A poem I wrote:
As I look around, there is nothing but disaster-
Christians go to church and start sinning right after
Ignoring God's word, putting self first
Not knowing that they're fools and meaningless is their laughter
But of course they're not aware- they don't listen to the pastor.
Forget about fate; they say, "Nah, that can wait."
They need time to lie, steal, drink, kill, and fornicate.
How you at the club early, but show up to church late
And have the nerve to say, "Sorry, Rev, got a lot on my plate"?
Your actions are stupid, your word is truthless.
Your plate is full of sin, so it's just a deadweight.
You need to be prepared for the day the Lord returns
Instead of searching for protection when you feel the lust burns.
Are you really protected, or condemned and rejected
When our bodies from this earth to the judgment place adjourn?
So before the tables turn, you need to backtrack and refocus your concerns.
No one is perfect, yes, we all fall short
But believers keep ballin', while traitors run off the court.
They let sin beat them, so they don't try any more
But God's true team is determined to keep the high score.
They practice every day by reading God's plays-
His word shows them the way to score points with the Lord.
With all that said, you have to pick a side.
You can't live your life walking a thin line
Like a tightrope; which way do you want to go?
You can choose to follow the Most High who provides, whose dwelling is in the sky
Or you can roll with the captain of deceit, who will take away your joy and leave you bitter from defeat...
What's it gonna be?
Monday, February 7, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Keeping Up Appearances
Since the young age of five, I was allowed to dress myself. My outfits were a plethora of bright colors and quirky patterns and made me feel most confident that I had picked them out. Though I have since learned the definiton of "tacky," I still like to feel confident in my style. Now that I have long forsaken the trendy 90s mini skirts and tie-up shirts, my concern is: "What should I, as a Christian woman, be wearing?"
Every woman has what she considers her "best asset." Whether it is her smile, hair, lips, curvature, or skin- she is proud when that asset is on display. Most people will notice, but when they do not, surely the woman will try her best next time to say: "Look at me- I have the best [fill in the blank]!" Little does she know, she is actually down-playing her value.
Anyone who is deserving of a Christian woman's attention is not going to judge her by her amount of cleavage, her heavily made-up eyes, or any other physical attribute which she might spend hours perfecting. If a woman is married, all of her physical body is reserved for her husband, but if she is single, her body is still reserved for her husband. Even a woman gifted with singleness has reserved her body for the Lord. In essence, a Christian woman should respect her body. Sound familiar? Look at 1 Corinthians 6:19 "Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?" This scripture tells us that our bodies are honorable gifts from God. Therefore, we should want to keep it pure.
When a woman gets dressed each day, she should ask herself: What aspect of my character am I displaying today? Though everyone has what they believe are flaws, character can easily overshadow a slanted eye or chipped tooth. Psalms 139:14 says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made," so never should we be self- conscious about our appearance. A meek character greatly enhances the appearance of any being. Whoever God foreordains to be together will instantly be attracted to each other on a deeper level than visual. How wonderful is God's plan- The very thing that a woman may not like about herself is attractive in God's eyes and her husband's!
In conclusion, women (and men) are to clothe themselves in modesty. When I was in high school, the slogan for dress code was "Everything that is trendy is not necessarily appropriate." This statement could not be anymore truthful. Applying this slogan to Christians, everything that the world finds attractive is not attractive to God. We are called to glorify God in all aspects of life, which includes our obvious physical being. We cannot spread the glory of God while looking like the world- it's impossible. So let us strap on our belts of truth (Eph 6:14) and display our Christianity!
Every woman has what she considers her "best asset." Whether it is her smile, hair, lips, curvature, or skin- she is proud when that asset is on display. Most people will notice, but when they do not, surely the woman will try her best next time to say: "Look at me- I have the best [fill in the blank]!" Little does she know, she is actually down-playing her value.
Anyone who is deserving of a Christian woman's attention is not going to judge her by her amount of cleavage, her heavily made-up eyes, or any other physical attribute which she might spend hours perfecting. If a woman is married, all of her physical body is reserved for her husband, but if she is single, her body is still reserved for her husband. Even a woman gifted with singleness has reserved her body for the Lord. In essence, a Christian woman should respect her body. Sound familiar? Look at 1 Corinthians 6:19 "Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?" This scripture tells us that our bodies are honorable gifts from God. Therefore, we should want to keep it pure.
