God loves you!
And that's a wonderful thing.
But how does His love take care of your problem with sin?
God loves you and wants a fellowship with you.
But since God is also righteous and holy, our sinfulness makes that
relationship impossible--unless God does something about it.
And He did.
John 3:16 tells us "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one
and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but
have eternal life."
Secondly-
His love also made it possible for you to have freedom from sin.
He sent His Son to die for you to pay the penalty for your sin, so you could have eternal life with Him.
Romans 6:22-23 says, "But now you are free from the power of sin and
have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness
and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free
gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
And there's a third thing-
In His love, He offers us complete forgiveness of sin
- not the kind that says "It's okay, don't worry about it"; then reminds
you of it every now and then. This is forgiveness that rolls your sins
up into a ball and throws them so far away they'll never be found or
held against you again.
Psalm 103:12 says,"He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west."
And Romans 8:1 promises no condemnation--once you believe and are "in Christ Jesus."
Take some time to put these verses into your own words.
Have you experienced "how wide, how long, how high, and how deep" God's love is?
Are you putting down roots in His love?
Are you tapped into His power and strength, the limitless resources of the Spirit?
Use your answers to these questions as your own prayer of praise to God for His immeasurable love.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Bonus to that faith!
Ever notice how much self-help information there is in our society?
There are books, radio programs, seminars and numerous talk shows that urge you to take a look at who you are and then change yourself by your determined will.
Have you tried all those methods and yet you're still discouraged by repeating the same old habits?
There are some things that self-help cannot help; things like disease, overcoming certain sins, and most of all, death.
But I have good news:
God has a plan for us that goes beyond our abilities.
It comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ-
- who supernaturally changes us where we can't change ourselves.
As a bonus to that faith-
He promises us victory over death, and eternal life.
If you really want to help yourself-
- look beyond yourself to the only One who can save you and give you the ultimate victory.
His name is Jesus Christ!
There are books, radio programs, seminars and numerous talk shows that urge you to take a look at who you are and then change yourself by your determined will.
Have you tried all those methods and yet you're still discouraged by repeating the same old habits?
There are some things that self-help cannot help; things like disease, overcoming certain sins, and most of all, death.
But I have good news:
God has a plan for us that goes beyond our abilities.
It comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ-
- who supernaturally changes us where we can't change ourselves.
As a bonus to that faith-
He promises us victory over death, and eternal life.
If you really want to help yourself-
- look beyond yourself to the only One who can save you and give you the ultimate victory.
His name is Jesus Christ!
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Commune with God
"Then
God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. And
let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky,
and over the cattle,
and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on
the earth." Genesis 1:26.
What does it mean that man was made in God's image?
What does it mean that man was made in God's image?
Does
it mean that God has two arms, two legs and a long flowing beard as
depicted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? (Of note, Michelangelo
also painted a belly button on God, something that really makes no sense
on so many levels.)
No,
Scripture does not imply a visual duplication of God;
instead it refers to the nature of God.
Like God, man can think and reason.
We appreciate beauty
and language.
And unlike animals-
- we have an inner sense of morality and the ability to grasp deep concepts.
This gives man the ability to commune with God.
That is the real reason God made us in His image.
He desires a relationship with you and wants to fellowship with all mankind.
In the same passage-
In the same passage-
God addresses our relationship with the earth.
One reason God made us in
His image is that we are responsible for caring for all of God's creation.
We're to be an intermediary between God and all of His creation.
How can we manage it-
- unless we stay close to God;
- unless we
think like God;
- unless we're able to fulfill the will of God?
Part of having a relationship with God is having the right relationship with His creation.
Being created in His image is an awesome gift, as well as a sacred responsibility.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
ASKING QUESTIONS IN THE RIGHT ORDER
Bob had finally made it to the last round of the TV game show
$50,000 Question TV. Given his choice of a category, he told the host
MC that he wanted a question on American History.
The big night arrived. Bob made his way onstage in front of the studio and TV audience. He had become the talk of the week. He was the best guest this show had ever seen. The MC stepped up to the mike.
"Bob, you have chosen American History as your final question. You know that if you correctly answer this question, you will walk away $50,000 dollars richer. Are you ready?"
Bob nodded with a cocky confidence -- the crowd went nuts. He hadn't missed a question all week.
"Bob, yours is a two-part question. As you know, you may answer either part first. As a rule, the second half of the question is always easier. Which part would you like to take a stab at first?"
Bob was becoming more noticeably nervous. American History was his easiest subject, but he wanted to play it safe. "I'll try the easier part first."
The MC nodded approvingly. "Here we go Bob. I will ask you the second half first, then the first half." The audience grew silent with anticipation...
"Bob, here is your question: And in what year did it happen?"
In our Christian walk, there are a lot of questions that need to be asked. And it seems to me that it is important not only to ask the right questions but to ask them in the right order. The Pharisees, for example, first asked Jesus questions such as, "Why aren't you washing your hands properly?" (Matthew 15:1-3). Even the disciples of John asked Jesus, "Why don't you fast?" (Matthew 9:14). It's not that those were bad questions to ask. The problem was, they were asking those questions first instead of more important questions like, "What can we do in our lives that would demonstrate justice and mercy and faith?" (Matthew 25:23) or "Who is this Jesus?" (Matthew 16:15).
It's so easy to get caught up asking the wrong questions first. Questions about premillennialism or the role of women in the church or which translation of the Bible we should read are not bad questions. For that matter, asking where Cain got his wife isn't a bad question! But those shouldn't be the first questions we ask. Questions related to God's nature and God's desire for a relationship with us and how to demonstrate love and faith in our lives must be asked first. Because if we get the questions out of order, we will find ourselves just as stumped as Bob was in the story above.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
The big night arrived. Bob made his way onstage in front of the studio and TV audience. He had become the talk of the week. He was the best guest this show had ever seen. The MC stepped up to the mike.
"Bob, you have chosen American History as your final question. You know that if you correctly answer this question, you will walk away $50,000 dollars richer. Are you ready?"
Bob nodded with a cocky confidence -- the crowd went nuts. He hadn't missed a question all week.
"Bob, yours is a two-part question. As you know, you may answer either part first. As a rule, the second half of the question is always easier. Which part would you like to take a stab at first?"
Bob was becoming more noticeably nervous. American History was his easiest subject, but he wanted to play it safe. "I'll try the easier part first."
The MC nodded approvingly. "Here we go Bob. I will ask you the second half first, then the first half." The audience grew silent with anticipation...
"Bob, here is your question: And in what year did it happen?"
In our Christian walk, there are a lot of questions that need to be asked. And it seems to me that it is important not only to ask the right questions but to ask them in the right order. The Pharisees, for example, first asked Jesus questions such as, "Why aren't you washing your hands properly?" (Matthew 15:1-3). Even the disciples of John asked Jesus, "Why don't you fast?" (Matthew 9:14). It's not that those were bad questions to ask. The problem was, they were asking those questions first instead of more important questions like, "What can we do in our lives that would demonstrate justice and mercy and faith?" (Matthew 25:23) or "Who is this Jesus?" (Matthew 16:15).
