Hey everyone. It's been a while since posting. I apologize. God's been dealing with me in some new ways so I thought I'd get them out there.
I have an issue with selfishness (as I believe everyone does for it is the root of sin). This selfishness can manifest itself in several ways through different people, but it always comes down to the same issue. We desire ourself and our needs over anyone else. I struggle with that. God has given me an awesome way to connect to Him and get out of myself. I think that if we can take our eyes off of ourselves and get out there and serve others, in whatever way, then our problems would begin to seem so insignificant.
God has sent some godly people across my path and a great ministry that can't help but take the focus off of me. What I say on this blog is not intended to make me look good or feel good about myself. It's sole intention is to make much of the work that God is doing through Christ. I am a sinner saved by the grace of God through Christ Jesus. Any good that I do is God working through me by the power of the Holy Spirit. So let this good news glorify God, not man.
God has laid on my heart a compassion for the homeless population of Jackson. Myself and several others go down to Gateway Rescue Mission off of Gallatin Street every Thursday night for a chapel service at 6:30 pm and afterwards talk with the guys and pray with them if they want us to. Before the chapel service they eat supper, and after the service they get ready for bed. They must attend the chapel service in order to stay the night at Gateway, so you can imagine that some don't even want to be there, but there are some there that are seeking. They just need a little support from other brothers to keep them on track. I pray that God is using us in whatever way He chooses. This is the website if you want to check it out www.gatewaymission.org. They always need volunteers for serving meals, and if you want to check it out on Thursday nights with our group just shoot me an email at clinthatch88@hotmail.com.
This may not be your heart. It is mine. I would urge you to look inside yourself and ask God how He wants you to serve Him. He wants to use you for good. Even though we may not see the results of our good works God does. We should still fight on the side of good. Fight for love!
In Christ,
Clint
Friday, June 18, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Miracle of Restoration
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53:6-9
Key Verse: Isaiah 53:6 - All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Salvation is eternally linked to Jesus Christ. It was Hid death on Calvary’s cross that paid the penalty for our sin. Nothing we can do equals what Jesus did for us. This is why the apostle Paul wrote that salvation is a gift. The word grace is also linked to the message of salvation. The grace of God is His goodness manifested toward us. No one, on his own, is worthy of God’s salvation. “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” (Isaiah 53:6) We are saved by God’s grace - His goodness demonstrated toward us. And those God saves, He keeps. He will not cast us away or refuse us the love that He so willingly gives. However, believers need to be mindful that sin steals the joy that salvation brings. Even if you have known Christ for many years, sin will darken your life and blind you to the wonder of God’s grace. After his sin with Bathsheba, David prayed, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation” (Psalm 51:12). Joy is the evidence of God’s work in our lives. Sin brings His displeasure and judgment, but obedience brings joy to our hearts. David did not ask God merely to make him happy. He prayed for the restoration of joy, which is more than an emotional expression. It is the evidence of a heart that found its contentment in God.
Lord, thank You for Your unchanging promise - eternal life through Jesus Christ. Thank You for the gift of salvation secured at the Cross.
Key Verse: Isaiah 53:6 - All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Salvation is eternally linked to Jesus Christ. It was Hid death on Calvary’s cross that paid the penalty for our sin. Nothing we can do equals what Jesus did for us. This is why the apostle Paul wrote that salvation is a gift. The word grace is also linked to the message of salvation. The grace of God is His goodness manifested toward us. No one, on his own, is worthy of God’s salvation. “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” (Isaiah 53:6) We are saved by God’s grace - His goodness demonstrated toward us. And those God saves, He keeps. He will not cast us away or refuse us the love that He so willingly gives. However, believers need to be mindful that sin steals the joy that salvation brings. Even if you have known Christ for many years, sin will darken your life and blind you to the wonder of God’s grace. After his sin with Bathsheba, David prayed, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation” (Psalm 51:12). Joy is the evidence of God’s work in our lives. Sin brings His displeasure and judgment, but obedience brings joy to our hearts. David did not ask God merely to make him happy. He prayed for the restoration of joy, which is more than an emotional expression. It is the evidence of a heart that found its contentment in God.
Lord, thank You for Your unchanging promise - eternal life through Jesus Christ. Thank You for the gift of salvation secured at the Cross.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Revenge
Revenge defined - verb - to exact punishment or expiation for a wrong on behalf of, esp. in a resentful or vindictive spirit: ex. He revenged his murdered brother.
I got into a conversation today about revenge. The movie "Edge of Darkness" with Mel Gibson stimulated the discussion. The main idea was that if someone or some group of people had killed someone that you were close to and truly loved, would you execute revenge upon them? First off I would say that fortunately God has not allowed me to walk through the trial of having a violent crime committed against me. I do not speak from experience, only the way that I believe God desires for me to react in this situation. I believe that this is a great question because it touches a deep part of our soul that longs for justice to be executed against those who have wronged us. I personally don't believe that the desire for justice is wrong, however, we, as fallen human's, can't deal out justice fairly. That's why God wants us to leave it up to Him. When Jesus tells us to forgive our enemies (Matt. 5:44, Luke 6:27 being two examples), where does that leave someone that brutally murdered your son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, wife, or husband? There are many teaching on the subject of forgiveness, but the main point of this post is to unpack revenge and what it means in our life.
