Something to Share

A great reminder to me that although I fall short, I am dearly loved and can get back up and go forward towards the goal.  Amen!

 

Ephesians 5:1

1 Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children

Being an Imitator of God

Being a Christian isn't about making a weekly trip to church. We need to develop the character of God so others can actually see Jesus working in a practical way.

Ephesians 5:1 says that we are to be imitators of God. Unfortunately, saying it is a lot easier than actually doing it.
So many times we do things that don't reflect God at all. It's easy to get discouraged, give up on and condemn ourselves when we fall short.

Thankfully, God isn't bothered that we haven't arrived yet. He knows we're only human. He knows that we're not going to instantly, perfectly mirror Him overnight, but He does want us to continue growing.

We're not meant to live stagnant lives, never moving forward in our faith. Where's the adventure in that? We need to be able to look back on our life and see some changes taking place.

I used to be a Pharisee. I think I could have been the chief of Pharisees. I had a real religious act going on, but I wasn't really doing anything to truly "imitate" God. At some point, God led me to ask myself: "What am I doing to be more like God? Am I actually helping anybody? Am I just in this thing so God will make my life better?"

When we're in a place of questioning, that's the best place to be. It's a place of constantly striving toward being more like Christ.

As you're striving, don't fall into the trap of perfectionism and self-condemnation. We all make mistakes but the important thing is to be willing to take steps every day toward being more like God.

Prayer Starter: God, I thank You that even though You see my mistakes, You still love me and help me live a godly life. While I refuse to be discouraged by my failures, I also refuse to stay the same. I choose to follow You and imitate You more and more each day.

Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen?

During school today, I was able to give my children a better understanding of how this question can be addressed.  I'm sure that at one time you have had an unbeliever ask you, "Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen?"  I have and most the time my answer has been, "Who are we to question God."    Although I don't have all the answers, I can tell someone that's asking this question that their thinking is wrong and use this following explanation to help them see how.

A loving parent raising a child will instruct them on many things.  One day, the child might reach up to touch a hot burner on the stove and the parent, seeing them, would stop them and explain the dangers of touching the stove and teach them to stay away from the stove.  Being quite sure that the child understood the instruction and dangers, the parent would believe that the child would no longer want to touch the burner.  But, if the child later decided to go against what the parent has taught them, not trusting or believing the parent and burn himself by touching the burner, who is to blame, the parent or the child?

I know that sometimes this explanation isn't an easy fit for each scenario, but the idea that when someone chooses to NOT believe in God, or disregard and go against God's instruction and the consequence leads to hurt, pain, or worse; eternity in hell, who is really to blame?  I also know that it is hard to explain that some people get hurt by the sin of another person, but it is also the consequence of one person going against what God commands.  So who is to blame?  God or man.

God has made it very clear to us in Romans 6:23.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

And then there are times when we have to say, "Who are we to question God?"  
Such is the case of a couple I just read about who has just lost their second child (the first on at 7 mos. old and a year or so later, a second one at almost 8 mos. old).
This really hit me hard since, on the day I am celebrating my son's 13th birthday, I realize that another person is experiencing the loss of a second son.
My only hope is that as believers, they understand Isaiah 55:8-9 8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

A Little Something to Share

This is from my YouVersion Bible reading this morning, I always say that perspective could be our biggest problem or greatest help.  I pray that it is encouraging to one of you reading this blog.

Genesis 13:14

14 The lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west.

Additional Content

Look from the Place Where You Are

It seems that life always has its ways of bringing us to a place where we need to make a fresh start.

In the Bible, Abram found himself in that very place when his nephew Lot chose the best land in the area, leaving Abram with the less desirable land. But God didn't abandon Abram. Instead He showed up and gave Abram a bold new vision.

I like what the Lord told Abram after he and Lot parted ways. He told him, 'Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are.'

It's that phrase, "look from the place where you are," that stirs me. That's the point of a fresh start, a new beginning. God Himself will bring us to that point occasionally.

You might be there right now. Maybe you want to break a bad habit or revive a lost dream. Maybe you want to get a handle on your finances, start your own business, write a book, whatever it is, God could be telling you to get started right now. This could be your new beginning!

After God told Abram to look from that place, the next thing He told him was, 'Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you' (Genesis 13:17 NKJV).

God could be telling you right now to get up and get on with your dream or vision, your assignment, your life, because He is giving it to you. Your part is to walk it out.

Do what you need to do. It may not be easy. It might take some time. But trust God and go for whatever it is. Look from the place where you are right now - and go!

Prayer Starter: God, regardless of what's happened in the past, help me to look up from where I am now. I thank You for Your new beginning for me. I will boldly step into it and walk out Your calling for me.

Had to Share This!!!

This was on my Bible reading plan today and I really loved it and had to share it.  May God use it in all of our lives.

1 Peter 3:10

10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

Additional Content

Be a Mouthpiece for God!

If you can grasp an understanding of the power of the words you speak, it may just change the course of your life! Your mouth is a powerful tool, either for God or for the enemy. In other words, you can either speak positive, uplifting, encouraging things into existence in your life or produce negative, gloomy and discouraging things.

Now, I don't believe any of us want to be a mouthpiece for the devil. But the fact is, the mouth can be used for blessing or destruction, not only in our lives, but also in the lives of others. I've seen it in my own life. There was a time when pretty much everything I said was negative.

But the Holy Spirit taught me how to use the creative power of the Word of God. I learned how to speak to the mountains rather than about the mountains in my life. What I mean is, I learned to apply the truth of His Word to my circumstances, and over time, I began to see positive and lasting results.

The mouth is like a pen and your heart is like a tablet. When you say something over and over, it gets on the inside of you and becomes you. It's not something you have to try to do anymore, it's who you are.

I'd much rather be a mouthpiece for God than the enemy. I want to speak His truth and enjoy my life.

First Peter 3:10 says, "Let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days...keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile." Do you want to enjoy life? Then use your mouth to speak the things of God into your life!

Prayer Starter: Lord, I know that my mouth is a powerful tool that can be used for You or for the enemy. I submit my mouth to You. Show me how to speak Your truth into my life and into the lives of others.

Something to Share for 2012

     I just wanted to share something with any of you that are reading this blog, since it is meant to point people to Christ.  I am using YouVersion to read through the Bible this year.  It is online and you can pick from many different reading plans.  It is awesome and I look forward to my morning coffee and my reading plan. 

     I am praying that it helps those of you who have been looking for a way to get into the word everyday and build your relationship with Christ.

http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/all