You've heard it before, maybe have used the phrase jokingly, or in frustration at someone who insists on comparing your actions to your words. "Do as I say, not as I do." We let the words flit across our lips without even realizing the true meaning of those words. Without letting a thought cross our minds as to what type of witness that may be.
I invite you to take a moment, and let those careless, thoughtless phrases be pondered.
Who are we really? Are we all one of a kind, or are we all cut from the same cloth. Do we think and act for ourselves, or are we bought with a price, and therefore need to glorify God in our body, our actions, and our thoughts.
"…Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue; and if there be anything praise-worthy, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you" Philippians 4:8, 9.
Is this an example of who God is? We profess to be followers of Christ, and yet, we are to follow not only what Christ has said, but also what he has done. Aren't we too, to be examples to those around us? Should we not say with pleasure, "Do as I say, and do?" Yes, that should be our motive.
Indeed, that is what the Christian experience maintains. Sadly, many cannot, yes, even I, cannot say that. We are all still in our learning experiences, and we fall many times. We are not the perfect examples. We are rather awful examples. But yet, why do we not strive harder? Why do we sit as thoughtless representatives of our Heavenly Father?
Think on these things….
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Saturday, September 1, 2007
You're Only Young Once
I’m sure that all of you have heard this saying. It’s often used by reckless young people who want to excuse their wild living. They say they want to go out and “have a good time” in the world. Later, when they’ve had their fun, they will come back to God, religion, and other serious things. “I’m only young once,” they plead. “I want to have fun while I’m still young.” What they don’t realize is that they are wasting the most important years of their lives!
Yes, we’re only young once. Is it a time to gratify our selfish desires? Is it a time to do whatever we want? No! God’s Word says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,” Ecclesiastes 12:1 (emphasis supplied). Why wait until you are old to surrender your heart to God? So many people think that doing whatever you want is freedom, but it’s a lie! If you do not choose God, then who are you choosing? There are only two choices. One is God, and with Him comes true peace and joy and life. The other is Satan and self, and these only bring unhappiness, discontent, and death in the end.
Why should we choose to spend our youth doing things we will only regret later? We don’t have to! God is freely offering us a much better way. He longs for each one of us to give Him our hearts, to let Him make us into something truly beautiful. He wants to restore His own character in us. He wants to make us the young people we were really meant to be. God has great plans for each one of us. All we have to do is choose His way, and allow Him to change us from the inside out!
We want to challenge each one of you to give your youth – the best years of your life – to God. Think of all He’s done for us. Jesus went through more than any of us will ever have to suffer. Surely this great and awesome God deserves the very best we can give Him. As youth we are strong, enthusiastic, and energetic. God needs workers like us. He wants to make us His ambassadors to a lost and dying world. Will we let Him?
Sure, this kind of surrender to God is a step of faith. We’ll have to deal with our short-comings and sins. We will have to daily, hourly, minute-by-minute seek the direction of our Father. God is going to ask hard things of us. And we’re human, so we will make mistakes. But each time we pick ourselves up and determine, in God’s strength, not to make the same mistakes again, we learn valuable lessons. All of this builds character – strong, beautiful character. It’s an adventure to give God control of your life! You never know what He’s going to ask of you, what He’s going to do next. It’s exhilarating, exciting! He has big plans for each of His children.
Will you give your youth to God? Will you give your BEST to God? You’re only young once. We encourage you to give yourself completely to your loving Father. You will never regret it!
Yours in Christ,
Natasha and Melissa
The words of this hymn go beautifully with this post. This is our challenge – Christ’s challenge – to you!
Yes, we’re only young once. Is it a time to gratify our selfish desires? Is it a time to do whatever we want? No! God’s Word says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth,” Ecclesiastes 12:1 (emphasis supplied). Why wait until you are old to surrender your heart to God? So many people think that doing whatever you want is freedom, but it’s a lie! If you do not choose God, then who are you choosing? There are only two choices. One is God, and with Him comes true peace and joy and life. The other is Satan and self, and these only bring unhappiness, discontent, and death in the end.
Why should we choose to spend our youth doing things we will only regret later? We don’t have to! God is freely offering us a much better way. He longs for each one of us to give Him our hearts, to let Him make us into something truly beautiful. He wants to restore His own character in us. He wants to make us the young people we were really meant to be. God has great plans for each one of us. All we have to do is choose His way, and allow Him to change us from the inside out!
We want to challenge each one of you to give your youth – the best years of your life – to God. Think of all He’s done for us. Jesus went through more than any of us will ever have to suffer. Surely this great and awesome God deserves the very best we can give Him. As youth we are strong, enthusiastic, and energetic. God needs workers like us. He wants to make us His ambassadors to a lost and dying world. Will we let Him?
