Thursday, February 11, 2010
A real eye opener
Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often? When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand. Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.. Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform. "Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this." "Hello, Jack." No smile. "Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids." "Yeah, I guess." Bob seemed uncertain. Good. "I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit -just this once." Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?" "I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct ." Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics. "What'd you clock me at?" "Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?" "Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket. "Please, Jack, in the car" Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip. "Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice. Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read: "Dear Jack, Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it- a speeding driver.. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters, all three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left." "Bob" Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Our daily blessings
Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah
Psalm 68:19.
I love this verse. It's one of my favorites. We often times take for granted all that the Lord blesses us with everyday. The air in our lungs, the beat of our heart, the sun raising, the rain falling, our work (good or bad the Lord still provided it) our car (or if not a car, our health so we can walk), a nice hot shower in the morning, food on our plates. See these are all things we don't even think about. We just have them and don't bother to even remember that the Lord blessed us with all this stuff. Psalms says He daily loads us with these benefits or I like to call them blessings. Do you hear that? Everyday the Lord is looking out for you and I and wanting to bless us. This is the God we serve. He loves us so so much and is always wanting to bless us. The God of the universe wanting to bless me, that just blows my mind.
So I challenge you, next time you go outside and see the sunrise and the beautiful trees or drive your car or eat breakfast, stop and take the time to thank our God for blessing you with that food, that car, that sunrise. Think of the Lord looking down at you at that very moment and saying "I love you and I want to bless you with this". Always remember. Count your blessings. Even if you are a little down and out, know that He still has you in mind and has blessed you more then you'll know. Take the time to quite yourself and listen to Him say "I love you".
Psalm 68:19.
I love this verse. It's one of my favorites. We often times take for granted all that the Lord blesses us with everyday. The air in our lungs, the beat of our heart, the sun raising, the rain falling, our work (good or bad the Lord still provided it) our car (or if not a car, our health so we can walk), a nice hot shower in the morning, food on our plates. See these are all things we don't even think about. We just have them and don't bother to even remember that the Lord blessed us with all this stuff. Psalms says He daily loads us with these benefits or I like to call them blessings. Do you hear that? Everyday the Lord is looking out for you and I and wanting to bless us. This is the God we serve. He loves us so so much and is always wanting to bless us. The God of the universe wanting to bless me, that just blows my mind.
So I challenge you, next time you go outside and see the sunrise and the beautiful trees or drive your car or eat breakfast, stop and take the time to thank our God for blessing you with that food, that car, that sunrise. Think of the Lord looking down at you at that very moment and saying "I love you and I want to bless you with this". Always remember. Count your blessings. Even if you are a little down and out, know that He still has you in mind and has blessed you more then you'll know. Take the time to quite yourself and listen to Him say "I love you".
Friday, January 22, 2010
Spiritual horsepower
One of the biggest trends in the automotive industry during the late 1990s and the first part of this century was the sport utility vehicle, or SUV. Maybe they became popular because we baby boomers didn't want to acknowledge that we had reached middle age or beyond, and we felt better driving some big, beefy vehicle with gnarly tires.
Most of these vehicles were built with four-wheel drive capability, but I've often wondered how many people actually use it. In fact, I would venture a guess that most people who have four-wheel drive capability on their SUVs wouldn't know how to use it if they had to. Essentially, these people have vehicles that were designed for one thing but are used for another.
In the Book of Ephesians, we learn a little bit about our spiritual horsepower: all that God has given to us and all that God has done for us. The problem is that a lot of us are in spiritual cruise control. We are not pursuing God. We are not following after righteousness. We have the four-wheel drive, but we are not moving forward.
We need to put what we have into gear and use it. There are mountains to climb. There is rugged terrain to navigate. There are opportunities for growth, but many of us are kicking back.
The Christian life is like a greased pole: either you are climbing or slipping. How about you? Are you climbing? Are you growing? Are you maturing? Or are you going backward?
It is time for us to use what God has given so we can go out and do some serious spiritual four-wheeling.
One characteristic of the Bible is that whenever it tells us to not do one thing, it gives you another thing to do in its place. This is very important. We are told to not do certain things, but to do other things instead.
For example, in Ephesians 4 we read, "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need" (verse 28 NKJV). In other words, those who have stolen need to stop stealing and do something productive so they can give to others.
Then, in verse 29 we're told, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (NKJV). Instead of foul things coming out of your mouth, let good things come out.
And 2 Timothy 2:22 tells us to "flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (NKJV). Flee and follow. Run from anything that stimulates lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do what is right.
Psalm 1:1 reminds us, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful . . . " (NKJV). That is what he doesn't do. But in contrast, "his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night" (verse 2 NKJV).
The best way to not go backward is to go forward. The best way to not lose ground is to gain ground. The best defense is a good offense. As we move forward spiritually, we won't do the things God tells us not to do.
