tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26880555502426896222024-03-19T11:01:49.963+01:00Jim Rogahn Ministries BlogJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.comBlogger703125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-87273972396450160062024-03-14T17:00:00.001+01:002024-03-14T17:00:00.138+01:00Can You Prove That?<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></i></span></i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned</i></span></i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>."</i></span></i></span><br /><b>Mark 16:15-16 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br />Often when people are trying to make a point about something, they will cite facts to try and prove to whoever they are talking to that what they are saying is true. Many people will spend time debating about things, using different facts or personal experience in an attempt to prove their point. Usually this is done with good intentions, where one person or group is trying to help someone understand that what has been said is true, based on the facts that were given.<br />
<br />After Jesus rose from the dead, He told His disciples to take the message of His triumph over sin and death to the whole world. The Gospel, which means good news, is something that everyone should hear. We should make a good presentation of the Gospel, and share the
truth in a way that will persuade people to receive Jesus. But once someone hears the Gospel, that person needs to take a step of faith and believe the message about Jesus, and receive Him as their personal Savior and Lord.<br />
<br />While Jesus said we need to preach the
Gospel so that people would believe, Jesus never said that our job was
to prove that the message is true. It does not say that just because someone has seen a lot of evidence that this person would be saved; and this same principle applies to everything in the Bible. It is one thing to hear the truth, but once we hear the truth, we must accept it, believe it, and act on it. The key is that we believe and act on what we have heard, not just that someone has proven something to us.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-15797758037912938052024-03-07T17:00:00.003+01:002024-03-08T09:04:52.286+01:00Just Like He Said<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"saying, "Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span>And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him, 'Because the Lord has need of it.'"</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br />
</i></span>So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"</i></span><br /><b>Luke 19:30-32 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br />It is good when you know someone you can trust, and when they tell you
something, you have confidence in what they said being accurate and
trustworthy. But it is unfortunate that there are some people you cannot rely on and you cannot always trust what they say. If someone you did not trust told you something, you might be hesitant to act on what they said. But when you really trust someone, and you know you can rely on what they say, then it is easy to do things based on what that person told you<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Luke 19 tells the story of Jesus instructing His disciples to go and get the donkey's colt that He then used to ride into Jerusalem. What Jesus said was a bit unusual, but the disciples knew that Jesus could be trusted, so they acted on what He said, and everything worked out according to what Jesus had told them. These verses in Luke 19 are great verses about following God and also how He will provide for us. We can always trust God's guidance and know for certain that things will work out for us just as He said</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When
we follow God's direction, it will always be just as God said it would
be. If God said we need to do something or go somewhere, we can be sure
that everything is going to work out for us just the way that God said it
would. For provision in our life, for direction, for healing, and
anything else that God has said in His Word, we can always be confident
that it will be just as God said it would be</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. Whatever God has said is true and reliable, and we can do what He says, knowing that things will always be as He said they would be.<br /></span></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-52484016514799949212024-02-29T17:00:00.007+01:002024-02-29T17:00:00.141+01:00Peace On The Path<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<i>Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"</span><br /><b>Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Normally when you are driving from one place to another, you have an idea of where you are going. You may have checked a map to see the route you need to take,</span></span> and you might use some GPS type system to help guide you along your way. But once you do that, there is no question of if the place you are traveling to exists and, unless something unusual is going on, you would not be concerned if you are going to make it to your destination, because once your course is set you are no longer concerned about the trip, you are just traveling to your destination.<br />
<br />Christians are often not sure what God's will is for their life in general, and sometimes they have specific questions about some certain direction in their life, or how to do something. That is one part of the process of being led by the Holy Spirit and doing the will of God. But there is another element in this that many Christians struggle with, and that is having peace on the path they are on in the will of God. We can have confidence as we trust God to direct us, and we never have to worry that God will let us down as we follow Him. <br /><br />As Psalm 119:105 tells us, God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We can always find the general will of God for our life in God's Word, and the Holy Spirit will also lead us into the will God for our life. But once we know the direction God wants us to go, we need to stop being anxious about what to do and just do it. When we know the will of God for our life, we can have peace knowing that God is with us and that He will help us on our way. God wants us to have peace on our path in life and in doing His will. </div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-8665091035447773842024-02-22T17:00:00.027+01:002024-02-22T17:00:00.201+01:00What Will Your Response Be?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.</i></span></i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br />
