The Pursuit Of Happiness
Read: Matthew 5:1-10
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 5:3
Everyone is looking for happiness, and people follow many avenues trying to find it. They look for it in money, parties, self-improvement programs, fancy cars, luxurious homes, or promoting a cause.
That's the wrong list. The right one is found in Matthew 5. Jesus taught us that deep and lasting happiness comes from being right with God. He said we are blessed, or happy, when we are:
Poor in spirit—recognizing our desperate need for God.
Mourning—realizing the awfulness of sin and being genuinely sorry for it.
Meek—demonstrating self-control, even when we are mistreated.
Hungry and thirsty for righteousness—longing to be holy and pure.
Merciful—showing mercy to others, just as God shows mercy to us.
Pure in heart—being singleminded and sincere in our devotion to Christ.
Peacemakers—sharing the peace Christ offers, and promoting peace with one another.
Persecuted—being willing to suffer for Jesus' sake.
Looking for happiness? Follow Jesus' way. —Dave Branon
Happy are they who love the Lord,
Whose hearts have Christ confessed,
Who by His cross have found their life,
Beneath His yoke their rest. —Bridges
Happiness depends on what you are, not on what you have.
daily bread
Monday, December 29, 2003
Friday, December 19, 2003
The Real Meaning Of Christmas
By Martha Noebel
We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.
It's that time of year again. December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas?
For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Turkey dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some.
Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.
Luke 2: 4-19 says:
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
Why did He come? Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.
Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. We can know that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over.
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." I John 1:9
We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.
Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!
cbn
By Martha Noebel
We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.
It's that time of year again. December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas?
For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Turkey dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some.
Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.
Luke 2: 4-19 says:
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
Why did He come? Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.
Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. We can know that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over.
"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." I John 1:9
We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.
Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!
cbn
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
IMITATE THE GOOD
3 John 11
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
As much as I appreciated my college basketball coach, I know there is one thing we did not agree on. He did not like my imitation of Pete Maravich--the greatest showman and scorer in NCAA men's basketball history. My coach was old school, and he wanted things handled pretty much by the book. I, on the other hand, was a charter member of the "Let's make this game as much fun as we can by showing off" club. That's why I spent so much time practicing "Pistol" Pete's fancy moves.
I know my coach was not happy with me during one game when I put together a between-the-legs, behind-the-back pass while on a fast break. Flying full-speed down the court, I dribbled the ball between my legs from my right hand to my left, then cradled the ball in my left hand, and flipped it behind my back to the man coming down the court in the right lane on the break. It was a thing of absolute hoops beauty.
As I sat on the bench a moment later contemplating my love for fancy passes, I knew my coach was not a happy man. To him, my imitation of the Pistol was imitating evil. He thought all that fancy stuff was a waste of time and energy. He would have preferred that I imitated something good--like the two-handed chest pass.
In real life, imitation of evil is far more serious. When we choose to follow the lead of someone who is influencing us to do something wrong, we disobey God. The middle of 3 John 11 says, "Anyone who does what is good is from God." This is a goodness that flows from Jesus and His attributes.
Knowing who to follow these days isn't easy. But one set of questions can guide our choices about who to imitate: Do they do what is good? Do they make godly choices? Do they stand for what is right? Do they care what God thinks? If your answers to those questions are yes, yes, yes, and yes, then that person is someone you can follow.
Think of your influences: media, friends, music, even sports. Which are you imitating? The good or the evil? --Dave Branon
DESTINATION POINTS
* Who or what are the five most influential people or things in my life? Are they good or are they not good?
* How can I imitate good without offending others and being a goody-goody that nobody wants to be around?
* Why is being good important anyway? Can I really explain what value there is in being moral instead of doing whatever I feel is right?
LINKS:
Miss America's Unpopular Stand
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2003/002/27.52.html
Power For Competing
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/7c3/7c3078.html
bottom line: Dedicate yourself to God, imitate what is good.
soul journey
3 John 11
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
As much as I appreciated my college basketball coach, I know there is one thing we did not agree on. He did not like my imitation of Pete Maravich--the greatest showman and scorer in NCAA men's basketball history. My coach was old school, and he wanted things handled pretty much by the book. I, on the other hand, was a charter member of the "Let's make this game as much fun as we can by showing off" club. That's why I spent so much time practicing "Pistol" Pete's fancy moves.
I know my coach was not happy with me during one game when I put together a between-the-legs, behind-the-back pass while on a fast break. Flying full-speed down the court, I dribbled the ball between my legs from my right hand to my left, then cradled the ball in my left hand, and flipped it behind my back to the man coming down the court in the right lane on the break. It was a thing of absolute hoops beauty.
As I sat on the bench a moment later contemplating my love for fancy passes, I knew my coach was not a happy man. To him, my imitation of the Pistol was imitating evil. He thought all that fancy stuff was a waste of time and energy. He would have preferred that I imitated something good--like the two-handed chest pass.
