Welcome to Our Daily Bread Archives. The Daily Breads are located to the right of this message, sorted by Daily Bread Titles and the date they were published (under Blog Archive). This feature is useful if you would like to read a Daily Bread every day or on certain days. If you would like to read a Daily Bread under a certain topic, use the Tags on the bottom of this page. Or, you can use the search tab located at the top right of this message. We hope you enjoy what we have to share with you, and that each Daily Bread help in mentoring you. The Daily Bread Team wishes to say that we do not hold the answers to life or God or anything related; rather we give you our thoughtful interpretations and ask that you simply consider the truth to our words. You can choose to believe us or not, that is your choice. We do hope you learn and grow through our messages.
Blessings,
Daily Bread Team
Contact ODB
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If you would like to sign up for Daily Breads to be sent directly to your email, you can sign up by sending a blank eMail to the address above with "Join" in the Subject line (after adding ODB to your approved contacts list that is so ODB won't be labeled as "junk"). ODB's are generally sent out erratically, depending on various circumstances.
Our Daily Bread is also on Twitter! It would be awesome if you would follow ODB on Twitter: Our_DailyBread @ Our_DailyBread/Twitter
Be sure to check out writer Whitney's photography website Alainn Anam "Beautiful Soul" Photography, and see new photography updates on the fan page at Alainn Anam "Beautiful Soul" Photography Facebook Fan Page.
Get Involved
If you are interested in becoming involved with Our Daily Bread Ministry, let us know! Have a story you would like to share? Let us know! Would like to write a Daily Bread? Let us know! We would like to ask however that before you wish to become involved that you pray over your decision. This ministry needs to be made up of people committed wholeheartedly to Christ; as we stress often in our Daily Breads, being a Christian is more than just a name. It is a new life that you share with a God who loves you, and hopes that you will love him genuinely in return. That's all He asks of us, but it must be real, otherwise 'Christian' becomes just a simple label again... It is our hope that everything we do, and everything we share with others will help them grow and/or discover the love we have found in Jesus Christ. We pray that is your hope as well.
Blessings,
Our Daily Bread Team
Blessings,
Our Daily Bread Team
"A New Beginning"
We all have a beginning and an end. We are born, and then eventually we will pass on from this life. It is something we cannot nor ever will escape and while the topic of our death seems a depressing one, it should not be.
For death is but simply another beginning.
Many of us lead great lives; we love everyone, support our Churches, volunteer, help the homeless, go to church, witness to others, pay tithes, etc. etc., anything to show we are "good" people by what we do. And to live this way is great; we should help were we can and love those around us. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10
But if we truly want to be "good people", we really need to live it. We shouldn't do "good works" without having a meaningful reason behind them. What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. James 2:14-2
But if we truly want to be "good people", we really need to live it. We shouldn't do "good works" without having a meaningful reason behind them. What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. James 2:14-2
God didn't just create us on a whim. He had a reason, and while we may have to wait until we meet with Him to ask just what that reason was, we do know that if we were created by a powerful God, He must have done it with love in mind. For each one of us are so different, and yet "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27 If God were so loving as to create each one of us, and give us such a beautiful planet to live upon, we ought to show how much we love him back by living our lives justly so.
God needs to be the reason behind why we do the things that we do. But not for a "get into Heaven ticket"; God doesn't measure you on your "how good you were on earth" status, but rather on whether you genuinely love Him or not. God gave us the freedom to choose how to live our lives; with or without Him. God loves us unconditionally, whether we love Him back or not. A beautiful God who invites us to spend eternity with Him once we die, again, if we want to or not. I'd say that's a pretty awesome God folks. He doesn't force us to love Him, but He loves us regardless of our choice.
God needs to be the reason behind why we do the things that we do. But not for a "get into Heaven ticket"; God doesn't measure you on your "how good you were on earth" status, but rather on whether you genuinely love Him or not. God gave us the freedom to choose how to live our lives; with or without Him. God loves us unconditionally, whether we love Him back or not. A beautiful God who invites us to spend eternity with Him once we die, again, if we want to or not. I'd say that's a pretty awesome God folks. He doesn't force us to love Him, but He loves us regardless of our choice.
Death comes to us all sooner or later, and we need to make sure our hearts are prepared for whenever the time will come. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Matthew 25:13 (read also Matthew 25:1-13) We can show how great we are during our lives, but if spiritually we aren't ready, it won't matter that we were "good people"; spiritually we need to be prepared, so how we physically and mentally live our lives will reflect the meaning that we find spiritually; God Almighty Himself. That personal relationship with Him must be forefront in everything we do. He gave us life; now we need to show that by putting Him into what we do; this then will give all that we do or say genuine meaning. A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:24-26
When my grandmother passed away, we remembered her life by ways of a small memorial service. She was a mother/grandmother who truly did it all—a wonderful loving icon for our society. But now that she is gone, is the legacy she left behind no longer matter? Is her death truly her end?
Jesus was in her life and legacy; He gave all that she did a beautiful meaning. And even though she is gone, the people she touched still live on and thus will carry the spirit of her embodiment on into the years to come. Jesus and all the rest of us show how death is really just another chapter in her life. She is in Heaven now, and beginning her eternal life. You can look at earth as a practice run for when she was offered the choice of God or no God. If she hadn't accepted Him here on earth, would she have when death came along? Would her heart been prepared enough to know which to accept?
Will WE ever be fully prepared? Will we always strive to be prepared? If you strive for that personal relationship here on earth today, then when the real test comes along, you will be more ready than you ever could be.
Jesus was in her life and legacy; He gave all that she did a beautiful meaning. And even though she is gone, the people she touched still live on and thus will carry the spirit of her embodiment on into the years to come. Jesus and all the rest of us show how death is really just another chapter in her life. She is in Heaven now, and beginning her eternal life. You can look at earth as a practice run for when she was offered the choice of God or no God. If she hadn't accepted Him here on earth, would she have when death came along? Would her heart been prepared enough to know which to accept?
Will WE ever be fully prepared? Will we always strive to be prepared? If you strive for that personal relationship here on earth today, then when the real test comes along, you will be more ready than you ever could be.
For death is but simply another beginning.*
Life; gone in an instant,
gone in the blink of an eye.
Life; cherish the moments,
they could be short or long.
Life; never waste it,
too precious to just let go.
Life; with every beginning,
there must be an end.
You never know when your moment
just might be around the bend.
Do you know where you're going
when that time comes before you,
beckoning your soul within reach?
Don't put it aside;
Don't delay--
You don't know at what time a day,
Your life just might float away.
I am Heaven-Bound.
Where will you be found?*
Where will you be found?*
I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57
Beginning anew,
Whitney
"Baptism And Marriage - Are You Committed?"
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
Ah, here we are at the very beginning with God's original institution - marriage. But often times we forget what is at the heart of the marriage ceremonies that millions of people all around the world will in some way take part in - commitment. Marriage is, in God's eyes, an outward expression of this inward commitment, and it's the commitment itself that is the heart of the marriage. Without this commitment, the ceremony is (or soon will become) dead.
As we see in Genesis above, the very first words used to describe marriage are "being united." Obviously, while the marriage ceremony itself is a great and wonderful way to express love and commitment, to invoke a sense of family and community, and to serve as a landmark "seal-the-deal" moment of the day you actually committed to love and serve someone else for life, the real heart of a marriage is in the commitment and unity itself. The marriage ceremony we go through simply points toward this and serves the purposes mentioned above.
But now I would like us to consider something else for a moment. I would like us all to consider what it would look like if someone decided to have a wedding... yet get married to no one. How would this work? Think about it for just a moment, if you would.
...
Done? Good. Now I hope you've come to the very same conclusion that I have: that even the notion of such a thing is pure foolishness! By the very definition of marriage, you need two people to carry out the vows. With only one, there is no commitment, no relationship, no marriage. With only one person, it is no marriage at all. So how foolish it would be for a person to even consider this! Hold on to that thought for just a moment if you would.
Let's turn to another Biblical ceremony that's very much like marriage, but of course different in its own respects - baptism. Now baptism is very different from marriage in many ways, but at the heart of baptism, like marriage, is unity and commitment. Let's read this next verse to see what I'm talking about.
Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. Romans 6:3-5
"United with him" - this is what baptism is. It is a physical representation of a spiritual unity - very much like marriage - and it's a wonderful thing! But also like marriage, without the relationship, the commitment, and the unity, the ceremony itself is useless. So now consider again our single-personed marriage. We agree here that even this very idea is foolishness... Yet how often do we try to do this with God.
As we see in Romans 6 above, when we are baptized into Christ, it is a symbol of us being spiritually "united with Him", much like marriage. But if we are being united to no one - if Christ is not present - the baptism (or the marriage) is pointless and empty. Yet amazingly, we still do this - or at least try.
Because baptism is a spiritual matter, we cannot physically SEE Jesus - the groom - present at the ceremonies. This also means that we cannot physically SEE if Jesus is absent, either! So this issue of baptism is something that I would ask us all to do an internal reflection on. Rather than judge others' baptisms, I'd like us to turn the microscope upon ourselves. I would encourage us all to ask to ask the very important questions:
"Is this symbolic act really reflecting my own inward commitment to Christ?
If not, what can I do about it?
And if so, how can I honor Him and live out this unity by drawing nearer to Him each and every day?"
Blessings in Christ,
Andrew
Ah, here we are at the very beginning with God's original institution - marriage. But often times we forget what is at the heart of the marriage ceremonies that millions of people all around the world will in some way take part in - commitment. Marriage is, in God's eyes, an outward expression of this inward commitment, and it's the commitment itself that is the heart of the marriage. Without this commitment, the ceremony is (or soon will become) dead.
As we see in Genesis above, the very first words used to describe marriage are "being united." Obviously, while the marriage ceremony itself is a great and wonderful way to express love and commitment, to invoke a sense of family and community, and to serve as a landmark "seal-the-deal" moment of the day you actually committed to love and serve someone else for life, the real heart of a marriage is in the commitment and unity itself. The marriage ceremony we go through simply points toward this and serves the purposes mentioned above.
