"1. Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3. Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 6. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. 10. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him."
A lot of times in our lives, we ask why people do evil things to us? Why is the world allowed to hurt us? They make plans to hurt God, His word, and His people. They want to break us. God sits there on His throne laughing at their efforts. He knows the end result to their plans. His punishment will be on them. There is no need for us to put our focus on how the world is hurting or hindering us. Our job is to glorify and magnify God and focus on our part in spreading His word. If we allow ourselves to put our focus on how they hurt us, then we are allowing them to hinder our own work. Forget about their plans...put your focus on your own job and get it done...don't lose your focus. God says He will deliver them into our hands...we don't need to do anything to take care of the problem...God will take care of it. Now let me get on my "soap box" for a minute. There is no need for Christians to be criticizing other Christians. Just because their standards are not up to your standards does not give you a reason to slander their name. If you were a true Christian, you would keep your mouth shut to everyone else and pray for them. You are losing your focus on life and the work of God when you focus on everyone else's problems. God will take care of it...stop trying to do His job!!!! Trust me, I am sure you have enough problems of your own to focus on.
We are to serve the Lord with respect and rejoice in the fact that we have a God that loves us the way He does. Put your trust in Him and He will bless you.
It's funny that you should post this, because I did a devotional today that I'm posting tomorrow that is very similar! I agree...maybe instead of asking 'WHY', we should ask 'What'..."God, what are you wanting me to learn or take away from this experience". Instead of having a victim attitude, have an attitude of learning. Yeah I like that...Let God do HIS job and you do your's...don't try and do both!!!
ReplyDeletePLEASE...GET ON YOUR SOAP BOX MORE!!!!!! Ugh...it's so irritating how much in-fight goes on with Christians...ESPECIALLY baptistis!!:/ "well this pastor isn't coming because they have big screens in their church" or "we aren't going to their youth rally anymore because they us electric guitars/ basses and drums".......OH JUST STOP IT!!!!! Just because they keep up with things and grow their church doesn't mean that they are contemporary! I think many people confuse modern with contemporary....there is a BIG BIG difference!!! Modern is exactly that...modern. Contemporary is when doctrine, music, modesty, language, etc, changes from what the Bible says. Just because a church is modern and growing doesn't mean that you have to shun it!! For pete's sake GROW UP and get some big boy underwear on, and stop fighting other Christians, and start fighting SATAN!!! I could go on and on, but I better stop before I totally blow-up!!!:)
I really like both parts of this devotional!!! Both are VERY true!!!! Awesome job Bre!!!:D
For real?!? That's Awesome!!!! can't wait to read it!!!:) wow...that's good...i never thought of it like that but you're right...instead of acting like we are a victim why not see what we can learn from it!!!
ReplyDeleteI KNOW!!!!! It aggravates me when Christians can't get along...not that the world is any better but since were Christians we should be a step above that!!!! If that church is winning people to the Lord then keep you're mouth shut and do the same thing...you don't have to go to that church if you don't agree with their standards...go to the church that has your standards...but if their winning souls to Christ, don't try to shut them down...the only person were trying to shut down is Satan...not Soul-winning Christians. Now...I kind of disagree with you on the modern and contemporary thing...I see what you're saying but...hmmmm....I'm struggling with figuring out how to say this...do you mind if I'm bluntly honest?!?
EXACTLY...I think Satan is perfectly happy with us fighting among ourselves, because then that's one less thing He has to worry about. If we are tearing each other down He doesn't need to use his forces to tear us down....when we tear other true Christians down just because we don't agree about everything, we are doing Satans work for him:/ Absolutely...be honest engine!!
