I am wondering why Christians have problems exercising the 'fruits of the Spirit' in everyday life. Though we spend a great deal of time in church and learning about Christ, it seems as though Christians often have difficulty showing "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,and temperance" when faced with difficulties.
Why is the divorce rate for Christians higher than that of non-Christians? Though over a decade has passed, a 1999 study revealed:
"While it may be alarming to discover that born again Christians are more likely than others to experience a divorce, that pattern has been in place for quite some time. Even more disturbing, perhaps, is that when those individuals experience a divorce many of them feel their community of faith provides rejection rather than support and healing. But the research also raises questions regarding the effectiveness of how churches minister to families. The ultimate responsibility for a marriage belongs to the husband and wife, but the high incidence of divorce within the Christian community challenges the idea that churches provide truly practical and life-changing support for marriages."
George Barna, president and founder of Barna Research Group
(Source: http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm)
A 2008 study was no more encouraging when it stated that:
After months of revived debate over divorce and its increasing acceptance among Americans, a new study affirmed born again Christians are just as likely as the average American couple to divorce.
The Barna Group found in its latest study that born again Christians who are not evangelical were indistinguishable from the national average on the matter of divorce with 33 percent having married and divorced at least once. Among all born again Christians, which includes evangelicals, the divorce figure is 32 percent, which is statistically identical to the 33 percent figure among non-born again adults, the research group noted.
( Source: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080404/study-christian-divorce-rate-identical-to-national-average/index.html )
What are we doing wrong? Why are we no better than the world in spite of our prayers, scriptural knowledge, and relationship with God? Why is the enemy allowed to break up Christian marriages? Is it the work of the enemy or the Matthew 19:8 hardness of our hearts ( which returns me to the original question regarding not demonstrating the 'fruits of the spirit' to one another)? Is this a sign of the Romans 1:26 unnatural affections in the end times? If we do not exercise the fruits of the Spirit to one another, we have already begun to fulfill the end-time scriptures (Mark 13:4-31) and must be vigilant of the second coming of Christ.
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. (Mark 13:33)
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Modern Psalmist
I was so impressed by this artist's song to/about God that I had to include it in my blog. Listen to this modern psalmist. His lyrics made me think about how we perceive and conceptualize God. What do you think?
God is in charge!Do not limit Him in your mind!!! Lord, write a song upon my heart!
God is in charge!Do not limit Him in your mind!!! Lord, write a song upon my heart!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Revelation!
God is truly revealing something to me regarding the love of a father (and our Holy Father). After I posted for the day, I clicked on the Daily Manna feed link on my blog. Here is what it said:
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Hebrews 12:7-11 NIV
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
As a father, I must keep this close to my heart. My sons are prescious to me and though they are grown/nearly grown ( in age), they will still require fatherly guidance , instruction, correction, and wisdom so that they can become fathers themselves when the time has come. It seems as though God is preparing them by preparing me for what is to come. I must do my part so that they will be able to do their part. Thank you, God! You always give us what we need before we need it so that we are prepared!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Hebrews 12:7-11 NIV
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
As a father, I must keep this close to my heart. My sons are prescious to me and though they are grown/nearly grown ( in age), they will still require fatherly guidance , instruction, correction, and wisdom so that they can become fathers themselves when the time has come. It seems as though God is preparing them by preparing me for what is to come. I must do my part so that they will be able to do their part. Thank you, God! You always give us what we need before we need it so that we are prepared!
The Fear of God
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Psalm 96:4
For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
Proverbs 2:5
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Psalm 89:7
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
Psalm 64:9
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
Psalm 66:16
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
These are but a few verses that speak of fearing God. I am convinced that wisdom begins with the fear of God but have been conflicted about why we should fear such a loving and caring entity as God. I believe that I have finally found peace with myself regarding this seemingly opposing conflict.
If we consider God as our spiritual father but compare Him to our biological father, the similarity becomes quite clear. As a child, if you told your biological father that you had just stolen from the candy store, how would you want him to react? Should he shrug his shoulders and say 'Ok, I'm glad you're home. Get ready for dinner'? Is that a father's love? Or would you feel more love if he scolded (or spanked you) for doing wrong, took you back to the store to make you return the candy and apologize to the owner, and tell you that what you did was wrong and that you must never do it again?
