buildingbodies4christ

building on the foundation of Jesus Christ

Archive for the tag “Godly life”

08 May 2013

May I Help?

One of my friends sent me one of those blast emails of the story of an encounter in a busy airport. Salesmen in the rush to catch a plane upset an apple cart. All of the men rushed to catch the plane, but one man turned back to help the young lady. It turns out the young lady was blind, and no one was helping her retrieve the apples. She was groping blindly looking for her apples and everybody was passing her by without helping. This email reached into my soul. I have seen this email in the past, but this time it opened my eyes. I had been passing others by as well. How many times have I passed others who needed help without stopping because I was too busy or maybe just didn’t see them because I wasn’t looking?

I remember having my own airport experience from several years ago, which has stayed with me. I was on a business trip with my boss and a colleague. We were leaving the airport on our way to a meeting. As we were heading to our rental car, we passed a lady who was obviously upset. I noticed her. My soul was stirred. But I kept on walking. What could I do after all? I was in a different city. I didn’t know this lady or what was making her so upset. I could justify my passing her by with all my excuses. However, this could have been a life changing moment. It could have taught me a powerful lesson or it could have been what she needed for a better day. I’ll never know how God was going to use that moment. And I let it pass me by.

For far too long, I have been avoiding encounters with those around me who are blind and need help. For those who are actually seeking sight, I could be the help they need to find what they have lost. Jesus spoke about the blind seeing, celebration happening when the lost are found, and loving others as one loves themselves. I hope I never pass by another person who needs the help without at least offering to help. I may be turned down, but it never hurts to offer. It may be inconvenient. I may have to sacrifice something. But what difference will it make? It could be the difference between life and death. It could be a life-changing, divine appointment encounter. I’ll never know if I don’t stop to ask.

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37

Posted in Faith and tagged , , , ,
24 Apr 2013

Proven!

Many years ago, I received the gift of salvation. I was around eleven years old. It was on Easter Sunday. I did not understand everything that occurred that Sunday morning. I didn’t understand the budding relationship that happened. I know Jesus came into my heart. I know I heard the Holy Spirit speak into my heart to “Go!” The trouble is I didn’t change anything. However, I do believe I was covered with the blood of the Lamb. I believe God protected me just as He protected His children in Egypt as the angel of Death moved throughout Egypt. I know there were many times I was not walking as I should. But I had a moment in 1993, where I turned around. I saw I had moved far away from God. I had wandered away. It was not something that I had done intentionally. I just didn’t make wise choices. I never understood I couldn’t change on my own. I had the power of the Living God in me, but I didn’t know what that truly meant.

Since 1993, I started changing. It was a slow progressive step toward Jesus. I began the walk home. Today, I am vastly different from who I was in 1993. I am actually even different from who I was in 2012. I have a progressive growth attitude. It is intentional. I am intentionally seeking. I do not rest in my relationship but seek to be more like Jesus. Oh, I am still far from where God wants me, but I am so much further than I was. It is a process of change that began on the day Jesus came into my heart. I didn’t do what I should have done then, but the fruit is evident today. Jesus says we will know each other by our fruit. It’s a wonderful gift Jesus has given us. I am truly grateful for the new life He has given me. I am no longer a slave to my old sin nature. It’s dead to me – Praise God! When I am faced with the old me, I can simply say “I’m dead to that!”

I know I don’t handle all situations perfectly. But I know today that what happened when I was 11 has been proven in my life. I am changed. And I am still changing. I’m not done yet. God is still at work! The places where I stumble are less frequently on my path. I recognize those old roots and try to avoid them as much as I am able. It’s not by my strength but the One who lives in me. I know I cannot live this life without the Holy Spirit’s power. And it’s because of Jesus that I can say – I am CHANGED!

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

Posted in Faith and tagged , , , ,
27 Mar 2013

Pleasing God

A couple of weeks ago, I heard a sermon on longing for approval by Craig Groeshel. I didn’t think I had any issues in this area, but the more I thought about it the more I realized I was a people pleaser. I wanted my parent’s approval when I was growing up. I wanted my friends to like me and to fit into their circle. But what about now? Do I still want to please others? Yes, I care what others think of me. I even care if people read my posts or my newsletters. I want people to like me. Is this so wrong? Yes, it is.

