The world is a sinful place. There is no escaping it. When we let it lead our thoughts, we begin to lose our joy and happiness. Instead, we become infused with anger and doubts about every aspect of our lives. We are quick to jump the gun on judging others and condemning them for their actions before they can even explain themselves. It is at this point that we need to reference passages in Matthew 7 to remind ourselves how to regain our composure and live. Matthew 7:1-2 clearly state, "'Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.'" Jesus is telling us that it is not only not our job to judge others, but when we do so unjustly, we pile all of that unfairness onto our own heads that we must stand up under as well. This was illustrated well in a post on the blog Abundant Life entitled, "I can see your issues but not mine."
I forget where exactly, but I always remember hearing a quote along the lines of "what you don't like in others is really what you despise in yourself." This has been true of my life as of late. I have been frustrated by another's perceived selfishness, but when I look at the matter, the thoughts I have been thinking reflect my own selfish desires. I have also been aware that when I do get my way in a matter, I'm still never content in the matter. Instead, I find myself lashing out in anger, driving people away, just because the sin of pride has a grip on my heart.
So what is the best way to solve this matter? That would be to focus on the words of guidance found in Matthew 7:12, which recommend, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." This is more commonly known as The Golden Rule. But when you really read into the statement, you will realize that it goes way beyond what we are taught under The Golden Rule. We are not just called to not treat others poorly because we wouldn't want to be treated in that fashion. We are also called to treat others in a manner that we desire others to treat us, even if you feel that they don't deserve it. In this generation, we only desire to do good if we feel it will be reciprocated. It is almost impossible to act out in kindness when we know that we may never get anything out of it. And that is exactly the point that Jesus is trying to make. We can't do anything without the Holy Spirit and God's grace. It is not in our human nature to do good unto others. Instead, the only way to live out the words of Matthew 7:12 is to pray to God for His assistance.
Many will struggle with the concept of praying to act in good faith towards others. That is another deceitful ploy executed from our sin nature. It convinces us that we can do everything on our own, but in essence, this is just making us a fool. The best way to live out your life effectively is to turn to God and seek His wisdom on all matters. Solomon did this and he left the wisdom he gathered from God on the pages of the Book of Proverbs. From reading the first two chapters, I have discovered that there is a vast difference between knowledge and wisdom. My NIV Life Application Study Bible states that knowledge is "having the facts" while wisdom is "applying those facts to life." We all have the knowledge of how to act and how to treat others, but if we do not apply these facts in our life, then we are simple-minded fools. We must heed the warning within Proverbs 1:32-33, which says, "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Choose now to not be a wayward, simple-minded fool who believes that he/she has control over situations and shelling out kindness. We are all sinful creatures and nothing about us without God knows of kindness, love, or righteousness. Call on Jesus as your intercessor to live a fuller life and to get out of the clutches of this world. Don't live or desire to be apart of it. Instead, overcome the world with the help of a Savior.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Analysis: How I Relate to Switchfoot's New Album Vice Verses
“I can't just shut it up and fake that I'm alright.”
“Cause everyday the world is made. A chance to change but I
feel the same. And I wonder why would I wait till I die to come alive? I'm
ready now.”
~Afterlife
There is no use pretending that you are fine. You are merely lying to yourself and to everyone around you. The best change you can possibly make is to center your life around Christ in order to become truly alive.
“Speak your mind up. Come on baby free yourself.”
“Free yourself; don't let nobody try and take your soul. You're
the original.”
“So you say you're just a lost soul; I know you better than
that.”
“So you say you're just a face in city race wasted and sick
of it all.”
~The Original
When possible and when you gain the courage, always speak your mind. Don't let anybody suppress your feelings or opinions. We all feel lost at times, but with God on our side, everything will be alright. He knows what is on your heart at all times. Also, methodical living can always get you down, but your goal is to keep looking up.
“Breathe out let your mind unwind. Eyes on the ceiling, looking
for the feeling.”
“Yeah, it's where the fight begins. Yeah, underneath the
skin between these hopes and where we've been. Every fight comes from the fight
within. I am the war inside.”
“I am the war I fight.”
“Ain't no killer like pride. No killer like I. No killer
like what's inside.”
~The War Inside
We are all fighting an internal battle against demons. We get infused with lies that we can begin to believe if we don't ask for the strength of the Holy Spirit. The biggest killer is our pride because it drives us to convince ourselves that we are the most important things on this planet, so we must guard ourselves in order to prevent it from being a destructive killer.
“I am restless, I run like the ocean to find your shore; I’m
looking for you. I am the one that you left behind, I am the thorn stuck in
your side. I am the bored and clouded eyes looking for the well that won’t run
dry. Running hard for the other side, the world that I’ve always been denied. Running
hard for the infinite with the tears of the saints and hypocrites.”
~Restless
We all get restless here on Earth searching for more meaning to our lives. It is best to always run towards God and strive to know more about His character. Best to run from the worldly in search of Christ. The stronger the desire, the more tears shed if we are denied the other side.
“Hey girl, don't conform now. No one else's got soul like
you. Hey girl, you're a strong one, but none of us are bulletproof.”
“Deep down there's a hope inside. You got wings but you're
scared to fly. Wake up, wake up.”
“Still looking for the reason why. Still looking for the sun
to shine.”
“All my life I've been living in the darkest night.”
“Deep down there's a hope inside brighter than the fears in
my mind. I keep looking for the blinding light. It's a hope that keeps me alive.”
