This past week I was in Boston, MA to finally meet some new co-workers. Four of us are remote engineers who live in different parts of the country and have worked together for quite some time so it was also nice to see familiar faces again.
Once we all got together some people would talk quite "worldly" which makes me uncomfortable. What I mean by "worldly" is cussing. One co-worker, more than the others, added some "worldly" words into almost every sentence. Each cuss word would make me cringe a little more each time but when this person said something about his church I almost fell out of my chair. All I could do was pray for this person and the people around us that this would not cause anyone to turn from GOD because of his example.
I began to wonder how many Christians act this same way?
Do I have a behaviour that could cause others to turn away from GOD or cause another christian to struggle with their faith?
We as Christians are held to a higher standard. Every action we take is being watched.
Do you have a christian symbol on the back of your car? Are you driving in a manner that is pleasing to GOD or are you speeding, cutting people off in traffic, running red lights, taking someones parking space, parking where you know you shouldn't or using inappropriate hand gestures? Think about this for a minute. I know is sounds silly but what kind of example are you demonstrating for those around you?
I was about to put something on my truck when my wife reminded me that everyone behind you will see this. I had to think about this before I stuck this on my truck. It's Florida and from my observations there technically aren't many rules of the road. Florida's 55mph = 70-80mph, turn signal levers are removed from vehicles when they enter the state or the turn signal lever is locked in the right or left turn position, right turn from the left lane and left turn from the right lane also seem to be acceptable. Stopping in the middle of a busy road because you missed your turn and turning your signal on and waiting for traffic to go around you so you can back up to make your turn, must not be another place in the road to turn around. When a little rain starts to fall emergency flashers come on and cars doing this fill all the lanes next to one another and they all slow way down and block the road.
You may be chuckling as you read this but these are things we witness on a daily basis, it's scary to drive down here. LORD are these tests???
Every action and word we speak is being scrutinized by someone. It may be the cashier at the grocery store, could be a co-worker you have been trying to win to the LORD. Our actions and words are especially scrutinized by our children. Children are sponges and will absorb everything we say and do, how we treat people, how we treat each other in our home, what we watch on TV, music we listen to at home and in the car, our body language and our excuses to get out of things we don't really want to do.
In the bible there are 140 references to the tongue.
The book of James has six references to this subject. Below I have highlighted in red what the consequences of not controlling the tongue are.
James 1:26If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.
James 3:1[ Taming the Tongue ] Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers,
because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
James 3:5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
James 3:6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by
hell.
James 3:8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. v10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
As you can see there are serious consequences to not controlling our tongue especially if you are in a leadership role. Do you want your religion to be worthless or your body to be corrupt? I sure don't and I pray that you don't either.
My prayer today:
HEAVENLY FATHER, I pray that you will help each and every one of us to control our tongues and our actions as we realize that everything we do and say is being scrutinized by someone. Please give us the strength and knowledge to control our actions and speech with each and every person we come into contact with. Thank you for the gift of speech and the power it has to spread YOUR word.
Please keep us safe as we drive in Florida.
Amen
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Why do we fear death?
These past few weeks I have been studying the book of Daniel. Most people know the story of Daniel but there were three other men with him Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah better known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
These four Jewish men were chosen by Ashpenaz, chief of the court of King Nebuchadnezzar because they were without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of Babylonia. Daniel 1:3,4
These four men were quite remarkable and their FAITH was even more remarkable. Their FAITH was so strong that no matter what rules were created by the king if it went against what GOD wanted they did not obey. According to Hebrews 13:17 "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
We are to submit to those above us in authority and obey their rules but we are not to follow rules that go against GOD's word and commandments. This is exactly what these four men did, they had been taken into captivity and had obeyed their rulers until a law was made that went against GOD's commands. In Daniel 3 King Nebuchadnezzar built an image of gold 90 feet high and 9 feet wide that everyone was to bow down to and worship everytime they heard all types of music. Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Look at the amount of FAITH they had, read Daniel 3:17,18 again. These men state that GOD will either save them from it or will rescue them. Imagine being faced with that decision, either do what this person say's or you will be cast into a fiery furnace. You know that GOD will either save you from the fire or you will die and be taken into heaven, which is our ultimate goal.
