Proverbs 14:11-12
The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
We must submit our reason to the One who sees the end from the beginning!
That's one of our big problems—we can't see "the end". We can't see where the roads we take, the choices we make, the values we adopt will lead us. We don't know how the actions of others will interact with our own and what the result will be.
Many wrong conclusions have been arrived at by reasoning from only some of the facts. That is why it is foolish to think that we can effectively direct our own lives purely by our own reason and intellect. Yes, God wants you to use your intellect. But today He is reminding you that your intellect is limited by so many factors. His is limited by nothing.
The wisest way to order your life is to submit it to the One who loves you sacrificially and to trust it to the One who understands all things, who already sees "the end" of all your actions, because He is already there, at "the end"!
How does that work out? As someone has said, "Pray unceasingly. Fight with confidence. Believe God's promises. Take Him at His Word. Wait for His victory."
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The 7 Shadiest People at the Beach.
There’s no better place in the world to relax than on the beach. The warmth of the sun on your skin, the soothing sounds of the crashing waves, the delightful scent of ocean air mixed with Hawaiian Tropic dark tanning oil…what more could you ask for?
But just when you’re about to completely let go of all your cares and worries, THAT GUY shows up. Which guy? Well take your pick.
The 7 Shadiest People at the Beach.
1. Swimming in Your Clothes Guy – Anyone who came to the beach without proper swimming attire is either incredibly indecisive, remarkably shortsighted, or certifiably insane. And you – dude frolicking in the water with the Angels and Airwaves t-shirt and oversized jean shorts – are probably insane. Please keep your wet jorts at a safe distance.
2. Dog Not on a Leash Guy – Ooh look at you and your dog. Happy and free walking down the beach like you’re in an 80’s Purina commercial. Listen here buddy: your dog has sharp teeth, a small brain, and instincts like a dog. He was made to bite people. Keep your dog away from my soft, puncture-able flesh and go get a leash.
3. Milky White Guy – Well, clearly I don’t have to ask if this is your first trip to the beach this year. I guess a better question would be “is the first time you’ve ever NOT worn a long-sleeve turtleneck in your life?” Forget sunlight, I don’t think your torso has ever seen the rays from an incandescent light bulb. Not sure why you picked today to come out of your coffin, but please stay away from my family.
4. Metal Detector Guy – I don’t just have one eye on you buddy, I got em both on you and your zig-zagging butt. If you come within 10 feet of my beach blanket with that bastardized weed whacker I’m gonna citizen’s arrest you for attempted robbery. I mean, let’s face it; if you’re desperate enough to spend half the day searching for loose change and costume jewelry buried under the sand, you’d have no problem stealing my wallet from out of my sneaker.
(Although my wallet is shoved all the way into the toe of my sneaker because like Jerry Seinfeld says, no thief is going to think to look there: “they check the heel, they move on”.)
5. Dress Shirt Guy – Just because you’re not swimming in that button-down doesn’t mean you get a free pass for wearing it here. Who do you think you are walking on the beach with a tucked-in collared shirt? You really couldn’t find a clean tee to throw on? Not sure what’s going on in your overdressed head buddy, but please keep your semi-formal madness away from us normal folks.
6. Shell Collector Guy – Hate to break this to you skipper, but nobody wants those shells you’re picking up. Why do you think they were laying on the beach in the first place? Some poor grandpa gave them to his grandkid last week and the kid forgot they existed 3 minutes later. And your grandkid’s gonna forget you exist too unless you put the bucket of shells down and go build a sandcastle with him. Go on…I guarantee you the shells will be here tomorrow if you get the urge again.
7. Way Too Tan Guy – I saw you out of the corner of my eye and I thought you were the Great Pumpkin from Charlie Brown. Good Lord, how long have you been out here tanning, since the Britney-Madonna kiss? The only bright side is that we all now know what it will look like when humans figure out how to procreate with slim jims.
Daily Devotion
2 Timothy 3:14-17
You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
When dark times come, stand on the foundation of Scripture and what you have seen of its impact in those who have helped you grow spiritually!
Timothy had been warned: dark times are coming. Now Paul explains how to best come through them. God is saying these same things to you. Don't interpret life by your feelings in those hard experiences. Cling to what you know of God. Trust Him. Remember those who have impacted you deeply for God and how trusting Him and His principles have worked out in their lives and follow their example.
