At Pilgrims Rest, I am doing three separate studies currently.
#1 is a verse by verse study of Exodus on Wednesday Nights. We are in Exodus 20 this week and will be dealing with the first 4 of the 10 Commandments listed. These are the commandments that are directed to our relationship to God.
#2 is a journey through the scriptures during our Sunday Morning Worship times. It is called 'God's Story' and is a broadstroke journey that covers many of the themes and texts in the Bible...showing God's great plan of Redemption. This week will be covering Exodus Chapter 20 as well as other parts of Exodus. Again, the commandments.
#3 is my Sunday School/Small Group. We have been going chronologically through the scriptures since Jan 1 and have just started the New Testament (last week). This week's text includes the Sermon on the Mount which has much relation to the Commandments.
I love it when a plan comes together - especially when it isn't my plan! Do the commandments cause you to stop and change things or do they cause action? Do you see all of God's Word as His Commands to His People or just some of it? Can you list all TEN? Just wondering...
Monday, October 8, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Judgment Here and Later
Often when we talk about judgment in church we talk about the kind that we can level at one another. Sure, that is judgment and the Bible is clear on how we are to treat it...no better advice exists than the Biblical text of 'Judge not lest ye be judged'. That text has two-fold meaning: 1) our judgment of others can and will be met by a return of the favor from other individuals that see us doing it. 2) our judgement of others create a need for judgment from our God.
You remember the story of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18? The king gives immeasurable mercy to his servant by forgiving his huge debt. The servant turns to another who owes him a much smaller amount and instead of giving mercy he gives threats even jails the man until 'every penny is paid'. The king (a picture of God) is told of this and rightly judges the unforgiving servant for his sin.
I wonder how often we must fall into this cycle before we will stop with our judgments and merciless attitudes on others?
I am studying the book of Habakkuk. This prophet of God seems to be the only prophet that instead of giving a message to the people is recorded questioning God's judgment of God's people. What is God's response? He fully intends to use an evil nation (Babylon) to judge His own evil people (Judah) until they can learn to be faithful. After all, He is grooming and preparing the nation of Judah to bring forth Messiah (Jesus) to save the entire world and they must not fall away from their faith before that time would come.
Lord, help me not to judge others but to instead turn that energy upon my own life. Help me not to inspect others to see the 'fruit of their Christian Life' but instead to look and see if my own life is bearing fruit of Christ-likeness.
Let me remember that the little judgments that I pass here in this life have eternal significance.
You remember the story of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18? The king gives immeasurable mercy to his servant by forgiving his huge debt. The servant turns to another who owes him a much smaller amount and instead of giving mercy he gives threats even jails the man until 'every penny is paid'. The king (a picture of God) is told of this and rightly judges the unforgiving servant for his sin.
I wonder how often we must fall into this cycle before we will stop with our judgments and merciless attitudes on others?
I am studying the book of Habakkuk. This prophet of God seems to be the only prophet that instead of giving a message to the people is recorded questioning God's judgment of God's people. What is God's response? He fully intends to use an evil nation (Babylon) to judge His own evil people (Judah) until they can learn to be faithful. After all, He is grooming and preparing the nation of Judah to bring forth Messiah (Jesus) to save the entire world and they must not fall away from their faith before that time would come.
Lord, help me not to judge others but to instead turn that energy upon my own life. Help me not to inspect others to see the 'fruit of their Christian Life' but instead to look and see if my own life is bearing fruit of Christ-likeness.
Let me remember that the little judgments that I pass here in this life have eternal significance.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Homecoming!
This week we are preparing for our 158th Anniversary Celebration that we are calling a Homecoming. We are very excited to see friends and family from years gone by as well as get a chance to welcome guests and new folks in the community!
It's funny, because we will gather in a tent outside of our church building due to space (gathering at 10:30am for Worship if you were wondering). So we are actually celebrating Homecoming with more meager comforts that our normal worship gathering.
Did you know there is a Homecoming in the future of every follower of Jesus that will be very little like this? It will be an event of perfection and joy...an event of immaculate preparation...
Yet, our preparation for that day of Homecoming when we meet Jesus should be even more diligently prepared for! We should spend much energy making sure that day is met with this greeting from our Lord - 'Well done, good and faithful servant'.
