Christmas and a New Life

Christmas time resembles the chance for a new start. On this day we celebrate the Lord's birth. He came down from heaven, his kingdom where he was treated in the way he should be, to offer us life. He didn't come because he had to but, because he loves us so much, he wanted to. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary to give us a second chance at life. True life. A life full with Christ. Jesus suffered the pain, ridicule, and shame of this world so HE could take OUR sins to the cross. He bore the shameful death that should have been ours. He carried our burden of sin on his shoulders though he was blameless. Jesus' birth was for that specific purpose! A perfect, beautiful baby was born into this world to face its most ugly and shameful deeds of darkness.Although every kind of evil was thrown at him, he conquered them all. Jesus even conquered death for our sake. Let's give ALL our praise to him who deserves it.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." 

Isaiah 7:14

"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.  

            Jeremiah 23:5

Faithfulness or Faithlessness

Some of the letters in the New Testament start off by exclaiming a joy because the authors had found out fellow believers were being faithful to God. For example 3 John 3-4 says, "It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell me about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

John exclaims that he has NO greater joy than that of fellow believers walking in the truth. With this kind of joy, it seems as though he would draw encouragement as well. Although the Bible does not directly say that, seeing others he has mentored continue to grow and continue in what he has taught them, would very possibly have that outcome. If this is the case, we ought to strive to continue to be faithful as well. Not only do we receive a better relationship with God, but also we could possibly be an encouragement to someone else. At the very least, we could bring someone joy. On the other end of the spectrum, your faithlessness could have the opposite effect on a person; you could be the one to bring them sadness or discouragement. You never know when your level of  faith could have a very impacting impression on someone.

"Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
O what words I hear Him say!
Happy place! So dear, so precious!
May it find me there each day.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
I would look upon the past,
For His love has been so gracious
It has won my heart at last."

"Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Where can mortal be more blest?
There I lay my sins and sorrows,
And when weary find sweet rest.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
There I love to weep and pray,
While I from His fulness gather
Grace and comfort every day."

"Bless me O my Saviour, bless me,
As I sit low at Thy feet,
Oh, look down in love upon me,
Let me see Thy face so sweet.
Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus,
Make me holy as He is;
May I prove I've been with Jesus,
Who is all my righteousness."

I read this poem/song, I'm not sure which of the two it is, in a book called "Mary of Bethany" by Ella M. Parks. I love how much "love" this quote gives to Jesus. It just shows how much the "I" in this quote longs to be at Jesus' feet and how how she finds all her needs met there. She lays her sorrows and sins there and at the same place gathers her comfort. How great is Jesus to be able to provide both qualities for us; the love and forgiveness for our sorrows and sins but also the strength and comfort he extends to us. At the end of this quote she asks for the mind of Jesus in likeness and to become holy as He is. She wants to prove that she spends time at Jesus' feet.

Do you prove that you spend time at Jesus' feet? Do you even long to be able to prove that you spend time at His feet? This is now my prayer for not only me, but for all my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Ungodly Chatter

1 Timothy 6:20-21 "...Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in doing so have wandered away from the faith..."


Involving yourself in godless chatter will only drag you down and make you wander away from the faith. It will separate you from your relationship with God, which in turn will make you less godly. Becoming less godly would completely go against the goal of a christian, as we are called to become more like God. "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." 2 Timothy 2:16 


Those who promote godless chatter, or false information, promote controversies rather than God's work. This is not only taking away from God, but you are taking away from those who benefit from the work done for God as well as your own self. We are commanded to love which comes from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. We cannot have those aspects as long as we allow ourselves to indulge in false information and godless chatter. And as long as we are prevented those aspects to take precedence in our lives, we are disobeying the command to love. "nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work-which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm." 1 Timothy 1:4-7   


People who give in to meaningless talk advocate controversies and they become ignorant. This same thing happened to Paul. He allowed himself to put too much precedence on the law rather than the truth and was ignorant because of it. He focused on meaningless talk rather than on what Jesus had said. He was a teacher of the law, but he did not know the truth. Until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus; by the grace of the Lord he was changed and made aware of his ignorance. "Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:13&14


Turning away from godless chatter can be hard at times, especially when everyone is involved. But, in order not to become more ungodly and more separated from God, we must stand firm! We must be set apart in order to serve God more. God is with you and he will give you the strength to succeed.


"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." 1 Chronicles 16:11

A mixture of thoughts...

One of the things that always seems to follow us throughout life is our physical fitness. It is a topic of discussion for practically any age group, with the exception of the ages that don't quite realize its importance. The Bible actually does talk about physical fitness too. 1 Timothy 4:8 tells us that physical training has some importance but there is something of greater value. Godliness holds value for not just the present life, but also the life to come. So why is it we do not spend more time discussing our "godliness training"? Godliness is the most beneficial virtue we could attain. "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6  Not only that, but the Bible tells us to pursue godliness (1 Timothy 6:11). So, with that being said, continue to put importance on your physical training but make sure you put MORE importance on your "godliness training".

I'm gonna back up here and take a side street on 1 Timothy 6:6. It says that godliness with contentment is great gain. A lot of times we will not be content with the situation we are in or, for a lot of us, the money situation we are in. But God gives us instruction to be content with what we have; to be free from the love of money. He also tells us that He will NEVER leave or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' " This verse gives us not only instruction, but hope as well. When we are in a tight spot with our money, or other situation, we can have faith that God will never leave us or forsake us. Now that's something to have hope AND joy in!