The obvious benefit of revenge is that I receive immediate justice for the wrong committed against me and my loved one. However, is that beneficial? Unless you know who committed the wrong against you or your loved one then the hate and hope for revenge that is harbored inside your heart with eat at you for the rest of your life. You will not be free and the evil person that hurt your loved one now has two victims. Forgiveness releases you from the burden of hate and lays it at Jesus' feet.
Found an article on revenge at www.gotquestions.com. The article is posted below.
Question: "What does the Bible say about revenge?"
Answer: The Bible has a great deal to say about revenge. Both the Hebrew and Greek words translated “vengeance,” “revenge,” and “avenge” have as their root meaning the idea of punishment. This is crucial in understanding why God reserves for Himself the right to avenge.
The key verse regarding this truth is found in the Old Testament and quoted twice in the New Testament. God said: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them” (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30). In Deuteronomy, God is speaking of the stiff-necked, rebellious, idolatrous Israelites who rejected Him and incurred His wrath with their wickedness. He promised to avenge Himself upon them in His own timing and according to His own perfect and pure motives. The two New Testament passages concern the behavior of the Christian, who is not to usurp God’s authority. Rather, we are to allow Him to judge rightly and pour out His divine retribution against His enemies as He sees fit.
Unlike us, God never takes vengeance from impure motives. His vengeance is for the purpose of punishing those who have offended and rejected Him. We can, however, pray for God to avenge Himself in perfection and holiness against His enemies and to avenge those who are oppressed by evil. In Psalm 94:1, the psalmist prays for God to avenge the righteous, not out of a sense of uncontrolled vindictiveness, but out of just retribution from the eternal Judge whose judgments are perfect. Even when the innocent suffer and the wicked appear to prosper, it is for God alone to punish. “The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies” (Nahum 1:2).
There are only two times in the Bible when God gives men permission to avenge in His name. First, after committing hideous, violent acts against the Israelites, the cup of God’s wrath against the Midianites was full, and He commanded Moses to lead the people in a holy war against them. “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people’" (Numbers 31:1-2). Here again, Moses did not act on his own; he was merely an instrument to carry out God’s perfect plan under His guidance and instruction. Second, Christians are to be in submission to the rulers God has set over us because they are His instruments for “vengeance on evildoers” (1 Peter 2:13-14). As in Moses’ case, these rulers are not to act on their own, but are to carry out God’s will for the punishment of the wicked.
It is tempting to try to take on the role of God and seek to punish those who we feel deserve it. But because we are sinful creatures, it is impossible for us to take revenge with pure motives. This is why the Mosaic Law contains the command: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD” (Leviticus. 19:18). Even David, a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), refused to take revenge on Saul, even though David was the innocent party being wronged. David submitted to God's command to forego vengeance and trust in Him: “May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you (1 Samuel 24:12).
As Christians, we are to follow the Lord Jesus’ command to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), leaving the vengeance to God.
I got into a conversation today about revenge. The movie "Edge of Darkness" with Mel Gibson stimulated the discussion. The main idea was that if someone or some group of people had killed someone that you were close to and truly loved, would you execute revenge upon them? First off I would say that fortunately God has not allowed me to walk through the trial of having a violent crime committed against me. I do not speak from experience, only the way that I believe God desires for me to react in this situation. I believe that this is a great question because it touches a deep part of our soul that longs for justice to be executed against those who have wronged us. I personally don't believe that the desire for justice is wrong, however, we, as fallen human's, can't deal out justice fairly. That's why God wants us to leave it up to Him. When Jesus tells us to forgive our enemies (Matt. 5:44, Luke 6:27 being two examples), where does that leave someone that brutally murdered your son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, wife, or husband? There are many teaching on the subject of forgiveness, but the main point of this post is to unpack revenge and what it means in our life.
The obvious benefit of revenge is that I receive immediate justice for the wrong committed against me and my loved one. However, is that beneficial? Unless you know who committed the wrong against you or your loved one then the hate and hope for revenge that is harbored inside your heart with eat at you for the rest of your life. You will not be free and the evil person that hurt your loved one now has two victims. Forgiveness releases you from the burden of hate and lays it at Jesus' feet.
Found an article on revenge at www.gotquestions.com. The article is posted below.
Question: "What does the Bible say about revenge?"
Answer: The Bible has a great deal to say about revenge. Both the Hebrew and Greek words translated “vengeance,” “revenge,” and “avenge” have as their root meaning the idea of punishment. This is crucial in understanding why God reserves for Himself the right to avenge.
