Jesus greatest commandment while he was here on Earth was "Love one another as I have loved you"
(John 13:34-35) He also says "I have not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill them." (Matt 5:17) Because of Adams sin we were separated from God's love and grace as he had intended it to be. (Gen 1-3) God gave the law to Moses so that through ritual and "religious" duty that the people could be saved, but at the same time they were separated from that personal individual relationship that we have today. This was the OLD covenant. People were never and never will be good enough to live up to the Old testament standards, God knew this all along he gave us the Law to show that we cannot do it without him, so he sent Jesus to earth to not only show us what a regular man can do with a close relationship with God empowered with the Holy Spirit but also to be a ONE TIME sacrifice for us so that we were no longer held to the standards of the Law and we are now under the blood of his NEW covenant. Are we going to slip? Of course, but God loves us so much that now thanks to his Son we just have to ask with true humility and regret for him to wash our sins and we are white as snow. There are 3 basics to our Christian walk and it is simple and not complicated in the slightest. 1. Pray 2. Read your bible 3. Love people
If we do that, all the hard stuff will seem like yesterdays headlines.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Imitation not intimidation: Unlocking the potential of a true child of God
Hey everyone! I was doing a study a couple months ago and I really felt God speaking to me to go deeper with it. So I began to study more and more and I really feel like God wants me to share my findings with you guys, so here it goes. Enter with an open heart and spirit and maybe God will reveal something amazing to you as he did to me. Let’s start make sure you got your bibles!
Ephesians 5
Be imitators of God
Imitate – the act or an instance of imitating
2. Something derived or copied from an original made to resemble another, usually superior material
Imitational – act, practice, or art of copying manner or expression of another.
Imitative reproduction, as of the style of another, echo, reflection.
Paul writes in Ephesians 5 we must be imitators of God, and live such as Jesus did here on Earth because he was our example of the Father. Live in love, and sacrifice just as Jesus did offering himself up for us.
This same passage tells us the things that make us not imitators of God and says that we have no inheritance of God if we follow in these things. Immorality, greed, lust, all that stuff is no bueno and it keeps us from our true potential. I want to go more into detail of the inheritance that Paul talks about in Ephesians. You see he never really clearly states what that inheritance is. When most people think of inheriting the Kingdom of God they think about eternity and the afterlife and being rewarded for being a good Christian ex: not sinning, tithing, helping the needy and other good works. But what if I told you that there is a way to possibly take part of that inheritance while you are still living and breathing here on Earth, any takers?
Matthew 6:9 – 13
In this passage from Matthew it clearly says “your Kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” Remember in Ephesians when it talks about our inheritance in God’s kingdom? Let’s take a look at the word inheritance a little closer shall we?
Inheritance
a. The act of inheriting
b. Something inherited or to be inherited.
c. Something regarded as a heritage
All that stuff is pretty self explanatory right? Well it wasn’t enough for me and I kept digging deeper and I found a definition for Inheritance in terms of Biology you know all that scientific mumbo jumbo that I can’t really understand.
*The process of genetic transmission or characteristics from parent to offspring.
Now comes the fun part that is going to blow your mind. A little shake and bake if you will. We are all children of God, made in his image and also by asking Jesus to forgive our sins we have become direct inheritors of his kingdom. Now a lot of people will still probably say “yes but you don’t inherit the kingdom until your physical body dies and your soul goes to be with Jesus” I say that is not the case because the evidence found in the word seems to point to the actual opposite that by grace we as his children have not only inherited the rights of his estate such as a place in heaven, but his traits and characteristics as well right now in the here and now while we live and breathe on this Earth. Jesus was not only sent to Earth as a perfect sacrifice for our sins which was the main thing but he was also sent as an example to us what a person could do with the right relationship with God in turn Jesus had the keys to the Kingdom and the rights to the inheritance that he was entitled to by having a relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. Now back to the Lord’s Prayer for a second.
