Top Ten Blog Posts of 2011!

#10 Careless in His Care: Freedom!

#9 Discernment: Making Decisions

#8 Handicapped: When Your Might Runs Out

#7 Grudges: The Power of Forgiveness

#6 Blind Leading The Blind

#5 Seven Days Closer: A 7-Day Challenge

#4 Oh Pity Me-No!

#3 Sexuality? Taboo?

#2 Originals: One of a Kind

#1 We're All on The Train

Agape :)

Forgiveness

Hello all, 

Here are a few scriptures on forgiveness:

 

A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. 

Proverbs 19:11 NIV

Whoever forgives an offense seeks love,
   but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.  

Proverbs 17:9 GWT

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 

2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. 

Ephesians 3:31-31 MSG

Agape :)

Happy Birthday Jesus!

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. 

John 3:16 MSG

A big THANKS and Happy Birthday to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Agape :)

Painful Days

If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world's terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God's terms and no longer on the world's terms, the world is going to hate you.

"When that happens, remember this: Servants don't get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.

 "They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don't know the One who sent me. If I hadn't come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn't be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse. Hate me, hate my Father—it's all the same. If I hadn't done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn't be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father. Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, 'They hated me for no good reason.'

John 15:18-21 The Message

Some days as followers, we experience painful days. Some days we experience persecution: we are kicked down (especially when we're already down), shunned, treated unfairly, ambushed, or made false accusations about. They wait to ambush us. They hurt us. All these things, they did to Jesus too. He didn't hold a grudge. He wasn't bitter. He didn't defend himself (I need to work on this one). He didn't give them a piece of His mind. He prayed for them. He loved them. He forgave them. As His followers, we experience that too. And we are called to love and forgive the same way He did! Everyone is not always going to understand us, like us, or accept us, but our Father does! He loves us, and He promises to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).

Here are scriptures that encourage me on those days:

We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair;

    We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;

    Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.

    For we who live are constantly [experiencing] being handed over to death for Jesus' sake, that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced through our flesh which is liable to death. 

2 Corinthians 4:8-11, AMP

So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).

2 Corinthians 12:10, AMP

Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous--with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account. Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:10-12, AMP

But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.

Matthew 5:44

Agape :)

Statistics or Faith?

Now Satan entered the scene and seduced David into taking a census of Israel. David gave orders to Joab and the army officers under him, "Canvass all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and get a count of the population. I want to know the number."

 Joab resisted: "May God multiply his people by hundreds! Don't they all belong to my master the king? But why on earth would you do a thing like this—why risk getting Israel into trouble with God?"

 But David wouldn't take no for an answer, so Joab went off and did it— canvassed the country and then came back to Jerusalem and reported the results of the census: There were 1,100,000 fighting men; of that total, Judah accounted for 470,000. Joab, disgusted by the command—it, in fact, turned his stomach!—protested by leaving Levi and Benjamin out of the census-taking. And God, offended by the whole thing, punished Israel.

 Then David prayed, "I have sinned badly in what I have just done, substituting statistics for trust; forgive my sin—I've been really stupid."

1 Chronicles 21:1-8, The Message Bible

This passage is a great reminder that we must watch our pride. Our pride always places trust in ourselves above trust in God. In this instance, David looked to numbers (or statistics) to measure his success (or aptitude to succeed). We see this happening in our society all the time. I myself am a very logical, left brain, type of thinker so this gets very difficult for me at times. Yes, the Word says count the costs (Luke 14:28), but it also says lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)! Instead, we should keep our eyes on God who supplies all our needs! 

Agape :)

Discernment Cont'd

This post is a continuation from my last post. Below is a discernment guide (from my Faith Development professor) that I find to be quite helpful, especially when I'm trying to make a decision or discern God's Will. If you have any questions understanding it, feel free to post a comment or email me!

Agape :)

Discernment Guide

1. Name the issue.

2. Pray for enlightenment.

3. Gather appropriate data for your matter.

                        ü  consult scripture
          ü  seek the advice of trusted advisors
         ü  heed the collective sense and wisdom of the Christian community
         ü  read widely and deeply the best ancient and contemporary thinking
         ü  pray without ceasing

4. Sort your thoughts and data (scripture, advisors, readings, etc):

Your thoughts toward yourself	Data’s thoughts about you
Your thoughts toward God	Data’s thoughts about God
Your thoughts toward evil	Data’s thoughts about evil

Is the choice that seems to be emerging God’s way for us? Explain.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Virtually live your decision  (envision yourself).

6. Look for a confirming sign.

ü  Can you live in the two weeks of virtually implementing the decision?

ü  Is there a confirming sign?

ü  Is there joy, peace, or consolation (comfort) or is there discomfort, restlessness, or anxiety?

7. Make the decision.

8. Implement the decision.

ü  Can your decision be broken down into steps? If so, note an appropriate order.

ü  Does anyone need to be informed about this decision in advance of its implementation? If so, what is the best way to do that?

ü  Who besides yourself might be involved in carrying out the decision? How will you invite them to their role?

ü  If some of them choose not to join you, what will you do?

