Pastoring Is Easy as is the Christian Life Together, getting to know our Father in heaven
Thoughts for Meditation from Pastor Tom
Dying to self
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”Lk 14:26 NIV
Anyone who loves their life will lose it,while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”Jn 12:25 NIV
These scriptures are understandable when you recognize your thinking and reasoning are contrary to following. Also that those around you, though well intended, are also not necessarily promoting your following the Lord. To follow is a choice.
yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; Rom. 3:4 KJV
You cannot die to yourself without an alternative to follow. Dying to self has been portrayed as retraining your mind to think right, but this is not making Jesus Lord, it is changing your mind. However with the discipline of listening to the Lord in your heart you can live by the mind of Christ. The big challenge here becomes knowing him well enough to trust him without understanding. This is the work of love not education.
Jesus demonstrated - “I only say what the Father tells me to say” For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. Jn 12:49-50 KJV
“I only do what the Father shows me”“ Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” Jn 5:19 KJV
He made himself a servantBut made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Ph 2:7 KJV
Because “I know that his commandment is life everlasting” Making myself a servant and praying? What should I say? What should I do? Simplifies life to a conversation with the one who loves me.You will never mistreat a loved one or anyone else if you do likewise.
Christlikeness simplified !
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”Lk 14:26 NIV
Anyone who loves their life will lose it,while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”Jn 12:25 NIV
These scriptures are understandable when you recognize your thinking and reasoning are contrary to following. Also that those around you, though well intended, are also not necessarily promoting your following the Lord. To follow is a choice.
yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; Rom. 3:4 KJV
You cannot die to yourself without an alternative to follow. Dying to self has been portrayed as retraining your mind to think right, but this is not making Jesus Lord, it is changing your mind. However with the discipline of listening to the Lord in your heart you can live by the mind of Christ. The big challenge here becomes knowing him well enough to trust him without understanding. This is the work of love not education.
Jesus demonstrated - “I only say what the Father tells me to say” For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. Jn 12:49-50 KJV
“I only do what the Father shows me”“ Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” Jn 5:19 KJV
He made himself a servantBut made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Ph 2:7 KJV
Because “I know that his commandment is life everlasting” Making myself a servant and praying? What should I say? What should I do? Simplifies life to a conversation with the one who loves me.You will never mistreat a loved one or anyone else if you do likewise.
Christlikeness simplified !