so here we go. Why do we say things like “I promise”, or “I give you my word” or “I swear it’s the truth”? do we commonly speak untruths? and then when we really mean it have to add the caveat of “I promise” when we say we will or wont do something is there some established pattern where the other person assumes we don’t mean it unless we swear?

I really find it ironic when a person promises not to lie anymore.

I personally take issue with the whole marriage contract and swearing to love “till death do us part”. However symbolic the ceremony and the “contract/License” is, it is empty w/o truth behind it. With the divorce rate at over %50 (even among “Christians”) I’m pretty sure even promises made before God an witnesses don’t really hold much water. Or when we testify in court we swear to tell the truth, but how many perjure themselves?

Then in parenting I’ve learned to never promise anything. Whether reward or punishment it is established in my house, I will do what I say to the best of my ability. This makes setting of standards and discipline pretty easy. There are established outcomes for certain behaviors. I never say “I promise if you do that one more time I will punish you”. My children know this about me. they also know if I say I will take them somewhere, or do something, or play a game. I will do everything in my power to keep my word.

So in closing, Do you find yourself saying “I promise” a lot? or “I swear”? or is everything you speak considered to be truth as far as you can control it?

If we focus on speaking truth, acting in truth, people will know the instances of us being wrong is not lying but simply err, or circumstances.

Matt 5:36-37 do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’;

A while back I was at Jiffy Lube, sitting in the waiting room…waiting. I was on facebook when the lady next to me asked what People do on facebook. I told her I’m doing a daily bible reading and posting my thoughts on what I read that day. Then the conversation got interesting.. She asked me if I thought I was better because I was a Christian. Then proceeded to explain to me how a contractor she used had the “fish” on his card and proceeded to dupe her out of money(the whole fish or cross as a marketing device is another topic). I told her it sucked when people do that and apologized for “Christians” in general. Then she asked again “do you think you’re better because your a Christian?”   What tumbled through my head was few answers. one being yes, the bible says I am, I mean of coarse I am, I have the creator of the universe residing in me, of coarse I’m better than someone who doesn’t, but that didn’t come out.  Thank you God. I actually kind of flipped it “define good, your version of good, the worlds version of good, or God’s version of good? cause I figure on the world’s version I’m way above Hitler, but far below Gandhi. I can tell you this, I’m better than I was for sure!! I sometimes judge myself against other Christians and realize that scale is even broken… I don’t know what their starting points were, what trash was in their lives that isn’t now, what they are still battling.” at this time I realized I went into my not so famous “preacher mode” and had an audience of about 5.

So I closed with this “I know this, I’m not good, but I know the one who is, and I try everyday to follow him, and when I do, and when I’m obedient, not just good things, but awesome things happen” as if on Que the guy called my name handed me my keys and I walked out.

who’s your favorite sports star, what can you tell me about him, how much do you know about him how many details?

who’s you favorite sports team?? do you miss any of their games? do you defend them with a passion …ever throw fists over it?

what is your favorite sport?? how well do you know that sport, the rules , the plays, the teams? how much time do you spend keeping up on that sport??

now I ask,

who’s your God? what can you tell me about him, how much do you know about him? how many details?

How well do you know the Gospel? do you miss a chance to learn it? ? do you defend it with a passion …ever lose friends over it?

How Much do you love the Bible? How well do you know the stories, the characters, How much time do you spend being in it? living what it teaches?

I’m as guilty as the next,. in fact maybe as of just recently i can tell you more about the bible than I can about Star Trek. I might be able to tell you more about the characters in the bible than the characters on Lost.

just saying maybe we need to refocus on what we worship

I like the term radical, it’s been given a bad reputation when tied to religion. We constantly hear about “radical religious” people doing harm, protesting at funerals, even murder, all in the name of God. However when I read the Bible I see a different type of Radicalism. Isaiah 58 (that’s Old Testament for those who think the Old Testament is hell fire and damnation) talks a lot about the wrong/right way to be radical.

Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

I know there are a lot of don’ts in the Bible and we tend to focus on these, there are a lot of do’s in there also. I try to live my life focusing on how the Bible tells me to act in love. Odd thing it’s actually easier to focus on the don’ts. If you love someone, you don’t steal from him, don’t lie about him, don’t sleep with his wife, and don’t murder him (see the Ten Commandments) easy right? Basically if you can ignore that your neighbor exists, you can do these. Now the do’s, those are extreme, just a few, feed him, forgive him, fight for him, listen to him, cry with him, share what you’ve worked so hard for with him. The list is a lot longer than that. And a radical will not just do these things but seek out opportunities to do them.

We have all seen radicals on both sides of this coin, which one do you think is changing the world?(even if it is only 1 persons world) Which do you think is pleasing God?

