My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him. Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us.
If you know the truth, the truth will sent you free.
Blessings
Doug
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Life as an Offering
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.
If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Food for thought.
Blessings
Doug
I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.
If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
Food for thought.
Blessings
Doug
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Way of Love
1 Cor 13: 1-7
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for the self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swollen head,
doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies
I am glad that God is love and not just a God of love.
Let this be our goal: to walk in God's love.
Blessings
Doug
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for the self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swollen head,
doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies
I am glad that God is love and not just a God of love.
Let this be our goal: to walk in God's love.
Blessings
Doug
Thursday, March 6, 2008
What is the Mystery
I like the way The Message translates what Paul said about the mystery.
Col 1:26-29
This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing.
The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you and therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.
Christ is in you. How cool is that.
Everything we are and ever will be, is in Christ. No more, no less.
Let us have faith as a child. Believe what God says--we are in Christ.
Blessings
Doug
Col 1:26-29
This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing.
The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you and therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generously gives me.
Christ is in you. How cool is that.
Everything we are and ever will be, is in Christ. No more, no less.
Let us have faith as a child. Believe what God says--we are in Christ.
Blessings
Doug
Saturday, February 23, 2008
There is Only One
Eph 4:4-6
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
I have just returned from Peru where I had been invited to come share the word of God. I found that the word of God is the same in Peru as it is in America. If were not, then something is wrong. Because God is not building something in the USA and something else in the rest of the world. I am reminded of what He said: If God is not building the house, the labors are working in vain.
I feel alot of what is being built today is not the heart of God. Most of what we see being built today is the tradition of men or a spider web. The spider web, I guess, is not bad if you are the spider, but if you are not the spider, then you are just food for the spider. There seems to be alot of fat spiders or Apostles and Pastors in what is called the church today.
God has called us to build His Church, make disciples and establish His Kingdom on Earth. What causes the body to grow, is when every part is working. We need to understand that every part is important; we need each part walking in the grace that was given to them in Christ's gift.
That is why Christ gave gifts to men for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
The heart of a Father should be to see everyone complete in Christ, who is the head of His body. We need to think about what Jesus said--He came to serve, not to be served. If you want to be great, you must be a servant of all. Paul said that he was the least of all saints. I feel that is a different mindset than what we see in today's so-called Fathers.
Paul implores us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Blessing on your journey.
Doug
There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
I have just returned from Peru where I had been invited to come share the word of God. I found that the word of God is the same in Peru as it is in America. If were not, then something is wrong. Because God is not building something in the USA and something else in the rest of the world. I am reminded of what He said: If God is not building the house, the labors are working in vain.
I feel alot of what is being built today is not the heart of God. Most of what we see being built today is the tradition of men or a spider web. The spider web, I guess, is not bad if you are the spider, but if you are not the spider, then you are just food for the spider. There seems to be alot of fat spiders or Apostles and Pastors in what is called the church today.
God has called us to build His Church, make disciples and establish His Kingdom on Earth. What causes the body to grow, is when every part is working. We need to understand that every part is important; we need each part walking in the grace that was given to them in Christ's gift.
That is why Christ gave gifts to men for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
The heart of a Father should be to see everyone complete in Christ, who is the head of His body. We need to think about what Jesus said--He came to serve, not to be served. If you want to be great, you must be a servant of all. Paul said that he was the least of all saints. I feel that is a different mindset than what we see in today's so-called Fathers.
Paul implores us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Blessing on your journey.
Doug
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Abide in His Love
John 15:9
Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
Jesus speaks of the differences between the Father’s commandments and His commandments. As I looked at this, I realized that Jesus said, "love one another, just as I have loved you." Notice that it is not as you love yourself, but as Jesus has loved you. There is a difference from the letter of the law and the law of the Spirit.
There are 5 things that Jesus basically commands us: to believe in Him, to love one another the way that He has loved you, to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, to preach the Kingdom, and to make disciples.
What are the things that the devil is always fighting against? Us believing, loving, being baptized in the Holy Spirit, preaching the Kingdom and making disciples?
That is why the devil is happy to let us be religious, independent and full of ourselves, walking in the traditions of man that keep us divided.
That is why when you are born again, you become spiritual beings in Christ, walking in the Spirit and you are no longer human beings walking in the flesh.
I would encourage you to see what Jesus has commanded you to do, so you will abide in His love.
Blessings
Doug
Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
Jesus speaks of the differences between the Father’s commandments and His commandments. As I looked at this, I realized that Jesus said, "love one another, just as I have loved you." Notice that it is not as you love yourself, but as Jesus has loved you. There is a difference from the letter of the law and the law of the Spirit.
There are 5 things that Jesus basically commands us: to believe in Him, to love one another the way that He has loved you, to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, to preach the Kingdom, and to make disciples.
What are the things that the devil is always fighting against? Us believing, loving, being baptized in the Holy Spirit, preaching the Kingdom and making disciples?
That is why the devil is happy to let us be religious, independent and full of ourselves, walking in the traditions of man that keep us divided.
That is why when you are born again, you become spiritual beings in Christ, walking in the Spirit and you are no longer human beings walking in the flesh.
I would encourage you to see what Jesus has commanded you to do, so you will abide in His love.
Blessings
Doug
Thursday, January 17, 2008
God's Pleasure
While I was reading in Galatians, I saw where Paul said that it pleased (or was the will or wish of) God to reveal His Son to Paul that he might preach Him among the Gentiles.
I think that most people think God is out to get them and that He stands waiting for them to mess up so He can judge them. But if we understand the heart of the Father, we realize that He is for us and not against us. He wants us to fulfill what He has predestined us to be in His Son. It gives Him pleasure when we walk in the grace of His calling.
Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added. Do not fear, for it is your Father’s good pleasure (His wish, will, or choice) to give you the kingdom.
Paul said in Philippians that it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
I believe that there is a difference between what God’s pleasure is and what pleases Him.
We need to have our minds renewed in the understanding of what pleases God. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Faith is what gives God pleasure--enjoyment, delight, satisfaction--and He has given to each a measure of faith. What pleases Him, He has already given us. How cool is that.
God is pleased to give His will, and it pleases God when we fulfill it.
Hidden in Christ with God.
Food for thought.
Doug
I think that most people think God is out to get them and that He stands waiting for them to mess up so He can judge them. But if we understand the heart of the Father, we realize that He is for us and not against us. He wants us to fulfill what He has predestined us to be in His Son. It gives Him pleasure when we walk in the grace of His calling.
Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added. Do not fear, for it is your Father’s good pleasure (His wish, will, or choice) to give you the kingdom.
Paul said in Philippians that it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
I believe that there is a difference between what God’s pleasure is and what pleases Him.
We need to have our minds renewed in the understanding of what pleases God. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Faith is what gives God pleasure--enjoyment, delight, satisfaction--and He has given to each a measure of faith. What pleases Him, He has already given us. How cool is that.
God is pleased to give His will, and it pleases God when we fulfill it.
Hidden in Christ with God.
Food for thought.
Doug
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