Folks often seem to go to one extreme or another.
On the one hand there are those who can get so stuck on one idea that they won't consider or permit any thoughts, arguments, or evidence to the contrary. They automatically dismiss anything that might smack of opposition and hastily label it "rubbish", "stupid", or "academic".
On the other hand, there are folks so open minded that their brains have fallen out. They are gullible enough to follow anyone and believe anything without questioning.
Too often people "hole up" with a pet belief that caters to their agenda -- then they sit back and call everyone else either "closed-minded" because they won't consider the pet belief; or, they will label others as "gullible" for not rejecting some idea that does not support the pet belief.
There are those who believe Christianity is about checking your brain at the door and living by "blind faith". That Christians will ignore the "reality" that the world's biased version of "science" presents.
Even within the religious community there are those that think the things of God are unknowable and we should never question. Teaching people not to think or ask questions just sets them up for falling into a cult.
To the contrary, Jesus assures us that we should ask, seek, and knock and expect an answer...
Luk 11:9 And I say to you, Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you.
James goes on to assure us that God wants us to have wisdom...
Jam 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him.
Jesus reaffirms the commandment says that we should include our mind in our worship of Him...
Mar 12:30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment.
Our goal should not be to live in one extreme or another. We should be 1) willing to critically examine evidence and follow where it leads; and, 2) seek until we find the answer that convinces us completely.
There are answers to our questions, and these answers are knowable. The secret is not to stop just when we feel "comfortable" with the answer. We should be sure of the answer regardless of how we feel about it, or how it might go contrary to our pet doctrines, beliefs, and vain philosophies of men.
Col 2:6-8 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone rob you through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ.
We are admonished to be firmly established in faith. To have a rooted, well grounded foundation to build upon. That way
The world's definition of faith is believing something without (or even spite of) evidence -- which is actually just wishful thinking or mental assent. So it is understandable that folks who have this definition in mind think that the Christian faith is just "blind" belief that flies in the face of reason.
Actually, the term "blind faith" is an oxymoron. The Bible definition of faith has at its core the concept that faith is the result of "knowing" something is true. That faith is based on and according to laws, precepts, and promises that existed before, and will exist long after our current physical existence. According to the Bible, there is nothing "blind" about faith. Conversely the Bible teaches that faith comes only after our eyes are opened.
Rom 10:17 Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Ours is NOT a "blind faith". It is not just blindly accepting some traditions or what some clever personality pandering for money has said.
It is based on something confirm-able, repeatable, and has withstood the test of time. It is based on hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
Build a good foundation from God's Word to stand on, for if you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Friday, December 08, 2006
Steps to Financial Freedom
Step 1: Build up $1000 in savings for emergency (something that threatens life, limb, or ability to work)
Step 2: Increase your net worth
a. Do not do anything that increases your debt. No loans, credit cards, etc...
b. Sell off or donate things you don't need
c. Exchange high payment items for lower payment items
d. Choose free or low cost activities instead of high price excursions
e. Do it yourself instead of hiring contractors
f. Do crafts for gifts instead of high price presents that end up in the trash, storage, or garage sale for 10cents. It'll mean more anyway.
g. Look for ways to cut expenses and save money. Get rid of leeches. Do you really need 500 cable channels? Getting rid of extra gadgets will also lower utility bills.
Step 3: Pay your food and utility bills; then, minimums on each debt bill, and anything left over send to pay extra on the lowest debt first.
Step 4: Once the lowest debt is payed off, then add what you were paying to pay off the next lowest. Repeat 3 & 4 until all debt is paid off. This gets results fast, and snowballs quickly.
Step 5: If you're not already, work up to giving at least 10% of what you make (before taxes) to God. Put the next 10% into savings and investments. Give to God first, and 'pay yourself' next.
Step 6: Pay bills, then put anything else toward building a secure, non-volatile but accessible nest egg of enough money to meet your living expenses for at least 3-6 months.
Step 7: You're there! You have security and no debt. Now you can breath easier, formulate a new budget and set immediate (within this year), near term (within 5 years), and long term (college, retirement, etc) goals.
a. Continue giving at least the first 10% to God.
b. Budget around 45% into savings and investments (at least 10% to long term savings and the rest for immediate and near-term goals -- buying a house, saving for college, vacations, car, etc).
c. You can now use the remainder for living expenses and anything left over is short term goals, gift giving, activities, and "mad-money".
