Turn On the Power!

For years, I have purchased those yard light stakes, wanting something pretty that would give a little light in the flower beds.  Facing the hot summer sun and the extreme winds we have often in Southwest Oklahoma, most of the little lights didn't ever make it too long or put off much light at all.

Some time last year, towards the end of summer, I bought two more expensive light stakes.  I remember my son's quote when I bought them: "Mom, you buy those things all the time, but they never work." He's right.  They never had.  But these seemed better. They were a little more expensive, which is why I only got two of them.

We didn't put them out for a long time.  They just sat somewhere, waiting to be used.  Finally, I had my oldest son stick them in the front flower bed.  They were solar powered, but sadly, they didn't work.  I kept thinking that maybe he had done something wrong, but he assured me he hadn't.

A few weeks ago, I was at Walmart and saw some of those lights.  I noticed a coating over the sensor, so thought maybe that was the problem - he had left that coating on. When I got home I went to check the lights, but the coating was off.  However, I did notice something that neither of us realized the lights had on them: An ON/OFF switch!  Wow!  All of this time they weren't even on!   I couldn't wait to tease my son about this because it's usually me who doesn't notice simple things, not him!  Ha ha!

Would you believe that those lights have been working quite well ever since?  Imagine that!  They just needed to be turned on to be connected to their source of power!

This story reminds me of a Christian.

At first, when someoneone becomes a Christian, she is so excited!  (Initial purchase of lights)

"And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.  When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing." Acts 8:38-39

She may tell others about her new decision to walk with Jesus, but right after that initial excitement....nothing.  (Telling my son about the new lights. Leaving them sitting around for months.)

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17 

Nothing about her life changes.  She continues to do what she's always done.  She isn't doing anything that the Lord prepared for her, in advance, to do. She isn't involved with her church family.  She might attend worship - if she feels like it or doesn't have anything better to do. Some times things get in the way. She doesn't have enough time to worship the Lord. (Lights just sitting in a pile with other stuff. Not being used.)

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Then one day she realize that the on/off switch needs to be turned on (Flipping the switch and causing the light to work.) She realized that staying connected to Jesus and God is the only way to let her light shine!)

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:1-8

She began to read the Bible daily. She began to pray more often and more fervently. She began to get involved with her church family more - going to worship each and every time, going to Bible classes, helping teaching classes, visiting others, staying after worship to visit, asking others questions and getting to know about her new brothers and sisters in Christ.

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:5-11

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." Romans 8:26-27

She began to feel connected, and because of that connection, she began to notice things in her life that needed to change.

"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25

Just as my little yard lights didn't work without being turned on so that it could connect with its power (the sun),  a person's life as a Christian can't work unless it's turned on and connected to the source of POWER.  God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit - that is the power a Christian must have in order to stay connected.  And only then did she realize that the connection to the power would cause her to grow in her Christian walk.

Does YOUR switch need flipped on?

As Holy People....

As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly. Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful. Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about God’s kindness. Sing to God in your hearts.  Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17

This morning, as I was reading a scripture passage, this group of scriptures seemed to jump out to me, especially in this version - God's Word Translation.  There's not much more to say after reading that passage, is there?!

I know I did a check list of questions yesterday, but I like to do self-evaluations. I think they're good for us - keep us striving to grow closer to God and to transform into looking more and more like Jesus.  And, it keeps us from looking like the dark world.

As a child of God - one part of God's chosen people, YOU and I should be:

Holy

Kind

Humble

Gentle

Patient

Tolerate others ("Put up with people")

Forgive 

Be loving

Let peace control you

Allow Christ's word with wisdom & richness live in you

Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual song to teach yourself

Sing to God in your hearts

Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus

Give thanks to God through Jesus

So much depth, truth, and wisdom in that small passage.  I'd better get started! 

Have a great weekend!

Saying NO!

(Photo by me...for our Parents After God's Own Heart Facebook page.)

I was reading this scripture a few days ago, and it really hit me. It made me ask myself if I'm saying NO! to worldly passions and ungodliness. I asked if I'm living a self-controlled life...an upright life....a godly life. In some areas, yes, I am. But sadly, in some areas, I need to allow God to work on me! 

Sometimes we need to do a heart-check and see ourselves as God sees us. It's good to take an honest look at our lives, but not always easy to do do. Things that seem minor in our thinking can get in the way of our spiritual heart-check, so we have to be really honest with ourselves and examine each area.

