The Wall Street Journal listed a timeline of Wal-Mart’s steps to respond quickly and effectively to Japan’s massive earthquake and tsunami. What struck me was the persistent focus on their Japan employees and their safety.
Rather than only being concerned about getting their stores online they took great care in finding and accounting for all their employees and providing them with cash to weather the storm. Somehow Wal-Mart seemed to inject compassion for the people into the necessary recovery system.
In Matthew 9:36, Matthew noted Jesus’ heart for the people when he wrote, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
If you have a plan for emergencies in your organization, don’t forget to insert the heart of a shepherd.
By Rick Boxx
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Should Christians Isolate Themselves from the World?
When I was in elementary school, we had a little game that we would play in which we would touch someone and say, “You have cooties.” Of course, we had to have a way to defend ourselves, so when someone would touch us and claim they just gave us cooties, we would say, “Not me, I don’t have cooties.” Then we would hold out our hands, revealing the handwritten initials, C.P., which stood for “cootie protection.”
I think Christians are sometimes that way around unbelievers. They appear as though they are avoiding all contact with them. I can understand not wanting to be influenced in a bad way. But how about influencing others in a good way?
Jesus said that as Christians, we are to be salt and light. In Jesus’ day, salt was used as a preservative. It was rubbed into meat to stop the rotting process. So, as salt in a culture, Christians are to stop the spread of corruption. But another thing salt does is stimulate thirst. So we are to stop the spread of corruption and stimulate a thirst for God in others.
In addition to being salt, Christians are to be light, which means that we are to proclaim the gospel and do good works. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
We are called to be salt and light—to live a godly life. It is God’s job to identify the fake Christians, to determine the true from the false.
God has planted us as believers in this world. He has put His people in the culture to influence it, to make a difference. God is not calling us as believers to isolate, but to infiltrate.
Taken from “A Positive Influence” by Harvest Ministries (used by permission).
Greg Laurie
I think Christians are sometimes that way around unbelievers. They appear as though they are avoiding all contact with them. I can understand not wanting to be influenced in a bad way. But how about influencing others in a good way?
Jesus said that as Christians, we are to be salt and light. In Jesus’ day, salt was used as a preservative. It was rubbed into meat to stop the rotting process. So, as salt in a culture, Christians are to stop the spread of corruption. But another thing salt does is stimulate thirst. So we are to stop the spread of corruption and stimulate a thirst for God in others.
In addition to being salt, Christians are to be light, which means that we are to proclaim the gospel and do good works. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
We are called to be salt and light—to live a godly life. It is God’s job to identify the fake Christians, to determine the true from the false.
God has planted us as believers in this world. He has put His people in the culture to influence it, to make a difference. God is not calling us as believers to isolate, but to infiltrate.
Taken from “A Positive Influence” by Harvest Ministries (used by permission).
Greg Laurie
Why Should Christians Live on Mission?
Charles Stanley
Paul and Barnabas set the standard for the church’s mission work when they obeyed God’s call to go forth. The local body of believers—those left behind to share Christ with neighbors and friends—equipped the men for their journey. They did so for the same reasons that apply today:
1. The spiritual condition of mankind. Romans 1:21–32 describes this sinful world. Unchecked sin leads people down a slippery slope toward a depraved conscience and, ultimately, a darkened mind that cannot perceive what is right. Every unbelieving person is sliding on that treacherous path.
2. God’s spiritual provision. The Father responded to mankind’s plight with grace: He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to save the world. On the cross, Christ bore the sin of every person—living, no longer alive, and yet to be born. The offer of salvation is for all; God’s grace is blind to race, creed, and color (Romans 10:12). Those who believe in Jesus are forgiven their sin, and they will spend eternity with the Lord.
3. The commission from Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8 says we receive the Holy Spirit so we may bear effective witness to those who need salvation. Notice that we don’t simply begin at home and work steadily outward. People everywhere are waiting for the Good News. The word is to be carried far and fast.
The purpose of the church is to worship and witness. Some will go and some will send, but all are called to the work of spreading the gospel. This is not a suggestion; it is a command (Matthew 28:19). Believers living in God’s will are all to be involved in missionary work.
Taken from “Our Missionary Mission” by In Touch Ministries (used by permission).
Paul and Barnabas set the standard for the church’s mission work when they obeyed God’s call to go forth. The local body of believers—those left behind to share Christ with neighbors and friends—equipped the men for their journey. They did so for the same reasons that apply today:
1. The spiritual condition of mankind. Romans 1:21–32 describes this sinful world. Unchecked sin leads people down a slippery slope toward a depraved conscience and, ultimately, a darkened mind that cannot perceive what is right. Every unbelieving person is sliding on that treacherous path.
