The Greatest Among You
John Fischer
Leaders who don’t lord it over, but serve those they lead, will change the world through the people they serve.
Our democratic, capitalistic society has always rewarded those who rise to the top with money, power, glory and independence. But the big question is what they do when they get there. Do they drive big cars, have lots of servants, push people around and live to read about it in the paper the next day? This image is so prevalent that we have come to expect it from star athletes, entertainment celebrities, CEOs, and your average everyday lottery winner. We know what to expect.
But leaders like this don’t change anyone, other than to make them jealous or resentful.
Consider Jesus — one who could have had the world at His feet, instead, got down on His hands and knees at the feet of those He was leading. He could have had riches and He chose to be poor. He commanded all power, but used it to heal the sick. He could have been known far and wide, but He chose to remain obscure. The only kings He ever entertained visited Him when He was but a child, before anyone knew who He was. He could have come down from the cross and brought hell to pay on His accusers, but he chose to stay there and die for us.
And what did He say about leadership? “The greatest among you must be a servant” (Matthew 23:11). Of course He would say this because this is what He did, and how can anyone be greater than He? If you are filling any kind of leadership position, from assistant soccer coach to CEO, think about how you can serve those you lead.
I once had the privilege of meeting two brothers who own a manufacturing company in the Midwest. These guys walk among their people. They don’t throw their weight around; they throw themselves around, meeting all the needs they can. They are committed to the families of their employees and provide counseling services for those with more serious problems. They rarely fire anyone; if there’s a problem, they try and fix it. They take personal responsibility for the welfare of every family. They go to bed at night wondering how everybody is. Every Christmas, they throw a banquet for their employees and their families, followed by an overnight stay at a local hotel with an indoor swimming pool. (Believe me, in rural Nebraska, in December, that’s a pretty big deal.) They are following Christ’s model of leadership, and they are making a difference in the lives of the people they serve.
Let’s think about those we’re serving today and how they are doing. How can we make it better for them?
PDL
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Monday, May 30, 2005
SMALL STUFF
Matthew 25:14-21
14 It will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. "Master" he said, "you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more." 21 His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things."
Sixty-three years ago, a young girl received a diary for her 13th birthday. Nothing special, right? Perhaps not, at the time. But that young girl was Anne Frank, and her diary has gone on to move and inspire generations of readers in some 30 languages.
The Diary of Anne Frank reveals the teenager's thoughts and feelings, fears and frustrations, at having to live in hiding from the Nazis for nearly 2 years. Anne's writing is a snapshot of what was happening in the world around her, and of her hope amid hatred and terror. And we still have it with us today--all because of Anne's faithfulness in the little thing of keeping a diary.
Small stuff can make a big difference--and that's not just something we learn from Anne Frank. Jesus taught His followers that lesson in Matthew 25. He told a parable about a rich man who gave his servants responsibility for some of his money while he was away. The servant who put his small amount of money to the best use was rewarded with ten times the authority and responsibility. His boss came back and told him, "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things" (v.21).
Life sometimes gets bogged down in lots of small stuff that doesn't seem to matter: running errands, getting that last bit of homework done, cleaning the bathroom (again). But those little things add up. Through them we learn responsibility, how to take care of the things that have been entrusted to us. God wants to see how we handle what He has given us today--to find out if we'll be able to handle bigger responsibilities down the road.
And maybe, if we prove faithful, we'll hear what that servant in Jesus' parable heard: "Well done, good and faithful servant!" --Tracy Carbaugh
destination
points
* What are some "small things" that seem to be insignificant to me now? What are some big lessons I could be learning through those small things?
* What should be my goal in being faithful with my small responsibilities today?
LINKS:
Dad's Pencil
http://www.christianitytoday.com/money/articles/stewardship.html
Anne Frank Center
http://www.annefrank.com
bottom line: Small stuff makes a big difference.
soul journey
Matthew 25:14-21
14 It will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. "Master" he said, "you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more." 21 His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things."
Sixty-three years ago, a young girl received a diary for her 13th birthday. Nothing special, right? Perhaps not, at the time. But that young girl was Anne Frank, and her diary has gone on to move and inspire generations of readers in some 30 languages.
The Diary of Anne Frank reveals the teenager's thoughts and feelings, fears and frustrations, at having to live in hiding from the Nazis for nearly 2 years. Anne's writing is a snapshot of what was happening in the world around her, and of her hope amid hatred and terror. And we still have it with us today--all because of Anne's faithfulness in the little thing of keeping a diary.
Small stuff can make a big difference--and that's not just something we learn from Anne Frank. Jesus taught His followers that lesson in Matthew 25. He told a parable about a rich man who gave his servants responsibility for some of his money while he was away. The servant who put his small amount of money to the best use was rewarded with ten times the authority and responsibility. His boss came back and told him, "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things" (v.21).
Life sometimes gets bogged down in lots of small stuff that doesn't seem to matter: running errands, getting that last bit of homework done, cleaning the bathroom (again). But those little things add up. Through them we learn responsibility, how to take care of the things that have been entrusted to us. God wants to see how we handle what He has given us today--to find out if we'll be able to handle bigger responsibilities down the road.
And maybe, if we prove faithful, we'll hear what that servant in Jesus' parable heard: "Well done, good and faithful servant!" --Tracy Carbaugh
destination
points
* What are some "small things" that seem to be insignificant to me now? What are some big lessons I could be learning through those small things?
* What should be my goal in being faithful with my small responsibilities today?
LINKS:
Dad's Pencil
http://www.christianitytoday.com/money/articles/stewardship.html
Anne Frank Center
http://www.annefrank.com
bottom line: Small stuff makes a big difference.
soul journey
Sunday, May 29, 2005
DARK SIDE OF CHIMPS
Mark 7:14-23
14 Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, "Listen to Me. . . . 15 Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.' . . . " 17 After He had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples asked Him about this parable. 18 "Are you so dull?" He asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? 19 For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.") 20 He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' 21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'"
National Geographic aired a disturbing program called The Dark Side of Chimps. Most of us think of chimpanzees as funny performers in an animal act. But out in the wild, things are very different. In the jungle they develop a taste for raw meat--even human flesh. In fact, in the documentary, male chimps were seen literally trying to "rob the cradle." Fortunately, an alert older brother called for help and the villagers were able to rescue his baby sister from the clutches of a hungry male chimp.
Sharpshooters with bloodhounds and scoped rifles were brought in to hunt down the chimpanzee. When the renegade chimp's body was sent to scientists for autopsy, the villagers were troubled to hear that he was completely normal. No brain tumor or other malady drove him to seek out humans as a source of food.
It is interesting that National Geographic would call their program The Dark Side of Chimps. What the program chronicled was a wild animal seeking out a food source.But when it comes to people, "the dark side" rings true because it refers to the moral evil in the human heart (Mark 7:21-23).
In 1961 Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi engineer of the death camps, was put on trial for war crimes. One of his former victims, who saw him in court, was overcome with emotion. He said, "This Eichmann was an ordinary man . . . . I saw that I am capable to do this. I am exactly like him." Eichmann was a human being, and you and I are as capable of sin as he was!
But the universal reality of human sin has a remedy. Jesus died and rose from the grave to redeem us from the penalty and the power of sin. The dark side shouldn't be rationalized away but submitted to God for redemption. For the spiritual seeker this means believing the gospel. For the believer it means living it. --Dennis Fisher
destination
points
* Jesus showed compassion to sinners and outcasts, yet He talked about evil in the human heart (Mark 7:14-23). How can I imitate His example?
* Who are the people I know who need to hear the good news?
* What sinful attitude or action do I need to confess to God to experience His cleansing? (1 John 1:9).
LINKS:
Nat'l Geographic Channel USA
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel/
Jane Goodall Institute
http://www.discoverchimpanzees.org
bottom line: The gospel cures the dark side of the heart.
soul journey
Mark 7:14-23
14 Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, "Listen to Me. . . . 15 Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.' . . . " 17 After He had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples asked Him about this parable. 18 "Are you so dull?" He asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? 19 For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.") 20 He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' 21 For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'"
National Geographic aired a disturbing program called The Dark Side of Chimps. Most of us think of chimpanzees as funny performers in an animal act. But out in the wild, things are very different. In the jungle they develop a taste for raw meat--even human flesh. In fact, in the documentary, male chimps were seen literally trying to "rob the cradle." Fortunately, an alert older brother called for help and the villagers were able to rescue his baby sister from the clutches of a hungry male chimp.
Sharpshooters with bloodhounds and scoped rifles were brought in to hunt down the chimpanzee. When the renegade chimp's body was sent to scientists for autopsy, the villagers were troubled to hear that he was completely normal. No brain tumor or other malady drove him to seek out humans as a source of food.
It is interesting that National Geographic would call their program The Dark Side of Chimps. What the program chronicled was a wild animal seeking out a food source.But when it comes to people, "the dark side" rings true because it refers to the moral evil in the human heart (Mark 7:21-23).
In 1961 Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi engineer of the death camps, was put on trial for war crimes. One of his former victims, who saw him in court, was overcome with emotion. He said, "This Eichmann was an ordinary man . . . . I saw that I am capable to do this. I am exactly like him." Eichmann was a human being, and you and I are as capable of sin as he was!
But the universal reality of human sin has a remedy. Jesus died and rose from the grave to redeem us from the penalty and the power of sin. The dark side shouldn't be rationalized away but submitted to God for redemption. For the spiritual seeker this means believing the gospel. For the believer it means living it. --Dennis Fisher
destination
points
* Jesus showed compassion to sinners and outcasts, yet He talked about evil in the human heart (Mark 7:14-23). How can I imitate His example?
* Who are the people I know who need to hear the good news?
* What sinful attitude or action do I need to confess to God to experience His cleansing? (1 John 1:9).
LINKS:
Nat'l Geographic Channel USA
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel/
Jane Goodall Institute
http://www.discoverchimpanzees.org
bottom line: The gospel cures the dark side of the heart.
soul journey
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Pharisees -- Oh, Please!
Dan Betzer
Almost all of the commoners loved Jesus. However, the Pharisees did not think much of Him. They were the meanest people in town and still are today.
I ran across one just today, which is the reason why the subject is fresh on my mind. Pharisees are people who have a set idea on what constitutes spirituality and may God have mercy on anyone who disagrees with them. They are legalists. Ask one what time it is and he will tell you how to make a watch. His prayers are self-serving sermons. You can spot one immediately: a measuring stick in one hand, a pair of binoculars in the other, and a huge plank sticking out of one or both eyes.
I have been using the pronoun "he," but Pharisees can be females as well. A Pharisee knows little about love; he majors in law. He does not show much grace because he is such a grump, that self-appointed "Lone Ranger" of the public good. Very few want his particular brand of religion and we had better know that he resents that.
The Pharisee so desperately wants to catch someone in an adulterous situation. He spends his whole life checking what others wear, measuring hemlines, burning records or tapes, and going into fainting spells at the sight of a Christian having a good time. Pharisees were always successful in Scouts because of expertise at tying knots. Overkill is a Pharisee's secret to success. He hunts hummingbirds with nuclear missiles. He fishes for Bluegill with grenades.
Alexander Pope once wrote, "The worst of madmen is a saint gone mad!" I believe it! What Pharisees do to people and churches is sinful. How does one deal with such people? Ignore them and remember that Jesus is loving, kind, understanding, considerate--and never condemning.
cbn
Dan Betzer
Almost all of the commoners loved Jesus. However, the Pharisees did not think much of Him. They were the meanest people in town and still are today.
I ran across one just today, which is the reason why the subject is fresh on my mind. Pharisees are people who have a set idea on what constitutes spirituality and may God have mercy on anyone who disagrees with them. They are legalists. Ask one what time it is and he will tell you how to make a watch. His prayers are self-serving sermons. You can spot one immediately: a measuring stick in one hand, a pair of binoculars in the other, and a huge plank sticking out of one or both eyes.
