John 3:3-8
Jesus replied, "I assured you, unless you are born again,* you can never see the Kingdom of God."
"What do you mean?" Exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"
Jesus replied, "The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.* Humans can only reproduce human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don't be surprised at my statement that you* must be born again. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit?"
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Who is the boss in a marriage?
So I haven't blogged in a few days. Something has been rubbing me the wrong way and I just didn't know how to approach it. The subject of 'who takes the role in a marriage' keeps coming up.
I myself have been married for 4 years and I've always looked at it as, both are equal in a marriage and they should work as a team. I kept wondering to myself what God thought about this.
Most men think they are the "Head of the household." The bible does say the man is just that "the man of the house." But does this mean the man should completely ignore the woman's feelings and do what he thinks is best?
According to the bible, we are supposed to trust God. We are supposed to cooperate voluntarily out of love and respect for God and for that person, ideally submission is mutual.
Ephesians 5:21
And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Both the man and the woman are called to submit to each other in a marriage. What does this mean exactly?
For the wife this means to willingly follow her husband's leadership in Christ.
For the husband this means putting aside his own interests to care for his wife.
Each must care for the happiness for the other. According to the Bible, the husband is the spiritual head of the household, and the wife is supposed to acknowledge that and respect it.
But a husband who honors Christ will not take advantage of his role, and the wife who honors Christ will not undermine her husband's leadership.
(In 1 Corinthians 7:32-38 it talks about how a husband must worry about how to please his wife and how a wife must worry about how to please her husband.)
Every decision must come from God in a marriage, and the husband makes all the spiritual decisions. But he must acknowledge his wife's feelings as well as his own. So even though the husband has the spiritual say, they each must work as a team! Working to make the other happy as well as their LORD and Savior happy.
1 Peter 3:1-7
In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands, even those who refuse the Good News. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words. They will be won over by watching your pure, godly behavior.
Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
That is the way the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, when she called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.
In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.
So, if your married or are engaged to be married hear this...
Pray together. Be quiet when you have a problem and you will hear what God is telling you to do. Trust in the Lord and Never give up hope! Respect one another and don't take advantage of your authority God has given you. Love your spouse as you love God, but make God your number one! Remember we are equal partners in God's gift of new life.
When you love and trust God and one another, this will not be hard to do.
Think about it. How do you treat your spouse?
I myself have been married for 4 years and I've always looked at it as, both are equal in a marriage and they should work as a team. I kept wondering to myself what God thought about this.
Most men think they are the "Head of the household." The bible does say the man is just that "the man of the house." But does this mean the man should completely ignore the woman's feelings and do what he thinks is best?
According to the bible, we are supposed to trust God. We are supposed to cooperate voluntarily out of love and respect for God and for that person, ideally submission is mutual.
Ephesians 5:21
And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Both the man and the woman are called to submit to each other in a marriage. What does this mean exactly?
For the wife this means to willingly follow her husband's leadership in Christ.
For the husband this means putting aside his own interests to care for his wife.
Each must care for the happiness for the other. According to the Bible, the husband is the spiritual head of the household, and the wife is supposed to acknowledge that and respect it.
But a husband who honors Christ will not take advantage of his role, and the wife who honors Christ will not undermine her husband's leadership.
(In 1 Corinthians 7:32-38 it talks about how a husband must worry about how to please his wife and how a wife must worry about how to please her husband.)
Every decision must come from God in a marriage, and the husband makes all the spiritual decisions. But he must acknowledge his wife's feelings as well as his own. So even though the husband has the spiritual say, they each must work as a team! Working to make the other happy as well as their LORD and Savior happy.
1 Peter 3:1-7
In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands, even those who refuse the Good News. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words. They will be won over by watching your pure, godly behavior.
Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
That is the way the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, when she called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.
In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.
So, if your married or are engaged to be married hear this...
Pray together. Be quiet when you have a problem and you will hear what God is telling you to do. Trust in the Lord and Never give up hope! Respect one another and don't take advantage of your authority God has given you. Love your spouse as you love God, but make God your number one! Remember we are equal partners in God's gift of new life.
When you love and trust God and one another, this will not be hard to do.
Think about it. How do you treat your spouse?
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Finding New Life in the Lord!
So you think you can do things on your own huh?
