On The Mark

Sometimes it just happens. Actually, it happens quite a bit. But It happened tonight.


The message at youth group tonight was just what I needed. We're almost done with Philippians, now, and looked at the first 9 verses of chapter 4 tonight.


The point tonight was this:


Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!(NAS)

No matter what life throws at us, we can always rejoice in Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Another major point flowed from this first point.


Phil 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(NAS)


This is the part that got to me. I've recently been stressing over a few things, and tonight reminded me that I not only don't have to stress over these things, but that I am commanded not to; I can pray and give them all to God instead.


Ps 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.(NIV)

Wow!

Awesome passage:
Gal 2:19-21
19 "For through the Law I died to the Law, that I might live to God.20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.21 "I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness {comes} through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."(NAS)

Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we are no longer slaves to sin. We are free to do His will. In fact, when we are right with God, we are free to do our will, because God makes our will like His as we grow in faith.

Now I am not advocating "Christian liberty;" being Christian does not mean that we can go on sinning because we will just be forgiven. The Bible actually states just the opposite:

Rom 6:1-2
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?(NAS)

What I am saying is that if we live in God's will, we will want to do the right thing more and more.

Hopes Almost Lived

Fortunately... Wow, wait a minute. I think I've started a blog with that word about a dozen times. Talk about uncreative. Anyway, today the weather cleared up. Thinking about it, it is probably a good thing that school didn't cancel again today. In college, you don't get out of work, you just have to do it all in a shorter amount of time, so missing two days in a row can cause problems. It's back to the grind after an unexpected three day weekend.

If Tomorrow Were Today

Today, it snowed quite a bit. Not so much at our house, but everywhere else, it snowed. All of the schools in the area were either closed or delayed, all of the schools except of course, mine. The worst part, I had a quiz today and couldn't get in. Fortunately, the college finally decided that they didn't want to be left out with all the closures, so classes were cancelled. Whew.



It is supposed to snow again tonight and tomorrow. If I can't get in tomorrow, I really hope the college cancels again. I dodged one bullet, we'll see if the next one hits its mark. It would be almost as nice if the weather would just stay nice, but I'll take it as is comes.

Complicated

Computer programming is getting a little bit tougher. This weekend, my homework for that class took about 10 hours. Making two programs doesn't seem too bad, but the tough part is the planning. Having to write down every piece and every property, step, and number for every piece... It isn't so much that it's hard as that it's very time consuming, plus having to look up how to do everything as I go in the book or in my notes, which don't always match up. Which should I follow? I guess it doesn't make too big of a difference as long as the program actually works.

Dealing With A Fool

Prov 26:4-5
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool as his folly {deserves} lest he be wise in his own eyes.
(NAS)

It's interesting that these two verses are found right next to each other. At first glance, they seem to be contradicting each other, but they aren't. There are times when a fool is so unwilling to listen that it is a waste of time to talk to them. There are times when talking to a fool, you can be dragged into being like they are.

Matt 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.(NAS)

Prov 27:33 A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, but the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.(NAS)

There are other times when a fool needs to be exposed, pointed out, or rebuked. Jesus did this many times to the Pharisees and the Sadducees during His ministry. When doing this, careful thought needs to be taken that we are in the right in rebuking others.

The question I have is: "How do I know when to use which verse?" I suppose that as usual, prayer and scripture holds the answer.

13 Things About Being Lazy

Youth group tonight was all about laziness. Needless to say, everyone can find something in such a lesson, because we are probably all guilty of being lazy in some way all the time. Whether it is by not performing to the best of our abilties, filling our lives with usless things instead of important ones, sleeping the day away, or being crabby because we have to wake up, there is some way that each of us is guilty of laziness.

Prov 6:6-11
6 Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise,7 Which, having no chief, officer or ruler,8 Prepares her food in the summer, {and} gathers her provision in the harvest.9 How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?10 "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest"--11 And your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man.(NAS)

Prov 15:19 The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.(NAS)

Prov 20:13 Do not love sleep, lest you become poor; open your eyes, {and} you will be satisfied with food.(NAS)

Time for Prayer

It won't do any good to argue. Without the Holy Spirit, the Word is simply foolishness or a stumbling block.

1 Cor 1:17-25
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void.18 For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside."20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not {come to} know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.22 For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom;23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness,24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.(NAS)

This is a big chunk of scripture, but I think all of it is important. This passage relates to unbelievers being unable to understand the Word, but there is so much more to this passage.

God has made foolish the wisdom of the world. Everything that man tries so hard to understand, to invent, interpret, the greatest of these things fail miserably when compared to God.

In this passage, there is also another hint at the fact that Christians are chosen. It is only through the Holy Spirit opening our eyes that we have the faith to believe in His saving grace. Hey, that's a little like my opening statement.

1 Cor 1:30-31
30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,31 that, just as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."(NAS)

Standing Is Tough

Having never been in a secular History class before, this quarter is going to be interresting. Every night I come home opening my Bible and testing everything in the class relating to the Bible. Sometimes the discussions are fairly accurate. More often, they are taken out of context, and sometimes, it seems like they're reading out of a different bible than I am. Oddly enough, I think this history class is actually good for my faith. It has been challenging me to know the word better.

