Before man can fully understand what he is capable of, he must first understand his design. When someone thinks of God, what are his first thoughts? God is love, He is patient, He is kind, He listens, He speaks, and the list goes on and on. Not to say that man is in any way comparable to God, but He has given all of mankind a perfect design in which to connect or fellowship with Him. Man's design is his foundational basis.
The Breakdown: We were given each a mouth to speak with. This was not given to us for our own benifit, but for the benifit of others. We are to use this mouth speak out for those who can not speak up for themselves. We are to encourage those who are down and depresseed. We speak out against injustice. Speak words of affirmation to those we love. We are to give praises to one another. To use our mouth for anything but is a missuse of a great gift that many go without.
We are given eyes to see, as God sees. Not the physical, but what could be. Stop looking at a person's shell, but use your eyes to look into their's and see their soul. See the beauty within.
We are given hands to be a strength for the weak. Arms to embrace the poor or forgotten.
Finally, we are given ears to hear. You always hear the saying "you have two ears to hear and one mouth to speak, so you should listen twice as much as you speak." This is so true. How can we speak for the unspeakable if we do not first listen. How can we see if we do not turn to them when they call. How can we be there hand for strength if we do not first hear their weakness. And how can we embrace them if we too have forgotten how to listen.
So who are you... you are the voice, the hand, the arm, the movement, the tool, for someone who needs you. You are their difference.
"Be The Change"
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Less Is More
In life we hear different quotes, scripture, opinions, etc. In that first moment that we hear them they may make an impact on our lives, or they may just be another piece of trivial information we tuck away for later. Last night I read over a scripture that until now had just been a trivial piece of information, but now I feel is illuminating a deeper understanding to not just mind but heart as well.
"He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30
I always knew what this meant, but knowing something and believing something for your own life are two completely different things.
Once Christ enters your life you must become less and He must become more. I/you/we must allow God's desires to become our desires instead of the other way around! I believe that so many times once we accept Christ we view it as having him on "our" side now, so He will help fulfill all of "our" desires and dreams. Well here is a thought. Until Christ stepped into your life you were in sin nature, and sin nature alone. Your mindset was that of your flesh and sin nature, which means your mind, thought, and desire is based around them. Not to say that God has not been influencing your life, because He had to of been pulling on your heart strings for you to accept Him as Lord and Saviour, but His plan always has more. Now, your mind is being renewed into that which God has destined for you. Again, not to say that your life has not been unknowingly guided by God up to this point, but His will is always more in some way. It's time to hand the reigns over COMPLETELY and to stop being afraid of where he might take you; because I can promise you it will be greater than anything you could have EVER imagined.
"He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30
I always knew what this meant, but knowing something and believing something for your own life are two completely different things.
Once Christ enters your life you must become less and He must become more. I/you/we must allow God's desires to become our desires instead of the other way around! I believe that so many times once we accept Christ we view it as having him on "our" side now, so He will help fulfill all of "our" desires and dreams. Well here is a thought. Until Christ stepped into your life you were in sin nature, and sin nature alone. Your mindset was that of your flesh and sin nature, which means your mind, thought, and desire is based around them. Not to say that God has not been influencing your life, because He had to of been pulling on your heart strings for you to accept Him as Lord and Saviour, but His plan always has more. Now, your mind is being renewed into that which God has destined for you. Again, not to say that your life has not been unknowingly guided by God up to this point, but His will is always more in some way. It's time to hand the reigns over COMPLETELY and to stop being afraid of where he might take you; because I can promise you it will be greater than anything you could have EVER imagined.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Keep It Simple
In the beginning, when the world was made God was pleased and longed to share this beauty
He had created. He wanted to share this great scenary with mankind, and to have them glorify Him in return for such an amazing gift. So many issues and ideas in today's world can be turned into something extremely complex. The creation of man can sound so elaborate when looked at as a Theological Doctrine, but God's intentions were so simple. In the beginning God created man in His image for His eternal glory.
Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Fellowship. Relationship. This is what we were created for. This is what The Church was founded on. Let us get back to that place.
He had created. He wanted to share this great scenary with mankind, and to have them glorify Him in return for such an amazing gift. So many issues and ideas in today's world can be turned into something extremely complex. The creation of man can sound so elaborate when looked at as a Theological Doctrine, but God's intentions were so simple. In the beginning God created man in His image for His eternal glory.
Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Fellowship. Relationship. This is what we were created for. This is what The Church was founded on. Let us get back to that place.
Friday, April 30, 2010
My Top Love Languages
I feel loved when...
The Five Love Languages
My Primary Love Language is Physical Touch
| My Detailed Results: | |
|---|---|
| Physical Touch: | 12 |
| Receiving Gifts: | 6 |
| Words of Affirmation: | 6 |
| Quality Time: | 4 |
| Acts of Service: | 2 |
About this quiz
Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.
Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Time To Raise The Bar
Statistically the Church is viewed as being in explosive growth, but only four percent of this generation claims the name of Christ. The Church has always been viewed as a place of redemption and sanctification, but in today’s media its boundaries and standards have been jaded and skewed. Has society done this, or has the body of the church brought it upon itself?
The walls of the church are still viewed as refuge to the weak, but has our definition of the weak changed? At one time the body of the church rallied around the lost, the forgotten, and the hurting and brought them the truth and strength through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Now, the body of the Church is hiding behind the safety of its own walls from the persecution of the world. Many believers have gone from proactive to immobile.