Strangely, it is the stern father who expressed love to you. You would probably not steal again beacause you would fear that your father would become even angrier with you and respond more harshly. Though it may not seem like it initially, it is the fear of your biological father that helps you (eventually) understand his love and care for your well-being as you mature.
Our Spiritual Father's love is no different. We must fear Him to understand and respect His love toward us and accept his punishment if we need it. Though God's anger could kill us at any given moment, we pray that He will have mercy on us. We hope that He will not turn his back on us or have no regard for us like the example above of the father who did not care about the child's actions. Though we must seek to please God, we must also realize that all that we do is not pleasing to God and that there are consequences for our actions.
Proverbs reminds me:
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Thank you ,God, for your care and concern and love towards me! Thank you for your instruction and your correction. I walk daily in fear of You but also in Your Love. I believe that the fear of God is a holy fear that we must learn to savor as an important part of our relationship with our Holy Father.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Psalm 96:4
For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
Proverbs 2:5
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Psalm 89:7
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
Psalm 64:9
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
Psalm 66:16
Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
These are but a few verses that speak of fearing God. I am convinced that wisdom begins with the fear of God but have been conflicted about why we should fear such a loving and caring entity as God. I believe that I have finally found peace with myself regarding this seemingly opposing conflict.
If we consider God as our spiritual father but compare Him to our biological father, the similarity becomes quite clear. As a child, if you told your biological father that you had just stolen from the candy store, how would you want him to react? Should he shrug his shoulders and say 'Ok, I'm glad you're home. Get ready for dinner'? Is that a father's love? Or would you feel more love if he scolded (or spanked you) for doing wrong, took you back to the store to make you return the candy and apologize to the owner, and tell you that what you did was wrong and that you must never do it again?
Strangely, it is the stern father who expressed love to you. You would probably not steal again beacause you would fear that your father would become even angrier with you and respond more harshly. Though it may not seem like it initially, it is the fear of your biological father that helps you (eventually) understand his love and care for your well-being as you mature.
Our Spiritual Father's love is no different. We must fear Him to understand and respect His love toward us and accept his punishment if we need it. Though God's anger could kill us at any given moment, we pray that He will have mercy on us. We hope that He will not turn his back on us or have no regard for us like the example above of the father who did not care about the child's actions. Though we must seek to please God, we must also realize that all that we do is not pleasing to God and that there are consequences for our actions.
Proverbs reminds me:
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Thank you ,God, for your care and concern and love towards me! Thank you for your instruction and your correction. I walk daily in fear of You but also in Your Love. I believe that the fear of God is a holy fear that we must learn to savor as an important part of our relationship with our Holy Father.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Obedience & Sacrifice
Romans 5:19
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Hebrews 13:16
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
The concept of obedience to God has become paramount in my mind as a result of reading Exodus and Leviticus. Both books are filled with laws that govern how to present sacrifices to God. I thought that obedience would be more pleasing to God since obedience is a willing act rather than a governed act. However, a search of Bible scriptures has helped me understand that God is still pleased with sacrifice. However, the sacrifice is longer an animal sacrifice but a spiritual sacrifice. Reflecting upon these concepts has he;ped me see that God wants to know what we are willing to give Him that will demonstrate our love and honor for HIm. God wants our praise and communication with Him, but God also wants us to be able to let go of the promises of the world without hesitation. If we really want a close relationship with God, we must be able to give up our life (obedience) so that we can live and die for God daily (sacrifice) to receive everlasting life.
