I was honored enough to hear this Word a few weeks ago. I'm not going to go as in depth as necessary on this, simply because it really deals with a personal issue: YOUR PURPOSE. We all need to do some personal reflection on this, spend some time in the Word and some quiet time with God so we can get our own personal revelations.
1 Samuel 9:1-4a
1 There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.
3 One day Kish’s donkeys strayed away, and he told Saul, “Take a servant with you, and go look for the donkeys.” 4 So Saul took one of the servants and traveled through the hill country of Ephraim, the land of Shalishah, the Shaalim area, and the entire land of Benjamin,
Do you notice that when Kish told Saul to go, he went without comment? I'm pretty sure that Saul had his own life, priorities, needs, and wants. But he set out IMMEDIATELY to do what his father told him.
Can the same be said of us? Are we handling our business, but not His? We should set out, WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS, COMMENTS, OR SIDE NOTES, to do what our Father told us to do. If you don't know what to do, or can't hear God clearly, then take care of the necessities. Read the Word, have quiet time, pray, be discipled.
The first step in knowing your purpose is to handle His business.
~Dove Sister DeAnna~
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Give it ALL
A little birdie once told me: "I have a lot of things I have to do, a lot of
things I want to do and a lot of things I can't do."
Interesting, right? I think so...So I said to myself, "Self?" and my self said, "What?" and I said, "Self...THAT...is a word of some sort."
I think there are three things or ideas in that statement that help to govern our lives today. So I'll break it down:
1. Have to do = Obligation or Duty
2. Want to do = Desire
3. Can't do = Either because it's not what you're supposed to be doing
(outside the will of God, so to speak, like a boundary), you THINK you are
unable to do it when, in reality, you can (lack of confidence in yourself), or someone or something is keeping you from it
Really we need to make all of those things work together in the will of God for our lives. There really are certain things we have to do, will want to do, and won't be able to do because of the reasons mentioned above.
1. Duty - Luke 17:1-10
2. Desire - Ps. 27:4-6 & Ps. 37:3-6
3. Boundaries set by God - Ps. 16:6-11
Lack of Confidence - Ps 139:14-16
Others blocking - Genesis 3:4
The scripture corresponds with the topic before it. So I'm going to briefly touch on each one. The last one is kind of lengthy because it's 3-in-1.
1. We have a duty to live as Christ did. To read the Bible and follow His example…and while we're doing it, to not act like it's just something we HAVE to do. It's the way to live. Although we have to do, we also love to do it because as children of God, we want to be like our Heavenly Father. The ultimate example for how men and women of God should live.
2. God wants us to be happy. I strongly believe that. The easiest way for us to be happy is to desire the things that God desires. Desire to have a close relationship with Him. Desire to end generational curses in your family. Desire to earn a higher GPA this year. Desire to share Him with others that you may or may not know. Desire to be in His presence. But more than desiring these things actually DO them. The Bible says that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). So as we desire the things that God desires and continue to walk out this Christian lifestyle, we'll get all we desire and then some. Things we didn't even ask for, God will give us.
3. Sometimes we can't do something because God is protecting us, but we decide we still want to go over and see what's going on because "the grass is greener on the other side". Well, that's not always the case. Or sometimes it may be the case, but the grass is really just greener because it has so many weeds in it and along with weeds come pests and other nuisances. Then we get upset all because we didn't want to go through the "trouble" of doing the work and staying in God yard's and mowing it when He asked us to. Okay, maybe the example is a little far-fetched, but you understand what I'm saying. If God sets boundaries for us, respect them. They are there for a reason, and more than likely it is to save us, not keep us from missing out on things. Like I said, He wants us to be happy…He may be keeping you from something because you're not ready for it right now. Be patient and know that He has something lovely in store for you.
