1 Cor 15:34a "Awake to righteousness and do not sin..."
God woke me up again and reminded me of my sin, why do I keep doing that, do I really need to feed my flesh more and more?
A little poem came to mind:
I had a stain on my belly made of chocolate of some kind
Just a bitter pill left to remind
Of my love for food that won't go away
Eat like a cow to my dismay
Why do I eat till it hurts some more
Pace it out so I can consume like a bore
Taste this and that, have to try it heated
I eat like a pig and then it's repeated
A jug of this, a gallon more
Eat all I want, there's more at the store
Wake up and have doughnuts, the perfect treat
Or cereal that tastes like a candy bar, 5 bowls or more, quite a feat
A dozen or so doughnuts at one sitting
A box of this is really quite fitting
It's amazing how much pizza a man can eat
After that I feel full from my head to my feet
It's grazing on holidays that sets me a blur
I can eat all day it's what's common I'm sure
Except for the starving out there
I wonder, would we eat like this if they were in our stare
If a child was in the room about to die of hunger
Would I really eat like I had no limits, the fridge to plunder
I think not, for my care would be for him
that poor child wasting away, so thin
So I live not to please my self
Put my appetite back on the shelf
Back where it belongs not in a cupboard full of stew
But in God's control I hand me back to You.
Lord help me to do Your will not mine anymore, I want you more than some thing, Lord help me not to live for myself in any way, in Jesus name, amen!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Dead to sin but alive to God
What a beautiful scripture, and what a challenge for us, for this is the standard we are to live in according to His words:
Romans 6
Dead to Sin, Alive to God
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6
Dead to Sin, Alive to God
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
He saved me, no literally!
God through Christ did save me, I am saved! But last night in a restaurant, He saved me again, physically. I was choking. I swallowed too large of a piece of meat and I couldn't swallow it, at first I thought by drinking more water that I could force it down, but then I couldn't breath, or swallow. I don't know if you've ever been at this point yourself, but no matter how strong I am, no matter my abilities, I am completely at the mercy of the Lord. So I asked Him to save me, and He did. Through a series of "urping" we will call it, 4 or 5 urps, part by part I stopped choking, the Lord did save me. It didn't go down the wrong tube, it was just too big for the tube. So for the next 20 or 30 minutes I choked, gaged, and...urped.
As this was happening the Lord started to show me something. I eat too much. This blog actually started with a very similar word from the Lord, a speech I heeded, but did not follow to the letter, I disobeyed. So now I almost choke and die at a buffet because I love food too much, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME! (You should have seen the size of my "1st" plate) Why would I ever choose to disobey my loving Father when he is always so good to me? Can you imagine the headlines in the paper if I had of choked and died; "Man who feeds starving children dies of choking BECAUSE HE EATS TOO MUCH." or something like that.
I am not an animal, so I should not eat like one! I am a 40 something male who does not need a lot of the food he eats.
My fiend after about 20 minutes of this came into the restroom and asked if I was OK. I told him what happened and he asked if he could pray for me, YES! As he was praying for me he prayed that maybe this is something deeper (God knows!) and he prayed that God would heal me. (Shortly after that, one more urp and I was able to function quite well, had a great sleep) but I had to tell my friend what that something deeper was, my gluttony, I eat too much. So he was able to confirm what the Lord was telling me to do, so what will I do, will I test the Lord...NOOOOO"Lord help me to obey You, the author of my faith, the One who made me, and knows what I need, save me again, for You, that I would live to please You and not my self, in Jesus name, again: "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself in the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."
As this was happening the Lord started to show me something. I eat too much. This blog actually started with a very similar word from the Lord, a speech I heeded, but did not follow to the letter, I disobeyed. So now I almost choke and die at a buffet because I love food too much, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME! (You should have seen the size of my "1st" plate) Why would I ever choose to disobey my loving Father when he is always so good to me? Can you imagine the headlines in the paper if I had of choked and died; "Man who feeds starving children dies of choking BECAUSE HE EATS TOO MUCH." or something like that.
I am not an animal, so I should not eat like one! I am a 40 something male who does not need a lot of the food he eats.
My fiend after about 20 minutes of this came into the restroom and asked if I was OK. I told him what happened and he asked if he could pray for me, YES! As he was praying for me he prayed that maybe this is something deeper (God knows!) and he prayed that God would heal me. (Shortly after that, one more urp and I was able to function quite well, had a great sleep) but I had to tell my friend what that something deeper was, my gluttony, I eat too much. So he was able to confirm what the Lord was telling me to do, so what will I do, will I test the Lord...NOOOOO"Lord help me to obey You, the author of my faith, the One who made me, and knows what I need, save me again, for You, that I would live to please You and not my self, in Jesus name, again: "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself in the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Engaged in warfare?
What are we engaged in? Life, family, our jobs? 2Tim 2:2 says:" No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."
