Spiritual Training 13 April 2011

Posted: April 13, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command
Ezekiel 29:09-10 – Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Because you said, The Nile is mine; I made it, therefore I am against you and against your streams and I will make the land of Egypt a ruin and a desolate waste from Migdol to Aswan, as far as the border of Cush.

The Nile was Egypt’s pride and joy, a life-giving river cutting through the middle of the desert. Rather than thanking God, however, Egypt declared. The Nile is mine; I made it. We do the same when we say “This house is mine; I built it.” or “I have brought myself to the place where I am today,” or “I have built this church, business, or reputation, from the ground up.” These statements reveal our pride. Sometime we take for granted what God has given us, thinking we have made it ourselves. Of course, we have put forth a lot of hard effort, but God supplied the resources, gave us the abilities, and provided us with the opportunities to make it happen. Instead of claiming our own greatness, as the Egyptians did, we should proclaim God’s greatness and give him the credit. (Migdol is in the north of Egypt, and Aswan in the south. Thus, this meant all of Egypt.)

Spiritual Training 12 April 2011

Posted: April 12, 2011 in Acceptance, Personal Growth, Under Gods Command, winning
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Under Gods Command

Good Pride and Bad Pride

Proverbs 11:02 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Galatians 6:4-5 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.

There are two kinds of pride.
One is the opposite of humility; it is very bad. The other is the opposite of shame; it is very good.
• The kind of pride that is the opposite of humility leaves God and other circumstances out of our successes. It claims that whatever we have achieved, we have achieved by our own virtue. The essence of this kind of pride is self-centeredness and selfishness and it is condemned by Scripture. This does not mean, however, that the Bible is opposed to the self. The self is one of God’s good creations; selfishness is worshiping the creation rather than the creator. Bad pride is the kind of selfishness that always wants to be center stage that takes all the credit, that leaves God out, that gives no thanks to other people that goes it alone. It is the opposite of what God desires for us.
• The kind of pride that is the opposite of shame has to do with a job well done, with excellence, with striving for the best, with rising above mediocrity. In a Christian, this kind of pride attempts to give of its best to the Master.

People who misunderstand the difference between the two kinds of pride may have a misimpression of the Christian faith. Christianity is not opposed to excellence. It is not opposed to putting forth your best effort, excelling, and achieving. No, it is only opposed to a person’s thinking he can excel without ‘God’s help.
• Selfish pride is the opposite of thankfulness and gratitude. It show no gratitude to God for a healthy body, a healthy mind, good parents, a good national heritage, a good diet, and a thousand other blessing over which the person has no control. A person filled with selfish pride thinks he has created himself through his own efforts….. The other kind of pride doesn’t finish playing a solo and say it was nothing. It is not unable to accept a compliment.
• The pride that is opposite to shame can say thank you and give credit where credit is due. It can thank God for his gifts and at the same time acknowledge good work when it is done. The person who can accept a compliment is not arrogant. He knows where his dexterous fingers come from, who gave him his mind and his sense of rhythm.

Have you been successful? Do people praise your achievements? Give credit to God in thankful prayer for each gift he has given you.

Please remember that these emails are going to over 100 people. I used BCC to keep your email address private. I just want to share my own personal walk with you, and yes, please hold me accountable for my actions. I love you all and there is nothing that you can do about it.

Proverbs 11:31 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 11, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 11:31- If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

Contrary to popular opinion, no one sins and gets away with it. The faithful are rewarded for their faith. The wicked are punished for their sins. Don’t think for a moment that “it won’t matter” or “nobody will know” or “we won’t get caught.”

Spiritual Training 11 April 2011

Posted: April 11, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command

The Cooking Pot
Ezekiel 24:6-13 – For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the city of bloodshed, to the pot now encrusted, whose deposit will not go away! Empty it piece by piece without casting lots for them. For the blood she shed is in her midst: She poured it on the bare rock; she did not pour it on the ground, where the dust would cover it. To stir up wrath and take revenge I put her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered. Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the city of bloodshed! I, too, will pile the wood high. So heap on the wood and kindle the fire. Cook the meat well, mixing in the spices; and let the bones be charred. Then set the empty pot on the coals till it becomes hot and its copper glows so its impurities may be melted and its deposit burned away. It has frustrated all efforts; its heavy deposit has not been removed, not even by fire. Now your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided.