</i></span>In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"</i></span><br /><b>Mark 11:13-14 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br />Normally when you are in a conversation with someone, you and the other person will be talking back and forth, with one of you speaking and then the other person responding. It would not be a conversation if only one person spoke, and it would be strange for someone to speak to another person and the second person never said anything. Usually, when someone talks to you, you then give a response. In fact, if you did not respond to something that was said, then it could be implied that you agree with what was said.<br />
<br />Many Christians know the story of Jesus and the fig tree and how Jesus came to the fig tree but did not find any figs. The fig tree had leaves, which would normally indicate that there were also figs on the tree, but there were no figs. As it says in Mark 11:14, Jesus <i>responded</i> to the fig tree and He said something. The word used here for <i>respond</i> is translated as <i>answer</i> in other translations of the Bible, and this word can mean <i>to answer a question</i> or <i>to speak after something else is said</i>.<br />
<br />In Mark 11, Jesus came to the fig tree that had leaves but no figs. You could say it this way, the tree spoke by having leaves but no figs, and Jesus responded by cursing the tree. In our everyday life, things are <i>speaking</i> to us. Our body can <i>speak</i> to us, our finances can <i>speak</i> to us, other people, and different situations can <i>speak</i> to us. The question is, how are we going to respond? The way we respond, what we say, is very important. No matter what situation we face, we need to respond in faith with God's Word, and not with our feelings, opinions, or other ideas.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-15913938931417544422024-02-15T17:00:00.006+01:002024-02-15T17:00:00.146+01:00A Bible Usage Report?<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall
meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to
all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous,
and then you will have good success."</i><br />
<b>Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br />Every week, my phone and my tablet produce a usage report telling me what apps I used the most in the past week. From this usage report, I can see where I have been spending time while I was using my phone and my tablet. Most of the time, I am not surprised with the app usage, because I know what I had been doing for the past week with my phone and tablet. But sometimes I am a bit surprised that I have used an app as much as I did, and sometimes the usage report shows me that I used an app less than I thought I had.<br />
<br />When Joshua became the leader of Israel, God told Joshua how to be successful. God told Joshua to keep the Law in his mouth and meditate in it day and night. In terms of New Testament believers, we would say that it is necessary to meditate on and speak God's Word, think about it, and make it a part of our life, every day. But, while this is God's plan for success in everything He directs us to do, the real question is if we are actually doing this, day and night, or if it is just an occasional thing?<br />
<br />Just like God told Joshua, God's Word needs to be a part of our life, every day, and every night, all of the time. For some Christians, God's Word is a part of their life on Sunday, or in an emergency. The <i>quantity</i> of time we spend with God's Word is not the point,
but we all need to have a regular time in God's Word, every day, and
make it a vital part of our life. If we had some kind of a Bible usage report that we saw every week, would we be pleasantly surprised at how much time we devoted to God's Word, or shocked at how little it is a part of our life? </div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-86807131318436950372024-02-08T17:00:00.022+01:002024-02-08T17:00:00.130+01:00Praying For Our Leaders<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,</i></span></i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br />
</i></span>for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"</i></span><br /><b>1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br />One thing I have noticed is that it is very easy to get people to do what they are already interested in doing. While that is a fairly obvious statement, there is a deeper issue that it highlights: people will do what they really want to do, even if it is not the best thing to do. It is easy for people to be interested in doing things they like, and dislike what they are not in favor of. Again, this is quite obvious. But the real issue is that we need to be willing to do what is right and good, whether we like it or not and whether we are interested in it or not.<br />
<br />The Apostle Paul wrote many things by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to help believers live the life that God has called us to live. While there are many things that are very simple and easy for believers to focus on doing, there are some things that Christians do not get too excited about; one of these things is praying for our leaders. In 1 Timothy 2, Paul said that we need to pray for our leaders so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. If we are not praying for our leaders, then we have a problem.<br />
<br />If we pray for our leaders, as Paul talked about in 1 Timothy 2, then we are following scriptural guidelines. Paul did not say to only pray for our leaders if we like them and agree with them, or complain about our leaders if they do not do what we want; Paul said that praying for our leaders was what we need to do. One thing we can pray about for our leaders is for them to make good decisions that promote righteousness and the preaching of the Gospel. We all need to pray for our natural and spiritual leaders, it is the guidance we receive from God's Word, and it is the right thing to do.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-51629841495077608322024-02-01T17:00:00.021+01:002024-02-01T17:01:44.762+01:00Knowing The Details<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,</i></span></i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br />
</i></span>persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra - what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"</i></span><br /><b>2 Timothy 3:10-11 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br />When we learn about something, a place, an event, or even a person, there can be a lot of details to learn about it. We might know that Berlin is a city in Germany, but there are a lot more things than that to learn about Berlin. We might know about a man landing on the moon, but do we know when it happened or who was involved? We might know about a person, a personal friend or a public figure, but how much do we really know about them? If we really want to have a good understanding of something, we need to know all the details.<br />
