This most generous God... gives you something you can then give away.
2 Corinthians 9:11
The thing you want to reap must be the thing that you sow. Why?
Because the seeds you plant will reproduce after their own kind, whether for good or for bad.
"Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7).
Notice, you don't necessarily reap when you sow or where you sow, but you always reap what you sow.
Some of us want to plant weeds and get roses.
We're quick to judge others, yet we ourselves are the first to plead for mercy and understanding when we mess up.
A farmer doesn't sow corn and expect to reap potatoes.
Sometimes we shake our heads and wonder why God isn't blessing us with a harvest, forgetting that we haven't sown the right seed in the first place.
And there's one more principle of sowing and reaping we need to understand. We not only reap what we sow, we always reap more.
"For God, who gives seed to the farmer to plant, and later on, good crops to harvest and eat, will give you more and more seed to plant [not to hoard] and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more fruit from your harvest. Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much" (2 Corinthians 9:10-11 ).
Some people live by the philosophy "get all you can, can all you get, then sit on it."
But why would you want to do that when God has offered you something much better, backed up by the warranty of His Word?
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Think Like A Farmer (1)
He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2 Corinthians 9:6
You'll never see a farmer who refuses to plant seeds sitting around expecting a harvest. He may go to church regularly, be a good family man, have his devotions every day and share his faith with others, but he's not going to get a harvest without first planting. That's because the law of sowing and reaping is built into creation. "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest… will never cease" (Genesis 8:22 ).
And there's something else a farmer won't do; he won't eat the seed he should be planting. He knows he must start with his seed, not his need, if he's to reap a harvest.
Some of us approach God from a need standpoint,
"I can't give to the Lord because I have to pay these bills."
That's like a farmer saying,
"I can't plant this seed even though it'll yield a good crop, because I'm hungry right now."
This is where your faith must kick in. When a farmer plants his seed instead of eating it, it's an act of faith that his seed will turn into a harvest.
Now, he won't get his harvest right away. He must wait for the right season. But he's putting his faith in an unfailing law that God's placed in the universe, the law of sowing and reaping.
Are you getting the idea?
When you give, you're demonstrating faith in God's Word. When He tells you to sow generously so that you can reap generously, your willingness or reluctance to do what He says tells you whether or not you hold God and His promises in high esteem
2 Corinthians 9:6
You'll never see a farmer who refuses to plant seeds sitting around expecting a harvest. He may go to church regularly, be a good family man, have his devotions every day and share his faith with others, but he's not going to get a harvest without first planting. That's because the law of sowing and reaping is built into creation. "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest… will never cease" (Genesis 8:22 ).
And there's something else a farmer won't do; he won't eat the seed he should be planting. He knows he must start with his seed, not his need, if he's to reap a harvest.
Some of us approach God from a need standpoint,
"I can't give to the Lord because I have to pay these bills."
That's like a farmer saying,
"I can't plant this seed even though it'll yield a good crop, because I'm hungry right now."
This is where your faith must kick in. When a farmer plants his seed instead of eating it, it's an act of faith that his seed will turn into a harvest.
Now, he won't get his harvest right away. He must wait for the right season. But he's putting his faith in an unfailing law that God's placed in the universe, the law of sowing and reaping.
Are you getting the idea?
When you give, you're demonstrating faith in God's Word. When He tells you to sow generously so that you can reap generously, your willingness or reluctance to do what He says tells you whether or not you hold God and His promises in high esteem
A Lifetime Guarantee
Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
Psalm 23:6
Goodness and mercy. Not just goodness alone, for we all are flawed and in need of mercy. Not just mercy alone, for we all are fragile and inadequate, in need of God's goodness. So He guarantees both. And if that doesn't impress you, try this phrase: "all the days of my life." Think of the days that lie ahead of you: tough days raising children, days in a dead-end job, underpaid and financially strapped, days of loneliness, days of ill health, days of care giving.
Listen: "Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." All of them!
And what will the Shepherd do during those days?
He will follow you.
What a surprising way to describe God. We're accustomed to a God who remains in one place; who sits enthroned in the Heavens and rules.
But no, like a Shepherd who comes behind, gently coaxing His sheep forward, our Lord follows us.
Pursues us.
Tracks us down and wins us over.
Have you sensed Him pursuing you?
So often we miss Him; we don't know our Helper when He's near.
Yet He's always there;
through the kindness of a stranger;
through the question of a child or the commitment of a loved one;
through a word of encouragement spoken or a touch well timed we sense His presence.
Even when we choose our hovel over His house and our efforts over His grace, still He follows. Never forcing us. Never leaving us. Using all His power to convince us that He is who He is, and that He can be trusted to lead us home. What more could we ask for?
