Friday, February 1, 2013

They Need Your Light To Help Them See




I grieve when I see what has happened to the church... today. Especially here in the USA. It saddens me because I can see in scripture what we are capable of ~ because of what we have available to us - the Holy Spirit! My husband and I regularly talk about this...how the church's love has grown cold, and has turned into an organization or I would call it a club...of particular ethics ~ because it excludes people. We have seen time and time again that not everyone is 'truly' welcome...as there is a harshness shown against certain sins and religions over others that keep people from coming back or coming at all. 






Did Jesus exclude or alienate certain people because of their sin? No, He didn't...In fact He went out of His way to be among them! He wants to forgive and begin restoring them, just like He did you and me. Or do you think the job is too big for Him?...or His love is only for specific people?

 

 

We are to love them with Christ's love...then in God's time, He changes them. Have you grown and changed all at once? Most don't...and some issues take much longer .

 


Rom. 5:20 "Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound."

 

But God is patient, and He asks that of us too. We obey the New Commandment and He'll change them! Another great thing that Christians have forgotten; It is the sick that need a physician!






This truth should satisfy everyone/all sides, that is, if they believe it. Therefore, if homosexuality is a sin, then Christians should do whatever they can to include them, not exclude. To do whatever it takes... to "be all things" so as to win some, as Paul speaks about in 1 Cor. chap's 9-11...so as to bring as many people as possible to our precious Lord.

 



So much of the bible has been forgotten...like the greatest commandment; loving our neighbor as ourselves. Is the homosexual not our neighbor? Yet many have done the opposite...and have not truly treated some as their neighbor. Please, go to God and ask Him to show you how....

 



Bring people to God...love them...show interest in their lives...find common ground -- maybe you both like to knit or fish? If they ask you to go to a bar, you can say you are uncomfortable with that, but how about coffee at IHOP? The most important thing is to show them that they are worth spending some time with as Christ did with so many people during His ministry. Then you both go to your own homes after...it's not hard.

 

As they see the contrast...the difference in how you treat them, versus how most people treat them...they get a
chance to taste and see that the Lord is good! God will continue to teach and guide you as you shine His light to others....

 

 


We (Christians) have gotten way too far away from what Christ taught...which is to love our enemies. Did He mean it theoretically? I don’t think so. Yes, in our natural mind some of the teachings of Islam are scary. However, what the shame of this is, is that we have a power that does not even compare with theirs, a power that Christ exemplified and a power that is in us that can shine a light so bright as to save their souls.



 

 

 

I think that Islam is growing because of our fear. Yes, I am blaming us...because Christians have something inside of us that can never be replicated or out-done by any other religion! We are allowing our light to be hidden under a bushel of fear. (What are some of the other reasons we hide it?) We have a power and a love that is much greater then theirs....yet, we are not taking the opportunity…the everyday opportunities we have to minister to them…to the many kinds of people coming over to this country we see everyday.

 
 
 

In the grocery stores...the smiles...and the friendly nods...and the "excuse me's"...and all the little ways that can show people that they have worth...can all be used by God to speak to their hearts the message, 'Jesus is real and He loves you'...because you better believe that He will use every opportunity!

 

 

 

 

There are many people that actually feel trapped in their religion. They grew up in it and don't see a way out...and also have not experienced nor seen any reason to hope for anything better!

 

 

 

Do you have something better?







Taking the little everyday opportunities to care about them, acknowledging them and shining a light so as to make them wonder why you are being nice to them…when they are normally treated the opposite. You take these little steps, and you better believe God will use your example to work in their hearts. (Please see link below)

 
 



Remember, that most Muslims are born into Islam and are there because they don’t know anything else, feel no option or place to go otherwise. Here, we don't even have to go anywhere! THE mission field is in our own back yard....right under our noses.

