"Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, because it goes not into his heart, but his stomach, and is eliminated. And He was saying, That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.
Have you ever listened to the words of others? Have you ever sat down and listened to your own words?
Are they uplifting? Do they encourage one another? Are you planting success in the lives of others?
Our words locate us. They tell us where our hearts live. What world are you abiding in? Are you abiding in the Word of God or the things and pleasures of this world? Do your words emulate the things of the Spirit?
Many times we don't take the time to compliment one another, to encourage. So much can happen when we pour out blessings from within. But these blessings have an origin. That starting point begins with what we are feeding our inner man.
If we are feeding our inner man with God's choice, His prime cut, it will be the Word of God. From that investement with the Lord, reading your Bible, praying, and being in His presence, God will deposit ideas on how you can be a friend to others who are struggling. The world's system, will not bless them. It will grind them up, use them, and then spit them out.
How many of you plan to be a blessing to someone else? It shouldn't be that around Christmas time we begin to think of others. We should be thinking of others, year round. Jesus said, "The greatest of you shall be a servant."
That's not a worldly thought. The world believes it should be served. It encourages you to be #1, but Jesus said just the opposite. If we have a steady diet of world TV, events, parties, then what comes out of us will be worldly thoughts and ideas. If we want to follow the Lord, spirit warrior, our inner beings need to be nourished with Him. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me."
(Rev 3:20)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sermon on the Mount - a spirit warrior's goal for living
The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-7:27 gives us the ultimate standard by which we should live our lives. I belive this is one of Jesus' most inspired sermons. Some people say this is a goal by which we should live and I agree, but others say it is unachievable. But the Bible also says we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Don't get me wrong, I try to live my life and do the best I can, but I miss the mark often times. I must tell you, though, if we don't have a goal in mind in the way we live our lives, we'll never be able to achieve the life God wants us to live. Hence, the Sermon on the Mount.
Over and over again, I read the Sermon and have tried to memorize it. I've got Chapter 5 down pretty good, but I keep going over it. One of the themes that I see, is that God wants us to be humble in heart. He doesn't want us to flaunt the things we've done in our lives. He wants us to keep quiet about the good we do for others.
This goes against our flesh and that can be a tough battle. It's just like fastening. The flesh wants to be fed, but when we do something for someone else, we are to keep it between us and God. Let God reward us openly.
At times that can be tough. We've given all that we have and there is no apparent reward - at this time.
The older I get the more I see God moving slowly in my life. He wants me to mature and trust in Him. If He moved quickly, I'd expect Him to do that all the time.
God knows what we need, when we need it. He's always on time. We tend to push things up on His schedule, but that's not how He operates.
The Sermon on the Mount is filled with opportunities to serve others. That too is not something people don't want to hear today. What's in it for me? That's something we've all asked.
Humility, preferring others over us, and trusting in the Lord is what Jesus wants us to do and the Sermon on the Mount is the way He wants it done.
I encourage you to study it, to memorize it. To be ready in season and out.
Don't get me wrong, I try to live my life and do the best I can, but I miss the mark often times. I must tell you, though, if we don't have a goal in mind in the way we live our lives, we'll never be able to achieve the life God wants us to live. Hence, the Sermon on the Mount.
Over and over again, I read the Sermon and have tried to memorize it. I've got Chapter 5 down pretty good, but I keep going over it. One of the themes that I see, is that God wants us to be humble in heart. He doesn't want us to flaunt the things we've done in our lives. He wants us to keep quiet about the good we do for others.
This goes against our flesh and that can be a tough battle. It's just like fastening. The flesh wants to be fed, but when we do something for someone else, we are to keep it between us and God. Let God reward us openly.
At times that can be tough. We've given all that we have and there is no apparent reward - at this time.
The older I get the more I see God moving slowly in my life. He wants me to mature and trust in Him. If He moved quickly, I'd expect Him to do that all the time.
