Too Big For a Blog!

 Hello, all!

I have added a page, the first of more like it, that is similar to the normal blog posts, but too large to post in the thread.  The first page is called "Too Big For a Blog - Colossians 3 takeaways" and you can find a link to it in the sidebar as well.

Cheers,

Rojamay

Keep Your Head Up

Recently, I got lost in my thoughts, as I do every morning.  I suffer my past, beating myself up for mistakes I made long ago; hating myself for recent ones that I can’t fix.  I was caught up in the thought that I would never again be what I was in my younger years – fearless and driven to achieve success.  Unbothered by the waves of the seas of life with the support of a family unit.  My life has changed and taken a different turn than I’d expected or wanted.  My situation has changed and so have I.  I mourned the death of my former self, shaking and sweating for almost two hours.  I said a prayer for something to help me or give me some sort of insight or motivation to put me back on my feet.  My phone dinged, my notification for the bible verse of the day:

Colossians 3:2

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

A strange coincidence that I don’t personally believe was a coincidence.  I do, however, see that I’m not the only one that saw that verse of the day.  The algorithm that chose the verse didn’t tailor it to me.  But, it did come to me at a moment when I needed to read it.  I thought, “I am looking at the wrong things.”  I was focusing on the life that I wanted.  I was only looking towards a status that I once had.

Buddhism has teachings along the same line of letting go of earthly desires, possessions, and even friendships and relationships.  In the four noble truths, the basic tenets of the belief system, it is taught that attachment to things or people that are impermanent is the cause of suffering.  Not to cease compassion or care, but to realize that everything will leave our lives.    

I’d read this verse before and quickly forgotten about it which made me want to read the rest of the chapter.  What are these things above?

 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and [k]patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is [l]the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ [m]rule in your hearts, to which [n]indeed you were called in one body; and [o]be thankful. 16 Let the word of [p]Christ richly dwell within you, [q]with all wisdom teaching and admonishing [r]one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing [s]with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

According to the same chapter, we are to put on the love of christ and exude it for others to see and experience.  We are to be patient with each other, forgive one another, realizing that we were once forgiven for all of our grave mistakes.  Living in our beliefs and in our faith is keeping our eyes on things above.  Another verse comes to mind that explains what to focus on:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is [a]lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, [b]dwell on these things.

Buddhism has a similar idea inthe eightfold path, a way of living set out by buddha to achieve enlightenment.

Right understanding (Samma ditthi)  – the knowledge and understanding of the Four Noble truths

Right thought (Samma sankappa) – to have thoughts of good things, such as: non-violence, compassion, selflessness

Right speech (Samma vaca) – keep from telling lies, abstain from backbiting and talk that may bring about hatred, and disharmony, and stay away from rude, impolite, and abusive language.  Keep from idle, useless, and foolish babble and gossip. 

Right action (Samma kammanta) – Moral, honorable, and peaceful conduct

Right livelihood (Samma ajiva) – not making a living off, or benefiting from, occupations that harm others (dealing drugs, selling weapons, selling alcohol, etc)

Right effort (Samma vayama) – Will to get prevent, and get rid of, evil and unwholesome intent and promotion of the opposite.

Right mindfulness (Samma sati) – mindful recognition, and attention to, oneself physicall and mentally.  Recognize thoughts, urges, sensations, and feelings.

Right concentration (Samma samadhi) – a meditative state where something is contemplated or focused on to achieve whatever is desired: possibly less anxiety, and increased mood.

It behooves me to focus on spiritual things and worry more about my spirituality and faith than material possessions and status.  My status as more than a decent human being should be sought after more than a “successful” one.  As the bible said, what good is it to gain the whole world and lose my soul? 

Non-attachment through mindfulness is a concept that I’ve been working on.  I have begun to realize that I enjoy and appreciate people and things in my life the more I realize they are impermanent.  Everyone and everything will leave me or I will leave them eventually.  In the military, we would be told that the only constant in life is change.  Life moves without thought of our feelings or our permission.  Dependence on things or people around us for our happiness causes suffering.  Yearning for the things that we don’t have also causes suffering.  By letting my morals, beliefs, and faith guide me, I’m already successful.  I don’t need anything to prove that.