Psalm 23:6
Goodness and mercy. Not just goodness alone, for we all are flawed and in need of mercy. Not just mercy alone, for we all are fragile and inadequate, in need of God's goodness. So He guarantees both. And if that doesn't impress you, try this phrase: "all the days of my life." Think of the days that lie ahead of you: tough days raising children, days in a dead-end job, underpaid and financially strapped, days of loneliness, days of ill health, days of care giving.
Listen: "Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." All of them!
And what will the Shepherd do during those days?
He will follow you.
What a surprising way to describe God. We're accustomed to a God who remains in one place; who sits enthroned in the Heavens and rules.
But no, like a Shepherd who comes behind, gently coaxing His sheep forward, our Lord follows us.
Pursues us.
Tracks us down and wins us over.
Have you sensed Him pursuing you?
So often we miss Him; we don't know our Helper when He's near.
Yet He's always there;
through the kindness of a stranger;
through the question of a child or the commitment of a loved one;
through a word of encouragement spoken or a touch well timed we sense His presence.
Even when we choose our hovel over His house and our efforts over His grace, still He follows. Never forcing us. Never leaving us. Using all His power to convince us that He is who He is, and that He can be trusted to lead us home. What more could we ask for?
Twelve Days Of Christmas
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and
especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do withChristmas? .
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.
Someone during that era wrote this carol asa catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious realitywhich the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke&John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:
Love, Joy, Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and
especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do withChristmas? .
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.
Someone during that era wrote this carol asa catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious realitywhich the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke&John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:
Love, Joy, Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
If You Plan To Do It - Do It Now!
For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
James 4:14
Redwood trees last for 1,000 years. Most other things go relatively fast. A face lift lasts 6-10 years, a five dollar note one year, a painted white line on the road only four months.
"What about me?"
The average life span is between 75-80 years of age. That sounds pretty good if you're young, but tends to be sobering when you pass 50. The Bible says your life is like a vapour, and vapours aren't known for longevity; just a puff of smoke and they're gone!
So why are you still waiting?
You don't have forever, get at it!
You say you've always wanted to play the piano. Stop talking about it and start taking lessons!
Or that you've always dreamed of a trip to the Holy Land; call a travel agent. You say you hate your bathroom wallpaper; quit complaining - scrape it off and paint it the colour you like!
You say you feel better when you exercise; start jogging!
Or that you love the taste of home-grown tomatoes - grow some!
You say you're angry about the pot holes in your street; go to your town meeting!
You say you want to make a mark for God; talk to your pastor. And remember, you start at the bottom, not the top!
Think you're too old? Not a chance!
The older people in God's Word often made the biggest impact. So get out of neutral and get going. Put your life into God's hands and let Him show you what He can do with it!
James 4:14
Redwood trees last for 1,000 years. Most other things go relatively fast. A face lift lasts 6-10 years, a five dollar note one year, a painted white line on the road only four months.
"What about me?"
The average life span is between 75-80 years of age. That sounds pretty good if you're young, but tends to be sobering when you pass 50. The Bible says your life is like a vapour, and vapours aren't known for longevity; just a puff of smoke and they're gone!
So why are you still waiting?
You don't have forever, get at it!
You say you've always wanted to play the piano. Stop talking about it and start taking lessons!
Or that you've always dreamed of a trip to the Holy Land; call a travel agent. You say you hate your bathroom wallpaper; quit complaining - scrape it off and paint it the colour you like!
You say you feel better when you exercise; start jogging!
Or that you love the taste of home-grown tomatoes - grow some!
You say you're angry about the pot holes in your street; go to your town meeting!
You say you want to make a mark for God; talk to your pastor. And remember, you start at the bottom, not the top!
Think you're too old? Not a chance!
The older people in God's Word often made the biggest impact. So get out of neutral and get going. Put your life into God's hands and let Him show you what He can do with it!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
We Are Managers, Not Owners
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.
Psalm 24:1
It seems like the last part of us to surrender to God is our cheque book. The extent to which this is true explains why more of us are not growing into maturity faster than we are. Your attitude towards giving is like the lights on your car's dashboard. When one of those lights comes on, something under the bonnet needs attention before there's a break down. When God turns on the indicator light of money and giving in your life, it's not because He's hurting for cash. No, He's looking at something in your heart that you can't afford to ignore. And He wants to deal with it.
