Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
This describes today’s age. Cold hearted, apathetic, half hearted having or showing little ardor, zeal, or enthusiasm. If that sounds familiar it’s because you have encountered some of today’s “Christians”. It is also the definition of “lukewarm”. The bible talks about this last age as people being lukewarm. Iniquity has reigned in the hearts of many, idols taking place of God, leaving hearts cold towards God and His word.
I pray that my heart never gets cold towards the conviction of God, that he helps rid any idols lurking in my heart, laziness in serving Him and restores unto me the Joy of His salvation.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Iniquity
Woe to us who set up idols in our hearts! We place stumblingblocks of our own iniquity in our face. If we regard iniquity in our heart the Lord will not hear us. How much will we have to account for in that day!!!
iniquity was not found His [Jesus] lips == Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh: If we have our iniquity purged then our lips would be clean too.
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell
We must yield our members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Crucify our flesh daily from its lusts.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
It is possible for us to change. Let us love righteousness, and hate iniquity; fear the Lord, depart from evil, put God first and above all in our hearts.
iniquity was not found His [Jesus] lips == Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh: If we have our iniquity purged then our lips would be clean too.
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell
We must yield our members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Crucify our flesh daily from its lusts.
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity,
It is possible for us to change. Let us love righteousness, and hate iniquity; fear the Lord, depart from evil, put God first and above all in our hearts.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Heart Sick
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
My hope is in the coming of the Lord, and though it may be deferred for yet a little while longer, I will endeaver to the doing of God's will. And though my heart is sick now, I know my heart will recieve it's desire one day.
But when my heart's Desire cometh and will call me out by my name and recieve me up unto Himself, it will be worth it all, it will be the tree of life flowing through Him unto me.
I can't wait for that day.
But I must wait for that day.
I must not veer to the left or to the right.
I must not fall away.
Never let Him out of my sight,
But in His prescence stay.
My hope is in the coming of the Lord, and though it may be deferred for yet a little while longer, I will endeaver to the doing of God's will. And though my heart is sick now, I know my heart will recieve it's desire one day.
But when my heart's Desire cometh and will call me out by my name and recieve me up unto Himself, it will be worth it all, it will be the tree of life flowing through Him unto me.
I can't wait for that day.
But I must wait for that day.
I must not veer to the left or to the right.
I must not fall away.
Never let Him out of my sight,
But in His prescence stay.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Great Commission
We must preach the gospel to all the earth. I believe there are souls that have been saved but have not worked for the Lord or fell away. How much more power and lost people regenerated if those fallen away would be renewed to repentance?
My mom's last words were about her lost sheep. About the child who had went astray, out of the fold. Saved are all her children, but one was not in God's will. Her burden fell on my shoulder's, and I wanted so bad to help that lost sheep.
I pray that God will answer my prayers and renew this lost sheep's heart. I am trying to do all I can, all God will allow me to do. But I know in the end only God can change her heart, only she can desire with her whole heart to seek after God.
I am but a lowly, humble servant. Borne in sinful flesh, condemmed to an everlasting justly deserving fire. Thank God I am also a redeemed, heaven bound, unworthy but made child of God by His mercy and power-to-save-the-vilest-sinner precious blood.
I believe with God nothing shall be impossible, even fulfilling the Great Commision.
Lord help me be faultless help me serve you, help me bring others out of the fire but also help me help others to walk in the Light until we need no more try.
My mom's last words were about her lost sheep. About the child who had went astray, out of the fold. Saved are all her children, but one was not in God's will. Her burden fell on my shoulder's, and I wanted so bad to help that lost sheep.
I pray that God will answer my prayers and renew this lost sheep's heart. I am trying to do all I can, all God will allow me to do. But I know in the end only God can change her heart, only she can desire with her whole heart to seek after God.
I am but a lowly, humble servant. Borne in sinful flesh, condemmed to an everlasting justly deserving fire. Thank God I am also a redeemed, heaven bound, unworthy but made child of God by His mercy and power-to-save-the-vilest-sinner precious blood.
I believe with God nothing shall be impossible, even fulfilling the Great Commision.
Lord help me be faultless help me serve you, help me bring others out of the fire but also help me help others to walk in the Light until we need no more try.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
THAT’S WHAT CHRISTMAS IS REALLY ABOUT
by
Maria Kyriopoulos
During the season of high spirits and heart felt wishes of good cheer to friends and family we forget the One who first told us to “be of good cheer”. Christmas is supposed to be focused around Jesus Christ and yet He is the last one on our mind.
