Break The Cycle

You can let the evil around you bring you to it's level and respond in kind or you can break the cycle by responding with grace, mercy,truth, and love.
Romans 12:14-22
‪#‎InHisJOY‬!

Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable

You are loved!

Even in your lowest sin, you were still worth the sacrifice of Christ Life. Yeah, He loves you that much!
John 3:16, Romans 5:6-11
#RealLove #YouWereWorthIt
#YouAreLoved

"In His JOY!"

Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable. 

http://consumedbyjoy.blogspot.com/

"My haters are my motivators...what scripture is that from?"

If we focus on how much someone hates us we will never see how much God loves them. If we use to the scripture to tear our "haters" down how can we expect to build them up in God's love. If we stay focused on what people are saying about us we will never hear what God has already decreed about us. When people use God's Word to lift themselves up and push their "haters" down it shows spiritual immaturity and lack of confidence in God. Your "haters" are not your motivators, that is just a mask used to cover up the sting of rejection and/or critique. Christ is your motivation not hate. If we all took the time to listens to our "haters" we might actually see that most of them are holding us accountable and trying to help us grow but we become ultra sensitive and refuse to listen. Grow up Christians (yes I am talking to you) The Word of God is not a weapon for a holy war against one another. It doesn't matter what that famous preacher said about "haters", it's still wrong and they only said it so you could by their book or give them free advertising by re-posting their status update (c'mon son, high five!!). This is not meant to harm anyone nor it is it a personal attack but stop posting scripture to lift up yourself and tear someone else down, that is what unbelievers do and we are not them, we are children of God so let us "post" like it. Stay focused, you can do this. Ephesians 4:1-3,15-24,29 "In His JOY!" Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be accountable. http://consumedbyjoy.blogspot.com/

"You can't hug someone with your finger"

I realized today when Jesus said "Lord forgive them, they have no idea what they are doing", He gave grace instead of judgment on behalf of those who betrayed Him, left Him, and condemned Him. He made a clear path for them to come back to Him because He knew they would need Him in their life even if they did not know it now. So with His last words to them He resolved any burden of guilt that they would carry in the future and when they eventually turned from their sin and sought after Him, He would be there waiting not pointing the finger of condemnation for their past but an embrace of love for the glorious journey they He would take them on in the present and the future. We in turn should do the same to those we think abandoned us, condemned us, and/or betrayed us. Offer forgiveness instantly to resolve any guilt, stand ready to love whether our relationship becomes restored or not, and walk beside in the faith as they grow closer to Christ. Stay focused. You can do this.

Luke 23:34
"In His JOY!"

Read The Word, Share The Gospel, Be Accountable

http://consumedbyjoy.blogspot.com/

Gross

I remember when Curran became sick this year sometime around Christmas. He slept most of the day away but he woke up for a moment and asked could he sit in my lap. I said sure buddy, he laid in my arms and fell asleep. Then he sat up and looked me in eyes, I felt we were having a good father and son moment. However without warning, he opened his mouth and vomited all over me.

It lasted for about 1 minute but it felt like an eternity. I could not move fast enough to get out-of-the-way. I was dunking and dodging the vomit but I did not leave my son because he needed me.

I think of how many times I have offended God with my poor choices regardless of my reasoning behind making them. But He never left my side. He was not pleased with my actions but He stayed with me through my illness of sin. God would not leave my side because I was His son and in my sin I was desperate need of Him. He loved not only with words but with action.

But what about our fellow Christians, why do we separate our love from them. In the midst of trouble, hardship, persecution, material things, danger, or war I have seen Christians abandon each other and spread vicious rumors. As Christians we should allow nothing to come between us because we need each other. We don't have the power to stop someone from having issues and taking it out on us. Much like I did not have the power to stop Curran from getting sick and vomiting on me. But we do have the power to forgive them and stay close enough to them so they will know we are here to help. But just like I was moving out-of-the-way of Curran's Projectiles so I would not get sick but I remained close enough to help. We should not stand by and subject ourselves to unnecessary pain. Because run the damaged of "getting sick" ourselves. We can become bitter, unforgiving, cold-hearted, or yet worse walk away from the Lord.

