Note: I seem to be full of things to say again from God, so I'm going to slip some of these posts in between the daily Psalms study that we're doing :)
God says in Revelation 3:15,16, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are luke-warm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
God desires us to be either refreshing or therapeutic, to bring hope and joy or healing and restoration to a hurting world. He despises when we are indifferent or luke-warm and ineffective. No one wants a luke-warm drink, our truest desires want either an ice cold liquid to quench and refresh us or we want a hot liquid to sooth and heal us! Isaiah 26:19 says, "Wake up and shout for joy!" I witness more often than not, people who are going through life like slugs slimming along rather than living a life filled with meaning and purpose. They complain and watch their lives fade to black as they neither have joy in their hearts or a fire in their belly for anything! They just exist and expect that all their problems should be taken care of by God, with no effort on their part. They don't serve others, they don't go to church or take their family there. They don't try to self-improve or try to develop their character or knowledge for loving or living or interacting. They either blame others and wallow in self-pity or just exist in limbo not giving anything much thought. Most often they never even consider that they may be their biggest problem! Who of us who remains stagnant can expect good things?
The bible tells us who we can be "in Christ" if we draw near to Him with an open and obedient heart. The bible also tells us that people will know us by our fruits. Galatians 5:22-23 describes those fruits that can be evident in our character and lives...Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a gives a detailed description of what love is to behave like...Love is patient, kind, it does not envy nor boast and it is not proud. It is not rude, self-seeking, easily angered, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil and lies but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. Love never fails. How is anyone to know this great knowledge and profound truth if they don't read their bibles, go to church or have fellowship with other believers that are seeking the same? And, if someone won't stretch out of their comfort zone to grow and learn then they probably aren't taking their spouse or children to church or Sunday school, which will result in another generation of luke-warm and lost people who have no passion.
Are you cool and refreshing? Hot and therapeutic? or are you just luke-warm? Bath tubs are nice when their luke-warm but you can't be blessed or be a blessing while just sitting there can you? So, you have a choice, stay the way you are and complain the rest of your life or change your behaviors and patterns and step out into a vibrant and full life! Who wants a dessert that isn't sweet? A soup that has no flavor or saltiness? Bland is not acceptable in life, so it should never be acceptable in our lives! God has so much color, flavor, depth...that He wants to bless you with! Just ask, believe and get excited about what He will do!
Romans 8:31b-32, "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" God is making it clear through this scripture that NO ONE can be against you if God is for you! So, all that is left is YOU! Only you can be against you when God is for you! No matter what your circumstance is, you can meet with God right there in it! Whether it be over-seeing an exciting project or laying in a sick bed, God can use you and teach you exactly where you are! Remain comfortable where you are and how things are or get passionate about something and start life with a new attitude. Just as there is only "you" that can make that change, there is only "you" that can be blamed for not making it. If you can't change your situation at the present moment then change your attitude or your habits or your vision of your future.
God loves you just the way you are! But, He loves you so much, that He won't leave you that way :)
Ephesians 5:14-17, "Wake up, Oh sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!" Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise; making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Proverbs 3:21-23, Preserve sound judgement and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then, you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
Proverbs 12:1, Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is a fool.
Proverbs 12:15, The way of a fool seems right to them, but a wise person listens to advise.
For more profound correction and knowledge read the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament.
I was watching The Church Channel and this Pastor gave me a brand new view of what "hope" means! I always used that word like, "Gosh, I hope that works out?" or "I hope so?". There was always a question mark at the end of my "hope" sentences, but that's not how God wants us to live, think or believe! He wants our hope to be pregnant with anticipation for the arrival of our visions and His will! Here are some notes I took this morning to share:
God did not waste my years of unbelief and despair, He used them to have my complete attention on Him and prepared me for this day when I would finally see the truth about how much He wants for us! "Where there is no vision, the people perish...Proverbs 29:18 says. And in the gospel of John, Christ says, "I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly!" Life takes us through many seasons and journeys, and just like the seasons, everything that happens has purpose and abundance. What dreams do you have that are waiting to be conceived? Do you want them to bring refreshment and healing or just be luke-warm with no impact or impression? Of course we want our life to bubble with an effervescent excitement about what's to come! It all starts with one question...."Do you believe?