<br />The majority of Christians know who the Apostle Paul is. They might know he was formerly a Pharisee who converted to Christianity and that Paul started churches and wrote many letters. But there are many more things we can learn about the Apostle Paul than just those few facts. There were several people who traveled with Paul and spent time with
him, including Timothy, Titus, and Luke. How well did these people know Paul? We can see that Paul lived a life that allowed others to get to know him and how he lived.<br />
<br />In 2 Timothy 3:10-11, Paul said Timothy had <i>carefully followed</i> Paul's doctrine, manner of life, purpose. faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, and afflictions. These were not things that Timothy had only heard about; Timothy knew all the details himself. Paul was not living a secluded life where no one really knew him or what he was doing. Paul worked alongside other people and gave them a living example of a godly life and how to serve God. We too need to give a detailed living example of a godly life that others can learn from.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-12012880923177699312024-01-25T17:00:00.002+01:002024-01-25T17:00:00.129+01:00Who Do You To Listen To<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!"</i></span></i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br />
</i></span>Is this not the Son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"</i></span><br /><b>Mark 6:2-3 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br />Sometimes when we accomplish something, or if we do something that people did not expect us to be able to do, people might be impressed by what we did, but it can also be that people will criticize us. If this happens, then we have a choice, will we listen to those people who praise or criticize us, or will we continue to do what we are doing? If we are doing what is right, then we should not allow the praise or criticism from anyone to stop us from doing what we need to do.<br />
<br />Although Jesus is the Son of God, and He did the will of God, not everyone was happy with Jesus and pleased with what He did. In Mark 6, when people heard Jesus teach in the synagogue, they wondered how He could teach the way He did, and people were offended by Jesus and His teaching. People talked about the natural background of Jesus in a way that seemed to say, "We know His family, we know Him, who does He think He is?", but this did not matter to Jesus, He just kept doing the will of God.<br />
<br />Jesus knew Who He was, He knew the will of God for His life, so Jesus did not allow the criticism, or the praise of people to change what He was doing. Jesus never changed His teaching to please His critics; Jesus taught the truth from Scripture, even when people did not like it. We need to be the same way, and know who we are in Christ, what God has called us to do, and follow the direction of the Holy Spirit. Then we need to keep doing what God has said, no matter what others say about it; we need to know Who we should listen to.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-34191729386354091042024-01-18T17:00:00.000+01:002024-01-18T17:09:13.401+01:00All Things, Or Just A Few Things?<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>."</i></span></i></span><br /><b>Philippians 4:13 (NKJV</b><b>)</b><br />
<br />Normally, when people set goals, they will do everything they can to achieve that goal. It is not hard to get someone to do something that they are highly motivated to do, no matter how difficult that thing might be. But, if you ask someone to do something that they are not interested in, or something they do not enjoy, then that is a different story, even if you offer to assist them in doing what needs to be done. It is possible for that person to do the thing; they are just not willing to do it.<br />
<br />There are many Christians who like Philippians 4:13 where it talks about how we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, but I sometimes wonder if people <i>really</i> believe that, because it sometimes depends on the circumstance and situation in what they are doing. Christians will talk about doing all things through Christ when it is something they are already interested in doing. But does Philippians 4:13 only apply to God helping us do the things we already want to do?<br />
<br />It is not hard to talk about doing all things through Christ when we are talking about the goals and dreams we have. But what about getting involved in something in our local church that, while we are able to do it, we do not really want to do; is that something that we then cannot do through Christ? Do we allow our personality and our likes and dislikes to be our boundaries, or through Christ can we overcome those things to do whatever we need to do for God? We can do all things through Christ, even if it is not our favorite thing, as long as it is part of God's plan for our life.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-87685365601033081282024-01-11T17:00:00.001+01:002024-01-11T17:00:00.134+01:00You Control It Yourself<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"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.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">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</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">."</span></span><br /><b>Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV</b><b>)</b><br />
<br />Sometimes while I am out walking or running, I see people who are walking their dog. But then, something happens where the dog gets upset or a little excited and gets out of control. What is amusing to me is that the people with the dog act surprised that their dog is acting like a dog! They sometimes look around as if they do not know what to do, or that maybe someone else needs to do something, but the person with the dog just needs to take care of their own dog; I often think to myself, it is <i>your</i> dog, <i>you</i> need to control it <i>yourself</i>.<br />
<br />We are a three part being: spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). When we are born again, we become a new creation in Christ, spiritually. But even though we are a new creation in Christ, we still have the same body and soul as we did before salvation, and we need to do something with our body and our soul. In Romans 12:1-2, the Bible says that we need to present our body as a living sacrifice and renew our mind, which is a part of the soul. The emphasis here is that <i>we</i> do something with <i>our </i>body and <i>our</i> soul.<br />
