As human beings, we use the word inevitable quite often. "Well, if you participate in that sort of life style, it's inevitable that you will wind up miserable," or "If you borrow money to pay debts, it's inevitable you will go broke in the end." What of the inevitability of the Scriptures? The Bible tells us how to live, but most of the time, we are stubborn and think God just doesn't want us to 'enjoy life' or 'have fun,' but what kind of fun or enjoyment are we trying to have? It only stands to reason, in my view, that fun is subjective. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then fun is in the worldview of the participant.
Many people think it's fun to drink socially. They think it makes them fit in, loosen up, or look cool when in reality it does something to that person not only physically, but spiritually. Let us take a look at of this...a person goes into a bar and begins drinking with a group of friends, by the end of the evening that young man or lady has had a few too many and winds up going home with a person of the opposite sex. He or she has intimate relations with the aforementioned person and winds up with a serious disease and becomes ill...it was inevitable. In a normal situation, this type of thing would never happen, but when a person's defenses are down, so is the ability to reason and make good decisions (Romans 13:13).
Here is another scenario...a person has a mountain of debt, he or she is behind on a car note and cannot seem to make ends meet no matter what he or she tries. This person goes to a local finance company and borrows money to pay the car note (among other frivolities). Now he or she has another bill to pay besides the car note and other bills he or she cannot pay...sound familiar (Proverbs 22:7)?
Another situation would be this...A young lady begins dating a young man, after only a few short days, they have intimate relations. The young man leaves and the never calls the girl again. A few weeks later, she finds she is pregnant. She tells the boy and he says it might not be his because he heard from his friends that she's had sex with several boys. The girl knows that's not true, but she is so ashamed she has an abortion. The remainder of her life, she remembers the child she aborted...she is told it's just a fetus...it's just tissue...it's not really a life...but she knows the truth, it was her child and she'll never be the same, it is inevitable (Galatians 5:19).
God put rules in His word, because He knows us! Those of us who are parents make rules for our children, because we know our children! As human beings, we fight the war of the flesh daily...the decisions we make must be based on what we read in God's word, otherwise we will continue to fail in everything, it is inevitable (Romans 8:13)!
Success is not measured by what we have, but by who we are in Christ. It takes only a moment to ruin a reputation, but a lifetime to restore it. "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires" Romans 8:14.
Being a Christian does not mean that life cannot be enjoyable or fun...in fact, I enjoy life more because I know I have a home in heaven waiting for me at the end of this life...and if you really think a Christian can't have fun, you've never been at my mom's house when we have game night! :)
The inevitability of the Scripture is this...Numbers 32:23..."But if you don't do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD; be sure your sin will catch up with you." In my opinion, hearing the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" are much more appealing than, "Depart from me, for I never knew you!" Those words are inevitable also!!
God bless you!
(All scripture references are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Baseball
Let's face it...I'm a glutton for punishment! I love the Chicago Cubs! I know, they haven't won a World Series in umteen dozen years, but I love them. I pull for them every time they play. I sit on the edge of my seat and root for them to win...even when they're down 11-0! LOL! They have good days and bad, they've come close a couple of times, and they've been accidentally robbed at the hands of an innocent fan. Through it all though, they carry with them a sense of purpose, dignity, and perseverance. They hang tough even in the rough times. They make it to the playoffs and fail, then they come back the next year ready to fight again.
Isn't this how the Father looks at us? He loves us! He watches over us and roots for us in every way He can. His love for us never fails and He pulls for us in ways we cannot understand. He sits on the edge of His throne waving a flag with our name on it saying, "Come on, Darlene! You can do it, I know you can!" The prize is there for us and sometimes it takes a long time to get to that prize, but isn't it good to know that the Creator of all the universe is rooting for us. It's time for us to stand up, dust ourselves off, and go on with a sense of purpose, dignity, and perseverance.
Just as the Cubs know their fans will always be with them, even when in the bottom of the ninth, with the bases loaded, the final batter strikes out; God will be right there with us on the sidelines, cheering us on!
Go Cubs! This could be the year!
Isn't this how the Father looks at us? He loves us! He watches over us and roots for us in every way He can. His love for us never fails and He pulls for us in ways we cannot understand. He sits on the edge of His throne waving a flag with our name on it saying, "Come on, Darlene! You can do it, I know you can!" The prize is there for us and sometimes it takes a long time to get to that prize, but isn't it good to know that the Creator of all the universe is rooting for us. It's time for us to stand up, dust ourselves off, and go on with a sense of purpose, dignity, and perseverance.
