| #1139: Too heavy a reliance upon feelings. |
[11 Jun 2008|01:08pm] |
What is this obsession that people have with feeling the Holy Spirit? Why do they think unless you feel the Spirit, it isn't there, and it isn't working in you? Why aren't people willing to do God's work unless they feel the Spirit?
Jesus didn't say "Go tell people about me when you feel the Spirit." God doesn't give us commands that are to be followed when we feel the Spirit, or tell us to pray for our enemies when we feel the Spirit. I do not deny the Spirit, and I do believe that it is the Spirit within us that produces fruit, but if we wait to feel the Spirit, how many opportunities are we going to miss?
It's putting your faith in feelings instead of in God and it is a great way to waste time..
Rant over.
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| #1140: Something to strive for. Something to change for. |
[11 Jun 2008|01:23pm] |
Simply by being in your presence, non-Christians ought to be able to tell that you have spent time in God's presence.
In Acts 4, Peter and John were brought to the rulers and elders of the people (v. 8) to be questioned by them. But when Peter and John came to those people, who were Jews, they were astonished [by Peter and John] and they took note that these men had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). In other words, the Jews could tell that Peter and John had spent time with Jesus simply by the way they lived.
Indeed, Jesus had so changed their lives that an "aroma" of God was coming from them. Having that "aroma" requires being like Christ, and the only way that we can become Christ-like is if we abide and dwell in God's presence--and doing that requires a conscious decision. You must decide to practice His presence!
Also, by being in God's presence, we will bear good spiritual fruit. In John 15:5, Jesus promises, "If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit." In other words, by spending time with God you will develop valuable spiritual fruit. Then, the world will see your fruit and recognize that you have been with Jesus.
In addition, when you spend time in God's presence, you will experience an increase in your joy, contentment, peace, and satisfaction. Specifically, David told the Lord, in Your presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11, AMP). Clearly, God will pour joy into your life when you spend time in His presence. Then, you can take that joy and show it to those around you.
There are great changes that can occur when you spend time with God. In God's presence is the only place where you can become more like Christ. Then, once God has changed you, the world will be astonished and see that you have been with Jesus.
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| #1141: Yesterday's effort |
[11 Jun 2008|01:38pm] |
Before these get hidden away where nobody will ever see them again =]
And to show the pretty cool detail on the second o -
So it doesn't show up as well in photos as I'd like it to.
But it's cool.
Take my word for it.
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| #1142 |
[11 Jun 2008|11:45pm] |
Lol i love lolcats.
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