One Too Many Sunsets
John Fischer
Have you ever looked at the sunset with the sky mellowing red?
And the clouds suspended like feathers?
Then I say: you’ve seen Jesus my Lord.
I wrote these lyrics in 1969 while working at a camp near Santa Cruz, California after spending a number of afternoons watching the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean. The resulting song, “Have You Seen Jesus My Lord?” has lived on to enjoy widespread usefulness including certain Catholic and Lutheran traditions that have adopted it as a theme song for spiritual retreats.
I remember receiving some criticism over the message of this song being pantheistic—an eastern belief that God is in everything. My meaning was that God is in the sunset to the extent that Vincent Van Gogh is in “Starry Night,” his most well known painting. “Starry Night” tells us a good deal about Vincent—his love of color, his view of the abstract, even his turbulent emotional nature. If you’ve seen Vincent’s paintings, you’ve experienced him to a certain degree. He’s not in the painting, but his nature can be experienced through our enjoyment of the painting. It is the same with God and the sunset, and by this, I don’t mean God, as a concept, but Jesus Christ, as intimately involved in the creative process.
John says that Jesus was “in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that He didn’t make. Life itself was in Him, and this life gives light to everyone” (John 1:2-4 NLT). It was this intimate, personal involvement with creation that gave me the confidence to state that if you have seen the sunset, you have seen Jesus, its Painter.
Recently, I have found this power of natural revelation to be true in a very dramatic way. Apparently one of the world’s most respected atheists has announced in his eighties, that he is no longer an atheist, but a theist. In other words, he now believes there is a God. This is a huge move especially when you consider this person has made a name for himself in his unbelief, and his identity must be linked to this position in a very powerful way. He’s risking his life’s work in coming out with this. And to what does he credit this incredible reversal? The sunset. There is simply no way in his imagination that such beauty can be explained without a designer, a creator, or a Mastermind behind it. The man simply saw one too many sunsets to not believe there was a Creator involved.
The sunset is a powerful thing when even a crusty, self-proclaimed, famous unbeliever can’t deny its Author. Remember this the next time you see one, and worship.
PDL
Monday, January 31, 2005
Sunday, January 30, 2005
ONE EXPENSIVE OMELET
Exodus 20:2-17
2 "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 "You shall have no other gods before Me. . . . 7 "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. . . . 8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. . . . 12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 13 "You shall not murder. 14 "You shall not commit adultery. 15 "You shall not steal. 16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
If you are ever in Manhattan and want a bit of wallet shock, stop by the Le Parker Meridian, an upscale hotel on West 57th Street. If you grab a menu at Norma's, the Meridian's restaurant, you will find a most outrageously priced breakfast item: a $1,000 omelet. Virginia Marnell, one of Norma's customers, said that when she first noticed the addition to the menu, she "thought it was the calorie count."
The omelet consists of six eggs, a lobster, and ten ounces of sevruga caviar, a delicacy ringing in at $65 an ounce. I don't know the exact size of the final concoction, but the cost of a single bite shoots into double digits.
After reading this story, I found myself wanting to see it, even wanting to try it. I would never have imagined that a $1,000 omelet even existed, and as ridiculous as the notion of such a high-priced extravagance is, I suddenly had a craving. Understand this--I don't care for lobster, and I get a little queasy with the whole idea of caviar. Fish eggs just don't entice me.
But all of a sudden, a $1,000 omelet seemed like something I just might need to have. While I have been a longstanding fan of Waffle House, with its greasy eggs and runny grits, my old breakfast joint just doesn't seem the same when I know that somewhere, someplace, there's an omelet of immensely superior quality and of vastly higher value than the one I can get at my 24-hour diner.
We all covet things we don't need, don't really want, and probably wouldn't even like all that much if we had them. But we don't have them. And that's the dark pull of greed and desire run amiss: to grab something that isn't ours, to consume something just so we can. It's a destructive force, breeding contempt for what God in His goodness has provided--and it goes against His clear command (Exodus 20:17).
Skip the "omelet." There are much better things on the menu. --Winn Collier
DESTINATION POINTS
* What good things has God provided for me?
* Are there things God has provided for others that I am covetous of?
* How can I determine the difference between healthy desires and sinful coveting?
LINKS:
Le Grand Omelet
The Comparison Trap
bottom line: To covet is to deny God's good provision.
soul journey
Exodus 20:2-17
2 "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 "You shall have no other gods before Me. . . . 7 "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. . . . 8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. . . . 12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 13 "You shall not murder. 14 "You shall not commit adultery. 15 "You shall not steal. 16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
If you are ever in Manhattan and want a bit of wallet shock, stop by the Le Parker Meridian, an upscale hotel on West 57th Street. If you grab a menu at Norma's, the Meridian's restaurant, you will find a most outrageously priced breakfast item: a $1,000 omelet. Virginia Marnell, one of Norma's customers, said that when she first noticed the addition to the menu, she "thought it was the calorie count."
The omelet consists of six eggs, a lobster, and ten ounces of sevruga caviar, a delicacy ringing in at $65 an ounce. I don't know the exact size of the final concoction, but the cost of a single bite shoots into double digits.
After reading this story, I found myself wanting to see it, even wanting to try it. I would never have imagined that a $1,000 omelet even existed, and as ridiculous as the notion of such a high-priced extravagance is, I suddenly had a craving. Understand this--I don't care for lobster, and I get a little queasy with the whole idea of caviar. Fish eggs just don't entice me.
But all of a sudden, a $1,000 omelet seemed like something I just might need to have. While I have been a longstanding fan of Waffle House, with its greasy eggs and runny grits, my old breakfast joint just doesn't seem the same when I know that somewhere, someplace, there's an omelet of immensely superior quality and of vastly higher value than the one I can get at my 24-hour diner.
We all covet things we don't need, don't really want, and probably wouldn't even like all that much if we had them. But we don't have them. And that's the dark pull of greed and desire run amiss: to grab something that isn't ours, to consume something just so we can. It's a destructive force, breeding contempt for what God in His goodness has provided--and it goes against His clear command (Exodus 20:17).
Skip the "omelet." There are much better things on the menu. --Winn Collier
DESTINATION POINTS
* What good things has God provided for me?
* Are there things God has provided for others that I am covetous of?
* How can I determine the difference between healthy desires and sinful coveting?
LINKS:
Le Grand Omelet
The Comparison Trap
bottom line: To covet is to deny God's good provision.
soul journey
Saturday, January 29, 2005
There Is A New Rule at Home
Kathy Schultz
There is a new rule at my house these days. A very good rule, I might add. When school began in September my daughter, who is a teacher, stated that there was to be a new rule at home. The rule was no TV or videos may be seen on school nights. The news could be watched, but nothing else. Friday nights are the exception. This rule was established to help my granddaughter academically at school. Alexandra is now a second grader and has homework, but not an abundance of it. This leaves her a lot of free time, time to be spent more productively, learning, reading, spending time with the family, and even playing.
Since the rule has been in place, I have observed that she is often excited to see me when I come home from work. The TV, no longer a distraction, makes her much more aware of her family and what is going on around her. The exception is Friday night. I miss the enthusiastic greeting of a little girl that gives me undivided attention. Her enthusiasm is contagious and it just warms my heart when she is thrilled to see me.
This caused me to reflect on my time spent with God. How do I greet God? Do I greet my Savior with love and enthusiasm? Am I as thrilled to go to God as my granddaughter is to me? Do I take the time to concentrate on the Lord and to greet him joyfully? Do I really seek His face and read His Word or am I distracted by my own activities?
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 4:29-31 NIV).
There are times in my life that as I have my quiet time, I am thinking about the plans for the day. I am distracted by my activities just as my granddaughter is distracted by the television. We are happy to have her watch television occasionally but we love her undivided attention, even if it is for a short while. God is happy when I come to Him and delighted when I come with thanksgiving and joy in my heart. In His presence is joy.
You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11 NKJV).
I am happy to see my granddaughter anytime, but especially love it when she really gives me her attention. Let us go to God with joy and enthusiasm, loving Him, and giving Him our undivided attention. Let's remember how much He loves us.
cbn
Kathy Schultz
There is a new rule at my house these days. A very good rule, I might add. When school began in September my daughter, who is a teacher, stated that there was to be a new rule at home. The rule was no TV or videos may be seen on school nights. The news could be watched, but nothing else. Friday nights are the exception. This rule was established to help my granddaughter academically at school. Alexandra is now a second grader and has homework, but not an abundance of it. This leaves her a lot of free time, time to be spent more productively, learning, reading, spending time with the family, and even playing.
Since the rule has been in place, I have observed that she is often excited to see me when I come home from work. The TV, no longer a distraction, makes her much more aware of her family and what is going on around her. The exception is Friday night. I miss the enthusiastic greeting of a little girl that gives me undivided attention. Her enthusiasm is contagious and it just warms my heart when she is thrilled to see me.
This caused me to reflect on my time spent with God. How do I greet God? Do I greet my Savior with love and enthusiasm? Am I as thrilled to go to God as my granddaughter is to me? Do I take the time to concentrate on the Lord and to greet him joyfully? Do I really seek His face and read His Word or am I distracted by my own activities?
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 4:29-31 NIV).
There are times in my life that as I have my quiet time, I am thinking about the plans for the day. I am distracted by my activities just as my granddaughter is distracted by the television. We are happy to have her watch television occasionally but we love her undivided attention, even if it is for a short while. God is happy when I come to Him and delighted when I come with thanksgiving and joy in my heart. In His presence is joy.
You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11 NKJV).
I am happy to see my granddaughter anytime, but especially love it when she really gives me her attention. Let us go to God with joy and enthusiasm, loving Him, and giving Him our undivided attention. Let's remember how much He loves us.
cbn
Thursday, January 27, 2005
The Grip of Reality and Grace
Cathy Irvin
When calamity, tragedy, and devastation come into our lives there is usually the initial shock. Much like the recent earthquake, causing the 30 foot tsunami to hit ashore, people were caught off guard. They stood spellbound as the wave brought its terrible destruction. Then came the after shock and with it was the reality that gripped them to the very core of their being. The questions afterwards were maybe, "What now? How will I survive?”
As in the death of someone you love, you may find yourself numb at first. Then as you go through the everyday motions, you may at some point feel the loss again because something triggers the memory of that hurtful time. Perhaps a song, a place, or a holiday will stir your emotions and bring back a realization that you have a life without them.
In the grip of reality, you can find God’s grace that carries you through these moments. This is the way it will be for those who have not only lost their loved ones, but all they owned. Everyday they are reminded of the horror as they view the sights of destruction in their homeland, and the ruin that lies in front of them, all caused by the tsunami.
This is a very different kind of shock and aftershock. The problem is that this kind of shock will not last just for a moment, or even a day, but will last for months and years to come.
During times of grief and loss, we are reminded that we are not promised tomorrow. Life is but a vapor. What can you hold on to in this life? We can only hold on to the Lord, as we exercise hope and faith that there will be a brighter tomorrow and a new beginning.
As the lands are cleared of debris and rebuilding begins, the most important thing is the rebuilding of lives. The Bible says to build ourselves up in our most Holy faith. The sure foundation, the solid Rock in our lives is Jesus Christ. In Him alone is the security we need for any circumstance. We must understand that He will carry us through it.
Looking back over the years, we have all had our share of trials. We have experienced loss in one form or another. But as the years ended, it was always like a chapter in a book. It would end and a new one would begin that says - I awoke to a new day, one that is filled with hope for a better future … one that is beyond the horizon.
His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23) This is our reminder to live life one day at a time. God did not say every year, but he said every morning. So look with anticipation to His grace that is sufficient for today and tomorrow will take care of itself.
