I like like the song " Where Are You Christmas" from the movie "How The Grinch Stole Christmas". It's one of those songs that you like but at the same time makes you sad. When I first heard the song, which was when I first saw the movie, it seemed to fit how I had been feeling. I love Christmas and Christmas time, but over the years something seems to have happened and Christmas wasn't the same.
Christmas for me has always been wonderful. Everything about this time of year excited me. Doing Christmas crafts in school, Christmas decorations everywhere, Christmas movies and cartoons, the cold weather, church Christmas plays, Christmas music, the sites and sounds and smells of Christmas, and family get together'. All of these things and more were for me the magic of the season.
My family and my uncle and aunt on my mother's side, would always meet at my grandmother's house on Christmas Eve. My grandmother's house was unique. There was a fireplace in the kitchen where we liked to poke the burning wood with the poker and we even roasted marshmallows over the fire. In the kitchen was where we all would eat, even though it was kinda small. My cousins and I were of course resigned to the kiddie table. Out of the kitchen there was a short hallway that opened into a small bedroom and then through the bedroom was a large living room with several old couches and chairs. This is where we opened our presents.
After Christmas at my grandmothers, we would go home and for me, later on that night Santa Clause would come. It was always a little fun to sneak and look for my presents. It was fun because I knew when something was missing. Then there was that fateful Christmas when Santa Clause didn't come. His helpers thought I had gotten too old to get gifts from Santa Clause.
Some years later after my brother and sister had moved out of our house, my grandfather passed away and my grandmother was forced to move out of her house. After that, marriages and moving' and various passing' of other family members seemed to separate the family on both my mother and fathers side. We no longer met for Christmas as we used to.
Now, I still love Christmas, but it seemed to have lost some of that magic it used to have. It wasn't the same anymore, so when I heard the " Where Are You Christmas " song, I was deeply saddened. Over the years I did what I could to make Christmas wondrous again and after the birth of my children, I really wanted it to be something special to them as it was to me as a child. I love watching them experience Christmas. I began to realize that like the song, Christmas had not left me. It had grown and changed, but it was still Christmas.
This Christmas I have received two special gifts. One was that my family from my mother's side all came to visit at my parents house for Christmas with my grandmother. Some of the family wasn't able to be there, but I enjoyed getting to see them all after so long. The next gift I have gotten is an answer to the question about certain Christmas celebrations.
You see, for years now Christmas has not only been attacked from outside the church, but inside as well. Well meaning saints who believe we should shun all things that have any hint of pagan origin. Christmas trees, elves, and even Santa Clause himself. Some think that if we allow our children to believe in Santa Clause and they find out he isn't real then because they don't see Jesus physically they will believe he isn't real. I am not going to enter that debate ( though I could ). Like all things it is a heart issue and it is what you teach your children.
Proverbs 22:6 " Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
It's like this, have you ever had to untangle Christmas lights? When you first buy Christmas lights they aren't tangled up. They come in a nice package neatly wound or stranded on a piece of plastic or cardboard and you take them off and hang them. Then, after you take them down after Christmas, sometime in between that and taking them out to put hem up again the next Christmas, they somehow get into a tangled mess. Well, Christmas among other things have become like those tangled Christmas lights.
The manufacturer of the Christmas lights never intended for the lights to be tangled, and likewise God the creator of Christmas, never intended for the magic and miracle or meaning of Christmas to be twisted and tangled. Paganism, like any false religion is nothing more than a tangling or twisting of the truth. The enemy, Satan is a created being who's purpose and design was twisted by the sin of his heart. He, Satan, wants to be like God, but he cannot create like God, he can only tangle and twist what God has already created.
I believe that if you were to really search, you would find that most Christmas traditions and beliefs are rooted in pointing people to the miracle birth of Jesus Christ whom it is that we truly celebrate on Christmas. It was Gods love for his creation/His children/His family that Jesus was born and to be our savior. I believe that is why family being together especially at Christmas time means so much.
In most churches there is a table that usually a bible or communion set is placed on. On the front of the table is often inscribed the phrase " This Do In Remembrance of Me", meaning whenever you take communion do it in remembrance of the one who was the true flesh and blood sacrament. I believe that at Christmas, whatever we do, we do in remembrance of Him and in His celebration. The joy, the love, the excitement, the magic and wonder of Christmas will mean so much more and we won't have any trouble Finding Christmas.
In Christ,
Kevin
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving: The Forgotten Holiday
On Halloween, which was on a Sunday this year, a friend and I were making an impromptu run to Wal-Mart between church services. As we were walking in, my friend saw the huge Christmas tree Wal- Mart had put up in front of the main aisle. My friend said, "No, tell me it ain't so, Halloween isn't even over yet and they have started putting out Christmas decorations!". I kinda laughed to myself at his statement, but then had this thought. Thanksgiving: The Forgotten Holiday.
It seems as though every year stores begin to put out Christmas items earlier and earlier. It even seemed to me that this year was the first time they were put out even before Halloween had come and gone. We are used to the idea of the world trying to take Christ out of Christmas and certain media outlets and stores saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", but we have never noticed that there is not much said about Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I know there are few Thanksgiving specials and things of that nature, but usually they are not seen until maybe a week before the holiday. I noticed that even though there are a lot of fall decorations, I have not seen much specifically Thanksgiving themed and again the Christmas decorations that are always available before.
Today being Thanksgiving, I know that most people are readying themselves to see family and friends and eat all the wonderful food that will be prepared. I know that my title may even seem a bit odd for an article on this very day, but if you know me, you know there is more to be seen. So, with that said, here it is. Why Thanksgiving?
Beyond what we traditionally know as Thanksgiving holiday and this nations history and the why and how Thanksgiving became a holiday, Why be thankful and to whom? Even though it is seldom said, we usually go with the knowledge that we are giving thanks to God for the blessings he has given us. We are thankful for our families, for our jobs, our homes, our friends, etc., but we often forget things that we are so used to that we do not think about them.
Take a moment and go get a mirror or go stand in front of one. Now, look at yourself. Don't do a quick look, take a few moments and pay attention to your features. Your hair, your eyes, your skin, your shape ( don't get depressed, I could lose a few to ). Take a few moments and just notice yourself. Now consider this, God created what you are looking at. Down to the most minuscule detail of you, God created you. When God created you, He broke the mold. Oh, there are people in the world who will look like you and favor your characteristics, but even identical twins are not 100% to most minute detail identical. When God created you He had a purpose for you. I don't know what your purpose may be but I know God wouldn't have created you without one.
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
God had our purpose and plans settled before we were even born. The knowledge of that should be enough to settle in us any doubts and fears that we have about who we are and where we should be going. You may not know specifically what, but you do know there is. This is one thing we can be thankful for. That we were created special and have a special purpose.
Giving thanks to God for everything is vital. It makes us feel good when do something that helps someone else and they show and express their gratitude. We get an emotion boost and we feel love and approval. God is not devoid of emotion or need. It was God who gave us our emotions.
Hebrews 13:15,16 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
To give or offer thanks to God pleases Him. It is a sacrifice for us because our carnal natures do not want to do it. Giving thanks to God shows Him our love and acceptance of Him as our God and Jesus as our Lord.
In our holiday festivities, I encourage you to pull away by yourself for a few moments and give God your true expression of thanks. Thank Him for His many blessings to you and for the blessing of you and let us not make Thanksgiving the forgotten holiday.
In Christ,
Kevin
It seems as though every year stores begin to put out Christmas items earlier and earlier. It even seemed to me that this year was the first time they were put out even before Halloween had come and gone. We are used to the idea of the world trying to take Christ out of Christmas and certain media outlets and stores saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", but we have never noticed that there is not much said about Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong, I know there are few Thanksgiving specials and things of that nature, but usually they are not seen until maybe a week before the holiday. I noticed that even though there are a lot of fall decorations, I have not seen much specifically Thanksgiving themed and again the Christmas decorations that are always available before.
Today being Thanksgiving, I know that most people are readying themselves to see family and friends and eat all the wonderful food that will be prepared. I know that my title may even seem a bit odd for an article on this very day, but if you know me, you know there is more to be seen. So, with that said, here it is. Why Thanksgiving?
Beyond what we traditionally know as Thanksgiving holiday and this nations history and the why and how Thanksgiving became a holiday, Why be thankful and to whom? Even though it is seldom said, we usually go with the knowledge that we are giving thanks to God for the blessings he has given us. We are thankful for our families, for our jobs, our homes, our friends, etc., but we often forget things that we are so used to that we do not think about them.
Take a moment and go get a mirror or go stand in front of one. Now, look at yourself. Don't do a quick look, take a few moments and pay attention to your features. Your hair, your eyes, your skin, your shape ( don't get depressed, I could lose a few to ). Take a few moments and just notice yourself. Now consider this, God created what you are looking at. Down to the most minuscule detail of you, God created you. When God created you, He broke the mold. Oh, there are people in the world who will look like you and favor your characteristics, but even identical twins are not 100% to most minute detail identical. When God created you He had a purpose for you. I don't know what your purpose may be but I know God wouldn't have created you without one.
