"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to THEIR NEEDS that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29
As I was reading this morning, this was one of the 3 main verses that stuck out to me most this morning. Because my prayer a lot of times is for unity, I feel like encouragement comes right along with that. We need to be encouraging each other. And when we encourage, it should be for the person(s) you are encouring need. Encouragement has nothing to do with ourselves. It is simply for the other person, and it shows our love and care for others. I personally feel a call to help build people and with that comes encouragement, as the bible says. Granted, I may not always do well at this, but when I do it, it is a huge blessing. Knowing that I've been obedient and have lifted a brother or sister up with words (which i love!)
I also like in this verse, how speaking kindly to each other, can benefit others who are listening. There are always people watching/listening to us. Where how we treat those around us, is a HUGE witness to those watching, which is always.
I think that is something we tend to forget. We forget that people are watching, and I think we tend to treat people in a wrong way a lot of times, even if its all in fun. We need to be more encouraging, more building up of each other, as a witness, but as well for the people we are helping to build! Because thru Christ, we are all unified!
So pay attention to people's needs, and encourage them. And remember that how we treat people, how we speak, is a witness to others. I pray this for remembrance for myself especially, and this verse over myself, cuz I want to build people up and to be a good witness for Christ's Glory!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Loving Others
You truly never know people until they open up to you and let you see them. It's not just this front, but they become vulnerable, they become real, with who they are in front of you. They let you in past the skin.
This is what a lot of us, are so afraid of relationally.
Yet this vulnerable stage and realness, is when you really start to fall in love with people.
So many people wear masks, or cover up hurts. We never know what someone is dealing with on the inside, until the opportunity has arisen for them to open up to you.
I write this because God just gave me this realization the other night.
We see people and just assume their life is perfect, but when you start getting to know them more, and they start opening up, you sometimes are shocked to hear what they deal with. And the more they open up to you, are real, are vulnerable, there is something beautiful in that (so we should not be afraid of it), and you just feel the love of Christ flow through you and you just want to be there and help and to encourage them.
1 Peter 4:8
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
So rememeber that there is so much more to a person than what you meet on the outside. And pray for the opportunity to fall in love with them and to see them the way that God sees and to walk life with them. Because we all need people to walk life with.
This is what a lot of us, are so afraid of relationally.
Yet this vulnerable stage and realness, is when you really start to fall in love with people.
So many people wear masks, or cover up hurts. We never know what someone is dealing with on the inside, until the opportunity has arisen for them to open up to you.
I write this because God just gave me this realization the other night.
We see people and just assume their life is perfect, but when you start getting to know them more, and they start opening up, you sometimes are shocked to hear what they deal with. And the more they open up to you, are real, are vulnerable, there is something beautiful in that (so we should not be afraid of it), and you just feel the love of Christ flow through you and you just want to be there and help and to encourage them.
1 Peter 4:8
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
So rememeber that there is so much more to a person than what you meet on the outside. And pray for the opportunity to fall in love with them and to see them the way that God sees and to walk life with them. Because we all need people to walk life with.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Ephesians 4:13
"...to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up, until we all reach unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
Ephesians 4:12-13
So one thing that has always bothered me, is how as believers, we all serve the same God. Yet amongst believers, there are so many different interpretations of scripture, different beliefs that we all can discuss intensely over. It's just one thing that I cannot understand, but it happens and I am one to completely agree to disagree, and to live on with the relationships. it's good to have people who agree with you, but who also disagree with you, it brings some charachter to your life and also helps you know and believe more of what you actually believe and what you will stand up for.
There is still Love, in all of the disagreement. That is what I find the beautiful thing to be!
So when I read this verse this morning, it just made me excited for when Jesus returns, and the fact that we all reach a UNITY IN FAITH, in the KNOWLEDGE of Jesus and we will be able to attain the whole measure of the FULLNESS of Christ. this is completely mind-boggling to me! yet i love it so much!
I think the one thing that I pray for the most, is for unity among believers, communities, people. Possibly because I hate conflic, but also cuz I see so much unity in the Bible, it's talked about a lot, and i see so much LOVE when there is unity. and this is a Unity that is centered of Christ.
This unity in verse 13 is one totally focused on the complete fullness of Christ, all the knowledge, and all the faith, and we will all be unified and be able to attain it. I am looking forward to this unity.
