“My Father’s House”
Some of you know that I have been blessed to have bought a house recently and have really enjoyed remodeling it over the last 4 months or so. Most of you do not know that this is the house my dad grew up in. His dad bought the house new on March 28th, 1961 when dad was 12. My mamaw lived in this house until she went to see Jesus on March 28th, 2009. I finally moved in on March 28th, 2010. Yes, that is amazing, isn’t it? The Beasley family is the only family to ever live in this house and that is very special to me.
The next weekend after I moved in was Easter. One song we sang in our choir special was titled “My Father’s House”. As we practiced this song for weeks it started to speak to me differently. The story behind this song is found in Luke 2:41-52. Jesus and his parents had gone into the city. His parents left and didn’t realize Jesus had stayed behind. When they went back searching for him, he was found teaching in his father’s house. They were told that they should have known exactly where to find him. I have asked my aunt to paint this over my kitchen counter, “This is the home of my dad and his before him, but now this is “My Father’s House”. I know more than ever that God gives us everything we have and everything we need.
Realizing this to be a truth, I wish to dedicate my house and the home of any future family I may be blessed with, to God. I do this because I have owned a couple homes before this one and I am ashamed to say I may have been more sinful in those two places than anywhere on this planet. Have you ever noticed that we sometimes treat total strangers in public better than our own family when we get home? Ever have a bad day at work and take it out on everyone at home? Ever figured you would have a few at the house because no one would really know? I guess I always told myself either no one would know or it was my house and I will do as I please. Or maybe we take it for granted that family always forgives or overlooks our short comings? Well guess what? Our Father always knows and he got sick of it! Even if family forgives, what kind of example are we being at home? What if they don’t forgive? I pray my house doesn’t experience any of this ever again.
When people come into my house in the future I hope they find me obeying my father as if I were truly living in his house. Well actually I am! I also have this verse above my counter, “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” Joshua 24:15.
This may be something you have never struggled with, you may have never thought about it really, but I bet more often this sounds too familiar. Either way, I challenge all of you, especially men. Live like it is “Your Father’s House”. There are many things out of our control in this world, but this ain’t one of them! We were given the task of being the heads of the household and as a Christian we better start realizing these houses were a gift from our Heavenly Father. Make sure he would recognize his own house. He sure wouldn’t have at mine before now. He told us he is coming to stop by again soon.
While studying I realized the word “house” or forms of the word were in 1,895 verses in my bible. That is pretty amazing considering the word "love" is only in 697 verses and it is our greatest command. I believe the respect of a man’s household should be a timeless message. God has emphasized this. If you read the entire 24th chapter of Joshua, he is calling out the heads of the houses. Country paraphrasing is “I ain’t sure bout you guys, but my family is servin tha LORD”. What would our answer have been? Would Joshua have believed us?
I love all of you and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it!
BEZ
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Forgiveness
I started reading about forgiveness the other day. I wondered why I still felt so guilty sometimes, even when I had changed things or thought I had gotten past something, and do I really need to think about forgiveness on a daily basis. First answer is, because I had not truly changed “repented” or just never had asked for forgiveness “confessed – admitted”. Second answer is, absolutely! I need forgiveness everyday, from God and everyone else. I need to grant it more freely also. We need to ask for it, and give it continuously with God and man because our sin separates us from fellowship.
Only way to restore this fellowship is repent, confess and then we can receive forgiveness. This renews our fellowship.
I believe it has to come in this order also. Repenting is turning away from our sin, whatever it may be. This is the stage where we acknowledge we sinned and desire to change. May seem like a big sin, may seem like a small one. Doesn’t matter, God will forgive it and they all separate us from him. Confessing is admitting you sinned and simply asking for forgiveness. This sounds easier than it is. I don’t know why this can be so difficult. I guess our pride has something to do with it, but we just have to ask God to forgive it and he does. These two things must be done to truly be forgiven. This often requires a broken heart. God has to break us down sometimes so he can build us back up stronger. Great thing for us is God has already forgiven all our sins, but we still need to ask so we can renew fellowship and let go of our guilt. All these work together.
