2 Corinthians 9:7
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
Many donate to non-profit charitable organizations or the homeless. Before you do the same (or if you already do this...the next time you should donate) consider the following:
The apostle Paul lets us know of the philosophy of Christian giving - with Jesus Christ being in the middle of the picture. He discusses the goal of giving and the ideal attitude of the givers.
DO NOT give because it's simply the right thing to do.
Do NOT give because you're under pressure.
Do NOT obligate yourself to giving a certain amount. BUT...
GIVE because you feel the calling.
GIVE because it's your decision.
GIVE because you TRULY want to make a difference.
Even though money is money and it doesn't have something written on it that says whether or not you seriously meant what you gave, GOD KNOWS. Give from your heart. That's what he wants!
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” ~Kahlil Gibran
"Heart of Worship" is a good song that goes along the lines of today's discussion...just being a "true" Christian in general.
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.
P.P.S. I thought it was funny that this was the headline on the front page of the Port St. Lucie News this morning "Retailers bet on you to save their season" after what I talked about yesterday. If you haven't read yesterday's devotion yet, you should.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Shopping this Holiday Season.
Ecclesiastes 5:10-17
10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!
12 People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.
13 There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver. 14 Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children. 15 We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.
16 And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind. 17 Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud—frustrated, discouraged, and angry.
It is now the day after Thanksgiving and everyone is still stuffed from yesterday. Being the day after, it is Black Friday and some people gave up part of their Thanksgiving so they could be first in line at area stores to get the latest super cool gadget.
I want to give you a little bit of background information about Black Friday because it fits with what I'm going to talk about today.
The big shopping day right after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. This is where it gets its name "Black Friday." When sales are down, retailers are said to be "in the red." When sales are up, they are said to be "in the black." The only reason sales are typically up on this day is because of irresistible deals that consumers can not avoid. It is on this day that retailers can make a complete turn around in sales.
So as you go out and about this holiday season keep a few things in mind. Don't go to the stores and spend wads of money just because you're intrigued by their ads. You can buy gifts, but you don't have to spend lots of money for every single person you know. It is too often that people say "I can only show that I love them by getting the biggest and nicest thing out there." That's going too far. Think of a way to spend less this holiday and still show others that you love and care for them. This will keep you stress free and will allow you to enjoy the holiday season that much more. Traditionally, this time of year is filled with stress before Christmas as decisions are made on what to get someone and after the holiday while credit cards are being paid off. I'll tell you what...if you think of Jesus this season, you surely won't be sweating bullets.
10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!
12 People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.
13 There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver. 14 Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children. 15 We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.
16 And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind. 17 Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud—frustrated, discouraged, and angry.
It is now the day after Thanksgiving and everyone is still stuffed from yesterday. Being the day after, it is Black Friday and some people gave up part of their Thanksgiving so they could be first in line at area stores to get the latest super cool gadget.
I want to give you a little bit of background information about Black Friday because it fits with what I'm going to talk about today.
The big shopping day right after Thanksgiving is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. This is where it gets its name "Black Friday." When sales are down, retailers are said to be "in the red." When sales are up, they are said to be "in the black." The only reason sales are typically up on this day is because of irresistible deals that consumers can not avoid. It is on this day that retailers can make a complete turn around in sales.
So as you go out and about this holiday season keep a few things in mind. Don't go to the stores and spend wads of money just because you're intrigued by their ads. You can buy gifts, but you don't have to spend lots of money for every single person you know. It is too often that people say "I can only show that I love them by getting the biggest and nicest thing out there." That's going too far. Think of a way to spend less this holiday and still show others that you love and care for them. This will keep you stress free and will allow you to enjoy the holiday season that much more. Traditionally, this time of year is filled with stress before Christmas as decisions are made on what to get someone and after the holiday while credit cards are being paid off. I'll tell you what...if you think of Jesus this season, you surely won't be sweating bullets.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Day of Thanksgiving.
Colossians 3:17
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Today is Thanksgiving! Chances are you're going to have a lot on your dinner plate. Turkey and gravy/ham, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, warm cornbread mashed potatoes, a family favorite and dessert may be included on your plate. Everything just tastes so good on turkey day that often you go back for more and still don't leave anything on your plate.
You should also have a lot on your "God" plate. That is, a lot to thank him for. He creates life, blesses us everyday, and answers prayers. When it comes to being thankful, don't leave anything on your plate. No leftovers please! God deserves to be praised instead of being harped at repeatedly. Keep those praises coming, in all honesty of course!
"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice." ~Meister Eckhart
"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude." ~E.P. Powell
Here's the song "Blessed Assurance."
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.
Happy Thanksgiving y'all!
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Today is Thanksgiving! Chances are you're going to have a lot on your dinner plate. Turkey and gravy/ham, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, warm cornbread mashed potatoes, a family favorite and dessert may be included on your plate. Everything just tastes so good on turkey day that often you go back for more and still don't leave anything on your plate.
You should also have a lot on your "God" plate. That is, a lot to thank him for. He creates life, blesses us everyday, and answers prayers. When it comes to being thankful, don't leave anything on your plate. No leftovers please! God deserves to be praised instead of being harped at repeatedly. Keep those praises coming, in all honesty of course!
"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice." ~Meister Eckhart
"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude." ~E.P. Powell
Here's the song "Blessed Assurance."
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.
Happy Thanksgiving y'all!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Be Willing to Sacrifice.
John 6:5-14
5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”
8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”
10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!”
By now you're probably figuring out what is on the agenda for your family's Thanksgiving meal. There's probably more on your mind too!
