Only three more days till the American Holiday of Thanksgiving :) Thoughts come to mind, such as sitting around the table reunited with family and friends, the aroma of just cooked turkey and warm buttered biscuits...Pies set out on festive table cloths and the flicker of candle light...just to name a few. How about you? what comes to mind when you think of Thanksgiving day? We all have our memories. But I think for me, the most important feeling of all is that of graditude. Warm food, warm decor, warm lighting, warm home, warm hearts. And all these make me feel grateful inside. But what if this feeling of gratefulness didn't just come when I was sitting at the table on Thanksgiving...instead, what if this feeling of warm carried with me through the intire year. No matter the season. That is what I want, I want to feel God and be grateful for His blessings and evident hand in my life all year around. And to be so close to Him that no only do I feel his Warmth in the Summer time, or the summerly seasons of my life, but in the Fall: seasons of change, in the Winter: seasons that teach patience, and in Spring: the seasons of rebirth. I've been reading about worship lately. Worship has always been a part of my life, a big part. But as I was reading I came across this information It expressed that Praise - is thankfulness for an obvious blessing, or action on God's part... but Worship... Worship is a lifestyle. A lifestyle of Thanksgiving. God has given us Life, Love and Freedom...Through his creation of us, Christ's Sacrifice on the Cross, and Him rising again. Isn't this enough to motivate a life of worship?
We are always in the presence of God. There is never a non-sacred moment. –Max Lucado
This saying might scare some of us. Because when we hear or read the workd "sacred" we think "in a place of judgment". Because we see our fault, and we don't want to constantly be in the view of He who is "Perfection" Himself. But really the way I see it is that a life of worship or thanksgiving is truly observed, not only by a God who happens to see everything anyway, but by all who surround us. We are sacredly made beings, made for the sacred, made for the presense of God. Don't let anyone fool you there...We were made for more. And just because we live in a fallen world doesn't mean that we are so seperated from God that we are not seen by Him. We are always in His sight. The Psalmst David said: "where can I hide from you? ....if I go down to the depth of the sea, still you are there....Still you are with me".
You formed me in my mother's whom. So this is encouragment that since God is there, our Thanksgving and Praise, and Worship is very relevant. It does not go unseen, rather it is of purpose. To live a Life of Worship is to live with great purpose. The Purpose being to Glorify Christ. Read what He has done for you, draw close to Him. Yes, drink deeply of the water He is giving freely. He who drinks will not go thirsty. Let Him fill you up overflowing. So that your heart and soul may be filled, also with "Thanksgiving", not only on the 25th of November, but all throughout the year.
Photo
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Disbelieving or Fearing Love
Disbelieving or fearing love? I've been thinking about this
prevading "love battle" that seems to be taking place within
the lives of many people, especially today's youth.
Maybe you can relate to the example bellow...
I think a lot of us can, one way or another, even if only in
certain times in our lives...
1. A Person who needs love,
but can't believe someone would "really" love them
mainly, becuase of all their mistakes and faults
2. But if this person thinks that someone may
actually love them, they are afraid
of either their heart getting broken,
being vulerable, or of "chastening".
Whether because of past experiences
or their view on love it's self...
Answers:
A lot of people don't, or haven't received enough
love from others. When you feel no one loves you - look to Christ.
Sometimes He is all we have in the World.
When it comes to mistakes. He died for You.
When it comes to being afraid or unbelieving in love from others,
remember "true friends" and "lovers" are those who will love you
even though they know you arn't perfect - those are true friends...
Now when it comes to fearing love - Remember "true love' is any
case or form, is based upon these things - Salvation, Sacrifice,
Promise, Security, and Faith. God promises much blessings for those
that love Him - He has showed us what love truly is by how He has
loved us, especially through Jesus and His humble example in loving
and serving others.
Don't forget that we who are now in Christ Jesus, have been brought
near to God through His Sacrifice - He is our Mediator and
through His blood we can be saved from blame.
When realting this to relationships with others we find this:
A Person's "world-view" determins how they see God and how they
see others. You see- whatever your focus is on will be the heart
of your relationship. Whether with God or with others.
