When your listening to a message.. or reading a book.. do you ever think, "is this really God speaking through this man? Where did he come up with that? What kind of Church did he grow up in? What did his bible college teach him?
People we need to be careful, Go warns us through Paul that there are people out there who teach man-made rules, believes and laws. We need to seek Gods heart in everything, not just the times when we don't know what to do in a finance situation or family problem. We must seek Him for His knowledge to fill our minds and hearts. For every uncertainty we have. Not look towards other man's believes or visions. Because its His knowledge and visions that we need to pursue. How can we do that by? Simply this. Reading His word everyday, filling our music desires with positive Christian music, spending time talking with Him and chillin with Him. EVERYDAY.
Colossians 2:1-10
For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicca, and for as many as have seen my face in the flesh, That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of full assurance and understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Wow.. its right there, read it again if you didn't catch it. People this is applies to us, TODAY.
Jesus Christ is the complete manifestation of God. It is in Jesus that all of God's wisdom and knowledge are presented, and it is only through the gospel of Jesus Christ that you can be saved. Salvation comes through faith in Christ alone. In the world there are thousands of religions, spiritual teachings, and philosophies; but if they are not completely centered in Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection, They are counterfeits!
Think about it.. Study and seek God's knowledge to fill you so you may know the truth.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Mercy Over Religion
Mercy Over Religion
Key Passage: Matthew 12:1-14
"And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:7-8, ESV)
Religion can be an ugly thing. In fact, being religious can make us ugly people. And being religious can often lead us away from God rather than to Him.
This is exactly what Jesus encountered with the religious leaders of His day. They were a group who didn't like the way Jesus did things because He didn't follow their religious customs. These religious leaders were arrogant, selfish and insensitive to the needs of others.
In one particular incident where Jesus and His disciples had a run-in with them, the religious leaders accused the disciples of breaking the law and condemned them. Jesus responded by quoting a verse from the Old Testament, "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices." Jesus reminded them that mercy is more important than religion.
In other words, how you treat people is of greater concern than religious duties. You see, the religious leaders had a heart problem. They were quick to judge and condemn people and failed to show mercy, love and forgiveness. They placed a higher importance on following religious traditions than on being compassionate.
So how about you? Where's your heart? Are you more concerned about showing mercy or following the rules? Do you care about a person or just about their outward actions?
Key Passage: Matthew 12:1-14
"And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." (Matthew 12:7-8, ESV)
Religion can be an ugly thing. In fact, being religious can make us ugly people. And being religious can often lead us away from God rather than to Him.
This is exactly what Jesus encountered with the religious leaders of His day. They were a group who didn't like the way Jesus did things because He didn't follow their religious customs. These religious leaders were arrogant, selfish and insensitive to the needs of others.
In one particular incident where Jesus and His disciples had a run-in with them, the religious leaders accused the disciples of breaking the law and condemned them. Jesus responded by quoting a verse from the Old Testament, "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices." Jesus reminded them that mercy is more important than religion.
In other words, how you treat people is of greater concern than religious duties. You see, the religious leaders had a heart problem. They were quick to judge and condemn people and failed to show mercy, love and forgiveness. They placed a higher importance on following religious traditions than on being compassionate.
So how about you? Where's your heart? Are you more concerned about showing mercy or following the rules? Do you care about a person or just about their outward actions?
Monday, February 15, 2010
How did we become blinded?
The bible is full of radical stories, there all true! Stories and examples of how we are to live like Christ. Not about living a "nice life" but living a glorifying life focused towards Jesus. Not just saying we love Jesus or yes I know Jesus, or yes I "go to church" But to live a life that says I don't care about what people think or about my "standard of living" There are so many things changing that proves and shows that the Holy Spirit is moving and stirring hearts to this day! We are called to be radical followers of Christ, If someone came to your door, or behind you in the car or in an airplane and sticks a gun to your side and asks (will you die for your God?) what will you do? What will you say? Yes it sounds crazy but the days are coming where that will be happening! However you live your faith now will affect your children and there children, Live a life that will leave behind a legacy of true followers of our Lord! Search, Seek and Pray. Then preach the word, use words if you have to.
-Kaleb Bowman
-Kaleb Bowman
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A New Step.
You know how easy it is to go through life having this idea of how you want things to go? Or maybe you have it all planned out, scheduled and contracted.
Well we had an idea on how we wanted things to go, not exactly scheduled. But we always said we would be open to whatever God has for us, even if it means dropping everything we have and going to another country or state to continue Gods will for us. Well last Thursday night we found out something amazing! Something we weren't "planning" on until next year.. WERE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!
Yes we were shocked, but so extremely thankful! Just to think that its your own baby, and how amazing it is how God designed us.
We've been encouraging people to just be open for change, God always has something new, different but still His will in store for us!
Be blessed as you seek His will in your own life.
Kaleb Bowman
Well we had an idea on how we wanted things to go, not exactly scheduled. But we always said we would be open to whatever God has for us, even if it means dropping everything we have and going to another country or state to continue Gods will for us. Well last Thursday night we found out something amazing! Something we weren't "planning" on until next year.. WERE GOING TO HAVE A BABY!
Yes we were shocked, but so extremely thankful! Just to think that its your own baby, and how amazing it is how God designed us.
We've been encouraging people to just be open for change, God always has something new, different but still His will in store for us!
Be blessed as you seek His will in your own life.
Kaleb Bowman
Friday, January 1, 2010
Our lives are the message.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl, Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." -Matthew 5:14-16
Through our lives people learn the message of the Gospel. If what we say and what we do don't match up, we create confusion and cause people to reject the message.