~Blinding Light
Our human nature desires to fit in, but as Christian's, we are called to be different. We are urged not to conform because we are all uniquely and wonderfully made. Fear also overwhelms us whenever change is inevitable. We need to spread our wings and be brave enough to fly instead of remaining grounded due to doubts in our mind. God's love is that blinding light that can ease the fears in our minds and bring hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Our human nature desires to fit in, but as Christian's, we are called to be different. We are urged not to conform because we are all uniquely and wonderfully made. Fear also overwhelms us whenever change is inevitable. We need to spread our wings and be brave enough to fly instead of remaining grounded due to doubts in our mind. God's love is that blinding light that can ease the fears in our minds and bring hope for a brighter tomorrow.
“See, opinions are easier to swallow than facts. The greys
instead of the whites and the blacks. If you shoot it too straight it won't
come back.”
“I wanna believe you, I wanna believe, but everything is
in-between. The fact is fiction. Suspicion is the new religion.”
~Selling the News
Satan has injected doubt into this age of technology. The ability to believe based sheerly on our heart's desire has been greatly impacted in this know-it-all generation. This mounting doubt has created a cloud of suspicion over almost every aspect of life.
Satan has injected doubt into this age of technology. The ability to believe based sheerly on our heart's desire has been greatly impacted in this know-it-all generation. This mounting doubt has created a cloud of suspicion over almost every aspect of life.
“Been fighting things that I can't see like voices coming
from the inside of me. Like doing things I find hard to believe in. Am I myself
or am I dreaming?”
“No, I'm not alright. I know that I'm not right.”
“A warm body doesn't mean I'm alive.”
“Feel like I travel but I never arrive. I wanna thrive not
just survive.”
“I try and hide it and not let it show, but deep down inside
me I just don't know. Am I a man if I feel like a hoax?”
~Thrive
The voices inside us are derived from our sinful nature. It is hard to ignore them, which can lead us into a situation that we don't desire to be in and don't agree with. Sinful nature covers us like a cloud, which makes it hard to determine who we are and what we are doing. We are unaware of what's reality. It is also natural to question the strength of your faith and whether you truly believe or are just living out the lie of a hypocrite. We aren't truly living until we are living with Christ.
The voices inside us are derived from our sinful nature. It is hard to ignore them, which can lead us into a situation that we don't desire to be in and don't agree with. Sinful nature covers us like a cloud, which makes it hard to determine who we are and what we are doing. We are unaware of what's reality. It is also natural to question the strength of your faith and whether you truly believe or are just living out the lie of a hypocrite. We aren't truly living until we are living with Christ.
“I've made my mistakes, I've seen my heart cave in. I got my
scars I've been to hell and back again. Born for the blue skies, we’ll survive
the rain. Born for the sunrise, we’ll survive the pain.”
“Hey, you can’t count us out. We’ve been running up against
the crowd. Yeah, we are the dark horses.”
~Dark Horses
We are all running against the crowd and we must continue to do so in order to please God. No matter what pain crushes your heart, it is best to remain in God's favor instead of striving to please other sinful humans who cannot bring us any true satisfaction in life.
We are all running against the crowd and we must continue to do so in order to please God. No matter what pain crushes your heart, it is best to remain in God's favor instead of striving to please other sinful humans who cannot bring us any true satisfaction in life.
“Here’s to the twilight. Here’s to the memories. These are
my souvenirs; my mental pictures of everything.”
“So I close my eyes and go back in time. I can see you
smiling, you’re so alive.”
“We were so young, we had no idea that nothing lasts forever.”
~Souvenirs
Life always runs astray. We can desperately try to catch up and maintain control, or we can let it go and ask God what path He desires for your life. You will always have your memories of happy times, but don't let the past prevent you from enjoying the present. Circumstances and people change and nothing lasts forever, so stop trying to prevent the change.
"I don't care what they're telling me. We could be what we want to be. Rise above it."
"Just because you're running doesn't mean that you're scared. Just because it's law doesn't mean it is fair. Never let another tell your soul what to fear."
~Rise Above It
Always follow your own heart and don't let anybody keep you from being who you want to be. It is better to take the high road than to argue with people's assumptions about your life. By running, one may just be looking for a new beginning and isn't actually scared of the circumstances. There's also the old adage that life isn't fair and we can't depend on any law on Earth to bring us peace of mind. Always look to God for guidance and not your peers. God knows your heart and what you truly fear. Everybody else can just make assumptions about your deepest fears, and few will truly care about them or help you face them.
Life always runs astray. We can desperately try to catch up and maintain control, or we can let it go and ask God what path He desires for your life. You will always have your memories of happy times, but don't let the past prevent you from enjoying the present. Circumstances and people change and nothing lasts forever, so stop trying to prevent the change.
"I don't care what they're telling me. We could be what we want to be. Rise above it."
"Just because you're running doesn't mean that you're scared. Just because it's law doesn't mean it is fair. Never let another tell your soul what to fear."
~Rise Above It
Always follow your own heart and don't let anybody keep you from being who you want to be. It is better to take the high road than to argue with people's assumptions about your life. By running, one may just be looking for a new beginning and isn't actually scared of the circumstances. There's also the old adage that life isn't fair and we can't depend on any law on Earth to bring us peace of mind. Always look to God for guidance and not your peers. God knows your heart and what you truly fear. Everybody else can just make assumptions about your deepest fears, and few will truly care about them or help you face them.