Other times we can't or think we can't do something because we lack confidence. Confidence in ourselves or confidence in God. Or how about combining them and doubting the God in us. Don't do that. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. Not only that, but God is continually doing a good work in us. That means that even if you don't have confidence in yourself, at least trust that God is working in you. But…then if you trust He's working in you, you might as well have confidence in yourself (while ultimately giving all praise, glory, and honor to God) because He's working in and through you. Doubting yourself is, essentially, doubting Him. (Wow. I better speak to myself!!! Praise the Lord and pass the peas!! Ok God…I see you!)
And lastly, is others blocking us from things. I chose the prime example of the fall of man for this one. Satan blocked Adam and Eve from obeying the Lord and they just believed Him. The consequences of people blocking us and of us ALLOWING them to do so can be dire. If something or someONE is blocking you from Christ or from something He has for you, you may need to reconsider the role it's playing in your life. Because we need to be directly connected to Christ. That's the most important thing.
YAY, all three points. So yes, as the birdie said, "There are things we will have to do, things we want to do, and things we can't do." Consult God on all of them. He'll never steer us wrong and has our best interests at heart (Jeremiah 29:11).
~~Dove Sister Adeola Oyelabi~
Monday, September 28, 2009
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Bread
Matthew 4:4 says that people need more than bread for their life; they must feed on EVERY Word of God. You can know all about bread; you can have it everywhere in your house and even offer it to others, but that can't help you. Bread must be eaten. If somehow you are unable to eat it, you will die (I mean, maybe not in these days, with the variety of food we have now, but you get the picture). That's just how it is with the Bread of Life, God's Word; mere knowledge of it and preaching it to others won't help you. Thinking about it and having it everywhere will not suffice. You have to FEED on it and take it into your heart and life. It must be eaten daily to secure a strong and powerful spiritual life. EATEN: looked at, smelled, put in one's mouth, chewed, tasted, and digested. We have to think about if we are merely reading God's Word and taking it at face value or scratching the surface, or daily digesting it wholly. We don't want digestive problems: irritable bowel, indigestion, heartburn, all those things that come. We want to be healthy; we want to have a healthy relationship with God.
Banana Bread
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter 1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs 1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup flour 3 large bananas, mashed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bread pan. Cream butter and sugar; add eggs one at a time; set aside. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in whole wheat flour to dry mixture and add to cream mixture. Fold in bananas, vanilla, and walnuts. Bake 50-60 minutes.
~Dove Sister DeAnna~
Banana Bread
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter 1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs 1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup flour 3 large bananas, mashed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bread pan. Cream butter and sugar; add eggs one at a time; set aside. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in whole wheat flour to dry mixture and add to cream mixture. Fold in bananas, vanilla, and walnuts. Bake 50-60 minutes.
~Dove Sister DeAnna~
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sin's Power is Broken
Hey guys. So there was no entry yesterday. Sorry. It was because 1) I had two meetings, a wedding, and a get-together to attend; 2) there was no theme for this month, because we only had one Saturday, and 3) NO ONE HAS SENT IN AN ENTRY! C'mon guys. I don't want to be the only one writing, ya'll are going to be tired of my thoughts and ramblings after a while. I would love for this to be an interactive community. So write! Or at least comment and send prayer requests and praise reports. Love you guys!
