Deuteronomy 7: 25-26
The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God. Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Utterly abhor and detest it, for it is set apart for destruction.
What has God spoken to you through this scripture?
I've recently been doing some housecleaning...spiritual housecleaning, I would call it. Getting rid of things that don't belong in a Christian home, things that might hinder my walk with God. Old CD's, movies, photos, decorations, and clutter that just "clutters". I feel that I need to do this to follow God's Word and to be obedient to Christ.
I've been deliberating about giving away, selling, throwing out, or destroying these items. I'd like to hear from others what they think about this issue and what you may have done with your things when God told you that you should no longer keep them. What did you do with them and why? etc.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Is there a God?
Does God exist? Is there proof of God? The following offers candid, straight-forward reasons to believe in the existence of God...
http://www.everystudent.com/features/isthere.html
You can even listen to this article or download as an MP3.
http://www.everystudent.com/features/isthere.html
You can even listen to this article or download as an MP3.
Judgment
I was thinking today about judgment. Lately I've been in several situations where the topic is judgment or where I have been judged. We've even had our yearly "Judgment Night" presentation going on at our church this week. I've been called a fanatic, I have been told that I spend too much time at church, or doing church things, and I hear other comments as well. The closer I get to God, the farther away my non-christian friends and family seem to get. Funny how that works. A lot of people act like I have some kind of "Christian" disease that they don't want to catch.
Before I started getting to know Christ, I was always partying and doing all those things that people do and think are fun. (Now I realize that they weren't fun at all, just a way to escape sadness, and something that made others accept me.) I still thought I was a Christian because I was saved and baptized as a teenager. I always thought; "I'm not going to church, where every one is going to judge me." "I don't need to go to church to spend time with God." "I'm a good person and God understands why I don't go to church." "You don't have to go to church to be a Christian." (You don't but it sure helps, especially when you still have a lot of learning to do) I tell you, I had all kinds of excuses. And I'll also tell you, I believed them! To me they weren't excuses. They were the facts. Even though I said those things, as if I did have some kind of relationship with God, and I really thought that I did, but I honestly didn't.
I prayed...when I needed something.
I opened my bible...when I was looking for something to try to justify that what I was doing was right.
I never sang to God.
I helped other people...when it benefited myself.
I never sat quietly in His presence.
I never worshiped Him.
I never did a thing for Him.
But I expected Him to be there in crisis. I expected Him to get me through troubled times. I expected Him to bless me and work for me, but I never wanted to do any work for Him. I never did thank Him for all the things, however undeserved, that he did for me. How typical of humans. How typical of me.
Sadly, a lot of people I know are still believing like I did. They say, "I believe in God." They say, "I'm glad He sent Jesus to die for me so I can go to heaven." (believing that they will.) They say, "I try to keep the ten commandments and I do a pretty good job of it." And they also say; "I just don't go to church because I don't like to be judged." What they are thinking the whole time is that they don't want 'church people' to judge them for the sins that they do commit because they think that all 'church people' are about is judging what 'non-church people' do. In some unfortunate cases this may be true, but in most it is not. What they don't know is that the church is for sinners. We are all sinners. We were born sinners. The best that we can do is to ask God for forgiveness and to ask Him to help us not to sin anymore, and then make an effort from the heart. Does that mean that we won't ever sin again? Unfortunately not. We will sin, and if we truly repent God will forgive us, and He will help us not to keep on committing the same sins over and over again. Church can be a great place. A place to make friends that will help you on your journey with Christ. A place to learn things about God that you never knew. A place to stand in God's presence. God commands us to turn from sin. When true Christians speak out against sin, often that is perceived as judging. It's not a judgment against any single person, but a judgment against sin. Christians hate sin and want God's best for everybody. They are praying that their loved ones turn their faces from sin and toward God. If a Christian says something to you about your sin, it's likely because they are concerned about your well being and hope that you will seek solace in God instead of in sin. If they are judging you in a hypocritical way, please consider that Christians aren't perfect and God is still working on every one, refining them to perfection.
The bible is another great place to go to learn about God. It's the best place to go to get to know about and to hear from God. I believe that God directed me toward my church. If it wasn't important to go to church, then he wouldn't have kept pushing me to go (even though I thought it was a chore and had no desire to go.) I even went to several before I found one where I actually felt God's presence. Since I was obedient to his request that I find a good church, he rewarded me. He does that often with me now, in many ways, regarding many things. Not all churches are good, not all churches are bad. Go and judge for yourself. If you still don't feel like you should go to church, at least worship at home, welcome God into your home and into your life, study your bible (don't just read it), make Christian friends, invite Jesus into your heart and your life and share Him with others. One last thing, don't forget prayer. Prayer is simply having a conversation with God. You just talk to Him and when you take the time to listen, He responds back (He really does.)
