Should we forgive those who continually hurt us? A human's heart is like a stone once it has been hurt repeatedly by someone they care for or love, it weighs them down inside. A human's heart can be fickle, unloving, and unkind.
But what does GOD tell us to do? Let's take a look inside two books of the bible, Matthew and Daniel.
Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" (listen to how Christ responds)
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." (or seventy times seven depending on what version of the bible you have)
How much is seventy times seven? Wow...490 times, but why such a random odd number, or is it? Let's dig a little further back into history and go meet Daniel.
Daniel 9:24 "Seventy" sevens are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.
(Gabriel, the man Daniel had seen in his vision earlier, came to give him insight and understanding, telling him that he was highly esteemed by his Lord. Gabriel shared with Daniel how from the issuing decree to rebuild and restore Jerusalem until the Anointed One comes there will be seven "sevens" and sixty two "sevens". We are given 490 years to repent of all of our sins and return to the one who created us.
GOD gives each of us Seventy times Seven in forgiveness, how can we not follow His lead and do the same to our friends, family, neighbors and strangers. How can we still hold a grudge when GOD gave His only child to us who died on the cross to save all of us from sin? Can you picture the overwhelming despair and grief of a father who loved that much? He gave up his only son who took all sin upon himself the day He hung upon the Cross, to save us all, not to watch us destroy each other, not to watch us kill another, not to watch race fight against race, not to hear all the hate that comes out of our mouths, but to redeem all of us that are unredeemable on our own.
So when I find myself hurting from words said by another that I care for or love, as a human my first reaction is to give back just what they are giving me, hurt. But GOD stops me...He tells me that I must let all those transgressions against me go, to forgive the one hurting me, to forgive the one who causes unbearable grief. I'm human, I do get angry, I do cry, I do get bitter, I have held grudges and not forgiven in the past but to be brought before my Lord as He so patiently does time and time again reminds me of just how much He forgave me so I may have everlasting life in Him.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Would You Give Your Life for HIS Cause??
I find myself contemplating this very question. I grow more and more weary of the world and all the horrible things I see and hear about in the news and locally. I desperately want things to change but knowing they will not until Christ returns for us. I know I can't change the world but I believe with my heart that I am going to do all I possibly can to give my life for HIS cause.
I've been reading a book on 4 really great missionaries who did wonderful things for HIS kingdom, helping others in HIS name and suffering to the point of death but knowing deep in their hearts they did all they possibly could and will join Christ in Heaven.
Heroes of the Faith-Some Gave All, by: Ellen Caughey. A must read for all you missionary minded folks who want to spread the Word of GOD throughout the world's four corners, east to west, north to south.
Some of you may have heard of these 4 Heroes of the Faith: (1)Lottie Moon, who traveled to Shanghai China as a single woman in 1873 who gave all of her food and money to those less fortunate than herself and died of starvation weighing in at about 50 pounds. (2) John Birch, a captain in the military, who changed the course of WWII and buried in a mausoleum in Hsuchow China on Aug. 25, 1945. (3) Betty Olsen, born in the Ivory Coast, became a nurse and headed to Vietnam as a missionary, where she became a captive and died at the hands of her captors.
(4) Nate Saint, born Aug. 30, 1923 in Pennsylvania, who joined the army serving his country, and due to a bone disease was disqualified from combat duty yet in later years flew a plane dropping off gift drops and gave his life for this being speared to death by an Indian native.
Matthew 27: 50: "And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit."
My Lord, my Savior Christ died on the cross to save us all. He was ridiculed, mocked, betrayed, beaten, stabbed and hung upon the cross to save us. How can we sit so quietly and let things go on as they do? How can we not take a stand for what is right in HIS eyes? I may not be able to change the world but what I can do is each day share HIS word with people, give to those who need, share a meal with those who hunger, open my door to a stranger and welcome them in to the warmth of my home, pray for those who need prayer, and invite those who don't know their Lord to come and learn about the greatest love of all time.
