Where is your passion? Some people are passionate about sports, some about art, some about hunting, fishing, shopping, family, books, movies, food!
The things we can become passionate about are as diverse as we as humans are. I've read to follow your passion for your job or work focus and then you are happy in your occupation! That does sound like good advice, doesn't it?
However, we do have to be careful in following our passions, some passions lead us into areas that people were never meant to allow to run freely. In an example, if we allow our passion for food to have it's way, we end up morbidly obese! Notice the word "morbid", not a good thing!
So let's look at the word passion, the definition is "strong and barely controllable emotion", or I like this definition too "Passion is when you put more energy into something than is required to do it. It is more than just enthusiasm or excitement, passion is an ambition that is materialized into action to put as much heart, mind, body, and soul into something as is possible."
There is a passion that we are instructed to follow and to stir up, and God will not leave me alone about this, I keep hearing messages about passion. We are to be passionate in our relationship with Him. He doesn't want a lukewarm relationship, He wants our passion!
In scripture, it is always the passionate person that is pleasing to Him. Daniel, Samuel, David, Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene(....is that a music group? There was a music group with that name, but that is not who these people are!) and those are just the first few that come to mind, each of these people were passionate in the pursuit of God and each are well known through scripture.
God's word tells us "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." in Matthew 22:37, that sounds like passion, doesn't it, and it even tells us where to direct that passion, to Him! We can also read "For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." in 2 Timothy 1:6-7. This tells us to stir ourselves up! Stir up our love, spirit, and passion!
I know there are some that think to follow Jesus is not really about "passion" and that you can do it reasonably, without making a big deal out of it, or making any big changes in your life, just be a nice person and do good things....but I caution you to think on the verse that tells you that God wants you all in.....not part way...."So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." Revelation 3:16
So now, as it said in 2 Timothy, I encourage you to "kindle" or as it says in another version, "Fan the flame"! Be passionate in your pursuit of God, He wants your passion, not your lethargy, He doesn't want you in the middle of the spectrum! He wants you all in! Quit holding back! Jump in with both feet! "Let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance"!, let us "run with endurance" and with passion the race that God has set before us!
Friday, April 21, 2017
Friday, April 7, 2017
Dancing and Leaping
There is something that happens every Sunday, in church after church and I am amazed and encouraged to see it. People come to church for different reasons, for some, it is to honor God, some come to seek God, some out of habit and some out of curiosity.
The people that I love seeing there are those who have a genuine understanding of Jesus as their Lord and Master and those who have learnt that our Heavenly Father is a Father of love and revel in Him!
These people are usually easy to spot, there is joy in their countenance, there is love in their eyes. I love how God's Spirit pulls them to the front during worship. They are not able to stay at their seats and quietly sing a little verse or two, they want to sing and leap before the Lord, even as David did!
The joy of the true believer cannot be contained, and they no longer fear man more than God.
If you are not yet to that level, push in! You can attain that joy in the Lord...but you have to want it! You have to pursue Him, meditate on Him and His attributes. Read Psalms, read scripture, learn God's nature, His love and what He has done and is doing for you!
Soon you will be dancing! Your spirit will be leaping!
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Do You Want To Be?
As a Christian who has worked in an environment hostile to Christians, I know from what the people have told me that they do not like Christians because of the behaviour they see acted out in the lives of people claiming to be Christians.
Whether the people claiming to be Christians or not is not mine to say. that is something that God only can know. Only God sees the heart of people, it's probably really a blessing that we're not able to!
The challenge here is, are you a person claiming to be a Christian but not living as you are called to? Is it too much for God to ask you to walk a holy path? Everything you do reflects on Him, do you cause His family to be shamed or do you bring honor to the name Christian, not because you deserve honor, but because you are a follower of the One who does deserve honor?
I have heard people say that it's not possible to live a holy life as described in the Bible, but that simply is not true! If we believe in Jesus, then we have to believe Scripture, there is no excuse not to, Jesus believed it and we believe in Him....so now we realize we are required to trust that what God has said in scripture is what He means to say.
If we believe in Scripture and it tells us that we can do "all things" in Christ, Who strengthens us, then we know we can live as we are called to! We may say but it's so hard! Yes, it is hard, but God's word also tells us that He will complete the "good work" that He has started! So, as we keep turning and submitting to God, saying "Please, change me!", He will and it will become easier!
Do you want to be an embarrassment to the body? Do you want to be a stumbling block to non-believers? I'm hoping you said no to both of those...so keep pushing in, keep bringing yourself into the changing process that the Holy Spirit will bring about as it brings sanctification into your life.