And I have to be honest with you. You will be judged, no matter how you live your life. If you sin, people will judge you. If you do good, people will judge you. If you sneeze, people will judge you. It doesn't matter what other people think, it matters what God thinks, and one day we will all have an appointment for our ultimate judgment. And on that day, we will not have the choice of whether we want to attend or not.
Bible scripture for this topic:
Church:
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Relationship:
Mark 12:30 (NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
John 14:23-24 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Judging Others:
Matthew 7:1-3 (NIV) Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Luke 6:37-38 (NIV) "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
1 Corinthians 4:14 (KJV)"I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you."
Proverbs 28:5 (KJV) "Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things."
Matthew 12:36 (NIV) But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Before I started getting to know Christ, I was always partying and doing all those things that people do and think are fun. (Now I realize that they weren't fun at all, just a way to escape sadness, and something that made others accept me.) I still thought I was a Christian because I was saved and baptized as a teenager. I always thought; "I'm not going to church, where every one is going to judge me." "I don't need to go to church to spend time with God." "I'm a good person and God understands why I don't go to church." "You don't have to go to church to be a Christian." (You don't but it sure helps, especially when you still have a lot of learning to do) I tell you, I had all kinds of excuses. And I'll also tell you, I believed them! To me they weren't excuses. They were the facts. Even though I said those things, as if I did have some kind of relationship with God, and I really thought that I did, but I honestly didn't.
I prayed...when I needed something.
I opened my bible...when I was looking for something to try to justify that what I was doing was right.
I never sang to God.
I helped other people...when it benefited myself.
I never sat quietly in His presence.
I never worshiped Him.
I never did a thing for Him.
But I expected Him to be there in crisis. I expected Him to get me through troubled times. I expected Him to bless me and work for me, but I never wanted to do any work for Him. I never did thank Him for all the things, however undeserved, that he did for me. How typical of humans. How typical of me.
Sadly, a lot of people I know are still believing like I did. They say, "I believe in God." They say, "I'm glad He sent Jesus to die for me so I can go to heaven." (believing that they will.) They say, "I try to keep the ten commandments and I do a pretty good job of it." And they also say; "I just don't go to church because I don't like to be judged." What they are thinking the whole time is that they don't want 'church people' to judge them for the sins that they do commit because they think that all 'church people' are about is judging what 'non-church people' do. In some unfortunate cases this may be true, but in most it is not. What they don't know is that the church is for sinners. We are all sinners. We were born sinners. The best that we can do is to ask God for forgiveness and to ask Him to help us not to sin anymore, and then make an effort from the heart. Does that mean that we won't ever sin again? Unfortunately not. We will sin, and if we truly repent God will forgive us, and He will help us not to keep on committing the same sins over and over again. Church can be a great place. A place to make friends that will help you on your journey with Christ. A place to learn things about God that you never knew. A place to stand in God's presence. God commands us to turn from sin. When true Christians speak out against sin, often that is perceived as judging. It's not a judgment against any single person, but a judgment against sin. Christians hate sin and want God's best for everybody. They are praying that their loved ones turn their faces from sin and toward God. If a Christian says something to you about your sin, it's likely because they are concerned about your well being and hope that you will seek solace in God instead of in sin. If they are judging you in a hypocritical way, please consider that Christians aren't perfect and God is still working on every one, refining them to perfection.
The bible is another great place to go to learn about God. It's the best place to go to get to know about and to hear from God. I believe that God directed me toward my church. If it wasn't important to go to church, then he wouldn't have kept pushing me to go (even though I thought it was a chore and had no desire to go.) I even went to several before I found one where I actually felt God's presence. Since I was obedient to his request that I find a good church, he rewarded me. He does that often with me now, in many ways, regarding many things. Not all churches are good, not all churches are bad. Go and judge for yourself. If you still don't feel like you should go to church, at least worship at home, welcome God into your home and into your life, study your bible (don't just read it), make Christian friends, invite Jesus into your heart and your life and share Him with others. One last thing, don't forget prayer. Prayer is simply having a conversation with God. You just talk to Him and when you take the time to listen, He responds back (He really does.)
