LOVE = OBEDIENCE AND SACRIFICE

 Good Afternoon to All!

Have you ever thought about how easy we have it?  I'm talking about being obedient to God.  In the Old Testament, there are many examples, but several really brought how easy we have it home to me.  God has Never asked me to place any of my loved ones on an altar and kill them.  He has Never told me to just up and leave my home country and everything behind.  He definitely has Never made me be in charge of leading millions of people out of bondage.  

In the New Testament, He does give us many commands and expects us to obey them IF WE LOVE HIM.
KEEP His commandments.  This is according to John 14:15.  This does not mean just following the "big" Ten. 

If you will notice, you won't find anywhere in the Bible where He asks us to do anything, or even make a suggestion.  It is always a statement, which in turn is another word for command.  He never says "will you please..., or it would be nice it you would.....  It is always do this or that.  

Again, He tells us "if you love Me, keep my commandments.  He tells us to "enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. (Psalm 100:4)  He told Peter to tell the people to Repent, be baptized everyone of you in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST for the remission of your sins and you SHALL receive the Holy Ghost.  (Acts 2:38)  

If we love Him, WE need to take the initiative and make the effort to show Him.  As one example, in Exodus 3:1-4, Moses came to the Mountain of Horeb.  He notices the bush is burning, so he looks a little closer only to see that it is not being consumed.  It says that he said I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.  This tells me that he is curious, wants to involve himself more and shows more interest.  God told him to take off his shoes because he was on holy ground, so he did just that showing the willingness to please God.  He wants us to show that extra willingness to please Him.  
 Just as we go out of our way to please our loved ones and spouses, we should do as much or MORE for him.

We are to make that extra effort. God will not force us to do anything.  It has to come from within us.  If we want His help, We have to step up and ask Him.  We also have to show our faith in Him that He will do whatever it is that we need.   Just as in healing.  God is a healer, but WE MUST put up the effort to believe that He will do it.  After all, on the Cross, His last words were "IT IS FINISHED".  Meaning He has done His part. Now it's up to us to believe and have faith in Him.

He doesn't want us to read His Word like it is no different than a newspaper or a magazine.  He wants us to take an interest in it and study it so that we can learn more about Him, and the way He wants us to live. 

A relationship is impossible to have without knowing each other.  He knows us so well that He knows the number of hairs on our head.  His word tells us that He knew us before we were born (hows that for those people that don't think fetus' are babies?) That right there tells me that I need to get to know Him better, which means reading and studying His Word, praying and carrying on conversations with Him.  

We are in the last days.  His time is definitely drawing nigh.  Just listen to the news and study your Bible and you will see how close we truly are.  

God loves sacrifice and He loves obedience.  Therefore, we must give Him both.  Disobedience is a sin and as we all know, sin is not allowed in heaven.  Think about that one. 

I know this post was a bit all over the place, but I had so many thoughts roaming around in my head that I wanted to talk about them all.  LOL!

Have a Wonderful Afternoon and Evening, and May God Bless!

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"GOD SACRIFICED HIMSELF, WHAT DO YOU SACRIFICE?"

(6) With what shall I come before the LORD,
And bow myself before the High
God?
Shall I come before Him with burnt
offerings,
With calves a year old?
(7) Will the LORD be pleased with
thousands of rams,
Ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
The fruit of my body for the sin of
my soul?
(8) He has shown you, O man, what is
good;
And what does the LORD require of
you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
(9) The Lord's voice cries to the city--
Wisdom shall see your Name
(Micah 6:6-9 NKJV)

While the above passage sounds beautiful, indulge me and let me restate it according to The Message Bible.

(6-7) How can I stand up before God and show proper respect to the High God? Should I bring an armload of offerings topped off with yearling calves? Would God be impressed with thousands of rams, with buckets and barrels of olive oil? Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child, my precious baby, to cancel my sin?

(8) But he's already made it plan how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple:
Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously--take God seriously.

