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!!

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!!

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!!

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!!

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!!!

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!!

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!!!