Thursday, September 22, 2011

Exploring the Attributes of God: Understanding the Eternal, All-Powerful, Good, Near, Loving, and Holy Nature of God

In our faith journey, it is essential to understand the nature of God. He is the foundation of our belief, and a deeper understanding of who He is can bring greater meaning and purpose to our lives. In this blog post, we will explore six attributes of God that are essential to know and understand.

  1. God is eternal. He is not limited by time and is not subject to change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He said, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). Moses wrote: "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God" (Psalm 90:2).

  2. God is all-powerful. He is the creator of all things and possesses infinite power and authority. He said to Abram, "I am God Almighty" (Genesis 17:1). God's power is shown by His speaking the earth into existence. "Let there be light," and there was light" (Genesis 1:3).

  3. God is good. He is the source of all good things, and His goodness is reflected in all of His creations. "He himself gives all men life and breath and everything else" (Acts 17:25). Our English words "God" and "good" are related. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).

  4. God is near. He is not distant or removed from us but is always present and available to us. "For in him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). "He is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:27).

  5. God is love. He is the embodiment of love and demonstrates it through His actions. He sent His only begotten Son down to our world to live among us and to die for us on the cross. Love gives, and "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

  6. God is holy. He is perfect and righteous, and He requires holiness from His followers. "Without holiness, no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). He will correct those who are not holy, but this is for our own good and to lead us closer to Him. God warns us of the dangers of not living right, and this He does because He does not want us to be destroyed by our own stubborn wills.

In conclusion, understanding the attributes of God can bring greater depth and richness to our faith. As we meditate on His eternal, all-powerful, good, near, loving, and holy nature, we can come to know Him more fully and experience the abundant life that He desires for us. May we continue to seek Him with all our hearts, and in doing so, experience the fullness of His love and grace.

Friday, September 9, 2011

5 Types of Minds According to the Scriptures: How to Align Your Thoughts with God's Word


The power of belief in shaping our lives is a fundamental truth, as our thoughts and beliefs ultimately manifest in our reality. Proverbs 23:7 states, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Understanding the nature of the mind is crucial in understanding the role it plays in shaping our lives.

According to the Bible, the mind can be classified into five different categories based on its characteristics.

The first category is the idle mind. Proverbs 19:15 states, "Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger." An idle mind is one that is not engaged in productive thinking, which allows for negative influences to take hold. God desires for our minds to be engaged in positive and uplifting thoughts, as stated in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

The second category is the carnal mind. This type of mind is focused on the physical and material world, and is ruled by the five senses. However, Romans 8:5-8 warns that a focus on the natural will result in death, and that the carnal mind can only be renewed by the word of God. Every act of sin begins with a thought, as stated in Isaiah 59:7 and Matthew 15:19.

The third category is the double-minded mind. This is an unstable mind that is constantly changing due to external circumstances. James 1:8 states, "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." It is important to focus on God and engage our minds in positive thoughts.

The fourth category is the blinded mind. This type of mind is shrouded in darkness, with no access to the word of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 states, "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of Christ, who is the image of God." A believer's mind can become blinded through offenses and a lack of forgiveness.

The final category is the mind of Christ. New life is infused into our minds at redemption, and it is our duty to think like Christ. Romans 8:28-29 states, "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. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Our thoughts must conform to the thoughts of Christ in order to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Transforming Your Mind: A Journey of Metamorphosis Through Worship and the Word of God

We often hear the term "transformation" thrown around, and it can be easy to think of it as a quick and instantaneous process. However, true transformation is more akin to metamorphosis - a gradual and ongoing process of change. This process is not something that can be rushed, but rather it takes time through worship and the consistent intake of the word of God.

