Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Is Our Heart at Peace with God?

Guard your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

What is in your heart? Is your heart at peace with God? Don't you know that our heart is like soil? It soaks up whatever has been planted into it. Are we guarding our hearts? Is our heart at peace with God? I'm pretty sure we know what that means. We've had situations where there was tension between you and someone else. We can recognize that tension or bad vibe. Do you recognize that same vibe between you and God?
Guarding our hearts: there are 3 gateways to our heart, the eyes, ears and mouth. There is also another gateway, the company that we keep.
Eyes: we should be aware of what we set before our eyes. When we see certain things we start to have a desire for it or begin to act upon it (Psalm 101 verse 3)
Ears: what are we listening to that is being planted into our hearts? Could it be the music, gossip, lies, cursing, etc. I'm pretty sure we know music can be influential. Music sets the atmosphere, right? Who wants to hear Gucci when it's time to make love :) What you hear changes how you feel. You ever had someone talk negatively to you about another person and it changed your feelings toward that person and they haven't even done anything to you. don't lie.
Mouth: the words that come out of our mouths can be a dangerous thing. The tongue is small but dangerous (James 3 verses 6, 9-10) What we hear others say can be dangerous too. Have you ever hung around someone and they kept cursing and eventually you began cursing. because we didn't turn away from it. we allowed it to soak in.
Company we keep: I don't care what you say, we know that we can allow others to influence us. It can be a good influence or a bad influence that depends on the person. People can change you. It could be a friend, family member, spouse, mate, co-worker, etc. Who is influencing you?

What is it or who is causing our hearts not to be at peace with God. What are those issues of life that is coming out of your heart? Is it evil thoughts, fornication, greed, pride, wickedness, etc? (Mark 7 verse 20-23) Don't blame your issues on satan. Look into your heart.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Before I Leave Here: Preparing for Death

Many of us do not like to talk about death or here others speak of it. I'm sure there may be times when we hear our love ones talk about dying we may say "don't talk like that." I know that I am guilty of making that statement. Why? Why do we not want or like to hear others talk about death. Many of us make the statement "we gone leave this earth one day." So why not prepare yourselves or others for that day? I admit I don't like to talk about dying. I don't like to hear my parents or grandparents talk about it. Am I afraid of dying? I'm not going to lie, yes I am afraid. I am not afraid of my destination because I am saved, but I am afraid because I do not want to leave my loved ones behind. There are things i want to experience and see before I leave this earth. But I do know that is not my call.
The topic of death may not be an amusing conversation but it is important. Even Jesus spoke of his death with his disciples. They (disciples) didn't like to hear Him speak of it, but yet Jesus prepared them. (Matt. 17verse 22-23) We have to do better at being prepared as well as preparing our loved one. I believe the first preparation is salvation. I pray that souls will be saved. But even for those who are saved, it doesn't just end there. How many of us have a will? I know I don't. How many of us have already made our funeral arrangement? Most importantly, how many of us have life insurance? Wow! I better get busy. Thank God that I am still here, me and my daughter.
So, if I am not prepared for death then why am I speaking of it? One reason is my lack of knowledge on death preparation. Also, my grandmother has been talking a lot about her death. Her burial plots and making sure that everything is in order. It bothered me at first to hear her talk like this, but I come to understand that she is doing what she's suppose to do. She is prepared and she's preparing her family. I understood even more once i read the scripture mentioned above. I've witnessed family members struggle to give their loved ones a proper burial. And, I know we have seen families fuss and fight over "unfinished business" their loved ones might have left behind or did not specify before leaving here. Jesus prepared His disciples for His death. The difference is Jesus knew when His time was approaching. We don't know.

Below are different links that can provide us with helpful information on preparing for death.


http://www.ehow.com/how_8711519_prepare-death.html
http://wills-probate.lawyers.com/wills-probate/Preparing-a-Will.htmlhttp://www.funeralresources.com/funeral-guides/choosing-a-funeral-home-guide/
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2010:9&version=NKJV