Laodicean Supplications
One of the things I do not care for in some denominations is a situation where the minister is constrained or coerced into preaching on certain topics. In some instances this occurs on each Sunday of the year. Such practices obviously diminish the workings of the Holy Spirit in the preaching ministry. Having said that, I do admit to favoring topical sermons based on important observances as the Spirit gives direction or permission. Even the most informal of churches have pastors who will preach sermons on some special occasions throughout the year. In fact, many pastors feel they absolutely must be in their own pulpits for some special events.
In the USA, some national observances spark the attention of the preacher. These include national holidays like Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, and Thanksgiving. In a sense they make holidays holydays as they should be. Overlooked by many are the opportunities to bring to life and show some of the Christian significances of the holy days of the Old Testament. I have preached messages when those days fell on or near the Lord’s Day over the years and found they were often greatly used of the Lord. Such observances as Passover, Hanukah, Yom Kippur, and Purim particularly lend themselves to such preaching.
As I recently promoted such preaching, a friend pointed out an obvious problem connected with observance preaching intended to encourage believers to pray about specific issues. That is some churches have moved so far away from God in this Laodicean Age that if any united supplications are made they are likely to go unheard by the Almighty. In fact, many churches have moved away from the Lord so that Ichabod (the glory has departed) is written on their spiritual doorposts. We often mourn the decline of some institutions when we should rather mourn their abandonment of the Lord and Saviour.
One thing we should remember in these Last Days is the condition of the possession of a Laodicean spirit, being neither cold nor hot. (Revelation 3:16) Thinking themselves rich can extend to the resources for preaching sermons based on observances without the direction, guidance, and support of the Holy Spirit (3:17) Sufficiency resting in the process instead of the Person of deity! We are told to anoint our eyes with a spiritual eyesalve so we might see. (3:18) It has always been important that both the preaching and the prayer it might draw forth be in the will of God. But I think as things come to the end and the challenges grow the importance and urgency of divine inspiration is increased. It is certain that many go uninspired and are instead expiring!
Daily Smile:
The Checking Account
Jim's beautiful wife was having trouble mastering the fine points of balancing the checking account.
"The bank returned the check you wrote to the department store," he said.
"Good," she replied. "Now I can use it to buy something else."
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Happy Saturday
Serving God
In 1976, I became convinced of the eminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This conviction was more than just an intellectual exercise and even today, almost four decades later, I am amazed the Lord has not yet returned. But I am more certain than ever that event is not far in the future. He might even come tonight. But one thing I heard said way back then I absolutely believe is true. We should serve as though we have a lifetime to give to His service and live as though He is coming today!
Because I thought the Lord’s return was so near I delayed formal training that would give me greater credentials for service. Though I increased in knowledge through the help of Columbia Bible College and informal studies, I did not dedicate myself to a strict regimen of formal study for degree(s). (I did do South American studies through the University of South Carolina but that had to do with the potential need related to my military work.) Since those days I have met a number of ministers who have been guilty of the same failing and consequently have put limitations on their service to the Lord.
In education as in other areas of our Christian service I find we believers, among whom I number myself, are often guilty of failure in endeavor. Some people become discouraged because they try some enterprise and it does not work out and others simply convince themselves they do not have time to achieve. On the one hand it is true the best laid plans of mice and men do often go astray. On the other we place limits on what God might do in our circumstances.
Prayer is essential to Christian endeavor but prayer too often becomes the resource of inertia. We pray but do not seize opportunity that comes along in response to prayer. In serving God we need to have the attitude if God wills we will do thus and such. Then we do not need to either hinder that will at work:
Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:... For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. (James 4:13&15)
Jesus is coming! May He find us both waiting and busy!
A young man, who was also an avid golfer, found himself with a few hours to spare one afternoon. He figured that if he hurried and played very fast, he could get in 9 holes before he had to head home. Just as he was about to tee off, an old gentleman shuffled onto the tee and asked if he could accompany the young man as he was golfing alone. Not being able to say no, he allowed the old man to join him.
To his surprise, the old man played fairly quickly. He didn't hit the ball far, but plodded along consistently and didn't waste much time. Finally, they reached the 9th fairway and the young man found himself with a tough shot. There was a large pine tree right in front of his ball and directly between his ball and the green. After several minutes of debating how to hit the shot, the old man finally said, "You know, when I was your age, I'd hit the ball right over that tree."
With that challenge placed before him, the youngster swung hard, hit the ball up, right smack into the top of the tree trunk and it thudded back on the ground not a foot from where it had originally laid.
The old man offered one more comment, "Of course, when I was your age, that pine tree was only 3 feet tall."
In 1976, I became convinced of the eminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This conviction was more than just an intellectual exercise and even today, almost four decades later, I am amazed the Lord has not yet returned. But I am more certain than ever that event is not far in the future. He might even come tonight. But one thing I heard said way back then I absolutely believe is true. We should serve as though we have a lifetime to give to His service and live as though He is coming today!
Because I thought the Lord’s return was so near I delayed formal training that would give me greater credentials for service. Though I increased in knowledge through the help of Columbia Bible College and informal studies, I did not dedicate myself to a strict regimen of formal study for degree(s). (I did do South American studies through the University of South Carolina but that had to do with the potential need related to my military work.) Since those days I have met a number of ministers who have been guilty of the same failing and consequently have put limitations on their service to the Lord.
In education as in other areas of our Christian service I find we believers, among whom I number myself, are often guilty of failure in endeavor. Some people become discouraged because they try some enterprise and it does not work out and others simply convince themselves they do not have time to achieve. On the one hand it is true the best laid plans of mice and men do often go astray. On the other we place limits on what God might do in our circumstances.
Prayer is essential to Christian endeavor but prayer too often becomes the resource of inertia. We pray but do not seize opportunity that comes along in response to prayer. In serving God we need to have the attitude if God wills we will do thus and such. Then we do not need to either hinder that will at work:
Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:... For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. (James 4:13&15)
Jesus is coming! May He find us both waiting and busy!
Daily Smile:
A young man, who was also an avid golfer, found himself with a few hours to spare one afternoon. He figured that if he hurried and played very fast, he could get in 9 holes before he had to head home. Just as he was about to tee off, an old gentleman shuffled onto the tee and asked if he could accompany the young man as he was golfing alone. Not being able to say no, he allowed the old man to join him.
To his surprise, the old man played fairly quickly. He didn't hit the ball far, but plodded along consistently and didn't waste much time. Finally, they reached the 9th fairway and the young man found himself with a tough shot. There was a large pine tree right in front of his ball and directly between his ball and the green. After several minutes of debating how to hit the shot, the old man finally said, "You know, when I was your age, I'd hit the ball right over that tree."
With that challenge placed before him, the youngster swung hard, hit the ball up, right smack into the top of the tree trunk and it thudded back on the ground not a foot from where it had originally laid.
The old man offered one more comment, "Of course, when I was your age, that pine tree was only 3 feet tall."
Friday, February 3, 2012
Happy Friday
CONSIDER CHRIST
In Hebrews 3.1 sinners and saints are told to 'consider' Christ. In Hebrews 12.3 they are told to 'consider' Gethsemane and Calvary, the precious shed blood of the Creator of the universe, the Author and Finisher of our faith. God does want you to 'STOP' ... 'LOOK' ... 'LIVE.'
You can afford to forget every other problem, every other phase of this life, until you 'STOP' and 'CONSIDER' Christ and Calvary. Why did the Creator of the heavens and earth die between malefactors on the cross? Why did He wear the crown of thorns? Why did His Father forsake Him? We are told in the closing verses of the fourth chapter of Romans, that Christ was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification. We are told in Romans 3:24 to 28, that this was necessary that God might be both just and merciful. We are told in Hebrews 9:12 that Christ by His own blood entered 'once' into heaven, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Let us accept at full face value the words of Christ in John 10:17 and 18, "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life. I have power to lay it down: I have power to take it up."
Eternal life is God's free gift to believing sinners. (Romans 6:23). God will have all men to be saved. (I Timothy 2:4 to 7). Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God. So 'STOP' ... 'LOOK' , .. 'LISTEN' ... 'BELIEVE' ... 'LIVE.' You may stop, look and listen, but if you do not personally receive Christ by faith, you will die in your sins. (John 8:24).
When she returned to her daughter's house later that night, she seemed upset.
