It means a lot to be a Christian. It's not just a word, and it's more than just going to Church or youth group. It's more than just memorizing bible verses.
Christianity is all about having a personal relationship with Christ. Without Jesus in our lives, Christianity may as well as just be an empty word.
So what should we be doing to maintain that personal relationship? Going to Church to fellowship with our fellow Christians is certainly good and nurturing. So is reading the Bible. We could sing, dance, pray. All of theses are good and help us grow.
But it all comes down to the personal part.
Think of personal relationships you have with people. Does it not involve a dialogue between you and another? It involves passionate listening and understanding, really getting involved with the person, and so much more. Such it is with Jesus.
So I urge each of us to not just be a Christian, but to live the full meaning of it.
A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. Romans 2:28-29
As in the verse above, don't just be a Christian on the outside; be one on the inside.*
Who is your best friend?
Whitney
Showing posts with label Praise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Praise. Show all posts
"A Lesson in Humility" 3-30-08
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
She lived out spiritual humility, yet she had much on a human level to be proud of. As an author of over 70 books and a translator of many others into Afrikaans, Annalou Marais had much cause to brag–but she was more concerned about honoring Christ than advancing herself. She worked behind the scenes of the Bible conference, doing a servants tasks with a smiling face and a joyful heart. It would have been natural for her to desire, and even deserve, the spotlight. Instead, she quietly served, joyfully weeping as God worked in people's hearts. It was an impressive humility because it was completely genuine.
I have heard it said, 'It is amazing what can be accomplished when we don't care who get's the credit.' This is certainly true of Christian service. Paul told the church at Corinth, 'I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then either he who plants is anything, or he who waters, but God who gives the increase' (1 Cor. 3:6-7). Paul had learned that great lesson of the servant's hear, as Annalou has learned–it's entirely about God. What we do is accomplished by His power and grace, and all the glory must go to Him.
It was a lesson in humility watching Annalou, and one that reminded me of the richness of serving God." (written by Bill Crowder)
'God often uses lowly things
His purpose to fulfill,
Because it takes a humble heart
To carry out His will.' (D. De Haan)
She lived out spiritual humility, yet she had much on a human level to be proud of. As an author of over 70 books and a translator of many others into Afrikaans, Annalou Marais had much cause to brag–but she was more concerned about honoring Christ than advancing herself. She worked behind the scenes of the Bible conference, doing a servants tasks with a smiling face and a joyful heart. It would have been natural for her to desire, and even deserve, the spotlight. Instead, she quietly served, joyfully weeping as God worked in people's hearts. It was an impressive humility because it was completely genuine.
I have heard it said, 'It is amazing what can be accomplished when we don't care who get's the credit.' This is certainly true of Christian service. Paul told the church at Corinth, 'I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then either he who plants is anything, or he who waters, but God who gives the increase' (1 Cor. 3:6-7). Paul had learned that great lesson of the servant's hear, as Annalou has learned–it's entirely about God. What we do is accomplished by His power and grace, and all the glory must go to Him.
It was a lesson in humility watching Annalou, and one that reminded me of the richness of serving God." (written by Bill Crowder)
'God often uses lowly things
His purpose to fulfill,
Because it takes a humble heart
To carry out His will.' (D. De Haan)
(Courtesy of Our Daily Bread, of RBC Ministries)
Pride and Grace cannot dwell in the same place.*
Pride and Grace cannot dwell in the same place.*
Praying for humility,
Whitney
Whitney
Blessed Be the Name of the Lord - 3/1/08
Hello everyone! Today I'd like to share with you a beautiful story of faith and trust, and it is the story of Job. As a little background information, Job is a man who was "blameless and upright" in the eyes of the Lord. However, Satan speaks to God and accuses Job of simply being a surface follower. Satan says (summarized) "Job is only upright because You have blessed him! If you take all he has away, he will surely curse Your name!" But God, knowing the faithfulness of His servant and seeking to silence Satan's accusations, allows Job to be tested by Satan. We see Job's first test below.
Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house; and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away-indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground...
Can you imagine? In an instant, for no apparent reason whatsoever, all Job has is taken away: his herds are taken from him, his possessions are seized and pillaged, his servants are murdered by the raiding parties, and his very own sons and daughters are killed. All that was once his is now gone. So what does Job do? Read on and you will see.
Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground...
