I was talking with my family today and explaining a neat application on my phone. "Let's say I am out and about with some friends and we decide we want to go see a movie. I don't have a newspaper or computer nearby, how are we going to decide which movie to see or what time it starts or which theater it is playing in? Well, I simply click on this application and it lists all the movies and times and if I want to know what the movie is about I simply click 'watch trailer' and can watch it right on my phone!" My brother stated that when they go shopping, they go with a list and have the trip all planned out, which defers them from any impulse purchases, so that particular phone application would not be of much use to them.
His statement made me think though, we as Americans are extremely impulsive.
Instant messaging. Text messages. Instant coffee. Fast food. High speed internet. DVR.
Instant satisfaction. Instant gratification.
We live in a world of impatience. We want everything and we want it - NOW.
But God is not in the business of being instant or impulsive. He says things will come "in due time."
As I thought of how impatient we are and how impulsive we can be, Psalms 37:7 came to my mind: "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him."
We don't have to rush things. We don't have to stress or worry about when things are going to happen. All we have to do is rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. As I briefly studied out what the Bible has to say about patience, I soon come to the conclusion that those who wait, are usually those with the greater blessing. God doesn't want us to stress or worry about things. He wants us to just trust and rely on him and when we do that, He is pleased and is therefore happy to give us our desires.
In life we are guaranteed heartache, guaranteed disappointment, guaranteed trial and tribulation. But God's Word has guarantees, too.
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations: knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let your patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4
God's Word guarantees that when we fall into temptations and trials that try our faith, it is an opportunity to grow our patience and when we grow our patience, it leads to "wanting nothing".
When we let everything rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him, we can find ourselves "wanting nothing".
Whether it be difficulty with family issues, money issues, job issues or relationship issues, we can rest them all in the Lord and wait for Him to work them out, wait for Him to give us guidance on how to respond, react and deal with these issues. We can trust that He will bring us what we need, when we need it. We just have to be patient.
God's Word tells us in John 10 that Jesus Christ came that we may have life, and that we may have it more abundantly. He came to give us a life of abundance. He is waiting to give it, are you willing to patiently wait?
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A fitting word
Words are powerful.
They can build someone up and tear someone down. They can bring comfort to an aching soul and rise a wounded spirit. They can be forgotten in a moment or saved for a lifetime.
Jesus Christ advises us of just how powerful and how meaningful our words are in Matthew 12:36 " But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment."
Wow.
Every. Idle. Word.
So if we are going to give an account of each one of our words, shouldn't we do our best to make sure our words will not bring us shame on that day of judgment?
Proverbs 25:11 tells us "a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." That verse has been on my mind for the past few days now and I just recently realized why. Before I speak, I ought to ask God if the words that are about to come out of my mouth are "fitting" words. Is what I am about to say going to be a benefit or a deterrent? Lord, you know the heart and situation of this person far better than I do, what words would you have me to say to them...
These are statements and prayers that I am working on adding to my thought process before opening my mouth. After studying these verses this week and seeing how much our words can effect each other, it has caused me to take more consideration for my words. I want to give fitting words, not words that will bring down a conversation or words that fuel a fire of discontentment but rather be words of encouragement, words that lift a person.
Words are often remembered long after being spoken or written. I want to make sure my words are worth being remembered.
They can build someone up and tear someone down. They can bring comfort to an aching soul and rise a wounded spirit. They can be forgotten in a moment or saved for a lifetime.
Jesus Christ advises us of just how powerful and how meaningful our words are in Matthew 12:36 " But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment."
Wow.
Every. Idle. Word.
So if we are going to give an account of each one of our words, shouldn't we do our best to make sure our words will not bring us shame on that day of judgment?
Proverbs 25:11 tells us "a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." That verse has been on my mind for the past few days now and I just recently realized why. Before I speak, I ought to ask God if the words that are about to come out of my mouth are "fitting" words. Is what I am about to say going to be a benefit or a deterrent? Lord, you know the heart and situation of this person far better than I do, what words would you have me to say to them...
