Loving like God loves

Its funny that as sinful creatures we tend to love others conditionally. We love based on the things they say or do, when then show love to us first, or if they are pleasing us, we love them with conditions. If they are meeting our expectations. We love them when we are "feeling" good about them or when they have done something for us. Godly love is unconditional. Its a love that only God truly gives to us. As fallen creatures we tend to fall towards conditional love, we even withhold our love when others fail us. Gods loves us all the time, in our weakness, and our trials, in our ugliness of sin, and our triumphs. He loved us so much that he was willing to give up his own son to die on the cross for our sins. I can't say that I am willing to give up that much to show love to someone. Especially someone who is unlovable. 1John 4:11 says. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Its also says: 1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. We are commanded to love one another. I find it difficult to love those who are hard to love. They are angry, unlovable people. Those are the type of people that we are to love even more, and yet it is so hard to love them. We consider them our enemies, those who continually hurt us, or make our lives miserable. Luke 6:27 "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. We are to do good to those who are like our enemies and to show love to them. Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. I need to learn to love like God loves. Lord Please forgive me for my conditional love towards those whom I find difficulty in showing love. Help me to learn to love the way your word tells us too. Help me to show love to my "enemies" and forgive them like you have forgiven me. AMEN!!!!

Controlled by Fear

Why are Christians controlled by fear? What things or circumstances cause us to fear? Why do we choose to not do the things that are right in Gods eyes because of fear. God's word tells us that perfect love casts out fear. 1John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. Why as Christians are we afraid to share the truth of Gods word? Or to speak the truth in love to a fellow Christian regarding a sin issue in their life. What keeps us from sharing what's really on our hearts in the midst of difficult times. Its FEAR!!! Fear of what others might think about us, or that we will be rejected by others. Fear that others will see who we truly are inside. God gave us his power and strength. 2Tim 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. He gave us the power of his love, and he teaches us self control. Often times I find myself fearful of what people might think of me if I share the truth about my struggles in life, or that they will somehow judge me. I want to be bold in my faith and speak truth to all. I don't want to be gripped by fear. Heb 13:6 So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" God is who I want to glorify in all I do and say, nothing that I do is out of God's control. Lord thank you that you are almighty, and you are all-powerful, you are in perfect control. Give me your strength to live for you each day, and to trust that you will keep your promises to your people.

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

1Co 13:1-8 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Not having love leaves us with nothing!! I wishI could truthfully say that I love the way this passage describes. It talks about love being patient and kind, and I am not very patient, and often times I am not treating others with kindness. Love does not envy or boast. I can't say that I pass this one either. I am often envious of what others seem to have that seems better then what I have. Love does not insist on its own way, yeah right. I think our sin nature says it all, we want our own way and often times will sin to get it. Love is not irritable or resentful. I think about all the times that I have been irritable towards others, so I must not have love. Resentment is also a hard one because I harbor resentment in my heart and often that resentment turns to bitterness. That does not seem loving at all. Love rejoices in the truth, what truth? Is it the truth of Gods words or what others say to be true about us, or about others. Love bears ALL things, that's the hard one. I am not sure I bear all things, often times I want to run away and say forget it, or want to fight for my own way. Love endures all things. I feel like I am at the end of my endurance, ready to give up the race. I am definately guilty of not loving the way Gods words says. Lord I don't know how to love the way you command us to. Love is so hard to do and takes so much effort, and it is often painful. Help me Lord to love the way you would have me to love. Forgive me of my unbelief and my unfaithfulness towards you. Give me the strength to love others the way you love them.

Resting in HIM

I am so thankful for what God is teaching me everyday. We have been studying the book of Hebrews, and this week we learned about resting in God. It was funny how resting in God took work on our part, we have to strive to enter his rest. Heb 4:11 says, Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. It seems kind of ironic that we have to work at it. As we discussed this at bible study, we learned that striving means to work towards trusting in God and believing he will do what he says so that we can "REST" in God. We have to have an assurance that God is going to carry out his plan, and in his time. But in the mean time we have to rest in Him. That often times means refocusing our thoughts and our minds so that they continually align with Gods word. We have to know what his word says in order to really understand God, to know him, and to be able to trust in him enough to rest. Its an effort on our part, but if we continue to walk with him through the struggles of life, we WILL rest in him if our hearts our trusting. Philippians 4:8 reminds how we should focus our thoughts. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. I truly need to learn to REST in God.

