Some have been looking forward to the extra hour of sleep, since it was "taken away", from us. To many it was no big deal and has not even changed the way our lives has been operated. We are so schedule conscience that we do not care about 7:00 is earlier or later it just matters it is 7:00. This is how we have geared our lives and thus it is how they are to be lived.
This is okay and very profitable in our daily lives. For we live in the business world we have adopted the cliche time is money. These day no one can afford to waste either. The tragedy of this mentality is that it has snuck over into our Spiritual lives. We do not care what time has been given or re-giving we just view it as time.
Many things in my life i have wasted and should never have anything of value to hold in my hand. I was not a good steward or even faithful to the ones involved. I should never had a chance to reap the benefits of the completed work. Many times I have never even asked to have another chance audibly.
The glory of this is God knows the desires of our hearts and the dreams and promises He birthed, in us, it is like He said, "I will roll back your clock so you do not miss this." The grace of God will not only work to give us what we have never deserved, but it also honors Him that His Word is not betrayed, in your life. He will let us wander through our places of failures to make us s sick of us we want to die. Just to wind us back up at the place where He has purposed us to be, the entire time.
What we really do not understand is that though we carry the regret of it taking so long to get there, at the same time, we do not lose any of the blessings intended through this action of God's desire. What I cannot believe and even register in my weak mind is that all of my faults and failures do not impede or dilute the God which worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.
Just a long way to say Thank You, Lord for the time changes in my life and the lessons and blessings that accompanied them. Hope someone found some help from this today.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Just Doing My Job
Today I went to a restaurant above my house and pick up lunch. Being so close we just made a call-in order. Once I got there all of my order was not ready. The young lady behind the counter quickly and effectively made sure that my order was correct. I began to think her for her service. She stopped me and I am just doing my job. It is my pleasure to serve you.
This struck my heart. When studying, preaching, teaching, and simple witnessing I should just simply should have pleasure in my service for Him. All that I can do or would desire to to should just simply doing my job. It is my responsibility to carry out everything that my Heavenly Father requires me to do.
Job in this since is not making light of my calling. Our calling of God is our profession. Our job is to live up to the calling of God on our lives. My job is daily and without vacation, time-off, sick days, overtime, and so on. I do not have to be effective just faithful and humble. I do not have to have a dynamic personality, for I have a dynamic Gospel.
Of all I want to do in my life, and the list is large. When its all said and done I want to be able while kicking up gold dust, simply say......I was just doing my job.
This struck my heart. When studying, preaching, teaching, and simple witnessing I should just simply should have pleasure in my service for Him. All that I can do or would desire to to should just simply doing my job. It is my responsibility to carry out everything that my Heavenly Father requires me to do.
Job in this since is not making light of my calling. Our calling of God is our profession. Our job is to live up to the calling of God on our lives. My job is daily and without vacation, time-off, sick days, overtime, and so on. I do not have to be effective just faithful and humble. I do not have to have a dynamic personality, for I have a dynamic Gospel.
Of all I want to do in my life, and the list is large. When its all said and done I want to be able while kicking up gold dust, simply say......I was just doing my job.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
What a change was made.
A friend of mine talked me into changing my blog. Being a creature that does not like much change i pressed on painfully. There were options and devices that I did not even knew were associated with using a blog. Then the Lord began to move on my heart and remain me of the changes thaty are made by Him.
The first and most notable change is that it does not even resemble what my blog did before. The same effect the grace of God has within the heart and life of an indivual that He saves. We do not inwardly, nor by our actions, outwardly do we resemble who we one time were.
This change was wrought in the template that was already there. There was a desire of the creator to change what was there to recieve more than it could in the original state. The work and time did not cause me much stress or work. I knew what was in my mind for this blog when I made it. At the same time there was not much stress in the Godhead or heaven over my Spiritual change for They knew what they had desired for me.
Lastly the thing that amazes me is there is so much still on here that I could change it again and again. The secret it when I signed up all of those hidden things that I never knew exsisted. So as in my Christian walk the more i read within the Word of God the more I see places in me that is in need of change.