These are statements and prayers that I am working on adding to my thought process before opening my mouth. After studying these verses this week and seeing how much our words can effect each other, it has caused me to take more consideration for my words. I want to give fitting words, not words that will bring down a conversation or words that fuel a fire of discontentment but rather be words of encouragement, words that lift a person.
Words are often remembered long after being spoken or written. I want to make sure my words are worth being remembered.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
That I might not
It's a common verse.
Most people have heard it, read it or said it at some point in their life. Many people can quote it from memory. Children in Sunday school classes learn it at a very young age. If we are not careful, we may allow ourselves to become numb to it and allow it become mundane. Although it is short and simple, it is also deep and convicting.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11
I believe that the Bible is God's Word. I believe it is holy, perfect and true. Since I believe it is true, than this verse from Psalms must be true, right? If I hide God's Word in my heart, it should help keep me from sinning against God, right?
Well, I am writing this to tell you that this verse was recently tried and tested in my life and yes, it was found to be 100% completely true.
I didn't plan on testing this verse but things don't always go according to my plan anyways.
Here's how it played out...
Many of you may know and understand that sin is a choice, at least it is for a born-again Christian. Since I've gotten saved, I now have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of me and when I sin, it is because I have allowed my desires and my flesh to surpass God's desires for me.
That happened the other day.
I don't often spend a lot of time contemplating sin and if I do the result is usually that the sin goes uncommitted. But, after contemplating it and considering it, I actually decided to go on with the sin.
As soon as I made my decision to commit this sin, my mind was filled with verses. Not just recent verses or verses that may pertain to this particular sin but random verses. Verses from Sunday school, verses from Numbers to James. From "Wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging, whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" to "Everyone shall give an account thereof" to "be ye kind, one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another." Verses were coming in from all over.
I couldn't get them out of my head. I couldn't get my mind to think of anything else either.
The verses led to verses from hymns and before I knew it I was humming hymn after hymn after hymn.
So much for that sin I had decided to commit.
When my mind filled with verses and I couldn't get any other type of thought in, it completely distracted me from completing my sin! For that, I am so very grateful.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11
There is a saying out there about the Bible, "Sin will keep me from it (the Bible), or it will keep me from sin."
Words that are so very true.
Most people have heard it, read it or said it at some point in their life. Many people can quote it from memory. Children in Sunday school classes learn it at a very young age. If we are not careful, we may allow ourselves to become numb to it and allow it become mundane. Although it is short and simple, it is also deep and convicting.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11
I believe that the Bible is God's Word. I believe it is holy, perfect and true. Since I believe it is true, than this verse from Psalms must be true, right? If I hide God's Word in my heart, it should help keep me from sinning against God, right?
Well, I am writing this to tell you that this verse was recently tried and tested in my life and yes, it was found to be 100% completely true.
I didn't plan on testing this verse but things don't always go according to my plan anyways.
Here's how it played out...
Many of you may know and understand that sin is a choice, at least it is for a born-again Christian. Since I've gotten saved, I now have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of me and when I sin, it is because I have allowed my desires and my flesh to surpass God's desires for me.
That happened the other day.
I don't often spend a lot of time contemplating sin and if I do the result is usually that the sin goes uncommitted. But, after contemplating it and considering it, I actually decided to go on with the sin.
As soon as I made my decision to commit this sin, my mind was filled with verses. Not just recent verses or verses that may pertain to this particular sin but random verses. Verses from Sunday school, verses from Numbers to James. From "Wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging, whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" to "Everyone shall give an account thereof" to "be ye kind, one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another." Verses were coming in from all over.
I couldn't get them out of my head. I couldn't get my mind to think of anything else either.
The verses led to verses from hymns and before I knew it I was humming hymn after hymn after hymn.
So much for that sin I had decided to commit.
