2 Corinthians 4: 8-12:We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
Have you had it hard all these years? all your life? throughout your walking with God? Well, it should not be of surprise to you. Let me list what you should embrace and later we will review why embrace it:
pressed on every side by troubles,
We are perplexed,
We are hunted down,
We get knocked down,
Through suffering,
live under constant danger of death,
we live in the face of death.
Now why should we embrace it?
1. Because it is something every Christian faces. Jesus said: I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33) It was to my surprise that I had to once come to agreement with God that not only is life a war, therefore the armor of God found in Ephesians 6, but also that pain, suffering, trials, etc were going to be part of my life.
2. In the same verses in 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 it says why we embrace all these though seasons in our lives:
but we are not crushed,
but not driven to despair,
but never abandoned by God,
but we are not destroyed,
our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies,
because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies,
but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
Are these not the best buts you have heard of? Definitely better than many excuses. Matter of fact, they are not excuses! They are promises!! God promises these to us.
All in all, yes we are going to face some pretty ugly seasons in life, but take heart, God has overcome the world, once again, John 16:33. And the greatest thing is that when you trust God with each and every promise He gives you, you can and will have peace in the midst of chaos. How? Why? Because in Christ, you have it. Remember always, you have peace with God through Christ (Acts 10:36, Romans 5:1)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Joy - Part 1
2 Corinthians 4:3. If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
Now let me remind you how priviledged we are whom believe in Jesus as Christ, Savior and Lord. Once, the choosen people of God were so afraid to hear of God themselves that they sent Moses to speak to God, Moses would then come back and intruct God's people with God's commands, but Moses' face shone so bright that after giving the people the instructions he would cover his face with a veil. Here, in 2 Corinthians, we realize how we have the same opportunity to be unveiled as Moses was before God, knowing what God wanted him to know, God has revealed the mistery of His Son Jesus Christ to us.
2 Corinthians 4: 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
How could we miss the obvious? In verse seven we read that it is clear, obvious, no doubt, no questions asked.... that it is not us but God who is the source of power. We are fragile clay jars, we rattle in our box, sometimes out of fear, lack of trust in God, etc. But God is the great treasure, the light, in our hearts... shining! Most importantly we shine without a veil... 2 Corinthians 3:13-18:
13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Another point not to miss: Let me emphasize the words SEE and REFLECT in verse 17.
Now let me remind you how priviledged we are whom believe in Jesus as Christ, Savior and Lord. Once, the choosen people of God were so afraid to hear of God themselves that they sent Moses to speak to God, Moses would then come back and intruct God's people with God's commands, but Moses' face shone so bright that after giving the people the instructions he would cover his face with a veil. Here, in 2 Corinthians, we realize how we have the same opportunity to be unveiled as Moses was before God, knowing what God wanted him to know, God has revealed the mistery of His Son Jesus Christ to us.
2 Corinthians 4: 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
How could we miss the obvious? In verse seven we read that it is clear, obvious, no doubt, no questions asked.... that it is not us but God who is the source of power. We are fragile clay jars, we rattle in our box, sometimes out of fear, lack of trust in God, etc. But God is the great treasure, the light, in our hearts... shining! Most importantly we shine without a veil... 2 Corinthians 3:13-18:
13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Another point not to miss: Let me emphasize the words SEE and REFLECT in verse 17.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
American dream in your backyard
We wake up at 6:30 in the morning, we eventually make it in the shower an then the rush begins; getting ready is like a circus presentation. Then we are set in our car ride, getting out of others' way and getting to our destination for the next 8-10 hours. Then we head back home, spend some time chatting, organizing and relaxing just before making our way back to bed.
We work, always on the go, but do we ever enjoy? Have you taken time to enjoy your blessings? Take a look out your window or step outside your room. Now you see all that you have but most importantly those who surround you. Yes, they were there yesterday and the day before, and the day you got upset and slammed the door, and the day you could not stop smiling. Look into their eyes, take time to see how much older they are getting, the time they have spent with you. Value them, their smiles, jokes, facial expressions, support and uniqueness. It only took 5-20 minutes, now you tell me, was it worth it?