The Pastor pointed out from Scripture (Proverbs 29:25), it’s a snare that actually leads people into idolatry. If we care more for others opinion than we do for God’s, then we are actually putting people ahead of God, which is idolatry. Oh boy. I wasn’t expecting that. People are fickle. Why would I try to please fickle people? Why would I seek another person’s favor when God’s favor is the best? It’s more important what God thinks about me than what other people think about me. If I am living like I should, which is pleasing to God then others will not like me.

Jesus is a divider. He didn’t come to make a peaceful world. He came to shake up the world. He brought peace, but most denied Him. They were not looking for peace. He separates love from hate. He separates light from dark. He took the old and made something new. He took the old covenant and made a new one. He took a promise from God and fulfilled it. If others did not like Jesus, then we will not be liked by others if we follow His teachings. His teachings were hard. Most of His followers left Him. Only a handful remained at the end of His life on earth. But who did remain, fulfilled their mission. They made Jesus known in their world. He was made known all the way to my heart.

I am left with the dilemma. Do I chose to follow Jesus or do I follow people? Who do I please? Who do I worship? Okay, it’s not much of a choice. I choose God. But if I choose God, then I need to carry the mission in my world. It’s going to be hard. That’s okay. Jesus died for me and that was hard on His part. Praise God – it’s all about Him! It’s time to be bold in the name of Jesus and quit playing it safe. I can’t please everybody, but I can please God!

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
05 Dec 2012

But God

Recently, I heard a sermon on hell. I haven’t heard a sermon on hell in forever. It wasn’t a “fire and brimstone” sermon as in the days of old. It was just a matter of fact spoken from God’s Word. It was the reality of eternal damnation. The feeling of the eternal ramifications of those who reject God is sorrow and pain in my heart. But also the gratefulness in my heart that is by God’s grace and mercy that I am His child through the blood of Jesus. I took the path of destruction so many years ago, but God turned my heart toward Him. But God – powerful words. God took my hand and led me back to the path of light. He turned me around and wouldn’t let me go any further down that dark wide road. It was my choice. I chose to change and receive His true gift of salvation through Jesus.

I know of others walking on that dark wide road. I don’t know if they will have a “but God” moment when God will turn them around. I know of many who think there is no hell. They don’t consider themselves to be lost and without hope. Even the demons believe in hell. In scripture, they begged Jesus not to cast them into hell, but send them into the pigs instead (see Luke 8:32). I have known a few who have already died and gone to the place where they now know exists. It’s too late for them. They cannot be saved. I am sure there are others who are ready to hear about God and the saving grace of Jesus’ blood.

Am I ready to tell them my testimony of how God changed my heart? When will I have that burden for my neighbors who may not know? When will I have the conversation with my family members who are not assured of salvation? Many are on the road to destruction and only a few will travel the narrow path. My heart longs to tell, but my mouth stays silent. I cannot let it any longer. Time is too short. Tomorrow is not a guarantee. I have today to open my heart and my mouth to those around me. But God will be with me. But God will never leave me nor forsake me. That’s the testimony of one who believes with all my heart that God lives in me and will speak the truth through me. God’s grace is sufficient to meet all my needs even when I open my mouth to tell my story.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Posted in Faith and tagged , , , ,
21 Nov 2012

Pulling Weeds

I wrote a newsletter a few years ago about pulling weeds. I remembered the newsletter one morning when I was outside pulling weeds in my flower beds. I am reminded how diligent I have to be to keep the weeds at bay. But I also have to get down to the root in order to get it removed completely. When it was really hot this summer, I let things go. I didn’t want to be outside in the hot and humid weather pulling weeds. They completely took over my beds. Now, I have to take more time digging down deeper because they have been in there too long. It takes more effort to remove them. This thought leads me to consider the roots of sin in my life. There is sin in my life that relates to just a few small things that really aren’t a big deal when looking on the surface. But it’s the small sins that can get down deep and take more effort to remove them.

When I started writing my story this summer, I realized some of the small sins that really did get in deep soil. I thought I had done a good job in removing the sins in my life, but I didn’t get into the deep soil. I only got the weeds that were sticking out. I have been asking God to show me the places in my life where He wants to prune. Slowly, He has been revealing places in my life where the sin has dug down deep. There was a sin of unforgiveness that I didn’t recognize until He revealed it. There was the sin of pride that keeps sprouting up when I least expect it. Each time I see a sin, I am reminded I need to get down to the depth of the cause. Why is it an issue still? Why haven’t I removed it completely? It’s a lifelong pursuit of becoming like Christ. It is the process of sanctification – of becoming holy. God is still revealing. I am still pulling the weeds out knowing that as they are revealed, I repent and at once I am forgiven!

