I know it's been a while but I just wanted to drop this little nugget I thought of last week. It's not much but if you use this formula on a daily basis, I believe it can really help you get through any day. (For anyone who may not catch it, all of these verses are from chapter 4 of Philippians hence the title "Philippians Fourmula").
"4. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 12. Learn the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request God because 13. you can do all this through Him who gives you strength. 8. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Take the First Step
James 2: 14-25
James 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead," (NIV).
An old friend of mine sent me a message on Facebook yesterday that brought me to this passage. He was explaining that he has been out of church for a while now, after the one he used to attend separated and revealed a lot of what was taking place behind the scenes. Since then, he has struggled to find his way back to a church home and asked for suggestion on how to return back to religion after being away for so long. Now I won't go into all that I said, but the driving point was that in order to complete this return, he would have to decide that's what he wants to do and then do it. That brought me to this passage, and this brings me to what I think we can learn from James' words here in Chapter 2.
Do your part. James brings up an interesting topic here in talking about good deeds. He says that faith alone is useless if it is not attached to an action. It's useless to believe that God will bless the homeless when you aren't out helping yourself. It's useless to believe God will provide you with a job if you haven't filled out an application. It's useless to believe God will give you a mate,when you decline any opportunity to go on a date. In each of these situations, believing in God, His power and His sovereignty can only go so far before it's time to do something yourself.
James uses the example of Abraham offering his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice saying that if Abraham had not went through with preparing the sacrifice, then God would not have seen him as righteous even though Abraham believed that God existed, (James 2:20-24). I'll take it another step further and mention Peter walking on water. Matthew 14 tells us the story of Jesus walking on the lake to get back to the boat where his disciples were. Once on the water, the disciples were afraid and Jesus told them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid," (Matt. 14:27). Peter then spoke up and asked Jesus to call for him to walk on the water as well. Jesus obliged and Peter began to walk. It took a lot of faith for Peter to believe that it was Jesus he saw on that water and not just his imagination but it took even more action to actually go to Jesus. All Jesus could do was give Peter the ability to walk on the water by saying "Come.," but Peter had to take the first step on his own.
There isn't one area in our lives where faith alone has any worth. Even our salvation comes with an action. Romans 10:9-10 tells us that, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved," (NIV). The first thing that Paul tells us is to declare, (or confess in other versions) which is an action. It comes before believing in this passage of scripture which shows that it is equally as important as faith.
We have to take the first step in our own lives just as Peter did on the lake. We can't just settle for believing that God exists and is all powerful because as James says, "Even the demons believe that--and shudder,"(v.19). We know that "with God all things are possible," but in order for anything to happen in our lives we have to first do our part by taking the first step, (Matt. 19:26, NIV).
Be Blessed,
R.I.C.
James 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead," (NIV).
An old friend of mine sent me a message on Facebook yesterday that brought me to this passage. He was explaining that he has been out of church for a while now, after the one he used to attend separated and revealed a lot of what was taking place behind the scenes. Since then, he has struggled to find his way back to a church home and asked for suggestion on how to return back to religion after being away for so long. Now I won't go into all that I said, but the driving point was that in order to complete this return, he would have to decide that's what he wants to do and then do it. That brought me to this passage, and this brings me to what I think we can learn from James' words here in Chapter 2.
Do your part. James brings up an interesting topic here in talking about good deeds. He says that faith alone is useless if it is not attached to an action. It's useless to believe that God will bless the homeless when you aren't out helping yourself. It's useless to believe God will provide you with a job if you haven't filled out an application. It's useless to believe God will give you a mate,when you decline any opportunity to go on a date. In each of these situations, believing in God, His power and His sovereignty can only go so far before it's time to do something yourself.
