I will attempt to actually make this post short, I promise. :-)
I was reading Haggai, and something jumped out at me. Haggai gave this prophecy in the second year of king Darius. Now, I'm no theologian, nor a Biblical historian, but it appears to me that the Judeans had, at this point, been allowed to return home. (If I'm wrong, feel free to go ahead and correct me.) And, apparently, some of the people had been saying that "'the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.'" God responds.
"Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house." (Haggai 1:4-9, emphasis mine)
Now, you're probably not being faced with the dilemma of building a temple (although I suppose it's possible....) But the issue here is the heart. The people are more interested in their own comfort and leisure than they are in glorifying God. So, here's the question: what's your house? What is it that you put before God? For me, quite often, it's my time. I wake up and, rather than having my devotions, I loaf around until I have to start school. I don't know what your house is. Whatever it is, though, confess it, repent, and, with the Cross, not a set of morals made by men in mind, press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Thanks
Let's say you're a missionary in some foreign country. The natives are very hostile, and you are jailed for proclaiming the Gospel. It's quite possible that they'll even kill you, and maybe even brutally. You get the chance to write a letter to some of your Christian friends. What would you say? I know where I'd start; "Pray for me! Oh my goodness, they might kill me and I'm so scared..." But here's a quote from somebody who actually did go through this, and words about his imprisonment are far different.
"I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice."
Now, this guy had his head on straight. He wasn't nuts. He was totally sincere in this letter. He is seriously rejoicing that "Christ is proclaimed." Notice that not once does he gripe about being in a cell, or his rights being tossed aside, or even moaning about the people who distort the gospel for their own purposes. He was grateful! Totally grateful that, as a result of being jailed, the gospel was going forth. He has literally cast his rights aside and is rejoicing in the glory of Christ.
Who was this guy? Who could possibly be happy about being chucked into a cell? Take a guess. If you know the passage, you already know that this was the letter from the apostle Paul to the church in Phillipi.
Does his identity make his attitude any less amazing? It's so easy to say, "Oh, sure. But that was Paul. You know, blinding light on the way to Damascus, went blind, is one of the most famous people in history? A spiritual elite. Of course he'd be grateful in any circumstances." But Paul wasn't superhuman. He was a man. No halo floating around his head, no shiny silhouettes... just a guy, saved by the grace of God. This same man, in another letter, wrote, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thess. 5:18)
So, what's the point?
Well, like Paul says, we are to give thanks in all circumstances. All. That means the good, the bad, the ugly, and the downright brutal. I'm convicted when I read this passage. Here's a man who exemplifies what it means to glorify Christ in all situations. He's praising God that the Gospel goes forth, when it's possible he could be executed. And I gripe that people didn't put their plates in the dishwasher, someone moved my math book, and oh great, the dog just escaped the house again. How selfish! I'm making myself God in that moment. I think that the world revolves around one single axis: me.
So, as Paul says in Ephesians, let us put off the old self, and put on the new self. Leaning on God's strength, and not our own, let us strive to have the same sort of mindset that Paul had. No matter how bad our circumstances appear to be, God can still be glorified through them.
"I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice."
Now, this guy had his head on straight. He wasn't nuts. He was totally sincere in this letter. He is seriously rejoicing that "Christ is proclaimed." Notice that not once does he gripe about being in a cell, or his rights being tossed aside, or even moaning about the people who distort the gospel for their own purposes. He was grateful! Totally grateful that, as a result of being jailed, the gospel was going forth. He has literally cast his rights aside and is rejoicing in the glory of Christ.
Who was this guy? Who could possibly be happy about being chucked into a cell? Take a guess. If you know the passage, you already know that this was the letter from the apostle Paul to the church in Phillipi.
Does his identity make his attitude any less amazing? It's so easy to say, "Oh, sure. But that was Paul. You know, blinding light on the way to Damascus, went blind, is one of the most famous people in history? A spiritual elite. Of course he'd be grateful in any circumstances." But Paul wasn't superhuman. He was a man. No halo floating around his head, no shiny silhouettes... just a guy, saved by the grace of God. This same man, in another letter, wrote, "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thess. 5:18)
So, what's the point?
Well, like Paul says, we are to give thanks in all circumstances. All. That means the good, the bad, the ugly, and the downright brutal. I'm convicted when I read this passage. Here's a man who exemplifies what it means to glorify Christ in all situations. He's praising God that the Gospel goes forth, when it's possible he could be executed. And I gripe that people didn't put their plates in the dishwasher, someone moved my math book, and oh great, the dog just escaped the house again. How selfish! I'm making myself God in that moment. I think that the world revolves around one single axis: me.
