Have you noticed all the stuff out there lately that has been given the "Christian" label. Not to say that it all is not Christian, but we should really be careful what we accept blindly as Christian...just because it has been labeled "Christian". Listen to some of these examples: Christian music, Christian dating, Christian yoga, Christian jobs, Christian singles, Christian science, Christian movies, Christian communities, Christian cruises, Christian aerobics, Christian martial arts, Christian vacations, etc. You could probably add a few more!
I am not an alarmist but we really need to be sensitive to the things that are not Christian at all! It seems as if we can easily put the word "Christian" on some activities that are normally very worldly and feel as if (since they are Christian) they are alright. For instance, Christian yoga. I can feel some temps already rising because I mentioned Christian Yoga! Well...take the word Yoga. Listen to its meaning and origin. The Divine Life Society says, "If you define Yoga in the simplest term, it is the steady movement of the individual soul towards the Supreme Soul. Yoga is a steady ascent to the Divine. Yoga and Vedanta are universal in their scope. They are the property of all mankind. Yoga uses a technique by which you overcome the bondage of body through restraining your senses, mastering your mind, and controlling your thoughts and desires. Going beyond them, you reach the inner depth of your all-perfect and divine being. Yoga is a path that leads up to the state of supreme blessedness and peace. Its practices constitute the techniques for the purification and preparation of human consciousness for entering into the experience of the supreme blissful Divine Reality." Now if you are a follower of Christ, you know that we are to discipline our bodies by the renewing of our minds. The only body we are "one" with is Christ's body (through the cross). And eventually we will get our new bodies. These old bodies will be done away with! Just because it has the label "Christian" doesn't mean that it is Christian. If any of it's practices or procedures are misaligned with or contradict the Word of God...it is not Christian!
I truly think it's time for Christ-followers to equip themselves with God's Word, and build themselves up through prayer to the only true Divine Realities...Jehovah God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. Don't be taken in by activities that have the word "Christian" attached to them. What would you think if you saw an ad that said "Christian Gambling", or "Christian Casino"? Would you think "Oh great! Finally it's OK to blow my money as long as I do it with Christians." How about "Christian Prostitutes"? Isn't it OK since it's Christian? No...because it's not Christian! It just has the label "Christian". Satan is eating the lunch of so many believers because they simply don't know what's truly Christian and not. Remember what Peter tells us in I Peter 5:8, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." If you don't know...you might get eaten!
Thanks for checking out my blog. I like to talk about life issues filtered through a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. I welcome your positive, encouraging comments. Again, thanks for stopping by!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Dead, but Alive
Connie and I are at my folks today for Easter. It's always a joy to be with family...especially at very special times of the year like now. Today is Easter or Resurrection Day (depending on where you're from)! The morning is a little overcast with some fog in the air. But to me there is a special freshness in the air. I know it's because of my love for my Savior who came to the earth as one of us 2000 years ago to take on our sins and taste true death for us.
I got up and with a fresh cup of coffee went outside and read all four accounts of the resurrection. It is truly amazing when you think of God's love for us. He cares for you and me so much that He gave His only Son for us! And it overwhelms me when I ponder what Jesus gave up, what He became, and what he endured for you and me. To top it off, He rose from the dead! In His death He broke the power of sin over you and me. And in His resurrection He conquered death and destroyed its grip on humanity! All we must do is believe Him and the work He came and completed!
Because He died...if you know Him, you are dead to sin (just like He was)! And because He rose from the dead you are alive to God (just like He was and is)! Again...truly amazing!
If you don't know Him...He's done His part. Give Him your life. He will forgive your sins and fill you with His everlasting life! A simple, honest prayer is all it takes! Happy Easter...because He lives!
I got up and with a fresh cup of coffee went outside and read all four accounts of the resurrection. It is truly amazing when you think of God's love for us. He cares for you and me so much that He gave His only Son for us! And it overwhelms me when I ponder what Jesus gave up, what He became, and what he endured for you and me. To top it off, He rose from the dead! In His death He broke the power of sin over you and me. And in His resurrection He conquered death and destroyed its grip on humanity! All we must do is believe Him and the work He came and completed!