There's always room for improvement I can do with my mouth....my unkind words, my tone, my critical attitude, at times. 

I can learn self-control in the foods I chose to eat, the health-aspect of life. 

So, what do you need to work on today? What do you need to say NO! to? 

Do you need to be content? Say no to shopping? Spending too much money? Comparing what you have or don't have with others? Wasting time on useless things? Neglecting responsibilities in your family? What about committing to a healthier eating lifestyle? 

There are a lot of areas we may not think about that may be causing us to not live the kind of life God desires for us to have. But, He's right there to help us get it all worked out. He is right there with us to help us change. We just have to ask Him, and have faith that we can do it, through Him.

....NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD

As I was preparing my lesson for my Wednesday night ladies class about 'PEACE", I came across this verse.  

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 

Hebrews 12:14

I had read it many times before, but the last part really stuck out to me:  Without holiness no one will see the Lord.  I believe this verse is talking about a Christians' own holiness....that without holiness WE won't see the Lord, but also that without our holiness we can't help bring others to Christ and THEY won't see the Lord through us.

WITHOUT HOLINESS NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD! 

It reminded me of a quote I had seen earlier in the day:  May your life preach more loudly than your lips. (by William Ellery Channing).  

Now let's turn that phrase around and make it say:  WITH HOLINESS ONE WILL SEE THE LORD.  I like that, don't you?!  What a wonderful thought that ONE WILL SEE THE LORD - perhaps by seeing holiness within you.  Perhaps many 'someones' will see the Lord because of seeing holiness in you. Not that your example saves anyone, of course, but that your example might lead someone to salvation - only through Jesus Christ. Your life's example could ultimately affect where someone will spend eternity!

How we live our lives from day to day matters.  How we conduct ourselves, how we speak, how we deal with others all matter.  Choices we make matter. Yes, at some point we must open our mouths (or type on our laptops/etc. and write a blog post!) and tell others about Jesus.  We must tell others about salvation....about God's plan.....about His Word and His church.  But, our words won't matter if we're not living what we say we believe.  No one will care about our words, if they don't see our words evident in our own lives.  It's just that simple.

We must strive to live holy lives. That is how the world will see Jesus - by Him living in us.  We are lights of the world.  The moment we became a Christian, we became a light.  That is our job.  The problem is that sometimes we don't want to be a light....or we don't want to shine too brightly.  But we must.  Living a holy life means we must shine brightly.  The world needs our light!

Our motivation for shining brightly shouldn't be from duty or obligation, but because we love Him so much, we want to live holy lives because we want to be like Him.  We want to imitate Him in all ways.  And we want to share His love with others.  

Someone you know is looking for Jesus.  They may not realize it, but they're craving a close relationship with Him and their Father in heaven.  God may be trying to use you to reach that person.  Maybe no one else could.  Without holiness no one will see the Lord.  Perhaps that person is seeing the Lord in you.  What a wonderful thought!  

This Is A Test....

I remember when I was a little girl, we didn't have 24 hour a day TV with hundreds of channels.  We had three channels that ended at midnight.  After than, on one channel, anyway, there would be a screen of striped colors with the following announcement:  "This is a test of the emergency broadcast system.  If this were a real emergency.....".  The test was showing how viewers would be warned if there were ever a real emergency.  Along with the test came a loud blaring horn.  An annoying warning that something was wrong (or would be wrong in a real situation).

There is a sort of "warning system" in the Bible that will show you and I if we are allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us and show whether we are growing in our spiritual lives, or not.  We are given this gift at baptism, according to Acts 2:38.  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for theforgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit is said to be our helper, teacher, counselor, comforter....and many other descriptive words.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 

John 14:26

The Spirit will teach us and remind of, but we have to allow God's Spirit to work within us and help us. When we don't allow Him to work within us and do the job He came into you to do, we are grieving Him.  

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 

Ephesians 4:29-31

So here is the test.  It's from Galatians 5:16-23.  The heading in the NIV says "Life by the Spirit".  Basically it is a list of traits that come from the sinful nature, then a list of fruits (character traits) that come from the Spirit.  We will find ourselves in one of the categories - maybe in both of the categories. Either way, we will be able to examine our lives by this list and "test" whether we are growing in the Spirit or not.  

