Red lights burning in the sky tonight
Oh God, save our souls..
We're speeding but not getting anywhere
racing to be where we don't want to be
facing the wrong direction without seeing rescue on its way
Treasure turns to dust upon our touch
We're mocked by a world that won't let us hold it
Yet we try so hard
Father change us, break us, save us from the death that threatens to take us..
Father move us, consume us, and help us find the beauty that's in brokenness
Inside the window of our hearts
see a battle ensues
color against black and white
Fire rages
Smoke fills an already gray starless sky
love becomes just a word again
we've been standing on a crumbling bridge
save us from sinking
Red lights burning in the sky tonight
Oh God, save our souls
...
I will take heart
For I know hope is coming to take us
HI guys!!!!!! so I've been thinking about choices lately. To be able to make a choice is to have the right; the power or opportunity to choose. Choices are based off of wants, or desires. If your making a choice every moment your alive, it would probably be in your best interest to make choices that would ultimately be beneficial. I was driving with my dad and brother to Jersey last week and I noticed those factory towers and stuff on the side..and I saw the red lights at the top of each tower and thought of all the uses of red lights..since i had nothing better to do..red lights are usually used to catch attention, sometimes for help, sometimes to guide, etc. so I thought, hmmm in the world we live in, people are blind to these red lights that illuminate the sky..the issues that are calling for attention..like sirens in the night, these unresolved problems that go ignored because men are too afraid of getting uncomfortable, too afraid of something that could change them completely. Each individual has freedom of choice; one is affected by the consequences of their choices. You have a choice to live, a choice to love, to be faithful, or not..you have a choice to change. There's always room to become better, there's always something that needs to improve. I've been learning that as I've been struggling to get out of that cycle of fruitlessness. On a different note, I know that I haven't understood what love is. Every time I failed, I expected God to be disappointed; I thought I could gain his affirmation through what I did well. I've learned that When you make the decision to change, Jesus will not turn His face from you, but instead ask you to reaffirm your love for Him.
John 21:15
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
"Do you love me enough to make the choice to follow me?"
or are you going to return to a life where you were alone, desolate, broken, and tired of yourself?
Choose life. Choose love. Choose battle.
2/28/11
Rest
I have to say that not leading worship and sitting back at bibletalk these past 3 weeks has been an insightful, renewing, and humbling experience. An experience that I truly love. It's a blessing when you begin to see things come into fruition, I still remember the day that I wrote down the vision for our time of worship for the blog. I remember posting it. I remember reading it over and looking forward to seeing that vision come to life. It's such a blessing to look at where things have come since that moment, It's such a blessing, I really can't repeat that enough.
What is this post about? I guess nothing in particular, I'm stuck on my bed now extremely sick. I think I have the flu. My nose is runny, my throat hurts a lot, and I have this really bad cough =/ the worst of it is that when I cough, I get this massive pain in the back of my head. It's def not fun being sick, I kind of wish I was being dramatic about my symptoms, but I'm not. I really appreciated all of your calls and e-mails today, I would have called all of you back but I can hardly talk, it actually hurts to talk =(. I'll probably stay at home tomorrow even if I do feel better for the sake of not risking any of you getting sick.
But for the past two hours that I've been sitting here, I've been listening to the song on the bibletalk blog on repeat.
Give me Jesus.
I've been in love with this song ever since Jincy lead it this past bibletalk. It was actually the first time that my ears had ever laid hold of that song, and I've been listening to it everyday since. It's given me a lot of peace as I've been wrestling through different concepts, struggles, and questions that I've had this past week.
Find some rest in this song tonight, that can come in many forms, whether you just sit still and listen to the song, whether you read over the lyrics, whether you sing along with it, or pray to God with it - whatever it may look like, find some rest in this song tonight.
You can have all this world, but give me Jesus.
word. gnite guys.
- Ben Thomas
To the Choirmaster According to the Gitteth. A Psalm of David
"...When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:"
-Psalm 8
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:"
-Psalm 8
Age
1 Tim 4:12
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Hey guys, i wanted to talk about this verse because for me it spoke clearly. This is something I myself need to improve in. BibleTalk is a community filled with youth. For myself, I haven't been an example to the world. I've thought that I could just wait till I'm older. Then I could go out and share the word, but in truth, age doesn't matter at all. If you are true, and if you follow the things that are mentioned at the end of the verse "in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.", then you can be an example. Sometimes I am let down by adults and discouraged, but through that we should grow and set our lives. In our youth we should be and example, the world should see our knowledge of the word, our conduct, our love, our spirit, our faith, and our purity. This is something I need to work on. Thank you!
~Justin T
Read Every Word Of My Post
real talk...
Most of us may have goals and ambitions of things we'd like to accomplish, and most or all of those goals may be good intentions and would probably be pleasing to God. But, God will not empower us to accomplish it, if we are men and women of war.
It's not like any of us are in the army..but the things that lead to war are anger, bitterness, resentment, and fear. C'mon ppl... every single one of us reading this blog have hidden issues in our heart, that we know about.. or things we've left unresolved in our heart that needs to be addressed before God.. maybe you're walking around acting like everything is okay.. or faking a smile when you're around people. Maybe you're even moving through life, doing the right thing.. ministering..evangelizing, worshipping... but you have issues in your personal life.. your family life.. insecurities..
I encourage you to start opening up to God.. by telling Him detail by detail everything you are feeling, expecting, and want healing from.. just do it..
Maybe you're feeling lazy.. or maybe you don't wanna put in any effort.. but you will never have a relationship with Jesus if you don't make time and put effort into talking with God..
I want you to become friends with Jesus.. to the point where you'll leave an extra plate at your dinner table one day for Him.. because that's how personal you've gotten..
