Putting the "Thanks" Back in Thanksgiving

by Dr. Jack Graham

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalms 118:1

An old pastor and his wife invited a new young couple in the church over for Thanksgiving dinner. As the couple entered the home, they smelled the wonderful turkey and all the trimmings in the kitchen. As the four made their way to the dining room table, there was a great feast before them!

But as the young wife scanned the table, she noticed something out of place. Among the turkey, dressing, casseroles, and pies were three Chinese takeout cartons and a plate of egg rolls!

"I know what you're thinking," the old pastor said. "Why is there Chinese takeout on the table?"

"You see," he continued, "23 years ago on Thanksgiving Day, my dear wife burned the turkey and started a fire in our kitchen! In fact, our entire kitchen nearly caught fire and the whole Thanksgiving meal was charred black!"

"So after the fire department left," he chuckled, "we ordered Chinese takeout and that was our Thanksgiving meal! And every year since, we've had Chinese takeout as a part of our meal to remind us to be thankful for what we have!"

This year, I hope Thanksgiving isn't just a holiday for you. It should be a way of life for every Christian. We serve a wonderful God who sent his Son to die for you. So as you continue to reflect on what you are thankful for this year, remember God's blessings in your life!

GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR HOW HE HAS BLESSED YOU IN YOUR LIFE AND ESPECIALLY FOR SENDING CHRIST TO DIE FOR YOU!

The Passion to Obey

And JESUS said in John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

 

For a sermon I gave several years ago, I jotted down a list and titled it "The Evolution of a Passion to Obey God." That passion doesn't just spring up, full-blown at salvation. We do enter our new life in Christ with a desire to please Him, and that does include obeying Him. But an intensely determined pursuit of His will develops more slowly.

 

In fact, the first stage--fear of the consequences of disobedience--barely qualifies as reverence for God. But as we progress in our faith and form a commitment to obey the Lord, we eventually reach the final stage, which is love and devotion to Christ. Wouldn't you rather follow Him out of love than out of fear?

 

Getting from the first stage to the last begins with what you might expect--an increasing knowledge of Jesus Christ. As we dig into God's Word to see how He provided for the saints, we develop a desire for His best. Men like Moses, David, and Paul weren't satisfied with what the world had to offer, and we won't be either when we witness His work in the lives of His followers. So we test out obedience and discover that God's promised blessings are real. As we acquire a record of consistent rewards for doing His will, we recognize the wisdom of obedience.

 

Can you find yourself on the spectrum between fear and devotion? It is my hope that you have committed to obeying God and that you are reading His Word daily to learn how to keep your promise. God wants your best--your passionate pursuit of His will--because He is giving His best to you.

by Dr. Charles Stanley

Put Down the Glass

by shani4jc

I read the following a few days ago and it really is a powerful message for those of us who tend to carry our burdens on our own shoulders instead of giving them to Christ as we should.

"A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience.  As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question.  Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: 'How heavy is this glass of water?' Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter.  It depends on how long I hold it.  If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm.  If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed.  In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.  She continued, 'The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water.  Think about them for a while and nothing happens.  Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt.  And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed - incapable of doing anything.' Remember to put the glass down."

Many of us are guilty of carrying our burdens so long that they paralyze us and leave us incapable of doing anything!  Just as the psychologist in the story above advised her audience to do with their "glass", we need to lay down our burdens...right at the feet of the One who can handle them.

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalm 55:22

Giving Thanks

by Barbara Rainey

It is good to give thanks to the LORD and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. PSALM 92:1 

As Psalm 92 tells us, "It is good to give thanks to the LORD . . . to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night." With a little effort, you can make Thanksgiving a cherished family time devoted to thanking God for what He has done in your lives.

One tradition we've kept for years is to have each family member write five things for which he or she is thankful. On our plates are five kernels of corn—a reminder of the Pilgrims' daily ration during one of their first difficult winters. Before we eat, we pass a basket around the table five times, and each person places one kernel of corn at a time into the basket and tells one thing he or she is thankful for.

Here are some of the things our children wrote one year:

•"I'm thankful for being able to have a family."
•"I'm thankful Ashley got to come home from college for Thanksgiving."
•"I'm thankful for God in my life."
•"I'm thankful for my ministry at my high school."
•"I'm thankful for my sisters and all they've taught me about relationships."
•"I'm thankful I got to shoot a deer!"
•"I'm thankful for a great brother."

Dennis and I were thrilled to hear the kids actually thank God for each other!

After so many years of sibling rivalry, they were finally beginning to show each other the affection we hoped would continue throughout their lives.

That year we also were touched by something our son Samuel wrote: "I'm thankful for my muscular dystrophy." He had been diagnosed with the disease earlier in the year, and we had been through some wrenching months.

Thanking God was a big step of faith for him. And it provided another sign that our children were learning the true spirit of Thanksgiving—a heart of gratitude that gives thanks in all things.

DISCUSS

How has God worked in your lives this past year?

PRAY

Spend time thanking God for His love, His provision and His work in your lives.

