God loves all his children. He doesn't disparage one in favor of another. It grieves Him when we believe He does.
He favored Abel's offering, but did not favor Abel over Cain. Cain misunderstood the difference and allowed his anger to blind him.
God caution's all of His children to be slow to anger in our relationships, marriages, and lives because of the devastation that anger can unleash. He did not want Cain to go down that path of destruction. Instead of giving in to his emotions, God wanted Him to examine why he was angry. Envy was the match that ignited his fury. He chose to hang on to anger instead of God.
When we are upset, we need not focus on it to the exclusion of all else. Bring it to God. Explore with Him why we are angry and then we can douse the flame together with HIM.
Read Genesis 4:1-16
Shahlohm...
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Not A Fairy Tale
Some people have almost a fairy tale relationship with the LORD. They are so in love with the LORD and they trust Him in amazing ways.. They can hear Him so clearly. They never seem to worry but always trust the LORD.
My relationship with the LORD to be honest is not always a fairy tale. Many times I don't trust Him as much as I should. I don't always find it easy to hear His voice. Sometimes I scream and yell at Him, “Why are You letting this happen??”
I doubt His goodness and ask Him if He even cares..
But you know what? The LORD wants me to talk to Him about everything the good and the bad. He wants me to go to Him with my pain, shame, fears, failures. He cares about me so deeply, He wants to listen to me. My relationship with the LORD doesn't always have to be beautiful and happy, He understands and loves me. And I will never trade that for anything in this crazy world.
1 Peter 5:7: Give all your worries and cares to the LORD, for He cares about you.
Shahlohm!
My relationship with the LORD to be honest is not always a fairy tale. Many times I don't trust Him as much as I should. I don't always find it easy to hear His voice. Sometimes I scream and yell at Him, “Why are You letting this happen??”
I doubt His goodness and ask Him if He even cares..
But you know what? The LORD wants me to talk to Him about everything the good and the bad. He wants me to go to Him with my pain, shame, fears, failures. He cares about me so deeply, He wants to listen to me. My relationship with the LORD doesn't always have to be beautiful and happy, He understands and loves me. And I will never trade that for anything in this crazy world.
1 Peter 5:7: Give all your worries and cares to the LORD, for He cares about you.
Shahlohm!
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
Something To Learn About Love
I once had a friend who grew to be very close to me. Once when we were sitting at the edge of a swimming pool, she filled the palm of her hand with some water and held it before me, and said this: "You see this water carefully contained on my hand? It symbolizes Love."
This was how I saw it: As long as you keep your hand caringly open and allow it to remain there, it will always be there. However, if you attempt to close your fingers round it and try to posses it, it will spill through the first cracks it finds.
This is the greatest mistake that people do when they meet love...they try to posses it, they demand, they expect... and just like the water spilling out of your hand, love will retrieve from you.
For love is meant to be free, you cannot change its nature. If there are people you love, allow them to be free beings. Give and don't expect. Advise, but don't order. Ask, but never demand.
It might sound simple, but it is a lesson that may take a lifetime to truly practice. Well, it is a lesson for me.. :) It is the secret to true love. To truly practice it, you must sincerely feel no expectations from those who you love, and yet an unconditional caring.
Life is beautiful!!! Live it !!!
Shahlohm..
This was how I saw it: As long as you keep your hand caringly open and allow it to remain there, it will always be there. However, if you attempt to close your fingers round it and try to posses it, it will spill through the first cracks it finds.
This is the greatest mistake that people do when they meet love...they try to posses it, they demand, they expect... and just like the water spilling out of your hand, love will retrieve from you.
For love is meant to be free, you cannot change its nature. If there are people you love, allow them to be free beings. Give and don't expect. Advise, but don't order. Ask, but never demand.
It might sound simple, but it is a lesson that may take a lifetime to truly practice. Well, it is a lesson for me.. :) It is the secret to true love. To truly practice it, you must sincerely feel no expectations from those who you love, and yet an unconditional caring.
Life is beautiful!!! Live it !!!
Shahlohm..
Friday, January 11, 2013
Marriage Tips
1. Be nice. This is very simple, but it works. Even when you feel bad, or have a beef with each other, or are tense or tired, make the effort to be kind and gentle with each other. Make the marriage a safe harbor where the other person wants to be. This means taking a breath, biting your tongue and going easy even when that's not exactly how you feel.
2. Before you get married, find common ground on your most important issues -- where you want to live, the role work plays in your family balance, how you will handle your finances, whether or not you want children (and if you are older, what lengths you will go to to have biological ones), the degree to which your extended family are involved in your lives, and what role religion will play in your lives and the lives of your children.
3. Stay flexible, in every sense of the word. That means finding a compromise between his need to watch the game and your need get the house clean. It means finding ways to discipline the kids that both of you can live with. It means communicating, it means nothing is set in stone, other than your core values, which you should discuss and share before you ever get married.
MORE TO COME....