In real life, imitation of evil is far more serious. When we choose to follow the lead of someone who is influencing us to do something wrong, we disobey God. The middle of 3 John 11 says, "Anyone who does what is good is from God." This is a goodness that flows from Jesus and His attributes.
Knowing who to follow these days isn't easy. But one set of questions can guide our choices about who to imitate: Do they do what is good? Do they make godly choices? Do they stand for what is right? Do they care what God thinks? If your answers to those questions are yes, yes, yes, and yes, then that person is someone you can follow.
Think of your influences: media, friends, music, even sports. Which are you imitating? The good or the evil? --Dave Branon
DESTINATION POINTS
* Who or what are the five most influential people or things in my life? Are they good or are they not good?
* How can I imitate good without offending others and being a goody-goody that nobody wants to be around?
* Why is being good important anyway? Can I really explain what value there is in being moral instead of doing whatever I feel is right?
LINKS:
Miss America's Unpopular Stand
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2003/002/27.52.html
Power For Competing
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/7c3/7c3078.html
bottom line: Dedicate yourself to God, imitate what is good.
soul journey
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Handel-ing the Messiah
By Dan Betzer
In this letter, Jennens sent a compilation of scriptures which focused on the Christ of God. Handel felt deeply moved in his spirit and began to write.
My friend Dr. Don Meyer, the president of Valley Forge Christian College, has written a delightful little book called "Think About It." It is a compilation of newspaper columns Don has written for area publications.
One selection concerns George Frideric Handel, the great composer. In the early 1700s, Handel's popularity had begun to wane and creditors were knocking. His health was marred by depression, insomnia, and rheumatism. In his late 50s, he faced a bleak future.
Then, in 1741, Handel received a letter from a wealthy landowner, Charles Jennens, who had written some lyrics for him in the past. In this letter, Jennens sent a compilation of scriptures which focused on the Christ of God. Handel felt deeply moved in his spirit and began to write.
Within seven days he had completed part one of "Messiah," which concerned Jesus' birth. He wrote the redemption part in another nine days and then, in less than one week, Handel completed the resurrection and future reign of Christ portion including the "Hallelujah Chorus."
On April 13, 1742, "Messiah" made its debut in Dublin to a rousing reception. Handel lived another 17 years and led many more performances of his masterpiece.
Why do we stand today when this great work is presented? When King George II of England first heard "Messiah," he stood. Since no one remains seated when a king stands, the audience also stood. The majestic "Hallelujah Chorus" was performed in our church this week and we all stood and applauded! And were blessed.
Just think -- Handel might never have written "Messiah" had Jennens not sent him that letter.
cbn
By Dan Betzer
In this letter, Jennens sent a compilation of scriptures which focused on the Christ of God. Handel felt deeply moved in his spirit and began to write.
My friend Dr. Don Meyer, the president of Valley Forge Christian College, has written a delightful little book called "Think About It." It is a compilation of newspaper columns Don has written for area publications.
One selection concerns George Frideric Handel, the great composer. In the early 1700s, Handel's popularity had begun to wane and creditors were knocking. His health was marred by depression, insomnia, and rheumatism. In his late 50s, he faced a bleak future.
Then, in 1741, Handel received a letter from a wealthy landowner, Charles Jennens, who had written some lyrics for him in the past. In this letter, Jennens sent a compilation of scriptures which focused on the Christ of God. Handel felt deeply moved in his spirit and began to write.
Within seven days he had completed part one of "Messiah," which concerned Jesus' birth. He wrote the redemption part in another nine days and then, in less than one week, Handel completed the resurrection and future reign of Christ portion including the "Hallelujah Chorus."
On April 13, 1742, "Messiah" made its debut in Dublin to a rousing reception. Handel lived another 17 years and led many more performances of his masterpiece.
Why do we stand today when this great work is presented? When King George II of England first heard "Messiah," he stood. Since no one remains seated when a king stands, the audience also stood. The majestic "Hallelujah Chorus" was performed in our church this week and we all stood and applauded! And were blessed.
Just think -- Handel might never have written "Messiah" had Jennens not sent him that letter.
cbn
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
JESUS' BLOOD
Romans 5:9-11
9 Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
William Harvey (1578-1657) had a problem. The founder of the science of physiology was faced with a reality that didn't jibe with current thought.
As he carefully studied the circulatory systems of mammals, he found that their valves and veins allowed blood to flow only one way. But since the time of Galen (born about 130 AD), scientists had been convinced that the red stuff flowed back and forth in veins and arteries--kind of like the ebb and flow of an ocean tide.
Harvey decided to reveal his finding. The revolutionary idea was accepted and it changed the course for scientific study of blood flow in the body. Harvey, a believer in God, said, "Life therefore resides in the blood (as we are informed in the sacred writings)."