James uses the example of Abraham offering his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice saying that if Abraham had not went through with preparing the sacrifice, then God would not have seen him as righteous even though Abraham believed that God existed, (James 2:20-24). I'll take it another step further and mention Peter walking on water. Matthew 14 tells us the story of Jesus walking on the lake to get back to the boat where his disciples were. Once on the water, the disciples were afraid and Jesus told them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid," (Matt. 14:27). Peter then spoke up and asked Jesus to call for him to walk on the water as well. Jesus obliged and Peter began to walk. It took a lot of faith for Peter to believe that it was Jesus he saw on that water and not just his imagination but it took even more action to actually go to Jesus. All Jesus could do was give Peter the ability to walk on the water by saying "Come.," but Peter had to take the first step on his own.
There isn't one area in our lives where faith alone has any worth. Even our salvation comes with an action. Romans 10:9-10 tells us that, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved," (NIV). The first thing that Paul tells us is to declare, (or confess in other versions) which is an action. It comes before believing in this passage of scripture which shows that it is equally as important as faith.
We have to take the first step in our own lives just as Peter did on the lake. We can't just settle for believing that God exists and is all powerful because as James says, "Even the demons believe that--and shudder,"(v.19). We know that "with God all things are possible," but in order for anything to happen in our lives we have to first do our part by taking the first step, (Matt. 19:26, NIV).
Be Blessed,
R.I.C.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Bourne Again Identity
In Matt Damon's "The Bourne Identity," he plays an amnesic assassin who is trying to determine who he is after a failed attempt to complete a mission. The protagonist, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), spends three movies retracing his steps in order to get to the bottom of his past. Now, there are many people in the world who are also attempting to determine what their true identity is in this world. Although this may very from culture to culture or person to person, one thing that should be absolute is the identity of those who label themselves as Christians. Although we are all different and unique to God's kingdom in our own way, there are a few things that we should have in common if we identify with Christ. This series of devotionals will give a few of the things I feel are important to identify with if you live the LIFE of the saved.
#1. The Love: 1 John 4:8 "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." When it comes to identity, one thing that is important to recognize is that others should be able to see the love in you. Why would someone think you belong to God if u are never kind, compassionate, patient or gentle with them? If you are constantly treating others poorly you aren't loving them and John is pretty clear about what it means if you don't love. One of my favorite church sayings is that "you may be the only Bible that someone reads." It is something that is so true that we must keep it in mind because if we identify with Christ, we shouldn't tarnish the Word that others see because of the way we treat them. Love others.
#1. The Love: 1 John 4:8 "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." When it comes to identity, one thing that is important to recognize is that others should be able to see the love in you. Why would someone think you belong to God if u are never kind, compassionate, patient or gentle with them? If you are constantly treating others poorly you aren't loving them and John is pretty clear about what it means if you don't love. One of my favorite church sayings is that "you may be the only Bible that someone reads." It is something that is so true that we must keep it in mind because if we identify with Christ, we shouldn't tarnish the Word that others see because of the way we treat them. Love others.
#2.The Image: This first point came as I prepared for my interview today. I realized that I was putting a lot of work into ironing, cutting my hair and going over my lesson plan in the mirror. I am so concerned with how the interviewers will perceive me today, that I did something I haven't done in years...ironed my clothes the night before. However, as I began to think I came to the conclusion that we as Christians should put this much work into how others in and out of the church perceive us when it comes to our everyday lifestyle. We walk around as representatives of our Father to all those who see us and at any particular moment can either minister or manipulate the image that others have of God. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:3 "I try to live in such a way that no one will be hindered from finding the Lord by the way I act and so no one can find fault in my ministry." This should be our goal everyday as we are walking billboards for Christ. When we are among unbelievers, we should stand out and when we are among fellow believers, there should be evidence of the Spirit living in us. Colossians 3:7-10 "You used to wall in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage malice, slander, and filthy language from you lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off our old self with its practices 10 and put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the IMAGE OF ITS CREATOR."* Take a minute and examine yourself today and ask yourself, "Do I look like a child of God?" If you are truly born again, you should identify with the image.