I have been using the pronoun "he," but Pharisees can be females as well. A Pharisee knows little about love; he majors in law. He does not show much grace because he is such a grump, that self-appointed "Lone Ranger" of the public good. Very few want his particular brand of religion and we had better know that he resents that.
The Pharisee so desperately wants to catch someone in an adulterous situation. He spends his whole life checking what others wear, measuring hemlines, burning records or tapes, and going into fainting spells at the sight of a Christian having a good time. Pharisees were always successful in Scouts because of expertise at tying knots. Overkill is a Pharisee's secret to success. He hunts hummingbirds with nuclear missiles. He fishes for Bluegill with grenades.
Alexander Pope once wrote, "The worst of madmen is a saint gone mad!" I believe it! What Pharisees do to people and churches is sinful. How does one deal with such people? Ignore them and remember that Jesus is loving, kind, understanding, considerate--and never condemning.
cbn
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Priorities, Priorities
Ruth Waff
Life is interesting. God has a way of showing us things in the midst of daily life experiences.
Chatting online with a friend, I said, "We should get together to do something fun -- play a game, sing, or whatever. We haven't done that in a long time." She jokingly responded, "Fun? What is that? Who has time for fun anyway?" Nothing came out of it. No fun… no time.
In my mind I thought, We make time for the things we really want to do. When it comes down to it, it is all a matter of priorities. In all honesty, I felt a little hurt. If we can't make time for a friend every now and then, how important is the friendship?
Later in the day, the thought popped back into my mind. I said, "Lord, I need to have fun sometimes. Life is so intense with work and obligations. I need a friend who can spend time with me."
That's when I heard the words as clear as day: "SO DO I." It was a very unexpected reply. Suddenly, I realized that I keep giving the Lord the same excuses for not spending quality time with Him. I'm too busy. The day flies by and it is too late to take some quiet time. In the morning, it gets too rushed too often.
"Priorities, priorities… if I'm as important to you as you claim, you would want to spend time with Me a whole lot more."
So there it goes. I stand corrected by my own measuring rule. I'm sorry, Lord. I must really hurt you a lot with my constant excuses. Help me to change my priorities so You will know how important You are to me. I know You don't condemn me, but I sure want to please You.
Once again, in the midst of the daily hustle and bustle, the Lord took time to teach me something. Now is time for action. Join me; let us get our priorities straight. We can use the ultimate guide for priority setting: God's Word. Listen to Jesus:
Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends (Revelation 3:20. NLT).
cbn
Ruth Waff
Life is interesting. God has a way of showing us things in the midst of daily life experiences.
Chatting online with a friend, I said, "We should get together to do something fun -- play a game, sing, or whatever. We haven't done that in a long time." She jokingly responded, "Fun? What is that? Who has time for fun anyway?" Nothing came out of it. No fun… no time.
In my mind I thought, We make time for the things we really want to do. When it comes down to it, it is all a matter of priorities. In all honesty, I felt a little hurt. If we can't make time for a friend every now and then, how important is the friendship?
Later in the day, the thought popped back into my mind. I said, "Lord, I need to have fun sometimes. Life is so intense with work and obligations. I need a friend who can spend time with me."
That's when I heard the words as clear as day: "SO DO I." It was a very unexpected reply. Suddenly, I realized that I keep giving the Lord the same excuses for not spending quality time with Him. I'm too busy. The day flies by and it is too late to take some quiet time. In the morning, it gets too rushed too often.
"Priorities, priorities… if I'm as important to you as you claim, you would want to spend time with Me a whole lot more."
So there it goes. I stand corrected by my own measuring rule. I'm sorry, Lord. I must really hurt you a lot with my constant excuses. Help me to change my priorities so You will know how important You are to me. I know You don't condemn me, but I sure want to please You.
Once again, in the midst of the daily hustle and bustle, the Lord took time to teach me something. Now is time for action. Join me; let us get our priorities straight. We can use the ultimate guide for priority setting: God's Word. Listen to Jesus:
Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends (Revelation 3:20. NLT).
cbn
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Caring Enough to Ask
John Fischer
If you should see someone alone and crying on a bus — or anywhere else, for that matter — you might want to consider asking that person what’s wrong. That simple act of concern may be enough to save a life. It would have been enough to keep John Kevin Hines from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge four years ago. As it turned out, he lived to tell about it anyway.
Halfway through his four-second, 220-foot plunge into 50° water, with his nineteen-year-old life flashing before him, Hines found himself thinking, “What did I just do? I don’t want to die.” His youth and excellent physical condition were what helped him be one of the few to survive the popular suicide leap — that, and his newfound determination to live.
A struggling bi-polar mental patient, he had been in the severe grip of depression a number of times, as he has since his jump, but his survival has given him a newfound sense of purpose in his life: to help prevent others from trying what he calls “a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”
“I was supposed to die,” he said. “I wanted to die. Every day that jump prompts me to ask, ‘Who am I? Why am I?’” For John Kevin, having a purpose in life is what keeps him alive now.
A most revealing part of his story is what we would do well to reflect upon today. He relates that on the morning of his attempt, he kissed his father good-by and boarded a bus to the bridge, crying most of the way. On the bus, he told himself that if anyone asked him what was wrong, he wouldn’t jump. No one did.
He had only one human encounter on that fateful trip, and it was on the bridge itself just prior to jumping. After 40 minutes at the railing, crying and wrestling with his demons, a tourist stopped and asked if he would take her picture. He did, and as she walked off he thought, “That’s it. I’m going. Nobody cares.”
It’s so easy to say someone else’s problems are “none of my business,” but nothing could be more wrong. We are all each other’s business. Just a simple acknowledgment of someone else’s pain was all Mr. Hines bargained for with his life. He wouldn’t have even asked someone to solve anything. Just care enough to ask.
Quotes are taken from “A Jump Survivor’s Bridge to Activism,” The Los Angeles Times, May 23, 2005, p. A1.
PDL
John Fischer
If you should see someone alone and crying on a bus — or anywhere else, for that matter — you might want to consider asking that person what’s wrong. That simple act of concern may be enough to save a life. It would have been enough to keep John Kevin Hines from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge four years ago. As it turned out, he lived to tell about it anyway.
Halfway through his four-second, 220-foot plunge into 50° water, with his nineteen-year-old life flashing before him, Hines found himself thinking, “What did I just do? I don’t want to die.” His youth and excellent physical condition were what helped him be one of the few to survive the popular suicide leap — that, and his newfound determination to live.
A struggling bi-polar mental patient, he had been in the severe grip of depression a number of times, as he has since his jump, but his survival has given him a newfound sense of purpose in his life: to help prevent others from trying what he calls “a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”
“I was supposed to die,” he said. “I wanted to die. Every day that jump prompts me to ask, ‘Who am I? Why am I?’” For John Kevin, having a purpose in life is what keeps him alive now.
A most revealing part of his story is what we would do well to reflect upon today. He relates that on the morning of his attempt, he kissed his father good-by and boarded a bus to the bridge, crying most of the way. On the bus, he told himself that if anyone asked him what was wrong, he wouldn’t jump. No one did.
He had only one human encounter on that fateful trip, and it was on the bridge itself just prior to jumping. After 40 minutes at the railing, crying and wrestling with his demons, a tourist stopped and asked if he would take her picture. He did, and as she walked off he thought, “That’s it. I’m going. Nobody cares.”
It’s so easy to say someone else’s problems are “none of my business,” but nothing could be more wrong. We are all each other’s business. Just a simple acknowledgment of someone else’s pain was all Mr. Hines bargained for with his life. He wouldn’t have even asked someone to solve anything. Just care enough to ask.
Quotes are taken from “A Jump Survivor’s Bridge to Activism,” The Los Angeles Times, May 23, 2005, p. A1.
PDL
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
CONDENSING GOD
Psalm 62:5-12
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Selah 9 Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. 10 Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11 One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that You, O God, are strong, 12 and that You, O Lord, are loving. Surely You will reward each person according to what he has done.
When I worked as a youth director, I attempted to write a training course that covered the essentials of salvation, forgiveness, prayer, Bible study, and the rest. I thought it was important to begin with God--who He is and what He's like. So I set out to write a chapter on the great I AM.
I failed.
Each attempt to condense God seemed to treat Him incompletely. I started with concepts like God's omnipotence (His all-encompassing power), omniscience (His ability to know everything), omnipresence (His ability to be everywhere at once), and immutability (His perfect, unchanging nature). These were important, but what about His character--His loving and forgiving nature, yet His awesome holiness and His judgment? Then what about the Trinity--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? My single chapter turned into two, then three . . .
I wish I'd stumbled across Psalm 62 then. "If there are two things I know about God," King David said in this song, "it's that He's strong and loving."
Strong and loving.
God is strong: Just look at this world. With a few words He created the universe with an explosion perfectly monitored in force. With too little velocity, the universe would have collapsed back on itself shortly after the explosion. With too much velocity, matter would have streaked away so fast that galaxies and solar systems wouldn't have been able to form.
God is loving: He's a God who filled this earth with color, fragrance, and puppies (a very loving addition, I say); a God who is concerned about the widow and the fatherless (Psalm 68:5-6); a God who created an elaborate plan of redemption to save you and me from the penalty system He Himself put in place (Romans 3:21-26; 10:4).
God is strong and loving--the two constants I most need to remember, whether life is easy or difficult. Maybe I'll try writing that first chapter again. --Sheridan Voysey
destination
points
* How does God's strength and love make sense of life's "high" moments?
* How can these two aspects of God help me through pain?
LINKS:
How Has God Loved Us?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0102
bottom line: You can't condense God's strength and love.
soul journey
Psalm 62:5-12
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Selah 9 Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. 10 Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11 One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that You, O God, are strong, 12 and that You, O Lord, are loving. Surely You will reward each person according to what he has done.
When I worked as a youth director, I attempted to write a training course that covered the essentials of salvation, forgiveness, prayer, Bible study, and the rest. I thought it was important to begin with God--who He is and what He's like. So I set out to write a chapter on the great I AM.
I failed.
Each attempt to condense God seemed to treat Him incompletely. I started with concepts like God's omnipotence (His all-encompassing power), omniscience (His ability to know everything), omnipresence (His ability to be everywhere at once), and immutability (His perfect, unchanging nature). These were important, but what about His character--His loving and forgiving nature, yet His awesome holiness and His judgment? Then what about the Trinity--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? My single chapter turned into two, then three . . .
I wish I'd stumbled across Psalm 62 then. "If there are two things I know about God," King David said in this song, "it's that He's strong and loving."
Strong and loving.
God is strong: Just look at this world. With a few words He created the universe with an explosion perfectly monitored in force. With too little velocity, the universe would have collapsed back on itself shortly after the explosion. With too much velocity, matter would have streaked away so fast that galaxies and solar systems wouldn't have been able to form.
God is loving: He's a God who filled this earth with color, fragrance, and puppies (a very loving addition, I say); a God who is concerned about the widow and the fatherless (Psalm 68:5-6); a God who created an elaborate plan of redemption to save you and me from the penalty system He Himself put in place (Romans 3:21-26; 10:4).
God is strong and loving--the two constants I most need to remember, whether life is easy or difficult. Maybe I'll try writing that first chapter again. --Sheridan Voysey
destination
points
* How does God's strength and love make sense of life's "high" moments?
* How can these two aspects of God help me through pain?
LINKS:
How Has God Loved Us?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0102
bottom line: You can't condense God's strength and love.
soul journey
Monday, May 23, 2005
IT'S DARK
Isaiah 5:18-21
18 Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit, and wickedness as with cart ropes, 19 to those who say, "Let God hurry, let Him hasten His work so we may see it. Let it approach, let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come, so we may know it." 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Life takes on different shades when you view it through the eyes of a 2-year-old. With the help of our son Wyatt, I am seeing the world in a kaleidoscope of colors. Most days Wyatt will experience something new--something that is commonplace for those of us who have lived long enough for life to lose its sense of wonder. A few nights ago Wyatt discovered darkness.
We usually put Wyatt to bed around 8:00, and normally he is in his room before the sun closes up shop. At his age, cognitive memory stretches back only 3 or 4 months. So Wyatt did not remember seeing the world we call night.
