"For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." (James 1: 3-4)
To help our Christian brothers and sisters get back on the right path, we need to walk with them and show them the way. We first need to be sure we ourselves are in right relation with the Lord.
"And remember, no one who wants to do wrong should ever say, 'God is tempting me.' God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else either. Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions ... so don't be misled." (James 1: 13-16)
"Be quick to listen
(Be) slow to speak
(Be) slow to get angry.
Your anger can never make things right in God's sight." (James 1: 19-20)
"And remember, (the message God has planted in your heart) is a message to obey, not just listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your faith in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like." (James 1: 22-24)
"We all make mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. ... And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself." (James 3: 2, 6)
"If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie! For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil." (James 3: 13-16)
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere." (James 3:17)
David Sper from Our Daily Bread offers up this prayer, "Lord, give us courage to confront believers who have strayed, and then with gentleness restore by coming to their aid."
All Scripture today comes from the New Living Translation.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
God's standard. God's plan
God's standard.
God's plan --
Is it ours too?
Do we hear
His still small voice
Do we read
His Truths through His word shared with you and me -- The Holy Scriptures
Do we listen
Do we obey?
God's standard.
Is it not perfectness
Is not God
and Jesus His son
Perfect, without blemish
"Therefore you shall be perfect; just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
We are created
in His image,
Yet any perfectness
obtainable
was lost
the moment Adam and Eve rebelled, sinned
against God.
We too rebel
We sin
We have no perfectness
We are not without guilt.
God's plan.
The ideal.
That which He desires
for His children
Through obedience.
God's plan.
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' " (Genesis 1:26)
and God said to them,
"Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;" (Genesis 1:28a)
and God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the dearth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food." (Genesis 1:29)
and the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make a helper comparable to him. ... and the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam and he slept; and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. ... He made it into a woman, and He brought her to the man." (Genesis 2:18, 21, 22)
God's plan.
BUT,
we had other plans. We ignored God's plan. We refused to obey His commandments. We chose a different route.
God's plan.
"Then God saw everything He had made, and indeed it was very good."
(Genesis 1:31)
God's plan.
To show what happens to those who disobey,
the results of disobedience
To show, to help people realize the error of their ways.
To come to Him.
To walk with Him.
God's plan.
To send His son Jesus to earth
to pay the penalty for our sins
to become the gift
of freedom, of grace.
God's plan.
God's standard.
Higher.
Higher than yours or mine.
Highest of all.
"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20)
God's plan.
Where are you in God's plan?
To whom do you follow
To whom do you obey
God's plan --
Is it ours too?
Do we hear
His still small voice
Do we read
His Truths through His word shared with you and me -- The Holy Scriptures
Do we listen
Do we obey?
God's standard.
Is it not perfectness
Is not God
and Jesus His son
Perfect, without blemish
"Therefore you shall be perfect; just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
We are created
in His image,
Yet any perfectness
obtainable
was lost
the moment Adam and Eve rebelled, sinned
against God.
We too rebel
We sin
We have no perfectness
We are not without guilt.
God's plan.
The ideal.
That which He desires
for His children
Through obedience.
God's plan.
"Then God said, 'Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' " (Genesis 1:26)
and God said to them,
"Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;" (Genesis 1:28a)
and God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the dearth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food." (Genesis 1:29)
and the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make a helper comparable to him. ... and the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam and he slept; and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. ... He made it into a woman, and He brought her to the man." (Genesis 2:18, 21, 22)
God's plan.
BUT,
we had other plans. We ignored God's plan. We refused to obey His commandments. We chose a different route.
God's plan.
"Then God saw everything He had made, and indeed it was very good."
(Genesis 1:31)
God's plan.
To show what happens to those who disobey,
the results of disobedience
To show, to help people realize the error of their ways.
To come to Him.
To walk with Him.
God's plan.
To send His son Jesus to earth
to pay the penalty for our sins
to become the gift
of freedom, of grace.
God's plan.
God's standard.
Higher.
Higher than yours or mine.
Highest of all.
"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20)
God's plan.
Where are you in God's plan?
To whom do you follow
To whom do you obey
Saturday, August 8, 2009
One-liners
One-liners to give thought to:
“When our mortal eyes close on this world for the last time, our angels open our spiritual eyes and escort us personally before the face of God.”
"It is when we trust in His goodness that we find gladness."
Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong." - Abraham Lincoln
“When our mortal eyes close on this world for the last time, our angels open our spiritual eyes and escort us personally before the face of God.”