When the word “Christmas” is mentioned memories abound of last minute shopping, wrapping paper strewn over the couches, tape stuck to the walls and cranberry sauce bubbling over the stove five minutes before a company of twenty are due to arrive. Of coarse there is no time to think about anything else when Christmas produces such chaos. Every year I put up Christmas lights mainly because it looks beautiful. My Christmas decorations and adorned tree make my house warm and cozy. The gingerbread-scented candles, hot apple cider brimming in our mugs and sugar cookies add to the ambiance and continue the traditions I’ve started in our family. I get so wrapped up in it all that it is a shock to realize that even I, a minister’s wife, can forget the most important ingredient of the season – Jesus Christ, the One who gave us a reason to celebrate.
Perhaps many don’t even stop and wonder why they celebrate or put up trees and lights, and it’s definitely a challenge to try and keep the true meaning of Christmas, as it’s become so commercialized and so material: People are teeming in the malls, planning menus, mailing out cards, (in which, I too participate). No one is really taking the time; to sit around the fire and read the Bible story while pondering the goodness and peace that Christmas should bring.
My mother never went to great lengths to decorate. She even threw the Christmas tree out when we got older. We spent time with family, roasting chestnuts in the fire, singing together, going to church. Simplicity was her motto and we each received one ten-dollar gift (no stockings please!). It was a deeply meaningful time, a central focus to our lives as it was a hundred years ago, when going to church was a way of life not just a once a year outing.
I recently read an article by Rona Maynard, who promoted spending Christmas at home. In her article, the writer explained how she tried spending Christmas abroad, in London, and although not a churchgoer, she went to a church and was disappointed with the service. “[It] had no white-robed choir”. Why go to church just for the sake of Christmas Day? And secondly, her reason was to find a church that had “a world-famous choir” with “not one but three organs”. There was no mention of finding a place so she could worship the Creator but she was looking for “the old-world ritual, the pageantry of the season” instead. In another article in the same magazine the question was asked, “What gift has meant most to you?” Many wrote in with every answer under the sun except the right one - Eternal Salvation.
I also get a little disappointed every year when I see displays of Santa as if he were the true Father of the season. The library display had various forms of “Christmas” books and only one that mentioned the nativity and that a story of children who were working on the play. Where were the books on Jesus Christ and his sacrifice leaving his throne on high to come to a lowly manger?
Christ came at a time when the people were being oppressed by Rome. He came to lift the burdens of the people, saying, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Today, we live in fear with terrorist attacks, illnesses, natural disasters, wars, famines, all over the world, lost loved ones, homes and means of livelihood. Amidst it all, though, the spirit of Christ is sent here to be our peace and salvation. “The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him”. That’s what we sing in ‘What Child Is This’. But do we mean it? When we sing ‘The First Noel’, “With one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, That made heaven and earth of naught, And with His blood mankind hath bought”? In order to have this peace we must first accept Jesus in our hearts.
Though there are many differences between the first Christmas and today’s Christmas, there are a few similarities. As there was no room in the inn then, today there seems to be no room for Christ in our festivities and hearts. Secondly, Herod let out a decree to kill all children born in Bethlehem; people were sent to kill Christ since rumor was that a king was born. Today, people want to remove Christ from his own birthday, to destroy any traces of him starting with one thing at a time. For example: Halifax always sends a Christmas tree to Boston every year ever since they helped them in the Halifax explosion of 1917. But Boston complained that it said “Christmas” tree instead of “Holiday” tree on the box. I’m proud to say that Halifax replied, “If you don’t like it, send it back, but we refuse to label it Holiday Tree.” Three huge cheers for Halifax!!!
Unfortunately a courtroom in Ontario had a Christmas tree and some people were upset because it was a "Christian symbol"(which in fact is not), and they had it removed. If those people chose not to celebrate, fine, but what is wrong with Christian symbolism? Is it that dreadful and offensive? A minister handed out a Christmas tract and was rejected, but the man who rejected the tract his house itself was adorned with enough Christmas lights to supply the whole town with electricity! Why be a hypocrite? If you celebrate Christmas, isn’t it only normal to celebrate Christ’s birth?
It is a time of year when everyone can come together in the same mindset, seeking to help others, to give gifts, to be more openhearted to each other; there is nothing wrong with that. Nothing better than the spirit of Jesus can bring people together. Have you ever seen a Jew, a Greek, an Arab, a Turk, a German hug and be good friends? I have and I could bring you to more than one church and find all nations united under one roof (that’s more than the United Nations has accomplished).