Part of this question goes back to who's we are. If we do not recognize that we are not our own anymore, but that we've been bought with a price, and now we are Christ's, (1 Cor 6: 19 & 20) then we can not see who enlisted us, who controls us. and who should be making all the decisions that we now make.
I woke up this morning and was thinking about the local churches, and how I have been asked to speak at many churches, but not the two closest to us. The phrase jumped into my head "They do not easily give up their pulpits." Then I thought; but it's God's pulpit. Then I imagined one of the pastors saying but He (God) gave it to me, so now it's mine and I am responsible." But the scriptures teach us that the earth and all that is in it is the Lord's (Psalm 24:1) ...so He does not give, but let's us use, put's us in positions where He can use us, we own nothing.
Our wives, not ours. Kids, not ours. Nothing is ours, we merely are to be obedient to what He says to do with how He places us.
So back to what we're engaged in: If God has enlisted us, just like in our military, we are now owned by Him. We don't get up when we want, eat what we want, even wear what we want. As a soldier we are commissioned to do the will of He who enlisted us, in every capacity. And we need His constant direction of where we should be stationed, where we should be at every minute. There is a war going on, we are being recruited by other forces, we do not have time to be engaged in anything else around us, but only that which He allows to, or assigns us too. Any other commitment we make, outside of His plans, could be life threatening to us, and those around us. We NEED to be where He places us, doing what He commissioned us to, otherwise we are in great jeopardy.
So are we here to please ourselves, or the One that enlisted us? What are we living for?
"Lord forgive me for going on my own missions, not acting as if You were the one who enlisted me, forgive me for attended to my own needs desires, and other things, above Yours, I want Your will, not my own, help me to understand the difference, in Jesus Name, the name above every other name. Amen."
Part of this question goes back to who's we are. If we do not recognize that we are not our own anymore, but that we've been bought with a price, and now we are Christ's, (1 Cor 6: 19 & 20) then we can not see who enlisted us, who controls us. and who should be making all the decisions that we now make.
I woke up this morning and was thinking about the local churches, and how I have been asked to speak at many churches, but not the two closest to us. The phrase jumped into my head "They do not easily give up their pulpits." Then I thought; but it's God's pulpit. Then I imagined one of the pastors saying but He (God) gave it to me, so now it's mine and I am responsible." But the scriptures teach us that the earth and all that is in it is the Lord's (Psalm 24:1) ...so He does not give, but let's us use, put's us in positions where He can use us, we own nothing.
Our wives, not ours. Kids, not ours. Nothing is ours, we merely are to be obedient to what He says to do with how He places us.
So back to what we're engaged in: If God has enlisted us, just like in our military, we are now owned by Him. We don't get up when we want, eat what we want, even wear what we want. As a soldier we are commissioned to do the will of He who enlisted us, in every capacity. And we need His constant direction of where we should be stationed, where we should be at every minute. There is a war going on, we are being recruited by other forces, we do not have time to be engaged in anything else around us, but only that which He allows to, or assigns us too. Any other commitment we make, outside of His plans, could be life threatening to us, and those around us. We NEED to be where He places us, doing what He commissioned us to, otherwise we are in great jeopardy.
So are we here to please ourselves, or the One that enlisted us? What are we living for?
"Lord forgive me for going on my own missions, not acting as if You were the one who enlisted me, forgive me for attended to my own needs desires, and other things, above Yours, I want Your will, not my own, help me to understand the difference, in Jesus Name, the name above every other name. Amen."
Saturday, November 20, 2010
God's Grace is sufficient
Paul had asked the Lord to remove a thorn in his flesh, a "messenger sent to buffet his body" and the Lord resounded to him "My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in your weakness." (2nd Cor. 12)
My grace is sufficient....I Love that, I need that and it's what He gives with no partiality, with no regard of who I am, it's all based on who He is, and I am so glad!
"Lord let Your grace be sufficient for me in every way. Let all Your provision be enough and let me never long for more."
In Jesus name, amen.
My grace is sufficient....I Love that, I need that and it's what He gives with no partiality, with no regard of who I am, it's all based on who He is, and I am so glad!
"Lord let Your grace be sufficient for me in every way. Let all Your provision be enough and let me never long for more."
In Jesus name, amen.
Friday, November 19, 2010
No darkness at all!
God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all 1 John 1:5
So if we're hidden in Christ, NO DARKNESS, whohoo!!
So if we're hidden in Christ, NO DARKNESS, whohoo!!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Is eating what I do not need a sin?
Mark 9:29 & Matthew 17:21. "These kind only come out by prayer and fasting."
The disciples were brought a man's son who had a demon and they were trying to cast it out, but couldn't. This son was being tortured violently, and the demon would not let him go. Jesus came up and saw a crowd and asked about it, the father told Him how this demon terrorizes his son, The Lord rebuked the spirit, it threw him down one more time and then it left him.
