It was a beautiful day today, and I took some time to be outside and work around my house this afternoon. I had to sand my deck and then stain it again.
The thing that I was amazed with, is that I did not think it was that bad. Until I got close enough to see the wear and tear on the deck. That is the same way spiritually, that I might look okay from a distance, but when I get close to the Lord He reveals that wear and tear of this world in my life. Just living in this world wears away at us spiritually.
The deck looks a lot better now, since I stained it again. It looks bright, clean and new. I am so thankful that that is what the Lord does to our lives as well. He makes us clean, bright and a new creation!
The point of the story, stay close to the Lord and allow Him to clean us daily!!!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
THE GAME OF LIFE
This coming Sunday, we will be starting a new series for the summer called "The Game of Life." We have been made to realize how fleeting life can really be with the death of so many famous people over the last couple of weeks. What is the purpose of life? What does all of this mean?
Is life more than just working, saving, having money and then dying? Why are you playing the game of life?
Just a thought to get you thinking about this series!
Is life more than just working, saving, having money and then dying? Why are you playing the game of life?
Just a thought to get you thinking about this series!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Evangelism 101
It is amazing how many famous people have died this week, and they get all the attention. The world is grieving over the death of Michael Jackson, and then today Billy Mays died. Every second people are dying around the world and how many of them did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
One of the blogs that I read is from Mark Batterson, an A/G pastor in Washington DC. He gave his church an evangelism experiment. He gave this prayer and asked his congregation to pray it every day for the next week. I am going to ask you to pray this prayer for this upcoming week.
Let us pray and believe that God will use us over these next 7 days!
Pray this prayer:
"Lord, I pray for an opportunity to share my faith with someone in some way. It's not up to me to decide who or when or where. But I know why. Because you love them and want a relationship with them. So Lord, surprise me with opportunities to share my faith."
"Forgive me for trying to do your job for you. You are the one who convicts of sin. You are the one who draws to Christ. But help me do my part as salt and light. Help me see those opportunities to reac compassionately or listen patiently or speak kindly. Through word and deed, help me plant seeds of love in the lives of others. Give me boldness when it's time to speak. Give me restraint when it's time to listen. Give me words to say. But more importantly, give me ears to hear."
"Lord, help me be sensitive to the prompting of your Holy Spirit so I can see the divine appointments you send my way. Help me not to be afraid of questions I cannot answer. Help me not to be afraid of people's reactions or rejections."
"Lord, help me preach the gospel every day, when necessary, with words."
"In Jesus name, Amen!"
I pray that God will give us divine appointments this coming week!
One of the blogs that I read is from Mark Batterson, an A/G pastor in Washington DC. He gave his church an evangelism experiment. He gave this prayer and asked his congregation to pray it every day for the next week. I am going to ask you to pray this prayer for this upcoming week.
Let us pray and believe that God will use us over these next 7 days!
Pray this prayer:
"Lord, I pray for an opportunity to share my faith with someone in some way. It's not up to me to decide who or when or where. But I know why. Because you love them and want a relationship with them. So Lord, surprise me with opportunities to share my faith."
"Forgive me for trying to do your job for you. You are the one who convicts of sin. You are the one who draws to Christ. But help me do my part as salt and light. Help me see those opportunities to reac compassionately or listen patiently or speak kindly. Through word and deed, help me plant seeds of love in the lives of others. Give me boldness when it's time to speak. Give me restraint when it's time to listen. Give me words to say. But more importantly, give me ears to hear."
"Lord, help me be sensitive to the prompting of your Holy Spirit so I can see the divine appointments you send my way. Help me not to be afraid of questions I cannot answer. Help me not to be afraid of people's reactions or rejections."
"Lord, help me preach the gospel every day, when necessary, with words."
"In Jesus name, Amen!"
I pray that God will give us divine appointments this coming week!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Mission Impossible
Last night we have our Annual Church Business meeting and I shared a message called "Mission Impossible." Those are two interesting words that as a church we need to hear today:
MISSION
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel." That is the mission of the church!
Worship, Evangelism and Discipleship. The Mission is never to end, until Jesus comes back again. So as a church we must be about the mission! The Church is not about religion, programs and just maintaining and keeping people happy! The Church is about MISSION!
IMPOSSIBLE
How many remember the TV series called "Mission Impossible" Each episode would begin the with music and there was a tape and they played it and said. Jim, if you and your team accept this mission. If you are caught the government will not be able to help you. Then they would give them the mission, and then the tape would say, and this tape will self-destruct in 5 seconds.
