Faith – What does it mean and how do we get it? – Part 1

Faith – What does it mean and how do we get it? – Part 1

The very idea of faith is universal. There is no one religion or institution here on earth that can control the idea of faith. And you either have it or you do not. It is not forced upon a person and it cannot be taken away without a mighty struggle. But in the end it may be one of the most powerful tools we have as believers in our struggles with our daily lives here on earth and with the rest of humanity in our relationships with each other and our Almighty Creator. This week we will talk about the topic of faith, using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

There have been many times in my life where I have taken a step out of my “comfort zone” without completely knowing the consequences of my actions. And I will admit I still make these same choices daily in my life now. I am not always confident about the outcome, but so far “Life” has been good to me. The Bible defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1). The very definition of faith is; trust, confidence, belief, firmness, steadiness or fidelity. Faith is believing, trusting or having confidence in something we cannot see or something that we desire that has not yet taken place.

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Idolatry, Covetousness and Thievery – What do these three have in common and how do they affect us here on earth? – Part 5

Idolatry, Covetousness and Thievery – What do these three have in common and how do they affect us here on earth? – Part 5

The discussion of any one of these topics would be easy enough to tackle. But when you put them altogether they tell a bigger story of how a person can fall on their walk here on earth. I am guilty of all three of these sins at one level and time in my life here on earth. The cycle of living in these sins can be constant and lifelong, but the key is to get out of the cycle of these sins in order to better enjoy your life here on earth! In John 10:10 the Bible says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This week we will talk about these subjects using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Last, Triumphantly Jesus came to restore, not only the Israelites relationship, but the entire world’s relationship with God (John 3:16)! This is in my opinion the greatest time in human history that has taken place so far. A short time period in the grand scheme of things, but the most important in our struggle with our human nature and finding the answers to life’s greatest questions. Is there life after death? Where do we come from? etc… The point is that we have a God who has restored our broken relationship with Him, through Jesus Christ. We no longer need to be concerned with the things here on earth as our final purpose, because the Kingdom of God and Eternal life, through faith in Christ is the answer (Matthew 6:33)!

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Idolatry, Covetousness and Thievery – What do these three have in common and how do they affect us here on earth? – Part 4

Idolatry, Covetousness and Thievery – What do these three have in common and how do they affect us here on earth? – Part 4

The discussion of any one of these topics would be easy enough to tackle. But when you put them altogether they tell a bigger story of how a person can fall on their walk here on earth. I am guilty of all three of these sins at one level and time in my life here on earth. The cycle of living in these sins can be constant and lifelong, but the key is to get out of the cycle of these sins in order to better enjoy your life here on earth! In John 10:10 the Bible says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This week we will talk about these subjects using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Idolatry or at least the Egyptian ideologies were one reason why the Israelites had to spend 40 years in the wilderness. It was a form of cleansing their minds and quite literally a generation from the customs they followed in Egypt in order to prepare them to enter the “Promised Land”. Not even Moses the man who led the Israelites during this time entered the “Promise Land”. Of course, as is human nature, after sometime in the Promised Land, the Northern Tribes of Israel fell back into their own “style” of worship (Idolatry) and for that reason they went into captivity. This seems to be the theme of humanity throughout history, listen to God, disobey, fall out of His grace, forgiveness and mercy and on it goes.

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Idolatry, Covetousness and Thievery – What do these three have in common and how do they affect us here on earth? – Part 3

Idolatry, Covetousness and Thievery – What do these three have in common and how do they affect us here on earth? – Part 3

The discussion of any one of these topics would be easy enough to tackle. But when you put them altogether they tell a bigger story of how a person can fall on their walk here on earth. I am guilty of all three of these sins at one level and time in my life here on earth. The cycle of living in these sins can be constant and lifelong, but the key is to get out of the cycle of these sins in order to better enjoy your life here on earth! In John 10:10 the Bible says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This week we will talk about these subjects using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

In this world of unending things, it is hard not to see something that is not our own and not desire it. Marketing, although likely not a new concept has changed and can be a major influence in our lives if we let it be. That is why daily we ought to consider the ideas, thoughts and conversations we partake in. Are we coveting? Are we idolizing? Or do we just want a better life for ourselves and our loved ones around us? Simply put, the Bible says “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2). Although in a physical sense we need food, water and shelter to survive. The miracles in the Bible would suggest otherwise! Jesus said “…but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Idolatry, Covetousness and Thievery – What do these three have in common and how do they affect us here on earth? – Part 2

Idolatry, Covetousness and Thievery – What do these three have in common and how do they affect us here on earth? – Part 2

The discussion of any one of these topics would be easy enough to tackle. But when you put them altogether they tell a bigger story of how a person can fall on their walk here on earth. I am guilty of all three of these sins at one level and time in my life here on earth. The cycle of living in these sins can be constant and lifelong, but the key is to get out of the cycle of these sins in order to better enjoy your life here on earth! In John 10:10 the Bible says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This week we will talk about these subjects using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Next, Commandments 8 and 10 talk about stealing and covetousness, respectively. Commandment 8: “Thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus 20:15). And Commandment 10: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” (Exodus 20:17). Coveting especially had been a problem for me in the past. I had to repent of many covetous thoughts I had had, especially because of all of the wonderful things that currently exist in this world, which I desired for my own. This is where I fell into the trap of sin as a young child. I wanted things, which were not mine!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Idolatry, Covetousness and Thievery – What do these three have in common and how do they affect us here on earth? – Part 1

Idolatry, Covetousness and Thievery – What do these three have in common and how do they affect us here on earth? – Part 1