“Looking for signs in the night sky, wishing that I wasn’t
such a nice guy. Wonder what it means to live forever? Wonder what it means to
die?”
“I know that there's a meaning to it all. A little
resurrection every time I fall.”
“Every blessing comes with a set of curses.”
“The wind could be my new obsession. The wind could be my
new depression. The wind goes anywhere it wants to, wishing that I learned my
lesson.”
“Where are you in my broken heart? Everything seems to fall
apart.”
~Vice Verses
After awhile, some begin to realize that the sinner seems to have it easier than the believer. This causes us to wish that we weren't so nice and caring in order to avoid pain. It is natural to desire to live forever and be scared of death while constantly questioning its meaning. We are all well aware that God has a purpose behind everything and we yearn for life's meaning. Life is full of blessings, but hardships tend to accompany them. Our souls desire to be free like the wind, which can consume us in obsession, though we might become depressed when we realize that we cannot let our soul go everywhere it is drawn. When we encounter numerous hardships and our heart breaks constantly, leading to our world to fall apart, we begin to question God's existence and whether He is aware of our pain. We must trust that He is there even when our world is caving in.
After awhile, some begin to realize that the sinner seems to have it easier than the believer. This causes us to wish that we weren't so nice and caring in order to avoid pain. It is natural to desire to live forever and be scared of death while constantly questioning its meaning. We are all well aware that God has a purpose behind everything and we yearn for life's meaning. Life is full of blessings, but hardships tend to accompany them. Our souls desire to be free like the wind, which can consume us in obsession, though we might become depressed when we realize that we cannot let our soul go everywhere it is drawn. When we encounter numerous hardships and our heart breaks constantly, leading to our world to fall apart, we begin to question God's existence and whether He is aware of our pain. We must trust that He is there even when our world is caving in.
“Still looking for a home in a world where I belong. Feels
like we're just waiting, waiting while our hearts are just breaking, breaking. Feels
like we're fighting against the tide.”
“On the final day I die I want to hold my head up high. I
want to tell You that I tried.”
“And when I reach the other side I want to look You in the
eye and know that I've arrived in a world where I belong.”
~Where I Belong
On Earth, we hardly ever feel like we belong. Constantly, we feel lost and broken because we look for happiness in all of the wrong places. God desires for us to call on Him, but we fight against the tide because we convince ourselves that we can do it on our own. Eventually, we'll all realize how much we need God and we will desire to try and live in a way to please Him. Our end goal should be heaven, which is the only place where we will feel like we belong.
On Earth, we hardly ever feel like we belong. Constantly, we feel lost and broken because we look for happiness in all of the wrong places. God desires for us to call on Him, but we fight against the tide because we convince ourselves that we can do it on our own. Eventually, we'll all realize how much we need God and we will desire to try and live in a way to please Him. Our end goal should be heaven, which is the only place where we will feel like we belong.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Use the Short End of the Stick as an Educational Tool
I'm sure everybody in the world has felt like he or she has gotten shafted at some moment in their lives; some more than others. It is definitely not a pleasant feeling when you feel like you got the short end of the stick in a situation. The first desired reaction is to lash out, or rant and rave. This may very well be warranted, but take a moment to think before you start spewing all kinds of information.
A few weeks back I was flipping through the book of Proverbs and came across a verse that was very insightful. Proverbs 10:18 states, "He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." Initially, this verse put me in quite a predicament. Recently, I have found myself in a situation that I do not view as "fair" and I feel like I have been given the short end of the stick. My first reaction of course is the desire to vent my rage over my so-called injustice. This is sometimes not smart because it could lead to inadvertent slander, which would make me a fool. I also know that it is not smart to contain any hatred because that would make me a liar if anybody asked me how I felt about the situation and I claimed that it didn't bother me at all.
Many of you might be wondering what the other possible alternative is to alleviate any feelings of injustice. My answer is to turn to Jesus and pray about it. Not only does He know everything that goes on in your life (Psalm 139:1-4 ~ "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely."), but you are also very important to Him. This becomes apparent when reading Luke 12:6-7, which states, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." To top this all off, He is also very aware of what it feels like to suffer an injustice. Do not forget that He died for your sins, but He was a sinless man. Read the following verses to remind yourself what Jesus did for you:
Romans 8:3-4 ~ "For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 5:21 ~ "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
1 Peter 2:24 ~ "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."
In the grand scheme of things, any injustice you might face here on this Earth cannot possibly come close to the greatest injustice in history: Christ dying on the cross. What needs to be realized, though, is that this injustice was necessary for us to acquire the Holy Spirit and be able to receive eternal life through God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9 ~ "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and in this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.") With this in mind, there might be a reason behind any injustice you face in life, and it will be revealed to you at an appropriate time when you can learn from the circumstance.
A few weeks back I was flipping through the book of Proverbs and came across a verse that was very insightful. Proverbs 10:18 states, "He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." Initially, this verse put me in quite a predicament. Recently, I have found myself in a situation that I do not view as "fair" and I feel like I have been given the short end of the stick. My first reaction of course is the desire to vent my rage over my so-called injustice. This is sometimes not smart because it could lead to inadvertent slander, which would make me a fool. I also know that it is not smart to contain any hatred because that would make me a liar if anybody asked me how I felt about the situation and I claimed that it didn't bother me at all.
