When bad things happen to you, have you ever wondered, "Why me?" You are not alone.
Job said, "Why then did You bring me out of the womb?" Job 10:18 (NIV) Why was I born?
God has a plan for each of us. He allows us to go through some things in order to prepare us for things that are yet to come. Bad things happen to good people for a reason, and only God knows that reason. He did not promise us that there would not be storms in life, but He promised that He would be with through the storms. Keep the faith.
"Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Be Careful Who You Associate With
"In the name of The Lord Jesus Christ ... keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received ..." "If anyone does not obey our instruction ... Do not associate with him ... Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." 2 Thessalonians 3:6 & 14-15 (NIV)
Christians are to separate themselves from, and not to fellowship with, habitually disobedient believers and from non believers. Do not hang out with or frequently interact socially with the blatantly sinful, non believing individuals or with believers who live a pattern of life that is not conforming to The Word of God. Warn them, in brotherly love, of the consequences of their behavior or their non belief, but do not continue to walk with them.
"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3 Be careful regarding the people that you choose to "walk with". Who your friends are says a lot about you.
Christians are to separate themselves from, and not to fellowship with, habitually disobedient believers and from non believers. Do not hang out with or frequently interact socially with the blatantly sinful, non believing individuals or with believers who live a pattern of life that is not conforming to The Word of God. Warn them, in brotherly love, of the consequences of their behavior or their non belief, but do not continue to walk with them.
"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3 Be careful regarding the people that you choose to "walk with". Who your friends are says a lot about you.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Examples Of Good Christian Behavior
"And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 & 21-22 (NIV)
This is how we ought to treat and help each other, and how we ought to behave. This is a brief summary of good Christian behavior. We should have, and display, a positive attitude of gratitude, frequently praying and giving God thanks. Whatever we are going through is part of God's permissive will for us.
"Test everything." This is a call to carefully, and prayerfully, examine what we hear and read, and to make sure that it is "biblically correct". Hold on to and keep that which is consistent with The Word of God and reject that which is "unbiblical". Avoid all evil, including that which appears evil. "Abstain from all appearance of evil." 5:22 (KJV)
Our true character is revealed not only by what we do when others are watching, but also by what we do and think when we are alone. God sees all.
This is how we ought to treat and help each other, and how we ought to behave. This is a brief summary of good Christian behavior. We should have, and display, a positive attitude of gratitude, frequently praying and giving God thanks. Whatever we are going through is part of God's permissive will for us.
"Test everything." This is a call to carefully, and prayerfully, examine what we hear and read, and to make sure that it is "biblically correct". Hold on to and keep that which is consistent with The Word of God and reject that which is "unbiblical". Avoid all evil, including that which appears evil. "Abstain from all appearance of evil." 5:22 (KJV)
Our true character is revealed not only by what we do when others are watching, but also by what we do and think when we are alone. God sees all.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The End Of The World
A lot of people are worried about the end of the world, which they think is coming later this year. As Christians we don't have to worry about that.
"We believe that Jesus died and rose again ... we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of The Lord ... The Lord Himself will come down from heaven ... and the dead in Christ will rise first ... After that, we who are still alive, who are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air. And so we will be with The Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)
So don't worry about the end of the world according to the Mayan calender. When armageddon does come, the rapture will have all ready occurred. We won't be here to see the things which are predicted for the end of the world in the Bible in Revelation, chapter nine.
"We believe that Jesus died and rose again ... we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of The Lord ... The Lord Himself will come down from heaven ... and the dead in Christ will rise first ... After that, we who are still alive, who are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air. And so we will be with The Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)
So don't worry about the end of the world according to the Mayan calender. When armageddon does come, the rapture will have all ready occurred. We won't be here to see the things which are predicted for the end of the world in the Bible in Revelation, chapter nine.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Mind Your Own Business
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business ... so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders ..." 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NIV)
Live your life so as not to cause problems for others. Do not inquire or talk about the affairs of others as a gossip, but take care that you correct your own sinful ways. Live your life in such a manner that the unsaved will respect you for being true to your principals and so that you provide a good example for others to follow.
Having a genuine Christian concern for your fellow man is a good thing, but focusing on the sins of others is not helpful. Don't beat people with your "Christianity", live in a way that shows others what to do and how to behave.
Live your life so as not to cause problems for others. Do not inquire or talk about the affairs of others as a gossip, but take care that you correct your own sinful ways. Live your life in such a manner that the unsaved will respect you for being true to your principals and so that you provide a good example for others to follow.
Having a genuine Christian concern for your fellow man is a good thing, but focusing on the sins of others is not helpful. Don't beat people with your "Christianity", live in a way that shows others what to do and how to behave.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Live A Holy Life
"... No one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins ... For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." 1 Thessalonians 4:6-7 (NIV)
We are not to intentionally mislead, misuse or abuse our brothers or sisters. We are not to take what is theirs or cause them to stumble and sin. We are to live holy because The God within us is holy.
Let those who watch, imitate, and interact with us see something Christ-like in our behavior.
We are not to intentionally mislead, misuse or abuse our brothers or sisters. We are not to take what is theirs or cause them to stumble and sin. We are to live holy because The God within us is holy.
Let those who watch, imitate, and interact with us see something Christ-like in our behavior.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A New Beginning # 2
May The Good Lord bless you to have a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year filled with His peace, the courage to do the right thing, and the wisdom to know what the right thing is.
"But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given you as well." Luke 12:31 (NIV)
Want a new and improved you in the new year? "... If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Believe and ask for forgiveness, and "Rid yourselves of all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit." Ezekiel 18:31 (NIV)
May you have a blessed new year.
"But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given you as well." Luke 12:31 (NIV)
Want a new and improved you in the new year? "... If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Believe and ask for forgiveness, and "Rid yourselves of all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit." Ezekiel 18:31 (NIV)
May you have a blessed new year.
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