"What If"
Written by Dan Lea
What if tomorrow morning we woke
up to a different life.
I wasn't your husband and you weren't my wife.
What if I was sick and missed the day we met
what if I was stuck in drive and passed you by.
I'd be missing out on your beautiful smile
never would have found my best friend
never would have felt your love
I would be missing you.
What if tonight you weren't the last vision
I seen before closing my eyes.
What if I never got a glimpse of you
when you stole my heart.
What if I made a left turn instead of making a right.
I'd be missing out on your beautiful smile
never would have found my best friend
never would have felt your love
I would be missing you.
My kisses would fall on empty lips
never would have found what completes me
and my dreams never would have been fulfilled.
I would be missing you.
Copyright 2009
This is about my wife and just thinking about the "what ifs"
She sometimes asks me "where would I be without you?"
And I ask myself where would I be without her? So this is the
result of me just sitting and pondering these questions.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Idolizing The Faith Of Others
Years ago as a young teenage christian I always looked up to certain famous christians whether they were on tv or in music. I always wanted what they had in their faith. Being a song or lyric writer I always wanted to write the cool songs like them or be able to share what was on my heart like famous speakers from the tv. All I was was just a shadow of them I allowed their faith to shape who I was and wanted to become. Now days I realize that my faith is mine. Instead of changing my faith to be like others I allow my faith to change me. There really is a freedom in doing this. I see things in a different light than what I used to. Instead of being narrow minded and closed off I am more open minded and compassionate. Don't allow the faith of others to shape you let your faith shape you. Allow your faith to see beyond the closed door, to see beyond the horizon. If you want an example don't look to others and how successful they are but look to the author and perfecter of our faith Jesus Christ.
God created you and has a plan for you. A plan that is designed only for you and no one else. No one can fill your shoes and you can't fill others. If you try and be like some other person no matter how great their faith maybe you will never be effective in your ministry. And believe it or not we all have a ministry. I want to challenge and encourage you to find you who are in Christ, find God's plan for your life and just be YOU. You are you for a reason embrace it.
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan.
God created you and has a plan for you. A plan that is designed only for you and no one else. No one can fill your shoes and you can't fill others. If you try and be like some other person no matter how great their faith maybe you will never be effective in your ministry. And believe it or not we all have a ministry. I want to challenge and encourage you to find you who are in Christ, find God's plan for your life and just be YOU. You are you for a reason embrace it.
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Prayerful Lullaby
Prayerful Lullaby
(for those waiting)
Written by Dan Lea
(for those waiting)
Written by Dan Lea
When the day comes and I look into your eyes, my heart's gonna melt.
You're going to fill me with such love I've never felt.
I wanna hear your first laugh and see your first smile
wipe away your first little tear and hold your tiny hand in mine.
Can't wait to hold you in my arms and sing you a lullaby
When you need me I'll chase the bad dreams goodbye.
Mommy and Daddy are waiting
hoping and praying for you, our beautiful grace
Mommy and Daddy are getting ready
looking forward to seeing your angelic face.
Baby, holding you would make me whole and complete
What happiness you'll bring on the day that we'll meet.
An answered prayer, a beautiful gift from above
you'll be the love of my life, I'll give up rest just to watch you sleep.
Hush little one don't you cry, I'll always be by your side.
My angel; my love you for you, I will never hide.
Mommy and Daddy are waiting
hoping and praying for you our beautiful grace.
Mommy and Daddy are getting ready
looking forward to seeing your angelic face.
Don't grow up so fast and be ready to say goodbye
While I can, I wanna hold you and sing a prayerful lullaby.
Copyright 2009
This is a song that I wrote that somewhat deals with infertility. My wife and I are going
through this and it can be painful and heartbreaking. For those out there who maybe struggling with infertility or know someone who is I want to suggest this group called The Five Waiting Wombs. They share their thoughts and struggles on infertility and other pregnancy topics. http://www.youtube.com/user/5WaitingWombs
Infertility is noting new remember that Sarah and Hannah just to name a couple were both "barren". I would like to encourage those that are struggling with this not to give up and not to lose hope. God is a God bigger than our own dreams and nothing is impossible with Him.
