1 Samuel 15:22-24 KJV
And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord , he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord , and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice."
When the Lord speaks, we have a choice to obey or not. His words are always direct and free from the snare of confusion. But we are like Saul. We fear the words and the wrath of people. The Lord says "go and sin no more". But your friend says "girl you can still drink and Jesus know you have needs. He didn't mean you couldn't get none". The fear of ridicule and rejection is so great that we sit down to drink, lay down with this man or that, and act like we are not openly in rebellion against God. We say I love the Lord. I'm not against Him while willfully breaking marriage covenants and destroying people with negative missiles from our uncontrolled tongues.
But this is not stubbornness right? This is just living the life. Hanging with friends and doing what we've always done. We only live once and we have to do all that we can....
The Lord has no interest in you maintaining what you've always done. He says humble yourselves. He says exalt others above yourselves. He says forgive and you shall be forgiven. His words are restorative and they bring peace. His words are a sweet string of melodies that our stubbornness allows to be drowned out by a chorus of boos. Challenge yourselves to obey God regardless of what people say. Challenge yourselves to submit to His will and not what it looks like everyone else is doing. Ultimately stubborn begins and ends with you.
Adayinthelife:-)
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Are You Positioned For Success?
Luke 10:38-42 NIV
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
This account is brief, but it gives such a powerful message. As you are positioning yourself for success, don't be so busy with things that you miss out on God. Martha's argument is one that surely many of us would make. I am preparing for Jesus and I need help. That sounds good, reasonable, and fair. I am confident that Martha said it with an air of self satisfaction. Look at ME Jesus, I'm working while she just sits.
Martha made the mistake that so many Christians make. We fail to see the value in someone else's position. Martha thought that being upright, moving about, and making preparations was the best position for success. From her viewpoint, Mary would gain nothing from sitting at the feet of Jesus. Clearly Martha was not familiar with the story of Ruth and how her elevation came only once she positioned herself at Boaz's feet. (Read the book of Ruth for this enlightening story.)
Martha was also guilty of having lost focus. She thought that success would be measured by whether or not the tasks that she'd set her mind upon would be pleasing to those in her presence. The true measure of success for Martha and for us all is whether or not we have opened our hearts to receive the gift of life from Jesus. Mary understood this and positioned herself accordingly. Ask yourself does my position mirror Mary's or Martha's?
Adayinthelife:-)
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
This account is brief, but it gives such a powerful message. As you are positioning yourself for success, don't be so busy with things that you miss out on God. Martha's argument is one that surely many of us would make. I am preparing for Jesus and I need help. That sounds good, reasonable, and fair. I am confident that Martha said it with an air of self satisfaction. Look at ME Jesus, I'm working while she just sits.
Martha made the mistake that so many Christians make. We fail to see the value in someone else's position. Martha thought that being upright, moving about, and making preparations was the best position for success. From her viewpoint, Mary would gain nothing from sitting at the feet of Jesus. Clearly Martha was not familiar with the story of Ruth and how her elevation came only once she positioned herself at Boaz's feet. (Read the book of Ruth for this enlightening story.)
Martha was also guilty of having lost focus. She thought that success would be measured by whether or not the tasks that she'd set her mind upon would be pleasing to those in her presence. The true measure of success for Martha and for us all is whether or not we have opened our hearts to receive the gift of life from Jesus. Mary understood this and positioned herself accordingly. Ask yourself does my position mirror Mary's or Martha's?
Adayinthelife:-)
Sunday, July 14, 2013
I Am Cory Monteith
I am Cory Monteith because I battle with addiction too.
Like many addicts I do a great job of hiding my addiction to food.
Many who see me look at me and would never know.
I hide it so well under the choice of my clothes.
Food isn't something that they would talk about me for if I died.
Food isn't drugs or alcohol, though both are things I've tried.
Food wouldn't cause people to post hateful things like its good that I'm gone.
Food, the thing that killed me, would flood my family's homes.
There would be chickens and hams, along with a mouth watering assortment of dessert treats.
My family would cry, laugh, and talk about how I loved to eat.
No one would talk about stints in rehab.
Since food is my addiction they wouldn't know the failures I've had.
My mother would be able to mourn me in peace.
Unlike the family of Cory Monteith.