ReplyDeleteYou're EXACTLY right!!! Ok...so...I kind of see what you're saying with modern and contemporary....with modern you can use the modern technology to accomplish your goals much faster...for instance...when you mentioned having the big screen in the church....for one...that keeps the peoples attention on the preacher and when their sitting all the way in the balcony and the preacher is using an illustration it is VERY helpful for him to have a big screen for everyone to be able to see what he is talking about...it is also helpful in making missionary presentations...power point presentations and many other helpful things in the church...it can also be used for announcements before and after church...i can go on and on about this one!!! but the one thing I do have a problem with is if we get a little too modern with our music!!!! Satan was a musical creation and his most dangerous tool is music...what he was created for. Too many people are trying to lower their standards in music in the church!!! Now what you listen to in your own home is your preference and your standards...but in the church we have to be VERY careful what music we promote on the platform!! Now I know drums are used in orchestra in the church and stuff like that but so long as the drums aren't taking over the music...if the drums are causing us to lose focus on the words then the beat is probably wrong!!!! The electric and bass guitar is fine as well...just that because it is used in rock groups you have to be careful how you use it...this is where modern and contemporary come together...too many times we try to keep up with the "times"...when what we really should be saying is that we're trying to keep up with the world...Our main goal as a Christian is to keep our distance from the world and stay close to Jesus Christ...but if we always keep the same distance from the world...and if the world is always getting farther and farther away from Christ then we are getting farther and farther away from Christ as well...When the world is getting farther and farther away from Christ then we should be getting farther and farther away from the world...If we stay a foot away from the world at all times but the world moves a foot farther from Jesus everyday then tomorrow we will be in the place that the world was in yesterday...God never moves...then why are we letting our standards move in the same direction as the worlds!!! I don't know if I'm making sense...but...It's great that these bigger churches with bands are getting people saved but they are losing the true blessing that they could get from God and they are confusing their converts...their band...if you were to be honest...may be singing praises to God but by their movements they are bringing praise to themselves...just watch a contemporary..."modern"...music group sing and see how their movements bring attention to themselves...when the whole purpose is to bring glory to God!!!! I hope this makes sense...I may have been a little confusing:/
ReplyDeleteI really REALLY want to get it on this conversation....I agree Breanna on the music thing! It makes me sick what some churches do to get big crowds and please people with Rock bands, etc...I mean come on this isn't the theater, this is church. We should be doing what pleases God in God's house not what makes people feel good. ya know? (btw, I have no problem with big screens in church ;)
ReplyDeletealso, there's a difference between judging and not participating. While I think it not wise to get all over someone about there music/dress standards/etc...While I'm not going to judge them (Luke6:37), I'm also not going to lower my standards to meet theirs (Romans 12:2). And I'm not going to go to a rock concert with them... Or even in some cases go to some "Christian" activities because of some of the foolishness that go's on...
BTW, great point on having the attitude of learning not the victim attitude. Great point Levi!
@Levi, Do you have a blog where you post devotional stuff? If you do,could you send me the link to it. if you don't mind me seeing it that is. :-)
Great thoughts guys, I'm getting alot out of this.
Ok, Bre I know what you're saying, and you wern't confusing. First off, I agree with what you just said!!!!:) I probably should have been more clear. Screens I'm totally cool with. Music is a touchy subject for everyone! Here's my thoughts on it...WARNING it's simple. Is what I'm listening to right now going to bring honor and glory to God. If someone pulled the earbuds out of my ear would they say "He's a Christian" or would they say "Dude sweet beat, what album is it" So I agree with you when you about not letting the instruments take over the song and the message. It's like a gun...drums, guitars, cymbals, basses, etc, can be used for good or bad. It's not that they ARE used, it's HOW they're used. All that to say, I agree with you Bre! Also I like your analogy of trying to say close to the world, but the whole time, getting farther and farther from God! ALSO...you said something that I think a lot...these churches are big and they are getting a lot of people saved and stuff, but what are they doing that is hindering God from blessing them even more! Know what I mean?!? So I'm sorry if that was confusing:/ Please understand I'm not advocating contemporary, I'm just saying that we could get more people if we were more modern in our approach to un-saved people, WITHOUT lowering our standards?? I can explain more if I need to!!:)
ReplyDelete@Eli: Yes, It's onethreeforever.blogspot.com