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23

Posted in Faith and tagged , ,
14 Nov 2012

Going Public

Several months ago I was questioning God. I asked Him – what’s hindering me from moving forward? What’s hindering my relationship with the Holy Spirit? Why am I not working in the power of the Holy Spirit? I started searching in my soul, in the Word, listening to different speakers and reading a few books. One thing kept coming up: baptism. I considered this answer. I had often thought when I saw others being baptized whether I need to be re-baptized. I had received the gift of salvation at the age of 11. I was baptized soon after. Even though I really didn’t understand any of the ramifications of what being “born again” really meant at the time, I believed I had covered all my bases. But as I was considering baptism this time, one of the speakers spoke about being baptized in the Holy Spirit. I started questioning that aspect since I knew I was not really working in the power of the Holy Spirit, maybe this is what the answer was. I thought about it, prayed about it, read about it and asked a couple of people about their thoughts on the matter. And then let it go.

A few weeks ago, I started questioning God on the matter again. I heard a few sermons soon after this on the Holy Spirit. Two pastors spoke on the subject in length. Both said “we have all we need already in us if we have the Holy Spirit, if we are born again.” I believe I am born again – my life is living proof of it. So if I have all I need already in me, what’s hindering me? God placed baptism in front of me again. Even though I did it when I was 11, I didn’t really start living my life as a born again follower of Christ until a few years ago. This is the time to fully acknowledge His work in me. This is the time to go public.

I started attending a new church a few weeks ago. They are having a baptism this evening. I will be in that group who are being baptized. It’s a simple obedience to what I believe I am to do next in order to move forward in complete surrender to His will. Whether I receive any deeper anointing or find a new power working through me is irrelevant. I am to follow where God leads me. I am excited to find out what’s next in my life. Each small step of obedience leads to another small step. As I take each one, a true walk of faith is occurring. My journey is not about a destination since I know the ultimate destination, but it’s about the process to getting there. Celebrate with me today for I am alive in Christ!

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4 (ESV)

Posted in Faith and tagged , , , ,
03 Oct 2012
2 Comments

It’s Official

I love watching people. When I go to the gym, while I am resting between sets, I watch the people around me. One day, I was stretching out in a room that was surrounded by mirrors. A guy came walking in. I didn’t notice anything at first, but then I turned my attention to him. He was flexing his muscles. Looking in the front, the side and the back mirrors to see how he was looking (I’m assuming). He did this for a couple of minutes then walked out.

I also noticed there are quite a few people who are very angry. I came in the other day with a fellow who was a bit irate at the gym for charging his credit card after he quit coming. He was beyond livid. I noticed a guy not too long ago throwing a mini tantrum when the machine he wanted was already occupied. Were these really issues to do with the circumstances at the gym or was it about something else totally? As I was observing people’s behavior, I realized this is all pretty normal stuff for the average population.

I came in one Sunday after church. I hadn’t exercised all week due to lack of facilities on my vacation (and lack of desire!), and I wanted to get back into it. It was relatively early since my church has an early service. There were more people there than I would have thought, but less than the average number when I usually go. The crowd was definitely more men than women. Actually, I probably could have counted the women on one hand. As I was looking around, I realized we all worship something.

I also realized I am no longer normal. Its official, I’m weird. I don’t worship the same things others do, I worship only God. My heart experiences joy and hopefully my face (and body language) reflects it. My attitude has changed, and I don’t get upset like I used to. I am much more patient than I have ever been. I am not in a rush to get anywhere. I may still get discouraged and have a bad day with some loneliness or grief or something. But my life is no longer normal compared to the average population. I used to want to be like everyone else, but now I want to stand out and be different. It’s weird how things have changed. It’s official. I am different but in the “weird for Jesus” way. And I’m okay with that!

When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:6-7 (NLT)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Posted in Faith and tagged , , , ,
12 Sep 2012
1 Comment

Opinionated

My sister called me opinionated. Is that a good thing or bad thing? I was commenting on her reading material during our beach trip. I offer my opinions on healthy lifestyle adjustments too. Yes, maybe I am opinionated and offer them way too much. When people are not ready to hear the truth, then they might take offense to what I am saying. I have come a long way from where I started. Truth be told, a few years ago, my reading material was not the best either. I was filling my mind with junk. I was filling my body with junk too.

