Wile reading Proverbs 30 one day i came across a part of scripture that i think 97% of all people would struggle with.
"Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." Proverbs 30:7-9
A man named Agur wrote this passage and he realized something most of us wont admit to. He ask God not to be deprived before he dies, for the Lord to remove falsehood and lies from him. Also to not let him be poor or be rich but to give him just what he needs to survive.
Most of us would ask God to remove falsehoods and lies, but how many would pray to God the bold prayer not to be poor or.......rich but only give me what i need. It's like saying God just pay my bills i don't need a savings account or money for retirement. Just keep a roof over my head and food on my plate.
One think i have noticed about myself, the times in my life when i did not have hardly any money when i did not know how we were going to pay the bills i looked so much more for God to step in and do something miraculous. But when my saving account has a little money in it i don't feel the urge to rely on God like i know i use to.
I want to pray like Agur did....
"I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding. 3 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know! 5 "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." Proverbs 30:2-5
Father i know i am nothing in you sight but let me follow you will, i can not understand your ways you are so much higher than me, but allow me to take shelter under you and provide for me so i may not beg for bread but also rely on you for my needs.
Mathetes is the greek word for disciple, to disciple is the calling of the church
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Are you upfront or in the shadows?
Are you upfront or in the shadows?
Joseph of Arimathea was the man who took the body of Jesus and wrapped him up and placed him in his (Joseph's) tomb. All the bible has to say about him is in these four verses Matt 27:57, Mark 15:43, Luke 23:51, John 19:38. Joseph was from Arimathea a Judean town about twenty miles from Jerusalem, and he was pretty well off (he had some money). He was a member of the council (or Sanhedrin), the ruling class of the Jews, and he did not want to see Jesus crucified. He was a man who followed Jesus and who like most Jews he was waiting to see the kingdom of God.
But we see that he keep his belief in Jesus a secret because he was afraid of what might happen to him, that was until he witness Jesus dying on the cross. On that day he decided to ask for the body of Jesus and placed him in Joseph's own tomb, this would obviously be a demonstration that he truly liked and followed Jesus.
Joseph had times like i am sure many people have, they believe in Jesus and want to follow his teachings but are afraid what other people might think or what they will say. I recently was watching a t.v. show with a scientist who you knew did not really believe in God, but something happened to his son and, when he had no were else to turn, no way he could help the situation, he turned to God to ask for help.
Please don't wait till something traumatic happens in your life to turn to Jesus and follow him, not just while you in your house but out in public and around you friends as well.
Matt 10:32-33
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Joseph of Arimathea was the man who took the body of Jesus and wrapped him up and placed him in his (Joseph's) tomb. All the bible has to say about him is in these four verses Matt 27:57, Mark 15:43, Luke 23:51, John 19:38. Joseph was from Arimathea a Judean town about twenty miles from Jerusalem, and he was pretty well off (he had some money). He was a member of the council (or Sanhedrin), the ruling class of the Jews, and he did not want to see Jesus crucified. He was a man who followed Jesus and who like most Jews he was waiting to see the kingdom of God.
But we see that he keep his belief in Jesus a secret because he was afraid of what might happen to him, that was until he witness Jesus dying on the cross. On that day he decided to ask for the body of Jesus and placed him in Joseph's own tomb, this would obviously be a demonstration that he truly liked and followed Jesus.
Joseph had times like i am sure many people have, they believe in Jesus and want to follow his teachings but are afraid what other people might think or what they will say. I recently was watching a t.v. show with a scientist who you knew did not really believe in God, but something happened to his son and, when he had no were else to turn, no way he could help the situation, he turned to God to ask for help.
Please don't wait till something traumatic happens in your life to turn to Jesus and follow him, not just while you in your house but out in public and around you friends as well.
Matt 10:32-33
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Are you a trader?
I watched a you tube video that i thought was pretty neat the other day and wanted to share it with you. It is only just over 2 min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqQueZwIuzk
Are you willing to take the calling to be a trader, and live dangerously for Christ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqQueZwIuzk
Are you willing to take the calling to be a trader, and live dangerously for Christ?
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