We work, always on the go, but do we ever enjoy? Have you taken time to enjoy your blessings? Take a look out your window or step outside your room. Now you see all that you have but most importantly those who surround you. Yes, they were there yesterday and the day before, and the day you got upset and slammed the door, and the day you could not stop smiling. Look into their eyes, take time to see how much older they are getting, the time they have spent with you. Value them, their smiles, jokes, facial expressions, support and uniqueness. It only took 5-20 minutes, now you tell me, was it worth it?
Monday, August 22, 2011
Do you love me?
Have you ever heard a kid ask: "Do you love me?"
If they are asking you, you are stunned and a little hurt. Wondering, have I not demostrated my love to this him/her? If they are asking someone else, you think its so cute. Ok, I have to admit, these would be my reactions, not everyone is moved the same way. However, what if someone was in a way begging you for love? What if one day you find yourself hearing very clearly the cry of someone for love?
Sometimes we go around serving here, there, everywhere not realizing that there are people around us that feel like the woman who touched Jesus' hem. I am not trying in any way to say that we are Jesus, in any way Jesus or at all comparable to Jesus, but what I am trying to say is that those around us need not only to hear the Word of God but also feel/know the love of God. And while I know only God can give them true love, I believe we can make having a relationship with God vivid and desireable to those around them with how we treat them. For example, I know a brother in Christ who has grown close to my family and he and his wife at times come over to our home. We share many memories, but in these years of building a relationship, I have at times wanted to give God's Word to him and her, however, I noticed not to long ago, that while I was thinking on what to say, I had never even realized that I had never side-hugged my brother. I realized this once, when hugging some other brothers I suddenly was before him, and I had to ask him: Have I ever given you a hug? His response: no. Here I was wondering what I could share (Word of God) with him, and what I had forgotten to share was God's love.
Then, another example. Clearly did I hear a cry to be loved. My father once in a conversation said to me: "Nobody asks me how I am doing". How could I have missed it? How/What has kept me from loving my father? How can I be an example to my father of God's love, if I do not care enough to ask him this on occasion, and really care for him? Yes, this is something I need to work on, pray for me in regards to this.
Now, not to take away from the importance of all this, I need to say, that I personally unconsiously I think, categorize, specially certain males as not needing the extra attention, care, and love. In these scenarios I shared, my brother in Christ, is a tough looking, certain minded guy, while my father, well, a hard working father. However, this, obviously, does not entail that they do not yearn for love and care.
Think about this. As you go about your days, who have you forgotten to love. Its like 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 says:
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing
If they are asking you, you are stunned and a little hurt. Wondering, have I not demostrated my love to this him/her? If they are asking someone else, you think its so cute. Ok, I have to admit, these would be my reactions, not everyone is moved the same way. However, what if someone was in a way begging you for love? What if one day you find yourself hearing very clearly the cry of someone for love?
Sometimes we go around serving here, there, everywhere not realizing that there are people around us that feel like the woman who touched Jesus' hem. I am not trying in any way to say that we are Jesus, in any way Jesus or at all comparable to Jesus, but what I am trying to say is that those around us need not only to hear the Word of God but also feel/know the love of God. And while I know only God can give them true love, I believe we can make having a relationship with God vivid and desireable to those around them with how we treat them. For example, I know a brother in Christ who has grown close to my family and he and his wife at times come over to our home. We share many memories, but in these years of building a relationship, I have at times wanted to give God's Word to him and her, however, I noticed not to long ago, that while I was thinking on what to say, I had never even realized that I had never side-hugged my brother. I realized this once, when hugging some other brothers I suddenly was before him, and I had to ask him: Have I ever given you a hug? His response: no. Here I was wondering what I could share (Word of God) with him, and what I had forgotten to share was God's love.
Then, another example. Clearly did I hear a cry to be loved. My father once in a conversation said to me: "Nobody asks me how I am doing". How could I have missed it? How/What has kept me from loving my father? How can I be an example to my father of God's love, if I do not care enough to ask him this on occasion, and really care for him? Yes, this is something I need to work on, pray for me in regards to this.