I didn't realize this until we were driving home from a later than usual evening. Wyatt's attention was fixed out the window. After a bit of staring, he said slowly and deliberately, "Dark." His word was ripe with discovery.
When we got home, he insisted on going to the back door and looking out at his newfound world. He pressed his nose against the cool glass, peered out at black nothingness, where only the faintest hint of the trees' shadows swayed, and said with rapture, "Dark."
Later that night, as I went out on our back deck, the night felt different to me. It was the same, and yet it wasn't. I don't know how to describe it--it was eerie; it was fascinating. It was . . . well, dark. And I can't remember ever seeing dark the way I did at that moment.
It wasn't that I had never experienced darkness before--I experience it every day. It was just that darkness didn't quite seem like darkness to me anymore. I was like the people Isaiah spoke of, the ones who confuse God's light and sin's darkness, who allow them to mingle as if there is no true distinction (Isaiah 5:20).
The painful truth is that the fallen world is dark. Yet God is not. Seeing what is dark will help us to hope in what God is--light. --Winn Collier
destination
points
* Where do I see darkness in my world?
* How have I avoided acknowledging the darkness?
* How can I more fully hope in God's work in my world?
bottom line: See the dark, hope in the light.
soul journey
Isaiah 5:18-21
18 Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit, and wickedness as with cart ropes, 19 to those who say, "Let God hurry, let Him hasten His work so we may see it. Let it approach, let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come, so we may know it." 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
Life takes on different shades when you view it through the eyes of a 2-year-old. With the help of our son Wyatt, I am seeing the world in a kaleidoscope of colors. Most days Wyatt will experience something new--something that is commonplace for those of us who have lived long enough for life to lose its sense of wonder. A few nights ago Wyatt discovered darkness.
We usually put Wyatt to bed around 8:00, and normally he is in his room before the sun closes up shop. At his age, cognitive memory stretches back only 3 or 4 months. So Wyatt did not remember seeing the world we call night.
I didn't realize this until we were driving home from a later than usual evening. Wyatt's attention was fixed out the window. After a bit of staring, he said slowly and deliberately, "Dark." His word was ripe with discovery.
When we got home, he insisted on going to the back door and looking out at his newfound world. He pressed his nose against the cool glass, peered out at black nothingness, where only the faintest hint of the trees' shadows swayed, and said with rapture, "Dark."
Later that night, as I went out on our back deck, the night felt different to me. It was the same, and yet it wasn't. I don't know how to describe it--it was eerie; it was fascinating. It was . . . well, dark. And I can't remember ever seeing dark the way I did at that moment.
It wasn't that I had never experienced darkness before--I experience it every day. It was just that darkness didn't quite seem like darkness to me anymore. I was like the people Isaiah spoke of, the ones who confuse God's light and sin's darkness, who allow them to mingle as if there is no true distinction (Isaiah 5:20).
The painful truth is that the fallen world is dark. Yet God is not. Seeing what is dark will help us to hope in what God is--light. --Winn Collier
destination
points
* Where do I see darkness in my world?
* How have I avoided acknowledging the darkness?
* How can I more fully hope in God's work in my world?
bottom line: See the dark, hope in the light.
soul journey
Sunday, May 22, 2005
What Does God Like?
Read: Ephesians 5:15-21
Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. —Ephesians 5:18-19
Bible In One Year: Psalm 124-126
Some churches have become divided over styles of worship. One group may be insisting on a traditional service, while another is agitating for a more contemporary format.
We can all profit from a lesson a man learned on a business trip after attending a church service near his hotel. He talked with the pastor about how he had been blessed by the sermon, even though some of the worship time was not to his liking.
The pastor simply asked, "What was it you think God didn't like?" The man had the grace to reply, "I don't suppose there was anything He didn't like. I was talking about my own reaction. But worship isn't really about me, is it?"
We are entitled to our own preferences, and we must hold firmly to our biblical convictions. But before we voice our fault-finding opinions, let's seriously try to understand God's viewpoint. Consider Ephesians 5 in the light of worship: We are to be filled with the Spirit, speak to each other in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, give thanks to God, and submit to one another (vv.19,21).
Whatever the style of worship, as we express to God our praise for who He is and all He has done, we lift Him up and encourage others. That's what God likes. —Vernon Grounds
Let us celebrate together,
Lift our voice in one accord,
Singing of God's grace and mercy
And the goodness of the Lord. —Sper
At the heart of worship is worship from the heart.
daily bread
Read: Ephesians 5:15-21
Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. —Ephesians 5:18-19
Bible In One Year: Psalm 124-126
Some churches have become divided over styles of worship. One group may be insisting on a traditional service, while another is agitating for a more contemporary format.
We can all profit from a lesson a man learned on a business trip after attending a church service near his hotel. He talked with the pastor about how he had been blessed by the sermon, even though some of the worship time was not to his liking.
The pastor simply asked, "What was it you think God didn't like?" The man had the grace to reply, "I don't suppose there was anything He didn't like. I was talking about my own reaction. But worship isn't really about me, is it?"
We are entitled to our own preferences, and we must hold firmly to our biblical convictions. But before we voice our fault-finding opinions, let's seriously try to understand God's viewpoint. Consider Ephesians 5 in the light of worship: We are to be filled with the Spirit, speak to each other in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, give thanks to God, and submit to one another (vv.19,21).
Whatever the style of worship, as we express to God our praise for who He is and all He has done, we lift Him up and encourage others. That's what God likes. —Vernon Grounds
Let us celebrate together,
Lift our voice in one accord,
Singing of God's grace and mercy
And the goodness of the Lord. —Sper
At the heart of worship is worship from the heart.
daily bread
Saturday, May 21, 2005
THE GRAND PIANIST
2 Chronicles 26:16-2016 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. 18 They confronted him and said, "It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God." 19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord 's temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him.
Although I don't play any musical instrument, I always enjoy fine compositions written by accomplished musicians. Their creativity and mastery amaze me! Take the piano for example. It may appear to be a mere wooden structure with a row of black and white bars. But under the hands of a master pianist, it becomes alive, leading us into the world of the musician. We share their joy and sorrow, hope and anguish.
Whenever I watch and listen to an accomplished pianist play, I am reminded of the way God uses me as His instrument. I'm the piano and God is the grand pianist! Any good music that comes out of me and enriches the lives of others is due solely to the creativity and mastery of God Himself.
The first time I had to speak in front of a group, I was very nervous and afraid that I would say the wrong thing or say it incorrectly. I prayed desperately and asked God for help. After speaking a few times and having praises and affirmation showered on me, however, I started thinking I was pretty good and could do it on my own. I had forgotten that I am simply the piano. It is the Great Musician who produces good music in me.
Today we read about King Uzziah. After he became powerful, he also became proud and even sought to defy God's appointed priests. The Lord had to teach him a painful lesson. Although the writer of Chronicles had intended to teach Israel to remember and not reject God's rule in their lives, today's reading helps us to be humble before God and faithful to Him.
We are His instruments, and He is the one who chooses to work in and through us in the first place. May He create some beautiful music in us today. --Lim Chien Chong
destination
points
* What was it like when I first started doing something I was unfamiliar with? Did I gradually become proud when I got better at it?
* I will pray that God will make me humble and faithful.
bottom line: It is not how good we are but how great God is!
soul journey
2 Chronicles 26:16-2016 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. 18 They confronted him and said, "It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God." 19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord 's temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him.
Although I don't play any musical instrument, I always enjoy fine compositions written by accomplished musicians. Their creativity and mastery amaze me! Take the piano for example. It may appear to be a mere wooden structure with a row of black and white bars. But under the hands of a master pianist, it becomes alive, leading us into the world of the musician. We share their joy and sorrow, hope and anguish.
Whenever I watch and listen to an accomplished pianist play, I am reminded of the way God uses me as His instrument. I'm the piano and God is the grand pianist! Any good music that comes out of me and enriches the lives of others is due solely to the creativity and mastery of God Himself.
The first time I had to speak in front of a group, I was very nervous and afraid that I would say the wrong thing or say it incorrectly. I prayed desperately and asked God for help. After speaking a few times and having praises and affirmation showered on me, however, I started thinking I was pretty good and could do it on my own. I had forgotten that I am simply the piano. It is the Great Musician who produces good music in me.
Today we read about King Uzziah. After he became powerful, he also became proud and even sought to defy God's appointed priests. The Lord had to teach him a painful lesson. Although the writer of Chronicles had intended to teach Israel to remember and not reject God's rule in their lives, today's reading helps us to be humble before God and faithful to Him.
We are His instruments, and He is the one who chooses to work in and through us in the first place. May He create some beautiful music in us today. --Lim Chien Chong
destination
points
* What was it like when I first started doing something I was unfamiliar with? Did I gradually become proud when I got better at it?
* I will pray that God will make me humble and faithful.
bottom line: It is not how good we are but how great God is!
soul journey
Thursday, May 19, 2005
More Than What You Own
John Fischer
Tom Johnson was a relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins from 1974 to '78. A brilliant year in 1977 (16-7 with 15 saves) ran up against a torn rotator cuff in the shoulder of his throwing arm. Attempts to repair it and return failed. That was bad news for his baseball career, but ended up being good news for the kids of Bratislava, Slovakia.
Tom went on the earn a masters degree from a Christian university and serve as a pastor for 17 years until he got a vision for how his baseball skill and his spiritual gifts could combine to form a unique ministry in a former communist country in the throes of transition. He will now be conducting baseball camps in Slovakia nine months out of the year.
"It's a former communist country, the economy is in shambles, and they're trying to build a capitalist economy, trying to become democratic,” he said in a recent interview for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
He was compelled by the words of a high school teacher there: “The parents who grew up in communism are just trying to navigate this new life. They tell their kids that life is not about what you own, and the kids say, 'How would you know?' The parents have no answer…
We need people who grew up in an environment like the West to tell the kids that life is more than what you own."
Something tells me we could use the same message here. Life is more than what you own; it’s about finding your real purpose in life in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Maybe Tom can save those kids a few steps over there. “Look, we have all this stuff, and it’s not what you think!”
So there goes Tom Johnson, former pastor and Minnesota Twin turned Slovakian baseball coach. You never know what kind of unique opportunity can come out of the combination of skills and talents you have. For Tom it will be helping provide after-school activities for children who might otherwise wind up in gangs or on drugs. "I figure there are 50,000 people qualified to do what I'm doing at my church, and maybe a half-dozen capable and willing to do what I'm going to try to do there [in Slovakia]," he said.
"I'm not trying to put myself on a pedestal, but that's something I believe in very deeply. I can step into something unconventional, or play it safe. My faith compels me to step into something unconventional."
It sounds unconventional, but for Tom, it’s just God putting everything together and getting the most out of it — more than what he owns, that’s for sure.
Taken from an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune Sunday Sports Section, May 15, 2005.
PDL
John Fischer
Tom Johnson was a relief pitcher for the Minnesota Twins from 1974 to '78. A brilliant year in 1977 (16-7 with 15 saves) ran up against a torn rotator cuff in the shoulder of his throwing arm. Attempts to repair it and return failed. That was bad news for his baseball career, but ended up being good news for the kids of Bratislava, Slovakia.
Tom went on the earn a masters degree from a Christian university and serve as a pastor for 17 years until he got a vision for how his baseball skill and his spiritual gifts could combine to form a unique ministry in a former communist country in the throes of transition. He will now be conducting baseball camps in Slovakia nine months out of the year.
"It's a former communist country, the economy is in shambles, and they're trying to build a capitalist economy, trying to become democratic,” he said in a recent interview for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
He was compelled by the words of a high school teacher there: “The parents who grew up in communism are just trying to navigate this new life. They tell their kids that life is not about what you own, and the kids say, 'How would you know?' The parents have no answer…
We need people who grew up in an environment like the West to tell the kids that life is more than what you own."