I am glad what i did not wanted change to begin with was change for the better and for the honor of He who changed it. Hope this helped you. God bless.
The first and most notable change is that it does not even resemble what my blog did before. The same effect the grace of God has within the heart and life of an indivual that He saves. We do not inwardly, nor by our actions, outwardly do we resemble who we one time were.
This change was wrought in the template that was already there. There was a desire of the creator to change what was there to recieve more than it could in the original state. The work and time did not cause me much stress or work. I knew what was in my mind for this blog when I made it. At the same time there was not much stress in the Godhead or heaven over my Spiritual change for They knew what they had desired for me.
Lastly the thing that amazes me is there is so much still on here that I could change it again and again. The secret it when I signed up all of those hidden things that I never knew exsisted. So as in my Christian walk the more i read within the Word of God the more I see places in me that is in need of change.
I am glad what i did not wanted change to begin with was change for the better and for the honor of He who changed it. Hope this helped you. God bless.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
God is Faithful
To me these are the sweetest heard that can ever be uttered or heard. In that one statement removes all hope of myself having to get done what needs to be accomplished, in my life. The joy of resting in a God that not only know what I need but He knows what he is going to do to meet my needs.
To a lot of people times seems to be getting harder. More and more people are feeling lonely or like they haven't done anything worthwhile for the name of Christ. Yet somehow we make it through days, storms, valleys, and whatever else comes our way. Many do not stop and consider that it was not anything that we did, but rather a God that was faithful produced His faith in us by the which we can have a faithfulness about us also.
So the next time we think we cannot make it in our own strength, relax because we never have made it that way. Hope this has been a help and blessing.
To a lot of people times seems to be getting harder. More and more people are feeling lonely or like they haven't done anything worthwhile for the name of Christ. Yet somehow we make it through days, storms, valleys, and whatever else comes our way. Many do not stop and consider that it was not anything that we did, but rather a God that was faithful produced His faith in us by the which we can have a faithfulness about us also.
So the next time we think we cannot make it in our own strength, relax because we never have made it that way. Hope this has been a help and blessing.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Just Me
One of my sayings that my friends get so tired of hearing is when I say "it's just me." In my life that to me is not that big of deal. In the scope of eternity the person that God always wanted a relationship with was Just Me. The very holy God desired unholy me. This alone is one that simply blows my mind.
Never one time in His existence did God never not want me. To Him I have always been with Him and yes even in Him. The thoughts of it's just me is my feeble attempt of mocked humility, but in the mind of God all that He has ever done has been for Just Me.
Don't get me wrong if you are a child of God you are a just me, also. The God that saved has always had you. When you go to bed tonight and turn out your lights and say I wonder who God is caring for know within your heart It's Just Me. The God of heaven is that personal with all those which He loves, saved, and controls.
Hope you found help
Never one time in His existence did God never not want me. To Him I have always been with Him and yes even in Him. The thoughts of it's just me is my feeble attempt of mocked humility, but in the mind of God all that He has ever done has been for Just Me.
Don't get me wrong if you are a child of God you are a just me, also. The God that saved has always had you. When you go to bed tonight and turn out your lights and say I wonder who God is caring for know within your heart It's Just Me. The God of heaven is that personal with all those which He loves, saved, and controls.
Hope you found help
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sitting in a storm
While watching the effects of a thunderstorm it dawned on me how that many days we would love the benefit of one thing without the effects of another. Many days we pray for rain but hate the circumstances that it comes in. Many times the answer to my prayers comes through situations that I don't really want.
I find myself wanting the smooth days rather than the grace that accompanies the storms. Oh, to find myself fully satisfied and contented in exactly where I am would be more than I can muster. looking at the garden knowing that growth will happen makes the storm less fierce.
The underlining truth today is that even through the storm something with grow out of it. The storm did not stop the growth it merely happened while we were focused on the storm. Don't just hear thunder or see lightning. Stop see the rain view the garden and know that when it is all over something will grow out of this.