When a woman gets dressed each day, she should ask herself: What aspect of my character am I displaying today? Though everyone has what they believe are flaws, character can easily overshadow a slanted eye or chipped tooth. Psalms 139:14 says we are "fearfully and wonderfully made," so never should we be self- conscious about our appearance. A meek character greatly enhances the appearance of any being. Whoever God foreordains to be together will instantly be attracted to each other on a deeper level than visual. How wonderful is God's plan- The very thing that a woman may not like about herself is attractive in God's eyes and her husband's!
In conclusion, women (and men) are to clothe themselves in modesty. When I was in high school, the slogan for dress code was "Everything that is trendy is not necessarily appropriate." This statement could not be anymore truthful. Applying this slogan to Christians, everything that the world finds attractive is not attractive to God. We are called to glorify God in all aspects of life, which includes our obvious physical being. We cannot spread the glory of God while looking like the world- it's impossible. So let us strap on our belts of truth (Eph 6:14) and display our Christianity!
Friday, January 28, 2011
"Patience"
Waiting on the Lord is sometimes hard to do
When anxieties and pressures are overwhelming you.
You cry out to God, "Which dream should I pursue?"
But inside you have doubts if He'll really come through,
Not realizing all along that God knows your heart.
He wants to fill it with faith and to fill your grocery cart.
God deeply loves you, so you must do your part-
Completely depend on Him right from the start.
Where there is faith, there is no need to worry.
Don't go without sleep or ask God to "Hurry!"
Though your situation seems to get more blurry,
Sit back and be a spectator, and God be the Jury.
He's the only one who makes final sound decisions.
Nothing ever happens unless it's by His provision,
So ask God to show you in a scripture or a vision
What you need to do to stay within His permission.
God never takes long to answer our prayers,
So beware of impatient skeptics and deliberate nay-sayers.
They don't know the Lord's opinion is superior to theirs.
His timing is perfect in all of our affairs.
Be encouraged in your time of waiting.
Precious life is certainly not wasting
Away, as long as it's God's path that you're taking,
He'll give that dream to you, so you don't have to do the chasing.
When anxieties and pressures are overwhelming you.
You cry out to God, "Which dream should I pursue?"
But inside you have doubts if He'll really come through,
Not realizing all along that God knows your heart.
He wants to fill it with faith and to fill your grocery cart.
God deeply loves you, so you must do your part-
Completely depend on Him right from the start.
Where there is faith, there is no need to worry.
Don't go without sleep or ask God to "Hurry!"
Though your situation seems to get more blurry,
Sit back and be a spectator, and God be the Jury.
He's the only one who makes final sound decisions.
Nothing ever happens unless it's by His provision,
So ask God to show you in a scripture or a vision
What you need to do to stay within His permission.
God never takes long to answer our prayers,
So beware of impatient skeptics and deliberate nay-sayers.
They don't know the Lord's opinion is superior to theirs.
His timing is perfect in all of our affairs.
Be encouraged in your time of waiting.
Precious life is certainly not wasting
Away, as long as it's God's path that you're taking,
He'll give that dream to you, so you don't have to do the chasing.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Why "Doing Me" is Unbiblical
Everyone has been told at least once to "do you" or "do what you feel is right", but how do we know what is right? If I have a problem deciding whether or not to do drugs, and someone tells me to "do what [I] feel is right", would I be wrong for choosing to do drugs? It felt right to me, so it must be cool, right? There are many examples in the Bible to address this problematic way of thinking.
In the tenth chapter of Leviticus, the first few verses are a short but significant story about Aaron's sons. Nadab and Abihu, two priests, appeared before the Lord to offer unauthorized fire. It is quite clear in verse 1 that God had not commanded them to do so. Therefore, He consumed them in fire "and they died before the Lord" (2). As the eye witnesses were shocked by this, Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord spoke of when He said, 'Among those who approach me I will show myself holy. In the sight of all the people I will be honored'" (3). Aaron was speechless.
Now, there was nothing wrong with Nadab and Abihu's wanting to give God gifts; however, their mindless initiative was not pleasing to God. He wants us to do things His way, not our own way. The priests failed to seek God's will first. Though God has a revealed will and a sovereign will, we are given His revealed will to consult for life instructions. God's sovereign will is what we witness each day. There is no wonder that we can make plans with good intentions, but still they are not executed in the way we hoped. This is God exercising His soveriegn will.
In conclusion, do not be an arrogant decision-maker by claiming to know what is right based on a "feeling," but seek God's counsel and ask Him- "What does Your word say about this? Is this edifying?" Asking these simple questions may allow you to exercise better judgment in situations you never stopped to consider before. Then will you not only humble yourself and make wise choices, but you will also build a better, closer relationship with your Heavenly Father.
