Came across this interesting article....Can one be seeking to be rich and yet be a faithful follower of Jesus?....In the US with the mega-church phenomenon can one really hope to strike it rich while being in a church environment...Typically a promoter of the so-called prosperity gospel seldom, perhaps never, quote a word from Jesus where He spoke about being His followers and discipleship; about taking up one's cross, denying oneself, losing one's life.
SO, YOU WANT TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?
By Paul Proctor
September 6, 2007
NewsWithViews.com
A WorldNetDaily.com reader named "Mike" recently wrote in to WND columnist and Christian financial expert, Dave Ramsey, asking the following question:
Dear Dave, I'm the pastor of a Midwest church. Do you think it's morally OK for someone in my position to want to become a millionaire as long as the desire isn't motivated by greed?
Mike Ramsey, author of the book, "Financial Peace" and host of a syndicated radio program called, "The Dave Ramsey Show," formerly known as "The Money Game," presents on the About Us page of his website, his company's mission statement, which reads as follows:
The Lampo Group, Inc. is providing Biblically based, common sense education and empowerment which gives HOPE to everyone from the financially secure to the financially distressed.
Now, I don't know if Mr. Ramsey misunderstood the pastor's question; but I was nevertheless troubled by his reply, especially in light of the enormous popularity of today's prosperity preachers like Joel Osteen. This is not to suggest that Dave endorses such errant clergymen or their teachings; but because of his scripturally inconsistent answer, and the fact that he is so widely read and respected within Christian circles, I considered it imperative that a more biblical perspective be offered in response.
Here's what Dave wrote and posted as part of his column dated September 4th, 2007:
Dear Mike,
Sure it's OK, but under one condition. A pastor, or any other Christian, should understand that they don't really own anything. When it comes right down to it, we're just asset managers for God. And if you understand this deep down in your soul, it will change how you view money and how you handle it.
If you look back in the Bible you'll see that many of the patriarchs, like Abraham, Solomon and David, were extremely wealthy - even by today's standards. Some people argue that Jesus didn't walk around with lots of possessions, but he was God in human form so he owned it all anyway!
People who say you can't be wealthy and be consistent with Christian beliefs just don't understand the Bible. If you can manage God's money with wisdom and grace rather than greed - whether it's $100 or $1,000,000 - I think you're OK.
Dave>
Is it really OK for a Christian and/or pastor to "want to become a millionaire?"
Certainly there were many wealthy men of faith throughout the scriptures; but, as I told Dave in an email, "wanting to become a millionaire denotes a materialistic discontentment with one's own provision from the Lord, and worse yet, a love of money, regardless of whom we might declare the money in question actually belongs to. The one coveting possession or even oversight of more than they have is, in reality, lusting after something they have not been given.
"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom." - Proverbs 23:4
It's interesting that Dave names Solomon as an example in his reply to the pastor. In fact, scripture tells us that God asked Solomon early on what he wanted. Both Dave and the pastor would do well to review the following passages and consider Solomon's answer and what the Lord thought of it:
"In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like." - 2nd Chronicles 1:7-12
Yes, it is OK for a Christian to be wealthy if wealth is indeed what God has blessed them with. One's abundance does not automatically disqualify them from discipleship, though riches can often present an obvious challenge to those professing faith in Christ. But, one cannot "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" while seeking riches. That is two entirely different agendas.
It is also important to note that one of Jesus' own disciples betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. I don 't believe it was a mere coincidence that Judas Iscariot was the bearer of "the purse" - money that he was clearly in possession of but did not own. (John 12:4-6)
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." - Matthew 6:21, Luke 12:34
The bottom line is this: You may call yourself a "Christian," but if your heart is set on becoming a millionaire, it is probably not on following Jesus Christ.
"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." - 1st Timothy 6:9-10
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Time to Think: He Closes Doors For A Reason
Time to Think: He Closes Doors For A Reason
By Dr. D. Paul Reilly
Whilst watching Joel Osteen on television recently, he used the phrase which is in fact the title of this article ‘He closes doors for a reason’. There, He Joel was referring to was of course our Spiritual Father, God. Sometimes we can as human beings get discouraged when we get the proverbial door slammed in our face, so to speak, as we are desperately endeavoring to achieve a particular goal. We’re going along full steam ahead, believing all the time that we are in fact going to achieve our goal and become successful. Then, suddenly, out of the blue, so to speak, the door which we are about to go through that will assist us in accomplishing our goal, is literally slammed shut in our face.
Let’s face it, this happens to all of us from time to time, and can indeed have a devastating effect on us as we travel the road of life. In fact, when this happens to some people, they just quit in the pursuit of their goals and objectives; they give up and sadly settle for a life of mediocrity and failure. What a tragedy! What we all need to get deeply imbedded in our consciousness is The FACT, that when one door closes, believe you me, another will indeed open up momentarily, PROVIDED of course that we don’t quit and thus throw in the towel.
You see, sometimes in life people are traveling in the wrong direction, following a course of action which if continued, will result in great hardship and ultimate failure. Now sometimes some people appear to be blind to The TRUTH, and that’s exactly why they’re traveling in the wrong direction. However, as I have written about on many occasions in the past, everything is in fact in ‘Divine Order’.
Lest we ever forget, God, The Creator of The Universe and everyone and everything in it is still in charge. So, if we are stupidly traveling in the wrong direction, God, our Spiritual Father will simply have to close the door, so that we won’t travel any further in that obviously wrong direction.
Yes My Friend, God doesn’t just close doors in our face for no apparent reason, but as the title of this article so correctly states ‘He closes doors for a reason’. So My Friend, in conclusion, if per chance a door which you had high hopes of progressing through has just been slammed in your face, so to speak; well then, you must firstly realize and fully understand, that the action is indeed in ‘Divine order’, it was literally meant to happen in your best interests.
Then you need to quietly analyze the situation, thereby fully understanding both intellectually and emotionally that you were most likely traveling in the wrong direction toward a very destructive destination.
Finally, become totally positive as you continue in the silence with your Creator, and believe you me, He’ll open another door for you, which will lead you ultimately direct to Success City.
THINK ABOUT IT!
By Dr. D. Paul Reilly
Whilst watching Joel Osteen on television recently, he used the phrase which is in fact the title of this article ‘He closes doors for a reason’. There, He Joel was referring to was of course our Spiritual Father, God. Sometimes we can as human beings get discouraged when we get the proverbial door slammed in our face, so to speak, as we are desperately endeavoring to achieve a particular goal. We’re going along full steam ahead, believing all the time that we are in fact going to achieve our goal and become successful. Then, suddenly, out of the blue, so to speak, the door which we are about to go through that will assist us in accomplishing our goal, is literally slammed shut in our face.
Let’s face it, this happens to all of us from time to time, and can indeed have a devastating effect on us as we travel the road of life. In fact, when this happens to some people, they just quit in the pursuit of their goals and objectives; they give up and sadly settle for a life of mediocrity and failure. What a tragedy! What we all need to get deeply imbedded in our consciousness is The FACT, that when one door closes, believe you me, another will indeed open up momentarily, PROVIDED of course that we don’t quit and thus throw in the towel.
You see, sometimes in life people are traveling in the wrong direction, following a course of action which if continued, will result in great hardship and ultimate failure. Now sometimes some people appear to be blind to The TRUTH, and that’s exactly why they’re traveling in the wrong direction. However, as I have written about on many occasions in the past, everything is in fact in ‘Divine Order’.
Lest we ever forget, God, The Creator of The Universe and everyone and everything in it is still in charge. So, if we are stupidly traveling in the wrong direction, God, our Spiritual Father will simply have to close the door, so that we won’t travel any further in that obviously wrong direction.
Yes My Friend, God doesn’t just close doors in our face for no apparent reason, but as the title of this article so correctly states ‘He closes doors for a reason’. So My Friend, in conclusion, if per chance a door which you had high hopes of progressing through has just been slammed in your face, so to speak; well then, you must firstly realize and fully understand, that the action is indeed in ‘Divine order’, it was literally meant to happen in your best interests.
Then you need to quietly analyze the situation, thereby fully understanding both intellectually and emotionally that you were most likely traveling in the wrong direction toward a very destructive destination.
Finally, become totally positive as you continue in the silence with your Creator, and believe you me, He’ll open another door for you, which will lead you ultimately direct to Success City.
THINK ABOUT IT!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
A Wonderful Story About Jesus Our Unexpected Guest
A Wonderful Story...
The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge
Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:
Dear Ruth: I`m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and d like to stop by for a visit. Love Always, Jesus
Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table.
" Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer. "
With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "
Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner." She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. " Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey,and a carton of milk.........leaving Ruth with grand total twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm."
Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags "
Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kind a hungry and,well, if you could help us. Lady, we'd really appreciate it."
Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. "
Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him.""
I understand. Thanks anyway." The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley.
As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
"Sir,wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them." Look,why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag.
"Thank you lady. Thank you very much!"
"Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering."
You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street...without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.
" Thank you lady! Thank you very much!" Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too.
The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the doorkey. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox.
"That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day."
She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
Dear Ruth: It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat Love Always, Jesus
The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer Noticed.
At the end of life, We will NOT be judged by :
" How many diplomas/degrees we have received "
" How much money we have made "
" How many great things we have done "
BUT We WILL be judged by :
" I was hungry and you gave me bread to eat "
" I was naked and you clothed me "
" I was homeless and you took me in."
* Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love. *
* Naked not only for clothing - but naked for human dignity and respect.*
* Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks - but homeless because of rejection.
I hope this wonderful story warm your hearts as it did mine.
God works in mysterious ways... Believe it!
The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge
Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:
Dear Ruth: I`m going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and d like to stop by for a visit. Love Always, Jesus
Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table.
" Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer. "
With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "
Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner." She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. " Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey,and a carton of milk.........leaving Ruth with grand total twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm."
Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags "
Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kind a hungry and,well, if you could help us. Lady, we'd really appreciate it."
Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. "
Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him.""
I understand. Thanks anyway." The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley.
As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
"Sir,wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them." Look,why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag.
"Thank you lady. Thank you very much!"
"Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering."
You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street...without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.
" Thank you lady! Thank you very much!" Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too.
The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the doorkey. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox.
"That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day."
She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
Dear Ruth: It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat Love Always, Jesus
The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer Noticed.
