Conforming To Jesus
Romans (15:7)
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
As long, as our knowledge is imperfect and our differences vary, and our opinions differ', let's make room in areas of our lives that don't really matter'. For diversity and variety provide the body of believers with a beautiful blend of balance. But a squint eyed - severe spirit is a killer, strangling it's victim in a noose of caustic criticism".
Make no mistake about it. God is to kind to do anything cruel.
Too wise to make a mistake. To deep to explain Himself.
Forgiveness is the key to handling our enemies, not revenge'.
Our goal in life is to become more likened unto that of Jesus" meaning our spirit"
God is committed to the task of conforming you and me to the image of His Son.
Not physically - He's not making us look like Jesus looked physically - but inwardly: in character, in patience, in gentleness, in goodness, in grace, in truth, in discipline.
He is committed to conforming our lives to the inner character of His Son.
Also when it says in Genesis you were made in God's image, that image is of the spirit" not our physical likeness, for it is our spirits that will be raise up not our physical body's".
Thursday, 13 November 2014
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
Junk Get It Out!
'Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares.' Hebrews (12:1)
Picture a big ship being worked on in dry dock. Beneath the waterline is all the 'junk' it has picked up during its voyages. Nobody can see it, but an experienced captain can feel it because his ship lacks the 'oomph' it once had. As a result, companies complain that it takes too long to get goods for their customers, and the ship's owners are unhappy because it hurts profit margin in a competitive market.
The effort required to remove the 'junk' is back-breaking and time-consuming, but there's no other way to do it. Finally, after months of hard work the dry dock is flooded with water, the gates open, and the big vessel heads out to sea and back into the profit column. Writing to the believers at Corinth, Paul says, 'Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves', 2 Corinthians (13:5).
Let's be honest; it's easier to examine your neighbor than to examine yourself, or to talk about what you once accomplished rather than what you're accomplishing now. Are you slowing down? Are you losing spiritual momentum? Are you in the profit or loss column? You'll find the answer under the waterline where only God and you can see. Carelessness, a critical spirit, compromise, conformity to the world, and coldness of heart: that's the 'junk' that builds up and slows you down. These are the subtle sins you must deal with in order to be everything God called you to be and enjoy the blessings He has in store for you.
'Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares.' Hebrews (12:1)
Picture a big ship being worked on in dry dock. Beneath the waterline is all the 'junk' it has picked up during its voyages. Nobody can see it, but an experienced captain can feel it because his ship lacks the 'oomph' it once had. As a result, companies complain that it takes too long to get goods for their customers, and the ship's owners are unhappy because it hurts profit margin in a competitive market.
The effort required to remove the 'junk' is back-breaking and time-consuming, but there's no other way to do it. Finally, after months of hard work the dry dock is flooded with water, the gates open, and the big vessel heads out to sea and back into the profit column. Writing to the believers at Corinth, Paul says, 'Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves', 2 Corinthians (13:5).
Let's be honest; it's easier to examine your neighbor than to examine yourself, or to talk about what you once accomplished rather than what you're accomplishing now. Are you slowing down? Are you losing spiritual momentum? Are you in the profit or loss column? You'll find the answer under the waterline where only God and you can see. Carelessness, a critical spirit, compromise, conformity to the world, and coldness of heart: that's the 'junk' that builds up and slows you down. These are the subtle sins you must deal with in order to be everything God called you to be and enjoy the blessings He has in store for you.
Saturday, 8 November 2014
Stabilizing Peace
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John (16:33)
On May 3, 1943, air raid sirens sounded over London. People raced toward Bethnal Green Underground station, where more than 500 people had already taken refuge. In the next ten minutes, 1500 more would join them. A woman carrying a baby lost her footing on one of the 19 steps leading down from the street. Like dominoes, people started falling on top of one another. In the end, 173 people died.
Bombs didn't kill them, fear did! Today there's a stampede of fear around us and, if you're not careful, you'll get caught up in it. It's okay to recognise danger, but God doesn't want you to be overwhelmed by it. So you need to monitor what you listen to, think and say. The disciples needed a rock to stand on in the coming storm. Jesus had just told them how bad things were going to get in the world and the extent to which they would suffer. He announced He was leaving and told them He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them. John chapter 16 ends with these words:
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."' No matter what the situation, Jesus is on top of it. No matter what trial you face, Jesus will bring you through it. Though surrounded by fear and the fearful, you will have His peace. And that stabilizing peace will fortify you and cause others to turn to you for answers.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John (16:33)
On May 3, 1943, air raid sirens sounded over London. People raced toward Bethnal Green Underground station, where more than 500 people had already taken refuge. In the next ten minutes, 1500 more would join them. A woman carrying a baby lost her footing on one of the 19 steps leading down from the street. Like dominoes, people started falling on top of one another. In the end, 173 people died.