The sacred writings he was referring to are Leviticus 17:11,14: "The life of a creature is in the blood. . . . the life of every creature is its blood."
For the believer in Jesus, these words carry great significance. God had revealed to Moses that blood was special in His eyes. To atone for sin, He required that this special substance--symbolic of life itself--be used. Therefore, the vital fluid of countless lambs, bulls, and other creatures was applied by priests to ancient altars.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, shed His precious blood so that our holy God would find us acceptable. "We have now been justified by His blood,"
wrote Paul in Romans 5:9. His sacrifice provided the way for people to be saved from their sins.
In Revelation 5 the apostle John wrote, "With Your blood You purchased men for God" (v.9). And, "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (v.12).
Praise Jesus right now for the reality that He shed His life-giving blood for you. --Tom Felten
DESTINATION POINTS
* Why is it so important that Jesus shed His blood for me?
* When I drink the communion cup, what comes to mind about Jesus' blood?
LINKS:
Why Did Christ Have To Die?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0202
How can it be morally right for Jesus Christ to die for our sins?
http://www.questions.org/answer/god/christ/righttodie.xml/
bottom line: Without Jesus' blood we would be lost.
soul journey
Romans 5:9-11
9 Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
William Harvey (1578-1657) had a problem. The founder of the science of physiology was faced with a reality that didn't jibe with current thought.
As he carefully studied the circulatory systems of mammals, he found that their valves and veins allowed blood to flow only one way. But since the time of Galen (born about 130 AD), scientists had been convinced that the red stuff flowed back and forth in veins and arteries--kind of like the ebb and flow of an ocean tide.
Harvey decided to reveal his finding. The revolutionary idea was accepted and it changed the course for scientific study of blood flow in the body. Harvey, a believer in God, said, "Life therefore resides in the blood (as we are informed in the sacred writings)."
The sacred writings he was referring to are Leviticus 17:11,14: "The life of a creature is in the blood. . . . the life of every creature is its blood."
For the believer in Jesus, these words carry great significance. God had revealed to Moses that blood was special in His eyes. To atone for sin, He required that this special substance--symbolic of life itself--be used. Therefore, the vital fluid of countless lambs, bulls, and other creatures was applied by priests to ancient altars.
Jesus, the Lamb of God, shed His precious blood so that our holy God would find us acceptable. "We have now been justified by His blood,"
wrote Paul in Romans 5:9. His sacrifice provided the way for people to be saved from their sins.
In Revelation 5 the apostle John wrote, "With Your blood You purchased men for God" (v.9). And, "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (v.12).
Praise Jesus right now for the reality that He shed His life-giving blood for you. --Tom Felten
DESTINATION POINTS
* Why is it so important that Jesus shed His blood for me?
* When I drink the communion cup, what comes to mind about Jesus' blood?
LINKS:
Why Did Christ Have To Die?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0202
How can it be morally right for Jesus Christ to die for our sins?
http://www.questions.org/answer/god/christ/righttodie.xml/
bottom line: Without Jesus' blood we would be lost.
soul journey
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Mary - Obedient Servant
By Candy Arrington
Mary didn't question God's call on her life. She only asked for clarification. She wanted to understand the mechanics of how something that seemed in opposition to natural law could be accomplished. Once the angel answered that question, she yielded herself totally to God's plan.
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38
Gabriel's visit to Mary was unexpected and terrifying. But despite her fear and confusion, Mary didn't run from the situation. Instead, she listened with enough composure to understand the announcement. Then she asked a simple question, "How can this be?"
Mary didn't question God's call on her life. She only asked for clarification. She wanted to understand the mechanics of how something that seemed in opposition to natural law could be accomplished. Once the angel answered that question, she yielded herself totally to God's plan.
I can imagine that if an angel appeared to a teenage girl today with this shocking news - you're going to have a baby, although you are a virgin and unwed - there would be numerous questions or an exclamation of "No way!" I'm sure Mary realized the potential problems inherent in God's mission for her life yet she didn't voice any of those. Instead she calmly trusted that if this was God's plan for her it must be the best plan.
This tells us something of Mary's relationship with God. Her faith was obviously deep enough for her to offer herself as a willing servant. Perhaps it was Mary's servant-heartedness that caused God to select her as the one "highly favored among women." It seems appropriate that God chose this obedient teenage girl to be the mother of a child who would later offer himself in the greatest act of servanthood ever.
The Bible leaves us in suspense about the specific reaction of Mary's parents to her news. Perhaps they were skeptical of the authenticity of her story or even angry and disappointed with her. Clearly, part of the way they handled the situation was to send her to stay with Elizabeth, out of public view and away from gossiping tongues.
