1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Nothing is hidden...
This weekend I've been struggling with why we feel we can justify our sin. For years I blamed others for my addiction to porn. I would convince myself that because of this or that, that I deserved it, that I earned those hidden moments. I would convince myself that I wasn't hurting anyone but me. It was all lies.
When I realized that when I stand before God to give an account, that He would not accept my justification...things started to change. When I realized that God was watching me, could see my every move, knew my every thought...as I was doing whatever I was doing...things changed.
Hebrews 4:12-13 - 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. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Jeremiah 16:17- My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.
Luke 12:2-3 - "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear of the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs."
He sees us, knows us...He knows what you are thinking right now. And yet he still loves us, wants the best for us, that's why he sent Jesus! Because we got Jesus, Peter tells us...
1 Peter 1:13-17 - Therefore, prepare you minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
"set your hope fully on the grace to be given"
Because we were given that grace, because we were shown that great and amazing love from the One who knows us, has seen us, knows our deepest and most terrible thoughts... Because he LOVES us that much, let's be "as obedient children," no longer "conforming to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance."
Lord we confess we are a broken and depraved people, and I pray that we will be transformed by Your amazing grace, unfailing love and mercy. That we would truly be made new in the knowledge of your love and presence in our lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
When I realized that when I stand before God to give an account, that He would not accept my justification...things started to change. When I realized that God was watching me, could see my every move, knew my every thought...as I was doing whatever I was doing...things changed.
Hebrews 4:12-13 - 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. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Jeremiah 16:17- My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.
Luke 12:2-3 - "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear of the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs."
He sees us, knows us...He knows what you are thinking right now. And yet he still loves us, wants the best for us, that's why he sent Jesus! Because we got Jesus, Peter tells us...
1 Peter 1:13-17 - Therefore, prepare you minds for action; be self controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written "Be holy, because I am holy." Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
"set your hope fully on the grace to be given"
Because we were given that grace, because we were shown that great and amazing love from the One who knows us, has seen us, knows our deepest and most terrible thoughts... Because he LOVES us that much, let's be "as obedient children," no longer "conforming to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance."
Lord we confess we are a broken and depraved people, and I pray that we will be transformed by Your amazing grace, unfailing love and mercy. That we would truly be made new in the knowledge of your love and presence in our lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Perseverance
The last few months have been some of the most difficult for me in quite some time, especially with regards to ministry and gospel community. A pattern has emerged the last few months; at the beginning of each weekend something significant has happened. Something different each weekend, that has resulted in consuming time and energy and taking away from what the focus should be.
Last week was no exception as the phone began to ring Friday night around 10:30pm and once again that significant something. As I was sharing what happened on Friday night with a close friend he pointed out that each of these events was working to refine me, to develop my leadership. Then last night as I continued my reading through the new testament, I started reading James.
James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
While the last few months have been difficult in some aspects, they have been incredibly good in others. The last few months I have found myself having more faith, putting my problems in Gods hands and listening for his answer. I have found myself spending more time in the Bible, more time journaling and praying. As I read these words in James I realized just how much I have been praying for perseverance these last few months. I have been praying for strength, perseverance, endurance... And now that I can look back and see what he has been doing in my life...I can see where he is delivering answers to those prayers.
Lord I pray that as we face trials of many kinds in our life, that we would recognize them as opportunities to grow in faith and in perseverance. That in the trials we would turn to You and not lean on our understanding or limited view. Lord my hope is that we would pray for Your guidance and direction to get us through the trials and not merely that we pray that You would remove them from our life. It's in going through them that our faith grows stronger. In Jesus's name, Amen!
Last week was no exception as the phone began to ring Friday night around 10:30pm and once again that significant something. As I was sharing what happened on Friday night with a close friend he pointed out that each of these events was working to refine me, to develop my leadership. Then last night as I continued my reading through the new testament, I started reading James.
James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
While the last few months have been difficult in some aspects, they have been incredibly good in others. The last few months I have found myself having more faith, putting my problems in Gods hands and listening for his answer. I have found myself spending more time in the Bible, more time journaling and praying. As I read these words in James I realized just how much I have been praying for perseverance these last few months. I have been praying for strength, perseverance, endurance... And now that I can look back and see what he has been doing in my life...I can see where he is delivering answers to those prayers.
Lord I pray that as we face trials of many kinds in our life, that we would recognize them as opportunities to grow in faith and in perseverance. That in the trials we would turn to You and not lean on our understanding or limited view. Lord my hope is that we would pray for Your guidance and direction to get us through the trials and not merely that we pray that You would remove them from our life. It's in going through them that our faith grows stronger. In Jesus's name, Amen!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Are you dong YOUR part?
John 16:33 - "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
When I look around today I see a lot of men who have trouble. When I look in the mirror, I see a man who has trouble. It should be no surprise, Jesus himself said that "in this world you will have trouble".
But he also said that "in me you may have peace". Are you finding or living that peace today? Notice the word "may". Now why do you think he used that word instead of "will"?
I decided to look up the definition of "may" and here is what I found:
When I look around today I see a lot of men who have trouble. When I look in the mirror, I see a man who has trouble. It should be no surprise, Jesus himself said that "in this world you will have trouble".
But he also said that "in me you may have peace". Are you finding or living that peace today? Notice the word "may". Now why do you think he used that word instead of "will"?
I decided to look up the definition of "may" and here is what I found:
- to indicate that permission is granted
- to indicate possibility
- to indicate ability or capacity
- to express a strong wish
I think all of these apply. Jesus has given us permission to find peace in Him. Jesus has made it possible to find peace in Him. Jesus has given us the ability to find peace in Him. Jesus wants us, wishes we would find peace in Him.
So why are we not finding or living in that peace today? I'd like to suggest that Jesus has done all He needs to do. The question then; are we doing all we need to do?
Are you guarding your heart? - Proverbs 4:23
Are you confessing your sins? - 1 John 1:9, James 5:16
Have you repented? - Luke 5:32, Matthew 3:8
Are you walking the walk? - 2 John 1:6, Colossians 3:7
Are you dong YOUR part? It's not too late to start.
God Bless!
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