ü  Who will support you along the way?

ü  If reflecting and praying on these practicalities (listed directly above) elicits some fear or resistance, weigh this against the experience of spiritual freedom that resulted from your decision.

9. Ritualize the decision.

10. Guard your heart and watch your thoughts.

Discernment/Making Decisions

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalms 25:4 (NIV)

Always remember, when God made you He did so with a purpose and a plan. He saw all your days before you lived one of them and placed over you the covering of His protective love. He has allowed nothing to come into your life that has not first been screened through that love. His hand has remained upon you to this day. He calls you by name. You are His beloved child, the apple of His eye, and the delight of His heart. Today you are in the exact place He wants you to be, and tomorrow He will be with you as He has always been--in goodness, in kindness, in faithfulness.

         -Roy Lessins

Before you begin the discernment process complete the following pre-discernment guide steps:

Step 1: Believe in the goodness of God.

He is good; His love endures forever. -2 Chronicles 7:3 (NIV)

Step 2: Believe God communicates with you. He can communicate through people, music, nature, peace (or the lack of), dreams, sermons, circumstances, etc. He is not limited!

Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam…

-Numbers 22:9 (NIV)

There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. –Exodus 3:2 (NIV)

Step 3: Submit (yield) your desires to God. Tune into God’s voice. Listen.

Love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.

 -Deuteronomy 30:20 (NIV)

Step 4: Meditate on (and believe) these scriptures:

My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment. Do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

Proverbs 3:21-26 (NIV, emphasis added)

But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, He will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is.

John 16:13 (The Message, emphasis added)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV, emphasis added)

First seek the counsel of the Lord.

1 Kings 22:5 (NIV, emphasis added)

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Psalm 34:10 (NIV, emphasis added)

The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as the anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in Him.

1 John 2: 27 (NIV)

Step 5: Pray. Here is a template (suggested) prayer:

        

“Father, I need Your guidance and Your wisdom to make the right choice in this very important matter. Your Word says that if I resist being wise in my own eyes, lean not to my own understanding, and acknowledge You in all my ways, You will direct my paths (Proverbs 3:5-7). You promised to instruct me, teach me in the way I should go, and guide me with Your eye (Psalm 32:8).

I want to pursue Your perfect plan for my life. Help me understand that although there may be many plans in my heart, it is Your purpose that will prevail (Proverbs 19:21). Therefore, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, I submit all of my druthers (preferences) and desires you You now.

Lord, I do not want to make this decision in isolation. Please send godly people across my path who will give me wise input because Your Word says that in the multitude of counselors there is safety (Proverbs 8:33).

For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake lead me and guide me (Psalm 31:3). In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”

Seven Days Closer...

Do you want to grow closer to God? Commit to spending 30 minutes every day for the next seven days experiencing this adventure of faith.

Day 1

Read Psalm 5:1-3. Start this adventure by focusing on your prayer life. Get up early in the morning and dedicate 30 minutes to praying out loud. Start by praying Psalm 5:1-3, then just talk to God openly about your thoughts, your requests, and your desire to be closer to Him.

Day 2

Read Psalm 8:1-9, then grab a small notebook and list all the things David praised God for. Take the notebook with you during the day and make a list of things you want to praise God for. Conclude your day by reviewing your list and praising God for his goodness to you.

Day 3

Read Psalms 10:1-15, 13:1-2, 22:1-2, and 32:3-5. Being truly close to God means coming to Him with your true feelings, even if they're negative. Grab a rock and hold onto it while you pray about negative feelings you may be experiencing. Then go outside and throw the rock as far as you can, symbolizing the fact that you've given those emotions and situations to God. (I personally like to write my negative thoughts, bitterness, resentment, hurt, etc on little pieces on paper. Next, I find scriptures to counteract those feelings/thoughts and burn them one by one to symbolize giving those feelings to God. Either practice will do). 

Day 4

Do you have hidden sins gnawing away at your heart? Read Psalm 51:1-19. Grab a shirt from your dirty clothes and hold it while you silently confess sins to God. Then put it in the washing machine, thanking God that he washes away your sins (Psalm 51:2).

Day 5

Read Psalm 57:1-11. Take 15 minutes to journal about hard times you're facing now or hard times you've been through in the past. Then read Psalm 57:1-11 again. How has God helped you through tough times? How will you trust Him through this current challenge? Journal for 10 minutes, writing your own Psalm about God's help.

Day 6

Read Psalm 42:1-2. Fast from one meal today--cut out either breakfast, or lunch, or dinner. Your tummy will growl and you'll be desperate for food; use those emotions to drive your prayer time. How desperate are you for God? Do you need God as food for your soul like your body needs food?

Day 7

Write down just one sentence that summarizes how you've grown spiritually this week. Then read Psalm 119-all of it. This psalm will take awhile to get through, but it is a great conclusion to your journey as you consider all the ways God's Word can impact your life. Wrap up by personally thanking God for what he's done in your heart this week. Call a friend and talk about your faith growth this week.

--Copyright by Group Publishing, Inc.