When my mind filled with verses and I couldn't get any other type of thought in, it completely distracted me from completing my sin! For that, I am so very grateful.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11
There is a saying out there about the Bible, "Sin will keep me from it (the Bible), or it will keep me from sin."
Words that are so very true.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A little consideration
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:" Hebrews 10:24
We may never fully understand just how much we actually effect one another. The Bible tells us, "none of us liveth to himself and no man dieth to himself." With each and every encounter we have with one another, we make an impact. Some impacts are deep and meaningful, while others may be very short and simplistic. Some may be for the better and some may be for the worse. However, the opportunity is always there for us to make a good impact, to "provoke unto love and to good works".
I thought about this the other day while I was driving home from the store. It was a long day, full of frustration and irritation. Work completely drained me. I stopped at Subway to pick up a sandwich for supper. The last thought on my mind was "how can I be a blessing to this Subway employee". In fact, to be honest, my thought process went a little more like this: "Okay, Subway is affordable. How many days until my next paycheck? What bills are due before then? Oh man. Hurry up! I've been at work all day. I just want to get home already so I can relax!" (hey, it's honest - possibly too honest for your liking or mine but honest nonetheless).
While I was waiting for the car ahead of me to get their sandwiches I got a text message from a friend. It said, "Hey! Praying for you today! Hope you had a good day serving Him!"
Ooooooooh.
Had I really spent any time that day serving Him? My mind was searching through the day's events. Yep. The answer was a big, fat ZERO.
However, I still had an opportunity! When I pulled up to the window and the employee handed me my sandwich, I reciprocated with a gospel tract and a smile.
I drove away feeling very thankful for that friend, who took a moment out of their busy day to show me a little consideration. Not only was I blessed by it, but a gospel tract with God's Word was given out. Only the Lord knows the result of that tract but I know the result of that text.
So my challenge to myself and to you, reader, is to take a little time this week and have a little consideration to one another, that we may provoke each other unto love and good works. Maybe someone you see this week is in need of a hug, or a high five or a pat on the back. Maybe they need an email or a text message that simply says "praying for you", or maybe they need a little thank you, someone to show them that they are appreciated.
Fellow Christians we live in times of trials and tribulations, discouragement and heartaches. If now is not a good time to show a little consideration toward one another, when is?
We may never fully understand just how much we actually effect one another. The Bible tells us, "none of us liveth to himself and no man dieth to himself." With each and every encounter we have with one another, we make an impact. Some impacts are deep and meaningful, while others may be very short and simplistic. Some may be for the better and some may be for the worse. However, the opportunity is always there for us to make a good impact, to "provoke unto love and to good works".
I thought about this the other day while I was driving home from the store. It was a long day, full of frustration and irritation. Work completely drained me. I stopped at Subway to pick up a sandwich for supper. The last thought on my mind was "how can I be a blessing to this Subway employee". In fact, to be honest, my thought process went a little more like this: "Okay, Subway is affordable. How many days until my next paycheck? What bills are due before then? Oh man. Hurry up! I've been at work all day. I just want to get home already so I can relax!" (hey, it's honest - possibly too honest for your liking or mine but honest nonetheless).
While I was waiting for the car ahead of me to get their sandwiches I got a text message from a friend. It said, "Hey! Praying for you today! Hope you had a good day serving Him!"
Ooooooooh.
Had I really spent any time that day serving Him? My mind was searching through the day's events. Yep. The answer was a big, fat ZERO.
However, I still had an opportunity! When I pulled up to the window and the employee handed me my sandwich, I reciprocated with a gospel tract and a smile.
I drove away feeling very thankful for that friend, who took a moment out of their busy day to show me a little consideration. Not only was I blessed by it, but a gospel tract with God's Word was given out. Only the Lord knows the result of that tract but I know the result of that text.