Get Personal
-happy
The Same Power That Conquered the Grave Lives in Me
Ephesians 1:18-21
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
2/27/11
The Project
This is a message i got I wanted to share
some of you dont have fb but you can still pray for it
Hey guys,
By now someone has contacted most of you to let you know about an idea we are launching tomorrow to share the gospel with our unbelieving friends on Facebook. If someone has not contacted you yet, they should be at some point today, but I just wanted to send this a message to you so you can pass it along to your youth groups and anyone else who would be interested to join our campaign:
As Christians we are commanded by God to share the Gospel with unbelievers, yet statistics show that only 2% of Christians share the gospel at least once in their lifetime. Every day, about 160,000 people die – most of them are unbelievers. Those who leave this earth without being born again are doomed to hell for eternity. Because someone loved you enough to share the gospel with you at some point in your life, you have escaped hell, but are you keeping the good news of salvation a secret from other lost souls?
We would like to invite you to be a part of a Facebook campaign that will enable you to share the gospel with your Non-Christian friends on Facebook, and share the secret that makes each of us a part of God’s family and future residents of Heaven.
Here’s how it works:
On February 27th, at 6pm central, change your status on Facebook to read: “It happened when I was ___.......” Fill in the blank with the age you were when you accepted the Lord as your personal Savior. For example, mine would read : It happened when I was 13…...
If Believers respond to your status, copy and paste this message and encourage them to join us in sharing the gospel with their friends by changing their status and sharing their testimonies and the gospel.
If Unbelievers respond to your status, send them a message on Facebook sharing your testimony of how your life changed when you were the age you posted on your status.
The main points of the gospel message are: all have sinned, the consequence of sin, God the righteous judge who cannot accept sin, yet God himself provided the answer/payment that his holiness & righteousness demanded, God sent His only Son to become a man like one of us, yet was perfect in all his ways living without sin. His death & blood paid for the penalty that was ours to pay. Because of Christs death & blood shed, we are now free from the penalty and wrath of sin, thereby not getting the wrath from God that we rightfully deserved. We are now in the family of God, as his very own children, and Heaven is now our home.
thanks so much for spreading the word! and please pray for every aspect of this campaign and above all that God will be glorified through this project.
~kostin
some of you dont have fb but you can still pray for it
Hey guys,
By now someone has contacted most of you to let you know about an idea we are launching tomorrow to share the gospel with our unbelieving friends on Facebook. If someone has not contacted you yet, they should be at some point today, but I just wanted to send this a message to you so you can pass it along to your youth groups and anyone else who would be interested to join our campaign:
As Christians we are commanded by God to share the Gospel with unbelievers, yet statistics show that only 2% of Christians share the gospel at least once in their lifetime. Every day, about 160,000 people die – most of them are unbelievers. Those who leave this earth without being born again are doomed to hell for eternity. Because someone loved you enough to share the gospel with you at some point in your life, you have escaped hell, but are you keeping the good news of salvation a secret from other lost souls?
We would like to invite you to be a part of a Facebook campaign that will enable you to share the gospel with your Non-Christian friends on Facebook, and share the secret that makes each of us a part of God’s family and future residents of Heaven.
Here’s how it works:
On February 27th, at 6pm central, change your status on Facebook to read: “It happened when I was ___.......” Fill in the blank with the age you were when you accepted the Lord as your personal Savior. For example, mine would read : It happened when I was 13…...
If Believers respond to your status, copy and paste this message and encourage them to join us in sharing the gospel with their friends by changing their status and sharing their testimonies and the gospel.
If Unbelievers respond to your status, send them a message on Facebook sharing your testimony of how your life changed when you were the age you posted on your status.
The main points of the gospel message are: all have sinned, the consequence of sin, God the righteous judge who cannot accept sin, yet God himself provided the answer/payment that his holiness & righteousness demanded, God sent His only Son to become a man like one of us, yet was perfect in all his ways living without sin. His death & blood paid for the penalty that was ours to pay. Because of Christs death & blood shed, we are now free from the penalty and wrath of sin, thereby not getting the wrath from God that we rightfully deserved. We are now in the family of God, as his very own children, and Heaven is now our home.
thanks so much for spreading the word! and please pray for every aspect of this campaign and above all that God will be glorified through this project.
~kostin
We Will Become Blameless
1 John 1:9- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jeremiah 31:34- No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.
Philippians 1:6- Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24- Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved BLAMELESS at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Stay strong! Remember God's promises to you, His child; promises to forgive, to save, and to preserve you.
"Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." - 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
Jeremiah 31:34- No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.
Philippians 1:6- Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24- Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved BLAMELESS at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
Stay strong! Remember God's promises to you, His child; promises to forgive, to save, and to preserve you.
"Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." - 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
2/26/11
Have you Praised God today?
its funny how i read a verse on my bible gadget
before i read toms post and the verse said this:
1 John 4:9 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world the we might live through him,"
if you have not Praised God today well this is a HUGE reason why we should praise God not just today but everyday......God bless
before i read toms post and the verse said this:
1 John 4:9 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world the we might live through him,"
if you have not Praised God today well this is a HUGE reason why we should praise God not just today but everyday......God bless
2/25/11
Stothram!!!! =D lol
The Scripture say's in Hebrews 13:15-"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name."
As Christians, we must understand the Power of Praise and how it can effect our lives. We all have various trials,tribulations, temptations, and problems but we also have a God in heaven who CARES for us! :) Satan is always attempting to increase our problems and reduce God in our lives. Praise is imperative and it can lift our faith to a point or level where God becomes bigger than any issue we may be facing or going through! Anyone who every came to know Christ knows that their is a reason to praise Him . We choose to praise God so decide today to praise Him for he Saved us and is ABLE to keep us! Praise Be to God!!! :)
-Tom
Thoughts on Job
(NKJV and NLT used)
Job 1:7 and Job 2:2
Conversation with God and Satan
God: Where did you come from?