But now I would like us to consider something else for a moment. I would like us all to consider what it would look like if someone decided to have a wedding... yet get married to no one. How would this work? Think about it for just a moment, if you would.
...
Done? Good. Now I hope you've come to the very same conclusion that I have: that even the notion of such a thing is pure foolishness! By the very definition of marriage, you need two people to carry out the vows. With only one, there is no commitment, no relationship, no marriage. With only one person, it is no marriage at all. So how foolish it would be for a person to even consider this! Hold on to that thought for just a moment if you would.
Let's turn to another Biblical ceremony that's very much like marriage, but of course different in its own respects - baptism. Now baptism is very different from marriage in many ways, but at the heart of baptism, like marriage, is unity and commitment. Let's read this next verse to see what I'm talking about.
Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. Romans 6:3-5
"United with him" - this is what baptism is. It is a physical representation of a spiritual unity - very much like marriage - and it's a wonderful thing! But also like marriage, without the relationship, the commitment, and the unity, the ceremony itself is useless. So now consider again our single-personed marriage. We agree here that even this very idea is foolishness... Yet how often do we try to do this with God.
As we see in Romans 6 above, when we are baptized into Christ, it is a symbol of us being spiritually "united with Him", much like marriage. But if we are being united to no one - if Christ is not present - the baptism (or the marriage) is pointless and empty. Yet amazingly, we still do this - or at least try.
Because baptism is a spiritual matter, we cannot physically SEE Jesus - the groom - present at the ceremonies. This also means that we cannot physically SEE if Jesus is absent, either! So this issue of baptism is something that I would ask us all to do an internal reflection on. Rather than judge others' baptisms, I'd like us to turn the microscope upon ourselves. I would encourage us all to ask to ask the very important questions:
"Is this symbolic act really reflecting my own inward commitment to Christ?
If not, what can I do about it?
And if so, how can I honor Him and live out this unity by drawing nearer to Him each and every day?"
Blessings in Christ,
Andrew
"Part of the Good Fight"
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Have you ever been that person in the situation where you have just done something that you felt should have been given some kind of recognition and didn't get any? Most of us would appreciate others respecting us enough to congratulate us on our accomplishments in some way, even if it be small. It's not fun to be ignored is it.
The Thessalonians were tired of helping people who gave them no respect in return. They were ready to let the lazy, rude people do everything on their own. So Paul, knowing this, wrote them a letter of encouragement. He said to them that they oughtn't be discouraged from "doing good". Why? Because if they stopped, then no longer would they be doing the work of Christ; they would give in to the follies of the world.
We often get frustrated when our work goes by unnoticed, or when no one listens to us, and we are so let down that we want nothing better than to just quit. But then we would be giving in, and if we quit, and no one else were fighting, then all would be lost... Jesus said that even if one person were saved, all would be worth it. (Read Luke 15:3-7) So the next time you want to complain about how you are treated, just remember that we are fighting a battle with the evils of the world, and that the only way to win is to never give up what we do.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:14-16
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:15.
Now while this verse is more referring to confronting your brethren in love (like the theme in the daily bread "True Friends"), we could take it out of context for a moment and apply it to what we are looking at today.
We get so frustrated with people that we sometimes lash out at them for not acknowledging us (or whatever the case may be). But this verse says to admonish him as a brother, not view him as our enemy. This can be a difficult thing to do I know. But when we "do good" to others, we let Christ's example shine bright from our actions--and while it may not seem so obvious to us at the time, people are watching us and noting how we behave. They are curious about why do the things we do. Let's not give them cause to think that we are failures and just like everyone else. After all, that would probably just prove to them that there is no God if we who claim to follow Him don't act like there is one either.
How can we say we are something when we don't live it ourselves? And then we tell others to believe it too. We admonish them and slander them, labeling them enemies of Christ. We are hypocrites when we claim to follow God and yet sin when the world is not looking. So don't think we have to "do good" to earn us good marks with God. When we do good, we need to do it with a humble spirit, and for others, not for ourselves. Good works aren't just to make us look like good little Christians to society. It is nice to hear praise, but just remember to give God all the credit and not be disappointed when no one says anything. Feel proud within your self that you are shining His light to the world. And don't worry; they may not like to admit it, but they are usually listening.*
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Let is shine.
Whitney
Have you ever been that person in the situation where you have just done something that you felt should have been given some kind of recognition and didn't get any? Most of us would appreciate others respecting us enough to congratulate us on our accomplishments in some way, even if it be small. It's not fun to be ignored is it.
The Thessalonians were tired of helping people who gave them no respect in return. They were ready to let the lazy, rude people do everything on their own. So Paul, knowing this, wrote them a letter of encouragement. He said to them that they oughtn't be discouraged from "doing good". Why? Because if they stopped, then no longer would they be doing the work of Christ; they would give in to the follies of the world.
We often get frustrated when our work goes by unnoticed, or when no one listens to us, and we are so let down that we want nothing better than to just quit. But then we would be giving in, and if we quit, and no one else were fighting, then all would be lost... Jesus said that even if one person were saved, all would be worth it. (Read Luke 15:3-7) So the next time you want to complain about how you are treated, just remember that we are fighting a battle with the evils of the world, and that the only way to win is to never give up what we do.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:14-16
But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:15.
Now while this verse is more referring to confronting your brethren in love (like the theme in the daily bread "True Friends"), we could take it out of context for a moment and apply it to what we are looking at today.
We get so frustrated with people that we sometimes lash out at them for not acknowledging us (or whatever the case may be). But this verse says to admonish him as a brother, not view him as our enemy. This can be a difficult thing to do I know. But when we "do good" to others, we let Christ's example shine bright from our actions--and while it may not seem so obvious to us at the time, people are watching us and noting how we behave. They are curious about why do the things we do. Let's not give them cause to think that we are failures and just like everyone else. After all, that would probably just prove to them that there is no God if we who claim to follow Him don't act like there is one either.
How can we say we are something when we don't live it ourselves? And then we tell others to believe it too. We admonish them and slander them, labeling them enemies of Christ. We are hypocrites when we claim to follow God and yet sin when the world is not looking. So don't think we have to "do good" to earn us good marks with God. When we do good, we need to do it with a humble spirit, and for others, not for ourselves. Good works aren't just to make us look like good little Christians to society. It is nice to hear praise, but just remember to give God all the credit and not be disappointed when no one says anything. Feel proud within your self that you are shining His light to the world. And don't worry; they may not like to admit it, but they are usually listening.*
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Let is shine.
Whitney
"True Friends"
"True friends are willing to intrude".
This is what artist TobyMac puts forth in one of his songs. I like this because although being a true friend can be difficult at times, our friends often need us. That one time in their life where everything is going haywire, they need to be able to turn around and know you are there for them. And when you show them your love, they see the light of Jesus and His testimony shining brightly through you. We can affect so many by just being true friends.
Sometimes true friendships are put to the ultimate test.
The Bible also says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends". (John 15:13) This is the ultimate true friendship. Sticking up for a friend, staying by their side when no one else will, listening to them, loving them when all others abandon them. Sacrificing themselves to save their friend. And confronting them in love when they are caught up in sin.
Has your friend ever done something you knew was wrong? What did you do? Confront them? Or did you try to smile, and ignore the situation, hoping that it would go away? After all, if you ratted them out you would probably lose their friendship, right?
"True friends are willing to intrude".
We need to confront our brothers and sisters in love when they are doing something they shouldn't. Not condemn them, not judge them. But show them in a loving way what they need to do to be brought forth from the problem. How they can be set free. Letting a problem continue to exist in someone's life is like allowing the balloon to keep filling with air. Pretty soon it will pop, and then the situation may be blown way out of proportion. Someone could be hurt. Maybe even your friend. Then you probably would feel guilty you never said anything when you should have.
Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. Matthew 18:15
Our parents confront us when we have done something wrong. They don't do it to condemn us. No, they do it because they love us and they want us to do good, be wise, and not fall into the sins of the world.
Sometimes the truth hurts. But wouldn't you rather know that your friend would be okay? Often times even your friend, after being confronted will confess and be glad you were the one to have confronted him or her rather than someone else.
Look at it this way. 'We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God'. (Romans 3:23) We have all experienced tremendous burdens of some size. Some of us had true friends, people to be there when we needed them most. They were there right beside you to help carry the weight, and the weight of that tremendous burden suddenly lifted from your shoulders. If we need it, then so do others.
Jesus is one of the greatest examples of this. He says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." In other words, we may not always have physical true friends in our lives, but we do always have Jesus. He is our Hope, the everlasting Being who is ALWAYS there, no matter what. And we can come to Him whenever we need to. He died for our sins, deciding to take the shackles of sin from our arms and burden Himself with the burdens of our lives and of the world.
"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Jesus paid that ultimate price so that we might live. He is the ultimate true friend. He could have left us to the doom of sin. But He loved us so much, He was willing to sacrifice Himself. And when we sin, and we feel convicted, look at it as it is not just your conscience. Maybe that's how God let's you know what you are doing is wrong.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
None of us are better than any other. Being Christians doesn't make us higher or perfect. We can stumble into sin just like anyone else. But that's when God, and each other need to step forward to help show the way out. We need to do this not for just Believers, but for everyone too.
9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. Romans 5:12
"The most important one [commandment]," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Matthew 12:29-31
Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you".* John 15:12
Whitney
This is what artist TobyMac puts forth in one of his songs. I like this because although being a true friend can be difficult at times, our friends often need us. That one time in their life where everything is going haywire, they need to be able to turn around and know you are there for them. And when you show them your love, they see the light of Jesus and His testimony shining brightly through you. We can affect so many by just being true friends.
Sometimes true friendships are put to the ultimate test.
The Bible also says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends". (John 15:13) This is the ultimate true friendship. Sticking up for a friend, staying by their side when no one else will, listening to them, loving them when all others abandon them. Sacrificing themselves to save their friend. And confronting them in love when they are caught up in sin.
Has your friend ever done something you knew was wrong? What did you do? Confront them? Or did you try to smile, and ignore the situation, hoping that it would go away? After all, if you ratted them out you would probably lose their friendship, right?
"True friends are willing to intrude".
