Pages

Friday, October 29, 2010

Whose Mind Is it Anyway?

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run
your life! Proverbs 4:23

One of the biggest challenges in the world is to keep
our thoughts under control. They are like a butterfly
flitting from one flower to another, our thoughts stream
uncontrolled through our mind, going from one subject
to another, unable to focus.

Our emotions help them along the way, giving them a nudge,
and bringing up past issues to change our perception.
Then, our mouth opens, and out comes whatever
is in the depths of our mind and heart.

There is no hiding the truth is there?

Whatever is in our heart, will come out. We may play
games, or hem and haw, and beat around the bush,
but the Bible says out of the abundance of the heart
the mouth speaks.

The Bible tells us to bring our thoughts into captivity.

Why? Because it is a spiritual war going on within our
minds daily. Fighting for control, fighting for authority,
fighting for your joy, fighting to keep you from reading
the word of God. satan the loser wants your mind.

Are you going to stand back and let him do that?
Maybe you already are.. and just don't recognize it.
Tell me, what was your focus today?

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty
in God for pulling down strongholds.
Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every
THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5

So there is a little guy in your head arguing, and exalting
itself against God.. saying I am not going to do what you
want ... it is my life, I can think and do what I please.

And at that very moment, despair starts to wash in your
spirit.. because truthfully.. we control nothing. We need
God. And we need to clear our minds of the debris
so he may fill that place.

Dedicated space.. in our minds.. ruled by the spirit of
God.. that we may be mighty in prayer, mighty in
strength, holy in our spirit, and right before God.
Pure, undefiled by the thinking of the world.
Focused, driven, surrendered, captivated with God.
In His presence, drawn, clinging, and filling up.

All He is ... is all we will ever need.

Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run
your life! Proverbs 4:23

Who is running your life tonite?

If it is not God, the solution is prayer. We get on our
knees, confess our sins, receive his salvation and forgiveness
and renew our hearts and mind in Him.
God says we are either for him or against him.

Where do you stand?

remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Father, I Adore You!

So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great
mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice
to Him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing
to Him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship.
Do not change yourselves to be like the people of this
world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking.
Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you;
you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and
what is perfect.
Romans 12:1-2

Father God you know I adore you.

Really my child? When was the last time you
sat down and spent a hour talking to me?

You sat down and watched your favorite shows
on tv for 2 hours last night, then found many
things to keep you busy around the house, but
by the time you were through you were too tired
to talk to me.

God you know you are first in my life.

Really my child? Where were you this last
week when I asked you to come read my word
so I could strengthen you for your path ahead?
You found a new book you really wanted to read
and spent that last part of each evening reading it.
Did you put me first then my child?

God I always give money to church, especially
on holidays, you know I honor you with my money.

Really my child? When you saw that homeless
woman today with her little child, did you think
about helping them in some way? Perhaps some
new clothes, a meal, or just taking time to comfort them?
You were able to go out and buy that new purse you
wanted, but didn’t have money left to help someone
in need. Did your money really go to me first?

God you know I love talking to you.

Really my child? I waited for you all evening,
and you were on the phone with your friends.
You laughed and talked and talked. And by the
time you got off, you had forgotten about me.
I want to be loved as your friends are. I want
to be your first love, and the one you run to first,
not last.

I want you to give of the first part of your life to me,
nothing must come before me. Put your all on the altar
for me, so you may please me and live a long and righteous
life dwelling in the riches and comfort of my presence.

Child what I want from you is your heart. I want you
to love me with all your heart, soul and mind. This
is something I require. I gave you my best when my
son came to earth and gave up his life for your sins
and the sins of all mankind. I gave up my only son
so that you might have eternal life.

Can you not give me your best in return? Have
you sat down lately and considered the priorities
in your life? There should be nothing less than your
best for the master.

Make every effort to give yourself to God as the kind
of person He will accept. Be a worker who is not ashamed
and who uses the true teaching in the right way.
2 Timothy 2:15

But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

Remember
Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what is done for Christ will last.

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Why Me?

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken and repentant heart,
O God.
Psalm 51:16-17
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Psalm 51:11

This week I found a statue of a man kneeling over a chair to pray, with his
head bowed and it looked as if he was humbled and broken before the
presence of God. I remembered when I was a child and my grandparents
would get down on the floor and bow and place their arms upon the chair
before them, to pray and humble themselves before God. And I thought
when was the last time I utterly humbled myself before God.

To me this means that we bow in his presence, putting him first, humbling
ourselves, emptying ourselves of pride, and of everything that comes
between us and him, putting him first.

When was the last time you sat down and thought about what you are putting first before God? We often have idols in our lives we do not even realize. Whether possessions, a job, a career, activities or even an overly busy life. Sometimes we get so busy and self focused we do not have time for God. I would say for most of us that is most of the time.

How can God get our attention? Often through brokenness. These times cause us to discard what is unnecessary and seek what is vital. God wants us to shed anything in our life that comes between him and us. So that when we go to the throne of God we can be bold in our prayers, free from things that bind and powerful in our approach. Because HE DWELLS RICHLY IN US. Why does it take a crisis to make us focus on God?
Because we put too many things between us and him. When all is stripped away our selfishness dissolves and our heart is turned towards him. We realize our utter need for total dependence upon Him in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. Our circumstances do not control our life. God controls it, we need to seek him and his guidance ABOVE ALL.

Can you dispose of everything in your life that comes between you and God and say all that I have, all that I want to be is in you God. I am yours, choose what you would have me do this day and I will follow you?

Remember the story of the rich young man in Mark 10:17? He said Good teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus told him to follow the commandments. The young man said He had all of his life. And Jesus said but there is one thing you have not done. Go and sell all you have and follow me, then you will have treasure in heaven. This was the one thing the young man was not willing to do.

What are holding back on today? What will you not surrender to Christ? To be a disciple you must leave all and follow Him. It may not mean giving up everything you have and walking away, but it does mean you surrender utterly to Him and his will, and whatever comes you will be obedient and humble before Him, putting him first. Who among us will give all?

Remember only one life will soon be past,
Only what is done for Christ will last.