Copy Cat

Copy Cat

Do you remember irritating your siblings or a friend by being a copy cat and doing everything they do or saying everything they said?  But when someone else would do the same to you, remember how frustrated you would become, especially if several people did it at the same time?  I can remember imitating my sister in the back seat of the car.  Then she would holler..."mom, dad...Steve is being a copy cat, tell him to stop."  I loved every minute of it.  

That is exactly what God wants us to do...be immitators, of Him.  Be a God copy cat!  Go ahead do everything He does!

Ephesians 5:1 AMP
THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

Sick To Death

Sick To Death

For Amnon that became a reality.  The power of desire can bring disasterous results.  Don't get carried away with your desires, whatever they may be it will lead you down a path of destruction and even death.  Death of relationships, death of clear thinking, death of finances, death of reputation and yes even the possibility of physical death.   Amnon got his desire and more...he was sick with lustful desire and his half brother killed him.  Desire is a powerful emotion with far reaching consequences.

2 Samuel 13:1-2
ABSALOM SON of David had a fair sister whose name was Tamar, and Amnon [her half brother] son of David loved her. And Amnon was so troubled that he fell sick for his [half] sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and Amnon thought it impossible for him to do anything to her.
2 Samuel 13:14
But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.
2 Samuel 13:28
Now Absalom commanded his servants, Notice now, when Amnon's heart is merry with wine and when I say to you, Strike Amnon, then kill him. Fear not; have I not commanded you? Be courageous and brave.

god Buffet

How Many gods?

We live in a culture that is increasingly embracing a multiplicity of gods.  If the question were posed today...do you believe in God?  The vast majority would say certainly.  (With the exception of those who are embracing the atheist fad, which many students are.  And it is a genuienly a fad for many.  Not to mention that atheism is an oxymoron)  However, clarification often reveals that God to you may not be God to someone else.  We have a virtual buffet of gods and its just "enee meeni minny moe".  So do you believe in God?  I would challenge you, there is but one God! 

Ephesians 4:6 AMP
One God and Father of [us] all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all.

Exodus 20:2-3
I am the Lord your God....
You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.

Aggrevating People

Attitude With Others

Sometimes people are aggravating!  Ever met anyone like that?  I am sure we all have a long laundry list.   Now don't start fretting about them...instead walk like you have been summoned by the God of the universe to be His ambassador.  And if so then this should be our attitude toward all those aggrevating people in our life...

Ephesians 4:1-3 AMP
I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service, Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another. Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.

Your Name

How Significant Is Your Name?

Your name is important to you because it is a link to your family, your spouse or maybe a favorite person in history or a relative from long ago.  Yet people by the hundreds change their name daily because they simply don't like thier name, divorce, abandoned by biological parents or some for religious purposes.  So is your name important to you?

If you are part of the heavenly family beacuse you have embraced, through repentance the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ you have been named by God Himself.  Now thats a significant name.

Ephesians 3:14-15 AMP
For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name].

UNFATHOMABLE!

We cannot begin to think, ask or imagine what God can do on our behalf.   We try to limit God's ability, we put Him in a box, and we minimize His capacity.  But make no mistake, inspite of our efforts to stiffle His greatness, there is no stopping His wonderful, glorious, bountiful goodness that He so desires to give to us generously.

Ephesians 3:20-21 AMP
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]– To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

Created and Recreated

To think that the God of the universe handcrafted each one of us is astounding. 
Psalm 139:13-14
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

But wait it gets better.  Not only did He create us, but then by His mighty act of redemption, He recreated us.  
Ephesians 2:10 AMP
For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Of coarse this is predicated on this fact:
2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!