2. God’s spiritual provision. The Father responded to mankind’s plight with grace: He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to save the world. On the cross, Christ bore the sin of every person—living, no longer alive, and yet to be born. The offer of salvation is for all; God’s grace is blind to race, creed, and color (Romans 10:12). Those who believe in Jesus are forgiven their sin, and they will spend eternity with the Lord.
3. The commission from Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8 says we receive the Holy Spirit so we may bear effective witness to those who need salvation. Notice that we don’t simply begin at home and work steadily outward. People everywhere are waiting for the Good News. The word is to be carried far and fast.
The purpose of the church is to worship and witness. Some will go and some will send, but all are called to the work of spreading the gospel. This is not a suggestion; it is a command (Matthew 28:19). Believers living in God’s will are all to be involved in missionary work.
Taken from “Our Missionary Mission” by In Touch Ministries (used by permission).
Are You a Growing Christian?
Are you growing? Here are some ways you can tell.
What do you think about?
One of the first signs that you are growing in Christ is that you think about what Jesus has done on your behalf. You reflect upon it and you praise Him for it. Your sins are forgiven and you’re on your way to heaven. What a glorious thought!
What are you doing with your life?
You’re saved, but you don’t stop there. You develop muscles and become a strong warrior to the glory of God. You become an active member of the Lord’s army. Let me ask you: Is the devil afraid of you? Are you an overcomer or are you overcome?
If you are saved and still sitting on the sidelines, shame on you! Indeed, shame on all of us if we’re not exhorting and encouraging one another to lay down our lives to get into active service for our Lord!
Are you evangelizing and discipling others?
A father is one who has children. Do you have any spiritual children? This is a mark of a growing Christian—that you are multiplying yourself (what God did in you) by sharing it with others. When you appear before the throne of God, will you be standing there alone? Or will you be standing with children you have “parented” in Christ?
Do you know why we have so many flabby Christians? They come down the aisle of the church, get baptized, then come Sunday after Sunday and just sit, soak, and sour. They do not exercise. They don’t have daily quiet times; they’re not sharing Christ in their communities and neighborhoods; they’re not ministering in their church.
Adrian Rogers
Taken from “How To Be a Growing Christian” by Love Worth Finding Ministries (used by permission).
What do you think about?
One of the first signs that you are growing in Christ is that you think about what Jesus has done on your behalf. You reflect upon it and you praise Him for it. Your sins are forgiven and you’re on your way to heaven. What a glorious thought!
What are you doing with your life?
You’re saved, but you don’t stop there. You develop muscles and become a strong warrior to the glory of God. You become an active member of the Lord’s army. Let me ask you: Is the devil afraid of you? Are you an overcomer or are you overcome?
If you are saved and still sitting on the sidelines, shame on you! Indeed, shame on all of us if we’re not exhorting and encouraging one another to lay down our lives to get into active service for our Lord!
Are you evangelizing and discipling others?
A father is one who has children. Do you have any spiritual children? This is a mark of a growing Christian—that you are multiplying yourself (what God did in you) by sharing it with others. When you appear before the throne of God, will you be standing there alone? Or will you be standing with children you have “parented” in Christ?
Do you know why we have so many flabby Christians? They come down the aisle of the church, get baptized, then come Sunday after Sunday and just sit, soak, and sour. They do not exercise. They don’t have daily quiet times; they’re not sharing Christ in their communities and neighborhoods; they’re not ministering in their church.
Adrian Rogers
Taken from “How To Be a Growing Christian” by Love Worth Finding Ministries (used by permission).
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Demas’s downfall
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. Philemon 1:23-24 (NKJV)
It’s part of the devil’s agenda to distract us from eternal issues by getting us to love earth more than Heaven. And over the centuries, he’s used this tactic to take down many who seemed utterly incapable of turning their backs on the Lord.
Demas was one such example. He’s mentioned three times in the New Testament, each time by Paul in his letters. We can deduce that Demas had ministered alongside Paul, because he’s identified as a “fellow-laborer” in the Book of Philemon. He’s also mentioned as one of Paul’s companions in the Book of Colossians (4:14), which scholars believe Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome.
So Demas seems like a solid spiritual soldier at this point. He’s actively serving alongside Paul, and he’s even there during the tough times of imprisonment. But fast forward just a few years, and we see Paul’s third and final reference to Demas:
Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world… (2 Timothy 4:10 NKJV)
Now imagine the kind of life Demas had lived. He was out there on the front lines, sharing the gospel in foreign territory, witnessing mighty miracles, and being within constant earshot of Paul’s teaching! You’d never guess that he would one day forsake the faith. At first, not even Paul anticipated this.