Many of you might be wondering what the other possible alternative is to alleviate any feelings of injustice. My answer is to turn to Jesus and pray about it. Not only does He know everything that goes on in your life (Psalm 139:1-4 ~ "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely."), but you are also very important to Him. This becomes apparent when reading Luke 12:6-7, which states, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." To top this all off, He is also very aware of what it feels like to suffer an injustice. Do not forget that He died for your sins, but He was a sinless man. Read the following verses to remind yourself what Jesus did for you:
Romans 8:3-4 ~ "For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit."
2 Corinthians 5:21 ~ "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
1 Peter 2:24 ~ "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."
In the grand scheme of things, any injustice you might face here on this Earth cannot possibly come close to the greatest injustice in history: Christ dying on the cross. What needs to be realized, though, is that this injustice was necessary for us to acquire the Holy Spirit and be able to receive eternal life through God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9 ~ "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and in this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.") With this in mind, there might be a reason behind any injustice you face in life, and it will be revealed to you at an appropriate time when you can learn from the circumstance.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Discovering Your Divine Purpose
Life is uncertain. Walt Whitman said, "The future is no more uncertain than the present." This is a unique way of thinking because plenty of people assume they have a grasp on their present circumstances, leaving only the future as an unknown entity. Unbeknownst to most, though, is that many are typically on a constant search for their life's meaning. Instead of getting in a panic and relying on your own devices, you need to relax, pray, and turn to God's Word in order to discover what you are supposed to do with your life.
Skeptics often doubt that there is a reason for them on this earth, but this is just not true. All one has to do is open the Bible to Ephesians 2:10 to discover, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." This is all the proof anybody needs to know that God has a specific plan for their life; the problem is discovering that divine purpose. Too many rely on their own knowledge to search for their purpose and place in life. They know God puts them in certain situations or in the path of certain people for a reason, but instead of praying to God to become enlightened about that reason, our human nature formulates assumptions that our brain accepts as fact. This creates a roadblock on the way to discovering what God really means to do with your life because you refuse to move forward and accept your true role in His plan. Instead, most are content with the plan fabricated within their minds. I will admit I have fallen victim to my own mind's deceit. I have felt like I was placed in a situation or in close proximity to certain people for a reason, but instead of relinquishing that role when it had run its course, I held onto it, refusing to let it go because my mind convinced my heart that I was meant to remain on that path as opposed to discovering something bigger and better in life.
There is a song by Rob Thomas called "Someday," which really outlines this issue, I feel. The following is an excerpt from that song: "Cause maybe someday, we'll figure all this out. We'll put an end to all our doubt. Try to find a way to just feel better now and maybe someday we'll live our lives out loud. We'll be better off somehow, someday. Cause sometimes we don't really notice just how good it can get. So maybe we should start all over, start all over again." As these lyrics state, the hardest part is always knowing when to start over. Too many times we get caught up in our circumstances and refuse to accept the fact that we are no longer needed in a situation or by people, which leads to pain, depression, and heartache. God knows that following His path for your life isn't easy, which is why he makes clear statements to us in His Word about what we are supposed to do. Isaiah 43:18 calls for us to, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." Then within Philippians 3:13, Paul says, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." God makes it pretty clear that the only way to truly discover, what Craig Groeschel has termed, our divine purpose, requires us to forget our past and focus on His plan for our future.
Now that you are all slowly digesting this very difficult concept, some might still be wondering how exactly to unleash the knowledge behind your divine purpose. The answer again can be found within your Bible, but this time in Matthew 7:7-8. This states, "'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks find; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.'" Everybody needs to stop relying on their own insight and assumptions about their purpose and role in life and instead turn to God, relinquishing control, and fervently praying for answers. They may not come overnight, but if you continually seek God's guidance, He will answer when you are in the proper situation. Never forget the words of the author, Craig Groeschel, who stated in his book Weird, "He put us here to make an eternal difference."
Skeptics often doubt that there is a reason for them on this earth, but this is just not true. All one has to do is open the Bible to Ephesians 2:10 to discover, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." This is all the proof anybody needs to know that God has a specific plan for their life; the problem is discovering that divine purpose. Too many rely on their own knowledge to search for their purpose and place in life. They know God puts them in certain situations or in the path of certain people for a reason, but instead of praying to God to become enlightened about that reason, our human nature formulates assumptions that our brain accepts as fact. This creates a roadblock on the way to discovering what God really means to do with your life because you refuse to move forward and accept your true role in His plan. Instead, most are content with the plan fabricated within their minds. I will admit I have fallen victim to my own mind's deceit. I have felt like I was placed in a situation or in close proximity to certain people for a reason, but instead of relinquishing that role when it had run its course, I held onto it, refusing to let it go because my mind convinced my heart that I was meant to remain on that path as opposed to discovering something bigger and better in life.
There is a song by Rob Thomas called "Someday," which really outlines this issue, I feel. The following is an excerpt from that song: "Cause maybe someday, we'll figure all this out. We'll put an end to all our doubt. Try to find a way to just feel better now and maybe someday we'll live our lives out loud. We'll be better off somehow, someday. Cause sometimes we don't really notice just how good it can get. So maybe we should start all over, start all over again." As these lyrics state, the hardest part is always knowing when to start over. Too many times we get caught up in our circumstances and refuse to accept the fact that we are no longer needed in a situation or by people, which leads to pain, depression, and heartache. God knows that following His path for your life isn't easy, which is why he makes clear statements to us in His Word about what we are supposed to do. Isaiah 43:18 calls for us to, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." Then within Philippians 3:13, Paul says, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." God makes it pretty clear that the only way to truly discover, what Craig Groeschel has termed, our divine purpose, requires us to forget our past and focus on His plan for our future.