Many Christians suffer from a disease Dr. Tony Evans calls "cirrhosis of the giver." It's been around since the earliest days of the church, first diagnosed around 34 A.D. in a couple named Ananias and Sapphira who became greedy with God's gifts and suffered some really bad consequences (Acts 5:1-11). It's an acute condition. Those who have it show symptoms that include sudden paralysis and inability to reach for their purse or wallet at offering time. This strange symptom often disappears in stores, on golf courses, or when dining in fine restaurants. Some have attempted to treat this condition by offering tax deductions for charitable giving. But judging from the prevalence of the problem this incentive has not had great effect.
What's the answer? Realising that you are a manager - not an owner. You're simply overseeing what belongs to God. So when He asks you to give, regardless of how much, remember, He's just asking for what He already owns.
Psalm 24:1
It seems like the last part of us to surrender to God is our cheque book. The extent to which this is true explains why more of us are not growing into maturity faster than we are. Your attitude towards giving is like the lights on your car's dashboard. When one of those lights comes on, something under the bonnet needs attention before there's a break down. When God turns on the indicator light of money and giving in your life, it's not because He's hurting for cash. No, He's looking at something in your heart that you can't afford to ignore. And He wants to deal with it.
Many Christians suffer from a disease Dr. Tony Evans calls "cirrhosis of the giver." It's been around since the earliest days of the church, first diagnosed around 34 A.D. in a couple named Ananias and Sapphira who became greedy with God's gifts and suffered some really bad consequences (Acts 5:1-11). It's an acute condition. Those who have it show symptoms that include sudden paralysis and inability to reach for their purse or wallet at offering time. This strange symptom often disappears in stores, on golf courses, or when dining in fine restaurants. Some have attempted to treat this condition by offering tax deductions for charitable giving. But judging from the prevalence of the problem this incentive has not had great effect.
What's the answer? Realising that you are a manager - not an owner. You're simply overseeing what belongs to God. So when He asks you to give, regardless of how much, remember, He's just asking for what He already owns.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Seed-Form Blessings
That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:20
You must learn to recognise seed-form blessings.
Why?
Because for a period of time it may not be clear to others (or even you) that the Lord is with you.
Look at Mary: "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth… to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph…
The virgin's name was Mary.
The angel… said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.' Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.'…
'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?'
The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you… So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God… For nothing is impossible with God.'
'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said'" (Luke 1:26-38 ).
Notice the following things about Mary:
(a) She was capable of conceiving what God wanted.
(b) She could carry it full-term.
(c) She could deliver it in health.
(d) She could trust God with her unanswered questions.
(e) When the time came she could release it to fulfil God's plan, even though it meant the breaking of her heart.
The seed that went into the ground on Good Friday sprang to life on Easter Sunday and produced a harvest that changed the world.
So, learn to recognise your seed-form blessings.
Matthew 1:20
You must learn to recognise seed-form blessings.
Why?
Because for a period of time it may not be clear to others (or even you) that the Lord is with you.
Look at Mary: "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth… to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph…
The virgin's name was Mary.
The angel… said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.' Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.'…
'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?'
The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you… So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God… For nothing is impossible with God.'
'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said'" (Luke 1:26-38 ).
Notice the following things about Mary:
(a) She was capable of conceiving what God wanted.
(b) She could carry it full-term.
(c) She could deliver it in health.
(d) She could trust God with her unanswered questions.
(e) When the time came she could release it to fulfil God's plan, even though it meant the breaking of her heart.
The seed that went into the ground on Good Friday sprang to life on Easter Sunday and produced a harvest that changed the world.
So, learn to recognise your seed-form blessings.
Surrender It!
Trust in the Lord.
Proverbs 3:5
Ever notice how much energy it takes to keep a tight grip on something? Come on, you know what you're holding on to, don't you? You're in turmoil because you can't control the people or circumstances in your life. Hey, release your grip. Go ahead: surrender it to God. You'll be amazed at how much more energy you'll have, and how much easier life will be. Once you make the choice to surrender it to God, your hardest days become your easiest.
A.W. Tozer wrote: "Father, my cowardly heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from You my terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that You may enter and dwell there without a rival."
You say, "Surrender what?"
(1) Your position! Place it all before your God. Find your security, your identity and your contentment in Him.
(2) Your plans! Plan wisely, but be ready for God to rearrange things and take you along paths that may be uncomfortable for you. Nothing this side of Heaven is permanent, including relationships. Enjoy the time you have with your loved ones, but avoid the temptation to cling.
(3) Your anxiety! If your emotions are wrapped around some issue involving a possession, a job, a particular expectation or a relationship, you aren't fully relying on God.
No, you're still clinging to lesser things.
Stop. Let it go!
You're delaying the surprise God has waiting for you.
Proverbs 3:5
Ever notice how much energy it takes to keep a tight grip on something? Come on, you know what you're holding on to, don't you? You're in turmoil because you can't control the people or circumstances in your life. Hey, release your grip. Go ahead: surrender it to God. You'll be amazed at how much more energy you'll have, and how much easier life will be. Once you make the choice to surrender it to God, your hardest days become your easiest.