Yet Demas did forsake the faith, and we know why he did. In keeping with the devil’s attempt to distract believers from eternity, Demas fell in love with this present world. We don’t know exactly how it happened. But somewhere along the way, the coin flipped, and earth’s enticements won him over.
Our response to Demas’ downfall shouldn’t be insecurity, but rather sobriety. Our God is able to keep us from falling, but we need to be wise in watching over our heart’s affections and examining whether they’re pointed towards earth or eternity.
Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
It’s part of the devil’s agenda to distract us from eternal issues by getting us to love earth more than Heaven. And over the centuries, he’s used this tactic to take down many who seemed utterly incapable of turning their backs on the Lord.
Demas was one such example. He’s mentioned three times in the New Testament, each time by Paul in his letters. We can deduce that Demas had ministered alongside Paul, because he’s identified as a “fellow-laborer” in the Book of Philemon. He’s also mentioned as one of Paul’s companions in the Book of Colossians (4:14), which scholars believe Paul wrote while imprisoned in Rome.
So Demas seems like a solid spiritual soldier at this point. He’s actively serving alongside Paul, and he’s even there during the tough times of imprisonment. But fast forward just a few years, and we see Paul’s third and final reference to Demas:
Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world… (2 Timothy 4:10 NKJV)
Now imagine the kind of life Demas had lived. He was out there on the front lines, sharing the gospel in foreign territory, witnessing mighty miracles, and being within constant earshot of Paul’s teaching! You’d never guess that he would one day forsake the faith. At first, not even Paul anticipated this.
Yet Demas did forsake the faith, and we know why he did. In keeping with the devil’s attempt to distract believers from eternity, Demas fell in love with this present world. We don’t know exactly how it happened. But somewhere along the way, the coin flipped, and earth’s enticements won him over.
Our response to Demas’ downfall shouldn’t be insecurity, but rather sobriety. Our God is able to keep us from falling, but we need to be wise in watching over our heart’s affections and examining whether they’re pointed towards earth or eternity.
Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
The Real Need (Part One)
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his own mind. PROVERBS 18:2
As I settled into my seat on the small regional jet, I noticed that the man next to me was embroiled in an intense cell-phone conversation. Although he was doing his best to control his anger and keep his voice down, his conversation was unavoidable for me—and all the passengers within two rows of him. He was talking to his former wife. Listening to him was like watching a sword fight where you can only see one of the competitors.
With his blade, he verbally sliced and pierced the woman on the other end of the phone. The conversation ended with a verbal decapitation when he declared, “And you are no longer my wife!” He demanded to talk with his daughter, and when she came on the phone, the sword fighter was instantly transformed into a puppy. He began by compassionately asking her questions, but at the end of the conversation he made
one last thrust of the sword, saying her mom was a “wimp.” After he hung up the phone, this noble warrior informed me, “Any man can be a father,” he said, “but being a parent takes a real commitment. Hard
work.” I wondered if he was using the same dictionary that I did.
He mentioned that he was living with a woman who was expecting his child. I asked if the baby’s birth might lead them to get married, and his response was, “Why spoil a good thing with a piece of paper?” As I sat there, God reminded me of something: What is this man’s real need? As a sinner myself, saved by grace, I recognized that this man’s real need was to know God’s love and forgiveness. The warrior had certainly made a mess of his life, but there was One who would forgive him and could help him clean it up.
DISCUSS
Who in your life needs to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior?
PRAY
Ask God to help you remember that you, too, are a sinner saved by grace and to help you freely share the hope of the gospel.
As I settled into my seat on the small regional jet, I noticed that the man next to me was embroiled in an intense cell-phone conversation. Although he was doing his best to control his anger and keep his voice down, his conversation was unavoidable for me—and all the passengers within two rows of him. He was talking to his former wife. Listening to him was like watching a sword fight where you can only see one of the competitors.
With his blade, he verbally sliced and pierced the woman on the other end of the phone. The conversation ended with a verbal decapitation when he declared, “And you are no longer my wife!” He demanded to talk with his daughter, and when she came on the phone, the sword fighter was instantly transformed into a puppy. He began by compassionately asking her questions, but at the end of the conversation he made
one last thrust of the sword, saying her mom was a “wimp.” After he hung up the phone, this noble warrior informed me, “Any man can be a father,” he said, “but being a parent takes a real commitment. Hard
work.” I wondered if he was using the same dictionary that I did.
