John 1:45
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
How many people have we told lately that "We have found Him"? We are not doing enough! We had a missionary come to our church and talk about what is going on in Paraguay. Now I know that most of us will never travel to go on a mission trip, but we also need to be thinking about what is around us. Are you aware that 7 out of 10 people are not affiliated with church at all? So think about it, if they do not go to church, how are they going to hear about Jesus? Isn't it time to start telling others that you have found Him? No better time than today. What happens when we get to heaven and see those who stand before God and He says to them, depart from me, and you realize that you had many opportunities to tell them about Christ and you just simply chose not to. Don't put off what you can do today! It may just mean eternity to that person.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Aug 26
2 Timothy 3:11
persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
I think about how others have been persecuted for their love for Christ and I just feel overwhelmed. What have I really done for my Lord & Savior. I have never suffered because I am Christian. Sure things have happened to me that I wish never had, but they are just like a drop in the bucket compared to what others are going through. We live in a society that we don't even seem to be thankful that Jesus is Lord of our life. It is a big deal, but we are complacent, we just going about our own business and dont' take time to think about those others who are headed straight to hell. The disciples didn't know the others around them, they didn't really care what others thought about them, they just knew that they loved Jesus and they were suppose to share the gospel. What are we doing, what am I doing? Failing! There will probably come a day that it will get much tougher for us being a Christian, and we may get to the point of being persecuted, what we will do then? Are we still going to chose to be silent? It's time to be the mouthpiece for God - and He gave some of a big one! Forget about what others think, it's all about what God thinks anyway! Today, share the gospel, nobody is going to stone you for it and so what if they did, it will be nothing compared to what Christ did for us - He died for you and for me - willingly!
persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
I think about how others have been persecuted for their love for Christ and I just feel overwhelmed. What have I really done for my Lord & Savior. I have never suffered because I am Christian. Sure things have happened to me that I wish never had, but they are just like a drop in the bucket compared to what others are going through. We live in a society that we don't even seem to be thankful that Jesus is Lord of our life. It is a big deal, but we are complacent, we just going about our own business and dont' take time to think about those others who are headed straight to hell. The disciples didn't know the others around them, they didn't really care what others thought about them, they just knew that they loved Jesus and they were suppose to share the gospel. What are we doing, what am I doing? Failing! There will probably come a day that it will get much tougher for us being a Christian, and we may get to the point of being persecuted, what we will do then? Are we still going to chose to be silent? It's time to be the mouthpiece for God - and He gave some of a big one! Forget about what others think, it's all about what God thinks anyway! Today, share the gospel, nobody is going to stone you for it and so what if they did, it will be nothing compared to what Christ did for us - He died for you and for me - willingly!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Aug. 25
James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
It's just plain simple: For us to be the "real deal" in God's eyes, we are to take care of the orphans and widows, and keep ourselves unstanined by the world. It seems simple doesn't it? But what are we doing to be real? Are we looking out for the orphans and widows? We see the widow women in the church and we just offer them a hug and a smile. Are we going beyond to make sure they are being taken care of, or are we just assuming that because they have grown children they are being taken care of. What do we know about them? It's time to get beyond ourselves and look to others. See if there is a need that you can help with and do it, don't wait for a project at the church or community to help with, find it! Now keeping ourselves unstained may be another posting on it's own! We really do need to be more focused on what are putting into our hearts and minds. It's time to put more Jesus in and get more of the world out! Think about what we listen to, what we read (other than the Bible) and what we are watching on TV. Do we think about Jesus sitting next to us (when He is really inside of us) and what we are exposing Him to? If He were sitting in the room with us, we would be listening to that music or watching that show or reading that book? We have a lot to think about!