I even feel closer to people this time of year, and somehow bold enough to approach and reach out to them. Maybe next year I won’t buy my kids five gifts each and shop for more decorations; maybe I’ll spend the money to buy gifts for those who are in greater need. And perhaps I don’t need to spend so much time decorating the tree and house so lavishly; I’ll take my children to sing carols to some lonely widows nearby instead. We should all try to do that, and not just once a year but also every day. a couple years ago, I baked some cookies and handed a box full to some neighbors, on top of each box I placed a Christmas tract. Last year I made homemade cappuccino. It only takes a small effort and a creative idea to reach out to some people who need to hear the good news. Let’s not keep Christmas to ourselves but share it with others.
When Leonardo De Vinci painted, “The Last Supper”, he asked a friend to give his opinion on it. His friend said the cup Jesus was holding was so wonderful and real. Leonardo then, took his brush and brushed over the sparkling cup. He did not want anything to detract from the figure of Christ. So let it be with Christmas that its commercial, material side does not consume us so much that we forget about Him, that we allow it to remind us of His love bringing our hearts and minds closer to Him.
Maria Kyriopoulos
During the season of high spirits and heart felt wishes of good cheer to friends and family we forget the One who first told us to “be of good cheer”. Christmas is supposed to be focused around Jesus Christ and yet He is the last one on our mind.
When the word “Christmas” is mentioned memories abound of last minute shopping, wrapping paper strewn over the couches, tape stuck to the walls and cranberry sauce bubbling over the stove five minutes before a company of twenty are due to arrive. Of coarse there is no time to think about anything else when Christmas produces such chaos. Every year I put up Christmas lights mainly because it looks beautiful. My Christmas decorations and adorned tree make my house warm and cozy. The gingerbread-scented candles, hot apple cider brimming in our mugs and sugar cookies add to the ambiance and continue the traditions I’ve started in our family. I get so wrapped up in it all that it is a shock to realize that even I, a minister’s wife, can forget the most important ingredient of the season – Jesus Christ, the One who gave us a reason to celebrate.
Perhaps many don’t even stop and wonder why they celebrate or put up trees and lights, and it’s definitely a challenge to try and keep the true meaning of Christmas, as it’s become so commercialized and so material: People are teeming in the malls, planning menus, mailing out cards, (in which, I too participate). No one is really taking the time; to sit around the fire and read the Bible story while pondering the goodness and peace that Christmas should bring.
My mother never went to great lengths to decorate. She even threw the Christmas tree out when we got older. We spent time with family, roasting chestnuts in the fire, singing together, going to church. Simplicity was her motto and we each received one ten-dollar gift (no stockings please!). It was a deeply meaningful time, a central focus to our lives as it was a hundred years ago, when going to church was a way of life not just a once a year outing.
I recently read an article by Rona Maynard, who promoted spending Christmas at home. In her article, the writer explained how she tried spending Christmas abroad, in London, and although not a churchgoer, she went to a church and was disappointed with the service. “[It] had no white-robed choir”. Why go to church just for the sake of Christmas Day? And secondly, her reason was to find a church that had “a world-famous choir” with “not one but three organs”. There was no mention of finding a place so she could worship the Creator but she was looking for “the old-world ritual, the pageantry of the season” instead. In another article in the same magazine the question was asked, “What gift has meant most to you?” Many wrote in with every answer under the sun except the right one - Eternal Salvation.
I also get a little disappointed every year when I see displays of Santa as if he were the true Father of the season. The library display had various forms of “Christmas” books and only one that mentioned the nativity and that a story of children who were working on the play. Where were the books on Jesus Christ and his sacrifice leaving his throne on high to come to a lowly manger?
Christ came at a time when the people were being oppressed by Rome. He came to lift the burdens of the people, saying, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Today, we live in fear with terrorist attacks, illnesses, natural disasters, wars, famines, all over the world, lost loved ones, homes and means of livelihood. Amidst it all, though, the spirit of Christ is sent here to be our peace and salvation. “The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him”. That’s what we sing in ‘What Child Is This’. But do we mean it? When we sing ‘The First Noel’, “With one accord Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, That made heaven and earth of naught, And with His blood mankind hath bought”? In order to have this peace we must first accept Jesus in our hearts.
