Psalm 45:10
10 Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
Though the psalmist sounds blunt in his words to the woman marrying King David it's another way of stating what God deemed in Genesis and what Jesus recited in the New Testament. Husband and wife are to form a new family unit and that unit is to be their "primary" concern outside of their individual relationships with God. Husband and wife are to be inseparable according to God's plan.
Matthew 19:5-7
5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[a]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
We are unfortunately in an era where 1 in 2 couples gets divorce within the 1st five years of marriage. It is sad to say but selfishness is at the root.
Matthew 19:8
8 Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard.
We as a society no longer deem marriage as sacred. We no longer see it at as permanent. It's seen as, "if I don't like you or it anymore, I will get a divorce." As a society, we change spouses like we change towels. This is not in God's order nor in his plan. However, if one did not make the correct choice from the beginning, then it is more likely to happen. As a society we are seeking what the world thinks of our mate rather than what God thinks. We make our vows in the presence of God, yet do not consult God. Did you know that the enemy's primary goal is to destroy the family unit? Did you know that from day one, his goal is to drive a wedge? Did he not attempt it with Adam and Eve? The goal of the enemy is to have the exact opposite results of God. Remember he wants to be God so the motive is what, "kill, steel and destroy." Selfishness is the quality of the enemy. He uses it in us, to obtain his goal. Why not allow God to use his qualities within us to sustain and prosper what he has deemed shall be?
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
How Do You Show Love and Appreciation?
Luke 7:44
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
It's often easier for someone who is grateful to show love then for someone who takes things for granted. Jesus was invited to dinner at the house of a Pharisee. He compared the hospitality of Simon, a Pharisee to that of a woman who had been forgiven of her sins. The woman showed Jesus more love and appreciation. While the Pharisee, who gave Jesus the invitation, did not provide the standard for hospitality. For it was customary for the host to provide water to guests so they could wash their feet after traveling on the dirt road. What did that say about Simon? Simon did not fully understand who had in his presence but the woman did. She sought Jesus out so she could thank him.
WOW! How many of us show Jesus the level of appreciation like the woman? Those of us who are believers are sometimes like Simon, we forget how blessed we really are and who we have access to. We can show Jesus appreciation for the sacrifice he made by the life we live and being obedient. But do we act like Simon? Do we not even give Jesus the standard of hospitality? The standard is to say thank you and praise his holy name. But are we willing to go above and beyond like the woman? She went to someone else's home and did not care what they thought about what she did. What she did was between her Jesus but her gratefulness allowed her to tune out everyone else and focus on giving Jesus the appreciation he deserves.
How are you showing Jesus you love him?
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
It's often easier for someone who is grateful to show love then for someone who takes things for granted. Jesus was invited to dinner at the house of a Pharisee. He compared the hospitality of Simon, a Pharisee to that of a woman who had been forgiven of her sins. The woman showed Jesus more love and appreciation. While the Pharisee, who gave Jesus the invitation, did not provide the standard for hospitality. For it was customary for the host to provide water to guests so they could wash their feet after traveling on the dirt road. What did that say about Simon? Simon did not fully understand who had in his presence but the woman did. She sought Jesus out so she could thank him.
WOW! How many of us show Jesus the level of appreciation like the woman? Those of us who are believers are sometimes like Simon, we forget how blessed we really are and who we have access to. We can show Jesus appreciation for the sacrifice he made by the life we live and being obedient. But do we act like Simon? Do we not even give Jesus the standard of hospitality? The standard is to say thank you and praise his holy name. But are we willing to go above and beyond like the woman? She went to someone else's home and did not care what they thought about what she did. What she did was between her Jesus but her gratefulness allowed her to tune out everyone else and focus on giving Jesus the appreciation he deserves.
How are you showing Jesus you love him?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
No Peace with No Integrity
Proverbs 10:9
9 The man of integrity walks securely,
but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
King Solomon noted that one with integrity has a different stance. There is peace in their spirit and a quiet confidence. But one who does not live with integrity is always looking over their shoulder. Rarely does a person who lacks integrity have any peace. How can there be peace when one is constantly covering up their offenses? Making sure no one knows their secrets becomes almost important as the crooked deeds themselves which leaves no room for peace. But a person of integrity has no worry of covering anything therefore, there are no concerns and they can focus on moving forward.
