Shouts to my girl (you know who you are) and someone else needs to hear this too. We had a long talk today and I just want to let you know that you are strong, beautiful, smart, amazing, and God is crazy about you. Don’t let ANYBODY tell you anything differntly. I know time may feel like it’s standing still right now, but after a storm there is calm and peace and sometimes a rainbow. I will be there for you through it all and so will God. I Love you!
Does the God command us to stay away from intoxication? Do you think it’s a sin for Christians to drink alcohol? From what I’ve read, the answer is yes and no.
The bible tells us in Ephesians 5:18 to not to get drunk. So yes, God is commanding us as Christians to not get drunk of wine. The bible also tells us as Christians to stay away from doing things that may hinder non Christians from seeking God. He wants us to be an example, a light. 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 “9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” I mean really, think about a time when you did something you regret because you were so gone; or you were so faded you can’t even remember if you did something you regret. It’s not a good look, and it’s not cute.
God also doesn’t forbid us to drink wine, beer, or any other alcoholic beverage. There are many scriptures in the bible where the bible discusses drinking in positive terms. Ecclesiastes 9:7 says, “Drink your wine with a merry heart.”
Even though God doesn’t forbid alcohol consumption, be very careful of the addiction that it could cause, drunkenness and the effects of drunkenness, and last but not least possibilities of causing offense to others who are stumbling. Let his light shine in you.
This is my favorite dance routine from last season’s “So you think you can dance”. The dance is about a person trying to shake their addiction, but the habit is too hard for them to kick. As you can see, the piece causes some serious emotion.
We understand why natural disasters occur; we don’t understand why God allows them to happen. Katrina occurred, the monstrous Thailand Tsunami, now a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Haiti? Why God? Why would you kill so many innocent people, some of them being babies? Why God, if you love us, why punish us in this way? Many people ponder these questions. People want to know why a God of mercy, all-power, and forgiveness would cause such a devastating event. This isn’t the first time people questioned God in times of disaster, and certainly won’t be the last.
Instead of focusing on these questions, I like to focus on how God has kept us from harm for so long. I like to praise God for saving us and forgiving us and having mercy on us, after sin after sin after sin. When this question comes up, there are 3 things that come to mind.
1. This earthly world is just a layover
This is not your final destination, this is just a layover until your next flight. Your time here on earth is temporary; you are not supposed to be here forever, period, point, blank! God tells us that he is preparing a place for us after our earthly life (John 14:2-3). Although we want to live a fulfilling life while on earth, we have to realize that life here is provisional. Some people lose sight of the definition of everlasting life.
2. God brings goodness out of suffering
When disasters like this strike; it forces us to think beyond life here on earth. It brings the reality of death and life after death. It makes us think about eternity. After disasters, churches are usually filled as people realize how fleeting their time on earth really is, and how in an instant it could be over. We gather in churches after disasters to pray for the hurt, injured, and those who have lost in a time of disaster. We gather in churches to praise him for letting us have our health. We know how great our God is, and how many miracles occurred during the disaster. Disasters cause people to reevaluate their purpose and priorities in life. Money, help, and attention is given to areas that until the disaster may not have had it.
3. Christians are called to help
This morning I was listening to Lisa and Eric on K-love and a great point was brought up. During disasters like this, Christians and Christian ministries have the opportunity to help, pray, and lead people to Christ. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.”
God can and will bring good out of this tragedy, trust!
love,
the christianista
Ways to help Haiti:
Texting HAITI
to 90999
$10 will be charged to your cell phone bill.
Texting YELE to 501501
On Twitter, musician Wyclef Jean, a native of Haiti,
notes, “Haiti needs your help and $5 will go toward earthquake relief.”
Red Cross
www.redcross.org or 1-800-REDCROSS
Catholic Relief Services
www.crs.org or 1-888-277-7575
Psalms 34:18 says: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
When you feel rejected, dismissed, mistreated, used, and hurt and the list goes on and on, Jesus is there. God is closer to you than you think!
