Hello dear readers!
Well it is currently 2:28am, so it seems we have a current theme of my blogs getting wrote later, and later, and later...
But today is my "Friday," so I'm going to okay with this for now.
I've been thinking a lot on the topic of "thankfulness" considering that Thanksgiving is right around the corner... stay tuned for a 'thoughts on thanksgiving' post coming soon.
If you've been following my posts these last few days, you'll know I'm currently wrestling through James. I don't even feel as though my previous posts have adequately addressed the book and all of my thoughts on it - but a "tid bit" at least gets you thinking.
So here it is, James chapter 3.
The "overall" theme of James 3 seems to be the "tongue" and the power it holds. I know we don't often think of our tongue having power...but the Bible clearly illustrates something much, much different.
"Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts."
"...no man can tame the tongue"
I read these and think - "yes, well that makes sense." Words hurt, yep I get it.
I get to the next verse. Then the conviction comes....
"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come PRAISE and CURSING."
Woah.
I just have to pause there for a moment.
So much comes to mind: the angry words I said in my car when a driver cut in front of me, the bitter words I said as I read an unpleasant email from a boss, the comment I said to a friend that was rude without thinking, the way I treated someone to belittle them in order to feel more superior...
And the list continues...
While I've been meditating on that verse I all of a sudden am very aware of what I say, and how I say it. The worst part is, sometimes it feels like things just keep spewing out - even when I'm consciously trying to watch what I say, and how I say it. One thing that has come to mind recently is this: sarcasm.
But everyone uses it...right? So what's the big deal?
Sarcasm may seem innocent, fun, easy... but in reality, I've realized quite recently that by using sarcasm I often cut people down, belittle them, all in what? Good humor?
Another big thing I am convicted of is this: we curse men, who have been made in GOD'S LIKENESS
So God doesn't give me "approval" to talk badly about others - under any circumstances - no matter what they've done.
I think sometimes I feel as though I deserve to talk badly about another person because they hurt me. But God makes it clear: they are made in HIS image as much as I am. The topic of "deserving" something is one I will have to unwind in another post but I do believe we have an issue with the idea that we "deserve" this or are "entitled" to that.
So my prayer is this...
1) That I will be able to carry through the saying "think before you speak."
2) That I may not only be able to tame my tongue and what comes out verbally, but even purify my thoughts.
3) That I understand the true meaning that everyone is made in God's likeness and that hurt doesn't give me a "right" to use words to cut back.
Be blessed!
In Him,
Samantha
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
[James 2] - DO stuff. Walk the Talk.
Hello dear readers!
It seems to be a current theme that I'm now up at midnight blogging when it used to be that if I wasn't in bed by 10pm I would feel guilty. Oh well.
So, I'm still reading James. Still being highly convicted by this really short book in the Bible. The power of words never ceases to amaze me.
I'm not going to discuss the entire chapter this time, I'm just going to pull out one thing that stuck with me in chapter 2 and that is this: you have to do stuff.
This theme shows up somewhat in chapter one as well but it becomes clear in chapter 2.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? (v. 14)
Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is DEAD. (v. 17)
...but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? (v. 15)
It seems that within the "American" church today people are okay with coming Sunday mornings, listening, and letting it float out the other ear. And I'm not saying I am guilty of these same things. But we simply cannot just listen...we must act. And its not even a suggestion in the Bible. It clearly says faith by itself is DEAD...d-e-a-d, caputski, gone, nada, nonexistent...
So, you could have ALL the faith in the world. You could read your Bible every day. You could pray ever hour. But without action... what is your faith, really? I question myself a lot with this - if I believe in a heaven and a hell, a hell where there is real fire and people really suffer, and a heaven more wonderful then my brain can comprehend...then why do I not share my faith more often and with a greater sense of urgency???? This question literally keeps me up some nights.