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
God had our purpose and plans settled before we were even born. The knowledge of that should be enough to settle in us any doubts and fears that we have about who we are and where we should be going. You may not know specifically what, but you do know there is. This is one thing we can be thankful for. That we were created special and have a special purpose.
Giving thanks to God for everything is vital. It makes us feel good when do something that helps someone else and they show and express their gratitude. We get an emotion boost and we feel love and approval. God is not devoid of emotion or need. It was God who gave us our emotions.
Hebrews 13:15,16 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
To give or offer thanks to God pleases Him. It is a sacrifice for us because our carnal natures do not want to do it. Giving thanks to God shows Him our love and acceptance of Him as our God and Jesus as our Lord.
In our holiday festivities, I encourage you to pull away by yourself for a few moments and give God your true expression of thanks. Thank Him for His many blessings to you and for the blessing of you and let us not make Thanksgiving the forgotten holiday.
In Christ,
Kevin
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Wisdom Of Walnut Grove
I never really used to watch Little House On The Prairie a whole lot when I was younger, but I never disliked it. My wife used to watch it and had introduced it to our daughters who now love the show, too. In watching with my family I have regained a like for the show.
Based upon the true life story of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House On The Prairie takes you back to life in a small town of Walnut Grove in the 1800s. Simple, yet not without hardships.
The Ingall's time and again would show us happiness, sadness, fear, and Christian resolve. In a particular episode there was an elderly man who lived alone in a big house. The house looked old and run down as he had not taken care of it for years. Laura and some other children thought the house was haunted and the old man was a maniac. After being teased about being afraid of going up to the house an touching it, Laura finds herself inside the house and face to face with the old man. Eventually, Laura befriends the old man and learns why he has lived alone all those years. The old man's wife had passed away some years before and in his grief he had chosen to believe she was still alive and living in the city. Once Laura had discovered that the old man's wife was dead, her heart went out to him. Laura began reading her bible and found a verse that she knew would help the old man.
" Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25,26
Through the compassion of a child and acceptance of the Word of God, the old man believed in Jesus and and was healed of his grief.
Jesus said that he is the resurrection and the life. When we are born into this life we are born into the sin and death of this world. God never intended for it to be that way, but he made the way of redemption. When we believe in and receive Jesus as our savior we are redeemed and resurrected from the sin and death of the world. That does not mean that we no longer give ourselves over to sin and death. Our spirits have been redeemed and made righteous, our flesh and carnal desires are a daily battle.
In another episode Mary, Laura's older sister, was asked to come and teach children in a remote settlement. While there an older woman, who had gained prominence for reciting biblical verses and supposedly could call down lightning from heaven, called Mary a Jezebel and had the people make her leave.
Mary hurt and upset began talking to her father about the situation. Mary knew that she had been lied about and knew what was going on. A good thing had been destroyed because of a misguided woman's fear. The children were learning and would gain knowledge and understanding that she (the woman) did not have. In talking to her father Mary reached a resolve. Charles, Mary's father didn't have to say much, he just listened. Mary went back to the settlement and confronted the woman publicly in front of the people. She stood in the face of her accuser and spoke the Word which she had read and memorized. The woman could only speak what she had heard and when challenged to find it and read it from the Bible she couldn't. At the end of the confrontation Mary was absolved of the accusations against her and in compassion offered her hand to the woman in forgiveness.
When facing life's struggles and difficult situations, the first thing we should do is take it to God our Father. He already knows the situation and often will just listen and drop in your heart the answer. We often must stand in the face of our accuser, Satan, and speak the Word of God. He too knows the Word, but will only twist and pervert it for his purpose.
Jesus in his humanity prayed to God and asked that the cup of his sacrifice pass from him. In other words, the human part of Jesus was afraid and did not want to face what was coming, but the God part of Jesus, the part that knew his mission, accepted what had to be done. It was love and compassion that drove Jesus to the cross. Love and compassion for a lost and dying people. God's creation that had rebelled and had lost understanding of their creator.
We must strive to know God and know His word. Building not only knowledge but love and understanding and compassion. That is the Wisdom Of Walnut Grove.
In Christ, Kevin
Based upon the true life story of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House On The Prairie takes you back to life in a small town of Walnut Grove in the 1800s. Simple, yet not without hardships.
The Ingall's time and again would show us happiness, sadness, fear, and Christian resolve. In a particular episode there was an elderly man who lived alone in a big house. The house looked old and run down as he had not taken care of it for years. Laura and some other children thought the house was haunted and the old man was a maniac. After being teased about being afraid of going up to the house an touching it, Laura finds herself inside the house and face to face with the old man. Eventually, Laura befriends the old man and learns why he has lived alone all those years. The old man's wife had passed away some years before and in his grief he had chosen to believe she was still alive and living in the city. Once Laura had discovered that the old man's wife was dead, her heart went out to him. Laura began reading her bible and found a verse that she knew would help the old man.
" Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25,26
Through the compassion of a child and acceptance of the Word of God, the old man believed in Jesus and and was healed of his grief.
Jesus said that he is the resurrection and the life. When we are born into this life we are born into the sin and death of this world. God never intended for it to be that way, but he made the way of redemption. When we believe in and receive Jesus as our savior we are redeemed and resurrected from the sin and death of the world. That does not mean that we no longer give ourselves over to sin and death. Our spirits have been redeemed and made righteous, our flesh and carnal desires are a daily battle.
In another episode Mary, Laura's older sister, was asked to come and teach children in a remote settlement. While there an older woman, who had gained prominence for reciting biblical verses and supposedly could call down lightning from heaven, called Mary a Jezebel and had the people make her leave.
Mary hurt and upset began talking to her father about the situation. Mary knew that she had been lied about and knew what was going on. A good thing had been destroyed because of a misguided woman's fear. The children were learning and would gain knowledge and understanding that she (the woman) did not have. In talking to her father Mary reached a resolve. Charles, Mary's father didn't have to say much, he just listened. Mary went back to the settlement and confronted the woman publicly in front of the people. She stood in the face of her accuser and spoke the Word which she had read and memorized. The woman could only speak what she had heard and when challenged to find it and read it from the Bible she couldn't. At the end of the confrontation Mary was absolved of the accusations against her and in compassion offered her hand to the woman in forgiveness.
When facing life's struggles and difficult situations, the first thing we should do is take it to God our Father. He already knows the situation and often will just listen and drop in your heart the answer. We often must stand in the face of our accuser, Satan, and speak the Word of God. He too knows the Word, but will only twist and pervert it for his purpose.
Jesus in his humanity prayed to God and asked that the cup of his sacrifice pass from him. In other words, the human part of Jesus was afraid and did not want to face what was coming, but the God part of Jesus, the part that knew his mission, accepted what had to be done. It was love and compassion that drove Jesus to the cross. Love and compassion for a lost and dying people. God's creation that had rebelled and had lost understanding of their creator.
We must strive to know God and know His word. Building not only knowledge but love and understanding and compassion. That is the Wisdom Of Walnut Grove.
In Christ, Kevin
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Fear Itself
What are you afraid of? I'm sure we all would like to say nothing, but the fact is that in some way in some area of our lives we are afraid of something. The world sure gives us a lot to be afraid of. The economy, terrorism, death, destruction's, losing someone we care about, etc. The list could go on and on especially if we got into specifics. Fear of failure, rejection, losing what is dear to us, etc. That list would probably be endless.
Now, don't misunderstand. I'm not talking about a healthy concern about something. I'm talking about fear that hinders and debilitates us, stops us from doing things or enjoying things. That is the kind of fear that is the enemy of us. Satan has watched and learned what makes us afraid and timid in life, but do you know that it is actually you that he is afraid of? Yes, that's right, he fears you. He is afraid of what you can do for the kingdom of God and especially if you receive the revelation of who you are in Christ. Satan wants you afraid, he wants you to run and hide or to stop and freeze up whenever you are faced with something. If you do, he can control you and if he can control you, then he doesn't have to be afraid of you and you won't be effective for the kingdom of God.
When I lived with my parents, I was used to the dark of the house at night. I would stay up and watch tv and then turn off the lights and walk through the dark house to my bedroom and go to bed. One night I had stayed up and was watching a documentary about a movie that was coming out at the time that was said to be based upon real events. At the time this movie was promoted real big. What I didn't know was that the movie and the documentary were both fake. While watching the documentary, something strange happened. I felt something in the house. I kept looking over my shoulder feeling like something or someone was behind me.
When the show was over I got up to go to bed and for the first time since I was a child I felt afraid in the dark. I was afraid of walking through the house to my room and started turning on lights. Because I had been learning and feeding on God's word and learning about my authority in Christ, I started thinking how strange it was for me to feel afraid like this. I was almost to my room and had turned on a light in the hallway when I all of sudden stopped and realized what was happening. You may agree or disagree with me on this, but I realized that a spirit of fear had entered my house as I was watching the documentary. When I realized what was taking place, I took my place. I rebuked the spirit in the name of Jesus and commanded it to leave my house. I then turned out the light and continued to my room in the dark and went to bed no longer hindered by the fearful spirit.