Now that you are all slowly digesting this very difficult concept, some might still be wondering how exactly to unleash the knowledge behind your divine purpose. The answer again can be found within your Bible, but this time in Matthew 7:7-8. This states, "'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks find; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.'" Everybody needs to stop relying on their own insight and assumptions about their purpose and role in life and instead turn to God, relinquishing control, and fervently praying for answers. They may not come overnight, but if you continually seek God's guidance, He will answer when you are in the proper situation. Never forget the words of the author, Craig Groeschel, who stated in his book Weird, "He put us here to make an eternal difference."
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Words Have Lost Their Meaning
I'm sure many have heard the phrase, "Use your words wisely," at some point in time; or possibly the catchphrase, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." What I have come to notice, though, is that many in this day and age toss around words and phrases with no thought whatsoever. Due to this extreme absence of thought, I have come to find that I am quite skeptical of words people say.
The pace of society seems to inhibit our ability to consciously think through what we say to eachother, which negates the step that ensures that these words express how we truly feel, along with whether or not our actions will back up the thoughts expressed within those words. I think my skepticism was established back in my early years of college when I happened to be a magnet for pathological liars. After associating with them, it has become much harder for me to believe what people say to me. This is why one of my favorite scriptures happens to be 1 John 3:18, which states, "Dear friends, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." I know people mean well when they say kind words, but if this has turned into a mere knee-jerk reaction for the majority of people in their lives, then the significance of some phrases can become lost. This is why I find it much more important to express yourself through actions than through nice comments to one another.
Another reasoning behind my developing skepticism towards what people say is the fact that nobody wants to be held accountable for what they say or what others claim they have said. Everyday it seems like somebody is trying to back out of some form of written contract, or even worse, trying to back out of a marriage. The divorce rate today is astounding, which makes me wonder if anybody ever really means, "Til death do us part." It seems more likely that people are searching for their own happiness and once they get tired of their spouse, it's out with the old and in with the new, with no thought whatsoever to those sacred vows they once spoke.
Many feel they can hide behind their words in order to avoid facing other people or bearing the consequences due to their lack of thought. Be warned, though, that just because another human does not catch on to your true motives doesn't mean that nobody is aware of the intentions within your heart. God is always aware of what's on your heart each and every second. He knows when people lie about how they feel about themselves or about others. In Isaiah 29:13, he calls out the people of Ariel: "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." In essence, God was well aware that these people were hypocrites who would say one thing but do another.
For your own sake, analyze your life and what you say to others. Do you truly mean those words that you express, or is it just an easy out for you to move on and avoid conflict? If there happen to be phrases that you utilize but don't truly mean when you say them, restrain yourself and just don't use them. It is best to stop the hypocrisy as soon as possible in order to live a more honest life. In my own life, there are things that I say that aren't true, and it is my goal to refrain from the usage of these phrases. At the moment, it is as simple as stating, "I'm fine," when somebody asks me how I am feeling, when that is not always necessarily the truth. So if anybody happens to hear me use this phrase, hold me accountable to make sure I am not just using a quick answer to avoid expressing how I truly feel.
The pace of society seems to inhibit our ability to consciously think through what we say to eachother, which negates the step that ensures that these words express how we truly feel, along with whether or not our actions will back up the thoughts expressed within those words. I think my skepticism was established back in my early years of college when I happened to be a magnet for pathological liars. After associating with them, it has become much harder for me to believe what people say to me. This is why one of my favorite scriptures happens to be 1 John 3:18, which states, "Dear friends, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." I know people mean well when they say kind words, but if this has turned into a mere knee-jerk reaction for the majority of people in their lives, then the significance of some phrases can become lost. This is why I find it much more important to express yourself through actions than through nice comments to one another.
Another reasoning behind my developing skepticism towards what people say is the fact that nobody wants to be held accountable for what they say or what others claim they have said. Everyday it seems like somebody is trying to back out of some form of written contract, or even worse, trying to back out of a marriage. The divorce rate today is astounding, which makes me wonder if anybody ever really means, "Til death do us part." It seems more likely that people are searching for their own happiness and once they get tired of their spouse, it's out with the old and in with the new, with no thought whatsoever to those sacred vows they once spoke.
Many feel they can hide behind their words in order to avoid facing other people or bearing the consequences due to their lack of thought. Be warned, though, that just because another human does not catch on to your true motives doesn't mean that nobody is aware of the intentions within your heart. God is always aware of what's on your heart each and every second. He knows when people lie about how they feel about themselves or about others. In Isaiah 29:13, he calls out the people of Ariel: "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." In essence, God was well aware that these people were hypocrites who would say one thing but do another.
