Being a Christian is not a form of bigotry. It is an expression of our love for Christ and our desire to do what He has commanded even if it is means we must change.
John 14:15, 23-24
"In His JOY!"
Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable
consumedbyjoy.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label Change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Change. Show all posts
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Open the eyes of my heart...I want to see me
Be bold enough to ask God to reveal the areas in your heart that do not honor or please Him. But be courageous enough to dive into His Word and change those areas in your heart and life as well.
Psalm 139:23-24, Psalm 119:9-11
Psalm 139:23-24, Psalm 119:9-11
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Changing me softly with His Words
2 Corinthians 7:8-11
Paul wrote two letters to the Christians in Corinth (1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians). . His first letter was an accountability letter. Paul had concern about the division in the church, sexual immorality, love, etc. (1 Corinthians 1:10, 5:18, 13). It was no the most pleasant letter but Paul was doing his best and trying to hold the church accountable for their actions.
By the time Paul wrote his second letter to the church of Corinth, the church had received his first letter and found no joy in it. And Paul addressed this temporary sadness. He told them it was not his intention to make his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ bothered by the letter but he did not regret sending it (2 Corinth 7:8). Instead he found joy in the letter he sent because momentary pain they felt lead them to repent and turn back to the Lord (2 Corinthians 7:9). Paul was joyful because when the Corinthians saw their sins they did not rebel against God and continue to sin. No instead they were sorrowful for their actions but inspired to turn back to the Lord and do God's Will (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).
This makes me think about the church today. When you your sin becomes visible or known to you, what do you do? If someone were to call you out for your sins how would respond now? Would repent and seek to do the Lord's Will or would you brush it off and continue to live your life the way you want? To be honest sometimes I have become prideful and rejected someone when they have held me accountable. And have even sought out the bible and people to agree with me so I can feel justified. But that was not a godly response.
We should always consider our ways when the Word of God becomes clear to us and we are being held accountable for our actions. Something in us should respond to the hearing of God's Word. His Word and accountability should never become just background noise to us. They should abide in the forefront of our lives and they should cause to change and live for Christ. Much like it did in the Church of Corinth.
So I implore you to read God's Word and be inspired to turn back to the Lord. I urge you find good Christian friends who do not seek to agree with you but are willing to challenge you to live a Godly lifestyle. Stay focused you can do this!
In His JOY!
Paul wrote two letters to the Christians in Corinth (1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians). . His first letter was an accountability letter. Paul had concern about the division in the church, sexual immorality, love, etc. (1 Corinthians 1:10, 5:18, 13). It was no the most pleasant letter but Paul was doing his best and trying to hold the church accountable for their actions.
By the time Paul wrote his second letter to the church of Corinth, the church had received his first letter and found no joy in it. And Paul addressed this temporary sadness. He told them it was not his intention to make his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ bothered by the letter but he did not regret sending it (2 Corinth 7:8). Instead he found joy in the letter he sent because momentary pain they felt lead them to repent and turn back to the Lord (2 Corinthians 7:9). Paul was joyful because when the Corinthians saw their sins they did not rebel against God and continue to sin. No instead they were sorrowful for their actions but inspired to turn back to the Lord and do God's Will (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).
This makes me think about the church today. When you your sin becomes visible or known to you, what do you do? If someone were to call you out for your sins how would respond now? Would repent and seek to do the Lord's Will or would you brush it off and continue to live your life the way you want? To be honest sometimes I have become prideful and rejected someone when they have held me accountable. And have even sought out the bible and people to agree with me so I can feel justified. But that was not a godly response.
We should always consider our ways when the Word of God becomes clear to us and we are being held accountable for our actions. Something in us should respond to the hearing of God's Word. His Word and accountability should never become just background noise to us. They should abide in the forefront of our lives and they should cause to change and live for Christ. Much like it did in the Church of Corinth.
So I implore you to read God's Word and be inspired to turn back to the Lord. I urge you find good Christian friends who do not seek to agree with you but are willing to challenge you to live a Godly lifestyle. Stay focused you can do this!
In His JOY!
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
"Mountain Climber"
James 1:1-4
In the Old Testament Moses was always climbing a mountain. He was climbing a mountain looking for a lost sheep but God caught his attention and spoke to Moses through a burning bush. It was here that God spoke to him for the first time (Exodus 3).
He climbed again in Exodus 19 however this time God not only spoke to Moses, He gave Moses, His Holy and Precious Word. Moses was given the Ten Commandments and for the time in history a man held the very Word of God in His Hands.
He climbed a third time but this time he wanted more than the usual. He had heard God Speak and held the Word in his hands. But this time Moses wanted to see God. Moses wanted to stand in the very presence of God and experience His Glory. He wanted something more than what he had experienced and was used to. Their relationship had grown from more than God and His Servant Moses; it had changed to God and His Friend Moses (Exodus 33:11 - 34:10). It was in this moment a covenant was renewed and an unique friendship was kindled.
It may feel as if you have been going back and forth up this mountain in your life. And I am sure you have grown as Christian. Much like Paul you had a life changing moment of clarity where you realized who God was and His love for you (Act 9:3-6) and you where never the same. The funny thing you may not have been looking of for God but He was looking for you.
And I am sure you found yourself climbing another mountain as time went on and God gave you His Word to stand on. And now you know His Word in a deeper and better way because you cam rightly divide the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15)
But this may be your last mountain to overcome. Your moment where you say to yourself "How much longer Lord" or "Why am I back here again". But here I implore you, do not settle for the usual. Ask God for something more this time up the mountain. Come down different, changed, renewed, transformed, etc. Ask The Lord "Show me your glory", shift your focus for the person, problem, and seek to know Jesus.
