http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md1qtaFh8cc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Saturday 1 September 2012
Sunday 19 August 2012
In the light of His glory
Just a while ago, I was sitting facing my open window and I was fixing myself ready for church. So I was holding my mirror in my hand, seeing my reflection in a different, clearer light than I had before. This lead me onto contemplating about how we need the light of God to shine in on our lives, so that we can see clearly and not have a distorted or false view of our situations.
Without the light of God in our lives, we can be oblivious to so many mistakes we are making or, more fittingly to my scenario, we can be blind to God's divine plan that He is working in our lives. We can look at our situations and think to ourselves...oh, this is terrible, where is God in all this?, what have I done to deserve this?, my wilderness is hopeless...etc, etc. But when the light of God's glory is shining in our lives, we can start to see what God is trying to achieve through us, how we can bring Him glory through our situations and how He has never let us have more than we can bear.
Most of the time, however, we are very similar to the Israelites, who were travelling through the wilderness, yes, but they were in darkness (not literally). They forgot where God had brought them from, His promises to them, the fact that He chose them and that every good work that He began in them He was faithful to complete. Instead, they murmured, complained, made idols for themselves...etc. Geographically, the journey they took in the wilderness was an 11 day journey, but it took them 40 years to get there and, because of their ways during the journey, they didn't even get to see the promised land. If they had just looked past the surface of all their problems, trusting in God and letting His glory shine the light on their every move and in areas where it may seem to be negative or troublesome (ref. to the manna from Heaven incident), fixing their eyes on the glory and light of God, they would have seen how God is providing for them and they would have made it to the promised land and it wouldn't have taken a month, let alone 40 years!!!!
Proof that complaining never makes a change and it can actually delay the promises God has made us from being fulfilled in our lives. Let's not elongate any journeys we make or any trials we face. We just need to fix our eyes on Jesus and everything will turn out fine!
Without the light of God in our lives, we can be oblivious to so many mistakes we are making or, more fittingly to my scenario, we can be blind to God's divine plan that He is working in our lives. We can look at our situations and think to ourselves...oh, this is terrible, where is God in all this?, what have I done to deserve this?, my wilderness is hopeless...etc, etc. But when the light of God's glory is shining in our lives, we can start to see what God is trying to achieve through us, how we can bring Him glory through our situations and how He has never let us have more than we can bear.
Most of the time, however, we are very similar to the Israelites, who were travelling through the wilderness, yes, but they were in darkness (not literally). They forgot where God had brought them from, His promises to them, the fact that He chose them and that every good work that He began in them He was faithful to complete. Instead, they murmured, complained, made idols for themselves...etc. Geographically, the journey they took in the wilderness was an 11 day journey, but it took them 40 years to get there and, because of their ways during the journey, they didn't even get to see the promised land. If they had just looked past the surface of all their problems, trusting in God and letting His glory shine the light on their every move and in areas where it may seem to be negative or troublesome (ref. to the manna from Heaven incident), fixing their eyes on the glory and light of God, they would have seen how God is providing for them and they would have made it to the promised land and it wouldn't have taken a month, let alone 40 years!!!!
Proof that complaining never makes a change and it can actually delay the promises God has made us from being fulfilled in our lives. Let's not elongate any journeys we make or any trials we face. We just need to fix our eyes on Jesus and everything will turn out fine!
Wednesday 15 August 2012
What is the purpose of life?
This is such a common question and I want to share my view here.
I believe that, as Christians, the purpose of our lives is to glorify God. I read this study on 'Giving Glory to God' by Andrew Berhardt - http://dtjsoft.com/giving-glory-to-god/ (please read it) - and it was very eye opening and made me realise that my life is not actually my own and I should live to glorify God in everything I do. But first and foremost, we all, including myself, need to really develop a love and appreciation for God, because then, as the study also says, we will have the desire created in us to bring as much glory to Him as we possibly can. Without love, it's all in vain.
This is a section of the study text about our role of stewardship
What do we think of when we hear the word 'stewardship'? Tithing?
A steward is a manager of someone else's property. No matter how much time elapses, a steward must take care of the property given to him, and always be ready to return it to the owner when asked.
God owns more than our money. He owns all of our material possessions. He owns the whole world (hence the first commission God gave to man - to take care of the earth). And He owns us. We are only stewards of what God has given us. At the final judgement, we believers will not be judged on what we did for ourselves but what we did for Jesus Christ. We will have to give an accounting for what we did with what God gave us.
