This reminded me of the book I'm reading for my devo:
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
26 For [a]consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to [b]the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,29 so that no [c]man may boast before God.30 But [d]by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, [e]and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,31 so that, just as it is written, “ Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Amazing post!! God does tries to talk to us or ebven tries to give a hint but many a times we ignore it as we feel what we are ding is correct. Even if we are about to do anything wrong god warns us in a way but either we do not understand it or just ignore it. We need to talk to him everything we go through.
I am sorry about your guitar, really, and for all the bad experiences you may have had in PI. (eventhough the guitar incident happened more than a decade ago)
Those experiences though, affirms your commitment to the mission God has for you in the Philippines - which is way more valuable than all the inconviniences it will bring, put all together. And God has a way of making us unattached to material things little by little and concentrate on what is eternally valuable.
Your response reminded me of an expereince just recently. I met a lady and became friends with her. During a long conversation I had with her, she confessed her sin to me but I sensed she's not yet ready to give it up. She's the very first person I encountered here in America where she bluntly told me her sin. I can see she's lonely and struggling as a result of it, but she's not ready yet to repent. My self-righteousness starts to kick in my mind and about to "throw stones" at her to chastise her. But I saw beyond of what seems to be, if I just choose to see it in the surface, a rebellion. She's been attending church, and I saw her as someone well acquainted to God but did not quite got it yet.
Instead of giving her a sharp rebuke (which can potentially cut my budding friendship with her), I reminded her that she's the daughter of God and He loves her very much. And if she could just know what beautiful things God has in store for her, the sins which she thinks gratifies her need is a trash - if only she gives it up. Oh, my heart really goes out for her.
I agree with you on your statement. We all struggle with the mind,but if we walk in the spirit we can over come the thoughts of the mind. When the thoughts come to us then we are able to dismiss them from our minds fastly. We will always struggle to walk in his ways,but when we walk in the spirit when can do so much more.
I want to address the issue of sexual lust in the mind versus the act of sex. Both are sin, the Scripture is clear on that. However, let's not delude ourselves. God wants us to be pure physically and mentally, so I'm not saying that lusting is less problematic. Believe me, I know how dangerous lust can be, having been in bondage to pornography for far too many years. Yet I want to challenge all those reading this devotional. When a person lusts they hurt the Lord and themselves. However, when a person has any kind of sexual contact with another human being that is not their spouse, the repercussions go exponential. Not only have they hurt God and themselves but the person they engaged in a sexual act with, the future spouse of that person and perhaps family members and friends that could become involved in the situation. This does not even address the possibility of disease or pregnancy. Lusting does a lot of damage, so I'm not lessening its danger. But a picture or fantasy cannot spread sexual diseases or cause pregnancy. I think if we are honest we all know we have to struggle against the sexual lusts that each of us wrestle with, we need not make it more complicated by engaging in physical sin that will leave scars on countless people. Let's stay close to God seeking his help with our thoughts, but let us also offer our bodies to God and not the sin.
I would suggest you check out "Christ Connection" and read it thoroughly. Although you are right that these you have listed are listed in the book of destruction, we must see them as created in God's image and our responsibility is to woo them to Him...consider your heart as you look at each one you listed. See them in need of repentance and His loving embrace and forgiveness.
I just joined this group. I am in Vancouver and came from Beijing China. After read some information on the pages of bible.org, I felt it is very helpful. I am interested to be a tester for the Chinese NET (CNET) Bible products.
Thanks so much for your comment - I do this because I really felt the Lord desired me to do all that I could with the years being in ministry, so I try and remain faithful at it - but being that I am human...VERY!...it really makes it "feel" worth it when the Lord leads someone out there to let me know that where the Word of God scratched me, it also scratched them! I am so glad that you are in the Word and allowing God to work. Thank you for your kind encouragment.
I really enjoyed reading this lesson. It immediately spoke to my heart, as the Lord is "dealing" with me right now. Ouch. Better to "ouch" now when there is time for repentance, than to "ouch" in the final judgment, when it will be too late. Thank-you for your pastoral insights and compassions.
I also enjoyed very much the blog about Deborah. I think she is a "love her--hate her" kind of character. Many may resent her for her being a woman judge. But, as you so compassionately pointed out, she did not appoint herself, God did. The problem was not hers, but the men around her who were not stepping up to the plate to perform their God-ordained roles. You congratulated her for remaining faithful to the task that God had given her. Thank you. Christina
Although information varies as to who wrote the lovely song, "You are my sunshine", you, SonShine, are certainly an encourager at heart. So very often you have been an encouragement to me, and with joyful thankfulness in my heart, I commend your graciousness to the Lord for His blessing upon you. Thanks so much! Christina
I have enjoyed the fruits of the spirit my entire life. It has only been the latter few years that I've through much prayer and meditation, began to find how negligent I've been on my side of the path.