I've been reading a book on 4 really great missionaries who did wonderful things for HIS kingdom, helping others in HIS name and suffering to the point of death but knowing deep in their hearts they did all they possibly could and will join Christ in Heaven.
Heroes of the Faith-Some Gave All, by: Ellen Caughey. A must read for all you missionary minded folks who want to spread the Word of GOD throughout the world's four corners, east to west, north to south.
Some of you may have heard of these 4 Heroes of the Faith: (1)Lottie Moon, who traveled to Shanghai China as a single woman in 1873 who gave all of her food and money to those less fortunate than herself and died of starvation weighing in at about 50 pounds. (2) John Birch, a captain in the military, who changed the course of WWII and buried in a mausoleum in Hsuchow China on Aug. 25, 1945. (3) Betty Olsen, born in the Ivory Coast, became a nurse and headed to Vietnam as a missionary, where she became a captive and died at the hands of her captors.
(4) Nate Saint, born Aug. 30, 1923 in Pennsylvania, who joined the army serving his country, and due to a bone disease was disqualified from combat duty yet in later years flew a plane dropping off gift drops and gave his life for this being speared to death by an Indian native.
Matthew 27: 50: "And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit."
My Lord, my Savior Christ died on the cross to save us all. He was ridiculed, mocked, betrayed, beaten, stabbed and hung upon the cross to save us. How can we sit so quietly and let things go on as they do? How can we not take a stand for what is right in HIS eyes? I may not be able to change the world but what I can do is each day share HIS word with people, give to those who need, share a meal with those who hunger, open my door to a stranger and welcome them in to the warmth of my home, pray for those who need prayer, and invite those who don't know their Lord to come and learn about the greatest love of all time.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Wisdom of the Spirit
I Corinthians 2:9 "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what GOD has prepared for those who love him."
We have now received the Spirit of GOD, once we accept Christ as our Saviour, our Lord and King. GOD will reveal to us through His Spirit what we need to know.
There are those in this world who do not know GOD. They do not understand His word, His teachings nor can they even comprehend it. Not even the rulers of those days understood. Human wisdom comes from books, learning in a class room, learning through an apprenticeship but the wisdom of the Spirit is given to us by GOD. It is through the Spirit that we learn to be like Christ, giving ourselves over to Him to walk and talk like He did, to act as He did, to love as He did.
I Corinthians 2:12 "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from GOD, that we may understand what GOD has freely given us."
I Corinthians 2:14 "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of GOD, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
The above verse touches me in a way that brings to mind a few people who are dear friends. I can remember instances when these people really question the validity of Christ and His teachings. They wonder if He really existed or if He was a myth. They argue the "worlds" way, defending their beliefs passionately. I, however, find many bible verses that contradict what they say and I am going to keep my belief in the Lord. I pray for these people, hoping someday they will come to understand and love the Lord their GOD with all their hearts too.
We have now received the Spirit of GOD, once we accept Christ as our Saviour, our Lord and King. GOD will reveal to us through His Spirit what we need to know.
There are those in this world who do not know GOD. They do not understand His word, His teachings nor can they even comprehend it. Not even the rulers of those days understood. Human wisdom comes from books, learning in a class room, learning through an apprenticeship but the wisdom of the Spirit is given to us by GOD. It is through the Spirit that we learn to be like Christ, giving ourselves over to Him to walk and talk like He did, to act as He did, to love as He did.
I Corinthians 2:12 "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from GOD, that we may understand what GOD has freely given us."
I Corinthians 2:14 "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of GOD, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
The above verse touches me in a way that brings to mind a few people who are dear friends. I can remember instances when these people really question the validity of Christ and His teachings. They wonder if He really existed or if He was a myth. They argue the "worlds" way, defending their beliefs passionately. I, however, find many bible verses that contradict what they say and I am going to keep my belief in the Lord. I pray for these people, hoping someday they will come to understand and love the Lord their GOD with all their hearts too.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
One Heart and Mind
Acts 4:32 "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had."