You see, we must learn and realize who we are in Christ Jesus and the power and authority we have in Him. We also, must learn who our real enemy is and how he seeks to operate against us. When we learn these things, overcoming fears in our lives and the things that we face will become easier to deal with and overcome. I believe that had I known that the movie and the documentary were fake, I would not have been open to a spirit coming into my house. In other words that spirit would not have had an opportunity to try and operate against me because there would have been nothing there for it to use.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,
2 Timothy 1:7
The only fear we should have is the fear of the Lord and that is a reverent, respecting, fear not a get away from or avoid something fear. Psalm 27:1 says the Lord is our light and salvation. That means we don't have to be afraid in the dark. Whatever the dark might be and if we need saving, then he is our saviour, our hero. He is the strength of our lives. He is our courage when we face fearful things. 2 Timothy 1: 7 is saying that He has given us a spirit of power and love and peace of mind.
In a scene from Star Wars, the Jedi Yoda is questioning a young Anakin Skywalker ( who would later become Darth Vader the villain ). Yoda senses fear in Anakin and tells him why fear is something he must not have. Yoda says, " Fear leads to the darkside", " Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering ". Many a time truth's will come out in movies. Think about it. When you are afraid of something, sometimes you react to it in anger. When we fear something, sometimes we will react to it in anger trying to correct it or not be afraid of it, then we will resent and reject whomever or whatever was the cause, thus hating it or them. When the feelings of hate or resentment have come then either you or anyone or anything that may be associated with what caused the fear in the first place will suffer. Mostly you will be the one suffering from those feelings.
I realize that in life their are things to be cautious and concerned about and sometimes it seems we can't help but be afraid or fearful of a situation. We must learn who we are in Christ, the authority we have in him and the authority we have over the realms of darkness. Things will happen and things will come, but we will be able to truly overcome them. FDR said, " The only thing we have to fear is fear itself ". I say we should make fear be afraid of us.
In Christ,
Kevin
Now, don't misunderstand. I'm not talking about a healthy concern about something. I'm talking about fear that hinders and debilitates us, stops us from doing things or enjoying things. That is the kind of fear that is the enemy of us. Satan has watched and learned what makes us afraid and timid in life, but do you know that it is actually you that he is afraid of? Yes, that's right, he fears you. He is afraid of what you can do for the kingdom of God and especially if you receive the revelation of who you are in Christ. Satan wants you afraid, he wants you to run and hide or to stop and freeze up whenever you are faced with something. If you do, he can control you and if he can control you, then he doesn't have to be afraid of you and you won't be effective for the kingdom of God.
When I lived with my parents, I was used to the dark of the house at night. I would stay up and watch tv and then turn off the lights and walk through the dark house to my bedroom and go to bed. One night I had stayed up and was watching a documentary about a movie that was coming out at the time that was said to be based upon real events. At the time this movie was promoted real big. What I didn't know was that the movie and the documentary were both fake. While watching the documentary, something strange happened. I felt something in the house. I kept looking over my shoulder feeling like something or someone was behind me.
When the show was over I got up to go to bed and for the first time since I was a child I felt afraid in the dark. I was afraid of walking through the house to my room and started turning on lights. Because I had been learning and feeding on God's word and learning about my authority in Christ, I started thinking how strange it was for me to feel afraid like this. I was almost to my room and had turned on a light in the hallway when I all of sudden stopped and realized what was happening. You may agree or disagree with me on this, but I realized that a spirit of fear had entered my house as I was watching the documentary. When I realized what was taking place, I took my place. I rebuked the spirit in the name of Jesus and commanded it to leave my house. I then turned out the light and continued to my room in the dark and went to bed no longer hindered by the fearful spirit.
You see, we must learn and realize who we are in Christ Jesus and the power and authority we have in Him. We also, must learn who our real enemy is and how he seeks to operate against us. When we learn these things, overcoming fears in our lives and the things that we face will become easier to deal with and overcome. I believe that had I known that the movie and the documentary were fake, I would not have been open to a spirit coming into my house. In other words that spirit would not have had an opportunity to try and operate against me because there would have been nothing there for it to use.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,
2 Timothy 1:7
The only fear we should have is the fear of the Lord and that is a reverent, respecting, fear not a get away from or avoid something fear. Psalm 27:1 says the Lord is our light and salvation. That means we don't have to be afraid in the dark. Whatever the dark might be and if we need saving, then he is our saviour, our hero. He is the strength of our lives. He is our courage when we face fearful things. 2 Timothy 1: 7 is saying that He has given us a spirit of power and love and peace of mind.
In a scene from Star Wars, the Jedi Yoda is questioning a young Anakin Skywalker ( who would later become Darth Vader the villain ). Yoda senses fear in Anakin and tells him why fear is something he must not have. Yoda says, " Fear leads to the darkside", " Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering ". Many a time truth's will come out in movies. Think about it. When you are afraid of something, sometimes you react to it in anger. When we fear something, sometimes we will react to it in anger trying to correct it or not be afraid of it, then we will resent and reject whomever or whatever was the cause, thus hating it or them. When the feelings of hate or resentment have come then either you or anyone or anything that may be associated with what caused the fear in the first place will suffer. Mostly you will be the one suffering from those feelings.
I realize that in life their are things to be cautious and concerned about and sometimes it seems we can't help but be afraid or fearful of a situation. We must learn who we are in Christ, the authority we have in him and the authority we have over the realms of darkness. Things will happen and things will come, but we will be able to truly overcome them. FDR said, " The only thing we have to fear is fear itself ". I say we should make fear be afraid of us.
In Christ,
Kevin
Monday, August 23, 2010
Relationship Status: It's Complicated
I would guess that almost everyone who is either on Myspace or Facebook has friends or friends of friends who have listed their relationship status as "it's complicated". Usually when someone states that their relationship status is complicated, they are saying that they are separated or are divorced. It's always a little sad and disheartening when I see that status on someone I know and who's relationship status did read "married".
The question is, how did your relationship become complicated? And if it wasn't complicated before, what was it? I understand that over the last three to four decades, marriage relationships have become less and less meaningful. Marriage vows and covenants are no longer binding. I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend anyone who reads this and may be divorced or going through a tough time in marriage, but lets be real. My parents have been married now for fifty two years. That is half a century. I know my parents aren't the only ones who are still married after a half century together, but my point is that if we were to take a poll of people who have been married for at least that long and people who have been married for maybe ten years or less and asked if they thought they would be married that long of a time, the ones who have been married longer would have have a different answer than the ones who have only been married a few years.
I have often wondered about people who have gotten divorced. Sometimes I want to ask, why did you get married in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I do understand the answer to that question, and I also understand many different reasons why people get divorced. I agree with some reasons. I also understand that God never meant for it to be that way.
" Therefore shall a man leave his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Genesis 2:24
September 1st of this year my wife and I will have been married for nine years. Let me tell you, it's complicated. My wife and I didn't have a normal meet, date, fall in love, get married relationship. It's complicated. I began to discover in the first year or so of our marriage, that marriage is nothing that I thought it would be, nor is it anything I feared it would be. It's complicated. I have issues that my wife has to deal with and there are things about me that annoy her sometimes. It's complicated. My wife has some issues ( sorry honey ) and sometimes she does things that irritate me. It's complicated. We have have been through rough patches in our relationship and are still trying to figure each other out. It's complicated. We don't know all there is to know about life, about marriage, or about each other. It's complicated. We have both uttered the D word. It's complicated. While we both probably wish we could change some things about each other, we also see the need to change some things about ourselves. It's complicated.
I will be honest. I believe some marriages become "complicated", because of selfish reasons with either the husband or wife. I believe some relationships were "complicated" before marriage ever took place. Satan has sought to destroy anything and everything that God has established as pure and holy. Think about it, when two people come together, they bring into contact lots of people who may or may not have ever known each other. When or if they have children who then become connected with two whole families. When that marriage is destroyed, all of those people in some form are touched by it just as they are touched by the marriage. Whether with the mere knowledge of the divorce or much more involved, a life has been touched and altered.
So what is the solution? Learn.
Learn that life and relationships are complicated. Learn that marriage is complicated. Learn that no matter how complicated it is or has become, God can and will show us how to figure it out. Learn not to just pick up the pieces when things get broken, but learn to put the pieces back together and make it stronger or if need be, learn to make something new and better. When we learn that things are complicated, we can learn why they are complicated. When we learn why they are complicated, we can learn to make them less complicated.
Relationship Status: A Little Less Complicated.
In Christ,
Kevin
The question is, how did your relationship become complicated? And if it wasn't complicated before, what was it? I understand that over the last three to four decades, marriage relationships have become less and less meaningful. Marriage vows and covenants are no longer binding. I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend anyone who reads this and may be divorced or going through a tough time in marriage, but lets be real. My parents have been married now for fifty two years. That is half a century. I know my parents aren't the only ones who are still married after a half century together, but my point is that if we were to take a poll of people who have been married for at least that long and people who have been married for maybe ten years or less and asked if they thought they would be married that long of a time, the ones who have been married longer would have have a different answer than the ones who have only been married a few years.