It's so easy to get caught up asking the wrong questions first. Questions about premillennialism or the role of women in the church or which translation of the Bible we should read are not bad questions. For that matter, asking where Cain got his wife isn't a bad question! But those shouldn't be the first questions we ask. Questions related to God's nature and God's desire for a relationship with us and how to demonstrate love and faith in our lives must be asked first. Because if we get the questions out of order, we will find ourselves just as stumped as Bob was in the story above.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Monday, May 30, 2016
STARTING OVER
During a
Sunday-morning worship service, a mother tried everything she could
think of — including rewards, scoldings, and threats — to get her
fidgety 7-year-old son to be quiet. Nothing worked. Finally, about
halfway through the sermon, she leaned over and whispered something in
the little boy’s ear.
He immediately stopped fidgeting and sat quietly for the rest of the service. Afterward, a friend sitting in the row behind asked the young mother what she had said to her son.
The mother smiled and replied, “If you don’t be quiet, the preacher is going to lose his place, and then he’ll have to start his sermon all over again.”
As much as little boys (and most of the rest of us) dislike the idea of having the preacher “start over”, it’s not something that any of us like to do in our own lives. But there are times when we need to start over..
When it comes to trying to live godly lives, we all mess up. As good as our intentions are, as much as we promise ourselves that “I’ll never make that mistake again”, we find ourselves at the throne of God time and again, seeking grace and mercy, and having to start over. It’s not easy, and it requires humility on our part, but fortunately, God gives us that opportunity when we truly repent.
Just as difficult are the trials we face that force us to start over. Maybe you've had a serious illness or injury, and it finally looks like you’re going to get well, but there’s a setback in your health which requires you to start all over again. That news can be more devastating than the original diagnosis. Or maybe it’s a financial problem you’re facing. And just when it looked like there was a light at the end of the tunnel, your car or the washing machine breaks down or the kids need braces, and you’re back to square one trying to get your debt cleared up.
Such experiences require a perseverance that says, “No matter how long it takes, no matter how many setbacks I have, no matter how many times I have start over, I will not give up.” As Solomon wrote: “Although a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again.” (Proverbs 24:16, NET). It's not a question of whether we will fall. We will fall, but the righteous man, the wise man, continues to rise up and is willing to start over time and again.
If you find yourself discouraged today because you've failed God, may you seek His forgiveness and start over living the life that God wants you to live. If you're facing trials today that leave you wondering what's the use in trying any more, may God provide you strength to rise up and start over!
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
He immediately stopped fidgeting and sat quietly for the rest of the service. Afterward, a friend sitting in the row behind asked the young mother what she had said to her son.
The mother smiled and replied, “If you don’t be quiet, the preacher is going to lose his place, and then he’ll have to start his sermon all over again.”
As much as little boys (and most of the rest of us) dislike the idea of having the preacher “start over”, it’s not something that any of us like to do in our own lives. But there are times when we need to start over..
When it comes to trying to live godly lives, we all mess up. As good as our intentions are, as much as we promise ourselves that “I’ll never make that mistake again”, we find ourselves at the throne of God time and again, seeking grace and mercy, and having to start over. It’s not easy, and it requires humility on our part, but fortunately, God gives us that opportunity when we truly repent.
Just as difficult are the trials we face that force us to start over. Maybe you've had a serious illness or injury, and it finally looks like you’re going to get well, but there’s a setback in your health which requires you to start all over again. That news can be more devastating than the original diagnosis. Or maybe it’s a financial problem you’re facing. And just when it looked like there was a light at the end of the tunnel, your car or the washing machine breaks down or the kids need braces, and you’re back to square one trying to get your debt cleared up.
Such experiences require a perseverance that says, “No matter how long it takes, no matter how many setbacks I have, no matter how many times I have start over, I will not give up.” As Solomon wrote: “Although a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again.” (Proverbs 24:16, NET). It's not a question of whether we will fall. We will fall, but the righteous man, the wise man, continues to rise up and is willing to start over time and again.
If you find yourself discouraged today because you've failed God, may you seek His forgiveness and start over living the life that God wants you to live. If you're facing trials today that leave you wondering what's the use in trying any more, may God provide you strength to rise up and start over!
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Sunday, May 29, 2016
The Key to Radical Love
by John Piper
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(Matthew 5:11–12)
One of the questions I posed recently, while preaching on loving our enemies from Matthew 5:44, was, How do you love the people who kidnap you and then kill you?
How can we do this? Where does power to love like this come from? Just think how astonishing this is when it appears in the real world! Could anything show the truth and power and reality of Christ more than this?
I believe Jesus gives us the key to this radical, self-sacrificing love in the very same chapter.
In Matthew 5:11–12, he again talks about being persecuted. What is remarkable about these verses is that Jesus says that you are able not only to endure the mistreatment of the enemy, but rejoice in it. This seems even more beyond our reach. If I could do this — if I could rejoice in being persecuted — then it would be possible to love my persecutors. If the miracle of joy in the midst of the horror of injustice and pain and loss could happen, then the miracle of love for the perpetrators could happen too.
Jesus gives the key to joy in these verses. He says, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” The key to joy is faith in God’s future grace — “your reward is great in heaven.” I believe this joy is the freeing power to love our enemies when they persecute us. If that is true, then the command to love is a command to set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth ( Colossians 3:2).
The command to love our enemy is a command to find our hope and our satisfaction in God and his great reward — his future grace. The key to radical love is faith in future grace. We must be persuaded in the midst of our agony that the love of God is “better than life” ( Psalm 63:3). Loving your enemy doesn’t earn you the reward of heaven. Treasuring the reward of heaven empowers you to love your enemy.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(Matthew 5:11–12)
One of the questions I posed recently, while preaching on loving our enemies from Matthew 5:44, was, How do you love the people who kidnap you and then kill you?
How can we do this? Where does power to love like this come from? Just think how astonishing this is when it appears in the real world! Could anything show the truth and power and reality of Christ more than this?
I believe Jesus gives us the key to this radical, self-sacrificing love in the very same chapter.
In Matthew 5:11–12, he again talks about being persecuted. What is remarkable about these verses is that Jesus says that you are able not only to endure the mistreatment of the enemy, but rejoice in it. This seems even more beyond our reach. If I could do this — if I could rejoice in being persecuted — then it would be possible to love my persecutors. If the miracle of joy in the midst of the horror of injustice and pain and loss could happen, then the miracle of love for the perpetrators could happen too.
Jesus gives the key to joy in these verses. He says, “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” The key to joy is faith in God’s future grace — “your reward is great in heaven.” I believe this joy is the freeing power to love our enemies when they persecute us. If that is true, then the command to love is a command to set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth ( Colossians 3:2).
The command to love our enemy is a command to find our hope and our satisfaction in God and his great reward — his future grace. The key to radical love is faith in future grace. We must be persuaded in the midst of our agony that the love of God is “better than life” ( Psalm 63:3). Loving your enemy doesn’t earn you the reward of heaven. Treasuring the reward of heaven empowers you to love your enemy.
Saturday, May 28, 2016
DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO?
A young
and foolish pilot wanted to sound cool and show who was boss on the
aviation frequencies. It was his first time approaching a field during
the night time.
Instead of making any official requests to the tower, he said: "Guess who?"
The controller switched the field lights off and replied: "Guess where!"
