“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”-Joshua 1:7-9
In the above text, Moses has died and Joshua is put in charge to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. They have to go into Canaan, and there were 7 nations living there at the time that were bigger and stronger than Joshua and the people of Israel. Now if I was Joshua I would probably be peeing my pants or be doubtful. How do I “be strong and courageous” when I have to go into this land where we are outnumbered? But Joshua was faithful and believed that God would lead him. He didn’t hesitate for one minute; he took charge and moved out.
Courage cannot be seen in someone when there life is all lollipops and rainbows. It can only be seen in times of trials and adversity. Look at David when he went into the Valley of Elah to attack Goliath. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they were tossed in a furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to bow down to the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar. Or Elijah who went up on top of Mount Caramel to face off with the 450 priests of Baal. I’m pretty sure the pressure was on for these guys.
Courage can only be seen in a person whose back is against the wall, the dragons are close and when the pressure is on. If and when you do slay your dragons, climb and conquer your mountains or whatever, you will become stronger and your self confidence will grow and grow. Perseverance in trials builds character (Romans 5:3-4), and character is the traits that define you as a person. I’m not saying do something crazy and stupid like robbing a bank to improve your character but if deals with walking with God, seize the opportunity.
The law that Joshua was given was to be followed, to mediate on it, sleep with it and breathe it. It was expected of him. We don’t follow the same laws like Joshua did to be right with God in our salvation but the principles still apply to us. Jesus gave us two commands to follow He says in Luke 10:27, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” The point I’m trying to make is this, we have to put Jesus first in our lives. Yes I know, we have jobs and we have to make money to support our families and pay bills but if we neglect Jesus and His word we will not go far in life. If we are not going to God in prayer and not allowing Him to guide us, how will we know that we are making the right choices?
Our walk with God is an interesting journey full of ups and downs; to me it’s a big mystery. Wherever and whatever your hands find something to do, give it 110% and don’t slack off. I don’t know where God is calling you; you have to find that out for yourself. Hopefully this series will edify and encourage you with your walk with the Maker of all things.
Is there a place where we are being called to go but are afraid to go or doubt God’s leading you? Trust Him…go and see what happens, go with simple child like faith that God is in control. “If God is with us, who can be against us?”-Romans 8:31
Monday, August 1, 2011
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Heart Of A Servant
Being unemployed stinks, I don't like sitting around and doing nothing. Its hard to keep myself occupied. I have lost count on the resumes and the apps that I sent out to both companies and churches. Since I'm not doing full time ministry (hence finding a secular job to afford dating and find a wife to work for a church...I'm I bitter? Just a little) I might as well be useful and write a tribune for my service to the Kingdom. To have a heart of a servant doesn't mean one has to be preaching behind a pulpit 247 to serve Jesus. One doesn't have to be a deacon (though the Greek means “servant or “minister”) or an elder to serve Jesus. I mean do titles make us super-Christians? Or make us better than other Christians? One doesn't have to be a lawyer from Harvard to serve Jesus ( no offense to lawyers and Harvard). Jesus picked ordinary dudes to be his disciples. One was a tax collector, one was a zealot who despised tax collectors. Others were fishermen.
“For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”-Luke 5:9-11
Jesus chose men who weren't the sharpest tool in the shed, but He taught them. We don’t need them fancy degrees and education to serve Jesus but we have to immerse ourselves in the Word. Women can also serve Jesus.
“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”- Luke 8:1-3
Why does Luke mention women who followed and served Jesus? Because in that day, Rabbis refused to teach women and sometimes treated them like second class, but not Jesus. Isn’t it interesting that all of Jesus’ enemies were men? Women are mentioned a lot in the gospels as being active in ministry as Jesus traveled everywhere. They were the first ones to the tomb...It was a woman who anointed the feet of Jesus. During times of transition when everything seems like chaos instead of walking around like chickens with our heads cut off we need to put some elbow grease to maintain the spirit of unity in the bond of peace. We have to serve one another in love to be more efficient to serve Jesus. He is the one who is running the Church.