The one thing that is central to the message of the Gospel is the one thing that we seem to forget so easily- Our lives are the Message.
May God be with you as you continue to apply the word to your everyday lives, that people may see the light through you!
Kaleb Bowman
Through our lives people learn the message of the Gospel. If what we say and what we do don't match up, we create confusion and cause people to reject the message.
The one thing that is central to the message of the Gospel is the one thing that we seem to forget so easily- Our lives are the Message.
May God be with you as you continue to apply the word to your everyday lives, that people may see the light through you!
Kaleb Bowman
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sylvia's post
Hi everyone I figured its about time I posted something too! actually Kaleb has been asking me to for the past while. I told him the reason that a haven't is because I have to be "inspired" before I write. lol so i guess I got "inspired" hence this post. but no really inspiring things have been happening all around me, Just waking up every morning to the sunrise is a wonderful blessing God is so good!
I have been pondering alot lately about the time I spend with God every day. It seems so often I come to the end of my day and My prayer to Him sounds something of an apology "God I'm sorry for not being a good christian today. I'll try better tomorrow." I feel a twinge of guilt for not spending time in God's word, or thinking about His goodness to me.It reminds me of a song I heard saying "there is more to this life/ more then just trying to make it through the day."
Its amazing how God reveals Himself! the other week i was listening to a worship song ( I still don't remember which song) When I was struck with a "God thought" Being a christian or having a relationship with Christ, does not mean that we squeeze an amount of time in every day and say "God this is your time now, hmmm... meditate... God your good amen!" done for the day!
Having a growing relationship with Christ is to allow his spirit to flow through us every moment of every day! We are not to "stuff Him in" here and there, But instead to wrap our lives around Him. He is to be the core, the center of all we do.
I'm not downplaying spending personal time worshiping, praying and reading His word by any means, I'm just suggesting that there is more then that! For example, if I only spent a small bit of time getting to know my husband on "my terms" everyday, I probably would never get to know him very well. But learning to know who he is, is keeping my eyes and heart open. observing what he does,how he does things, and how he relates to me and others all the time begins to give me a better idea of who he is. It is the same with God, He desires us to see his heart, to learn to know him in every part of our lives! I have so much growing to do in this area, please keep me in your prayers. God is awesome,And I have so much to be thankful for! continue to pray for Kaleb and I as we grow and learn together :)
I have been pondering alot lately about the time I spend with God every day. It seems so often I come to the end of my day and My prayer to Him sounds something of an apology "God I'm sorry for not being a good christian today. I'll try better tomorrow." I feel a twinge of guilt for not spending time in God's word, or thinking about His goodness to me.It reminds me of a song I heard saying "there is more to this life/ more then just trying to make it through the day."
Its amazing how God reveals Himself! the other week i was listening to a worship song ( I still don't remember which song) When I was struck with a "God thought" Being a christian or having a relationship with Christ, does not mean that we squeeze an amount of time in every day and say "God this is your time now, hmmm... meditate... God your good amen!" done for the day!
Having a growing relationship with Christ is to allow his spirit to flow through us every moment of every day! We are not to "stuff Him in" here and there, But instead to wrap our lives around Him. He is to be the core, the center of all we do.
I'm not downplaying spending personal time worshiping, praying and reading His word by any means, I'm just suggesting that there is more then that! For example, if I only spent a small bit of time getting to know my husband on "my terms" everyday, I probably would never get to know him very well. But learning to know who he is, is keeping my eyes and heart open. observing what he does,how he does things, and how he relates to me and others all the time begins to give me a better idea of who he is. It is the same with God, He desires us to see his heart, to learn to know him in every part of our lives! I have so much growing to do in this area, please keep me in your prayers. God is awesome,And I have so much to be thankful for! continue to pray for Kaleb and I as we grow and learn together :)
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tough times.
Do you ever feel like you just can't get ahead, or there's always something happening right when things are going good that just brings you down and brings heavy stress on you?
God promises over and over again in the Bible that He will provide, but yet it still seems so hard to fully trust in Him. He is powerful and strong! He can take any problem, burden or fears away and replace them with His never ending Love to over flow in us so that we can pour it out to others!
Sylvia and I have been dealing with stress over finances and our "to do list" that just seems to grow every week! Just last night I was working on our Trailblazer, replacing the water pump. And I was doing very well until when putting the new pump on one of the mounting bolts snapped, right below the surface of the block. Making it almost impossible to get it out! ( I'm still working on it )
But last night I found it so hard to trust in God, I realized I'm trying to hold the weight of my own world! Its impossible my friends, that's why God is always telling us to give our burdens to Him. He loves us so much and He knows we cant do it without Him!
Be encouraged friends, kneel before Him and lay it all down!
We love you, God loves you!
God promises over and over again in the Bible that He will provide, but yet it still seems so hard to fully trust in Him. He is powerful and strong! He can take any problem, burden or fears away and replace them with His never ending Love to over flow in us so that we can pour it out to others!
Sylvia and I have been dealing with stress over finances and our "to do list" that just seems to grow every week! Just last night I was working on our Trailblazer, replacing the water pump. And I was doing very well until when putting the new pump on one of the mounting bolts snapped, right below the surface of the block. Making it almost impossible to get it out! ( I'm still working on it )
But last night I found it so hard to trust in God, I realized I'm trying to hold the weight of my own world! Its impossible my friends, that's why God is always telling us to give our burdens to Him. He loves us so much and He knows we cant do it without Him!
Be encouraged friends, kneel before Him and lay it all down!
We love you, God loves you!
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