I have often wondered about people who have gotten divorced. Sometimes I want to ask, why did you get married in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I do understand the answer to that question, and I also understand many different reasons why people get divorced. I agree with some reasons. I also understand that God never meant for it to be that way.
" Therefore shall a man leave his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Genesis 2:24
September 1st of this year my wife and I will have been married for nine years. Let me tell you, it's complicated. My wife and I didn't have a normal meet, date, fall in love, get married relationship. It's complicated. I began to discover in the first year or so of our marriage, that marriage is nothing that I thought it would be, nor is it anything I feared it would be. It's complicated. I have issues that my wife has to deal with and there are things about me that annoy her sometimes. It's complicated. My wife has some issues ( sorry honey ) and sometimes she does things that irritate me. It's complicated. We have have been through rough patches in our relationship and are still trying to figure each other out. It's complicated. We don't know all there is to know about life, about marriage, or about each other. It's complicated. We have both uttered the D word. It's complicated. While we both probably wish we could change some things about each other, we also see the need to change some things about ourselves. It's complicated.
I will be honest. I believe some marriages become "complicated", because of selfish reasons with either the husband or wife. I believe some relationships were "complicated" before marriage ever took place. Satan has sought to destroy anything and everything that God has established as pure and holy. Think about it, when two people come together, they bring into contact lots of people who may or may not have ever known each other. When or if they have children who then become connected with two whole families. When that marriage is destroyed, all of those people in some form are touched by it just as they are touched by the marriage. Whether with the mere knowledge of the divorce or much more involved, a life has been touched and altered.
So what is the solution? Learn.
Learn that life and relationships are complicated. Learn that marriage is complicated. Learn that no matter how complicated it is or has become, God can and will show us how to figure it out. Learn not to just pick up the pieces when things get broken, but learn to put the pieces back together and make it stronger or if need be, learn to make something new and better. When we learn that things are complicated, we can learn why they are complicated. When we learn why they are complicated, we can learn to make them less complicated.
Relationship Status: A Little Less Complicated.
In Christ,
Kevin
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Shut The Hell Up!!
So, have you every wanted to say that to someone? Have you ever said that to someone? You don't have to answer. I am sure that at some time we all have said it, thought it, or had it said to us. Let's think really what would or should it actually mean to shut the hell up?
In my last post from the AMP'D series, I mentioned different voices that want our listening attention. One of those voices is the voice of the world. Since the fall of Adam, the world that was created and designed for us has been turned upside down and infected with sin. Adam's sin of disobedience transferred his God given authority to Lucifer and opened the door for corruption and chaos. Jesus paid the price for Adam's sin and ours by laying down his life on the cross. By doing this Jesus bought back the authority that Adam had given to Lucifer.
Even though Jesus had paid the price and bought back our authority, the damage was done. Sin still permeated through out the world. The difference now is that instead of us being subject to the sin and chaos, it is actually subject to us. We as sons and daughters of God either have not realized this or do not believe it. Carnal thinking hinders and limits the work of God in our lives.
The hell that I am speaking about shutting up, is the hell that comes into our lives. Attacks from the enemy in whatever form they may take. If you turn on the news or keep up with current political and social happenings you know that it seems like one bad thing after another. I am all for keeping up with what's going on around us as pertains to the world, we shouldn't bury our heads in the sand and wait for the day it will go away by no means. But, day after day listening to the constant influx of worldly turmoil will begin to affect your mind and well being and then eventually that of those around you. Take me for instance. I read headlines and listen to the occasional news story on tv, but I don't do it constantly. I especially try to avoid news shows because certain things cause such an anger on the inside of me that it puts me in a bad mood, which then affects my family. Ephesians 4:26,27 says, to be angry and sin not and don't give place to the devil. Being angry is one thing, Jesus was angry at times, but when that anger motivates you to sin i.e. cursing or becoming dangerously violent, then there is an issue. If that occurs you have done the second part of the verse and given place to the devil's influence.
We have to realize the power and authority that has been given to us.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
You see, everything that is negative that comes against you bombarding your life is seeking to kill you, steal from you, and destroy you, but you have the power and the authority through Jesus from God to stop it.
Where I live it is very wooded and we have found scorpions in our house on numerous occasions. When we see a scorpion I immediately take something and kill it. I don't just let it go, I don't try to gently scoot it along out of the way with my fingers, I kill it. When the hell of life begins to bombard us, we should immediately kill it. Shut it's voice up. Satan wants to speak into our lives death and destruction by manipulating our emotions and thoughts and how we react to them. We have to consciously make a stand and speak to the situations around us. In Luke 17:6 and Mark 11:23, we are told to speak in faith to circumstances and they must obey us ( paraphrase ).
The constant negativity of the world and the things that are happening in it and the things that happen in your life and to you are never things that are impossible to overcome. We can overcome because Christ has already overcome it. If Jesus had not paid the price of sin and regained our authority, we would have no hope. Because of his sacrifice, we now have our God given power and authority in Him and have just cause to tell the world to "Shut the hell up!" .
In Christ,
Kevin
In my last post from the AMP'D series, I mentioned different voices that want our listening attention. One of those voices is the voice of the world. Since the fall of Adam, the world that was created and designed for us has been turned upside down and infected with sin. Adam's sin of disobedience transferred his God given authority to Lucifer and opened the door for corruption and chaos. Jesus paid the price for Adam's sin and ours by laying down his life on the cross. By doing this Jesus bought back the authority that Adam had given to Lucifer.
Even though Jesus had paid the price and bought back our authority, the damage was done. Sin still permeated through out the world. The difference now is that instead of us being subject to the sin and chaos, it is actually subject to us. We as sons and daughters of God either have not realized this or do not believe it. Carnal thinking hinders and limits the work of God in our lives.
The hell that I am speaking about shutting up, is the hell that comes into our lives. Attacks from the enemy in whatever form they may take. If you turn on the news or keep up with current political and social happenings you know that it seems like one bad thing after another. I am all for keeping up with what's going on around us as pertains to the world, we shouldn't bury our heads in the sand and wait for the day it will go away by no means. But, day after day listening to the constant influx of worldly turmoil will begin to affect your mind and well being and then eventually that of those around you. Take me for instance. I read headlines and listen to the occasional news story on tv, but I don't do it constantly. I especially try to avoid news shows because certain things cause such an anger on the inside of me that it puts me in a bad mood, which then affects my family. Ephesians 4:26,27 says, to be angry and sin not and don't give place to the devil. Being angry is one thing, Jesus was angry at times, but when that anger motivates you to sin i.e. cursing or becoming dangerously violent, then there is an issue. If that occurs you have done the second part of the verse and given place to the devil's influence.
We have to realize the power and authority that has been given to us.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19
You see, everything that is negative that comes against you bombarding your life is seeking to kill you, steal from you, and destroy you, but you have the power and the authority through Jesus from God to stop it.
Where I live it is very wooded and we have found scorpions in our house on numerous occasions. When we see a scorpion I immediately take something and kill it. I don't just let it go, I don't try to gently scoot it along out of the way with my fingers, I kill it. When the hell of life begins to bombard us, we should immediately kill it. Shut it's voice up. Satan wants to speak into our lives death and destruction by manipulating our emotions and thoughts and how we react to them. We have to consciously make a stand and speak to the situations around us. In Luke 17:6 and Mark 11:23, we are told to speak in faith to circumstances and they must obey us ( paraphrase ).
The constant negativity of the world and the things that are happening in it and the things that happen in your life and to you are never things that are impossible to overcome. We can overcome because Christ has already overcome it. If Jesus had not paid the price of sin and regained our authority, we would have no hope. Because of his sacrifice, we now have our God given power and authority in Him and have just cause to tell the world to "Shut the hell up!" .
In Christ,
Kevin
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
AMP'D: God Speaks!!
As young people, you have so many voices that are speaking out to you. Each one wants your attention and to be heard. The voice of world wants you to hear it's message of self satisfaction. The voice of your heart wants you to hear it's cry of emotion. Your parents want you to hear the wisdom of their warnings. Your friends want you to hear them talk about what their voices are saying. But, there is only one voice that we should listen to. When we give our attention and listen to this one voice, then we will be able to answer all of the other voices calling us. That one voice, is the voice of God.
What? You mean God is talking to me too? Yes, or rather He wants to. God desires to speak to each and everyone of us. From the highest officials in government to the guy who fixes your plumbing. God has something to say to you.
Some people believe that God doesn't speak anymore. Some people think that He only speaks to certain people like preachers and ministers. Some people believe they have heard God speak to them when it wasn't Him at all. We tend to forget that God created us for fellowship with Him. The bible says that when God created Adam that he would walk with him in the cool of the day. That means that God and Adam would walk together early in the mornings or evenings or both and talk.
Now, you may think why would God want to speak to you. Simple. You are His creation and He wants to share the life He has given to you, with you. No one is so spiritual or important that they do not need God to speak to them and no one is so un-spiritual or insignificant that God wouldn't want to speak to them.