Ok...after looking at what you had said earlier I began to think maybe that that was what you meant! I totally agree...what we listen to should reflect the Christian that we are!!! Oh my word...yes...that's what I was trying to say...It's good when it's used in a good way...ANYTHING can be used for the bad...it's human nature...as Christians we are admonished to use the things God gave us for the good!!!! Ok...so that question...I just heard a sermon...actually I think it was yesterday...his name Dr. Jim Binney...he was Dr. Schaap's pastor who told him to go to HAC. He asked us why we did what we did? was it for our own glory...when we saw somebody saved was it just to put that number there on our activity report so we wouldn't get in trouble...was it to get praised or rewarded for being a good soul-winner...did we do for others so that we could be recognized...we can say we don't but God knows what is in our heart. He used the illustration of a fireman who was putting out a fire in an apartment building. A mom came running up and screaming that her baby was still in there. The fireman risked his life and went into the apartment building...he found the crib and grabbed the baby bundled in blankets and got out of the building as it was crashing down around him. He ran over to the mother and handed her his bundle...she unwrapped the baby...only to fine that it was doll!! The fireman's intentions were right but he didn't get the reward of seeing that baby alive. Our intentions may be right as Christians, but someday when we stand before God...will we get the rewards we think we deserve?!? We may not get our rewards in Heaven because...yes our intentions were right...but who were we really doing it for?!? If we are doing things for our rewards now then...we got our reward....we sacrificed our reward in Heaven to be rewarded here on earth. ugh...this is kind of confusing...idk how to really say what he was trying to say. I'm sure those churches who use contemporary ways are bringing people to the Lord...but how many more people are they confusing by their contemporary ways. If they don't see a difference on the outside there is no way they'll see why they need to make an inner change in there lives. We are told to be set apart to show others that God truly does make a difference in our lives. I'm sure those churches are being blessed because they're are reaching souls for Him....just like that fireman was blessed to get out of that fire alive with his bundle...but when he got out and unwrapped his bundle he found he lost a life. Those contemporary churches are trying to tell the world to excepts God as their Savior but that there is no need for them to make a change...which is TOTALLY wrong...God becomes our Savior and changes our inner man which should in turn change our outer man. How many lives have they lost because the world didn't see a difference so they didn't see the importance of excepting Jesus as their Savior...how many people have asked, "why should I get saved when I'm just like you? The only difference is the words said in the music, but the beat is the same! Why should I change?" I still feel like this is confusing...sorry:/ Yes...I understand what you're saying...use the modern things that we have now to reach this generation but not lower our standards. Since the world is so fast paced today we have to use the modern technology to reach them in a faster manner...we have to learn how to use the modern things to reach the world...but NEVER lose or lower our standards!!!! this is kind of confusing to do over a blog:/
ReplyDeleteYour'e right...it is sad. But they think what they are doing is right...It's not our place to slander them but neither should we lower our standards to meet theirs...i definitely agree with you on that!! Too many times people are trying to fix things the way they think it should be and they hurt people in the end. Instead of trying to shove things in other's faces we need to love them as a Christian should and pray for them...not that they would see the light of day...but that God would give them a heart that would search after Him...and that God would give us the same as well!!!! We need to let God do His work in their hearts instead of us trying to "do the work"..it's not our responsibility...our responsibility is to do the work of God...get the gospel out to the world...they may be wrong about some things but at least they are reaching the lost. Don't get me wrong...i am not saying it is fine to go to a contemporary church...i personally will not go to a contemporary church...but our focus isn't to take care of their problems...it's to take care of our own and to spread the gospel!!!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going to get on my soap box again:/....there is one thing i CANT STAND!!!!!! seeing baptist Christians pull away from other baptist Christians. For instance, how you said about not going to some "Christian" activities...now I'm sure this is not what you meant but it brought to mind this thought that just irritates me!!!!....anyways...Why are we separating from our Christian brothers!!!!! seriously....we don't go their activities...why?!?....hmmm...because they're not exactly like us...they don't believe like us...we wouldn't do it like that. HELLO...I think God made each and everyone of us different and unique in our own way...we are beautiful in our own DIFFERENT way!!!!! None of us are going to do everything exactly like the other! That's the beauty of the world God created...can you imagine how boring the world would be if everyone was like me?!? Seriously...even i get bored with that though...I enjoy the different personalities...ideas...minds...thoughts....i could go on and on!!!! Just because things are not done EXACTLY how we would want them does not mean that we should not go to a church function...activity...and especially the church service!!!!! Now if there was something doctrinally wrong with it then I TOTALLY understand!!!! But there is NO reason to separate from our other Christian brethren....everyone has something that they can teach us!!! They have gone through experiences that you may not have faced yet but they can teach you how to face it someday...and there's so much more that people can teach us!!!! We have to keep ourselves open to learning!!!! Too many people are so prideful that they can't allow themselves to learn something from those around them because they know EVERYTHING....newsflash....YOU DONT!!!!!!!!! So perk up your ears and eyes and get ready to learn from those around you...you aren't the smartest...the best...the greatest!!!!! Now we should try and be the best that we can be but there is always someone out in the world that is going to be better!!!I heard a saying once and it hit something with me..."Someone, somewhere, is practicing so that someday when they meet you; they will beat you!" We are not better then anyone else...we are to be the best that we can be...but we are not to be too prideful that we can't learn from those around me. Ok...I'm stepping off my box now:Plol anyways...I enjoyed your thoughts on this...and I totally agree with you...don't judge but don't lower your own standards!!!!