Something tells me we could use the same message here. Life is more than what you own; it’s about finding your real purpose in life in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Maybe Tom can save those kids a few steps over there. “Look, we have all this stuff, and it’s not what you think!”
So there goes Tom Johnson, former pastor and Minnesota Twin turned Slovakian baseball coach. You never know what kind of unique opportunity can come out of the combination of skills and talents you have. For Tom it will be helping provide after-school activities for children who might otherwise wind up in gangs or on drugs. "I figure there are 50,000 people qualified to do what I'm doing at my church, and maybe a half-dozen capable and willing to do what I'm going to try to do there [in Slovakia]," he said.
"I'm not trying to put myself on a pedestal, but that's something I believe in very deeply. I can step into something unconventional, or play it safe. My faith compels me to step into something unconventional."
It sounds unconventional, but for Tom, it’s just God putting everything together and getting the most out of it — more than what he owns, that’s for sure.
Taken from an article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune Sunday Sports Section, May 15, 2005.
PDL
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Our Burden Bearer
Jennifer E. Jones
I’ve been to Sunday school enough times to know that God doesn’t take vacations. He doesn’t take a breather, and He doesn’t get much sleep. It’s a basic fact, but I recently found myself in the middle of trials doing the typical “God-where-are-you?” routine. It felt like I carried my troubles all alone without relief or even a glimmer of hope that the end was in sight. So, I asked, If God is here, then why isn’t He helping?
I was contemplating this the other day in my favorite place for deep thought – a bookstore with a cup of coffee in my hand. As I sat down in a Barnes and Noble near my apartment, my prime window spot was perfect for people watching. Sometimes watching the world takes your mind off yourself.
Before I could figure out which latte would lift my spirits, I noticed a young couple with a baby and a toddler walking out of the grocery store next door. They were all carrying bags – even the toddler. He held a package of diapers barely covered in plastic and dragging on the sidewalk.
He was trying his best to hold the bag up, but it was nearly as big as he was. After struggling, the boy and the bag when down to the ground, and I could see him mouthing “help” to his parents, who were several steps ahead of him by now.
If you’ve ever walked with a toddler anywhere, then you know that their little legs can significantly slow down the pace. I was expecting the father to take the bag from the child. Dad certainly wasn’t carrying that much. He seemed strong enough, and it would certainly speed things up.
Instead, his father stopped, put the diapers back in the bag, and helped the boy to his feet. When the child dropped the bag again seconds later, the father did the same. He didn’t scold the child for lagging behind. The third time he looped the boy’s arms through the handles of the bag so he could wear it like a backpack. The boy was all smiles as he walked steadily down the sidewalk.
I thought it was cute at first, but the wisdom in it resounded in my mind. Aren’t we a lot like this child? Whether we asked for it or it was given to us, sometimes we wind up carrying burdens that are too heavy or awkward to handle.
It would be so much simpler if God just took it from us, wouldn’t it? He could send a check in the mail, instantly heal our bodies, or mend our broken relationships. He’s God. That’s got to be nothing for the One who created the universe.
But instead, He lets us carry it. He walks right beside us and adjusts the burden just enough so that it’s bearable. It sounds cruel, but there’s a method here.
James 1:3 simply says that “the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (NIV). Trials sometimes serve no other purpose than to make us tougher. Every day you carry that burden, you’re a little bit stronger than you were the day before. On the surface, it seems sadistic, but in reality it’s the best spiritual fitness regiment you’ll ever be on.
An interesting addendum to this story is that the boy still couldn’t carry the bag on his back. It kept slipping off his tiny shoulders. His father then walked behind him with his hand gently holding the bag up.
You may still feel the burden on your shoulders, but it’s God who’s carrying the bulk of the weight. And it’s comforting to know that He’ll hold you up all the way home.
cbn
Jennifer E. Jones
I’ve been to Sunday school enough times to know that God doesn’t take vacations. He doesn’t take a breather, and He doesn’t get much sleep. It’s a basic fact, but I recently found myself in the middle of trials doing the typical “God-where-are-you?” routine. It felt like I carried my troubles all alone without relief or even a glimmer of hope that the end was in sight. So, I asked, If God is here, then why isn’t He helping?
I was contemplating this the other day in my favorite place for deep thought – a bookstore with a cup of coffee in my hand. As I sat down in a Barnes and Noble near my apartment, my prime window spot was perfect for people watching. Sometimes watching the world takes your mind off yourself.
Before I could figure out which latte would lift my spirits, I noticed a young couple with a baby and a toddler walking out of the grocery store next door. They were all carrying bags – even the toddler. He held a package of diapers barely covered in plastic and dragging on the sidewalk.
He was trying his best to hold the bag up, but it was nearly as big as he was. After struggling, the boy and the bag when down to the ground, and I could see him mouthing “help” to his parents, who were several steps ahead of him by now.
If you’ve ever walked with a toddler anywhere, then you know that their little legs can significantly slow down the pace. I was expecting the father to take the bag from the child. Dad certainly wasn’t carrying that much. He seemed strong enough, and it would certainly speed things up.
Instead, his father stopped, put the diapers back in the bag, and helped the boy to his feet. When the child dropped the bag again seconds later, the father did the same. He didn’t scold the child for lagging behind. The third time he looped the boy’s arms through the handles of the bag so he could wear it like a backpack. The boy was all smiles as he walked steadily down the sidewalk.
I thought it was cute at first, but the wisdom in it resounded in my mind. Aren’t we a lot like this child? Whether we asked for it or it was given to us, sometimes we wind up carrying burdens that are too heavy or awkward to handle.
It would be so much simpler if God just took it from us, wouldn’t it? He could send a check in the mail, instantly heal our bodies, or mend our broken relationships. He’s God. That’s got to be nothing for the One who created the universe.
But instead, He lets us carry it. He walks right beside us and adjusts the burden just enough so that it’s bearable. It sounds cruel, but there’s a method here.
James 1:3 simply says that “the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (NIV). Trials sometimes serve no other purpose than to make us tougher. Every day you carry that burden, you’re a little bit stronger than you were the day before. On the surface, it seems sadistic, but in reality it’s the best spiritual fitness regiment you’ll ever be on.
An interesting addendum to this story is that the boy still couldn’t carry the bag on his back. It kept slipping off his tiny shoulders. His father then walked behind him with his hand gently holding the bag up.
You may still feel the burden on your shoulders, but it’s God who’s carrying the bulk of the weight. And it’s comforting to know that He’ll hold you up all the way home.
cbn
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Thankful for the Gift
Doug Reese
I was invited to coach at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to help prepare our U.S. Women's Freestyle Wrestling Team for the upcoming world championships. I was thrilled and honored to have the opportunity go and coach our nation's best athletes at the USOTC.
I always love going to the Olympic Training Center. You feel the spirit of the Olympic movement. You are in an energy-charged, positive environment where countless athletes live and train to reach their goals and Olympic dreams. You catch a vision of what is possible to achieve in this place. I always come away with a fired up attitude.
While I was there, the best coaches and athletes this country has to offer were training in preparation for the Men's Freestyle World Championships and the Greco-Roman World Championships. The wrestling room was filled twice a day with the heroes and champions of the sport: Dan Gable, Bobby Douglass, Sergei Beloglazov, Steve Fraser, Kevin Jackson, Rulon Gardener, Tom and Terry Brands, Kendall Cross, Townsend Saunders, Cael Sanderson, Terry Steiner, Chris Bono, and Kenny Monday, to mention a few.
To say the least I felt out of place among this crowd. I hadn't won an Olympic medal or a world championship title. I hadn't won a NCAA title or even a high school state championship. There were other coaches who had achieved more, who deserved to be here more than I. They either were not asked to come, or they turned down the offer. I was asked by our national coach to come to this training camp. I was humbled, and I gladly accepted his offer.
Let me tell you, I have been blessed to be here. Although I don't deserve it, God has been gracious to me. I am very thankful for the gifts He has given me!
One morning before practice, as the wrestlers were warming up, I was thanking God for being here in the awesome environment. I told Him that I did not think I belonged here. He reminded me of Hebrews chapter 11.
The author of this book mentions the real heroes of our faith:
There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn't deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world.
(Hebrews 11:35-37, THE MESSAGE )
I was then reminded that I, too, was not worthy of my brothers who went before me. They put their lives on the line for their faith. These were the real heroes who trusted God even unto death.
And yet I was on the same team—God's team. Why? Because He invited me to come into His Kingdom, and then I accepted His invitation to come into my life. I wasn't recruited because of any great personal statistics or accomplishments. He just wanted me for who I was.
Let me tell you, I am continually blessed. Oh yes, there has been suffering, adversity, and hardships. But I know without a doubt God is in control. Although I don't deserve being on His team, God has been gracious to me. I am thankful for His training, and I am thankful for the gift of eternal life He has given me!
cbn
Doug Reese
I was invited to coach at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to help prepare our U.S. Women's Freestyle Wrestling Team for the upcoming world championships. I was thrilled and honored to have the opportunity go and coach our nation's best athletes at the USOTC.
I always love going to the Olympic Training Center. You feel the spirit of the Olympic movement. You are in an energy-charged, positive environment where countless athletes live and train to reach their goals and Olympic dreams. You catch a vision of what is possible to achieve in this place. I always come away with a fired up attitude.
While I was there, the best coaches and athletes this country has to offer were training in preparation for the Men's Freestyle World Championships and the Greco-Roman World Championships. The wrestling room was filled twice a day with the heroes and champions of the sport: Dan Gable, Bobby Douglass, Sergei Beloglazov, Steve Fraser, Kevin Jackson, Rulon Gardener, Tom and Terry Brands, Kendall Cross, Townsend Saunders, Cael Sanderson, Terry Steiner, Chris Bono, and Kenny Monday, to mention a few.
To say the least I felt out of place among this crowd. I hadn't won an Olympic medal or a world championship title. I hadn't won a NCAA title or even a high school state championship. There were other coaches who had achieved more, who deserved to be here more than I. They either were not asked to come, or they turned down the offer. I was asked by our national coach to come to this training camp. I was humbled, and I gladly accepted his offer.
Let me tell you, I have been blessed to be here. Although I don't deserve it, God has been gracious to me. I am very thankful for the gifts He has given me!
One morning before practice, as the wrestlers were warming up, I was thanking God for being here in the awesome environment. I told Him that I did not think I belonged here. He reminded me of Hebrews chapter 11.
The author of this book mentions the real heroes of our faith:
There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn't deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world.
(Hebrews 11:35-37, THE MESSAGE )
I was then reminded that I, too, was not worthy of my brothers who went before me. They put their lives on the line for their faith. These were the real heroes who trusted God even unto death.
And yet I was on the same team—God's team. Why? Because He invited me to come into His Kingdom, and then I accepted His invitation to come into my life. I wasn't recruited because of any great personal statistics or accomplishments. He just wanted me for who I was.
Let me tell you, I am continually blessed. Oh yes, there has been suffering, adversity, and hardships. But I know without a doubt God is in control. Although I don't deserve being on His team, God has been gracious to me. I am thankful for His training, and I am thankful for the gift of eternal life He has given me!
cbn
Monday, May 16, 2005
FALSE HISTORY
John 19:31-35
31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.
"History is written by the winners." This common mantra is repeated endlessly by many postmodern philosophers--some of whom are historians who believe that it is rare to find truly accurate historical accounts. They tell us that the "winners" controlled the flow of information and published whatever accounts were favorable to them--in other words, mere propaganda. For instance, it appears that many ancient Egyptian pharaohs typically ordered that their memorial hieroglyphics highlight great "victories," which were actually humiliating defeats.
It's true that historical accounts need to be carefully assessed, because many, in all likelihood, include both truth and falsehood. Good historians will be certain to examine all competing accounts and then consider them in the light of the present. Nazi historians, for instance, could make all the claims for ultimate victory they want, but the present tells the story: They lost.
History can also be assessed by examining the character and consistency of the witnesses. Such is the case for faith in the truthfulness of the Bible. Here, though, is a case of "losers" writing the history. Regardless of the overwhelming forces arrayed against the early followers of Jesus, who were unmercifully tortured by the winners, the truth of the resurrection of Jesus and the love of the Father were unstoppable forces.
