It has been a while since I have sat down and blogged. Last night my lovely wife and I ran out to the beach for a stroll and time together. Memories flowed out as we walked along the shore. You see, we sold our house in Port Aransas a little over 6 years ago and at times questioned why the Lord would have had us sell it. I always justified having the house because the Lord blessed us an wanted me to have a place I could get away for some 'R&R.' It was easy to justify having two houses, a successful business, and a wonderful ministry (Bi-Vocational at that time). It seemed like we were in heaven here at home, and that God was blessing us. Every Thrusday night after Bible Studies, Judy and I would head to Port A, come back in Sunday morning for church, and then head back until monday. Then work all week and head back to our refuge.
Many people have asked me over the years "What makes you love surfing so much?" It is truly something that is hard to explain. God, the power of nature, the beauty of it all, and an exhilerating and fun sport. I loved the beach. I loved the surf and I still do. I love the sound of the Water, the waves, and the birds. It is peaceful and serene. The smell is amzing and the seabreeze is refreshing. At 55 years old I still surf (not as much as I used to) and enjoy the beach.
As my wife and I walked down the beach we started thinking once again. "Wouldn't it be nice to have another house in Port Aransas? We could a small house and have be able to walk down the beach in the morning and evenings again." My mind started thinking immediatley about how I could surf once again at least several times a week. It all sounded so good, but we both realized that sometimes what we want isn't really what we need.
God has shown Judy and I why He had us that dear old house in Port Aransas, and give up what seemed like the best of two worlds. It did not take long for us to realize that the dream won't ever happen again. That stealing away a evening occassionaly to walk down the each would be sufficient. That slipping out to catch a wave would be occassional also. Before we sold our house we did 4 Bible studies a week and once a month did community things. Today we still do Bible Studies, but we also do alot more. Everyday is filled with serving others. The joy we have found through Christ comes now throguh our service at the minstry (Quiet Time Ministries), Driscoll Hospital, Juvenile Justice Center, Youth, The Care Center (a food Pantry) and more. Our love for Christ and others now overshadows the dreams of things here on earth.
Yes, God has blessed Judy and I over the years with things, and it seems that we have finally found out that the simple pleasures of life can hinder the true meaning of life. Jerermiah 29:11 says that God has a plan for our life and I believe that with all of my heart. The plan is to live, love and be like Jesus to a lost and dying world. The reward is knowing that He dwells in us and that we find great contentment in giving and not receiving. Sometimes giving up those things that yo love will open the door to true love. Being His and resting in His joy. It is great to remember those old days and what has brought wonderful memories, but it is far better to be in the center of His will~
Sunday, February 10, 2013
The Gift
As long as I can remember I was always told that our slavation was a gift from God. I still do, but I also see alot more than I used to. I pray that as you read what God had laid on my heart that you will look into the mirror of truth and see that even though salvation is free, it demands our acceptance.
Paul writes in Romans 13:14 "Rather, clothe youselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." He also writes in Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ." Then in Ephesians 4:24 he says And to put in the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." These aresome pretty powerful and deep words! They give us an extrodinary glimpse of the free gift in which God desires to give each and every one of us.
Let me explain what a gift really is, and what it really is not. Over the years I have been given alot of gifts. You may relate to what I am about to write and then again you might not be bale to. If you were given a pictire for your home that was truly 'gawdy' and it wsa from a dear friend, would you hang it for everyone to see? How about those ties men get a Christmas and for birthdays that are so wild you would not dare wear them in public. Would you boldy tie is around your neck so that all can see it? You might have even been given something that is so precious that you decide not wear it in public because of the fear of having it stolen, or having it draw unwanted attention to yourself. The were all 'free' gifts were they not?
God has desired for us to receive a free gift too, and that is Christ. Paul writes in Col. 3:9-10 "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge on the image of Christ." In verse 12 he states "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." You see, we have to 'Put on' Christ each and everyday. We must 'Put on' the aromor (Eph. 6:10) so that we can live Holy and righteous lives daily, allowing people to see Christ is us. Putting on Christ does not mean we put on our Christian T-Shirts, but clothing ourselves with Christ. This is how we truly receive the gift from God, Christ in us.