<br />It is up to us individually as believers to control our own body and renew our own mind. While other people may help us with this, no one can do it for us. Some people seem to think that if they get enough people praying for them, or if they get into a special meeting, or if someone lays hands on them, everything will be fine. But the Bible clearly tells us that we have to control ourselves. Through learning what the Bible says, and by acting on it with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can control our bodies and renew our minds.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-11240721198153241872024-01-04T17:00:00.008+01:002024-01-04T17:07:53.843+01:00Say No To The Yes Man<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise</i></span>.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br />
</i></span>He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"</i></span><br /><b>Proverbs 15:31-32 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br />The term, "Yes man", refers to someone who always seems to agree with whatever another person is saying. Sometimes in a business, a boss or leader will only want to have people around them who agree with and support whatever they say, they want a yes man. But no good boss or leader just wants people who agree with everything they say, without any opportunity for input from any other point of view. No one knows everything, and having other people who can bring wise and constructive input to us is always helpful.<br />
<br />
No one does everything right, and wise people look for ways to improve what they are doing. Someone who does not look for ways to improve and develop themselves is foolish. What hurts people is not that they make a mistake, but what hurts people is their refusal to listen to input from others. By paying attention to wisdom from others, each and every one of us can do what we do better. This is why we need other spiritually mature believers around us to help us and give us wisdom in what we are doing. <br /><br />A good question for all of us is, "who can correct us", who do we allow to speak into our life? If we only listen to those who agree with everything we say, no matter what we say, does that mean that everything we say is right, or is it that we only allow the "yes men" to be our associates? If we are unwilling to listen to wise input from others, we are in danger of having serious problems. We do not want to be the kind of people who think we know everything and will not listen to others; we need to be wise and receive instruction from others.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-57677370353443453742023-12-28T17:00:00.004+01:002023-12-28T17:00:00.136+01:00Growing Today For A Better Tomorrow<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></i></span>but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ -</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"</i></span><br /><b>Ephesians 4:14-15 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br />Sometimes when there is road construction, or maybe a building is being remodeled, there will be a sign posted somewhere that says that what is being done will make things better. There might be a sign that has a slogan like, "building today for a better tomorrow", or "we are building to make things better for you". Building or changing things in the present to make things better in the future is good. If something is only beneficial now, and it will not be helpful in the future, that thing is not such a good thing<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In Ephesians 4, Paul said that believers need to stop being children who are just tossed around with every wind of doctrine. This means that we should not just follow every teaching that comes along or is popular in the Church world, no matter who says it. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But instead, Christians need to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), be mature in understanding (1 Corinthians 14:20), and desire the Word of God that will cause us to grow (1 Peter 2:2). We need to grow up spiritually today so that we can be stronger, more mature believers tomorrow</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Spiritual
growth is important, it is necessary, and it is something that should
be happening on a continual basis in the life of a Christian. We should
be growing and improving, rather than just being the same person and
same type of Christian in five years that we are right now. </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">By spending time in
God's Word and following the direction of the Holy Spirit, we can grow
and develop spiritually.</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> We need to
develop spiritually every day, so that we are more effective members of the Body of
Christ, and a better witness to the unsaved world, today and tomorrow. <br /></span></span></span></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-35580673383568566892023-12-21T17:00:00.021+01:002023-12-21T17:02:39.031+01:00Don't Miss The Point<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span>For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br />
</i></span>And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"</i></span><br /><b>Luke 2:10-12 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br />One thing I have noticed in talking to people is that someone will miss the point about something, by getting sidetracked by something else. Sometimes people get so caught up in insignificant facts and information that they miss the main point. For example, in various sports there are so many statistics and so much information you can learn about that you almost forget the basic elements of the sport itself<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. Whether it is sports, or anything else, we have to be careful that we do not get so caught up in some details that we miss the overall point.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Christmas is when believers celebrate the birth of Jesus, but some people miss that point. For some people, Christmas is just about presents and time with family, which is good, but those things are not why we should celebrate Christmas. Some Christians are bothered because others do not recognize Christmas for what it really is, or because Christmas is so secularized. But in spite of that, we should not miss the real point to the story of Christmas. We need to keep our focus on Jesus coming to the earth to save us from our sin, that is the real point to Christmas</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Christmas
is a wonderful time of the year in many ways. The main reason that
Christmas is so wonderful is that it is when Christians celebrate the
birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Many people and churches
will go over the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke 2, which is such a
great story about how Jesus came to the earth as a baby. Then, Jesus
went on to live a god-pleasing life and die on the cross for our sin.