Today, I am going to write about one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Actually, I'm going to just paste it in here from, you know it, http://www.biblegateway.com/, in the (ya'll know me) New Living Translation. It sounds just like I would say it. Here it goes, Romans chapter 6:
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? (ain't he sarcastic) 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen!! I have nothing to add to that. It was perfect. Our events for this week are:
Monday: ANQ Sorority Iota Chapter (Georgetown University) Greek Jeopardy @ 7pm in the Intercultural Center
Tuesday: Iota Chapter Brother 2 Sister Panel Discussion along with Greek Week Panel @ 7pm in the Intercultural Center
Wednesday: Iota Chapter Coffee House: Open Mic @ 7pm in the Uncommon Grounds in Leavey Center
Thursday: Word Up Bible Study Bus Boys & Poets "Artist Spotlight" Bring Your Talent @ 8pm
Friday: Prayer at the Flagpole--1pm
Saturday: AIDS Walk at the National Mall @7am
Iota Chapter Greek BBQ @ 3pm in the Village A Community Area
Christian Sisters United @ 4pm in Blackburn Room 148/150
~Dove Sister DeAnna Rhodes~
Today, I am going to write about one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Actually, I'm going to just paste it in here from, you know it, http://www.biblegateway.com/, in the (ya'll know me) New Living Translation. It sounds just like I would say it. Here it goes, Romans chapter 6:
1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? (ain't he sarcastic) 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen!! I have nothing to add to that. It was perfect. Our events for this week are:
Monday: ANQ Sorority Iota Chapter (Georgetown University) Greek Jeopardy @ 7pm in the Intercultural Center
Tuesday: Iota Chapter Brother 2 Sister Panel Discussion along with Greek Week Panel @ 7pm in the Intercultural Center
Wednesday: Iota Chapter Coffee House: Open Mic @ 7pm in the Uncommon Grounds in Leavey Center
Thursday: Word Up Bible Study Bus Boys & Poets "Artist Spotlight" Bring Your Talent @ 8pm
Friday: Prayer at the Flagpole--1pm
Saturday: AIDS Walk at the National Mall @7am
Iota Chapter Greek BBQ @ 3pm in the Village A Community Area
Christian Sisters United @ 4pm in Blackburn Room 148/150
~Dove Sister DeAnna Rhodes~
Friday, September 25, 2009
SHORT AND SWEET
So now that we are familiar with horses; let us talk abot some of their paraphernalia. That's right. lol.
There are several pieces of para that horses are allowed to wear. My favorite is the blinders. When a horse is given a task or somewhere to go, the Owner puts these on. Blinders are little pieces that fit around the horse's head and prevents her from seeing anything on either side. This is especially useful when the horse is newly trained, because it prevents them from being spooked, or worse, distracted.
Many things happen when we get distracted from what the Trainer tells us to do and/or be. We get too busy watching someone to the left that we trip and fall flat on our faces. We're so enthralled about that female/male in the right field that we fall into the ditch and injure ourselves. If only we could stay focused!
The Holy Spirit is the Christian's blinders. It helps us to stay focused on God; that is, if we use it. All we have to do is ask and sincerely want it. We have to seek the Lord everyday, in prayer and in the Word, and ask Him to renew His Holy Spirit in us daily.
Did you ask the Lord to put on your blinders today?
There are several pieces of para that horses are allowed to wear. My favorite is the blinders. When a horse is given a task or somewhere to go, the Owner puts these on. Blinders are little pieces that fit around the horse's head and prevents her from seeing anything on either side. This is especially useful when the horse is newly trained, because it prevents them from being spooked, or worse, distracted.
Many things happen when we get distracted from what the Trainer tells us to do and/or be. We get too busy watching someone to the left that we trip and fall flat on our faces. We're so enthralled about that female/male in the right field that we fall into the ditch and injure ourselves. If only we could stay focused!
The Holy Spirit is the Christian's blinders. It helps us to stay focused on God; that is, if we use it. All we have to do is ask and sincerely want it. We have to seek the Lord everyday, in prayer and in the Word, and ask Him to renew His Holy Spirit in us daily.
Did you ask the Lord to put on your blinders today?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
True Freedom
At the end of yesterday's entry, I mentioned looking at those wild horses running past and still feeling happy. Now, that is how it should be, but at times it isn't. The tamed horses are looking at the wild ones from inside their stalls neighing to each other, "Yea, man, I remember when I used to do such and such like ol' boy doin now..."
Why do we as Christians look back and reminisce about our pasts like it was the "good old days?" Are we not new creatures? 2 Corinthians 5: 17
Many Christians look at their lives as a tamed horse. They only go where their Master tells them. They are fenced in or stalled in. They can't do all the "fun stuff." God has all these yucky rules that we don't understand; it's really only so we can be whack and miserable.
