How do we honor God?

 Are we honoring God by whining and complaining all the time?  As Christians are we always down and out, sad, and complaining about our lot in life.  Are we fretting over things and circumstances in our lives that we have no business doing so?  Do we claim to have given it to God but in reality have not or if we have, do we keep taking it back.

Why be so down in the face why so distraught?  Why want people to pity you all the time; oh woe is me, my life is oh so difficult, you have no idea.

Dwelling on it, well actually, not dwelling on the situation at hand it's just being used as an excuse for attention and for people to say, oh you poor soul, I sympathize with you.  All the time it’s the same thing time after time after time.

You say you’ve given it to God, but in reality you have not, you just want to wallow in self pity and pull others down with you.   On the other side of that you sit in silence with self pity and wonder why no one talks to you, no one comforts you.  Sitting in silent self absorption, allowing yourself to be drowned by your sorrows and the difficulties of your life.  Oh poor, poor pitiful me no one cares no one loves me, oh how I suffer all alone.

 Do you really think Jesus suffered and died for us to be miserable?  Do you really believe that Jesus didn't enjoy his life while here on earth?  Think about it, he went to weddings, dinner parties and all the feast.  Do you really think he would have had so many followers if he wasn't an upbeat and charismatic person?  Spreading good news everywhere he went, how can anyone share good news when they are down and out, depressed and gloomy all the time.

Ok , how about this; you just found out some really fantastic news and you are really excited about it and want to share it with everyone you know, you can hardly contain yourself.  You call your best friend and she can hear in your voice that something great has happened and can’t wait to hear.  “Guess what, guess what” you say with excitement.

“What, what," she can’t wait to hear.  I’m going to be a grandma, (or I got the promotion, I got approved, (you fill in the blank), then you proceed to tell them all about it.  They ask questions and share your joy and excitement, then congratulate you; they want you to keep them updated on how things are going.

Or are you going to do this; you call your friend and she hears in your voice that you’re sad or down and ask what’s wrong.  You say with a groan and a sigh, “oh I just found out I’m going to be a grandma, or got the promotion etc.  I don’t know if I can handle being a grandmother, (handle the promotion, or payments, etc)  Your friend will probably say something like this; “Oh, (shocked that you’re not excited) sorry to hear that and then try to get off the phone with you as quickly as possible and wonder what in the world is wrong with you.

Jesus came to give us life and give it more abundantly (John 10:10)  Do not think that when he taught the people that he wasn’t excited about his message.  I’m sure he was very excited about it.  If you really think that Jesus didn’t enjoy life while he was here, you might want to rethink that. 

How about this; everywhere he went he made new friend, got to travel the land and see all the beauty.  Was always being invited to dinner, went on picnics, shared the good news.  Went boating and if the water got too rough he calmed them down.  Ha went to cookouts on the beach for breakfast with his closest friends.  Enjoyed quiet times with his friends, played with the children, probably even tumbled around with them in the grass, run around playing tag or whatever.  (have you ever played with children, got down on the floor and tumbled around with them, giving them piggy back rides or lifting them up on the bottom of your feet so they could pretend they were an airplane, etc.  Lots of fun)

And all the while enjoying what his father had given him he always took time to be alone with God the father to commune with him and listen to what he had to say.

Jesus is the life (John 14:6), how can someone not enjoy life when there is so much beauty and wonder to behold.  How could Jesus possibly give us his joy, if he was miserable, how could he give us peace if he had none, how could he give us life if he wasn’t lively. 

Do you think by self suffering that brings honor to God?  Do you think by wallowing in self pity this makes God happy?  Do you think by speaking negative thoughts to yourself or anyone else God is please with this.  And do you think sucking the life out of others because you choose to be miserable honors God.

No, it does not, Jesus came to give us life and give it abundantly (John 10:10) we should be so full of life that is spills over to others, so others come to us and want to be with us and want what we have.  Being full of life attracts others, they want what you have.

If people flee from you it’s because you are sucking the life out of them and no one likes that.  Others run from folks like that and avoid them as best they can.  Be a life giver not a life taker, you’d be surprised the difference in your life when you start to honor God and make Him the center of your life and let His spirit fill you.  You can give and do so much more when you let Jesus live his life through you.

It’s your chose, you can choose life or you can choose death (Deuteronomy 30:19).  Jesus said “Behold I stand at the door and knock (Revelation 3:20).    Let God live his life through you, you won’t regret it.

Where should I be?