Notice the last verse... "but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" ...I read this verse and just stopped. The next day I was driving in my car and really noticed those people standing on the corners with signs... God, do you mean I should do something about their physical needs? The answer I received back: yes. So I found a gas station, bought groceries, and brought them back (after trying to park on an interstate..this is difficult.). I handed the man four bags of groceries. He was crying. I desperately wanted to share more of Jesus with him, but fear kept me from doing so. So as I handed them to him I said something along the lines of "Jesus loves you! God bless you! Good bye!" ... Next time, I know I need to stop...pause... and actually have a conversation.
But the point is this... you can't just believe. You can't just listen. You can't just read. You can't just pray. You must, must, must act and do as Jesus did.
Faith + deeds = bingo.
So, what will you do this week?
That is up to you.
Be blessed!
In Him,
Samantha
It seems to be a current theme that I'm now up at midnight blogging when it used to be that if I wasn't in bed by 10pm I would feel guilty. Oh well.
So, I'm still reading James. Still being highly convicted by this really short book in the Bible. The power of words never ceases to amaze me.
I'm not going to discuss the entire chapter this time, I'm just going to pull out one thing that stuck with me in chapter 2 and that is this: you have to do stuff.
This theme shows up somewhat in chapter one as well but it becomes clear in chapter 2.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? (v. 14)
Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is DEAD. (v. 17)
...but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? (v. 15)
It seems that within the "American" church today people are okay with coming Sunday mornings, listening, and letting it float out the other ear. And I'm not saying I am guilty of these same things. But we simply cannot just listen...we must act. And its not even a suggestion in the Bible. It clearly says faith by itself is DEAD...d-e-a-d, caputski, gone, nada, nonexistent...
So, you could have ALL the faith in the world. You could read your Bible every day. You could pray ever hour. But without action... what is your faith, really? I question myself a lot with this - if I believe in a heaven and a hell, a hell where there is real fire and people really suffer, and a heaven more wonderful then my brain can comprehend...then why do I not share my faith more often and with a greater sense of urgency???? This question literally keeps me up some nights.
Notice the last verse... "but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" ...I read this verse and just stopped. The next day I was driving in my car and really noticed those people standing on the corners with signs... God, do you mean I should do something about their physical needs? The answer I received back: yes. So I found a gas station, bought groceries, and brought them back (after trying to park on an interstate..this is difficult.). I handed the man four bags of groceries. He was crying. I desperately wanted to share more of Jesus with him, but fear kept me from doing so. So as I handed them to him I said something along the lines of "Jesus loves you! God bless you! Good bye!" ... Next time, I know I need to stop...pause... and actually have a conversation.
But the point is this... you can't just believe. You can't just listen. You can't just read. You can't just pray. You must, must, must act and do as Jesus did.
Faith + deeds = bingo.
So, what will you do this week?
That is up to you.
Be blessed!
In Him,
Samantha
Monday, November 19, 2012
[James Chapter 1] - Thoughts to end a night
Hello dear readers!
This ones going to be a short one seeing as it is midnight. But I wanted to jot down a few thoughts before they were forgotten into the dream world.
I've recently re-discovered the book of James in the Bible. And, WOW. I appreciate how blunt this book is because my personality is the same way. It's convicting, to the point, and cuts to the chase. Line after line spoke directly to my heart tonight during an evening of community worship at my house. The following are a few (basic) thoughts on the first chapter of James...
He speaks about trial...
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you now that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (1:2)
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial." (1:12)
In my life lately, I've been facing what feels like trial, after trial, after trial this year. And in almost every dimension...emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially. Recently, I've been "attacked" spiritually (which I will write about in another post), my mom was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer, my uncle was diagnosed with stage 6 skin cancer, I had $1,200 stolen from me, my car broke down several times (and cost several dollars) and the list continues...
I could complain. I could choose negativity (and for a long time, I did). I could be cynical (and for a long time, I was). And, most people would say I have the "right" to. But do I?
No. I don't. Because my sufferings are nothing in comparison. Granted, Christ sympathizes with my sufferings and cares about them. But how hard is it to consider your trials PURE JOY? Hard. But is it worth it? YES, because BLESSED is the man who perseveres UNDER trial...
He speaks about sin and temptation...
