Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Life

Life is like a four tier building;

The first floor; Mayhem. Chaos, and confusion. Every man is born into this state, he spends much of his youth here, and some never really go on to the second floor. This represents those who live by the motto “do your own thing” or “Doing in MY way”; also the “If it feels good, do it” philosophy. This is man in his natural state. He that lives here is a “Me only” thinker--he cares not for anyone or anything else but “self.” Infant stage.

The second floor; Law. Stringent rules that demand of us; commanding that which we do not wish to give. A cage: A restraint to our natural instincts (intuitions); A binding cord, a forced obedience. As man grows, he realizes responsibility; subjection to bosses; to police; to judicial laws; to authorities; rules in general. In school he learns subjection.
Manners are gotten here, he learns from them, and morals. Teenage stage.

The third floor; Grace: a free will, but a will to do right instead of the “Me” attitude (first floor); A will to choose good or evil, which was introduced through law. Grace inside, law on the fringes. Law seasoned with grace; love prevails, patience rules. Young married.

The fourth floor; Utopia: The ideal. The exact right mixture of law and grace; of love and truth; of joy and peace. The epitome of all goodness. Heaven on earth; “Thy kingdom come”…Old age.

There are those who seem to be good at everything in this life. They set out to build, and do a great job: they put their heart into sports, and excel in that area; or they seem to have a charisma that charms others to do whatever they wish them to do. Whatever the case, it could be dangerous to excel in anything in the flesh. The more proficient we are in worldly things, the greater hold the world has on us. When we are good at repairing and building, we spend much time in this sphere of learning; when we are good at sports, our heart is drawn to sports events, and we become at least a little consumed with them; when we learn to motivate people that becomes a bane to us, and we find it getting out of hand; our mastery seems to master us instead of others. Those that are good at “business”, are always busy in their business--their time is not their own.

I used to feel deprived and “out of place” because I am good at nothing in this life, but now I see the blessing in it. I have nothing more to occupy my time and thoughts than that of meditating upon the Lord and His greatness and Majesty. Don’t ask me to repair a car, or to build a house, if you want it done right, and don’t choose me if you need a qualified ally in a sports game, because I will inevitably let you down, but choose me to pray for you when the need is great and the afflictions come, that I can do.

Monday, January 16, 2012

carnality test

(To be answered in your heart, do not write out your answers. Be honest, even if it “hurts“)

1. Name three super models.

2. How much do you spend on television? (cable, satellite, etc.)
--big screen tv?

3. How much do you watch tv?

4. What kind of programming (contract) do you have for your cell phone?

5. How many electronic “gadgets” do you own?

5. Do you own a boat, motorcycle, or snowmobile?
--How much do you use it?
--Does it own you?

6. Did/do you vote for economic reasons? Other reasons than spiritual principles?
--Do you have a scripture verse for your reason for voting?

7. Do you have any close friends that are unsaved?
--Hunting, fishing partners, etc. (friends that you run with?)

8. What do you believe about secular education?
--The more knowledge, the better?

9. Do you miss church or church events for family gatherings?


10. How is your giving record?
--can you honestly say that your giving glorifies God?

11. Do you sleep with a gun for protection?
--How much do you trust in the gun to deliver you?

12. Do you follow the latest styles when dressing?
--does the world decide what you will wear?
--Do you try to look “sexy”?

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

The Fear of the Lord

The Fear of the Lord 2

Pro 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Pro 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Pro 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

In Job 28:28 we are told the same thing as the last part of this passage, that “The fear of the Lord” is wisdom, and to “Depart from evil” is understanding. How many of us really fear the Lord? How many can claim to have understanding? It seems a small thing to some of us, but it is of the utmost importance. The Proverb says to reprove a wise man and he will love thee: It will make him yet the wiser, and he will increase in learning. Be wise, and take reproof, realizing that is betters you; but be careful with whom you council lest you fall into the traps of Satan.
The Lord loves humility. I believe that this one attribute is the one that David impressed God with so that he became a man after God’s own heart. Humility is admitting wrong doing without excuse or passing the buck on to someone else. When we realize our faults and take total blame for them, we are exercising humility. The sin is not to be rebuked in pride, but with a sincere effort to see one do what is right; in this way, God will bless the sinner as well as the reprover. Our reproofs are to done in humility and prayer, allowing the Spirit of God to work through us. The two go hand in hand with one another; humility compliments the fear of the Lord, and the fear of the Lord promotes humility.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Christianity

There are believers, and there are Christians. Believers have trusted Christ for their salvation, that is, in their hearts. Christians, on the other hand have Christ in their hearts and in their minds. Each of us need to see how we measure up.

Christ never lived one moment for Himself; how much time do we spend on “us”? Christ never lusted in His heart for anything; how do we measure up in this area?
He never worried about anything.
Finances
Future
Job or family.
He never trusted anyone else for His needs.
Government, etc.
One can then be a believer, and not a Christian (Chris, like-ian).

In Luke 18:8 Christ asks “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? The big question is, “Will he find faith in us?” Will Christ find us to be believers, or Christians? Which will it be for you?

There are believers, and there are Christians; which will he find faith in?

(This short devotion has convicted me to my soul, and I am afraid I fall much shorter than I had supposed.)