Sure, this kind of surrender to God is a step of faith. We’ll have to deal with our short-comings and sins. We will have to daily, hourly, minute-by-minute seek the direction of our Father. God is going to ask hard things of us. And we’re human, so we will make mistakes. But each time we pick ourselves up and determine, in God’s strength, not to make the same mistakes again, we learn valuable lessons. All of this builds character – strong, beautiful character. It’s an adventure to give God control of your life! You never know what He’s going to ask of you, what He’s going to do next. It’s exhilarating, exciting! He has big plans for each of His children.
Will you give your youth to God? Will you give your BEST to God? You’re only young once. We encourage you to give yourself completely to your loving Father. You will never regret it!
Yours in Christ,
Natasha and Melissa
The words of this hymn go beautifully with this post. This is our challenge – Christ’s challenge – to you!
~
Give of Your Best to the Master
~
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.
~
Refrain:
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.
~
Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.
~
Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration;
Give Him the best that you have.
~
Howard B. Grose
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Welcome!
Dear Beloved Readers,
Welcome to Healing Flame! A place of respite for those seeking it. A place of hope. Something new from the shallowness of normal blogs. Welcome....
As your eyes wander through these pages, it is our prayer and hope that all its contents may prove to be a blessing to you.
Proverbs ..."She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." ..."A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
William Morley Punshan~ ..."Speak but one true word today, and it shall go ringing on through the ages."
May our words be fitly spoken.
The purpose of this blog is to know God's will for our lives as a generation of young people. So many of us are looking for ourselves in the things of this world, but to truly find out all we are meant to be, all we need to do is look upward. This blog is meant for those whose desire is to seek the will of God, and would like to study out the principles of living as found in the Word of God. It is for those who have questions about different Bible topics, and who want to make a difference in the perverted age of today. It is for those who would like to join two, young, god-fearing woman in seeking a closer relationship with Christ. We want to ask those of you who leave comments, that you would keep them uplifting. Anything that you share, please remember that our goal is not to prove that we are smart, but to honor God for the gift of understanding He has given us through His Spirit. And please don't feel timid to share what you learn from lessons in life, or from the Word. When you share what you have learned, it becomes engrained, and God will teach you more. When you share what you learned, God will help you understand it better. When you share, it will become easier to remember what you have learned. Sharing is one of the best ways to grow spiritually.
So, now maybe you're wondering about the founders of this blog. We are two, young, teenage girls - Natasha and Melissa - who love the Lord, and we were inspired by a website of young people seeking to change the world. A group of young people rebelling against the ungodly and low expectations of our culture. We want to make a difference for Christ. Don't you?
"May each moment of each hour of each day of our lives be a picture of love to all the world, and in Jesus may we grow, may we trust Him, may we know of His love, that His love may know others. And when soon He shall come, may we all join as one in the love that we share in His glory" - This is our prayer.
Peace be unto you all.
~Your sisters in Christ~
Welcome to Healing Flame! A place of respite for those seeking it. A place of hope. Something new from the shallowness of normal blogs. Welcome....
As your eyes wander through these pages, it is our prayer and hope that all its contents may prove to be a blessing to you.
Proverbs ..."She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." ..."A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
William Morley Punshan~ ..."Speak but one true word today, and it shall go ringing on through the ages."
May our words be fitly spoken.
The purpose of this blog is to know God's will for our lives as a generation of young people. So many of us are looking for ourselves in the things of this world, but to truly find out all we are meant to be, all we need to do is look upward. This blog is meant for those whose desire is to seek the will of God, and would like to study out the principles of living as found in the Word of God. It is for those who have questions about different Bible topics, and who want to make a difference in the perverted age of today. It is for those who would like to join two, young, god-fearing woman in seeking a closer relationship with Christ. We want to ask those of you who leave comments, that you would keep them uplifting. Anything that you share, please remember that our goal is not to prove that we are smart, but to honor God for the gift of understanding He has given us through His Spirit. And please don't feel timid to share what you learn from lessons in life, or from the Word. When you share what you have learned, it becomes engrained, and God will teach you more. When you share what you learned, God will help you understand it better. When you share, it will become easier to remember what you have learned. Sharing is one of the best ways to grow spiritually.
So, now maybe you're wondering about the founders of this blog. We are two, young, teenage girls - Natasha and Melissa - who love the Lord, and we were inspired by a website of young people seeking to change the world. A group of young people rebelling against the ungodly and low expectations of our culture. We want to make a difference for Christ. Don't you?
"May each moment of each hour of each day of our lives be a picture of love to all the world, and in Jesus may we grow, may we trust Him, may we know of His love, that His love may know others. And when soon He shall come, may we all join as one in the love that we share in His glory" - This is our prayer.
Peace be unto you all.
~Your sisters in Christ~
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