The discussion of any one of these topics would be easy enough to tackle. But when you put them altogether they tell a bigger story of how a person can fall on their walk here on earth. I am guilty of all three of these sins at one level and time in my life here on earth. The cycle of living in these sins can be constant and lifelong, but the key is to get out of the cycle of these sins in order to better enjoy your life here on earth! In John 10:10 the Bible says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This week we will talk about these subjects using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

First, after the Exodus of Israel from their 400 years of slavery in Egypt, God gave Moses the 10 Commandments as a list of responsibilities they were to keep in order to stay in their covenant relationship with God. The Second of which was this: “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Men, Women and our self-esteem – Part 4

Men, Women and our self-esteem – Part 4

The concept of self-consciousness is as old as human history itself. If you believe it, it all started in Eden with Adam and Eve. They had no shame at all as they were created naked, but as soon as they chose to disobey God they no longer had, no shame. They knew that they were naked and they hid themselves from Him. There is nothing new under the sun, and the same seems to be the case today. Of course we are already born into this world with all of its conventions, traditions and opinions on how to conform to “norms”, but how does this all affect our minds and how we live? This week we will talk about the issue of self-esteem using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

In the New Testament, Jesus spoke many times about laying down our lives for our friends (John 15:13), the apostles spoke of “dying to our old selves” (Romans 6:6) and it was even mentioned that some “loved not their lives unto death” (Rev. 12:11). This could bring a person to tears if not put in the correct context, but the point is, our physical bodies are only here for a time, but the spiritual portion of the body, our spirit or soul, is what connects with God, through the Holy Spirit. So although we ought not to love our bodies in a carnal sense, I believe we should let God love our souls and bodies as temples of God and we should do the same (1 Corinthians 6:19). As the Bible suggests, “keep yourself unstained from the world” (James 1:27). The key is to work on your mind and your spirit in relationship with God, through Christ and your true, godly character will shine in this world! And if you are going to love yourself, do it for God’s sake not the world’s!

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Men, Women and our self-esteem – Part 3

Men, Women and our self-esteem – Part 3

The concept of self-consciousness is as old as human history itself. If you believe it, it all started in Eden with Adam and Eve. They had no shame at all as they were created naked, but as soon as they chose to disobey God they no longer had, no shame. They knew that they were naked and they hid themselves from Him. There is nothing new under the sun, and the same seems to be the case today. Of course we are already born into this world with all of its conventions, traditions and opinions on how to conform to “norms”, but how does this all affect our minds and how we live? This week we will talk about the issue of self-esteem using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Now for some recommendations from the Bible, Jesus said “Do not worry about the clothes you wear…is not…the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25). Just like Adam and Eve were created without clothing, we are not to put endless emphasis on the type of clothing we wear. I know as a child I would rarely wear clothing more than once a week. I was always wearing something “new”. Although I was not aware of what I was doing at the time, the necessity of not “worrying” about clothing frees up more time for other concerns. Is it any wonder that the working world and many schools have standardized uniforms in many cases? I am not sure if this was done because of “Divine inspiration” or not, but certainly it takes the “worry” out of what you have to wear during the day.

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Men, Women and our self-esteem – Part 2

Men, Women and our self-esteem – Part 2

The concept of self-consciousness is as old as human history itself. If you believe it, it all started in Eden with Adam and Eve. They had no shame at all as they were created naked, but as soon as they chose to disobey God they no longer had, no shame. They knew that they were naked and they hid themselves from Him. There is nothing new under the sun, and the same seems to be the case today. Of course we are already born into this world with all of its conventions, traditions and opinions on how to conform to “norms”, but how does this all affect our minds and how we live? This week we will talk about the issue of self-esteem using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice…cont’d.

Next, the Bible is replete with rules about how we should treat our bodies. What we should do in order to portray ourselves before other people, etc. I could go on with all of the rules I may be able to find in the Bible about what to wear and what not to, but I am not sure it would really serve its purpose in this piece. We live in a society where almost anything seems to be acceptable at some level, and I would suggest that this is probably nothing new. What I have experienced and what the Bible would suggest is dress modestly for the occasion (1 Timothy 2:9). And I would say this might go for both men and women, especially in our current world. If indeed our bodies are God’s temple and we are to treat them with the respect God would desire of us, then we have to decide what is appropriate. Excess in anything including jewellery, piercings, hair do’s, make-up, etc., can be time consuming to upkeep at the least, but to each person their own.

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom

Men, Women and our self-esteem – Part 1

Men, Women and our self-esteem – Part 1

The concept of self-consciousness is as old as human history itself. If you believe it, it all started in Eden with Adam and Eve. They had no shame at all as they were created naked, but as soon as they chose to disobey God they no longer had, no shame. They knew that they were naked and they hid themselves from Him. There is nothing new under the sun, and the same seems to be the case today. Of course we are already born into this world with all of its conventions, traditions and opinions on how to conform to “norms”, but how does this all affect our minds and how we live? This week we will talk about the issue of self-esteem using the Bible as the go to reference book of choice.

It is amazing this idea of self-consciousness. I’m not sure who created the idea, but it can be an amazingly dangerous concept if not viewed properly. I will openly admit that I have been self-conscious on various levels and at different stages of my life. I have followed trends with clothing; I have died my hair and even at times resorted to “body modification”, through tattoos and self-harm. This has caused me physical pain, but has also defined me as a person at various stages in my life, so I am not completely sure how I ought to feel about it in the end. I do know one thing is for sure, God heals! If you are or have been going through some form of crises of self-image, put your faith in God, through Christ and He will deliver you from it! He loves you as you are; no ifs, ands or buts!

More to come…

Darrell

Seven Steps to Freedom