Give Thanks for Your Country… and the Rest

by Dr. Jack Graham

The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Psalm 97:1 

Many years ago, I heard a man make the statement that Christianity would be almost nonexistent by the year 2000. And while it’s true that there has been a decline of people who call themselves believers in many areas of the world, the church is also growing rapidly in other parts.

In China, for example, it’s estimated that 20,000 people every day are trusting Jesus as Savior. In Africa, the church is growing dramatically, as it is in South America and across parts of Asia. These areas, commonly called the “Global South,” are seeing an intense and passionate response to the Gospel.

So what does that tell us? Well, I think those of us in the Western world have a duty to support and encourage the spreading of the Christian message in these parts of the world. Also, we need to open our hearts to learning from our faithful brothers and sisters around the globe and not think that we hold all the answers here.

It’s good to thank God for your country this Thanksgiving. But let’s never forget that our God is a global God. So get involved in what He’s doing around the world by praying, giving, and going to make His name known among all nations!

SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THE WORLDWIDE BODY OF FAITH BY PRAYING, GIVING, AND GOING TO BRING CHRIST TO EVERY NATION!

If Jesus Came to Your House

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.'"1

"Former President Harry Truman was famous for the long walks he took. Those were simpler days when he could take a walk like everyone else. One evening Truman decided to stroll to Memorial Bridge on the Potomac. While there, he grew curious about the mechanism that raised the middle span of the bridge. Making his way across the catwalks and through the inner workings of the bridge, he suddenly came upon the bridge tender, eating his supper out of a tin bucket.

"The man showed no surprise when he looked up and saw the most powerful man in the world. He just swallowed his food, wiped his mouth, smiled, and said, 'You know, Mr. President, I was just thinking of you.' It was a greeting Truman never forgot."2

President Truman's experience reminds us of the poem, "If Jesus Came to Your House." A poem that I read many years ago and found a copy on the web. It would be more applicable for me if it were, "If Jesus Came to My House."

"If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two / If he came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do. / Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest, / And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best, / And you’d keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there / That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.

"But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door / With arms outstretched in welcome to your heavenly Visitor? / Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in? / Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been? / Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't heard? / And wish you hadn't uttered that last, loud, hasty word?

"Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out? / Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about? / And I wonder if the Savior spent a day or two with you, / Would you go right on doing the things you always do? / Would you go right on saying the things you always say? / Would life for you continue as it does from day to day? / Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace? / And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace? / Would you sing the songs you always sing, / and read the books you read, / And let him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed? / Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go? / Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?

"Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends? / Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends? / Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on? / Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone? / It might be interesting to know the things that you would do? / If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you."3

It would be very interesting if Jesus did come in person to your house and mine.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live that should Jesus turn up in my house in person, there would be nothing that I would be embarrassed or shamed about. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV).
2. The President Truman story is told in David McCullough's book, Truman, (New York: Simon & Schuster,
1992), 623, and recorded in Nelson's Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, and Quotes by Robert J. Morgan.
3. Credited to Lois Blanchard Eades.

When All Else Fails

"When he [the prodigal son] came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father." Luke 15:17-20 (NIV).

In his One-Minute Uplift email newsletter Rick Ezell writes, "In the highlands of Scotland sheep often wander off into the rocks and get into places that they can't get out of. The grass on these mountains tastes very sweet, and the sheep like it. They will jump down ten or twelve feet to a ledge with a patch of grass, and then they can't jump back up again. The shepherd hears them bleating in distress. The shepherd may leave them there for days, until they have eaten all the grass and are so faint that they cannot stand. Only then will the shepherd put a rope around the sheep and pull them up out of the jaws of death.

"Why doesn't the shepherd attempt a rescue when the sheep first get into the predicament? The sheep are so foolish and so focused on eating that they would dash away from the shepherd, go over the precipice and destroy themselves.

"Such is the case with us. Sometimes we need to experience a little bit of 'death' before we can enjoy the abundance of life. The Lord will rescue us the moment we have given up trying, realizing that we can't liberate ourselves, and cry to him for help."2

For many of us, like the prodigal son, it's only when all else fails and we hit rock bottom, that we turn to God for help but that's a good thing because only God can rescue us from the jaws of eternal death and damnation.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that when I finally admit that I have a problem--that I am a sinner--and need help, I discover that You have been waiting patiently for me to come to You so You could rescue and save me from the tragic consequences of sin which is eternal death and separation from You. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."


2. Rick Ezell, Defining Moments, © 2001. Cited on PreachingNow Ezine. 
www.preaching.com/preaching/preachingnow.html.

Loving One's Enemies

"But I [Jesus] say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you."  Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)

Bob Lewis relates the story of a Christian woman "who owned two prize-winning chickens. One afternoon, the chickens worked their way out of her yard and into her neighbor's garden. The neighbor, known for his hot temper, captured both birds, wrung their necks and then threw their lifeless carcasses across the fence into the Christian's yard.

