Psa 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Psa 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
I can’t help but think about the great concern we should have for spreading the gospel to others when reading this. The lost should be of great concern to those that have found and took hold of salvation, because we know the cost of rejecting God and what He has offered to us. Those in this world cannot possibly comprehend the magnitude of what they are rejecting. Worse yet, the denominational world have many deceived into believing they are in a right relationship with God. The responsibility is placed upon our shoulders to get the Word of God in truth out to all those that are lost. Although many will be lost because of their own willful ignorance of God’s word, it causes us sorrow, especially when those we love reject it. We must never give up on warning, persuading and pleading with the lost of follow God. There are those that do have an honest and good heart and do want the truth. If we go forth “bearing precious seed” as the Scripture says above we will “doubtless come again rejoicing” because of those who do obey the gospel. I can’t help but to think of my own family when I read these Scriptures. I have cried many tears for their rejection of God’s Word. I try so hard to warn my children and my husband and set a good example for them, but so far to no avail. I know that I failed my children when they were younger, because I myself was not stronger at that time. I can’t look back though, I only have today to be the best that I can be for God and do what I can now. I will keep trying as long as I am here to persuade them to turn to God. I love this Scripture: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13). I am trying with all that is in me to do just that, deny this world and live soberly, righteously and godly so that I can always at every minute look forward to His appearing and never be caught in a state of not being in Him.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Worry
Scripture Reading: Psalm 127:1, 2
This passage is speaking of total dependence upon God. It is great that we as Christians have God to depend on in this life (Heb. 13:5). Verse 2 is speaking of worrying. It is vain and useless to worry and this is not what God wants us to fill our lives with. I read this on the internet a while back on the subject of worry:
“Science estimates that a dense fog seven blocks wide by one hundred feet deep consists of only enough water to fill one eight ounce glass. Think about that…all of a major sized city could be paralyzed by several gallons of water. If a dense fog hangs around very long it can bring on panic…: When the fog of worry descends, keep in mind that the devil only has to use a very little thing to cause a one person size fog. It’s been blown out of proportion for the purpose of stealing your joy…”
I thought that was interesting and it put a different perspective on worrying. Many times the things we worry over never come to pass. And most times worry cannot change the thing we are worrying over. I know that sometimes the things we worry over are not small things, but can really be something of much concern. It is okay to be concerned over important things that arise, but we must learn not to take them to the point of worry. We have to realize that if we belong to God and that is the most important thing, then nothing in this life can take that way from us. Worry for me is really hard and I battle with it a lot. But I have learned that a strong relationship with God helps so much when you find yourself in a situation that you are strongly tempted to worry over. What helps me the most is prayer and getting comfort from the Scriptures. This helps to calm me and keep my mind from imagining everything possible to make worry worse. We read in the book of Matthew of how we are to not get too wrapped up in the concerns of this world to the point of worry, but the keep our minds focused on seeking God’s kingdom first. Mat 6:25 -34 - “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” These are some words that describe worry: to be anxious, feel uneasy, be apprehensive, disturbed, lose heart, be heavy-hearted, be afraid, dread, brood over, stew. It is also defined as torment, agony, misery, woe, difficulty and vexation. On the other hand words that have the opposite meaning of worry, fear, and panic are: Comfort, solace, console, sooth, calm, tranquility, peace of mind, and serenity. All of these can be our when we keep our minds stayed on Him who is the giver of peace (Isa. 26:3).
