"He
has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of
you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
There are many more
Scriptures that answer the question: Exodus 22:21-23, Deuteronomy
15:1-11; 24:18-20, Psalm 10:17-18; 82:3-4, Proverbs 14:31; 23:10-11,
Isaiah 10:1-3; 58:6-11, Zechariah 7:9-10, Matthew 25:31-46, Luke
12:32-34, Acts 2:42-47.
We
are called to be light in this dark world....to help the poor...to
defend the defenseless...to be a voice for the voiceless...to be
artisans of hope to the hopeless...to share with those in need...to make
a difference in the world. There are so many social issues such as
poverty, starvation, lack of clean drinking water, injustice, oppression, diseases, abortion, human trafficking, and orphans. We are to actively demonstrate Christ's love to all people. We
must put our love into action. God wants us to use our time, talents,
and treasure to help the hurting world for His glory and for His
kingdom. Here's a good related article: http://www.gotquestions.org/social-justice.html.
God of Justice
God of Justice, Savior to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served
Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
We must go...live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go
To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in every way
Walking humbly before You God
You have shown us what You require
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out, Lord
This post is linked up with Faithful Friday @SimplyHelpingHim, Fellowship Fridays @Christian Mommy Blogger, Faith-filled Friday @Missional Women, Freedom Fridays @My Turn for Us, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, "Hear It, Use It", The Weekend Brew @My Freshly Brewed Life, and Inspire Me Monday @Create With Joy.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Friday's Fave Five #88
My Fave Five this week:
1. I'm very thankful for Skype! We do Skype with our daughter who's in college at least once a week. It's so good to see her and chat with her.
2. A life well lived, indeed! Soli Deo Gloria!
Chuck Smith & Greg Laurie A Final Conversation from Calvary Chapel on Vimeo.
3. Check out this great article on marriage. Don't believe the lies! Your marriage is at stake if you do.
4. Even if you're not a football fan or Seahawks fan, please still watch this video and help spread the word. Soli Deo Gloria!
5. "The Gospel alone liberates us to live a life of scandalous generosity, unrestrained sacrifice, uncommon valor, and unbounded courage." ~Tullian Tchividjian (from his book, One Way Love)
You can read my review and enter to win a copy of One Way Love by Tullian Tchividjian at http://fivesavedbygrace.blogspot.com/2013/10/book-review-one-way-love-by-tullian.html . Ends 10/31
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Caleb: Convictions Count
Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan. He represented the tribe of Judah. When the spies returned, they, except Joshua and Caleb, gave a bad report about the land because they were afraid of the people ("of great size") they saw there. "Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, 'We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Numbers 13:30) "Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, 'The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.'" (Numbers 14:6-9) Well, the Israelites weren't convinced (actually, they even talked about stoning Joshua and Caleb!) Because of the Israelites' unbelief, unfaithfulness, and disobedience, God made them wander through the wilderness for 40 years. "For forty years--one year for each of the forty days you explored the land--you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have Me against you." (Numbers 14:34)
"But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it." (Numbers 14:24)
"No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly." (Deuteronomy 1:35-36)
Caleb definitely lived up to his name. The name Caleb in Hebrew ("Colev") means wholehearted, faithful, devotion. He followed and trusted God wholeheartedly. Caleb saw God's promises (that He made to Abraham 400 years earlier) while other spies saw giants. Caleb stepped up with faith while other spies backed out with fear. He did not fall under peer pressure or follow the crowd because he followed the Almighty God wholeheartedly. "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly." (Joshua 14:7-8) He stood firm in his convictions because he followed the one true God wholeheartedly. In fact, Caleb was mentioned in Joshua chapter 14 three times as one who followed the Lord wholeheartedly. That's what God wants from His children: to love, trust, follow, and serve Him wholeheartedly (with full, complete, undivided devotion). Poor Caleb had to wander through the wilderness for 40 years along with his generation who failed to trust the Lord. And then he waited another 5 years before he could receive the inheritance God had promised (Joshua 14:10). In spite of all the waiting (can you imagine waiting 45 years for something that's promised to be yours?!), Caleb continued to be steadfast in his faith and fix his eyes on God's promises. God not only sustained him but also strengthened him throughout those years. "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out (at 40); I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then." (Joshua 14:10b-11) How many people could say that :)?
Don't let fear keep you from God's blessings. Stand out from the crowd; stand up for what you believe in! Stand on God's promises. Speak the truth in love boldly. Live with conviction and with no compromise. Follow God wholeheartedly and He will give you faith, courage, confidence, strength, stamina, vigor, patience, and perseverance.