"not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, )serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality”- Romans 12:11-13
Christians have a responsibility to all people but especially to other Christians (Gal 6:10). We serve God by rejoicing in Him, not rejoicing in results. Hard times do not give us an excuse to lack in love for the body of Christ or a lack of determination to do God's work. The Greek word for hospitality means glove for strangersh. Make every effort to maintain the spirit.
Hutch
“For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”-Luke 5:9-11
Jesus chose men who weren't the sharpest tool in the shed, but He taught them. We don’t need them fancy degrees and education to serve Jesus but we have to immerse ourselves in the Word. Women can also serve Jesus.
“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”- Luke 8:1-3
Why does Luke mention women who followed and served Jesus? Because in that day, Rabbis refused to teach women and sometimes treated them like second class, but not Jesus. Isn’t it interesting that all of Jesus’ enemies were men? Women are mentioned a lot in the gospels as being active in ministry as Jesus traveled everywhere. They were the first ones to the tomb...It was a woman who anointed the feet of Jesus. During times of transition when everything seems like chaos instead of walking around like chickens with our heads cut off we need to put some elbow grease to maintain the spirit of unity in the bond of peace. We have to serve one another in love to be more efficient to serve Jesus. He is the one who is running the Church.
"not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, )serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality”- Romans 12:11-13
Christians have a responsibility to all people but especially to other Christians (Gal 6:10). We serve God by rejoicing in Him, not rejoicing in results. Hard times do not give us an excuse to lack in love for the body of Christ or a lack of determination to do God's work. The Greek word for hospitality means glove for strangersh. Make every effort to maintain the spirit.
Hutch
Thursday, April 15, 2010
What Is Time?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Austin Chase
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
We humans are all under the Makers hands. We are subject to times and change over which we have little or no control. God easily predetermines all of life's activities.
I'm a month away from graduation, when I started Sunset I had “no job” and I was broke, now I'm graduating and I “still have no Job” ...or do I? Who says I need to lead a congregation in order to be called a minister. Or that I need to be called to a certain location to show Jesus to the lost and edify the Saints. Most of my classmates already landed jobs in congregations or going off into missions into foreign lands. And these past couple of months I have been forcing time to work in my favor. So far it hasn't worked. I might have a job for an intern in Portland but that doesn't start tell next year. I look at Timothy and Titus and every time I do, I'm uplifted. Because these guys were young and single. And Paul was there spiritual father to these guys. Paul relied on these guys a lot in his ministry. Paul tells Timothy to remain in Ephesus because Paul doesn't know if he is coming back. Paul tells Timothy to look over the affairs of the church, to fight off false doctrine, and to appoint qualified leaders. Paul tells Timothy
“Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”- 1 Timothy 4:11-13
Because Timothy was young, he was a target of criticism's because how the youth are portrayed. So Paul calls him to live a life so that was so pure that no one could bring him down. This principle goes for all of us be an example by what you say, what you do, in love, in attitude, in faith and purity.
So when I walk out of the halls of Sunset with my degree (God willing) I will walk with my head high, and keep looking for opportunities to help my brothers and sisters to do their best, and look for the lost and rejected and tell them about God's love. If I have to stick around here and be a tent maker like Paul to support my local ministry then God wills it.
“In the presence of God, Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”- 2 Timothy 4:1-5
So I charge you to suffer for the faith, fulfill your ministry, love the Saints, and glorify our King.
Austin Chase
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
We humans are all under the Makers hands. We are subject to times and change over which we have little or no control. God easily predetermines all of life's activities.
