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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Faith

Faith, do you have it? Last week we mentioned that faith involves God, that He has a big part in us having more/stronger faith. You see we trust Him to do the things He said He will do. Blessings we receive in this present time and we look forward for blessings to come. We also come to the recognition that without Him we are hopeless (that's a good thought); we can't do things... to make ourselves to be better, perfect...that no matter how hard we try, well that bad side keeps popping up. Did you listen to Pastor Paul's message last week? Totally depraved. We also need God's help to make that decision of accepting His son Jesus. He calls! Then He gives us a helper, the Holy Spirit.
Now when we see the Holy Spirit working in our life; that is when our faith can get stronger. Our part is to recognize when God is working. To give Him the credit, praise...God does something for you, you praise Him...When He answers a prayer, you praise Him. When He is silent you praise Him. When He is working in others you praise Him. Now here is the hard part, when things get rough...and we have needs or we are in difficult places, we expect, sometime, God to work...right away. We forget that sometimes we are where we are because of our choices or because of sin. Or even God letting you be tested so your strength can be seen, like Job was tested. How easy it is for us to forget all that God has done for us. Don't we tend to do that, times get hard and we forget how God has worked in our life. Or we blame Him for whatever it is, or we just forget we live in a fallen world and believe the lie that God isn't here...We must remember all that God has done for us and all that He is going to do for us. We must never forget the simple gospel, that God so loved "you" that He gave His son. That He gave you eternal life...Like the song says," I'm forgiven because you were forsaken, I'm accepted you were condemned, ....Amazing love, How can it be that you my King should die for me?...Amazing love I know it's true, it's my joy to honor you..." Our part of faith is to cling to that true fact(s) of God. To remember the things...He is doing in our(your) life. We must give Him honor.... So remember to, praise, give honor, thanks, pray...

Faith

So we are still talking about faith. We ended by saying which leads to more faith. Let's change that more faith into stronger faith! Now how does one's faith increase or get's stronger? When we start talking about strength, strong.... we think about exercise. We need to do things to strengthen our faith...Yes, but also no. Yes we have a part but also God has a bigger part.
In life all types of things, situations, problems, decisions...come our way. Even when you become a Christian these things...still come your way; and not all of them are what we will call pleasant. Some may involve extra toil, some maybe pain, some financial cost, personal relationships hardship....now before we were Christians we had to work these out on our own...and sometimes the results were not to good...
Now as Christians we have God to help us in our struggles of life. We have God on our side. He is a present help in time of need. He even refers to us believers as His children. We can call on Him to help us. I want to stop there for a minute and give a thought that relates and then pick up with some example type...for an ending.
Have you ever thought how in life God uses situations...to grow you? Think about, have you ever wondered why the same type of thing keeps coming up? Then you get it, you do it God's way or with His strength and/or wisdom(not yours); and somehow the easy button was there. Now this doesn't mean that everything will be let's say easy, perfect...But you changed to God's way...that's how God perfects us; that's how our faith get's stronger.
Do you remember these 3 guy's? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Well they were the 3 guys who were going to be throw into the furnace for not bowing down to the golden image. In response to the king they said this Duet. 3:17-18 "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. Even if He does not, let it be known to you O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image you set up." God did rescue them.
How about Stephen, in the book of acts 6- 7. A believer doing great things for God, then just like that He was being stoned to death. The reason I used these 2 examples is to show that God can work...but sometimes He chooses to work in ways we don't understand. You see the strong faith of the 3 above, no matter what they would not turn from God and God rescues them. Stephen full of wisdom from above, the Holy Spirit. Did not back down when brought to trial. But unlike the 3, he was put to death. Now is your faith strong enough to endure to the end? Can it a mist of hardship...can you say, no matter what I will follow Jesus Christ, till He brings me home. Even when God seems not to be working?