You don't want to believe that there is a God out there? Even though he's been giving you sign after sign almost as if he was smacking you in the face?
Here is what God says about people who chose to live this life without Him:
Zephaniah 1:17-18
"Because you have sinned against the LORD, I will make you as helpless as a blind man searching for a path. Your blood will be poured out into the dust, and your bodies will lie there rotting on the ground."
Your silver and gold will be of no use to you on that day of the LORD' s anger. For the whole land will be devoured by the fire of his jealousy. He will make a terrifying end of all the people on earth.
The believers' should not fear of this day. For they have accepted the gift God has given them and believed in Jesus Christ. They have put their trust in Christ alone.
John 3:18-19
"There is no judgment awaiting those who trust in him. But those who do not trust in him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
Why ignore the signs any longer? Our God is a loving God indeed, but if you chose not to obey him and live a life for yourself instead, he will get angry and judgment will come to you! He gives you your entire lifetime to chose, so it's your fault if you don't chose his path he has for you.
John 9:41
"If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.
Jesus was not talking about being physically blind. He was talking about being spiritually blind. If you are self- satisfied and not opening up your hearts, then you are blind to the truth that only the Holy Spirit can give. You will be rejected by God himself for this.
But if you open your hearts and see the truth, then you wouldn't have anymore guilt. That means nothing eating you away anymore. You will be accepted by the LORD and recognize how sin had truly blinded you from knowing that truth.
In fact if you open your heart, accept the truth, ask for forgiveness, and repent (turn away from) then God don't remember what you did in your past!
Hebrews 10:16-17
"This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts so they will understand them, and I will write them on their minds so they will obey them."
Then he adds, "I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds."*
What a great promise! Wouldn't you want God to forget all your mistakes?
Wash you clean and make you a whole new person?
Make the change now! Your "Maybe later" might be too late!
You don't want to believe that there is a God out there? Even though he's been giving you sign after sign almost as if he was smacking you in the face?
Here is what God says about people who chose to live this life without Him:
Zephaniah 1:17-18
"Because you have sinned against the LORD, I will make you as helpless as a blind man searching for a path. Your blood will be poured out into the dust, and your bodies will lie there rotting on the ground."
Your silver and gold will be of no use to you on that day of the LORD' s anger. For the whole land will be devoured by the fire of his jealousy. He will make a terrifying end of all the people on earth.
The believers' should not fear of this day. For they have accepted the gift God has given them and believed in Jesus Christ. They have put their trust in Christ alone.
John 3:18-19
"There is no judgment awaiting those who trust in him. But those who do not trust in him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
Why ignore the signs any longer? Our God is a loving God indeed, but if you chose not to obey him and live a life for yourself instead, he will get angry and judgment will come to you! He gives you your entire lifetime to chose, so it's your fault if you don't chose his path he has for you.
John 9:41
"If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.
Jesus was not talking about being physically blind. He was talking about being spiritually blind. If you are self- satisfied and not opening up your hearts, then you are blind to the truth that only the Holy Spirit can give. You will be rejected by God himself for this.
But if you open your hearts and see the truth, then you wouldn't have anymore guilt. That means nothing eating you away anymore. You will be accepted by the LORD and recognize how sin had truly blinded you from knowing that truth.
In fact if you open your heart, accept the truth, ask for forgiveness, and repent (turn away from) then God don't remember what you did in your past!
Hebrews 10:16-17
"This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts so they will understand them, and I will write them on their minds so they will obey them."
Then he adds, "I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds."*
What a great promise! Wouldn't you want God to forget all your mistakes?
Wash you clean and make you a whole new person?
Make the change now! Your "Maybe later" might be too late!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Jesus still heals!
If you are looking for healing, God is the answer!
Don't believe me? I have a personal story about someone in my family.
My aunt, we'll call her Joy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had to undergo surgery and have one of her breast removed. After surgery they found more lumps. A certain doctor said the cancer had spread further than they originally thought and gave her five years to live.
Everyone was upset but Joy just stopped and was silent. She then looked up at the doctor and said "I don't know what you believe, but I believe in the man upstairs and I know he will heal me!" The doctor then said "Well, most woman in your condition only live about five years."
The look on the doctor's face said it all. He didn't believe in such a thing.
No matter what anyone said to Joy she stood strong and still said "God is going to heal me." She was so positive and had strong faith. She believed that God is the healer of all!
