Today marks a day in history that will be long remembered. Osama Bin Laden has been executed. The mastermind behind September 11th, 2001 has been put to an end. A leader of The biggest terrorist group in the world has been silenced. In normal circumstances, I would rejoice in knowing that justice was served. But not today...
Watching the news, I witnessed thousands rejoice, dance, and sing over death. I witnessed a man claim to have 'a peace of mind and heart' because Bin Laden wasn't killed quickly. This man thanked our Lord for allowing him to have mental torment while awaiting his assassination. He found joy in the torment of others. Listening to my peers in my work place, I realized how many people hated this man, the man who caused America so much pain... Whatever happened to Matthew 5:44
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"
What about 1 John 3:15
"Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer. And you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him."
This day is not a day of rejoicing!!
Ezekiel 33:11
"Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?"
When was the last time you prayed for those who hate us? I challenge everyone that reads this to check your own heart. Are you giving God the glory in everything you think, say, and do?
I believe with all of my heart that the second coming of Christ is coming soon... Are you prepared? Are you preparing others? Are you praying for the souls of others, even those who want to kill you? This should be an open door and a perfect opportunity for ALL of us to tell the people around us about our amazing Lord and savior.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Human Agony, Gods Plan
Within the last few days, tornados and storms have ripped through the south eastern section of our country. Didn't seem like a big deal until I turned on the tv this morning. Over 300 confirmed deaths and half of the state of Alabama without power. Whole towns demolished and hour by hour, more confirmed dead.
Lord, thank you for your love and your absolute control in all situations. I have heard stories in the last few hours of policemen witnessing to everyone they contact. How amazing it is to hear about those afraid for the spiritual well being of others. Even fox news ran a special on the storm and mentioned that faith in God is all some have because of what they lost. Lord, you are in total control. Use this disaster for YOUR glory. This is just a reminder of things to come. We are getting closer to the beginning of the end times!
Lord, thank you for your love and your absolute control in all situations. I have heard stories in the last few hours of policemen witnessing to everyone they contact. How amazing it is to hear about those afraid for the spiritual well being of others. Even fox news ran a special on the storm and mentioned that faith in God is all some have because of what they lost. Lord, you are in total control. Use this disaster for YOUR glory. This is just a reminder of things to come. We are getting closer to the beginning of the end times!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Strength
Have you ever felt the strength of God holding you up? I'm not talking about emotional or spiritual strength.
Tonight, I had to say goodbye to a great friend. I am about to change duty stations and I will be leaving lots of friends behind. 3 of these friends are closer to me then others. Tonight I said goodbye to one of the three. As i walked home, my body was so weak I felt that I was going to collapse. I didn't want to move. I just wanted to curl up in my self pity and let Satan win this battle.
Then I remembered what Philippians 4:4 says "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!"
As I repeated this verse in my head, I felt something unexpected. I didn't feel a new strength within me. I didn't feel power to push on. I felt like a man with a broken foot who was handed a crutch. I felt like God was giving me a arm to lean on. I felt the physical presence of God.
I still had to have the desire to move, but I knew God would help me through this!!
There is no way I can describe what this feels like, all I can tell you is that it was truly amazing. Thank you Lord for helping me get through yet another trial that I couldn't get past by myself.
Tonight, I had to say goodbye to a great friend. I am about to change duty stations and I will be leaving lots of friends behind. 3 of these friends are closer to me then others. Tonight I said goodbye to one of the three. As i walked home, my body was so weak I felt that I was going to collapse. I didn't want to move. I just wanted to curl up in my self pity and let Satan win this battle.
Then I remembered what Philippians 4:4 says "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!"
As I repeated this verse in my head, I felt something unexpected. I didn't feel a new strength within me. I didn't feel power to push on. I felt like a man with a broken foot who was handed a crutch. I felt like God was giving me a arm to lean on. I felt the physical presence of God.
I still had to have the desire to move, but I knew God would help me through this!!
There is no way I can describe what this feels like, all I can tell you is that it was truly amazing. Thank you Lord for helping me get through yet another trial that I couldn't get past by myself.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
New lesson
Today, God has revealed to me why things are happening the way they are.
God will never place anything in your life that you cannot handle. When thinking of this, I remember this verse
1 Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
But it isn't just temptation that God is helping us with. God will not let us go into a new area of our life if we are not prepared. We need to learn what God wants from us and let God change us before we are even capable of moving on in life.
Sometimes we tend to get so impatient with the closed door. I am guilty of this in multiple area's of my life. Instead of waiting on God to open a door, I run full speed at the door expecting it to open, or expecting to ram it so hard that it will break down.
Matthew 7:7-8 says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
If we just knock and trust God to open the door IF he sees fit, out lives would be so much better off. We need to seek God and seek his will and timing.