So my challenge to myself and to you, reader, is to take a little time this week and have a little consideration to one another, that we may provoke each other unto love and good works. Maybe someone you see this week is in need of a hug, or a high five or a pat on the back. Maybe they need an email or a text message that simply says "praying for you", or maybe they need a little thank you, someone to show them that they are appreciated.
Fellow Christians we live in times of trials and tribulations, discouragement and heartaches. If now is not a good time to show a little consideration toward one another, when is?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The best is yet to come
"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude , which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne and about the elders and the four beasts and fell before the throne on their faces and worshipped God, saying Amen: Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be unto our God forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 7:9-12
Yesterday while running errands before church I drove past a local shop in town whose sign said "The best is yet to come". Now I know they are not referencing Heaven but for the sake of this blog post, I will be using it for spiritual application. My reasoning for doing so is because Heaven is what first came to my mind when I read the sign and the statement is true if you are a saved person, trusting in the blood of Jesus Christ.
As a Christian, we can experience may great and wonderful things here on earth but they will fail in comparison to Heaven. The Bible gives us great insight to Heaven. We know that there will be streets of gold, mansions, white robes and purified, perfect bodies. The best part of Heaven is that God is there. There is singing in Heaven. We will shout Alleluia in Heaven. We will worship in Heaven. We will rest in Heaven. All of our sorrows and tears will be wiped away in Heaven. We will bow down to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and stand before our mighty Saviour. He is alive! He is Risen! He's still on the throne!
Wooooo hoooooo!!!
Oops. I have to regain my composure. Oh boy, Heaven's going to be great, isn't it? No more worries, no more bills, no more death, no more pain, no more sorrow, no more struggles, no more strife, no more lying, no more SIN, no more hate, no more propaganda, just us, the angels and the Lord. He will be our sunlight, He will be our bread and He will be our supplication.
If you are reading this and are not sure if you will go to Heaven or not, let me tell you right here and right now that YOU CAN KNOW FOR SURE. You don't have to hope. You don't have to trust in your good works, or a baptism or anything else. You only need to trust that when Jesus Christ died on the cross 2000 years ago, you can trust and accept that He did that for you. He paid the price with His blood. God requires a sacrifice to atone for sins. He always has. You and I were born sinners. No one had to teach me how to sin (lie, be disobedient, etc) as I am sure no one had to teach you either. So we all need to present a sacrifice to God to atone for our sins. However, the only thing that meets the criteria for this sacrifice is Jesus Christ.
That's it.
"I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." John 14:6 Jesus Christ is the only way and I urge you to seriously consider your standing before God because the Bible also tells us that "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." If you put it off and never get saved before you die, it will be too late and you will miss out on Heaven.
But if you have accepted Christ's payment for your sins and are trusting Him alone, remember: the best is yet to come. No matter what trial may come along and no matter how deep of a valley we may find ourselves in, remember: the best is yet to come.
Be of good cheer, my fellow Christian, for the best is yet to come!
Yesterday while running errands before church I drove past a local shop in town whose sign said "The best is yet to come". Now I know they are not referencing Heaven but for the sake of this blog post, I will be using it for spiritual application. My reasoning for doing so is because Heaven is what first came to my mind when I read the sign and the statement is true if you are a saved person, trusting in the blood of Jesus Christ.
As a Christian, we can experience may great and wonderful things here on earth but they will fail in comparison to Heaven. The Bible gives us great insight to Heaven. We know that there will be streets of gold, mansions, white robes and purified, perfect bodies. The best part of Heaven is that God is there. There is singing in Heaven. We will shout Alleluia in Heaven. We will worship in Heaven. We will rest in Heaven. All of our sorrows and tears will be wiped away in Heaven. We will bow down to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and stand before our mighty Saviour. He is alive! He is Risen! He's still on the throne!
Wooooo hoooooo!!!
Oops. I have to regain my composure. Oh boy, Heaven's going to be great, isn't it? No more worries, no more bills, no more death, no more pain, no more sorrow, no more struggles, no more strife, no more lying, no more SIN, no more hate, no more propaganda, just us, the angels and the Lord. He will be our sunlight, He will be our bread and He will be our supplication.