Satan: I have been patrolling the earth, walking back and forth.
Questions from me to you:
If God were you to ask you what are you doing?
Where did you come from? Are you going to be like Satan and say walking around, laying back, taking it easy, and worrying about other people…?
Are you able to tell God that I’m living my life for you with honesty?
Job 1:8 and 2:3
“Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?
Can God tell Satan the same about you?
Have you considered My servant (your name), that there is none like (him or her)on the earth, a blameless and upright (man or woman), one who fears God and shuns evil?
Questions to ask yourself
Can people ask you why do you love God so much? (Can people see that love you have? Eph. 5:13)
Are you doing what I ask of You? (Following His commands? John 14:15 & 21, Eph. 5:1-2)
Did you follow Christ with love? (Is it a tradition or affection? Eph.6:6)
Have you put on the armor of God? (Ready for battle against Satan, world and flesh Eph. 6:10-17)
Can people say there’s something different about you? (Different from worldly people Ro.12:2)
Can I say I don’t mind being crucified for You? (Galatians 2:20)
I pray whoever reads this post or doesn’t is well and they can become a true warrior like your son Jesus Christ and take up the sword and sharpen it and use it fully till they reach their death bed in Jesus name amen
2/23/11
Create in Me a Clean Heart-Keith Green
Create in me a clean heart, Oh God
and renew a right spirit within me,
Cast me not away from thy presence Oh Lord,
Take not thy holy spirit from me,
Restore unto me the JOY of thy Salvation
and renew a right spirit within me.
and renew a right spirit within me,
Cast me not away from thy presence Oh Lord,
Take not thy holy spirit from me,
Restore unto me the JOY of thy Salvation
and renew a right spirit within me.
2/22/11
May 21, 2011???
I don't know if you guys have heard about these people but I remember seeing these people at the subway station talking about how the world's gonna end on May 21st
this year. Yeah, I know crazy talk right?
But what if...?
I'm not saying that the world is gonna end on that day but what if it did? Just imagine that. are we ready to leave this earth if Jesus comes. Are we too attatched to the things of this world? I don't know about you but I honestly like my life here and I don't know what I would do in a situation like that.We have to prepare ourselves for Jesus's coming. He is coming back again and we have to be prepared. We can't be attatched to the things of this world. So let's prepare our hearts and be ready for this hope that we look forward to and lets shine the light to lead others to this hope as well we can't be selfish... haha
Revelation 22:20 "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
~Charlie
this year. Yeah, I know crazy talk right?
But what if...?
I'm not saying that the world is gonna end on that day but what if it did? Just imagine that. are we ready to leave this earth if Jesus comes. Are we too attatched to the things of this world? I don't know about you but I honestly like my life here and I don't know what I would do in a situation like that.We have to prepare ourselves for Jesus's coming. He is coming back again and we have to be prepared. We can't be attatched to the things of this world. So let's prepare our hearts and be ready for this hope that we look forward to and lets shine the light to lead others to this hope as well we can't be selfish... haha
Revelation 22:20 "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
~Charlie
6th period ceramics
i have ceramics now
i was like jjjyooaooo i get to play with clay
this is gonna be easy
but its not
But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)
i was always like oh potter...clay...ok..especially cuz of one song i cant remember
anyway, we're the work of his hand
and ITS HARD making stuff from clay
its a length process too
so just know god put alot of effort into you
no two people are alike
also, when your done handling clay, your hands are so dirty
even after you wash your hands, it feels weird
so just know gods hand is never cleaned of you
i was like jjjyooaooo i get to play with clay
this is gonna be easy
but its not
But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)
i was always like oh potter...clay...ok..especially cuz of one song i cant remember
anyway, we're the work of his hand
and ITS HARD making stuff from clay
its a length process too
so just know god put alot of effort into you
no two people are alike
also, when your done handling clay, your hands are so dirty
even after you wash your hands, it feels weird
so just know gods hand is never cleaned of you
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Titus 3:5 says "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us..."
I was reading Jeremiah 33 and came across verse sixteen. I don't know if it's the same with all bibles, although most likely it is, but at the end of that verse you will find these 4 words in bold lettering: "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS". Titus says that we're not righteous people, and it's true. All the best things in the world we can offer to God and it still wouldn't be enough to make us even good people before God.
This name was promised to Jerusalem regarding Christ, but this same thing applies to us too. THE LORD IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, and I think we can all confidently say this. It's because of his mercy we're alive, and because of him we are made right before God. All I can say is praise God for everything!
Search Me & Know Me
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
- Psalm 139:23-24
This verse has been on my heart for the past 2 weeks, for the mere use of words that God choses to speak to us through. As I read this, there were 3 phrases that stuck out to me that really allowed me to understand God a little bit better then yesterday -
"Search me.." - search - "the activity of looking thoroughly in order to find something or someone; try to locate or discover, or to establish the existence of."
There is something precious in asking God to look through you and to really search deep within you. It's a request that God doesn't need us to make, it's a request that He already does, but the difference is, in asking you know that the good, bad, and the ugly might come out. But it's acknowledging that despite that, you still want God to look within you. It's acknowledging that you want God to search you because you need Him too. It is acknowledging your place before God, it is taking yourself down to a place where you know God is the only one who can "actively look through you to establish your existence", to establish you.
