I have had a really hard time with being content lately. God is trying to remind me to be content in my walk with him in everything will be given to me. It has been frustrating not being able to drive and also the fact that a lot of my friends from high school and college are married.
God calls us to seek him and love him before all else. It says in Matthew 6:33 NIV, "But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." The texts surrounding this passage involve not worrying about life but trusting God will provide for us. He is the ultimate provider for our needs. We can't worry about the future when it is in God's hands.
The apostle Paul talks about abiding in God in John 15 and loving him above all else. In his description of these things, he says Jesus is the source of everything. If we are in Christ, then all things will be provider for us. Giving up our lives to him will help us abide in him and love others they way he has called us to. These are one of the ultimate keys to the Christian life.
Lastly, in an overall sense I need to remind myself that being content is knowing that God has what I need in any and every situation. In Philippians 4:11, Paul says "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation." That is how I need to live my life daily.
God has called us to be content in everything and he will provide. I need to trust that he will give me the right job, wife, and future in due time. Being content is an art I am still working on perfecting it.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Snoop's life: Alive in Christ
Snoop's life: Alive in Christ: As followers of Christ, we don't have to try to be good anymore. We are alive in Christ through his death on the Cross for our sins. O...
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Alive in Christ
As followers of Christ, we don't have to try to be good anymore. We are alive in Christ through his death on the Cross for our sins. Once, we grasp this fact we can walk in God's grace and mercy daily.
God has given us a newness of life in Jesus Christ through his sacrifice for our sins. Paul reminds of this fact in his letter to the church at Colossae and Ephesus. He says in Colossians 2:6-7 ESV, "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and build up in him, and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." The apostle Paul reminds them to be thankful for what Christ had done for them. Paul then tries to make them understand his death for them in 8-14 by describing how Christ took way circumcision, how they were baptized with Christ, he canceled their debt, and how Christ overcame authorities. He uses this discourse to help the believers in Colossae and Ephesus understand how they don't have to do things to earn God's favor ie being circumcised.
This leads to his next discussion in verses 16-18 in trying to help the believers know how to guard against pressure from the Judaizers. He tells them to not let anyone disqualify them on the basis of any merit. Paul reminds them that they don't have to go to any New Moon Festival to know God more.
The only thing that matters in our relationship with Christ is a new life in him. God calls us to put to death our old way of life and put on the new found in Christ. In Colossians 3:1-2, Paul calls us to center our minds and hearts on Christ and not on things on earth. If we focus on minds on the new life in Christ, then Christ will reign in our hearts. Our new life found in Christ is the only thing we need to think about. In verse eight he emphasizes we are to take away our old way of life of impure thoughts, anger, rage, malice, and put on the new because we are alive in this new life we have in Christ.
Lastly, Christ is in all things. Paul says, "11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[a] free; but Christ is all, and in all." Christ is in all things and all things are found in him. He then issues a degree to the people at Colossae saying 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness,humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. This are character qualities of believers that know and love Christ. These traits we are not put on daily since we are new believers found alive in Christ through his death on the cross.
Finally, this newness of life will lead to giving us peace the times of our life. It will produce thanksgiving in our life when he realize the blessings God has given us. Realizing that we are alive in Christ will help us realize the depth of our relationship with God.
To close out this blog entry, I want to ask What has sustained you in your walk with Christ? How can you see how your walk with Christ as being alive?
God has given us a newness of life in Jesus Christ through his sacrifice for our sins. Paul reminds of this fact in his letter to the church at Colossae and Ephesus. He says in Colossians 2:6-7 ESV, "Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and build up in him, and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." The apostle Paul reminds them to be thankful for what Christ had done for them. Paul then tries to make them understand his death for them in 8-14 by describing how Christ took way circumcision, how they were baptized with Christ, he canceled their debt, and how Christ overcame authorities. He uses this discourse to help the believers in Colossae and Ephesus understand how they don't have to do things to earn God's favor ie being circumcised.
This leads to his next discussion in verses 16-18 in trying to help the believers know how to guard against pressure from the Judaizers. He tells them to not let anyone disqualify them on the basis of any merit. Paul reminds them that they don't have to go to any New Moon Festival to know God more.
The only thing that matters in our relationship with Christ is a new life in him. God calls us to put to death our old way of life and put on the new found in Christ. In Colossians 3:1-2, Paul calls us to center our minds and hearts on Christ and not on things on earth. If we focus on minds on the new life in Christ, then Christ will reign in our hearts. Our new life found in Christ is the only thing we need to think about. In verse eight he emphasizes we are to take away our old way of life of impure thoughts, anger, rage, malice, and put on the new because we are alive in this new life we have in Christ.
