'CHANGE' - God's Terms or Yours?

Someone said something to me and I got to thinking about it and so I just thought I would post my thoughts on the matter.

Dependence on God; we should depend on Him for everything in our lives. It is also true that we have to trust God to change us but we have to make right choices and obey the truth we know during that time. Our willful disobedience to the truth we know and the wrong choices we willfully make tie God’s hands in our life. We have to do our part. We can’t just sit back, live life the way we want and expect God to just magically change us. Our choices for Him show Him we are willing to have Him work in us, otherwise we all could stand up on judgment day and say, “well, I never changed because God didn’t change me.” Or “I didn’t get to a certain place because God didn’t get me there.”

Now don’t get me wrong, there are things in us that only God can change, and He does, but to really become what He wants us to become there are conditions we have to meet. I remember years ago someone told me that if I would take one step forward, He would take two. I believe with my whole heart that some of the mountains in me would never have been removed if I hadn’t of made certain choices in my life, certain separations unto the Lord, and being obedient in some of the small things. We go through life and so many times ignore so much of what we do thinking it doesn’t really matter but it does. God is watching and those seemingly insignificant things matter to Him. That still small voice is what He is looking to see if we are hearing and obeying it; or if we even care about it.

Wanting God to change us is a very noble thing, especially now a days; but are we willing to make the changes in our life that He is wanting, do we just want Him to change us or do we want to change for Him? Many times I have wanted Him to change me for me but what about Him, what about my desire and love to be changed for Him? We spend so much of our time pleasing ourselves and then we wonder why our hearts are not being changed. Each day He gives us opportunities to choose for ourselves or for Him. Maybe the reason I’m not experiencing the kind of changes I want is because of what I’m choosing during the day.

So if you are out there doing things you know are displeasing to the Lord or not doing things you know you should and are just waiting for God to change you while you continue on your merry way; I hope this helps you think twice and maybe make an effort to change things in your life, then watch and see what God does for you. I’m quite sure that the changes you are looking for will begin to happen and in a much greater way.

April Fool's

This morning was the first day of a new month and so time to put up on my wall a new page from my desk calendar. It is the calendar in which I keep all my appointments and events on, it is easy to see and read so I don't miss anything. Anyway, I took March off the wall and pulled out the calendar so I could hang up April. Well, there was March. That's weird, so I looked at the one I had on my wall thinking maybe I was looking at the wrong month all of last month.  For a brief moment I thought I was going crazy; come to find out whoever put the calendar together put two months of March in there. How appropriate for April Fool's Day! Hopefully that is all the fooling I'll get today.
This day is dedicated to all the Atheists out there...they don't believe in God. The Bible says in Psalm 14:1, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."
I have read in the news how they are now putting up billboards in Texas that say "Don't believe in God" How sad. It's one thing to feel that way but to put that up in the air is only asking for judgment to come falling down upon their heads. One day they will believe in God and they will wish they would have believed in Him when it would have counted for something, like the saving of their souls.
God is so loving that in His great thoughtfulness for even those unbelieving souls, He put a verse in His Word just for them.

This is another post that needs some updating since my awakening to all the lies perpetrated on us for so long. The reason they call it April Fool's Day is because they have the vast majority fooled into thinking that January is the New Year when in fact the New Year begins in the Spring.

Thoughts on Walking “In His Steps”

 

I picked up a book some time ago entitled “In His Steps” by Charles M. Sheldon. I never finished the book for one reason or another but a few days ago I picked up an Adventure in Odyssey book, entitled “The Stranger’s Message” by Paul McCusker. It is a story they did off of the original book. It is written for kids but great for adults too. I really got into this story and it pricked at my heart in such a way I felt to put my own thoughts down in writing and share them with whoever would chose to read them.

I hope this will cause you to take your own life into consideration and search your heart, soul, and very life. This book has examples of people from different walks of life. It is great for giving you examples of things that can happen…if you decide to “Walk in His steps.”