- Mark 12:14,15
Jesus knew they asked the question to trap him. However, He didn't just answer the question with a yes or no answer...
- Mark 12:15-17
The Pharisees' question dealt only with rendering what was due to Caesar, but Jesus' reply lead them to a much more important issue - our stewardship of what God has given us. Just as the coin belonged to Caesar because Caesar's image was on it, so we belong to God because we were created in His image.
Think of yourself as a steward of God's image. The image is not yours. What you do with your life will either tarnish God's image or glorify it.
I believe that, as Christians, the purpose of our lives is to glorify God. I read this study on 'Giving Glory to God' by Andrew Berhardt - http://dtjsoft.com/giving-glory-to-god/ (please read it) - and it was very eye opening and made me realise that my life is not actually my own and I should live to glorify God in everything I do. But first and foremost, we all, including myself, need to really develop a love and appreciation for God, because then, as the study also says, we will have the desire created in us to bring as much glory to Him as we possibly can. Without love, it's all in vain.
This is a section of the study text about our role of stewardship
What do we think of when we hear the word 'stewardship'? Tithing?
That's what I thought it meant until I learned its true meaning from J.R.R. Tolkien's Return Of The King, the final part of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. In the book, the country of Gondor had been without a true king for a thousand years, but it was ruled by stewards who were to govern Gondor until one who could rightfully claim the throne returned. When the king finally did return, the last steward did not want to give up his position but thought that he deserved to rule on the throne himself. His pride had caused him to forget where his authority came from.
A steward is a manager of someone else's property. No matter how much time elapses, a steward must take care of the property given to him, and always be ready to return it to the owner when asked.
God owns more than our money. He owns all of our material possessions. He owns the whole world (hence the first commission God gave to man - to take care of the earth). And He owns us. We are only stewards of what God has given us. At the final judgement, we believers will not be judged on what we did for ourselves but what we did for Jesus Christ. We will have to give an accounting for what we did with what God gave us.
In Mark 12, some of the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a question about taxes.
And they come and say to him, Teacher, we know that you are true, and care not for anyone; for you regard not the men's person, but teach the way of God with truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? Should we give tribute or should we not give? ...
- Mark 12:14,15
Jesus knew they asked the question to trap him. However, He didn't just answer the question with a yes or no answer...
...Why do you tempt me? Bring me a denarius that I may see it. And they brought it. And he says to them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said to him, Caesar's. And Jesus answering said to them, Pay what is Caesar's to Caesar, and what is God's to God. And they wondered at him.
- Mark 12:15-17
The Pharisees' question dealt only with rendering what was due to Caesar, but Jesus' reply lead them to a much more important issue - our stewardship of what God has given us. Just as the coin belonged to Caesar because Caesar's image was on it, so we belong to God because we were created in His image.
Think of yourself as a steward of God's image. The image is not yours. What you do with your life will either tarnish God's image or glorify it.
Friday 6 July 2012
A Psalm of encouragement
Psalm 27: An Exuberant Declaration Of Faith
A Psalm of David
1 The Lord is my
light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
4 One thing I
have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all
around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with
my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, “Seek My face,”
My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
9 Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.
