Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘not of this world’

The biggest problem in our life is how busy we have become.  I think a better word for it is “distracted”.  We are so “distracted” as a society that we literally have to carve out “minutes” for different required activities.

Have you ever “scheduled” or blocked time on your calendar for Lunch?  How about to read emails, call your spouse, your mom or dad?  How about being double booked or triple booked?  what does your time after work look like?  Kids activities?  Sports teams or events?  Hobbies?  Exercise & Fitness?  How many time-management books or video’s have you read or seen?  How about reading God’s word?  Not so much?  How about a devotional?  Maybe, the “one minute” devotions for active Christians?

What does it really mean to be “Not of this world” or to “not conform to this world:?  If you made two lists and on one side you placed all the things you do to advance your career, relationships, image, entertainment, finances or status in this world on one side and everything you do to grow you relationship with God and advance His kingdom on the other, what would it look like?  (Now jot the time spent on each next to each.)

With that sort of balance, which world do you think you “belong” to most?

We know we give our time to what we “value” most.  Where are you giving your time based on that list?  If your list is very lopsided to this world in both activities and time, you are definitely not alone.  If you step back and look around you will see that very few have stepped out of this-worldly race to occupy their time with things not of this world. This may be why when you look at the church these days, it doesn’t look much different from the secular world.  Unbelievers see that too and cry hypocrisy.

It takes a lot of work to unplug and separate from the chaos.  But it is so worth it.  The peace and fulfillment are at a whole new level.  Joy will return to your life slowly but surely.  You will need to guard it every day, it is a constant battle against Satan himself to “distract” us from God and His purpose for our lives.  We will get knocked off course, but we have to get back up and on course.

We desperately need to do this.  We need to slow down, quiet our lives, and be still.  Read God’s word, not a verse or two but chapters.  We need to ponder it, muse, pray for discernment and understanding.  God promises if you seek you will find and understand His purpose for you.  This is a daily activity.  Take up your cross daily!

We are called to “Be Still and know that I am God.”  We need to slow down, as this world is speeding up.

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

myblessedhope

_________________________________________________________________

Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

Read Full Post »

Amazing message.

Over the last few months the verse “Not of this world but living in this world…” has been running through my head constantly.  It has been somewhat may mantra these days and a reminder of my (our) calling.

John 15:19
If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Maranatha Lord, come quickly!

-myblessedhope

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

Read Full Post »

I think we all have felt this at some point throughout our week over the last year.

The feeling of being alone yet surrounded.  Great message…

Maranatha, Lord come quickly!

_________________________________________________________________

Surrounded Alone

By Deborah Jackson


The title in itself is an oxymoron. Yet, that appears to be the position of the Christian today.  Surrounded by a faceless world in this dark, unfamiliar tunnel we move one day closer to the glowing light on the other end.
“For now we see through a glass, darkly but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known”  (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Though it should be so, it seems there is no longer a driving desire to minister to the lost in expectation of a clueless reaction.  It is more of a fight to survive the race and press forward.  People are angry for no reason.  People are hurtful without cause. Doing the “right thing” has escaped even the elder generation, the one generation that you thought you could count on.
There are loud voices everywhere haunting you with their perspective version of how all things evil are acceptable and in the same attempt trying to somehow justify it. God is love? Yes, He is. But I am pretty sure that he is not a happy God.
The old theory was to look for the best in people.  However, today, we see more of the worst right up front and when you meet a genuine person you are pleasantly surprised.  Although somewhat overshadowed, this in no way means that we are not amongst a multitude of Christians in this world.
God has not changed. Genuine Christians have not wavered. Jesus is still coming back.

So where do we go from here? As believers we have nothing to fear: Our future is secure.  Every, thread of our existence is still right in the palm of His hand.  If God did not know what is going to happen tomorrow, how could we trust our God today?  Our lives are filled with what ifs and daily losing control of things that were once just, “routine.” Yet while we may be surrounded “alone,” our faith still holds.
”For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
All that remains for us is to daily ask Him, “What do you need me to do or where do you want me to go today?”  For every soul that the Spirit is calling to Christ, there is someone in their path with the convincing message of amazing grace and salvation.

 

_________________________________________________________________

Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

Read Full Post »