Many tell me that they have a bit of fear about the day when we meet the Lord face to face. They are concerned with their destination or with what their life will have earned them. Here is a verse for you if you feel this way - 'For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord'. (Romans 8:38-39 ESV)
See you at Homecoming this weekend at Pilgrims Rest and then I hope to see you at Homecoming that day when this world passes away and our new life begins in the New Heaven and New Earth!
It's funny, because we will gather in a tent outside of our church building due to space (gathering at 10:30am for Worship if you were wondering). So we are actually celebrating Homecoming with more meager comforts that our normal worship gathering.
Did you know there is a Homecoming in the future of every follower of Jesus that will be very little like this? It will be an event of perfection and joy...an event of immaculate preparation...
Yet, our preparation for that day of Homecoming when we meet Jesus should be even more diligently prepared for! We should spend much energy making sure that day is met with this greeting from our Lord - 'Well done, good and faithful servant'.
Many tell me that they have a bit of fear about the day when we meet the Lord face to face. They are concerned with their destination or with what their life will have earned them. Here is a verse for you if you feel this way - 'For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord'. (Romans 8:38-39 ESV)
See you at Homecoming this weekend at Pilgrims Rest and then I hope to see you at Homecoming that day when this world passes away and our new life begins in the New Heaven and New Earth!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Restraint vs. Action
Over the last few Millenia, many philosophers have wisely instructed 'don't do something to a person if you do not want it done to yourself'. Even the famous Chinese Philosopher, Confucius, said this very thing some 500 years before the Life of Christ. This truly is good advice.
In Matthew 7:12 Jesus teaches 'Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you'. At first glance, it might appear that Jesus was just giving the same advice as other wise men. But, as is always the case with scripture, there is a powerful application when you dig into God's Word.
Confucius, and others, taught right living by restraint. Think about what you would want and then 'don't do this and don't do that'. Sure, you can find plenty of 'don'ts' in scripture, but Jesus teaches action through this Golden Rule. Pro-actively do to others the way you would hope/like/expect them to do to you. Jesus teaches action, not restraint. Too often we wait and see what others will do and then perform based upon what we see. Jesus teaches us to take the lead and act upon our faith which then puts others in the position of response towards that faith. Now that is a challenge!
Today, look around and see what action you CAN take to improve your relationships. All the Gospel of Jesus Christ to show itself in how you live, act, think and respond!
In Matthew 7:12 Jesus teaches 'Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you'. At first glance, it might appear that Jesus was just giving the same advice as other wise men. But, as is always the case with scripture, there is a powerful application when you dig into God's Word.
Confucius, and others, taught right living by restraint. Think about what you would want and then 'don't do this and don't do that'. Sure, you can find plenty of 'don'ts' in scripture, but Jesus teaches action through this Golden Rule. Pro-actively do to others the way you would hope/like/expect them to do to you. Jesus teaches action, not restraint. Too often we wait and see what others will do and then perform based upon what we see. Jesus teaches us to take the lead and act upon our faith which then puts others in the position of response towards that faith. Now that is a challenge!
Today, look around and see what action you CAN take to improve your relationships. All the Gospel of Jesus Christ to show itself in how you live, act, think and respond!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Lest we put the cart before the horse...
In a few short days we will celebrate the Glorious and Powerful Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the exclamation point on the truth that Jesus is the Son of God that has complete victory over sin, death and hell. It is, and should be, one of the greatest weekends of Worship in any christian's calendar.
However, the beauty of the Resurrection would be insignificant without the agony of the Cross. It would be the equivalent of my Arkansas Razorbacks celebrating a National Championship in football (yes, I may be dreaming here) during a year that they were disqualified for violating the rules of the NCAA.
You see, the power of sin was ruling in the world and in the hearts of man. All humanity stood condemned, in full violation of God's perfect law. We were ineligible for relationship, for service, for life...scripture would call us 'dead in our trespasses and sin'.
If Jesus hadn't walked the Calvary Road then the debt wouldn't have been paid. If Almighty God hadn't placed our sin upon His battered back then my sin (and yours) wouldn't have been nailed to that Old Rugged Cross. If the God-Man (Jesus) hadn't poured out His love for you and I in this way then this coming Sunday would be as good of a day as any to go fishing or sleep in. But, all those ifs fade away in light of what Jesus actually did - He completed/fulfilled all the requirements of the law by dying for you and I that day.