God says in Revelation 3:15,16, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are luke-warm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
God desires us to be either refreshing or therapeutic, to bring hope and joy or healing and restoration to a hurting world. He despises when we are indifferent or luke-warm and ineffective. No one wants a luke-warm drink, our truest desires want either an ice cold liquid to quench and refresh us or we want a hot liquid to sooth and heal us! Isaiah 26:19 says, "Wake up and shout for joy!" I witness more often than not, people who are going through life like slugs slimming along rather than living a life filled with meaning and purpose. They complain and watch their lives fade to black as they neither have joy in their hearts or a fire in their belly for anything! They just exist and expect that all their problems should be taken care of by God, with no effort on their part. They don't serve others, they don't go to church or take their family there. They don't try to self-improve or try to develop their character or knowledge for loving or living or interacting. They either blame others and wallow in self-pity or just exist in limbo not giving anything much thought. Most often they never even consider that they may be their biggest problem! Who of us who remains stagnant can expect good things?
The bible tells us who we can be "in Christ" if we draw near to Him with an open and obedient heart. The bible also tells us that people will know us by our fruits. Galatians 5:22-23 describes those fruits that can be evident in our character and lives...Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a gives a detailed description of what love is to behave like...Love is patient, kind, it does not envy nor boast and it is not proud. It is not rude, self-seeking, easily angered, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil and lies but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. Love never fails. How is anyone to know this great knowledge and profound truth if they don't read their bibles, go to church or have fellowship with other believers that are seeking the same? And, if someone won't stretch out of their comfort zone to grow and learn then they probably aren't taking their spouse or children to church or Sunday school, which will result in another generation of luke-warm and lost people who have no passion.
Are you cool and refreshing? Hot and therapeutic? or are you just luke-warm? Bath tubs are nice when their luke-warm but you can't be blessed or be a blessing while just sitting there can you? So, you have a choice, stay the way you are and complain the rest of your life or change your behaviors and patterns and step out into a vibrant and full life! Who wants a dessert that isn't sweet? A soup that has no flavor or saltiness? Bland is not acceptable in life, so it should never be acceptable in our lives! God has so much color, flavor, depth...that He wants to bless you with! Just ask, believe and get excited about what He will do!
Romans 8:31b-32, "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" God is making it clear through this scripture that NO ONE can be against you if God is for you! So, all that is left is YOU! Only you can be against you when God is for you! No matter what your circumstance is, you can meet with God right there in it! Whether it be over-seeing an exciting project or laying in a sick bed, God can use you and teach you exactly where you are! Remain comfortable where you are and how things are or get passionate about something and start life with a new attitude. Just as there is only "you" that can make that change, there is only "you" that can be blamed for not making it. If you can't change your situation at the present moment then change your attitude or your habits or your vision of your future.
God loves you just the way you are! But, He loves you so much, that He won't leave you that way :)
Ephesians 5:14-17, "Wake up, Oh sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!" Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise; making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Proverbs 3:21-23, Preserve sound judgement and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then, you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
Proverbs 12:1, Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is a fool.
Proverbs 12:15, The way of a fool seems right to them, but a wise person listens to advise.
For more profound correction and knowledge read the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament.
I was watching The Church Channel and this Pastor gave me a brand new view of what "hope" means! I always used that word like, "Gosh, I hope that works out?" or "I hope so?". There was always a question mark at the end of my "hope" sentences, but that's not how God wants us to live, think or believe! He wants our hope to be pregnant with anticipation for the arrival of our visions and His will! Here are some notes I took this morning to share:
- Conceive a concept or dream that is pleasing to God!
- Believe that God is on board and He knows the best way to accomplish it!
- Your hope in that vision should be pregnant with anticipation!
- Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, so feel excited and confident!
- See yourself and all your ideas in the dream, along with meditating on God's goodness and faithfulness!
- Receive in God's timing all that you hoped for!
God did not waste my years of unbelief and despair, He used them to have my complete attention on Him and prepared me for this day when I would finally see the truth about how much He wants for us! "Where there is no vision, the people perish...Proverbs 29:18 says. And in the gospel of John, Christ says, "I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly!" Life takes us through many seasons and journeys, and just like the seasons, everything that happens has purpose and abundance. What dreams do you have that are waiting to be conceived? Do you want them to bring refreshment and healing or just be luke-warm with no impact or impression? Of course we want our life to bubble with an effervescent excitement about what's to come! It all starts with one question...."Do you believe?
No comments:
Post a Comment