I'm a month away from graduation, when I started Sunset I had “no job” and I was broke, now I'm graduating and I “still have no Job” ...or do I? Who says I need to lead a congregation in order to be called a minister. Or that I need to be called to a certain location to show Jesus to the lost and edify the Saints. Most of my classmates already landed jobs in congregations or going off into missions into foreign lands. And these past couple of months I have been forcing time to work in my favor. So far it hasn't worked. I might have a job for an intern in Portland but that doesn't start tell next year. I look at Timothy and Titus and every time I do, I'm uplifted. Because these guys were young and single. And Paul was there spiritual father to these guys. Paul relied on these guys a lot in his ministry. Paul tells Timothy to remain in Ephesus because Paul doesn't know if he is coming back. Paul tells Timothy to look over the affairs of the church, to fight off false doctrine, and to appoint qualified leaders. Paul tells Timothy
“Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”- 1 Timothy 4:11-13
Because Timothy was young, he was a target of criticism's because how the youth are portrayed. So Paul calls him to live a life so that was so pure that no one could bring him down. This principle goes for all of us be an example by what you say, what you do, in love, in attitude, in faith and purity.
So when I walk out of the halls of Sunset with my degree (God willing) I will walk with my head high, and keep looking for opportunities to help my brothers and sisters to do their best, and look for the lost and rejected and tell them about God's love. If I have to stick around here and be a tent maker like Paul to support my local ministry then God wills it.
“In the presence of God, Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”- 2 Timothy 4:1-5
So I charge you to suffer for the faith, fulfill your ministry, love the Saints, and glorify our King.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Content and humble
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
3:20 pm @ Austin Chase
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”- Philippians 4:11-12
So I”m at Austin Chase because my new coffee shop that I go to (Cafe Noir) is closed due to plumbing issues so I'm here chilling. The thing that is cool is that I'm spending no money on coffee because I have a gift that the St. Martin's gave me. So I'm sipping on my Chai-Tea, Joanne has me hooked on this. So I'm chilling on my computer looking for a preaching job and Shar walks in with the kids and say's hi. She gives me a card for Cold Stone!! So again I don't have to spend money on ice-cream. In fact I hardly spent any money on my 3 weeks off. I have gift cards for Applebee's and Subway. I crashed The Ormerod's New Years party and Dan gave me a ton of left overs! I have 2 movie tickets also from the St. Martin's. They even bought me a shirt and tie!
I'm not trying to rub this in and gloat. My point is that God is taking care of me through the body of Christ. I'm living on humble means. And I return the favor, tonight I'm bringing dinner to Ben and Becky's place. I try to return favors as best I can, like putting in a water pump with St. Martin that takes 3 days and Marie shows up and just rips it out :) How do we learn to be content? Contentment as used in this passage is an attitude of the heart that comes from another spiritual practice called simplicity. Simplicity is an inward reality that comes from the security of our relationship with Jesus. We sometimes seem to have the desire of more. More possessions, more money. Odd that it seems the more we have, the more we want, and the less satisfied we are with what we have. Christians have the best thing going for them because Jesus meets the desire of our hearts. God wants us to be content with Him, and not to set our hearts on material objects that vanish in a blink of an eye. There are going to be times of pain and disappointment, but that should not be our focus on life. Instead of looking at a rosebush and wondering why it must have thorns, we should see a thornbush and be thankful that it has roses. Instead of going to bed at night and complaining about the next morning, we should get up and thank God for another day of life and service for the Kingdom of God.
Shalom
Hutch
3:20 pm @ Austin Chase
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”- Philippians 4:11-12
So I”m at Austin Chase because my new coffee shop that I go to (Cafe Noir) is closed due to plumbing issues so I'm here chilling. The thing that is cool is that I'm spending no money on coffee because I have a gift that the St. Martin's gave me. So I'm sipping on my Chai-Tea, Joanne has me hooked on this. So I'm chilling on my computer looking for a preaching job and Shar walks in with the kids and say's hi. She gives me a card for Cold Stone!! So again I don't have to spend money on ice-cream. In fact I hardly spent any money on my 3 weeks off. I have gift cards for Applebee's and Subway. I crashed The Ormerod's New Years party and Dan gave me a ton of left overs! I have 2 movie tickets also from the St. Martin's. They even bought me a shirt and tie!