That is the main point of Christmas, and that is why we should celebrate
Christmas, even though many people miss the point.</span></span></span></div><p></p>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-53014894755674840212023-12-14T17:00:00.001+01:002023-12-14T17:00:00.150+01:00Exercise Your Mind<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span>Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br />
</i></span>For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>"</i></span><br /><b>Colossians 3:1-3 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br />If you want to develop your muscles, you need to exercise. But, to properly exercise your muscles, you need to do the right kinds of exercise. For example, if you wanted to strengthen your legs, you would not do pushups. If you needed to develop your cardiovascular system<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, you would not do exercises that are just for your arms. By doing the right exercises you can develop and strengthen your body. If you do not do any exercise, you are actually still making an impact on your body, it is just that the impact will be a negative one.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Bible says a lot about the mind and our thinking. The Bible talks about renewing the mind (Romans 12:2) and the right kinds of things to think about (Philippians 4:8). Unfortunately, this is an area that many Christians have not paid the proper amount of attention to. If we do not renew our mind and think about the right things, this can lead to other problems, because our thinking and believing are connected. You cannot believe something you have not thought about, and you will think about the things that you believe.</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Colossians 3:2 tells us to "set our minds on things above", which is talking about what we think. To "set your mind" can be defined as, "to exercise the mind". If we think about spiritual truth, we will exercise and develop our mind, just like by doing certain exercises we would develop our body. Rather than just struggling with wrong thoughts, depression, and stress, we can have a stronger mind through continually thinking about godly things rather than earthly things. Start exercising your mind today by thinking about God's Word, and you can develop a strong thought life. </span></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-13573693851124873232023-12-07T17:00:00.015+01:002023-12-07T17:00:00.155+01:00A Good Word<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<i>Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"</span><br /><b>Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If you want to start a fire, you need the necessary elements, fuel, and oxygen; with these things, you can easily start a fire. But, if you start a fire and add water, the fire will go out. If you take away either fuel, or </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">oxygen</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, you will also be without a fire. This same thing is true in many other situations. To have a certain thing, you need to have the elements necessary to properly create that thing, but even if you have the right elements, and you add something else, you will change what you had at first</span></span>.<br />
<br />
One thing that some people struggle with more than others is anxiety, which can lead to depression. The dictionary says that anxiety deals with a concern about some trouble, some problem that may come at some time. Everyone can have a feeling of anxiety when they hear some negative news, but it is what we do with that feeling that matters. When someone is dealing with anxiety, or depression, that is a problem, but the Bible tells us that a good word can make the heart of someone with depression glad. <br /><br />If someone is dealing with anxiety and stress in their heart, in their life, Proverbs 12:25 says that a good word will make them glad, and a good word would certainly include God's Word. On the other hand, if someone is hearing a "bad word", that can lead to anxiety and depression. If we focus on and talk about the negative side of life, it will bring anxiety, stress, and depression. But by focusing on and saying the right things, by saying what God says in His Word, we can successfully deal with anxiety, stress, and depression in our own life and in someone else's life. <br /></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-34035807412183174152023-11-30T17:00:00.001+01:002023-11-30T17:00:00.145+01:00A Biblical Accent?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<i>The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"</span><br /><b>Proverbs 16:23 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Over the years, I have met people from many different nations who do not have English as their mother tongue, but who do speak English as a second language. Many of these people have an accent when they speak English, which is understandable, and some people have a more noticeable accent than others. Sometimes the accent a person has helps you identify where they are from and what their first language is, but that is not always the case</span></span>.<br />
<br />
When someone speaks a language and they have an accent, it shows you that the language they are speaking is not their native language, but their native language and how they speak it influences how they speak their second language. In the same way, we can have a biblical accent, so to speak, because we have God's Word in our heart and that is shown with what we say. The best thing is if our speech is accented with biblical truth and it is apparent to other people that we spend time in God's Word. <br /><br />Just like someone who speaks English or another language as their second language can have an accent, because they are used to saying things a certain way, Christians should have a biblical accent that shows that we are used to saying things from a biblical perspective. We do not have to walk around quoting Bible verses, but it is better if what we say is influenced by what we know from the Bible and our relationship with God. A biblical accent is something that we should not want to lose, but something we should all develop.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-49952279282286707132023-11-23T17:00:00.005+01:002023-11-23T17:00:00.140+01:00Pointless Projects?<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span>It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.</i></span></i></span><br /><b>Psalm 127:1-2 (NKJV</b><b>)</b><br />
