It's been a while since I posted a blog and it has me wondering, "Have I lost touch with God?"
Well, God forbid! I rebuke that and I will not let my writer's block stop me from blogging about the Almighty Father. God has given me all that I have and He continues to bless my family and I continually.
Since I made the choice to become "born again," I have found myself unable to ignore God's calling. I've denominated myself as a Christian my entire life but it wasn't until the Word of God was sown into my heart that I truly felt it.
Before becoming "born again" it was easier to say, "It's okay, I'm only doing it once." Furthermore, I was unwilling to speak up about my Christian beliefs. I didn't want to talk about it. It wasn't exactly socially acceptable. I may have claimed that I was open and willing to talk about it but in reality, I never brought it up nor did I truly heed to the "What Would Jesus Do?" saying. I didn't wear it as proud as I did my Yankees hat.
Okay, let's back up a second because I'm not a Yankees fan. That's actually just an expression I use to increase another person's understanding. Nothing against New York Yankees fans or any sports fan in particular (because I am one myself) but have you noticed that it's "okay" to talk about your love for the Yankees and wear their merchandise but when someone brings up Jesus Christ there are always several people that say, "That's inappropriate," or, "This isn't the place to talk about that."
Well, what I say to that is I am a fan, a believer in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior and I will talk freely about His good works just like others talk freely about how many career hits Derek Jeter may have. And once again, do not mistake me for someone that dislikes sports. I love sports. It's not a bad thing to be a sports fan. But be careful how far you let yourself go with some things.
"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."
-Ephesians 5:18
This verse refers not just to alcohol consumption but to anything of the Earth. The "wine" in reference can be interpreted as the things of the Earth from food to drinks to lottery to sports to TV shows and even to my favorite hobby, fishing. Basically, do not make these things your idols, rather, let the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) be your desire.
It is a good thing to be seeking the Lord and desiring His warm, comforting presence in your life. And that warm, comforting feeling is the exact reason why I find it impossible to ignore His calling, His will. Whenever I am about to make a decision about something or do anything, God is there. He is leading me and telling me what to do. It's up to me whether or not I want to listen. Sometimes I find myself battling with a decision and that is when it's the most important to truly listen to God. You may see this "inner voice" as your conscience but when God finds His way into your heart, you will realize that this voice is the Holy Ghost.
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
1 Corinthians 3:16
Men and women never truly have to "find" God. God is not lost as my uncle and Pastor Dave Kijula likes to preach. God is alive and He is constantly searching for ways into your life. He is constantly searching for ways to make the Spirit shine brightly through yourself. Those bad things that happen to you are not works for God, they are the works of the devil. But through those terrible things and those trials are the opportunities that you have to listen to God and let his light shine through. So please, wear a hat for Jesus Christ, not just the Yankees.
"I have therefore whereof I may glory through Christ Jesus in those things which pertain to God."
-Romans 15:17
God bless and have a wonderful day!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Understanding Suffering, Understanding Christianity
Suffering is a part of life. It is what the human race has been exposed to because of sin. To understand Christianity and to understand why Jesus Christ had to die on the cross for our sins we must look back to the very first book in the Bible.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
-Genesis 3:6
The first sin was Adam and Eve's disobedience of God, where they ate the fruit from the tree. They were deceived by the serpent (Satan). This is of course, one of the most popular Bible passages. But it is the problem. As with anything in life that needs a solution, there has to be a problem. At first, God gave his people the law. He gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. This was done to show that man cannot keep the law. It was given to show the people of God that sin was in the hearts of man and righteousness was a more than difficult task to achieve.
God then saw that man was ready to receive more than just the law. He saw that the first covenant was not good enough and that another one must be made. As the prophets of the Old Testament proclaimed, a savior was to come. And his name was and still is Jesus Christ. Through Jesus' suffering and death, our sins were purged, as long as we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior.
But skeptics may argue that if God really did love humanity, He would destroy all evil and bring good back into the world. In regards to this type of thought, we must understand that sin (a.k.a. evil) was put in the hearts of man from the very beginning and that to destroy all evil, would be to destroy humanity.
God Does Not Cause Evil
As you look around the world, you may see children suffering and innocent people dying while the gluttonous, unrighteous men and women continue to prosper. This is the result of evil being brought into this world. Evil does exist and God allows it because He loves us enough to not want to punish us for it. That is why sent His only Son to die for us.
But God commandeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
-Romans 5:8-9
This passage tells that God will destroy evil. The "wrath" spoken of is the time of judgment where God will wipe out humanity and the unrighteous. However, He is giving us the chance to repent and to make amends. He has given us a savior, Jesus Christ. That by his blood and sacrifice, if we accept him as the Son of God, we will be saved.