So, as Paul says in Ephesians, let us put off the old self, and put on the new self. Leaning on God's strength, and not our own, let us strive to have the same sort of mindset that Paul had. No matter how bad our circumstances appear to be, God can still be glorified through them.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Faith
Hi all, I'm posting with an encouragement, a warning, and a prayer request. My encouragement concerns the faith I see evident in you all. There are not many places (even in churches) where there are teens who are passionate for God. There are even less places where those teens get together and talk about God and discuss him together. It's great that we are encouraging each other to fight temptation and follow God. I am so grateful for the example you all set for me and all your peers, for those younger than you, and even to some older than you. Thank you and keep loving God. My warning concerns temptation. A year ago I was going through a serious time of doubt about my faith. I was questioning God's existence and I was NOT a happy man. God met me at the youth retreat however, and renewed my faith in him. He made me passionate for him, and I went into the school year with love and passion for God. I thought my times of doubt where over. recently, they have started to come back. I times, I start to think about death and I wonder "what if there is no God?" and "is this a waste of time?" I try and comfort myself with evidences of God in this world and in my life, but we can't rely on just things we see; we need God's strength. My warning is that if you are fighting a temptation, that you would NEVER let your guard down. Keep praying that God would protect you from it, even if you don't seem to struggle with ti at the time. My prayer request is for my faith. I'd like to ask you to pray for me hard that God would draw me closer to him and that he would calm my fears and doubts. Thanks!
~Dave
Verse: "And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Co 10:13)"
~Dave
Verse: "And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Co 10:13)"
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Carry Your Candle....
There is a candle, In every soul.
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold.
And there is a spirit, who brings the fire
Ignites a candle and makes his home.
So Carry your candle.
Run to the darkness
Seek out helpless, the confused and torn
And hold out your candle
For all to see it
Take your candle and go light your world.
Take your candle, and go light your world.
~Go Light Your World by Chris Rice
I love this song, and I love the message behind it. This song is a reminder to us to be witnesses for Christ and to shine on those who are lost.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand so it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven. " Matthew 5: 14-16
Im sure many of you are familiar with that verse from summer celebration :). This verse is something we should live by. We should be lights for Christ and spread the news about his wonderful love and grace, to non believers and believers alike. There are so many people who have been wonderful lights in my life, who have shown me God's love and compassion. I'm so thankful to all of my friends and my parents and teachers (the list goes on and on!) who have constantly brought me back to the cross. Thank you all!
Sharing the gospel is not easy. It's really hard. I'm in a situation a lot of you probably don't have to deal with. I have a job, surrounded by non believers and whenever I'm with them I have to think to myself "How can I show them God's love?" Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't. I've told my boss' children Bible stories and whenever they see me they want to hear another. Praise the Lord! Also, I have a younger brother who was adopted from the Philipines. He's a few months younger than me and he's not nessacarily a non Christian. He's growing up in a great Christian enviorment, but he's not getting everything out of it as a normal kid his age could. It's a tough thing to understand, but he's on his way. So even when I'm at home, I have to think about it.
This doesn't just go for people in situations like mine! We should be good examples even when we're in our homes. Most of you have younger siblings or nephews and nieces, maybe even both. Our younger siblings and younger kids we know look up to us to be a good example. We have to let our lights shine so it fills up the entire room, not just the darkest corner. And we need to prevent there from being a dark corner in the room by putting a light there before it can get dark.
I would encourage you all to go over and memorize what you can of 2 Ways to live, which most of us recieved at church a couple weeks ago. Think of people in your neighborhood, your school or job that you can reach out to. Be praying for those people. Be praying that God would help you to be a good example and a light for all of those around you.
Now, Go Light Your World. :)
In His Grace,
~Kye~
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold.
And there is a spirit, who brings the fire
Ignites a candle and makes his home.
So Carry your candle.
Run to the darkness
Seek out helpless, the confused and torn
And hold out your candle
For all to see it
Take your candle and go light your world.
Take your candle, and go light your world.
~Go Light Your World by Chris Rice
I love this song, and I love the message behind it. This song is a reminder to us to be witnesses for Christ and to shine on those who are lost.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand so it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others so they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven. " Matthew 5: 14-16
Im sure many of you are familiar with that verse from summer celebration :). This verse is something we should live by. We should be lights for Christ and spread the news about his wonderful love and grace, to non believers and believers alike. There are so many people who have been wonderful lights in my life, who have shown me God's love and compassion. I'm so thankful to all of my friends and my parents and teachers (the list goes on and on!) who have constantly brought me back to the cross. Thank you all!