At the end of life, We will NOT be judged by :
" How many diplomas/degrees we have received "
" How much money we have made "
" How many great things we have done "
BUT We WILL be judged by :
" I was hungry and you gave me bread to eat "
" I was naked and you clothed me "
" I was homeless and you took me in."
* Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love. *
* Naked not only for clothing - but naked for human dignity and respect.*
* Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks - but homeless because of rejection.
I hope this wonderful story warm your hearts as it did mine.
God works in mysterious ways... Believe it!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
WHO AM I in Christ?
1. I am a child of God. (Rom 8:16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
2. I am redeemed from the hand of the devil. (Psa 107:2) Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3. I am Forgiven (Col 1:13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Col 1:14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
4. I am saved by grace through faith (Eph 2: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
5. I am justified by faith (Rom 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
6. I am sanctified (1Co 6:11) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
7. I am a New Creature (2Co 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
8. I am a partaker of His Divine Nature (2Pe 1:4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
9. I am redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
10. I am delivered from the powers of darkness (Col 1:13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
11. I am Led by the Spirit of God (Rom 8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
12. I am getting all my needs met by Jesus (Phi 4:19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
13. I am casting all my care on Jesus. (1Pe 5:7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
14. I am strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. (Eph 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 15. I am doing all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Phi 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
16. I am an heir to the blessings of Abraham. (Gal 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Gal 3:14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
17. I am blessed coming in and going out. (Deu 28:6) Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
18. I am an inheritor of eternal life. (1Jo 5:11) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son. (1Jo 5:12) He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
19. I am blessed with all spiritual blessings. (Eph 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
20. I am healed by his stripes. (1Pe 2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
21. I am exercising my authority over the enemy. (Luk 10:19) Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
22. I am more than a conqueror. (Rom 8:37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
23. I am establishing God's Word here on earth. (Mat 16:19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever, thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
24. I am an overcomer by the blood of the lamb and word of my testimony. (Rev 12:11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
25. I am daily Overcoming the devil (1Jo 4:4) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
26. I am not moved by what I see. (2Co 4:18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen, are eternal.
27. I am walking by faith and not by sight. (2Co 5:7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
28. I am controlling my thoughts. (2Co 10:4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) (2Co 10:5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
29. I am being transformed by a renewed mind. (Rom 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom 12:2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2. I am redeemed from the hand of the devil. (Psa 107:2) Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3. I am Forgiven (Col 1:13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Col 1:14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
4. I am saved by grace through faith (Eph 2: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
5. I am justified by faith (Rom 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
6. I am sanctified (1Co 6:11) And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
7. I am a New Creature (2Co 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
8. I am a partaker of His Divine Nature (2Pe 1:4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
9. I am redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
10. I am delivered from the powers of darkness (Col 1:13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
11. I am Led by the Spirit of God (Rom 8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
12. I am getting all my needs met by Jesus (Phi 4:19) But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
13. I am casting all my care on Jesus. (1Pe 5:7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
14. I am strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. (Eph 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 15. I am doing all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Phi 4:13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
16. I am an heir to the blessings of Abraham. (Gal 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Gal 3:14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
17. I am blessed coming in and going out. (Deu 28:6) Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
18. I am an inheritor of eternal life. (1Jo 5:11) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son. (1Jo 5:12) He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
19. I am blessed with all spiritual blessings. (Eph 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
20. I am healed by his stripes. (1Pe 2:24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
21. I am exercising my authority over the enemy. (Luk 10:19) Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
22. I am more than a conqueror. (Rom 8:37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
23. I am establishing God's Word here on earth. (Mat 16:19) And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever, thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
24. I am an overcomer by the blood of the lamb and word of my testimony. (Rev 12:11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
25. I am daily Overcoming the devil (1Jo 4:4) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
26. I am not moved by what I see. (2Co 4:18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen, are eternal.
27. I am walking by faith and not by sight. (2Co 5:7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
28. I am controlling my thoughts. (2Co 10:4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) (2Co 10:5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
29. I am being transformed by a renewed mind. (Rom 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom 12:2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Making Sense of Sorrow and Pain
Psalm 84:5-7
Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs;
The autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength
Till each appears before God in Zion.
As I travel through the road of weeping.
The road of sorrow and pain;
My Lord, the God of all Comfort is with me.
He upholds and He sustains.
Just as this earth needs dark clouds and sunshine,
Our souls need both sorrow and joy.
So God allows us to travel,
Often in heart’s anguish deep.
As He leads us through these tribulations,
His omnipotent hand we sought.
For these deep sorrows He sends us
Are His lesson in grace.
Often we run and hide from the pruning,
Not knowing our dear Gardener knows.
The deeper the trimming
The richer the cluster will grow.
Only He knows that deep sorrow is needed;
For the purpose He has in view.
Well, I hear in my heart that day, He gently whispered,
“My dear, take comfort, soon you’ll understand why I do”.
As I travel life’s journey alone.
He promises His love ever with me.
As I learn to rest in Him, assured sorrow and losses
Are but parcel of blessings just sent in disguise.
So, now I follow my Master wherever He leads me.
Be it through path dreary or bright.
For I have proved that my God can
Give songs in the darkest night.”
Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs;
The autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength
Till each appears before God in Zion.
As I travel through the road of weeping.
The road of sorrow and pain;
My Lord, the God of all Comfort is with me.
He upholds and He sustains.
Just as this earth needs dark clouds and sunshine,
Our souls need both sorrow and joy.
So God allows us to travel,
Often in heart’s anguish deep.
As He leads us through these tribulations,
His omnipotent hand we sought.
For these deep sorrows He sends us
Are His lesson in grace.
Often we run and hide from the pruning,
Not knowing our dear Gardener knows.
The deeper the trimming
The richer the cluster will grow.
Only He knows that deep sorrow is needed;
For the purpose He has in view.
Well, I hear in my heart that day, He gently whispered,
“My dear, take comfort, soon you’ll understand why I do”.
As I travel life’s journey alone.
He promises His love ever with me.
As I learn to rest in Him, assured sorrow and losses
Are but parcel of blessings just sent in disguise.
So, now I follow my Master wherever He leads me.
Be it through path dreary or bright.
For I have proved that my God can
Give songs in the darkest night.”
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Interesting:- A to Z
a to z
>Although things are not perfect
>Because of trial or pain
>Continue in thanksgiving
>Do not begin to blame
>Even when the times are hard
>Fierce winds are bound to blow
>God is forever able
>Hold on to what you know
>Imagine life without His love
>Joy would cease to be
>Keep thanking Him for all the things
>Love imparts to thee
>Move out of "Camp Complaining"
>No weapon that is known
>On earth can yield the power
>Praise can do alone
>Quit looking at the future
>Redeem the the time at hand
>Start every day with worship
>To "thank" is a command
>Until we see Him coming
>Victorious in the sky
>We'll run the race with gratitude
>Xalting God most high
>Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
>Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
>"I AM too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peacebe with you forever, Amen.
>Although things are not perfect
>Because of trial or pain
>Continue in thanksgiving
>Do not begin to blame
>Even when the times are hard
>Fierce winds are bound to blow
>God is forever able
>Hold on to what you know
>Imagine life without His love
>Joy would cease to be
>Keep thanking Him for all the things
>Love imparts to thee
>Move out of "Camp Complaining"
>No weapon that is known
>On earth can yield the power
>Praise can do alone
>Quit looking at the future
>Redeem the the time at hand
>Start every day with worship
>To "thank" is a command
>Until we see Him coming
>Victorious in the sky
>We'll run the race with gratitude
>Xalting God most high
>Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
>Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
>"I AM too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peacebe with you forever, Amen.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Water Bottle Story of Faith
NOTE=This is a wonderful story that remind us that prayers work and we need to pray like a little child if we are to reach the ears and heart of our heavenly Father. Perhaps too often our adult-like prayers are just too devoid of faith; it's more our logical mind rumbling hoping to convince God why what we say in our prayers ought to be his will as well. A story like this ought to move us to be child-like, to be that child of God that he has always wanted us to be. Be encouraged by this child's prayer and henceforth, pray with faith like this child !...
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Water Bottle Story of Faith
This story was written by a doctor who worked in South Africa.
One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (We had no electricity to run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates. "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drug stores down forest pathways. "All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. "Your job is to keep the baby warm."
The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother haddied. During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. Please, God," she prayed, "Send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon. "While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of a corollary, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?" As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen?" I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything. The Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there?
The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the Equator!
Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my frontdoor. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the verandah was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes.I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the...could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out - yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle! I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too! "Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted. Looking up at me, she asked, "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her? "That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class! , whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon."
"Before they call, I will answer!" Isaiah 65:24
Please share this amazing story with as many others as you can.
Our God really IS... AN AWESOME GOD! 1 minute prayer.
This awesome prayer takes less than a minute. When you receive this, say the prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful. Just send it on to whomever you want - but do send it on, please! Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but alot of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another.
Father, I ask you to bless my families and friends reading this right now. I am asking You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence in Your ability to work through them. Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, guidance, and strength as they learn submission to Your leading. Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You. Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage. Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friend's life. Bless their finances, give them greater vision,and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them. Give each of them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it. I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name.Amen...
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Water Bottle Story of Faith
This story was written by a doctor who worked in South Africa.
One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (We had no electricity to run an incubator). We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates. "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drug stores down forest pathways. "All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. "Your job is to keep the baby warm."
The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother haddied. During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. Please, God," she prayed, "Send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon. "While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of a corollary, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?" As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen?" I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything. The Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there?
The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the Equator!
Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my frontdoor. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the verandah was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes.I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the...could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out - yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle! I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too! "Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted. Looking up at me, she asked, "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her? "That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class! , whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon."
"Before they call, I will answer!" Isaiah 65:24
Please share this amazing story with as many others as you can.
Our God really IS... AN AWESOME GOD! 1 minute prayer.
This awesome prayer takes less than a minute. When you receive this, say the prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful. Just send it on to whomever you want - but do send it on, please! Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but alot of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another.
Father, I ask you to bless my families and friends reading this right now. I am asking You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence in Your ability to work through them. Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, guidance, and strength as they learn submission to Your leading. Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You. Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage. Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friend's life. Bless their finances, give them greater vision,and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them. Give each of them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it. I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name.Amen...