She went through some more testing and when the results came back everyone was stunned.
The results showed the cancer was all gone! The doctor was shocked about these results. To be on the safe side, she will undergo chemo and radiation.
See my friends. My aunt Joy had such strong faith, and because of this, God healed her!
No matter what any medical person says, from the littlest things to the big things, God is the only one who knows your expiration date! He knows all.
Why get all worked up? Your only hurting yourself in the long run.
You stay up all night cause your worried about certain problems. You pray and pray, yet you still worry. Again I ask you why?
If you pray and you still worry then you need to take a step back and rethink things for a second.
God created you. He loves you, for God is love. He is right by your side during your storm but he is at peace! He already knows what is going to happen. He is just waiting for you to completely trust him. He wants to heal you! You just have learn how to receive his healing.
1 John 3:8
But when people keep on sinning, it shows they belong to the Devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God's family came to destroy these works of the Devil.
The devil wants to destroy you! He wants to see you hurting. He gets pleasure in your pain. So that sickness is not the work of God but the work of the Devil. As first John 3:8 tells us "the son of God's family came to destroy these works of the Devil."
By putting your trust in God he will destroy the works of the Devil. How great does that sound?!
So what is stopping you from trusting in the Lord? It's never too late to start reaching out to him.
Don't believe me? I have a personal story about someone in my family.
My aunt, we'll call her Joy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had to undergo surgery and have one of her breast removed. After surgery they found more lumps. A certain doctor said the cancer had spread further than they originally thought and gave her five years to live.
Everyone was upset but Joy just stopped and was silent. She then looked up at the doctor and said "I don't know what you believe, but I believe in the man upstairs and I know he will heal me!" The doctor then said "Well, most woman in your condition only live about five years."
The look on the doctor's face said it all. He didn't believe in such a thing.
No matter what anyone said to Joy she stood strong and still said "God is going to heal me." She was so positive and had strong faith. She believed that God is the healer of all!
She went through some more testing and when the results came back everyone was stunned.
The results showed the cancer was all gone! The doctor was shocked about these results. To be on the safe side, she will undergo chemo and radiation.
See my friends. My aunt Joy had such strong faith, and because of this, God healed her!
No matter what any medical person says, from the littlest things to the big things, God is the only one who knows your expiration date! He knows all.
Why get all worked up? Your only hurting yourself in the long run.
You stay up all night cause your worried about certain problems. You pray and pray, yet you still worry. Again I ask you why?
If you pray and you still worry then you need to take a step back and rethink things for a second.
God created you. He loves you, for God is love. He is right by your side during your storm but he is at peace! He already knows what is going to happen. He is just waiting for you to completely trust him. He wants to heal you! You just have learn how to receive his healing.
1 John 3:8
But when people keep on sinning, it shows they belong to the Devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God's family came to destroy these works of the Devil.
The devil wants to destroy you! He wants to see you hurting. He gets pleasure in your pain. So that sickness is not the work of God but the work of the Devil. As first John 3:8 tells us "the son of God's family came to destroy these works of the Devil."
By putting your trust in God he will destroy the works of the Devil. How great does that sound?!
So what is stopping you from trusting in the Lord? It's never too late to start reaching out to him.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
A Chistian or not a Christian? That is the question.
Ever wonder if your really a Christian?
Wonder where you'd honestly go if you died tomorrow?
Romans 8:9
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.)
A Christian is anyone who has the spirit of God living in him or her. If you have truly trusted the Lord your God, gave yourself to him and allowed him to work through you. Trusted him with your salvation, then the Holy Spirit lives in you and you are a Christian. Jesus promised us to send down his Holy Spirit so you can rest assured the Holy Spirit lives in you.
There are certain steps now that you are a Christan. Certain Laws of God we need to follow.
1) We need to believe that eternal life comes through him.
1 John 5:5
And the ones who win the battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
2) We need to act as Christ directs us to!
Romans 8:5
Those who are determined by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.
3) You will find help in your daily problems. You will find help in your praying.
Romans 8:26,27
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.
3) You will be empowered to serve God, to do His will!
Act 1:8
But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere-- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
4) Finally you will become part of God's plan to build up his church.