Just as the Cubs know their fans will always be with them, even when in the bottom of the ninth, with the bases loaded, the final batter strikes out; God will be right there with us on the sidelines, cheering us on!
Go Cubs! This could be the year!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Negativity
Have you ever been around a "negative Nellie?" You know, someone who whines and complains about anything and everything. Today was my day to be Nellie! I was down in the dumps and what better way to celebrate being down than to bring everyone around me down? So what is the best way to handle this negative cloud that sometimes settles around the heart? Give it to God...or your godly husband/wife...lol. He or she will certainly remind you for what you need to give thanks and believe me...God will too!
So what do I have to be thankful for? Let me see...hmmm.
1. I'm a saved child of the living God who sent His only Son to die so that I may live!
2. (can't top 1.) I woke up this morning with all five senses and a husband who loves the Lord, me and his children.
3. I have beautiful children and grandchildren who are smart, healthy, and adorable!
4. I have an education, a job, and a church that I love!
5. I have friends and family who I love with all my heart...and both of my parents are alive and doing well. I even have a grandparent still living (and she's more active than I am...lol).
I could continue, but I think you get the picture. So why did I have a bad day? Why was I so negative? Because satan (yes, I do believe in the personification of evil) does what he can to color the truth with a lie. He does his best to show you the bad over the good and he doesn't hesitate to allow a person to wallow in self-pity. So for today I'm going to put him under my feet by the mighty power of God. I'm going to lift my head, walk the walk, and talk the talk and soon the cloud will be gone and a new day will dawn.
God is good!
So what do I have to be thankful for? Let me see...hmmm.
1. I'm a saved child of the living God who sent His only Son to die so that I may live!
2. (can't top 1.) I woke up this morning with all five senses and a husband who loves the Lord, me and his children.
3. I have beautiful children and grandchildren who are smart, healthy, and adorable!
4. I have an education, a job, and a church that I love!
5. I have friends and family who I love with all my heart...and both of my parents are alive and doing well. I even have a grandparent still living (and she's more active than I am...lol).
I could continue, but I think you get the picture. So why did I have a bad day? Why was I so negative? Because satan (yes, I do believe in the personification of evil) does what he can to color the truth with a lie. He does his best to show you the bad over the good and he doesn't hesitate to allow a person to wallow in self-pity. So for today I'm going to put him under my feet by the mighty power of God. I'm going to lift my head, walk the walk, and talk the talk and soon the cloud will be gone and a new day will dawn.
God is good!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thoughts on Chrisitanity
There is much talk going on today about religion. Whether it be Christianity, Islam, Scientology, etc., there are proponents and opponents to be found everywhere. I am a Christian. No other religion encourages its members to develop a relationship with its god. The god of Islam, Allah, is said to be the same God to whom the Christians pray...I beg to differ. My God is a God of peace and love. He does not require His people to seek, kill, and destroy people of other religions.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was the virgin born son of Mary. He worked as a carpenter with his earthly father until He began His ministry at age 30. He never had a place to lay His head that He could call His own. He preached to the masses, fed thousands of people, healed the sick and demented, raised the dead, and gave Himself as a ransom for all. No other religion has a Savior who is alive. A person may visit the graves of Mohammed, Buddah, Krishna, Hubbard, and others, but a grave for Jesus will never be found...for He lives!
I think the main issue people have with Christians is the idea of tolerance. The word has a new meaning in this day and age. Whereas tolerance used to simply mean, to be accepting of someone or something, today it has become a political term. Tolerance now means to not only accept someones ideology, but to participate fully in that ideology. I have no problem accepting a person for who he or she is, my problem lies with the sin he or she may be committing or trying to force me to embrace.
As a Christian woman, I choose to love the sinner and hate the sin. If the Bible clearly tells me something is wrong, I believe it to be wrong. If there is something out there that people are participating in that is causing irreparable damage to themselves and others...I call it sinful. I am not judgmental nor am I intolerant. I love people, I pray for them, I witness to them both verbally and with my lifestyle, and I don't ostracize them. Jesus teaches us to reach out to those in need, the unlovely, and the sinner. I, as a follower of Christ, have no other option, but to do what is right in the eyes of my Savior.
