Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Bible Study - Matthew 8

Read Matthew 8

I have been learning a lot about the power of having my own relationship with God, and not just basing my spiritual walk by the words of those around me. As important as it is to take council in others, it is more important that we take the time to grow our personal relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. 
I am encouraging you today, take some time to meditate on this passage and see what God would have you see.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Bible Study - Matthew 5



There are so many different points that I could make here. But I will keep it simple. Our natural reaction
when someone insults us, or asks something of us, is to push back or ask for something back. I caught myself doing this just yesterday. But Jesus tells us to give more than what was asked of us. Jesus tells us that when someone is mistreated, we are to help them up. When someone is rejected we are to accept them. And all these things we are to do in love.

Eye for Eye
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.


We are here to create a culture of honor, and respect. We are here to be the body of Christ. And Christ is God; 
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
We are here to be love to those without love. To show them that they have worth, and that someone cares.
Do Something: Show someone love and respect when the world says they don't deserve it. Encourage those around you find their identity in Christ, not things of this world.




Thursday, May 15, 2014

Notes - Wednesday, May 14th

Freedom: you have to admit that you are hurting for Jesus to be able to help you. Otherwise you will keep pushing Him away, and try to fix things yourself.

The Prodigal Son (Read)
We have two ways we can relate to God. As a slave or as a child. God will always see us as His children, but it lies with us to decide if we accept that or not.

Galatians 4:4-9 (Read)
Romans 8:16-17 (Read)
God wants you to relate to Him as your father.
Submission as a slave is submission through fear, but submission as a child is submission through love.
A child's worth never goes down, but the value of a slave fluctuates, and is based on performance.
God doesn't come to you because you deserve it, He comes to you because He loves you.
"Your worth is found in the eyes of God, and the eyes of God alone"
Don't talk yourself out of the freedom God has for you.
He's not interested in what you can do for Him.
What we do for God is an overflow of sonship.

Where do you find your worth?

Sunday, April 20, 2014

The Greatest Event in History

"What was the ultimate goal of Jesus' -the son of God- crucifixion?"
This questioned was asked in my church service today, and received many common, yet true, answers; for our sin, so that we can have eternal life, etc. You get the idea. But none of these were the ultimate goal, the ultimate goal, was so we can have a relationship with God.


Matthew 27:50-51
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Mark 15:37-38 
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Luke 23:45b-46
And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.


The curtain of the temple was what separated the presence of God from the people, it was many inches thick, separating the people of this world from God. When the curtain was torn, the spirit of God was released to the people. That we can have a relationship with Him, that we can speak freely with Him, and He with us. Without this relationship with Him, we will not be able to enter into the eternity that He wants for us.

Matthew 7: 21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

If I know about Jesus, but do not know him, I have nothing. Jesus has risen from the dead that we may have a relationship with him, that we might know him. Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship. A relationship that Jesus paid for with his precious blood. A relationship that we do not deserve. Nor a relationship that we can earn by good works, or looks. 

Take some time to honor the man who gave it all for (your name here).


Sunday, March 30, 2014

Dear Parents - Confide in Your Children

Dear Parents,

Tell your children what troubles you, confide in them. When they are in their teen years they need to know more than ever what the real world is like. They need to know that life is not about
relationship status, getting drunk and having sex. Our teens need to know that they are valuable, unique, trusted, and above all; loved.

It can be difficult to maintain a close, intimate relationship with your child. during their Jr/Sr high school years especially. Tell them something that you appreciate them doing, something unique about them that you enjoy seeing, something you wish they did differently - constructive criticism here, don't bash them for doing something incorrectly, tell them why you would have them do it differently. Tell your child what bothers you, let them know what your values are, and the battles that you are facing.

Let your children know that it is ok to mess up, but that we need to learn from each mistake. Let them know that you mess up too, you are human. Just like them.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Bible Study - Acts 25

Read Acts 25

It is crazy the things that people will dispute. As Christians it is important to hold our ground, and stand up for what we believe.

If someone has a legitimate problem with something we have done. Let them say so, but do not fight back in harshness. Instead speak clam, and in a tone of love. If it is for God that trial comes to you, do not be afraid, for He is with you.

Be bold in what you do and say, but do not try to overwhelm people, or try to force love into them. For they will submit out of utter fear, rather than love. That is no good equation for success.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Who Are You?

Too often lately I have found myself questioning who I have become. I look ate my life and see only the bad things - the failures, the decisions poorly made, the opportunities lost - when I should be looking at the good things - the promises, the triumphs, the good choices, the lessons learned. The past few days I have stood in front of the mirror to look myself in the eyes and tell myself who I am, what my life is about, that everything will be ok because I am a child of God. I just need to trust Him; His timing is perfect. But the conscious decisions I make will also affect my outcome.

I want to share with you some of the things that I can remember saying through the Spirit one night. These were things that were reassurances of who I am and will be and are based off the question "Who Are You?"