This is reality. We are in the grip of God’s grace and mercy that will keep our hearts and minds. Let us run and not get weary, walk and not faint, (Isaiah 40:31) because our help is in the name of the Lord.
cbn
Cathy Irvin
When calamity, tragedy, and devastation come into our lives there is usually the initial shock. Much like the recent earthquake, causing the 30 foot tsunami to hit ashore, people were caught off guard. They stood spellbound as the wave brought its terrible destruction. Then came the after shock and with it was the reality that gripped them to the very core of their being. The questions afterwards were maybe, "What now? How will I survive?”
As in the death of someone you love, you may find yourself numb at first. Then as you go through the everyday motions, you may at some point feel the loss again because something triggers the memory of that hurtful time. Perhaps a song, a place, or a holiday will stir your emotions and bring back a realization that you have a life without them.
In the grip of reality, you can find God’s grace that carries you through these moments. This is the way it will be for those who have not only lost their loved ones, but all they owned. Everyday they are reminded of the horror as they view the sights of destruction in their homeland, and the ruin that lies in front of them, all caused by the tsunami.
This is a very different kind of shock and aftershock. The problem is that this kind of shock will not last just for a moment, or even a day, but will last for months and years to come.
During times of grief and loss, we are reminded that we are not promised tomorrow. Life is but a vapor. What can you hold on to in this life? We can only hold on to the Lord, as we exercise hope and faith that there will be a brighter tomorrow and a new beginning.
As the lands are cleared of debris and rebuilding begins, the most important thing is the rebuilding of lives. The Bible says to build ourselves up in our most Holy faith. The sure foundation, the solid Rock in our lives is Jesus Christ. In Him alone is the security we need for any circumstance. We must understand that He will carry us through it.
Looking back over the years, we have all had our share of trials. We have experienced loss in one form or another. But as the years ended, it was always like a chapter in a book. It would end and a new one would begin that says - I awoke to a new day, one that is filled with hope for a better future … one that is beyond the horizon.
His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23) This is our reminder to live life one day at a time. God did not say every year, but he said every morning. So look with anticipation to His grace that is sufficient for today and tomorrow will take care of itself.
This is reality. We are in the grip of God’s grace and mercy that will keep our hearts and minds. Let us run and not get weary, walk and not faint, (Isaiah 40:31) because our help is in the name of the Lord.
cbn
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
PROMPTINGS
Acts 16:6-10
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
"As the day in my life turns, I know that Jesus loves me and is my Savior. Friday at work I was planning on taking my life, but in a time of need God is there. He had Pastor Williams call me, and just listening to his voice let me know that God loves me and so does he, as my pastor."
These are the words of a young single mother who occasionally attends our faith community. On my day off, when I was supposed to be resting and doing nothing related to church ministry, the Holy Spirit prompted me to call this young woman to see if she had gotten her transmission fixed. Little did I know that my call would have God's timing and God's love stamped all over it.
Paul must have had some reservation when the Holy Spirit prevented his team from going into the provinces of Asia and Bithynia on their second missionary journey. The Holy Spirit prompted them to go to Macedonia, however, to preach the Good News there.
In each situation, they obeyed immediately. Had they not obeyed the Spirit's prompting, they would not have had the opportunity to help birth a new church in Philippi, and we wouldn't have the book of Philippians in our Bible. Paul did not want Christians to bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), and he modeled this by listening and moving to the rhythm of the Spirit.
When the Holy Spirit prompts us to do something that is in keeping with the revealed truth of the Bible, let's not bring Him sorrow by turning a deaf ear to His urgings. Say yes to Him, and you just might be a part of the birth of a new community, a new ministry, a new paradigm for making new and better followers of Jesus--or you just might be used to save a life. --Marvin Williams
DESTINATION POINTS
* Where is my "Macedonia"?
* Where is the Holy Spirit calling me to make new and better followers of Jesus Christ?
LINKS:
The Promise Of The Spirit
bottom line: The right choice is to heed the Spirit's voice.
soul journey
Acts 16:6-10
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
"As the day in my life turns, I know that Jesus loves me and is my Savior. Friday at work I was planning on taking my life, but in a time of need God is there. He had Pastor Williams call me, and just listening to his voice let me know that God loves me and so does he, as my pastor."
These are the words of a young single mother who occasionally attends our faith community. On my day off, when I was supposed to be resting and doing nothing related to church ministry, the Holy Spirit prompted me to call this young woman to see if she had gotten her transmission fixed. Little did I know that my call would have God's timing and God's love stamped all over it.
Paul must have had some reservation when the Holy Spirit prevented his team from going into the provinces of Asia and Bithynia on their second missionary journey. The Holy Spirit prompted them to go to Macedonia, however, to preach the Good News there.
In each situation, they obeyed immediately. Had they not obeyed the Spirit's prompting, they would not have had the opportunity to help birth a new church in Philippi, and we wouldn't have the book of Philippians in our Bible. Paul did not want Christians to bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), and he modeled this by listening and moving to the rhythm of the Spirit.
When the Holy Spirit prompts us to do something that is in keeping with the revealed truth of the Bible, let's not bring Him sorrow by turning a deaf ear to His urgings. Say yes to Him, and you just might be a part of the birth of a new community, a new ministry, a new paradigm for making new and better followers of Jesus--or you just might be used to save a life. --Marvin Williams
DESTINATION POINTS
* Where is my "Macedonia"?
* Where is the Holy Spirit calling me to make new and better followers of Jesus Christ?
LINKS:
The Promise Of The Spirit
bottom line: The right choice is to heed the Spirit's voice.
soul journey
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
God's Way to Heaven
GOD LOVES YOU and He desires that you have eternal life and a meaningful life. In John 3:16, Jesus says, "For God so loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus also says, "…My purpose is to give life in all its fullness" (John 10:10b). But most people aren't experiencing a meaningful life and aren't sure that they have eternal life because...
MAN HAS A SIN PROBLEM, which separates him from God. Everyone has sinned. "Yes, all have sinned; fall short of God's glorious ideal" (Romans 3:23).
The penalty for sin is death. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The Bible talks about two kinds of death. The first death is physical. The second death is spiritual or eternal separation from God. "But the cowards who turn back from following Me, and those who are unfaithful to Me, and corrupt and the murderers, and immoral, and those conversing with demons, and idol worshipers and all liars - their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the Second Death" (Revelation 21:8).
MAN CAN'T PAY FOR HIS SINS nor earn eternal life through doing good works or keeping the Ten Commandments (The Law). Romans 3:28 says, "So it is that we are saved by faith in Christ and not by the good things that we do." Obeying the law and doing good does not remove the penalty of our sins. So what is God's solution?
JESUS CHRIST IS GOD'S WAY TO HEAVEN. He is the only way. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one can get to the Father except by means of Me..." Jesus completely paid the penalty of your sin by dying on the cross for you. "When we were utterly helpless with no way to escape, Christ came just at the right time and died for us sinners who had no use for Him... God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" (Romans 5: 6, 8).
God has provided the way. What should be our response?
WE MUST PLACE OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST and trust in Him alone to save us. "Because of His kindness you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves - it too is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good that we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
If you think that you must have faith in Jesus Christ plus do good works in order to receive eternal life, then you are not trusting Jesus Christ alone to save you, but you are also trusting in yourself. Once you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ, He will give you the power to live a life of good deeds and holiness.
We must show our faith by being willing to repent from our sins and accepting Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life. "The testimony is this: God has given us eternal life and this life has its source in His Son. Whoever has the Son has this life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:11, 12).
In Revelation 3:20 Jesus makes a promise: "Look I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears Me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with Me."
Are you willing to repent of your sins, ask Jesus to come into your life to forgive your sins, to give you eternal life and to take control of your life? You can express your faith in Jesus through the following prayer.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I need you. I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that you died on the cross to pay for all my sins. With Your help, I will turn away from sins. Please come into my life and be my Savior and my Master. I accept your gift of eternal life. Make me the kind of new person you want me to be. Thank you for coming into my life and giving me eternal life. Amen.
To know more about your new life in Christ, attend one of the CCF Bible studies or join a small group or call (632)6353410 if you have any questions or problems.
CCF
GOD LOVES YOU and He desires that you have eternal life and a meaningful life. In John 3:16, Jesus says, "For God so loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus also says, "…My purpose is to give life in all its fullness" (John 10:10b). But most people aren't experiencing a meaningful life and aren't sure that they have eternal life because...
MAN HAS A SIN PROBLEM, which separates him from God. Everyone has sinned. "Yes, all have sinned; fall short of God's glorious ideal" (Romans 3:23).
The penalty for sin is death. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The Bible talks about two kinds of death. The first death is physical. The second death is spiritual or eternal separation from God. "But the cowards who turn back from following Me, and those who are unfaithful to Me, and corrupt and the murderers, and immoral, and those conversing with demons, and idol worshipers and all liars - their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the Second Death" (Revelation 21:8).
MAN CAN'T PAY FOR HIS SINS nor earn eternal life through doing good works or keeping the Ten Commandments (The Law). Romans 3:28 says, "So it is that we are saved by faith in Christ and not by the good things that we do." Obeying the law and doing good does not remove the penalty of our sins. So what is God's solution?
JESUS CHRIST IS GOD'S WAY TO HEAVEN. He is the only way. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one can get to the Father except by means of Me..." Jesus completely paid the penalty of your sin by dying on the cross for you. "When we were utterly helpless with no way to escape, Christ came just at the right time and died for us sinners who had no use for Him... God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" (Romans 5: 6, 8).
God has provided the way. What should be our response?
WE MUST PLACE OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST and trust in Him alone to save us. "Because of His kindness you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves - it too is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good that we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
If you think that you must have faith in Jesus Christ plus do good works in order to receive eternal life, then you are not trusting Jesus Christ alone to save you, but you are also trusting in yourself. Once you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ, He will give you the power to live a life of good deeds and holiness.
We must show our faith by being willing to repent from our sins and accepting Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life. "The testimony is this: God has given us eternal life and this life has its source in His Son. Whoever has the Son has this life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:11, 12).
In Revelation 3:20 Jesus makes a promise: "Look I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears Me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with Me."
Are you willing to repent of your sins, ask Jesus to come into your life to forgive your sins, to give you eternal life and to take control of your life? You can express your faith in Jesus through the following prayer.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I need you. I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that you died on the cross to pay for all my sins. With Your help, I will turn away from sins. Please come into my life and be my Savior and my Master. I accept your gift of eternal life. Make me the kind of new person you want me to be. Thank you for coming into my life and giving me eternal life. Amen.
To know more about your new life in Christ, attend one of the CCF Bible studies or join a small group or call (632)6353410 if you have any questions or problems.
CCF
Monday, January 24, 2005
Everything We Need in God
Scott Presson
How many times have you heard this statement, "we have everything we need in God"? Probably more times than you can count. But wait a minute -- let's think about this a different way. What if we were to get everything WE THINK WE NEED in this life? What would that do for us?
Well, people say if you have your health you have everything so let's put that at the top of the list.
1. Health
Then wealth has got to follow that. Hey you have to have money to live. The money also takes care of quite a few things.
2. Wealth
Then since money doesn't buy you happiness that would be next.
3. Happiness
Well, everyone knows money can't buy you love either so let's add that.
4. Love
How about some "smarts" or knowledge. That's going to take education. We need to know how to apply all this good stuff.
5. Knowledge
It's lonely at the top so we need some "hanger-on's" for company. They're pretty far down the list, but hey,everyone needs a rich uncle, (or aunt) and now it's you!
6. Family and Friends
Now we have it all and we did it without God! Our list could go on and the order can change depending on stock investments, lightning strikes, family arguments, and bad grades, but this is basically it.
Let's face it we always think we know best in regards to what we want and need in this life.The reality is -- God is the only one who knows what's best for us. Look at these verses:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:23).