NOT TRUE!! Galations 3: 22
True freedom is Christ! Do we not see how He lovingly puts a warm shelter over our heads while the "free ones" are cold and wet? How we get our shoes changed whenever they get chipped or when something forces its way through them? How we are guaranteed nourishment in the famine and water in the drought? We have all we need in Him. The grass only looks greener on the other side of the fence because we are colorblind, or shall I say spiritually blind. It's really dead and withered, but our fenced-in grass flourishes for He lives forever and ever (and is therefore forever and ever watering it). Isaiah 40: 8
Sin itself is a prison. How many people we know seem to have everything but happiness? How many people party all the time to hide their hurt and pain? How many people are trapped in lifestyles they dont want?
I have plenty of fun within the limits Christ sets for me. Galations 5:1. Because really, the gate, the stall door, its wide open. We have free reign; we have a choice. Everything is permissable, but is it beneficial? 1 Corinthians 6: 12. As soon as I step out to get my little bit of pleasure, that rock gets in my shoe and I limp back to the Master. I know that this fence is only to keep me safe, so I resist the temptation and set my eyes on the prize in front of me. Philippians 3: 14
Why do we as Christians look back and reminisce about our pasts like it was the "good old days?" Are we not new creatures? 2 Corinthians 5: 17
Many Christians look at their lives as a tamed horse. They only go where their Master tells them. They are fenced in or stalled in. They can't do all the "fun stuff." God has all these yucky rules that we don't understand; it's really only so we can be whack and miserable.
NOT TRUE!! Galations 3: 22
True freedom is Christ! Do we not see how He lovingly puts a warm shelter over our heads while the "free ones" are cold and wet? How we get our shoes changed whenever they get chipped or when something forces its way through them? How we are guaranteed nourishment in the famine and water in the drought? We have all we need in Him. The grass only looks greener on the other side of the fence because we are colorblind, or shall I say spiritually blind. It's really dead and withered, but our fenced-in grass flourishes for He lives forever and ever (and is therefore forever and ever watering it). Isaiah 40: 8
Sin itself is a prison. How many people we know seem to have everything but happiness? How many people party all the time to hide their hurt and pain? How many people are trapped in lifestyles they dont want?
I have plenty of fun within the limits Christ sets for me. Galations 5:1. Because really, the gate, the stall door, its wide open. We have free reign; we have a choice. Everything is permissable, but is it beneficial? 1 Corinthians 6: 12. As soon as I step out to get my little bit of pleasure, that rock gets in my shoe and I limp back to the Master. I know that this fence is only to keep me safe, so I resist the temptation and set my eyes on the prize in front of me. Philippians 3: 14
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Horses
Shout out to Dove Sister Dontaleisha Smith for that Bible study Monday!!
This week's series is about horses. Why? I don't know; I just like horses. I was thinking about horses, and missing home, and wanting to ride a horse. You know, horses are highly trained animals, but no one except their trainers really think about how they get that disciplined. I envy their discipline. (I know, that's a sin. Maybe I'm just jealous. Wait, that's the same thing.)
Because I'm a nerd, and I read a lot, I know just a little about the taming of horses. I know that they don't start out with a full person on the horses back. They put like, ten pounds on them first. Now to a wild horse who is used to nothing, this is a big deal. They whine, they pitch a fit, they cry "why me? I can't hold this, it's too much!" Ten pounds. Nothing, right?
But aren't we the same way? We feel a little burden, and we start our whining to God. Over ten pounds!