Monday, May 07, 2007
How to Spot a Healthy Church - Quickly
NOTE=This quick view, rule of thumb, seemed to be reflective of what Jesus himself taught. First, Jesus said our of the abundance of a person's heart so his mouth speaks. So, if a person's heart is right with God and with his people, and there is gladness of heart, there is joy and peace of the Spirit, it won't be surprizing to hear from that person's mouth the hearty singing as unto the Lord. Second, Jesus taught that by our love, others will know we are his disciples. If this is so not just in the life of a pastor, but also in the lives of his congregation, then there will be that obvious affection that this author spoke about. Are you a healthy disciple? Do you belong to a healthy church? You need to do your part to make it happen ! Enjoy the article and be blessed.
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How to Spot a Healthy Church - Quickly
Ray Pritchard
In the last 18 months I have come to a few conclusions about how to quickly gauge the health of the churches we visit--either to preach or simply to participate in a worship service. The Lord has allowed us to travel from coast to coast and to visit country cities, city churches and suburban churches--some large, some small, and many in-between. I don't know if doing this sort of itinerant ministry makes you more qualified to evaluate churches, but the very fact of being in a different church almost every Sunday inevitably forces you to think about where you've been, what you've seen, and what you've experienced. On one hand, it's obviously true that coming in to preach and then leaving doesn't allow you to do an in-depth analysis. But when your schedule takes you from Tupelo, MS to Muscle Shoals, AL to Baton Rouge, LA to New Brunswick, Canada to Arlington Heights, IL (my current schedule), it does allow you to worship in a variety of settings and it gives you a birds-eye view of how things are going in various churches.
I have come to the conclusion that there are two very obvious indicators of church health that the one-time visitor can gauge very quickly.
Hearty congregational singing.
Obvious affection between the pastor and the congregation.
I have written quite a bit about hearty congregational singing. That's one factor that I never fully appreciated until I started traveling and preaching in different churches. Healthy churches love to sing. This is not a statement about worship style, hymns vs. choruses, Power Point vs. hymnals, and it has nothing to do with denominational preference, church size, location, or the beauty or lack thereof of the sanctuary. I am not suggesting that healthy churches have great "music programs," a phrase I don't much like because it tends to emphasize the performance side of things. I'm not talking about excellent "special music" or beautiful choir anthems or praise bands or organ music, as good as those things may be. Lots of churches with big "music programs" hardly sing at all, although they may have big choirs and put on excellent Easter musicals. I am speaking of a church that truly loves to sing, where the music is based on good theology and the whole congregation lifts its voice in song, where a visitor can't help but join the rising chorus of praise to God. That's easy to check because it's obvious. If the people aren't singing, you can tell it. If the singing is anemic, preaching is generally more of a challenge. I think there is a lot of theology here and some insight into the human heart and something about the work of the Holy Spirit that I don't fully understand, but I have experienced it over and over again. Healthy churches love to sing. I've yet to visit an unhealthy church or a troubled church with strong congregational singing.
I have't written much about the second point, but it is equally obvious to me. When there is visible affection between the pastor and his people, when he loves them and they love him, and when you can see that expression of affection before and after the service as he greets people, and when you sense his love for his people as he speaks to them from the pulpit, there you have a healthy church. This is not a function of personality because some pastors are naturally more reserved and others are more outgoing. Pastors and congregations come in all sizes, shapes and various permutations. But you can't fake genuine love. I have come to understand that a true bond between a pastor and his people is a precious gift from God. It doesn't happen overnight but is built up over time as the pastor preaches strong messages from the Word and the people listen with eager hearts. And it is buttressed by times spent together laughing, crying, praying, talking, singing, eating, arguing, confronting, thinking, dreaming, meditating, evaluating, rejoicing, worshiping, sharing, proclaiming, rebuking, exulting, and all the other things that go into the life of the local church.
I do not tire of quoting Jess Moody who said that people choose a church with their noses. They can smell the joy.
That's as good a summary as I've ever heard. People can smell the joy on Sunday morning. And they can smell the other stuff too. Sometimes it's easy to smell the manure of church conflict. Most of us have had the experience of visiting a new church and without knowing anything about it, we sense that something is wrong inside the church. People look distraught, upset, flat, disinterested, and sometimes you can feel the tension in the air.
I don’t think you can fake joy. Even unbelievers can sense it. And nowhere is it more obvious than in hearty congregational singing and obvious affection between the pastor and the congregation. Where those things are present, you have found a healthy church.
(I’d love to know what you think about this. Do you agree with these two marks of a healthy church? What else would you add that would help a visitor quickly gauge the health of a church? Click here to offer your comments.)
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How to Spot a Healthy Church - Quickly
Ray Pritchard
In the last 18 months I have come to a few conclusions about how to quickly gauge the health of the churches we visit--either to preach or simply to participate in a worship service. The Lord has allowed us to travel from coast to coast and to visit country cities, city churches and suburban churches--some large, some small, and many in-between. I don't know if doing this sort of itinerant ministry makes you more qualified to evaluate churches, but the very fact of being in a different church almost every Sunday inevitably forces you to think about where you've been, what you've seen, and what you've experienced. On one hand, it's obviously true that coming in to preach and then leaving doesn't allow you to do an in-depth analysis. But when your schedule takes you from Tupelo, MS to Muscle Shoals, AL to Baton Rouge, LA to New Brunswick, Canada to Arlington Heights, IL (my current schedule), it does allow you to worship in a variety of settings and it gives you a birds-eye view of how things are going in various churches.
I have come to the conclusion that there are two very obvious indicators of church health that the one-time visitor can gauge very quickly.
Hearty congregational singing.
Obvious affection between the pastor and the congregation.
I have written quite a bit about hearty congregational singing. That's one factor that I never fully appreciated until I started traveling and preaching in different churches. Healthy churches love to sing. This is not a statement about worship style, hymns vs. choruses, Power Point vs. hymnals, and it has nothing to do with denominational preference, church size, location, or the beauty or lack thereof of the sanctuary. I am not suggesting that healthy churches have great "music programs," a phrase I don't much like because it tends to emphasize the performance side of things. I'm not talking about excellent "special music" or beautiful choir anthems or praise bands or organ music, as good as those things may be. Lots of churches with big "music programs" hardly sing at all, although they may have big choirs and put on excellent Easter musicals. I am speaking of a church that truly loves to sing, where the music is based on good theology and the whole congregation lifts its voice in song, where a visitor can't help but join the rising chorus of praise to God. That's easy to check because it's obvious. If the people aren't singing, you can tell it. If the singing is anemic, preaching is generally more of a challenge. I think there is a lot of theology here and some insight into the human heart and something about the work of the Holy Spirit that I don't fully understand, but I have experienced it over and over again. Healthy churches love to sing. I've yet to visit an unhealthy church or a troubled church with strong congregational singing.
I have't written much about the second point, but it is equally obvious to me. When there is visible affection between the pastor and his people, when he loves them and they love him, and when you can see that expression of affection before and after the service as he greets people, and when you sense his love for his people as he speaks to them from the pulpit, there you have a healthy church. This is not a function of personality because some pastors are naturally more reserved and others are more outgoing. Pastors and congregations come in all sizes, shapes and various permutations. But you can't fake genuine love. I have come to understand that a true bond between a pastor and his people is a precious gift from God. It doesn't happen overnight but is built up over time as the pastor preaches strong messages from the Word and the people listen with eager hearts. And it is buttressed by times spent together laughing, crying, praying, talking, singing, eating, arguing, confronting, thinking, dreaming, meditating, evaluating, rejoicing, worshiping, sharing, proclaiming, rebuking, exulting, and all the other things that go into the life of the local church.
I do not tire of quoting Jess Moody who said that people choose a church with their noses. They can smell the joy.
That's as good a summary as I've ever heard. People can smell the joy on Sunday morning. And they can smell the other stuff too. Sometimes it's easy to smell the manure of church conflict. Most of us have had the experience of visiting a new church and without knowing anything about it, we sense that something is wrong inside the church. People look distraught, upset, flat, disinterested, and sometimes you can feel the tension in the air.
I don’t think you can fake joy. Even unbelievers can sense it. And nowhere is it more obvious than in hearty congregational singing and obvious affection between the pastor and the congregation. Where those things are present, you have found a healthy church.
(I’d love to know what you think about this. Do you agree with these two marks of a healthy church? What else would you add that would help a visitor quickly gauge the health of a church? Click here to offer your comments.)
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
"Believers, without Faith?" No!
NOTE:=It has been a while since i blogged. This article shook me, as it reminded me of the parable that Jesus told about the widow who appealed to an unrighteous judge for what she wanted. While the parable in Luke 18 was to teach us to pray always, never to give up, Jesus ended that parable with these words: Whether when the Son of Man return to the earth will He find FAITH?....Read this article and examine the condition of your faith. God bless.
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"Believers, without Faith?" No!
by Undrai & Bridget Fizer
Many have mastered the art of becoming "believers without the implementation of faith." Many are "believers" who trust in the rudiments of religious christiandom "than the prerequisites of believing with a Divine Mind." Embracing the Mind of Christ, to the point of becoming a living expression of the Divine Nature of God, totally blows certain minds away. It seems that simple Faith in this Principle "is very hard to come by."
What are you living from "if you have not mastered possessing faith?" Religion gives us the power "to become" without truly believing. It gives us the "title," while yet allowing us to make faith payments until we experience transformation and mature faith. Religion gives us the power to "say that we are something now," while not yet believing what we've said to the fullest. What are we living from "if faith is not the foundation of our momentum?"
Power for life "begins with believing what God believes." It begins by believing in the most humanly impossible Truths known to man..which is a virgin having a baby and Jesus dying and coming back to life! We cannot even begin a walk into destiny "until we have mastered believing God from impossible foundations." But for some, we usually "trade away belief of the impossible" for belief "in a denominational prerequisite or cultural doctrine." We believe in goodness "more than we believe in God!" We believe in the moral good "more than we believe that we are partakers of the Divine Nature!"
Religion makes it possible for us to get many to our "church" instead of awakening many to their Divine Life. We have been thorougly conditioned to press our way to church service "through the rain," instead of pressing our way to Divine Discovery "through our everyday pain." Indeed, religiosity makes it possible to "claim a Divine Name" without the implementation of Divine Faith." Faith? Believe? "How do I believe" is what is said more often than not.
