Well, it may seem like the "uncool" thing to do in today's world, but the fact of the matter is, God is pleased when you do obey your parents.
Whether you want to believe it or not, your parents have a big responsibility that they do not take lightly. God has entrusted them with you, to train you up (Proverbs 22:6). They are not to provoke you (Colossians 3:21), but to teach you diligently when you sit in your house, walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up (Deut. 6:4-9). You are one of the qualifications of elders (Colossians 3:21).
God requires you to be obedient to them (Colossians 3:20). He even throws in being disobedient to parents with some other "hard" topics I wouldn't want to be compared to (blasphemers, unthankful, unholy, traitors, headstrong, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-2 Timothy 3:1-5).
A great example of an obedient child is Jepthah's daughter (see Judges 11 for the text of this story). Jepthah was one of the judges. He made a vow with the Lord that he would make a burnt offering to whatever came out of his house to meet him if the Lord would deliver the Ammonites into his hands. Well, the Ammonites were delivered, but the plan didn't go as Jepthah wished. His daughter (only child) was the "whatever" that came out of the door to greet him. In despair, he told her what he had promised to God. Instead of arguing, she told him that he had to keep his vow.
Sometimes being obedient to God isn't the easiest thing to do, BUT it is the right thing. The only way you will ever achieve complete happiness is to be in accordance with God's will. Being obedient to your parents is one of those things.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Your prayer life...
Prayer RULED Jesus' life. In fact, the Word even gives us an example in Mark's account that Jesus got up very early in the morning while it was still dark to go to a solitary place and pray.
He prayed about important decisions. In Luke 6:12 we find out that he spent the night praying before he chose the twelve apostles.
He was very persistent in praying. Luke 18:1 tells us that Jesus used a parable to show his disciples that they should always pray and never give up. The widow kept bothering the judge and ended up granting her justice.
He prayed for others and let them know specifically what He prayed for. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned your back, strengthen your brothers. (Luke 22:32)
He taught others how to pray. Sometimes, especially as women, we tend to clam up when we are asked to lead a prayer in our ladies' classes. You might just be the person who could teach someone how to do this. (Luke 11:1-2)
Prayer is ALWAYS answered. The answer might not be what YOU are wanting, but God knows what is best...Be prepared for YES, NO, and YES but you need to WAIT.
He prayed about important decisions. In Luke 6:12 we find out that he spent the night praying before he chose the twelve apostles.
He was very persistent in praying. Luke 18:1 tells us that Jesus used a parable to show his disciples that they should always pray and never give up. The widow kept bothering the judge and ended up granting her justice.
He prayed for others and let them know specifically what He prayed for. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned your back, strengthen your brothers. (Luke 22:32)
He taught others how to pray. Sometimes, especially as women, we tend to clam up when we are asked to lead a prayer in our ladies' classes. You might just be the person who could teach someone how to do this. (Luke 11:1-2)
Prayer is ALWAYS answered. The answer might not be what YOU are wanting, but God knows what is best...Be prepared for YES, NO, and YES but you need to WAIT.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Taking off the mask....
Are you the same person you were last year? Hopefully you can answer no because of how much you have grown in your faith.
But that isn't the direction I am wanting to take on that question. Do you act the same when you are around different sets of friends? Some of us run in different groups..you might have school friends, "church" friends, neighborhood friends, etc. In each situation, do you act the same or differently?
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
That is the example we have set before us. A perfect example at that. HE NEVER CHANGES no matter the situation!! No matter the situation, He stayed the same!!
I want to challenge you to really take a look at yourself and your actions while you are around your different groups. Do you change for the better, or the worse? Can you get by with more "negative" with some than others? If so, maybe you should reevaluate those "friendships."
Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Where are you looking?
Matthew 14:22-32
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," He said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshipped him saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Do you ever have those times when your eyes are taken off of what you should be focused on just like Peter in this story? Sure, everyone has! Most of the time sin occurs when we aren't thinking in the right frame of mind we should be. Our minds should constantly be set on things above, not the earthly things (Colossians 3:2).
So, what can we learn from this?
BELIEVE! Do you really believe that God can do anything? Ephesian 2:20 is an amazing verse to keep handy when "doubt" arises in your life. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us! HE CAN DO ANYTHING!! Pull your FAITH in here! HE CAN DO ANYTHING!!
SPEND TIME WITH HIM! Jesus was in his quiet place to "pray." You have to spend time with God in order to know His power! He rescued you from darkness (Colossians 1:13), so why wouldn't you want to spend time with Him?
You must stay focused so you are not easily taken down a wrong path. Know the POWER that our Almighty Father has! He created you...He created everything around you. He knows you better than you know yourself. Get to know Him...study, pray, worship.
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," He said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshipped him saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Do you ever have those times when your eyes are taken off of what you should be focused on just like Peter in this story? Sure, everyone has! Most of the time sin occurs when we aren't thinking in the right frame of mind we should be. Our minds should constantly be set on things above, not the earthly things (Colossians 3:2).
So, what can we learn from this?
BELIEVE! Do you really believe that God can do anything? Ephesian 2:20 is an amazing verse to keep handy when "doubt" arises in your life. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us! HE CAN DO ANYTHING!! Pull your FAITH in here! HE CAN DO ANYTHING!!
SPEND TIME WITH HIM! Jesus was in his quiet place to "pray." You have to spend time with God in order to know His power! He rescued you from darkness (Colossians 1:13), so why wouldn't you want to spend time with Him?
You must stay focused so you are not easily taken down a wrong path. Know the POWER that our Almighty Father has! He created you...He created everything around you. He knows you better than you know yourself. Get to know Him...study, pray, worship.
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