"The woman was understandably hurt and considered giving her neighbor a piece of her mind. Instead, she took the chickens home and prepared two chicken pot pies. Whereupon she took one to her neighbor and then apologized for not being more watchful of her chickens. The man was speechless. The chicken pot pie coupled with an apology filled him with such a sense of burning shame that his whole life began to change."

Need I say more?

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I find it real easy to love those who are lovable but don't know how to love my enemies and those who would mistreat me. Please help me to grow in love so that I will always be 'as Christ' to everyone--friend or foe. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

Lessons from Rabbits

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."1

Scientists were studying the impact of a high-cholesterol diet on heart disease. To measure this effect, they fed a group of genetically similar rabbits the same high-cholesterol diet. To their amazement, half the rabbits developed heart troubles, while the others were normal, with no noticeable heart disease.

This outcome was not explainable, so they bought new rabbits and repeated the study. At the end of two weeks, they obtained the same results. Something was wrong with the research design, but they could not determine the unaccountable variable.

Eventually, they discovered that during the evening the assistant who fed and cared for the rabbits took the rabbits out of their cages and cuddled them and petted them while she changed their bedding and food.  however, because she was short, she could not reach the rabbits on the top shelf, so they were simply fed and changed without being picked up. Sure enough, after two weeks, the rabbits on the top row all had heart disease, while the rabbits on the bottom row were healthy. The environment and diet were exactly the same. The only variable was expressed love through touching.2

I'm not suggesting that we ignore a healthy diet. Not at all! But every one of us also needs a healthy diet of love and affection if we are to be and stay healthy.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be so filled with Your love that I will always be loving and affectionate towards my loved ones and also (with discretion) to all the people You bring into my life. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Romans 12:9-10 (NIV).
2. By Marvin Wray in "Wit and Wisdom."

The Consequences of Turning Away From God

"The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you." 2 Chronicles 15:2, NIV

This verse in Chronicles is repeated several times in different chapters and is followed by a catalogue of the kings of Judah and what happened to them.Generally they either ‘did what was pleasing in God’s sight’and were blessed with victory over their enemies and peace in the land or they ‘did what was evil in the Lord’s sight’ and were abandoned by him to their fate by enemies or disease.

Recently I met up with five people whom I had known, in the past, to make commitments to the Lord Jesus. Two of them had walked with Him for a long while and held leadership roles in the Church. Sadly all had turned and walked away from Him.I was quite horrified at the positions they were in. One was consumed with bitterness to a point that had destroyed relationships.The lives of two others were totally controlled by ill health. One was overwhelmed with stress at trying to manage life and the last had embarked on an ungodly and potentially harmful relationship.

Naturally this got me thinking (and praying!). After all we, who seek to walk with the Lord, are not immune from problems in life, far from it actually. At this time I have dear brothers and sisters in Christ who are battling with sickness and some who are in very stressful situations. There are those who could be tempted to bitterness or to seeking comfort from wrong places. The difference is in the precious promise in the first part of today’s verse: ‘The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him’. If we can trust Him and rest in that promise there will be a peace no matter what we have to face.
Looking a bit deeper into what it meant for the kings of Judah to ‘stay’ with God and to ‘seek’ Him, it seemed to mean getting rid of all the idols and false gods. It seemed to mean worshipping Him only, and asking Him before making any significant decisions, especially regarding going to battle against the enemies. There was also something about treating the people kindly and well too.

Let’s seek God’s help to stay with him and never abandon Him and to know His peace even in our struggles.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus thank You so much that we have You and the power of the Holy Spirit to help us to stay faithful to You and never abandon You. Please help us to get rid of any idols in our lives, which might lead us astray. Help us to worship You only and seek Your guidance about the decisions we have to make. We pray for all those who seem to have abandoned You, that You will find a way to draw them back to Yourself. Amen.
Today's Writer : Dotty Cockcroft

Christians Are NOT...

Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Let's face it! Christians are not happy, joyful, and bubbly all the time. Some times we get beat down by the cares of this world, by the worries of this life, and, by the trials of trying to just get by.

Thankfully we have a Savior who understands. We have someone who can be touched when we are in pain. We have our LORD who can mend all our troubles. We know God who can, and will, do what it takes to help his children.

We, I, tend to lose sight of the overall picture when we are overly concerned with the troubles of this life. We get so involved with the things of this world, we lose sight of our rewards on the other side.

Thank God! He can restore what we have lost. He can help when others are helpless. He can save when no one, and, nothing else can. Yes! Thank God! Jesus can restore what is broken. He can renew what is worn out and cast aside. He can remake what is useless into something that will bring glory unto himself.

There fore Christian, lets try to stay strong and depend upon His free spirit to uphold us.

God does love us, in spite of what the devil throws our way.

God Bless;

Walter D. Hill D. Min.
e-mail= hill.walter19@yahoo.com

Strife and Turmoil or United In Love

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

People in our churches will always have differences of opinion. That is natural. GOD made us as individuals with a free will. It is when the intention changes from concern and correctness to pride and strife, by the people involved, that hatred is stirred up.