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Whether the people claiming to be Christians or not is not mine to say. that is something that God only can know. Only God sees the heart of people, it's probably really a blessing that we're not able to!
The challenge here is, are you a person claiming to be a Christian but not living as you are called to? Is it too much for God to ask you to walk a holy path? Everything you do reflects on Him, do you cause His family to be shamed or do you bring honor to the name Christian, not because you deserve honor, but because you are a follower of the One who does deserve honor?
I have heard people say that it's not possible to live a holy life as described in the Bible, but that simply is not true! If we believe in Jesus, then we have to believe Scripture, there is no excuse not to, Jesus believed it and we believe in Him....so now we realize we are required to trust that what God has said in scripture is what He means to say.
If we believe in Scripture and it tells us that we can do "all things" in Christ, Who strengthens us, then we know we can live as we are called to! We may say but it's so hard! Yes, it is hard, but God's word also tells us that He will complete the "good work" that He has started! So, as we keep turning and submitting to God, saying "Please, change me!", He will and it will become easier!
Do you want to be an embarrassment to the body? Do you want to be a stumbling block to non-believers? I'm hoping you said no to both of those...so keep pushing in, keep bringing yourself into the changing process that the Holy Spirit will bring about as it brings sanctification into your life.
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Monday, March 6, 2017
Jesus' Purpose?
We all know that Jesus came to Earth because He loves us, right? He came to save us! A lot of us grew up singing "Jesus loves me this I know"! I am one of those who grew up with those words in my heart and they did help me through a lot of hard times in life. There wasn't a lot else I knew about Jesus' purpose other than He was God's Son and came to Earth to die and shed His blood for me.
I have been striving to come into a deeper, more mature relationship with all that God is and believe that Jesus had a little more on His mind than just me when He came to Earth. and so today when I read a word about what Jesus came here to do, it really grabbed my attention!
I have been striving to come into a deeper, more mature relationship with all that God is and believe that Jesus had a little more on His mind than just me when He came to Earth. and so today when I read a word about what Jesus came here to do, it really grabbed my attention!
The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
Wait, do you mean that He was doing battle with the devil when He came to Earth? Do you mean He was here to destroy something, not just to die for my sins? Wow, that stops you for a moment, doesn't it?
There are many people who are more greatly "learned" than I am and have spent their lives studying scripture from top to bottom so I am not going to attempt to do an indepth study or blog on this....I simply want to say that there is more to Jesus' mission to Earth than just my forgiveness.
His Father was and is His greatest love....always has been and always will be...do you think maybe He came to restore what His Father had created and the enemy destroyed? Maybe His Father's desires were top most in His mind? Try to imagine a scenario with a Father that had created a paradise and an enemy came and ruined it...wouldn't a Son that loved and honored His Father long to restore everything to His Father that was in His power to do? I believe so! I believe we leave out a very important part of the picture when we think that it's all about us!
If we want to be more than extras in this scenario then we need to see what we can do to aid Jesus in His desire to restore to His and our Father what was destroyed! We are His kingdom on Earth, we do have a job! Jesus told us to go into all of the world and spread the Kingdom! Make disciples!
Now don't get upset, I'm not saying that Jesus didn't come to save you and I'm not saying that He doesn't love you....I'm saying don't be immature and let His mission to Earth stop there....that was just the beginning!
.....and don't forget, His Father loved us and "sent" His Son.....
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Caged Bird? Overcomer!
Have you ever read the poem "Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou? It is a beautiful poem even for those among us that don't really care for poetry. I am at a point in life that I often feel like a "caged bird", but in being caged I am forced to grow in areas that might not be faced if I was free to fly on the wind.
In life many things can form our cage... finances, health, relationships, wants, needs...what forms the cage isn't really the important things right now, it's more about what you do while you're in the cage.
Yesterday while I was thinking about the caged bird I wrote just a bit of my own thoughts.....
Why does the caged bird sing?
Is it happy?
Is it content?
Is it safe?
Is it sad?
Is it lonely?
Is it calling to someone?
Is it asking for help?
Is it crying for hope?
When the caged bird learns to sing for God's glory, in a cage or free, then it will be fulfilled and content.
When I learn to rein in my own wants and desires I will be singing for God's glory and be an overcomer!
Please pray for me to be an overcomer and if you let me know you long for the same thing, I will pray for you! (lorna)
Here's the poem for those who might want to read it ~
In life many things can form our cage... finances, health, relationships, wants, needs...what forms the cage isn't really the important things right now, it's more about what you do while you're in the cage.
Yesterday while I was thinking about the caged bird I wrote just a bit of my own thoughts.....
Why does the caged bird sing?
Is it happy?
Is it content?
Is it safe?
Is it sad?
