The Weekly Bible Study moves on with the letter, P. Jacob came to my mind as I thought about the word Persistence for this week's lesson.
So many lessons envelope Jacob and his twin brother, Esau. The ultimate sibling rivalry. They fought in the womb. Jacob pulled Esau by the ankle as they went through the birth canal. As boys, Esau was Daddy's favorite and Jacob was the Mama's boy. As men, Jacob manipulates Esau out of his birthright and steals his blessing. Yet, Jacob suffers the consequences of his actions.
Jacob, too, falls for a deception as his own uncle tricks him in to marrying the wrong daughter. I think they call that karma. Once Jacob decides to reconcile with Esau, the brothers are able to make peace with each other.
Despite all his wrongdoings, Jacob has a one-on-one encounter with God.
Genesis 32:24-30 says: This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”
But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
“What is your name?” the man asked.
He replied, “Jacob.”
“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”
“Please tell me your name,” Jacob said.
“Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there. Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”
Sometimes, you just have to keeping fighting. If you have a word from God, keep believing in that word and keep pursuing it. God's word will come to pass. Then, at that time, you get your blessing. Find that interest, that project, that movement, that whatever it is that won't let you go. Therein lies your passion; your purpose. Tell God you won't let Him go unless He blesses you.
Be persistent in your well-doing.
Soli Deo Gloria,
SA Brown
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
My Bio
I was asked to write my bio in six words. Thought this would take all day but it came to me…like an epiphany.
"Damaged goods striving toward full potential"
What's your bio?
"Damaged goods striving toward full potential"
What's your bio?
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Service...
The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study took a short break. It's time to get back on track. We left with the letter O needing to teach its lesson. I'd like to focus on Others.
Jesus left His seat from on high and took human form because others needed Him to become a blood sacrifice for all of their sins. His physical ministry lasted three years. During that time, Jesus taught others, saved others, loved others. Jesus was about others.
Jesus tells us to be available to serve others. Our purpose on earth is to help others. You help someone and another someone helps you. That is the way this world should work. Unfortunately, this world does things differently.
But the precedent has been set: John 13: 12-15 reminds us When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
We know what we should do. It's just a matter of doing it. Everyday you make choices and on Judgement Day, God will make decisions.
Just some fat to chew on...
SA Brown
Jesus left His seat from on high and took human form because others needed Him to become a blood sacrifice for all of their sins. His physical ministry lasted three years. During that time, Jesus taught others, saved others, loved others. Jesus was about others.
Jesus tells us to be available to serve others. Our purpose on earth is to help others. You help someone and another someone helps you. That is the way this world should work. Unfortunately, this world does things differently.
But the precedent has been set: John 13: 12-15 reminds us When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
We know what we should do. It's just a matter of doing it. Everyday you make choices and on Judgement Day, God will make decisions.
Just some fat to chew on...
SA Brown
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Judgement Day
The Weekly Alphabet Bible Study moves with the letter N. Today, we will discuss what some consider to be the scariest book of the Bible. God knows you better than you know yourself. In a way, you are always NAKED before God. There are no secrets between you and Him. When I was young, I was told never think something that you would not want others to hear out loud. Honestly, it does not matter what the others hear because they are not your Judge.
Revelation 20:12-15 says: And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
On Judgement Day, you will stand before God and give an account of every thought, every word, and every action you have done in this life. You will stand there all alone and face His judgement. He will read from the pages and if your name is not there...
Please realize there are no secrets. He sees everything. He knows everything. He knows your thoughts before you think them, your words before you say them, your actions before you do them. You are truly naked before Him.
Deo Volente,
SA Brown
Revelation 20:12-15 says: And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
On Judgement Day, you will stand before God and give an account of every thought, every word, and every action you have done in this life. You will stand there all alone and face His judgement. He will read from the pages and if your name is not there...
Please realize there are no secrets. He sees everything. He knows everything. He knows your thoughts before you think them, your words before you say them, your actions before you do them. You are truly naked before Him.
Deo Volente,
SA Brown
Crisis of Success
A few weeks ago, a close friend asked me if I had a fear of success. I still think about her question. I think about it daily.
I'm sure you've heard that it's lonely at the top. Can you imagine hitting rock bottom once you reach the tip top? One major cause is "encore anxiety" or the fear you won't be able to repeat or sustain the perceived success. What people forget is that the price of success is not just hard work and sacrifice. Most time it involves emptiness and solitude because everyone cannot go with you. Therefore, some are dumbfounded by the seclusion and remoteness that success brings.
With the privilege of success comes a greater sense of responsibility. People begin to depend on you. Your success becomes their success. Likewise, your failure becomes their failure. It takes a strong person to shoulder the brunt of a failure when others' livelihoods are contingent on your success. Not everyone can handle that sort of pressure even if success comes with it.
Much to my chagrin, I am learning that the toughest challenge to a person's character is not adversity but how one deals with the privileges and pressures of success. I always hear that money changes people but that is not true. Money and success allow you to be a bigger whatever you are without the money and success. So if you are a giver, you become a bigger giver. If you are stingy, you become more stingy. Money doesn't change anyone; it simply makes your more of what you already are.
With all these concerns about success, why seek it? Well, God wants us to make the most of our talents for His glory. And that's the key: His glory; not our own. So if God's plan involves you on the world stage, accept your role and make sure you acknowledge His.
Soli Deo Gloria,
SA Brown
I'm sure you've heard that it's lonely at the top. Can you imagine hitting rock bottom once you reach the tip top? One major cause is "encore anxiety" or the fear you won't be able to repeat or sustain the perceived success. What people forget is that the price of success is not just hard work and sacrifice. Most time it involves emptiness and solitude because everyone cannot go with you. Therefore, some are dumbfounded by the seclusion and remoteness that success brings.
With the privilege of success comes a greater sense of responsibility. People begin to depend on you. Your success becomes their success. Likewise, your failure becomes their failure. It takes a strong person to shoulder the brunt of a failure when others' livelihoods are contingent on your success. Not everyone can handle that sort of pressure even if success comes with it.
Much to my chagrin, I am learning that the toughest challenge to a person's character is not adversity but how one deals with the privileges and pressures of success. I always hear that money changes people but that is not true. Money and success allow you to be a bigger whatever you are without the money and success. So if you are a giver, you become a bigger giver. If you are stingy, you become more stingy. Money doesn't change anyone; it simply makes your more of what you already are.
With all these concerns about success, why seek it? Well, God wants us to make the most of our talents for His glory. And that's the key: His glory; not our own. So if God's plan involves you on the world stage, accept your role and make sure you acknowledge His.
Soli Deo Gloria,
SA Brown
Seven Logics
Here are seven statements that make this life seem more logical.
1) Make peace with your past so it doesn't spoil your present.
2) What others think of you is really none of your business.
3) Time heals everything. So give time some time.
4) No one is the reason for your happiness or unhappiness; that's your call.
5) Don't compare your life with others. You have no clue what their journey is all about.
6) Stop thinking too much; you will never have all the answers.
7) Smile because you don't own all the problems in the world.
Soli Deo Gloria,
SA Brown
1) Make peace with your past so it doesn't spoil your present.
2) What others think of you is really none of your business.
3) Time heals everything. So give time some time.
4) No one is the reason for your happiness or unhappiness; that's your call.
5) Don't compare your life with others. You have no clue what their journey is all about.
6) Stop thinking too much; you will never have all the answers.
7) Smile because you don't own all the problems in the world.
Soli Deo Gloria,
SA Brown
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