To be blessed is a wonderful thing! There are times in life when it feels almost too easy, that life is just grand and working at moving forward is really not a challenge at all. Then there are times when life is just plain hard, blow after blow after blow, getting beat down just to be challenged to get up again and take some more. I say, in both situations, as a lover of Jesus, you are blessed.
Life is the best teacher of principle and universal law in that nothing goes unnoticed, for every positive there is a negative, for every devastating event there is a building up event and for every loss there is a gain. Being blessed, to me, is part of the understanding that we serve a loving God that is abundant in every way, for all people, no matter what the situation or circumstance!
"Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble." Prov 28:14
Blessings are not just for the rich, or just for the poor. Being blessed is the result of living a spiritually inclined life where seeking God, fearing God and loving God are at the very core of your existence. As the world comes crashing down around us with nuclear meltdowns, horrible natural disasters and silly wars, we remain blessed as followers of Christ for when it is all said and done, we WIN!
We WIN! We WIN! We WIN! How blessed are we to know the answer before we even finish the test! We don't have to eat the box of cereal to find the prize at the end, we already have it! We are blessed coming and going in this life when we know Jesus and believe in the sacrifice that he made for us.
Being blessed is the result of a choice, that we must make, with our own free will. And, more than that, we must live it daily. How great is our God to provide us with a life filled with support and challenge, love and hate, abundance and scarcity, victory and defeat so that we might understand that we are blessed in all ways, at all times, in all things in our lives. Blessed be the name of the Lord!
This is the day that the Lord has made...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
How well is your house built?
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3-4
King Solomon was a mighty, rich and powerful ruler of Israel whose transformative vision and unmatched relationship with the Lord led to his writing of the book of Proverbs and 2 other books of the Bible. He wrote the book of Proverbs to share his spiritual understanding of leadership, decision making and, in general, how to live a God-fearing life.
As followers of Jesus, and in relationship with Holy Spirit, it is of utmost importance for us to develop the wisdom necessary to decipher the clues, communications and signs that are given us as our lives our led under the direction of the Holy Spirit. As Solomon says here, wisdom is what gives us refuge, safety, protection, comfort.
I've struggled with understanding "wisdom" for a while, and, only recently, have come to a conclusion regarding this "wisdom". This type of wisdom is imparted to us through the Holy Spirit, as a result of our understanding the principles of the Scriptures and Jesus' teachings, and our use of the knowledge gleaned through life experience as a believer.
This "wisdom" can't be learned in a book or bought for a price. No, it is the result of a commitment to Christ and living according to His laws. King Solomon knew these Heavenly principles, lived them, and, in time, wrote them down to share with the generations who would follow him. Because of his wisdom, we now have a "User's Guide" for this life on Earth, a reference manual if you will, to give us help in our understanding of the Lord's ways.
"Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Rom 10:17) As we study Scripture, learn the principles of Christ and apply them to our daily lives, we build our faith in His ways. As our faith grows, our ability to trust in these principles grows and strengthens. As our trust builds and our decisions in life get bigger, and consequently better, our life becomes enriched. After enough time studying the principles, building our faith, making decisions based on our understanding...we come to that place of wisdom. Wisdom is the end result of life well-lived in studying, learning and living the principles of Lord.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." Matt 6:33
King Solomon was a mighty, rich and powerful ruler of Israel whose transformative vision and unmatched relationship with the Lord led to his writing of the book of Proverbs and 2 other books of the Bible. He wrote the book of Proverbs to share his spiritual understanding of leadership, decision making and, in general, how to live a God-fearing life.
As followers of Jesus, and in relationship with Holy Spirit, it is of utmost importance for us to develop the wisdom necessary to decipher the clues, communications and signs that are given us as our lives our led under the direction of the Holy Spirit. As Solomon says here, wisdom is what gives us refuge, safety, protection, comfort.
I've struggled with understanding "wisdom" for a while, and, only recently, have come to a conclusion regarding this "wisdom". This type of wisdom is imparted to us through the Holy Spirit, as a result of our understanding the principles of the Scriptures and Jesus' teachings, and our use of the knowledge gleaned through life experience as a believer.
This "wisdom" can't be learned in a book or bought for a price. No, it is the result of a commitment to Christ and living according to His laws. King Solomon knew these Heavenly principles, lived them, and, in time, wrote them down to share with the generations who would follow him. Because of his wisdom, we now have a "User's Guide" for this life on Earth, a reference manual if you will, to give us help in our understanding of the Lord's ways.
"Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Rom 10:17) As we study Scripture, learn the principles of Christ and apply them to our daily lives, we build our faith in His ways. As our faith grows, our ability to trust in these principles grows and strengthens. As our trust builds and our decisions in life get bigger, and consequently better, our life becomes enriched. After enough time studying the principles, building our faith, making decisions based on our understanding...we come to that place of wisdom. Wisdom is the end result of life well-lived in studying, learning and living the principles of Lord.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you." Matt 6:33
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Greatest Pursuit
There are many desires and pursuits throughout the course of one's life here, in this world, that at the time appear genuine and important. Everything from raising a family, to creating a successful career and maintaining exemplary health. Each desire and pursuit has beneath it a hidden, subconscious goal or ideal that moves us forward toward that which we want. And, many times, the achievement of that pursuit, or attainment of this desire, leaves the mind wanting more.
I know, Lord, that this is not you at work in my life, but the work of the enemy. Fulfillment and satisfaction are the direct result of spiritual attainment not mortal attainment. Those things that move us, satisfy us and glorify the Lord are of the spiritual nature, yet we are constantly attracted to those of the mortal world.
He who pursues righteousness and love finds live, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21
At the center of our very being is a spiritual desire and unending pursuit of love. Love is the power that connects, binds, bonds and fills the holes in our spiritual armor. Love is at the very core of what we want out of this life and the next. Living with love is a completely different experience than living without love.
From love come all things that satisfy us spiritually and mortally for where there is love, there is God. And wherever God is, there you will find life, prosperity, honor. To truly know what love is provides an anchor for your spirit and a fountain of never ending refreshment.
Our greatest pursuit is of love and that begins by following the Lord, accepting Him into your heart and allowing His spirit to make you a new being, born out of His holy love. With this love in your life, you now have a well spring to share with others which brings peace, joy and complete fulfillment.
Find the love of Christ in your life and new meaning for living will abound. It is not I, but He who lives in me, that satisfies my soul's yearning for love.
I know, Lord, that this is not you at work in my life, but the work of the enemy. Fulfillment and satisfaction are the direct result of spiritual attainment not mortal attainment. Those things that move us, satisfy us and glorify the Lord are of the spiritual nature, yet we are constantly attracted to those of the mortal world.
He who pursues righteousness and love finds live, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21
At the center of our very being is a spiritual desire and unending pursuit of love. Love is the power that connects, binds, bonds and fills the holes in our spiritual armor. Love is at the very core of what we want out of this life and the next. Living with love is a completely different experience than living without love.
From love come all things that satisfy us spiritually and mortally for where there is love, there is God. And wherever God is, there you will find life, prosperity, honor. To truly know what love is provides an anchor for your spirit and a fountain of never ending refreshment.
Our greatest pursuit is of love and that begins by following the Lord, accepting Him into your heart and allowing His spirit to make you a new being, born out of His holy love. With this love in your life, you now have a well spring to share with others which brings peace, joy and complete fulfillment.
Find the love of Christ in your life and new meaning for living will abound. It is not I, but He who lives in me, that satisfies my soul's yearning for love.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Daily Struggles
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8
Some background is necessary to fully understand the power of these couple of sentences. This is an apostle of the Lord, writing to his people who have just accepted Christ into their lives and are filled with the excitement and exuberance of having a new life in Christ. Here, Peter is giving them instruction and, in some ways advice, to take what you have been given, add to it and live it!
In essence, these few short sentences are the new Christians handbook to life success! If you want to be a man or woman of God that has a positive impact in the world, then here are a few qualities you should have: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness to your brothers and sisters in Christ and love for all.
I struggle with this daily. I know in my heart there is more that I can do for the body of Christ. I know that my individual outreach isn't what it could be and that I am certainly falling short. I look at the list given by Peter and see that I certainly have grasped many of these qualities, yet others, I need help...daily. Faith, self-control, godliness. Yeah, these I have not fully applied to my daily life with the same level of commitment as others.
I fall short, Lord, and I thank you for your perfect love and support of who I am, who I am growing into and what I can become with and through you.