Until then, I continue to pray for unity for all of us. For the Glory of God. To love everyone, no matter what, and to be unified with ALL believers. We are all different, we are all different for a reason, and we all have our own responsibilities and our own relationship with Jesus Christ. and We are all united in Christ!
"From Him (Jesus) the whole body (us), joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Eph 4:16
Ephesians 4:12-13
So one thing that has always bothered me, is how as believers, we all serve the same God. Yet amongst believers, there are so many different interpretations of scripture, different beliefs that we all can discuss intensely over. It's just one thing that I cannot understand, but it happens and I am one to completely agree to disagree, and to live on with the relationships. it's good to have people who agree with you, but who also disagree with you, it brings some charachter to your life and also helps you know and believe more of what you actually believe and what you will stand up for.
There is still Love, in all of the disagreement. That is what I find the beautiful thing to be!
So when I read this verse this morning, it just made me excited for when Jesus returns, and the fact that we all reach a UNITY IN FAITH, in the KNOWLEDGE of Jesus and we will be able to attain the whole measure of the FULLNESS of Christ. this is completely mind-boggling to me! yet i love it so much!
I think the one thing that I pray for the most, is for unity among believers, communities, people. Possibly because I hate conflic, but also cuz I see so much unity in the Bible, it's talked about a lot, and i see so much LOVE when there is unity. and this is a Unity that is centered of Christ.
This unity in verse 13 is one totally focused on the complete fullness of Christ, all the knowledge, and all the faith, and we will all be unified and be able to attain it. I am looking forward to this unity.
Until then, I continue to pray for unity for all of us. For the Glory of God. To love everyone, no matter what, and to be unified with ALL believers. We are all different, we are all different for a reason, and we all have our own responsibilities and our own relationship with Jesus Christ. and We are all united in Christ!
"From Him (Jesus) the whole body (us), joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Eph 4:16
Monday, July 26, 2010
Power of God
God loves my mind.
I was reminded of this today when I was struggling to blog earlier. I was getting really frustrated, cuz my thoughts were everywhere, so I had to take a little break and God just reminded me that He loves my mind. He created it and is and will use it. Somedays,(ok, most days) it can be a mass chaos. But God loves it, and teaches me to control it and make sense of it by His Spirit.
So today, it would probably be appropriate to use the verse on how we have the mind of Christ in Philippians...which I find to be incredible. But from what I read today, and yesterday actually, this is what sticks out to me the most and that i love and feel like sharing!
It is a prayer from Ephesians 3. (verses 16-21)
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, along with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen."
I don't really know what else to say. Sometimes the Bible is too much for our minds to even try to describe it (at least for me anyways). Sometimes the Bible is quite self explanatory and leaves you speechless after because it just said all you need and all that you wanted to share with people, and it just blesses your heart and even can put your mind at ease!
That is the power of God! That is the love of God.
I was reminded of this today when I was struggling to blog earlier. I was getting really frustrated, cuz my thoughts were everywhere, so I had to take a little break and God just reminded me that He loves my mind. He created it and is and will use it. Somedays,(ok, most days) it can be a mass chaos. But God loves it, and teaches me to control it and make sense of it by His Spirit.
So today, it would probably be appropriate to use the verse on how we have the mind of Christ in Philippians...which I find to be incredible. But from what I read today, and yesterday actually, this is what sticks out to me the most and that i love and feel like sharing!
It is a prayer from Ephesians 3. (verses 16-21)
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, along with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen."
I don't really know what else to say. Sometimes the Bible is too much for our minds to even try to describe it (at least for me anyways). Sometimes the Bible is quite self explanatory and leaves you speechless after because it just said all you need and all that you wanted to share with people, and it just blesses your heart and even can put your mind at ease!
That is the power of God! That is the love of God.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Challenges & Blessings
I love travel. I feel like travel allows you to see and hear so much more than you normally would by just living at home all the time. And i think you receive so much more blessing as well, because your eyes are more open. The problem is, when we return back to normalcy, a lot of times we get back into routine, and forget and lose sight of what traveling did for us. but thats where we need to make decisions and be determined to let the Holy Spirit change us, remind us, keep our eyes open. Decide to remain in training, to keep on being challenged and being accountable to what you decide with someone else. And to learn discipline.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
"But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come."