For your own sake, analyze your life and what you say to others. Do you truly mean those words that you express, or is it just an easy out for you to move on and avoid conflict? If there happen to be phrases that you utilize but don't truly mean when you say them, restrain yourself and just don't use them. It is best to stop the hypocrisy as soon as possible in order to live a more honest life. In my own life, there are things that I say that aren't true, and it is my goal to refrain from the usage of these phrases. At the moment, it is as simple as stating, "I'm fine," when somebody asks me how I am feeling, when that is not always necessarily the truth. So if anybody happens to hear me use this phrase, hold me accountable to make sure I am not just using a quick answer to avoid expressing how I truly feel.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Melodic Sequence Leading to a Crescendo of Hope
“The wolf has found a way to lead this foolish
flock of sheep astray. And the clouds make fearful noises and slowly turn black
and shake. The darkness comes around you. The dark has come to take. And it
will cut the life right from you and leave you standing in the rain with
nowhere left to run to, and no one left to love you but the pain. Wake up you
faithless; see your heartbreak gone. It’s no use trying to hold on.”
~Wake Up
(Shipwreck) by The
Classic Crime
“Don't know where to begin. It's
like my world's caving in and I try but I can't control my fear. Where do I go
from here?”
~Let the Waters Rise by MIKESCHAIR
“Right now I’m a total mess and right
now I’m completely incomplete.”
~Change in the Making by Addison Road
“You’re best friends with the word
regret. You’re afraid that your life's been wasted, so why hope if it's only
gonna let you down? You don't think people really change; you’re a mess and
you'll always be the same. And you doubt if you'll ever get it turned around.”
~Come Home by Luminate
“Still wondering why I’m here. Still
wrestling with my fear.”
~Wait and See by Brandon Heath
“Days will come when you don't
have the strength, and all you hear is you're not worth anything. Wondering if
you ever could be loved and if they truly saw your heart they'd see so much.”
~Beautiful by MercyMe
“She says, ‘How did I get here? I'm
not who I once was. And I'm crippled by the fear that I've fallen too far to
love.’"
~You are More by Tenth Avenue North
“Wide awake in the middle of your
nightmare. You saw it comin' but it hit you outta nowhere. And there’s always
scars when you fall back far.”
~Get Back Up by tobyMac
“I know that my faults bring me
down, it's a constant battle. That's why I have to be honest with you now...
I'm not your saint, I'm not your savior.”
~Just a Man by The Classic Crime
“I want to run away I want to
ditch my life cause all of my mistakes keep me awake at night.”
~I So Hate Consequences by Relient
K
“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;
prone to leave the God I love;
”
~Come
Thou Font
“Give me wings, give me peace. These
are the things that I need. I'm tormented, broken and shamed. Are you
listening? (Are you listening)?”
~Salt in the Snow by The Classic Crime
“Do you wonder why you have to feel the things that
hurt you?
If there’s a God who loves you where is He now?”
~Before
the Morning by Josh
Wilson
“When friends betray us
, when
darkness seems to win
. We know the pain reminds this heart
that this is not,
this is not our home.”
~Blessings by Laura Story
“The walls are closing in. You
feel alone, you feel afraid. Your heart begins to bend. You take a breath and
then it starts to break.”
~Pray You Through by Sixteen Cities
“Letting it all sink in, it's
good to feel a sting now and again. I hope it's one less woeful thing there is
to fight through.”
~Therapy by Relient K
“Lost on a street, everyone has vanished and you're
all alone, but you don't know where to go. Yeah you're all alone and you want
to go home.”
~Run by Addison Road
“I took you for granted again. And
threw you aside and pretended for one minute that I had control of my life, and
direction it seemed to be in.”
~Salt in the Snow by The Classic Crime
“Maybe there are things you can’t see and all those
things are happening to bring a better ending.”
~Before
the Morning by Josh
Wilson
“When there's nowhere else to
turn, all your bridges have been burned. Feels like you've hit rock bottom. Don't
give up it's not the end. Open up your heart again when you feel like no one understands
where you are.”
~Me and Jesus by Stellar Kart
“Sometimes its so hard to pray when
You feel so far away. But I am willing to go where you want me to; God, I trust
You.”
~Let the Waters Rise by MIKESCHAIR
“We lose our way, we get back up
again. It's never too late to get back up again. One day you will shine again;
you may be knocked down, but not out forever.”
~Get Back Up by tobyMac
“Well maybe, maybe that’s the
point
; to reach the point of giving up
. ‘Cause when I’m finally, finally at
rock bottom.
Well that’s when I start looking up
and reaching out.”
~Strong Enough by Matthew West
“Yeah, I wanna believe, I wanna believe that I'm
not just some wandering soul that you don't see and you don't know. Yeah I
wanna believe, Jesus help me believe that I am someone worth dying for.”
~Someone Worth Dying For by MIKESCHAIR
“So hold on you gotta wait for the light. Press on
and just fight the good fight. Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling, it’s
just the dark before the morning.”
~Before the Morning by Josh Wilson
“You are more than the choices
that you've made. You are more than the sum of your past mistakes. You are more
than the problems you create. You've been remade.”
~You Are More by Tenth Avenue North
“I know I’m not strong enough to
be
everything that I’m supposed to be.
I give up, I’m not strong enough
. Hands
of mercy won’t You cover me?
Lord, right now I’m asking You to be
strong
enough. Strong enough
for the both of us.”
~Strong Enough by Matthew West
“It's time for healing time to
move on. It's time to fix what's been broken too long. Time to make right what
has been wrong. It's time to find my way to where I belong. There's a wave
that's crashing over me and all I can do is surrender. Whatever You're doing
inside of me it feels like chaos but somehow there's peace. It's hard to
surrender to what I can't see, but I'm giving in to something Heavenly.”
