"All you who fear God, how blessed you are! how happily you walk on His smooth straight road! You worked hard and deserve all you've got coming. Enjoy the blessing! Revel in the goodness! Your wife will bear children as a vine bears grapes, your household lush as a vineyard, the children around your table as fresh and promising as young olive shoots. Stand in awe of God's Yes. Oh, how He blesses the one who fears God!
Enjoy the good life in Jerusalem every day of your life. And enjoy your grandchildren. Peace to Israel!"
Friday, July 31, 2009
Psalms 127
"If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn't guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know He enjoys giving rest to those He loves?
Don't you see that children are God's best gift? the fruit of the womb His generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you, you'll sweep them right off your doorstep."
Don't you see that children are God's best gift? the fruit of the womb His generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you, you'll sweep them right off your doorstep."
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Psalms 86:11-17
"Train me, God, to walk straight; then I'll follow Your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear. From the bottom of my heart I thank You, Dear Lord; I've never kept secret what You're up to. You've always been great toward me - what love! You snatched me from the brink of disaster! God, these bullies have reared their heads! A gang of thugs is after me - and they don't care a thing about You. But You, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit. So look me in the eye and show kindness, give your servant the strength to go on, save your dear, dear child! Make a show of how much You love me so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed, as you, God, gently and powerfully put me back on my feet."
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Come Back to God
"God's Message came to me as follows:
'If a man's wife walks out on him and marries another man, can he take her back as if nothing had happened? Wouldn't that raise a huge stink in the land? And isn't that what you've done - "whored" your way with god after god? And now you want to come back as if nothing had happened.' God's Decree.
'Look around at the hills. Where have you not had sex? You've camped out like hunters stalking deer. You've solicited many lover-gods, like a streetwalking whore chasing after other gods. And so the rain has stopped. No more rain from the skies! But it doesn't even faze you. Brazen as whores, you carry on as if you've done nothing wrong. Then you have the nerve to call out, "My Father! You took care of me when I was a child. Why not now? Are You going to keep up your anger nonstop?" That's your line. Meanwhile you keep sinning nonstop.'"
Jeremiah 3:1-5
"Turn back fickle Israel. I'm not just hanging back to punish you. I'm committed in love to you. My anger doesn't seethe nonstop. Just admit your guilt. Admit your God-defiance. Admit to your promiscuous life with casual partners, pulling strangers into the sex-and-religion groves while turning a deaf ear to me." God's Decree. "Come back wandering children!" God's Decree. "I, yes, I, am your true husband. I'll pick you out one by one - this one from the city, these two from the country - and bring you to Zion. I'll give you good shepherd-rulers who rule my way, who rule you with intelligence and wisdom."
Jeremiah 3:12-15
"If you want to come back, O Israel, you must really come back to me. You must get rid of your stinking sin paraphernalia and not wander away from me anymore. Then you can say words like, 'As God lives...' and have them mean something true and just and right. And the godless nations will get caught up in the blessing and find something in Israel to write home about."
Jeremiah 4:1-2
'If a man's wife walks out on him and marries another man, can he take her back as if nothing had happened? Wouldn't that raise a huge stink in the land? And isn't that what you've done - "whored" your way with god after god? And now you want to come back as if nothing had happened.' God's Decree.
'Look around at the hills. Where have you not had sex? You've camped out like hunters stalking deer. You've solicited many lover-gods, like a streetwalking whore chasing after other gods. And so the rain has stopped. No more rain from the skies! But it doesn't even faze you. Brazen as whores, you carry on as if you've done nothing wrong. Then you have the nerve to call out, "My Father! You took care of me when I was a child. Why not now? Are You going to keep up your anger nonstop?" That's your line. Meanwhile you keep sinning nonstop.'"
Jeremiah 3:1-5
"Turn back fickle Israel. I'm not just hanging back to punish you. I'm committed in love to you. My anger doesn't seethe nonstop. Just admit your guilt. Admit your God-defiance. Admit to your promiscuous life with casual partners, pulling strangers into the sex-and-religion groves while turning a deaf ear to me." God's Decree. "Come back wandering children!" God's Decree. "I, yes, I, am your true husband. I'll pick you out one by one - this one from the city, these two from the country - and bring you to Zion. I'll give you good shepherd-rulers who rule my way, who rule you with intelligence and wisdom."