This book is very thought provoking! I think it is a good read for everyone that proclaims to be a Christian; after all, Christian does mean Christ like…

But how often are we only thinking about our self and not reflecting Jesus Christ? No wonder so many are unimpressed with so-called Christians. They don’t see Christ, they only hear empty words; they only hear words of “I’m a Christian” with nothing to back up those words.

What is wrong with us? What are we thinking?

It wasn’t too long ago that it became very popular to buy and wear things that had WWJD on them…A great question! But did we act on that question or just wear it to help dress up our “Christian” appearance?

So let us ask ourselves, not only what would Jesus do but am I walking in His steps? Am I doing as He would do?

What is it really to “walk in His steps?” The only way to find that answer is to sincerely seek Him in His Word and in Prayer, listening for and to His voice and then acting upon the words given to us no matter what the cost; even the cost to our Pride! Remember, Jesus walked His entire life in Humility. Jesus did say in Mark 10:21 “Sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

What if one town, one community or even just one family or individual decided to “do as Jesus would do”? Even if for just one month (we as Christians should live our entire life this way) in your home, workplace, church, school, everywhere, in everything and with everyone we come in contact with. What kind of impact would that have on not only on you, but also the recipients of your Christ-like actions?

I’m sure not everything would have pleasurable results but it shouldn’t matter if it’s what Jesus would do or want us to do. Not everything He did was accepted either; we shouldn’t expect anything different to happen to us.

We should ask this question everyday of our lives and in every situation, even the things we like to do, that may seem insignificant, like watching a movie or reading a book; would Jesus read or watch this? What am I filling the mind that God gave me with? What about the places I go for recreation?

This is not an easy thing for me to write about since I myself am guilty almost daily of not checking with the Lord to see if what I’m doing or going to do would please Him and be helpful or harmful to me or someone else. Remember, your life doesn’t just affect you, whether you like it or not you affect others by what you do and say.

What would change in my life if I truly walked “In His Steps?”

Why don’t we all try this for just a couple of weeks and see what happens…see how our life might change and perhaps change someone else’s. Don’t do anything without first asking, “If Jesus were in my place what would He do?”

How do we treat others? If we see a fault, Jesus would pray for them, love them, forgive them, show mercy and be longsuffering. What do I do? What are my thoughts? Are they like Jesus Christ’s? What if Jesus did to me or thought towards me as I do towards others? This doesn’t just apply to others either, what about yourself? How do you treat yourself when you don’t do right? If you find yourself falling short just remember God is merciful and He said at the end of 2 Corinthians 6:2, “behold, now is the day of salvation.” If you just confess and repent He’ll save you from your failures and help you start all over again.

This is a simple challenge but it will not be easy; in fact you will find out how selfish and un-Christ-like you really are and hopefully this experience will lead you to new places of repentance and forgiveness. I’m quite sure you will find through this experience a deepening of your relationship with the Lord and if you don’t have much of a relationship with Him this is a good way to get one going; for who better to help you through this task than Jesus Christ Himself!

Why wouldn’t you accept this challenge? Are you afraid to practice what you profess to be?...a Christian.

After your trial period, who knows, you might just decide to walk this way the rest of your life; like we should be doing already.

The reason sin is running rapid in our country is because we so called Christians aren’t acting like Christ; it is because of our lack of action that we have become a Godless nation. We have fallen short in our prayer and study of God’s Holy Word. We have stopped seeking Him first in all things. We have stopped standing up for what is good and right and we are suffering for it and will continue to suffer for it until the Lord returns and cleans up this old earth. We are reaping what we have sown; we have sown a life apart from the ways of God and now we as Christians are losing our freedoms in the country that was founded on the very principles in the Word of God. Jesus Christ was beaten, hung on a cross and died for our very sins, and yet we are afraid of the small amount of suffering, for a short period of time, that we might have to endure for Him, the one who saved us from an eternity in hell.