btw...this was in answer to you Eli:)
Right, I agree Breanna...I wasn't saying don't go to an activity with someone because their different than you...But rather, don't go to an activity where the doctrine/leadership/activity is against what we believe...BTW, great point about how you can learn something different from everybody...Every single person you know you can learn and draw something from. :-) Great thoughts!
ReplyDeleteBOOM-BOOM-POW!!!!...that's ghetto for you hit the nail on the head/I AGREE!!!!!!:) I can hardly think of anything else to add to what you just said..in BOTH of your responses....I'M SERIOUS! Great points about how we separate from each other, for piddly-dink reasons, and how we can learn from EVERYBODY!!!!!! I agree...we may have the right intentions, but we may be kidding people into thinking they are saved when really they aren't!!!:/...that's the biggest thing that I see the contemporary movement is doing...kidding people into thinking they are saved:( When you REALLY get saved you visibly and emotionally change...if you don't then you really didn't get saved!!:/ Yes It is kinda confusing...face-to-face would be much easier...but I like discussing stuff like this!!!!:D And BTW...your soap-box raves..well I like them because you say the stuff that a lot of people do, but no one is willing to call them out for!!!
ReplyDeleteReally?!? wow!!! well I did say a lot...oops:/ and i did get a little scared that I might have said too much...but I'm glad you liked it!!!:) hmmmm....I never thought about that with the contemporary world...they are a lot into the touchy feeling stuff and sometimes lose what is real in salvation!! But...what about those who grew up in a Christian home and got saved as a kid but went the way of the world...would you consider them saved?!? Like...idwant to judge whether a person meant that salvation prayer or not...Idk what is really going on in their heart....only God does...I just do my job and make sure they know about it and how they themselves can be saved and have a Savior like mine...but Idwant to judge whether they meant it when they asked Jesus to be their Savior or not...I can't see what is going on or not. A lot of people desire it for a ticket out of hell but they don't have the character to pull themselves out of the life that they are in...but I do feel like their life must be miserable if they are living in sin but saved!!!! I enjoy it too!!:D really?!? wow...ok....well I try not to get on those raves too much cause sometimes they can step a little on people and I don't want to be a person that shoves things into others face...but I am a straight up person so I like when I can just be honest with people and be straight up with them!!
