Tag Archive for faith

03 Jan 2010
Memes • Sunday Praise and Worship

2 Timothy 1:7-Sunday Praise and Worship

 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, New King James Version)

2 Timothy 1:7 seemed to just pop up everywhere yesterday. It was on Twitter, it was on Facebook, it popped up during casual reading.

Think that our Father in Heaven was sending a “text message”.

Timidity is something that I am pretty good at. I excel at. I could probrably get a Ph.d. and the trouble is that is not what He desires for us or wants us to excel at.

From the MHC it was shared:

The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them. As is usual with Paul, when he mentions Christ and his redemption, he enlarges upon them; so full was he of that which is all our salvation, and ought to be all our desire.

The call of the gospel is a holy call, making holy.

 Salvation is of free grace. This is said to be given us before the world began, that is, in the purpose of God from all eternity; in Christ Jesus, for all the gifts that come from God to sinful man, come in and through Christ Jesus alone.

 And as there is so clear a prospect of eternal happiness by faith in Him, who is the Resurrection and the Life, let us give more diligence in making his salvation sure to our souls. Those who cleave to the gospel, need not be ashamed, the cause will bear them out; but those who oppose it, shall be ashamed.

As I read this, it led to fruitful thought,”What if someone had been afraid to pray for or about me to come to know Christ?”

What if someone had been afraid to publish the bible or about Christ or share their faith, even if not directly but indirectly to me or anyone.

Shuddering at the thought, but to know Christ is to know strength and boldness and the truth is, that although, we ourselves do not save people, that is our Father in Heaven’s job, it IS our job to share His word with others through our words, our actions and our lives and hiding it bears no fruit for anyone.

A farmer does not grow his crops by hiding them under a tent, otherwise how else can they get the needed sun to help them grow; In the cover of darkness, they will perish and even the farmer, himself, will perish, from lack of profit and food.

Same goes with our maturity and growth and for hope that others will come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

This is not something that is to be hoarded and selectively given out. This is not something where we selectively decide who we will love or not love; our Father in Heaven does not selectively do that so who are we to do so.

Yes, it’s scary and nerve wracking and there is no guarentee of success, but that success is not for us to claim. If we do, it’s no longer about our Heavenly Father, but about us and well….the true and only glory is in Him and through Him, not us or in us.

When we go to Him and give ourselves to Him, we no longer belong or are ourselves, we belong to Him and our lives, words and actions should reflect that.

So as I hide under the blanket at this life changing thought that you, me, all of us was NOT given the spirit of timidity, ask yourself: Do you speak for Him with your life, your words and with your growth? If not…how do you (like I ask myself) throw off the fear of intimidation and being timid and speak for and about Him?

If you would like to share your thoughts about 2 Timothy 1:7, feel free to leave a comment or to participate via your blog, grab the following image to post on your blog post by right clicking over it to copy:

To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
06 Dec 2009
Memes • Sunday Praise and Worship

Sunday Praise and Worship

To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here
To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here.

12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:12-13, New King James Version)

Sunflower Faith | One comment | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
29 Nov 2009
Memes • Sunday Praise and Worship

Sunday Praise and Worship

To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here
To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here.

   
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:24-27, New King James Version)

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
22 Nov 2009
Memes • Sunday Praise and Worship

Sunday Praise and Worship

To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here
To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here.

 

  1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
(Genesis 2:1-3, New King James Version)

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
08 Nov 2009
Memes • Sunday Praise and Worship

Sunday Praise and Worship-The Forgiveness Of Sins

To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here
To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here.

Ephesians 1:7, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; KJV

The blood of Jesus! There’s nothing like the blood of Jesus when it comes to cleansing our soul from sin and guilt. As much as the blood and the forgiveness of sin have been preached, Christians still wrestle with receiving forgiveness. It’s hard for them to realize that their heavenly Father truly loves them that much. If you ask them if they have the Holy Spirit residing in their hearts, without batting an eye, their answer a resounding yes.

This is a clear indication that the blood has been applied, because the Holy Spirit can’t enter a vessel until the blood goes before Him.

The Holy Spirit wasn’t sent to enter man until after Jesus gave His life’s blood upon the cross. Forty days after His resurrection, he told the disciples that He was going to leave them, but they wouldn’t be left alone. He went on to tell them that the Father would send the promise of the Holy Spirit as a sign of His covenant with us.

The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are indeed a child of God. Another way to look at the struggle of so many is to address the faith, or the lack of faith… which gives us the ability to receive and walk in God’s forgiveness.