God will never place anything in your life that you cannot handle. When thinking of this, I remember this verse
1 Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
But it isn't just temptation that God is helping us with. God will not let us go into a new area of our life if we are not prepared. We need to learn what God wants from us and let God change us before we are even capable of moving on in life.
Sometimes we tend to get so impatient with the closed door. I am guilty of this in multiple area's of my life. Instead of waiting on God to open a door, I run full speed at the door expecting it to open, or expecting to ram it so hard that it will break down.
Matthew 7:7-8 says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
If we just knock and trust God to open the door IF he sees fit, out lives would be so much better off. We need to seek God and seek his will and timing.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
New Goal?
I have been hearing a lot about people going on mission trips, leaving their comfort zones, and making a difference in the world. It has got me thinking about something. At the moment, I am out of my comfort zone. I am on the other side of the world. Yet, am I making a differnce?
This is something that has really been on my mind lately. I want to do some research on small mission trips and see what comes up. Maybe take some leave and go to a deprived area of the world and help in anyway I can. A friend asked me last night if I could go 24 hours without technology. I explained that when I was a kid I would go camping over weekends and sometimes for a week at a time. I was then asked if I could go 6 weeks... I really don't know if I could. Thinking on that, I realized how tech based my life is. I enjoy tv, video games, and movies just like the next young adult but does my life really need to revolve around it? Why am I not out making music instead of listening to it? Why am I not learning how cook instead of teaching my video game character how to cook?
I was watching the movie Lord of the Rings yesterday. What a great movie but its an even better book. I think it is time to pick up a book and let my imagination take over. This is my new goal in life. To do active things that I will remember for years to come.
This is something that has really been on my mind lately. I want to do some research on small mission trips and see what comes up. Maybe take some leave and go to a deprived area of the world and help in anyway I can. A friend asked me last night if I could go 24 hours without technology. I explained that when I was a kid I would go camping over weekends and sometimes for a week at a time. I was then asked if I could go 6 weeks... I really don't know if I could. Thinking on that, I realized how tech based my life is. I enjoy tv, video games, and movies just like the next young adult but does my life really need to revolve around it? Why am I not out making music instead of listening to it? Why am I not learning how cook instead of teaching my video game character how to cook?
I was watching the movie Lord of the Rings yesterday. What a great movie but its an even better book. I think it is time to pick up a book and let my imagination take over. This is my new goal in life. To do active things that I will remember for years to come.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
My Last Nerve
Recently I have been noticing how quick people are to judge others. Everyone has to throw in there thought on every situation because everyone has to be right. Within the last couple of weeks I have witnessed someone telling someone else how they go to a Bible study everyday of the week. This person was wording the conversation in a way that was lifting themselves up, like they were better then others because of it. This really got on my nerves because if I went to a Bible study everyday of the week, I wouldn't be focused on everything I am learning. My brain takes time to process things. I focus on a lesson and meditate on it for a few days. Why did this person have to take all the glory for themselves when glory always belongs to God? This made me frustrated in a way I haven't been in a while.
Another situation was a person telling me to my face that I was not giving enough money to the church. I was absolutely shocked because I don't tell anyone how much I give. That is between me and God. This person confronted me and told me that they don't make as much as me yet they have never seen me give as much as them. This story hit a nerve so deep I can't even explain it. I get to laugh at it now but at the moment I was actually angry with the person.
Lastly, I think I got on someones nerve last night while hanging out with some friends. I was trying to help them with a very petty task and this person must have had a bad night because they blew up and started yelling at me. I walked away in anger because all I was trying to do was help. This made me realize (the next day) that you cannot be mad when other people voice their opinions, confront you on things they do not know, or when someone is having a bad day and blame it on you. Don't let someones sin pull you into sin. Instead, pray for these people.
Within the last few weeks, I have realized that I have had an anger problem lately. This is something I am going to have to work on and God will change. To anyone reading this, I could use some prayer :)
Another situation was a person telling me to my face that I was not giving enough money to the church. I was absolutely shocked because I don't tell anyone how much I give. That is between me and God. This person confronted me and told me that they don't make as much as me yet they have never seen me give as much as them. This story hit a nerve so deep I can't even explain it. I get to laugh at it now but at the moment I was actually angry with the person.
Lastly, I think I got on someones nerve last night while hanging out with some friends. I was trying to help them with a very petty task and this person must have had a bad night because they blew up and started yelling at me. I walked away in anger because all I was trying to do was help. This made me realize (the next day) that you cannot be mad when other people voice their opinions, confront you on things they do not know, or when someone is having a bad day and blame it on you. Don't let someones sin pull you into sin. Instead, pray for these people.
Within the last few weeks, I have realized that I have had an anger problem lately. This is something I am going to have to work on and God will change. To anyone reading this, I could use some prayer :)
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