Seeing that this has been apart of my philosophy to life, it has also caused me to be very aware of the example I'm leaving for those who come after me. This is a big part of why I choose to live the way I do. Just as I have learned from my parents Godly example, I want my children and their children to be able to look at the way I've lived my life and be able to use my victories and mistakes as lessons for them to learn from. I also want them to be able to see the benefits to serving God and living a life that follows after Him. I believe this all boils down to this simple principle: that our actions, good or bad, not only affects those around us but it also affects the generations to come. And when we are making decisions, good or bad, we should remember that the decisions we make can negatively or positively affect those around us. This is why God has called us to live a life of obedience to Him. Because as we follow after Him our lives begin to illuminate the goodness of God that leaves a lasting impression upon those who come after us. Keep your eyes on Him!!
Be Blessed!!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Those that Have Gone Before us!!
I have tried in my life to glean as much as possible from those that have gone before me. The generations before us have left a legacy for us to walk in. There is so much that can be learned from their experiences.
Paul urges us a few times in the Bible to watch his Godly example and imitate him:
1Cr 4:15-16 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet [you do] not [have] many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
I believe there has been people in our lives that have been such great examples for us to follow after.
Why reinvent the wheel? Just as Solomon said, "there is nothing new under the sun"; there is nothing that we are going through that someone before us hasn't already gone through. And why not use their experiences as lesson for us to learn from? Having grown up around some amazing people in my life, I've always tried to have this philosiphy in life. I've watched and learned from all those important examples in my life and I can stand here today and say, I am who I am because of their great example. I know there is something inside of us that has to experience everything for ourselves. But if we can learn from the victories and mistakes of those that have gone before us, why not? I would call that wisdom!
Here's Solomon, one of the wisest men in all of history, and he starts out (one of my favorite passages in the Bible) by saying, "Son, give attention to my words", learn from what I done:
Pro 4:20-27 "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they [are] life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it [spring] the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil."
Be Blessed!!
Paul urges us a few times in the Bible to watch his Godly example and imitate him:
1Cr 4:15-16 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet [you do] not [have] many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
I believe there has been people in our lives that have been such great examples for us to follow after.
Why reinvent the wheel? Just as Solomon said, "there is nothing new under the sun"; there is nothing that we are going through that someone before us hasn't already gone through. And why not use their experiences as lesson for us to learn from? Having grown up around some amazing people in my life, I've always tried to have this philosiphy in life. I've watched and learned from all those important examples in my life and I can stand here today and say, I am who I am because of their great example. I know there is something inside of us that has to experience everything for ourselves. But if we can learn from the victories and mistakes of those that have gone before us, why not? I would call that wisdom!
Here's Solomon, one of the wisest men in all of history, and he starts out (one of my favorite passages in the Bible) by saying, "Son, give attention to my words", learn from what I done:
Pro 4:20-27 "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they [are] life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it [spring] the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil."
Be Blessed!!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Favor follows me
Psa 5:12 "For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as [with] a shield."
Psa 35:27 "Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, 'Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.'"
This is such a great reminder for us as believers. As we follow after God His favor follows us. He begins to open doors of opportunity in our lives that no man (or bad economy) can close. He gives us favor and is faithful to fulfill all of His promises. As our eyes are open to His goodness there is nothing we can do but give Him all we have.
http://frankkemberling.brinkster.net/blog/?p=435
Be Blessed!!
Psa 35:27 "Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, 'Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.'"
This is such a great reminder for us as believers. As we follow after God His favor follows us. He begins to open doors of opportunity in our lives that no man (or bad economy) can close. He gives us favor and is faithful to fulfill all of His promises. As our eyes are open to His goodness there is nothing we can do but give Him all we have.
http://frankkemberling.brinkster.net/blog/?p=435
Be Blessed!!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Arise in us
Jhn 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
It's so important that we are showing the world how He loves. As we allow the love of God to arise in us we then can approporately represent Him to those around us. I believe often times we make serving God so difficult that people around us don't want anything to do with it. Time to get back to the simple message of the cross. The power of salvation lies in Gods love. And this is what it is all about; that God loved the world. This is what I believe is part of His kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. Showing a world that a loving God has provided salvation to all because of His love for all. This should be our voice to this world. Jesus saves!!!! Let God arise in us!!!
This is a great song and a great band. Check it out!
http://frankkemberling.brinkster.net/blog/?p=433
Be Blessed!!
It's so important that we are showing the world how He loves. As we allow the love of God to arise in us we then can approporately represent Him to those around us. I believe often times we make serving God so difficult that people around us don't want anything to do with it. Time to get back to the simple message of the cross. The power of salvation lies in Gods love. And this is what it is all about; that God loved the world. This is what I believe is part of His kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. Showing a world that a loving God has provided salvation to all because of His love for all. This should be our voice to this world. Jesus saves!!!! Let God arise in us!!!