Lastly, Christ is in all things. Paul says, "11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[a] free; but Christ is all, and in all." Christ is in all things and all things are found in him. He then issues a degree to the people at Colossae saying 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness,humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. This are character qualities of believers that know and love Christ. These traits we are not put on daily since we are new believers found alive in Christ through his death on the cross.
Finally, this newness of life will lead to giving us peace the times of our life. It will produce thanksgiving in our life when he realize the blessings God has given us. Realizing that we are alive in Christ will help us realize the depth of our relationship with God.
To close out this blog entry, I want to ask What has sustained you in your walk with Christ? How can you see how your walk with Christ as being alive?
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Snoop's life: A Call to Humbleness
Snoop's life: A Call to Humbleness: Jesus calls us to be humble in all that we say and do. We are calling to acknowledge our weaknesses and look to others more than ourselves....
A Call to Humbleness
Jesus calls us to be humble in all that we say and do. We are calling to acknowledge our weaknesses and look to others more than ourselves. This act of humbleness is merely knowing ourselves.
First, humbleness causes us to see our weakness and see God's power. It causes us to see who God really is inside of us. 1 Peter 5:6 ESV says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that we may exalt you." It is also about coming before God and confessing we can't live this life on our own. Therefore, we see our weakness and come to Jesus.
Second, it is also about looking to ourselves more than others. Paul writes in Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but consider others better than yourselves." He continues on in verse 4 describing how we are to not look to our interests but others. He describes in verses 5-11 about the humbleness of Christ in sacrificing himself on the cross for our sins. Jesus was a true humble servant.
The first disciples in Acts were humble in coming before God to serve him. Phillip came before God and went where the Spirit led him, coming to grips with his weakness and God'sovereignty. Stephen came humbly before God as well. Lastly, Jesus met Paul in Damascus to he became broken before God.
God has caused me to become humble in my weakness in my frustrating times with my driving problems. He has helped me see that I can't live life on my own though it is hard at times. God has also given me the ability to look to others more than myself. I have also been given an unselfish heart toward others. This has caused me to become humble at times.
Humbleness leads God to be exalted so I hope you can become humble in all that you do today. 1 Peter 5:7 God calls us to come before him and cast our anxieties on him before he cares in us. I hope you leave the blog knowing how much we need to know God.
First, humbleness causes us to see our weakness and see God's power. It causes us to see who God really is inside of us. 1 Peter 5:6 ESV says, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that we may exalt you." It is also about coming before God and confessing we can't live this life on our own. Therefore, we see our weakness and come to Jesus.
Second, it is also about looking to ourselves more than others. Paul writes in Philippians 2:3, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but consider others better than yourselves." He continues on in verse 4 describing how we are to not look to our interests but others. He describes in verses 5-11 about the humbleness of Christ in sacrificing himself on the cross for our sins. Jesus was a true humble servant.
The first disciples in Acts were humble in coming before God to serve him. Phillip came before God and went where the Spirit led him, coming to grips with his weakness and God'sovereignty. Stephen came humbly before God as well. Lastly, Jesus met Paul in Damascus to he became broken before God.
God has caused me to become humble in my weakness in my frustrating times with my driving problems. He has helped me see that I can't live life on my own though it is hard at times. God has also given me the ability to look to others more than myself. I have also been given an unselfish heart toward others. This has caused me to become humble at times.
Humbleness leads God to be exalted so I hope you can become humble in all that you do today. 1 Peter 5:7 God calls us to come before him and cast our anxieties on him before he cares in us. I hope you leave the blog knowing how much we need to know God.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
The only thing we can do
The main thing we drives us as Christians when all else fails is dependence on God. Dependence on God is key in all aspects of our Christian walk. It facilitates our growth in our walk with Christ.
John describes this dependence on God the most important thing we do as Christians. John 15:1-5 says that we are to be connected to the vine Jesus in all that we do. By surrendering to Jesus, the vine, we the branches will grow exponentially. A relationship with Jesus produces fruit in our lives. John 15:5 says, "Apart from me you can do nothing."
When we as Christians aren't depending on God then there is no fruit in our lives. We become like the fig tree that Jesus describes as withering away because it has no root.
Consequently, when we are desperately dependent on God in all that we do we produce fruit and growth in our walk with God. Through this dependence the fruits of the Spirit are in our lives. These are shown in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruits of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, gentleness, goodness, and self-control." God gives us these simple qualities by relying on him in all things. This qualities God transformed in my life during times such as graduating from college, peace in relationships, in my summer working at D-focus, and at this present time.
God's Spirit moved through the disciples in Acts in the early church and helped them depend on him despite their weaknesses. Peter disowned Jesus three times before Jesus was put on the cross and yet God's Holy Spirit came on him and helped him depend on him. The disciples doubted Jesus when he was resurrected but still the Holy Spirit used them mightily. The disciples were given joy and peace when persecuted by the Sanhedrin. They were given the ability to love others like Jesus did.