One of those ancient persecuted "losers" was the apostle John, a tender and loving disciple of Jesus. In John 19, we hear a declaration of his that sounds a lot like a firm "yes" to the typical trial question: "Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" In this account, John asserts the truthfulness about the crucifixion of Jesus. Later, he and Peter and Paul, who were actually killed by the so-called winners, attest to Jesus' resurrection and ascension.
Two thousand years and millions of believers later, the historical fact about Jesus' victory over death is affirmed as none other. --Dean Ohlman
destination
points
* How carefully have I studied the history of biblical faith?
* Could belief in Jesus' resurrection have continued if it were not empowered by His Holy Spirit and lived out in the lives of His faithful followers?
* What have I observed of the sometimes twisted logic of modern historians?
LINKS:
10 Reasons To Believe Christ Rose From The Dead
http://www.rbc.net/rtb/8rsn
bottom line: Present reality affirms past reality.
soul journey
John 19:31-35
31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.
"History is written by the winners." This common mantra is repeated endlessly by many postmodern philosophers--some of whom are historians who believe that it is rare to find truly accurate historical accounts. They tell us that the "winners" controlled the flow of information and published whatever accounts were favorable to them--in other words, mere propaganda. For instance, it appears that many ancient Egyptian pharaohs typically ordered that their memorial hieroglyphics highlight great "victories," which were actually humiliating defeats.
It's true that historical accounts need to be carefully assessed, because many, in all likelihood, include both truth and falsehood. Good historians will be certain to examine all competing accounts and then consider them in the light of the present. Nazi historians, for instance, could make all the claims for ultimate victory they want, but the present tells the story: They lost.
History can also be assessed by examining the character and consistency of the witnesses. Such is the case for faith in the truthfulness of the Bible. Here, though, is a case of "losers" writing the history. Regardless of the overwhelming forces arrayed against the early followers of Jesus, who were unmercifully tortured by the winners, the truth of the resurrection of Jesus and the love of the Father were unstoppable forces.
One of those ancient persecuted "losers" was the apostle John, a tender and loving disciple of Jesus. In John 19, we hear a declaration of his that sounds a lot like a firm "yes" to the typical trial question: "Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" In this account, John asserts the truthfulness about the crucifixion of Jesus. Later, he and Peter and Paul, who were actually killed by the so-called winners, attest to Jesus' resurrection and ascension.
Two thousand years and millions of believers later, the historical fact about Jesus' victory over death is affirmed as none other. --Dean Ohlman
destination
points
* How carefully have I studied the history of biblical faith?
* Could belief in Jesus' resurrection have continued if it were not empowered by His Holy Spirit and lived out in the lives of His faithful followers?
* What have I observed of the sometimes twisted logic of modern historians?
LINKS:
10 Reasons To Believe Christ Rose From The Dead
http://www.rbc.net/rtb/8rsn
bottom line: Present reality affirms past reality.
soul journey
Sunday, May 15, 2005
ALL OF GRACE
2 Timothy 1:8-9
8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me His prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
If you could have been born in another place and time, where would you like to have been and at what point in history? I asked myself this recently and was surprised by my answer. (Yes, I talk to myself often, but the doctors say I'm making steady progress!) Thinking it through, I realized my first choice was to go back to the time of the apostle Paul, his conversion and later journeys. But something didn't add up. If you're going back nearly 2,000 years, I wondered to myself, why not go back just another 5 years to see Jesus' last year on earth?
Hmm, good question.
Just imagine being there when Paul is converted and the rumors that spread through the churches: "Paul-the-persecutor-has-become-a-preacher-can-you-believe-it!" Jesus has risen and the power of the Holy Spirit is being unleashed. Wow, I could handle being there to see it all!
But go back a few years and I get a little nervous. As Jesus' last moments on earth tick past, what role would I play? As Jesus heals a man's shriveled hand on the Sabbath, would I stand in thankful amazement, or would I react as a Pharisee whose religious rules and ways are threatened? As Jesus, in searing pain, carries a wooden cross down a dust-clogged path, would I be a weeping disciple or a scoffing onlooker? As Jesus' cross is raised alongside two thieves, would I crumble in grief or cast lots for His clothing? After Jesus ascends into heaven, would I be one of the 120 gathered in that upper room, or one of the thousands who originally followed but later found discipleship too tough?
Or perhaps, would I have been like Paul--antagonistic at first, yet saved by a dramatic encounter? The reality? By God's grace, He chose me to be His child (Ephesians 1:4). And even if I could time-travel, nothing would change His relationship with me. With Paul I say, my salvation is not about what I've done--it's just an understandable response to gracious love. --Sheridan Voysey
destination
points
* In one word, how would I describe God's feelings about me?
* What word can I use to describe my feelings for Him?
LINKS:Accepted By God
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0607
What Does God Think Of Me Now?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0604
bottom line: Salvation is all gift.
soul journey
2 Timothy 1:8-9
8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me His prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.
If you could have been born in another place and time, where would you like to have been and at what point in history? I asked myself this recently and was surprised by my answer. (Yes, I talk to myself often, but the doctors say I'm making steady progress!) Thinking it through, I realized my first choice was to go back to the time of the apostle Paul, his conversion and later journeys. But something didn't add up. If you're going back nearly 2,000 years, I wondered to myself, why not go back just another 5 years to see Jesus' last year on earth?
Hmm, good question.
Just imagine being there when Paul is converted and the rumors that spread through the churches: "Paul-the-persecutor-has-become-a-preacher-can-you-believe-it!" Jesus has risen and the power of the Holy Spirit is being unleashed. Wow, I could handle being there to see it all!
But go back a few years and I get a little nervous. As Jesus' last moments on earth tick past, what role would I play? As Jesus heals a man's shriveled hand on the Sabbath, would I stand in thankful amazement, or would I react as a Pharisee whose religious rules and ways are threatened? As Jesus, in searing pain, carries a wooden cross down a dust-clogged path, would I be a weeping disciple or a scoffing onlooker? As Jesus' cross is raised alongside two thieves, would I crumble in grief or cast lots for His clothing? After Jesus ascends into heaven, would I be one of the 120 gathered in that upper room, or one of the thousands who originally followed but later found discipleship too tough?
Or perhaps, would I have been like Paul--antagonistic at first, yet saved by a dramatic encounter? The reality? By God's grace, He chose me to be His child (Ephesians 1:4). And even if I could time-travel, nothing would change His relationship with me. With Paul I say, my salvation is not about what I've done--it's just an understandable response to gracious love. --Sheridan Voysey
destination
points
* In one word, how would I describe God's feelings about me?
* What word can I use to describe my feelings for Him?
LINKS:Accepted By God
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0607
What Does God Think Of Me Now?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0604
bottom line: Salvation is all gift.
soul journey
Saturday, May 14, 2005
ONE MYSTERIOUS GOD
Isaiah 46:8-11
8 "Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. 11 From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do."
My wife and I have a great relationship--but we don't always understand each other completely. For instance, it's a great mystery to her how I can spend my evening watching a baseball game between two teams that are 20 games out of first place with 5 games left in the season. And for the life of me, I cannot understand the mystery of shopping--how she can spend hours looking at endless rows of hanging cloth. To love someone doesn't mean you have to understand him or her completely.
That's good news for all of us, because there's no way on earth we can even begin to grasp the mysteries of God. He sometimes does things that absolutely floor us, because they seem so inexplicable.
In our finite and self-centered way of thinking, we cannot begin to know why God allows suffering, why God permits innocent young children and teenagers to die, why God does not act when evil leaders come to power and hurt their own people, or why natural disasters are allowed to wreak havoc. Some people look at these situations and turn their back on God--assuming that their finite knowledge is better than His infinite wisdom.
There's another way to look at this, though. If we could figure God out--if He were no more than a glorified human with no greater knowledge than the smartest human--where would be the awe, the majesty, the transcendent view of the Almighty? One of the best reasons to believe that God is so great is that we simply cannot figure Him out.
Perhaps the apostle Paul said it best when he wrote, "Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" (1 Corinthians 2:16). He was quoting Isaiah, who also asked the rhetorical question, "Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him?" (Isaiah 40:14).
Yes, God's ways are mysterious. It's great to trust in One who knows everything from the beginning to the end. Even when we don't understand--we can trust. --Dave Branon
destination
points
* What mysteries of God trouble me the most? Do I talk to Him about my questions?
* When I see the bad things that happen in this world, how do I react? How do I know God is trustworthy?
LINKS:
Why Would A Good God Allow Suffering?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0106
How Much Does God Control?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0109
bottom line: If God weren't mysterious, He wouldn't be God.
soul journey
Isaiah 46:8-11
8 "Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. 9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. 11 From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do."
My wife and I have a great relationship--but we don't always understand each other completely. For instance, it's a great mystery to her how I can spend my evening watching a baseball game between two teams that are 20 games out of first place with 5 games left in the season. And for the life of me, I cannot understand the mystery of shopping--how she can spend hours looking at endless rows of hanging cloth. To love someone doesn't mean you have to understand him or her completely.
That's good news for all of us, because there's no way on earth we can even begin to grasp the mysteries of God. He sometimes does things that absolutely floor us, because they seem so inexplicable.
In our finite and self-centered way of thinking, we cannot begin to know why God allows suffering, why God permits innocent young children and teenagers to die, why God does not act when evil leaders come to power and hurt their own people, or why natural disasters are allowed to wreak havoc. Some people look at these situations and turn their back on God--assuming that their finite knowledge is better than His infinite wisdom.
There's another way to look at this, though. If we could figure God out--if He were no more than a glorified human with no greater knowledge than the smartest human--where would be the awe, the majesty, the transcendent view of the Almighty? One of the best reasons to believe that God is so great is that we simply cannot figure Him out.
Perhaps the apostle Paul said it best when he wrote, "Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" (1 Corinthians 2:16). He was quoting Isaiah, who also asked the rhetorical question, "Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him?" (Isaiah 40:14).
Yes, God's ways are mysterious. It's great to trust in One who knows everything from the beginning to the end. Even when we don't understand--we can trust. --Dave Branon
destination
points
* What mysteries of God trouble me the most? Do I talk to Him about my questions?
* When I see the bad things that happen in this world, how do I react? How do I know God is trustworthy?
LINKS:
Why Would A Good God Allow Suffering?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0106
How Much Does God Control?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0109
bottom line: If God weren't mysterious, He wouldn't be God.
soul journey
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Today's scripture is 1 Samuel 16:7
"For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
Too often we ask God to fix the problems around us when what He really wants to do is solve the problem within us. I did that myself for years where my weight was concerned. I prayed and prayed for God to help me lose weight. Yet I experienced repeated failure. I lost literally hundreds of pounds, only to gain them right back again.
Finally one day, I made a firm decision. I told God, "I am not going one step further until I find out what to do about this!" Then I went on a fast, shut myself away from everyone, and determined to hear from God.
During that fast the Lord revealed the real source of my problem. He showed me that I wanted to lose weight, but I didn't want to permanently change my eating habits. I was like an alcoholic who wants to be able to drink constantly and not be affected by it. I wanted to eat nine times a day and still weigh 166 pounds!
Suddenly I realized God wasn't content simply to rid me of the extra pounds on the outside of me--He wanted to rid me of the sin of gluttony on the inside of me. So I repented of that sin right then and there. (It was then that I realized just how hard it is for a man who drinks to face the fact that he's an alcoholic. It hurts to admit something like that.) Then, instead of asking God for deliverance from my weight problem, I asked Him for deliverance from my food problem.
Sure enough, He did it.
If your prayers don't seem to be changing the problems around you, maybe it's time to take a look inside. Maybe it's time to ask God to go to work on the heart of the matter.
SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 139:1-10, 23-24 - Click this link to read the scripture online http://bibleshack.com/ds/psalms139-1-24.shtml
bible shack
"For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
Too often we ask God to fix the problems around us when what He really wants to do is solve the problem within us. I did that myself for years where my weight was concerned. I prayed and prayed for God to help me lose weight. Yet I experienced repeated failure. I lost literally hundreds of pounds, only to gain them right back again.
