I was riding in the car the other day when the song, "I am a friend of God" by Israel Houghton came on the radio. I with critical attitude I thought to myself, "Wow, this song sure is repetitive." Now I would say in retrospect that-that is the whole point!
How many seconds out of the day do I forget that I am a friend of God?
Truth is learned primarily though hearing it over and over again in compact ways. This song is very simple, and yes, very repetitive, but it is a truth that Christians should never forget: That we are friends of God through Christ Jesus who shed his blood to redeem us back into that standing.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
He Must Increase, But I Must Decrese
Jesus is everything, without him we are hopeless and in a prison of ourselves. Jesus is the most important person in ever. Mere human beings forget that they are just fragile clay pots that can break at any moment never to be put together again, soul escaping in the process. Our only hope is Jesus. Our next breath depends on his word.
With that said: John the Baptist was the first one to get this idea, that Jesus should be the one growing in popularity while he decreased. Ole Johnny boy would probably be considered a person with a growing "church" by today's standards. He would be the first minister that would admit that Jesus should get more glory than himself. John was not even offended at the fact that some of his very own disciples jumped the "baptist" ship to the Jesus ship (not a shot at Baptists, I love em). It is time to decrease our names as ministers, and increase the name of the one who has called us; JESUS the CHRIST.
With that said: John the Baptist was the first one to get this idea, that Jesus should be the one growing in popularity while he decreased. Ole Johnny boy would probably be considered a person with a growing "church" by today's standards. He would be the first minister that would admit that Jesus should get more glory than himself. John was not even offended at the fact that some of his very own disciples jumped the "baptist" ship to the Jesus ship (not a shot at Baptists, I love em). It is time to decrease our names as ministers, and increase the name of the one who has called us; JESUS the CHRIST.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Make a Habit of Having No Habits
Love means that there is no habit visible, you have come to the place where the habit is lost, and by practice you do the thing unconsciously.
-Oswald Chambers
This statement from Mr. Chambers is preceded by a statement saying that Christians can have "Christian Habits" that is we do things out of routine that we should be doing out of love. Bible study for example could become something that is done because we have to or we have always done it that way. Prayer is another example, do you check off a list as you pray(which is not bad sometimes)or do you really seek to spend time with God as with a friend? Just like in a relationship with a significant other, there should be spontaneity in your relationship with God. If you took your significant other to the same restaurant every week for dinner it would get old quick.
Bottom line: God wants us to seek him in different ways out of love, not obligation or habit.
-Oswald Chambers
This statement from Mr. Chambers is preceded by a statement saying that Christians can have "Christian Habits" that is we do things out of routine that we should be doing out of love. Bible study for example could become something that is done because we have to or we have always done it that way. Prayer is another example, do you check off a list as you pray(which is not bad sometimes)or do you really seek to spend time with God as with a friend? Just like in a relationship with a significant other, there should be spontaneity in your relationship with God. If you took your significant other to the same restaurant every week for dinner it would get old quick.
Bottom line: God wants us to seek him in different ways out of love, not obligation or habit.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Those that Walk Away
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
-John 6:66
I was recently in a church service, during the middle of the service a group of people stood up and walked out. I am not sure why, but I believe it was because they did not like the style of worship that was being offered. I then began to think about the above scripture. The people that turned away from Jesus was not because a dislike of a worship style, rather because Jesus said that they must "eat his flesh" and "drink his blood." This statement would be tougher to grasp than just listening to some worship and seeking God for an hour.
Christianity is not about "worship preference" it is about becoming uniquely connected to the risen Christ. Those that walk away miss out on the journey of a lifetime. Those that walk away miss the grace that has been given. Those that walk away from a worship service in any of there forms never walk toward worship on their own time. Those that walk away from the church, walk away from Christ. Those that walk away from Christ walk on a broad path which leads to destruction.
-John 6:66
I was recently in a church service, during the middle of the service a group of people stood up and walked out. I am not sure why, but I believe it was because they did not like the style of worship that was being offered. I then began to think about the above scripture. The people that turned away from Jesus was not because a dislike of a worship style, rather because Jesus said that they must "eat his flesh" and "drink his blood." This statement would be tougher to grasp than just listening to some worship and seeking God for an hour.
Christianity is not about "worship preference" it is about becoming uniquely connected to the risen Christ. Those that walk away miss out on the journey of a lifetime. Those that walk away miss the grace that has been given. Those that walk away from a worship service in any of there forms never walk toward worship on their own time. Those that walk away from the church, walk away from Christ. Those that walk away from Christ walk on a broad path which leads to destruction.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Spoiler Alert
For many Christians, walking in the light means walking according to our standard for another person.
-Oswald Chambers
Have you ever looked down on a person for something that "you don't do" and then you did it yourself a couple of days later? It could have been something like saying a curse word (or the equivalent), being angry, or even judging someone for being judgmental. Christians put standards on people so whoever doesn't fit that standard will not get into "the club." It is probably not just some Christians, but human nature itself.