Jeremiah 3:12-15
"If you want to come back, O Israel, you must really come back to me. You must get rid of your stinking sin paraphernalia and not wander away from me anymore. Then you can say words like, 'As God lives...' and have them mean something true and just and right. And the godless nations will get caught up in the blessing and find something in Israel to write home about."
Jeremiah 4:1-2
Monday, July 27, 2009
Isaiah 8:11-15
"God spoke strongly to me, grabbed me with both hands and warned me not to go along with this people. He said:
'Don't be like this people, always afraid somebody is plotting against them. Don't fear what they fear. Don't take on their worries. If you're going to worry, worry about The Holy. Fear God-of-the Angel-Armies. The Holy can either be a Hiding Place or a Boulder blocking your way, The Rock standing in the willful way of both houses of Israel, a barbed-wire Fence preventing trespass to the citizens of Jerusalem. Many of them are going to run into that Rock and get their bones broken, get tangled up in that barbed wire and not get free of it.'"
'Don't be like this people, always afraid somebody is plotting against them. Don't fear what they fear. Don't take on their worries. If you're going to worry, worry about The Holy. Fear God-of-the Angel-Armies. The Holy can either be a Hiding Place or a Boulder blocking your way, The Rock standing in the willful way of both houses of Israel, a barbed-wire Fence preventing trespass to the citizens of Jerusalem. Many of them are going to run into that Rock and get their bones broken, get tangled up in that barbed wire and not get free of it.'"
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Psalms 65:2-4
"We all arrive at your doorstep sooner or later, loaded with guilt, our sins too much for us - but You get rid of them once and for all. Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest at home in Your place! We expect our fill of good things in Your house, Your heavenly manse."
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Lamentations 3:19-36
"I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed. I remember it all - oh, how well I remember - the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:
God's loyal love couldn't have run out, His merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.
God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times.
When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst.
Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If He works severely, He also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense. He takes no pleasure in making life hard, in throwing roadblocks in the way:
Stomping down hard on luckless prisoners, refusing justice to victims in the court of High God, tampering with evidence - the Master does not approve of such things."
God's loyal love couldn't have run out, His merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left.
God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times.
When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: wait for hope to appear. Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face. The "worst" is never the worst.
Why? Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If He works severely, He also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense. He takes no pleasure in making life hard, in throwing roadblocks in the way:
Stomping down hard on luckless prisoners, refusing justice to victims in the court of High God, tampering with evidence - the Master does not approve of such things."
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Psalm 55:16-19, 22-23
"I call to God; God will help me. At dusk, dawn, and noon I sigh deep sighs - He hears, He rescues. My life is well and whole, secure in the middle of danger even while thousands are lined up against me. God hears it all, and from His judge's bench puts them in their place. But, set in their ways, they won't change; they pay Him no mind."
"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders - He'll carry your load, He'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. But you, God, will throw the others into a muddy bog, cut the lifespan of assassins in half. And I trust in You. "
My favorite chapters in Psalms are the ones David wrote while he was hiding from Saul, who was trying to kill him in order to keep the throne. Saul had disobeyed God, so God made David king instead. Saul didn't like this and was trying to kill David. To make things worse, Saul's son, Jonathan, was David's best friend, and ended up turning on him. In the midst of all this, David had enough faith to say "my life is well and whole, secure in the middle of danger." And God kept His promise to David. As verse 23 says, Saul and Jonathan died, while David lived a long, prosperous life. His reign was the height of the Kingdom of Israel. That is not a coincidence.
If God did this for David, He will also do it for us. David was just a human being like the rest of us. He sinned just like the rest of us. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and killed her husband. The only thing special about him was his faith, and he was rewarded for it.