Finally one day, I made a firm decision. I told God, "I am not going one step further until I find out what to do about this!" Then I went on a fast, shut myself away from everyone, and determined to hear from God.
During that fast the Lord revealed the real source of my problem. He showed me that I wanted to lose weight, but I didn't want to permanently change my eating habits. I was like an alcoholic who wants to be able to drink constantly and not be affected by it. I wanted to eat nine times a day and still weigh 166 pounds!
Suddenly I realized God wasn't content simply to rid me of the extra pounds on the outside of me--He wanted to rid me of the sin of gluttony on the inside of me. So I repented of that sin right then and there. (It was then that I realized just how hard it is for a man who drinks to face the fact that he's an alcoholic. It hurts to admit something like that.) Then, instead of asking God for deliverance from my weight problem, I asked Him for deliverance from my food problem.
Sure enough, He did it.
If your prayers don't seem to be changing the problems around you, maybe it's time to take a look inside. Maybe it's time to ask God to go to work on the heart of the matter.
SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 139:1-10, 23-24 - Click this link to read the scripture online http://bibleshack.com/ds/psalms139-1-24.shtml
bible shack
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
COME TO GRACE
Luke 14:15-23
15 When one of those at the table with Him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast of the kingdom of God." . . . Then the owner of the house . . . ordered his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame." 22 "Sir," the servant said, "what you ordered has been done, but there is still room." 23 Then the master told his servant, "Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full."
Grace.
A kiss when I deserve a slap.
A debt released.
My wife letting me "off the hook.
"Letting my wife "off the hook."
A cool rain on a scorching July afternoon.
A warm ray peeking through the dim painted sky.
When I have roughed my knees after stumbling in the gravel, someone who roughs their knees while bending down to look me deep in the eyes.
Someone in the next lane waving me over when I have ignored the "Merge Left" sign for half a mile.Someone refusing the urge to tell me, "I told you so.
"People refusing to quietly gloat when they did tell me so.
Refusing to dismiss the good in me because of the bad.
A feast when I'm famished.
Hope. Life. God.
The cross.
Inviting us to come.
Grace.
--Winn Collier
destination
points
* How has God shown me His grace?
* Where do I need to experience grace?
* What keeps me from accepting grace?
bottom line: Run to God's grace.
soul journey
Luke 14:15-23
15 When one of those at the table with Him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast of the kingdom of God." . . . Then the owner of the house . . . ordered his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame." 22 "Sir," the servant said, "what you ordered has been done, but there is still room." 23 Then the master told his servant, "Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full."
Grace.
A kiss when I deserve a slap.
A debt released.
My wife letting me "off the hook.
"Letting my wife "off the hook."
A cool rain on a scorching July afternoon.
A warm ray peeking through the dim painted sky.
When I have roughed my knees after stumbling in the gravel, someone who roughs their knees while bending down to look me deep in the eyes.
Someone in the next lane waving me over when I have ignored the "Merge Left" sign for half a mile.Someone refusing the urge to tell me, "I told you so.
"People refusing to quietly gloat when they did tell me so.
Refusing to dismiss the good in me because of the bad.
A feast when I'm famished.
Hope. Life. God.
The cross.
Inviting us to come.
Grace.
--Winn Collier
destination
points
* How has God shown me His grace?
* Where do I need to experience grace?
* What keeps me from accepting grace?
bottom line: Run to God's grace.
soul journey
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER!
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
1 These are the commands, decrees, and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children, and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all His decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
When I was in high school, I signed up for a driver's training class. My instructor was an elderly teacher who was also a football coach nicknamed "Sundown." Because the school stadium did not have lights, he required the high school team to practice until the sun went down.
Sundown gave me some advice in driving that has kept me out of more potential wrecks than I care to think about. "You think that by looking in the rearview mirror you know what is on your left side, but your vision is limited," he said. "Always quickly look over your shoulder before changing lanes. There may be another car in your blind spot."
In my commute to work, I still think of his advice before changing lanes. The temptation is to get sloppy, to let my eyes dart to the rearview mirror, and then slide into the next lane. But more times than not, the quick glance has revealed a car in my blind spot.
Training can help us pursue what's good and avoid the bad. The Bible is God's instruction manual for human relations. But just owning a copy of the book is not enough. It must be studied, applied, and passed on to others.
Moses commanded the people to internalize the Word and to make it a topic of conversation throughout the day. "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
Just as taking to heart Sundown's advice has helped me steer clear of trouble, so internalizing God's Word helps us to avoid destruction and pursue life. By doing that, we'll stay on the right path and look over our shoulder to see our blind spots. --Dennis Fisher
destination
points
* What are the best times during the day for me to meditate on God's Word?
* Do I know someone I can talk with about spiritual things this week?
* What other steps can I take to internalize the Word?
LINKS:
How Can I Know God Through His Book?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0404
bottom line: Internalize the Word as a way of life.
soul journey
Deuteronomy 6:1-9
1 These are the commands, decrees, and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children, and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all His decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
When I was in high school, I signed up for a driver's training class. My instructor was an elderly teacher who was also a football coach nicknamed "Sundown." Because the school stadium did not have lights, he required the high school team to practice until the sun went down.
Sundown gave me some advice in driving that has kept me out of more potential wrecks than I care to think about. "You think that by looking in the rearview mirror you know what is on your left side, but your vision is limited," he said. "Always quickly look over your shoulder before changing lanes. There may be another car in your blind spot."
In my commute to work, I still think of his advice before changing lanes. The temptation is to get sloppy, to let my eyes dart to the rearview mirror, and then slide into the next lane. But more times than not, the quick glance has revealed a car in my blind spot.
Training can help us pursue what's good and avoid the bad. The Bible is God's instruction manual for human relations. But just owning a copy of the book is not enough. It must be studied, applied, and passed on to others.
Moses commanded the people to internalize the Word and to make it a topic of conversation throughout the day. "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
Just as taking to heart Sundown's advice has helped me steer clear of trouble, so internalizing God's Word helps us to avoid destruction and pursue life. By doing that, we'll stay on the right path and look over our shoulder to see our blind spots. --Dennis Fisher
destination
points
* What are the best times during the day for me to meditate on God's Word?
* Do I know someone I can talk with about spiritual things this week?
* What other steps can I take to internalize the Word?
LINKS:
How Can I Know God Through His Book?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q0404
bottom line: Internalize the Word as a way of life.
soul journey
Monday, May 09, 2005
SEIZING THE MOMENT
Philippians 4:6-8
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
For the most part, we live in a "doer" culture--one that's filled with such clichés as: "Just do it!" and "Live life in the fast lane!" So it's no surprise that people have the tendency to measure the value of their life based on how much they're cranking out and accomplishing. Some fill their days to the brim with constant activity because they feel this gives their life more meaning. In a fast-paced, busy world, if we're alone and not doing something "active" or not "seizing the moment," we're seen as missing out on life. But as believers, should this be our attitude toward life?
In Psalm 46:10, God tells us, "Be still, and know that I am God." Having time alone, and in silence, is one of the best opportunities to seek God and to meditate on His Word. It is the essence of quiet time. And whenever we're alone, we are given the chance to avoid being anxious about life, because the value we find in it comes from our relationship with God, rather than the tasks checked off on a lengthy to-do list (Philippians 4:6).
Throughout the world, there are people who are trapped in a never-ending struggle to occupy and distract themselves with life's events--ironically, to escape from the difficulties of living. For some, the fear of realizing the emptiness and uncertainty of their pursuits can be too painful to bear. But as believers and children of grace, we know that God gave us life so that we could have a meaningful relationship with Him. He has provided the means of dealing with all of our uncertainties--His Word.
Now, there's nothing wrong with working diligently or doing something "active," but we should also cherish the gift of solitude. The next time you're alone, remember to "seize the moment" by being still before God. It will be time well spent. --David Yuen, New Jersey
Written by a fellow Soul Journey reader
destinationpoints
* What determines a successful day for me?
* What does being still and knowing God mean to me?
* How do I become still before God?
LINKS:
Alone with God
http://www.christianitytoday.com/spiritualhelp/features/alonegod.html
bottom line: Seize the moment by being still.
soul journey
Philippians 4:6-8
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
For the most part, we live in a "doer" culture--one that's filled with such clichés as: "Just do it!" and "Live life in the fast lane!" So it's no surprise that people have the tendency to measure the value of their life based on how much they're cranking out and accomplishing. Some fill their days to the brim with constant activity because they feel this gives their life more meaning. In a fast-paced, busy world, if we're alone and not doing something "active" or not "seizing the moment," we're seen as missing out on life. But as believers, should this be our attitude toward life?
In Psalm 46:10, God tells us, "Be still, and know that I am God." Having time alone, and in silence, is one of the best opportunities to seek God and to meditate on His Word. It is the essence of quiet time. And whenever we're alone, we are given the chance to avoid being anxious about life, because the value we find in it comes from our relationship with God, rather than the tasks checked off on a lengthy to-do list (Philippians 4:6).
Throughout the world, there are people who are trapped in a never-ending struggle to occupy and distract themselves with life's events--ironically, to escape from the difficulties of living. For some, the fear of realizing the emptiness and uncertainty of their pursuits can be too painful to bear. But as believers and children of grace, we know that God gave us life so that we could have a meaningful relationship with Him. He has provided the means of dealing with all of our uncertainties--His Word.
Now, there's nothing wrong with working diligently or doing something "active," but we should also cherish the gift of solitude. The next time you're alone, remember to "seize the moment" by being still before God. It will be time well spent. --David Yuen, New Jersey
Written by a fellow Soul Journey reader
destinationpoints
* What determines a successful day for me?
* What does being still and knowing God mean to me?
* How do I become still before God?
LINKS:
Alone with God
http://www.christianitytoday.com/spiritualhelp/features/alonegod.html
bottom line: Seize the moment by being still.
soul journey
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Dancing with Vladimir
John Fischer
I wrote a song once in which the chorus began, “It’s still life, but not as still as it once seemed.” It was a personal play on words about my songwriting career that had begun ten years earlier with an album called “Still Life.”
The song captured something that I think is pretty common to a walk of faith. We start out with seemingly more passion, more freedom, more acting on our faith than we have later on. Life gets more complicated, faith gets more taken for granted, and we get more apathetic and boring.
Chalk it up to responsibilities, cares of this world — what have you — it still isn’t right. If I was freer in my faith years ago, shouldn’t I be enjoying even more freedom now? Did I crawl into this cage all by myself? Is that the way it’s supposed to be? Am I supposed to be a part of the “older generation” criticizing the new “Jesus Freaks” of the twenty-first century while they invade the church and start a new spiritual revolution that leaves me behind? I hope not. If I ever start sounding like I am, you have permission to shoot me!
A couple weeks ago, 20,000 members helped Saddleback Church celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary with a Sunday service at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. As the service began, I was standing with the rest of the Purpose Driven staff just inside the right field foul pole. We were waiting to be introduced, at which time we were to run out onto the outfield, the other church staff members occupying the bases on the playing diamond.
While we waited for our moment, guest artist Michael W. Smith led everyone in a new worship song about freedom in Christ, and one of the lines was “free to dance.” I was immediately swept up into the emotion of abandonment and praise. Suddenly this desire overtook me to take off dancing into right field and totally give myself to the music and the worship. It actually took everything in me not to do this, but I didn’t. The sensible part won. The What-would-20,000-people-think-about-some-bald-guy-with-really-stupid-“whitebread”-moves-making-a-fool-of-himself-out-in-right-field? thoughts won out. I missed it—my chance to dance for the Lord where Vladimir Guerrero’s plays on home games.
Darn. I have no one to blame for this but myself.
Part of growing in Christ shouldn’t be to get more boring. It should be to get freer with our love for Him. We should be losing our inhibitions, not gaining them. It should be less important what other people think as we grow, not more important.
