BREATHE WELL IN SUFFERING

It is natural to run from the sufferings of this life, only to find more suffering. Some work to drown sorrows in alcohol, sex, drugs, gambling, shopping, etc. Some may use weird techniques to eliminate the pain by meditating on absolutely nothing. When will earthly suffering end? The answer: The Grave. You must run through life with this understanding. Just accept that life’s suffering unites color, sex, and socio-economic status. There is a natural unity in all of mankind and that is suffering.

The moment resolution is made about suffering in this life, you can move on with faith believing and trusting in the impossible. Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered. Suffering is as natural as breathing air. Let the fire of suffering make you shine as gold.

There are two types of suffering. The first is because of disobedience to Christ and the second is obedience to Christ. You can add unnecessary suffering to your life. For all the pleasure that sin gives there is a tail that brings suffering. Ask the addict who lost everything they had in their life because of it. This suffering should be avoided and can be avoided by obeying the voice of God and understanding his will for your life. The second suffering can never be avoided. This suffering is found when you choose to obey God’s word over strong desires to sin against it.

There is a pain that develops in telling your flesh the answer is no. Ask the dieter who tries diligently to put down the potato chips, ice cream, pizza etc.  The body will fight you. The devil will fight you. Spiritual darkness in heavenly places is against your success. Why? Your success shines the light for others to see and rejoice in the fact that making it is possible.

Breathing well in suffering is found in understanding that your suffering is not strange. For the follower of Jesus Christ understands that it is common to all believers. Since it is common, sit back and trust the Lord for the roller-coaster ride is almost over. Grab the hand next to you and say we will make it. Don’t allow the screams of others to cause you to lose hope. Jesus will never leave or forsake you and in the end he will be there to bring you home.

DON’T JUDGE ME

I am sure by now you have heard the term “Don’t Judge Me.” A term often used as a defense mechanism. A last resort message to ward off accusations and feelings of regret, hurt and failure. Because I am guilty and my heart has been exposed, I utter the phrase “Don’t Judge Me.” My wrong has caused my heart to break and without an adequate defense, I utter, “Don’t Judge Me.” The proverbial shield of protection but does it work?

When an individual uses the term, they neglect the problem and no solution for change is found. The psalmist writes “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise (Psalm 51:17). When the judgment is correct, rather then harden yourself to it, use it rather to change. When a brother or sister in Christ judges my actions to be hypocritical and they are, I may be tempted to say “Don’t Judge Me” and continue being hypocritical or I could accept the judgment allow the pain to sink in and change for the better.

God cannot use individuals (for the individuals good) who are unwilling to be hurt with truth. Most of the time when people say, “Don’t Judge Me” they are wrong. The church is not required by God to judge those outside of the church, only those within it. This is how the church remains a shelter for the sick and a blessing to those who enter it.

The world is supposed to be disgusting. It should not be strange that a man desires to enter another man or a woman allows a dog to enter her. Women exposing themselves online with children and men running after little boys. This is natural behavior from an unregenerate man and such were some of us, however judging outside the church belongs to God.

When you decide to take the title I have been given by the Scriptures, my judging will begin. I am a Christian (Acts 11:26) and a minister. It is my desire that we all grow in wisdom and knowledge and understanding of the word of God. Namely, to have a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit who teaches us all things. So if our conduct is less than what the Scriptures demand, I will judge you and I will gladly accept your judgment.

I am not ignorant of the fact that if I judge the same measure will be measured against me and I assure you, that whatever judgment I cast, I am not guilty of the same. The purpose of judging our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is so that we become better. For those who have jobs understand that the progress report is a judgment of your character and your abilities for the job you are presently engaged in. For those who desire to remain employed accept the judgment of their supervisor and change, or else continue down the same path and get fired.

How much more important is the judgment of the people of God? The people of God are judging so that you may not miss heaven and be counted with the many folks that will say, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23).

Do Christians, Muslims and Jews worship the same God?

