I John 5:21 "Dear Children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts. Amen" (Living Bible)
What a tender verse with such great advice. The King James uses the word "idol" but the Living Bible really cuts to the heart. "ANYTHING THAT MIGHT TAKE GOD'S PLACE IN YOUR HEARTS"
A few words stand out here. The first one is "anything". Sometimes we think the obvious, we don't go to bars, we don't party whatever we may come up with. But, it can also be something like a TV program, a job, it is ANYTHING. That ought to cause us to make an appointment with the Holy Spirit and evaluate our lives carefully.
The next word is "might"- To me this means don't walk near the edge. When I think of a Biblical character that walked near the edge, I think of Lot. If you read his story, you will see that first he just gazed at Sodom, the grass was greener over there. The next thing you know, you read that he has pitched his tent "near" Sodom. Next, you will find him in Sodom and in a heap of trouble. Don't even take the time to gaze at something that has the ability to take God off the throne of your heart
Lastly, I look at the words "God's place"- You see, it is not a question of if God has a place in your heart as a believer, He makes it clear that He is to have first place. If you are a believer, make sure you are giving God the throne in your heart. If you are not a Christian then why not right now, ask God to take His rightful place. He does not rule with an iron fist, He just stands at the door waiting for you to open it. Your opportunity is now, you may not have tomorrow. Once you die it will be too late. You can make God the King of your heart and spend eternity with Him or you can allow satan to take the seat and you will pay the high cost of meeting up with him in hell for eternity.
Accept Christ as your Lord and Savior and then stay away from anything that might take Him off the throne of your heart.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Complicating Things
Deuteronomy 10:12- He requires only that you fear the Lord, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart. (NLT)
Do you ever find yourself complicating what God has stated so clearly. God clearly tells here what He requires. Basically, it can be summed up in that last part....love Him and serve Him with all your heart.
What have I learned from this verse?
1. This is what God REQUIRES- This is not a suggestion from God, it is a must. Now that He settles that upfront, lets look at it with that first lesson in mind.
2. With all YOUR heart- I love this! Sometimes we look around and we see people in our church or in Christian media and we somehow think we would gain God's approval if we did it like they did it...so we try to become them, in so doing, we become someone we are not. God doesn't ask us to be someone else. He says love me with all YOUR heart, serve me with all YOUR heart. Now perhaps you are thinking like I have thought, "I don't have much to serve Him with" When we serve God with all our heart then God shows up...and you know what happens when God shows up?
3. He begins to grow you, He expands that heart of yours and suddenly you begin see a transformation. It is a transformation that did not come from you, but from God.. That's the best kind of transformation you can have.
Today, don't look at what you don't have within yourself, don't look at someone else and wish you had what they have. Just give God what you have and give it to Him with all your heart. In no time at all, you will see God working! Let me know how it goes!
Do you ever find yourself complicating what God has stated so clearly. God clearly tells here what He requires. Basically, it can be summed up in that last part....love Him and serve Him with all your heart.
What have I learned from this verse?
1. This is what God REQUIRES- This is not a suggestion from God, it is a must. Now that He settles that upfront, lets look at it with that first lesson in mind.
2. With all YOUR heart- I love this! Sometimes we look around and we see people in our church or in Christian media and we somehow think we would gain God's approval if we did it like they did it...so we try to become them, in so doing, we become someone we are not. God doesn't ask us to be someone else. He says love me with all YOUR heart, serve me with all YOUR heart. Now perhaps you are thinking like I have thought, "I don't have much to serve Him with" When we serve God with all our heart then God shows up...and you know what happens when God shows up?
3. He begins to grow you, He expands that heart of yours and suddenly you begin see a transformation. It is a transformation that did not come from you, but from God.. That's the best kind of transformation you can have.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Perhaps the scariest prayer a Christian will ever pray!
Psalm 139:23-24 (Good News for Modern Man translation)
Examine me, God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any deceit in me, and guide me in the eternal way.
The mind is a beautiful thing isn't it? In our humanness we have all thought "If they only knew what I was thinking right about now!" However, "they" can't. Oh, they can speculate, but by no means could they know 100% what I'm thinking....off the hook?Absolutely not! Our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we are thinking at any given moment. In fact, He is more interested in this than He is actions. He knows full well we could at times win an Oscar for our ability to think one thing and act out another.
We would be wise to follow in the steps of King David when he prayed, search me O God and know my MIND, test me and discover my THOUGHTS. Other translations exchange mind for heart. Is this saying that God has to search my thoughts to see if they are are wicked. No! At the beginning of this Psalm King David acknowledges this: "....from far away you understand all my thoughts....even before I speak you already know what I will say.
