I have heard the expresion used a lot lately. I know its only a figure of speech but people sure ues it a lot. Fine line, what does that really mean? The way I have heard it used when people are talking about sin or scriptures. Sometimes when someone does something that is not acceptible to the world but is of God they say well "there is a fine line there". This may offend some of you but I would like to use drinking as an example. So many people say its okay to drink as long as they do not get drunk with it.
Lets look at this scenerio, let's say you are in out to eat with your family or friends and you are finished eating and someone you have been trying to get to church walks in and sees you with a beer on the table. What is the first thing that person is going to think? I could not find where it says you cannot drink but it did say do not get drunk on wine. Even though you only had one beer or glass of wine you just became a stumbling block to that person.
So many Christians believe it is ok to drink as long as they do not get drunk! We as Christians are supposed to try and be like Christ. I'm not in anyway saying I am perfect, but I do believe we can all do better. I think the first step is to stop saying there is such a fine line, and start reading the whole truth of the Word, not just the parts that makes it seem ok to do some of them. There are 2 lines - RIGHT and WRONG. NO FINE LINES!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Temptation
Temptation
I want to talk about a touchy subject for a lot of women. I want to step out there and say something that might be sensitive to a lot of women and men, but if I am going to do this I have to be real about it. First to the men... Have you ever noticed the way both women and young women dress? We can't even go the mall or out to eat with out being faced with the temptation of looking. We might be totally happy in our marriage, but when it is put in front of us, we have to look away. As soon as we do, there will be another women walking by the other direction and you just can't get away from it. I wonder what would happen if we as men dressed our daughters and asked our wives to cover themselves more. Do you think it might help the men stay more focused on what they are doing?
Women, I have talked to my wife about this and she says I have no idea how hard it is for a women to live in today's world where you feel like you are competing with brand names and fashion, whats in and what is not. I do know that I am proud of my wife and the way she dresses. I hope that everyone that reads this will take a look at themselves and see how they are dressed and ask yourself - am I causing a man to stumble today? Is my wife going to cause a man to stumble? Is my daughter dressed in a way that will cause young men to be tempted? I guess the main question would be - Is God pleased with the way you are dressed and what women and young girls are wearing? James 1: 14 "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 then when desires has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is birth gives way to death". I know this may sound like I am putting pressure on women and the way they dress and in a way I am, but women need to think about what they are wearing...especially to church. Women, I am not saying in anyway that it is all up to you or that men are not strong enough to resist, but it is hard enough with out any distractions.
For the Men. Where are you with Christ today? Are you tempted by women? Are you tempted by any other temptations this world has to offer? I know I am!!! I am being real when I say there are things in this world I fight off everyday, but I sit here today and say God is my strength and I seek Him for the rest we all need daily. Men we are called to be the head of our house and will be held accountable someday for what we do and what we do not do, meaning letting the women and daughters in our house go out dressed in a inappropriate manner. You might say what would that be? Well think about what catches your eye when a woman walks in front of you.
I want to talk about a touchy subject for a lot of women. I want to step out there and say something that might be sensitive to a lot of women and men, but if I am going to do this I have to be real about it. First to the men... Have you ever noticed the way both women and young women dress? We can't even go the mall or out to eat with out being faced with the temptation of looking. We might be totally happy in our marriage, but when it is put in front of us, we have to look away. As soon as we do, there will be another women walking by the other direction and you just can't get away from it. I wonder what would happen if we as men dressed our daughters and asked our wives to cover themselves more. Do you think it might help the men stay more focused on what they are doing?
Women, I have talked to my wife about this and she says I have no idea how hard it is for a women to live in today's world where you feel like you are competing with brand names and fashion, whats in and what is not. I do know that I am proud of my wife and the way she dresses. I hope that everyone that reads this will take a look at themselves and see how they are dressed and ask yourself - am I causing a man to stumble today? Is my wife going to cause a man to stumble? Is my daughter dressed in a way that will cause young men to be tempted? I guess the main question would be - Is God pleased with the way you are dressed and what women and young girls are wearing? James 1: 14 "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 then when desires has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is birth gives way to death". I know this may sound like I am putting pressure on women and the way they dress and in a way I am, but women need to think about what they are wearing...especially to church. Women, I am not saying in anyway that it is all up to you or that men are not strong enough to resist, but it is hard enough with out any distractions.