Little do these horses know, they can pull a whole carriage! Do you know that you can pull a carriage? Yes, you can. Like the horses' trainers, God knows how much each individual can carry, and He won't put more on us than we can bear. 1 Corinthians 10:14
Another aspect to this is the discipline. Do we never think about how the more trials we go through, the more we learn to lean on God? The more lessons we learn in life? The stronger we get? How it is much easier for us to resist temptation? The burdens that God puts on us, that may gradually increase, increase our stamina and give us discipline. After a while, our harnesses are going to be taken off, we get a little rest, and the next trip, when we find ourselves with a whole person on us, we feel nothing! We have this burden, yet we are prancing around, laughing, and having fun. Philippians 2:17, 2 Corinthians 5: 4-10. We may occassionally pull a carriage, but we have confidence that we can make it back home because of the discipline we have.
And because we know that our Trainer is gently guiding us, and can see when the burden gets a little too much, we never give up. 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9. We have peace and joy, even when we see those wild horses running through the fields; His love surpasses any other feeling of joy for earthly pleasures. Philippians 4: 4-7
~Dove Sister DeAnna~
This week's series is about horses. Why? I don't know; I just like horses. I was thinking about horses, and missing home, and wanting to ride a horse. You know, horses are highly trained animals, but no one except their trainers really think about how they get that disciplined. I envy their discipline. (I know, that's a sin. Maybe I'm just jealous. Wait, that's the same thing.)
Because I'm a nerd, and I read a lot, I know just a little about the taming of horses. I know that they don't start out with a full person on the horses back. They put like, ten pounds on them first. Now to a wild horse who is used to nothing, this is a big deal. They whine, they pitch a fit, they cry "why me? I can't hold this, it's too much!" Ten pounds. Nothing, right?
But aren't we the same way? We feel a little burden, and we start our whining to God. Over ten pounds!
Little do these horses know, they can pull a whole carriage! Do you know that you can pull a carriage? Yes, you can. Like the horses' trainers, God knows how much each individual can carry, and He won't put more on us than we can bear. 1 Corinthians 10:14
Another aspect to this is the discipline. Do we never think about how the more trials we go through, the more we learn to lean on God? The more lessons we learn in life? The stronger we get? How it is much easier for us to resist temptation? The burdens that God puts on us, that may gradually increase, increase our stamina and give us discipline. After a while, our harnesses are going to be taken off, we get a little rest, and the next trip, when we find ourselves with a whole person on us, we feel nothing! We have this burden, yet we are prancing around, laughing, and having fun. Philippians 2:17, 2 Corinthians 5: 4-10. We may occassionally pull a carriage, but we have confidence that we can make it back home because of the discipline we have.
And because we know that our Trainer is gently guiding us, and can see when the burden gets a little too much, we never give up. 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9. We have peace and joy, even when we see those wild horses running through the fields; His love surpasses any other feeling of joy for earthly pleasures. Philippians 4: 4-7
~Dove Sister DeAnna~
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Need for Bible Study
Alas! Let me say SORRY for posting this so late. Unacceptable. Now let me tell you guys about this amazing, beautiful ministry on Howard University's campus: Howard Community Choir, better known as RHC. They really are the bomb. And every Monday they host a Bible study. Yesterday's Bible study was "The Need for Bible Study," and it was great! I don't know that personally, lol, but Dove Sister Ariel Pierson lent me her notes and they speak loudly. Thanks Ariel!
We are all students, and we know that if you don't study for a test/class/anything academic, you are going to fail. So clearly, if we don't study the Word, we FAIL AT LIFE. (I love Ariel!)
First of all, it's impossible to have a relationship with God if you don't know the Word. All of the Word is pertinent. The Old Testament focuses on who God is, the New Testament focuses on who Jesus is, and because Jesus sent the Comforter to dwell within us, we personally must medidate and focus on who the Holy Spirit is: the GodHead, three in One. By reading the Word you experience intimacy with God. 2 Timothy 2:15-18.