It important for a pilot to be able to see the place where he is landing! There is a true story about a pilot who was flying a fighter jet in bad weather and was about to make his instrument approach to an airport. The air traffic controller called and asked how much fuel he had. -- “Plenty,” he said.
“Well,” the controller said, "We’ve got a little problem. There’s a young pilot who is not instrument rated. He’s lost in the clouds, and we were wondering if you could intercept him and lead him back to the airport."
“Sure,” the pilot responded. He found the lost plane and pulled up beside it. He called on the radio and told the pilot to look out to his left. When the pilot of this small plane saw the powerful jet, he burst into tears of relief. As far as he was concerned, his life was about over. He would soon run out of fuel and crash.
“Don’t worry,” the test pilot said. “Everything’s going to be OK. I’m going to pull in front of you several hundred yards. Do everything I do. When I turn, I’ll turn gently. All you have to do is do exactly what I do.”
So carefully the leader and the follower turned toward the airport and slowly descended. When they finally broke through the clouds at 500 feet, the frightened pilot saw the most beautiful sight. There in front of him was the runway, and he was perfectly set up to land. What a blessing that the young pilot had someone nearby that he could look to!
There's a story in the Bible where an ancient king of Judah must have felt that same sense of relief. Jehoshaphat's kingdom was being threatened by the armies of Ammon, Moab, "and others" (2 Chronicles 20:1). In fact, those armies were so large and so strong, Judah didn't stand a chance of surviving an assault. There seemed to be nothing Jehoshaphat could do about it, so he turned to God (which, incidentally, is not such a bad place for us to find ourselves!). Eventually, God rescued the people of Judah by causing the armies of the enemy to turn on one another. But it is the prayer of Jehoshaphat that I think is so valuable. In fact, I think this may become my favorite verse in the Bible:
"For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You." (2 Chronicles 20:12)
Is there a problem you're facing in your life that just seems overwhelming? Pray along with Jehoshaphat -- "God, I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on you!" Do you have a difficult decision to make and you don't know which course to take? "God, I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on you!" Are you suffering the attacks of enemies, those who would seek to do you harm? "God, I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on you!" Pray it today and pray it often.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Instead of making any official requests to the tower, he said: "Guess who?"
The controller switched the field lights off and replied: "Guess where!"
It important for a pilot to be able to see the place where he is landing! There is a true story about a pilot who was flying a fighter jet in bad weather and was about to make his instrument approach to an airport. The air traffic controller called and asked how much fuel he had. -- “Plenty,” he said.
“Well,” the controller said, "We’ve got a little problem. There’s a young pilot who is not instrument rated. He’s lost in the clouds, and we were wondering if you could intercept him and lead him back to the airport."
“Sure,” the pilot responded. He found the lost plane and pulled up beside it. He called on the radio and told the pilot to look out to his left. When the pilot of this small plane saw the powerful jet, he burst into tears of relief. As far as he was concerned, his life was about over. He would soon run out of fuel and crash.
“Don’t worry,” the test pilot said. “Everything’s going to be OK. I’m going to pull in front of you several hundred yards. Do everything I do. When I turn, I’ll turn gently. All you have to do is do exactly what I do.”
So carefully the leader and the follower turned toward the airport and slowly descended. When they finally broke through the clouds at 500 feet, the frightened pilot saw the most beautiful sight. There in front of him was the runway, and he was perfectly set up to land. What a blessing that the young pilot had someone nearby that he could look to!
There's a story in the Bible where an ancient king of Judah must have felt that same sense of relief. Jehoshaphat's kingdom was being threatened by the armies of Ammon, Moab, "and others" (2 Chronicles 20:1). In fact, those armies were so large and so strong, Judah didn't stand a chance of surviving an assault. There seemed to be nothing Jehoshaphat could do about it, so he turned to God (which, incidentally, is not such a bad place for us to find ourselves!). Eventually, God rescued the people of Judah by causing the armies of the enemy to turn on one another. But it is the prayer of Jehoshaphat that I think is so valuable. In fact, I think this may become my favorite verse in the Bible:
"For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You." (2 Chronicles 20:12)
Is there a problem you're facing in your life that just seems overwhelming? Pray along with Jehoshaphat -- "God, I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on you!" Do you have a difficult decision to make and you don't know which course to take? "God, I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on you!" Are you suffering the attacks of enemies, those who would seek to do you harm? "God, I don't know what to do, but my eyes are on you!" Pray it today and pray it often.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Friday, May 27, 2016
CHOOSING YOUR NAME
The following article was in the news a few years ago:
HANOI, Vietnam - After nearly two decades of ridicule, a father has agreed to change his son's name from "Fined Six Thousand and Five Hundred" -- the amount he was forced to pay in local currency for ignoring Vietnam's two-child policy.
Angry he was being fined for having a fifth child, Mai Xuan Can named his son Mai Phat Sau Nghin Ruoi after the amount he was forced to pay -- 6,500 dong (50 cents). In 1999, local government officials tried to persuade Can to change the name because the boy was constantly being teased by classmates at school. But Can, a former People's Committee official, refused to back down, Thuong said. They appealed to him again recently, and this time it worked.
"I told him that as his son is growing up, he should have another name -- not that weird name -- and he finally agreed," Thuong said.
The son, now 19, finally got a new name: Mai Hoang Long, which means golden dragon.
Choosing a name is an important responsibility. Those of us who are parents can remember spending hours and hours reading books filled with baby names, discussing this name and that before deciding on just the right name. Even after much forethought, one of my children was named at birth and re-named a couple of hours later because the first name just didn't seem to fit her.
Not surprisingly, names in the Bible are regarded as important. Names that were chosen may tell us something about the child or his birth (Isaac -- "laughter", Benjamin -- "son of the right hand", Esau -- "hairy"). Some names were changed to signal a drastic change in one's life (Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Saul to Paul).
A name is important because it's not just a word -- it's who you are. Your name is your character, the essence of who you are and what you stand for.
You may not be able to change your given name (at least, not without a lot of expense and trouble), but you can change what people think about when they hear that name. That's why Solomon wrote:
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches." (Prov. 22:1a)
You are choosing your name by how you live. Choose wisely.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
HANOI, Vietnam - After nearly two decades of ridicule, a father has agreed to change his son's name from "Fined Six Thousand and Five Hundred" -- the amount he was forced to pay in local currency for ignoring Vietnam's two-child policy.
Angry he was being fined for having a fifth child, Mai Xuan Can named his son Mai Phat Sau Nghin Ruoi after the amount he was forced to pay -- 6,500 dong (50 cents). In 1999, local government officials tried to persuade Can to change the name because the boy was constantly being teased by classmates at school. But Can, a former People's Committee official, refused to back down, Thuong said. They appealed to him again recently, and this time it worked.
"I told him that as his son is growing up, he should have another name -- not that weird name -- and he finally agreed," Thuong said.
The son, now 19, finally got a new name: Mai Hoang Long, which means golden dragon.
Choosing a name is an important responsibility. Those of us who are parents can remember spending hours and hours reading books filled with baby names, discussing this name and that before deciding on just the right name. Even after much forethought, one of my children was named at birth and re-named a couple of hours later because the first name just didn't seem to fit her.
Not surprisingly, names in the Bible are regarded as important. Names that were chosen may tell us something about the child or his birth (Isaac -- "laughter", Benjamin -- "son of the right hand", Esau -- "hairy"). Some names were changed to signal a drastic change in one's life (Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Saul to Paul).
