On Wednesday of this week, it was time for an eye exam. The room was set up with all types of great instruments to look deeply into my eyes and after thirty questions, like 1 or 2, 3 or 4, they determined my prescription. There was an assessment reached that my eyes were short of perfect and that assistance would be needed in order to see 20/20 and read more comfortably.
As the exam was being administered my mind wandered to the things of God. Maybe we should have an I-exam regularly. Are we seeing things 20/20 in God's view or do we need some assistance? There is a Spirit inside of every believer that directs our paths, yet there can be a failure to see properly. Proverb 3:5-6 teaches that we are to trust in God, and not lean on our own understanding. I problem. Do you see it?
As a young man, far younger than I am now, there really wasn't an I-problem in my mind. Understand that my whole life existed completely for me and my happiness; there wasn't much I worried about but myself. No problem, that was who and what I was at the time.
I wanted to improve myself, self-examine myself, please myself, grow myself, and tell others how great myself was in all things in all ways. Unfortunately, that also included a time factor most, if not all, of the time. I, I , I all the time.
At about 25 years old, the I was not producing the happiness factor to the degree that I, myself, desired and in fact there was disappointment and a feeling of being lost. A mentor lead me to accept Christ. Please understand there wasn't much room in my heart for Christ at this time. There was a lot of self-love and it was seeking to starve the new found Holy Spirit in me.
Hebrews 12:2 states, "... fixing our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith."(NIV) If we are honest with ourselves we all have I-problems, our I's are usually fixated on self. We all need to accept the corrective lens of the Holy Spirit and submit our pride to Jesus.
The simple fact is that once we accept the lack of focus, and move the I out of our heart and mind, the Spirit is able to grow and change us. Ephesians 4:30 tells us "do not grieve the Holy Spirit, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." (NIV) We need to focus on Him alone. Seek His ways and die to the I's.
My prayer for you (for me) is that we are able to see better the work of Christ. To see that we all have an I-problem, and need to go to another and have it evaluated regularly. Then we can accept the prescription and improve our God view and allow it to be our only view.
So get the I out of your eye, and let your heart fully and completely belong to God.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Friday, November 27, 2015
Thankful for my Wife
Today as my reflection is focused on what is true thankfulness; there is a beautiful picture of what God did in my life to show me what true love is and how it exists. You see when I look back at my past and search the decades of growth and lessons, it came apparent to me that God wanted me to learn what love really was.
There is no reason on earth that my wife should be with me. There was a man there before God said enough was enough. Selfishness ruled my life. Life and its many temptations ruled by thoughts. There was nothing to love about me.
In my teens, my future started to take shape and the concept of love wasn't a Godly one. It consisted of me thinking that the more I did and the more money that I accumulated would somehow equate to being more loved. In my twenties, the belief that career success and bank account growth was all that mattered. Working 12-16 hour days in order to achieve the "easy life" would benefit my family. What I accomplished was not knowing any of my family.
You see, the belief that when I did things that were "good", I would be loved. So, therefore, it appeared to me that I was entitled and deserved many things. Because I was good in my mind. The reality was that I chased idols. Money, sex, control, and success were my thoughts in order to achieve that comfortable place where I would be loved and be loving.
In my thirties, God started to give me clues that were hidden to me. He allowed me to experience financial loss, marital destruction, and the loss of intimate relationship with people. I thought that because good things were done by me to others that the shallow display of love was going to grant me access to the desires of my heart.
Psalm 37:4 states, " Delight in the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart." What is delighting in the Lord, a mentor asked me. The concept wasn't really important to me, because life was good to me. The focus of materialism and wealth were much more important to me.
Today, the reality of God is the focus of my attention. God gifted me a second chance, maybe in reality it was a 1000th chance. He is so good. God granted me the lesson that love is eternal and it exists in Him, and because of Him alone. When my life started to focus on pleasing Him; obeying Him and Him alone, then life started to offer fulfillment to my soul. You see I need to put Him first in all things, not just the things that I wished for.
My wife is a Christian. She is the person that God used to show me, to teach me what love really is in this life. You must understand that there is no reason for her to love me. I am unlovable. She is a child of God, a strong woman, that surrendered to God. She knew that God created a partnership with her and myself, bound by Him.
Today it is clear to me that she was used by God to have me focus on Him and Him alone. Thanks to my dear wife, I am walking in the Light.
Thank you Jesus.
There is no reason on earth that my wife should be with me. There was a man there before God said enough was enough. Selfishness ruled my life. Life and its many temptations ruled by thoughts. There was nothing to love about me.
In my teens, my future started to take shape and the concept of love wasn't a Godly one. It consisted of me thinking that the more I did and the more money that I accumulated would somehow equate to being more loved. In my twenties, the belief that career success and bank account growth was all that mattered. Working 12-16 hour days in order to achieve the "easy life" would benefit my family. What I accomplished was not knowing any of my family.