"What happened, Mother?" the daughter asked.
"I had to slap his face three times!"
"You mean he got fresh?"
"No," she answered. "I thought he was dead!"
In Hebrews 3.1 sinners and saints are told to 'consider' Christ. In Hebrews 12.3 they are told to 'consider' Gethsemane and Calvary, the precious shed blood of the Creator of the universe, the Author and Finisher of our faith. God does want you to 'STOP' ... 'LOOK' ... 'LIVE.'
You can afford to forget every other problem, every other phase of this life, until you 'STOP' and 'CONSIDER' Christ and Calvary. Why did the Creator of the heavens and earth die between malefactors on the cross? Why did He wear the crown of thorns? Why did His Father forsake Him? We are told in the closing verses of the fourth chapter of Romans, that Christ was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification. We are told in Romans 3:24 to 28, that this was necessary that God might be both just and merciful. We are told in Hebrews 9:12 that Christ by His own blood entered 'once' into heaven, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Let us accept at full face value the words of Christ in John 10:17 and 18, "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life. I have power to lay it down: I have power to take it up."
Eternal life is God's free gift to believing sinners. (Romans 6:23). God will have all men to be saved. (I Timothy 2:4 to 7). Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God. So 'STOP' ... 'LOOK' , .. 'LISTEN' ... 'BELIEVE' ... 'LIVE.' You may stop, look and listen, but if you do not personally receive Christ by faith, you will die in your sins. (John 8:24).
Daily Smile:
An 85-year-old widow went on a blind date with a 90-year-old man.When she returned to her daughter's house later that night, she seemed upset.
"What happened, Mother?" the daughter asked.
"I had to slap his face three times!"
"You mean he got fresh?"
"No," she answered. "I thought he was dead!"
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Happy Thursday
Under New Management
As I was driving today, I couldn't help notice a sign outside a restaurant that read "Under New Management" in bold, colored letters. The owners were trying to convey the message that, even though the restaurant looked the same, perhaps even had a similar menu, something was definitely different.
It wasn't easy to spot the change from a distance. My first impulse was to go inside and question why things had to change. Why couldn't the new owners just pick up where the former left off, keeping it "business as usual"? The answers were simple: the former owners went bankrupt; they lost touch with what was important; their accounts were out of order.
In order to bring it back to its former glory, the old had to be replaced with the new. Some things, like the design, had to change gradually so others could become accustomed to it. Others needed immediate attention. But it had to come "Under New Management" for it to be effective.
That's the same way it is with us, beloved, when we finally come into a relationship with God: we have to come under new management . . . God's management! It can't be business as usual! God places a sign outside our hearts and begins to phase out the old things, those things which caused spiritual bankruptcy; those "accounts" in our lives that were in disarray. They are the past.
These "accounts" are not important any longer, nor do they have any bearing on God's ability to bring about change in our lives. And maybe we won't suddenly wake up and see someone else in the mirror . . . maybe from a distance others can't notice the change, but make no mistake about it: we're under God's new management!
It might not always seem like it. Our life's menu might sometimes seem like it's unchanged, but we can't be fooled! In some areas, we'll experience immediate change. In others, change will be gradual. Before long, however, the new Owner will bring in more changes, a more palatable menu for our lives and spiritual abundance. That's Jesus' heart and desire for us.
"What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!" 2 Cor. 5:17 (NLT)
"For what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another!" -Anatole France
Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for blood pressure?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for breathing?
A: No.
Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
A: No.
Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
Q: But could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
A: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere.
(Author Unknown)
As I was driving today, I couldn't help notice a sign outside a restaurant that read "Under New Management" in bold, colored letters. The owners were trying to convey the message that, even though the restaurant looked the same, perhaps even had a similar menu, something was definitely different.
It wasn't easy to spot the change from a distance. My first impulse was to go inside and question why things had to change. Why couldn't the new owners just pick up where the former left off, keeping it "business as usual"? The answers were simple: the former owners went bankrupt; they lost touch with what was important; their accounts were out of order.
In order to bring it back to its former glory, the old had to be replaced with the new. Some things, like the design, had to change gradually so others could become accustomed to it. Others needed immediate attention. But it had to come "Under New Management" for it to be effective.
That's the same way it is with us, beloved, when we finally come into a relationship with God: we have to come under new management . . . God's management! It can't be business as usual! God places a sign outside our hearts and begins to phase out the old things, those things which caused spiritual bankruptcy; those "accounts" in our lives that were in disarray. They are the past.
These "accounts" are not important any longer, nor do they have any bearing on God's ability to bring about change in our lives. And maybe we won't suddenly wake up and see someone else in the mirror . . . maybe from a distance others can't notice the change, but make no mistake about it: we're under God's new management!
It might not always seem like it. Our life's menu might sometimes seem like it's unchanged, but we can't be fooled! In some areas, we'll experience immediate change. In others, change will be gradual. Before long, however, the new Owner will bring in more changes, a more palatable menu for our lives and spiritual abundance. That's Jesus' heart and desire for us.
"What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!" 2 Cor. 5:17 (NLT)
"For what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another!" -Anatole France
Daily Smile:
An attorney, anxious to impress the judge with the detail, asked the following line of questions of a doctor who had recently performed an autopsy.Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for blood pressure?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for breathing?
A: No.
Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
A: No.
Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
Q: But could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
A: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law somewhere.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Happy Wednesday
Unfettered Hope
I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory (inner self) rejoices; my body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety and hope. Psalm 16:7-9
Dearest Friends,
As you wake up and face a new day, how much hope do you feel?
If any of you spend a lot of time watching the news, my guess is that your hope meter runs lower because of it. And if any of you are focusing on and worry about your finances, or your personal problems and feeling consumed by them, my guess is your hope is draining away.
How can hope be restored? Absolutely!
There are many ways. But the most important? Is to recognize God is in control. We focus on everything but that. We focus on our leaders expecting them to "fix" everything. We focus on our friends and family to help "fix" us when we are down. And we allow money to bring us a false sense of security. Sometimes spending it when we don't have it to feel better because life is so hard.
It is no wonder with this false sense of what we can be secure in, we often feel let down and disappointed and lose hope! We are looking at things and people who cannot live up to the demand of restoring our hope. It isn't their job!
My dear friends, what we put into our spirit is what helps it thrive or become ill.
We must find hope in God's word every day. It restores our soul. I find the Psalms to be a great source of hope and restoration to me. David was man acquainted with mistakes, flaws and failures, heartache and grief. He disobeyed God many times, yet God says David was a man after his own heart. Why? Because David always repented and sought God. He sought Him when he knew he was doing wrong, He sought God morning and night, and he sought God when he knew he was right before God. David had a heart seeking God!
David sought hope and restoration through God everyday!
David wrote this:
The Lord is my shepherd(to feed, guide and shield me);I shall not lack.
He makes me lie down in (fresh, tender) green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
He refreshes and restores my life --
my self; He leads me in the paths of righteousness
(uprightness and right standing with Him -- not for
my earning it, but) for His names sake.Psalm 23:1-3
Are you feeling restored?
Dearest Friends,
As you wake up and face a new day, how much hope do you feel?
If any of you spend a lot of time watching the news, my guess is that your hope meter runs lower because of it. And if any of you are focusing on and worry about your finances, or your personal problems and feeling consumed by them, my guess is your hope is draining away.
How can hope be restored? Absolutely!
There are many ways. But the most important? Is to recognize God is in control. We focus on everything but that. We focus on our leaders expecting them to "fix" everything. We focus on our friends and family to help "fix" us when we are down. And we allow money to bring us a false sense of security. Sometimes spending it when we don't have it to feel better because life is so hard.
It is no wonder with this false sense of what we can be secure in, we often feel let down and disappointed and lose hope! We are looking at things and people who cannot live up to the demand of restoring our hope. It isn't their job!
My dear friends, what we put into our spirit is what helps it thrive or become ill.
We must find hope in God's word every day. It restores our soul. I find the Psalms to be a great source of hope and restoration to me. David was man acquainted with mistakes, flaws and failures, heartache and grief. He disobeyed God many times, yet God says David was a man after his own heart. Why? Because David always repented and sought God. He sought Him when he knew he was doing wrong, He sought God morning and night, and he sought God when he knew he was right before God. David had a heart seeking God!
David sought hope and restoration through God everyday!