A name is important because it's not just a word -- it's who you are. Your name is your character, the essence of who you are and what you stand for.
You may not be able to change your given name (at least, not without a lot of expense and trouble), but you can change what people think about when they hear that name. That's why Solomon wrote:
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches." (Prov. 22:1a)
You are choosing your name by how you live. Choose wisely.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Thursday, May 26, 2016
LEVELS OF TOLERATION
At a
computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer
industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with
technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving
$25.00 cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:
1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.
6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning light.
7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
9. Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.
It's amazing, isn't it, what we tolerate in some things we use (like Microsoft Windows) that we would never tolerate in other things we use (like our automobiles)? Then again, it shouldn't be too surprising because I find that there are many things which I tolerate in some people that I would never tolerate in others.
For example, if someone I don't particularly like passes me on the street and doesn't wave or say "hi", I get easily offended and assume that he is just being snobby. If a good friend does the same thing, though, I assume that he must have something on his mind and he was merely distracted. If someone I love dearly accidentally trips and kicks me in the shin, I think nothing of it. If someone else does it, though, I quickly assume they're clumsy and inconsiderate. I t's true, isn't it? We tolerate things from people we love that we would never tolerate from people we don't love.
Could it be that one of the reasons we have so many conflicts in the church is that love is lacking? When love is missing, we are quick to assume the worst, we tolerate nothing and we are quick to find fault. Patience is non-existent. Forgiveness is difficult. Love, however, truly does "cover a multitude of sins." (I Peter 4:8)
I like the way GOD'S WORD translates this passage from Paul's writings: "As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly." (Colossians 3:12-14)
Are you having trouble "putting up" with folks around you? May your love for others increase so that your level of toleration may increase as well.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be driving cars with the following characteristics:
1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five percent of the roads.
6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal Operation" warning light.
7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
9. Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car.
10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.
It's amazing, isn't it, what we tolerate in some things we use (like Microsoft Windows) that we would never tolerate in other things we use (like our automobiles)? Then again, it shouldn't be too surprising because I find that there are many things which I tolerate in some people that I would never tolerate in others.
For example, if someone I don't particularly like passes me on the street and doesn't wave or say "hi", I get easily offended and assume that he is just being snobby. If a good friend does the same thing, though, I assume that he must have something on his mind and he was merely distracted. If someone I love dearly accidentally trips and kicks me in the shin, I think nothing of it. If someone else does it, though, I quickly assume they're clumsy and inconsiderate. I t's true, isn't it? We tolerate things from people we love that we would never tolerate from people we don't love.
Could it be that one of the reasons we have so many conflicts in the church is that love is lacking? When love is missing, we are quick to assume the worst, we tolerate nothing and we are quick to find fault. Patience is non-existent. Forgiveness is difficult. Love, however, truly does "cover a multitude of sins." (I Peter 4:8)
I like the way GOD'S WORD translates this passage from Paul's writings: "As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly." (Colossians 3:12-14)
Are you having trouble "putting up" with folks around you? May your love for others increase so that your level of toleration may increase as well.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Sitting at His Feet
by Os Hillman
"So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah" (Ruth 2:17-18).
"So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah" (Ruth 2:17-18).
The other daughter-in-law moved back to her family, but Ruth, in spite of Naomi's encouragement, insisted on staying with Naomi. The only way for the family line to continue would have been for Ruth to marry another son or direct relative. Now, through a custom known as the kinsman redeemer, Ruth could be married to a relative in the family line. Times were tough and most people made a living by farming. Naomi had a relative named Boaz who was a prominent land owner and farmer. She sent Ruth to glean in the fields of Boaz all day in hopes of picking up excess grain left behind by the harvesters.
Ruth stayed in the fields all day and yielded just one ephah of grain. It is a picture of sweat and toil for very little return. However, something happens later in the story. Naomi realized the only way Ruth was going to have any kind of future is if a kinsman redeemer came to her rescue. She instructed Ruth to go to the threshing floor where Boaz would be and to quietly sit at the feet of Boaz all night. This would be a sign of submitting her life to Boaz. He would have to exercise his right to be her kinsmen redeemer..
Later, Boaz sends Ruth home and takes the necessary steps to become her redeemer. But before he sends her home, he gives her six ephahs of barley - six times what she got spending all day in the fields.
Friend, if we are going to succeed in fulfilling God's destiny for our lives, we must have a life of intimate worship and devotion to Jesus. Why not start spending more time at the feet of Jesus.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD SAYS NO?
I heard a story recently about a young girl who wrote a
letter to a missionary to let him know that her class had been praying for him.
But evidently she'd been told not to request a response to her letter because
the missionaries were very busy. So the missionary got a kick out of her
letter. It said, "Dear Mr. Missionary, we are praying for you. But we are
not expecting an answer."
I can't help but think that that little girl summarized the prayer lives of many Christians. Sometimes we pray without expecting an answer, even though God has assured us that He does indeed hear our prayers. David said, "I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications." (Psalm 116:1). But I think many of us struggle with the nagging question, "Is God really listening to me?" Yes, He heard David, He heard Elijah, and He heard the apostles. But does He hear me?
How do we really know that our prayers are answered? Sure, there are times when we see visible results. We may pray for someone who's sick and the next week they get well. But more often, our prayers don't produce flashing "neon" answers. We pray for help in financial problems, and we don't see things get any better. We pray for guidance in making right decisions, but the decisions don't get any easier. We pray for relationships with other people to improve, but they just seem to get worse. How do we as Christians account for that happening? How do we explain the fact that so many of our prayers seem to go "unanswered"?
The truth is, for a child of God there is no such thing as an unanswered prayer. Maybe you've heard it said before that God answers prayer in three ways. Sometimes the answer is "yes." Sometimes the answer is "no." And sometimes the answer is "wait a while." It's easy to accept an answer of "yes," but what about when God says, "no"?
Let me suggest three principles:
First of all, we need to trust God enough to realize that our all-loving, all-powerful Father loves us and has our best interest at heart. So when it seems that God says "no" to our prayers, we must trust Him enough to understand that there must be a good reason for it. It may be beyond our limited ability to understand, but we must simply trust God.
Secondly, we must not forsake God. Disappointment is a dangerous, powerful thing. When we get the feeling that God isn't listening to us, that He has said "no" to some prayer, we have a tendency to feel disappointed in Him. And Satan whispers to us, "God said He loves you, but He's not here." And if we allow that disappointment to harbor in our hearts, it can drive a wedge between us and God. We must continue to be faithful to our responsibility before God.
And thirdly, we need to realize that the answer may not be "no," but only "wait a while." God always answers our prayers immediately, but sometimes there's a delay in the giving of the answer and that can be a difficult thing for us to accept. The ability to wait for an answer is one of the marks of maturity. Be willing to let God answer in his own time, in his own way, and in his own power.
Many people see God as a divine vending machine in which you deposit one prayer and out pops a blessing. But what happens when you put your money in the Coke machine and nothing comes out? You get angry, you kick the Coke machine. So it's not surprising that such a view of God and prayer leads to disappointment when God says no.