I have known of churches splitting up because of the color of new carpet. Others have had strife for years because of what someone said long ago.

A spiritual Christian person knows where that strife comes from. Our LORD does not cause strife, dissension, and trouble among the brethren. Rather, Jesus creates an atmosphere of love, understanding, and, cooperation within his church family. Jesus desires his church and people to grow, prosper,and, get stronger.
If the Christian Church is to survive in the world's situation today; then we must get back to our roots. We must pray in the spirit. We must have the spirit of love about us. We MUST have an urgency to win others to Christ. Finally, we must have the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. With out the Holy Spirit Himself, we can do nothing, all is in vain.

There is a religion today that teaches hate, destruction, and, turmoil. It has taken over the Middle East at this time, and, is growing in the U.S. Even today!

We Christians need to put on the whole armor of God, and, be united in love one with another.

God Bless;
Walter D. Hill D. Min.
e-mail= hill.walter19@yahoo.com

The Stories of Hope

by Max Lucado

The Bible tells us one story after another of God meeting people where they hurt. Tell me, why are these stories in the Bible? Why are the Gospels full of such people? Such hopeless people? Though their situations vary, their conditions don't. They are trapped. Estranged. Rejected. They have nowhere to turn. On their lips, a desperate prayer. In their hearts, desolate dreams. And in their hands, a broken rope. But before their eyes a never-say-die Galilean who majors in stepping in when everyone else steps out.

Surprisingly simple, the actions of this man. Just words of mercy or touches of kindness. Fingers on sightless eyes. A hand on a weary shoulder. Words for sad hearts ... all fulfilling the prophecy: "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out."

Again I ask. Why are these portraits in the Bible? Why does this gallery exist? Why did God leave us one tale after another of wounded lives being restored? So we could be grateful for the past? So we could look back with amazement at what Jesus did?

No. No. No. A thousand times no. The purpose of these stories is not to tell us what Jesus did. Their purpose is to tell us what Jesus does.

"Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us," Paul penned. "The Scriptures give us patience and encouragement so that we can have hope" ( Rom. 15:4).

These are not just Sunday school stories. Not romantic fables. Not somewhere-over-the-rainbow illusions. They are historic moments in which a real God met real pain so we could answer the question, "Where is God when I hurt?"

How does God react to dashed hopes? Read the story of Jairus. How does the Father feel about those who are ill? Stand with him at the pool of Bethesda. Do you long for God to speak to your lonely heart? Then listen as he speaks to the Emmaus-bound disciples. What is God's word for the shameful? Watch as his finger draws in the dirt of the Jerusalem courtyard.

He's not doing it just for them. He's doing it for me. He's doing it for you.

Regeneration

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6)
Perhaps the greatest purpose of Christianity is to take that which is only flesh and see it reborn as Spirit—to see spiritual life born where before there was only death. But then, even in the most mature of believers, there remain aspects of the old nature mixed in with—even at war with—the new. In frustration Paul cried, “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me” (Romans 7:21). But each Christian should, through the power of God, be winning that war.
Christ came to regenerate the spiritual side of man. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).
Too many Christians still have their spirits buried deeply within the flesh, having “yielded [their] members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity” (Romans 6:19). But Christ came to change all that. “God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:3-4).
Through faith, “according to his abundant mercy [He] hath begotten us again” (1 Peter 1:3). To “beget” means to reproduce a like kind. Since He has “begotten us,” we should be becoming like Him in attitudes and aims. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). This is the object of Christianity. JDM

So Loved

Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

Expressed emotions can be a problem during a worship service. Each of us have our own opinion of how it should be done. The mature Christian will understand that not everyone is the same. The mature Christian will search out directions and focus on what our Bible say is the correct way to behave in all circumstances. Most folks find a group of “like believers” and worship the LORD together in an orderly fashion.

 

Problems come when people from other churches join and want things done the “correct way”, or, “their way”. Have you ever heard, “Well, that is the way I have always done it”? Anytime we do something because of tradition, without Biblical direction, we will mess up.

 

We have seen its OK to lift our hands in praise of Jesus. This week we learn that its OK to clap our hands and to shout unto God. Worshiping the Lord should be our primary purpose during all church services; not for personal attention, or, disturbance of preaching God's WORD! We are told that all things are to be done in decency and in order. It's the Evil one that causes turmoil and dissension among God's people.

 

  Christians should be considerate, but not to compromise our faith. We should be tolerant of unlearned folks, but not to the accepting of anti-biblical teachings. Finally, we should love the sinner, but hate the sin.

 

I'm glad God “so loved”. Did you know that “so” is limitless?

 

God Bless;

Walter D. Hill D. Min.
e-mail= hill.walter19@yahoo.com

Whose Your Hero?

1st Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first

Every one wants a hero. Some one we can look up to and admire. Some folks dress, talk, and even act like their hero.

I have a hero, he is my LORD and Savior. His name is Jesus. I want to be like my hero. This verse says, “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,”. Question: If Jesus can shout, why should we hold back?