Ephesians 4:12,13
Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
This may sound like God is asking for a lot. But when it comes down to it, when you feel the Holy Spirit in you, you will be surprised the things you are willing to do for the Lord. You will feel a great, unexplainable feeling that will make you want to be ready to do God's Will.
True believers are on constant standby, waiting with great patience for God to tell them what to do next. You need to have faith. You need to believe in our Lord God Almighty. Things will come easier with God by your side. But don't try it for two weeks and be like "Oh this didn't work! God is not helping me like you said so I give up." It will take time. Time that only God knows! We are not meant to know.
Trust and Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. He doesn't want to see you hurt. For when you hurt he cries. Satan is the one who hurts you!
John 10:10
The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
God loves us. We are his children. He wants us to come to him when we figure out "Hey, I can't do this on my own" when we are broken. Give your selves to God and you will find great strength. Come to him broken and lay your sins down at the bottom of the cross. Let him work through you. You will not regret it!
You can live your life however you want. For there is only one life to live. But your earthly life will depend on how your soul will spend all eternity. Is that with God in heaven or is that with Satan our deceiver and spend forever in pain.
It's your life which do you choose?
Wonder where you'd honestly go if you died tomorrow?
Romans 8:9
But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.)
A Christian is anyone who has the spirit of God living in him or her. If you have truly trusted the Lord your God, gave yourself to him and allowed him to work through you. Trusted him with your salvation, then the Holy Spirit lives in you and you are a Christian. Jesus promised us to send down his Holy Spirit so you can rest assured the Holy Spirit lives in you.
There are certain steps now that you are a Christan. Certain Laws of God we need to follow.
1) We need to believe that eternal life comes through him.
1 John 5:5
And the ones who win the battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
2) We need to act as Christ directs us to!
Romans 8:5
Those who are determined by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.
3) You will find help in your daily problems. You will find help in your praying.
Romans 8:26,27
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.
3) You will be empowered to serve God, to do His will!
Act 1:8
But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere-- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
4) Finally you will become part of God's plan to build up his church.
Ephesians 4:12,13
Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
This may sound like God is asking for a lot. But when it comes down to it, when you feel the Holy Spirit in you, you will be surprised the things you are willing to do for the Lord. You will feel a great, unexplainable feeling that will make you want to be ready to do God's Will.
True believers are on constant standby, waiting with great patience for God to tell them what to do next. You need to have faith. You need to believe in our Lord God Almighty. Things will come easier with God by your side. But don't try it for two weeks and be like "Oh this didn't work! God is not helping me like you said so I give up." It will take time. Time that only God knows! We are not meant to know.
Trust and Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. He doesn't want to see you hurt. For when you hurt he cries. Satan is the one who hurts you!
John 10:10
The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
God loves us. We are his children. He wants us to come to him when we figure out "Hey, I can't do this on my own" when we are broken. Give your selves to God and you will find great strength. Come to him broken and lay your sins down at the bottom of the cross. Let him work through you. You will not regret it!
You can live your life however you want. For there is only one life to live. But your earthly life will depend on how your soul will spend all eternity. Is that with God in heaven or is that with Satan our deceiver and spend forever in pain.
It's your life which do you choose?
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Believe in God
There was a story I heard about a woman that about brought me to tears. This woman's life in the past year is unbelievable and is living proof we all need to trust God completely.
One day a woman, we will call her Faith, was out walking her dog like she does everyday. She tripped on a broken piece of sidewalk and fell flat on her face. As her face fell on the cement she could here her teeth shattering, jaw braking. She done major bridge damage, busted all her teeth, and sliced open her lip. That added up to a total cost of $8,000 not including medical bills.
She didn't have money to fix her teeth so she just had to leave them. While in the hospital for her accident she discovered she had a bowl obstruction. All she could think of was more money. Faith received phone calls from medical bills all over the place. When she answered all she said was "I can't afford to pay the bill unless we have a payment plan."
Faith knew God must have been helping her with something because everyone who called accepted the payment plan. Through this time she kept praying and asking God "God why have you allowed this to happen to us? Where are you? I'm not sure we can take anymore of this." God answered her and said "I'm right here with you. It will be OK."
When Faith went to turn to her husband he just said "It's OK, God will take care of it." She wished she had the strength her husband had. If they hadn't been through enough already Faith's husband had to go in for a stress test, as anyone with heart disease has to do. Faith's husband had to be taken in to the hospital. His blood pressure was over 250. Again, all Faith could do was think more money!
