“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” John 1:12-13 NLT
I've always never understood verses like this, just the whole child of God thing, reborn etc. I never really put any thought into how I was born physically. As I read and think about this verse it hits me, the reason for the confusion is that my mind needs a reformatting from birth as well, and without believing and accepting Him, my mind will continue to be confused and cluttered with who knows what's influencing it throughout life.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Be myself? I'm confused
““You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”Matthew 5:14,16 NLT
This one always confused me. light of the world, city on a hill, good deeds shine, everyone. Lots of stuff in here. After reading and reading and reading, it hit me. Once I invited Christ in my heart, I couldn't hide him anywhere, He was going to shine regardless of how I felt about things. I was so confused about what good deeds were. Doing a fundraiser, listening to my mom? Doing well in school? Singing on stage? Do I need to make a list of good deeds I need to do now? He hit me again, Be yourself talk to me, and I'll do the rest.
This one always confused me. light of the world, city on a hill, good deeds shine, everyone. Lots of stuff in here. After reading and reading and reading, it hit me. Once I invited Christ in my heart, I couldn't hide him anywhere, He was going to shine regardless of how I felt about things. I was so confused about what good deeds were. Doing a fundraiser, listening to my mom? Doing well in school? Singing on stage? Do I need to make a list of good deeds I need to do now? He hit me again, Be yourself talk to me, and I'll do the rest.
Friday, July 29, 2011
I triple Dog dare ya
“I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.” Psalm 119:93 NLT
I often read this as, "by reading your word, I feel good". After several times of reading this sentence, it hits me, of how many times I didn't care about his commandments and the victory that comes with them. I was too scared or thought it wasn't cool or I was simply too busy and didn't have time. I've developed my own set of rules for what I think His life really is, I'm miserable. Hits me again, It's a dare, If I want His life in me, I need His word, for His word is life.
I often read this as, "by reading your word, I feel good". After several times of reading this sentence, it hits me, of how many times I didn't care about his commandments and the victory that comes with them. I was too scared or thought it wasn't cool or I was simply too busy and didn't have time. I've developed my own set of rules for what I think His life really is, I'm miserable. Hits me again, It's a dare, If I want His life in me, I need His word, for His word is life.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Out of Shape
“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:14 NLT
At first I'm reminded of my days of running cross country in High School with this analogy. As I read this again and again I discover that Christ showed us how to press on by his sacrifice, and then how many times I either gave up and joined the sidelines, got out of the race for a bit, didn't pace myself with other runners, didn't reveal my weaknesses, was out of shape, drank coke instead of water before hand and cramped up, ended up running the wrong way. And this morning, our 2 year old wakes up at 2 am, wants milk and water then refuses both, and finally goes back to sleep at 4:45 and we have a busy day ahead. Yet with Christ's example still there waiting for me, God shows me who he is through these circumstances.
At first I'm reminded of my days of running cross country in High School with this analogy. As I read this again and again I discover that Christ showed us how to press on by his sacrifice, and then how many times I either gave up and joined the sidelines, got out of the race for a bit, didn't pace myself with other runners, didn't reveal my weaknesses, was out of shape, drank coke instead of water before hand and cramped up, ended up running the wrong way. And this morning, our 2 year old wakes up at 2 am, wants milk and water then refuses both, and finally goes back to sleep at 4:45 and we have a busy day ahead. Yet with Christ's example still there waiting for me, God shows me who he is through these circumstances.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I'm fine where I'm at
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 NLT
How many times have I thought, if I could change these certain things (Not being book smart, fear of failure, judging, and rejection, etc) about my past, man I would be a good person. Again and Again I read it, only to see I've twisted it around again. All this time I was running with endurance the race I decided was best for me, instead of realizing that God had set it before me, and put people in my life to help get rid of these weights that I keep tripping on.
