Tuesday, November 30, 2010
A Gymnastics Update - Dream Big for 2011
They say life is sometimes Deju-Vu. At the beginning of the year after a successful year with EBC Youth 2 words came to mind "Aim Higher". Its time that I refer back to that mind frame but within my life as a gymnast, a while back I took down an old newspaper clipping with the following thought in mind and that of a new era in Gymnastics. 2 weeks ago having won the award that I did, now to some its just another award (Most Perseverance) but that moment meant the world to me as its just another way of saying Aim Higher, I have achieved so much over the past years with challenges but 2011 will bring about something special, I'm confident that it will be the year that I get past Eastern Gauteng and into nationals. Gymnastics means the world to me, I may have been skateboarding longer but dreams have already been more then achieved in skateboarding to the point that I help co-lead a group in Kempton Park but with Gymnastics I have dreams that I want to achieve more then anything and I continue to pray but I also trust God so much that 2011 will be the year that big things happen in my Gymnastics career. A question was brought to me by my coach at prizegiving "Why are you here" and to that I answer "Because I want to go really far". As a closing statenent I would like to make the following quote "Gymnastics 2011: Aim Higher".
Friday, November 26, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 16
This is it the final chapter in this blog Series. Paul begins by rattling off a whole bunch of names of people that has helped him along the way and likewise we have those people in our lives whom we are to give thanks. These are people that will stand by us through the storms we face as well as the good times. These are people that will never let us fall but will catch us before we hit rock bottom and they will be by our side and help pick up the pieces. These are also people that have been strong positive role models and authority figures who we can look up to and be accountable to. We are in the midst of Christmas and its a time for family and friends to just gather over big meal and just be content and be thankful and grateful to those around you and for that one day of the year haven't you noticed that overwhelming sense of peace at the dinner table.
Paul then goes on to warn us. This peace, these bonds can easily be broken and its detailed in some scriptures.
Rom 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Rom 16:18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
This is already happening, very little understand the true meaning of christmas because the world has bombarded us with man created images of Santa Clause, dreary secular chrismas music in the malls, you name it, people are being deceived left and right with the sole purpose of drawing us away from God
and now to Pauls closing statement:
Rom 16:27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
This is his final plea to us that whatever our passions are, whatever our dreams are, our desires are we are to use them to the glory of God.
I hope you have been blessed by this series. There has been some hard stuff come up and some wondeful stuff come up but one thing that stands is that God is by our side through thick and thin.
Paul then goes on to warn us. This peace, these bonds can easily be broken and its detailed in some scriptures.
Rom 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Rom 16:18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
This is already happening, very little understand the true meaning of christmas because the world has bombarded us with man created images of Santa Clause, dreary secular chrismas music in the malls, you name it, people are being deceived left and right with the sole purpose of drawing us away from God
and now to Pauls closing statement:
Rom 16:27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
This is his final plea to us that whatever our passions are, whatever our dreams are, our desires are we are to use them to the glory of God.
I hope you have been blessed by this series. There has been some hard stuff come up and some wondeful stuff come up but one thing that stands is that God is by our side through thick and thin.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 15
Rom 15:1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Rom 15:3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."
Rom 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Rom 15:5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
We are to be an example to the weak, if the person has a drinking problem, then dont drink a glass of wine or beer in front of them. Paul asks us instead to build these people up in a positive way, to help them get back up when they stumble or are in deep pain. I'm sure you can think of someone you can call when you are struggling.
Rom 15:19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God--so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
Rom 15:20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation,
Rom 15:21 but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand."
Rom 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Rom 15:3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."
Rom 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Rom 15:5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
We are to be an example to the weak, if the person has a drinking problem, then dont drink a glass of wine or beer in front of them. Paul asks us instead to build these people up in a positive way, to help them get back up when they stumble or are in deep pain. I'm sure you can think of someone you can call when you are struggling.
Rom 15:19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God--so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
Rom 15:20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation,
Rom 15:21 but as it is written, "Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand."
We live in tough times where Prayer is not allowed in schools, where the gospel is not welcome among certain areas of community and instead has been replaced by the lies of evolution called darwinism, atheism,agnosticism etc. Due to this, people will not be exposed to the gospel but there is hope that somehow someway their eyes will be opened and they will also see the truth. We are fighting a battle of wills here to get people to experience salvation and one day we will win and we are asked to continously rejoice. Tomorrow is the last chapter in this Romans Series and I do hope you have been blessed so far.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 14
Rom 14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
Rom 14:2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.
Rom 14:3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.
We all have personal viewpoints and are on a totally unique journey compared to our neighbours, some are at high risk of stumbling while others are incrdibly strong in the faith. Paul in all this asks us to respect our neighbours by not exposing him/her to the very things that can easily make them stumble.
Rom 14:8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Christ died so that we would be safe back in his presence with one main purpose, to worship him, some may not know it but its absolute truth. Truth these days gets so mixed up that no one anymore knows whats the truth and what not the truth and its a pity but one thing that has always stood just so happens to be Gods word.