11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Forgive
Forgiveness is so vitally important, for many things: our own mental health, our progression in life and ultimately in receiving forgiveness of our sins from God. For many many years in the past I have prayed the Lord's prayer and said those words - 'forgive us of our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us', without full knowledge or realisation that I have not forgiven. Of course God does not condemn us for something we did not know or did not hear and so I won't condemn myself but I just think to myself...if only I had knew then what I know now. I have been through a very rough journey so far in my lifetime and recently I had a situation which resurfaced some negative memories of the past, in relation to a frenemy of mine. Recalling my memories led the buried frustration and hurt to rise to the surface again, and I began to think through all those expeiences, the way I felt... I've realised that all this time I have been in the wrong mindset in that I have kept all these negative emotions inside of me and not just left my burdens at Jesus' feet:
- 'Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved' (Psalm 55:22)
Also, the next reason is that God commands us to fogive, no matter how terrible we feel about the situation or some personal issue. Many scriptures tell us that we should forgive one another and as Christians we need to be obedient to His words. one of which is:
- 'And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you' (Ephesians 4:32)
- 'For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments...' (1 John 5:3)
After all faith isn't even about feelings and God is no respecter of persons, so if we do not forgive it's not as if God is going to look at our circumstances and decide that in light of our situation, if it doesn't feel okay with us, we can get away with unforgiveness. In our efforts to live more Christlike, we will have to sacrifice the way we feel about some things and do what He would do in our situation. Also, God does not discipline us because he hates us or wants us to have some sort of miserable life. It's out of love that he disciplines us and instructs us, to protect us and to enable us to live abundant, kingdom lives. He knows what is best for us and He knows our futures and the result of our every action; He sees the bigger picture
- 'For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.' (Romans 8:18-19)
- '"Be angry, and do not sin" : do not let the sun go down on your wrath' Ephesians 4:26
- 'Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved' (Psalm 55:22)
Also, the next reason is that God commands us to fogive, no matter how terrible we feel about the situation or some personal issue. Many scriptures tell us that we should forgive one another and as Christians we need to be obedient to His words. one of which is:
- 'And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you' (Ephesians 4:32)
- 'For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments...' (1 John 5:3)
After all faith isn't even about feelings and God is no respecter of persons, so if we do not forgive it's not as if God is going to look at our circumstances and decide that in light of our situation, if it doesn't feel okay with us, we can get away with unforgiveness. In our efforts to live more Christlike, we will have to sacrifice the way we feel about some things and do what He would do in our situation. Also, God does not discipline us because he hates us or wants us to have some sort of miserable life. It's out of love that he disciplines us and instructs us, to protect us and to enable us to live abundant, kingdom lives. He knows what is best for us and He knows our futures and the result of our every action; He sees the bigger picture
- 'For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.' (Romans 8:18-19)
- '"Be angry, and do not sin" : do not let the sun go down on your wrath' Ephesians 4:26
Saturday 16 June 2012
Source of my strength
'Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful'
(Psalm 1:1)
This scripture has recently helped me to get over an obstacle that I've had in my life, because it has taught me a lesson; although I've seen it so many times before I only just really understood it's meaning. As Christians we should not look for ungodly counsel; by this I mean advice and counsel that is not according to God's word. It may have been good advice but let's remember the devil can sugar-coat anything. Instead of looking to friends/associates sources for counsel, I should and need to be looking to Jesus and if I am 'confiding' in others, it should be fellow Christians who will share with me wisdom from the word of God. Because ultimately if it's not God's word than who's 'word' am I following.... Because the only example or lifestyle we should be modelling our own lives after is Christ.
There's so many other reasons and scriptures that I could quote and say to back up the fact that as Christians we should be seeking Godly counsel. Hopefully, below are some relevant ones.
'And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.'
(Romans 12:2)
'But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.'
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
^^^^^ these are just some of those cool scriptures that let me know that I, little ole me, can have the mind of Christ!!! Seriously, that is the perfect mind, how can I not want to, and not strive to, have the perfect mind. Instead, should I be trying to think positive yet ungodly things about life's circumstances and following counsel that is going to lead me to develop a more worldly mindset?
Besides 'If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.'
(John 15:18, 19)
'Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.'
(1 John 2:15-17)
'We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.'
(1 John 5:19)
'I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.' (John 17:15-17)
In conclusion, as Christians, we shouldn't completely isolate ourselves and shut our ears to ungodly advice if we receive it and from unbelievers, but we should not rely on it so much and let it sink deep into our hearts so that we are living by that word or quote or advice instead of God's word. Even considering the next part of this verse 'nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seats of the scornful' - its a verse worth studying and considering, because we need to decrease our dependency on the world and increase our dependency on Christ.
I have decided that I would rather be sanctified and renewed in my mind by the truth in the word of God than by the truth in the world which lies under the sway of the devil. So from now on, my only councillor will be Christ who died so that I might live, who knows my every need and thought even before I say it, who knows my heart more than I do myself, who is closer to me than my very next heartbeat. I will seek godly wisdom, from the truth in the word of God when I face any shape or form of a battle in my mind, for my counselling.
(Jesus to Judas when asked 'Lord, how is it that you will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world? - it actually says NOT to the world) 'But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'
(John 14:26, 27)
Lastly, remember what it says in Proverbs:
'A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back'
(Proverbs 29:11)
I hope you've been encouraged reading this, and know that there is One who knows every situation you may go through and will never give you more than you can bear. Just put your trust in Him and cast your burdens unto Him, because He is the #1 counsellor, provider, comforter, source of strength, the only one who can fill your emptiness, my emptiness, everyone's emptiness. In Christ, we are complete!