How many times have I thought, if I could change these certain things (Not being book smart, fear of failure, judging, and rejection, etc) about my past, man I would be a good person. Again and Again I read it, only to see I've twisted it around again. All this time I was running with endurance the race I decided was best for me, instead of realizing that God had set it before me, and put people in my life to help get rid of these weights that I keep tripping on.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The F word
“[Great Examples of Faith] Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT
I always think of "a christmas story" when I see this word. The "F" word, the F dash dash dash dash word. The Queen mother of them all. Or on Indiana Jones "It's time to ask yourself, what you believe?"oh sure, you read these nice positive words "confidence, hope, will actually happen, assurance". That doesn't make it any easier. especially when your daughter has a rare health condition or you get word you have to gut the apartment within two days so they can replace the carpet with tile. For some reason I find myself being tested in the areas I am so weak in. Why can't it be easier? Faith you'll keep your new job. The more I trace my mind about this word, it hits me about how complicated I'm making it. Then it hits me, that if I keep my communication (yelling or peaceful) with God and His word priority (not easy when raising a toddler), I find He is my confidence, and assurance, and opens my eyes to see the things I didn't see and the F word isn't as scary anymore.
I always think of "a christmas story" when I see this word. The "F" word, the F dash dash dash dash word. The Queen mother of them all. Or on Indiana Jones "It's time to ask yourself, what you believe?"oh sure, you read these nice positive words "confidence, hope, will actually happen, assurance". That doesn't make it any easier. especially when your daughter has a rare health condition or you get word you have to gut the apartment within two days so they can replace the carpet with tile. For some reason I find myself being tested in the areas I am so weak in. Why can't it be easier? Faith you'll keep your new job. The more I trace my mind about this word, it hits me about how complicated I'm making it. Then it hits me, that if I keep my communication (yelling or peaceful) with God and His word priority (not easy when raising a toddler), I find He is my confidence, and assurance, and opens my eyes to see the things I didn't see and the F word isn't as scary anymore.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Don't rush me
“I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.” Psalm 119:60 NLT
How many times have I procrastinated on this one? Easier said than done. I read and I think, I read and I think, I read and I think. Uh, Nathan it's pretty simple. It hits me, this isn't as much about jumping to my feet without delay as it is about how well I know and respect the one giving the command. I'm a thinker, I'm analyzer, I like to plan things out and coordinate them strategically so that everything fits into place. I don't like to be rushed, don't push me. Give me the facts and I'll study them, and if I see I need to take action, I'll take action. I like to have control and know what's going on. Then I feel God tell me, "Who's commands are you obeying? Mine or yours? Then I find, in time, the more I know God, the easier it is to trust him completely, which causes me to hurry without delay. Man, I'm so insecure.
How many times have I procrastinated on this one? Easier said than done. I read and I think, I read and I think, I read and I think. Uh, Nathan it's pretty simple. It hits me, this isn't as much about jumping to my feet without delay as it is about how well I know and respect the one giving the command. I'm a thinker, I'm analyzer, I like to plan things out and coordinate them strategically so that everything fits into place. I don't like to be rushed, don't push me. Give me the facts and I'll study them, and if I see I need to take action, I'll take action. I like to have control and know what's going on. Then I feel God tell me, "Who's commands are you obeying? Mine or yours? Then I find, in time, the more I know God, the easier it is to trust him completely, which causes me to hurry without delay. Man, I'm so insecure.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Not a money verse
“Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.” Psalm 112:5 NLT
At first I'm thinking, "not a money verse". I begin to think it means if you give money generously good will come to you. Looking closer again, it hits me, this has nothing to do with owning a business but has everything to do with how I live my life everyday. How many times have I been so cluttered up in the head and not taken the time to organize myself, and when the opportunity came to lend money generously, it wasn't fair (maybe for them but not me).
At first I'm thinking, "not a money verse". I begin to think it means if you give money generously good will come to you. Looking closer again, it hits me, this has nothing to do with owning a business but has everything to do with how I live my life everyday. How many times have I been so cluttered up in the head and not taken the time to organize myself, and when the opportunity came to lend money generously, it wasn't fair (maybe for them but not me).
Saturday, July 23, 2011
I know enough about God to get by
“But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”” Matthew 19:14 NLT
I always looked at this one as "fun for the kids". But then I look closer, Dang! It's a smack in the face. I've lost count of the number of times I've told God "I know enough about you to get by", as the kids run by me in complete freedom.
I always looked at this one as "fun for the kids". But then I look closer, Dang! It's a smack in the face. I've lost count of the number of times I've told God "I know enough about you to get by", as the kids run by me in complete freedom.
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