I’ve had spirited debates with many atheist/agnostics, I try to avoid them because they tend to be fruitless. Usually it’s not for the sake of the atheist that I jump in, but for the sake of an honest agnostic or seeker in the middle of the crossfire. Even in my early seeker days of being agnostic and watching atheist/christian debates I notice a pattern. 1 They deny Jesus existed, then when you put up evidence that he did, apparently beyond a Reasonable doubt even for them because they move on to the next argument. 2 They will concede He existed but claim He didn’t do what the Bible says, then this gets proven beyond a REASONABLE doubt and it’s on to 3 Ok he was a good teacher but not the son of God, this to is proved by his own statements. Then the truth comes out the reason I think so many stay away from God, and the reason I ignored him for so long “OK even if this is all true, I don’t want to follow him anyway, I mean look at the evil has been done in the name of God”

I know for every intelligent/educated argument for Christ, there is one against. same can be said of church doctrines. So how do we get the message out? We know from history that force doesn’t work, neither does coercion, or arguments. here’s a parable…. put someone in a pitch black and cluttered stadium and tell them where the flashlight is and they may head for it, they would stumble and fall and maybe find it eventually, but they would have to believe that the flashlight was there, and that having said flashlight is better than stumbling around in the dark. However if you were to turn on the flashlight, they could not deny it’s existence, and they would have a better chance of getting to it, still with the world being compared to a stadium piled high with crap, they have to have a desire to find the light. and the brighter we let the light shine the better chance they will head for it.

Luke 8:16″No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

In my humble opinion, the phrase ‘God helps those that help themselves‘ is a lie from man. For me, it is no different than these other phrases that are used to tickle the ears of the flesh: God hates sin but loves the sinner, God just wants me to be happy, God created it, so it must be good, I’m not hurting anyone so it is ok, etc.

I posted the other day a copy of a blog post: Who is God? It’s a quick read if you have a moment. The context is about not leaning on our own understanding of God, but to lean on who God says He is. There is a lot of deception out there by man and even our own thoughts and reasoning can deceive ourselves. We should be very thoughtful, wise, and watchful so that we do not allow our understanding of God to trump His Truth. We should examine everything and place every thought into captivity.

In this post, I’m going to discuss why ‘God helps those that help themselves’ is  a deception -

Where do I get the information to support my statements that this statement is a lie and a deception? The Word of God speaks for Himself. A bunch more scripture could be posted, but here’s a couple:

Ephesians 2:1-9 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Corinthians 10:17-18 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Titus 3:3-7 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Isaiah 25:4 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

These are spiritual things, pertaining to our souls. When someone says ‘God helps those that help themselves’, they are speaking things of the flesh, works, deeds, etc. The scripture seems pretty clear, God loves us and helps us because we are helpless without Him. Praise God!

There are other catch phrases that are very deceptive, such as ‘God just wants me to be happy!’ It’s very deceptive because it sounds good to the ears. Of course, without a doubt, God wants us to be happy and enjoy life. This phrase is very dangerous deception. There is a fake enjoyment and happiness (one of the flesh), and a real enjoyment and happiness (one of God).

I have heard this many times in life (and have probably used it too) from friends, in the context of talking about drinking, having sex outside of marriage, and other things that are contrary to what God commands – “It’s fun, and I’m enjoying my life. What’s wrong with that? I’m not hurting anyone. God just wants me to be happy! I’m happy and enjoying life doing these things, what’s wrong with that?!” Ugh, Lord, I pray for eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to receive your truth.

The truth is that all of these things are selfish ambitions (the motive is glorification of self). Also, they are 100% contrary to God. The truth of the matter is that God wants us to be Holy. What does the Lord say? -

Leviticus 19:1-2 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

Leviticus 20:7-8 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I amam the LORD which sanctify you. the LORD your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

When we are walking with the Lord, in agreement, then oh boy. TRUE joy will flow. Not happiness as we understand in the flesh, but the joy of the Lord will fill us. His joy is not based around a worldly happiness, i.e. nice home, green grass, new car, perfect relationship, making tons of money in a desired career, glorifying the flesh with sex, drugs, drinking, etc. His joy is of spiritual things. Smiling in the storms of life, a sense of contentment, surrounded by peace, because the Lord is with thee! It’s truly a blessed place to be.

Surely, the Lord pours blessings on us, such as a Godly marriage, a comfortable home, a dependable car, etc. but these are a result of being in a right standing with God. We have to be very careful on this because we can focus on blessings of God and end up doing righteous works, which are not of God but of selfish motives. (We obey merely to get something in return, which is ungodly/selfish). It all starts with a right heart for God. Yes, we will receive blessings, praise God. If that’s why we are doing what we do, it’s a glorification of self still. I have done this myself, Lord forgive me and renew a right spirit within me. Ok, I’m going off on a tangent..

