Saturday, December 25, 2010
What Is God Like?
What Is God Like?
February 16th, 2008
During my personal Bible studies I made an amazing discovery. Before I started I asked God to show me His love more. And boy did He! I opened my Bible and read the great chapter on Love, which is 1 Corinthians 13, and when I got to the parts that explain what love is an impression came to me. Since “God is love” {1 John 4:16} then these characteristics on love must be what God is like.
With that thought in mind I re-read 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 and this is what I saw:
God is patient
God is kind
He does not envy
He does not boast
He is not proud
He is not rude
He is not self-seeking
He is not easily angered
He keeps no record of wrongs
He does not delight in evil
He rejoices with the truth
He always protects
He always trusts
He always hopes
He always perseveres
God never fails
My mind was blown away at this revelation. I hadcaught a glimpse of what God is through those familar passages of scripture. I’m so grateful for what the Holy Spirit taught me here.
With that thought in mind I re-read 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 and this is what I saw:
God is patient
God is kind
He does not envy
He does not boast
He is not proud
He is not rude
He is not self-seeking
He is not easily angered
He keeps no record of wrongs
He does not delight in evil
He rejoices with the truth
He always protects
He always trusts
He always hopes
He always perseveres
God never fails
My mind was blown away at this revelation. I had
Monday, December 20, 2010
An “Emo”tional’s Testimony
An “Emo”tional’s Testimony
December 14th, 2010
Everyone’s testimony is pretty much the same, but all are unique in their own way. Everyone was lost, and now they are found. Here is my story.
I am currently 13 years old, and I truely came to God in March 2010, at a conference at my church. I thought I had come to God when I was about 7 years old, but I didn’t truely know what it meant. I was just repeating after someone and didn’t know the true meaning behind the words. My Dad tried to explain the decision I had made to me, but I still didn’t grasp the “Beautiful Exchange” that Jesus had done for me.
Before I came to Christ, I was in the worst relationship I could imagine, and it still hurts to think about it. There was a boy at my school whom I thought I was in love with, and I grew attached. But the thing is, he just used me as a sexual relief for himself. I kept telling myself that he loved me no matter what, and gave almost everything I had to him. I, in fact, was lucky that I didn’t lose my “physical” virginity, though I lost my “mental” one. My mind was going places it shouldn’t have. And then came the day, that he decided to leave me on the floor, beaten and broken, with nowhere to go. I had left my friends for him, and adopted his friends. I had been worshiping the boy I thought I was in love with; he was my idol. I had found out that he had been messing around with one of my old friends behind my back, which really opened my eyes. I left him, but I kept coming back, as I had told myself that he was my only way of comforting myself.
Then, he had enough of me. He didn’t talk to me, or glance at me, or anything. I tried to do everything I could to get his attention. I dressed in not-very-conservative clothing, and flirted as much as someone couldflirt . But there was nothing I could do. He had moved on.
But I didn’t want to. I resorted to self-injury, to try and get his attention so he could realize how much I “loved” him. I showed him and I friends my scars, hoping they would notice that THEY were the reason I had done it, and so that they would feel sorry for me. I told myself that it was okay to cut myself, because the cuts were small, and that they would eventually heal and go away. I then realized I didn’t want them to heal, but either way, there was nothing I could do about it. I thought about God, and how he will always heal me, and I tried to stop. But there was nothing I could do. I was addicted, and I had fallen into a trap.
I was lucky that my parents had discovered what I had been doing, and discovered the scars on my ankles. They were more heartbroken than I thought. They were seeing their daughter throw her life away. The more that you cut, the closer you are to dying, and the weaker you become.
They tried to do everything they could to help me, but I didn’t want to stop. I liked the pain, I liked having something about me that was different, and having a dark secret that I wasn’t afraid to share. I needed attention, I needed love. They ended up finding me a counselor to talk to about this.
I came to God when I heard Bishop TD Jakes speak at my church. He is a very powerful speaker, and he opened my eyes to the world. I looked 2 seats over and saw my mom crying. I started crying, because I knew she was crying for me. She didn’t want to see me dead and gone away from her. I started crying my eyes out. I didn’t want to leave her, I didn’t want to leave my friends, my family. I was embraced by those around me, and the woman in front of me whispered in my ear, “You are loved.”