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
It's just plain simple: For us to be the "real deal" in God's eyes, we are to take care of the orphans and widows, and keep ourselves unstanined by the world. It seems simple doesn't it? But what are we doing to be real? Are we looking out for the orphans and widows? We see the widow women in the church and we just offer them a hug and a smile. Are we going beyond to make sure they are being taken care of, or are we just assuming that because they have grown children they are being taken care of. What do we know about them? It's time to get beyond ourselves and look to others. See if there is a need that you can help with and do it, don't wait for a project at the church or community to help with, find it! Now keeping ourselves unstained may be another posting on it's own! We really do need to be more focused on what are putting into our hearts and minds. It's time to put more Jesus in and get more of the world out! Think about what we listen to, what we read (other than the Bible) and what we are watching on TV. Do we think about Jesus sitting next to us (when He is really inside of us) and what we are exposing Him to? If He were sitting in the room with us, we would be listening to that music or watching that show or reading that book? We have a lot to think about!
Aug. 24
Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.
I am thinking that I have posted my thoughts on this before, but I don't want to go back and look because of what I am thinking now.
First, we all need to be prayed for, but if you don't, just pray for us, we need the prayers and you need the practice!
Second it says "we are sure that we have a good conscience" - hmm...are we? I think that we truly try, but just think of all the things that we expose ourselves to. We are not always putting the best music, movies and other situations in front of us. We listen to things that are not "positive, encouraging and not always lifting up the name of Christ", so what does that do to us? If we are not careful, we will be right there down in the mud wallowing around and getting dirty!
Over the past 20 years of being in the ministry, I have heard lots of things. People are always quick to share with us what they are hearing about the other members, other people in the community and just whoever they have heard something about. It's amazing to me! We live in such a judgemental society and that society spills right into the church where we should be the "cream of the crop". I often say that we may be the only Jesus that others see, so what kind of Jesus are we showing them? We/I have to be more careful, I/we have to be more focused on what we are putting into our lives so that when we are tipped over, it won't be mud pouring out of our buckets!
And third, I do believe that we are "desiring to conduct ourselves honorable in all things", but we have to act upon it even more and make it a reality and not a desire. So today, may be be more focused on what comes out of our mouth and be reminded that we are Jesus to somebody today. What is their first thought of what Jesus is to them from what we have to say or the way we act in front of them?
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.
I am thinking that I have posted my thoughts on this before, but I don't want to go back and look because of what I am thinking now.
First, we all need to be prayed for, but if you don't, just pray for us, we need the prayers and you need the practice!
Second it says "we are sure that we have a good conscience" - hmm...are we? I think that we truly try, but just think of all the things that we expose ourselves to. We are not always putting the best music, movies and other situations in front of us. We listen to things that are not "positive, encouraging and not always lifting up the name of Christ", so what does that do to us? If we are not careful, we will be right there down in the mud wallowing around and getting dirty!
Over the past 20 years of being in the ministry, I have heard lots of things. People are always quick to share with us what they are hearing about the other members, other people in the community and just whoever they have heard something about. It's amazing to me! We live in such a judgemental society and that society spills right into the church where we should be the "cream of the crop". I often say that we may be the only Jesus that others see, so what kind of Jesus are we showing them? We/I have to be more careful, I/we have to be more focused on what we are putting into our lives so that when we are tipped over, it won't be mud pouring out of our buckets!
And third, I do believe that we are "desiring to conduct ourselves honorable in all things", but we have to act upon it even more and make it a reality and not a desire. So today, may be be more focused on what comes out of our mouth and be reminded that we are Jesus to somebody today. What is their first thought of what Jesus is to them from what we have to say or the way we act in front of them?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
August 19
Joel 3:13
Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, tread, for the wine press is full; The vats overflow, for their wickedness is great.
This verse is talking about the judgement that will come on the world. There will come a day very soon that the Lord says "the harvest is ripe". He is talking about the wicked here! There are days now that I think it just can't get any more wicked, but I know that it can. I hate that people are not aware of end time is coming. As Christians, we must remember that for us it is going to be glorious, but for those who are lost, this will be only the beginning of their worst days. So we need to get busy thinking about those loved ones and friends that are lost, and do what we can to introduce them to Christ. We must do this so that when God is ready to harvest the wicked, He won't be taking our loved ones and friends to hell.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
August 18
Psalm 84:6
Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings.