He mentioned that he was living with a woman who was expecting his child. I asked if the baby’s birth might lead them to get married, and his response was, “Why spoil a good thing with a piece of paper?” As I sat there, God reminded me of something: What is this man’s real need? As a sinner myself, saved by grace, I recognized that this man’s real need was to know God’s love and forgiveness. The warrior had certainly made a mess of his life, but there was One who would forgive him and could help him clean it up.
DISCUSS
Who in your life needs to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior?
PRAY
Ask God to help you remember that you, too, are a sinner saved by grace and to help you freely share the hope of the gospel.
Today's Thoughts: Of Things to Come
But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, and the nations will not be able to endure His indignation. Thus you shall say to them: "The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens." He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, and has stretched out the heavens at His discretion." Jeremiah 10:10-12
The prophet Jeremiah had a really tough job. He had to prophesy to the people of Israel the dreadful things to come if they did not put away their false gods and serve the one true God. His message was not a feel-good, motivational pep talk. The Lord clearly told Jeremiah exactly what to say to them and that they would hate him for it. They had no interest in hearing God’s word. They refused to believe in the destruction to come. Besides, there were other prophets who gave them the opposite message of hope and prosperity. They chose to believe them instead.
The Bible tells us of things to come. The prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled will one day come to pass. Are we listening with ears to hear? There are those who decide not to believe in such things and even though they believe in the Bible, they do not necessarily believe in all of the Bible. Whether we choose to believe it or not will not change the truth of what it says to us. It is the inerrant, infallible word of God. One day, in the twinkling of an eye, life as we know it will change forever. Maybe this will happen in our lifetime, maybe not. But it will happen to each of us, when we suddenly stand before Jesus the moment we die.
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior? Do you believe that He is coming back one day? Do you believe that His Word is truth and all that it says is truth? Too many Christians today live in such compromise that the truth is hard for them to define. One person's “truth” is not necessarily someone else's. Our world is one big melting pot of tolerance and gray areas; but God’s truth is constant and non-changing. We as Christians are called to shed the light of God's love in this dark world of darkness. Jeremiah did his best to give the people a chance to repent and return to the Lord. Even though they were God's chosen people, God would still have to deal with their sin. As Christians, we too are still called to repent and return to the Lord when we walk away. If we do not, the storms of life alone will threaten our faith and even our lives. We are in desperate need of a Savior—every day of our lives. Praise God that He gave us His Son and that the times ahead are in His hands. Just make sure that you are in His hands as well. Give Jesus your heart, your life and your all today.
Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.
Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.
The prophet Jeremiah had a really tough job. He had to prophesy to the people of Israel the dreadful things to come if they did not put away their false gods and serve the one true God. His message was not a feel-good, motivational pep talk. The Lord clearly told Jeremiah exactly what to say to them and that they would hate him for it. They had no interest in hearing God’s word. They refused to believe in the destruction to come. Besides, there were other prophets who gave them the opposite message of hope and prosperity. They chose to believe them instead.
The Bible tells us of things to come. The prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled will one day come to pass. Are we listening with ears to hear? There are those who decide not to believe in such things and even though they believe in the Bible, they do not necessarily believe in all of the Bible. Whether we choose to believe it or not will not change the truth of what it says to us. It is the inerrant, infallible word of God. One day, in the twinkling of an eye, life as we know it will change forever. Maybe this will happen in our lifetime, maybe not. But it will happen to each of us, when we suddenly stand before Jesus the moment we die.
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior? Do you believe that He is coming back one day? Do you believe that His Word is truth and all that it says is truth? Too many Christians today live in such compromise that the truth is hard for them to define. One person's “truth” is not necessarily someone else's. Our world is one big melting pot of tolerance and gray areas; but God’s truth is constant and non-changing. We as Christians are called to shed the light of God's love in this dark world of darkness. Jeremiah did his best to give the people a chance to repent and return to the Lord. Even though they were God's chosen people, God would still have to deal with their sin. As Christians, we too are still called to repent and return to the Lord when we walk away. If we do not, the storms of life alone will threaten our faith and even our lives. We are in desperate need of a Savior—every day of our lives. Praise God that He gave us His Son and that the times ahead are in His hands. Just make sure that you are in His hands as well. Give Jesus your heart, your life and your all today.
Our mission is to evangelize the lost and awaken the saved to live empowered lives by the Work of God and His Holy Spirit. Daily Disciples Ministries makes a difference for the kingdom of God by teaching and training believers how to be in God's Word, how to pray and how to walk with Jesus every day, as His daily disciple.
Daily Disciples Ministries, Inc.