Daniel was also put in the same predicament in Daniel 6:6,7 So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: "O King Darius, live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den.
Daniel knew the rules and consequences of disobeidence but he continued to bow down toward Jerusalem three times a day to pray to GOD. He knew GOD would take care of him either by saving him from the lion's or by taking him into heaven. GOD had more plans for Daneil so HE kept Daniels safe that day. HE not only spared Daniels life but the people who framed Daniel were killed. Daniel had no fear of death.
Do you ever wonder why we fear death?
Maybe we don't fear death itself but we don't want to cause our family and friends pain.
Maybe we fear of the way we will die, the odds of us dying quietly in our beds are pretty slim.
With FAITH in our salvation through CHRIST JESUS we should not fear death but look forward to it.
No more pain or sickness only peace, joy, rejoicing and singing forever and ever.
My prayer today is that I will have FAITH in my salvation and eternal life that is so strong that I will fear nothing.
These four Jewish men were chosen by Ashpenaz, chief of the court of King Nebuchadnezzar because they were without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of Babylonia. Daniel 1:3,4
These four men were quite remarkable and their FAITH was even more remarkable. Their FAITH was so strong that no matter what rules were created by the king if it went against what GOD wanted they did not obey. According to Hebrews 13:17 "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
We are to submit to those above us in authority and obey their rules but we are not to follow rules that go against GOD's word and commandments. This is exactly what these four men did, they had been taken into captivity and had obeyed their rulers until a law was made that went against GOD's commands. In Daniel 3 King Nebuchadnezzar built an image of gold 90 feet high and 9 feet wide that everyone was to bow down to and worship everytime they heard all types of music. Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Look at the amount of FAITH they had, read Daniel 3:17,18 again. These men state that GOD will either save them from it or will rescue them. Imagine being faced with that decision, either do what this person say's or you will be cast into a fiery furnace. You know that GOD will either save you from the fire or you will die and be taken into heaven, which is our ultimate goal.
Daniel was also put in the same predicament in Daniel 6:6,7 So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: "O King Darius, live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den.
Daniel knew the rules and consequences of disobeidence but he continued to bow down toward Jerusalem three times a day to pray to GOD. He knew GOD would take care of him either by saving him from the lion's or by taking him into heaven. GOD had more plans for Daneil so HE kept Daniels safe that day. HE not only spared Daniels life but the people who framed Daniel were killed. Daniel had no fear of death.
Do you ever wonder why we fear death?
Maybe we don't fear death itself but we don't want to cause our family and friends pain.
Maybe we fear of the way we will die, the odds of us dying quietly in our beds are pretty slim.
With FAITH in our salvation through CHRIST JESUS we should not fear death but look forward to it.
No more pain or sickness only peace, joy, rejoicing and singing forever and ever.
My prayer today is that I will have FAITH in my salvation and eternal life that is so strong that I will fear nothing.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Becoming "worldly.
Why is it sometimes so easy for us to become "worldly"?
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what GOD's will is—HIS good, pleasing and perfect will.
As you can tell by my previous entries I ride a motorcycle. I love to ride and have since I was a small kid leaning our Rupp minibike against the fence so I could pull start the engine. It took both hands and everything I could muster to pull that rope and get the engine started but once I got it started look out. Riding a motorycycle is just in some people's blood and mine is full of it.
Living in Florida gives me a unique opprotunity each year to go to Bike Week and Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach, FL. It's not the part of going into Daytona for the craziness, I enjoy the ride throughout Florida, from Brandon to St Augustine down A1A to Daytona and back. My preference is to take the back roads and enjoy the ride and scenery and good quiet time. No cell phones, no radio and no one to talk to. Perfect quiet time to reflect and relax. This past weekend we only rode 460 miles in 3 days last year it was 600 miles in the same time period so I am already jonesing for some more bike time.