Some background is necessary to fully understand the power of these couple of sentences. This is an apostle of the Lord, writing to his people who have just accepted Christ into their lives and are filled with the excitement and exuberance of having a new life in Christ. Here, Peter is giving them instruction and, in some ways advice, to take what you have been given, add to it and live it!
In essence, these few short sentences are the new Christians handbook to life success! If you want to be a man or woman of God that has a positive impact in the world, then here are a few qualities you should have: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness to your brothers and sisters in Christ and love for all.
I struggle with this daily. I know in my heart there is more that I can do for the body of Christ. I know that my individual outreach isn't what it could be and that I am certainly falling short. I look at the list given by Peter and see that I certainly have grasped many of these qualities, yet others, I need help...daily. Faith, self-control, godliness. Yeah, these I have not fully applied to my daily life with the same level of commitment as others.
I fall short, Lord, and I thank you for your perfect love and support of who I am, who I am growing into and what I can become with and through you.
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Natural
This world can be a nasty place. It is filled with hate, envy, greed, corruption and pain, all largey due in part from having lost a solid connection to God. When there is light, there cannot be darkness because darkness is the absence of light. The two cannot coexist in the same place, therefore, we get one or the other. When light is added to a place, it exposes all of that which was previously hidden and unseen. The light gives us the opportunity to come face to face with those obstacles that have been in our way and hidden from us.
At least part, if not all, of the challenge in dealing with the darkness in the world is that it arises from our deep seated human-minded earthly desires. When our focus is on the things of this life, this time, this place and on myself, we are stuck with human, earthly results. With this earthly, human focus, by default we are forced to live with what is natural and expect the same. In this world, 2 fish and 5 loaves maybe feeds 10 people because we know that it takes a certain amount of food to nourish us.
Conversely, when living in the light, with the Lord, with heavenly motivated desires, we can open the door to supernatural results. Here, the same 2 fish and 5 loaves can feed thousands.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. " 2 Peter 1:3-4
Living in the divine nature allows us to experience SUPER-natural results in our lives as we may know His goodness and power. With the presence of the Holy Spirit, darkness is gone. Seek Him today for His spirit
At least part, if not all, of the challenge in dealing with the darkness in the world is that it arises from our deep seated human-minded earthly desires. When our focus is on the things of this life, this time, this place and on myself, we are stuck with human, earthly results. With this earthly, human focus, by default we are forced to live with what is natural and expect the same. In this world, 2 fish and 5 loaves maybe feeds 10 people because we know that it takes a certain amount of food to nourish us.
Conversely, when living in the light, with the Lord, with heavenly motivated desires, we can open the door to supernatural results. Here, the same 2 fish and 5 loaves can feed thousands.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. " 2 Peter 1:3-4
Living in the divine nature allows us to experience SUPER-natural results in our lives as we may know His goodness and power. With the presence of the Holy Spirit, darkness is gone. Seek Him today for His spirit
Thursday, March 17, 2011
#100
Well, today is post number 100 for me here on Spiritually Inclined. I can't put into words what writing to and about God everyday has done for me emotionally, spiritually and physically. Having someone or something in my case, to hold me accountable to spend time with the Lord and really study His life and the lives of other great men and women of scripture has brought me to a new level of understanding.
Although Christ has been the same for over 2000 years, He is different to us during different phases of our life. Here's what I mean because I know I am not making sense. At times in my life He has been my comforter, helping me through troubled water, emotional pain. Other times He has been my biggest cheerleader, supporting me and lifting me up during my successes. And on other occasions He has shown me discipline as I have lost my way along the path.
So what I am getting at is that God is not a big, scary entity that does nothing but punish you when you mess up! Moreover, He is not going to rescue you everytime you need rescuing. What He will ALWAYS do for you is to love you. And what more could anyone want from another person than to be loved. Love is the greatest of all emotions, intentions, feelings, attitudes and spiritual states as it has the power to heal, the power to mend, the power to build and on and on. It is for this reason that love is the most discussed topic in the Bible.
Love is why we are all here. To learn to love one another; to learn to love God; and more importantly, to learn to love ourselves. When we prepare our hearts to fall in love with God and ourselves, we have now created the loving, nurturing environment to attract other loving people into our lives. But it starts with loving God and loving self. This I have learned first hand, and have witnessed in other peoples lives time and time again, that when they return to loving the Lord and loving themselves, life is better. Life is more fulfilling. Life is more rewarding. Life works best with love.
