“What you are is God’s gift to you, what you become is your gift to God.” Hans Urs von Balthasar
Thoughts
Tag: warning
Thoughts
Temptation
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11
Now as we look further the devil shows how deceitful and tricky he can be. The devil now uses the words of Jesus Himself “for it is written”, this is a perfect example of how the devil uses any means necessary to deceive anyone he is trying to overcome. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 The devil will even try and use the bible to confirm his detours, make sure you are familiar with the words that God gave us. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 We are told in the bible the closer we get to Christ’s return it is going to get even easier for the devil to deceive people: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 With this said you can see how the devil will be able to trick people, he will tell them what they want to hear, they will look to their own knowledge not trusting what God has told us all in the bible. Trust Him, have the faith of the mustard seed allowing God to be your guide.
Temptation
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11
What do you think Jesus meant when He said: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God? There are times when we worry that God will not have your back; the difficult yet easy thing to do is trust Him He’s there for you. Later in the book of John we are reminded that: Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:31-59 God took care of the Israelites while they were on the 40 year journey to the Promised Land, yes remember 40 years. He further reminds us: Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26 These history lessons in the bible are there to show us just how much He is willing to do for each one of us. It does not matter if He is taking care of the birds that fly or helping a whole civilization survive. God tells us in Ezekiel 34:11-31 “ Behold, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. REMEMBER you are one of His sheep, He is your shepherd and will take care of you.
His Sheep
Dear Heavenly Father, I feel like I can’t breath, like I am being suffocated. Everything around me is going wrong Lord every direction I move causes me more and more anguish. Lord help me to take a breath, guide my path and help me escape all of the persecution that I feel. Lord send the Holy Spirit to be my guide, filling me completely and covering me with the blood of Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name Amen
When everything seems to overwhelm you, you feel like you are being attacked. The whole world seems to be against you, worst yet it feels like God is punishing you remember what He told you: “ Behold, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. REMEMBER you are one of His sheep, He is your shepherd and will take care of you. Ezekiel 34:11-31
Temptation
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11
And Jesus answered it is written; have you ever contemplated what this would refer to. We have been told that all scripture comes from God: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 So when Jesus says it is written He is referring to the Old Testament (Torah) at the time there were no letters from Paul, the gospels had not been written, Jesus had not completed his ministry. So when he is saying it is written you need to look no further than the bible itself. “Always remember For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope”. Romans 15:4
Temptation
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11
While Jesus was in the wilderness He was fasting, let’s consider what exactly fasting is. A fast is quite simply not eating food for a personal set amount of time. The Christian view of a fast takes it a little further, it is a time to abstain from anything distracting you from keeping your eye’s on God’s will and humbling yourself before God. It is a time to prayer and repentance looking into ourselves and asking for God’s direction. Daniel was a man focused on what God wanted him to do, he would fast to understand what God wanted. This is what Daniel would do: At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. Daniel 10:2-3 Isaiah puts it this way after some had fasted making fasting into a show and trying to garner personal gain: Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Isaiah 58:5-7 He was scolding the people he was addressing but it is a great definition for consideration when you are wondering what a fast is.
Temptation
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11
So Jesus knew exactly what He was walking into, He did not say there’s, “no way I am going for a stroll in the wilderness”. In fact not only did He walk into the wilderness but He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. You know your limitations could you face this kind of temptation with nothing to eat? He was tired, grumpy, weak and ready to grab a burger this is when the devil approached Him. Most of us would have said no thank you, it is one thing to face an adversary when you have it all together but at the point when you are at your weakest; really! Jesus knew that when He walked into this attack that He would have help: I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Temptation
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11
“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness”; have you ever really thought about who the Spirit was? Lets see if we can analytically break this statement down; always remember that when you have a question about the bible always use the bible as your reference it will answer all of the questions you have. So what does the bible say the spirit is: And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:2 Think about that; Isaiah explains it well the spirit is a counselor, a source of strength, knowledge, and a foundation of respect. It’s our Lord’s Spirit; even Jesus was led by the spirit, this is the very same Spirit that we are given as our guide. We should use His example as an explanation of what we should be doing. He listened to the spirit allowing the spirit to be His guide. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13
Temptation 1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Again the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Mark 4:1-11
When we read this there is so much knowledge we can gain if we look a little deeper in the notion of temptation. The synonyms of temptation are: Lure, enticement, attraction, offer, invitation, pull, bait, turn-on, desire, urge, impulse, compulsion, longing, wish, appeal. When we look at these words used to describe what temptation is it really is no wonder why the devil is able to deceive us as easy as he does. When Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness have you ever thought about….. MORE
Don’t be Fooled!