 
 

In what I see in scripture, and God's heart for the world (which is why He sent His Son) God wants to see how we will handle something that is right in front of our faces. Will we pass the test? Or will God wink at our fear and our excuses? Do you need scripture to back all of this up? There are many if you take the time….


http://isaalmasih.net/isa/dreamsofisa.html

God's Character II




~click on image to enlarge~



God's way of dealing with sin is in the same way that light deals with darkness...it just exists. The purpose of light is to expose whatever was in the darkness, and then to expel the darkness (without even trying)...with the end result being to bring about life - very much like what the sun does.  If one has actually thought about it and has endeavored to understand...God's way of dealing with sinners is to be around them like *Jesus was so that His light can do all the things that it does!

 

 

 

 Using any kind of force by ostracizing (partiality or hatred) or publicly exposing their sin (unkindness) will not produce anything righteous. We cannot use the actions of the carnal nature to fight the carnal nature. We cannot be in sin as a way to fight sin! Only light can win over darkness. This is why Jesus ate with the worst sinners...because His light disarmed them just by being there. This is why we are commanded to love our enemies...for their sakes and so we stay in the light and learn to always fight from there.

 

 

If we act as though it is an inconvenience to have to deal with sinners...and how ungodly they are...and how they persecute us and get in the way of our rights...then WE had better do a humble re-evaluation of where we stand with God - more so, where we WANT to stand with God!

 
 
 

Because --
1 Tim. 1:15 "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all"

 

 

 

St. Paul understood the whole purpose for Christ's coming was to reconcile the world to Himself....to bring all of us...as many as possible...back to God.

 
 
 

So, does it work to fight unkindness with unkindness? How about hatred with hatred? So many unbelievers, because they live in this fallen world too, have had many hurts which is why they have become angry and selfish. So, how does it help them stop sinning...or become believers...by giving them more of the same? It does not make any spiritual sense!

 

 

 And if you are going to be like them...as well as what they are used to...then how will they see the contrast - the difference in YOU that would make them want to be what you are!?

 

 

 

James 1:20
For human anger does not produce the righteousness of God.


 

* Jesus did rebuke sinners, but only after showing His love and power, and giving them a chance to repent.

 

God's Character I



 

 

I've learned that God's love has some amazing attributes. Everything God does stems from His love. God's pure love softens hearts and gives sacrificially. Because He has no darkness in Him, His intentions are never-ever evil...or never even near it for that matter. He would not inspire anything that is not of the light. 

 

 
 
 

 God's love has no darkness, yet He can still be with, and love people in darkness  - because love will set the limit of not participating in the things of darkness. In fact, His love has the profound capability to loosen the hold darkness has on sinners...because light expels darkness just by it's mere presence.

 
 
 
 
 

 He would rather never have to dole out judgment...however, because He has no darkness in Him at all, He wants the same for His children. The things that reside in darkness are destructive, which is why He rejects them, and wants us to do the same.

 

 
 

 

Everything God does has strong intentions and purposes behind them...so when looking into God's written word this is the reason to never intentionally cut corners, but to take every word, every verse and every chapter in scripture seriously...and be diligent to understand what God is truly saying by making sure you know who is speaking to who, and about what, and why, so that your study and outcome can be approved by God.

 

 
 



 

Also, when He inspired the writers of scripture He would never have had them write something that would be out of His character. Therefore, we first must make sure we keep in mind that the actual author was not human, but God Himself. So when we are looking for answers it is important to realize they  may not sound logical to what our human brain is used to!

 

 
 

-Click on images to enlarge-

 
 
 
 

God has high ideals, so we are to humbly study, seek and learn to be good at hearing from God, so that we are never allowing our human nature to be in charge so as to try and bring God down to our level...but instead we are always reaching upward...higher and higher...to His!

 

 

 
 

 

God showed us His character when He came down and dwelt among us in bodily form. Jesus was the exact representation of the Father. He walked among sinners and ate with them...in fact He went out of His way to be with those who were hated, and His love softened their hearts and disarmed them.

 

 

 
 

So any rebuking of sinners was either after they had rejected Christ's determined show of God's love for them...or because they were abusers, who were in the way of people coming to know God's love and plan for them. Time after time after time Christ showed God's amazing love....which was why people followed Him in droves. Then later on, St. Paul explained in words what Christ had already exemplified...so that we can walk as He walked.