...and worshiped. And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:13-22 NKJV)
Again I ask, can you imagine? Everything Job has is taken from him; yet not once does he denounce his God. Whenever I read this passage, these words constantly reverberate in my mind: "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." Such faith - such trust. We see later on in the book of Job that he is tested again (and this time his friends accuse him of unrighteousness and corruption as well), yet still he refuses to denounce God. Rather, in faith, Job cries out to the Lord, knowing that he is upright and blameless, having been sanctified by God.
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! (Job 19:25-27 ESV)
I hope that you will all join with me in prayer for this kind of faith.
Lord, I pray that you would grow us all into people with faith and trust like this, that when all we have is taken from us, when all we hold dear is snatched out of our hands, we will look to You and trust in Your goodness, Your sovereignty, and Your love to lead us. Let us trust you and have faith that You are with us at all times, and that no matter what happens, we will still have You right alongside us, knowing that you died to save our souls and will never leave our sides. In Jesus' name, amen.
Blessings,
Andrew
Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house; and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away-indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground...
Can you imagine? In an instant, for no apparent reason whatsoever, all Job has is taken away: his herds are taken from him, his possessions are seized and pillaged, his servants are murdered by the raiding parties, and his very own sons and daughters are killed. All that was once his is now gone. So what does Job do? Read on and you will see.
Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground...
...and worshiped. And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:13-22 NKJV)
Again I ask, can you imagine? Everything Job has is taken from him; yet not once does he denounce his God. Whenever I read this passage, these words constantly reverberate in my mind: "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." Such faith - such trust. We see later on in the book of Job that he is tested again (and this time his friends accuse him of unrighteousness and corruption as well), yet still he refuses to denounce God. Rather, in faith, Job cries out to the Lord, knowing that he is upright and blameless, having been sanctified by God.
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! (Job 19:25-27 ESV)
I hope that you will all join with me in prayer for this kind of faith.
Lord, I pray that you would grow us all into people with faith and trust like this, that when all we have is taken from us, when all we hold dear is snatched out of our hands, we will look to You and trust in Your goodness, Your sovereignty, and Your love to lead us. Let us trust you and have faith that You are with us at all times, and that no matter what happens, we will still have You right alongside us, knowing that you died to save our souls and will never leave our sides. In Jesus' name, amen.
Blessings,
Andrew
Give Thanks - 2/7/08
Psalm 136:1-3
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
What an awesome God we have. Here He has come down to the earth to pay for our sins, dying for us when we did not deserve it. He allows us to come before Him, to confess our sins and to ask for His forgiveness. He could turn aside in shame, angry that we disobey Him. Instead, His arms are open wide, ready for us when we realize we need to turn back to Him. What mercy and grace! How wonderful our God is to love us unconditionally, and what do we do? We tend to go on with our lives as we normally would. We forget to give thanks.
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him——and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17: 11-19)
Say for example you helped out a person every time they got in trouble. Wouldn't you wish to be thanked by that person? Wouldn't you be hurt if they didn't thank you? Jesus said in Luke 17:17 of the 10 lepers He healed, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" So let us never forget to thank Him who created us, who saved us in more ways than one.
There is a song titled "Give Thanks". It goes,
"Gives thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks unto the Holy One, give thanks, because He's given, Jesus Christ His Son. And now let the weak say "I am strong", Let the poor say "I am rich", Because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks, give thanks, give thanks."
So let us remember to give thanks to our God with a grateful heart!*
Thanking Him,
Whitney
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.
What an awesome God we have. Here He has come down to the earth to pay for our sins, dying for us when we did not deserve it. He allows us to come before Him, to confess our sins and to ask for His forgiveness. He could turn aside in shame, angry that we disobey Him. Instead, His arms are open wide, ready for us when we realize we need to turn back to Him. What mercy and grace! How wonderful our God is to love us unconditionally, and what do we do? We tend to go on with our lives as we normally would. We forget to give thanks.
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him——and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17: 11-19)
Say for example you helped out a person every time they got in trouble. Wouldn't you wish to be thanked by that person? Wouldn't you be hurt if they didn't thank you? Jesus said in Luke 17:17 of the 10 lepers He healed, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" So let us never forget to thank Him who created us, who saved us in more ways than one.
There is a song titled "Give Thanks". It goes,
"Gives thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks unto the Holy One, give thanks, because He's given, Jesus Christ His Son. And now let the weak say "I am strong", Let the poor say "I am rich", Because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks, give thanks, give thanks."
So let us remember to give thanks to our God with a grateful heart!*
Thanking Him,
Whitney
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