Bombs didn't kill them, fear did! Today there's a stampede of fear around us and, if you're not careful, you'll get caught up in it. It's okay to recognise danger, but God doesn't want you to be overwhelmed by it. So you need to monitor what you listen to, think and say. The disciples needed a rock to stand on in the coming storm. Jesus had just told them how bad things were going to get in the world and the extent to which they would suffer. He announced He was leaving and told them He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them. John chapter 16 ends with these words:
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."' No matter what the situation, Jesus is on top of it. No matter what trial you face, Jesus will bring you through it. Though surrounded by fear and the fearful, you will have His peace. And that stabilizing peace will fortify you and cause others to turn to you for answers.
How Do You Respond?
The Lord is my strength, he enables me to "go on". Habakkuk (3:19).
Are things in your life falling apart? Your finances look uncertain, the career you worked to build is floundering, your health is failing, the people you trusted have let you down. Nobody enjoys such times, but if you live long enough you'll go through them. And they have a way of making you re-examine your responses.
When the things the prophet Habakkuk counted on started to crumble, he was forced to discern between what's truly important and what's merely temporal. It's a re-evaluation we all have to make at some point. Here's what Habakkuk said: 'Though the fig tree does not bud', there are no grapes on the vines, the olive crop fails, the fields produce no food, there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. The Sovereign Lord is my strength. He enables me to go on, (17-19). Habakkuk realised he had no control over certain things. So he chose to control his response by rejoicing in the Lord regardless of what happened, and drawing from God the strength to 'go on'.
What can you learn from this man? That you have a choice! That you can decide to praise God regardless of the hand life deals you. God doesn't promise to take you out of your situation; He promises to bring you through it. So change your response and begin to praise God for His faithfulness, for your salvation, for your health, for your friends and family, and all the other blessings He's given you. If you look for reasons to rejoice, you'll find them!
The Lord is my strength, he enables me to "go on". Habakkuk (3:19).
Are things in your life falling apart? Your finances look uncertain, the career you worked to build is floundering, your health is failing, the people you trusted have let you down. Nobody enjoys such times, but if you live long enough you'll go through them. And they have a way of making you re-examine your responses.
When the things the prophet Habakkuk counted on started to crumble, he was forced to discern between what's truly important and what's merely temporal. It's a re-evaluation we all have to make at some point. Here's what Habakkuk said: 'Though the fig tree does not bud', there are no grapes on the vines, the olive crop fails, the fields produce no food, there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. The Sovereign Lord is my strength. He enables me to go on, (17-19). Habakkuk realised he had no control over certain things. So he chose to control his response by rejoicing in the Lord regardless of what happened, and drawing from God the strength to 'go on'.
What can you learn from this man? That you have a choice! That you can decide to praise God regardless of the hand life deals you. God doesn't promise to take you out of your situation; He promises to bring you through it. So change your response and begin to praise God for His faithfulness, for your salvation, for your health, for your friends and family, and all the other blessings He's given you. If you look for reasons to rejoice, you'll find them!
Where Is Your Vision?
Psalm (31:24)
Vision - the one essential ingredient for being an original in a day of copies - gets lost, overwhelmed by the odds. Too bad! We start focusing on the trouble. Then we start comparing the odds. The result is predictable: We become intimidated and wind up defeated.
What is your challenge? Which giants make you feel like a grasshopper when you face them? What does your future resemble when you measure it on the basis of facts and figures? You'd like not to surrender, right? You'd like to be courageous, wouldn't you? There is a way through, but you'll need one essential quality - vision.
Vision is the ability to see God's presence, to perceive God's power, to focus on God's plan in spite of the obstacles.
When you have vision it affects your attitude. Your attitude is optimistic rather than pessimistic. Your attitude stays positive rather than negative. Not foolishly positive, as though in fantasy, for you are reading God into your circumstances. So when a situation comes that cuts your feet out from under you, you don't throw up your arms and panic. You don't give up. Instead, you say, "Lord, this is Your moment. This is where You take charge. You're in this."