(9) Attention! God calls out to the city! If you know what's good for you, you'll listen.
(Micah 6:6-9 The Message)

In the Old Testament, there were MANY sacrifices offered to the Lord. I looked them up but there are too many to include in this post. There were atonement sacrifices, peace sacrifices and many others. There were many different types of sacrifices using many different animals depending on what the sacrifice was for. There were many different "rules for making that sacrifice.

I am so glad that God sacrificed His Son to wash my sins away. I don't have to worry about remembering all of the different specifications. This poor little brain can't remember what I had for breakfast this morning.

The types of sacrifices that we are to give God today, are of ourselves. Our total devotion, our worship, our praise.Hebrews 13:15 states "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name".

We are to sacrifice our time for such things as reading His Word, praying, spending time with Him. Matthew 25:40-- And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. We are to sacrifice in the way of our tithes. God even says in His Word that if we neglect tithing to Him we are robbing Him. Malachi 3:8 says "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings".

There are many other ways to sacrifice to God, but I don't thing the specifications are as rigid as they were before, because Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice.

What God wants from us more than anything is to live a faithful life, and spend time with Him in prayer and His Word DAILY. We must walk humbly. As humans we are prideful. we need to keep that pride in check and realize that we cannot do anything on our own. We need God with us at ALL TIMES. We have to remember that we all have fallen short of the glory of God. We all have faults and shortcomings. God has a lot to teach us. We can definitely learn from Him.

We must remember we cannot please God without Faith. We must also show kindness and mercy. If we will get a picture of Jesus in our mind, and remember how he interacted with people, that is the way we are supposed to "strive" to be. We need to consciously treat others gently, kindly, and forgive those who hurt us. Keep in mind at ALL TIMES that God cannot forgive those who will not forgive others. Unforgiveness is a sin, and no sin is allowed in heaven.

We must also treat others fairly. To be respectful to others and act honorably. God speaks of integrity and says that A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1) and A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. (Ecclesiastes 7:1). The way to keep a good name is to treat people as stated earlier. We do this because they were made by God.

When we do as God says and treat people the way we should, it pleases Him, and when we please Him it makes us happier so we are better people ourselves as well as becoming closer to God, and developing a deeper relationship with Him. Draw nigh to Him and He will draw nigh to us.

As an afterthought, I wonder if God put such an emphasis on tithing because He knew that money would be so near and dear to us that we would have a hard time letting go of even 10 percent of it. Of course I know in Biblical times tithing was pretty much animals, or crops anything of increase.

Although, He also sees from End to the Beginning. A thought to ponder.

Good Night to All and May God Bless!

"CHRISTLIKENESS OF CHARACTER" Part 5

Good Afternoon to All!

As I said last night, I wanted to go ahead ans conclude my series on "Christlikeness of Character" today, so that later, I can also post the Bible Seed lesson.

We shall continue this series with "Peace" -- Peace Comes from God and is evidence of the rule of the Messiah--whose character as the "Prince of Peace" For unto us a child is born, for unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)

Now in this last scripture, according to my Rainbow KJV Bible, we are talking about the Peace that comes through Salvation. That's what "saints" are. People who have been saved and sanctified through Christ. By sanctified, I mean "set apart" for a holy purpose. Those who have decided to live their lives for God. To be "in the world but not "of the world. We can live in the world but not adhere to what the world does. The "liberal thinking" accepting of all things and practices that we know are not of God. Practices that if we look them up in the Bible it would NOT line up with the Word of God. OOPS There went another rabbits trail! Sorry, I'll get back on track.

Peace.....Now The Messiah, whose character as the Prince of Peace" waits to instill the settledness of His own rule in our souls. Just as the saving power of His death and resurrection makes it possible for us to have peace with God. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (being reconciled to Him, Romans. 5:1), The indwelling of His life and character through the Holy Spirit's work in our lives is intended to help us learn to abide in the peace of God. Jesus said to His disciples, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid". (John 14:27)

Surrender to His will and submission to His Word will bring inner rest, as we allow the peace of God to "rule" in our hearts, that is to let God's peace act as umpire (1) over decisions that would trouble you, (2) overruling doubts that would disturb you, and (3) overthrowing the Adversary's lies that would defeat or deter you. Perfect peace peace is available when the heart and mind keep focused on God's promise, power, and presence. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (Col. 3:15),
Trust Him . Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.(Isaiah 26:3).

