I'm ashamed to say that I let anger get the best of me on Friday and Saturday. I had something come up the last minute at work on Friday and had to leave like 3 minutes later than normal (big deal right?). And saturday mine and my husbands plans were ruined due to him working. I got so mad and was ugly to him all day. What I failed to realize was it wasn't his fault at all, nor mine. Instead of getting mad I should have been thankful that he was just earning extra money even though he was lied to about how long it would take. I also realized that my anger wasn't just anger it was stemming from my selfishness, which is a sin. Galatians 5:19-21 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. I have to ask God to help me remove this sin and hindrance from my life. Me being upset and mad all weekend got me nowhere. In my small group tonight our leader taught us about Solomon, the wisest man that God has ever created and ever will be created. In Ecclesiastes Solomon teaches us that everything without God is meaningless. God gave me a beautiful Friday afternoon and one Saturday but I made it meaningless by separating myself from Him just so I could be selfish and angry, meaningless. If I would have put the time into studying and reading His word instead of being angry and selfish, God only knows what amazing things would have happened and great times I would have spent with my Father. That realization broke my heart. I'm glad it broke my heart. I don't ever want to feel that way again.
Always think about what your losing when u chose anger.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Covered by Grace
My mom and I had a great conversation on Sunday about being covered by the grace of God. In Romans in tells us that just because we are covered by the grace of God, the blood that Jesus shed for us, that we are not to keep on sinning and saying "It's ok, I am covered by grace."
Romans 6:12-17 12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you.
You either chose God or you chose a lifestyle of sin. When I start to slip in an area of sin, like gossiping for example, I start thinking about the cross. Each time Jesus was hit, slapped, punched, kicked, whipped, spit on, pushed, beaten, nailed to cross, etc that was MY sin and YOURS. It breaks me down and makes me realize what I am choosing. It is hard to accept that I still sin but I appreciate the grace of God and the price that was paid for MY sin, I do not abuse it. Verse 16 is my response to people who say, "It's ok, I am covered by grace." It tells us that if you chose to be a slave to sin that it leads to death. I don't know about you but I choose to obey God and have the righteous living that verse 16 also talks about.
I will end with this thought... If you are using that excuse all of the time you may want to make sure you are saved first because you may not be covered by the grace you claim to be. I do not say this to be rude but as what I know to be the truth. It took someone asking me to see if my life lined up with Scripture before I realized I was not saved by the grace of God.
Romans 6:12-17 12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you.
You either chose God or you chose a lifestyle of sin. When I start to slip in an area of sin, like gossiping for example, I start thinking about the cross. Each time Jesus was hit, slapped, punched, kicked, whipped, spit on, pushed, beaten, nailed to cross, etc that was MY sin and YOURS. It breaks me down and makes me realize what I am choosing. It is hard to accept that I still sin but I appreciate the grace of God and the price that was paid for MY sin, I do not abuse it. Verse 16 is my response to people who say, "It's ok, I am covered by grace." It tells us that if you chose to be a slave to sin that it leads to death. I don't know about you but I choose to obey God and have the righteous living that verse 16 also talks about.
I will end with this thought... If you are using that excuse all of the time you may want to make sure you are saved first because you may not be covered by the grace you claim to be. I do not say this to be rude but as what I know to be the truth. It took someone asking me to see if my life lined up with Scripture before I realized I was not saved by the grace of God.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Life Happens...
Life happens...
My husband and I have been going through a really hard financial time for the past year like I am sure many of you have been too. When we got into church a little over a year ago and we were both saved by Christ we felt God calling us to tithe. We were both nervous about it since we were so tight on money to begin with. So we started to tithe and left it all up to God. Since then we have been happier and we have not lost a single thing. I truly believe we have actually gained more; not worldly things but Godly things. By that I mean joy, happiness, peace, etc. We are still struggling financially but I would not dare stop tithing just to increase my comfort with worldly possessions. God forbid if I define my life by my possessions.