Joseph was embarrassed by Mary's pregnancy and planned to distance himself from her by breaking their engagement. When the angel appeared to him, verifying Mary's story, Joseph also acted in obedience to God's plan for their lives. I'm sure that Mary, Joseph, and their families experienced all the conflicting emotions that we do today when faced with a situation that seems out of our control and life-altering. Sometimes God asks us to do things that bring skepticism and criticism from those around us. Often, obedience to God's will involves some degree of discomfort.
Although Mary found favor with God, her life was not without suffering. Upon seeing the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon predicted that a sword would pierce Mary's soul. Mary was alive during Jesus' ministry, his arrest, trial, and present when he was crucified. She saw the fulfillment of God's plan, but she also endured a mother's anguish as she watched her son die a brutal death.
The true test of our faith and trust comes in our obedience to God. I wonder what would happen if, like Mary, we willingly offered ourselves, without questions or delay, to God's purpose and plan for our lives.
cbn
By Candy Arrington
Mary didn't question God's call on her life. She only asked for clarification. She wanted to understand the mechanics of how something that seemed in opposition to natural law could be accomplished. Once the angel answered that question, she yielded herself totally to God's plan.
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38
Gabriel's visit to Mary was unexpected and terrifying. But despite her fear and confusion, Mary didn't run from the situation. Instead, she listened with enough composure to understand the announcement. Then she asked a simple question, "How can this be?"
Mary didn't question God's call on her life. She only asked for clarification. She wanted to understand the mechanics of how something that seemed in opposition to natural law could be accomplished. Once the angel answered that question, she yielded herself totally to God's plan.
I can imagine that if an angel appeared to a teenage girl today with this shocking news - you're going to have a baby, although you are a virgin and unwed - there would be numerous questions or an exclamation of "No way!" I'm sure Mary realized the potential problems inherent in God's mission for her life yet she didn't voice any of those. Instead she calmly trusted that if this was God's plan for her it must be the best plan.
This tells us something of Mary's relationship with God. Her faith was obviously deep enough for her to offer herself as a willing servant. Perhaps it was Mary's servant-heartedness that caused God to select her as the one "highly favored among women." It seems appropriate that God chose this obedient teenage girl to be the mother of a child who would later offer himself in the greatest act of servanthood ever.
The Bible leaves us in suspense about the specific reaction of Mary's parents to her news. Perhaps they were skeptical of the authenticity of her story or even angry and disappointed with her. Clearly, part of the way they handled the situation was to send her to stay with Elizabeth, out of public view and away from gossiping tongues.
Joseph was embarrassed by Mary's pregnancy and planned to distance himself from her by breaking their engagement. When the angel appeared to him, verifying Mary's story, Joseph also acted in obedience to God's plan for their lives. I'm sure that Mary, Joseph, and their families experienced all the conflicting emotions that we do today when faced with a situation that seems out of our control and life-altering. Sometimes God asks us to do things that bring skepticism and criticism from those around us. Often, obedience to God's will involves some degree of discomfort.
Although Mary found favor with God, her life was not without suffering. Upon seeing the infant Jesus in the temple, Simeon predicted that a sword would pierce Mary's soul. Mary was alive during Jesus' ministry, his arrest, trial, and present when he was crucified. She saw the fulfillment of God's plan, but she also endured a mother's anguish as she watched her son die a brutal death.
The true test of our faith and trust comes in our obedience to God. I wonder what would happen if, like Mary, we willingly offered ourselves, without questions or delay, to God's purpose and plan for our lives.
cbn
Saturday, December 06, 2003
Christmas Reminders
By Linda J. Gilden
God's gift was for all seasons. And, every time we share that gift, it's Christmas!
Christmas has become extremely commercialized. Everywhere we look we see Christmas trees, lights, presents, signs enticing us to buy this or that for the people on our lists. But let's try to keep our thoughts focused on the real meaning of the season.
When we see a wreath, let's remember that God's love is never ending.
When we see the lights, let's remember that Jesus is the light of the world.
When we see candles, let's remember that our lights, however small, shine brightly enough to spread to those around us.
When we see presents, let's remember that God gave us the greatest gift of all in His Son, Jesus Christ.
When we see a Christmas tree, let's remember a tree on top of a hill called Calvary.
When we see snow, let's remember the One who cleanses our sins in a way that makes them pure white.
When we sing carols, let's remember the importance of making a joyful noise unto the Lord.
When we sit down to Christmas dinner, let's remember that Jesus is the bread of life.
When we see all those around us in need, whether physically, financially, emotionally, or spiritually, let's remember that Christmas really shouldn't be limited to one season of the year.
God's gift was for all seasons. And, every time we share that gift, it's Christmas!
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)
cbn
By Linda J. Gilden
God's gift was for all seasons. And, every time we share that gift, it's Christmas!
Christmas has become extremely commercialized. Everywhere we look we see Christmas trees, lights, presents, signs enticing us to buy this or that for the people on our lists. But let's try to keep our thoughts focused on the real meaning of the season.
When we see a wreath, let's remember that God's love is never ending.