"Know my.." - know - "be familiar or aquainted with an object, have fixed in the mind"
This phrase is what I have been stuck on for 2 weeks. When asking someone to know you, that is a deep thing, it isn't just anything. When telling someone, hey, I want to get to know you better, it infers that you want to get closer to them, you want to build on your relationship. Likewise, in knowing something, you are established in it. You know it, meaning you can't waiver in it. When you say you know how to drive, that means that you aren't questioning yourself, or second guessing, you have a firm foundation in it. In the same respect, asking God to know my heart, were asking Him to really go deep within the ugly parts, because the heart is deceptive, and to fix Himself on the throne of our heart. It's asking Him to firmly understand us and fix His mind on us. We are asking a holy God, who loves us deeply, to not only search us but to also know us. To know everything about us. It's hard for me to put my mind around asking a holy God into a heart that is not holy, asking a humble God to know a prideful heart, asking a loving God to know a hardened heart full of hate. But God, because of Jesus' obedience and sacrifice, knows us. God does say in Scripture that He will not despise a broken and contrite heart. (Psalm 51:17) So, knowing what the state of our heart is, God in his infinite majesty, still choses to know my heart, and my anxieties.
I also love the fact that this is a request and not something that is taken foregranted. It's a humble request, to know me. To know my heart, to know my thoughts, to know me.
"Lead me.." - lead - "to guide on a way, especially by going in advance, to direct on a course or in a direction."
The last request in these 2 vereses. Asking God to lead you. It's amazing what your doing when asking God to lead. Your asking God to guide you, by going ahead of you. That means, you don't go ahead of God and tell Him to come along, but you let Him pave the path, and then go. Amazing picture isn't it? In asking God to lead you, your acknowledging that He knows better, that He has the perfect plan, and that His ways are better then yours.
It's interesting how 3 requests that seem simple, that seem like a given that we don't need to really ask for, are really impactful.
As you go through this day, this week, this month, ask God to: 1) Search you 2) Know you and 3) Lead you.
I guarentee you, you won't be the same.
"Therefore Do Not Worry About Tomorrow"
Recently I've been reading "Be Anxious for Nothing" and in this book John MacArthur states that the act of worrying is a sin. That makes sense because Jesus clearly says "Do Not Worry" 8 times in the New Testament! Blue Letter Bible it :) . Worrying is something we often fall back on ... In the world there are so many people suffering from anxiety disorders that we have an entire market aimed to supply enough drugs to "treat" them all. Christians are by no means immune to these feelings. So why are WE called to overcome it? Lets look over Matthew 26:25-34.
"25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble ."
We have a Father who not only loves us but also provides for us. People who are living for the world tend to depend on their OWN strengths but WE are His children and we are dependent on our Maker. Isn't that that most comforting thing about being one of God's chosen? Do you believe that God can deliver you from all your problems? I do! If we just surrender ourselves to Him there isn't anything He can't do and to believe otherwise would be denying God's power. When you find yourself feeling nervous or anxious just remember Philippians 4:6 that tells us to "present your requests to God" with prayer and thanksgiving. Be anxious for nothing!
Take joy because we have assurance in Him!
"25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble ."
We have a Father who not only loves us but also provides for us. People who are living for the world tend to depend on their OWN strengths but WE are His children and we are dependent on our Maker. Isn't that that most comforting thing about being one of God's chosen? Do you believe that God can deliver you from all your problems? I do! If we just surrender ourselves to Him there isn't anything He can't do and to believe otherwise would be denying God's power. When you find yourself feeling nervous or anxious just remember Philippians 4:6 that tells us to "present your requests to God" with prayer and thanksgiving. Be anxious for nothing!
Take joy because we have assurance in Him!
2/21/11
Simon son of John, do you truly love me?
"Supposing you hear a cry for help from a man in danger. You will probably feel two desires- one desire to give help (due to your herd instinct), the other a desire to keep out of danger (due to the instinct for self preservation). But you will find inside you, in addition to these two impulses, a third thing which tells you that you ought to follow the impulse to help, and suppress the impulses to run away" - C.S Lewis, Mere Christianity
John 18: 15-25
5 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.
He replied, “I am not.”
18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
The High Priest Questions Jesus
19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter’s Second and Third Denials
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
Are you ready?
I was watching random YouTube videos and I came across these 2 videos so I felt like sharing it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
When I saw this videos I remembered what jabin was saying on Saturday how we have a spiritual comfort zone and the spirit fear prevents you to come out of it fear of what may happen if you do this or what you may face after it is done...well these are verses you should keep in mind when you feel that way
Jeremiah 29:11
Isaiah 41:10, 13, 14
Romans 1:161
Corinthians 1:18
....now you may wonder what is our spiritual comfort zone..I’ll give you an example. I’m comfortable with telling my close friends about God one to one... but it’s hard for me to speak about God to a stranger one to one because I don’t know his or her reaction to it ... Me, tony and jabin went to time square church on our way back they kept saying you should do open air on the train and to be honest I was afraid but somehow I was able to do it once but with not many people in the railway car maybe 5-6 people but the fact I got out of my spiritual comfort zone and over to another zone the battle-zone.(2 Timothy 2:3 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.)... That fear made me think God has placed people in our lives to overcome such things but beyond that God gave us a friend… a friend I have and you as well that is with you right now as you read this post and when you feel down and happy ..He is right there with you but are you doing anything in return? Are you able to step out your spiritual comfort zone and step in the battle zone?
Are you afraid to be arrested, spit at or punched for Christ? I know Jesus Christ was not afraid to do it for you are you ready to battle the world, satan and your flesh? Christ did it for you can’t do the same for Him?
