Tag Archives: God

Discipleship 101 2018-06

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Discipleship 101 –   2018-06

Love came to us, looking like a Cross. For us, not to take up the Cross of Jesus is giving up our duty as a disciple, in God’s mind. There is NO other choice; we can call ourselves a Christian, but we will lack the moniker of being described as a disciple.

We, who we are, can begin with the Cross we carry, and I do NOT mean you have to wear one. This moment, when we placed our faith in God and Jesus, for our salvation, started a new beginning within us. The Apostle Paul, put it exactly, when he wrote in Galatians 2:20,” I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Jesus told the eleven disciples, “All authority in Heaven and Earth, has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the ages.”

I believe we are all tasked with a couple of things.  First, we should honor God Himself, knowing that the Cross and what it represents, that we MUST surrender ourselves to Jesus Christ, and in doing so, make it known that we ARE Christians, believing in Him.

More importantly, we as Christians, have a duty to go beyond being JUST a Christian, and preform as a disciple of Christ.  In doing so, we are obligated in making other disciples around us in the process. I would think this is called discipleship.

This involves a commitment on our part to do something that might be out of our norm, and makes us uncomfortable, also. We have to let people know we are Christian, and that we are disciples of Jesus Christ and not just in our church, but outside the envelop of comfortable living and service.

I now have a habit of saying to people at times, “Peace be with you” or God’s Peace, or “May the love of God be with you.” Those words may perk up their minds that I am a follower of God. It may also, get a good reaction from them or peak their interest further. Then again, it may not!

Let them know you are with Christ in your life and invite them to talk about their beliefs of God and Jesus. In doing so, it may open an avenue of discussion. If you are comfortable, evolve and give any knowledge you have about Jesus and His teachings. The best instruction book regarding this are the Scripture passages taken from the Bible and any version will do.

I like the versus from Mathew and Mark where Jesus said, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” who were mostly fishermen of the area, who did become his disciples. We can ALL become disciples of Christ and spread the Word and create more disciples in the world.

If we do, we will then turn ourselves from followers, to active Christians and become true disciples of Jesus Christ. It is easy to call ourselves something, but harder to live the life of what we call ourselves. Don’t be afraid of stating who and what you are today.  Let any that doubt, know you are indeed, slaves to God and you have surrendered yourself to Jesus as his disciple.

Peace be with you,

Den Betts                                            bettsden@gmail.com

BLOG – Going, Going GONE—- 2018-04

Posted in Contemplation by

BLOG – Going, Going, GONE  2018-04

 

After thinking about my blog, I have decided it is time to take a hiatus from blogging. I might blog again or might not do so, in the future.

My blogging did accomplish what I wanted, so it was not a waste of my time. If it was a waste of the readers time, so be it.

I learned much, about myself in the process and many things about one commenter of my blog in particular, and that was good.

I will miss blogging, but doubt that my blogs will be missed by many others, and that is ok.

Maybe, I will take up painting on canvas.

The one thing that I will leave with you is something I have said many times:  God is alive, He is active, He is aware and ALWAYS present around and within us.  Thanks be to God!!!!

Peace,
Den Betts                                            bettsden@gmail.com

Sins and Forgiveness 2018-03

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                                               Sin and Forgiveness 2018-03

I am a sinner!!!!  We ALL are sinners whether we admit it or not. When I know I have sinned, I am ashamed that I have done something that goes against the will of God, but I will comment on this another time.

The basic, main thing is, that the one God of the universe DOES forgive us when we sin. That, in itself, is a blessed thing to know and realize.  God is a loving god and does love ALL His children, even when we sin repeatedly. Wow, that is somewhat hard to fathom, know or comprehend.

I then ask, how can God do this and why? I like to believe that God is a god with an unconditional love for His children. But, again, I ask, how and why does He do this?

I read that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), but then ask, how does this relate to God loving us and forgiving us?  I think the key is the continuation of this verse “but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.”