Implement some self discipline:
1. If you can't buy it with cash, you don't need it. If there is something you want, it is far more satisfying to set goals and save up for it.
2. There is no 'good' debt, and you don't need a credit rating if you have the cash to pay for it.
3. A house is not an investment, it is a home. Don't commit to more house than you need. If you feel you 'have' to carry a debt, your mortgage should be the only one and you should work to pay it off early. Do not get a second mortgage or equity loan, and do not refinance.
4. Do not loan money to friends or family. If you can't afford to give it to them to keep, then don't.
Step 2: Increase your net worth
a. Do not do anything that increases your debt. No loans, credit cards, etc...
b. Sell off or donate things you don't need
c. Exchange high payment items for lower payment items
d. Choose free or low cost activities instead of high price excursions
e. Do it yourself instead of hiring contractors
f. Do crafts for gifts instead of high price presents that end up in the trash, storage, or garage sale for 10cents. It'll mean more anyway.
g. Look for ways to cut expenses and save money. Get rid of leeches. Do you really need 500 cable channels? Getting rid of extra gadgets will also lower utility bills.
Step 3: Pay your food and utility bills; then, minimums on each debt bill, and anything left over send to pay extra on the lowest debt first.
Step 4: Once the lowest debt is payed off, then add what you were paying to pay off the next lowest. Repeat 3 & 4 until all debt is paid off. This gets results fast, and snowballs quickly.
Step 5: If you're not already, work up to giving at least 10% of what you make (before taxes) to God. Put the next 10% into savings and investments. Give to God first, and 'pay yourself' next.
Step 6: Pay bills, then put anything else toward building a secure, non-volatile but accessible nest egg of enough money to meet your living expenses for at least 3-6 months.
Step 7: You're there! You have security and no debt. Now you can breath easier, formulate a new budget and set immediate (within this year), near term (within 5 years), and long term (college, retirement, etc) goals.
a. Continue giving at least the first 10% to God.
b. Budget around 45% into savings and investments (at least 10% to long term savings and the rest for immediate and near-term goals -- buying a house, saving for college, vacations, car, etc).
c. You can now use the remainder for living expenses and anything left over is short term goals, gift giving, activities, and "mad-money".
Implement some self discipline:
1. If you can't buy it with cash, you don't need it. If there is something you want, it is far more satisfying to set goals and save up for it.
2. There is no 'good' debt, and you don't need a credit rating if you have the cash to pay for it.
3. A house is not an investment, it is a home. Don't commit to more house than you need. If you feel you 'have' to carry a debt, your mortgage should be the only one and you should work to pay it off early. Do not get a second mortgage or equity loan, and do not refinance.
4. Do not loan money to friends or family. If you can't afford to give it to them to keep, then don't.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Balance
There is a widespread belief that 'balance' means mixing a little bad in with the good. There are religions, philosophies, and even doctrines taught in some Christian circles that teach everything good is balanced by something evil. Light is balanced by dark, yin-yang, and so forth.
According to the Bible, God created everything, and everything He created was Good. Evil was introduced later through the rebellion of satan and man. Evil is not an agent of balance, but a disease, a blemish, an abberation, an agent of rebellion.
God intended that Love provide the balance and bridge between His goodness and our badness.
According to the Bible, God created everything, and everything He created was Good. Evil was introduced later through the rebellion of satan and man. Evil is not an agent of balance, but a disease, a blemish, an abberation, an agent of rebellion.
God intended that Love provide the balance and bridge between His goodness and our badness.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Situational ethics
Situational ethics is just a way of saying you base your decisions only on a quick survey of the environment and jumping with whatever seems popular at the time. Either that, or the typical knee-jerk firefighting that all too often characterizes the contemporary manager.
Instead, one should make the best decision they can at the time based on ALL information available at the time. "All information available" includes not only the current state of the environment, but the experience and expertise of everyone involved as well as the moral and ethical codes that keep it all in proper perspective.
Moral and ethical codes are the tried and true values that have withstood the test of time.
Integrity should be used the filter the noise generated in an ever changing environment and allow focus on the really critical points that should drive a decision.
Instead, one should make the best decision they can at the time based on ALL information available at the time. "All information available" includes not only the current state of the environment, but the experience and expertise of everyone involved as well as the moral and ethical codes that keep it all in proper perspective.
Moral and ethical codes are the tried and true values that have withstood the test of time.
