|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| The Sad Truth |
|
| |
Continuation from previous blog…
There are many things happening in my life and the lives of members in my church that are causing this series of blogs to be written. I am writing them out of frustration partly, but also because of great sadness that so many people are allowing themselves to get caught up in things they should have nothing to do with. I can’t say that I am perfect. Far from it. But I know who I worship, I know who I am fighting against, and I know where I will end up when I die. Many people think they know this as well, but they are blinded by what is happening in their lives and not able to see that they are partly to blame for the troubles that they have.
Many have gotten so far away from God that they would not recognize Him if he tapped them on the shoulder. We can continue to go through routines in life, we can read our bibles, go to church, pray, do any number of “churchy” things, and still have lost our heart for Jesus. We may be apathetic, or sympathetic, or empathetic, but we have lost our passion for Christ. And during that time, the devil has moved in and taken up residence. I think we need to have a spiritual reformation in all of our lives. A re-committment to God, a reaffirmation of who God really is, of what we believe, of who we are without Him, and who we can be with Him. He can transform our lives, but only if we let Him. He can’t do it if we aren’t there for the process. So many “Christians” have checked out spiritually. It is becoming a serious transformation that I consider the Loss of our Spirituality.
Being spiritual can only happen if we put forth the effort, and I think that is where the problem lies with a lot of people. They are too busy with work or school or families or the problems that they deal with every day, to put forth the effort to look for Jesus in their every day happenings, and to really try to hold on to that relationship for all it is worth. It takes too much work and people are tired. Just plain tired of the fight. Let's face it, keeping ourselves holy is hard work. It is so much easier for some to just give in to the sin. The devil sees the opportunity and moves in for the kill.
I’m asking you all to pray with me, to reaffirm with me, what you believe, what you stand for. To become on fire for Jesus again, or maybe for the first time. To stand up for what you believe in. To love as Jesus told us to…to forgive as Jesus told us to…to cease from doing sinful things that belonged to our “old” lives, to become the spiritual beings that God means for us to be.
To be continued…
|
|
| To leave a comment or start your own blog: |
 |
or |
 |
Already a member? Login |
|
|
|
|
| Deb, I hereby reaffirm.... Powerful post, thank you! |
|
|
| Yes, to return to our First Love! I totally agree with you in prayer for that. Sadly, most churches only have a handful of ppl who are super duper serious about serving God and have a real relationship with Him. Mine is no exception. |
|
|
James 1: 19-27
The Book of James caused lots of problems for the early Church. Salvation is past/present/future. We must show the World how strong our faith is by acting/ living by faith. Living by faith and "being good" are not the same thing. Ultimately God will judge all people. As for me, I can't understand God, but I must live my life by faith. |
|
|
Deb |
 |
April 21, 2008 at 10:34am |
|
Hey Mike, thank you!!
Lara, it is sad that there are people who only mildly serious about a relationship with Jesus. That scares me. I guess they figure they are saved so why bother with the effort to grow closer to Him? I pray for all those that are like that. There is so much more available to us if only we put forth the effort. |
|
|
Deb |
|
April 21, 2008 at 10:39am |
|
| Tom, I don't think any of us can really understand God or His ways, but we have to trust through faith. Those that don't have faith built on solid rock will not survive when testing comes. |
|
|
| Great one Sister! I stay with my frist and true love Jesus!!! |
|
|
Deb |
|
April 21, 2008 at 11:19am |
|
Doyle, thank you and I agree!
apodemeo, Good thoughts..and blessings to you too. |
|
|
| Thank Deb you know the Soul that is trying to break through and the body that is trying to defeate it |
|
|
| You have really put out some true thoughts. We can pretend all we want, do all the seemingly right things, but it has to come from a heart afire for God We must strive daily to keep our relationship to Him up-to-date. |
|
|
Deb |
|
April 21, 2008 at 6:38pm |
|
Valerie, powerful comment...and so true.
Shirley, yep, it has to come from the heart, and God truly knows those that are His, and their hearts. |
|
|
Ed |
|
April 22, 2008 at 9:14am |
|
| Be encouraged, Deb. You have the faith and others can see it in you. You cannot be responsible for everyone's conduct, only your own. Let us not give up ministering. As for me and my household...we will serve the Lord! |
|
|
Deb |
|
April 22, 2008 at 11:27am |
|
| Ed, I thank you for your encouragement. It is much needed. It is disheartening to see people so easily thrown off track. I know I am not responsible for anyones choices, only my own. But it is still hard to watch someone self destruct. |
|
|
Sin consciousness. The Lord has really been showing me this over the past few months.
We preach on sin, and others are more likely to sin. We preach on law, others are more likely to become subject to the law. We preach on freedom from sin, and others are more likely to become freed from sin. We preach on love, and others will be more likely to come under the power of love. I for one vote: Power of Love
"keeping ourselves holy is hard work. It is so much easier for some to just give in to the sin."
That's part of the problem. We rely on our own selves to keep holy. The love of God will cause you to live holier accidentally than you ever did on.purpose!
|
|
|
Sorry Deb,
I had to come back an apologize. I don't feel like my last comment did much to empathize with you. Trust me, I feel your pain.
My comment sounded a little like it was directed towards you and I do not want you to take it that way. I think I too am just a little frustrated with some of the things I see happening.
Sin has no power over us. Sin only has power when we give it power. Sin is born from our imaginations. Sin is conceived from our thoughts. That's one reason why I am constantly trying to renew my mind, and I encourage others to do the same thing.
James 1:15
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Now I seem to be just making things worse. I think it's time for me to take a break again. |
|
|
Deb |
|
April 22, 2008 at 12:17pm |
|
Michael, that is right...we cannot be holy on our own. The hard part is letting God have control. So many are unable, or don't want to, and that gets them into big trouble. |
|
|
BHEK |
|
April 29, 2008 at 1:54pm |
|
Surrendering to GOD is the continual practice of dying to self and soooo few people are really good at it with any regularity. Contradicting your own senses is a discipline we ALL need to work on, every day. You are on a roll Deb! I'm growin' already, just being near you. :-)
Bhek |
|
|
Deb |
|
April 29, 2008 at 3:02pm |
|
| Bhek, Discipline, that is the key! Those that have none, will struggle with dying to self on a constant basis. Thanks for your comments! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
back to top