Psalm 84 deals with longing for the worship temple. They are longing to be where God is, they find that the birds have found homes, they know that those that are in the temple are worshipping God. They are longing for God. What we have to remember here is that no matter where we are, we are with God. We can find Him, if we just look. So as they are walking past this spring, they shoule realize that God is there, He is very present! Now as I can see the rain falling I can think back to this verse and see the rain as a blessing coming down. Not just when our land is parched from the heat, but as a reminder of what God has done for me! We have so many blessing that are literally poured out on us, and we don't even realize it. So now when you see they rain, may it be a reminder to you and me of the blessings that God has given us.
Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings.
Psalm 84 deals with longing for the worship temple. They are longing to be where God is, they find that the birds have found homes, they know that those that are in the temple are worshipping God. They are longing for God. What we have to remember here is that no matter where we are, we are with God. We can find Him, if we just look. So as they are walking past this spring, they shoule realize that God is there, He is very present! Now as I can see the rain falling I can think back to this verse and see the rain as a blessing coming down. Not just when our land is parched from the heat, but as a reminder of what God has done for me! We have so many blessing that are literally poured out on us, and we don't even realize it. So now when you see they rain, may it be a reminder to you and me of the blessings that God has given us.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
August 17
I Thessalonians 5:17
"pray without ceasing;"
I was looking to see how many times we may have been told to "pray without ceasing" and I find it only once. What is even more amazing to me is that I just looked for the word pray and here is how many times I found it in different versions:
New American Standard - 108
New King James - 130
King James - 306
Wow. Why has it been removed? It's scary isn't it. I think that we need to be reminded more and more that we should be praying. It makes me wonder why it would have been taken out, did people think that prayer was not important? That is one of the greatest times that we can spend with the Lord, is in prayer! So today my thoughts are for us to be reminded that we need to be praying even more. When our version of the Bible might not remind us to pray - I have been challenged to pray more and I encourage you to pray more too! Take more time out of your day to spend with God, let Him know all your cares, burdens, struggles - everything that you are going through! He wants to hear it, yes he knows but he wants to hear from His child that it is important to you.
"pray without ceasing;"
I was looking to see how many times we may have been told to "pray without ceasing" and I find it only once. What is even more amazing to me is that I just looked for the word pray and here is how many times I found it in different versions:
New American Standard - 108
New King James - 130
King James - 306
Wow. Why has it been removed? It's scary isn't it. I think that we need to be reminded more and more that we should be praying. It makes me wonder why it would have been taken out, did people think that prayer was not important? That is one of the greatest times that we can spend with the Lord, is in prayer! So today my thoughts are for us to be reminded that we need to be praying even more. When our version of the Bible might not remind us to pray - I have been challenged to pray more and I encourage you to pray more too! Take more time out of your day to spend with God, let Him know all your cares, burdens, struggles - everything that you are going through! He wants to hear it, yes he knows but he wants to hear from His child that it is important to you.
August 1
Colossians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
What stands out to me the most is "By the will of God". I don't think we really think about this often. It wasn't our choosing to follow Christ, yes we did make that choice to follow, but it was Christ that compelled us to come. He chose us first. We should be so honored, thankful and blessed to realize that He could have said - no he/she is not worthy! But He didn't, He said I choose you! I want you to serve me and show others that you serve me too.
Thinking about this should make us realize even more how important a job we have as a Christian. We have been called to be his disciple, to represent Jesus. Do we truly think about this as we go out into the world? I think that at times we do, but it's not a constant thing on our mind as it should be. I am the first to admit that I fail Him daily!!! Staying in His word is a reminder, but as you can see, I have not been doing what I should for me and for you and Him. All I can say is forgive me and pray for me! We have a journey and I want to be more like Jesus today than yesterday and even more like Him tomorrow. Pray for me and I will pray for you.
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