As believers in Christ, we are to live our lives with integrity. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:37, "let your yes be your yes and your no be your no." That means be a man or woman of your word. How can we be the light of the world if we lack integrity? How can we stand for Christ if we fall with the enemy?
9 The man of integrity walks securely,
but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
King Solomon noted that one with integrity has a different stance. There is peace in their spirit and a quiet confidence. But one who does not live with integrity is always looking over their shoulder. Rarely does a person who lacks integrity have any peace. How can there be peace when one is constantly covering up their offenses? Making sure no one knows their secrets becomes almost important as the crooked deeds themselves which leaves no room for peace. But a person of integrity has no worry of covering anything therefore, there are no concerns and they can focus on moving forward.
As believers in Christ, we are to live our lives with integrity. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:37, "let your yes be your yes and your no be your no." That means be a man or woman of your word. How can we be the light of the world if we lack integrity? How can we stand for Christ if we fall with the enemy?
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
No Matter the Station
1 Corinthians 7:17
17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
Did you know that you are where your are for a reason? The apostle Paul talked about being married and being single. That one who is married has a different focus from one who is single. However, no matter which one, do what God has assigned to you. No matter whether we are married or single, God is to be our first love and we are to serve in whatever station of life he has called us to be in at that time. While single, pray and seek the Lord and do what he has for you to do. In marriage, pray and seek the Lord and do what he has called you to do. For each, it is different but the result is the same. Everything we do, ought to be done to the glory of the Lord. No one should come between us and God. NO ONE. When we allow someone to come between our relationship with God, we have caused them to be an idol. That is not pleasing to God. As one single, never be to busy for God. It seems so simple to remember but why is God often getting the short end of the stick when he is the one who has blessed with whatever we have? If God decides that one is faithful enough for their station to change, then it will change. No matter what, continue to serve the Lord in what way he has called you to do.
17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
Did you know that you are where your are for a reason? The apostle Paul talked about being married and being single. That one who is married has a different focus from one who is single. However, no matter which one, do what God has assigned to you. No matter whether we are married or single, God is to be our first love and we are to serve in whatever station of life he has called us to be in at that time. While single, pray and seek the Lord and do what he has for you to do. In marriage, pray and seek the Lord and do what he has called you to do. For each, it is different but the result is the same. Everything we do, ought to be done to the glory of the Lord. No one should come between us and God. NO ONE. When we allow someone to come between our relationship with God, we have caused them to be an idol. That is not pleasing to God. As one single, never be to busy for God. It seems so simple to remember but why is God often getting the short end of the stick when he is the one who has blessed with whatever we have? If God decides that one is faithful enough for their station to change, then it will change. No matter what, continue to serve the Lord in what way he has called you to do.
Monday, May 2, 2011
It's Temporary
Jeremiah 30:17
17 But I will restore you to health
and heal your wounds,’
declares the LORD,
‘because you are called an outcast,
Zion for whom no one cares.’
Have you ever been called an outcast? Have you ever been considered damaged? The prophet Jeremiah was given a word from the Lord to the people of Israel that they would be restored after the seventy years of captivity in Babylon. Though the Israelites brought the captivity on themselves with their disobedience, they would not remain outcasts forever. They would not be damaged goods forever. The Lord would surely deliver them after their time was served.
To be an outcast or considered damaged goods does little for one's self-esteem. An outcast or one damaged is considered unlovable. But God! God is the one who heals wounds and restores health when doctors only know that you are damaged but are not able to cure you. A once outcast can receive love and acceptance from the Lord. The Lord can even raise up friends to give a smile and word of encouragement. Praise God that he is the restorer of ALL THINGS!
Where do you need healing? Is it in your body or is it just your heart? HE can do it!! Considered an outcast? Do not fret, Jesus loves you!! Just as the Israelites, whatever your unsavory condition, it's temporary.
17 But I will restore you to health
and heal your wounds,’
declares the LORD,
‘because you are called an outcast,
Zion for whom no one cares.’