"It is when we trust in His goodness that we find gladness."
Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong." - Abraham Lincoln
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What?
During the Cedar Falls Bible Conference the last week of July one of the preachers talked about Bible doctrine under attack by the evangelical church - those who profess belief in Jesus Christ!
What do you believe?
What do you teach?
What gospel do you follow?
What does faith mean to you?
What do you really want in life?
What do you live for?
What price are you paying for what you believe?
What is the starting point?
"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert (distort) the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1: 6-7)
"For I am not ashamed (disappointed) of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.' " (Romans 1: 16-17)
We must remember what the true gospel is -- our starting point -- that Jesus Christ died for our sins - past, present and future - of all of mankind. He went to the cross, He shed His blood for us. He was buried. And after three days He rose again.
Life has no real meaning if we do not believe in this. If this is not your starting point, what you believe, what you teach, what you life for, is meaningless.
What are you holding onto that keeps you from living for what Jesus died for?
What do you believe?
What do you teach?
What gospel do you follow?
What does faith mean to you?
What do you really want in life?
What do you live for?
What price are you paying for what you believe?
What is the starting point?
"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert (distort) the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1: 6-7)
"For I am not ashamed (disappointed) of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.' " (Romans 1: 16-17)
We must remember what the true gospel is -- our starting point -- that Jesus Christ died for our sins - past, present and future - of all of mankind. He went to the cross, He shed His blood for us. He was buried. And after three days He rose again.
Life has no real meaning if we do not believe in this. If this is not your starting point, what you believe, what you teach, what you life for, is meaningless.
What are you holding onto that keeps you from living for what Jesus died for?
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Do we have Jesus' compassion?
Thought for the Day: "And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34)
Compassion -- helping another regardless of inconvenience.
Compassion -- great love, sincerity of heart to aid another because of their inabilities.
Compassion -- an overwhelming response to others' needs.
"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
One and another say to Jesus, "If You are willing You can make me clean." (1 Mark 40)
And Jesus responds likewise again and again, "I am willing; be cleansed."
(1 Mark 41)
Does this too apply similarly -- If we are willing we can teach another, we can help another understand the process, we can show another how to do something better?
Are we willing?
Are we moved with compassion, like Jesus? Are with moved with heartfelt love and concern for another human being to come to their aid whatever it may be?
As we follow our Lord faithfully, we become more aware of opportunities to show the kind of compassion He showed.
Compassion -- helping another regardless of inconvenience.
Compassion -- great love, sincerity of heart to aid another because of their inabilities.
Compassion -- an overwhelming response to others' needs.
"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
One and another say to Jesus, "If You are willing You can make me clean." (1 Mark 40)
And Jesus responds likewise again and again, "I am willing; be cleansed."
(1 Mark 41)
Does this too apply similarly -- If we are willing we can teach another, we can help another understand the process, we can show another how to do something better?
Are we willing?
Are we moved with compassion, like Jesus? Are with moved with heartfelt love and concern for another human being to come to their aid whatever it may be?
As we follow our Lord faithfully, we become more aware of opportunities to show the kind of compassion He showed.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Are you a nitpicker?
"This is wrong!" "Why is this locked?" "She doesn't dress properly." "I don't like that music." "Cut your hair!"
Nitpicking. That's what it is. Straying from the central focus of Jesus Christ to personal irritants.
"You can't preach here!" "You left, you aren't welcome to return."
More nitpicking. Straying from everything Jesus taught to personal agendas.
Jesus says in Acts 26: 17-18, "I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, for whom I now send you, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."
When we turn our minds and our hearts toward God, when we repent of our sins, when we admit the errors of our ways, only then can there be any certainty of being right with God.
It is what is right and true with God that is of any importance, not what we think our individual rights and truths are.
Why do we allow petty things to become so important, more important that the Lord?
Why do we become complacent?
Is God showing you some thing you don't want to face? Have you decided to fight against it and see only that which you want to see?
God speaks to us -- we hear Him when we are in close fellowship with Him. Even when we are angry and frustrated with situations and people around us, God hears us if we seek answers from Him, if we pray for His forgiveness, if we ask Him to show us what we're doing wrong, to guide us in His way.
It's when we have moved away from God and He is no longer central to our thinking, there is a problem. When we don't want His correction, when we don't care to be restored to fellowship with Him.
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten (discipline). Therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:19)
God does not condemn us. He wants His children to return, to be restored, to walk in completeness with Him.
