Do not sue a brother. If you have a matter against a brother you should
take it before the saints. It is better to be wronged or cheated than to sue a brother in the Lord.
The unrighteous will NOT inherit the Kingdom. Neither fornicators,
idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards,
revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
I'm amazed at how the church is infiltrated with people who claim to be Christian and yet they continue to wallow in sin. I'm not talking about falling. But diving in the mud and filth. This verse seems very clear that we cannot just continue to behave in these ways and be partakers of the Kingdom of God. There are times when I don't "feel" close to the Lord. And perhaps I am in sin (whether knowingly or unknowingly), but I can't stay there for long and I pray that my response time will become shorter and shorter and I am cleansed more and more by the Lord and the washing of His Word.
You were washed. You were sanctified, you were justified.
Washed=regeneration, cleansed
Sanctified=New behavior, pattern of obedience and holiness
Justified=right standing before God
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful
How true!! Just because my flesh wants to drink Coke everyday (and it's lawful) doesn't mean that it's good for my body. And there are numerous other ways that this verse can apply.
Flee sexual immorality.
It is so easy to fall into temptation and society is inundated with explicit images and bombards us with continual sexually immoral messages. This is an area in which we must protect ourselves. For me, I do not hug or touch any other man but my sweetie. Also, I think it is important to not put oneself in a situation where you are alone with a man...even a Christian man. I think avoiding the appearance of evil in such cases is just as important as protecting yourself and the man from any temptation. Also as women of God, I think it is important to keep your sweetie's love tank full so that he is not tempted.
Glorify God in your body and spirit, which are God's.
This is our ultimate goal...to glorify God in everything we DO, SAY, THINK and FEEL.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Thoughts on Marriage
I recently had a sweet mom email me and ask for wisdom on improving her marriage.
Below are excepts of an email I sent to her.
T is my bestest and dearest friend in the whole world---other than Jesus. And the only way that I can possibly love T is to love the Lord more. So my first bit of advice is to seek the Lord and ask Him to help you make your sweetie a priority. Ask Him to give you creative ideas on how you can improve your relationship.
Here are some things that I do or have done in the past:
1. NEVER speak poorly of your husband. Always speak only kind and uplifting things about him. This comes easy for me cause I really can't think of anything negative. :-) But on our wedding day, the pastor who married us said to us that we should cover one another. That others should not see Todd's flaws because I was there to cover them and show only his good side and vice versa. And so I made it a practice to only speak highly of him. When friends would say bad things about their husbands, I chose not to enter into those discussions. This means even little side remarks that may be true, but don't need to be said like "Oh, he's not a handy-man." Always be an encourager and he'll trust you with his heart. Todd knows that I speak highly of him and he trusts me in that area. And I trust him that he would only speak kindly about me. I guess the main thing is to make that a practice if you haven't already. And it will become easier and easier. And I imagine it'll change your attitude towards him if you are focusing on the positive and not the negative.
2. Allow him to lead you. I am a strong personality. And T is more reserved. The way he leads is very different from the way I lead. And I've had to learn to submit to his leadership style. For me that means, to wait patiently which is not easy for my personality. I just want to get things done. But T is very wise and methodical. And when he does something, he does it with excellence. I remember hearing a speaker talk about family devotionals and allowing your husband to lead without interrupting and making corrections. It was soooo convicting to me. So, I've had to learn to take more of a back seat role.
3. Pray for your husband as much as possible. I think we often forget how hard it is to be a man--to have daily challenges at work, to have problems at home, to have to make all the family decisions, to be financially responsible, and spiritually responsible for your family etc. I pray throughout the day for T and I "Instant Message" him and ask him at least once a day how I can pray for him and how things are going at work.
4. Pray with your husband daily. We pray right before bed. This has been our practice since we got married. T's prayers are usually pretty short and sweet, mine can be longer. But this is a time that we bring all of our concerns and requests to the Lord together.
5. Have a good girlfriend. :-) OK this sounds weird, but it's important to have someone else to talk to besides your hubby. A good girlfriend will listen and help you work out things too. It doesn't all have to fall on your husband. It's not about keeping secrets here. Just trying to spare him from saving all the problems of the world. :-) Just want to make it clear that I am not talking about going to your girlfriend with problems about your husband. This is really more about having someone else to talk to about issues of your heart and practical advice.
6. Have a white board in a prominent area where your husband can write things that need to be done. Like errands he's needs to you to (get stamps, have a child shred papers, get something he needs at the grocery store, etc) And then make it a priority to get those things done.
