Christ says in Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Ok! I'm going before the Lord because right now I am so emotionally and mentally drained, there is no one else who can promise me this! Sure, it may be easier to turn to other things that make it seem like they are giving you rest. But in reality it is only delaying the draining that I am currently feeling.
So I don't know about you, but I'm going before the Lord. AND, if you are feeling the same way I am, then I suggest you do the same.
May God be with you and give you the rest you need!
tompounder.blogspot.com
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Friday, April 09, 2010
Need a Kick in the Pants - read this!
I read this today - Ephesians 4:17-32. Take a minute and read through it.
I think I might be a little bit more direct today - what separates believers from non-believers is that we know the truth and it has set us free. I cannot recall of any time where I have heard a Christian state that "my life went to hell because I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior". But, on the other hand, I have heard many times how life is tough but they do not know the Lord. As Paul points out in v. 17 and 18, non-believers have futile thinking and have given themselves over to every kind of impurity because of the hardening of their hearts and their continual lust for more impurity. It is almost like their futile and perverted (not in a sexual way perverted) thinking has made them too drunk to think rationally.
Believers came to know Christ, however, because "you were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (v. 22-24). Believers were able to separate themselves from the lusts of this world and see through to a better, stronger option - CHRIST!
Therefore, as Paul points out in verse 25-32, let's step up our game! Seriously, let's:
I think I might be a little bit more direct today - what separates believers from non-believers is that we know the truth and it has set us free. I cannot recall of any time where I have heard a Christian state that "my life went to hell because I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior". But, on the other hand, I have heard many times how life is tough but they do not know the Lord. As Paul points out in v. 17 and 18, non-believers have futile thinking and have given themselves over to every kind of impurity because of the hardening of their hearts and their continual lust for more impurity. It is almost like their futile and perverted (not in a sexual way perverted) thinking has made them too drunk to think rationally.
Believers came to know Christ, however, because "you were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (v. 22-24). Believers were able to separate themselves from the lusts of this world and see through to a better, stronger option - CHRIST!
Therefore, as Paul points out in verse 25-32, let's step up our game! Seriously, let's:
- put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body (v.25)
- do not let the sun go down on your anger so that you give Satan a foothold in your life (v.26)
- do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (v.29)
- get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. (v. 31)
- be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (v. 32)
It time folks for all of us to get off our butts and start taking our life with Christ seriously. Let's not half-butt our life with Christ anymore. You believed in Him for a reason - let's reaffirm that faith and strive towards him all the more!
Take a least 1 of the points Paul outlines above and strive to work on that today and the rest of the week. Then, may the Lord move in your heart and your life as well as the lives you come into contact with.
Thanks for reading and allowing me to be a little bit honest here.
http://tompounder.blogspot.com
Monday, April 05, 2010
Being Effective and Productive for Christ
2 Peter 1:3-10 says, "3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,"
I love 2 things about this passage:
1. If we possess these things:
2. In verse 10 that is says, "if you do these things, you will never fail". Life can be hard an challenging at times but Peter is saying that if we add to our faith the qualities outlined in verses 5-7, we will never fail. That doesn't mean that we will never experience hardship or tough times. Rather, we will never fail and over the long term, that will make us extremely productive for Christ.
These are just 2 thoughts that stuck out to me as I read this scripture.
As you look at it, what quality outlined in verses 5-7 do you struggle with? Pick at least 1 you can work on today and this week so that you can add to your faith and be effective and productive for Christ.
tompounder.blogspot.com
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,"
I love 2 things about this passage:
1. If we possess these things:
- goodness
- knowledge
- self-control
- perseverance
- godliness
- brotherly kindness
- love
2. In verse 10 that is says, "if you do these things, you will never fail". Life can be hard an challenging at times but Peter is saying that if we add to our faith the qualities outlined in verses 5-7, we will never fail. That doesn't mean that we will never experience hardship or tough times. Rather, we will never fail and over the long term, that will make us extremely productive for Christ.
These are just 2 thoughts that stuck out to me as I read this scripture.
As you look at it, what quality outlined in verses 5-7 do you struggle with? Pick at least 1 you can work on today and this week so that you can add to your faith and be effective and productive for Christ.
tompounder.blogspot.com
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