Those words spoke to me, and I knew they were true. A light ignited in me, and it is still shining. And my life has changed since. I have adopted my old friends, which are strong in God and had been praying for me during that time. I’ve grown closer in God and though i am not perfect, I try to make an effort every day. The spiritual candle inside of me had been lit, and it is still shining.
I want to spread that fire, I want to have a contagious flame, that everyone wants. I want people to notice that I am different. I am trying to treat people with respect, because you never know what struggles they are going through at home. God has given me a gift- the gift of compassion, and seeing that people are hurting out there, and that I can help make a difference by bringing them to God. Though I still had a few struggles after coming to Christ, through counseling and going to church camp, I grew closer to God and developed ways to relieve the tension inside of me. I am truly lucky, and my eyes have been opened to the truth– That I am loved by God, no matter what.
I was lost, and now, I am found.
I am currently 13 years old, and I truely came to God in March 2010, at a conference at my church. I thought I had come to God when I was about 7 years old, but I didn’t truely know what it meant. I was just repeating after someone and didn’t know the true meaning behind the words. My Dad tried to explain the decision I had made to me, but I still didn’t grasp the “Beautiful Exchange” that Jesus had done for me.
Before I came to Christ, I was in the worst relationship I could imagine, and it still hurts to think about it. There was a boy at my school whom I thought I was in love with, and I grew attached. But the thing is, he just used me as a sexual relief for himself. I kept telling myself that he loved me no matter what, and gave almost everything I had to him. I, in fact, was lucky that I didn’t lose my “physical” virginity, though I lost my “mental” one. My mind was going places it shouldn’t have. And then came the day, that he decided to leave me on the floor, beaten and broken, with nowhere to go. I had left my friends for him, and adopted his friends. I had been worshiping the boy I thought I was in love with; he was my idol. I had found out that he had been messing around with one of my old friends behind my back, which really opened my eyes. I left him, but I kept coming back, as I had told myself that he was my only way of comforting myself.
Then, he had enough of me. He didn’t talk to me, or glance at me, or anything. I tried to do everything I could to get his attention. I dressed in not-very-conservative clothing, and flirted as much as someone could
But I didn’t want to. I resorted to self-injury, to try and get his attention so he could realize how much I “loved” him. I showed him and I friends my scars, hoping they would notice that THEY were the reason I had done it, and so that they would feel sorry for me. I told myself that it was okay to cut myself, because the cuts were small, and that they would eventually heal and go away. I then realized I didn’t want them to heal, but either way, there was nothing I could do about it. I thought about God, and how he will always heal me, and I tried to stop. But there was nothing I could do. I was addicted, and I had fallen into a trap.
I was lucky that my parents had discovered what I had been doing, and discovered the scars on my ankles. They were more heartbroken than I thought. They were seeing their daughter throw her life away. The more that you cut, the closer you are to dying, and the weaker you become.
They tried to do everything they could to help me, but I didn’t want to stop. I liked the pain, I liked having something about me that was different, and having a dark secret that I wasn’t afraid to share. I needed attention, I needed love. They ended up finding me a counselor to talk to about this.
I came to God when I heard Bishop TD Jakes speak at my church. He is a very powerful speaker, and he opened my eyes to the world. I looked 2 seats over and saw my mom crying. I started crying, because I knew she was crying for me. She didn’t want to see me dead and gone away from her. I started crying my eyes out. I didn’t want to leave her, I didn’t want to leave my friends, my family. I was embraced by those around me, and the woman in front of me whispered in my ear, “You are loved.”
Those words spoke to me, and I knew they were true. A light ignited in me, and it is still shining. And my life has changed since. I have adopted my old friends, which are strong in God and had been praying for me during that time. I’ve grown closer in God and though i am not perfect, I try to make an effort every day. The spiritual candle inside of me had been lit, and it is still shining.
I want to spread that fire, I want to have a contagious flame, that everyone wants. I want people to notice that I am different. I am trying to treat people with respect, because you never know what struggles they are going through at home. God has given me a gift- the gift of compassion, and seeing that people are hurting out there, and that I can help make a difference by bringing them to God. Though I still had a few struggles after coming to Christ, through counseling and going to church camp, I grew closer to God and developed ways to relieve the tension inside of me. I am truly lucky, and my eyes have been opened to the truth– That I am loved by God, no matter what.