Saturday, May 7, 2011

As we continue our look at faith we need to move on to the next essential word of our study. That is trust. We can believe in someone or something, that they or it was/is real. For example I believe that George Washington was a real person. That the pyramids in Egypt are real. Even though I have never seen either personally. That part is the first step, of faith. For us as we mentioned is to believe that God is real. But faith also involves the word trust. Without trust we only believe, and that belief will probably weaken...because we don't trust. For us that would be to trust, or to put our trust in God the father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit; God in three persons but one.
What does trust involve? Have you ever thought of that? To trust is to rely on the character, strength, ability and truth of someone. For us that is, that our God is Who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. Before we go too far lets introduce one more word that is; hope. For hope is also part of trust; you see when we trust someone we look forward to the accomplishment of what they said they could do; that is hope. For us we see who God is and what He can do and what He is going to do in His word, the bible. going to do things in His word, future things, and sometimes we get discouraged we want things now...You know what I mean? Life here gets hard, we want God to fix it, the now thing...fix my dilemma, problem or other problems...we lose focus that God did/ will fix everything but that it is in the future; that's our hope (heaven). We fall into the trap or lie that once you put your trust in God your life will become easy, no more problems...We place things on God or try to demand God to do...when He tells us it will be done in the future. Even when He tells us that life here will still be hard. So let me end with one thing that I know God does here for us believers for those who have faith in Him and His son Jesus Christ. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. Have you confessed to God your sin or sins and felt the forgiveness? It's wonderful, isn't it. So don't forget that, keep on trusting and putting your trust in our God and His son the Lord Jesus Christ. When we see God working in our lives doing what He said, not what we think, that is how our faith grows stronger. So our faith is in Jesus Christ the son of the one true God.
So we believe that God is and we put our trust in Him that He will do what He says He can do. Which comes to more belief. God tells us that He is
So, sometimes do you wonder? Wonder if I had done that, would I be better off? Do you sometimes wonder about God? Who He is? What is He doing? Or even sometimes, maybe, is He real? Is this going to church...following Jesus...is it real, does it have meaning.... Now these later questions are some hard questions. It is not easy to share with someone that you are struggling with your faith in God. But we all must realize that these times come. Now they come in all different ways and times...Sometimes one will question the reality of God and His son, Jesus and walk away...for a short period of time. Others for a longer period of time and still others walk away for good.
So the next few devotionals we are going to talk about faith. So when those times come we will be better prepared to stand strong and not falter in our faith...about God and His son Jesus Christ. First let's get a definition of faith: 1. Allegiance to duty or a person. 2.belief and trust in and loyalty to God. 3.something that is believed. If we look at this definition there are two words that are critical to having faith, belief (believe) and trust.
The first thing one has to do is believe. Believe that God is. That is, that there is one God who's son is Jesus Christ. In our modern world it is hard for one to get to that point of believing in God. There are so many theories...and things that get in the way. They too are pulling you to belief. Never mind being too busy to hear the call of God. Now some might say they don't believe in God or anything...but they do have belief. They believe that there is no God, they might even recognize there might be a God....but they are unsure; not willing to believe totally. Do you believe that God is real? That the God of the Holy bible is real? That Jesus Christ, God's son is real? That what is written about Him is real? That this God is living...and still working in the world? That He loves you? That He wants to have a relationship with you? That, this relationship is available through Jesus Christ?
You see when you start to believe in God; you will start to realize that there is a lot more about God. Good things about God and His son Jesus Christ, to believe. Now believe means: to consider to be true; or to accept as true. So when times come that have you questioning your faith, you need to go back to the basic principle that God is real; and that I (we) believe this to be a true fact, for it is a fact. No matter what comes our way we need not lose sight of this basic truth. There is one true God, who's son is Jesus Christ.
So, sometimes do you wonder? Wonder if I had done that, would I be better off? Do you sometimes wonder about God? Who He is? What is He doing? Or even sometimes, maybe, is He real? Is this going to church...following Jesus...is it real, does it have meaning.... Now these later questions are some hard questions. It is not easy to share with someone that you are struggling with your faith in God. But we all must realize that these times come. Now they come in all different ways and times...Sometimes one will question the reality of God and His son, Jesus and walk away...for a short period of time. Others for a longer period of time and still others walk away for good.
So the next few devotionals we are going to talk about faith. So when those times come we will be better prepared to stand strong and not falter in our faith...about God and His son Jesus Christ. First let's get a definition of faith: 1. Allegiance to duty or a person. 2.belief and trust in and loyalty to God. 3.something that is believed. If we look at this definition there are two words that are critical to having faith, belief (believe) and trust.
The first thing one has to do is believe. Believe that God is. That is, that there is one God who's son is Jesus Christ. In our modern world it is hard for one to get to that point of believing in God. There are so many theories...and things that get in the way. They too are pulling you to belief. Never mind being too busy to hear the call of God. Now some might say they don't believe in God or anything...but they do have belief. They believe that there is no God, they might even recognize there might be a God....but they are unsure; not willing to believe totally. Do you believe that God is real? That the God of the Holy bible is real? That Jesus Christ, God's son is real? That what is written about Him is real? That this God is living...and still working in the world? That He loves you? That He wants to have a relationship with you? That, this relationship is available through Jesus Christ?
You see when you start to believe in God; you will start to realize that there is a lot more about God. Good things about God and His son Jesus Christ, to believe. Now believe means: to consider to be true; or to accept as true. So when times come that have you questioning your faith, you need to go back to the basic principle that God is real; and that I (we) believe this to be a true fact, for it is a fact. No matter what comes our way we need not lose sight of this basic truth. There is one true God, who's son is Jesus Christ.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Wow another snow storm and the cold weather. But have you noticed, how warm the sun light feels? Even when it's real cold, it seems not so cold when you are in the sun, this time of year. Maybe it's me but the sun seems to be brighter. Winter is still here for a while but feeling the warmth of the sun, let's us look forward to spring.
Sometime doesn't it just seems cold. You bundle up...and you still feel cold. Ever had days like that, you just can't warm up. We get the wood stove running hotter, turn the furnace...temp. up. That chill just seems to stay in the air. Now sometimes you are the only one that feels that chill; other around you are comfortable....warm.
The chill of life, also sometimes comes upon us also. You know what I mean. You start to wonder about things.... you start to wonder about God. What is He doing; has He forgotten about me? Can't He see that I am hurting...I can't handle the pressure, I'm alone...everything seems to be going wrong...I'm lost, I don't know what to do. These things come up in our lives in all different forms, intensities...Sometimes they are so strong they grab us, the take hold...doing all kinds of things. We wonder and then sometimes wander...
So what do we do? It may seem like I'm giving an easy answer, but I also know how hard it is to do... The answer is to get up and go stand in the light, the Son light. For us as believers that is to get up and turn to Jesus our Lord and Savior. He is the light of the word, much brighter... than the sun light mentioned above. You see, when we are at turmoil deep inside and outside, recognize there is a battle going on ; we need Jesus. Go stand in the light and see what He can do for you. Matt. 11:29 -30 "Come to Me, all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble at heart, and you shall find rest for souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." Now this doesn't mean our problems disappear, but that He will help us through...Now I said stand in the Light but also notice you need to put your head in that yoke, the one Jesus has. That means putting our yoke down(taking our yoke off). Get into the Son.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

