Tuesday, July 22, 2008
maturity
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
God's goal for us is not conversion but maturity, to become more like Christ.
Becoming a Christian is the work of a moment; being a Christian is the work of a lifetime.
The Christian life is not smooth going,
because only through storms and temptations can your faith grows stronger.
Jesus warned us against welcoming the Word of God, but then allowing it to wither or be choked out by the cares of this world, like seeds planted among rocks or thorns. Instead we should be like "those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."
Crops take time to mature, with lots of work and care.
If we ignore the gardens of our souls, we'll be spiritually weak.
Philippians2:15 - We are to"become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation."
2 Corinthians 3:18 - We...are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Only in heaven will this fully happen, for then
"we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."(1 John 3:2)
A sign of maturity is an increasing love for others.
When Christ is formed in you, the love of God in you also increases.
To be like Christ is have Christ becoming Lord of every area of your life.
Christ becomes Lord of your character, of your actions, of your attitudes.
Instead are you negative and critical? arrogant and impatient? filled with anxiety and worry?
lazy and undisciplined? undependable and irresponsible? domineering and harsh?
If our lives do not reflect Christ, why should people believe us.
1 Timothy 6:11 - flee from all this (evil), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Galatians 5:22-23 - The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
These 9 characteristics are marks of maturity.
You're a matured Christian if you have these characteristics.
Only as you abide in the vine and His words, can you grow,
and the pruning by The Father will make you more fruitful.
But if you try on your own, all your futile efforts will result in a total crop failure.
The level of your character is the measure of your maturity,
a character that brings pleasure and glory to God.
You can only love others to the extent that God loves you.
It's God's kindness that leads you to repentance(Romans 2:4),
but so often we fail to respond to others befitting this kindness shown to us.
Even when we're faithless, God remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13).
But if your spiritual life is dry and barren, begin by praying -
Search me, O God, and know my heart..see if there's any offensive way in me.(psalm 139:23)
Ask God to show you any area of your life where sin still rules, and then repent of it.
Although God's Spirit is in you, your old nature is still alive.
So everyday a battle rages in your heart, between your will and God's will.
Your old nature strives to gain the upper hand and control you.
So if you're weak, you lose the battle, and you reflect the unbelieving world.
The mark of immaturity is when your flesh gains the upper hand.
This is why Jesus said -
"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23)
Our old nature - our selfishness, evil desires, wrong attitudes habits - must die.
Colosians 3:5 - put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature.
For you have been crucified with Christ, and you no longer live.
You've turned away from wrong thoughts and deceitful desires,
and you've replaced them with Christ's thoughts and godly desires,
which are good and pure.
You've put off your old self (corrupted by deceitful desires),
and you've put on the new self,
created to be like Christ in true righteousness and holiness.
To see the mighty working of the Holy Spirit in transforming you,
you must move from repentance and submission into obedience and trust.
You obey because you love the Lord, your God.
God leads you by His Word and Spirit.
Only as you prayed, meditate on His Word,
and sought the Spirit and the godly advice of others,
can you find the path you should walk in,
confirmed by the small still voice of God in you.
Seek to be filled with th Holy Spirit daily,
and obey His Word and trust in Him.
Learn to live and walk in the Spirit,
having crucified your flesh with its passions and desires.
Guard your thoughts, emotions, and actions
so you won't give the enemy a foothold (1Peter 1:5-7).
to love even though it's impossible n looks stupid to do so
Love thy neighbor as you love yourself.
This is the second greatest commandment Jesus gave.
Yes, the Lord hears your cries...cry for help, cry for grace, cry for justice.
He knows what you are going through
and He wants you to know that you are not in this alone.
The Lord is always good to us,
though many times circumstances show otherwise.
But take a look at Job, take a look at Paul,
take a look at all those who had stayed faithful to God.
They were persecuted when they were doing the right thing.
They were tortured because of their faith.
Jesus was crucified because of His love for us.
All the great men and women in the bible have something in common.
Their love for God's people outweighs any suffering they had to go through.
What gave them this determination is their love for others.
It's difficult to love those who had done wrong to us,
It's difficult to look past that ugly face to see the lost soul inside our enemies.
But that is what Jesus is calling us to do,
to love even though it's impossible and stupid to do so.
As Christians, we are fools in the eyes of men
but what matters most is that God is pleased and happy with us.
Jesus came to this Earth as a man, so that He could die for you and me.
He was God, who became a servant.
He was God, who died a convict's death.
But God is saying to us today that "it is finished."
We don't have to suffer anymore to save ourselves.
It is already done!
All that is left to do is believe.
Everything in this world belongs to God
and we as His children have everything too!
"For all things are yours: whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death,
or things present or things to come - all are yours. And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's."