The phrase ‘God helps those that help themselves’ is a lie. The only action we take is to believe in the Son of God, die to self, place Him Lord over our lives, surrender, etc. But even this action, it’s God helping us through the Holy Spirit. Salvation is of the Lord. He alone jolts the souls. The real translation of this phrase should be:

God helps us because we cannot help ourselves

Praise God, thank you Lord for helping us. We were once lost, but we are now found. We were once dead in our sins, but we are now alive. Praise God.

joseph @ http://www.serious-things.com

(taken from a recent post on my blog: God helps those that help themselves)

Related article “Followup – God helps those that help themselves“

Shining Perspective

Success! We’re moved.  We are now living each day sifting through a sea of boxes.  My daily motto has become: “adopt a spirit of adventure and go on a treasure hunt!”  Seven years is long enough to collect more stuff than I ever imagined I would own.  I’ve been surprised to discover the things that I could find sentimental value in. (And I’m astonished at what my husband and son are attached to.)  However, I haven’t become attached to a building, a house, or an apartment.  I moved several times as a child and as an adult, I’ve moved more times than I want to count.  I spent the day cleaning this apartment for the last time and realized that somehow, I got attached to my little home.

Maybe it’s because it was the first apartment that I had for an extended amount of time.  So many memories were made in seven years, some good and many that I didn’t want to remember.  As I spent the day in solitude, (something I don’t get a chance to do very often) I scrubbed and vacuumed as the reel of memories played back in my mind.  We moved there just after the first year of our marriage.  My son was conceived there.  His first steps were taken there; His first words were spoken there. He got his first tooth and five years later, he lost his first tooth there.

Of course, there are plenty of bad memories too.  Memories plagued with anger, immoral living, bad choices and big mistakes.  Holes left in the walls have their own stories where a spirit of rage once reigned, and the presence of old wounds that gave birth to broken hearts still quietly lingers.

Why did I get attached to this apartment?  The one memory that will stand out, the one reason this apartment will always hold a special place in my heart is because it is where I gave my life to Jesus Christ.  I relived so many moments.  Seven years of memories, but none compare to that moment, two years ago, when I surrendered my life and opened my heart to Jesus.  I will miss that spot where I prayed a million prayers and shed a million tears.

While scrubbing the tile floor for the last time I realized that I’ve left my mark on this apartment.  The grout was dirty no matter how many times I ran that brush across it.  It seemed as though it would never come clean; it was stained.  I could continue to try and clean it, and yet my dirt remained.

The same holds true with sin.  It doesn’t matter what we try to do. Sin remains. It is only by the blood of Jesus that we are saved.  It is only by the blood of Jesus that we are cleansed.  “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” ~Leviticus 17:11  “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” ~Hebrews 9:22

It was clear that I could not get that floor to come perfectly clean, just as I cannot make myself perfectly clean.  Since moving to my new home I’ve found myself giving Satan access again.  I’ve allowed him a foothold in my life and I seem to walk in victory but only temporarily.  Then I slip back into the same trap again and again.  But my precious Jesus reminded me that I am covered by His blood and I have been made righteous in Him.  Jesus’ blood doesn’t cleanse me temporarily; it cleanses me once for all.  I haven’t been forgiven for one sin, but all sin past, present and future.  “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” ~Hebrews 9:14

The amazing thing is I can’t do anything to earn forgiveness.  I can’t do anything to make myself clean.  I am free of guilt for every bad memory that was made in that apartment.  All the mistakes and all the wrongs of my life from the beginning and even the mistakes I will make in the future have been covered by the blood of Jesus. Oh, the power of the blood of Jesus.  Not only does Jesus’ blood do all of that, but it has also made it possible for us to have a relationship, a personal and intimate communion with God.  “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” ~1 John 1:7  “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” ~Ephesians 2:13

Maybe you find yourself allowing sin in your life.  Maybe you’ve just made some mistakes and find yourself far from God.  There is nothing you can do, no sin too great, no mistake too big, no blemish on your record, no stain too horrendous that the blood of Jesus cannot wash away and cleanse completely.

Christ is in our hearts and souls.  Christ is also a part of our bodies.  These bodies about which we complain, abuse, neglect, and despise belong to our Lord and Savior.

When someone asks why we should exercise, one of the best answers would be because Christ needs the best of care.  Physical exercise is a must if we are to give our bodies the best of care.  The best we can give depends on our abilities.   Some of us are limited, but as long as there is any part of our bodies that can move we should move it.

Maybe the thought of exercise makes us cringe.  The hardest part is to just get started.  If all we could move is our hands, then we should move our hands.  Make it a point to use those television commercials.  Each commercial has a different musical background, find the beat and tap through them.

