Some came to mind last night after I got done writing that I didn't mention. Then one of my friends left me a comment talking about that word that came to mind so I'm going to take that as conformation from God. I always love feed back so thank you for your comment I hope you all look at the comment mentioning grace on my seventh blog.
This is strait out of Nelson's Compact Bible Dictionary. Grace- Favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite of what the person deserves. Grace is one of the key attributes of God. The Lord God "merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth" (Ex. 34:6). Therefore, grace is almost always associated with mercy, love, compassion and patience.
In the Old Testament, the supreme example of grace was the redemption of the Hebrew people from Egypt and their establishment in the Promise Land. This did not happen because of any merit on Israel's part, but in spite of their unrighteousness (Deut. 7:7-8; 9: 5-6). Although the grace of God is always free and undeserved, it must not be taken for granted. Grace is only enjoyed within the covenant- the gift is given by God, and the gift is received by people through repentance and faith (Amos 5:15). Grace is to be humbly sought through the prayer of faith (Mal. 1:9).
The grace of God was supremely revealed and given in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus was not only the beneficiary of God's grace (Luke 2:40), but was also its very embodiment ( John 1:14), bringing it to mankind for salvation (Titus 2:11). By His death and resurrection, Jesus restored the broken fellowship between God and His people, both Jew and Gentile (meaning us). The only way of salvation for any person is " through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 15:11).
The theme of grace is especially prominent in the letters of Paul. He sets grace radically over against the law and the works of law (Rom. 3:24, 28). Paul makes it abundantly clear that salvation is not something that can be earned; it can be received only as a gift of grace (Rom. 4:4). Grace, however, must be accompanied by faith; a person must trust in the mercy and favor of God, even while it is undeserved (Rom. 4:16; Gal. 2:16).
I realize that was a long explanation but I decided rather than pick and choose the to put in out of that book I would just write it all so I hope it is helpful and gives you much confidence knowing that God gives us grace to help us. Without it we would not be able to accomplish even the simplest things. Ask God for grace in everything you do and always make sure you thank him for it.
Heres something that my roommate showed me totally off subject but I thought it was really cool maybe some of you have seen it before. If you take all the names from Adam to Jesus in order and write down there meanings in order it tells a story. So here it is:
Adam Man
Seth is appointed
Enosh a mortal man of
Kenan sorrow!
Mahalalel The glory of God
Jared shall come down
Enoch instructing that
Metheselah His death shall bring
Lamech those in despair
Noah comfort and rest!
Shem The fame of
Arphaxad Babylon's fortress (but I will make Babylon fade away!)
Cainain and sorrow
Shelah extend like a plant
Eber beyond the place of
Peleg division (at the tower of babel)
Ren a friend
Serug also branches out
Nahor enraged
Terah with fury!
Abram A glorious father (Abraham- the father of a multitude)
Isaac laughs
Jacob as He outwits( his enemy)
Levi (then) joins himself to
Kohath an assembly
Amram a glorious
Moses (whom) he rescued,
Gershom stranger(s) in a strange land,
Shebuel captives delivered by God
Judah one who praises the Lord
Perez breaks open a way (into)
Hezron an area surrounded by a wall
Ram of great height
Amminadab O' my people who belong to the prince,
Nahshon a prophet
Salmon clothed
Boaz with strength,
Obed who serves (the Lord)
Jesse is here!
David one well-loved
Solomon peaceful
Rehoboam and who sets the people free
Abijah my father is the Lord
Asa the healer of
Jehoshaphat him who the Lord judged
Jehoram and whom the Lord raised up!
Ahaziah The Lord took hold (of me)
Joash and the Lord is strong!
Amaziah mighty is the Lord!
Uzziah My strength is in the Lord!
Jotham The Lord is perfect!
Ahaz I took hold of
Hezekiah the strength of the Lord.
Manasseh It made (me) forget (my misery)
Amon Truly (I am) the master builder
Josiah whom the Lord healed,
Jehaikim/Eliakim whom the Lord raised up,
Jeconiah whom the Lord appointed,
Coniah upheld
Jehoiachin and will uphold!
Shealtiel I have asked God about
Pedaiah the ransomed of the Lord,
Zerubbabel the exiles who are in Babylon.