7. Ask him "How can I be a better wife for you?" And then listen without justifying or getting angry about his answer.
8. Another good question, "Is there any area in which you feel I am not submitting to you?"
9. Be honest and share your feelings with him. If there is conflict, don't allow it to fester. Pray and go to him quickly. Most of our squabbles are just quick things like "Did you mean that the way I'm hearing it?" The answer is usually "No, will you forgive me for not choosing my words wisely?" And the response is "Of course." Then we move on with life.
10. Be quick to forgive and don't hold grudges! Forgiveness means choosing not to replay the hurt and not letting it damage the relationship. Stomping around, slamming doors or silent treatment is not forgiving.
11. Go on dates!! You need time to recharge and fill that relationship cup.
12. Not for little eyes. But make sure you are fulfilling his need for intimacy. It is important that his love tank is full. If not, it can lead to second glances and other temptations. You can do your part by keeping that tank full.
13. Don't assume that he knows what you need. I need a lot of encouragement. So every night I ask T, "Why do you love me?" If I especially need lots of encouragement, I may say, "Give me 5 reasons why you love me today." I don't mind asking, and he doesn't mind giving me answers.
14. Do everything you can to make him happy. You will be more satisfied in your marriage if you are seeking to satisfy the needs of your hubby--not your own needs.
15. Respect him! Don't correct him in front of others (including the children). Don't belittle. Do those things that he asks you to do. Honor him with your words and actions.
16. Ask him, "What one or 2 things can I do that would be a blessing to you?" And then try to do those things.
17. If there is an area where you are not submitting, pray and repent. Remember that it is easier to submit, than it is to lead. He is responsible for all the decisions, you are just responsible for following with a good attitude. When you get our from under his protection by not submitting, you are in danger. There is protection when you stay under the umbrella of your husband's authority. AND many times blessings!! My sweet K is a testimony of God's faithfulness and blessings when I submitted to T's desires.
.
Below are excepts of an email I sent to her.
T is my bestest and dearest friend in the whole world---other than Jesus. And the only way that I can possibly love T is to love the Lord more. So my first bit of advice is to seek the Lord and ask Him to help you make your sweetie a priority. Ask Him to give you creative ideas on how you can improve your relationship.
Here are some things that I do or have done in the past:
1. NEVER speak poorly of your husband. Always speak only kind and uplifting things about him. This comes easy for me cause I really can't think of anything negative. :-) But on our wedding day, the pastor who married us said to us that we should cover one another. That others should not see Todd's flaws because I was there to cover them and show only his good side and vice versa. And so I made it a practice to only speak highly of him. When friends would say bad things about their husbands, I chose not to enter into those discussions. This means even little side remarks that may be true, but don't need to be said like "Oh, he's not a handy-man." Always be an encourager and he'll trust you with his heart. Todd knows that I speak highly of him and he trusts me in that area. And I trust him that he would only speak kindly about me. I guess the main thing is to make that a practice if you haven't already. And it will become easier and easier. And I imagine it'll change your attitude towards him if you are focusing on the positive and not the negative.
2. Allow him to lead you. I am a strong personality. And T is more reserved. The way he leads is very different from the way I lead. And I've had to learn to submit to his leadership style. For me that means, to wait patiently which is not easy for my personality. I just want to get things done. But T is very wise and methodical. And when he does something, he does it with excellence. I remember hearing a speaker talk about family devotionals and allowing your husband to lead without interrupting and making corrections. It was soooo convicting to me. So, I've had to learn to take more of a back seat role.
3. Pray for your husband as much as possible. I think we often forget how hard it is to be a man--to have daily challenges at work, to have problems at home, to have to make all the family decisions, to be financially responsible, and spiritually responsible for your family etc. I pray throughout the day for T and I "Instant Message" him and ask him at least once a day how I can pray for him and how things are going at work.
4. Pray with your husband daily. We pray right before bed. This has been our practice since we got married. T's prayers are usually pretty short and sweet, mine can be longer. But this is a time that we bring all of our concerns and requests to the Lord together.
5. Have a good girlfriend. :-) OK this sounds weird, but it's important to have someone else to talk to besides your hubby. A good girlfriend will listen and help you work out things too. It doesn't all have to fall on your husband. It's not about keeping secrets here. Just trying to spare him from saving all the problems of the world. :-) Just want to make it clear that I am not talking about going to your girlfriend with problems about your husband. This is really more about having someone else to talk to about issues of your heart and practical advice.
6. Have a white board in a prominent area where your husband can write things that need to be done. Like errands he's needs to you to (get stamps, have a child shred papers, get something he needs at the grocery store, etc) And then make it a priority to get those things done.