2. Before you get married, find common ground on your most important issues -- where you want to live, the role work plays in your family balance, how you will handle your finances, whether or not you want children (and if you are older, what lengths you will go to to have biological ones), the degree to which your extended family are involved in your lives, and what role religion will play in your lives and the lives of your children.
3. Stay flexible, in every sense of the word. That means finding a compromise between his need to watch the game and your need get the house clean. It means finding ways to discipline the kids that both of you can live with. It means communicating, it means nothing is set in stone, other than your core values, which you should discuss and share before you ever get married.
MORE TO COME....
Friday, December 28, 2012
Success In GOD's Eyes
The world is obsessed with success! We are obsessed not only with our own personal success but we may be even more obsessed with our children's. How is success measured? Does success mean that our child will one day get a good education, have a good job, a good family and be a good citizen. That is a very short-sighted view!
All these are necessary and God wants us to be successful in those areas as well. But that's not everything.
What if our children grow up to have worldly success for fifty years and then spend eternity in hell? That's a temporary success but an eternal failure!
In God's eyes success means:
- Discovering His will and purpose for your life,
- Fulfilling that purpose not for the glory of self but the glory of God.
Know the bigger picture, understand that the true meaning of success is to be successful in God's eyes!
What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits his own soul? (Luke 9:25)
Shahlohm!
All these are necessary and God wants us to be successful in those areas as well. But that's not everything.
What if our children grow up to have worldly success for fifty years and then spend eternity in hell? That's a temporary success but an eternal failure!
In God's eyes success means:
- Discovering His will and purpose for your life,
- Fulfilling that purpose not for the glory of self but the glory of God.
Know the bigger picture, understand that the true meaning of success is to be successful in God's eyes!
What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits his own soul? (Luke 9:25)
Shahlohm!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Forgiven
When God speaks to us about our sin it is to convict us, when the devil speaks about our sin it is to condemn us. The word sin means to ‘miss the mark.’ Its origin lies in archery. If you shot an arrow and missed the target, it was called ‘sin!’ By how far you missed was not the issue. An inch or a mile, it’s still sin.
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Romans 3:23
We are by nature sinners; we are not what we were created to be. Both God and the devil speak to us about sin – but they speak very differently. God convicts us of sin, whereas Satan condemns us. The devil is called, ‘the accuser of our brothers and sisters’ (Revelation 12:10). Condemnation sits on us like a wet blanket, with no way out. When God speaks to us about our sin, He convicts. Conviction not only makes us aware of our sin, but also points to a way out – through the cross of Christ. He convicts us not to humiliate us, embarrass us or condemn us, but to liberate us and set us free.
Paul is able to confidently write, ‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ (Romans 8:1). To know that is true is wonderfully liberating.
Has a past sin left you feeling paralyzed? See where that condemnation is coming from, because that voice is not God’s. Thank Him for the forgiveness available in Christ and move forward in peace.
Shahlohm..
"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Romans 3:23
We are by nature sinners; we are not what we were created to be. Both God and the devil speak to us about sin – but they speak very differently. God convicts us of sin, whereas Satan condemns us. The devil is called, ‘the accuser of our brothers and sisters’ (Revelation 12:10). Condemnation sits on us like a wet blanket, with no way out. When God speaks to us about our sin, He convicts. Conviction not only makes us aware of our sin, but also points to a way out – through the cross of Christ. He convicts us not to humiliate us, embarrass us or condemn us, but to liberate us and set us free.
Paul is able to confidently write, ‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ (Romans 8:1). To know that is true is wonderfully liberating.
Has a past sin left you feeling paralyzed? See where that condemnation is coming from, because that voice is not God’s. Thank Him for the forgiveness available in Christ and move forward in peace.
Shahlohm..
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
As Planned
Not everything always goes exactly as I have planned, and so I must turn them over to God’s loving hand. I have totally messed up more than a time or two,
No matter the thought, the prayer, or planning I apply, the fact that I mess up cannot be denied. But that’s alright I’m only a human being you see, and I have a Heavenly Father watching over me.
A Heavenly Father who knew every mistake I’d ever make, before the very first breath He allowed me to take. He knew and He created me just the same, and offers forgiveness in Jesus’ name.
Not only is He forgiving but He lovingly guides and directs too, once I learned to surrender through and through. Every day He’s changing me from within bit by bit, and then lovingly making me aware of it.
Letting me see the accomplishments He’s made in me, as He prepares me to be all He wants me to be. I can’t take any credit I could never have changed on my own, I can only strive to share the love he’s so kindly sown.
So I reach out to those hurting and feeling despised, hoping to help you open your eyes. Hoping to share what’s being offered from God above, the most absolute and perfect love.
Won’t you call on Him or search in His Holy Word today, asking Him to help you understand all He has to say? Won’t you ask Him to take you by the hand, guiding you to salvation as planned.
in the things that I have attempted to do.
No matter the thought, the prayer, or planning I apply, the fact that I mess up cannot be denied. But that’s alright I’m only a human being you see, and I have a Heavenly Father watching over me.
A Heavenly Father who knew every mistake I’d ever make, before the very first breath He allowed me to take. He knew and He created me just the same, and offers forgiveness in Jesus’ name.