On page fourteen of An Unstoppable Force Erwin McManus writes, “We [the church] have chose standardization over uniqueness. We have chosen predictability over surprise. And without realizing it, to our own regret, we have chosen comfort and convenience over servanthood and sacrifice.” Some churches defy this norm, such as Healing Place Church, but what about the other 699 million members of the protestant belief, 1.2 billion Catholics, and the 77 million Anglicanism believers? (Wikipedia) Protestant churches are full of revivals and the Holy Ghost, but all they seem to do is “keep the holy, holy.” Then the Catholics are all about God’s forgiveness. If they are able to give one true message it would be that God covers all, but they portray very little of the sanctification the body of the Church should have for itself. God’s sanctity is all we need, true, but God calls us to live with sanctified bodies.
As God’s chosen people Christians are called to be set apart. They are not called to be set apart with just their “title” as a Christian, but also in all ways of living. God calls believers to be set apart not to hinder them but with hopes of, “…attaining yet greater perfection in living this life.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1 Amplified) In Thessalonians 4:1-8 God has specifically called follower of Christ to live a sanctified life; one pleasing to God and viewed by man.
Finally, we have the 77 million Anglicanism believers, whom I have never heard of so there is obviously not much global effect here. From what I understood about them on Wickipedia I would safely assume that they are another group, much like the Catholics, that is caught up in its traditions and much like the Protestant keeping the holy, holy. Again, this is an assumption, but I feel that we as the Church should be so bold in our faith that there would not be room for supposition.
Many great Christians are doing great things, but the majority of the Christian population fails to even present Christ-like character six days of the week. I am not trying to harp on anyone because I know for myself that much work needs to be done, but what will it take for us to awaken ourselves to this situation? The first step is accepting the problem, now it’s time to fix it.
(Some of these numbers may be dated due to the fact that research for this was done months ago)
The walls of the church are still viewed as refuge to the weak, but has our definition of the weak changed? At one time the body of the church rallied around the lost, the forgotten, and the hurting and brought them the truth and strength through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Now, the body of the Church is hiding behind the safety of its own walls from the persecution of the world. Many believers have gone from proactive to immobile.
On page fourteen of An Unstoppable Force Erwin McManus writes, “We [the church] have chose standardization over uniqueness. We have chosen predictability over surprise. And without realizing it, to our own regret, we have chosen comfort and convenience over servanthood and sacrifice.” Some churches defy this norm, such as Healing Place Church, but what about the other 699 million members of the protestant belief, 1.2 billion Catholics, and the 77 million Anglicanism believers? (Wikipedia) Protestant churches are full of revivals and the Holy Ghost, but all they seem to do is “keep the holy, holy.” Then the Catholics are all about God’s forgiveness. If they are able to give one true message it would be that God covers all, but they portray very little of the sanctification the body of the Church should have for itself. God’s sanctity is all we need, true, but God calls us to live with sanctified bodies.
As God’s chosen people Christians are called to be set apart. They are not called to be set apart with just their “title” as a Christian, but also in all ways of living. God calls believers to be set apart not to hinder them but with hopes of, “…attaining yet greater perfection in living this life.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1 Amplified) In Thessalonians 4:1-8 God has specifically called follower of Christ to live a sanctified life; one pleasing to God and viewed by man.
Finally, we have the 77 million Anglicanism believers, whom I have never heard of so there is obviously not much global effect here. From what I understood about them on Wickipedia I would safely assume that they are another group, much like the Catholics, that is caught up in its traditions and much like the Protestant keeping the holy, holy. Again, this is an assumption, but I feel that we as the Church should be so bold in our faith that there would not be room for supposition.
Many great Christians are doing great things, but the majority of the Christian population fails to even present Christ-like character six days of the week. I am not trying to harp on anyone because I know for myself that much work needs to be done, but what will it take for us to awaken ourselves to this situation? The first step is accepting the problem, now it’s time to fix it.
(Some of these numbers may be dated due to the fact that research for this was done months ago)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A Life Making Lemonade
I would like everyone to know that God is good! No matter what you have done, where you have been, how many times you have "back slid", or where you currently are; God is good and He loves you.
Life has been crazy for me since forever. I grew up in church, had many years of "making a testimony", found church again, played church for almost two years, and now I am finally grasping the love and power of God. I am finally being radically restored and made too and it feels amazing! I am 23 and I am only 23. I thank God that He caught me so young. But no matter your age or time in your "race of life" God can still turn things around.
Remember the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector? (Luke 19) How does the song go... "...a little old man was he..." It wasn't his age that mattered, but his heart. His exterior may have been hard and old, but his heart was looking for something new and fresh. Be a new heart for Jesus!
Life has been crazy for me since forever. I grew up in church, had many years of "making a testimony", found church again, played church for almost two years, and now I am finally grasping the love and power of God. I am finally being radically restored and made too and it feels amazing! I am 23 and I am only 23. I thank God that He caught me so young. But no matter your age or time in your "race of life" God can still turn things around.
Remember the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector? (Luke 19) How does the song go... "...a little old man was he..." It wasn't his age that mattered, but his heart. His exterior may have been hard and old, but his heart was looking for something new and fresh. Be a new heart for Jesus!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