I'm not trying to rub this in and gloat. My point is that God is taking care of me through the body of Christ. I'm living on humble means. And I return the favor, tonight I'm bringing dinner to Ben and Becky's place. I try to return favors as best I can, like putting in a water pump with St. Martin that takes 3 days and Marie shows up and just rips it out :) How do we learn to be content? Contentment as used in this passage is an attitude of the heart that comes from another spiritual practice called simplicity. Simplicity is an inward reality that comes from the security of our relationship with Jesus. We sometimes seem to have the desire of more. More possessions, more money. Odd that it seems the more we have, the more we want, and the less satisfied we are with what we have. Christians have the best thing going for them because Jesus meets the desire of our hearts. God wants us to be content with Him, and not to set our hearts on material objects that vanish in a blink of an eye. There are going to be times of pain and disappointment, but that should not be our focus on life. Instead of looking at a rosebush and wondering why it must have thorns, we should see a thornbush and be thankful that it has roses. Instead of going to bed at night and complaining about the next morning, we should get up and thank God for another day of life and service for the Kingdom of God.
Shalom
Hutch
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Focus
Saturday, January 2, 2010
8:10 pm @ The Hutch Hotel
It is a start of a new year. And every year 1000s of Americans pack the gyms to get in shape, then 2 weeks later they quit going. A ton of people decide to quit smoking or make decisions to better their life-style. I looked up the word New Years resolution to make this tribune sound professional. “A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. ...”. Then I had to look up advantageous because I had no clue what that meant. Advantageous means favorable or for the best. So basically for redneck talk, New Year's Resolution is setting goals. 2 years ago in the beginning of January I decided to quit drinking. I had a few beers since then. But in 08 I was going strong. But now it has been a month since I touched a beer and smokes. And awhile back I decided to join a gym in Puyallup so I workout during lunch break. But there is one goal I haven't completed yet and that is to become a more stronger mature Christian...Which will take a life-time to reach.
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”-Philippians 3:12-14
See if we reflect on our past mistakes, our sins then we will never move forward with success, we just stay back for the fear of falling again. Paul saw that he wasn't perfect, but he was not satisfied to cause him to sit and have a pity party. Too many people will get discouraged with the lives they are living and will just quit on God. Don't let your failures cause you to drop out of the race for Jesus! If you stumble, pick yourself up, clean up your wounds and run to the finish line. For most Christians our walk is a hit or miss proposition. Let me explain, we just kind of take it as it comes. If we succeed for Jesus, then praise His name! If we happen to stumble, we often say "Oh well, I'll try and do better tomorrow!" Not Paul! He wasn't content to sit around and wait for life to happen. He was busy making things happen. He was out there doing the best he could to be more like Jesus. He was trying to reach his fullest potential for the glory of God. Paul knew that God called him for a reason. He called him to carry out his duty before God. He also knew that successful completion of this goal would allow him to enjoy the rewards of God. By the way, things are still the same. Jesus saved us to do a job for Him and for the Kingdom When we do what God wants and we live our lives in the chase of the prize, then we too will receive the prize which is eternal paradise.
Shalom
8:10 pm @ The Hutch Hotel
It is a start of a new year. And every year 1000s of Americans pack the gyms to get in shape, then 2 weeks later they quit going. A ton of people decide to quit smoking or make decisions to better their life-style. I looked up the word New Years resolution to make this tribune sound professional. “A New Year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. ...”. Then I had to look up advantageous because I had no clue what that meant. Advantageous means favorable or for the best. So basically for redneck talk, New Year's Resolution is setting goals. 2 years ago in the beginning of January I decided to quit drinking. I had a few beers since then. But in 08 I was going strong. But now it has been a month since I touched a beer and smokes. And awhile back I decided to join a gym in Puyallup so I workout during lunch break. But there is one goal I haven't completed yet and that is to become a more stronger mature Christian...Which will take a life-time to reach.
