What We Do: Is it a Sin?

Many times when I think of  something that of which I spend alot of time on I wonder “Is it a sin”? I am sure it is a question that many of us ponder, and sometimes use as an excuse. I listened to a message by John Piper that had a very interesting quote. This is what I heard from him, yet in my own words: “Many of us think of if it is wrong to do something, such as a game or sport. Don’t always ask if it is a sin, ask if it is a weight to our walk with Christ, although if its a sin, stop immediatly”. When I listened to this, I thought about my life, such as what I like to do and how much time I spend on these things I do.

I thought, “maybe what I am doing is not a sin, yet it is a weight that I carry that slows down my run with Christ”. So I tried to slow down in some things, yet do more with others such as reading scripture, Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon, and simple things like these. Just try to always increase your walk and not decrease it by adding in to many things, not that these things are bad, but if they will hurt your walk with God.

Prayer For Missionary’s

When I read a book called “Jesus Freaks” I learned so much about what we take for granted.

There are Christians today who suffer for the sake of Christ. To bring faith into other country’s that make Churches, Bible’s, and even Christians Illegal. Even so we take for granted what horrific things happen to Missionary’s worldwide, to bring the gospel into other peoples lives. It’s been happening since Jesus was crucified. We should pray for those who are helping others get to know Christ. Many people now are being persecuted, Jailed, and even killed because they serve Christ.

So please keep them in your prayers.

Prayer Request

Please be praying for my Grandfather, whose Back is not feeling well. He really could use prayer, and I know he would deeply appreciate it.

Afraid Of What?

This is a story from a book called “Jesus Freaks” That I have loved since I have read it: Jack Vinson: 1931

The bandit told the missionary “I am going to kill you. Aren’t you afraid?”

Jack Vinson Replyed simply “Kill me, if you wish. I will go straight to God.”

Jacks courage inspired his friend, E. H. Hamilton to write this poem:

Afraid? Of what?

To feel the spirits glad release? To pass from pain to perfect peace? To strife and strain of life to cease?

Afraid of — that? Afraid Of What?

Afraid to see the saviors Face, to hear his welcome, and to trace? The glory gleam from wounds of grace?

Afraid of—that? Afraid of what?

A flash, A crash, a pierced heart; Darkness, light, O heavens art! A wound of his a counter part!

Afraid—of that? Afraid of What?

To do by death what life could not. Baptize with blood a stony plot, Till souls shall blossom from the spot?

Afraid— of that?

Called? Run For It!

When I was young and my parents asked me to do something and I did not listen, what do you think they would do? They would count, 1, 2, 3 and then if I did not listen in time then I would get disciplined. But what happens when Christ asks us to do something? Do we do it, or do we wait, or do we run away from it? In this situation its not the same as 123. We should run immediately without doubt. Just to let you know, in some cases I am not the type to make a decision. If you asked me to pick from Ice cream or pie I would not answer immediately, decisions are my weak spot as far as I know.

Lets say that Christ called you to become a missionary in some country that might be Muslim or some other place that is unwelcome to Christians. What might be your first thought? Would it be that you might get killed or imprisoned? Or would it be a cheerful yes! I am Willing to do all that you command. Search your heart… What would you think or say? If God calls you to do something, run towards it! Run with cheerfulness and promptness not with sadness and weariness! This is important, obeying God might be difficult but it will increase your relationship with Christ and in the case of being a missionary, help bring people to Christ.

So if you are called by Christ to do something, run towards it and don’t let anything stop you. This reminds me of Eric Liddell who was called by Christ to be a missionary in a certain country. In that time he was a Olympic Runner in Scotland and he quit so he could become a missionary. He showed that he loved Christ so much he gave up his life as a very experienced athlete to serve Christ. As a result, he led many people to Christ in his career in the process. We should have a heart such as his, we should be able to give up everything for the sake of Christ.

So lets hope that, in the times that he asks us to do something that we do it with a cheerful and prompt Spirit.

 

To See The Name Of Jesus

At our care group we sang High Above All Things which has become one of my favorite songs now. Do we have a passion to see Christ’s name lifted high above all things,  and a heart that worships him alone, of course. We hear so many times in the Bible praise God or to lift his name up. We have so much to be grateful for so we should lift him high up.

You have many opportunity’s everywhere. It could be telling others who don’t know the Lord of you experience with him or becoming a missionary. Use your gifts, God gives us gifts that we can use to glorify him. You might play a certain instrument or you might have social skills. It says in 1 Corinthians  10:31 this:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

So in whatever you do to for the glory of God. It is impossible unless we have Christ. If you have a gift that is beneficial for his name to be lifted up then use it, and Christ will be glorified by it. The world is not seeking God, it is seeking worldly things. But what would the future be like if it was, it would be great and don’t think that it is impossible because it also says in Philippians 4:13:

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

So lets have a great desire to have Gods name lifted high above all things. Consider how you can use your gifts to glorify Christ and to help others have a desire to see the name of Jesus Lifted High Above All Things. If you would like to hear High Above All Things click HERE.

May Christ be praised throughout the earth!

Edwards Resolutions 11-20

THE RESOLUTIONS OF JONATHAN EDWARDS
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don’t hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

Finding Peace with God (Great Testimony)

On Mustard Seed Sisters, I posted about New Years plans that was mentioned on the Girl Talk Blog. One of the categories was about making moves in your physical health.  One of the things Eric and I have gradulaly been trying to do is to make some lifestyle changes in the way we eat. In that we are trying, when we can to use  whole grain and organic food.

Last year at a photography workshop called Foundations, I had the photo assignment of photographing a organic goat farm. It was an amazing experience and I learned a ton! I went back and visited this past week and they gave me a website where they buy much of there organic food.

 I happened to click on this link. It is an amazing testimony of God’s work in the life of one of His children. I thought of you all when I read it.

Peace with God

I would love to hear your thoughts!

Laura

Edwards Resolutions 1-10

This too was on The Rebelution

Jonathan Edwards was a man desperately in pursuit of God as you can read through these Resolutions that he made. You can learn more about this man by listening or reading what John Piper had to say about him.

John Piper’s Message on Edwards

Truly how great if we could take these resolutions to heart. More Resolutions next week

THE RESOLUTIONS OF JONATHAN EDWARDS
BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD’S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST’S SAKE.

 1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’ s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

Marks of Manhood

Young Brothers,

 This one is for you

Marks of Manhood

EXCELLENT ARTICLE!

Laura