But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful (Mark 4:19).
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction (1 Timothy 6:9).
What's the point in us getting everything we want in life if it's going to destroy us anyway? What's the point in getting all we want and it only takes us to hell? God really does have everything we need. His plan is always best. We pay lip service to this statement but we HAVE TO really believe it in our hearts! We may not ever be rich, but one verse above says: "the desires for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful". Even the desire for these other things can choke out the Word in our lives!
The Bible says the promises of God are yes and amen.They happen. No ifs, ands, or buts. There is no "shadow of turning" in God. He never changes. He is not a liar. You can believe it all.
He is the Lover of your soul.
He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother.
He is our present help in times of trouble.
He is our salvation.
He is our peace that passes all of our understanding.
He is our Creator.
He is Truth.
He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the King of all kings, our Great Redeemer.
He is the name above every name!
HE IS!!!
This is the list that is endless. This is what the Word says:
God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him (Ecclesiastes 2:26).
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people (Ephesians 1:18).
Let's take the promised "wonderful future" and the "rich and glorious inheritance he has given" as what we need. He knows what else we need and when -- and He is faithful and just to give us all we need at that time.
cbn
Scott Presson
How many times have you heard this statement, "we have everything we need in God"? Probably more times than you can count. But wait a minute -- let's think about this a different way. What if we were to get everything WE THINK WE NEED in this life? What would that do for us?
Well, people say if you have your health you have everything so let's put that at the top of the list.
1. Health
Then wealth has got to follow that. Hey you have to have money to live. The money also takes care of quite a few things.
2. Wealth
Then since money doesn't buy you happiness that would be next.
3. Happiness
Well, everyone knows money can't buy you love either so let's add that.
4. Love
How about some "smarts" or knowledge. That's going to take education. We need to know how to apply all this good stuff.
5. Knowledge
It's lonely at the top so we need some "hanger-on's" for company. They're pretty far down the list, but hey,everyone needs a rich uncle, (or aunt) and now it's you!
6. Family and Friends
Now we have it all and we did it without God! Our list could go on and the order can change depending on stock investments, lightning strikes, family arguments, and bad grades, but this is basically it.
Let's face it we always think we know best in regards to what we want and need in this life.The reality is -- God is the only one who knows what's best for us. Look at these verses:
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:23).
But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful (Mark 4:19).
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction (1 Timothy 6:9).
What's the point in us getting everything we want in life if it's going to destroy us anyway? What's the point in getting all we want and it only takes us to hell? God really does have everything we need. His plan is always best. We pay lip service to this statement but we HAVE TO really believe it in our hearts! We may not ever be rich, but one verse above says: "the desires for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful". Even the desire for these other things can choke out the Word in our lives!
The Bible says the promises of God are yes and amen.They happen. No ifs, ands, or buts. There is no "shadow of turning" in God. He never changes. He is not a liar. You can believe it all.
He is the Lover of your soul.
He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother.
He is our present help in times of trouble.
He is our salvation.
He is our peace that passes all of our understanding.
He is our Creator.
He is Truth.
He is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, the King of all kings, our Great Redeemer.
He is the name above every name!
HE IS!!!
This is the list that is endless. This is what the Word says:
God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him (Ecclesiastes 2:26).
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people (Ephesians 1:18).
Let's take the promised "wonderful future" and the "rich and glorious inheritance he has given" as what we need. He knows what else we need and when -- and He is faithful and just to give us all we need at that time.
cbn
FREE FROM FEAR
Proverbs 3:19-26
19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding He set the heavens in place; 20 by His knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. 21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
I am walking on a wire.
I tiptoe in through the fire.
Never looking down to see that
I am walking on a wire.
The pressure's getting higher.
But I don't look around.
It's so far to the ground.
("Wire," words by Mark Lee/music by Third Day, 2004 Consuming Fire Music.)
I can identify with the lyrics from this song by Third Day. They capture that dreaded feeling that sweeps over us when we become so focused on performance that it leads to fear.
"What if I don't get that project done on time?" "What if I fail this test?" "What if people see I'm really not that capable after all?" "What if . . . " You get the point.
In a culture that's obsessed with being the best (see American Idol or Survivor), it's easy to believe that you're only as good as your last job review from your boss or grade from your prof. But that's a lie.
God never wanted us to perform for Him out of fear. He wants us to live for Him in true freedom.
Solomon captured that inspiring truth in Proverbs 3. He wrote of God who "laid the earth's foundations" and "set the heavens in place" (v.19). We can have the confidence that this great God has the power to control all things--and He loves and protects us by His divine strength!
By following His wisdom, the wise king wrote, "You will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble" (v.23). What's more, we can take his advice: "Have no fear," and rest in the fact that "the Lord will be [our] confidence" (vv.25-26).
This perfect prescription for being freed from the fear that comes from living in performance mode requires two things: acknowledging God as our ultimate source of strength and choosing His wisdom over our own ways.
In that place, freedom is found and we no longer fear falling off that wire. --Tom Felten
DESTINATION POINTS
* How have I been living fearfully in performance mode?
* What other Scriptures tell me that God doesn't want me to walk in fear?
LINKS:
When Fear Seems Overwhelming: Finding Courage & Hope
bottom line: God grants freedom to those who live by faith.
soul journey
Proverbs 3:19-26
19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding He set the heavens in place; 20 by His knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. 21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
I am walking on a wire.
I tiptoe in through the fire.
Never looking down to see that
I am walking on a wire.
The pressure's getting higher.
But I don't look around.
It's so far to the ground.
("Wire," words by Mark Lee/music by Third Day, 2004 Consuming Fire Music.)
I can identify with the lyrics from this song by Third Day. They capture that dreaded feeling that sweeps over us when we become so focused on performance that it leads to fear.
"What if I don't get that project done on time?" "What if I fail this test?" "What if people see I'm really not that capable after all?" "What if . . . " You get the point.
In a culture that's obsessed with being the best (see American Idol or Survivor), it's easy to believe that you're only as good as your last job review from your boss or grade from your prof. But that's a lie.
God never wanted us to perform for Him out of fear. He wants us to live for Him in true freedom.
Solomon captured that inspiring truth in Proverbs 3. He wrote of God who "laid the earth's foundations" and "set the heavens in place" (v.19). We can have the confidence that this great God has the power to control all things--and He loves and protects us by His divine strength!
By following His wisdom, the wise king wrote, "You will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble" (v.23). What's more, we can take his advice: "Have no fear," and rest in the fact that "the Lord will be [our] confidence" (vv.25-26).
This perfect prescription for being freed from the fear that comes from living in performance mode requires two things: acknowledging God as our ultimate source of strength and choosing His wisdom over our own ways.
In that place, freedom is found and we no longer fear falling off that wire. --Tom Felten
DESTINATION POINTS
* How have I been living fearfully in performance mode?
* What other Scriptures tell me that God doesn't want me to walk in fear?
LINKS:
When Fear Seems Overwhelming: Finding Courage & Hope
bottom line: God grants freedom to those who live by faith.
soul journey
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Razor Cut
John Fischer
I was washing the windows in my son’s new apartment when I came across a good deal of dried paint blotches. They did a poor job of covering the windows when they spray painted these buildings. So I went out to the hardware store and picked up some single-edged razor blades—the only thing I know that will get this stuff off of windows.
Everything was going fine until about three windows into this project I pushed on the razor blade and felt a sharp pain in my index finger. In my haste I had picked up the razor wrong and I was pushing against a brand new blade with all the force of my bare finger. So I applied a band-aid, felt stupid, and went back to work. Minutes later, still berating myself for not noticing how to pick up a razor blade, I felt a sharp pain, this time in my back-up middle finger. Yep. I’d done it again, and I had done it while I was still thinking about how dumb I was to do it the first time.
Is your struggle with sin ever like this? You’re jumping all over yourself for falling as you fall right back in? Do you ever wonder how much patience God has for this kind of stupidity?
In Romans 2:3-4, Paul says, “Don’t you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing [wicked things] and not judge you when you do them?” Right about now you’re wondering how this is supposed to help the situation. But he goes on to say: “Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind He has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?”
Two things. Realize that God is very patient with us. He doesn’t expect instant change. He expects us to want to change and to try and change, trusting in His power in us to do it. But even then, there is a process to this. We will do stupid things. And then do them again. That doesn’t mean God leaves us or removes His love from us.
That’s where the second thing comes in. If we want God to give us a break, as it were, we have to be willing to give everyone else the same chance. You can’t receive mercy and not give it to others. That’s the one disqualification for mercy. That would be like me standing there with two fingers bandaged making fun of my son for hitting his thumb with a hammer… for the second time!
PDL
John Fischer
I was washing the windows in my son’s new apartment when I came across a good deal of dried paint blotches. They did a poor job of covering the windows when they spray painted these buildings. So I went out to the hardware store and picked up some single-edged razor blades—the only thing I know that will get this stuff off of windows.
Everything was going fine until about three windows into this project I pushed on the razor blade and felt a sharp pain in my index finger. In my haste I had picked up the razor wrong and I was pushing against a brand new blade with all the force of my bare finger. So I applied a band-aid, felt stupid, and went back to work. Minutes later, still berating myself for not noticing how to pick up a razor blade, I felt a sharp pain, this time in my back-up middle finger. Yep. I’d done it again, and I had done it while I was still thinking about how dumb I was to do it the first time.
Is your struggle with sin ever like this? You’re jumping all over yourself for falling as you fall right back in? Do you ever wonder how much patience God has for this kind of stupidity?
In Romans 2:3-4, Paul says, “Don’t you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing [wicked things] and not judge you when you do them?” Right about now you’re wondering how this is supposed to help the situation. But he goes on to say: “Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind He has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?”
Two things. Realize that God is very patient with us. He doesn’t expect instant change. He expects us to want to change and to try and change, trusting in His power in us to do it. But even then, there is a process to this. We will do stupid things. And then do them again. That doesn’t mean God leaves us or removes His love from us.
That’s where the second thing comes in. If we want God to give us a break, as it were, we have to be willing to give everyone else the same chance. You can’t receive mercy and not give it to others. That’s the one disqualification for mercy. That would be like me standing there with two fingers bandaged making fun of my son for hitting his thumb with a hammer… for the second time!
PDL
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
One-sided Relationship
John Fischer
I’m one of those people who believe that relationships wouldn’t be any problem if they didn’t have to involve other people. I get along real well with myself. Myself and I rarely have any conflicts. We always seem to agree on what we want to do, and we are definitely in total harmony about our favorite subject: me. The minute you throw another person into this, you introduce conflict. That other person might as well be another universe of ideas, feelings, opinions, and ways of doing things.
Ironically I’m writing this in a Starbucks in Riverside, California and the whole time I’ve been playing with these thoughts there has been a man right outside the window with a backpack, bed roll and small tote bag, staring at the ground, pacing back and forth by my window muttering constantly to himself. He is a slight man, unshaven, and most likely homeless. He had been pacing for about ten minutes. Finally he puts his stuff down and comes in the door and stands to the side still muttering. He’s not in line; he’s just there. After only a minute or so, he barks something unintelligible to no one in particular—a kind of concluding statement to whatever it was he was saying or doing there—and goes back outside, picks up his stuff and walks away continuing his own animated conversation with himself.
I watched this whole scenario as I wrote the former paragraph, not realizing that I was viewing a sad _expression in real life of the exaggeration I just presented. To be sure, this one-man relationship was an overstatement, but it still rings a kind of morbid truth inside me about who I am without God’s redemption, and if left alone, who I might even choose to be. It is a sobering reality that I think the Holy Spirit put in front of me to see this person. Want to be totally into yourself? This is what it looks like. I watched him walk away with a great deal of sadness. I understand.