Here’s to making all those “should”s a reality!
PDL
John Fischer
I wrote a song once in which the chorus began, “It’s still life, but not as still as it once seemed.” It was a personal play on words about my songwriting career that had begun ten years earlier with an album called “Still Life.”
The song captured something that I think is pretty common to a walk of faith. We start out with seemingly more passion, more freedom, more acting on our faith than we have later on. Life gets more complicated, faith gets more taken for granted, and we get more apathetic and boring.
Chalk it up to responsibilities, cares of this world — what have you — it still isn’t right. If I was freer in my faith years ago, shouldn’t I be enjoying even more freedom now? Did I crawl into this cage all by myself? Is that the way it’s supposed to be? Am I supposed to be a part of the “older generation” criticizing the new “Jesus Freaks” of the twenty-first century while they invade the church and start a new spiritual revolution that leaves me behind? I hope not. If I ever start sounding like I am, you have permission to shoot me!
A couple weeks ago, 20,000 members helped Saddleback Church celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary with a Sunday service at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. As the service began, I was standing with the rest of the Purpose Driven staff just inside the right field foul pole. We were waiting to be introduced, at which time we were to run out onto the outfield, the other church staff members occupying the bases on the playing diamond.
While we waited for our moment, guest artist Michael W. Smith led everyone in a new worship song about freedom in Christ, and one of the lines was “free to dance.” I was immediately swept up into the emotion of abandonment and praise. Suddenly this desire overtook me to take off dancing into right field and totally give myself to the music and the worship. It actually took everything in me not to do this, but I didn’t. The sensible part won. The What-would-20,000-people-think-about-some-bald-guy-with-really-stupid-“whitebread”-moves-making-a-fool-of-himself-out-in-right-field? thoughts won out. I missed it—my chance to dance for the Lord where Vladimir Guerrero’s plays on home games.
Darn. I have no one to blame for this but myself.
Part of growing in Christ shouldn’t be to get more boring. It should be to get freer with our love for Him. We should be losing our inhibitions, not gaining them. It should be less important what other people think as we grow, not more important.
Here’s to making all those “should”s a reality!
PDL
Saturday, May 07, 2005
SPOTTING AN ANTICHRIST
1 John 2:15-18
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
4:3 Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
I grew up understanding that there was Jesus Christ, and there was Antichrist. Prophetic speakers who came to my church usually sought to decipher Revelation and predict who this Antichrist was. Every really bad international figure--Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin--was at one time or another labeled as "the Antichrist." None of them, of course, turned out to be the one.
I now feel that these well-intentioned preachers had us pursuing the wrong goal: trying to identify the final Antichrist. The apostle John, however, spoke of "antichrists" plural. He made it clear that these are people who epitomize lawlessness and words that lie. These are always around, and we need to be able to recognize them.
A recent "spirit of antichrist" is the novel The DaVinci Code. The story is called a "historical novel"--one that supposedly weaves realistic fictional accounts around real historical events. Unfortunately, like so many other rules, the standard for a legitimate historical novel is also being regularly violated today. The book's author, Dan Brown, has written not only a fictional story, but he has also bought into an alternative "history" on which it is based--an account that denies much of the firmly established foundation of biblical faith and affirms false historical accounts.
Many books by genuine historians and Bible scholars have been written to expose Brown's false assertions. Sadly, however, most people don't take the time to seek out the truth. Instead, they are taken in by the deception that marks this and many other recent writings that deny the truth about who Jesus was--and is.
As the apostle Paul reminded us, if Jesus did not rise from the dead, our faith is empty (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). But the fact remains: No history has as much verification as that of the true Christ. Every denial of what Jesus taught and how He lived, died, rose again, and will return is just one more deceptive spirit of antichrist. Watch out for them. --Dean Ohlman
* Is my faith shaken by denials of who Jesus is? Have I taken the time to explore the many good resources that address these challenges?
* Why is belief in Jesus still such a powerful presence in the world?
LINKS:
Answers To Tough Questions: Da Vinci Code
http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/questions/answer/religion/davinci/
Why Does It Make Sense To Believe In Christ?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1104
bottom line: Falsehood screams louder as Truth gets nearer.
soul journey
1 John 2:15-18
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 18 Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.
4:3 Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
I grew up understanding that there was Jesus Christ, and there was Antichrist. Prophetic speakers who came to my church usually sought to decipher Revelation and predict who this Antichrist was. Every really bad international figure--Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin--was at one time or another labeled as "the Antichrist." None of them, of course, turned out to be the one.
I now feel that these well-intentioned preachers had us pursuing the wrong goal: trying to identify the final Antichrist. The apostle John, however, spoke of "antichrists" plural. He made it clear that these are people who epitomize lawlessness and words that lie. These are always around, and we need to be able to recognize them.
A recent "spirit of antichrist" is the novel The DaVinci Code. The story is called a "historical novel"--one that supposedly weaves realistic fictional accounts around real historical events. Unfortunately, like so many other rules, the standard for a legitimate historical novel is also being regularly violated today. The book's author, Dan Brown, has written not only a fictional story, but he has also bought into an alternative "history" on which it is based--an account that denies much of the firmly established foundation of biblical faith and affirms false historical accounts.
Many books by genuine historians and Bible scholars have been written to expose Brown's false assertions. Sadly, however, most people don't take the time to seek out the truth. Instead, they are taken in by the deception that marks this and many other recent writings that deny the truth about who Jesus was--and is.
As the apostle Paul reminded us, if Jesus did not rise from the dead, our faith is empty (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). But the fact remains: No history has as much verification as that of the true Christ. Every denial of what Jesus taught and how He lived, died, rose again, and will return is just one more deceptive spirit of antichrist. Watch out for them. --Dean Ohlman
* Is my faith shaken by denials of who Jesus is? Have I taken the time to explore the many good resources that address these challenges?
* Why is belief in Jesus still such a powerful presence in the world?
LINKS:
Answers To Tough Questions: Da Vinci Code
http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/questions/answer/religion/davinci/
Why Does It Make Sense To Believe In Christ?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1104
bottom line: Falsehood screams louder as Truth gets nearer.
soul journey
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Chasing After Wind
Cathy Irvin
Are you content with what you have and are you resting in the Lord? Or are you striving for more and feeling turmoil in your spirit?
Better one handful with tranquility [peace] than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:6
Let's get some perspective on what it is we are seeking and what drives us to be discontented. We must face the fact that we really do get into the flesh. It is called being "carnally minded." The desire for so much materialism can rob us of our peace and can empty out our financial resources. We tend to strive to keep up with the neighbors or feed off every ad that we see or read. It is the "I gotta have it" syndrome.
We can get so caught up and consumed by the first thing we see that we are not looking for the best buy. We lack the fruit of the Spirit called patience.
And don’t think materialism is just a problem for women. Men can get just as easily distracted at big sales for recreational items and automobiles. We are all guilty of lusting for more.
Is there a way of escaping this dilemma? Yes, help is on the way. Jesus has a plan to help us: to exercise self-control and to be wise in our financial decisions.
We must not chase after material things because it is like chasing the wind. We are running, yet we are never satisfied. You will find yourself caught up in a whirlwind all the time.
Last year I eliminated my debt and got rid of my credit cards. I have learned to live without them. I had to put my mind to it and to discipline myself with my finances. It was worth it!
Whether it is our eating habits, our exercise habits, or our spiritual habits of reading the Bible, praying, and attending church, we must take the time and effort to work on these areas.
The point is that we all need to find out what is important in life and then learn to use some self-control.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
I thought I could not make it without charging. Now if I really want to purchase or need a more costly item, I save a little at a time. Then when there are sales, I take the time to find the best bargain. I had a small, older TV, so I saved the money and got a new and bigger one in the mid-price range. The Lord certainly provided.
Matthew 6:19-21 speaks of our treasures in heaven:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
It isn't wrong to buy nice things, but is wrong to be consumed by them. If they take up all of our time and focus, then we need to remind ourselves that we need self-control.
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galatians 5:16
That is the key for us. We need to walk after spiritual things and to desire them more than the things of this world!
cbn
Cathy Irvin
Are you content with what you have and are you resting in the Lord? Or are you striving for more and feeling turmoil in your spirit?
Better one handful with tranquility [peace] than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:6
Let's get some perspective on what it is we are seeking and what drives us to be discontented. We must face the fact that we really do get into the flesh. It is called being "carnally minded." The desire for so much materialism can rob us of our peace and can empty out our financial resources. We tend to strive to keep up with the neighbors or feed off every ad that we see or read. It is the "I gotta have it" syndrome.
We can get so caught up and consumed by the first thing we see that we are not looking for the best buy. We lack the fruit of the Spirit called patience.
And don’t think materialism is just a problem for women. Men can get just as easily distracted at big sales for recreational items and automobiles. We are all guilty of lusting for more.
Is there a way of escaping this dilemma? Yes, help is on the way. Jesus has a plan to help us: to exercise self-control and to be wise in our financial decisions.
We must not chase after material things because it is like chasing the wind. We are running, yet we are never satisfied. You will find yourself caught up in a whirlwind all the time.
Last year I eliminated my debt and got rid of my credit cards. I have learned to live without them. I had to put my mind to it and to discipline myself with my finances. It was worth it!
Whether it is our eating habits, our exercise habits, or our spiritual habits of reading the Bible, praying, and attending church, we must take the time and effort to work on these areas.
The point is that we all need to find out what is important in life and then learn to use some self-control.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
I thought I could not make it without charging. Now if I really want to purchase or need a more costly item, I save a little at a time. Then when there are sales, I take the time to find the best bargain. I had a small, older TV, so I saved the money and got a new and bigger one in the mid-price range. The Lord certainly provided.
Matthew 6:19-21 speaks of our treasures in heaven:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
It isn't wrong to buy nice things, but is wrong to be consumed by them. If they take up all of our time and focus, then we need to remind ourselves that we need self-control.
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galatians 5:16
That is the key for us. We need to walk after spiritual things and to desire them more than the things of this world!
cbn
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Hungry for God
John Fischer
Our ministry is to serve the needs of believers; our mission is to serve the needs of those who are not presently Christians. The latter can present a problem. You can’t really serve someone if you don’t know them, but being in relationship with those who aren’t Christians can be dangerous. Old habits and old ways of life can come back to haunt us when we are around people who don’t share our desire to follow Christ.
For this reason it may be necessary to keep only Christian friends for a season, but the goal for us all is to be stronger than this. God didn’t save us and leave us on earth to band together and live nice, safe little Christian lives until He returns or we die, whichever comes first. We are here to share the good news of God’s forgiveness with those who don’t know about it yet, and we can’t do that without getting close to people who need it. We need to be close enough to people to know them, love them, identify with their need, and serve them without judging them or losing our own hold on Christ.
How will we do this? A couple suggestions to think about today: 1) don’t ever forget we are all sinners in need of salvation. This will help keep us from a self-righteous and judgmental attitude. We never have a perfect day; we encounter our own need to be saved all the time, because we all sin and fall short of God’s glory. We lead people to Christ, not by reaching down to them from a place of invulnerable perfection, but as one thirsty person bringing another to water.
2) Remember that sin entraps everyone. Your friends who aren’t Christians may very well have a soft heart to God and the truth but it’s covered up by a host of things the enemy uses to blind us like fear, failure, addictions and all sorts of false coping mechanisms. Success, power and wealth can blind you as well. We need to ask God for the ability to look past all these distractions to the heart, because at the heart, everyone is hungry for God. We were created that way.
Lord, teach us to see people as you see them. May we not give in to the things that once entrapped us. Make us keen to the lie and hungering for the truth today, and help us to find it even in those who don’t know you. Remind us that we are all children when it comes to you, even the toughest among us. Show us how to love everyone and stay true to you.
PDL
John Fischer
Our ministry is to serve the needs of believers; our mission is to serve the needs of those who are not presently Christians. The latter can present a problem. You can’t really serve someone if you don’t know them, but being in relationship with those who aren’t Christians can be dangerous. Old habits and old ways of life can come back to haunt us when we are around people who don’t share our desire to follow Christ.