I came across an opinion piece on CNN written by Jeffrey Weiss who decided to tackle the question: Do Christians, Muslims and Jews worship the same God? For whatever reason he decided to use over 1500 words to do this, but I will answer it in less than 270.

What is the most inclusive response from scholars?

“So do Christians, Muslims and Jews worship the same God?”

“In two major volumes on the subject recently published by scholars from various faiths and traditions, including Volf’s, the most inclusive response from these scholars is basically: Yes, and it’s our God.”

What was his conclusion?

“So do all three faiths actually worship the same deity, whether they call him God or Allah or Adonai?”

“God only knows.”

What is my conclusion?

I will include all religions and not just the three mentioned above. The God served by Christians died for their entrance into heaven. Christians get into heaven through the door, Jesus, by grace because of what Jesus did.

No other religion has an advocate that died for their salvation that they may now rest, like Christians, from their own works.

Here you see clearly two different foundations: A religion who’s God literally dies to save his people and all others who cannot claim this.

P.S. The man beside Jesus on the cross, asked the Lord to remember him and he went to paradise that same day. He did not commit lengthy works; he just died and was immediately saved by grace. What an awesome God Christian’s worship.

CNN Link: Do Christians, Muslims and Jews worship the same God?

MILEY CYRUS TWERKS, STUNS VMA’S CROWD

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 25: Miley Cyrus performs onstage during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for MTV)

The 20-year-old pop star stepped out onto the stage a ball of energy, wearing a fuzzy gray leotard, as her HIT single, “We Can’t Stop,” played. Cyrus took over the stage with gigantic; dancing bears and more twerking than viewers at home probably knew what to do with.

Now, I saw some Facebook friends commenting on Miley Cyrus VMA performance with shock and awe. My question is why? Does not the lyrics teach, “We can do what we want to?” Is this not the motto of many within the nations of the world? We hear the word of God, put it down and then do what we want to do.

I am not sure what the problem is. God himself said, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:15-16).

We need these types of lines drawn. Let dark be fully dark and let light be fully light. Are you having sex with someone who is not your husband or wife, while paying tithes, expecting God to bless you? Complaining about Miley Cyrus? Really??

Twitter accounts full of girls and grown mother’s showing their body parts at the same time on their title talking about how much they love God. How Jesus is their Savior and Lord, but many are shocked at Miley? We need to clean ourselves up. We need to train our children right and leave the world alone. Homosexuals are making discrimination laws in a country that is supposed to be over 80% Christian? How can this be?

Miley Cyrus is doing what she sees older women doing and society is paying her huge sums of money to do it.

SWEET AND DEEP

When you understand the Holy Spirit more you will understand his power. You may have stopped by this blog today, because you are a subscriber and this is good. You may have fallen here by mistake, if that’s even possible, whatever brought you here, I hope, will cause you to stay. Why? I have something wonderful to share.

The Holy Spirit is the person of God. He is the guide in this life that directs the believer into his truth. He is the one with whom believers hear the wisdom of God. The Comforter directs us and hears our prayers. He moves on the words from our lips that match the lips of Jesus.

To understand the power of God and to have a personal relationship with Jesus is to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will tell you how to dress. The Holy Spirit will give you wisdom when you ask in Jesus name.

The Holy Spirit is sensitive to the believer. He can be quenched. When this happens the believer no longer hears from the Holy Spirit. There is no more conviction as the person has fully engaged himself or herself in disobedience against God’s word. Listen. Repent. Ask the Lord for forgiveness and began again to seek his face. As the word is acted upon in obedience, like a dry root the water of the word will revive it.

We as believers are missing out on a lot. We think sex is good and forget God created it. How much more sweet and deep things, can God create for us, who seek his face fully? If you are not being guided daily by the Holy Spirit that means something is wrong. Why? Because God does not just want some of your life and then take a break, he wants it all. When you give it all, he gives his all.