The Church feels that it is on an impossible mission today. We look at the economy, the world, the violence, the sin and feel that there is nothing that we can do about it. Let me tell you without God it is am impossible situtation!
But I am encouraged that God is still on the Throne! I want to encourage you to read Isaiah 40 and see how awesome our God is and will always be.
MISSION
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel." That is the mission of the church!
Worship, Evangelism and Discipleship. The Mission is never to end, until Jesus comes back again. So as a church we must be about the mission! The Church is not about religion, programs and just maintaining and keeping people happy! The Church is about MISSION!
IMPOSSIBLE
How many remember the TV series called "Mission Impossible" Each episode would begin the with music and there was a tape and they played it and said. Jim, if you and your team accept this mission. If you are caught the government will not be able to help you. Then they would give them the mission, and then the tape would say, and this tape will self-destruct in 5 seconds.
The Church feels that it is on an impossible mission today. We look at the economy, the world, the violence, the sin and feel that there is nothing that we can do about it. Let me tell you without God it is am impossible situtation!
But I am encouraged that God is still on the Throne! I want to encourage you to read Isaiah 40 and see how awesome our God is and will always be.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
CAN I TRUST ANYONE????
TRUST is one of those words that can give joy, peace and contentment in life. I am thankful that I can trust my wife completely! She is my friend, my sounding board, my prayer partner, the love of my life. I can be real, honest and open with Emma because we trust each other.
There are many people today that can not trust anyone. They have gone through relationships, churches, jobs, and feel that people have let them down. People will let us down in this world.
I am so thankful that I can trust the Lord! I want to encourage you to read Psalm 25.
Verse 1 - "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God..." I am thankful that when I am overwhelmed by the situations in life, that I can cry out to the Lord, turn to Him and trust in HIM!! This is the first step!
Verses 4-5 - The Psalmist declares that I must be instructed, taught by God and it tells me: "Show me your ways....teach me your paths...guide me in your truth."
When we know whom we trust in, it makes it easier to trust in the Lord."
Verse 7 - What a great God - Lord do not remember the sins of my youth (foolish days) but that He forgives me because He is good." He is good, I fail, mess up, sin and need His grace in my life!
When you read the rest of the Psalm 25 - David cries out for God to rescue Him. I am so thankful that the Lord is my LIFE JACKET!
There are many people today that can not trust anyone. They have gone through relationships, churches, jobs, and feel that people have let them down. People will let us down in this world.
I am so thankful that I can trust the Lord! I want to encourage you to read Psalm 25.
Verse 1 - "To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God..." I am thankful that when I am overwhelmed by the situations in life, that I can cry out to the Lord, turn to Him and trust in HIM!! This is the first step!
Verses 4-5 - The Psalmist declares that I must be instructed, taught by God and it tells me: "Show me your ways....teach me your paths...guide me in your truth."
When we know whom we trust in, it makes it easier to trust in the Lord."
Verse 7 - What a great God - Lord do not remember the sins of my youth (foolish days) but that He forgives me because He is good." He is good, I fail, mess up, sin and need His grace in my life!
When you read the rest of the Psalm 25 - David cries out for God to rescue Him. I am so thankful that the Lord is my LIFE JACKET!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Help for the Journey
This life is a journey,and sometimes that journey is going uphill and is very difficult. Other times the journey seems to be a little easier. For many right now, the journey is not very easy!
I became familiar with a webpage that I would like to recommend to you, and to people that you know that are searching for answers. This is a ministry of the Assemblies of God, so you can trust these stories and testimonies.
The web site is www.JourneyAnswers.com!
I pray that God will help you in your journey today, and tomorrow!
I became familiar with a webpage that I would like to recommend to you, and to people that you know that are searching for answers. This is a ministry of the Assemblies of God, so you can trust these stories and testimonies.
The web site is www.JourneyAnswers.com!
I pray that God will help you in your journey today, and tomorrow!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
FATHER'S DAY
Tomorrow is Father's Day and we will gather together to honor our earthly Fathers, but how much more should we come ready to honor our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally! I am thankful for a earthly Father, that led me to the Lord, was a loving husband to my mother, and a faithful loving dad to his children and grandchildren! I am thankful for his example.
