We are living in a world where nothing seems to be certain. You hear one thing one day and another the next. You put your hope in what you have been told, and then find that what you have been told is not the whole truth. The world seems to have little to no understanding of what is going on and what is going to happen. One man tells us one thing and another man tells us something completely different. Who and what can we believe?
Jesus tells us that "in the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." He tells us, "My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." I hope that you are catching what He is saying here--that He himself is our peace. We can only find real peace, the peace that passes understanding, in Him. That is why we put our hope and trust in Him and not in the world.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Did you catch that? The God of peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think it can get any better than that. But it does. The Father of peace will send the Holy Spirit in Jesus’s name to teach us all things and to bring to remembrance all that Jesus has said to us. Think about it--we have the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, so nothing can steal our peace that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts and let the words of Christ dwell in you richly.
Blessings
Doug
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Reap What You Sow
Have you ever wondered why some people are more blessed than others?
I think one of the reasons might be in what Paul talked about in Gal. 6. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
2Cor. 9 tells us that he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver, and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
Did you catch the part that God loves?
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality.
Most people use these words to talk about money, but I think it talks about more than just money. God wants us to sow ourselves bountifully into the work that He has predestined us to. Most of the time, it is easier to give our money than our time. God wants us to present ourselves a living and holy sacrifice.
I would encourage you to sow yourself to the work of the Spirit and watch what the Father will do on your behalf.
Blessings
Doug
I think one of the reasons might be in what Paul talked about in Gal. 6. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
2Cor. 9 tells us that he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver, and God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
Did you catch the part that God loves?
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality.
Most people use these words to talk about money, but I think it talks about more than just money. God wants us to sow ourselves bountifully into the work that He has predestined us to. Most of the time, it is easier to give our money than our time. God wants us to present ourselves a living and holy sacrifice.
I would encourage you to sow yourself to the work of the Spirit and watch what the Father will do on your behalf.
Blessings
Doug
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
What is a Father's heart?
I realized that my heart as a father towards my children is like the heart of God the Father towards us, His children.
I have two children, one of which is a son. He is married and has two children himself. When they come home for a visit, I have realized that he thinks that what is mine is his. He will go into my closet and wear my clothes. Without asking, he will open my ice box and drink out of my water jar and it doesn’t bother him the least bit. I have two pairs of house shoes--when he is here visiting, I find that at times both pairs are in his room. When he comes to my house, he just makes himself at home and acts like it is his house and they are his things.
My daughter has the same understanding. She also is married and has two children. My wife and I will be gone for a few days and when we return, we will find things are missing from our home and they will be at her home because she needed to use them while we were gone. It doesn’t bother her a bit to get whatever she might need out of my house and take to her home.
You know, I like that they still feel like this too is their home, and these things of mine they are welcome to use. They are my children and they have a key to the front door.
I think that is what the Father wants us to understand. All things that are His, He gave to us. He has given us access to Him though His Son Jesus. The word tells us to come boldly before Him, letting our request be made known. You have not because you haven’t asked, and when you asked you didn’t believe you would receive.
I believe that God wants us to understand His heart toward us as His children, and to walk fully in the purpose that He had predestined for us before we were born.
Jer 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give a future and a hope.
John 15:16
You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.
Walk as children of God and heirs to His Kingdom.
Blessings
Doug
I have two children, one of which is a son. He is married and has two children himself. When they come home for a visit, I have realized that he thinks that what is mine is his. He will go into my closet and wear my clothes. Without asking, he will open my ice box and drink out of my water jar and it doesn’t bother him the least bit. I have two pairs of house shoes--when he is here visiting, I find that at times both pairs are in his room. When he comes to my house, he just makes himself at home and acts like it is his house and they are his things.
My daughter has the same understanding. She also is married and has two children. My wife and I will be gone for a few days and when we return, we will find things are missing from our home and they will be at her home because she needed to use them while we were gone. It doesn’t bother her a bit to get whatever she might need out of my house and take to her home.
You know, I like that they still feel like this too is their home, and these things of mine they are welcome to use. They are my children and they have a key to the front door.
I think that is what the Father wants us to understand. All things that are His, He gave to us. He has given us access to Him though His Son Jesus. The word tells us to come boldly before Him, letting our request be made known. You have not because you haven’t asked, and when you asked you didn’t believe you would receive.
I believe that God wants us to understand His heart toward us as His children, and to walk fully in the purpose that He had predestined for us before we were born.
Jer 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give a future and a hope.
John 15:16
You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.
Walk as children of God and heirs to His Kingdom.
Blessings
Doug
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