So...it has been a while since I have even figured out how to log on to this. I just think that it is amazing how I am sitting here working on a lesson for a youth camp that I am about to speak at, and I find myself studying harder than I normally do. I want to make sure that I do a good job. I find myself doubting, wondering...am I trying this hard for me or for God? Am I really trying this hard because I don't want to get up there and make a fool out of myself, or am I trying this hard because I really am zealous and want to share what God has done for me and what he can do for you as well.
Every morning I get to work just a little early for me to be able to read a chapter out of the Bible and say a prayer before I go in for the day. I try my best not to say the same prayer over and over again, but it consists of many of the same things. I work in a hospital and I find myself asking for the strength and the courage to be able to handle the things for the day. Also that the patients will be able to heal and that if it is there time to die, that they go without pain. Sometimes, my prayers are answered, and other times, they are not. I have found though that since I have started this habit, that I am having better days at work. I do not spend the day being stressed out at work. I find that I am able to take all things that come my way in stride and that I am able to do those things that I once dreaded. This morning, I opened up the Bible to my designated chapter of 2 Peter 2.
This Friday I will be speaking on "God's name is Fair and Just." It makes me laugh because I have been struggling coming up with things for me to talk about and examples for the lesson. I have said some prayers. Then I open the Bible today, and almost exactly what I was trying to express with my lesson. I want to share it with you.
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. 4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell,[a] putting them in chains of darkness[b] to be held for judgment; 5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; 6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; 7 and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless 8 (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
This really hit home with me when I was pondering on what the thought of God's name being Fair and Just. There is no better way to put it than the way Peter said it. It is an understatement to say that God loves us. At the same time, God has a vengeful wrath! It is amazing to me that I have been stressing about this lesson and I open my Bible and here is what I have been needing. God is an awesome God!
As I sit here thinking about the wrath of God, it scares me. It scares me to know that I have not done enough to bring others to Christ like I am supposed to. It scares me to know that there are others out there that need to hear the word of God. It scares me to know that God would throw angels in to Hell. It scares me to know that this fate awaits me if I am not prepared and ready to give an answer on the judgement day.
So, I asked the question at the beginning of this post if I was studying this hard for myself or for God. At the beginning, I am sad to say that I was studying for myself, but as I continued to read and I continue to study more, it is for God. I realized how great He is again! I realized how wonderful and powerful He is! He has given me everything in my life that is wonderful! I have an amazing wife, a loving family, a wonderful job, and a roof over my head. He even gave His son for me on the cross so that I might be able to escape my deserving fate. No one deserves to go to Heaven. We are all sinners, but God loves us so much that we have that chance. Look around you and see what all he has done for you. Marvel at the world. The great design! If he can make this world this beautiful, I can only wait with anticipation and say, "Lord, come quickly!" If you haven't been to church in a while, give it another chance. Open the Bible, read and pray. It is amazing what God will show you. If you haven't been baptized...why not? It is commanded of us. If you need forgiveness...just ask! I can't wait to see the streets of gold!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, October 19, 2009
What do you think about the name Ruth?
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the name Ruth? Is it that you have a great Aunt Ruth that has a single mole with three prickly little whiskers that tickle your chin every time she leans in for a kiss. For many of our candy fanatics, your mind instantly drifts off to the sweet buttery peanut filled chocolate covered nuggat, known as the Baby Ruth. Maybe it is for our baseball fans that they think about argueably the greatest home-run hitter of all time. I would be with many of those people, until the other night when my wife and I were doing a Bible study.
We were reading the book of Ruth. While reading Ruth, it became apparent to me just why Ruth was such an inspiration to my wife, and to many other Christians. How strong is your faith? Is it strong enough for you to leave all that you know. Even if you were a widow/widower, to go to a land that you are not at all familiar with? Would your faith be strong enough to say, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. your people, shall be my people, and your God, my God." (Ruth 1:16) It is amazing to think that she was willing to give up everything that she ever knew and everything that she had to follow her mother-in-law, which is directly following the Lord.