Though there are many differences between the first Christmas and today’s Christmas, there are a few similarities. As there was no room in the inn then, today there seems to be no room for Christ in our festivities and hearts. Secondly, Herod let out a decree to kill all children born in Bethlehem; people were sent to kill Christ since rumor was that a king was born. Today, people want to remove Christ from his own birthday, to destroy any traces of him starting with one thing at a time. For example: Halifax always sends a Christmas tree to Boston every year ever since they helped them in the Halifax explosion of 1917. But Boston complained that it said “Christmas” tree instead of “Holiday” tree on the box. I’m proud to say that Halifax replied, “If you don’t like it, send it back, but we refuse to label it Holiday Tree.” Three huge cheers for Halifax!!!
Unfortunately a courtroom in Ontario had a Christmas tree and some people were upset because it was a "Christian symbol"(which in fact is not), and they had it removed. If those people chose not to celebrate, fine, but what is wrong with Christian symbolism? Is it that dreadful and offensive? A minister handed out a Christmas tract and was rejected, but the man who rejected the tract his house itself was adorned with enough Christmas lights to supply the whole town with electricity! Why be a hypocrite? If you celebrate Christmas, isn’t it only normal to celebrate Christ’s birth?
It is a time of year when everyone can come together in the same mindset, seeking to help others, to give gifts, to be more openhearted to each other; there is nothing wrong with that. Nothing better than the spirit of Jesus can bring people together. Have you ever seen a Jew, a Greek, an Arab, a Turk, a German hug and be good friends? I have and I could bring you to more than one church and find all nations united under one roof (that’s more than the United Nations has accomplished).
I even feel closer to people this time of year, and somehow bold enough to approach and reach out to them. Maybe next year I won’t buy my kids five gifts each and shop for more decorations; maybe I’ll spend the money to buy gifts for those who are in greater need. And perhaps I don’t need to spend so much time decorating the tree and house so lavishly; I’ll take my children to sing carols to some lonely widows nearby instead. We should all try to do that, and not just once a year but also every day. a couple years ago, I baked some cookies and handed a box full to some neighbors, on top of each box I placed a Christmas tract. Last year I made homemade cappuccino. It only takes a small effort and a creative idea to reach out to some people who need to hear the good news. Let’s not keep Christmas to ourselves but share it with others.
When Leonardo De Vinci painted, “The Last Supper”, he asked a friend to give his opinion on it. His friend said the cup Jesus was holding was so wonderful and real. Leonardo then, took his brush and brushed over the sparkling cup. He did not want anything to detract from the figure of Christ. So let it be with Christmas that its commercial, material side does not consume us so much that we forget about Him, that we allow it to remind us of His love bringing our hearts and minds closer to Him.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Peculiar People
Okay, so i'm wierd. At least the message I heard last week made me feel normal being wierd. David's men were wierd like Abino : his pleasure is the spear. He killed 800 guys within minutes or couple of hours. He enjoyed his spear a little too much and killing a little more than that. They were just a bunch of rejects that no one wanted -- not even king Saul wanted. But God was able to use them.
Jesus draws the outcasts, the wierdo's -- (just look at my church). But i have often wondered why I felt so peculiar growing up. I went to greek school where everyone had to do their cross, learn about the 12 gods... and i went to an english public school at the same time where singing about santa claus was "normal". Growing up in a christian home, I never fit in the public school or greek school.... I never believed in santa, I only knew one God not 12 false ones. Looking back, perhaps God was training me to never get used to fitting in. Now i am a greek city girl in an anglo countryside. So being "different" is a way of life for me. We will never fit in in the world, but God gives us other peculiar people to "fit" in with as we strive to do God's service.
Whether I do not fit in or feel like a reject it is so reassuring that God thinks me useful. My gifts mean nothing to this world but God is the one who gave them to me to be used for His glory and honour.
Whenever I try to estimate myself according to the world I fail. I finally realized that in God's eyes I was worth dying for worth being used for Him. Not because i am so worthy but because His worth is in me. He has placed His gifts in me, He can make me useable. With His Son in me that is all He sees, and I pray that's all the world will see too.
Christ magnified in my body.
Jesus draws the outcasts, the wierdo's -- (just look at my church). But i have often wondered why I felt so peculiar growing up. I went to greek school where everyone had to do their cross, learn about the 12 gods... and i went to an english public school at the same time where singing about santa claus was "normal". Growing up in a christian home, I never fit in the public school or greek school.... I never believed in santa, I only knew one God not 12 false ones. Looking back, perhaps God was training me to never get used to fitting in. Now i am a greek city girl in an anglo countryside. So being "different" is a way of life for me. We will never fit in in the world, but God gives us other peculiar people to "fit" in with as we strive to do God's service.