I believe that we need to foster an entirely different view of prayer from that one. Our God is the Great God of the Universe, the Creator of all things that exist other than Himself. For us to even venture to speak to Him is presumptuous. For us to ask Him to pay attention to our requests and then hope for Him to meet them requires bold expectation. In fact such would be arrogance if it were not for the simple fact that God tells us to do just that.
Looking from the proper perspective, we will not ask "What happens when God says no?" but rather "What happens when God says yes?" That the God of the heavens would listen to us and our needs is a great testimony to His great love for us. And it is that love that will lead Him to say no from time to time. At those times, we must trust Him knowing that he loves us and desires what is best for us. We must never forsake Him nor our duty toward Him. And we must realize that what we interpret to be an answer of "no" may just be God telling us to wait a while.
"This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (I John 5:14)
I can't help but think that that little girl summarized the prayer lives of many Christians. Sometimes we pray without expecting an answer, even though God has assured us that He does indeed hear our prayers. David said, "I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications." (Psalm 116:1). But I think many of us struggle with the nagging question, "Is God really listening to me?" Yes, He heard David, He heard Elijah, and He heard the apostles. But does He hear me?
How do we really know that our prayers are answered? Sure, there are times when we see visible results. We may pray for someone who's sick and the next week they get well. But more often, our prayers don't produce flashing "neon" answers. We pray for help in financial problems, and we don't see things get any better. We pray for guidance in making right decisions, but the decisions don't get any easier. We pray for relationships with other people to improve, but they just seem to get worse. How do we as Christians account for that happening? How do we explain the fact that so many of our prayers seem to go "unanswered"?
The truth is, for a child of God there is no such thing as an unanswered prayer. Maybe you've heard it said before that God answers prayer in three ways. Sometimes the answer is "yes." Sometimes the answer is "no." And sometimes the answer is "wait a while." It's easy to accept an answer of "yes," but what about when God says, "no"?
Let me suggest three principles:
First of all, we need to trust God enough to realize that our all-loving, all-powerful Father loves us and has our best interest at heart. So when it seems that God says "no" to our prayers, we must trust Him enough to understand that there must be a good reason for it. It may be beyond our limited ability to understand, but we must simply trust God.
Secondly, we must not forsake God. Disappointment is a dangerous, powerful thing. When we get the feeling that God isn't listening to us, that He has said "no" to some prayer, we have a tendency to feel disappointed in Him. And Satan whispers to us, "God said He loves you, but He's not here." And if we allow that disappointment to harbor in our hearts, it can drive a wedge between us and God. We must continue to be faithful to our responsibility before God.
And thirdly, we need to realize that the answer may not be "no," but only "wait a while." God always answers our prayers immediately, but sometimes there's a delay in the giving of the answer and that can be a difficult thing for us to accept. The ability to wait for an answer is one of the marks of maturity. Be willing to let God answer in his own time, in his own way, and in his own power.
Many people see God as a divine vending machine in which you deposit one prayer and out pops a blessing. But what happens when you put your money in the Coke machine and nothing comes out? You get angry, you kick the Coke machine. So it's not surprising that such a view of God and prayer leads to disappointment when God says no.
I believe that we need to foster an entirely different view of prayer from that one. Our God is the Great God of the Universe, the Creator of all things that exist other than Himself. For us to even venture to speak to Him is presumptuous. For us to ask Him to pay attention to our requests and then hope for Him to meet them requires bold expectation. In fact such would be arrogance if it were not for the simple fact that God tells us to do just that.
Looking from the proper perspective, we will not ask "What happens when God says no?" but rather "What happens when God says yes?" That the God of the heavens would listen to us and our needs is a great testimony to His great love for us. And it is that love that will lead Him to say no from time to time. At those times, we must trust Him knowing that he loves us and desires what is best for us. We must never forsake Him nor our duty toward Him. And we must realize that what we interpret to be an answer of "no" may just be God telling us to wait a while.
"This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (I John 5:14)
Monday, May 23, 2016
BE CAREFUL WHOM YOU JUDGE
A young minister
graduated from seminary just before World War I and he was appointed to a
church in a very small town. He had been there only a couple of weeks when he
received the call every new minister dreads -- the call to do his first
funeral. The person who had died was not a member of his church. She was, in
fact, a woman with a very bad reputation. Her husband was a railroad engineer
who was away from home much of the time. She had rented rooms in their house to
men who worked on the railroad and rumor had it that she rented more than just
rooms when her husband was away.
The young preacher, faced with his first funeral, found no one who had a good word to say about this woman, until he entered the small old-fashioned grocery store on the day before the funeral. He began to talk to the store owner about his sadness that the first person he would bury would be someone about which nothing good could be said.
The store owner didn't reply at first and then, in his silence, he appeared to make a decision. He took out his store ledger and laid it on the counter between him and the preacher. He opened the ledger at random and, covering the names in the left-hand column, he pointed to grocery bills written in red – groceries that people had bought on credit -- and then the column that showed the bill had been paid.
He said, "Every month, that woman would come in and ask me who was behind in their grocery bills. It was usually some family who had sickness or death -- or some poor woman trying to feed her kids when her husband drank up the money. She would pay their bill and she made me swear never to tell. But, I figure now that she is dead, people ought to know -- especially those who benefited from her charity who have been most critical of her."
The young preacher, faced with his first funeral, found no one who had a good word to say about this woman, until he entered the small old-fashioned grocery store on the day before the funeral. He began to talk to the store owner about his sadness that the first person he would bury would be someone about which nothing good could be said.
The store owner didn't reply at first and then, in his silence, he appeared to make a decision. He took out his store ledger and laid it on the counter between him and the preacher. He opened the ledger at random and, covering the names in the left-hand column, he pointed to grocery bills written in red – groceries that people had bought on credit -- and then the column that showed the bill had been paid.
He said, "Every month, that woman would come in and ask me who was behind in their grocery bills. It was usually some family who had sickness or death -- or some poor woman trying to feed her kids when her husband drank up the money. She would pay their bill and she made me swear never to tell. But, I figure now that she is dead, people ought to know -- especially those who benefited from her charity who have been most critical of her."
Sunday, May 22, 2016
GLAD VS GRATITUDE
Anderson was having a
very difficult time. Because of the recession, he'd been laid off from his
firm, and jobs at his present salary were hard to find. Jobs at low salaries
were hard to find. He was able to pay only the minimum on his credit card, and
the balance owed had grown to monstrous proportions. His son needed braces, and
the insurance company was being stubborn about paying for them. The financial
problems were putting a strain on Anderson's marriage. He and his wife were
either fighting or not speaking to each other. And as if things weren't bad
enough, one of Anderson's wisdom teeth became impacted. It had to be cut out. The
insurance would pay for that, but it required surgery. His regular dentist
couldn't do it in the office. Anderson wondered how much worse life could get.
And then things suddenly turned around. Anderson's old firm hired him back in a better position with a better salary. He got in touch with a service representative who was willing to work with him on his credit card debt. The insurance finally came through on his son's braces. And his wisdom tooth broke through the gum. It would still have to be removed, but now he could sit in the dentist's chair and have it pulled. As the problems eased, Anderson's marriage improved. Life was good again.