ReplyDeleteNO NO..It's awesome when you say a lot!!!! Trust me!! Ummm.....that's a good question...I don't really have an answer for it, other than to say that some of those kind of kids just get burned out on Christianity because it was never made real to them, OR they never mad it real to themselves. It just became a RELIGION to them, where they went to conferences because everybody else did, they said Praise the LORD because it was the right thing to do...basically they just went in the groove and didn't make it real to them. Know what I mean?? I agree...we can't see inside others, so, like you said, all we can do is to do our best to make sure they are truly saved!! "A lot of people desire it for a ticket out of hell but they don't have the character to pull themselves out of the life that they are in...but I do feel like their life must be miserable if they are living in sin but saved!!!!"...SO TOTALLY RIGHT about that!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes really I do...well sometimes it's good to step on peoples toes!!! On your blog as well as on mine...always be straight up!!!:)
Yes...i know exactly what you mean!!! It so sad....too many Christian families are so focused on reaching the world that they leave their families behind...the kids don't see why it is important and they don't care!!! They put on an act till they're out on their own then they reveal what has truly been in their heart. I'm kind of careful now when I see a "good kid"...i think to myself..."ok...let's see what he does when his parents and authority aren't around...when he has a choice in what he does...let's see what he does then..then i'll know if he is a good kid or not." I know that sounds bad but if we were being honest with ourselves it is true. We are all very good at putting on a face to get through this phase of life...then when were on our own and have our freedom we do what we've been desiring all along in our heart!!!! Now...don't get me wrong...I feel it is VERY important for Christian families to be in a ministry in their church...to be involved in some area!!! But that's just it...don't leave the family behind you...take them with you...show them why it is important to you and give your family a chance to make Christianity real to them!!!!! You're so right about that...to many just do it because everyone else is doing it!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOk...good...I like being able to be straight up!!!:)
"Your true self, is who you are when others aren't around" You're totally right...all you have to do is get people away from the authority in their lives to see who they really are!! I know what you mean...get involved but don't let your family go to pot, well you are consumed with church activities!!! Really I just think a lot of kids just go with the motions because if they don't they get grounded or become a 'bad kid' If older people would take the time and REALLY care about the younger generation, I think the burn out rate would drop a LOT!!!
ReplyDeleteThat quote is SO true!!!!! You're VERY right!!!!! Not only in the Christian world....the teenagers are looking for something because they are empty!!!!!! There is a ministry we have here at HAC called RUSA. It stands for Responsibility USA. What they do is start Bible clubs in public schools and then get those kids to come to church on Sunday. They just did a big rally this past week. They had a basketball expert come and show his tricks and what he can do...he would give them a show then he would talk to the schools about bullying and other issues...they ended up going to 37 or 39 schools...i can't remember the number. After the presentation they would invite the students to the big rally on friday. On friday they had over 2500 teenagers come and over 700 were saved. The teens are very open because they've been left behind. The Christian world tends to leave the kids behind because they are so involved in their ministry and neglecting the most important ministry God gave them. In the world, they are so involved in their work and making money that they neglect their kids. Their kids are starving for attention and love and they will cling to anything!!!! It's SO sad to see!!!!!! You're exactly right....if we were to really give a care then the burn out rate would drop!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't realize you replied. WOW!!!!...RUSA sounds super cool!!! Do you get to help with it?!?! Yep...I can't add anything else besides this...CARE. Actually that would be a cool shirt....CARE!!!:)
ReplyDeleteOh that's ok!!! You don't HAVE to reply back!!! It IS!!!!! No i don't but I think when I take my master's I'm going to change ministries for those two years so that I can't get some experience in it!!!!!:) Hey...that would be a cool shirt!!!!!:D
ReplyDeletesorry...i meant CAN get some experience!!!:P
ReplyDeleteI know!!:) That would be cool if you did!! Stuff like that always sounds cool and interests me!!!:D I'm going to add it to the list of IAC shirts to make.....it's becoming a LONG list!!!:Plol
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you did!!:) Ya me too....i want to do something with teens in my future...I know they can be crazy but that's what is fun about them!!!!:Dlol They need somebody who will take the time to sit and listen to them...I'd like to be one of those people!!!!! Haha...hey there is a lot to being a Christian so the list is probably just going to get longer!!!!!:Plol
ReplyDeleteOkay!!:$ Okay so, I'm a teen, and when a younger aged adult get involved with you and cares about you and does things WITH you, its REALLY cool!!!!:D Making teens/kids feel NEEDED and WANTED is the key!!!!!!!:D Well...just coming from me...I think you'd be a GREAT person for that!!!:) Well if whenever you have ideas, or your friends do, send them my way!!!:D
ReplyDeleteYa I know what you mean...I still enjoy when an adult older than me will take out of their time to listen to me and to make sure I'm okay!!!! It totally makes my day when someone notices me and what is going on in my life!!!! I think it is something that everyone craves...to be noticed!!!!:) Awww...Thank you!!!!:) Ok...I will let you know!!!!!:D
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm the same way!! I think it's kinda an all around thing that people like. When other people take time to really care and listen!!! Your welcome!!! Thanks!!!..any help is much appreciated!!!!!:D
ReplyDeleteYour welcome!!!:)
ReplyDelete