We are all addicted to something be it drugs, food, alcohol, work even love
My hope is that Cory made peace with the man above.
I cannot ridicule or bash him because I've been honest with me.
My addiction to food could very well kill me.
Adayinthelife:-)
Like many addicts I do a great job of hiding my addiction to food.
Many who see me look at me and would never know.
I hide it so well under the choice of my clothes.
Food isn't something that they would talk about me for if I died.
Food isn't drugs or alcohol, though both are things I've tried.
Food wouldn't cause people to post hateful things like its good that I'm gone.
Food, the thing that killed me, would flood my family's homes.
There would be chickens and hams, along with a mouth watering assortment of dessert treats.
My family would cry, laugh, and talk about how I loved to eat.
No one would talk about stints in rehab.
Since food is my addiction they wouldn't know the failures I've had.
My mother would be able to mourn me in peace.
Unlike the family of Cory Monteith.
We are all addicted to something be it drugs, food, alcohol, work even love
My hope is that Cory made peace with the man above.
I cannot ridicule or bash him because I've been honest with me.
My addiction to food could very well kill me.
Adayinthelife:-)
Thursday, July 11, 2013
His Favor Is Free
"He loved me when I didn't know how to love my self."
We live in a time where we are taught to withhold our feelings until the other person shares theirs. Choose someone who loves you more than you love them is one of the things that is passed down from generation to generation. I always thought that last tidbit was crazy until I thought about how it should be applied. We can all choose someone who loves us more than we love them. All we have to do is choose Jesus.
Think about it. Each of us is searching or has searched for someone who would place us above all others. He/She would show us the type of love and attention that we only imagined. Each day would be a new day filled with promise and hope. Home would be some magnificent place that everyone looked at with envy. If this were not the case we wouldn't have sayings like keeping up with the Jones's. We certainly wouldn't have a generation of people consumed by so much debt. From hair weaves, to fancy cars, and breast implants, America is full of people desperately seeking favor.
But we are not looking in the right place. If we look to His word, we will find declaration after declaration of God's freely given favor.
Psalms 23:6 KJV -
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 33:3 KJV
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Psalms 103:19 KJV
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
These verses are only a small sample of God reaching out to us. He knows that we will cheat on Him with the love we have for our mate. He knows that we will push Him to the side for work or leisure or just because we've had a long day and need some me time. He knows it and still with open arms He says
Matthew 11:28 KJV
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
His desire is to give you the type of favor that is not only free but can only be described as unfair.
Adayinthelife:-)
We live in a time where we are taught to withhold our feelings until the other person shares theirs. Choose someone who loves you more than you love them is one of the things that is passed down from generation to generation. I always thought that last tidbit was crazy until I thought about how it should be applied. We can all choose someone who loves us more than we love them. All we have to do is choose Jesus.
Think about it. Each of us is searching or has searched for someone who would place us above all others. He/She would show us the type of love and attention that we only imagined. Each day would be a new day filled with promise and hope. Home would be some magnificent place that everyone looked at with envy. If this were not the case we wouldn't have sayings like keeping up with the Jones's. We certainly wouldn't have a generation of people consumed by so much debt. From hair weaves, to fancy cars, and breast implants, America is full of people desperately seeking favor.
But we are not looking in the right place. If we look to His word, we will find declaration after declaration of God's freely given favor.
Psalms 23:6 KJV -
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Jeremiah 29:11 KJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 33:3 KJV
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Psalms 103:19 KJV
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
These verses are only a small sample of God reaching out to us. He knows that we will cheat on Him with the love we have for our mate. He knows that we will push Him to the side for work or leisure or just because we've had a long day and need some me time. He knows it and still with open arms He says
Matthew 11:28 KJV
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
His desire is to give you the type of favor that is not only free but can only be described as unfair.
Adayinthelife:-)
Friday, July 5, 2013
Pizza, Food For The Soul
It is no secret that pizza is my favorite food. I could live happily eating pizza every single day. Pizza is great homemade, store bought, and delivered. I have had pizza that I didn't prefer, but I've yet to encounter one that I won't eat. The thing that I love about pizza is that there are so many different varieties that even if I ate it everyday the meal wouldn't be the same. As a matter of fact, even if I ate a slice from the same pepperoni pizza everyday, it would still taste new. There would still be something in the ingredients that popped out. Consuming pizza is just that kind of experience for me. It remains the same, but is ever changing.