We need forgiveness from God first, but we really need it with each other on a daily basis also. We need to be examples of how to ask for forgiveness and how to give it. Not giving it is just as sinful. All sins or wrongs are against God first and foremost. Even if they seem to be just against each other. God told us to love and treat everyone as he would, so if we don’t, we disobeyed him. The bible shows us that true joy and peace can only come from God’s mercy and forgiveness. We could never accomplish this or overcome our burdens or guilt alone. This also goes for family, friends, co-workers or total strangers. Sometimes the people closest to us are the toughest. We all hate to admit our imperfection to the people that mean the most, but that brings us back to God and each other.
As an example: I have always had a problem with forming opinions a little too quickly and giving them way too freely. They could be about anything. Didn’t matter if I was right or wrong it was my opinion and I gave it however I wanted, even hurtfully sometimes. Problem was I had formed one about my brother-in-law. I had questioned a couple decisions he had made when my sister was pregnant. I had probably given that opinion a couple of times and never thought twice about it. “I am always right so who cares”. Someone finally brought this to my attention as I was bringing it up again. After they really made me think of what I was complaining about, I was ashamed. I was criticizing him about leading a bible study for the youth instead of being at home with my sister during her pregnancy. Having time to think about this I was wrong for so many reasons. Who am I to question how he follows God? God even comes before family! What do I even know about being a husband and a father anyway? I felt terrible! This is a man that works his tail off so my sister doesn’t have to and comes in the door and plays with the boys before he even eats. This is the Godly man that I could only hope to be one day. Come to find out, he probably has at least felt this between us and I know now that it has hampered our fellowship. I have felt guilty about this for a while. Wow, this sounds familiar doesn’t it? Only way I have found to renew the fellowship is: Repent – no more opinions and big mouth – only God’s word instead of opinions and holding my tongue a lot more. Confess –already did with God – brother-in-law is next. Forgiveness – God already has – brother-in-law will too. Renewed fellowship and true joy – I am looking forward to being closer to my brother than ever before. Greatest thing about God and family is unconditional love. It is given when we don’t deserve it.
Just think about this wherever you may be or whomever you may be with. Be quicker to ask for forgiveness and even quicker to give it. Only way I have found to truly be joyful and release quilt that destroys fellowship. Be the example God wants us to be. You never know who is watching. I truly believe this can change the lives of everyone around you. What if we all went around forgiving everyone of all the stuff we have been holding on to? What if someone upsets us and we apologized for getting upset? Maybe some of them would ask us why? Answer is Jesus! He died on the cross so we could be forgiven by simply repenting and asking!
These are some of the verses I read while studying and I also looked up repent, confess and forgiveness in Webster’s. I thought it was interesting that even in a book written by man, these words referred to sin or God in first or second definition except for forgiveness, but it is very appropriate. God pardons us and gives up resentment.
I love you all and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it!
Bez
REPENTENCE: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life.
2 Chronicles 7:8-11, Judges 2:1-5, 1 Kings 21:24-25, Luke 15:22-26, Ezekiel 6:5-13, Exodus 9:27-35, Acts 3:19-20, Deuteronomy 31:22-33, Luke 15:8-10
CONFESSION: to acknowledge sin to God – admit.
1 John 1:6-12, 1 Chronicles 21:8, Psalms 32:1-8, James 5:16,
FORGIVENESS: to give up resentment of or claim to requital for – pardon
Psalms 103:9-14, Psalms 51:1-10, Genesis 50:15-21, Matthew 5:32, Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 18:21-35, Romans 4:6-8, Romans 12:17-21, Hebrews 10:17
I started reading about forgiveness the other day. I wondered why I still felt so guilty sometimes, even when I had changed things or thought I had gotten past something, and do I really need to think about forgiveness on a daily basis. First answer is, because I had not truly changed “repented” or just never had asked for forgiveness “confessed – admitted”. Second answer is, absolutely! I need forgiveness everyday, from God and everyone else. I need to grant it more freely also. We need to ask for it, and give it continuously with God and man because our sin separates us from fellowship.
