If I believe that He Is, why do I live my life at times as if He isn't? Why do I find myself having a hard time trusting that God will come through? He either is or He isn't, He isn't sometimes. That was my revelation. God is. Why am I living as if He isn't when I know that He is? Every time I begin feeling those doubting feelings I just need to remind myself that He is. He always has been and always will be. The Lord I serve is faithful. I don't need to be anxious about anything. Praise the Lord for He is who He is.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
He is or He isn't
It's kind of embarrassing how simple my last revelation from God is. Its so simple yet so profound and life changing. Either He is, or He isn't. If He is then He will guide our steps, He does have a plan for us, that plan is good, He loves us, He is always faithful, and we can completely trust Him in everything and not be anxious about a thing. If He isn't then there is no use pretending and we may as well grab as much of what feels good as we can in this life. I am fully convinced, however, that He Is.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Faith / Works
"It is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8)"
It is clear in the Bible that works do not save us. It does not matter how many good things we do they will never make us worthy to be saved. Jesus saves us through faith, through believing in Him and what He did for us. What did He do? Before Christ, the human race was "In Adam" who brought sin into the world and all men were sinful by nature. Christ came and died AS US (Romans 6:3-4, 7:4). When we accept Jesus in our life we die to our sin, we are longer "In Adam" but instead are now "In Christ." We no longer have a sinful nature (Romans 5:19, 6:6-7, 7:1-6, 8:1-4, Galatians 5:24), but live according to the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). We have a new nature, old things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). God has saved us through Jesus, not by anything we have done. When He saved us He did more than substitute Himself for us, He died as us, because since we died with Him we also live with Him now that He has raised from the dead. God put us in right standing with God (made righteous) not because of anything we have done, but through faith in Jesus.
"Faith without works is dead (James 2:17)"
Now it is by grace that we have been saved but then we realize that if we don't have works then we have no faith. A truth we must realize is this - "We always act out of what we believe." We can give lip service to whatever we like about believing this or that, but what we truly believe always shows in our actions. Every choice we make in life we make based on what we believe is the best choice, even if we are completely misguided we act a certain way because we believe certain things. Our actions always show what we believe. So while faith saves us, we actually don't have any faith if it isn't evident in our works.
"Faith works through Love (Galatians 5:6)"
God is love, and our faith in God works through Love. Love is an action. If we have no love our faith does not work. We can say we believe this or that about the Bible, but our faith is broken if we are not living in Love. This is the "works" God is talking about. He isn't saying that if we believe in Him we need to do a whole bunch of things for Him to prove our faith is real. He is saying that when we have faith and believe in Jesus, and receive our new nature, and live "In Christ," we will live with God's love overflowing out of us. We don't need to strive to do alot things for God, but instead rest in Him and allow Him to work through us by Love. Resting in Him means not striving to do things in our own effort or strength, but resting in His strength and allowing Him to do the work through us. We don't have to strive to do a whole bunch of things for God. We fulfill all He asks of us when we Love! (Romans 13:8)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Righteousness
The Letters to the churches are a great place to read and really grow in the Lord. Romans 3:21-25 says,
"BUT NOW a righteousness from God, apart from the law, HAS BEEN made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to ALL WHO BELIEVE. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are JUSTIFIED FREELY by His grace through the redemption that came BY CHRIST JESUS. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in HIS BLOOD."
It goes on with good things, but I think this is enough to show that Now a righteousness has been (past tense) made known to all who believe in Jesus through faith in His blood. The only way we can become righteous is through faith in His blood. Works do not make us more righteous, it says we are justified freely. We can do nothing to make ourselves more or less righteous. We can only accept something done for us. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (To much emphasis has been on this verse, and not enough on the glory surrounding it) so we fall short on our own, BUT we are REDEEMED FREELY through JESUS CHRIST. YAY. Through Christ's blood we are made holy and righteous. We do not deserve it, and we both (us and God) know that, but because of His great love for us, He died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). We are righteous because of Jesus! Isn't that glorious? Isn't that amazing? (Notable verses - Romans 5:17)
Romans 6 goes through the fact that we are now dead to sin. When we accepted Jesus our sinful nature died. We have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness (verse 18). Romans 7 starts with an illustration about marraige showing how the husband (sinful nature) died and now the bride was legally allowed to marry another (we are legally able to accept righteousness from God). Verse 5 - For we WERE controlled by the sinful nature... Verse 6 BUT NOW, by dying to once bound us, we have been released from the law. Verses 7-25 talks of Paul under the law, or his life before Jesus, and how (verse 25) he was bound in the law of sin and death. In chapter 8 he states that "Therefore, there is now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life SET ME FREE FROM the law of sin and death. (8:1-2). Also read Romans 8:9-11. We are now hidden is Christ, the firstborn of new creations (8:29). Firstborn meaning more would be born. We are New Creations (2 Cor 5:17). We are sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:15-16). It says that we are more than conquerers through Jesus (Romans 8:37).