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Heaven Is Calling
"Heaven Is Calling"
Written by Dan Lea
Written by Dan Lea
The sun stands still on a cloudless day
blue sky shine down feel His radiant kiss.
Heaven is calling, heaven is calling.
I can run as far as the eye can see
but even in the depths of hell there You'll still find me.
Heaven is calling, heaven is calling.
Heaven is calling you and heaven is calling me
to love one another and let grace run free.
Sounds of rushing water in a dry land
water rushing over us flooded with His wonderful mercy.
Heaven is calling, heaven is calling.
When troubles of this world are to hard to bare
we need not turn to far to find Him there.
Heaven is calling, heaven is calling.
Heaven is calling you and heaven is calling me
to love one another and let grace run free.
Where on earth can a love like this be
that He lay down His life for you and me.
Heaven is calling, home is calling.
copyright 2009
I wrote this while having a little quiet time outside. I just sat there and listened
to the business of everyday life, the traffic from the highway just down the road, the birds singing in the air. As I sat there I began to even feel God's arms wrap around me, and the breeze was His kiss on my cheek. Amazing what we feel if we just be still and listen.
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan
blue sky shine down feel His radiant kiss.
Heaven is calling, heaven is calling.
I can run as far as the eye can see
but even in the depths of hell there You'll still find me.
Heaven is calling, heaven is calling.
Heaven is calling you and heaven is calling me
to love one another and let grace run free.
Sounds of rushing water in a dry land
water rushing over us flooded with His wonderful mercy.
Heaven is calling, heaven is calling.
When troubles of this world are to hard to bare
we need not turn to far to find Him there.
Heaven is calling, heaven is calling.
Heaven is calling you and heaven is calling me
to love one another and let grace run free.
Where on earth can a love like this be
that He lay down His life for you and me.
Heaven is calling, home is calling.
copyright 2009
I wrote this while having a little quiet time outside. I just sat there and listened
to the business of everyday life, the traffic from the highway just down the road, the birds singing in the air. As I sat there I began to even feel God's arms wrap around me, and the breeze was His kiss on my cheek. Amazing what we feel if we just be still and listen.
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Listen For Christ Is Near
Funny how we look to the sky and await the return of Christ and in the meantime
we allow the broken, the weak and those who are in need to pass us by. We never see them because our eyes are looking up. Should we be waiting for Christ's return? Yes, we should
but we should never lose sight of those who are in need. In His example Jesus knew what awaited Him but never took His eyes off the woman at the well, the leaper and the rest who were in need. We have heard this before that "Jesus Is Coming" and He is but what if He is here now? Matthew 25:34-40 says "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Could Jesus really be seen in the lost? If we are waiting for His return we only need to listen to our neighbor for Christ is near. This may seem crazy and I am not saying that Jesus is coming back as a human or He is coming in the form of a beggar. We focus so much on looking for Jesus in the sky that we never look for Jesus in those around us. I believe that Jesus came for the lost, He came for the sick, He came for the poor, He came for the broken and the weak. He came for those that others walk over, He came for those that others look down upon because of the way they look, smell or think. Jesus has a place in His heart for the least and I think we who claim that Jesus is our Savior and Lord should have a place in our hearts as well.
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan.
we allow the broken, the weak and those who are in need to pass us by. We never see them because our eyes are looking up. Should we be waiting for Christ's return? Yes, we should
but we should never lose sight of those who are in need. In His example Jesus knew what awaited Him but never took His eyes off the woman at the well, the leaper and the rest who were in need. We have heard this before that "Jesus Is Coming" and He is but what if He is here now? Matthew 25:34-40 says "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Could Jesus really be seen in the lost? If we are waiting for His return we only need to listen to our neighbor for Christ is near. This may seem crazy and I am not saying that Jesus is coming back as a human or He is coming in the form of a beggar. We focus so much on looking for Jesus in the sky that we never look for Jesus in those around us. I believe that Jesus came for the lost, He came for the sick, He came for the poor, He came for the broken and the weak. He came for those that others walk over, He came for those that others look down upon because of the way they look, smell or think. Jesus has a place in His heart for the least and I think we who claim that Jesus is our Savior and Lord should have a place in our hearts as well.
