Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
What a gReat reminder as I am getting ready to go to work.
A friend of mine, a very dear friend, said her marriage vows today. I was unable to be there for the blessed event but my heart and prayers were there.
Another friend lost the love of her life to a a car accident caused by a random fool who decided to drive on the wrong side of the highway.
Another friend buried a best friend who was riding his motorcycle just as he had thousands of times before but this time, it was his last.
As a believer in an Almighty God, I am inclined to lean on the principle that nothing happens unless God deems it necessary for building you up.
Yesterday I got an email from one of my friends who was trying to explain recent events and he made an observation that without the death of something, we wouldn't ever appreciate the life around us. He ended it with "because of death, we have life"
Now he isn't a believer of Jesus but of course I was reminded of the Gospel. Jesus' death gives me life, life eternal. In the death of a caterpillar comes the life of a butterfly. In the death of our old selves, comes the opportunity to be a new being in Jesus Christ.
Sometimes I just can't wrap my head around who, what, when and why. In each of the moments that my friends experienced, there's something that needed to die for something to come alive. Precious moments can be happy or sad, as long as we see the lessons, its always worth it. My friend's wedding was not planned by any of us. Something inside her needed to die, it was her plans, her idols and when they did, God gave her life. A life only he could plan out so perfectly for His kingdom.
As for the other two, if it hasn't been revealed yet, it will be revealed in time. Life will spring forth from the death. My faithful God will show up, I know it.
If it wasn't for darkness, we wouldn't know the need for light. If it weren't for winters, we wouldn't know the need for heat/summer/the sun. If it weren't for sin, we wouldn't have known the greatest need of all, A SAVIOR.
In some mixed up yet straight forward way, God always makes his point.
Love God and the rest will follow!
Theres been a lot of snow lately.
Its been good and bad as all things are in this world. Two sides, two faces, two opinions.
I was talking to my sister and saying how snow is gorgeous as it falls but once it touches the ground, its over. I compared it to sinning and she said 'preach it!' Haha soooo I will...
While we are sinning, its calming our desires, its gorgeous, its fun, it seems worthwhile. Watching snow fall from the sky is oddly calming, its gorgeous, it's fun, etc. The thing with snow is that after it has fallen, it mixes with the dirt, it turns colors, when dogs or homeless people pee on it, it turns yellow. Its especially a mess when its melting because then you get SLUSH. Sin is the same way. After the initial high, you feel like scum, dirty, you change, it changes. Its especially messy when you are in between, you live a life in a slushy mess.
You know what's interesting, when the new snow falls, it covers up the old snowy mess. So when you walk on the new snow, you never know what you are stepping on/in. Same thing with sin. New sins can be used to cover up the old ones, but the mess is still there. If you just keep walking as if nothing is wrong, you never know when you might fall or even how deep.
Here's the most interesting part, in order for snow to stick, you need a layer on ice to form first. With sin, you need to essentially do the same. You have to turn off all possible ways of talking yourself out of committing the sin. You have to basically create a frozen foundation on which to stand.
Guess who can crack this frozen foundation?? You know it!
JESUS♥
You guys knew I was gonna say that. The thing is you can't just let Jesus move the sin over to the side, He has to be able to dig in with the shovel and crack the ice, this will ensure that the next time it snows, there's no chance of it sticking. We will all be tempted to sin, tempted to want to watch the snow fall but that doesn't mean we have to give in.
The shoveling is hard work, it hurts but if it's done right, it's worth it.
Love God and the rest will follow.
I was told that I was a carnal Christian for liking football.
I have been looked at with a raised eyebrow before for liking football or basketball. It's mostly because guys find it odd/unbelievable that a girl could like it as much as I do. I actually like pretty much any kind of sport, I will pick a side and root for it. *racing horses and dogs is NOT sport*
I like watching humans push physical limits. I know I couldn't run as fast or jump as high so it fascinates me. IT intrigues me. But it will never replace the Truth of what my Jesus did for me and you on Cross of Calvary.
However, I don't like the monetary aspect of sports. I don't support players getting paid exorbitant amounts of cash. I dont like the ticket prices, the ridiculously priced gear or that athletes can get away with most things as long as they have money. I dont like people making money off of others. I don't like that it encourages/opens up the world of prostitution, drug use and violence to the athletes and their families. You should play for the love of the game.
Respect is earned.
My Jesus is the only one who has given His life for me and He did it because He loves me. I know my worth and I live each day to try and honor Him. No one else will replace my Jesus, my GOD, my saviour!
I know the difference and I know what's on a pedestal in my life and what isn't. Therefore I resent being called a carnal Christian for enjoying a sporting event.
I guess this time I have to remind myself...
Love God and the rest will follow.