This weekend I also had the opportunity to be a light to those who don't believe but what happened was I spoke and acted like the "world". Don't get me wrong I didn't do anything immoral but I didn't let the light of JESUS CHRIST shine thru me to those who won't see him any other way.
On the 3 1/2 hr ride home all I could do was pray and ask GOD to forgive me for the way I acted and the way I didn't act on HIS behalf. I felt ashamed of myself for not standing firm as I should have. I am always working toward making myself a better man by daily studying HIS word, praying and worshipping HIM. I asked GOD to give me the strength next time to not let my guard down, to not worry what my friends think of me or that I may make them uncomfortable. It should be my job to make them uncomfortable.
GOD has given each of us at birth a part of our heart that is missing. When we accept JESUS CHRIST into our hearts an amazing thing happens, HE is an exact fit. Those who have not accepted him feel this emptiness and try to fill it with "things" but it is never an exact fit. It may make them feel better for a small amount of time but they soon realize it doesn't fit right so let me try something else to fill this void in my life. Like a pair of shoes that look great on but don't quite fit right, after a while you have to take them off and find a pair that fits just right even though they don't look as great.
We should use every chance we have to make people realize that as Christians we have filled that void in our heart with JESUS CHRIST and we no longer need to be a part of this world. We must show others that once they accept JESUS into their hearts that they too will no longer feel this need for "things". HE will provide all our needs as 1 Timothy 6:17 states: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in GOD, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
My prayer today is that each and every person I come into contact with will see something different in me and realize it is JESUS CHRIST lives in my heart. I pray that GOD will continue to give me the courage I once had to stand firm in my FAITH and boldly proclaim he my LORD.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what GOD's will is—HIS good, pleasing and perfect will.
As you can tell by my previous entries I ride a motorcycle. I love to ride and have since I was a small kid leaning our Rupp minibike against the fence so I could pull start the engine. It took both hands and everything I could muster to pull that rope and get the engine started but once I got it started look out. Riding a motorycycle is just in some people's blood and mine is full of it.
Living in Florida gives me a unique opprotunity each year to go to Bike Week and Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach, FL. It's not the part of going into Daytona for the craziness, I enjoy the ride throughout Florida, from Brandon to St Augustine down A1A to Daytona and back. My preference is to take the back roads and enjoy the ride and scenery and good quiet time. No cell phones, no radio and no one to talk to. Perfect quiet time to reflect and relax. This past weekend we only rode 460 miles in 3 days last year it was 600 miles in the same time period so I am already jonesing for some more bike time.
This weekend I also had the opportunity to be a light to those who don't believe but what happened was I spoke and acted like the "world". Don't get me wrong I didn't do anything immoral but I didn't let the light of JESUS CHRIST shine thru me to those who won't see him any other way.
On the 3 1/2 hr ride home all I could do was pray and ask GOD to forgive me for the way I acted and the way I didn't act on HIS behalf. I felt ashamed of myself for not standing firm as I should have. I am always working toward making myself a better man by daily studying HIS word, praying and worshipping HIM. I asked GOD to give me the strength next time to not let my guard down, to not worry what my friends think of me or that I may make them uncomfortable. It should be my job to make them uncomfortable.
GOD has given each of us at birth a part of our heart that is missing. When we accept JESUS CHRIST into our hearts an amazing thing happens, HE is an exact fit. Those who have not accepted him feel this emptiness and try to fill it with "things" but it is never an exact fit. It may make them feel better for a small amount of time but they soon realize it doesn't fit right so let me try something else to fill this void in my life. Like a pair of shoes that look great on but don't quite fit right, after a while you have to take them off and find a pair that fits just right even though they don't look as great.
We should use every chance we have to make people realize that as Christians we have filled that void in our heart with JESUS CHRIST and we no longer need to be a part of this world. We must show others that once they accept JESUS into their hearts that they too will no longer feel this need for "things". HE will provide all our needs as 1 Timothy 6:17 states: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in GOD, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
My prayer today is that each and every person I come into contact with will see something different in me and realize it is JESUS CHRIST lives in my heart. I pray that GOD will continue to give me the courage I once had to stand firm in my FAITH and boldly proclaim he my LORD.