Abiud My father is glorious;
Eliakim My God will raise up
Azor a helper
Zadok the just (one)
Akim will the Lord raise up!
Eliud My God is praise
Eleazor God will help!
Matthan May the gift of
Jacob Jacob
Joseph increase (in greatness)
Emmanuel For God is with us
Jesus Christ The Messiah and Savior of
Church those called out of (Babylon)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Seventh Blog
Well Track One of Intro to IHOP is over. I've been here for three months now and can say that just in these three months my life has been completely changed. God has spoken to me given me strength, confidence, reassured me of who I am, started to reveal his plans for me, started to reveal himself to me, taken care of all my needs, he has opened my eyes to how he works in my life, he has answered many of my prayers. The in time all my prayers will be answered. After all his heart is my heart so the things that are on my heart to pray for are really things that are on his heart. So all I have to do is ask for the things that our on this heart and of course he will answer them and bring them to pass because they are in line with his heart and his will.
By the way one of my roommates moved out cause he got married. So if anybody knows anyone looking into trying out IHOP for a season I got a place you can stay.
I really want to thank everyone for all the support you have giving me here and back in Indiana. I miss everybody back home so much wish we could hang out friends and family hope you are all doing well. There one of my friends that spoke more words of encouragement to me during the hardest times of getting to where I am today. This was during the time when I first stopped drinking. Everybody around me gave me tons of support and respected my decision and I am eternally greatful to all. This one friend how ever gave me more confidence then any other friend. His name is Brandon Chupp and I know he will probably not read this so someone pass it on to him for me. Brandon and I have been friends for 15 years but have known each other since elementary school. Our journeys thought life have been identical in many ways. We have been through many good times together and many bad times together. I have made many mistakes regarding our friendship. Not to mention all the other mistakes I've made in life we can talk about that another time. I hope Brandon can forgive me for the mistakes I've made and trust that everything will work out one way or the other. The only part of life that Brandon has not been a big part of is the part of life I'm going through now. Brandon is one of the most hard working, strong and fun loving people I know. He is also not afraid to do anything and is very smart. I can only pray that Brandon will use these gifts along with all the others God gave him to chase after God and devote his life to God.
With that being said it has been on my heart for some time now since before I came to IHOP even. To all my friends, family and even people I never really got along with. I pray (Ephesians 1: 17-19) I keep asking that the God of the Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart be enlightened in order that you may know the hope in which he has called you, the riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe....
For the most part this prayer means that I am asking God to give you understanding of his heart, mind and will. to understand his inner most thoughts. So that you will team up with him and walk with him. Also that you may understand who you are in Christ. How much he loves you and desires you and wants you to rule with him in the next age when Heaven comes down to earth. Also that you would understand the power that you have as a follower of Christ to change the nations with your prayers, heal the sick, the gift of prophesy which is extremely important when it comes to hearing God. These are only a few of the gifts that are available to us. (John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.)
Coming to know God more has brought me more joy and hope then I could ever imagine. However coming to know God has also brought a great burden to me. This burden involves everyone I've come to know in my life. This unquestionable reality of heaven and hell really makes you think not only about yourself but even more so about others. Lustful thoughts really are the same thing as adultery hate really is the same thing as murder etc... God isn't messing around here you may think you are going to heaven maybe you are but I invite you to ask God to bring anything to mind that he has against you. If nothing comes to mind you are being deceived by satan ask again. Even those that have been believers for years. I heard a statistic not to long ago that probably 5% of all the people in history went to heaven. How sure are you that you will go to heaven. We always need to be checking ourselves asking God to speak to us and guide us. The moment you think your good probably means you are being deceived by satan. Jesus died for us and that is exactly what God wants us to do for him. I realize that most of the people that will read this already believe but still need to search themselves me included. The people I am most concerned with will probably never read this. I am speaking of those who either believe there is a God but do not live according to what Jesus taught or have must of a spiritual relationship with him or ones who just don't believe at all. This is where prayer comes in cause sometimes we can't reach people so we rely on God to do it by asking him for it. So I ask you to pray for others every weekly, daily or just when ever they come to mind. It doesn't have to be long just pray what in your heart and believe that what is in your heart is exactly what God wants you to pray. Then believe beyond a doubt that God will answer it. You may not see results right away but rest assured God is working on them on the inside so keep praying. God will give you little hints that he is working in there lives. Think who do you know that looks for happiness in things that are not of God T.V., drugs,sex, indulgence in food etc... God wants us to look to him for happiness on all occasions. It may not bring instant happiness like some things give us but that instant happiness isn't true happiness it is only to mask our true feels. Gods happiness may take a little longer sometimes but its cause God is helping us work through things so in turn we are stronger and can help other people. Sometimes if it is pain in our hearts God allows us to feel it so we remember that pain that way we might not do what ever cause that pain in the first place. Who has anger, bitterness, hate, jealously in there lives? Pray for them.