(1Corinthians 3: 21-23 )
Victory is ours since the moment you believed that Jesus is the Son of God.
We no longer have to fight this battle as the battle is already won!
No, despite all these things,
overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. (Romans 8 : 37 )
It is difficult to believe in things that seem so unreal and impossible.
But that is what faith is about, believing without the presence of doubt.
So, take this step of faith.
Tell God that you are hopeless and helpless without Him.
Tell God how afraid you are,
how angry and frustrated you are with life,
how worried you are about the future,
practically just how tired you are with life right now.
Just close your eyes and start pouring out to God
until you feel the weight on your shoulder is lighter.
Let the tears, all the hurts and pains pour out from your heart.
It is between you and God, no one else.
There's no pretense, no hiding, no holding back.
Be transparent in front of Jesus, laying all your junks and burden at His feet,
for it is not for us to carry all these burden in life.
It had never meant to be ours to bear.
Imagine an empty cross, where Jesus was once hung.
Just think about His sacrifice and love for you.
All Jesus ever cared about was you;
nothing else mattered to Him but you.
He loves you so much that His heart aches whenever He sees yours aching.
Jesus loves us dearly.
We are the world to Him.
Don't you think He would have a great future for us?
Don't you think He would provide us with our every need?
Don't you think He loves us too much to let us suffer?
All our bond ages had been broken when Jesus took our place at the cross.
It is we today who bound ourselves to chains
when the key to these chains is all this while in our hands.
Therefore let's make Jesus' death worth while.
Go back to the basics; go back to your first love.
Go back to the roots to why you call yourself a Christian today.
Going back to basics is always the best move to make when you are lost.
Go back to your Abba Father.
poems
the bitter autumn rain
letting my tears wash away my pain,
my horrifying pain that I want it to go away.
the rain n wind gets harder blowing me to the side
knowing I am cracking and breaking inside.
empty and alone, trying to hide.
the rain is beating hard,
as i feel the beat of my broken heart
that is slowly falling apart.
can i find solace in the rain
taking away my pain.
i see the reflection of me,
in the broken pool of waters
the tears i cry i can hardly see.
my eyes are red,
my hair blowing in the wind,
the scars on my face, slowly are
disappearing without a trace.
walking around, there is nothing
not even the smallest thing to make
as I look down, staring at my feet.
the feelings of self doubt,
feelings of lost within a crowd.
feeling empty and alone.
trapped in this world.
the wind blows through my hair,
as the rain rushes down,
making me feel free for a moment
putting me at ease, at peace for now.
as i start to breathe again....
taken from "rain", "breathe" by Sarah
What has the autumn done to us?
That endless wind, that heavy rain...
My eyes with tears and bitter pain.
It's over now, the autumn's game
though it hurts a lot
We could be happy, but we're not
Why is life so cruel and sad?
It's stolen happiness we've had
when heartache appears in our lives
we are forced to face bittersweet truths
we are reminded that within each challenge
there is always a higher offering
although hidden from our view
we must raise our thinking, open our hearts
and recognize that we are being called to a new stage in life,
a higher calling, a new dimension in life
unfamiliarity can be frightening
and new paths look uncertain.
but what is life, if not a journey into the wondrous unknown?
look around...grace and beauty can still be found within pain.
the only lock,keeping us trapped or blind or stuck is fear.
the only cage is the condition of our minds.
Can we change the past?
No. It’s as hard as granite, as immovable as a mountain.
Cold Mountain Movie says,
“You can grieve endlessly for the loss of time and damage done.
For many things that happened.
You can grieve on and on.
You can grieve your heart out,
And in the end, you’re still where you are.”
All your grief has not change a thing.
What you have lost will not be returned to you.
It will always be lost.
You are left with only scars.
All you can choose to do is go on or not.
But if you go on, it’s knowing you carry your scars with you.”
Grief and bitterness can only keep you a prisoner of the past.
What’s done is done.
Regret cannot change what has already happened.
No matter how many times we say “if only.”
No matter how bitterly we blame and accuse.
bitterness can only ruin us.
We will become prisoners in our own dark souls,
Suffocated by our own brooding thoughts.
You reap your own thoughts
Yes, we must learn to move on,
No matter the past.
We cannot change what has happened.
We do have one power…we can trust God to redeem the past.
If we let Him.
God can use the evil of what has happened
And transforms it into something good.
Do right and don’t go against your conscience.
Sometimes you doubt yourself.
Have peace in your heart; hold on to the things you believe in.
Put your trust in God
For He’ll never leave you.
He’s ever faithful, the One who created you.
Don’t let others pull you down.
Don’t let others talk you out of things.
People may not understand you, but God understands.