What do you believe

What do you believe? And with that we can also ask the question, what don’t you believe? Why are those 2 questions so important? Well the first is important as to believing in truth, facts….versus not believing in truth, facts…Or secondly we could believe in things that are not true, facts.. and not to believe in the truth, fact…Sometimes it is very easy to get confused in what we believe and what we don’t believe. Sometimes we believe something, a truth, but in actuality we don’t believe all of what it means…and sometimes we want to mix the truth with non-truth to fit our own desires or reasoning. Sometimes we compromise the truth, to fit in with society…compromise in some areas is not good.
In Ex.3:16 “The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob has appeared to me” God tells Moses to say to the elders this; the history of the one true God. It is important that we also believe in the one true God. So often in the Old Testament we see the phrase God of Abraham….This the God we believe in. Now let’s go forward to the New Testament and also look at the Lord Jesus.
In Matt.3:17 “and lo a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” Now we can read a lot more in the Gospels about our Lord. We must remember that He is the Son of God, He is God….and we must never diminish His position of God and the things He said or the things He has done or the things He is going to do.
If we look around today we don’t see a lot of idols (statues) around; some but not many. But there are a lot of religions around pulling or trying to pull us into compromising our faith; that is to accept that there are other god’s just like the one true God. Now I’m not talking about being radical…but rather to be on guard, to hold fast to the one true God and His son Jesus Christ. To follow Him and Him alone. One more quick note read His word.