I realize what I am writing may be a bunch of disconnect thoughts but I hope I am making sense and not jumping all over the place to much. I am just writing this stuff as is comes to mind so bare with me I don't have much idea of where this started or where it will end up.
This stuff has just really been a burden on my heart. I can't express the joy it would bring me if the people that have been apart of my life could share the amazing journey I'm on. You don't have to be here to join me either you can do it from where even you are. Just devote time to God except that he is in control and give your life to him. One of the things that will help the most is get rid of your T.V. I haven't watched T.V. for three months except the super bowl and some news clips here and there. It is the best thing that could have happen. Put down that phone of yours stop letting it plan your life for you. If you love to read then only read books that will bring you closer to God. There is so many distractions in todays world that make it so hard. Including how busy we make are ourselves. Some use work to bring happiness well guess what that will never bring you true happiness. Please I beg you stop putting it off you may die as you read this. I want to see everyone of you in heaven if I go there that is. If my walk through life ends up being worthy of such an honor. Don't just leave it to chance do something about. There is no middle ground here your walk through life is either worthy of ruling along side Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven when it comes to earth or you go to hell where there is no love, mercy, happiness, joy, friendship etc.... forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever ...... You will want to die but death will never come just pain, suffering and sorrow. I'm probably going to make some people mad with this and it should have been put in earlier but I was honestly afraid to to it in here cause some people may get mad. Paul said in (1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.) Some of us were this things some of us are these things. Some are still working on some of these things. Pray to God ask him about yourself and these things. Repent of them work on ridding yourself of these things. Pray of others to rid themselves of these things or help them. Bring them to there attention if you are so bold. The point is God is serious and he is not messing around. The question is are you messing around and if you are how long are you going to mess around. Stop looking to thins of this world and look to God. Stop putting it off. Dig deep and get to know God so all of our walks can be worthy of ruling along side Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven in the age to come.
By the way one of my roommates moved out cause he got married. So if anybody knows anyone looking into trying out IHOP for a season I got a place you can stay.
I really want to thank everyone for all the support you have giving me here and back in Indiana. I miss everybody back home so much wish we could hang out friends and family hope you are all doing well. There one of my friends that spoke more words of encouragement to me during the hardest times of getting to where I am today. This was during the time when I first stopped drinking. Everybody around me gave me tons of support and respected my decision and I am eternally greatful to all. This one friend how ever gave me more confidence then any other friend. His name is Brandon Chupp and I know he will probably not read this so someone pass it on to him for me. Brandon and I have been friends for 15 years but have known each other since elementary school. Our journeys thought life have been identical in many ways. We have been through many good times together and many bad times together. I have made many mistakes regarding our friendship. Not to mention all the other mistakes I've made in life we can talk about that another time. I hope Brandon can forgive me for the mistakes I've made and trust that everything will work out one way or the other. The only part of life that Brandon has not been a big part of is the part of life I'm going through now. Brandon is one of the most hard working, strong and fun loving people I know. He is also not afraid to do anything and is very smart. I can only pray that Brandon will use these gifts along with all the others God gave him to chase after God and devote his life to God.
With that being said it has been on my heart for some time now since before I came to IHOP even. To all my friends, family and even people I never really got along with. I pray (Ephesians 1: 17-19) I keep asking that the God of the Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart be enlightened in order that you may know the hope in which he has called you, the riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe....