If you believe, you can touch the supernatural.
You can see miracles in your life.
It’s not easy to put the past behind.
But look what the future holds for you.
With God’s help, you can almost do anything
Including overcoming your fears and pain.
Everybody deserves a second chance.
Hatred in your heart'll only bring death.
Be slow to anger and judgment,
or judgment shall come upon you.
Always care for one another.
Love others as you would love yourselves.
Have a caring and loving heart,
just like Jesus and reach out to others.
Be compassionate towards others.
Don't judge a person by the looks.
Go and preach the Gospel,
and in wisdom,
because you must be wise
in everything you do.
Be hot for Christ.
Don't take things for granted;
be united,
and don't be easily offended,
but always give and take with one another.
And have love in your own family,
and also in the church.
In your hour of need,
always run to the Lord for help;
cry out to Him; have faith in Him.
The Lord has given everyone a gift
to hear His voice.
He shall speak to you if you're willing to hear.
God is always speaking.
Hear the Lord's voice in your heart,
and He shall guide you through it.
Have faith and believe His words.
Don't be proud and think
that you're full of knowledge.
Obey His words and commandments.
Obey His commandment
to keep the sabbath holy.
Don't be just be a Sunday Christian,
but take notice of people
around you in your church,
and in other nations.
Many people are suffering.
So count your blessings.
The road to heaven is narrow;
so you have to lean onto God.
Allow the Holy Spirit to
guide you in whatever you do.
............................................................................................................
you are not alone
Your voice, Your spirit always gives me courage to face the world
I am not alone.
thank You Lord, I will never be alone.
1John 16:7-13(paraphrased):
I will not leave you alone. I will send the Helper, the Holy Spirit to you .
And when He has come, the Spirit of truth, He will guide you into all truth.
My Love for you will never fail.
Trust in Me, and I shall straighten your path.
Have faith and hope in Me.
Everyday is a new day and a new start.
Put the past behind you, and work your future.
Do not feel despaired, but instead rejoice
For the I shall return, and My children will return to Me,
And they will be with Me for eternity.
Work your way to heaven.
It’s a narrow and bumpy road,
But never give up.
Cling on to My Word;
Let the My Word be printed in your heart.
Enjoy the life that I’ve blessed you with.
You’re here for a purpose and a reason;
It’s not by accident you’re here.
Never let men pull you down,
Or tell you who you are,
Because you’ve a father that’s almighty,
The creator of the heavens and the earth;
So who shall you fear?
Seek the Kingdom of God,
And everything shall be added unto you
God is in our midst in our everyday life.
Supernatural things do happen,
but with our naked eyes we can’t see it.
It’s only through the spirit that things are revealed to us.
It’s only in times of desperation
that we would turn to a higher power for help,
for we know that with our own strength
we can do nothing about it.
But just imagine spending your whole life
with that person of great authority
and having His favor over you….
you would be able to do things
you thought were impossible.
Many things happen we find hard to understand,
and as unique and special we may be,
creation can never out beat the Creator.
We are only part and parcel of the His masterpiece.
As small as we are, we are part of this great art piece,
for every one of us could be a history maker,
with the potential to be.
It’s all determined by the choices we make
and the life we choose to live.
The light is there but we don’t see it because we are blind.
But you can see through our hearts,
and feel the presence of God around you;
and feel His love too.
But unless we have the desire and passion we won’t get it.
Everyone of is imperfect but God is flawless and perfect.
And we are made righteous through Him so we can be like Him.
All it requires is great faith.
Faith can move mountains.
The clock is ticking and time flies
So capture the moment and make it a fresh start
UNTIL YOU ARE TRUE TO YOURSELF
until you are true to yourself
it's difficult for God to help u.
The Lord loves you.
Indeed He is by your side this very second.
Just feel His presence
feel that warmth
feel that love flowing from Him.
Take in His goodness n His glory.
Read His Word for it will give u strength.
Always lean on His grace n mercy
for we r nothing without Him.
Seek His mercy n grace.
Trust God with your life
for He is never wrong
He never will ever forsake u.
Just know that He is your heavenly Father
who will hear all your problems
n embrace n comfort u.
It is the only time
when u can be yourself
when u can be honest
n truthful with yourself
for there is nothing to hide from God.
Until u r true to yourself
until u realize your weaknesses
until acknowledge your need for God's strength,
God can do nothing.
God will do His best when u do your best.
It needs your commitment together with God's promise.
Then u will see results
that go beyond your expectation.
With God, dream big
for your Father in heaven is a big God;
He is indeed the King of all kings.
Believe in yourself.
Give all glory n praises to God.
Trust in Him for guidance in your life.
Let Him love u.
Renew your love
with the One who first loved u.
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