When the Godhead (the Father, Son and Holy spirit) decided to take His self as human flesh and become the God-man, it reinforced John’s statement in John 1:14 when he said, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The Word, being Jesus Christ. Because He became and was infinite God, he had infinite ability to take on Himself, the sins of the world.

What a gift. Jesus therefore died, NOT just for us, you and I, but also for God the Father Himself.

Again, Jesus died, not just for us, but also as a propitiation or satisfaction of a requirement that was intrinsic in the basic nature of God.  We can stand clean and free of contamination in God’s presence – sin free!!!!

I said, God loves and forgives us, but He is a righteous and just God. Since He DOES love us, He was willing to come down from his throne in the form of man, as Jesus Christ, and pay the price for us, which was His death on the cross.  Forgiveness HAS a price and He paid the price for this forgiveness Himself, through the cross of Jesus.

To be forgiven also demands responsibility. The love of God for each of us has an obligation of our loving His son, who gave His life, so our sins are forgiven. This is such a small (let me say) price to pay or thing to do, but as a Christian, I feel I not only want to do, but MUST do.

You can do what you want to do, that is your decision. I do not know the ramifications of your not doing what God decrees or desires, but we will find out eventually. I feel that only God can know or decide as to what happens if we do not believe in God or Jesus Christ, because I surely do not know and doubt if any human living on Earth really knows.

I wish you well and invite ALL, to become closer to God and to find Jesus Christ as your savior in life’s journey. Thanks be to God!!!

Peace,

Den Betts                                            bettsden@gmail.com

I wish to thank Josh McDowell & his book “More Than a Carpenter” for insights for this blog. I also recommend this book and “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis – Both available at Amazon

What n When to BLOG in 2018-01

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What n When to BLOG  in 2018-01

I am a self-avowed Christian as many know. But if you did not realize this is a fact, I state it now!!

Sometimes when I write, I might think I am writing to only Christians, and, in reality, I know I am not doing so. I do know that I am getting out to people of many faiths, no faiths, as well as various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

I would not try to offend anyone, but do know that if someone objects with what I write, they have the option of not reading what I write. The one rule I have is I will NOT get into a debate with anyone in a blog about religion or faith, although I would welcome any comments about what I write.

If I were to be asked how do I identify myself, my reply would be, “I am a disciple (student) of Jesus Christ” and might add, “and not a good one at that.” I am learning though, but it is a slow process.

I am not out to convert anyone from their faith or religious denomination, chastise someone for how they believe, pray or do not do, or if they attend worship at a place of worship or other agenda regarding God.

If someone does not believe in God, so be it. That is their prerogative. If any one is given any insight, make them think, or challenges anyone, because of what I write, I think that will be great, period….

I look forward to 2018 with the ability to write, explain, discuss, disclaim and again challenge, and most of all welcome others to experience what I have been doing, loving the journey of becoming closer to the one God of the Universe.

Peace,

Den Betts                                            bettsden@gmail.com

Bad and Good inn Life 2017-63

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Bad and Good in Life 2017-63

Bad things happen in life to us, or to others, that are beyond the normal.  Also, good things happen to us that are beyond belief at times, and are truly great when they do occur.

Is it incorrect to BLAME God when the bad things occur—- such as death from an auto accident, hurricane or tornado for instance? Or just something in life that takes one away from us.

Then, is it the correct thing to do by giving God all the CREDIT when the good things happens, such as the birth of a baby, a lifesaving result in the hospital, or any nice, good thing that we experience?

We, most of us, DO want to blame God or on the other side, give Him credit!  Human nature, maybe. Or, at least some are tempted to do so.

BUT, is God thinking otherwise, saying, “I did NOT do that bad thing and I am not the one that made the good thing to be in our mind and life.”

I believe that God is blamed more than given credit for at times, depending on the circumstances in life for each of us.

We as God’s children, have a responsibility for what happens to us in our lives, for what happens most of the time; bad and good.

Hurricanes are normal!  If there are many deaths that are the result, maybe the blame is, or could be, put on the people that built the houses, where they did and lived in the path of the destruction. Same as for those living in tornado alley, where they are a common occurrence.