In the tenth chapter of Leviticus, the first few verses are a short but significant story about Aaron's sons. Nadab and Abihu, two priests, appeared before the Lord to offer unauthorized fire. It is quite clear in verse 1 that God had not commanded them to do so. Therefore, He consumed them in fire "and they died before the Lord" (2). As the eye witnesses were shocked by this, Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord spoke of when He said, 'Among those who approach me I will show myself holy. In the sight of all the people I will be honored'" (3). Aaron was speechless.
Now, there was nothing wrong with Nadab and Abihu's wanting to give God gifts; however, their mindless initiative was not pleasing to God. He wants us to do things His way, not our own way. The priests failed to seek God's will first. Though God has a revealed will and a sovereign will, we are given His revealed will to consult for life instructions. God's sovereign will is what we witness each day. There is no wonder that we can make plans with good intentions, but still they are not executed in the way we hoped. This is God exercising His soveriegn will.
In conclusion, do not be an arrogant decision-maker by claiming to know what is right based on a "feeling," but seek God's counsel and ask Him- "What does Your word say about this? Is this edifying?" Asking these simple questions may allow you to exercise better judgment in situations you never stopped to consider before. Then will you not only humble yourself and make wise choices, but you will also build a better, closer relationship with your Heavenly Father.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Finding Your Place
There are times in everyone's lives when they are lost, looking for their niche. By following the crowd and doing what is considered "normal", so many become engulfed in a confusing and destructive circle of life. Whether you're a record-breaking athlete, creative artist, or competent businessman, following instinct as opposed to God- given direction is useless. If you are a believer in Christ as your Lord and savior, then you should consider your own understanding in this area. If you are not a believer, then you should consider how Christ can save you from error in this situation.
For a moment, focus on your greatest talent- the ability that you have had since you could remember. Where did it come from? Did you acquire a talent by simply trying to be good at something? The answer is "no." No matter what you excel in, within your power and knowledge you did not make yourself talented. You have been given all your abilities from your creator: God. He gives us gifts for His glory (1 Cor 4: 7, 1 Cr 12: 4-11). Nothing we have comes through ourselves, but from God, so how can a creation boast on itself without giving its creator the credit? It is impossible and detestable to attempt. Though we all have different gifts, such as leadership, speech, encouraging, or serving, each gift has the ultimate purpose to make God known.
So what we all must ask ourselves is "Where do I fit in?" You may know that God has given you the ability to sing or preach, or you may still be searching; either way you are called by His purpose (Rom 8:28). Do not feel pressed for time in finding your role in life, for God makes His will known when our heart truly wishes to know it. Immersing yourself in the Bible is always a great starting place; you can even ask for spiritual advice from someone who knows the Bible well.
Let us not become so confident in our abilities that we forget the person behind it to depend on ourselves for what is so-called "success." Ask God how he wants to use you and He will show you, relieving the stress of doing things on your own- endless labor that sows no fruits. Then, you will be on a path to true success and triumph, for when we give God our steering wheel, his wheel power is much more powerful than our own will.
For a moment, focus on your greatest talent- the ability that you have had since you could remember. Where did it come from? Did you acquire a talent by simply trying to be good at something? The answer is "no." No matter what you excel in, within your power and knowledge you did not make yourself talented. You have been given all your abilities from your creator: God. He gives us gifts for His glory (1 Cor 4: 7, 1 Cr 12: 4-11). Nothing we have comes through ourselves, but from God, so how can a creation boast on itself without giving its creator the credit? It is impossible and detestable to attempt. Though we all have different gifts, such as leadership, speech, encouraging, or serving, each gift has the ultimate purpose to make God known.
So what we all must ask ourselves is "Where do I fit in?" You may know that God has given you the ability to sing or preach, or you may still be searching; either way you are called by His purpose (Rom 8:28). Do not feel pressed for time in finding your role in life, for God makes His will known when our heart truly wishes to know it. Immersing yourself in the Bible is always a great starting place; you can even ask for spiritual advice from someone who knows the Bible well.
Let us not become so confident in our abilities that we forget the person behind it to depend on ourselves for what is so-called "success." Ask God how he wants to use you and He will show you, relieving the stress of doing things on your own- endless labor that sows no fruits. Then, you will be on a path to true success and triumph, for when we give God our steering wheel, his wheel power is much more powerful than our own will.
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