But when we bring a prayer like this one to our Heavenly Father, it is so that He may reveal to us what is in our heart. The Bible says that we can't even know our own hearts. He will be faithful to reveal the illnesses that reside in our thoughts and heart....that's not the fun part, perhaps that's why this is a scary prayer. Knowledge always brings us to a crossroads, and we must respond. We think ignorance is bliss. Not so, at least not in our Christian walk.
However, there is good that comes out of this prayer. God doesn't reveal the sin within us and then leave us on our own or get angry with us. Instead, He will guide us in the way He wants us to go. Guides are big helps. I enjoyed going to Washington DC on several occasions and having the opportunity to go to the Smithsonian Institute. I went on many tours, allowing the tour guide to help me get the most out of my time there. Well, we also need a guide here on earth. I am basically just a tourist here on this earth for a short time. I need a guide to help me get the most out of my time here. My Heavenly Father is my tour guide. He keeps me from getting sidetracked, getting slowed down by my sin.
Today take a moment to pray this prayer. Let me know how it goes.
To God be the glory
Examine me, God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any deceit in me, and guide me in the eternal way.
The mind is a beautiful thing isn't it? In our humanness we have all thought "If they only knew what I was thinking right about now!" However, "they" can't. Oh, they can speculate, but by no means could they know 100% what I'm thinking....off the hook?Absolutely not! Our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we are thinking at any given moment. In fact, He is more interested in this than He is actions. He knows full well we could at times win an Oscar for our ability to think one thing and act out another.
We would be wise to follow in the steps of King David when he prayed, search me O God and know my MIND, test me and discover my THOUGHTS. Other translations exchange mind for heart. Is this saying that God has to search my thoughts to see if they are are wicked. No! At the beginning of this Psalm King David acknowledges this: "....from far away you understand all my thoughts....even before I speak you already know what I will say.
But when we bring a prayer like this one to our Heavenly Father, it is so that He may reveal to us what is in our heart. The Bible says that we can't even know our own hearts. He will be faithful to reveal the illnesses that reside in our thoughts and heart....that's not the fun part, perhaps that's why this is a scary prayer. Knowledge always brings us to a crossroads, and we must respond. We think ignorance is bliss. Not so, at least not in our Christian walk.
However, there is good that comes out of this prayer. God doesn't reveal the sin within us and then leave us on our own or get angry with us. Instead, He will guide us in the way He wants us to go. Guides are big helps. I enjoyed going to Washington DC on several occasions and having the opportunity to go to the Smithsonian Institute. I went on many tours, allowing the tour guide to help me get the most out of my time there. Well, we also need a guide here on earth. I am basically just a tourist here on this earth for a short time. I need a guide to help me get the most out of my time here. My Heavenly Father is my tour guide. He keeps me from getting sidetracked, getting slowed down by my sin.
Today take a moment to pray this prayer. Let me know how it goes.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Craving More of Jesus: No wonder my heart is glad!
Craving More of Jesus: No wonder my heart is glad!: "Psalm 16:1-11- New Living Translation Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the Lord, 'You are my Master! ..."
No wonder my heart is glad!
Psalm 16:1-11- New Living Translation
Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the Lord, "You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you." The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifice of blood or even speak the names of their gods. Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance. I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasure of living with you forever.
King David's life was not always an easy one. He often was on the run for the safety of his very life. King David's life was not always a perfect one. The man known as "a man after God's own heart" slipped big a few times and his sin cost him more than he ever wanted to pay. King David struggled at times in his faith, just like you and I do at times. Yet, when King David took inventory of his life, he was able to say "No wonder my heart is glad!"
Our lives will not always be easy, we will struggle in many ways. We will slip in our Christian walk and find ourselves being picked up and dusted off by the mighty hand of our Heavenly Father. At times our faith will shake a little and we may be entertained with the thought of "Is it worth it?" "What is going on here?!"
I can say for my own life, I have experienced all of this. But we must not let Satan's lies penetrate what we know to be true. When I take inventory of my life, I am left with the statement, "No wonder my heart is glad" God has been so good to me. He rescued me from hell- I could stop right there and He would be a great God! But God goes beyond that. He has blessed me with a wonderful husband, a church with a pastor that encourages me and instructs me, a job that allow me to pay my bills, a wonderful place to live, the list goes on and on. Look at your life today. If you have been saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ then you should be able to truly say: No wonder my heart is glad!
Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. I said to the Lord, "You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you." The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them! Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods. I will not take part in their sacrifice of blood or even speak the names of their gods. Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine. The land you have given me is a pleasant land. What a wonderful inheritance. I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasure of living with you forever.