For the Men. Where are you with Christ today? Are you tempted by women? Are you tempted by any other temptations this world has to offer? I know I am!!! I am being real when I say there are things in this world I fight off everyday, but I sit here today and say God is my strength and I seek Him for the rest we all need daily. Men we are called to be the head of our house and will be held accountable someday for what we do and what we do not do, meaning letting the women and daughters in our house go out dressed in a inappropriate manner. You might say what would that be? Well think about what catches your eye when a woman walks in front of you.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Face or Hand of God
What is it you have been looking for in your life? Sometimes in life we are faced with challenges. Sometime these challenges are out of our control and we do not know what to do about them. When we are faced with a callange we turn to friends, family, elders at our church, and if we get desperate enough we turn to God. Why is God the last place we turn?
I had it put in a way I have never heard the other night. We need to stop looking for the hand of God and start looking for the face of God. Meaning...if we are looking for the hand of God for help it means we are not looking at the heart of God and what He wants. This goes back to the question I asked earlier. What is it you are looking for? I guess the real question is how are you looking for it? Are you looking to man, or are you looking for Gods face (Gods heart)?
I had it put in a way I have never heard the other night. We need to stop looking for the hand of God and start looking for the face of God. Meaning...if we are looking for the hand of God for help it means we are not looking at the heart of God and what He wants. This goes back to the question I asked earlier. What is it you are looking for? I guess the real question is how are you looking for it? Are you looking to man, or are you looking for Gods face (Gods heart)?
Friday, June 5, 2009
What would you do?
How far would you go to get something you wanted? Would you be happy for someone if they got it first or if they received something you didn't think they deserve, would you congratulate them ? Those are some hard questions if you answer them honestly.
I am reminded of the story about the prodigal son in Luke 15:11- 32 where it talks about the son that wanted all of his inheritance before his father passed. His father granted him his wish and gave it all to him and the son went and blew all of it on worldly possessions. Pretty soon he had nothing left and found himself working for hardly anything and thought if he is going to work he would rather work for his father because he knew he treated his men well. When he was almost back to his Fathers house his father saw him from a distance and came running to the son told the help to get his robe and cover him and prepare the fattest calf for a feast. His brother did not understand why his father was rejoicing and was upset that he had been there the whole time and never received anything like what his brother was receiving. His father told him we must rejoice for your brother was dead but now he is alive, he was lost but now he is found.
Picture this: you have money, toys, friends, family, and everything else of the world. You take it all and blow it and are left with nothing and you find yourself at the bottom with nothing. How many times do you go running to God our father when you have messed up? He is always there with is arms wide open and ready to take us and treat us like we never did anything wrong.
I am reminded of the story about the prodigal son in Luke 15:11- 32 where it talks about the son that wanted all of his inheritance before his father passed. His father granted him his wish and gave it all to him and the son went and blew all of it on worldly possessions. Pretty soon he had nothing left and found himself working for hardly anything and thought if he is going to work he would rather work for his father because he knew he treated his men well. When he was almost back to his Fathers house his father saw him from a distance and came running to the son told the help to get his robe and cover him and prepare the fattest calf for a feast. His brother did not understand why his father was rejoicing and was upset that he had been there the whole time and never received anything like what his brother was receiving. His father told him we must rejoice for your brother was dead but now he is alive, he was lost but now he is found.
Picture this: you have money, toys, friends, family, and everything else of the world. You take it all and blow it and are left with nothing and you find yourself at the bottom with nothing. How many times do you go running to God our father when you have messed up? He is always there with is arms wide open and ready to take us and treat us like we never did anything wrong.
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