Only way to restore this fellowship is repent, confess and then we can receive forgiveness. This renews our fellowship.
I believe it has to come in this order also. Repenting is turning away from our sin, whatever it may be. This is the stage where we acknowledge we sinned and desire to change. May seem like a big sin, may seem like a small one. Doesn’t matter, God will forgive it and they all separate us from him. Confessing is admitting you sinned and simply asking for forgiveness. This sounds easier than it is. I don’t know why this can be so difficult. I guess our pride has something to do with it, but we just have to ask God to forgive it and he does. These two things must be done to truly be forgiven. This often requires a broken heart. God has to break us down sometimes so he can build us back up stronger. Great thing for us is God has already forgiven all our sins, but we still need to ask so we can renew fellowship and let go of our guilt. All these work together.
We need forgiveness from God first, but we really need it with each other on a daily basis also. We need to be examples of how to ask for forgiveness and how to give it. Not giving it is just as sinful. All sins or wrongs are against God first and foremost. Even if they seem to be just against each other. God told us to love and treat everyone as he would, so if we don’t, we disobeyed him. The bible shows us that true joy and peace can only come from God’s mercy and forgiveness. We could never accomplish this or overcome our burdens or guilt alone. This also goes for family, friends, co-workers or total strangers. Sometimes the people closest to us are the toughest. We all hate to admit our imperfection to the people that mean the most, but that brings us back to God and each other.
As an example: I have always had a problem with forming opinions a little too quickly and giving them way too freely. They could be about anything. Didn’t matter if I was right or wrong it was my opinion and I gave it however I wanted, even hurtfully sometimes. Problem was I had formed one about my brother-in-law. I had questioned a couple decisions he had made when my sister was pregnant. I had probably given that opinion a couple of times and never thought twice about it. “I am always right so who cares”. Someone finally brought this to my attention as I was bringing it up again. After they really made me think of what I was complaining about, I was ashamed. I was criticizing him about leading a bible study for the youth instead of being at home with my sister during her pregnancy. Having time to think about this I was wrong for so many reasons. Who am I to question how he follows God? God even comes before family! What do I even know about being a husband and a father anyway? I felt terrible! This is a man that works his tail off so my sister doesn’t have to and comes in the door and plays with the boys before he even eats. This is the Godly man that I could only hope to be one day. Come to find out, he probably has at least felt this between us and I know now that it has hampered our fellowship. I have felt guilty about this for a while. Wow, this sounds familiar doesn’t it? Only way I have found to renew the fellowship is: Repent – no more opinions and big mouth – only God’s word instead of opinions and holding my tongue a lot more. Confess –already did with God – brother-in-law is next. Forgiveness – God already has – brother-in-law will too. Renewed fellowship and true joy – I am looking forward to being closer to my brother than ever before. Greatest thing about God and family is unconditional love. It is given when we don’t deserve it.
Just think about this wherever you may be or whomever you may be with. Be quicker to ask for forgiveness and even quicker to give it. Only way I have found to truly be joyful and release quilt that destroys fellowship. Be the example God wants us to be. You never know who is watching. I truly believe this can change the lives of everyone around you. What if we all went around forgiving everyone of all the stuff we have been holding on to? What if someone upsets us and we apologized for getting upset? Maybe some of them would ask us why? Answer is Jesus! He died on the cross so we could be forgiven by simply repenting and asking!
These are some of the verses I read while studying and I also looked up repent, confess and forgiveness in Webster’s. I thought it was interesting that even in a book written by man, these words referred to sin or God in first or second definition except for forgiveness, but it is very appropriate. God pardons us and gives up resentment.
I love you all and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it!
Bez
REPENTENCE: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life.
2 Chronicles 7:8-11, Judges 2:1-5, 1 Kings 21:24-25, Luke 15:22-26, Ezekiel 6:5-13, Exodus 9:27-35, Acts 3:19-20, Deuteronomy 31:22-33, Luke 15:8-10
CONFESSION: to acknowledge sin to God – admit.