This week, let's stop and appreciate our Holy God and His Holy Sacrifice. He is Worthy of that and much more!
However, the beauty of the Resurrection would be insignificant without the agony of the Cross. It would be the equivalent of my Arkansas Razorbacks celebrating a National Championship in football (yes, I may be dreaming here) during a year that they were disqualified for violating the rules of the NCAA.
You see, the power of sin was ruling in the world and in the hearts of man. All humanity stood condemned, in full violation of God's perfect law. We were ineligible for relationship, for service, for life...scripture would call us 'dead in our trespasses and sin'.
If Jesus hadn't walked the Calvary Road then the debt wouldn't have been paid. If Almighty God hadn't placed our sin upon His battered back then my sin (and yours) wouldn't have been nailed to that Old Rugged Cross. If the God-Man (Jesus) hadn't poured out His love for you and I in this way then this coming Sunday would be as good of a day as any to go fishing or sleep in. But, all those ifs fade away in light of what Jesus actually did - He completed/fulfilled all the requirements of the law by dying for you and I that day.
This week, let's stop and appreciate our Holy God and His Holy Sacrifice. He is Worthy of that and much more!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Journey of Salvation
I have often thought of salvation of an 'event' but truly it seems better described as a journey. Ofcourse, there is a moment in the life of a person where we come to God in earnest - asking for His gracious forgiveness - believing in His Son Jesus' life, death resurrection and return - claiming His Lordship over our lives. However, it is a daily process of change and transformation that leads us closer to God.
Under the 'journey' idea, I think of a train. I have been on a train many times during my business career - sometimes near the engine and sometimes near the caboose and other times nearer the middle. Our Christian lives have different segments not unlike train-cars. All part of one train going in one direction (hopefully).
It seems there is always a part of our trains that is the hardest to keep moving in the same direction. One rebellious boxcar that desires to make its own way or even flat out stop in its tracks. Sometimes our Christian walk is hindered in its growing by this 'weak link'. Each of us have our own unique struggles and weaknesses but scripture teaches about a few that are held in common by a great many believers. One is discussed in Matthew 6:19-24 - slavery to money, possessions and stuff. Read that passage and ask God to show you where you stand in this area. With most of us, we can surely improve. God calls us to have a heart for Him and His Kingdom and when our earthly treasure becomes our focus than we divert energies of our heart from Him to 'Stuff'. Stuff never saved anybody and stuff is temporary.
Let's take an inventory of our 'journey' and see what train-cars need re-alignment to keep us moving along the tracks of a spiritual life following God Almighty!
Under the 'journey' idea, I think of a train. I have been on a train many times during my business career - sometimes near the engine and sometimes near the caboose and other times nearer the middle. Our Christian lives have different segments not unlike train-cars. All part of one train going in one direction (hopefully).
It seems there is always a part of our trains that is the hardest to keep moving in the same direction. One rebellious boxcar that desires to make its own way or even flat out stop in its tracks. Sometimes our Christian walk is hindered in its growing by this 'weak link'. Each of us have our own unique struggles and weaknesses but scripture teaches about a few that are held in common by a great many believers. One is discussed in Matthew 6:19-24 - slavery to money, possessions and stuff. Read that passage and ask God to show you where you stand in this area. With most of us, we can surely improve. God calls us to have a heart for Him and His Kingdom and when our earthly treasure becomes our focus than we divert energies of our heart from Him to 'Stuff'. Stuff never saved anybody and stuff is temporary.
Let's take an inventory of our 'journey' and see what train-cars need re-alignment to keep us moving along the tracks of a spiritual life following God Almighty!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Don't Act Up
Reality TV like 'The Bachelor'and Popular Novels like 'The Hunger Games' - what do these have in common? It has become normal to act differently on the outside than we are on the inside. We have been trained by our culture to do this and to expect it from others.
As it pertains to our spiritual lives this can be most dangerous. It can break down the walls of trust between brothers and sisters in Christ. It can certainly hinder our relationship to our God. We can even fall into the trap of believing our Savior might also be this way - after all - everyone else is...