I will keep this in my mind as the end of my attempts at solving anything through isolation. I can go on my way muttering, or I can engage with those around me. I can set aside my stuff and enter into someone else’s universe. Who knows, maybe that’s where he was headed. I hope so. It’s awful being that alone.
PDL
John Fischer
I’m one of those people who believe that relationships wouldn’t be any problem if they didn’t have to involve other people. I get along real well with myself. Myself and I rarely have any conflicts. We always seem to agree on what we want to do, and we are definitely in total harmony about our favorite subject: me. The minute you throw another person into this, you introduce conflict. That other person might as well be another universe of ideas, feelings, opinions, and ways of doing things.
Ironically I’m writing this in a Starbucks in Riverside, California and the whole time I’ve been playing with these thoughts there has been a man right outside the window with a backpack, bed roll and small tote bag, staring at the ground, pacing back and forth by my window muttering constantly to himself. He is a slight man, unshaven, and most likely homeless. He had been pacing for about ten minutes. Finally he puts his stuff down and comes in the door and stands to the side still muttering. He’s not in line; he’s just there. After only a minute or so, he barks something unintelligible to no one in particular—a kind of concluding statement to whatever it was he was saying or doing there—and goes back outside, picks up his stuff and walks away continuing his own animated conversation with himself.
I watched this whole scenario as I wrote the former paragraph, not realizing that I was viewing a sad _expression in real life of the exaggeration I just presented. To be sure, this one-man relationship was an overstatement, but it still rings a kind of morbid truth inside me about who I am without God’s redemption, and if left alone, who I might even choose to be. It is a sobering reality that I think the Holy Spirit put in front of me to see this person. Want to be totally into yourself? This is what it looks like. I watched him walk away with a great deal of sadness. I understand.
I will keep this in my mind as the end of my attempts at solving anything through isolation. I can go on my way muttering, or I can engage with those around me. I can set aside my stuff and enter into someone else’s universe. Who knows, maybe that’s where he was headed. I hope so. It’s awful being that alone.
PDL
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
UNIVERSAL TRANSLATOR
Acts 2:1-11
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 11 . . . We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!
If you were to rocket off to another galaxy and meet a planet full of tentacled aliens, would you expect them to speak your language? Probably not. So why is it that nearly every time the warp-speeding adventurers on Star Trek meet an alien they start chatting like they grew up together? The instant intergalactic communication is possible because of a device called the universal translator. It interprets languages and allows each alien to understand the other.
In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak in different languages--which allowed people from all over the known world to hear and understand the message of salvation (vv.8,11).
The Holy Spirit brought people together back then, and He has the power to do that today. He probably won't enable you to learn Swedish or Swahili overnight, but the Spirit can help you to connect with people--other believers and those who still need to hear the life-changing news of Jesus.
But can you and I be part of something as amazing as what happened on Pentecost? After all, Peter and the others led 3,000 people to Jesus that day (v.41). Just remember: Peter and the other apostles weren't perfect. A couple of months before his stunning sermon, Peter had denied he even knew Jesus. The Lord chose people who were just like us to turn the world upside down.
We don't all have to give fiery sermons or speak in other languages to change our world. The Holy Spirit will lead us to tell a friend who's going through hard times that Jesus loves him; to help the elderly couple next door with their yard work; to take a meal to a family who has a new baby. He will move us to tell someone our own story of how Jesus changed our lives.
It doesn't take much to change the world--at least, your little corner of it. And the Holy Spirit is with you to help make it happen. --Tracy Carbaugh
DESTINATION POINTS
* What comes to my mind when I think about the Holy Spirit?
* How would I have reacted if I had been in the crowd on the Day of Pentecost--like those who believed (Acts 2:41), or like those who were cynical? (v.13).
* What can I do today to change my world?
LINKS:
Knowing God Through Acts
Should We Expect More From The Spirit?
bottom line: The Holy Spirit changes us--then our world.
soul journey
Acts 2:1-11
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 11 . . . We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!
If you were to rocket off to another galaxy and meet a planet full of tentacled aliens, would you expect them to speak your language? Probably not. So why is it that nearly every time the warp-speeding adventurers on Star Trek meet an alien they start chatting like they grew up together? The instant intergalactic communication is possible because of a device called the universal translator. It interprets languages and allows each alien to understand the other.
In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak in different languages--which allowed people from all over the known world to hear and understand the message of salvation (vv.8,11).
The Holy Spirit brought people together back then, and He has the power to do that today. He probably won't enable you to learn Swedish or Swahili overnight, but the Spirit can help you to connect with people--other believers and those who still need to hear the life-changing news of Jesus.
But can you and I be part of something as amazing as what happened on Pentecost? After all, Peter and the others led 3,000 people to Jesus that day (v.41). Just remember: Peter and the other apostles weren't perfect. A couple of months before his stunning sermon, Peter had denied he even knew Jesus. The Lord chose people who were just like us to turn the world upside down.
We don't all have to give fiery sermons or speak in other languages to change our world. The Holy Spirit will lead us to tell a friend who's going through hard times that Jesus loves him; to help the elderly couple next door with their yard work; to take a meal to a family who has a new baby. He will move us to tell someone our own story of how Jesus changed our lives.
It doesn't take much to change the world--at least, your little corner of it. And the Holy Spirit is with you to help make it happen. --Tracy Carbaugh
DESTINATION POINTS
* What comes to my mind when I think about the Holy Spirit?
* How would I have reacted if I had been in the crowd on the Day of Pentecost--like those who believed (Acts 2:41), or like those who were cynical? (v.13).
* What can I do today to change my world?
LINKS:
Knowing God Through Acts
Should We Expect More From The Spirit?
bottom line: The Holy Spirit changes us--then our world.
soul journey
Monday, January 17, 2005
Made for His Pleasure
John Fischer
Because of His love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ He would make us His children—this was His pleasure and purpose. (Ephesians 1:5 NEV)
We will never get to the bottom of this: that God made us for His pleasure. We are much more likely to think of God as someone to obey, revere, and not offend. Our natural tendency is to think that God is out to get us. We walk on eggshells around Him. We imagine Him at best disinterested in our lives, and at worst, as one waiting to pounce on us over our next misdeed. But to gain pleasure from us? To have created us for His own joy is beyond us. That, by the way, is one reason why I know this is true. Something this wonderful could only be something God revealed to us; we could never have come up with this on our own.
Just what is it about us that brings Him pleasure? First off, we are like Him. He looks at us and sees Himself because He made us to reflect His image. We have a heart, a will, emotions, and a moral conscience. Because of this God can relate to us and communicate with us. God can have fellowship with us, in other words, and this is one of the main reasons we were created. Plus, we know from examples of men and women in the Old Testament that this fellowship can take on all the typical characteristics of human relationships—arguing, bargaining, cajoling, forgiving, even wrestling (God and Jacob – Genesis 32:22-32) appears to be a part of the human/divine relationship and something in which God takes pleasure or He wouldn’t indulge in it.
This is why we receive so much pleasure when we worship God outright through prayer, meditation, or music. We are doing the most important part of what we were meant to do. David’s greatest joy was to meditate on the law of God day and night.
But don’t leave out the rest of our lives that can be lived out as an act of worship. Paul encourages us to do everything we do to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). He wouldn’t have suggested this if it weren’t possible. That would mean that a host of activities and interests commonly thought of as “secular” could take on the quality and function of worship in our daily lives. And in all of this, God takes pleasure.
Try and live today within the reality that you are bringing God pleasure. We started out that way without doing anything, so consider how living with that consciousness can affect your choices, thoughts and actions.
PDL
John Fischer
Because of His love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ He would make us His children—this was His pleasure and purpose. (Ephesians 1:5 NEV)
We will never get to the bottom of this: that God made us for His pleasure. We are much more likely to think of God as someone to obey, revere, and not offend. Our natural tendency is to think that God is out to get us. We walk on eggshells around Him. We imagine Him at best disinterested in our lives, and at worst, as one waiting to pounce on us over our next misdeed. But to gain pleasure from us? To have created us for His own joy is beyond us. That, by the way, is one reason why I know this is true. Something this wonderful could only be something God revealed to us; we could never have come up with this on our own.
Just what is it about us that brings Him pleasure? First off, we are like Him. He looks at us and sees Himself because He made us to reflect His image. We have a heart, a will, emotions, and a moral conscience. Because of this God can relate to us and communicate with us. God can have fellowship with us, in other words, and this is one of the main reasons we were created. Plus, we know from examples of men and women in the Old Testament that this fellowship can take on all the typical characteristics of human relationships—arguing, bargaining, cajoling, forgiving, even wrestling (God and Jacob – Genesis 32:22-32) appears to be a part of the human/divine relationship and something in which God takes pleasure or He wouldn’t indulge in it.
This is why we receive so much pleasure when we worship God outright through prayer, meditation, or music. We are doing the most important part of what we were meant to do. David’s greatest joy was to meditate on the law of God day and night.
But don’t leave out the rest of our lives that can be lived out as an act of worship. Paul encourages us to do everything we do to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). He wouldn’t have suggested this if it weren’t possible. That would mean that a host of activities and interests commonly thought of as “secular” could take on the quality and function of worship in our daily lives. And in all of this, God takes pleasure.
Try and live today within the reality that you are bringing God pleasure. We started out that way without doing anything, so consider how living with that consciousness can affect your choices, thoughts and actions.
PDL
Sunday, January 16, 2005
THERE'S MORE!
2 Kings 23:1-25
1 Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 2 He went up to the temple of the Lord with the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets--all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. 3 The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord--to follow the Lord and keep His commands, regulations, and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant. . . . 25 Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did--with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.
It's often said that the Bible is its own best commentary. By exploring a person or event mentioned in more than one passage, we discover additional truth to guide our understanding and application. This is clearly seen in the story of Josiah.
In 2 Kings 22:1-3, we discover that Josiah became king at the age of 8, and at the age of 26 he experienced a dramatic spiritual renewal when the long-neglected Book of the Law was found in the temple. Josiah's commitment to God set him on a course of calling the entire nation to return to the Lord.
But there's more to the story. Looking up Josiah in a concordance leads us to 2 Chronicles 34:1-8, where we find details of his early spiritual growth and courage. When he was 16, "he began to seek the God of his father David." And at the age of 20, he began a campaign to remove idols and places of pagan worship from Judah and Jerusalem (v.3). Josiah's desire to purify the temple led to the discovery of the Book of the Law 6 years later (v.8).
Instead of a young adult who suddenly discovers God out of the blue, Josiah began to seek the Lord as a teenager and stood boldly for Him in a hostile environment. Being king was rarely a safe or popular occupation. But Josiah was strengthened by his faith in God.
Study the detailed account of Josiah's impressive spiritual reforms in 2 Kings 23:1-25, and ponder the tribute paid to him: "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did--with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses" (v.25).
As we study the Bible, a concordance will lead us to many "There's more!" discoveries. And may our lives, like young King Josiah's life, reveal greater heartfelt courage for the Lord at every turn. --Dave McCasland
DESTINATION POINTS
* In what ways am I seeking the Lord and standing for Him right where I am today?
* How can my boldness and conviction encourage others to do what is right?
bottom line: Search the Bible and you'll see "There's more!"
soul journey
2 Kings 23:1-25
1 Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 2 He went up to the temple of the Lord with the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets--all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. 3 The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord--to follow the Lord and keep His commands, regulations, and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant. . . . 25 Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did--with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.
It's often said that the Bible is its own best commentary. By exploring a person or event mentioned in more than one passage, we discover additional truth to guide our understanding and application. This is clearly seen in the story of Josiah.