Taking Gods Word Seriously
A habit many belivers have is that of taking Gods word lightly. take Jesus's word in Matt 12:36,37 " every careless (idle) word that men shall speak, they shall render account for in the the day of judgement. for by your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemened" we have to give an account for every single useless word that we have spoken wheather its is speaking in anger, backbiting,gossipping,evil-speaking . think about everything we have spoken in our homes with friend and others. If God would to record every idle word we spoke .and God were to play it would it play for hours ar not even play at all. I was examining my self I have fallen short of his glory. The fear of God is the begining of wisdom. James 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. Matt 12:34 our mouth speaks of that which fills the heart. what God looks at those who are broken ,humble and contrite of spirt before his word.
Tony
Tony
Humility
Zechariah 9:9 : Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
When reading this prophecy fulfilled in Matthew 21, immediately I had a picture
of what it might have looked like at back then. I thought of people cheering, and
as it says in Matthew of people strawing branches and all that good stuff. Then a
picture that came in my mind was from the show Rome, and there was a scene
when Julius Ceasar returned to the city as their new leader, and people were cheering,
and he looked all regaland pompous and all that. But in Zechariah, it says Jesus
came in lowly, or meek. The King of this universe, came in not pompous and brash,
but meekly, and with humility, into our lives. Jesus exemplified this quality throughout
His life on this earth, starting from the way he was born. And if Jesus, who has all
the reason to receive all praise and glory can possess that characteristic, I just want
to encourage all of us to have that attitude of humility in whatever you do or say.
Stay humble, and let's never glory in anything about ourselves but only in our King.
Justus
Love
I was reading about Judas Iscariot the other day..even though he was one of Jesus' disciples and walking with Him every day, he didn't truly love Jesus. As he walked with Jesus, he was treating people bad and stealing their money. It just goes to show how we can follow along with God and His people and yet still not be a true follower. Judas heard everything Jesus had to say but he never applied it.. We have got to be intentional when it comes to our relationship with God...pushing through laziness, making time when we don't have it, and struggling through and working hard on applying the things that the Holy Spirit is telling us to in order to be more like Jesus. Not for us, not for the people around us, but for God so that the work He has in store for us can take place.. Let's not walk along the path like Judas did, but let's do the things that are difficult in order to increase our faith and build upon our character. We should be decreasing each day and letting Jesus increase. Can we do what we need to do to let the work happen in our hearts? Do your friends see you progressing and reflecting the Lord more each time they se you?
Joshua 23: 9-14
happy
JOY
As humans, we are physical and moral entities. There is a moral framework by which we live...The beauty of Christianity is that love, the supreme ethic, precedes life...Sometimes pain in it's reality to us is also a reminder to us of what reality is. We are so fearful of pain and at the same time, have eliminated God. Sorrow and pain are part of us. Joy does not mean we have no tears. Joy does not mean we don't have moments of sadness. Joy does not mean we don't have agonies of the soul at times. Joy does mean that God calls me to look at my malady through His eyes, and not look at Him through the eyes of my malady.
-Ravi Zacharias
-Ravi Zacharias
The Cross
there stands a tree
were a mighty warrior was slain
put down
with a crown of thorns apon his head
the people cried not murder
but tyranny
blood drops
shed like tears
satisfy the thirsty earth
with its sweetness
it washes the people's murderous hearts clean
with its fiery red
it has set them free
a man died
on that tree so beautiful
and yet so cursed
his eyes searched you
for the love he knew was rooted deep within
all the while saying, "Forgive them, Father,
for I love them"
oh that tree
the center beam of that tree
proclaimed his holiness
and the crossbean declared his love
his arms stretched out
beckoning,
waiting
to embrace you.
arms of love
amazing grace
how sweet the sound
of his dying breath
that brought you life
were a mighty warrior was slain
put down
with a crown of thorns apon his head
the people cried not murder
but tyranny
blood drops
shed like tears
satisfy the thirsty earth
with its sweetness
it washes the people's murderous hearts clean
with its fiery red
it has set them free
a man died
on that tree so beautiful
and yet so cursed
his eyes searched you
for the love he knew was rooted deep within
all the while saying, "Forgive them, Father,
for I love them"
oh that tree
the center beam of that tree
proclaimed his holiness
and the crossbean declared his love
his arms stretched out
beckoning,
waiting
to embrace you.
arms of love
amazing grace
how sweet the sound
of his dying breath
that brought you life
Be as little Children
Matthew 18:3 (NKJV)
3and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus explains some of the qualities and examples of children and how we should actually be like them in their actions. One main quality of a child is his or her humbleness. Young children have not yet learned what pride is. Those who wish to live for eternity in the presence of Almighty God must practice this same attitude of humility. As older groups, we tend to go over in our pride and become stubborn at times.
But what did Jesus mean when he said that all who would enter heaven must become as little children? When he said this, he didn't literally mean that we should act immature and childish once we are saved. He really meant that those who are converted should be "Child-like".
A young child trusts with all his heart that his or her parents will be there for him in their time of need. He or she will always believe in their father when they take their first bicycle ride or even when they take their first steps. Like this, we should have total trust in our Father. Whatever He does, its for our own good. He is always there for us and will guide us through, all we need to do is have that trust and believe.
Another point i wanted to bring is that, children can forgive more easily then we can. Have you ever seen a child fighting with another before? What usually happens? Well, after a few minutes, you'll see them playing games together and having a good time. Well like that, we as believers should learn to forgive and forget. Those who desire to live with God for eternity must show a similar attitude of forgiveness. If you are a child of God, you must know how to forgive, like Jesus did. If we want to look more like Him, we must follow his actions as well.
~Justin Thomas
See more references... (Matthew 18:21-22, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:14-15).