I don't believe in coincidences and thus I know that my crossing paths with bible.org (still have a bit of a problem using the small case b.) I want to give back in every way that He leads me into and thus I enter the world of blog!
Your essay (blog) was most encouraging, eluminating & defining, in preparing this ignorant one.
Thank you and God Bless You,
Sireadslot
Great questions Wes! I only wish I had the answers!
In much of the Bible the answer to suffering is simple.. "What a man sows, that shall he also reap." If we suffer, it's our own fault. To some extent this is true. You do foolish things, don't be surprised if you "suffer" the consequences. Unfortunately, this is not always true. After several hundred years of living with the "what a man soweth" theology of suffering, the people of Israel began to realize something deeper. Even good people suffer! And sometimes bad people get away with their badness! Like Job, they wrestled with this reality.
The book of Job comes out of this theological struggle. It wrestles with the questions of why good people suffer.
In the end, the answer is not really an answer, but a theological reflection. God creates everything including us, and we have done nothing to deserve this. GOD OWES US NOTHING. Not ever a life free of suffering. But.. God in his mercy chooses to bless us anyway. In the New Testament we see how God gives the undeserving, not just the good people but all people (what makes us think we are good?), the very best he can give them, namely his Son, Jesus.
How amazing that God owes us nothing, but chooses to give us his all.
Still doesn't do away with the question of suffering.. but it does help us to understand our place in the scheme of things.
I'm probably going to be saying this a few times throughout this "series" of weblog posts. I LOVE the way you write out your thought method. It is the exact same as mine, but very . (and the same jogos de meninas opinions !)
But I have never thought about multiplying the earth the way you mention it here. It is definitely something to think about.
It is not in my nature to wait...I am like you said... a now person. I am impatient!
You asked: What do I feel when I have to wait for what I want? I feel frustrated! I feel anxious if truth be known
What do I do with these emotions? erupt and then talk to the Lord.
How many times have I run ahead of the Lord? Hmmm not often because I have this inner check that says stop and wait but it is NOT easy! I do it because I know I must not because I want to!
Can I think of time when I did wait? that is a really really good question..I need to ponder that.
Am I williing to wait? I am willing in my heart but my mind says NOW! and my body says NOW!
I guess I am a true Instamatic 21st century kiddo... is that ok? or do I need to be more like Deb? Wonder what her world was really really like? I wonder if she was just one of those patient people that I come across always so perfect patient; sort of like my sister...she is soooo patient. What happened to my wires? Did they get crossed someplace? I an wired so differently than her. I guess that is why I love my Keurig...yes instant hot water, instant hot coffee...yessirree...that is me...I want it yesterday.
Great insights and thoughts Wes. There is a great deal to chew on in this book. It is difficult to grasp why one man is considered so strongly, while those around him, especially his children are so easily disposed of in the story. It seems the patriarchs in the OT were elevated to a level above the common man, or woman. This seems to be in contradiction to the NT where all are considered equal.
And is it not interesting that NOT one person ever asked Jesus where he was actually born..wonder reaction that might have caused. I always think it interesting that we ask. So where were you born and then we go from there in our conversation. Assuming is such a big no-no. So, Jesus where were you born? That might have changed things quite a bit...ever wonder why they did NOT ask? I think it was that their eyes were blinded by their pride.
The best way for producing an ePub that would adequately handle a version of the NET would be to hand code it. There are some applications that automate a conversion, but they will use the author's alogrithms in producing an ePub file. If you are interested in having the NET done by a professional, please consider The Digital Word Publishing, LLC. We are a Christian eBook publisher, and would love to talk with you about converting the NET for you. Thanks.
The best way for producing an ePub that would adequately handle a version of the NET would be to hand code it. There are some applications that automate a conversion, but they will use the author's alogrithms in producing an ePub file. If you are interested in having the NET done by a professional, please consider The Digital Word Publishing, LLC. We are a Christian eBook publisher, and would love to talk with you about converting the NET for you. Thanks.
I agree that Hard Heart can cause much trouble. It is a sad fact that most of the problems of the human kind are produced by the human beings themselves. We should start changes from improving ourselves and becoming a good example to the others.
I was about to start a new post when I read this. Im glad I did because it allowed me to check on my purposes or reasons for starting a blog again. Thank you and I will keep all of these in mind.
This reminded me of the book I'm reading for my devo:
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
26 For [a]consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to [b]the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,29 so that no [c]man may boast before God. 30 But [d]by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, [e]and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,31 so that, just as it is written, “ Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
I think you are absoultely right and I am still trying to understand it.
