A new day. A new journal - book 3 actually. I have determined to no longer publish the obits blog I started in early February. I hear God saying to me to follow my dream and I no longer believe that dream revolves around "The Gates of Death." He is directing me in other directions. Wherever it is, I must go.
At church we have nearly finished our Sunday morning series on Ecclesiastes. This past week the study brought us to Chapter 11. The main points made were to invest and live life to the fullest.
Invest and diversify -- we're not talking stock market here. We're talking about your life, specifically, your life you gave to the Lord when you accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Your new life. Not the old life you had before. Your life ... the life you have because of Jesus Christ, because of all He did just for you.
As you abide in Jesus, studying His word, meditating, praying, seeking His guidance and following through, your level of knowledge increases. Not just head smarts, but heart. Deep within your very soul, the more you abide with Christ, live life through Him, with Him, in Him, you see the wisdom of His ways for yourself. You embrace life! You see purpose and you pursue His will for your life.
Live life -- God has given us the gift of life and we should enjoy it fully while we can and as we deem best, because eventually, death will come.
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself; unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15: 4-5)
Showing posts with label God-given dream. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God-given dream. Show all posts
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Ramblings, musings, etc.
Ramblings, musings, etc. These writings may take you nowhere, but then again you may arrive at some profound thought meant only for you. Herein lies a conglomeration of thoughts from yesterday and today.
God's holy word is hidden in my heart so I have Him always with me, so that I won't sin against Him. Being aware of Him always.
Since we became children of the light -- Jesus is the light -- we should not scurry away like fearful little mice and hide ourselves under the blanket to escape or avoid whatever may develop. When we profess to be children of the light, we must walk as such. We are among those called out of that darkness that surrounds us. Darkness is everywhere. Even in broad daylight darkness abounds. It is in the evilness of others -- their deeds -- by speech or action. Darkness is also within our minds, when we are drawn to "woe is me" thinking and stay there for days, weeks, months. Darkness can take over the best of intentions if we allow it. Every day, every moment we have the choice to turn our lives around, to seek after God or follow in the steps of Satan.
"The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130)
What does that mean? Might it mean God's word provides meaning to those who are undecided? We have all been undecided at one time or another and some of us still are. To me, Jesus, God is Light, The Word. To walk in the light, to walk with Jesus, to walk in the Word, is to live in obedience to His commandments. But what do you think it means?
God's commandments are more than the Ten. More than merely doing what they say. Must have a relationship, must see a need to have a relationship, must realize you are a sinner and that Jesus died for your sins. Must desire deep within your soul the spirit of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost to penetrate your every being.
"Let no one deceive you with empty words." Therefore do not be partakers with them. ... have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. ... see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming* the time. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5: 6-7, 11, 15-17) (*Make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.)
~~~~~
My job
My future
My goal
My dream.
Much insecurity.
Must trust,
have faith
Believe God will do
ALL
He said He would.
I too must be committed.
Listen to me,
He says.
Do your work,
BUT
Follow your dream.
Stay focused
on ME
and
on
the
Dream.
~~~~~
God tells us in Psalm 37: 7-8 to wait patiently, to cease from anger, to forsake wrath, to not fret because of the harm it causes. Well yes, there is much harm caused by not doing those things. Increased anxiety, sickness.
He tells us in Ecclesiastes 7: 8-9, "The end of a thing is better than its beginning, And the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry. For anger rests in the bosom of fools."
And in Proverbs 14: 15-17, are these words of wisdom:
"The prudent man considers well his steps. A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. He who is quick-tempered acts foolishly."
"A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. " The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness." (Proverbs 15: 1-2)
"Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." (Proverbs 16: 3)
"When a man's way pleases the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be a peace with him." (Proverbs 16: 7)
"A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." (Proverbs 16: 9)
"... let us lay aside every weight (hindrance), and the sin (of unbelief) which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance (patience) the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12: 1)
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate (practices self-discipline) in all things ... therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty (not aimlessly) ... But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest ... I myself should become disqualified." (I Corinthians 9: 24-27)
God's holy word is hidden in my heart so I have Him always with me, so that I won't sin against Him. Being aware of Him always.
Since we became children of the light -- Jesus is the light -- we should not scurry away like fearful little mice and hide ourselves under the blanket to escape or avoid whatever may develop. When we profess to be children of the light, we must walk as such. We are among those called out of that darkness that surrounds us. Darkness is everywhere. Even in broad daylight darkness abounds. It is in the evilness of others -- their deeds -- by speech or action. Darkness is also within our minds, when we are drawn to "woe is me" thinking and stay there for days, weeks, months. Darkness can take over the best of intentions if we allow it. Every day, every moment we have the choice to turn our lives around, to seek after God or follow in the steps of Satan.
"The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130)
What does that mean? Might it mean God's word provides meaning to those who are undecided? We have all been undecided at one time or another and some of us still are. To me, Jesus, God is Light, The Word. To walk in the light, to walk with Jesus, to walk in the Word, is to live in obedience to His commandments. But what do you think it means?
God's commandments are more than the Ten. More than merely doing what they say. Must have a relationship, must see a need to have a relationship, must realize you are a sinner and that Jesus died for your sins. Must desire deep within your soul the spirit of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost to penetrate your every being.