I remember watching my two children from the time they were old enough to grasp something in their small hands to today in their teen years and how they would squabble between themselves about a toy or some other trivial thing and yell these words at each other "It is mine, all mine, you keep your hands off of it or I'm telling mom"
I have to laugh a little bit now as I realize our children learn this not of their own will but by watching those closest to them - ya, you guessed it, their parents. I had to do some soul searching on this and realized I set a very bad example for them at a young age as did their daddy. We use to squabble over stupid stuff, material stuff that now a days has absolutely no meaning to me at all. Personally I would like to take all my "stuff" and just give it all away to someone else who would like it.
Though I tried in earnest to teach my two brats the meaning of sharing, and that it was ok to let your brother or sister play with your toy, or come into your room, read your book, etc. we as parents set a poor example when we ourselves would argue over who got to watch what TV show and grabbing the remote and yelling it is MINE tonight, which seemed to be the hardest thing for us to share...Shaun always wanted to watch his stuff and I either watched it or I did something else...but then like the man he is he solved it by getting a 2nd TV so now he watches what he wants whenever he wants and I watch what I want when I want. But in doing so, what did we teach our children? Yup, there is those 4 words again, "It is all mine!"
We as parents do alot better now that we are older and we take turns, we share, we compromise, we give, we love and forgive but in those first few years of our struggling relationship we ended up teaching our children something other than what GOD wanted them to learn as it states in Acts 4:32, so these last 3 to 4 years I am not only teaching my children GODs word and the right way to act and to share but to realize that nothing in our home, not even the home itself is ours for everything belongs to GOD.
Lord, forgive my ignorance in my youth, keep teaching me your word and how to act right, how to follow your word and to teach it correctly to my own two children. Give us strength to endure this world we live in and all the selfishness that has no place in those who You have welcomed into Your home. Help us to teach our children a giving spirit, a nurturing heart, a loveable nature, and a respect for what is right. Keep my heart and my eyes on You my GOD. In Jesus Name, Amen.
I remember watching my two children from the time they were old enough to grasp something in their small hands to today in their teen years and how they would squabble between themselves about a toy or some other trivial thing and yell these words at each other "It is mine, all mine, you keep your hands off of it or I'm telling mom"
I have to laugh a little bit now as I realize our children learn this not of their own will but by watching those closest to them - ya, you guessed it, their parents. I had to do some soul searching on this and realized I set a very bad example for them at a young age as did their daddy. We use to squabble over stupid stuff, material stuff that now a days has absolutely no meaning to me at all. Personally I would like to take all my "stuff" and just give it all away to someone else who would like it.
Though I tried in earnest to teach my two brats the meaning of sharing, and that it was ok to let your brother or sister play with your toy, or come into your room, read your book, etc. we as parents set a poor example when we ourselves would argue over who got to watch what TV show and grabbing the remote and yelling it is MINE tonight, which seemed to be the hardest thing for us to share...Shaun always wanted to watch his stuff and I either watched it or I did something else...but then like the man he is he solved it by getting a 2nd TV so now he watches what he wants whenever he wants and I watch what I want when I want. But in doing so, what did we teach our children? Yup, there is those 4 words again, "It is all mine!"
We as parents do alot better now that we are older and we take turns, we share, we compromise, we give, we love and forgive but in those first few years of our struggling relationship we ended up teaching our children something other than what GOD wanted them to learn as it states in Acts 4:32, so these last 3 to 4 years I am not only teaching my children GODs word and the right way to act and to share but to realize that nothing in our home, not even the home itself is ours for everything belongs to GOD.
Lord, forgive my ignorance in my youth, keep teaching me your word and how to act right, how to follow your word and to teach it correctly to my own two children. Give us strength to endure this world we live in and all the selfishness that has no place in those who You have welcomed into Your home. Help us to teach our children a giving spirit, a nurturing heart, a loveable nature, and a respect for what is right. Keep my heart and my eyes on You my GOD. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Footsteps of Jesus
Ever wonder where Jesus' feet led him? Or how many lives He touched in some way? Christ lived among us, living, breathing, feeling, caring, loving all who were there. His hands touched with love, his heart ached for us, his soul prayed for us, he cryed for our souls.