Spoiler Alert! I am not here to live up to your man made standards. Religion will not box me in, and I would strongly recommend the reader to seek to start a journey to escape the religion that you are steeped in, and turn to or back to a relationship with Jesus.
Stop trying to conform to standards, rules and codes. This is not the life of freedom that the Lord is offering.
-Oswald Chambers
Have you ever looked down on a person for something that "you don't do" and then you did it yourself a couple of days later? It could have been something like saying a curse word (or the equivalent), being angry, or even judging someone for being judgmental. Christians put standards on people so whoever doesn't fit that standard will not get into "the club." It is probably not just some Christians, but human nature itself.
Spoiler Alert! I am not here to live up to your man made standards. Religion will not box me in, and I would strongly recommend the reader to seek to start a journey to escape the religion that you are steeped in, and turn to or back to a relationship with Jesus.
Stop trying to conform to standards, rules and codes. This is not the life of freedom that the Lord is offering.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Jesus the Lion
March 15, 2010
At the beginning we were sure we knew all about Jesus Christ, it was a delight to sell all and fling ourselves out in a hardihood of love; but now we are not quite so sure. Jesus is out in front and he looks so strange: "Jesus went before them and they were amazed."
-Oswald Chambers on Mark 10:32
There is a wide range of views that people have about Jesus the Christ. Southpark teaches us that Jesus still walks the earth, and that his crucifixion is something to laugh about. Family guy says that Jesus works at a video store and is still trying to "find himself" God hits on woman and gets drunk. Some people see Jesus as a peace-loving hippie promoting advocating that we all, "Make love not war." Still others see Jesus as a fictional character in a story, a myth that people made up.
Would the real Jesus Christ please stand up?
Ok, so there is truth that Jesus was peace-loving, he is the Prince of Peace. However Jesus could put it down when he had to. He called people snakes, dogs, hypocrites, synagogues of Satan, and Satan. This is very cute and fuzzy eh?
The truth is, Jesus was a lamb in a sense that he laid down his life for the sins of humanity, but that lamb has now become a lion ready to pronounce the end of all things from the sword which proceeds from his mouth.
The church has forgotten the image of the glorified resurected Christ who will judge the living and the dead as descibed in Revelation 1:13-18, "And among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
When I saw him, I (John the apostle)fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Jesus not on the Cross anymore, is is not a pansy throwing up a peace sign, he is not what T.V. says about him, and is probably not what you have made him up to be in your own mind. He is much more.
At the beginning we were sure we knew all about Jesus Christ, it was a delight to sell all and fling ourselves out in a hardihood of love; but now we are not quite so sure. Jesus is out in front and he looks so strange: "Jesus went before them and they were amazed."
-Oswald Chambers on Mark 10:32
There is a wide range of views that people have about Jesus the Christ. Southpark teaches us that Jesus still walks the earth, and that his crucifixion is something to laugh about. Family guy says that Jesus works at a video store and is still trying to "find himself" God hits on woman and gets drunk. Some people see Jesus as a peace-loving hippie promoting advocating that we all, "Make love not war." Still others see Jesus as a fictional character in a story, a myth that people made up.
Would the real Jesus Christ please stand up?
Ok, so there is truth that Jesus was peace-loving, he is the Prince of Peace. However Jesus could put it down when he had to. He called people snakes, dogs, hypocrites, synagogues of Satan, and Satan. This is very cute and fuzzy eh?
The truth is, Jesus was a lamb in a sense that he laid down his life for the sins of humanity, but that lamb has now become a lion ready to pronounce the end of all things from the sword which proceeds from his mouth.
The church has forgotten the image of the glorified resurected Christ who will judge the living and the dead as descibed in Revelation 1:13-18, "And among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
When I saw him, I (John the apostle)fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Jesus not on the Cross anymore, is is not a pansy throwing up a peace sign, he is not what T.V. says about him, and is probably not what you have made him up to be in your own mind. He is much more.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Vision
March 11, 2010
I wear glasses, without them I can't see King Kong on a Billboard swatting at the Goodyear blimp. Vision from God is like our "spiritual glasses." Without his direction for our lives we walk into "spiritual ditches," and even off of "spiritual cliffs" to our demise. The closer we are to God the clearer our vision for our lives will be, with a vision we will not perish, as individuals, families, churches, and nations.
I wear glasses, without them I can't see King Kong on a Billboard swatting at the Goodyear blimp. Vision from God is like our "spiritual glasses." Without his direction for our lives we walk into "spiritual ditches," and even off of "spiritual cliffs" to our demise. The closer we are to God the clearer our vision for our lives will be, with a vision we will not perish, as individuals, families, churches, and nations.
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