¹⁶ So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ¹⁷ For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

¹⁹ The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

So what if we find that we are not producing the fruits of the Spirit like we should?  What if we find areas that need improvement (which we all will)?  What do we do?

First of all, PRAY.  Pray and ask God to help you grow in that area.  Ask Him to soften your heart to allow the Spirit to work within you.  And ask him for opportunities that will cause you to grow in that area.  He will help you.  He wants to help you.  Prayer is the first step.

Second, open your eyes.  There are opportunities to use each of the fruits of the Spirit every day.  The problem is that sometimes we're so caught up in our own lives that we're too busy to really open our eyes and see what is going on around us.  There are people who need YOU everywhere.  There are people who need to hear about Jesus all around you.

And third, take action.  Just seeing things doesn't cut it.  We must ACT!  We must DO!  We must step out of our comfort zones and work for the Lord.  That's how we will produce those fruits of the Spirit.

It would be nice if our bodies/souls/temples of the Lord (within us) had a warning system where a light would flash and a loud horn would blare when we were in spiritual danger, but God didn't make it that way.  He did, however, give us the best guide ever to test ourselves - and that is by His Word.  It will convict us and it will encourage us.  But again, we must open our eyes, our minds and our hearts.  We must be receptive to what we read and have the courage to listen to those warning signs.  

Remember that you and I are not alone.  We have a counselor and a helper.  God's Spirit is waiting to help us. Always!

Sin is Sin

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear. 
But your iniquities have separated you from your God; 
 your sins have hidden his face from you,   
so that he will not hear. 

Isaiah 59:1-2

Contrary to what many may believe, there are no BIG sins and there are no LITTLE sins.  Sin is sin in God's eyes.  God hates sin.  Sin separates us from God.  But God has a plan for our sin problem.

² 

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 6:23

Jesus is that plan!  Jesus gets us close to God!  We can not get to God on our own.  We must go through Jesus Christ, His Son and Our Savior.

We can't be good enough.

We can't do enough good deeds.
We can't pay the debt we owe to God.
We need Jesus.

He is the one who gets us in contact with our Heavenly Father because His blood was shed on our behalf - for our sins.


"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

When we realize that sin in our life not only hurts us and those we love, but also hurts God, then we realize we must do something about our sin problem.  We become - or should become - "cut to the heart" like is mentioned in Acts 2:37.


When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 


The people, who happened to be the ones responsible for Jesus' death, realized that sin was separating them from God and that what Peter was telling them about Jesus was really true.  He really was who he said he was.  The were cut to the heart and asked how they could take care of their sin problem.


Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 2:38


We can have that same forgiveness - just as those early Christian did.  That promise is for you and for me - the same as it was for all of those people long ago.


The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:39


Peter went on to teach the people.  He warned them about being drawn into the evil and wickedness that was prevalent around them.  Some listened.  Some didn't.


With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:40-41

Can you imagine, though??!  3000 people were added to their number?  3000 people were added to the church that day???!!!  What an awesome thing!!!  That same thing could happen now.  People need to feel "cut to the heart" like those 3000 people did then.

The sad part is that today, too many people are rejecting God's Word.  Too many people believe that they just have little sins - or little problems - but no BIG things......no BIG sins.  They believe that a God who loves would never send anyone to hell.  They believe that everyone who is basically a "good" person and has lived a basically good life is going to go to Heaven.  God's Word tells us that that is simply not true.  God does want everyone to come to Him, but He will not force anyone to do so.  He allows you and I to have a free will.  We can make the choice to turn to Him and obey Him, or we can choose to turn away from Him.....to live our lives according to what we think and what we want.


The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Sadly, many people don't believe in God's plan.  They reject Him.  They reject Jesus and his sacrifice for their sin problem.  They reject the free gift of salvation and the freedom that comes from knowing their sins are washed away in baptism.  They don't know the peace that comes from knowing that Jesus' sacrifice allows for the continual cleansing of confessed sins.  And they don't realize that continuing in sin is separating them from spending eternity in Heaven.  They live to please themselves and their heart's desires.....not realizing that they are living a life of sin that is separating them from their Father in Heaven.  They are not being cut to the heart.

If you are feeling "cut to the heart", please do what God's Word says to do.  Obey the gospel before it's too late.