In the passage above, there are thousands upon thousands of people at a Thanksgiving feast. It's pretty amazing when you think about it. The most incredible thing was that everyone had enough to eat.
So how did this happen? A young boy gave everything that he had. It may seem likes something that won't get the job done, but in this case the boy and God have no doubts.
Be thankful for everything, even if you want more. It is important to remember that sacrificing can especially cause God to do wonders. How will you show gratitude and thanksgiving tomorrow?
"If Jesus Christ...died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” ~C T Studd
5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”
8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”
10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. 12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
14 When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!”
By now you're probably figuring out what is on the agenda for your family's Thanksgiving meal. There's probably more on your mind too!
In the passage above, there are thousands upon thousands of people at a Thanksgiving feast. It's pretty amazing when you think about it. The most incredible thing was that everyone had enough to eat.
So how did this happen? A young boy gave everything that he had. It may seem likes something that won't get the job done, but in this case the boy and God have no doubts.
Be thankful for everything, even if you want more. It is important to remember that sacrificing can especially cause God to do wonders. How will you show gratitude and thanksgiving tomorrow?
"If Jesus Christ...died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” ~C T Studd
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
You Can't Complain All the Time and Still be Thankful.
Numbers 21:4-9
4 Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey, 5and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”
6 So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” 9 So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!
God was attending to the Israelites. God was clearly visible and let water flow from the rocks and bread fall from the sky even though they were in the barren desert. To say the least, God was disappointed because the Israelites didn't like the food...they complained.
At times, we can act in a similar manner. We complain when we have to get up and go to work or school everyday or when our favorite television show is interrupted by something. We should actually be thankful that we even have access to such things. I'm sure people in countries that have limited items would what you or I have in a quick instant!
Make a list of the goods God has enriched and blessed you with. Are you thankful for everything you have been given?
"We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.” ~William Arthur Ward
4 Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey, 5and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”
6 So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” 9 So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!
God was attending to the Israelites. God was clearly visible and let water flow from the rocks and bread fall from the sky even though they were in the barren desert. To say the least, God was disappointed because the Israelites didn't like the food...they complained.
At times, we can act in a similar manner. We complain when we have to get up and go to work or school everyday or when our favorite television show is interrupted by something. We should actually be thankful that we even have access to such things. I'm sure people in countries that have limited items would what you or I have in a quick instant!
Make a list of the goods God has enriched and blessed you with. Are you thankful for everything you have been given?
"We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.” ~William Arthur Ward
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thank God There is a God.
Ephesians 1:15-23
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
This week I want to talk about thankfulness and it's perfect because Thursday is Thanksgiving. The above scripture is Paul talking about what he is thankful for. It's his prayer of thanksgiving. I challenge you to re-read that at least once everyday this week.
Are you thankful for having God in your life? Let's have a reality check here. Wouldn't you feel a Christ-size (immense) hole in your heart without him? I would because I know he's with me during the day with each step I take.
So the first thing I should be thankful for is God. Who would give me forgive me completely for all my mistakes? Who could promise that if I was faithful I would have everything I need to survive? Who would constantly be my companion if relationships don't work out? Who is the reason I'm alive? The answer to all the above is God...who sent his Son to die for us! They both deserve praise.
The bottom line is that God deserves appreciation. Don't let this be just a Thanksgiving for family and friends but a Thanksgiving for God.
Just a "thank you" is a mighty powerful prayer. Says it all. ~Rosie Cash
Listen to the song "All Because of Jesus" by Fee. We sang this at youth last night. It's great!
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
This week I want to talk about thankfulness and it's perfect because Thursday is Thanksgiving. The above scripture is Paul talking about what he is thankful for. It's his prayer of thanksgiving. I challenge you to re-read that at least once everyday this week.
Are you thankful for having God in your life? Let's have a reality check here. Wouldn't you feel a Christ-size (immense) hole in your heart without him? I would because I know he's with me during the day with each step I take.
So the first thing I should be thankful for is God. Who would give me forgive me completely for all my mistakes? Who could promise that if I was faithful I would have everything I need to survive? Who would constantly be my companion if relationships don't work out? Who is the reason I'm alive? The answer to all the above is God...who sent his Son to die for us! They both deserve praise.
The bottom line is that God deserves appreciation. Don't let this be just a Thanksgiving for family and friends but a Thanksgiving for God.
Just a "thank you" is a mighty powerful prayer. Says it all. ~Rosie Cash
Listen to the song "All Because of Jesus" by Fee. We sang this at youth last night. It's great!
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused, and let it buffer as it's called, for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your Internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Discouraged?
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
Do you ever feel unlucky, meaningless, or just downright discouraged? It's almost like the type of thing where "if God doesn't show me I belong here then that's it for me." Now what do you do...express it or hold it inside?
Being saved by God is not going make things any easier. As you can see, in today's passage, you still have a lot to deal with. However, if you let God's mighty power encourage you, and don't worry or let a situation discourage you then that will help you cope. God can help you overcome challenges.
“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.” ~Thomas Carlyle
If there's one idea that I hope I made this week it's that God will be there when you're angry or whenever you need him and have nobody to talk with.
23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
Do you ever feel unlucky, meaningless, or just downright discouraged? It's almost like the type of thing where "if God doesn't show me I belong here then that's it for me." Now what do you do...express it or hold it inside?
Being saved by God is not going make things any easier. As you can see, in today's passage, you still have a lot to deal with. However, if you let God's mighty power encourage you, and don't worry or let a situation discourage you then that will help you cope. God can help you overcome challenges.
“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak.” ~Thomas Carlyle
If there's one idea that I hope I made this week it's that God will be there when you're angry or whenever you need him and have nobody to talk with.