Luke 12:32-34 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
How simple this verse truly is!! So why do we not follow it more? Have you asked yourself where your treasure is? Do you store up stuff here on earth thinking it is worth something? How can it be worth anything when there are people in your own neighborhood struggling to make ends meet, or going hungry, living on the street? What if we all were to sell (or give away) our "things" or possessions and take care of the poor and hungry, the ill and homeless? Ever wonder if things would be better if we all pitched in to help our communities, neighborhoods?
Did Jesus just talk to "talk", or did He come with a life message for us, to reach into our hearts and tell us how to live? I think I am going to take Him at his word...He wants me to sell my stuff, yes and give it away, to help others. How about you? Will you do the same? I look at all the stuff in my home (some of it in boxes packed away) and I realize that I am guilty of letting someone go hungry tonight, or someone not getting the medical help they may need...for my stuff is of no worth if there are those suffering still.
I am slowly going through my stuff, "my life," and giving stuff away, selling it, and using it to help others. It is a slow process but my goal is to have it gone, to be done with it soon. Will you join me in getting rid of the worthless stuff in your life to help others? I pray you do. For it is what Jesus asks of us. I am digging deep into my soul, searching my life, and learning to walk and do as Christ did. Let's all learn to be true disciples of Christ.
This journey is long, but in the end well worth the wait, for in the end where home will be, my treasure will be, for Christ is building my home now, awaiting my return.
Luke 12:32-34 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
How simple this verse truly is!! So why do we not follow it more? Have you asked yourself where your treasure is? Do you store up stuff here on earth thinking it is worth something? How can it be worth anything when there are people in your own neighborhood struggling to make ends meet, or going hungry, living on the street? What if we all were to sell (or give away) our "things" or possessions and take care of the poor and hungry, the ill and homeless? Ever wonder if things would be better if we all pitched in to help our communities, neighborhoods?
Did Jesus just talk to "talk", or did He come with a life message for us, to reach into our hearts and tell us how to live? I think I am going to take Him at his word...He wants me to sell my stuff, yes and give it away, to help others. How about you? Will you do the same? I look at all the stuff in my home (some of it in boxes packed away) and I realize that I am guilty of letting someone go hungry tonight, or someone not getting the medical help they may need...for my stuff is of no worth if there are those suffering still.
I am slowly going through my stuff, "my life," and giving stuff away, selling it, and using it to help others. It is a slow process but my goal is to have it gone, to be done with it soon. Will you join me in getting rid of the worthless stuff in your life to help others? I pray you do. For it is what Jesus asks of us. I am digging deep into my soul, searching my life, and learning to walk and do as Christ did. Let's all learn to be true disciples of Christ.
This journey is long, but in the end well worth the wait, for in the end where home will be, my treasure will be, for Christ is building my home now, awaiting my return.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Prayer Challenge
We are being recreated and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, to be a temple to our Lord and Savior.
Ephesians 2:22 "And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which GOD lives by His Spirit."
Lord, thank you for recreating me. Thank you for teaching me your ways, helping me day to day through life and giving so much to me. Be here for me always, keeping me on your path and prepare my body to be Your holy temple, and home to dwell in with Your Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen.
My challenge to all is simple: Ask GOD to recreate you now, to teach you His ways, to be there in your daily walk with Him. Ask Him for strength and guidance in all you do and to give you a heart like His. Pray that your walk of faith keeps you on that straight and narrow road to salvation and that when that day comes you are prepared to meet your King knowing you did all you could do to bring as many people to His kingdom as you could.
Ephesians 2:22 "And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which GOD lives by His Spirit."
Lord, thank you for recreating me. Thank you for teaching me your ways, helping me day to day through life and giving so much to me. Be here for me always, keeping me on your path and prepare my body to be Your holy temple, and home to dwell in with Your Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen.
