Could Jealousy be a good thing???

In the Ten Commandments we are told not to covet they neighbor.  We are told that to have jealousy in our hearts and minds for something that someone else has is a sin.  We are to be happy for people who are blessed and receive answers to their prayers.  We are not to look at them with lust of their belongings or their spouses.  

Now, what I am going to say may be a bit radical to some people but for some reason this makes sense to my heart and my spirit.   Try to stay with me here and don’t jump off ship to quickly, I promise I will be going somewhere with this thought.

In Romans 11:11-12 Paul says.  So I ask, Have they stumbled so as to fall (to their utter spiritual ruin, irretrievably)?  By no means!  But through their false step and transgression salvation (has come) to the Gentiles, so as to arouse Israel (to see and feel what they forfeited) and so to make them jealous.  (12) Now if their stumbling (their lapse, their transgression) has so enriched the world (at large), and if (Israel’s) failure means such riches for the Gentiles, think what enrichment and greater advantage will follow their full reinstatement!

These two verses got me excited!  I mean I spoke out loud over these two verses.   I was urged to write in the margins of my Bible for verse 11, Hit Bottom and for verse 12 I couldn’t get the words restoration and examples out of my head. 

Here is the breakdown.  Israel is having a really hard time understanding that we come to God not by our works but by his Grace and Mercy, only!  They are not allowing their ability to fall to the wayside and be humble enough to allow the Grace and Mercy supplied to us by God, through Christ, to be their Salvation.  This is not pleasing to God.  In fact this is the opposite.  This is rude and disrespectful to God, to use our terms.  This behavior is sidestepping the very generous gift that God gave us with Jesus, and taking His Glory from Him, and trying to place it on the people of Israel.  What we know about God is, He a jealous God, and He wants the Glory!  He will not share the Glory with you or allow you to claim the Glory for your own.

This verse is saying that though Israel has been very displeasing to God, and has hurt the heart of God, with their disrespect, still they are not beyond forgiveness.   They can still rectify their wrongs and by using the Gentiles, who have gladly accepted the gift of Jesus Christ as their Savior and atonement, the Israelites are getting to see what they are missing. 

God is using Jealousy here to stir the Israelites!!

In verse 12 Paul is saying, now if the fall of the Israelites has stirred up the rest of the world to get their acts together, then that’s great!  It’s a good thing for the rest of us to learn a lesson off of the mistakes of others, so we don’t have to follow down their same roads.   And in the meantime, if Israel is seeing the blessings coming to the Gentiles this will stir in them their desire to rectify their wrongs with God.  This will take the arrogance and inflated sense of self that the Israel people have, and cause them to repent.  This will force them to be humble and come into right standing with God, and finally accept that not by their good works, or works at all, can they enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only through the gift of Jesus Christ.  All Glory and Honor goes back to God.  

And there is your restoration!

So when we are told not to covet or be jealous of someone, does it mean only their blessings?  Are we allowed to be jealous of someone else’s relationship with God?  No, but what I do think is that God will place people in your life to show you what you can have.  God will place someone who has something that you desire or something that you lack spiritually, and use them to raise you up. 

God will link up a new believer with an older believer to show them what they can have to keep them stimulated and guided them into a deeper relationship with Him.  Not to covet the relationship they have, but to show them what they are missing, and what they themselves, can have.

God will take a situation of a Saved person and put them in the life of a back slider, or unsaved person, to light up their world.  They will suddenly see all of their holes and flaws, because they are standing beside someone opposite of them.   This can take the person who is a backslider or unsaved and bring them back to God.  This can make them see the life that is in the believer and cause them to desire what they have and RESTORE them to God.

God has and is doing both of these situations in my life currently.  I guess maybe that’s why I was filled with excitement and hope over these two verses.   This brings light into a dark place in my heart.  This is speaking to the place that has concerns and is unsure and says, it’s possible.   This is confirming what I already believed and showing me that restoration and change is possible, for everyone.

There is a bottom that people need to hit, and every one’s bottom is different.  Some people really have to smack the ground hard before they realize what is wrong in their lives and some people just need to tap the ground once, to make a change.  Whatever your bottom may be, however hard you need to hit the ground to realize that your life needs to change,  I hope you can rest in knowing that God will always be there to restore you to the person He purposed you to be.