And I have to be honest with you. You will be judged, no matter how you live your life. If you sin, people will judge you. If you do good, people will judge you. If you sneeze, people will judge you. It doesn't matter what other people think, it matters what God thinks, and one day we will all have an appointment for our ultimate judgment. And on that day, we will not have the choice of whether we want to attend or not.
Bible scripture for this topic:
Church:
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Relationship:
Mark 12:30 (NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
John 14:23-24 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Judging Others:
Matthew 7:1-3 (NIV) Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Luke 6:37-38 (NIV) "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
1 Corinthians 4:14 (KJV)"I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you."
Proverbs 28:5 (KJV) "Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things."
Matthew 12:36 (NIV) But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Fanatic or Hypocrite
Recently, someone called me a "borderline fanatic". I considered this for a while, almost offended, until I realized that there are only two choices when it comes down to being a "Christian". (not listed in order of importance)
First Choice: Claim Christianity, following the traditions of 'the church', being a good person, and often assuming that certain parts of the bible weren't for you or changing the meaning to suit how you believe at that moment in time.
Second Choice: Follow God, read the bible, believe it and do what it says, all of it. Share the Word, telling others about Jesus. Having sincerity in your heart and desiring a real closeness with God.
In the past I chose the first choice, Not realizing that I wasn't following God at all, but following Satan. With God, it's all or nothing. The bible is made up of honest words spoken from God to us. Either we choose to believe it and follow it allowing people think we are fanatics, or we choose to water it down and not take it all too seriously, but still telling others we believe in God and his Word, making us hypocrites. So it all boils down to HYPOCRITE or FANATIC. I'll choose Fanatic every day of the week... and I'm proud of it!
Borderline (fanatic)??? I guess I still have some work to do. :)
First Choice: Claim Christianity, following the traditions of 'the church', being a good person, and often assuming that certain parts of the bible weren't for you or changing the meaning to suit how you believe at that moment in time.
Second Choice: Follow God, read the bible, believe it and do what it says, all of it. Share the Word, telling others about Jesus. Having sincerity in your heart and desiring a real closeness with God.
In the past I chose the first choice, Not realizing that I wasn't following God at all, but following Satan. With God, it's all or nothing. The bible is made up of honest words spoken from God to us. Either we choose to believe it and follow it allowing people think we are fanatics, or we choose to water it down and not take it all too seriously, but still telling others we believe in God and his Word, making us hypocrites. So it all boils down to HYPOCRITE or FANATIC. I'll choose Fanatic every day of the week... and I'm proud of it!
Borderline (fanatic)??? I guess I still have some work to do. :)
Chasing Bible balloons in North Korea
I found this article somewhat refreshing after my last post on North Korea. It's still sad, but to know that there is an effort going on to share Jesus with them, and that the people are starving for the bread of life and willing to sacrifice their lives for it, is encouraging. Not that I want to see people die over something they should have every right to, but to know that they have even a little foundation in God before their inevitable death, is heartening.
Read the article here: http://www.chosunjournal.com/chasing.html
Read the article here: http://www.chosunjournal.com/chasing.html
Thursday, October 25, 2007
National Geographic: Explorer/ North Korea
Last night on Nat-Geo (funny how everyone has to have a COOL name these days) I watched Explorer. I typically stay away from most TV other than the kids stuff, and a good documentary, and a good movie every now and then. But this one really caught my eye. I didn't realize at all what I was getting into. If you want to watch a Horror show this Halloween season, watch this! But trust me... it's not the kind of horror film that you're used to seeing. I can describe it in three words..disturbing, scary, and sad.
I was aware that the guy running North Korea, Kim Jong-Il, was a bit of a dictator. And I was aware that they had some nuclear weapons. But I'm just not that much into politics and world news, so I must sadly admit, I keep my distance. So obviously, I don't know much. I assume that I'm not the only person in the world who just doesn't want to try to wrap their mind around world news. So, if your like me, and haven't a clue what's going on over there, you will find this quite interesting.