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Adventures On Cottonwood Lane
When I was young there was some friends of mine that lived on the corner of Cottonwood Lane which is a street west of town. Every Sunday afternoon after church we would go to their house and hang out and walk down this road called Cottonwood Lane. We would go down to the creek to climb rocks, fish, swim and of course play pranks on each other. We would spend hours down there or at least until it was time for evening church. There were no worries, no thinking what ifs and there was no fear. We were on top of the world. I was thinking about Cottonwood Lane and all of our adventures when I thought about the narrow road. We walk along the narrow road so beat up and so downtrodden it's hard for those around us to see the joy we are to have in our lives. I have come to think that our narrow road should be our Cottonwood Lane. Along this narrow road we should have no worries, no what ifs and no fear. Remember when you were young, what was your Cottonwood Lane? Do you remember when you swung across the creek there was no worry about the rope breaking? What happened to the young person who had no second thought of jumping off a cliff to the water below? What happened to the child in us all?
I guess the older we get the more we think about the what ifs instead of trusting God. When jumping off the cliff we run only to stop a few inches from the edge. What stops us these days from taking that leap? Is it the fear or worry that we might be hurt from the fall? If we fall we only fall on the grace of God. This narrow road is not easy and it can be tiresome. I remember when walking back to the house after our time down at the creek we were tired and worn out but we knew that home was just around the corner. Home is just around the corner so have fun on this road. Live with no worries, no what ifs and no fear. When you come to the edge of something in your life take that leap and remember if we fall we only fall on the grace of God.
I guess the older we get the more we think about the what ifs instead of trusting God. When jumping off the cliff we run only to stop a few inches from the edge. What stops us these days from taking that leap? Is it the fear or worry that we might be hurt from the fall? If we fall we only fall on the grace of God. This narrow road is not easy and it can be tiresome. I remember when walking back to the house after our time down at the creek we were tired and worn out but we knew that home was just around the corner. Home is just around the corner so have fun on this road. Live with no worries, no what ifs and no fear. When you come to the edge of something in your life take that leap and remember if we fall we only fall on the grace of God.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
A Narrow Road and The Open Mind
As Christians we walk along the narrow road as Matthew 7:13-14 says. But I think we have a misconception that you have to have a narrow mind in order to walk that road. I don't think this is true. I think God calls us to have an open mind, I mean think of some of the events in the old testament. God spoke to Moses through a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-3), God spoke to Balaam through Balaam's ass or donkey (Numbers 22:28-31) and many other miracles in the old and new testament. You have to have not only faith and trust that these events happened but also an open mind to really wrap our brains around these things. When we close our minds I think we limit God, we limit what He can do in our lives. If we don't have faith that He can than He won't. There maybe some out there that say "The burning bush and what happened to Balaam are just symbols and not real events that happened." I think a statement like that limits God and says "He can't really do that." I think we over analyze scripture, not saying that we shouldn't study scripture but I think we just over analyze it to fit in our small minds or somehow make it more believable. I kinda think God just wants us to simply believe what He said. Really, the Bible is God's word and if He said it then I am not going to argue. Have you ever been outside on a moonless night and looked up at all the stars? You can see thousands upon thousands of stars. Did you know that if you held out a dime at arms length you would block out millions and millions of unseen stars? That is a really big universe so how much bigger is God than the universe? So if He said He spoke to Moses through a burning bush than I believe He did.
We shouldn't be so quick to close our minds off to things that we may not understand. Remember the disciples thought Jesus was a ghost when we walked on the water (Matthew 14:22-33) They didn't understand what was going on and were scared. For a small moment they had closed their minds and thought Jesus was a ghost. Having an opened mind is not a bad thing you need one when reading through the scriptures. Trust and faith open our minds to the amazing wonders of God.
On a side note about Balaam, Rich Mullins who was a popular christian singer, writer and thinker once said. "God spoke to Balaam through his ass, and He has been speaking through asses ever since. So, if God should choose to speak through you, you need not think too highly of yourself. And, if on meeting someone, right away you recognize what they are, listen to them anyway."
