RUMINATION means:
1 : to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly
2 : to chew repeatedly for an extended period.
Intransitive verb definition is
1 : to chew again what has been chewed slightly and swallowed : chew the cud
2 : to engage in contemplation

This page will be a little different from now on. I will be posting WEEKLY scriptures for us all to RUMINATE over. Think upon, Ponder, to chew on it. We as Christ Followers are called to Read, LISTEN, AND APPLY the Word to our lives. I desire to give an opportunity to you for personal growth along with me. Take what you read here and meditate upon it and find ways to apply it to your everyday life. I invite you to leave your comments, corrections, concerns, whatever they may be I want to hear from you!!!


Friday, July 30, 2010

Honest living

It is always easy to say that we are following God's will. That we are living according to His will and commandment. I know for a fact that it is so easy to put up a front for people to see. When we're at church we act like we ought to act. When we are away from fellow believers we tend to let ourselves slide. Then when we are alone that is when the true character and nature of who we really are is revealed. We can't put on masks, hide behind any image we want but when it comes to alone time we are who we are and WE KNOW WHO WE ARE! In those moments is when our integrity is revealed, our walls are down, and we are just us. Unfortunately there are a lot of people that are different people in this time then with others. When certain people are watching we have to be a certain way for fear of what they might say. Sounds so childish but you know what we all have our insecurities that we face daily and try and hide.
I have constantly been challenged to live a life of worship before God. It isn't easy and at times I have been ashamed to be who I am in front of others for fear of being made fun of or what have you. Then hiding behind my Christ Following mask for others to see. Knowing that my life isn't following God as closely as all would think but I keep up the fake image. Not living honest to others and being a hypocrite. But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:5-6 This is an extreme verse because to me it speaks right to the depths of who I am. That if I truly love God like I continually profess I must obey Him to show that love. When I am living my life according to His will, and doing all I can to bring Him honor and praise then I am displaying my love. However when I am constantly searching out ways to sin, and doing things against God's commands I'm not truly loving Him. It isn't for anyone else to measure us by it is a way for us to measure ourselves. We must be the ones to determine whether we are displaying His love or not. It comes in the times when we're alone and no one is watching. How are we acting, what are we thinking, what are we doing. It all is a reflection on how much we love and seek God. I know for me when I begin to notice unhealthy patterns in my life. When I'm alone and I waste my time one meaningless stuff. When I begin to make an idol out of something. When my mind begins to do everything but glorify God that is when I have to sit back and reflect to see what is going on and what needs to be done. Our life of faith is something that should never be turned on or off. It should always be reflecting and shining bright for anyone to see at any moment!

Look at your life, are you living the life that Jesus demonstrated for us in the word? Are you constantly connected with His Spirit and searching to glorify Him at all times? Are you displaying your love for God in all you do whether christians are around or not? Are you living an honest life and not hiding behind masks or walls? Or are you a different person around certain people? Is God constantly your focus or are certain materialistic things brought before God? I just encourage you to check yourself and let God check you so you know where you are in your faith and if you're not in the right spot so you may get back to where He created you to be!!