Rather than putting on an act, what if we simply acted in Faith? That is the clear command in scripture. It is this Faith that makes it possible to please God. What if, when a person looked at you they saw you and took you completely at face value? Rather than wondering what you were really about they could choose to believe what they see because you have a track record of not putting on. I am challenged to do this. You?
As it pertains to our spiritual lives this can be most dangerous. It can break down the walls of trust between brothers and sisters in Christ. It can certainly hinder our relationship to our God. We can even fall into the trap of believing our Savior might also be this way - after all - everyone else is...
Rather than putting on an act, what if we simply acted in Faith? That is the clear command in scripture. It is this Faith that makes it possible to please God. What if, when a person looked at you they saw you and took you completely at face value? Rather than wondering what you were really about they could choose to believe what they see because you have a track record of not putting on. I am challenged to do this. You?
Monday, February 27, 2012
Pray Like This...
Much has been written about how to pray including much discussion on what Jesus had in Mind in Matthew 6:9-13. This week, my challenge is to prepare my/our hearts appropriately before approaching God in prayer, no matter what form that prayer may take. The prior verses of Chapter 6 teach us plenty about ourselves.
You see, we either come to prayer time with the Lord for pure reasons or for improper reasons. Motive is the operative word. Some improper motives can be:
1. Pride - Jesus tells us to stay away from the hypocrite prayer life. All show and no heart. Prayer, in its simplest form, should be the humbling of ourselves below the One that we pray to. Coming to Him in any other way is vain and may very well result in a humbling experience!
2. Uncertainty - Don't get me wrong - I am often unsure as to what way to pray. However, I am speaking to our allegiance. When Jesus teaches us to pray for His Kingdom to Come and His Will to be Done we are making a stance of certain and clear allegiance to the One and Eternal King of Glory. If we are not yet ready to commit to His Kingdom and therefore commit to the results of praying for His Will then we must refer to point #1.
3. Ignorance - To ignore a truth and pretend or hope for circumstances that are clearly out of touch with reality and/or the Father's Will is not prayer. God is not a genie in a bottle. To seek God's will is to educate ourselves on what God wants in the World. He has revealed that perfectly in His Word and given us His Spirit so that we interpret it correctly. In 'The Message' Translation - Eugene Peterson says that many people think of themselves as prayer warriors when what they really are is prayer-ignorant.
I hope that we can treat prayer with the proper respect it should have as the means of living out our relationship with God through Jesus Christ!
You see, we either come to prayer time with the Lord for pure reasons or for improper reasons. Motive is the operative word. Some improper motives can be:
1. Pride - Jesus tells us to stay away from the hypocrite prayer life. All show and no heart. Prayer, in its simplest form, should be the humbling of ourselves below the One that we pray to. Coming to Him in any other way is vain and may very well result in a humbling experience!
2. Uncertainty - Don't get me wrong - I am often unsure as to what way to pray. However, I am speaking to our allegiance. When Jesus teaches us to pray for His Kingdom to Come and His Will to be Done we are making a stance of certain and clear allegiance to the One and Eternal King of Glory. If we are not yet ready to commit to His Kingdom and therefore commit to the results of praying for His Will then we must refer to point #1.
3. Ignorance - To ignore a truth and pretend or hope for circumstances that are clearly out of touch with reality and/or the Father's Will is not prayer. God is not a genie in a bottle. To seek God's will is to educate ourselves on what God wants in the World. He has revealed that perfectly in His Word and given us His Spirit so that we interpret it correctly. In 'The Message' Translation - Eugene Peterson says that many people think of themselves as prayer warriors when what they really are is prayer-ignorant.
I hope that we can treat prayer with the proper respect it should have as the means of living out our relationship with God through Jesus Christ!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Spring is coming
The changing of the seasons is always a great time but there may be none better than the transition from Winter to Spring. We all enjoy a good snow (as long as it doesn't stick around too long) but the truth about winter is it can get a little too dark, stark and even depressing if we let it. The season of Spring swoops in at just the right time to remind us that God is constantly in the process of restoring beauty and new life to the world.
Since He does this so clearly in creation we can know that He does this in our lives as individuals and families as well. I look outside and see a warm sunny day instead of a dark and dreary one and I can know that even in my toughest days God can and will restore to me the 'joy of my salvation'. Psalm 51
In Arkansas today, we can look outside (or even better we can go out and enjoy it) and see a glimmer of a coming spring. Can we look at our lives and see God bringing on a new season of life, color, wonder and hope as well? I can, and I hope you can as well.