Integrity should be used the filter the noise generated in an ever changing environment and allow focus on the really critical points that should drive a decision.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is NOT about avoiding "punishment".
Forgiveness is all about rebuilding relationship.
When I break God's law, I can seek His forgiveness and with Him, the eternal slate is wiped clean because of Jesus. It is Jesus who bore God's wrath and took my punishment for me, and God has promised to remember my sins no more.
But, all too often, this can lead us to think forgiveness should wipe away ALL consequences as well. We then make the mistake of believing that God is punishing us for our sins, when we are merely reaping the fruit we have sown.
There is always damage from transgression. If I do something to violate another person's trust, I can repent and seek forgiveness.
Forgiveness is the first step in rebuilding the relationship with that person, but it will take time to regain trust and see full restoration.
In addition to trust, I will still have to face all the temporal consequences of my actions.
If I have broken man's law, then I will still have to face man's judgment system.
If I have abused and not taken care of my body, then I will have to deal with the possibility of disease and/or disability.
If I have sinned against another person, then I may never regain the same level of relationship I had.
If my sin has caused death, then I, and others, will have to deal with the loss.
Follow up from Getting What You Deserve
Forgiveness is all about rebuilding relationship.
When I break God's law, I can seek His forgiveness and with Him, the eternal slate is wiped clean because of Jesus. It is Jesus who bore God's wrath and took my punishment for me, and God has promised to remember my sins no more.
But, all too often, this can lead us to think forgiveness should wipe away ALL consequences as well. We then make the mistake of believing that God is punishing us for our sins, when we are merely reaping the fruit we have sown.
There is always damage from transgression. If I do something to violate another person's trust, I can repent and seek forgiveness.
Forgiveness is the first step in rebuilding the relationship with that person, but it will take time to regain trust and see full restoration.
In addition to trust, I will still have to face all the temporal consequences of my actions.
If I have broken man's law, then I will still have to face man's judgment system.
If I have abused and not taken care of my body, then I will have to deal with the possibility of disease and/or disability.
If I have sinned against another person, then I may never regain the same level of relationship I had.
If my sin has caused death, then I, and others, will have to deal with the loss.
Follow up from Getting What You Deserve
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Getting What You Deserve?
Recently I ran across a conversation concerning judges taking pity on sex offenders and acting with leniency in sentencing. The question was asked "Is he [the sex offender] any less deserving of prayer and forgiveness than any of us?"
Deserving? We ALL *deserve* to be cast into hell. We need to be grateful for God's mercy in not getting what we deserve because of God's grace in Christ.
Justice: getting the punishment you deserve
Mercy: not getting the punishment you deserve
Grace: being given blessings that you do not deserve
Offenders do not *deserve* pity, love, forgiveness. We do not love others because they are deserving of it or have a "right" to it. We choose to love because we are loved by God even when we were unlovable. Out of the abundance of God's love poured out on us, we turn and love others.
When/If the offender repents and receives God's mercy and grace, then the ETERNAL consequences of his actions are forgiven.
As individuals, we are to love everyone, even the worst of offenders. You can love a person, and at the same time, hate their sinful behavior. Part of love is to hold others accountable for their behavior (Prov 13:24).
True, it is in the best interest of the family and victims to forgive and move on -- keeping in mind that forgiveness does not mean immediate restoration of position and trust, and does not mean that the offender escapes accountability for his behavior. As individuals, we are to forgive after the same manner that we are forgiven.
Governments, however, are bestowed with a different set of responsibilities.
Law was instituted because of the hardness of people's hearts. Mercy bestowed on a loving person is appreciated and promotes better behavior. Pity bestowed on a cold-hearted person is interpreted by that person as a reward for their behavior, and promotes more of whatever behavior is rewarded.
Governments and judges are charged with the responsibility to hold offenders accountable for the temporal consequences of their behavior. When they fail to do this, it comes across to society as permissiveness, advocating, and promotion of that behavior.
What this judge is saying is that it is OK, excusable, and justifiable to molest a child.
Instead of pitying the offender, what about the victims?
When is it OK for someone to act out their own selfish desires on an innocent child? What about the children whose lives have been ripped apart at the seams? Seems to me if anyone was to deserve pity, it would be the victim.
Deserving? We ALL *deserve* to be cast into hell. We need to be grateful for God's mercy in not getting what we deserve because of God's grace in Christ.