I visited a church call Joy & Praise Fellowship a few weeks ago and found that this is the place I need to be.  I have visited other churches since I've been in FL but never felt at home at any of them.

My brother wanted me to come to his church and visit, which I did.  He picked me up and off we went to his church.  I wasn't moved or felt love the of God or anyone else there, they really didn't seem to care.  I visited my sisters church and almost fell asleep, also didn't feel the love of God or the love of others.

My thought on that is that I'm not to be at either of these fellowships.  It's not that they don't love and that God is not present in these churches, it's the fact that I'm not to be there.  I've also visited a couple other churches and the same thing: didn't feel at home or any thing else.  Like I said, it's not that God isn't there and accepting their praise and worship, it's I just don't belong there.

Joy and Praise Fellowship is where I belong.  I knew that from the first day I visited them.  I just love it there and am always looking forward to the next meeting.  I am so at home there, I cannot describe.  However I must admit I was a bit confused on the prayer meeting, it was like none I've ever attended before.

The only other church that I am familiar with as far as prayer meetings are concerned is Wards Creek in St. Augustine, FL.  That is very much over 20 yrs. ago.  When we went to prayer meeting and Bible study it was organized per sey.  The preacher would ask someone to begin and after that person was done then someone else would pray out-loud, etc.  After that we would have a Bible study.

The church I'm now attending we all pray on our own and then we all hold hands and pray together.  This is a totally new concept to me.  At first I was confused about the whole thing because this was not something I was used to.  The first time I went to prayer meeting, this was something I did not expect.  Doesn't matter now though for I have learned that this is something that's needed, for the simple reason most people don't like to pray out loud.  

I thank God that he has shown me this.  We can mumble under our breath and not worry that we are saying the right words for others to hear.  Oh and how we do this.  I remember many times I wanted to pray out loud when I lived in St. Augustine but didn't because I felt or thought that I couldn't pray as eloquent as the other who did.  It was such a struggle for me.

I am so happy, xtatic to know now that it doesn't matter.  God is good and God is gracious and oh so forgiving.  I love Him and thank Him daily for all the wonderful works that He has done, not only in my life, also in the lives of my family and friends.

I am so grateful that God brought me to Joy & Praise Fellowship, words cannot explain.   All I have to say right now is Thank you Lord for your blessings on me!

My favorite Christian artist.

He's alive.

The Steeple song.

Holiness

I could never promise you.

Gotta tell somebody.

God, in your life or on a shelf.

You made us in your image Lord, formed out of the clay of the earth you created for us.  You breathed in us the breath of life, you gave us your breath.  You made us your children and companions and you saw that it was good and you love us.


You love us so that you gave us free will.  The only thing you said not to do our parents of long ago did.  Since then we have rebelled against you.


You gave us ten commandments to live by, to follow and obey, not because you are mean, you gave them for our protection.  When reading your commandments they do not seem that hard to follow, however we make it so.


You looked on us and had pity for we are a lost people and decided it was time to send your Son to come and show us the way and redeem us and save us from our sin.   He walked this earth in perfect truth, righteousness and love and taught us your ways.  He brought us hope and life when we thought all was gone.  He gave us his all including his life and held back nothing.   The only thing that was asked of us for this precious gift of life and hope was that we truly repent of our sins accept Christ as our Savior, be baptized and follow Him. 


Not such a difficult task these four things, however, we make it so.  We put you, God, on the side line or forget about you altogether.  We may occasionally go to a church service on Sunday or at least on Easter or Christmas and feel that we've done our weekly or yearly "duty".  What a shame!  I've actually heard people say that they've got their God fix for the week, (my, my what is that suppose to mean), and then go on their merry way, continue to do what they've always done and put God back on the shelf.


Well, folks, like it or not this is not true repentance, this is not following Jesus, this is not getting to know God.  The only way to know God on a personal and deep knowledge and build a relationship with him is to pray, honor, worship God, read his word and meditate on it daily.  Not once a week or once or twice a year, it must be done daily.  Three little thinks, not that difficult, yet we make it so.


Jesus gave us a guide for praying, he gave us the Lord's prayer as an example on how to pray, he read the word daily, and he would go off by himself to meditate on these things.  The only things God asks of us is once we repent and accept Christ as our savior is to follow His example.  He will lead the way and we will be more joyful because of it.


Praise the Lord.

The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?   Ps. 27:1

Written in Stone for a reason.