This is why we must learn to love as God loves. We allow nothing to stop our love for God's People or even our enemies for that matter. The world loves with categorical love, but we are not like them. We walk in love, speak the truth in love, and never stop loving. We love even when it hurts. If our spiritually sick brother/sister in Christ wrongs (for whatever reason) we stay steadfast and try to help them get well. We are close enough to them to help all the while ensuring we are not putting ourselves in position to get "sick" as well. Stay focused you can do this.
Romans 8:35-39

"In His JOY!"

Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable.

"Fake Love = Real Hate"

1 Corinthians 13, 1 John 4, Luke 6:27-36, Romans 12:9-21, Psalm 139:23


Having knowledge of God's Word, speaking in tongues, prophesying, sharing my wealth, and/or having an unshakable faith does prove that God's Spirit lives within me. These are all outward signs any hypocrite or unbeliever could mimic. Proof that God lives within me is having unconditional and unwavering love for all inwardly. Outward appearances can serve as a smoke screen to my true intent and feelings towards others. We cannot fake love. Because God is love. And cannot fool God He knows our heart, do you know your heart?

Read the Word, Share the Gospel, Be Accountable


"In His JOY!"

"Wayward Parent"

Luke 15:11-32
The parable of the prodigal son tells of a child who abandoned his family, squandered his inherentice, but later returned and was received home. His father welcomed him back but his older brother resented him.

I find today that story runs true in the lives of many. And it's not so much the child who runs away at times but at times it is the parent. Some fathers run from responsibility and leave a mother to raise a child alone. Some mothers struggle to be there for their child because they have to balance work, daycare, parenting, and make ends meet. And some mothers abandon their child for the love of a man. There are so many scenarios that can play out these are just a few, sometimes it's the mother who leaves and the father who has to raise the child and struggles just the same as mentioned above. So to you single parents I pray God strengthen you for the journey and surround with wisdom and help for the task that is before you.

But what happens when that child whom was raised without knowing their biological father and/or mother finally meets them. It's hard to fight back those raw emotions and questions of why? And I cannot begin to imagine the pain but I look at the prodigal son's father who could have rejected his own flesh and blood and let him feel the guilt of leaving. Instead he welcomed him back with loving arms and expressed to his son that he was forgiven. I am sure it was hard for his father because so much time was lost between his son and him. But I like how the father cherished the time he had now gained with his son and did not waste it on questions and speculation. Not to say if his father were to question his son it would without valid reasons but I appreciate how he spent more time on getting know his son as opposed to being hateful towards him.

For some of us, we are going to play the role of the loving father when our wayward parent returns seeking forgiveness for abandoning us, abusing us, or neglecting us. Now it is important to note the prodigal son lost all his inherentice just like the wayward parent lost some years, maybe respect, or even the right to be called "mommy" or "daddy". But it also important to notice that the father's love for his prodigal son was unconditional and his forgiveness was instant. So if you are the child of a wayward parent I know you have questions and hurts but trust this, God sees those and through all your suffering He was the one healing your wounds, bandaging your scars, and holding you in His arms as you cried. It has always been Him and He will never stop. So when that wayward parent returns don't be like the older brother who resented his brother and was angered by the very presence of his brother. Your wayward parent is more than aware of what they did and they may find the words or courage to say, "I am sorry and I love you." or they may never apologize for what they did. They will never be able to make up for time lost or take back the mistake of hurting you. But remember your forgiveness of their sin is worth more than the apology they owe you. And I know I will never understand how you feel because I grew up in a loving home with good (not perfect) parents. And I am not advocating abandoning or abusing kids nor am I excusing their reckless behavior. However what I am saying is capture what time you can while you can. And if your wayward parent died prior to coming back or you offering them forgiveness find comfort in this. The loving father was waiting on his prodigal son to return not so he could forgive him but to express his forgiveness that he had already granted his son years ago. We will not always have the opportunity to let others know they are forgiven and reconcile but we will always have the chance to forgive in our hearts. I know it's tough but sometimes as Christian this is the weight we bare. But we do not bare it alone, Christ is there with us and He will never abandon us.

