With the top news stories involving sports figures, politicians, and
even ordinary people, not being good role models, it made me think, are
we good representatives for Christ?
John 15: 1-17
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide
in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless
it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No
longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his
master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I
heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
I have referenced the above scripture, This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you, to me this is the only commandment, after Christ paid the price for our sins.
I
know most of you who work for a company, or represent an organization,
have either signed, or been directed to a code of conduct. If you are a
confessed, born again Christian, you have made the same promise to God.
The difference is there are no physical demands for you to uphold your
end with God, only spiritual. If you don't show love and kindness, will
God condemn you? If you stumble and fall, will you be lost for eternity?
Personally I believe we are led by the Spirit that lives within us to
do God's will, but I don't believe we are condemned, as we have been
forgiven of our past and future sins, but why wouldn't you want to
follow such a simple yet awesome command.
We
all interact with people everyday, in our jobs, at restaurants, and
through mundane everyday activities. Do people look forward to seeing
you? Even when you need to be tough, do you show the compassion of
Christ and truly care how your actions affect people's lives?
This
week as you interact with people ask yourself, "How am I representing"?
If I were Christ would I want me on my team, wearing the team colors?
Remember,
I am no theologian, I just read the bible with the direction of the
Holy Spirit to guide and speak to me. I urge everyone to take the time
to read for themselves.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
You have been found not guilty!
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to
those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh,
but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
What does it mean to be found not guilty in the court of law?
In the world today being found not guilty will get you freedom from the charges that were brought against you, but the world will continue to bring up the crime that you were accused of. We are much the same way, we were found not guilty according to God but our flesh continues to live in the past, constantly bringing up who we were before Christ came into our lives.
Romans 6: 5-11
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If we are God's children reconciled by Christ death on the cross, and empowered by the Holy Spirit that lives within us, why do we continue to call ourselves unworthy and act as though we are still on trial?
Don't look back on your past failures, or those things that held you down in the past, renew your mind, and start living in God's love and grace.
This week the headline of the paper reads found not guilty never to be tried again, now we must go out and live your lives life the heirs that we are in Christ.
Through Christ our sins are forgiven, through God's grace our sins are forgotten!
What does it mean to be found not guilty in the court of law?
In the world today being found not guilty will get you freedom from the charges that were brought against you, but the world will continue to bring up the crime that you were accused of. We are much the same way, we were found not guilty according to God but our flesh continues to live in the past, constantly bringing up who we were before Christ came into our lives.
Romans 6: 5-11
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If we are God's children reconciled by Christ death on the cross, and empowered by the Holy Spirit that lives within us, why do we continue to call ourselves unworthy and act as though we are still on trial?
Don't look back on your past failures, or those things that held you down in the past, renew your mind, and start living in God's love and grace.
This week the headline of the paper reads found not guilty never to be tried again, now we must go out and live your lives life the heirs that we are in Christ.
Through Christ our sins are forgiven, through God's grace our sins are forgotten!
Monday, August 12, 2013
What does your faith mean to you?
Over the past few weeks I have been reading through the book of Acts. I
have been reading Acts as the ministry needed a burst of renewed
energy, and what better place to find God sent inspiration, than the
beginning of the Church itself.
While reading through Acts, it struck me how the early Christians suffered persecution, beatings, and even being banished by their own families, for their beliefs. It got me thinking about my faith and what it means to me. I have to say I hope and pray, that if put in their position, I would be able to stand firm, and I pray the Holy Spirits strength takes over, as I am unsure of my flesh, but I am reassured of my born again spirit.
None of us can answer as Christians in America as we have never had to worry about our religious freedom, but in countries all around the world Christians are being persecuted as they were in the beginning of the church.
But what if a decree was filed, and effective immediately, speaking the name of Jesus Christ was a punishable offense, or anyone caught with a bible would be subject to persecution? Would you be at church on Sunday? Would you still carry your bible where ever you go, or do you now?
So what does your faith mean to you? Is it something you take for granted? Is it something you would suffer for? If it meant being imprisoned would you still proclaim the name of Jesus Christ, or do you now?
Tough questions aren't they, but ones worth thinking about. This week ask these tough questions, and don't be judgmental on yourself, as even Peter himself denied Christ before being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:13-21
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.
While reading through Acts, it struck me how the early Christians suffered persecution, beatings, and even being banished by their own families, for their beliefs. It got me thinking about my faith and what it means to me. I have to say I hope and pray, that if put in their position, I would be able to stand firm, and I pray the Holy Spirits strength takes over, as I am unsure of my flesh, but I am reassured of my born again spirit.
None of us can answer as Christians in America as we have never had to worry about our religious freedom, but in countries all around the world Christians are being persecuted as they were in the beginning of the church.
But what if a decree was filed, and effective immediately, speaking the name of Jesus Christ was a punishable offense, or anyone caught with a bible would be subject to persecution? Would you be at church on Sunday? Would you still carry your bible where ever you go, or do you now?