As sons and daughters of God we can come boldly to the throneroom in seeking answers. Ephesians 2:4-10 wraps this up nicely, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we WERE (past) dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God RAISED US UP WITH CHRIST JESUS AND SEATED US WITH HIM IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS IN CHRIST JESUS, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is a gift from God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
"BUT NOW a righteousness from God, apart from the law, HAS BEEN made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to ALL WHO BELIEVE. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are JUSTIFIED FREELY by His grace through the redemption that came BY CHRIST JESUS. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in HIS BLOOD."
It goes on with good things, but I think this is enough to show that Now a righteousness has been (past tense) made known to all who believe in Jesus through faith in His blood. The only way we can become righteous is through faith in His blood. Works do not make us more righteous, it says we are justified freely. We can do nothing to make ourselves more or less righteous. We can only accept something done for us. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (To much emphasis has been on this verse, and not enough on the glory surrounding it) so we fall short on our own, BUT we are REDEEMED FREELY through JESUS CHRIST. YAY. Through Christ's blood we are made holy and righteous. We do not deserve it, and we both (us and God) know that, but because of His great love for us, He died for us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). We are righteous because of Jesus! Isn't that glorious? Isn't that amazing? (Notable verses - Romans 5:17)
Romans 6 goes through the fact that we are now dead to sin. When we accepted Jesus our sinful nature died. We have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness (verse 18). Romans 7 starts with an illustration about marraige showing how the husband (sinful nature) died and now the bride was legally allowed to marry another (we are legally able to accept righteousness from God). Verse 5 - For we WERE controlled by the sinful nature... Verse 6 BUT NOW, by dying to once bound us, we have been released from the law. Verses 7-25 talks of Paul under the law, or his life before Jesus, and how (verse 25) he was bound in the law of sin and death. In chapter 8 he states that "Therefore, there is now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life SET ME FREE FROM the law of sin and death. (8:1-2). Also read Romans 8:9-11. We are now hidden is Christ, the firstborn of new creations (8:29). Firstborn meaning more would be born. We are New Creations (2 Cor 5:17). We are sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:15-16). It says that we are more than conquerers through Jesus (Romans 8:37).
As sons and daughters of God we can come boldly to the throneroom in seeking answers. Ephesians 2:4-10 wraps this up nicely, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we WERE (past) dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God RAISED US UP WITH CHRIST JESUS AND SEATED US WITH HIM IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS IN CHRIST JESUS, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is a gift from God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Love
"Jesus didn't come to change the world, but to love it. If we think we have to change the world, the world will think it has to change to be loved" - Bill Johnson
"If you purpose to change the world, you will fail. If you purpose to love the world, the world will be forever changed" - Jon Thiessen
When we realize the great love God has for us, we will be overflowing with God love and it will pour out of us. Our lives will be characterized by the God type of love. Christianity becomes the most attractive thing in the world when Christians live with this God love. In every situation in life, if we choose love, we allow the Lord to change the situation.
"If you purpose to change the world, you will fail. If you purpose to love the world, the world will be forever changed" - Jon Thiessen
When we realize the great love God has for us, we will be overflowing with God love and it will pour out of us. Our lives will be characterized by the God type of love. Christianity becomes the most attractive thing in the world when Christians live with this God love. In every situation in life, if we choose love, we allow the Lord to change the situation.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Haiti 2009
I went to Haiti this year with my brother James and my friend Chad. We visited an organization named Haiti Arise. Their motto is "Something in the hand, Something in the heart." They strive to give the people of Haiti the skills necessary to get a job to support their families as well as showing them the transforming power of Christ's love for them.
We went down to reach the local basketball players in Grande Goave, Haiti (60 km SW of Port-au-Prince). Haiti is 85% Cathlolic and 90% practice voodoo, so there is alot of mixing of the two. The basketball court is situated right beside one of these churches in an area of town that is quite rough. We taught the guys how to play proper basketball both in the classroom and on the court, and then on the last day played a tournament against them. During each session we also shared how Christ's love for us has changed our lives and given us true life.
After the tournament we brought them over to the Haiti Arise compound to have an "Awards Ceremony" with a meal. The guys came in expecting to be fed crackers and cheese, but we fed them good food. We heaped their plates full of Rice, Fish, Bread, and Veggies. We also sat them at the table when they were expecting to eat outside. After we ate with them we gave out certificates for completing the Basketball training, as well as t-shirts, waterbottles, and basketballs. I believe their hearts were touched as they saw the love of Christ demonstrated through us.
