Hiding God's Word

Hiding God's Word

What sorts of things find their way into your heart and mind? If you're exposing yourself to a constant barrage of ungodly words, music, or images, you're not taking full responsibility for your life.You can fill your heart and mind with God's Word, and when you do, you'll create a defense against some of the evil messages the world so frequently sends your way. 

The writer of Psalm 119 declared, "I have tried my best to find you-don't let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:10-11). "Hiding" God's Word in your heart essentially means memorizing and meditating on the Bible. God uses his Word-the Bible-to speak to you and show you how you ought to live. 

You've been given the responsibility to guard your heart and to keep track of the things you hide inside it. So, what's in there? Anger? Lust? Ugly images from TV, the movies, or the web? Are you harboring bitterness? Greed? Are you envious of others? If you're struggling with these things maybe it's because you have more of the world's wisdom in your heart than the true wisdom of God. 

Are you having a hard time finding God and following his commands? Hiding God's word in your heart will foster spiritual growth by guarding against those things that hurt you and displease God. 

- Steve Arterburn 

"I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me . . . they are cramming for their final." - George Carlin (1937-2008)

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Being Before Doing

Being Before Doing

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. - Psalm 46:10 

Filling our lives with activity and busyness puts us in dangerous territory. Aside from making us emotionally frazzled and physically exhausted, it's also threatening to make us both intellectually and spiritually deficient. 

I'm not suggesting you live a passive life. Nor am I suggesting there's a dichotomy between being and doing. But I am suggesting there's a priority. Why?

 

- Doing creates and perpetuates the myth that we're in control; being acknowledges that God's in control.  

- Doing commits us to safety; being acknowledges that the Christian life is one of faith-and that means one of risk.  

- Doing engenders spiritual pride; being produces humility.  

- Doing is about correcting behavioral patterns; being is about spiritual renewal through knowing God.  

- Doing is about reactionary response; being is about thoughtfully, prayerfully, and intentionally bringing what the Bible teaches to bear upon every aspect of life.

 What are you "being" as you live your life doing? 

- Steve Arterburn 

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon (1940-1980)

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Banishing fear

From New Life Ministries...

Banishing Fear

When we feel threatened in relationships, we tend to become defensive and guarded. On the other hand, when we feel safe, we're far more willing to be open and vulnerable. This is true of our relationships with other people, and it's also true in our relationship with God. 

The apostle John wrote: "Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that [God's] love has not been perfected in us. We love each other as a result of his loving us first." 

If Jesus hadn't paid the price for our sins on the cross, there would be every reason for fear and defensiveness before a holy God. But, God showed His love for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to pay for our sins and free us from them. As a result, it's safe to open yourself to God. 

Jesus has his arms wide open, calling you to come and receive His love. Could there be anything better? His love is real, and waiting to embrace you. His love is ready to transform you and drive the fear from your heart. God is love, and He shows Himself to you in and through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

When you open yourself to God's love, you'll become open to seeing the truth about God and yourself-and you'll no longer need to be afraid. 

- Steve Arterburn 

"Never take counsel of your fears." - Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson (1824-1863)

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Where do you place the Risen Christ in your life?

What do you do with the Risen Christ?

The Church of my childhood has chosen to "upstage" a beautiful Risen Christ cross which has hung above the altar since the 1950s. They are reinstalling a window that was taken out at that time for the installation of this cross.   They have stated that the Risen Christ cross will remain in the church. They are now trying to figure out how best to place it.

That got me thinking... Where do I place the Risen Christ in my life?

Where do you place the Risen Christ in your life?

Bearing each other's burdens...

This is from Steve Arturburn of New Life Ministries:

Bearing Each Other's Burdens

We are called to walk alongside others on the journey of discipleship. We serve our brothers and sisters by helping them stay on or return to the path of faithfulness. And we also serve them by making sure we continue in faithfulness. Self-neglect and irresponsibility impose an unfair burden on your brother and sister in Christ, because they're responsible to help you. The body of Christ is not a place of self-sufficiency. It's time we quit believing those lies we've been listening to for so long. The Christian faith is not each person looking out for him or herself. Nor is it the survival of the fittest.

The body of Christ is a place of interdependency. When you share the troubles and problems of others, you're fulfilling the law of love. Our burdens bring us together! As you call on others to help you bear your burdens, you will find your love and appreciation growing. Your weaknesses call forth other's strengths. And when others call on you, you have the opportunity to be an agent of God's mercy and grace, looking for nothing in return.

Do you know someone who is under a heavy burden at this time? What practical way can you come alongside that person and help him or her bear it? Prayerfully consider what God may be calling you to do, then step forward and do it.

- Steve Arterburn

"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." - Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

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How do we protect ourselves from ourselves?

Recently, someone who I've known professionally has been accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor.  I can't and won't speak of the specifics of this exact case other than to say that I never would have suspected this person of being in this situation.

Whenever I've heard reports of some adult being accused, it is always an adult I've never met and probably never will meet.  This changed when the person I know was accused.  I was left asking myself this question:

How do we protect ourselves from ourselves?

Recent laws calling on everyone to be a mandatory reporter...

Three different background checks...

No less than two unrelated adults in a room at a time with young people...

Installing windows in solid doors...

Wherever possible, providing separate bathrooms for adults and young people and separate sleeping and shower facilities for overnight settings...

These are all good ways to reduce the chance that something inappropriate will happen but...

It's not THE answer.

These "answers" are almost the equivalent of putting skin cream on a rash when the source of the illness is in the heart.

When our society decides to get back to teaching and modeling moral behavior, we'll see a reversal in these inappropriate relationships.

For people who prefer short blogs...

Hurt people hurt people.
Be a healer, not a hurter.