Taking The Pressure Off
He [Gideon] said to Him, “O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house.” But the LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man.” Judges 6:15-16
Pressure. Ever felt it? In sports, we marvel at those who can step up amidst the pressure and sink the winning putt, kick the winning field goal, or make the winning free throws.
I recently saw the movie The King’s Speech. King George (B, B, B, Bertie) definitely felt the pressure as he stood to overcome his stammering and deliver the most important speech of his life.
Have you ever felt great pressure to try to live the Christian life? Have you ever felt great pressure to be the person God wants you to be? Have you ever felt great pressure to knock one out of the park for Jesus as you teach or preach or witness or sing or serve in His name?
Have you ever wilted under the pressure, and then beat yourself up for failing?
PRESSURE RELIEF
In Judges 6, God calls Gideon to deliver Israel from the hand of Midian and their vast armies. Gideon is stunned. He responds with incredulity – “There is no way I can do this, Lord! I am a nothing nobody from a family of nothing nobodies. I don’t have what it takes to deliver Israel. I can’t make the putt, kick the field goal, sink the free throws or deliver the speech. I am not up to the task and can’t take the pressure.” And God says, “I know YOU can’t, but I will be with you and will enable you.”
The Bible tells us in Judges 6:34 that “the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon.” Literally, it says that God clothed Himself with Gideon. He wore Gideon like a suit, and delivered Israel through him. God did it through him. The results were not dependent on Gideon, they were dependent on God. You see, the pressure is gone when God shows up and does it through us.
A SUIT OF CLOTHES FOR GOD TO WEAR
Just as God clothed Himself with Gideon, He wants to clothe Himself with you. God wants to do amazing and miraculous things THROUGH you! The best ability is simple availability. As Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Perhaps you are trying so hard to do this, that and the other, thinking it all depends on you. Perhaps you are starting to crack under the pressure of trying to be the perfect spouse, the perfect parent, the perfect boss, the perfect employee, the perfect pastor or deacon. A tell tale sign that YOU are trying to do it on your own is anger, frustration and irritability. Do you see those things leaking out of your life with increasing frequency and velocity? Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Listen, your only real job is to present yourself to the Lord as an empty vessel for Him to fill. You don’t have to do it all yourself. He will do it through you, if you let Him.
PRAYER
Dear God, I have been trying so hard, when I really just need to be trusting. I don’t have what it takes to do what You want me to do. So, I humbly ask You to wear me today like a suit of clothes. I surrender to You and claim the truth that the pressure is off and the power is on. Today is going to be a great day of victory as You, Lord Jesus, live your life through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Love,
Jeff Schreve
Pastor
Pressure. Ever felt it? In sports, we marvel at those who can step up amidst the pressure and sink the winning putt, kick the winning field goal, or make the winning free throws.
I recently saw the movie The King’s Speech. King George (B, B, B, Bertie) definitely felt the pressure as he stood to overcome his stammering and deliver the most important speech of his life.
Have you ever felt great pressure to try to live the Christian life? Have you ever felt great pressure to be the person God wants you to be? Have you ever felt great pressure to knock one out of the park for Jesus as you teach or preach or witness or sing or serve in His name?
Have you ever wilted under the pressure, and then beat yourself up for failing?
PRESSURE RELIEF
In Judges 6, God calls Gideon to deliver Israel from the hand of Midian and their vast armies. Gideon is stunned. He responds with incredulity – “There is no way I can do this, Lord! I am a nothing nobody from a family of nothing nobodies. I don’t have what it takes to deliver Israel. I can’t make the putt, kick the field goal, sink the free throws or deliver the speech. I am not up to the task and can’t take the pressure.” And God says, “I know YOU can’t, but I will be with you and will enable you.”
The Bible tells us in Judges 6:34 that “the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon.” Literally, it says that God clothed Himself with Gideon. He wore Gideon like a suit, and delivered Israel through him. God did it through him. The results were not dependent on Gideon, they were dependent on God. You see, the pressure is gone when God shows up and does it through us.
A SUIT OF CLOTHES FOR GOD TO WEAR
Just as God clothed Himself with Gideon, He wants to clothe Himself with you. God wants to do amazing and miraculous things THROUGH you! The best ability is simple availability. As Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Perhaps you are trying so hard to do this, that and the other, thinking it all depends on you. Perhaps you are starting to crack under the pressure of trying to be the perfect spouse, the perfect parent, the perfect boss, the perfect employee, the perfect pastor or deacon. A tell tale sign that YOU are trying to do it on your own is anger, frustration and irritability. Do you see those things leaking out of your life with increasing frequency and velocity? Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Listen, your only real job is to present yourself to the Lord as an empty vessel for Him to fill. You don’t have to do it all yourself. He will do it through you, if you let Him.