7. Ask him "How can I be a better wife for you?" And then listen without justifying or getting angry about his answer.
8. Another good question, "Is there any area in which you feel I am not submitting to you?"
9. Be honest and share your feelings with him. If there is conflict, don't allow it to fester. Pray and go to him quickly. Most of our squabbles are just quick things like "Did you mean that the way I'm hearing it?" The answer is usually "No, will you forgive me for not choosing my words wisely?" And the response is "Of course." Then we move on with life.
10. Be quick to forgive and don't hold grudges! Forgiveness means choosing not to replay the hurt and not letting it damage the relationship. Stomping around, slamming doors or silent treatment is not forgiving.
11. Go on dates!! You need time to recharge and fill that relationship cup.
12. Not for little eyes. But make sure you are fulfilling his need for intimacy. It is important that his love tank is full. If not, it can lead to second glances and other temptations. You can do your part by keeping that tank full.
13. Don't assume that he knows what you need. I need a lot of encouragement. So every night I ask T, "Why do you love me?" If I especially need lots of encouragement, I may say, "Give me 5 reasons why you love me today." I don't mind asking, and he doesn't mind giving me answers.
14. Do everything you can to make him happy. You will be more satisfied in your marriage if you are seeking to satisfy the needs of your hubby--not your own needs.
15. Respect him! Don't correct him in front of others (including the children). Don't belittle. Do those things that he asks you to do. Honor him with your words and actions.
16. Ask him, "What one or 2 things can I do that would be a blessing to you?" And then try to do those things.
17. If there is an area where you are not submitting, pray and repent. Remember that it is easier to submit, than it is to lead. He is responsible for all the decisions, you are just responsible for following with a good attitude. When you get our from under his protection by not submitting, you are in danger. There is protection when you stay under the umbrella of your husband's authority. AND many times blessings!! My sweet K is a testimony of God's faithfulness and blessings when I submitted to T's desires.
.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Piggy Bank for K
K putting plastic coins in her piggy bank. She's smart and cute! I'm hoping to start doing some Montessori type activities with her. The boys have started school. So she needs a few things to keep her busy! She is a busy girl!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Life gets hard
There are times when life gets hard and other things take precedence over blogs...
Right now I've got 2 loved ones who are facing serious illness. My grandma and my adopted mom.
What's hard for me is that these 2 women have affected my life in profound ways. And the thought of losing one or both of them is a bit overwhelming at times. But I try to focus on the Lord and pray.
I need to be in the Word more. As I've fallen behind in my reading. I pray the Lord will draw me near to him.
Right now I've got 2 loved ones who are facing serious illness. My grandma and my adopted mom.
What's hard for me is that these 2 women have affected my life in profound ways. And the thought of losing one or both of them is a bit overwhelming at times. But I try to focus on the Lord and pray.
I need to be in the Word more. As I've fallen behind in my reading. I pray the Lord will draw me near to him.
Friday, July 13, 2007
I Cor 5--What to do with sinners in the body
There was sexual sin among the Corinthians. Corinth was a port city--very wealthy and full of all kinds of temptations. As you can see on the map, Corinth is located at the point where the land masses come to at point in the middle. There was a one mile strip of land where the boats could not go through. At firs they carried the boats across this strip of land. But later they dug a canal. Quite an amazing feat!
This was a very lucrative business for the Corinthians. And because all kinds of people were there on business, sin abounded. Many of the rebukes from Paul were related to the sexual impurity that was prevalent.
One such judgment was on a man who was committing adultery with his step-mother. Paul passed judgement of the sinner. And the church was asked to do the same.
I think in the day that we live in, we tend to tolerate all kinds of sin in the name of not judging others. But Paul did not let sin continue in the body without addressing it. Of course, confronting sin should be done with the utmost humility and kindness and spoken in much love with the intent on bringing a brother or sister back to fellowship and right standing before the Lord. After all we all tend to have blind spots. And is it not kinder to tell someone that that they are in sin than to allow that sin to destroy and hurt them and others?
When you are gathered together (assembled in church), along with my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver the sinner to Satan for the destruction of the flesh (sickness, even death) that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Sin affects the whole church body. It should be purged from the body.
When you are gathered together (assembled in church), along with my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver the sinner to Satan for the destruction of the flesh (sickness, even death) that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Sin affects the whole church body. It should be purged from the body.
I Cor 4--Faithful stewards, Praise, What we do
It is required of a steward to be found faithful.
This is an interesting verse. We live in such a time that many feel that they can just say a Sinner's Prayer and then live how they want and sin how they want without consequence. After all, their sins are forgiven. But this verse seems to suggest that it is required of true believers to be found faithful.
Judge nothing before the time. The Lord will bring to light hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the heart. Each one's praise will come from God.