Memory verse Acts20:35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Saturday, November 27, 2010

mood

Rain, rain go away and come back some other day! Do you ever remember saying that? Even this week with all the rain, it might be nice to say that. But what day would you want to get all that flooding rain? Like we can have a choice. For some of us this rain is just an inconvenience, for others harder work and for others maybe a disaster. Bring it on another day may make things worst…who knows. Well for us the rain is here and our life will go on and yes we may get wet or more. Hopefully none of us will suffer greatly.
Now as believers how does this rain affect you? How does bad weather…(other things that cause hardship) in your life affect you? Are you one to wake up, see the rain and there goes your countenance and your mood changes. Depending on the circumstances, how much of a change there will be and how much you will let the world know. Even some of us want everyone else to share some of this mood you are in or at least really know about it; and sometimes really to know about it. You know what I mean? There is a fine line about talking about, things, verses crossing the “line” where we are in a mood that is not becoming of our Christian walk.
There are 2 things I want to point out. The first would have to be with our looks, attitude and the second is our speech, complaining. You can affect people with just the way you look; you know that disgusted, not happy… look. Also we can affect people with our complaining, in various ways. You know sometimes we don’t even realize we are doing it, the look or complaining. It sometimes becomes natural in situations. The verse we need to make part of our lives is, Phil. 2:14 -15 “Do all things without grumbling or complaining; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as light in the world.” It deals with the verbal (beginning) and the so called, look, at the end. Let’s shine for our Lord.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Have you

Have you ever acted badly? Have you ever thought badly? Now we’re not talking only about the real bad things here; but the seemingly un-harmful things also. The deeds that are being done that most people are doing and you just fall right in or the thoughts that change your thinking about God and about men (persons). If you would just take a minute and ponder, you will know what we mean. All that bad stuff, have you ever said to yourself, “What am I doing?” or “What am I thinking? or down the road a while, the “What was I thinking?” Don’t you long for the day when you just act rightly? Now I’m not talking about never being wrong…but that deep down our motives were/are good. For me sometimes I wish that I could go back in time and correct those things where I was “bad”, wasn’t up to par…where I acted or thought in a sinful way. There I said it, sin! But we can’t go back in time and we have to deal with our actions and thoughts.
Dealing with these “bad” things is not easy. Well for me it isn’t easy but for us Christians the process is not that complicated. We need to humble our selves before God. That is when God, through the Spirit, convicts us we must listen. Like ask the question, “Did I do that Lord?” And we should already know the answer, yes, He’s convicting you. Now we need to repent, confess our bad actions, thoughts to God and ask forgiveness. Then sometimes you may need to take care of business with people also if needed, that is asking their forgiveness. Then there needs to be a change; we don’t want to be doing the same thing over and over. We need to ask God to help us to change that action, thought…and to replace it with the good. Now the verse would be Phil. 1:6 “ for I am confident of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ.” Aren’t you glad that God is working in our lives? He’s doing a good work!

Friday, October 15, 2010

New commitment

Are you a happy person or a sad person? What kind of disposition would mark you? Happy, sad, joyful, full of life, energetic, complainer, woe is me…You see as Christians we are different. We have a God who is mighty…and Who cares for us; more than we can imagine. But we live here on earth and with all the stuff that comes with it. One of them is called Satan (devil) and yes, he is real. Now what I want us to do, is to look at the book of Job this week, the first chapter. In chapter one we see Satan going before God and God says, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and up right man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing?” “Have you not made a hedge around him and all his house and all that he has…..” He continues telling God, to take away Jobs, let’s call it, wealth and he will curse you (God). So God allows Satan to touch Job’s wealth, which includes his family, which Satan does.
You see Satan is an accuser of God’s people , Rev.12:10. The word there in Job actually means, adversary. Look at what he says of Job; Job only follows you because you bless him and protect him. Then he asks God to take away those blessings. God takes down part of the protection and allows Satan to take away those blessing, wealth. A test/ trial of Job to see if he really follows God. Or maybe God proving to Satan that Job is the real deal. At the end of chapter one Job says this, “ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Yes, Job is the real deal. Now in 2010 are we the real deal? Are you and I the real deal when things are taken away, with held, our life is in turmoil, when we hurt…? Will we bless the Lord in the hard times? Now don’t get me wrong that it’s not a struggle sometimes. Read on and you will see that Job had that struggle, but He did not fall. Sometimes we don’t understand why things happen, bad things, hurtful things…But no matter what comes our way will we continue to bless the Lord and to trust Him? Can we sing that song “Blessed be the name” with a renewed commitment to God? Can we continue to go to church and worship our Lord? Yes we can, we have a great God, worthy of praise.