A.W. Tozer wrote: "Father, my cowardly heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from You my terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that You may enter and dwell there without a rival."
You say, "Surrender what?"
(1) Your position! Place it all before your God. Find your security, your identity and your contentment in Him.
(2) Your plans! Plan wisely, but be ready for God to rearrange things and take you along paths that may be uncomfortable for you. Nothing this side of Heaven is permanent, including relationships. Enjoy the time you have with your loved ones, but avoid the temptation to cling.
(3) Your anxiety! If your emotions are wrapped around some issue involving a possession, a job, a particular expectation or a relationship, you aren't fully relying on God.
No, you're still clinging to lesser things.
Stop. Let it go!
You're delaying the surprise God has waiting for you.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Discover What's Inside You
Let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be.
Romans 12:6
Fifty years ago The Golden Buddha was discovered in the city of Bangkok, Thailand. For years a huge, ugly, plaster Buddha sat in the middle of town. Visitors put empty soft drink cans and other rubbish on it. Then one day a priest decided to take the old statue to his temple. In the moving process it cracked. As the pieces crumbled the priest noticed something underneath the plaster shell. He gathered some helpers. They pulled the shell away and inside they found the world's largest chunk of sculptured gold, standing three metres high. For years it had been there - but no one knew it.
And you are a lot like that statue.
Your real value is inside, if you'd only stop and take inventory of it.
You cannot consistently perform in a manner that's inconsistent with the way you see yourself.
You'll perform at a level that reflects your perspective of yourself.
If you think you're average, you'll perform in an average way.
Once in a while you may have a really great day and perform higher.
You might even think, "That was awesome, I really out did myself!"
However, unless you discover your God-given gifts, value and potential, you'll retreat to your old level of living because you think: "That's not the real me." What a loss.
Paul writes, "Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvellously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't" (Romans 12:6 ).
Romans 12:6
Fifty years ago The Golden Buddha was discovered in the city of Bangkok, Thailand. For years a huge, ugly, plaster Buddha sat in the middle of town. Visitors put empty soft drink cans and other rubbish on it. Then one day a priest decided to take the old statue to his temple. In the moving process it cracked. As the pieces crumbled the priest noticed something underneath the plaster shell. He gathered some helpers. They pulled the shell away and inside they found the world's largest chunk of sculptured gold, standing three metres high. For years it had been there - but no one knew it.
And you are a lot like that statue.
Your real value is inside, if you'd only stop and take inventory of it.
You cannot consistently perform in a manner that's inconsistent with the way you see yourself.
You'll perform at a level that reflects your perspective of yourself.
If you think you're average, you'll perform in an average way.
Once in a while you may have a really great day and perform higher.
You might even think, "That was awesome, I really out did myself!"
However, unless you discover your God-given gifts, value and potential, you'll retreat to your old level of living because you think: "That's not the real me." What a loss.
Paul writes, "Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvellously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't" (Romans 12:6 ).
A Bright Answer
God... separated the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:3
There is a story that goes… A university professor challenged his class:
"Did God create everything?"
A student replied,
"Yes."
The professor continued:
"If God created everything, then He created evil too. And since our works define who we are, then God is evil."
The class became silent. Suddenly another student raised his hand and asked, "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Yes."
The student replied,
"No, sir, darkness does not exist. Darkness is just the absence of light. Light, we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break the white light into many colours and study the various wavelengths of each colour. But you cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Then the young man asked, "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded,
"Of course."
To this the student replied, "No, evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. It is simply the absence of God.
It is just like darkness, a word that man has created to describe the absence of light.
God did not create evil.
It is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart.
Evil is like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
Genesis 1:3
There is a story that goes… A university professor challenged his class:
"Did God create everything?"
A student replied,
"Yes."
The professor continued:
"If God created everything, then He created evil too. And since our works define who we are, then God is evil."
The class became silent. Suddenly another student raised his hand and asked, "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Yes."
The student replied,
"No, sir, darkness does not exist. Darkness is just the absence of light. Light, we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break the white light into many colours and study the various wavelengths of each colour. But you cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Then the young man asked, "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded,
"Of course."
To this the student replied, "No, evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. It is simply the absence of God.
It is just like darkness, a word that man has created to describe the absence of light.
God did not create evil.
It is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart.
Evil is like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
When We Pray - God Works!
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Two things about prayer are truly amazing:
(1) God listens when we pray. "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Mark 11:24). You may not have much clout anywhere else, but when you pray God listens.