Anderson was a religious man--or considered himself one--and he'd been praying steadily while things seemed so hopeless. But when they improved, he didn't even think that God might have had something to do with it. He was very glad, of course, that life was so much better. But he wasn't grateful--not even enough to say "Thank You."
Nettie was a seventy-year-old widow. She suddenly lost her husband after fifty years. He left some insurance, but he'd also left Nettie a big house, and there wasn't enough money to pay the utilities and maintenance and taxes. Nettie was forced to sell the home she loved and move in with her daughter. But Nettie was grateful for her blessings, and she never stopped thanking God for them.
She counted it a blessing that her husband had gone first, leaving her the one to mourn. After all, he wouldn't even have anyone to move in with. Nettie was grateful that she could help her daughter around the house and with the cooking; grateful that she got to spend time with her grandchildren. Though her health was poor, and her eyesight not good, at least she wasn't in a wheelchair or blind, as a few of her friends were. Another blessing to count.
The fact that Anderson didn't give God thanks didn't mean that God took back His blessings. It did mean that Anderson couldn't know the wonderful joy of praise that had always been so special to Nettie.
Life got better for Nettie. Her lawyer found an annuity her husband had left for her. It wasn't a fortune, but it was enough to give Nettie her own home again. Her health improved. An ophthalmologist operated on her eyes, and her sight was better than it had been in years. She thanked God, not every day, but every hour of every day.
Anderson will take the good things that come his way gladly, as his due. Nettie will accept them gratefully, as proofs of God's love and mercy. Anderson will live his span of years, happy sometimes, unhappy sometimes, and die hoping for the best. Nettie will live in constant joy, as she gives praise for everything. She will pass from her earthly life, thanking God for his final blessing here, as she moves into His glorious eternity.
And then things suddenly turned around. Anderson's old firm hired him back in a better position with a better salary. He got in touch with a service representative who was willing to work with him on his credit card debt. The insurance finally came through on his son's braces. And his wisdom tooth broke through the gum. It would still have to be removed, but now he could sit in the dentist's chair and have it pulled. As the problems eased, Anderson's marriage improved. Life was good again.
Anderson was a religious man--or considered himself one--and he'd been praying steadily while things seemed so hopeless. But when they improved, he didn't even think that God might have had something to do with it. He was very glad, of course, that life was so much better. But he wasn't grateful--not even enough to say "Thank You."
Nettie was a seventy-year-old widow. She suddenly lost her husband after fifty years. He left some insurance, but he'd also left Nettie a big house, and there wasn't enough money to pay the utilities and maintenance and taxes. Nettie was forced to sell the home she loved and move in with her daughter. But Nettie was grateful for her blessings, and she never stopped thanking God for them.
She counted it a blessing that her husband had gone first, leaving her the one to mourn. After all, he wouldn't even have anyone to move in with. Nettie was grateful that she could help her daughter around the house and with the cooking; grateful that she got to spend time with her grandchildren. Though her health was poor, and her eyesight not good, at least she wasn't in a wheelchair or blind, as a few of her friends were. Another blessing to count.
The fact that Anderson didn't give God thanks didn't mean that God took back His blessings. It did mean that Anderson couldn't know the wonderful joy of praise that had always been so special to Nettie.
Life got better for Nettie. Her lawyer found an annuity her husband had left for her. It wasn't a fortune, but it was enough to give Nettie her own home again. Her health improved. An ophthalmologist operated on her eyes, and her sight was better than it had been in years. She thanked God, not every day, but every hour of every day.
Anderson will take the good things that come his way gladly, as his due. Nettie will accept them gratefully, as proofs of God's love and mercy. Anderson will live his span of years, happy sometimes, unhappy sometimes, and die hoping for the best. Nettie will live in constant joy, as she gives praise for everything. She will pass from her earthly life, thanking God for his final blessing here, as she moves into His glorious eternity.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
HE HEARS WHEN WE CALL
In the Living Bible,
Psalm 12 begins with these words: “Lord! Help! Godly men are fast disappearing. Where in all
the world can dependable men be found? Everyone deceives and flatters and lies.
There is no sincerity left.”
Does that sound like today? Could we not repeat David's words spoken hundreds of years ago? From politicians to news broadcasters, from deceptive friends and even some family members, flattering words are spoken, lies are told. Who can we believe? Who can we depend on to tell us the truth? Where is our moral compass and guide?
Praise God. Verse six of the same psalm gives us the answer: “The Lord's promise is sure. He speaks no careless word; all He says is purest truth, like silver seven times refined.” When we lack wisdom to know right from wrong, to decipher truth from embellished white lies, all we need do is
Does that sound like today? Could we not repeat David's words spoken hundreds of years ago? From politicians to news broadcasters, from deceptive friends and even some family members, flattering words are spoken, lies are told. Who can we believe? Who can we depend on to tell us the truth? Where is our moral compass and guide?
Praise God. Verse six of the same psalm gives us the answer: “The Lord's promise is sure. He speaks no careless word; all He says is purest truth, like silver seven times refined.” When we lack wisdom to know right from wrong, to decipher truth from embellished white lies, all we need do is
ask the Lord. He knows
all things and is more than willing to share His vast knowledge with us. The
only prerequisite is we must ask and seek answers that will guide us along the
right paths.
Not only will God point us to the truth, He will also give us the courage to speak it, to refute the wrong information that will inevitably be a stumbling block to those who hear. Remember, Satan comes as an angel of light to deceive and lead astray even God's elect if we are not tuned into our Father in heaven. Through God's word, prayer and waiting on the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we can avoid the pitfalls of reasonable sounding lies. We have a Guide and Counselor within us Who will never lead us astray: “O Lord, we know that you will forever preserve Your own from the reach of evil men although they prowl on every side and vileness is praised throughout the land.” (Ps. 12:7) We need not fear. God is on our side! Halleluiah!
Not only will God point us to the truth, He will also give us the courage to speak it, to refute the wrong information that will inevitably be a stumbling block to those who hear. Remember, Satan comes as an angel of light to deceive and lead astray even God's elect if we are not tuned into our Father in heaven. Through God's word, prayer and waiting on the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we can avoid the pitfalls of reasonable sounding lies. We have a Guide and Counselor within us Who will never lead us astray: “O Lord, we know that you will forever preserve Your own from the reach of evil men although they prowl on every side and vileness is praised throughout the land.” (Ps. 12:7) We need not fear. God is on our side! Halleluiah!
Friday, May 20, 2016
Can a City Be Transformed?
by Os Hillman
"All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord." (emphasis mine Acts 9:35).
"All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord." (emphasis mine Acts 9:35).
Prayer
In every city in which transformation has taken place, believers have come together to pray for their city. Prayer changes the spiritual climate of a city. Some of the main areas of influence that must be the focus of our prayers include churches and businesses; the legal, political, educational and medical fields; and the media/entertainment industry. Workplace leaders must be strategically aligned with intercessors to impact their city.
Humility
God uses men and women who recognize that they need each other and who do not seek glory for their work. "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way" (Ps. 25:9). The workplace leaders that God is using today care little about being in the limelight.
Unity
Jesus said, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:23). God calls each of us individually and corporately to represent Christ to the world, but our independence, pride and egos often prevent us from becoming unified in the purposes of Christ.