We need to confront our brothers and sisters in love when they are doing something they shouldn't. Not condemn them, not judge them. But show them in a loving way what they need to do to be brought forth from the problem. How they can be set free. Letting a problem continue to exist in someone's life is like allowing the balloon to keep filling with air. Pretty soon it will pop, and then the situation may be blown way out of proportion. Someone could be hurt. Maybe even your friend. Then you probably would feel guilty you never said anything when you should have.
Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. Matthew 18:15
Our parents confront us when we have done something wrong. They don't do it to condemn us. No, they do it because they love us and they want us to do good, be wise, and not fall into the sins of the world.
Sometimes the truth hurts. But wouldn't you rather know that your friend would be okay? Often times even your friend, after being confronted will confess and be glad you were the one to have confronted him or her rather than someone else.
Look at it this way. 'We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God'. (Romans 3:23) We have all experienced tremendous burdens of some size. Some of us had true friends, people to be there when we needed them most. They were there right beside you to help carry the weight, and the weight of that tremendous burden suddenly lifted from your shoulders. If we need it, then so do others.
Jesus is one of the greatest examples of this. He says in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." In other words, we may not always have physical true friends in our lives, but we do always have Jesus. He is our Hope, the everlasting Being who is ALWAYS there, no matter what. And we can come to Him whenever we need to. He died for our sins, deciding to take the shackles of sin from our arms and burden Himself with the burdens of our lives and of the world.
"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Jesus paid that ultimate price so that we might live. He is the ultimate true friend. He could have left us to the doom of sin. But He loved us so much, He was willing to sacrifice Himself. And when we sin, and we feel convicted, look at it as it is not just your conscience. Maybe that's how God let's you know what you are doing is wrong.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
None of us are better than any other. Being Christians doesn't make us higher or perfect. We can stumble into sin just like anyone else. But that's when God, and each other need to step forward to help show the way out. We need to do this not for just Believers, but for everyone too.
9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. Romans 5:12
"The most important one [commandment]," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Matthew 12:29-31
Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you".* John 15:12
Whitney
"Eat Your Vegetables Dear"
Remember when our parents used to tell us to "eat our vegetables"? Most of us probably hated vegetables, and would do anything in our power to not even so much as touch them. Maybe some of us came up with the ingenious ideas of making it seem like we ate them, but instead hide them, or discard them somewhere else. But once we got older, we finally realized why our parents often forced us to eat our vegetables, because despite our feelings for them then and even now, they were and still are beneficiary for our bodies.
In Daniel Chapter 1 a bunch of young men were appointed to serve the King. They were told to be fed wine and the choicest victuals of the palace. But when Daniel heard what they were to be fed, he asked the guard to give them vegetables instead. That is not a misprint.
Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. Daniel 1:11-16
As Christians it is important for us each to "eat our vegetables". If we do not, then we will not grow in our faith. Daniel knew that the palace food would not help them look better or feel better. The same goes with the sins and pleasures of the world. We think they look good, taste good, and feel good to us, but in the end we become malnourished and sloth-like, hooked on the things most deadly to our souls. In the end, when it is all too late, we realize our souls were never satisfied like we thought they were; we feel empty and alone; lost, forever.
So instead of shoving the good stuff out of the way, we need to acknowledge the fact that we now need those things more than ever. And in order to get it, we will have to take that first step of guiding the forks to our mouths. By the end of the day you will feel more energetic and stronger. You will even be thankful that you did the right thing, for you will feel much better than if you were to have skipped to that chocolate bar you had been eyeballing instead...
Our parents knew that vegetables were good for us. They weren't trying to punish us, but wanted what was best for us. God as our Heavenly Father would also like for us to eat our vegetables because He loves us and wishes that we would grow in our faith.
Sometimes it is difficult to follow God in a world where God is not very welcome. But if we continue to eat our vegetables, then our faith will strengthen, and God will help us to be strong for His name in this world. So pray, talk with Him, fellowship with other believers, go to Church, Bible study, sing songs to Him, read His Word, make your relationship with Him real in your life. Do not do these things thinking as a Christian that is something you have to do. Do them because you want to strengthen your personal relationship with your Heavenly Father. Do them because you know that you will grow in your faith. Do them because you do not wish to be brought down by the darkness of this world. If you do them with that attitude, you will be a light to the world, and give hope to the lost and hopeless. And change your own life for the better as well.*
Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:15-17
Eating my vegetables,
Whitney
In Daniel Chapter 1 a bunch of young men were appointed to serve the King. They were told to be fed wine and the choicest victuals of the palace. But when Daniel heard what they were to be fed, he asked the guard to give them vegetables instead. That is not a misprint.
Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. Daniel 1:11-16
As Christians it is important for us each to "eat our vegetables". If we do not, then we will not grow in our faith. Daniel knew that the palace food would not help them look better or feel better. The same goes with the sins and pleasures of the world. We think they look good, taste good, and feel good to us, but in the end we become malnourished and sloth-like, hooked on the things most deadly to our souls. In the end, when it is all too late, we realize our souls were never satisfied like we thought they were; we feel empty and alone; lost, forever.
So instead of shoving the good stuff out of the way, we need to acknowledge the fact that we now need those things more than ever. And in order to get it, we will have to take that first step of guiding the forks to our mouths. By the end of the day you will feel more energetic and stronger. You will even be thankful that you did the right thing, for you will feel much better than if you were to have skipped to that chocolate bar you had been eyeballing instead...
Our parents knew that vegetables were good for us. They weren't trying to punish us, but wanted what was best for us. God as our Heavenly Father would also like for us to eat our vegetables because He loves us and wishes that we would grow in our faith.
Sometimes it is difficult to follow God in a world where God is not very welcome. But if we continue to eat our vegetables, then our faith will strengthen, and God will help us to be strong for His name in this world. So pray, talk with Him, fellowship with other believers, go to Church, Bible study, sing songs to Him, read His Word, make your relationship with Him real in your life. Do not do these things thinking as a Christian that is something you have to do. Do them because you want to strengthen your personal relationship with your Heavenly Father. Do them because you know that you will grow in your faith. Do them because you do not wish to be brought down by the darkness of this world. If you do them with that attitude, you will be a light to the world, and give hope to the lost and hopeless. And change your own life for the better as well.*
Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:15-17
Eating my vegetables,
Whitney
"Why Do You Believe?" 1-22-09
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5
Today I am going to ask you a very serious and personal question. I want you to be able to take this question, and examine your life with it.
So Get Ready.
A lot of people go through their lives and say they believe in God, go to Church, etc., but do they only do it for the sake of tradition, and for tradition alone?
I was born and raised in a Christian home. I went to church every Sunday, sang in the choir, and contributed to the Church plays. I thank God every moment for having been raised that way--I was a lucky individual compared to many.
But while I was a Christian, and believed Jesus died for me, I didn't really know what it meant to be saved at the time. You see, I didn't understand that the personal relationship with God was not something you just get when you become a Child of God. It was more than just going through the motions.
So I asked myself the question I shall now be asking you. And it is between you and God to figure out your answer.
Why do you believe?
People tell us the rights and wrongs to life, and we believe them because we know they speak true. We know? How do we know? How do you know? Why do you know?
There are probably a million answers, and they are all probably right. I won't sit here and tell you what your answer is, because only you and God will know that. But I do want to tell you that someday we shall all pass from this earth, and be judged by God. That right here and now we need to set our lives right. No longer should it be because that's what we do, or that's the way we have always done it. No, we need to do it because it is right in our lives, our hearts, and our very souls.
If I were a perfect stranger, and I walked up to you on the street, and I asked you why you believed in God, what would you say to me? And if you asked me, what would I say? People have been faced with this question, even though most of us probably have not. Or if we have, we still lived to talk about it. But if we truly were put to that test, with our lives hanging in the balance, would our answer show who we are deep down inside? Would it truly be the truth of our relationship with our Father?
We can all show people that we live perfect lives, but, that's not the point. We go around and tell people that we do this, this and this, and never do we do that, and never even know why we do or don't. So the Bible says what to do and not to do. Okay, so then why was the Bible written? Did you ever stop to think that there is more to all those rules and letters and such than meets the eye? That's where we are going wrong. We get caught up in how we need to live our lives, and forget why we need to live it that way.
You see, it's not about the name, the label of being a Christian. People think that Christian is a higher title given to the 'better' people. Over time we have completely lost the true meaning of the word. We don't even know who we are anymore. We say we live by certain standards, but we don't know why we live by them. We try so hard to save the lost, but it seems that we are lost just as much as the rest of the world, and that in order to save the others, we need to first help right ourselves. Jesus spoke a lot on this topic with the Pharisees. He told them that they were so caught up in sticking to the Law, that no longer were they living the way they were originally meant to live--they had forgotten the true meaning of their existence.
In Luke chapter 18 verses 9-14 it says,
"To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Our relationship is sparked to be on a deeper level with God. If you were to die tomorrow, be sure you know that you die knowing what you are dying for--and why.*
Get it right, get it deep, get it real.
Whitney
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Matthew 7:1-5
Today I am going to ask you a very serious and personal question. I want you to be able to take this question, and examine your life with it.
So Get Ready.
A lot of people go through their lives and say they believe in God, go to Church, etc., but do they only do it for the sake of tradition, and for tradition alone?
I was born and raised in a Christian home. I went to church every Sunday, sang in the choir, and contributed to the Church plays. I thank God every moment for having been raised that way--I was a lucky individual compared to many.
But while I was a Christian, and believed Jesus died for me, I didn't really know what it meant to be saved at the time. You see, I didn't understand that the personal relationship with God was not something you just get when you become a Child of God. It was more than just going through the motions.
So I asked myself the question I shall now be asking you. And it is between you and God to figure out your answer.
Why do you believe?
People tell us the rights and wrongs to life, and we believe them because we know they speak true. We know? How do we know? How do you know? Why do you know?
There are probably a million answers, and they are all probably right. I won't sit here and tell you what your answer is, because only you and God will know that. But I do want to tell you that someday we shall all pass from this earth, and be judged by God. That right here and now we need to set our lives right. No longer should it be because that's what we do, or that's the way we have always done it. No, we need to do it because it is right in our lives, our hearts, and our very souls.