I am aware that many do not have an earthly father that represented the Lord to them, and have a hard time connecting with God because of the example of their earthly Father. It is a shame how true this is today!
I want to encourage you to ask the Lord to be your Father! Jesus taught us to pray: "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." When you can relate to God as your Father, you will be able to trust Him in all areas of your life!
On this Father's Day allow your real Father to love you unconditionally! He is our real Father!
I am aware that many do not have an earthly father that represented the Lord to them, and have a hard time connecting with God because of the example of their earthly Father. It is a shame how true this is today!
I want to encourage you to ask the Lord to be your Father! Jesus taught us to pray: "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." When you can relate to God as your Father, you will be able to trust Him in all areas of your life!
On this Father's Day allow your real Father to love you unconditionally! He is our real Father!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
SEEING GOD!
How many people would love to see God and His glory? In Psalm 19 the Psalmist tells us that we can see the glory of God in THE WORLD, and in THE WORD!
Psalm 19: 1-6 - tells us that we can see God in the world in which we live. Just look at the beautiful nature that we have around us. We live in a very special place in our world, that we can see it all from the mountains in New Hampshire, to the ocean just miles away, we can go north to some of the best lakes in the world, and we can go west and be in the woods and see the beauty of God's nature. So many times, we never leave our homes to see the beauty of God all around us in nature.
Psalm 19: 7 - 14; we see God through His Word that He has given to us. If we really want to see God then we need to spend time in His Word consistently!! Look at what God's Word will do in your life when you read it.
1. The Word of God REVIVES - The Word of God is perfect and flawless, and it is sufficient to meet all of my needs on a daily basis. Life has a way of beating us up and knocking us down. But God's Word speaks to us and revives us, refreshes us, and gives us what we need to make it through the day!
2. The Word of God PROVIDES WISDOM - (v. 7) "...making wise the simple."
The Word of God must be our guide in the storms of life. Just like a ship or a plane that when they cannot see where they are going they need to depend on the navigation systems. Our navigation system in life must be the Word of God. God's Word will help us to see things as they really are, and not just because of how I feel.
3. The Word of God PROVIDES JOY - (v. 8) - "The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart." The Word of God brings me into the very presence of the Lord, and in His presence there is joy."
4. The Word of God PROVIDES CLARITY. (V. 9 ) "The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous." The Word of God gives me clarity in how to live in a chaotic world. When everything is in chaos, God's Word gives clear direction. (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
5. The Word of God BUILDS GODLY CHARACTER. (10-14) Consistently reading the Word of God will produce in us a desire and conviction to please God by what we say and do. Daily we should live verse 14 - "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Spend some time this summer looking for God!
Psalm 19: 1-6 - tells us that we can see God in the world in which we live. Just look at the beautiful nature that we have around us. We live in a very special place in our world, that we can see it all from the mountains in New Hampshire, to the ocean just miles away, we can go north to some of the best lakes in the world, and we can go west and be in the woods and see the beauty of God's nature. So many times, we never leave our homes to see the beauty of God all around us in nature.
Psalm 19: 7 - 14; we see God through His Word that He has given to us. If we really want to see God then we need to spend time in His Word consistently!! Look at what God's Word will do in your life when you read it.
1. The Word of God REVIVES - The Word of God is perfect and flawless, and it is sufficient to meet all of my needs on a daily basis. Life has a way of beating us up and knocking us down. But God's Word speaks to us and revives us, refreshes us, and gives us what we need to make it through the day!
2. The Word of God PROVIDES WISDOM - (v. 7) "...making wise the simple."
The Word of God must be our guide in the storms of life. Just like a ship or a plane that when they cannot see where they are going they need to depend on the navigation systems. Our navigation system in life must be the Word of God. God's Word will help us to see things as they really are, and not just because of how I feel.
3. The Word of God PROVIDES JOY - (v. 8) - "The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart." The Word of God brings me into the very presence of the Lord, and in His presence there is joy."
4. The Word of God PROVIDES CLARITY. (V. 9 ) "The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous." The Word of God gives me clarity in how to live in a chaotic world. When everything is in chaos, God's Word gives clear direction. (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
5. The Word of God BUILDS GODLY CHARACTER. (10-14) Consistently reading the Word of God will produce in us a desire and conviction to please God by what we say and do. Daily we should live verse 14 - "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Spend some time this summer looking for God!
