I have always been pretty set in my thoughts on Christians and tattoos. I thought NO WAY!!! I myself have a few tats but they were done before I had a relationship with Christ or pre-salvation.
Well I watched this video today by Pastor Craig Groeschel, of http://www.lifechurch.tv/ and it has me thinking about my stance.
I am not saying that I am thinking of running out and getting a tattoo, I am just prayerfully reconsidering how I might counsel others when I am asked in the future.
Take a look at this video and let me know what you think....
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Michele Bachman, Can Christians really win National Elections???
Let me start by saying, I am in no way stating that it is impossible for us as true Christians to win national elections, because nothing is impossible with God. What I am asking is if we can truly stand by our Christian values and walk upright while winning a national election in this dispensation of time?
The word of God makes several things clear to us, but as for the issue at hand it makes these two clear points;
1) How we should live. Eph 4:22-5:4
2) The world will most likely hate us. John 15:18-25
I was prompted to ask these questions and write this blog as a result of the headlines about Michelle Bachman's clinic and their claims to be able to help homosexuals no longer be homosexuals. I read headlines like "Pray away the Gay" and "Michelle Bachman's Gay Cure" and the scenic-ism and ridicule in the headlines alone was so obvious I almost needed not read the articles themselves to know that they would make claims that anyone trying to bring deliverance to a person dealing with homosexuality was wrong, dangerous, or nutty. The only thing that was more disturbing than their ridicule was the lines that said Mrs. Bachman would not comment on the claims made by the media and the undercover activists that taped the interviews in her clinic.
The fact of the matter is, that we as Christians and true Disciples of Jesus Christ believe that deliverance from the sin proclivity of homosexuality is just as possible and necessary as deliverance from lying, stealing, hating, and all other kinds of sins we all have dealt with at one point or another. But if your goal to win the popular vote is going to stop you from saying that, then is that the vote you want to win?
Christ was clear, the world hated him and they will hate us too, because we are NOT OF THE WORLD. We are to be voices crying aloud and sparing not. We are to be preaching repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Will this make us popular with the world? NO. John the Baptist wasn't popular, he was beheaded by Government officials, Jesus was killed, Peter was crucified like Christ. All these were results of them taking a righteous stand for Christ. What makes us think we can take that kind of stand and be elected to office.
Ask yourself, in today's world and the current political climate can a Christian do the following and win a local election, let alone a national one:
The word of God makes several things clear to us, but as for the issue at hand it makes these two clear points;
1) How we should live. Eph 4:22-5:4
2) The world will most likely hate us. John 15:18-25
I was prompted to ask these questions and write this blog as a result of the headlines about Michelle Bachman's clinic and their claims to be able to help homosexuals no longer be homosexuals. I read headlines like "Pray away the Gay" and "Michelle Bachman's Gay Cure" and the scenic-ism and ridicule in the headlines alone was so obvious I almost needed not read the articles themselves to know that they would make claims that anyone trying to bring deliverance to a person dealing with homosexuality was wrong, dangerous, or nutty. The only thing that was more disturbing than their ridicule was the lines that said Mrs. Bachman would not comment on the claims made by the media and the undercover activists that taped the interviews in her clinic.
The fact of the matter is, that we as Christians and true Disciples of Jesus Christ believe that deliverance from the sin proclivity of homosexuality is just as possible and necessary as deliverance from lying, stealing, hating, and all other kinds of sins we all have dealt with at one point or another. But if your goal to win the popular vote is going to stop you from saying that, then is that the vote you want to win?
Christ was clear, the world hated him and they will hate us too, because we are NOT OF THE WORLD. We are to be voices crying aloud and sparing not. We are to be preaching repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Will this make us popular with the world? NO. John the Baptist wasn't popular, he was beheaded by Government officials, Jesus was killed, Peter was crucified like Christ. All these were results of them taking a righteous stand for Christ. What makes us think we can take that kind of stand and be elected to office.
Ask yourself, in today's world and the current political climate can a Christian do the following and win a local election, let alone a national one:
- "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Eph 4:29
- "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." Eph 4:30
- "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Eph 4:31....What if another Christian is your opponent?
- "neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." Eph 5:4
- "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Phil 2:3-4
- "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil." Luke 6:35 There is no Love for an enemy in an election only the desire to triumph over him.
- Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10 "Vote for me, vote for me, i'm the best and he's the worst" Does that sound humble to you?
- “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israelt of their sins! Isaiah 58:1 NLT The world, especially America, does not want to hear that they have Sin. Will they elect you when you cry out against their abortion, homosexuality, political corruption, unfair business practices.
When I look at just these few commands from the Word of God, i start to wonder less if we can win a national election and more why would we want to compromise to even try. We have been called to change the world not by invading its government, but by bring Heaven to invade Earth through our Faith, Prayer and Righteous works. We need to realize our mandate to live for Christ and try to win as many souls as possible not to win as many popularity contests as possible
Monday, June 20, 2011
Daily Devoltional on Love from Kenneth Copeland Ministries.
I read this devotional this morning and was so impacted by the revelation of the small things we allow to eat away at us that I though i would share it with you all. Please learn and enjoy. #RenewedMind
Jun 20 - A Healthy Dose of Love
"Love...is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it--pays no attention to a suffered wrong."
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
Dear Reuel,
Walking in love is good for your health. Did you know that?
It's true! Medical science has proven it. Researchers have discovered that hostility produces stress that causes ulcers, tension headaches, and a host of other ills.