When we see the lights, let's remember that Jesus is the light of the world.
When we see candles, let's remember that our lights, however small, shine brightly enough to spread to those around us.
When we see presents, let's remember that God gave us the greatest gift of all in His Son, Jesus Christ.
When we see a Christmas tree, let's remember a tree on top of a hill called Calvary.
When we see snow, let's remember the One who cleanses our sins in a way that makes them pure white.
When we sing carols, let's remember the importance of making a joyful noise unto the Lord.
When we sit down to Christmas dinner, let's remember that Jesus is the bread of life.
When we see all those around us in need, whether physically, financially, emotionally, or spiritually, let's remember that Christmas really shouldn't be limited to one season of the year.
God's gift was for all seasons. And, every time we share that gift, it's Christmas!
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)
cbn
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
PURGE THE EVIL
Deuteronomy 17:2-7
2 If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the Lord gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God in violation of His covenant, 3 and contrary to My command has worshiped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars of the sky, 4 and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, 5 take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death. 6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. 7 The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from among you.
Take it from me, you never outgrow the awful feeling you get when someone calls you a name like "tattle-tale," "snitch," or "traitor." Anyone who takes a stand against evil may be called all of those and more. But wearing the name is better than sharing the blame when trouble hits.
The modern concept of friendship expects unquestioned loyalty. If you're my friend, you're supposed to stick up for me no matter what I do, and vice versa. It's like an unspoken covenant. But it's the opposite of God's plan. And it eventually destroys rather than saves friendships. Sometimes it even destroys people. I'm sure you can think of some examples.
Nine times in the book of Deuteronomy, God's people are told to "purge the evil" from among them. I'm intrigued that God gave this responsibility to humans rather than keep it for Himself. After all, we're such unreliable judges. Some of us want to deny the existence of evil. Others want to define evil as the existence of anything that obstructs our freedom or pursuit of pleasure. In between are those who want to play with evil for their own fun and profit or appease evil to avoid the inconvenience of conflict.
Despite our limitations, God's plan for getting rid of evil involves us. He doesn't peer down at us like a cat ready to pounce when we make one wrong move. He is creating a community of people committed to the conviction that goodness is good for everyone, and evil is good for no one.
In other words, God's plan for ruling creation and keeping order belongs to each of us!
Sin is destructive, and wherever it is allowed to grow someone always gets hurt. If you have a friend who is dabbling in risky behavior, do
the right thing, the good thing, and be a snitch. You might lose a friend, but you could save a life. --Julie Ackerman Link
DESTINATION POINTS
* What opportunities is God giving me to stand against evil?
* Am I willing to do it even if it will make a good friend angry? Am I willing to risk my social standing to save someone else's life?
LINKS:
When A Friend Messes Up
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2002/006/11.66.html
bottom line: Peace is the absence of evil--not conflict.
soul journey
Deuteronomy 17:2-7
2 If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the Lord gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God in violation of His covenant, 3 and contrary to My command has worshiped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars of the sky, 4 and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, 5 take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death. 6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. 7 The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from among you.
Take it from me, you never outgrow the awful feeling you get when someone calls you a name like "tattle-tale," "snitch," or "traitor." Anyone who takes a stand against evil may be called all of those and more. But wearing the name is better than sharing the blame when trouble hits.
The modern concept of friendship expects unquestioned loyalty. If you're my friend, you're supposed to stick up for me no matter what I do, and vice versa. It's like an unspoken covenant. But it's the opposite of God's plan. And it eventually destroys rather than saves friendships. Sometimes it even destroys people. I'm sure you can think of some examples.
Nine times in the book of Deuteronomy, God's people are told to "purge the evil" from among them. I'm intrigued that God gave this responsibility to humans rather than keep it for Himself. After all, we're such unreliable judges. Some of us want to deny the existence of evil. Others want to define evil as the existence of anything that obstructs our freedom or pursuit of pleasure. In between are those who want to play with evil for their own fun and profit or appease evil to avoid the inconvenience of conflict.
Despite our limitations, God's plan for getting rid of evil involves us. He doesn't peer down at us like a cat ready to pounce when we make one wrong move. He is creating a community of people committed to the conviction that goodness is good for everyone, and evil is good for no one.
In other words, God's plan for ruling creation and keeping order belongs to each of us!
Sin is destructive, and wherever it is allowed to grow someone always gets hurt. If you have a friend who is dabbling in risky behavior, do
the right thing, the good thing, and be a snitch. You might lose a friend, but you could save a life. --Julie Ackerman Link
DESTINATION POINTS
* What opportunities is God giving me to stand against evil?
* Am I willing to do it even if it will make a good friend angry? Am I willing to risk my social standing to save someone else's life?