If you don't know the Word, you can easily be led astray. We are constantly in spiritual battle, even when we don't know it. Ephesians 6:10-12 tells us that we fight against flesh and blood, principalities, powers, the devil, who is the ruler of darkness of this world, and spiritual wickness in high places. If we don't know the Word, we have nothing with which to fight. The rest of the passage (13-18) tells us how to fight. If you don't know this scripture, you are in big trouble. (So go look it up. Like now)
Finally, when we choose not to get in the Word, we choose not to fufill the Great Commission, thereby disobeying Jesus (if you don't know what the Great Commission is, read Matthew 28:16-20). If you don't know the Word you can't teach others, because you can't teach something you don't know. We learn the scriptures for ourselves, yes, but also so that we can take people to the Word. If we don't get in the Word, the world will get worse. Proverbs 4:2. The bottom line is that the Word is food, and if we don't eat we will be malnourished.
Tips to apply this in your life:
1. Try to keep your Bible on you
2. Place emphasis on the Word--spend time reading it everyday
3. Don't neglect the Old Testament
~Dove Sister DeAnna~
We are all students, and we know that if you don't study for a test/class/anything academic, you are going to fail. So clearly, if we don't study the Word, we FAIL AT LIFE. (I love Ariel!)
First of all, it's impossible to have a relationship with God if you don't know the Word. All of the Word is pertinent. The Old Testament focuses on who God is, the New Testament focuses on who Jesus is, and because Jesus sent the Comforter to dwell within us, we personally must medidate and focus on who the Holy Spirit is: the GodHead, three in One. By reading the Word you experience intimacy with God. 2 Timothy 2:15-18.
If you don't know the Word, you can easily be led astray. We are constantly in spiritual battle, even when we don't know it. Ephesians 6:10-12 tells us that we fight against flesh and blood, principalities, powers, the devil, who is the ruler of darkness of this world, and spiritual wickness in high places. If we don't know the Word, we have nothing with which to fight. The rest of the passage (13-18) tells us how to fight. If you don't know this scripture, you are in big trouble. (So go look it up. Like now)
Finally, when we choose not to get in the Word, we choose not to fufill the Great Commission, thereby disobeying Jesus (if you don't know what the Great Commission is, read Matthew 28:16-20). If you don't know the Word you can't teach others, because you can't teach something you don't know. We learn the scriptures for ourselves, yes, but also so that we can take people to the Word. If we don't get in the Word, the world will get worse. Proverbs 4:2. The bottom line is that the Word is food, and if we don't eat we will be malnourished.
Tips to apply this in your life:
1. Try to keep your Bible on you
2. Place emphasis on the Word--spend time reading it everyday
3. Don't neglect the Old Testament
~Dove Sister DeAnna~
Monday, September 21, 2009
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Man, I'm Thirsty!
I wake up in the morning and I am faced with a choice to make already. I open the refridgerator to get something to drink. What a myriad of options! Orange juice, water, milk, iced tea, lemonade, KoolAid (oh yeah!), a few soda bottles, a smoothie I didn't finish the other day...I'm thirsty, and all I have to do is choose.
That's why I don't understand when people say that they sincerely want to be filled, want to be in their Word, but they "can't understand," or it's "too hard to read," or my favorite, "it was written by the white man." Okay, so King James was white, but what about the New Living Translation, where the original Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, whatever language text is translated by a team of like, 100 men and women of different nationalities and ethnicities?
Whoever says these things, or something like it, is just making excuses, is lazy, or is just a liar.
There are so many different versions of the Bible today that it's just like my fridge; just choose your drink!!
Now, my drinks may not be like your drinks; that's ok, because I'm not you (duh). I have my water, my own personal drink of choice. Cool, refreshing, nourishing, and I need it everyday - the New Living Translation (kudos to Symphony for putting me on that; I truly am indebted to her for that and many other reasons. love you!). I come from a big family, so one thing we always have in the fridge is milk. The King James Version is sometimes ice cold and perfect (in my cereal, when I'm indulging in Oreos) but sometimes I look and just think, "ugh, not today!" However, it is always there, and it always provides some nutritional value. Then there's my KoolAid (The Message): sweet, but sometimes it's a little too much for my taste. I got my iced tea (New International Version), my smoothie (Contemporary English Version), and all my other juice options, which, for some reason, are all Welch's brand (www.biblegateway.com).