Psa 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Psa 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
This passage is speaking of total dependence upon God. It is great that we as Christians have God to depend on in this life (Heb. 13:5). Verse 2 is speaking of worrying. It is vain and useless to worry and this is not what God wants us to fill our lives with. I read this on the internet a while back on the subject of worry:
“Science estimates that a dense fog seven blocks wide by one hundred feet deep consists of only enough water to fill one eight ounce glass. Think about that…all of a major sized city could be paralyzed by several gallons of water. If a dense fog hangs around very long it can bring on panic…: When the fog of worry descends, keep in mind that the devil only has to use a very little thing to cause a one person size fog. It’s been blown out of proportion for the purpose of stealing your joy…”
I thought that was interesting and it put a different perspective on worrying. Many times the things we worry over never come to pass. And most times worry cannot change the thing we are worrying over. I know that sometimes the things we worry over are not small things, but can really be something of much concern. It is okay to be concerned over important things that arise, but we must learn not to take them to the point of worry. We have to realize that if we belong to God and that is the most important thing, then nothing in this life can take that way from us. Worry for me is really hard and I battle with it a lot. But I have learned that a strong relationship with God helps so much when you find yourself in a situation that you are strongly tempted to worry over. What helps me the most is prayer and getting comfort from the Scriptures. This helps to calm me and keep my mind from imagining everything possible to make worry worse. We read in the book of Matthew of how we are to not get too wrapped up in the concerns of this world to the point of worry, but the keep our minds focused on seeking God’s kingdom first. Mat 6:25 -34 - “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” These are some words that describe worry: to be anxious, feel uneasy, be apprehensive, disturbed, lose heart, be heavy-hearted, be afraid, dread, brood over, stew. It is also defined as torment, agony, misery, woe, difficulty and vexation. On the other hand words that have the opposite meaning of worry, fear, and panic are: Comfort, solace, console, sooth, calm, tranquility, peace of mind, and serenity. All of these can be our when we keep our minds stayed on Him who is the giver of peace (Isa. 26:3).
Psa 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Psa 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Monday, August 6, 2007
The Greatness of God
Scripture Reading: Psalm 111:1-10
The greatness of God, He is to be praised above all and with our whole hearts. I have to be very careful not to lose sight of this by the cares of this world. If I am not extremely careful and do not stay focused on spiritual things, then sometimes before I realize it, I can let spiritual things slip and the cares of life take over. The sure guard against this is to stay focused on God by prayer and study everyday, meditation upon God’s Word and keeping my heart set on things above and not on things of the earth (Col. 3:1). PRIORITIES! I have to have and keep my priorities right. I have to let go of this world, truly realizing that all of this is temporal and it will decay one day. This Psalm is beautiful because it reminds me of how great God is. His works are honourable and great. He is righteous, gracious and full of compassion. Verse 7 says that all His commandments are sure. I love that! Security is what we all want. Being stedfast in Christ is the only place to have that security (I Cor. 15:58). ”For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). Holy and Reverend is His name. God’s name is the greatest and must always be used with great reverence. It is very wise to fear the Lord and keep His commandments and to have a proper respect for Him and His Word. What meaning is there to this life without God and the great promises He has made to them that are His. We just live and die for no purpose but the here and now? But we can be thankful that that is not all there is. We have a home prepared, an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens (II Cor. 5:1) to look forward to. We as Christians must examine our hearts and make sure that we are not taking our Christian life to lightly. We must be diligent about our service to God. There is no room for laziness (slothfulness), but we must be found working and living our lives in a godly fashion when our Lord returns (Mt. 25:26; I Tim. 4:8).
The greatness of God, He is to be praised above all and with our whole hearts. I have to be very careful not to lose sight of this by the cares of this world. If I am not extremely careful and do not stay focused on spiritual things, then sometimes before I realize it, I can let spiritual things slip and the cares of life take over. The sure guard against this is to stay focused on God by prayer and study everyday, meditation upon God’s Word and keeping my heart set on things above and not on things of the earth (Col. 3:1). PRIORITIES! I have to have and keep my priorities right. I have to let go of this world, truly realizing that all of this is temporal and it will decay one day. This Psalm is beautiful because it reminds me of how great God is. His works are honourable and great. He is righteous, gracious and full of compassion. Verse 7 says that all His commandments are sure. I love that! Security is what we all want. Being stedfast in Christ is the only place to have that security (I Cor. 15:58). ”For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). Holy and Reverend is His name. God’s name is the greatest and must always be used with great reverence. It is very wise to fear the Lord and keep His commandments and to have a proper respect for Him and His Word. What meaning is there to this life without God and the great promises He has made to them that are His. We just live and die for no purpose but the here and now? But we can be thankful that that is not all there is. We have a home prepared, an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens (II Cor. 5:1) to look forward to. We as Christians must examine our hearts and make sure that we are not taking our Christian life to lightly. We must be diligent about our service to God. There is no room for laziness (slothfulness), but we must be found working and living our lives in a godly fashion when our Lord returns (Mt. 25:26; I Tim. 4:8).