Since He does this so clearly in creation we can know that He does this in our lives as individuals and families as well. I look outside and see a warm sunny day instead of a dark and dreary one and I can know that even in my toughest days God can and will restore to me the 'joy of my salvation'. Psalm 51
In Arkansas today, we can look outside (or even better we can go out and enjoy it) and see a glimmer of a coming spring. Can we look at our lives and see God bringing on a new season of life, color, wonder and hope as well? I can, and I hope you can as well.
Monday, February 13, 2012
The only thing we have to Fear is...
Scripture teaches an amazing truth in 1 John 4:18 that 'There is no fear in love and perfect love casts out fear'. We learn back in Verse 16 that 'God is Love'. Put those two truths together and we can know that God casts out fear from the life of the believer. Yours and my love relationship with God gives us all the ammunition needed to live a life of victory over fear.
Yesterday, my very good friend, Holt Condren, came and spoke to us at Pilgrims Rest. He taught from Ephesians 2:10 about God's plan and purpose for us. He taught that we must live courageously in this world to be able to achieve the abundant life God has called us to. He made the point that anything worthwhile will also be challenging and that to overcome those challenges we must overcome fear. His statement was that we should actually 'accelerate through our fear' knowing that as God's children we can be victorious over the challenges life will give us.
I don't know about you, but I am certainly challenged by this thinking. We live in a world full of fear and we almost expect our challenges to be 'too big' for us. Can we counter-culturally embrace the truth that we should run head-long towards our challenges?
Well, come to think of it, Jesus - the Son of God - walked perfectly through this life. All the while, He knew He was walking 'The Calvary Road'. Our Savior knew the challenges ahead and He knew that each step He took would lead Him closer to The Cross. Hmmm, if that is our model - why do we shrink, why do we whine?
Maybe the only thing we have to fear is...a life of unfinished business because we have shrunk from the 'God-Sized' Plans He created for us (Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11).
Yesterday, my very good friend, Holt Condren, came and spoke to us at Pilgrims Rest. He taught from Ephesians 2:10 about God's plan and purpose for us. He taught that we must live courageously in this world to be able to achieve the abundant life God has called us to. He made the point that anything worthwhile will also be challenging and that to overcome those challenges we must overcome fear. His statement was that we should actually 'accelerate through our fear' knowing that as God's children we can be victorious over the challenges life will give us.
I don't know about you, but I am certainly challenged by this thinking. We live in a world full of fear and we almost expect our challenges to be 'too big' for us. Can we counter-culturally embrace the truth that we should run head-long towards our challenges?
Well, come to think of it, Jesus - the Son of God - walked perfectly through this life. All the while, He knew He was walking 'The Calvary Road'. Our Savior knew the challenges ahead and He knew that each step He took would lead Him closer to The Cross. Hmmm, if that is our model - why do we shrink, why do we whine?
Maybe the only thing we have to fear is...a life of unfinished business because we have shrunk from the 'God-Sized' Plans He created for us (Ephesians 2:10, Jeremiah 29:11).
Monday, February 6, 2012
Healing and Miracles
Does God's Power still manifest through supernatural healing or jaw-dropping miracles? Did His healing power end after the apostles passed on to Glory? This is our topic of discussion this Wednesday Night at 6:30pm.
We have been studying the Spiritual Gifts - those giftings that God gives His Children to accomplish His work in the world. Notably, both healing and miracles are listed in 1 Corithians 12:8-10 and 28-31. These are often listed as sign gifts. What are sign gifts? They are spiritual gifts that God ordains to point to Him, His Power, His Glory and His Goodness (don't signs usually point out what the sign-maker desires to be known about them?).
Tell a cancer survivor that God's healing power isn't in effect 'these days' after they were told they only had months to live - only to go back to the doctor and be told the cancer cannot be found and that there is no 'medical explanation' for what has happened.
Tell the missionary that God does not do miracles 'in our times' after they have seen Him re-grow arms, remove demonic spirits, etc.