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Christian Weapon.
Ephesians 6:16-17
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
I believe this tells us that we REALLY NEED TO READ THE BIBLE. In school, you can't soldify your knowledge without looking through your textbook and/or listening to teacher's lectures. Similarly, the Bible is the Christian textbook and God is the teacher. You won't gain much knowledge by just occasionally hearing what others have to say about God. As much as I'd like everything to just come to me all at once, that won't happen. Keep that in mind as a Christian.
God's word has to be sharp in our minds. The double-edged sword in this case is: reading the bible and reflecting on what it means. The only thuing is that this sword doesn't hurt you, but it protects you. You can even add another "edge" and that is to pray to God. This will sharpen your "spiritual" sword and keep it ready for daily challenges.
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
I believe this tells us that we REALLY NEED TO READ THE BIBLE. In school, you can't soldify your knowledge without looking through your textbook and/or listening to teacher's lectures. Similarly, the Bible is the Christian textbook and God is the teacher. You won't gain much knowledge by just occasionally hearing what others have to say about God. As much as I'd like everything to just come to me all at once, that won't happen. Keep that in mind as a Christian.
God's word has to be sharp in our minds. The double-edged sword in this case is: reading the bible and reflecting on what it means. The only thuing is that this sword doesn't hurt you, but it protects you. You can even add another "edge" and that is to pray to God. This will sharpen your "spiritual" sword and keep it ready for daily challenges.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Training to become a God-Athlete.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
Any athlete has to undergo major adjustments in their life in order to prepare for the all important race or match later in the season. Training often brings pain and discomfort along with it. It can even mean injuries if one is not careful. Once injury occurs, it can be extremely challenging to resume normal events and to continue with what you love.
After recovery, physical therapy is a must. Through time and determination, however, it is certainly possible for a miracle or unexpected return to the sport to occur. In order to do that though, you have to defeat the physical barriers.
Do you think it's easy to be a Christian? Certainly not. The world is physical barrier and you have to avoid those barriers whenever and wherever you can. Discipline yourself, train yourself, accept that it will be a challenge, and you my friend, can become an athlete in training for Christ!
"Athletes play a major role in society. Athletes who know Christ have an awesome opportunity to make an impact.” ~Lee Haney from FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
Any athlete has to undergo major adjustments in their life in order to prepare for the all important race or match later in the season. Training often brings pain and discomfort along with it. It can even mean injuries if one is not careful. Once injury occurs, it can be extremely challenging to resume normal events and to continue with what you love.
After recovery, physical therapy is a must. Through time and determination, however, it is certainly possible for a miracle or unexpected return to the sport to occur. In order to do that though, you have to defeat the physical barriers.
Do you think it's easy to be a Christian? Certainly not. The world is physical barrier and you have to avoid those barriers whenever and wherever you can. Discipline yourself, train yourself, accept that it will be a challenge, and you my friend, can become an athlete in training for Christ!
"Athletes play a major role in society. Athletes who know Christ have an awesome opportunity to make an impact.” ~Lee Haney from FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Be Careful How You Go to Sleep.
Ephesians 4:26-27
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
You've probably heard it said before...don't go to sleep angry! Still, it's probably happened to us all, yet God tells us not to do that. You're just going to toss and turn all night thinking about what you did. Chances are the next morning, things aren't going so well, you're still angry, and then you may regret whatever happened.
If you're in an argument with someone, make an agreement. Think how peace would be in your heart if you didn't go to sleep angry. You'd actually be able to get some sleep. You could also think of something positive and encouraging like God and knowing that he has a purpose for you!
Remember, there's a certain someone who wants to destroy lives and replace all good things with pain. Don't give in to Satan!
"Never go to bed angry, stay up and fight." ~Phyllis Diller
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
You've probably heard it said before...don't go to sleep angry! Still, it's probably happened to us all, yet God tells us not to do that. You're just going to toss and turn all night thinking about what you did. Chances are the next morning, things aren't going so well, you're still angry, and then you may regret whatever happened.
If you're in an argument with someone, make an agreement. Think how peace would be in your heart if you didn't go to sleep angry. You'd actually be able to get some sleep. You could also think of something positive and encouraging like God and knowing that he has a purpose for you!
Remember, there's a certain someone who wants to destroy lives and replace all good things with pain. Don't give in to Satan!
"Never go to bed angry, stay up and fight." ~Phyllis Diller
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Anger is an Emotion.
Mark 3:5
5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!
What is the point in having an emotion such as anger? I mentioned yesterday that it reveals a lot about someone's character. That's true, but there's more. Anger is God-given. Anger is not a sin. It's alright to be angry. Jesus even got angry at times, as you can see in the verse above. It is a sin, however, when it consumes us so much that we become out of control and even violent. That is the part that truly reveals our character.
God did not make us perfect, so we are going to slip up and at times carry things too far. You can train yourself though and know that God is there for you, he can help suck the anger out of you.
“My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.” ~Jack Kerouac
For some reason, I'm not able to embed videos on here for this post. Hopefully I can figure it out. Here's a link. Go to this site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBCD9ls3iFQ
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause. *I'll try to remember to include this blurb whenever there's a video to remind you what to do* =)
5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!
What is the point in having an emotion such as anger? I mentioned yesterday that it reveals a lot about someone's character. That's true, but there's more. Anger is God-given. Anger is not a sin. It's alright to be angry. Jesus even got angry at times, as you can see in the verse above. It is a sin, however, when it consumes us so much that we become out of control and even violent. That is the part that truly reveals our character.