Friday, August 3, 2007
God's Word or Traditions of Men
Scripture Reading: Psalm 19:7,8
Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Through the law of the Lord, God’s Word we can know what to do to be saved. This is the only way to know. We cannot follow the traditions of men (Mk. 7:7), but only God’s Word, it alone is sure. Many teach “faith only” or “the sinner’s prayer”, but that is not found anywhere in the God’s Word. One must make sure that he/she is following God and not the traditions of men masked as God’s commandments. In order to be saved and become a Christian one must begin by hearing (Rom. 10:17), for no one will turn to God without first having heard the Word. But it has to be the truth that is heard. Many in the religious world are not converted to the truth but to man’s version of salvation which equals no salvation at all, thereby being deceived (Jn. 8:32). Besides hearing one much also believe, because without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). But we must notice that no where in the Bible does it tell us to believe only. We can see in James 2:19 that the devils also believe and tremble but their belief only did not save them. Likewise many believe, but they do nothing with that belief. The Bible says that faith alone cannot save and is dead (Jms. 2:17). Next one must repent and turn from their old life of sin, to follow after a new life in Christ, putting away their old ways that were against God. If there is not change, then there has been no repentance, hence no salvation (Lk. 13:3). One must also confess Christ before men (Rom. 10:9) and then be buried with him in baptism, obeying that form of doctrine found in Romans chapter 6, arising to walk in newness of life. It is at this point that ones sins are cleansed or washed away and one is now in Christ where all spiritual blessing are found (Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 1:3). This is God’s law of entrance into His kingdom, which is the church. Man cannot change it or make it easier by instructing someone to just believe or pray. Through closely examining God’s Word and doing what the Bible teaches for salvation is the only sure way to make us wise unto salvation (II Tim. 3:15). God’s Word does so much for us. It saves us, makes our hearts to rejoice when we follow it's teaching, it is pure (we don’t need man-made traditions to “help” it along, thereby polluting it). Only though God’s pure, un-tampered with Word can we be made acceptable unto Him.
Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Through the law of the Lord, God’s Word we can know what to do to be saved. This is the only way to know. We cannot follow the traditions of men (Mk. 7:7), but only God’s Word, it alone is sure. Many teach “faith only” or “the sinner’s prayer”, but that is not found anywhere in the God’s Word. One must make sure that he/she is following God and not the traditions of men masked as God’s commandments. In order to be saved and become a Christian one must begin by hearing (Rom. 10:17), for no one will turn to God without first having heard the Word. But it has to be the truth that is heard. Many in the religious world are not converted to the truth but to man’s version of salvation which equals no salvation at all, thereby being deceived (Jn. 8:32). Besides hearing one much also believe, because without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). But we must notice that no where in the Bible does it tell us to believe only. We can see in James 2:19 that the devils also believe and tremble but their belief only did not save them. Likewise many believe, but they do nothing with that belief. The Bible says that faith alone cannot save and is dead (Jms. 2:17). Next one must repent and turn from their old life of sin, to follow after a new life in Christ, putting away their old ways that were against God. If there is not change, then there has been no repentance, hence no salvation (Lk. 13:3). One must also confess Christ before men (Rom. 10:9) and then be buried with him in baptism, obeying that form of doctrine found in Romans chapter 6, arising to walk in newness of life. It is at this point that ones sins are cleansed or washed away and one is now in Christ where all spiritual blessing are found (Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 1:3). This is God’s law of entrance into His kingdom, which is the church. Man cannot change it or make it easier by instructing someone to just believe or pray. Through closely examining God’s Word and doing what the Bible teaches for salvation is the only sure way to make us wise unto salvation (II Tim. 3:15). God’s Word does so much for us. It saves us, makes our hearts to rejoice when we follow it's teaching, it is pure (we don’t need man-made traditions to “help” it along, thereby polluting it). Only though God’s pure, un-tampered with Word can we be made acceptable unto Him.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Honoring God In All Things
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:9