(2) We seldom pray. We've the greatest privilege imaginable - access to the control centre of the Universe - yet we rarely use it. And our lack of prayer surprises God. Through the prophet Ezekiel He lamented: "I sought for a man among them who would… stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one" (Ezekiel 22:30 ).
Upon learning that Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed, Abraham didn't rush to warn the cities. No, he chose to "[remain] standing before the Lord" (Genesis 18:22 ).
When God said the golden calf warranted a nationwide death penalty for Israel, Moses interceded and saved them. One translation of Exodus 32:11 says, "Moses soothed the face of his God." An obscure priest by the name of Phinehas begged God not to send the plague, and it was checked. (Psalm 106:30 ).
You say "Why place such a premium on prayer?"
Simple.
Because when we work, we work. But when we pray, God works!
Scripture attaches breathtaking power to prayer.
"When two of you get together on anything… and make a prayer of it, My Father in Heaven goes into action" (Matthew 18:19 ).
Does any other activity promise such results?
Did God call us to preach without ceasing?
Or have committee meetings without ceasing?
No, but He did call us to
"pray without ceasing."
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Two things about prayer are truly amazing:
(1) God listens when we pray. "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Mark 11:24). You may not have much clout anywhere else, but when you pray God listens.
(2) We seldom pray. We've the greatest privilege imaginable - access to the control centre of the Universe - yet we rarely use it. And our lack of prayer surprises God. Through the prophet Ezekiel He lamented: "I sought for a man among them who would… stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one" (Ezekiel 22:30 ).
Upon learning that Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed, Abraham didn't rush to warn the cities. No, he chose to "[remain] standing before the Lord" (Genesis 18:22 ).
When God said the golden calf warranted a nationwide death penalty for Israel, Moses interceded and saved them. One translation of Exodus 32:11 says, "Moses soothed the face of his God." An obscure priest by the name of Phinehas begged God not to send the plague, and it was checked. (Psalm 106:30 ).
You say "Why place such a premium on prayer?"
Simple.
Because when we work, we work. But when we pray, God works!
Scripture attaches breathtaking power to prayer.
"When two of you get together on anything… and make a prayer of it, My Father in Heaven goes into action" (Matthew 18:19 ).
Does any other activity promise such results?
Did God call us to preach without ceasing?
Or have committee meetings without ceasing?
No, but He did call us to
"pray without ceasing."
A Word To Teachers (3)
I press on toward the goal.
Philippians 3:14
If you want to become a change agent, you yourself must change!
And you're never too old to do that.
Change has nothing to do with your age and everything to do with your attitude.
"Well, I'm just getting too old," you say. How old is too old? Have you died? "No," you say, "I'm still alive." Good! Then learn - or you'll die mentally.
Older people can be excellent learners. Somewhere along the line we've taken in the mistaken idea that you can't teach an old dog new tricks - which is true if you're teaching dogs and if you're teaching tricks. But you are not in the business of either one, are you?
Some folks in their 20's are dead in the head, while others in their 80's are plugged in and going places.
The apostle Paul was.
Near the end of his life, when most people are looking for rocking chairs, he wrote: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me" (Philippians 3:13-14 ).
Paul was neither impressed by his successes nor intimidated by his failures. He learned from his past, but he refused to live in it. His goal was always before him. And he was just as properly related to the present.
He said, "I press on."
Every day when Paul's eyes opened he thought, "It's a new day full of possibilities; Lord help me to max every moment!"
As they say, "The older the fiddle the sweeter the tune" - but only if you keep practicing and stay in shape!
Philippians 3:14
If you want to become a change agent, you yourself must change!
And you're never too old to do that.
Change has nothing to do with your age and everything to do with your attitude.
"Well, I'm just getting too old," you say. How old is too old? Have you died? "No," you say, "I'm still alive." Good! Then learn - or you'll die mentally.
Older people can be excellent learners. Somewhere along the line we've taken in the mistaken idea that you can't teach an old dog new tricks - which is true if you're teaching dogs and if you're teaching tricks. But you are not in the business of either one, are you?
Some folks in their 20's are dead in the head, while others in their 80's are plugged in and going places.
The apostle Paul was.
Near the end of his life, when most people are looking for rocking chairs, he wrote: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me" (Philippians 3:13-14 ).
Paul was neither impressed by his successes nor intimidated by his failures. He learned from his past, but he refused to live in it. His goal was always before him. And he was just as properly related to the present.
He said, "I press on."
Every day when Paul's eyes opened he thought, "It's a new day full of possibilities; Lord help me to max every moment!"
As they say, "The older the fiddle the sweeter the tune" - but only if you keep practicing and stay in shape!