In 2 Kings 22:1-3, we discover that Josiah became king at the age of 8, and at the age of 26 he experienced a dramatic spiritual renewal when the long-neglected Book of the Law was found in the temple. Josiah's commitment to God set him on a course of calling the entire nation to return to the Lord.
But there's more to the story. Looking up Josiah in a concordance leads us to 2 Chronicles 34:1-8, where we find details of his early spiritual growth and courage. When he was 16, "he began to seek the God of his father David." And at the age of 20, he began a campaign to remove idols and places of pagan worship from Judah and Jerusalem (v.3). Josiah's desire to purify the temple led to the discovery of the Book of the Law 6 years later (v.8).
Instead of a young adult who suddenly discovers God out of the blue, Josiah began to seek the Lord as a teenager and stood boldly for Him in a hostile environment. Being king was rarely a safe or popular occupation. But Josiah was strengthened by his faith in God.
Study the detailed account of Josiah's impressive spiritual reforms in 2 Kings 23:1-25, and ponder the tribute paid to him: "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did--with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses" (v.25).
As we study the Bible, a concordance will lead us to many "There's more!" discoveries. And may our lives, like young King Josiah's life, reveal greater heartfelt courage for the Lord at every turn. --Dave McCasland
DESTINATION POINTS
* In what ways am I seeking the Lord and standing for Him right where I am today?
* How can my boldness and conviction encourage others to do what is right?
bottom line: Search the Bible and you'll see "There's more!"
soul journey
Saturday, January 15, 2005
A Few Choice Words
Dena J. Dyer
"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue" (Proverbs 17:27-28, NIV).
I blew it, and I knew it.
There I stood, laughing with a friend about one of my husband's faults. Suddenly, he turned the corner and heard my remark. As his face fell, my heart sank.
I had wounded him deeply, and I felt ashamed. Later, I apologized to my husband, and I asked the Lord's forgiveness. Both forgave me, but I never forgot that my words caused a rift-however temporary-in two of my most precious relationships.
That day, I learned the truth of what the Bible says so succinctly in Proverbs 12:18: "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
In her classic book, Words that Hurt, Words that Heal, Carole Mayhall says: "I am convinced that daily, perhaps hourly, we need to ask God to help us bite our tongue before voicing careless remarks that can hurt, even devastate. We need to ask him to help us think before we speak."
As I've pondered the often-rash remarks that flow out of my mouth and studied scriptures pertaining to words, I've discovered I need to pray for Providential Patience. There is no way I can use words the right way without God's help.
Mayhall says: "We need to pray for quick sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit. When he convicts us, we must confess our speech as sin. It is more than a goof, a slip of the tongue. It is sin that we must confess. We must also ask God's help to improve in this area."
Amen, and amen.
Lord, help me to use my words to help and not to hurt. Give me the heart, and the speech patterns, of my beloved Savior. Amen.
cbn
Dena J. Dyer
"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue" (Proverbs 17:27-28, NIV).
I blew it, and I knew it.
There I stood, laughing with a friend about one of my husband's faults. Suddenly, he turned the corner and heard my remark. As his face fell, my heart sank.
I had wounded him deeply, and I felt ashamed. Later, I apologized to my husband, and I asked the Lord's forgiveness. Both forgave me, but I never forgot that my words caused a rift-however temporary-in two of my most precious relationships.
That day, I learned the truth of what the Bible says so succinctly in Proverbs 12:18: "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
In her classic book, Words that Hurt, Words that Heal, Carole Mayhall says: "I am convinced that daily, perhaps hourly, we need to ask God to help us bite our tongue before voicing careless remarks that can hurt, even devastate. We need to ask him to help us think before we speak."
As I've pondered the often-rash remarks that flow out of my mouth and studied scriptures pertaining to words, I've discovered I need to pray for Providential Patience. There is no way I can use words the right way without God's help.
Mayhall says: "We need to pray for quick sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit. When he convicts us, we must confess our speech as sin. It is more than a goof, a slip of the tongue. It is sin that we must confess. We must also ask God's help to improve in this area."
Amen, and amen.
Lord, help me to use my words to help and not to hurt. Give me the heart, and the speech patterns, of my beloved Savior. Amen.
cbn
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Panning for Gold
John Fischer
As I write this, I am bouncing along in the passenger seat of my son’s pickup truck with a comforter on my lap to stay warm due to a malfunctioning heater. We are in the first hour of a 30-hour driving marathon from southern California to St Louis, MO where he will be taking on a new job position. All his earthly possessions are packed into this truck.
I am honored that he wanted me to accompany him on this trip; I also understand the decision not to fix the heater as a reasonable money saver that works for southern California, but St Louis may beg the question, not to mention what weather we will face between here and there I’m already glad we went back for the comforter I currently have wrapped around my legs.
Mostly I am looking forward to some quality time with my son. As a child, I remember long car trips in the summer as the only time I really felt I had my whole family to myself. We were always so busy with different schedules that it took a summer vacation and the inside of a car to bring us together. The doors were shut; we were all in one place; no one could leave. It’s pretty pathetic when you think that it takes some sort of entrapment to force us to experience one of the primary purposes for our existence.
Family is what we were made for. This is one of those instances where we get so busy with living we forget what life is for. Life is for relationships. Measure the time spent in real conversation as golden and learn to pan for it. You may discover you have to sift through a lot of meaningless dribble to find it, but if you are tuned into the value of real relationships, you will be able to spot the treasure more often, and when you do, bring it out into the open. We cannot always determine when we will find it, but we need to take advantage of it when we do.
Come to think of it, I don’t think anyone in my family growing up was consciously panning for the gold in our relationships. We were just together once in a while and what happened, happened. I truly think we missed a lot of golden opportunities because no one was looking for the treasure. You have to probe and be willing to probe yourself in order to find out what is really in the heart but there is always a treasure waiting.
And honestly, we shouldn’t have to be trapped together in order to experience something so good.
PDL
John Fischer
As I write this, I am bouncing along in the passenger seat of my son’s pickup truck with a comforter on my lap to stay warm due to a malfunctioning heater. We are in the first hour of a 30-hour driving marathon from southern California to St Louis, MO where he will be taking on a new job position. All his earthly possessions are packed into this truck.
I am honored that he wanted me to accompany him on this trip; I also understand the decision not to fix the heater as a reasonable money saver that works for southern California, but St Louis may beg the question, not to mention what weather we will face between here and there I’m already glad we went back for the comforter I currently have wrapped around my legs.
Mostly I am looking forward to some quality time with my son. As a child, I remember long car trips in the summer as the only time I really felt I had my whole family to myself. We were always so busy with different schedules that it took a summer vacation and the inside of a car to bring us together. The doors were shut; we were all in one place; no one could leave. It’s pretty pathetic when you think that it takes some sort of entrapment to force us to experience one of the primary purposes for our existence.
Family is what we were made for. This is one of those instances where we get so busy with living we forget what life is for. Life is for relationships. Measure the time spent in real conversation as golden and learn to pan for it. You may discover you have to sift through a lot of meaningless dribble to find it, but if you are tuned into the value of real relationships, you will be able to spot the treasure more often, and when you do, bring it out into the open. We cannot always determine when we will find it, but we need to take advantage of it when we do.
Come to think of it, I don’t think anyone in my family growing up was consciously panning for the gold in our relationships. We were just together once in a while and what happened, happened. I truly think we missed a lot of golden opportunities because no one was looking for the treasure. You have to probe and be willing to probe yourself in order to find out what is really in the heart but there is always a treasure waiting.
And honestly, we shouldn’t have to be trapped together in order to experience something so good.
PDL
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Knowing Who We Are In Christ
Martha Noebel
"How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him.
"Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)
"He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people--free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!
"He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
"It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free--signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life." Ephesians 1:1-13 MSG
I wanted to write an article on knowing who we are in Christ. The Lord spoke to my heart to look in Ephesians. I believe this first chapter says it all. We are wonderfully made with a marvelous plan in mind. We aren't a mistake but a part of an awesome plan!
The scripture speaks of the great price Christ paid for all of us. How we are free of all debts from the past. It shows us that we have the right to walk in total freedom. The words in Ephesians were "abundantly free." Christ has made us free to walk in the light of His great love with destiny, purpose, and vision. He has promised to show us why we were created and that our lives are to be filled with glorious living! What is glorious living? That is the signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit life of walking in confidence. We are not to be intimidated by others but to walk with our head up high.
God wants us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving made available by the sacrifice of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Everyday, He keeps blessing and blessing His people and unless we take the time to realize it, then we don't even notice. How sad is that?
I want to live a life of knowing my place in this world. I want to be thankful for all God has done for me. I want to walk in the confidence of who I am in Christ, forgetting the things of the past that have held me captive, and step out into the glorious blessing of being all that God has called me to be.
You can do that too. It takes determination and a knowledge of whose child we are. We are children of God and He loves us very much. Let's celebrate!
cbn
Martha Noebel
"How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him.
"Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)
"He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people--free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!
"He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
"It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free--signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life." Ephesians 1:1-13 MSG
I wanted to write an article on knowing who we are in Christ. The Lord spoke to my heart to look in Ephesians. I believe this first chapter says it all. We are wonderfully made with a marvelous plan in mind. We aren't a mistake but a part of an awesome plan!
The scripture speaks of the great price Christ paid for all of us. How we are free of all debts from the past. It shows us that we have the right to walk in total freedom. The words in Ephesians were "abundantly free." Christ has made us free to walk in the light of His great love with destiny, purpose, and vision. He has promised to show us why we were created and that our lives are to be filled with glorious living! What is glorious living? That is the signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit life of walking in confidence. We are not to be intimidated by others but to walk with our head up high.
God wants us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving made available by the sacrifice of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Everyday, He keeps blessing and blessing His people and unless we take the time to realize it, then we don't even notice. How sad is that?
I want to live a life of knowing my place in this world. I want to be thankful for all God has done for me. I want to walk in the confidence of who I am in Christ, forgetting the things of the past that have held me captive, and step out into the glorious blessing of being all that God has called me to be.
You can do that too. It takes determination and a knowledge of whose child we are. We are children of God and He loves us very much. Let's celebrate!
cbn
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
WILD ORCHIDS
James 1:2-8
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
I love orchids. The beautiful blooms never fail to make me feel at home. They have long been an ambassador of my country, Singapore. Foreign delegates who visit are often extended welcome by orchid leis. The tropical flower has become part of the Singapore culture, and you can see them throughout the country.
As a child, I was taught that Singapore's national flower is an orchid variety called Vanda Miss Joaquim. An indigenous hybrid between the Vanda teres and the Vanda hookerana, it was first discovered in the garden of Agnes Joaquim in 1893. Vanda Miss Joaquim was chosen because of its hardy and resilient qualities and ability to bloom throughout the year. It is a symbol of purity, royalty, and beauty. These characteristics reflect Singapore's quest for progress and excellence.
The orchid is a strong and resilient flower which thrives and grows in harsh conditions. As one of the most adaptable plants on earth, orchids grow in the wild. Some species grow on trees while others cling to rocks. Orchids can flourish also among decaying vegetation on the forest floor. They anchor themselves in soil or sand and can be grown in tree bark, crumbled charcoal, pebbles, or slabs of cork.
I've always thought it was amazing that this beautiful flower could bloom in such a difficult environment. It reminds me of our lives. We can grow in trials or we can wither because of them. In today's Scripture reading, we are encouraged to "consider it pure joy" when we face trials (James 1:2). This is because "the testing of our faith develops perseverance" (v.3).
Are we like the strong and resilient orchid? Are we blooming in our trials and developing perseverance and maturity? As we trust God in all the trials He allows us to face along life's path, His beauty and fragrance will come forth. --Joanna Lim
DESTINATION POINTS
* What do James 1:2-4 and 2 Peter 4:12-13 say my attitude should be when faced with trials?
