Follower of Jesus

Ruined by God!

followerofjesus1 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:27:07 +0000

1In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” 4And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. 5Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” 6Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.” 8Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” -Is 6:1-8

I recently heard a sermon on Isaiah 6:1-8 and it brought back some memories for me. I can remember a time when I could listen to any preacher, read any Christian book attend most Churches without a second thought. Then I met Rick. He was the new pastor of small groups at the church I was attending and I was a small group leader. Over time he taught me to really dig into the Word of God (2 Tim 2:15) and to not just take things at face value. I now study the Bible for myself and judge what others say and do by it and nothing else. Now years later I know God much better and have a healthy God fear in me. I understand how important the Scriptures are and that each of us is responsible for understanding God’s Word. Now I am very I have a hard time finding church, a good book or listening to most preachers without constantly seeing the Bible being taken out of context. I have been ruined!

Life was much easier before, but I am freer in Christ today then I was. I live my life for God and like Isaiah it is hard not to be the first one to say “here am I Lord, send me” after you have had a really encounter with the living God!

One of the best books on understanding the proper way to study the Word is Howard Hendricks book- “Living by the Book”

All Things

followerofjesus1 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:40:29 +0000

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. -1 Co 10:23-24

Although we as believers in Christ are no longer under the Old Testament law, we are still to look to things that build us or others up and avoid things that tear us or others down. Our life is now built on Jesus’ words:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” -Lk 10:27

These words Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind sum up our entire being, all that we are. We are no longer to be slaves of sin, but free under Christ and we should live our life, with all we are, for Christ. Some have taken this to mean everything we do must be “overtly Christian” only Christian books, music, only hanging out with other Christians etc. But God wants us to be interacting with the world, while keeping out self’s separate. We need to becareful that what we do does not hinder your walk with God, while not becoming legalistic and that what we do edifies others, as Paul puts it:

But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. -1 Co 8:9

Let us allows allow the Holy Spirit to guide us and seek direction from God for all that we do, whether it is how we spend our leisure time to what books we read, let us do everything to God’s glory.

Other Verses on building up and edifying:

15For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. -Ro 14:15

19So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. -Ro 14:19

1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. 2Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. -Ro 15:1-2

29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. -Eph 4:29

Rejoice and be glad? Why?

followerofjesus1 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:04:25 +0000

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Mt 5:12

Jesus told us that if we followed Him the world would hate us just as it hated Him (John 15:18). Jesus also said that the world does not really hate us, but actually hates Him. (John 7:7). Knowing what we would face, Jesus told us how to handle the situations that would arise; actually He gave us a command. Jesus told us that when we face persecution we should “rejoice” and “be glad”. Why should we have this attitude in the face of persecution? The answer is simple. We have a great reward awaiting us in heaven. The time we spend here on earth is only like a moment, if we look at our future time with Christ. The goal of this life is not comfort and safety, but the hard work that Christ has given us. To spread His great message of hope that is the gospel. Today much of Christianity is about me and how God is there to bless me in this life. Yet what we see over and over in the Scriptures is that we are here to fulfill God’s plan of redemption for His children. So, when we see the world acting against us either as an individual or as a group, don’t get upset or angry, rejoice and be glad!! For in heaven there is a great reward awaiting us!!

The Last Lap

followerofjesus1 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:56:00 +0000

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. – James 5:7-8

Each of us needs to be patient. The meaning of the word “patient” in the original Greek is interesting. It means “long temper” or think long, have a long fuse, focus for the last lap of the race. I like watching NASCAR. I remember one race where a driver had to start last because of an engine change. He had a great car that day and he slowly made his way to the front. Lap after lap he just slowly made his way past one car at a time. And then the last lap of the race he past the leader to win the race. He never led the race until the last half of the last lap. His eye was on the last lap, he was not out to lead every lap but to be there in the end. That is what we as believers need to have, focused on the prize. Look ahead to the Lord’s coming, not the problems of each day.