God did not make us perfect, so we are going to slip up and at times carry things too far. You can train yourself though and know that God is there for you, he can help suck the anger out of you.
“My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.” ~Jack Kerouac
For some reason, I'm not able to embed videos on here for this post. Hopefully I can figure it out. Here's a link. Go to this site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBCD9ls3iFQ
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause. *I'll try to remember to include this blurb whenever there's a video to remind you what to do* =)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Watch It Buddy.
Proverbs 29:11
11 Fools vent their anger,
but the wise quietly hold it back.
How many times during a given day does something completely tick you off? I'm sure you can answer that, but I know the smallest things can annoy me. Our anger says a lot about us.
An example of a huge control issue we have today is road rage when the "What did you do that for?" can turn into something more explicit. If you just let it go, you'll forget about it sooner or later.
Notice what it says in today's scripture. I want to make it clear that it's okay release your feelings, as long as you use common sense and have self-control. Don't make your anger extreme whatsoever.
Find someway to control yourself by talking to a friend and without a doubt TALK TO GOD. He wants to hear how you feel - honestly. He won't hold any grudges toward you for saying how you feel. You can always read the Bible too, which is the only way I provided you with today's Bible verse.
“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.” ~Brian Tracy
“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.” ~Charles C. Noble
11 Fools vent their anger,
but the wise quietly hold it back.
How many times during a given day does something completely tick you off? I'm sure you can answer that, but I know the smallest things can annoy me. Our anger says a lot about us.
An example of a huge control issue we have today is road rage when the "What did you do that for?" can turn into something more explicit. If you just let it go, you'll forget about it sooner or later.
Notice what it says in today's scripture. I want to make it clear that it's okay release your feelings, as long as you use common sense and have self-control. Don't make your anger extreme whatsoever.
Find someway to control yourself by talking to a friend and without a doubt TALK TO GOD. He wants to hear how you feel - honestly. He won't hold any grudges toward you for saying how you feel. You can always read the Bible too, which is the only way I provided you with today's Bible verse.
“You cannot control what happens to you, but you can control your attitude toward what happens to you, and in that, you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you.” ~Brian Tracy
“First we make our habits, then our habits make us.” ~Charles C. Noble
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Ebenezer.
1 Samuel 7:10-12
10 Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. 11 The men of Israel chased them from Mizpah to a place below Beth-car, slaughtering them all along the way.
12 Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means “the stone of help”), for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!
A few months ago, at church, my pastor had a variety of rocks to choose from. She told us to choose the one that stood out to us. During the service, she read 1 Samuel 7:12. She told us this rock was to be named "Ebenezer" (meaning "the stone of help" as the passage above states). She told us to write the last part of verse 12 on the rock...The Lord has helped us.
She said "let this be a reminder that God is always there for you." This was the purpose that Samuel had for writing this scripture. He wanted a visual representation to remind everybody of the great things God has done for them.
It is so easy to think that God abandons us in times of heartache and struggle. On the other hand, it's comforting to have a symbol that denotes how much God cares for us.
I challenge you to find a rock. Call it "Ebenezer" and write on it The Lord has helped us. Hold it in your hand whenever you need to see something that shows how much God cares for you. Another idea is to write about something when you felt close to God or when God helped you. Put it away in a drawer and then bring it out when you are feeling distant from God or in need of God's love.
"Reflections will help me remember how great and mighty our Lord is." ~Unknown
10 Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. 11 The men of Israel chased them from Mizpah to a place below Beth-car, slaughtering them all along the way.
12 Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means “the stone of help”), for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!
A few months ago, at church, my pastor had a variety of rocks to choose from. She told us to choose the one that stood out to us. During the service, she read 1 Samuel 7:12. She told us this rock was to be named "Ebenezer" (meaning "the stone of help" as the passage above states). She told us to write the last part of verse 12 on the rock...The Lord has helped us.
She said "let this be a reminder that God is always there for you." This was the purpose that Samuel had for writing this scripture. He wanted a visual representation to remind everybody of the great things God has done for them.
It is so easy to think that God abandons us in times of heartache and struggle. On the other hand, it's comforting to have a symbol that denotes how much God cares for us.
I challenge you to find a rock. Call it "Ebenezer" and write on it The Lord has helped us. Hold it in your hand whenever you need to see something that shows how much God cares for you. Another idea is to write about something when you felt close to God or when God helped you. Put it away in a drawer and then bring it out when you are feeling distant from God or in need of God's love.
"Reflections will help me remember how great and mighty our Lord is." ~Unknown
Friday, November 14, 2008
God Provides Peace and Rest.
John 14:27
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Recently, I've heard peace mentioned a lot in many different ways. I think God is saying it's okay if you're have inner conflict, but I'm telling you I'm here for you. He makes a troubled heart into a peaceful one.
I have to wonder if we really appreciate the peace he has to offer and I wonder if we realize that we can tap into God's peace...it's available! However, we still stress out, toss and turn at night, become depressed, and feel like we have no purpose.
Knowing that God provides peace can build your character, make you stronger, and less worrisome. Don't be afraid to grasp his peace every now and then. It's a resource that will always be there...c'mon he loves you!
For light I go directly to the Source of light, not to any of the reflections. ~Peace Pilgrim
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Recently, I've heard peace mentioned a lot in many different ways. I think God is saying it's okay if you're have inner conflict, but I'm telling you I'm here for you. He makes a troubled heart into a peaceful one.
I have to wonder if we really appreciate the peace he has to offer and I wonder if we realize that we can tap into God's peace...it's available! However, we still stress out, toss and turn at night, become depressed, and feel like we have no purpose.