#3. The Faith: 2 Corinthians 13:5 "examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless of course you faith he test?" If we identify with Christ it should be apparent in your faith. Faith is mentioned often in the Bible as a requirement to be a Christian. think about it, our entire relationship with God is based on faith; faith that He exists, faith that Jesus was his son, faith that he died on the cross for our sins and is coming back again. If we can't identify with Christ-like faith, then it is improbable that we have the relationship with God we think we do. In fact, Hebrews 11;6 says "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." So do as Paul says and "test yourself." Where is your faith? If you were to be given a pop quiz on faith, would the results show that Christ is in you? Think about it, it's part of your Bourne Again Identity.
#4. The Evangelism: Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..." This is the last thing Jesus says to us before he ascended into heaven in the books of Matthew and Mark. Matthew, however, literally ends after this verse and I believe there is a particular reason why. As one reads Matthew, you may come to understand that Matthew was a very logical and concise writer. Often times, he gave the main points of what Jesus said without the fluff that came in some of the other Gospels. I like to think that my brain works very similar to Matthews in that I believe the direct message is what is most important. In saying that, I also believe there is a great amount of significance to this particular commandment because of where it is placed. Often times, when someone really wants you to remember and do something, they will make it the last thing they say to you right? For instance, your teacher could lecture all day but the last thing they remind you is to do a certain reading or assignment. Or your parents may tell you all the chores you should do before you can leave the house but then mention, "Make sure you turn off the lights before you leave." In the same way, I believe Jesus is using the placement of this commandment to remind us that above all the things he tells us to do on a regular basis, the most important thing we must do is continue to recruit souls for his Kingdom. Everything else comes back to this commandment. It is hard to save souls if you aren't loving, living right or are without faith right? So the other parts of our Identity serve one greater purpose above all else, and that is the uplifting of Christ's kingdom. So if you aren't making an effort to bring others to Christ, is not the rest of your Identity almost pointless? Not to say that you MUST save a soul a day, but you ought to minister to someone somehow in any opportunity you get. You must take advantage of every chance you get to share the love of Christ with someone else and even if you are not the one to save them, plant the seeds that will begin to grow into their own relationship with Christ. There is a reason this passage is known as "The Great Commission;" it is our responsibility to our Identity as Christians to make an apparent effort to save souls on a regular basis.
#4. The Evangelism: Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you..." This is the last thing Jesus says to us before he ascended into heaven in the books of Matthew and Mark. Matthew, however, literally ends after this verse and I believe there is a particular reason why. As one reads Matthew, you may come to understand that Matthew was a very logical and concise writer. Often times, he gave the main points of what Jesus said without the fluff that came in some of the other Gospels. I like to think that my brain works very similar to Matthews in that I believe the direct message is what is most important. In saying that, I also believe there is a great amount of significance to this particular commandment because of where it is placed. Often times, when someone really wants you to remember and do something, they will make it the last thing they say to you right? For instance, your teacher could lecture all day but the last thing they remind you is to do a certain reading or assignment. Or your parents may tell you all the chores you should do before you can leave the house but then mention, "Make sure you turn off the lights before you leave." In the same way, I believe Jesus is using the placement of this commandment to remind us that above all the things he tells us to do on a regular basis, the most important thing we must do is continue to recruit souls for his Kingdom. Everything else comes back to this commandment. It is hard to save souls if you aren't loving, living right or are without faith right? So the other parts of our Identity serve one greater purpose above all else, and that is the uplifting of Christ's kingdom. So if you aren't making an effort to bring others to Christ, is not the rest of your Identity almost pointless? Not to say that you MUST save a soul a day, but you ought to minister to someone somehow in any opportunity you get. You must take advantage of every chance you get to share the love of Christ with someone else and even if you are not the one to save them, plant the seeds that will begin to grow into their own relationship with Christ. There is a reason this passage is known as "The Great Commission;" it is our responsibility to our Identity as Christians to make an apparent effort to save souls on a regular basis.
*Read more of Colossians 3 on what it looks like to be born again.
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