Justice: getting the punishment you deserve
Mercy: not getting the punishment you deserve
Grace: being given blessings that you do not deserve
Offenders do not *deserve* pity, love, forgiveness. We do not love others because they are deserving of it or have a "right" to it. We choose to love because we are loved by God even when we were unlovable. Out of the abundance of God's love poured out on us, we turn and love others.
When/If the offender repents and receives God's mercy and grace, then the ETERNAL consequences of his actions are forgiven.
As individuals, we are to love everyone, even the worst of offenders. You can love a person, and at the same time, hate their sinful behavior. Part of love is to hold others accountable for their behavior (Prov 13:24).
True, it is in the best interest of the family and victims to forgive and move on -- keeping in mind that forgiveness does not mean immediate restoration of position and trust, and does not mean that the offender escapes accountability for his behavior. As individuals, we are to forgive after the same manner that we are forgiven.
Governments, however, are bestowed with a different set of responsibilities.
Law was instituted because of the hardness of people's hearts. Mercy bestowed on a loving person is appreciated and promotes better behavior. Pity bestowed on a cold-hearted person is interpreted by that person as a reward for their behavior, and promotes more of whatever behavior is rewarded.
Governments and judges are charged with the responsibility to hold offenders accountable for the temporal consequences of their behavior. When they fail to do this, it comes across to society as permissiveness, advocating, and promotion of that behavior.
What this judge is saying is that it is OK, excusable, and justifiable to molest a child.
Instead of pitying the offender, what about the victims?
When is it OK for someone to act out their own selfish desires on an innocent child? What about the children whose lives have been ripped apart at the seams? Seems to me if anyone was to deserve pity, it would be the victim.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
notes on homeschooling
- time with kids
- time as kids
- learn skills from a variety of ages instead of from a gang of 60 children of the same age
- learn to communication with people of different ages and backgrounds
- development of relationships is more important than accumulation of information or wealth (can't take wealth with you, but relationships you build can literally last for eternity)
- closer, stronger family
- development of traditions
- exposure in a controlled environment to inoculate against destructive thinking
- Biblical world view
- love of learning
- learn to reason and think critically
- desire to learn
- learn how to form own opinion
- create ability/desire to research for oneself
- keep challenged
- spend extra time on difficult areas
- content and quality control
- learn "why" of history, instead of focus on who, where, when
- more options, variety, broad spectrum
- one on one
- individualized instruction
- time as kids
- learn skills from a variety of ages instead of from a gang of 60 children of the same age
- learn to communication with people of different ages and backgrounds
- development of relationships is more important than accumulation of information or wealth (can't take wealth with you, but relationships you build can literally last for eternity)
- closer, stronger family
- development of traditions
- exposure in a controlled environment to inoculate against destructive thinking
- Biblical world view
- love of learning
- learn to reason and think critically
- desire to learn
- learn how to form own opinion
- create ability/desire to research for oneself
- keep challenged
- spend extra time on difficult areas
- content and quality control
- learn "why" of history, instead of focus on who, where, when
- more options, variety, broad spectrum
- one on one
- individualized instruction
Saturday, November 18, 2006
soapbox
The purpose of this blog is to sound off on:
1. Opinion
2. Personal experiences and feelings
3. Thoughts and ideas that are not fully developed
I try to only post things on the 'bibleguy' blog if I have a clear biblical support. The 'soapbox' is more for things that I may not have worked out completely yet. Additionally, posts here may tend to be a little less sensitive at times :)
Your input is welcome to help me stay on the straight and narrow.
1. Opinion
2. Personal experiences and feelings
3. Thoughts and ideas that are not fully developed
I try to only post things on the 'bibleguy' blog if I have a clear biblical support. The 'soapbox' is more for things that I may not have worked out completely yet. Additionally, posts here may tend to be a little less sensitive at times :)
Your input is welcome to help me stay on the straight and narrow.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Knowlege Puffeth Up
...Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 1 Cor 8:1-2 (NKJV)
Gnosticism, mysticism, magick, etc all always have the "promise" of greater power always over the horizon, in the next level of hidden knowlege.
Reminds me of the sign I saw in a restaurant "Free fish tomorrow..." When you come back the next day, the sign still says "Free fish tomorrow..."
In all these "isms", the initiate is always working to get to the next "level" in order to obtain the coveted "hidden knowlege".