Amazing post!! God does tries to talk to us or ebven tries to give a hint but many a times we ignore it as we feel what we are ding is correct. Even if we are about to do anything wrong god warns us in a way but either we do not understand it or just ignore it. We need to talk to him everything we go through.
"But a picture or fantasy cannot spread sexual diseases or cause pregnancy."
What are we supposed to do with fantasies? I believe it is less harmful than committing fornication but still it corrupts the mind.
I am sorry about your guitar, really, and for all the bad experiences you may have had in PI. (eventhough the guitar incident happened more than a decade ago)
Those experiences though, affirms your commitment to the mission God has for you in the Philippines - which is way more valuable than all the inconviniences it will bring, put all together. And God has a way of making us unattached to material things little by little and concentrate on what is eternally valuable.
Your response reminded me of an expereince just recently. I met a lady and became friends with her. During a long conversation I had with her, she confessed her sin to me but I sensed she's not yet ready to give it up. She's the very first person I encountered here in America where she bluntly told me her sin. I can see she's lonely and struggling as a result of it, but she's not ready yet to repent. My self-righteousness starts to kick in my mind and about to "throw stones" at her to chastise her. But I saw beyond of what seems to be, if I just choose to see it in the surface, a rebellion. She's been attending church, and I saw her as someone well acquainted to God but did not quite got it yet.
Instead of giving her a sharp rebuke (which can potentially cut my budding friendship with her), I reminded her that she's the daughter of God and He loves her very much. And if she could just know what beautiful things God has in store for her, the sins which she thinks gratifies her need is a trash - if only she gives it up. Oh, my heart really goes out for her.
I agree with you on your statement. We all struggle with the mind,but if we walk in the spirit we can over come the thoughts of the mind. When the thoughts come to us then we are able to dismiss them from our minds fastly. We will always struggle to walk in his ways,but when we walk in the spirit when can do so much more.
I want to address the issue of sexual lust in the mind versus the act of sex. Both are sin, the Scripture is clear on that. However, let's not delude ourselves. God wants us to be pure physically and mentally, so I'm not saying that lusting is less problematic. Believe me, I know how dangerous lust can be, having been in bondage to pornography for far too many years. Yet I want to challenge all those reading this devotional. When a person lusts they hurt the Lord and themselves. However, when a person has any kind of sexual contact with another human being that is not their spouse, the repercussions go exponential. Not only have they hurt God and themselves but the person they engaged in a sexual act with, the future spouse of that person and perhaps family members and friends that could become involved in the situation. This does not even address the possibility of disease or pregnancy. Lusting does a lot of damage, so I'm not lessening its danger. But a picture or fantasy cannot spread sexual diseases or cause pregnancy. I think if we are honest we all know we have to struggle against the sexual lusts that each of us wrestle with, we need not make it more complicated by engaging in physical sin that will leave scars on countless people. Let's stay close to God seeking his help with our thoughts, but let us also offer our bodies to God and not the sin.
I agree with you...This is one of the best Bibles that I have ever read and I have read many different versions. Would definitely recommend it
Have a great day
Eris
I would suggest you check out "Christ Connection" and read it thoroughly. Although you are right that these you have listed are listed in the book of destruction, we must see them as created in God's image and our responsibility is to woo them to Him...consider your heart as you look at each one you listed. See them in need of repentance and His loving embrace and forgiveness.
I just joined this group. I am in Vancouver and came from Beijing China. After read some information on the pages of bible.org, I felt it is very helpful. I am interested to be a tester for the Chinese NET (CNET) Bible products.
Blessings,
Sharon
Christina,
Thanks so much for your comment - I do this because I really felt the Lord desired me to do all that I could with the years being in ministry, so I try and remain faithful at it - but being that I am human...VERY!...it really makes it "feel" worth it when the Lord leads someone out there to let me know that where the Word of God scratched me, it also scratched them! I am so glad that you are in the Word and allowing God to work. Thank you for your kind encouragment.
Love in Christ - Nate
I really enjoyed reading this lesson. It immediately spoke to my heart, as the Lord is "dealing" with me right now. Ouch. Better to "ouch" now when there is time for repentance, than to "ouch" in the final judgment, when it will be too late. Thank-you for your pastoral insights and compassions.
I also enjoyed very much the blog about Deborah. I think she is a "love her--hate her" kind of character. Many may resent her for her being a woman judge. But, as you so compassionately pointed out, she did not appoint herself, God did. The problem was not hers, but the men around her who were not stepping up to the plate to perform their God-ordained roles. You congratulated her for remaining faithful to the task that God had given her. Thank you. Christina
Although information varies as to who wrote the lovely song, "You are my sunshine", you, SonShine, are certainly an encourager at heart. So very often you have been an encouragement to me, and with joyful thankfulness in my heart, I commend your graciousness to the Lord for His blessing upon you. Thanks so much! Christina
Well put Christina!. Helps to know when to run and when to stay put.
