Do you serve for the good of others? Or do you serve for yourself? Are you doing what you do because God assigned you the task? Or are you doing it because it makes you look good?
This may seem a strange line of questions - but it's a subject that confronts every Christian at one point or another. Even the disciples struggled with their desires to be the greatest in the kingdom. Yet, Jesus was always quick to remind them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Mark 9:35
Doing good deeds will not get us to Heaven. Living a good life and being kind doesn't either. You can give a million dollars a day for the rest of your life to a church and not reach the Kingdom of Heaven. The only way to reach Heaven is through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Don't get me wrong, you should do good deeds, be kind one to another and lead a good Christian life, however, you should only do them with a pure heart and because God leads you to do them, not for your own benefit or to make you look better in the flesh.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Your Responsibility in Gods Eyes
Deuteronomy 24:16 - "A person shall be put to death for his own sin."
I know that is a very harsh verse. However, each of us is responsible to God for our own lives. We do not "accrue" the righteousness of our ancestors, nor must we pay for the sins of our forebears. God judges each person individually. When we die, we are only responsible for our decisions in life not anyone elses.
The Bible says judge not, for ye shall be judged. This verse is very true, in that we should never pass judgment on anyone except ourselves. God will judge those that have sinned against us, it is not our duty nor is it our right to judge anyone. As Christians, we need to be forgiving to all that desire forgiveness. However, forgiveness from God only comes through true repentance and change in ones actions.
I know that is a very harsh verse. However, each of us is responsible to God for our own lives. We do not "accrue" the righteousness of our ancestors, nor must we pay for the sins of our forebears. God judges each person individually. When we die, we are only responsible for our decisions in life not anyone elses.
The Bible says judge not, for ye shall be judged. This verse is very true, in that we should never pass judgment on anyone except ourselves. God will judge those that have sinned against us, it is not our duty nor is it our right to judge anyone. As Christians, we need to be forgiving to all that desire forgiveness. However, forgiveness from God only comes through true repentance and change in ones actions.
Seeking God First
Deuteronomy 6:5 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength."
Of all God's Commandments, this is the central and most important one. When we love God first and foremost, obedience follows as a natural result and ceases to be a chore.
If there are any of my followers that need to learn to seek the Lord our Savior please feel free to ask. Your relationship with God should be intimate, He seeks this earnestly from you and when you do it He will reward you richly with first, all of your needs. When you make Him first in your life He will not only meet your needs but provide you with the desires of your heart! (Psalm 37:4)
If your prayers aren't being answered, make sure you are praying for a need and not a desire. If you don't know, pray that God removes all desires of your heart that are not pleasing to him. When you do, He will provide you with new desires that are pleasing to him. Praise God!
Of all God's Commandments, this is the central and most important one. When we love God first and foremost, obedience follows as a natural result and ceases to be a chore.
If there are any of my followers that need to learn to seek the Lord our Savior please feel free to ask. Your relationship with God should be intimate, He seeks this earnestly from you and when you do it He will reward you richly with first, all of your needs. When you make Him first in your life He will not only meet your needs but provide you with the desires of your heart! (Psalm 37:4)
If your prayers aren't being answered, make sure you are praying for a need and not a desire. If you don't know, pray that God removes all desires of your heart that are not pleasing to him. When you do, He will provide you with new desires that are pleasing to him. Praise God!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Children Obey Your Parents...yes, that is what I said.
Ephesians 6:1-3
Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long on the earth.
I know this is a very strong verse and I also know that a lot of kids don't respect their parents as they should. Considering Danielle was my daughter I know all too well the disobedience of teenagers to their parents. It is important to know and to teach your children to obey the First Commandment of the Bible. You do have to honor them, however it doesn't mean that you can't disagree with them or be hurt by them. This happens to many families, however, children please don't forget the First Commandment.
