Tuesday, January 31, 2012
My muse…
Now this is one way for me to get my stories out. Anyone willing to be my muse? * weak smile*
Friday, January 27, 2012
Lessons Learned
This week, as we pick up with our Weekly Bible Study, we focus on the letter I. An interesting letter deserves an equally interesting topic. So here we go...
Webster defines Incognito as an adverb or adjective that means 'with one's identity hidden.' So, with that in mind, I want to discuss someone who was seriously incognito back in Jesus' day. Now this guy gets a bad rap but if you can focus on the grand scheme of things, you will understand and perhaps appreciate his role in the whole story.
Matthew 26: 47-50 reads: 47 And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people.
48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.”
49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.
50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
Yes, betrayal hurts but it also makes us stronger and wiser---if we can learn the lesson that comes with it. Classic haters, such as Saul before his stroll to Damascus, are easy to spot. It's those incognitos to give us great pause but they also teach the best lessons. Judas served a greater purpose than he could ever imagine. Although that purpose cost Judas his life, without it, we might not have salvation.
Betrayal can serve a great purpose for you. If you don't know the answer, now is the time to ask God to reveal it to you. There is nothing wrong with those incogitos in your life. God is using them and they probably don't even know it. Learn to appreciate ALL that comes into your life because that is what gives you a great story.
Remember Romans 8:28 whenever you face an incognito...
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
Webster defines Incognito as an adverb or adjective that means 'with one's identity hidden.' So, with that in mind, I want to discuss someone who was seriously incognito back in Jesus' day. Now this guy gets a bad rap but if you can focus on the grand scheme of things, you will understand and perhaps appreciate his role in the whole story.
Matthew 26: 47-50 reads: 47 And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people.
48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.”
49 So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.
50 Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.
Yes, betrayal hurts but it also makes us stronger and wiser---if we can learn the lesson that comes with it. Classic haters, such as Saul before his stroll to Damascus, are easy to spot. It's those incognitos to give us great pause but they also teach the best lessons. Judas served a greater purpose than he could ever imagine. Although that purpose cost Judas his life, without it, we might not have salvation.
Betrayal can serve a great purpose for you. If you don't know the answer, now is the time to ask God to reveal it to you. There is nothing wrong with those incogitos in your life. God is using them and they probably don't even know it. Learn to appreciate ALL that comes into your life because that is what gives you a great story.
Remember Romans 8:28 whenever you face an incognito...
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Why me, Lord?
My first blog from my phone. I just had to share this. I know we sometimes get caught up in the wiles of this world. We think nobody is having a hard time but me. Today, I learned a valuable lesson.
Everyone who knows me knows I am a regular at my neighborhood Waffle House. I say it's like a small family in there with the crew. Well, there's a waitress in there who is always so friendly; so polite. Good morning, Miss Stephanie. Have a great day at work Miss Stephanie. She never gets to wait in me (she serves in the smoking section) but that does not stop her from always saying something positive to me.
Today, I learned this waitress has leukemia . She was recently diagnosed with it and does chemo twice a week. She has been going through this for the last two months. Still, she always greets me with a smile and grants me warm wishes every morning.
We may never know why me but It's not our job to know why me. It's our job to know that God will NEVER give us more than we can handle. God will never leave us or forsake us. Our job is to trust and lean on Him completely.
I could go on and on as today has been a truly interesting day. I want to leave you with 2 Corinthians 4:17.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
Everyone who knows me knows I am a regular at my neighborhood Waffle House. I say it's like a small family in there with the crew. Well, there's a waitress in there who is always so friendly; so polite. Good morning, Miss Stephanie. Have a great day at work Miss Stephanie. She never gets to wait in me (she serves in the smoking section) but that does not stop her from always saying something positive to me.
Today, I learned this waitress has leukemia . She was recently diagnosed with it and does chemo twice a week. She has been going through this for the last two months. Still, she always greets me with a smile and grants me warm wishes every morning.
We may never know why me but It's not our job to know why me. It's our job to know that God will NEVER give us more than we can handle. God will never leave us or forsake us. Our job is to trust and lean on Him completely.
I could go on and on as today has been a truly interesting day. I want to leave you with 2 Corinthians 4:17.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Imagine This...