A little change

A little bit of a change for the start of this years/ season of devotionals ( the title). Sometimes we need change in our lives. To mix things up a bit. That is true of us as Christians. The change that we are talking about is not the same as the world thinks, but the change as God will have for us. There he goes again, you maybe thinking, telling us about changing to be a better husband, father…well yes. But hold on a bit, hear me out on this issue. When we think of change as believers sometimes we only think of the on going work of Jesus, dealing with our sinful habits, ways; our wrong thinking…and yes we need to change in that regard.
The change that I’m talking about here is the one of getting out of a routine that is, same old…We have a schedule and we don’t break it or go out of order. Know I’m not talking about work schedules, school schedules…but the things we do with our free time schedules. Some things we do just characterize us and some times it keeps us from doing different things. Also sometimes we don’t do things because of a so called dislike, it’s takes a little effort, not to sure of the new ground and sometimes because of fear. So what we need to do as men is to not get stuck in the routine of life, we’re we start to be boring. Last week we talked about be excited about going to church and Sunday school. Which is a good routine to get in to. Now as Christians there are a lot of other things we can do also to spice up our Christian life. That is to reach out. What do I mean reach out? That is to do something different. O.K. Let’s just go to a list of things, this will help us with this topic. Go to a Faith groups, Pot luck supper, bible studies, invite a family for dinner, go help a brother, check out the youth ministries or other ministries (you don’t have to join but it’s o.k. to check them out), start doing things with friends….Sometimes we need to stop doing things, for me turn off the t.v. ,there is so much available to us in this modern day. Being a Christian should be fun. So a little change is good as long it is directed toward the good.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Renew commitment

What a busy summer! It seems that business/fun …marked this summer and can you believe it, Sept. is here. Even with this great weather I still have the urge to go away again, fun, fun, fun. Things are different in the summer. So this weekend, Labor day, the signal that we are done with the summer schedule and back to the grind of life; that is work, school….and with that the change, the change of our church services(Sunday school again). Are you like me? That it even seems easier to be back in routine of going to church and all the activities that start up. Let’s be honest, during the summer, it seems easy to do less of those activities. Also let’s be honest, during the summer, it seems that we even get lacks on our, let’s call it “devotions”. We forget, get busy… do the quick prayer thing….well it’s summer.
You want to know something? Some of us will struggle with getting back into the routine of going to church and those activities (good activities). How do I know? Well being almost well rounded, I have had my struggles with this through out the years. In James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…”( I know there is more to that verse) What we need to do as men is to be excited about going to church….Seeking that part of drawing near to God, and more and more in other areas too. Guess what guys? It’s football season! Remember what “Super Sunday” means for us. Yes, we should look forward to every Sunday, to draw near to God.
So this week as men let’s get excited about going to church, that is to worship, seek…our Lord. Let’s be the examples for our families. Be the guys who are up early, helping to get the family ready, breakfast…planning the day before, excited. One more thing let’s start up that memory verse thing. So the first verves will be what Pastor Paul asked us to do.

Eph. 2:4-8 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show us the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of god; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before hand so that we would walk in them

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

importance

This week we will take a little bit of a turn in our men’s devotional; but at the same time it will be right in line, that is with our love dare. Sometimes you don’t know the importance of something, or the importance of some one until their not here. Sometimes we take things for granted, we even take for granted the things others are doing for us; even though we might not realize they are being done. And sometimes some of those things are the things we should be doing our selves. But if you are like me, sadly we forget or say we are too busy. We do this about so many things! We are busy even when we are not busy; just stop and think about it. Do you waste time just doing nothing, relaxing….that is a little to much.
So this weak I want to focus back on prayer. Yes, prayer! It is so important and vital in the Christians life; but it is also the most neglected area of a Christians life. Why am I going back to prayer? Did you realize a mighty prayer warrior of our Lord passed away this week and went home? When my wife and I heard about her passing, this question arose from us “Who will be praying for us now?” You see she was a small lady who sat in the back, older in years and frail. But she was mighty, you see she was used of God as prayer warrior, a mighty prayer warrior. She wasn’t around for many church special events….but she was faithful. And when we talked about prayer, she always came to mind. You see, she was the real deal, she prayed to the father on my behalf and others. How did I know ? She told me, and she even told me she was when I was going through some trials… I wonder how many trials… she prayed me through? I never asked, but was glad she did pray for my family and me.
So who will pray for my family and me now? Who will pray for all of us now? Well the answer is that I should be praying, it’s my responsibility. So this next dare is for us to expand our prayer life. To pray more for our wives (that includes the listening part) and our children. Also for our extended family. Pray for them all, bring them before the Father. Get on your knees….it’s not foolish, it’s important. You know when she told me she was praying for me, I was embarrassed at first, but you know it made me glad inside. Every one needs prayer, so let’s pray even more. So let’s start, nothing is foolish to our God; bring your family before the throne of God. They need it!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Oh NO