God promises with this verse that you may live long upon the earth if you obey your parents. I understand that some children have been disappointed by their parents, but it is crucial that the children not lose site of this Commandment made by the Lord of Lords, King of Kings! Praise His name as he is the Ultimate Father...do not disobey God as though He is your parent. He loves you as your father and mother love you too. He will never leave you nor forsake you! Praise His Holy Name!
Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long on the earth.
I know this is a very strong verse and I also know that a lot of kids don't respect their parents as they should. Considering Danielle was my daughter I know all too well the disobedience of teenagers to their parents. It is important to know and to teach your children to obey the First Commandment of the Bible. You do have to honor them, however it doesn't mean that you can't disagree with them or be hurt by them. This happens to many families, however, children please don't forget the First Commandment.
God promises with this verse that you may live long upon the earth if you obey your parents. I understand that some children have been disappointed by their parents, but it is crucial that the children not lose site of this Commandment made by the Lord of Lords, King of Kings! Praise His name as he is the Ultimate Father...do not disobey God as though He is your parent. He loves you as your father and mother love you too. He will never leave you nor forsake you! Praise His Holy Name!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Ladybug Explanation...
When Danielle was little I called her baby bug and after her death I was visiting her cemetery and a ladybug crawled across her spot in the mausoleum and ever since then all of our family and friends have seen ladybugs constantly and it is a gentle reminder of her to all of us.
It is strange I know, but ladybugs just keep entering our lives at every turn. I was later hospitalized and believe it or not there was a ladybug in my room that never left my room. All of her friends and the rest of the family have experienced the same type of winks from her. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I do believe that she is with God in Heaven watching over us and sending us these little ladybugs as a gentle reminder that she is watching over us. I now have a collection of ladybugs that fill a small garden at the front of my house where I feel the closest to her. If you hear us discussing ladybugs that is the reason.
There is a book called God Winks that a friend shared with me and I truly believe that there is never a coincidence and it is always part of God's bigger plan for our lives. Don't let those little God Winks from Heaven pass you by. If you earnestly seek the Lord He will always be with you and NEVER forsake you.
It is strange I know, but ladybugs just keep entering our lives at every turn. I was later hospitalized and believe it or not there was a ladybug in my room that never left my room. All of her friends and the rest of the family have experienced the same type of winks from her. I believe that everything happens for a reason and I do believe that she is with God in Heaven watching over us and sending us these little ladybugs as a gentle reminder that she is watching over us. I now have a collection of ladybugs that fill a small garden at the front of my house where I feel the closest to her. If you hear us discussing ladybugs that is the reason.
There is a book called God Winks that a friend shared with me and I truly believe that there is never a coincidence and it is always part of God's bigger plan for our lives. Don't let those little God Winks from Heaven pass you by. If you earnestly seek the Lord He will always be with you and NEVER forsake you.
Train Your Child in the ways of God!
Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Always put your child in a position to experience the goodness and powers of God, not just learn about Him. Eventually, they will go into the world and will experience the devil and if they have never experienced God; they will likely need signs and wonders to come back to the word of God. Children have to develop their own faith, they can't always live through their parents faith. They should know that God accepts them no matter what, just like their parents!
Always put your child in a position to experience the goodness and powers of God, not just learn about Him. Eventually, they will go into the world and will experience the devil and if they have never experienced God; they will likely need signs and wonders to come back to the word of God. Children have to develop their own faith, they can't always live through their parents faith. They should know that God accepts them no matter what, just like their parents!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Faith
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Most people have faith the grain of a mustard seed and according to the Bible that's all you need! However, it is our doubt in God's ability to answer prayers that debilitates our faith and discourages us from sharing His gospel with everyone no matter what we think they will say. Most Christians today have a fear of failure when witnessing to their friends that need the Word of God. Never fear, you do what you can and God will do what you can't!
Most people have faith the grain of a mustard seed and according to the Bible that's all you need! However, it is our doubt in God's ability to answer prayers that debilitates our faith and discourages us from sharing His gospel with everyone no matter what we think they will say. Most Christians today have a fear of failure when witnessing to their friends that need the Word of God. Never fear, you do what you can and God will do what you can't!
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