My Salvation Story

My Salvation Story

I was raised in a non-Christian home. I lived with my mother, step dad and 3 siblings. My parents did not attend church, but for some reason my mother decided that her kids should go to church. She arranged for a family to take us every Sunday. I remember as a young child wondering why it was so important for us to go to church but not our parents. I personally felt like it was a way for them to get rid of us for a few hours. Needless to say I went to church with a family who faithfully picked my sister and I up for many years. I remember going to Sunday school and to vacation bible school and learning all the stories of the bible, and hearing missionary stories. I remember our pastor at the end of each vacation bible study story he would tell us how we could come to know Jesus and have him be our savior. He would invite us to stay and pray with him to ask Jesus to be our savior. I remember how he told us about sin and going to hell, and how knowing Jesus would change all that. I knew then I did not want to go to hell so of course I prayed and asked Jesus to be my savior. Well over the years I began to learn more and more about who God was and about sin. I began to really understand what it meant to be a sinner and I began to understand the depth of my sin. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. I understood that God gave the ultimate sacrifice by sending his son to die in my place for my sin. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. I started looking at my life a little closer, and realized that I was truly lost. I knew that I had prayed that prayer and for the longest time I believed that I was saved. People would ask me if I was saved and I would say "well I go to church". Somehow I believed that going to church was all I needed to be a Christian. But when I began to look at my life and the sin I was living in I knew in my heart that I was not saved. I hadn't turned away from my sin. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. I never really understood what being a Christian really was, because I did not have it modeled for me at home. It wasn't until I was a teen that I truly began to understand and realize how lost I was and for the first time I understood my need for a savior. I needed Jesus to be my bridge so I could come to God. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. One night all alone in my bedroom I knelt by my bed and began to pray. I wept as I prayed asking God to forgive me of my sin and to cleanse me. Psalm 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! I knew then and only then that I was truly saved. It was then that God began to transform my life. I didn't desire the sinful things any longer. I even began to enjoy going to church where before it was a chore, and I had decided that I would quit when I turned 16. God had other plans for my life, and looking back I can see how he was at work in every detail of my life. God is good and he promises that he will complete the work that he began in me. Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Living in Faith and trusting God

I can easily say that life as a Christian is a struggle. We all face trials and uncertainty in our lives as we walk through life as a follower of Christ. I often times find myself relying on externals, and looking for the end result. Desiring for the struggle to come to an end, so that I can feel relief from the pain and the hurt that often comes with it. I forget that God has a plan for my life and that he is using the struggles, the burdens, the heartaches, to draw me closer to him. I want to trust God to do his work in me, and in the lives of those I love, but often times I ask God "why me". Instead of trusting God that he who began a good work will be faithful to complete it. Psalm 37;4-6 says Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. If I delight in him and make him first in my life, praising him, thanking him, giving him the glory in all things, my desire will be to please him more and more, and my mind will be less focused on the struggles of life. And in doing so I learn to trust God in his plans and allow him to give me the desires of my heart. That doesn't mean I will get what I want in life, but that I will receive assurance of his promise to complete that which he began. Lord thank you for what your doing in my life and help me to trust you to do the work.

My name is pride....by Beth Moore

I found this poem on Beth Moores website on her study about humility I thought it was very interesting to look at what pride is in a different light

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment...because you "deserve better than this."
I cheat you of knowledge...because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing...because you're too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness...because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you of vision...because you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of a genuine friendship...because nobody's going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love...because real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.
I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you. Untrue. I'm looking to make a fool of you.God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...If you stick with me You'll never know.

http://www.lproof.org/Devotions/2003/weekly_devotional_016.asp

Discouragement

It seems I often find myself in a state of discouragement, that often leads to me feeling depressed. I know that in Christ Jesus I have no reason to feel discouraged and yet week after week I often fall into this state. I know that God loves me I have no doubt about that but I often feel like my life is a whirl wind out of control, and I don't know how to get back on my feet. God has given us the ability to stand firm in him and I know that he will strengthen me each new day. Joshua 1:9 Says this: Have I not commanded you? Be Strong and Courageous. Do not be terrified do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go. If God is with me always then I should not worry about anything or become dimayed for he is with me and he alone will light the path that I must follow. My life is Christ is one that should be filled with hope and peace. Lord please forgive me of my insecurities, help me to stand firm in you help me to not become discouraged or depressed. The Lord longs for us to call upon his name when we are weak, and I have been very weak the past fews days. Thank You Lord for giving me your strength.