The key verse regarding this truth is found in the Old Testament and quoted twice in the New Testament. God said: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them” (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30). In Deuteronomy, God is speaking of the stiff-necked, rebellious, idolatrous Israelites who rejected Him and incurred His wrath with their wickedness. He promised to avenge Himself upon them in His own timing and according to His own perfect and pure motives. The two New Testament passages concern the behavior of the Christian, who is not to usurp God’s authority. Rather, we are to allow Him to judge rightly and pour out His divine retribution against His enemies as He sees fit.
Unlike us, God never takes vengeance from impure motives. His vengeance is for the purpose of punishing those who have offended and rejected Him. We can, however, pray for God to avenge Himself in perfection and holiness against His enemies and to avenge those who are oppressed by evil. In Psalm 94:1, the psalmist prays for God to avenge the righteous, not out of a sense of uncontrolled vindictiveness, but out of just retribution from the eternal Judge whose judgments are perfect. Even when the innocent suffer and the wicked appear to prosper, it is for God alone to punish. “The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies” (Nahum 1:2).
There are only two times in the Bible when God gives men permission to avenge in His name. First, after committing hideous, violent acts against the Israelites, the cup of God’s wrath against the Midianites was full, and He commanded Moses to lead the people in a holy war against them. “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people’" (Numbers 31:1-2). Here again, Moses did not act on his own; he was merely an instrument to carry out God’s perfect plan under His guidance and instruction. Second, Christians are to be in submission to the rulers God has set over us because they are His instruments for “vengeance on evildoers” (1 Peter 2:13-14). As in Moses’ case, these rulers are not to act on their own, but are to carry out God’s will for the punishment of the wicked.
It is tempting to try to take on the role of God and seek to punish those who we feel deserve it. But because we are sinful creatures, it is impossible for us to take revenge with pure motives. This is why the Mosaic Law contains the command: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD” (Leviticus. 19:18). Even David, a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), refused to take revenge on Saul, even though David was the innocent party being wronged. David submitted to God's command to forego vengeance and trust in Him: “May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you (1 Samuel 24:12).
As Christians, we are to follow the Lord Jesus’ command to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), leaving the vengeance to God.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Comforter
Oh! it must have been sweet to have lived with Christ. Surely, sorrows
were then but joys in masks, because they gave an opportunity to go to
Jesus to have them removed. Oh! would to God, some of us may say, that
we could have lain our weary heads upon the bosom of Jesus, and that
our birth had been in that happy era, when we might have heard His
kind voice, when he said, "Let the weary ones come unto me." But hear
how kindly Jesus speaks: "I will not leave you comfortless, for I will
pray the Father, and He will send you another Comforter, that He may
abide with you forever." (Charles Spurgeon)
were then but joys in masks, because they gave an opportunity to go to
Jesus to have them removed. Oh! would to God, some of us may say, that
we could have lain our weary heads upon the bosom of Jesus, and that
our birth had been in that happy era, when we might have heard His
kind voice, when he said, "Let the weary ones come unto me." But hear
how kindly Jesus speaks: "I will not leave you comfortless, for I will
pray the Father, and He will send you another Comforter, that He may
abide with you forever." (Charles Spurgeon)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Holy Spirit
God's Holy Spirit and man's sin cannot live together peaceably; they may both be in the same heart, but they cannot both reign there, nor can they both be quiet there; for "the Spirit lusteth against the flesh, and the flesh lusteth against the Spirit; "they, cannot rest, but there will be a perpetual warring in the soul, so that the Christian will have to cry, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" But in due time: the Spirit will drive out all sin, and will present us blameless before the throne of His Majesty with exceeding great joy. (Charles Spurgeon)
Hope in Christ! This world cannot bring us down. This world is not our final resting place. We are strangers in a foreign land. Live in the world but do not be of the world. We are more than victors through Christ Jesus who lives in us!
Hope in Christ! This world cannot bring us down. This world is not our final resting place. We are strangers in a foreign land. Live in the world but do not be of the world. We are more than victors through Christ Jesus who lives in us!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Power of the Resurrection
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53:1-5
Key Verse: Isaiah 53:5 - But He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
When a dear and faithful servant of the church learned of his terminal illness, he requested that the headstone upon his grave bear the words of 1 Corinthians 15:55: “O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?”. This man’s faith allowed him to claim these words before he passed away.
The verses following this passage explain his confidence: “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
Not only did Jesus bear the weight of our sins upon the cross, He also accepted and withstood the pain of death. In one miraculous event, He changed the process of dying. No longer would His creation have to experience the fear, anguish, and pain associated with death. His sacrifice established a choice for us all - eternal life or eternal death.
Why would someone choose eternal death? We cannot know. Is it so difficult to believe in the power of God and the event of Jesus’ resurrection? For some, it must be.