9. "Sacrifice" Before I start this topic, I would like to say a few words. Too many times have I heard people talk about Christians having to sacrifice too much to live for God. Having to "watch how we treat people, what we say, what we do, watch or listen to, and how we dress. Yes, if we wholeheartedly live according to God's word, to those of the "world" it may seem like a sacrifice, but to us it is not. We enjoy pleasing God. We realize what He has done for us so anything we do for Him is not a sacrifice.

As far as sacrificing time or money, they are not ours in the first place. He provided them to us. Yet as far as money goes, all He requires us to give Him is 10 percent of our increase. We get to keep 90 percent! Try doing that at the bank! LOL! Our time is borrowed from Him. We need to give time back to Him also. Really, the only thing we can give Him that He didn't give us in the first place is our sacrifice of Praise and Worship, and even then we get so much back. I know when I am standing at that altar singing for Him and praising His name with uplifted hands I get such a wonderful feeling inside.

The sacrifice of praise and worship sends up a sweet spiritual aroma like incense to God. I know He is there with me and in me. -- And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Mark 8:34) Growing in the likeness of Christ requires that we be willing to lay down our lives and take up our cross daily. it regularly confronts the human insistence on our own will, way and wants. But even as Jesus laid down His life for us, He invites us to lay down ours for His. It is not an equal exchange. he died to do for us what we could never do for ourselves--to save us and give us eternal life.

When we sacrifice for Him, that opens the way for His life to reveal even more of the glory of His way and will--to discover new dimensions of eternal love and liberty that bring freedom form bondage to our self-life. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:15) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father. (18)

With everything that Christ has done for us, we should be willing to change our lives for Him and live for Him. We should be willing to give up the "ways of the world" and follow Him. As Paul said , "I die daily". He wasn't talking literally, although if it came to that I feel we should as that is exactly what Christ did for us. He was talking about changing his old ways. Living the way he should and following Christ's example. It is an on-going process.

None of us will ever be able to "measure up to Christ, but His likeness is attainable. After all we are made in God's image, are we not? His likeness does not mean a "replica"of Him. It means to be "like" Him. Not He Himself. We won't be able to attain His sinlessness. That is impossible for us as humans, but we can take on His characteristics, such as being kind to others, to be loving, and generous.

All we can do is to strive to do so and take on His attributes, even though we know we will fall sometimes. We just have to get back up, ask for forgiveness and not do the same thing again. This is what I call "falling toward God" instead of away from. Back to baptism. I get so frustrated when I hear people saying "water baptism" isn't necessary anymore, it is just symbolism. That really gets my dander up because that symbolism is required by God. Jesus got baptised in water and in Spirit and we are to follow His example. That water baptism is our sins being washed away by Jesus' blood. It is us being "buried with Christ" and reconciled to God, and receiving the Holy Spirit is required also. It is a promise from God.

He said in Acts 2:38, Repent, be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. It doesn't say you can, you might , or maybe, it says you SHALL.

The Bible also says that Jesus told Nicodemus unless He was born of the Water and of the Spirit, he could not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

Now, I know that was another rabbit trail, but baptism is SO VERY IMPORTANT. If I don't get that across to my readers, then I will have failed, and will be accountable to God. I don't want to get to heaven and have God look at me and say "Why didn't you push harder about the Baptism of Water and Spirit" you knew how important that was. You knew it was a "saved or not saved" issue.

Also, just a little food for thought here. As far as immersions versus sprinkling on the head. Now PLEASE DON'T GET ANGRY OR UPSET WITH ME FOR SAYING THIS. I feel it in the Holy Ghost that it needs to be said. When we are baptized in water, the purpose is to wash away our sins. Have you ever gotten clean by sprinkling water on yourself? Think of water baptism as a bath to cleanse you and wash away the sins ( like dirt) from your soul instead of the dirt on your body. Jesus was immersed in the water, John the Baptist did not sprinkle Him.
Matthew 3;16 says And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.