A few weeks ago jason and I had a few mishaps. My car battery died, all four door handles on the inside of my car broke, my ipod touch broke, and my vacuum cleaner broke. We were both thinking "my word what in the world is going on"? I freak out because we don't have the money to fix any of these things. However God knew that already and my car battery was replaced at no cost to anyone, we took it out of another vehicle we have that we haven't been able to use for months due to gas prices. Jason fixed all four of the door handles for free just using things he has in the garage. We haven't replaced our vacuum yet but God will provide there too. But I realized that God did not replace my ipod! Why? Bc its such a worldly item. I don't need it to survive or to get to and from my job. I can honestly say I don't even miss it now that I realize what really happened to it. God increased our faith by showing us that no matter what happens He will always provide a way out.
His Word is true... Malachi 3:8-11
8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty.
My husband and I have been going through a really hard financial time for the past year like I am sure many of you have been too. When we got into church a little over a year ago and we were both saved by Christ we felt God calling us to tithe. We were both nervous about it since we were so tight on money to begin with. So we started to tithe and left it all up to God. Since then we have been happier and we have not lost a single thing. I truly believe we have actually gained more; not worldly things but Godly things. By that I mean joy, happiness, peace, etc. We are still struggling financially but I would not dare stop tithing just to increase my comfort with worldly possessions. God forbid if I define my life by my possessions.
A few weeks ago jason and I had a few mishaps. My car battery died, all four door handles on the inside of my car broke, my ipod touch broke, and my vacuum cleaner broke. We were both thinking "my word what in the world is going on"? I freak out because we don't have the money to fix any of these things. However God knew that already and my car battery was replaced at no cost to anyone, we took it out of another vehicle we have that we haven't been able to use for months due to gas prices. Jason fixed all four of the door handles for free just using things he has in the garage. We haven't replaced our vacuum yet but God will provide there too. But I realized that God did not replace my ipod! Why? Bc its such a worldly item. I don't need it to survive or to get to and from my job. I can honestly say I don't even miss it now that I realize what really happened to it. God increased our faith by showing us that no matter what happens He will always provide a way out.
His Word is true... Malachi 3:8-11
8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Faith through a Battle
In 2 Chronicles 20-24 we are told an account of a battle between Judah & the armies of Ammon, Moab, & Mount Seir. First thing I notice here is the battle is 1 against 3, which is usually not fair. However, God doesn't feel this way about this battle, His ways are not our ways, Isaiah 55:8-9 8"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." God often uses what is small or weak and makes it large or strong. He does this to show us His power. Before the battle even begins Jehoshaphat stops and tells the people of Judah & Jerusalem to believe in the Lord and they will be able to stand firm against the three armies. After this the king appoints singers to go ahead of the army and sing to the Lord and praise Him for His holy splendor. (v21) ..."give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!" is what they sing. The second they begin singing the 3 armies turn on each other and begin killing each other until not one person is left alive. So before the army of Judah even arrived at the battleground all 3 armies were destroyed by each other!!!!! When the army of Judah arrived all they saw were the dead bodies of all three armies!!!
I thought these Scriptures were fantastic and they increased my faith tremendously when I read them today. I mean, the amount of faith these people had to go into a battle, a 3 to 1 battle, SINGING & PRAISING GOD is much to be admired and I should try to be more faithful and full of praise like they were in every situation that I face. This showed me even more that God is faithful and mighty. If He can fight wars for people then He can certainly take care of all my much smaller problems. We just need to praise Him BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER the battles!!
It also showed me that God is faithful and will protect all those who put their full trust in Him. He will protect you from all of your enemies, no matter how many there might be. God is mightier than all of them.