We should be looking to please the Lord, not men. Oh how often, I fail at this. For me, it's not so much that I want men's praise, as much as I fear their hurtful and unkind reactions. I do so want to be "liked." But I know I must get over this and desire the Lord's praise and pleasure! For only then will I be truly fulfilled.
We shouldn't be trying to make affiliations (Paul or Apollos). We are Christ's and He is the head.
Paul rebukes the Corinthians for being self-satisfied that they had already achieved spiritual greatness. We should be humble and that is not so hard when we focus on Christ's righteousness and our own sinfulness. And the cross. Or is it? Why do I fail so miserably thinking that I'm doing great one week--only to fail the next. Help me to be humble, dear Lord.
Paul urges the Corinthians to imitate him. Going back to v 12, we find that they should be working with own hands, blessing those who revile, enduring persecution, being made filth.
Working with hands--This reminds me of the old saying, "Idle hands are the devil's plaything." Certainly keeping busy with your hands will keep one from too much mischief.
Blessing those who revile you--Oh how difficult it is to bless those who are hurting you! But by God's strength it can be done.
Enduring persecution--I tend to be one who avoids persecution. I just want to be liked. But I'm realizing more and more that it is more important to obey the Lord and follow His ways and be faithful to speaking the truth in love than it is to be liked. I pray the Lord will continue to help me here.
Being made filth--Living in humility. Thinking of others as more important than myself. Someday I'd like to read CJ Mahaney's book Humility. Sounds like a good one!
The kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
Spiritual character is measured not by the impressiveness of words, but in the power of the life. It's easy to say things, but much harder to do. I find that I often times fail at implementing new behaviors and attitudes. But I think it's just as important to get up, dust myself off, and continue. I'll never succeed if I don't try. And I know the Lord will help me as I continue to pursue Him. I pray my life will be more than just words, but be an example of God's power in my life. For I know I can do nothing on my own.
This is an interesting verse. We live in such a time that many feel that they can just say a Sinner's Prayer and then live how they want and sin how they want without consequence. After all, their sins are forgiven. But this verse seems to suggest that it is required of true believers to be found faithful.
Judge nothing before the time. The Lord will bring to light hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the heart. Each one's praise will come from God.
We should be looking to please the Lord, not men. Oh how often, I fail at this. For me, it's not so much that I want men's praise, as much as I fear their hurtful and unkind reactions. I do so want to be "liked." But I know I must get over this and desire the Lord's praise and pleasure! For only then will I be truly fulfilled.
We shouldn't be trying to make affiliations (Paul or Apollos). We are Christ's and He is the head.
Paul rebukes the Corinthians for being self-satisfied that they had already achieved spiritual greatness. We should be humble and that is not so hard when we focus on Christ's righteousness and our own sinfulness. And the cross. Or is it? Why do I fail so miserably thinking that I'm doing great one week--only to fail the next. Help me to be humble, dear Lord.
Paul urges the Corinthians to imitate him. Going back to v 12, we find that they should be working with own hands, blessing those who revile, enduring persecution, being made filth.
Working with hands--This reminds me of the old saying, "Idle hands are the devil's plaything." Certainly keeping busy with your hands will keep one from too much mischief.
Blessing those who revile you--Oh how difficult it is to bless those who are hurting you! But by God's strength it can be done.
Enduring persecution--I tend to be one who avoids persecution. I just want to be liked. But I'm realizing more and more that it is more important to obey the Lord and follow His ways and be faithful to speaking the truth in love than it is to be liked. I pray the Lord will continue to help me here.
Being made filth--Living in humility. Thinking of others as more important than myself. Someday I'd like to read CJ Mahaney's book Humility. Sounds like a good one!
The kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
Spiritual character is measured not by the impressiveness of words, but in the power of the life. It's easy to say things, but much harder to do. I find that I often times fail at implementing new behaviors and attitudes. But I think it's just as important to get up, dust myself off, and continue. I'll never succeed if I don't try. And I know the Lord will help me as I continue to pursue Him. I pray my life will be more than just words, but be an example of God's power in my life. For I know I can do nothing on my own.
I Cor 3--Carnal, Essential Doctrine, True Wisdom
Paul describes the Corinthians as being carnal. They were characterized by envy, strife, and divisions. They were being immature. They seemed to be worried about insignificant details and factions (reputations & associations). I am of Apollos. I am of Cephas. I am of Paul.
Sounds a bit like the modern-day church doesn't it. I belong to this church. I belong to that one. I am so privileged to have friends from many different churches. Oh sure, we don't agree doctrinally on every point. But as long as we have the 5 essentials, and we are seeking to love and serve the Lord, then unity can exist, because "we are of Christ."
