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12-08-12 09:48 AM
Singelli is Offline
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Singelli
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This is a thread in which I will be posting a few devotionals. I hope to write at least one a week, but if I can write more, I will. I have simply a few requests: 1. This is not a debate thread. Do not post in spite. If you find an error in my reasoning, let me know in a loving manner. Do not turn this into a debate or argument however. If you are one of the outspoken Christian haters, stay off this thread. It's not for you anyways. 2. This is for edification and motivation. If you find verses which support my line of thought, please share! I'm not perfect, and God may show you something I was blind to. In a world where tasks are over- simplified, it’s all too easy to fall into the slump of not doing our best at a job. I myself see this all the time: people not striving to reach their full potential. Even in the classroom, my students don’t try to be all they can be. Just recently, I asked them to write a page on all the opportunities they had received in my class and on all the doings which have had an effect on their grade. I even gave them examples of all the opportunities I myself have given them, and then concluded that they could write about how they could start to take advantage of those. Needless to say, it was an easy assignment and I encouraged them to completing it by giving it a high point value. I wish I could show you some of the papers I received. After one full week, at least half of my students turned in four or five sentences which basically amounted to “I should have come to tutoring”. I was slightly appalled. It’s not the first time this has happened however, and I don’t expect it to be the last. I –do– understand that they are just teenagers. What’s a little more disconcerting is the fact that we witness adults with the same attitude on a daily basis. Colossians 3:17 tells us “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” What exactly does this mean? Well, being told to do something in the name of Lord Jesus is a pretty powerful statement in and of itself. No more powerful a name exists, and certainly there is nothing we can do to bless our actions more than committing them in the name of Jesus Christ. When you consider the fact that there is no being that exceeds in power and no bigger commitment a person can make (than to Christ), how can we possibly deny Him this small request? God has given us our positions, and as such we should sanctify them. Daily we should pray for our bosses, pray for our customers and consumers, and consider in spirit the way we handle aspects of our job. By doing our very best, are we not giving glory to God? If you have a job, God has blessed you with something many in this economy lack. He has provided, Jehovah Jireh, and we should thank Him through our actions and tongue. It saddens me to see so many people as they perform in their job. So many people are content to sit back and leave tasks to other people, slap something together last minute, or lazily put something together. Not only do their activities lack in effort, but their attitudes are bordering on deplorable. How many times have you been frowned at by a cashier? How many times has someone been incompetent in handling your requests? How often do we face a lazy sales representative? Unfortunately, this is becoming all too common. Even in our public schools, the job and responsibility of education has become a joke. Teachers no longer have to write their own material,l and can (and do!) pull worksheets off the internet and out of books. Lesson plans are readily available through a simple google search, and most principals could care less about what goes on inside the classroom so long as the kids are passing. It’s no wonder that our economy and job market are suffering: nobody has to, or has the motivation to, actually do their jobs. Effort is minimal and results are nearly futile. I am mainly interested in saying this: Just because our ‘work’ has been made easy does not mean that we should not put our best foot forward. We need to set higher standards for ourselves. By doing little and complaining when we feel we must do more, we are only insulting God. God made us to do amazing things, and if we have low standards for our performance, we are telling God that we do not care to have confidence in our capabilities. Let me give you a simple example: If I were to line my students up, hold my hand about four inches off the ground and ask them to jump, what would happen? Most students would do just as I asked and jump….. four inches high. They would not strive to achieve more, they might complain, and they would believe themselves to only be capable of achieving that much because I’ve told them that’s all I believe they can do. However, if I were to hold my hand slightly above my knees and tell them to jump –that– high, how would things differ? First of all, my students would see that I have faith in their ability to do as I’ve asked. Since I have asked them to accomplish a more lofty goal, they will see that I value them more. They would probably tell me that I’m asking for the impossible but if I encouraged them enough, I can guarantee they’d all jump higher than four inches. What changed? God has high expectations for us. This does not mean He hates us and wants to make our lives hard. It means He loves us and He believes we are capable beings. He holds those high expectations for us because he values us and knows that we can do as He has asked. He will –never– give us more than we can handle… this I know. Let’s look at the story of Cain and Abel. In Genesis 4, Adam and Eve give birth to two sons. I’m sure this brought them great joy, and I’m willing to bet they were quite excited to watch their sons grown in the Lord. To me, it’s no wonder that the first story of the brothers is one of its caliber. Why didn’t God choose to discuss other events in their lives first? It’s something to consider: that this was how God inspired Genesis’ author to proceed… not with stories from their childhood, but with the story of their offering. After working hard in the field, Cain and Abel bring forth offerings to the Lord. Abel kept the sheep while Cain kept the ground. When they brought forth their offerings however, the Lord was not pleased with Cain. Cain had brought fruit of the ground while Able had brought the firstlings of his flock. I’ve heard many Christians question why God was angry with Cain. Did God not like Cain? Was He not in the mood for fruit? While I have reason to argue that God had instructed them to bring meat, this is not the point I am going to argue. Instead, let’s look at what God has to say, when Cain questions God’s dissatisfaction. In verse 7, God continues to address Cain: “If you do well, shall you not be accepted and if you do not well, sin lies at the door. And to you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him.” Here in this very verse lies our answer! Cain had not –done well–. In other words, Cain had not strove to be his best. He had not put forth his strongest effort and he had slacked. As such, Cain had failed to glorify God. Interestingly enough, however, God has more to say on the issue. In short, He warns of what will happen when we do not perform well at your job: Sin lies at your door. Like a shadow, it will follow you and try to lure you into a relaxed attitude in glorifying God. Proverbs is full of tidbits which warn against laziness and describe how laziness in one area of your life starts to affect all areas. Being lazy at your job only opens the door to be lazy in your relationship with Christ. Consider Ecclesiastes 10:10. “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.” I probably cannot verbalize just how important this verse is. This verse advises us not only against laziness, but also about not improving ourselves. Today’s society moves fast. It is constantly changing and evolving. How true is it, that if we don’t move along with it, we will only have to work harder? People who insist on sticking to the ‘old way’ of doing things typically are the ones which stress themselves out the most and are frowned upon most often. It’s true that there are some methods from the past better kept today (hence the limitation on this verse: IF the iron be –blunt–, or in other words, defective), but we can’t remain solely stuck on all of them. The verse above is a perfect example of how we are supposed to increase our abilities. It’s not enough to go to my job and perform well. I must also –excel–. I should attend the professional development meetings and not whine about them. I should take notes and try to apply what I have learned. I should also try and become better at my job with every opportunity I get. This seems like a foreign idea to many, but here in Ecclesiastes is scr Let me leave you with one last verse. 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us the following: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” When we take pride in our work, we show that we are not ashamed to use the abilities God has given us. We glorify Him through are willingness to work hard, and as such we can be witnesses for Christ. Don’t be ashamed to take His blessing and bless others with it. How could we be so selfish as to keep the source of our joy to ourselves? In conclusion, work hard. Don’t fall into the wiles of the world. It’s tempting to be lazy, meet minimum requirements, and selfishly out pour our emotions on our customers and consumers. Bring the smile back to the work place and strive to improve. Bring glory to God by recognizing how He has blessed you and making the most of that blessing. When it comes to work, always consider the ant… This is a thread in which I will be posting a few devotionals. I hope to write at least one a week, but if I can write more, I will. I have simply a few requests: 1. This is not a debate thread. Do not post in spite. If you find an error in my reasoning, let me know in a loving manner. Do not turn this into a debate or argument however. If you are one of the outspoken Christian haters, stay off this thread. It's not for you anyways. 2. This is for edification and motivation. If you find verses which support my line of thought, please share! I'm not perfect, and God may show you something I was blind to. In a world where tasks are over- simplified, it’s all too easy to fall into the slump of not doing our best at a job. I myself see this all the time: people not striving to reach their full potential. Even in the classroom, my students don’t try to be all they can be. Just recently, I asked them to write a page on all the opportunities they had received in my class and on all the doings which have had an effect on their grade. I even gave them examples of all the opportunities I myself have given them, and then concluded that they could write about how they could start to take advantage of those. Needless to say, it was an easy assignment and I encouraged them to completing it by giving it a high point value. I wish I could show you some of the papers I received. After one full week, at least half of my students turned in four or five sentences which basically amounted to “I should have come to tutoring”. I was slightly appalled. It’s not the first time this has happened however, and I don’t expect it to be the last. I –do– understand that they are just teenagers. What’s a little more disconcerting is the fact that we witness adults with the same attitude on a daily basis. Colossians 3:17 tells us “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” What exactly does this mean? Well, being told to do something in the name of Lord Jesus is a pretty powerful statement in and of itself. No more powerful a name exists, and certainly there is nothing we can do to bless our actions more than committing them in the name of Jesus Christ. When you consider the fact that there is no being that exceeds in power and no bigger commitment a person can make (than to Christ), how can we possibly deny Him this small request? God has given us our positions, and as such we should sanctify them. Daily we should pray for our bosses, pray for our customers and consumers, and consider in spirit the way we handle aspects of our job. By doing our very best, are we not giving glory to God? If you have a job, God has blessed you with something many in this economy lack. He has provided, Jehovah Jireh, and we should thank Him through our actions and tongue. It saddens me to see so many people as they perform in their job. So many people are content to sit back