Soak yourself in the Scriptures. God will speak to you through them and help you understand His ways. The Bible will show you how you can live in a way that allows God to work in and through you.
Author Kay Arthur says, "I believe the greater the pressure, the greater your need for time alone with Him."
You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
When dark times come, stand on the foundation of Scripture and what you have seen of its impact in those who have helped you grow spiritually!
Timothy had been warned: dark times are coming. Now Paul explains how to best come through them. God is saying these same things to you. Don't interpret life by your feelings in those hard experiences. Cling to what you know of God. Trust Him. Remember those who have impacted you deeply for God and how trusting Him and His principles have worked out in their lives and follow their example.
Soak yourself in the Scriptures. God will speak to you through them and help you understand His ways. The Bible will show you how you can live in a way that allows God to work in and through you.
Author Kay Arthur says, "I believe the greater the pressure, the greater your need for time alone with Him."
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Daily Devotion
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power. Avoid such men as these.
Don't expect that loving God means you will face an easy life!
"Difficult times will come." It's a fact of life, isn't it? There are good times and bad times in everybody's life. We are fallen beings living in fallen bodies in a fallen world, surrounded by other fallen people. And according to this passage, that is only going to get worse as we move towards the "last days". God allows us to experience the fallenness of life, just like everyone else. It is in our spiritual response to the difficulties of life that God is most glorified.
What is God saying to you through this passage today? If you are experiencing dark times, don't think it is unusual or that God has abandoned you. God wants you to know that until you go to be with Him, you will have the stress of life in a fallen world. The difference is that God walks through that experience with you, transforming both you and those you touch.
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power. Avoid such men as these.
Don't expect that loving God means you will face an easy life!
"Difficult times will come." It's a fact of life, isn't it? There are good times and bad times in everybody's life. We are fallen beings living in fallen bodies in a fallen world, surrounded by other fallen people. And according to this passage, that is only going to get worse as we move towards the "last days". God allows us to experience the fallenness of life, just like everyone else. It is in our spiritual response to the difficulties of life that God is most glorified.
What is God saying to you through this passage today? If you are experiencing dark times, don't think it is unusual or that God has abandoned you. God wants you to know that until you go to be with Him, you will have the stress of life in a fallen world. The difference is that God walks through that experience with you, transforming both you and those you touch.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The 10 Most Popular Ways to Get Dumped in Junior High
Getting dumped was the worst, wasn’t it?
Believe me when I tell you it was the worst because I should know. I went out* with a bunch girls in junior high and was dumped by all but one of them.**
*by “went out”, I mean that we referred to each other as boyfriend and girlfriend and occasionally made eye contact while passing notes. There was no “going” anywhere. As I’ve said before, you can Google “Worst Boyfriend Ever” and read all about my junior high relationships.
(ranked from least to most heart-wrenching)
1 – The Note.
This is the easiest way to get dumped. You can read the news slowly or get it over quickly. Choose Your Own Breakup Pace! You can also use the note to dry your tears, so bonus points if she scribbled it down on a napkin during lunch. Later that night you can re-read the note for the 375th time, looking for clues to see if there’s a chance she’s still into you. And when you finally realize it’s over, you can burn the note and feel some real closure. It’s a win for everyone.
2 – The Friendly Water Fountain.
My research has shown that 41% of all middle school breakups occur at the water fountain. There must be something about water that tastes like dirty iron that is an antidote for love. But hey, at least she asked YOUR friend to deliver the news to you. What she’s saying is, “I don’t care enough about you to do this gently, but I’m sure Jason does so I’ll let him tell you that I think you’re an idiot and not nearly as cute as you were last week.” And if Jason’s a real friend he’ll leave out the details and just tell you you’re dumped, and then he’ll ask you to come over later to play Contra on his Nintendo to help with the healing process because he knows the code to get 30 lives instead of 3. Now that’s a real friend.
3 – The Enemy Water Fountain.
This is just like the last one, except it’s HER friend and she doesn’t let you down as easy as your buddy did. Probably because she was the one trying to convince her best friend to dump you for the last two weeks. She probably even cracked a slight smile when she delivered the news that made you want to punch her in the face. But you didn’t because you’re a lover, not a fighter. And because she could probably beat you up.
4 – The Alexander Graham Bell.
Of all the ways to get the news directly from your (ex)-girlfriend, over the phone is definitely the easiest. You can’t see the smile on her face and she can’t see your ugly “I’m trying not to cry” face. And if things get too awkward, either of you can just hang up and destroy the phone call the way she just destroyed your heart. Thanks for nothing, technology.
