"Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." - Luke 10:20
One trap that Christians can fall into is successive service. Instead of rejoicing in our relationship with Jesus Christ, we measure ourselves based on what we do in the name of Jesus. The "what" becomes more important than the "who".
We also need to be careful of not screening people when they ask for help. Treat all people as God's creation, and not judging them on what they can do for you. Don't look down on somebody because they won't be able to somehow "elevate" you further in God's kingdom.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
The Unsurprassed Intimacy of Tested Faith
"Jesus said to her, ' Did I not say t you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?'" - John 11:40
What I got from this reading.
1. We can't always live on the mountaintop. We have to have our faith tested, or we'll never know if we actually have faith or not. It's easy to proclaim Christ while down at Fall's Creek, but coming back to the "real world", can we still live for Christ? Too many people want to live in a continual "mountain top" experience.
2. Faith is absolute trust in God. For me it's WAY too easy to said "yes I trust God, but I'll have a plan B, just in case". There can be no "Plan B", and that's the hard part. For me I'm used to being self sufficient, and I don't like asking people (or God) for help. I'd rather do it on my own power and resources. Faith requires me to depend on God, and not my own resources. I think this is something men struggle with, as our culture has taught that "real" men are self-sufficient, and asking for help is a sign of weakness.
What I got from this reading.
1. We can't always live on the mountaintop. We have to have our faith tested, or we'll never know if we actually have faith or not. It's easy to proclaim Christ while down at Fall's Creek, but coming back to the "real world", can we still live for Christ? Too many people want to live in a continual "mountain top" experience.
2. Faith is absolute trust in God. For me it's WAY too easy to said "yes I trust God, but I'll have a plan B, just in case". There can be no "Plan B", and that's the hard part. For me I'm used to being self sufficient, and I don't like asking people (or God) for help. I'd rather do it on my own power and resources. Faith requires me to depend on God, and not my own resources. I think this is something men struggle with, as our culture has taught that "real" men are self-sufficient, and asking for help is a sign of weakness.
Fell off the wagon.
The busy week turned into two weeks. Then it turned into three weeks. This morning I realized that once again I've fallen out of my habit of daily reading and (semi) daily postings from the devotional "Utmost for His Highest". My days were consumed with work, and it just made me more bitter about life.
What's maddening is how fast and easy it is to stop doing the spiritual things, and then your time is quickly filled with things that don't matter.
Fortunately the Christian walk is a journey, so even if there are times when I feel I've wandered off, Jesus is still there beside me, and we can resume the journey.
What's maddening is how fast and easy it is to stop doing the spiritual things, and then your time is quickly filled with things that don't matter.
Fortunately the Christian walk is a journey, so even if there are times when I feel I've wandered off, Jesus is still there beside me, and we can resume the journey.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Crazy Week
Very busy week at work, life returns to normal tomorrow. Never looked forward to a Monday like I do this week!
Monday, August 04, 2014
The Brave Friendship of God
"He took the twelve aside..." Luke 18:31
The "bravery" of God trusting His creation. When we think we have no value and nothing to contribute is when God can use us the most. It's when we think we are useful to God is when He can't use us because we feel we have our own purposes to accomplish.
We bring NOTHING to the table of salvation, it's by God's grace ALONE. That's probably why people struggle with the message of salvation. Surely there must be more to it?? Perhaps if I also accomplish these extra items then God will accept me?
Nope. Salvation through Christ ALONE.
As my pastor is fond of quoting Paul, "He must increase, I must decrease!"
The "bravery" of God trusting His creation. When we think we have no value and nothing to contribute is when God can use us the most. It's when we think we are useful to God is when He can't use us because we feel we have our own purposes to accomplish.
We bring NOTHING to the table of salvation, it's by God's grace ALONE. That's probably why people struggle with the message of salvation. Surely there must be more to it?? Perhaps if I also accomplish these extra items then God will accept me?
Nope. Salvation through Christ ALONE.
As my pastor is fond of quoting Paul, "He must increase, I must decrease!"
Friday, August 01, 2014
Becoming Entirely His
"Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" James 1:4
Chambers talks about areas in a Christian's life where we get careless and lazy. He says it's not sin, but remnants of our carnal life that tend to make us careless.
God will allow nothing to escape His notice, and will endlessly bring us back to Him when we stray.
Chambers also warns to beware of becoming careless over the small details of life and saying, "Oh that will have to do for now".
One thing that drives me nuts is the attitude of "it's good enough for church!". Why can't we give our best to God, in all areas of our lives? Instead of doing something half hearted, do the best we can.
Chambers talks about areas in a Christian's life where we get careless and lazy. He says it's not sin, but remnants of our carnal life that tend to make us careless.
God will allow nothing to escape His notice, and will endlessly bring us back to Him when we stray.
Chambers also warns to beware of becoming careless over the small details of life and saying, "Oh that will have to do for now".
One thing that drives me nuts is the attitude of "it's good enough for church!". Why can't we give our best to God, in all areas of our lives? Instead of doing something half hearted, do the best we can.
Alpha 2 released for flavors of Ubuntu
Yesterday (31 July) the Alpha 2 was released for most of the versions of Ubuntu. You wouldn't want to use this for any serious work, but they are good to load in a virtual machine or spare PC and help with bug fixes.
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