* How will the right attitude help me grow and develop Jesus-like character despite the testing and temptation I face?
* How can I spread the fragrance of Jesus to people around me?
LINKS:http://www.orchidweb.org/
bottom line: Trials prepare the way for something beautiful.
soul journey
James 1:2-8
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
I love orchids. The beautiful blooms never fail to make me feel at home. They have long been an ambassador of my country, Singapore. Foreign delegates who visit are often extended welcome by orchid leis. The tropical flower has become part of the Singapore culture, and you can see them throughout the country.
As a child, I was taught that Singapore's national flower is an orchid variety called Vanda Miss Joaquim. An indigenous hybrid between the Vanda teres and the Vanda hookerana, it was first discovered in the garden of Agnes Joaquim in 1893. Vanda Miss Joaquim was chosen because of its hardy and resilient qualities and ability to bloom throughout the year. It is a symbol of purity, royalty, and beauty. These characteristics reflect Singapore's quest for progress and excellence.
The orchid is a strong and resilient flower which thrives and grows in harsh conditions. As one of the most adaptable plants on earth, orchids grow in the wild. Some species grow on trees while others cling to rocks. Orchids can flourish also among decaying vegetation on the forest floor. They anchor themselves in soil or sand and can be grown in tree bark, crumbled charcoal, pebbles, or slabs of cork.
I've always thought it was amazing that this beautiful flower could bloom in such a difficult environment. It reminds me of our lives. We can grow in trials or we can wither because of them. In today's Scripture reading, we are encouraged to "consider it pure joy" when we face trials (James 1:2). This is because "the testing of our faith develops perseverance" (v.3).
Are we like the strong and resilient orchid? Are we blooming in our trials and developing perseverance and maturity? As we trust God in all the trials He allows us to face along life's path, His beauty and fragrance will come forth. --Joanna Lim
DESTINATION POINTS
* What do James 1:2-4 and 2 Peter 4:12-13 say my attitude should be when faced with trials?
* How will the right attitude help me grow and develop Jesus-like character despite the testing and temptation I face?
* How can I spread the fragrance of Jesus to people around me?
LINKS:http://www.orchidweb.org/
bottom line: Trials prepare the way for something beautiful.
soul journey
Monday, January 10, 2005
THE OUTSIDERS
Luke 7:36-47
36 One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so He went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this Man were a prophet, He would know who is touching Him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner." . . . 44 [Jesus] said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give Me any water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give Me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing My feet. 46 You did not put oil on My head, but she has poured perfume on My feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much."
Several years ago I accepted an appointment to the Governor's Commission for the United Nations Year of the Family. The initial meeting was held in downtown Detroit. There was a host of well-known and influential people at the gathering: politicians, business owners, radio personalities, sports heroes, and the mayor of Motown.
Nobody welcomed me. Nobody talked to me. No one shook my hand. I felt unwelcome and invisible. Then Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell introduced himself to me and made me feel at home and accepted.
We don't know why Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his house for a feast, but we do know that Jesus didn't feel at home. Simon did not offer Him the customary courtesy of washing His dusty feet. He did not extend to Jesus the greeting of the day--a kiss of friendship and welcome. Nor did he bother to anoint Jesus' head with oil, a sign of honor and esteem.
Jesus must have felt like an outsider until a "woman who had lived a sinful life in that town" came into the room. She sat at His feet and wept, washing His feet with her tears. She kissed them again and again to express her love. Then she broke open a jar of perfume and anointed His feet. Jesus pointed out to Simon her devotion and compassion--that she had done what he in his pride had failed to do.
The woman gave Jesus the love and respect He deserved. She expressed her faith in Him and her gratitude for His forgiveness. She was illustrating this truth: The secret of a loving heart is to forget yourself and give yourself to someone else in sincere devotion.
God wants us to have that kind of compassionate, loving heart, especially toward people who are ignored, those who are not accepted--outsiders. He wants us to be more interested in what we can give than in what we can get. --Dave Egner
DESTINATION POINTS
* Have I ever been frozen out among a group of people? How did it make me feel?
* What are some ways I can make people feel welcome and accepted?
LINKS:
God of the Maggies
bottom line: Reach out to those who are left out.
soul journey
Luke 7:36-47
36 One of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so He went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this Man were a prophet, He would know who is touching Him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner." . . . 44 [Jesus] said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give Me any water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give Me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing My feet. 46 You did not put oil on My head, but she has poured perfume on My feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much."
Several years ago I accepted an appointment to the Governor's Commission for the United Nations Year of the Family. The initial meeting was held in downtown Detroit. There was a host of well-known and influential people at the gathering: politicians, business owners, radio personalities, sports heroes, and the mayor of Motown.
Nobody welcomed me. Nobody talked to me. No one shook my hand. I felt unwelcome and invisible. Then Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell introduced himself to me and made me feel at home and accepted.
We don't know why Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his house for a feast, but we do know that Jesus didn't feel at home. Simon did not offer Him the customary courtesy of washing His dusty feet. He did not extend to Jesus the greeting of the day--a kiss of friendship and welcome. Nor did he bother to anoint Jesus' head with oil, a sign of honor and esteem.
Jesus must have felt like an outsider until a "woman who had lived a sinful life in that town" came into the room. She sat at His feet and wept, washing His feet with her tears. She kissed them again and again to express her love. Then she broke open a jar of perfume and anointed His feet. Jesus pointed out to Simon her devotion and compassion--that she had done what he in his pride had failed to do.
The woman gave Jesus the love and respect He deserved. She expressed her faith in Him and her gratitude for His forgiveness. She was illustrating this truth: The secret of a loving heart is to forget yourself and give yourself to someone else in sincere devotion.
God wants us to have that kind of compassionate, loving heart, especially toward people who are ignored, those who are not accepted--outsiders. He wants us to be more interested in what we can give than in what we can get. --Dave Egner
DESTINATION POINTS
* Have I ever been frozen out among a group of people? How did it make me feel?
* What are some ways I can make people feel welcome and accepted?
LINKS:
God of the Maggies
bottom line: Reach out to those who are left out.
soul journey
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Today's scripture is Matthew 6:33
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Whenever Ken and I talk about living by faith, I know there are some people who think, "Oh, that's easy for you. You're preachers. You have it made!" And, in some ways, we do. We have it made because our calling demands that we give God our attention, and giving God your attention always brings success.
But we haven't always lived that way. In fact, the first time I ever saw Kenneth Copeland, he was about as far from a preacher as I figured you could get. He flew planes and sang in nightclubs. As for me, I was a college girl who said she would never marry a preacher and who had never even heard about the new birth.
Right after we got married, Ken went into a business enterprise that we thought was going to make us rich. So I quit my job and went to work for this new company. Two weeks later it folded. We ended up sleeping on a rented roll-away bed that sagged in the middle. We had a wrought-iron coffee table Ken made in high school and a black and white TV. Nothing else. No refrigerator. No stove. I cooked in my coffeepot and an electric skillet and used a cardboard box on the porch to keep our food cold. We were flat broke. Unemployed. Deeply in debt. I had nowhere to go. No furniture. No nothing.
Then one day I picked up the Bible Ken's mother had given him for his birthday. In the front she'd written this verse, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." I turned and read Matthew 6. It said God cared for the birds. For the first time in my life it got into my heart that God cared where I was and what I was doing. I figured if He cared for birds, He cared for me! I knelt in that bare room and told Jesus that if He could do anything with my life, He could certainly have it. That's all I remember saying. I had no idea I'd just been born again. Two weeks later Ken found a new job. We moved to a new furnished apartment and bought a better car. In the midst of it all, something else happened--Ken got born again.
Don't worry if you don't "have it made." We certainly didn't when all this started. Just stick with God and let Him make you. He is a good God who is good to all (Ps. 145:9).
Make a decision in your heart to seek HIM first. Then all the other things will be added.
bibleshack
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Whenever Ken and I talk about living by faith, I know there are some people who think, "Oh, that's easy for you. You're preachers. You have it made!" And, in some ways, we do. We have it made because our calling demands that we give God our attention, and giving God your attention always brings success.
But we haven't always lived that way. In fact, the first time I ever saw Kenneth Copeland, he was about as far from a preacher as I figured you could get. He flew planes and sang in nightclubs. As for me, I was a college girl who said she would never marry a preacher and who had never even heard about the new birth.
Right after we got married, Ken went into a business enterprise that we thought was going to make us rich. So I quit my job and went to work for this new company. Two weeks later it folded. We ended up sleeping on a rented roll-away bed that sagged in the middle. We had a wrought-iron coffee table Ken made in high school and a black and white TV. Nothing else. No refrigerator. No stove. I cooked in my coffeepot and an electric skillet and used a cardboard box on the porch to keep our food cold. We were flat broke. Unemployed. Deeply in debt. I had nowhere to go. No furniture. No nothing.
Then one day I picked up the Bible Ken's mother had given him for his birthday. In the front she'd written this verse, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." I turned and read Matthew 6. It said God cared for the birds. For the first time in my life it got into my heart that God cared where I was and what I was doing. I figured if He cared for birds, He cared for me! I knelt in that bare room and told Jesus that if He could do anything with my life, He could certainly have it. That's all I remember saying. I had no idea I'd just been born again. Two weeks later Ken found a new job. We moved to a new furnished apartment and bought a better car. In the midst of it all, something else happened--Ken got born again.
Don't worry if you don't "have it made." We certainly didn't when all this started. Just stick with God and let Him make you. He is a good God who is good to all (Ps. 145:9).
Make a decision in your heart to seek HIM first. Then all the other things will be added.
bibleshack
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Seeing the Big Picture
Os Hillman
..."Everything is against me!" Genesis 42:36
Jacob had come to the end of his rope. He had lost Joseph. Simeon was in jail in Egypt. Now, in order to free Simeon, Benjamin, Jacob's youngest son, would have to go to Egypt. It was more than Jacob could handle.Jacob could not see the years of preparation for what would be the most exciting time of his life and the life of a nation. The darkest hour is the hour just before daybreak. Jacob was in his darkest hour just before God's daybreak in his life. God's big picture is often too big for us toc omprehend. The heartaches don't seem to add up, but Jacob was about to under stand the big picture.
Eventually, Benjamin along with Jacob's other sons learned that their brother Joseph was second in command in Egypt. Joseph revealed his identity, and Jacob was reunited with his son whom he had not seen formore than 13 years. He had thought Joseph to be dead.
So often we believe our dreams are dead. There seems to be nothing left in our world to live for. Everything appears to be against us. During these times, God is doing His deepest behind-the-scenes work. During these times, God is performing a deeper work in each of us—a work that cannot be seen.
When clients began leaving my ad agency and it dried up for no apparent reason, it appeared "everything was against me." I could not see that God was orchestrating a whole new calling on my life. At the moment, it seemed like the worst thing in the world. It seemed that I had been a failure. But God said, "No." All the years before had been preparation for what God's ultimate calling would be. One of God's methods for directing His children's steps is through drying up resources: a job loss, a career change, or a disaster. In these times we are willing to listen more intently, and to seek God in ways we would not normally do. C.S. Lewis once wrote, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." [C.S.Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: MacmillanPublishing Company, 1962), 93.]
TGIF
Os Hillman
..."Everything is against me!" Genesis 42:36
Jacob had come to the end of his rope. He had lost Joseph. Simeon was in jail in Egypt. Now, in order to free Simeon, Benjamin, Jacob's youngest son, would have to go to Egypt. It was more than Jacob could handle.Jacob could not see the years of preparation for what would be the most exciting time of his life and the life of a nation. The darkest hour is the hour just before daybreak. Jacob was in his darkest hour just before God's daybreak in his life. God's big picture is often too big for us toc omprehend. The heartaches don't seem to add up, but Jacob was about to under stand the big picture.