"When tempted, no one should say 'God is tempting me." (1:13)
"...nor does he [God] tempt anyone." (1:13)
"each is tempted by HIS OWN evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death." (1:15)
This first verse is extremely interesting to me. No one should say "God is tempting me." I've heard it countless times. People will be tempted and assume its some sort of crazy test. But God isn't sitting up on a cloud going... "I wonder how much temptation Jane can handle this time. I'll amp up the game and see what she does!"... no, no, no... GOD is NOT the one tempting you. The verse goes on to say each is tempted by HIS OWN evil desire. So...I will hazardly say that YOU are tempting YOU... and to some extent, I can see this. We consistently put ourselves into situations that tempt us.
And do you notice the pattern? Desire --> Sin --> Death
Interesting, isn't it?
He speaks about action...
"Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry" (1:19)
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." (1:22)
"...continues to do this, not forgetting what he heard" (1:25)
The massive thing that is a red flag for me in these verses is essentially... you can't just go to church, pop a squat, hear the word, and then carry on back to la-ti-da life.. being a Christian means putting Christ into action. I can relate to the mirror depiction given. I used to go in and out of phases of reading the Bible. Then when I'd come back to it I felt as though I forgot everything I read before, even though I'd go through my Bible and find hundreds of notes and marks, I couldn't remember putting any of them there or what those verses said.
The last verse I want to highlight is this... "...keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (1:27)
What does this mean to you?
I'm still pondering it...
Blessings!
In Him,
Samantha
This ones going to be a short one seeing as it is midnight. But I wanted to jot down a few thoughts before they were forgotten into the dream world.
I've recently re-discovered the book of James in the Bible. And, WOW. I appreciate how blunt this book is because my personality is the same way. It's convicting, to the point, and cuts to the chase. Line after line spoke directly to my heart tonight during an evening of community worship at my house. The following are a few (basic) thoughts on the first chapter of James...
He speaks about trial...
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you now that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (1:2)
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial." (1:12)
In my life lately, I've been facing what feels like trial, after trial, after trial this year. And in almost every dimension...emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially. Recently, I've been "attacked" spiritually (which I will write about in another post), my mom was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer, my uncle was diagnosed with stage 6 skin cancer, I had $1,200 stolen from me, my car broke down several times (and cost several dollars) and the list continues...
I could complain. I could choose negativity (and for a long time, I did). I could be cynical (and for a long time, I was). And, most people would say I have the "right" to. But do I?
No. I don't. Because my sufferings are nothing in comparison. Granted, Christ sympathizes with my sufferings and cares about them. But how hard is it to consider your trials PURE JOY? Hard. But is it worth it? YES, because BLESSED is the man who perseveres UNDER trial...
He speaks about sin and temptation...
"When tempted, no one should say 'God is tempting me." (1:13)
"...nor does he [God] tempt anyone." (1:13)
"each is tempted by HIS OWN evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death." (1:15)
This first verse is extremely interesting to me. No one should say "God is tempting me." I've heard it countless times. People will be tempted and assume its some sort of crazy test. But God isn't sitting up on a cloud going... "I wonder how much temptation Jane can handle this time. I'll amp up the game and see what she does!"... no, no, no... GOD is NOT the one tempting you. The verse goes on to say each is tempted by HIS OWN evil desire. So...I will hazardly say that YOU are tempting YOU... and to some extent, I can see this. We consistently put ourselves into situations that tempt us.
And do you notice the pattern? Desire --> Sin --> Death
Interesting, isn't it?
He speaks about action...
"Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry" (1:19)
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." (1:22)
"...continues to do this, not forgetting what he heard" (1:25)
The massive thing that is a red flag for me in these verses is essentially... you can't just go to church, pop a squat, hear the word, and then carry on back to la-ti-da life.. being a Christian means putting Christ into action. I can relate to the mirror depiction given. I used to go in and out of phases of reading the Bible. Then when I'd come back to it I felt as though I forgot everything I read before, even though I'd go through my Bible and find hundreds of notes and marks, I couldn't remember putting any of them there or what those verses said.
The last verse I want to highlight is this... "...keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (1:27)
What does this mean to you?
I'm still pondering it...