David wrote this:
The Lord is my shepherd(to feed, guide and shield me);I shall not lack.
He makes me lie down in (fresh, tender) green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and restful waters.
He refreshes and restores my life --
my self; He leads me in the paths of righteousness
(uprightness and right standing with Him -- not for
my earning it, but) for His names sake.Psalm 23:1-3
Are you feeling restored?
Do you feel rested as if you laid in a bed of soft meadow grass, comforted by the presence of God? Do you feel right before God?
These things are vital. You cannot do without them and expect to have inner peace if you cannot cry out to God in all situations and rely on, cling to, trust in, find hope in, and stand strong in God and his precious promises and powerful abilities, far beyond our thinking or imagination.
Now unto Him Who is ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20
Who is that power within us? God! This power works in us according to our level of surrender to Him. He is the only one that can bring the restorative hope you need to face the day with courage and a rested heart.
But you have to spend time with Him.
Hope deferred (put off) makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. Whoever despises the Word of God brings destruction upon himself, but He who reverently fears and respects the commandments of God shall be rewarded. Proverbs 13:12-13
We can count on God. Everyone else comes and goes from our life. No one is on this earth that will not let us down, and we will let people down. But Jesus never fails.
Hope looks forward with constant expectation. Despair robs hope from our very soul.Time away from God uninterrupted, breaks that stream of hope we all so desperately need.
Choose hope! Abide in God
These things are vital. You cannot do without them and expect to have inner peace if you cannot cry out to God in all situations and rely on, cling to, trust in, find hope in, and stand strong in God and his precious promises and powerful abilities, far beyond our thinking or imagination.
Now unto Him Who is ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Ephesians 3:20
Who is that power within us? God! This power works in us according to our level of surrender to Him. He is the only one that can bring the restorative hope you need to face the day with courage and a rested heart.
But you have to spend time with Him.
Hope deferred (put off) makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life. Whoever despises the Word of God brings destruction upon himself, but He who reverently fears and respects the commandments of God shall be rewarded. Proverbs 13:12-13
We can count on God. Everyone else comes and goes from our life. No one is on this earth that will not let us down, and we will let people down. But Jesus never fails.
Hope looks forward with constant expectation. Despair robs hope from our very soul.Time away from God uninterrupted, breaks that stream of hope we all so desperately need.
Choose hope! Abide in God
Remember
Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what is done, for Christ will last.
Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what is done, for Christ will last.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Love & Prayers,
Michael Jeremiah Knight.
"By the grace of God I am what I am…." 1 Cor 15:10.Daily Smile:
Only If You Truly Know My JESUS,
Can You Truly Smile Today...
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Happy Tuesday
Matthew 14:24 "But the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it."
When Life Is Unfair
Martin Wiles
If I was where God wanted me, why were things going south? Isn't smooth sailing a sign of God's blessings?
Job's friends thought so. One discouraging report after another arrived. Property, children, servants; all gone in a matter of minutes. Then he was afflicted with a case of boils and a faithless wife to boot. His fair weather friends cameled over and told him unconfessed sin was the reason for his troubles.
Jesus' disciples were probably confused too. They had watched Jesus feed five thousand plus with five loaves of bread and two fish. Then he told them to cross to the other side of the lake.
Obeying and now far from land, they encounter a fierce storm. The wind and waves were merciless. Seemed pretty unfair for a group of men who had left all to follow him.
Ever been there? You worked hard for your spotless credit record, only to have your spouse leave you and the bills. Now the creditors are pouncing.
Or you reared your children by adhering to the "Train up a child in the way they should go and when they're old they will not depart from it" principle. But they did and trampled on your heart in the process.
Actually, God never promised life would be fair; only that he would be with us and take the bad and mold good from it. Expecting life to be fair sets us up for disappointment with God and can also lead to bitterness.
When Jesus came to the disciples walking on water, Peter wanted to walk to him. He didn't make it far because he began looking at the circumstances instead of Jesus. But Jesus didn't let him sink. He took his hand, placed him back in the boat and calmed the storm.
Difficult and unfair circumstances give God the opportunity to shine his goodness and power into our life. Like Peter, we need to trust him by faith regardless of the situation or whether we understand the reason for it.
Prayer: Holy Father, enable us to trust Your wisdom when life deals us unfair blows.
Daily Smile:
Job's friends thought so. One discouraging report after another arrived. Property, children, servants; all gone in a matter of minutes. Then he was afflicted with a case of boils and a faithless wife to boot. His fair weather friends cameled over and told him unconfessed sin was the reason for his troubles.
Jesus' disciples were probably confused too. They had watched Jesus feed five thousand plus with five loaves of bread and two fish. Then he told them to cross to the other side of the lake.
Obeying and now far from land, they encounter a fierce storm. The wind and waves were merciless. Seemed pretty unfair for a group of men who had left all to follow him.
Ever been there? You worked hard for your spotless credit record, only to have your spouse leave you and the bills. Now the creditors are pouncing.
Or you reared your children by adhering to the "Train up a child in the way they should go and when they're old they will not depart from it" principle. But they did and trampled on your heart in the process.
Actually, God never promised life would be fair; only that he would be with us and take the bad and mold good from it. Expecting life to be fair sets us up for disappointment with God and can also lead to bitterness.
When Jesus came to the disciples walking on water, Peter wanted to walk to him. He didn't make it far because he began looking at the circumstances instead of Jesus. But Jesus didn't let him sink. He took his hand, placed him back in the boat and calmed the storm.
Difficult and unfair circumstances give God the opportunity to shine his goodness and power into our life. Like Peter, we need to trust him by faith regardless of the situation or whether we understand the reason for it.
Prayer: Holy Father, enable us to trust Your wisdom when life deals us unfair blows.
Daily Smile:
Q. Why did the pig cross the road
A. To prove that he wasn't a chicken
Monday, January 30, 2012
Happy Monday
LET IT GO!
Three of the most important words you need to hear today, "Let It Go!"
I read a story about a little boy who came running into the house, he was upset and angry.
His mother asked him, "What’s wrong?" Little Johnny said, "Billy called me stupid." "Do you believe that you are stupid?" his mother asked. "No." "Great," mom said, "now let it go!" And with that the whole matter was over.
One important key in life and in all relationships, for that matter is to: let it go. For those of us who are married has your wife ever come to you with an old shirt of yours that she is tired of washing and wants to through it away but for sentimental reasons you are reluctant to let it go? Well, when it comes to life there are something’s we hold on to way too long – we need to learn how let it go.
When someone cuts you off in traffic, let it go.
If a competitor stole your client from you, let it go.
If you get an unfavorable email from a coworker who is venting to you about the last project you worked on together, let it go.
If someone did you wrong at some point in time, let it go.
Your previous employer did you wrong, let it go.
Your friend betrayed you, let it go.
Let go of anger, and leave rage behind.
Do not be preoccupied. It only leads to evil.
Psalms 37:8
It’s not worth holding on to it. Let it go, so you can move on, unfettered to your next destination. Far too many of us hold on to things that we should have let go of a long time ago. As I am writing this , I can think of a few things myself. How about you? If we can practice letting go of the things we need to let go of, we can grab hold of the things that we need to hold on to. I firmly believe we hold on to the things we should let go of and we let go of the things we should hold on to.
As Tozer once said, "In the kingdom of God the surest way to lose something is to try to protect it, and the best way to keep it is to let it go."
I read a story about a little boy who came running into the house, he was upset and angry.
His mother asked him, "What’s wrong?" Little Johnny said, "Billy called me stupid." "Do you believe that you are stupid?" his mother asked. "No." "Great," mom said, "now let it go!" And with that the whole matter was over.
One important key in life and in all relationships, for that matter is to: let it go. For those of us who are married has your wife ever come to you with an old shirt of yours that she is tired of washing and wants to through it away but for sentimental reasons you are reluctant to let it go? Well, when it comes to life there are something’s we hold on to way too long – we need to learn how let it go.
When someone cuts you off in traffic, let it go.
If a competitor stole your client from you, let it go.
If you get an unfavorable email from a coworker who is venting to you about the last project you worked on together, let it go.
If someone did you wrong at some point in time, let it go.
Your previous employer did you wrong, let it go.
Your friend betrayed you, let it go.
Let go of anger, and leave rage behind.
Do not be preoccupied. It only leads to evil.