1 John 1:6-12, 1 Chronicles 21:8, Psalms 32:1-8, James 5:16,
FORGIVENESS: to give up resentment of or claim to requital for – pardon
Psalms 103:9-14, Psalms 51:1-10, Genesis 50:15-21, Matthew 5:32, Matthew 6:14-15, Matthew 18:21-35, Romans 4:6-8, Romans 12:17-21, Hebrews 10:17
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Why I quit drinking.
Drinking:
A friend asked me about drinking the other day. I told him it was something that I had thought a lot about lately, so I went to the Bible to see what it said. Drinking has always been a struggle with me. I usually justified it with “if it is not too much it is okay”. I learned this is not a good rational defense. Like usual I learned the hard way. One night in 2008 I went out for two hours and had a few drinks. Nothing I would have thought was bad; I was pulled over and given a DUI on the way home. God took care of this and it was finally dismissed after 4 months of worry, the help of some friends I will never forget and a few dollars spent. That showed me that my definition of appropriate was worthless. Imagine all the different ways this could have affected my life, ruined my job, family or most important my witness. How many times do we hear people use excuses about something someone did or said to not listen to God’s word? If we are looking for a reason not to listen, it isn’t hard to find one most of the time it is called a stumbling block. Matthew 18:8-9 and 1 Corinthians 8:10-13 address these. Matthew tells us to remove any we have. Corinthians speaks of us being one to others. Believers and unbelievers. I chose about 10 months ago to stop drinking completely. This is something that I have felt led to do. I only challenge all of you to evaluate what the Bible tells you about this.
Proverbs 23:29-35 is a good verse for the dangers of drinking and Proverbs 31:4-7 talks about it won’t solve any of our problems. This has hit home as I thought about this. It usually only causes more problems and only temporarily helps us forget about the ones that we already have. So, a lot of the time we look up and have more than we had to start with. I asked myself “what good will come from me drinking other than some worldly desire or short term satisfaction”?
These were old thoughts I had always used to rationalize it and to make me feel better about something I always knew wasn’t right. I was talking to someone the other day that offered me a new verse I had never read. Leviticus 10:8-10 God is telling Aaron that he and his sons are to never drink and enter the tabernacle or they will die. This was to be a rule throughout their generations. The funny thing is that I would have said before I studied this, don’t drink in a church. Which I have done a few times anyway.
The tabernacle is where God resided in the Old Testament and considered holy grounds. Only priests are allowed to enter. The problem with this argument is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and all believers became priests and temples in God’s eyes. Jesus broke the separation of God and us that the priests were used for and the Holy Spirit lives in all believers now instead of God residing in the temples or tabernacles. John 16:23-27, 1 Peter 2:9 and Revelations 5:10 talk about believers are now priests. 1 Corinthians 3:16, and 6:19 along with Ezekiel 5:11 talk about our body is a temple and how not to defile it or else. Ezekiel 44:21, 1Timothy 3:2-3 and Titus 1:7 also touches on this.
All of these are great but the most amazing verse for many reasons is Luke 1:15. This is where the angel Gabriel visited Zechariah and tells him his prayers for a son will be granted but his son is to never drink wine or fermented drink and the Holy Spirit will be with his son from birth. His son was John the Baptist. If drinking wasn’t a big deal, why was this important enough to be in the Bible at all? This led me into the last thing which I don’t have experience with yet, but think about often Children! Genesis 26:7-11 is about children following their parents example.
Isaac followed his father’s bad example. It is about Isaac saying his wife was really his sister because he feared for their safety in Gerar. Where do you think he learned to do that? Go back in Genesis to 12:10-12 and 20:1-5. This shows that Isaac’s father Abram did the same thing. We don’t need the Bible to tell us this, but it still does. Children mimic their parents. Another friend told me lately that all this slapped him right in the face one day as he sat in a bar drinking in front of his 7 year old son. If we could choose for our children, would we choose they mimic us in our daily lives?