I have one more point I would like to bring up before I close. I'm going to give you a verse to challenge you. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12 Paul wrote this to Timothy when Timothy was in his mid thirty's or younger. This was also a time when a position of influence and leadership was usually not held by a man so young; as a result, he probably faced many oppositions. Don't let oppositions stop you from doing what you know is right. People are going to think and say what they will, but what matters most is obeying God. I challenge you to really focus on what Paul wrote in this verse and the example he told Timothy to set, make it your goal to be that example too.

"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Preserve in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:15&16

 

Being Blameless...and Flory

"Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:22&23

Are our actions and words keeping us blameless in our spirit, soul and body? We can use the Bible as a means of judging our own hearts. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 When you are not sure whether or not your actions or words are pleasing to the Lord, you can use the Bible as a means to check yourself. 

If you find that you are lacking, which we all should because no one is perfect, God allows you to ask him to strengthen your heart. "May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones." 1 Thessalonians 3:13 If you continually ask God to strengthen your heart and change your heart to what he wants, he will answer your prayers. Before you know it you will be amazed at how God has changed you. You will look back on things and realize that you looked at life differently. You will notice how you don't participate in activities that you used to. You will also notice how you WANT to participate in activities that bring glory to God. Which brings me to my last point.

After we allow God to change our hearts and strengthen them, we need to do good works for Him. "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:17 Also, God is going to reward us for the good works we have done. So how would we not want to do good works? We are not only pleasing God, but we are storing up treasures in heaven for ourselves. "For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done." Matthew 6:27

In the process of writing this blog, I broadened my vocabulary. I found out that the word "Flory" means "Heraldry" which means "the science of armorial bearings". And if you are unsure of what those are, armorial bearings are coat of arms that were worn by medieval knights over their armor. This identified them with the crown they served. Just a random side note. :)

Justified By Faith

While reading in Galatians tonight, a topic that is brought up numerous times in the Bible, jumped out at me once again. Paul wrote this letter to the churches in Galatia to counter the claims of the legalistic Judaizers. The legalistic Judaizers were trying to persuade the Galatians that they needed to be circumcised and keep in the law of Moses in order to be saved. However, Paul had some words against this belief.

First off, Paul told them that the gospel he preached was NOT from man; that it indeed WAS from God. He also told them of his past concerning "the way" and how he persecuted all those who partook in it. But God had set him apart at birth to preach the gospel to the gentiles. By God's grace, Jesus was shown to him and he did not consult any man.

When Peter came to Antioch, Paul opposed him because he was acting like a hypocrite. Before certain men came, he would eat with the Gentiles. But after they arrived, he separated himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid. Just because the Gentiles had not been circumcised and they did not follow the law of Moses, the circumcised party did not want anything to do with them. They were not doing what Jesus would have done and therefor were in the wrong.

When Paul opposed Peter about this, he stated that "man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ." Gal 2:16 The law is only there to show us that we need salvation; and that salvation can only come from Jesus Christ. There are still those who need to be reminded of this. And, also, reminded they cannot do just good works to be justified. Only faith in Jesus Christ will be your justification.  


"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" Galatians 2:20-21

Something to think about...

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the church of God even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."

What if one of our actions caused someone from being saved? And that one action turned them off from God completely? Well, that one action, caused them an eternity in hell.

It's something to think and pray about. God tells us over and over again not to do anything that causes another person to stumble, no matter who they are. This is a hard thing to do as we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. But He gives us hope in this verse, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Cor. 10:13

Notice it says God will not tempt us beyond what we can bear. But not just that, He also provides us a way out! God helps us in two ways when it comes to temptations. So how come we still cannot just say no? We still choose to sin. We still choose to cause others to stumble. Aren't we then choosing to possibly commit that one act that causes another an eternity in hell?

Honoring God with our Bodies

Lately I have been reading in 1 Corinthians for my daily devotions and something caught my eye. In this chapter Paul is addressing the church of Corinth on their behaviors. Apparently some of the members of the church thought that everything was permissible for them. That what they did with their bodies would have no effect on their spiritual life. However, Paul rebukes them explaining that everything we do with our bodies, effects our spiritual life.

God raised Christ from the dead and he is also going to raise us. If God is going to take the effort to raise us as well, don't you think he values our bodies? Not only that, but our bodies are members of Jesus Christ. After Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave us the Holy Spirit to live within us. Therefore, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are not our own; if we disgrace ourselves are we not also disgracing the Holy Spirit within us? If we confess to be Christians we need to honor God with our bodies. If we are disgracing our bodies with possibly gluttony, immodesty, sexual immorality, etc., we are showing the world that we don't value what God has done for us by giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Life's Thirst

The word of the Lord is like a deep thirst quenching drink. It's that ice cold drink of water I can never seem to get enough of. The thirst is like the thirst derived from working in a garden in the heat of the day, the sun relentlessly pounding on my back. The humidity so great, my brow is wet from perspiration. The ice cold water tastes so good on my lips after the remarkable thirst I endured while gardening. The garden is my life and everything in it. Each day I have been torn down and beaten upon by not only the mayhem and destruction that enter the garden, but also by my own disturbances, sins. I am constantly pouring energy into pulling weeds and making sure pests are not killing my garden, making me tired and thirsty for the cold replenishing drink of water. After a long and gratifying drink, my strength is renewed and I am ready to face whatever havoc comes my way.

This came as an inspiration after reading Amos 8:11,
 “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD,
   “when I will send a famine through the land—
not a famine of food or a thirst for water,
   but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.

I had written this a while ago and I wanted it to be on my blog because I wrote it when I was on such a spiritual high. Sometimes I forget that feeling when you are so on fire for God that you can't seem to think of anything but Him. As I look back on what I have written, it just reminds me of how much I need to consistently read God's word in order to not fall into the temptations of this world. I am so thankful that God gave us His word in order that we may my rejuvenated! We truly could not live a worthy life without Him aiding us.