Ok, I'll get down off my soap box. As I said it's just food for thought.

This concludes this series of "Christlikeness of Character". I hope it helped someone.

Have a wonderful evening and May God Bless! I didn't realize how long this was going to be, so I will use this as my post tonight, and use the Bible Seed for another night. Thank you for being patient and again, God Bless.

Challenge Answers and "God Wants You!"

Good Afternoon to All!

I don't usually do Wednesday posts, but this week I am making an exception, as I have been having so many problems. We finally got our new modem today, and so far my computer is working even faster than it did originally.

The answers to the Bible Challenge on "Teachings 2" are as follows:

1. c) servants in the house of the Lord (Psalm 134)
2. c) heart (Proverbs 28:26
3. d) those who are merciful (Matthew 5:7)
4. b) wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15)
5. c) earthquakes (Matthew 24:7)
6. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you..." (John 15:7)
7. a) faith (Romans 1:17)
8. d) Mount Sinai (Galatians 4:24-25)
9. poisonous (James 3:8)
10. a) loveth (1 John 4:8)

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I'm sure you have heard the old adage "Uncle Sam wants you". Well, in this case, "God Wants You.

I appeal to you therefore, brethren and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies 'presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1 Amp. ver.)

I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (KJV)

Reference Verses: Thompson Chain-Reference Bible KJV-- Mortifying the flesh: Matt. 5:29, Romans 6:6, Galatians 5:16, Colossians 3:5, 1 Peter 4:2, 4:11, Self-Sacrifice--(The Duty of) Matt. 16:25, 19:21, Romans 4:21, 1 Cor. 10.24, Philippians 2:4 (There are many others on this subject. If you would like to know them e-mail me and I would be glad to look them up for you.

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God wants you! He wants full custody of your heart, not just visitation rights. People often complain that they pray in Jesus' name and nothing happens--but considering the amount of time they spend with Him, it's obvious they're only "dating" Him. I didn't get my husband's name until I married him. Jesus wants a marriage relationship with His church.

Intimacy with God encourages His power to work in our lives. We cannot view intimacy as all smiles and warm, fuzzy feelings. When a relationship is intimate, one person can speak correction to the other and complete honesty can flow between the two of them. In an intimate relationship with God, we have wonderful moments, but we also have moments when He calls us to honestly face things that need to change in our lives.

Some people haven't learned that their own breakthrough to peace happens when they submit to God and obey Him promptly. They are like unbroken colts resistant to a bridle and bit in their mouth, which could be sued by God to guide them to a place of security and provision.

Some people are not willing to let God have the reins of their lives. but they will never feel the security or peace they long for until they surrender themselves completely to the Holy Spirit. He wants you; let Him have all of you.

God's Word For You Tonight: Give God full custody of your life.

Our God is NOT a part-time God. He gives us His full attention at all times and wants us to do the same. He wants all of us, not just what we think He should have. In our human marital relationship we give all our love and attention to our spouses and children. God deserves the same or even more. God's Word tells us to place God first, family second and everything else last. If we put God first, this means to give Him our attention, our respect, and obey His commands. If we do this then HE will be a part of our lives that will flourish and will make our lives whole, happy and complete. A good part of this is self-sacrifice. His Word says our bodies are a temple. He dwells within us (if we have invited Him), and show our love for Him. We would no more want to live in a house that is full of "bugs, trash or mold, but by defiling our own bodies that is essentially what we are asking Him to do. Whether it is physical such as our addictions (alcohol, tobacco, or drugs), or our actions, such as fornication or what we put in our brains such as pornography, or evil movies ( such as witchcraft, sorcery, vampires etc.) it is all defiling our bodies. I know, I hear it from my hubby, ("but I know they aren't real!") It doesn't matter. What counts are the images which stick in a person's brain. I remember seeing the the Exorcist many years ago. I can still her head spinning around. I saw Carrie back in the 70's. I can still picture her walking down the street covered in blood and her big blue eyes standing out like some crazy person's. Now it has been 30 years and longer since I have seen these movies but I can remember them just like I saw them yesterday. I would give anything if I had not gone to see those movies. This is what I am talking about.