If I were a perfect stranger, and I walked up to you on the street, and I asked you why you believed in God, what would you say to me? And if you asked me, what would I say? People have been faced with this question, even though most of us probably have not. Or if we have, we still lived to talk about it. But if we truly were put to that test, with our lives hanging in the balance, would our answer show who we are deep down inside? Would it truly be the truth of our relationship with our Father?
We can all show people that we live perfect lives, but, that's not the point. We go around and tell people that we do this, this and this, and never do we do that, and never even know why we do or don't. So the Bible says what to do and not to do. Okay, so then why was the Bible written? Did you ever stop to think that there is more to all those rules and letters and such than meets the eye? That's where we are going wrong. We get caught up in how we need to live our lives, and forget why we need to live it that way.
You see, it's not about the name, the label of being a Christian. People think that Christian is a higher title given to the 'better' people. Over time we have completely lost the true meaning of the word. We don't even know who we are anymore. We say we live by certain standards, but we don't know why we live by them. We try so hard to save the lost, but it seems that we are lost just as much as the rest of the world, and that in order to save the others, we need to first help right ourselves. Jesus spoke a lot on this topic with the Pharisees. He told them that they were so caught up in sticking to the Law, that no longer were they living the way they were originally meant to live--they had forgotten the true meaning of their existence.
In Luke chapter 18 verses 9-14 it says,
"To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Our relationship is sparked to be on a deeper level with God. If you were to die tomorrow, be sure you know that you die knowing what you are dying for--and why.*
Get it right, get it deep, get it real.
Whitney
"True Fruitfulness" 12-9-08
This message will be based on a parable that many of us are probably familiar with: The Fig Tree That Withers. (Quite an original name, wouldn't you say?)
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again..."
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (Mark 11:12-14, 20-25 NIV)
Pretty neat parable, huh! Jesus took an ordinary occurrence and turned it around to a lesson on faith and prayer. However, there is a deeper message embedded within this passage that I would like us to look at as well. I would like us to focus on how this fig tree can represent our own spiritual fruitfulness.
Picture the scene. At a distance, hungry Jesus sees a fig tree in full leaf (keeping in mind that fig trees, when they are in full leaf, have produced their fruit - so seeing a fig tree full of leaves indicates that fruit will be found). He approaches this tree, and upon reaching it, finds that it hadn't produced any fruit at all. (For, you see, this all took place somewhere around March/April, the time of the Passover - which was too early for figs, meaning this tree had produced leaves prematurely.) So in response, he curses it, and in a matter of days, the fig tree withers from the roots upward.
"He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near." (Luke 21:29-30 NIV)
When you see a fig tree in full leaf, you can expect two things, practically speaking: for summer to be near, and for fruit to have been produced. So what does this mean for us? Let's compare this fig tree with our own souls, and look at a fascinating parallel. Sometimes, at a distance, we may appear to have produced fruit; we may have lush, green leaves on all of our branches. But when you draw near, when you get close to what is truly inside our hearts, all of that was a mask, a deception, and there is no TRUE fruit in our lives. We appear to be fruitful and prosperous on the outside, but on the inside, our souls are dry and fruitless. What happens to trees who don't produce any fruit? I think you know:
"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful... I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches will be picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." (John 15:2, 5-9 NIV)
Such is the fate of all who feign Godliness, who fake righteousness, and who deceive others into believing they are righteous when in reality their hearts are as barren as the fig tree spoken of by Jesus above. Don't settle for mock righteousness; don't settle for only appearing to be fruitful on the outside, while being truly dead and unfruitful on the inside. Seek to remain in Jesus Christ and His love, and seek God for the fruit of His Spirit to be made manifest in your life so that, unlike this fig tree, when Jesus comes around examining fruits, He will not find us barren, but will find us producing fruit for His Kingdom; fruit that will not spoil or rot, but that will last throughout all eternity.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5:22-26 NIV)
Notice as a final observation that this fruit is not having an enormous youth ministry, a packed church service, or a well-oiled and refined worship team that plays flawlessly every week. This fruit is fruit of the heart. This is the fruit that begins at home when we kneel down in prayer, and may not be seen for miles and miles as if it were a fig tree in leaf. But let me encourage us all today: don't settle for less. Don't just be content to LOOK righteous from a distance; allow Jesus to work in your heart, and BE righteous where it really counts, so that when people come near to get a closer look, they don't see a tree barren of fruit; they see a tree full of life and fruit of the Spirit, one grounded in the Word, sustained by the Living Water, and nurtured by the Gardener of our Souls.
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does he prospers." (Psalm 1:1-3 NIV)
Blessings in Christ All,
Andrew
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again..."
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (Mark 11:12-14, 20-25 NIV)
Pretty neat parable, huh! Jesus took an ordinary occurrence and turned it around to a lesson on faith and prayer. However, there is a deeper message embedded within this passage that I would like us to look at as well. I would like us to focus on how this fig tree can represent our own spiritual fruitfulness.
Picture the scene. At a distance, hungry Jesus sees a fig tree in full leaf (keeping in mind that fig trees, when they are in full leaf, have produced their fruit - so seeing a fig tree full of leaves indicates that fruit will be found). He approaches this tree, and upon reaching it, finds that it hadn't produced any fruit at all. (For, you see, this all took place somewhere around March/April, the time of the Passover - which was too early for figs, meaning this tree had produced leaves prematurely.) So in response, he curses it, and in a matter of days, the fig tree withers from the roots upward.
"He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near." (Luke 21:29-30 NIV)
When you see a fig tree in full leaf, you can expect two things, practically speaking: for summer to be near, and for fruit to have been produced. So what does this mean for us? Let's compare this fig tree with our own souls, and look at a fascinating parallel. Sometimes, at a distance, we may appear to have produced fruit; we may have lush, green leaves on all of our branches. But when you draw near, when you get close to what is truly inside our hearts, all of that was a mask, a deception, and there is no TRUE fruit in our lives. We appear to be fruitful and prosperous on the outside, but on the inside, our souls are dry and fruitless. What happens to trees who don't produce any fruit? I think you know:
"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful... I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches will be picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." (John 15:2, 5-9 NIV)
Such is the fate of all who feign Godliness, who fake righteousness, and who deceive others into believing they are righteous when in reality their hearts are as barren as the fig tree spoken of by Jesus above. Don't settle for mock righteousness; don't settle for only appearing to be fruitful on the outside, while being truly dead and unfruitful on the inside. Seek to remain in Jesus Christ and His love, and seek God for the fruit of His Spirit to be made manifest in your life so that, unlike this fig tree, when Jesus comes around examining fruits, He will not find us barren, but will find us producing fruit for His Kingdom; fruit that will not spoil or rot, but that will last throughout all eternity.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5:22-26 NIV)
Notice as a final observation that this fruit is not having an enormous youth ministry, a packed church service, or a well-oiled and refined worship team that plays flawlessly every week. This fruit is fruit of the heart. This is the fruit that begins at home when we kneel down in prayer, and may not be seen for miles and miles as if it were a fig tree in leaf. But let me encourage us all today: don't settle for less. Don't just be content to LOOK righteous from a distance; allow Jesus to work in your heart, and BE righteous where it really counts, so that when people come near to get a closer look, they don't see a tree barren of fruit; they see a tree full of life and fruit of the Spirit, one grounded in the Word, sustained by the Living Water, and nurtured by the Gardener of our Souls.
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does he prospers." (Psalm 1:1-3 NIV)
Blessings in Christ All,
Andrew
"Where Will You Cast Your Cares?" 11-21-08
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands are my delight.
144 Your statutes are forever right;
give me understanding that I may live. Psalms 119:143-144
Sometimes when I have had a particular trying day, I feel like everything is against me. It is in these moments that a voice calls out to me. It is in these moments that I am reminded of the one whom I can go to and lay out all my fears and cares.
At the foot of the Cross.
God has created us in His image, and knows who we are. He knows all of our fears, our joys, and our very hearts. He knows are thoughts, what pressures we will soon be dealing with, and what troubles we have faced. He knows are past, present, and future. He knows all of these things not only because He made each one of us, but because He once walked in our shoes.
God sent His Son to our world to be a Man. But He didn't just miraculously appear among the people, He came into this world just like all of us do: He was born as a baby. A helpless babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and loved by His mother and father. He even had siblings. He walked the life we all walk, except He came as a sinless Man.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12
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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. John 3:16-18
Jesus can therefore empathize with everything that is going on in our lives. Need someone to talk to who will understand you? Try talking to God. He endured the harshest situations one can imagine. He was beaten and killed upon a cross. He was ridiculed by the people, and hated by the Pharisees. He was tempted by Satan, and sold out by His friends. All of these and so much more He went through. Think you have it bad? Think again.
But Jesus is the only one who deeply and truly understands you. Just because He may have endured worse than you, He would never say, "Oh come on! I had it worse off; at least you didn't die on a cross! So buck up you sissy!" Oh no. He will say instead, "Come, my child. Come into my arms, and cast your cares upon me. I am here for you, and I shower you with my love for you."
Still doubting? Go ahead and have that conversation with Him, and you will see. A burden will lift from your shoulders, and you will feel free like you never felt before.*
For further reading, read Luke chapters 2-24.
Come to Me, all who are weary
And I will give you rest
Come to Me, all who are weary
And I will give you rest
Lay your head down on My shoulders
Be still my child, rest a while
I'll quiet you with My love
Rejoice over you with My song
I'll quiet you with My love
Rejoice over you with My song
Come to Me, all who are weary
And take My yoke upon you
Come to Me, all who are weary
My burden is easy and light
Lay your head down on My shoulders
Be still my child, rest a while
Quiet You With My Love by Rebecca St. James
Let's cast all our cares upon Jesus, because He will give us rest!
Whitney
but your commands are my delight.
144 Your statutes are forever right;
give me understanding that I may live. Psalms 119:143-144
Sometimes when I have had a particular trying day, I feel like everything is against me. It is in these moments that a voice calls out to me. It is in these moments that I am reminded of the one whom I can go to and lay out all my fears and cares.
At the foot of the Cross.