What kind of relationship do we have with God or with others when
it is based souly upon "fear of chastening"? How much greater
love is, when it is a "volentary" thing! :) How can we truly be loving
if we fear love it's self? How can it be real love if we are afraid
of it's consequences? afraid of vulerability...but we arn't all to
blame for our fear of being vulnerable.
A lot of it is caused from other people, because "the fall" has used
them to hurt us, through their "hurt" or selfishness. If you think about it, anyone who has ever hurt us, has either been angered or hurt themselves.
A lot of people are unstable these days because of their home lifes, and
the effects of other troubles and ifluences in their lives.
There is a lot of freedom in forgiveness. If you find you have been
hurt by others enough that you find yourself, either disbelieving
or fearing love, quickly: forgive. Let go of bitterness; it only
keeps you hurting...and chained from excepting real love in your life,
and your future - whether from friends, family, or others.
Love also takes bravery and courage. Love is a powerful thing.
There is no garentee though of earthly ease, with love - but there
is the garentee of God's love... and eternity. What you do here counts
greatly, if you live loving even your neighbor, it will not be done in
vain.
So I encourage all of you to embrace freedom.
Firstly by forgiveness,
Secondly by realizing that every chance is a new one, and our future relationships, whether with God or with people can be even better than
in our pasts. Also keep in mind that "love" and human affection can be
two different things. Yet, I do hope that you will be "seized by a
great affection", namely : Christ's...it will change your life as you
grow more and more in His love, and the more you are filled with His
love... His Love can heal you, free you, comfort you, and restore you.
If you truly recognize what He's done for you, you will begin to feel
an overwhelming love for Him in return.
Whether you have already been redeemed by the blood of the lamb through
belief in Him and His sacrifice, or you are just struggling with love
in some way... I encourage you to ask Jesus to continue to invade you with the realization of His love for you - so that you may be freed...
May His love have it's work in You.
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strenghtened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you being rooted
and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and
length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you
might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
To Him be glory.... ~ Ephesians 3:16-21
Read also Matthew 5:1-12
prevading "love battle" that seems to be taking place within
the lives of many people, especially today's youth.
Maybe you can relate to the example bellow...
I think a lot of us can, one way or another, even if only in
certain times in our lives...
1. A Person who needs love,
but can't believe someone would "really" love them
mainly, becuase of all their mistakes and faults
2. But if this person thinks that someone may
actually love them, they are afraid
of either their heart getting broken,
being vulerable, or of "chastening".
Whether because of past experiences
or their view on love it's self...
Answers:
A lot of people don't, or haven't received enough
love from others. When you feel no one loves you - look to Christ.
Sometimes He is all we have in the World.
When it comes to mistakes. He died for You.
When it comes to being afraid or unbelieving in love from others,
remember "true friends" and "lovers" are those who will love you
even though they know you arn't perfect - those are true friends...
Now when it comes to fearing love - Remember "true love' is any
case or form, is based upon these things - Salvation, Sacrifice,
Promise, Security, and Faith. God promises much blessings for those
that love Him - He has showed us what love truly is by how He has
loved us, especially through Jesus and His humble example in loving
and serving others.
Don't forget that we who are now in Christ Jesus, have been brought
near to God through His Sacrifice - He is our Mediator and
through His blood we can be saved from blame.
When realting this to relationships with others we find this:
A Person's "world-view" determins how they see God and how they
see others. You see- whatever your focus is on will be the heart
of your relationship. Whether with God or with others.
What kind of relationship do we have with God or with others when
it is based souly upon "fear of chastening"? How much greater
love is, when it is a "volentary" thing! :) How can we truly be loving
if we fear love it's self? How can it be real love if we are afraid
of it's consequences? afraid of vulerability...but we arn't all to
blame for our fear of being vulnerable.
A lot of it is caused from other people, because "the fall" has used
them to hurt us, through their "hurt" or selfishness. If you think about it, anyone who has ever hurt us, has either been angered or hurt themselves.
A lot of people are unstable these days because of their home lifes, and
the effects of other troubles and ifluences in their lives.
There is a lot of freedom in forgiveness. If you find you have been
hurt by others enough that you find yourself, either disbelieving
or fearing love, quickly: forgive. Let go of bitterness; it only
keeps you hurting...and chained from excepting real love in your life,
and your future - whether from friends, family, or others.