As you consider the specific events that occurred upon the cross, thank Jesus for freeing you from the pain of death, and pray for those who refuse to acknowledge Him.
Thank You, Lord, that Your resurrection quieted the sting of death and that I have been set free because of Your sacrifice.
by: Charles F. Stanley
Key Verse: Isaiah 53:5 - But He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
When a dear and faithful servant of the church learned of his terminal illness, he requested that the headstone upon his grave bear the words of 1 Corinthians 15:55: “O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?”. This man’s faith allowed him to claim these words before he passed away.
The verses following this passage explain his confidence: “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
Not only did Jesus bear the weight of our sins upon the cross, He also accepted and withstood the pain of death. In one miraculous event, He changed the process of dying. No longer would His creation have to experience the fear, anguish, and pain associated with death. His sacrifice established a choice for us all - eternal life or eternal death.
Why would someone choose eternal death? We cannot know. Is it so difficult to believe in the power of God and the event of Jesus’ resurrection? For some, it must be.
As you consider the specific events that occurred upon the cross, thank Jesus for freeing you from the pain of death, and pray for those who refuse to acknowledge Him.
Thank You, Lord, that Your resurrection quieted the sting of death and that I have been set free because of Your sacrifice.
by: Charles F. Stanley
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Love is not God, but God is love.
God is love in its highest degree. He is love rendered more than love. Love is not God, but God is love; He is full of grace, He is the plenitude of mercy - He delighteth in mercy. I believe that every flower in a garden, which is tended by a wise gardener, could tell of some particular care that the gardener takes of it. He does for the dahlia what he does not for the sunflower; somewhat is wanted by the rose that is not required by the lily; and the geranium calls for an attention which is not given to the honeysuckle. Each flower wins from the gardener a special culture. He loves us better than we love ourselves. (Charles Spurgeon)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Communion With God
"Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father." It was the habit
and life of Jesus to talk with God. May we likewise have silent
fellowship with the Father, so that often we may answer Him, and
though the world wotteth not to whom we speak, may we be responding to
that secret voice unheard of any other ear, which our own ear, opened
by the Spirit of God, recognizes with joy. What a privilege is
intimate communion with the Father of our spirits! It is a secret
hidden from the world, a joy with which even the nearest friend
intermeddleth not. This very day may our hearts be in such a state,
that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, may be prepared at once to
answer Him." (Charles Spurgeon)
and life of Jesus to talk with God. May we likewise have silent
fellowship with the Father, so that often we may answer Him, and
though the world wotteth not to whom we speak, may we be responding to
that secret voice unheard of any other ear, which our own ear, opened
by the Spirit of God, recognizes with joy. What a privilege is
intimate communion with the Father of our spirits! It is a secret
hidden from the world, a joy with which even the nearest friend
intermeddleth not. This very day may our hearts be in such a state,
that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, may be prepared at once to
answer Him." (Charles Spurgeon)
The Greatest Commandments
This is a journal entry I made on January 13, 2010.
"Today is the date when multiple recovery efforts were mobilized for a devastating series of earthquakes that ravaged portions of Haiti. As I sit here in my recliner with a roof over my head, my stomach full, and the warm sunshine pouring in it feels like paradise. However, not very far away, one of the poorest countries in the world experienced one of the worst earthquakes ever. The death toll is at 100,000 and rising.
"The most important commandment is this.....And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
How deep and all encompassing are these commands! These commands are big enough to guide and direct your entire life. Jesus help me! Help me fully and completely keep these commandments. I need Your help, Jesus, to do it for sin pulls at my desires daily. Let my desire be to love You and to love others with Your love."
Today, as Haiti contiues to recover, what have you done to love God with all of your being? In turn, what have you done to love your neighbor as you so generously love yourself. I'm talking to myself as well for I struggle with this all the time. We, as Christians, must be melted and moved by the love of the Father. We must see each individual we come across as Christ Himself. How different we would act if that was our viewpoint! Don't just imagine what could be. Act! Act on the love that the Father has shown to you. Then people will see that it is God loving on them and not you. All glory goes to God alone for what He has done through Jesus Christ! His death is our death, and His life is our life.
"Today is the date when multiple recovery efforts were mobilized for a devastating series of earthquakes that ravaged portions of Haiti. As I sit here in my recliner with a roof over my head, my stomach full, and the warm sunshine pouring in it feels like paradise. However, not very far away, one of the poorest countries in the world experienced one of the worst earthquakes ever. The death toll is at 100,000 and rising.
"The most important commandment is this.....And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
How deep and all encompassing are these commands! These commands are big enough to guide and direct your entire life. Jesus help me! Help me fully and completely keep these commandments. I need Your help, Jesus, to do it for sin pulls at my desires daily. Let my desire be to love You and to love others with Your love."
