As most of you know that Kathy's grandma passed away on April 12th, and we went back to Kansas for the services. Tami and Kim's grandma passed away on April 10th, and they went back to Pennsylvania for her services. With the death of someone that is related to you, it is often a time to truly reflect on what is important in life.
Many of us are focused on our jobs and trying to acquire wealth. But the Bible is clear in Matthew 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth.......v 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.
Many of us are focused on school, gaining knowledge and wisdom from the world. But the Bible is clear in 1 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV) Where is the wise man? where is the scholar? where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world.
Many of us are focused on our status among people, what car we drive, how big our house is, clothes we wear, etc in an effort to "show off what we have". But the Bible is clear in 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world , the love of the Father is not in him.
Many of us are focused on our families. But the Bible is clear in Matthew 12:48-50 Jesus replied to them, Who is my mother and who are my brothers? Pointing to his disciples, He said, here are my mother and brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.
Now don't misinterpret this, there is nothing wrong with any of these. But when they become the focal point of our lives instead of Christ, that is where the problem enters. We need to focus our lives on Jesus, once this is realized, then all the other things will fall into place.
I read a book in high school called I am Third. It basically relayed the message of the Lord is first, my friends(family) is second, and I am Third.
With the death of loved ones close to us and even the death of ourselves coming at anytime the question that should be asked of ourselves, Is the Lord first in your lives?
Until next time.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
A New Challenge
The posts up until now have been sort of basic in the beliefs of Christianity. Now I am going to go into an area that is going to challenge us. It is going to challenge in a way that we often are not comfortable with. It is going to challenge the status quo in our lives. It is my desire and hope that as we explore this area that we are able to do so with an open heart so we can grow in knowledge and mature in our walk with the Lord.
The area we are going explore, I am going to put in the form of a question. What does believing in Jesus look like?
I think that generally people today have a false sense of assurance that they are going to Heaven. Some may say how can you make such a sweeping, broad brush statement like that. I am not making this statement based on my own opinion, it is God making this statement in the Bible.
To the unbelievers who say God loves us and good people will go to heaven. Jesus tells us otherwise in Matthew 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a FEW will find it.
To the people who think they are Christian because they prayed a certain prayer, or go to church, or read the Bible, etc. Jesus says to them in Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven.
John also responds to these type of people in 1 John 2:4 The man who says I know him, but does not do what He commands is a liar and the truth is not in him.
The Bible gives many examples of people who "SAY" they are a Christian; however, God says that they are deceived.
When judgement day comes, we don't want to be the ones that we think we are going to Heaven and God says to us (Matthew 7:23) I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME. We want to be the ones on judgement day where God says to us (Matthew 25:21) WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!!
How can we be assured that we are true and genuine believers in Christ?
First...2 Corinthians 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith: examine yourselves. Also we see in 2 Peter 1:10 Be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you. And again in 1 Corinthians 11:28 But a man must examine himself.
So the first thing that we need to do is examine ourselves. We need to ask the Lord to help cause a true, authentic, and honest look at ourselves and give us a strong desire to correct the changes in our lives that are needed.
Until next time
The area we are going explore, I am going to put in the form of a question. What does believing in Jesus look like?
I think that generally people today have a false sense of assurance that they are going to Heaven. Some may say how can you make such a sweeping, broad brush statement like that. I am not making this statement based on my own opinion, it is God making this statement in the Bible.
To the unbelievers who say God loves us and good people will go to heaven. Jesus tells us otherwise in Matthew 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a FEW will find it.
To the people who think they are Christian because they prayed a certain prayer, or go to church, or read the Bible, etc. Jesus says to them in Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven.
John also responds to these type of people in 1 John 2:4 The man who says I know him, but does not do what He commands is a liar and the truth is not in him.
The Bible gives many examples of people who "SAY" they are a Christian; however, God says that they are deceived.
When judgement day comes, we don't want to be the ones that we think we are going to Heaven and God says to us (Matthew 7:23) I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME. We want to be the ones on judgement day where God says to us (Matthew 25:21) WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!!
How can we be assured that we are true and genuine believers in Christ?
First...2 Corinthians 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith: examine yourselves. Also we see in 2 Peter 1:10 Be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you. And again in 1 Corinthians 11:28 But a man must examine himself.
So the first thing that we need to do is examine ourselves. We need to ask the Lord to help cause a true, authentic, and honest look at ourselves and give us a strong desire to correct the changes in our lives that are needed.
Until next time
Friday, April 2, 2010
Christ Died Today
It is interesting how we often make big deals about birthdays, wedding anniverseries, etc; however, we don't really pay too much attention to the day that Jesus died for us. Today a little less than 2000 years ago, as followers of Christ, we are reminded and humbled, that Jesus our King died for us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)