A Word To Teachers (2)
Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Luke 6:40
Stop growing and you stop teaching! The truth doesn't change, but your understanding of it should.
Peter writes: "Grow in … grace and knowledge" (2 Peter 3:18 ). This requires the attitude that you haven't yet "arrived." Those who apply this principle are always asking, "How can I improve?"
Dr. Howard Hendricks writes: "When I was a college student… I worked in the dining hall. On my way to work at 5:30 each morning I walked past the home of one of my professors. Through a window I could see a light on at his desk. He was poring over his books. One day he invited me home for lunch and I said: 'Would you mind if I asked you a question? What keeps you studying? You never seem to stop.' He answered 'Son, I would rather have my students drink from a running stream than a stagnant pool.' He was one of the best professors I ever had - a man who marked me permanently." Do you teach others? From what are you drinking?
Jesus said, "Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher."
Those words should either excite you - or drive you to your knees! If you want to touch others you must first ask God to touch you. He desires to work through you, but He can't until He works in you. He'll use you as His instrument, but first He wants to sharpen and cleanse that instrument so it becomes a more effective tool in His hands.
So, if you want to strengthen your teaching, do everything in your power to strengthen the teacher - yourself!
Luke 6:40
Stop growing and you stop teaching! The truth doesn't change, but your understanding of it should.
Peter writes: "Grow in … grace and knowledge" (2 Peter 3:18 ). This requires the attitude that you haven't yet "arrived." Those who apply this principle are always asking, "How can I improve?"
Dr. Howard Hendricks writes: "When I was a college student… I worked in the dining hall. On my way to work at 5:30 each morning I walked past the home of one of my professors. Through a window I could see a light on at his desk. He was poring over his books. One day he invited me home for lunch and I said: 'Would you mind if I asked you a question? What keeps you studying? You never seem to stop.' He answered 'Son, I would rather have my students drink from a running stream than a stagnant pool.' He was one of the best professors I ever had - a man who marked me permanently." Do you teach others? From what are you drinking?
Jesus said, "Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher."
Those words should either excite you - or drive you to your knees! If you want to touch others you must first ask God to touch you. He desires to work through you, but He can't until He works in you. He'll use you as His instrument, but first He wants to sharpen and cleanse that instrument so it becomes a more effective tool in His hands.
So, if you want to strengthen your teaching, do everything in your power to strengthen the teacher - yourself!
A Word To Teachers (1)
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life.
2 Timothy 3:10
If you want your teaching to have impact, you must do these three things:
(1) Know your students.
And that takes commitment and time. This is where we lose a lot of teachers. There's no magic formula. Good teaching has a price tag: you've got to be willing to pour out your life for others. If your students have to trip you up on your way out of class in order to have a moment with you, you're not going to reach them. People don't care how much you know, until they first know how much you care.
(2) Earn the right to be heard.
Walk out on the street and tell the first guy you meet that you know what his problem is - and he'll probably give you a piece of his mind. Even if you know what his problem is, you won't get through to him. Credibility must precede communication. And our celebrity society has never figured that out. You must earn a hearing!
(3) Be willing to become vulnerable.
It's the broken who become masters at mending. Don't be afraid to let people know what you're struggling with, and what you've struggled with through the years. People tend to see us in terms of where we are now, rather than in light of where we've come from and what we've been through. They didn't see the process. So tell them about the God you know personally, and what He's brought you through. That'll impact them every time!
Want to be a teacher who "gets through?" Practice these principles.
2 Timothy 3:10
If you want your teaching to have impact, you must do these three things:
(1) Know your students.
And that takes commitment and time. This is where we lose a lot of teachers. There's no magic formula. Good teaching has a price tag: you've got to be willing to pour out your life for others. If your students have to trip you up on your way out of class in order to have a moment with you, you're not going to reach them. People don't care how much you know, until they first know how much you care.
(2) Earn the right to be heard.
Walk out on the street and tell the first guy you meet that you know what his problem is - and he'll probably give you a piece of his mind. Even if you know what his problem is, you won't get through to him. Credibility must precede communication. And our celebrity society has never figured that out. You must earn a hearing!
(3) Be willing to become vulnerable.
It's the broken who become masters at mending. Don't be afraid to let people know what you're struggling with, and what you've struggled with through the years. People tend to see us in terms of where we are now, rather than in light of where we've come from and what we've been through. They didn't see the process. So tell them about the God you know personally, and what He's brought you through. That'll impact them every time!
Want to be a teacher who "gets through?" Practice these principles.
Stay Sharp!
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has th
Ecclesiastes 10:10
Did you hear about the two lumberjacks who challenged each other to see which one could cut down more trees in a day?