But we must renounce our sinful ways. We must repent of our wrongs, to become right in God's sight, to stay right in His sight.
We must not prevent Jesus from being in His church, from being about His Father's work.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)
He's there and He's knocking. Have you opened the door of your heart to Him? Does He continue to reside within or have you kicked Him out and locked the door?
Nitpicking. That's what it is. Straying from the central focus of Jesus Christ to personal irritants.
"You can't preach here!" "You left, you aren't welcome to return."
More nitpicking. Straying from everything Jesus taught to personal agendas.
Jesus says in Acts 26: 17-18, "I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, for whom I now send you, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."
When we turn our minds and our hearts toward God, when we repent of our sins, when we admit the errors of our ways, only then can there be any certainty of being right with God.
It is what is right and true with God that is of any importance, not what we think our individual rights and truths are.
Why do we allow petty things to become so important, more important that the Lord?
Why do we become complacent?
Is God showing you some thing you don't want to face? Have you decided to fight against it and see only that which you want to see?
God speaks to us -- we hear Him when we are in close fellowship with Him. Even when we are angry and frustrated with situations and people around us, God hears us if we seek answers from Him, if we pray for His forgiveness, if we ask Him to show us what we're doing wrong, to guide us in His way.
It's when we have moved away from God and He is no longer central to our thinking, there is a problem. When we don't want His correction, when we don't care to be restored to fellowship with Him.
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten (discipline). Therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:19)
God does not condemn us. He wants His children to return, to be restored, to walk in completeness with Him.
But we must renounce our sinful ways. We must repent of our wrongs, to become right in God's sight, to stay right in His sight.
We must not prevent Jesus from being in His church, from being about His Father's work.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20)
He's there and He's knocking. Have you opened the door of your heart to Him? Does He continue to reside within or have you kicked Him out and locked the door?
Monday, August 3, 2009
One with God ... or separate?
Thought for the Day: "Now Samuel said to all Israel: 'Indeed I have heeded your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. And now here is the king, walking before you; and I am old and grayheaded, and look, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my childhood to this day. Here I am. Witness against me before the Lord and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I defrauded? Who have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you. And they said, 'You have not defrauded us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man's hand. Then he said to them, 'The Lord is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.' And they answered, 'He is witness.' And Samuel said to the people, 'It is the Lord who raised up Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt. Now therefore, stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous acts of the Lord which He did to you and your fathers. ... Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you." (I Samuel 12: 1-7, 23-24)
In I Samuel 12: 3, Samuel asks of the people when did he take that which wasn't his to take, when did he bribe another or take one, when was he dishonest, and in verse 4, the people declare he has not been guilty. The people agree the Lord is his witness.
Dr. Derek Thomas, who spoke frequently at the Cedar Falls Bible Conference this past week, said as a Christian, people may reject you and what you say, but your actions defend you, thereby giving honor, integrity to you. They see the sincerity of your actions, your ways, even if they disagree.
By our works we shall be known.
The works we do will bear witness to our beliefs. If we are truly one with the Lord, all we do will be honest, will show our integrity. In private or in public we are the same.
But when we step away from Jesus and settle our minds on outside influences, there is no oneness. What you were is not what you are.
By our works we shall be known.
Not by our former works, not by what we once were, but by what we are NOW.
Jesus Christ died for us. He gave His life to bring us eternal life. He showed us and continues to show us the way and we act like its no big deal?!
We are to proclaim the word of God, the truth of God. If it is in the Bible, it is true. There is no error found in the Bible - if you think there is, then you are not abiding in close fellowship with the Lord. You have stepped away, you are outside His boundary. You have moved into the realm of sin.
You can not be a believer of this, but not of that. You cannot chose one part of the Bible and not all. If you do, you are not living totally for God. You have fallen away from God's truths and have settled for lies. The Bible is true because God said so.
We are to pray continually, without ceasing, serve the Lord with all our heart. Not half-heartedly, not when it appeals to you.
Verse 24 tells us to consider ALL He has done, remember ALL He has done, count your blessings.
He saved me, He washed me, He cleansed me, He protects me, He guides me, He enables me, He teaches me, He loves me ...
What about you?
In I Samuel 12: 3, Samuel asks of the people when did he take that which wasn't his to take, when did he bribe another or take one, when was he dishonest, and in verse 4, the people declare he has not been guilty. The people agree the Lord is his witness.