Love also takes bravery and courage. Love is a powerful thing.
There is no garentee though of earthly ease, with love - but there
is the garentee of God's love... and eternity. What you do here counts
greatly, if you live loving even your neighbor, it will not be done in
vain.
So I encourage all of you to embrace freedom.
Firstly by forgiveness,
Secondly by realizing that every chance is a new one, and our future relationships, whether with God or with people can be even better than
in our pasts. Also keep in mind that "love" and human affection can be
two different things. Yet, I do hope that you will be "seized by a
great affection", namely : Christ's...it will change your life as you
grow more and more in His love, and the more you are filled with His
love... His Love can heal you, free you, comfort you, and restore you.
If you truly recognize what He's done for you, you will begin to feel
an overwhelming love for Him in return.
Whether you have already been redeemed by the blood of the lamb through
belief in Him and His sacrifice, or you are just struggling with love
in some way... I encourage you to ask Jesus to continue to invade you with the realization of His love for you - so that you may be freed...
May His love have it's work in You.
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strenghtened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you being rooted
and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and
length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you
might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we
ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
To Him be glory.... ~ Ephesians 3:16-21
Read also Matthew 5:1-12
Monday, November 8, 2010
Setting your Sights High
Col 3:1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
____________________________________
I lot of times we "set" our affection on "things" here on earth, and do not set our sights on things above. What truly are you and I seeking? there are many things we may seek for: for example: Whether we are seeking - "things of the world" pleasure, fame, power - or things that in them selves are not bad - such as, acceptance, encouragment, justification, friends, even love...there is still something to consider.
- And that is this; whatever you "seek" from life, is what will consume you. If you seek Christ, and make your life a continued journey of 'seeking to follow' - if you put your heart into it, that is what will consume you. You see, acceptance in it's self is not bad, we all need to know that we are accepted by the blood of Christ, but if "acceptance" is our main goal in life then whether we gain "earthly acceptance" from others etc - or whether we do not - the search for it, will consume a person's life. Even encouragment, encouragment is good, we need encouragment, but we are not promised encourament from other people, and if you dedicate your life to always expecting or looking for encourament,that can consume you as well. "Friends" are important to us, the impact us, and they can either uplift us or drag us down... although it should be noted that "true friends" are not those who would drag us backward...But you cannot make your goal in life, searching for friends, because that can also consume you...and what is the matter with something "consuming us"? Well, to be honest, there is only one thing, and One "person" who should consume us...Once our eyes are on Him, then we need not worry about how much of anything else we have...Man and woman was made to glorify God, not to glorify their own selves. So it could be stated that "Man was made for God", man finds his purpose in relationship with God. He is fulfilled in Christ alone.
So no matter what you may be obviously lacking of in your earthly life, whether it be encouragment, friends, a spouse, the search or desire for these things should never "lead" or "consume" you or your life. I think wahat happens to a lot of us is we have too much time on our minds lol. We continue to think souly about us, what we will do, what we should do, what we don't have, what we want to have, where we are going...and it's just too much for us to handle. And in reality, it should be ;). All we must do if lose ourselves in Christ, He wants to encourage us, He wants to love us, He wants to first be our all and all...and then whatever else we may think we need, will be given to us, because God will not hold back any "good" from those who love Him...those who find their purpose for living in Him, alone...for those who are consumed by Him. Think of David from the bible, Elijah, Moses, Daniel, Samuel, - they were devoted to God. Then, think of the example given to us by Christ Himself...We must first find our life line in Christ, and set our sights on things above, in order to find our way...Nothing else matters in the moment but your relationship with Christ. So even if there are good things that you desire, set them aside to "first" set your sights on what Christ tells us to...Do not sell your love firstly to people, things, success, whatever if may be - that is here on earth. Firstly, set your sights on Jesus. Don't try to hold your life in your own hands...I know it may be hard, because we people seem to think we have unlimited control over our futures think 'we deside' what will or won't be good for us..but really, if you are His, you will find that God has His say. Just trust In Him, and leave it up to Him. And I know you've heard it before, but First get close to God, and be intune with His Spirt, then consider your feelings...Don't let secondary things consume your life, or your "seeking" in life. First seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you...As in First seek the Will of God, and He will take care of You. It is good to love people, we are called to love people. But in the above scripture it says to not "set" our affection on things on earth...becase God is our life, always remember that, God is your life, not friends, not encouragment, not fellowship, not love from others, Christ is your reason for living. Set your sights on the future with Him, on eternity, and not on earthly goals or desires, because there is no garantee of all else, and seek the things above, rather then live with your eyes glued on things on earth. Seek His return, it shows how much You love Him, when you look for Him, when you dream of the day you are with Him. It's about Him folks. Not about living and then just going to heaven to get away from our troubles, it's about living for Him, and then going to be with Him...Where is your heart and sights set?
Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Col 3:4 When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
____________________________________
I lot of times we "set" our affection on "things" here on earth, and do not set our sights on things above. What truly are you and I seeking? there are many things we may seek for: for example: Whether we are seeking - "things of the world" pleasure, fame, power - or things that in them selves are not bad - such as, acceptance, encouragment, justification, friends, even love...there is still something to consider.
- And that is this; whatever you "seek" from life, is what will consume you. If you seek Christ, and make your life a continued journey of 'seeking to follow' - if you put your heart into it, that is what will consume you. You see, acceptance in it's self is not bad, we all need to know that we are accepted by the blood of Christ, but if "acceptance" is our main goal in life then whether we gain "earthly acceptance" from others etc - or whether we do not - the search for it, will consume a person's life. Even encouragment, encouragment is good, we need encouragment, but we are not promised encourament from other people, and if you dedicate your life to always expecting or looking for encourament,that can consume you as well. "Friends" are important to us, the impact us, and they can either uplift us or drag us down... although it should be noted that "true friends" are not those who would drag us backward...But you cannot make your goal in life, searching for friends, because that can also consume you...and what is the matter with something "consuming us"? Well, to be honest, there is only one thing, and One "person" who should consume us...Once our eyes are on Him, then we need not worry about how much of anything else we have...Man and woman was made to glorify God, not to glorify their own selves. So it could be stated that "Man was made for God", man finds his purpose in relationship with God. He is fulfilled in Christ alone.
So no matter what you may be obviously lacking of in your earthly life, whether it be encouragment, friends, a spouse, the search or desire for these things should never "lead" or "consume" you or your life. I think wahat happens to a lot of us is we have too much time on our minds lol. We continue to think souly about us, what we will do, what we should do, what we don't have, what we want to have, where we are going...and it's just too much for us to handle. And in reality, it should be ;). All we must do if lose ourselves in Christ, He wants to encourage us, He wants to love us, He wants to first be our all and all...and then whatever else we may think we need, will be given to us, because God will not hold back any "good" from those who love Him...those who find their purpose for living in Him, alone...for those who are consumed by Him. Think of David from the bible, Elijah, Moses, Daniel, Samuel, - they were devoted to God. Then, think of the example given to us by Christ Himself...We must first find our life line in Christ, and set our sights on things above, in order to find our way...Nothing else matters in the moment but your relationship with Christ. So even if there are good things that you desire, set them aside to "first" set your sights on what Christ tells us to...Do not sell your love firstly to people, things, success, whatever if may be - that is here on earth. Firstly, set your sights on Jesus. Don't try to hold your life in your own hands...I know it may be hard, because we people seem to think we have unlimited control over our futures think 'we deside' what will or won't be good for us..but really, if you are His, you will find that God has His say. Just trust In Him, and leave it up to Him. And I know you've heard it before, but First get close to God, and be intune with His Spirt, then consider your feelings...Don't let secondary things consume your life, or your "seeking" in life. First seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you...As in First seek the Will of God, and He will take care of You. It is good to love people, we are called to love people. But in the above scripture it says to not "set" our affection on things on earth...becase God is our life, always remember that, God is your life, not friends, not encouragment, not fellowship, not love from others, Christ is your reason for living. Set your sights on the future with Him, on eternity, and not on earthly goals or desires, because there is no garantee of all else, and seek the things above, rather then live with your eyes glued on things on earth. Seek His return, it shows how much You love Him, when you look for Him, when you dream of the day you are with Him. It's about Him folks. Not about living and then just going to heaven to get away from our troubles, it's about living for Him, and then going to be with Him...Where is your heart and sights set?
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