Blessings!
In Him,
Samantha
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Wives and Husbands: Love & Respect
Hello dear readers,
Its been, well, almost a year since I've posted in this blog. Today I decided I really need to "start up" this blog again. No matter if people read it or not, I really need to write for me...
So here it goes.
It might not be consistent all the time, but I'm gonna give it my best shot.
This one, is about a topic I've been pondering a lot lately, and to be honest, it might be a little all over the place. But I'll try to write with clarity.
...... on to the blog
One of the most famous passages in the Bible on Wives/Husbands is found in Ephesians. Ephesians 5:22-33 addresses this concept. For quite sometime (probably years), I would read this passage and my mind would center on the word submit when it says, "Wives submit to your Husbands." I would stop there and think - me? submit to someone else? yeah, right, like that will happen. My heart was icy whenever anyone brought this subject up. Possibly because I've been in abusive relationships, but ultimately I just didn't like the idea of submitting to anyone. Ever. Period. End of story.
Thankfully, God doesn't stop working on my heart even though I'm ignorant sometimes and quite frankly pretty stubborn.
So today, a pastor I was listening to preached on this passage. And at first, those initial feelings of "here we go again..." came up... but I pushed them down and told myself I was going to listen with open ears.
I was surprised by what he said. And I found myself nodding consistently throughout the message (nodding in agreement - not snoozing).
The biggest thing that stood out to me was this -
1) God is and needs to be in control (and the center) of relationships
2) we are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
3) the wife/girlfriend/fiance relationship with God - and the husband/boyfriend/fiance relationship with God will determine the wife/girlfriend/fiance relationship with the husband/boyfriend/fiance
Submission doesn't mean coercive and one-sided... it is voluntary and mutual....this was my "AH HA! Light bulb" moment.
We don't submit because we have to...we submit out of love and service to Christ and others.
Bingo. Win. Breakthrough.
I will want to submit to my husband/boyfriend/fiance out of love, respect... not because of force or obligation...
He said four things will cause breakups and divorce: criticism, contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness (Dr. John Gottman from the University of Washington came up with these).
Wives/girlfriends commonly criticise their husbands/boyfriends, which will lead to the husband/boyfriend stonewallling (shutting down emotionally) against their wives/girlfriends. And the cycle continues until there is no communication left.
In the Bible it commands husbands to love their wives. It never commands wives to love their husbands. But it does however command wives to respect their husbands. Because men see love as respect (so in essence, it does command this).
So my prayer is this.
1) I will never immasculate or disrespect my future husband.
2) I will let God determine my husband, not my fleshy desires.
3) I will let God be enough.
4) I will learn the true meaning of submission and how it applies to my future marriage.
5) I will seek God in everything I do so that when I enter into a relationship it will be about Him not us.
Be blessed this week!
In Him,
Samantha
Its been, well, almost a year since I've posted in this blog. Today I decided I really need to "start up" this blog again. No matter if people read it or not, I really need to write for me...
So here it goes.
It might not be consistent all the time, but I'm gonna give it my best shot.
This one, is about a topic I've been pondering a lot lately, and to be honest, it might be a little all over the place. But I'll try to write with clarity.
...... on to the blog
One of the most famous passages in the Bible on Wives/Husbands is found in Ephesians. Ephesians 5:22-33 addresses this concept. For quite sometime (probably years), I would read this passage and my mind would center on the word submit when it says, "Wives submit to your Husbands." I would stop there and think - me? submit to someone else? yeah, right, like that will happen. My heart was icy whenever anyone brought this subject up. Possibly because I've been in abusive relationships, but ultimately I just didn't like the idea of submitting to anyone. Ever. Period. End of story.
Thankfully, God doesn't stop working on my heart even though I'm ignorant sometimes and quite frankly pretty stubborn.
So today, a pastor I was listening to preached on this passage. And at first, those initial feelings of "here we go again..." came up... but I pushed them down and told myself I was going to listen with open ears.
I was surprised by what he said. And I found myself nodding consistently throughout the message (nodding in agreement - not snoozing).