So, do not look back to the Old Testament and see the law given to Moses and the way to be saved. Look to what it means and what is has taught us about the history of God and man. Understand that God does not cause evil and will not allow it but before He destroys it, He is giving us a chance. I cannot stress enough how important it is to believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind. He is the one way ticket to Heaven.
Philosophy
I'm going to do something I rarely do and that is take a look at this now from a philosophic approach.
God is an eternal being. He is not affected by time and is all-powerful, incapable of causing evil. He has the power to destroy evil though.
So why would he not do it?
Because he does not want all of his creation to suffer for He loves us.
The Bible tells us that God has sent us a message that righteousness through God's law is difficult to achieve...but that He is also a forgiving God and is willing to purge us of all sin and evil if we believe on His Son as Lord and Savior.
Okay, that's a handful, but what about time? It's been 2,000 years since Christ died and the Bible tells that Jesus will return quickly. Good point...or wait, maybe not. Let's take a step back...God is eternal after all. Time does not affect God.
Perhaps there is a passage in the Bible about this?
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
-2 Peter 3:8
IN FACT, there are two...
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
-Psalm 90:4
Essentially, a day in the life of God is like 1,000 years to man. So folks, Jesus will indeed come quickly as he said.
Therefore, summing it all up: God is set to destroy humanity, all evil. That means all the evil that causes children to suffer and innocent people to die daily will be cast out and destroyed. But since we are all born into sin, it is man who will suffer this fate. That is, unless you take Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the redeemer given to man by God. Jesus is the Son of God, sacrificed for all of humanity. Much like Abraham was ready to sacrifice his own son to God, Jesus was sent for us.
God bless and have a wonderful day.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
-Genesis 3:6
The first sin was Adam and Eve's disobedience of God, where they ate the fruit from the tree. They were deceived by the serpent (Satan). This is of course, one of the most popular Bible passages. But it is the problem. As with anything in life that needs a solution, there has to be a problem. At first, God gave his people the law. He gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. This was done to show that man cannot keep the law. It was given to show the people of God that sin was in the hearts of man and righteousness was a more than difficult task to achieve.
God then saw that man was ready to receive more than just the law. He saw that the first covenant was not good enough and that another one must be made. As the prophets of the Old Testament proclaimed, a savior was to come. And his name was and still is Jesus Christ. Through Jesus' suffering and death, our sins were purged, as long as we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior.
But skeptics may argue that if God really did love humanity, He would destroy all evil and bring good back into the world. In regards to this type of thought, we must understand that sin (a.k.a. evil) was put in the hearts of man from the very beginning and that to destroy all evil, would be to destroy humanity.
God Does Not Cause Evil
As you look around the world, you may see children suffering and innocent people dying while the gluttonous, unrighteous men and women continue to prosper. This is the result of evil being brought into this world. Evil does exist and God allows it because He loves us enough to not want to punish us for it. That is why sent His only Son to die for us.
But God commandeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
-Romans 5:8-9
This passage tells that God will destroy evil. The "wrath" spoken of is the time of judgment where God will wipe out humanity and the unrighteous. However, He is giving us the chance to repent and to make amends. He has given us a savior, Jesus Christ. That by his blood and sacrifice, if we accept him as the Son of God, we will be saved.
So, do not look back to the Old Testament and see the law given to Moses and the way to be saved. Look to what it means and what is has taught us about the history of God and man. Understand that God does not cause evil and will not allow it but before He destroys it, He is giving us a chance. I cannot stress enough how important it is to believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind. He is the one way ticket to Heaven.
Philosophy
I'm going to do something I rarely do and that is take a look at this now from a philosophic approach.
God is an eternal being. He is not affected by time and is all-powerful, incapable of causing evil. He has the power to destroy evil though.
So why would he not do it?
Because he does not want all of his creation to suffer for He loves us.
The Bible tells us that God has sent us a message that righteousness through God's law is difficult to achieve...but that He is also a forgiving God and is willing to purge us of all sin and evil if we believe on His Son as Lord and Savior.
Okay, that's a handful, but what about time? It's been 2,000 years since Christ died and the Bible tells that Jesus will return quickly. Good point...or wait, maybe not. Let's take a step back...God is eternal after all. Time does not affect God.
Perhaps there is a passage in the Bible about this?
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
-2 Peter 3:8
IN FACT, there are two...
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
-Psalm 90:4
Essentially, a day in the life of God is like 1,000 years to man. So folks, Jesus will indeed come quickly as he said.
Therefore, summing it all up: God is set to destroy humanity, all evil. That means all the evil that causes children to suffer and innocent people to die daily will be cast out and destroyed. But since we are all born into sin, it is man who will suffer this fate. That is, unless you take Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the redeemer given to man by God. Jesus is the Son of God, sacrificed for all of humanity. Much like Abraham was ready to sacrifice his own son to God, Jesus was sent for us.
God bless and have a wonderful day.
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