The city of Jerusalem was like a pot so encrusted with sin that it would not come clean. God wanted to cleanse the lives of those who lived in Jerusalem, and he wants to cleanse our lives today. Sometimes he tries to purify us though difficulties and troublesome circumstances. When you face tough times, allow the sin to be burned from your life. Look at your problems as an opportunity for your faith to grow. When these times come, unnecessary priorities and diversions are purged away. We can reexamine our lives so that we will do what really counts.

Spiritual Training 08 April 2011

Posted: April 8, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command
Willful Sin and Praise to God don’t mix 

Ezekiel 23:39 – On the very day they sacrificed their children to their idols, they entered my sanctuary and desecrated it. That is what they did in my house.

The Israelites went so far as to sacrifice their own children to idols and then to sacrifice to the Lord the same day. This made a mockery of worship. We cannot praise God and willfully sin at the same time.

Proverbs 8:32 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 8, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 8:32 Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.
Luke11:28 He replied “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Luke08:21 He replied “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

A person’s obedience to God is more important than his or her place on the family tree. The patient work of consistent obedience is even more important than the honor of bearing a respected son. Jesus’ true family are those who hear and obey his words, Hearing without obeying is not enough. As Jesus loved his mother, so he loves us. Christ offers us an intimate family relationship with him.

Spiritual Training 07 April 201

Posted: April 7, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command

Walking the Talk
Ezekiel 22:30 – I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.

The wall spoken of here is not made of stones, but of faithful people united in their efforts to resist evil. This wall was in disrepair because there was no one who could lead the people back to God. The feeble attempts to repair the gap-through religious rituals or messages based on opinion rather than God’s will-were as worthless as whitewash, only covering his real problems. What the people really needed was total spiritual reconstruction!
When we give the appearance of loving God without living his way, we are covering up sins that could eventually damage us beyond repair. Don’t use religion as a whitewash; repair your life by applying the principles of God’s word. Then you can join with others to stand “in the gap” and make a difference for God in the world.

Proverbs 07 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 7, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command

Warning against the Adulteress

Proverbs 7:4-23 (4) Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman; (5) they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words. (6) At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. (7) I saw among the simple, I noticed among young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) (13) She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! (16) I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. (17) I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. (18) Come let’s drink deep of love morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! (19) My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. (20) He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon. (21)With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox gong to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose (23) till and arrow pierces his liver like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

Proverbs 7:24-26 Now then my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

Although this advice is directed toward young men, young women should heed it as well. The person who has no purpose in life is simple-minded (7:7). Without aim or direction an empty life is unstable, vulnerable to many temptations. Even though the young man in this passage doesn’t know where he is going, the adulteress knows where she wants him. Notice her strategies: she is dressed to allure men (7:10); her approach is bold (7:13); she invites him over to her place 7:16-18); she cunningly answers his every objection (7:19, 20); she persuades him with smooth talk (7:21); she traps him (7:23). To combat temptation, make sure your life is full of God’s Word and wisdom. (7:4). Recognize the strategies of temptation, and run away from them-fast.

You can take definite steps to avoid sexual sins. First, guard your mind. Don’t read books, look at pictures, or encourage fantasies that stimulate the wrong desires. Second, keep away from settings and friends that tempt you to sin. Third, don’t think only of the moment-focus on the future. Today’s thrill may lead to tomorrow’s ruin.

Spiritual Training 06 April 11

Posted: April 6, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command

God or pleasure
Ezekiel 20:39 – As for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me, and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols.

The Israelites were worshiping idols and giving gifts to God at the same time! They did not believe in their God as the one true God; instead, they worshiped him along with the other gods of the land. Perhaps they enjoyed the immoral pleasures of idol worship; or perhaps they didn’t want to miss out on the benefits the idols might give them. Often people believe in God and give him gifts of church attendance or service, while still holding on to their idols of money, power, or pleasure, not wanting to miss out on any possible benefits. But God wants all of our lives and all of our devotion; he will not share it because devotion to anything else is idol worship. Beware of trying to keep God pleased while you also pursue the pleasures of sin. You must choose one or the other.

Proverbs 06:6-11 Wisdom for the Soul

Posted: April 6, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Under Gods Command

Proverbs 06:6-11 – Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

Those last few moments of sleep are delicious-we savor them as we resist beginning another workday. But Proverbs warns against giving into the temptation of laziness, of sleeping instead of working. This does not mean we should never rest: God gave the Jews the Sabbath, a weekly day of rest and restoration. But we should not rest when we should be working. The ant is used as an example because it utilizes its energy and resources economically. If laziness turns us from our responsibilities, poverty may soon bar us from the legitimate rest we should enjoy.
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