Once they "level-up", then they find only that the power they wanted is only available at the next level. In the process, what they do get is an ego boost -- they take pride in thier accomplishment at getting to a higher level than someone else. They get a feeling of superiority from having access to privledged knowledge. Even if, in the end, the "knowledge" proves to be basically a worthless waste of time.
It's all smoke and mirrors. Satan, the father of lies, has no real power of his own. He can only offer facimiles of God's power. At best, he can pull off a few parlor tricks to use as carrots to string along the gullible. But his promises are all empty and without any real substance.
God is the true source of power and wisdom. If we have any question, God says to ask Him, and He will give us the truth and true wisdom.
If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won't correct you for asking. James 1:5 (CEV)
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Itching Ears
A wise man is hungry for truth, while the mocker feeds on trash.
Proverbs 15:14 (Living Bible)
It never fails to puzzle me about how people who never spend time reading the Bible and have little (if any) knowledge about -- these same people are so quick to read, study, and talk about all these "lost" books that keep popping up. They won't spend a minute to read a chapter out of the Bible, but they will flock to read "the gospel of" Thomas, Judas, Mary, and any other extra-biblical twaddle they can get their hands on.
Gnosticism isn't anything new. It's roots date back to the book of acts when the Greeks were being introduced to the Gospel. The apostle John dedicated most of his writing to countering the mixing of Greek philosophy with Christianity.
The gnostic writings were written some 300 years after the time of Jesus and, unlike the Gospels, these books were not written by anyone with firsthand knowledge of Jesus. Ever since, they have cropped up from time to time. For a short time they become popular, sell a bunch of books, magazines and videos and then (because it is false and empty) it falls into obscurity again to wait for the next generation of gullible people.
In their wake, they plant seeds of doubt and unbelief in the hearts of those who are unestablished in God's Word and further harden the hearts of those who are looking for any excuse not to believe.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (KJV)
Proverbs 15:14 (Living Bible)
It never fails to puzzle me about how people who never spend time reading the Bible and have little (if any) knowledge about -- these same people are so quick to read, study, and talk about all these "lost" books that keep popping up. They won't spend a minute to read a chapter out of the Bible, but they will flock to read "the gospel of" Thomas, Judas, Mary, and any other extra-biblical twaddle they can get their hands on.
Gnosticism isn't anything new. It's roots date back to the book of acts when the Greeks were being introduced to the Gospel. The apostle John dedicated most of his writing to countering the mixing of Greek philosophy with Christianity.
The gnostic writings were written some 300 years after the time of Jesus and, unlike the Gospels, these books were not written by anyone with firsthand knowledge of Jesus. Ever since, they have cropped up from time to time. For a short time they become popular, sell a bunch of books, magazines and videos and then (because it is false and empty) it falls into obscurity again to wait for the next generation of gullible people.
In their wake, they plant seeds of doubt and unbelief in the hearts of those who are unestablished in God's Word and further harden the hearts of those who are looking for any excuse not to believe.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (KJV)
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Situational ethics
Situational ethics is just a way of saying you base your decisions only on a quick survey of the environment and jumping with whatever seems popular at the time. Either that, or the typical knee-jerk firefighting that all too often characterizes the postmodern manager.
Instead, one should make the best decision they can at the time based on ALL information available at the time. "All information available" includes not only the current state of the environment, but the experience and expertise of everyone involved as well as the moral and ethical codes that keep it all in proper perspective.
Moral and ethical codes are the tried and true values that have withstood the test of time.
Integrity should be used the filter the noise generated in an ever changing environment and allow focus on the really critical points that should drive a decision.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
On "Looking Within"
I've heard a lot of talk from the chat shows, magazines, and self-help gurus about how we are supposed to "look within ourselves" for answers to all of life's problems.
It sounds really nice, and because we want to believe such a thing a true, it is easy to accept such a statement without thinking on it too much.
However, next time you hear of or consider such a philosophy, check it against the Word of God:
"O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).
According to the Bible, we are incapable of directing our own steps. The Bible admonishes us that:
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Prov 14:12, Prov 16:25)
Since we cannot lead ourselves, we follow after whatever has the greatest influence over us.
The only real choice we have is to chose what influences us -- we are able to choose what we are most exposed to.
Whatever we choose to spend the most time doing, watching, listening to, and thinking about will have sway over our hearts.
As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Prov 23:7
Stay aware of what you are spending time on. Is it something that builds up the spirit or builds up the flesh.
What is the biggest influence in your life? Is it God's Word or the world?