Hope you found help today.
I find myself wanting the smooth days rather than the grace that accompanies the storms. Oh, to find myself fully satisfied and contented in exactly where I am would be more than I can muster. looking at the garden knowing that growth will happen makes the storm less fierce.
The underlining truth today is that even through the storm something with grow out of it. The storm did not stop the growth it merely happened while we were focused on the storm. Don't just hear thunder or see lightning. Stop see the rain view the garden and know that when it is all over something will grow out of this.
Hope you found help today.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Just Thinking
I am now trying to get my thoughts together for the next round of Bible Study notes. This got me to thinking. How much of God do we really want? Is what we have now enough ti satisfy us deeply. I heard a man say one time "What we know about God is so little we should be ashamed of what we brag about." I have learned the more I learn I really do not know.
In going through a revival this week I have seen a small church go from cold to luke-warm to on fire. The work which the Lord is a truly eternal work. I began to think that this moving of the Lord was unusual. Why should it be? Should we live our lives to stay hot in the things of God! The purpose of our existence us to show forth the glory of God.
My life in the moving of God are not very in-depth, that is my shame and embarrassment. My goal and purpose in living is to both experience and show forth the wonderful glory of our great God. The more time I spend with Him and His Word the more my life will reflect His purpose for me. That is what my life is to be my purpose and His being identical in my life. This means that my desires must be lost in His.
Oh, that God would bear His arm and make me the man He desires me to be. I am ready to live His purpose as my very own. Thank you for reading and hope you found a little help.
In going through a revival this week I have seen a small church go from cold to luke-warm to on fire. The work which the Lord is a truly eternal work. I began to think that this moving of the Lord was unusual. Why should it be? Should we live our lives to stay hot in the things of God! The purpose of our existence us to show forth the glory of God.
My life in the moving of God are not very in-depth, that is my shame and embarrassment. My goal and purpose in living is to both experience and show forth the wonderful glory of our great God. The more time I spend with Him and His Word the more my life will reflect His purpose for me. That is what my life is to be my purpose and His being identical in my life. This means that my desires must be lost in His.
Oh, that God would bear His arm and make me the man He desires me to be. I am ready to live His purpose as my very own. Thank you for reading and hope you found a little help.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Necessity of Study Part 3
Hosea 4:10-11 "For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredome and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD. Whoredome and wine and new wine take away their heart."
The last part that we have to view when looking at these truths is the word Satisfaction. We see that in this text that satisfaction can only be found in Him. Hosea is finishing these thoughts by telling these people the only way they would ever totally serve God was to be completely satisfied with Him.
Just like we said before, every negative implies a positive. The language in this text is telling us because they did not this is their life, but lets look at what it could be. Three thoughts come to mind when we look at satisfaction.
1. Satisfied Appetites v. 1o
"For they shall eat and not have enough"
There is a picture of a people that can not be satisfied with anything that could satisfy. Here we see the truth that when we feed upon the Word of God we can find satisfaction. This is the glorious truth that every part of our lives can be completely and thoroughly met in the Lord Jesus. He is the Bread and His will is the Meat so when you find yourself in the Word of God.
2. Satisfied Affections v. 10
"They shall commit whoredome and shall not increase"
You must remember who Hosea's wife was an harlot. The lesson that was being taught here is that a husband and wife should have their affections satisfied. Our minds along these lines always goes to Ephesians 5. We must remember in that text it is speaking of Christ and the Church. We need to allow our affections to focus on our Lord and His goodness. To be completely blunt, if I find a source of truth outside the Word of God I have played the harlot. So in Christ must be were all my affections rests.
3. Satisfied Attractions v.11
"Whoredome and wine and new wine take away their heart"
These things are meant for distractions. All three of these will always lead you into deeper sins. So now we see the positive. The attractions that the Lord will bring into our lives. The more we focus on the Lord and the Word of God we will only have the desire to go deeper. I'm not saying have an experience outside the Bible, there is no such thing. What I am saying is that when you find your attraction in Him you want to get as much out of His Word and want a greater relationship with Him.