Now when you think of hostility, you may think of the type of anger you feel when something serious happens. But according to the experts, that kind of thing isn't what causes the worst problems. It's the little things: when the dry cleaners ruin your favorite outfit, for example. Or when the cafeteria lady puts gravy on your mashed potatoes after you've specifically told her not to. Sound familiar?
Just think how much stress you could avoid by being quick to forgive, by living your life according to 1 Corinthians 13 and not counting up the evils done to you. Imagine physical and emotional benefits of living like that!
If you've allowed yourself to be habitually bound by hostility, that may sound like an impossible dream, but it's not! Because as a born-again believer, you have the love of God inside of you.
If you'll yield to that love, it will set you free. Remember when Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave? He was alive but still bound in the grave clothes. Jesus commanded the bindings to be loosed so that Lazarus could be free to walk.
Jesus wants that same kind of freedom for you. So get into agreement with Him. Say to those deadly habits that have you bound, "In the Name of Jesus, loose me and let me go! I'm putting hostility, unforgiveness and selfishness behind me. I'm going on with God. I'm going to live the life of love!"
Remember: It doesn't take a medical miracle to turn your life around. All it takes is a decision to yield to the force of love. Do it today!
Scripture Study: Proverbs 4:10-27
Jun 20 - A Healthy Dose of Love
"Love...is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it--pays no attention to a suffered wrong."
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
Walking in love is good for your health. Did you know that?
It's true! Medical science has proven it. Researchers have discovered that hostility produces stress that causes ulcers, tension headaches, and a host of other ills.
Now when you think of hostility, you may think of the type of anger you feel when something serious happens. But according to the experts, that kind of thing isn't what causes the worst problems. It's the little things: when the dry cleaners ruin your favorite outfit, for example. Or when the cafeteria lady puts gravy on your mashed potatoes after you've specifically told her not to. Sound familiar?
Just think how much stress you could avoid by being quick to forgive, by living your life according to 1 Corinthians 13 and not counting up the evils done to you. Imagine physical and emotional benefits of living like that!
If you've allowed yourself to be habitually bound by hostility, that may sound like an impossible dream, but it's not! Because as a born-again believer, you have the love of God inside of you.
If you'll yield to that love, it will set you free. Remember when Jesus called Lazarus forth from the grave? He was alive but still bound in the grave clothes. Jesus commanded the bindings to be loosed so that Lazarus could be free to walk.
Jesus wants that same kind of freedom for you. So get into agreement with Him. Say to those deadly habits that have you bound, "In the Name of Jesus, loose me and let me go! I'm putting hostility, unforgiveness and selfishness behind me. I'm going on with God. I'm going to live the life of love!"
Remember: It doesn't take a medical miracle to turn your life around. All it takes is a decision to yield to the force of love. Do it today!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Where is your obedience?
So before I get into it let me say this is a very personal and open blog post....Bare with me.
Lately things have been a little busy in my life, between work, and family, and of course the all important TV (LOL). I noticed over the last few months my time in the word and prayer and even church attendance was seriously slacking. If I am completely honest I was giving much more time to everything else except the things of God. I have still been praying and reading the word but with much less frequency and much less desire. I noticed that not only was I not spending the time but that I wasn't really pressed to do so. Now don't get me wrong, I Love the Lord and and I am still striving to live a life that is pleasing to him but I have not felt that same desire to spend time with him in the word and prayer.
So last night I said to God that I was going to do better in this area. So I woke up this morning and had devotion and prayed and felt that I was good to go. But then as I was driving to work and just talking to God and I said to him Father what is happening with my desire to spend time in your word and in prayer, I used to feel like I couldn't wait to be there and soak it all up and now I don't feel it. Then I said Father give me that desire back so I can get back into the swing of things.
As soon as I finished with this plea to God to give me back the desire or the hunger and thirst he replied as plain as day in my spirit and what he said shook me to the core. I said give me the desire back and He said; Where is your obedience? WOw!!!! Where is your obedience? What a convicting question to me. It didn't take a great revelation from heaven from or any further study for me to understand what He was saying to, and I guess it would go for all of us :
When all the feelings are gone and there is no desire there don't forget that Obedience to the Father is always the way to go.
Lately things have been a little busy in my life, between work, and family, and of course the all important TV (LOL). I noticed over the last few months my time in the word and prayer and even church attendance was seriously slacking. If I am completely honest I was giving much more time to everything else except the things of God. I have still been praying and reading the word but with much less frequency and much less desire. I noticed that not only was I not spending the time but that I wasn't really pressed to do so. Now don't get me wrong, I Love the Lord and and I am still striving to live a life that is pleasing to him but I have not felt that same desire to spend time with him in the word and prayer.
So last night I said to God that I was going to do better in this area. So I woke up this morning and had devotion and prayed and felt that I was good to go. But then as I was driving to work and just talking to God and I said to him Father what is happening with my desire to spend time in your word and in prayer, I used to feel like I couldn't wait to be there and soak it all up and now I don't feel it. Then I said Father give me that desire back so I can get back into the swing of things.
As soon as I finished with this plea to God to give me back the desire or the hunger and thirst he replied as plain as day in my spirit and what he said shook me to the core. I said give me the desire back and He said; Where is your obedience? WOw!!!! Where is your obedience? What a convicting question to me. It didn't take a great revelation from heaven from or any further study for me to understand what He was saying to, and I guess it would go for all of us :
When all the feelings are gone and there is no desire there don't forget that Obedience to the Father is always the way to go.
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