God created everything. The universe. The galaxy. The earth and all that lives in the earth. He also created the angels. God created us. He gave us and the angels free will. One angel in particular was the most beautiful. He was strong. He thought he could rise above God. He tried and failed. The light bearer became the adversary, the devil.
The devil isn't everywhere but he has plenty of helpers.
Sometimes without being fully aware, we become our own worst enemy.
Oh sure a fallen angel may point something out to us that catches our eyes. "Hey look that person over there. In the next cubicle. They're quite good looking aren't they? You should say
hi."
You admit they are attractive. You say hello and hit it off. You feel a connection. Your co-worker wants to hang out after work. You may be single but your co-worker isn't.
Reactions may differ at this point.
Would you purposely hang out with someone that's married?
One thing can lead to an other and next thing you know you're having an affair.
Or maybe you back off.
Choice is yours.
The devil can't force your hand and neither can God.
Be assured that we may not want to face our sinful choices right now but one day we will.
Besides saying yes or no to sin is up to us so is repentance.
You choose to sin. You choose to go before God and not just say "sorry" but take it further and to "Go and sin no more"
Saying sorry and being sorry are two different things.
Don't stop there.
Don't let your resistance to sin fill you with the feeling of being invincible.
You're not.
As you rely upon God to say no, you must remember that it's Jesus that was tempted in every way and yet never sinned.
Remember God pours his spirit upon all who call upon him and who do so with sincerity.
God spits out what's lukewarm.
God rejects the proud.
God will never reject a humble and contrite heart.
Even the angels rejoice over a repentant sinner.
And it's through the willing sacrifice of Jesus that our sins are wiped out.
Recognize your sin. Believe that Jesus is The Son of God. Believing in Him as The One who faced sin and yet lived without falling. Running into the arms of Jesus makes sense.
Jesus pleads before God on our behalf.
Run to Jesus.
He will help you overcome the call of sin.
When you're forgiven of your trespasses is when the greatest healing begins.
When Jesus forgave and healed those who came to him they jumped for joy, sang, and ran.
Confession and healing go together.
Keep your eyes on Jesus, the man without sin.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
"Communion Every Day"
Acts 2:46
"Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and breaking bread in there homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart."
I'm glad the church I attend not only has service every day but also offers communion.
Jesus said to partake of the body, blood, soul, and divinity of his sacrifice.
Why wouldn't you? When you partake of the hosts you are joined with our savior.
Of course many churches only have Sunday service. Some of those churches only offer communion once a month. The reason being that the leaders don't want communion to become "a ritual or just a somewhat trivial routine."
Some church leaders want to distance themselves from The Catholic Church.
In that scense I understand but at what cost? Our relationship is with The Lord and we are to examine ourselves before we partake of the body and blood of Christ.
The church (in my opinion) shouldn't decide for us when we can join ourselves with God and each other. We should take ourselves before God in repentance of our sins prior to joining our souls with The Lord.
"Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and breaking bread in there homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart."
I'm glad the church I attend not only has service every day but also offers communion.
Jesus said to partake of the body, blood, soul, and divinity of his sacrifice.
Why wouldn't you? When you partake of the hosts you are joined with our savior.
Of course many churches only have Sunday service. Some of those churches only offer communion once a month. The reason being that the leaders don't want communion to become "a ritual or just a somewhat trivial routine."
Some church leaders want to distance themselves from The Catholic Church.
In that scense I understand but at what cost? Our relationship is with The Lord and we are to examine ourselves before we partake of the body and blood of Christ.
The church (in my opinion) shouldn't decide for us when we can join ourselves with God and each other. We should take ourselves before God in repentance of our sins prior to joining our souls with The Lord.
Monday, January 12, 2015
"Miracles and Hardened Hearts"
Gospel of Mark 6:45-52
"After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on the shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing,for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea they thought is was a ghost and cried out. "Take courage, it is I. do not be afraid." He got in the boat and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened."
What can be made of this?
Why is it that the hearts of the disciples became hard?
One thought has popped into my head, Jealousy. And confusion.
This band of travelers and friends meet this guy who is only 30 years old. To some of the followers of Jesus they may have thought that he was just young and arrogant.
But I'm sure some were indeed jealous.
In my own life I get angry when someone (especially fellow writers) can sit down and write effortlessly. I applaud their gift but then get into a brief depression because I often struggle to write a single well written paragraph.
So now put yourself in the mind of the disciples.
They're hanging out with Jesus. He effortlessly heals the sick, cast out demons, and take a small amount of food and feed 5,000 people just by praying. Now this guy can walk on water and calm the storm?
Some might say Jesus was a show off.
How can a mortal man do such things?
Think about the account of Peter walking on the water to meet Jesus. But when he sees a huge wave and takes his eyes off of Jesus, Peter begins to drown.
Have you ever thought that you don't measure up to God. Truth is you never will.
But there's good news.
Chances are you'll never walk on water but you may save a life as a skilled surgeon.
Your kindness toward a beggar may give the person who has next to nothing a new spark of hope.
As a counselor in Substance Abuse Counseling I hope to reach at least one person to never again pick up their drug of choice.
Your prayers will show a desperate person that in deed God not only exists. He is in the miracle business and above all he loves us.
Let go. Let God.
And may you be filled with the spirit of understanding that comes from knowing the creator who is the author and finisher of our faith.
"After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on the shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing,for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea they thought is was a ghost and cried out. "Take courage, it is I. do not be afraid." He got in the boat and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened."
What can be made of this?
Why is it that the hearts of the disciples became hard?
One thought has popped into my head, Jealousy. And confusion.
This band of travelers and friends meet this guy who is only 30 years old. To some of the followers of Jesus they may have thought that he was just young and arrogant.
But I'm sure some were indeed jealous.
In my own life I get angry when someone (especially fellow writers) can sit down and write effortlessly. I applaud their gift but then get into a brief depression because I often struggle to write a single well written paragraph.
So now put yourself in the mind of the disciples.
They're hanging out with Jesus. He effortlessly heals the sick, cast out demons, and take a small amount of food and feed 5,000 people just by praying. Now this guy can walk on water and calm the storm?
Some might say Jesus was a show off.
How can a mortal man do such things?
Think about the account of Peter walking on the water to meet Jesus. But when he sees a huge wave and takes his eyes off of Jesus, Peter begins to drown.
Have you ever thought that you don't measure up to God. Truth is you never will.
But there's good news.
Chances are you'll never walk on water but you may save a life as a skilled surgeon.
Your kindness toward a beggar may give the person who has next to nothing a new spark of hope.
As a counselor in Substance Abuse Counseling I hope to reach at least one person to never again pick up their drug of choice.
Your prayers will show a desperate person that in deed God not only exists. He is in the miracle business and above all he loves us.
Let go. Let God.
And may you be filled with the spirit of understanding that comes from knowing the creator who is the author and finisher of our faith.
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