~Whatever You’re Doing (Something Heavenly) by Sanctus Real
“Open
up your eyes, awake, arise. Love like a hand reaches down and pulls us up from
the dirty ground. Now is the time to step from the dark into the light, cause
you can’t change what you’ve done. But you can choose who you’ll become. Every
moment is a second chance at starting over, at starting over. Move from the
past to the present tense. You can start over, start over again.”
~Start Over Again by Addison Road
“You can come as you are with all
your broken pieces, and all your shameful scars. The pain you hold in your
heart, bring it all to Jesus. You can come as you are.”
~Come As You Are by Pocket Full of Rocks
“And I will rise when He calls my
name, no more sorrow, no more pain. I will rise on eagles' wings before my God
fall on my knees.”
~I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin
“There is hope for me yet because
God won’t forget all the plans he’s made for me.”
~Wait and See by Brandon Heath
“You opened my eyes to your
wonders anew. You captured my heart with this love because nothing on Earth is
as beautiful as you.”
~Beautiful One by Jeremy Camp
“I hear You calling me and I’ll
come running. Oh, I’m falling into love and nothing will stop it. Oh, I hear
You calling me and I’ll come running to You, to You, to You.”
~Heaven and Earth by Phil Wickham
“It's all because of Jesus I'm
alive.
It's all because the blood of Jesus Christ
that cover's me and raised
this dead man's life.
It's all because of Jesus I'm alive.”
~All Because of Jesus by Fee
Hope. Faith. Courage.
"But Christ is faithful as the son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast."
~Hebrews 3:6
~Hebrews 3:6
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Fading Like the Mist
If you have ever found yourself at a rustic cabin overlooking a lake in a river valley, chances are you have seen mist hovering above the surface of the earth. This built-up condensation comes in the night due to temperature change and eventually dissipates into the air over time. One can try to sit and watch the entire dissipation process, but if any distractions pop up on your radar, the likelihood of watching this process quickly diminishes like the mist.
Life has many distractions. We are all constantly juggling busy schedules, time with family, and social events. The problem is when we get tunnel-vision and allow these distractions to impact certain opportunities or relationships. It is far too easy to get caught up in our own little worlds and allow portions of our lives that were once important to drift away.
In some individuals who have experienced the negative impact of too many distractions in people's lives, a fear of being forgotten develops within the soul. In the message at Saucon Community Bible Fellowship Church on Sunday, the pastor spoke on this topic as it relates to Paul when he was imprisoned in Rome. In Acts 24, Paul goes on trial before Felix and expresses his innocence. Because Felix was acquainted with the philosophies of Christianity, when he sent Paul back to his cell in prison, "He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him freedom and to permit his friends to take care of his needs." (Acts 24:23). After a few days, Felix then went with his wife to see Paul and listen to him speak about faith in Jesus. Because Felix came to listen to Paul teach, it probably gave Paul a sense of hope that he was changing this man's heart towards following Christ, which would help Paul's case. Unfortunately for Paul, Felix grew scared once the topics of righteousness, self-control, and future judgement came up and requested that Paul be sent away. Instead of focusing on Paul's teachings about Christ, Felix was more focused on pleasing the Jews and saving his own reputation. He constantly sent for Paul so that they could speak, but the desire within his heart was that Paul would offer him a bribe to make his decision easier. In the end, Felix chose to forget about Paul and let him fade from his memory because he would rather do a favor to the Jews and leave Paul in prison.
A similar story about being forgotten can be found in Genesis 40. The setting was Pharaoh's prison, which was where Joseph was being kept. Two men who worked for Pharaoh offended him and were quickly imprisoned and placed with Joseph. Both men began having dreams, but had nobody to interpret them. Joseph offered to interpret the dream of the cupbearer, and explained how he believed "Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position" (Genesis 40:13). Upon giving his interpretation of the cupbearer's dream, Joseph made one simple request. In Genesis 40:14, Joseph says, "But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison." On the third day, we come to find that Joseph was correct in his interpretation of the cupbearer's dream and he is soon restored by Pharaoh. But because the cupbearer was selfishly consumed by his own happiness and good fortune, we find in Genesis 40:23 that, "The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him."
These stories in the Bible are good references to how people who help others out can so easily be forgotten by those they have assisted because these people become distracted by their own selfish desires. From this, we must learn that we cannot control people or circumstances; we cannot know what is within another's heart, or how they truly feel. This becomes very apparent when analyzing Jeremiah 17:9, which states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" When you feel that there has been an injustice against you, instead of being tempted to say, "I don't deserve this," or feeling compelled to retaliate, or desiring to fight for control in your situation, pray to the Lord first. Psalm 34:17-19 says, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all." The Lord is in fact the one who has control over all things in your life and knows what experiences and hardships will help benefit your growth spiritually and emotionally. We should always pour our hearts out to the Lord, though he knows all of your joy, pain, and suffering even before the words leave your lips. He knows why you have fears and insecurities, but not until you personally request the Lord's help can He begin to guide you in the correct direction.
One fear that we all hold in our hearts is that we will be forgotten. Try to learn from the experiences of Paul and Joseph in order to avoid creating a situation where you are so engrossed in your own desires that you allow an opportunity or relationship to fade like the mist. And if you ever find yourself in the role of that fading mist in someone's life, cry out to the Lord in the hopes of being restored before you drift off and fade to a mere memory in that person's life.