As a matter of fact, don't tell them that and don't tell me that. Our God, My God, is still in the business of changing lives and still actively pointing His creation unto Himself and He often uses these powerful and gracious 'sign gifts' to do it. When in the situation of sharing His Gospel with a lost soul, ask and expect Him to deliver signs and wonders of His love for them. Don't test Him, don't corner Him, don't get silly, don't trivialize this gift - just ask Him to demonstrate His nature!
When we pray, we should come expectant of seeing God show up in the matter we have prayed about. That could be a need for bodily healing, a need for financial provision or for the greatest need of all - that a lost soul be brought under the saving Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. What better healing than for God to heal a heart that is desperately sick, so sick that only He can know it (Jeremiah 17:9).
Today, I am praying for our faith family, that God would heal all. I am praying for our community, that God would give signs of His love and power. I am praying for our hearts, that although we believe - that He would help our unbelief. Join me.
We have been studying the Spiritual Gifts - those giftings that God gives His Children to accomplish His work in the world. Notably, both healing and miracles are listed in 1 Corithians 12:8-10 and 28-31. These are often listed as sign gifts. What are sign gifts? They are spiritual gifts that God ordains to point to Him, His Power, His Glory and His Goodness (don't signs usually point out what the sign-maker desires to be known about them?).
Tell a cancer survivor that God's healing power isn't in effect 'these days' after they were told they only had months to live - only to go back to the doctor and be told the cancer cannot be found and that there is no 'medical explanation' for what has happened.
Tell the missionary that God does not do miracles 'in our times' after they have seen Him re-grow arms, remove demonic spirits, etc.
As a matter of fact, don't tell them that and don't tell me that. Our God, My God, is still in the business of changing lives and still actively pointing His creation unto Himself and He often uses these powerful and gracious 'sign gifts' to do it. When in the situation of sharing His Gospel with a lost soul, ask and expect Him to deliver signs and wonders of His love for them. Don't test Him, don't corner Him, don't get silly, don't trivialize this gift - just ask Him to demonstrate His nature!
When we pray, we should come expectant of seeing God show up in the matter we have prayed about. That could be a need for bodily healing, a need for financial provision or for the greatest need of all - that a lost soul be brought under the saving Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. What better healing than for God to heal a heart that is desperately sick, so sick that only He can know it (Jeremiah 17:9).
Today, I am praying for our faith family, that God would heal all. I am praying for our community, that God would give signs of His love and power. I am praying for our hearts, that although we believe - that He would help our unbelief. Join me.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Eternity in our hearts
This week is going to be so much fun. Our 14 month long study through the book of Revelation is near its conclusion. Sunday morning I will get to preach from Revelation 20:11-15. This will be a nice break from our 'Sermon on the Mount' series. This text from John's Revelation deals with judgement as well as with the 'Reality of Hell'. Hell isn't spoken of much anymore...in the church or otherwise. I believe it is important that we have a better understanding of Hell so we can be properly motivated to evangelize as God's Great Commission charges us!
Then on Sunday Night we will start Revelation 21 and the tables will turn from the 'Realities of Hell' to the 'Realities of Heaven'. Now, this gets truly exciting. There is much to learn about our eternal home in the presence of our Eternal God! Yes, I know it is Super Bowl Sunday. No, I am not a prude. Hit the DVR button, come to church at 5pm and get excited about the place you will spend eternity in...then go home and enjoy the 'most watched TV event of the year' while being able to skip some of those raunchy commercials!
Ecclesiastes 3:11 teaches us that 'we have eternity in our hearts'. I know that to be true and believe Sunday will be a great day to investigate both alternatives of eternity! Join me this week in studying and praying on the topic!
Then on Sunday Night we will start Revelation 21 and the tables will turn from the 'Realities of Hell' to the 'Realities of Heaven'. Now, this gets truly exciting. There is much to learn about our eternal home in the presence of our Eternal God! Yes, I know it is Super Bowl Sunday. No, I am not a prude. Hit the DVR button, come to church at 5pm and get excited about the place you will spend eternity in...then go home and enjoy the 'most watched TV event of the year' while being able to skip some of those raunchy commercials!
Ecclesiastes 3:11 teaches us that 'we have eternity in our hearts'. I know that to be true and believe Sunday will be a great day to investigate both alternatives of eternity! Join me this week in studying and praying on the topic!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Our Word is our bond...