The meaning of F.A.I.T.H.
Have you ever really thought about the word FAITH? We all use this word and believe we have it, but to do we really?
Webster's defines "FAITH" as a firm belief in something which there is no proof, complete trust.
Webster's defines "Trust" as assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.
Complete trust or FAITH is something we all struggle with and few ever completely achieve.
We have all been let down by someone or something which makes it difficult for us to put our FAITH in someone or something again.
While growing up I had complete FAITH in my dad to catch me when I jumped to him from a tree branch or something high. I had complete FAITH in the rope swing not to break as a would swing higher and higher.
FAITH in GOD is difficult for adults to come by because of all the things that have let us down in the world. Work, friends and family are just a few. Reading the paper each day and watching the nightly news I believe is one of the worst thing a person can do. These two things are the most negative influences on our lives. Companies laying off workers, housing sales are down, prices of homes are dropping, etc. etc. etc. There is rarely a positive item in either format which leads us to believe there is good in this world. People start to wonder "Where is GOD in all of this". "Why is HE allowing this to happen".
The only answer I have is to read GOD's word. I would suggest starting by studying the book of Job, don't just read it but study it.
GOD allowed Job to be tested by Satan, not only that but GOD pointed Job out to Satan. I don't know about you but I pray everyday that GOD does not point me out to Satan to become his target for testing my FAITH.
You have probably been wondering why the word FAITH in the title of my blog has periods between each letter. I can think of a better way to explain the word FAITH than to use each letter in the word FAITH as an acronym. "Forsaking All I Trust Him". In this world with all the negative things we hear and see we are in need of FAITH now more than ever, we truly need to Forsake All earthly things we trust in and Trust GOD for everything. We need to forget about all the negative in this world and focus on the positive. GOD has truly blessed each and everyone of us. When you pray do you spend more time thanking GOD for what he has done for you or do you spend more time asking him for things? Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with asking things of GOD, HE wants the best for us. Remember we are his children. If you are a parent you too want the best for your children and this is exactly how GOD views us. He corrects us when we need it.
My prayer today is that no matter what happens I will trust in GOD. HE will never leave me nor forsake me and HE wants the best for me. I will put my life in HIS hands and will stop stressing over changing jobs or what the future holds. I have no control over these things but HE does.
Webster's defines "FAITH" as a firm belief in something which there is no proof, complete trust.
Webster's defines "Trust" as assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.
Complete trust or FAITH is something we all struggle with and few ever completely achieve.
We have all been let down by someone or something which makes it difficult for us to put our FAITH in someone or something again.
While growing up I had complete FAITH in my dad to catch me when I jumped to him from a tree branch or something high. I had complete FAITH in the rope swing not to break as a would swing higher and higher.
FAITH in GOD is difficult for adults to come by because of all the things that have let us down in the world. Work, friends and family are just a few. Reading the paper each day and watching the nightly news I believe is one of the worst thing a person can do. These two things are the most negative influences on our lives. Companies laying off workers, housing sales are down, prices of homes are dropping, etc. etc. etc. There is rarely a positive item in either format which leads us to believe there is good in this world. People start to wonder "Where is GOD in all of this". "Why is HE allowing this to happen".
The only answer I have is to read GOD's word. I would suggest starting by studying the book of Job, don't just read it but study it.
GOD allowed Job to be tested by Satan, not only that but GOD pointed Job out to Satan. I don't know about you but I pray everyday that GOD does not point me out to Satan to become his target for testing my FAITH.
You have probably been wondering why the word FAITH in the title of my blog has periods between each letter. I can think of a better way to explain the word FAITH than to use each letter in the word FAITH as an acronym. "Forsaking All I Trust Him". In this world with all the negative things we hear and see we are in need of FAITH now more than ever, we truly need to Forsake All earthly things we trust in and Trust GOD for everything. We need to forget about all the negative in this world and focus on the positive. GOD has truly blessed each and everyone of us. When you pray do you spend more time thanking GOD for what he has done for you or do you spend more time asking him for things? Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with asking things of GOD, HE wants the best for us. Remember we are his children. If you are a parent you too want the best for your children and this is exactly how GOD views us. He corrects us when we need it.