Psalms 37:8
It’s not worth holding on to it. Let it go, so you can move on, unfettered to your next destination. Far too many of us hold on to things that we should have let go of a long time ago. As I am writing this , I can think of a few things myself. How about you? If we can practice letting go of the things we need to let go of, we can grab hold of the things that we need to hold on to. I firmly believe we hold on to the things we should let go of and we let go of the things we should hold on to.
As Tozer once said, "In the kingdom of God the surest way to lose something is to try to protect it, and the best way to keep it is to let it go."
Daily Smile:
While living in Denver the weatherman said, expect 10 to 12 inches of snow tonight so park on the right side of the road so we can plow the left side. Willie’s wife ran out and parked on the right side.
The next week the forecast called for another 10 to 12 inches of snow, but this time he said park on the left side. So Willie’s wife ran out and parked the car on the left side of the road.
The following week he said 16 inches of snow expected park, the lights went out and all our power was lost.
Willie’s wife said, my goodness, now I don’t know where to park the car.
“Why don’t you just leave it in the garage!” Willie said.
Friday, January 27, 2012
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!
Let’s learn from potatoes
A kindergarten teacher has decided to let her class play a game. The teacher told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few potatoes. Each potato will be given a name of a person that the child hates, so the number of potatoes that a child will put in his or her plastic bag will depend on the number of people he/she hates.
So when the day came, every child brought some potatoes with the name of the people he/she hated. Some had two potatoes; some three, while some up to five potatoes. Then, the teacher told the children to carry the potatoes with them in the plastic bag wherever they go (even to the washroom) for one week.
Days after days passed by, and the children started to complain due to the unpleasant smell that came out from the rotten potatoes. Besides, those having five potatoes also had to carry heavier bags. After one week, the children were relieved, because the game has finally ended.
The teacher asked, how did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for one week? The children let out their frustrations and started complaining of the trouble that they had to go through while carrying the heavy and smelly potatoes wherever they went.
Then, the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the game. The teacher said...
This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart. The stench of hatred will contaminate your heart and you will carry it with you wherever you go. If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just one week, can you imagine what it is to have the stench of hatred in your heart for your lifetime?
Summary of the story: Throw away any hatred for anyone from your heart, so that you will not carry sins for a lifetime. Forgiving others is the best attitude to have! True love is not loving a perfect person, but loving an imperfect person perfectly.
A kindergarten teacher has decided to let her class play a game. The teacher told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few potatoes. Each potato will be given a name of a person that the child hates, so the number of potatoes that a child will put in his or her plastic bag will depend on the number of people he/she hates.
So when the day came, every child brought some potatoes with the name of the people he/she hated. Some had two potatoes; some three, while some up to five potatoes. Then, the teacher told the children to carry the potatoes with them in the plastic bag wherever they go (even to the washroom) for one week.
Days after days passed by, and the children started to complain due to the unpleasant smell that came out from the rotten potatoes. Besides, those having five potatoes also had to carry heavier bags. After one week, the children were relieved, because the game has finally ended.
The teacher asked, how did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for one week? The children let out their frustrations and started complaining of the trouble that they had to go through while carrying the heavy and smelly potatoes wherever they went.
Then, the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the game. The teacher said...
This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart. The stench of hatred will contaminate your heart and you will carry it with you wherever you go. If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just one week, can you imagine what it is to have the stench of hatred in your heart for your lifetime?
Summary of the story: Throw away any hatred for anyone from your heart, so that you will not carry sins for a lifetime. Forgiving others is the best attitude to have! True love is not loving a perfect person, but loving an imperfect person perfectly.
Daily Smile:
A man died and went to The Judgment, where he was told, "Before you meet with God, I should tell you — we've looked over your life, and to be honest you really didn't do anything particularly good or bad. We're not really sure what to do with you. Can you tell us anything you did that can help us make a decision?"
The newly-arrived soul thought for a moment and replied, "Yeah, once I was driving along and came upon a person who was being harassed by a group of thugs. So I pulled over, got out a bat, and went up to the leader of the thugs. He was a big, muscular guy with a ring pierced through his lip. Well, I tore the ring out of his lip, and told him he and his gang had better stop bothering this guy or they would have to deal with me!"
"Wow that's impressive, "When did this happen?"
"About three minutes ago."
The newly-arrived soul thought for a moment and replied, "Yeah, once I was driving along and came upon a person who was being harassed by a group of thugs. So I pulled over, got out a bat, and went up to the leader of the thugs. He was a big, muscular guy with a ring pierced through his lip. Well, I tore the ring out of his lip, and told him he and his gang had better stop bothering this guy or they would have to deal with me!"
"Wow that's impressive, "When did this happen?"
"About three minutes ago."
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Happy Thursday
Through a Child's Eyes
God recently allowed me to see Jesus through the eyes of someone seeing Him for the first time. Having the advantage of knowing how the story ends, we can easily forget the cost of our redemption and the love of our Savior.
Every year we attend a local church pageant at Christmas time, which tells the story of Jesus from His birth through His resurrection. It is a spectacular event, with live animals and hundreds of cast members in realistic costumes. The magi enter the huge auditorium on llamas from the rear, descending the steps in pomp and majesty. Roman soldiers look huge and menacing in their costumes and makeup.
Of all the years we have attended, one stands out indelibly in my heart.
It was the year we took our then three-year-old granddaughter, Bailey, who loves Jesus. She was mesmerized throughout the entire play, not just watching, but involved as if she were a player. She watches as Joseph and Mary travel to the Inn and is thrilled when she sees the baby Jesus in His mother's arms.
When Jesus, on a young donkey, descends the steps from the back of the auditorium, depicting His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Bailey was ecstatic. As he neared our aisle, Bailey began jumping up and down, screaming, "Jesus, Jesus! There's Jesus!" Not just saying the words but exclaiming them with every fiber of her being. She alternated between screaming his name and hugging us. "It's Jesus. Look!" I thought she might actually pass out. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Jesus through the eyes of a child in love with Him, seeing Him for the first time. How like the blind beggar screaming out in reckless abandon, "Jesus, Jesus!", afraid he might miss Him, not caring what others thought. (Mark 10:46-52)
This was so much fun.
Then came the arrest scene. On stage, the soldiers shoved and slapped Jesus as they moved Him from the Garden of Gethsemane to Pilate. Bailey responded as if she were in the crowd of women, with terror and anger. "Stop it!" she screamed. "Bad soldiers, stop it!" As I watched her reaction, I wished we had talked to her before the play. "Bailey it's OK. They are just pretending."
"They are hurting Jesus! Stop it!"
She stood in her seat reacting to each and every move. People around us at first smiled at her reaction, thinking "How cute!". Then they quit smiling and began watching her watch Him. In a most powerful scene, the soldiers lead Jesus carrying the cross down the steps of the auditorium from the back They were yelling, whipping, and cursing at Jesus, who was bloodied and beaten.
Bailey was now hysterical. "Stop it! Soldiers! Stop it," she screamed.
She must have been wondering why all these people did nothing. She then began to cry instead of scream. "Jesus, Oh, Jesus!" People all around us began to weep as we all watch this devoted little disciple see her Jesus beaten and killed as those first century disciples had.
Going back and forth between her mother's lap and mine for comfort, she was distraught. I kept saying, "Bailey, it's OK. Jesus is going to be OK.
These are just people pretending to be soldiers. She looked at me like I was crazy. In my lap, we talked through the cross and burial. "Watch, Bailey, watch for Jesus!"
The tomb began to tremble and lightening flashed as the stone rolled away.
A Super Bowl touchdown cheer couldn't come close to matching this little one's reaction to the resurrection. "Jesus! He's OK. Mommy, it's Jesus!"
I prayed that she wasn't going to be traumatized by this event, but that she would remember it. I shall never forget it. I shall never forget seeing Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection through the eyes of an innocent child.
Following the pageant the actors all assembled in the foyer to be greeted by the audience. As we passed by some of the soldiers Bailey screamed out, "Bad soldier, don't you hurt Jesus." The actor who portrayed Jesus was some distance away surrounded by well-wishers and friends. Bailey broke away from us and ran toward him, wrapping herself around his legs, holding on for dear life. He hugged her and said, "Jesus loves you." He patted her to go away.
She wouldn't let go. She kept clinging to Him, laughing and calling His name. She wasn't about to let go of her Jesus.