Their focus is more on their sin than on the faith to receive forgiveness.

There’s only one reason I can think of that would make a person feel unlovable and that’s unworthiness.

To this I would remind you of John 3:16, that God SO loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.

This passage tells those who might struggle with their fleshly identity how much God values us in our fallen state.

 Through the blood of Jesus, the Father doesn’t see where we’ve been but where He’s taking us.

We are complete in Christ Jesus.

 I never know what the reason is for a particular devotion… all I can do is obey.

If this helps you to receive forgiveness, know that it was intended for you. You’re special in the sight of your heavenly Father.

Don’t allow the opinions of anyone else to distort what God has already said about you.

You are accepted in the Beloved. You can’t get a higher affirmation than that. So I will call you blessed and highly favored!!

From World Harvest Church North

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
01 Nov 2009
Memes • Sunday Praise and Worship

Sunday Praise and Worship

To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here

” Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. “-2Timothy 2:15

Sunday Praise and Worship is a weekly meme that I had started but due to well…life, was unable to keep up with.

As I find myself refocusing and repriortizing the things in my life, the biggest thing was finding the much needed time, to spend with our Father in Heaven and His word.

There were and have been many things that have come up, of a personal reflection, that reminded me so much that of all the things we shouldn’t neglect in our lives, living and studying His word is one of them along with taking care of our family.

I’ve taken the time to create the following bookmark, that I pray and hope, I can have prepared to offer to you, Gentle Readers, as well, so that you can find time to spend in His word.

Something that I have used and discovered through another website, has been the,”Life Journal” which is a very insightful method of reading God’s word and encouraging the habit of spending time, each day with His word.

I highly suggested looking into incorporating the “Life Journal” in your scriptural reading, to help encourage yourself, to read God’s word each day.

If you, like me, have felt a “Spiritual Famine” in your life, this is one of many ways to bring life back into studying’ God’s word.

It is with prayer and hope that this simple bookmark can help encourage you to start reading your bible, or if you have thought of reading the bible as a whole, to be one of many ways that are out there to encourage you to start today.

Bookmark

To participate in Sunday’s Praise and Worship just add the Sunday Praise and Worship logo on your post using the following:

Please don’t forget to link back here to Sunflower Faith and add your post link to the “Mr. Linky” that will be up Sunday Morning so others can come by your site and share in your “Sunday Praise and Worship”.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
08 Apr 2009
Word-Filled Wednesday

Word Filled Wednesday

This photo can be any of us.

You, me, people we know, people we don’t know.

It is the sign of our times.

It’s how we feel when we open a bill that we know we can’t pay today.

It’s the drop in our heart as we check our bank account and go, just “One more day”,”I need one more day”.

We live in a time and place where our economy seems to harbor bad news everyday and is filled with uncertainty as someone we know loses a job, a home, or hear of divorce in  unexpected places.

Through it all, though it sounds so easy sometimes to hear but not to say,”God is there”, but it’s true, He is.

He asks for no payment. He paid the biggest price of all and all He asks is for us to trust Him.

Easier said then done sometimes but most of the times, it’s the one hope and faith that is always true.

Join AmyDeanne and others at "Word Filled Wednesday"

There’s many times I feel like that.

Why am I staying at home?

It’s so much easier to just say, get a job, but then I realize for the things that are worth more than material possessions, staying home, being the mom and the wife, GOD has called me to be, is so much easier and pays off in the long run. We don’t see it now, but this too shall pass and there comes a break and God reveals what we were impatient to wait for, but He was patient to bring to us.

I begin to realize the selfishness and lack of patience of being human and the pureness and patience of just trusting God to deliver.

Doesn’t He say, “Why worry?”.If we have needs, He has and does deliver it  and will not let us do without what we really need versus what we just want.

I think about this when God has open a door of blessings in the form of people who ask me for plants I wish we had, to grow to supplement our grocery bill, but wasn’t able to get, only through God’s own way, to have the plants deliver in the form of a family having one plant too many and not just wanting to throw them away; Or wondering what we will do about a schoolbook and having God open a door that not only benefits now but will last us for more than just a few years.

We learn to appreciate the small things in life as we cut out the big things that in the long run, were more materialistic than spiritual or needed and when we had to learn a virtue, God found a way to pave the way, though it was not all roses for us and felt like thorns, in the end, we finally saw the roses and smell the sweet fragrance of trusting God and being much-needed humbled.