The cute baby that is born is part of God’s plan of procreation and is normal!  I think God enjoys another child being born and is there when it is going on, at the delivery.

When I state God is alive, I mean it!   When I say He is active, I also mean it! When I aver that God is aware, this is a fact!  Because, He is ALWAYS present, regardless.  Regardless of the bad and the good things that are part of our existence here on earth.

God is with the people that die during the hurricane, with the mother when the little baby arrives!

AND, most of all is Present with all of us-  ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS!!!!!!!

Peace,

Den Betts                            bettsden@gmail.com

Love n Hate 2017-61

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                                                            Love n Hate  2017-61

Love is just a word!

BUT, it is a word with meaning, with feeling, and is, of course, involving emotion. Love could be expressed as the opposite of hate, but is love related to this differing word.

If one has a hate feeling, is that an absence of love and does the love feeling  show the absence of hate?

Can there be a love-hate relationship that embodies both feelings? Or is it like spring water and mineral oil that do not mix, but instead, separate?

Can I love God and hate the devil, yet in this love of God, do I still allow the devil to intrude and tempt? Or most of all succeed????

If so, WHY?

A paradox of thought, loving one and allowing the other at the same time to interfere!

Why can’t I love God, SO MUCH, that I will surrender or submit myself totally without the pressure of the devil to be included?

Of course, I know the answer, but do I NOT want to state it or even admit it as so???????

BUT, the great thing is, God still loves me, forgives me and with that I know I am saved. Or hope so!!!!!!

 Peace,
Den Betts                                            bettsden@gmail.com

I do NOT believe in God anymore 2017-60

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I do NOT believe in God anymore   2017-60

NO!  Do NOT!  To believe in God is to feel a kindred spirit, an acknowledgement that your belief is true, and you do not doubt. SO, do I believe or not believe; that is the question? If I believe, then I MIGHT have, at one time, NOT believed; but now do so.

What would make me believe, where I did not before? Would it take someone to convince me to continue?  Would I have read something (like the Bible?) to change my mind?

Perhaps, an event occurred that was so overwhelming, and I HAD no other choice but to believe? Did I hear something, and also was there some strange thing to make me go beyond just believing?

PERHAPS!!!!

I do NOT (JUST) believe in the one God of the Universe, maker of heaven and Earth!        

I do NOT (JUST) believe in the God child Jesus Christ, THE savior of all mankind!

I do NOT (JUST) believe in the Holy Spirit, whose presence is around and within me!

NO, it is not (JUST) a belief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It Is a FACT. I know there is a God.  He is real.   He is alive.   He is active. He is present with me    ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!

God loves me, He loves you, He loves all his children even those that doubt his existence. The story of the Son of God, named Jesus Christ is a fact, true, and accurate, and his “being”, is one of hope of our salvation.

 

OH, BTW, in the title of this post between the words “NOT “and “believe”, I  might have forgotten to insert the word JUST and threw in the word “anymore” for the heck of it!!!

 

Peace,

 

Den Betts                                            bettsden@gmail.com

Complacency 2017-59

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                                                    Complacency 2017-59

The feeling of being smug or having an uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements when accompanied by unawareness of deficiencies. There is goodness and badness in almost everything in life and being complacent is one of those. The word, complacent doesn’t tell all though.

We can be complacent in life and NOT be in a negative mode. We are so, as an example, when we feel complacent where the government does something that will affect us; or when a child accepts the parent’s decision on something that does affect them.

We as humans, become complacent by NOT doing something about an issue and just accept what is thrown our way. A moment of complacency is suddenly stopped when the cold reality of life jumps into our lives. If we are mostly successful in life, we could become complacent and then find that a failure in an action is a wakeup call.

Looking back at my life, I was becoming complacent in the subject of my belief in God. I was saying the Lord’s Prayer by rote, without thinking of the words, just mumbling them when prodded by whomever was in charge.  I would celebrate Christmas with no thought of what it really was all about for me.  I thought I was “doing good” by going to church; period. I did not realize that I was just going through the motions of being a Christian, and as they say, just talking the talk, but not walking the walk. I wonder who said that!?