Friday, June 12, 2009
LOSING EVERYTHING
How many people feel today that they are losing everything! I can remember the time, I lost something of great value, my wedding ring. I was playing volleyball, and my wedding ring fell off my finger in the grass. As soon as I realized my ring fell off, we stopped the game and began a search for the ring. I was thankful that we found it after an extensive search.
What happens when you experience abandonment, rejection, loss of a job, divorce, terminal illness, broken dreams, or many other things in life? In Psalm 16 - this is what the Psalmist is facing.
At first, we face shock, anger, frustration, of the crisis going on in our lives, and then after some time we begin to cope with the situation.
What does David teach us:
Psalm 16:1 - "Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord - "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
- Our security, peace, rest is in the Lord and not in anything in this world. This world is going to let us down. People will hurt us, reject us in this life. Our bodies will let us down. Everything will let us down, but God!!
Psalm 16:5 - "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure."
How many times we do not like what the Lord has allowed us to go through in this life. We pray like Jesus in the Garden - "Let this cup pass from me." But Jesus did not end the prayer there. He went on to say - "Nevertheless, not my will but your will be done." We need to know that even in hard times the Lord's will for our lives is the best thing for us!
Psalm 16: 7-11 - We see what David does even in the difficult times of life. I will praise you O Lord." I will - not I feel like it! Because there are many things in life that we may not feel like doing, especially when you have lost everything! This morning begin to praise the Lord and watch what will happen in your spirit! In verse 11 - "You will fill me with joy in your presence." It is the presence of God that helps us when we have lost everything in this world!
What happens when you experience abandonment, rejection, loss of a job, divorce, terminal illness, broken dreams, or many other things in life? In Psalm 16 - this is what the Psalmist is facing.
At first, we face shock, anger, frustration, of the crisis going on in our lives, and then after some time we begin to cope with the situation.
What does David teach us:
Psalm 16:1 - "Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord - "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."
- Our security, peace, rest is in the Lord and not in anything in this world. This world is going to let us down. People will hurt us, reject us in this life. Our bodies will let us down. Everything will let us down, but God!!
Psalm 16:5 - "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure."
How many times we do not like what the Lord has allowed us to go through in this life. We pray like Jesus in the Garden - "Let this cup pass from me." But Jesus did not end the prayer there. He went on to say - "Nevertheless, not my will but your will be done." We need to know that even in hard times the Lord's will for our lives is the best thing for us!
Psalm 16: 7-11 - We see what David does even in the difficult times of life. I will praise you O Lord." I will - not I feel like it! Because there are many things in life that we may not feel like doing, especially when you have lost everything! This morning begin to praise the Lord and watch what will happen in your spirit! In verse 11 - "You will fill me with joy in your presence." It is the presence of God that helps us when we have lost everything in this world!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
HOW LONG????????
Summer is here and that is the time families get into the car and take their annual vacation! We start out heading towards our destination and if you have small children, you know that one of the first questions out of their mouths will be: "How long until we get there?" Are we almost there yet?"
How many of us in our spiritual lives ask that same question to God - "How long?"
When trials, heartache, problems come at us from all sides, we ask how long?
Psalm 13:1 - The Psalmist wrote: "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me."
How many of us have felt that kind of hurt and pain in life? We begin to feel that God has forgotten about us! If God loved me, He would of stepped in by now, and change my circumstances.
How long will you hide your face from me? David was saying - I do not feel your presence any more. I do not see you! I do not sense your presence in these difficult times. Remember Romans 8: 35-39
How long will I be depressed? Psalm 13:2 - "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart." Have you been there??? Have we become discouraged and depressed with situations in life? It is at times like this, that we need His presence in our lives!
In Psalm 13:5-6 we see the answer when we go through things like this: "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me."
We must make a choice of what we are going to focus on! When I feel so overwhelmed by life - I need to focus on His Love, and begin to worship Him! Stop focusing on the How Long and begin to focus on How Good He Is!
How many of us in our spiritual lives ask that same question to God - "How long?"
When trials, heartache, problems come at us from all sides, we ask how long?
Psalm 13:1 - The Psalmist wrote: "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me."
How many of us have felt that kind of hurt and pain in life? We begin to feel that God has forgotten about us! If God loved me, He would of stepped in by now, and change my circumstances.
How long will you hide your face from me? David was saying - I do not feel your presence any more. I do not see you! I do not sense your presence in these difficult times. Remember Romans 8: 35-39
How long will I be depressed? Psalm 13:2 - "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart." Have you been there??? Have we become discouraged and depressed with situations in life? It is at times like this, that we need His presence in our lives!