Her husband still said "God will take care of it." Faith finally broke down. After adding up the total from all medical bills they had it was up to $15,000. She cried out to God "God, I can't take much more. Where are you? Why are you allowing these things to happen? When will you get us out of this mess?" God's answer surprised her! He said "I'm right here! I've been here the whole time! Now, will you trust me completely?"
At that very moment Faith completely trusted Go. Then things started to happen! When she received her bills in the mail some of them were already paid. She sent payments in the mail and the money came back. Some bills' totals' were lower then they used to be. She realized that God was behind all this. She didn't know how this happened, but she was glad that God was taking care of them. He was so filled with joy that Faith had totally trusted him he blessed them. He took care of his child.
My friends, this story of this woman, Faith, is a perfect example. She was at her wits end, feeling like giving up. But she still prayed and prayed, and put all her trust, belief, and faith into God. Look at the wonderful reward she got!
Rely on God even if you feel you can't. You will find the most amazing rewards in the end!
One day a woman, we will call her Faith, was out walking her dog like she does everyday. She tripped on a broken piece of sidewalk and fell flat on her face. As her face fell on the cement she could here her teeth shattering, jaw braking. She done major bridge damage, busted all her teeth, and sliced open her lip. That added up to a total cost of $8,000 not including medical bills.
She didn't have money to fix her teeth so she just had to leave them. While in the hospital for her accident she discovered she had a bowl obstruction. All she could think of was more money. Faith received phone calls from medical bills all over the place. When she answered all she said was "I can't afford to pay the bill unless we have a payment plan."
Faith knew God must have been helping her with something because everyone who called accepted the payment plan. Through this time she kept praying and asking God "God why have you allowed this to happen to us? Where are you? I'm not sure we can take anymore of this." God answered her and said "I'm right here with you. It will be OK."
When Faith went to turn to her husband he just said "It's OK, God will take care of it." She wished she had the strength her husband had. If they hadn't been through enough already Faith's husband had to go in for a stress test, as anyone with heart disease has to do. Faith's husband had to be taken in to the hospital. His blood pressure was over 250. Again, all Faith could do was think more money!
Her husband still said "God will take care of it." Faith finally broke down. After adding up the total from all medical bills they had it was up to $15,000. She cried out to God "God, I can't take much more. Where are you? Why are you allowing these things to happen? When will you get us out of this mess?" God's answer surprised her! He said "I'm right here! I've been here the whole time! Now, will you trust me completely?"
At that very moment Faith completely trusted Go. Then things started to happen! When she received her bills in the mail some of them were already paid. She sent payments in the mail and the money came back. Some bills' totals' were lower then they used to be. She realized that God was behind all this. She didn't know how this happened, but she was glad that God was taking care of them. He was so filled with joy that Faith had totally trusted him he blessed them. He took care of his child.
My friends, this story of this woman, Faith, is a perfect example. She was at her wits end, feeling like giving up. But she still prayed and prayed, and put all her trust, belief, and faith into God. Look at the wonderful reward she got!
Rely on God even if you feel you can't. You will find the most amazing rewards in the end!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Belief
Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to believe what God has done for us?
Do you ever think maybe something he did for you was just a fluke? That maybe God will never do anything for you again?
We all have our doubts. Jesus has taken us through a lot of trials in our lives. Still, we find our selves second guessing him at times.
Mark 8:17-18
Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said, "Why are you so worried about having no food? Won't you ever learn or understand? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? 'You have eyes-- can't you see? You have ears-- can't you hear?'* Don't you remember anything at all?
Even after the many miracles the disciples saw Jesus do, they still failed to believe God would help them in time of need. Their hearts were too closed to take in all God can do for them. We must not be like the disciples! We must remember what Christ has done for us and have open hearts not closed ones.
Psalm 18:30
As for God, his way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
God is a shield to protect us when we are too weak to face life problems on our own. He doesn't want us to stay weak. That is why with prayer and belief he strengthens us so we can fight the battle of evil on our own for him! His promises are true. We must have faith but faith requires belief!
Luke 9:18-20
One day as Jesus was alone, praying, he came over to his disciples and asked them, "Who do people say I am?"
"Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are the one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead."
Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?"
Peter replied, "You are the Messiah sent from God!"
Christian faith requires to hold on to beliefs for ourselves. We need to have faith and believe that he is the Son of God. When he asks us "Who do you say I am?" he wants us to take a stand, believe, and have faith.
We need to do more than just live our lives for God. We must believe and have faith!
God is our medicine. Point blank. Period!
Without him we are nothing. He did NOT make us to do things on our own. Even the strongest man alive is weaker than God and still needs prayer and God's shield of strength.
So when Jesus asks you "Who do you think I am?"
He wants us to have faith and believe in him.
Who do you say Jesus is?
Do you ever think maybe something he did for you was just a fluke? That maybe God will never do anything for you again?
We all have our doubts. Jesus has taken us through a lot of trials in our lives. Still, we find our selves second guessing him at times.
Mark 8:17-18
Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he said, "Why are you so worried about having no food? Won't you ever learn or understand? Are your hearts too hard to take it in? 'You have eyes-- can't you see? You have ears-- can't you hear?'* Don't you remember anything at all?
Even after the many miracles the disciples saw Jesus do, they still failed to believe God would help them in time of need. Their hearts were too closed to take in all God can do for them. We must not be like the disciples! We must remember what Christ has done for us and have open hearts not closed ones.
Psalm 18:30
As for God, his way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
God is a shield to protect us when we are too weak to face life problems on our own. He doesn't want us to stay weak. That is why with prayer and belief he strengthens us so we can fight the battle of evil on our own for him! His promises are true. We must have faith but faith requires belief!
Luke 9:18-20
One day as Jesus was alone, praying, he came over to his disciples and asked them, "Who do people say I am?"
"Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are the one of the other ancient prophets risen from the dead."
Then he asked them, "Who do you say I am?"
Peter replied, "You are the Messiah sent from God!"
Christian faith requires to hold on to beliefs for ourselves. We need to have faith and believe that he is the Son of God. When he asks us "Who do you say I am?" he wants us to take a stand, believe, and have faith.
We need to do more than just live our lives for God. We must believe and have faith!
God is our medicine. Point blank. Period!
Without him we are nothing. He did NOT make us to do things on our own. Even the strongest man alive is weaker than God and still needs prayer and God's shield of strength.
So when Jesus asks you "Who do you think I am?"
He wants us to have faith and believe in him.
Who do you say Jesus is?
Friday, May 7, 2010
Childlike Faith
About a week ago I had started making everyone sit down for dinner. I was really tired, it had been a long day between the kids and the house chores. I really didn't sleep the night before. I had become irritable and I just started to get mad about everything. Well, out of no where my son said "Mommy, God don't like it when your mad." In an instant I was stopped in my tracks and excused myself to pray.
Children have the kind of "Childlike faith" God wants us to have.
Matthew 18:1-5
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Which of us is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus called a small child over to him and put the child among them. Then he said "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
We need to not be childish but Childlike! Meaning have humble and sincere hearts. Like children we must have a guileless trust in God.
We must have faith in God. Believe that he can do anything. We must not let our education stand in the way of the faith we need to believe in Jesus. We need to be totally dependable on God like an infant is dependable on their mother!
Some people believe in science. What they don't realize is science is constantly changing. They only believe in what they see. Does science ever forgive them?
Does science ever promise a wonderful afterlife with no pains, worries, and so forth? No! Science, life, man made things, humanity is all consistently changing, but God's Word never does!
Mark 14:31
Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.
The bible is a book of truth about the past and the future. It is our lifeline.
We must believe everything in it. We must believe that Jesus really died for us. We must thank Him for the cross. If we believe we will not be surprised on what is yet to come, because Jesus himself warned us!
Mark 13:23
Watch out! I have warned you!
So are you going to be childish? Meaning arguing about who is better, or other meaningless things. Or are you going to be childlike? To come to God with sincere hearts. The choice is up to you, but only one will enter the kingdom of God!
Children have the kind of "Childlike faith" God wants us to have.
Matthew 18:1-5
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Which of us is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus called a small child over to him and put the child among them. Then he said "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
We need to not be childish but Childlike! Meaning have humble and sincere hearts. Like children we must have a guileless trust in God.
We must have faith in God. Believe that he can do anything. We must not let our education stand in the way of the faith we need to believe in Jesus. We need to be totally dependable on God like an infant is dependable on their mother!
