Monday, January 31, 2011

Love or Hate?



The strongest emotion that can ever be felt is not hate, but love.

Originally I thought it was hate, not love, that was the most moving emotion. (by moving emotion I mean the one that makes people take action more) I mean, hate has had its effects in history...but the more I thought about it the more I saw that love has really been the cause of...well...everything.

Why is black Friday so deadly? Is it because people hate others so much they don't care? Or is it because of their greed?

Why are wars started? Is it because people hate each other? (even tho they have never necessarily met) Or is it because they love and want to protect their Nation...their freedom..their cause..their rights?

What causes hate? Is it not a broken heart? Love turned cold?

What caused a man to swerve his vehicle in an accident so that it was his side that was crushed in, his life that was taken, instead of his pregnant wife? Was it hate for his own life? Or was it the love of his family?

John 3:16-17 

Most powerful of all..Why did God send His son, just to die for our sins? I know it was because he loved us. Why did Jesus sacrifice everything..then break through the barrier of death? Could it be that He loved us more than His hate for sin? Yes, it is...even though God shuns sin and despises it, instead of punishing us forever, He paid the ultimate price; a price of love, because of the love He has for us. That love is called mercy, forgiveness, salvation, and much more.

God loves you...no matter what you have done or have gone through, He loves you, accept it and love Him back. Then go and spread your joy to others by telling them of His word.

Love truly is the most powerful emotion one can possibly feel.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

He is in what we say..so let Him be what we say

John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Ok, so I know "the Word" in this scenario is talking about Jesus and there is a deep Biblical concept attached to this verse. But, as I have been thinking a lot about communication lately (and I mean a lot :P) it has occurred to me that God created language, therefore, if this verse was to be taken literally, it would have a very influential meaning. Every single word we utter, either good or bad, God is a part of. He is either pleased or disappointed in what we say... but it is still a part of Him. Ok, so this concept can get a little deep and confusing, but once really thought about it makes sense:

http://www.oaklevel.org/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/psalm-119-130.gifGod created words, and He wants us to spread His words, but He is also the Word. In other words: He is either reflected in the words we say or He isn't..are we speaking His words? If we are then when the time comes for us to share them with others, we will never be at a loss as to what to say. If He is the Word, then He will surely give us the words to say what He wants us to. This might seem a little (ok, a LOT!) redundant, but please bare with me a little longer.

Ok, so if God is the Word, and He is in our words, then wouldn't that mean that everything we say is to be held accountable to Him? Whether in debate (as heated as those "discussions" can be) or in simple conversations, we should always strive to say things that will bless His name and those around us. Because what we say will be the example of our Christianity to those who might be doubting their faith or do not believe on God. They will see our creator through what we say, thus (hopefully) putting a huge burden on us to magnify His name, to see if He really works through us and is what we say he is.

This point brings me to the point of everyday conversations. We obviously, as Christians, have the burden to be a good example to lost souls..but we have the same burden to be an example to fellow believers. Everyone has their moments of straying and being taken in by the world: in music, in worldly thoughts, actions, etc.  We need to make sure that those things would honor God, if He is in what we say than He is always there for we always use words. If He is always there, then naturally He would hear everything we say and listen to, and see everything we do or take part in. Was that conversation you had last week with your friends or cousins pleasing or reflective of Him? Was it something you would have been talking to Him about?

Speaking of talking to God: If He is in what we say, how does He feel about how we sometimes talk to our parents? He is our heavenly Father, so how we treat them is parallel to how we treat God. What we say in anger, frustration, annoyance, drollness, or any other emotion to our earthly authorities will immediately be heard by our eternal authority. He is definitely not in our words then...words..which unspoken are thoughts..and used become actions. Let's use these words to reflect God even to our parents. Next time they ask you to do something..why don't we shock them with the love of God and just do it :P


See how it builds? From that simple, truthful verse comes a world of responsibility to God. If this is true, then that must also be true, before we know it He is everywhere and in everything..even a simple word. Kinda like a lie, it builds and builds and before we know it..bam..it has consumed us. This time though, the consuming is a comfort, because we know He is always there to talk to, to lead us, and to speak through us..especially when we are unsure of what to say.
But have heart! If He is in what we say, then we can most assuredly count on Him to lean on in the burden of souls we must tell His words to. May He help you all and guide you all in the next conversation you have..and the next! Just remember: Spread His words!
                              

                                     

Friday, January 7, 2011

Standing firm

It is 2011!!!  With this year comes the peer pressure and new years resolutions, I am personally holding to the new years resolution of standing firm in what I believe and never sacrificing that for any reason.  Last year, I came across many obstacles where I was put to the test and questioned in my beliefs. I learned a lesson last year that I will carry on through the rest of my life: Never question yourself, only question other people. If your stance is questioned in any area, think about the Bible, does it contradict? Would God approve of your stance or of what you are doing? If the honest answer to both questions is yes, then question *their* stance. Do not let peer pressure and fitting in make you lose what you believe in for another belief. Don't take other people's word for it, look it up in the Bible.