When I was a young girl and would get in trouble by my parents, my younger sister would ALWAYS be there to comfort me, even when I didn’t want her to be there. I would sit in my room and cry, pout, and was angry at my parents and in comes my little sister. She would come to my defense, and express to me how it was unfair for me to be in trouble. She would get so involved emotionally that I would have to shush her for fear of my parents coming back in and putting both of us on punishment (lol). She has always tried to take up for me and has always had my back! When you are mistreated and are hurt and down, Jesus wants to be there for you. He wants to comfort you and take up for you even when you don’t want or expect Him to be there.
Wherever you are in your life and whatever you may be going through, remember, He will be right there.
It’s 2010! Thank God for giving us a New Year and a new day. Most people have New Year’s resolutions, and most people fail to keep these resolutions. Do you run into this problem? Do you always make New Year’s resolutions to read the Bible more, to exercise more, maintain a healthy diet, work on your finances? Do you ever forger about your resolutions by mid-year and plan to start them all over again at the beginning of the next New Year? If so, then maybe you should re-evaluate the power behind your New Year’s Resolution.
You say, Philippians 4:13 says “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” While this is true God also says in John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” So God is saying yes, you can do all of these things with my strength behind you. Yes, you can lose weight, regain your finances, maintain your healthy diet, and much more. However, you have to remain with God in order to accomplish these goals. You can’t do it alone. You may say to yourself, “I am doing it with God, I pray for strength to help me go and work out and eat right and spend right, what’s the problem”? The problem may be the reason you are doing this.
Are you planning to lose weight for vanity issues, or are you planning to stay healthy to serve God in a more efficient way? Are you planning on working on your finances to bless your family and others by showing them God’s will or do you just want a new car for boasting rights? What is the purpose or meaning behind your New Year’s resolution. Ask yourself how will my New Year’s resolution help you serve God. When you answer this question, the answer will give you more motivation to accomplish this goal and also help to look to God and pray to him for assistance.
When you pray to God about your New Year’s resolution, don’t just ask God to give it to you, but do the following:
1. First ask God for wisdom, on what He wants your New Year’s resolution to be. There is no need to pick your own and struggle with God because that is not His will for you. .Just make it easy on yourself and ask Him first
2. Ask and pray for wisdom on how He wants you to fulfill this goal.
3. Don’t rely on yourself, but instead, His strength to push and motivate you.
4. Find someone to hold you accountable. Find a partner and share your goals with that person.
5. Don’t get discouraged with occasional setbacks. Instead, use them to push you even further than you thought you could go.
6. When you accomplish your goals, give the glory to God!!
I know you can do it. Find out what He wants, do it , and thank Him for it.
Remember, He is the vine, you are the branch. Put the power behind your New Year’s Resolution!
When I think of leaving this earth, I think of the people I will leave behind. I think about the hurt and heartache it will cause. Even though I will see my loved ones again, the time away from them for that time period will hardly be bearable. How to live beyond lost? Death may not be a lost that you are dealing with right now. In this economy living beyond job lost, relationship lost, body health lost, and many more is what many people are dealing with. Sometimes we have to take a step back and see how God is using us. He may be using us for someone else to see his mighty power.
Look at what God did to Job. The devil was jealous of Job and God let him take away EVERYTHING. Job’s cattle were taken away, all his servants killed, tornado destroyed his house and killed all of his children, and if that wasn’t enough he got leprosy. Basically Job was a baller who got robbed, employees were caught in a drive by, lost his house and kids to Hurricane Katrina, and then got the Swine Flu!! The craziest part of the story is, Job was never unfaithful to God and never questioned his love. WOW!
The question is asked again, how do you handle loss? I must admit, if I were Job, there would be some serious dialogue between God and myself.
In the end Job was blessed with double his cattle, had ten more kids, got his health back and lived another 140 years. God used Job to show us an example of devotion and long-suffering and is still showing us in 2009.
God thank you so much for all that you have done and given me. Thank you for letting your light shine through me. Please give me the strength and devotion of Job. Help me see the bigger picture when I am blinded by impenetrable trials and tribulations. In Jesus name…..
