Form
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People
will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud,
abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
How do you form your life? Is it based on principles that follow a
standard of graciousness, or is it full of worldly beliefs and attitudes
that help you form your opinions and your lifestyle. I am finding more
and more that the people I see at work and school each day, are more
interested in themselves than other people. They focus on pleasing
themselves rather than pleasing God. When Jesus came to earth, He did
not focus on His own life, but that of others. Although those around
Him were proud, boastful, and without love, He showed them Love and
humbly cared about each one of them. If we focused more on our form
being one that is of God, instead of this world, our lives would most
definitely have a positive influence on the people around us. It is
important that our form does not follow the ungodly ways of the world,
but of the Godly ways our Father in Heaven has set out before us. On
this resurrection weekend, remember the form that Jesus took in His
resurrected body so we could all be given the Grace we should give
others and do not deserve ourselves.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Fantastic Friday #359- Great
Great
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!” Psalm 40:16
Do you ever take the time to look around and see how amazing everything actually is, or are you too caught up in trying to see how great you are or how great you can be? There are really wonderful things around us, but I would say there is nothing great that we can physically see. Greatness is something many people say they strive for in life, but what does it mean to actually be great? The number one definition describes great as "being unusually or comparatively large in size or dimensions." If you look a little further down, one definition says "of extraordinary powers." When you see these definitions, it should be very clear what is great. If we are striving to be great, we need to realize we can't get there, and for people to think they are great is the furthest thing from reality. There is only one who is Great and that is our Father in Heaven, and He is larger than anything we could imagine. We can spend time striving for greatness, but know this, God is Great and we need to rejoice in Him and all He is.
Have a great weekend.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!” Psalm 40:16
Do you ever take the time to look around and see how amazing everything actually is, or are you too caught up in trying to see how great you are or how great you can be? There are really wonderful things around us, but I would say there is nothing great that we can physically see. Greatness is something many people say they strive for in life, but what does it mean to actually be great? The number one definition describes great as "being unusually or comparatively large in size or dimensions." If you look a little further down, one definition says "of extraordinary powers." When you see these definitions, it should be very clear what is great. If we are striving to be great, we need to realize we can't get there, and for people to think they are great is the furthest thing from reality. There is only one who is Great and that is our Father in Heaven, and He is larger than anything we could imagine. We can spend time striving for greatness, but know this, God is Great and we need to rejoice in Him and all He is.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Fantastic Friday #358-Effortless
Effortless
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:2-6
This week my wife told me I looked effortless when I was running and I have been thinking about that comment ever since she made it. I also have been thinking about this passage all week. Do you ever think about all the effort we make in everything we do, sometimes successful and sometimes not? At times we have probably heard people say, well, at least you made an effort. But, does that really make us feel good about it? What is effort anyway? The dictionary definition for effort is the exertion of physical or mental power. A synonym for the word effort is "struggle", which might help you see the deeper meaning a bit better. So, why do I have to struggle or make an effort to be humble, gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love. Well, first because God says we should. But second, maybe we should view effort as a positive thing as verse three states in keeping with the unity of the Spirit. With this unity comes a closeness with God which in turn can create an effortless attitude of being humble, gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love. I think the reason my wife told me I looked effortless, was because while I was running it looked so natural and not forced. I think we can take a lesson from this scripture, that if we want to be all of these things, we need to be in Unity with our Lord and Savior. We also need to be in Unity with other individuals to have these actions be effortless. Make every attempt to effortless.
