Read Mark chapter 12; and also 1Peter 1:6-7
In his letter Peter explains that we should "rejoice" in our trials- for they may even be "necessary" for our faith to increase. We often use the metaphor "in the fire" to describe the things we're going through, or even how God "turns the heat up" on us to expose and remove our iniquities. Peter says that even gold, which we consider to be one of the most valuable metals- will perish in the fire. However, our faith in God INCREASES when we're in the fire- and the result is not destruction, but PRODUCTION in our lives!
In Mark chapter 12, Jesus explains that He is the "cornerstone" of our faith (verse 10). Those who reject Him will be destroyed, but those who don't shall be part of His Kingdom. We are to love God first with all that we have, and others as ourselves (vs 29-31); Honor God with our finances (vs 17, 43, & 44); and know that Jesus is Lord (vs 35-40). When we do these things, we grow in the Lord, and when the heat is on- we WILL rejoice! For we know that we are standing on a firm foundation in Christ, growing in Him and closer to Him each day.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Loving the Unlovable
"The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged..." (2Tim 2:24)
Jesus Himself laid out the standard by which we are to carry this out. He endured persecution, punishment, betrayal, and pain in ways that we could never imagine. So what happens when we confront these issues in our daily lives? It may even be something small and insignificant, but it dwells within us until we blow. Or maybe we've been treated unjustly, perhaps by someone who really knows how to push our buttons, and not only attack us- but use others close to us in the process (like our kids).
I personally experienced this a few weeks back. I won't go into detail, but I will say I was falsely accused in a situation that involved me and my daughter, without anyone ever confronting me on the issue. They just went behind my back and blindsided me. Naturally my first reaction was anger, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, I ran to my room (I have a cross on the wall), fell on my face and cried out to God. I admit I was mad, crying, and shaking all at once- but the comfort of Jesus fell upon me (Phil 4:7). I called my mentor and we talked; I prayed, and turned it over to God. The next day I woke- but filled with anger! It took a good portion of my week to finally let it go, which obviously in the long run, drained me in every possible way.
You see, I knew what I had to do- turn it over to God and move on, but I struggled. This is where we MUST have God's Word rooted so deeply within us that when situations arise, we can combat them in a peaceful way. Don't get angry (Prov. 15:18, 19:11); Don't be vengeful (Rom. 12:19); Forgive and move on (Luke 23:34, Matt 6:14); Rejoice! (1Peter 4:12-13, 5:10, John 16:33); and finally- Love (2Peter 1:5-7). Please do me a favor- look these scriptures up, don't just read this blog. There are so many more verses that we can apply, but this is a great start. Jesus set the standard on forgiveness and love- let's honor Him by living in Him. (John 15:5, 1John 4:4)
Jesus Himself laid out the standard by which we are to carry this out. He endured persecution, punishment, betrayal, and pain in ways that we could never imagine. So what happens when we confront these issues in our daily lives? It may even be something small and insignificant, but it dwells within us until we blow. Or maybe we've been treated unjustly, perhaps by someone who really knows how to push our buttons, and not only attack us- but use others close to us in the process (like our kids).
I personally experienced this a few weeks back. I won't go into detail, but I will say I was falsely accused in a situation that involved me and my daughter, without anyone ever confronting me on the issue. They just went behind my back and blindsided me. Naturally my first reaction was anger, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, I ran to my room (I have a cross on the wall), fell on my face and cried out to God. I admit I was mad, crying, and shaking all at once- but the comfort of Jesus fell upon me (Phil 4:7). I called my mentor and we talked; I prayed, and turned it over to God. The next day I woke- but filled with anger! It took a good portion of my week to finally let it go, which obviously in the long run, drained me in every possible way.
You see, I knew what I had to do- turn it over to God and move on, but I struggled. This is where we MUST have God's Word rooted so deeply within us that when situations arise, we can combat them in a peaceful way. Don't get angry (Prov. 15:18, 19:11); Don't be vengeful (Rom. 12:19); Forgive and move on (Luke 23:34, Matt 6:14); Rejoice! (1Peter 4:12-13, 5:10, John 16:33); and finally- Love (2Peter 1:5-7). Please do me a favor- look these scriptures up, don't just read this blog. There are so many more verses that we can apply, but this is a great start. Jesus set the standard on forgiveness and love- let's honor Him by living in Him. (John 15:5, 1John 4:4)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Unbelievable?