Just a couple final thoughts: If you are having trouble figuring out what is like Christ; turn to Galatians Chapter 5:22, 23. You can compare those things by backing up to verses 19-21, which tell very plainly the works of the flesh. It also wouldn’t hurt to read the remaining verses in that chapter either.

Let us also ask the Lord to show us where we try and use what’s in the Bible to conform to what we want to do instead of us conforming to what God’s Word really says for us to. It is very easy to twist the scriptures according our own will.

Remember: What’s done for Christ will last on into eternity. You cannot out-give God, whatever time you give or substance you give, God will give back to you in greater abundance; yes He can even give you more time in your day to do what needs to be done if you but only put Him first before and above anything else in the day. Try it, you’ll be more blessed if you do. Don’t forget, it is He who got you up this morning, He gave you the strength to go to work, ect… and He also has the power to take that all away for He holds your breath in His hands.

I think now I will go back and finish reading the book I started and didn’t finish.

Time and Choice

The two greatest things we possess are Time and Choice. Time being the most valuable; for when Time has ended so does your time to choose...your Choice.
So what are you doing with the two most valuable gifts God has given you?

The choices you make in Time will decide where you will spend Eternity; and Eternity could happen in the next moment of Time. We do not know when our Time will end...

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

What are you investing your Time and Choice in today?

If by some chance you have not been investing wisely, God in His Infinite love and mercy has a way for you. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." This should give us all hope, but let us not be slack in taking advantage of this Hope, because once again none of us know the day or hour our Time will be over.

Think

I was not going to make this a blog post, but someone thought I should. It is good to have questions put to us once in a while to cause us to stop and take a look at our life. Our life is but a vapor and what we deem important really is but a small insignificant thing in the light of eternity.

So many times we live our life around a person or thing; we make it the most important thing without really thinking about what it will do for us in eternity. I’m not saying we shouldn’t take care of what has been bestowed upon us, for we are to be responsible stewards, but we are not to make idols out of those things or people in our life. All that God gives to us is to help us grow in Him, to help us along in this life. All that we have here is going to soon pass away. When we get to the other side the things we held dear to our hearts won’t mean anything; the loved ones here won’t have the same place over there.

So I now put to you, dear reader, a few questions on which to ponder. And it is my prayer that you might put the things you hold so dear to your heart in their proper place and put the Lord Jesus Christ above them all. If you are putting someone or something first, ahead of God it is only because you are blind to Who gave them to you in the first place and second, because you lack gratitude for what God has given you.

Why do you choose the creature over the Creator? How long will you continue to choose the creature over the One who gave you all you have? Try thinking about your relationships in the light of eternity. Will it really be worth it to have put the creature first in your life when on the other side it won’t matter?

True happiness comes from putting God first, if you do that He will bless you and bless what you have. Give it a try, I’m quite sure you won’t be disappointed.

Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Remember this: Only what is done for Christ will last throughout eternity.

Love

We are to love at all times, and we should do it unconditionally. Now I know in the world we live in today that unconditional love is nearly impossible to find and even the best person may fall short once in a while.

Why is it we have so many conditions when it comes to love, even on the ones that are closest to us? Are we so blind that we cannot see our own imperfections? Do we like people putting conditions on us?

Perhaps the next time we don’t have the love that we should have coming forth, we should step back for a moment and see what is wrong with us instead of trying to blame it on the other person.
Maybe we are only thinking of our self at the time and that person being there just didn’t fit with "ME" at the time so I didn’t act so kindly to them. Or perhaps I had a bad day and so I treat the other person in a not so nice way because of "ME".

You see LOVE is a verb. A verb is an action word. It should not be based on feeling. Why is it that so much of the time we base our love on how we are feeling at the time? If our love is real then we should be able to choose to love outside of our feelings, or whether we are “too busy”, or whatever our feeble excuse is. I mean, haven’t you ever heard of Sacrificial Love?