3and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus explains some of the qualities and examples of children and how we should actually be like them in their actions. One main quality of a child is his or her humbleness. Young children have not yet learned what pride is. Those who wish to live for eternity in the presence of Almighty God must practice this same attitude of humility. As older groups, we tend to go over in our pride and become stubborn at times.
But what did Jesus mean when he said that all who would enter heaven must become as little children? When he said this, he didn't literally mean that we should act immature and childish once we are saved. He really meant that those who are converted should be "Child-like".
A young child trusts with all his heart that his or her parents will be there for him in their time of need. He or she will always believe in their father when they take their first bicycle ride or even when they take their first steps. Like this, we should have total trust in our Father. Whatever He does, its for our own good. He is always there for us and will guide us through, all we need to do is have that trust and believe.
Another point i wanted to bring is that, children can forgive more easily then we can. Have you ever seen a child fighting with another before? What usually happens? Well, after a few minutes, you'll see them playing games together and having a good time. Well like that, we as believers should learn to forgive and forget. Those who desire to live with God for eternity must show a similar attitude of forgiveness. If you are a child of God, you must know how to forgive, like Jesus did. If we want to look more like Him, we must follow his actions as well.
~Justin Thomas
See more references... (Matthew 18:21-22, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:14-15).
You ARE
You are stronger, You are stronger
Sin is broken, You have saved me,
It is written, Christ is Risen!
Jesus You Are Lord of All!
amen.
Sin is broken, You have saved me,
It is written, Christ is Risen!
Jesus You Are Lord of All!
amen.
2/19/11
WORRRDDD! haha
The WORD of God is so awesome and it has so many characteristics. " In the BEGINNING was the WORD, and the WORD was God, and the WORD was with God." -John 1:1
"The WORD of God is God in His WORD, speaking to us by His Spirit, through whom the message was initially inspired and infused into the souls and minds of His servants"-Essential Christianity
" Sanctify them through thy truth: thy WORD is truth."- John 17:17
Jesus said "...the scripture cannot be broken"- John 10:35. Just like we eat chore (rice) every night and just how Costin eats chicken LOL, the WORD of God is described as food in Psalm 119:103 "How sweet are Your WORDs to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth"
In Revelation 10:9 it says "So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”The Apostle John are shown in the WORD as" eating" a book... I hope this doesn't mean they ate the book, FOLKS DONT TRY THAT AT HOME! also here as i said before the little book is described as food.
Wow I'm getting hungry talking about all this food :] but JESUS said " But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every WORD that comes from the mouth of God." Bye...Just like Apostle John ate the WORD Im going to eat my ESV Compact Study BIBLEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A Tribute to Ben Thomas " WORRDDDDD!"
- JIVIN!!!
Struggle
It's through our struggles that we realize who we really are.
So struggle, It's a struggle for a reason, it's not something that's meant to overcome or overwhelm you, it's something you're meant to wrestle with, fight with, work through.
So stop feeling overwhelmed, struggle, and count yourself fortunate that you're on the winning side.
- Ben Thomas
2/18/11
Lest I
Will I forget Gethsemane?
Will I forget thine agony?
Will I forget thy love for me?
Lead me to Calvary...
2/17/11
2/16/11
The Worship Leader
I've said it before, I'll say it again,
The worship leader is not the person behind the mic with the guitar or the person who picks out songs for the people to sing, the worship leader is the person who is constantly encouraging others to worship through the abundant pouring of their sincere words, deeds, and lifestyle.
We can all be worship leaders. My prayer is that we all will be worship leaders in due time. The best leaders raise better leaders up after them, I desire to be the best leader I can possibly be, I desire for you guys to lead better than I ever could.
As these weeks progress I'm going to taking the backseat and asking you to lead our times of worship. You can do whatever you like, it doesn't even have to involve music, your job? Lead others to a place where they can encounter the Lord. The best way to do that? By living out that lifestyle of worship yourself. By being in tune with his voice. By making the sacrifice to search him out, with all of your heart and not just some of it.
The rest comes easy.
Be prepared,
and don't be surprised if I ask you to lead in the weeks to come.
- Ben Thomas
The worship leader is not the person behind the mic with the guitar or the person who picks out songs for the people to sing, the worship leader is the person who is constantly encouraging others to worship through the abundant pouring of their sincere words, deeds, and lifestyle.
We can all be worship leaders. My prayer is that we all will be worship leaders in due time. The best leaders raise better leaders up after them, I desire to be the best leader I can possibly be, I desire for you guys to lead better than I ever could.
As these weeks progress I'm going to taking the backseat and asking you to lead our times of worship. You can do whatever you like, it doesn't even have to involve music, your job? Lead others to a place where they can encounter the Lord. The best way to do that? By living out that lifestyle of worship yourself. By being in tune with his voice. By making the sacrifice to search him out, with all of your heart and not just some of it.
The rest comes easy.
Be prepared,
and don't be surprised if I ask you to lead in the weeks to come.
- Ben Thomas
The Apostolic Fathers
Did you ever wonder what the people were like who received the Gospel from the Apostles? Or do you ever wonder what was it like to live in those days where the Christian community was just taking root and in its infancy stages, a time when their seems to be nothing but suffering, a time of struggle, a time of what seems to be unending persecution? If so, then I encourage you to study the Apostolic Fathers. If your unfamiliar with Church History, the Apostolic Fathers of the Church are those who knew the Apostles but were too young to have encountered the Lord. Because of that fact, to read and learn about their life, insights, and writings on scripture is invaluable because they knew the Apostles. In fact, Irenaius and Polycarp were Personal disciples of the Apostle John!!! Couple of Minutes ago, the mailman came to my door and gave me this book called "The Apostolic Fathers" and I started reading it, and its "sooooo gooood" lol. Soon as I opened the book, the very first thing I read really humbled me, encouraged me, and gave such great joy to hear. Here it is...
