Odd how we can get into conversations with people and mention God and they become uncomfortable.This happened to yours truly a few times in the past week. You are getting 'too religious' people may say. Others may be misinformed about the founding of America and say "all religions should be accepted. We are not just a Christian nation". Lies are out there and it is OK to do your Sunday thing but please do not dare try to 'get religious' in daily conversation.
It makes no sense at all. We are not here just occupying space. Many find the cross of Christ offensive and even well meaning so called 'church going' or 'Sunday Christians' may be more into their denomination than they are into Christ. Ask someone when they accepted Christ as their saviour and at times you may get the answer "I am a member of such and such church." Being a church member is fine, not in the Bible as the way to heaven by the way, but still a nice man made tradition.
If you say you are a believer do you truly love the Lord or are you ashamed of Him? "What are you talking about?" In Mark 8:38 it says "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Matthew 10:33 says something similar and that is "But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." 1 Corinthians 1:18 says "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
Basically it boils down to religion versus relationship. Many churches even do not encourage a passion for Jesus but more of a 'this is what you do today' and that is that. It becomes more of a social thing to do. We cheer on our favorite football team but can't cheer for the Lord. It is very sad. If you are not following Christ you will believe any lies that Satan throws your way because as it says in John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Do you want that abundant life?We know more of what is in daily newspaper than what is in our Bible.
Have you ever thought of what your passion is? Let's say you are passionate for a certain sport like running. You love it so very much you get out there each and every day and run 3 to 6 miles. We need to be equipped to face the trials in the world that will cross our path. The Bible is our guidebook for life. If you do not have that type of excitement for Jesus ask Him to place it in your heart. You may need to get rid of some stuff or some friends that are keeping you from being closer to the Lord and find a good church that preaches God's word with power. Jesus is waiting and knocking. Why not let Him come in?
PRAYER: Lord I want to be excited about Jesus. I know sometimes my joy may slip but I need to keep my eyes on your and my thoughts focused on things above. Help me Lord to get rid of things taking away my passion for you and set me on the path that will bring me closer to you. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Note: take a moment when you can and listen to the following praise and worship song.
http://youtu.be/I17edLkBDCo
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Friday, October 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
BREAK STRONGHOLDS...GET FREEDOM
What has a grip on you that limits you being closer to God? What lies of the enemy are you believing are normal and really are oppressing you and keeping you blocked from a closer relationship with the Lord? What sin are you caught up in that has you under its power? Until you recognize these are strongholds you will never be free. Strongholds are something that has a 'strong hold' on you. They are things that are against God's word yet may be justified by ignoring scripture and the lies of Satan.
Christ is not in control in the areas that are strongholds. You are being lied to be the enemy, Satan, to believe your sin is normal and you are not so bad. You are being taken down the wrong path in life. You may try to ignore scriptures or keep away from the people of God. A stronghold is just what it implies. You have to be aware you are trapped in one before you can be set free. Denying there is a problem will only keep you in bondage. Often times the enemy lies to you and makes you feel that what you are doing is perfectly okay so you do not seek freedom from its' grip.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ".The enemy is a tricky deceiver and he will get people, even Christians, to believe a lie and walk down a dark path. 1 John 4:1 says "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
1 John 1:9 says " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Are you involved in something that you know displeases God? It is time to acknowledge the strongholds that may be in your life and ask God to help remove them from your life and walk a life pleasing to Him.
PRAYER: Lord we know it is easy to believe a lie of the enemy especially in the world we live in today. The word of God is not honored and respected like it used to be and even Christian young people may be caught up in sin that they think is okay. Father I pray you will open the eyes of the blind and help us to stay in the word and walk with you. Help us to know what to say and what to pray if we have friends or family who are bound by strongholds and protect us from not getting sucked into Satan's trap. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Christ is not in control in the areas that are strongholds. You are being lied to be the enemy, Satan, to believe your sin is normal and you are not so bad. You are being taken down the wrong path in life. You may try to ignore scriptures or keep away from the people of God. A stronghold is just what it implies. You have to be aware you are trapped in one before you can be set free. Denying there is a problem will only keep you in bondage. Often times the enemy lies to you and makes you feel that what you are doing is perfectly okay so you do not seek freedom from its' grip.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ".The enemy is a tricky deceiver and he will get people, even Christians, to believe a lie and walk down a dark path. 1 John 4:1 says "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
1 John 1:9 says " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Are you involved in something that you know displeases God? It is time to acknowledge the strongholds that may be in your life and ask God to help remove them from your life and walk a life pleasing to Him.
PRAYER: Lord we know it is easy to believe a lie of the enemy especially in the world we live in today. The word of God is not honored and respected like it used to be and even Christian young people may be caught up in sin that they think is okay. Father I pray you will open the eyes of the blind and help us to stay in the word and walk with you. Help us to know what to say and what to pray if we have friends or family who are bound by strongholds and protect us from not getting sucked into Satan's trap. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
PEACE NEEDED HERE!!! ASAP!!