Some people believe in science. What they don't realize is science is constantly changing. They only believe in what they see. Does science ever forgive them?
Does science ever promise a wonderful afterlife with no pains, worries, and so forth? No! Science, life, man made things, humanity is all consistently changing, but God's Word never does!
Mark 14:31
Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.
The bible is a book of truth about the past and the future. It is our lifeline.
We must believe everything in it. We must believe that Jesus really died for us. We must thank Him for the cross. If we believe we will not be surprised on what is yet to come, because Jesus himself warned us!
Mark 13:23
Watch out! I have warned you!
So are you going to be childish? Meaning arguing about who is better, or other meaningless things. Or are you going to be childlike? To come to God with sincere hearts. The choice is up to you, but only one will enter the kingdom of God!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Listen
As followers of Christ we are to pray every day, read the bible every day, and follow God's Law!
This may seem easy, but it's far from it! God created us for a purpose and it's up to us to find out what that purpose is!
I am a woman of God. A follower of Christ. I try and spend as much time with God as I possibly can. Though I've noticed I've been slipping a little.
I am a busy mom, those of you who have children know what I'm talking about. I try to pray but often get interrupted by my kids asking for stuff. I'm busy feeding, playing, then tackling the house work. When I do have time to pray it's early morning or late evening, when the kids are still sleeping and when they are in bed for the night. But by those times I'm so tired all I want to do is sleep. That makes me feel like I'm ignoring God's call for me.
I read my bible verses and pray for God to help me with my struggle each day. I know that he will help me in his time, not mine. The road to get there is just a tad bumpy.
We need patients, strength, courage, and obedience. All of which come from God.
Mark 11:24
Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it!
If all we have to do is pray and believe to receive what ask for, as Jesus said, then what are we waiting for?! Easier said then done right? Wrong! We just make up excuses because, again, we are lazy!
You wanna know what God told me about my struggles I've been having? He said "Stop being lazy!" Boy did that wake me up. Now I feel as if I need to share this with others. We are, as humans lazy at times. We blame fear for not doing things, when in all honesty we are just lazy. There is not such thing as "I can't find time for God."
We must give God the time he gives us everyday! A little tip: Write down your helpful verses in a booklet (small as your hand) and keep it with you at all times. This way when your feeling "Lazy" or frustrated or whatever struggle you come along, you can look up your verses. You can be reminded of the things God promises!
So stop putting God off, he's never done it to you! Go, listen! He's waiting!
Joshua 3:9
So Joshua told the Israelites, "Come and listen to what the Lord your God says.
This may seem easy, but it's far from it! God created us for a purpose and it's up to us to find out what that purpose is!
I am a woman of God. A follower of Christ. I try and spend as much time with God as I possibly can. Though I've noticed I've been slipping a little.
I am a busy mom, those of you who have children know what I'm talking about. I try to pray but often get interrupted by my kids asking for stuff. I'm busy feeding, playing, then tackling the house work. When I do have time to pray it's early morning or late evening, when the kids are still sleeping and when they are in bed for the night. But by those times I'm so tired all I want to do is sleep. That makes me feel like I'm ignoring God's call for me.
I read my bible verses and pray for God to help me with my struggle each day. I know that he will help me in his time, not mine. The road to get there is just a tad bumpy.
We need patients, strength, courage, and obedience. All of which come from God.
Mark 11:24
Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it!
If all we have to do is pray and believe to receive what ask for, as Jesus said, then what are we waiting for?! Easier said then done right? Wrong! We just make up excuses because, again, we are lazy!
You wanna know what God told me about my struggles I've been having? He said "Stop being lazy!" Boy did that wake me up. Now I feel as if I need to share this with others. We are, as humans lazy at times. We blame fear for not doing things, when in all honesty we are just lazy. There is not such thing as "I can't find time for God."
We must give God the time he gives us everyday! A little tip: Write down your helpful verses in a booklet (small as your hand) and keep it with you at all times. This way when your feeling "Lazy" or frustrated or whatever struggle you come along, you can look up your verses. You can be reminded of the things God promises!
So stop putting God off, he's never done it to you! Go, listen! He's waiting!
Joshua 3:9
So Joshua told the Israelites, "Come and listen to what the Lord your God says.
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