At daybreak the first one began furiously chopping down trees. He worked up a sweat and by noon he had cut down 16 trees. Meanwhile the other lumberjack was way behind because he took the first two hours to sharpen his axe. As he sharpened it his challenger laughed at him thinking he was doomed to lose the race because of all that wasted time. That's when things got interesting. By early afternoon the first lumberjack was slowing down. It took him almost an hour to cut down one tree, while his friend was catching up fast. How could this be? Certainly he was as strong as his friend. Unfortunately, strength had little to do with it. It was all about whose axe was sharper. The sharper the axe - the quicker the trees came down. By late afternoon the second lumberjack who'd sharpened his axe had passed his friend by several trees and won easily.
There's an important lesson there for you. Your ceaseless activity may feed your ego and satisfy your need to be needed, but eventually:
(a) it will leave you dull Spiritually, emotionally and mentally;
(b) the people who need and applaud you now will discover it and go looking for someone sharper, leaving you feeling "used" and unappreciated;
(c) because you've lost your edge you'll be unprepared for what God has for you next!
So, stay sharp!
Ecclesiastes 10:10
Did you hear about the two lumberjacks who challenged each other to see which one could cut down more trees in a day?
At daybreak the first one began furiously chopping down trees. He worked up a sweat and by noon he had cut down 16 trees. Meanwhile the other lumberjack was way behind because he took the first two hours to sharpen his axe. As he sharpened it his challenger laughed at him thinking he was doomed to lose the race because of all that wasted time. That's when things got interesting. By early afternoon the first lumberjack was slowing down. It took him almost an hour to cut down one tree, while his friend was catching up fast. How could this be? Certainly he was as strong as his friend. Unfortunately, strength had little to do with it. It was all about whose axe was sharper. The sharper the axe - the quicker the trees came down. By late afternoon the second lumberjack who'd sharpened his axe had passed his friend by several trees and won easily.
There's an important lesson there for you. Your ceaseless activity may feed your ego and satisfy your need to be needed, but eventually:
(a) it will leave you dull Spiritually, emotionally and mentally;
(b) the people who need and applaud you now will discover it and go looking for someone sharper, leaving you feeling "used" and unappreciated;
(c) because you've lost your edge you'll be unprepared for what God has for you next!
So, stay sharp!
You Need The Church
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.
Hebrews 10:25
The Church is God's life-support system for individual Christians. Nobody expects a baby to grow on its own, and God never meant for us to grow and develop Spiritually in isolation. Spiritual growth is a group project, which should be good news to you because that means you don't have to do it all by yourself. You need to be surrounded by Spiritual fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who can help you. Adam's aloneness was the only part of creation that God said was "not good" (Genesis 2:18).
The universal church is made up of believers everywhere, the local church is made up of believers somewhere. The writer in Hebrews states, "Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do" (Hebrews 10:25 ).
You say, "But I don't need encouragement and I don't need help."
Perhaps not today, but what about next week or next month? And what about the people who need your help and encouragement?
There are two kinds of growth:
(1) Symbiotic growth, which occurs when two organisms both benefit by the relationship.
(2) Parasitic growth, which occurs when one organism feeds off another without giving anything back.
Paul describes the church as "God's household" (Ephesians 2:19 ) in which the members grow by being "fitted together" and by being "built together for a dwelling place of God" (Ephesians 2:21-22 ).
We are all to be part of something bigger than any one of us. There is no mention in Paul's words of individual growth apart from the church. We only grow as we connect, relate, contribute, and receive one from another.
Hebrews 10:25
The Church is God's life-support system for individual Christians. Nobody expects a baby to grow on its own, and God never meant for us to grow and develop Spiritually in isolation. Spiritual growth is a group project, which should be good news to you because that means you don't have to do it all by yourself. You need to be surrounded by Spiritual fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who can help you. Adam's aloneness was the only part of creation that God said was "not good" (Genesis 2:18).
The universal church is made up of believers everywhere, the local church is made up of believers somewhere. The writer in Hebrews states, "Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do" (Hebrews 10:25 ).
You say, "But I don't need encouragement and I don't need help."
Perhaps not today, but what about next week or next month? And what about the people who need your help and encouragement?
There are two kinds of growth:
(1) Symbiotic growth, which occurs when two organisms both benefit by the relationship.
(2) Parasitic growth, which occurs when one organism feeds off another without giving anything back.
Paul describes the church as "God's household" (Ephesians 2:19 ) in which the members grow by being "fitted together" and by being "built together for a dwelling place of God" (Ephesians 2:21-22 ).
We are all to be part of something bigger than any one of us. There is no mention in Paul's words of individual growth apart from the church. We only grow as we connect, relate, contribute, and receive one from another.