Read the Word, Spread the Gospel, Be Accountable.

"In His JOY!"

"Want you be my neighbor"

Luke 10:25-37

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"  The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Here is a faithful and true saying. “Ministry will always cost you something.” Whether it is your time, money, or your life, ministry will always cost. But than that raises the question, are you willing to by the price? For two weeks I have been reading this passage in the bible just trying wrap my head around what exactly took place in this story.  So I did some historical research to grasp a better understanding of what the road looked like and where it was . The road was on the way from Jericho to Jerusalem. But the road was notorious for theft and crime because the way that it was designed. The road curved in all kind of weird ways. So you literally could not see what was around the next corner. And thieves would hide in those dark corners and jump out and rob you all the time.

Now that brings us to the nice gentleman who for whatever reason decided to go down this path. And BAM, he gets attacked. They take him for all he is worth and leave him for dead. Later on that day a preacher walks by and sees him and chooses not aid him  and crosses to the other side of the road and walks away, so I know that he noticed the man in need of help. He saw someone in desperate need of “a blessing” but maybe he was scarred of what would happen to him. Maybe he crossed to the other side to see if someone was still waiting around the corner? I don’t know, but yet again someone who works in the church came by a saw the man clinging to life lying there and he just crossed the street and went on his way, he did not want any of that action. But along comes the nobody or a guy that everybody hates and sees that man and takes action. Not only does help, he gets him all cleaned up, puts him in a hotel, and tells the manager “All of his expenses are on me and oh I almost forgot tell him I will be back later to check on him when I get back.”

Now which one ministered to the wounded man? Which one showed the loved of God? Which one acted like a Christian? Before you answer think about how many times you have walked away from the opportunity to minister. I am not talking about “I’ll be praying for you” ministry I am talking about that hands on stuff that people won’t forget.  Because true ministry will always cost you something, whether it time, money, or in some parts of the world your life. It will always costs you something. The preacher (The Priest) and church worker (The Levite) saw the need of the man but perhaps saw their safety to be bigger need or maybe they were running late for service and did not have time.  But the outcast of the church (The Samaritan) made time to minister and help. He was willing to pay the price no matter the cost.  He considered the need of someone else to be greater than his own.

True ministry is when you are willing to give of yourself so that someone else can come closer to Christ.  It takes courage to do ministry. Now this does not mean that you neglect your family and those important to you. Nor does it mean that you spend 24 hours a day in the church house. But it does mean that when God presents you with the opportunity to minister you take hold of it and do it!  Will you pay the price or walk on the other side of the road?

"Hate is the Highway to Hell, but love is the Stairway to Heave"

1 John 3:15, 4:19-21

As a Christian you cannot hate someone and expect to see Heaven. Hate will only lead you to Hell. But unrestrained and unconditional love is what God expects from us. God is concerned about your feelings and the hurt you feel (Psalm 147:3). But please understand what you went through, have endured, or are suffering does not condone you hating someone. Simply put hating the person instead of the sin will lead you to Hell. But loving them as Christ loved you will lead you to Heaven. Don't like this blog, say amen, and then turn around and hate someone. Because you have missed the point and I am not saying we act as door mats to others. But rather through God's Spirit we are able to see past sin and extend the love of God. Jesus did it for you, I think it is time we all return the favor. Stay focused you can do this!

"In His JOY!"

"Welcome to the perfect church...well sort of"

Revelation 2:1-7

The Church of Ephesus sounds like the perfect Church, when you read Revelation 2. They practiced good deeds, hard work, and preserved through some rocky times (Revelation 2:2). They found no pleasure in wickedness and tested those who claimed that they were apostles (Revelation 2:2). Even when they faced persecution because of their belief in Jesus they meet the challenge head on without wavering in their faith (Revelation 2:3). They even hated heresy and spoke out against it (Revelation 2:6) However the Lord had one charge against them, they were lacking in love (Revelation 2:4). They possessed all the attributes of a good and Godly Church but they were lacking in love, they failed to love those who seemed or were un-lovable. And God called them to repent of this and learn to love again (Revelation 2:5). If they did not turn and repent God promised to remove the Church of Ephesus (Revelation 2:5). But God calls out to the people in the Church of Ephesus and tells them to take heed to what He is saying. And not only take heed but actually do what God is telling them (Revelation 2:7)