I think God in heaven stopped whatever was going on that day and made all the angels watch Bailey. "Now, look there! You see what I meant when I said, 'Of such is the kingdom of heaven?'"
Bailey's reaction should be our reaction every day. When we think of Him, who He is, what He did for us, and what He offers us, we have to say, how can we do anything less than worship Him?
COMPUTER TERM DICTIONARY
State-of-the-art: Any computer you can't afford.
Obsolete: Any computer you own.
Microsecond: The time it takes for your state-of-the-art computer to become obsolete.
G4: Apple's new Macs that make you say, "Gee, it's four times faster than the computer I bought for the same price a microsecond ago."
Syntax Error: Walking into a computer store and saying, "Hi, I want to buy a computer and money is no object."
Hard Drive: The sales technique employed by computer salesmen, especially after a Syntax Error.
GUI (pronounced "gooey"): What your computer becomes after spilling your soda on it.
Keyboard: The standard way to generate computer errors.
Mouse: An advanced input device to make computer errors easier to generate.
Floppy: The state of your wallet after purchasing a computer.
Laptop: A device invented to force businessmen to work at home, on vacation, and on business trips.
Disk Crash: A typical computer response to any critical deadline.
System Update: A quick method of trashing ALL of your software.
(Author Unknown)
God recently allowed me to see Jesus through the eyes of someone seeing Him for the first time. Having the advantage of knowing how the story ends, we can easily forget the cost of our redemption and the love of our Savior.
Every year we attend a local church pageant at Christmas time, which tells the story of Jesus from His birth through His resurrection. It is a spectacular event, with live animals and hundreds of cast members in realistic costumes. The magi enter the huge auditorium on llamas from the rear, descending the steps in pomp and majesty. Roman soldiers look huge and menacing in their costumes and makeup.
Of all the years we have attended, one stands out indelibly in my heart.
It was the year we took our then three-year-old granddaughter, Bailey, who loves Jesus. She was mesmerized throughout the entire play, not just watching, but involved as if she were a player. She watches as Joseph and Mary travel to the Inn and is thrilled when she sees the baby Jesus in His mother's arms.
When Jesus, on a young donkey, descends the steps from the back of the auditorium, depicting His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Bailey was ecstatic. As he neared our aisle, Bailey began jumping up and down, screaming, "Jesus, Jesus! There's Jesus!" Not just saying the words but exclaiming them with every fiber of her being. She alternated between screaming his name and hugging us. "It's Jesus. Look!" I thought she might actually pass out. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Jesus through the eyes of a child in love with Him, seeing Him for the first time. How like the blind beggar screaming out in reckless abandon, "Jesus, Jesus!", afraid he might miss Him, not caring what others thought. (Mark 10:46-52)
This was so much fun.
Then came the arrest scene. On stage, the soldiers shoved and slapped Jesus as they moved Him from the Garden of Gethsemane to Pilate. Bailey responded as if she were in the crowd of women, with terror and anger. "Stop it!" she screamed. "Bad soldiers, stop it!" As I watched her reaction, I wished we had talked to her before the play. "Bailey it's OK. They are just pretending."
"They are hurting Jesus! Stop it!"
She stood in her seat reacting to each and every move. People around us at first smiled at her reaction, thinking "How cute!". Then they quit smiling and began watching her watch Him. In a most powerful scene, the soldiers lead Jesus carrying the cross down the steps of the auditorium from the back They were yelling, whipping, and cursing at Jesus, who was bloodied and beaten.
Bailey was now hysterical. "Stop it! Soldiers! Stop it," she screamed.
She must have been wondering why all these people did nothing. She then began to cry instead of scream. "Jesus, Oh, Jesus!" People all around us began to weep as we all watch this devoted little disciple see her Jesus beaten and killed as those first century disciples had.
Going back and forth between her mother's lap and mine for comfort, she was distraught. I kept saying, "Bailey, it's OK. Jesus is going to be OK.
These are just people pretending to be soldiers. She looked at me like I was crazy. In my lap, we talked through the cross and burial. "Watch, Bailey, watch for Jesus!"
The tomb began to tremble and lightening flashed as the stone rolled away.
A Super Bowl touchdown cheer couldn't come close to matching this little one's reaction to the resurrection. "Jesus! He's OK. Mommy, it's Jesus!"
I prayed that she wasn't going to be traumatized by this event, but that she would remember it. I shall never forget it. I shall never forget seeing Jesus' suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection through the eyes of an innocent child.
Following the pageant the actors all assembled in the foyer to be greeted by the audience. As we passed by some of the soldiers Bailey screamed out, "Bad soldier, don't you hurt Jesus." The actor who portrayed Jesus was some distance away surrounded by well-wishers and friends. Bailey broke away from us and ran toward him, wrapping herself around his legs, holding on for dear life. He hugged her and said, "Jesus loves you." He patted her to go away.
She wouldn't let go. She kept clinging to Him, laughing and calling His name. She wasn't about to let go of her Jesus.
I think God in heaven stopped whatever was going on that day and made all the angels watch Bailey. "Now, look there! You see what I meant when I said, 'Of such is the kingdom of heaven?'"
Bailey's reaction should be our reaction every day. When we think of Him, who He is, what He did for us, and what He offers us, we have to say, how can we do anything less than worship Him?
Daily Smile:
State-of-the-art: Any computer you can't afford.
Obsolete: Any computer you own.
Microsecond: The time it takes for your state-of-the-art computer to become obsolete.
G4: Apple's new Macs that make you say, "Gee, it's four times faster than the computer I bought for the same price a microsecond ago."
Syntax Error: Walking into a computer store and saying, "Hi, I want to buy a computer and money is no object."
Hard Drive: The sales technique employed by computer salesmen, especially after a Syntax Error.
GUI (pronounced "gooey"): What your computer becomes after spilling your soda on it.
Keyboard: The standard way to generate computer errors.
Mouse: An advanced input device to make computer errors easier to generate.
Floppy: The state of your wallet after purchasing a computer.
Laptop: A device invented to force businessmen to work at home, on vacation, and on business trips.
Disk Crash: A typical computer response to any critical deadline.
System Update: A quick method of trashing ALL of your software.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Happy Tuesday
Unforgiveness is a Negative Witness
by Dr. Larry Ollison
Why is it that the devil is attacking so much in offenses and in the area of unforgiveness? In (John 10:10) it says "the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came to give us abundant life."
If the devil wants to kill, what does he want to kill? He wants to kill us, but specifically he wants to kill the work of God, steal the work of God, and destroy the work of God in your life. He wants to get at God through the body of Jesus that is here on this earth. He wants to destroy the ministry of Jesus Christ. His goal is to get you tied up in unforgiveness and in offense so you will be weak and without joy. (Nehemiah 8:10.)
What do you do? You decide you are going to let the offense go. Who decides if you are going to let it go? Who decides if you are going to forgive? You do! The person who has been offended and hurt has to make the decision.
Paul said, "forgetting what lies behind I press on." God forgives and forgets and we must be like God. We have to choose to forget. Forgetting does not mean that you don't remember. You still remember, but the surge of anger that you normally would feel when you remember isn't there. You remember it only as an historical event. You don't remember it with the pain.
When we start seeing people the way God sees people, we are not going to be offended and we are not going to be unforgiving toward things they do and say.
You can choose what you think about. The battle of faith takes place in the mind and the devil is the king of guilt. He'll try to make you remember your past. Is it your past that keeps you from going forward, or is it your present attitude about your past that keeps you from going forward?
Unforgiveness will affect your sanity. Have you ever been around somebody that won't let go of unforgiveness? The Bible says to think on certain things, which means you can control what you think. It's a lie to say, "I can't help what I think."
Unforgiveness will make you open bait for the devil. You've got to realize that the devil is trying to pull you into a trap – everyday. The easiest trap he has is offenses and unforgiveness. Once he gets you in there, you are trapped.
You may be trying to go on with your ministry. You may be trying to witness to a person you are working with. I know of a man who has been trying to witness to a co-worker for years. I'll be honest with you. He will never witness to him and get him saved in his current condition. Why is that? Because in his current condition he is offended and he has unforgiveness and it just pours out of him. While that unforgiveness is pouring out of him, he's trying to witness to his co-worker. Witnessing is taking place, only it's a negative witness instead of a positive one. The co-worker is probably thinking to himself, "If that guy is a Christian, I don't want what he has. He's a mess. He's mental." The world calls this being a hypocrite.