This line of thought is not to confuse, or, condemn any one, nor any group. The purpose is to point out our differences, our varied worship styles, and our common goal of praising our LORD.
This day we are living in, we Christians need to unite and be ready to defend our faith. The enemy is all around us. The battle is about to begin, and, we best make sure of which side we are on. The battle is not ours. Our LORD will fight the battle. We are just “cheer leaders”. BUT as cheer leaders, we should encourage, help, and rally others to our cause.

Yes Christian friends, its not God's will that any should perish but that all come to repentance.

Aren't you glad Jesus has room for one more?

God Bless;

Walter D. Hill D. Min.
e-mail= hill.walter19@yahoo.com

He opened not his mouth (Isa. 53:7).

How much grace it requires to bear a misunderstanding rightly, and to receive an unkind judgment in holy sweetness! Nothing tests the Christian character more than to have some evil thing said about him. This is the file that soon proves whether we are electro-plate or solid gold. If we could only know the blessings that lie hidden in our trials we would say like David, when Shimei cursed him, "Let him curse;... it may be... that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day." Some people get easily turned aside from the grandeur of their life-work by pursuing their own grievances and enemies, until their life gets turned into one little petty whirl of warfare. It is like a nest of hornets. You may disperse the hornets, but you will probably get terribly stung, and get nothing for your pains, for even their honey is not worth a search. God give us more of His Spirit, "who, when he was reviled, reviled not again"; but "committed himself to him that judgeth righteously." "Consider him that endureth such contradiction of sinners against himself." --A. B. Simpson "Before you" He trod all the path of woe, He took the sharp thrusts with His head bent low. He knew deepest sorrow and pain and grief, He knew long endurance without relief, He took all the bitter from death's deep cup, He kept not a blood-drop but gave all up. "Before you" and for you, He won the fight To bring you to glory and realms of light. --L.S.P.

Remember Whose You Are

by Max Lucado What’s the secret to survival in enemy territory? Remember what God has done! Record his accomplishments in your memoirs. Don’t forget a single blessing. Create a trophy room in your heart. Each time you experience a victory, place a memory on the shelf. Before you face a challenge, take a quick tour of God’s accomplishments. John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” Live out your inheritance! You are loved, redeemed and filled with the Holy Spirit. You have the power of God in you to fight any battle you face. The secret of survival in enemy territory? Remember what God has done. And remember whose you are! John 1:12—make it a verse to memorize this week. Let’s do it together at GloryDaysToday.com.

A Worldly Heart

2 Peter 2:9-18 God warns us against misguided desires, because sinful passions can lead to emptiness, suffering, disappointment, pain, and even death. Wise believers let the Father direct their yearnings--and then make changes if necessary. Impure desires have been part of the "flesh" nature since the fall of man, and they can be hard to see in ourselves. Instead of obvious things like theft, drugs, or immorality, they often involve more subtle attitudes and behaviors, like hoping for a rival's downfall, despising authority (2 Peter 2:10), obsessing about wealth (1 Tim. 6:9), or even speaking arrogant and vain words. Since worldly passions can cause great damage (2 Peter 2:18), believers are to deny them (Titus 2:11-12). But we can't overcome these desires on our own. Submitting to God's Spirit is the only way to live righteously. The Lord knows what we really desire--and more importantly, what we need--even when cloudy judgment leads us astray. And He understands honest mistakes. When a believer misinterprets the Spirit's guidance or receives bad advice from a friend, God looks at the heart. He may allow the consequences of a poor choice to play out, but He won't shame His children for an honest mistake. He can turn a bad situation into something good (Rom. 8:28). God can save us from worldly desires, but we must be willing to commit ourselves to Him and trust that His response is the best thing for us. When we put our lives entirely in the Father's hands, we can claim the wonderful promises He has for us and then rest in His grace. Dr. Charles Stanley

The Face of God

The psalmist says in Psalms 30:7,

You hid Your face, and I was troubled.

One thing we should never want to experience is for God to hide His face, because the face of God represents His favor, friendship, and fellowship.

Now there is only one thing that causes God to hide His face from us.  It is found in Isaiah 59:1-2,

Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

Sin is the one thing that causes God's face to be hidden.  The Bible says we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, which means the sin of mankind had hidden God's face.

But that is not the end of the story, thank goodness!  In Isaiah 50:6 we are told, "I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting."

Because Jesus did not hide His face from shame and spitting, because He took your place and died for your sins, God's face can shine upon you.

He could have hidden His face; He could have avoided the whole crucifixion, but He didn't. He bore a shame that was not His as God the Father laid the sin of the world on Him.

Because Jesus did not hide His face, the face of God need not be hidden from any of us. The light of God's countenance can shine upon every one of us, and we can indeed be the friends of God. 

Thank you, Jesus, for what you did!