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Hebrews 13:16
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
The concept of obedience to God has become paramount in my mind as a result of reading Exodus and Leviticus. Both books are filled with laws that govern how to present sacrifices to God. I thought that obedience would be more pleasing to God since obedience is a willing act rather than a governed act. However, a search of Bible scriptures has helped me understand that God is still pleased with sacrifice. However, the sacrifice is longer an animal sacrifice but a spiritual sacrifice. Reflecting upon these concepts has he;ped me see that God wants to know what we are willing to give Him that will demonstrate our love and honor for HIm. God wants our praise and communication with Him, but God also wants us to be able to let go of the promises of the world without hesitation. If we really want a close relationship with God, we must be able to give up our life (obedience) so that we can live and die for God daily (sacrifice) to receive everlasting life.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Tabernacle
I have become fascinated with the exact dimensions that God gave Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle which would serve as a place to worship God. Unfortunately, it is difficult to envision such a place after simply reading the dimensions. ( I am sure that the task is even more difficult when it is being spoken to you, as was the case when God presented the plan to Moses). A search on the Internet provided images that help me envision this grand place of worship for God's chosen people. Below are pictures and links that have helped me understand how God's directions to His people looked following construction of the Tabernacle. God is truly AWESOME!
Tabernacle links:
http://www.domini.org/tabern/tabhome.htm
http://www.bibleplaces.com/tabernacle.htm
http://study.africanministries.com/resources/1.html
Friday, February 12, 2010
Walking in the Word
Now that I have been reading the Word on a daily basis, I have found that I am reminded daily of God's presence in my life. I am working on becoming more obedient to God and less obedient to my flesh. I realize my desire to please God but struggle with my temptations. The Word fortifies me but each day is filled with tempting thoughts, tempting choices, and the need to resist the Enemy. Though my daily reading is not in the book of James, my previous reading helps me remember that the book of James admonishes us to:
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Sometimes, he will flee only to return later in another form or with more temptation(s). For this reason, the walk with God MUST include a walk in God's Word. The Word must live in our hearts if it is to be effective. I try daily to not just remember God's Word but to apply it at every opportune moment in my life. I hope and pray that this is pleasing to the Lord, my God.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Sometimes, he will flee only to return later in another form or with more temptation(s). For this reason, the walk with God MUST include a walk in God's Word. The Word must live in our hearts if it is to be effective. I try daily to not just remember God's Word but to apply it at every opportune moment in my life. I hope and pray that this is pleasing to the Lord, my God.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
A Renewed Walk with God!
Now that I have found a church in Chicago that I like, I have a renewed hunger for the Word. Reading the One-Year Bible has really helped me discipline myself to read God's Word on a daily basis. I am finally able to read the Old Testament because of how the Bible is laid out. I actually look forward to reading the Old Testament and no longer view it as an outdated history lesson. I am reading about how Moses led the Isrealites out of Egypt and into the promised land.
I have begun to realize why some people view God as a spirit to be feared rather than loved. In God's directions to the Isrealites, He repeatedly warns them that if they do not follow His commandments, they would meet an untimely death. It seems that in spite of what God had provided to them in the wilderness, the Isrealites continued to murmur and not fully appreciate God. I assume that God did not mind if they worhipped Him out of fear, just as long as they worhipped Him!
Thankfully, I know that we are no longer bound by the Mosaic laws. God wants us to love AND fear Him but mainly to follow His commandments willingly. I have felt God's warm love and seen His mighty works in my life. I am assured that God loves me every day. God continues to provide me with more than I have earned. His mercy is great and His love is enduring. Please continue to walk with me, love me, and be patient as I embark down a renewed path of life's experiences. God--I love you!
I have begun to realize why some people view God as a spirit to be feared rather than loved. In God's directions to the Isrealites, He repeatedly warns them that if they do not follow His commandments, they would meet an untimely death. It seems that in spite of what God had provided to them in the wilderness, the Isrealites continued to murmur and not fully appreciate God. I assume that God did not mind if they worhipped Him out of fear, just as long as they worhipped Him!
Thankfully, I know that we are no longer bound by the Mosaic laws. God wants us to love AND fear Him but mainly to follow His commandments willingly. I have felt God's warm love and seen His mighty works in my life. I am assured that God loves me every day. God continues to provide me with more than I have earned. His mercy is great and His love is enduring. Please continue to walk with me, love me, and be patient as I embark down a renewed path of life's experiences. God--I love you!
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