“Your will on Earth as it is in Heaven” clearly states that God wishes for life to be the same here on Earth as it is in Heaven. You might say “well that’s impossible” why is it though? Jesus lives in each of us when we fully embrace him. So wherever you are the kingdom is inside you. Jesus had the keys to the kingdom while he was here on Earth and when He died on the cross it enabled him to take the “wheel” from Satan so he has no control whatsoever on your life and go to the Father and speak on your behalf and allow us to have the “keys” inside of us through the Holy Spirit.
Now think about exactly what that means. Think about Heaven. In heaven there is no sadness, no sickness and only Joy, health, worship and praise. When we as Christians fully embrace Grace and when we understand our purpose as inheritors of the Kingdom and let the Holy Spirit be a constant factor in our life then we are living fully in the inheritance that God has given us. Where we go so shall it be as it is in Heaven, bringing forth the Kingdom to the world. Heal the sick, raise the dead, no stress, no strife, only joy peace and understanding as shall the continuing renewing of your mind through the Holy Spirit. It’s not physical, it’s not explainable, it’s a miracle.
Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus says that all authority has been given to him on Heaven and on Earth and in turn he has given us the same authority that he holds. It’s our inheritance that was paid for that day he died on the cross for all people to see the grace and love he offered us. Once you fully understand what you are meant to do which is bring forth and help establish the Kingdom here on Earth you will no longer want to do things that are not pleasing to him. The more you do these things the more benefits you unlock from the Father and what he has in store for your life and the impact you can make on a world left in darkness.
Ephesians 5
Be imitators of God
Imitate – the act or an instance of imitating
2. Something derived or copied from an original made to resemble another, usually superior material
Imitational – act, practice, or art of copying manner or expression of another.
Imitative reproduction, as of the style of another, echo, reflection.
Paul writes in Ephesians 5 we must be imitators of God, and live such as Jesus did here on Earth because he was our example of the Father. Live in love, and sacrifice just as Jesus did offering himself up for us.
This same passage tells us the things that make us not imitators of God and says that we have no inheritance of God if we follow in these things. Immorality, greed, lust, all that stuff is no bueno and it keeps us from our true potential. I want to go more into detail of the inheritance that Paul talks about in Ephesians. You see he never really clearly states what that inheritance is. When most people think of inheriting the Kingdom of God they think about eternity and the afterlife and being rewarded for being a good Christian ex: not sinning, tithing, helping the needy and other good works. But what if I told you that there is a way to possibly take part of that inheritance while you are still living and breathing here on Earth, any takers?
Matthew 6:9 – 13
In this passage from Matthew it clearly says “your Kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” Remember in Ephesians when it talks about our inheritance in God’s kingdom? Let’s take a look at the word inheritance a little closer shall we?
Inheritance
a. The act of inheriting
b. Something inherited or to be inherited.
c. Something regarded as a heritage
All that stuff is pretty self explanatory right? Well it wasn’t enough for me and I kept digging deeper and I found a definition for Inheritance in terms of Biology you know all that scientific mumbo jumbo that I can’t really understand.
*The process of genetic transmission or characteristics from parent to offspring.
Now comes the fun part that is going to blow your mind. A little shake and bake if you will. We are all children of God, made in his image and also by asking Jesus to forgive our sins we have become direct inheritors of his kingdom. Now a lot of people will still probably say “yes but you don’t inherit the kingdom until your physical body dies and your soul goes to be with Jesus” I say that is not the case because the evidence found in the word seems to point to the actual opposite that by grace we as his children have not only inherited the rights of his estate such as a place in heaven, but his traits and characteristics as well right now in the here and now while we live and breathe on this Earth. Jesus was not only sent to Earth as a perfect sacrifice for our sins which was the main thing but he was also sent as an example to us what a person could do with the right relationship with God in turn Jesus had the keys to the Kingdom and the rights to the inheritance that he was entitled to by having a relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. Now back to the Lord’s Prayer for a second.
