I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Romans 12:1-2
The Bible tells us that, in light of all God has done for us, we should present ourselves to Him. If we do this, then we will know His will for our lives. What does that mean, to present our bodies? It means that you give your whole self to Christ, and Christ alone.
1. We need to present our minds. Fill your mind with the Word of God, not the filth and twisted worldview of our culture. A recent survey revealed that America's children and teenagers are now spending an average of more than 7.5 hours a day involved in electronic media (TV, video games, listening to music, surfing the Web, texting, and e-mailing). We need to think more about godly things! As Paul wrote to the Philippian church, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8).
2. We need to present our tongues. This refers to how we use our words, what we say to others. We can do great harm or great good with our words. One word can either elevate, or devastate. The Bible tells us, "So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire" (James 3:5).
3. We need to present our hands and feet too. Among the seven things listed in Proverbs 16 that the Lord hates are "hands that kill the innocent . . . feet that race to do wrong" (Proverbs 6:16–18). How much more glorious is it to have our hands and feet take the gospel out to a lost and dying world. Romans 10:15 says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
I urge you to present your body to Him today and every day!
(Via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Priority of Obedience
23) Jesus answered and said to him, “(A)If anyone loves Me, he will (B)keep My word; and (C)My Father will love him, and We (D)will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24) He who does not love Me (E)does not keep My words; and (F)the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. 25) “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26) But the (G)Helper, the Holy Spirit, (H)whom the Father will send in My name, (I)He will teach you all things, and (J)bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. [John 14:23-26]
The Creator gave two commands to Adam and Eve—first, to fill the earth and rule over it, and second, not to eat from a certain tree in the Garden (Gen. 1:28; 2:17). Because they chose to disobey, their relationship with God was broken, and they had to leave Eden.
The first couple’s rebellion not only impacted their own lives but also had far broader implications: all future generations have suffered. In Romans 5:12-19, the apostle Paul explained the reason. Through the trespass of one man, Adam, sin made its entrance into the world, and death resulted for all mankind. Because Adam was head of the human race, his actions affected everyone born after him. His disobedience resulted in each of us having a bent away from the Lord and a desire for self-rule.
By contrast, Jesus made conformity to the Lord’s will the priority of His life. He obeyed God in both word and deed (John 8:28-29). Having lived a perfect life—one entirely without sin—He qualified to be our Savior (2 Cor. 5:21). Through the death of one man, Christ Jesus, payment was made for the transgressions of all mankind. God’s acceptance of the Son’s sacrifice brought us forgiveness and freedom from sin’s power.
Adam’s disobedience brought judgment and death upon us, whereas Jesus’ obedience resulted in new life for all who believe in Him (Rom. 6:4). Our Savior calls us to deny selfish desires, live sacrificially, and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). A godly life will bring Jesus honor and influence others for Him.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
The Creator gave two commands to Adam and Eve—first, to fill the earth and rule over it, and second, not to eat from a certain tree in the Garden (Gen. 1:28; 2:17). Because they chose to disobey, their relationship with God was broken, and they had to leave Eden.
The first couple’s rebellion not only impacted their own lives but also had far broader implications: all future generations have suffered. In Romans 5:12-19, the apostle Paul explained the reason. Through the trespass of one man, Adam, sin made its entrance into the world, and death resulted for all mankind. Because Adam was head of the human race, his actions affected everyone born after him. His disobedience resulted in each of us having a bent away from the Lord and a desire for self-rule.
By contrast, Jesus made conformity to the Lord’s will the priority of His life. He obeyed God in both word and deed (John 8:28-29). Having lived a perfect life—one entirely without sin—He qualified to be our Savior (2 Cor. 5:21). Through the death of one man, Christ Jesus, payment was made for the transgressions of all mankind. God’s acceptance of the Son’s sacrifice brought us forgiveness and freedom from sin’s power.
Adam’s disobedience brought judgment and death upon us, whereas Jesus’ obedience resulted in new life for all who believe in Him (Rom. 6:4). Our Savior calls us to deny selfish desires, live sacrificially, and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). A godly life will bring Jesus honor and influence others for Him.
(Via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, August 11, 2011
A New Nature
21) but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22) Stay away from every kind of evil. 23) Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 1Thess. 5: 21-23 (NLT)
When we trust Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. That is the moment of salvation, when we become a new creation. Yet until life in these earthly bodies ceases, there will continue to be a war between the old and new patterns of behavior.
To lead us to victory, the Lord may allow difficulty that brings about brokenness. His purpose is to rid us of our old “flesh” (a way of thinking/doing that is opposed to God's way) so that we can experience fullness of life in Christ.
Let’s examine this flesh. The following are indications that the sinful self still thrives: self-advancement, self-centeredness, self-will, self-dependency, and self-righteousness. These motives exist in all people to some extent, but over time our heavenly Father lovingly breaks them in His children ( those who trust in Christ).
At salvation, God gives us His nature, the evidence of which is fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22). These qualities allow us to love and be loved. And people will be attracted to Jesus when they sense these characteristics in believers. On the other hand, if these attributes are missing, we can never truly experience life as God intended. The process of brokenness and restoration is unpleasant. But the end result is well worth the suffering that it requires.