Dr. Derek Thomas, who spoke frequently at the Cedar Falls Bible Conference this past week, said as a Christian, people may reject you and what you say, but your actions defend you, thereby giving honor, integrity to you. They see the sincerity of your actions, your ways, even if they disagree.
By our works we shall be known.
The works we do will bear witness to our beliefs. If we are truly one with the Lord, all we do will be honest, will show our integrity. In private or in public we are the same.
But when we step away from Jesus and settle our minds on outside influences, there is no oneness. What you were is not what you are.
By our works we shall be known.
Not by our former works, not by what we once were, but by what we are NOW.
Jesus Christ died for us. He gave His life to bring us eternal life. He showed us and continues to show us the way and we act like its no big deal?!
We are to proclaim the word of God, the truth of God. If it is in the Bible, it is true. There is no error found in the Bible - if you think there is, then you are not abiding in close fellowship with the Lord. You have stepped away, you are outside His boundary. You have moved into the realm of sin.
You can not be a believer of this, but not of that. You cannot chose one part of the Bible and not all. If you do, you are not living totally for God. You have fallen away from God's truths and have settled for lies. The Bible is true because God said so.
We are to pray continually, without ceasing, serve the Lord with all our heart. Not half-heartedly, not when it appeals to you.
Verse 24 tells us to consider ALL He has done, remember ALL He has done, count your blessings.
He saved me, He washed me, He cleansed me, He protects me, He guides me, He enables me, He teaches me, He loves me ...
What about you?
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Where is God in your life?
I just do not understand, yet I am as guilty as the next person. God tells us to look to Him, dwell on Him, abide in Him, pray continually, and enjoy sweet sweet fellowship with Him. But do we? It often seems to be that way only when we are at a God event, a spirit-filled event, such as a Bible Camp or Bible Conference. We study His word, we get wrapped up in what He has to say to us and we feel so enriched, so uplifted, so fulfilled. We are filled to the brim with praise for our Savior.
And then we fall.
It's like we return to the real world. Not that we weren't in the real world, but inevitably, something comes along and our high comes out from under us and we have very nearly fallen off a cliff.
I suppose that is God's way of showing us how much more we have to learn and grow. Start all over again. Looking to our Savior, dwelling on Him, abiding in Him, praying to Him, listening to Him, obeying Him, following Him, praising Him.
If we only did this continually, we would near fear, we would never think we are so smart. We would never get so caught up in things that irritate us, stupid petty things. We would never let situations get the best of us. Our total being would be centered, focused on Jesus. And He would enable us to get past all of it. But we don't do that. We strive to. We want to. We try to. For a little bit maybe we achieve our goal. But I think, unfortunately, our mind set is not on the truth, not on what Jesus says to do, not on living totally for Him.
And that is so sad, so stupid, so dumb.
It's more than a mind thing, its a total heart thing. It's more than something that happened in your heart many years ago and then just sat there. It's a growing, needing, loving forever and ever the Savior who made us whole. Why don't we live as whole?
I really do not understand. Yet I want to. I want to be what Jesus desires me to be, always, every moment, every day. I want to be whole.
And then we fall.
It's like we return to the real world. Not that we weren't in the real world, but inevitably, something comes along and our high comes out from under us and we have very nearly fallen off a cliff.
I suppose that is God's way of showing us how much more we have to learn and grow. Start all over again. Looking to our Savior, dwelling on Him, abiding in Him, praying to Him, listening to Him, obeying Him, following Him, praising Him.
If we only did this continually, we would near fear, we would never think we are so smart. We would never get so caught up in things that irritate us, stupid petty things. We would never let situations get the best of us. Our total being would be centered, focused on Jesus. And He would enable us to get past all of it. But we don't do that. We strive to. We want to. We try to. For a little bit maybe we achieve our goal. But I think, unfortunately, our mind set is not on the truth, not on what Jesus says to do, not on living totally for Him.
And that is so sad, so stupid, so dumb.
It's more than a mind thing, its a total heart thing. It's more than something that happened in your heart many years ago and then just sat there. It's a growing, needing, loving forever and ever the Savior who made us whole. Why don't we live as whole?
I really do not understand. Yet I want to. I want to be what Jesus desires me to be, always, every moment, every day. I want to be whole.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Reflection, refreshment, renewal, rejuvenation, rejoicing, reminders
A week's time away from the office has nearly ended. But who wants to dwell on that just yet. I want to share with you a little about my week.