God knows what we need, when we need it. He's always on time. We tend to push things up on His schedule, but that's not how He operates.
The Sermon on the Mount is filled with opportunities to serve others. That too is not something people don't want to hear today. What's in it for me? That's something we've all asked.
Humility, preferring others over us, and trusting in the Lord is what Jesus wants us to do and the Sermon on the Mount is the way He wants it done.
I encourage you to study it, to memorize it. To be ready in season and out.
Friday, December 3, 2010
The awesomeness of the Almighty
""Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,...Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell if you have understanding. Who set its measurements? Since you know...Have you ever in your life commanded the morning? And caused the dawn to know its place...Have you entered into the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?...Have you ever entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail?...Do you know the time the moutain goats give birth? Do you observe the calving of the deer?...Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck and a mane? Do you make him leap like the locust? His majestic snorting is terrible. He paws the valley, and rejoices in his strength...Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars,stretching his wings toward the north? Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high? (Job 38:1-40:4)
I love these poetic lines in Job. They excite the depths of my heart. They tell of the majesty and concern of the Almighty. I also love Job's sober response:"Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to you?
I always enjoy reading God's reply to Job, but today I enjoyed Job's answer. I sat there and pondered the greatest of the Creator our Lord and Savior. He created this whole universe for us! He wants us to trust Him during the trials of our lives. Most of the time, we don't know what God is doing during these trials, but I do know one thing - He is building us through the trials for His purpose.
I've gone through some tough times during my marriage, but I haven't given up. My family constantly stretches me, my time, my assets, my every drop of life. In my car on the way to work, I've yelled and cried out to Him.
If we are going to be the spirit warriors that God has created us to be, we will be stretched. During this last year, I've fasted more, prayed more, and gave more to the kingdom. I've seen God move on my behalf and in the past I used to fret about things, money, time. I try not to anymore, because I feel a deeper trust in Him. Reading Job encourages my trust in Him. God is no respector of persons and He will do for me what He's done for Job.
Now when I face troubles, I still have to fight a knee jerk reaction, but I'm more confident that God will bless my life and provide an opportunity for His success in my life. Spirit warrior, trust in Him with a humble heart and He will guide your life.
"Who then is he that can stand before Me? Who has given to Me that I should repay?
Then Job answered the Lord and said, I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know...Therefore I retract and I repent in dust and ashes." (Job42:1-6)
Ultimately, spirit warrior, that should be our position on life's trials, "Therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes."
I love these poetic lines in Job. They excite the depths of my heart. They tell of the majesty and concern of the Almighty. I also love Job's sober response:"Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to you?
I always enjoy reading God's reply to Job, but today I enjoyed Job's answer. I sat there and pondered the greatest of the Creator our Lord and Savior. He created this whole universe for us! He wants us to trust Him during the trials of our lives. Most of the time, we don't know what God is doing during these trials, but I do know one thing - He is building us through the trials for His purpose.
I've gone through some tough times during my marriage, but I haven't given up. My family constantly stretches me, my time, my assets, my every drop of life. In my car on the way to work, I've yelled and cried out to Him.
If we are going to be the spirit warriors that God has created us to be, we will be stretched. During this last year, I've fasted more, prayed more, and gave more to the kingdom. I've seen God move on my behalf and in the past I used to fret about things, money, time. I try not to anymore, because I feel a deeper trust in Him. Reading Job encourages my trust in Him. God is no respector of persons and He will do for me what He's done for Job.
Now when I face troubles, I still have to fight a knee jerk reaction, but I'm more confident that God will bless my life and provide an opportunity for His success in my life. Spirit warrior, trust in Him with a humble heart and He will guide your life.
"Who then is he that can stand before Me? Who has given to Me that I should repay?
Then Job answered the Lord and said, I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know...Therefore I retract and I repent in dust and ashes." (Job42:1-6)
Ultimately, spirit warrior, that should be our position on life's trials, "Therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes."
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