<br />What if you had a great idea, maybe about some project, or some aspect of self-improvement, but to accomplish this goal you had to have some tools for the project, or you needed some equipment or something else for the self-improvement idea? If you needed something to help you successfully complete what you are planning on doing, you would need to have that necessary thing before you start. If you try to do something without having what is necessary, you will not succeed.<br />
<br />We might have good ideas about something we want to do, especially as believers, and we may even have some good plans about how to bring those ideas to pass. But the thing that is most necessary for us to successfully do what we are doing is to be sure that what we are doing is in line with God's plans and purposes. We may have great ideas, but are they only our ideas, or is it also a "God idea?". We can have great ideas and great plans, but if they are not in line with God's plans we will fail.<br />
<br />The Bible says that God is our Helper (Hebrews 13:6), but that does not automatically mean that anything and everything we do agrees with His will for our life. Whatever idea we have, whatever opportunity comes to us, whatever direction we believe we have from God, must be checked with God's Word, His plan for our life, and the direction of the Holy Spirit. If what we do is not in line with God's plans, then what we do will fail, and it is just a pointless project. If God is with us in what we do, then we will be successful. </div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-15002928425834912652023-11-16T17:00:00.006+01:002023-11-16T17:00:00.152+01:00Faith Pleases God<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<i>But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"</span><br /><b>Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There are some things that people have said were impossible, but those things were only something someone had not yet done. People said it was impossible for man to fly, to send a man to the moon, or to run a mile in under four minutes. But there are some things that really are impossible. For example, you cannot go swimming unless you are in some water, and it is impossible to flap your arms like a bird and fly into the air. Knowing what is possible and what is impossible is helpful to be able to see what can and cannot be done</span></span>.<br />
<br />
The Bible talks about how our goal should be to please God (2 Corinthians 5:9), and most Christians would say that they do want to please God. But the question then is, how do we please God? Is there something we can do that will please God, or is it just that we do are best in life and hope that this somehow pleases God? Thankfully the Bible gives us the answer, it takes faith to please God. In fact, Hebrews 11:6 says that it is impossible to please God without faith. <br /><br />Hebrews 11:6 tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith, so then faith must be very important. In Ephesians 2:8 it says we are saved by grace, through faith. In 2 Corinthians 5:7 it says that we walk by faith and not by sight. These verses show us the importance of faith, and without faith it is impossible to please God, so how do we get this faith that is so important? The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God. It is by our faith in God's Word that we please God and live the life He has planned for us.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-69339462846709907732023-11-09T17:00:00.008+01:002023-11-09T17:00:00.149+01:00Drifting Away From The Truth<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<i>Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"</span><br /><b>Hebrews 2:1 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If you have a boat, there are things you need to do to take care of it. One thing that is necessary with a boat, when it is in the water, is to have it anchored or tied to a dock, or something else. If you do not use an anchor or tie up the boat, it will eventually just drift away. No one would intentionally let their boat get away from them, but unless the boat is secured in some way, sooner or later that boat will be gone. How far away the boat drifts depends on several factors, but without something to keep it in place, the boat will drift away</span></span>.<br />
<br />
It is good to hear God's Word and learn about who God is, what Jesus has done for us, who we are in Christ, and what God has planned and provided for us. But it is not enough just to hear about this one time, this is something we need to hear about, read about, think about, and talk about again and again. Making what we hear a part of our life is an important way to make sure that what we know and understand is more than just something nice that we have heard. <br /><br />As Hebrews 2:1 tells us, we need to pay attention to what we have heard, so that those things do not slip away from us. If we hear the truth, but do not do anything with the truth that we hear, that truth can slip away from us. The problem for many Christians is not that they have not heard and do not know the truth, but the trouble is that the truth they have heard has slipped away from them. We need to not only learn God's Word, but we need to make it a part of our life so that it does not slip away from us.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-6194909582549596372023-11-02T17:00:00.008+01:002023-11-02T17:00:00.140+01:00Night Vision / Bible Vision<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<i>while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"</span><br /><b>2 Corinthians 4:18 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If you have ever been outside in the dark, where there was not much light, you know that it can be difficult to see things. Eventually, your eyes will adjust to the reduced amount of light and then you can see things better. This does not happen instantaneously, but it is amazing how much we can see in the dark once our vision is adjusted. There are also different devices available that can help us see in the dark, but just with our eyes adjusting to the lower light level, we can have a better view of things in the dark than we did at first</span></span>.<br />