Knowledge of God's Ways
Sometimes leaders can move in presumption instead of in a faith that is rooted in knowledge of God's ways. Such was the case of David, who wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the city of Jerusalem. He was zealous for God and celebrated as he brought the Ark into the city. However, the ark was being carried into the city on a cart instead of by priests on poles, as God required. When a man named Uzzah reached out to catch the Ark when the oxen stumbled, he was immediately struck dead by God. David was devastated.. He lacked a knowledge of God's ways.
Do you want to see your city transformed? Make sure the three ingredients of prayer, unity and knowledge of God's ways exist in your leadership team.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
SERVING WHERE GOD PLACES US
Dear Friend,
No matter what our role or position may be in life, we should do our absolute best to be faithful in that office. The job that we have been entrusted with no matter how large or small should be done with all of our hearts knowing that we will receive a just reward for being faithful in that position. So many people today are not satisfied with where they are in their life. They wish they had a better position, a less stressful position, a more fun position, but what they fail to realize in their discontentment is that in order for them to rise higher than they are right now, they must remain faithful where they are right now. We can never be entrusted with more when we are not faithful with what we have been given presently. This is a universal and eternal truth that applies to everything in our life. We must be faithful with the little until we can be trusted with the much. (Luke 12:48) (Matthew 25:21)
If you are finding yourself unsatisfied with where you are in life, I would encourage and challenge you to look past your present circumstances and look through your eyes of faith to a better and brighter future. Remain faithful with what you have been given and the God who sees all things done openly and in secret will reward you in like manner. Don’t murmur, don’t complain and most importantly don’t give up. Stay strong, stay faithful and stay diligent. What we do today will determine what we will have tomorrow. Let us always remember God’s faithfulness to us so that we may remain faithful to Him. If God has placed you where you are, it is to make you better, wiser and stronger so that you will be prepared and ready for your greater position. Believe this truth for yourself and strive to be all that you were created to be. (Matthew 6:1-8) (Job 8:7)
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to stay faithful to where you have been entrusted until the Lord promotes you to even greater heights.
SERVING WHERE GOD PLACES US
In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. So, he made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery.
“Your Majesty,” said Prior Richard, “Do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king.”
“I understand,” said Henry. “The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you.”
“Then I will tell you what to do,” said Prior Richard. “Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you.”
When King Henry died, a statement was written: “The King learned to rule by being obedient.”
When we tire of our roles and responsibilities, it helps to remember God has planted us in a certain place and told us to be a good accountant, teacher, mother, or father. Christ expects us to be faithful where He puts us, no matter the task we have been given!
By Steve Brown
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
Psalm 37:16-19 “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.”
Hebrews 13:5–6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
James 1:2-5 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Esther, For Such a Time as This
by Os Hillman
"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Est 4:14-15).
Esther was a Jewish orphan living in the land of Persia after her people were taken into captivity from Jerusalem. Raised by her cousin Mordecai, she lived during the time of King Xerxes who reigned over Persia that stretched from India to Ethiopia.
An edict was sent out to bring all the virgins to the king's palace from the surrounding regions to replace Queen Vashti who found disfavor with the king and was deposed. Esther was one of the young women taken and was ultimately selected to be the next queen.
Mordecai had a high ranking position in the government that allowed him to learn of a plot by Haman, an official of the king, to kill all of the Jews.
Now, the only way this edict would not be carried out was if Esther asked for an audience with the king to request that the plot be abandoned on her behalf. However, to request an audience before the king was a serious matter. If he refused to give her audience, the penalty was immediate death.
It was at this time she made her famous statement, "If I die, I die." Esther realized this could be the reason God created her - to save her people from destruction. However, out of concern for Esther, Mordecai explained the situation to her, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish." Mordecai was giving her a choice. Either she will be used by God or someone else will be used to save their people.
Everyday you and I are given a choice in our workplace. Are we willing to be the person God uses to impact the future destiny of a people? Many of us are silent Christians simply letting the status quo reign while we sit quietly by watching. Who knows that you were created for such a time as this to be a catalyst to stand in the gap for some situation in your workplace or community or nation.
Be faithful to your calling.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Stop Living By Christian Principles by Os Hillman
..."having a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Tim 3:5).
God never called you to live by Christian principles. He calls you to live in relationship with the living God, Jesus Christ. One of the weaknesses of the Church today is that we teach people principles without the relationship.
The western church is big on ten step programs, "how-to" methods and acrostics to illustrate memorable ideas. There is a place for establishing principles to change negative behavior. However, we are not called to have a relationship with principles, but a living God.
Living by principles is the equivalent to living by the law in the Old Testament. It is rooted in the Greek system of learning and is dependent upon our strength instead of being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Principle-based living is powerless living. This makes our Christian experience a religion instead of a relationship. "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law" (Gal 5:18).
We read about principle-based followers in the book of Acts, "The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people" (Acts 5:12-14). There was a group of followers who liked being taught but never entered the game.
The prophet Jeremiah tells us about the nature of God and His desire for every believer.
This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Friend, have you been guilty of living a life based on principles instead of knowing the One who authored the principles? Invite Jesus to be Lord over your life and begin to spend time with Him every day. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you through every moment of your day.
God never called you to live by Christian principles. He calls you to live in relationship with the living God, Jesus Christ. One of the weaknesses of the Church today is that we teach people principles without the relationship.
The western church is big on ten step programs, "how-to" methods and acrostics to illustrate memorable ideas. There is a place for establishing principles to change negative behavior. However, we are not called to have a relationship with principles, but a living God.
Living by principles is the equivalent to living by the law in the Old Testament. It is rooted in the Greek system of learning and is dependent upon our strength instead of being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Principle-based living is powerless living. This makes our Christian experience a religion instead of a relationship. "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law" (Gal 5:18).
We read about principle-based followers in the book of Acts, "The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people" (Acts 5:12-14). There was a group of followers who liked being taught but never entered the game.
The prophet Jeremiah tells us about the nature of God and His desire for every believer.
This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
Friend, have you been guilty of living a life based on principles instead of knowing the One who authored the principles? Invite Jesus to be Lord over your life and begin to spend time with Him every day. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you through every moment of your day.
Monday, May 16, 2016
IS "FAITH" THE "GIFT" OF GOD?
by Russell S. Miller
Is "faith" in Ephesians 2:8,9 the "gift" of God?
Some have taught that the Greek word here, for "gift", suggests that faith is the gift of God. Can this thinking really be justified in the light of what the Apostle Paul says of salvation in Romans 6:23? The answer is an emphatic "NO".
Meditate upon this for a moment: Who created us? The Scriptures reply with a resounding: "GOD". God, "who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph.3:9), created us in His own "image" and "likeness" (Gen.1:26). And this great and mighty Creator, who "formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen.2:7), put within this man, whom He had created, the ability to "seek the Lord" (Acts 17:23-27). This quotation from Acts is no less than the words of "the Apostle of the Gentiles" (Rom.11:13). Is there not within every one of us that vacuum that can only be filled with Christ? Yet the Apostle to the Nations declares:
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one" (Rom.3:10-12).
The Bible does not contradict itself here. God has built within every man, woman and child--upon creation--that ability within him to believe. He can discern the sky; he can choose whatever he pleases; he can believe a lie. If man is responsible before God, and he most assuredly is, then he may choose to "receive" the gift of God:
"For the wages of sin is death; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD" (Rom.6:23).