Knowing that God provides peace can build your character, make you stronger, and less worrisome. Don't be afraid to grasp his peace every now and then. It's a resource that will always be there...c'mon he loves you!
For light I go directly to the Source of light, not to any of the reflections. ~Peace Pilgrim
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Message to the Veterans.
Ezekiel 34:25-31
25 “I will make a covenant of peace with my people and drive away the dangerous animals from the land. Then they will be able to camp safely in the wildest places and sleep in the woods without fear. 26 I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing. 27 The orchards and fields of my people will yield bumper crops, and everyone will live in safety. When I have broken their chains of slavery and rescued them from those who enslaved them, then they will know that I am the Lord. 28 They will no longer be prey for other nations, and wild animals will no longer devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will frighten them.
29 “And I will make their land famous for its crops, so my people will never again suffer from famines or the insults of foreign nations. 30 In this way, they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them. And they will know that they, the people of Israel, are my people, says the Sovereign Lord. 31 You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Today, I want to take some time to recognize the men and women who are or were in the military. I didn't get to mention this Tuesday and to tell you the truth thank you is not enough. So many have a story to tell. Whenever you see a verteran, you can just see the pride that they have for their country. Much as having God in our lives can change us, these men and women come back changed and affected in numerous ways from their deployment overseas.
I often wonder the magnitude of turmoil our country would be faced with if it weren't for them. Would I be able to sleep in my own bed? Would I be able to go outside without watching my back?
Take some time today, especially if you didn't think of it yesterday, to honor our Veterans. Be proud of them! Take a look at the video below.
May God bless them!
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." ~Cynthia Ozick
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause. =)
25 “I will make a covenant of peace with my people and drive away the dangerous animals from the land. Then they will be able to camp safely in the wildest places and sleep in the woods without fear. 26 I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing. 27 The orchards and fields of my people will yield bumper crops, and everyone will live in safety. When I have broken their chains of slavery and rescued them from those who enslaved them, then they will know that I am the Lord. 28 They will no longer be prey for other nations, and wild animals will no longer devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will frighten them.
29 “And I will make their land famous for its crops, so my people will never again suffer from famines or the insults of foreign nations. 30 In this way, they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them. And they will know that they, the people of Israel, are my people, says the Sovereign Lord. 31 You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Today, I want to take some time to recognize the men and women who are or were in the military. I didn't get to mention this Tuesday and to tell you the truth thank you is not enough. So many have a story to tell. Whenever you see a verteran, you can just see the pride that they have for their country. Much as having God in our lives can change us, these men and women come back changed and affected in numerous ways from their deployment overseas.
I often wonder the magnitude of turmoil our country would be faced with if it weren't for them. Would I be able to sleep in my own bed? Would I be able to go outside without watching my back?
Take some time today, especially if you didn't think of it yesterday, to honor our Veterans. Be proud of them! Take a look at the video below.
May God bless them!
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." ~Cynthia Ozick
P.S. If you have trouble with the video stopping and starting, keep the video paused for a while. You will see the red bar along the bottom advance (speed depends on your internet connection). Wait until that bar gets pretty far along (I'd say more than halfway) before you play the video and it shouldn't pause. =)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Seeking Peace.
Colossians 3:15
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
You can say that when we are in the world there are many problems that we are faced with. When you examine each problem it's all because of evil nature.
There is a solution and that is seeking Jesus Christ - a very simple solution that will give you peace. If you recognize the source of good news (Jesus Christ), also be thankful, then Christ's peace will be found within you.
If you can turn the bearer of good news and light on the dark side of human nature, and let Christ be the center of your life, you will be forever changed, renewed, and transformed.
Prayer: Dear God, whenever I hurt inside let me turn to you and your love because Lord, you can bring me peace in any situation.
“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” ~C.S. Lewis
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
You can say that when we are in the world there are many problems that we are faced with. When you examine each problem it's all because of evil nature.
There is a solution and that is seeking Jesus Christ - a very simple solution that will give you peace. If you recognize the source of good news (Jesus Christ), also be thankful, then Christ's peace will be found within you.
If you can turn the bearer of good news and light on the dark side of human nature, and let Christ be the center of your life, you will be forever changed, renewed, and transformed.
Prayer: Dear God, whenever I hurt inside let me turn to you and your love because Lord, you can bring me peace in any situation.
“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” ~C.S. Lewis
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Time to Move on.
Ephesians 4:32
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Now that the election is over with, and the results have flooded the media for the last week, it's time to move on especially if you are not in favor of Obama. It can be so easy to be stuck on the little things in life that leave us at a standstill. We can be joyful or frustrated and no matter which boat we're in, we can get carried away.
A big factor that comes into the election is the fact that Obama is black. Racism is a big no-no and the bible says so. Let's break it down here...
What if someone told you they didn't like you because of your color? How would you feel? You'd most likely want to change that around and make them think more highly of you. Plus, you would defend yourself by saying that no one is exactly the same.
This whole idea may sound cliche, but bear with me here...Despite differences, we all are similar too in that we eat, drink, breathe, and sleep. We have emotions. Our appearance shouldn't make us any less human.
Why do you think people appear to be different? God created it that way, so it's obvious he wanted it to be that way. If you discriminate, you are insulting God's creation. A person doesn't have any control in their color and they can't change it just because someone goes up to them and comments on their color.
If God created a variety of people which you don't like, does this mean you are against him? Think about it.
Obama's color doesn't make him any less important. It is possible to restore our country under him. Pray to God that Obama will make wise decisions.
“Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” ~Martin Luther King Jr.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Now that the election is over with, and the results have flooded the media for the last week, it's time to move on especially if you are not in favor of Obama. It can be so easy to be stuck on the little things in life that leave us at a standstill. We can be joyful or frustrated and no matter which boat we're in, we can get carried away.