                  

 

                  

Yes, He rebuked others. He rebuked those that tried to keep children away from Him. He rebuked demons and the devil when he tried to tempt Him. He also rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith, or if they said things that those who actually spent as much time with Jesus as they did should never say, then He would.

 

 
 
 

God wants so much for everyone to be saved. Therefore He wants us to learn to live in the world without being of it...therefore to be as patient as we can with unbelievers before we decide to brush the dust off our feet. To treat them the way we would have wanted to be treated if we were in their shoes. They do not have the new nature and the power of the Holy Spirit to help them deal with sin.  Please click on this URL to read 1 Cor. 5 -http://niv.scripturetext.com/1_corinthians/5.htm

 

 
 

I just recently wrote a post about walking with Christ...becoming yoked with Him. When we decide to do this, we also have to be willing to walk in the light. SO, what is IN the light anyway?

More to come....


Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Dear God, When Can I Just BE?

 
 
 
 

Everything has been met in Christ. Every requirement. Yes. Above are just some of the scriptures that tell us how Christ has satisfied and met the demands of each of the important areas of the Christian's life... 

 
 
 
 

Then because this is true, there is only one requirement...one thing God wants from Christians such as you and I. Because everything is already satisfied in Jesus, then wouldn't it make sense to begin following Him? Yes, I know that you have already accepted Christ as your Savior and even your Lord as far as trying to trust Him with the various areas of your life. But have you begun following Him in the true sense? Have you begun this journey of walking with Him? 

 
 
 

 

Following and walking with Him, and then after time you're walking like Him...and then in time you begin feeling right at home and find that you are not 'doing' anymore...no, you are being! You begin growing again, and even in how you see God. He has not only made His home in you, but you have in Him. 

 
 

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

 
 
 

He wants you to have an abundant life. He wants to teach you how to be a true "be-er" Christian...which is much much better than being a doer Christian.

 
 

1 John 2:6
Whoever claims to live in Him ought walk as Jesus did.

 
 
 

 

Ephesians 3:14-19

"14When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. 17Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

 

 

 

Can you understand how much God wants to be not just a part of your life...but to BE your life? Spiritually it has already happened if Christ is in you...but has it happened in how you live? You were created in His image, and this is why God wants you to mature in your walk...as you begin walking closely with Christ Who will help you to become much closer to who you were originally created to BE!!

 
 
 
 

1 Cor. 6:17
But the person who unites himself with the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.

 
 

 

If you notice up in the picture, under Gifts...that scripture tells us that the gifts and callings He has given each person cannot be withdrawn...or your bible might say, "without repentance". The gifts He has bestowed on you, you can't walk away from and then later ask forgiveness for doing something else instead. Why?

 

 
 

 

Because, when God created you He had a specific plan for your life that would fulfill you and make you you and make you whole...so you feel good in your own skin, and are vital and productive! But you will not "be made complete with all the fullness of life and power" until you make it your goal to actually begin taking steps to follow...putting His yoke upon you...and begin walking with Christ in all you do.

 

 

 

When you decide to walk closely along side Him, Jesus said in Matt. 11:30 that His yoke will be easy and His burden is light.  

 

 

 

Enjoy your relationship with Him as you spend time getting to know Him in a closer way...as you open up your heart to scripture and Christ's words in the gospels, and allow yourself unceasing communication (prayer throughout the day that should come more naturally then planned) and letting Christ guide your days...keeping in step with His Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23) 

 
 

1 Thess. 5:17-18
Pray without ceasing. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

 
 
 

Col. 2:3

Christ, In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

 
 

He wants to spend time with you and teach you what it truly means to "be crucified with Christ and it is no longer you who live, but Christ that lives in you" (Gal. 2:20)...then in so doing you end up finding you

 

 
 

 

Eph. 5:2
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

 
 
 
 

1 Peter 4:2
As a result you may spend the rest of your earthly lives, governed not by human passions (Gal. 5:19-21), but by the will of God.

 
 

Blessings!!!