This is a great song and a great band. Check it out!
http://frankkemberling.brinkster.net/blog/?p=433
Be Blessed!!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Give me Faith
clink on link to hear music http://www.freedomtucson.com/blog/
This song is such a powerful song. For me right now it expresses everything I am and want to be. I need God so that I can love the way He has called me to love. I need God so that I can be the husband, father, and friend that He has called me to be. And this is where my heart desire lies; in being a true reflection of Him in every aspect of my life. It can only come through Him. My prayer is that my faith would arise so that I could trust what He says and that I would know that He is good and His love is great. Never forgot that although man may fail you, God never will!!
Be Blessed!!
This song is such a powerful song. For me right now it expresses everything I am and want to be. I need God so that I can love the way He has called me to love. I need God so that I can be the husband, father, and friend that He has called me to be. And this is where my heart desire lies; in being a true reflection of Him in every aspect of my life. It can only come through Him. My prayer is that my faith would arise so that I could trust what He says and that I would know that He is good and His love is great. Never forgot that although man may fail you, God never will!!
Be Blessed!!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Revisiting Gods Promises
Gen 26:24-25 "And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, "I [am] the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I [am] with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham's sake.So he built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac's servants dug a well."
In the old testament when God spoke or did something on someone's behalf they built a monument as a reminder of what He did. This monument could have been a well, a stone altar or some other kind of structure that when visited stood as a reminder of what God spoke into their lives. As I reflected upon this old testament principle, the Lord began to show me the importance of revisiting those promises He has spoken into my life. He began to show me that in a lot of cases the answer I had been seeking had already been spoken into my life from years past. I just needed to revisit those things He had already spoken over me. Often times God speaks into our lives and because we don't see immediate results we assume we must have heard wrong. It's important to remember the seasons of God. Things spoken now into your life may be for this season or it could be for years down the road. Hold fast to those promises because He is a faithful God and He will bring them to past; it just may not be in our timing. If your seeking God for direction and He has not yet answered you, revisit what He has said in years past and see if your answer is there. Seek God and He will answer or maybe He already has!
Be Blessed!!!
In the old testament when God spoke or did something on someone's behalf they built a monument as a reminder of what He did. This monument could have been a well, a stone altar or some other kind of structure that when visited stood as a reminder of what God spoke into their lives. As I reflected upon this old testament principle, the Lord began to show me the importance of revisiting those promises He has spoken into my life. He began to show me that in a lot of cases the answer I had been seeking had already been spoken into my life from years past. I just needed to revisit those things He had already spoken over me. Often times God speaks into our lives and because we don't see immediate results we assume we must have heard wrong. It's important to remember the seasons of God. Things spoken now into your life may be for this season or it could be for years down the road. Hold fast to those promises because He is a faithful God and He will bring them to past; it just may not be in our timing. If your seeking God for direction and He has not yet answered you, revisit what He has said in years past and see if your answer is there. Seek God and He will answer or maybe He already has!
Be Blessed!!!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Fear of The Lord
Psa 89:7 "God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all [those] around Him."
Hbr 12:28 "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may [fn] serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."
The fear of the lord should be one of the founding principles behind our actions. The fear of the Lord is meant for instruction and the establishment of wisdom and understanding. I believe the reason people have such a hard time with this concept of fearing God is because they have had the wrong concept of fear. This fear isn't to be scared, but rather a reverence. A due respect for God who is much larger than ourselves and holds our lives in His hands.
The purpose behind the fear of the lord should be a holy reverence. That very reminder that stands as a check and balance in our lives, making sure we stay on track and more importantly don't mislead people. When there's a healthy fear of the lord in our lives it causes us to check all that we are doing. It makes sure we are representing Him right and that we aren't misleading people by false doctrine and the twisting of His word. We should all strive to allow this reverence for God to be the driving force behind what we do. It's not because we are afraid of Him but because we love Him and He deserves it.
Be Blessed!!
Hbr 12:28 "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may [fn] serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."
The fear of the lord should be one of the founding principles behind our actions. The fear of the Lord is meant for instruction and the establishment of wisdom and understanding. I believe the reason people have such a hard time with this concept of fearing God is because they have had the wrong concept of fear. This fear isn't to be scared, but rather a reverence. A due respect for God who is much larger than ourselves and holds our lives in His hands.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Renewing Your Strength!!
Phl 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ [fn] who strengthens me."
Isa 40:31 "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew [their] strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."
Take the time to allow God to give you inspiration and renew your strength. In Him is the stength to accomplish all we face. In Him we can do all things!! I find for myself that when I can take the time to be still and separate myself for a moment from the chaos that occurs in this life that He is always faithful to bring me the rest and strength I need. I find for myself that escaping into nature (Gods creation) gives me that place that I can filter out the noise of the world and allow God to renew me. It's nature for me but it may be something different for you; but the need for you to find that quite time is pivotal in keeping your peace and perspective on God. Make sure to start your week out right by giving Him the time He deserves and in return He will give you the strength you need to accomplish all that lies ahead of you this week.
Be Blessed!!!
Isa 40:31 "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew [their] strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."