My challenge to all is simple: Ask GOD to recreate you now, to teach you His ways, to be there in your daily walk with Him. Ask Him for strength and guidance in all you do and to give you a heart like His. Pray that your walk of faith keeps you on that straight and narrow road to salvation and that when that day comes you are prepared to meet your King knowing you did all you could do to bring as many people to His kingdom as you could.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Serving like Jesus did
Some of you may have read one of my earlier posts in this blog about the 30 Day Challenge. If you have and you've put it into use...good! It is something that I am doing in my own life and I try every single day to do something that helps someone else, whether it is at my job, my community, my local neighborhood, or even a loved one. Did you also make your own list of things you could do to help out? Did you share this idea with those around you? Now I want to share something else with all of you. The heart of a servant. To be like Jesus in the modern world. To walk as HE did, talk as HE did, take care of others as HE did, and to give instead of take.Matthew 25:40 "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."Some of my dearest family members are out there now doing just this...being like Jesus. Along with some of their closest friends. They are out spreading the Word of GOD, sharing meals with those who don't have, giving their time, money, and material goods to those who have not. They have formed a missions team in their area to serve GOD by serving others. If we all in our own communities reach out like this what a better world this would be. View their new site at the link here: http://www.servantsheartnwa.org There are thousands of people out in your communities who struggle day to day to make ends meet, to feed their children and themselves, to keep a roof over their heads, find a way to work and so much more! There are those who just need someone to listen to their story, to say an encouraging word, to give comfort and solace to their aching hearts. Won't you take a stand today to reach out to those in need? Won't you live as Jesus lived? If you have clothes you no longer wear, or have never worn - shoes that are still new or like new - books and magazines taking up space - then find someone out there who doesn't have and give it to them. After you cook a meal, if you know you have leftovers, arrange with the local soup kitchen to pick it up or deliver it to them...or invite the hungry to a meal and conversation.If you see someone stranded on the side of the road, offer them a ride to help or a phone so they can call someone or if your like my husband help them fix it or push them off the road out of harms way. If you know an area where homeless people are and it is cool or even cold outside take them blankets, hats, mittens, and scarves. Offer a ride to a shelter that can help them out for a few weeks.Rake and mow your neighbors yard just for the fun of it! Pick up their trash. Watch their kids for them. Bake them some cookies. Walk over and say Hi. I could go on for a long time with this...it is one of my passions, helping others, serving others. Don't be afraid to get out there and do and to give!!! GOD is with you. Don't be offended if no one says Thank You, most times they have been so hurt and so disheartened they don't trust easily. Instead, Thank them for allowing you to give and to share what you do have for them!!
Being Like, Loving Like, Doing Like Jesus
Jesus tells us a new commandment. Not to abolish the old commandment but to enrich what already existed. Jesus became the unconditional love for all of us as He died to save us, to bring us into that forgiving grace for GOD to see us and love us. John 13: 34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another." Jesus did many things through out his short life on earth for us. He washed his disciples feet, he healed the sick, brought back to life the dead, prayed for us, prayed to GOD, but my favorite is, He came to live with us, to be on earth just as we are, and ate, slept, worked, went to church, spent time with His friends, just like we do today. Oh, how I long to walk and talk with my Savior. "Whatever you want others to do for you, do so for them, for this is the Law and Prophets." Matthew 7:12 This verse came from Jesus, telling us that if we want to be treated kindly and well to be sure we treat others just like we want to be treated. Now not all people, no matter how nice you are to them, will return to you the same kindness. Not that they are not able to, but maybe they were not treated nicely growing up and haven't seen alot of kindness in their life and just don't know what to say or do. But just remember, we are also to love our enemies. Not just the people who are nice to us but also the ones who hate us, who talk about us behind our backs, who go out of their way to be spiteful, who fake being your friend while stabbing you in the back, ...well Jesus tells us to love them also. "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Wave at those who try to avert their eyes from you. Always be ready to say I'm sorry, have a kind word, and spread happiness and joy among those who have forgotten what love and joy are all about.
Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5: 22-23 "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control."Your words should not be filled with anger, hatred, rage, nor should your actions. For to be of the Spirit these have no place for these are of Lucifer, called Satan. As a christian we should be showing our own family, church members and the outside world what Christ is about by how we talk and act around others.We are to love one another, to offer help when needed, a hand-up when able, bringing joy to those among our own lives, being gentle and kind in word and action. Did you see the man or woman on the street corner today holding up a sign for help? Did you stop to say Hi, exchange names and offer them something to eat? Did you see the young child shivering in the cold because they had no coat? Do you have an elderly one on your very own street who needs assistant and just a kind word? Do you see a single mom struggling to make ends meet? Or the single dad raising his daughters who didn't even have time to clean his yard? What will you do? For Christ said if we do unto the least of these that we are doing for Him. So take the time to notice those around you instead of looking at the ground as you walk on by and get to know your neighbors.
30 Days Challenge
30 Days Closer to GOD. What will that look like? How can you participate? Below is an idea just for this challenge. Get your calendar out and choose your 30 days and listed below are some suggestions to get you started on a life changing course. Write down what you do on each of the 30 days, tell your friends and family and neighbors, get them started on it and perhaps our world will not only be cleaner, but we all might learn a little more about how Jesus lived.
Pick up the trash in your neighbors yard
Give a ride to an elderly person so they can pick up groceries, mail, etc.
Help a child with their homework
Leave a cold bottle of water out for your mailman
Help the hungry by donating food to your local food pantry
Visit the sick in the hospital
Give toy donations to a local women's shelter
Knit baby blankets to give to a local hospital for the premature babies born
Rake the leaves up for a couple of your neighbors
Offer to babysit for a couple who doesn't go out much
Provide a sack lunch to a homeless person standing on a corner holding up a sign for work
Donate your old clothes in good condition to the local thrift store or salvation army
Volunteer at your church to be a door greeter, or to care for the young children
Help a neighbor repaint their home after a damaging storm or offer clean up help
Offer to care for a neighbors pets while they are gone on vacation
Have a potluck dinner and invite all your neighbors
If you see someone broke down on the side of the road offer to lend a hand to help them out
Well this should give you an idea...try to fill up each day with one thing you can do. God Bless
Pick up the trash in your neighbors yard
Give a ride to an elderly person so they can pick up groceries, mail, etc.
Help a child with their homework
Leave a cold bottle of water out for your mailman
Help the hungry by donating food to your local food pantry
Visit the sick in the hospital
Give toy donations to a local women's shelter
Knit baby blankets to give to a local hospital for the premature babies born
Rake the leaves up for a couple of your neighbors
Offer to babysit for a couple who doesn't go out much
Provide a sack lunch to a homeless person standing on a corner holding up a sign for work
Donate your old clothes in good condition to the local thrift store or salvation army
Volunteer at your church to be a door greeter, or to care for the young children
Help a neighbor repaint their home after a damaging storm or offer clean up help
Offer to care for a neighbors pets while they are gone on vacation
Have a potluck dinner and invite all your neighbors
If you see someone broke down on the side of the road offer to lend a hand to help them out
Well this should give you an idea...try to fill up each day with one thing you can do. God Bless
Building up Others
Building up Others
Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."How does one break the cycle of cursing? The LORD clearly tells us to not let any "unwholesome talk" come out of our mouths. We are to put on our "new selfs" as GOD commands in Ephesians 4:22-23. We are not to let our old self alive in its deceitful desires but to be created to be like GOD in true righteousness and holiness.I hear so many say words that have no place in our language other than to be derogatory to who they are speaking to and about. Where is the kindness, compassion and forgiveness we are to give to people as Christ gave to us? In Ephesians 5:1 we are to be "imitators of GOD", living a life of love just as Christ did. How can one say they believe in GOD in one breath and curse another in their next breath? What has happened to common courtesy? What of "Yes,maam," or "sir", or "May I help you with that?" "Let me carry that for you." "Please.", "Thank