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”-Philippians 3:12-14
See if we reflect on our past mistakes, our sins then we will never move forward with success, we just stay back for the fear of falling again. Paul saw that he wasn't perfect, but he was not satisfied to cause him to sit and have a pity party. Too many people will get discouraged with the lives they are living and will just quit on God. Don't let your failures cause you to drop out of the race for Jesus! If you stumble, pick yourself up, clean up your wounds and run to the finish line. For most Christians our walk is a hit or miss proposition. Let me explain, we just kind of take it as it comes. If we succeed for Jesus, then praise His name! If we happen to stumble, we often say "Oh well, I'll try and do better tomorrow!" Not Paul! He wasn't content to sit around and wait for life to happen. He was busy making things happen. He was out there doing the best he could to be more like Jesus. He was trying to reach his fullest potential for the glory of God. Paul knew that God called him for a reason. He called him to carry out his duty before God. He also knew that successful completion of this goal would allow him to enjoy the rewards of God. By the way, things are still the same. Jesus saved us to do a job for Him and for the Kingdom When we do what God wants and we live our lives in the chase of the prize, then we too will receive the prize which is eternal paradise.
Shalom
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Oh My
Wednesday December 23, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
@ the Cafe Noir, Silverdale WA
So I'm chilling next to the window at Cafe Noir, my new coffee shop (Austin Chase and Global Bean don't even compare to this place) watching the hustle and bustle of crazy holiday shoppers who will shoot you if you get in there way. I'm reading my daily Bible reading that Mark passed to us at church and I'm reading Nahum, one of the Minor Prophets. I have studied this man in school but it was so fast that I couldn't grasp the awesomeness of God in the first chapter. What I like about the Minor Prophets is they're not afraid to preach the truth and that God is angry and He will waste people.
“The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade. Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him. ”- Nahum 1:3-4;6
The Nation of Nineveh is the focus of Nahum but there is application here as well. Bashan, Carmel and Lebanon were known for there pretty fluffy vineyards and trees. But at Gods word they wither...wither is redneck for they die. God is more patient than us. Though there is a time and place where He does display His anger, it doesn’t come quick...thats an eye opener. Knowing God’s power should make us trust in Him because He helps us and to fear His judgment because God judges with power. God’s power is so big that it controls the biggest forces known to human kind. A big huge freaking storm is nothing to God, because His way is the highway jack. When God holds long enough and rejected enough, sooner or later payday is coming like a Tokyo freight train when His judgment comes. God is slow to anger, but when it does come to judgment His fury is poured out like fire. Understanding this should make us quick to repent and wary of presuming on God’s patience. But being the children of God we have nothing to fear because we have been bought with the blood of Jesus. Those who love God and trust God see the goodness of God, and find protection in His stronghold. And God knows those who trust Him. God knows us. He knows our prayers and tears, He knows our wishes, He knows what we do desire to be.
Shalom
@ the Cafe Noir, Silverdale WA
So I'm chilling next to the window at Cafe Noir, my new coffee shop (Austin Chase and Global Bean don't even compare to this place) watching the hustle and bustle of crazy holiday shoppers who will shoot you if you get in there way. I'm reading my daily Bible reading that Mark passed to us at church and I'm reading Nahum, one of the Minor Prophets. I have studied this man in school but it was so fast that I couldn't grasp the awesomeness of God in the first chapter. What I like about the Minor Prophets is they're not afraid to preach the truth and that God is angry and He will waste people.
“The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade. Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him. ”- Nahum 1:3-4;6
The Nation of Nineveh is the focus of Nahum but there is application here as well. Bashan, Carmel and Lebanon were known for there pretty fluffy vineyards and trees. But at Gods word they wither...wither is redneck for they die. God is more patient than us. Though there is a time and place where He does display His anger, it doesn’t come quick...thats an eye opener. Knowing God’s power should make us trust in Him because He helps us and to fear His judgment because God judges with power. God’s power is so big that it controls the biggest forces known to human kind. A big huge freaking storm is nothing to God, because His way is the highway jack. When God holds long enough and rejected enough, sooner or later payday is coming like a Tokyo freight train when His judgment comes. God is slow to anger, but when it does come to judgment His fury is poured out like fire. Understanding this should make us quick to repent and wary of presuming on God’s patience. But being the children of God we have nothing to fear because we have been bought with the blood of Jesus. Those who love God and trust God see the goodness of God, and find protection in His stronghold. And God knows those who trust Him. God knows us. He knows our prayers and tears, He knows our wishes, He knows what we do desire to be.