Rom 14:11 for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
Rom 14:12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
I ask a question, when you die can you confidently say that you will spend eternity with God or is there uncertainty, if you have been saved and serve God there should be no problem but if it has not been a decision you have made then I have to say you have business to do as one day he will come again and will thoroughly examine the persons heart and where its at and will either let you spend eternity with him or will welcome you to the firy pit of hell.
Rom 14:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Doubt is like a disease, it eats at you until you cant face it no more. Whenever I feel unneccesary doubt I choose to go against it as I then know its the very place God needs me to be and by taking that step incredible things have happened.
Rom 14:2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.
Rom 14:3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.
We all have personal viewpoints and are on a totally unique journey compared to our neighbours, some are at high risk of stumbling while others are incrdibly strong in the faith. Paul in all this asks us to respect our neighbours by not exposing him/her to the very things that can easily make them stumble.
Rom 14:8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Christ died so that we would be safe back in his presence with one main purpose, to worship him, some may not know it but its absolute truth. Truth these days gets so mixed up that no one anymore knows whats the truth and what not the truth and its a pity but one thing that has always stood just so happens to be Gods word.
Rom 14:11 for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."
Rom 14:12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
I ask a question, when you die can you confidently say that you will spend eternity with God or is there uncertainty, if you have been saved and serve God there should be no problem but if it has not been a decision you have made then I have to say you have business to do as one day he will come again and will thoroughly examine the persons heart and where its at and will either let you spend eternity with him or will welcome you to the firy pit of hell.
Rom 14:23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.
Doubt is like a disease, it eats at you until you cant face it no more. Whenever I feel unneccesary doubt I choose to go against it as I then know its the very place God needs me to be and by taking that step incredible things have happened.
Friday, November 19, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 13
Rom 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Who are the governing authorities in our lives well they are the follwing in stage order:
1. Country leaders: This can be the president of the country for example who lays down a nationwde law that we are always required to live by
2. Parents: this should be a constant. A Parent is supposed to be a guide, someone to watch over you and to look after you even in the moments of tough love.
3. Teachers: This really does apply to school students, as they give up their time to teach you the value of life.
4. Coach: Their job is to make sure we do our utmost best and even push us to achieve more then we could ever dream
5. Employers: We spend a majority of our lives working and we all at one stage land up with a boss that we are to respect and honour even if they seem to be harshest man or woman on earth as their main aim is to keep their company afloat and he/she has taken certain people in to help him/her along the way whilst making life easier.
Now the question that I'm sure you're dying to ask, is it ok to question a certain authorities actions and I say a very careful yes. Take Robert Mugabe, dictator of Zimbabwe he has no interest in serving his countrymen but rather chooses to selfishly serve himself and its this action that has brought what I'm sure was a beautiful country all around to city centres totally falling apart as well as an abismal economy. How do we tackle authority figures like these and the answer simply prayer because you just never know their eyes might well be opened and then suddenly what will happen is a changing of that nation with strong moral characteristics being put into place as well as positive ethics being utilised.
Paul then goes onto warn us and this is why I say question the authority figures very carefully (baring in mind that i'm talking about worldly authority figures)
Rom 13:2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
Rom 13:4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
The authority figure has been given power to take someone elses problems into their hands and to deal with in a professional godly manner so we dont have to do it alone. Let me now bring in a constant authority figure and I will mention Jesus Christ. It is mainly under the authority of Jesus that we should be living under above the president of our residing country, our teachers, our coaches, our parents, our employers etc. The worldly authority figures are not God but they are sent by God into our lives to help shape us into becoming an exceptional history maker.
Rom 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Rom 13:9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
God does not ask us to be a doormat but only to really love the people that are higher up in authority by obeying what they command and if you think that that person in higher authority is commanding you to do dodgy things well then dont shoot your mouth off but sit back, ponder over a response and like Jesus did, deliver the facts with love guiding those words that has been given to you by God.
Who are the governing authorities in our lives well they are the follwing in stage order:
1. Country leaders: This can be the president of the country for example who lays down a nationwde law that we are always required to live by
2. Parents: this should be a constant. A Parent is supposed to be a guide, someone to watch over you and to look after you even in the moments of tough love.
3. Teachers: This really does apply to school students, as they give up their time to teach you the value of life.
4. Coach: Their job is to make sure we do our utmost best and even push us to achieve more then we could ever dream
5. Employers: We spend a majority of our lives working and we all at one stage land up with a boss that we are to respect and honour even if they seem to be harshest man or woman on earth as their main aim is to keep their company afloat and he/she has taken certain people in to help him/her along the way whilst making life easier.
Now the question that I'm sure you're dying to ask, is it ok to question a certain authorities actions and I say a very careful yes. Take Robert Mugabe, dictator of Zimbabwe he has no interest in serving his countrymen but rather chooses to selfishly serve himself and its this action that has brought what I'm sure was a beautiful country all around to city centres totally falling apart as well as an abismal economy. How do we tackle authority figures like these and the answer simply prayer because you just never know their eyes might well be opened and then suddenly what will happen is a changing of that nation with strong moral characteristics being put into place as well as positive ethics being utilised.
Paul then goes onto warn us and this is why I say question the authority figures very carefully (baring in mind that i'm talking about worldly authority figures)
Rom 13:2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
Rom 13:4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer.