Pro 3:9 Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
We are to honor God with the very best we have. This is the reason we are told to lay be in store and purpose in our hearts what we desire to give to God. It should never be an on the spot decision with whatever we happen to have left over in our pockets when it is time to give back monetarily to the Lord. This is true with our giving, but it is also true in other areas of our Christian service to the Lord. We should offer our very best to the Lord in every area of our lives. Time is a big one that is easy to not give the very best to God in. We live in such a fast paced world that many times we do not give God the very best in this area. We must take time in the morning to offer up to God a sincere prayer from our hearts with thanksgiving and supplication for our lives and then throughout the day and night before we retire. I’m not necessarily saying 3 times a day, but God wants us to pray to Him often (I Thess. 5:17). We must meditate, read, study and talk of God’s word on a regular basis. Evangelism must be a big part of the Christian’s life, because it is our mission to this world given to us by Jesus. If we are just too busy for these things then we must reprioritize our hearts and our lives. We will try and many times do find the time for the things we really want to do. If we are neglecting our spiritual well being then it really comes back to the heart and that is where we must start. If our heart is not right then we can take steps to set our hearts back to the things of God (Col 3:1-3). We are told in Matthew 6:33 to seek the kingdom of God first. Do we honestly do this or is God put after all the other things we desire to do or the things we think we must do first. God tells us that if we do His will first then all the other things will be added unto us. If we do God’s will first then we will out of a desire to please Him take care of our other responsibilities also. We will be good mothers, good wives, good employees, etc. We will take care of the things that have been placed in our responsibility to do. We have to realize that we can take care of these things and also place God above them all. By truly placing God above all we will become better at all of our responsibilities in this life because we will be following the principle taught in God word. Colossians 3:23,24 reads, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ.” That can and should make a very big difference in all that we do.
Pro 3:9 Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
We are to honor God with the very best we have. This is the reason we are told to lay be in store and purpose in our hearts what we desire to give to God. It should never be an on the spot decision with whatever we happen to have left over in our pockets when it is time to give back monetarily to the Lord. This is true with our giving, but it is also true in other areas of our Christian service to the Lord. We should offer our very best to the Lord in every area of our lives. Time is a big one that is easy to not give the very best to God in. We live in such a fast paced world that many times we do not give God the very best in this area. We must take time in the morning to offer up to God a sincere prayer from our hearts with thanksgiving and supplication for our lives and then throughout the day and night before we retire. I’m not necessarily saying 3 times a day, but God wants us to pray to Him often (I Thess. 5:17). We must meditate, read, study and talk of God’s word on a regular basis. Evangelism must be a big part of the Christian’s life, because it is our mission to this world given to us by Jesus. If we are just too busy for these things then we must reprioritize our hearts and our lives. We will try and many times do find the time for the things we really want to do. If we are neglecting our spiritual well being then it really comes back to the heart and that is where we must start. If our heart is not right then we can take steps to set our hearts back to the things of God (Col 3:1-3). We are told in Matthew 6:33 to seek the kingdom of God first. Do we honestly do this or is God put after all the other things we desire to do or the things we think we must do first. God tells us that if we do His will first then all the other things will be added unto us. If we do God’s will first then we will out of a desire to please Him take care of our other responsibilities also. We will be good mothers, good wives, good employees, etc. We will take care of the things that have been placed in our responsibility to do. We have to realize that we can take care of these things and also place God above them all. By truly placing God above all we will become better at all of our responsibilities in this life because we will be following the principle taught in God word. Colossians 3:23,24 reads, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ.” That can and should make a very big difference in all that we do.
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