What are we living from "if faith in, and from Christ, is not our foundation, our passion, or our beginning?" What are we living from "if creative possibility is not our Food?" What are we living from "if the mundane is more relevant than the supernatural dimensions that are responsible for our existence, purpose, and destiny?" What are we living from if ritual, regardless of sincerity, is more powerful "than the Truth that derives from the Mind of God?"
When faith becomes the believer's weakness, creation cannot help but continue in misery. Creation groans and awaits with eager anticipation, for the Manifestion and Becoming of the sons of God in the earth. Creation is not awaiting a conference, a revival, neither does it await another movement of men. It awaits for an explosion and an awakening of the Divine Nature of God to appear with confidence from the sons of God that are present in the earth. Faith and Belief must no longer be the believers weakness. What makes us a believer "when faith is our weakness?" *True belief never begins in the head. It always begins in the heart. The heart is life. Whatever is in the heart will naturally come out in one's progression. Intellect begins with the head, but Faith is birthed in the heart!
Our lives, choices, and direction, will become a direct result of the thing that made us "believers without faith being our foundation!" And everything that is not of the Kingdom, will be shakened. If your foundations did not include the mastery of believing the impossible, then that foundation will shake violently. The Father desires to give you a Kingdom "that cannot be moved." If your life is "moving, and your concepts of life and routine are being violently interrupted, then the Kingdom is making it's way into your vicinity." When we believe from the beginning, what God believes, our lives and power will not be moved. It does not stop life around us from shaking and burning, but it will not come nigh us! Believing what God believes "will not stop the storms from raging around us, but it will give us Divine Focus that will empower us to live as though the storm never began!"
And believe me, I know this is true! Because when you truly believe a thing "that thing will feel like yours!" It will feel like you gave birth to it yourself!
*Discovery beyond your present reality becomes impossible "if your faith only leads you to more religiosity." Believing what God believes, as well as believing how He believes, however, will lead you to what you were really born to do as well as manifest the Kingdom's Maximum Potential within you!
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"Believers, without Faith?" No!
by Undrai & Bridget Fizer
Many have mastered the art of becoming "believers without the implementation of faith." Many are "believers" who trust in the rudiments of religious christiandom "than the prerequisites of believing with a Divine Mind." Embracing the Mind of Christ, to the point of becoming a living expression of the Divine Nature of God, totally blows certain minds away. It seems that simple Faith in this Principle "is very hard to come by."
What are you living from "if you have not mastered possessing faith?" Religion gives us the power "to become" without truly believing. It gives us the "title," while yet allowing us to make faith payments until we experience transformation and mature faith. Religion gives us the power to "say that we are something now," while not yet believing what we've said to the fullest. What are we living from "if faith is not the foundation of our momentum?"
Power for life "begins with believing what God believes." It begins by believing in the most humanly impossible Truths known to man..which is a virgin having a baby and Jesus dying and coming back to life! We cannot even begin a walk into destiny "until we have mastered believing God from impossible foundations." But for some, we usually "trade away belief of the impossible" for belief "in a denominational prerequisite or cultural doctrine." We believe in goodness "more than we believe in God!" We believe in the moral good "more than we believe that we are partakers of the Divine Nature!"
Religion makes it possible for us to get many to our "church" instead of awakening many to their Divine Life. We have been thorougly conditioned to press our way to church service "through the rain," instead of pressing our way to Divine Discovery "through our everyday pain." Indeed, religiosity makes it possible to "claim a Divine Name" without the implementation of Divine Faith." Faith? Believe? "How do I believe" is what is said more often than not.
What are we living from "if faith in, and from Christ, is not our foundation, our passion, or our beginning?" What are we living from "if creative possibility is not our Food?" What are we living from "if the mundane is more relevant than the supernatural dimensions that are responsible for our existence, purpose, and destiny?" What are we living from if ritual, regardless of sincerity, is more powerful "than the Truth that derives from the Mind of God?"
When faith becomes the believer's weakness, creation cannot help but continue in misery. Creation groans and awaits with eager anticipation, for the Manifestion and Becoming of the sons of God in the earth. Creation is not awaiting a conference, a revival, neither does it await another movement of men. It awaits for an explosion and an awakening of the Divine Nature of God to appear with confidence from the sons of God that are present in the earth. Faith and Belief must no longer be the believers weakness. What makes us a believer "when faith is our weakness?" *True belief never begins in the head. It always begins in the heart. The heart is life. Whatever is in the heart will naturally come out in one's progression. Intellect begins with the head, but Faith is birthed in the heart!
Our lives, choices, and direction, will become a direct result of the thing that made us "believers without faith being our foundation!" And everything that is not of the Kingdom, will be shakened. If your foundations did not include the mastery of believing the impossible, then that foundation will shake violently. The Father desires to give you a Kingdom "that cannot be moved." If your life is "moving, and your concepts of life and routine are being violently interrupted, then the Kingdom is making it's way into your vicinity." When we believe from the beginning, what God believes, our lives and power will not be moved. It does not stop life around us from shaking and burning, but it will not come nigh us! Believing what God believes "will not stop the storms from raging around us, but it will give us Divine Focus that will empower us to live as though the storm never began!"
And believe me, I know this is true! Because when you truly believe a thing "that thing will feel like yours!" It will feel like you gave birth to it yourself!
*Discovery beyond your present reality becomes impossible "if your faith only leads you to more religiosity." Believing what God believes, as well as believing how He believes, however, will lead you to what you were really born to do as well as manifest the Kingdom's Maximum Potential within you!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
God knows our every thought
NOTES:=Oftentimes we are tempted to think we can get away with it and then we stumble and sin. Even strong very mature and established Christians can be so tempted. That's why we have high profile pastors and preachers fall from grace into disgrace. Often, because God does not immediately strike us dead and pin us down when we sin, we presume upon his grace and patience and continue on our wayward path. But this verse in Exekiel 11 reveal to us this one fact:= God says He knows every thought that comes into our mind. And He sees all our actions, even our self-deception. So, be reminded of this fact and live wisely, in the fear of God.
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Ezekiel 11:5
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and he told me to say, “This is what the Lord says to the people of Israel: I know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes into your minds.
God knew everything about the Israelites, even their thoughts. He also knows everything about us, even the sins we try to hide. Instead of worrying about people noticing how we look or what we do, we should care what God thinks, for He see's everything. Trying to hide our thoughts and actions from God is futile. "Secret" sins are never secret from God. The only effective way to deal with our sins is to confess them and ask God to help us overcome them.
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Ezekiel 11:5
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and he told me to say, “This is what the Lord says to the people of Israel: I know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes into your minds.
God knew everything about the Israelites, even their thoughts. He also knows everything about us, even the sins we try to hide. Instead of worrying about people noticing how we look or what we do, we should care what God thinks, for He see's everything. Trying to hide our thoughts and actions from God is futile. "Secret" sins are never secret from God. The only effective way to deal with our sins is to confess them and ask God to help us overcome them.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
"How Do I Uncover My Spiritual Gifts?"
Notes;= I often hear believer give the excuse that they are not serving because they are not good at anything. This article outline a process to help us identify what we are good at and use it to serve God and serve others. I am reminded that Jesus came to serve to give his life up to save us. He wants to continue this work through us by giving all believers his holy Spirit. hence all believers have a spiritual gift, all believers can serve, all believers must serve. As we serve, we will bear fruit, and our fruit will bring glory to God. May you discover what your spiritual gift is, and begin to use, and may God multiply your fruit 30-fold, 60-fold, 100-fold. This is what living the abundant life in Christ means ! Right?
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"How Do I Uncover My Spiritual Gifts?
"3 ways to discern how God wired you.
by Nancy Ortberg
I love this question! Discovering and utilizing your spiritual gifts is one of the most exciting adventures a person can have with God. The Bible says spiritual gifts are abilities God bestows on every believer for the common good of the body of Christ. They're a large part of the answer to the question, "What should I do with the life God gave me?"
Passages like 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and 1 Peter 4 go into specific detail about what these gifts are and how they should be used. It's clear every spiritual gift is a reflection of God's nature that you carry within you. And because your spiritual gift reflects God's design and direction for your life, you'll find great passion, joy, and satisfaction in expressing it. Your spiritual gift also will be a place of deep spiritual formation in your life, as God uses it both to powerfully connect you to him and to expose areas of your soul that need his forgiveness and redemption.
So here's a process to start:
Pay attention. Notice the things that energize you and seem to come naturally. Remember the quote from the movie Chariots of Fire when Eric Liddell explained to his sister why he was postponing his return to the mission field in order to race in the Olympics? "Because when I run, I feel the pleasure of God."
Every spiritual gift gives off clues. Your spiritual gift will cause you to react a certain way in a given situation. If there's a problem, people with the spiritual gift of shepherding will be immediately concerned that people are cared for and growing in Christlikeness as a result of the issue. Those with the gift of intercession (prayer) will immediately say, "We need to pray about this," while those with a leadership gift will begin looking at solutions for the problem.
Try. Once you've gathered enough information to create a list of some possible gifts (perhaps gifts of mercy, evangelism, encouragement, or hospitality), exercise your options. A great place to start would be a volunteer position at your church. While you're trying it out, you'll start to discern whether you're good at it or not. Also, others will tell you!
When my kids were young, our church needed help in the nursery during the worship services. I volunteered for a three-month opening. I didn't feel the pleasure of God; the children didn't feel the pleasure of God. It was so not my spiritual gift. Part of learning what you're good at is having to go through the pain of learning what you're not good at.
As you try different things, you'll eventually find yourself engaged in something during which time flies and you find a deep sense of connection to God. Pick that road to continue your adventure.
Develop. In 2 Timothy 1:6, the apostle Paul encourages Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God." We're responsible to develop our gifts. Perhaps one of the best ways to do that is to mentor someone who's just starting on this discovery process. People with the spiritual gift of wisdom are probably the best people to develop someone else with the spiritual gift of wisdom, and so on for each of the gifts.
It's remarkable how you can deepen your relationship with God as you uncover and live out the spiritual gifts he's bestowed on you. What could the church and our world look like if each of us used the gift God's given us?
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"How Do I Uncover My Spiritual Gifts?
"3 ways to discern how God wired you.
by Nancy Ortberg
I love this question! Discovering and utilizing your spiritual gifts is one of the most exciting adventures a person can have with God. The Bible says spiritual gifts are abilities God bestows on every believer for the common good of the body of Christ. They're a large part of the answer to the question, "What should I do with the life God gave me?"