Is it lonely?
Is it calling to someone?
Is it asking for help?
Is it crying for hope?
When the caged bird learns to sing for God's glory, in a cage or free, then it will be fulfilled and content.
When I learn to rein in my own wants and desires I will be singing for God's glory and be an overcomer!
Please pray for me to be an overcomer and if you let me know you long for the same thing, I will pray for you! (lorna)
Here's the poem for those who might want to read it ~
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Caged Bird Related Poem Content Details
BY MAYA ANGELOU
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
Caged Bird Related Poem Content Details
BY MAYA ANGELOU
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/48989
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Wearin' Your Armor?
Are you wearing the Armor of God? You know God told you to, right? "Put on the full armor of God" Ephesians 6:11a
If you are wearing it, are you consistant? Do you wear it daily or every once in awhile? You realize that He told you to wear it "so that you will be able to stand firm"(that's in Ephesians 6 too). If you wear it so you can stand firm then you must be putting it on everyday, not just every once in awhile, right? I know you don't want to be knocked about by the enemy and you do want to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11), so you must be wearing it daily!
And you probably already know what the Armor of God is...but we'll refresh our memories for those who maybe aren't wearing it daily.
There is:
The scripture goes in a different order, but I put it on in this order because it visually works for me, I actually speak the act of putting on each piece of the armor and visualize it as I put it on. I start at my head, work my way down and then pick up the shield and sword and I'm ready to go!
The helmet protects our minds and thoughts, so I have it on and I can focus on what I'm doing! The breastplate protects our hearts, then we can put our armor on in a heartfelt way. not wavering in our minds or hearts! The belt of truth we wrap around ourselves, the truth of God and His word. We put on the shoes of peace so we stand on a firm foundation and are free to focus, walk in God's Spirit. The shield of Faith is lifted in front of us and protects us when the enemy tries to attack, in faith we know that God is for us and the enemy will not prevail! The sword of the Spirit! God's word! It is a two edged sword and cuts through all things, read it, study it and speak it, the enemy does not have a chance against this!
Okay, now we know we need to wear the Armor daily, and we know what it is. So, let's look at how we wear it, do you put the armor on and wear it in a lazy manner or do you cinch it up and keep it in place all day? Do you let the helmet of salvation slip back on your head, after all you know you are saved and you know who saved you...so why keep it sitting up on top of your head all day? It's not just about being saved! It's about your thought life now that you are saved! Protect your mind and your thoughts, taking every thought captive.
Do you keep the Breastplate securely against your chest, or does it get a little uncomfortable to move around with it all day? Maybe you can just lay it on your desk, or even leave it in the car and put it back on after work or school? Then what will protect your heart? That little thin shirt you're wearing? Our battle is against Principalities! not spit wads! Keep that breastplate up close like a bullet proof vest! Live a righteous life, walk a righteous path, maintain that Breastplate of Righteousness!
Now the belt of truth...does it get to feeling a little too tight and you need to loosen it up just a bit? I mean too much truth could really squeeze you uncomfortably, right? What's wrong with a little stretching of the truth here and there? It's still a belt and still wrapped around you, just not quite as binding? The purpose is to protect your core! To strengthen your inner man, it's not just about holding up your pants!
Are you still wearing the shoes? Did you kick them off when you wanted to get comfortable? But the shoes of peace should protect your standing and walking in all situations! Everywhere you go you could run into trouble with out shoes, there is a lot of situations that appear as broken glass and thorns in the world but the shoes of peace will guard you as you walk through them.
Here we go with my favorite parts! The shield of Faith and the sword of the Spirit! Some people think that is all they need to have to fight a battle with, but that is ridiculous! I do love these two pieces, but if we don't protect ourselves with the rest of the armor we will be wounded and not able to hold or carry the shield and sword. At first we may find the shield of faith is a heavy thing to carry, but as we carry it we become stronger and eventually can even be equipped with bigger shields! It is important to not drop our shield or let it drag behind us, we are too easily wounded if the shield is not up in place and protecting us as it is designed to be. The sword is vital, it is the only piece that's both offense and defense. Read, study and meditate on the Word of God be prepared constantly for battle because our enemy is roaming about looking for someone to devour, do battle! Fight him, pierce him with the Sword! the Word! in Jesus' name!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:10-18
If you are wearing it, are you consistant? Do you wear it daily or every once in awhile? You realize that He told you to wear it "so that you will be able to stand firm"(that's in Ephesians 6 too). If you wear it so you can stand firm then you must be putting it on everyday, not just every once in awhile, right? I know you don't want to be knocked about by the enemy and you do want to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11), so you must be wearing it daily!