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan
We shouldn't be so quick to close our minds off to things that we may not understand. Remember the disciples thought Jesus was a ghost when we walked on the water (Matthew 14:22-33) They didn't understand what was going on and were scared. For a small moment they had closed their minds and thought Jesus was a ghost. Having an opened mind is not a bad thing you need one when reading through the scriptures. Trust and faith open our minds to the amazing wonders of God.
On a side note about Balaam, Rich Mullins who was a popular christian singer, writer and thinker once said. "God spoke to Balaam through his ass, and He has been speaking through asses ever since. So, if God should choose to speak through you, you need not think too highly of yourself. And, if on meeting someone, right away you recognize what they are, listen to them anyway."
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The Weight Of Worry
And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet
if then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is
thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an
anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your
Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all
These things shall be added to you. Luke 12:25-31
What by worrying can be accomplished? Does worrying about what we will eat or drink tomorrow feed us? Does worrying about the bills get them paid? Worrying about something solves nothing. The only thing worry does do for us is give a useless weight that we have to carry. God knows our hearts and knows our needs even before we ask of them. He gives us our needs only on His time. Why? Why does God make us sweat it out til the last minute? Why does God wait to answer a prayer from a person who needs a miracle? Why does God wait to answer a prayer from a would be mother in need of a child to love? Maybe it is that He wants our trust, our faith, our patience, our love. Maybe He wants us to seek Him and not the need. God is standing at the ready with our needs if we would only turn our eyes to Him and seek Him. Worry only blocks what He is ready to give us. So what to do with this worry? "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 and Matthew 11:28-30 says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Give all your worries to Christ. Seek after God not the need, seek after God with trust, faith, patience and love and all these things will fall in line on His perfect time. We may not understand why that is but what by worrying can be accomplished?
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan
If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet
if then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is
thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?
And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an
anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your
Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all
These things shall be added to you. Luke 12:25-31
What by worrying can be accomplished? Does worrying about what we will eat or drink tomorrow feed us? Does worrying about the bills get them paid? Worrying about something solves nothing. The only thing worry does do for us is give a useless weight that we have to carry. God knows our hearts and knows our needs even before we ask of them. He gives us our needs only on His time. Why? Why does God make us sweat it out til the last minute? Why does God wait to answer a prayer from a person who needs a miracle? Why does God wait to answer a prayer from a would be mother in need of a child to love? Maybe it is that He wants our trust, our faith, our patience, our love. Maybe He wants us to seek Him and not the need. God is standing at the ready with our needs if we would only turn our eyes to Him and seek Him. Worry only blocks what He is ready to give us. So what to do with this worry? "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 and Matthew 11:28-30 says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Give all your worries to Christ. Seek after God not the need, seek after God with trust, faith, patience and love and all these things will fall in line on His perfect time. We may not understand why that is but what by worrying can be accomplished?
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Missing The Mark
We are to follow the example of Christ. Christ got down in the dirt with the lowest of the low and looked them in the eye and made them fell loved and accepted. If we as christians do not do this, we have missed the mark. We should get down in the dirt with the lowest of the low no matter who or what they are. It should not matter if they are thieves, liars, adulterers or homosexual. If we don't follow Christ's example and get down in the dirt with the lowest of the low and look them in the eye and let them know that they are loved then we have missed the mark. I know this goes against the teachings in most churches today, but I would rather follow the example of Christ. We are taught to be holy which this is true. Holy meaning to be separate, but not to the point of where we don't associate with the lowest of the low. How can we shine our light in dark places if we don't go to these dark places? I don't believe that the church is for the saved, I believe the church is for the broken, for those wounded on life's journey and for those who have been ate up and sit out by the world. My own sin and shame left me for dead, left me broken on the wheels of living. Fallen to my knees in the dirt was when I met my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He bent down looked me in the eyes and put His arms around me and has carried me ever since. What's sad is that today many Christians will walk past those in the dirt and not even think twice about it. Jesus gladly bends to pick those up who are in the dirt, He looks them in eyes and lets them know that they are loved. Ephesians 5:2 says "And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Love as Chirst loved, get down in the dirt with those who need love.