When I hear are see people teach heresy and lead others astray all in the name of God it bothers me. I get upset when I see Pastors, Evangelist, Bishops, Deacons, Prophets, Christians, etc. twist the Word of God and confuse others. It rises up within me a righteous anger. But I am careful that my righteous anger does not turn into bitterness and hate. I cannot lose my love for them no matter what they do. God makes it very clear in Revelation 2:1-7 that we are to continually love those who teach false doctrines and lead others astray. The teachings of the Nicolaitans was heresy. It displeased God and brought no honor to his name. But God reprimanded the Church of Ephesus for not loving them. The Church's doctrine was sound and deeds were good but they lacked love. 

So I continually ask myself am I loving those whose teachings are false, who I know are hypocrites, who I see leading others astray? God makes it very clear in His Word that we are to love everyone rather they are friend or foe, God tells us to love them (Matthew 5:44, 1 John 4:7). And God also makes it very clear in His Word that if we do not love them, then we do not know God and are not considered a child of God (1 John 4:8, 20-21). So I have learned that I must love those who teach incorrect theology and do not rightly instruct the Word of God. I am not found of their choices and angered by their sin but I will love them and show them love. I will not speak ill of them or make it my mission to ridicule them publicly as if to make a spectacle of them. Because love covers any amount of sin (Proverbs 10:12). I urge you to search your heart and repent of any hatred you have towards someone you know is leading others astray. Remember it is okay that you disagree with their teaching and angered by their sin. But is not okay to hate them, God tells us to love just as He loves...and that love is unconditionally. 

Stay focused you can do this!

In His JOY!

"I would like some revenge and make it cold"

Proverbs 20:22, Isaiah 40:31

"Revenge is a dish best served cold", it's a saying that many of us live by.  Because when we become subject to unmerited pain we want to see justice for our grief, we want to see someone fall and come to their ruin, we want the peace back that they took from us.  But is it ever enough?  Are really truly satisfied when we take vengeance on someone-else and see them come to ruin?  The true answer is no!  We will never be filled with satisfaction from the demise of an individual.  Yes the pain may have ended and justice given but our feeling of wholeness will never be met and our need for vengeance will continue.

The Bible tells us not to repay evil but instead wait for the Lord and allow Him to deliver us (Proverbs 20:22).  This not a promise of justice and it is not a promise that we will see the one who wronged us humiliated but it is a promise of deliverance.  It is a promise that whatever situation I am in God will rescue me.

What ever has happened I know that He will redeem me and set me free once again.  But God tells me to wait on Him.  The promise of waiting is knowing that in Him my strength will return and I live to fight another day (Isaiah 40:31).  Because the fight of it all does take its toll on us and the Lord knows it (Isaiah 40:30).   But if we choose not to wait and seek after revenge we can look forward to falling into the trap we set (Proverbs 26:27).  So I choose to wait.

What about you?  Are you seeking vengeance or mercy?  Love or hate?  Bondage or deliverance?  Death or life?  The devil or Jesus?  If your choice is to get revenge you will never be free, but if it is to wait for the Lord you will enjoy freedom. (But this only works for those who believe and confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior, to you it is foolish jargon.  But trust me it is truth.  You have to willing take the chance and find out for yourself.) Stay focused you can do this!

In His JOY!

"Try not to act like Ham...and I don't mean the meat!"

Genesis 9:18-28

Ham, Noah's son, discovered Noah laying naked in his tent (Genesis 9:21) Apparently Noah had too much wine and became drunk (Genesis 9:20-21) but never the less Ham saw Noah in his tent bare. Ham decided to go and tell his brothers of their fathers shame (Genesis 9:22). When Shem and Japheth heard what Ham had told them they took it upon themselves to cover their father's naked body with a robe (9-22-23). When Noah sobered up he discovered what Ham and done and He cursed him (Genesis 9:24). Wow! Sounds like something you hear about on
about on a talk show. But it does make me think. When I catch someone I love, my family especially, in sin what do I do? Do I go and tell the rest of the family in the hopes to embarrass them or do I try to take care of them?