 

Seek First

 ^{Seek First}

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[a]?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

 

 

I’ve had a few scares in my lifetime of various different types – some life-threatening, all life-changing.  Every time, I vow to make myself better for my family and God.  I plan to get myself on track and meet goals that I’ve set for myself that I’ve never been able to completely reach.  However, for a while, I wasn’t even close to a path of attaining them.  While going through difficulties in life, often finances are a part of them. I became obsessed with finding ways to make more money to save for my kids’ future and give me a more comfortable life.  I told myself that I would tithe more and donate to charity.  I told myself all sorts of things to justify my focus.  I made a two-year plan to get myself back on track, lose weight, dedicate more time to God, learn various subjects and save money to put down on a house.  I wrote it out excitedly.  Then, I promptly closed the note I was writing on google keep and didn’t look at it again. I continued to lay on my couch and do nothing. 

I had another scare that could make my whole plan for my life moot.  Not only that, but it changed my perspective.  What if I only have a little while to live?  My plans for my life would be different. All of the money and comfort I sought, all of the knowledge I wanted, none of it would matter.  While putting the focus on those things and dreaming of a better future, I neglected the present.  I neglected the fact that service to God happens now, not in the future.  I picked up my bible, as I sometimes do when I’m distressed, and I read 1 Timothy 1:12-16 in the NIV.

^{“12 I thank Christ Jesus our lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.  13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a prosecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.  The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.}

^{15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:  Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.  16 But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.  17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.”}

As odd as it may sound to some, I do feel I’ve been called to serve God and have never pursued a career or even a volunteer position to help or save the sick and needy.  I let life get in the way because, over my few years, I’ve had a great deal of responsibility.  Now that I’m faced with a scary possibility, I realize my focus was on the wrong thing.  Christ has called me to serve, even if it’s just in telling others who ask me or even just writing this blog.  I was also once a not so very good person and I received grace and mercy.  I am one of the worst sinners in my eyes because I keep putting off my calling for physical things.  Even the littlest things like reading my bible regularly or praying more than a rehearsed prayer every night.  Even in my schedule that I wrote out, I put in just thirty minutes for meditation, reading my bible, and praying.  I set aside just thirty minutes in an eighteen our schedule for God.  I was even proud of myself for it.  And now all of my other plans could mean nothing.

^{Buddha said, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, focus your mind on the present moment.”} 

I look at that now and I see the profound truth in it. 

^{In Ephesians, it is written, “}15 ^{Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,} 16 ^{making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.”}

My life could end and my plans to be a top-notch programmer could mean nothing.  While the things that mean the most – my God, my family, my spirituality, ect – would have been neglected.  My focus needs to change.  I need to make the most of every opportunity to do something for God as I feel I’m called to do.  I sit and I think about what, if I were to pass on, would I want my kids to remember about me?  Would it matter if what I did for a living was impressive?  Would it matter how much money I made?  Maybe a little bit.  “My father was a good programmer and made a lot of money doing it” could be something to be proud of.  However, that’s not what they would miss.  They’d miss our time together, our talks, our playing time, our movie times, game times, and any good time we could have together.  I would want them to know that I was a servant of Christ so they could follow my example.  I would want them to remember lessons I taught them of how to be a good man rather than how to work themselves to death.  

That’s not to say that God does not want me to have a high-paying job or a comfortable life, but as the bible says In Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  In the verses before, Jesus was telling the Jews to not worry about what they will eat or drink or wear because God “clothes the grass of the field.  Will he not much more clothe you?”  He tells them not to worry or be anxious about such things but rather first seek the Kingdom.  I’d forgotten that teaching.  God will provide if I trust and seek him. 

 

^{Romans 8:28}

^{“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”}

Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:17

17 be unceasing and persistent in prayer;

I’ve read this verse more than a few times, even quoted it to myself and others - not impressive, it’s very short.  But, at the time, I was trying to convey the importance of prayer in the Christian life.  In 1 Timothy, there is a call to prayer to call upon God not only for personal issues but for the good of all.

1 Timothy 2:8

8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing or quarreling or doubt [in their mind].

Prayer is very important in our walk with God. He requires it of us in order to stay close to him.  However, for a while, I did not know how to pray, what to ask for and what not to ask for.  There are no real regulations that tell us what we should pray for.  The rest of the passage in 1 Thessalonians shines some light on the subject.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always and delight in your faith; 17 be unceasing and persistent in prayer; 18 in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Firstly, we should rejoice in our faith and be thankful for what God has done for us continually.  As a human, I have a hard time remembering to be thankful every time I pray.  I pray in times of sadness, times of distress, but I found that I had rarely prayed in good times.  I have thanked God for what I have, but the ratio of how much I ask for me and how much I thank and praise God is embarrassing and quite shameful.  We need to remember to rejoice in our faith at all times and continually be thankful for what God has done for us because “this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”  

But, prayer can be, as it many times is, praying for some kind of assistance with things that are hurting us in some way.  Sometimes, I get so wrapped up in what I need or what is going on in my life that my prayers become a repetitious plea for help.  The bible speaks on this.   