So what are those 5 essential doctrines:
1. Inerrancy of the Bible
2. The Diety of Christ--this includes the Trinity, and the Hypostatic Union (Christ is fully God and fully man.)
3. Salvation by Grace through Faith
4. The Resurrection of Christ
and
5. The Gospel
Our foundation must be Jesus Christ. Then we are to build on that foundation. There are many materials that we can choose to use-- gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. But when we come to the Judgment Seat of Christ, the quality of our work will become clear, for it will be revealed by fire. If it endures, that person will receive a reward. If it burns, he will suffer loss but will still be saved.
A few years ago, our family took a trip with our church to Greece and Rome to follow in the Footsteps of Paul. We stopped in Corinth. And one of my vivid memories was that of the Bema seat. Imagine a marble stage with steps going up. The floor of that stage is several feet about your head. And upon that stage is a seat where the Governor would sit and pronounce judgment. I can imagine laying on my face waiting for my King to judge my works. And I hope to have some that last. But I fear that many will be burned to ashes because of wrong motives and attitudes (seeking my own glory instead of God's glory, complaining, wanting man's praise and not God's, unwillingness and disobedience in my heart, pride, and many other disrespectful attitudes toward God and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.) Oh Lord, I pray I'll have something left! Help me to glorify you with my life!
The Wisdom of the world is foolishness with God.
How much of what we call wisdom today is the wisdom of this world? I'm afraid to even guess. But so much of what we learn today in our modern world of instant information is foolishness. Opinions change from day-to-day. One study says that this food is harmful, another says it's OK for you to have it in moderation, and another says it is beneficial. Parenting advice is child-centered. We are inundated with commercial advertisements for the latest and greatest of every product possible that can improve your life. And frankly the church is no different. We try to make the Gospel less offensive by stripping it of the power it has to save sinners! And we pick and choose messages so that the least number of people will be offended. We so need God's wisdom! And yet most people don't even read their Bibles. According to a Gallop poll from 2000, the percentage of Americans who read the Bible at least once a week is 37%. And I'd venture to guess that the percentage has gone down in the last 7 years. How can we possible know Wisdom if we never read it for ourselves?
Sounds a bit like the modern-day church doesn't it. I belong to this church. I belong to that one. I am so privileged to have friends from many different churches. Oh sure, we don't agree doctrinally on every point. But as long as we have the 5 essentials, and we are seeking to love and serve the Lord, then unity can exist, because "we are of Christ."
So what are those 5 essential doctrines:
1. Inerrancy of the Bible
2. The Diety of Christ--this includes the Trinity, and the Hypostatic Union (Christ is fully God and fully man.)
3. Salvation by Grace through Faith
4. The Resurrection of Christ
and
5. The Gospel
Our foundation must be Jesus Christ. Then we are to build on that foundation. There are many materials that we can choose to use-- gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. But when we come to the Judgment Seat of Christ, the quality of our work will become clear, for it will be revealed by fire. If it endures, that person will receive a reward. If it burns, he will suffer loss but will still be saved.
A few years ago, our family took a trip with our church to Greece and Rome to follow in the Footsteps of Paul. We stopped in Corinth. And one of my vivid memories was that of the Bema seat. Imagine a marble stage with steps going up. The floor of that stage is several feet about your head. And upon that stage is a seat where the Governor would sit and pronounce judgment. I can imagine laying on my face waiting for my King to judge my works. And I hope to have some that last. But I fear that many will be burned to ashes because of wrong motives and attitudes (seeking my own glory instead of God's glory, complaining, wanting man's praise and not God's, unwillingness and disobedience in my heart, pride, and many other disrespectful attitudes toward God and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.) Oh Lord, I pray I'll have something left! Help me to glorify you with my life!
The Wisdom of the world is foolishness with God.
How much of what we call wisdom today is the wisdom of this world? I'm afraid to even guess. But so much of what we learn today in our modern world of instant information is foolishness. Opinions change from day-to-day. One study says that this food is harmful, another says it's OK for you to have it in moderation, and another says it is beneficial. Parenting advice is child-centered. We are inundated with commercial advertisements for the latest and greatest of every product possible that can improve your life. And frankly the church is no different. We try to make the Gospel less offensive by stripping it of the power it has to save sinners! And we pick and choose messages so that the least number of people will be offended. We so need God's wisdom! And yet most people don't even read their Bibles. According to a Gallop poll from 2000, the percentage of Americans who read the Bible at least once a week is 37%. And I'd venture to guess that the percentage has gone down in the last 7 years. How can we possible know Wisdom if we never read it for ourselves?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