Eventually, Benjamin along with Jacob's other sons learned that their brother Joseph was second in command in Egypt. Joseph revealed his identity, and Jacob was reunited with his son whom he had not seen formore than 13 years. He had thought Joseph to be dead.
So often we believe our dreams are dead. There seems to be nothing left in our world to live for. Everything appears to be against us. During these times, God is doing His deepest behind-the-scenes work. During these times, God is performing a deeper work in each of us—a work that cannot be seen.
When clients began leaving my ad agency and it dried up for no apparent reason, it appeared "everything was against me." I could not see that God was orchestrating a whole new calling on my life. At the moment, it seemed like the worst thing in the world. It seemed that I had been a failure. But God said, "No." All the years before had been preparation for what God's ultimate calling would be. One of God's methods for directing His children's steps is through drying up resources: a job loss, a career change, or a disaster. In these times we are willing to listen more intently, and to seek God in ways we would not normally do. C.S. Lewis once wrote, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." [C.S.Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: MacmillanPublishing Company, 1962), 93.]
TGIF
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Restoration of Everything Satan Took
Martha Noebel
Prophecies for 2005 are already beginning to come to the body of Christ. Last night at a prayer meeting at the church I attend, the pastor shared that he believed God was calling the year 2005 as the year of “rest.”
Resting sounded like a wonderful thing to do. But since we should be preparing for the end-times, I didn’t understand how we had the time to spare by doing nothing.
Then the Lord spoke to my heart this acronym:
Restoration of
Everything
Satan
Took
Wow! The picture of getting back all that they enemy has stolen from us would certainly line up with progress in spite of the lack of struggle. I could not help but think of the word striving and realized that with rest … all striving would cease. We could see God prospering us financially, spiritually, physically, and know that in every area of our lives, we would know victory.
I pictured our churches filling up without the gimmicks we are using to attract the lost. Away with the free turkey if you visit. Away with the competition to come up with the sharpest looking church Web site. And away with the yard sales, candy sales, etc. in order to raise money for various church building projects.
God is going to give back to the church all that Satan took. He has robbed us of our finances, lured our loved ones into sin, and tried to weaken us in our physical bodies. But the Lord is saying, “Enough!”
Here is a promising scripture:
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. (Isaiah 58:11-12)
The Lord has promised to guide, satisfy, prosper, refresh, rebuild, raise up, repair, and restore his people. The church of 2005 will be a mighty church that will be able to do more and will not have to try so hard for the results.
This sounds unbelievable I know, but I believe it. Our God is a God of increase and blessing. He will hear and answer our prayers as we declare what He says about things and then we begin believing it.
Why don’t you join me in trusting God for many surprising miracles in the new year ahead? Let’s see what great and mighty works He will do if we let Him.
cbn
Martha Noebel
Prophecies for 2005 are already beginning to come to the body of Christ. Last night at a prayer meeting at the church I attend, the pastor shared that he believed God was calling the year 2005 as the year of “rest.”
Resting sounded like a wonderful thing to do. But since we should be preparing for the end-times, I didn’t understand how we had the time to spare by doing nothing.
Then the Lord spoke to my heart this acronym:
Restoration of
Everything
Satan
Took
Wow! The picture of getting back all that they enemy has stolen from us would certainly line up with progress in spite of the lack of struggle. I could not help but think of the word striving and realized that with rest … all striving would cease. We could see God prospering us financially, spiritually, physically, and know that in every area of our lives, we would know victory.
I pictured our churches filling up without the gimmicks we are using to attract the lost. Away with the free turkey if you visit. Away with the competition to come up with the sharpest looking church Web site. And away with the yard sales, candy sales, etc. in order to raise money for various church building projects.
God is going to give back to the church all that Satan took. He has robbed us of our finances, lured our loved ones into sin, and tried to weaken us in our physical bodies. But the Lord is saying, “Enough!”
Here is a promising scripture:
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. (Isaiah 58:11-12)
The Lord has promised to guide, satisfy, prosper, refresh, rebuild, raise up, repair, and restore his people. The church of 2005 will be a mighty church that will be able to do more and will not have to try so hard for the results.
This sounds unbelievable I know, but I believe it. Our God is a God of increase and blessing. He will hear and answer our prayers as we declare what He says about things and then we begin believing it.
Why don’t you join me in trusting God for many surprising miracles in the new year ahead? Let’s see what great and mighty works He will do if we let Him.
cbn
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
LOSING FEELING
Amos 4:1-6
1 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, "Bring us some drinks!" 2 The Sovereign Lord has sworn by His holiness: "The time will surely come when you will be taken away with hooks, the last of you with fishhooks. 3 You will each go straight out through breaks in the wall, and you will be cast out toward Harmon," declares the Lord. 4 "Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. 5 Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings--boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do," declares the Sovereign Lord. 6 "I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to Me," declares the Lord.
A friend of mine gradually lost a good portion of the feeling in his fingers and his feet due to the effects of chemotherapy. His condition, called neuropathy, is common among cancer patients.
Brian, an excellent athlete, struggled to run smoothly. His artistic moves on the basketball court were now stiff and awkward.
I sympathized as best I could for my friend. But now, due to my own chemo treatments, my fingers and feet feel numb and tingly. Neuropathy has moved from a distant concern to a condition I know intimately.
We live in a culture that bombards us with acts of violence--both acted out and lived out--that can make us lose feeling. The harshness of some movies and video games, blended with a continual stream of news stories of brutal acts, can cause us to become numb and detached. This reminds me of a couple of radio DJs who were fired for making jokes about the slaying of an American hostage.
In apologizing for his inappropriate on-air remarks, one of the men said that he had become desensitized by all the awful stuff going on in the world. He then stated that he had forgotten that some people still feel.
The prophet Amos didn't mince words when he laid into the Israelites because of their lack of heart for others and for God. They were no longer feeling compassion or sympathy for the less fortunate. Amos declared that they were a people "who oppress the poor and crush the needy" (Amos 4:1). They were condemned for not caring for hurting people.
Are you beginning to lose feeling for others as you flail in the waves of our violent culture? Have you become desensitized by your media choices?
Turn to Jesus and restore your relationship with Him. Then open your heart to those who are hurting in your own sphere as well as other parts of the world. God wants you to return to Him--for He feels for you. --Tom Felten
DESTINATION POINTS
* In what ways have I stopped caring for people?
* With God as my example, how can I begin showing more compassion to others?
LINKS:
The Compassion of JesusBlood, Sweat, and Prayers
bottom line: Faith in Jesus brings deep feelings for others.
soul journey
Amos 4:1-6
1 Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy and say to your husbands, "Bring us some drinks!" 2 The Sovereign Lord has sworn by His holiness: "The time will surely come when you will be taken away with hooks, the last of you with fishhooks. 3 You will each go straight out through breaks in the wall, and you will be cast out toward Harmon," declares the Lord. 4 "Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. 5 Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings--boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do," declares the Sovereign Lord. 6 "I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to Me," declares the Lord.
A friend of mine gradually lost a good portion of the feeling in his fingers and his feet due to the effects of chemotherapy. His condition, called neuropathy, is common among cancer patients.
Brian, an excellent athlete, struggled to run smoothly. His artistic moves on the basketball court were now stiff and awkward.
I sympathized as best I could for my friend. But now, due to my own chemo treatments, my fingers and feet feel numb and tingly. Neuropathy has moved from a distant concern to a condition I know intimately.
We live in a culture that bombards us with acts of violence--both acted out and lived out--that can make us lose feeling. The harshness of some movies and video games, blended with a continual stream of news stories of brutal acts, can cause us to become numb and detached. This reminds me of a couple of radio DJs who were fired for making jokes about the slaying of an American hostage.
In apologizing for his inappropriate on-air remarks, one of the men said that he had become desensitized by all the awful stuff going on in the world. He then stated that he had forgotten that some people still feel.
The prophet Amos didn't mince words when he laid into the Israelites because of their lack of heart for others and for God. They were no longer feeling compassion or sympathy for the less fortunate. Amos declared that they were a people "who oppress the poor and crush the needy" (Amos 4:1). They were condemned for not caring for hurting people.
Are you beginning to lose feeling for others as you flail in the waves of our violent culture? Have you become desensitized by your media choices?
Turn to Jesus and restore your relationship with Him. Then open your heart to those who are hurting in your own sphere as well as other parts of the world. God wants you to return to Him--for He feels for you. --Tom Felten
DESTINATION POINTS
* In what ways have I stopped caring for people?
* With God as my example, how can I begin showing more compassion to others?
LINKS:
The Compassion of JesusBlood, Sweat, and Prayers
bottom line: Faith in Jesus brings deep feelings for others.
soul journey
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
SHOW ME HOW TO LIVE
John 10:7-10
7 Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Eugene Peterson recounts a story about one of my favorite novelists, Chaim Potok. Chaim had always dreamed of becoming a writer. With his mind made up, he had pieced together a plan for pursuing his dream.
Shortly before departing for college, his mother pulled him aside. "Chaim," she said, "I have an idea for you, even better than becoming a writer. Become a brain surgeon. You will keep a lot of people from dying and you will make a lot of money."
"I want to be a writer," Chaim responded.
On numerous occasions, he and his mom would rehash this same conversation. She would try to convince him to become a brain surgeon so he could "keep a lot of people from dying" and "make a lot of money." Chaim would steadfastly refuse, repeating that writing was his passion.
Finally, on one tense day, Chaim's mother ratcheted up the pressure and forcefully stressed how he was wasting his life and should be a "brain surgeon to keep lots of people from dying and would make lots of money."
Chaim's emotion surfaced as he responded intensely, "Mama, I don't want to keep people from dying. I want to show them how to live!"
I think Jesus resonated with the same passion of Chaim's words. Jesus did not leave heaven and enter human history merely to counteract the result of our sinful rebellion against Him. Jesus did not endure the agony of the cross just to cancel out the effects of the spiritual death our sin imposed upon us. As powerful as the reality of Jesus' winning our forgiveness is, He viewed His sacrifice more as a first step, willingly done so He could provide something more.
The mission of Jesus is not only to provide an antidote for the poison of sin we have drunk. He also wants to redeem our hearts to create within us the capacity for all the joy and pleasure He has intended for us since creation. Jesus came to show us how to live. --Winn Collier
DESTINATION POINTS
* What do I normally consider when I ponder the question of why Jesus died?
* How does Jesus' desire to teach me how to live resonate with me?
* What do I desperately need God to teach me?
LINKS:
Why Did Christ Have To Die?
Chaim Potok
bottom line: Embracing Jesus' death will free us to really live.
soul journey
John 10:7-10
7 Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Eugene Peterson recounts a story about one of my favorite novelists, Chaim Potok. Chaim had always dreamed of becoming a writer. With his mind made up, he had pieced together a plan for pursuing his dream.
Shortly before departing for college, his mother pulled him aside. "Chaim," she said, "I have an idea for you, even better than becoming a writer. Become a brain surgeon. You will keep a lot of people from dying and you will make a lot of money."
"I want to be a writer," Chaim responded.
On numerous occasions, he and his mom would rehash this same conversation. She would try to convince him to become a brain surgeon so he could "keep a lot of people from dying" and "make a lot of money." Chaim would steadfastly refuse, repeating that writing was his passion.
Finally, on one tense day, Chaim's mother ratcheted up the pressure and forcefully stressed how he was wasting his life and should be a "brain surgeon to keep lots of people from dying and would make lots of money."
Chaim's emotion surfaced as he responded intensely, "Mama, I don't want to keep people from dying. I want to show them how to live!"