What rules your actions, choices, and thoughts? Are they primarily influenced by the Holy Spirit or by your flesh? It takes courage to look at your heart and notice its true condition. Ask God to work in your life so that His Spirit can reign freely in your heart.
(via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
When we trust Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. That is the moment of salvation, when we become a new creation. Yet until life in these earthly bodies ceases, there will continue to be a war between the old and new patterns of behavior.
To lead us to victory, the Lord may allow difficulty that brings about brokenness. His purpose is to rid us of our old “flesh” (a way of thinking/doing that is opposed to God's way) so that we can experience fullness of life in Christ.
Let’s examine this flesh. The following are indications that the sinful self still thrives: self-advancement, self-centeredness, self-will, self-dependency, and self-righteousness. These motives exist in all people to some extent, but over time our heavenly Father lovingly breaks them in His children ( those who trust in Christ).
At salvation, God gives us His nature, the evidence of which is fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22). These qualities allow us to love and be loved. And people will be attracted to Jesus when they sense these characteristics in believers. On the other hand, if these attributes are missing, we can never truly experience life as God intended. The process of brokenness and restoration is unpleasant. But the end result is well worth the suffering that it requires.
What rules your actions, choices, and thoughts? Are they primarily influenced by the Holy Spirit or by your flesh? It takes courage to look at your heart and notice its true condition. Ask God to work in your life so that His Spirit can reign freely in your heart.
(via Charles Stanley)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
True Conversion
"And when people escape from the wicked ways of the world by learning about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up with sin and become its slave again, they are worse off than before." 2 Peter 2:20
Sometimes we hear about well-known people who claim to have made a commitment to Jesus Christ. Often, it is around election time. When they address Christians, they speak of their great faith in God. After the elections, we seldom hear about it again.
Then there are people who say they are believers, but a month or two later, they go back to their old ways again. They say, "I tried Christianity, but it didn't work for me." But in reality, they never really found Christ.
Others will turn to God when they hit hard times. Awhile later, you see them going back to their old ways, and you wonder what happened. I would suggest that many of these people never were converted at all. They went through the motions, but Jesus Christ never became a part of their lives. Often, they end up worse than before.
When Jesus Christ truly comes into our lives, He takes up residence. And He doesn't just do a basic housecleaning; He does a thorough one. There is real change. But when a house has only been swept, that is, when someone has made only moral changes, he or she is still vulnerable to the enemy. This is why we must recognize the futility of simply turning over a new leaf or making a few new resolutions. We must realize the problem is deeper than our moral sins. We must get to the heart of the matter and have Jesus Christ take residence in our lives and change us from the inside out.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Sometimes we hear about well-known people who claim to have made a commitment to Jesus Christ. Often, it is around election time. When they address Christians, they speak of their great faith in God. After the elections, we seldom hear about it again.
Then there are people who say they are believers, but a month or two later, they go back to their old ways again. They say, "I tried Christianity, but it didn't work for me." But in reality, they never really found Christ.
Others will turn to God when they hit hard times. Awhile later, you see them going back to their old ways, and you wonder what happened. I would suggest that many of these people never were converted at all. They went through the motions, but Jesus Christ never became a part of their lives. Often, they end up worse than before.
When Jesus Christ truly comes into our lives, He takes up residence. And He doesn't just do a basic housecleaning; He does a thorough one. There is real change. But when a house has only been swept, that is, when someone has made only moral changes, he or she is still vulnerable to the enemy. This is why we must recognize the futility of simply turning over a new leaf or making a few new resolutions. We must realize the problem is deeper than our moral sins. We must get to the heart of the matter and have Jesus Christ take residence in our lives and change us from the inside out.
(via Greg Laurie)
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Thursday, July 28, 2011
An Act of Contrition
I was thinking last night about all of the prayers I learned while attending Catholic School as a child and realized that I recalled most of them verbatim. But one that sticks out in my mind over and over again is the Act of Contrition. We all sin - whether we mean to or not and I've always tried to do my best but still fall short as well. I have decided that I will recite this one daily in an effort to be what I want to be- a good Christian.
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong, and failing to do good,
I have sinned against You, whom I should love above all things.
With Your help, I will do penance, sin no more,
and avoid thoae things which leads me to sin against you.
Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins
in His name, have mercy on us.
Amen
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Faith Is All We Have
Scripture Of The Day: "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!'” - Lamentations 3:23-24 (NLT)
We have witnessed devastation so vast that there are some who still don’t believe what has actually happened. The television accounts have allowed us to see a part of what has happened, but there is no account as detailed as that experienced by those who have been in the midst of floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis or any other disaster. Lives have been lost, and uncivilized behavior raised its ugly head, primal behavior driven by desperation and deprivation. All we have is faith – faith that God is still in control; faith that if God’s people who are called by His name would humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, that He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal the land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
All we have is faith that America will seek God while God may be found – from the White House to the outhouse, from the pulpit to the pew, from the high-rise to the hut. All we have is faith, and it is our faith that helps us dare to hope when we remember that the unfailing love of the Lord never ends! Great is His faithfulness; every morning new mercies we see.