5 – The After School Special.
If she’s going to dump you face to face, at least she did it right as you were leaving school. This gives you a solid 16 hours to go through the 7 stages of grieving. And hey, if you can successfully make yourself puke in the morning by thinking about making out with the mustachioed cafeteria lady when she’s got a mouthful of school french fries, you can stay home from school and turn that 16 hours into 40!
6 – The Home Room Special.
Can you do it? Can you get through the entire day without processing the fact that she dumped you before first period? Thank goodness you’re a man and you know how to compartmentalize. Speaking of compartments, what’s going to happen when she walks by your locker after second period like she does every day? For the past 3 weeks you gave her that flirty “I’d totally be making out with you right now if I wasn’t such a loser” smile and she always gave you the “You are a loser, but you’re MY loser” smile right back. Man, you’re gonna miss being her loser…aaaaaand here come the tears.
7 – The Hallway Rumor.
“Umm, thanks for consoling me about the break up Jared, but like I told the last 4 people who offered condolences, Jennie and I are fine. Really, things have never been better between us…Oh hi Principal Calfman. What’s that? You’re sorry to hear that I got dumped? It was all the talk in the Teacher’s Lounge? Hm…weird. Jennie and I are gonna have a hearty laugh about this on our date tonight.”
8 – The Cold Shoulder.
What hurts the most about this one is it’s a gradual death, like taking 3 hours to rip off a band-aid. You started noticing that she was acting differently yesterday, and today it seems to be getting worse. She’s not smiling at you like she used to, she’s only giving you one word answers, and you could have sworn you saw her giving you two middle fingers in the window reflection at lunch. She hasn’t officially dumped you yet, but really, she doesn’t have to.
9 – The Ring and Run.
What’s that mom? Jessica’s at the door? Awesome…can’t believe my girlfriend came to my house on a school night! Hey girl, what’s up…what?…you’re breaking up with me???…wait wait, don’t leave…I don’t care if your mom’s waiting in the car, you can’t just dump me on my doorstep! Where are you going that’s so important?…Eric Mitchell’s house? Why are you going to Eric Mitchell’s house and what’s with the bottle of massage oil in your pocket?
10 – The Slow Dance Breakup.
You missed the first hour of the dance because your mom had to drop your sister off at a sleepover party, but you’re here now. Ooh, and just in time for a slow dance as soon as you find Tara…and there she is…dancing with Jason Weber…who appears to be supporting her from falling over by cradling both of her but cheeks in his hands…and who also appears to be reviving her from suffocation by using mouth to mouth CPR…and I guess it worked because she’s smiling now…and now she’s giving him mouth to mouth…I think I just got dumped.
*by “went out”, I mean that we referred to each other as boyfriend and girlfriend and occasionally made eye contact while passing notes. There was no “going” anywhere. As I’ve said before, you can Google “Worst Boyfriend Ever” and read all about my junior high relationships.
(ranked from least to most heart-wrenching)
1 – The Note.
This is the easiest way to get dumped. You can read the news slowly or get it over quickly. Choose Your Own Breakup Pace! You can also use the note to dry your tears, so bonus points if she scribbled it down on a napkin during lunch. Later that night you can re-read the note for the 375th time, looking for clues to see if there’s a chance she’s still into you. And when you finally realize it’s over, you can burn the note and feel some real closure. It’s a win for everyone.
2 – The Friendly Water Fountain.
My research has shown that 41% of all middle school breakups occur at the water fountain. There must be something about water that tastes like dirty iron that is an antidote for love. But hey, at least she asked YOUR friend to deliver the news to you. What she’s saying is, “I don’t care enough about you to do this gently, but I’m sure Jason does so I’ll let him tell you that I think you’re an idiot and not nearly as cute as you were last week.” And if Jason’s a real friend he’ll leave out the details and just tell you you’re dumped, and then he’ll ask you to come over later to play Contra on his Nintendo to help with the healing process because he knows the code to get 30 lives instead of 3. Now that’s a real friend.
3 – The Enemy Water Fountain.
This is just like the last one, except it’s HER friend and she doesn’t let you down as easy as your buddy did. Probably because she was the one trying to convince her best friend to dump you for the last two weeks. She probably even cracked a slight smile when she delivered the news that made you want to punch her in the face. But you didn’t because you’re a lover, not a fighter. And because she could probably beat you up.