Maybe your parents told you that 'your word should be your bond' when you were little...my grandpa told me that and I have always tried to live in such a way. In Matthew 5:37 Jesus teaches similarly when he says 'Let what you say be simply yes or no, anything more than this is evil'.
How many times have we broken the bonds of truth and brought reproach on the name of Jesus? That is a difficult thought but one that we need to consider as followers of Jesus. When we break a promise or fail to do what we say, it is not just us that is frowned upon but also our Lord.
Some would say that they just refrain from making any commitments therefore they do not have to worry about letting any one down. However, I will tell you that a person that makes no commitments lets everyone down! Jesus' teaching here was to value our words and actions to the point that we live a life of integrity and character...committing to things that we want to do and need to do and then following through.
Just for an added thought - once we have made a commitment to something - as followers of Jesus Christ, we should not just do it but 'do it as if we were doing to for Him personally'. That means giving it our best and striving to achieve excellence. As one wise man said, 'do your best and forget the rest'.
Let's be a people of Godly Integrity!
How many times have we broken the bonds of truth and brought reproach on the name of Jesus? That is a difficult thought but one that we need to consider as followers of Jesus. When we break a promise or fail to do what we say, it is not just us that is frowned upon but also our Lord.
Some would say that they just refrain from making any commitments therefore they do not have to worry about letting any one down. However, I will tell you that a person that makes no commitments lets everyone down! Jesus' teaching here was to value our words and actions to the point that we live a life of integrity and character...committing to things that we want to do and need to do and then following through.
Just for an added thought - once we have made a commitment to something - as followers of Jesus Christ, we should not just do it but 'do it as if we were doing to for Him personally'. That means giving it our best and striving to achieve excellence. As one wise man said, 'do your best and forget the rest'.
Let's be a people of Godly Integrity!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Be Angry and Sin Not
What a thought the Apostle Paul had in Ephesians 4! That we could mature as Christians to the point we could have anger at sin against God yet not focus that anger at the one who has committed it. Can we really get to that point?
If we are to excuse our anger by utilizing this scripture there are a few things we must remember:
1. It must still be a temporary anger - part of Paul's word to us is that we should not simply suppress our anger - we should deal with it. Anger that is held in and nursed will grow and become unmanageable. It will spill into relationships and make us vulnerable for other tricks of the devil.
2. It must be an anger at sin against God, not against us - how easy it would be to use this text to 'get angry' at every little thing (whether justifiable or petty) that got under our skin. We cannot deny that we will have times that we will get angry but justifiable anger is always and only directed at anger toward sin against Holy God. Remember God's words to Moses 'to realize that their sin was not against him but against God Himself'. It is always hard to take ourselves less seriously but that is basically what God was telling Moses.
3. To keep our anger from spilling onto a person, where must it be 'let out'? - If we spill it out to others then we are liable to gossip or even slander, if we hold it in then we can become toxic, so we have only one perfect choice - prayer! Read the Psalms and hear the cries of the heart, desperately trying to let out anger. The power of prayer to heal the one praying is amazing.
My prayer this week is that we can get a grip on this critical issue.
If we are to excuse our anger by utilizing this scripture there are a few things we must remember:
1. It must still be a temporary anger - part of Paul's word to us is that we should not simply suppress our anger - we should deal with it. Anger that is held in and nursed will grow and become unmanageable. It will spill into relationships and make us vulnerable for other tricks of the devil.
2. It must be an anger at sin against God, not against us - how easy it would be to use this text to 'get angry' at every little thing (whether justifiable or petty) that got under our skin. We cannot deny that we will have times that we will get angry but justifiable anger is always and only directed at anger toward sin against Holy God. Remember God's words to Moses 'to realize that their sin was not against him but against God Himself'. It is always hard to take ourselves less seriously but that is basically what God was telling Moses.
3. To keep our anger from spilling onto a person, where must it be 'let out'? - If we spill it out to others then we are liable to gossip or even slander, if we hold it in then we can become toxic, so we have only one perfect choice - prayer! Read the Psalms and hear the cries of the heart, desperately trying to let out anger. The power of prayer to heal the one praying is amazing.
My prayer this week is that we can get a grip on this critical issue.
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