Because He died...if you know Him, you are dead to sin (just like He was)! And because He rose from the dead you are alive to God (just like He was and is)! Again...truly amazing!
If you don't know Him...He's done His part. Give Him your life. He will forgive your sins and fill you with His everlasting life! A simple, honest prayer is all it takes! Happy Easter...because He lives!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Life Decisions
Life is full of decisions. Some are quite easy while others are difficult. But no one can live life and not be faced with decisions. Becoming a Christ-follower years back did not exempt me from making decisions! As a matter of fact, it seems sometimes making decisions as a Christ-follower can be even more difficult! Why is that? I believe it is because making the right decision is more crucial to one who follows after Jesus!
Obedience is crucial to following Him and we learn quickly as Christ-followers about its importance to our walk with Him. We also learn that the direct opposite of obedience is disobedience. The Book also teaches us that decisions produce consequences. Consequences are the results of the decisions we make. If you're like me you've made some good decisions, and you've made some bad decisions! How do we know? Consequences!
I have no doubt that making decisions is part of God's design for us! Since we understand (or we should understand) that decisions bring consequences, we should be more determined to make the right ones.
Some decisions are no-brainers. These are easy and don't require much thought. But there are times when we must make decisions based not only on a lot of thought, but ultimately on faith and trust in God. I know you've been there before. You may be there today. Perhaps God has placed a decision before you today. And you've prayed about it, and you've thought it over..but you still have no inclination! It's probably a rather large decision that will impact your life...one way or the other. I've been there too! The first thing you look for is peace that passes all understanding. There are times when this peace won't be found in the facts and thought processes. It only comes when you simply trust God that He is in total control of your life. And because you believe that, you totally trust that the decision you make is His direction for you! God may have you in that place. It's that place that requires you and me to simply trust Him and step out.
Finally I want to say that Connie and I recently made a rather large, life-changing decision. It involved us laying down the ministry, and relocating to another State to be closer to our elderly parents and to more of our family. It was one of those decisions that we had to really trust God in making! It has brought with it challenges I haven't faced in years. This decision was a big step of faith for us. However, the peace of God (and the consequences) have proven to us that we made the right decision. They have proven that it was God's will! If you are faced with a large, life-changing decision today...trust God first that He truly is the Master Planner of your life. Then trust Him for His peace that is not tied to concrete facts. Then take the leap of faith He is leading you to take. Yes...it may change your life, but isn't that exactly what He wants to do for you?
Obedience is crucial to following Him and we learn quickly as Christ-followers about its importance to our walk with Him. We also learn that the direct opposite of obedience is disobedience. The Book also teaches us that decisions produce consequences. Consequences are the results of the decisions we make. If you're like me you've made some good decisions, and you've made some bad decisions! How do we know? Consequences!
I have no doubt that making decisions is part of God's design for us! Since we understand (or we should understand) that decisions bring consequences, we should be more determined to make the right ones.
Some decisions are no-brainers. These are easy and don't require much thought. But there are times when we must make decisions based not only on a lot of thought, but ultimately on faith and trust in God. I know you've been there before. You may be there today. Perhaps God has placed a decision before you today. And you've prayed about it, and you've thought it over..but you still have no inclination! It's probably a rather large decision that will impact your life...one way or the other. I've been there too! The first thing you look for is peace that passes all understanding. There are times when this peace won't be found in the facts and thought processes. It only comes when you simply trust God that He is in total control of your life. And because you believe that, you totally trust that the decision you make is His direction for you! God may have you in that place. It's that place that requires you and me to simply trust Him and step out.
Finally I want to say that Connie and I recently made a rather large, life-changing decision. It involved us laying down the ministry, and relocating to another State to be closer to our elderly parents and to more of our family. It was one of those decisions that we had to really trust God in making! It has brought with it challenges I haven't faced in years. This decision was a big step of faith for us. However, the peace of God (and the consequences) have proven to us that we made the right decision. They have proven that it was God's will! If you are faced with a large, life-changing decision today...trust God first that He truly is the Master Planner of your life. Then trust Him for His peace that is not tied to concrete facts. Then take the leap of faith He is leading you to take. Yes...it may change your life, but isn't that exactly what He wants to do for you?
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