4 – The Alexander Graham Bell.
Of all the ways to get the news directly from your (ex)-girlfriend, over the phone is definitely the easiest. You can’t see the smile on her face and she can’t see your ugly “I’m trying not to cry” face. And if things get too awkward, either of you can just hang up and destroy the phone call the way she just destroyed your heart. Thanks for nothing, technology.
5 – The After School Special.
If she’s going to dump you face to face, at least she did it right as you were leaving school. This gives you a solid 16 hours to go through the 7 stages of grieving. And hey, if you can successfully make yourself puke in the morning by thinking about making out with the mustachioed cafeteria lady when she’s got a mouthful of school french fries, you can stay home from school and turn that 16 hours into 40!
6 – The Home Room Special.
Can you do it? Can you get through the entire day without processing the fact that she dumped you before first period? Thank goodness you’re a man and you know how to compartmentalize. Speaking of compartments, what’s going to happen when she walks by your locker after second period like she does every day? For the past 3 weeks you gave her that flirty “I’d totally be making out with you right now if I wasn’t such a loser” smile and she always gave you the “You are a loser, but you’re MY loser” smile right back. Man, you’re gonna miss being her loser…aaaaaand here come the tears.
7 – The Hallway Rumor.
“Umm, thanks for consoling me about the break up Jared, but like I told the last 4 people who offered condolences, Jennie and I are fine. Really, things have never been better between us…Oh hi Principal Calfman. What’s that? You’re sorry to hear that I got dumped? It was all the talk in the Teacher’s Lounge? Hm…weird. Jennie and I are gonna have a hearty laugh about this on our date tonight.”
8 – The Cold Shoulder.
What hurts the most about this one is it’s a gradual death, like taking 3 hours to rip off a band-aid. You started noticing that she was acting differently yesterday, and today it seems to be getting worse. She’s not smiling at you like she used to, she’s only giving you one word answers, and you could have sworn you saw her giving you two middle fingers in the window reflection at lunch. She hasn’t officially dumped you yet, but really, she doesn’t have to.
9 – The Ring and Run.
What’s that mom? Jessica’s at the door? Awesome…can’t believe my girlfriend came to my house on a school night! Hey girl, what’s up…what?…you’re breaking up with me???…wait wait, don’t leave…I don’t care if your mom’s waiting in the car, you can’t just dump me on my doorstep! Where are you going that’s so important?…Eric Mitchell’s house? Why are you going to Eric Mitchell’s house and what’s with the bottle of massage oil in your pocket?
10 – The Slow Dance Breakup.
You missed the first hour of the dance because your mom had to drop your sister off at a sleepover party, but you’re here now. Ooh, and just in time for a slow dance as soon as you find Tara…and there she is…dancing with Jason Weber…who appears to be supporting her from falling over by cradling both of her but cheeks in his hands…and who also appears to be reviving her from suffocation by using mouth to mouth CPR…and I guess it worked because she’s smiling now…and now she’s giving him mouth to mouth…I think I just got dumped.
Daily Devotion
John 11:21-26
Martha then said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Jesus' life in us is eternal life!
"He who believes in Me will live even if he dies." In fact, Jesus says, the person who "believes in Me will never die!" When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, God changes you on the inside. You become spiritually connected (the biblical word is "united") with Jesus Christ in a way that His eternal life flows to you. As John wrote later, "And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life" (1 John 5:11-12).
God's reminding you today that His eternal life both flows through you in your life today and will continue to give you life after your body dies.
Martha then said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Jesus' life in us is eternal life!
"He who believes in Me will live even if he dies." In fact, Jesus says, the person who "believes in Me will never die!" When you put your faith in Jesus Christ, God changes you on the inside. You become spiritually connected (the biblical word is "united") with Jesus Christ in a way that His eternal life flows to you. As John wrote later, "And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life" (1 John 5:11-12).
God's reminding you today that His eternal life both flows through you in your life today and will continue to give you life after your body dies.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
What is the Heart of the Nation?
The Context of Psalm 2
Psalm 1 establishes that there are two types of people in the world: the righteous, who are firmly planted near refreshing waters of the word, and the wicked, who disappear like chaff in the wind. Where Psalm 1 focuses on individuals, Psalm 2 gives a wide-angle panoramic shot of the nations.
At the time of Psalm 2’s writing, the name of the game for Near Eastern nations was to wage war and expand territories, and Israel was just one puny nation among others to be conquered.