When asked later by His disciples why they couldn't cast him out He said these kind only come out by prayer and fasting, one translation says much prayer and fasting!
If we have not committed our lives to prayer and fasting, it may very well be a sin. I've known guys who have gone to the doctor and been told unless they lose a ton of weight and start eating healthy, they will develop diseases, and they will die. Some of these people start losing weight immediately, and do very well. Others seem to not believe it, or care enough, and they go on with their lifestyles and eat what they want, and yes, die early.
The lust of our flesh is a powerful thing if given into.
But what about this diligence issue. Much prayer and fasting, this is a disciplined life is it not? Like a professional athlete it requires hard work, discipline in mind and body, and for the Christian living a prayer and fasted life, it means given over to the Holy Spirit, completely.
I was just thinking about senseless killing, like a drive by shooting that hits the wrong house...do we live senseless lives, specially those of us "hidden in Christ." Do we live this life all for Him, half and half? Zeal for Christ, burning passionately for Him, directed by His Spirit?
This can't be a thing of works, they tried to cast the demon out, but according to Jesus instructions, these kind only come out by prayer and fasting. So do we live, do I live, a prayer and fasted life. No I do not, as He has instructed me to.
If my life is His, hidden in Christ, and it's no longer I that live, but He that lives in me, what place do I have, what right do I have to now control my life? If I have given it up to be saved, shouldn't I give up all control as well? If I sell a property, and it's no longer mine, if I try and go live there still, isn't that trespassing? If I sell my car, but keep a set of keys and go and drive it, isn't that stealing?
We have become thieves robbing the temple of God that we are. We are not our own any more, we have been bought with a price, the price of Christ's life. And if we still assume control of our lives, we are thieves and trespassers!
We must not work in the flesh, but we must yield to the Spirit at all times. (Which we also must not do as a work of the flesh)
For some of us we just don't hear that we're going astray, because we are not attune to His Spirit. We have become dulled in our senses. "Lord, quicken our senses once again, whatever has caused us to lose sight of You, redeem that thing in our lives, and let us like sheep to a shepherd, hear your voice, so You can once again lead us as You will, in Jesus Name, amen!"
I have noticed in my own life that there are times I hear my voice better than His!? "Lord make that the opposite, that I hear You above all else, in Jesus Name!"
Mark 9:29 & Matthew 17:21. "These kind only come out by prayer and fasting."
The disciples were brought a man's son who had a demon and they were trying to cast it out, but couldn't. This son was being tortured violently, and the demon would not let him go. Jesus came up and saw a crowd and asked about it, the father told Him how this demon terrorizes his son, The Lord rebuked the spirit, it threw him down one more time and then it left him.
When asked later by His disciples why they couldn't cast him out He said these kind only come out by prayer and fasting, one translation says much prayer and fasting!
If we have not committed our lives to prayer and fasting, it may very well be a sin. I've known guys who have gone to the doctor and been told unless they lose a ton of weight and start eating healthy, they will develop diseases, and they will die. Some of these people start losing weight immediately, and do very well. Others seem to not believe it, or care enough, and they go on with their lifestyles and eat what they want, and yes, die early.
The lust of our flesh is a powerful thing if given into.
But what about this diligence issue. Much prayer and fasting, this is a disciplined life is it not? Like a professional athlete it requires hard work, discipline in mind and body, and for the Christian living a prayer and fasted life, it means given over to the Holy Spirit, completely.
I was just thinking about senseless killing, like a drive by shooting that hits the wrong house...do we live senseless lives, specially those of us "hidden in Christ." Do we live this life all for Him, half and half? Zeal for Christ, burning passionately for Him, directed by His Spirit?
This can't be a thing of works, they tried to cast the demon out, but according to Jesus instructions, these kind only come out by prayer and fasting. So do we live, do I live, a prayer and fasted life. No I do not, as He has instructed me to.
If my life is His, hidden in Christ, and it's no longer I that live, but He that lives in me, what place do I have, what right do I have to now control my life? If I have given it up to be saved, shouldn't I give up all control as well? If I sell a property, and it's no longer mine, if I try and go live there still, isn't that trespassing? If I sell my car, but keep a set of keys and go and drive it, isn't that stealing?
We have become thieves robbing the temple of God that we are. We are not our own any more, we have been bought with a price, the price of Christ's life. And if we still assume control of our lives, we are thieves and trespassers!
We must not work in the flesh, but we must yield to the Spirit at all times. (Which we also must not do as a work of the flesh)
For some of us we just don't hear that we're going astray, because we are not attune to His Spirit. We have become dulled in our senses. "Lord, quicken our senses once again, whatever has caused us to lose sight of You, redeem that thing in our lives, and let us like sheep to a shepherd, hear your voice, so You can once again lead us as You will, in Jesus Name, amen!"
I have noticed in my own life that there are times I hear my voice better than His!? "Lord make that the opposite, that I hear You above all else, in Jesus Name!"
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