Whether I do not fit in or feel like a reject it is so reassuring that God thinks me useful. My gifts mean nothing to this world but God is the one who gave them to me to be used for His glory and honour.
Whenever I try to estimate myself according to the world I fail. I finally realized that in God's eyes I was worth dying for worth being used for Him. Not because i am so worthy but because His worth is in me. He has placed His gifts in me, He can make me useable. With His Son in me that is all He sees, and I pray that's all the world will see too.
Christ magnified in my body.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The Wilderness
I was reading in Deuteronomy, with an attitude of: Oh I hope God gives me something out of that book! I should of read it expecting God to speak to me, nonetheless, he did. Deut 8 what an amazing chapter. It answers many questions a Christian will have if he indeed is trying to follow the Lord.
Sometimes the Lord leads us in the wilderness, a dry, hungry place. It is to humble us to see what’s in our heart. Will we keep God’s commandments in bad times? Do we love God enough in the rough valleys? When we don’t know how we will pay the next bill, or if we’ll ever stop breathing all that carbon monoxide from the smoke of our woodstove and die of lung cancer instead? Or when the van breaks down and the chimney has fallen down the roof or you’re lying in bed with your kids with no heat in the dead of a winter storm night wondering if you’ll fall asleep or even wake up at all?
Deut 8:2,3 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
He suffers us to be hungry sometimes, but he feeds us with manna (God’s Word) to show us we need his word more than meat. Job 23:12 “…I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” To prove to us we can survive in those trials (hunger pangs), if we read and practice God’s Word.
I remember when I was pregnant and 1 hr away from home, boy was I hungry. I had no money and no food on me, but the Lord provided. I never said a thing to a soul but a good Christian brother, bought me a Mcdonald’s hamburger. And though I never ate one in my life or wished too before that moment, I gobbled it down with no problem. Praise God!
Sometimes God leads us through dessert to chastise us. He wants to teach us to fear Him and walk in His ways.
But then (my favorite part): vs7-9 For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, …a land of.. water..oil of olive..honey.. eat bread without scarceness…
No dry brown water from the well! No more walking into the house as if you stepped into a huge walk in freezer and beware lest you touch anything and stick to it!
He WILL take care of us and bless us. We won’t lack anything. (I get unlimited supply of pure olive oil shipped from Greece). He does it because when we are full (vs. 10) we will be thankful to God we will appreciate His goodness more. We will be motivated to serve Him.
But when we have eaten and are full and built goodly houses (thank God for my new home!) Beware! Let us not forget all the goodness God has given us and be thankful always.
Sometimes the Lord leads us in the wilderness, a dry, hungry place. It is to humble us to see what’s in our heart. Will we keep God’s commandments in bad times? Do we love God enough in the rough valleys? When we don’t know how we will pay the next bill, or if we’ll ever stop breathing all that carbon monoxide from the smoke of our woodstove and die of lung cancer instead? Or when the van breaks down and the chimney has fallen down the roof or you’re lying in bed with your kids with no heat in the dead of a winter storm night wondering if you’ll fall asleep or even wake up at all?
Deut 8:2,3 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
He suffers us to be hungry sometimes, but he feeds us with manna (God’s Word) to show us we need his word more than meat. Job 23:12 “…I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” To prove to us we can survive in those trials (hunger pangs), if we read and practice God’s Word.
I remember when I was pregnant and 1 hr away from home, boy was I hungry. I had no money and no food on me, but the Lord provided. I never said a thing to a soul but a good Christian brother, bought me a Mcdonald’s hamburger. And though I never ate one in my life or wished too before that moment, I gobbled it down with no problem. Praise God!
Sometimes God leads us through dessert to chastise us. He wants to teach us to fear Him and walk in His ways.
But then (my favorite part): vs7-9 For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, …a land of.. water..oil of olive..honey.. eat bread without scarceness…
No dry brown water from the well! No more walking into the house as if you stepped into a huge walk in freezer and beware lest you touch anything and stick to it!
He WILL take care of us and bless us. We won’t lack anything. (I get unlimited supply of pure olive oil shipped from Greece). He does it because when we are full (vs. 10) we will be thankful to God we will appreciate His goodness more. We will be motivated to serve Him.
But when we have eaten and are full and built goodly houses (thank God for my new home!) Beware! Let us not forget all the goodness God has given us and be thankful always.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