I am so glad that with all the provisions that God provides for us He provides satisfaction for us. I can say that He has done a lot for me but the greatest thing He has done for me is allowing me to satisfaction in Him.
The last part that we have to view when looking at these truths is the word Satisfaction. We see that in this text that satisfaction can only be found in Him. Hosea is finishing these thoughts by telling these people the only way they would ever totally serve God was to be completely satisfied with Him.
Just like we said before, every negative implies a positive. The language in this text is telling us because they did not this is their life, but lets look at what it could be. Three thoughts come to mind when we look at satisfaction.
1. Satisfied Appetites v. 1o
"For they shall eat and not have enough"
There is a picture of a people that can not be satisfied with anything that could satisfy. Here we see the truth that when we feed upon the Word of God we can find satisfaction. This is the glorious truth that every part of our lives can be completely and thoroughly met in the Lord Jesus. He is the Bread and His will is the Meat so when you find yourself in the Word of God.
2. Satisfied Affections v. 10
"They shall commit whoredome and shall not increase"
You must remember who Hosea's wife was an harlot. The lesson that was being taught here is that a husband and wife should have their affections satisfied. Our minds along these lines always goes to Ephesians 5. We must remember in that text it is speaking of Christ and the Church. We need to allow our affections to focus on our Lord and His goodness. To be completely blunt, if I find a source of truth outside the Word of God I have played the harlot. So in Christ must be were all my affections rests.
3. Satisfied Attractions v.11
"Whoredome and wine and new wine take away their heart"
These things are meant for distractions. All three of these will always lead you into deeper sins. So now we see the positive. The attractions that the Lord will bring into our lives. The more we focus on the Lord and the Word of God we will only have the desire to go deeper. I'm not saying have an experience outside the Bible, there is no such thing. What I am saying is that when you find your attraction in Him you want to get as much out of His Word and want a greater relationship with Him.
I am so glad that with all the provisions that God provides for us He provides satisfaction for us. I can say that He has done a lot for me but the greatest thing He has done for me is allowing me to satisfaction in Him.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Necessity of Study Part 2
Hosea 4:7-9 "As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory to shame. They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their inquity. And there shall be, like people, like prriest: and I will punish them for their way, and reward them for their doings."
In these verses the word that came to my mind was the Necessity for Structure. Given the text and the warnings that are given it is in a negative tone for their actions. Through them forgetting the law of God there was nothing positive to be seen. Though whhen we see the steadfastness in verse six will build structure in our life from verses seven through nine.
There are three thoughts that are found in these verses. I want us to see that without Structure there is no stability to stand.
1. Structure for Personal Holiness.
v. 7 "As they were increased, so they sinned against me"
There shying away from the Word of God will lead to ungodliness. So then if we dedicate our lives built around the Word of God will put the precepts that are hid in the Book will be produced in our lives. The desire of our heart should be to be as much like Jesus as a redeemed sinner could be. That purpose will let our holiness which is imputed from God in our salvation can only be put into practice the holiness that is found in the Bible itself. This is the structure that first must be laid.
2. Structure for Practicing Humility
v. 8 "They eat up the sin of my people and they set their heart on their iniquity."
Man that is in rebellion to the Word of God he will automatically build up his own self. The benefits of a personal holiness is that you will always take yourself out of the way and fall down that no you but Him is seen in all of your life. Isn't it funny that a person who apologizes for wrong or asks for forgiveness is called the "bigger" man. There has to be a willful lowering of yourself to the purpose God so that you can accomplish all that He has for you.
3. Structure for Producing Honor
v. 9 "I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their doings."
We bear down and focus on the judgment of God. God will judge and chastise will His children for their wrong doing and sins. He is also a God that will reward faithfulness. The structure if honor is simply this, as we honor God He will bring honor in our lives. My life is to bring glory to Christ and bring honor to the working of His grace in our lives. This is the work of honor that brings God glory and makes us want to praise Him for who He is and not for what He does for us.