I was lost, and now, I am found.
The Bible says and they overcame the adversary by the Blood of the Lamb,and the Word of their testimony.Revelation 12:11 They overcame him by
New International Version They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
So many times when I think back over my life, I'am constantly aware of all the blessing that were bestowed upon me because of my obedience to the spirit of Christ, or because of someone else obedience to the spirit of Christ, and I often wonder what has become of the body of Christ What is it that we are afraid of, what is it that so easily besets us. Last week when I came across the video of Donnie boldly admitting to some of the shortcomings,of his life.I realized that he wasn't the only one.We have all been broken,we have all failed at some times in our lives. Yet we hide ourselves in the shadows ,and wonder why our children don't understand us. We live a form of Godliness but our actions deny the fullness of it,.we walk by the wounded as if they aren't there.What's wrong with our children why wont they praise me though I'am the King of kings yet they have no joy , whats wrong with my children,why wont they praise me . Ive given them everything yet they have no joy.What is it that is separating us from the love of God ,what is it that is causing us to have a form of Godliness,but denying the truth their in .Time and time again I asked myself these question over and over again.What I'am I so afraid of why can't I profess my faith with boldness. Some time ago God told me to read the book of acts. I had never read that book before,and about half way through I realized it really was a collection of acts.The disciples did what God called them to do,and they found great joy in persecution ,because they were found worthy to suffer for his sake The Bible says if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me.We must be renewed in our minds because we are in the fight of our lives.We can no longer afford not to lift up our brothers,and sisters in the Lord.I feel the main reason I;am writing this is because I need to be uplifted. I felt myself growing weary and I had to encourage myself. I don't have the luxury of the days of my youth when the fire was always burning,but God is faithful and he will not allow us to be tempted above that which we are able to bear.
Trust Him Enough
"Trust Me Enough"
So right after I wrote that last post I got on my knees and just cried before the Lord. I didn't know what to say for a long time. And then it was like this wave of peace just swept over me and calmed me instantly. Honestly, thats what it felt like, like it just fell right from Heaven all over me. I opened up my Bible and started to read from some of the Psalms, then I opened my little devotional book called "Jesus Calling". Its a little book with something for each day and it is worded like God speaking to you. So I turned to October 10 and this is what it said.
"Trust Me enough to let things happen without striving to predict or control them. Relax, and refresh yourself in the Light of My everlasting Love. My Love-Light never dims, yet you are often unaware of My radiant Presence. When you project yourself into the future, rehearsing what you will do or say, you are seeking to be self-sufficient: to be adequate without my help. This is a subtle sin- so common that it usually slips by unnoticed.
The alternative is to live fully in the present, depending on Me each moment. Rather than fearing your inadequacy, rejoice in My abundant supply. Train your mind to seek My help continually, even when you feel competent to handle something yourself. Don't divide your life into things you can do by yourself and things that require My help, Instead, learn to rely on Me in every situation. This discipline will enable
So right after I wrote that last post I got on my knees and just cried before the Lord. I didn't know what to say for a long time. And then it was like this wave of peace just swept over me and calmed me instantly. Honestly, thats what it felt like, like it just fell right from Heaven all over me. I opened up my Bible and started to read from some of the Psalms, then I opened my little devotional book called "Jesus Calling". Its a little book with something for each day and it is worded like God speaking to you. So I turned to October 10 and this is what it said.
"Trust Me enough to let things happen without striving to predict or control them. Relax, and refresh yourself in the Light of My everlasting Love. My Love-Light never dims, yet you are often unaware of My radiant Presence. When you project yourself into the future, rehearsing what you will do or say, you are seeking to be self-sufficient: to be adequate without my help. This is a subtle sin- so common that it usually slips by unnoticed.
The alternative is to live fully in the present, depending on Me each moment. Rather than fearing your inadequacy, rejoice in My abundant supply. Train your mind to seek My help continually, even when you feel competent to handle something yourself. Don't divide your life into things you can do by yourself and things that require My help, Instead, learn to rely on Me in every situation. This discipline will enable
Praise God Anyway
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Praise God Anyway
After I wrote that blog post I decided to check out my Girlfriends in God devotional of the day and low and behold “Today’s Truth.” I have included it in this post, please take the time to read it.
