Dazzle Me

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all. 

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This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians. 

See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy andintellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah). Colossians 2:8 (AMP)

Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. (Col 2:8 MSG). 

Again Paul warns the believers to not be caught up with what men are saying (see, Col 2:4). I like how the Message translated it: "dazzle you with big words." This is ever so present in our World today. Men are saying that the "Bible needs to be re-written because times have changed." Men changing the text of the Bible or ignoring parts of the Bible, because it doesn't fit their ideas. 

On the surface ideas may sound good. But remember, it's not about what SOUNDS GOOD, it's about GOD'S TRUTH. And no matter how much "times change" or how much we "like what we hear"—the fact remains that God does not change and He is the standard by which Truth is determined—for HE is TRUTH. 

It's easy to justify sin and actions by ignoring the Truth and "re-writing" the Truth so that it fits a specific agenda. However, disregarding the Truth does not change the fact the Truth remains! There are consequences for ignoring the Truth. There are consequences for sin. 

How do I know what is Truth and what just "sounds good"? Study God's Word—all of it, not just a verse you find that you can "make fit" your idea. Compare Scripture with Scripture. Learn. Ask God to teach you and show you His Truth as you study HIS WORD. 

If I want to guard against believing those who dazzle me with good sounding words, I must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG). 

Agenda

Heard a few great messages this morning. One got me thinking. 

When Jesus Christ was here on earth, He was often challenged about what He was doing or not doing. The people had preconceived ideas and agendas as to how God would create His kingdom. When Jesus didn't fit their agenda, instead of changing and reevaluating their thoughts and actions, they wanted Jesus to change. 

How many times do I miss what God wants to accomplish in my life and through me... because I have created MY agenda based on my preconceived ideas as to what I think God wants? 

If God starts working in ways that I don't understand or are contrary to what I THINK should be happening, instead of challenging God, I need to change my agenda and ideas to match God's.

A good source for solid Bible teaching: http://www.calvarygreenville.org

Purging

I'm in the middle of a huge project. My apartment will be remodeled the beginning of May. That means I have to move out for a few days. Since I have to pack everything for the move, I'm trying to get rid of half of everything I own. Why half? Several reasons. 1. I simply have too much stuff. 2. It will be cheaper and easier to move with less. 3. It's time to get rid of stuff I haven't used for years! 4. I to start fresh in a "new" apartment... without all the old stuff. 

Of course, there are somethings which I will keep, no matter the age. But it sure feels good to purge. It's amazing how much stuff I've accumulated in 16 years! Yes, I've been in this apartment for 16 years. Perhaps that explains why I have so much......stuff. 

All this physical purging makes me think of my spiritual life. Do I need to purge my spiritual life too? Do I have preconceived ideas of God or how He works? Do I have "stuff" which doesn't fit into God's plan? Do I fill my life with 'religious' stuff, rather than God's truth? 

Just as I had to be motivated to purge my apartment, sometimes, God creates situations to make us purge our spiritual lives. I look back to when I first injured my back...I was doing okay spiritually....but God knew I needed to "clean house". I had some ideas of how God would work, or could work—and my views put limits on God. Of course, if you had said I "limited God", I would have thought you were crazy. God can not be limited....yet, I was doing just that. God has taught me to re-evaluate my beliefs and search for the truth about God.

Sometimes, we think of purging as a punishment. But it's not. It's simply getting rid of the 'old' to allow room for the 'new'. I don't feel deprived because I getting rid of stuff, rather it is very freeing and refreshing. 

Throughout Scripture, many had to be taught truths about God. Job had to do a great deal of searching to find the truth about God. He couldn't rely on his "friends" to teach him the truth, because they had preconceived ideas about God.  Job had to look to God to learn the truth. In the New Testament, Paul spends a great deal of time teaching Christians to look at God's truth, rather than the 'religion's rules' the people had known all their lives. 

As I continue to purge my apartment, I want to continue purging my spiritual life as well. I don't want to hold on to old beliefs if they aren't truth. The only way for me to know if what I believe is truth or just "ideas" is to search the Scriptures. I'm excited to see what new and exciting truths I learn about God as I purge. 

It's exciting to purge and start new. That is one thing I love about each day. No matter what day I created the day before.... I have a new slate to create a positive day. And when I create a positive day, it's a great building block for the next day.