First Responder

by shani4jc

At the scene of most any major accident or tragedy, you will find policemen, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians.  They are often referred to as "first responders" because they are among the first at the scene.  They are there to take control of the situation, access what needs to be done, and to offer whatever assistance is necessary. They provide care for the injured.  They bring comfort and encouragement to those involved. Their very presence brings a feeling of security.  Did you know that you have your very own "first responder" who is at your side before your tragedy even strikes?  Jesus is our on the scene before we even know about the scene.  He is standing by, ready, willing, and able to provide us whatever assistance we need.  He provides comfort, security, encouragement, strength, and guidance for us. He wants to help us through our hurts and heartaches.  When the marriage fails, He is there to pick up the pieces.  When the prodigal leaves home, He comforts the brokenhearted.  When the pink slip arrives, He gives security.  When the diagnosis is not good, He provides hope.  When the loved one breathes their last, He is there to help the grieving take one breath at a time to get through their devastation.  No matter what you are facing, He is there.  He is the first one on the scene...your very own "first responder."  Now that you know He is there, the question is, will He be your first response?  When tragedy strikes, will you call on Him first to help you through?  Will you allow Him to do what He so desperately wants to do?  Will you allow Him to be the One who brings you help, hope, comfort, security, encouragement, etc. or will you try to take care of it all on your own?

"...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

3 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Church

by Cindi McMenamin

If I asked you why you left your last church what would you say? 

If you relocated your family out of the area, I would understand. We all need a church in our own community. If you had unresolved conflict with someone after doing all you could to resolve it, I would extend grace. Even when we attempt to reconcile, that can still happen. And if you left because you were hoping to find a better program for your kids, I would ask what you are doing to shape the lives of your children.  

But chances are your reason for leaving was: "I wasn't being fed spiritually."  And that would make you like most people I’ve talked to. 

As a pastor's wife for more than 20 years, I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say they are looking for a new church because they weren’t being fed. I didn’t hear it being said about my husband (at least not directly) but from others about why they were checking out our church, why they hadn't yet found a church, or why they have nearly given up on church altogether. 

I fear we are becoming a society of selfish Christians when we base our reasons for staying in or leaving a church on the question “what’s in it for me?”  

 

Here are three things to consider the next time you are thinking about leaving your church:  

 

1. Church is about more than your pastor. 

Is your pastor’s teaching -- or whether or not you like him personally or are feeling connected with him -- your reason for staying or leaving? If so, you have placed an unfair and unreasonable burden on him. Your pastor is certainly not capable of being ALL things --  a great teacher and expositor of the Word,  a top administrator, a superb vision-caster, a gentle and compassionate counselor, a dynamic people person, a detail-oriented leader, and so on. And therefore, he can’t possibly meet all your expectations. It is inevitable that he will eventually disappoint you in one way or another. He is human.  And prayerfully he will be the first to admit it. A true man of God is humble in his calling and wouldn’t want to be the reason you stay at your church, either.  If the Word of God is not being taught, that’s reason to find a church where it is being taught. But if it’s taught in a different style, or you don’t feel you’re getting enough of the Word to grow spiritually, read the second point. 

 

2. Church is about where you serve. 

Some friends of mine just received news that their pastor of 16 years accepted a call at a different church  a few thousand miles away. He came to California to plant a church on the West Coast and now that he has faithfully done what he was called to do, he is moving his family back to the South where he and his wife grew up to pastor the church in which he was raised and to be near their aging parents in this season of life. 

Once I talked with my friends I heard their reservations. “We came here for his preaching. We need to be in a church where we are fed. We'll see how it goes. We'll see if the new guy will feed us.“

If our idea of spiritual food is a 40-minute sermon on Sundays, then we need to learn to feed ourselves, not find another church – or pastor – to do our feeding. It isn’t a pastor's responsibility to keep you spiritually fed and healthy on a weekly sermon. Prayerfully, you are feeding yourself through regular reading and study of the Word of God,  discipleship and accountability from someone other than your your pastor, and service that is shaping you into the image of Christ.  

Also, If you trust that God led your pastor to your church in the first place, can you trust when He leads him out of your church and brings someone else to fill his spot? Instead of asking "Will the next guy feed me?" a better question to ask is "How can I encourage and serve this body while we wait for God's appointed person to arrive?" 

Hebrews 10:24 instructs: “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (NASB). If everyone who comes through the doors of your church merely sits and listens, rather than exhorts and serves, you have a lecture series, a comedy club, or a weekly Bible class. Church is more about where you serve, than where you're fed. 

 

 3. Church is about a sense of family. 

The church – a body of believers – is about a sense of family and community. It is about being with those you love and serve because God has called you to a family. When we have problems with a family member, we work it out, instead of leaving the family. When we find other people we like better than our family we don’t just ditch the family. If we are truly functioning as the New Testament commands a church to function,  every part of the body is needed and if one part of the body hurt – or leaves – the rest of the body will feel it (1 Corinthians 12:18-20). Do you see your church as your family? Your community? Christ’s extended body through which we can know and serve Him better? If not, chances are you won’t see your next church as a family either. 