Finally, Luke 7:18-35 speaks of us doing or believing what we want no matter what God tells us or shows us. God shows us everything we need in the Bible. How we use it in our daily lives, however this is up to us. I asked myself the other day, “what if I spent as much time reading and following the word of God as I did rationalizing why not to”. Would that make me a better person?
BEZ
A friend asked me about drinking the other day. I told him it was something that I had thought a lot about lately, so I went to the Bible to see what it said. Drinking has always been a struggle with me. I usually justified it with “if it is not too much it is okay”. I learned this is not a good rational defense. Like usual I learned the hard way. One night in 2008 I went out for two hours and had a few drinks. Nothing I would have thought was bad; I was pulled over and given a DUI on the way home. God took care of this and it was finally dismissed after 4 months of worry, the help of some friends I will never forget and a few dollars spent. That showed me that my definition of appropriate was worthless. Imagine all the different ways this could have affected my life, ruined my job, family or most important my witness. How many times do we hear people use excuses about something someone did or said to not listen to God’s word? If we are looking for a reason not to listen, it isn’t hard to find one most of the time it is called a stumbling block. Matthew 18:8-9 and 1 Corinthians 8:10-13 address these. Matthew tells us to remove any we have. Corinthians speaks of us being one to others. Believers and unbelievers. I chose about 10 months ago to stop drinking completely. This is something that I have felt led to do. I only challenge all of you to evaluate what the Bible tells you about this.
Proverbs 23:29-35 is a good verse for the dangers of drinking and Proverbs 31:4-7 talks about it won’t solve any of our problems. This has hit home as I thought about this. It usually only causes more problems and only temporarily helps us forget about the ones that we already have. So, a lot of the time we look up and have more than we had to start with. I asked myself “what good will come from me drinking other than some worldly desire or short term satisfaction”?
These were old thoughts I had always used to rationalize it and to make me feel better about something I always knew wasn’t right. I was talking to someone the other day that offered me a new verse I had never read. Leviticus 10:8-10 God is telling Aaron that he and his sons are to never drink and enter the tabernacle or they will die. This was to be a rule throughout their generations. The funny thing is that I would have said before I studied this, don’t drink in a church. Which I have done a few times anyway.
The tabernacle is where God resided in the Old Testament and considered holy grounds. Only priests are allowed to enter. The problem with this argument is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and all believers became priests and temples in God’s eyes. Jesus broke the separation of God and us that the priests were used for and the Holy Spirit lives in all believers now instead of God residing in the temples or tabernacles. John 16:23-27, 1 Peter 2:9 and Revelations 5:10 talk about believers are now priests. 1 Corinthians 3:16, and 6:19 along with Ezekiel 5:11 talk about our body is a temple and how not to defile it or else. Ezekiel 44:21, 1Timothy 3:2-3 and Titus 1:7 also touches on this.
All of these are great but the most amazing verse for many reasons is Luke 1:15. This is where the angel Gabriel visited Zechariah and tells him his prayers for a son will be granted but his son is to never drink wine or fermented drink and the Holy Spirit will be with his son from birth. His son was John the Baptist. If drinking wasn’t a big deal, why was this important enough to be in the Bible at all? This led me into the last thing which I don’t have experience with yet, but think about often Children! Genesis 26:7-11 is about children following their parents example.
Isaac followed his father’s bad example. It is about Isaac saying his wife was really his sister because he feared for their safety in Gerar. Where do you think he learned to do that? Go back in Genesis to 12:10-12 and 20:1-5. This shows that Isaac’s father Abram did the same thing. We don’t need the Bible to tell us this, but it still does. Children mimic their parents. Another friend told me lately that all this slapped him right in the face one day as he sat in a bar drinking in front of his 7 year old son. If we could choose for our children, would we choose they mimic us in our daily lives?
Finally, Luke 7:18-35 speaks of us doing or believing what we want no matter what God tells us or shows us. God shows us everything we need in the Bible. How we use it in our daily lives, however this is up to us. I asked myself the other day, “what if I spent as much time reading and following the word of God as I did rationalizing why not to”. Would that make me a better person?
BEZ
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