Dear Heavenly Father, guide me in everything Lord so that I am not fooled by smooth talking deceitful people that are either deceived themselves or looking for self-gratification. Just give me the wisdom that I need to discern what is true and right. In Jesus Name Amen
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15
Chosen 8
Dear Heavenly Father, I will do my best to have humility always offering kindness to everyone. Continuously having a meek heart trying to understand every situation that surrounds me, with Your help and direction I will present myself as Your representative. Thank you Lord for this opportunity, may I never let You down. In Jesus Name Amen
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience Colossians 3:12
Focused on a Date! Part 4
Dear Heavenly Father, I have been looking forward to Your return my whole life and cannot wait until I get to meet you face to face. When everything around me seems to be falling apart all I can think of is how awesome it is going be when I sit in Your splendor. Lord help me to accept these issues on this earth that are making it so hard to deal with. In Jesus Name Amen
Third, there is disappointment that repeatedly gets placed in the minds of people when they keep on getting told a new date that never happens. The definition of disappointment is: sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations. When people feel this discouragement over and over again it causes doubt that some cannot deal with, inevitably causing them to emotionally fall away from God. When this happens we are told we are opening a gateway: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8-8 We have been told that no one knows the time or the day except the father we are allowing this inner turmoil to eat the church from the inside out, it is like a deadly bacteria. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones .Proverbs 3:7-8 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10
Finally…..
Focused on Date! Part 3
Dear Heavenly Father, this nervousness and feeling of doubt is sometimes hard to deal with Lord. Please comfort me and put a hedge of protection around me. Just give the comfort that only You can give. In Jesus Name Amen
Second, the anxiety that it causes, that kind of seems like a weird statement when we are talking about the end of the world don’t you think? There will be a certain amount of anxiety when you focus on what is going to happen on the date that Jesus Christ returns. The questions can be split into separate issues. Do you have anxiety because it is going be the end of everything as you know it. Or do you have anxiety because of a healthy respect for the Lord.If your worry comes from the idea that everything will end and there will be nothing left we have been told: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the
world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.1 John 2:15-17 Considering a healthy fear, this is when you want to make sure you have done everything you could possibly do so that God will be completely happy with you. The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13 If you are prepared by doing what we have been told (loving, sharing, having humility, knowing His word, being kind). If you have lived a life that is inline with what we are told to do in the bible: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34
Focused on a Date! Part 2
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to accept and understand that everything is done in Your time. I know for me it seems like it takes forever but I know You have control over what is coming. Please forgive me if I have acted like a spoiled child. Help me to focus on Your will and plan while I deal with my thoughts and devices. In Jesus Name Amen
To begin with, the discontent that people feel when they think that something is being either hidden or kept away from them is a perfect distraction; Your
adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour. 1 Peter 5:8 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that
the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.1 Thessalonians 5:1 When allowing this distraction into your mind it will take your focus away from what we have been told to do by God: honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 I know what you are think well I know the bible I can do that! Stop and really meditate on that thought, ask yourself if someone came up to me and asked anything about Jesus Christ you can say with all confidence that you know everything about Him. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make
your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
Does this offend you? Will you turn and leave?
Dear Heavenly Father; I know that there are going to be things that I do not understand and issues that I think are not I know better. Lord give me the perseverance and understanding to see past my feelings and see what is in Your heart. Have patience with me while I learn to share the heart You have, the compassion, ultimate understanding and forgiveness so I can become more like You. In Jesus Name Amen
On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. John 6: 60-67
Something to Believe in!
Dear Heavenly Father, You have made it impossible to deny that You are there. Thank you for walking with me through everything the good, the bad, and everything I don’t understand. In Jesus Name Amen
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Guidance for Politics
Dear Heavenly Father, place your hand on all of the upcoming elections and the process of the political elections. Help them to look to you for guidance and supervision. In Jesus Name Amen.
Self examination
Self examination! Dear Heavenly Father show me were I can be better, please forgive where I have failed. In Jesus Name Amen
Temptation
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:12-14
Triumph
For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. Deuteronomy 20:4
Salvation
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
Love them anyway!
Why be religious?