(If you have questions, let me know:) 

It All Pointed To Jesus

 
 
 
 

If you think about it, what would you say are the unique and essential principles of the New Testament in particular? Principles, that if not there, would prove that it should not have been called a NEW Testament! 'New' meaning, not an extension, but an entirely original testament. Not totally unlike any other book that has sequels...where each sequel is completely separate and new, yet altogether completely related to it's predecessor in content with no intended contradictions...meaning, any and all contradictions are added by the readers, not the Author.

 

 
 

That said, let's focus on the essential guiding principles that make the Old Testament separate with it's own unique and very special purpose...which made it indispensable in it's relation to the New Testament. ~

 

 

~ The OT let us see the first two human beings make a choice that ended up ushering in the fallen world we live in now. This most significant event shows us some important things. Namely, that God did not create puppets that have only a limited will and humanness. Therefore because of our innate human will we were given, we made a choice.

 

 

~ The Old Testament made it very clear that there would be a sequel in it's content, from beginning to end. It 'begged' for a sequel as God showed us all the way through from Genesis to Malachi His amazing love, mercy and power in His determination to bring mankind back into relationship with Himself.

 

 
 

~ The OT is full of 'types'. Metaphorical situations and stories that strongly reflect what was to come, namely the once and for all shed blood of the Lamb of God - Jesus Christ.  For one example; the tabernacle (video below) 

 

 
 

~ The OT is jam-packed with shows of bravery,  wisdom, faith, amazing  power, miracles, as well as fear. For instance how God can bring down a giant by a little boy with a sling shot!

 

 

 

Note: notice what the people did immediately following recieving the 10 Commandments after God gave them to Moses. They had a party, but was it a celebration of graditute? Ah, I don't think so! What does this event show us?

 

 
 

~ The OT shows how the various segments of sinful mankind responds on a daily basis, and in various situations, to living by the law ....which in comparison helps mankind see our ultimate need for grace by showing us the specific ways in which we are not capable of working our way to heaven. As the law exposed our weakness to think and act unlike God, when we were originally created to be like Him. It showed us plainly our human nature's typical response (or lack there of) to viewing other's with the same importance we view ourselves...meaning, it showed us our sin nature, but without remedy.

 

 
 

~ The OT shows God's character, capabilities and judgments. God wants us to see "with our own two eyes" what He truly could do if He chose to, so we can better comprehend and appreciate the mercies He has chosen to pour out on us instead.

 

 

~The OT introduces us to great faith and great humanity....as God  introduces us to the Prophets as they point to the Messiah to come. Who will totally fulfill...through His coming, ministry and death...everything the Prophets had proclaimed and taught. Referring back to their faith, proclamations and even their antics is inspiring....however, we must always remember that they would never want us to stop with them....but to always end up with our eyes, focus and awe back on Jesus Christ and what He did, as our ultimate destination.

 

 

Synopsis ~

 

 

The creation of the world - glimpse of what it was like to walk and talk with the God in a sinless world - then what the Old Covenant life would be like for us if God's Spirit did not live inside people and only came down at certain times - in a world where there were many meticulous laws that had to be put in place - which were instructions on how to either directly or indirectly treat people or animals - and how to keep oneself 'pure' before a holy God as a type of what Christ did for us - examples of people that had close relationships with God, as they were being used by Him to help prepare the world for the Messiah to come - to the celebrations - then to the tabernacle and the prophets - then Song of Solomon being a type of Christ and the church, and then Psalms. Everything...every single point...directed us to the need for a Savior so as to reconcile the world to it's Creator.

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 3 22Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people. Listen carefully to everything he tells you.’ 23Then Moses said, ‘Anyone who will not listen to that Prophet will be completely cut off from God’s people.’

24“Starting with Samuel, every prophet spoke about what is happening today. 25You are the children of those prophets, and you are included in the covenant God promised to your ancestors. For God said to Abraham, ‘Through your descendants all the families on earth will be blessed.’ 26When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful

 
 
 

The Tabernacle...a type of Christ.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Evidence Of Salvation I

 

“Beloved let us love one another. For love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that loves not knows not God, for God is love. Beloved LET us love one another.” 1 John 4:7-8



We are a vessel and we are implanted with His Spirit when we accepted Christ. Then in due time we begin to see the evidence that He is there. If the Holy Spirit was a mere idea, or rule, then the only evidence would be if the person decided to have a shift in their behavior due to their idea or rule.