God is the God of second chances, and like we see here in Romans 11:11-12 God was giving the people of Israel a second chance to change their ways, and accept Him, and He will do the same thing for you, as well.    

When someone new enters your life that is the opposite of you, but takes a genuine interest in your life, don’t push them away.  God is probably using them, to show you, what you are missing and what you can have too, if you change your ways.  Don’t allow the devil to condemn you, allow their life to raise you up, and ask them for help, that’s why God put them there in the first place.   Restoration is for everyone… including you!!

 

I wish I had my dogs devotion

I have dogs, and obviously am a dog lover.   I never intended to have as many dogs as I do, but this is the way it has been for many years, and I believe it’s the way it’s supposed to be. 

I love all of my dogs equally, but I have to admit there is one that just melts me with not only her eyes but also her complete devotion to me.    She is the youngest of them and she follows me everywhere I go.  Her desire to be close to me and by close I mean as close as she can possible be, overwhelms her, to the point she will just sit and stare at me if I am not allowing her to touch me in some way.

The other dogs seem to have come to the understanding that the youngest, or little, as I call her, is always going to push her way through.  I have had her since she was seven weeks old, and received her during one of the hardest times of my life.  I think that’s partially why the connection between us is so strong.  She was my saving grace in a time when there seemed to be a void of grace, hope and mercy.

Every morning she follows me everywhere I go and will lay on the rug in the bathroom while I take a shower.  She is always watching over me and trying to protect me from harm. 

I said to her the other day, because yes, I am one of those dog moms who talks to their dogs, and I think they understand.  I said to her I wish I could be as devoted to God as you are to me.  How do I get as devoted to God as my little is to me?

She will do anything I tell her to do, she will sleep contently by my side, in any position, if I get up in the middle of the night, quickly she is up and looking around to make sure all is safe.  She is diligent in her affection for me and quick to admit when she has done something wrong.

My little girl is happy to have her head on my feet if I am working on my laptop, as long as she is close to me and touching me in some way.   My other dogs are just as in love with me as my little girl is, but this one, goes beyond her call of duty to show me her devotion.  

I want to be like my little girl is with me, to God.  I want to be as devoted to God as my little girl is to me.  I want to be satisfied sitting at the feet of God while His attention is somewhere else, just so I can be near Him.  I want to be on guard for God.  I want to be His protector like my dog is for me and watch for anyone who curses His name or could possibly harm Him. 

I want to follow God like my little girl follows me, hopelessly, and completely in love. 

In Acts 11:23 part of the verse says to cleave unto and remain faithful to and devoted to the Lord with (resolute and steady) purpose of heart.   This describes my little girl’s devotion to me, and how my devotion to God is to be. 

I am to cleave to and remain faithful to, devoted to the Lord.   I am to love the Lord constantly and walk out that love every day.  I am to love God more tomorrow than I do today.   I am my own competition when it comes to showing God love, I should be topping myself day after day with my love for God.

This writing might not have struck a chord with your heart, or maybe you don’t have pets and can’t connect to what I am saying, but what you can connect too is the fact that we should be constantly connected to our Lord and Savior.   We should love God more than we love anything else.  There should be nothing that God has to compete with, when it comes to your heart.

That’s how I feel when my little girl looks at me, like I don’t have to compete with anyone else for her affection and devotion and I want God to feel that from me, every day.

I want God to know that there is nothing or no one else that is more important to me than Him.  I know that I am the apple of His eye and in me He is well pleased, but does He know that my heart also overflows with love for Him?

Am I taking enough time out of my day, or should I say enough moments, out of my day, to thank God and let Him know that I love Him for Him.  I love Him more than I can even understand.  God needs to know that He is not in competition for our love and attention.  He needs to know that He is number one in our minds, hearts and lives.  When we decide to give God the place in our lives that He deserves, we will not only see our lives change, but we will be a part in changing the lives of so many others. 

My little sweet girl, has my heart, I love her and she makes it easy for me to love her, because she loves me!   Why do we love God… Because He first loved us!

Walk out your transformation

In chapter 20 of the books of Acts we are seeing Paul preparing to say goodbye to his ministry.  We see Paul traveling from place to place preaching the word of God, as he has done so diligently for the past three years. 