Today, as Haiti contiues to recover, what have you done to love God with all of your being? In turn, what have you done to love your neighbor as you so generously love yourself. I'm talking to myself as well for I struggle with this all the time. We, as Christians, must be melted and moved by the love of the Father. We must see each individual we come across as Christ Himself. How different we would act if that was our viewpoint! Don't just imagine what could be. Act! Act on the love that the Father has shown to you. Then people will see that it is God loving on them and not you. All glory goes to God alone for what He has done through Jesus Christ! His death is our death, and His life is our life.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Holy Spirit
The great King, immortal, invisible, the Divine person, called the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit: it is he that quickens the soul, or else it would lie dead for ever; it is he that makes it tender, or else it would never feel; it is he that imparts efficacy to the Word preached, or else it could never reach further than the ear; it is he who breaks the heart, it is he who makes it whole. There dwells upon this earth a mysterious Being, whose office is to renew the fallen and restore the wandering. We cannot see Him, or hear Him, yet He dwells in some of us as Lord of our nature. His chosen residence is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. (Charles Spurgeon)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Let Justice Roll Down
Starting to read the book "Let Justice Roll Down" by John Perkins.
It's a book about John Perkins' life and how he dealt with the violent
racism in Mississippi from the 1940's and on. He found that God's love
was the answer. Not an easy answer, but the right answer. The first
chapter was pretty intense. Life back then was totally different than
now. We have come a long way, but there is still work to be done.
There is still love to give, and lives to save. I pray that we may
look to the past and not forget where we came from so the we may not
make the same mistakes again. Walk in the love of Christ today.
It's a book about John Perkins' life and how he dealt with the violent
racism in Mississippi from the 1940's and on. He found that God's love
was the answer. Not an easy answer, but the right answer. The first
chapter was pretty intense. Life back then was totally different than
now. We have come a long way, but there is still work to be done.
There is still love to give, and lives to save. I pray that we may
look to the past and not forget where we came from so the we may not
make the same mistakes again. Walk in the love of Christ today.
Love God. Love others.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Brit Hume
This is a great video of a man standing in the faith and genuinely concerned about Tiger Woods and the problem he is facing. Thought it was a good mainstream testament about Christianity.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Love
I am actually looking forward to the new year. I'm starting a new Bible reading plan that will hopefully keep me on track with reading and staying plugged in to God's Word. I need that. This past year has been a good and fulfilling year, but not without it's hard times. Thankfully God has used the tough times to bring me closer to Him, and the significant steps of maturity in faith that God has allowed me to take has far outweighed the sorrow.
One of the biggest things that Jesus has shown me is patience in love. John M. Perkins has said, "Love is the final fight." and I believe it. To love my enemies is a fight. To love those that annoy me, that don't fit in, that don't like me, that lie about me, and that frustrate me is a fight. I don't want to love those kind of people, and it's a constant battle to do so. That is a wonderful and hard earned truth. Though it's not an easy fight it is satisfying, because we are fighting for something pure. Tolerance just allows evil to do its deeds, and you can't use evil to conquer evil. That doesn't even make sense. Love indeed is the final fight, for if we fight for love then evil has been defeated.
Love in the midst of evil is the only thing that will make a difference. Active love.
I pray that everyone has a wonderful New Year's Eve, and that we will continue to press the fight for the love of Jesus into 2010 and though eternity.
Love God. Love others.
Clint
One of the biggest things that Jesus has shown me is patience in love. John M. Perkins has said, "Love is the final fight." and I believe it. To love my enemies is a fight. To love those that annoy me, that don't fit in, that don't like me, that lie about me, and that frustrate me is a fight. I don't want to love those kind of people, and it's a constant battle to do so. That is a wonderful and hard earned truth. Though it's not an easy fight it is satisfying, because we are fighting for something pure. Tolerance just allows evil to do its deeds, and you can't use evil to conquer evil. That doesn't even make sense. Love indeed is the final fight, for if we fight for love then evil has been defeated.
Love in the midst of evil is the only thing that will make a difference. Active love.
I pray that everyone has a wonderful New Year's Eve, and that we will continue to press the fight for the love of Jesus into 2010 and though eternity.
Love God. Love others.
Clint
Sunday, December 27, 2009
This Grace is Yours
Scripture Reading: John 1:19-29
Key Verse: John 1:29 - The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
One of the most encouraging things you can receive from God is the hope that comes from being given a second chance. This is especially important when you have yielded to temptation or feel that you have fallen short of His plan and purpose for your life. The truth is that God never limit’s the opportunity for forgiveness. Second chances encourage us to go on and not give up even when the whispers of the world around us seem to say the opposite. After his denial of Christ, Peter was in need of a second chance, and Jesus, through His grace, provided this (John 21:15-17). How many of us have longed for God’s cleansing touch when we become trapped by our wrongful actions? The only cure for sin or failure of any kind is God’s grace applied to our lives. This is what changes the stumbling sinner into a person living victoriously for Jesus Christ.Even before you knew Him, Jesus knew and loved you. It was His love that saved you, and it is His love that will keep you throughout eternity. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Are you struggling with the idea of grace and how it applies to your life? Realize that God loves you. He stands beside you and is pleased to call you His own. This grace is yours.