 

 

 

But it is different when He changes us…because He permeates us...and we become more like Him...then we begin bearing fruit because that is what the Holy Spirit does. In time His love begins showing it's face...or the person never had the Spirit of God in the first place…not really. Because, again, that Spirit IS alive within us and His whole reason for being inside us is to empower change and then bearing all kinds of wonderful fruit in every area of our lives.

 
 
 

 

Galatians 5: 16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with (imitate) the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

 

 



I know that there are folks who go forward at alter-calls because they see everyone else is doing it…or because the emotions are high. Then they mouth the words…but the seed falls on either shallow, or thorny ground…or out in the open where the birds gobble it up right away. (Matt.13)

 


I know of many people who intellectually accept the fact or idea of Christ…or even follow Christ as a good man or prophet. But the Spirit of God has never really entered their lives. 2 Tim. 3:5 “They have a form of Godliness, but deny the power that will make them Godly.”




It comes down to this….that at some point in our Christian life it is important to, “Examine yourselves to make sure you are in the faith. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is in you, it means you have failed the test.” 2 Cor. 13:5

 




 
Immaturity can cause a person to act unlike they have the Holy Spirit...because even though the Holy Spirit enters and empowers, we do not at all become 'Stepford Wives' (or men:) when we are converted. We still have every ability to disobey the still small voice within us. So if we are choosing to keep our eyes on things not of God, then unfortunately our behavior will follow. Therefore if the Holy Spirit is inside, the disobedience cannot go on for very long before God must discipline or the person must accept Christ if they realize they really hadn't accepted Him before.

 

 

 

However, when we do decide to let the Holy Spirit be in control, we must take that step of obedience and "fix our eyes on Jesus", then thankfully our behavior will follow and then the Holy Spirit empowers us to live there in His light. So, to imitate, as the following scripture states, we must have our eyes 'fixed' on who we are trying to imitate...correct? So, what actions and characteristics come from God and which ones do not? Eph. 5:1-14 -

 

 

 

1Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved usa and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

3Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

 

6Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

 

10Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, let your light expose them. 12It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14for the light makes everything visible.

 



Part II to follow soon...

Become As A Child - 2nd posting

Continue to click on video if it won't start...it is not a Christian made video, but I love the pics.




Luke 18:17 - "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

 

Matthew 18:1 - "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

 

Matthew 18: - "I assure you," He said, "unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven".

 

The above scripture in Luke is speaking about eagerly accepting and trusting Christ as an innocent child would. An adult would worry about words, about the theology and if they 'did it right'...when a child just opens their heart to God.

 
 

 

 

Then in Matthew it is fairly obvious that God does desire that those who are converted be encouraged to keep the attitude of a child afterward. This verse is very similar in all translations "unless a person is converted and become like children". Therefore, if one looks at the whole picture, God wants for us to come to Him as a child (In Luke)...stay that way for a time and then desire the pure milk of the word to grow on! (Not the heavy theology...but instead the very basics. Steeping them in the gospel and learning about taking Christ's yoke upon them and walking with Him...obeying the New Commandment...prayer and fellowship, and etc)

 
 

 
 

 

 

Click on the following URL to see the whole chapter of Mark 4, which shows the importance of helping the 'soil' of the people we are sharing with to be receptive. > When the unsaved person is shown the love of Christ while they are yet sinners softens and prepares the soil to receive Him. And then new converts stay receptive when caring and adequate discipleship is given...then what happens when the soil has not been cultivated. Sadly I've seen this happen all too often, especially at an alter-call where people are going up to the alter alone, and then there is no sincere follow-up afterwards.

 http://niv.scripturetext.com/mark/4.htm

 
 
 
 
 
 

Baby Christians need to be encouraged to not rush through the process by those who are discipling them and are familiar with what the bible says...as this stage of Christian growth must be important or God would not have included it. Successfully walking through this process with a baby Christian will help their walk with Christ and their productivity immeasurably!