So what does your faith mean to you? Is it something you take for granted? Is it something you would suffer for? If it meant being imprisoned would you still proclaim the name of Jesus Christ, or do you now?
Tough questions aren't they, but ones worth thinking about. This week ask these tough questions, and don't be judgmental on yourself, as even Peter himself denied Christ before being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:13-21
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Through Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven, through God's grace, our sins are forgotten!
Today on the way into work I stopped to pray before starting my day. The phrase that came to mind was this, "Through Christ our sins are forgiven, Through God's grace our sins are forgotten".
I have been studying the books of Acts and Romans as they to me, are the beginning of what we know as the Church. I have been studying these books as we are going through a transition at our church, moving from a building that is financially keeping us from ministering to people, as we are strapped to the note. In this transition it has been made real to me how much we need to emphasize what Christ has done for us, and how God sees us, more than anything else!
Jesus died on the cross, paying the sin debt God knew we could never pay. What that has done for us, most people don't even realize. You see most people in the world today, when you ask what Jesus death on the cross represents, will tell you that it saves us from eternal damnation. This is true, but it is only part of the story. Jesus death not only paid the price for our sin, but it opened us up to the relationship God intended when he made mankind.
Up til that time, when God looked at man, he saw the sin and corruption that we were born into, because of Adam's transgression. After Jesus' death, God gave us a way to Him through his Son Jesus Christ, that whosoever call on the name of Jesus shall be saved.
But what does that mean? What were we saved from? What were we saved for? That is where Christ sacrifice, in my opinion gets diluted. Many people have been taught once we are saved we are just waiting for Christ to return. That is not entirely true, even though we are all looking forward to His return, we have been given much more than a promised return. We are seen as Christ through God's eyes, our spirits have been reborn, no longer slaves to the things of our past, we are renewed!
Not born of the sin that our flesh was made part of, but a spiritual rebirth into God's holy kingdom as children of the most high God. We are seen as Righteous, Holy, and Beloved, through the price Jesus paid for our sins.
Through Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven, through God's grace, our sins are forgotten!
I have been studying the books of Acts and Romans as they to me, are the beginning of what we know as the Church. I have been studying these books as we are going through a transition at our church, moving from a building that is financially keeping us from ministering to people, as we are strapped to the note. In this transition it has been made real to me how much we need to emphasize what Christ has done for us, and how God sees us, more than anything else!
Jesus died on the cross, paying the sin debt God knew we could never pay. What that has done for us, most people don't even realize. You see most people in the world today, when you ask what Jesus death on the cross represents, will tell you that it saves us from eternal damnation. This is true, but it is only part of the story. Jesus death not only paid the price for our sin, but it opened us up to the relationship God intended when he made mankind.
Up til that time, when God looked at man, he saw the sin and corruption that we were born into, because of Adam's transgression. After Jesus' death, God gave us a way to Him through his Son Jesus Christ, that whosoever call on the name of Jesus shall be saved.
But what does that mean? What were we saved from? What were we saved for? That is where Christ sacrifice, in my opinion gets diluted. Many people have been taught once we are saved we are just waiting for Christ to return. That is not entirely true, even though we are all looking forward to His return, we have been given much more than a promised return. We are seen as Christ through God's eyes, our spirits have been reborn, no longer slaves to the things of our past, we are renewed!
Not born of the sin that our flesh was made part of, but a spiritual rebirth into God's holy kingdom as children of the most high God. We are seen as Righteous, Holy, and Beloved, through the price Jesus paid for our sins.
Through Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven, through God's grace, our sins are forgotten!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Who are we?
This is a question that can have
many different answers.
I am not sure about everyone out there but I need reminded on a daly basis exactly who I am. I am not talking about my job, my career, or what I am most known for, I am talking about our identity in the spirit, who we are in Christ, who we became when we accepted Christ' gift of salvation.
How many of you still see yourselves as sinners?
I am not sure about everyone out there but I need reminded on a daly basis exactly who I am. I am not talking about my job, my career, or what I am most known for, I am talking about our identity in the spirit, who we are in Christ, who we became when we accepted Christ' gift of salvation.
How many of you still see yourselves as sinners?
How many have gone to AA meetings where people stand up and proudly tell
everyone I'm an alcoholic?
Is that what Christ died on the cross for? So we can relive all of our sins over and over again?
I will not let His gift be diluted by all of the damaged thinking that is out there in the world today, not just in " The world" but in our churches as well. So many people forget that we were bought and paid for with the ultimate price, God didn't sacrifice His only son so we could go around with our heads hung low, He sent His Son to earth so His plan of salvation could be fulfilled and we could have fellowship with the creator of the universe.
This week walk with your head held high, knowing that with your confession of faith, in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are seen as righteous and holy in the eyes of God. Your sin has been cast as far as the east is from the west, never again to be held against you.
Praise God for His love!
Praise God for His Grace!
Praise God for His mercy!
Praise God for Jesus Christ!
In all you do bring praise to His name!
Is that what Christ died on the cross for? So we can relive all of our sins over and over again?