In Psalm 13:5-6 we see the answer when we go through things like this: "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me."
We must make a choice of what we are going to focus on! When I feel so overwhelmed by life - I need to focus on His Love, and begin to worship Him! Stop focusing on the How Long and begin to focus on How Good He Is!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
RESPONDING TO HURTS IN LIFE
How should we respond when someone hurts us badly or you are in a struggle that is causing great pain? Someone has said - "It is not what happens to us that matters, but how we respond to it."
I want to encourage you to read Psalm 5. David has been hurt, rejected and is on the run. We see that David is crying out to the Lord, and he is sighing! He is overwhelmed by life. Many can relate to this today!
In verse 3 - David gets strength and comfort from knowing that when he cries out to the Lord, that the Lord hears his prayers! (The Lord hears our prayers and cries as well.) Read Romans 8: 26-29
In verses 7-8 - David worships the Lord even when things make no sense in life. He was trusting in the Lord, and that is what we need to do on a daily basis as well.
In verse 11 - David teaches us that our victory comes as the Lord is our refuge, shield. As I follow the Lord He will bless me and take care of me on a daily basis!
How do I respond to the things that happen to me in life? I am going to serve the Lord and Love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength!
I want to encourage you to read Psalm 5. David has been hurt, rejected and is on the run. We see that David is crying out to the Lord, and he is sighing! He is overwhelmed by life. Many can relate to this today!
In verse 3 - David gets strength and comfort from knowing that when he cries out to the Lord, that the Lord hears his prayers! (The Lord hears our prayers and cries as well.) Read Romans 8: 26-29
In verses 7-8 - David worships the Lord even when things make no sense in life. He was trusting in the Lord, and that is what we need to do on a daily basis as well.
In verse 11 - David teaches us that our victory comes as the Lord is our refuge, shield. As I follow the Lord He will bless me and take care of me on a daily basis!
How do I respond to the things that happen to me in life? I am going to serve the Lord and Love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
HURT BY PEOPLE
How many have ever been hurt or betrayed by people that are close to you! You know what that pain feels like deep in your heart! I know when I go through difficult times, I read the Psalms because it is a Book that brings comfort and strength when things are not going well!
I want to encourage you to read Psalm 3 today and as you read it think about the following: David was a man that went through difficult times of hurt, rejection and betrayal. David prays this prayer to to the Lord in a time when he was running for his life, and he was betrayed by King Saul.
What can we learn from David's prayer:
#1. BRING ALL YOUR PAIN DIRECTLY TO GOD! Psalm 3:1 Cry out to the Lord in your pain, because He will be there to love you and He will never leave you or forsake you. People may betray you, but God never will!!!
#2. EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS TO GOD! Do not hold your pain in and let it fester. Cast all your pain upon the Lord. Release your pain, hurts, anger to the Lord. You can do this in prayer, writing, journaling. We need to get it out or God can not fill us with a new meaning to life.
#3. EXAMINE THE SITUATION REALIISTICALLY! When you are in the middle of the problem, hurt, storm it is difficult to see things with a right perspective. This is the time to wait on the Lord. (Isaiah 40:31) Allow the Lord to give you wisdom before you make any lasting decisions. Too many times we make a decision in the heat of the moment and then we realize that we acted too quickly!
#4. SPEAK GOD'S TRUTH TO YOURSELF! Psalm 3:3 Begin to focus on God's Word and speak the truth in faith! Hide God's Word in your heart! Focus on the Promises of God in the dark times of Life! "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
#5. TRUST AND REST IN GOD! Psalm 3: 5-6 - David who in the middle of the storm, hurts and rejection is able to trust and rest in God. How many of us are nervouse wrecks when things do not go our way. David says - "I lie down and sleep, I wake again, bcause the Lord sustains me.. I will not fear..." Those are good words for us today!
#6. LIVE IN THE BLESSING OF GOD! Psalm 3:8 "From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people." God will bless us when we walk in obediedence to Him!
Today pray this prayer: "Today I want to thank You Lord, that you will never hurt me, abandon me, forsake me. I turn to You today, as the lifter of my head, and I place my trust in you. Lord bless me today, as I walk in obedience to You!"