PRAYER
Dear God, I have been trying so hard, when I really just need to be trusting. I don’t have what it takes to do what You want me to do. So, I humbly ask You to wear me today like a suit of clothes. I surrender to You and claim the truth that the pressure is off and the power is on. Today is going to be a great day of victory as You, Lord Jesus, live your life through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Love,
Jeff Schreve
Pastor
Why God Requires Worship
Psalm 50:1--23
"If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it." (v. 12)
During the early days of my Christian experience, I queried why God put so many texts in the Bible that command us to worship Him. It seemed to me that many of these commands bordered on egotism and self-centeredness. We all despise those people who clamor for our attention or commendation, and a picture of a God who needed constant ego strokes threatened to impress itself on my mind. It happened most when I read the Psalms. "Praise Me, worship Me," the Almighty seemed to be saying everywhere.
Then I read C. S. Lewis's Reflections on the Psalms and the whole matter dropped into the right perspective. This is what he said: "The miserable idea that God should in any sense need or crave for our worship like a vain woman wanting compliments or a vain author presenting his new books to people who had never met or heard of him is implicitly answered by the words: 'If I be hungry I will not tell thee' (Ps. 50:12). Even if such an absurd Deity could be conceived He would hardly come to us, the lowest of rational creatures, to gratify His appetite. I don't want my dog to bark at my books."
He went on to point out that in commanding us to worship Him the Almighty is demonstrating far more interest in us than in Himself. Our worship of Him completes us. We perfect our personalities to the degree that we give ourselves to God in worship. In eternity we shall experience full joy because we shall be able to worship Him fully. Meanwhile we are tuning our instruments.
Prayer: O God, I want to worship You in the way You deserve to be worshipped. Help me give You my worship not because I am completed by it but because You are so worthy of it. I worship You, Father, with all my heart. Amen.
http://www.christianity.com/
"If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it." (v. 12)
During the early days of my Christian experience, I queried why God put so many texts in the Bible that command us to worship Him. It seemed to me that many of these commands bordered on egotism and self-centeredness. We all despise those people who clamor for our attention or commendation, and a picture of a God who needed constant ego strokes threatened to impress itself on my mind. It happened most when I read the Psalms. "Praise Me, worship Me," the Almighty seemed to be saying everywhere.
Then I read C. S. Lewis's Reflections on the Psalms and the whole matter dropped into the right perspective. This is what he said: "The miserable idea that God should in any sense need or crave for our worship like a vain woman wanting compliments or a vain author presenting his new books to people who had never met or heard of him is implicitly answered by the words: 'If I be hungry I will not tell thee' (Ps. 50:12). Even if such an absurd Deity could be conceived He would hardly come to us, the lowest of rational creatures, to gratify His appetite. I don't want my dog to bark at my books."
He went on to point out that in commanding us to worship Him the Almighty is demonstrating far more interest in us than in Himself. Our worship of Him completes us. We perfect our personalities to the degree that we give ourselves to God in worship. In eternity we shall experience full joy because we shall be able to worship Him fully. Meanwhile we are tuning our instruments.
Prayer: O God, I want to worship You in the way You deserve to be worshipped. Help me give You my worship not because I am completed by it but because You are so worthy of it. I worship You, Father, with all my heart. Amen.
http://www.christianity.com/
What Are the Dead Sea Scrolls?
In the spring of 1947 an Arab shepherd chanced upon a cave in the hills overlooking the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea that contained what has been called "the greatest manuscript discovery of modern times." The documents and fragments of documents found in those caves, dubbed the "Dead Sea Scrolls," included Old Testament books, a few books of the Apocrypha, apocalyptic works, pseudepigrapha (books that purport to be the work of ancient heroes of the faith), and a few of the books peculiar to the sect that produced them.
Approximately a third of the documents are Biblical, with Psalms, Deuteronomy, and Isaiah - the books quoted most often in the New Testament - occurring most frequently. One of the most remarkable finds was a complete 24-foot-long scroll of Isaiah.
The Scrolls have made a significant contribution to the quest for a form of the Old Testament texts most accurately reflecting the original manuscripts; they provide copies 1,000 years closer to the originals than were previously known. The understanding of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic and knowledge of the development of Judaism between the Testaments have been increased significantly. Of great importance to readers of the Bible is the demonstration of the care with which Old Testament texts were copied, thus providing objective evidence for the general reliability of those texts.
Taken from "Setting the Stage for the Messiah" by Discover the Book Ministries (used by permission).