God has created us in His image, and knows who we are. He knows all of our fears, our joys, and our very hearts. He knows are thoughts, what pressures we will soon be dealing with, and what troubles we have faced. He knows are past, present, and future. He knows all of these things not only because He made each one of us, but because He once walked in our shoes.
God sent His Son to our world to be a Man. But He didn't just miraculously appear among the people, He came into this world just like all of us do: He was born as a baby. A helpless babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and loved by His mother and father. He even had siblings. He walked the life we all walk, except He came as a sinless Man.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12
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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. John 3:16-18
Jesus can therefore empathize with everything that is going on in our lives. Need someone to talk to who will understand you? Try talking to God. He endured the harshest situations one can imagine. He was beaten and killed upon a cross. He was ridiculed by the people, and hated by the Pharisees. He was tempted by Satan, and sold out by His friends. All of these and so much more He went through. Think you have it bad? Think again.
But Jesus is the only one who deeply and truly understands you. Just because He may have endured worse than you, He would never say, "Oh come on! I had it worse off; at least you didn't die on a cross! So buck up you sissy!" Oh no. He will say instead, "Come, my child. Come into my arms, and cast your cares upon me. I am here for you, and I shower you with my love for you."
Still doubting? Go ahead and have that conversation with Him, and you will see. A burden will lift from your shoulders, and you will feel free like you never felt before.*
For further reading, read Luke chapters 2-24.
Come to Me, all who are weary
And I will give you rest
Come to Me, all who are weary
And I will give you rest
Lay your head down on My shoulders
Be still my child, rest a while
I'll quiet you with My love
Rejoice over you with My song
I'll quiet you with My love
Rejoice over you with My song
Come to Me, all who are weary
And take My yoke upon you
Come to Me, all who are weary
My burden is easy and light
Lay your head down on My shoulders
Be still my child, rest a while
Quiet You With My Love by Rebecca St. James
Let's cast all our cares upon Jesus, because He will give us rest!
Whitney
"Jesus Freaks"
A message from the band dc Talk:
"You have heard it said unto you...but I say unto you..."
From the beginnings of His public ministry, Jesus set the record straight: "I have come to change the world." He had come to change people's thinking. He had come to revolutionize their paradigm–the way they saw the world and had comfortably settled into it, following their own desires, ignoring those around them who needed help, and figuring that was the way to do it because everyone else was doing pretty much the same thing, and they fit in with that.
Then came Jesus. "You have heard it said...but I say unto you..."
We often think we have arrived spiritually because we have memorized a bunch of rules and regulations, or a list of do's and don't's , and built them into our culture and lifestyle. If you just wear your Christian T-shirt once a week, make sure your radio is always tuned to the local Christian music station, don't do drugs or drink, go to church on Sundays and Bible study one night a week, take part in the summer missions trip, and don't have sex until you are married, then you are a real witness to those around you.
But Jesus came and shattered man's perception of the world. He taught about a kingdom that was more powerful than man could ever comprehend. This kingdom, however, didn't always make common sense. He taught that the kingdom of heaven is more than clothes music, Bible studies, and what you do on the outside. The kingdom of heaven is spiritual. The kingdom of heaven is peace. The kingdom of heaven is the narrow road of following Jesus day by day. You can't be like everyone else and follow Him. His sheep hear His voice and chase after Him; they don't just roam with the rest of the herd and think that is going to save them.
The path He has for you is very different, very special; it is unique in all of human kind. He came to change the world. How can those who truly follow Him have any less of a goal in life?
Jesus came to comfort the afflicted, but He also came to afflict the comfortable.
Throughout history true followers of Christ have been revolutionaries. As the trends of society have been dictated by the herd mentality, these men and women of God have stood up and said, "Hey wait a minute. That's not right!" They reached out their hands to people the rest of the world walked by without a glance, they spoke out when shutting up may have saved their lives, they distributed Bibles when others were passing out ammunition, they took God places others called "God-forsaken", they picked up their crosses and followed Christ when others cried "Lord, Lord" but did nothing. And for this they were called "Freaks".
People often look up to us because we are in the public eye, but the people in this book are the true heros. They are the ones people should look up to.
The freedoms we have today to own a bible, believe what seems right to us, go to the church we want, and follow God as completely as we want are all because to the Jesus Freaks who came before us. If only we had yet done enough to earn such an honored title among the rest of these "Freaks".
Proverbs 1:32 NIV tells us "the complacency of fools will destroy them." Are we too comfortable in our lifestyles to truly be following Christ?...
...We hear the word martyr a lot these days. People who feel sorry for themselves because others have been inconsiderate to them are said to be "playing the martyr" to get the attention of their friends. People are called "martyrs" on the evening news because they have suffered even slightly for some cause. People use the word as a political tool to try to spark a revolution and conform others to their way of thinking. They try to manipulate others with this word to get what they want.
All true martyrs are revolutionaries, but not all revolutionaries are true martyrs.
Those who rise up and kill themselves to kill others are not martyrs at all. They have lost sight of the truth and have been sucked into a lie. They have never experienced the true power of love. The kind of love God is. The love that cannot be defeated, though you beat it, you torture it, or you shoot it with guns or stab it with knives. They try to accomplish their goals through fear and intimidation. They do not understand that true martyrdom is being a witness for the Truth. It is not defined simply by dying for some cause; it is defined by living for the freedom of others. Freedom from fear. Freedom from prejudice and persecution. Freedom from hatred, bitterness, and jealousy. Freedom to be forgiven and to forgive.
Martyrs die because they refuse to deny the Truth, they are unwilling to force their ways upon others, and they are unwilling to fight back when fighting back would deny the Love they are trying to show those hurting them. This is how martyrdom changes things: It stands up as a witness of the One who is Truth and Love, and the One who is Truth and Love can do little else but stand up and stand with His presence. And His presence changes things.
These are the true revolutionaries that have existed throughout history, starting at the Cross. These are the great cloud of martyrs–witnesses–that are seated in heaven watching the revolution for true freedom–spiritual freedom–rage on the earth. It is a revolution of words and hearts and helping hands. It is a revolution that turns the world upside right and lets God touch the heart with His love wherever the revolutionaries go, whether it be across the street, across the ocean, into a prison cell, or to the grave. These are the revolutionaries who were not willing to set aside the Truth for the convenience of being accepted or the privilege of living only by their own desires. These are the revolutionaries who fight for the spiritual freedom that is only found in Jesus and unwilling to let that freedom go for anything.
We have much to learn from such revolutionaries. We also have much to carry on for them–much to carry on for Him.*
Excerpt from Jesus Freaks Volume 2 by dc Talk and the Voice of the Martyrs
What Would Jesus Do?
Whitney
"You have heard it said unto you...but I say unto you..."
From the beginnings of His public ministry, Jesus set the record straight: "I have come to change the world." He had come to change people's thinking. He had come to revolutionize their paradigm–the way they saw the world and had comfortably settled into it, following their own desires, ignoring those around them who needed help, and figuring that was the way to do it because everyone else was doing pretty much the same thing, and they fit in with that.
Then came Jesus. "You have heard it said...but I say unto you..."
We often think we have arrived spiritually because we have memorized a bunch of rules and regulations, or a list of do's and don't's , and built them into our culture and lifestyle. If you just wear your Christian T-shirt once a week, make sure your radio is always tuned to the local Christian music station, don't do drugs or drink, go to church on Sundays and Bible study one night a week, take part in the summer missions trip, and don't have sex until you are married, then you are a real witness to those around you.
But Jesus came and shattered man's perception of the world. He taught about a kingdom that was more powerful than man could ever comprehend. This kingdom, however, didn't always make common sense. He taught that the kingdom of heaven is more than clothes music, Bible studies, and what you do on the outside. The kingdom of heaven is spiritual. The kingdom of heaven is peace. The kingdom of heaven is the narrow road of following Jesus day by day. You can't be like everyone else and follow Him. His sheep hear His voice and chase after Him; they don't just roam with the rest of the herd and think that is going to save them.
The path He has for you is very different, very special; it is unique in all of human kind. He came to change the world. How can those who truly follow Him have any less of a goal in life?
Jesus came to comfort the afflicted, but He also came to afflict the comfortable.
Throughout history true followers of Christ have been revolutionaries. As the trends of society have been dictated by the herd mentality, these men and women of God have stood up and said, "Hey wait a minute. That's not right!" They reached out their hands to people the rest of the world walked by without a glance, they spoke out when shutting up may have saved their lives, they distributed Bibles when others were passing out ammunition, they took God places others called "God-forsaken", they picked up their crosses and followed Christ when others cried "Lord, Lord" but did nothing. And for this they were called "Freaks".
People often look up to us because we are in the public eye, but the people in this book are the true heros. They are the ones people should look up to.
The freedoms we have today to own a bible, believe what seems right to us, go to the church we want, and follow God as completely as we want are all because to the Jesus Freaks who came before us. If only we had yet done enough to earn such an honored title among the rest of these "Freaks".
Proverbs 1:32 NIV tells us "the complacency of fools will destroy them." Are we too comfortable in our lifestyles to truly be following Christ?...
...We hear the word martyr a lot these days. People who feel sorry for themselves because others have been inconsiderate to them are said to be "playing the martyr" to get the attention of their friends. People are called "martyrs" on the evening news because they have suffered even slightly for some cause. People use the word as a political tool to try to spark a revolution and conform others to their way of thinking. They try to manipulate others with this word to get what they want.
All true martyrs are revolutionaries, but not all revolutionaries are true martyrs.
Those who rise up and kill themselves to kill others are not martyrs at all. They have lost sight of the truth and have been sucked into a lie. They have never experienced the true power of love. The kind of love God is. The love that cannot be defeated, though you beat it, you torture it, or you shoot it with guns or stab it with knives. They try to accomplish their goals through fear and intimidation. They do not understand that true martyrdom is being a witness for the Truth. It is not defined simply by dying for some cause; it is defined by living for the freedom of others. Freedom from fear. Freedom from prejudice and persecution. Freedom from hatred, bitterness, and jealousy. Freedom to be forgiven and to forgive.
Martyrs die because they refuse to deny the Truth, they are unwilling to force their ways upon others, and they are unwilling to fight back when fighting back would deny the Love they are trying to show those hurting them. This is how martyrdom changes things: It stands up as a witness of the One who is Truth and Love, and the One who is Truth and Love can do little else but stand up and stand with His presence. And His presence changes things.
