*** If You don't Stand for something, You'll surely Fall for ANYTHING ***
Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Posted in Faithful Contemplations

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

 Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.      James 5:7-12

I've been enjoying re-reading James again.  It's been of great insight and comfort to me.  Though I have much still to learn, I'm confident I'm EXACTLY where He wants me to be.

Patience certainely isn't a virtue I've taken to much.  I'm sure many can say that as well.  For me, I need to get things done quickly, efficiently and have everything planned out down to the last agenda.  It makes for a pretty stressful time.  However, I'm learning it's OK to be flexible.  Something that with time is allowing me to LIVE life the way God has intended.  Flexibility reminds me of the moment Mary and Martha were in Jesus' company and Martha just HAD to get things done to perfection. 

In the meantime, she was missing out on the important things. She fell prey to slavery through her anal list of "what NEEDS to get done", instead of prioritizing and taking advantage of what IS of main importance.

I am Martha.

Grumbling.  Hmm, that's honestly been another sore spot.  I've had such a hard time understanding what it is to be a Christian.  I've been left SO confused these days that I've just decided to continue to seek God through it all and never mind all the different accusations each religion has argued about concerning non-essentials.

However, the main Focus of Gods word, tells us that the ONLY way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ.  John 14:6  Confessing with our mouths that Jesus was born of a Virgin, suffered for our sins, literally died a horrible death on the cross, and fulfilled Gods word in the scriptures when He rose again and lives within us today.

That is something I will NEVER falter with.  I KNOW He's Lord. I need not pray to another.  My relationship is with Christ and I honestly feel so close to Him.  Nobody knows me inside and out like Him, Nobody has loved me even close to the way He does, Nobody has ever loved me without condition but Him. 

He even hand-picked my husband, who not only was created in His image...but who chooses to be an example of Christ.  No, he's not always perfect, but he's the first man aside from God, who loves me for who I am, is patient, gentle, loving and kind.  He was the first man to give me a Bible, to read with me and help me understand what the words meant (this was when we were only friends) and who continues to pray with me each night.  Something that just drove me to be even more inlove with him, is walking down the stairs in the morning to find him deeply in thought with the scripture he's reading.  His excitement about God, evangelizing with those around us and the books by such authors as Ravi Zachariaus just leaves me with great joy that God thought he was the right man for me.  I don't deserve a loving God, nor do I deserve my wonderful husband, but the lovingkindness of the Lord and the openess to love completely with my husband, just make my cup runneth over.

Learn to say "Yes" Or "No".  As His word tells us in James.  We shouldn't swear on the Bible or that anything we say or do is good.  We should say what we mean, and mean what we say. Yes, or No.  There's no grey area.

There's too many people willing to be wishy washy and unable stand for what they, themselves believe in.  Always worried what others think or afraid they'll affend everyone with what they know is Truth, but share truthiness instead. 

God also tells us in Revelations 3:16

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Very eye opening thought in Gods Words.  However, in a time like today, when everything seems so unpredictable and scarey, we know God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

We MUST know what we stand for and be able to share in our own words with scripture to back us up. Read Gods Word daily, understanding each context (again by continuing to study and read) and taking the contexts as they are.  To teach those who are open to the Truth of Gods great plan, plant seeds for God Himself, to grow and to love everyone no matter how much they hurt us or deny Christ. 

My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.  James 5:19-20

This of course means doing so with tact, gentleness and lots of love. Reminding ourselves that without Christ, we wouldn't be saved by His grace and able to stand with God in Heaven one day.

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - I enjoyed..

Posted by hmfarris

I enjoyed your post. It is nice to read something uplifting instead of doom and gloom. I feel like we should be rejoicing that the end is getting closer, not worrying. Thank you for the encouragment, instead of giving us more gloomy thoughts.

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