REFLECTIONS

-
James 1:22-24  "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was."
 
One of my favorite hobbies is taking pictures. I love to take pictures near bodies of water and get that reflection in the picture. It is not a perfect reflection especially if the water is moving. You get a distorted reflection.
 
We are to be reflections of Jesus Christ. The problem is with many is that their spirit is not at rest or peace. It is not still, but is in constant motion. Others get a distorted reflection of Jesus Christ through us. There are many reasons for this in the Word. One is found in Proverbs 21:23 "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles."  Many Christians are so busy talking about things and people that their spirits are not at peace. Others see a distorted picture of Christ coming from us. Proverbs 13:3 puts it this way "He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction." This is just one of many ways that we look into the word of God and then walk away and forget what we have read. We must reflect the person of Jesus Christ. When our spirits are at rest and peace in God, the reflection of Christ will be much more accurate.
 
 
 
Obey the Word of God- don't just read it and forget what you have read.
 
 
(Taken from Pastor Keith's message 11/6/2013)



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Identity

-
Image
(Taken from Sis.Suzanne Parsons' message- 1/28/2015) Luke 6: 43-45 43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."   In some ways the Church has lost its identity. It seems that we blend in more with the world than we are  separate from it. Years ago many in the Church held on to a strictness in outer appearance, for instance. They stood up against the world in their convictions. Yes, many became harsh and judgmental in this attitude but through the years, the Lord has shown many that it isn't in outward appearance that determines a holy life, but it is our life itself- our actions
Read more

WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG?

-
1 Samuel 15:13-16 In this text Saul is confronted by the prophet Samuel because Saul didn't obey the command to totally destroy the Amalekites. The  spoil was considered a sacrifice to God. But Saul didn't do that. Instead he spared King Agag, the best of the sheep, oxen, lambs and all that was good. ( Verse9 ). When Samuel confronted him on his disobedience (even while the sheep were bleating and the oxen were lowing)-- Saul denies that he has done anything wrong. What have I done wrong? Instead in verse 13 he makes a statement --"I have performed the commandment of the Lord". It is as if he is saying- Look at me--- I've done a good job! I did what the Lord asked me to do! Aren't I great! Later, Saul gives various excuses as to why he did what he did (or better said- didn't do what he should have done).   Samuel looks at him and says "Be quiet!". When God confronts us on issues that are not pleasing to Him, I can imagine Him looking at
Read more

THE HARVEST

-
Matthew 9:37-39: "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.'"     God has set individual Christians and churches in specific fields. Harvest will come but we must be obedient to the Lord and allow Him to prepare us for the harvest. We can not wait until harvest time and them make sure everything is good to go. No, we must prepare now for time will be short when it is time to harvest.   We must allow God to do the work in us so that His light will shine out from us. Then others will be attracted to that light. Are there people in your pathway that seem to bother you? They may be a nuisance to you or obnoxious or just difficult to get along with. These very people may be part of that harvest to come and we must show them God's love now. As we do this, we are "cultivating" the field for the harvest. Our neighbors, co-work
Read more