He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10

The world, and sadly many who call themselves Christians will say it doesn't matter how you live, but scripture tells us that this is not so.  We aren't going to be perfect.  No one but Jesus has ever been perfect.  But we can strive to live out our lives in accordance with God's Word, guarding our hearts against the evil desires that Satan puts in our way to tempt us.  We can deliberately choose to make it our goal to walk in the footsteps and example of Jesus.  We can choose to strive to live a holy life.  It's a choice.....and those choices will determine where we spend eternity.  God wants us with Him.  Jesus died on the cross because He wanted YOU to live with Him some day - FOREVER.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:10-13

Set Apart

There's a battle going on.  The battle is between God and Satan.  It's between good and evil.  It's between Christians and the world.  Who is going to win?  Well, between God and Satan, God will win.  Between good and evil, good will win.  Between Christians and the world?  I hope and pray that Christians will win.  Many Christians will, we know, because the Bible tells us so.  But many won't, because the Bible tells us so.  Unfortunately, many people.....even those who believe there is a God and may even believe that Jesus was born to save His people.....don't turn their lives away from sin.  They don't desire to live a holy life.  (Not a perfect life, but striving to live a holy life.)

 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he 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 perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Matthew 7:21-23

We are to be holy. Holy means to be set apart.  As God's children, we are to be set apart from the world....different from the world.....and more like God.  We should become more and more like our Savior, Jesus, each and every day.  We should look like Him and less like the world.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ¹⁵ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

 ¹⁷ Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. ¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ²⁰ He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

1 Peter 1:13-21

So, examine your life.  How do you look?  How do you look to others....to your friends, your coworkers, your family?  Now, how do you look to God?  Do you look like someone who is set apart or you just blending in with the world?

Living to Please God

Do you ever stop to think about what pleases God and what doesn't please God?  In a world that shouts out to all who are in it, "Do your own thing!"...."Do what it right for you and only you!" and other self-sufficient-type motto's, thinking about what pleases God isn't the norm.  However, in the life of a Christian, we must constantly strive to live our lives to please Him.  That is His will for us - that we will live a life pleasing to Him.  That doesn't mean that we will or can live a perfect life.  None of us are perfect and never will be, but as a Christian, it should be our mission to try to live a life worthy of the calling we have received.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

2 Peter 1:3-4

In 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, the heading in my NIV Bible says, "Living to Please God".  Paul was writing to the church in Thessalonica, but these same scriptures are for Christians today, as well. 

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,  not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.  For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,  and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

So, what can we learn from these passages about living to please God? Let's look at four things we can learn:

1.  First of all, Paul commends the Christians for living to please God, but urges them to do it more and more.  So, in our lives, we shouldn't be content with our spiritual walk, but always strive to do more.  We can strive to be more like Jesus.  We can strive to please God more and more. 

2.  God wants us to be sanctified.  He wants us to be holy.  Both of these words (sanctified and holy) mean to be set apart.  Sanctification is the process of making holy.  So, as Christians, God's Spirit at work in us and the blood of Jesus cleansing us of sin sanctifies us and makes us holy.

What is part of that process?  The above passage says that by fleeing sexual immorality, we will be sanctified.  This is a huge way Christians can be and should be set apart from what the world believes is right.  The world says sexual relations before marriage and outside of marriage is okay.  God's Word says that it is not.  The world says it's normal for teenagers to be sexually promiscuous.  God's Word says that is sin.  The world says homosexuality is acceptable and in some places even idolized.  God's Word says this is sin very plainly.

3.  God wants us to live self-controlled lives.  Specifically these passages are dealing with sexual desires, but they can also carry over into other areas of life. Anything that we put in place of God or in front God becomes an idol to us.  The Israelites worshipped statues made of gold.  Our idols may come in different forms:  money, careers, entertainment, hobbies, shopping, etc.

4.  God expects His children to act like His children.  It seems that many Christians believe that once they have received salvation and have been freed from the bondage of sin, that they can live any way they chose to live, but God's Word says this is not true.  In fact, Paul, through the inspiration of God gives this warning in verse 8: Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit was given to help us and when we reject His teachings and His commandments, we are rejecting Him.

Living to please God always matters.  It should matter to you.  It should matter to me.  Living a life that is holy is living a life that is pleasing to God.  And though we may be living that kind of life, as the scriptures above point out.....we should strive to continue doing it more and more.