To be a living sacrifice, we need to look at Jesus' actions and even though we will never be able to measure up to His standards, God tells us to strive toward the mark. This is how we do it. Even if it's little things at a time, or one thing at a time. God realizes who we are and where we come from, so He will help us to do this if we ask Him.

Good Night and May God Bless!

Sacrifice From The Heart

Image by screenpunk via Flickr

Hey Everyone!

Tonight's post is taken from Genesis 22:15-18. (NIV)

The Angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me."

What excites me about tonight's post is the fact that I get to use my brand-new Thompson Chain-Reference Bible to research it. This Bible has given me several directions in which I can take from this verse. It tells me references for Divine Supplies such as when Abraham told Issac that God would provide a sacrifice for their altar. (Little did Issac know that God had told Abraham to sacrifice him. I sincerely believe that Abraham had the faith that when it came down to the wire, that God would not require him to kill his son, which God had allowed them to have. That I feel is probably the main reason Abraham carried through until God's angel stopped him. Not only that, but Abraham had known God long enough to know what blessings would come from obedience to Him.

That's the point I would like to elaborate on. Our personal sacrifices, obedience
and blessings. These are All intertwined. Anytime we obey God, our lives will be better for it. Not just in having material things, but in every aspect. When we sacrifice for God, He is not specifically talking just money. Yes, tithing is a VERY important part. Tithing is a command, not a request. One quick thought on that line and I will move on. First off, the key is obedience. He tells us to do something and expects us to do it. He also tells us that when we pay our tithes of 10%, that we will get back 100 fold. Luke 6:38 says Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. This is also considered a sacrifice.

God will definitely "return the favor". Just to share a little story, (I don't know if I have told this before or not). Years ago, before I got serious about my relationship with God, I was going to church just every once in a while. My neighbor's husband came over one day and asked me if I would mind taking his wife with me. I told him I would gladly do it, but I didn't know if I would be going because I was low on gasoline. He handed me $5.00 for gas. I took her and we went straight to church. (I still had a little gas, I just didn't know if it would make it there and back. Anyway, we got there and they happened to have a guest speaker. Naturally they took up a collection for him, so I gave 2 dollars. I figured that would leave me 3 for gas and back then it would go further than now days. A little while later, to my disappointment, they took up the regular offering. At the time, I was thinking (if I had known there were going to be two offerings, I would have put 1.00 in each, and still had enough for gas. (I don't think like that now). I wrestled with myself from the time the collection plate started at the front til it got to me in the back. At the last minute, I held my breath and put ALL three dollars in the plate. To make a long story less long, I didn't get gas, we made it home ok with gas to spare, and that afternoon, United Supermarket called me and told me I had won a $100.00 shopping spree! I ran straight for the meat aisle and we ended up with enough meat to feed our 3 person family for over six months! This was many years and a different marriage ago, but I will never forget that. There were times when I failed and didn't pay my tithes, but I can always tell a difference when I do and don't. OK, enough on that subject.

Other ways to sacrifice is giving your time, effort, and worship. Anything you do for the Lord as long as it is happily and freely given. I think my favorite way to sacrifice to God is through my worship. I love to sing and dance before the LORD. If a King (David) could do it and not be embarrassed, then why shouldn't I ? God inhabits our praises. I have heard a saying for as long as I can remember, and I think I even remember a song about it. As the praises go up, the glory comes down. God loves our praise. Just imagine how much we love to be praised and our children love to be praised. God deserves it so much more than we do.

I would like to say one thing more though. As much as God DOES love our praise and sacrifice, OBEDIENCE is more important to Him. This means we must LIVE for Him, and OBEY Him . He tells us "if we LOVE Him we will KEEP His commandments. This includes much more than the precious Ten. Throughout the Bible, He NEVER requests anything. He TELLS us what He wants us to do. These are commands. We are not our own. We were bought with a price (His Blood). So He has the right to expect loyalty, love and obedience from us to be saved.

Good night to all and May God Bless.