Take the time to allow God to give you inspiration and renew your strength. In Him is the stength to accomplish all we face. In Him we can do all things!! I find for myself that when I can take the time to be still and separate myself for a moment from the chaos that occurs in this life that He is always faithful to bring me the rest and strength I need. I find for myself that escaping into nature (Gods creation) gives me that place that I can filter out the noise of the world and allow God to renew me. It's nature for me but it may be something different for you; but the need for you to find that quite time is pivotal in keeping your peace and perspective on God. Make sure to start your week out right by giving Him the time He deserves and in return He will give you the strength you need to accomplish all that lies ahead of you this week.
Be Blessed!!!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Reaching Forward!!!
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13, 14 NKJV)
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1, 2 NKJV)
It's interesting because forgetting the past and reaching ahead go hand in hand. If you can never let go of your past and all the baggage that comes with it, it's nearly impossible to reach for what's ahead with any expectancy of achieving all God has for you. Yes, you can grow from your failures and learn from your mistakes, but wallowing in the past will only keep you bound to a time and season that halts any momentum and progress into the future. Don't run this race bound to the failures of your past. Look upon Jesus and you will find yourself rapidly approaching all you've set out to do. Let go and let God!!!
Be Blessed!!
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1, 2 NKJV)
It's interesting because forgetting the past and reaching ahead go hand in hand. If you can never let go of your past and all the baggage that comes with it, it's nearly impossible to reach for what's ahead with any expectancy of achieving all God has for you. Yes, you can grow from your failures and learn from your mistakes, but wallowing in the past will only keep you bound to a time and season that halts any momentum and progress into the future. Don't run this race bound to the failures of your past. Look upon Jesus and you will find yourself rapidly approaching all you've set out to do. Let go and let God!!!
Be Blessed!!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Your Flame
I believe God has given each and everyone of us our own unique flame. That passion that He brings into our lives when we surrendered to Him. What this flame represents is unique to us and reflects who God is to us. I call this a flame but some may call this our passion for God. This is the very thing that became a part of who we are when we asked Christ into our lives. It's what attracts some people to us and at the same time the thing that may repel some people or cause them to judge us. The trouble we as believers get into is when we try to mimic someone else's flame. We can evidently see how passionate that person is for God so we think if we do the same thing they're doing maybe our flame/passion will be as evident as theirs. This is where we can get in trouble because what we become is no longer honest and pure but rather fake; putting on an outward appearance all the while still being very lost on the inside. What we can't forget is that God is after our heart. He wants the decisions we make to come from a heart that loves Him and not because we are affraid of how others may judge us. God has made it clear that He does not see and judge things the way we do:
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
You see the biggest mistake we can make is to not be authentic. To have our own unique expression of who God is in us and how that reflects on the outside of us. My prayer is that we as christians would find our own flame for God. And that we wouldn't try to look the same but that we would be uniquely who God has made us to be.
Check out this song!!
http://frankkemberling.brinkster.net/blog/?p=388
Be Blessed!!
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
You see the biggest mistake we can make is to not be authentic. To have our own unique expression of who God is in us and how that reflects on the outside of us. My prayer is that we as christians would find our own flame for God. And that we wouldn't try to look the same but that we would be uniquely who God has made us to be.
Check out this song!!
http://frankkemberling.brinkster.net/blog/?p=388
Be Blessed!!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Bad News
I find it strange that we live in a time that thrives on bad news. I mean it seems that the only thing that excites people these days is to hear about what bad things are happening in other people's lives. I turn the news on and all they're talking about is who got murdered and what devastation has done in other people's lives. It's depressing!!
I wonder what would happen if we stopped accepting bad news! I'm not talking about denying that bad things are happening in this world. I'm just saying we should stop participating in it. We should spend our time and energy on those good things in this life that bring us joy and life. If it isn't producing life in us we shouldn't be spending our energy on it. God has called us to think upon good things:
Phillipians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
I wonder if by changing our behavior we would change those bad things occuring around us. It needs to happen. Come on! By spending our time and attention on good things our lives start to promote that. The more time we spend focusing on the bad things in this life the more it will begin to affect our lives. Pretty soon that is what will be the focus of our conversation:
Luke 6:45:"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Matthew 5:16
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Its crazy to think that there is a generation out there that thinks the best way to get attention is by doing something wrong. When they do something good nobody cares but as soon as they do something wrong they have all eyes and attention on them. We need to begin to change this culture by allowing the good that God has placed in and around our lives to be where our conversation and focus lie.
Be Blessed!!
I wonder what would happen if we stopped accepting bad news! I'm not talking about denying that bad things are happening in this world. I'm just saying we should stop participating in it. We should spend our time and energy on those good things in this life that bring us joy and life. If it isn't producing life in us we shouldn't be spending our energy on it. God has called us to think upon good things:
Phillipians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
I wonder if by changing our behavior we would change those bad things occuring around us. It needs to happen. Come on! By spending our time and attention on good things our lives start to promote that. The more time we spend focusing on the bad things in this life the more it will begin to affect our lives. Pretty soon that is what will be the focus of our conversation:
Luke 6:45:"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Matthew 5:16
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Its crazy to think that there is a generation out there that thinks the best way to get attention is by doing something wrong. When they do something good nobody cares but as soon as they do something wrong they have all eyes and attention on them. We need to begin to change this culture by allowing the good that God has placed in and around our lives to be where our conversation and focus lie.
Be Blessed!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)