These are the true revolutionaries that have existed throughout history, starting at the Cross. These are the great cloud of martyrs–witnesses–that are seated in heaven watching the revolution for true freedom–spiritual freedom–rage on the earth. It is a revolution of words and hearts and helping hands. It is a revolution that turns the world upside right and lets God touch the heart with His love wherever the revolutionaries go, whether it be across the street, across the ocean, into a prison cell, or to the grave. These are the revolutionaries who were not willing to set aside the Truth for the convenience of being accepted or the privilege of living only by their own desires. These are the revolutionaries who fight for the spiritual freedom that is only found in Jesus and unwilling to let that freedom go for anything.
We have much to learn from such revolutionaries. We also have much to carry on for them–much to carry on for Him.*
Excerpt from Jesus Freaks Volume 2 by dc Talk and the Voice of the Martyrs
What Would Jesus Do?
Whitney
"The Dragon" 7-15-08
The Dragon
There was once a great and noble King whose land was terrorized by a crafty dragon. Like a massive bird of prey, the scaly beast delighted in ravaging villages with his fiery breath. Hapless victims ran from their burning homes, only to be snatched into the dragon's jaws or talons. Those devoured instantly were deemed more fortunate than those carried back to the dragon's lair to be devoured at his leisure. The King led his sons and knights in many valiant battles against the dragon.
Riding alone in the forest, one of the King's sons heard his name purred low and soft. In the shadows of the ferns and trees, curled among the boulders, lay the dragon. The creature's heavy-lidded eyes fastened on the prince, and the reptilian mouth stretched into a friendly smile.
"Don't be alarmed," said the dragon, as gray wisps of smoke rose lazily from his nostrils.
"I am not what your father thinks."
"What are you, then?" asked the prince, warily drawing his sword as he pulled in the reins to keep his fearful horse from bolting.
"I am pleasure," said the dragon. "Ride on my back and you will experience more than you ever imagined. Come now. I have no harmful intentions. I seek a friend, someone to share flights with me. Have you never dreamed of flying? Never longed to soar in the clouds?"
Visions of soaring high above the forested hills drew the prince hesitantly from his horse. The dragon unfurled one great webbed wing to serve as a ramp to his ridged back. Between the spiny projections, the prince found a secure seat. Then the creature snapped his powerful wings twice and launched them into the sky. The prince's apprehension melted into awe and exhilaration.
From then on, he met the dragon often, but secretly, for how could he tell his father, brothers or the knights that he had befriended the enemy? The prince felt separate from them all. Their concerns were no longer his concerns. Even when he wasn't with the dragon, he spent less time with those he loved and more time alone.
The skin on the prince's legs became calloused from gripping the ridged back of the dragon, and his hands grew rough and hardened. He began wearing gloves to hide the malady. After many nights of riding, he discovered scales growing on the backs of his hands as well. With dread he realized his fate were he to continue, and so he resolved to return no more to the dragon.
But, after a fortnight, he again sought out the dragon, having been tormented with desire. And so it transpired many times over. No matter what his determination, the prince eventually found himself pulled back, as if by the cords of an invisible web. Silently, patiently, the dragon always waited.
One cold, moonless night their excursion became a foray against a sleeping village. Torching the thatched roofs with fiery blasts from his nostrils, the dragon roared with delight when the terrified victims fled from their burning homes. Swooping in, the serpent belched again and flames engulfed a cluster of screaming villages. The prince closed his eyes tightly in an attempt to shut out the carnage.
In the pre dawn hours, when the prince crept back from his dragon trysts, the road outside his father's castle usually remained empty. But not tonight. Terrified refugees streamed into the protective walls of the castle. The prince attempted to slip through the crowd to close himself in his chambers, but some of the survivors stared and pointed toward him.
"He was there," one woman cried out, "I saw him on the back of the dragon." Others nodded their heads in angry agreement. Horrified, the prince saw that his father, the King, was in the courtyard holding a bleeding child in his arms. The King's face mirrored the agony of his people as his eyes found the prince's. The son fled, hoping to escape into the night, but the guards apprehended him as if he were a common thief. They brought him to the great hall where his father sat solemnly on the throne. The people on every side railed against the prince.
"Banish him!" he heard one of his own brothers angrily cry out.
"Burn him alive!" other voices shouted.
As the king rose from his throne, bloodstains from the wounded shone darkly on his royal robes. The crowd fell silent in expectation of his decree. The prince, who could not bear to look into his father's face, stared at the flagstones of the floor.
"Take off your gloves and your tunic," the King commanded. The prince obeyed slowly, dreading to have his metamorphosis uncovered before the kingdom. Was his shame not already enough? He had hoped for a quick death without further humiliation. Sounds of revulsion rippled through the crowd at the sight of the prince's thick, scaled skin and the ridge growing along his spine.
The king strode toward his son, and the prince steeled himself, fully expecting a back handed blow even though he had never been struck so by his father.
Instead, his father embraced him and wept as he held him tightly. In shocked disbelief, the prince buried his face against his father's shoulder.
"Do you wish to be freed from the dragon, my son?"
The prince answered in despair, "I wished it many times, but there is no hope for me."
"Not alone," said the King. "You cannot win against the dragon alone."
"Father, I am no longer your son. I am half beast," sobbed the prince.
But his father replied, "My blood runs in your veins. My nobility has always been stamped deep within your soul."
With his face still hidden tearfully in his father's embrace, the prince heard the King instruct the crowd, "The dragon is crafty. Some fall victim to his wiles and some to his violence. There will be mercy for all who wish to be freed. Who else among you has ridden the dragon?"
The prince lifted his head to see someone emerge from the crowd. To his amazement, he recognized an older brother, one who had been lauded throughout the kingdom for his onslaughts against the dragon in battle and for his many good deeds. Others came, some weeping, others hanging their heads in shame.
The King embraced them all.
"This is our most powerful weapon against the dragon," he announced. "Truth. No more hidden flights. Alone we cannot resist him. Together we can overcome him."
Melinda Reinicke, Parables for Personal Growth (San Diego, CA: Recovery Publications, Inc., 1993), pp. 5-9.
Riding alone in the forest, one of the King's sons heard his name purred low and soft. In the shadows of the ferns and trees, curled among the boulders, lay the dragon. The creature's heavy-lidded eyes fastened on the prince, and the reptilian mouth stretched into a friendly smile.
"Don't be alarmed," said the dragon, as gray wisps of smoke rose lazily from his nostrils.
"I am not what your father thinks."
"What are you, then?" asked the prince, warily drawing his sword as he pulled in the reins to keep his fearful horse from bolting.
"I am pleasure," said the dragon. "Ride on my back and you will experience more than you ever imagined. Come now. I have no harmful intentions. I seek a friend, someone to share flights with me. Have you never dreamed of flying? Never longed to soar in the clouds?"
Visions of soaring high above the forested hills drew the prince hesitantly from his horse. The dragon unfurled one great webbed wing to serve as a ramp to his ridged back. Between the spiny projections, the prince found a secure seat. Then the creature snapped his powerful wings twice and launched them into the sky. The prince's apprehension melted into awe and exhilaration.
From then on, he met the dragon often, but secretly, for how could he tell his father, brothers or the knights that he had befriended the enemy? The prince felt separate from them all. Their concerns were no longer his concerns. Even when he wasn't with the dragon, he spent less time with those he loved and more time alone.
The skin on the prince's legs became calloused from gripping the ridged back of the dragon, and his hands grew rough and hardened. He began wearing gloves to hide the malady. After many nights of riding, he discovered scales growing on the backs of his hands as well. With dread he realized his fate were he to continue, and so he resolved to return no more to the dragon.
But, after a fortnight, he again sought out the dragon, having been tormented with desire. And so it transpired many times over. No matter what his determination, the prince eventually found himself pulled back, as if by the cords of an invisible web. Silently, patiently, the dragon always waited.
One cold, moonless night their excursion became a foray against a sleeping village. Torching the thatched roofs with fiery blasts from his nostrils, the dragon roared with delight when the terrified victims fled from their burning homes. Swooping in, the serpent belched again and flames engulfed a cluster of screaming villages. The prince closed his eyes tightly in an attempt to shut out the carnage.
In the pre dawn hours, when the prince crept back from his dragon trysts, the road outside his father's castle usually remained empty. But not tonight. Terrified refugees streamed into the protective walls of the castle. The prince attempted to slip through the crowd to close himself in his chambers, but some of the survivors stared and pointed toward him.
"He was there," one woman cried out, "I saw him on the back of the dragon." Others nodded their heads in angry agreement. Horrified, the prince saw that his father, the King, was in the courtyard holding a bleeding child in his arms. The King's face mirrored the agony of his people as his eyes found the prince's. The son fled, hoping to escape into the night, but the guards apprehended him as if he were a common thief. They brought him to the great hall where his father sat solemnly on the throne. The people on every side railed against the prince.
"Banish him!" he heard one of his own brothers angrily cry out.
"Burn him alive!" other voices shouted.
As the king rose from his throne, bloodstains from the wounded shone darkly on his royal robes. The crowd fell silent in expectation of his decree. The prince, who could not bear to look into his father's face, stared at the flagstones of the floor.
"Take off your gloves and your tunic," the King commanded. The prince obeyed slowly, dreading to have his metamorphosis uncovered before the kingdom. Was his shame not already enough? He had hoped for a quick death without further humiliation. Sounds of revulsion rippled through the crowd at the sight of the prince's thick, scaled skin and the ridge growing along his spine.
The king strode toward his son, and the prince steeled himself, fully expecting a back handed blow even though he had never been struck so by his father.
Instead, his father embraced him and wept as he held him tightly. In shocked disbelief, the prince buried his face against his father's shoulder.
"Do you wish to be freed from the dragon, my son?"
The prince answered in despair, "I wished it many times, but there is no hope for me."
"Not alone," said the King. "You cannot win against the dragon alone."
"Father, I am no longer your son. I am half beast," sobbed the prince.