Life has many distractions. We are all constantly juggling busy schedules, time with family, and social events. The problem is when we get tunnel-vision and allow these distractions to impact certain opportunities or relationships. It is far too easy to get caught up in our own little worlds and allow portions of our lives that were once important to drift away.
In some individuals who have experienced the negative impact of too many distractions in people's lives, a fear of being forgotten develops within the soul. In the message at Saucon Community Bible Fellowship Church on Sunday, the pastor spoke on this topic as it relates to Paul when he was imprisoned in Rome. In Acts 24, Paul goes on trial before Felix and expresses his innocence. Because Felix was acquainted with the philosophies of Christianity, when he sent Paul back to his cell in prison, "He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him freedom and to permit his friends to take care of his needs." (Acts 24:23). After a few days, Felix then went with his wife to see Paul and listen to him speak about faith in Jesus. Because Felix came to listen to Paul teach, it probably gave Paul a sense of hope that he was changing this man's heart towards following Christ, which would help Paul's case. Unfortunately for Paul, Felix grew scared once the topics of righteousness, self-control, and future judgement came up and requested that Paul be sent away. Instead of focusing on Paul's teachings about Christ, Felix was more focused on pleasing the Jews and saving his own reputation. He constantly sent for Paul so that they could speak, but the desire within his heart was that Paul would offer him a bribe to make his decision easier. In the end, Felix chose to forget about Paul and let him fade from his memory because he would rather do a favor to the Jews and leave Paul in prison.
A similar story about being forgotten can be found in Genesis 40. The setting was Pharaoh's prison, which was where Joseph was being kept. Two men who worked for Pharaoh offended him and were quickly imprisoned and placed with Joseph. Both men began having dreams, but had nobody to interpret them. Joseph offered to interpret the dream of the cupbearer, and explained how he believed "Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position" (Genesis 40:13). Upon giving his interpretation of the cupbearer's dream, Joseph made one simple request. In Genesis 40:14, Joseph says, "But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison." On the third day, we come to find that Joseph was correct in his interpretation of the cupbearer's dream and he is soon restored by Pharaoh. But because the cupbearer was selfishly consumed by his own happiness and good fortune, we find in Genesis 40:23 that, "The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him."
These stories in the Bible are good references to how people who help others out can so easily be forgotten by those they have assisted because these people become distracted by their own selfish desires. From this, we must learn that we cannot control people or circumstances; we cannot know what is within another's heart, or how they truly feel. This becomes very apparent when analyzing Jeremiah 17:9, which states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" When you feel that there has been an injustice against you, instead of being tempted to say, "I don't deserve this," or feeling compelled to retaliate, or desiring to fight for control in your situation, pray to the Lord first. Psalm 34:17-19 says, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all." The Lord is in fact the one who has control over all things in your life and knows what experiences and hardships will help benefit your growth spiritually and emotionally. We should always pour our hearts out to the Lord, though he knows all of your joy, pain, and suffering even before the words leave your lips. He knows why you have fears and insecurities, but not until you personally request the Lord's help can He begin to guide you in the correct direction.
One fear that we all hold in our hearts is that we will be forgotten. Try to learn from the experiences of Paul and Joseph in order to avoid creating a situation where you are so engrossed in your own desires that you allow an opportunity or relationship to fade like the mist. And if you ever find yourself in the role of that fading mist in someone's life, cry out to the Lord in the hopes of being restored before you drift off and fade to a mere memory in that person's life.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Deceitful Mind
The end of August was definitely a whirlwind filled with many positives, but also, some negatives. As much as I have to be happy for certain events and people, I find myself drifting off and focusing on the negative, or somehow twisting the positives into negatives. It scares me how easily my brain can spiral downwards into the depths of negativity, especially when it should be rejoicing, not only for myself, but for others as well. This has brought to mind the verse, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn," which can be found in Romans 12:15.
It is compelling to know that the mark of a truly devoted Christian is to have a character that truly is happy for others. As much as I would like to say I reflect this, more and more I condemn myself for my thoughts of envy or discontentedness towards those who have what I seemingly do not. This leads me to question whether or not I am ever truly happy for others, or if I just speak lies expressing my happiness for them, when deep in my core, I am far from happy.
I am deeply troubled by the fact that I'm so unsure about how I feel about the success and happiness of those close to me. It frustrates me to think that I may not be the most genuine friend if my heart questions everything regarding others. I would like to say that I easily follow the words found in Romans 12:10 and Philippians 2:3, which state, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves," and, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself," but I feel like I am deceiving myself by thinking I uphold these words. I pray that I can overcome the great deceiver of humanity and recapture my positive thoughts and joy for others before it leads me down the wrong path.
It is compelling to know that the mark of a truly devoted Christian is to have a character that truly is happy for others. As much as I would like to say I reflect this, more and more I condemn myself for my thoughts of envy or discontentedness towards those who have what I seemingly do not. This leads me to question whether or not I am ever truly happy for others, or if I just speak lies expressing my happiness for them, when deep in my core, I am far from happy.
I am deeply troubled by the fact that I'm so unsure about how I feel about the success and happiness of those close to me. It frustrates me to think that I may not be the most genuine friend if my heart questions everything regarding others. I would like to say that I easily follow the words found in Romans 12:10 and Philippians 2:3, which state, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves," and, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself," but I feel like I am deceiving myself by thinking I uphold these words. I pray that I can overcome the great deceiver of humanity and recapture my positive thoughts and joy for others before it leads me down the wrong path.
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