We also went out evangelising with the bible college students of Haiti Arise. During that time we saw 25 people come to know the Lord. I believe the focus of missions is on going to strengthen the local church to reach their own people. This focus however does not get in the way when someone says they would like to know Jesus. It was awesome to see.
One of the highlights during this time was when I was praying for people, a boy about 13 years old, who had grown up in an orphanage most of his life, and living in one of the poorest and roughest parts of Grand Goave came up to me (he spoke English) and said that he wanted prayer to live a blessed life. He wanted desperately to live a victorious life. I felt as if I was specifically sent to Haiti to pray for this young man. I prayed a blessing over him and his life and I will probably not know until I die how the Lord answered that prayer, but it was a privledge to pray for him.
At the end of the trip we also did a rice feed, where about 300 families would recieve about 3 days worth of rice. We handed it out after church on Sunday and was able to really bless the congregation.
Thank you to all who supported this trip. You gave out of your hearts being led by the Spirit of God without ever being asked. Thank you and the Lord Bless you.
We went down to reach the local basketball players in Grande Goave, Haiti (60 km SW of Port-au-Prince). Haiti is 85% Cathlolic and 90% practice voodoo, so there is alot of mixing of the two. The basketball court is situated right beside one of these churches in an area of town that is quite rough. We taught the guys how to play proper basketball both in the classroom and on the court, and then on the last day played a tournament against them. During each session we also shared how Christ's love for us has changed our lives and given us true life.
After the tournament we brought them over to the Haiti Arise compound to have an "Awards Ceremony" with a meal. The guys came in expecting to be fed crackers and cheese, but we fed them good food. We heaped their plates full of Rice, Fish, Bread, and Veggies. We also sat them at the table when they were expecting to eat outside. After we ate with them we gave out certificates for completing the Basketball training, as well as t-shirts, waterbottles, and basketballs. I believe their hearts were touched as they saw the love of Christ demonstrated through us.
We also went out evangelising with the bible college students of Haiti Arise. During that time we saw 25 people come to know the Lord. I believe the focus of missions is on going to strengthen the local church to reach their own people. This focus however does not get in the way when someone says they would like to know Jesus. It was awesome to see.
One of the highlights during this time was when I was praying for people, a boy about 13 years old, who had grown up in an orphanage most of his life, and living in one of the poorest and roughest parts of Grand Goave came up to me (he spoke English) and said that he wanted prayer to live a blessed life. He wanted desperately to live a victorious life. I felt as if I was specifically sent to Haiti to pray for this young man. I prayed a blessing over him and his life and I will probably not know until I die how the Lord answered that prayer, but it was a privledge to pray for him.
At the end of the trip we also did a rice feed, where about 300 families would recieve about 3 days worth of rice. We handed it out after church on Sunday and was able to really bless the congregation.
Thank you to all who supported this trip. You gave out of your hearts being led by the Spirit of God without ever being asked. Thank you and the Lord Bless you.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
God Is Good, Always
Matthew 19:17 - “‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only
One who is good’”
Romans 12:2 -“Then you will able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good,
pleasing and perfect will.”
God is good. Always. The word good in these verses is the Greek word agathos which means “intrinsically good.”[1] In Matthew 19:17 Jesus says, “There is only One who is [intrinsically good].” Romans 12:2 we learn that God’s will is intrinsically good. Intrinsic is defined; “belonging to a thing by its very nature”[2] These verses tell us that God in His very nature is good, and that His will is by its very nature good.
In Matthew 12:25 Jesus teaches that, “every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” Since God is in His very nature good, if He was to act in a way against that nature, His kingdom would be divided against itself and be ruined. So if God is always good, and His will is intrinsically good, we need to know what God’s will is so that we know what good is in God’s perspective.
In our culture we often call things good that are not intrinsically good. We often base what is good by how it makes us feel. Feelings however do not have any bearing on whether something is true or not. Everyone feels differently, but the truth remains the same. If we believe that “what true to me is truth for me, and what’s true for you is truth for you, then what happens when my truth says your truth is a lie, is it still true?”[3] There is only one truth. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.” God is Truth. God is good. We need to find God’s perspective of what is good. For what He calls good, is truly good.
How do we find God’s perspective of what is good? We can look at His will, which is intrinsically good, to know what God’s view is of what is truly good. We look at His will because the will or actions of a person reveal their heart. So to know Him, we need to know what He wants done. So what is the will of God? Can we even know it?
God actually shows us right in His word what His will is. In the Lord’s prayer Jesus prays, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus is showing us how to pray. Jesus is God. God’s will for the earth is that His will be done on it, as it is in Heaven. If something is not His will in heaven, then it is not His will on this earth. This is God’s perspective of what is good. If it’s something you wouldn’t see in heaven, then it’s not good from God’s perspective. God is always good. He can’t work against Himself. He does not give gifts that are not good (Luke 11:10-13). Things that you receive that are not good are not from God, and they are not His will for your life.