In the twilight of His coming
Dan
In the twilight of His coming
Dan
Friday, July 3, 2009
Just A Random Thought
Something has been on my mind as of late, and I can't seem to understand it. How can a church that claims to be a Bible believing Christ centered church, turn their backs to those that may not fit the church image? There is a local church here in town that I attended. When I was younger I felt God's love all over that church, I mean you walked in and you were showered with love to the point that when you left you were dripping wet. Now the last few times I have been there that love is no longer there. There is a lady that goes to this church and she has some issues with uncleanliness and some metal problems. When she walks in the church everyone turns the other way, some may even run. I see this and I think if we are to the example of Christ, didn't Christ spend most of His time with those that others thought to be dirty and filthy? So do we think that we are above that?
What if when we came to God in prayer for a need, a miracle or forgiveness, He turned the other way because we are sinners. Ephesians 5:1 says "Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children." If we are to imitate God and God is love then shouldn't we be love also? God has unconditional love then shouldn't we also have unconditional love? Someone once told me that God's love has conditions, well if that were the case then I wouldn't be where I am today. It breaks my heart to see the church as a whole turn away from the broken of this world. Remember we are called to be imitators of God and God never has and never will turn from us, He is there waiting, His love is always there and I just can't understand how the church can ignore that.
In the twilight of His coming
Dan
What if when we came to God in prayer for a need, a miracle or forgiveness, He turned the other way because we are sinners. Ephesians 5:1 says "Be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children." If we are to imitate God and God is love then shouldn't we be love also? God has unconditional love then shouldn't we also have unconditional love? Someone once told me that God's love has conditions, well if that were the case then I wouldn't be where I am today. It breaks my heart to see the church as a whole turn away from the broken of this world. Remember we are called to be imitators of God and God never has and never will turn from us, He is there waiting, His love is always there and I just can't understand how the church can ignore that.
In the twilight of His coming
Dan
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Small Things In Life
I was thinking about the Call Of God the other day and about how some christians when God calls them to do something, we think that it has to be something big. God may call some of us to minister the Gospel to others but before we run off to seminary school to become a pastor, God may really just want us to go next door and minister to our neighbor. God may call some of us to sing but before we start booking a world tour, God really wants us to sing the solo in church. When I was a teenager I thought God called me to do a concert at a local apartment complex near my church which never happened because it was more of me wanting to do something big for God rather than allowing God to speak through me. I also remember when I was about 7 or 8 years old and dreaming about being in a rock 'n' band, playing concerts, recording albums, and having a large fan base. When I became a christian as a teenager I was always hoping that God would put that calling on my life to be a successful christian music artist.
Later on in my walk with Christ not even thinking about my dream of being a huge christian artist I join a little small band that played at churches and small youth events around our city and surrounding towns. During one of our practice sessions there was some miscommunication between us which led to some arguments which led me to thinking about leaving the band. That night while at home I was thinking about what had happened at the practice and it was then that God opened my eyes and I realized that God gave me the opportunity to realize my dream. I was in a band, that played live on stage, even went in a recording studio to record some of our songs and we even had a fan base and I was about to throw it all away. Well I ended up staying and everything turned out. The band may not have been huge and famous and we may not have had millions of fans but God still blessed me with that dream. It may not have been the big call that I wanted but God used that small calling to not only minister to others but to me as well.
I think as christians we think if God calls us it has to be something big, but I think it is in the small things that we find our calling. I may never be called to sing on a world tour in front of thousand of fans, I may never be called to something that my selfishness sees as "it has to be big" and that's ok. Maybe my calling is small, maybe my calling is to be a simple man who shows God's love and grace through his experiences and examples, to be an honest and faithful husband to his wife and to be a good father to his children. We may dream of being or doing something great for God but if all we do are the small things in life then I think God says "Well done thy good and faithful servant.
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan.
Later on in my walk with Christ not even thinking about my dream of being a huge christian artist I join a little small band that played at churches and small youth events around our city and surrounding towns. During one of our practice sessions there was some miscommunication between us which led to some arguments which led me to thinking about leaving the band. That night while at home I was thinking about what had happened at the practice and it was then that God opened my eyes and I realized that God gave me the opportunity to realize my dream. I was in a band, that played live on stage, even went in a recording studio to record some of our songs and we even had a fan base and I was about to throw it all away. Well I ended up staying and everything turned out. The band may not have been huge and famous and we may not have had millions of fans but God still blessed me with that dream. It may not have been the big call that I wanted but God used that small calling to not only minister to others but to me as well.