The authority figure has been given power to take someone elses problems into their hands and to deal with in a professional godly manner so we dont have to do it alone. Let me now bring in a constant authority figure and I will mention Jesus Christ. It is mainly under the authority of Jesus that we should be living under above the president of our residing country, our teachers, our coaches, our parents, our employers etc. The worldly authority figures are not God but they are sent by God into our lives to help shape us into becoming an exceptional history maker.
Rom 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Rom 13:9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
God does not ask us to be a doormat but only to really love the people that are higher up in authority by obeying what they command and if you think that that person in higher authority is commanding you to do dodgy things well then dont shoot your mouth off but sit back, ponder over a response and like Jesus did, deliver the facts with love guiding those words that has been given to you by God.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 12
Rom 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Some may interpret this passage as reason to view their personal opinions of tattoos and piercing and theres nothing wrong with that, some may interpret this passage as a reason of being physically active and while that is very valid I dont think its the point that Paul is trying to get across. Lets look at the word sacrifice, the oxford dictionary says that it giving up of a valued thing for the sake of something, loss entailed. Doesn't that change and turn around our interpretations 360 degrees. You may ask well what is Paul asking us to give up and he goes on to say it in the next passage of scripture
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Paul is asking us to give up on the worlds way of doing things and taking up Gods way, another word for this is repent which means in simple terms "turn away from the world completely and say that Jesus is Lord of all"
Paul then goes on to discuss gifts and talent and illustrates this in the following scriptures.
Rom 12:6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
Rom 12:7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
Rom 12:8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
When we were born God gave us talents and gifts for the purpose of us to use, but when we hand over our lives to God thats when they really mean something special as God suddenly begins to use them to enlarge his kingdom. You may ask can a non-christian live a life completely helping people with generosity, service etc. and I say of course but it means nothing until a person comes into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Rom 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Rom 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Rom 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rom 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Yes we may face tough times but if we carry the above characteristics, think of how incredible and easier things will be for us, especially when we face trauma in our lives that could easily turn our world upside down and I love what is says further down.
Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
Rom 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
Rom 12:20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."
Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
While there may be people out there who has hurt us or our family members, the key word on how to respond is love, yes Love. We have a built in instinct amongst our flesh to want to make people feel the hurt that they poured on us, it took a long time for me to really come to forgiveness over the person who robbed me of knowing my uncle who was by the way murdered by a disgruntled employee before I was born. I know that the person who murdered my uncle is as much a child of God as I am, we should not overlook that last part. Corrie Ten Boom is amazing example, her family was very generous in helpng save the persecuted jews during the time of the holocaust and refusing to let the nazi hurt those people that the family was saving, the nazis sent Corrie Ten Boom to a concentration camp where she was tortured beyond belief and years later when Corrie Ten Boom was talking at a church she saw a man approach hee and recognised him as the main commando who inflicted that pain on her and to her amazement that commando became born again and began to ask for Corrie's forgiveness to which she gracefully and mercifully forgave this commando. We are to learn from Corrie Ten Boom and next time instead of responding with revenge, respond with love.
Some may interpret this passage as reason to view their personal opinions of tattoos and piercing and theres nothing wrong with that, some may interpret this passage as a reason of being physically active and while that is very valid I dont think its the point that Paul is trying to get across. Lets look at the word sacrifice, the oxford dictionary says that it giving up of a valued thing for the sake of something, loss entailed. Doesn't that change and turn around our interpretations 360 degrees. You may ask well what is Paul asking us to give up and he goes on to say it in the next passage of scripture
Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Paul is asking us to give up on the worlds way of doing things and taking up Gods way, another word for this is repent which means in simple terms "turn away from the world completely and say that Jesus is Lord of all"
Paul then goes on to discuss gifts and talent and illustrates this in the following scriptures.
Rom 12:6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
Rom 12:7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
Rom 12:8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
When we were born God gave us talents and gifts for the purpose of us to use, but when we hand over our lives to God thats when they really mean something special as God suddenly begins to use them to enlarge his kingdom. You may ask can a non-christian live a life completely helping people with generosity, service etc. and I say of course but it means nothing until a person comes into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Rom 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Rom 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Rom 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rom 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Yes we may face tough times but if we carry the above characteristics, think of how incredible and easier things will be for us, especially when we face trauma in our lives that could easily turn our world upside down and I love what is says further down.
Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
Rom 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
Rom 12:20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."
Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
While there may be people out there who has hurt us or our family members, the key word on how to respond is love, yes Love. We have a built in instinct amongst our flesh to want to make people feel the hurt that they poured on us, it took a long time for me to really come to forgiveness over the person who robbed me of knowing my uncle who was by the way murdered by a disgruntled employee before I was born. I know that the person who murdered my uncle is as much a child of God as I am, we should not overlook that last part. Corrie Ten Boom is amazing example, her family was very generous in helpng save the persecuted jews during the time of the holocaust and refusing to let the nazi hurt those people that the family was saving, the nazis sent Corrie Ten Boom to a concentration camp where she was tortured beyond belief and years later when Corrie Ten Boom was talking at a church she saw a man approach hee and recognised him as the main commando who inflicted that pain on her and to her amazement that commando became born again and began to ask for Corrie's forgiveness to which she gracefully and mercifully forgave this commando. We are to learn from Corrie Ten Boom and next time instead of responding with revenge, respond with love.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 11
Rom 11:1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
Take in those words of Paul,We all have fallen, I have and Paul has and others have and God is waiting patiently for lost people to come into his presence and also experience the kingdom of God
Rom 11:4 But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
Baal was a man made God worshiped during the time that Paul was writing this and many people were bowing down to this carved out God but others however stood true to the word of God and were even persecuted for their courage in a tough time when orders were brought out that Baal was lord of lords by the emperors of ancient empires. Today we can call the carved God Baal consumerism, sport (but only when it comsumes and becomes number one in your life above everything else), alchohol, drugs etc.
Rom 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
The problem with Baal was that people actually worshiped themselves and made a 10 step plan to eternal life and we see a lot of this these days but I can honestly thank Jesus for the gift of Grace as I know that I dont have to constantly prove myself before God but I can constantly come to him just as I am
Rom 11:8 as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day."
What we may see as the work of God other wont see and that is because they have been blinded to reality and our job is to make these people see what we see and experience what we experience.
Rom 11:16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
We the people are these branches and John 15 says it all
Joh 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
shocking reality, we need to be made right with God otherwise we will suffer and burn.
Rom 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
The glory at the end of the day must not go to things of today I call in this blog Baal but to God and Jesus Christ alone, what I'm saying is that in all our achievements and the things we do on earth needs to be handed back to God with thanksgiving. Too often you hear people say "look what I did" in all self glorification and it makes me sick to the bone.
Take in those words of Paul,We all have fallen, I have and Paul has and others have and God is waiting patiently for lost people to come into his presence and also experience the kingdom of God
Rom 11:4 But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
Baal was a man made God worshiped during the time that Paul was writing this and many people were bowing down to this carved out God but others however stood true to the word of God and were even persecuted for their courage in a tough time when orders were brought out that Baal was lord of lords by the emperors of ancient empires. Today we can call the carved God Baal consumerism, sport (but only when it comsumes and becomes number one in your life above everything else), alchohol, drugs etc.
Rom 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
The problem with Baal was that people actually worshiped themselves and made a 10 step plan to eternal life and we see a lot of this these days but I can honestly thank Jesus for the gift of Grace as I know that I dont have to constantly prove myself before God but I can constantly come to him just as I am
Rom 11:8 as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day."
What we may see as the work of God other wont see and that is because they have been blinded to reality and our job is to make these people see what we see and experience what we experience.
Rom 11:16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
We the people are these branches and John 15 says it all
Joh 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
shocking reality, we need to be made right with God otherwise we will suffer and burn.
Rom 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
The glory at the end of the day must not go to things of today I call in this blog Baal but to God and Jesus Christ alone, what I'm saying is that in all our achievements and the things we do on earth needs to be handed back to God with thanksgiving. Too often you hear people say "look what I did" in all self glorification and it makes me sick to the bone.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 10
Todays chapter is one that comes up in missions a lot.
Rom 10:5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
Rom 10:6 But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down)
Rom 10:7 or "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
Rom 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
The problem with religion is that if you obey a set of commandments you will be saved but with christianity (which by the way is not a religion although some perceive it to be) we are indeed saved by the grace of God and it is constant faith in God that he is there that we will inherit eternal life. I was listening to a secular song the other day and and the following words came up "If I dont believe in Jesus, How can I believe in hope" and then further "In a world that gives you nothing, we need something to believe in". That something should in fact be Jesus Christ.
Rom 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
The Gospel of God is a message for all, a song has just started in my itunes library and it carries the chorus "For Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city". There are people out there blinded to the Gospel and Paul is urging us to get the message out there as you will see further in the scriptures I'm about to use.
Rom 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Rom 10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
Our Job is to get out there with the message of the Gospel and not keep it hidden like its some sort of secret, there are conutries out there by law required to believe in a faith that is not christianity and the moment missionaries go in and start preaching the gospel in those countries that nations government is requested by law to persecute and kill christians so we have a tough job getting the gospel out there but its something that needs to be done and its our job to be the hands and to be the feet as we tell the world about a man named Jesus and what he did.
Rom 10:5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
Rom 10:6 But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down)
Rom 10:7 or "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
Rom 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
The problem with religion is that if you obey a set of commandments you will be saved but with christianity (which by the way is not a religion although some perceive it to be) we are indeed saved by the grace of God and it is constant faith in God that he is there that we will inherit eternal life. I was listening to a secular song the other day and and the following words came up "If I dont believe in Jesus, How can I believe in hope" and then further "In a world that gives you nothing, we need something to believe in". That something should in fact be Jesus Christ.
Rom 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
The Gospel of God is a message for all, a song has just started in my itunes library and it carries the chorus "For Greater things have yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city". There are people out there blinded to the Gospel and Paul is urging us to get the message out there as you will see further in the scriptures I'm about to use.