"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders - He'll carry your load, He'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. But you, God, will throw the others into a muddy bog, cut the lifespan of assassins in half. And I trust in You. "
My favorite chapters in Psalms are the ones David wrote while he was hiding from Saul, who was trying to kill him in order to keep the throne. Saul had disobeyed God, so God made David king instead. Saul didn't like this and was trying to kill David. To make things worse, Saul's son, Jonathan, was David's best friend, and ended up turning on him. In the midst of all this, David had enough faith to say "my life is well and whole, secure in the middle of danger." And God kept His promise to David. As verse 23 says, Saul and Jonathan died, while David lived a long, prosperous life. His reign was the height of the Kingdom of Israel. That is not a coincidence.
If God did this for David, He will also do it for us. David was just a human being like the rest of us. He sinned just like the rest of us. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and killed her husband. The only thing special about him was his faith, and he was rewarded for it.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Psalms 72
"Give the gift of wise rule to the king, O God, the gift of just rule to the crown prince. May he judge your people rightly, be honorable to your meek and lowly. Let the mountains give exuberant witness; shape the hills with the contours of right living. Please stand up for the poor, help the children of the needy, come down hard on the cruel tyrants. Outlast the sun, outlive the moon - age after age after age. Be rainfall on cut grass, earth-refreshing rain showers. Let righteousness burst into blossom and peace abound until the moon fades to nothing. Rule from sea to sea, from the River to the Rim.
Foes will fall on their knees before God, His enemies lick the dust. Kings remote and legendary will pay homage, kings rich and resplendent will turn over their wealth. All kings will fall down and worship, and godless nations sign up to serve Him, because he rescues the poor at the first sign of need, the destitute who have run out of luck. He opens a place in His heart for the down-and-out, He restores the wretched of the earth. He frees them from tyranny and torture - when they bleed, He bleeds; when they die, He dies.
And live! Oh, let Him live! Deck Him out in Sheba gold. Offer prayers unceasing to Him, bless Him from morning to night. Fields of golden grain in the land, cresting the mountains in wild exuberance, cornucopias of praise, praises springing from the city like grass from the earth. May He never be forgotten, His fame shine on like sunshine. May all godless people enter His circle of blessing and bless the One who blessed them.
Blessed God, Israel's God, the one and only wonder-working God! Blessed always His blazing glory! All earth brims with His glory. Yes and Yes and Yes."
Foes will fall on their knees before God, His enemies lick the dust. Kings remote and legendary will pay homage, kings rich and resplendent will turn over their wealth. All kings will fall down and worship, and godless nations sign up to serve Him, because he rescues the poor at the first sign of need, the destitute who have run out of luck. He opens a place in His heart for the down-and-out, He restores the wretched of the earth. He frees them from tyranny and torture - when they bleed, He bleeds; when they die, He dies.
And live! Oh, let Him live! Deck Him out in Sheba gold. Offer prayers unceasing to Him, bless Him from morning to night. Fields of golden grain in the land, cresting the mountains in wild exuberance, cornucopias of praise, praises springing from the city like grass from the earth. May He never be forgotten, His fame shine on like sunshine. May all godless people enter His circle of blessing and bless the One who blessed them.
Blessed God, Israel's God, the one and only wonder-working God! Blessed always His blazing glory! All earth brims with His glory. Yes and Yes and Yes."
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Psalms 119:33-40
"God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me - my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm your promises to me - promises made to all who fear you. Deflect the harsh words of my critics - but what you say is always so good. See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways."
Obeying God's commands is hard to do, especially when it seems like the rest of the world is disobeying them. I admit that there have been times when I've disobeyed God, such as by having premarital sex. I felt like I was missing out on something because everyone else looked so happy. It turned out that I was not missing out on anything but heartache and guilt. This might sound kind of dumb, but I thought having sex with a guy would make him love me. Of course, that didn't happen because he was just using me. Anyway, I think these verses, and really all of Psalm 119, are a good reminder to us that God's way is the best way. And that it's ok to ask for help and guidance in following it.