Passages like 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and 1 Peter 4 go into specific detail about what these gifts are and how they should be used. It's clear every spiritual gift is a reflection of God's nature that you carry within you. And because your spiritual gift reflects God's design and direction for your life, you'll find great passion, joy, and satisfaction in expressing it. Your spiritual gift also will be a place of deep spiritual formation in your life, as God uses it both to powerfully connect you to him and to expose areas of your soul that need his forgiveness and redemption.
So here's a process to start:
Pay attention. Notice the things that energize you and seem to come naturally. Remember the quote from the movie Chariots of Fire when Eric Liddell explained to his sister why he was postponing his return to the mission field in order to race in the Olympics? "Because when I run, I feel the pleasure of God."
Every spiritual gift gives off clues. Your spiritual gift will cause you to react a certain way in a given situation. If there's a problem, people with the spiritual gift of shepherding will be immediately concerned that people are cared for and growing in Christlikeness as a result of the issue. Those with the gift of intercession (prayer) will immediately say, "We need to pray about this," while those with a leadership gift will begin looking at solutions for the problem.
Try. Once you've gathered enough information to create a list of some possible gifts (perhaps gifts of mercy, evangelism, encouragement, or hospitality), exercise your options. A great place to start would be a volunteer position at your church. While you're trying it out, you'll start to discern whether you're good at it or not. Also, others will tell you!
When my kids were young, our church needed help in the nursery during the worship services. I volunteered for a three-month opening. I didn't feel the pleasure of God; the children didn't feel the pleasure of God. It was so not my spiritual gift. Part of learning what you're good at is having to go through the pain of learning what you're not good at.
As you try different things, you'll eventually find yourself engaged in something during which time flies and you find a deep sense of connection to God. Pick that road to continue your adventure.
Develop. In 2 Timothy 1:6, the apostle Paul encourages Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God." We're responsible to develop our gifts. Perhaps one of the best ways to do that is to mentor someone who's just starting on this discovery process. People with the spiritual gift of wisdom are probably the best people to develop someone else with the spiritual gift of wisdom, and so on for each of the gifts.
It's remarkable how you can deepen your relationship with God as you uncover and live out the spiritual gifts he's bestowed on you. What could the church and our world look like if each of us used the gift God's given us?
Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying
NOTES;= These questions highlight the real life issues that married couples will face. Each person will look at these issues differently. Talking through them before marriage will help the couple to better understand each other and whether they think they have what it takes to make the marriage works. Not that they must necessary share the same views, but that they know what the differences might be and how they can best handle it. If during the pre-marital phase of such sharing, the couple discover such big gaps that they cannot bridge, then its a clear sign they need to seriously re-think their relationship moving forward.
Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying
Published: December 17, 2006
Relationship experts report that too many couples fail to ask each other critical questions before marrying. Here are a few key ones that couples should consider asking:
1) Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?
2) Do we have a clear idea of each other’s financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?
3) Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?
4) Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?
5) Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect?
6) Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?
7) Will there be a television in the bedroom?
8) Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another’s ideas and complaints?
9) Have we reached a clear understanding of each other’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed when and how our children will be exposed to religious/moral education?
10) Do we like and respect each other’s friends?
11) Do we value and respect each other’s parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?
12) What does my family do that annoys you?
13) Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?
14) If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other’s family, are we prepared to move?
15) Does each of us feel fully confident in the other’s commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever challenges we may face?
Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying
Published: December 17, 2006
Relationship experts report that too many couples fail to ask each other critical questions before marrying. Here are a few key ones that couples should consider asking:
1) Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?
2) Do we have a clear idea of each other’s financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?
3) Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?
4) Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?
5) Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect?
6) Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?
7) Will there be a television in the bedroom?
8) Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another’s ideas and complaints?
9) Have we reached a clear understanding of each other’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed when and how our children will be exposed to religious/moral education?
10) Do we like and respect each other’s friends?
11) Do we value and respect each other’s parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?
12) What does my family do that annoys you?
13) Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?
14) If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other’s family, are we prepared to move?
15) Does each of us feel fully confident in the other’s commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever challenges we may face?
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Use Your Material Possessions to Draw Closer to Christ
NOTES;= This article reminds me of Jesus parable of the sower. The seed that fell on thorny ground. Most Christians these days belong this category. Their life in Christ is characterise by worries of this life and pursuit of wealth. These concerns choke us and prevent us from bearing fruit. To the extent that we worry less and be content with what we have rather than fret for more and what we dont have, to that extent we can truly bear fruit for God. Many Christians bear little or no fruit for they generally seek to glorify themselves before men. No wonder Jesus said in John 17 that those who bear much fruit bring glory to God and are true disciples of His. When you read this article below, consider how you can worry less and pursue less wealth, so that you can be free to bear fruit for Christ, 30-fold, 60-fold, 100-fold. Be edified!
Use Your Material Possessions to Draw Closer to Christ
Whitney Hopler
Kelly is constantly thinking of stuff she doesn't have. A pastor's wife, Kelly lives on an income that's far tighter than she would like. She regularly reminds her husband of what a painful sacrifice it is for her to live on their income, and she often window-shops for things she would like to own.
Kelly feels guilty about secretly buying lottery tickets, and even more guilty about resenting the members of her congregation who live in large houses filled with more stuff than she has in her small townhouse.
Mike is always thinking about the stuff he has. He worked and saved for years to acquire things he dreamed of owning -- a Porshe in his garage, a big-screen television in his living room, an extensive collection of suits in his bedroom. Mike can't bring himself to get rid of all his stuff, but he frequently worries about whether it's demanding too much of his time and money.
He and his wife sense a calling to start a family someday, but Mike doesn't see how he can make the necessary sacrifices. Then there's giving to their church. Mike never manages to drop more than a few dollars into the collection plate each week, despite knowing he should contribute much more. When he finds himself feeling badly about it, he takes a ride in his Porsche, which never fails to put him in a better mood.
You may think you have either too little or too much stuff. But what truly matters is how you use the stuff you have. Here are five principles for using your stuff as tools to grow closer to Christ:
1. Don't give greater priority - as measured by your time and attention - to your stuff than you do to your relationship with Christ. It's often the case that the more possessions you have, the more they possess you. Buying, maintaining, insuring, fixing, cleaning, and storing your stuff can eat up a considerable amount of time. Do you really need that Oriental rug that requires you to take off your shoes every time you walk in your house? Do you need to get a wax job for your car every other week, or can you skip it?More importantly, time you don't spend taking care of your stuff can be spent in prayer or reading the Bible. Take an inventory, not of your stuff, but of the time you spend dealing with your stuff. How does that compare with the time you spend with Christ? If the former number is out of balance with the latter, you'll do well to simplify.
Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24).
2. Your attitude toward stuff should bless others. In all things - including dealing with stuff - an attitude of love should rule your actions.
It's not enough just to decide to get rid of extra stuff you already own and decide not to buy more. You can sanctimoniously congratulate yourself on not wanting or owning a lot of stuff, but still end up sinning if you fall into the traps of ingratitude or miserliness.For example, if friends or family members present you with gifts that cost more than you think they should, don't criticize their generosity by judging how they spent their money. Remember that just because a gift is expensive doesn't make it bad. As long as the gift-givers are sincerely expressing love through their gifts and not trying to manipulate you through them, you should accept graciously and cheerfully.
Don't feel pressured to reciprocate with expensive gifts of your own if God doesn't lead you to do so. But whenever you have stuff that you don't truly need - and that other people could use - be willing to be generous yourself. Acts 2:45 records that early Christians sold their possessions, giving "to anyone as he had need." They knew that material things are merely tools to express Christ's love and grow closer to Him.
3. Your stuff should foster enriching experiences. Manage wisely whatever God chooses to give you. Stuff isn't inherently bad; sometimes it can enable you to experience something that will draw you closer to Christ. If you can hear God's voice more clearly out in nature, it makes sense to own a tent and a sleeping bag so you can go camping.
When Jesus attended the wedding in Cana, He chose to perform His first public miracle by changing water to wine. Serving wine was an important part of the wedding experience in that culture, and Jesus knew that preventing the supply of wine from running out would support the fellowship the wedding guests were enjoying.
4. Your stuff should honor Christ. In 1 Corinthians 10:23, 31, the apostle Paul wrote, "'Everything is permissible' - but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible' - but not everything is constructive. ... So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Whatever stuff you choose to have should glorify God. Of course, that means you shouldn't own stuff that is by its nature opposed to God's teachings - such as pornographic magazines. Most of the stuff in our lives, however, doesn't fall into that category. We should use whatever we have in ways that honor Him. For example, you can use your television to watch news that keeps you informed, or an inspiring show that reflects biblical principles. Or you can use it to watch soap operas, filling your mind with values that don't please God.
Think about how your stuff honors the Lord. If certain items don't, it's best to give them up.
5. Your stuff shouldn't make you feel discontent. Just like Kelly and Mike's experiences, stuff can rob us of the contentment God wants for us. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to agree with the apostle Paul: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to be have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situations, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" (Philippians 4:12)?
What is that secret? A close relationship with Christ. All of our stuff will one day pass away from us, but a relationship with Christ is eternal!
Use Your Material Possessions to Draw Closer to Christ
Whitney Hopler
Kelly is constantly thinking of stuff she doesn't have. A pastor's wife, Kelly lives on an income that's far tighter than she would like. She regularly reminds her husband of what a painful sacrifice it is for her to live on their income, and she often window-shops for things she would like to own.
Kelly feels guilty about secretly buying lottery tickets, and even more guilty about resenting the members of her congregation who live in large houses filled with more stuff than she has in her small townhouse.
Mike is always thinking about the stuff he has. He worked and saved for years to acquire things he dreamed of owning -- a Porshe in his garage, a big-screen television in his living room, an extensive collection of suits in his bedroom. Mike can't bring himself to get rid of all his stuff, but he frequently worries about whether it's demanding too much of his time and money.
He and his wife sense a calling to start a family someday, but Mike doesn't see how he can make the necessary sacrifices. Then there's giving to their church. Mike never manages to drop more than a few dollars into the collection plate each week, despite knowing he should contribute much more. When he finds himself feeling badly about it, he takes a ride in his Porsche, which never fails to put him in a better mood.
