I was blessed today by another believer praying for myself and my family. He had been prompted to do so by the Holy Spirit. In his prayer I noted something that we sometimes take for granted. He mentioned his ease access to the throne room of GOD.
Consider this. Before Jesus shed HIS blood on the cross, only the High Priest had such access and only at certain times in a very prescribed manner. The Most Holy of Holies was sealed by a curtain, signifying that direct personal relationship with GOD was not yet available. When our Savior died, that curtain was torn. This meant that the wall of alienation between Creator and Created was taken away.
That precious line of communication, of communion with our GOD was bought with precious blood. Prayer is not something that should ever be taken lightly. Through it we may enter the throne room of GOD and respectfully engage with HIM. Not just present requests but have an everyday conversation with the Creator of all things. HE wants relationship with us and loves it when we tell HIM about our triumphs and trials. HE interacts with us when we pray and leads us in a personal manner.
Think on this. One to one communication with the GOD who made you and loves you more than you can possibly comprehend. Never something to be taken lightly. A privilege wrought by blood and given in amazing grace.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Sealed
When you became a Christian you were sealed with the Holy Spirit. This meant your body became a temple of the Holy Spirit and thus should be treated as such. To those of us who struggle with weight issues that should be a wake up call. Overeating is not Godly behavior.
Now I'm saying that all of us people with weight issues need to jump on crash diets. And I'm not confining this talk to the weight challenged.I'm saying that GOD wants us to take care of this body of ours. HE believes that it is something special and thus so should we.
That means(groan) get out and exercise. Be careful what you intake. That does not just mean the right foods. It means watch the caffeine and sports drinks. Don't pop some pill just because you hope it will help you on some test. You shouldn't be taking anything without your doctor's advice and consent.
As your body is a temple, treat it as holy ground. No sex without a wedding ring. It cheapens you and degrades a wonderful gift from GOD. I've said this before, watch where those eyes venture.(Sadly men especially but women are catching up quickly)
Overexercising is a bad idea too. Don't make your body an idol. Try balance, it was what we were made for.
Remember this body is all you got till HE takes you home so treat it with respect.
Take Care and GOD Bless,
Freedom's Scribe
Now I'm saying that all of us people with weight issues need to jump on crash diets. And I'm not confining this talk to the weight challenged.I'm saying that GOD wants us to take care of this body of ours. HE believes that it is something special and thus so should we.
That means(groan) get out and exercise. Be careful what you intake. That does not just mean the right foods. It means watch the caffeine and sports drinks. Don't pop some pill just because you hope it will help you on some test. You shouldn't be taking anything without your doctor's advice and consent.
As your body is a temple, treat it as holy ground. No sex without a wedding ring. It cheapens you and degrades a wonderful gift from GOD. I've said this before, watch where those eyes venture.(Sadly men especially but women are catching up quickly)
Overexercising is a bad idea too. Don't make your body an idol. Try balance, it was what we were made for.
Remember this body is all you got till HE takes you home so treat it with respect.
Take Care and GOD Bless,
Freedom's Scribe
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Obedience
Why does GOD put such an emphasis on obedience?
There are a few reasons for this.
One, HE is GOD.
And as we are HIS creatures, just saying that something should be so is supposed to be enough. But GOD isn't the "cause I said so" type of parent. HE has very real reasons for HIS commands.
Two, Obedience sets the pace for relationship.
GOD placed rules to facilitate lines of communication between Creator and created. As a holy GOD, HE can't countenance our sin, but as a loving GOD HE wants to spend time with HIS children. Thus HE created a way for us to know what HE expects (The Law) and the capability to be holy and forgiven when we foul up(Jesus' death on the cross which placed HIS children who believe under the law of Grace.).
Obedience says to GOD that you are ready to trust HIM for his provision of the things that you want and need. It is a requirement for maturing in one's walk with GOD and always brings blessing even if you don't immediately see it.
Third and finally, obedience is important for our own well-being.
Sin hurts and repeated sin hurts even worse. Down that path lies strongholds(Addictions). GOD wants us to be obedient because HE has a plan for our betterment and joy. When we obey, HE sculpts us ever closer to the likeness of Jesus.
Ultimately it is love that is behind GOD's desire for our obedience. HE wishes us to know HIM better and to bless us. When we are disobedient, it forces HIM to discipline.
Obedience isn't always easy but it is the better way. There is joy and peace in this journey that no amount of sin could ever convey.