If you are thinking about leaving your church, I would ask you to consider three questions: 

1) Is the Word of God still being taught, obeyed, and honored here? 

2)  Is my service, encouragement, and spiritual giftedness needed here? 

3) How can I most effectively help build up this body where God has placed me? 

Sometimes God will call us elsewhere to serve Him because of what we can uniquely offer another body of believers. But God will not call us away from a church for our own personal gain. When we take the focus off of ourselves by no longer asking "what's in it for me?" and start asking God "where can I serve You?" we might have a clearer indication of where He is calling and how He wants to use us. 

 

Cindi McMenamin has been a pastor’s wife for more than 20 years. She is a national women’s conference speaker and author of several books, including  When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts, When God Sees Your Tears, and When Couples Walk Together, which she co-authored with her husband, Hugh. She and her family live in Southern California. For more on her ministry and books to strengthen your soul, marriage, and parenting, see her website, StrengthForTheSoul.com.

7 Sure-Fire Ways to Recognize False Teachers

by John UpChurch

 

A false teacher isn’t going to tell you he’s teaching heresy. In fact, he’ll usually look and sound so sincere and passionate that you wouldn’t know he’s actually twisting God’s Word. The size of the crowds around him won’t tell you much either, since many people have been and continue to be led astray by teaching that pleases their ears.
The prophet Jeremiah kept telling the people of Judah over and over what God planned for Jerusalem, urging them to turn from their wicked ways. But the people preferred to listen to false prophets who told them what they wanted to hear. We have to make sure we’re not doing the same.
So, how exactly can you tell if someone is “wolf in sheep’s clothing”? You become a “fruit inspector,” just as Jesus said (Matthew 7:15–16). According to Pastor Shane Idleman of Westside Christian Fellowship, there are 7 telltale signs that can take the wool from our eyes:

1. Different Source

True teachers will reach for the Bible first, second, and always. They may use other sources of information to help explain what Scripture reveals, but the foundation of their message is always built upon “Thus says the Lord….” If you start hearing more from other sources than God’s Word, you may need to hit the door.

2. Different Message

The entire message of a true teacher will always revolve around the gospel of Jesus Christ. False teachers may mention Jesus here and there, but they will ultimately deny His deity and power (2 Peter 2:1). Of course, they won’t do so openly at first, and you’ll need to listen carefully to see if Jesus is at the core.

3. Different Position

True teachers will point to our sin and our need for salvation—and their lives will back that up. False teachers will promise freedom, but they themselves will be “slaves to depravity” (2 Peter 2:19). If a teacher’s lifestyle points to lust, greed, envy, or other enslaving passions, they are certainly not fit to teach.

4. Different Character

Those who are truly following Jesus will run after the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). They will never be perfect, but they will be working with all the strength God gives to become more and more like Christ. False teachers, on the other hand, live a life that screams “arrogance.” And that leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18).

5. Different Appeal

What does the teacher point to as the reason for their teaching? Are they pointing to Scripture as the reason for their urgency in sharing the gospel? Are they wanting you to believe what God says about how we are to escape the wrath to come (Romans 5:9)? If so, good. False teachers will make their appeal based on earthly passions, leading people back into sin (2 Peter 2:18). They’ll urge you to focus on the things of this world.

6. Different Fruit

Always check the results in the lives of those who are listening to a teacher. Those listening to true teachers will grow in their knowledge of Jesus (2 Peter 3:18). Those sitting under a false teacher will be like a “spring without water” (2 Peter 2:17). In other words, they may talk a good talk, but they don’t produce anything of eternal value.

7. Different End

Here’s the part that should make us all stand up and take notice of why this matters. It’s a really big deal. False teachers lead people to a “swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). Jesus will tell them that He never knew them (Matthew 7:21–23). Those who listen to true teachers of the gospel will receive abundant life now and forever (Romans 5:17).
In a popular article on Crosswalk.com, Pastor Tom Hicks makes a similar distinction between true believers and hypocrites. It can be tough to tell the difference, but he provides 10 points to consider:

“2. A true believer’s changed life comes from a heart of love to Christ. Hypocrites can clean up their outward behavior to be seen by men, to ease their troubled consciences, or to keep themselves from the consequences of their sins. But true believers love Christ and keep His commandments for His sake, to serve Him, to know Him, and to bring glory to His name (Ps 119:6).”

Now, it’s your turn. What marks do you look for in a false teacher? What can the church do to better keep false prophets and pastors out of the pulpits?

5 Things We Believe about Hell That Are Not in the Bible

by Carrie Dedrick

When was the last time you heard a sermon about hell? Can you even remember? Honestly, I can’t. What about the last time you heard someone mention hell? Now that, I remember vividly.

I was involved with a huge Christmas musical at my church last year that attracts thousands of people. While in a ballet rehearsal to prepare for the angel dance that comes right before the Nativity, a friend of mine said, “We need to get this together because there are going to be people that see this show and do not know Jesus. They are going to hell and this might be what saves them.”