In order for any life to truly be transformed, it must undergo some measure of change. Until our minds are renewed, we will remain conformed to the patterns and limitations of the world around us. But, as Romans 12:1-2 reminds us, "Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of GOD’S mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to GOD-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

The power to transform our lives lies in the word of God and the consistent meditation on it. When we engage in this practice, we begin to see life from God's perspective rather than the limited view of the world. As Revelation 3:20 says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." The Lord is knocking at the door of our minds, waiting for us to open it and allow Him access to our spirits.

The key to opening this door is found in Psalms 119:30, "I have chosen the way of truth, I have set my heart on your laws." It is through meditating on the word of God that we open the door to our minds and allow transformation to occur. This is a process that requires agreement with the word of God and a commitment to consistently engaging with it.

We hope this blog has been enlightening and encouraging on your journey of mind transformation. Remember, change is a gradual process, but with the help of the Lord and a commitment to His word, true transformation is possible.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

10 Communicator Keys to Elevate Your Message and Make an Impact

Effective communication is crucial for any speaker, whether it be in a professional setting or while preaching. Here are 10 communicator keys that can help make an impact in your communication and preaching:

  1. Believe in what you say: The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire. If you can't get excited about a subject, don't speak on it.

  2. Believe that people can change: Great communicators expect their message to change lives.

  3. Live what you say: Credibility is key. If you don't live it, your audience won't either.

  4. Know when to say it: Observe people's reactions to your message and ask for a response when they are receptive.

  5. Know how to say it: Use creativity to make the message interesting and memorable. Avoid predictability.

  6. Know why to say it: Develop an action-oriented thesis and ask your audience to apply what they've learned.

  7. Have fun saying it: Don't take yourself too seriously. Relax and show that you enjoy communicating your message.

  8. Show it as you say it: Use body language, hand gestures, descriptive language and word pictures to bring life to your message.

  9. Say it so people can own it: Make the message applicable to the audience.

  10. Say it so people will do it: Make sure the audience understands the benefits of acting, how to act and is capable of acting on the message.

By following these guidelines, you can increase your impact and effectiveness in your communication and preaching. Remember to believe in your message, make it applicable to your audience, and give them the tools they need to take action on it.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Discover the Transformative Power of Salvation through Faith in Jesus Christ

The message of salvation is at the heart of Christianity, and it is a message that is truly life-changing. In the Bible, we see that God sent His son Jesus to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, so that we can be made right with Him. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, we have the opportunity to be born again as sons and daughters of God, and to live our lives in righteousness.

John 1, Hebrews 2, and 1 John 3 all talk about the Son of God becoming the Son of Man, so that we can be born as sons of God. In a sense, we change places with Jesus - He takes our place in death, so that we can take our place with Him in life. This is the message of salvation that is offered to us through the grace of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says that Jesus takes our sins so completely that we "become the righteousness of God." This is a powerful statement that speaks to the transformative nature of salvation. Through faith in Jesus, we are made holy and perfect forever. Hebrews 10:10 and 14 also reinforce this message, stating that we have been made holy through the sacrifice of Jesus' body, and that He has made us perfect forever through one sacrifice.

However, this message of salvation is not about us being at the center of our religion. It is not about depending on ourselves and our own works to please God. In fact, when we do this, our sins and pride make us the target of God's anger. As Jeremiah 17:5 states, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man." The key to salvation is stepping away from this curse by depending on the grace of Christ. We must let Him into the center of our lives, and trust in His sacrifice to save us.

Titus 3:4-5 states, "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." This passage reminds us that our salvation is not based on our own efforts or works, but on the mercy and love of God. It is through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit that we are saved.

In conclusion, the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is truly life-changing. It offers us the opportunity to be born again as sons and daughters of God, to live in righteousness and to be made holy and perfect forever. It is not about us, but about trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus and depending on His grace to save us. Let us embrace this message and let Jesus into the center of our lives.

Mastering the Art of Trusting God: Navigating Life's Challenges with Patience and Grace

Are you tired of waiting for things to happen in your life? Do you find yourself constantly asking, "When, God, when?" Trusting in...