I guess what I said in my blog, “Rite of Passage”, where I stated “The change from one aspect of life to another, can take a meaning in so many ways of life. For me, it is one, which I have been blessed or made more whole, but most definitely it changed me in many ways. Years now since it began, the Rite slowly evolved, adapted, tweaked, and became what it is today.  A journey of life everlasting. One that is mine to own, accept, attest to, take credit for, in its endeavors.”

We, are complacent if we allow ourselves to be. Sometimes we are so, without knowing, but most often, if we are aware of self, we can see ourselves in another light. I had someone ask me, “Why are you the way you are now?” I could have said, “Because I am no longer complacent in life”, but instead, looked him in the eye and told him, “Because God and I have found each other”, which maybe meant the first thing too.

Peace,

Den Betts                                            bettsden@gmail.com

INSPIRED THOUGHTS OF EXISTENCE 2017-55

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INSPIRED  THOUGHTS OF EXISTENCE 2017-55

What is the purpose of our existence on Earth? What are we supposed to do (or are we required to do) while living our lives in this wonderful place called home? Do YOU think we should be active about living out our lives in a way that precludes going forward to another level of existence? I guess these are idle thoughts that came to mind, so will pass them on……

Could it be that we are given the chance to expose ourselves as we are today that will foretell if we have an extended tomorrow, therefore making our today a preamble of life with, again, a purpose?

As a U.S. Marine, I went through basic recruit boot camp training, and learned many things that trained me for my existence in the Corps for four years. There were rules and regulations to follow, guidelines to adhere to, and disciplines dictated that made us tow the line while in uniform.

Is our life on Earth as a child of God similar?

As a Christian, we had a teacher that showed us the way in life. Before Him, long ago, Commandants set the standard as to how to behave, how to act, and not act, and overall, how to be the child of God in everyday life.

Jesus, the teacher, the Christ or Messiah, had a short time to give us the many instructions on what it takes to be called a child of God for eternal life.

Therefore, we are on a daily regimen of how to present ourselves and how to live up to expectations of how God dictates this life. Call it a “boot camp” of life for a future life of living.

This is NOT an easy take for granted experience. We WILL make mistakes!  We Will fall down, we WILL stumble again and again, BUT we are to know that here on Earth, is where we are to make the earthly dumb mistakes, over and over and over. When we graduate from the trail of life here, we get the graduation  to eternal life as a reward.

Our lives NOW, are a precursor to the future. The purpose of living now, is to prepare ourselves to living for eternity in a way that is acceptable to where we will be going.

Are we up to this?  Time will tell!!!

Peace,

Den Betts                                                                            bettsden@GMAIL.COM

A Challenge MOST Cannot Meet 2017-53

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A Challenge MOST cannot meet  2017-53

 

To those of us that are of the Christian faith I ask: What does God and/or Jesus Christ want or ask of us to do?

We claim to be Christians, but do we, as a whole, really follow the dictates of our faith – Christianity?

OR, do MOST of us, a large majority, just do what we feel is enough, but not the whole?

How much of us, does Jesus, Our God, want from us? If, you answer, as much as we can give, I doubt if that is the correct response!

I really believe that most of us cannot give to God what He wants. Some yes, MOST no!

What He wants is ALL that we have!  NOT a smidgen, not a little, NOT part, but ALL! I am NOT talking about just money, possessions, or the like, but instead, something that is more tangible and personal- OUR LIFE, with all of our actions, our thoughts and beliefs, our very BEING!!!

What He wants and gets are different things, but there is a plus side. He takes what He can get, meaning just as the way we are today.  Not perfect, all sinners, less than 100% in giving, complacent, waffling, mediocre, and just plain us, the way we are.

I think it would be hard to give ALL to God. Not very many of us could or can do so. BUT, I also believe, God understands this and as such, He loves us the way we are in life, even though we could do better in this respect.

God is a good God. I say He is even great, and I love God for this and always will do so.

Thanks be to God,

Peace,
Den Betts                                                            denbetts@gmail.com