Now, not to take away from the importance of all this, I need to say, that I personally unconsiously I think, categorize, specially certain males as not needing the extra attention, care, and love. In these scenarios I shared, my brother in Christ, is a tough looking, certain minded guy, while my father, well, a hard working father. However, this, obviously, does not entail that they do not yearn for love and care.
Think about this. As you go about your days, who have you forgotten to love. Its like 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 says:
1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Unanswered prayer
God gives us one of three answers:
1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Wait.
The unanswered prayer is the one not prayed for. This is not to say that God is not at work, with or without our prayers; for He will not only fullfill His work in us (psalm 138:8) but has already won the war (Romans 8:37). However, God says to call unto Him and He will answer and show us great and mighty things which we don't know (Jeremiah 33:3).
Have you been longing, waiting, even expecting for God to move in a certain area? Maybe you want to see a "generation that seeks His face" like the song "Give us clean hands" mentions. Maybe you want to see many have saving faith in Jesus Christ, or maybe its just one person, a friend, a father, a mother, a child. Whatever it is, God knows your longing yet He longs to hear you and show you.
1 Thessalonians 5:17: pray without ceasing
Luke 18:1-8: 1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Wait.
The unanswered prayer is the one not prayed for. This is not to say that God is not at work, with or without our prayers; for He will not only fullfill His work in us (psalm 138:8) but has already won the war (Romans 8:37). However, God says to call unto Him and He will answer and show us great and mighty things which we don't know (Jeremiah 33:3).
Have you been longing, waiting, even expecting for God to move in a certain area? Maybe you want to see a "generation that seeks His face" like the song "Give us clean hands" mentions. Maybe you want to see many have saving faith in Jesus Christ, or maybe its just one person, a friend, a father, a mother, a child. Whatever it is, God knows your longing yet He longs to hear you and show you.
1 Thessalonians 5:17: pray without ceasing
Luke 18:1-8: 1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Friday, August 19, 2011
called to serve?
Why are we so afraid. Afraid of not having what it takes. Moses had this same problem (Exodus 4:10), but he didnt know what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 would say to us believers.
16. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Do you still feel like you don't have what it takes? Or are you thinking more on how much more time we need to spend in God's Word? If you have been called, you have been equipped. What is your equipment? the Word of God. This does not mean you stop seeking God, for it is amazing that every time we read His Word He speaks anew to us. If you have not yet heard from God, in regards to where He wants you to serve, now you know how He prepares us. Be in prayer, ask Him to prepare you.
16. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Do you still feel like you don't have what it takes? Or are you thinking more on how much more time we need to spend in God's Word? If you have been called, you have been equipped. What is your equipment? the Word of God. This does not mean you stop seeking God, for it is amazing that every time we read His Word He speaks anew to us. If you have not yet heard from God, in regards to where He wants you to serve, now you know how He prepares us. Be in prayer, ask Him to prepare you.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
M28^18
"The One who gives the power, gets the glory" * - John Pipper
Cause and effect: Cause creates the effect.
In Matthew 28:18 we find the cause of discipleship.... the spark, the fire, the strenght behind discipleship. Without it there is no discipleship, no disciples, no calling, no way we as mere human beings could ever GO! into the world and make disciples of Jesus Christ.
The effect: discipleship, love, freedom, salvation, the blind can see, eternal life with Jesus, safety, captives set free, sweet surrender, rest, etc and more....BOOM!
Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
* "Let the nations be glad. The supremacy of God in missions. 2nd edition"
Cause and effect: Cause creates the effect.
In Matthew 28:18 we find the cause of discipleship.... the spark, the fire, the strenght behind discipleship. Without it there is no discipleship, no disciples, no calling, no way we as mere human beings could ever GO! into the world and make disciples of Jesus Christ.
The effect: discipleship, love, freedom, salvation, the blind can see, eternal life with Jesus, safety, captives set free, sweet surrender, rest, etc and more....BOOM!
Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
* "Let the nations be glad. The supremacy of God in missions. 2nd edition"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)