Obeying God's commands is hard to do, especially when it seems like the rest of the world is disobeying them. I admit that there have been times when I've disobeyed God, such as by having premarital sex. I felt like I was missing out on something because everyone else looked so happy. It turned out that I was not missing out on anything but heartache and guilt. This might sound kind of dumb, but I thought having sex with a guy would make him love me. Of course, that didn't happen because he was just using me. Anyway, I think these verses, and really all of Psalm 119, are a good reminder to us that God's way is the best way. And that it's ok to ask for help and guidance in following it.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Psalm 92:10-14
"But you've made me strong as a charging bison, you've honored me with a festive parade. The sight of my critics going down is still fresh, the rout of my malicious detractors. My ears are filled with the sounds of promise: 'Good people will prosper like palm trees, grow tall like Lebanon cedars; transplanted to God's courtyard, they'll grow tall in the presence of God, lithe and green, virile still in old age.'"
Sometimes it seems like evil people are the happiest people in the world and are prospering more than good people. But God will keep His promise. The good people will win in the end. Things won't be unfair forever. The wicked people will fall apart, while the good ones will prosper like palm trees, which can bend under the pressure of storms and spring right back into place. God doesn't promise to make things easy and give us everything we want, but He does promise to make us strong enough to handle anything that comes our way. And sometimes things are easy and we do get what we want.
Sometimes it seems like evil people are the happiest people in the world and are prospering more than good people. But God will keep His promise. The good people will win in the end. Things won't be unfair forever. The wicked people will fall apart, while the good ones will prosper like palm trees, which can bend under the pressure of storms and spring right back into place. God doesn't promise to make things easy and give us everything we want, but He does promise to make us strong enough to handle anything that comes our way. And sometimes things are easy and we do get what we want.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Isaiah 25:16
"But the Master, God, has something to say to this. 'Watch closely. I'm laying a foundation in Zion, a solid granite foundation, squared and true. And this is the meaning of the stone: A TRUSTING LIFE WON'T TOPPLE.'"
When hard times inevitably come, the person who trusts in God will make it through. The person who doesn't trust in God will fall apart. God takes care of those who trust in Him. This doesn't mean that our lives will be easy, but it means that we will make it through the hard times.
When hard times inevitably come, the person who trusts in God will make it through. The person who doesn't trust in God will fall apart. God takes care of those who trust in Him. This doesn't mean that our lives will be easy, but it means that we will make it through the hard times.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Psalm 50:13-15
"Do you think I feast on venison? or drink draughts of goats' blood? Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises, and call for help when you're in trouble - I'll help you, and you'll honor me."
Psalm 51:16 says, "Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you."
God is pleased when we truly believe that He exists and that He will help us. He doesn't want us to simply obey the rules. Although this is important, even non-Christians can do that. God also knows that we are sinners, which is why He sent Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sins. He knows we can't give Him a perfect performance even if we do want to. What God really wants is our hearts. He wants praise, kept promises, and prayers. He also wants us to obey Him because we believe in Him, not just to keep up appearances.
Psalm 51:16 says, "Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you."
God is pleased when we truly believe that He exists and that He will help us. He doesn't want us to simply obey the rules. Although this is important, even non-Christians can do that. God also knows that we are sinners, which is why He sent Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sins. He knows we can't give Him a perfect performance even if we do want to. What God really wants is our hearts. He wants praise, kept promises, and prayers. He also wants us to obey Him because we believe in Him, not just to keep up appearances.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Psalm 121
"I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
He won't let you stumble, your Guardian God won't fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel's Guardian will never doze or sleep.
God's your Guardian, right at your side to protect you-shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke.
God guards you from every evil, He guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, He guards you now, He guards you always."
Sometimes I think God has forgotten about me. Then I read this chapter and I am reminded that God is always guarding me and He never sleeps on the job. I also think about Job and Joseph who both had reason to think God had forgotten about them, but they kept on believing. Job lost all of his children and his belongings and became very sick for several years. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, where he was wrongly accused of trying to sleep with his master's wife and imprisoned. Because of their faith during hard times, Job became the wealthiest man in the world and had more children, and Joseph became Pharaoh's 2nd in command.
He won't let you stumble, your Guardian God won't fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel's Guardian will never doze or sleep.
God's your Guardian, right at your side to protect you-shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke.
God guards you from every evil, He guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, He guards you now, He guards you always."