Ok, so now that we know God speaks and wants to talk to us. How does He speak to us?
Of course the numero uno way God speaks to us is through His word. The Bible. Even though God spoke into the spirits of the prophets and disciples and led them to write the books of the old and new testaments, everything that was written we can apply to ourselves and our lives. When you read the bible, read it as though God wrote it specifically for you. He did, but when we realize this and read it that way purposely, it becomes personal and carries more meaning and significance to us.
John 10:4 says, When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Sheep follow their shepherd because since they were born, they have been hearing his voice and they know it. Have you ever been in a crowd or somewhere with a lot of noise and hear your mom or dad's voice saying your name? It's just like that. You have heard their voice all of your life so even in the midst of distractions and other voices you will recognize them. It's the same way with God. When you are born again, from that moment on you should enter into a relationship with God learning His word and learning to hear His voice.
God is not limited. We limit God because our human thinking is limited. God can use anything to speak to us. He uses situations, good and bad. I don't believe that God causes bad things just so He can speak to us but I do believe he can use a bad situation to do just that. God can use books we read, songs we hear, other people and things to show us whatever He may want us to know. Now, I will say that we must be discerning. Being able to see/hear what God may be saying to us through something only comes through having a relationship with Him first through His word.
God desires for us to reach out to Him. He has so much to show us and tell us. We don't hear God speak because we are not listening. How much easier and how much more we would understand things if we truly learned to hear God. I want to encourage you to begin to build a relationship with God. Pray and read the word of God and take time to listen. God Speaks!!
In Christ,
Kevin
What? You mean God is talking to me too? Yes, or rather He wants to. God desires to speak to each and everyone of us. From the highest officials in government to the guy who fixes your plumbing. God has something to say to you.
Some people believe that God doesn't speak anymore. Some people think that He only speaks to certain people like preachers and ministers. Some people believe they have heard God speak to them when it wasn't Him at all. We tend to forget that God created us for fellowship with Him. The bible says that when God created Adam that he would walk with him in the cool of the day. That means that God and Adam would walk together early in the mornings or evenings or both and talk.
Now, you may think why would God want to speak to you. Simple. You are His creation and He wants to share the life He has given to you, with you. No one is so spiritual or important that they do not need God to speak to them and no one is so un-spiritual or insignificant that God wouldn't want to speak to them.
Ok, so now that we know God speaks and wants to talk to us. How does He speak to us?
Of course the numero uno way God speaks to us is through His word. The Bible. Even though God spoke into the spirits of the prophets and disciples and led them to write the books of the old and new testaments, everything that was written we can apply to ourselves and our lives. When you read the bible, read it as though God wrote it specifically for you. He did, but when we realize this and read it that way purposely, it becomes personal and carries more meaning and significance to us.
John 10:4 says, When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Sheep follow their shepherd because since they were born, they have been hearing his voice and they know it. Have you ever been in a crowd or somewhere with a lot of noise and hear your mom or dad's voice saying your name? It's just like that. You have heard their voice all of your life so even in the midst of distractions and other voices you will recognize them. It's the same way with God. When you are born again, from that moment on you should enter into a relationship with God learning His word and learning to hear His voice.
God is not limited. We limit God because our human thinking is limited. God can use anything to speak to us. He uses situations, good and bad. I don't believe that God causes bad things just so He can speak to us but I do believe he can use a bad situation to do just that. God can use books we read, songs we hear, other people and things to show us whatever He may want us to know. Now, I will say that we must be discerning. Being able to see/hear what God may be saying to us through something only comes through having a relationship with Him first through His word.
God desires for us to reach out to Him. He has so much to show us and tell us. We don't hear God speak because we are not listening. How much easier and how much more we would understand things if we truly learned to hear God. I want to encourage you to begin to build a relationship with God. Pray and read the word of God and take time to listen. God Speaks!!
In Christ,
Kevin
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Praying For Porn
Ok, be honest. Did the title get you? Maybe for a second.
I don't have have to tell you that pornography is an epidemic. In our society today, we are constantly bombarded with sexual images. Not all pornographic as some would suppose, but all which (at least in my opinion) are teasing enticements which lead to the harder stuff. To me anything that causes sexual excitement in an un-healthy way and is a catalyst for un-healthy fantasies and actions is pornography.
The effects of pornography on someones life can be devastating. A person who has been consumed by pornography often thinks of nothing else. They are are on an endless quest for sexual excitement. I believe also some people bound by pornography and who keep seeking it are in reality seeking an intimacy they may have never had. Now, they are using pornography to try and fill that void. The big problem is that after so long the effects of pornography have distorted the thought processes and the emotional feelings so much that finding that true intimacy that was once desired becomes even more difficult.
An addiction to pornography is an extremely hard thing to break especially if the addiction had lasted for many years. It (pornography) is like tar. It sticks and covers and is not easily removed.
The question I have, which is the basis for this article, is has anyone ever thought to pray for those who are involved in the production of pornography? The film, magazine, and website producers. The actors and actress' and models? I know somewhere someone probably has, but it is not a common thought. We tend to see these people as the enemy instead of victims of a perversion as well. We need to remember that it is not flesh and blood that is our enemy, but the demonic influence that is truly behind it.
If we begin to see these people as God sees them, lost souls deceived by demonic forces, then that makes them the same as us. Every person in the pornography industry has a greater purpose for which God created them. I can be honest and say that I have seen pornography in basically every form it comes in. The internet is an endless supply, an endless free supply. But when I think about the billions and billions of different avenues of pornography, I think about the billions and billions of people that it took to make all those different videos and magazines and websites. That is a lot of people who have not experienced the true love of Jesus Christ.
So how would we pray for them? We often consider those people as unreachable. We think have the thought that any prayer for them will do no good. This is a lie of the devil. It is really not our concern whether our prayers have worked or had any effect. That is God's department. Our department is to pray. Pray for their salvation and deliverance. Pray for their hearts to be softened and opened to the love of God, which is truly what they seek.
" The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." Luke 4:18
In this verse Jesus is reading scripture in the synagogue and this scripture was speaking of him. But now if we have received Jesus and he lives in us, through us, then this scripture applies to us. The Spirit of God is upon us because he has given us power to declare the good news that will heal the brokenhearted and deliver those captured by sin and give sight to those blinded by the enemy and provide freedom to those who do not believe they can be free.
Pornography is an ugly stain in the lives of those it has infected. But with the power of Jesus and faith in God, it is a stain that can be removed. It can be removed from those who are addicted and it can be removed from those who produce it. A new strategy in the war for the lives of our families. Praying for porn.
In Christ,
Kevin
I don't have have to tell you that pornography is an epidemic. In our society today, we are constantly bombarded with sexual images. Not all pornographic as some would suppose, but all which (at least in my opinion) are teasing enticements which lead to the harder stuff. To me anything that causes sexual excitement in an un-healthy way and is a catalyst for un-healthy fantasies and actions is pornography.
The effects of pornography on someones life can be devastating. A person who has been consumed by pornography often thinks of nothing else. They are are on an endless quest for sexual excitement. I believe also some people bound by pornography and who keep seeking it are in reality seeking an intimacy they may have never had. Now, they are using pornography to try and fill that void. The big problem is that after so long the effects of pornography have distorted the thought processes and the emotional feelings so much that finding that true intimacy that was once desired becomes even more difficult.
An addiction to pornography is an extremely hard thing to break especially if the addiction had lasted for many years. It (pornography) is like tar. It sticks and covers and is not easily removed.
The question I have, which is the basis for this article, is has anyone ever thought to pray for those who are involved in the production of pornography? The film, magazine, and website producers. The actors and actress' and models? I know somewhere someone probably has, but it is not a common thought. We tend to see these people as the enemy instead of victims of a perversion as well. We need to remember that it is not flesh and blood that is our enemy, but the demonic influence that is truly behind it.
If we begin to see these people as God sees them, lost souls deceived by demonic forces, then that makes them the same as us. Every person in the pornography industry has a greater purpose for which God created them. I can be honest and say that I have seen pornography in basically every form it comes in. The internet is an endless supply, an endless free supply. But when I think about the billions and billions of different avenues of pornography, I think about the billions and billions of people that it took to make all those different videos and magazines and websites. That is a lot of people who have not experienced the true love of Jesus Christ.
So how would we pray for them? We often consider those people as unreachable. We think have the thought that any prayer for them will do no good. This is a lie of the devil. It is really not our concern whether our prayers have worked or had any effect. That is God's department. Our department is to pray. Pray for their salvation and deliverance. Pray for their hearts to be softened and opened to the love of God, which is truly what they seek.
" The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." Luke 4:18
In this verse Jesus is reading scripture in the synagogue and this scripture was speaking of him. But now if we have received Jesus and he lives in us, through us, then this scripture applies to us. The Spirit of God is upon us because he has given us power to declare the good news that will heal the brokenhearted and deliver those captured by sin and give sight to those blinded by the enemy and provide freedom to those who do not believe they can be free.