I think as christians we think if God calls us it has to be something big, but I think it is in the small things that we find our calling. I may never be called to sing on a world tour in front of thousand of fans, I may never be called to something that my selfishness sees as "it has to be big" and that's ok. Maybe my calling is small, maybe my calling is to be a simple man who shows God's love and grace through his experiences and examples, to be an honest and faithful husband to his wife and to be a good father to his children. We may dream of being or doing something great for God but if all we do are the small things in life then I think God says "Well done thy good and faithful servant.
In The Twilight Of His Coming
Dan.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Passing Judgment
Passing Judgment
Romans 14:1-12
1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:
“ As I live, says the LORD,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Footnotes:
1. Romans 14:6 NU-Text omits the rest of this sentence.
2. Romans 14:9 NU-Text omits and rose.
3. Romans 14:10 NU-Text reads of God.
4. Romans 14:11 Isaiah 45:23
I want to start with verse 10 where it says "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For shall we all stand before the judgment seat of Christ."
As Christians why do we pass judgment on others? Do we think that because we are Christians we have all things figured out, that "God is on my side I can say whatever to whomever." Salvation does not give us the right to point our crooked sinful fingers at others to say how better we are than them. We are not the judge, God is the judge we all will one day stand before Him.
It breaks my heart to see Christians who are to be Christ-like judge and condemn others. I have no room to be passing judgment on others, because though I may be saved I'm still a sinner as we all are. Now what about trying to help or witness to those around us, Matthew 7:5 says
"Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Deal with sin in your own life first. There is a difference in passing judgment on someone and being a witness to them. For example, if I had a friend that I seen was doing something wrong and thought maybe I should talk to them, first thing I would need to do is "remove the plank from my own eye". Next rather than point my finger at my friend and judge, I should come to him or her with love and grace and be a friend and share my thoughts on what is going on. Remember we are not the judge that title belongs to God Almighty we have no reason to be judging others because it will come back to us. Matthew 7:1-2 says
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."
In the twilight of His coming
Dan
Romans 14:1-12
1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:
“ As I live, says the LORD,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Footnotes:
1. Romans 14:6 NU-Text omits the rest of this sentence.
2. Romans 14:9 NU-Text omits and rose.
3. Romans 14:10 NU-Text reads of God.
4. Romans 14:11 Isaiah 45:23
I want to start with verse 10 where it says "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For shall we all stand before the judgment seat of Christ."
As Christians why do we pass judgment on others? Do we think that because we are Christians we have all things figured out, that "God is on my side I can say whatever to whomever." Salvation does not give us the right to point our crooked sinful fingers at others to say how better we are than them. We are not the judge, God is the judge we all will one day stand before Him.
It breaks my heart to see Christians who are to be Christ-like judge and condemn others. I have no room to be passing judgment on others, because though I may be saved I'm still a sinner as we all are. Now what about trying to help or witness to those around us, Matthew 7:5 says
"Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Deal with sin in your own life first. There is a difference in passing judgment on someone and being a witness to them. For example, if I had a friend that I seen was doing something wrong and thought maybe I should talk to them, first thing I would need to do is "remove the plank from my own eye". Next rather than point my finger at my friend and judge, I should come to him or her with love and grace and be a friend and share my thoughts on what is going on. Remember we are not the judge that title belongs to God Almighty we have no reason to be judging others because it will come back to us. Matthew 7:1-2 says
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."
In the twilight of His coming
Dan
Not For The Faint Of Heart
Hello all. On This blog I will share my thoughts and opinions on different topics of the Bible, and of world news events. These thoughts may not run with the popular belief, these thoughts may step on some toes and these thoughts will hopefully get you to thinking and check things out for yourself rather than take someone's word for it. Feel free to share your comments on these thoughts that will be posted here, I'd love to hear your feed back and thoughts.
In the twilight of His Coming
Dan.
In the twilight of His Coming
Dan.
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