The other night, I searched through Netflix looking for a new series to watch. I love suspense-filled dramas and action, so typically I look in these genres first. I stumbled across a 4.5 star rated television series, The Walking Dead. The show description seemed interesting and worthy of my ‘lying in the bed’ downtime; so I gave it ‘a shot’. Wow! It provided quite the entertainment. By the second episode, I was intensely grabbing my phone with sweaty hands, while kicking my feet and loudly calling the victims ‘fools’ for not doing what I told them.
After my wife had completed her nightly ritual, she jumped in bed, leaned over for a goodnight kiss, and quietly asked if I wanted to pray. Absolutely, it’s the norm. We always start with thanksgiving, and then move to specific requests of needs for us and others. Occasionally, we will pray for a good night’s sleep; as I did this particular night. Well, guess what, I didn’t sleep well at all. For some strange reason, I dreamt of zombies all night. “Come on God, I prayed for rest. Why didn’t you deliver ‘God of Peace’? I had to work all day on 6 hours of interrupted sleep.”
Rhetorical question alert: Why was my prayer for rest not fulfilled?
I was delusional to thought that sleep would be peaceful. My mental state was affected by a bad decision. There’s no way of reaping long-term benefits from polluting your mind, body, spirit, soul, and relationships. Prayer isn’t a guaranteed solution to override bad choices. However, godly living can prevent most, if not all, miserable results.
If you desire health in any area of your life, start with foundational principles which lead to success. Verbally professing a conditional promise of God (scripture) with contradicting actions is pointless. Yes, faith is the substance of things hope for; however, praying for (something) when your lifestyle reflects (nothing) is absurd. For example, overindulging in areas, which God has given us freedom through Jesus Christ to enjoy, can lead to death/disaster. There are so many examples which I could provide from my own past mistakes to current ones. We daily face crossroads were the decision to place God’s foundation first is optional. Not knowing what the bible says about life is a personal problem. In life, ignorance is not bliss. What you don’t know – can hurt you. You may be praying for something, that the bible has already informed is the opposite will of God. Yet, your lack of discipline to get the information you need is holding you back from acting on and receiving God’s promise.
According to Genesis, God breathe his life into man and he became a living creature. God is still breathing through his word (the Bible). If you are not allowing it to change your lifestyle, you could become ‘The Walking Dead’.
Start here for foundation regarding your spiritual health.
http://www.intouch.org/resources/all-things-are-new/content/topic/how_do_i_accept_jesus_as_my_savior_all_things
Monday, July 30, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
A Slow Progression
Last night I read a story about an ex-pastor who turned atheist. Quite frankly, I was not surprised by the article, but more mindful of a statement. When asked about her loss of faith, she responded,”… it was very, very gradual. Actually there's not really one single moment where I can look back and say ah, that was the moment. It was kind of a slow progression.”
After reading her reasoning, I almost discontinued reading the article because the remaining words seemed redundant. I immediately recognized that this can happen too many, including myself. No one is free from losing their faith. Inactivity in pursuing an on-going relationship with God is a surefire precursor for disbelief of Scripture. Plenty of analogies and life stories are relevant in proving this as fact.
Every man and woman is daily granted the opportunity to serve the Lord through their actions and words. The more faith you have in God, the more apt you are to please Him. The ‘slow progression’ begins with your actions of disbelief. If you believe God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him- you are going to seek Him! If you believe God gives grace to the humble and mocks the proud – you more than likely will not be too boastful! If you believe that anyone who does not provide for his household is worse than an unbeliever- you are going to provide! The list goes on.
Becoming an atheist starts with deciding to do the opposite of what God says without expecting consequences. It’s hard to argue belief in God, while living a life contrary of His encouragements. Without faith, it’s impossible to please Him. Sometimes, there are no proofs – simply scripture and the guidance of His Spirit. Your trust combined with actions determines your belief status. Faith alone is not enough.
James 2:19-24 (Amplified Version) reads the following:
You believe that God is one… So do the demons believe and shudder…!
Are you willing to be shown, you foolish fellow, that faith apart from works is inactive and ineffective and worthless?
Was not our forefather Abraham justified (made acceptable to God) by [his] works when he brought to the altar as an offering his [own] son Isaac?
You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works.
And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God’s will in thought and deed), and he was called God’s friend.
You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes].
Do not allow your faith to be mocked by your actions. Choose to grow in the Lord by better understanding and acting on His word. It’s truthfully better to take small steps towards him that thoughtlessly ‘backpedaling’ away from Him.
Stay alert and encouraged!
After reading her reasoning, I almost discontinued reading the article because the remaining words seemed redundant. I immediately recognized that this can happen too many, including myself. No one is free from losing their faith. Inactivity in pursuing an on-going relationship with God is a surefire precursor for disbelief of Scripture. Plenty of analogies and life stories are relevant in proving this as fact.
Every man and woman is daily granted the opportunity to serve the Lord through their actions and words. The more faith you have in God, the more apt you are to please Him. The ‘slow progression’ begins with your actions of disbelief. If you believe God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him- you are going to seek Him! If you believe God gives grace to the humble and mocks the proud – you more than likely will not be too boastful! If you believe that anyone who does not provide for his household is worse than an unbeliever- you are going to provide! The list goes on.
Becoming an atheist starts with deciding to do the opposite of what God says without expecting consequences. It’s hard to argue belief in God, while living a life contrary of His encouragements. Without faith, it’s impossible to please Him. Sometimes, there are no proofs – simply scripture and the guidance of His Spirit. Your trust combined with actions determines your belief status. Faith alone is not enough.
James 2:19-24 (Amplified Version) reads the following:
You believe that God is one… So do the demons believe and shudder…!
Are you willing to be shown, you foolish fellow, that faith apart from works is inactive and ineffective and worthless?
Was not our forefather Abraham justified (made acceptable to God) by [his] works when he brought to the altar as an offering his [own] son Isaac?
You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works.
And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God’s will in thought and deed), and he was called God’s friend.
You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes].
Do not allow your faith to be mocked by your actions. Choose to grow in the Lord by better understanding and acting on His word. It’s truthfully better to take small steps towards him that thoughtlessly ‘backpedaling’ away from Him.
Stay alert and encouraged!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)