 

Having taught for close to 35 years in early childhood education I can tell you a few important general characteristics that uniquely separate how young children typically act and think as compared to any other age. Please read through them (below in red) and even though I will make some comparisons to the newly saved, I am not going to comment or leave scriptures (in black) on all of them, leaving some for you to fill in.

 

 

 

                                **********************************

**Young children are concrete thinkers. Whatever they see, feel, hear and.experience is real to them. There are no layers to anything... what you see is what you get.

 

 This is a great attribute for a young Christian! To be encouraged to 'just believe' what the scriptures say! To not analyze so much, which is our problem! We only know the world and how the carnal nature thinks and acts...so these ways are so familiar to us that many of the precepts in scripture that may not seem logical are pushed aside because we have not nurtured this vital characteristic -- to 'just believe' God over our own thinking! What's interesting is that this important characteristic is what helps us to mature...because those that believe God's thinking even over one's own, grow quicker because they don't just give intellectual assent to the words of scripture, but actually believe them because they know that God's ways and thoughts will often be much different than our own!

 

James 1:22Do what God's word says. Don't merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves.


Romans 11:33Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!


 

 

**They are egocentric. Everything is about them. So, if their family is having problems they figure they must have done something wrong, and if they are happy they figured they must have done something to help that happen too.

 

 

**If they see something and want it, even if someone else has it, they figure it's theirs just because they want it.

 

 

**Toddlers love to explore and touch everything...which is something that helps them grow in their sensory development rapidly, which in turn helps their brain grow...and so this is really good if they are allowed to do this, but it also means they will end up touching things they ought not.

 
 

**They do not understand, or even think about yet how their actions affect others.

This is a very important one to grow out of...at least that's what scripture says! However, it is one that much of the church still has not matured in...though God even made a command that we do! This is one of the strong residual characteristics that was passed to us at the fall -- self-centeredness. Where the world revolves around you and you can only go so far in being able to feel and empathize with someone else's pain. Christians will tout the extreme importance of doing the first part of loving God, but stop there...when God commanded that we do both - love God and our neighbor AS we love ourselves! In fact this one thing impedes so much of our productivity... 

 

2 Cor. 5:15He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

 

 John 13:34So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

 

**They are usually risk takers, because they don't understand consequences yet, and also spacial differences. They can't tell whether something is 2 feet high, or 4 feet.

 

 

**They are wide open to love and be loved.

 

 

**They are easily moved when someone else is hurting...and feel very guilty if they think they caused it.

 
 

 **They can be very stubborn, 2 yr olds have been known to hold their breath till they actually pass out!

 

Mark 16:14Still later Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles while they were eating. He put them to shame for their unbelief and because they were too stubborn to believe those who had seen him alive.

 

1 Sam. 15:23Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you..."

 

John 14:23  Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

 

**They easily trust...and believe what is told to them...however, if the caretaker's behavior is contrary to their words it can cause one or more arrests in a child's development...BUT if the caretaker's words and actions are congruent the outcome is and can be solid! They also learn the importance of imitating Christ.

 

1 Thess. 1:6 -
You became imitators of us and of the Lord. In spite of a great deal of suffering, you welcomed the word with the joy that the Holy Spirit produces.

 

 

**Their roots are very susceptible, so they readily soak up their experiences

 

 

**They have an exuberance to life. Everything is exciting.

 

 

**They are uninhibited, and they don't care what others think.

 

Matthew 18:4 - Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

 

 

**They are not yet tainted, so they don't have the fears and hurts that hold us back.

 

 

 

**They don't mind getting their hands dirty.

 

 

**When they were told God is real they will believe it, so their faith is strong and their heart open. I've seen young children accept Christ and it is very apparent they truly did! Christianity is actually simple enough for a child to understand the very basics...it is adults that make it seem more complicated.




 

 **Therefore they usually are very open to spiritual things. Many people have said that it was when they were children that they saw an angel.

 
 

 

**They bond with their first caretakers unless those caretakers do something to deliberately cause harm, which can cause children to resist bonding later on.

 

 
 

**They need care, because they can easily be deceived. However, they can easily get discouraged too if the caretaker is not gracious with their mistakes and child-like thinking.