I read your last post and tried to comment on it. For whatever reason I do not think it got posted. I appreciated what you had to say.
Speak about life in relationship to the Father. Speak about the struggles. Speak as the Holy Spirit leads you, for he will give you the words.
Stay focused on him, I understand how prayer does that for us. Trust that he is in you and be prepared. He is using you.
Oz
Great questions Wes! I only wish I had the answers!
In much of the Bible the answer to suffering is simple.. "What a man sows, that shall he also reap." If we suffer, it's our own fault. To some extent this is true. You do foolish things, don't be surprised if you "suffer" the consequences. Unfortunately, this is not always true. After several hundred years of living with the "what a man soweth" theology of suffering, the people of Israel began to realize something deeper. Even good people suffer! And sometimes bad people get away with their badness! Like Job, they wrestled with this reality.
The book of Job comes out of this theological struggle. It wrestles with the questions of why good people suffer.
In the end, the answer is not really an answer, but a theological reflection. God creates everything including us, and we have done nothing to deserve this. GOD OWES US NOTHING. Not ever a life free of suffering. But.. God in his mercy chooses to bless us anyway. In the New Testament we see how God gives the undeserving, not just the good people but all people (what makes us think we are good?), the very best he can give them, namely his Son, Jesus.
How amazing that God owes us nothing, but chooses to give us his all.
Still doesn't do away with the question of suffering.. but it does help us to understand our place in the scheme of things.
I'm probably going to be saying this a few times throughout this "series" of weblog posts. I LOVE the way you write out your thought method. It is the exact same as mine, but very . (and the same jogos de meninas opinions !)
But I have never thought about multiplying the earth the way you mention it here. It is definitely something to think about.
It is not in my nature to wait...I am like you said... a now person. I am impatient!
You asked: What do I feel when I have to wait for what I want? I feel frustrated! I feel anxious if truth be known
What do I do with these emotions? erupt and then talk to the Lord.
How many times have I run ahead of the Lord? Hmmm not often because I have this inner check that says stop and wait but it is NOT easy! I do it because I know I must not because I want to!
Can I think of time when I did wait? that is a really really good question..I need to ponder that.
Am I williing to wait? I am willing in my heart but my mind says NOW! and my body says NOW!
I guess I am a true Instamatic 21st century kiddo... is that ok? or do I need to be more like Deb? Wonder what her world was really really like? I wonder if she was just one of those patient people that I come across
always so perfect patient; sort of like my sister...she is soooo patient. What happened to my wires? Did they get crossed someplace? I an wired so differently than her. I guess that is why I love my Keurig...yes instant hot water, instant hot coffee...yessirree...that is me...I want it yesterday.
Great insights and thoughts Wes. There is a great deal to chew on in this book. It is difficult to grasp why one man is considered so strongly, while those around him, especially his children are so easily disposed of in the story. It seems the patriarchs in the OT were elevated to a level above the common man, or woman. This seems to be in contradiction to the NT where all are considered equal.
And is it not interesting that NOT one person ever asked Jesus where he was actually born..wonder reaction that might have caused. I always think it interesting that we ask. So where were you born and then we go from there in our conversation. Assuming is such a big no-no. So, Jesus where were you born? That might have changed things quite a bit...ever wonder why they did NOT ask? I think it was that their eyes were blinded by their pride.
The best way for producing an ePub that would adequately handle a version of the NET would be to hand code it. There are some applications that automate a conversion, but they will use the author's alogrithms in producing an ePub file. If you are interested in having the NET done by a professional, please consider The Digital Word Publishing, LLC. We are a Christian eBook publisher, and would love to talk with you about converting the NET for you. Thanks.
The best way for producing an ePub that would adequately handle a version of the NET would be to hand code it. There are some applications that automate a conversion, but they will use the author's alogrithms in producing an ePub file. If you are interested in having the NET done by a professional, please consider The Digital Word Publishing, LLC. We are a Christian eBook publisher, and would love to talk with you about converting the NET for you. Thanks.
I agree that Hard Heart can cause much trouble. It is a sad fact that most of the problems of the human kind are produced by the human beings themselves. We should start changes from improving ourselves and becoming a good example to the others.
Tracy, read more on ringtone maker
I was about to start a new post when I read this. Im glad I did because it allowed me to check on my purposes or reasons for starting a blog again. Thank you and I will keep all of these in mind.