But his father replied, "My blood runs in your veins. My nobility has always been stamped deep within your soul."
With his face still hidden tearfully in his father's embrace, the prince heard the King instruct the crowd, "The dragon is crafty. Some fall victim to his wiles and some to his violence. There will be mercy for all who wish to be freed. Who else among you has ridden the dragon?"
The prince lifted his head to see someone emerge from the crowd. To his amazement, he recognized an older brother, one who had been lauded throughout the kingdom for his onslaughts against the dragon in battle and for his many good deeds. Others came, some weeping, others hanging their heads in shame.
The King embraced them all.
"This is our most powerful weapon against the dragon," he announced. "Truth. No more hidden flights. Alone we cannot resist him. Together we can overcome him."
Melinda Reinicke, Parables for Personal Growth (San Diego, CA: Recovery Publications, Inc., 1993), pp. 5-9.
Two are better than one, for they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Blessings,
Andrew
Our Daily Bread: "Answer the Call" 5-16-08
Hello Everyone
In light of "Testimonial Tuesdays", and of tying in "Jesus Man", I wish to share with you an experience I had some time ago. I was friends with a young lady who was not a Christian, and was going through some tough times. I was a sophomore at the time.
I will never forget this day, but I was sitting on the bus ride home, she in front of me. We were talking about all kinds of things, getting along real good.
Suddenly the Lord began to tug on my heart. "Speak to her, tell her about me."
But I ignored the feeling, figuring it would go away. You know the true feeling though? I was afraid.
Afraid of what? You might ask. Afraid of what she might think of me, or say, afraid to lose that friendship? Probably. Stupid you might think.
In reality we face similar circumstances all the time. Let me tell you, if you feel the Lord tugging you at the heart, you don't ignore Him. You do as He says.
I didn't. I let her go, and now she has moved away. I haven't seen her since.
And I have to live with that for the rest of my life. I vowed then to learn to become bolder in my faith. Because Andrew is right. Why seek the approval of man, when man will one day disappear? All of this on earth shall pass away, while Heaven is forever. Why when we are going to Heaven to live forever with Him? And when you arrive in Heaven, at the Bema seat of Christ, and you are asked the question of what you did. "Did you witness and tell others the good news? How many did you lead to Me?" And then we are left with the remembrance of not having done the simple favor God asked of us. Let that sink in.
Witnessing is not to gain more favor than anyone else, nor must we think it is simply the more you get the better. This is not a game folks; these are souls, lives at stake. It's either don't tell them, and leave then in the hands of the Devil forever, or give them the opportunity to live forever in Paradise. God gave us the ability to chose. So let us choose wisely.
The next time He calls you, Answer Him.*
19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
Answering the call,
Whitney
In light of "Testimonial Tuesdays", and of tying in "Jesus Man", I wish to share with you an experience I had some time ago. I was friends with a young lady who was not a Christian, and was going through some tough times. I was a sophomore at the time.
I will never forget this day, but I was sitting on the bus ride home, she in front of me. We were talking about all kinds of things, getting along real good.
Suddenly the Lord began to tug on my heart. "Speak to her, tell her about me."
But I ignored the feeling, figuring it would go away. You know the true feeling though? I was afraid.
Afraid of what? You might ask. Afraid of what she might think of me, or say, afraid to lose that friendship? Probably. Stupid you might think.
In reality we face similar circumstances all the time. Let me tell you, if you feel the Lord tugging you at the heart, you don't ignore Him. You do as He says.
I didn't. I let her go, and now she has moved away. I haven't seen her since.
And I have to live with that for the rest of my life. I vowed then to learn to become bolder in my faith. Because Andrew is right. Why seek the approval of man, when man will one day disappear? All of this on earth shall pass away, while Heaven is forever. Why when we are going to Heaven to live forever with Him? And when you arrive in Heaven, at the Bema seat of Christ, and you are asked the question of what you did. "Did you witness and tell others the good news? How many did you lead to Me?" And then we are left with the remembrance of not having done the simple favor God asked of us. Let that sink in.
Witnessing is not to gain more favor than anyone else, nor must we think it is simply the more you get the better. This is not a game folks; these are souls, lives at stake. It's either don't tell them, and leave then in the hands of the Devil forever, or give them the opportunity to live forever in Paradise. God gave us the ability to chose. So let us choose wisely.
The next time He calls you, Answer Him.*
19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
Answering the call,
Whitney
Our Daily Bread: "The Jesus Man" 5-15-08
Hello everyone!
Just recently, I took a trip to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, and it was a very enjoyable experience all around. But there was one thing in particular that stood out to me, which in fact had nothing to do with Shakespeare whatsoever. It was a single man, dubbed the "Jesus Man" by our party, standing in the outdoor festival center with a sign proclaiming, "Jesus is Lord, He is the Son of God, Put your trust in Him, Believe and have faith." He said nothing (perhaps to avoid arrest under the pretense of disturbing the peace); he simply held his sign for all to see, despite peoples' judgmental glances and condemning remarks.
This took courage. To endure the remarks which he must have known were directed at him, to press on despite the judgmental glances, was no small feat. Even people in my own group criticized this man for what he was doing. "He could be doing more for his beliefs than holding a stupid sign," they said. As I looked back on it, I myself wondered if there wasn't something a little more proactive that the Jesus Man could have been doing to share the Gospel; but then I realized that if God had planted it in this man's heart to do what he did, there is no telling whose hearts may have been forever changed by this one single incident.
I myself have been effected by the Jesus Man's boldness. Listening and seeing the peoples' responses to his act of proclaiming the Gospel, I have been challenged in my own faith to the kind of fearlessness we are called to. This man did not seek the approval of men; he sought the approval of God, and in so doing, who knows how many people he has silently affected? He has had a deep impact upon me, and I hope he will have the same impact upon you all as well.
Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. (John 12:42-43 NASB)
Is fear holding you back from proclaiming the Gospel? Do you seek the approval of men rather than the approval of God? Even if we speak the Truth in love, the simple fact that we are speaking the Truth of Christ will offend some, and they will look down upon us; they will speak ill of us; they will condemn us. But let me tell you this: we cannot let the fear of men keep us from proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the hurting, seeking, and lost people who need to hear it most. If we keep quiet for fear of not being accepted, none will hear or believe; but if we boldly speak the truth in love, some will believe and repent, to the glory of God.
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:35-38 ESV)
Some will believe and repent; some will remain in sin and look down upon us. Some will respond to the Truth; some will criticize us for our boldness. Such is the nature of the world; we must learn to love them all regardless. But just as the Jesus Man did, we cannot let the fear of men hinder us from sharing the truth of God. Accept the fact that people will persecute us for speaking the truth, for doing what we know is right, and press on regardless, sharing the Gospel of reconciliation in Christ to those who are crying out to hear it.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:10-12 ESV)
Blessings,
Andrew
Just recently, I took a trip to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival, and it was a very enjoyable experience all around. But there was one thing in particular that stood out to me, which in fact had nothing to do with Shakespeare whatsoever. It was a single man, dubbed the "Jesus Man" by our party, standing in the outdoor festival center with a sign proclaiming, "Jesus is Lord, He is the Son of God, Put your trust in Him, Believe and have faith." He said nothing (perhaps to avoid arrest under the pretense of disturbing the peace); he simply held his sign for all to see, despite peoples' judgmental glances and condemning remarks.
This took courage. To endure the remarks which he must have known were directed at him, to press on despite the judgmental glances, was no small feat. Even people in my own group criticized this man for what he was doing. "He could be doing more for his beliefs than holding a stupid sign," they said. As I looked back on it, I myself wondered if there wasn't something a little more proactive that the Jesus Man could have been doing to share the Gospel; but then I realized that if God had planted it in this man's heart to do what he did, there is no telling whose hearts may have been forever changed by this one single incident.
I myself have been effected by the Jesus Man's boldness. Listening and seeing the peoples' responses to his act of proclaiming the Gospel, I have been challenged in my own faith to the kind of fearlessness we are called to. This man did not seek the approval of men; he sought the approval of God, and in so doing, who knows how many people he has silently affected? He has had a deep impact upon me, and I hope he will have the same impact upon you all as well.
Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. (John 12:42-43 NASB)
Is fear holding you back from proclaiming the Gospel? Do you seek the approval of men rather than the approval of God? Even if we speak the Truth in love, the simple fact that we are speaking the Truth of Christ will offend some, and they will look down upon us; they will speak ill of us; they will condemn us. But let me tell you this: we cannot let the fear of men keep us from proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the hurting, seeking, and lost people who need to hear it most. If we keep quiet for fear of not being accepted, none will hear or believe; but if we boldly speak the truth in love, some will believe and repent, to the glory of God.
"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:35-38 ESV)
Some will believe and repent; some will remain in sin and look down upon us. Some will respond to the Truth; some will criticize us for our boldness. Such is the nature of the world; we must learn to love them all regardless. But just as the Jesus Man did, we cannot let the fear of men hinder us from sharing the truth of God. Accept the fact that people will persecute us for speaking the truth, for doing what we know is right, and press on regardless, sharing the Gospel of reconciliation in Christ to those who are crying out to hear it.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:10-12 ESV)
Blessings,
Andrew
Our Daily Bread: "Testimonial Tuesday: Liberty to the Captives" 5-13-08
Hello everyone!
I'd like to implement something I'd like to call "Testimonial Tuesdays," where instead of a message, we'll have a testimony from someone whose life God has blessed. In fact, I would like to invite you all to take part in this as well, if you feel led to do so. If you have a testimony of something special that the Lord has done in your life - big or small - we'd love to hear it and share it with everyone else! You may choose to remain anonymous or not; it is completely up to you, but we would love to hear from you regardless! Remember, the power of a testimony knows no bounds!
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, (2 Timothy 1:8-9 NKJV)
Today's testimony comes from a web-ministry I've shared on occasions past called Setting Captives Free, and I enjoy this particular testimony because it shows us that no matter the depth of our sin, no matter how long we have been held captive by its deceitfulness, the Lord can and does lead to true repentance and salvation without regret - praise God for that, and for this testimony of His grace from a gentleman who recently completed the "Way of Purity" course.