My favorite quote from the devotional is, “…praise is not a feeling. Praise is a choice, a step of obedience taken without the assurance of a changed circumstance or the elimination of a trial. Praise focuses on God, not the circumstance, and fixes its gaze upon God's truth and God's character instead of the trial at hand or just ahead.” I think this quote so accurately explains how I feel.
I have heard since our loss other people say things like, I don’t understand how she is still trusting in God, or how she can be at peace. And this is how. With everything in ME I am mad and sad and confused and angry. But just having “[God’s] presence in my life changes everything, empowering me to live each moment of every day, content in knowing [He is] in control.” He IS in control and He DOES deserve praise even when I don’t understand and I don’t FEEL like praising. HE gives me the strength to get through each day. HE gives me a reason to get my head off of the pillow each morning. HE gives me the peace I feel. HE understands my anger and frustration and sadness. And only HE can give me that peace through this time. So I choose today to praise my Heavenly Father content in knowing that He is in control.
I ran across this post today and just wanted to share the goodnes of the Lord http://whilewaitingiwillworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/praise-god-anyway.html#comment-form
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My favorite quote from the devotional is, “…praise is not a feeling. Praise is a choice, a step of obedience taken without the assurance of a changed circumstance or the elimination of a trial. Praise focuses on God, not the circumstance, and fixes its gaze upon God's truth and God's character instead of the trial at hand or just ahead.” I think this quote so accurately explains how I feel.
I have heard since our loss other people say things like, I don’t understand how she is still trusting in God, or how she can be at peace. And this is how. With everything in ME I am mad and sad and confused and angry. But just having “[God’s] presence in my life changes everything, empowering me to live each moment of every day, content in knowing [He is] in control.” He IS in control and He DOES deserve praise even when I don’t understand and I don’t FEEL like praising. HE gives me the strength to get through each day. HE gives me a reason to get my head off of the pillow each morning. HE gives me the peace I feel. HE understands my anger and frustration and sadness. And only HE can give me that peace through this time. So I choose today to praise my Heavenly Father content in knowing that He is in control.
I ran across this post today and just wanted to share the goodnes of the Lord http://whilewaitingiwillworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/praise-god-anyway.html#comment-form
(
Psalm 27:13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness ...
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the ... To see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living - That is, ... that if Christ did not pray for them, their faith would fail; .... Jeremiah 11: 19 I had been like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter; I did not realize that ...
bible.cc/psalms/27-13.htm -
bible.cc/psalms/27-13.htm -
Friday, December 17, 2010
Do it Anyway
When I first decided to start this page I didn't know what to expect,but what does it matter. All of our efforts can produce some good,but no efforts none.The first thing I told myself is that I'am not worthy there is still so much that I'am struggling with.Still so many short commings,but God knows just where we are,and what we will become even though our eyes ,and hearts can't envision the moment.Then I remembered a famailar poem I ofthen read when I vist Healing Hearts .It says do it anyway just wanted to share.
The Paradoxical Commandments by Dr. Kent M. Keith People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.Love them anyway.If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.Succeed anyway.The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.Do good anyway.Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.Be honest and frank anyway.The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.Think big anyway.People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.Fight for a few underdogs anyway.What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.Build anyway.People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.Help people anyway.Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.Give the world the best you have anyway. © 1968, 2001 Kent M. Keith "The Paradoxical Commandments" were written
The Paradoxical Commandments by Dr. Kent M. Keith People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.Love them anyway.If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.Succeed anyway.The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.Do good anyway.Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.Be honest and frank anyway.The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.Think big anyway.People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.Fight for a few underdogs anyway.What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.Build anyway.People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.Help people anyway.Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.Give the world the best you have anyway. © 1968, 2001 Kent M. Keith "The Paradoxical Commandments" were written
Testimony from Ross
As a young man I did not always do as I should do and found myself in “the care of Her Majesty” for a time. I never could though, renounce my belief in God, no matter what the surroundings or the circumstances. Sydney Australia’s Parramatta gaol has housed prisoners from at least 1830 and so was a very foreboding, cold and nasty place, housing everyone from convicted murderers to the innocent and foolhardy.