Sometimes I think God has forgotten about me. Then I read this chapter and I am reminded that God is always guarding me and He never sleeps on the job. I also think about Job and Joseph who both had reason to think God had forgotten about them, but they kept on believing. Job lost all of his children and his belongings and became very sick for several years. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, where he was wrongly accused of trying to sleep with his master's wife and imprisoned. Because of their faith during hard times, Job became the wealthiest man in the world and had more children, and Joseph became Pharaoh's 2nd in command.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
1John 1:8-2:1
"If we claim we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins - make a clean breast of them - He won't let us down; He'll be true to Himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we've never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God - make a liar out of Him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. I write this, dear children, to guide you out of sin. But if anyone does sin, we have a Priest-Friend in the presence of the Father: Jesus Christ, righteous Jesus."
Being a Christian doesn't make you perfect - it makes you forgiven. It doesn't mean you never sin again for the rest of your life. And it doesn't mean that if you do sin again that you've lost your salvation. What it means is that you are free to follow God's commandments to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and body and to love your neighbor as yourself because all your sins are forgiven. You don't have to worry about being perfect. Not that sinning is ok, but learning to overcome sin takes time and can only be done with Jesus's help. People who are not saved are in essence either saying that they are not sinners or that they can save themselves, both of which are lies.
Being a Christian doesn't make you perfect - it makes you forgiven. It doesn't mean you never sin again for the rest of your life. And it doesn't mean that if you do sin again that you've lost your salvation. What it means is that you are free to follow God's commandments to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and body and to love your neighbor as yourself because all your sins are forgiven. You don't have to worry about being perfect. Not that sinning is ok, but learning to overcome sin takes time and can only be done with Jesus's help. People who are not saved are in essence either saying that they are not sinners or that they can save themselves, both of which are lies.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
3John 1:8
"In providing meals and a bed, we become their companions in spreading the truth." This was written to encourage people in Bible times to open their homes to preachers who were traveling to spread the Gospel. Not everyone has the gift of preaching, but everyone can be hospitable. By finding ways to help those who spread the Gospel, we are also helping spread the truth.
I am a very shy person and I sometimes worry that I would be too afraid to tell other people about Jesus. While this verse doesn't let me off the hook, it does show me that God made me the way I am for a reason. There is nothing wrong with me. I am gifted to help people rather than preach to them. This doesn't mean that if I am in a one-on-one or small group setting with someone that I don't have to tell them about Jesus, though.
I am a very shy person and I sometimes worry that I would be too afraid to tell other people about Jesus. While this verse doesn't let me off the hook, it does show me that God made me the way I am for a reason. There is nothing wrong with me. I am gifted to help people rather than preach to them. This doesn't mean that if I am in a one-on-one or small group setting with someone that I don't have to tell them about Jesus, though.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Beware of Progressive Thinking
Darwin's theory of evolution, atheism, scientology, feminism: all of these things are linked to progressive thinkers. These people think that they can figure out the world on their own apart from God (and some think that they are God). The Bible warns in many different places about antichrists who thwart Christian theology, or create their own theology, to lead people astray. They make their theology appealing by calling it scientific or by telling people it's ok to give in to certain immoral desires. Gnostics in the Bible days did this by saying that because Jesus died for our sins, it was ok to sin. Progressive thinkers come in all shapes and sizes, but they are all liars. 2John1:9a says, "Anyone who gets so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ, walks out on God." This is another simple test for false teachers. If they don't follow Christ's teaching word-for-word, they're not from God.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
How Not to Worry
I am definitely a worry wart. I worry that something bad will happen to me or someone I love. I worry that I will run out of money or that I will never get married. I worry that I will make bad grades, and I worry about all the other little stuff that happens every day. The good news is that these worries are completely unfounded.
Matthew 6:32-34 says, "For the pagans run after these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
God knows what we need and would rather we focused on seeking Him than on our worries. He takes care of all our needs. We have no reason to worry. How do you keep from worrying? Take Matthew 6:32-34 for its word, and trust God by faith that if you seek Him first, He will take care of all your needs.