and leave tasks to other people, slap something together last minute, or lazily put something together. Not only do their activities lack in effort, but their attitudes are bordering on deplorable. How many times have you been frowned at by a cashier? How many times has someone been incompetent in handling your requests? How often do we face a lazy sales representative? Unfortunately, this is becoming all too common. Even in our public schools, the job and responsibility of education has become a joke. Teachers no longer have to write their own material,l and can (and do!) pull worksheets off the internet and out of books. Lesson plans are readily available through a simple google search, and most principals could care less about what goes on inside the classroom so long as the kids are passing. It’s no wonder that our economy and job market are suffering: nobody has to, or has the motivation to, actually do their jobs. Effort is minimal and results are nearly futile. I am mainly interested in saying this: Just because our ‘work’ has been made easy does not mean that we should not put our best foot forward. We need to set higher standards for ourselves. By doing little and complaining when we feel we must do more, we are only insulting God. God made us to do amazing things, and if we have low standards for our performance, we are telling God that we do not care to have confidence in our capabilities. Let me give you a simple example: If I were to line my students up, hold my hand about four inches off the ground and ask them to jump, what would happen? Most students would do just as I asked and jump….. four inches high. They would not strive to achieve more, they might complain, and they would believe themselves to only be capable of achieving that much because I’ve told them that’s all I believe they can do. However, if I were to hold my hand slightly above my knees and tell them to jump –that– high, how would things differ? First of all, my students would see that I have faith in their ability to do as I’ve asked. Since I have asked them to accomplish a more lofty goal, they will see that I value them more. They would probably tell me that I’m asking for the impossible but if I encouraged them enough, I can guarantee they’d all jump higher than four inches. What changed? God has high expectations for us. This does not mean He hates us and wants to make our lives hard. It means He loves us and He believes we are capable beings. He holds those high expectations for us because he values us and knows that we can do as He has asked. He will –never– give us more than we can handle… this I know. Let’s look at the story of Cain and Abel. In Genesis 4, Adam and Eve give birth to two sons. I’m sure this brought them great joy, and I’m willing to bet they were quite excited to watch their sons grown in the Lord. To me, it’s no wonder that the first story of the brothers is one of its caliber. Why didn’t God choose to discuss other events in their lives first? It’s something to consider: that this was how God inspired Genesis’ author to proceed… not with stories from their childhood, but with the story of their offering. After working hard in the field, Cain and Abel bring forth offerings to the Lord. Abel kept the sheep while Cain kept the ground. When they brought forth their offerings however, the Lord was not pleased with Cain. Cain had brought fruit of the ground while Able had brought the firstlings of his flock. I’ve heard many Christians question why God was angry with Cain. Did God not like Cain? Was He not in the mood for fruit? While I have reason to argue that God had instructed them to bring meat, this is not the point I am going to argue. Instead, let’s look at what God has to say, when Cain questions God’s dissatisfaction. In verse 7, God continues to address Cain: “If you do well, shall you not be accepted and if you do not well, sin lies at the door. And to you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him.” Here in this very verse lies our answer! Cain had not –done well–. In other words, Cain had not strove to be his best. He had not put forth his strongest effort and he had slacked. As such, Cain had failed to glorify God. Interestingly enough, however, God has more to say on the issue. In short, He warns of what will happen when we do not perform well at your job: Sin lies at your door. Like a shadow, it will follow you and try to lure you into a relaxed attitude in glorifying God. Proverbs is full of tidbits which warn against laziness and describe how laziness in one area of your life starts to affect all areas. Being lazy at your job only opens the door to be lazy in your relationship with Christ. Consider Ecclesiastes 10:10. “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.” I probably cannot verbalize just how important this verse is. This verse advises us not only against laziness, but also about not improving ourselves. Today’s society moves fast. It is constantly changing and evolving. How true is it, that if we don’t move along with it, we will only have to work harder? People who insist on sticking to the ‘old way’ of doing things typically are the ones which stress themselves out the most and are frowned upon most often. It’s true that there are some methods from the past better kept today (hence the limitation on this verse: IF the iron be –blunt–, or in other words, defective), but we can’t remain solely stuck on all of them. The verse above is a perfect example of how we are supposed to increase our abilities. It’s not enough to go to my job and perform well. I must also –excel–. I should attend the professional development meetings and not whine about them. I should take notes and try to apply what I have learned. I should also try and become better at my job with every opportunity I get. This seems like a foreign idea to many, but here in Ecclesiastes is scr Let me leave you with one last verse. 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us the following: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” When we take pride in our work, we show that we are not ashamed to use the abilities God has given us. We glorify Him through are willingness to work hard, and as such we can be witnesses for Christ. Don’t be ashamed to take His blessing and bless others with it. How could we be so selfish as to keep the source of our joy to ourselves? In conclusion, work hard. Don’t fall into the wiles of the world. It’s tempting to be lazy, meet minimum requirements, and selfishly out pour our emotions on our customers and consumers. Bring the smile back to the work place and strive to improve. Bring glory to God by recognizing how He has blessed you and making the most of that blessing. When it comes to work, always consider the ant… |
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| Singelli |
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Great post  Just wanted to add the reference in the Bible about the ant. We are to be like the ant in that we should not need a supervisor, manager, or any sort of guide/inspector to come around making sure we are doing our work and that we are doing it well. We should seek to excel in our work even in areas where no one would notice.Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Just wanted to add the reference in the Bible about the ant. We are to be like the ant in that we should not need a supervisor, manager, or any sort of guide/inspector to come around making sure we are doing our work and that we are doing it well. We should seek to excel in our work even in areas where no one would notice.Proverbs 6:6-11 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. |
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| Silence Accomplishes Naught |
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12-11-12 10:00 PM
Singelli is Offline
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Singelli
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In a world of instant gratification, low moral ethics, and lack of sympathy, it's all too easy for anyone to find themselves depressed. I myself have had a recent and horrifying experience in this area though I'm never one to be emotionally fatigued. Usually, I'm a happy go lucky, quick to forgive type of girl. However, I allowed Satan to creep into my heart and hold me hostage to negative feelings. As I come out of this phase, I've noticed that many people on vizzed and in real life are experiencing the same thing. It's nothing to laugh about, and certainly a deepening concern for most people. I've been relieved about coming out of it, but I've felt a little sadness for those who are still suffering. Therefore, I'd like to offer my advice:
Wrap yourself up in the comfort God's Word can provide. Throughout all of scripture, there are verses written which discuss the comfort and peace God's Law can bring, the manner in which it can settle our inner spirit, and how it can enrich our lives. The bible is often called the Bread of life, and it is advised that we write it onto our very hearts. Paul was one of the biggest proponents of this ideology and he speaks about it quite often in the book of Romans. In Romans 7: 10-22, Paul discusses the war between the law of the flesh and the law of the spirit. He starts off with talking about how the law is holy and just, reminding readers that God's law is very spiritual and our bodies are carnal and inclined to sin. He talks of the fact that sin is similar to death, and in Romans 22 he finally states: For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: What is Paul referring to? Well in reference to the battle of the spirit, the apostle Paul is reminding himself that though the battle be tough, it's possible to be victorious through God's Word if we delight ourselves in it. In this, we can find hope that there is victory through an intimate knowledge of God's laws. Consider Psalm 119. It's the longest chapter in the bible, and what does it discuss? What do the 176 verses detail? God's Law. The writer of Psalm 119 does nothing other than praise God's Word, and uses 9 synonyms to describe it. He calls it law, testimony, judgement, statutes, words, precepts, commandments, promises, and the way. He praises and thanks God for it, showing appreciation for the impact it has had in his life. Even the author of this chapter holds expectations for what God's Words will do for him. In verses 26 - 28, he writes: I have declared my ways, and you heard me: teach me your statutes. Make me to understand the way of your precepts: so shall I talk of your wondrous works. My soul melts for heaviness: strengthen me according to your word. Has your heart ever felt heavy? Take comfort in the fact that God can strengthen you through His law. The Law also brings more positive feelings, as verse 165 gives evidence of: Great peace have they which love your law: and nothing shall offend them. When we are strengthened, we feel refreshed and ready to take on the world. We feel like we can handle tasks that previously seemed unbearable and we feel more willing to smile. However, simply -reading- the Word is not enough. We must study it, understand it, and memorize it. David spent much time writing about this, and in Psalm 40: 8, he writes "I delight to do your will, O my God: yes, your law is within my heart." In seriousness, this should be your desire: you should hold so much love for what God has to say, that you should wish for it to be upon your heart at all times There are periods in our lives where this seems almost impossible. When I was going through my own depression, I felt as though I would never smile again. I quite reading His Holy Word as often and I did not care to remedy it. I didn't understand why I couldn't climb out of my pit, and one day I decided I would delve back into the Bread. It was like medicine for my soul, and the more I study, the more I feel as though I am healing. I'm not the only one to feel this way. While the psalm verse I mentioned above is quite popular, I think many Christians do not quite understand its implications. In order to understand the depth of it, let's look a little into David's story. David is well known for facing the Philistine giant giant and a few other trials, but the man faced many more giants that aren't as well known. What strikes me about Psalm 40:8 was the fact that David has the wisdom to recognize the benefit of God's law in what might possibly be the most depressing events of his life. We can find the story in 2 Samuel 18. As a bit of background knowledge, David did not have much luck with raising ethically strong children. Ammon who was one of David's sons, manipulated his father into instructing him to take breakfast