For this week's post, I will be looking at Matthew 6:25-27. This scripture has been one that I have tried to live by for quite some time. Before I read this scripture, I was constantly worrying about things that God was already taking care of. One example that goes hand in hand with the scripture is from my early years of college. I was so consumed with how I was going to eat or buy food. Of course there was the cafeteria, but if you've been to school, then you know what that food can do to you. Plus the cafeteria had limited hours and I ate more than the 3 standard meals.
It wasn't until I happened to read this scripture that I realized I didn't have to worry about that. I didn't have to seek answers to my worries because God already had my answer. I was at peace with my situation after reading Jesus' words. And just now, it reminds me of another scripture. When the devil was tempting Jesus in Matthew 4:4, Jesus says, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" and in John 6:35 He tells us, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry..." That is just more reason not to worry about what we will eat or drink (verse 25 and 31). This particular point gets put into perspective when He talks about the birds of the air in verse 26 not reaping or sowing but our Heavenly Father still feeds them. Jesus even asks, "Are you not much more valuable than they?" If you don't consider yourself more valuable, then I'm going to need you to step back and realize that you're a child of the Most High and no bird is flyer than you.
Going back to the story, I'm not saying I just stopped thinking about food or stopped caring about eating. I'm simply saying that I stopped worrying about if and when I was going to eat. My worrying didn't furnish any results or answers. In verse 27 Jesus says, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" My worrying wasn't doing anything for me except causing self-inflicted stress.
This is where the issue lies. We often are so worried about our physical hunger being satisfied that we don't see that we are starving our soul from the Bread of Life. I was letting my worries inhibit me from worshipping and my problems suppress me from praising God for what He has already done, is already doing, and what He is going to do. So what I had to do was tell the world, "Save your soul food. I need that Savior (save your) soul food." So I encourage you all today to stop worrying about "what you will eat or drink" and start praising God for the past, present, and future "meals."
Thank you again for taking the time to read this post. I pray that it inspires you to grow closer and stronger in your relationship with God. Feel free to leave a comment or openly discuss the scripture. God Bless.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Building up the Inside Through Christ
I'm going to jump right into things. The scripture that we will be looking at comes from 1 Kings 6:14-36. In this scripture, it talks about how Solomon has built the Temple of God and is now constructing the inside. When looking at this scripture, I want you to think about all the time and detail that went into building up the inside of the temple. Just imagine how the inside looked. The finest woods were used; strong, durable wood. Sanctuaries overlaid with gold. There was so much time spent just working within the temple.
Now I want you to imagine that temple being you. We often times, especially in today's glitz and glamour society, focus on building up our outward appearance as if that's all that matters. We focus on making sure we have the best clothes, best shoes, and nicest cars. We try hard to impress people with our outward appearance. But for what? That outfit, those shoes, or that car won't get us into heaven. Those people we try to impress won't get us into heaven. These things won't even bring true joy. Yes, they can make you happy temporarily, but true joy only comes from one place and that's God. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with wanting your outward appearance to look good. If you got it or you can get it, I'm not mad at you. Do your thing. But what about the inside (our spiritual appearance). How focused are we on building up the inside through Christ. Again, look at the detailed focus that went into building up the inside of the Temple of God. We should apply those same principles, that same focus to building up our inside through Christ.
Now some might ask, "where do I start" or "how do I do it" or "I can't do it on my own." It starts with knowing Jesus and accepting Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Then you'll realize that you are not alone. The gap has been filled and now we have a direct relationship with God. He is just waiting for us to take that first step toward building up the inside. I know from personal experience that God will start working in you and building you up when you shift your focus.
Some might even say, "I've changed my focus and I don't know what to do now" or "I took that first step and accepted Christ, now what?" Just as Solomon received detailed instruction on how to build the temple, we will also receive instruction. We have to be willing to listen to what God is trying to tell us through scripture, prayer, Sunday service or however He communicates with you. If you don't know what to do or haven't received your instructions yet simply be still and let God do his thing.
