January 28, 2008 by Administrator.

I know there have been times in my life when I have not wanted to ask God’s opinion about something. Most of the time I didn’t ask because I knew how He felt, but I didn’t want to change. All the while, I knew what He would say. Foolishly, I thought that if I didn’t think/pray/ask about it, God wouldn’t notice or voice His disapproval. The things we try to guard from God could be our movies, books, music, friends, hobbies, or aspirations. Though many of these things might not fall into a sinful category, they could fall into a category of defiance. If you fear that God will tell you to change, then change needs to happen. It is essential to our growth that we cut off what we know is not honoring to Jesus. Don’t live as though God doesn’t notice your actions. Don’t live as though God doesn’t care about what you do. God wants to be intimately close with us. How can we be close to Christ if we harbor what He disapproves of? If we know He might disapprove, it’s time we swallow our lump of pride and submit to our Lord and Savior. Ask. Submit. Obey. Honor the Lord of hosts.

Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. ~ James 4:17 NASB

Posted in Glory to God, Christian Living, Christian Applications | 4 Comments »

January 12, 2008 by Administrator.

This post has been kind of hard for me to type out. I’ve known all week that I wanted to go over the topic of gluttony, but it’s been difficult to flesh out. Perhaps it is because I deal with it first-hand in my life. This past Monday I realized that I was a glutton. Most of the things I shouldn’t do excessively, I do. The things I need to do more of, I don’t. I think my whole life I have ignored the fact that gluttony is a sin. I have over-eaten, I have over-slept, I have spent money frivolously, I have worked greedily to earn more, and I have put aside too much time for me. Not only this, but I cannot recall I time I was sorrowful for being gluttonous. I’ve looked back and said, “Man, I shouldn’t have bought all this junk.” I’ve also said, “I shouldn’t have eaten so much.” But was I ever repentant? I can’t say that I ever was. Our culture believes that we cannot have enough of anything: Our houses aren’t big enough, our closets aren’t full enough, our cars aren’t nice enough, our salaries aren’t high enough, our plates aren’t big enough, and our lives just aren’t good enough. As sinners, we crave more of what feeds our flesh, even to the point of gluttony.

The portrait above of Henry VIII is truly the epitome of gluttony. Observe that his clothes, his jewels, his size, and the room in which he stands are all examples of excess. Do we as Christians read the Word of God excessively or pray without ceasing? Or are we greedily desiring the things that Henry VIII flaunts: riches, power, and materialism all inside a palace.

If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. ~ 1 Timothy 6:8

He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but he who is a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. ~ Proverbs 28:7

A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. ~ Proverbs 28:20

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,” then your poverty will come as a robber and your want like an armed man. ~ Proverbs 24:33-34

For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. ~ Luke 12:12

Posted in Christian Living, Today's World, Biblical Study | 2 Comments »

January 3, 2008 by Administrator.

“Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” ~  2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB

It’s so amazing how the Lord brings certain passages to your attention as if they were brand new! As I read this verse, I said to myself, “Wow. Can I say that? Can I say that I’m content in the Lord’s strength when things are hard and stressful?” When we are weak and times are rough, we seek out the Lord. I have the tendency to be most happy and content when things are well. But when our surroundings are peaceful, we tend to drift. However, my idea of difficulties and Paul’s description of distress and difficulties are much different. How do my hardships compare to being imprisoned, beaten beyond count, lashed, beat with rods, stoned, shipwrecked three times, and being stranded for a day in the sea? Could I be content in the Lord’s grace and sovereignty if I had to endure what Paul experienced? There is so much to be learned from this verse.

Posted in Biblical Thoughts, Christian Living, Biblical Study | 1 Comment »