The world is blinded and does not have the answer:
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him (John 14:17)
If our primary influence is the world, then we are under satan's influence:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)
God has given us the capability to choose, the alternative to choose, and the strength to choose. Paul explains in Romans the two natures:
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. (Romans 8:5-15)
The truth is not found by looking within ourselves or looking to the world.
The truth is in continually and repeatedly feeding ourselves on God's Word. The more Word we have in our hearts, the more our minds will be set on what the Spirit desires. This makes us more sensitive to being led by His Spirit. Then we are His children in Christ and He is our Father.
Monday, July 10, 2006
When you fast
Probably the biggest key to remember is that fasting should not be a religious practice to try and convince God to do something.
Fasting does not change God, it changes you.
Hunger is probably the strongest urge of the flesh. When we fast, we are telling the flesh that we choose to follow the spirit and not the flesh.
What fasting does is help you discipline and get the flesh out of the way. Once the flesh is out of the way you are more sensitive to the Spirit and hearing from God. The flesh is the source of a lot of doubt and unbelief, so your prayers can be mixed with unhindered faith when your flesh is under subjection.
I don't know how many times I've been busy at work and gone all day without breakfast and lunch without feeling or realizing it. However, the moment I decide to fast, immediately the flesh starts pinging and wanting immediate attention and gratification (hunger pangs, headaches, wooziness -- and it's only been 5 mins!)
In the broadest sense, you could probably consider a fast anytime you are denying the flesh one of its appetites. Strictest sense would be no food or water. Best to start small and work up over time, maturity, and leading of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind, you are out to discipline the flesh, not kill your body.
Jesus said that when we fast, we should go about normally with our daily business as if we are not fasting. It's not anyone's business to know. If they ask, don't have to be spooky about it, just say you have other plans for lunch.
Use any hunger pangs as reminders to pray or ponder a scripture verse. Every time the flesh rises up, remind it that you don't live by bread alone, but by the Word of God and that your meat is to do the will of the Father.
Fasting does not change God, it changes you.
Hunger is probably the strongest urge of the flesh. When we fast, we are telling the flesh that we choose to follow the spirit and not the flesh.
What fasting does is help you discipline and get the flesh out of the way. Once the flesh is out of the way you are more sensitive to the Spirit and hearing from God. The flesh is the source of a lot of doubt and unbelief, so your prayers can be mixed with unhindered faith when your flesh is under subjection.
I don't know how many times I've been busy at work and gone all day without breakfast and lunch without feeling or realizing it. However, the moment I decide to fast, immediately the flesh starts pinging and wanting immediate attention and gratification (hunger pangs, headaches, wooziness -- and it's only been 5 mins!)
In the broadest sense, you could probably consider a fast anytime you are denying the flesh one of its appetites. Strictest sense would be no food or water. Best to start small and work up over time, maturity, and leading of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind, you are out to discipline the flesh, not kill your body.
Jesus said that when we fast, we should go about normally with our daily business as if we are not fasting. It's not anyone's business to know. If they ask, don't have to be spooky about it, just say you have other plans for lunch.
Use any hunger pangs as reminders to pray or ponder a scripture verse. Every time the flesh rises up, remind it that you don't live by bread alone, but by the Word of God and that your meat is to do the will of the Father.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
The Way
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25
All a man's ways seem right to him [a man], but the LORD weighs the heart.
Proverbs 21:2
I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.
Psalm 119:30
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting
Psalm 139:23-24
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
John 14:5-6
Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.
Matthew 7:13-14
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
Revelation 22:14
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Slavery
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are? (Romans 6:16)
What are you enslaved to?
Monday, April 10, 2006
Know it all
If you think you know everything about a certain topic, it is a sure sign that you don't.
1Co 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
length, breadth, depth, hight
passes knowledge
know nothing yet as they ought to know
1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
the more you learn about the Lord, the more you understand that there is yet more that have yet to learn.
you can learn tremedous amounts and
Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
It's not just about knowing facts in your head, it is an experiencial, intimate knowledge, understanding, experience and familiarity. It is "knowing" in the spirit.
Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
And now that you have some revelation, glory not in the revelation knowledge, but be sure that all glory goes to Jesus.
Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
1Co 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Phi 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Thoughts on Feelings
- It's not our problems that make use feel a certain way, it is what we think of them that makes us feel that way.
- All too often we look for something that gives us a "tingle in the flesh" to distract us from what is really bothering us.