Pornography is an ugly stain in the lives of those it has infected. But with the power of Jesus and faith in God, it is a stain that can be removed. It can be removed from those who are addicted and it can be removed from those who produce it. A new strategy in the war for the lives of our families. Praying for porn.
In Christ,
Kevin
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Absolute Truth: Homosexuality
It is my heart and purpose of "For This Cause" to give the absolute truth of God's word as it applies to our lives. I believe that this absolute truth is something that those who are searching for answers to life's questions or are simply trying to determine where they stand on issues, is what they are seeking.
In recent news it has come out, that recording artist Jennifer Knapp, has come out. She has revealed to world that she is a practicing homosexual. For those of you who may not know, Knapp came on the Christian music scene about seven years ago and had hit with her song "Undo Me". It wasn't extremely long ago that recording artist Ray Boltz also revealed his choice to live as a homosexual. There have been other "Christian" artists who have come out, but not to the media attention as Knapp and Boltz.
I pray that these "revelations" will not do what Satan wan'ts them to do. Leave those who are not firmly grounded in the truth of God's word and may be dealing with feelings of homosexuality, in confusion or push them in the wrong direction. It will speak to the younger generations the lie that you can be homosexual and a Christian. I hate to say that what hits me in the gut the most is that it feels like the other side, meaning the enemies of God, have gotten the upperhand and made Christianity look stupid, and like a school yard bully they are laughing at us.
The big question, I believe, is how? How can person believe in God, believe His word, write and sing such inspirational songs and choose to live a lifestyle that is against what they sing and even more against God's word? Let me say that we all in some form do things that are against God's word. Some people are decieved and blinded to what the bible says and means. Some choose only to believe parts of the bible. Some people have not had a firm, grounded foundation built in them. Still others are controlled by thier fleshly desires. Even spirit filled believers are not immune to giving themselves over to carnal desires.
I want to say something here that I feel needs to be said. The feelings that people dealing with homosexuality are having are real feelings. That is why they deal with so much confusion about why they are haveing the desires they have and the feelings of affinity or affection toward someone of the same sex. They are misunderstood, misguided, and twisted feelings, but they are feelings. The word of God admonishes us to walk in the spirit and we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. This means to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, trust in God and seek Him. No, it's not always easy and it's not always done, but it can be.
Another thing I believe needs to be said is that God does not hate homosexuals. It was for them that Jesus came and died just like it was for me and for you. I wished that this could be put on billboards accross the nation. I believe if that were known, a lot more people would find it easier to seek God and find freedom. God does not hate homoesexuals, it is the sin and disobedience of homosexuality that He is against. Just like He is against the sin of pornography or the sin of gossip, or the sin of murder. God does not hate those who are involve or have been involved in any sin, He hates the sin. It is our choice to indulge or give ourselves over to the bondage of those sins that separate us and will separate us from God in eternity.
Now what does God's word have to say concerning this?
About homosexuality,
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Leviticus 1:22
God did not say this to be mean or to enslave or to confuse. God said this because homosexuality is a twisted corruption from Satan on God's original design and intended purpose for man. God created Adam and Eve, male and female. Homosexuality is not a gene someone is born with. It is not the way God made some and not others. It is a demonically inspired, fleshly/carnal desire that is a choice made by an individual. We choose things about ourselves every day. Good and bad things. Even nature, created by God, shows us that male and female are the intent. There are also more scripture references against homosexuality than the one stated above.
Homosexuals and those that support their lifestyle and agenda are deceived by Satan, which is why we as Christ followers must speak the truth. Here is what God's word says.
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should Shine unto them.
II Corinthians 4:3,4
God is saying here that Satan has blinded the lost so they cannot see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved.
God's word also tells us that we (Christians/Christ Followers) will be hated and persecuted for Christ's/the gospels sake. The kind of actions we have seen from the radical left and proponents of homosexuality should be no surprise to us and we should strive to see the positive side of it. Let's look again at God's word.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Mathew 5:10-12 (NIV)
So how should we respond to homosexuality?
1. We should stand for what we believe, what we know is truth.
The bible says that creation itself is waiting for the appearance of the sons of God. That's us.
2. We should speak the truth in love.
If we love someone and want' to see the best for them, then out of love we should tell them the truth, even if it isn't what they want to hear.
3. We should love the sinner, not the sin.
Let me stress this. Your not going to show the love of God by showing disdain toward someone who is in sin. Jesus loved and prayed for people who were in sin. He loved the sinner not the sin. I have had friends and acquaintances who were homosexual. I cared for these people and talked and treated them as I would anyone else, but I never agreed or approved of their lifestyle.
The bible says to be a friend to the world, not of the world. There is a difference between being a friend to someone and not of someone. Being a friend to someone means you help them, have a certain level of fellowship with them, despite differences of opinion and belief. Being a friend of someone means you think and feel as they do about things.
I challenge and urge you to not let the choices of others dictate what you believe. I challenge you to move from belief to conviction about the truth of God's word. I challenge you to seek and build a relationship with God so that you may know Him and not just know about Him or what others tell you about him. God loves each and every one of us from the good to the bad and Jesus died for all of the wrong choices and sins we get into. That is the absolute truth.
In Christ,
Kevin
In recent news it has come out, that recording artist Jennifer Knapp, has come out. She has revealed to world that she is a practicing homosexual. For those of you who may not know, Knapp came on the Christian music scene about seven years ago and had hit with her song "Undo Me". It wasn't extremely long ago that recording artist Ray Boltz also revealed his choice to live as a homosexual. There have been other "Christian" artists who have come out, but not to the media attention as Knapp and Boltz.
I pray that these "revelations" will not do what Satan wan'ts them to do. Leave those who are not firmly grounded in the truth of God's word and may be dealing with feelings of homosexuality, in confusion or push them in the wrong direction. It will speak to the younger generations the lie that you can be homosexual and a Christian. I hate to say that what hits me in the gut the most is that it feels like the other side, meaning the enemies of God, have gotten the upperhand and made Christianity look stupid, and like a school yard bully they are laughing at us.
The big question, I believe, is how? How can person believe in God, believe His word, write and sing such inspirational songs and choose to live a lifestyle that is against what they sing and even more against God's word? Let me say that we all in some form do things that are against God's word. Some people are decieved and blinded to what the bible says and means. Some choose only to believe parts of the bible. Some people have not had a firm, grounded foundation built in them. Still others are controlled by thier fleshly desires. Even spirit filled believers are not immune to giving themselves over to carnal desires.
I want to say something here that I feel needs to be said. The feelings that people dealing with homosexuality are having are real feelings. That is why they deal with so much confusion about why they are haveing the desires they have and the feelings of affinity or affection toward someone of the same sex. They are misunderstood, misguided, and twisted feelings, but they are feelings. The word of God admonishes us to walk in the spirit and we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. This means to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, trust in God and seek Him. No, it's not always easy and it's not always done, but it can be.
Another thing I believe needs to be said is that God does not hate homosexuals. It was for them that Jesus came and died just like it was for me and for you. I wished that this could be put on billboards accross the nation. I believe if that were known, a lot more people would find it easier to seek God and find freedom. God does not hate homoesexuals, it is the sin and disobedience of homosexuality that He is against. Just like He is against the sin of pornography or the sin of gossip, or the sin of murder. God does not hate those who are involve or have been involved in any sin, He hates the sin. It is our choice to indulge or give ourselves over to the bondage of those sins that separate us and will separate us from God in eternity.
Now what does God's word have to say concerning this?
About homosexuality,
Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Leviticus 1:22
God did not say this to be mean or to enslave or to confuse. God said this because homosexuality is a twisted corruption from Satan on God's original design and intended purpose for man. God created Adam and Eve, male and female. Homosexuality is not a gene someone is born with. It is not the way God made some and not others. It is a demonically inspired, fleshly/carnal desire that is a choice made by an individual. We choose things about ourselves every day. Good and bad things. Even nature, created by God, shows us that male and female are the intent. There are also more scripture references against homosexuality than the one stated above.
Homosexuals and those that support their lifestyle and agenda are deceived by Satan, which is why we as Christ followers must speak the truth. Here is what God's word says.
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should Shine unto them.
II Corinthians 4:3,4
God is saying here that Satan has blinded the lost so they cannot see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved.
God's word also tells us that we (Christians/Christ Followers) will be hated and persecuted for Christ's/the gospels sake. The kind of actions we have seen from the radical left and proponents of homosexuality should be no surprise to us and we should strive to see the positive side of it. Let's look again at God's word.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Mathew 5:10-12 (NIV)
So how should we respond to homosexuality?
1. We should stand for what we believe, what we know is truth.
The bible says that creation itself is waiting for the appearance of the sons of God. That's us.
2. We should speak the truth in love.
If we love someone and want' to see the best for them, then out of love we should tell them the truth, even if it isn't what they want to hear.
3. We should love the sinner, not the sin.
Let me stress this. Your not going to show the love of God by showing disdain toward someone who is in sin. Jesus loved and prayed for people who were in sin. He loved the sinner not the sin. I have had friends and acquaintances who were homosexual. I cared for these people and talked and treated them as I would anyone else, but I never agreed or approved of their lifestyle.