It’s easy to forget that a little over three years prior this was the man who was known as the Christian killer.   This was the man that Jesus startled his horse to throw him off into the dirt road, to come face to face with him.   This is the man that Jesus asked why he harasses Him so.  This is the man who once was Saul.

The life of this man was full of evil, hate, envy, strife, contempt, judgment, jealousy and he probably felt very alone.   I would think that Saul was an island onto his own.  He probably had walls so high that no one was able to climb them to break them down.  He probably had standards that matched the height of his walls, which again, kept people away from him.  Saul’s heart had probably been very damaged and broken and instead of healing, it became hardened and cold.

The story of Saul is one that I believe many people can relate too.  You don’t have to be a murderer, a convict, anti-religion, anti-God, or really anti- anything to understand the story of Saul; you just need to be human. 

There are thousands if not millions of Saul’s walking around in this world, yes, most of them don’t go to the extent that Saul went to, to prove his disdain for others, but that doesn’t mean it they exist.   They are walking around every day wounded and hurt, wanting desperately for someone to scale the walls of their hearts to help them heal, but knowing they won’t allow anyone close enough to allow that to happen.

The transformation from Saul to Paul happened because one Man, one Glorious, Perfect Man stopped him in his tracks.  Jesus, saw the heart of Saul and knew that He was just that Man to climb those walls and heal the heart that had been so hardened.  Jesus exposed Himself to Saul on that dirt road in Damascus and changed the life of not only Saul, but millions of others to come.

What Jesus did in that moment was show us that even the heart of stone, the heart of hate, can become mush in the sight of Love?  Perfect love!   Jesus loved on Saul and proved Himself worthy of the space in Saul’s heart.  Jesus proved that not only would He not let Saul down, but He wouldn’t allow him to be damaged again.  Jesus would not only heal him but protect him from that moment on.

Transformation is beautiful and it occurred with Saul completely by changing his name to Paul.  Paul then dedicated every ounce of his being to spreading the word of Jesus.  There was no place to far, to violent, to remote, to crowded, to Jewish or to Gentile that Paul wouldn’t venture into.  He sacrificed his life the way that Jesus sacrificed His life for us.  Paul was giving his life in the service of Jesus Christ, so that no one would live a day the way he did, before his transformation. 

We see Paul going over the list of things that he has done to prepare his loved ones and friends for his departure and clues us into the fact that he knows in his spirit that he will not see them again.  He tells them to cling to the Word of God and to never shrink back to someone speaking against God’s word. 

He is telling them how to protect themselves, now that he will be gone, and not able to protect them anymore.  He is also in a way asking them to be strong and carry on the work that he has begun and continue to spread the name of Jesus Christ and educate people of the one true God. 

In Acts 20:35, to me this says he got it.  This says, to me, that Paul truly not only had a transformation of his heart but a transformation of his spirit.  In everything I have pointed out to you (by example) that, by working diligently in this manner, we ought to assist the weak, being mindful of the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, it is more blessed (makes one happier and more to be envied) to give than to receive.

There is a difference in a person, that is easily seen with the naked eye, the eye of the none believer and the eye of the believer.  You can decipher between a people who believes the changes with their hearts and who embodies those changes, which is transformed to become the changes.  Paul is a perfect example of this.

Paul, not only walked the walk, he talked the talk, he performed the miracles, he lead the sheep to their shepherd, he healed the sick and he gave life to the dead but, to me, above all of these things, his heart, spirit, soul and mind were all aligned and plugged in to the Heavenly Father He worshiped and revered so deeply.  He was the transformation.

When I think of the beauty of Paul’s life up to this point, and the way he is going out of his way to still protect the Children of God, I could weep.   This man has come so far in such a very short period of time, and all of it, all of it happened on a dirt road in Damascus.

There weren’t weeks, months, and years of transformation taking place.  He saw, He opened his heart, he accepted, he believed and he walked it out!  Do we all wish we had the moment that Saul had with Jesus on the dirt road in Damascus, I think we do, but will we all get it, I don’t think so, but can we all have the transformation that Paul had… yes.

Your transformation might be in the way of forgiving someone who has hurt you, and that is blocking you from fully connecting to God.  Maybe your connection is being stunted because you have an addiction problem, and you just haven’t been able to say no to that person, you call a friend, who supplies you with your Adderall addiction.  Or maybe you are like me, and you have been abused by all the people in your life, except one, who claimed to love you in one way or another and the fear of trusting one more person, even though it’s God, seems overwhelming. 

