I am ------?

It's funny - I was watching a little bit of television last night and a commercial came on with five different people doing different things and they all stopped, looked at the camera and said -- "i am the oil and gas industry" ..... OK? that makes you special why?
So I didn't think much of it really - then this morning I saw a picture add on my way to work with a working mother in an apron and a great bi smile - " I am Starbucks " ..... OK? wouldn't you rather be defied be yourself? or even something better than a coffee shop? - I'm probably the only one who took notice - don't know why.
So anyways I was thinking --- How am I defining myself? How do I want define myself? How should I be defining myself?
- I know
that i should be defining myself according to God and His word in every step I take.
Get it through my brain.
I want to live for Jesus
- meaning not just the big things - but the little ones too.
What can I do for you Lord?

John 15 - 16

Chapter 15 verse 12Jesus said to love eachother as he loved us. If we even knew the depth of his love and even understood one little bit of it - we would be brought to our knees. We should want that love to flow out of ourselves all the time so that others might want what we have. I get this feeling even just thinking about it - He died for us, his human life - pretty much torture, Even though we deny him, insult, him, sin to no end - he still loves us enough. So how much more should we be willing to put up/ forgive others for the very minor things that we are offended by. So often I forget what's truly important - and let th little things get to me. Rather than being more Christ like. Again in verse 17 He commands us to love eachother - I'd say thats pretty straight forward. And I want that love to show in me. the next 9 verses go on to say how the world hates Jesus for no reason - even after all those miracles. But it also says they have no excuse. (Neither do we)
Chapter 16 --> speaks about the spirit of truth and how he will guide us into all truth - and so then if we are really seeking truth and guidance (which is related) we need to rely on the Holy Spirit and believe that he will help us and convict us of the right thing. We only have human minds and our knowledge (if you can even really call it knowlegde) only goes so far. The Holy Spirit is the one that fills us up and is our guide and conscience - in this world of no real morals.

Colossians 3

This is actually a really short chapter - but its like our job description. I guess now that I read the heading " Rules for Holy living"Just sitting here - reading the list over and over again blows me away. I fall short almost every single time. But its written so beautifully - that it makes me want to strive harder to be those qualities. Verse Two starts by saying "set your minds on things above, not earthly thing". So - when we start with step one - so to speak - we have to ask ourselves: what is truly important in my life? Honestly examine ourselves and going deeper than just surface level issues and asks - what really matters to me?Verses 9 and 10 tells us that we have taken off the old self and put on the new self. Doesn't matter who we are - because Christ is in us all which is pretty cool. So then as God's chosen people we are to 'clothe' ourselves, cover ourselves, fill ourselves with all these traits:

- compassion

- gentleness

- kindness

- patience

- humility

- forgiveness

"forgive as the Lord forgave you"Such a powerful statement - and it makes complete sense - but how often do we actually remeber when it comes down to it? we usually forget, or come up with reasons and circumstances for why we don't have to forgive." And love binds tehse together perfectly" - If I could have this love - I could make such a difference - but that's silly, because I can make a difference even if I am not perfect. It's all how you look at things and choose to do things.I have to quote this whole next section. It is so beautiful.

" Let the peace of Christ rule
Let the word of Christ dwell
Teach and Admonish one another with all wisdom
Sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude
-Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God."
So, anything I do - everything I do - is all - should be all in Jesus name -
Makes you think twice sometimes....

Ecclesiastes 3:17
"I thought in my heart
God will bring judgement
both the righteous and the wicked
for there will be a time
for every activity
a time forevery deed"

Joseph the Dreamer

March 25th 2007

- God has a plan for your life: Jerimiah 29:11

When we commit to God, he predesintes us. God doesnt play favourites - He chooses us because He needs the job done - and He knows that we are adequate to complete the task at hand.

- Even though God's ultimate plan is a good plan - He deepens our character by giving us bumps in the road. He is always at work in us.

- Sometimes you can't feel the hope because you have been hoping and praying for so long.

- Joseph made a decision totrust God - No matter what. Whethere he saw God's plan or no. It nurtured hope in the deep disappointments

- Joseph refused to give up. " God was with Joseph" Genesis 39:2 - he was faithful and obedient with what God gave him.

- God has chosen you (me) to play a unique role. Do you quit when you are hurt or dissappointed? - Quitting chisels away at your character slowly but surely.

- I want to be like Joseph. God is working behind the scenes foraging your character.

- Joseph refused to give into temptation

- When your life does not turn out the way you planned - sin will start to look really good.

1 Timothy 6:11 "Flee from immorality"

- within hours - he came from the pits into power.

- Joseph refused to care less for others, when we reach out to others we are opening networks & channels to deepen others and our own lives.

- Joesph refused to seek revenge. He realised that God takes our choices and makes them into good. God sees the whole picture.

-Surrender and God will paint the picture of our lives. He is soveriegn and in charge.

We have a choice to make

1. To be bitter and angry (which accomplishes nothing)

2. Or to believe in God's plan. Long for the Lord because as long as we are with him it is going to be ok.

If God knows my plan -- shouldn't that be good enough for me?