Ive been challenged this week, on my lack of true discipline in my life. i like to think that I am quite disciplined, but in all reality, im lazy. i gotta face it. and this scripture talks about training or exercising yourself toward godliness...if u know me...u know i HATE exercise...like...i will usually try to do as much as i can to get out of it...then i feel guilty and sometimes end up doing at least a lil. or i try to take the easy way out of exercise and cheat on a 10 min video and only do bout 5 min...oops! but the bible tells us to exercise ourselves toward godliness.
for me, that looks like more prayer time. more time with my Jesus. more time in the word. more time learning and embracing and definately disciplining myself in things that I feel God wants me to learn, to pursue, (music for instance..possibly writing..building relationships...encouraging people...ministry) and most importantly HIM. and all that He has for me, i need to be more disciplined to learn and from that learning and time spent with God, to be obedient and to act. and to walk in His Truth constantly.
to not live lazily...aka..defeated.
so i guess im just feeling a lot of challenges right now for myself. esp in godliness, but also musically, relationally and even physically.
May the Lord help me, cuz He knows I need His Holy Strength!
The Joy of the Lord is my Strength. He is my Prize. For His Honor and His Glory, not mine.
Amen!
1 Timothy 4:7-8
"But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come."
Ive been challenged this week, on my lack of true discipline in my life. i like to think that I am quite disciplined, but in all reality, im lazy. i gotta face it. and this scripture talks about training or exercising yourself toward godliness...if u know me...u know i HATE exercise...like...i will usually try to do as much as i can to get out of it...then i feel guilty and sometimes end up doing at least a lil. or i try to take the easy way out of exercise and cheat on a 10 min video and only do bout 5 min...oops! but the bible tells us to exercise ourselves toward godliness.
for me, that looks like more prayer time. more time with my Jesus. more time in the word. more time learning and embracing and definately disciplining myself in things that I feel God wants me to learn, to pursue, (music for instance..possibly writing..building relationships...encouraging people...ministry) and most importantly HIM. and all that He has for me, i need to be more disciplined to learn and from that learning and time spent with God, to be obedient and to act. and to walk in His Truth constantly.
to not live lazily...aka..defeated.
so i guess im just feeling a lot of challenges right now for myself. esp in godliness, but also musically, relationally and even physically.
May the Lord help me, cuz He knows I need His Holy Strength!
The Joy of the Lord is my Strength. He is my Prize. For His Honor and His Glory, not mine.
Amen!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Been a While
So its been a while since I have blogged! Oop...i wont make up excuses.
But Im not even goin to try to make up for all the lost time...I will just start new.
There is so many things I want to share...i dont know how to choose. A lot of things are on my heart at the moment. Like the mercy and grace of Christ. (spoken of in Ephesians 2). I often feel like this world makes it seem like it is not okay for us humans to make mistakes. I often dont see mercy and grace from people. I often feel like if mistakes are made, its the end of something. But this is not truth. and I want to give mercy and grace, like Christ has given me mercy and grace. I want to focus on His mercy and grace. I want Christ to be greater in my life. To Reign. and to be my Everything. My ABOVE ALL...I want to live not for my gain, but for His glory. (Phil 3:7)
This psalm really touched my heart tonight, so I will share it. and Hopefully it will touch your heart too.
Psalm 25
"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me, No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you ALL DAY LONG.
Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Remember not my sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and be graciosu to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how my enemies have increased and how fiercley they hate me!
Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.
Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!"
Remember, Our God is Greater.
But Im not even goin to try to make up for all the lost time...I will just start new.
There is so many things I want to share...i dont know how to choose. A lot of things are on my heart at the moment. Like the mercy and grace of Christ. (spoken of in Ephesians 2). I often feel like this world makes it seem like it is not okay for us humans to make mistakes. I often dont see mercy and grace from people. I often feel like if mistakes are made, its the end of something. But this is not truth. and I want to give mercy and grace, like Christ has given me mercy and grace. I want to focus on His mercy and grace. I want Christ to be greater in my life. To Reign. and to be my Everything. My ABOVE ALL...I want to live not for my gain, but for His glory. (Phil 3:7)
This psalm really touched my heart tonight, so I will share it. and Hopefully it will touch your heart too.
Psalm 25
"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me, No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you ALL DAY LONG.
Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Remember not my sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.
The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
Turn to me and be graciosu to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how my enemies have increased and how fiercley they hate me!
Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.
Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!"
Remember, Our God is Greater.
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