We are all beautifully made. Made in the image of God. Created and given free will to live. And how we live, is according to who shapes us.
There is really only one thing that makes diamonds: carbon. But, it just doesn't appear out of nothingness. Its created by the process of mere pressure. There are natural diamonds... and there are unnatural synthetic diamonds that are man-made.
Its not about beauty or glamour as this world see it. Its not a diamond cutter that should be shaping you... its Christ. He is the one that shapes you. And when you are found in Him, you put away all your desires to become what other people want you to be.
There are all kinds of diamonds... big, small, clear, yellow, red, blue, green and pink. And millions of them.
So, what kind of diamond would you desire to be? One sculpted by the hands and imagination of man or that of which is of the unknown- but knowing that you are going to be awesome... through and for Christ. To Him, we are more precious than any gem or precious metal here on earth.
If you are already a fine-cut diamonds shaped by the hands of this world, don't worry... Christ is going to change you. He is going to change you in ways that will have real purpose. He is going to change you to refract His light and not your own. And that light is going to shine everywhere-but-loose. You gonna shine light where you thought you never could.
Our ways are not His ways. He is going to be dumping LOOAAADDDDS of diamonds into this place. Its going to be us to share our testimony to these "diamonds in the rough", exhorting one another, bearing each others burdens, growing together in our personal relationship w/ our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
...if God wont give up... neither will I
Everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt when they wrong us.
I faced some persecution that tried to pierce the armor of God. This time, I stood firmly. In my past, harsh words would be very hurtful and I wouldn't handle situations in Truth.
This time around, the lies and name calling had no ill effect in my walk that day. I didn't accept the attitude and tone that was being directed to me by someone that reminded me of how I used to be.
Despite how I was treated, I still give the benefit of the doubt. Sure, our friendship that took so long to build up was taken down in two days- it might be down... but its not out. There is still a remnant of our friendship that remains- but you gotta know where to find it. And when you find it, you can recognize more of who God is and how He is working in this scenario.
... forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors...
The forgiveness was already there! How much more is Christ revealing Himself in and through me? His mercy, grace and love is sooooo much more than hatred, destruction and a lot of words w/ the prefix of 'dis' in it. The accusations put no burden on me like they used to. Humbleness overpowered hostility.
That is not to say there isn't any pain or aftermath from this infraction. In our human nature, we still have to deal with the pain and consequences. The only way to understand this is through God- only He can reveal the problem, and only He can reveal the solution. His ways is not our ways. And when (I'm talking from experience)... we try and deal with it in our own fashion- pride, anger, malice, contempt... gets involved and takes over the situation. But, when you see it through the eyes of Christ, He shows you the problem- He's been there... and knows the solution- done that.
He doesn't value sin! He doesn't care what we have done.
Luke 3:8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance...
We are sinners and we are going to sin. We are but lost sheep, but those who know His voice, come back to Him.
How can I not have mercy on whom caused a wrong to me, when in the past, Christ forgave me of all the wrongs I caused to those... after I asked for it. I seen a bit of my past in this person's anger. I was there at some and many points of my life, but that is not who I am any longer. In fact, if Christ wont give up on him... neither will I.
I have a brother in Christ who once said... those who fail are those who give up. I give the benefit of the doubt in what transpired, because... God allowed it to happen. God is waiting to see if he'll respond to His calling. I certainly am waiting to act in responding to my friend and sharing the Truth in this trial. How amazing is that!
Grace, mercy and love is the driving force in restoration. Forgiveness has already redeemed in my life, by means of not feeding my thoughts... starving all the negative thoughts- you know what happens when we starve ourselves, we get skinny- and it takes a long time. The more we starve the bad fruits in our lives, the more good fruits we can produce. We do reap what we sow!
LGLG: Let Go, Let God.
WWJD: What would Jesus do?
Have mercy on those who wrong you... because you may just be practicing what they are doing to you. Don't let the world influence you... but, it is us that can influence the world.
I faced some persecution that tried to pierce the armor of God. This time, I stood firmly. In my past, harsh words would be very hurtful and I wouldn't handle situations in Truth.
This time around, the lies and name calling had no ill effect in my walk that day. I didn't accept the attitude and tone that was being directed to me by someone that reminded me of how I used to be.