For this reason it may be necessary to keep only Christian friends for a season, but the goal for us all is to be stronger than this. God didn’t save us and leave us on earth to band together and live nice, safe little Christian lives until He returns or we die, whichever comes first. We are here to share the good news of God’s forgiveness with those who don’t know about it yet, and we can’t do that without getting close to people who need it. We need to be close enough to people to know them, love them, identify with their need, and serve them without judging them or losing our own hold on Christ.
How will we do this? A couple suggestions to think about today: 1) don’t ever forget we are all sinners in need of salvation. This will help keep us from a self-righteous and judgmental attitude. We never have a perfect day; we encounter our own need to be saved all the time, because we all sin and fall short of God’s glory. We lead people to Christ, not by reaching down to them from a place of invulnerable perfection, but as one thirsty person bringing another to water.
2) Remember that sin entraps everyone. Your friends who aren’t Christians may very well have a soft heart to God and the truth but it’s covered up by a host of things the enemy uses to blind us like fear, failure, addictions and all sorts of false coping mechanisms. Success, power and wealth can blind you as well. We need to ask God for the ability to look past all these distractions to the heart, because at the heart, everyone is hungry for God. We were created that way.
Lord, teach us to see people as you see them. May we not give in to the things that once entrapped us. Make us keen to the lie and hungering for the truth today, and help us to find it even in those who don’t know you. Remind us that we are all children when it comes to you, even the toughest among us. Show us how to love everyone and stay true to you.
PDL
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
What Do You Want The Lord to Do for You?
’What do you want Me to do for you?’ He said, ’Lord, that I may receive my sight’ —Luke 18:41
Is there something in your life that not only disturbs you, but makes you a disturbance to others? If so, it is always something you cannot handle yourself. "Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more . . ." ( Luke 18:39 ). Be persistent with your disturbance until you get face to face with the Lord Himself. Don’t deify common sense. To sit calmly by, instead of creating a disturbance, serves only to deify our common sense. When Jesus asks what we want Him to do for us about the incredible problem that is confronting us, remember that He doesn’t work in commonsense ways, but only in supernatural ways.
Look at how we limit the Lord by only remembering what we have allowed Him to do for us in the past. We say, "I always failed there, and I always will." Consequently, we don’t ask for what we want. Instead, we think, "It is ridiculous to ask God to do this." If it is an impossibility, it is the very thing for which we have to ask. If it is not an impossible thing, it is not a real disturbance. And God will do what is absolutely impossible.
This man received his sight. But the most impossible thing for you is to be so closely identified with the Lord that there is literally nothing of your old life remaining. God will do it if you will ask Him. But you have to come to the point of believing Him to be almighty. We find faith by not only believing what Jesus says, but, even more, by trusting Jesus Himself. If we only look at what He says, we will never believe. Once we see Jesus, the impossible things He does in our lives become as natural as breathing. The agony we suffer is only the result of the deliberate shallowness of our own heart. We won’t believe; we won’t let go by severing the line that secures the boat to the shore— we prefer to worry.
my utmost for His highest
’What do you want Me to do for you?’ He said, ’Lord, that I may receive my sight’ —Luke 18:41
Is there something in your life that not only disturbs you, but makes you a disturbance to others? If so, it is always something you cannot handle yourself. "Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more . . ." ( Luke 18:39 ). Be persistent with your disturbance until you get face to face with the Lord Himself. Don’t deify common sense. To sit calmly by, instead of creating a disturbance, serves only to deify our common sense. When Jesus asks what we want Him to do for us about the incredible problem that is confronting us, remember that He doesn’t work in commonsense ways, but only in supernatural ways.
Look at how we limit the Lord by only remembering what we have allowed Him to do for us in the past. We say, "I always failed there, and I always will." Consequently, we don’t ask for what we want. Instead, we think, "It is ridiculous to ask God to do this." If it is an impossibility, it is the very thing for which we have to ask. If it is not an impossible thing, it is not a real disturbance. And God will do what is absolutely impossible.
This man received his sight. But the most impossible thing for you is to be so closely identified with the Lord that there is literally nothing of your old life remaining. God will do it if you will ask Him. But you have to come to the point of believing Him to be almighty. We find faith by not only believing what Jesus says, but, even more, by trusting Jesus Himself. If we only look at what He says, we will never believe. Once we see Jesus, the impossible things He does in our lives become as natural as breathing. The agony we suffer is only the result of the deliberate shallowness of our own heart. We won’t believe; we won’t let go by severing the line that secures the boat to the shore— we prefer to worry.
my utmost for His highest
Monday, May 02, 2005
MAYDAY!
Psalm 40:11-17
11 Do not withhold Your mercy from me, O Lord; may Your love and Your truth always protect me. 12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. 13 Be pleased, O Lord, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. 14 May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame. 16 But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, "The Lord be exalted!" 17 Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
Mayday is a desperate call for help. This international radio-telephone signal word is used as a distress call only in cases of "grave and imminent danger." Anyone hearing a Mayday call knows that the person sending it is in serious trouble and may not survive without immediate assistance.
Psalm 40:11-17 is a spiritual Mayday. It's the cry of David--a man about to sink beneath the waves of turmoil. On the inside, he's suffering from his own disobedience to God. "My sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me" (v.12). On the outside, he fears for his safety. "May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace" (v.14). In both cases, he pleads for immediate rescue. "O Lord, come quickly to help me. . . . O my God, do not delay" (vv.13,17).
Not all of our desperate situations are of our own making. But even when our mistakes and disobedience have brought us to the end of our rope, we can turn to the Lord for help.
It's difficult to imagine someone resisting rescue after calling for help. But have we ever refused to accept God's terms for yielding to Him when He wants to lift us out of the mess we're in? Even when the danger is threatening and our need is pressing, we, like the psalmist, should pursue God's plan to guard us: "Do not withhold Your mercy from me, O Lord; may Your love and Your truth always protect me" (v.11). We are looking for immediate rescue, but God also wants to be our help and deliverer as we seek Him each day.
Our term Mayday has its origin in the French m'aidez--meaning "help me." When we cry out to God for His help, we should expect Him to respond as we yield to His way. --Dave McCasland
DESTINATION POINTS
* What help do I need from God today?
* How will His ultimate plan to guard me affect my future choices?
LINKS:
Where Are You, God?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2002/005/3.30.html
bottom line: God responds to our Mayday and everyday calls.
soul journey
Psalm 40:11-17
11 Do not withhold Your mercy from me, O Lord; may Your love and Your truth always protect me. 12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. 13 Be pleased, O Lord, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. 14 May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame. 16 But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, "The Lord be exalted!" 17 Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
Mayday is a desperate call for help. This international radio-telephone signal word is used as a distress call only in cases of "grave and imminent danger." Anyone hearing a Mayday call knows that the person sending it is in serious trouble and may not survive without immediate assistance.
Psalm 40:11-17 is a spiritual Mayday. It's the cry of David--a man about to sink beneath the waves of turmoil. On the inside, he's suffering from his own disobedience to God. "My sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me" (v.12). On the outside, he fears for his safety. "May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace" (v.14). In both cases, he pleads for immediate rescue. "O Lord, come quickly to help me. . . . O my God, do not delay" (vv.13,17).
Not all of our desperate situations are of our own making. But even when our mistakes and disobedience have brought us to the end of our rope, we can turn to the Lord for help.
It's difficult to imagine someone resisting rescue after calling for help. But have we ever refused to accept God's terms for yielding to Him when He wants to lift us out of the mess we're in? Even when the danger is threatening and our need is pressing, we, like the psalmist, should pursue God's plan to guard us: "Do not withhold Your mercy from me, O Lord; may Your love and Your truth always protect me" (v.11). We are looking for immediate rescue, but God also wants to be our help and deliverer as we seek Him each day.
Our term Mayday has its origin in the French m'aidez--meaning "help me." When we cry out to God for His help, we should expect Him to respond as we yield to His way. --Dave McCasland
DESTINATION POINTS
* What help do I need from God today?
* How will His ultimate plan to guard me affect my future choices?
LINKS:
Where Are You, God?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2002/005/3.30.html
bottom line: God responds to our Mayday and everyday calls.
soul journey
Sunday, May 01, 2005
TIM-BERRR!
Numbers 21:4-7
4 The people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!" 6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.
1 Corinthians 10:9,11-12
9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
My sister, her husband, and their two little kids huddled inside their boarded-up home for 3 days as Hurricane Frances roared across Florida. Thankfully, all they suffered was a slight case of cabin fever.
The neighborhood came through okay, except for some branches and palm fronds scattered around. There was some concern about trees being knocked over or ripped from the ground. But they were all still standing when the winds died down--except for the biggest tree in the neighborhood. The tree everyone expected to survive the storm ended up lying flat on the ground.
The same can happen to people when they get a little full of themselves and impressed with their own strength. Back when God's people were wandering around in the desert, they thought they were standing on such firm ground with God that they could get away with complaining and mouthing off to Moses. God said, "Enough!" And many of them paid for their behavior by experiencing a close encounter with venomous snakes and death (Numbers 21:6).
Old Testament stories like this one can be interesting and fun to read, but they also serve a valuable purpose for us today. Paul used several stories from Scripture to warn the believers in Corinth (1 Corinthians 10:11). "If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (v.12).
When things are looking up, when the sky is blue and the sun is shining, when everything's going our way, it's easy to get a big head and believe that nothing can bring us down. I hate to rain on anyone's parade, but that's exactly the time when we need to be on guard.
Just as that huge tree in Florida seemed as if it could withstand any storm, sometimes the people who seem the toughest, who "have it all together," are the ones most in danger of falling. Don't let yourself be the one to hit the ground hard. --Tracy Carbaugh
DESTINATION POINTS
* Have I ever "fallen" when everything seemed to be going great? What happened?
* Am I feeling confident about life right now?
* What's the difference between appropriate confidence and overconfidence?
* Can I think of anyone else in the Bible who had an unexpected fall?
LINKS:
Celebrating The Wonder Of A Tree
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1113
bottom line: The biggest head hits the ground hardest.
soul journey
Numbers 21:4-7
4 The people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!" 6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people.
1 Corinthians 10:9,11-12
9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes. 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
My sister, her husband, and their two little kids huddled inside their boarded-up home for 3 days as Hurricane Frances roared across Florida. Thankfully, all they suffered was a slight case of cabin fever.
The neighborhood came through okay, except for some branches and palm fronds scattered around. There was some concern about trees being knocked over or ripped from the ground. But they were all still standing when the winds died down--except for the biggest tree in the neighborhood. The tree everyone expected to survive the storm ended up lying flat on the ground.
The same can happen to people when they get a little full of themselves and impressed with their own strength. Back when God's people were wandering around in the desert, they thought they were standing on such firm ground with God that they could get away with complaining and mouthing off to Moses. God said, "Enough!" And many of them paid for their behavior by experiencing a close encounter with venomous snakes and death (Numbers 21:6).
Old Testament stories like this one can be interesting and fun to read, but they also serve a valuable purpose for us today. Paul used several stories from Scripture to warn the believers in Corinth (1 Corinthians 10:11). "If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (v.12).
When things are looking up, when the sky is blue and the sun is shining, when everything's going our way, it's easy to get a big head and believe that nothing can bring us down. I hate to rain on anyone's parade, but that's exactly the time when we need to be on guard.
Just as that huge tree in Florida seemed as if it could withstand any storm, sometimes the people who seem the toughest, who "have it all together," are the ones most in danger of falling. Don't let yourself be the one to hit the ground hard. --Tracy Carbaugh
DESTINATION POINTS
* Have I ever "fallen" when everything seemed to be going great? What happened?
* Am I feeling confident about life right now?
* What's the difference between appropriate confidence and overconfidence?
* Can I think of anyone else in the Bible who had an unexpected fall?
LINKS:
Celebrating The Wonder Of A Tree
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1113
bottom line: The biggest head hits the ground hardest.
soul journey