You may think you have either too little or too much stuff. But what truly matters is how you use the stuff you have. Here are five principles for using your stuff as tools to grow closer to Christ:
1. Don't give greater priority - as measured by your time and attention - to your stuff than you do to your relationship with Christ. It's often the case that the more possessions you have, the more they possess you. Buying, maintaining, insuring, fixing, cleaning, and storing your stuff can eat up a considerable amount of time. Do you really need that Oriental rug that requires you to take off your shoes every time you walk in your house? Do you need to get a wax job for your car every other week, or can you skip it?More importantly, time you don't spend taking care of your stuff can be spent in prayer or reading the Bible. Take an inventory, not of your stuff, but of the time you spend dealing with your stuff. How does that compare with the time you spend with Christ? If the former number is out of balance with the latter, you'll do well to simplify.
Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24).
2. Your attitude toward stuff should bless others. In all things - including dealing with stuff - an attitude of love should rule your actions.
It's not enough just to decide to get rid of extra stuff you already own and decide not to buy more. You can sanctimoniously congratulate yourself on not wanting or owning a lot of stuff, but still end up sinning if you fall into the traps of ingratitude or miserliness.For example, if friends or family members present you with gifts that cost more than you think they should, don't criticize their generosity by judging how they spent their money. Remember that just because a gift is expensive doesn't make it bad. As long as the gift-givers are sincerely expressing love through their gifts and not trying to manipulate you through them, you should accept graciously and cheerfully.
Don't feel pressured to reciprocate with expensive gifts of your own if God doesn't lead you to do so. But whenever you have stuff that you don't truly need - and that other people could use - be willing to be generous yourself. Acts 2:45 records that early Christians sold their possessions, giving "to anyone as he had need." They knew that material things are merely tools to express Christ's love and grow closer to Him.
3. Your stuff should foster enriching experiences. Manage wisely whatever God chooses to give you. Stuff isn't inherently bad; sometimes it can enable you to experience something that will draw you closer to Christ. If you can hear God's voice more clearly out in nature, it makes sense to own a tent and a sleeping bag so you can go camping.
When Jesus attended the wedding in Cana, He chose to perform His first public miracle by changing water to wine. Serving wine was an important part of the wedding experience in that culture, and Jesus knew that preventing the supply of wine from running out would support the fellowship the wedding guests were enjoying.
4. Your stuff should honor Christ. In 1 Corinthians 10:23, 31, the apostle Paul wrote, "'Everything is permissible' - but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible' - but not everything is constructive. ... So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Whatever stuff you choose to have should glorify God. Of course, that means you shouldn't own stuff that is by its nature opposed to God's teachings - such as pornographic magazines. Most of the stuff in our lives, however, doesn't fall into that category. We should use whatever we have in ways that honor Him. For example, you can use your television to watch news that keeps you informed, or an inspiring show that reflects biblical principles. Or you can use it to watch soap operas, filling your mind with values that don't please God.
Think about how your stuff honors the Lord. If certain items don't, it's best to give them up.
5. Your stuff shouldn't make you feel discontent. Just like Kelly and Mike's experiences, stuff can rob us of the contentment God wants for us. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to agree with the apostle Paul: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to be have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situations, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" (Philippians 4:12)?
What is that secret? A close relationship with Christ. All of our stuff will one day pass away from us, but a relationship with Christ is eternal!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
My Days Are Numbered
Note:= Think about this ! What do you have? and what do you need?
My Days Are Numbered
By RICK MORANIS
Published: November 22, 2006
The average American home now has more television sets than people ... according to Nielsen Media Research. There are 2.73 TV sets in the typical home and 2.55 people, the researchers said.
— The Associated Press, Sept. 21.
I HAVE two kids. Both are away at college.
I have five television sets. (I like to think of them as a set of five televisions.) I have two DVR boxes, three DVD players, two VHS machines and four stereos.
I have nineteen remote controls, mostly in one drawer.
I have three computers, four printers and two non-working faxes.
I have three phone lines, three cell phones and two answering machines.
I have no messages.
I have forty-six cookbooks.
I have sixty-eight takeout menus from four restaurants.
I have one hundred and sixteen soy sauce packets.
I have three hundred and eighty-two dishes, bowls, cups, saucers, mugs and glasses.
I eat over the sink.
I have five sinks, two with a view.
I try to keep a positive view.
I have two refrigerators.
It’s very hard to count ice cubes.
I have thirty-nine pairs of golf, tennis, squash, running, walking, hiking, casual and formal shoes, ice skates and rollerblades.
I’m wearing slippers.
I have forty-one 37-cent stamps.
I have no 2-cent stamps.
I read three dailies, four weeklies, five monthlies and no annual reports.
I have five hundred and six CD, cassette, vinyl and eight-track recordings.
I listen to the same radio station all day.
I have twenty-six sets of linen for four regular, three foldout and two inflatable beds.
I don’t like having houseguests.
I have one hundred and eighty-four thousand frequent flier miles on six airlines, three of which no longer exist.
I have “101 Dalmatians” on tape.
I have fourteen digital clocks flashing relatively similar times.
I have twenty-two minutes to listen to the news.
I have nine armchairs from which I can be critical.
I have a laundry list of things that need cleaning.
I have lost more than one thousand golf balls.
I am missing thirty-seven umbrellas.
I have over four hundred yards of dental floss.
I have a lot of time on my hands.
I have two kids coming home for Thanksgiving.
Rick Moranis is the creator of a country music album, “The Agoraphobic Cowboy.”
My Days Are Numbered
By RICK MORANIS
Published: November 22, 2006
The average American home now has more television sets than people ... according to Nielsen Media Research. There are 2.73 TV sets in the typical home and 2.55 people, the researchers said.
— The Associated Press, Sept. 21.
I HAVE two kids. Both are away at college.
I have five television sets. (I like to think of them as a set of five televisions.) I have two DVR boxes, three DVD players, two VHS machines and four stereos.
I have nineteen remote controls, mostly in one drawer.
I have three computers, four printers and two non-working faxes.
I have three phone lines, three cell phones and two answering machines.
I have no messages.
I have forty-six cookbooks.
I have sixty-eight takeout menus from four restaurants.
I have one hundred and sixteen soy sauce packets.
I have three hundred and eighty-two dishes, bowls, cups, saucers, mugs and glasses.
I eat over the sink.
I have five sinks, two with a view.
I try to keep a positive view.
I have two refrigerators.
It’s very hard to count ice cubes.
I have thirty-nine pairs of golf, tennis, squash, running, walking, hiking, casual and formal shoes, ice skates and rollerblades.
I’m wearing slippers.
I have forty-one 37-cent stamps.
I have no 2-cent stamps.
I read three dailies, four weeklies, five monthlies and no annual reports.
I have five hundred and six CD, cassette, vinyl and eight-track recordings.
I listen to the same radio station all day.
I have twenty-six sets of linen for four regular, three foldout and two inflatable beds.
I don’t like having houseguests.
I have one hundred and eighty-four thousand frequent flier miles on six airlines, three of which no longer exist.
I have “101 Dalmatians” on tape.
I have fourteen digital clocks flashing relatively similar times.
I have twenty-two minutes to listen to the news.
I have nine armchairs from which I can be critical.
I have a laundry list of things that need cleaning.
I have lost more than one thousand golf balls.
I am missing thirty-seven umbrellas.
I have over four hundred yards of dental floss.
I have a lot of time on my hands.
I have two kids coming home for Thanksgiving.
Rick Moranis is the creator of a country music album, “The Agoraphobic Cowboy.”
Sunday, November 12, 2006
OB Lines
NOTE:= A great reminder to exercise great caution when it comes to affairs of such a nature. Remind me of 1 kings 11:1-5, where it was recorded how King Soloman wandered away from following God and fell away. Men are especially proned to such temptations. I think King Solomon must have deceived himself into believing that he can have God's blessings and at the same time share in the pleasure of this world. His heart, although made wise by God, was no security to protect him when he let his guard down. May we learn to keep very close watch over our hearts. Drawing such OB (Out-of-bounds) lines and fences can help us stay on the secured and lighted path and not wander down a slippery path, thinking and deceiving ourselves that it's OK when in our heart of hearts, we know it's not. Take care and God bless.
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5 Moral Fences
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5 Moral Fences
Fact: Some kids like to play "near the edge," and some kids don't. I always did! Whether the "edge" was rock jumping into a cool mountain lake or "bumper jumping" moving cars to slide along an icy winter street, the potential of peril invigorated me.
But "when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Cor. 13:11). I was a pastor and in seminary when the moral failures of the late '80's hit the news. In addition to the big names, I heard a shocking number of similar tragedies from my own circle of pastor/friends.
One Sunday night in 1987 I remember crying all the way to church. I was terrified. I asked over and over, "How does this happen? Could this happen to me? How can I protect myself, my family, and my ministry from the devastation a moral failure would cause? How can I keep myself pure when men better than me are falling like flies?"
As I prayed it through, I figured that those who fell morally must have disregarded the warning signs. They didn't go from Spirit-led to stepping off the cliff in one day. They must have crashed some social barriers before their slippage became sexual.
Where is that line? I wondered, And how can I make sure I never cross it? I knew I had to make my decisions early and my standards public so that others would know when I was "playing near the edge." I was determined that, by God's grace, I would not take the plunge. So I set some boundaries of behavior.
I remembered an incident back in Bible college when the college president would not give my (young, beautiful) fiancee a ride to our church almost two hours away when he came to speak. At first that seemed odd; now I was beginning to understand why.
Sexual temptation is
where we are held least
accountable and where
we can fall fastest.
I began to form my list of moral fences:
1. I will not, under any circumstances, ride alone in a car with a female other than my wife or an immediate family member. No lifts home for a church secretary, no baby sitters driven home late at night, no rides for teen girls in my student ministry, more recently no personal pickups for my daughter's girlfriends, no exceptions.
Recently while speaking out of town, I had to explain to my pastor friend why it would not work out for his wife to meet me and drive me over there. It has been awkward at times, but it's a beneficial discipline.
2. I do not counsel a woman in a closed room or more than once. No matter what the issue, counseling is an intimate activity, and when the subject matter itself becomes intimate, counseling the opposite sex is like playing with fire.
