I just want to see if this is worthwhile. This will be "OPEN QUESTION BLOG". If you have a Biblical question you would like to ask, write it and I will try to answer if from God's word. So go ahead, ask away if you want.....
I know my first and most important job is too serve the Lord, but I also know that for my "job" job I should work hard and be a servant to my employer. Sometimes it's hard. I feel like if I'm focusing too much on my job, I'm not doing enough for the Lord or my family, but my job is very time consuming with non-stop deadlines. I don't know if this is really a question :) but it is a struggle for me.
I have a question that came up in our care group last week. Does the "kingdom of heaven" mentioned in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew refer to now, or to a future time?
You are dealing with a real struggle many have. Sometimes, because of the extent of a job is time consuming and demanding, there has to be a balance. You do your work for the Lord (Col. 3:23-25) with all your might. Then you need to apply being careful how you live and make the most of your time (Eph. 5:15-17) and reach for the will of God. God's will wants us to be honest and work hard. That means if my job demands things that go against the will of God, you must draw a line and let the Lord help work that out. Whatever you do, make your decisions accoding to His will, following His will and you will be surprised how things work out much easier and for the good of all. As opportunities come to help the Lord's cause, look for them and you will be doing more for the Lord. It's amazing how much He can help things along if we will do everything for His name sake! There is really no set answer, only doing what you do for the Lord from your heart. I hope this helps!
Hello Jeni! This is a question that arises to many because the phrase "kingdom of heaven" or "kingdom of God" is always applied to meaning the church. That's not necessarily true. Context always determines how a word is used. In the kingdom of heaven/God, Jesus rules over all. Just carefully read Col. 1:13-18 and see all mentioned in this kingdom. The church is part of it. Let's draw our attention to the word "kingdom". It literally means "rule or reign". The kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God is the 'rule' or 'reign' of God. In order to have a kingdom, there has to be a king! Jesus is the King, the Messiah, that God was installing in this 'kingdom of heaven'. Just read Psa. 2 as predicted by David. Jesus was the One ushering God's reign that He would be King over. That's why when He taught His disciples to pray, "Thy kingdom come", Jesus was preparing the mind of His disciples to believing He was the anointed of God to reign in this kingdom. His death and resurrection established His rule. Before His being taken up to heaven after His resurreciion, He said He had been given ALL authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). He is the King! Take your concordance and look up the word 'kingdom' and make some notes what Jesus teaches about this kingdom. I know this is brief but I hope it helps a little. One final thought, in the kingdom of heaven/God, there are those who are ruled with a rod and others are ruled with love. It all depends on one's relationship with the King! God bless your studies...
Ok, I have 2 questions..first..I want to share your blog with my Texas friends... but, how am I going to explain your "Billy Bob" picture?? Ha!! Just kidding!! Now, the real question... We have found the churches in this area so different from what you all are so BLESSED with in Jeff. We miss it so much and are thankful for the years we were there. I am concerned about the lack of depth in teachings though... I struggle with this, and try to not get discouraged. I feel like this is an opportunity to grow on my part and want to make sure that I am doing that. Thanks!! Lesa
Hello Lesa! I am sorry I did not get back with your question on Friday. We were out of town. Thank you for your questions. First, the pic is just me. I pray others will forgive! I'll change it in the near future. Secondly, you ask a good question that many sincere brethren have in their personal growth. It would be wonderful to have great preaching/teaching all time. It would be great to have a congregation where all could grow without any hinderance, but I am descrbing heaven! What we get side-tracked in is looking in the wrong direction. Our attention and focus is Christ Jesus. He is the one who transforms us into His glory and image (II Cor. 3:17-18). The longer we look at Jesus, the more we become like Him. That is something no person on earth can do for you. As we go through struggles on this earth, we need to fix our attention completely on Jesus and not others (Heb. 12:1-3). This is the real answer. How did Paul make it, find strength beyond himself and grow while sitting in prison as a criminal? What about those congregations in Revelation where so much corrupt and sinful things all around, yet there were those who faithful held to Jesus? It might do us good to read what Jesus said to those sincere, faithful brethren in each congregation. A congregation is not what makes a person grow or die. It's the heart set on Christ (Rom. 12:1-2). Serving others is what we need to be doing, helping them see the Christ, our Lord. I have known many, and you have too, who have had access to good teaching and surrounded by sound brethren, only to watch them die and fall away. I wonder why?