John Barnett
Approximately a third of the documents are Biblical, with Psalms, Deuteronomy, and Isaiah - the books quoted most often in the New Testament - occurring most frequently. One of the most remarkable finds was a complete 24-foot-long scroll of Isaiah.
The Scrolls have made a significant contribution to the quest for a form of the Old Testament texts most accurately reflecting the original manuscripts; they provide copies 1,000 years closer to the originals than were previously known. The understanding of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic and knowledge of the development of Judaism between the Testaments have been increased significantly. Of great importance to readers of the Bible is the demonstration of the care with which Old Testament texts were copied, thus providing objective evidence for the general reliability of those texts.
Taken from "Setting the Stage for the Messiah" by Discover the Book Ministries (used by permission).
John Barnett
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Going On in Endurance and Victory
Hebrews 10:35-36—Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.
Endurance is the key to accomplishing God’s will, leading to the actualization of His promises in your experience.
Like David, the giants you confront can help you grow in and prove your endurance. Don’t run from them, but trust God to give you victory. Also like David, you likely will encounter temptation. In the deep of the night, when no human is watching, your integrity will be tested. Rather than weakening, celebrate the opportunity to endure, thereby accomplishing His will and receiving the blessing of His promise!
www.Christianity.com
Endurance is the key to accomplishing God’s will, leading to the actualization of His promises in your experience.
Like David, the giants you confront can help you grow in and prove your endurance. Don’t run from them, but trust God to give you victory. Also like David, you likely will encounter temptation. In the deep of the night, when no human is watching, your integrity will be tested. Rather than weakening, celebrate the opportunity to endure, thereby accomplishing His will and receiving the blessing of His promise!
www.Christianity.com
How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?
Quote of the Day
"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"
~1 John 3:17
Today's Answer
How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?
Dr. J. Vernon McGee
The Bible doesn't say that a loving God sends anyone to hell, and yet they do go to hell. But they don't go there because God sends them; it's the only place for those who have rejected Jesus Christ and have no capacity for God whatsoever.
When you say that He's a loving God, you've only described one part of God. God also is righteous and just and holy. And if you think that you can violate all the different attributes of God and then depend on His love to save you, you're entirely wrong. Because you cannot insult and blaspheme against God. He's told us that we're sinners and cannot come into His presence, that we do not seek after God, that we're alienated from Him.
Do you think He's going to bring you into His presence when you have ignored Him and turned your back upon Him? No. He is a holy God. He had to give His Son to die on the cross for our sins, and if you're going to reject the only way He could work out for your salvation then you must understand that this is the place for you.
Don't say that a loving God sends people to hell. Say that there is a holy God, and when you do not meet His standard you cannot go into His heaven where He is. That ought to be very obvious to you. In your home I'm sure that you have a standard and there are certain people that you would not let come in. God does the same thing. You have to meet His standard if you're going to heaven.
There's only one place for the lost who have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ and that's with the devil and his demons. Don't say that a loving God is going to send you to hell - He's not. The thing that's going to send you to hell is that you're a sinner and you don't want to admit it. That's the problem with the human family. It's a self will, a desire to want to go their way. Yet God has provided a way for you to come. And any time you want to make the turn, a loving God will save you.
Taken from Q&A with McGee (used by permission).
"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"
~1 John 3:17
Today's Answer
How Can a Loving God Send People to Hell?
Dr. J. Vernon McGee
The Bible doesn't say that a loving God sends anyone to hell, and yet they do go to hell. But they don't go there because God sends them; it's the only place for those who have rejected Jesus Christ and have no capacity for God whatsoever.
When you say that He's a loving God, you've only described one part of God. God also is righteous and just and holy. And if you think that you can violate all the different attributes of God and then depend on His love to save you, you're entirely wrong. Because you cannot insult and blaspheme against God. He's told us that we're sinners and cannot come into His presence, that we do not seek after God, that we're alienated from Him.
Do you think He's going to bring you into His presence when you have ignored Him and turned your back upon Him? No. He is a holy God. He had to give His Son to die on the cross for our sins, and if you're going to reject the only way He could work out for your salvation then you must understand that this is the place for you.
Don't say that a loving God sends people to hell. Say that there is a holy God, and when you do not meet His standard you cannot go into His heaven where He is. That ought to be very obvious to you. In your home I'm sure that you have a standard and there are certain people that you would not let come in. God does the same thing. You have to meet His standard if you're going to heaven.
There's only one place for the lost who have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ and that's with the devil and his demons. Don't say that a loving God is going to send you to hell - He's not. The thing that's going to send you to hell is that you're a sinner and you don't want to admit it. That's the problem with the human family. It's a self will, a desire to want to go their way. Yet God has provided a way for you to come. And any time you want to make the turn, a loving God will save you.
