I was reading Romans 8 today, the whole idea of choice got turned around on me. Our worldly view, our sinful desires, the great liar (Satan) would have us to always choose for ourselves. Surely we know what is best for us. Depend on your experiences! Depend on what you read on the internet, books, etc. You are smart enough to make this decision!
But I will tell, I do not have great success at this! Yes, I make reasonable decisions. But I don't make life giving decisions. What do I mean?
Romans 8:6 in the NLT reads:
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
If we look to God (Jesus, and the Spirit) to guide us in all thoughts and decisions, then the Spirit will lead us to a life, a life of peace. The Spirit will lead us to abundant life. Now does this mean, as the world would think, that we will have whatever we desire! NO. But it does mean that we will have what we need, and most of all, we will have peace and joy. Characteristics that cannot be bought!! My wife and I use a saying: Stop; Pause; and Pray! This gives us time for God to guide us in our actions, thoughts, and words! Extremely effective, but we have to do it!
Some other verses that support this same process:
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
Galatians 6:8
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.
In all of these, it is clear. We choose! Choose to live by our sinful natures, or to choose to live by the Spirit! Is this hard? Yep! It is part of the every day, dying to self, and looking to Jesus Christ for His way. The way that leads to life! Abundant life!
It feels "unworldly" to ask for direction on all things. But Paul is clear in the scriptures. If we don't ask for direction, then we will become a slave to our sinful selves!
So, join me. Start thinking positives. Focus on the positives. And pray to God in all situations! Start to see how God changes you, and then the situations around you. Press into God.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that it is National Marriage Week. Do something special for your spouse this week! Surprise her or him. I am so thankful for my wife, who walks with me. She is so special to me!
Praise God!
Donald
Monday, February 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Old Testament Sarai, What was she thinking?
Genesis 16 - Recounts the story of Sarai pre-empting God's plan. Sarai felt like she was old, and "needed" to help God by establishing her own family.
My wife and I read this last night, but I will point out some of the humor.
Genesis 16:1-3
1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.)
So, Sarai gave Abram her maid servant Hagar. Notice, Abram (Abraham) agreed. Mistake number one!
Now Read verses 4-5
4 So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong—you or me!”
Notice verse 5. Now Sarai tells Abram "This is all your fault!" Wow.
We had to get tickled about this. Sarai got exactly what she asked for, but then did not like the outcome, and blamed someone else. WOW.
How many times do we follow this same course of action with God? We try to "help" God by using our own plans and means. God allows us to follow through, then we blame God for our stupid idea! What! Come on, really?
We suggest to pray, seek Godly counsel before making decisions. It is so easy for me to plunge head first to "fix" my life. What God wants is for us to seek after Him, and follow Him. By doing so, we will have life and have it abundantly. But by me charging ahead, I mess it up. I live life according to my plan, and I will tell you that is not abundant life. But life with Jesus Christ, and following him, is abundant life! I always love the verse, John 10:10 which Jesus states (NIV): 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Try it! Follow Jesus Christ! Instead of trying to pull Him, or go off and leave Him, doing things your way! You will be amazed at how wonderful life can be.
My wife and I read this last night, but I will point out some of the humor.
Genesis 16:1-3
1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.)
So, Sarai gave Abram her maid servant Hagar. Notice, Abram (Abraham) agreed. Mistake number one!
Now Read verses 4-5
4 So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong—you or me!”
Notice verse 5. Now Sarai tells Abram "This is all your fault!" Wow.
We had to get tickled about this. Sarai got exactly what she asked for, but then did not like the outcome, and blamed someone else. WOW.
How many times do we follow this same course of action with God? We try to "help" God by using our own plans and means. God allows us to follow through, then we blame God for our stupid idea! What! Come on, really?
We suggest to pray, seek Godly counsel before making decisions. It is so easy for me to plunge head first to "fix" my life. What God wants is for us to seek after Him, and follow Him. By doing so, we will have life and have it abundantly. But by me charging ahead, I mess it up. I live life according to my plan, and I will tell you that is not abundant life. But life with Jesus Christ, and following him, is abundant life! I always love the verse, John 10:10 which Jesus states (NIV): 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Try it! Follow Jesus Christ! Instead of trying to pull Him, or go off and leave Him, doing things your way! You will be amazed at how wonderful life can be.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Ready to go.
OK, so I haven't been blogging. My apologies. But it is time now! We are going to post interesting marriage articles, as well as Bible verses. We encourage you to post your Bible verses in the comments. We will do this twice per month!
The first is a favorite of ours: Psalm 1:1-6. Here it is in the NLT translation:
Psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
Mark Hall, lead singer to Casting Crowns, has a teaching video on Psalm 1:1. It is the basis of the their hit song, "Slow Fade". Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9JgrJjyNzg
So, my take! We need to guard who our friends are. If we listen to the "wrong" friends, we will be led down a slow fade path, moving away from God! Be careful! Stay in the word!
God Bless!
The first is a favorite of ours: Psalm 1:1-6. Here it is in the NLT translation:
Psalm 1
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
Mark Hall, lead singer to Casting Crowns, has a teaching video on Psalm 1:1. It is the basis of the their hit song, "Slow Fade". Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9JgrJjyNzg
So, my take! We need to guard who our friends are. If we listen to the "wrong" friends, we will be led down a slow fade path, moving away from God! Be careful! Stay in the word!
God Bless!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Love Matters
I am creating this blog to help others see the wonderful path to marriage and family that God desires for each of us to have. I will post websites, blogs, etc, to help us learn from each other. I will also challenge each of us with thoughts and scripture. Thank you for joining me, and listening to my thoughts.
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