I want to encourage you to read Psalm 3 today and as you read it think about the following: David was a man that went through difficult times of hurt, rejection and betrayal. David prays this prayer to to the Lord in a time when he was running for his life, and he was betrayed by King Saul.
What can we learn from David's prayer:
#1. BRING ALL YOUR PAIN DIRECTLY TO GOD! Psalm 3:1 Cry out to the Lord in your pain, because He will be there to love you and He will never leave you or forsake you. People may betray you, but God never will!!!
#2. EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS TO GOD! Do not hold your pain in and let it fester. Cast all your pain upon the Lord. Release your pain, hurts, anger to the Lord. You can do this in prayer, writing, journaling. We need to get it out or God can not fill us with a new meaning to life.
#3. EXAMINE THE SITUATION REALIISTICALLY! When you are in the middle of the problem, hurt, storm it is difficult to see things with a right perspective. This is the time to wait on the Lord. (Isaiah 40:31) Allow the Lord to give you wisdom before you make any lasting decisions. Too many times we make a decision in the heat of the moment and then we realize that we acted too quickly!
#4. SPEAK GOD'S TRUTH TO YOURSELF! Psalm 3:3 Begin to focus on God's Word and speak the truth in faith! Hide God's Word in your heart! Focus on the Promises of God in the dark times of Life! "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
#5. TRUST AND REST IN GOD! Psalm 3: 5-6 - David who in the middle of the storm, hurts and rejection is able to trust and rest in God. How many of us are nervouse wrecks when things do not go our way. David says - "I lie down and sleep, I wake again, bcause the Lord sustains me.. I will not fear..." Those are good words for us today!
#6. LIVE IN THE BLESSING OF GOD! Psalm 3:8 "From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people." God will bless us when we walk in obediedence to Him!
Today pray this prayer: "Today I want to thank You Lord, that you will never hurt me, abandon me, forsake me. I turn to You today, as the lifter of my head, and I place my trust in you. Lord bless me today, as I walk in obedience to You!"
Monday, June 8, 2009
LIFE'S CHOICES
Life is full of choices! Think about how many decisions or choices that you will have to make today? What will I eat? Will I workout today? Will I go to work? Will I do my chores? Will I be happy or sad? And the list of choices will go on and on every day of our lives. We must make a decision of which way we are heading in our lives. Are we walking in God's direction of the direction of the world.
I want to encourage you to read Psalm 1 today: In this Psalm we see a checklist for examining the direction that we are going in life?
As you read Psalm 1 ask yourself these questions personally:
1. DO I WALK IN THE COUNSELF OF THE WICKED, WORLDLY, SINFUL?
2. DO I STAND IN THE WAY OF SINNERS?
Standing refers to a fixed and steady position.
3. DO I SIT IN THE SEAT OF MOCKERS?
Sitting refers to something that is final. Do I mock, ridicule, make light
of the things of God and His Word?
4. DO I DELIGHT IN THE LAW OF THE LORD?
5. DO I MEDITATE CONTINUALLY ON THE WORD OF GOD?
The reality is that my answers to these questions will determine my destiny! How many want to live Psalm 1:6
I want to encourage you to make Godly choices today and tomorrow!!!
I want to encourage you to read Psalm 1 today: In this Psalm we see a checklist for examining the direction that we are going in life?
As you read Psalm 1 ask yourself these questions personally:
1. DO I WALK IN THE COUNSELF OF THE WICKED, WORLDLY, SINFUL?
2. DO I STAND IN THE WAY OF SINNERS?
Standing refers to a fixed and steady position.
3. DO I SIT IN THE SEAT OF MOCKERS?
Sitting refers to something that is final. Do I mock, ridicule, make light
of the things of God and His Word?
4. DO I DELIGHT IN THE LAW OF THE LORD?
5. DO I MEDITATE CONTINUALLY ON THE WORD OF GOD?
The reality is that my answers to these questions will determine my destiny! How many want to live Psalm 1:6
I want to encourage you to make Godly choices today and tomorrow!!!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
JESUS IS THE GREATEST CHANGER!
When we are a follower of Jesus Christ, it means that change will take place in our lives. 2 Corinthians tells us - "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come." How can we stay the same when the Mighty God comes to live inside of us!
When Jesus comes into our lives let me give you a few ways that we need to change. I preached this morning on the Crippled man at the pool. He was lying around the pool for 38 years, and could not get into the water. Jesus saw this unnamed man and asked him the question: "Do you want to get well?" Do we really want to change? Do we want the Lord to revive us, change us! Then we must begin to do what the Lord tells us to do!