A strong Christian man by the name of F.E. Sellers once said, "Some things you just don't have to pray about." Truer words have never been spoken. Sin has results. Sinful behavior leads to damage...not only to the spirit, but to the body and soul. Have you ever seen someone who has been an alcoholic all of his or her life, fighting liver disease? Have you seen someone go through mental distress and anguish leading to psychological problems due to physical or emotional abuse at the hands of another? These are consequences to sinful behavior. What about AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases? God says no to sex outside of marriage, not because He's "old fashioned" or "doesn't understand." He says no because He knows the consequences. He says no to alcoholism because He knows it leads to illness, deeper sinfulness, and even death (both spiritually and physically). He says no to abuse because He knows the end result of sinful behavior. He says no to abortion because he knows the future mental and physical consequenses a person will encounter.
In conclusion, Jesus teaches love, understanding, forgiveness, and discipline. He is the ultimate judge of our behavior. Becoming a Christian gives a person the opportunity to participate in a full and disciplined life, unlike what the opposition says. You don't have to get drunk or high to have fun--if you do, you're in the wrong group. You don't have to participate in premarital sex--if you do, you're in the wrong relationship. If everything you do, everything you try, and every time you do something outside of the will of God, you get caught...God is trying to tell you something. The Christian life is not easy, people will make fun of you, ridicule you, fight with you, and think you're an idiot, but "the truth" remains, and that "truth" is Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection. Give Him a chance to change your life, you won't be disappointed.
Scriptures to ponder: I Peter 1:13-16; 4:7-11; 5:8-11; Titus 2:11-14; Exodus 20:1-17; Romans 1:18-32; I Corinthians 6:9-11.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He was the virgin born son of Mary. He worked as a carpenter with his earthly father until He began His ministry at age 30. He never had a place to lay His head that He could call His own. He preached to the masses, fed thousands of people, healed the sick and demented, raised the dead, and gave Himself as a ransom for all. No other religion has a Savior who is alive. A person may visit the graves of Mohammed, Buddah, Krishna, Hubbard, and others, but a grave for Jesus will never be found...for He lives!
I think the main issue people have with Christians is the idea of tolerance. The word has a new meaning in this day and age. Whereas tolerance used to simply mean, to be accepting of someone or something, today it has become a political term. Tolerance now means to not only accept someones ideology, but to participate fully in that ideology. I have no problem accepting a person for who he or she is, my problem lies with the sin he or she may be committing or trying to force me to embrace.
As a Christian woman, I choose to love the sinner and hate the sin. If the Bible clearly tells me something is wrong, I believe it to be wrong. If there is something out there that people are participating in that is causing irreparable damage to themselves and others...I call it sinful. I am not judgmental nor am I intolerant. I love people, I pray for them, I witness to them both verbally and with my lifestyle, and I don't ostracize them. Jesus teaches us to reach out to those in need, the unlovely, and the sinner. I, as a follower of Christ, have no other option, but to do what is right in the eyes of my Savior.
A strong Christian man by the name of F.E. Sellers once said, "Some things you just don't have to pray about." Truer words have never been spoken. Sin has results. Sinful behavior leads to damage...not only to the spirit, but to the body and soul. Have you ever seen someone who has been an alcoholic all of his or her life, fighting liver disease? Have you seen someone go through mental distress and anguish leading to psychological problems due to physical or emotional abuse at the hands of another? These are consequences to sinful behavior. What about AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases? God says no to sex outside of marriage, not because He's "old fashioned" or "doesn't understand." He says no because He knows the consequences. He says no to alcoholism because He knows it leads to illness, deeper sinfulness, and even death (both spiritually and physically). He says no to abuse because He knows the end result of sinful behavior. He says no to abortion because he knows the future mental and physical consequenses a person will encounter.
In conclusion, Jesus teaches love, understanding, forgiveness, and discipline. He is the ultimate judge of our behavior. Becoming a Christian gives a person the opportunity to participate in a full and disciplined life, unlike what the opposition says. You don't have to get drunk or high to have fun--if you do, you're in the wrong group. You don't have to participate in premarital sex--if you do, you're in the wrong relationship. If everything you do, everything you try, and every time you do something outside of the will of God, you get caught...God is trying to tell you something. The Christian life is not easy, people will make fun of you, ridicule you, fight with you, and think you're an idiot, but "the truth" remains, and that "truth" is Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection. Give Him a chance to change your life, you won't be disappointed.
Scriptures to ponder: I Peter 1:13-16; 4:7-11; 5:8-11; Titus 2:11-14; Exodus 20:1-17; Romans 1:18-32; I Corinthians 6:9-11.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