Sharing the gospel is not easy. It's really hard. I'm in a situation a lot of you probably don't have to deal with. I have a job, surrounded by non believers and whenever I'm with them I have to think to myself "How can I show them God's love?" Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I don't. I've told my boss' children Bible stories and whenever they see me they want to hear another. Praise the Lord! Also, I have a younger brother who was adopted from the Philipines. He's a few months younger than me and he's not nessacarily a non Christian. He's growing up in a great Christian enviorment, but he's not getting everything out of it as a normal kid his age could. It's a tough thing to understand, but he's on his way. So even when I'm at home, I have to think about it.
This doesn't just go for people in situations like mine! We should be good examples even when we're in our homes. Most of you have younger siblings or nephews and nieces, maybe even both. Our younger siblings and younger kids we know look up to us to be a good example. We have to let our lights shine so it fills up the entire room, not just the darkest corner. And we need to prevent there from being a dark corner in the room by putting a light there before it can get dark.
I would encourage you all to go over and memorize what you can of 2 Ways to live, which most of us recieved at church a couple weeks ago. Think of people in your neighborhood, your school or job that you can reach out to. Be praying for those people. Be praying that God would help you to be a good example and a light for all of those around you.
Now, Go Light Your World. :)
In His Grace,
~Kye~
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Quick note for girls
Hey. Sorry guys (and by guys I mean you boys!! This post isn't for you.
I just wanted to talk to the girls about the chapter "God, My Heart and Clothes" In CJ's worldliness book. It's such a great chapter that adresses modesty and what's going on inside our hearts that makes us dress the way we do.
I am sure several of you are constantly aware of how you dress. I have to think about it a lot so I can bless my two brothers and my brothers in Christ. This chapter was such a blessing to me in this area, and I'm sure it will help you too. Also, Carolyn Mahaney has a Modest Heart Checklist I think it's called and that is located in the back of the Worldliness book also.
I just wanted to encourage you girls to read that chapter if you haven't already!
A Blessed Girl,
~Kye~
I just wanted to talk to the girls about the chapter "God, My Heart and Clothes" In CJ's worldliness book. It's such a great chapter that adresses modesty and what's going on inside our hearts that makes us dress the way we do.
I am sure several of you are constantly aware of how you dress. I have to think about it a lot so I can bless my two brothers and my brothers in Christ. This chapter was such a blessing to me in this area, and I'm sure it will help you too. Also, Carolyn Mahaney has a Modest Heart Checklist I think it's called and that is located in the back of the Worldliness book also.
I just wanted to encourage you girls to read that chapter if you haven't already!
A Blessed Girl,
~Kye~
Monday, January 19, 2009
Inauguration
As you hopefully know, tomorrow, January 20, 2009, is the day of the Inauguration of the President Elect, Barak Obama. It's a day of people being smashed on the mall as they watch, braving the cold, driving around VA and through MD to get to D.C.
But it's more than that. Whether or not you agree with Mr. Obama's perspective and potential policies, God has given us a command through Paul in his first letter to Timothy: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high position, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." (I Tim. 2:1-2, ESV) We're not in a monarchy, but I'm sure that Presidents fall into this category.
So, let's do more than toss a party or stare at the TV and watch Mr. Obama take the oath or what-have-you. Let's be active in praying for this man who has the enormous task of leading our nation. Here are a few ideas... pray that:
-Mr. Obama would have wisdom in what to do with the wars in the middle east, even the ones not our own (specifically Israel and Gaza, even though they currently have a cease-fire)
-Mr. Obama would have wisdom in what to do with the current economic problems
-Mr. Obama would be totally and completely safe tomorrow during the ceremonies and throughout his presidency
Don't feel confined to that list!
God bless!
But it's more than that. Whether or not you agree with Mr. Obama's perspective and potential policies, God has given us a command through Paul in his first letter to Timothy: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high position, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." (I Tim. 2:1-2, ESV) We're not in a monarchy, but I'm sure that Presidents fall into this category.
So, let's do more than toss a party or stare at the TV and watch Mr. Obama take the oath or what-have-you. Let's be active in praying for this man who has the enormous task of leading our nation. Here are a few ideas... pray that:
-Mr. Obama would have wisdom in what to do with the wars in the middle east, even the ones not our own (specifically Israel and Gaza, even though they currently have a cease-fire)
-Mr. Obama would have wisdom in what to do with the current economic problems
-Mr. Obama would be totally and completely safe tomorrow during the ceremonies and throughout his presidency
Don't feel confined to that list!