I guess I am saying do not let this experience change you but let God change you. So many times we focus so much seeking deliverance we forget God tells us to seek Him first (Matthew 6:28-34) Take this time to draw closer to God. Look beyond the situation and look to God. Crave to know Him more and experience His love and truth. Do not look at this as a mountain to climb but see it as a moment to experience God. This is why we count it all JOY! not because we are facing a mountain but because we are growing in Christ and growing closer to God (James 1:1-4). Stay focused you can, are, will, and shall do this!
In His JOY!
In the Old Testament Moses was always climbing a mountain. He was climbing a mountain looking for a lost sheep but God caught his attention and spoke to Moses through a burning bush. It was here that God spoke to him for the first time (Exodus 3).
He climbed again in Exodus 19 however this time God not only spoke to Moses, He gave Moses, His Holy and Precious Word. Moses was given the Ten Commandments and for the time in history a man held the very Word of God in His Hands.
He climbed a third time but this time he wanted more than the usual. He had heard God Speak and held the Word in his hands. But this time Moses wanted to see God. Moses wanted to stand in the very presence of God and experience His Glory. He wanted something more than what he had experienced and was used to. Their relationship had grown from more than God and His Servant Moses; it had changed to God and His Friend Moses (Exodus 33:11 - 34:10). It was in this moment a covenant was renewed and an unique friendship was kindled.
It may feel as if you have been going back and forth up this mountain in your life. And I am sure you have grown as Christian. Much like Paul you had a life changing moment of clarity where you realized who God was and His love for you (Act 9:3-6) and you where never the same. The funny thing you may not have been looking of for God but He was looking for you.
And I am sure you found yourself climbing another mountain as time went on and God gave you His Word to stand on. And now you know His Word in a deeper and better way because you cam rightly divide the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15)
But this may be your last mountain to overcome. Your moment where you say to yourself "How much longer Lord" or "Why am I back here again". But here I implore you, do not settle for the usual. Ask God for something more this time up the mountain. Come down different, changed, renewed, transformed, etc. Ask The Lord "Show me your glory", shift your focus for the person, problem, and seek to know Jesus.
I guess I am saying do not let this experience change you but let God change you. So many times we focus so much seeking deliverance we forget God tells us to seek Him first (Matthew 6:28-34) Take this time to draw closer to God. Look beyond the situation and look to God. Crave to know Him more and experience His love and truth. Do not look at this as a mountain to climb but see it as a moment to experience God. This is why we count it all JOY! not because we are facing a mountain but because we are growing in Christ and growing closer to God (James 1:1-4). Stay focused you can, are, will, and shall do this!
In His JOY!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
"Cleaning out my system"
John 8:31-36, Romans 2:1-4, 12:1-3
It's time to eat some "Spiritual Activia Yogurt" and flush your system. We live in a world that is full of all kinds of wickedness and sin. Turn on the news and we get to see how people through out the world have sinned by committing murder, adultery, black mail, etc. The number one shows on television entertain us with these stories that were "ripped from the headlines". And it becomes increasingly easy to say to myself, "Such a sinful world! Thank God I'm don't act like that!" This is where I take my first helping of "Spiritual Activia Yogurt" and admit that I am sinner who has been save by grace...and GRACE ALONE! Friends we have to come to the realization that accepting Jesus is more than just a prayer and proclamation it is a lifestyle choice. Swallow your pride and REALLY deal with your sin. Rid yourself of the excuse that "Only God can judge me" or "He knows my heart". And accept that you have issues whether they are known externally by others or internally by you alone. Admit your sin to God and refuse yourself the opportunity to take pleasure in it. Pray for the strength to resist it and for the courage to follow through. This is not me condemning you but it is me saying WE ALL me must humble ourselves and recognize OUR SIN. See your sin and repent. Repent and walk in the liberty (freedom not to be a slave to sin) Jesus gave you. Walk in your liberty and but continue to run away from opportunistic moments to sin. Stay focused, you can do this!
"In His Joy"
It's time to eat some "Spiritual Activia Yogurt" and flush your system. We live in a world that is full of all kinds of wickedness and sin. Turn on the news and we get to see how people through out the world have sinned by committing murder, adultery, black mail, etc. The number one shows on television entertain us with these stories that were "ripped from the headlines". And it becomes increasingly easy to say to myself, "Such a sinful world! Thank God I'm don't act like that!" This is where I take my first helping of "Spiritual Activia Yogurt" and admit that I am sinner who has been save by grace...and GRACE ALONE! Friends we have to come to the realization that accepting Jesus is more than just a prayer and proclamation it is a lifestyle choice. Swallow your pride and REALLY deal with your sin. Rid yourself of the excuse that "Only God can judge me" or "He knows my heart". And accept that you have issues whether they are known externally by others or internally by you alone. Admit your sin to God and refuse yourself the opportunity to take pleasure in it. Pray for the strength to resist it and for the courage to follow through. This is not me condemning you but it is me saying WE ALL me must humble ourselves and recognize OUR SIN. See your sin and repent. Repent and walk in the liberty (freedom not to be a slave to sin) Jesus gave you. Walk in your liberty and but continue to run away from opportunistic moments to sin. Stay focused, you can do this!
"In His Joy"
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