It would be a blessing to have everything our way, but then would we really learn to love and appreciate Him?

As much as  burden it may seem now, having less is sometimes more as we use that time to draw closer to God and be refined more as HE wants us to be refined and learn to be humble and less prideful in allowing Him to work through and in us versus trying to be in control.

Time is tough for many as it is for us, here at home, but praise God, that God is loving and though He may feel tough, He is merciful.

Keep up the good fight, stay strong though you may feel like crumbling and have faith, Yes, have faith; Giving up now is too soon for we have yet to reach what God wants us to reach and though it’s rocky and hard…He wants to hold on.

He is NOT going to give us anything we can’t handle and will give us not only the lessons in life, that HE knows we can claim in victory in HIS name, but what He will see us through.

God bless you.

Sunflower Faith | 2 comments | Tags: , , , ,
06 Apr 2009
Uncategorized

Unexpected Blessings

“Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans” – John Lennon (Beautiful Boy)

We were watching “Marley and Me” and toward the end of the movie, I stopped watching the movie and watch the people around me.

The kids were curled up in their blankets, one between me and my husband,the other on the floor, the dogs were curled up with each other snoring, and we all (except for me right then and the dogs), were staring with intent at the movie.

Time froze.

This was my high point.

I was happy to get a good bargain on food and if I could get the clothes that we needed, the bills paid, and just stretch that chicken for one more day till payday, I was thankful.

Friends we have connected with and made at our church had left after an impromptu dinner; What started out was a visit to pick up something they had left at the house from having dinner the other night, had extended to four hours of a potluck dinner we all threw together, the kids play, we gather at the kitchen counter,to laugh,to cry, to just swap stories over ice cream.

Now….this moment….me and my family, including the dogs,were all snuggled together…on the coach,to watch a movie and I took a step back inward, to see what in that simple moment, God had blessed us with.

I am not and will not be the greatest writer in the world.

I may never get the chance to go out of country to visit a land I would love to see one day.

My hair will never be the condition I would love it to be.

I’m lucky that my daily life isn’t hectic that I’m able to blog or catch  up with friends.

Yet,in this single moment, my youngest between me and my husband, the dogs asleep and we all, were together…..this…this was worth all the unexpected blessings that I never asked for and God gave to me.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world-I’m grateful to God that my life isn’t easy which makes all He has done and gave all the more worth it.

I am thankful for the kind people that when I had that silent need that only God knew and heard, sent my way to  help meet it without me even saying a prayer.

I am thankful that I am not  perfect, I will never be perfect but HE,HE has blessed me and my family and that is enough.

The word “gratitude” shares the same root word as “grace.”  Yes, grace – the free and boundless mercy of God.  The same grace that filled a Father’s heart and led Him to send to earth the greatest treasure in His life – His only begotten Son, Jesus.  But there’s even more to this little word study.  The word “thanksgiving” is from the same root word as “think.”  Now, let’s put this phenomenal insight into one thought.  When I am filled with a spirit of gratitude, I’m filled with God’s Spirit of grace.  In describing grace, Charles L. Allen noted, “In the Bible there are three distinctive meanings of grace: it means the mercy and active love of God; it means the winsome attractiveness of God; it means the strength of God to overcome.”  I want to add a fourth meaning to this fabulous list.  Grace also means I’m permeated, every fiber of my being, and filled with gratitude to my God. Every time I think, I thank.-From Transformational Garden

God has sent unexpected blessings in my life and what made me grateful for each and everyone of them…are the trials and tribulations that comes with it.

The house is quiet.

Everyone is asleep….the youngest finally-completely falling asleep in my arms-As I lay my youngest to bed, I give her a kiss and whisper in  her ear-”I love you” and think how much God loves you,me…all of us and whispers that in our ears but for many of us…we are so caught up in everything else…we don’t let ourselves hear Him.

Life is…life.

All we do…all we go through…just mere passing of sands in time.

From Marley and Me,

“”A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his. It was really quite simple, and yet we humans, so much wiser and more sophisticated, have always had trouble figuring out what really counts and what does not. As I wrote that farewell column to Marley, I realized it was all right there in front of us, if only we opened our eyes. Sometimes it took a dog with bad breath, worse manners, and pure intentions to help us see.”
— John Grogan”

I did it…I have found all the  success that I need in my life.

It’s not going to pay me money or bring me fame and glory, but I’m saved and loved by no other than the grace of Almighty Father,Himself, through Jesus Christ, I am saved and though imperfect-forgiven and THAT is everything…That is success. That is something I hold close to my heart.