For the most part this prayer means that I am asking God to give you understanding of his heart, mind and will. to understand his inner most thoughts. So that you will team up with him and walk with him. Also that you may understand who you are in Christ. How much he loves you and desires you and wants you to rule with him in the next age when Heaven comes down to earth. Also that you would understand the power that you have as a follower of Christ to change the nations with your prayers, heal the sick, the gift of prophesy which is extremely important when it comes to hearing God. These are only a few of the gifts that are available to us. (John 14:12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.)
Coming to know God more has brought me more joy and hope then I could ever imagine. However coming to know God has also brought a great burden to me. This burden involves everyone I've come to know in my life. This unquestionable reality of heaven and hell really makes you think not only about yourself but even more so about others. Lustful thoughts really are the same thing as adultery hate really is the same thing as murder etc... God isn't messing around here you may think you are going to heaven maybe you are but I invite you to ask God to bring anything to mind that he has against you. If nothing comes to mind you are being deceived by satan ask again. Even those that have been believers for years. I heard a statistic not to long ago that probably 5% of all the people in history went to heaven. How sure are you that you will go to heaven. We always need to be checking ourselves asking God to speak to us and guide us. The moment you think your good probably means you are being deceived by satan. Jesus died for us and that is exactly what God wants us to do for him. I realize that most of the people that will read this already believe but still need to search themselves me included. The people I am most concerned with will probably never read this. I am speaking of those who either believe there is a God but do not live according to what Jesus taught or have must of a spiritual relationship with him or ones who just don't believe at all. This is where prayer comes in cause sometimes we can't reach people so we rely on God to do it by asking him for it. So I ask you to pray for others every weekly, daily or just when ever they come to mind. It doesn't have to be long just pray what in your heart and believe that what is in your heart is exactly what God wants you to pray. Then believe beyond a doubt that God will answer it. You may not see results right away but rest assured God is working on them on the inside so keep praying. God will give you little hints that he is working in there lives. Think who do you know that looks for happiness in things that are not of God T.V., drugs,sex, indulgence in food etc... God wants us to look to him for happiness on all occasions. It may not bring instant happiness like some things give us but that instant happiness isn't true happiness it is only to mask our true feels. Gods happiness may take a little longer sometimes but its cause God is helping us work through things so in turn we are stronger and can help other people. Sometimes if it is pain in our hearts God allows us to feel it so we remember that pain that way we might not do what ever cause that pain in the first place. Who has anger, bitterness, hate, jealously in there lives? Pray for them.
I realize what I am writing may be a bunch of disconnect thoughts but I hope I am making sense and not jumping all over the place to much. I am just writing this stuff as is comes to mind so bare with me I don't have much idea of where this started or where it will end up.
This stuff has just really been a burden on my heart. I can't express the joy it would bring me if the people that have been apart of my life could share the amazing journey I'm on. You don't have to be here to join me either you can do it from where even you are. Just devote time to God except that he is in control and give your life to him. One of the things that will help the most is get rid of your T.V. I haven't watched T.V. for three months except the super bowl and some news clips here and there. It is the best thing that could have happen. Put down that phone of yours stop letting it plan your life for you. If you love to read then only read books that will bring you closer to God. There is so many distractions in todays world that make it so hard. Including how busy we make are ourselves. Some use work to bring happiness well guess what that will never bring you true happiness. Please I beg you stop putting it off you may die as you read this. I want to see everyone of you in heaven if I go there that is. If my walk through life ends up being worthy of such an honor. Don't just leave it to chance do something about. There is no middle ground here your walk through life is either worthy of ruling along side Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven when it comes to earth or you go to hell where there is no love, mercy, happiness, joy, friendship etc.... forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever ...... You will want to die but death will never come just pain, suffering and sorrow. I'm probably going to make some people mad with this and it should have been put in earlier but I was honestly afraid to to it in here cause some people may get mad. Paul said in (1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.) Some of us were this things some of us are these things. Some are still working on some of these things. Pray to God ask him about yourself and these things. Repent of them work on ridding yourself of these things. Pray of others to rid themselves of these things or help them. Bring them to there attention if you are so bold. The point is God is serious and he is not messing around. The question is are you messing around and if you are how long are you going to mess around. Stop looking to thins of this world and look to God. Stop putting it off. Dig deep and get to know God so all of our walks can be worthy of ruling along side Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven in the age to come.
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