Last Sunday, July 26, I listened to a wonderfully uplifting message titled "Take Time for a Time Out" from Psalm 46:10 which says, "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The message was delivered by my husband, but that was not what made it wonderful. It was simply the message given. The message of being still, of knowing, of abiding with our Holy God, of being complete with Him. It was a wonderful start to a God-filled week of rejuvenation, refreshment, renewal and even reminders of who we are as followers of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
This week was the Cedar Falls Bible Conference in Cedar Falls. It is a well-kept secret, as there are many in this state of Iowa who have no clue of its existence, with 2009 marking its 88th year. The conference is a week-long event, with speakers nightly and two sessions each morning. There is no registration fee; it is faith-based donation only. Speakers this year were Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, Dr. Michael Milton, Pastor Colin Smith, Dr. Derek Thomas, Youth Pastor Bill Kallenberg and Josh McDowell. Among musicians were soloist Diane Susek, Brethren men's gospel quartet, pianist Ronna Wyant.
Jim and I weren't able to spend the entire week at the conference, primarily because only I had the entire week off from work; he did not. So we drove up Sunday afternoon and came home Sunday night and again on Tuesday and on Thursday and on Friday. A lot of driving, even if only an hour each way. A lot of filling the gas tank. But oh what spiritual refreshment we received.
Thursday night we rented a cabin, but only I spent the night. Jim had to work Friday and he came up after a long work day. Our cabin had a name - Chickadee. Such a cute cozy place. And colorful - reds, oranges, yellows. A perfect place to relax, read. Thursday night was a bit on the chilly side and of course I didn't sleep well. Friday night was much improved and it was a few degrees warmer as well. We've talked of perhaps renting the cabin for the entire week next year during Bible Conference.
We walked around the conference grounds, fittingly called Riverview, because over yonder there is a view of the river, and we walked around a nearby cemetery and looked at tombstones and talked about the people buried there, and we enjoyed visiting with friends made over the many years we have come here and partaking of tasty sweet corn, brats, pie and ice cream.
This morning I read from Philippians 2:12-18. Those verses that particularly spoke to me were
(12) "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, ... (14) Do all things without murmuring and disputing, (15) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."
My thoughts ....
Not just with fellow believers, but with all of mankind we are to shine the light of Christ in ourselves so all may see, and we are to shine His light without complaining and murmuring, without finding fault in anything.
If I be for Christ, then I must walk as for Him, not for myself.
If I walk only for myself, how will any other see the Christ I want them to see?
If another doesn't know the Lord or is a new Christian, what they see in another who professes to be a Christian may leave them perplexed, uncertain as to why Christianity is so important. When they see complaints made against another, quarreling, untruths (lies), where is God in that person?
If Christ is the light, and He truly is, and if we are to shine as Christ in the world, but do not, but instead live in darkness, we are not presenting an accurate portrayal of Jesus. We have given ourselves over to the ways of the devil. For if we are not for Him are we not against Him? We cannot straddle the fence and be both.
We can not shine for Him in church or around fellow believers and become dull and dark elsewhere.
Today's morning sessions were presented by Bill Kallenberg, who has worked with youth for many years and is a youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga. He says it plain.
Points made:
But in whose strength did he fight? And in whose strength did he win? It was not his own. It was in God's strength that David fought and won.
Yes, David fought the giant again and again and again. There were five altogether. Read 2 Samuel 21:15-22 -- there are four others listed there -- giants I didn't remember there being, maybe you didn't remember there being five giants either. They were all relatives of The Giant, but its what they represent that is important.
There's the giant of pride ... the giant of hypocrisy ... the giant of gossip .... and the giant of multiple pain - rejection, longings, guilt, abandonment, resentment, bitterness, anger, finances, religion, unbelief, procrastination, laziness, rebellion are a few. Man I bet you never realized how many giants we have to contend with in our lives. What Kallenberg says is we have to get our eyes off of our problems and solely onto God; off the situation and on to supernatural power. The Lord alone will help us to overcome all the giants in our personal lives.
We must lay it all at Jesus' feet or in His hands. Give it to Jesus. Trust Him to enable you to overcome the fight with the giant you face. Continue to give it to Him. When you take it back, return it. The battle is the Lord's. The battle was won at Calvary.
