A few weeks have passed since we participated in and witnessed a spirit-filled Women's Day Conference. Thanks to the Conference Chairperson and her committee, every "T" was crossed, every "I" was dotted, and we had an awesome experience in the Name of the Lord. Each class was facilitated by such phenomenal, Godly women who unselfishly shared with us their expertise on their respective topics. And, our Guest Speaker for the Sunday Morning Worship Service just put the icing on the cake. I applaud all of you who planned these events, our guests, and everyone who participated. Further, I trust that with all of the excitement, tears of joy, and having such a mountaintop experience, that our lives were impacted so that it brought about a sense of spiritual renewal within us.
The scriptures referenced for Women's Day 2008, Genesis 19:17-26 and Galatians 5:1, from man's enslavement to his freedom, led to the theme, "Looking Back at What Cost?" This theme served as a warning to us of the consequences we face when we continuously look back, taking our eyes off the cross. Thus, this particular scripture also speaks of God's warning Lot by sending two angels to Sodom to compel him to get himself and his family out of that city. ". . . because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it." (Genesis 19:13) Lot was told to escape for his life, where to go, and to not look back, lest thou be consumed. But, Lot's wife, for whatever reasons, looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. Why did Lot's wife look back? Why are you looking back? "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:13-15). Also, in Luke 9:62, Jesus again warns us that, ". . . no man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." Therefore, if Jesus is not in our front view, then we are looking in the wrong direction.
So, let me introduce you to my Guide, my bike partner, who is reliable and He makes sure that my mission is clear. He is the One who brought us from slavery to freedom by the shedding of His precious blood on Calvary's cross. Come on; get on the bike with Jesus and me. We don't have to do all of the peddling; He will change places with us when we get tired. There is no need to fear. He knows the route well, and He is the only one who can help us reach out destination, Heaven. However, one very important prerequisite is that we must have been on the bike long enough to get to know Jesus personally.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. AMEN.
CAN WE NOT ALL JUST GET ALONG FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST?
When tempers flare and attitudes need adjusting, it makes one want to just throw up their hands and say "forget this". And, if the individuals' acts of impropriety are not bad enough, they try to justify such behavior. But, if the truth be told, this is an attention-getter. Some people's egos are like addicts; they need stroking or, they will throw a tantrum. This is a deceptive motive but unfortunately sometimes it gets them the attention that they want. While it would be easy to walk away from a situation such as this, the Holy Spirit just will not allow us to do it. He immediately intercedes and reminds us that Jesus would handle the situation(s) totally different in a much nicer, more loving, kinder, gentler way.
So what is the problem? The problem is that these people need a spiritual renewal---a discipline of the mind and heart. We should embrace them when they are hurting or in pain; but again, if it is only to get attention, then these people need to seek someone with more discernment than us. Sometimes the only thing we can do for these individuals is to advise them; give them a Word. A thorough search of our hearts and souls will determine if we are contributors to satan's attacks on our lives. One of the hardest things to do is to admit when we are "wrong". Admittance of such, however, will begin the healing process. We cause some of the hurt in our own lives because of our tongue, selfish pride, and as a result we reap what we sow. We should never sow discord among our brothers and sisters because this is one of the things that God says HE HATES. (Proverbs 6:19) Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to change our bad habits, thought patterns, and selfish acts. They will get you nowhere, but will cause a lot of grief.
R - E - S - P - E - C - T is a word that has to always be in the forefront of our mind, body, and soul because it seems difficult to respect those whom we do not love. But the Bible makes it very clear, WE MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Christ commands it. So, let's stop playing games, plotting, and scheming. We are the ones who are supposed to carry God's Messages to the lost. And, when we get caught up in worldly things, we lose our drawing power.
Spiritual renewal allows us to look at life differently, and gives us a different perspective on the people whom we shy away from. All of us are God's children. So do not pat yourselves on your chest too boastfully, because God loves us all the same. "For there is no respect of persons with God". (Romans 2:9) He is an advocate for all of us. And, if we do not love or respect each other on earth, God is not getting any glory when we PRETEND to glorify Him. We say we love God; God says we are LIARS, if we hate our brothers. (1 John 4:20)
Having a new mind in Christ makes our lives better; our walk with Him will be clearer and not cloudy or doubtful; and our focus will be on the Cross, not on ourselves. God is still standing with outstretched arms waiting for us to CHANGE. Get your attitudes off your shoulders and come join the rest of us in the spirit of love, fellowship, and joy! We have too much work to do for the cause of Christ to allow the world to deter/detain us! So let's stay focused on the things that is important to Jesus Christ.