The bible says to be a friend to the world, not of the world. There is a difference between being a friend to someone and not of someone. Being a friend to someone means you help them, have a certain level of fellowship with them, despite differences of opinion and belief. Being a friend of someone means you think and feel as they do about things.
I challenge and urge you to not let the choices of others dictate what you believe. I challenge you to move from belief to conviction about the truth of God's word. I challenge you to seek and build a relationship with God so that you may know Him and not just know about Him or what others tell you about him. God loves each and every one of us from the good to the bad and Jesus died for all of the wrong choices and sins we get into. That is the absolute truth.
In Christ,
Kevin
Sunday, April 4, 2010
A Matter Of Faith
Early this year, the Lord spoke something to me. He said, "Your time of faith is now". Now, I don't know about you, but there are times with me when I am not sure if what I am hearing is God or just me, and then there are times I know it's God. That moment was one of the times I knew it was Him. I believe He was telling me that right now this year is my time of faith or believing for whatever I needed faith for. There are things that I am dealing with and being stretched by that I see I need to put my faith in action with. I'm sure that you can probably think of somethings in your life that you may be struggling with that you aren't sure about and need faith to get you through it.
This brings me to the subject of faith. A lot of people think they know what faith is and how it works or doesn't work. A lot of people who have taught on the subject of fiath have been misunderstood and some have taught the subject of faith out of misunderstanding.
Everyone has faith. God has given faith to us. From the moment we are born, faith begins to operate in our lives and as we grow and learn, it operates one way or another, either in a good way or a bad way.
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself mor highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." ( Romans 12:3 KJV )
The last part of that verse says God has dealt or given to every man the measure of faith. This means we all have faith. The issue comes with the fact that our thinking has been turned and twisted that we don't even know or recognize the very thing that created us and this world.
We are accustomed to the worlds way of thinking which is, "When I see it, I will believe it". Faith says, "I believe it and then I will see it". That sounds hard to do I know, but lets look at a couple of things.
The children of Isreal stood on the promise of a savior for hundred's of years. Well, he finally came. Yes, some turned and quit believing that a savior would come and even didn't believe it after he had came, but there were those who did not give up. Now think about this. I don't know where you are right know in your walk with God, but I am assuming you are saved as we call it. When you recieceved Jesus as your saviour, you did it purely out of faith. You believed in a God you had never seen and in a man you have only heard story of. Yet, something happened on the inside of you and you knew it, you believed it all to be true.
Faith is simply this; Trusting and believing God to do what He says he will do. Well, what if He doesn't? What If I trust Him for something and it doesn't happen? Not a single person who has dealt with faith has not been in that position. Some people have stood on faith and recieved the answer and some have stood and not recieved. I could try to explain that and I hate not to do so, but when it comes down to it, I really can't except to say that I know that God is faithful and true and we must always believe that He is, no matter what the circumstance or outcome of a situation. I can tell you this, that even if things don't seem to happen the way you are believeing for them to that God has a reason and an answer and He will give it to you in time. There agian it take trusting Him to give you the answer. There are some things that I have to try to explain to my little girls that I know they are to young to understand. I have to try to get them to understand as much as possible at the moment with the belief that in time as they grow and mature, they will better understand.
Today is Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday. Billions of Christians all over the world are celebrating the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are celebrating and event that we have only heard about or read about in the Bible. We are celebrating an act that was done for us to save us from our sins and the price of those sins. We have not seen, yet we believe. I have been in church all my life and actively involve in ministry for the past twenty years. I have learned that no matter what, keep going and keep believing. I have learned that no matter what the situation or circumstances keep believing. I have learned that even if I don't understand, understanding will come. I have learned that it is a matter of faith.
Keep standing, keep believing. God is faithful and He is true. Your time of faith is now.
In Christ, Kevin
Hebrews 11:1, Romans 10:17, 11 Corinthians 5:7, Mathew 17:20.
This brings me to the subject of faith. A lot of people think they know what faith is and how it works or doesn't work. A lot of people who have taught on the subject of fiath have been misunderstood and some have taught the subject of faith out of misunderstanding.
Everyone has faith. God has given faith to us. From the moment we are born, faith begins to operate in our lives and as we grow and learn, it operates one way or another, either in a good way or a bad way.
"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself mor highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." ( Romans 12:3 KJV )
The last part of that verse says God has dealt or given to every man the measure of faith. This means we all have faith. The issue comes with the fact that our thinking has been turned and twisted that we don't even know or recognize the very thing that created us and this world.
We are accustomed to the worlds way of thinking which is, "When I see it, I will believe it". Faith says, "I believe it and then I will see it". That sounds hard to do I know, but lets look at a couple of things.
The children of Isreal stood on the promise of a savior for hundred's of years. Well, he finally came. Yes, some turned and quit believing that a savior would come and even didn't believe it after he had came, but there were those who did not give up. Now think about this. I don't know where you are right know in your walk with God, but I am assuming you are saved as we call it. When you recieceved Jesus as your saviour, you did it purely out of faith. You believed in a God you had never seen and in a man you have only heard story of. Yet, something happened on the inside of you and you knew it, you believed it all to be true.
Faith is simply this; Trusting and believing God to do what He says he will do. Well, what if He doesn't? What If I trust Him for something and it doesn't happen? Not a single person who has dealt with faith has not been in that position. Some people have stood on faith and recieved the answer and some have stood and not recieved. I could try to explain that and I hate not to do so, but when it comes down to it, I really can't except to say that I know that God is faithful and true and we must always believe that He is, no matter what the circumstance or outcome of a situation. I can tell you this, that even if things don't seem to happen the way you are believeing for them to that God has a reason and an answer and He will give it to you in time. There agian it take trusting Him to give you the answer. There are some things that I have to try to explain to my little girls that I know they are to young to understand. I have to try to get them to understand as much as possible at the moment with the belief that in time as they grow and mature, they will better understand.
Today is Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday. Billions of Christians all over the world are celebrating the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are celebrating and event that we have only heard about or read about in the Bible. We are celebrating an act that was done for us to save us from our sins and the price of those sins. We have not seen, yet we believe. I have been in church all my life and actively involve in ministry for the past twenty years. I have learned that no matter what, keep going and keep believing. I have learned that no matter what the situation or circumstances keep believing. I have learned that even if I don't understand, understanding will come. I have learned that it is a matter of faith.
Keep standing, keep believing. God is faithful and He is true. Your time of faith is now.
In Christ, Kevin
Hebrews 11:1, Romans 10:17, 11 Corinthians 5:7, Mathew 17:20.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Fan The Flame Or Choke In The Smoke!
These are truly trying times we are living in. I don't have to give you an example, just watch five minutes of the news. Spiritual oppression is growing heavier and heavier. The bible says in Romans 8: 19 that creation itself is waiting on the sons of God to show up (paraphrase). If you are born again, that is you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are a son of God. It's time to get up and gird up. Let me say that again, it's past time to get up and gird up. It doesn't matter what Iran is doing, it doesn't matter what the White House is doing, it doesn't matter what John Doe down the road is doing, what matters is what are you doing.
I am a little fired up and glad to be. The church needs to get fired back up again and I believe it is about to happen. We've been busted and bruised and knocked down for the count but as Carman's song the Champion goes, the ten count starts backwards. 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...and 1 is about to hit.
I grew up in the Baptist church where Hell was hot and Heaven was not and they could preach it. I moved over to the Word Of Faith Charismatic Camp where the Holy Spirit fire and power of the anointing armed you for battle. I watched the church for years be a day late and a dollar short in providing alternatives to secular enticements. I started seeing a form of Godliness but no power. I have seen gossiping and backbiting and holier than the next one finger pointing and so has the world.
What has that got to do with anything. Absolutely Nothing!! I am here to tell you that when it all boils down to it the only thing that matters is the sacrifice that Jesus made and why he made it.
People are dying and lifting their eyes in hell every minute of everyday and are going to be there forever. Everyone who died without Jesus in 1700's. Theye're still there. Everyone who died without Jesus in the 1800', are still there. Anyone who died without Jesus on 9/11, are still there. Play times been up, but we're still trying to squeeze every last second we can to play a little longer. People need Jesus, people need freedom and deliverance and the only way they are going to get it is from Jesus through us.
" For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." 2 Timothy 6 (NIV)
Sometimes we forget who we are and what we are and to what we are called. Each one of us has gifts and callings in us that God put there for a reason. Like fire these gifts of the Holy Spirit burn inside of us. Fire does two things, it either burns up or burns out. It destroys or it purifies and have you ever noticed fire doesn't back down or run away. The only way a fire will go out is if you put it out, but a fire can always be started again. You can stand around a fire and keep warm and enjoy it's benefits, but when the flames go out all that's left is irritating, choking smoke. Fan that flame that's on the inside of you, stoke the fire and let it burn in you and out of you to those around you. Rise up, gird up, and then look up!
In Christ, Kevin
I am a little fired up and glad to be. The church needs to get fired back up again and I believe it is about to happen. We've been busted and bruised and knocked down for the count but as Carman's song the Champion goes, the ten count starts backwards. 10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...and 1 is about to hit.