Rom 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Rom 10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
Our Job is to get out there with the message of the Gospel and not keep it hidden like its some sort of secret, there are conutries out there by law required to believe in a faith that is not christianity and the moment missionaries go in and start preaching the gospel in those countries that nations government is requested by law to persecute and kill christians so we have a tough job getting the gospel out there but its something that needs to be done and its our job to be the hands and to be the feet as we tell the world about a man named Jesus and what he did.
Monday, November 15, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 9
Rom 9:15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
Rom 9:16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
What does Mercy mean, well the Oxford dictionary says that its kindness shown to an offender or enemy, this is a very different picture to what the pharisees had shown, how often do we try to drag down those that hurt us, or hurt our family or hurt our friends but that is not what Jesus shows, as what Jesus shows is something called grace and forgiveness to those very people
Rom 9:25 As indeed he says in Hosea, "Those who were not my people I will call 'my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call 'beloved.'"
Rom 9:26 "And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"
How encouraging that the very love that we don't deserve God offers us and even calls us to do his purpose take Paul who wrote this, this man was a murderer commiting the most horrible of acts and God meets him on the road to Damascus where he was originally going to kill a few christians but instead his eyes gets opened and suddenly gets welcomed into Gods kingdom and goes out to to preach the gospel in different towns and even planting churches. Paul went from "You are not my people" to "Son of the living God" and made history by spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Rom 9:16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
What does Mercy mean, well the Oxford dictionary says that its kindness shown to an offender or enemy, this is a very different picture to what the pharisees had shown, how often do we try to drag down those that hurt us, or hurt our family or hurt our friends but that is not what Jesus shows, as what Jesus shows is something called grace and forgiveness to those very people
Rom 9:25 As indeed he says in Hosea, "Those who were not my people I will call 'my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call 'beloved.'"
Rom 9:26 "And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"
How encouraging that the very love that we don't deserve God offers us and even calls us to do his purpose take Paul who wrote this, this man was a murderer commiting the most horrible of acts and God meets him on the road to Damascus where he was originally going to kill a few christians but instead his eyes gets opened and suddenly gets welcomed into Gods kingdom and goes out to to preach the gospel in different towns and even planting churches. Paul went from "You are not my people" to "Son of the living God" and made history by spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 8
This is a special chapter chapter to me. Paul goes further ftom chapter 7 to discus how we are saved from sin
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Yes that may mean like a said if we screw up, God wont judge us or depart from us but holds onto us with all his might.
Rom 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
This is what happens instead is God is more then pleased to fill show his desire by blessing us even though we dont deserve it, even though because of our past we should long ago already been cast into the flames, God rescued us and wants more then anything to see his purpose lived through us.
Rom 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is an encouraging end. Nothing we could ever do will ever seperate us from Gods presence and thats mindblowing.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Yes that may mean like a said if we screw up, God wont judge us or depart from us but holds onto us with all his might.
Rom 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
This is what happens instead is God is more then pleased to fill show his desire by blessing us even though we dont deserve it, even though because of our past we should long ago already been cast into the flames, God rescued us and wants more then anything to see his purpose lived through us.
Rom 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is an encouraging end. Nothing we could ever do will ever seperate us from Gods presence and thats mindblowing.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 7
Todays chapter focusses on a battle we struggle with spirit and flesh, heck I have struggled with it and that the battle between spirit and flesh
Spirit: This is the law of God, doing whats right and obeying his commands for us
Flesh: These are the things of the world, things considered to be sin
Now as a christian myself, have I died to sin, of course but at times we all give in to temptation and deception and sin to which suddenly my cry out to God is "HELP ME" and Paul whom some of you thought was perfect come out with this cry:
Rom 7:19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Rom 7:21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.
Its an inner struggle that is not going to go away, in fact it will only leave us when we pass on but what we can do now is to stand as firm in our faith as strong and as best we can so that things can be a little bit easier. Notice that Paul a hardcore theologian beats himself up about the flesh that eats at him but suddenly closes it by thanking Jesus for holding on to him. I have a song in my itunes library by Matt Redman called You Never Let Go and heres how the chorus goes
"Oh No, You Never Let Go, through the storm and through the fire, Oh No, You Never let go, every high and every low, Oh No, You never let go"
While we continue this battle I want you all to know that God is holding on to us and comforting us even in the moments when we think we have screwed up.
Spirit: This is the law of God, doing whats right and obeying his commands for us
Flesh: These are the things of the world, things considered to be sin
Now as a christian myself, have I died to sin, of course but at times we all give in to temptation and deception and sin to which suddenly my cry out to God is "HELP ME" and Paul whom some of you thought was perfect come out with this cry:
Rom 7:19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Rom 7:21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.
Rom 7:24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Rom 7:25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Its an inner struggle that is not going to go away, in fact it will only leave us when we pass on but what we can do now is to stand as firm in our faith as strong and as best we can so that things can be a little bit easier. Notice that Paul a hardcore theologian beats himself up about the flesh that eats at him but suddenly closes it by thanking Jesus for holding on to him. I have a song in my itunes library by Matt Redman called You Never Let Go and heres how the chorus goes
"Oh No, You Never Let Go, through the storm and through the fire, Oh No, You Never let go, every high and every low, Oh No, You never let go"
While we continue this battle I want you all to know that God is holding on to us and comforting us even in the moments when we think we have screwed up.