This doesn't mean that we won't be tempted by those things. It doesn't mean they won't come knocking at the door of our hearts and imaginations, asking if they can come in. But it does mean that we will have a firmer resolve to resist them, because we are too busy doing the things of God.
As the hymn says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."
If you will commit yourself to grow in your love for Jesus Christ and be enamored with Him and dedicated to Him, then you will see this world for what it is.
God tells us what to stay away from for our own good, but He also tells us what to do for our own good as well. Our responsibility as followers of Christ, as those who have a guaranteed hope of heaven, is to do what we can to reach others with the Good News.
May God help us to do just that.
Greg Laurie [Signature]
Most of these vehicles were built with four-wheel drive capability, but I've often wondered how many people actually use it. In fact, I would venture a guess that most people who have four-wheel drive capability on their SUVs wouldn't know how to use it if they had to. Essentially, these people have vehicles that were designed for one thing but are used for another.
In the Book of Ephesians, we learn a little bit about our spiritual horsepower: all that God has given to us and all that God has done for us. The problem is that a lot of us are in spiritual cruise control. We are not pursuing God. We are not following after righteousness. We have the four-wheel drive, but we are not moving forward.
We need to put what we have into gear and use it. There are mountains to climb. There is rugged terrain to navigate. There are opportunities for growth, but many of us are kicking back.
The Christian life is like a greased pole: either you are climbing or slipping. How about you? Are you climbing? Are you growing? Are you maturing? Or are you going backward?
It is time for us to use what God has given so we can go out and do some serious spiritual four-wheeling.
One characteristic of the Bible is that whenever it tells us to not do one thing, it gives you another thing to do in its place. This is very important. We are told to not do certain things, but to do other things instead.
For example, in Ephesians 4 we read, "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need" (verse 28 NKJV). In other words, those who have stolen need to stop stealing and do something productive so they can give to others.
Then, in verse 29 we're told, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (NKJV). Instead of foul things coming out of your mouth, let good things come out.
And 2 Timothy 2:22 tells us to "flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (NKJV). Flee and follow. Run from anything that stimulates lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do what is right.
Psalm 1:1 reminds us, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful . . . " (NKJV). That is what he doesn't do. But in contrast, "his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night" (verse 2 NKJV).
The best way to not go backward is to go forward. The best way to not lose ground is to gain ground. The best defense is a good offense. As we move forward spiritually, we won't do the things God tells us not to do.
This doesn't mean that we won't be tempted by those things. It doesn't mean they won't come knocking at the door of our hearts and imaginations, asking if they can come in. But it does mean that we will have a firmer resolve to resist them, because we are too busy doing the things of God.
As the hymn says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."
If you will commit yourself to grow in your love for Jesus Christ and be enamored with Him and dedicated to Him, then you will see this world for what it is.
God tells us what to stay away from for our own good, but He also tells us what to do for our own good as well. Our responsibility as followers of Christ, as those who have a guaranteed hope of heaven, is to do what we can to reach others with the Good News.
May God help us to do just that.
Greg Laurie [Signature]
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Jesus in the clouds
Shortly after I forwarded the first picture to a friend, he then emailed this picture to me. Our God is amazing and He's always showing Himself if we just look.
God's hands
This was emailed to me from my uncle. He didn't take it but the guy who did said he was amazed. It was taken somewhere in Alabama.
A Word About Purgatory
2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-9
A great many people believe falsely in purgatory—a miserable place where people supposedly go after death. In order to advance to heaven, a person supposedly must either suffer long enough to make restitution for his or her sins or be prayed out by loved ones still living. The doctrine is an unbiblical lie, because purgatory is a thinly veiled second chance for people to get into heaven.
There is not a single verse with which to defend the false theology of purgatory. In fact, the very idea of a second route to heaven runs counter to God's redemptive plan. Jesus Christ was the substitute for you and me, and His death paid our sin-debt. He obtained our eternal redemption with His blood (Heb. 9:12). If there is a place where people can go to suffer for their own sins—in other words, pay their own penalty—then God sending His Son to die makes no sense.
In John 14:2, Jesus told the disciples that He was going away to prepare a place for His followers. Nowhere in Scripture do we find any mention of a detour into misery where we "earn" a pass into heaven. The Bible says that believers are either at home in the body, or absent from it and present with the Lord. There is simply no in-between stopover.
I respect the right to believe as one chooses. However, I have a responsibility to present biblical truth. Those who reject Christ get no second chance after death. They are eternally separated from God. But whoever receives salvation is completely forgiven of all sin and guaranteed an eternity with Him.
