"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
The beginning of a new year is a good time for a new beginning within your life. A change in you to go along with the change in time. There are things, habits, and people in all of our lives that we should let go of. We need to live our lives to please God. We need to stop acting like the unsaved people in the world. We need to change our way of thinking, transform and renew our mind, in order to be more consistent with the will of God.
With the beginning of the new year, let us renew our minds and begin a new beginning, a life dedicated to being more Christ -like.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
When You Know Better, You Ought To Do Better
There are sins of omission as well as sins of commission.
"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't dot it, sins." James 4:17 (NIV)
Not only is it a sin to do wrong when you know it is wrong, but it is also a sin to do nothing when you know what good you ought to do. These sins are commonly called "sins of omission".
"When you know better, you ought to do better." Unknown author, but maybe this is where that old saying comes from.
So, not only can we sin by things that we do, say, and think, we can also sin by doing nothing when we should be doing good. We need to pray for forgiveness and for God's help to do better when we know better.
"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't dot it, sins." James 4:17 (NIV)
Not only is it a sin to do wrong when you know it is wrong, but it is also a sin to do nothing when you know what good you ought to do. These sins are commonly called "sins of omission".
"When you know better, you ought to do better." Unknown author, but maybe this is where that old saying comes from.
So, not only can we sin by things that we do, say, and think, we can also sin by doing nothing when we should be doing good. We need to pray for forgiveness and for God's help to do better when we know better.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Think Before You Speak
"Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Proverbs 29:20 (NIV)
Some of us say whatever comes to mind. "Whatever come up, comes out." As our thoughts occur they are uttered, without the benefit of being processed or filtered. Speaking without thinking is not a good idea, especially when we are angry.
"He who restrains his lips is wise." Proverbs 10:19 (NKJ) or "... He who holds his tongue is wise." (NIV) Some things are better off if they are left unspoken. If what we were going to say is not going to help someone, then we should probably keep that thought to ourselves.
Think before you speak.
Some of us say whatever comes to mind. "Whatever come up, comes out." As our thoughts occur they are uttered, without the benefit of being processed or filtered. Speaking without thinking is not a good idea, especially when we are angry.
"He who restrains his lips is wise." Proverbs 10:19 (NKJ) or "... He who holds his tongue is wise." (NIV) Some things are better off if they are left unspoken. If what we were going to say is not going to help someone, then we should probably keep that thought to ourselves.
Think before you speak.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Be Very Careful Where You Lead People
"Whosoever causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, shall fall himself into his own pit; but the upright shall have good things in possessions." Proverbs 28:10 (KJV)
"He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance." Proverbs 28:10 (NIV)
It is not good to intentionally lead good people down the wrong path. Those who do that will pay for it. The attempted corruption of the righteous is a wicked sin according to John Mac Arthur. The doom of seducers, who attempt to draw good people into sin are enemies of the righteous, and their condemnation will be so much greater according to Matthew Henry.
When people are following you, or following your advice, be very careful where you lead them.
"He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance." Proverbs 28:10 (NIV)
It is not good to intentionally lead good people down the wrong path. Those who do that will pay for it. The attempted corruption of the righteous is a wicked sin according to John Mac Arthur. The doom of seducers, who attempt to draw good people into sin are enemies of the righteous, and their condemnation will be so much greater according to Matthew Henry.
When people are following you, or following your advice, be very careful where you lead them.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Don't Brag Or Boast About Yourself
"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips." Proverbs 27:2 (NIV)
Do not brag or boast about who you are or what you have. Jesus told the parable about the certain rich man who said to himself "... you have plenty of good things laid up for many years ..." and told him "You fool, this very night your life will be demanded from you." Luke 12:16-21 (NIV) Brag about what you have and you may not get to enjoy it.
"As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil." James 4:16 (NIV) Arrogant boasting about your accomplishments leaves God out. You are taking credit for what He allowed and caused to happen.
"It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to to seek one's own honor." Proverbs 25:27 (NIV) Self-seeking and pride can lead to one's downfall.
"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom The Lord commends." 2 Corinthians 10:18 (NIV)
Be humble and lift The Lord up, and He will lift you up.
Do not brag or boast about who you are or what you have. Jesus told the parable about the certain rich man who said to himself "... you have plenty of good things laid up for many years ..." and told him "You fool, this very night your life will be demanded from you." Luke 12:16-21 (NIV) Brag about what you have and you may not get to enjoy it.
"As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil." James 4:16 (NIV) Arrogant boasting about your accomplishments leaves God out. You are taking credit for what He allowed and caused to happen.
"It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to to seek one's own honor." Proverbs 25:27 (NIV) Self-seeking and pride can lead to one's downfall.
"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom The Lord commends." 2 Corinthians 10:18 (NIV)
Be humble and lift The Lord up, and He will lift you up.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Praise The Lord
"Shout for joy to The Lord, all the earth. Worship The Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs ... Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; For The Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalms 100:1 & 4-5 (NIV)
"Praise The Lord. Praise The Lord, O my soul. I will praise The Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live." Psalms 146:1-2 (NIV)
"Praise The Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!" Psalms 147:1 (NIV)
"Young men and maidens, old men and children. Let them praise the name of The Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens." Psalms 148:12-13 (NIV)
"Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy..." Psalms 149:5 (NIV)
"Let everything that has breath praise The Lord. Praise The Lord." Psalms 150:6 (NIV)
"Praise The Lord. Praise The Lord, O my soul. I will praise The Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live." Psalms 146:1-2 (NIV)
"Praise The Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!" Psalms 147:1 (NIV)
"Young men and maidens, old men and children. Let them praise the name of The Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens." Psalms 148:12-13 (NIV)
"Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy..." Psalms 149:5 (NIV)
"Let everything that has breath praise The Lord. Praise The Lord." Psalms 150:6 (NIV)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Celebrating The Birth Of Christ # 3
"So Joseph ... went ... to Bethlehem ... with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a Child. While they were there ... she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn ... An angel of The Lord appeared ... said ... 'Today ... a Savior has been born ... He is Christ The Lord' ... Suddenly a great company of heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." Luke 2:1-14
This is a brief summary of one of the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus The Christ, Immanuel. You should read the whole story for yourself as part of your celebration of the birth of Christ today. Then you too can praise God saying, "All hail King Jesus; All hail Immanuel!!!
May you have a blessed celebration of the birth of Christ today.
This is a brief summary of one of the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus The Christ, Immanuel. You should read the whole story for yourself as part of your celebration of the birth of Christ today. Then you too can praise God saying, "All hail King Jesus; All hail Immanuel!!!
May you have a blessed celebration of the birth of Christ today.
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