With all these drinks, how can you continue to be thirsty? There is no excuse not to be filled.
Fruity Citrus Slush
1 medium banana, cut up 3 cups ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice fresh raspberries
1/2 cup sugar 1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice
1 1/2 cup water 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Combine bananas, pineapple juice, sugar, and orange juice. Blend (if you don't have a blender, be creative. I do :-D). Pour in large container, stir in water and lemon juice, cover and freeze for six hours.
To serve: let stand thirty minutes. Spoon one cup slush and 1/2 cup ginger ale in glass. Add raspberries.
~Dove Sister DeAnna~
That's why I don't understand when people say that they sincerely want to be filled, want to be in their Word, but they "can't understand," or it's "too hard to read," or my favorite, "it was written by the white man." Okay, so King James was white, but what about the New Living Translation, where the original Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, whatever language text is translated by a team of like, 100 men and women of different nationalities and ethnicities?
Whoever says these things, or something like it, is just making excuses, is lazy, or is just a liar.
There are so many different versions of the Bible today that it's just like my fridge; just choose your drink!!
Now, my drinks may not be like your drinks; that's ok, because I'm not you (duh). I have my water, my own personal drink of choice. Cool, refreshing, nourishing, and I need it everyday - the New Living Translation (kudos to Symphony for putting me on that; I truly am indebted to her for that and many other reasons. love you!). I come from a big family, so one thing we always have in the fridge is milk. The King James Version is sometimes ice cold and perfect (in my cereal, when I'm indulging in Oreos) but sometimes I look and just think, "ugh, not today!" However, it is always there, and it always provides some nutritional value. Then there's my KoolAid (The Message): sweet, but sometimes it's a little too much for my taste. I got my iced tea (New International Version), my smoothie (Contemporary English Version), and all my other juice options, which, for some reason, are all Welch's brand (www.biblegateway.com).
With all these drinks, how can you continue to be thirsty? There is no excuse not to be filled.
Fruity Citrus Slush
1 medium banana, cut up 3 cups ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice fresh raspberries
1/2 cup sugar 1 (6 ounce) can frozen orange juice
1 1/2 cup water 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Combine bananas, pineapple juice, sugar, and orange juice. Blend (if you don't have a blender, be creative. I do :-D). Pour in large container, stir in water and lemon juice, cover and freeze for six hours.
To serve: let stand thirty minutes. Spoon one cup slush and 1/2 cup ginger ale in glass. Add raspberries.
~Dove Sister DeAnna~
Sunday, September 20, 2009
you DON'T know my life...MY NEW ONE THAT IS
It really gets on my nerves when people look at me and say, "Oh you're so innocent/righteous/other word that describes how pure I am, you just can't understand how difficult it would be for me to GO HARD for God the way you do."
'Scume, you DON'T know my life.
There is a reason why freshman year my nickname was Juicy (which everyone discovered from old high school friends), why certain people could not approach me because of my smart mouth. I have stories that could make you....yeah. Innocent? pul-leeze.
So I would like to say to all : Don't do me. I have been through it. Serving God with all your mind, body, and spirit is not easier for certain people. Have we not all sinned, and continue to sin, and fallen short of the glory of God? Romans 3:23 We are all the same people: sinners. And frankly, we don't even deserve to say Jesus's name, let alone do His work. So all that doubt, all that fear, all that unworthiness, helplessness, guess what - I FEEL IT TOO.
I believe that the difference is one thing: I realize that it is impossible for me, DeAnna, to serve God the way He deserves. Doing the Lord's work is not a duty performed in one's own strength. It is the Holy Spirit alone who teaches us to love Him sincerely.
(Sincere. Now that's a word. Without deceit, without thinking of how good it will make us look to this group, or this person, without any profit for ourselves....let us meditate on that...)
The life of faith is a life of obedience. Notice: obeDIEnce. We have to die to ourselves daily. We need to live in loving, total, sincere obedience to God. He must have entire possession of us.