Today more than ever before we see the multitudes of proclaiming Christians begin defeated daily by the world. We see them tangled up in worldy lusts amd passions instead of Christ. We see them clothed with sin, and secularism, instead of Christ. How can this be? Becausee they choose to recieve the gift that the world offers instead of the gift God desires for them receive daily, Christ in us.
What gift have we received? If we find oureselves looking into the mirror of truth this mornign and admit that we are clothing ourselves withthe world instead of Christ, then this is a blessed day. We can truly recieve the gift God desires for us to have by clothing ourselves with the gift of Christ. Repent, turn from that old self with its old clothing and put on Christ. Then the world will see holiness, righteousness, compassion, kindness, gentleness emitting from us. Put on Christ this day, and forevermore~
Paul writes in Romans 13:14 "Rather, clothe youselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." He also writes in Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ." Then in Ephesians 4:24 he says And to put in the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." These aresome pretty powerful and deep words! They give us an extrodinary glimpse of the free gift in which God desires to give each and every one of us.
Let me explain what a gift really is, and what it really is not. Over the years I have been given alot of gifts. You may relate to what I am about to write and then again you might not be bale to. If you were given a pictire for your home that was truly 'gawdy' and it wsa from a dear friend, would you hang it for everyone to see? How about those ties men get a Christmas and for birthdays that are so wild you would not dare wear them in public. Would you boldy tie is around your neck so that all can see it? You might have even been given something that is so precious that you decide not wear it in public because of the fear of having it stolen, or having it draw unwanted attention to yourself. The were all 'free' gifts were they not?
God has desired for us to receive a free gift too, and that is Christ. Paul writes in Col. 3:9-10 "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge on the image of Christ." In verse 12 he states "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." You see, we have to 'Put on' Christ each and everyday. We must 'Put on' the aromor (Eph. 6:10) so that we can live Holy and righteous lives daily, allowing people to see Christ is us. Putting on Christ does not mean we put on our Christian T-Shirts, but clothing ourselves with Christ. This is how we truly receive the gift from God, Christ in us.
Today more than ever before we see the multitudes of proclaiming Christians begin defeated daily by the world. We see them tangled up in worldy lusts amd passions instead of Christ. We see them clothed with sin, and secularism, instead of Christ. How can this be? Becausee they choose to recieve the gift that the world offers instead of the gift God desires for them receive daily, Christ in us.
What gift have we received? If we find oureselves looking into the mirror of truth this mornign and admit that we are clothing ourselves withthe world instead of Christ, then this is a blessed day. We can truly recieve the gift God desires for us to have by clothing ourselves with the gift of Christ. Repent, turn from that old self with its old clothing and put on Christ. Then the world will see holiness, righteousness, compassion, kindness, gentleness emitting from us. Put on Christ this day, and forevermore~
Can you live in sin and still inherit the kingdom of God?
We had a mini revival at the Detention Center this morning. It only took about five minutes after we sang for a young man to blurt out "You can't go to hell for being sexually immoral and having sex!" Praise be to God that immediately I had them pass out the Bibles for all of them to follow along as we read important scriptures that let us all know "Who will, who won't, according to God's Word, and not anyones opinon." Before we started though, we let them all know that it is God's love for them, and His grace that is giving each one of them the opportunity to turn from sin, and to Him.
I wish to share these scriptures also with you all:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be decieved: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexaul offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
Galatians 5:19-21 "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious:Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Ephesians 5:3-6 "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, follish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure:No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater- has an inheritance in the kingdom of God. Let no one decieve you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient."