Friday, November 12, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 6
If we are saved by grace how is it that some people ask or think "It's ok if I commit just that little bit of sin" to which Paul has some stern words
Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
This is one question and viewpoint that people get confused about. We we get saved, we die to the worlds way of doing thing as well as the worlds viewpoint and become alive to Gods kingdom. If we go about with the mind set of its ok if I do just that little wrong act it should be fine because I'm forgiven but its a wrong thing to think as you are only just turning back into the world for answers and advice and that is where the whole thing of backsliding comes in and it even goes so far that all of a sudden you just turn your back to God and become a non-believer all over again.
Rom 6:10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.
Rom 6:11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
It says elsewhere that when we come into the kingdom of God we are a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come, but coming into the presence of Jesus we are called to live like him, to carry on sinning will be a tragedy in itself because as it says in verse 10 we are dead to sin. Bottom line stop and think before you do anything "is this right and honouring God" because at the end of the day when we become christian we stop serving ourselves and we serve God.
Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
This is one question and viewpoint that people get confused about. We we get saved, we die to the worlds way of doing thing as well as the worlds viewpoint and become alive to Gods kingdom. If we go about with the mind set of its ok if I do just that little wrong act it should be fine because I'm forgiven but its a wrong thing to think as you are only just turning back into the world for answers and advice and that is where the whole thing of backsliding comes in and it even goes so far that all of a sudden you just turn your back to God and become a non-believer all over again.
Rom 6:10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.
Rom 6:11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
It says elsewhere that when we come into the kingdom of God we are a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come, but coming into the presence of Jesus we are called to live like him, to carry on sinning will be a tragedy in itself because as it says in verse 10 we are dead to sin. Bottom line stop and think before you do anything "is this right and honouring God" because at the end of the day when we become christian we stop serving ourselves and we serve God.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 5
Where shall I begin, well I think the beginning of Romans 5 will be quite appropriate
Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
How often do we get irritated sitting in traffic every day or trying to avoid road rage from another driver who is just trying to push his buttons and have his/her own way, don't we need peace then and we get that peace through Jesus.
Rom 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Rom 5:4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Rom 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
This is when faith really does need to come into play, I have been through tough time and many others around have been through tough time and by submitting those troubles to God in our sufferings will we really flourish.
Rom 5:7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--
Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
The things I mention in chapter 1, we are saved from that by the blood of Jesus, he didn't have to die on the cross but the fact that such a sacrifice was made means even more now due to the fact that judgement day is coming and if people don't put things right I'm sad to say that they wont enter the kingdom of heaven and will spend eternity in hell so the time now for people to be saved by the blood of Jesus and acknowledge it is of utmost importance. Chapter 6 will answer many questions I'm sure some of you have been dying to ask.
Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
How often do we get irritated sitting in traffic every day or trying to avoid road rage from another driver who is just trying to push his buttons and have his/her own way, don't we need peace then and we get that peace through Jesus.
Rom 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Rom 5:4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Rom 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
This is when faith really does need to come into play, I have been through tough time and many others around have been through tough time and by submitting those troubles to God in our sufferings will we really flourish.
Rom 5:7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--
Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
The things I mention in chapter 1, we are saved from that by the blood of Jesus, he didn't have to die on the cross but the fact that such a sacrifice was made means even more now due to the fact that judgement day is coming and if people don't put things right I'm sad to say that they wont enter the kingdom of heaven and will spend eternity in hell so the time now for people to be saved by the blood of Jesus and acknowledge it is of utmost importance. Chapter 6 will answer many questions I'm sure some of you have been dying to ask.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 4
Paul tells of the struggles and triumps of Abraham in Romans 4 and before going on to tell of how much incredible faith Abraham had this statement gets made
Rom 4:7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
Rom 4:8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
This sounds like a continuation of Romans 3 but then it takes a turn and describes how much patience and faith Abraham had.
The story goes Abraham so badly wanted a child with Sarah who was completely barron which meant she could not have any kids but God seeing Abrahams pain made a promise that she will be bear a child and that through this child Abraham will be a father of many nations. What happens next is Abraham did receive Gods Promise but the child only came when he was nearing the age of 100 (he was 99) a few good years older an during those years Abraham was growing more weary by the day until Sarah conceived and that sons name was Isaac. As I turn now to the book of Genesis to explain Abraham's faith in God take a look at this passage
Gen 18:14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
and then further down in Genesis this happens
Gen 22:1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
Gen 22:2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
Now you can imagine for Abraham this must have been hard, but he obeyed anyway and getting to the mountain and preparing for the sacrifice this happens
Gen 22:10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
Gen 22:11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
Gen 22:12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
Gen 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
Gen 22:14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
Picture yourself in Abrahams situation in this day of age, we would not be responding the way Abraham did, we would not carry the intense faith and patience Abraham had and what Paul is ultimately getting across is that if we let go of our everyday lives and let God control it great things can and will happen we just have to faith.
Rom 4:7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;
Rom 4:8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
This sounds like a continuation of Romans 3 but then it takes a turn and describes how much patience and faith Abraham had.