Shalom
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Light
Thursday 4:00 pm.. Global Bean
“I have finally found a way to live just like I never could before.
I have finally found a place to live in the presence of the Lord.”- Eric Clapton
The presence of God is all round us. When we enter our homes His presence is there, when we enter our car His presence is there. When I cuss someone out for cutting me off in traffic, His presence is there. He is always watching us. Finding a way to live in the presence of the Lord is hard but it is better than living in the darkness. I rather suffer in God's presence than go back into the dark. The darkness is a dungeon of the soul.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”- 1 John 1:5-7
The presence of the Lord is light. Light is holy, true, and love. Darkness is evil, it is false, full of wickedness. Therefore, if there is a problem with our fellowship with God, it is our fault. It is not God's because He is perfect. John speaks of a walk in darkness, this is a pattern of living, it does not speak of an occasional bump in the road but a lifestyle of darkness. We all run into bumps on the road I have ran into many, I spent 300 dollars at a strip club in Vegas and touched cocaine and been a bilgerent drunk but God reached his hand down and picked me out of the gutter and gave me another chance to do good. To walk in the light is to live a obedient life without trying to commit sin. The Christian life is described as walking, which implies action. Walking implies progress. Since God is active and walking, if we have fellowship with Him we will also be active and walking. When both us walk in the Light we have fellowship. Two Christians who are in right relationship with God will also naturally be in right relationship with each other. We can be cleansed, by the blood of Jesus, from all sin. The sin we got from Adam, the sin we committed as kids. Sins against our father, against our mother, against our brother and sister. Sins against our husbands or wives, against our children. Sins against our employers, sins against our friends and our enemies. Lying, stealing, cheating, adultery, cussing like a sailor, drugs, booze, murder. Sins that haunt me every day, sins I didn’t even know I did... all sin can be cleansed by the blood of Jesus!
Shalom,
Hutch
“I have finally found a way to live just like I never could before.
I have finally found a place to live in the presence of the Lord.”- Eric Clapton
The presence of God is all round us. When we enter our homes His presence is there, when we enter our car His presence is there. When I cuss someone out for cutting me off in traffic, His presence is there. He is always watching us. Finding a way to live in the presence of the Lord is hard but it is better than living in the darkness. I rather suffer in God's presence than go back into the dark. The darkness is a dungeon of the soul.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”- 1 John 1:5-7
The presence of the Lord is light. Light is holy, true, and love. Darkness is evil, it is false, full of wickedness. Therefore, if there is a problem with our fellowship with God, it is our fault. It is not God's because He is perfect. John speaks of a walk in darkness, this is a pattern of living, it does not speak of an occasional bump in the road but a lifestyle of darkness. We all run into bumps on the road I have ran into many, I spent 300 dollars at a strip club in Vegas and touched cocaine and been a bilgerent drunk but God reached his hand down and picked me out of the gutter and gave me another chance to do good. To walk in the light is to live a obedient life without trying to commit sin. The Christian life is described as walking, which implies action. Walking implies progress. Since God is active and walking, if we have fellowship with Him we will also be active and walking. When both us walk in the Light we have fellowship. Two Christians who are in right relationship with God will also naturally be in right relationship with each other. We can be cleansed, by the blood of Jesus, from all sin. The sin we got from Adam, the sin we committed as kids. Sins against our father, against our mother, against our brother and sister. Sins against our husbands or wives, against our children. Sins against our employers, sins against our friends and our enemies. Lying, stealing, cheating, adultery, cussing like a sailor, drugs, booze, murder. Sins that haunt me every day, sins I didn’t even know I did... all sin can be cleansed by the blood of Jesus!
Shalom,
Hutch
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