I read an article today that talks about a preacher who decided to rewrite the ten commandments.  He stated they would be easier to understand and follow the way he rewrote them.  (I personally don't find them difficult to understand the way they are)

I read his rewrite and it's more like suggestions not commands.  His working is such to me anyway that this is the way we should live and gives his 10 guidelines.  He state that the commandments are out dated and needed to be revised for modern man.  (Are you kidding me???!!!)

Gods commandments have been in place for thousands of years and now this guy comes along and has the audacity  to think he can change them to suit his needs and wants.

I think  most of us have heard the old saying: "It's not written in stone..." meaning it can be changed.   Well guess what folks the TEN COMMANDMENTS WERE written in STONE, therefor the;y can not be changed and it's not up for debate.   It is my believe they were written in stone for just that reason.

God does not change nor does his word change.  Mankind tries to manipulate Gods word to his own design and desire, take verses out of context, turn it around and have it say or mean what they want it to instead of listening to what God has to say to them.

I sincerely hope people that you don't decide to use this guys suggestions rather than follow what God said.  Remember what Jesus said in the new testament. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matt. 7:15.   One thing that bothers me is how many people agree with this guy.

Here are the links to the articles I read.  After you read the articles please leave a comment here I would love to know your thoughts about this.
Church adopts new 10 commandments.
Church adopts.
To open links in new window or tab, right click.

Thanks.

Remembering God.

Once again I've allowed myself to get preoccupied with other things instead of keeping my focus on God.  Why is it so easy to do that?

It is so easy to allow ourselves to get caught up into every day mundaneness, concerning ourselves with things we shouldn't be worrying about and just doing the same old routine day in and day out.

We get caught up in the sameness of everyday life; get up take a shower, go to work or school, maybe eat breakfast, lunch break, come home.  Change clothes, fix dinner, eat, watch t.v., play games on the computer, then go to bed.  Sleep, get up repeat.  Weekend gets here we do the same old weekend thing, sleep in, get up turn on t.v. eat a bowl of cereal, donuts or whatever and sit in front of the t.v. for hours.  If we have a yard we might do a bit of yard work, or straighten things up around the house, then pretty much nothing the rest of the day.

We might even think about God and go to church Saturday evening or Sunday morning; IF we feel like it.  Shame on us.

We've forgotten how to enjoy the life God has given to us, we've forgotten to keep God the center of our life's.  We've put God aside and remember him only when we need something.  We've forgotten the joy we had when we put God first and he was the center of our world, not put on a shelf to be used when needed, like a blender that's been sitting on a shelf never used but once in awhile.

Oh sure we may say a blessing every day over our meals, thanking Him for the food he's provided, then that's it, we forget about Him and go on our merry way.  We go play those stupid computer games with the t.v. on so we don't miss our favorite show.

It's time, well past time that we (me) stop doing that. Time to put God first back into our life's again.  Remember the joy, life and happiness that was there when God was first in our life's.  The quiet times and fellowship that was there.  The excitement and energy that was there throughout the day when we woke in the morning singing, praising, thanking and glorifying God for another wonderful day.
In so doing your presence was felt throughout the day.  Taking time to read your word to get to know you.

You have said oh Lord, draw near to me and I will draw near to you.  We also know Lord the opposite is true, if we pull away from you then you will hide your face from us.

I thank you Lord for your patience, loving kindness and your forgiveness.  Let me always put you first in my life.

Forgiveness

I really wonder sometimes, I mean really wonder why siblings will not forgive.  As for that matter why will you not forgive a friend.

You can forgive someone and renew your relationship, but sometimes, just because of the hurt the relationship cannot be renewed, at least not the way it used to be.

The only reason I bring this up is so many people out there are holding grudges against people that don't even know or even care that there are grudges or ill feelings are held against them.

We all have to get over ourselves (and we are all into ourselves, one way or another)and learn to forgive others.   If we do not forgive other nor will we be forgiven by our Father in heaven.   This is not my thought: this is what the word of God say.

We need to forgive and move on in our lives.  It doesn't mean we have to associate with these people any more, we just need to totally forgive them and accept them for who they are and let God work out the rest.

Holding grudges and holding people accountable only destroys ourselves.  The reason I say this is from experience from many years ago when I held a grudge against someone.  The person you are holding a grudge against doesn't even know that you have a grudge against them nor do they care.

When I ran into this person years later, I realized that they had no clue and I was only destroying myself.  I let go of the grudge (hatred, whatever) and moved on with my life.

I have found in my life (I'm 57 if that makes a difference)holding grudges and not forgiving others for the wrong they have done us, only hurts ourselves and not the person we are against.

Well that's my thought for today.  Comments are always welcomed.
Julia