Some of these history buffs that aren't Christians seem to have enough of a knowledge of the Old Testament at least to use it as a history book, and to ocassionally poke fun at it.

One of these days, there is going to be a time where I need to stand. Can I? Am I prepared?

I'll be praying that if/when the time comes, so will the words.

2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.(NAS)

What Does the Bible Say About Abortion?

Today was Sanctity of Life Sunday. The message today was on abortion. What does the Bible say about that?
The first major issue is, "When does a fetus become a life?" David in the Psalms says that God saw him in his mother's womb. When Mary went to visit her cousin, John the Baptist lept for joy at the presence of Jesus while they were both still in the womb. If the Bible makes it clear that a fetus is a life, it obviously makes it clear that it is wrong to take an innocent life. I think it's worded something like: "Thou shalt not kill." There is forgiveness for abortion, just like there is forgiveness for every other sin as long as there is true repentance.

Perfection

Last week in youth group the lesson was about pursuing Christlike perfection. This week we talked about how to pursue Christlike perfection. From 1 Peter 2:2, we learned that the Word of God helps us to attain this goal. From 2 Corinthians 13:9 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we learned that prayer is vital to attaining this goal. From 1 Corinthians 4:17, Philippians 3:17, and 1 Timothy 4:12, we learned to follow a Godly example. Finally, we learned that trials help us become more Christlike from 1 Peter 5:10 and James 1:2-4.

Not Again

It seems like this quarter has just started (because it just started) and it's already time to start planning for next quarter. It seems like as a running start student, it gets harder to just take things one step at a time. Thinking about college pre-requisites, high school graduation requirements, classes that will eventually count towards my engineering degree... plus anything else that isn't school related. And you have to decide classes early for the next quarter so you can get into them. I probably don't have it off as bad as a lot of people might, but it can still seem rather hectic. It was nice last quarter to have at least one class where I knew someone there, too. That didn't happen this quarter, but hopefully I won't be "alone" next quarter.

The Worms are Invading

After receiving the game "Worms," I have introduced 3 or 4 people to the game and reintroduced another few to an old favorite. Now my 8 year old nephew is even playing worms. The game is a bit like a virus, except in a good way, maybe...

Living for God?

1 Pet 4:1-2
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.(NAS)

This verse really challenges me and makes me ask the question: "What am I living for?" My desire is to live for God, but I don't always succeed in attaining that goal. Sometimes the "lusts of men" gets in the way. Things I want, things I "need," things I wish I had but really don't need. My desire is to be like Paul, to "Count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord..." (Phil 3:8).

And the Pain Begins

Today, I encountered my first pains from two of my classes. In weight-lifting, we actually started working out today. After an upper-body workout today, my shoulders, chest, back, and arms are all just a little bit sore.

Also, I think it's possible that the Worms have gotten into my programming homework. I had a "minor" bug in the program I was writing that took a half an hour to fix. On the plus side, I know how to fix the problem, now.

Freed From Sin

1 Pet 2:16 {Act} as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but {use it} as bondslaves of God.(NAS)

This verse is really the flipside of Friday's post. Yes, our salvation is secure, but we also have a responsibility to use our freedom in Christ to serve Him. We are freed from sin, not free to sin.

Worms

I have been introduced to a new video game this weekend. It is a very addicting 2D computer game simply known as Worms. It is basically apocolypse with earthworms attacking each other with everything from shotguns to flying sheep. Yes, I said flying sheep.

Anyway, the game is completely chaotic, and ridiculously entertaining. So, I now officially have Worms on my computer. I never thought that would be a good thing.

Ready, Not So Willing, and Able

Today we had company for dinner. It's great, and it's lots of fun, but it means we have to clean house. When I got my assignments, (bedroom, bathroom and vacuum the house) I wasn't as enthused about the bathroom cleaning. I don't mind vacuuming, I don't mind cleaning my room, but when it comes to cleaning the sink, toilet, and bathtub, it doesn't seem as fun. My point is that even if I don't enjoy doing it, I need to be more willing to help out. If everyone let personal preference override necessity, the world would be a scary place. To my mom, I'm sorry for grumbling about cleaning, wether it was on the outside or the inside.

Awesome Passage

1 Pet 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 to {obtain} an inheritance {which is} imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.(NAS)

These three verses are great. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we can obtain everlasting life. Eternity with God. That is pretty cool stuff. The thing that strikes me here is that our inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and it will never fade away. It's completely unlike anything we possess here on earth. The other thing that sticks out to me is that last part: that we are protected by the power of God through faith. This can be a pretty controversial topic sometimes, but I really think this verse is saying that our Salvation is a done deal. It is not something that can be lost, because God chose us, not the other way around.

Eph 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,(NAS)

Back to Philippians

Phil 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already obtained {it} or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of {it} yet; but one thing {I do} forgetting what {lies} behind and reaching forward to what {lies} ahead,14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.(NAS)

In the verses previous to this, Paul talks about the Salvation and perfection of Christ. He also mentions the forsaking of all else in search of Jesus. Our lesson tonight in youth group was this: even though perfection is something impossible to attain on this earth, it is a goal we should strive towards. We should be focused on being like Jesus.