<br />
Normally, and especially before we are Christians, we view things from a
natural perspective, but as
Christians, we need to have our "eyesight" adjusted to see things from a
spiritual perspective. If we do not get our "eyesight" and perspective
adjusted to seeing things from the spiritual, and not the natural
perspective, we will not only miss out on things that God is trying to
reveal to us in His Word by the Holy Spirit, but we will live a life
based on natural facts and not spiritual truth, and we will live below the
standard that God has for us. <br /><br />The Bible says we live by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) and
that we do not look at, we do not focus on what is seen, natural
circumstances, but what is unseen, spiritual truth (2 Corinthians
4:18). When we look at things from a biblical perspective, at first it
might be hard to do, but eventually it becomes easier for us as we
adjust to seeing things based on biblical truth. Just like having our
eyesight adjust to different light levels, we need
to adjust our perspective on how we view things, to go more from the
natural
to the spiritual.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-26214719545647278922023-10-26T17:00:00.010+02:002023-10-27T08:44:31.356+02:00Open Book Test<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"All
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness</span></i><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">,</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span>that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work</i></span></i></span><i>.</i><br /><b>2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV</b><b>)</b><br />
<br />When I was in school, we took tests for the different classes that we had. Sometimes, we had what they called an open book test. This was a test that was different from the usual tests, because we were allowed to use our textbooks to look for the answers to the questions. This was a much easier test, unless you did not know what was in the textbook. If you had read the textbook for the class, and you knew what was taught about the subject at hand, the open book test was easy to successfully complete.<br />
<br />In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul wrote to Timothy about four different things that God's Word is profitable for: doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. These four things fit into two different categories: beliefs, and actions. Doctrine and correction here are talking about having right and wrong beliefs, and instruction in righteousness and reproof are talking about right and wrong behavior. God's Word shows us the right things to believe and do, as well as showing us the wrong kinds of beliefs and actions to avoid. <br />
<br />God's Word shows us right and wrong beliefs, and actions, so it really is simple for us to understand what we should and should not do, as well as seeing what is right to believe and what is not. The Christian life is like an open book test, where we go through life and whatever challenge we face we can go to God's Word to see what we need to do. Life can be challenging and testing at times, but we have an open book, the Bible, that helps to show us the answers we need to the questions we face in life. </div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-19589520387144319212023-10-19T00:00:00.001+02:002023-10-19T15:33:10.841+02:00Ignorance Is Not Bliss<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<i>Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"</span><br /><b>1 Corinthians 12:1 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The phrase "ignorance is bliss" is said to refer to someone who is not aware of a problem, and because they are not aware of it, they do not worry about it. While that may be true, ignorance is not really a good thing. Ignorance is</span></span> defined as a lack of knowledge, education, or awareness. While not knowing something may make it easy not to worry about it, ignorance does not make the problem go away, or solve the problem. Knowledge is better than ignorance, and by having knowledge and understanding about something we are better off.<br />
<br />
There are several times in the New Testament where we are told that we should not be ignorant. In 1 Corinthians 12:1, Paul told the Corinthians that they should not be ignorant of spiritual gifts, in 2 Corinthians 2:11, Paul talked about not being ignorant of the schemes of Satan, and in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Paul told the Thessalonians that he did not want them to be ignorant of the fate of believers who had died. All of these verses show us that God does not want us to be ignorant of biblical things. <br /><br />If we are ignorant of what God has said about something, then we cannot effectively operate in it. If someone is ignorant of the fact that God's love is in them (Romans 5:5), they may live their life believing they have no control over their emotions and attitudes. If someone is ignorant about what it means to be a new creation and the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21), they may live a life below the standard that God has provided for them. Ignorance of God's Word is not bliss, it is dangerous and it can hinder us from living the life God has planned for us to live.<br /></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-37821461995274071602023-10-12T17:00:00.007+02:002023-10-12T18:06:35.052+02:00No Changes, No Adjustments<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<i>Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"</span><br /><b>Psalm 119:89 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If you have ever signed a contract, booked a room at a hotel</span></span>, or made some other kind of legal agreement, you have the terms of what you are involved in written down in a contract. Your responsibilities are outlined, and the conditions of what you are doing are described so that there is no question about what you have, what is expected from you, and what you can and cannot do. Once the contract is settled, there are no changes or adjustments that can be made to the contract.<br />