Some say that King David composed this psalm after he had taken Jerusalem from the Jebusites, as described in 2 Samuel. While the psalm may very well have been written to celebrate Israel’s military victory, the more important issue is that King David is typified as Jesus by the Apostles, as Acts 4:25-27 states.
Every Human Heart Has a Ruler
The biblical concept of the Kingdom of God is a whole study in itself. The kingdom is a future and present reality, but the point is that the Kingdom is the kingship, rule and authority of God. Jesus said we must receive the Kingdom of God (his rule) as little children (Mark 10:13-16). So in order to enter the future kingdom (The New Jerusalem, Rev 21), we have to submit to his rule in the here and now.
The ruled heart has many options in our culture. Whether it’s comfort, possessions, fascination with “the new,” six-pack abs, or achieving the greenest lawn on the block, we are a nation steeped in self-worship. There’s nothing wrong with personal health or gardening, per se. But these are the kinds of things that can very easily rule our lives. Think about it: what kinds of non-essentials, besides food, water, and shelter, cause you anxiety or make you angry if you don’t get it? What makes you feel like a failure if you can’t attain it? Fear, anger, anxiety, the desire to belong; all these things are a normal part of human existence. But when these things begin to rule our behavior, we are enslaved in idol territory.
Fortunately for Christians, Christ’s kingdom is the most glorious, liberating, and just citizenship anyone could ever ask to live in. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). We were traitors to his kingdom and we get exactly what we don’t deserve: grace! (Eph 2:8)
Two Kinds of Fear
Terror-fear, which is detailed in Hebrews 10:26-27, is fear that comes from deliberate disobedience despite knowledge of truth. This is getting-caught-with-your-hand-in-the-cookie-jar-type fear. But here in Psalm 2:11, fear is described as a call to love and trust in the Lord (serve the Lord…rejoice…kiss the Son). Though this kind of fear still produces “fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12), it’s a fear based on reverence and awe without the threat of looming retribution, as verse 12 promises, “Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”
Jesus Is Preeminent In All Things
Nevertheless, the nations are still “his heritage” and “the ends of the earth” are Jesus’ possession, whether people worship him or not. According to Col 1:15-18, Jesus is preeminent over all. And when the apostle Paul says “all things,” he really means it.
"[In him] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together".
Jesus reigns on his throne in a universal, cosmic sense. But this rule extends to our individual lives on a day-to-day basis. How does he rule your life? Are there areas of your life that are kept hidden from Jesus’ rule and reign?
Our Prayer today should be to Faithfully Walk In the Light!
As 1 John 1:5-10 says, “walk in the light as he is in the light.” As I ponder these verses I’m reminded of Psalm 139:
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)
Amen.
5 Reasons You May not be Seeing Spiritual Growth
1. Feelings can be misleading.
Just because we don’t feel holy doesn’t mean the Spirit isn’t making us holy. Feelings aren’t an adequate barometer of spiritual growth, but the gospel always leads us into growth. Bank your growth on faith in gospel truth, not in subjective feelings.
2. We have trouble seeing incremental growth.
If you checked the growth of an orange on a tree each day until it was ripe, you would not perceive its change; however, if you checked it only at its inception and conclusion, the growth would be obvious. You can grow without seeing it. More often than not, the Spirit grows us in increments, not leaps and bounds.
3. Spiritual growth is relative but real.
Depending on the person and season, spiritual growth may be fast or slow. Some of us have sinned so much that we have deeply ingrained patterns of believing lies instead of the truth, and so it takes longer to make progress in the faith. On top of this, we may have emotional, physical, or psychological conditions that make it more difficult to grow. However, these conditions are appointed for our growth. Many Christians have shown us how to grow in the midst of these difficulties (Joni Eareckson Tada, William Cowper). Spiritual growth is relative but real. True faith brings about true change. For some people, running a 5-minute mile is growth; for others, facing the finish line is progress. Remember that it is not growth overnight but gradations over a lifetime.
4. Our church family doesn’t encourage one another enough.
As the church, it is important that we point out and celebrate growth in one another’s lives. We are so individualistic, proud, and insecure that we rarely celebrate growth in another person’s life. Make a habit of pointing out growth you see in others, and celebrate God’s grace. Be a good church family.