Last Sunday, July 26, I listened to a wonderfully uplifting message titled "Take Time for a Time Out" from Psalm 46:10 which says, "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The message was delivered by my husband, but that was not what made it wonderful. It was simply the message given. The message of being still, of knowing, of abiding with our Holy God, of being complete with Him. It was a wonderful start to a God-filled week of rejuvenation, refreshment, renewal and even reminders of who we are as followers of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
This week was the Cedar Falls Bible Conference in Cedar Falls. It is a well-kept secret, as there are many in this state of Iowa who have no clue of its existence, with 2009 marking its 88th year. The conference is a week-long event, with speakers nightly and two sessions each morning. There is no registration fee; it is faith-based donation only. Speakers this year were Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, Dr. Michael Milton, Pastor Colin Smith, Dr. Derek Thomas, Youth Pastor Bill Kallenberg and Josh McDowell. Among musicians were soloist Diane Susek, Brethren men's gospel quartet, pianist Ronna Wyant.
Jim and I weren't able to spend the entire week at the conference, primarily because only I had the entire week off from work; he did not. So we drove up Sunday afternoon and came home Sunday night and again on Tuesday and on Thursday and on Friday. A lot of driving, even if only an hour each way. A lot of filling the gas tank. But oh what spiritual refreshment we received.
Thursday night we rented a cabin, but only I spent the night. Jim had to work Friday and he came up after a long work day. Our cabin had a name - Chickadee. Such a cute cozy place. And colorful - reds, oranges, yellows. A perfect place to relax, read. Thursday night was a bit on the chilly side and of course I didn't sleep well. Friday night was much improved and it was a few degrees warmer as well. We've talked of perhaps renting the cabin for the entire week next year during Bible Conference.
We walked around the conference grounds, fittingly called Riverview, because over yonder there is a view of the river, and we walked around a nearby cemetery and looked at tombstones and talked about the people buried there, and we enjoyed visiting with friends made over the many years we have come here and partaking of tasty sweet corn, brats, pie and ice cream.
This morning I read from Philippians 2:12-18. Those verses that particularly spoke to me were
(12) "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, ... (14) Do all things without murmuring and disputing, (15) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world."
My thoughts ....
Not just with fellow believers, but with all of mankind we are to shine the light of Christ in ourselves so all may see, and we are to shine His light without complaining and murmuring, without finding fault in anything.
If I be for Christ, then I must walk as for Him, not for myself.
If I walk only for myself, how will any other see the Christ I want them to see?
If another doesn't know the Lord or is a new Christian, what they see in another who professes to be a Christian may leave them perplexed, uncertain as to why Christianity is so important. When they see complaints made against another, quarreling, untruths (lies), where is God in that person?
If Christ is the light, and He truly is, and if we are to shine as Christ in the world, but do not, but instead live in darkness, we are not presenting an accurate portrayal of Jesus. We have given ourselves over to the ways of the devil. For if we are not for Him are we not against Him? We cannot straddle the fence and be both.
We can not shine for Him in church or around fellow believers and become dull and dark elsewhere.
Today's morning sessions were presented by Bill Kallenberg, who has worked with youth for many years and is a youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga. He says it plain.
Points made:
- Partial obedience to God is disobedience. If you're not being obedient at all points, then you're not being obedient at any point. You are sinning. Disobedience is sin.
- When we are confronted with a sin, we tend to blame someone else. We don't take responsibility for our mistakes. And when we finally do take responsibility, when we are so overwhelmed by the sorrow of what we have done, it may be too late.
- God can use whatever we have if we allow Him to take charge, control of our lives.
But in whose strength did he fight? And in whose strength did he win? It was not his own. It was in God's strength that David fought and won.
Yes, David fought the giant again and again and again. There were five altogether. Read 2 Samuel 21:15-22 -- there are four others listed there -- giants I didn't remember there being, maybe you didn't remember there being five giants either. They were all relatives of The Giant, but its what they represent that is important.
There's the giant of pride ... the giant of hypocrisy ... the giant of gossip .... and the giant of multiple pain - rejection, longings, guilt, abandonment, resentment, bitterness, anger, finances, religion, unbelief, procrastination, laziness, rebellion are a few. Man I bet you never realized how many giants we have to contend with in our lives. What Kallenberg says is we have to get our eyes off of our problems and solely onto God; off the situation and on to supernatural power. The Lord alone will help us to overcome all the giants in our personal lives.
We must lay it all at Jesus' feet or in His hands. Give it to Jesus. Trust Him to enable you to overcome the fight with the giant you face. Continue to give it to Him. When you take it back, return it. The battle is the Lord's. The battle was won at Calvary.
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