Revelation 21:7-8 "He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be His God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
Okay.... we have read the truth from scripture. It is not an opinion, but God's Word. No one can enter the kingdom of heaven if any of these things remain in them when they die according to the Word. Unfortunately over the years Pastor's, Teacher's, Evangelist's and Church Leadership have gone the way of of what Paul was speaking in Ephesians 5 "Deceiving people with empty words." We did not rad anywhere in these scriptures where it said that if you said a prayer then you will inherit the kingdom of God regardless of these sins being in your life. We did not read that we should excuse anyone because they just started coming to church, or that they had a horrible life and it will take time. Paul and Jesus were saying "Examine yourself and be away from these things or you will not inherit the kingdom of God." Paul was speaking to those whostarted out strong and encouraging them to turn back because if anyone dies in thse sins then they will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Look into the mirror of truth and not opinion. The Word says what it says and this is not my opinion. Is the a hinf of sexual immorlaity in your life? Do you think it to be okay to even watch movies or tv shows with sex in them? Is there anything that is impure in your life? Do you still think even a little lie is okay? Do you think that the obscenity one reads, watches or speaks is okay? Do you think that coarse joking is okay? When I read the scripture it humbles me and makes me examine myself for any and everything that might not be honoring God. My eternal life with Him is more important than what I think or what my opinion is. Sin is sin and it will always seperate the sinner from God unless one repents, turns from sin, and seeks God. I know Pastors who think that if you they are talking with people who are rough professions then it makes it okay to cuss and get on their level. I know Pastors who claim to know Christ yet drink, cuss, lie, tell people its okay to divorce, live with each other and even be homosexual. Ephesians 5:7 says "Therefore do not be partners with them." Get away from anyone the promotes sin, condones sin, or justifies sin. You eternity rests on the scripture and what we read.
Revival happened this morning because of one thing "God's Word and Truth!" One after another young men and women came and asked for Judy or myself to pray with them. Jesus did say "The turth shall ste you free."
I wish to share these scriptures also with you all:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be decieved: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexaul offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
Galatians 5:19-21 "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious:Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Ephesians 5:3-6 "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, follish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure:No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater- has an inheritance in the kingdom of God. Let no one decieve you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient."
Revelation 21:7-8 "He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be His God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
Okay.... we have read the truth from scripture. It is not an opinion, but God's Word. No one can enter the kingdom of heaven if any of these things remain in them when they die according to the Word. Unfortunately over the years Pastor's, Teacher's, Evangelist's and Church Leadership have gone the way of of what Paul was speaking in Ephesians 5 "Deceiving people with empty words." We did not rad anywhere in these scriptures where it said that if you said a prayer then you will inherit the kingdom of God regardless of these sins being in your life. We did not read that we should excuse anyone because they just started coming to church, or that they had a horrible life and it will take time. Paul and Jesus were saying "Examine yourself and be away from these things or you will not inherit the kingdom of God." Paul was speaking to those whostarted out strong and encouraging them to turn back because if anyone dies in thse sins then they will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Look into the mirror of truth and not opinion. The Word says what it says and this is not my opinion. Is the a hinf of sexual immorlaity in your life? Do you think it to be okay to even watch movies or tv shows with sex in them? Is there anything that is impure in your life? Do you still think even a little lie is okay? Do you think that the obscenity one reads, watches or speaks is okay? Do you think that coarse joking is okay? When I read the scripture it humbles me and makes me examine myself for any and everything that might not be honoring God. My eternal life with Him is more important than what I think or what my opinion is. Sin is sin and it will always seperate the sinner from God unless one repents, turns from sin, and seeks God. I know Pastors who think that if you they are talking with people who are rough professions then it makes it okay to cuss and get on their level. I know Pastors who claim to know Christ yet drink, cuss, lie, tell people its okay to divorce, live with each other and even be homosexual. Ephesians 5:7 says "Therefore do not be partners with them." Get away from anyone the promotes sin, condones sin, or justifies sin. You eternity rests on the scripture and what we read.
Revival happened this morning because of one thing "God's Word and Truth!" One after another young men and women came and asked for Judy or myself to pray with them. Jesus did say "The turth shall ste you free."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)