Despite how I was treated, I still give the benefit of the doubt. Sure, our friendship that took so long to build up was taken down in two days- it might be down... but its not out. There is still a remnant of our friendship that remains- but you gotta know where to find it. And when you find it, you can recognize more of who God is and how He is working in this scenario.
... forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors...
The forgiveness was already there! How much more is Christ revealing Himself in and through me? His mercy, grace and love is sooooo much more than hatred, destruction and a lot of words w/ the prefix of 'dis' in it. The accusations put no burden on me like they used to. Humbleness overpowered hostility.
That is not to say there isn't any pain or aftermath from this infraction. In our human nature, we still have to deal with the pain and consequences. The only way to understand this is through God- only He can reveal the problem, and only He can reveal the solution. His ways is not our ways. And when (I'm talking from experience)... we try and deal with it in our own fashion- pride, anger, malice, contempt... gets involved and takes over the situation. But, when you see it through the eyes of Christ, He shows you the problem- He's been there... and knows the solution- done that.
He doesn't value sin! He doesn't care what we have done.
Luke 3:8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance...
We are sinners and we are going to sin. We are but lost sheep, but those who know His voice, come back to Him.
How can I not have mercy on whom caused a wrong to me, when in the past, Christ forgave me of all the wrongs I caused to those... after I asked for it. I seen a bit of my past in this person's anger. I was there at some and many points of my life, but that is not who I am any longer. In fact, if Christ wont give up on him... neither will I.
I have a brother in Christ who once said... those who fail are those who give up. I give the benefit of the doubt in what transpired, because... God allowed it to happen. God is waiting to see if he'll respond to His calling. I certainly am waiting to act in responding to my friend and sharing the Truth in this trial. How amazing is that!
Grace, mercy and love is the driving force in restoration. Forgiveness has already redeemed in my life, by means of not feeding my thoughts... starving all the negative thoughts- you know what happens when we starve ourselves, we get skinny- and it takes a long time. The more we starve the bad fruits in our lives, the more good fruits we can produce. We do reap what we sow!
LGLG: Let Go, Let God.
WWJD: What would Jesus do?
Have mercy on those who wrong you... because you may just be practicing what they are doing to you. Don't let the world influence you... but, it is us that can influence the world.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
I'm gonna fail you...
I'm gonna fail you. I have failed in the past... and I'm gonna fail in the future. That's whom I have become to know myself. If I haven't failed you yet, it eventually might happen.
I know that people put a lot of trust into people. I think trust is something that is earned. It takes time to gain ones trust and it takes strength to hold on to it. But, how much trust are you putting in me? Sure, there are different amounts of trust according to the relationship... spousal, parent, friend, fishing buddy, hockey teammate, etc.. But, how much invested is how much is garnered.
The question of the day is... how much trust do you put in Jesus Christ, our Savior?
How often do we go about living life, forgetting about seeking the glory of God. Seeking His provision for the path He has put before us? How often do we utilize Him in all that we go through. How many times has He tried to call out to you, only getting nothing back in return. Instead, we turn to gossip and malice seeking revenge for something that hurt us.
My main point here is that... we are going to fail each other.
So, I ask, have mercy on me. I'm human. I am not the most well put together person or the strongest. I am not very well spoken... but maybe well spoken for. I have failed people... and I feel people have failed me. I have failed my God... but, He is correcting and guiding me according to His ways.
As I look at the wilted hanging flower pot... its crying out for help... it cannot sustain itself. Do I have mercy to do my part in providing for it? So, I watered it. The word of God says:
Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
In Him, I put my trust... not man... or woman. Aren't we to show mercy to others... as much as He has on us- EVERY DAY?
I remember a 'Far Side' comic of two critters sitting in a field, with one pointing to the other... the hunter has put his sights on me through his scope... well, I'm the one pointing to the other, saying shoot him! The other critter is Jesus... He wants to hear your story, and I am going to point you to Him. He wants to take that bullet- He already has. Heck, you can shoot at Him all you want! He's not going to die... He's already defeated death. He wants your attention. Heck, I'd be willing that, once you put your sights on Him, you'll lay your arms down. When you focus on Him, and talk to Him... you are building up a relationship w/ Him. You can put all you trust in Him... thats not to say that everything is going to turn out the way you want things to:
Isaiah 55:8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
Only He an truly help you- not others. Its been a long time coming for me to learn this truth... learning to put my trust in Him in all my ways. He is my provider, my comforter. His peace surpasses all understandings, and you too can be covered by it.
Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
I know that people put a lot of trust into people. I think trust is something that is earned. It takes time to gain ones trust and it takes strength to hold on to it. But, how much trust are you putting in me? Sure, there are different amounts of trust according to the relationship... spousal, parent, friend, fishing buddy, hockey teammate, etc.. But, how much invested is how much is garnered.
The question of the day is... how much trust do you put in Jesus Christ, our Savior?
How often do we go about living life, forgetting about seeking the glory of God. Seeking His provision for the path He has put before us? How often do we utilize Him in all that we go through. How many times has He tried to call out to you, only getting nothing back in return. Instead, we turn to gossip and malice seeking revenge for something that hurt us.
My main point here is that... we are going to fail each other.
So, I ask, have mercy on me. I'm human. I am not the most well put together person or the strongest. I am not very well spoken... but maybe well spoken for. I have failed people... and I feel people have failed me. I have failed my God... but, He is correcting and guiding me according to His ways.
As I look at the wilted hanging flower pot... its crying out for help... it cannot sustain itself. Do I have mercy to do my part in providing for it? So, I watered it. The word of God says:
Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
In Him, I put my trust... not man... or woman. Aren't we to show mercy to others... as much as He has on us- EVERY DAY?
I remember a 'Far Side' comic of two critters sitting in a field, with one pointing to the other... the hunter has put his sights on me through his scope... well, I'm the one pointing to the other, saying shoot him! The other critter is Jesus... He wants to hear your story, and I am going to point you to Him. He wants to take that bullet- He already has. Heck, you can shoot at Him all you want! He's not going to die... He's already defeated death. He wants your attention. Heck, I'd be willing that, once you put your sights on Him, you'll lay your arms down. When you focus on Him, and talk to Him... you are building up a relationship w/ Him. You can put all you trust in Him... thats not to say that everything is going to turn out the way you want things to:
Isaiah 55:8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
Only He an truly help you- not others. Its been a long time coming for me to learn this truth... learning to put my trust in Him in all my ways. He is my provider, my comforter. His peace surpasses all understandings, and you too can be covered by it.
Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Victory in Jesus, my Savior in Heaven
All I can really see is victory on the horizon. I know it will be there... but, I don't know what it will be like.
It will be like going into the Promise Land... I am stepping foot into the river Jordan. This journey will be something new, it will be something renewing. A new beginning. A conquest not of my own, but recognizing and acting upon the Will of God- so to say that I do not know what to expect to happen.
One thing that I do know... what NOT to do. Been there, done that. God has His ways and intentions for how we are to live. We mix in liberty- our free will, into the mix... but, after we seek His Love and provision first. We are to conform into His mold of righteousness... as opposed to living as a loose cannon... free-wheeling.
I am done living for myself, He calls me His own... I am a man of God. And through this process, He has cut off the limbs that do not produce fruit and He has pruned my branches to promote growth. Hindsight... is 20/10. I see clearly now. I am no longer a deer in the headlights. I have promise and a future. I do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow worries about itself.
It will be like going into the Promise Land... I am stepping foot into the river Jordan. This journey will be something new, it will be something renewing. A new beginning. A conquest not of my own, but recognizing and acting upon the Will of God- so to say that I do not know what to expect to happen.
One thing that I do know... what NOT to do. Been there, done that. God has His ways and intentions for how we are to live. We mix in liberty- our free will, into the mix... but, after we seek His Love and provision first. We are to conform into His mold of righteousness... as opposed to living as a loose cannon... free-wheeling.
I am done living for myself, He calls me His own... I am a man of God. And through this process, He has cut off the limbs that do not produce fruit and He has pruned my branches to promote growth. Hindsight... is 20/10. I see clearly now. I am no longer a deer in the headlights. I have promise and a future. I do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow worries about itself.
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