Ham could have easily helped his father, instead he choose to tell others of his father's poor decision and humiliate him. Shem and Japheth choose to tend to their father but this does not mean that they were condoning Noah's Sin. I think of my "crazy" family (brothers, sisters, in-laws, wife, kids, cousin,etc.) and how many times I choose to humiliate them for their sins and not help them. Not very Christian of me is it? No and for that matter when we catch anyone in sin we should not look to make a mockery of them, no, instead we should follow the example of Shem and Japheth and help restore them. And just like Shem and Japheth we are careful that we do succumb to the same sin. Galatians 6:1 makes it very clear this is what the Lord will have us to do (Galatians 6:1, you should read it). I am not saying a curse will come upon us like it did Ham but I am saying it is clear when we expose the sin of someone else for the purposes of humiliation, gossip, or whatever it does bring honor to God. Instead it brings shame on ourselves.

Let's all take a self inventory and see if we are helping those in sin or are just mocking them as a public spectacle. Stay focused, you can do this!

In His JOY!

"Looking for stuff in all the wrong places"

Matthew 6:25-34

Everyone is looking for something. Some of us are pursing concrete things look money, friends, or objects. Others are looking for more abstract things like peace, wisdom, or love. Life tends make the pursuit of our happiness hard to get. We get money but it is never enough. We find true love only later to have our hearts broken. We obtain friends but death, life, and problems separate us. We become wise but soon our wisdom becomes outdated and we other consider us to be fools. We get cars and houses but they become either too small or break down. We find peace but it is only temporary. This is the problem when your pursuit of happiness is for concrete and abstract ideas that will not stand the test of time.

These pursuits cause us to compromise our beliefs, morals, and values. Leaving us feeling empty and unfulfilled so end the pursuit of one thing and go after another one. The more we pursue them the more and they take away from us. What we lose is never replaced and what we thought we gained only last for a moment. If we are willing to lose our life and accept Jesus we will gain life in Christ (Matthew 10:39). So this is an exchange and not a sale of our inner most being. This world would have sell your very soul and gain nothing in return (Mark 8:36).

You want peace you can have it in Jesus (John 14:27). You want real love, you have it in God (1 John 4:8). You lack wisdom, Jesus will give you what you need (James 1:5). As for those concrete things, the Lord you need such things. But He desires for you to seek after Him. And He promises He will take care of you and provide for your needs (Matthew 6:25-34). These promises and guarantees are for those who would dare to believe and put their faith in Jesus. So I ask you would you dare to believe?

Stay focused, you can do this.

In His JOY!

My Hope walked on water

2 Peter 3:9

There is hope for this world ad-mist all the grief that surrounds it (Proverbs 10:28). There is a real JOY that cannot be derailed by emotions (John 16:22). There is a peace that surpasses intellect (Philippians 4:6-7). And there is a strength that never grows weak (Romans 16:25)

But all these are only for those who dare accept Jesus. Although we mourn and grieve, we are assure

d that our mourning will end and our comfort will begin (Psalm 126:5). If tragedy strikes our hearts ache but our JOY remains (Nehemiah 8:10). We have Christ Peace within us despite the chaos around us (John 14:27). And we know the Lord will always renew our strength when we are emotionally drained (Psalm 27:14).

So I plead with you to accept Jesus. Understand that you have done wrong and admit it. Know that He died for your wrongs but believe that death could not contain Him. Allow him to be the Lord of your life by following Him. Take a chance and experience something that is true, pure, and good.

Stay focused, you can do this!

In His JOY!

"I love you...no I really mean it!"

Romans 12: 9-10

Today when you utter the words "I love you", really mean it. Let it come from your heart and prove itself by your actions.  Don't limit your love with conditions, instead let it flow freely to all.  Because when we share LOVE we share JESUS! Stay focused, you can do this.


" In His Joy"