Nothing is about you, it's all about God. You are a piece to His puzzle, a very important, unique and individual piece that is beyond compare. You are: Child of God, Heir to the throne of Grace, Athlete, Daughter, Friend, Counselor, Teacher, Follower, Leader, Servant, Passionate, Intelligent, Beautiful beyond compare, Gracious, Gifted, Humble, Honorable, Respectful, Loved by the most high God, Confident - Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Not your friends, not your enemies, and most importantly, not yourself.

Confidence and respect were the hardest for me to write down because I fail to see them as I look at even the good parts of my life. Many say I am respectful, but I know all to well that that is not true in all cases across my life. And some would venture far enough to say that I am confident in who I am, but I see a little girl cowering in the corner. But God is doing so much more in my life than I can see on the outside.

I want to encourage you next time you look in the mirror to look yourself in the eyes and declare God's blessings upon your life!

We won't accomplish anything in life if we say "God do with me as You will," then don't listen to anything He says! When we tell God that we are willing, we must truly be willing to do whatever He calls us to do. We need to trust Him with every choice that we make.


Monday, March 3, 2014

Bible Study - Acts 19

Read Acts 19

Here we see the power in publicly accepting Christ. When someone gives up their life's work to follow God, that shows some strong conviction. We saw this in Saul(now Paul), we see it here in the sorcerers, and I have seen it in my own life. It is acts like these that show the strength, power and love of God. We also see in this chapter the importance of knowing scripture and God Himself.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Love Your Brothers and Sisters - Advice for Everyone (but mostly kids)

As you are growing up you will make friends, many will betray you, many will leave you, and few will stick with you. It is important to have good friends who you know will never leave you. They may be hard to find, but you will find them, and they will stick with you through all you do. These friends you will call your brothers and sisters. As they are very important to you, love them will all your heart. The bible says that if you say you love God, but hate your brother, you are a liar. Don't be a liar, love your brothers and sisters. This applies to your actual brothers and sisters too, because you will have so few true friends, your siblings are your stronghold later in life. But if you spend your childhood hating them, you will not be able to confide in them when you are older.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Bible Study - Acts 11

We can be so single minded that we demand explanation for why someone went to eat with the non Christian people. But in reality, we need to do more of that. Don't get me wrong, it is good to spend good quality time with other Christians. But we are called to share the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ, not sit in our own secluded circle. Jesus spent His time here loving on the sinners, why should we do any different!?

Do Something - I challenge you, next time you see someone sitting by themselves, go over and talk to them, pray for them. If they reject you, go away knowing that you tried! All it takes is a little bit of faith!



Sunday, January 26, 2014

There is Nothing Your Parent Loves More Than You - Advice for Everyone (but mostly kids)

Dear child, through your entire life you will take after your parents, you will have like mannerisms, thoughts and actions. Do not be afraid to correct them, tell them something that you want them to change about the way they act about a certain issue, or how they treat you. Then watch how they respond to your request. A good parent will work to be a better model for their children. You may not see it right away, and they may not act upon it right away, but there is nothing a parent loves more than their child.



Friday, January 10, 2014

Why Did God Put Us On Earth?

My friend shares this sermon on facebook, and I just have to share it with you too. Not sure who it is by, but it's good. My youth pastor just talked about Moses on Wednesday, it's awesome the things that God uses in our loves to get through to us! Live Jesus Conscious!


Saturday, January 4, 2014

"Random" Post - Building Relationships


It’s amazing what spending time with people who don’t point out faults, or dwell on them, can do for a person. This past weekend, I spent time with people that I had only met once or twice in my life and, by the end of the week, you would have thought we had always known each other. I was reminded of who I am, of what I want to accomplish in life, how I need to live life, and how to live life to the fullest. I was reminded that I don’t have to be afraid of what others think of me, I can just be myself, and the right people will love me.

It’s amazing what can come of a relationship built through the love of Christ. There are not words to describe what it feels like to talk with someone who invites you to laugh with them, not just listen to them laughing at you. To stop what you are doing to go have worship and prayer time before heading into a new year. To be able to speak truthfully, and not be making fun of people, to be able to have fun, and also be serious. I can not describe the kind of relationships that I built this weekend, I can only tell you that as you spend time with God, and Godly people, you will build relationships that can be broken by nothing.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas!!!


In our culture today, it is so easy to lose sight of what we celebrate on this day. So as you go throughout your day, giving and receiving, remember who gave you the greatest gift of all, and why you were willing to receive it. 