And you probably already know what the Armor of God is...but we'll refresh our memories for those who maybe aren't wearing it daily.
There is:
- The helmet of Salvation
- The breastplate of Righteousness
- The belt of Truth
- The shoes of Peace
- The shield of Faith
- The sword of Spirit (the word of God)
The scripture goes in a different order, but I put it on in this order because it visually works for me, I actually speak the act of putting on each piece of the armor and visualize it as I put it on. I start at my head, work my way down and then pick up the shield and sword and I'm ready to go!
The helmet protects our minds and thoughts, so I have it on and I can focus on what I'm doing! The breastplate protects our hearts, then we can put our armor on in a heartfelt way. not wavering in our minds or hearts! The belt of truth we wrap around ourselves, the truth of God and His word. We put on the shoes of peace so we stand on a firm foundation and are free to focus, walk in God's Spirit. The shield of Faith is lifted in front of us and protects us when the enemy tries to attack, in faith we know that God is for us and the enemy will not prevail! The sword of the Spirit! God's word! It is a two edged sword and cuts through all things, read it, study it and speak it, the enemy does not have a chance against this!
Okay, now we know we need to wear the Armor daily, and we know what it is. So, let's look at how we wear it, do you put the armor on and wear it in a lazy manner or do you cinch it up and keep it in place all day? Do you let the helmet of salvation slip back on your head, after all you know you are saved and you know who saved you...so why keep it sitting up on top of your head all day? It's not just about being saved! It's about your thought life now that you are saved! Protect your mind and your thoughts, taking every thought captive.
Do you keep the Breastplate securely against your chest, or does it get a little uncomfortable to move around with it all day? Maybe you can just lay it on your desk, or even leave it in the car and put it back on after work or school? Then what will protect your heart? That little thin shirt you're wearing? Our battle is against Principalities! not spit wads! Keep that breastplate up close like a bullet proof vest! Live a righteous life, walk a righteous path, maintain that Breastplate of Righteousness!
Now the belt of truth...does it get to feeling a little too tight and you need to loosen it up just a bit? I mean too much truth could really squeeze you uncomfortably, right? What's wrong with a little stretching of the truth here and there? It's still a belt and still wrapped around you, just not quite as binding? The purpose is to protect your core! To strengthen your inner man, it's not just about holding up your pants!
Are you still wearing the shoes? Did you kick them off when you wanted to get comfortable? But the shoes of peace should protect your standing and walking in all situations! Everywhere you go you could run into trouble with out shoes, there is a lot of situations that appear as broken glass and thorns in the world but the shoes of peace will guard you as you walk through them.
Here we go with my favorite parts! The shield of Faith and the sword of the Spirit! Some people think that is all they need to have to fight a battle with, but that is ridiculous! I do love these two pieces, but if we don't protect ourselves with the rest of the armor we will be wounded and not able to hold or carry the shield and sword. At first we may find the shield of faith is a heavy thing to carry, but as we carry it we become stronger and eventually can even be equipped with bigger shields! It is important to not drop our shield or let it drag behind us, we are too easily wounded if the shield is not up in place and protecting us as it is designed to be. The sword is vital, it is the only piece that's both offense and defense. Read, study and meditate on the Word of God be prepared constantly for battle because our enemy is roaming about looking for someone to devour, do battle! Fight him, pierce him with the Sword! the Word! in Jesus' name!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephesians 6:10-18
Monday, January 23, 2017
God's Net of Believers and Prayer
With each strand added to our fabric we become stronger in the net, but the net also grew stronger. When you consider this concept, think about how many people you want to strengthen in God's net of believers? Of course we want to pray for our families, but it should go beyond that. Look at the knots at the edge of the net, they have maybe one or two prayers lifted for them? They are in danger of being ripped away! We do not want to see anyone ripped away, but it happens frequently, people disappear from church, nobody checks on them, nobody prays for them....or maybe one or two people do. They are in need of more people praying for them and it will cost you nothing to speak that prayer!
There is not a person in our circle of acquaintances that doesn't need to be prayed for, and even more people that we may never personally meet. When you stand in line at a store...Pray for the President and Leaders of our Country! when you catch a red light...Pray for your State and Community Leaders! When a friend snaps at you, Pray for them! When the Pastor doesn't bring a message that you can relate to, Pray for them! When the Praise Leader "misses it", Pray for them! When you hear a popular praise song, Pray for the Artist! When you read an uplifting book, Pray for the Author!
Turn your natural nature of grumbling towards working for the Kingdom! When you're tempted to grumble, there must be something there to pray about! Lift your heart, your thoughts and your spirit towards heaven and make God's net of believers grow stronger through the prayers you speak over others!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)