If you are reading this and are not sure if you will go to Heaven or not, let me tell you right here and right now that YOU CAN KNOW FOR SURE. You don't have to hope. You don't have to trust in your good works, or a baptism or anything else. You only need to trust that when Jesus Christ died on the cross 2000 years ago, you can trust and accept that He did that for you. He paid the price with His blood. God requires a sacrifice to atone for sins. He always has. You and I were born sinners. No one had to teach me how to sin (lie, be disobedient, etc) as I am sure no one had to teach you either. So we all need to present a sacrifice to God to atone for our sins. However, the only thing that meets the criteria for this sacrifice is Jesus Christ.
That's it.
"I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." John 14:6 Jesus Christ is the only way and I urge you to seriously consider your standing before God because the Bible also tells us that "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." If you put it off and never get saved before you die, it will be too late and you will miss out on Heaven.
But if you have accepted Christ's payment for your sins and are trusting Him alone, remember: the best is yet to come. No matter what trial may come along and no matter how deep of a valley we may find ourselves in, remember: the best is yet to come.
Be of good cheer, my fellow Christian, for the best is yet to come!
Friday, February 4, 2011
On bended knee
I came across this picture this week when reading about the situation in Egypt.
I was taken aback when I first saw this photo. Quickly sorrow filled me. All the people pictured are bowing down and praying to a man who is dead and who cannot hear them...
Soon to follow was a feeling of guilt. I know these people pray out of obedience and I am sure it is vain, repetitious prayer (which the Bible tells us not to do - Matt 6:7) but nonetheless it caused me to evaluate my prayer life.
The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing and that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." It also tells us that "if we ask anything according to His will, he heareth us." How comforting is that? I serve and pray to a God that laid His life down for me, rose from the dead (unlike anyone else) and He actually hears me when I pray.
Allah does not hear those who pray to him. Nor does Muhammad. The same is true for Joseph Smith and for Mary, no matter how many times you hail her or cling to a bead.
But Jesus Christ is alive. He is sitting on the right hand of God the Father RIGHT NOW! He can hear us when we pray to Him. There is not much more on Earth that is more comforting a thought than that!
The last thing that I noticed about this photo is that it helps me envision Philippians 2:10-11 " That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."
Until that day, we ought always to pray.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A stranger to self
It's been almost 10 years since I got saved. With a milestone such as that approaching, it has caused me to do some evaluating. It's also caused me to look back and think of the person I was 10 years ago, before I met Christ as my Savior.
I was a very different person.
Unconcerned about those around me, continually seeking approval of my peers and allowing my desires to dictate my actions were just s few of my characteristics. I still had my streak of sarcasm but I also had a very "smart-alek" attitude and all too often came across as rude.
While I was reflecting upon the person I was, a blessed verse came to mind:
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
That's when I realized that I can be really truly grateful that I am now a "stranger to self". When I got saved, Christ made me into a new creature. It's only natural for a Christian to become a stranger to themself. If I am doing right, growing in the Lord and allowing him to be the potter and myself to be the clay in His hand, then each day I will be more like Him and less like Amy.
Not a bad goal for each day.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galations 2:20
I was a very different person.
Unconcerned about those around me, continually seeking approval of my peers and allowing my desires to dictate my actions were just s few of my characteristics. I still had my streak of sarcasm but I also had a very "smart-alek" attitude and all too often came across as rude.
While I was reflecting upon the person I was, a blessed verse came to mind:
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17
That's when I realized that I can be really truly grateful that I am now a "stranger to self". When I got saved, Christ made me into a new creature. It's only natural for a Christian to become a stranger to themself. If I am doing right, growing in the Lord and allowing him to be the potter and myself to be the clay in His hand, then each day I will be more like Him and less like Amy.
Not a bad goal for each day.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galations 2:20
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