"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35
Talked with a friend today about this. Does anyone ever get the feeling that the Church as whole does not do such a good job of this. I know that i being part of the Church struggle with this. Do i really love other believers like Jesus loves us?I really do not even know 15 people that i go to "Church" with. (its not really possible to go to something that you are) Do i love them to the point of death? what about a horrible death like being stoned to death or whipped or crucified. What if just by the way that you love, people know you belong to Jesus. I am praying that this love comes alive in me fully.. Join me.. So that all will know that we are His disciple.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tell My People
Remind you of anybody? God change me....
Isaiah 58:1-12 (New Living Translation)
Isaiah 58
True and False Worship 1 “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel[a] of their sins! 2 Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. 3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’
“I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. 4 What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. 5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord?
6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: 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. 7 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.
8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! 10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. 12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
Isaiah 58:1-12 (New Living Translation)
Isaiah 58
True and False Worship 1 “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel[a] of their sins! 2 Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me. 3 ‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’
“I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. 4 What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. 5 You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord?
6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want: 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. 7 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.
8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. 9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! 10 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. 11 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. 12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thought of the Day
Ephesians 4:29-32 (New Living Translation)
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[a] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[a] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
"Church"
Church:1. A building for public, especially Christian worship.
This is the Webster Dictionary first listing for the definition for Church. I understand the world does not understand what the Church actually is but... Sadly i think this defines the American "Church" way better than using the words "one body" or "followers of Christ"... What will happen when all of the "Churches" are gone and the Church is all that is left? I need to be part of a community , to be part of a (real) Church... What good is a body if all of its parts are pulling in opposite directions?
** the church is not infallible, the Word of God is**
i do believe there is a Church out there.. an entire group of people who are the church who meet and worship in buildings and when they walk out the doors they are the Church to a lost and dying world. Being real followers of Christ. Who love God and then love people.. I believe it is time for the Church to rise up and be great and live and love so greatly that people come to Christ on a daily basis because they see Him in us.. God make me part of this Church..
This is the Webster Dictionary first listing for the definition for Church. I understand the world does not understand what the Church actually is but... Sadly i think this defines the American "Church" way better than using the words "one body" or "followers of Christ"... What will happen when all of the "Churches" are gone and the Church is all that is left? I need to be part of a community , to be part of a (real) Church... What good is a body if all of its parts are pulling in opposite directions?
** the church is not infallible, the Word of God is**
i do believe there is a Church out there.. an entire group of people who are the church who meet and worship in buildings and when they walk out the doors they are the Church to a lost and dying world. Being real followers of Christ. Who love God and then love people.. I believe it is time for the Church to rise up and be great and live and love so greatly that people come to Christ on a daily basis because they see Him in us.. God make me part of this Church..
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thought of the day!
1My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, 2Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; 3For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; 4If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:2-5
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
disclaimer
*** this blog is open to anything, both positive and negative, challenging and simple***
1 God
1 Word of God
124 "churches" in north jefferson alone????
1 God
1 Word of God
124 "churches" in north jefferson alone????
Try this again
i am going to try this again. it will not be a public blog but just something for my friends to check out.
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