You see, the belief that when I did things that were "good", I would be loved. So, therefore, it appeared to me that I was entitled and deserved many things. Because I was good in my mind. The reality was that I chased idols. Money, sex, control, and success were my thoughts in order to achieve that comfortable place where I would be loved and be loving.
In my thirties, God started to give me clues that were hidden to me. He allowed me to experience financial loss, marital destruction, and the loss of intimate relationship with people. I thought that because good things were done by me to others that the shallow display of love was going to grant me access to the desires of my heart.
Psalm 37:4 states, " Delight in the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart." What is delighting in the Lord, a mentor asked me. The concept wasn't really important to me, because life was good to me. The focus of materialism and wealth were much more important to me.
Today, the reality of God is the focus of my attention. God gifted me a second chance, maybe in reality it was a 1000th chance. He is so good. God granted me the lesson that love is eternal and it exists in Him, and because of Him alone. When my life started to focus on pleasing Him; obeying Him and Him alone, then life started to offer fulfillment to my soul. You see I need to put Him first in all things, not just the things that I wished for.
My wife is a Christian. She is the person that God used to show me, to teach me what love really is in this life. You must understand that there is no reason for her to love me. I am unlovable. She is a child of God, a strong woman, that surrendered to God. She knew that God created a partnership with her and myself, bound by Him.
Today it is clear to me that she was used by God to have me focus on Him and Him alone. Thanks to my dear wife, I am walking in the Light.
Thank you Jesus.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Romans 2
Rom 2..
It is Not those that only hear the Word that are counted righteous, but those that obey the Word that are declared righteous
Friends going to church isn't the only part. It is important for worship, growth and fellowship for God and other believers. It is being with God 24/7 365 that is the sign of a believer.
Hearing the Word is the oil that make the machine hum, yet you have to let... God through the Holy Spirit change your engine. One part at a time. It is a surrender of our will.
I can watch video, read a manual, and stare at my car engine, I can even go visit the garage, but for me to have it truly repaired.... I need to surrender it to a mechanic.
God is that ultimate mechanic. God alone can fix the problem. God wants to fix it.
Don't just talk about getting fixed. Fix it!
Surrender your life to Christ Jesus. Believe in Him. Repent of your sins and be free. God grows joy, not just happiness.
Going all in for Christ isn't meant to be easy for it is by grace alone we are saved.
We aren't meant to walk the easy path, we are to grow strong in the tough terrain. Knowing God is always with us!
God wants to be with you forever
Amen
written by and borrowed from Pastor Thomas Kulp
Friday, November 8, 2013
Things
Most of my life was lived with a sense of what is the next great thing that I can accomplish. What is that next great thing to own?
A year or two ago I moved across the country and in doing so knew that I would be facing a different culture. This culture had the rap of property theft. As I thought about this, the Holy Spirit laid upon me that nothing in my truck or the moving van was really mine.
I am nothing but a steward of ALL things that are given to me.
My thoughts of loss turned to thoughts of blessings. These things are only temporary in all ways. God granted me access to them so that I may serve Him and to delight in the things of this world that HE provides.
What a great process to see all things as gifts, to see the blessing of God in all things.
Today my challenge is to remind others of the temporariness of all things. See things in life as blessings.
After all, if you are saved, a child of the one true God, then no one on this earth can take the one thing that you have, sealed with the Holy Spirit in you. That one thing is your salvation in Christ Jesus.
Amen, Today see the blessings in all things.
Thomas
A year or two ago I moved across the country and in doing so knew that I would be facing a different culture. This culture had the rap of property theft. As I thought about this, the Holy Spirit laid upon me that nothing in my truck or the moving van was really mine.
I am nothing but a steward of ALL things that are given to me.
My thoughts of loss turned to thoughts of blessings. These things are only temporary in all ways. God granted me access to them so that I may serve Him and to delight in the things of this world that HE provides.
What a great process to see all things as gifts, to see the blessing of God in all things.
Today my challenge is to remind others of the temporariness of all things. See things in life as blessings.
After all, if you are saved, a child of the one true God, then no one on this earth can take the one thing that you have, sealed with the Holy Spirit in you. That one thing is your salvation in Christ Jesus.
Amen, Today see the blessings in all things.
Thomas
Monday, December 24, 2012
Reason for the Season
Sometimes in our weakest moments we can find a reminder that God is with us.
At the top of our tallest mountains in life, God is there. He was there all along, yet many times it would seem the teacher is quietest during the test. God is with us. As we mature as Christians and study His Word, allowing it to transform us, we will learn deeper and deeper the grace that He extended to us.
Today focus on the real gift of Christmas, our Saviour's celebrated birth. We can be like the wiseman and give gifts to others to glorify the giving that came first from our Lord.
Bless you and keep the reason for the season, foremost in all that you do.
Jesus Lives.
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