Whatever it is…whoever it is… transformation is possible for all of us, as well.  We can all have our own experience with Jesus that will lead us to change not only our lives, but the lives of the people around us.  We all carry the ability of Paul around in us and it’s up to us to make the same decision he did… and walk it out!

Pushing past your limits

I played sports while growing up, from I’d say eight to twenty-two I was involved in some sporting team, I was either playing or I was coaching, but I was involved.   I would never say to you that I was great; I was ok, in all aspects, from being a teammate, a player, a coach and a spectator.   I loved it though.   I enjoyed being a part of a team and everyone working together for one common goal, to win.  I am still a team player.  I still like being on a team and having a challenge to rise to.
 

I remember when it was time to get our uniforms for the start of Softball season.  We weren’t able to pick our numbers as the coaches took care of that, probably so they didn’t have twenty girls fighting over the same numbers, but I remember being really proud to have my name on the back of my shirt.  I remember feeling like I was a part of something greater than myself, alone. 

I was part of a team.  That’s something that I miss as an adult.  I miss playing sports and wish I would have drank in every moment and sealed it in a special place in my memory for days like these.    For some of the teams you had to try out to be on them, some of them everyone could be on a team, but only a select few got to play.  I was one of the ones that got to play, and I loved it.

I never realized as a young person how important the learning process of sports would play in my adult life.  I never really soaked in the fact that each coach had something different to teach me and their own way of pushing me to another level.  They had to bring me to a level that I wasn’t aware I was able to achieve.

I remember one summer during rec ball my coach had me run the bases almost every practice.  I hated to run, and still am not a fan of it, but he had me as the base runner practice after practice.  I understand now that he was conditioning me to understand the patterns of a base runner, since I was a catcher, but also showing me that my ability is limited by my thinking.   He showed me that someone could push me farther than I could push myself.

He had a plan in his mind for me and a way to execute that plan effectively, and he did so.  Not only did I learn more about the game but I learned more about the strengths that I have inside of me and my physical ability.  I learned that if I trust someone, even when I am doing something I don’t want to do, that I will experience growth from that opportunity. 

To me, this is like our relationship with God.  He sees the potential in us, because He put it there.  He sees the ability to go another step, run another base or push a little harder.  He sees how we come together and how to force the best out of us, for Him to use for His kingdom.

In Romans 8:29-32 it says the following.  (29) For those whom He foreknew (of whom He was aware and loved beforehand), He also destined from the beginning (foreordaining them) to be molded into the image of His son (and share inwardly His likeness), that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. (30) And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself).  And those whom He justified, He also glorified (raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being). (31) What then shall we say to (all) this?  If God is for us, who (can be) against us?  (Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?) (32) He who did not withhold or spare (even) His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all (other) things?

This is saying, in a nut shell, God created you to be you, and the things about you that the world has taken over He will change.  He will conform you and change you into the image of His son, so that you will be representative of Him and his goodness in the world.  And if He is doing all of this for you, you have to imagine that He is going to set you apart.  He will put a purpose or calling on your life and he will make you righteous in His sight, so then He is able to help you achieve the purposes, He gave to you. 

He is doing all of this so you can bring people into His kingdom and bring Glory and Honor to His name and ways.  So if you are believing in Him and working in His kingdom and obeying Him, then you should never be surprised that He is going to be there for you.   You should never be surprised that His name is going to be on your batting order, in the clean up position I might add.   

God didn’t spare any expense, idea or period of time creating you and the plans He has for you, so expect that He will also anoint those plans.  He will not withhold anything from you, and it is foolish for us to think He would.  He gave us His Son, just so we could enter into a relationship with Him one on one.  Do you really think He can’t handle your problem?

I broke my hand one summer playing Softball.  I sacrificed my hand and safety for an out at home, and I did it for my team.  I did it so that my team would stay in the winning position.  No one on my team asked me to do that, but I did it because my shirt says I am part of this team.   I continued to play in this three day tournament with a broken hand, I got the out by the way, because my team needed me.

God is saying the same thing to you.  He is saying I need you on my team.  I can bat clean up but it does me no good if I can’t get anyone on the bases.  I can’t bring you home if you aren’t out on the base when I am up to bat. 