I thought these Scriptures were fantastic and they increased my faith tremendously when I read them today. I mean, the amount of faith these people had to go into a battle, a 3 to 1 battle, SINGING & PRAISING GOD is much to be admired and I should try to be more faithful and full of praise like they were in every situation that I face. This showed me even more that God is faithful and mighty. If He can fight wars for people then He can certainly take care of all my much smaller problems. We just need to praise Him BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER the battles!!
It also showed me that God is faithful and will protect all those who put their full trust in Him. He will protect you from all of your enemies, no matter how many there might be. God is mightier than all of them.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Faith, Obedience, Prayer...
Genesis 22:5 ...“The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”
The story of God calling Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering is one of the greatest statements of faith I have ever heard. In the Scripture above Abraham and Isaac are leaving his servants to go and give the burnt offering and Abraham says something so profound... WE will worship there and WE will be right back! Abraham had absolutely no doubts or lack of faith that God would not make him sacrifice his only son. Abraham knew God would provide the sacrifice if he just showed his faithfulness to God, without hesitation. 8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,”... And that is exactly what happened! Abraham had Isaac tied down to be the burnt offering and as he picked up the knife to kill him, God called out to Abraham and tells him he knows that he fears the Lord and to not harm Isaac in anyway. Then Abraham notices the ram that God has put there with them to be the burnt offering instead of Isaac!
Another great story is the faith of Hannah in 1 Samuel, who had been unable to have any children so far . I relate to this one because I feel that Jason and I did the same thing as Hannah on Sunday morning when we took our request for a child to the alter! We bowed down at the alter in front of God and poured our hearts out about our desire to have a baby much in the same way Hannah bowed before God in the tabernacle. Hannah's plea was heard by God and she soon gave birth to a son.
Both of these scriptures today just happened to be my scheduled readings in my Faith daily readings I just started. I believe God is telling me that He will provide a child for us but also that we must be willing to give up that child to God wholeheartedly, if not then we may not become blessed with a child. Don't get me wrong I am not saying I think God will literally ask us to "sacrifice" our child like He asked Abraham but I do believe that He is wanting us to be able to sacrifice our child to Him for whatever calling that may be in the child's life. What I mean by that is their calling to be in mission work away from home, become a preacher (if its a boy), or a teacher, etc. Whatever the case may be God wants us to basically "let go and let God" with the child's life.
The story of God calling Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering is one of the greatest statements of faith I have ever heard. In the Scripture above Abraham and Isaac are leaving his servants to go and give the burnt offering and Abraham says something so profound... WE will worship there and WE will be right back! Abraham had absolutely no doubts or lack of faith that God would not make him sacrifice his only son. Abraham knew God would provide the sacrifice if he just showed his faithfulness to God, without hesitation. 8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,”... And that is exactly what happened! Abraham had Isaac tied down to be the burnt offering and as he picked up the knife to kill him, God called out to Abraham and tells him he knows that he fears the Lord and to not harm Isaac in anyway. Then Abraham notices the ram that God has put there with them to be the burnt offering instead of Isaac!
Another great story is the faith of Hannah in 1 Samuel, who had been unable to have any children so far . I relate to this one because I feel that Jason and I did the same thing as Hannah on Sunday morning when we took our request for a child to the alter! We bowed down at the alter in front of God and poured our hearts out about our desire to have a baby much in the same way Hannah bowed before God in the tabernacle. Hannah's plea was heard by God and she soon gave birth to a son.
Both of these scriptures today just happened to be my scheduled readings in my Faith daily readings I just started. I believe God is telling me that He will provide a child for us but also that we must be willing to give up that child to God wholeheartedly, if not then we may not become blessed with a child. Don't get me wrong I am not saying I think God will literally ask us to "sacrifice" our child like He asked Abraham but I do believe that He is wanting us to be able to sacrifice our child to Him for whatever calling that may be in the child's life. What I mean by that is their calling to be in mission work away from home, become a preacher (if its a boy), or a teacher, etc. Whatever the case may be God wants us to basically "let go and let God" with the child's life.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)