I wake up each day and go to bed each day with people I love and care for.

Each day, the laundry is barely done, there are bills to be paid, I have to figure out how to make hamburger meat last another day, and Praise God, I love and am grateful for each and every moment, because it is a moment close to a living relationship with Jesus Christ and a moment of love and memories with my family.

Divine love is perfect peace and joy, it is a freedom from all disquiet,
it is all content and happiness; and makes everything to rejoice in
itself. Love is the Christ of God; wherever it comes, it comes as the
blessing and happiness of every natural life, a redeemer from all evil,
a fulfiller of all righteousness, and a peace of God, which passeth all
understanding. Through all the universe of things, nothing is uneasy,
unsatisfied, or restless, but because it is not governed by love, or
because its nature has not reached or attained the full birth of the
spirit of love. For when that is done, every hunger is satisfied, and
all complaining, murmuring, accusing, resenting,revenging, and striving,
are as totally suppressed and overcome, as the coldness, thickness, and
horror of darkness are suppressed and overcome by the breaking forth of
the light.

William Law

I use to be so hard on myself because I thought I needed this to be happy, I needed to accomplish that to be happy, or I needed that to be happy but I don’t know how to describe it or what it is…but I’m happy and just for some reason…took that step in my heart to go…I couldn’t ask for anything more.

I’m so happy and I’m satisfied and I can’t think of nothing more I want in life.

Everything I could ask for in life is around me…It’s in the relationship with our Heavenly Father, the laughter of my kids, the kiss and hug from my husband, and the company of good friends; It’s in the storms of lives that come my way, it’s the blossoming fruit of the tomatoes; It’s the fear of tomorrow and the comfort of eternity….

It’s that moment in time, when I stop and look at all that I think I don’t have, only to see, I have all that I want around me and nothing more I could ask for.

The tragedy is that many of us are living...desperate Christian life.
Sunday comes and we get some strength, and then we lose some on Monday;
a good deal is gone by Tuesday and we wonder whether we have anything
left. On Wednesday it has all gone and then we exist. Or perhaps
refreshment comes in some other way, some meeting we attend, some
friends we meet...Now that is the old order of things, that is not the
new. So our Lord goes on to put it like this: 'Whosoever drinketh of
this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that
I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him
shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life'
(verses 13-14). He puts a well within us. We are not always drawing from
somewhere outside. The well, the spring, goes on springing up from
within into everlasting life.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones

If Jesus Christ was to return today, I would tell Him, thank you for everything, I am happy with my life that HE has decided and bless me with.

Don’t get me wrong…life hasn’t change.

Bills are still due.

There’s a load of laundry that I have to get to and I have homeschooling, pick up some more plants (Praise God for sending them our way, it is a big help with grocery bills to have more vegetables to grow).

My mother in law’s foot is hurting.

Friends I love and pray for are hurting.

The economy is still bad.

My dog chewed my strawberry plant before I could move it to a hanging basket.

Still have to figure something good but economical to make for dinner.

Did I mention that I wish I had movie star hair?

The kids rooms have to be picked up big time.

I still haven’t looked over the next few weeks lesson plans.

Don’t get me started about the hole to China that the dogs,then the kids, then the dogs dug.

But………………………………………………..I am grateful to God for all that.

Really.

I couldn’t ask for a better moment in my life…except well…when I was saved, that was worth it all there.

I love how crazy and busy life gets because that tells me…something is working; God is cooking up something for my life and I can’t wait to open the oven and see what HE has planned for me.

Not me planned for me…but HE has planned for me.’

That’s the life I want.

I couldn’t ask for anything else.

I’m tired, I worry, I pray, I cry, and I thank God for each and every moment.

We struggle, we relax, we play, we are tired; Days seem so frustrating but yet so wonderful and through it all…I just thank God for the unexpected blessings,He sends our way that I  thank God I don’t ask for, because they wouldn’t probrably have mean twice as much if I had…Instead…He challenges me, He convicts me, He grows us, He stops us, and I love and sing praises,EACH and every moment He does that because HE reminds me that we are LIVING and EXPERINCING faith and just not proclaim it.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”-Galatians 6:9

It’s that feeling of security and love as only my youngest could describe it best,climbing up the stairs to reach the top of the slide, and rather than hanging on and trying to scoot down…just letting go…placing faith in God and letting Him have free reign of your life, and rather hitting bottom with a thud, falling into the safe embrace of His perfect peace.