Frugal Living

When you hear the word "frugal", what do you think of?  My own definition is when someone doesn't just spend money to spend it, but one who spends it wisely.  It would also be for when someone researches to get the best deal on an item - not just buying it as soon as it's found.  But that's my interpretation.  Let's see what others define this word as being:


(From Wikipedia).......Frugality has been defined by modern behavioral scientists as the tendency of acquiring goods and services in a restrained manner, and resourcefully using already owned economic goods and services, to achieve a longer term goal. Dictionary definitions of frugality focus on being sparing, thrifty, prudent or economical in the use of consumable resources such as food, time or money, avoiding waste, lavishness or extravagance.


Most of us are frugal to some degree.  I am in some ways, but not in others.  Example:  Tonight we surprised our four children with a late night showing of Cars2 at a nearby theater.  For many, this kind of outing is normal, but for us it isn't.  We only see one or two movies a year (an occasional third one thrown in.)  For us it is a waste of our money because we would rather just wait a short month or so and buy the DVD.  (There aren't too many we'll buy or even want to watch due to content, anyway.) For others it is their habit to see movies on opening night or soon after. 


On the other hand, we've been to four Texas Rangers' baseball games this year.  Some seats have been really inexpensive....others have been more expensive.....yet we do it.  Why?  For us, it is worth it to attend the games together as a family because we all enjoy it.  We don't go on yearly vacations (though we have gone on two very special Disney World ones!), so these mini-trips (sometimes just down to Arlington and back the same day) are a special treat.  Also, the games can't be bought on DVD in a few months.  They are live.  There is a difference in what appeals to us and what doesn't.  But we're all different and have different ideas on things.


Frugal living is different for everyone; however, there is one area that none of us should ever be frugal. Look again at the end definition of frugal: focus on being sparing, thrifty, prudent or economical in the use of consumable resources such as food, time or money, avoiding waste, lavishness or extravagance.  In our walk as Christians, in order to live out Jesus Christ's example we can not be frugal in lots of ways.  Contrary, we must NOT be sparing with our food, time, or money as it relates to helping others.  Of course we shouldn't waste and we should spend wisely, but we should exercise lavishness and extravagance in our response to others.  We should graciously give to those in need and to the Lord's church - to further His work.  


Our giving and service to God isn't that He needs what we can give.  We need HIM!  And because we need Him, He has given us His Son. We need to and must serve Him because of what He has already done for all of us.  When we serve Him in this way, our frugal living will take on a whole new meaning!  Our desire to be frugal will be so that we can serve Him more and more.  We will realize that everything we have is His and is because of Him.   We're just stewards of His blessings.  

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” 

Acts 17:24-25 

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

John 15:5

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Does It Really Matter?

Sometimes I get the feeling that people don't really care.  Maybe it's just me, but it seems that in the world, Christianity is professed, but not always lived out.  I'm not trying to be judgemental at all.  Some things are just obvious.  Trey Morgan wrote about this recently in his blog post BE BOLD TODAY.  Sometimes we, as Christians don't live out our lives boldly.  It's like we want to hide our Christianity or we only want it when it's convenient to do so.  But Jesus wants us to follow Him whole-heartedly....to pick up our cross (our burden) and follow Him daily.  He's coming back, just as the Bible tells us.  He wants us to be ready!

Does it really matter how we live?  Let's see what the Bible has to say. Consider this passage from 2 Peter 3:10-14 (the heading of this chapter says, "The Day of the Lord", meaning when Christ returns.)

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.


So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

Notice where I've enlarged the text and the question it asks:  What kid of people ought you to be?  Apparently it does matter how we live.  Of course, Jesus' free gift of salvation is not earned by our "goodness".  We could never be good enough to earn salvation.  But, because Christ gave His life for us and God has asked us to live a certain way in this passage, as well as many, many others, it seems that it really does matter how we live.

So what did this passage say about how we should live?  It said that we should live holy and godly lives.  What does that mean?  God is holy.  Holy means set apart.  So living a holy and godly lives is being set apart.  Set apart from what?  Since God hates sin and there is so much sin in the world and all around us.  It would make sense that we should be set apart from sin. 

The Bible actually lists sins throughout the Bible....too many to list here, but sin literally means to "miss the mark".  I don't know about you, but I probably miss the mark in some way at least once every day.  Thankfully, we serve a loving and merciful Heavenly Father, who is willing to forgive us when we miss that mark.

Does it really matter? Apparently, to God, it does.