A word from In Touch Ministries
A great many people believe falsely in purgatory—a miserable place where people supposedly go after death. In order to advance to heaven, a person supposedly must either suffer long enough to make restitution for his or her sins or be prayed out by loved ones still living. The doctrine is an unbiblical lie, because purgatory is a thinly veiled second chance for people to get into heaven.
There is not a single verse with which to defend the false theology of purgatory. In fact, the very idea of a second route to heaven runs counter to God's redemptive plan. Jesus Christ was the substitute for you and me, and His death paid our sin-debt. He obtained our eternal redemption with His blood (Heb. 9:12). If there is a place where people can go to suffer for their own sins—in other words, pay their own penalty—then God sending His Son to die makes no sense.
In John 14:2, Jesus told the disciples that He was going away to prepare a place for His followers. Nowhere in Scripture do we find any mention of a detour into misery where we "earn" a pass into heaven. The Bible says that believers are either at home in the body, or absent from it and present with the Lord. There is simply no in-between stopover.
I respect the right to believe as one chooses. However, I have a responsibility to present biblical truth. Those who reject Christ get no second chance after death. They are eternally separated from God. But whoever receives salvation is completely forgiven of all sin and guaranteed an eternity with Him.
A word from In Touch Ministries
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Is Christ your all?
Christ Himself tells us in Matt 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
This should be our focus. Whether we are in the missions field or just working our 9 to 5 jobs. You don't have to travel to some foreign country to be used by God mightily. No matter where the Lord might be placing us that's our mission field. It's important to remember this. Be satisfied where your at and let God use you there. This doesn't mean that He'll keep you there forever but for the time He wants to use you there.
It's also important not to rush God or complain where your at. His timing is most perfect. Think about it He already knows what's going to happen years up the road where as we only see just the tiniest sliver. And don't you think that He has the best things in store for His children. Jesus said in Luke 11:11-13 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? V 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? v 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
The Lord gives good gifts to us His children. So trust in Him He has the best in store for you if you are His child. If your not then you can be. It's not hard. Ask Him into your life. Just talk to Him like you would talk to anyone else. He's listening. Then repent, this means to do a 180 and complete turn around not going back to what you left. Dropping your bad life style, bad friends, bars, clubs, sex what ever the case may be for you. And if you think this is just to hard, don't worry He's with you every step of the way. He'll never leave you. Check out this verse in Psalm 37:23 and 24. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. v 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. So even if we may fall He will always be there to help us back up. The Lord knows where not perfect and won't ever be on this earth this is why He sent His only Son to this earth to die a sinners death so that we may be free. Free to have a guiltless life, free to live and worship Him and all his glory. And just know that He's always there running the race with us.
Now this doesn't mean we sin without regard for the apostle Paul says in Romans 6:1 and 2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? v 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? This again is repentance. Walking away and never looking back. Dying to this sin. If something dies it doesn't come back, it's gone and this is what Paul is saying we do with our sins. This is not imposable as children of God because it's Jesus Christ within us fighting the battle and not us. But for a person living in the world without Christ this is imposable. Choose life, choose Christ.
This should be our focus. Whether we are in the missions field or just working our 9 to 5 jobs. You don't have to travel to some foreign country to be used by God mightily. No matter where the Lord might be placing us that's our mission field. It's important to remember this. Be satisfied where your at and let God use you there. This doesn't mean that He'll keep you there forever but for the time He wants to use you there.
It's also important not to rush God or complain where your at. His timing is most perfect. Think about it He already knows what's going to happen years up the road where as we only see just the tiniest sliver. And don't you think that He has the best things in store for His children. Jesus said in Luke 11:11-13 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? V 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? v 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
The Lord gives good gifts to us His children. So trust in Him He has the best in store for you if you are His child. If your not then you can be. It's not hard. Ask Him into your life. Just talk to Him like you would talk to anyone else. He's listening. Then repent, this means to do a 180 and complete turn around not going back to what you left. Dropping your bad life style, bad friends, bars, clubs, sex what ever the case may be for you. And if you think this is just to hard, don't worry He's with you every step of the way. He'll never leave you. Check out this verse in Psalm 37:23 and 24. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. v 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. So even if we may fall He will always be there to help us back up. The Lord knows where not perfect and won't ever be on this earth this is why He sent His only Son to this earth to die a sinners death so that we may be free. Free to have a guiltless life, free to live and worship Him and all his glory. And just know that He's always there running the race with us.
Now this doesn't mean we sin without regard for the apostle Paul says in Romans 6:1 and 2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? v 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? This again is repentance. Walking away and never looking back. Dying to this sin. If something dies it doesn't come back, it's gone and this is what Paul is saying we do with our sins. This is not imposable as children of God because it's Jesus Christ within us fighting the battle and not us. But for a person living in the world without Christ this is imposable. Choose life, choose Christ.
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