Sometimes…living life, is just having that leap of faith and saying,”I’m not in control and won’t be in control and completely trusting God with all your life; Take that leap of faith and let Him do what He will and accept where He leads….You’ll be surprised at the unexpected blessings will be the very things you were seeking,but not as how YOU see it or want it, but as HE wills it and wants it.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all 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.” ~ Matthew 6:28-33

Sunflower Faith | One comment | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
24 Mar 2009
"Christian Life"

Taking a step in the open

Today, I stepped out in faith and in fear and awe in what God has done in and through and for me.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

I’m pretty shy and introverted; I fear rejection; I fear judgment; I’m a people-pleaser because I don’t want to get hurt or feel hurt or made to feel less than what I really am.

There are days I smile when inside, I feel like I’m running around in circles with my hand thrown  up in the air and days when I feel that I’m only giving ten percent of myself to our Heavenly Father then the hundred percent I really want, but I don’t….because I’m afraid.

We all feel that way don’t we.

That we will be judged.

We will lose favor or friends.

So rather than take that leap of faith with and for our Heavenly Father, we hide inside and outside.

In many cases in Scripture, fear is contrast to the fearlessness of faith in a trusting God who is in control. Rooted in sin, fear strikes at the heart of faith. It denies God’s gracious control and guidance while panicking in a pervasive sense of being out of control.

Addressing the “fear” issue strikes at the root of our sinfulness. If the perfect love of Christ casts out all fears, then the Gospel of Christ which has overcome fear and its author must be preached clearly, boldly and repeatedly.-from Nothing to Fear

There comes a point and time in our lives, that we can’t forever be in a cocoon.

This doesn’t mean we go out and do as the world does and be like the world is, but that neither can we build up a bubble of our faith and expect to live in it forever till our Heavenly Father comes back.

Being a Christian is a living faith; Not just about proclaiming that we are Christians but experiencing and sharing our faith and not deciding when we will or will not share our faith.

That’s like having an unlimited bag of cookies then picking and choosing who we will and will not share it with.

Imagine if our Heavenly Father had done that, instead He threw out a net to catch EVERYONE, not just a select few, but everyone.

There gets to a point that when we ask God to grow us, to challenge us, we can’t set limits, but instead have to trust Him and let Him guide us, and yes, He is going to put us in uncomfortable situations, but He isn’t going to put us in situations that He already knows how it is going to play out and it’s not like He isn’t going to see us through to the end either.

Praise Him, that He isn’t going to stop midway and go…well…you’re on your own now, see you at the end.

I was surprised at the leap of faith I took and what I did and said and it was not comfortable and it was out of my shell, but I felt like He was just telling me, “No more security blanket, time to start taking those steps”.

I fear rejection.

I fear being hurt.

I fear people will turn me off and out and will reject me, but I do fear God more and of Him tuning me out and off and rejecting me. I can leave with people doing that, but not God.

I’m a people pleaser and I can tell God doesn’t work with that.

And that’s okay.

Actually that’s great.

He wants more from us and for us, but we have to play our part by giving that to Him and realize, it may not win us a popularity contest, but it will win us to Him when we show we care more about Him and trust Him more.

This isn’t about pleasing anyone. Men is sinful-We got ourselves in a mess so how do we expect others to fix what is broken if they are broken too….

Men is more fickle then the seasons. Ourselves are ever changing as the weather and look at our fashions…no season is ever the same…always changing…what was right today is wrong tomorrow.

Even the rules are not set in stone and what was okay yesterday,is no longer okay today.

So why based approval on fickleness when God is always steady?

Webster defines “firm” as not subject to change or revision, not easily moved or disturbed,resolute.

Webster defines “fickle” as deceitful, inconstant; marked by a lack of steadfastness, constancy or stability: given to erratic changeableness.

Galatians 1:10 (ISV)

Am I now trying to win the approval of people or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be the Messiah’s servant.

As much as I worried about being disliked or spit upon by men, I worry more about what our Heavenly Father has to think; It’s HIM, Iwould be forever accountable to and not to men.

I won’t say that talking and sharing like I did was easy.

People are fickle.

We smile and nod, but then often times show a different face when we think that no one is looking but forget that others may not see, but our Heavenly Father does.

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Acts 4:29-31 (NIV)

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. tretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

People do get ugly and mean and even vengeful or gossipy; Trouble is that people are also troubled if others don’t go with the “status quo” and feel a need to “reign in others” that make them feel uncomfortable or accountable.