The thing we must realize is that when something is being built, it just doesn't happen overnight. It takes time. Sometimes it may even require some breaking down, rebuilding up. Breaking down again and rebuilding again. The key is to understand that the building up process is not really in our hands. Yes, we have to put forth a conscious effort to change our focus and accept Christ, but it is God who is ordering our steps to build us up. Then in those times where we think, "OK God, I got this now, I can handle it," the breaking down and rebuilding up process takes place. We have to understand that nothing is stronger than what God can build. That is why we need a relationship with God through Christ so that he can build us up.
So I encourage you, that if you stay steadfast in your focus in Christ, that you'll begin to understand that all the building or rebuilding is not in vain. In Romans 8:28 it tells us that "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
I want to thank everybody who may have read this. I hope it was a blessing to you. Please feel free to comment or leave a testimony. God Bless.
Now I want you to imagine that temple being you. We often times, especially in today's glitz and glamour society, focus on building up our outward appearance as if that's all that matters. We focus on making sure we have the best clothes, best shoes, and nicest cars. We try hard to impress people with our outward appearance. But for what? That outfit, those shoes, or that car won't get us into heaven. Those people we try to impress won't get us into heaven. These things won't even bring true joy. Yes, they can make you happy temporarily, but true joy only comes from one place and that's God. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with wanting your outward appearance to look good. If you got it or you can get it, I'm not mad at you. Do your thing. But what about the inside (our spiritual appearance). How focused are we on building up the inside through Christ. Again, look at the detailed focus that went into building up the inside of the Temple of God. We should apply those same principles, that same focus to building up our inside through Christ.
Now some might ask, "where do I start" or "how do I do it" or "I can't do it on my own." It starts with knowing Jesus and accepting Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Then you'll realize that you are not alone. The gap has been filled and now we have a direct relationship with God. He is just waiting for us to take that first step toward building up the inside. I know from personal experience that God will start working in you and building you up when you shift your focus.
Some might even say, "I've changed my focus and I don't know what to do now" or "I took that first step and accepted Christ, now what?" Just as Solomon received detailed instruction on how to build the temple, we will also receive instruction. We have to be willing to listen to what God is trying to tell us through scripture, prayer, Sunday service or however He communicates with you. If you don't know what to do or haven't received your instructions yet simply be still and let God do his thing.
The thing we must realize is that when something is being built, it just doesn't happen overnight. It takes time. Sometimes it may even require some breaking down, rebuilding up. Breaking down again and rebuilding again. The key is to understand that the building up process is not really in our hands. Yes, we have to put forth a conscious effort to change our focus and accept Christ, but it is God who is ordering our steps to build us up. Then in those times where we think, "OK God, I got this now, I can handle it," the breaking down and rebuilding up process takes place. We have to understand that nothing is stronger than what God can build. That is why we need a relationship with God through Christ so that he can build us up.
So I encourage you, that if you stay steadfast in your focus in Christ, that you'll begin to understand that all the building or rebuilding is not in vain. In Romans 8:28 it tells us that "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
I want to thank everybody who may have read this. I hope it was a blessing to you. Please feel free to comment or leave a testimony. God Bless.
Welcome
First I want to put this out there.... I've been somewhat procrastinating on posting because I was trying to have everything perfect before I presented it. I came to the realization that God doesn't need me to have this perfect because where I lack in my postings God will more than make up for it.
So without further ado I want to formally welcome you to From THE WORD 2 the Web. I pray that this blog be a blessing to you and will inspire you to grow closer to God and stronger in Christ.
This blog will have weekly postings based on the Scriptures that I have read and what God has put on my heart to post. As you visit the weekly postings you may notice new additions on each one from time to time. This will simply be me learning more of what I can do on this blog to glorify my Maker.
Please feel free to comment on the posts or share your testimony. The goal of this blog is to not only draw people closer to God, but also to connect believers via the web. Thank you for taking the time to be a part of this journey. God Bless.
So without further ado I want to formally welcome you to From THE WORD 2 the Web. I pray that this blog be a blessing to you and will inspire you to grow closer to God and stronger in Christ.
This blog will have weekly postings based on the Scriptures that I have read and what God has put on my heart to post. As you visit the weekly postings you may notice new additions on each one from time to time. This will simply be me learning more of what I can do on this blog to glorify my Maker.
Please feel free to comment on the posts or share your testimony. The goal of this blog is to not only draw people closer to God, but also to connect believers via the web. Thank you for taking the time to be a part of this journey. God Bless.
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