Taken from Q&A with McGee (used by permission).
Sunday, March 27, 2011
JOY
"You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound." ~Psalm 4:7
Our Heavenly Father created us with an ability to experience joy. We know when we have it, and we know when we don't. And even though we can receive enjoyment from our loved ones, activities, work or even material things, only the Lord gives us everlasting joy. It comes through receiving all of Him, beginning with the joy of salvation and redemption.
Remember the children's song that goes, "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart to stay"? How profound this simple truth is. For when we sincerely accept Jesus into our hearts, so, too, do we invite His joy.
Like peace, the Lord's joy is found in His presence. It is a divine gift, a byproduct of His love. Joy is cyclical. It propels God's heart to move on our behalf and our hearts to move on His. He plants joy in our hearts, and we give it back to Him through actions of praise and worship and a walk of obedience.
The joy of the Lord is powerful. It is described as "complete" (Jh. 15:11), "exceeding" (Ps. 43:4), "filling" (Ps. 126:3), "everlasting" and "overwhelming" (Ps. 35:10).
And as we come closer to His joyful presence, He pours out His divine favor upon us.
Consider the Psalmists. David said in Psalm 16:11, "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy . . . "
Psalm 45:7 says, "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above your fellows.
Psalm 97:11 says, "Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name."
The joy of the Lord is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) intended for sharing. Pouring out joy imparts joy. Ever notice how difficult it is to be down when in the presence of God's joy that pours through someone else?
Even when we sin, the Lord provides a restoration of joy for those who repent.
Consider the exiled Israelites in Nehemiah who lost their joy and their homeland to disobedience. When Nehemiah repented on his and their behalf, God, in His unending mercy, led them to restore Jerusalem's wall with His hand of favor upon them, and they celebrated with "great" joy.
Nehemiah 8:10 says, " . . . Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Choose joy.
Moreover, obedience invites the reward of complete joy (Jn. 15:10-11). May we press through any blockages of sin for the fullness of the Lord's reward.
Since the Holy Spirit who resides in us brings joy (Luke 10:21), no one can diminish it unless we allow access.
May we hold fast to the resounding joy of the Lord. It is our divine, prevailing strength. It keeps our hearts built up, soaring above the pit of despair, propelling us in His glory to work unto Him and to reach others. All that's required is that we simply remain in close relationship with Him.
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.
www.Christianity.com
Our Heavenly Father created us with an ability to experience joy. We know when we have it, and we know when we don't. And even though we can receive enjoyment from our loved ones, activities, work or even material things, only the Lord gives us everlasting joy. It comes through receiving all of Him, beginning with the joy of salvation and redemption.
Remember the children's song that goes, "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart to stay"? How profound this simple truth is. For when we sincerely accept Jesus into our hearts, so, too, do we invite His joy.
Like peace, the Lord's joy is found in His presence. It is a divine gift, a byproduct of His love. Joy is cyclical. It propels God's heart to move on our behalf and our hearts to move on His. He plants joy in our hearts, and we give it back to Him through actions of praise and worship and a walk of obedience.
The joy of the Lord is powerful. It is described as "complete" (Jh. 15:11), "exceeding" (Ps. 43:4), "filling" (Ps. 126:3), "everlasting" and "overwhelming" (Ps. 35:10).
And as we come closer to His joyful presence, He pours out His divine favor upon us.
Consider the Psalmists. David said in Psalm 16:11, "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy . . . "
Psalm 45:7 says, "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy above your fellows.
Psalm 97:11 says, "Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name."
The joy of the Lord is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) intended for sharing. Pouring out joy imparts joy. Ever notice how difficult it is to be down when in the presence of God's joy that pours through someone else?
Even when we sin, the Lord provides a restoration of joy for those who repent.
Consider the exiled Israelites in Nehemiah who lost their joy and their homeland to disobedience. When Nehemiah repented on his and their behalf, God, in His unending mercy, led them to restore Jerusalem's wall with His hand of favor upon them, and they celebrated with "great" joy.
Nehemiah 8:10 says, " . . . Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Choose joy.
Moreover, obedience invites the reward of complete joy (Jn. 15:10-11). May we press through any blockages of sin for the fullness of the Lord's reward.
Since the Holy Spirit who resides in us brings joy (Luke 10:21), no one can diminish it unless we allow access.
May we hold fast to the resounding joy of the Lord. It is our divine, prevailing strength. It keeps our hearts built up, soaring above the pit of despair, propelling us in His glory to work unto Him and to reach others. All that's required is that we simply remain in close relationship with Him.
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.
www.Christianity.com
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