to his sick sister, Tamar. He then proceeded to rape her and abandon her in her dismay. Absalom advised her to keep silent about the matter and then shut her up in his own house. When David was finally made aware of the event, it vexed his spirit. Although many would think that Amnon's penalty should be death, this is not in accordance to old testament law. Exodus 22: 16 - 17, and Deuteronomy 22:28-29 lay out the law, stating that any man who lies with a woman forcefully must pay fity shekels of silver and then marry her. He is not allowed to divorce her all of his days. In her distress, Tamar begged Amnon to ask for permission to marry her, but Amnon refused. He wanted nothing to do with her, but it didn't excuse him from not marrying her. Only David's refusal to give her hand would have pardoned him from his transgression of not marrying her. Absolom, however, sought vengeance. He hated what his half- brother had done, and hated to see Tamar in her depression. He decided in his heart that he wanted to kill Amnon. He told Tamar to keep quiet because he wanted personal vengeance without the interference of the legal law. This also prevented David from being able to take action against Amnon under the law of Moses. Due to Absolom's actions, David had reason to be wroth with them both. Two years later, Absalom took Amnon's life by deceving his father and distracting him with Tamar. David experienced great grief over the loss of Amnon, but he at least was able to seek comfort in the fact that the matter was solved and David could move on with his life. However, Absalom knew that what he had done was wrong, and so he fled and remained a fugitive in Geshur. David, though upset with Absalom, loved him as his son. He knew Absalom would be put to death for murder, and so Joab made an effort to help David in re- connecting with his son. Manipulating many people, Joab was able to bring Absalom back to Israel. Because of Joab's manipulation and trickery, David promises to ensure that Absalom will not be harmed. Instead, Absalom would be made to stay within his own house, much in the way Absalom kept Tamar desolate in his own house for so many years. After 2 years, Absalom decides that he has had enough of his punishment. He becomes bitter, involves himself in mischief to gain attention, and demands an audience with David. He did not feel that he was guilty of his actions since he had done so to seek his own version of justice for what had been done to Tamar. David finally agrees and seems to have forgiven Absalom. He kisses him and releases Absalom of his punishment. He allows Absalom to acquire a chariot and horses, and 50 men to service him. Absalom takes full advantage. Using his charm and wit, he begins to scheme behind David's back, partaking in activities which make him look good, and David very bad. He lies to travelers about what his father has done or said, and he does this for four years. Decieving David into thinking his motives are good, Absalom leaves with a small army and convinces the tribes of Israel to declare allegiance to him as opposed to his father. One son dead and his daughter raped and shut up for life, David must now face the fact that his own son has overthrown his power by undermining his authority (and after David had forgiven him, nonetheless!). Eventually, David attempts to re-aquire his throne and must battle his own son. He instructs his men to deal gently with Absalom, but Absalom is killed by Joab during the fight. David returns to his reclaimed throne and then continues his reign. Can you imagine going through so many years of emotional abuse and pain? And then can you imagine sitting on your throne and yet praising God? This is exactly what David did when he wrote those words: "I delight to do your will, O my God: yes, your law is within my heart". David, amazingly, found comfort in God's Word during this time. If God's word can comfort a man in such a heart- wrenching period of his life.... what more can it do for us? I'm sure most of us have not witnessed such horrors, or been dethroned by loved ones.. at least not physically. Next time you feel as though you cannot foresee any happiness, consider the strength David found. Your Word, God, is a lamp unto my feet. Wrap yourself up in the comfort God's Word can provide. Throughout all of scripture, there are verses written which discuss the comfort and peace God's Law can bring, the manner in which it can settle our inner spirit, and how it can enrich our lives. The bible is often called the Bread of life, and it is advised that we write it onto our very hearts. Paul was one of the biggest proponents of this ideology and he speaks about it quite often in the book of Romans. In Romans 7: 10-22, Paul discusses the war between the law of the flesh and the law of the spirit. He starts off with talking about how the law is holy and just, reminding readers that God's law is very spiritual and our bodies are carnal and inclined to sin. He talks of the fact that sin is similar to death, and in Romans 22 he finally states: For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: What is Paul referring to? Well in reference to the battle of the spirit, the apostle Paul is reminding himself that though the battle be tough, it's possible to be victorious through God's Word if we delight ourselves in it. In this, we can find hope that there is victory through an intimate knowledge of God's laws. Consider Psalm 119. It's the longest chapter in the bible, and what does it discuss? What do the 176 verses detail? God's Law. The writer of Psalm 119 does nothing other than praise God's Word, and uses 9 synonyms to describe it. He calls it law, testimony, judgement, statutes, words, precepts, commandments, promises, and the way. He praises and thanks God for it, showing appreciation for the impact it has had in his life. Even the author of this chapter holds expectations for what God's Words will do for him. In verses 26 - 28, he writes: I have declared my ways, and you heard me: teach me your statutes. Make me to understand the way of your precepts: so shall I talk of your wondrous works. My soul melts for heaviness: strengthen me according to your word. Has your heart ever felt heavy? Take comfort in the fact that God can strengthen you through His law. The Law also brings more positive feelings, as verse 165 gives evidence of: Great peace have they which love your law: and nothing shall offend them. When we are strengthened, we feel refreshed and ready to take on the world. We feel like we can handle tasks that previously seemed unbearable and we feel more willing to smile. However, simply -reading- the Word is not enough. We must study it, understand it, and memorize it. David spent much time writing about this, and in Psalm 40: 8, he writes "I delight to do your will, O my God: yes, your law is within my heart." In seriousness, this should be your desire: you should hold so much love for what God has to say, that you should wish for it to be upon your heart at all times There are periods in our lives where this seems almost impossible. When I was going through my own depression, I felt as though I would never smile again. I quite reading His Holy Word as often and I did not care to remedy it. I didn't understand why I couldn't climb out of my pit, and one day I decided I would delve back into the Bread. It was like medicine for my soul, and the more I study, the more I feel as though I am healing. I'm not the only one to feel this way. While the psalm verse I mentioned above is quite popular, I think many Christians do not quite understand its implications. In order to understand the depth of it, let's look a little into David's story. David is well known for facing the Philistine giant giant and a few other trials, but the man faced many more giants that aren't as well known. What strikes me about Psalm 40:8 was the fact that David has the wisdom to recognize the benefit of God's law in what might possibly be the most depressing events of his life. We can find the story in 2 Samuel 18. As a bit of background knowledge, David did not have much luck with raising ethically strong children. Ammon who was one of David's sons, manipulated his father into instructing him to take breakfast to his sick sister, Tamar. He then proceeded to rape her and abandon her in her dismay. Absalom advised her to keep silent about the matter and then shut her up in his own house. When David was finally made aware of the event, it vexed his spirit. Although many would think that Amnon's penalty should be death, this is not in accordance to old testament law. Exodus 22: 16 - 17, and Deuteronomy 22:28-29 lay out the law, stating that any man who lies with a woman forcefully must pay fity shekels of silver and then marry her. He is not allowed to divorce her all of his days. In her distress, Tamar begged Amnon to ask for permission to marry her, but Amnon refused. He wanted nothing to do with her, but it didn't excuse him from not marrying her. Only David's refusal to give her hand would have pardoned him from his transgression of not marrying her. Absolom, however, sought vengeance. He hated what his half- brother had done, and hated to see Tamar in her depression. He decided in his heart that he wanted to kill Amnon. He told Tamar to keep quiet because he wanted personal vengeance without the interference of the legal law. This also prevented David from being able to take action against Amnon under the law of Moses. Due to Absolom's actions, David had reason to be wroth with them both. Two years later, Absalom took Amnon's life by deceving his father and distracting him with Tamar. David experienced great grief over the loss of Amnon, but he at least was able to seek comfort in the fact that the matter was solved and David could move on with his life. However, Absalom knew that what he had done was wrong, and so he fled and remained a fugitive in Geshur. David, though upset with Absalom, loved him as his son. He knew Absalom would be put to death for murder, and so Joab made an effort to help David in re- connecting with his son. Manipulating many people, Joab was able to bring Absalom back to Israel. Because of Joab's manipulation and trickery, David promises to ensure that Absalom will not be harmed. Instead, Absalom would be made to stay within his own house, much in the way Absalom kept Tamar desolate in his own house for so many years. After 2 years, Absalom decides that he has had enough of his punishment. He becomes bitter, involves himself in mischief to gain attention, and demands an audience with David. He did not feel that he was guilty of his actions since he had done so to seek his own version of justice for what had been done to Tamar. David finally agrees and seems to have forgiven Absalom. He kisses him and releases Absalom of his punishment. He allows Absalom to acquire a chariot and horses, and 50 men to service him. Absalom takes full advantage. Using his charm and wit, he begins to scheme behind David's back, partaking in activities which make him look good, and David very bad. He lies to travelers about what his father has done or said, and he does this for four years. Decieving David into thinking his motives are good, Absalom leaves with a small army and convinces the tribes of Israel to declare allegiance to him as opposed to his father. One son dead and his daughter raped and shut up for life, David must now face the fact that his own son has overthrown his power by undermining his authority (and after David had forgiven him, nonetheless!). Eventually, David attempts to re-aquire his throne and must battle his own son. He instructs his men to deal gently with Absalom, but Absalom is killed by Joab during the fight. David returns to his reclaimed throne and then continues his reign. Can you imagine going through so many years of emotional abuse and pain? And then can you imagine sitting on your throne and yet praising God? This is exactly what David did when he wrote those words: "I delight to do your will, O my God: yes, your law is within my heart". David, amazingly, found comfort in God's Word during this time. If God's word can comfort a man in such a heart- wrenching period of his life.... what more can it do for us? I'm sure most of us have not witnessed such horrors, or been dethroned by loved ones.. at least not physically. Next time you feel as though you cannot foresee any happiness, consider the strength David found. Your Word, God, is a lamp unto my feet. |
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| Singelli |
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Note: David did give me permission to post without a 'buffer' post between each devotional.