The biggest thing that stood out to me was this -
1) God is and needs to be in control (and the center) of relationships
2) we are to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
3) the wife/girlfriend/fiance relationship with God - and the husband/boyfriend/fiance relationship with God will determine the wife/girlfriend/fiance relationship with the husband/boyfriend/fiance
Submission doesn't mean coercive and one-sided... it is voluntary and mutual....this was my "AH HA! Light bulb" moment.
We don't submit because we have to...we submit out of love and service to Christ and others.
Bingo. Win. Breakthrough.
I will want to submit to my husband/boyfriend/fiance out of love, respect... not because of force or obligation...
He said four things will cause breakups and divorce: criticism, contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness (Dr. John Gottman from the University of Washington came up with these).
Wives/girlfriends commonly criticise their husbands/boyfriends, which will lead to the husband/boyfriend stonewallling (shutting down emotionally) against their wives/girlfriends. And the cycle continues until there is no communication left.
In the Bible it commands husbands to love their wives. It never commands wives to love their husbands. But it does however command wives to respect their husbands. Because men see love as respect (so in essence, it does command this).
So my prayer is this.
1) I will never immasculate or disrespect my future husband.
2) I will let God determine my husband, not my fleshy desires.
3) I will let God be enough.
4) I will learn the true meaning of submission and how it applies to my future marriage.
5) I will seek God in everything I do so that when I enter into a relationship it will be about Him not us.
Be blessed this week!
In Him,
Samantha
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Idol Sickness
In 2 Kings it reads: they followed worthless idols, and they themselves became worthless. I heard this verse read today - and it literally caused me to stop and think.
We often times think of "idols" as statues, witch doctors in another country, possessions, or people who we literally worship. Idols are much more then this. An idol is anything that takes precedence over God in our lives. An idol can be food, money, a job, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, a spouse, a celebrity, school, you name it.
In America, we're really good about disguising our idols. And we probably have more of them in our culture then anywhere else.
We value the fact that we can make our own decisions and choices and yet we're really slaves to the worldly things that consume us.
We're all longing for that hole in our life to be fulfilled - we all want to be satisfied. Many of us however, chose to fill that hole with idol after idol moving onto the next when the first doesn't fulfill. The devil continually looks for ways to fill our longings with things that will ultimately steal, kill, and destroy us.
Often times, the idol he gets us to follow won't even be something that is blatant, especially within the "Christian" sect.
For example, recently I found myself thinking often about my future career, and the longing to have a family. Those two things are not bad things to think about - but they began to consume my thoughts, my ideas, and invade most parts of my day - becoming my idol.
If we allow ourselves to be consumed with idols in our life - and start to follow worthless things - we will ultimately become those things. We become what we consume our lives with.
So whats your idol?
Food? Money? A desire for a spouse/significant other? A career? A job? Technology? Pride? Competition? Music? Industry? Reality TV? A celebrity? A sports team?
Identify it. Thats step one.
Papa God I pray that we are so consumed with You and the things of eternity and of Your Kingdom that earthly things don't even compare. I ask that You would reveal our idols to us God and begin to revive our hearts with a new passion for You. Papa, we live to glorify You and make Your Kingdom known.
In your beautiful son Jesus name,
Amen.
We often times think of "idols" as statues, witch doctors in another country, possessions, or people who we literally worship. Idols are much more then this. An idol is anything that takes precedence over God in our lives. An idol can be food, money, a job, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, a spouse, a celebrity, school, you name it.
In America, we're really good about disguising our idols. And we probably have more of them in our culture then anywhere else.
We value the fact that we can make our own decisions and choices and yet we're really slaves to the worldly things that consume us.
We're all longing for that hole in our life to be fulfilled - we all want to be satisfied. Many of us however, chose to fill that hole with idol after idol moving onto the next when the first doesn't fulfill. The devil continually looks for ways to fill our longings with things that will ultimately steal, kill, and destroy us.
Often times, the idol he gets us to follow won't even be something that is blatant, especially within the "Christian" sect.
For example, recently I found myself thinking often about my future career, and the longing to have a family. Those two things are not bad things to think about - but they began to consume my thoughts, my ideas, and invade most parts of my day - becoming my idol.