:)
(Psalm 1:1)
This scripture has recently helped me to get over an obstacle that I've had in my life, because it has taught me a lesson; although I've seen it so many times before I only just really understood it's meaning. As Christians we should not look for ungodly counsel; by this I mean advice and counsel that is not according to God's word. It may have been good advice but let's remember the devil can sugar-coat anything. Instead of looking to friends/associates sources for counsel, I should and need to be looking to Jesus and if I am 'confiding' in others, it should be fellow Christians who will share with me wisdom from the word of God. Because ultimately if it's not God's word than who's 'word' am I following.... Because the only example or lifestyle we should be modelling our own lives after is Christ.
There's so many other reasons and scriptures that I could quote and say to back up the fact that as Christians we should be seeking Godly counsel. Hopefully, below are some relevant ones.
'And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.'
(Romans 12:2)
'But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.'
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
^^^^^ these are just some of those cool scriptures that let me know that I, little ole me, can have the mind of Christ!!! Seriously, that is the perfect mind, how can I not want to, and not strive to, have the perfect mind. Instead, should I be trying to think positive yet ungodly things about life's circumstances and following counsel that is going to lead me to develop a more worldly mindset?
Besides 'If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.'
(John 15:18, 19)
'Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.'
(1 John 2:15-17)
'We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.'
(1 John 5:19)
'I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.' (John 17:15-17)
In conclusion, as Christians, we shouldn't completely isolate ourselves and shut our ears to ungodly advice if we receive it and from unbelievers, but we should not rely on it so much and let it sink deep into our hearts so that we are living by that word or quote or advice instead of God's word. Even considering the next part of this verse 'nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seats of the scornful' - its a verse worth studying and considering, because we need to decrease our dependency on the world and increase our dependency on Christ.
I have decided that I would rather be sanctified and renewed in my mind by the truth in the word of God than by the truth in the world which lies under the sway of the devil. So from now on, my only councillor will be Christ who died so that I might live, who knows my every need and thought even before I say it, who knows my heart more than I do myself, who is closer to me than my very next heartbeat. I will seek godly wisdom, from the truth in the word of God when I face any shape or form of a battle in my mind, for my counselling.
(Jesus to Judas when asked 'Lord, how is it that you will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world? - it actually says NOT to the world) 'But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.'
(John 14:26, 27)
Lastly, remember what it says in Proverbs:
'A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back'
(Proverbs 29:11)
I hope you've been encouraged reading this, and know that there is One who knows every situation you may go through and will never give you more than you can bear. Just put your trust in Him and cast your burdens unto Him, because He is the #1 counsellor, provider, comforter, source of strength, the only one who can fill your emptiness, my emptiness, everyone's emptiness. In Christ, we are complete!
:)
Wednesday 13 June 2012
why do I have a blogger?
I don't know how this works....but I decided to create a blog because I saw my friends blog and I thought that's really cool so let me make one for myself. My purpose for this blog is to share the gospel message to as many people as I can and hopefully encourage people on their journey, and with all these new mediums because of technology that mean we can connect with almost anyone, we can all reach a lot more people with the gospel message, which is like...the purpose.
For many years now, I have had a really negative state of mind and that has affected my self perception and esteem, but I have learnt many lessons and now I am tring to live more Christlike. So, because I enjoy talking and encouraging people having learnt many life lessons, I want to ensure that everybody who reads my blogs (or posts in blogs) or personally associates with me, has a right state of mind and if I can encourage them to adopt one then I will do so, because the commandment God gives us is to 'love one another' and real love is selfless in that it helps others. It helps and comforts the hurting people, listens to and accompanies the lonely, feeds the poor ...etc, provides for those nobody provides for and ultimately real love is not selfish in any shape or form.
So this is my blog! I hope it inspires or encourages somebody...
For many years now, I have had a really negative state of mind and that has affected my self perception and esteem, but I have learnt many lessons and now I am tring to live more Christlike. So, because I enjoy talking and encouraging people having learnt many life lessons, I want to ensure that everybody who reads my blogs (or posts in blogs) or personally associates with me, has a right state of mind and if I can encourage them to adopt one then I will do so, because the commandment God gives us is to 'love one another' and real love is selfless in that it helps others. It helps and comforts the hurting people, listens to and accompanies the lonely, feeds the poor ...etc, provides for those nobody provides for and ultimately real love is not selfish in any shape or form.
So this is my blog! I hope it inspires or encourages somebody...
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