Philippians 4:6

6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.

In this verse, we find that we need to be careful about being too worried, but approach God with thanksgiving - again the emphasis on being thankful when we approach God.  He is faithful and can reward us and grant our prayers if he chooses.  I sometimes lose faith in what I prayed because I want it to happen faster or I doubt I’m even worthy of the help that I ask for.  However, God is greater than that.

Matthew 7:11

11 If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him.

Comparing God’s nature to ours is an eye-opener.  We will dote on our children and give them everything we can.  I, specifically, will give my kids anything they need or want that is in my power to give.  Applying that to the mind of God, he is more powerful than anyone can even imagine - he knows how to give.  

He won’t give us everything, though.  We have to be sure that we are in the will of God and very importantly, seeking God’s will

James 4:3

3 You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask [d]with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.

I have asked God for something that I just wanted and wouldn’t improve my life or help me grow closer to him.  I didn’t get it.  We have to have the will of God in mind when we pray and not pray for things that we will use selfishly.  The Amplified text adds “hedonistic.”  It can be defined as the pursuit of pleasure and sensually self-indulgent.  

1 John 5:14-15

14 This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that [c]if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us. 15 And if we know [for a fact, as indeed we do] that He hears and listens to us in whatever we ask, we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from Him.

If we come before him focused on things that are according to his plan, this passage tells us that we are heard.  The next verse sticks in my mind.  If we know for a fact, or in my mind believe and have faith that what I ask for will be granted, I can rest in the knowledge that I will receive.  I spend a great deal of time praying for things that I don’t believe deep down will be given to me.  I have to know without a doubt that, if I am I accordance with his will, I will be taken care of.  Faith is more than just hope, it's an active hope with the expectancy of relief.

Romans 8:24-27

24 For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait eagerly for it with patience and composure.

26 In the same way, the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of [c]God’s people in accordance with God’s will.

In our faith or our hope, we are saved.  However, hope in things that are seen is not hope, because we should not hope for things that we already have.  But if we hope for things that we do not see, we wait eagerly and with patience.   Verse 26 says that the Spirit helps us.  We don’t really even know how to pray or what to pray for but he intercedes for us, speaking to God in ways that are too deep for words.  We pray the way he tells us to, in accordance to his will, and the spirit will intercede for us.  The bible tells us that the spirit is our guide and will teach us the will of God, helping us to stay in his favor and receive his blessings.

Ephesians 6:18

18 With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all [e]God’s people.

Therefore, we should pray at all times, again in the spirit.  Just like the call to prayer in Timothy, we are told to pray for God’s people.  In other passages, we learn that we are to seek the good of others above ourselves and this attitude spills over into prayer.  We are to pray for God’s people, all people and those that we call our enemies.  Prayer is powerful.  Prayer changes things.  There are studies that show the scientific effect of prayer.  There was an experiment completed that showed increased performance on the Stroop Test (a test that mismatches colors with their written name, for instance the word “green” written in red) by those that prayed over those that simply thought about a situation.

“Participants who were asked to pray about a topic of their choosing for five minutes showed significantly better performance on the stroop task after emotion suppression, compared to participants who were simply asked to think about a topic of their choosing. And this effect held regardless of whether participants identified as religious (70 percent) or not.”

Prayer for only 5 min showed good results compared to those that didn’t pray.  And what’s even more mind-boggling is that even those that didn’t believe had good results as well.

Another study found that “Prayer has been reported to improve outcomes in human as well as nonhuman species, to have no effect on outcomes, to worsen outcomes and to have retrospective healing effects.”

Prayer has been reported to both improve outcomes and have no effect.  To worsen outcomes but have retrospective healing properties.  This shows to me, that God will answer prayers in his own time and if it is in his will.  Others may have their wishes granted, but I need to wait patiently as the bible says.  Be persistent in my petitions.  Like the parable of the woman that asked the judge repeatedly for help and was only given help after constant petition.  I don’t think that this is to say God will begrudgingly help us, but that we need have continued faith that we will be heard.  Continued, intense faith that God hears you and will decide in your best interests or even the interests of others.  Jesus displayed this near the end of his life on earth.  