To sum up this documentary, Lisa Ling went in undercover with a Napali eye surgeon and recorded what she saw 'inside'. In this country it's all about their "great leader". This guy isn't a 'great leader', he's a 'cult leader'. The people of N. Korea worship and praise Kim Jong-Il. They have been brainwashed from birth to worship his father Kim Il Sung, and now him. They have prison camps that they will send a persons whole family to, if that person messes up, complains, or doesn't bow down to this man (and I use the word 'man' loosely.) He has statues, pictures and billboards of himself all over the place (Way worse than Saddam Hussein did.) He has a million man army that he is in complete control of. He has nuclear weapons and he alone is in control of "the button". The citizens are poor, malnourished, and lacking medical care, while they give their all to their leader, who lavishes himself in expensive imports of all kinds. It's pathetic. Watching the documentary; my stomach turned several times. And they weren't even showing blood and gore, just a narcissistic, self centered, wretched little man, and the poor, sad, sickly people that he was controlling. I just wanted to throw up...on Kim Jong-Il. (lol---ugh) He has even been known to say that if things start going down on his country, he'll take the rest of the world with him, if he can. Makes you think a bit more on his sole control of "the button" doesn't it?
After watching the show, I couldn't even go to sleep. It really was terribly disturbing. I kept thinking about those poor people who can't even have a chance to know God, who are dieing every day without Him. And I felt, as I often do feel about this sad world around me, helpless. That's when I know it's time to do the only thing that I can do in many situations, PRAY. I can't pray enough for these people. Please pray with me! These people need the opportunity to know God. Pray that they will get it. And pray with me for Mr. Kim Jong-Il. He obviously needs something in his life, and look what he has done looking for it. His grand-mother was a devout Christian. I hope a thread of that has been passed down to him. I pray that he will find Jesus, repent, and turn to God. Sadly, that may be the only way the people in that country will have a chance.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (New International Version)
1. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2. for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4. who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Watch it again on National Geographic channel on Wed. 11/07 3pm.
I was aware that the guy running North Korea, Kim Jong-Il, was a bit of a dictator. And I was aware that they had some nuclear weapons. But I'm just not that much into politics and world news, so I must sadly admit, I keep my distance. So obviously, I don't know much. I assume that I'm not the only person in the world who just doesn't want to try to wrap their mind around world news. So, if your like me, and haven't a clue what's going on over there, you will find this quite interesting.
To sum up this documentary, Lisa Ling went in undercover with a Napali eye surgeon and recorded what she saw 'inside'. In this country it's all about their "great leader". This guy isn't a 'great leader', he's a 'cult leader'. The people of N. Korea worship and praise Kim Jong-Il. They have been brainwashed from birth to worship his father Kim Il Sung, and now him. They have prison camps that they will send a persons whole family to, if that person messes up, complains, or doesn't bow down to this man (and I use the word 'man' loosely.) He has statues, pictures and billboards of himself all over the place (Way worse than Saddam Hussein did.) He has a million man army that he is in complete control of. He has nuclear weapons and he alone is in control of "the button". The citizens are poor, malnourished, and lacking medical care, while they give their all to their leader, who lavishes himself in expensive imports of all kinds. It's pathetic. Watching the documentary; my stomach turned several times. And they weren't even showing blood and gore, just a narcissistic, self centered, wretched little man, and the poor, sad, sickly people that he was controlling. I just wanted to throw up...on Kim Jong-Il. (lol---ugh) He has even been known to say that if things start going down on his country, he'll take the rest of the world with him, if he can. Makes you think a bit more on his sole control of "the button" doesn't it?
After watching the show, I couldn't even go to sleep. It really was terribly disturbing. I kept thinking about those poor people who can't even have a chance to know God, who are dieing every day without Him. And I felt, as I often do feel about this sad world around me, helpless. That's when I know it's time to do the only thing that I can do in many situations, PRAY. I can't pray enough for these people. Please pray with me! These people need the opportunity to know God. Pray that they will get it. And pray with me for Mr. Kim Jong-Il. He obviously needs something in his life, and look what he has done looking for it. His grand-mother was a devout Christian. I hope a thread of that has been passed down to him. I pray that he will find Jesus, repent, and turn to God. Sadly, that may be the only way the people in that country will have a chance.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (New International Version)
1. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2. for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4. who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Watch it again on National Geographic channel on Wed. 11/07 3pm.
Love Letter- Why 2C33?
2 Corinthians 3:3
2. You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 4. Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant- not of the letter but of the Spirit.; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
This is my chosen verse because I hope to be, In the way that I live and speak, not only a letter, but a love letter, to everyone I interact with. A love letter from Christ...to you!
2. You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 4. Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant- not of the letter but of the Spirit.; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
This is my chosen verse because I hope to be, In the way that I live and speak, not only a letter, but a love letter, to everyone I interact with. A love letter from Christ...to you!
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