5. God is using trial and temptation to grow us.
Just because growth is hard doesn’t mean that it isn’t happening. Trial and temptation is often a sign of God’s work in our circumstances to draw us away from the fleeting promises of sin into the sweeter promises of grace. Allow trial and temptation to push you closer to God, not away from him. Difficult things often indicate God’s presence, not his absence. He disciplines those whom he loves
Daily Devotion
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
At the heart of Christianity is the cross of Jesus!
When Paul thought of the one thing he would communicate in his preaching to the Corinthians—the one thing that mattered more than anything else he could say—he spoke to them about "Jesus Christ, and Him crucified".
That's the one thing God wants you to grasp in your life most clearly, because the message of the cross sums up everything you must understand about God, man and life. The cross shows you the holiness of God the Father that could not maintain a relationship with His Son, when Jesus took the sin of the world on Himself. It also magnifies the justice of God that couldn't be satisfied any other way. And it reveals the immense grace of God that overcame all barriers to give you a way to be redeemed.
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
At the heart of Christianity is the cross of Jesus!
When Paul thought of the one thing he would communicate in his preaching to the Corinthians—the one thing that mattered more than anything else he could say—he spoke to them about "Jesus Christ, and Him crucified".
That's the one thing God wants you to grasp in your life most clearly, because the message of the cross sums up everything you must understand about God, man and life. The cross shows you the holiness of God the Father that could not maintain a relationship with His Son, when Jesus took the sin of the world on Himself. It also magnifies the justice of God that couldn't be satisfied any other way. And it reveals the immense grace of God that overcame all barriers to give you a way to be redeemed.
5 Reasons You May Not Be Seeing Spiritual Growth
1. Feelings can be misleading.
Just because we don’t feel holy doesn’t mean the Spirit isn’t making us holy. Feelings aren’t an adequate barometer of spiritual growth, but the gospel always leads us into growth. Bank your growth on faith in gospel truth, not in subjective feelings.
2. We have trouble seeing incremental growth.
If you checked the growth of an orange on a tree each day until it was ripe, you would not perceive its change; however, if you checked it only at its inception and conclusion, the growth would be obvious. You can grow without seeing it. More often than not, the Spirit grows us in increments, not leaps and bounds.
3. Spiritual growth is relative but real.
Depending on the person and season, spiritual growth may be fast or slow. Some of us have sinned so much that we have deeply ingrained patterns of believing lies instead of the truth, and so it takes longer to make progress in the faith. On top of this, we may have emotional, physical, or psychological conditions that make it more difficult to grow. However, these conditions are appointed for our growth. Many Christians have shown us how to grow in the midst of these difficulties (Joni Eareckson Tada, William Cowper). Spiritual growth is relative but real. True faith brings about true change. For some people, running a 5-minute mile is growth; for others, facing the finish line is progress. Remember that it is not growth overnight but gradations over a lifetime.
4. Our church family doesn’t encourage one another enough.
As the church, it is important that we point out and celebrate growth in one another’s lives. We are so individualistic, proud, and insecure that we rarely celebrate growth in another person’s life. Make a habit of pointing out growth you see in others, and celebrate God’s grace. We need to be a good and Healthy church family.
5. God is using trial and temptation to grow us.
Just because growth is hard doesn’t mean that it isn’t happening. Trial and temptation is often a sign of God’s work in our circumstances to draw us away from the fleeting promises of sin into the sweeter promises of grace. Allow trial and temptation to push you closer to God, not away from him. Difficult things often indicate God’s presence, not his absence. He disciplines those whom he loves.
Daily Devotion
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
At the heart of Christianity is the cross of Jesus!
When Paul thought of the one thing he would communicate in his preaching to the Corinthians—the one thing that mattered more than anything else he could say—he spoke to them about "Jesus Christ, and Him crucified".
That's the one thing God wants you to grasp in your life most clearly, because the message of the cross sums up everything you must understand about God, man and life. The cross shows you the holiness of God the Father that could not maintain a relationship with His Son, when Jesus took the sin of the world on Himself. It also magnifies the justice of God that couldn't be satisfied any other way. And it reveals the immense grace of God that overcame all barriers to give you a way to be redeemed.
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
At the heart of Christianity is the cross of Jesus!
When Paul thought of the one thing he would communicate in his preaching to the Corinthians—the one thing that mattered more than anything else he could say—he spoke to them about "Jesus Christ, and Him crucified".