I grew up in the Baptist church where Hell was hot and Heaven was not and they could preach it. I moved over to the Word Of Faith Charismatic Camp where the Holy Spirit fire and power of the anointing armed you for battle. I watched the church for years be a day late and a dollar short in providing alternatives to secular enticements. I started seeing a form of Godliness but no power. I have seen gossiping and backbiting and holier than the next one finger pointing and so has the world.
What has that got to do with anything. Absolutely Nothing!! I am here to tell you that when it all boils down to it the only thing that matters is the sacrifice that Jesus made and why he made it.
People are dying and lifting their eyes in hell every minute of everyday and are going to be there forever. Everyone who died without Jesus in 1700's. Theye're still there. Everyone who died without Jesus in the 1800', are still there. Anyone who died without Jesus on 9/11, are still there. Play times been up, but we're still trying to squeeze every last second we can to play a little longer. People need Jesus, people need freedom and deliverance and the only way they are going to get it is from Jesus through us.
" For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." 2 Timothy 6 (NIV)
Sometimes we forget who we are and what we are and to what we are called. Each one of us has gifts and callings in us that God put there for a reason. Like fire these gifts of the Holy Spirit burn inside of us. Fire does two things, it either burns up or burns out. It destroys or it purifies and have you ever noticed fire doesn't back down or run away. The only way a fire will go out is if you put it out, but a fire can always be started again. You can stand around a fire and keep warm and enjoy it's benefits, but when the flames go out all that's left is irritating, choking smoke. Fan that flame that's on the inside of you, stoke the fire and let it burn in you and out of you to those around you. Rise up, gird up, and then look up!
In Christ, Kevin
Saturday, January 30, 2010
AMP'D: Naked Obsession
I didn't count on this subject being my first one for the teen directed articles on For This Cause, but I feel it is a needed thing. I want to talk about the subject of nudity and the worlds obsession with it and how it affects you.
We have seen alot in the headlines and news media over the past years that mention and talk about the subject of sexting, where by someone takes a nude photo of themselves and sends it to someone else, usually a girl sending a photo of herself to a boy. We also have heard of the popular Girls Gone Wild springbreak videos and notorious Abercrombie and Fitch catalogs, and the populairty of Playboy. I know and realize that those examples may be old ones, but I believe they have played a part in the influence and ending results of young people's acceptance of baring it all to others. More examples can be seen with rising starlets who have allowed themselves to be influenced into lowering their morals and not caring about thier responsibilities as role models.
Of course Britney Spears and Christina Aguilara seems to have started it off, but it was going on way before then. Presently Vanessa Hudgins photo scandal and Miley Cyrus's venture to transition from childhood Disney image to more adult serious image are leading the way. It seems as though for a "child star" to prove she is grown up, they have to do something edgy like pose for nude or racey photos or take an edgy adult role in a movie. What I notice is that these startlets debut with clean images and gain a following of the young who's parent's are relieved that they have someone who is "seemingly" a good role model for their kids. Later though as these starlets grow up and are influenced by the already immoral Hollywood scene, they still have their also growing up young followers who continue to follow them.
Vanessa Hudgins photos and the lack of reprimand told millions of young girls that it was ok to photograph yourself naked and let other people see it. Miley Cyrus's own photo scandal and her brief blame game about it and then unconcerned attitude are preaching an " if I'm ok with it, it's ok " idealogue to her followers. I recently read an article where Cyru's father Billy Ray commented about her pole dance during an award show. He basically said he told her to not worry about critics or what anyone else thought and to have fun and do what makes her happy. In a sense I could agree with this statement, but not when you are a public figure with young fans. The Cyrus's have shirked any responsibility to their fans and their fan's parents, the ones who's money has made them stars.
Now, I just wanted you to see what I see as an adult. Believe me, when I was a teenager myself, I thought my parents and adults were just being stupid about things. The problem was lack of communication. If I had certain things explained to me, I would have understood better. Also, for your understanding, parents and adults don't always know how to explain why something is wrong.
So, what's the big deal about nudity anyway? Well, you already know part of the answer to that. Seeing someone nude, especially soemone may be attracted to, causes already active hormones to go wild. God gave you those hormones and intended them for a purpose, but the enemy seeks to manipulate the intent of those hormones into unintended use.
Mathew 5:27, 28 tells us that to look upon someone with lust in our hearts means we are as guilty as if we had actually been with the person. This applies to everyone, guys and girls.
Our bodies were made and meant to be seen and bring pleasure to only one other person. Our husband or wife. In your case, your future husband or wife. You see, part of the big deal is that the nakedness of our bodies is a private intimate thing, meant to only be shared with our mate. When someone exposes themselves to everyone else they destroy that intimacy. The enemy has done a good job in numbing peoples morals and stealing the joy and beauty from God's creation.
Every girl wants to be attractive and appealing to a boy. Girls, showing off your body either naked or dressed immodestly is not the cool way to do it, no matter what society or celebrities say or do. Yes, guys will be enticed by it, but is that really what you want? Guys, the same goes for you as well. Girls may drool and ga ga over the shirtless hunk, but it's a heart that wins a heart.
Guys and girls, I understand that with societies influence and the changes in your body you are experiencing as teenagers that keeping yourself modest and pure is not easy. You must realize that you are special and unique and that God created you for better. You are a prize to be treasured. If someone doesn't treat you with respect, they don't respect the value God had placed on you. The world may have a naked obsession, but that doesn't man you have to.
In Christ, Kevin
We have seen alot in the headlines and news media over the past years that mention and talk about the subject of sexting, where by someone takes a nude photo of themselves and sends it to someone else, usually a girl sending a photo of herself to a boy. We also have heard of the popular Girls Gone Wild springbreak videos and notorious Abercrombie and Fitch catalogs, and the populairty of Playboy. I know and realize that those examples may be old ones, but I believe they have played a part in the influence and ending results of young people's acceptance of baring it all to others. More examples can be seen with rising starlets who have allowed themselves to be influenced into lowering their morals and not caring about thier responsibilities as role models.
Of course Britney Spears and Christina Aguilara seems to have started it off, but it was going on way before then. Presently Vanessa Hudgins photo scandal and Miley Cyrus's venture to transition from childhood Disney image to more adult serious image are leading the way. It seems as though for a "child star" to prove she is grown up, they have to do something edgy like pose for nude or racey photos or take an edgy adult role in a movie. What I notice is that these startlets debut with clean images and gain a following of the young who's parent's are relieved that they have someone who is "seemingly" a good role model for their kids. Later though as these starlets grow up and are influenced by the already immoral Hollywood scene, they still have their also growing up young followers who continue to follow them.
Vanessa Hudgins photos and the lack of reprimand told millions of young girls that it was ok to photograph yourself naked and let other people see it. Miley Cyrus's own photo scandal and her brief blame game about it and then unconcerned attitude are preaching an " if I'm ok with it, it's ok " idealogue to her followers. I recently read an article where Cyru's father Billy Ray commented about her pole dance during an award show. He basically said he told her to not worry about critics or what anyone else thought and to have fun and do what makes her happy. In a sense I could agree with this statement, but not when you are a public figure with young fans. The Cyrus's have shirked any responsibility to their fans and their fan's parents, the ones who's money has made them stars.
Now, I just wanted you to see what I see as an adult. Believe me, when I was a teenager myself, I thought my parents and adults were just being stupid about things. The problem was lack of communication. If I had certain things explained to me, I would have understood better. Also, for your understanding, parents and adults don't always know how to explain why something is wrong.
So, what's the big deal about nudity anyway? Well, you already know part of the answer to that. Seeing someone nude, especially soemone may be attracted to, causes already active hormones to go wild. God gave you those hormones and intended them for a purpose, but the enemy seeks to manipulate the intent of those hormones into unintended use.
Mathew 5:27, 28 tells us that to look upon someone with lust in our hearts means we are as guilty as if we had actually been with the person. This applies to everyone, guys and girls.
Our bodies were made and meant to be seen and bring pleasure to only one other person. Our husband or wife. In your case, your future husband or wife. You see, part of the big deal is that the nakedness of our bodies is a private intimate thing, meant to only be shared with our mate. When someone exposes themselves to everyone else they destroy that intimacy. The enemy has done a good job in numbing peoples morals and stealing the joy and beauty from God's creation.
Every girl wants to be attractive and appealing to a boy. Girls, showing off your body either naked or dressed immodestly is not the cool way to do it, no matter what society or celebrities say or do. Yes, guys will be enticed by it, but is that really what you want? Guys, the same goes for you as well. Girls may drool and ga ga over the shirtless hunk, but it's a heart that wins a heart.
Guys and girls, I understand that with societies influence and the changes in your body you are experiencing as teenagers that keeping yourself modest and pure is not easy. You must realize that you are special and unique and that God created you for better. You are a prize to be treasured. If someone doesn't treat you with respect, they don't respect the value God had placed on you. The world may have a naked obsession, but that doesn't man you have to.
In Christ, Kevin
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