God bless!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
But I dont FEEL like it
How many of you have had this come out of your mouth, "But I don't FEEL like it."
ME.
To be quite frank, Im sick. And by sick I mean, I'm running a fever and throwing up sick. As as result of this, I have been cranky and unkind. And Im sure you all can relate. When we don't feel good or when we aren't freshly aware of God's blessings- we tend to snap at innocent people and slack off our responsibilities.
I was reading about moodiness in my devotions this week, and I thought I'd share it with you all. I don't know how this relates to you right now, but you might relate to it in the future. This is what the devotion said:
" 'On the broom' is a term I use when referring to my mood. I have days when, for no apparent reaso at all, I feel like calling that broom out of the corner and jumping on for a frenzied ride, terrozing anyone or anything that gets in my path. Including my co-worker, my family, my friends...even unsuspecting strangers. What causes me to get so hurried that I lose control? It's called being empty- poured out with nothing left, not a single drop. We can keep going on nothing but fumes, then at the worst time possible one of those fumes can spark and it rages into a fire...When we're empty and on the broom, we wind up hurting the people we love most. Then comes the conviction and humility of making things right...Here's the point: Stop and get filled up! Don't keep passing by the Word on your nightstand. Dust it off and fill your heart and soul with the spiritual fuel you so desperatly need."
Here are some questions that go along with this:
How often do you fill up your well?
What are your greatest struggles when the negative attitudes of your heart manifest in your actions?
1 Peter 3:8-11 says
" Finally, all of you should be in agreement, understanding one another, loving each other as family, being kind and humble. Do not do wrong to repay wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, be3cause you yourselves were called to do this so that you might recieve a blessing. The Scripture says, 'A person must do these things to enjoy life and have many happy days. He must not say evil things and he must not tell lies. He must stop doing evil and do good. He must look for peace and work for it.'"
This post on moods can also be related to Dave's post about quiet times. When we're moody, it's because we're not focusing on the cross, we're focusing on ourselves. When I have my quiet time, I'm in a much better mood than when I don't, even if Im sick and throwing up. I'm freshly aware of all the blessings in my life, and that makes me feel peaceful not quarrelsome. So I would encourage you if you haven't read Dave's previous post, read it! You'll probably learn far more from that than you would from me. If you learn anything from me, it's only by God's hand!
In His Grace,
~Kye~
ME.
To be quite frank, Im sick. And by sick I mean, I'm running a fever and throwing up sick. As as result of this, I have been cranky and unkind. And Im sure you all can relate. When we don't feel good or when we aren't freshly aware of God's blessings- we tend to snap at innocent people and slack off our responsibilities.
I was reading about moodiness in my devotions this week, and I thought I'd share it with you all. I don't know how this relates to you right now, but you might relate to it in the future. This is what the devotion said:
" 'On the broom' is a term I use when referring to my mood. I have days when, for no apparent reaso at all, I feel like calling that broom out of the corner and jumping on for a frenzied ride, terrozing anyone or anything that gets in my path. Including my co-worker, my family, my friends...even unsuspecting strangers. What causes me to get so hurried that I lose control? It's called being empty- poured out with nothing left, not a single drop. We can keep going on nothing but fumes, then at the worst time possible one of those fumes can spark and it rages into a fire...When we're empty and on the broom, we wind up hurting the people we love most. Then comes the conviction and humility of making things right...Here's the point: Stop and get filled up! Don't keep passing by the Word on your nightstand. Dust it off and fill your heart and soul with the spiritual fuel you so desperatly need."
Here are some questions that go along with this:
How often do you fill up your well?
What are your greatest struggles when the negative attitudes of your heart manifest in your actions?
1 Peter 3:8-11 says
" Finally, all of you should be in agreement, understanding one another, loving each other as family, being kind and humble. Do not do wrong to repay wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, be3cause you yourselves were called to do this so that you might recieve a blessing. The Scripture says, 'A person must do these things to enjoy life and have many happy days. He must not say evil things and he must not tell lies. He must stop doing evil and do good. He must look for peace and work for it.'"
This post on moods can also be related to Dave's post about quiet times. When we're moody, it's because we're not focusing on the cross, we're focusing on ourselves. When I have my quiet time, I'm in a much better mood than when I don't, even if Im sick and throwing up. I'm freshly aware of all the blessings in my life, and that makes me feel peaceful not quarrelsome. So I would encourage you if you haven't read Dave's previous post, read it! You'll probably learn far more from that than you would from me. If you learn anything from me, it's only by God's hand!
In His Grace,
~Kye~
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