Here is a couple of things:
If you are discouraged, depressed, frustrated - "Put on a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness."
If you are sad, overwhelmed by life - "The joy of the Lord is your strength." "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, and again I say rejoice."
If you feel that life is unfair, difficult - "Give thanks in all situations for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Jesus will help us when we begin to do what He tells us to do! As He told the crippled man in John 5 - "Get up and walk." Let us get up and begin to walk by faith and not by sight."
When Jesus comes into our lives let me give you a few ways that we need to change. I preached this morning on the Crippled man at the pool. He was lying around the pool for 38 years, and could not get into the water. Jesus saw this unnamed man and asked him the question: "Do you want to get well?" Do we really want to change? Do we want the Lord to revive us, change us! Then we must begin to do what the Lord tells us to do!
Here is a couple of things:
If you are discouraged, depressed, frustrated - "Put on a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness."
If you are sad, overwhelmed by life - "The joy of the Lord is your strength." "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, and again I say rejoice."
If you feel that life is unfair, difficult - "Give thanks in all situations for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Jesus will help us when we begin to do what He tells us to do! As He told the crippled man in John 5 - "Get up and walk." Let us get up and begin to walk by faith and not by sight."
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
FEAR FACTOR
A couple of years ago there was a reality TV show that was called "Fear Factor." There were people that would come on the show and they would have to face fearful situations. How many realize that life is full of Fear Factors. Every day we are confronted with things that challenge our FEAR or challenge our FAITH!
There are too many people that are overwhelmed with fear! Some fears are rational, (fear of heights, fear of closed places, fear of snakes, fear of public speaking, etc.) We all battle some kind of fear like this. However, there are other fears that are totally destructive. There are people that are afraid of leaving thier homes, fearful of sunlight, fearful of working, and these kinds of fear can ruin a person's life. Some fears keep people from being able to function in real life.
Fear is a powerful and destructive thing. Fear can paralyze our lives, ruin relationships, rob us of being able to make decisions, and even overwhelm our faith in Christ.
When you are faced with overwhelming fear - turn to God's Word:
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, and the mountains quake with their surging.
Whatever fear is overwhelming your life - surrender that fear to the Lord and trust Him in your situation!
Our God is a faithful God!
There are too many people that are overwhelmed with fear! Some fears are rational, (fear of heights, fear of closed places, fear of snakes, fear of public speaking, etc.) We all battle some kind of fear like this. However, there are other fears that are totally destructive. There are people that are afraid of leaving thier homes, fearful of sunlight, fearful of working, and these kinds of fear can ruin a person's life. Some fears keep people from being able to function in real life.
Fear is a powerful and destructive thing. Fear can paralyze our lives, ruin relationships, rob us of being able to make decisions, and even overwhelm our faith in Christ.
When you are faced with overwhelming fear - turn to God's Word:
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, and the mountains quake with their surging.
Whatever fear is overwhelming your life - surrender that fear to the Lord and trust Him in your situation!
Our God is a faithful God!
Monday, June 1, 2009
HOW MUCH IS YOUR TIME WORTH???
Tim Elmore wrote a book "Habitudes". One of the chapters deals with Opportunity (how we handle time in our lives.) In this chapter he included this list that I think helps us to evaluate our time.
To realize the value of one year, ask a student who has failed the final exam.
To realize the value of one month, ask a mom who gave birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one day, ask the daily laborer with ten kids to feed.
To realize the value of one hour, ask a boyfriend and girlfriend who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of one minute, ask the person who has just missed his flight.
To realize the value of one second, ask the person who survived a car accident.
To realize the value of one millisecond, ask the pwerson who won a gold medal.
Everyone has 86,400 seconds each day to use or misuse. What are you doing with yours today?
Connecting with you!
To realize the value of one year, ask a student who has failed the final exam.
To realize the value of one month, ask a mom who gave birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of one week, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of one day, ask the daily laborer with ten kids to feed.
To realize the value of one hour, ask a boyfriend and girlfriend who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of one minute, ask the person who has just missed his flight.
To realize the value of one second, ask the person who survived a car accident.
To realize the value of one millisecond, ask the pwerson who won a gold medal.
Everyone has 86,400 seconds each day to use or misuse. What are you doing with yours today?
Connecting with you!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)