We live in a chaotic busy world. Seems like everyone is busy and on the go around the clock. It may not necessarily be a good thing to not have some 'down time'. We all need a little rest and relaxation. We all strive for peace. Note the word 'strive'. That word alone indicates a lack of peace when we are striving for something. God does not want us to be frazzled and anxious and in a state of fret and concern. He wants you to have your mind set on him and learn to trust him with every day details of life.
What has you frazzled today? Maybe it is an upcoming major event such as a graduation or a wedding. Perhaps it is looking for a new job since you were let go due to economic hardships in the country. The world situation particularly in the United States can sure cause us to have a lack of peace. Perhaps a deadline at work is looming and you have put things off and are playing a catch up game to make it on time. You are in school and have not studied for a big test so therefore you are 'freaking out' and lack peaceful. Your car needs new tires but even though your folks told you the value of saving for a rainy day fund you did not listen and now are losing peace since you do not know where the money will come from. Oddly enough during the writing of this blog the enemy must have not wanted it to go out because I lost a good portion of it before it was saved that I had to recreate. That alone started to take away my peace. How odd to write on peace and be tested like that. Anyway things in this world can send us into fits if we let them. It is important to schedule a quiet time and prayer into your day and let the Lord take your burdens. You can not keep going non stop without the Lord at the controls. You may say "I have too much to do at work. I can not take a break." Make yourself go on your lunch break if for nothing more than to talk and walk with the Lord.
Isaiah 26:3 says "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Set your mind on the Lord and let him take your concerns. Psalm 55:22 says "Cast your cares on the lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." You can not keep harboring concerns and worries without it taking a toll on you. Colossians 3:2 says "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." In John 14:27 it says"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." You can have victory over this stress in your life. Worrying about things will not solve anything. It is one of the hardest things to do is to let go of worry. It is a discipline to daily ask the Lord to help you with. If others are confusing you with their opinions and that is causing you a lack of peace just give that to the Lord. Maybe you lose peace due to saying the wrong things you wish you could take back.
John 16:33 says "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." All things will eventually be over and be solved and when you are needlessly fretting over something it is only going to make you unrelaxed. Give God your concerns and ask him to give you his perfect peace.
PRAYER: Lord there is nothing I can do about lots of the things I sit and think about. All I do is cause needless worry and fretting. I do not like to not be at peace and continually have to seek to be on a 'peace walk' and allow you to take the controls. Give me your strength to let go and let you take my concerns. In Jesus Name.Amen!
Enjoy the following song of praise and worship as you focus on the Lord.
http://youtu.be/J95rAr0gOFU
What has you frazzled today? Maybe it is an upcoming major event such as a graduation or a wedding. Perhaps it is looking for a new job since you were let go due to economic hardships in the country. The world situation particularly in the United States can sure cause us to have a lack of peace. Perhaps a deadline at work is looming and you have put things off and are playing a catch up game to make it on time. You are in school and have not studied for a big test so therefore you are 'freaking out' and lack peaceful. Your car needs new tires but even though your folks told you the value of saving for a rainy day fund you did not listen and now are losing peace since you do not know where the money will come from. Oddly enough during the writing of this blog the enemy must have not wanted it to go out because I lost a good portion of it before it was saved that I had to recreate. That alone started to take away my peace. How odd to write on peace and be tested like that. Anyway things in this world can send us into fits if we let them. It is important to schedule a quiet time and prayer into your day and let the Lord take your burdens. You can not keep going non stop without the Lord at the controls. You may say "I have too much to do at work. I can not take a break." Make yourself go on your lunch break if for nothing more than to talk and walk with the Lord.
Isaiah 26:3 says "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Set your mind on the Lord and let him take your concerns. Psalm 55:22 says "Cast your cares on the lord and he will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." You can not keep harboring concerns and worries without it taking a toll on you. Colossians 3:2 says "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." In John 14:27 it says"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." You can have victory over this stress in your life. Worrying about things will not solve anything. It is one of the hardest things to do is to let go of worry. It is a discipline to daily ask the Lord to help you with. If others are confusing you with their opinions and that is causing you a lack of peace just give that to the Lord. Maybe you lose peace due to saying the wrong things you wish you could take back.
John 16:33 says "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." All things will eventually be over and be solved and when you are needlessly fretting over something it is only going to make you unrelaxed. Give God your concerns and ask him to give you his perfect peace.
PRAYER: Lord there is nothing I can do about lots of the things I sit and think about. All I do is cause needless worry and fretting. I do not like to not be at peace and continually have to seek to be on a 'peace walk' and allow you to take the controls. Give me your strength to let go and let you take my concerns. In Jesus Name.Amen!
Enjoy the following song of praise and worship as you focus on the Lord.
http://youtu.be/J95rAr0gOFU
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