"At age 16 I was introduced to pornography by my uncle. That began a downward spiral through college and my twenties into sexual sin. My mind was on fire and I could not stop...or would not stop!
When I was 30 I revealed the sin to my wife and she demanded that I get counseling. I went to counseling and later SAA, but nothing really helped over the long term because Christ was not the center. 10 years later my marriage ended in divorce, which began another spiral downward into more porn, selfish gratification and lust.
One day, after crying out to the Lord and begging him to help me, I Googled the words "sexual addiction" on my computer and up came the Setting Captives Free website. I visited it, but did not start the program until 5 months later due to my pride and hardness of heart. Finally, by Gods grace, and after much more pain, I started the course.
Since that time God has been so gracious to lead me through this process of true freedom - He is restoring the years the locust have eaten. I give him all the glory! For the first time in 30 years, I have hope, true peace of mind and God is giving me freedom from the slavery of pornography and the devil. All praise to his holy name!"
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations." (Isaiah 61:1-4 NKJV)
Let us all rejoice in our God, who indeed has the power to free the captives, comfort those who mourn, and to give them "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!" And please remember, if any of you have a testimony you'd like to share, please do! It does not have to be as "weighty" as the one I shared here; simply something wonderful the Lord has done in your life.
Blessings,
Andrew
I'd like to implement something I'd like to call "Testimonial Tuesdays," where instead of a message, we'll have a testimony from someone whose life God has blessed. In fact, I would like to invite you all to take part in this as well, if you feel led to do so. If you have a testimony of something special that the Lord has done in your life - big or small - we'd love to hear it and share it with everyone else! You may choose to remain anonymous or not; it is completely up to you, but we would love to hear from you regardless! Remember, the power of a testimony knows no bounds!
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, (2 Timothy 1:8-9 NKJV)
Today's testimony comes from a web-ministry I've shared on occasions past called Setting Captives Free, and I enjoy this particular testimony because it shows us that no matter the depth of our sin, no matter how long we have been held captive by its deceitfulness, the Lord can and does lead to true repentance and salvation without regret - praise God for that, and for this testimony of His grace from a gentleman who recently completed the "Way of Purity" course.
"At age 16 I was introduced to pornography by my uncle. That began a downward spiral through college and my twenties into sexual sin. My mind was on fire and I could not stop...or would not stop!
When I was 30 I revealed the sin to my wife and she demanded that I get counseling. I went to counseling and later SAA, but nothing really helped over the long term because Christ was not the center. 10 years later my marriage ended in divorce, which began another spiral downward into more porn, selfish gratification and lust.
One day, after crying out to the Lord and begging him to help me, I Googled the words "sexual addiction" on my computer and up came the Setting Captives Free website. I visited it, but did not start the program until 5 months later due to my pride and hardness of heart. Finally, by Gods grace, and after much more pain, I started the course.
Since that time God has been so gracious to lead me through this process of true freedom - He is restoring the years the locust have eaten. I give him all the glory! For the first time in 30 years, I have hope, true peace of mind and God is giving me freedom from the slavery of pornography and the devil. All praise to his holy name!"
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations." (Isaiah 61:1-4 NKJV)
Let us all rejoice in our God, who indeed has the power to free the captives, comfort those who mourn, and to give them "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!" And please remember, if any of you have a testimony you'd like to share, please do! It does not have to be as "weighty" as the one I shared here; simply something wonderful the Lord has done in your life.
Blessings,
Andrew
"Who's Your Daddy?" 5-12-08
Hello everyone! Today I'd like to challenge you all with something. Some of you may already be at this point in your relationship with the Lord; others of you may not, but wherever you find yourself, I hope you'll join with me in visiting this fun little topic.
Have you ever heard those sermons on "The Names of The LORD" before? I'm sure most of you have; and they are very fascinating indeed. But today, I'd like to remind you all what a blessing we have in God. I'm sure you've heard before that God is not only our Lord and Master, but that He is our Father; but I'd like to ask, have you really let this truth sink in? Really take time to consider this one little statement:
God is my dad.
Give this a second to sink in. When we take away all the Christianized terminology, we are left with that one simple, little statement.
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. (Psalms 68:5 NKJV)
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11 NKJV)
Blessings,
Andrew
Have you ever heard those sermons on "The Names of The LORD" before? I'm sure most of you have; and they are very fascinating indeed. But today, I'd like to remind you all what a blessing we have in God. I'm sure you've heard before that God is not only our Lord and Master, but that He is our Father; but I'd like to ask, have you really let this truth sink in? Really take time to consider this one little statement:
God is my dad.
Give this a second to sink in. When we take away all the Christianized terminology, we are left with that one simple, little statement.
But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. (Psalms 68:5 NKJV)
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:11 NKJV)
Blessings,
Andrew
"Anointed For A Purpose" 5-10-08
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be anointed by God for a purpose? Have you ever wondered what it takes for you to be chosen by God to truly make a difference in the world? Read on, and find out. This passage is from 1 Samuel 16, where the Lord sends Samuel to anoint a king over Israel. This is what the Lord's own criteria is for a man of God:
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV)
This is great news! The outward appearance of a person matters not to God: it is the heart that He sees, and it is the heart that He responds to. Regardless of your skin color, your stature, or your physical strength, God can make you into a great man or woman of righteousness.
So let me ask you, do you want to be anointed by Him? Do you really want to make a difference? If you do, submit your whole heart to Him; leave nothing unchecked. Let Him dig deep and change even those things that you never thought could be changed. Let Him purify your heart; let Him bring the sins of your flesh to light, so that when He looks upon you, He sees a heart covered in the blood of His Son, made pure by His death and resurrection, ready for a life of blessed service.
"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God."(John 3:19-21 ESV)
Blessings in Christ,
Andrew
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV)
This is great news! The outward appearance of a person matters not to God: it is the heart that He sees, and it is the heart that He responds to. Regardless of your skin color, your stature, or your physical strength, God can make you into a great man or woman of righteousness.
So let me ask you, do you want to be anointed by Him? Do you really want to make a difference? If you do, submit your whole heart to Him; leave nothing unchecked. Let Him dig deep and change even those things that you never thought could be changed. Let Him purify your heart; let Him bring the sins of your flesh to light, so that when He looks upon you, He sees a heart covered in the blood of His Son, made pure by His death and resurrection, ready for a life of blessed service.
"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God."(John 3:19-21 ESV)
Blessings in Christ,
Andrew
"The Spirit of Worship" 5-9-08
Worship. Most of us know about worship in Church, how we stand and sing praises to His name. But did you ever consider the reason why we worship?
Last Sunday our little Christian Band put on the Worship Service for my Church. At first I wondered how they would deal with us "rock" kids leading worship. (Ask me why I was stuck on what they might think again? Bother..silly me).
It was in fact so anointing in that room, the Spirit was moving all about us. We weren't doing it, God was. We all came together with possibly different views, and praised God together. We gave Him sincere thanks and our love for Him was shown. What a feeling to be felt.
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. John 4:23
9 Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. Psalm 96:9
5 Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His footstool——He is holy. Psalms 99:5
To me, we are worshiping a God who not only created us, but also died on the cross for all our sins, and to an awesome God who loves us unconditionally. He is more than just deserving. He is most Holy.
We want to give God the glory, and we want Him to know that. So when we worship, worship with all your heart and soul, and in our own way we are telling our Abba Father, 'Thank You, thank you for dying for me, thank you for creating me, thank you for loving me even though I don't deserve it. Thank you sweet Jesus.'
So when you worship, are you making a joyful noise until the Lord? Are you giving Him the Thanks that we need to relate to Him? He wants to hear us, for it is a 'pleasing and wonderful sound'. Oh and who cares if you think you can't sing or not. God isn't picky in His music and song selections.*
Let's worship together,
Whitney
Last Sunday our little Christian Band put on the Worship Service for my Church. At first I wondered how they would deal with us "rock" kids leading worship. (Ask me why I was stuck on what they might think again? Bother..silly me).
It was in fact so anointing in that room, the Spirit was moving all about us. We weren't doing it, God was. We all came together with possibly different views, and praised God together. We gave Him sincere thanks and our love for Him was shown. What a feeling to be felt.
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. John 4:23
9 Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. Psalm 96:9
5 Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His footstool——He is holy. Psalms 99:5
To me, we are worshiping a God who not only created us, but also died on the cross for all our sins, and to an awesome God who loves us unconditionally. He is more than just deserving. He is most Holy.
We want to give God the glory, and we want Him to know that. So when we worship, worship with all your heart and soul, and in our own way we are telling our Abba Father, 'Thank You, thank you for dying for me, thank you for creating me, thank you for loving me even though I don't deserve it. Thank you sweet Jesus.'
So when you worship, are you making a joyful noise until the Lord? Are you giving Him the Thanks that we need to relate to Him? He wants to hear us, for it is a 'pleasing and wonderful sound'. Oh and who cares if you think you can't sing or not. God isn't picky in His music and song selections.*
Let's worship together,
Whitney
"Let's Get Personal" 4-20-08
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
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
"A Beautiful Love Story" 4-18-08
I love the way Singer/Rapper Toby Mac describes God's love:
"This ain't no ordinary, its extrordinary love!"
God's love is indeed extrordinary. To think that He gave up His life on the cross for our sins, when we were so undeserving...This is the Greatest Love Story of all.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:3
But this incredible love does not stop there. The story continues. God still loves us, and no matter what we continue to do today in sin, His love is still waiting to envelope us. Such grace and mercy....such love. In other words, He loved us then, and He loves us now. What a beautiful love story.*
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.1 John 4:7
But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love
for ever and ever. Psalms 52:8
Cloaked in His Love,
Whitney
"This ain't no ordinary, its extrordinary love!"
God's love is indeed extrordinary. To think that He gave up His life on the cross for our sins, when we were so undeserving...This is the Greatest Love Story of all.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:3
But this incredible love does not stop there. The story continues. God still loves us, and no matter what we continue to do today in sin, His love is still waiting to envelope us. Such grace and mercy....such love. In other words, He loved us then, and He loves us now. What a beautiful love story.*
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.1 John 4:7
But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love
for ever and ever. Psalms 52:8
Cloaked in His Love,
Whitney
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