How many of us use the excuse that we are too busy, that we can't leave our friends, or that we are not good at these types of things? Ruth gives us courage to be able to do what we need to do, to be able to follow the Lord. What if you were doing all that we thought right? Like in Matthew chapter 19:20-21: The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
We each have our own special gifts that we are able to do the Lord's work. Ruth's talent was to be able to glean in a field. "May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge." (Ruth 2:12-13) We each need to make sure that we use our talents to bring those that do not know the Lord to the Lord. Once there, we need to use our talents to keep them there and to help them grow in he Lord. Why not take this opportunity to leave everything you know, by getting out of your comfort zone, and inviting someone to church. Who knows what effect you could have on someone. It could be the exact refuge that they need, or they could be searching for that one thing that is missing in their life. This could be their opportunity to start storing up their treasures in Heaven. I hope that this has inspired you this week to talk to a friend about Jesus. Maybe invite a friend or stranger to church. Or has inspired you to even study more yourself, and see what other lessons individuals of the Bible are able to teach you. Thanks and God Bless!
We were reading the book of Ruth. While reading Ruth, it became apparent to me just why Ruth was such an inspiration to my wife, and to many other Christians. How strong is your faith? Is it strong enough for you to leave all that you know. Even if you were a widow/widower, to go to a land that you are not at all familiar with? Would your faith be strong enough to say, "Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. your people, shall be my people, and your God, my God." (Ruth 1:16) It is amazing to think that she was willing to give up everything that she ever knew and everything that she had to follow her mother-in-law, which is directly following the Lord.
How many of us use the excuse that we are too busy, that we can't leave our friends, or that we are not good at these types of things? Ruth gives us courage to be able to do what we need to do, to be able to follow the Lord. What if you were doing all that we thought right? Like in Matthew chapter 19:20-21: The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
We each have our own special gifts that we are able to do the Lord's work. Ruth's talent was to be able to glean in a field. "May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge." (Ruth 2:12-13) We each need to make sure that we use our talents to bring those that do not know the Lord to the Lord. Once there, we need to use our talents to keep them there and to help them grow in he Lord. Why not take this opportunity to leave everything you know, by getting out of your comfort zone, and inviting someone to church. Who knows what effect you could have on someone. It could be the exact refuge that they need, or they could be searching for that one thing that is missing in their life. This could be their opportunity to start storing up their treasures in Heaven. I hope that this has inspired you this week to talk to a friend about Jesus. Maybe invite a friend or stranger to church. Or has inspired you to even study more yourself, and see what other lessons individuals of the Bible are able to teach you. Thanks and God Bless!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Beginning...
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1), and I just created this little blog. I am not really sure what I am going to write about today. I think that I just want to explain a little more about what I hope to do with this blog and what I hope comes out of this. For me, a big struggle is for me to be able to express myself and to focus my mind on the Lord. So, in many ways, this blog is not just for potential readers, but it is more for myself. In writing this blog, I am hoping that I am able to focus my attention daily on Christ. By writing down different thoughts and researching them, I hope that it will make me a stronger Christian and it might be able to answer questions for others.
Yesterday, while I was lying awake at 2AM, this isn't unusual since I work nights, I was flipping through the channels and I came across the Benny Hinn show. This channel that he is on also features the ministries of Joel Osteen. At this point in time, it caught my attention because it showed the massive crowds that were lining up outside of the church waiting to get in just to hear him speak. He was making a special trip to northern Africa. I guess that they don't normally get celebrities such as Hinn in this area. The preacher for that area was firing up the crowd and applause would erupt after every sentence that was spoken. Then, at the mere mention of the name of Hinn, the crowd erupted. He was about to lead thousands in a lesson, which is part of a series of Fire Conferences. I don't tell you these things because I want you to go and read all about it, but it is rather a lengthy introduction in to what I would like to share my thoughts on for the day.
I find myself wondering how is it that people are this drawn to a person. Is it the power of God? Is it the faith that these people have that this man is truly a prophet of God and that they would be able to be healed with just a touch of his hand, sometimes, by him not even touching them at all. The start of his lesson, he made mention that he did not want to do this, but he couldn't help it. He felt the Holy Spirit come down upon this place and that a lady to his left who was not able to walk without great pain was now healed. As usual, the woman came on stage and was able to jump around and looked like she was pain free.
After seeing this, I changed the channel. It sparked something in my head though. I began to wonder. How is it that God allows these people to be able to continue on like they are. How is it that if they are not teaching the truth, that God allows them to become so famous and for them to be able to pull so many souls along with them. Part of me wants God to intervene and to stop them in their tracks, and the other side of me realizes that this is exactly what makes our God so wonderful. It is the power of choice. It is also that our God has put the job on US to be the ones who need to intervene on the souls that so called preachers like Benny Hinn and Joel Osteen are putting at risk. (2 Peter 2:1-3) 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in I their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. Although these false teachers do not deny the Master who bought them, they are leading astray His flock. They do not preach that water Baptism is essential to salvation. (Mark 10:39) " And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. Jesus was referring to the baptism of water and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:16-17) 16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." Jesus set an example for us. It is right there in black and white. Other examples would be Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38. These rally leaders still insist that all you have to do is place your hand on the television screen and say the same prayer that they say and send money to them, and then your soul will be saved.