Lord, thank You for Your grace - Your love and kindness toward me even though I don’t deserve it. I accept Your extended grace.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Question?
I am thankful for what God has revealed to me through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. God's truth has resonated through my life and transformed me into a new person. I have been saved from myself and my sin through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Friend.
I do have a question. It seems as if the rest of the world's religions are focused on works. What I have to "do" to gain salvation. Is Christianity (the relationship with God gained through Jesus Christ) the only faith that requires us to totally rely on a stronger being outside of ourselves to gain salvation? I have found that to be true, and it has caused me to be more confident in my belief. For God showed me, through a series of life changing events, that I could not do it myself. I tried.......and failed miserably! I just do not see how one can justify a religion based fully on works.
If had to rely on myself to gain salvation I would be a hopeless cause.
I do have a question. It seems as if the rest of the world's religions are focused on works. What I have to "do" to gain salvation. Is Christianity (the relationship with God gained through Jesus Christ) the only faith that requires us to totally rely on a stronger being outside of ourselves to gain salvation? I have found that to be true, and it has caused me to be more confident in my belief. For God showed me, through a series of life changing events, that I could not do it myself. I tried.......and failed miserably! I just do not see how one can justify a religion based fully on works.
If had to rely on myself to gain salvation I would be a hopeless cause.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Purpose of Man
I'm starting to read a book by A.W. Tozer called "The Purpose of Man: Designed to Worship". This is my first Tozer book. He begins it in the Garden of Eden and says that the reason why we were created was to worship God and display His glory. As Tozer says, "Worship is man's full reason for existence. Worship is why we are born and why we are born again."
I like that.
We tend to be very self-centered and that life is about us. It's not. It's all about God, and bringing glory and honor to Him. We do that through worship. There are many ways to worship besides the common way of singing hymns that we usually think of. Observing a sunset on your way home from work and thanking God for the beauty of it. Noticing the stars in a clear night sky, realizing how small you are, and thanking God for His amazing love. Giving of your time and money to service and thanking God for His Holy Spirit that gives you the desire to do so. Endless ways to allow God through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit to use you for His glory!
I'm looking forward to this book. Hoping that it will draw me closer to Jesus in worship.
I like that.
We tend to be very self-centered and that life is about us. It's not. It's all about God, and bringing glory and honor to Him. We do that through worship. There are many ways to worship besides the common way of singing hymns that we usually think of. Observing a sunset on your way home from work and thanking God for the beauty of it. Noticing the stars in a clear night sky, realizing how small you are, and thanking God for His amazing love. Giving of your time and money to service and thanking God for His Holy Spirit that gives you the desire to do so. Endless ways to allow God through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit to use you for His glory!
I'm looking forward to this book. Hoping that it will draw me closer to Jesus in worship.
Friday, December 18, 2009
God's Amazing Love
Scripture Reading: Psalm 139:1-18
Key Verse: Psalm 139:13 - For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
In The Gift for All People, Max Lucado describes the event of the Cross in this way:
Christ came to earth for one reason: to give Hid life as a ransom for you, me, for all of us. He sacrificed Himself to give us a second chance. He would have gone to any lengths to do so. And He did. He went to the cross, where man’s utter despair collided with God’s unbending grace. And in that moment when God’s great gift was complete, the compassionate Christ showed the world the cost of His gift.
As you strengthen your relationship with Jesus, you will begin to understand the amazing truth that He died specifically for you. Though His sacrifice freed the world from the penalty of sin, Jesus was intimately familiar with you as an individual as He accepted and fulfilled His sentence of death upon the cross.
The Bible tells us that God knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). That means that when He sent His Son to die on the cross over two thousand years ago, God knew you and included the sins you would commit in the future among those to be forgiven.
What an awesome gift! What a reason to celebrate! Yet so many people take Christ’s sacrificial death for granted. In this holy season, take time to thank Him for His amazing love that is demonstrated to us all each day.
Father, I am speechless at the thought that You knew who I was when You sent Your Son to die for me. Thank You for loving me that much.
This is the scripture reading. I had to add it because it is such a great Psalm. Read the Scripture below slowly and carefully. Know that God is speaking directly to you today.
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! (Psalm 139:1-18)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thoughts
My mind is kind of racing right now. I needed to get some stuff of my chest.