If exercise seems like too much pain, start slowly.  Stretching is exercise.  Use a timer and increase the movements you choose each day.  Start with one day a week, mark it on the calendar and make it two days the next week and three the next, etc.

As Christ’s children we should respect that He gave us each a body to use while we are on this earth.  Our bodies may not seem like the most beautiful, the most healthy, or the most capable, but they are ours.  One of our gifts to Jesus should be that we take care of our bodies the best we can.  We are the vessels through which He moves.

Why whine about what we are given?  To make the most out of what we have is the best gift we can give back to our Savior and to ourselves.   The physical Christ looks us in the face each day that we awaken, so awaken the Christ in your mirror!

He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

-John 1:8-13

John the Baptist was not the Light. He was not the Messiah and never claimed to be so, but he came into the world to testify concerning the Light who was coming. The true light was not John the Baptist but was Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. And coming into the world the true Light is said to enlighten every man. The meaning of this particular statement is hard to determine. There are many good commentators who have written learned things about this statement. The one which seems most within the context of the passage is this: Verse 4 of John 1 reads: In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. Perhaps it can be concluded through this statement that enlightens every man is equivalent to gives life to all men. He is the one who sustains life for all men, who upholds life for all men, and who provides life for all men. This interpretation seems to be most well aligned with the next verse. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. Without Christ nothing that is made would be made, the entire world was made through Him. Yet, when He came to His own (the world), not even His own Jewish people received Him.

To those who receive Him and believe in His name, the right is given to them to become children of God. Ponder the depth of that statement: children of God. Even though man rebels against the One who sustains him, he is still able to be given the right to be a child of the most high God. The way in which a man is born and becomes a child of God is this: not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. The point here is that man does not become a child of God because he is a descendant of some special man, because he wills it, or because another man should will it. A man is saved because God wills it.
 

We live in a world which is filled with people who do not know Him. The world we live in abhors God so much that they would rather believe they are descendants of apes than give glory to their Creator. Even more amazing is this: that men blaspheme the very One who sustains them. Just as John starts his gospel by describing the Light who sustains creation, just as Paul opens his gospel proclamation to the men of Athens (Acts 17:25) with an account of creation, so believers would be wise to include creation in their proclamation of the gospel. And if it sounds absurd to it’s audience then it would be good to remember 1 Corinthians 1:18:

Verse 8- John reassures his readers that John the Baptist merely prepared the way.

Verse 9- “enlightens every man” — This is an interesting phrase that is sort of difficult to interpret. The “every man” is likely emphasizing that Christ came not just for the Jew, but also for the Gentile.

Verse 10- John re-emphasizes verse 3. He adds to verse three in saying that even though Christ sustains everything, the world did not recognize Him.

Verse 11- The first “own” refers to the whole world, the second “own” refers to the Jews (this is a bit more clear in the ESV translation).

Priceless Eternity Message Board Link

On Christmas day Jesus Christ was born.
This means that he is why we were  born,why we celebrate Christmas day.
Christmas is spelled with CHRIST.
This is great news for us!
Because of a new born baby boy you and I are alive and well today!
Did you know that because of what Jesus did for us,we are free?
It is true!
Jesus deserves to be celebrated more than once a year!
If you don’t know about Jesus, I suggest buying a BIBLE and reading it!
The more you know the better person you will become!
Always share Christ in your words and actions everyday in every way!

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
-John 1:4-7

In Christ was life. He is the source and giver of all life. Nothing that is in existence would be in existence without Him, for all things were created through Him. Christ did not receive or inherit life, but has always had life and is the provider and possessor of all life. Regarding “and the life was the Light of men,” John Gill writes:

“…all his elect are dead in trespasses and sins, and cannot quicken themselves. Christ has procured life for them, and gives it to them, and implants it in them; a life of sanctification is from him; and a life of justification is upon him, and of faith is by him; all the comforts of a spiritual life, and all things appertaining to it, are from him, and he maintains, and preserves it.”
-John Gill

The light shines in the darkness. The better translation would be “the darkness did not overcomethe” Light. In this context, darkness represents anything that sets itself against the One who gives all life. Darkness is the opposite of light. But just as when a candle is set ablaze in a pitch black cave, so the Light, the Christ, cannot be overcome by darkness.

A man was sent from God, John the baptist. God fulfilled His purposes through this man. He was saved through God’s grace and filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15). It is said that he came to testify about the Light, so that all men might might see the life that the Light brings into a world infested with darkness.

Christ is the one who overcomes the darkness. Thus as Christians we are called to be as John, testifiers of the Light. The Gospel is the Light that overcomes the darkness. As Christians filled with the Spirit we possess the only message that brings life and extinguishes the darkness. How ignorant we are when we put a lampshade over the Light and ashamedly mumble the one message that brings hope and light to the world.