Have you ever been called an outcast? Have you ever been considered damaged? The prophet Jeremiah was given a word from the Lord to the people of Israel that they would be restored after the seventy years of captivity in Babylon. Though the Israelites brought the captivity on themselves with their disobedience, they would not remain outcasts forever. They would not be damaged goods forever. The Lord would surely deliver them after their time was served.
To be an outcast or considered damaged goods does little for one's self-esteem. An outcast or one damaged is considered unlovable. But God! God is the one who heals wounds and restores health when doctors only know that you are damaged but are not able to cure you. A once outcast can receive love and acceptance from the Lord. The Lord can even raise up friends to give a smile and word of encouragement. Praise God that he is the restorer of ALL THINGS!
Where do you need healing? Is it in your body or is it just your heart? HE can do it!! Considered an outcast? Do not fret, Jesus loves you!! Just as the Israelites, whatever your unsavory condition, it's temporary.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wipeout
2 Corinthians 4:17
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
No one ever wants to call their troubles light. But in Paul's letter to the Corinthians, the truth remains that our spirit man will long outlast our natural man. If we are believers in Jesus Christ, our eternal home is not here and is far more beautiful. So the troubles that we endure here, though difficult, will seem like a drop in the bucket. It's like the obstacle course on TV called "Wipeout". The contestants are trying to complete an obstacle course risking getting knocked down, falling over, etc for a grand prize at the end. For us, that obstacle course is our earthly life. We are going through every obstacle course to strengthen and stretch our minds and spiritual man. It's for us to be prepared for the wonderful gift the Lord has waiting for us in the second half of our journey. The obstacle course is only temporary. Not only will it pass but there's something greater beyond the wipeout.
Be encouraged!! It's all for your growth be it God's perfect will or imperfect will.
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
No one ever wants to call their troubles light. But in Paul's letter to the Corinthians, the truth remains that our spirit man will long outlast our natural man. If we are believers in Jesus Christ, our eternal home is not here and is far more beautiful. So the troubles that we endure here, though difficult, will seem like a drop in the bucket. It's like the obstacle course on TV called "Wipeout". The contestants are trying to complete an obstacle course risking getting knocked down, falling over, etc for a grand prize at the end. For us, that obstacle course is our earthly life. We are going through every obstacle course to strengthen and stretch our minds and spiritual man. It's for us to be prepared for the wonderful gift the Lord has waiting for us in the second half of our journey. The obstacle course is only temporary. Not only will it pass but there's something greater beyond the wipeout.
Be encouraged!! It's all for your growth be it God's perfect will or imperfect will.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Without God, Who Are You?
Psalm 16:4
4 The sorrows of those will increase
who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.
Are you running after anything other than God? David not only asked for God's protection from death in this psalm but he pointed out that he would not worship anyone but God. He accentuated that those who not only run after but trust other gods more than him would find hardship. the little god in this case were those that required pouring libations and chatting their name. Is there a little god that has made more room in your heart than our heavenly father? Are you finding more sorrow than gladness because your focus is not in the right place? In the Ten Commandments, the first one is that we are to have no other god's before Him. Jesus put the same commandment in another way by saying that we are to love the Lord our God with all heart. Who and what are you consulting for answers to life's questions? Is it our Lord? Or is it in the vices that now exist in the land? Is the focus on obtaining other things? What about obtaining a closer relationship with God?
Psalm 16:2
2 I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
Without God who are you and what do you have?
4 The sorrows of those will increase
who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.
Are you running after anything other than God? David not only asked for God's protection from death in this psalm but he pointed out that he would not worship anyone but God. He accentuated that those who not only run after but trust other gods more than him would find hardship. the little god in this case were those that required pouring libations and chatting their name. Is there a little god that has made more room in your heart than our heavenly father? Are you finding more sorrow than gladness because your focus is not in the right place? In the Ten Commandments, the first one is that we are to have no other god's before Him. Jesus put the same commandment in another way by saying that we are to love the Lord our God with all heart. Who and what are you consulting for answers to life's questions? Is it our Lord? Or is it in the vices that now exist in the land? Is the focus on obtaining other things? What about obtaining a closer relationship with God?
Psalm 16:2
2 I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
Without God who are you and what do you have?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)