6 comments:
I know my first and most important job is too serve the Lord, but I also know that for my "job" job I should work hard and be a servant to my employer. Sometimes it's hard. I feel like if I'm focusing too much on my job, I'm not doing enough for the Lord or my family, but my job is very time consuming with non-stop deadlines. I don't know if this is really a question :) but it is a struggle for me.
I have a question that came up in our care group last week. Does the "kingdom of heaven" mentioned in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew refer to now, or to a future time?
You are dealing with a real struggle many have. Sometimes, because of the extent of a job is time consuming and demanding, there has to be a balance. You do your work for the Lord (Col. 3:23-25) with all your might. Then you need to apply being careful how you live and make the most of your time (Eph. 5:15-17) and reach for the will of God. God's will wants us to be honest and work hard. That means if my job demands things that go against the will of God, you must draw a line and let the Lord help work that out. Whatever you do, make your decisions accoding to His will, following His will and you will be surprised how things work out much easier and for the good of all. As opportunities come to help the Lord's cause, look for them and you will be doing more for the Lord. It's amazing how much He can help things along if we will do everything for His name sake! There is really no set answer, only doing what you do for the Lord from your heart. I hope this helps!
Hello Jeni! This is a question that arises to many because the phrase "kingdom of heaven" or "kingdom of God" is always applied to meaning the church. That's not necessarily true. Context always determines how a word is used. In the kingdom of heaven/God, Jesus rules over all. Just carefully read Col. 1:13-18 and see all mentioned in this kingdom. The church is part of it. Let's draw our attention to the word "kingdom". It literally means "rule or reign". The kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God is the 'rule' or 'reign' of God. In order to have a kingdom, there has to be a king! Jesus is the King, the Messiah, that God was installing in this 'kingdom of heaven'. Just read Psa. 2 as predicted by David. Jesus was the One ushering God's reign that He would be King over. That's why when He taught His disciples to pray, "Thy kingdom come", Jesus was preparing the mind of His disciples to believing He was the anointed of God to reign in this kingdom. His death and resurrection established His rule. Before His being taken up to heaven after His resurreciion, He said He had been given ALL authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). He is the King! Take your concordance and look up the word 'kingdom' and make some notes what Jesus teaches about this kingdom. I know this is brief but I hope it helps a little. One final thought, in the kingdom of heaven/God, there are those who are ruled with a rod and others are ruled with love. It all depends on one's relationship with the King! God bless your studies...
Ok, I have 2 questions..first..I want to share your blog with my Texas friends... but, how am I going to explain your "Billy Bob" picture?? Ha!! Just kidding!! Now, the real question... We have found the churches in this area so different from what you all are so BLESSED with in Jeff. We miss it so much and are thankful for the years we were there. I am concerned about the lack of depth in teachings though... I struggle with this, and try to not get discouraged. I feel like this is an opportunity to grow on my part and want to make sure that I am doing that.
Thanks!!
Lesa
Hello Lesa! I am sorry I did not get back with your question on Friday. We were out of town. Thank you for your questions.
First, the pic is just me. I pray others will forgive! I'll change it in the near future.
Secondly, you ask a good question that many sincere brethren have in their personal growth. It would be wonderful to have great preaching/teaching all time. It would be great to have a congregation where all could grow without any hinderance, but I am descrbing heaven! What we get side-tracked in is looking in the wrong direction. Our attention and focus is Christ Jesus. He is the one who transforms us into His glory and image (II Cor. 3:17-18). The longer we look at Jesus, the more we become like Him. That is something no person on earth can do for you. As we go through struggles on this earth, we need to fix our attention completely on Jesus and not others (Heb. 12:1-3). This is the real answer. How did Paul make it, find strength beyond himself and grow while sitting in prison as a criminal? What about those congregations in Revelation where so much corrupt and sinful things all around, yet there were those who faithful held to Jesus? It might do us good to read what Jesus said to those sincere, faithful brethren in each congregation. A congregation is not what makes a person grow or die. It's the heart set on Christ (Rom. 12:1-2). Serving others is what we need to be doing, helping them see the Christ, our Lord. I have known many, and you have too, who have had access to good teaching and surrounded by sound brethren, only to watch them die and fall away. I wonder why?
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