I'm so glad you have recognized your "drift." This is critically important in getting back on track in your relationship with the Lord. It's something most Christ followers experience from time to time. Just like a drift in the water, we must intentionally re-route ourselves back to shore. There are many scriptures that remind us how to get back. James 4:8 says, to draw near to God and He will draw near to us. We do this mainly through reading the scriptures. So, what you can do is pick back up where you may have left off previously. Or, just begin a fresh Bible-reading plan. Find one here: https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/
The next best action is to get connected in a local church community. If you are attending a church, inquire about the small groups they offer. This is also an important step in getting back on track. Because God designed the Church as a body, we need to be around other people to function with all the potential He created us with (Hebrews 10:23-25).
The final part of reconciling yourself to God is simply to talk to Him. Prayer is a two-way conversation between you and the Lord. He loves to hear from you anytime. There is no formal way to do this. It's just a matter of sharing your heart with His in a genuine manner (John 4:24, Romans 8:36). When we do these things, you will sense a change in your perspective. The closer you are to God, the better perspective we have on everything else. And, it leaves little room for the enemy to bring division. This is an ongoing practice—it's a discipline. But one that is produces internal peace and strength in your inner man. Nothing compares to being in the presence of God. And we can do that anywhere, anytime.
I'll leave you with this reminder: "Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, 'Your face, Lord, do I seek.'" Psalm 27:7-8
Showing posts with label Dicernment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dicernment. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Friday, November 24, 2017
In what way is the Bible self-authenticating? How is self-authentication different from circular reasoning?
In what way is the Bible self-authenticating? How is self-authentication different from circular reasoning?: In what way is the Bible self-authenticating? How is self-authentication different from circular reasoning? How does the Bible authenticate itself?
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Spoiled,
The President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University gave a lecture to students they’ll never forget. Recently a student complained about a sermon that made him feelguilty and blamed the school for making students feel uncomfortable. This is not uncommon. Many universities now are so afraid of offending even one student, that political correctness has run amuck. However, this University is based on religion and so one would expect that discipline, good character and personal accountability would be a big part of the curriculum.
Everett Piper, who is the President of the school, wrote a letter to the students admonishing them that playing the victim, blaming others and not admitting mistakes is not a way to live a productive and meaningful life. Here is the letter titled “This is Not a Day Care. It’s a University!”
This is Not a Day Care. It’s a University!
This past week, I actually had a student come forward after a university chapel service and complain because he felt “victimized” by a sermon on the topic of 1 Corinthians 13. It appears this young scholar felt offended because a homily on love made him feel bad for not showing love. In his mind, the speaker was wrong for making him, and his peers, feel uncomfortable.
I’m not making this up. Our culture has actually taught our kids to be this self-absorbed and narcissistic. Any time their feelings are hurt, they are the victims. Anyone who dares challenge them and, thus, makes them “feel bad” about themselves, is a “hater,” a “bigot,” an “oppressor,” and a “victimizer.”
I have a message for this young man and all others who care to listen. That feeling of discomfort you have after listening to a sermon is called a conscience. An altar call is supposed to make you feel bad. It is supposed to make you feel guilty. The goal of many a good sermon is to get you to confess your sins—not coddle you in your selfishness. The primary objective of the Church and the Christian faith is your confession, not your self-actualization.
So here’s my advice:
If you want the chaplain to tell you you’re a victim rather than tell you that you need virtue, this may not be the university you’re looking for. If you want to complain about a sermon that makes you feel less than loving for not showing love, this might be the wrong place.
If you’re more interested in playing the “hater” card than you are in confessing your own hate; if you want to arrogantly lecture, rather than humbly learn; if you don’t want to feel guilt in your soul when you are guilty of sin; if you want to be enabled rather than confronted, there are many universities across the land (in Missouri and elsewhere) that will give you exactly what you want, but Oklahoma Wesleyan isn’t one of them.
At OKWU, we teach you to be selfless rather than self-centered. We are more interested in you practicing personal forgiveness than political revenge. We want you to model interpersonal reconciliation rather than foment personal conflict. We believe the content of your character is more important than the color of your skin. We don’t believe that you have been victimized every time you feel guilty and we don’t issue “trigger warnings” before altar calls.
Oklahoma Wesleyan is not a “safe place”, but rather, a place to learn: to learn that life isn’t about you, but about others; that the bad feeling you have while listening to a sermon is called guilt; that the way to address it is to repent of everything that’s wrong with you rather than blame others for everything that’s wrong with them. This is a place where you will quickly learn that you need to grow up.
This is not a day care. This is a university.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
What does the Bible say about discernment?
What does the Bible say about discernment?: What does the Bible say about discernment? How can I learn to be more discerning?
Friday, June 17, 2016
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Word
Yes, the world is a mess due to sin. It's in an unrecoverable death spiral. The good news is that God has provided a way for us to be rescued from our sin! We all have faith in someone or something. When we realize we are sinners, and place our faith in Jesus who gave His life on the cross as payment for our sins, we receive God's gift of eternal life.
(Romans 10:8-13)
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Socialism is an economic concept that advocates public ownership of all resources. The production and distribution of resources with a society are then controlled by members of that society collectively or by the government that represents that society. Goods are produced and distributed based on need rather than on market forces such as profitability, price and consumers' purchasing power. In a socialist economy, workers contribute to society based on their ability and receive according to their needs, rather than being paid wages and using that money to purchase what they want. Private possessions are limited to personal-use items such as clothes, and there is no need or ability for individuals to accumulate wealth, so there is equality among the people.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Bathsheba
The old saying that it takes two to tango, has always had sexual overtones. Such was the case with David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). Often David is vilified and Bathsheba is excused for committing adultery. But if you read the genealogies of Matthew chapter one, you will see that she wasn't even given the honor of having her name mentioned. Rahab the harlot was, but not Bathsheba. She is referred to as "her who had been the wife of Uriah."
Had she walked in the fear of the Lord she perhaps would have said to David, "I will not do this thing and sin against God. I will not cause my king to commit this sin. I would rather die." Instead, her supposed consent led to the death of her beloved husband and the fall of the King.
Perhaps it was innocence that caused her to bathe in a place where David could see her. While I don't think women should wear a full covering, it's wise for them to be modest, and remember that there are a million thoughtless moths out there who will be drawn to the flame.
-- Ray Comfort
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
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