This post is linked up with Faithful Friday @SimplyHelpingHim, Fellowship Fridays @Christian Mommy Blogger, Faith-filled Friday @Missional Women, Freedom Fridays @My Turn for Us, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, "Hear It, Use It", The Weekend Brew @My Freshly Brewed Life, and Inspire Me Monday @Create With Joy.
"But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it." (Numbers 14:24)
"No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly." (Deuteronomy 1:35-36)
Caleb definitely lived up to his name. The name Caleb in Hebrew ("Colev") means wholehearted, faithful, devotion. He followed and trusted God wholeheartedly. Caleb saw God's promises (that He made to Abraham 400 years earlier) while other spies saw giants. Caleb stepped up with faith while other spies backed out with fear. He did not fall under peer pressure or follow the crowd because he followed the Almighty God wholeheartedly. "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly." (Joshua 14:7-8) He stood firm in his convictions because he followed the one true God wholeheartedly. In fact, Caleb was mentioned in Joshua chapter 14 three times as one who followed the Lord wholeheartedly. That's what God wants from His children: to love, trust, follow, and serve Him wholeheartedly (with full, complete, undivided devotion). Poor Caleb had to wander through the wilderness for 40 years along with his generation who failed to trust the Lord. And then he waited another 5 years before he could receive the inheritance God had promised (Joshua 14:10). In spite of all the waiting (can you imagine waiting 45 years for something that's promised to be yours?!), Caleb continued to be steadfast in his faith and fix his eyes on God's promises. God not only sustained him but also strengthened him throughout those years. "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out (at 40); I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then." (Joshua 14:10b-11) How many people could say that :)?
Don't let fear keep you from God's blessings. Stand out from the crowd; stand up for what you believe in! Stand on God's promises. Speak the truth in love boldly. Live with conviction and with no compromise. Follow God wholeheartedly and He will give you faith, courage, confidence, strength, stamina, vigor, patience, and perseverance.
This post is linked up with Faithful Friday @SimplyHelpingHim, Fellowship Fridays @Christian Mommy Blogger, Faith-filled Friday @Missional Women, Freedom Fridays @My Turn for Us, Spiritual Sundays, Sharing His Beauty @The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates with God at The Wellspring, "Hear It, Use It", The Weekend Brew @My Freshly Brewed Life, and Inspire Me Monday @Create With Joy.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Friday's Fave Five #87
My Fave Five this week:
1. I found this powerful video on Facebook and I'd like to share it here. I hope it will encourage you. Our identity, worth, and value are not defined by what we can accomplish but by what Jesus Christ accomplished for us!
2. Free Kindle Edition of The Daily Walk Bible NLT: 31 Days with Jesus (at the time of this posting)
3. Find out what some of the key factors for a healthy & lasting marriage are in this article! You'll be touched by the video of a 96 year old man who wrote a love song for his wife (married for 73 years) who just passed away a month earlier.
4. I like this quote: "A low view of law always produces legalism; a high view of law makes a person a seeker after grace." (~J. Gresham Machen) I found it in the book I'm reading, "One Way Love" by Tullian Tchividjian
5. My cup overflows! This mom's heart overflows with gratitude to God. What a joy it is to see my kids burst with passion for and delight in God and His Word! This weekend, we'll be celebrating a double birthday party. Yesterday, Josiah turned 15 and today, Isaiah turns 12. I'm so thankful that God has molded both of them to be young men after His own heart.
video
recently of a 96 year old man named Fred who entered a songwriting
contest. Fred had been married to his wife Lorraine for 73 years, and
although she had passed away a month earlier, he wanted to honor her
memory by writing her a song. - See more at:
http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/09/making-love-last/#sthash.mVat7UJX.6qrBOR3B.dpuf
video
recently of a 96 year old man named Fred who entered a songwriting
contest. Fred had been married to his wife Lorraine for 73 years, and
although she had passed away a month earlier, he wanted to honor her
memory by writing her a song. - See more at:
http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/09/making-love-last/#sthash.mVat7UJX.6qrBOR3B.dpuf
video
recently of a 96 year old man named Fred who entered a songwriting
contest. Fred had been married to his wife Lorraine for 73 years, and
although she had passed away a month earlier, he wanted to honor her
memory by writing her a song. - See more at:
http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/09/making-love-last/#sthash.mVat7UJX.6qrBOR3B.dpuf
video
recently of a 96 year old man named Fred who entered a songwriting
contest. Fred had been married to his wife Lorraine for 73 years, and
although she had passed away a month earlier, he wanted to honor her
memory by writing her a song. - See more at:
http://www.startmarriageright.com/2013/09/making-love-last/#sthash.mVat7UJX.6qrBOR3B.dpuf