The world has come to a point in which it is centered around sex. The media discusses it in every form and fashion, it's used as a marketing tool more and more frequently, and even entertainment is hardly ever devoid of it. It's no wonder that young people are consistently curious about it and less and less concerned with purity. Our teens and young adults have been taught that relationships are for instant gratification and fail to see that dating relationships should be the pre-cursor for a much larger commitment. Dating is a confusing world for Christians to be thrown into... with tug and pull from both spiritual and earthly desires. However, the answer to our questions can (as always) be found in the bible. In fact, there is so much scripture on this very subject that I could write 10,000 words and still not cover it all. As I was reading my Bible this morning, I came across verse upon verse upon verse that I wished to use, so I might actually split this into two devotionals. Let's see where the Lord takes me on this journey of discovery and edification. Most everyone is familiar with certain scripture. Often paraphrased "Love is kind...", 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7 is a favorite among many believers. However, I think most of what I write today can be summarized using another verse. 2 Timothy 2: 22 tells us "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that all on the Lord out of a pure heart." Although this verse is addressing the issue of a man cleansing his own heart and being careful with what company he keeps, I believe it to be applicable to the dating world. When most men and women first start dating, they are often concerned with who looks good, sounds good, or makes them feel good. In essence, their view on relationships is very selfish and all about THEY want. After all, dating is meant to be in search of a possible spouse, so why not look for something they desire? While this is in part correct, it focuses too much on the earthly aspect of love and family. It was one of the reasons Paul so often advised against marriage. Was he a hater of Considering the scripture and ideas above, the natural line of questioning draws to "What do I look for in a partner?" After all, if your own heart is right after God and you feel as though you can keep your spiritual focus in place, it's an important next step to know how and where to look. There are no such things as soul mates, so it's improbable to expect one to show up. Proverbs 18 : 22 says that a man who finds a wife, finds a good thing.. insinuating that a search must take place. There is a difference in the expectations of someone who is saved and someone who is unsaved. In speaking to a group of unbelievers, "Jesus answered and said to them, You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." (Matthew 22 : 29 - 30) What could this possibly mean and how should it change your perspective? Well, when the unsaved view their partners and spouses, they see their situation as temporary. To people of no faith at all, a spouse is similar to a temporary possession which is lost upon death. After all, if heaven and hell do not exist then a person's being ceases at death. Comparatively and from a Christian standpoint, spouses are in submission to one another (we'll discuss that word later) also unto death. The difference is what happens after death. We simply cannot view our spouses (or possible spouses) from an earthly perspective and we must consider that both saved husbands and saved wives have the same glorious inheritance. A husband or wife which has a relationship with Christ understands that there is no marriage or gender distinction in heaven. Thus it becomes all that much more important to have our focus in the right place: Christ. Life on earth, gender, and marriages are temporary. There is life beyond death which extends into eternity. Does this mean that spouses should treat each other in disdain and an uncaring heart? Does this mean that marriages should be treated as though they are important? Absolutely not. The Bible speaks about what we should seek in a partner and how we should treat that partner in almost every book. Clearly, looking for the right person and the way which we treat that person are super crucial. In essence, a believer will only know what to search for if he/ she knows what their spouse's biblical obligations consist of. Instead of being concerned with first kisses and desires of the loin, it's more important than ever to remain chaste and keep focused. 1 Corinthians 15: 33 says "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." and the same book (chapter 6, verse 13) states "Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body." Fornication is defined as voluntary sex between two unmarried adults. By being concerned with lustful desires, we are ignoring that the body is not designed for sexual immorality and it will be destroyed. If we dare to tarnish our bodily temples for temporary satisfaction, what have we accomplished? More importantly, what have we lost? The bible makes it quite clear that if we tie ourselves to immoral people, we ourselves will be corrupted. Instead of being so eager on exploring each other's bodies, we need to focus on our spiritual futures. When we date, this should always be on the forefront of our minds. Kissing, holding hands, and sex are all great and fun, but they can also wait until marriage. We have whole lifetimes ahead of us, and eternity to consider beyond that. Remaining pure helps us to keep that heavenly vision we should aim for and keeps lust from clouding our focus. Besides that, chastity is a way of honoring your future spouse, yourself, and God. Marriage is a great adventure full of discoveries, and intimate discoveries are some of the most special for young husbands and wives. I've seen and heard of people mocked for waiting until a wedding day to kiss or be intimate, but in what better way could you show someone how much you love them and value them? Biblical laws against fornication are not to prevent people from having fun. Laws against fornication and adultery help to protect people from social, legal, and economic consequences. The same laws protect young men and women from being exploited and abandoned. Almost nothing is more detrimental to someone's emotional well- being as having to face the consequences of carelessness. Proverbs 19: 1 - 2 gives some good insight: "Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hastens with his feet sins." If we cannot keep our desires and lust in check, we will fall into sin. It's unavoidable. It is better to take a relationship slowly and use that time to gauge if who you are dating will be a fitting mate. This does not mean you should look for who will give you the 'best time', but it means looking for someone that understands how your focus should be an ever- growing relationship with God. A spouse should desire to glorify God just as you should desire to know Him better. When we focus on sexual desires, we lose that knowledge and become distracted. It's a hard and vicious cycle to pull out of and we chance getting stranded by it. Why risk losing something so precious as His inheritance for the sake of a few physical pleasures? Security in Christ should be the winning point of any marriage, with pleasures in each other prioritized next. It is only once this has been established that a couple can move forward in their spiritual growth. This means valuing each other and God enough to wait for such things. Respect a prospective spouse's relationship with God and have the decency to respect your own. I got off on a tangent without covering half of the scripture I dug up, so I'm going to end this devotional here. I have plenty to write about and I aim to focus on what young couples should do after they've established a foundation of chastity, respect, and honor. For now, consider the importance of purity and how it affects your relationship with Christ. "You were bought with a price. Be not servants of men." 1 Corinthians 7: 23 The world has come to a point in which it is centered around sex. The media discusses it in every form and fashion, it's used as a marketing tool more and more frequently, and even entertainment is hardly ever devoid of it. It's no wonder that young people are consistently curious about it and less and less concerned with purity. Our teens and young adults have been taught that relationships are for instant gratification and fail to see that dating relationships should be the pre-cursor for a much larger commitment. Dating is a confusing world for Christians to be thrown into... with tug and pull from both spiritual and earthly desires. However, the answer to our questions can (as always) be found in the bible. In fact, there is so much scripture on this very subject that I could write 10,000 words and still not cover it all. As I was reading my Bible this morning, I came across verse upon verse upon verse that I wished to use, so I might actually split this into two devotionals. Let's see where the Lord takes me on this journey of discovery and edification. Most everyone is familiar with certain scripture. Often paraphrased "Love is kind...", 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7 is a favorite among many believers. However, I think most of what I write today can be summarized using another verse. 2 Timothy 2: 22 tells us "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that all on the Lord out of a pure heart." Although this verse is addressing the issue of a man cleansing his own heart and being careful with what company he keeps, I believe it to be applicable to the dating world. When most men and women first start dating, they are often concerned with who looks good, sounds good, or makes them feel good. In essence, their view on relationships is very selfish and all about THEY want. After all, dating is meant to be in search of a possible spouse, so why not look for something they desire? While this is in part correct, it focuses too much on the earthly aspect of love and family. It was one of the reasons Paul so often advised against marriage. Was he a hater of Considering the scripture and ideas above, the natural line of questioning draws to "What do I look for in a partner?" After all, if your own heart is right after God and you feel as though you can keep your spiritual focus in place, it's an important next step to know how and where to look. There are no such things as soul mates, so it's improbable to expect one to show up. Proverbs 18 : 22 says that a man who finds a wife, finds a good thing.. insinuating that a search must take place. There is a difference in the expectations of someone who is saved and someone who is unsaved. In speaking to a group of unbelievers, "Jesus answered and said to them, You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." (Matthew 22 : 29 - 30) What could this possibly mean and how should it change your perspective? Well, when the unsaved view their partners and spouses, they see their situation as temporary. To people of no faith at all, a spouse is similar to a temporary possession which is lost upon death. After all, if heaven and hell do not exist then a person's being ceases at death. Comparatively and from a Christian standpoint, spouses are in submission to one another (we'll discuss that word later) also unto death. The difference is what happens after death. We simply cannot view our spouses (or possible spouses) from an earthly perspective and we must consider that both saved husbands and saved wives have the same glorious inheritance. A husband or wife which has a relationship with Christ understands that there is no marriage or gender distinction in heaven. Thus it becomes all that much more important to have our focus in the right place: Christ. Life on earth, gender, and marriages are temporary. There is life beyond death which extends into eternity. Does this mean that spouses should treat each other in disdain and an uncaring heart? Does this mean that marriages should be treated as though they are important? Absolutely not. The Bible speaks about what we should seek in a partner and how we should treat that partner in almost every book. Clearly, looking for the right person and the way which we treat that person are super crucial. In essence, a believer will only know what to search for if he/ she knows what their spouse's biblical obligations consist of. Instead of being concerned with first kisses and desires of the loin, it's more important than ever to remain chaste and keep focused. 1 Corinthians 15: 33 says "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." and the same book (chapter 6, verse 13) states "Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body." Fornication is defined as voluntary sex between two unmarried adults. By being concerned with lustful desires, we are ignoring that the body is not designed for sexual immorality and it will be destroyed. If we dare to tarnish our bodily temples for temporary satisfaction, what have we accomplished? More importantly, what have we lost? The bible makes it quite clear that if we tie ourselves to immoral people, we ourselves will be corrupted. Instead of being so eager on exploring each other's bodies, we need to focus on our spiritual futures. When we date, this should always be on the forefront of our minds. Kissing, holding hands, and sex are all great and fun, but they can also wait until marriage. We have whole lifetimes ahead of us, and eternity to consider beyond that. Remaining pure helps us to keep that heavenly vision we should aim for and keeps lust from clouding our focus. Besides that, chastity is a way of honoring your future spouse, yourself, and God. Marriage is a great adventure full of discoveries, and intimate discoveries are some of the most special for young husbands and wives. I've seen and heard of people mocked for waiting until a wedding day to kiss or be intimate, but in what better way could you show someone how much you love them and value them? Biblical laws against fornication are not to prevent people from having fun. Laws against fornication and adultery help to protect people from social, legal, and economic consequences. The same laws protect young men and women from being exploited and abandoned. Almost nothing is more detrimental to someone's emotional well- being as having to face the consequences of carelessness. Proverbs 19: 1 - 2 gives some good insight: "Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hastens with his feet sins." If we cannot keep our desires and lust in check, we will fall into sin. It's unavoidable. It is better to take a relationship slowly and use that time to gauge if who you are dating will be a fitting mate. This does not mean you should look for who will give you the 'best time', but it means looking for someone that understands how your focus should be an ever- growing relationship with God. A spouse should desire to glorify God just as you should desire to know Him better. When we focus on sexual desires, we lose that knowledge and become distracted. It's a hard and vicious cycle to pull out of and we chance getting stranded by it. Why risk losing something so precious as His inheritance for the sake of a few physical pleasures? Security in Christ should be the winning point of any marriage, with pleasures in each other prioritized next. It is only once this has been established that a couple can move forward in their spiritual growth. This means valuing each other and God enough to wait for such things. Respect a prospective spouse's relationship with God and have the decency to respect your own. I got off on a tangent without covering half of the scripture I dug up, so I'm going to end this devotional here. I have plenty to write about and I aim to focus on what young couples should do after they've established a foundation of chastity, respect, and honor. For now, consider the importance of purity and how it affects your relationship with Christ. "You were bought with a price. Be not servants of men." 1 Corinthians 7: 23 |
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| Singelli |
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12-15-12 03:45 PM
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I hope you don't mind my posting without having anything to add. I just wanted to say, I appreciate this entry in your devotional. Especially after the day I've had. Keep up the good work. Digging in God's word to find what He says is always helpful to us all. |
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| Eirinn |
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12-19-12 01:36 PM
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This is something I wrote the last week of November, but hesitated to share. I watered it down for the sake of putting it here.
