Through our lifetimes many people will try to label us. They will do so on the basis of ethnicity, social stature, physical prowess, or our raw being. Some will be kind, but others will not. The important thing is to know how GOD sees you.
GOD made you fearfully and wonderfully.(Ps 139:14)
GOD made you part of a royal priesthood.(1 Peter 2:9)
GOD made sure that nothing can separate you from HIS love.(Rom 8:39)
GOD made you more than a conqueror.(Rom 8:37)
Ultimately, think of this, if you have accepted Christ, HE sees you as HIS beloved child. HE sees you as you will be. Flawless and reflecting the glory of Jesus. You are a member of HIS kingdom. You are family.
If you want a taste of what that love means, read 1 Corinthians 13. This is love at its most gracious and giving.
I believe Max Lucado put it like this. If you are in Christ, GOD looks at you and see HIS Son. In a voice the rends the heavens, HE says this is my beloved child with whom I am well pleased.
It is in GOD that our true identity is found.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Faithfulness
Ruth is one of the more interesting figures of the Word. As a Moabitess, she was from a despised nation. Yet, GOD chose her to be in the bloodline of Jesus. Why? Because GOD always rewards faithfulness and HE blesses those who bless HIS people.
Ruth chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, even though Ruth's husband was dead. Her love for Naomi was such that she would go to Israel, a country not her own. Furthermore, she takes the LORD as her GOD.
GOD uses her loyalty to show HIS love to Naomi. Naomi had become bitter due to the loss of her sons. She thought that the LORD had abandoned her. Through the meeting and eventual marriage of Ruth and Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, Naomi finds out that GOD never abandons us even when trials may make it seem so.
Some people question our dedication to Israel over the years. Did anyone realize how we have been blessed by our blessing them? GOD rewards those who bless HIS people.
As we are faithful to HIM, we mature and grow in our walk. This allows us to love others in a steadfast way, building up rather than tearing down. We can be faithful to others because HE has first proven faithful to us. And as we obediently carry out our GOD given tasks, we find that we also develop spiritual fruit.
Remember Jesus's parable of the talents. He who is faithful with a little will be entrusted with more.
Ruth chose to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, even though Ruth's husband was dead. Her love for Naomi was such that she would go to Israel, a country not her own. Furthermore, she takes the LORD as her GOD.
GOD uses her loyalty to show HIS love to Naomi. Naomi had become bitter due to the loss of her sons. She thought that the LORD had abandoned her. Through the meeting and eventual marriage of Ruth and Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, Naomi finds out that GOD never abandons us even when trials may make it seem so.
Some people question our dedication to Israel over the years. Did anyone realize how we have been blessed by our blessing them? GOD rewards those who bless HIS people.
As we are faithful to HIM, we mature and grow in our walk. This allows us to love others in a steadfast way, building up rather than tearing down. We can be faithful to others because HE has first proven faithful to us. And as we obediently carry out our GOD given tasks, we find that we also develop spiritual fruit.
Remember Jesus's parable of the talents. He who is faithful with a little will be entrusted with more.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
The Joel Osteen-Elton John situation
I'm sure by now there are all sorts of opinions about the recent controversy between Pastor Joel Osteen and Elton John. I guess I'll toss in my two cents. The fact is Pastor Osteen said nothing new. Elton John is a sinner. So is the rest of the human race. So why the hoopla.
Political correctness is why. This term has become the six hundred pound gorilla in the room. It had a noble purpose once. It was an attempt to be more conscientious about other people's feelings. Now it has been used to excuse sin and prejudice. Yes, prejudice. Ironic, huh. You can't call homosexuality a sin because you'll offend this group. You can't have prayer in school because you might offend the group over there. Never mind that this nation was built on Christian ideals.
Pastor Osteen would be the first to admit he too is a sinner. All need GOD's forgiving grace. Including Elton John even if he won't admit it.
Should Pastor Osteen apologize? Most definitely not. The truth is the truth even when itching ears don't want to hear it.
Political correctness is why. This term has become the six hundred pound gorilla in the room. It had a noble purpose once. It was an attempt to be more conscientious about other people's feelings. Now it has been used to excuse sin and prejudice. Yes, prejudice. Ironic, huh. You can't call homosexuality a sin because you'll offend this group. You can't have prayer in school because you might offend the group over there. Never mind that this nation was built on Christian ideals.
Pastor Osteen would be the first to admit he too is a sinner. All need GOD's forgiving grace. Including Elton John even if he won't admit it.