The story goes Abraham so badly wanted a child with Sarah who was completely barron which meant she could not have any kids but God seeing Abrahams pain made a promise that she will be bear a child and that through this child Abraham will be a father of many nations. What happens next is Abraham did receive Gods Promise but the child only came when he was nearing the age of 100 (he was 99) a few good years older an during those years Abraham was growing more weary by the day until Sarah conceived and that sons name was Isaac. As I turn now to the book of Genesis to explain Abraham's faith in God take a look at this passage
Gen 18:14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son."
and then further down in Genesis this happens
Gen 22:1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
Gen 22:2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
Now you can imagine for Abraham this must have been hard, but he obeyed anyway and getting to the mountain and preparing for the sacrifice this happens
Gen 22:10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
Gen 22:11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
Gen 22:12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
Gen 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
Gen 22:14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
Picture yourself in Abrahams situation in this day of age, we would not be responding the way Abraham did, we would not carry the intense faith and patience Abraham had and what Paul is ultimately getting across is that if we let go of our everyday lives and let God control it great things can and will happen we just have to faith.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 3
I guess by now, you must be feeling more guilty after Romans 2 but one thing about chapter 3 is that God brings back some good news.
Paul starts off with a continuation of the law and and how some perceived that the way to salvation was in fact by doing works but take the ten commandments and haven't we all broken at least one of them at some stage in our life so that means that we must all be screwed but then there is a way out that no other faith goes on to tell and its found in the following passages
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Rom 3:24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Wow, now isn't that good news that even though we all mess up there is still a way to salvation and that is through the cross of Jesus and he accepts us for who we are. I love that the word redemption falls into play as what that means is that we are brought back into a relationship with God by having his son Jesus pay the cost for every single one of us on the cross, all our sins were in fact nailed to Jesus on the cross and it changes how we live and suddenly salvation comes about not by work but by faith that no matter how hard we try God still loves us and will never leave us and all we need to do is just trust him even in the hard times.
Paul starts off with a continuation of the law and and how some perceived that the way to salvation was in fact by doing works but take the ten commandments and haven't we all broken at least one of them at some stage in our life so that means that we must all be screwed but then there is a way out that no other faith goes on to tell and its found in the following passages
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Rom 3:24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
Wow, now isn't that good news that even though we all mess up there is still a way to salvation and that is through the cross of Jesus and he accepts us for who we are. I love that the word redemption falls into play as what that means is that we are brought back into a relationship with God by having his son Jesus pay the cost for every single one of us on the cross, all our sins were in fact nailed to Jesus on the cross and it changes how we live and suddenly salvation comes about not by work but by faith that no matter how hard we try God still loves us and will never leave us and all we need to do is just trust him even in the hard times.
Monday, November 8, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 2
To summarise in Chapter 1 Paul first tells of the good news but shifts and even ends the chapter on the wrath of God, now this is the point when some people turn off and even thinks self righteous thoughts but there is a warning and it begins in this chapter.
Rom 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
now thats a reality shock, and I picture jesus in the temple with the woman who was caught in adultery when he spoke out to them and said "He who is without sin let him throw the first stone" and well everyone just gets up and leaves the temple. By now you're probably feeling guilty and check what is says further down in Romans 2
Rom 2:21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?
Rom 2:22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
Rom 2:23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.
I'm sure majority of people reading this can say that they have done some of these things. The whole theme of Romans 2 is Gods law and how we have gone about breaking it but good news is coming as Chapter 3 which contrains some well known encouraging passage of scriptures will suddenly bring about a sense of gratitude and humility like never before.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
A Journey through Romans - Chapter 1
Where shall I start, the book of Romans is written by the apostle Paul to the church in Rome. He starts off with a passage that stands out at me yet its one we tend to overlook
Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Now try replace Paul with your name eg "Graham, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God" I think by now you get the drift. What this means is to be a follower, a child of God adopted into his family and our job or chore in a sense is to go out there and spread God's word.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
This is the good news that we are called to spread to the nations and its for everybody, for the gospel to be kept a secret would be a tragedy as lives would continue to fall apart
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Rom 1:19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
Rom 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Rom 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Rom 1:22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
Rom 1:25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;
Rom 1:27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Rom 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
Rom 1:29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,
Rom 1:30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
Rom 1:32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
What you see here is a massive 360 turn where Paul goes from the Good news of the Gospel to suddenly explain the shocking behaviours of the world in the most descriptive of ways ranging from Self Glorification to homosexuality to gossip to slander and the list goes on but a warning to hypocrites out there before you judge take a deep read as I continue with chapter 2 next time as you will suddenly face a reality shock that will hopefully turn your perception upside down. Until next time
Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Now try replace Paul with your name eg "Graham, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God" I think by now you get the drift. What this means is to be a follower, a child of God adopted into his family and our job or chore in a sense is to go out there and spread God's word.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