“Your will on Earth as it is in Heaven” clearly states that God wishes for life to be the same here on Earth as it is in Heaven. You might say “well that’s impossible” why is it though? Jesus lives in each of us when we fully embrace him. So wherever you are the kingdom is inside you. Jesus had the keys to the kingdom while he was here on Earth and when He died on the cross it enabled him to take the “wheel” from Satan so he has no control whatsoever on your life and go to the Father and speak on your behalf and allow us to have the “keys” inside of us through the Holy Spirit.
Now think about exactly what that means. Think about Heaven. In heaven there is no sadness, no sickness and only Joy, health, worship and praise. When we as Christians fully embrace Grace and when we understand our purpose as inheritors of the Kingdom and let the Holy Spirit be a constant factor in our life then we are living fully in the inheritance that God has given us. Where we go so shall it be as it is in Heaven, bringing forth the Kingdom to the world. Heal the sick, raise the dead, no stress, no strife, only joy peace and understanding as shall the continuing renewing of your mind through the Holy Spirit. It’s not physical, it’s not explainable, it’s a miracle.
Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus says that all authority has been given to him on Heaven and on Earth and in turn he has given us the same authority that he holds. It’s our inheritance that was paid for that day he died on the cross for all people to see the grace and love he offered us. Once you fully understand what you are meant to do which is bring forth and help establish the Kingdom here on Earth you will no longer want to do things that are not pleasing to him. The more you do these things the more benefits you unlock from the Father and what he has in store for your life and the impact you can make on a world left in darkness.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Road Once Traveled
Here i am same place you found me before severing myself from your plan again. Why do i constantly try to fight the man i am to become? Why do i let this empty night drift into my thoughts?Please here i am on bended knee screaming please oh please save me. I hate this road once traveled i've been here before. I need your help to please settle the score.broken down i'm on my last stretch. I can't continue to hold my breath these demons say my name while i sleep. Oh i pray dear God my soul will keep.surrender yourself, surrender who you want to be. I will, i shall set you free. Surrender yourself, surrender who you want to be. I will, i shall set you free.oh my son can't you see? I've already paid the fee.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Brett Favre, proof old dogs just won't die.
Brett, Brett, Brett. Here we go again. So for those of you that haven't heard the lastest adventure in Favreland, Brett Favre is now a Minnasota Viking. A team that before, had been his arch nemisis for years and years. So what would cause Brett saying only a few short weeks ago that he chose to stay retired to change his mind suddenly? Is it the fact that he is still bitter against his former Green Bay Packers and wants to make them pay before he decides to call it quits, or is it money?
Personally, I think its neither. I think that the guy just loves football. I think he's crazy and he is going to end up horribly injuring himself in the process but you have to give the guy credit. He loves the game. But I do think that part of it is the fact that Green Bay did treat him unfairly and he still harbors resentment. I mean come on? The guy played there for like ever and would have probably retired there if they would have let him play but nope they had to let him go. But I don't blame them either. When you have a young quarterback that you spent a lot of money on that has been waiting for years to get his chance and Brett keeps changing his mind about being done, yeah I would probably have done the same thing.
Who knows what will end up happening. For all we know Brett could end up playing amazingly well and taking the Vikings to the superbowl. That is the good ending. Then again, AJ Hawk could find a little hole and deliver a ground shaking sack and it could be lights out for Mr. Favre. All things considered its going to be one heck of a football season.
Personally, I think its neither. I think that the guy just loves football. I think he's crazy and he is going to end up horribly injuring himself in the process but you have to give the guy credit. He loves the game. But I do think that part of it is the fact that Green Bay did treat him unfairly and he still harbors resentment. I mean come on? The guy played there for like ever and would have probably retired there if they would have let him play but nope they had to let him go. But I don't blame them either. When you have a young quarterback that you spent a lot of money on that has been waiting for years to get his chance and Brett keeps changing his mind about being done, yeah I would probably have done the same thing.
