my wife's responsibility knowing that it is mine. That in itself killed me inside, stress was up and moral was down. My wife and I were at each others throat every day, I was stuck home with the kids all day because we could no longer afford child care. So there I was being a complete jerk to my kids, my wife , my friends, and blaming everyone I could, sure I was looking for work, but the question is how hard? Any way here I am in my mom's house with my wife and two girls, living back with mommy. I no longer have my truck that I've pretty much waited all my life to get. The funny thing is stress is down and moral is up. Why? Good question I'll tell you why. Well in those two months the greatest thing that could have happened, did. My relationship with God grew at a rapid pace and am happy to say still is growing. Stress: why is it low? No, not because I'm back at home and bills are low and I have a job now, but because it is written to place my burdens on God because his burden is light and he can take mine for me. Its that easy? All I have to do is trust in God and everything will be ok? Easy, well yes, and no. That's all it takes and its very hard to do, but man is it worth it, No stress, why because God promised me that He will take care of me, and if the one that created all things says He is going to take care of me, well guess what. I believe Him. So lets look back, the house I was living in is gone. Yeah, so, that wasn't mine, God let me take care of it for a while and use it for what He had planned, I took an exchange student in for a month and got to host a weakly bible study for a month, now that's what he wanted me to do, I did it and now He has another plan for me. The truck, it wasn't mine, He just let me take care of it for a while, I helped people move stuff, I helped my brother rip out some trees,(that was fun), I pulled the trailer for the church and now we don't need it anymore and I don't have the truck anymore, go figure. It's all figured out, do I know whats going to happen? No, but He does and I trust Him so I really don't need to worry, because it'll all work out, because I can't do anything right, but he can't do anything wrong an He is in charge not me. So I'll just let him take over and I'll follow his lead, because its all for his glory anyway not mine. It says in the Bible "don't worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough problems of its own". So lets not worry about tomorrow, let Him take care of it, because all we will do is screw it all up. The only advice I have for anyone is this, Get in the word, build that relationship with God, and as is says in Philippians 2:5 "your attitude should be like that of Christ Jesus." Love everyone, humble yourself,serve,be connected to God always, and just let the spirit guide you because in the flesh all the decisions we make are self centered and for our glory, and if you are always connected to God then you can always ask him for the right decisions. So, I'll leave you with this, "I am the way and the truth and the light..." Trust in Him and He will take care of all things.
Live, Love , and laugh a whole bunch.
Mauricio
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