If we allow ourselves to be consumed with idols in our life - and start to follow worthless things - we will ultimately become those things. We become what we consume our lives with.
So whats your idol?
Food? Money? A desire for a spouse/significant other? A career? A job? Technology? Pride? Competition? Music? Industry? Reality TV? A celebrity? A sports team?
Identify it. Thats step one.
Papa God I pray that we are so consumed with You and the things of eternity and of Your Kingdom that earthly things don't even compare. I ask that You would reveal our idols to us God and begin to revive our hearts with a new passion for You. Papa, we live to glorify You and make Your Kingdom known.
In your beautiful son Jesus name,
Amen.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Its About the Relationship
I grew up attending a Catholic church for the first 18 or so years of my life. I have nothing against Catholics, its important for you to know and understand that right off the bat - but I state it for story sake. Anyway, continuing on.
I grew up Catholic, like I said. My parents were terrific - we said prayers as a family before bed and dinners, we went to church each Sunday, my brother and I attended Wednesday evening service as well as Sunday school, and we were often involved in the church happenings. I grew up a happy child, in a loving home, with great parents - which I feel extremely blessed for. However, I failed to grasp something all of those years of my life - relationship with Jesus.
Growing up, my understanding of God was that he was a big God, a good God, but far far away, in some distant galaxy. My understanding of Jesus was limited to the fact that He was God's son, and He forgave me. I understood "religion" as being a good person, being nice to other people, going to church on Sundays, and making sure to confess all of your sins. That was my limited understanding of it.
I could go on and finish the rest of my testimony, but today I just want to focus on what I missed out on growing up. I built up this idea of God, religion, and Jesus, but it was for the most part, all no good - I missed the big picture entirely.
Relationship with Jesus Christ is much, much more then a church visit on Sunday, a good Bible study, carrying someone's groceries for them, a spiritual high, a memorized Bible verse, a confessed sin, or signs and wonders.
Relationship with Jesus Christ is about pursuing Him wholeheartedly. This means digging into His word, talking to Him, making Him top priority.
If Jesus Christ is NOT occupying the top of our priority list and something else is - this is called idolatry.
God says in Exodus to not have any God's but Him, and to not worship false idols.
Sometimes I think that when we think of idols we think of statues of pagan gods, greek gods, sacrifices rituals, or something of the sort. I know that when I thought of "idols" I always thought of stone statues and people bowing down to them.
The scary reality is however, is that there are probably more idols in our day in age then ever before.
I realize this is a bold comment to make, but think about it. Facebook, Twitter, texting, money, relationship status, technology gadgets - iPods, iPads, iPhones, cars, homes, fashion, food, singers, actors/actresses, books, models, movies, and so much more can be constituted as idols now - and we probably don't even realize it.
Even seemingly "good" things can become idols.
My challenge to you is to take a serious look at your life and really examine if there is anything in your life that could constitute an idol. Mine personally, was getting to be Facebook for awhile there. I'd choose it over reading Scripture, soaking, spending time with God, ect... Before I realized it it was the first thing I checked in the morning and the last thing I checked at night. Finally, I woke up to the reality that it was taking up more of my time then God was - that is an issue.
Enough religion, more relationship. More intentional, spirit-filled, wholehearted relationship with God.
More reading His word - and less Facebook status's.
More talking to Him - and less texting, Facebook chatting.
More soaking in worship music - and less soaking in reality tv and movies with less then God-glorifying messages.
To all in my generation: its time to take a stand! The devil lures us by all of these "innocent," seemingly "less destructive" idols.... time to say no. The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Our God comes with plans to prosper, and bring love in peace...
More of Him - less of the worldly.
It may seem radical, it may seem harsh - but in the end, all else fades, and one thing remains.
In Him,
Samantha
Saturday, February 5, 2011
We are to be Salt for the Earth!
Matthew 5:13-16
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
Here in good old Minnesota, we are seeing a ton of salt on the road these days. So I thought it was only appropriate to write about salt this evening!