"Let no one deceive you with empty words." Therefore do not be partakers with them. ... have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. ... see then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming* the time. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5: 6-7, 11, 15-17) (*Make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.)
~~~~~
My job
My future
My goal
My dream.
Much insecurity.
Must trust,
have faith
Believe God will do
ALL
He said He would.
I too must be committed.
Listen to me,
He says.
Do your work,
BUT
Follow your dream.
Stay focused
on ME
and
on
the
Dream.
~~~~~
God tells us in Psalm 37: 7-8 to wait patiently, to cease from anger, to forsake wrath, to not fret because of the harm it causes. Well yes, there is much harm caused by not doing those things. Increased anxiety, sickness.
He tells us in Ecclesiastes 7: 8-9, "The end of a thing is better than its beginning, And the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry. For anger rests in the bosom of fools."
And in Proverbs 14: 15-17, are these words of wisdom:
"The prudent man considers well his steps. A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. He who is quick-tempered acts foolishly."
"A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. " The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness." (Proverbs 15: 1-2)
"Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." (Proverbs 16: 3)
"When a man's way pleases the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be a peace with him." (Proverbs 16: 7)
"A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." (Proverbs 16: 9)
"... let us lay aside every weight (hindrance), and the sin (of unbelief) which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance (patience) the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12: 1)
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate (practices self-discipline) in all things ... therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty (not aimlessly) ... But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest ... I myself should become disqualified." (I Corinthians 9: 24-27)
Friday, March 6, 2009
When God has given you a dream ...
When God has given you a dream, He is committed to fulfilling it in your life, assuming you are committed to keeping the dream.
That, I believe is the central theme in the book, "Pursuing Your God-Given Dream" by Daniel Ekhaifo.
Of course, you have to know what your dream is.
Let's assume you do. Let's assume you have prayed about it, talked to God about it, meditated on it, thought about it some more and waited for God's wisdom to rest upon you.
When God has given you a dream,
* He brings the right kind of people our way. Our circles of influence widen.
* You must have faith - believe in the dream and that God will enable you to achieve it.
* You must be obedient - to God, to His leadership
When God has given you a dream and someone else doesn't have one, you may find those others putting you down because of jealousy or envy. They won't encourage you, but instead discourage you, attack your dream at every turn.
When God has given you a dream, you must stand firm. You must not listen to those who will discourage you nor see the distractions that steal away your dream. You must not look at alternate dreams, but stay focused on the dream God has given you.
Are you ignoring a dream? Are you afraid of failure? Take a step of faith and pursue your dream.
"If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23)
"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11)
When God has given you a dream, don't doubt. We're not supposed to allow the circumstances surrounding us to dictate our attitudes. Yet we do. If co-workers are being laid off or / and we wonder if we're going to be next, our disposition moves downhill and its so hard to see what might be good come out of it. God provides a solution to every dilemma we face. The problem is we are not always aware - we often fail to remember God is on top of things and we need to just let Him take charge and not we ourselves.
Have a dream or calling? Pursue it.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)
When God has given you a dream, don't become complacent. Don't settle for where you are and think that's well enough.
When God has given you a dream, if you truly believe in the dream and all it entails, God will enable you to fulfill it ... to move past your comfort zone at whatever the cost. Trials come into our lives whether or not we have a God-given, God-driven dream. How we handle the trials that hit us will help determine our future endeavors. Trials can strengthen our resolve to stay focused on God, at least they do for me, because it is Him alone who has brought me through them, and gives us the character traits needed for the next level.
That, I believe is the central theme in the book, "Pursuing Your God-Given Dream" by Daniel Ekhaifo.
Of course, you have to know what your dream is.
Let's assume you do. Let's assume you have prayed about it, talked to God about it, meditated on it, thought about it some more and waited for God's wisdom to rest upon you.
When God has given you a dream,
* He brings the right kind of people our way. Our circles of influence widen.
* You must have faith - believe in the dream and that God will enable you to achieve it.
* You must be obedient - to God, to His leadership
When God has given you a dream and someone else doesn't have one, you may find those others putting you down because of jealousy or envy. They won't encourage you, but instead discourage you, attack your dream at every turn.
When God has given you a dream, you must stand firm. You must not listen to those who will discourage you nor see the distractions that steal away your dream. You must not look at alternate dreams, but stay focused on the dream God has given you.
Are you ignoring a dream? Are you afraid of failure? Take a step of faith and pursue your dream.
"If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23)
"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11)
When God has given you a dream, don't doubt. We're not supposed to allow the circumstances surrounding us to dictate our attitudes. Yet we do. If co-workers are being laid off or / and we wonder if we're going to be next, our disposition moves downhill and its so hard to see what might be good come out of it. God provides a solution to every dilemma we face. The problem is we are not always aware - we often fail to remember God is on top of things and we need to just let Him take charge and not we ourselves.
Have a dream or calling? Pursue it.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)
When God has given you a dream, don't become complacent. Don't settle for where you are and think that's well enough.
When God has given you a dream, if you truly believe in the dream and all it entails, God will enable you to fulfill it ... to move past your comfort zone at whatever the cost. Trials come into our lives whether or not we have a God-given, God-driven dream. How we handle the trials that hit us will help determine our future endeavors. Trials can strengthen our resolve to stay focused on God, at least they do for me, because it is Him alone who has brought me through them, and gives us the character traits needed for the next level.
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