Take Care and GOD Bless,
Freedom's Scribe
There are a few reasons for this.
One, HE is GOD.
And as we are HIS creatures, just saying that something should be so is supposed to be enough. But GOD isn't the "cause I said so" type of parent. HE has very real reasons for HIS commands.
Two, Obedience sets the pace for relationship.
GOD placed rules to facilitate lines of communication between Creator and created. As a holy GOD, HE can't countenance our sin, but as a loving GOD HE wants to spend time with HIS children. Thus HE created a way for us to know what HE expects (The Law) and the capability to be holy and forgiven when we foul up(Jesus' death on the cross which placed HIS children who believe under the law of Grace.).
Obedience says to GOD that you are ready to trust HIM for his provision of the things that you want and need. It is a requirement for maturing in one's walk with GOD and always brings blessing even if you don't immediately see it.
Third and finally, obedience is important for our own well-being.
Sin hurts and repeated sin hurts even worse. Down that path lies strongholds(Addictions). GOD wants us to be obedient because HE has a plan for our betterment and joy. When we obey, HE sculpts us ever closer to the likeness of Jesus.
Ultimately it is love that is behind GOD's desire for our obedience. HE wishes us to know HIM better and to bless us. When we are disobedient, it forces HIM to discipline.
Obedience isn't always easy but it is the better way. There is joy and peace in this journey that no amount of sin could ever convey.
Take Care and GOD Bless,
Freedom's Scribe
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday
Why is Good Friday good?
God who is holy saw us who were most certainly not and had mercy on us. A very short response, not quite up to par. In truth, we as sinners were as far from the goodness and purity of God as could be. Our works could not save us as we could never be"good" enough to satisfy the justice and righteous of Holy Almighty God. Sin isn't just something we do. It is a part of who we are, a disease inherent to mankind since the Fall. Now when I say disease that does not excuse us from it but explains part of what comes next.
God hurts because we hurt. He loves us more than we can possibly imagine. But as the Righteous Judge, He had to judge our sin. The penalty for sin is death, ultimate and final. But He could not bear that His children that He loves be put through that without giving them a way out.
The Great and Holy plan of Love was created before time began. God the Father knew we would sin and with the full participation of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, designed our rescue. At the right moment in time, a Savior would appear, taking on mankind's sin. But who could that be? Certainly not man himself who was from birth a sinner. Yet it must be a man in order to know our sufferings and take on our sin. Even more he must be innocent, or he could not even save himself.
Enter the incarnation of Jesus. fully God, yet He stepped into this world as a babe. He grew to manhood, a flawless, sinless Savior. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, approved by the Father, He taught in our world.
That would not be enough to save. The sin must still be judged. So Jesus, as per the plan of the Father, allowed himself to be betrayed by a friend, judged by the corrupt leaders of his time, brutalized by the cruelty of soldiers, then murdered in a most excruciating manner. That alone was bad enough but Scripture tell us that on Him every sin was laid. He who was totally without sin had to know our sin, every evil thought and deed we ever came up with throughout all time. He knew a sense of total abandonment by God the Father.
Why would He go through this? Because God -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- loved us so much that He did not want us to go through death and hell. Instead He sentenced Himself.
Hear what Jesus said from the cross. "It is finished." Once and for all time, the sin debt was paid for in an act of love that will never be defined or fully understood.
Why is Good Friday good? Because God showed for all time how much He loved us in the redeeming sacrifice of His Son. He showed his approval of the sacrifice by resurrecting Jesus from the dead.
There is more to it. You see this is not an automatic get out of jail free card. God respects our free will. If we want His gift of salvation we have to ask.
This is a sample prayer for salvation:
Father God, we know that we have sinned against You. We are grieved by our sin and how we have hurt You. We ask You in the name of Jesus and because of His redeeming sacrifice on the Cross to forgive us. We gladly accept Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord.
If you prayed this prayer in faith and belief that Jesus is risen from the dead and that He can and will forgive your sins, congratulations. It's your birthday. You have been born again. And from now on Good Friday will have new meaning to you. If not, please don't wait. For those who do not accept Christ as Savior, there is no recourse. Death and Hell are waiting. No amount of good works will save and Jesus is the only Way home.
God who is holy saw us who were most certainly not and had mercy on us. A very short response, not quite up to par. In truth, we as sinners were as far from the goodness and purity of God as could be. Our works could not save us as we could never be"good" enough to satisfy the justice and righteous of Holy Almighty God. Sin isn't just something we do. It is a part of who we are, a disease inherent to mankind since the Fall. Now when I say disease that does not excuse us from it but explains part of what comes next.