LINKS:
When A Friend Messes Up
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2002/006/11.66.html
bottom line: Peace is the absence of evil--not conflict.
soul journey
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
TIME TO GET MOVING
Deuteronomy 1:6-8
6 The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain. 7 Break camp and advance into the hill country of
the Amorites; go to all the neighboring people in the Arabah, in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates. 8 See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore He would give to your fathers--to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--and to their descendants after them."
Monica Seles was riding high in 1993. The 19-year-old was No. 1 in women's tennis, breaking records and opponents--until the day a guy jumped out of the stands and plunged a 9-inch boning knife into her back.
For the next 2 years, Monica rehabbed--physically, emotionally, and mentally. Her biggest battles were against fear, depression, and loss. She couldn't sleep in the dark for fear of the shadows. But with the support of family, coaches, and counselors, Monica made her return to the tennis tour. She had been stuck on a mountain of doubt, but found the courage to move forward.
When we open up Deuteronomy, we see God's people looking back at a time when they were stuck on a mountain. But God said, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance" (1:6-7). There were many obstacles: the physical effects of wandering in the gritty, windy desert with no home; the emotional ups and downs of God's supernatural provision, and His punishments for their disobedience; doubts about their mental toughness in taking on stronger opponents.
Ultimately, they moved forward because God told them to go. He had made a promise--it was theirs to claim. God has made promises to you too, including: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). No matter what He calls you to do, He's with you. He won't leave you to find your way alone in the dark in fear of the shadows.
Monica Seles still carries a scar. She says it tingles when rain is coming. No doubt the Israelites carried the scars from their wandering as they made their way into the Promised Land. There were bumps and battles along the way, but they made it. And so will you, because "the Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you" (Deuteronomy 1:30). Find your courage in Him. --Tracy Carbaugh
DESTINATION POINTS
* Am I stuck on a mountain of fear or circumstances? What will it take to get moving again?
* What are my biggest battles? Why are they so scary?
* What has God promised me? Take a look at these passages: Acts 2:38-39; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Titus 1:2; James 1:12; 1 John 2:24-25.
LINKS:
When Fear Seems Overwhelming: Finding Courage And Hope
http://www.discoveryseries.org/cb031
bottom line: God's presence is a mountain of courage.
soul journey
Deuteronomy 1:6-8
6 The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain. 7 Break camp and advance into the hill country of
the Amorites; go to all the neighboring people in the Arabah, in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates. 8 See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore He would give to your fathers--to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--and to their descendants after them."
Monica Seles was riding high in 1993. The 19-year-old was No. 1 in women's tennis, breaking records and opponents--until the day a guy jumped out of the stands and plunged a 9-inch boning knife into her back.
For the next 2 years, Monica rehabbed--physically, emotionally, and mentally. Her biggest battles were against fear, depression, and loss. She couldn't sleep in the dark for fear of the shadows. But with the support of family, coaches, and counselors, Monica made her return to the tennis tour. She had been stuck on a mountain of doubt, but found the courage to move forward.
When we open up Deuteronomy, we see God's people looking back at a time when they were stuck on a mountain. But God said, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance" (1:6-7). There were many obstacles: the physical effects of wandering in the gritty, windy desert with no home; the emotional ups and downs of God's supernatural provision, and His punishments for their disobedience; doubts about their mental toughness in taking on stronger opponents.
Ultimately, they moved forward because God told them to go. He had made a promise--it was theirs to claim. God has made promises to you too, including: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). No matter what He calls you to do, He's with you. He won't leave you to find your way alone in the dark in fear of the shadows.
Monica Seles still carries a scar. She says it tingles when rain is coming. No doubt the Israelites carried the scars from their wandering as they made their way into the Promised Land. There were bumps and battles along the way, but they made it. And so will you, because "the Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you" (Deuteronomy 1:30). Find your courage in Him. --Tracy Carbaugh
DESTINATION POINTS
* Am I stuck on a mountain of fear or circumstances? What will it take to get moving again?
* What are my biggest battles? Why are they so scary?
* What has God promised me? Take a look at these passages: Acts 2:38-39; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Titus 1:2; James 1:12; 1 John 2:24-25.
LINKS:
When Fear Seems Overwhelming: Finding Courage And Hope
http://www.discoveryseries.org/cb031
bottom line: God's presence is a mountain of courage.
soul journey
Monday, December 01, 2003
Always Thankful
By Steven Halter
We should be thankful everyday, not just when we attend a church service or observe a special day of thanks. This is because there is always something to be grateful for.
In the stressful and troubled world in which we live, it can seem difficult for us to find something to be thankful for. When we listen to or read the news, it is mostly bad news that is reported. We hear of crime, terrorism, tragedies and disasters. We rush about at a hectic pace day after day, trying to keep up with the demands of modern life. And the list of problems could go on and on.