A big factor that comes into the election is the fact that Obama is black. Racism is a big no-no and the bible says so. Let's break it down here...
What if someone told you they didn't like you because of your color? How would you feel? You'd most likely want to change that around and make them think more highly of you. Plus, you would defend yourself by saying that no one is exactly the same.
This whole idea may sound cliche, but bear with me here...Despite differences, we all are similar too in that we eat, drink, breathe, and sleep. We have emotions. Our appearance shouldn't make us any less human.
Why do you think people appear to be different? God created it that way, so it's obvious he wanted it to be that way. If you discriminate, you are insulting God's creation. A person doesn't have any control in their color and they can't change it just because someone goes up to them and comments on their color.
If God created a variety of people which you don't like, does this mean you are against him? Think about it.
Obama's color doesn't make him any less important. It is possible to restore our country under him. Pray to God that Obama will make wise decisions.
“Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” ~Martin Luther King Jr.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Unification = Success.
Mark 3:24
24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.
I was quickly looking over my devotions from last week and an additional thought came to me about a general topic from last week. Part of last week's main idea was that the church is a body of Christ - one Body. I talked about that on November 4. Ironically, that was Election Day. I just realized that if we're not a unified country then we can't accomplish anything. We need to be one country, under God. We need to be on the same page or else we can't function properly as a country and work together.
The change that Obama promises can't happen just because of him. The change will only occur if Obama works with others. Meanwhile, as American citizens, given our right, we need to speak out and let our voice be heard as well. Writing letters to state representatives, or anyone with high authority is an example. This way we can feed off each other's suggestions and grow together. How will America ever be a huge family if we don't work together?
The same can be said about our faith. If you don't like something that is going on in the church, do something about it. You can keep it to yourself or you can mention it to a leader and offer to help make a change (perhaps with a group of people). This will help you grow in faith and have a better relationship with Christ as you see him in other people. How will the church ever be a huge family if we don't work together?
"America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page of the policies of the past." ~Barack Obama
24 “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.
I was quickly looking over my devotions from last week and an additional thought came to me about a general topic from last week. Part of last week's main idea was that the church is a body of Christ - one Body. I talked about that on November 4. Ironically, that was Election Day. I just realized that if we're not a unified country then we can't accomplish anything. We need to be one country, under God. We need to be on the same page or else we can't function properly as a country and work together.
The change that Obama promises can't happen just because of him. The change will only occur if Obama works with others. Meanwhile, as American citizens, given our right, we need to speak out and let our voice be heard as well. Writing letters to state representatives, or anyone with high authority is an example. This way we can feed off each other's suggestions and grow together. How will America ever be a huge family if we don't work together?
The same can be said about our faith. If you don't like something that is going on in the church, do something about it. You can keep it to yourself or you can mention it to a leader and offer to help make a change (perhaps with a group of people). This will help you grow in faith and have a better relationship with Christ as you see him in other people. How will the church ever be a huge family if we don't work together?
"America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page of the policies of the past." ~Barack Obama
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Worrying Part I.
Matthew 6:27
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
I will be the first to admit that...at times it is very hard not to worry! When we worry it brings us into a state of fear, leading to depression, turning into paralysis/not being able to do anything.
Believe it or not, worrying can become obsessive and uncontrollable. An example is the countless phobias that exist today in many different people. The scripture above, Matthew 6:27, always hits me hard because, sure, at times it is hard not to worry. It's SO TRUE how much time do we do waste on worrying...A LOT. There are far more productive things we could be doing.
Maybe simple techniques like taking deep breaths calm the worrying in you. Did you ever think about opening up the bible?
"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep." ~Dale Carnegie
Part II of the worrying topic will come down the road...
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
I will be the first to admit that...at times it is very hard not to worry! When we worry it brings us into a state of fear, leading to depression, turning into paralysis/not being able to do anything.
Believe it or not, worrying can become obsessive and uncontrollable. An example is the countless phobias that exist today in many different people. The scripture above, Matthew 6:27, always hits me hard because, sure, at times it is hard not to worry. It's SO TRUE how much time do we do waste on worrying...A LOT. There are far more productive things we could be doing.
Maybe simple techniques like taking deep breaths calm the worrying in you. Did you ever think about opening up the bible?
"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep." ~Dale Carnegie
Part II of the worrying topic will come down the road...
Friday, November 7, 2008
Packing Your Bags.
Matthew 6:20-21
20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Hmmm...this whole thing may be corny but...what's the most frustrating thing about going on vacation (aside from not sleeping in your own bed)? I'd have to say packing. The good news is that we don't have to pack to go to heaven.
If you could make a brief list of what to bring to heaven, would it be possible? (I notice this is similar to the what you would bring on a deserted island type thing). The items wouldn't fit in one suitcase would they? Obviously, you wouldn't bring anything painful...that helps somewhat. Maybe you can't even decide where to begin. How do you know what is right and what is wrong to bring? What about clothes? Can we do laundry up in heaven? :)
Well let me tell you, God tells you not to worry and you definitely don't need to worry about what to bring with you up to heaven. I don't think you would have time. We can worry about that when we get there (actually no worries - God will help us)! I wish I could say the same for vacations.
Just focus on loving God and others. Introduce others to the Kingdom of God. What to pack for heaven isn't relevant.
"Your host [God] will provide everything you need." ~Tim O'Hearn
20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Hmmm...this whole thing may be corny but...what's the most frustrating thing about going on vacation (aside from not sleeping in your own bed)? I'd have to say packing. The good news is that we don't have to pack to go to heaven.