Matthew 14:23

23 After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was there alone.

This is just one example of a record of Jesus praying.  His prayer isn’t shared, but after he was finished, Jesus walked on water to the boat where his disciples were waiting.  However, in Matthew 26:39, the prayer recorded is heart-wrenching.

Matthew 26:39

39 And after going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup [q]pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Matthew 26:42

“My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

After these two prayers, he went back a third time and prayed the same prayer.  This shows me that Jesus, himself - the son of God- prayed for a reprieve.  He had known his whole life that his purpose on earth was to teach and then die for the sins of humanity.  Yet, he prayed for a different path, believing that his father could hear him and change his mind, but Jesus also acknowledged that he would yield to God’s will. This passage is a shining example of the power of prayer in that the son of God knew his purpose and prayed anyway.  It shows that we can go to God with our fears and worries and accept that it would be granted if it is in his will.  We need to realize a very important thing about prayer which is shown in this passage - God can say no.  However, there are examples of prayer working in favor of the servant as well.  Jesus prayed before raising Lazarus from the dead.

John 11:38-44

41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus raised His eyes [toward heaven] and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 I knew that You always hear Me and listen to Me; but I have said this because of the people standing around, so that they may believe that You have sent Me [and that You have made Me Your representative].”

It hits me hard that he says that God ALWAYS hears him and ALWAYS listen to him.  The prayer was for the benefit of others.  Jesus knew without a doubt that he could be heard.  We might think that was only possible for Jesus and that is a true statement.  Christians can’t usually raise people from the dead.  But, as some of the verses state above, if we live in the will of God, we can approach the throne with not only the faith but the actual expectation that you will be heard.

These commands to pray, examples of Jesus praying, and the scientific evidence that prayer can work all make me realize one important thing.  Prayer can change things.

Righteousness

Matthew 6:31-33 (AMP)

³¹ Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ ³² For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

The beginning of this passage is key to remember. We are not to be perpetually uneasy or distracted by things we need or want. We are not to let worries such as these take our eyes off of God. But we are, as the passage later says, to seek first God’s righteousness, further explained as “His way of doing and being right.” We often focus on repentance and baptism, but I’ve not focused much on the directive to be righteous. After further study, I see that the act of being right with God is more important than I’d ever thought.

Proverbs 21:3 (AMP)

To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed].

A righteous life is more acceptable than things done to show we’re sorry for doing wrong according to Proverbs. I don’t think this is to say sacrifice or repentance wasn’t or isn’t important, but to say that the act of living right is more pleasing to God. I like the addition of “for wrongs repeatedly committed” because it shows me that I will fall but I can still try to live right and that is meaningful to God. A key phrase to take away, for me, was “to do righteousness,” showing that righteousness isn’t an inherent trait but something that must be worked at and practiced.

Ezekiel 18:22 (AMP)

²¹ “But if the wicked man turns [away] from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall certainly live; he shall not die. ²² All of his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of his righteousness which he has practiced [for his moral and spiritual integrity in every area and relationship], he will live.

If a man turns from evil ways and practices justice and righteousness along with keeping statutes, he will live. His sins will not be remembered against him because of righteousness that he practices. There is no mention here of simply just being righteous, but the idea that righteousness has to be practiced is reinforced. Turning away from sin added to the act of righteousness leads to our sins being forgiven, not simply repentance. In 1 John 2:29, he says that those that do practice righteousness are of God. We should focus on being righteous more than we may believe.

What is righteousness? In the Webster’s dictionary, Righteous is defined as “acting in accordance with divine or moral law.” To be righteous, we have to follow God’s commands and Jesus’ teachings. To me, saying “follow God’s commands” is different than saying to practice that act. Meaning that we have to try every moment to be righteous in every way.

Romans 6:16 (AMP)

¹⁶ Do you not know that when you continually offer yourselves to someone to do his will, you are the slaves of the one whom you obey, either [slaves] of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness (right standing with God)?

We will be either slaves to sin or slaves to obedience to God and His Word. Not just trying to do his will, but an actual slave to obeying him. This type of obedience will lead to righteousness, the type of obedience that is compared, here, to slavery. The type that requires more dedication to following the scriptures than I had even thought about. I grew up in Church and I can honestly say that I’ve never felt like an actual slave to obedience. The picture I get in my head is of a friend of mine that seems to actually hurt when something against God happens. At times, I think her reaction to things that happen is pretty funny because it seems so naive. However, I think that our dedication should be on a similar level.

2 Timothy 3:16 (AMP)

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];

We learn to be righteous from the scriptures along with being corrected and convicting of sin. God’s word is our guide to learning to live in God’s will.