Thursday, May 31, 2012

Fasting Part 1



Part 1


Isaiah 58:6, 7

Here are some thoughts on fasting. I have broken the verses up to better define what I want to say.

Vs. 6 is not this the fast that I have chosen? These are the reasons God wants us to fast. Some of the reasons are for us and some of the reasons have to do with others.

to loose the bands of wickedness, - To learn self-control and to have the discipline to refrain from doing wrong or bad habits. This could have to do with food but it may also be emotional or even spiritual.

to undo the heavy burdens, - To regain focus on what is important and to have a clear picture of what is going on in my life. To not be burdened down with the daily tasks of meal preparation for a period of time.

and to let the oppressed go free, - Being free from the control of food like chocolate or caffeine; Food and drinks that we feel that we cannot live or function well without. We may realize we can do quite well without them.

and that ye break every yoke? – The word yoke makes me think of a burden. So fasting is bringing all our burdens to attention and helping us realize what we need and what we can do without. What is it that is controlling our life when God needs control?


Once we realize our burdens, then God wants us to look to others and lighten their burdens


Vs.7 is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry,-Take food and give it to a person or family that you feel God wants you help out. Someone you know who needs the food.

and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? This is asking a lot. We don’t mind giving people food or even money but to have them in our homes. That is personal and will take our time. We are not very generous with our time when it comes to other people, much less our own family.

when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him;- When you see a need, fill it. Don’t just walk away or assume someone else is going to take care of the problem.

and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? This one really caught my attention. What is my body saying to me during a fast? “I WANT FOOD!” is what my body is demanding, but what else is it saying to me? It is calm. I do not feel the weight of a meal. I am feeling hunger pangs. I had a headache. Sometimes I forget and think I want to grab something to eat and then I remember that I am fasting. I slept well (That is an improvement). I have gotten a lot of things done because I am not preparing meals. My head seems clearer. I am not as flighty with my thoughts. I feel more in control. Do I ignore what my body is trying to tell me because I eat too much or eat the wrong things? I eat emotionally, so that would silence what my body really needs because I am just putting in my body what I want instead of what my body may need. I am feeding my emotions instead of my body.

Part 2 is here.


Disclaimer:

Whenever you consider fasting make sure you check with your doctor first.




Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Be Ye Angry



Be ye angry…and sin not


That is the balance. Being angry and not sinning.

The Bible teaches me to be slow in anger because God is also slow to anger.

Nehemiah 9:17, “but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.”

Psalm 103:8, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.’

Joel 2:13, “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”

.Jonah 4:2, “And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.”

Nahum 1:3, “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”

Psalm 145:8, “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”

Proverbs 15:18, “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”

Proverbs 16:32, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”

When I am angry I may feel that way because someone has done something to hurt my feelings. I still have a choice on how I want to handle those feelings of anger. Of course, my first response would be to lash back at them and not let them get away with treating me in a wrong way. But I have learned that it really is better to be angry and sin not. When I respond quickly, I am trying to make myself feel better. My experience has been that when I stop and put some time between my response and the other person’s response then I have a better grip on what I need to do about the situation. Sometimes I have to admit that the best response is no response. That is a tough call to make.

Forgiveness

I have learned where there is a lot anger there needs to be a lot of forgiveness. Because of the stress I have been under, I have been extremely sensitive with others. I could be misunderstanding the situation; however, even when I am wronged by another I still need to forgive. I will not carry around anger for people. I do not want that baggage hanging on me. Forgiveness lightens my load and I am more responsive to others. I can serve the Lord better. It keeps me slow to anger because there is no build-up of anger which means there is no explosion of anger on the next person.

Another reason I have to deal with anger is that I make a stand on issues that are very important to me and may not be important to others. So I can see how that may offend others. I will not apologize for that but I can be gracious about it. That stand may mean that they choose to not associate with me. Again I have the choice to be angry or I can forgive them and move on. That is not the easy road but I believe it pleases my heavenly Father when I choose forgiveness.

The Bible says to forgive other as I have been forgiven. (Eph. 4:32) God has laid out the perfect plan and Christ has set the best example. Who am I to hold a grudge? I am thankful for God’s mercies every day. I am so thankful for his forgiveness and the ultimate price Christ has paid for that forgiveness.

I just refuse to hold on to anger. I want to take the hard road. I want God to use me in serving others. It is the choice I have made.

Ephesians 4:26

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Friday, May 18, 2012

Prayer






          God tells us in Matthew 6 how he wants us to pray. There are some do' and don't's about praying.

God does not want us to do it in public.

He does not want us to be repetitive in our words.

He further does not want us to fast so that other people will know we are fasting
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          All these things God does not want us to do because we are seeking favor with man. We are trying to impress others with our outward appearance instead of looking toward God for approval.

          In Matthew 6:9-13 God even gives us a sample of how we should pray. At the end of the verses I put in parenthesis what God is showing us to do when we pray.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Praise)

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Asking)

11 Give us this day our daily bread. (Asking)

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (Asking)

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: (Asking)

     For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Praising)

          I see that God wants us to ask Him for things. He knows we need Him. He wants us to realize we need Him. God knows who we are:

          Psalms 103:14 We are dust.