You are wearing an invisible jersey that say’s I am playing on team God and I hold the number one position.  I am His most valuable player, and It’s my job to bring people to God and it’s His job to change them.  I can’t do His job and He needs me to do mine.  

We are all a part of a team.  Whether you played sports as a child or were involved in a club, theatre or whatever it may be, you are part of a team right now, and that team is team God.  We are all human beings striving to be the best that we can be and the only way to reach that pinnacle, is to allow God to work in you. 

You know my coach went through all that work to bring out the best in me.  To raise me up another level in my ability to play Fast Pitch, and it worked, because I let him.  If my human coach can do that and leave that strong of an impression on me, imagine what God can do for you if you let Him.

He created you with a purpose, He called you, He made you righteous.  What then can we say other than I trust you, I believe in you, and I am going to do my very best for you!   Team God is calling you will you put on your jersey and get in the game?

God will set you free

Have you ever sat in a busy area and taken a good look around at the people moving around you?  Have you ever wondered what their stories are or what burdens they carry with them? 

I do this often, probably every day.  When I am standing in line I will often wonder if the people around me know the love of God.  If they are content in their lives and understand that they don’t have to walk in such pain every day. 

We are taught, or most of us are taught, to hide our feelings, or to mask our pain.  A lot of people are not allowed or encouraged to vocalize their worries, fears, anger or concerns.  Even things that make people happy, they generally don’t share them with each other.  When someone asks you how your day is and you’re having a good day, you tend to say its ok; instead of I am having a great day!

We have become so sensitive to the other persons feelings that we are blocking our own.  We are inhibiting our own emotions for fear that we might upset the person or persons we are speaking too. 

I personally don’t think this is a good idea. 

I don’t think we should wallow and become self-indulgent in our pain but we should be able to share it with people who love and care about us.  We should be able to say, no, I am not having a great day; this is what happened, can you pray with me about this, or for me about this.  When you hold your emotions inside they begin to fester and I believe this gives the enemy a foot to stand on.  He can take your emotions and twist them whether they are negative or positive.  He can use your way of trying to protect other people as a way to attack yourself. 

We are meant to share, commune with not only God but each other.  That’s why we have churches.  Church is a gathering place for people who want to draw closer to God, and do that around like minded people. 

In Acts 16:18-29 If Paul and Silas had decided to keep their feelings and emotions to themselves we would never have seen the blessing that happened in verse 30.

(30) And he brought them out (of the dungeon) and said, Men, what is it necessary for me to do that I may be saved?

This verse is in reference to the fact that Paul and Silas were praising God in the dungeon and God sent an earthquake to free them, and after the foundation was shaken their shackles were broken off of them, and all the doors were opened.  The jailer, who is speaking in verse 30, takes his sword to end his life, fearing that all the prisoners had escaped.  Paul yells out to the jailer, no, don’t kill yourself, we are all still here.

If Paul and Silas were quiet about their love for God and Jesus, and had continued to ignore the slave girl, they would never have found themselves in the dungeon.  They would have never been able to show the jailer the grace, mercy and love of God.

When we as Christians show the people around us that we too have bad days, meh days and good days, we are showing them that we are just like them but and it’s a big BUT we have a savior who will lead us out of the situations. 

If we suppress our feelings and life’s challenges and rewards we are not giving God the opportunity to work through us.   We are in fact joining the rest of the world and numbing ourselves to get through the day.

We are not meant to be numb and we are not meant to just get through the day.  We are meant to glorify God and what He is doing in our lives.  So maybe you have had a string of bad days, well so have I, but we have the hope that people who don’t know Jesus don’t have.  We can say, yeah, I have had some pretty bad days lately, but thank God I know that He is working everything out for my good.   I know that God will take care of whatever is happening in my life and I trust Him to make a way out of this.

You see every situation can glorify God.  You can be locked in a dungeon like Paul and Silas, or feel like you are locked in a dungeon, and show God throughout your struggle to the nonbelievers around you, and then when God makes a way out of the struggle they will see victory God has given to you, and hopefully, want to know Him intimately.

We have the opportunity as God’s hands and feet in this world to stand out to the people around us, to bring light into their dark worlds.  We have the opportunity to show them that we have the same problems as they do, but we have a God who will carry the burdens for us…and they can have Him too.

