Recently another song inspired me. This time it was When the Boys Light Up By the Newsboys. It says "We ain't nothin but the conduites, He's got the power he'll flip the switch." And I got to thinking how often are we trying to control to control the power when we aren't the one's with the power in the first place. God is.
Job 37: 15 5 Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?
And I realized that there are many times that we try and take the clouds (the situation) and try to control the lightning (the action/ outcome). But if we have the clouds then God can't. We have to fully give God control and accept the lighting.
We should however practice controlling our own selves. Self-control is mentioned numerous times in the bible. For example...
Galatians 5: 22 &23- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
So along with all the other characteristics we've been taught growing up self-control is mentioned as well. Websters defines self-control as restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires. This is something that is up to us to control. E.G. We can't say "I'm sorry for throwing that 5 pound weight at you, I guess God controlled me to." We as humans know right from wrong. And we need to control our own switch.
With self-control will come "battles". These battles will vary depending on who you are. Some people will have to over come there habits of being hot headed, lusting, cussing, using drugs, other forms of sin, and so on.
More than likely the things you'll be battling will be addictions. (Yes getting mad over stupid things can in some cases classify as an addiction). And addictions can't be concurred alone. It takes a minimum of 3 people. they are you, a friend, youth leader, pastor, parent, so on (make sure they'll hold you accountable), and God. With out these three you will not succeed.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Grace (part 1)
I don't know how many of us have really stopped to think about Gods Grace and just what exactly the definition of it is. I know that I just started to ponder the subject a little less than a week ago. But I use the term grace period to help me understand.
In my bible the definition of grace is the undeserved love and salvation God gives. I think that's AMAZING! I mean think about it. It's like getting gum from somebody in class, But like a cabillion-trillion-infinite times better! I mean I get excited just getting some Juicy Fruit. But I'm over joyed that my God loves me, even though he doesn't need too. But even futher more, he sent his son to die for us! He DIED for us! So that our sins may be forgiven and we may rejoice in heaven! That's ridiculous.
Ephesians 2:4-5: 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Isn't that awesome? God basically brought us back to life. And if you are reading this you weren't even alive yet, but you were still as good as dead. That is, until Jesus died with you in mine. With (insert your name here) in mind.
Romans 5: 20-21: 20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isn't it amazing how grace just beats out everything? I mean, sin is a powerful controller. But Grace is the mightier! All that I can really think is praise God to the highest!
To be continued...
God Bless,
Tyler Sipes
In my bible the definition of grace is the undeserved love and salvation God gives. I think that's AMAZING! I mean think about it. It's like getting gum from somebody in class, But like a cabillion-trillion-infinite times better! I mean I get excited just getting some Juicy Fruit. But I'm over joyed that my God loves me, even though he doesn't need too. But even futher more, he sent his son to die for us! He DIED for us! So that our sins may be forgiven and we may rejoice in heaven! That's ridiculous.
Ephesians 2:4-5: 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Isn't that awesome? God basically brought us back to life. And if you are reading this you weren't even alive yet, but you were still as good as dead. That is, until Jesus died with you in mine. With (insert your name here) in mind.
Romans 5: 20-21: 20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Isn't it amazing how grace just beats out everything? I mean, sin is a powerful controller. But Grace is the mightier! All that I can really think is praise God to the highest!
To be continued...
God Bless,
Tyler Sipes
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Lisening to the Silence
Are you ever not doing something? I know my life is usually jam packed and if it's not then I make sure that it is. This day in age is a busy one. We are always checking our phones, facebook, email, watching TV, listening to the radio, jamming to your iPod. We are constantly partaking in something.
But how often do we really stop and listen to the silence? So often we are making sure that we do everything we can so we can make sure we miss out on as little as possible. But when we do that we are actually missing out on so much more than if we hadn't done them at all. I mean... when you are so busy listening to the world, how can you listen to God?
Back at Camp Challenge I realized I needed to emphasize more on praying. Something, at that time, I hadn't done much of. So one morning I woke 2 hours early and couldn't go back to sleep so I figured well I'll just go get my shower and get it out of the way, come back and go to sleep. So I treeded the long sloped walk of the East Hill, got my shower and came back. But I still couldn't sleep. So I realized God was saying "You've been thinking about prayer for a reason now go do it." So I went to the farthest corner of the front forty, the feild closest to the camp. And as i got closer i noticed there was a cross were I had decided I'd go pray. So I went kneeled at the cross and prayed. But it had rained the night before so it was all muddy, it was a long walk, and i just didn't feel this was the place for me.
Later that day I had some free time and had heard about an ampa theatre in the middle of the camp. I noticed a trail leading into the woods behind the pulpit. And I like hiking so I followed it. It lead to the creek that runs through the camp and there was a large slate bed breaking the water, so I sat on it. I had found my place to pray. It was so sereene. while you could still hear the camp it, itself was so quite. Her I heard the Lord. All I got from it was "you will find your calling here". And as I've said, I was later lead to go into youth ministries.
So stop to listen to the silence. I know that if you stop figiting, and paying attention to the now, the things going on around you, your friends. Then you will hear the voice of God. Now shut off this computer, and go to the silence. Your place of rest. And take time to listen.
But how often do we really stop and listen to the silence? So often we are making sure that we do everything we can so we can make sure we miss out on as little as possible. But when we do that we are actually missing out on so much more than if we hadn't done them at all. I mean... when you are so busy listening to the world, how can you listen to God?
Back at Camp Challenge I realized I needed to emphasize more on praying. Something, at that time, I hadn't done much of. So one morning I woke 2 hours early and couldn't go back to sleep so I figured well I'll just go get my shower and get it out of the way, come back and go to sleep. So I treeded the long sloped walk of the East Hill, got my shower and came back. But I still couldn't sleep. So I realized God was saying "You've been thinking about prayer for a reason now go do it." So I went to the farthest corner of the front forty, the feild closest to the camp. And as i got closer i noticed there was a cross were I had decided I'd go pray. So I went kneeled at the cross and prayed. But it had rained the night before so it was all muddy, it was a long walk, and i just didn't feel this was the place for me.
Later that day I had some free time and had heard about an ampa theatre in the middle of the camp. I noticed a trail leading into the woods behind the pulpit. And I like hiking so I followed it. It lead to the creek that runs through the camp and there was a large slate bed breaking the water, so I sat on it. I had found my place to pray. It was so sereene. while you could still hear the camp it, itself was so quite. Her I heard the Lord. All I got from it was "you will find your calling here". And as I've said, I was later lead to go into youth ministries.
So stop to listen to the silence. I know that if you stop figiting, and paying attention to the now, the things going on around you, your friends. Then you will hear the voice of God. Now shut off this computer, and go to the silence. Your place of rest. And take time to listen.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Romans 12: 1-2 (Part 1)
"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 patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 1-2
What this is basically saying to me is that you shouldn't judge how your life will go as a christian until you start living as a christian.
For example, it's kinda like saying that a certain kinda food tastes gross when you haven't even tried it yet. Get a taste of God before you judge what life would be like with him. I know for me it's pretty sweet.
What's your take on all of this?
What this is basically saying to me is that you shouldn't judge how your life will go as a christian until you start living as a christian.
For example, it's kinda like saying that a certain kinda food tastes gross when you haven't even tried it yet. Get a taste of God before you judge what life would be like with him. I know for me it's pretty sweet.
What's your take on all of this?
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