“Father can you hear me? We need your love today I know that you are listening. You hear men everyday Father please hear us and we will be ok Father we need you to heal families today.” Father can you hear me? It’s a question that we may sometimes ask as Christians. We go through stuff sometimes,… Continue reading Father, can you hear me?
I Feel Good, an original song by Traces of Blue (Afro Blue of the Sing Off). Oh so sweet
Just sharing a post from the blog
rich sinners poor saints – Putting Purpose and Prosperity back into Christian Stewardship
“At the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.”
~ John 12:42, 43 (NIV)
“For they loved human praise more than praise from God.” This line jumped out at me as I read it. I’m pretty sure the spiritual leaders during Jesus’ time were not the only ones afflicted with such a need for acceptance. Even today, the temptation to “people please” is strong, in many areas in life, including spiritual life. It makes sense really. The people around us, we can see. We can audibly hear their approval, and we feel the weight of their disapproval when we don’t do things in the way they prefer.
We were placed in this world, not by ourselves, but to live in community. It’s alot easier to live with people we agree with. And indeed, we should seek to be in harmony with others.
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! ~ Psalm 133:1 NIV
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. ~1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ~ Ephesians 4:3 NIV
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ~ Colossians 3:14 NIV
There are many verses in the Bible however that speak out against living to please man, and speak for living entirely for Christ.
Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice. ~ Proverbs 29:26 ESV
But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” ~ Acts 5:29 ESV
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel… For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. ~Galatians 1:6,10 ESV
God does call us to live in unity with one another. Our higher calling however is to live for Him. Where the two coincide, awesome. That’s easy. But whenever the path separates, we need to always regard God’s will over the will of others.
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” ~Ps. 118:9 (KJV)
Yesterday, I went to the McWane science center here in Birmingham, AL with my mom and friends. It’s an awesome place to visit for a child with a scientific mind, which I was (and still am… just a big kid). I also had my first IMAX movie experience, watching the Flight of the Butterflies on… Continue reading It needs to show
Smile! Give yourself a face lift!!!
Wow, it’s been months since I’ve posted anything on here. I’m a delinquent child. Anyway, today, I just have a quick thought to share. This is as much for me as for anyone else (or even more so). Here goes. Be blessed. — When a big “I” is the center of our thoughts and feelings,… Continue reading HE > I
I’ve never actually watched this show, but I have been guilty, as much as others, of letting down my guard to the influences of the world. Have a read
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+7&version=ESV
Acts 7:54-60
Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them”.
REALLY?!?!
If I’m clearly in the right, and I KNOW I’m in the right, yet people decide to wrong me anyway – because of the good I am doing, I’m not 100% sure I’ll be so willing not to hold it against them. If people are THROWING STONES at me because of the good that I’m trying to do, I’m definitely not feeling like Steven – don’t hold this against them.
But in Matthew 5, Jesus gives us instructions to be just like Steven was. He admonishes us to be meek (vs. 5) and merciful (vs. 7). He goes as far as to say in vs. 10-11,
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
It’s tough to swallow, but it’s what Jesus wants. Steven’s words mirrored those of Jesus at His crucifixion. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
What exactly this means for your life and your personal situation, I do not know. Have a conversation with Jesus and ask Him to reveal His personal message to you.
I want to be like Jesus. Do you?
So, my apartment got broken into 😦 But even though that’s certainly not a good thing, I can find lots to be thankful for, including… That I was not here when it happened – Praise God! I did not find out about it until today as I headed home and not when it actually happened… Continue reading In every thing give thanks
One life to live... 