Warning: Some mature content. Global Mods : Please ignore my word count for this post, as a quarter of it is likely scripture from the bible. I recently had a very disturbing dream. In this dream I still lived with my blood relatives. We were sitting in the background, enjoying some common chit chat while watching the family pets. Oddly enough, those family pets happened to be two lambs and a goat. The goat would harass the lambs and try to knock them down while they pranced about the yard, and we were expressing concern over the issue. The sky was dark and only getting darker, so we decided to head inside. Once there, we all stood at the windows facing the yard to see how the pets behaved towards one another. However, something else quickly caught our attention. My dad saw it before the rest of us, turning his back away with a curse word, and it didn’t take us long to figure out what had him so upset. Glancing out into the black sky we noticed a giant ball of flame hurtling towards the earth. Apparently, my father had a ‘vision’ a few weeks ago which prophesied this event and he had been mocked for it. The rest of us watched in horror as the meteor shot through the atmosphere. We watched as it crashed into the town below our house (we were housed on top of a hill overlooking the city), and we watched in horror as everything began to collapse. In the dream, we all knew what was happening: the earth was being destroyed. While my family lacks faith and most likely thought this to be a scientific oddity, I knew that this was an act of God. Now, usually in a dream like this, I don’t find the fate before me to be so terrifying. If I –do– begin to feel terrified, I am usually able to recognize my dream as a dream, and I can snap out of it. The weirdest part of this dream is that it felt more real than any dream I’ve ever had. I’m 25 years old, and I can tell you…. I’ve had a lot of dreams. As I sat there watching the earth crumble beneath us, I watched the gaping hole creep towards our house, everything in its path being consumed into a dark pit. My stomach turned when I realized I was going to die, and there was no way I could escape it. Every nightmare seemed a joke as I faced ‘the end’, and my throat constricted. Even running, I knew, was hopeless. My father turned his back to the window. “If we pretend it isn’t happening, it won’t hurt,” he advised us. I remember wanting to laugh… thinking about how his denial of the facts changed nothing. And then the ground finally collapsed beneath my feet. I thought “This is it. I’m dying.” I feel in towards the dark pit, waiting for the imminent snap of my back against the debris being swept downwards with me. As I saw my head approaching a piece of concrete in the darkness, I only had enough time to close my eyes before I died. Once I was dead, I found myself in an empty, formless void The area around me was pitch black, and I remember being acutely aware of the fact I was dead. The fact alone made me want to weep. I had no more chance to correct the mistakes in my life… no more time to enjoy those sweet things that make life worth living.. I was dead. Then, suddenly out of the darkness, and angel of the Lord appeared. I don’t remember if He said anything to me or if he remained quiet, but I do remember the feeling of being judged. I swallowed and a projection showed next to the angel. I was made to watch a ‘film’ of my life. My sins, my faults, and my mistakes were played out before my eyes. I saw all the wrong I had committed in my life… the times I hadn’t repented or hadn’t cared enough to heed God’s warnings. The angel watched me silently and I realized: I was doomed for hell. The thought was so terrifying…. so… definite that I felt I –must– be dreaming. I tried and tried to make myself wake up, but nothing changed. The video kept playing, and I realized that my fate was clear. Nothing… nothing in the whole world could have convinced me that I was dreaming. This is how real the dream felt. That…. realization that I was doomed for hell was like no other feeling I’ve had in my entire life. I fell to my knees and began to sob and wail. Was it too late? Now, as I stood on the precipice between those pearly gates and a fiery pit, was it too late to feel remorse? I knew it was. My heart sank like a rock and I could only weep.. begging God for forgiveness. I told Him how sorry I was… how awful I had been… and I begged him mercilessly for another chance to prove myself. Another chance to dedicate my life to Him in the way I should have. But deep down, I knew I didn’t deserve such a chance, and I knew that my place was hell. I will never, ever be able to describe to anyone how real this dream felt, and how horrible the reality of hell feels. I mean, we are all taught that hell is a place of wailing and gnashing of teeth, and that no happiness abounds there. But as far as our imaginations extend, the reality of it cannot be truly fathomed. Suddenly in my dream, I was out of the dark place. I was sitting in a booth at a restaurant, and I knew…. God had chosen to give me another chance. In all His mercy and kindness… He had given me what I could not possibly deserve. I wept, and I re-dedicated my life to God. To all my readers: I feel what I experienced was real. I cannot convey it to you, but I can only give you my word. I honestly feel like God sent an angel into my dreams to warn me of my dangerous lifestyle, and I honestly feel as though I was standing on that fork in the road. It took me a long time to wake up, as though my body was still fighting with the idea that God was giving me another chance. When my eyes finally opened and I found myself in my own bed, breathing fresh, clean air… I was appalled. I was filled with gratitude that God had shown me mercy in His infinite love, and I prayed and talked with Him. Readers, I am far from perfect. I think there tends to be a misconception amongst believers and non-believers alike, that Christians are to be perfect. I’d like to remind everyone that perfection is not a reality. As Christians, we are to STRIVE towards perfect. Jesus was the perfect example of what a walk in God is like, and we are to evermore persevere towards that image and lifestyle. So what happens when we sin? When we make a grievous mistake, and we find ourselves questioning our own fate? I am here to tell you that there is a difference between stumbling and living a sinful lifestyle. This is a crucial distinction to make and determines whether we are in God’s graces or forfeited to hell’s flames. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. My dream caused me to step back and seriously consider how I had been handling my life. Where had I gone wrong? What was causing the frailty of my willpower, and how could I help others who might be in the same predicament? One of the most prevalent sins in our culture is that of sexual immorality. The internet especially has made access to porn, erotica, and quick meaningless sex all too easy. I’m here to confess: I was one of those living in a sinful lifestyle of sexual immorality. I didn’t screw up and masturbate once or twice… I didn’t get lonely one day and look at some porn… nor did I have a lustful thought about co-worker. As sinners, we are accustomed to unsavory desires because we are part flesh and part Spirit. I can’t imagine a single person not having had these struggles at least once. The difference between stumbling however, and living the lifestyle is clear: Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Repentance, as my parents often tell me about apologies, means little if you continue doing whatever it was you felt the need to repent. For example, if I viewed explicit images today and claimed to repent…. but went on to view more images tomorrow…. I have not truly repented. If I live, day by day to please my flesh, then I have no repented. I fell in the latter category. Stemming from a long history of weak family relationships and a lack of self-confidence, I’ve always felt unlovable and undesirable. I’ve always had the tendency to beat up on myself and loathe everything that concerns my own physical and mental characteristics. I’ve felt that I couldn’t possibly be as good as people have claimed me to be, and that I could never deserve the love which others show me. This self-doubt and lack of self- value are things Satan has placed upon my heart. I know this now, and for years I’ve succumbed to it. I’ve let Satan encourage me to bring myself down into a pit of loathing. Things became so bad that seeking self-pleasure wasn’t enough to appease my broken heart. Lonely and feeling worthless, I began to search for ways to feel desired and at the same time, feed my self-hatred. It didn’t take me long to find an erotic role-playing site, and it touched on my deepest and most twisted desires. I started role-playing eroticism to extreme levels, and most of the scenarios I played were ones in which projections of myself were degraded, humiliated, and abused. I felt, for once, that I was being ‘put in my place’ in these fantasies, seeking writing partners who would call my characters foul names and treat them less than human. I began to seek porn of the same nature, often pleasuring myself at the thought of ‘getting what I deserved’. For months, this detrimental behavior was all I knew to appease my depression about life. I knew it was wrong. I’ve read enough of my bible and I’ve had a relationship with Christ long enough to know better. I would feel guilty, but I’d let my hatred get in the way of doing what was right. Little did I think about the fact that God’s patience is exhaustible. Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteousness man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. John 8:24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins. We can’t assume God will always be forgiving. There comes a point in our lives when we have sinned long enough, and failed to repent long enough, that God will become deaf to our pleas. Many people think that God will always forgive, as though it is His obligation, and they decide they will live life as they want to and then have a deathbed conversion. Well I am telling you that this is no way to live. If you behave in your life as though you can come to God on your deathbed, you are living a sinful lifestyle, and there will be no forgiveness for you. Ephesians 5:5 For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not therefore partakers with them. 8 For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is n all goodness and righteousness and truth 10 Proving what is acceptable to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things you would. 18 But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. There are many lifestyles which will separate us from God’s eternal love, as listed in the verses above. I only people would take the time to skim these few verses, they’d see some of those sinful lifestyles: Fornication – voluntary sex between two unmarried people Lasciviousness – sexual interest or lust, anything which arouses (such as pornography) Emulations– The attempt to pull others down to your level… a desire to equal or excel others; jealous rivalry Sedition – inciting discontent with an authority figure or government; rebellious disorder Variance: - a departure from the cause of action originally stated; wrongfully giving special permission to a select group of people Witchcraft – Yes, even witchcraft is one of these sinful lifestyles. Things extend far beyond these few ways of living though. Did you know that any kind of sexual desire or unusual sensual longing is a sin (concupiscence)? Even extreme, uncontrollable affection is something we are advised against: Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetnous, which is idolatry: 6: For which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience Now, here’s an issue… I know many people argue that masturbation and pornography is not sinful… that appreciating another’s body is perfectly fine. The Bible, however, clearly tells us that these are abhorrent acts: Matthew 5:28 But I say to you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29: And if your right eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members shall perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell. This is the lifestyle I was living, and one I fear many people fall into. We want to give ourselves an excuse to say such actions are okay. We want to tell ourselves that if our thoughts don’t manifest themselves, that we are not sinning. Yet clearly the Bible tells us that even the thoughts are sinful. How do we combat our flesh? How do we avoid those desires and fight the temptation? Well, the Bible gives us clear instructions: 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body. 19 What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? 20 For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. Look at those three verses again. Our body is a holy temple. Our spirit belongs to God. Who are we to defile such wonderful things? For me, my time of viewing porn and writing erotic fantasies stemmed from my inability to appreciate this simple fact. I fantasized about being sexually tormented and viewed porn in which women were dominated and humiliated simply because I hated myself. Reading those verses, how could I possibly hate my body or my personality? God creates only beautiful things, and it is Satan that seeks to destroy that beauty. If only I and others could appreciate the fact that our body is a resting place of God, we could learn to appreciate its value and worth. Why would I want my body to be abused? Why would I want something that God created with his own two hands to be thrown to the side like a piece of worthless garbage? I can guarantee you that God would not want to see His creations treated in such a way. I can only imagine the pain I have given God when I have treated my own body with disdain. The next time you feel urged to look at porn or masturbate, remember these verses. Remember how much you are worth in God’s eyes and keep in mind that He loves you. He does not want you to hate that which He has made. You are desirable, and you are worth everything. In fact, you were worth the life of God’s only son, who died so that we might live. As the book of Hebrews tells us, straighten your feet and hold up your chin. Let your body and your heart heal. The war against our flesh is rough, but God will see us through if we depend on Him. Don’t be discouraged if you stumble, but don’t be blind enough to live the lifestyle and brush it off as though you’ve stumbled. Take the time to evaluate what really matters in your life and take action in that direction before it’s too late and you are left with no more chances. Be blessed. Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is before us, 2: Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3: For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds. 4: You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin. 5: And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to children, My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him: 6: For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. 7: If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? 8: But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. 9: Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? 10: For they verily for a few days chastened after us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11: Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby. 12: Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13: And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed." This is something I wrote the last week of November, but hesitated to share. I watered it down for the sake of putting it here.