My prayer today is that no matter what happens I will trust in GOD. HE will never leave me nor forsake me and HE wants the best for me. I will put my life in HIS hands and will stop stressing over changing jobs or what the future holds. I have no control over these things but HE does.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Wow, What A Ride!
When I was a part of a Christian motorcycle ministry I read something that really stuck with me.
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body—but rather a skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow, what a ride!’ ” —anon.
This is the kind of life I want…
I don't want to sit on the sidelines and watch life go by having regrets of not doing what GOD wants me to do. I want to be out there full-throttle for GOD .
I was a founding member of a christian biker ministry and I miss it. Praying with people during Tuesday night visitation, witnessing at the monthly bike night in Plant City, FL and assisting other churches start a biker ministry of their own is an awesome thing to be a part of. The patches on my vest boldly declared that I am a christian and I wore it everywhere I rode. It helped me stay accountable for my actions while wearing these "colors" because there was no hiding my FAITH. My question to you is do you have such a commitment to Christ that you would wear this vest to work where your co-workers could see it? Would you wear this vest to hang out with your friends? Would you wear this vest shopping? Do you wear you "colors" on a daily basis or only at church or a place where other christians are? I am not trying in anyway to state I am better than anyone I just want you to think about how you act in these places and have you been a good witness.
Everyday we are each challenged by the "world" to become more and more a part of it. We are bombarded daily by the negative things of this world whether it be the newspaper or the nightly news on TV it seems the world is falling apart. The key word there is "seems". There are so many positive things in this world but for some reason we all focus on the negative.
Saturday night my wife and I and some friends went and saw Mercy Me in concert at the Plant City Strawberry Fest. If you don't recognize the name of the band they sing "I can only imagine". All I can say is WOW! It wasn't just a concert to hear music but a revival. The lead singer told of losing his dad to cancer and all the challenges each person and their family have gone through over the years. His response to all the negative in the world and everything that has happened to them was "Everything that happens to us glorifies GOD." This is a difficult thing to understand but you must remember that GOD loves us and he does allow things to happen for a reason. We can't explain any of this but we must put our FAITH in him.
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body—but rather a skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow, what a ride!’ ” —anon.
This is the kind of life I want…
I don't want to sit on the sidelines and watch life go by having regrets of not doing what GOD wants me to do. I want to be out there full-throttle for GOD .
I was a founding member of a christian biker ministry and I miss it. Praying with people during Tuesday night visitation, witnessing at the monthly bike night in Plant City, FL and assisting other churches start a biker ministry of their own is an awesome thing to be a part of. The patches on my vest boldly declared that I am a christian and I wore it everywhere I rode. It helped me stay accountable for my actions while wearing these "colors" because there was no hiding my FAITH. My question to you is do you have such a commitment to Christ that you would wear this vest to work where your co-workers could see it? Would you wear this vest to hang out with your friends? Would you wear this vest shopping? Do you wear you "colors" on a daily basis or only at church or a place where other christians are? I am not trying in anyway to state I am better than anyone I just want you to think about how you act in these places and have you been a good witness.
Everyday we are each challenged by the "world" to become more and more a part of it. We are bombarded daily by the negative things of this world whether it be the newspaper or the nightly news on TV it seems the world is falling apart. The key word there is "seems". There are so many positive things in this world but for some reason we all focus on the negative.
Saturday night my wife and I and some friends went and saw Mercy Me in concert at the Plant City Strawberry Fest. If you don't recognize the name of the band they sing "I can only imagine". All I can say is WOW! It wasn't just a concert to hear music but a revival. The lead singer told of losing his dad to cancer and all the challenges each person and their family have gone through over the years. His response to all the negative in the world and everything that has happened to them was "Everything that happens to us glorifies GOD." This is a difficult thing to understand but you must remember that GOD loves us and he does allow things to happen for a reason. We can't explain any of this but we must put our FAITH in him.
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