It is not that he is unable to believe the gospel, as we have demonstrated, rather it is a matter of his will. Consequently, man will stand to give an account to his Creator, for his faith--his ability to believe--is indirectly given of God in creation. Man, however, is a rebel from his birth, and intentionally disobedient. In the words of John 3:18, "...he that BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God". This is why his sinfulness is defined in terms of "total depravity".
Is "faith" in Ephesians 2:8,9 the "gift" of God?
Some have taught that the Greek word here, for "gift", suggests that faith is the gift of God. Can this thinking really be justified in the light of what the Apostle Paul says of salvation in Romans 6:23? The answer is an emphatic "NO".
Meditate upon this for a moment: Who created us? The Scriptures reply with a resounding: "GOD". God, "who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph.3:9), created us in His own "image" and "likeness" (Gen.1:26). And this great and mighty Creator, who "formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen.2:7), put within this man, whom He had created, the ability to "seek the Lord" (Acts 17:23-27). This quotation from Acts is no less than the words of "the Apostle of the Gentiles" (Rom.11:13). Is there not within every one of us that vacuum that can only be filled with Christ? Yet the Apostle to the Nations declares:
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one" (Rom.3:10-12).
The Bible does not contradict itself here. God has built within every man, woman and child--upon creation--that ability within him to believe. He can discern the sky; he can choose whatever he pleases; he can believe a lie. If man is responsible before God, and he most assuredly is, then he may choose to "receive" the gift of God:
"For the wages of sin is death; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD" (Rom.6:23).
It is not that he is unable to believe the gospel, as we have demonstrated, rather it is a matter of his will. Consequently, man will stand to give an account to his Creator, for his faith--his ability to believe--is indirectly given of God in creation. Man, however, is a rebel from his birth, and intentionally disobedient. In the words of John 3:18, "...he that BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God". This is why his sinfulness is defined in terms of "total depravity".
Sunday, May 15, 2016
The Convicting Work of the Holy Spirit
by Steve Me Vey
The ministry of the Holy Spirit in bringing conviction into our lives is one of the most misunderstood truths of the New Testament. Many of us have lived for many years with a viewpoint that suggests that one of His main responsibilities is to point out our sins so that we will abandon them. Many are surprised to learn that, while the Holy Spirit does indeed convict us, it isn't about our sins. He convicts us about something altogether different.
Consider John 16:8-11:
8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
This passage says that the Holy Spirit convicts of three things: 1. Sin 2. Righteousness
3. Judgment. He convicts two groups of people: The world (not you) and you (the Christian).
Who does the Holy Spirit convict of sin? Verse 9 says that the conviction of sin is connected to the world. Why are they convicted? "Because they do not believe in Me," says Jesus. It is the unbeliever who is convicted of sin. What is that sin? They are convicted of one sin in particular-unbelief in Christ. The Holy Spirit doesn't convict unbelievers of their sins (plural), but of the singularly greatest sin of all -- their failure to trust Christ as their Savior.
Even if they stopped doing all the wrong things they do in life, the world would still have the fundamental problem of their unbelief. When your house is burning to the ground, you don't worry that it needs a paint job. There are more pressing matters. So it is with those who don't know Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts them of their great need to believe in Him. Everything else is incidental.
But what of the Christian? Jesus said the Spirit would convict of righteousness because "I go to My Father and you no longer see Me." Conviction of sin is directed to a group Jesus called "they" - the world. Conviction of righteousness is associated with "you" - the follower of Jesus. The ministry of the Holy Spirit toward the Christian is to convince us of our righteousness. Jesus has put away our sin by the sacrifice of Himself (see Hebrews 9:26). Now He seeks to convince (convict) us of that reality so that we will act consistently with who we are.
The Spirit of Christ doesn't put you under guilt and condemnation about something Jesus Christ has already absorbed into Himself at the cross, defeated and put away. Remember that Jesus dealt with sin and then sat down by the right hand of God because there was nothing left to do regarding sin. Your sins have been defeated and put away. So at every moment, "There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."
When the Christian sins, the Holy Spirit causes us to realize, "This isn't who I am. I don't want to live like this." That realization is a call to recognize our righteousness and act like who we are. If you sense feelings of worthlessness and shame; if you think you are a horrible person when you sin, that isn't the Holy Spirit speaking to you. It may be your church or family history rising up to condemn you, but it isn't God's Spirit. He doesn't do that. Ever.
You can be convinced (convicted) that the ruler of this world (Satan) has already been judged and has nothing on you anymore. Your sins have been defeated, so when you find that you have fallen, don't beat yourself up because God doesn't. Just get up and act like who you are!
The ministry of the Holy Spirit in bringing conviction into our lives is one of the most misunderstood truths of the New Testament. Many of us have lived for many years with a viewpoint that suggests that one of His main responsibilities is to point out our sins so that we will abandon them. Many are surprised to learn that, while the Holy Spirit does indeed convict us, it isn't about our sins. He convicts us about something altogether different.
Consider John 16:8-11:
8 "And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
This passage says that the Holy Spirit convicts of three things: 1. Sin 2. Righteousness
3. Judgment. He convicts two groups of people: The world (not you) and you (the Christian).
Who does the Holy Spirit convict of sin? Verse 9 says that the conviction of sin is connected to the world. Why are they convicted? "Because they do not believe in Me," says Jesus. It is the unbeliever who is convicted of sin. What is that sin? They are convicted of one sin in particular-unbelief in Christ. The Holy Spirit doesn't convict unbelievers of their sins (plural), but of the singularly greatest sin of all -- their failure to trust Christ as their Savior.
Even if they stopped doing all the wrong things they do in life, the world would still have the fundamental problem of their unbelief. When your house is burning to the ground, you don't worry that it needs a paint job. There are more pressing matters. So it is with those who don't know Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts them of their great need to believe in Him. Everything else is incidental.
But what of the Christian? Jesus said the Spirit would convict of righteousness because "I go to My Father and you no longer see Me." Conviction of sin is directed to a group Jesus called "they" - the world. Conviction of righteousness is associated with "you" - the follower of Jesus. The ministry of the Holy Spirit toward the Christian is to convince us of our righteousness. Jesus has put away our sin by the sacrifice of Himself (see Hebrews 9:26). Now He seeks to convince (convict) us of that reality so that we will act consistently with who we are.
The Spirit of Christ doesn't put you under guilt and condemnation about something Jesus Christ has already absorbed into Himself at the cross, defeated and put away. Remember that Jesus dealt with sin and then sat down by the right hand of God because there was nothing left to do regarding sin. Your sins have been defeated and put away. So at every moment, "There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."
When the Christian sins, the Holy Spirit causes us to realize, "This isn't who I am. I don't want to live like this." That realization is a call to recognize our righteousness and act like who we are. If you sense feelings of worthlessness and shame; if you think you are a horrible person when you sin, that isn't the Holy Spirit speaking to you. It may be your church or family history rising up to condemn you, but it isn't God's Spirit. He doesn't do that. Ever.
You can be convinced (convicted) that the ruler of this world (Satan) has already been judged and has nothing on you anymore. Your sins have been defeated, so when you find that you have fallen, don't beat yourself up because God doesn't. Just get up and act like who you are!
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