When our church was smaller, keeping this standard meant that some women had to seek counsel elsewhere and two or three left our church over my "fence." I was hurt at first, but it blessed my wife.
My time was better spent training a team of men and women to do the lighter counseling and then referring those with more complex issues to biblical counseling centers outside our church.
When I cannot avoid a second session with a woman in our church, I have my wife or another pastor join us. Pretty hard to commit adultery with someone you never spend time alone with.
3. I do not stay alone in a hotel overnight. I did my doctoral thesis on increasing the incidents of self-disclosure of sin among men. I have heard more confessions of addiction to various forms of sexual sin than any one pastor should have to hear, and it has changed me. It has left me deeply persuaded that "there but for the grace of God (and some moral fences), go I." I know myself too well.
Lengthy, unaccountable hours with manifold temptations available is a recipe for failure. Romans 13:14 instructs us to "make no provision for the flesh." Do I sound weak? I am! And when I forget that weakness, I cease to know God's strength (1 Cor. 12:10).
When I travel, I travel with someone. When that is impossible, I stay with a friend. When that is impossible I do not go. Period.
Early in my ministry, that meant there were things I missed out on. Recently our elders have agreed to help fund a travel partner for me. If an outside ministry opportunity is deemed worthwhile, and the ministry cannot afford a second airfare, our church pays for me to take another pastor or elder, or best of all, my wife!
4. I speak often and publicly of my affection for my wife, when she's present and when she's not. Marriages that are failing often become silent in public before they become loudly negative. If a pastor neglects publicly affirming his wife, it may reveal a private deterioration of that relationship.
I have tried to develop close friends who consistently monitor the way I refer to and interact with my wife. I know some men in our church feel the heat because I am so publicly wild about my wife of 16 years, but maybe that's good for them.
5. Compliment the character or the conduct, not the coiffure or the clothing. I'm still working on this one. As our church has grown, and I don't know everybody personally, the power of a compliment has become a problem. As pastors we love people and want to be an encouragement. Formerly, if I noticed that Shelly had a new dress or Susan had changed her hair I would compliment her on that. I felt it was harmless. If it seemed to meet a need and I meant it sincerely, I thought, No harm done.
But more recently I have seen that this seemingly innocent gesture can have far more impact than I ever intended. Now I'm trying to restrict my compliments to character and conduct. I get to use my gift of encouragement, but I focus on the things God is doing in a person's life and not the externals that are so easily misunderstood.
Make the fences publicThe fence is useless if I can take it down any time my sinful heart desires. To make it work, those around me must understand the fences and be willing to tell me if they see one broken down. I periodically weave the fences into a sermon.
My most recent example was a message on "Meeting God in Moral Failure." When the message came to the "how to prevent" part, I simply explained my five moral fences.
At the staff level, we require the fences to be maintained. From pastors to ministry leaders, custodians to bookstore personnel, every paid staff member is held to this standard. A former singles pastor found it very difficult not to have lunch alone with women in his ministry, claiming he "forgot." Eventually we told him we would "forget" to pay him if he "forgot" again.
Isn't this legalism?This is not legalism. Legalism is when we judge another's spirituality based on man-made rules. We are not judging anyone's heart for the Lord. We are simply reasoning together how we can remain pure and faithful in our commitments to God and family.
Of course, Christian morality involves far more than righteous sexuality. Money and power have often been observed to destroy ministers and ministries. However, decisions about money and power are more public. People see the kind of car I drive, the clothes I wear, the vacations I take, and the home I live in.
People also observe the ways I use my influence over others. If I become powerdriven rather than servant-oriented, if I lord my authority over others and abuse my position, people will "vote with their feet."
With both money and power, there is a broad public accountability that is a "fence" of sorts. Beyond that most of us have elders and/or deacons who monitor the way we use power and money in the church. I account regularly for the way I use my influence and am excluded almost completely from the money matters of ministry.
Yet none of these co-leaders can monitor my sexual purity. It stands alone as a purely private matter capable of instantly destroying my ministry.
Moral fences are most needed in the area of sexual temptation because it is here we are held least accountable and it is here we can fall fastest.
What about solo sexual sin?The fiercest battle for sexual purity is fought in the mind, what I look at, and what I think about. Moral fences may protect me from the act of adultery, but what protects a minister from the mental/emotional infidelity Jesus warns of (Matt. 5:28)?
My resume in these matters is certainly not spotless, but I have found great help in weekly accountability from my men's small group, which asks specific questions about Internet usage, television/movies viewed, and magazines read.
Knowing that within days my brothers will ask me point blank, "Have you set anything unclean before your eyes this week?" (Ps. 101:3) has been a strong deterrent.
Above reproachIn both Timothy and Titus, Paul instructs leaders in Christ's church to be above reproach. That is, our conduct must be such that it would be difficult, even for those who oppose our ministry, to bring an accusation against us. Many a pastor has had his ministry destroyed over accusations that could not be proven false, though they were.
Our congregation is comforted in knowing that our ministry team is seeking to protect themselves and the church from moral failure. By identifying the behaviors that lead to moral problems and avoiding them, we embrace the wisdom of Proverbs 4:26 to "ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established."
Of course, the standards themselves are not in any way righteous. They are only a protection against potentially overwhelming temptation.
Last summer on our family vacation, we drove through some very high, single lane, mountain passes. The road was narrow and the drop-off immense. I drove slowly and hugged the mountain! I kept my eyes on the road and refused to look down, but I'm still glad the guard rails were there.
This is one pastor's attempt to live above reproach. What are your reactions? LEADERSHIP would like to publish other approaches to protecting the integrity of ministry. Send your thoughts to ljeditor@leadershipjournal.net or to LEADERSHIP, 465 Gundersen Dr., Carol Stream IL 60188.
James MacDonald is founding pastor of
Harvest Bible Chapel
800 Rohlwing Road
Rolling Meadows IL 60008
Thursday, September 07, 2006
GRACE : A LICENSE TO WANDER ?
Note:= A great article, reminding us what truly is relying on God's grace and what is expected by God as a consequence of giving us His grace. Like what the apostle john said in first john, those who are born of God do not continue to sin. Like what Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery, " Go and sin no more." Only a person saved by grace and walking in daily obedience to God's commands will experience in reality the joy of true salvation, arising from a pure conscience. May God strength our resolve to continue in true faith that saves !
GRACE : A LICENSE TO WANDER ?
The need for a balanced message.An article by Bryan Chapell.
Talking about God's unconditional love in order to promote godliness is counterintuitive. If all we do is keep assuring people that God loves them, then what is to keep them from taking advantage of grace and doing whatever they want?In recent decades a number of wonderful movements of grace have begun to sweep across the evangelical world. These groups include the Sonship, World Harvest Mission, and New Life ministries that have flourished from the seminal influence of the late Jack Miller, Redeemer churches associated with Tim Keller; New City Fellowship churches and ministries in various cities; and the L'Abri fellowships spawned by the teachings of Francis Schaeffer. To these early and deep fountains of grace could be added a great number of ministers, churches, and institutions in evangelical circles that have recently made grace a chief focus of their ministries. Contributors are as diverse as John Armstrong, Charles Swindoll, Joyce Meyers, R. C. Sproul, Steve Brown, Michael Scott Horton, Jerry Bridges, and Philip Yancey.Without a doubt a grace awakening is occurring, but the new emphasis does not come without varying accents, challenges, and concerns. Concerns that the new emphasis on grace will result in antinomianism (disregard for the law of God) have become quite numerous and acute. The history of the evangelical church in North America can partially explain the reasons for these concerns.Much of the evangelical church finds its cultural roots in the modernist/fundamentalist controversy of the early twentieth century. Not only did those who stood for historic Christianity against modern skepticism fight against disregard for biblical truth, they also warred against the lifestyle changes being adopted by those who discredited the right of Scripture to govern their lives.Concern about lifestyle issues is necessary for biblical Christianity. Early leaders among the North American evangelicals rightly insisted that the Bible has commands that God's people must obey in order to honor him. Problems came, however, when patterns of personal conduct became almost as much an emphasis in evangelical preaching and teaching as the message of God's grace. As a consequence, people began to think of their conduct as a qualification for God's acceptance.The result of the strong emphasis on lifestyle issues was the creation of codes of conduct that supposedly distinguished real Christians from the secular world and nominal believers. Strict adherence to the codes became the mark of serious Christianity in many churches, even when the particulars could not be biblically proven. In fact, many of the standards of the evangelical code (for example, do not play card games, drink alcoholic beverages, smoke, or go to movies) became so much a part of the culture of most conservative churches that few people in them even thought to question whether the Bible actually taught all that the churches expected.Part of the concern about a renewed emphasis on grace is simply a fear of the loss of evangelical identity as interest wanes in adherence to the codes that have distinguished Bible-believing Christians over the past century. The fear has some merit. The codes have, in fact, kept many Christians from dallying with cultural practices and adopting societal patterns wherein lie great spiritual danger. Those who become strong advocates of a grace emphasis must acknowledge the legitimacy of this concern and show how their teaching will provide protection from secular dangers when the codes of conduct are undermined.Admittedly, strong advocates of the new grace emphasis may not feel that it is their responsibility to deal with the behavior issues that concern advocates of the codes. Preachers of grace typically see the old evangelical codes as destructive forms of legalism that need to be dismantled. Many of us have been personally wounded by legalistic attitudes in the church and resonate with the need to fight their spiritually corrosive influences.Still, it is not enough for the advocates of grace simply to react against legalism. We must also respond to the license that always tempts Christians when preachers say, "God will love you no matter what." Legalism makes believers think that God accepts them on the basis of what they do. Licentiousness makes believers think that God does not care what they do. Both errors have terrible spiritual consequences.Jesus said, "if you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15). Grace should not make obedience optional. When God removes good works as a condition for his acceptance, he does not remove righteousness as a requirement for life. The standards of Scripture glorify God and protect his people from spiritual harm. We cannot undermine the legitimate standards of the Bible without grave consequences.God does not love us because we obey him, but we cannot know the blessings of his love without obedience. Thus, a grace focus that undermines Christ's own demand for obedience denies us knowledge of and intimacy with him. This is not grace.Grace that bears fruit is biblical. Grace that goes to seed uses God's unconditional love as an excuse for selfish indulgence. Such egocentric living ultimately burdens us with the guilt and consequences of sin that God has designed his grace to remove.Resting on God's grace does not relieve us of our holy obligations; rather it should enable us to fulfill them.