I think Jesus resonated with the same passion of Chaim's words. Jesus did not leave heaven and enter human history merely to counteract the result of our sinful rebellion against Him. Jesus did not endure the agony of the cross just to cancel out the effects of the spiritual death our sin imposed upon us. As powerful as the reality of Jesus' winning our forgiveness is, He viewed His sacrifice more as a first step, willingly done so He could provide something more.
The mission of Jesus is not only to provide an antidote for the poison of sin we have drunk. He also wants to redeem our hearts to create within us the capacity for all the joy and pleasure He has intended for us since creation. Jesus came to show us how to live. --Winn Collier
DESTINATION POINTS
* What do I normally consider when I ponder the question of why Jesus died?
* How does Jesus' desire to teach me how to live resonate with me?
* What do I desperately need God to teach me?
LINKS:
Why Did Christ Have To Die?
Chaim Potok
bottom line: Embracing Jesus' death will free us to really live.
soul journey
Monday, January 03, 2005
STAY IN TRAINING
2 Peter 1:3-9
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
A year ago, the top-ranked college football team in America was soundly beaten in a conference championship game. The Oklahoma Sooners lost their bid for an undefeated season and the chance at a clear-cut national championship. The Kansas State Wildcats gained new prestige and respect with their upset victory. Bill Snyder, the K-State coach, praised his team for their tenacity, saying that "they just kept playing. You have to play four quarters against a team like Oklahoma."
While taking nothing away from the Wildcats' convincing win, a sportscaster covering the game noted how difficult it was for Oklahoma to maintain its focus and discipline. "When people keep patting you on the back and telling you how wonderful you are," he said, "it's easy to stop lifting weights and doing all the things you have to do in training to play and win."
If people commend us for our faith and Christian outreach, it's not long before we're tempted to discard some basic spiritual disciplines. But in the locker room of life, "Coach" Peter has a word for us: STAY IN TRAINING! "Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love" (2 Peter 1:5-7).
The key to being effective and productive followers of Jesus is to "possess these qualities in increasing measure" (v.8). The goal is not to arrive, but to keep going; not to possess but to progress. As a friend used to say: "When we think we're green, we'll grow; when we think we're ripe, we'll rot."
A compliment received as encouragement goes to our heart and spurs us on. Kudos received as praise go to our head and tell us to relax. Peter called us to stay alive and grow through fellowship with Jesus each day. "Add to your faith . . . in increasing measure." Stay in training! --Dave McCasland
DESTINATION POINTS
* How can I tell if I'm growing as a Christian?
* What previous spiritual discipline have I relaxed or abandoned?
* Which quality in 2 Peter 1:5-7 will I ask the Lord to build into my life this week?
bottom line: It's a victory to stay in training.
soul journey
2 Peter 1:3-9
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
A year ago, the top-ranked college football team in America was soundly beaten in a conference championship game. The Oklahoma Sooners lost their bid for an undefeated season and the chance at a clear-cut national championship. The Kansas State Wildcats gained new prestige and respect with their upset victory. Bill Snyder, the K-State coach, praised his team for their tenacity, saying that "they just kept playing. You have to play four quarters against a team like Oklahoma."
While taking nothing away from the Wildcats' convincing win, a sportscaster covering the game noted how difficult it was for Oklahoma to maintain its focus and discipline. "When people keep patting you on the back and telling you how wonderful you are," he said, "it's easy to stop lifting weights and doing all the things you have to do in training to play and win."
If people commend us for our faith and Christian outreach, it's not long before we're tempted to discard some basic spiritual disciplines. But in the locker room of life, "Coach" Peter has a word for us: STAY IN TRAINING! "Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love" (2 Peter 1:5-7).
The key to being effective and productive followers of Jesus is to "possess these qualities in increasing measure" (v.8). The goal is not to arrive, but to keep going; not to possess but to progress. As a friend used to say: "When we think we're green, we'll grow; when we think we're ripe, we'll rot."
A compliment received as encouragement goes to our heart and spurs us on. Kudos received as praise go to our head and tell us to relax. Peter called us to stay alive and grow through fellowship with Jesus each day. "Add to your faith . . . in increasing measure." Stay in training! --Dave McCasland
DESTINATION POINTS
* How can I tell if I'm growing as a Christian?
* What previous spiritual discipline have I relaxed or abandoned?
* Which quality in 2 Peter 1:5-7 will I ask the Lord to build into my life this week?
bottom line: It's a victory to stay in training.
soul journey
Sunday, January 02, 2005
E-GOSSIP
John 8:42-47
42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on My own; but He sent me. 43 Why is My language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me! 46 Can any of you prove Me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe Me? 47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
Okay. I've had it. I'm tired of being the resident cynic in my Internet community. But I'm also tired of receiving e-mails that are lies being circulated as prayer requests or dressed in some other religious disguise.
Some of the e-mails are gut-wrenching stories about individuals in need of prayer. Others are warnings about people, products, or political foes. Some are inspirational. But nearly all are infused with untruth.
Whenever I receive a suspicious e-mail, I check it out. It takes less than a minute to go to google.com and type in a few key search words. Within seconds I can log onto Web sites like snopes.com or truthorfiction.com. If the e-mail is false, I reply to the sender with a link to the Web site hosting the information, which has been compiled by someone who has taken the time to find out the truth.
No one wants to spread a false story, but spreading rumors is now so easy that we can disseminate false information to our entire address book by simply hitting "forward." It seems like an innocent pastime to many people. But is it?
When we're careless about truth, we slowly but surely dismantle our own credibility. Why would anyone believe what we say about spiritual matters--like Jesus and His incarnation and resurrection--when we spread rumors without bothering to find out if they're false, proving that we have little regard for truth?
Someone might argue that circulating falsehoods in e-mails is harmless and unimportant. But let's consider a few things the Bible has to say: "The righteous hate what is false" (Proverbs 13:5). Jesus referred to the devil as the father of lies (John 8:44). Christians have no business being his accomplice.
If we want people to believe us when it comes to the important matters of salvation and eternity, we can't afford to sacrifice our credibility for false rumors, no matter how compelling or convincing they seem. --Julie Ackerman Link
DESTINATION POINTS
* In what ways do I convey to people that truth isn't really important?
* What are some of the dangers of becoming careless with the truth?
* Why is truth so important to God?
LINKS:Urban Legend Reference Pages
bottom line: If truth matters, don't circulate lies.
soul journey
John 8:42-47
42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on My own; but He sent me. 43 Why is My language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me! 46 Can any of you prove Me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe Me? 47 He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
Okay. I've had it. I'm tired of being the resident cynic in my Internet community. But I'm also tired of receiving e-mails that are lies being circulated as prayer requests or dressed in some other religious disguise.
Some of the e-mails are gut-wrenching stories about individuals in need of prayer. Others are warnings about people, products, or political foes. Some are inspirational. But nearly all are infused with untruth.
Whenever I receive a suspicious e-mail, I check it out. It takes less than a minute to go to google.com and type in a few key search words. Within seconds I can log onto Web sites like snopes.com or truthorfiction.com. If the e-mail is false, I reply to the sender with a link to the Web site hosting the information, which has been compiled by someone who has taken the time to find out the truth.
No one wants to spread a false story, but spreading rumors is now so easy that we can disseminate false information to our entire address book by simply hitting "forward." It seems like an innocent pastime to many people. But is it?
When we're careless about truth, we slowly but surely dismantle our own credibility. Why would anyone believe what we say about spiritual matters--like Jesus and His incarnation and resurrection--when we spread rumors without bothering to find out if they're false, proving that we have little regard for truth?
Someone might argue that circulating falsehoods in e-mails is harmless and unimportant. But let's consider a few things the Bible has to say: "The righteous hate what is false" (Proverbs 13:5). Jesus referred to the devil as the father of lies (John 8:44). Christians have no business being his accomplice.
If we want people to believe us when it comes to the important matters of salvation and eternity, we can't afford to sacrifice our credibility for false rumors, no matter how compelling or convincing they seem. --Julie Ackerman Link
DESTINATION POINTS
* In what ways do I convey to people that truth isn't really important?
* What are some of the dangers of becoming careless with the truth?
* Why is truth so important to God?
LINKS:Urban Legend Reference Pages
bottom line: If truth matters, don't circulate lies.
soul journey
Saturday, January 01, 2005
DOG DAYS?
Psalm 8:3-9
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, 4 what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? 5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
I hope you're sitting down for this story, because it's really weird. Last summer, news commentator Paul Harvey told his radio audience about a guy in Europe who had plastic surgery done so he could look like his dog.
Yes, this truly troubled individual got some doctors to agree to reshape his face so he would look more like his pug, Mojo. Apparently, he felt that his dog's face had some kind of character to it, and he wanted to imitate it. Good thing the man didn't have a pet iguana.
So what happened to this man after he was sculpted into dogdom? Well, first his wife decided to leave him. Then his boss fired him. But then the unkindest cut of all came when his dog, unable to recognize his master, refused to have anything to do with him.
Mr. Dogface is, in reality, not too different from most of us (well, except that none of the rest of us look like a pug). We all seem to have within us this tendency to be unhappy with ourselves. Too fat. Too thin. Not smart enough. Too brainy. Too this. Not enough that.
Seriously, though, in this era when extreme makeovers don't just mean buying a new outfit, we have been duped into thinking that we cannot be happy with who we are. We have been led to think that we have to be part fashion model and part famous actor or we are all messed up.
Maybe it's time to review. We are each made in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). We are each formed specifically by God (Psalm 139). He has given us everything we need to serve Him (2 Peter 1:3). Jesus Himself prayed for us (John 17:20), and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).
Go ahead. Look in the mirror. What you see is a person in process, being made by God into the individual He wants you to become. Rejoice in the good He has done and is doing in you. --Dave Branon
DESTINATION POINTS
* When I say "I don't like myself," who is the one I'm really criticizing?
* What about myself do I need to change--not cosmetically but in my inner being?
LINKS:
Self-Esteem
bottom line: I am special to the great "I AM."
soul journey
Psalm 8:3-9
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, 4 what is man that You are mindful of him, the son of man that You care for him? 5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You put everything under his feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
I hope you're sitting down for this story, because it's really weird. Last summer, news commentator Paul Harvey told his radio audience about a guy in Europe who had plastic surgery done so he could look like his dog.
Yes, this truly troubled individual got some doctors to agree to reshape his face so he would look more like his pug, Mojo. Apparently, he felt that his dog's face had some kind of character to it, and he wanted to imitate it. Good thing the man didn't have a pet iguana.
So what happened to this man after he was sculpted into dogdom? Well, first his wife decided to leave him. Then his boss fired him. But then the unkindest cut of all came when his dog, unable to recognize his master, refused to have anything to do with him.
Mr. Dogface is, in reality, not too different from most of us (well, except that none of the rest of us look like a pug). We all seem to have within us this tendency to be unhappy with ourselves. Too fat. Too thin. Not smart enough. Too brainy. Too this. Not enough that.
Seriously, though, in this era when extreme makeovers don't just mean buying a new outfit, we have been duped into thinking that we cannot be happy with who we are. We have been led to think that we have to be part fashion model and part famous actor or we are all messed up.
Maybe it's time to review. We are each made in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27). We are each formed specifically by God (Psalm 139). He has given us everything we need to serve Him (2 Peter 1:3). Jesus Himself prayed for us (John 17:20), and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).
Go ahead. Look in the mirror. What you see is a person in process, being made by God into the individual He wants you to become. Rejoice in the good He has done and is doing in you. --Dave Branon
DESTINATION POINTS
* When I say "I don't like myself," who is the one I'm really criticizing?
* What about myself do I need to change--not cosmetically but in my inner being?
LINKS:
Self-Esteem
bottom line: I am special to the great "I AM."
soul journey