Yet, it is precisely because of the problems around us that we need to devote ourselves to giving thanks. When darkness grows around us, we cannot afford to become neglectful in this spiritual practice. Instead, we need to renew our commitment to thankfulness. In fact, being thankful can be therapeutic. It can bring healing to a troubled heart. On the other hand, a lack of thankfulness can lead to depression as we focus on negative things. However, Paul the apostle wrote that we should not let our minds dwell on negative thoughts. Instead, we should dwell on those things that are pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). When we make a practice of thanking God for His many blessings, we will be focusing on the good things He has given us, and He can begin to bring healing and strength to us.
Always Being Thankful
There are some key points to keep in mind concerning giving thanks. The first is that we should always be thankful. We should be thankful everyday, not just when we attend a church service or observe a special day of thanks. This is because there is always something to be grateful for.
We always have our spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. For example, we have been forgiven of our sins through Jesus' death on the cross (Matthew 26:28). Despite our present imperfections, God has declared us to have right standing before Him (2 Cor-inthians 5:21). By God's grace and mercy we have been adopted as children of God (Romans 8:15). We are unconditionally loved by the Father, the Maker of heaven and earth (Romans 5:8).
In Old Testament times, the people of God would often sing something like this:
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting (1 Chronicles 16:34, NAU).
There are also the temporal blessings we receive from God. He sends us rain, sunshine, and provides us with natural resources. Many of us have abundant food and more than adequate shelter. These and many other blessings are often taken for granted, but we need to have hearts full of gratitude for all of the wonderful things he has given us, whether great or small.
In All Circumstances As mentioned above, we live in a troubled world that can threaten to overwhelm us with the pervasiveness and magnitude of its troubles. It can affect us not just in our global outlook, but also in our individual lives. But no matter how bad our circumstances may be, we can always be thankful to God. Our circumstances themselves may not always inspire thankfulness, but if we turn our thoughts to God's many blessings, both spiritual and temporal, our hearts will again be filled with thankfulness to Him. The Apostle Paul said:
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, NRS).
Even in difficult circumstances, we should continually keep in mind that God desires to bring good out of the situation that we are in.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28, NIV).
This does not mean that every situation is good in and of itself, or that every situation leads to something good by itself. On the contrary, it is when God actively works in a situation that good can come out of it - even in the darkest of situations.
Often the good that comes out of a situation may not be readily apparent. We shouldn't expect God to turn every outward circumstance in our favor. Instead, God often works in situations to strengthen us inwardly by His Spirit and to mold us into the image of Christ. This is brought out clearly by the context in the following verse.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29, NIV).
However, we need to be cooperative with what God desires to do in our hearts for the molding process to be the most effective.
The Extent of Our Thankfulness
A crucial issue for believers is the issue of how much we should be thankful for. An important verse to consider is the following:
Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20, NIV).
So then, should we be thankful for every single thing, or only for every good thing? For many Christians, the answer to this question will be determined largely by their theological or church background. Nevertheless, when we carefully study this verse in the context of the whole Bible, it will be easier to determine what the best answer to that question is.
First, we need to recognize that the Bible contains many figures of speech. In this verse, Paul is not intending that we understand him to mean that we should give thanks for "everything without exception". When we consider the context of the whole book of Ephesians, we see that Paul is referring to every blessing that comes from God. For in Ephesians, Paul speaks often of God's blessings. In Ephesians we find the word "grace" twelve times, the word "love" fourteen times, and a reference to spiritual "riches" four times.
Clearly, Paul is not telling us to be thankful even for things that are evil. Can you imagine saying, "I give thanks to God the Father for this evil thing, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"? It would be unbiblical and ungodly. Paul elsewhere wrote, "Hate what is evil" (Romans 12:9). The psalmist wrote, "Let those who love the LORD hate evil" (Psalm 97:10). Hebrews says that Jesus Himself "hated wickedness" (Hebrews 1:9). These verses reveal that it is impossible to rightly understand Ephesians 5:20 as saying that we should be thankful for all things without exception. Evil is certainly an exception.
Seeing this one exception can help us to understand this verse better. It is better understood to mean that we should give thanks for "every good thing", "every blessing", or "everything that is worthy of thanks". We don't need to give thanks for evil, or for every adversity or difficulty. Those things that are of God we should be thankful for. But those things that are from Satan we should take spiritual authority against. And adversities that are a result of this fallen world we should pray about, and even take action to change them as we are led by the Word and the Spirit. We must beware of falling into the trap of passivity concerning those things that are not of God.
Summing It Up
How can we sum up all of these principles? Here is one suggestion concerning how we should align our hearts, words, and actions regarding thankfulness to God:
Always be thankful to God in all circumstances for all of His blessings.
cbn
By Steven Halter
We should be thankful everyday, not just when we attend a church service or observe a special day of thanks. This is because there is always something to be grateful for.
In the stressful and troubled world in which we live, it can seem difficult for us to find something to be thankful for. When we listen to or read the news, it is mostly bad news that is reported. We hear of crime, terrorism, tragedies and disasters. We rush about at a hectic pace day after day, trying to keep up with the demands of modern life. And the list of problems could go on and on.