We are here to be like Paul and Silas and have the people around us locked in their own jails, asking us what is it necessary for me to do that I may be saved!!

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Every day we have hundreds of opportunities put before us, small little decisions that we must make.  Should we wear this shirt, or this shirt?  Should we have a bagel or crackers?  We are bombarded by messages and advertisements on a daily basis that we can easily become sensory overloaded. 

We can become bogged down when it comes to needing to make a decision.  Some people are able to make quick decisions.  They can make them at rapid speed and have no regret or question the decisions that they have made.  Then there are people who struggle to make one decision, and then are tormented wondering if they made the wrong decision.

God gave us free will and sometimes I am not so happy about that decision he made.  Sometimes I think it would just be easier if all my decisions were made for me and I was just told what to do and where to be.  I find myself in this space when I have many decisions to make and unsure of what direction to go in.   I would just like to escape reality and hibernate and pop back up when all of the chaos has gone away. 

I realize while that is a very satisfying situation for me, it doesn’t teach me anything.  I don’t learn anything while I am avoiding the challenges of life.  I cannot grow into the person God has called me to be if I hide my face under the covers, until the chaos disappears.  I must stand and stand firm during the chaos. 

There are many times I feel pulled in different directions, one way is to do what is fun and comfortable to me, and then the other way is to do what I know is approving to God, and is going to grow my relationship with him.   I struggle with these decisions and when I chose the wrong direction I know it immediately in my spirit.  I have gotten to the point that the activities I used to desire to do are no longer fun for me and when I attempt to do them, I am either bored or annoyed that I am spending my precious time doing them. 

On the other hand, sitting at home reading and writing can get lonely too.  I am in a transition with my life.  I am between the life that I lived which was filled with sin and was leading me to death, and paradise, which is the life where I choose God’s path for me and turn my back on sin.

It says in Romans 6:12 Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perish-able) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions.

Sin did rule my life.  I didn’t recognize it while living among it but there was an ache in my heart that remained no matter what sinful activity I was participating in.  I never had a feeling of true fulfillment and wholeness while in the bar, doing drugs or having pre-marital sex.   All of these things left me feeling empty.  Granted, in the moments, most of the times I had a good time.  I enjoyed myself and my friends, but the next day, all of the holes were still there, and sometimes I’ve added a few more.

I, like many people I know, tried to fill their holes with sinful and lustful desires and it says in Romans 6:21 But then what benefit (return) did you get from the things of which you are now ashamed? (None) for the end of those things is death.

Not only is Paul referring to a spiritual death, but he is also referring to a physical death.  There are many times when you are living in sin, you make very poor decisions and those decisions can end in the death of you or another person.  When we have decided to choose the life of sin we can’t be surprised that death and destruction come hand in hand with it.

Alcoholics and Drug Addicts don't become Alcoholics and Drug Addicts overnight.   They made a decision to enter into a sinful act and found themselves repeating that act over and over, until they became dependent on that sinful act.    I do personally believe that Addiction is a disease, as I know many people who suffer from Addiction, but I also believe as true as I am sitting here, that God can heal you from your Addiction.  I believe that if you call out to God and you ask for help and receive Jesus as your savior God can, and will heal you where you are.  Miracles happen every day; they are there for all of us.

We need to be very aware and mindful of the decisions that we make every day and when we are bogged down with too many thoughts or decisions we begin to lose focus, and make poor decisions.  We begin to lose focus on God. 

Jesus came and died for us so that we no longer have to live in sin.  We no longer have to die to sin.  We have a choice that we can make to live in sin or to receive his Blood and Grace and live an Eternal life.

In Romans 6:22 is says But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in holiness and its end is eternal life.  (23) For the wages which sin pays is death, but the (bountiful) free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Bible states it clearly here is black and white.  When you accept Jesus you accept God and you accept Eternal life.  You are no longer a slave to sin.  You no longer live in the death grip of sin.  You are free from sin, not from the lures of sin, but free from the life of death and sin.  You will have God’s Grace (unmerited Favor) to resist the sins that once knocked on your door.

God can and will give you the ability to change your life, by changing your desires.  I once desired to be in the bar with my friends on Saturday nights, now I desire to be home reading and writing for God.  I once desired to stay home on Sunday mornings, now I desire to attend church on Sunday mornings.   God has changed my desires.  He has taken the things that once caused me death and has filled them with things that now cause me life.   He can do this for you too.