King David's life was not always an easy one. He often was on the run for the safety of his very life. King David's life was not always a perfect one. The man known as "a man after God's own heart" slipped big a few times and his sin cost him more than he ever wanted to pay. King David struggled at times in his faith, just like you and I do at times. Yet, when King David took inventory of his life, he was able to say "No wonder my heart is glad!"
Our lives will not always be easy, we will struggle in many ways. We will slip in our Christian walk and find ourselves being picked up and dusted off by the mighty hand of our Heavenly Father. At times our faith will shake a little and we may be entertained with the thought of "Is it worth it?" "What is going on here?!"
I can say for my own life, I have experienced all of this. But we must not let Satan's lies penetrate what we know to be true. When I take inventory of my life, I am left with the statement, "No wonder my heart is glad" God has been so good to me. He rescued me from hell- I could stop right there and He would be a great God! But God goes beyond that. He has blessed me with a wonderful husband, a church with a pastor that encourages me and instructs me, a job that allow me to pay my bills, a wonderful place to live, the list goes on and on. Look at your life today. If you have been saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ then you should be able to truly say: No wonder my heart is glad!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Craving More of Jesus: Heart Surgery
Craving More of Jesus: Heart Surgery: "Romans 2:29 A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God, true circumcision is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person w..."
Heart Surgery
Romans 2:29
A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God, true circumcision is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not people.
One thing I have learned over the years is that if I allow God's Spirit to change my heart then a change in my actions will follow. If I just seek an outward change then I will not have an inward change. God works from the inside out.
Let's dig a little deeper.
1. This change of heart is produced by God's Spirit.- It is not something I can bring about on my own. This change will be done by the Holy Spirit if I submit to His working and remolding in my life. It is literally a surgery. If you have ever had surgery, you know that it hurts! From start to finish it is not any fun. First you get an IV, then they give you some drugs to knock you out and the next thing you know you wake up in pain! Does that mean the surgery went wrong- NO, does it mean that you had an incompetent surgeon- NO, does it mean that you should not have gone through with the procedure and chosen an alternative method? NO. Does the pain last forever? NO. In fact, we are willing to go through the pain knowing that the end result will be a good one. The surgery actually HELPS us.
Well, God is the most gentle surgeon I know, yet when He begins surgery on our heart, it may hurt. But we will recover and the pain produces a good result. We have a changed life and a new heart! There is no alternative treatment for our sin problem other than the mighty hand of God performing surgery on us.
2. A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not people-If one desires to seek praise from man, they can actually just change their actions when they're around the person from whom they seek praise. They can basically put on a show. Man can not see through into the heart as God can. Therefore, it is easier to fool man, at least for a period of time. But if one desires praise from God then they must have a changed heart.
Today, right now, admit yourselves into God's hospital. Sign the consent giving God permission to do a heart operation on you. Don't tie God's hands with your schedule or plans- just clear your schedule and let Him do what He needs to do. All that matters in life can be summed up in just a few words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"
A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God, true circumcision is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not people.
One thing I have learned over the years is that if I allow God's Spirit to change my heart then a change in my actions will follow. If I just seek an outward change then I will not have an inward change. God works from the inside out.
Let's dig a little deeper.
1. This change of heart is produced by God's Spirit.- It is not something I can bring about on my own. This change will be done by the Holy Spirit if I submit to His working and remolding in my life. It is literally a surgery. If you have ever had surgery, you know that it hurts! From start to finish it is not any fun. First you get an IV, then they give you some drugs to knock you out and the next thing you know you wake up in pain! Does that mean the surgery went wrong- NO, does it mean that you had an incompetent surgeon- NO, does it mean that you should not have gone through with the procedure and chosen an alternative method? NO. Does the pain last forever? NO. In fact, we are willing to go through the pain knowing that the end result will be a good one. The surgery actually HELPS us.
Well, God is the most gentle surgeon I know, yet when He begins surgery on our heart, it may hurt. But we will recover and the pain produces a good result. We have a changed life and a new heart! There is no alternative treatment for our sin problem other than the mighty hand of God performing surgery on us.
2. A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not people-If one desires to seek praise from man, they can actually just change their actions when they're around the person from whom they seek praise. They can basically put on a show. Man can not see through into the heart as God can. Therefore, it is easier to fool man, at least for a period of time. But if one desires praise from God then they must have a changed heart.
Today, right now, admit yourselves into God's hospital. Sign the consent giving God permission to do a heart operation on you. Don't tie God's hands with your schedule or plans- just clear your schedule and let Him do what He needs to do. All that matters in life can be summed up in just a few words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"
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