I had largely kept myself aloof from most people and found much solace in the reading of a small gold pocket sized Gideons New Testament. I ventured to speak occasionally to some I felt comfortable with and eventually I had a bit of a reputation as somewhat of a Jesus freak. In prison this is not necessarily a beneficial thing.
One morning after muster and breakfast I was in a fairly dark hallway in the wing, and just a short distance from the guards glass-fronted cubicle, but completely out of their direct line of sight. I do not remember why I was there but I recall quite vividly the opened gates at the end of the hall and the bright light from the sun coming only a short way into the building. It was a nice day outside.
There was the typical hustle and bustle of inmates heading into the yards to socialize with others while a few were heading to their employ.
Very, very suddenly I was completely surrounded by 6 or 7 hardened types who declared to me that there is no God and how could I know that there was a God, who did I think that I was telling people such rubbish etc.. Each was firing questions at me with the hope that I would fold and deny, or at the very least, a vigorous debate would ensue. Eventually it became quite obvious to me that their intimidation was with the absolute intention to do me harm, however, I knew what I knew and I could not deny it.
Nothing I could say about God or from the Scriptures was of any use. Finally, I said to them “you all believe in the Devil, right?” One at a time, I gained eye contact with them, starting with the fellow who seemed to be their leader, and asked individually, each of them in that circle “do you believe in the Devil? Each one, in turn, confessed that he did so believe.
Finally I asked them all, “well, then why not his opposite?” As they pondered this question I excused myself from the circle that had me bound and never again did I have a problem with any of them. About a year later one of that circle saw me and noised loudly and admiringly, “Hey you’re that guy from Parra!” He was noticeably impressed and admitting to me their evil intent at the time, indicated to me that they were all amazed that I’d simply walked free from them.
It was a very difficult challenge, however, I knew that no matter what the outcome, I had to stand firm at that time. I thanked God immediately that I was outside in the sunshine and away from that predicament. Even though I was imprisoned, I felt free, and I knew that God was with me no matter where I was. I still thank Him, and to this day I still know I must always stand firm.
Name withheld – inmate Parramatta Prison c1981
I had largely kept myself aloof from most people and found much solace in the reading of a small gold pocket sized Gideons New Testament. I ventured to speak occasionally to some I felt comfortable with and eventually I had a bit of a reputation as somewhat of a Jesus freak. In prison this is not necessarily a beneficial thing.
One morning after muster and breakfast I was in a fairly dark hallway in the wing, and just a short distance from the guards glass-fronted cubicle, but completely out of their direct line of sight. I do not remember why I was there but I recall quite vividly the opened gates at the end of the hall and the bright light from the sun coming only a short way into the building. It was a nice day outside.
There was the typical hustle and bustle of inmates heading into the yards to socialize with others while a few were heading to their employ.
Very, very suddenly I was completely surrounded by 6 or 7 hardened types who declared to me that there is no God and how could I know that there was a God, who did I think that I was telling people such rubbish etc.. Each was firing questions at me with the hope that I would fold and deny, or at the very least, a vigorous debate would ensue. Eventually it became quite obvious to me that their intimidation was with the absolute intention to do me harm, however, I knew what I knew and I could not deny it.
Nothing I could say about God or from the Scriptures was of any use. Finally, I said to them “you all believe in the Devil, right?” One at a time, I gained eye contact with them, starting with the fellow who seemed to be their leader, and asked individually, each of them in that circle “do you believe in the Devil? Each one, in turn, confessed that he did so believe.
Finally I asked them all, “well, then why not his opposite?” As they pondered this question I excused myself from the circle that had me bound and never again did I have a problem with any of them. About a year later one of that circle saw me and noised loudly and admiringly, “Hey you’re that guy from Parra!” He was noticeably impressed and admitting to me their evil intent at the time, indicated to me that they were all amazed that I’d simply walked free from them.
It was a very difficult challenge, however, I knew that no matter what the outcome, I had to stand firm at that time. I thanked God immediately that I was outside in the sunshine and away from that predicament. Even though I was imprisoned, I felt free, and I knew that God was with me no matter where I was. I still thank Him, and to this day I still know I must always stand firm.
Name withheld – inmate Parramatta Prison c1981
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