Sometimes it really seems like the world is falling apart. We've had many natural catastrophes in the last decade. We've had war and death. Countries are being controlled by arms dealers and drug lords. People are losing homes and jobs. If we're not careful, we might look around and not see God. I admit, when things are hectic and out of control, God isn't very easy to see. But he's there and he is sovereign. That's where our faith must come in because who likes the idea that God is in control when horrible things are happening? When the end times come and we suffer far beyond what we see right now, it's not that God has left the building (as some tv shows would have us believe) or doesn't care. He is moving and controlling the outcome of all events.
I am so excited about the new Bible study I'm doing with my sisters in Christ. We're working through Esther through a Beth Moore study. This Monday, we watched the introductory video. An interesting fact is that Esther has no mention of God. Moore spoke on how, although God's not in the words, he's in the events. He is behind the scenes. Moore brought our attention to Ephesians 1:11, which says, "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." God works all things out for his purpose. Romans 8:28 goes further to tell us that all the things he works out are for our good. It's hard to believe this when your home is ripped apart by a hurricane or tornado, I know. This is a harsh truth. A truth not everyone likes to hear. This opens to hard questions like, "Why does God allow evil to exist at all?" and "Why do bad things happen to good people?" I don't have answers to these questions. Not really. I only know what some of the Word says on the subject. When Job's life was torn to shreds, God was allowing Satan to have his way. Sometimes God wants to strengthen us. James 1:1-3 says this: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." All those world leaders we like or dislike? God gave them their positions (Romans 13:1-6). In Ezekiel, God speaks many prophesies about God giving nations to other nations. Nothing happens without God's consent.
I admit, this blog isn't really fair. Nothing outrageously bad is happening in my life right now. I am content and actually at peace. I can only hope that when a wave of trials hit me, I will be able to believe what I've written here because whether I do or not, it's true. God is in control. There is comfort in this knowledge as God's children. It's the evil ones that should fear this truth. Their end is full of pain and fire. We have promises to hold on to. Promises only God can make because only God has the control to keep his promises.
Colossians 1:16: "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQHlKc8DrB4
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Friends
If I asked what the worst thing one kid could say to another, what would you think it was? No, it doesn't involve cuss words. Ready for it? The hurtful, tear-inducing words are, "I'm not your friend!" Oh, the horror that comes after these words. Wailing, violence, telling the teacher...
Children understand the value of friendship. I've seen it used as cash: "I'll be your friend if you give me your chocolate bar" or "I'll be your best friend if you do it my way."
Friendship is very important. I think everyone should have at least one special friend. King David would never have become king had he not had a best friend in Jonathan, Saul's son. In 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan and David's friendship was tested. David was convinced that Saul was trying to kill him, but Jonathan thought Saul would tell him if he had such plans. David replied that Saul knew of their friendship and didn't want to hurt Jonathan unnecessarily. He told Jonathan that he would go hide for three days and miss part of the new moon festival. He asked Jonathan to tell Saul that he's given David permission to attend a family sacrifice. If Saul was angry then he wanted to kill David and, if not, all was well. Jonathan and David came up with a secret system to rely the message. Sure enough, Saul was enraged. Jonathan and David had to say goodbye so David would be safe. Jonathan's departing words were, "Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord's name. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever." Although Jonathan didn't want to believe his father was trying to kill David, he trusted David enough to seek the truth. David had to trust Jonathan not to betray him to Saul.
Everyone wants a friend. One day at work, a little girl came up to me during recess and said certain girls were saying they didn't want to be her friend. I told her that I wouldn't want to be friends with people who didn't like me. I told her to find a kid that was kind and wanted to play with her. Knowing that this little girl wasn't always kind either, I said that it was important for her to be kind too, so other children would want to be her friend. Proverbs has several verses on being a good friend.
17:9 states, "Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends." Forgiveness is vital to any friendship. 17:17 states, "A friend is always loyal..." Don't be wishy-washy in your friendships. Always have your friend's back. 16:28 states, "...gossip separates the best of friends." Don't start rumors or share secrets about your friends. Don't say mean things behind their backs. 18:24 states, "There are 'friends' who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." Real friendship can be more bonding than family. 27:6 states, "Wounds from a severe friend are better than many kisses from an enemy." Friends make mistakes and hurt us sometimes. However, you can trust that a friend's goal is not to hurt you. 27:10 states, "Never abandon a friend--either yours or your father's. When disaster strikes, you won't have to ask your brother for assistance..." David was a loyal friend to Jonathan. Because of this, David was able to depend on Jonathan when he needed him most.
Jesus outdid all these verses when he said in John 15:13, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." When Jesus died for you and I, he died for his friends. We are his friends, and Jesus is the most important friend we could ever have. Since Jesus said that if we love him, we'll obey his commands and since his command is that we love each other, it's safe to say that if we treat our friends with love and kindness, we are also treating Jesus with love and kindness.
Be a good friend today =)
Children understand the value of friendship. I've seen it used as cash: "I'll be your friend if you give me your chocolate bar" or "I'll be your best friend if you do it my way."
Friendship is very important. I think everyone should have at least one special friend. King David would never have become king had he not had a best friend in Jonathan, Saul's son. In 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan and David's friendship was tested. David was convinced that Saul was trying to kill him, but Jonathan thought Saul would tell him if he had such plans. David replied that Saul knew of their friendship and didn't want to hurt Jonathan unnecessarily. He told Jonathan that he would go hide for three days and miss part of the new moon festival. He asked Jonathan to tell Saul that he's given David permission to attend a family sacrifice. If Saul was angry then he wanted to kill David and, if not, all was well. Jonathan and David came up with a secret system to rely the message. Sure enough, Saul was enraged. Jonathan and David had to say goodbye so David would be safe. Jonathan's departing words were, "Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord's name. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever." Although Jonathan didn't want to believe his father was trying to kill David, he trusted David enough to seek the truth. David had to trust Jonathan not to betray him to Saul.