"Take the oath and I will let you go," said the proconsul. "Revile Christ."
"I have served Him eighty-six years," replied Polycarp, "and in no way has He dealt unjustly with me; so how can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"
He spoke this knowing what will be the outcome of this....martyrdom! The only reason Brother Polycarp who was the disciple of John was able even to say this in such a time was because HE KNEW THE LORD! In the same way, Apostle Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:12, "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." Job said, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him!!!!!" =O And it gives me great Joy to Know that when I die in Christ, it will be profit because the Word says, " To Live is Christ, and to die is gain!"
And also, when you look at the lives of our brothers and sisters from the early church, they were not seeking God for wealth or material possessions but primarly for God Himself. And that is the greatest treasure in life, TO KNOW GOD! And you must FIRST Know God to Love Him, and the more you KNOW HIM, the more you will Fear and Love Him. And the more you Love God, the more you would Obey him and Keep His Word! Here is a Mighty Promise for those who want to know God! James 4:8-"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded."
And notice in the Old Testament in Daniel 11:32, it doesn't say they that Preach shall be strong or people that write books about God shall be strong but the Scripture says they that know their God Shall be strong and Do Exploits!!!!!!! And Thanks, Glory, Honor, and Praise be to God for His Love that is UNCEASING, For His Mercy that NEVER ENDS and HIS FAITHFULNESS!!!!! =D =D =D
-Tom
"Take the oath and I will let you go," said the proconsul. "Revile Christ."
"I have served Him eighty-six years," replied Polycarp, "and in no way has He dealt unjustly with me; so how can I blaspheme my King who saved me?"
He spoke this knowing what will be the outcome of this....martyrdom! The only reason Brother Polycarp who was the disciple of John was able even to say this in such a time was because HE KNEW THE LORD! In the same way, Apostle Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:12, "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." Job said, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him!!!!!" =O And it gives me great Joy to Know that when I die in Christ, it will be profit because the Word says, " To Live is Christ, and to die is gain!"
And also, when you look at the lives of our brothers and sisters from the early church, they were not seeking God for wealth or material possessions but primarly for God Himself. And that is the greatest treasure in life, TO KNOW GOD! And you must FIRST Know God to Love Him, and the more you KNOW HIM, the more you will Fear and Love Him. And the more you Love God, the more you would Obey him and Keep His Word! Here is a Mighty Promise for those who want to know God! James 4:8-"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded."
And notice in the Old Testament in Daniel 11:32, it doesn't say they that Preach shall be strong or people that write books about God shall be strong but the Scripture says they that know their God Shall be strong and Do Exploits!!!!!!! And Thanks, Glory, Honor, and Praise be to God for His Love that is UNCEASING, For His Mercy that NEVER ENDS and HIS FAITHFULNESS!!!!! =D =D =D
-Tom
2/15/11
The Best Rest
A couple of days ago I joined a yoga class. The class was specified for relieving stress and giving peace through different exercises and such. Somehow these people found comfort and peace by doing these stretches and I felt absolutely nothing. I started to think about how I get my peace and realized that it only comes through Jesus. My joy, strength and peace is given to me by my Lord and Savior. I didn't need a bunch of exercises to relieve me of my stresses; what I needed was Jesus in my heart. It was a good reminder to me that no matter what, God will always be there to give me rest and that I don't need to do anything but go and talk to him.
John 14:27-
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
-Hannah
John 14:27-
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
-Hannah
He Is
The Lord is my shepherd,
Not was
Not will be
Not could have been
The Lord is my shepherd… I shall not want
L-O-V-E
"What the world needs now is Love sweet love ..it's the only thing that there's just too little of"
-J.D
You know what I've come to realize?? That there are really very few people in this world (even among our friends -believe it or not) who truly love. Ask yourself if you love as you should and you will find yourself falling short.
Why is loving one another such a hard thing?
Because it takes being selfless.
It takes being uncomfortable.
It takes putting the other person above ourselves and wanting their good instead of our own.
It takes time.
It takes effort.
It takes being vulnerable.
It takes pain (guaranteed)
It takes willingness to be hurt and choose not to hurt in return.
It takes sacrifice.
It takes going against the crowd.
It takes standing up for what is right.
It takes loving like Jesus Christ loves us and it is IMPOSSIBLE to love, and I mean, truly love one another without Christ because this love is indeed supernatural.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that loving one another like this just comes naturally. Sure, as you love God it'll start to come more naturally because of God's love and power working in and through you but rememember that it is a CHOICE to love. We choose to love past each other's imperfections because if God has forgiven us who are we to hold it against each other??
God loves us so much and we can be secure knowing His love will always be there. Do our loved ones know that of us?? Or do they need to fear that our love is dependent on their performance or success in life??
"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required"
-Luke 12:48
(We have been given much love, we are to give equally as much or more love to others)
"Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little"
-Luke 7:47
(We know how much has been forgiven of us. Only you know how dark you can be without God. This should make you love another like God has loved you)
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins"
-1 Peter 4:8
(Nothing the other person has ever done or been should repulse us enough that we cannot love them because if God had had the same reaction toward us we would have no salvation, no hope)
LOVE AS YOU HAVE BEEN LOVED. AGAPE LOVE
~John 3:16 & 1 John 3:16~
<3 Lisa
-J.D
You know what I've come to realize?? That there are really very few people in this world (even among our friends -believe it or not) who truly love. Ask yourself if you love as you should and you will find yourself falling short.