Combination Conundrum

Monday, I tried using a locker for my PE class for the first time. I couldn't figure out how to follow the directions of my parents from the night before, so I just had to carry all of my stuff everywhere on campus. I went home to find that I had gotten the directions backwards. It's right-left-right, not left-right-left, but everyone reading this probably already knew that.

Yesterday, I didn't make it to PE class, so it didn't matter.

Today, I heard that beautiful, wondrous, stupendous sound. It was the sound of the lock clicking, and unlocking. Later, when I went back to get my stuff out of the locker, I was sure I had it down. I even thought I'd memorized my combination. As it turns out, I hadn't. I panicked because it didn't work like it did before. Beads of sweat were dripping from my forehead. Then it occurred to me that I should double-check my combination. Problem solved, right? Wrong. I couldn't find my wallet!

I rifled through my backpack. It wasn't where I'd left it. Eventually, I found my wallet, got the combination out, opened my locker, changed, re-lost and re-found my wallet, and headed off to lunch, my dignity only slightly scarred.

Can't Hurt

Fortunately, it snowed today. Unfortunately, that meant that I couldn't get to school until it was too late for my first two classes. Fortunately, I made it to both music and history. Unfortunately, I had an assignment due in computer, one of the classes I missed. Fortunately, I had turned in that assignment yesterday. The point: (aren't you glad I finally got to it) it never hurts to get things done early.

As for my weightlifting class, I have to attend a make-up class this week. My choices that fit into my schedule are ballroom dancing essentials, another weightlifting class, or volleyball.

Hopefully I can make it in on time tomorow.

Slippery Letdown

This morning we heard tell of slick conditions, ice, and snow; my nephew's school was even two hours delayed.
But I still have to go. If SPSCC won't shut down for record flooding, it won't shut down for a little ice. So off we went. We expected to hit the ice at any time, but it never came. I'd say it was a little bit of a letdown, but at the same time a relief.

Take the Next U-Turn

Rev 2:1-5
1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: the One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:2 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them {to be} false;3 and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary.4 'But I have {this} against you, that you have left your first love.5 'Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place-- unless you repent.(NAS)

This is a little more scripture than I usually post, but it seemed like less in my Bible study software. Anyway, I thought this entire passage was important and the message within it. It was the passage that our pastor preached out of today. The lesson is fairly simple. Even when it seems like we're doing all the right things, even if they are with a right motive, we are not spiritually sound unless we continue to grow in our love for Christ. The Ephesians had "lost their first love." God took this seriously, as we can see in verse 5. I know that I need to do a little turning around to get back to my first love, those times when I've been so excited about God.

Instrumental Mix-up

I hope it passes. I still want to be a guitar player. I got the bass guitar and now I like playing it more and more. I haven't played my acoustic near as much lately. Maybe it's just because it's a new instrument. I hope that's all there is to it.

Something to Work On

Here's one that made me think a little bit:

Prov 4:20-22
20 My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.21 Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart.22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their whole body.(NAS)

Do I really keep wisdom in the midst of my heart? Do I dwell on God's wisdom (that is where Solomon got his wisdom from) constantly? My answer to that would be sometimes, but not quite enough. Something to work on.

Almost a Programmer

Today I finished my first computer program. It was a rather simple program. All it does is say hello when you push a button, but even Bill Gates had to start somewhere, right? This weekend, I have to write two more programs for my CIS class. The program writing doesn't seem too bad. It's the planning before the programming that's the hard part. Even our textbook seems to omit examples of two of the three steps in the planning process, only giving an example of the easiest part. Overall, programming seems quite a bit less complicated than I would have thought it would be. This could turn into a hobby. I'm looking forward to learning more in this class.

Number 50

It being my second day of classes, I think I'm starting to settle in a little bit. I haven't been hit hard by the homework yet, but I'm sure it's coming. Also, I have now published my 50th post, which really means absolutely nothing, but is worth mentioning anyway.

I found this scripture recently and I think I definitely need to apply it. I often get caught up relying on my own strength and my own wisdom (not that I have much of either), and not only is it wrong and selfish, but it can b stressful and unproductive.
Prov 3:5-7
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.(NAS)

Back Into the Routine

Today, I went back to school. I was a little apprehensive about some of my classes, and although some of my possible fears may have been realized, I think for the most part, I am going to be happy with my schedule this quarter.
Note to self: get more than 3 hours of sleep tonight.

Back to School

Tomorrow, I must return to school. My Christmas break is over, and it's time to lose my free-time. It will be nice to see some friends again, and I'm actually looking forward to some of my classes, but I'd rather just stay home. But, in an effort to do all things without complaining, I'm going to try to make the best of it.

shrewd as serpents

The book of second John only has one chapter. Although Second John is short, it has a clear and stern warning. The book warns against false prophets, those who claim to be believers but teach things contrary to the true gospel. Since the beginning of the church, there have been such people, and today is no exception. We are always to be on our guard.

Matt 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves. (NAS)