          Jeremiah 17:9 Our hearts are wicked and we have no idea how bad it is.





Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Just Believe The Book






Just Believe The Book



Preachers correct it; "Scholars" change it,

And, I take another look,

I just take it for what it says,

For I just believe the Book.



The Old King James will stand the test,

Through ages this has been true,

God has preserved His own pure Word,

And today the Old King James if for you.



You can believe every word in it,

No need to search nanny or crook,

Just get the Old King James off the shelf,

And, dear friend, believe the Book.



Don't let those other versions fool you,

Don't let yourself ever get hooked,

But take the Old King James as the Word of God

And just believe the Old Book.



As for me, I'll take what I've got,

No need elsewhere to look,

For I've settled on the Old King James,

And I just believe the Old Book.



Harvey D. Poole




Monday, May 14, 2012

Rejection





          The first definition of rejection is “to refuse to acknowledge.” An example would be if I ignored someone who was waiting for me to respond to him or her. This could be in passing each other in a hallway or an email or text. It is rude. It is demeaning. What I am saying is that another human being is not worthy of my time and or attention. We may even make up excuses to justify our behavior:

“I do not have people skills.”

“I am just not a people person.

“The ministry would be great if it wasn’t for the people.”


          When I reject someone I am taking a piece of them.  I envision a big hook that claws at, and then rips out a hunk of flesh of the person that is being rejected. That is so gory. That would explain why it hurts so much to be rejected because a piece of emotional flesh has just been ripped out. Maybe if I remembered that the next time I think of rejecting someone I will think twice and not do it.

          Rejection is singled out in the Bible and is stated separate from other kinds of suffering when the Bible speaks of Jesus.

Luke 17:25, “But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.”

Luke 9: 22,”Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.”

Mark 8: 31,”And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders,”

Isaiah 53: 3, “He is despised and rejected of men,”

          I take that to mean God wants us to know that Jesus was rejected also. He knows how we feel when we are rejected. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

          The second definition of rejection is “to throw out as useless or worthless; discard.” Do I think that I am really treating some other human being this way when I reject them? That is very powerful. That is saying I am better than you and you do not mean anything to me. Worthless. Useless. I can see Jesus shaking his head at me. Who am I to treat someone like they are worthless or useless? God sent his Son to die on the cross for everyone. Every person is special and important to God.
         


           "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."  (Matthew 7:12) I guess that is the golden rule for a reason. We should treat others with  respect and value them just as God does.






Friday, May 11, 2012

Child-like Faith

    

          A friend of mine announced that one of their children accepted Christ as her Saviour. It made me remember when my children made that step of faith. As a parent I plant seeds of faith for my children over the years. As they are amerced in the ways of the Lord, I would always wonder that when the time came that they would realize that they needed to get saved, would I know that it was “real” or was it something they felt was expected of them. I did not want to do it wrong. I think that was just a tool of Satan. Of course, God took care of everything and I am very thankful that my children came to that decision early in their lives.


          I have led adults to the Lord and sometimes it has been so difficult. Adults ask so many questions about God and why he allows bad things to happen like death and disease. They also may not understand that there is nothing in their life that they have done or will do that will keep God from them. To me the most difficult part of sharing the gospel is convincing adults that God loves them. Children believe easier that God loves them. Children are so easy. They want to trust Jesus and they want to go to heaven.

          By the time we grow up we may have learned that people are not trustworthy and those feelings may transfer to God. We may wonder what we have to do or what it will cost to go to heaven. What’s the catch? We may wonder why God would even bother with us anyway. But we need to keep telling people that God loves them. It does not matter what they have done.

          I am so thankful for God’s gift of Salvation. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour when I was nine years old. I was attending a vacation bible school that my church was sponsoring. I am so glad I made that decision. It truly was the best decision I have ever made.

I am blessed to know my children are saved.

I praise the Lord for my friend’s news. It is so wonderful.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

THE END



          The start of every semester of school is fresh and exciting. It is filled with dreams and hopes of wonderful things to learn. Meeting new teachers and rekindling friendships are just the icing on the cake of all that happens when going to school. But by the time the semester comes to an end there is this desperation to complete assignments and cram for exams. The undying urge to get these courses over with and run from the responsibility, at least until the next semester begins.

          My experience with school is no exception. I have now completed two semesters of school then I am headed into the summer semester with one class, which is required to continue my employment at the college. I have enjoyed every semester at the beginning, and then I cannot wait until it is over. Now I have about 6 weeks to “recover” until my summer class begins.

          I am very excited to see what God has in store for me. I do not know what the future holds but I know God is here with me and guiding me to where he wants me. That makes me feel stable and secure especially when things are very insecure and unstable around me.


For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

2 Timothy 1:12

         It is like a quiet confidence that things are going to be ok. I say quiet because life at times can get so loud I do not feel like things will be ok, but that things may be a mess forever. But then I remember whose child I am and who is really in control. My emotions fall back into place and I find the peace again that was there but concealed by the noise of the chaos of this world.

          So now I will rest and do some catch up things around the house and enjoy my break until school starts again. I am truly blessed.