That's the one thing God wants you to grasp in your life most clearly, because the message of the cross sums up everything you must understand about God, man and life. The cross shows you the holiness of God the Father that could not maintain a relationship with His Son, when Jesus took the sin of the world on Himself. It also magnifies the justice of God that couldn't be satisfied any other way. And it reveals the immense grace of God that overcame all barriers to give you a way to be redeemed.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
So Your Dead Now What???????? week 2 HELL
Is Hell a Real Place? Who will be in Hell? How does one end up in Hell? Why did God creat a place like Hell?
All of these questions plus more will be addressed tonight!! Don't Miss out, plus we are bringing the Huge ball back out for the Games tonight. You don't want to miss it!!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
NIGERIA — Pastor and Wife Killed
NIGERIA — Pastor and Wife Killed
On April 13, a pastor and his wife in Boto village, Bauchi state, Nigeria, were abducted and killed by suspected Islamic extremists, according to Compass Direct News.
Pastor Ishaku Kadah and his wife, Selina, were reportedly abducted from the headquarters of their church, which was also their home. Their burned bodies were discovered hours after their abduction. Extremists previously set fire to their church building in January, days after Christians displaced by violence in Plateau state had taken refuge at the church, according to Compass. "Police have reportedly arrested two suspects [in the murders] and have launched a manhunt for several other accomplices," Compass said. The brutal killings of Pastor Ishaku and his wife are the latest in a series of violent attacks against Christians in northern Nigeria. In January and March, Christians and Muslims rioted in several villages outside the city of Jos. Churches and homes were burned, and many Christians and Muslims were killed.
I encourage you to pray that God will comfort those who mourn Pastor Ishaku and his wife. Pray that their murderers will be brought to justice. Pray that Nigerian Christians will be committed to sharing the gospel and will strive for peace and reconciliation rather than seeking revenge. Let us never forget those who are persecuted to proclaim the Gospel!!
Pastor Ishaku Kadah and his wife, Selina, were reportedly abducted from the headquarters of their church, which was also their home. Their burned bodies were discovered hours after their abduction. Extremists previously set fire to their church building in January, days after Christians displaced by violence in Plateau state had taken refuge at the church, according to Compass. "Police have reportedly arrested two suspects [in the murders] and have launched a manhunt for several other accomplices," Compass said. The brutal killings of Pastor Ishaku and his wife are the latest in a series of violent attacks against Christians in northern Nigeria. In January and March, Christians and Muslims rioted in several villages outside the city of Jos. Churches and homes were burned, and many Christians and Muslims were killed.
I encourage you to pray that God will comfort those who mourn Pastor Ishaku and his wife. Pray that their murderers will be brought to justice. Pray that Nigerian Christians will be committed to sharing the gospel and will strive for peace and reconciliation rather than seeking revenge. Let us never forget those who are persecuted to proclaim the Gospel!!
Daily Devotion
Psalm 46:10
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Am I rushing, anxious, stressed about it?
Learning to recognize God's voice means coming to a place of quiet patience, based on our trust in Him! Charles Stanley has said, "God's voice is still and quiet and easily buried under an avalanche of clamor". How true that is!
The world and our own human nature say, "Now! Hurry!" We live in an activistic society that influences us to say, "If it is going to happen, it is up to me!" But God says, "Cease striving and know that I am God". It goes against our nature, doesn't it? It is natural to trust in ourselves, but God wants us to "know that I am God". He wants us to rest in that knowledge and stop struggling. Striving is fuelled by fear, not faith.
For that reason, God wants you to learn to wait on Him. When you learn to get quiet and trust in God, that is so often when He speaks into your heart. What reason could there be for Him to speak to you when you are too busy and anxious to hear Him?
Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Am I rushing, anxious, stressed about it?
Learning to recognize God's voice means coming to a place of quiet patience, based on our trust in Him! Charles Stanley has said, "God's voice is still and quiet and easily buried under an avalanche of clamor". How true that is!
The world and our own human nature say, "Now! Hurry!" We live in an activistic society that influences us to say, "If it is going to happen, it is up to me!" But God says, "Cease striving and know that I am God". It goes against our nature, doesn't it? It is natural to trust in ourselves, but God wants us to "know that I am God". He wants us to rest in that knowledge and stop struggling. Striving is fuelled by fear, not faith.
For that reason, God wants you to learn to wait on Him. When you learn to get quiet and trust in God, that is so often when He speaks into your heart. What reason could there be for Him to speak to you when you are too busy and anxious to hear Him?
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