Matthew 6:32-34 says, "For the pagans run after these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
God knows what we need and would rather we focused on seeking Him than on our worries. He takes care of all our needs. We have no reason to worry. How do you keep from worrying? Take Matthew 6:32-34 for its word, and trust God by faith that if you seek Him first, He will take care of all your needs.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Telling the Real From the Fake
How do you tell if a person is genuinely a Christian or not? This is important to know, especially if this person is a preacher or is teaching you about God. The Bible gives 4 simple tests for telling real Christians from fake ones:
1John 3:10 says, "Here's how you tell the difference between God's children and the devil's children: The one who won't practice righteous ways isn't from God, nor is the one who won't love brother or sister. A simple test."
1John 4:6 says, "Anyone who knows God understands us and listens. The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception."
1John 5:3 says, "The proof that we love God comes when we keep His commandments and they are not at all troublesome."
The last test is the most important one. 1John 2:21 says, "No one who denies the Son has any part with the Father, but affirming the Son is an embrace of the Father as well."
1John 3:10 says, "Here's how you tell the difference between God's children and the devil's children: The one who won't practice righteous ways isn't from God, nor is the one who won't love brother or sister. A simple test."
1John 4:6 says, "Anyone who knows God understands us and listens. The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception."
1John 5:3 says, "The proof that we love God comes when we keep His commandments and they are not at all troublesome."
The last test is the most important one. 1John 2:21 says, "No one who denies the Son has any part with the Father, but affirming the Son is an embrace of the Father as well."
Friday, July 3, 2009
Self-Criticism
Since we strive to be perfect, but never quite make it, self-criticism comes easily to us. Sometimes we believe the lie that this is ok. Since we sinned, we should feel guilty and beat ourselves up. We don't want God to think we're soft on sin. However, this is not a good habit to get into. Self-criticism leads to low self-esteem, which can lead to depression if it becomes a habit. 1John 3:18-20 says, "My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves." Decide to trust God and follow His commands, and He will take away your negative thoughts about yourself.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Abortion and Sexual Freedom
Abortion is one of the biggest issues in our time. Although it's been around for a long time, it has only recently become legal. The legalization of abortion came about during the feminist movement in the 1960s. People at this time were rebelling against traditions in all areas of life. Some of the movement's changes were good, but not all of them were. Women at this time were mainly advocating sexual freedom, which they saw as their right. They wanted to be able to have sex outside of marriage without having to face the consequences. Birth control was also legalized at this time, but of course it does not always work.
Many of the movements during this period were trying to take away the consequences of immoral actions. What people didn't realize, and still don't realize, is that "sexual freedom" is not really freedom at all. Anyone can give in to their desires; there is nothing noble or liberating about that. In fact, when you give in to your desires you became a slave to them. You become addicted to that high. John 8:34-36 says, "Jesus replied, 'I tell youYou the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."Romans 6:6 says, "For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-because anyone who has died has been freed from sin."
Not to mention the fact that sexual immorality, or sex outside of marriage, is a sin. 1Corinthians 6:13b-19 says, "The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also. Do you not know your bodies are members of Christ Himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, 'The two will become one flesh.' But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
Genesis 2:22-24 says, "Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man.' For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
Also, in spite of people's efforts to take away the consequences of sexual freedom, such as condoms to prevent STDs, abortion for unwanted pregnancies, and divorce to aid adultery, there are still consequences to this lifestyle. "[God] does not let people get away with sloppy living," as 1Peter 1:17 says. Some of these consequences are inability to have stable relationships or commit to relationships, which causes loneliness, and bad self-esteem. Whether people will admit it or not, not being able to control their desires decreases their sense of self-worth. Also, several studies have shown that Christian couples who obey God are the most sexually satisfied couples.
Abortion is also wrong because it is not Biblical. Proverbs 17:6b says, " Children's children are a crown to the aged." Psalm 128:3-4 says, "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord." Children are a blessing from God.
Some people say that a baby is not a living being until it is actually born. If it wasn't a living being, you would not have to do anything to it to keep it from growing and developing, or being born. It cannot live without its mother for the first 9 months, but that does not mean it isn't alive. Even after it is born, it can't live without someone taking care of it until it is an adolescent. The only difference is that it breathes on its own. Parasites and carnivores depend on other beings for their existence. Does that mean they're not living beings?