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, mourns for God’s people in the midst of their own destruction and devastation. It is through the prophet Jeremiah that we understand not only God’s judgment, but God’s mercy and hope for humanity. It is through Jeremiah that Israel is called back to God in the midst of destruction.
We find ourselves today as a nation affected by all that has happened as related to economics, catastrophic weather, and employment. We are in a position where only our faith will see us through. Our faith will cause us to stay connected to the call and cause of Christ even in the midst of despair and destruction. Our faith will cause us to examine our lives and our walk with Christ. It is our faith that helps us to continue to walk with Christ and not walk away feeling abandoned and betrayed. After all, scripture tells us that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Scripture tells us that the righteous have never been forsaken nor their seed begging bread. Scripture tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added unto us. It’s in our times of distress and despair that the enemy causes us to question God and His word.
Faith is all that we have. It is in Lamentations 3:19-24 that Jeremiah declares, “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
All we have is our faith!
Be Blessed!
Dawn
We have witnessed devastation so vast that there are some who still don’t believe what has actually happened. The television accounts have allowed us to see a part of what has happened, but there is no account as detailed as that experienced by those who have been in the midst of floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis or any other disaster. Lives have been lost, and uncivilized behavior raised its ugly head, primal behavior driven by desperation and deprivation. All we have is faith – faith that God is still in control; faith that if God’s people who are called by His name would humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, that He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal the land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
All we have is faith that America will seek God while God may be found – from the White House to the outhouse, from the pulpit to the pew, from the high-rise to the hut. All we have is faith, and it is our faith that helps us dare to hope when we remember that the unfailing love of the Lord never ends! Great is His faithfulness; every morning new mercies we see.
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, mourns for God’s people in the midst of their own destruction and devastation. It is through the prophet Jeremiah that we understand not only God’s judgment, but God’s mercy and hope for humanity. It is through Jeremiah that Israel is called back to God in the midst of destruction.
We find ourselves today as a nation affected by all that has happened as related to economics, catastrophic weather, and employment. We are in a position where only our faith will see us through. Our faith will cause us to stay connected to the call and cause of Christ even in the midst of despair and destruction. Our faith will cause us to examine our lives and our walk with Christ. It is our faith that helps us to continue to walk with Christ and not walk away feeling abandoned and betrayed. After all, scripture tells us that God rewards those who diligently seek Him. Scripture tells us that the righteous have never been forsaken nor their seed begging bread. Scripture tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added unto us. It’s in our times of distress and despair that the enemy causes us to question God and His word.
Faith is all that we have. It is in Lamentations 3:19-24 that Jeremiah declares, “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
All we have is our faith!
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Foxhole Christians
Food for thought.........
Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray.— Psalm 5:2
Before I became a Christian, I thought I already was one. Whenever I was in trouble, I cried out to Jesus. I thought I must surely be a Christian because I was praying. But I did not understand what being a Christian really was.
When the chips are down, most people do pray. It has been said, "There are no atheists in foxholes." If your life is on the line, you will pray. I think back on my own life and recognize that whenever trouble hit, I would call on God. I would pray, "God, if you get me out of this crisis, I promise I will serve You. I will do whatever You ask me to do." He would get me out of that one and I would say, "Thanks, God. See you next crisis." So in a sense, you could say that I prayed. But my prayer life consisted of moments of crisis when I called out to God out of fear.
In the Book of Jonah, we find the story of a great storm that arose on the sea. We read that all the sailors on the ship with Jonah began to call on their gods. That is what people will do. They will call upon their god when they are in trouble. But that doesn't mean God is necessarily living in their lives. It's possible to pray and not even know the God you are praying to.
If you are a Christian, you should certainly pray. But praying does not necessarily mean you are a Christian. You need to have a personal relationship with God. You need to believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray.— Psalm 5:2
Before I became a Christian, I thought I already was one. Whenever I was in trouble, I cried out to Jesus. I thought I must surely be a Christian because I was praying. But I did not understand what being a Christian really was.
When the chips are down, most people do pray. It has been said, "There are no atheists in foxholes." If your life is on the line, you will pray. I think back on my own life and recognize that whenever trouble hit, I would call on God. I would pray, "God, if you get me out of this crisis, I promise I will serve You. I will do whatever You ask me to do." He would get me out of that one and I would say, "Thanks, God. See you next crisis." So in a sense, you could say that I prayed. But my prayer life consisted of moments of crisis when I called out to God out of fear.
In the Book of Jonah, we find the story of a great storm that arose on the sea. We read that all the sailors on the ship with Jonah began to call on their gods. That is what people will do. They will call upon their god when they are in trouble. But that doesn't mean God is necessarily living in their lives. It's possible to pray and not even know the God you are praying to.
If you are a Christian, you should certainly pray. But praying does not necessarily mean you are a Christian. You need to have a personal relationship with God. You need to believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him.
Be Blessed!
Dawn
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