Merry Christmas

Monday, December 23, 2013

Everything Happens for a Reason - Advice for Everyone (but mostly kids)

Everything that happens, happens for a reason. At times, things can, as life, feel backwards, upside-down, or inside-out. But if you can love those who hate you, can’t you make the best of even the most obscure situations? Darling, learn to question your situations that you may find the good in it, not to drain it of patience.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Bible Study - Esther 9 and 10


9 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. 2 The Jews assembled in their cities in all the provinces of King Xerxes to attack those determined to destroy them. No one could stand against them, because the people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them. 3 And all the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and the king’s administrators helped the Jews, because fear of Mordecai had seized them. 4 Mordecai was prominent in the palace; his reputation spread throughout the provinces, and he became more and more powerful.
5 The Jews struck down all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did what they pleased to those who hated them. 6 In the citadel of Susa, the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. 7 They also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, 8 Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, 9 Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai and Vaizatha, 10 the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not lay their hands on the plunder.
11 The number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king that same day.12 The king said to Queen Esther, “The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman in the citadel of Susa. What have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? Now what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? It will also be granted.”
13 “If it pleases the king,” Esther answered, “give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out this day’s edict tomorrow also, and let Haman’s ten sons be impaled on poles.”
14 So the king commanded that this be done. An edict was issued in Susa, and they impaledthe ten sons of Haman. 15 The Jews in Susa came together on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they put to death in Susa three hundred men, but they did not lay their hands on the plunder.
16 Meanwhile, the remainder of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also assembled to protect themselves and get relief from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of them but did not lay their hands on the plunder. 17 This happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar, and on the fourteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.
18 The Jews in Susa, however, had assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth, and then on the fifteenth they rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.
19 That is why rural Jews—those living in villages—observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.

Purim Established

20 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, 21 to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 22 as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
23 So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. 24 For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. 25 But when the plot came to the king’s attention,[a] he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be impaled on poles. 26 (Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.) Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. 28 These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.
29 So Queen Esther, daughter of Abihail, along with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter concerning Purim. 30 And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in the 127 provinces of Xerxes’ kingdom—words of goodwill and assurance— 31 to establish these days of Purim at their designated times, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had decreed for them, and as they had established for themselves and their descendants in regard to their times of fasting and lamentation. 32 Esther’s decree confirmed these regulations about Purim, and it was written down in the records.

The Greatness of Mordecai


10 King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire, to its distant shores. 2 And all his acts of power and might, together with a full account of the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king had promoted, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.


Esther is a story of success for the Jews. It was a trial of their trust in God, and shows just how far God's people are willing to go for the sake of His name. It is a true testament of how much God loves his people.



Tuesday, December 17, 2013

"Random" Post - Relationships


Ultimately, I believe that God's planning is perfect, and that He already has the perfect person for us, also that He will show us who they are at the right time. I believe that everything we do, every relationship that we have, makes us stronger. I believe that it is good to pursue people we love, and to make mistakes, and to learn from them. I also believe that it is good to wait. Yes, everyone at one time or another during grade school has crushes, and relationships that we find painful, and yes, I am included in everyone. My experiences with these kinds of relationships has been rough, and when my sixth grade crush went on and found the love of his life, it was hard, but in the end, I know that  he would not have been right for me, and I just want him to be happy. My plan now is to find my best friend, God will do the rest.

When pursuing a dating relationship with someone, ask yourself a few questions:

Can I hold a casual conversation with this person? If you can't hold a conversation together with someone, how do you expect to hold a relationship together with them?
Is this person my best friend?When you enter into a dating relationship, you are spending time with someone who is a candidate to be your spouse, do you really think you can be one with someone who is not your best friend. If you are a female and in a relationship with a male, but talk about your relationship problems with a different male, you should reconsider who you go on your dates with.
How do I act when I am around this person? Am I comfortable, or does being with that person make me feel awkward? If you do not feel comfortable or safe around your date, that's not a good thing, you should feel free to be yourself around your significant other.
Do I trust this person enough to give them my life? Trust, if you can not trust someone, don't date them.
What are their interests vs. mine? What do I see in my future? Does this person have a similar vision?If your vision for the future is not anything similar to that of your date's, you may not want to pursue that person as a spouse.
Am I ready to date?
Personally, I don't think that people should date until they are mentally, and emotionally ready to do so. Also, you need to evaluate your motives. What do I mean? If you are dating because everyone else does, or because you feel bad for someone, you need to stop. The only thing you are going to accomplish with either of those motives, is breaking someone's heart. If you feel left out, know that God has someone waiting for you, and make that knowledge your motivation to save yourself for them.  If you are only dating someone to make them feel accepted, you are only going to make them feel more rejected. Hang out with them, have coffee with them, be their friend, but do not form a dating relationship with someone if you are only trying to be kind to them. Maybe you will end up having an honest dating relationship with them one day but, to start out, just be kind.
It is also important to know who you are before you start dating. If you don't know who you are, how are you going to know who is right for you?

Some of these are questions you need to ask yourself before you agree to go on a date with someone, others, are ones that you should ask while on your first date.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Bible Study - Esther 7


Haman Impaled

7 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”
5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”
Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.
8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.
The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”
As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”
The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.




Discuss:
All → Xerxes is so in love with Esther that he had his most noble noble put to death, without second thought, for her people, even though he knew not who they were. Is this a picture of a man madly in love, or a portrait of evil falling under God’s power, to work for the good of God’s people? It is most certainly a miracle, but what exactly does it represent?