"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23: 7
Have you ever given this Scripture much thought? Sometimes we just skim through our Bible-reading without really chewing on what's there. But this verse, like countless others, has so much more to it than just a casual reading will reveal.
"You are what you eat." We all know that one! But here God is telling us, "You are what you think." A wise lady once said something like this, "Thoughts and feelings become actions, actions repeated become habits, habits form character, and character determines destiny." So, what are you thinking? Do you allow your mind to dwell upon anything Satan tries to put there, or do you seek, like the apostle Paul said, to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ"?
Unkind, judgemental thoughts become gossip. Covetous thoughts lead to murmuring and complaining. Hateful, angry thoughts turn into cruel, cutting words. Rebellious thoughts produce disobedience and defiance. And yet the opposite is also true! Kind, patient thoughts become encouraging, edifying speech. Contented thoughts lead to thanksgiving and praise. Submissive, humble thoughts make for obedience and peace. Which picture is more attractive?
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Armour
My Armour:
Girdle of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Preparation of the gospel of peace
Shield of faith
Helmet of Salvation
Sword of the spirit
Prayer
Twice in Ephesians 6 Paul entreats us to put on the WHOLE armour that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, and stand in the evil day. So how do I put on my armour before each day starts?
First and foremost, I need to gird myself with truth. The interesting thing about this is that it says to gird my loins. Why the loins? After much study, and the help of my father, I came to realize how important the loins actually are. The loins are the procreative power. This is where birth takes place, where a new being comes from—the fruit of the body so to speak. Spiritually, if I don't have truth girt about the loins, how can I bear pure fruit? I need to start my day by spending time with Christ. Once I've done so, and committed myself to Him, then (and only then) can I start to bear fruit for Him. As I've put on the girdle, everything else starts to fall into place. Once I surrender to Christ in the morning, He gives me His righteousness. It protects my heart, which is also my mind. It prepares me to meet Satan's attacks, and gives me an answer for every temptation. "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned" (Isaiah 50:4).As I am prepared to withstand the devil's attacks, I am also given a mission: to take the gospel of peace to everyone around. I protect my feet with that. Then, once I know what I am doing, I am not tempted to stray from the straight and narrow path. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" (Isaiah 52:7).Then, after these preparations, I take the shield of faith, and step forward, seeing through the eyes of faith the way the Lord has prepared. I can stride with faithful confidence as I prayerfully act out the maneuvers that God has directed and placed in my path.
Now I am excited! "Let's go!" I shout. But wait! I cannot leave without my helmet, my sword, and prayer. So often, as I think back on my life, I see that I have done that. I've rushed out the door, thinking how fully equipped I am. Then I have to come running back like a beaten puppy, tail between my legs. The helmet is so important. I can have all the other armour on, but without my helmet, it is a lost cause. I will die. This is my salvation. My mind must be fully Christ's. Then I can take the sword: His Word. When my mind is completely Christ's, it is one with Him—and with my mind in tune with His, I can know how to wield the sword in battle. Under His commands and guidance, I can learn to block attacks, and to plunge my sword into the devil's falsehoods.
But before I leave, I must communicate with my Commander. And it won't do to just talk once, before I head out. I may forget what His specific commands were. I must have full access to Him all day. I must send up inquiries of how to overcome specific temptation as they come along. I need His strength to guide me all the day long, and so I need to keep checking in with the headquarters through prayer!
"Praying ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Ephesians 6:18).
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, my fellow warriors in Christ.
~So be it.
Girdle of Truth
Breastplate of Righteousness
Preparation of the gospel of peace
Shield of faith
Helmet of Salvation
Sword of the spirit
Prayer
Twice in Ephesians 6 Paul entreats us to put on the WHOLE armour that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, and stand in the evil day. So how do I put on my armour before each day starts?
First and foremost, I need to gird myself with truth. The interesting thing about this is that it says to gird my loins. Why the loins? After much study, and the help of my father, I came to realize how important the loins actually are. The loins are the procreative power. This is where birth takes place, where a new being comes from—the fruit of the body so to speak. Spiritually, if I don't have truth girt about the loins, how can I bear pure fruit? I need to start my day by spending time with Christ. Once I've done so, and committed myself to Him, then (and only then) can I start to bear fruit for Him. As I've put on the girdle, everything else starts to fall into place. Once I surrender to Christ in the morning, He gives me His righteousness. It protects my heart, which is also my mind. It prepares me to meet Satan's attacks, and gives me an answer for every temptation. "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned" (Isaiah 50:4).As I am prepared to withstand the devil's attacks, I am also given a mission: to take the gospel of peace to everyone around. I protect my feet with that. Then, once I know what I am doing, I am not tempted to stray from the straight and narrow path. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" (Isaiah 52:7).Then, after these preparations, I take the shield of faith, and step forward, seeing through the eyes of faith the way the Lord has prepared. I can stride with faithful confidence as I prayerfully act out the maneuvers that God has directed and placed in my path.
Now I am excited! "Let's go!" I shout. But wait! I cannot leave without my helmet, my sword, and prayer. So often, as I think back on my life, I see that I have done that. I've rushed out the door, thinking how fully equipped I am. Then I have to come running back like a beaten puppy, tail between my legs. The helmet is so important. I can have all the other armour on, but without my helmet, it is a lost cause. I will die. This is my salvation. My mind must be fully Christ's. Then I can take the sword: His Word. When my mind is completely Christ's, it is one with Him—and with my mind in tune with His, I can know how to wield the sword in battle. Under His commands and guidance, I can learn to block attacks, and to plunge my sword into the devil's falsehoods.
But before I leave, I must communicate with my Commander. And it won't do to just talk once, before I head out. I may forget what His specific commands were. I must have full access to Him all day. I must send up inquiries of how to overcome specific temptation as they come along. I need His strength to guide me all the day long, and so I need to keep checking in with the headquarters through prayer!
"Praying ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints" (Ephesians 6:18).
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, my fellow warriors in Christ.
~So be it.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
As I say, Not as I do?
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….
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, 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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