This is nothing more than having a strong belief in the power of God; having confidence in others around you who are in similar battles with you; and, yes, having confidence in yourself, by the grace of God. Refusing to give in to temptation, cynicism, and doubt. Not allowing yourself to become a jaded individual. Belief in oneself is terribly important.
Determination is hanging tough when the going gets rough. I have no magic wand to wave over your future and say, "All of a sudden everything is going to fall into place." Vision requires determination, a constant focus on God who is watching and smiling. Even in a world that is negative and hostile. Even in a world where the majority says, "We can't," you can. Trust God today. With eyes of faith, get back in the game. Play it with great enthusiasm!
Psalm (31:24)
Vision - the one essential ingredient for being an original in a day of copies - gets lost, overwhelmed by the odds. Too bad! We start focusing on the trouble. Then we start comparing the odds. The result is predictable: We become intimidated and wind up defeated.
What is your challenge? Which giants make you feel like a grasshopper when you face them? What does your future resemble when you measure it on the basis of facts and figures? You'd like not to surrender, right? You'd like to be courageous, wouldn't you? There is a way through, but you'll need one essential quality - vision.
Vision is the ability to see God's presence, to perceive God's power, to focus on God's plan in spite of the obstacles.
When you have vision it affects your attitude. Your attitude is optimistic rather than pessimistic. Your attitude stays positive rather than negative. Not foolishly positive, as though in fantasy, for you are reading God into your circumstances. So when a situation comes that cuts your feet out from under you, you don't throw up your arms and panic. You don't give up. Instead, you say, "Lord, this is Your moment. This is where You take charge. You're in this."
This is nothing more than having a strong belief in the power of God; having confidence in others around you who are in similar battles with you; and, yes, having confidence in yourself, by the grace of God. Refusing to give in to temptation, cynicism, and doubt. Not allowing yourself to become a jaded individual. Belief in oneself is terribly important.
Determination is hanging tough when the going gets rough. I have no magic wand to wave over your future and say, "All of a sudden everything is going to fall into place." Vision requires determination, a constant focus on God who is watching and smiling. Even in a world that is negative and hostile. Even in a world where the majority says, "We can't," you can. Trust God today. With eyes of faith, get back in the game. Play it with great enthusiasm!
Trusting Our Lord
I have found great help from two truths God gave me at a time in my life when I was bombarded with a series of unexpected and unfair blows (from my perspective). In my darkest hours, these principles become my anchor of stability, my only means of survival. Afflicted, confused, persecuted, and rejected in that situation, I claimed these two truths and held on to them like wild waves, strong winds, and pounding rain grabbing hold of the mast of a ship at sea. God took me through the consequences and kept me from becoming a bitter man.
Because they worked for me, I pass them on to you. At the risk of sounding simplistic, I would suggest that you not only write them down where you can read them often, but also that you might commit them to memory. The day will come when you will be thankful you did, I assure you. They have scriptural support, but I'll only list a couple of verses for the sake of brevity and clarity.
Here is the first truth to claim when enduring the consequences of suffering: nothing touches me that has not passed through the hands of my heavenly Father. Nothing. Whatever occurs, God has sovereignly surveyed and approved. We may not know why (we may never know why), but we do know our pain is no accident to Him who guides our lives. He is, in no way, surprised by it all. Before it ever touches us, it passes through Him.
The second truth to claim is this: everything I endure is designed to prepare me for serving others more effectively. Everything. Because my heavenly Father is committed to shaping me into the image of His Son, He knows the ultimate value of this painful experience 2 Corinthians (1:3-7). It is a necessary part of the preparation process. It is being used to empty our hands of our own resources, our own sufficiency, and turn us back to Him the faithful Provider.
And God knows what will get through to us.
Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Psalm (62:8).
You and I could name things, specific things that we've gone through in the last several years that make no logical sense whatsoever but that's okay. We can't figure them out.
But let me assure you, God is at work doing His mysterious plan (mysterious to us), which defies human logic.
So quit trying to make it humanly logical. Trust Him.
Do you realize what a peaceful life you can live if you decide to live like this? Do you realize how relaxed you can be, how free of stress? Honestly.
It's so helpful for me to remind myself: He is the One who is unfathomable. He is unsearchable. I'm neither.
I have found great help from two truths God gave me at a time in my life when I was bombarded with a series of unexpected and unfair blows (from my perspective). In my darkest hours, these principles become my anchor of stability, my only means of survival. Afflicted, confused, persecuted, and rejected in that situation, I claimed these two truths and held on to them like wild waves, strong winds, and pounding rain grabbing hold of the mast of a ship at sea. God took me through the consequences and kept me from becoming a bitter man.