(2Timothy 2:25-26) talks about how we come to the truth. We hear the truth, we come to our senses and we escape the snare of the devil. The devil hopes you won't be smart enough to forgive. The devil wants you to be stupid when it comes to forgiveness. But forgiveness is the key to being set free. Forgiveness is possible in every situation. Forgiveness is a choice. That choice is totally ours.
Daily Smile:
You Never Hear This In Church
You Never Hear This In Church
Hey! It's MY turn to sit on the front pew!
I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went over time 25 minutes.
Personally, I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.
I've decided to give our church the $500.00 a month I used to send to TV evangelists.
I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Sunday School class.
Forget the denominational minimum salary: let's pay our pastor so he can live like we do.
I love it when we sing hymns I've never heard before!
Since we're all here, let's start the worship service early!
Pastor, we'd like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.
Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship campaign!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Happy Monday
Running a little late today... Working on the February StarLight News... So much to read and place, but not enough space...
Got faith?
Read Ahead: Hebrews 11:3-6
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6, HCSB
One thing that keeps many people from coming to know Christ is--(are you ready for this?)--they're too nice. They live moral lives. They give to charity. They treat others well. They may even go to church and read the Bible on occasion. They assume that God must be pleased with them because they're good people.
Yet they lack the one thing they need to please God--faith.
The Bible says you can live the cleanest life possible, you can do all sorts of good deeds, you can even memorize the Bible from cover to cover... but without faith you will not please God.
What does it mean to have faith? According to the last part of this verse, faith means not only believing that God exists but also seeking after him earnestly. It's not enough to be a good person or even to acknowledge that God is there. The Pharisees in Jesus' day did all of these things, yet Jesus was anything but pleased with them! Even the demons in hell believe God exists! (James 2:19).
The good news is this: God promises to reward those who earnestly seek him. If you trust God, he'll provide for your needs. If you seek his plan for you, he'll guide you into his perfect will. He'll pour out love on you unlike anything you've ever experienced.
You hold the key that unlocks everything God has for you. That key is your faith.
What would you say to someone who doubts that God "rewards those who seek him"?
Read Up: Romans 1:16-17, Galatians 3:10-14
The genie asked, "Do you want that bridge two lanes or four?"
Got faith?
Read Ahead: Hebrews 11:3-6
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6, HCSB
One thing that keeps many people from coming to know Christ is--(are you ready for this?)--they're too nice. They live moral lives. They give to charity. They treat others well. They may even go to church and read the Bible on occasion. They assume that God must be pleased with them because they're good people.
Yet they lack the one thing they need to please God--faith.
The Bible says you can live the cleanest life possible, you can do all sorts of good deeds, you can even memorize the Bible from cover to cover... but without faith you will not please God.
What does it mean to have faith? According to the last part of this verse, faith means not only believing that God exists but also seeking after him earnestly. It's not enough to be a good person or even to acknowledge that God is there. The Pharisees in Jesus' day did all of these things, yet Jesus was anything but pleased with them! Even the demons in hell believe God exists! (James 2:19).
The good news is this: God promises to reward those who earnestly seek him. If you trust God, he'll provide for your needs. If you seek his plan for you, he'll guide you into his perfect will. He'll pour out love on you unlike anything you've ever experienced.
You hold the key that unlocks everything God has for you. That key is your faith.
What would you say to someone who doubts that God "rewards those who seek him"?
Read Up: Romans 1:16-17, Galatians 3:10-14
Daily Smile:
A man was walking along a California beach and stumbled across an old lamp. He picked it up and rubbed it and out popped a genie. The genie said, "OK. You released me from the lamp, blah blah blah. This is the fourth time this month and I'm getting a little sick of these wishes so you can forget about three. You only get one wish!"
The man sat and thought about it for a while and said, "I've always wanted to go to Hawaii but I'm scared to fly and I get very seasick. Could you build me a bridge to Hawaii so I can drive over there to visit?"
The genie laughed and said, "That's impossible. Think of the logistics of that! How would the supports ever reach the bottom of the Pacific? Think of how much concrete...how much steel!! No, think of another
wish."
wish."
The man said OK and tried to think of a really good wish. Finally, he said, "I've been married and divorced four times. My wives always said that I don't care and that I'm insensitive. So, I wish that I could understand women....know how they feel inside and what they're thinking when they give me the silent treatment....know why they're crying, know what they really want when they say 'nothing'....know how to make them truly happy...."
The genie asked, "Do you want that bridge two lanes or four?"
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Happy Saturday
Hang In There
I once had a friend who taught his pet parrot to say "Praise the Lord!" It was entertaining, but I didn’t think, "Now, that’s a spiritual bird!" No, the bird had just been taught to say the words. "Praise the Lord!" had no more meaning to that parrot than "Polly wanna cracker."
Anyone can say spiritual words. But what does it mean to be a spiritual person? I don’t think you can tell by what a person says as much as by what he does.
To be spiritual according to the Bible is to believe in the one true God, and more than that, to be governed by the Holy Spirit of God. If you want to be spiritual, walk in the Spirit. When you are an authentically spiritual person, when you walk in the Spirit, everyone around you will know it. That is, you’ll give off evidence, or fruit.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Notice that verses 19-21 list "the works of the flesh." But in verse 22 it’s not the "works" of the spirit, it’s the "fruit" of the spirit. Why? Because one is dead and one is alive. When you think of works you think of something artificially made, manufactured by a machine in a factory. But fruit is the byproduct of life. It’s natural.
How does a tree produce fruit? By just hanging in there. Trees don’t work or strive. You’ve never seen a fruit tree sweat! Hanging in there is what the Bible calls "abiding." Jesus said, "Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5). So what’s the secret? Abiding.
Maintain a close contact with Jesus Christ. When you do that, when you talk to Him, when He talks to you in His Word, when you seek Him with your whole heart—the Bible calls that "abiding"—the natural result, without striving, will be the production of fruit.
An Associated Press story once listed what it takes to produce 100 bushels of corn from one acre of land: four million pounds of water, 6,800 pounds of oxygen, 5,200 pounds of carbon, 160 pounds of nitrogen…and it went on, listing the natural ingredients (those provided by God). Only five percent of the yield could be attributed to the efforts of man.
It’s that way with spiritual fruit. You can’t say, "Look what I have done!" If there is spiritual fruit in your life, it comes through hanging in there with Christ.
By Skip Heitzig
I once had a friend who taught his pet parrot to say "Praise the Lord!" It was entertaining, but I didn’t think, "Now, that’s a spiritual bird!" No, the bird had just been taught to say the words. "Praise the Lord!" had no more meaning to that parrot than "Polly wanna cracker."
Anyone can say spiritual words. But what does it mean to be a spiritual person? I don’t think you can tell by what a person says as much as by what he does.
To be spiritual according to the Bible is to believe in the one true God, and more than that, to be governed by the Holy Spirit of God. If you want to be spiritual, walk in the Spirit. When you are an authentically spiritual person, when you walk in the Spirit, everyone around you will know it. That is, you’ll give off evidence, or fruit.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." Notice that verses 19-21 list "the works of the flesh." But in verse 22 it’s not the "works" of the spirit, it’s the "fruit" of the spirit. Why? Because one is dead and one is alive. When you think of works you think of something artificially made, manufactured by a machine in a factory. But fruit is the byproduct of life. It’s natural.
How does a tree produce fruit? By just hanging in there. Trees don’t work or strive. You’ve never seen a fruit tree sweat! Hanging in there is what the Bible calls "abiding." Jesus said, "Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:4-5). So what’s the secret? Abiding.
Maintain a close contact with Jesus Christ. When you do that, when you talk to Him, when He talks to you in His Word, when you seek Him with your whole heart—the Bible calls that "abiding"—the natural result, without striving, will be the production of fruit.
An Associated Press story once listed what it takes to produce 100 bushels of corn from one acre of land: four million pounds of water, 6,800 pounds of oxygen, 5,200 pounds of carbon, 160 pounds of nitrogen…and it went on, listing the natural ingredients (those provided by God). Only five percent of the yield could be attributed to the efforts of man.
It’s that way with spiritual fruit. You can’t say, "Look what I have done!" If there is spiritual fruit in your life, it comes through hanging in there with Christ.