you." and a simple, "I'm sorry." Or opening a door for someone, whether it is your man opening your car door for you or house door, or a perfect stranger who you hold a door for as they enter or exit a restaurant or store...where has that courtesy gone to?We must also not have "Any" hint of any kind of impurity, no sexual immorality, no greed, no obscenity, no foolish talk, no coarse joking, for these are all things that belong to an idolater and GOD tells us these people have NO inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of GOD. Ephesians 5:3-5.How far we have fallen from our inheritance as I watch how our world behaves today. We have young kids who swear and curse not just at their friends but at their parents. Young kids who steal things not belonging to them just because they are "bored" or "want what their neighbor has". There are preteens involved in beatings, & sexual immorality. Young teen girls becoming pregnant without a thought to how to care for the baby they create. Young teens murdering each other over what they think is love but is so far from that they endanger their spirit. Then of course we have adults too who commit every sin imaginable, stealing, raping, killing, drunkeness, cursing, and many others. This should tell us how far away from GOD these people truly are.As a believer in Christ, isn't it our duty to spread the word of Christ, to those who live this way, to reach their hearts with the truth and to help them become saved and a child of GOD also. We must never stop praying for the lost, we must never stop sharing the word of GOD with all we meet. It is our calling now that we are saved.Take a stand today to commit (or recommit) yourself to your KING, our living GOD, who wants each and everyone of us, for HE does not want to lose any of us. HE wants all of us as his children. Take 5 minutes out of each of your day to pray and talk with someone about Christ, sharing with them the knowledge you have, bringing them to their own rightful inheritance in Heaven.
Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."How does one break the cycle of cursing? The LORD clearly tells us to not let any "unwholesome talk" come out of our mouths. We are to put on our "new selfs" as GOD commands in Ephesians 4:22-23. We are not to let our old self alive in its deceitful desires but to be created to be like GOD in true righteousness and holiness.I hear so many say words that have no place in our language other than to be derogatory to who they are speaking to and about. Where is the kindness, compassion and forgiveness we are to give to people as Christ gave to us? In Ephesians 5:1 we are to be "imitators of GOD", living a life of love just as Christ did. How can one say they believe in GOD in one breath and curse another in their next breath? What has happened to common courtesy? What of "Yes,maam," or "sir", or "May I help you with that?" "Let me carry that for you." "Please.", "Thank you." and a simple, "I'm sorry." Or opening a door for someone, whether it is your man opening your car door for you or house door, or a perfect stranger who you hold a door for as they enter or exit a restaurant or store...where has that courtesy gone to?We must also not have "Any" hint of any kind of impurity, no sexual immorality, no greed, no obscenity, no foolish talk, no coarse joking, for these are all things that belong to an idolater and GOD tells us these people have NO inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of GOD. Ephesians 5:3-5.How far we have fallen from our inheritance as I watch how our world behaves today. We have young kids who swear and curse not just at their friends but at their parents. Young kids who steal things not belonging to them just because they are "bored" or "want what their neighbor has". There are preteens involved in beatings, & sexual immorality. Young teen girls becoming pregnant without a thought to how to care for the baby they create. Young teens murdering each other over what they think is love but is so far from that they endanger their spirit. Then of course we have adults too who commit every sin imaginable, stealing, raping, killing, drunkeness, cursing, and many others. This should tell us how far away from GOD these people truly are.As a believer in Christ, isn't it our duty to spread the word of Christ, to those who live this way, to reach their hearts with the truth and to help them become saved and a child of GOD also. We must never stop praying for the lost, we must never stop sharing the word of GOD with all we meet. It is our calling now that we are saved.Take a stand today to commit (or recommit) yourself to your KING, our living GOD, who wants each and everyone of us, for HE does not want to lose any of us. HE wants all of us as his children. Take 5 minutes out of each of your day to pray and talk with someone about Christ, sharing with them the knowledge you have, bringing them to their own rightful inheritance in Heaven.
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