Warning: Some mature content. Global Mods : Please ignore my word count for this post, as a quarter of it is likely scripture from the bible. I recently had a very disturbing dream. In this dream I still lived with my blood relatives. We were sitting in the background, enjoying some common chit chat while watching the family pets. Oddly enough, those family pets happened to be two lambs and a goat. The goat would harass the lambs and try to knock them down while they pranced about the yard, and we were expressing concern over the issue. The sky was dark and only getting darker, so we decided to head inside. Once there, we all stood at the windows facing the yard to see how the pets behaved towards one another. However, something else quickly caught our attention. My dad saw it before the rest of us, turning his back away with a curse word, and it didn’t take us long to figure out what had him so upset. Glancing out into the black sky we noticed a giant ball of flame hurtling towards the earth. Apparently, my father had a ‘vision’ a few weeks ago which prophesied this event and he had been mocked for it. The rest of us watched in horror as the meteor shot through the atmosphere. We watched as it crashed into the town below our house (we were housed on top of a hill overlooking the city), and we watched in horror as everything began to collapse. In the dream, we all knew what was happening: the earth was being destroyed. While my family lacks faith and most likely thought this to be a scientific oddity, I knew that this was an act of God. Now, usually in a dream like this, I don’t find the fate before me to be so terrifying. If I –do– begin to feel terrified, I am usually able to recognize my dream as a dream, and I can snap out of it. The weirdest part of this dream is that it felt more real than any dream I’ve ever had. I’m 25 years old, and I can tell you…. I’ve had a lot of dreams. As I sat there watching the earth crumble beneath us, I watched the gaping hole creep towards our house, everything in its path being consumed into a dark pit. My stomach turned when I realized I was going to die, and there was no way I could escape it. Every nightmare seemed a joke as I faced ‘the end’, and my throat constricted. Even running, I knew, was hopeless. My father turned his back to the window. “If we pretend it isn’t happening, it won’t hurt,” he advised us. I remember wanting to laugh… thinking about how his denial of the facts changed nothing. And then the ground finally collapsed beneath my feet. I thought “This is it. I’m dying.” I feel in towards the dark pit, waiting for the imminent snap of my back against the debris being swept downwards with me. As I saw my head approaching a piece of concrete in the darkness, I only had enough time to close my eyes before I died. Once I was dead, I found myself in an empty, formless void The area around me was pitch black, and I remember being acutely aware of the fact I was dead. The fact alone made me want to weep. I had no more chance to correct the mistakes in my life… no more time to enjoy those sweet things that make life worth living.. I was dead. Then, suddenly out of the darkness, and angel of the Lord appeared. I don’t remember if He said anything to me or if he remained quiet, but I do remember the feeling of being judged. I swallowed and a projection showed next to the angel. I was made to watch a ‘film’ of my life. My sins, my faults, and my mistakes were played out before my eyes. I saw all the wrong I had committed in my life… the times I hadn’t repented or hadn’t cared enough to heed God’s warnings. The angel watched me silently and I realized: I was doomed for hell. The thought was so terrifying…. so… definite that I felt I –must– be dreaming. I tried and tried to make myself wake up, but nothing changed. The video kept playing, and I realized that my fate was clear. Nothing… nothing in the whole world could have convinced me that I was dreaming. This is how real the dream felt. That…. realization that I was doomed for hell was like no other feeling I’ve had in my entire life. I fell to my knees and began to sob and wail. Was it too late? Now, as I stood on the precipice between those pearly gates and a fiery pit, was it too late to feel remorse? I knew it was. My heart sank like a rock and I could only weep.. begging God for forgiveness. I told Him how sorry I was… how awful I had been… and I begged him mercilessly for another chance to prove myself. Another chance to dedicate my life to Him in the way I should have. But deep down, I knew I didn’t deserve such a chance, and I knew that my place was hell. I will never, ever be able to describe to anyone how real this dream felt, and how horrible the reality of hell feels. I mean, we are all taught that hell is a place of wailing and gnashing of teeth, and that no happiness abounds there. But as far as our imaginations extend, the reality of it cannot be truly fathomed. Suddenly in my dream, I was out of the dark place. I was sitting in a booth at a restaurant, and I knew…. God had chosen to give me another chance. In all His mercy and kindness… He had given me what I could not possibly deserve. I wept, and I re-dedicated my life to God. To all my readers: I feel what I experienced was real. I cannot convey it to you, but I can only give you my word. I honestly feel like God sent an angel into my dreams to warn me of my dangerous lifestyle, and I honestly feel as though I was standing on that fork in the road. It took me a long time to wake up, as though my body was still fighting with the idea that God was giving me another chance. When my eyes finally opened and I found myself in my own bed, breathing fresh, clean air… I was appalled. I was filled with gratitude that God had shown me mercy in His infinite love, and I prayed and talked with Him. Readers, I am far from perfect. I think there tends to be a misconception amongst believers and non-believers alike, that Christians are to be perfect. I’d like to remind everyone that perfection is not a reality. As Christians, we are to STRIVE towards perfect. Jesus was the perfect example of what a walk in God is like, and we are to evermore persevere towards that image and lifestyle. So what happens when we sin? When we make a grievous mistake, and we find ourselves questioning our own fate? I am here to tell you that there is a difference between stumbling and living a sinful lifestyle. This is a crucial distinction to make and determines whether we are in God’s graces or forfeited to hell’s flames. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. My dream caused me to step back and seriously consider how I had been handling my life. Where had I gone wrong? What was causing the frailty of my willpower, and how could I help others who might be in the same predicament? One of the most prevalent sins in our culture is that of sexual immorality. The internet especially has made access to porn, erotica, and quick meaningless sex all too easy. I’m here to confess: I was one of those living in a sinful lifestyle of sexual immorality. I didn’t screw up and masturbate once or twice… I didn’t get lonely one day and look at some porn… nor did I have a lustful thought about co-worker. As sinners, we are accustomed to unsavory desires because we are part flesh and part Spirit. I can’t imagine a single person not having had these struggles at least once. The difference between stumbling however, and living the lifestyle is clear: Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Repentance, as my parents often tell me about apologies, means little if you continue doing whatever it was you felt the need to repent. For example, if I viewed explicit images today and claimed to repent…. but went on to view more images tomorrow…. I have not truly repented. If I live, day by day to please my flesh, then I have no repented. I fell in the latter category. Stemming from a long history of weak family relationships and a lack of self-confidence, I’ve always felt unlovable and undesirable. I’ve always had the tendency to beat up on myself and loathe everything that concerns my own physical and mental characteristics. I’ve felt that I couldn’t possibly be as good as people have claimed me to be, and that I could never deserve the love which others show me. This self-doubt and lack of self- value are things Satan has placed upon my heart. I know this now, and for years I’ve succumbed to it. I’ve let Satan encourage me to bring myself down into a pit of loathing. Things became so bad that seeking self-pleasure wasn’t enough to appease my broken heart. Lonely and feeling worthless, I began to search for ways to feel desired and at the same time, feed my self-hatred. It didn’t take me long to find an erotic role-playing site, and it touched on my deepest and most twisted desires. I started role-playing eroticism to extreme levels, and most of the scenarios I played were ones in which projections of myself were degraded, humiliated, and abused. I felt, for once, that I was being ‘put in my place’ in these fantasies, seeking writing partners who would call my characters foul names and treat them less than human. I began to seek porn of the same nature, often pleasuring myself at the thought of ‘getting what I deserved’. For months, this detrimental behavior was all I knew to appease my depression about life. I knew it was wrong. I’ve read enough of my bible and I’ve had a relationship with Christ long enough to know better. I would feel guilty, but I’d let my hatred get in the way of doing what was right. Little did I think about the fact that God’s patience is exhaustible. Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteousness man his thoughts: and let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. John 8:24 I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins. We can’t assume God will always be forgiving. There comes a point in our lives when we have sinned long enough, and failed to repent long enough, that God will become deaf to our pleas. Many people think that God will always forgive, as though it is His obligation, and they decide they will live life as they want to and then have a deathbed conversion. Well I am telling you that this is no way to live. If you behave in your life as though you can come to God on your deathbed, you are living a sinful lifestyle, and there will be no forgiveness for you. Ephesians 5:5 For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not therefore partakers with them. 8 For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is n all goodness and righteousness and truth 10 Proving what is acceptable to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things you would. 18 But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. There are many lifestyles which will separate us from God’s eternal love, as listed in the verses above. I only people would take the time to skim these few verses, they’d see some of those sinful lifestyles: Fornication – voluntary sex between two unmarried people Lasciviousness – sexual interest or lust, anything which arouses (such as pornography) Emulations– The attempt to pull others down to your level… a desire to equal or excel others; jealous rivalry Sedition – inciting discontent with an authority figure or government; rebellious disorder Variance: - a departure from the cause of action originally stated; wrongfully giving special permission to a select group of people Witchcraft – Yes, even witchcraft is one of these sinful lifestyles. Things extend far beyond these few ways of living though. Did you know that any kind of sexual desire or unusual sensual longing is a sin (concupiscence)? Even extreme, uncontrollable affection is something we are advised against: Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetnous, which is idolatry: 6: For which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience Now, here’s an issue… I know many people argue that masturbation and pornography is not sinful… that appreciating another’s body is perfectly fine. The Bible, however, clearly tells us that these are abhorrent acts: Matthew 5:28 But I say to you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29: And if your right eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members shall perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell. This is the lifestyle I was living, and one I fear many people fall into. We want to give ourselves an excuse to say such actions are okay. We want to tell ourselves that if our thoughts don’t manifest themselves, that we are not sinning. Yet clearly the Bible tells us that even the thoughts are sinful. How do we combat our flesh? How do we avoid those desires and fight the temptation? Well, the Bible gives us clear instructions: 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body. 19 What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? 