Everyone wants a friend. One day at work, a little girl came up to me during recess and said certain girls were saying they didn't want to be her friend. I told her that I wouldn't want to be friends with people who didn't like me. I told her to find a kid that was kind and wanted to play with her. Knowing that this little girl wasn't always kind either, I said that it was important for her to be kind too, so other children would want to be her friend. Proverbs has several verses on being a good friend.
17:9 states, "Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends." Forgiveness is vital to any friendship. 17:17 states, "A friend is always loyal..." Don't be wishy-washy in your friendships. Always have your friend's back. 16:28 states, "...gossip separates the best of friends." Don't start rumors or share secrets about your friends. Don't say mean things behind their backs. 18:24 states, "There are 'friends' who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." Real friendship can be more bonding than family. 27:6 states, "Wounds from a severe friend are better than many kisses from an enemy." Friends make mistakes and hurt us sometimes. However, you can trust that a friend's goal is not to hurt you. 27:10 states, "Never abandon a friend--either yours or your father's. When disaster strikes, you won't have to ask your brother for assistance..." David was a loyal friend to Jonathan. Because of this, David was able to depend on Jonathan when he needed him most.
Jesus outdid all these verses when he said in John 15:13, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." When Jesus died for you and I, he died for his friends. We are his friends, and Jesus is the most important friend we could ever have. Since Jesus said that if we love him, we'll obey his commands and since his command is that we love each other, it's safe to say that if we treat our friends with love and kindness, we are also treating Jesus with love and kindness.
Be a good friend today =)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Peace--the best shoes you'll ever wear.
Sometimes I can be a little obsessed with a certain item: shoes. I love shoes! Now that we have a new shoe store in town, this may become a problem. Last month I bought a hot pair of high heeled black boots. I made sure to spend a certain amount, so I could receive a 10 dollar coupon to use later. Well, yesterday, I used it and got a great deal on a pair of black stiletto pumps. The beautiful fact about being short is that even with crazy high shoes, I only grow to average height ;). Yes, I love shoes.
So, the big question is what do shoes have to do with God or his word?? Well...I found one verse.
Ephesians 6:15 states, "For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared." So, there. Shoes are in the Bible.
When I looked up the word, peace, Webster gave me this definition: "In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind." When I did a Bible search for the word, peace, the results were 176 verses, and that was only from Psalms to Jude. Jesus was always wishing peace upon people. Many times, he would say, "peace to you" or "go in peace" or the like. He promised peace to his disciples in John 14:27 when he says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you...let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
Living in a peaceful state is a command. Colossians 3:15 states, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace." When studying the armor of God, I often ignore or put aside the shoes of peace. I don't realize how important peace is. If we have a firm foundation in peace, we can make it through any hard time. It's important to our defense so our march stays strong. In John 16:33, Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
What does peace look like? I think one of the best examples Christ gives us is when he was in a boat with his disciples and the winds were howling and the boat rocking and all the disciples were terrified of drowning. A storm was raging all around them, but where was Jesus? He was asleep. Because of their lack of faith, they woke him up and made him save them. He did because he's AMAZING. He said, "Peace! Be still" to the wind and the waters, and they obeyed. Jesus was calm, cool and collected when the world around him was in turmoil. Can you sleep through the storms in your life? You need to. Peace means knowing God is there taking care of us. It protects our walk with the Lord and stops Satan from being about to trouble our hearts.
We must put on shoes, right? Few places allow for bare feet anymore. So, today, whether you put on boots, stilettos, tennis shoes, flip flops, or another wonderful kind of shoes, cover your feet with peace. Walk in the firm foundation of faith.
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
So, the big question is what do shoes have to do with God or his word?? Well...I found one verse.
Ephesians 6:15 states, "For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared." So, there. Shoes are in the Bible.
When I looked up the word, peace, Webster gave me this definition: "In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind." When I did a Bible search for the word, peace, the results were 176 verses, and that was only from Psalms to Jude. Jesus was always wishing peace upon people. Many times, he would say, "peace to you" or "go in peace" or the like. He promised peace to his disciples in John 14:27 when he says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you...let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
Living in a peaceful state is a command. Colossians 3:15 states, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace." When studying the armor of God, I often ignore or put aside the shoes of peace. I don't realize how important peace is. If we have a firm foundation in peace, we can make it through any hard time. It's important to our defense so our march stays strong. In John 16:33, Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
What does peace look like? I think one of the best examples Christ gives us is when he was in a boat with his disciples and the winds were howling and the boat rocking and all the disciples were terrified of drowning. A storm was raging all around them, but where was Jesus? He was asleep. Because of their lack of faith, they woke him up and made him save them. He did because he's AMAZING. He said, "Peace! Be still" to the wind and the waters, and they obeyed. Jesus was calm, cool and collected when the world around him was in turmoil. Can you sleep through the storms in your life? You need to. Peace means knowing God is there taking care of us. It protects our walk with the Lord and stops Satan from being about to trouble our hearts.
We must put on shoes, right? Few places allow for bare feet anymore. So, today, whether you put on boots, stilettos, tennis shoes, flip flops, or another wonderful kind of shoes, cover your feet with peace. Walk in the firm foundation of faith.
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1
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