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The Bible shows us Who God is, God's plan for mankind, what Jesus did for us, and everything that has been provided for us because of Jesus. What we call the Old and New Testaments are really a legally binding contract that God has set in place with mankind. This contract, or we could use the word covenant, is settled and there are no changes or adjustments that will be made, or need to be made to it. What God has said in His Word is unchanging, and we can be certain of its validity. <br /><br />Unlike the word of man, God's Word is forever settled, it is unchanging, it is reliable, it has no expiration date, and it is still as true and as powerful today as it ever was. While we may think that somehow what we see in God's Word does not apply to us, that God's Word may not fit our situation, or that somehow we are an exception to what God has said, the Word of God has never changed and it does not need to be adjusted to fit us, it already applies to us and it will always work for us.<br /></div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-71732161973548405072023-10-05T17:00:00.007+02:002023-10-05T17:21:16.415+02:00A Personal Experience, Or Just A Nice View?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<i>Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"</span><br /><b>Psalm 34:8 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Recently I was at a restaurant that had a display case showing all the different types of cake that someone could have for their dessert</span></span>. As I entered the restaurant with my friends, we stopped to look at the selection of cakes, and we were already making our decision about which ones we were going to choose. That was nice, but what if all we did was look at the cakes in the display and we never ate any cake? It was not enough to just look at the cake that was available, we had to place our order and eat the cake to get the full experience.<br />
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For many people, Christianity is just a religion, or a theory about a good way to live. For some people, Jesus was just a nice teacher who said some interesting things, and the Bible is just a good book with many fine things to say. For anyone who falls into any of these categories, Jesus, Christianity, and the Bible are something that they have looked at, but things that they have never personally experienced. We need to do more than just think nice thoughts about God, Jesus, and the Bible. <br /><br />The Bible tells us in Psalm 34:8 to taste and see that the Lord is good; we are told that we need to have a personal experience with God, Jesus, and God's Word. If we only do some 'window shopping' with what we see in the Bible, and
we never take hold of those things for ourselves, then we are missing
out on what God provided for us through Jesus. We should all do more than just look at what God has given us; we need
to make it a part of our life and live the blessed life that God has
planned for us, and be a blessing to others. </div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2688055550242689622.post-82721740997785704702023-09-28T17:00:00.031+02:002023-09-28T17:03:02.733+02:00Rest Or Stressed?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<i>There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.</i></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"</span><br /><b>Hebrews 4:9-10 (NKJV)</b><br />
<br /><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Getting enough rest is important in order to live a healthy life. However, getting enough rest </span></span>is more than just getting enough sleep at night. Many people today are not at rest, they are not at peace, because of the things they deal with in their own life and what they see happening in the world. If, for example, we are not sure about being successful, if we are concerned that we will not be able to meet our needs, and we are anxious about the future, then we are more stressed than at rest.<br />
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In Hebrews 4, it talks about a rest for the people of God, and that we can enter into His rest. When we are trusting God to help us in every area of our life, then we are at rest. If we fully put our faith and confidence in God, and not in ourselves, then we are at rest. If we are relying on God to guide us in the way we need to go and that He will give us direction about how to live our life, then we are at rest. If we are not trusting God for these things and we are working to accomplish these things for ourselves, then we are in a place of stress rather than rest. <br /><br />Christians talk about trusting God, but often they are full of anxiety and they are stressed. These people spend their time trying to figure out what to do, and they put all their energy and effort into making their own way in life without trusting God to help them. There is a place of rest for God's people, and that place of rest comes by putting our faith in God and trusting Him. If we are living a life of faith and trusting God in every area of our life, then we are at rest and peace, because we are confident in His provision. Don't be stressed, but get into rest by fully trusting God in every area of life.</div>Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02648839265913963880noreply@blogger.com0