20 For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. Look at those three verses again. Our body is a holy temple. Our spirit belongs to God. Who are we to defile such wonderful things? For me, my time of viewing porn and writing erotic fantasies stemmed from my inability to appreciate this simple fact. I fantasized about being sexually tormented and viewed porn in which women were dominated and humiliated simply because I hated myself. Reading those verses, how could I possibly hate my body or my personality? God creates only beautiful things, and it is Satan that seeks to destroy that beauty. If only I and others could appreciate the fact that our body is a resting place of God, we could learn to appreciate its value and worth. Why would I want my body to be abused? Why would I want something that God created with his own two hands to be thrown to the side like a piece of worthless garbage? I can guarantee you that God would not want to see His creations treated in such a way. I can only imagine the pain I have given God when I have treated my own body with disdain. The next time you feel urged to look at porn or masturbate, remember these verses. Remember how much you are worth in God’s eyes and keep in mind that He loves you. He does not want you to hate that which He has made. You are desirable, and you are worth everything. In fact, you were worth the life of God’s only son, who died so that we might live. As the book of Hebrews tells us, straighten your feet and hold up your chin. Let your body and your heart heal. The war against our flesh is rough, but God will see us through if we depend on Him. Don’t be discouraged if you stumble, but don’t be blind enough to live the lifestyle and brush it off as though you’ve stumbled. Take the time to evaluate what really matters in your life and take action in that direction before it’s too late and you are left with no more chances. Be blessed. Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is before us, 2: Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3: For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds. 4: You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin. 5: And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to children, My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked of him: 6: For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. 7: If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? 8: But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. 9: Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? 10: For they verily for a few days chastened after us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11: Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby. 12: Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13: And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed." |
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Registered: 08-09-12
Location: Alabama
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| Singelli |
Affected by 'Laziness Syndrome'
Registered: 08-09-12
Location: Alabama
Last Post: 2526 days
Last Active: 2502 days
12-19-12 03:57 PM
merf is Offline
| ID: 705209 | 50 Words
merf is Offline
| ID: 705209 | 50 Words
merf
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merfeo7
mrfe
merfeo7
Level: 133
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POST EXP: 340235
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Singelli : Wow. All I can say is wow. That sounds freaky. It took alot of courage to write that, I admire that. I've never had a dream like that, and I can't say that I want to after your account. You've given me alot to think about. Praying for you... |
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Singelli : Wow! I'm happy that that happened, because now your not going to hell! Though that must have been really really REALLY scary! It made me think of how I've been! Thank you for writing this! |
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| Bible believing tactician magician. |
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Sorry for taking so long to read your newest devotionals. I had some free time today and decided I'd catch up. YOUR 12/11/12 POST QUOTE SINGELLI: "Usually, I'm a happy go lucky, quick to forgive type of girl. However, I allowed Satan to creep into my heart and hold me hostage to negative feelings." Yes, it is never a good thing when that happens. Anything that takes brings us down, brings ill feelings, sadness, depression, strong wrath, resentment, etcetera is not of God and will always cause us to commit a sin that has lasting effects on our lives and often on those around us as well. Some great scripture on that topic and love your use of the David's issues concerning Absalom as well. YOUR 12/15/12 POST Great posts. The scriptures you used and how you implemented them gives a very strong understanding and a power to the words you are speaking the lesson you are sharing. I loved how the verse you used: Proverbs 19: 1 - 2 "Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hastens with his feet sins." YOUR 12/19/12 POST This devotional is incredible. A lot of people could benefit from reading it in full. I noticed that there was no post yesterday though you've been posting every 4 days. When are you posting the next one? YOUR 12/11/12 POST QUOTE SINGELLI: "Usually, I'm a happy go lucky, quick to forgive type of girl. However, I allowed Satan to creep into my heart and hold me hostage to negative feelings." Yes, it is never a good thing when that happens. Anything that takes brings us down, brings ill feelings, sadness, depression, strong wrath, resentment, etcetera is not of God and will always cause us to commit a sin that has lasting effects on our lives and often on those around us as well. Some great scripture on that topic and love your use of the David's issues concerning Absalom as well. YOUR 12/15/12 POST Great posts. The scriptures you used and how you implemented them gives a very strong understanding and a power to the words you are speaking the lesson you are sharing. I loved how the verse you used: Proverbs 19: 1 - 2 "Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hastens with his feet sins." YOUR 12/19/12 POST This devotional is incredible. A lot of people could benefit from reading it in full. I noticed that there was no post yesterday though you've been posting every 4 days. When are you posting the next one? |
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jasonkelli : I was going to post one yesterday and today, but I haven't been in the right mind and spirit. I only just woke up from a long nap and I'm not really feeling up to it right now. However, thank you for the words of encouragement. I was going to get to it today, but I don't think I can, and tomorrow I will be away from the house. I will try on Thursday. Thank you for the responses though. I will try on Thursday. Thank you for the responses though. |
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I've been meaning to write a second devotional based off the post I wrote on the 15th, but I had a lot of issues I was dealing with in real life. Thus, this is the second part of that devotional.
How should two people in love treat each other? There seems to be a lot of misconceptions between the unsaved and saved community alike, and much of the time I find that it's the woman's role which is focused on the most. The bible, however, does not focus solely on one role and in fact tells both husbands and wives how they should treat their spouses. Since dating is the conventional way to find a spouse, much of the issues here can also be applied to the way we should treat our dates. First of all, one of the most important pieces of advice we can take from the Word before we choose a spouse, is not to be unequally yoked. 2 Corinthians 6:14 states this quite clearly: Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what comm Does this mean it is a sin to marry an unbeliever? In my opinion it does. The bible tells us how to deal with unequally yoked marriages not because it's alright to join such a Paul wasn't even comfortable with the idea of marriage, as I mentioned in the first part of this study. He was aware of our earthly tendencies: to take care of one another in such away that we lose focus on God. 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35 does a pretty good job of summarizing his feelings. He discusses the fact that unmarried men and women focus on God, but that once they are married they put more focus on pleasing their spouse. In the end of the passage he states: And this I speak for your own profit: not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction. He felt so strongly on the issue that he wrote about it many times, but he wasn't the only one to do so. Keeping this in mind as we move forward, realize that the best thing any couple can do to ensure a happy marriage is to keep their focus on God rather than each other. How should a wife treat her husband? How should she behave in general? When a woman looks for advice in the bible on how she should be a good wife, it's quite common to turn to Proverbs 31. As it so happens, this is also one of my own favorite passages in the bible. Here's the problem: I think many women misunderstand it. Many of the women I know seem to view this passage as one of empowerment and some even use it to fuel the whole feminist agenda. They point out the fact that a jewel of a wife works. I agree. However, have you ever taken the time to read the passage carefully? Verse 13 states: She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands. Verse 16 says: She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. Verse 19: She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. Verse 24: She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant. And finally, verse 31: Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. What do all of these verses have in common? They all mention occupations that can be done at home, or with minimal time away from home: A tailor, a gardener, a seamstress, a seller in a market. Does a woman have power? Yes, but it comes from within the home. I believe a virtuous woman should work at home, produce merchandise, and the go out to sell it. This isn't to mean that a woman is anti-social. This isn't to mean that a woman is only capable of doing less than a man. Too often when I express this opinion, others are all too willing to start screaming foul. Think about the wisdom, the resourcefulness, and the dedication it takes to run a home business. A woman who does this is not taking the easy way out. She depends on herself to do all these things while managing her own household and children. In fact, this is the very reason Paul advises women take this route. In this way, a woman can honorably provide while being there for her children and husband. I know that in this economy it seems nearly impossible to work from home, but I also understand how much time from family is stolen by the workplace. As a working wife myself, it's hard to find time to devote to my husband,keep the house clean, and study the Bible. I can only imagine what would happen if children were added to my responsibilities. Think of all the children in daycare because of both parents working. While not -all- daycare places are bad, there are few which help your children grow spiritually. Families are becoming less tightly knit together because of issues like these. A woman who does her work at home is less likely to feel exhausted from the day's work. Again, this does not mean she becomes a reclusive hermit. A woman has every right to spend time with her girl friends or even by herself. There is nothing wrong with this and in fact it is a healthy habit. However, a woman can take fuller advantage of relaxation time knowing that house and family are taken care of. It keeps a wife fresh on her toes and always ready to be a wife and mother. What else does this passage tell us? A desirable wife is full of energy. This thought only occurred to me recently when I was considering the various aspects of this chapter. A prized wife does so much that she would never be able to keep up with it all if she was slothful or slow to take action. She is independent enough to recognize what needs to be done, and to do it. She knows how to add to the family finances by working with her hands, and she consistently keeps her body fit and strong. Evidence of this can be found in verse 17: She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms. Not only should she be physically fit, but to work from home means that a woman should be knowledgeable enough about the market to know what work would be beneficial and what would be a waste of time. She's constantly on the move and constantly trying to learn. This quality, men, is something you should look for in a wife. But I feel as though I've discussed Proverbs 31 enough. Let's discuss what's on everyone's mind: the issue of 'submission'. Should a wife be submissive YES! Does that make her a slave? NO! Although Paul advises against marriage often, it is no secret that women were created to be helpmates to their husbands. Genesis 2:18 makes it clear that it is not good for man to be alone. Did you ever wonder at the fact that God presented Adam with all of the animals, and Adam did not find one among them that was worthy to be his helper? Genesis 2:18 says "And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help mate for him." Then, Eve was formed from Adam's rib. I read something interesting once that hypothesized why it was that she was formed from his rib. She wasn't formed from his head as though to symbolize that she should rule over him, nor was she formed from his feet as though she should be trampled underneath him. Instead, she was formed from his rib, symbolizing the fact that she is to be by his side, and close to his heart. Furthermore, woman was not formed from the dust like Adam was. She was formed directly from man. Another foul that feminists like to cry is that the Bible states women