Daily Smile:
The first-time father, beside himself with excitement over the birth of his son, was determined to do everything right.
"So, tell me, Nurse," he asked as his new family headed out the hospital door, "what time should we wake the little guy in the morning?"
"So, tell me, Nurse," he asked as his new family headed out the hospital door, "what time should we wake the little guy in the morning?"
Friday, January 20, 2012
T.G.I.H.F. • Thank Goodness Its Happy Friday
I have A Dream! Brother Paul
I have a dream, a wonderful dream about Christians uniting for the common cause,
leading people to Jesus Christ and Salvation by His shed blood, plus nothing we can do
to deserve Eternal Security!
My dream includes GOD'S WORD, the road-map to Heaven, to eternal happiness and
love!, with King Jesus, for eternity!
I have a dream that all Christians will one day put into practice the teaching and
examples of King Jesus, that of love, patience, compassion, forgiveness, all the traits
that Jesus demonstrated while walking this earth those three short years!
I have a dream that all Christians will some day join hands in Christian brotherhood
(sisterhood) and work toward that goal before us, that none should perish, but that all
might be saved!
Do YOU share my dream? Do YOU care that so many people are perishing?
As the years go by, I see a world more and more divided! I see corruption and every
evil conceivable abound profusely!
I see people HUNGRY for what Jesus offers, but people BLINDED by WORLDLY
DISTRACTIONS,GADGETS,FALSE RELIGIONS, "eat, drink and be merry, for
tomorrow you will surely die" philosophy,
What will it take for my dream to come true? Ed suggests that there is but one way for
this dream to come true, We must, all of us, return to The Master of LOVE, King Jesus,
and repent of our collective sin, and LIVE in the Glory and Grace of Christ! We must
return to our FIRST LOVE!
Nothing less is expected of CHRISTIANS! Christians are to be The Light of This World,
LIVING EXAMPLES OF GODLY LOVE!, the salt of the earth!, shining as a BEACON
showing the world the path to the CROSS, to JESUS, to ETERNAL LIFE!
Time is growing short, King Jesus PROMISED He will return for HIS OWN! Jesus may
very well return before I hit the send key!, even so, come Lord Jesus!
Are you ready to depart this sin-sick world? Are you washed in the Blood of Christ?
Are you helping others find their way?
Are you busy sharing the Gospel of Salvation with "whosoever"?
Jesus said, "I must go about My Father's business", What about you and me? Our Father is depending on us to carry out The Great Commission!
I have a dream, a wonderful dream about Christians uniting for the common cause,
leading people to Jesus Christ and Salvation by His shed blood, plus nothing we can do
to deserve Eternal Security!
My dream includes GOD'S WORD, the road-map to Heaven, to eternal happiness and
love!, with King Jesus, for eternity!
I have a dream that all Christians will one day put into practice the teaching and
examples of King Jesus, that of love, patience, compassion, forgiveness, all the traits
that Jesus demonstrated while walking this earth those three short years!
I have a dream that all Christians will some day join hands in Christian brotherhood
(sisterhood) and work toward that goal before us, that none should perish, but that all
might be saved!
Do YOU share my dream? Do YOU care that so many people are perishing?
As the years go by, I see a world more and more divided! I see corruption and every
evil conceivable abound profusely!
I see people HUNGRY for what Jesus offers, but people BLINDED by WORLDLY
DISTRACTIONS,GADGETS,FALSE RELIGIONS, "eat, drink and be merry, for
tomorrow you will surely die" philosophy,
What will it take for my dream to come true? Ed suggests that there is but one way for
this dream to come true, We must, all of us, return to The Master of LOVE, King Jesus,
and repent of our collective sin, and LIVE in the Glory and Grace of Christ! We must
return to our FIRST LOVE!
Nothing less is expected of CHRISTIANS! Christians are to be The Light of This World,
LIVING EXAMPLES OF GODLY LOVE!, the salt of the earth!, shining as a BEACON
showing the world the path to the CROSS, to JESUS, to ETERNAL LIFE!
Time is growing short, King Jesus PROMISED He will return for HIS OWN! Jesus may
very well return before I hit the send key!, even so, come Lord Jesus!
Are you ready to depart this sin-sick world? Are you washed in the Blood of Christ?
Are you helping others find their way?
Are you busy sharing the Gospel of Salvation with "whosoever"?
Jesus said, "I must go about My Father's business", What about you and me? Our Father is depending on us to carry out The Great Commission!
Daily Smile:
Before going to Europe on business, a man drives his Rolls-Royce to a downtown New York City bank and asks for an immediate loan of $5,000. The loan officer, taken aback, requests collateral.
"Well then, here are the keys to my Rolls-Royce," the man says. The loan officer promptly has the car driven into the bank's underground parking for safe keeping and gives the man the $5,000.
Two weeks later, the man walks through the bank's doors and asks to settle up his loan and get his car back. "That will be $5,000 in principal, and $15.40 in interest," the loan officer says. The man writes out a check and starts to walk away. "Wait, sir," the loan officer says. "You are a millionaire. Why in the world would you need to borrow $5,000?"
The man smiles, "Where else could I find a safer place to park my Rolls-Royce in Manhattan for two weeks and pay only $15.40?"
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Happy Thursday
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Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Happy Wednesday
Conformity
By Skip Heitzig
Once, some scientists did an experiment where they placed caterpillars head to tail, all around the rim of a clay pot. They watched as the caterpillars marched for days around the rim, each following the other--until they died. And this, despite the fact there was a plant in the pot that they could have consumed for nourishment!
That "follow the leader" conformity was deadly. But conforming to this world is deadly to our spiritual lives. The Bible tells us what God wants instead. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1-2).
God is calling us to make a practical presentation of ourselves to Him: "Here I am, God! I'm yours, totally and completely." This must be our lifestyle. Being a "living sacrifice" is tough, because we tend to want to squirm off the altar. But when your body is yielded to God, it is a base of operations for the Holy Spirit to work. That's why the Bible calls our bodies the temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is full of wonderful examples of bodies yielded over to God. Sarah's barren womb was yielded to God, and she gave birth to the son of promise, Isaac. Moses told the Lord he was "slow of speech," but he yielded his voice to God and it became a powerful instrument, to utter the law to the nation. The shepherd hands of David vanquished the giant. Paul's feet carried him to the uttermost parts of the world to spread the Gospel.
"Reasonable service" means it must be a rational choice. That makes sense if you think of all God has given to you--His salvation, His peace, His mercy. You should want to commit your life to God because God has committed to you all the resources for life and godliness.
Verse 2 talks about transformation, changing the way we think about the values around us. It says, "Don't be conformed to this world." God is calling you to non-conformity. I love the way the Phillips translation puts it: "Don't let the world squeeze you into its own mold." One of the greatest fears people have is to be rejected by "the group," their peers…to be somehow different. That's why even some Christians conform to what the world thinks and how it behaves.
We will conform to one of two value systems--to that of God and His Word, or to that of this world. One of those two molds will shape us. But our thinking is to be renewed. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.
The point is, God wants to touch the world through you. So you should break away from the crowd. Think His thoughts. Dare to be different. Dare to think, act, and live according to His truth!
God is calling us to make a practical presentation of ourselves to Him: "Here I am, God! I'm yours, totally and completely." This must be our lifestyle. Being a "living sacrifice" is tough, because we tend to want to squirm off the altar. But when your body is yielded to God, it is a base of operations for the Holy Spirit to work. That's why the Bible calls our bodies the temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is full of wonderful examples of bodies yielded over to God. Sarah's barren womb was yielded to God, and she gave birth to the son of promise, Isaac. Moses told the Lord he was "slow of speech," but he yielded his voice to God and it became a powerful instrument, to utter the law to the nation. The shepherd hands of David vanquished the giant. Paul's feet carried him to the uttermost parts of the world to spread the Gospel.
"Reasonable service" means it must be a rational choice. That makes sense if you think of all God has given to you--His salvation, His peace, His mercy. You should want to commit your life to God because God has committed to you all the resources for life and godliness.
Verse 2 talks about transformation, changing the way we think about the values around us. It says, "Don't be conformed to this world." God is calling you to non-conformity. I love the way the Phillips translation puts it: "Don't let the world squeeze you into its own mold." One of the greatest fears people have is to be rejected by "the group," their peers…to be somehow different. That's why even some Christians conform to what the world thinks and how it behaves.