Within this structure it adds the stability to our steadfastness. Praise His name for the wonderful Word of God.
In these verses the word that came to my mind was the Necessity for Structure. Given the text and the warnings that are given it is in a negative tone for their actions. Through them forgetting the law of God there was nothing positive to be seen. Though whhen we see the steadfastness in verse six will build structure in our life from verses seven through nine.
There are three thoughts that are found in these verses. I want us to see that without Structure there is no stability to stand.
1. Structure for Personal Holiness.
v. 7 "As they were increased, so they sinned against me"
There shying away from the Word of God will lead to ungodliness. So then if we dedicate our lives built around the Word of God will put the precepts that are hid in the Book will be produced in our lives. The desire of our heart should be to be as much like Jesus as a redeemed sinner could be. That purpose will let our holiness which is imputed from God in our salvation can only be put into practice the holiness that is found in the Bible itself. This is the structure that first must be laid.
2. Structure for Practicing Humility
v. 8 "They eat up the sin of my people and they set their heart on their iniquity."
Man that is in rebellion to the Word of God he will automatically build up his own self. The benefits of a personal holiness is that you will always take yourself out of the way and fall down that no you but Him is seen in all of your life. Isn't it funny that a person who apologizes for wrong or asks for forgiveness is called the "bigger" man. There has to be a willful lowering of yourself to the purpose God so that you can accomplish all that He has for you.
3. Structure for Producing Honor
v. 9 "I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their doings."
We bear down and focus on the judgment of God. God will judge and chastise will His children for their wrong doing and sins. He is also a God that will reward faithfulness. The structure if honor is simply this, as we honor God He will bring honor in our lives. My life is to bring glory to Christ and bring honor to the working of His grace in our lives. This is the work of honor that brings God glory and makes us want to praise Him for who He is and not for what He does for us.
Within this structure it adds the stability to our steadfastness. Praise His name for the wonderful Word of God.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Necessity of Study Part 1
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten my law, I will also forget thy children."
In the sixth verse we see three major thoughts that proves that the Study of the Bible is Necessary. The purpose that is in this verse is found in one word Steadfastness. There is a Necessity for Steadfastness. In uncerain times there is more of a demand for men to stay holy and steady within the truths of God's Word. These truths are here to help us pattern our lives after the example of men through the Word of God.
The Necessity for Steadfastness is for the following:
1. To End the Peril.
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"
Destroyed implies that they were destroying themselves.
The truth that people will only endanger their Spiritual lives when they do not take advantage of the Word of God. You will only only believe God for what you know He can do. The lack of Knowledge in your life will hinder your faith in all aspects of your life. You will always just believe what you have confidence
2. To Enlighten the People
"Thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee"
Rejected implies that you draw or pull away
We see this many times when a truth may hit closer to home than you would want. We would never just discard the entire Bible we just shy away from the part that we don't want to acknowledge as truth. This is the most simple mode of compromise anyone can do. They will only apply the parts that they believe and live as though the other parts do not exsist.
3. To Encourage the Principles
"Seeing that thou hast forgotten the law of God."
Forgotten implies that they lived their lives without the law of God.
Here is where it becomes hard for me to talk. How many days have I acted and/or reacted without the precepts of the Word being by stability. To live your life as though the Word of God is effective to you is a step away from idolatry. When we cope without His Word we will find ways to replace them. How often do I realize after the fact how un-Biblical my life really is.
The truth is that for the sake of me standing for the truth I must always be in the Word of Truth. To be honest this is the burden of my heart, If I want to be Christ-like I can only do that by being what His Word requires of me.
My prayer is that maybe some help was received and possibly a desire to want to have better stability within your life
In the sixth verse we see three major thoughts that proves that the Study of the Bible is Necessary. The purpose that is in this verse is found in one word Steadfastness. There is a Necessity for Steadfastness. In uncerain times there is more of a demand for men to stay holy and steady within the truths of God's Word. These truths are here to help us pattern our lives after the example of men through the Word of God.