Just got through reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. Awesome read. Pick it up and read it with an open mind. Scripture is running all through that book, and I believe that the points he makes are biblically based. He encourages readers to not only be hearers of the Word but doers as well. To take Christ at His word and actually obey Him by living out His truths in our lives with the help of the Holy Spirit. A quote from the book struck me tonight: "We never grow closer to God when we just live life; it takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness." We can't just waste our life away by just living our life day by day and not concerning ourself with the things of God. If you are a Christian that's not living your life to the fullest as Jesus promised He would help us do if we follow Him (John 10:10). We so often get sidetracked by the physical world and rarely think of heaven. If we set our hearts and minds on heaven, and store up treasures in heaven instead of this earth then it will be a far more satisfying journey through this life (Matthew 6:20). When I say we I mean me as well! I can get so consumed with this present world and it's troubles and pleasures that heaven seems so far away. We must constantly pursue Jesus for if we stray but for a second we will plunge into the dark waters from whence we came (Matthew 14:22-33). Cling to Jesus my brothers and sisters for He is our only hope. If we place our hope in anything or anyone else we will quickly lose our way. He is the only source of true love. If the Holy Spirit runs in and through us we wll be able to love God and love others as Jesus commanded us to (Matthew 22:34-40).
What does it mean to love God? I don't want to go into details but ask yourself. Does my life and what I'm doing with it show that I love God? Stop what you're doing for a minute. Think about that question, and answer it truthfully in your mind.
Now what does it mean to love others? To love your neighbor as yourself. To bless those that persecute you. To do good to those that hurt you. That's crazy talk! That's not fair! That's the love of God. For what did Christ do for you and me? Even though we were enemies He still loved us and even died for us. So if we call ourselve disciples of Christ should we not do the same?
I know all this is heavy, but just remember that it's not about you. It's all for the glory and honor of our great God! Pray that He will give you the desire to pursue Him, then do it!
Just got through reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. Awesome read. Pick it up and read it with an open mind. Scripture is running all through that book, and I believe that the points he makes are biblically based. He encourages readers to not only be hearers of the Word but doers as well. To take Christ at His word and actually obey Him by living out His truths in our lives with the help of the Holy Spirit. A quote from the book struck me tonight: "We never grow closer to God when we just live life; it takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness." We can't just waste our life away by just living our life day by day and not concerning ourself with the things of God. If you are a Christian that's not living your life to the fullest as Jesus promised He would help us do if we follow Him (John 10:10). We so often get sidetracked by the physical world and rarely think of heaven. If we set our hearts and minds on heaven, and store up treasures in heaven instead of this earth then it will be a far more satisfying journey through this life (Matthew 6:20). When I say we I mean me as well! I can get so consumed with this present world and it's troubles and pleasures that heaven seems so far away. We must constantly pursue Jesus for if we stray but for a second we will plunge into the dark waters from whence we came (Matthew 14:22-33). Cling to Jesus my brothers and sisters for He is our only hope. If we place our hope in anything or anyone else we will quickly lose our way. He is the only source of true love. If the Holy Spirit runs in and through us we wll be able to love God and love others as Jesus commanded us to (Matthew 22:34-40).
What does it mean to love God? I don't want to go into details but ask yourself. Does my life and what I'm doing with it show that I love God? Stop what you're doing for a minute. Think about that question, and answer it truthfully in your mind.
Now what does it mean to love others? To love your neighbor as yourself. To bless those that persecute you. To do good to those that hurt you. That's crazy talk! That's not fair! That's the love of God. For what did Christ do for you and me? Even though we were enemies He still loved us and even died for us. So if we call ourselve disciples of Christ should we not do the same?
I know all this is heavy, but just remember that it's not about you. It's all for the glory and honor of our great God! Pray that He will give you the desire to pursue Him, then do it!
The Crazy Life
Check out this link. It's about an incident that occurred in Turkey on April 18, 2007. Three Christians lost their lives in pursuit of Christ. We must ask ourselves if we are willing to do the same. And, if we are, how are we living to show that commitment to Christ.
http://www.dennyburk.com/turkish-martyrs-men-of-whom-the-world-was-not-worthy/
http://www.dennyburk.com/turkish-martyrs-men-of-whom-the-world-was-not-worthy/
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Don't Waste Your Life
This is a music video by Lecrae, and the song is called "Don't Waste Your Life". The lyrics are below the video. Great stuff. Very talented artist that preaches the truth of the Gospel. Preach on Lecrae!
Don't wanna waste my life.
I know a lot of people out there scared they gone die. Couple of em thinking they'll be livin' in the sky, but while I'm here livin' man I gotta ask why? What am I here fo? I gotta figure out. Waste my life? No. I gotta make it count. If Christ is real then what am I gone do about everything in Luke 12:15 down to 21? You really oughta go and check it out. Paul said if Christ ain't resurrect then we wasted our lives. Well that implies that our life's built around Jesus being alive. Everyday I'm living tryin' show the world why Christ is more than everything you'll ever try. Better than pretty women and sinning and living to get a minute of any women and men that you admire. Ain't no lie.