Even if it was true that they weren't living beings until they were born, babies are still valuable because of what they will become. For example, a seed is not a living thing, but people pay money for it because it will become food. It is valuable for what it will become. Or think of this from the perspective of a cattle rancher. If human babies are not living things until they are born, then this applies to animals also. But cattle ranchers go to great lengths to take care of the mother. Cattle can't have babies without human help, so the rancher will watch the mother, even if they have to stay up all night, and make sure that the baby is born safely and lives. The baby calf inside the mother will become a steer, bull, or heifer that will be very valuable to the rancher. The baby calf inside the mother is valuable for what it will become.
The same thing applies for human babies. Regardless of whether or not the mother wanted to get pregnant, she knew that it was a possibility. If she aborts the baby, she is saying that it is only a nonliving thing and has no value, but this is not true. Who knows what the baby could become? And even if it's not a child prodigy or doesn't change the world, God has a reason and a purpose for everyone's lives. Not to mention the fact that the baby is a part of the mother because it has her DNA in it. By saying the baby is not valuable, the mother is saying that she is not valuable either.
Many of the movements during this period were trying to take away the consequences of immoral actions. What people didn't realize, and still don't realize, is that "sexual freedom" is not really freedom at all. Anyone can give in to their desires; there is nothing noble or liberating about that. In fact, when you give in to your desires you became a slave to them. You become addicted to that high. John 8:34-36 says, "Jesus replied, 'I tell youYou the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."Romans 6:6 says, "For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-because anyone who has died has been freed from sin."
Not to mention the fact that sexual immorality, or sex outside of marriage, is a sin. 1Corinthians 6:13b-19 says, "The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also. Do you not know your bodies are members of Christ Himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, 'The two will become one flesh.' But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
Genesis 2:22-24 says, "Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man.' For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
Also, in spite of people's efforts to take away the consequences of sexual freedom, such as condoms to prevent STDs, abortion for unwanted pregnancies, and divorce to aid adultery, there are still consequences to this lifestyle. "[God] does not let people get away with sloppy living," as 1Peter 1:17 says. Some of these consequences are inability to have stable relationships or commit to relationships, which causes loneliness, and bad self-esteem. Whether people will admit it or not, not being able to control their desires decreases their sense of self-worth. Also, several studies have shown that Christian couples who obey God are the most sexually satisfied couples.
Abortion is also wrong because it is not Biblical. Proverbs 17:6b says, " Children's children are a crown to the aged." Psalm 128:3-4 says, "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord." Children are a blessing from God.
Some people say that a baby is not a living being until it is actually born. If it wasn't a living being, you would not have to do anything to it to keep it from growing and developing, or being born. It cannot live without its mother for the first 9 months, but that does not mean it isn't alive. Even after it is born, it can't live without someone taking care of it until it is an adolescent. The only difference is that it breathes on its own. Parasites and carnivores depend on other beings for their existence. Does that mean they're not living beings?
Even if it was true that they weren't living beings until they were born, babies are still valuable because of what they will become. For example, a seed is not a living thing, but people pay money for it because it will become food. It is valuable for what it will become. Or think of this from the perspective of a cattle rancher. If human babies are not living things until they are born, then this applies to animals also. But cattle ranchers go to great lengths to take care of the mother. Cattle can't have babies without human help, so the rancher will watch the mother, even if they have to stay up all night, and make sure that the baby is born safely and lives. The baby calf inside the mother will become a steer, bull, or heifer that will be very valuable to the rancher. The baby calf inside the mother is valuable for what it will become.
The same thing applies for human babies. Regardless of whether or not the mother wanted to get pregnant, she knew that it was a possibility. If she aborts the baby, she is saying that it is only a nonliving thing and has no value, but this is not true. Who knows what the baby could become? And even if it's not a child prodigy or doesn't change the world, God has a reason and a purpose for everyone's lives. Not to mention the fact that the baby is a part of the mother because it has her DNA in it. By saying the baby is not valuable, the mother is saying that she is not valuable either.
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