Because they worked for me, I pass them on to you. At the risk of sounding simplistic, I would suggest that you not only write them down where you can read them often, but also that you might commit them to memory. The day will come when you will be thankful you did, I assure you. They have scriptural support, but I'll only list a couple of verses for the sake of brevity and clarity.
Here is the first truth to claim when enduring the consequences of suffering: nothing touches me that has not passed through the hands of my heavenly Father. Nothing. Whatever occurs, God has sovereignly surveyed and approved. We may not know why (we may never know why), but we do know our pain is no accident to Him who guides our lives. He is, in no way, surprised by it all. Before it ever touches us, it passes through Him.
The second truth to claim is this: everything I endure is designed to prepare me for serving others more effectively. Everything. Because my heavenly Father is committed to shaping me into the image of His Son, He knows the ultimate value of this painful experience 2 Corinthians (1:3-7). It is a necessary part of the preparation process. It is being used to empty our hands of our own resources, our own sufficiency, and turn us back to Him the faithful Provider.
And God knows what will get through to us.
Trust in Him at all times, O people, pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Psalm (62:8).
You and I could name things, specific things that we've gone through in the last several years that make no logical sense whatsoever but that's okay. We can't figure them out.
But let me assure you, God is at work doing His mysterious plan (mysterious to us), which defies human logic.
So quit trying to make it humanly logical. Trust Him.
Do you realize what a peaceful life you can live if you decide to live like this? Do you realize how relaxed you can be, how free of stress? Honestly.
It's so helpful for me to remind myself: He is the One who is unfathomable. He is unsearchable. I'm neither.
Do You Have A Gentle Spirit?
What is the 'spirit' in which we are to restore someone? The spirit of gentleness. 'If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.' More than likely, the person is already hurting and as fragile as glass; condemnation will only worsen their plight. Understanding and acceptance - not agreement - are what's needed here.
The spirit of love and empathy. Paul writes, 'Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ', Galatians (6:2). In this passage the word 'burden' means 'a heavy load'. It means being willing to walk with them, weep with them and work with them until they've been restored. If the hurting cannot find grace, love and healing in the family of God, where can they go to find it?
We are very thankful, Father, that in the process of our spiritual growth You remind us of the importance of gentleness: Your Word not only instructs us in what we're to do, it also shows us how to do it. We remember what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians he gently dealt with them as a mother with a nursing child. Help us, Father, to have that kind of gracious, gentle spirit - especially those of us who tend to be impatient with others who are not as quick on their feet, or those of us who are healthy and lack compassion for others who are not as strong, or those of us who find delight in accomplishments but lack empathy for others who are not as productive. It's so easy for all of us - if not verbally, at least in our minds - to compete, to look down on others, to complain and to compare. May we, through Your Spirit's power, become more like our gentle Savior, who promised, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Like our Master and Lord, may our encounters with others be easy and bring light. Meet our needs in a very special way, especially our need for a gentle and quiet spirit.
In the name of Your gracious Son Jesus. Amen.
What is the 'spirit' in which we are to restore someone? The spirit of gentleness. 'If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.' More than likely, the person is already hurting and as fragile as glass; condemnation will only worsen their plight. Understanding and acceptance - not agreement - are what's needed here.
The spirit of love and empathy. Paul writes, 'Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ', Galatians (6:2). In this passage the word 'burden' means 'a heavy load'. It means being willing to walk with them, weep with them and work with them until they've been restored. If the hurting cannot find grace, love and healing in the family of God, where can they go to find it?
We are very thankful, Father, that in the process of our spiritual growth You remind us of the importance of gentleness: Your Word not only instructs us in what we're to do, it also shows us how to do it. We remember what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians he gently dealt with them as a mother with a nursing child. Help us, Father, to have that kind of gracious, gentle spirit - especially those of us who tend to be impatient with others who are not as quick on their feet, or those of us who are healthy and lack compassion for others who are not as strong, or those of us who find delight in accomplishments but lack empathy for others who are not as productive. It's so easy for all of us - if not verbally, at least in our minds - to compete, to look down on others, to complain and to compare. May we, through Your Spirit's power, become more like our gentle Savior, who promised, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Like our Master and Lord, may our encounters with others be easy and bring light. Meet our needs in a very special way, especially our need for a gentle and quiet spirit.
In the name of Your gracious Son Jesus. Amen.
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