GRACE : A LICENSE TO WANDER ?
The need for a balanced message.An article by Bryan Chapell.
Talking about God's unconditional love in order to promote godliness is counterintuitive. If all we do is keep assuring people that God loves them, then what is to keep them from taking advantage of grace and doing whatever they want?In recent decades a number of wonderful movements of grace have begun to sweep across the evangelical world. These groups include the Sonship, World Harvest Mission, and New Life ministries that have flourished from the seminal influence of the late Jack Miller, Redeemer churches associated with Tim Keller; New City Fellowship churches and ministries in various cities; and the L'Abri fellowships spawned by the teachings of Francis Schaeffer. To these early and deep fountains of grace could be added a great number of ministers, churches, and institutions in evangelical circles that have recently made grace a chief focus of their ministries. Contributors are as diverse as John Armstrong, Charles Swindoll, Joyce Meyers, R. C. Sproul, Steve Brown, Michael Scott Horton, Jerry Bridges, and Philip Yancey.Without a doubt a grace awakening is occurring, but the new emphasis does not come without varying accents, challenges, and concerns. Concerns that the new emphasis on grace will result in antinomianism (disregard for the law of God) have become quite numerous and acute. The history of the evangelical church in North America can partially explain the reasons for these concerns.Much of the evangelical church finds its cultural roots in the modernist/fundamentalist controversy of the early twentieth century. Not only did those who stood for historic Christianity against modern skepticism fight against disregard for biblical truth, they also warred against the lifestyle changes being adopted by those who discredited the right of Scripture to govern their lives.Concern about lifestyle issues is necessary for biblical Christianity. Early leaders among the North American evangelicals rightly insisted that the Bible has commands that God's people must obey in order to honor him. Problems came, however, when patterns of personal conduct became almost as much an emphasis in evangelical preaching and teaching as the message of God's grace. As a consequence, people began to think of their conduct as a qualification for God's acceptance.The result of the strong emphasis on lifestyle issues was the creation of codes of conduct that supposedly distinguished real Christians from the secular world and nominal believers. Strict adherence to the codes became the mark of serious Christianity in many churches, even when the particulars could not be biblically proven. In fact, many of the standards of the evangelical code (for example, do not play card games, drink alcoholic beverages, smoke, or go to movies) became so much a part of the culture of most conservative churches that few people in them even thought to question whether the Bible actually taught all that the churches expected.Part of the concern about a renewed emphasis on grace is simply a fear of the loss of evangelical identity as interest wanes in adherence to the codes that have distinguished Bible-believing Christians over the past century. The fear has some merit. The codes have, in fact, kept many Christians from dallying with cultural practices and adopting societal patterns wherein lie great spiritual danger. Those who become strong advocates of a grace emphasis must acknowledge the legitimacy of this concern and show how their teaching will provide protection from secular dangers when the codes of conduct are undermined.Admittedly, strong advocates of the new grace emphasis may not feel that it is their responsibility to deal with the behavior issues that concern advocates of the codes. Preachers of grace typically see the old evangelical codes as destructive forms of legalism that need to be dismantled. Many of us have been personally wounded by legalistic attitudes in the church and resonate with the need to fight their spiritually corrosive influences.Still, it is not enough for the advocates of grace simply to react against legalism. We must also respond to the license that always tempts Christians when preachers say, "God will love you no matter what." Legalism makes believers think that God accepts them on the basis of what they do. Licentiousness makes believers think that God does not care what they do. Both errors have terrible spiritual consequences.Jesus said, "if you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15). Grace should not make obedience optional. When God removes good works as a condition for his acceptance, he does not remove righteousness as a requirement for life. The standards of Scripture glorify God and protect his people from spiritual harm. We cannot undermine the legitimate standards of the Bible without grave consequences.God does not love us because we obey him, but we cannot know the blessings of his love without obedience. Thus, a grace focus that undermines Christ's own demand for obedience denies us knowledge of and intimacy with him. This is not grace.Grace that bears fruit is biblical. Grace that goes to seed uses God's unconditional love as an excuse for selfish indulgence. Such egocentric living ultimately burdens us with the guilt and consequences of sin that God has designed his grace to remove.Resting on God's grace does not relieve us of our holy obligations; rather it should enable us to fulfill them.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
A BEAUTIFUL ANALOGY!
A BEAUTIFUL ANALOGY!
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists." "Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.
The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" "No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! " answered the barber. " What happens, is, people do not come to me. " "Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him . That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
IF GOD BE WITH US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US.
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists." "Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt.
The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" "No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! " answered the barber. " What happens, is, people do not come to me. " "Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him . That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."
IF GOD BE WITH US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US.
Friday, August 04, 2006
How to live a life of victory?
"Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." (2 Peter 1:10)
You shall never fall. When you think about it, that's a startling statement, isn't it? Most of us have been tripped up by the devil so many times we don't like to think about it. But the Word of God says it doesn't have to be that way. He says there's something that can keep us on our feet. What is it? Diligence.
If you haven't already, you need to realize how important diligence is. You need to face the fact that you simply can't live a life of victory without it. You can't stand strong on the Word of God and not pick your Bible up during the week. Sunday morning alone isn't going to get the job done. Yet most believers try to get by on that. That's precisely why we have thousands of churches all over the world filled with born-again people who don't have enough faith to blow their hats off. No diligence.
I remember several years ago when I ministered to a lady who was healed of cancer. She'd gotten into the Word, taken a stand of faith, and had been delivered. But several years later she called me and said, "Brother Copeland, I wish you'd pray for me. This cancer has come back on me again." Right away I recalled the scripture the Lord had given us to stand on those years before: "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." So I said, "Get your Bible and let's go back to Isaiah 54:17." In the background I could hear her whispering to someone else in the room, "Where's my Bible?" When I heard that, I almost cried out. I knew she wasn't going to make it. Why? No diligence.
Listen, this is a daily thing. The devil's out there 24 hours a day devising ways to make us fall. Jesus is on the throne 24 hours a day giving us power to resist him, and we need to be exercising our faith all the time. If you're going to stand in the days ahead, you're going to need a lot more than Sunday school faith. You're going to need some full-grown, mountain-moving faith, and there's only one way to get that: By giving yourself to the Word more diligently than you ever have before. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure; and no matter how slippery the situation gets, you won't have to fall!
Scripture Study: 2 Peter 1:3-10
You shall never fall. When you think about it, that's a startling statement, isn't it? Most of us have been tripped up by the devil so many times we don't like to think about it. But the Word of God says it doesn't have to be that way. He says there's something that can keep us on our feet. What is it? Diligence.
If you haven't already, you need to realize how important diligence is. You need to face the fact that you simply can't live a life of victory without it. You can't stand strong on the Word of God and not pick your Bible up during the week. Sunday morning alone isn't going to get the job done. Yet most believers try to get by on that. That's precisely why we have thousands of churches all over the world filled with born-again people who don't have enough faith to blow their hats off. No diligence.
I remember several years ago when I ministered to a lady who was healed of cancer. She'd gotten into the Word, taken a stand of faith, and had been delivered. But several years later she called me and said, "Brother Copeland, I wish you'd pray for me. This cancer has come back on me again." Right away I recalled the scripture the Lord had given us to stand on those years before: "No weapon formed against you shall prosper." So I said, "Get your Bible and let's go back to Isaiah 54:17." In the background I could hear her whispering to someone else in the room, "Where's my Bible?" When I heard that, I almost cried out. I knew she wasn't going to make it. Why? No diligence.
Listen, this is a daily thing. The devil's out there 24 hours a day devising ways to make us fall. Jesus is on the throne 24 hours a day giving us power to resist him, and we need to be exercising our faith all the time. If you're going to stand in the days ahead, you're going to need a lot more than Sunday school faith. You're going to need some full-grown, mountain-moving faith, and there's only one way to get that: By giving yourself to the Word more diligently than you ever have before. Give diligence to make your calling and election sure; and no matter how slippery the situation gets, you won't have to fall!
Scripture Study: 2 Peter 1:3-10
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Because GOD is...
Attributes of God by Dr. William R. Bright
1* Because God is a personal Spirit...........I will seek intimate fellowship with Him.
2* Because God is all-powerful......He can help me with anything.
3* Because God is ever-present......He is always with me.
4* Because God knows everything......I will go to Him with all my questions and concerns.
5* Because God is sovereign......I will joyfully submit to His will.
6* Because God is holy......I will devote myself to Him in purity,worship and service.
7* Because God is absolute truth......I will believe what He says and live accordingly.
8* Because God is righteous......I will live by His standards.
9* Because God is just......He will treat me fairly.
10* Because God is love......He is unconditionally committed to my wellbeing.
11* Because God is merciful......He forgive me of my sins when I sincerely confess them.
12* Because God is faithful......I will trust Him to always keep His promises.
13* Because God never changes......my future is secure and eternal.
Father, deep within our hearts we want to know You more. Amen
__________________________________________________________
1* Because God is a personal Spirit...........I will seek intimate fellowship with Him.
2* Because God is all-powerful......He can help me with anything.
3* Because God is ever-present......He is always with me.
4* Because God knows everything......I will go to Him with all my questions and concerns.
5* Because God is sovereign......I will joyfully submit to His will.
6* Because God is holy......I will devote myself to Him in purity,worship and service.
7* Because God is absolute truth......I will believe what He says and live accordingly.
8* Because God is righteous......I will live by His standards.
9* Because God is just......He will treat me fairly.
10* Because God is love......He is unconditionally committed to my wellbeing.
11* Because God is merciful......He forgive me of my sins when I sincerely confess them.
12* Because God is faithful......I will trust Him to always keep His promises.
13* Because God never changes......my future is secure and eternal.
Father, deep within our hearts we want to know You more. Amen
__________________________________________________________
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Some things to think about !
Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's loveand the future to God's providence.
St, Augustine of Hippo
__________________________________________
Things You Probably Never Knew or Thought About.
* At least 5 people in this world love you so much that they woulddie for you.
* At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
* A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don'tlike you.
* Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
* You mean the world to someone.
* If not for you, someone may not be living.
* You are special and unique.
* Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
* When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes fromit.
* If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know thatthey are great.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour toappreciate them,a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.
Take the time....to live and love.
_____________________________________________________
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