Not to say everyone is perfect either.

You, me, everyone, we’re all imperfect and the ONLY perfect person is  our Heavenly Father, but it also doesn’t mean we have a right to be mean, ugly, or gossipy with intent to hurt or slander.

These things I have Spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. -John 16:33

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthews 5:10-12 (ESV)

It’s difficult to get out of our comfort zone, but to really let God grow us as He wants to grow us, that’s a chance we always have to take.

There are days we are going to be wrong, and there are days when it seems we are just hitting the notes right, but praiseGod, that He knows we are imperfect and He loves  us for that.

He wants us, not perfection.

If He wanted perfection…well, He is our Heavenly Father and can do that, but He doesn’t.

Instead, He seeks other ways via refining us like silver to get the impurities out and part of that is that we can’t live with one feet in this world, and one feet in His world, while holding on all the garbage in and not letting it out so we can be cleaned from within yet wonder why our lives just isn’t right, because we won’t take out the garbage and let the fresh air in.

He can’t be fooled.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Jeremiah 17:10 (NIV)

“I the LORD search the heart   and examine the mind,    to reward a man according to his conduct,   according to what his deeds deserve.”

I can’t keep fearing more what men has to think then what God has to think; God did not give us a spirit of fear.

He does not give us fear of growth based on “What will so and so think or do or say about me?”

If we live a life more afraid of judgement by others, than about our Heavenly Father and that includes being afraid of being vocal about who we are and what we believe…How are we able to really grow.

So I actually felt bolder to speak about my heart and my faith and I realized….that those who are friend, will truly be there, but those that arent’.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ISV)

We are not here on earth to serve them or to please them; We are here to serve our Heavenly Father first, before them.

People will not always agree with what is said, but trouble is…do we change our words to please men, or do we seek to please God first and foremost?

“He that loveth father or mother MORE than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter MORE than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh NOT his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matt 10:37-38)

Sunflower Faith | 2 comments | Tags: , ,
23 Mar 2009
"Christian Life"

God Believes in You by Max Lucado

The tale involves a wealthy father and a willful son.

The boy prematurely takes his inheritance and moves to Las Vegas and there wastes the money on slot machines and call girls. As fast as you can say “blackjack,” he is broke.

Too proud to go home, he gets a job sweeping horse stables at the racetrack. When he finds himself tasting some of their oats and thinking, H’m, a dash of salt and this wouldn’t be too bad, he realizes enough is enough. It’s time to go home.

The gardener at his father’s house does better than this. So off he goes, rehearsing his repentance speech every step of the way.

But the father has other ideas. He “had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”

We don’t expect such a response. We expect crossed arms and a furrowed brow.
At best a guarded handshake.
At least a stern lecture. But the father gives none of these. Instead he gives gifts. “Bring out the best robe … a ring … sandals…. And bring the fatted calf … and let us eat and be merry” (Luke 15:11–23 NKJV). Robe, sandals, calf, and … Did you see it? A ring.

Before the boy has a chance to wash his hands, he has a ring to put on his finger.
In Christ’s day rings were more than gifts; they were symbols of delegated sovereignty.

The bearer of the ring could speak on behalf of the giver. It was used to press a seal into soft wax to validate a transaction.

The one who wore the ring conducted business in the name of the one who gave it.

Would you have done this? Would you have given this prodigal son power-of-attorney privileges over your affairs? Would you have entrusted him with a credit card? Would you have given him this ring?

Before you start questioning the wisdom of the father, remember, in this story you are the boy. When you came home to God, you were given authority to conduct business in your heavenly Father’s name.

When you speak truth, you are God’s ambassador.

As you steward the money he gives, you are his business manager.

When you declare forgiveness, you are his priest.

As you stir the healing of the body or the soul, you are his physician.

And when you pray, he listens to you as a father listens to a son. You have a voice in the household of God. He has given you his ring.

God believes in you. And, I wonder, could you take some of the belief that he has in you and share it with someone else?

You and I have the privilege to do for others what God does for us. How do we show people that we believe in them?

Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged.

Do not keep affirmation from the beaten down!

Speak words that make people stronger.

Believe in them as God has believed in you.

From A Love Worth Giving© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado

Sunflower Faith | 2 comments | Tags: , ,
« Older Entries   Recent Entries »
Content Protected Using Blog Protector By: PcDrome.

© 2008-2012 Sunflower Faith All Rights Reserved -- Copyright notice by Blog Copyright