We live in a world that is severely lacking in “action love”. We throw around words of love but they are not backed by anything. This world has grown very cold, hard and selfish; each man for himself, even if it means walking on or over someone.
I think it’s high time we went back to our Bible and took a lesson from our Lord. And if we really loved God and we really loved ourselves we would have no trouble loving and showing love to others in our lives.

LOVE is not a feeling; it’s an act of your will; which implies CHOICE.
Love based solely on feeling does not last, look at the divorce rate. But love based on choice goes on and on and has far reaching affects, not only on ourselves but on others; you cannot be selfish and self absorbed and love at the same time.

How are you living up in the area of LOVE today? What motivates you to love or not love? Are you loving in your actions just as much as in your words, or are your words of love empty and without substance?
We all need to be loved, what kind of love touches you? Shouldn’t we show forth the same kind of love towards others that we like to receive our self? Don’t we like to be loved even when at times we are not so loveable. Haven’t you have ever been shown love when you were not being so loveable yourself, didn’t it sort of take the sting out of you? It has me.

Just one last thought:

A cat has claws that can retract. A dog has claws but does not have the ability to retract them. The cat scratches because it chooses to scratch, the dog scratches but does not have a choice, it just happens. It’s a funny thing though, we love our cat despite how it acts with it claws, by choice, and we love our dog despite how it acts with its claws by no choice. This is really something to think about in relation to people.

Just like the dog having something he cannot do anything about we don’t get mad at him or treat him bad because his claws may have gotten in the way, no we love him because we know he can’t do anything about those. Well, there are people that have things wrong with them, perhaps they were born with a problem or developed something later in life; If we know and understand the reason the person is like the way they are then we just keep loving them, knowing and understanding that they cannot do anything about the problem, and maybe we should stop and think that if they had a choice about the matter things might be different. We love them in spite of the problem. We love them for WHO they are not their condition.
And so it is with REAL LOVE, we love the person, NOT the condition or frame of mind they are in. Jesus loves you no matter what your actions are. Shouldn’t we do the same?

Love can calm a raging sea, and LOVE brings happiness to you and me.

Do you know what is on your money?

Have you ever looked closely at a coin and really thought about the words, "IN GOD WE TRUST"? We carry coins around with us all the time and if you don’t carry coins our paper money says it too. So with that in mind, how much do we really trust in God?

When times are bad, hard, not going the way we like, do we trust in God? How about when things are at their best and going well, do we trust in God? Do we trust in Him to do what He says? Do we trust His timing? Do we trust Him when we cannot see or understand just knowing that He is who He is and that He has complete power and control and will take care of us IF we just trust in Him?
We carry money around only thinking of what it will get us; maybe we should stop and take a look at ourselves and see if we are living up to what is on that money.

We live in a country where God is being removed from things and we wonder why everything is getting so bad. This nation has become a greedy nation that has left God and no longer trusts in Him. Oh, we allow prayer in schools after someone has gone through and murdered a bunch of students but if we had been praying in schools before the fact maybe that would not have happened in the first place. We seem to only want His protection after we have been violated.

How long will we continue to be so blind to our need for God in this country? It will not be long before we don’t have the money to remind us that we should be putting our trust in God. Shouldn’t we take heed now before it’s too late? Maybe next time you go to spend money at the store, try taking that same amount you are spending on something for yourself and take that amount in time to spend with the LORD.


In closing let me ask you this; "IN GOD WE TRUST", trust God for what? We need to finish that little statement in our own life.
Whether you have one cent or one hundred dollars, a little or a lot, we should TRUST IN GOD. Trust Him with a little or a lot because He is God!

Don’t be angry with God for the condition of this country; man is the one who decided to make the decisions and run the country. Man made the choice to trust his own thoughts and plans above God’s. So it is in our own life; don’t be angry with God for your condition, look to see where you trusted yourself instead of TRUSTING IN GOD.