I was completely taken aback. My friend had spoken offhand, and yet what she said impacts me to this day. It is so easy to live comfortably in our Christian bubbles without thinking about those who are not saved. But the truth is hell is real and those who do not accept Jesus will spend eternity there (John 14:6).

In a blog post titled “7 Truths about Hell,” author and pastor J. D. Greear says that hell is a confusing notion to wrap our heads around. He even admits that when he was a young Christian and learned about hell, he was so disturbed that he nearly lost his faith. But, he says, hell is in the Bible so Christians need to wrestle with the concept to fully understand God.

It is time to start talking about hell. But first, we need to get our facts straight. Here are five misconceptions that you may have about hell.

1. Seeing God face-to-face is a warm and fuzzy experience.

Greear writes that people believe seeing God would be a “warm and fuzzy” experience but they are wrong. The Bible says that God is so holy and perfect that if anyone would see God face to face, he would die (Exodus 33:20). God’s own prophet Isaiah fell to ground in fear when he saw God on his throne because he believed he would die (Isaiah 6:5)

Though we do not like the idea of eternal suffering in hell, Greear argues that it exists for a reason.

“God tells us about hell to demonstrate to us the magnitude of his holiness. Hell is what hell is because the holiness of God is what it is. Hell is not one degree hotter than our sin demands that it be,” he says.

2. Jesus didn’t talk about hell.

There are some who believe hell is not relevant because Jesus is “meek and mild” and only about love and compassion. They say that God only talked about hell in the Old Testament and transformed in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus. But this is simply not true.

Greear points out that Jesus did talk about hell, and he talked about it more than anyone else in the Bible.

“In fact,” he writes, “if you count up the verses, Jesus spoke more about hell than he did about heaven.”

3. Hell is a great blemish of God’s love.

Now that we know Jesus did talk about hell, the question becomes why he talked about it so much. Greear answers, “Because he wanted us to see what he was going to endure on the cross on our behalf.”

Jesus was crucified and endured both physical and mental pain. He was separated from God during his crucifixion, and in doing so, took “the hell of our sin into his body.”

“People often feel that hell is some great blemish on God’s love,” Greear said. “The Bible presents it as the opposite. Hell magnifies for us the love of God by showing us how far God went, and how much he went through, to save us.”

4. God sends people to hell.

Yes, those who do not accept Jesus will go to hell. But Greear says this is not God sending people to hell. They send themselves by rejecting Christ.

God has offered you the light of love, friendship and creation, Greear says. “But when you tell God you don’t want him as the Lord and center of your life, eventually you get your wish, and with God go all of his gifts.”

5. It’s enough for God to take us out of hell.

Some people accept Christ because they are scared of hell. This is not enough. Greear says, “It’s not enough for God to take us out of hell; he must take hell out of us.”

He means our hearts must be changed by loving and trusting God.

“If you accept Jesus just to ‘get out of hell,’ then you’d hate being in heaven, because only those who love and trust God will enjoy heaven,” Greear says. “If you don’t love the Father, then living in the Father’s house feels like slavery. It would be like forcing you to marry someone you didn’t want to marry. The only way you’ll enjoy heaven is when you learn to love and trust God.”

How are we to live our lives as Christians knowing the reality of hell? Russell Moore, President of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has the answer.

“...hell is horrifying,” he writes. “God deems it so. Our response to such horror should not be denial, but the fervent evangelism of the nations.”

“Hell ought to drive us not to find misplaced hopes for the lost, but to the only hope for us, and for the whole world, the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

What Does God Look Like?

• by Dr. Ray Pritchard

"No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known" (John 1:18).
What does God look like? The Bible doesn't leave us to wonder about the answer to that question. Nearly 2000 years ago a little baby was born in Bethlehem who forever answered that question. If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus.  Hebrews 1:3 calls him the "shining forth of the glory of God."
If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. Does God have a name? Yes. His name is Jesus. In him the abstract becomes concrete. When I look at Jesus all those theoretical ideas about God suddenly become reality.
    -God now has hands.
    -And feet.
    -And eyes to see.
    -Ears to hear.
    -Lips to speak.

    -God has a voice!
    -He speaks a language I understand.
I see him touch a leper, and I know no one is too dirty for him.
I see him pause to speak to a beggar, and I know he's never too busy for me.
I see him feed the multitudes with loaves and fishes, and I know he can supply my needs.
I see him with the towel and the basin, and I know no job is too menial for him.
Finally I see him hanging on the cross, suspended between heaven and earth, beaten, bruised, bloodied, mocked, scourged, spat upon, jeered, booed, hated, attacked, scorned, despised, rejected, crucified. When I hear him cry out, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do," I suddenly understand that Jesus has no enemies. In Jesus I discover a God who takes people seriously. He never treats people casually. He never brushes them off. He never says, "You're a loser." He's a God who cares enough to get involved in this ugly, twisted, unredeemed world.
What does God look like? Take a look at Jesus and you have your answer.
Lord Jesus, if you had not come, we would not know the Father. Open our eyes that we might see how much God loves us. Amen.