This week's Alphabet Bible Study focuses on H.
Matthew 26:39 reads "He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Imagine this: You come into a new place. You are a stranger. People shun you simply because they don't know you or what you are about. Yet, somehow, you win the people over. Your eloquent speeches, charisma, and deeds show them your worth. Now, they welcome you with accepting arms.
With acceptance comes ridicule. With ridicule comes conviction. Suddenly, you are an outsider again. Everyone turns against you, even those closest to you. Accusations run rampant but in your heart, you know you've done nothing wrong. Still you face your accusers, your judge, your jury, and your condemnation. You bear your cross.
Now, imagine you had to endure all of this on someone else's behalf. It's not even about you. You are doing this for people you know will deny you, curse you, and hate you. Imagine that their future depends on your present despite their past. Could you bear it?
Humility saved your life. Humility suffered your death. Humility withstood your punishment. Humility hung on your cross. Humility has done the unthinkable for you.
Imagine what your humility could do for Him. Not that He needs you to be humble but you do. He has so much planned for you. Humble obedience just makes the cross easier to bear.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
Matthew 26:39 reads "He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Imagine this: You come into a new place. You are a stranger. People shun you simply because they don't know you or what you are about. Yet, somehow, you win the people over. Your eloquent speeches, charisma, and deeds show them your worth. Now, they welcome you with accepting arms.
With acceptance comes ridicule. With ridicule comes conviction. Suddenly, you are an outsider again. Everyone turns against you, even those closest to you. Accusations run rampant but in your heart, you know you've done nothing wrong. Still you face your accusers, your judge, your jury, and your condemnation. You bear your cross.
Now, imagine you had to endure all of this on someone else's behalf. It's not even about you. You are doing this for people you know will deny you, curse you, and hate you. Imagine that their future depends on your present despite their past. Could you bear it?
Humility saved your life. Humility suffered your death. Humility withstood your punishment. Humility hung on your cross. Humility has done the unthinkable for you.
Imagine what your humility could do for Him. Not that He needs you to be humble but you do. He has so much planned for you. Humble obedience just makes the cross easier to bear.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
There will be pain...
The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study is on the letter, G. I was so torn between writing about David's Guilt and Job's Grief that I almost did both. I almost flipped a coin. Then I read and reread both passages. Both brought me to tears. Yet, Job's Grief captured my daily essence. So this week's lesson is about grief.
The average church goer knows about Job. Most talk about his patience. Job is highly favored. So much so that Satan has a point to prove. The evil one goes to God and asks God if he could test Job. That is a lesson within itself. Moving on...
Job loses everything. Yet, he does not curse God. That's the story we all hear. Still there is another side to Job's story. Indeed, Job is faithful to God. Job's faithfulness does not mean he was not sad.
Read: Job 7.
Job mentions how bitter he is. He even talks about suicide. There can be a point (even points) in your life when you are totally broken. Some might even say beyond repair. Let me remind me: There is nothing too hard for God. Believe me when I say He has listened to you and heard your request. Life's trials and tribulations come to serve you. There are merely faith tests. So don't give up. Don't give in. He knows...
I want to leave you with Job 42:10-After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. Now take Job's name out and replace it with yours. So that's your message. That's your scripture. Use what God gives you.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
The average church goer knows about Job. Most talk about his patience. Job is highly favored. So much so that Satan has a point to prove. The evil one goes to God and asks God if he could test Job. That is a lesson within itself. Moving on...
Job loses everything. Yet, he does not curse God. That's the story we all hear. Still there is another side to Job's story. Indeed, Job is faithful to God. Job's faithfulness does not mean he was not sad.
Read: Job 7.
Job mentions how bitter he is. He even talks about suicide. There can be a point (even points) in your life when you are totally broken. Some might even say beyond repair. Let me remind me: There is nothing too hard for God. Believe me when I say He has listened to you and heard your request. Life's trials and tribulations come to serve you. There are merely faith tests. So don't give up. Don't give in. He knows...
I want to leave you with Job 42:10-After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. Now take Job's name out and replace it with yours. So that's your message. That's your scripture. Use what God gives you.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Step Brown
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