We created for Him. Outta the dust He made us for Him. Elects us and He saves us for Him. Jesus comes and raises for Him. Magnify the Father! Why bother with something lesser? He made us so we could bless Him, and to the world we confess Him; resurrects Him. So I know I got life. Matter fact better man I know I got Christ! If you don't see His ways in my days and nights you can hit my brakes; you can stop my lights. Man I lost my rights. I lost my life. Forget the money cars and toss that ice. The cost is Christ, and they could never offer me anything on the planet that'll cost that price.
Armed and dangerous, so the devil jus can't handle us. Christian youth them a stand wid us. Livin' n driven, given a vision, fullfillin the commission He handed us. London to Los Angeles. Da rap evangelist. Ma daddy wouldn't abandon us. "I gotta back pack fulla tracts plus I keep a Johnny Mac". So are you ready to jam with us? So lets go. Gimme the Word an lets go! Persecution lets go. Tribulation lets go. Across the nation lets go. Procrastination bes go. Hung on the cross in the cold. Died for da young and the old. Can't say you never know. Heaven knows. How many souls are going to hell or to heaven? So we gotta go in and get'em!Whaaaaat!
Suffer. Yeah do it for Christ if you trying to figure what to do with your life. If you making a lot money hope you doing it right, because the money is Gods you better steward it right. Stay focused if you ain't got no ride. Your life ain't wrapped up in what you drive. The clothes you wear the job you work, the color your skin, naw you Christian first. People living life for a job. Make a lil money start living for a car. Get'em a house a wife kids and a dog. When they retire they living high on the hog, but guess what? They didn't ever really live at all. To live is Christ; yeah that's Paul I recall. To die is gain, so for Christ we give it all! He's the treasure you'll never find in the mall. Your money, your singleness, marriage, talent, and time. They were loaned to you to show the world that Christ is Divine. That's why it's Christ in my rhymes. That's why it's Christ all the time. See my whole world is built around Him He's the life in my lines. I refused to waste my life. He's too true ta chase that ice. Here's my gifts and time cause I'm constantly trying to be used to praise the Christ. If He's truly raised to life, then this news should change your life, and by His grace you can put your faith in place that rules your days and nights.
Don't wanna waste my life.
I know a lot of people out there scared they gone die. Couple of em thinking they'll be livin' in the sky, but while I'm here livin' man I gotta ask why? What am I here fo? I gotta figure out. Waste my life? No. I gotta make it count. If Christ is real then what am I gone do about everything in Luke 12:15 down to 21? You really oughta go and check it out. Paul said if Christ ain't resurrect then we wasted our lives. Well that implies that our life's built around Jesus being alive. Everyday I'm living tryin' show the world why Christ is more than everything you'll ever try. Better than pretty women and sinning and living to get a minute of any women and men that you admire. Ain't no lie.
We created for Him. Outta the dust He made us for Him. Elects us and He saves us for Him. Jesus comes and raises for Him. Magnify the Father! Why bother with something lesser? He made us so we could bless Him, and to the world we confess Him; resurrects Him. So I know I got life. Matter fact better man I know I got Christ! If you don't see His ways in my days and nights you can hit my brakes; you can stop my lights. Man I lost my rights. I lost my life. Forget the money cars and toss that ice. The cost is Christ, and they could never offer me anything on the planet that'll cost that price.
Armed and dangerous, so the devil jus can't handle us. Christian youth them a stand wid us. Livin' n driven, given a vision, fullfillin the commission He handed us. London to Los Angeles. Da rap evangelist. Ma daddy wouldn't abandon us. "I gotta back pack fulla tracts plus I keep a Johnny Mac". So are you ready to jam with us? So lets go. Gimme the Word an lets go! Persecution lets go. Tribulation lets go. Across the nation lets go. Procrastination bes go. Hung on the cross in the cold. Died for da young and the old. Can't say you never know. Heaven knows. How many souls are going to hell or to heaven? So we gotta go in and get'em!Whaaaaat!
Suffer. Yeah do it for Christ if you trying to figure what to do with your life. If you making a lot money hope you doing it right, because the money is Gods you better steward it right. Stay focused if you ain't got no ride. Your life ain't wrapped up in what you drive. The clothes you wear the job you work, the color your skin, naw you Christian first. People living life for a job. Make a lil money start living for a car. Get'em a house a wife kids and a dog. When they retire they living high on the hog, but guess what? They didn't ever really live at all. To live is Christ; yeah that's Paul I recall. To die is gain, so for Christ we give it all! He's the treasure you'll never find in the mall. Your money, your singleness, marriage, talent, and time. They were loaned to you to show the world that Christ is Divine. That's why it's Christ in my rhymes. That's why it's Christ all the time. See my whole world is built around Him He's the life in my lines. I refused to waste my life. He's too true ta chase that ice. Here's my gifts and time cause I'm constantly trying to be used to praise the Christ. If He's truly raised to life, then this news should change your life, and by His grace you can put your faith in place that rules your days and nights.
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