Yet, it is precisely because of the problems around us that we need to devote ourselves to giving thanks. When darkness grows around us, we cannot afford to become neglectful in this spiritual practice. Instead, we need to renew our commitment to thankfulness. In fact, being thankful can be therapeutic. It can bring healing to a troubled heart. On the other hand, a lack of thankfulness can lead to depression as we focus on negative things. However, Paul the apostle wrote that we should not let our minds dwell on negative thoughts. Instead, we should dwell on those things that are pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). When we make a practice of thanking God for His many blessings, we will be focusing on the good things He has given us, and He can begin to bring healing and strength to us.
Always Being Thankful
There are some key points to keep in mind concerning giving thanks. The first is that we should always be thankful. We should be thankful everyday, not just when we attend a church service or observe a special day of thanks. This is because there is always something to be grateful for.
We always have our spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. For example, we have been forgiven of our sins through Jesus' death on the cross (Matthew 26:28). Despite our present imperfections, God has declared us to have right standing before Him (2 Cor-inthians 5:21). By God's grace and mercy we have been adopted as children of God (Romans 8:15). We are unconditionally loved by the Father, the Maker of heaven and earth (Romans 5:8).
In Old Testament times, the people of God would often sing something like this:
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting (1 Chronicles 16:34, NAU).
There are also the temporal blessings we receive from God. He sends us rain, sunshine, and provides us with natural resources. Many of us have abundant food and more than adequate shelter. These and many other blessings are often taken for granted, but we need to have hearts full of gratitude for all of the wonderful things he has given us, whether great or small.
In All Circumstances As mentioned above, we live in a troubled world that can threaten to overwhelm us with the pervasiveness and magnitude of its troubles. It can affect us not just in our global outlook, but also in our individual lives. But no matter how bad our circumstances may be, we can always be thankful to God. Our circumstances themselves may not always inspire thankfulness, but if we turn our thoughts to God's many blessings, both spiritual and temporal, our hearts will again be filled with thankfulness to Him. The Apostle Paul said:
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, NRS).
Even in difficult circumstances, we should continually keep in mind that God desires to bring good out of the situation that we are in.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28, NIV).
This does not mean that every situation is good in and of itself, or that every situation leads to something good by itself. On the contrary, it is when God actively works in a situation that good can come out of it - even in the darkest of situations.
Often the good that comes out of a situation may not be readily apparent. We shouldn't expect God to turn every outward circumstance in our favor. Instead, God often works in situations to strengthen us inwardly by His Spirit and to mold us into the image of Christ. This is brought out clearly by the context in the following verse.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29, NIV).
However, we need to be cooperative with what God desires to do in our hearts for the molding process to be the most effective.
The Extent of Our Thankfulness
A crucial issue for believers is the issue of how much we should be thankful for. An important verse to consider is the following:
Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20, NIV).
So then, should we be thankful for every single thing, or only for every good thing? For many Christians, the answer to this question will be determined largely by their theological or church background. Nevertheless, when we carefully study this verse in the context of the whole Bible, it will be easier to determine what the best answer to that question is.
First, we need to recognize that the Bible contains many figures of speech. In this verse, Paul is not intending that we understand him to mean that we should give thanks for "everything without exception". When we consider the context of the whole book of Ephesians, we see that Paul is referring to every blessing that comes from God. For in Ephesians, Paul speaks often of God's blessings. In Ephesians we find the word "grace" twelve times, the word "love" fourteen times, and a reference to spiritual "riches" four times.
Clearly, Paul is not telling us to be thankful even for things that are evil. Can you imagine saying, "I give thanks to God the Father for this evil thing, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"? It would be unbiblical and ungodly. Paul elsewhere wrote, "Hate what is evil" (Romans 12:9). The psalmist wrote, "Let those who love the LORD hate evil" (Psalm 97:10). Hebrews says that Jesus Himself "hated wickedness" (Hebrews 1:9). These verses reveal that it is impossible to rightly understand Ephesians 5:20 as saying that we should be thankful for all things without exception. Evil is certainly an exception.
Seeing this one exception can help us to understand this verse better. It is better understood to mean that we should give thanks for "every good thing", "every blessing", or "everything that is worthy of thanks". We don't need to give thanks for evil, or for every adversity or difficulty. Those things that are of God we should be thankful for. But those things that are from Satan we should take spiritual authority against. And adversities that are a result of this fallen world we should pray about, and even take action to change them as we are led by the Word and the Spirit. We must beware of falling into the trap of passivity concerning those things that are not of God.
Summing It Up
How can we sum up all of these principles? Here is one suggestion concerning how we should align our hearts, words, and actions regarding thankfulness to God:
Always be thankful to God in all circumstances for all of His blessings.
cbn