Back in the day, salt was used for many purposes. Here are just a few:
1) To flavor
2) To heal
3) To preserve
So what did Jesus mean when He told us we are meant to be salt exactly?
We are to flavor the life of those around us. If we truly treated each person we came into contact with like a child of Christ can you imagine what a difference this would make? Flavoring the life of others does not have to mean evangelizing on the street corners and preaching in the bars. Think of all the people you have a direct relationship with; friends, family, co-workers, classmates, spouses, boyfriends/girlfriends, gym friends, the list goes on and on. We can make a difference just by starting with our already formed relationships. My heart has been convicted lately because I know that I haven't been all I could be to those around me. I haven't treated those around me like children of God lately - and that needs to change. We need to examine our hearts and if our relationships seem less than Godly, then how can that be fixed?
Over and over again in the good book God commands us to love Him, and love others. Easier said than done. But just take time today, or tomorrow to examine the relationships you have with others. How can we shine God's light into their lives? Which relationships is God calling you to heal, or to preserve?
More thoughts soon.
Blessings!
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
Here in good old Minnesota, we are seeing a ton of salt on the road these days. So I thought it was only appropriate to write about salt this evening!
Back in the day, salt was used for many purposes. Here are just a few:
1) To flavor
2) To heal
3) To preserve
So what did Jesus mean when He told us we are meant to be salt exactly?
We are to flavor the life of those around us. If we truly treated each person we came into contact with like a child of Christ can you imagine what a difference this would make? Flavoring the life of others does not have to mean evangelizing on the street corners and preaching in the bars. Think of all the people you have a direct relationship with; friends, family, co-workers, classmates, spouses, boyfriends/girlfriends, gym friends, the list goes on and on. We can make a difference just by starting with our already formed relationships. My heart has been convicted lately because I know that I haven't been all I could be to those around me. I haven't treated those around me like children of God lately - and that needs to change. We need to examine our hearts and if our relationships seem less than Godly, then how can that be fixed?
Over and over again in the good book God commands us to love Him, and love others. Easier said than done. But just take time today, or tomorrow to examine the relationships you have with others. How can we shine God's light into their lives? Which relationships is God calling you to heal, or to preserve?
More thoughts soon.
Blessings!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Years Resolutions.
Today you may be thinking about New Year's resolutions? You know, those lists we make with two scoops of optimistic enthusiasm, sprinkled with unrealistic expectations, and topped with the cherry of knowing the list isn't serious anyway.
But there is one guy who I suspect played for keeps when he made New Year's resolutions -- that zealot who could never do anything halfway, the let's-get-real-about-our-faith apostle Paul.
My thought is Paul only had one resolution on his New Year's list: "This year I resolve to know nothing but Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2).
Paul's message is radically simple: Salvation is in Christ alone. What does this mean?
It's simply Christ. Christ plus nothing.
That's Paul's message, a message that is as right throughout 2011 as it will be in 2999. May your resolution for this year be nothing but Christ and Him crucified.
But there is one guy who I suspect played for keeps when he made New Year's resolutions -- that zealot who could never do anything halfway, the let's-get-real-about-our-faith apostle Paul.
My thought is Paul only had one resolution on his New Year's list: "This year I resolve to know nothing but Christ and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2).
Paul's message is radically simple: Salvation is in Christ alone. What does this mean?
- It's not Christ plus your good behavior.
- It's not Christ plus the years you taught a Bible study.
- It's not Christ plus your tithe.
- It's not Christ plus the church you attend.
- It's not Christ plus the number of verses you memorize.
- It's not Christ plus your title in the church.
- It's not Christ plus wisdom from the latest Christian seminar.
- It's not Christ plus a desert fast (or even a dessert fast!).
- It's not Christ plus a good driving record.
- It's not Christ plus well-behaved children.
- It's not Christ plus the right job.
- It's not Christ plus the right spouse.
- It's not Christ plus the latest technology.
It's simply Christ. Christ plus nothing.
That's Paul's message, a message that is as right throughout 2011 as it will be in 2999. May your resolution for this year be nothing but Christ and Him crucified.
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