 

 
 

 

**Their senses are more acute and reactions more dramatic.

 

 
 

 

*They naturally know when they are full. It is the adults that teach them to not 'listen' to their body's senses and to finish their plate or to over eat. However, they naturally will be hungry...although it ebs and flows according to how fast they are growing and other factors. Therefore, they should not be pushed too hard to eat so it stays a natural thing and not forced...which can cause problems later.

 

1 Peter 2:2- Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,





 

 

**They can usually tolerate cold much easier...in fact the kids that live in colder climates are typically healthier. We are the ones that insist on them wearing even more heavier clothing than necessary.

 
 

 

Please feel free to copy this if you want to write in your own answers. 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Principles To Consider



Remember, scripture is basically a written work, by God, telling you about Himself. Therefore it is not at all what we think...as our human mind would want us to look at it as a rule book that God handed down to us...so essentially a book more about us.  No. It is written in human terms so He can communicate with us, but it is not about rules, or about us...no, it is about Him ~ His character and His love for us...and if it is at all about us, it is learning about the true us that God wants us to become again. 

 

 

And because it is about Him, this is why there are so many words, and so many books and chapters in the bible...because God is far-reaching. Therefore to be able to get a fuller view and understanding of Him, we needed to hear about Him from the perspectives of many different kinds of people as they go through many different situations.  

 

 

Matt. 13:14-16  "You will hear My words, but you will not understand; you will see what I do, but you will not perceive it's meaning...but blessed are your eyes because they see and your ears because they hear."

 


 

And He is not only far-reaching, but precise. So, when He says 'all', it means 'all'. So, in order for us to completely understand the things about Him, He needed to have given us many examples and stories to help us understand even one principle...which is why we cannot overlook even the smallest words.

 

 

Again, all means all.

 

 

 

Also, because God is eternal, meaning no end to Him...He wants and invites you and I to dig deeper into Him and to continually get to know Him better, then this in turn helps us see that we must always be reaching higher to be more and think more like Him and to never settle for thinking that scripture, tho penned by men, has human reasoning behind it. 

 

 
 

Remember! We were cut off from Him in the garden because of our human will. Since then we have essentially forgotten what it was like to walk and talk with Him, so now our job is bi-fold - to get to know Him all over again, and to bring as many people with us as we can. Therefore we must get out of the way and let God share Himself with us, and let Him be in charge!

 

 
 

 

Ephesians 5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

 

 
 

 

In fact if we apply human reasoning to it then we will not be learning more about God (maybe our idea of God...but not truly God), which again is the primary reason for scripture. We would be attempting to bring God way down to our level...instead of seeing that God wants us to continue pressing on, and reaching more and more up to His! 

 

 
 

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

 
 

2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness (becoming more like God) out of reverence for God.

 

 
 

James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 

 
 

Colossians 1:28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

 

 
 

 

As you get to know God better you'll see that God is truly immense. He created the universe. He Himself said that His ways are not our ways...and He means it. God's ways are SO much NOT carnal or human that they will usually be explained as being not only higher, but in my own words; ways that are clearly unexpected or opposite...and never halfway! 

 

 
 

In the following scriptures God is telling us to always be ready to do the unexpected...which is how Jesus conducted Himself...which is why His behavior took people off guard and puzzled them -- because He went past convention and cared about people fearlessly. But this in turn drew them to Him like a moth to a flame and actually shows us (Christians) what loving and relating with others is all about so as to be God's effectual witnesses to those around us. We humans 1st inkling is to be punitive...to pounce on sinners...but Christ shows us time and time again, that in order to be good fishers of men, we have to use the right bait...and that bait is not human derived.

 

 
 

Luke 6:29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.

 

 
 

Matthew 5:41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

 

 
 

 

Mark 9:39 "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,

 

 
 

Matthew 12:30 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.

 

 
 

1 John 4:21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

 

 
 

Luke 6:27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

 

 
 

Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

 

 
 

Matthew 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

 

 
 

Matthew 5:46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

 

 



(Proverbs 19:11 A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.)