It is amazing the choices that we are able to have thanks to God. My Fiance and I are currently making our way through the studies of the Old Testament. We are currently in the book of Exodus. Through the studies, I have learned that God has great patience for our disobedience. Many times God wanted to destroy the Israelites, and many times, Moses would plea to God for them, and God would turn his wrath away, but not every time. It is amazing to think that even with these false teachers leading astray so many, God is able to have patience with us. True, the real life of a Christian may not be as appealing to the masses as someone who promises the power of healing and of miracles now, but God has promised us a home in Heaven. The streets will be lined with gold. There will be no tears, no pain, and we will all be singing praises to Him.
(Matthew 6:19-20) 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; When I think of the TV evangelists, I think of this passage. They promise us treasures now and a place for us in Heaven (For the right price), when our prize will come after death. I can't wait for that day. I can't say that I will be sad to leave those that I love here on Earth, when I know that I will be home with my Father. It will be a glorious day. To hear Him say, "Well done..."
Yesterday, while I was lying awake at 2AM, this isn't unusual since I work nights, I was flipping through the channels and I came across the Benny Hinn show. This channel that he is on also features the ministries of Joel Osteen. At this point in time, it caught my attention because it showed the massive crowds that were lining up outside of the church waiting to get in just to hear him speak. He was making a special trip to northern Africa. I guess that they don't normally get celebrities such as Hinn in this area. The preacher for that area was firing up the crowd and applause would erupt after every sentence that was spoken. Then, at the mere mention of the name of Hinn, the crowd erupted. He was about to lead thousands in a lesson, which is part of a series of Fire Conferences. I don't tell you these things because I want you to go and read all about it, but it is rather a lengthy introduction in to what I would like to share my thoughts on for the day.
I find myself wondering how is it that people are this drawn to a person. Is it the power of God? Is it the faith that these people have that this man is truly a prophet of God and that they would be able to be healed with just a touch of his hand, sometimes, by him not even touching them at all. The start of his lesson, he made mention that he did not want to do this, but he couldn't help it. He felt the Holy Spirit come down upon this place and that a lady to his left who was not able to walk without great pain was now healed. As usual, the woman came on stage and was able to jump around and looked like she was pain free.
After seeing this, I changed the channel. It sparked something in my head though. I began to wonder. How is it that God allows these people to be able to continue on like they are. How is it that if they are not teaching the truth, that God allows them to become so famous and for them to be able to pull so many souls along with them. Part of me wants God to intervene and to stop them in their tracks, and the other side of me realizes that this is exactly what makes our God so wonderful. It is the power of choice. It is also that our God has put the job on US to be the ones who need to intervene on the souls that so called preachers like Benny Hinn and Joel Osteen are putting at risk. (2 Peter 2:1-3) 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in I their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. Although these false teachers do not deny the Master who bought them, they are leading astray His flock. They do not preach that water Baptism is essential to salvation. (Mark 10:39) " And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. Jesus was referring to the baptism of water and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:16-17) 16 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." Jesus set an example for us. It is right there in black and white. Other examples would be Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38. These rally leaders still insist that all you have to do is place your hand on the television screen and say the same prayer that they say and send money to them, and then your soul will be saved.
It is amazing the choices that we are able to have thanks to God. My Fiance and I are currently making our way through the studies of the Old Testament. We are currently in the book of Exodus. Through the studies, I have learned that God has great patience for our disobedience. Many times God wanted to destroy the Israelites, and many times, Moses would plea to God for them, and God would turn his wrath away, but not every time. It is amazing to think that even with these false teachers leading astray so many, God is able to have patience with us. True, the real life of a Christian may not be as appealing to the masses as someone who promises the power of healing and of miracles now, but God has promised us a home in Heaven. The streets will be lined with gold. There will be no tears, no pain, and we will all be singing praises to Him.
(Matthew 6:19-20) 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; When I think of the TV evangelists, I think of this passage. They promise us treasures now and a place for us in Heaven (For the right price), when our prize will come after death. I can't wait for that day. I can't say that I will be sad to leave those that I love here on Earth, when I know that I will be home with my Father. It will be a glorious day. To hear Him say, "Well done..."
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