IMPOSSIBLE!!! I know, that's me, my brain, my being, yelling.
But guess what? It may be impossible to you, but not to God. With God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 He has promised to put His Spirit in us so that we can do His works. John 16:8, 13 He will give us the strength to have fellowship with Christ, to keep His commandments, and to abide in His love. He will claim our whole heart and life.
What you see in me, that righteousness? That's Christ. He is in me. For if any man be in Christ, He is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Once we have grasped this truth, we will begin to feel our deep dependence on the Holy Spirit and ask God every day to send Him in power into our hearts. Acts 1:8
Is it that simple? God is a God of order...we as humans complicate things. All we have to do is BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, CONFESS that He is Lord and we are sinners, repent and TURN AWAY from our sins (don't keep looking back, let em go! They're just holding you down anyway, why do you keep going back to pick up more weight?), and SEEK THE KINGDOM of heaven and all these things will be added to you. Romans 10: 9, Acts 3: 19, Luke 12: 31
Those are powerful words. Take a minute today and actually think about actively applying them to your life. But remember, you can't do it by yourself. Ask Him for His Holy Spirit. Matthew 7:9-11
Lord, please teach us how to seek Your face, Your Holy Spirit, so that we may workship You, serve You, and love You with a pure and sincere heart. Amen.
~Dove Sister DeAnna Rhodes
'Scume, you DON'T know my life.
There is a reason why freshman year my nickname was Juicy (which everyone discovered from old high school friends), why certain people could not approach me because of my smart mouth. I have stories that could make you....yeah. Innocent? pul-leeze.
So I would like to say to all : Don't do me. I have been through it. Serving God with all your mind, body, and spirit is not easier for certain people. Have we not all sinned, and continue to sin, and fallen short of the glory of God? Romans 3:23 We are all the same people: sinners. And frankly, we don't even deserve to say Jesus's name, let alone do His work. So all that doubt, all that fear, all that unworthiness, helplessness, guess what - I FEEL IT TOO.
I believe that the difference is one thing: I realize that it is impossible for me, DeAnna, to serve God the way He deserves. Doing the Lord's work is not a duty performed in one's own strength. It is the Holy Spirit alone who teaches us to love Him sincerely.
(Sincere. Now that's a word. Without deceit, without thinking of how good it will make us look to this group, or this person, without any profit for ourselves....let us meditate on that...)
The life of faith is a life of obedience. Notice: obeDIEnce. We have to die to ourselves daily. We need to live in loving, total, sincere obedience to God. He must have entire possession of us.
IMPOSSIBLE!!! I know, that's me, my brain, my being, yelling.
But guess what? It may be impossible to you, but not to God. With God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 He has promised to put His Spirit in us so that we can do His works. John 16:8, 13 He will give us the strength to have fellowship with Christ, to keep His commandments, and to abide in His love. He will claim our whole heart and life.
What you see in me, that righteousness? That's Christ. He is in me. For if any man be in Christ, He is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Once we have grasped this truth, we will begin to feel our deep dependence on the Holy Spirit and ask God every day to send Him in power into our hearts. Acts 1:8
Is it that simple? God is a God of order...we as humans complicate things. All we have to do is BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, CONFESS that He is Lord and we are sinners, repent and TURN AWAY from our sins (don't keep looking back, let em go! They're just holding you down anyway, why do you keep going back to pick up more weight?), and SEEK THE KINGDOM of heaven and all these things will be added to you. Romans 10: 9, Acts 3: 19, Luke 12: 31
Those are powerful words. Take a minute today and actually think about actively applying them to your life. But remember, you can't do it by yourself. Ask Him for His Holy Spirit. Matthew 7:9-11
Lord, please teach us how to seek Your face, Your Holy Spirit, so that we may workship You, serve You, and love You with a pure and sincere heart. Amen.
~Dove Sister DeAnna Rhodes
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