God hurts because we hurt. He loves us more than we can possibly imagine. But as the Righteous Judge, He had to judge our sin. The penalty for sin is death, ultimate and final. But He could not bear that His children that He loves be put through that without giving them a way out.
The Great and Holy plan of Love was created before time began. God the Father knew we would sin and with the full participation of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, designed our rescue. At the right moment in time, a Savior would appear, taking on mankind's sin. But who could that be? Certainly not man himself who was from birth a sinner. Yet it must be a man in order to know our sufferings and take on our sin. Even more he must be innocent, or he could not even save himself.
Enter the incarnation of Jesus. fully God, yet He stepped into this world as a babe. He grew to manhood, a flawless, sinless Savior. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, approved by the Father, He taught in our world.
That would not be enough to save. The sin must still be judged. So Jesus, as per the plan of the Father, allowed himself to be betrayed by a friend, judged by the corrupt leaders of his time, brutalized by the cruelty of soldiers, then murdered in a most excruciating manner. That alone was bad enough but Scripture tell us that on Him every sin was laid. He who was totally without sin had to know our sin, every evil thought and deed we ever came up with throughout all time. He knew a sense of total abandonment by God the Father.
Why would He go through this? Because God -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- loved us so much that He did not want us to go through death and hell. Instead He sentenced Himself.
Hear what Jesus said from the cross. "It is finished." Once and for all time, the sin debt was paid for in an act of love that will never be defined or fully understood.
Why is Good Friday good? Because God showed for all time how much He loved us in the redeeming sacrifice of His Son. He showed his approval of the sacrifice by resurrecting Jesus from the dead.
There is more to it. You see this is not an automatic get out of jail free card. God respects our free will. If we want His gift of salvation we have to ask.
This is a sample prayer for salvation:
Father God, we know that we have sinned against You. We are grieved by our sin and how we have hurt You. We ask You in the name of Jesus and because of His redeeming sacrifice on the Cross to forgive us. We gladly accept Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord.
If you prayed this prayer in faith and belief that Jesus is risen from the dead and that He can and will forgive your sins, congratulations. It's your birthday. You have been born again. And from now on Good Friday will have new meaning to you. If not, please don't wait. For those who do not accept Christ as Savior, there is no recourse. Death and Hell are waiting. No amount of good works will save and Jesus is the only Way home.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Suffering and what not to say
When someone you know suffers the first thing we want to do is reach out. We want to say something to make it feel better. We want to help them understand why they are going what is happening to them.
The first thing we should do is check our opinions at the door. Regardless of our theories on the crisis, we are here to comfort that person not judge them. I would recommend praying before you even get near the person(s) in question. Ask for wisdom in what not to say and when not to say anything at all.
When someone is hurting, they often appreciate touch more than the spoken word. A simple hug can uplift a heart more than a thousand words. Express your caring in the practical. Maybe cook a meal for the person, offer to take care of their kids, or pick up the mail.
A kind ear is often appreciated. Listen, again without judgment, to what the person has to say. Don't jump to offer opinions. If you're wondering why I stress this, read(or reread) the book of Job. His friends tried to tell him why he was suffering but ended up being unkind, callous and downright wrong. Instead ask what you can do to help.
You being there can be all the person needs. So leave your comments at home and just be a friend.
Take Care and GOD Bless,
Freedom's Scribe
The first thing we should do is check our opinions at the door. Regardless of our theories on the crisis, we are here to comfort that person not judge them. I would recommend praying before you even get near the person(s) in question. Ask for wisdom in what not to say and when not to say anything at all.
When someone is hurting, they often appreciate touch more than the spoken word. A simple hug can uplift a heart more than a thousand words. Express your caring in the practical. Maybe cook a meal for the person, offer to take care of their kids, or pick up the mail.
A kind ear is often appreciated. Listen, again without judgment, to what the person has to say. Don't jump to offer opinions. If you're wondering why I stress this, read(or reread) the book of Job. His friends tried to tell him why he was suffering but ended up being unkind, callous and downright wrong. Instead ask what you can do to help.
You being there can be all the person needs. So leave your comments at home and just be a friend.
Take Care and GOD Bless,
Freedom's Scribe
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sharing Grace
Grace, undeserved favor from GOD, was never meant to be kept to oneself. It is in sharing that love and mercy with others that grace finds its greatest fulfillment.