God filled me with the Holy Spirit many years ago. But I became more sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting a few years ago after I started to pray for a hunger and thirst to know God more. I realized I could not keep doing the things that I used to do and develop a closer walk with God. When I started to pray that specific prayer, I became more aware of the things I was doing that was not honoring Him. I began to realize the junk that I was subjecting my mind and my body to. I was not only harming my physical body with junk food but also my spiritual body with mindless trash. I could not keep doing these things and walk with God at the same time.

If Jesus came back when I was reading the junk or watching the junk at the movies, would I have been embarrassed for Him to catch me? I began to realize I couldn’t continue to do it and feel God being pleased with my choices. I dumped the trash out of my life. I must admit, I still watch some things on TV that I should probably not watch as well. Every day is about choices. I need to remember the choices I make will either please God or not. But I also need to remember that not everybody is where I am, and I need to keep my opinions to myself.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

Posted in Faith and tagged , , ,
15 Aug 2012

Mirror Mirror

Last week I wrote about “do something.” God pointed out another issue about doing something through a sermon from Andy Stanley (Senior Pastor, North Point Community Church). Don’t you just love how God works? Pastor Andy spoke on Matthew 7:24-27 and James 1:22-25. Basically, the same principle: one spoken by Jesus and the other by James, Jesus’ half-brother. James had the analogy of a mirror. Jesus had the analogy of a wise man building a house. I listen to several teachers every week on spiritual matters as well as health matters. It doesn’t do me any good if I just listen and do nothing else. Jesus says we are to “put these things into practice.” James says it is like us looking in a mirror and seeing ourselves but doing nothing with what we see. I know there are many people who spend at least an hour getting ready to face the world every morning. We are grateful that they have taken the time to do so. But what if our spirits were showing in the mirror instead? What would we do with what we see? We are to be a reflection of Christ. Is our spirit reflecting Him or do we need to spend more time working on it before we leave to face the world?

After looking at the Olympics for the last two weeks, I am aware of the practice it took for the athletes to be able to do the things they can do. As a child, I took piano and guitar lessons. I liked the theory of playing, but I hated to practice. As a health coach, my goal is to help others become healthier. I can talk to them and give them advice. It does no good unless they actually put the suggestions into practice. I can purchase the treadmill, but it is no good as a clothing rack. I have to do something with it. What we hear is nothing until we actually put it into practice. As the athlete practices to become better able to compete, I have to practice what I hear so that I can become better as well. I have found the best part of hearing the Word, is the freedom found from doing what I hear. This has made the difference in my life.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

Posted in Faith and tagged , ,
16 Jul 2012

Fitness Level

As I was working out over the weekend, I realized what a great work God has done in my life. I see the results of my physical fitness through a more energetic body. I have so much more energy today than I did twenty years ago. I started this path about seven years ago (time flies). But also in that time, God was working on my financial well-being as well. I am blessed with a financial head. I know all about budgeting for my wants and needs. I know how to save and invest properly.

I have been fortunate to have good jobs throughout my career, but I didn’t really put into good practice what I did for other companies. I went through a Dave Ramsey course at my church back in 2007. I knew better than to spend more than I make, but being the single that I am, I had no one to account for my every penny. When I started the Ramsey program of budgeting every penny, I realized I was wasting too much money on junk. God placed the desire to go to a holistic school in New York around this same time. I do not do debt. And I quickly realized I needed to adjust a few things in order to afford this school. I did cut back, cut out and sold a few things in order to pay all the expenses.

Since that time, I had set money aside for my emergency fund, a car fund and certain expenses I knew that would come (like Christmas!). God was making a way for me in 2007 to become financial fit for such a time as this. As I was learning discipline in my physical being and my financial being, He was also working on my spiritual being. Discipline by nature is hard. But the rewards are awesome when put in the right perspective. I am better able today to do the things I love to do, because I have more energy, no stress, and a determined God to get me to the place I need to be.

How’s your fitness level?

Keep yourself growing in God-like living. Growing strong in body is all right but growing in God-like living is more important. It will not only help you in this life now but in the next life also. These words are true and they can be trusted. 1 Timothy 4:7b-9

Posted in Health and tagged , , ,

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