Who knows what will end up happening. For all we know Brett could end up playing amazingly well and taking the Vikings to the superbowl. That is the good ending. Then again, AJ Hawk could find a little hole and deliver a ground shaking sack and it could be lights out for Mr. Favre. All things considered its going to be one heck of a football season.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
District 9
I just want to say that I have been a sci-fi fan for quite a long time since I was a kid. My dad was a hardcore trekkie which was always my forte (star wars was never my thing after i got past 16) I forsaked show for a deeper story which i always felt Trek was better at instead of focusing on one character (Anakin) it focused on a whole universe of characters. I went into District 9 expecting a lot. Harry Knowles from Aint It Cool News had been pumping it up constanly since Comic-Con and he has never led me astray and I was excited. I wasn't even close to expecting what was delivered. A wonderfully crafted story around aliens, sociology, and how we would deal with them as humans. This movie not only delievers as a great sci fi film with kick butt robot suits and guns that make people explode which are totally amazing, but it touches to the deepest emotional human senses. It shows how messed up we are as a race and what would end up happening if we ever made contact with a peaceful alien race that meant us no harm we would treat them like poop and take advantage of them just to get their stuff. I have never seen a movie like District 9 on film before. When I saw the newest Star Trek I was blown away and every movie this summer that I have seen after has had to live up to its expectations. District 9 raise above them to a point where i think nothing else will ever pass it.
Human rights Vs PETA
Alright so here it goes this has been building up inside of me for a long long long time and I don't know if its just me or common sense that all the liberal PETA-ites just seem to be void of but I am going to rant. So for those of you that have heard Michael Vick signed a one year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles after spending almost 3 years out of the NFL, 2 of those years he spent in a federal prison serving hard time for leading a dog fighting ring out of his house in Virginia. But also, the dogs that lost the fights were being killed by various different means I will not go into. But anyways Mike served his time appointed to him by the court and also the punishment by the NFL at the time. While he was in prison Tony Dungy a strong christian man and former coach of the Indianapolis Colts came to his prison and not only visited him but mentored him and gave him advice on life and how he was going to live it after he got out of jail. And he showed remorse. At no time since he has gotten out of prison has Michael Vick not seemed to be sorry for what hes done. The commisioner re-instated him to the NFL because he felt he was sincere and allowed him to look for a team. So he found one, and what happens? All the crazy left wing groups that would rather fight for a house pet then a human soul are foaming at the mouth. He should be suspended and not allowed back in they say. He's an animal killer they say. Hmmmm....really? Lets change focus for a minute. I don't know the exact date but Browns WR Donte Stallworth was drunk while driving and struck a person walking in the street. This person died. He killed someone, a living breathing human being okay not a dog. This isn't something that can't talk, drools on it self and pees on your carpet, this was a living breathing feeling human being. So Stallworth got his sentence the other day, the judge says he can still play football, but he was sentenced to 2 years "house" arrest and 8 years probation. Thank God for Roger Goodell because he automatically suspended him for the entire 2009 season. But come on! Has our system become so corrupt and so degrading that it gives someone who kills dogs prison time and someone that kills a human being "house" arrest. Maybe I am just bias with my strong Christian conservative upbringing that has taught me to value human life at all costs. You dont see people going crazy at abortion clinics or outside Stallworths house demanding jailtime or that the doctors that commit the travesties on unborn babies be tried for countless cases of cold blooded murder. No. Instead we are left feeling sorry for animals who have no human feelings. Don't get me wrong. What Michael Vick did was cruel, wrong and he deserved some sort of punishment even though i think 2 years of prison is a bit extreme but the guy has done more then enough to pay for his wrongdoings. So the next time you see him on tv or sunday playing ball before you judge him or point fingers remember there are people out there getting away with murder while we sit comfortably in our homes. Doing nothing about it.
Hey everybody!
Hey everyone....
I just thought that I would join the blogging age finally. I feel like I have so much to talk about and enough doesn't get said so what better way to vent and share my feelings then a blog. I plan to cover everything this blog from professional sports, movies, games to things that tick me off. I hope you all like it.
Eric
I just thought that I would join the blogging age finally. I feel like I have so much to talk about and enough doesn't get said so what better way to vent and share my feelings then a blog. I plan to cover everything this blog from professional sports, movies, games to things that tick me off. I hope you all like it.
Eric
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