1 Timothy 6:6 -
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that (wow). People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs".
The response -
"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you make your good confession in the presence of many witnesses..."
Father, please help me...
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Persecution?
2 Timothy 3:
10 "You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."
My thoughts: here, it says that: "everyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted".
That phrase got my attention.
Why is it that I (and many Christ-followers) who claim that we desire to live a godly life don't get persecuted?
Is it because of the accepting culture we live in; or that we are not living or desiring a godly life to which God loves; or that the time has not come; or ...?
10 "You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."
My thoughts: here, it says that: "everyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted".
That phrase got my attention.
Why is it that I (and many Christ-followers) who claim that we desire to live a godly life don't get persecuted?
Is it because of the accepting culture we live in; or that we are not living or desiring a godly life to which God loves; or that the time has not come; or ...?
Monday, May 30, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Master in Heaven
Heavenly Father,
Who can describe who you are? Abounding in love, the Almighty God, the Holy One of Israel who stands no sin, the Prince of Peace and who loves me deeply. Father, You are so great!
Father, I am your child and I love You. But why do my actions and life not show it?
Lord, you know that there is so much self-love in my life, so much pride, how I can seek to please people rather than You, Father. Father, why are there so many 'gods' of my life?
Lord you know my sin before you. Please transform me, to be a servant for you. Please teach me how I can one day truly say, with all honesty: 'I love you, Lord'.
Thank you Father.
Your son and servant,
Ross
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Forgiveness
It's amazing to know that we have been forgiven by God to escape His wrath. To have our deserved judgement/separation from God cancelled, and to instead be called children of God!
Been thinking, however:
1. At what point do we become forgiven by God? When we recognise Him as our Lord & Saviour? When Jesus died on the cross? Or before the world even began..?
2. If Jesus' death is for once-and-for-all, why do we continually need to ask God for forgiveness (not saying we shouldn't, it's a good thing) - is it not once-for-all?
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Baffled
One afternoon, a young boy broke down. He wept openly, tears flowed down his face. He was perplexed - unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Just moments before, he was playing in a transfer chess tournament (variation played on two chessboards by four players in teams of two). On his partner's board, he saw the potential to win the game instantly, by a stunning move. It was an instant checkmate. He suggested his move to his partner, with excitement. Excited about winning the game, and perhaps excited about the prospects of taking a prize - a can of coke - as winners of the competition.
To his surprise, his (younger and less experienced) partner declined to do what he suggested. Instead, his partner made a string of (foolish) moves that cost them the game. This young boy was baffled, broken. He simply could not understand why his partner would not have followed what he said - they would have won! Instead, his partner chose a foolish path.
As I was reflecting at home, I wondered whether God would sometimes react like how this young boy did. When I reject what God desires for me to do, I wonder whether I'm like the boy who chose to foolishly decline the 'right' path. I also wonder whether the saddened and baffled boy is how God is like, when people choose to reject Him and spit on His claims as Lord. The young boy saw that the stakes were high - he was playing for a soft drink. How much greater is the cost in our life if we choose to reject Jesus' claims?
Just moments before, he was playing in a transfer chess tournament (variation played on two chessboards by four players in teams of two). On his partner's board, he saw the potential to win the game instantly, by a stunning move. It was an instant checkmate. He suggested his move to his partner, with excitement. Excited about winning the game, and perhaps excited about the prospects of taking a prize - a can of coke - as winners of the competition.
To his surprise, his (younger and less experienced) partner declined to do what he suggested. Instead, his partner made a string of (foolish) moves that cost them the game. This young boy was baffled, broken. He simply could not understand why his partner would not have followed what he said - they would have won! Instead, his partner chose a foolish path.
As I was reflecting at home, I wondered whether God would sometimes react like how this young boy did. When I reject what God desires for me to do, I wonder whether I'm like the boy who chose to foolishly decline the 'right' path. I also wonder whether the saddened and baffled boy is how God is like, when people choose to reject Him and spit on His claims as Lord. The young boy saw that the stakes were high - he was playing for a soft drink. How much greater is the cost in our life if we choose to reject Jesus' claims?
Saturday, April 17, 2010
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