[1] Strong’s Concordance from Esword
[2] http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intrinsically
[3] Lecrae- Album Rebel, Song Truth
One who is good’”
Romans 12:2 -“Then you will able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good,
pleasing and perfect will.”
God is good. Always. The word good in these verses is the Greek word agathos which means “intrinsically good.”[1] In Matthew 19:17 Jesus says, “There is only One who is [intrinsically good].” Romans 12:2 we learn that God’s will is intrinsically good. Intrinsic is defined; “belonging to a thing by its very nature”[2] These verses tell us that God in His very nature is good, and that His will is by its very nature good.
In Matthew 12:25 Jesus teaches that, “every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” Since God is in His very nature good, if He was to act in a way against that nature, His kingdom would be divided against itself and be ruined. So if God is always good, and His will is intrinsically good, we need to know what God’s will is so that we know what good is in God’s perspective.
In our culture we often call things good that are not intrinsically good. We often base what is good by how it makes us feel. Feelings however do not have any bearing on whether something is true or not. Everyone feels differently, but the truth remains the same. If we believe that “what true to me is truth for me, and what’s true for you is truth for you, then what happens when my truth says your truth is a lie, is it still true?”[3] There is only one truth. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.” God is Truth. God is good. We need to find God’s perspective of what is good. For what He calls good, is truly good.
How do we find God’s perspective of what is good? We can look at His will, which is intrinsically good, to know what God’s view is of what is truly good. We look at His will because the will or actions of a person reveal their heart. So to know Him, we need to know what He wants done. So what is the will of God? Can we even know it?
God actually shows us right in His word what His will is. In the Lord’s prayer Jesus prays, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus is showing us how to pray. Jesus is God. God’s will for the earth is that His will be done on it, as it is in Heaven. If something is not His will in heaven, then it is not His will on this earth. This is God’s perspective of what is good. If it’s something you wouldn’t see in heaven, then it’s not good from God’s perspective. God is always good. He can’t work against Himself. He does not give gifts that are not good (Luke 11:10-13). Things that you receive that are not good are not from God, and they are not His will for your life.
[1] Strong’s Concordance from Esword
[2] http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/intrinsically
[3] Lecrae- Album Rebel, Song Truth
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Renewing of the Mind
Romans 12:2 “… be transformed by the renewing of your mind. THEN you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.” NIV
“… be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” NKJV
If we want to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven, we need to know what God’s will is so that we can declare His will when we see something that contradicts it. This verse shows us that only when we are transformed by the renewing of mind can we “test and approve what God’s will is,” or in the NKJV “prove” the will of God. I like the picture proving the will of God gives me. It is a picture of declaring the Word of the Lord, watching the Lord heal, deliver, save, you name it, for the entire world to see, proving the Word of God true. The word for “prove” in the Greek is dokimazō which means, “to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve: - allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try.”[1] To be able to do this we need a renewed mind. Only then will we be able to test, approve, prove, and know His will. The only way to have faith in the Lord’s will being done is to know that what you are declaring is God’s will. That is the first hurdle to get over. Once we know something is God’s will, from our renewed minds, we can then be confident in asking for it to be done. “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it (John 14:13-14).” The renewing of the mind is the key to being able to pray “In His name,” because we can only pray for something in His name if it’s in His will, for God cannot do anything outside of His good nature. He is always good and cannot work against Himself. The Bible says God will do anything you ask for in his will, we need to wash our brains with this truth, renewing our minds, and believing God to be true, and every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)
[1] Strong Concordence from ESword
“… be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” NKJV
If we want to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven, we need to know what God’s will is so that we can declare His will when we see something that contradicts it. This verse shows us that only when we are transformed by the renewing of mind can we “test and approve what God’s will is,” or in the NKJV “prove” the will of God. I like the picture proving the will of God gives me. It is a picture of declaring the Word of the Lord, watching the Lord heal, deliver, save, you name it, for the entire world to see, proving the Word of God true. The word for “prove” in the Greek is dokimazō which means, “to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve: - allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try.”[1] To be able to do this we need a renewed mind. Only then will we be able to test, approve, prove, and know His will. The only way to have faith in the Lord’s will being done is to know that what you are declaring is God’s will. That is the first hurdle to get over. Once we know something is God’s will, from our renewed minds, we can then be confident in asking for it to be done. “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it (John 14:13-14).” The renewing of the mind is the key to being able to pray “In His name,” because we can only pray for something in His name if it’s in His will, for God cannot do anything outside of His good nature. He is always good and cannot work against Himself. The Bible says God will do anything you ask for in his will, we need to wash our brains with this truth, renewing our minds, and believing God to be true, and every man a liar. (Romans 3:4)
[1] Strong Concordence from ESword
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