are inferior to men. This is not true. In fact, whenever the Bible discusses a wife's submission, it is always to her own husband..... NOT to all men in general. A woman does not have to submit to every man that comes across her path. A woman should never marry any man she is not willing to be submissive to. This doesn't mean she should submit to every man she dates since the Bible does not instruct all women to submit to all men. Instead, this means that a willingness to submit to her partner is a good sign of having found 'the one'. Another -great- passage that is often overlooked is 1 Peter 3. This chapter as a whole discusses the relationship between a husband and wife, often comparing it to the relationship between Christ and the church. While I'm not going to copy paste the whole chapter here, I strongly advise you go and read it. Verses 1-6 discuss a desirable woman's attributes, among them silence, gentleness, and a quiet spirit. The last part of verse 4 says that such characteristics are valuable in God's sight. Verse 3 and 4 read (When discussing wives): Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. This basically states that a woman should not be concerned with beautifying her outward appearance, but in perfecting her inward spirit: the hidden man of the heart. In conclusion, what does all of this mean? Men, seek women who are full of energy, resourceful, willing to submit, meek, gentle, and concerned with inward beauty. Wives, work hard and take care of the house and children, while adding to the provision of your home. Strive to maintain a meek and respectful spirit, and above all stay focused on God. Just as men have their own obligations, women have roles endowed to them by God. Why dishonor Him by straying from that role? Since I went into great length on the role of the wife, I shall save the role of the husband for the next devotional. I'll also discuss more biblical aspects and definitions of 'submission', but I have so much more to say that I fear losing readers if I continue. Until I get to the next devotional, be blessed! Colossians 3:18-19 Wives, submit yourself to your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. How should two people in love treat each other? There seems to be a lot of misconceptions between the unsaved and saved community alike, and much of the time I find that it's the woman's role which is focused on the most. The bible, however, does not focus solely on one role and in fact tells both husbands and wives how they should treat their spouses. Since dating is the conventional way to find a spouse, much of the issues here can also be applied to the way we should treat our dates. First of all, one of the most important pieces of advice we can take from the Word before we choose a spouse, is not to be unequally yoked. 2 Corinthians 6:14 states this quite clearly: Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what comm Does this mean it is a sin to marry an unbeliever? In my opinion it does. The bible tells us how to deal with unequally yoked marriages not because it's alright to join such a Paul wasn't even comfortable with the idea of marriage, as I mentioned in the first part of this study. He was aware of our earthly tendencies: to take care of one another in such away that we lose focus on God. 1 Corinthians 7: 32-35 does a pretty good job of summarizing his feelings. He discusses the fact that unmarried men and women focus on God, but that once they are married they put more focus on pleasing their spouse. In the end of the passage he states: And this I speak for your own profit: not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction. He felt so strongly on the issue that he wrote about it many times, but he wasn't the only one to do so. Keeping this in mind as we move forward, realize that the best thing any couple can do to ensure a happy marriage is to keep their focus on God rather than each other. How should a wife treat her husband? How should she behave in general? When a woman looks for advice in the bible on how she should be a good wife, it's quite common to turn to Proverbs 31. As it so happens, this is also one of my own favorite passages in the bible. Here's the problem: I think many women misunderstand it. Many of the women I know seem to view this passage as one of empowerment and some even use it to fuel the whole feminist agenda. They point out the fact that a jewel of a wife works. I agree. However, have you ever taken the time to read the passage carefully? Verse 13 states: She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands. Verse 16 says: She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. Verse 19: She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. Verse 24: She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant. And finally, verse 31: Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. What do all of these verses have in common? They all mention occupations that can be done at home, or with minimal time away from home: A tailor, a gardener, a seamstress, a seller in a market. Does a woman have power? Yes, but it comes from within the home. I believe a virtuous woman should work at home, produce merchandise, and the go out to sell it. This isn't to mean that a woman is anti-social. This isn't to mean that a woman is only capable of doing less than a man. Too often when I express this opinion, others are all too willing to start screaming foul. Think about the wisdom, the resourcefulness, and the dedication it takes to run a home business. A woman who does this is not taking the easy way out. She depends on herself to do all these things while managing her own household and children. In fact, this is the very reason Paul advises women take this route. In this way, a woman can honorably provide while being there for her children and husband. I know that in this economy it seems nearly impossible to work from home, but I also understand how much time from family is stolen by the workplace. As a working wife myself, it's hard to find time to devote to my husband,keep the house clean, and study the Bible. I can only imagine what would happen if children were added to my responsibilities. Think of all the children in daycare because of both parents working. While not -all- daycare places are bad, there are few which help your children grow spiritually. Families are becoming less tightly knit together because of issues like these. A woman who does her work at home is less likely to feel exhausted from the day's work. Again, this does not mean she becomes a reclusive hermit. A woman has every right to spend time with her girl friends or even by herself. There is nothing wrong with this and in fact it is a healthy habit. However, a woman can take fuller advantage of relaxation time knowing that house and family are taken care of. It keeps a wife fresh on her toes and always ready to be a wife and mother. What else does this passage tell us? A desirable wife is full of energy. This thought only occurred to me recently when I was considering the various aspects of this chapter. A prized wife does so much that she would never be able to keep up with it all if she was slothful or slow to take action. She is independent enough to recognize what needs to be done, and to do it. She knows how to add to the family finances by working with her hands, and she consistently keeps her body fit and strong. Evidence of this can be found in verse 17: She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms. Not only should she be physically fit, but to work from home means that a woman should be knowledgeable enough about the market to know what work would be beneficial and what would be a waste of time. She's constantly on the move and constantly trying to learn. This quality, men, is something you should look for in a wife. But I feel as though I've discussed Proverbs 31 enough. Let's discuss what's on everyone's mind: the issue of 'submission'. Should a wife be submissive YES! Does that make her a slave? NO! Although Paul advises against marriage often, it is no secret that women were created to be helpmates to their husbands. Genesis 2:18 makes it clear that it is not good for man to be alone. Did you ever wonder at the fact that God presented Adam with all of the animals, and Adam did not find one among them that was worthy to be his helper? Genesis 2:18 says "And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an help mate for him." Then, Eve was formed from Adam's rib. I read something interesting once that hypothesized why it was that she was formed from his rib. She wasn't formed from his head as though to symbolize that she should rule over him, nor was she formed from his feet as though she should be trampled underneath him. Instead, she was formed from his rib, symbolizing the fact that she is to be by his side, and close to his heart. Furthermore, woman was not formed from the dust like Adam was. She was formed directly from man. Another foul that feminists like to cry is that the Bible states women are inferior to men. This is not true. In fact, whenever the Bible discusses a wife's submission, it is always to her own husband..... NOT to all men in general. A woman does not have to submit to every man that comes across her path. A woman should never marry any man she is not willing to be submissive to. This doesn't mean she should submit to every man she dates since the Bible does not instruct all women to submit to all men. Instead, this means that a willingness to submit to her partner is a good sign of having found 'the one'. Another -great- passage that is often overlooked is 1 Peter 3. This chapter as a whole discusses the relationship between a husband and wife, often comparing it to the relationship between Christ and the church. While I'm not going to copy paste the whole chapter here, I strongly advise you go and read it. Verses 1-6 discuss a desirable woman's attributes, among them silence, gentleness, and a quiet spirit. The last part of verse 4 says that such characteristics are valuable in God's sight. Verse 3 and 4 read (When discussing wives): Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. This basically states that a woman should not be concerned with beautifying her outward appearance, but in perfecting her inward spirit: the hidden man of the heart. In conclusion, what does all of this mean? Men, seek women who are full of energy, resourceful, willing to submit, meek, gentle, and concerned with inward beauty. Wives, work hard and take care of the house and children, while adding to the provision of your home. Strive to maintain a meek and respectful spirit, and above all stay focused on God. Just as men have their own obligations, women have roles endowed to them by God. Why dishonor Him by straying from that role? Since I went into great length on the role of the wife, I shall save the role of the husband for the next devotional. I'll also discuss more biblical aspects and definitions of 'submission', but I have so much more to say that I fear losing readers if I continue. Until I get to the next devotional, be blessed! Colossians 3:18-19 Wives, submit yourself to your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. |
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(edited by JigSaw on 12-25-12 05:33 AM)
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(edited by jasonkelli on 12-25-12 05:24 AM)
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(edited by tRIUNE on 01-25-13 10:50 PM)
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mrfe : Thank you for the encouragement. I'm just very busy right now, and so it's hard for me to get to these in a timely manner. Once the summer starts, I should be able to write them a LOT more frequently, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm going to work on the last part of my marriage series devotional tomorrow after I get done teaching ACT Academy. jzrozzn8706: I do, yes. LOL KG : No longer needed. Sorry for the summon! But thanks for coming by anyways. ^.^ Have a great day! To everyone else, part three on marriages and the role of the husband will be up sometime tomorrow. jzrozzn8706: I do, yes. LOL KG : No longer needed. Sorry for the summon! But thanks for coming by anyways. ^.^ Have a great day! To everyone else, part three on marriages and the role of the husband will be up sometime tomorrow. |
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| Singelli |
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(edited by Singelli on 01-25-13 10:52 PM)
01-25-13 10:50 PM
tRIUNE is Offline
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tRIUNE is Offline
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tRIUNE
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I'll go ahead and edit it... |
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 Hero of Hyrule  |
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01-26-13 02:27 AM
jzrozzn8706 is Offline
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jzrozzn8706 is Offline
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jzrozzn8706
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Singelli : The one post about your dream and the devotional on that part of your life and the relating to scripture...wow. That's really neat. Very deep. Makes me reevaluate my life a little. Thank you.
Jak. Jak. |
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| None other! |
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