"Know therefore that the Lord is your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments." (Deut. 7:9)
I have a friend who at the beginning of this past summer received a phone call that he never could have expected. It was from his 16 year old daughter, whom he had never even met! He always knew he had a daughter, but certain circumstances kept him away. Now mind you, he is now married with three children as well. My friend has never been opposed to God, or the idea of God- he just never pursued Him. After I was notified of what was going on, we began to observe the situation from a more spiritual point of view. He came to a revival with me, began praying, and ultimately by the end of the summer- gave his life to the Lord Jesus Christ!
"Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established." (Prov. 16:3) This is the standpoint we took from there on out. My friend was to be faithful to God. After all, God brought him to this point faster than my buddy had done by himself in 16 years. He kept praying and has since been taking his family to church. So here we are a few months later and his relationship with his long lost daughter is greater than he could have ever imagined! They are preparing for homecoming, hanging out, and she even calls him "dad."
As we were discussing on the phone the other day how great God is, I told my friend about a new job that I just received- one that was no doubt Divinely appointed. I explained how the job offer came around, that I fasted on a Wednesday and the VERY NEXT DAY I was offered the job. "Unbelievable!" That's all my buddy could say after everything he's seen in the past few months- but honestly is it? Our God is a BIG GOD, and "unbelievable" is belittling Him- it's all believable.
"With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)
I have a friend who at the beginning of this past summer received a phone call that he never could have expected. It was from his 16 year old daughter, whom he had never even met! He always knew he had a daughter, but certain circumstances kept him away. Now mind you, he is now married with three children as well. My friend has never been opposed to God, or the idea of God- he just never pursued Him. After I was notified of what was going on, we began to observe the situation from a more spiritual point of view. He came to a revival with me, began praying, and ultimately by the end of the summer- gave his life to the Lord Jesus Christ!
"Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established." (Prov. 16:3) This is the standpoint we took from there on out. My friend was to be faithful to God. After all, God brought him to this point faster than my buddy had done by himself in 16 years. He kept praying and has since been taking his family to church. So here we are a few months later and his relationship with his long lost daughter is greater than he could have ever imagined! They are preparing for homecoming, hanging out, and she even calls him "dad."
As we were discussing on the phone the other day how great God is, I told my friend about a new job that I just received- one that was no doubt Divinely appointed. I explained how the job offer came around, that I fasted on a Wednesday and the VERY NEXT DAY I was offered the job. "Unbelievable!" That's all my buddy could say after everything he's seen in the past few months- but honestly is it? Our God is a BIG GOD, and "unbelievable" is belittling Him- it's all believable.
"With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Imperishable Seed
..."who was born a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead..." (Romans 1:3-4)
Through earthly lineage Jesus was a descendant of David, but through death and resurrection He is "declared" the Son of God. How true this is for us as well! According to the flesh, we receive certain characteristics, heritage, and traits from our earthly parents. (i.e. Hair color, height, moods, habits, ect.) However with God as our Heavenly Father and through Christ's death on the cross and resurrection- we become "heirs" to an entirely new Kingdom! When we accept Jesus into our hearts and lives, He enters us by way of the Holy Spirit. We are given a new heritage. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that our eye color will change, or that we get taller (don't I wish)- but we have the power to break generational chains passed on to us in the forms of addictions, adultery, anger, and so on. We receive a new lineage- one of love, grace, purity, compassion, and strength.
1 Peter 1:23 says, "for you have not been born of a seed that is perishable, but IMPERISHABLE, that is, through the living and enduring word of God." Just know, the things that we've inherited, especially the damaging ones, are not the true you. Our real heritage lies inside of us- with Jesus.
Through earthly lineage Jesus was a descendant of David, but through death and resurrection He is "declared" the Son of God. How true this is for us as well! According to the flesh, we receive certain characteristics, heritage, and traits from our earthly parents. (i.e. Hair color, height, moods, habits, ect.) However with God as our Heavenly Father and through Christ's death on the cross and resurrection- we become "heirs" to an entirely new Kingdom! When we accept Jesus into our hearts and lives, He enters us by way of the Holy Spirit. We are given a new heritage. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that our eye color will change, or that we get taller (don't I wish)- but we have the power to break generational chains passed on to us in the forms of addictions, adultery, anger, and so on. We receive a new lineage- one of love, grace, purity, compassion, and strength.
1 Peter 1:23 says, "for you have not been born of a seed that is perishable, but IMPERISHABLE, that is, through the living and enduring word of God." Just know, the things that we've inherited, especially the damaging ones, are not the true you. Our real heritage lies inside of us- with Jesus.
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