When GOD gives a gift to one of HIS children, HE expects that child to build up HIS Body first, then ultimately share it with the world. It is in this reaching out that hearts are touched and lives are changed.
GOD doesn't give any gift not to be used. So, whatever your GOD-given talent is sharpen and hone it. If your gift is writing, then write a novel, scribe a sonnet, post a blog. Use your words to encourage, strengthen and lift up your readers. Maybe hospitality is your calling. Then be a greeter, cook a meal for a neighbor, or serve the poor. The simple touch, a kind word, and a smile can change a person's whole day. The point is to reach out to people where they are at with the gifts you've been given. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we go.
I leave you with a quote that I heard a long time ago. "Your talent is GOD's gift to you. What you do with it can be your gift to GOD." --- Author Unknown
May GOD shower you with HIS grace and you in turn bless the world in HIS mighty and holy name.
Freedom's Scribe
When GOD gives a gift to one of HIS children, HE expects that child to build up HIS Body first, then ultimately share it with the world. It is in this reaching out that hearts are touched and lives are changed.
GOD doesn't give any gift not to be used. So, whatever your GOD-given talent is sharpen and hone it. If your gift is writing, then write a novel, scribe a sonnet, post a blog. Use your words to encourage, strengthen and lift up your readers. Maybe hospitality is your calling. Then be a greeter, cook a meal for a neighbor, or serve the poor. The simple touch, a kind word, and a smile can change a person's whole day. The point is to reach out to people where they are at with the gifts you've been given. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we go.
I leave you with a quote that I heard a long time ago. "Your talent is GOD's gift to you. What you do with it can be your gift to GOD." --- Author Unknown
May GOD shower you with HIS grace and you in turn bless the world in HIS mighty and holy name.
Freedom's Scribe
Monday, April 18, 2011
Champions
Many of you have seen Clash of the Titans, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and other movies based on mythology. There is a common thread in each. The "gods" choose a mortal to complete a task and an adventure ensues.
GOD, too uses everyday people to accomplish tasks. The difference is why.
The "gods" of myth were not omnipotent. They would empower a hero to take on a task because they were concerned with their own petty interests. Case in point, the heroes of the Trojan War fought over what in reality was the results of a beauty contest. They could be defeated by mortals. Hercules wrestles Death to save a friend's wife. In Clash of the Titans we see Perseus has to save Zeus from himself as he has been tricked by his younger brother Hades. So they weren't omniscient either.
When GOD raises up a champion it is partly because the person is flawed. Why is this, you ask? So that when the victory comes or the accomplishment occurs, it will be obvious that the mortal did not do this on his or her own. That GOD Himself was intricately involved in every aspect of the action. This rightfully brings glory to GOD's name. Why you ask is GOD so interested in the glory. Not because of ego. GOD's glory is infinitely tied to HIS character. GOD is love. And when glory comes HIS way, it showcases HIS love for us, HIS people and for the lost. And thus when HE is glorified in our actions that reflect HIS character, people notice and come to HIM to be freed from bondage, And thus GOD's redeeming goal is fulfilled and sinners are brought home.
Take Care and GOD Bless,
Freedom's Scribe
GOD, too uses everyday people to accomplish tasks. The difference is why.
The "gods" of myth were not omnipotent. They would empower a hero to take on a task because they were concerned with their own petty interests. Case in point, the heroes of the Trojan War fought over what in reality was the results of a beauty contest. They could be defeated by mortals. Hercules wrestles Death to save a friend's wife. In Clash of the Titans we see Perseus has to save Zeus from himself as he has been tricked by his younger brother Hades. So they weren't omniscient either.
When GOD raises up a champion it is partly because the person is flawed. Why is this, you ask? So that when the victory comes or the accomplishment occurs, it will be obvious that the mortal did not do this on his or her own. That GOD Himself was intricately involved in every aspect of the action. This rightfully brings glory to GOD's name. Why you ask is GOD so interested in the glory. Not because of ego. GOD's glory is infinitely tied to HIS character. GOD is love. And when glory comes HIS way, it showcases HIS love for us, HIS people and for the lost. And thus when HE is glorified in our actions that reflect HIS character, people notice and come to HIM to be freed from bondage, And thus GOD's redeeming goal is fulfilled and sinners are brought home.
Take Care and GOD Bless,
Freedom's Scribe
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