Should Pastor Osteen apologize? Most definitely not. The truth is the truth even when itching ears don't want to hear it.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Majesty
Unfortunately, many people don't truly associate majesty with GOD. Society has watered down GOD to the point that HIS grandeur is miniscule and HIS grasp limited. If you go to the movies, you see HIM abdicate responsibility(Bruce Almighty) on a whim, let HIS angels behave irresponsibly(Michael), and let Satan have way too much rein(Reaper, Supernatural, End of Days, etc...). Certainly HE is not depicted as HE truly is. Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Eternal and Immortal. If you believe the media, HE is a god with a small "g".
Read the latter portion of Job. This is no small GOD. HE is the creator of Heaven and Earth. HE is to be worshipped not trivialized. The simple fact is that people minimize GOD because they desire to go their own way. If they took GOD as HE is, they would have to correct their behavior.
Even some of the Church has done this. By emphasizing HIS Love and Mercy but not HIS Justice and Holiness, we receive a lopsided view of GOD. By denying that GOD will indeed send those not in Jesus's Book of Life to Hell, they also decrease HIS justice and devalue Jesus's death on the Cross. They do this to "fill seats". Instead of preaching truth, they give people what they want to hear.
The simple fact is our GOD is majestic and all powerful. Seek to minimize HIM at your peril. Why anyone would want a wimpy GOD is beyond me. If HE was too wimpy to stop the evil that is persistent in society, how could I trust HIM to be strong enough to save me.
Read the latter portion of Job. This is no small GOD. HE is the creator of Heaven and Earth. HE is to be worshipped not trivialized. The simple fact is that people minimize GOD because they desire to go their own way. If they took GOD as HE is, they would have to correct their behavior.
Even some of the Church has done this. By emphasizing HIS Love and Mercy but not HIS Justice and Holiness, we receive a lopsided view of GOD. By denying that GOD will indeed send those not in Jesus's Book of Life to Hell, they also decrease HIS justice and devalue Jesus's death on the Cross. They do this to "fill seats". Instead of preaching truth, they give people what they want to hear.
The simple fact is our GOD is majestic and all powerful. Seek to minimize HIM at your peril. Why anyone would want a wimpy GOD is beyond me. If HE was too wimpy to stop the evil that is persistent in society, how could I trust HIM to be strong enough to save me.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Behind the Scenes
Have you ever noticed that sometimes when you go GOD's way, things just seem to fall into place?
I was reading Esther this morning, a book in which you don't really hear much mention of GOD. But HE is there none the less, guiding HIS people and providing. It almost seems like a series of coincidences. Esther is chosen to be queen. Mordecai overhears a plot. The king's dreams are troubled. All just seem to happen.
Something I'd like you to remember. There is no such thing as a coincidence where GOD is concerned.
GOD knew that HIS people would be threatened at a later date by Haman. He set in motion a plan years before to save the Jews. Esther is reminded of this by Mordecai. "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this."(Esther 4:14, Today's New International Version)
GOD loves to work behind the scenes. When we are obedient to the call placed upon us, we find that HE has already gone ahead of us laying the trail. I'm not saying there are not difficulties or trials on that path. Such impediments are par for the course. What I am saying is HE has been there before us and has prepared the way.
So next time something just seems to happen for the better, smile. As I once saw written, a coincidence is simply GOD choosing to remain anonymous.
I was reading Esther this morning, a book in which you don't really hear much mention of GOD. But HE is there none the less, guiding HIS people and providing. It almost seems like a series of coincidences. Esther is chosen to be queen. Mordecai overhears a plot. The king's dreams are troubled. All just seem to happen.
Something I'd like you to remember. There is no such thing as a coincidence where GOD is concerned.
GOD knew that HIS people would be threatened at a later date by Haman. He set in motion a plan years before to save the Jews. Esther is reminded of this by Mordecai. "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this."(Esther 4:14, Today's New International Version)
GOD loves to work behind the scenes. When we are obedient to the call placed upon us, we find that HE has already gone ahead of us laying the trail. I'm not saying there are not difficulties or trials on that path. Such impediments are par for the course. What I am saying is HE has been there before us and has prepared the way.
So next time something just seems to happen for the better, smile. As I once saw written, a coincidence is simply GOD choosing to remain anonymous.
Monday, January 24, 2011
GOD's Timetable not Ours
This is almost a follow up to the entry on rest. We in our busyness sometimes forget that GOD works on HIS own schedule. Thus when we send up our arrow prayers we expect immediate satisfaction.
Blessedly GOD just doesn't work that way. Yes, there are times HE will give an immediate answer. But let us remember that Daniel received one of his answers after a long fast. Moses was sent to deliver the Israelites in the proper measure of time.