We will conform to one of two value systems--to that of God and His Word, or to that of this world. One of those two molds will shape us. But our thinking is to be renewed. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.
The point is, God wants to touch the world through you. So you should break away from the crowd. Think His thoughts. Dare to be different. Dare to think, act, and live according to His truth!
Daily Smile:
The National Game warden put out a warning to all hikers in his area. Warning that they should wear small bells on their boots so not to startle the bears. To distinguish the grizzly bear the notice read-- small bears droppings are small with nut and berries in it. Grizzly bear droppings are much larger with nuts and berries and little tiny bells in it. Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Happy Tuesday
Know So Religion
Early on I developed some very serious ideas about religion. On some of those ideas I had to grow much older to learn how to express them without contention. On other thoughts I never have learned a way.
One of the things that made a problem for me was an idea held by a Catholic boy who lived next door in Warner Robins. He was fearful that if he even touched my Sunday School book he would have to spend time in purgatory atoning for the sin. I knew a religion where I was supposedly saved from my sin, but where I might yet have to pay for my sin was a problem for someone as flawed as me.
Another problem was one held by some in Christendom, but the few other religions I had been exposed to as a youth also held. That was, you could not know your future state till you arrived in eternity. To me that seemed out of step with a method of salvation one was supposed to believe in, or a Savior one was supposed to freely follow. It was out of step with being utterly saved: "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25
The more I studied on the matter the more convinced I became that the true religion would have to be a know so religion with uncertainty taken out. Otherwise God would be limited in either what He could or would do for me. And that was not to the uttermost. So true religion had to have certainty.
Early on I developed some very serious ideas about religion. On some of those ideas I had to grow much older to learn how to express them without contention. On other thoughts I never have learned a way.
One of the things that made a problem for me was an idea held by a Catholic boy who lived next door in Warner Robins. He was fearful that if he even touched my Sunday School book he would have to spend time in purgatory atoning for the sin. I knew a religion where I was supposedly saved from my sin, but where I might yet have to pay for my sin was a problem for someone as flawed as me.
Another problem was one held by some in Christendom, but the few other religions I had been exposed to as a youth also held. That was, you could not know your future state till you arrived in eternity. To me that seemed out of step with a method of salvation one was supposed to believe in, or a Savior one was supposed to freely follow. It was out of step with being utterly saved: "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25
The more I studied on the matter the more convinced I became that the true religion would have to be a know so religion with uncertainty taken out. Otherwise God would be limited in either what He could or would do for me. And that was not to the uttermost. So true religion had to have certainty.
Daily Smile:
Computers are like air conditioners. They work fine until you start opening windows.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Happy Monday
Is Life Unfair?
"As for me, is my complaint to man?...Why do the wicked still live, continue on, also become very powerful? Their descendants are established...and their offspring before their eyes, their houses are safe from fear, and the rod of God is not on them." - Job 21:4-9 NASB
Life seemed so unfair! After suffering losses and tragedies, Job looked around and wondered why it seemed that the wicked were spared from problems. Their businesses seemed successful, and even while defying God, they seemed to "spend their days in prosperity."
While feeling "wronged" by the accusations of his friends, Job recognized that "the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity." Yet he wondered, "Who will confront him?"...and "who will repay him for what he has done?"
We know that in God's sight, Job was blameless and upright, and he feared the Lord and turned away from evil. We also know Satan's contention that God had unfairly protected Job, and if God removed His protective hedge, Job would stop believing and abandon his integrity. Thus, Job was being tested to prove his character (2:3-6).
Many people have gone through similar difficulties and found themselves filled with doubts and questions. They, too, have wondered if life really is fair.
To see a situation like this in balance, we need to study God's comments in Job 38-42. There we see the grandeur of His creation and the full development of His sovereignty. We glimpse into the mysteries of His plans and purposes. We also see the importance of faith at every stage in life.
Today, remember that you can trust God in every situation-when things seem fair or unfair...whether or not you understand...and even if you have questions.
Remember: He hears you even when you don't hear His response. Have faith that He is in control and that He's working everything together for good (Romans 8:28).
Today's Inspirational Prayer
Father, thank You that You are with me right now. I will not give in to doubt, but will continue to praise You and serve You. I trust in You! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Chickens scurried off in different directions, but the determined boy walked all over the neighborhood scooping up the wayward birds and returning them to the repaired crate. Hoping he had found them all, the boy reluctantly returned home, expecting the worst.
"Pa, the chickens got loose," the boy confessed sadly, "but I managed to find all twelve of them."
"Well, you done a good job, son," the farmer beamed.
"You left with seven."
"As for me, is my complaint to man?...Why do the wicked still live, continue on, also become very powerful? Their descendants are established...and their offspring before their eyes, their houses are safe from fear, and the rod of God is not on them." - Job 21:4-9 NASB
Life seemed so unfair! After suffering losses and tragedies, Job looked around and wondered why it seemed that the wicked were spared from problems. Their businesses seemed successful, and even while defying God, they seemed to "spend their days in prosperity."
While feeling "wronged" by the accusations of his friends, Job recognized that "the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity." Yet he wondered, "Who will confront him?"...and "who will repay him for what he has done?"
We know that in God's sight, Job was blameless and upright, and he feared the Lord and turned away from evil. We also know Satan's contention that God had unfairly protected Job, and if God removed His protective hedge, Job would stop believing and abandon his integrity. Thus, Job was being tested to prove his character (2:3-6).
Many people have gone through similar difficulties and found themselves filled with doubts and questions. They, too, have wondered if life really is fair.
To see a situation like this in balance, we need to study God's comments in Job 38-42. There we see the grandeur of His creation and the full development of His sovereignty. We glimpse into the mysteries of His plans and purposes. We also see the importance of faith at every stage in life.
Today, remember that you can trust God in every situation-when things seem fair or unfair...whether or not you understand...and even if you have questions.
Remember: He hears you even when you don't hear His response. Have faith that He is in control and that He's working everything together for good (Romans 8:28).
Today's Inspirational Prayer
Father, thank You that You are with me right now. I will not give in to doubt, but will continue to praise You and serve You. I trust in You! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Daily Smile:
The farmer's son was returning from the market with a crate of chickens his father had entrusted to him, when all of a sudden the box fell and broke open.Chickens scurried off in different directions, but the determined boy walked all over the neighborhood scooping up the wayward birds and returning them to the repaired crate. Hoping he had found them all, the boy reluctantly returned home, expecting the worst.
"Pa, the chickens got loose," the boy confessed sadly, "but I managed to find all twelve of them."
"Well, you done a good job, son," the farmer beamed.
"You left with seven."
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Happy Saturday & Sunday
The Farmer's Donkey
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less from people but more from God.
NOW... You have two choices... smile and close this page,
or pass this along to someone else to share the lesson .
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less from people but more from God.
NOW... You have two choices... smile and close this page,
or pass this along to someone else to share the lesson .
Friday, January 13, 2012
Happy Friday
What You're Facing This Coming Year
Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.
BIBLE MEDITATION:
“But the LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.” Psalm 94:22
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
• When you get ready to really live for God, you are going to face three enemies. You’re going to face those who are in despair—they’re going to be howling calamity.
“But the LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.” Psalm 94:22
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
• When you get ready to really live for God, you are going to face three enemies. You’re going to face those who are in despair—they’re going to be howling calamity.
• You’re going to face those with disdain—they’re going to laugh at you.
• And you’re going to face those with discouragement—they’re going to say that it can’t be done.
And you better learn to silence their voices. How do you do that?
Get alone in the secret counsel halls of the Almighty and get your eyes on God. If you listen to what those people say, you’re not going to be victorious in what God is calling you to do.
I believe David conquered Goliath because he got alone with God. I believe Joseph survived abandonment and imprisonment because he got alone with God.
ACTION POINT:
Who are your enemies today, and what are you doing to silence them? Get alone with God and listen.
Daily Smile:
"Just to establish some parameters," said the professor, "Mr. Nichols, what is the opposite of joy?"
"Sadness," said the student.
"And the opposite of depression, Ms. Biggs?"
"Elation."
"And you, sir, how about the opposite of woe?"
"I believe that would be giddy up..."
Thursday, January 12, 2012
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