Omiris's Blog

The Olympics are starting today and it reminded me of an analogy that was given to me by a man by the name of David Gates. (Awesome missionary for the Lord!)

When the Olympians are training to go the Olympics, do they see how little they can do and still make it? Do they try to skim by? Do they sit around the house watching their favorite television shows and movies? Going out to party with their friends? Do they tell themselves, "I can have one cigarette, it won't keep me from the games." Do they get there eating junk food, candy, and soda?

No! When someone wants to compete in the Olympics, they give everything they have to give. They give up everything they have to be the best they can be. They will only eat the most healthy foods. They will sleep on a specific schedule, and train constantly every day. They will give up all types of enjoyments they would usually indulge in because they are a stumbling block to their real goal. We are astounded by their stories of the long hours they train each day. The rigorous routines they follow day-by-day. They aren't in it just to make it there, they are in it to win the race.

Do we do this same thing to God? We want the prize. We want the life. But every time something comes up that we have to give up that we enjoy we ask ourselves, "Is God going to keep me out of heaven just for this? It's such a little thing." The truth is, if you want heaven, your going to be asked to give up your life in this world. You have to be willing to loose friends. You have to be willing to loose possessions. You have to be willing to loose all those various yummy foods that have your appetite bound into slavery. You have to be willing to give up that worldly music, those activities, those passions, desires, lusts, cravings. You have to be willing to stand up to the traditions of man and follow the commandments of God.

Choose today, who will you follow. Baal (the world) or God? Does the world love you? Does it really care what happens to you? Why would you choose to play on Satan's playground when you know where it leads.

I pray for each of you that reads this to honestly ask get down in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to come and teach you His ways, and then read the Bible (ALL OF IT). He is the teacher. Be ready to stand up for what He shows you, and walk in the light. Infinite joy awaits those who take this path.

Matthew 13:44-46 (King James Version)

44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Below is a worship I did last night for family worship. It was fun to go through each verse of this psalm and think about what it meant to me. The comments in square brackets are what I got out of the verses. Feel free to leave comments about what they mean to you. I also encourage to do this same thing sometime. Meditate on each verse and think about what it says to you. It was a great blessing for me.



Psalm 4 (KJV)



1Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

[God is my righteousness, and he will give me strength to overcome when I am in need.]



2O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

[How long will people claim to be Christians, but seek after vain pursuits of this world. In this way they take the Lord's name in vain, and turn his glory into shame.]



3But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

[The Lord knows who is being sanctified because they follow him completely. These people's prayers will be heard by the Lord, and he will be quick to answer.]



4Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

[Wait patiently for the Lord, and continue in righteousness. Don't give up the faith, but instead be still and watch for the Lord to act.]



5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

[The Lord may ask for a tenth of our money, and a seventh of our days, but he wants all of our heart. It is righteous to give everything to the Lord and lean not on your own security.]



6There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

[Let the Lord shine through us, so that we may be a good and proper witness of Him here. We can't prove God, but we can show him through our lives and actions.]



7Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

[The joy and happiness that comes from accepting Christ and obeying is better then the pleasure the unbelievers have at the height of their achievement.]



8I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

[The Lord is my security, and he gives me restful peace.]