Why is loving one another such a hard thing?
Because it takes being selfless.
It takes being uncomfortable.
It takes putting the other person above ourselves and wanting their good instead of our own.
It takes time.
It takes effort.
It takes being vulnerable.
It takes pain (guaranteed)
It takes willingness to be hurt and choose not to hurt in return.
It takes sacrifice.
It takes going against the crowd.
It takes standing up for what is right.
It takes loving like Jesus Christ loves us and it is IMPOSSIBLE to love, and I mean, truly love one another without Christ because this love is indeed supernatural.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that loving one another like this just comes naturally. Sure, as you love God it'll start to come more naturally because of God's love and power working in and through you but rememember that it is a CHOICE to love. We choose to love past each other's imperfections because if God has forgiven us who are we to hold it against each other??
God loves us so much and we can be secure knowing His love will always be there. Do our loved ones know that of us?? Or do they need to fear that our love is dependent on their performance or success in life??
"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required"
-Luke 12:48
(We have been given much love, we are to give equally as much or more love to others)
"Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little"
-Luke 7:47
(We know how much has been forgiven of us. Only you know how dark you can be without God. This should make you love another like God has loved you)
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins"
-1 Peter 4:8
(Nothing the other person has ever done or been should repulse us enough that we cannot love them because if God had had the same reaction toward us we would have no salvation, no hope)
LOVE AS YOU HAVE BEEN LOVED. AGAPE LOVE
~John 3:16 & 1 John 3:16~
<3 Lisa
2/14/11
♥LOVE ♥
I've been checking the Bibletalk Blog lately and I've been seeing not many people are posting as before, I encourage you guys to POST! haha but seriously those posts I've been reading are SO encouraging even though you might not know it those posts get us through the day, and so I just wanted to share a quick thought. All throughout the Bible there is this word, its called LOVE. The human definition of LOVE is " a strong positive emotion of regard and affection." The bible tells us GOD is LOVE it says it in 1 John 4:8 "Whoever does not LOVE does not know God, because God is LOVE." So if God is LOVE so 1 Corinthians 13 tells us " LOVE is patient, LOVE is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. LOVE does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.LOVE never fails." So that has to mean God is patient, God is kind . He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud, he does not dishonor others... but God tells us in his word to LOVE our neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31) and you have to LOVE one another (John 13:34-35) Wow that's hard!!! But we can't do it on our own ! God's word say's " I can do ALL things through CHRIST who strengthens me!"(Philippians 4:13) Just to finish it off we know the definition of LOVE according to man but here is the definition according to John the brother of James the Son of Zebedee he said "Herein is LOVE, not that we loved God, but that he LOVED us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins" Amen !-
-JIVIN MAMMEN HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!
-JIVIN MAMMEN HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!
2/13/11
Holy is the Lord
I just wanted to share with you guys a song that has really been ministering to me lately. This song has brought me a lot of peace over these past 3 weeks as I was working through different struggles. Hope it can bring you some peace as well.
I encourage you to forget about the video and just listen to the lyrics.
- Ben Thomas
2/9/11
Desire to wrestle with him
I just have to say last night, I dunno but When we were reading genesis chapter 32 two verses really affected me Genesis 32:25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him .and Genesis 32:29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. ......going back to what ben said about verse 25, how at that point jacob wasnt able to depend on body anymore, but how he had to depend on God at that point when his body failed him. It just taught me how i depend on myself way to much, how I need to put more effort to ask him for help, something that always is a continuing struggle. and also verse 29....just when i think im close to God,this verse showed me how far away I was from him. I may say i read the bible and i learn things but that's just head knowledge, but this verse showed me how I need to cling on to him, and really spend time with him in his presence and desire to know his name even more.
2/8/11
2/7/11
Winter
winters rough isn't it?
Its been getting tough for us to meet up on tuesdays because of the weather, its been difficult to get together to hang out in the midst of school, work, ice on the roads, and responsibilities, its been very uncomfortable to sit in that cold room on tuesday nights.
but I'm so grateful.
I'm grateful for community. A community that truly cares about me.
Its been hard for me at this new school. It's one thing when you've been at a school for a while and you begin to get to know people, it's another when you go from one school to another school and have to start all over again.
To be honest, as hard as this is to admit, it's been rather lonely these past two weeks.
Sure I've gotten to meet a few people here and there, but at the end of the day, you look around and you see people who have attended the school for the past two years and have gotten to know each other. It takes time for myself to get acclimated to a situation like that. On top of all of that i'm not the most extroverted person out there, it takes time for me to get comfortable. So as you could imagine, these past two weeks have been a process, a process that personally hasn't been the easiest to handle.
but I still remember, and probably will never forget when I had come home last wednesday night from my 5 hour chemistry class exhausted, kind of bummed out from the long day, not feeling my hundred percent, and opening my computer to see the pictures from my surprise party that previous saturday.
I smiled, a smile that happened to be my first smile of that day.
I smiled because I remembered that the Lord has not forgotten about me, that I have everything to be grateful for, that I have no reason to feel lonely because I am in the midst of people who care so much to me.
I remembered my community.
It's funny because every single time, without fail, when I think about our group and the effort, sacrifice, and time we put into getting together on tuesdays - I smile, because it's simply awesome to be around people with that kind of heart. It's amazing to be close to people who constantly push you to be better. Justus was spot on last week when he had told us that the more you get to know Jesus, the more you love and have compassion for his people.
Give someone a call today, see how they're doing, talk to them, spend some time with them, communicate with them for the mere sake of communicating.
Let not the weather deter us, let's keep striving towards the prize, our prize.
- Ben Thomas
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