This is the good news that we are called to spread to the nations and its for everybody, for the gospel to be kept a secret would be a tragedy as lives would continue to fall apart
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
Rom 1:19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
Rom 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Rom 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Rom 1:22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
Rom 1:25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;
Rom 1:27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Rom 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
Rom 1:29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,
Rom 1:30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
Rom 1:32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
What you see here is a massive 360 turn where Paul goes from the Good news of the Gospel to suddenly explain the shocking behaviours of the world in the most descriptive of ways ranging from Self Glorification to homosexuality to gossip to slander and the list goes on but a warning to hypocrites out there before you judge take a deep read as I continue with chapter 2 next time as you will suddenly face a reality shock that will hopefully turn your perception upside down. Until next time
Friday, November 5, 2010
Some Videos I thought I'd share
I was going through my video files and found 2 videos that I'd though I'd share that depicts the love God has for us and a disclaimer is in call as one video (2nd one) is so hectic and intense it brings me to tears to think of the things we as as God children do to hurt God
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtZUNf0Yt54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQhzpmPvWls
Now to shed some light on the footage, no matter how many times we may hurt God he still loves us more then we can ever imagine and in school I did art and I thoroughly enjoyed it the same way that I am passionate for gymnastics so you can imagine that I'm proud of my artworks that I did and this one kind of displays Gods love for us, its of a mountain pass with a road going up into the mountains and think of Matthew 5:14 as you see this piece of artwork I myself through God created
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
If you have an eye for art, I ask you to use your imagination and picture hows Jesus' love gets displayed in the painting and how the passage of scripture comes into play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtZUNf0Yt54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQhzpmPvWls
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
If you have an eye for art, I ask you to use your imagination and picture hows Jesus' love gets displayed in the painting and how the passage of scripture comes into play.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
What is your fear
Let me begin with a real comical approach.
I hate spiders, they are creepy, hairy and freaky (I suffer from arachnophobia) so imagine my suprise late last night having to get rid of a massive spider because now one else was going to do it, so off I go very scared to grab the insect glass, a piece of paper and transporting it to the passage bathroom to flush it away, and then when I thought it was safe to pull the chain this thing jumps out at me causing me to scream my lungs out, needless to say after much trembling and yes I have never felt my heart beat so fast in its life, finally got rid of it.
Well we all have our fears, some are phobia like for me its spiders but then theres fear of ourselves and pursuing our passions with the very thought "What will people think of me" and as a result you miss out completely on the gifts and talents God gives us and what happens is you completely miss the boat. I say to you get out there, fulfill your passion and stop caring what your peers and surrounding people will think of you because God has blessed you with those abilities to be used. Imagine someone gives you a gift ad you say no thanks or you just tuck it away in your cupboard with the purpose of not using it, now think of what that person must think and thats exactly how God feels when we dont pursue the gifts and talents he gives us.
I hate spiders, they are creepy, hairy and freaky (I suffer from arachnophobia) so imagine my suprise late last night having to get rid of a massive spider because now one else was going to do it, so off I go very scared to grab the insect glass, a piece of paper and transporting it to the passage bathroom to flush it away, and then when I thought it was safe to pull the chain this thing jumps out at me causing me to scream my lungs out, needless to say after much trembling and yes I have never felt my heart beat so fast in its life, finally got rid of it.
Well we all have our fears, some are phobia like for me its spiders but then theres fear of ourselves and pursuing our passions with the very thought "What will people think of me" and as a result you miss out completely on the gifts and talents God gives us and what happens is you completely miss the boat. I say to you get out there, fulfill your passion and stop caring what your peers and surrounding people will think of you because God has blessed you with those abilities to be used. Imagine someone gives you a gift ad you say no thanks or you just tuck it away in your cupboard with the purpose of not using it, now think of what that person must think and thats exactly how God feels when we dont pursue the gifts and talents he gives us.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The flaws among scientists
This is such a well argumented topic but I will touch on it as best I can without offending. A topical passion of mine is christian theology and apologetics.
I dont know if you saw the sun yesterday, I didn't but I did see pictures and what struck out was how short detailed the scientists were, they described it as nothing but just crystals forming around the sun but look beneath the surface and what they fail to mention is that resembles God's Eye watching over us. Scientists fail to mention God becuase they spend their entire day trying to disprove God's existence but yet when pushed can not even explain why things happen but ask a christian like myself and well the answers are as to why things happen are pretty clear because its detailed in the Bible also known as the word of God and if its in the bible then it must be true because I have seen these very things happen around me. Coincidence, I think not and so I will leave it at this last sentence and please ponder what I have just mentioned. Apologetics and Christian Theology is not something that you just say without thinking as it it requires lots of thought processes before getting the view across.
I dont know if you saw the sun yesterday, I didn't but I did see pictures and what struck out was how short detailed the scientists were, they described it as nothing but just crystals forming around the sun but look beneath the surface and what they fail to mention is that resembles God's Eye watching over us. Scientists fail to mention God becuase they spend their entire day trying to disprove God's existence but yet when pushed can not even explain why things happen but ask a christian like myself and well the answers are as to why things happen are pretty clear because its detailed in the Bible also known as the word of God and if its in the bible then it must be true because I have seen these very things happen around me. Coincidence, I think not and so I will leave it at this last sentence and please ponder what I have just mentioned. Apologetics and Christian Theology is not something that you just say without thinking as it it requires lots of thought processes before getting the view across.
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