Were you aware? Did you not recognize? Well let me tell you, I was not aware or did I recognize. What am I talking about? I’m talking about our enemy or enemies, Satan and His demons. Even though we can’t see them, they are there. In 1 Peter 5:8 the apostle Peter tell us about our enemy, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Yes, we have an adversary (enemy) and yes the devil is real. Yes, He is at work, He is prowling around like a roaring lion. You see he is on the prowl, he sees you, he sees me! He’s roaring, confusing us and getting us disoriented. He has us looking around in the wrong direction getting us so we are alone. So we are helpless, wore out, defeated and then He tries for the kill.
If I remember correctly lions work like this. They spot there pray, then they start to surround him, then starts the lion roaring. The roaring is to trick you to run toward the waiting other lions. Isn’t it so true we start believing the roar and our thinking goes and then the next thing we are running closer to the trap. Oh by the way those lions surrounding are lionesses. Had to say that because of our study, now don’t take it out of context and read into or think all kinds of things. Oh how easy it is to run toward the trap. Instead of taking a step back or pausing to think. To think and to start running back to Jesus. If we continue to read in 1 Peter 5:10 “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” Well when the attacks come it might hurt, might hurt? It hurts; but God will do those 4 things. By the way in verse 9 “resist him”, resist the devil. For us that means to keep on doing the things for our wives that we learned and more; doing righteousness. Now that more would be that studying of our wives; to learn here likes….and doing things to meet those needs and likes. That is the next part of our dare. To take it to next level for our Lord and our wives. To learn more about her; her likes, interests, …. Also being alert, sober-minded will be our next area in our spiritual side of loving our wives, the spiritual battle. We need to be aware when the attack comes, alert. Recognizing it when it starts, not after the battle begun and the damage is started…and the wounds are hurting. Sober minded, not only not addicted to things, but also not being hurried, taking the time to think. Boy doesn’t that hit me hard, I’m the just the doing type- jump right in and go. So let’s all of us continue the good fight.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Prayer

Prayer a very important part of a Christians life. To be able to go before the Almighty God with our requests, concerns, troubles, and also to uplift people…and with all kinds of other things. The last few weeks we as men have had the privilege to bring before the Father our wives. If we really think about it, how awesome is that! We started out with just to begin to pray; then we took more time to pray. By asking God, what to pray for our wives. You see this might seem foolish to some; but it is a very important part of prayer. We go before the Father, because we need His help….so we go before Him for His wisdom; wisdom to pray for our wives. Thanks be to God that He welcomes our requests.
Now in the “Love Dare” book the dares turn to an inward, so called, toward us as men. The first part of this would be to look inside of our selves to see if we are Christians and/or following God. Did we take the steps of receiving Jesus as our savior…Without Him we are not able to love, we don’t know how to love. We might think we know, but if we really stop and think about it; we lack in the area of true love and what it means. So this next dare is for us as men to draw nearer to God. To get into His word….more. To listen to Him, wait on Him, follow Him…To let Him teach us how to love our wives…So many times we fall into that “trap”, she does something then I do in return or we do something and we expect something in return. Rather just being happy to do for our wives, repeatedly, because we love her. Now here’s the new question, how has it been the last few weeks doing these dares? Hard, unnoticed, not good enough, hit or miss……Now let’s try a different approach, by asking our Lord to help us to do these for our wives, and doing it not only for her pleasure, but also for the joy of our Lord, Jesus. His good pleasure! Let’s face it, we need His help.
1John4:7 “Let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
Proverbs 3:13 “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.”