God calls us to stand firm and depend on him hardship or persecution. We are to hold fast to his promises; Hebrews 11:1. He is faithful when we are not.
To close out this blog, here is an article that describes the persecution that is rampant in America today. This persecution is taking place in the form of our government and president of the United States. He has pulled away from our true values. http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/04/swallowing_camelsstraining_at_gnats.html America is supposed to be the land of the free and the brave. I saw the Jackie Robinson movie this weekend and was reminded that we are a country about freedom, equality, and standing for biblical values.
So, let us be desperately dependent on God for everything in our life. In this, we cling to John 15:5 and it's truth for us.
John describes this dependence on God the most important thing we do as Christians. John 15:1-5 says that we are to be connected to the vine Jesus in all that we do. By surrendering to Jesus, the vine, we the branches will grow exponentially. A relationship with Jesus produces fruit in our lives. John 15:5 says, "Apart from me you can do nothing."
When we as Christians aren't depending on God then there is no fruit in our lives. We become like the fig tree that Jesus describes as withering away because it has no root.
Consequently, when we are desperately dependent on God in all that we do we produce fruit and growth in our walk with God. Through this dependence the fruits of the Spirit are in our lives. These are shown in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruits of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, gentleness, goodness, and self-control." God gives us these simple qualities by relying on him in all things. This qualities God transformed in my life during times such as graduating from college, peace in relationships, in my summer working at D-focus, and at this present time.
God's Spirit moved through the disciples in Acts in the early church and helped them depend on him despite their weaknesses. Peter disowned Jesus three times before Jesus was put on the cross and yet God's Holy Spirit came on him and helped him depend on him. The disciples doubted Jesus when he was resurrected but still the Holy Spirit used them mightily. The disciples were given joy and peace when persecuted by the Sanhedrin. They were given the ability to love others like Jesus did.
God calls us to stand firm and depend on him hardship or persecution. We are to hold fast to his promises; Hebrews 11:1. He is faithful when we are not.
To close out this blog, here is an article that describes the persecution that is rampant in America today. This persecution is taking place in the form of our government and president of the United States. He has pulled away from our true values. http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/04/swallowing_camelsstraining_at_gnats.html America is supposed to be the land of the free and the brave. I saw the Jackie Robinson movie this weekend and was reminded that we are a country about freedom, equality, and standing for biblical values.
So, let us be desperately dependent on God for everything in our life. In this, we cling to John 15:5 and it's truth for us.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Gifts
It was my birthday last week and I have been reflecting on those I have affected with my gifts. God has gifted me with friends from all walks of life that I have been able to affect with my gifts that the Spirit blesses us with.
Paul talks about in Romans 12:3 that the Holy Spirit gives each of us in the body of Christ different gifts . He describes the Spirit bestowing on us these gifts by his grace (12:6). These gifts are to be used to build up others in the body of Christ. In v. 7-8 he describes the gifts of teaching, exhortation, leading, and cheerfulness. I believe out of those I can exhort (encourage others) and lead others well.
In the next section of spiritual gifts in Corinthians 12, Paul discusses spiritual gifts more thoroughly. He says in verses 6-7,
6 "There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. The Holy Spirit uses each of our own gifts for his glory. Though the gifts are different, God's glory is still shown".
Paul says in verse 11, "all these gifts are empowered by the Spirit." Each believer's gift is different and be used to build up others in Christ. In the next section he describes how not every believer has the same gift.
Paul talks about in Romans 12:3 that the Holy Spirit gives each of us in the body of Christ different gifts . He describes the Spirit bestowing on us these gifts by his grace (12:6). These gifts are to be used to build up others in the body of Christ. In v. 7-8 he describes the gifts of teaching, exhortation, leading, and cheerfulness. I believe out of those I can exhort (encourage others) and lead others well.
In the next section of spiritual gifts in Corinthians 12, Paul discusses spiritual gifts more thoroughly. He says in verses 6-7,
6 "There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. The Holy Spirit uses each of our own gifts for his glory. Though the gifts are different, God's glory is still shown".
Paul says in verse 11, "all these gifts are empowered by the Spirit." Each believer's gift is different and be used to build up others in Christ. In the next section he describes how not every believer has the same gift.
I believe God has gifted me with the gifts of prayer, encouragement, listening, and at times faith. Paul describes the gift of faith in Cor 12:7 and exhortation or encouragement in Romans 12:3. God has also gifted me with a passion for youth with some struggles in my high school days. I also enjoy playing and watching basketball and other sports.
I pray that God will lead me to an opportunity to use my gifts in whatever future ministry he leads me to. I pray that God will use whoever reads this blog's gifts for his glory.
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