Well guess what, pizza is just like the word of God. I can live happily eating it everyday. The Word of God is great everywhere. You can consume it in the sanctuary, over the internet, and even via phone every Wednesday and Sunday night with Sunday Morning Breakfast :-). Regardless of where you are, the Word of God is one satisfying meal.
Like pizza, the Word also comes in many different varieties. There's King James (the pepperoni of bibles), the New International Version, and The Message to name a few. Each version, like the different books of the bible, provides its own flavor to please different pallets. If you are craving a Pizza Hut style pizza, try opening the King James version and feasting on Genesis or maybe Psalms. In the mood for Domino's? Sit down with Daniel or perhaps even Matthew. If you are in search of a jazzier flavor, dive into the Message and enjoy John or Acts. My point is if you treat the word of God like your favorite meal the one that you just can't live without your spirit will continuously be fed. The presentation may vary just like Papa John's, Domino's, or Pizza Hut. But the Word, the food for your soul, will always be the same.
Adayinthelife:-)
Well guess what, pizza is just like the word of God. I can live happily eating it everyday. The Word of God is great everywhere. You can consume it in the sanctuary, over the internet, and even via phone every Wednesday and Sunday night with Sunday Morning Breakfast :-). Regardless of where you are, the Word of God is one satisfying meal.
Like pizza, the Word also comes in many different varieties. There's King James (the pepperoni of bibles), the New International Version, and The Message to name a few. Each version, like the different books of the bible, provides its own flavor to please different pallets. If you are craving a Pizza Hut style pizza, try opening the King James version and feasting on Genesis or maybe Psalms. In the mood for Domino's? Sit down with Daniel or perhaps even Matthew. If you are in search of a jazzier flavor, dive into the Message and enjoy John or Acts. My point is if you treat the word of God like your favorite meal the one that you just can't live without your spirit will continuously be fed. The presentation may vary just like Papa John's, Domino's, or Pizza Hut. But the Word, the food for your soul, will always be the same.
Adayinthelife:-)
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
It's Alright To Walk Away
I had a conversation with one of my brothers last night. The conversation was refreshing and a little nostalgic all at once. While we were talking, I found myself wishing that we could bottle up the conversation and drink from its sweetness on another day. He reminded me of home in a way that only he could.
It was weird thinking of home in the way that we shaped it.We have both had individual journeys that have caused home to mean different things over the years. But, last night home was more than the boundaries of a physical location. Home was two people with hopes and dreams for a future that is not confined to the home of our youth. We were able to look back and appreciate why we've worked so hard to move forward. We were able to laugh and lament, pause and reflect on how our journey would have been different without God.
I have turned over in my mind one of the things that we talked about. It was the struggle to walk away from all that you've ever known. We both have taken steps to do that. We both have had different things springing up in the road like misplaced pillars determined to block our path. I wanted to tell him, it's alright to walk away. It's alright to go off and be a lawyer, professor, or whatsoever God places on your heart. It's alright to dream dreams and raise a family that steps outside of the box and breaks generational curses. It's alright to make new friends. Doing so does not erase the love you have for the old ones. I wanted to say all of these things, but for once I just enjoyed the moment.
Adayinthelife:-)
It was weird thinking of home in the way that we shaped it.We have both had individual journeys that have caused home to mean different things over the years. But, last night home was more than the boundaries of a physical location. Home was two people with hopes and dreams for a future that is not confined to the home of our youth. We were able to look back and appreciate why we've worked so hard to move forward. We were able to laugh and lament, pause and reflect on how our journey would have been different without God.
I have turned over in my mind one of the things that we talked about. It was the struggle to walk away from all that you've ever known. We both have taken steps to do that. We both have had different things springing up in the road like misplaced pillars determined to block our path. I wanted to tell him, it's alright to walk away. It's alright to go off and be a lawyer, professor, or whatsoever God places on your heart. It's alright to dream dreams and raise a family that steps outside of the box and breaks generational curses. It's alright to make new friends. Doing so does not erase the love you have for the old ones. I wanted to say all of these things, but for once I just enjoyed the moment.
Adayinthelife:-)
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