We all have so many things coming at us every day, and like I said, so many decisions to make all the time, but the one decision that should be above all others, is to accept the free gift that Jesus died to give you.  Accept this free gift of salvation and with that comes, exchanging in your ticket for spiritual and physical death for a ticket for Heaven and Eternal life.  

 

 

Follow God's plan, not your own!

Romans 8:28 (Amplified Bible) We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose.

This was the very first Bible verse that I ever put to memory after I surrendered my life to Jesus in my mid-twenties.   I was very proud of myself that I could remember that verse and every time someone would reference that verse I would internally puff up as if I had a clue what it meant.    I didn’t have a clue, by the way.

This verse keeps revealing itself to me over and over, again.  I love this verse for many reasons, but tonight in my reading I figured God would allow me to skim right over it, because I know it so well, and that would not be what I was led to write about.  How wrong I was…yet again!

Actually I believe that God has led me to break this verse apart, and with His help do it some justice and give us some understanding.    In the first line of this verse we are reading We are assured and know.    The definition of the word assured in the Merriam-Webster dictionary says, sure or certain to happen; very confident; sure that something is certain or true.    The definition of the word know is:  to have information of some kind in your mind; to understand something; to have a clear complete idea of something. 

So…  The statement we are assured and know is telling us that we are certain and have a clear understanding of.   That God being a partner in their labor.  In this part of the verse, the reference to their would be us and partner would be the partnership between us and God.  So this is saying that God is our partner in our labor.  We are not laboring alone.  We are not working alone.  We are not standing alone, we are standing with God.  We should be certain and understand that we are standing with God and that He is working with us, to complete our purpose.  

All things work together and are (fitting into a plan).  As we know, when we were created, we were created with a plan and a purpose.  God had intention when he created you and everything about you was already known by God, before you were created.    There is nothing that you do that is a surprise to God.   When you are following God and working with Him, in connection and relationship with Him, everything (all things) work together and are fitting into a plan, because your plan has already be pre-destined.  

So far we understand that We are assured (sure and certain) and know (understand) that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan).  We are co-workers with God bringing forth the plan that He has already pre-destined for us.  We are working with Him and we are never working on this plan alone.   

For good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose.   This to me is somewhat redundant, but needed.   Paul needs to drive the point home here.  He needs us to grasp that we are not alone in the pursuit.  BUT we need to understand that we are not the captains of this plan, God is.  We are not commissioning God to work on our plan; God has commissioned us to work on His plan, for us.

This statement is saying it’s all going to work out for good for those who love God.  You must have already accepted Jesus; you must have already surrendered yourself over to God, to show Him your love.   This is also when you get the Holy Spirit, who helps guide you into your plan and purpose.  The plan and purpose that God intended for you, before your creation.

It’s important that we realize here that God is asking us to work with Him on His plan for us, not our plans for Him.  We can’t be upset with God when we have a plan and then expect to take Romans 8:28 to Him and expect Him to move.  That’s not what this verse means.

This verse is telling us to know God.  Accept Jesus, step number one.  Accept the Holy Spirit into your life, step number two.  Start to walk out the plan that God designed for you, before your creation, step number three.   Step number four, is be assured, be certain, be sure and know, have an understanding that God is on your side.  You need to know God.  You need to know who He is before you can do what He has destined for you to do.   But know that once you know these things that He has your back.  He is working for you harder than you are working for you.  He is putting Angels to work on every plan He has commissioned you to do.  He is closing and opening doors for you.

We can rest, we can rely in, we can believe in and we can trust on the truth that is God’s word.   God has told us in Romans 8:28, a verse that reveals deeper truth and understanding to me every time I read it.  That he is never, ever going to walk away from me, as long as I do my part.   As long as I am in relationship with Him, connecting with Him, spending time in His word, He will always work all things out for my good.

We have a very small part in that job.  It’s a very small task that He is asking of us.  All He is asking us to do is Believe in Him, Believe in His Son, Believe He is Able and Love Him, and He will do the rest.   We have the easy part, don’t you think?

Romans 8:28 The first Bible Verse I ever learned…                                                  

We are assured and know that (God being a partner in their labor) all things work together and are (fitting into a plan) for good to and for those who love God and are called according to (His) design and purpose.