I will not let His gift be diluted by all of the damaged thinking that is out there in the world today, not just in " The world" but in our churches as well. So many people forget that we were bought and paid for with the ultimate price, God didn't sacrifice His only son so we could go around with our heads hung low, He sent His Son to earth so His plan of salvation could be fulfilled and we could have fellowship with the creator of the universe.
This week walk with your head held high, knowing that with your confession of faith, in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are seen as righteous and holy in the eyes of God. Your sin has been cast as far as the east is from the west, never again to be held against you.
Praise God for His love!
Praise God for His Grace!
Praise God for His mercy!
Praise God for Jesus Christ!
In all you do bring praise to His name!
Monday, June 10, 2013
The words we choose: Part 1
In studying God's word and the many different translations, it got me
thinking about our language today and the words we choose to use. I
bring this up, as we live by the old rhyme of " sticks and stones can
break my bones but words will never hurt me." If this is true, why do we
hang on to the hurtful names we were called in our childhood? If this
is true, why is there so much emphasis put on our use of words in God's
word, the Holy Bible?
Proverbs 15:2,4,7,28
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
I
want to give a fore warning, this first installment will have some
words that should offend, but I know no other way to show them than to
write them out. Here they are, sh*t, f*ck, b*tch, p*ss, *ss, and one I
will not even type, but it is used so often, it is some peoples go to
adjective and uses our Lord's name to describe their discontent.
I know George Carlin used these words in a comedy routine in the 70s, but there is nothing funny about where we are today. Why with all the words we have, not only in the English language, but all languages do we find the need to use these words? Do they make us feel more powerful, do we find them funny, do they make us feel smarter by being so eloquent with such language? I don't have the answers to these questions, merely questions myself.
In the coming weeks we are going to look at even more words and what they do and don't do for us, but this week listen to the conversations around you and see just how often these words are used, and what you think and feel as you hear them.
Proverbs 15:2,4,7,28
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.
But the heart of the fool does not do so.
28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
Proverbs 18:21
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
I know George Carlin used these words in a comedy routine in the 70s, but there is nothing funny about where we are today. Why with all the words we have, not only in the English language, but all languages do we find the need to use these words? Do they make us feel more powerful, do we find them funny, do they make us feel smarter by being so eloquent with such language? I don't have the answers to these questions, merely questions myself.
In the coming weeks we are going to look at even more words and what they do and don't do for us, but this week listen to the conversations around you and see just how often these words are used, and what you think and feel as you hear them.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Two biblical exapmles of prayer!
Over the last few weeks we have gone over two of the most prayed
prayers in the bible. Last week we looked at the Lord's Prayer, this
week we will look at what I believe Jesus is instructing us to do
within this prayer.
Matthew 6:9-13
9 Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. We should come to God with praise and reverence for His name is high above any name to be named since the beginning of creation.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We should pray for God's plans for our lives to come to pass, and His will to done for us here on earth, just as it will be for us in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. God supplies our needs, we should not get wrapped up in seeking riches, but just knowing that God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory, not according to our bank accounts.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. This is one that is hard for everyone. We want our debts and trespasses forgiven but it is extremely hard to forgive someone that has wronged us. Jesus is telling us the key to our lives being full is letting go of the things that are holding us back, I believe un-forgiveness is one of the biggest problems in our world and church today.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. I have always had a hard time with this passage as I don't believe God tempts us but that the devil is the one tempting us with the worldly things that rule so many lives today. I do believe that God sent the Holy Spirit to come live in our hearts and that through His strength and guidance we can overcome anything that satan can throw at us.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
God has a plan for our lives, not just the here and now part, but every part of our lives. I believe He laid things out in the simple prayers that we looked at over the past few weeks so even the most stubborn and simple among us could see His love and grace in our lives.
This week as you pray get it down to the simplest level and as your pray this prayer, let God speak to you through His words.
Matthew 6:9-13
9 Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. We should come to God with praise and reverence for His name is high above any name to be named since the beginning of creation.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We should pray for God's plans for our lives to come to pass, and His will to done for us here on earth, just as it will be for us in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. God supplies our needs, we should not get wrapped up in seeking riches, but just knowing that God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory, not according to our bank accounts.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. This is one that is hard for everyone. We want our debts and trespasses forgiven but it is extremely hard to forgive someone that has wronged us. Jesus is telling us the key to our lives being full is letting go of the things that are holding us back, I believe un-forgiveness is one of the biggest problems in our world and church today.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. I have always had a hard time with this passage as I don't believe God tempts us but that the devil is the one tempting us with the worldly things that rule so many lives today. I do believe that God sent the Holy Spirit to come live in our hearts and that through His strength and guidance we can overcome anything that satan can throw at us.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
God has a plan for our lives, not just the here and now part, but every part of our lives. I believe He laid things out in the simple prayers that we looked at over the past few weeks so even the most stubborn and simple among us could see His love and grace in our lives.
This week as you pray get it down to the simplest level and as your pray this prayer, let God speak to you through His words.
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