The Necessity for Steadfastness is for the following:
1. To End the Peril.
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"
Destroyed implies that they were destroying themselves.
The truth that people will only endanger their Spiritual lives when they do not take advantage of the Word of God. You will only only believe God for what you know He can do. The lack of Knowledge in your life will hinder your faith in all aspects of your life. You will always just believe what you have confidence
2. To Enlighten the People
"Thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee"
Rejected implies that you draw or pull away
We see this many times when a truth may hit closer to home than you would want. We would never just discard the entire Bible we just shy away from the part that we don't want to acknowledge as truth. This is the most simple mode of compromise anyone can do. They will only apply the parts that they believe and live as though the other parts do not exsist.
3. To Encourage the Principles
"Seeing that thou hast forgotten the law of God."
Forgotten implies that they lived their lives without the law of God.
Here is where it becomes hard for me to talk. How many days have I acted and/or reacted without the precepts of the Word being by stability. To live your life as though the Word of God is effective to you is a step away from idolatry. When we cope without His Word we will find ways to replace them. How often do I realize after the fact how un-Biblical my life really is.
The truth is that for the sake of me standing for the truth I must always be in the Word of Truth. To be honest this is the burden of my heart, If I want to be Christ-like I can only do that by being what His Word requires of me.
My prayer is that maybe some help was received and possibly a desire to want to have better stability within your life
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Bible Study
I believe that the most important and the most neglected part of every Christian's life is time spent studying the Word of God. I caught myself just studying to prepare an outline to either preach or teach. That is important but I never knew the joy of diving into the Word to just see what it says. The truths that you find were never accidentally found. Truths are like gold nuggets, they must be dug out.
I love preaching the Word. Love hearing the Word preached and taught. In all honesty the only thing that I love even more than teaching and preaching the Word is the opportunity I get to study the Word of God. Study to me is when I get to simply focus on what the Lord has for me to learn.
I understand that the Bible is not all that God knows but it is all that He wants us to know. That being said I know within my lifetime I will never scratch the surface of the truths that is hid in the Bible. There is no better life that I know worth living. The Word of God being put to work in my life is the joy that motivates me daily.
Over the next few weeks I am wanting to share some thoughts and outlines on this subject. The Lord has given me some thought, which I will never say are original neither deep. Just want to help some that might want more knowledge or understanding on this subject.
Thanks for reading and hope you received help and encouragement
I love preaching the Word. Love hearing the Word preached and taught. In all honesty the only thing that I love even more than teaching and preaching the Word is the opportunity I get to study the Word of God. Study to me is when I get to simply focus on what the Lord has for me to learn.
I understand that the Bible is not all that God knows but it is all that He wants us to know. That being said I know within my lifetime I will never scratch the surface of the truths that is hid in the Bible. There is no better life that I know worth living. The Word of God being put to work in my life is the joy that motivates me daily.
Over the next few weeks I am wanting to share some thoughts and outlines on this subject. The Lord has given me some thought, which I will never say are original neither deep. Just want to help some that might want more knowledge or understanding on this subject.
Thanks for reading and hope you received help and encouragement
Friday, May 27, 2011
Purpose
Anything that has any worth in life has purpose. There are many reasons that people start working on a blog. Many want a place to rant and rave or start a political upheaval. Many want to revolutionize anything they want. The purpose for this blog is given in its title.
Bro. Michael's Thoughts is my attempt to let you know what thoughts the Lord has given me. I am wanting to use this to post both teaching and preaching outlines. Give you some insights that He has given me. I hope that this will be a tool to help any and everyone that finds their way to my blog.
Bro. Michael's Thoughts is my attempt to let you know what thoughts the Lord has given me. I am wanting to use this to post both teaching and preaching outlines. Give you some insights that He has given me. I hope that this will be a tool to help any and everyone that finds their way to my blog.
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