And, in spite of it all, may God continue to richly bless and keep each of you in perfect peace as you keep your minds stayed on Him. It is not about you; it is about JESUS!
So what is the problem? The problem is that these people need a spiritual renewal---a discipline of the mind and heart. We should embrace them when they are hurting or in pain; but again, if it is only to get attention, then these people need to seek someone with more discernment than us. Sometimes the only thing we can do for these individuals is to advise them; give them a Word. A thorough search of our hearts and souls will determine if we are contributors to satan's attacks on our lives. One of the hardest things to do is to admit when we are "wrong". Admittance of such, however, will begin the healing process. We cause some of the hurt in our own lives because of our tongue, selfish pride, and as a result we reap what we sow. We should never sow discord among our brothers and sisters because this is one of the things that God says HE HATES. (Proverbs 6:19) Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to change our bad habits, thought patterns, and selfish acts. They will get you nowhere, but will cause a lot of grief.
R - E - S - P - E - C - T is a word that has to always be in the forefront of our mind, body, and soul because it seems difficult to respect those whom we do not love. But the Bible makes it very clear, WE MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Christ commands it. So, let's stop playing games, plotting, and scheming. We are the ones who are supposed to carry God's Messages to the lost. And, when we get caught up in worldly things, we lose our drawing power.
Spiritual renewal allows us to look at life differently, and gives us a different perspective on the people whom we shy away from. All of us are God's children. So do not pat yourselves on your chest too boastfully, because God loves us all the same. "For there is no respect of persons with God". (Romans 2:9) He is an advocate for all of us. And, if we do not love or respect each other on earth, God is not getting any glory when we PRETEND to glorify Him. We say we love God; God says we are LIARS, if we hate our brothers. (1 John 4:20)
Having a new mind in Christ makes our lives better; our walk with Him will be clearer and not cloudy or doubtful; and our focus will be on the Cross, not on ourselves. God is still standing with outstretched arms waiting for us to CHANGE. Get your attitudes off your shoulders and come join the rest of us in the spirit of love, fellowship, and joy! We have too much work to do for the cause of Christ to allow the world to deter/detain us! So let's stay focused on the things that is important to Jesus Christ.
And, in spite of it all, may God continue to richly bless and keep each of you in perfect peace as you keep your minds stayed on Him. It is not about you; it is about JESUS!
SEEING WITH THE HEART
"Let no man deceive himself. If any among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. (1 Corinthians 3:18-19).
We know of many people who may be knowledgeable, but few are wise. Wisdom is not about how smart we are, but it is a mean by which we have an humbling spirit that allows us to accept the fact that someone else can teach us something about ourselves that we do not already know. The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 1:7 that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
True wisdom which comes from God begins with a holy life. James 3:14-18 says "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." Having said that, wisdom provides us the knowledge and ability to make the right choices at the right time, and serves as a mean by which people learn to love and get along. Wisdom helps us to, when we make mistakes, learn from them; accept our weaknesses by getting closer to God through the study of his word; and when faced with oppositions or problems, having the ability to give it to God. Most of the time our hearts know the wisest course to take, but we may still choose a foolish path. The lessons most learned comes not from our successes, but from our failures. And, our foolish choices may lead us down a path we never planned to take, but directs us by divine intervention back to the road we left behind. The old Psalmist says, we should ask God to "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalm 90:12).
God is on his way back for the Church. His time is not our time - "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night." (Psalm 90:4). Don't be fooled. Our hearts see and show the things about us that we want hid from others. But remember, God is all-wise and all-knowing. So if anyone lacks wisdom, ask God.
We know of many people who may be knowledgeable, but few are wise. Wisdom is not about how smart we are, but it is a mean by which we have an humbling spirit that allows us to accept the fact that someone else can teach us something about ourselves that we do not already know. The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 1:7 that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
True wisdom which comes from God begins with a holy life. James 3:14-18 says "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." Having said that, wisdom provides us the knowledge and ability to make the right choices at the right time, and serves as a mean by which people learn to love and get along. Wisdom helps us to, when we make mistakes, learn from them; accept our weaknesses by getting closer to God through the study of his word; and when faced with oppositions or problems, having the ability to give it to God. Most of the time our hearts know the wisest course to take, but we may still choose a foolish path. The lessons most learned comes not from our successes, but from our failures. And, our foolish choices may lead us down a path we never planned to take, but directs us by divine intervention back to the road we left behind. The old Psalmist says, we should ask God to "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalm 90:12).
God is on his way back for the Church. His time is not our time - "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night." (Psalm 90:4). Don't be fooled. Our hearts see and show the things about us that we want hid from others. But remember, God is all-wise and all-knowing. So if anyone lacks wisdom, ask God.
Abonohu te:
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