- We look out to someone else expecting them to fill the void but then we are disappointed when they don't.
- It really isn't the other person that makes us feel a certain way, it is what we think about them that makes us fell one way or another.
- All too often we look for something that gives us a "tingle in the flesh" to distract us from what is really bothering us.
- We look out to someone else expecting them to fill the void but then we are disappointed when they don't.
- It really isn't the other person that makes us feel a certain way, it is what we think about them that makes us fell one way or another.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Foolish Things
I Corinthians 1:26
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called
Why is this? Why 'not many'?
I Corinthians 1:27-29
God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence
That no flesh should glory. Basically, God does things in such a way that there is no possibility to mistake anyone or anything but Him as the source.
I've often heard it said that 'God wants to use your talents'.
Scripture on the other hand reveals that God is more likely to use you to do things that you have little or no natural talent or ability to do. That way it is all the harder for you to take credit yourself.
I've also heard 'God helps those who help themselves'. Search it out, it is nowhere in the Bible.
Actually, you find the contrary: God helps those who call on His name.
So many folks go off half-cocked with their own plans and designs, then expect God to come in and bless them.
What we really need to do is to first seek God and ask Him to write out His plans for us in our hearts. Then we know that God will be there to complete the work that He starts. We can go and act in confidence knowing that God is there backing us up, and He cannot fail.
Where faith comes in is when God is telling us to do something we know that we cannot do by ourselves, things that we have no talent, ability, or experience doing. It does not require any faith in Him to go and do something you have 10 years experience doing.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called
Why is this? Why 'not many'?
I Corinthians 1:27-29
God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence
That no flesh should glory. Basically, God does things in such a way that there is no possibility to mistake anyone or anything but Him as the source.
I've often heard it said that 'God wants to use your talents'.
Scripture on the other hand reveals that God is more likely to use you to do things that you have little or no natural talent or ability to do. That way it is all the harder for you to take credit yourself.
I've also heard 'God helps those who help themselves'. Search it out, it is nowhere in the Bible.
Actually, you find the contrary: God helps those who call on His name.
So many folks go off half-cocked with their own plans and designs, then expect God to come in and bless them.
What we really need to do is to first seek God and ask Him to write out His plans for us in our hearts. Then we know that God will be there to complete the work that He starts. We can go and act in confidence knowing that God is there backing us up, and He cannot fail.
Where faith comes in is when God is telling us to do something we know that we cannot do by ourselves, things that we have no talent, ability, or experience doing. It does not require any faith in Him to go and do something you have 10 years experience doing.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Getting What You Deserve?
Recently I ran across a conversation concerning judges taking pity on sex offenders and acting with leniency in sentencing. The question was asked "Is he [the sex offender] any less deserving of prayer and forgiveness than any of us?"
Deserving? We ALL *deserve* to be cast into hell. We need to be grateful for God's mercy in not getting what we deserve because of God's grace in Christ.
Mercy: not getting the punishment you deserve
Grace: being given blessings that you do not deserve
Offenders do not *deserve* pity, love, forgiveness. We do not love others because they are deserving of it or have a "right" to it. We choose to love because we are loved by God even when we were unlovable. Out of the abundance of God's love poured out on us, we turn and love others.
If the offender repents and receives God's mercy and grace, then the ETERNAL consequences of his actions are forgiven.
As individuals, we are to love everyone, even the worst of offenders. You can love a person, and at the same time, hate their behavior. Part of love is to hold others accountable for their behavior (Prov 13:24).
True, it is in the best interest of the family and victims to forgive and move on -- keeping in mind that forgiveness does not mean immediate restoration of position and trust, and does not mean that the offender escapes accountability for his behavior. As individuals, we are to forgive after the same manner that we are forgiven.
Governments, however, are bestowed with a different set of responsibilities.
Law was instituted because of the hardness of people's hearts.
Mercy bestowed on a loving person is appreciated and promotes better behavior.
Mercy bestowed on a cold-hearted person is interpreted by that person as a reward for their behavior, and encourages more of whatever behavior is rewarded.
Governments and judges are charged with the responsibility to hold offenders accountable for the temporal consequences of their behavior. When they fail to do this, it comes across to society as permissiveness, advocating, and promotion of that behavior.
What this judge is saying is that it is OK, excusable, and justifiable to molest a child.