Do not be religious the bible forbids it! As we are new Christians or are looking for answers to all the questions to the universe it is hard and sometimes confusing. Over here this guy said to follow the books of law, but wait a second this other person said that you can do what ever you want, no she said it is entirely different. The tug of war that we feel sometimes can tear us apart and make so that we turn away from what is most important! God and what he has shared with us in the bible is what matters! Did you realize that when you go to a church you are not there for the people at the church but for the one that sent us there in the first place, the people at the church are there to share in the love that God has given each and every one of us (they are there for support). This tug of war is the gateway to a religious person! For me I will sit down and pray and ask God to show me what he wants for me it is different for everyone but still it is the same.
- We are saved through Faith in Christ Romans 3: 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Galatians 2:16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
- Always remember: Galatians 3:10-13 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.
Verse Left out of newer translations. Part 1 of 11
The verse that is in bold is one that you will not find in most of the newest translations of the Holy Bible. We will continue to post the 11 verses that have been left out.
Matthew 17:14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
What’d you Say!
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for passing judgement on others, I need to remember I am no better. Help give me the humility to share your word and give me the words that you want me to communicate to your children. Help clear my eyes so that I can reveal what you want revealed. In Jesus Name Amen
1 Corinthians 5:12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside.
The News Part 1
Dear Heavenly Father, as this is read give understanding and conviction to those reading this. May there be understanding where there needs to be understanding and conviction where there needs to be conviction. Please soften the hearts of those reading this and open them to receive Your message. In Jesus Name Amen
Over the last few days I have seen all of the fighting, the name calling, insults, character bashing and I wonder why. We as Christians and human beings are told that we should not return evil with evil: 1 Peter 3: 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. That is one definition of Respect. With that said I do not blame any of the uncertainties that there are out there. I will just say one thing and that is CAKE, we all know what happened. But we have been commanded: Romans 12: 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. I know that when we observe the respect that we are expected to give others yet receive disrespect in every manner that you can imagine, it gets disheartening. We are still told that 1 Peter 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. We should always respond with meekness: Matthew 5: 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. We have been instructed to follow in the footsteps that Jesus gave us, to walk on the path that he took. 1 Peter 21: 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. There are two things that we should never forget, his commandments to LOVE one another: Matthew 22: 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. And with that said never forget: Luke 6: 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. Jesus did not say these things were acceptable but he did say we need to Love everyone. Continue……
What God do you Serve?
Dear Heavenly Father, please help show the things that I have in my life that are interfering with the fullest relationship I can possibly have with you Lord. Take away the items that are in me that restrict the bond that I yearn to have with you. Make evident everything that is in the way lord. In Jesus Name Amen.
I was having a discussion with a good friend the other day about what we make important in our lives. It reminded me of something; it always stuck out in my head ever since I was a child when it happened. This “Loony old Fart” would always talk about the Gods that people serve and all of the Gods that human beings have. This guy upset me “How dare he blasphemy Gods name”, as I have gotten older and understand things a little more. God has enlightened my view point; I understand what that “Loony old Fart” was talking about. The definition of IDOLATRY:
1: the worship of a physical object as a god
2: immoderate attachment or devotion to something
In this definition the second meaning is what he has illuminated on. An attachment or devotion to something kind of makes you think. I have a few of these attachments; fishing, hunting and cars to name a few. I could make a much larger list but basically anything that you cannot bring yourself to live without. God has the best definition: Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Which leads into another avenue that most people do not think about, like the other, I have a problem with this one every once in a while. Definition: ARROGANCE: an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions. This is Gods Definition: 1 Samuel 15: 23 Arrogance like the evil of idolatry. In these two verses we have a lot to think about! Or at least I do, that “Crazy old Fart” was not crazy after all he was just using the shock and awe method. It stuck with me and made so that it was something that I contemplated for years before God showed me what was meant by what he had said. So Which God do You Serve?
What do you want?
John 1:38 Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
Reading the bible this morning God gave me something that slapped me in the back of the head. Have you ever asked yourself why am I following Jesus? I know that with the awesome music that our fellow Christians have created has shown so many people who the lord is. I ask that you sit down and ask yourself am I following Jesus because he is the one and only savior that died for my sins or am I following Jesus because it is “cool”. “In the Life Application Study Bible” it gave me something to think about: Following Christ is not enough; we must follow him for the right reasons. To follow Christ for our own purposes would be asking Christ to follow us to align with us to support and advance out our cause, not his.
Dear Heavenly Father, Open my eyes to see what the path is that you want me travel. I know that you have said that the path to righteousness is narrow please guide my steps so that I do not trip and fall off of this path! In Jesus Name Amen
Out of the Dark
Ephesians 6 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
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