If you could make a brief list of what to bring to heaven, would it be possible? (I notice this is similar to the what you would bring on a deserted island type thing). The items wouldn't fit in one suitcase would they? Obviously, you wouldn't bring anything painful...that helps somewhat. Maybe you can't even decide where to begin. How do you know what is right and what is wrong to bring? What about clothes? Can we do laundry up in heaven? :)
Well let me tell you, God tells you not to worry and you definitely don't need to worry about what to bring with you up to heaven. I don't think you would have time. We can worry about that when we get there (actually no worries - God will help us)! I wish I could say the same for vacations.
Just focus on loving God and others. Introduce others to the Kingdom of God. What to pack for heaven isn't relevant.
"Your host [God] will provide everything you need." ~Tim O'Hearn
Thursday, November 6, 2008
A New and Different Body.
Philippians 3:20-21
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
This scripture looks at the believers of Christianity. We are reminded that the Earth isn't our permanent residence (see post on September 20). It is a fragile place. When you are at an airport, you don't worry about being a permanent resident there. You're just at the airport for a short time before heading home. You never know how long you will be waiting at the airport exactly...the plane has to be ready in order for you to leave. Similarly, Jesus will come and bring you home (to heaven) when he feels ready.
When we go to heaven, we are promised that we will be transformed into perfect beings. We are no longer fragile. Don't worry about perfecting your looks, etc. now. Our bodies are just going to die anyway. Our spirits will go to heaven, so that's what counts. The blind will be able to see and the voices that don't have much tune will be able to sing like beautiful angels.
I guess what I have to tell you today is that there is a perfect body waiting for us in heaven. We should be excited for that glorious day to be standing at the feet of Jesus with flawless features. God can only do this because of his awesome and amazing power of supremacy.
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched... but are felt in the heart." ~Helen Keller
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
This scripture looks at the believers of Christianity. We are reminded that the Earth isn't our permanent residence (see post on September 20). It is a fragile place. When you are at an airport, you don't worry about being a permanent resident there. You're just at the airport for a short time before heading home. You never know how long you will be waiting at the airport exactly...the plane has to be ready in order for you to leave. Similarly, Jesus will come and bring you home (to heaven) when he feels ready.
When we go to heaven, we are promised that we will be transformed into perfect beings. We are no longer fragile. Don't worry about perfecting your looks, etc. now. Our bodies are just going to die anyway. Our spirits will go to heaven, so that's what counts. The blind will be able to see and the voices that don't have much tune will be able to sing like beautiful angels.
I guess what I have to tell you today is that there is a perfect body waiting for us in heaven. We should be excited for that glorious day to be standing at the feet of Jesus with flawless features. God can only do this because of his awesome and amazing power of supremacy.
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched... but are felt in the heart." ~Helen Keller
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Communion.
Mark 14:22-24
22 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”
23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.
Continuing to talk about the church as a body of Christ, such a unification can be represented by having Communion. It is a repetitive event in the life of a Christian. It is meant to be a time where the church comes together, recalls, and celebrates what Christ has done for us.
Let's break communion down some more...
So why communion you ask? God asks us to do it, in turn we are to obey.
What should be done during communion? An examination of ourselves to see if we truly believe. Also, we need to remember Christ...his life, death, and resurrection.
What is the purpose of Communion? It is a statement of faith.
What does Communion symbolize? The Holy Spirit. It also shows how involved we are in the body of Christ - living a life centered around him.
Next time the body of Christ is broken for you and the blood of Christ is shed for you, remember why.
"If we but paused for a moment to consider attentively what takes place in this Sacrament, I am sure that the thought of Christ's love for us would transform the coldness of our hearts into a fire of love and gratitude." ~St. Angela of Foligno
22 As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”
23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.
Continuing to talk about the church as a body of Christ, such a unification can be represented by having Communion. It is a repetitive event in the life of a Christian. It is meant to be a time where the church comes together, recalls, and celebrates what Christ has done for us.
Let's break communion down some more...
So why communion you ask? God asks us to do it, in turn we are to obey.
What should be done during communion? An examination of ourselves to see if we truly believe. Also, we need to remember Christ...his life, death, and resurrection.
What is the purpose of Communion? It is a statement of faith.
What does Communion symbolize? The Holy Spirit. It also shows how involved we are in the body of Christ - living a life centered around him.
Next time the body of Christ is broken for you and the blood of Christ is shed for you, remember why.
"If we but paused for a moment to consider attentively what takes place in this Sacrament, I am sure that the thought of Christ's love for us would transform the coldness of our hearts into a fire of love and gratitude." ~St. Angela of Foligno
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Understanding that the Church is a Body.
Romans 12:3-8
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Many Christians believe that they can survive on their own without the aid of others. That is not true. In fact, it's not really possible. Maybe if you do nothing but go to church it is. However, we are called to be committed to our church in whatever way possible and even so one cannot have all the authority to themselves. Everyone has to come together...partnering up with others to work around the church. Much like you can't completely function on your own without vital body parts like an arm and a leg, neither can the church function without a unified body of Christ.
In a previous post (September 18) I talked about spiritual gifts. There are many evaluation tools out there to help determine your strengths and weaknesses from different categories (like leadership, hospitality, and evangelism). This narrows your search as you look for opportunities in your church. I remind you that if you e-mail me at heytbone92@gmail.com, I can let you utilize those tools. This will keep the process from becoming too overwhelming. God grants everyone with special gifts and no one has a talent they can't use for the church.
My Sunday School teacher, Mr. S, who taught me when I was in middle school always said..."The church is not the BUILDING, it's the PEOPLE. The people within the church make all the difference."
“Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.” ~Bridget Willard
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Many Christians believe that they can survive on their own without the aid of others. That is not true. In fact, it's not really possible. Maybe if you do nothing but go to church it is. However, we are called to be committed to our church in whatever way possible and even so one cannot have all the authority to themselves. Everyone has to come together...partnering up with others to work around the church. Much like you can't completely function on your own without vital body parts like an arm and a leg, neither can the church function without a unified body of Christ.
In a previous post (September 18) I talked about spiritual gifts. There are many evaluation tools out there to help determine your strengths and weaknesses from different categories (like leadership, hospitality, and evangelism). This narrows your search as you look for opportunities in your church. I remind you that if you e-mail me at heytbone92@gmail.com, I can let you utilize those tools. This will keep the process from becoming too overwhelming. God grants everyone with special gifts and no one has a talent they can't use for the church.
My Sunday School teacher, Mr. S, who taught me when I was in middle school always said..."The church is not the BUILDING, it's the PEOPLE. The people within the church make all the difference."
“Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.” ~Bridget Willard
Monday, November 3, 2008
A Christian Involves Going to Church.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
I've heard many people tell me..."Oh I believe in God, but I don't go to church." I have nothing against them, but I don't think they receive the full benefits of being a Christian this way. (I'm sorry if you disagree with what I'm saying - this seems to be controversial).
First of all, how can you stay on track with your faith without friends from your church? Having friends in a church, peers or not, helps to support your beliefs and furthers your understanding of God. Ideally, you should spend time with at least some people that are Christians. When you are with people who aren't Christians, you should do everything you can to be Christ-like.
Secondly, it's much harder to connect with and find Chrisitans if you're not involved in a church. Attending church allows you to get more familiar with people who have similar beliefs as you. If you meet someone outside of a church, normally you won't say, "Hi my name is _________ and I'm a Christian." It may take years for friends to clearly figure out what each other's beliefs. So even though you can pray alone and study alone, you need fellow believers.
Thirdly, churches may have rules that at times make you feel guilty. In order for families to be strong they must have the bar set high as far as moral standards are concerned. The same is true for churches - to be one family of God. It is true that people can make you feel guilty, but guilt can be seen as a gift from God. Pray during this time and read the bible to help figure out what God thinks because what you may think and what God is trying to get across to you can be totally different. He could be trying to get your attention.
Finally, along with everything mentioned above, a church provides a great spot to worship the Lord. All the songs that are sung are dedicated to him no matter what time of day or day of the week it is. This is where God sees how much you love him and how meaningful you are.
Nonetheless, going to church allows you to build a relationship with God and other Christians. Don't sleep in, but go to church as much as you can if you're serious about being a Christian!
“The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church...is almost like the difference between calling your girl on the phone and spending an evening with her.” ~Dwight L. Moody
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
I've heard many people tell me..."Oh I believe in God, but I don't go to church." I have nothing against them, but I don't think they receive the full benefits of being a Christian this way. (I'm sorry if you disagree with what I'm saying - this seems to be controversial).
First of all, how can you stay on track with your faith without friends from your church? Having friends in a church, peers or not, helps to support your beliefs and furthers your understanding of God. Ideally, you should spend time with at least some people that are Christians. When you are with people who aren't Christians, you should do everything you can to be Christ-like.
Secondly, it's much harder to connect with and find Chrisitans if you're not involved in a church. Attending church allows you to get more familiar with people who have similar beliefs as you. If you meet someone outside of a church, normally you won't say, "Hi my name is _________ and I'm a Christian." It may take years for friends to clearly figure out what each other's beliefs. So even though you can pray alone and study alone, you need fellow believers.
Thirdly, churches may have rules that at times make you feel guilty. In order for families to be strong they must have the bar set high as far as moral standards are concerned. The same is true for churches - to be one family of God. It is true that people can make you feel guilty, but guilt can be seen as a gift from God. Pray during this time and read the bible to help figure out what God thinks because what you may think and what God is trying to get across to you can be totally different. He could be trying to get your attention.
Finally, along with everything mentioned above, a church provides a great spot to worship the Lord. All the songs that are sung are dedicated to him no matter what time of day or day of the week it is. This is where God sees how much you love him and how meaningful you are.
Nonetheless, going to church allows you to build a relationship with God and other Christians. Don't sleep in, but go to church as much as you can if you're serious about being a Christian!
“The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church...is almost like the difference between calling your girl on the phone and spending an evening with her.” ~Dwight L. Moody
Saturday, November 1, 2008
God Knows It All.
1 Corinthians 2:9
9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Did you ever think you knew it all? Well you're wrong. You don't and never will know it all. If you think about it, it's good not to know everything because then there would be no point in living, no point in having faith, and no point in worshipping God. God wants you to count on him so this is most likely the reason why life is a big waiting game. Look for clues as to what God may be working on in your life.
Listen to the song, "Beautiful One" by Chris Tomlin. In the video below, Jeremy Camp sings it. I believe this song is based on the scripture given above. God is so beautiful and has so much in store for you, you can't even begin to imagine..
9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Did you ever think you knew it all? Well you're wrong. You don't and never will know it all. If you think about it, it's good not to know everything because then there would be no point in living, no point in having faith, and no point in worshipping God. God wants you to count on him so this is most likely the reason why life is a big waiting game. Look for clues as to what God may be working on in your life.
Listen to the song, "Beautiful One" by Chris Tomlin. In the video below, Jeremy Camp sings it. I believe this song is based on the scripture given above. God is so beautiful and has so much in store for you, you can't even begin to imagine..
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