Instead of pitying the offender, what about the victims? When is it OK for someone to act out their own selfish desires on an innocent child? What about the children whose lives have been ripped apart at the seams?
Seems to me if anyone was to deserve pity, it would be the victim.
Deserving? We ALL *deserve* to be cast into hell. We need to be grateful for God's mercy in not getting what we deserve because of God's grace in Christ.
Mercy: not getting the punishment you deserve
Grace: being given blessings that you do not deserve
Offenders do not *deserve* pity, love, forgiveness. We do not love others because they are deserving of it or have a "right" to it. We choose to love because we are loved by God even when we were unlovable. Out of the abundance of God's love poured out on us, we turn and love others.
If the offender repents and receives God's mercy and grace, then the ETERNAL consequences of his actions are forgiven.
As individuals, we are to love everyone, even the worst of offenders. You can love a person, and at the same time, hate their behavior. Part of love is to hold others accountable for their behavior (Prov 13:24).
True, it is in the best interest of the family and victims to forgive and move on -- keeping in mind that forgiveness does not mean immediate restoration of position and trust, and does not mean that the offender escapes accountability for his behavior. As individuals, we are to forgive after the same manner that we are forgiven.
Governments, however, are bestowed with a different set of responsibilities.
Law was instituted because of the hardness of people's hearts.
Mercy bestowed on a loving person is appreciated and promotes better behavior.
Mercy bestowed on a cold-hearted person is interpreted by that person as a reward for their behavior, and encourages more of whatever behavior is rewarded.
Governments and judges are charged with the responsibility to hold offenders accountable for the temporal consequences of their behavior. When they fail to do this, it comes across to society as permissiveness, advocating, and promotion of that behavior.
What this judge is saying is that it is OK, excusable, and justifiable to molest a child.
Instead of pitying the offender, what about the victims? When is it OK for someone to act out their own selfish desires on an innocent child? What about the children whose lives have been ripped apart at the seams?
Seems to me if anyone was to deserve pity, it would be the victim.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Train Up a Child Part II
Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
There is a difference between TRAINING and EDUCATION.
Education is all about knowledge. Education typically involves someone dumping a bunch of information on a student and then seeing what percentage of it sticks.
Training on the other hand is different. Training is all about behavior. Training is about changing existing behavior or creating a new behavior.
With training, the trainee performs a task over and over again until they get it right.
That's why the military, police, firefighters, etc all use training techniques to ingrain new behaviors into the trainees.
As parents, we are instructed to use training when it comes to our children.
In their youth, children are not mature enough to get anything out of having a bunch of information dumped on them and then use reasoning to discipline themselves into new behaviors.
We as parents are to train up our children. Children must perform an activity over and over again until they get it right. Behaviors trained into a child during their youth do not easily disappear later in life.
Part I
There is a difference between TRAINING and EDUCATION.
Education is all about knowledge. Education typically involves someone dumping a bunch of information on a student and then seeing what percentage of it sticks.
Training on the other hand is different. Training is all about behavior. Training is about changing existing behavior or creating a new behavior.
With training, the trainee performs a task over and over again until they get it right.
That's why the military, police, firefighters, etc all use training techniques to ingrain new behaviors into the trainees.
As parents, we are instructed to use training when it comes to our children.
In their youth, children are not mature enough to get anything out of having a bunch of information dumped on them and then use reasoning to discipline themselves into new behaviors.
We as parents are to train up our children. Children must perform an activity over and over again until they get it right. Behaviors trained into a child during their youth do not easily disappear later in life.
Part I
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Notes on Guidance
Proverbs 16:3 (Amplified Bible)
Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.
Psalm 37:23 (New King James Version)
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.
John 10:4-5 (King James Version)
And when he [The Good Shepherd] putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Keep in mind that you come to "know" a voice by hearing it repeatedly over and over again. What "voice" you expose yourself to most, you will recognize and be sensitive to. Voices you ignore and/or do not expose yourself to, will become strange to you.
You get to know Jesus' voice by reading, hearing, and speaking His Word.
Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.
Psalm 37:23 (New King James Version)
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.
John 10:4-5 (King James Version)
And when he [The Good Shepherd] putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
Keep in mind that you come to "know" a voice by hearing it repeatedly over and over again. What "voice" you expose yourself to most, you will recognize and be sensitive to. Voices you ignore and/or do not expose yourself to, will become strange to you.
You get to know Jesus' voice by reading, hearing, and speaking His Word.
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