Thank you to all of you who have emailed and facebooked me comments. A special thanks to those who have shared stories about what an impact this blog has had on a friend or loved one. As much as I'd like to say that is why I do it, I really can't. This blog has been a selfish production from the beginning that I have simply chosen to share with the world.
I pray that you do continue to read and share, however, because the next 100 posts will be just as good or better than the first!
Life works best with love! I love and appreciate my God, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for setting the example and showing me how love conquers all and wins every time!
Life works best with love!
Although Christ has been the same for over 2000 years, He is different to us during different phases of our life. Here's what I mean because I know I am not making sense. At times in my life He has been my comforter, helping me through troubled water, emotional pain. Other times He has been my biggest cheerleader, supporting me and lifting me up during my successes. And on other occasions He has shown me discipline as I have lost my way along the path.
So what I am getting at is that God is not a big, scary entity that does nothing but punish you when you mess up! Moreover, He is not going to rescue you everytime you need rescuing. What He will ALWAYS do for you is to love you. And what more could anyone want from another person than to be loved. Love is the greatest of all emotions, intentions, feelings, attitudes and spiritual states as it has the power to heal, the power to mend, the power to build and on and on. It is for this reason that love is the most discussed topic in the Bible.
Love is why we are all here. To learn to love one another; to learn to love God; and more importantly, to learn to love ourselves. When we prepare our hearts to fall in love with God and ourselves, we have now created the loving, nurturing environment to attract other loving people into our lives. But it starts with loving God and loving self. This I have learned first hand, and have witnessed in other peoples lives time and time again, that when they return to loving the Lord and loving themselves, life is better. Life is more fulfilling. Life is more rewarding. Life works best with love.
Thank you to all of you who have emailed and facebooked me comments. A special thanks to those who have shared stories about what an impact this blog has had on a friend or loved one. As much as I'd like to say that is why I do it, I really can't. This blog has been a selfish production from the beginning that I have simply chosen to share with the world.
I pray that you do continue to read and share, however, because the next 100 posts will be just as good or better than the first!
Life works best with love! I love and appreciate my God, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for setting the example and showing me how love conquers all and wins every time!
Life works best with love!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
What A View
We serve an amazing God! As I look out my window this morning I see the brilliant pallate of colors across the sky that only He could create. These little things-the colors in the sky, the smell after a fresh rain, the beauty of a fresh snow-are where we are able to see God's glory and majesty in our world. He has given us a free will to make many choices, yet these things are beyond our abilities.
Science continues to develop formulas and discover compounds and particles to explain nearly everything that exists in our lives. However, for years I have stood by my belief that God doesn't live in a test tube, nor can you quantify or measure His greatness and glory. While water might be made of H2O and can be measured in ounces, milliliters and hundred other ways, there is no container that can hold God...other than the heart.
Curl your fingers into a fist and there you have the size of your heart. So many people on this earth live with their fingers clenched, holding tight to what they believe is "theirs", fearing the loss of anything. Having faith in God means filling your heart, which is as big as your fist, with God's love and living your life with your hand open, freely offering God all that you have and all that you are so that He might place into that open hand or take from it, all that He desires for you.
If the God I serve can create the beauty I am witnessing this morning, He can certainly cure the lame, raise the dead, prosper the meek, feed the hungry and heal the sick. Our God has no limits for He is the beginning and ending of all that there is. Praise Him today for His greatness and the glory that shines upon us!
Science continues to develop formulas and discover compounds and particles to explain nearly everything that exists in our lives. However, for years I have stood by my belief that God doesn't live in a test tube, nor can you quantify or measure His greatness and glory. While water might be made of H2O and can be measured in ounces, milliliters and hundred other ways, there is no container that can hold God...other than the heart.
Curl your fingers into a fist and there you have the size of your heart. So many people on this earth live with their fingers clenched, holding tight to what they believe is "theirs", fearing the loss of anything. Having faith in God means filling your heart, which is as big as your fist, with God's love and living your life with your hand open, freely offering God all that you have and all that you are so that He might place into that open hand or take from it, all that He desires for you.
If the God I serve can create the beauty I am witnessing this morning, He can certainly cure the lame, raise the dead, prosper the meek, feed the hungry and heal the sick. Our God has no limits for He is the beginning and ending of all that there is. Praise Him today for His greatness and the glory that shines upon us!
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