Not only is He forgiving but He lovingly guides and directs too, once I learned to surrender through and through. Every day He’s changing me from within bit by bit, and then lovingly making me aware of it.
Letting me see the accomplishments He’s made in me, as He prepares me to be all He wants me to be. I can’t take any credit I could never have changed on my own, I can only strive to share the love he’s so kindly sown.
So I reach out to those hurting and feeling despised, hoping to help you open your eyes. Hoping to share what’s being offered from God above, the most absolute and perfect love.
Won’t you call on Him or search in His Holy Word today, asking Him to help you understand all He has to say? Won’t you ask Him to take you by the hand, guiding you to salvation as planned.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Relationship With GOD
When you fall in love with someone, it's a magical, heady feeling. You do your very best to cultivate the relationship, especially after the initial honeymoon period has passed.
But what's very important, and what we tend not to realize,
But what's very important, and what we tend not to realize,
is that, above all human romantic relationships, we should nurture our relationship with God. God, our Creator, our Father and our Savior, should be our first love. And it's not very hard to fall in love with Him.
God is amazing. He's the Creator of the whole Universe, down to every last detail. He's also a protector, a fighter, a power unlike any we've ever known. He's a peacemaker, a lover and gentle with His people. He is filled with mercy, grace and forgiveness. We can go on and on about all of the great things about God, but it's clear that it's pretty much impossible not to fall in love with Him.
And just like our own romantic entanglements, we should make sure to work on our relationship with God. Some of the most important factors in keeping a relationship alive include:
(1) Communication - In any relationship, it's important to make sure that you're on the same wavelength by talks and discussion. Prayer is definitely the best way of communication with God on an individual level. You not only use prayer to make your requests known, but to say thank you, ask forgiveness and generally just let God know how you're doing with your life. I like to think of prayer as a dialogue - you and God having a conversation.
(2) Commitment - A relationship is always a choice on the part of both parties. Now, there's no doubt in the world that God chooses to have a relationship with each and every one of His believers. It is only a question of whether or not you choose to have a relationship with Him. It's never easy to make a commitment but as you choose to do so, God will grace you with strength.
(3) Trust & Faith - According to the Oxford English Dictionary, trust means "firm belief in the reliability, truth ability or strength of someone or something". Trusting someone means believing in them and their capabilities. In God's case, it's a little more difficult sometimes because we can't see or know all that He is capable of.
This is where faith really kicks in. Hebrews 11: 1 tells us "...faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". As we hear in the Gospel, "Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29). God asks for us to put our faith and trust in Him always.
(4) Love - Above everything else, we should always remember to love. For without love, there is no meaning to our relationship with the Lord (or with anyone else for that matter). 1 Corinthians 13 is the perfect set of passages to illustrate this concept. As it says in verse 13, "...but the greatest of these is love."
Falling in love with God is easy; working on a relationship with Him is slightly more difficult. But it is a commitment that is necessary as part of any believer's spiritual journey.
How do you take care of your relationship with God? Are there any other essential qualities that are important in maintaining relationships?
God is amazing. He's the Creator of the whole Universe, down to every last detail. He's also a protector, a fighter, a power unlike any we've ever known. He's a peacemaker, a lover and gentle with His people. He is filled with mercy, grace and forgiveness. We can go on and on about all of the great things about God, but it's clear that it's pretty much impossible not to fall in love with Him.
And just like our own romantic entanglements, we should make sure to work on our relationship with God. Some of the most important factors in keeping a relationship alive include:
(1) Communication - In any relationship, it's important to make sure that you're on the same wavelength by talks and discussion. Prayer is definitely the best way of communication with God on an individual level. You not only use prayer to make your requests known, but to say thank you, ask forgiveness and generally just let God know how you're doing with your life. I like to think of prayer as a dialogue - you and God having a conversation.
(2) Commitment - A relationship is always a choice on the part of both parties. Now, there's no doubt in the world that God chooses to have a relationship with each and every one of His believers. It is only a question of whether or not you choose to have a relationship with Him. It's never easy to make a commitment but as you choose to do so, God will grace you with strength.
(3) Trust & Faith - According to the Oxford English Dictionary, trust means "firm belief in the reliability, truth ability or strength of someone or something". Trusting someone means believing in them and their capabilities. In God's case, it's a little more difficult sometimes because we can't see or know all that He is capable of.
This is where faith really kicks in. Hebrews 11: 1 tells us "...faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". As we hear in the Gospel, "Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29). God asks for us to put our faith and trust in Him always.
(4) Love - Above everything else, we should always remember to love. For without love, there is no meaning to our relationship with the Lord (or with anyone else for that matter). 1 Corinthians 13 is the perfect set of passages to illustrate this concept. As it says in verse 13, "...but the greatest of these is love."
Falling in love with God is easy; working on a relationship with Him is slightly more difficult. But it is a commitment that is necessary as part of any believer's spiritual journey.
How do you take care of your relationship with God? Are there any other essential qualities that are important in maintaining relationships?
Shalom..
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