My pastor made note of the fact that Jesus did not just come to save. HE came to have an abundant and loving relationship with us. To restore what was broken in the Garden of Eden. Relationshps that matter evolve over a lifetime.
Prayer, that vital lifeline to GOD, was not meant to be just a series of arrow prayers on the way to heaven. It is the building block of a love story that never ends. Jesus wants to hear about every part of your life. And HE wants to give input on every part.
We are often dissatisfied when our prayers do not result in immediate action. What we don't realize is that often what we have asked for begins a process not a resolution. This process results in our maturing and deepening in our walk.
So don't get angry if your prayer does not appear to be answered that very second. GOD is not a genie. HE works in HIS time and for HIS purposes in our lives. GOD's answers to our prayers are always worth waiting for. Even if that answer is no. Because HIS no often lead to a more glorious yes down the road.
Blessedly GOD just doesn't work that way. Yes, there are times HE will give an immediate answer. But let us remember that Daniel received one of his answers after a long fast. Moses was sent to deliver the Israelites in the proper measure of time.
My pastor made note of the fact that Jesus did not just come to save. HE came to have an abundant and loving relationship with us. To restore what was broken in the Garden of Eden. Relationshps that matter evolve over a lifetime.
Prayer, that vital lifeline to GOD, was not meant to be just a series of arrow prayers on the way to heaven. It is the building block of a love story that never ends. Jesus wants to hear about every part of your life. And HE wants to give input on every part.
We are often dissatisfied when our prayers do not result in immediate action. What we don't realize is that often what we have asked for begins a process not a resolution. This process results in our maturing and deepening in our walk.
So don't get angry if your prayer does not appear to be answered that very second. GOD is not a genie. HE works in HIS time and for HIS purposes in our lives. GOD's answers to our prayers are always worth waiting for. Even if that answer is no. Because HIS no often lead to a more glorious yes down the road.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Rest
I took a longer nap than usual today. That in and of itself is no red letter event. (Other than possible difficulties sleeping tonight.) But it got me thinking. We have gotten busy about being busy. Whether it is the people who bury themselves in work or those who consume themselves with pleasure, it is all about being busy. Too often we don't just rest.
This Facebook phenomenon is an interesting study. We have become so busy in friending and being friended that we miss out on real relationships. I've looked over my mother's shoulder at her account. There is no way to keep up without a serious commitment of time and energy. I'm not saying that Facebook isn't a wonderful tool. That's not it at all. But it is another way we can become busy.
GOD didn't intend us to consume ourselves with busy. HE himself set a day apart for rest. Not that HE needed rest but He knew we would. Did HE intend us to be productive? Yes. Did HE intend us to be on the go nonstop. No.
GOD wanted us to rest. That doesn't necessarily always mean sleep. That can mean gardening, taking a quiet walk, watching a movie, or playing games with your children. Rest is time to recharge from the world's wear and tear. Something we frankly need everyday. Mind you, given the amount of hours some of us put in at work, sleep is not the worst of ideas.
Worshipping in the Body weekly is a part of that rest. I'm not going to confine that to one day as some have. My church celebrates worship on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Others have a mid week service. The point is that our souls need restoration too. We are encouraged and corrected, enlightened and filled with joy, refreshed at the same time GOD is glorified.
Ultimate rest is found in HIM. Jesus promised that in HIM we would find rest for our souls. Too much time being busy and we find ourselves drained. Personally, I would rather relax in my Savior's arms.
This Facebook phenomenon is an interesting study. We have become so busy in friending and being friended that we miss out on real relationships. I've looked over my mother's shoulder at her account. There is no way to keep up without a serious commitment of time and energy. I'm not saying that Facebook isn't a wonderful tool. That's not it at all. But it is another way we can become busy.
GOD didn't intend us to consume ourselves with busy. HE himself set a day apart for rest. Not that HE needed rest but He knew we would. Did HE intend us to be productive? Yes. Did HE intend us to be on the go nonstop. No.
GOD wanted us to rest. That doesn't necessarily always mean sleep. That can mean gardening, taking a quiet walk, watching a movie, or playing games with your children. Rest is time to recharge from the world's wear and tear. Something we frankly need everyday. Mind you, given the amount of hours some of us put in at work, sleep is not the worst of ideas.
Worshipping in the Body weekly is a part of that rest. I'm not going to confine that to one day as some have. My church celebrates worship on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Others have a mid week service. The point is that our souls need restoration too. We are encouraged and corrected, enlightened and filled with joy, refreshed at the same time GOD is glorified.
Ultimate rest is found in HIM. Jesus promised that in HIM we would find rest for our souls. Too much time being busy and we find ourselves drained. Personally, I would rather relax in my Savior's arms.
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