Humility

Humility, What is it? We hear this word all the time in reference to living a Christian life, and yet many Christians don't even begin to understand what it is or how to walk in humility. We started a bible study at my church about humility, and I have to say that I was very humbled. In our study we talked about Christ's humility and his attributes. Christ never took credit for anything he did, always gave credit to God. He never excepted praise for the things he did but gave the glory to His Father. He did not seek to please man but rather his Father. He never claimed that his words were his own but that they were of his Father (God). Christ never wanted himself to be lifted up or glorified, he walked in true humility. I know that often times as Christians we pat ourselves on the back for the things we have done, but in truth we have done nothing without God's strength. The bible speaks about humbling ourselves as children. Matthew 18: 3-4. And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore , whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Christ lived it for us, being obedient to his Father, and living his life as a reflection of God. Luke 14:11 says: For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled but he who humbles himself will be exalted. That doesn't mean that we are going to get a pat on the back for everything we do, and we shouldn't expect it if we are truly seeking to give God the glory. I am going to work on my humility this week. I am so far off the mark when it comes to walking in humility, but I know that God began a good work in me and that he is faithful to complete it me. Blessings to all.

Forgiveness

I was reminded today of Gods grace and mercy, and his willingness to forgive all my trespasses. As I look back on the past few weeks I have been reminded of the sin in my life. The hurtful words spoken, my ungodly heart attitude, anger, laziness, and many many more. I was listening to a song on the radio today that spoke of Gods precious price paid for my sins. The blood of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made for me on the cross. The words of the song go like this: There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. Although I am reminded of the guilt within, I know that I am forgiven in Christ Jesus. He paid the price for me once and for all. I can't take back the sins of my past, but I can except the forgiveness of Jesus Christ and move forward. Looking towards that goal of the reward of heaven. I'm forgiven because you (Jesus) were forsaken. I praise God for giving me such a wonderful gift of life. Blessings to all.

Running the Race

When we think about running a race we think about the reward we will win at the end. A medal or a trophy, some reward usually comes to those who win the race. But in getting to the finish line we often endure hard work, be it speed or endurance or hurdles in our way. Eventually we get to the finish line. Our walk with the Lord is just like that we have to endure and climb a few hurdles, and often times it is painful. But God promises us a reward if we will run the race with perseverance a reward in heaven where his son Jesus stands with his arms open wide waiting to give us our reward which is eternal life. We are going to suffer here on earth but the bible tells us in Romans 5:2b-3 says And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance and perseverance character; and character hope, and hope does not disappoint us. I am so looking forward to that day when I can stand before the Lord and he will say "well done my good and faithful servant. I will run the race with diligence. Hebrews 6:11 says We want each of you to show the same diligence to the very end in order to make your hope sure. Run hard, endure the pain and the suffering for it is only for a short time. Blessings to all.

Justified in Christ

Happy Lords Day everyone.....I am thankful for a church that desires to serve God by teaching the truth of God's word, even when it hurts deep. Today I was reminded again of the sin in my life that I have been set free from. I was deeply troubled in that just a few days before I had said and done some things in my sinful anger that was not at all Christ like. I know that God has given me freedom from the bondage of sin, in that, through Christ I am set free. But my unrighteous anger always gets me in trouble and I fall into sin. A passage I was reminded of today says: For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34b. So then I look back on yesterday and the words that were spoken and I wonder what on earth my heart had been meditating on, or was it that I just allowed myself to become so angry that the sin in my life came flowing out. Psalms 19:14 teaches us that what so ever we meditate in our hearts should be pleasing in his sight. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight Oh Lord my Rock and my redeemer. Often times I regret words spoken because I had not meditated good things in my heart. That is why sin keeps creeping into my life, because what ever I think in my heart comes out of my mouth. Praise God I am forgiven and I am justified in Christ. Praise God that he still loves me even with mud on my face. Blessings to all you read this today.