Have a great weekend.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:2-6
This week my wife told me I looked effortless when I was running and I have been thinking about that comment ever since she made it. I also have been thinking about this passage all week. Do you ever think about all the effort we make in everything we do, sometimes successful and sometimes not? At times we have probably heard people say, well, at least you made an effort. But, does that really make us feel good about it? What is effort anyway? The dictionary definition for effort is the exertion of physical or mental power. A synonym for the word effort is "struggle", which might help you see the deeper meaning a bit better. So, why do I have to struggle or make an effort to be humble, gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love. Well, first because God says we should. But second, maybe we should view effort as a positive thing as verse three states in keeping with the unity of the Spirit. With this unity comes a closeness with God which in turn can create an effortless attitude of being humble, gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love. I think the reason my wife told me I looked effortless, was because while I was running it looked so natural and not forced. I think we can take a lesson from this scripture, that if we want to be all of these things, we need to be in Unity with our Lord and Savior. We also need to be in Unity with other individuals to have these actions be effortless. Make every attempt to effortless.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Fantastic Friday #357- Circle
Circle
33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:33-35
Circles are an interesting shape. When you draw a circle, it is a line that is not straight, but a smooth curved line that ends where it started. Other shapes typically have a line that begins and ends where another line begins and ends. The earth is a circle shape and an excellent example of God's perfection. It was created in a way where it rotates perfectly around the sun and on its axis. Where it ends up is where it begins. Isaiah 40 describes God as 'He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth," another good example of perfection looking down on a perfect creation. You say, why am I so focused on the circle? Well, when Jesus' followers were around him in a circle, He described them as His brothers and sisters. I want to be able to set that same kind of example with those I am around on a daily basis. I want to be able to focus on what people are saying, and I want people to be able to see Christ in me as I sit in that circle. Groups of people sitting in a circle is a perfect example of how we can all be together and focus on each other. The circle allows us to see each other and easily hear each other speak, and we are more able to give our full attention. I know many times I fall short, but I know one thing, and that is I am always a part of the inner circle because of what Christ did for me. Take time this week to focus on really listening to people in your circle and giving them your full attention. If you do this, you might see and hear something that you never have before. Circle up.
Have a great weekend.
33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.
34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:33-35
Circles are an interesting shape. When you draw a circle, it is a line that is not straight, but a smooth curved line that ends where it started. Other shapes typically have a line that begins and ends where another line begins and ends. The earth is a circle shape and an excellent example of God's perfection. It was created in a way where it rotates perfectly around the sun and on its axis. Where it ends up is where it begins. Isaiah 40 describes God as 'He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth," another good example of perfection looking down on a perfect creation. You say, why am I so focused on the circle? Well, when Jesus' followers were around him in a circle, He described them as His brothers and sisters. I want to be able to set that same kind of example with those I am around on a daily basis. I want to be able to focus on what people are saying, and I want people to be able to see Christ in me as I sit in that circle. Groups of people sitting in a circle is a perfect example of how we can all be together and focus on each other. The circle allows us to see each other and easily hear each other speak, and we are more able to give our full attention. I know many times I fall short, but I know one thing, and that is I am always a part of the inner circle because of what Christ did for me. Take time this week to focus on really listening to people in your circle and giving them your full attention. If you do this, you might see and hear something that you never have before. Circle up.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Fantastic Friday #356- Personal Best
Personal Best
5 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Timothy 2:14-16
I had a personal best this last week with a race I ran. But if I think about it, I am not as proud of the time I received, but rather I am more proud of the months of training, and effort I have made to make myself better and reach my personal best. When you look at your daily walk with Christ, is it a fast-paced sprint that is smooth as silk, or is it a long race with many bumps in the road where we can easily get pulled off course? If we are focused on God and His truth daily, it is much harder to get dragged into the godless chatter that so readily pervades our society. It is also easier to be our best when God is in our life, for He produces the personal best in us, because we alone cannot do it ourselves. Pursue your personal best in every aspect of your life and I promise you that God will be there to provide support in your pursuit.
Have a great weekend.
5 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Timothy 2:14-16
I had a personal best this last week with a race I ran. But if I think about it, I am not as proud of the time I received, but rather I am more proud of the months of training, and effort I have made to make myself better and reach my personal best. When you look at your daily walk with Christ, is it a fast-paced sprint that is smooth as silk, or is it a long race with many bumps in the road where we can easily get pulled off course? If we are focused on God and His truth daily, it is much harder to get dragged into the godless chatter that so readily pervades our society. It is also easier to be our best when God is in our life, for He produces the personal best in us, because we alone cannot do it ourselves. Pursue your personal best in every aspect of your life and I promise you that God will be there to provide support in your pursuit.
Have a great weekend.
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