How's Your Prayer Life?
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Prayer is not a monologue where one person does all the talking, or a ritual where we must say things in the right order, or a chore to get out of the way like brushing our teeth before going to bed. Jesus rejects this performance-based understanding of prayer: "Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace" (Matthew 6:6 TM).
For many, prayer has little to do with the realities of life. They think of it like the National Anthem at a game: a nice opening, but nothing to do with what happens on the field afterwards.
Other people treat prayer like a rabbit's foot you pull out and rub when things are tough: "A prayer a day keeps the devil away."
Paul writes, "Pray without ceasing."
That doesn't sound like something you do once in a while, or a flare you shoot up during a crisis. Try substituting the word breathe for the word pray: "breathe without ceasing" - doesn't that sound like a good idea to you? We don't breathe only when we feel like it. Or decide, "I'm not into oxygen today," and stop breathing. Or get frustrated and say, "This isn't getting me anywhere. I'm not going to do it any more." No, we cling to the breath in our bodies like it's life.
So, just as breathing is an indispensable part of your natural life, prayer is an indispensable part of Spiritual life. Without it you die Spiritually.
So, how's your prayer life?
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Prayer is not a monologue where one person does all the talking, or a ritual where we must say things in the right order, or a chore to get out of the way like brushing our teeth before going to bed. Jesus rejects this performance-based understanding of prayer: "Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace" (Matthew 6:6 TM).
For many, prayer has little to do with the realities of life. They think of it like the National Anthem at a game: a nice opening, but nothing to do with what happens on the field afterwards.
Other people treat prayer like a rabbit's foot you pull out and rub when things are tough: "A prayer a day keeps the devil away."
Paul writes, "Pray without ceasing."
That doesn't sound like something you do once in a while, or a flare you shoot up during a crisis. Try substituting the word breathe for the word pray: "breathe without ceasing" - doesn't that sound like a good idea to you? We don't breathe only when we feel like it. Or decide, "I'm not into oxygen today," and stop breathing. Or get frustrated and say, "This isn't getting me anywhere. I'm not going to do it any more." No, we cling to the breath in our bodies like it's life.
So, just as breathing is an indispensable part of your natural life, prayer is an indispensable part of Spiritual life. Without it you die Spiritually.
So, how's your prayer life?
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
LOVE
Towards the end of the liturgical year, the reading all about end of the world...
why should we worry about the end of the world, we should LOVE one another, let see how :
L-listen to what God is saying to you.
O-be open to God
V-vision
E-encounter with God.
If we love one another, the world will be peace.
why should we worry about the end of the world, we should LOVE one another, let see how :
L-listen to what God is saying to you.
O-be open to God
V-vision
E-encounter with God.
If we love one another, the world will be peace.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
The "Our Father" Prayer:
Do I Really Mean What I Pray?
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, "Praying the Our Father and living it will lead us toward saintliness. The Our Father contains everything: God, ourselves, our neighbors...."
Examine how well you live what you pray as you meditate on the following:
I cannot say OUR if I keep my faith only to myself and never share it with others.
I cannot say FATHER if I do not trust in His loving and complete concern for me, forgetting that He always answers prayers how and when He knows is best.
I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if I am so attached to the ways of this world that I neglect to seek God first in everything.
I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I am unwilling to let His holiness penetrate my life and help me grow in my own holiness.
I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am not using my life to bring His love into the world.
I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I live by my own ideas of morality or choose to follow the world’s standards.
I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN if I am not devoting my life to serving Him here on earth.
I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD if I am not willing to be generous with whatever God gives me.
I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES if I don’t want to put forth enough effort to change.
I cannot say AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US if I still hold a grudge, if I’m still angry, or if I still insist that other people change.
I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION if I deliberately or knowingly place myself in a position to be tempted.
I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I’m not actively fighting against evil through deeds of love and service for everyone in my life, especially those who cause problems.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, "Praying the Our Father and living it will lead us toward saintliness. The Our Father contains everything: God, ourselves, our neighbors...."
Examine how well you live what you pray as you meditate on the following:
I cannot say OUR if I keep my faith only to myself and never share it with others.
I cannot say FATHER if I do not trust in His loving and complete concern for me, forgetting that He always answers prayers how and when He knows is best.
I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if I am so attached to the ways of this world that I neglect to seek God first in everything.
I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I am unwilling to let His holiness penetrate my life and help me grow in my own holiness.
I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am not using my life to bring His love into the world.
I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I live by my own ideas of morality or choose to follow the world’s standards.
I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN if I am not devoting my life to serving Him here on earth.
I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD if I am not willing to be generous with whatever God gives me.
I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES if I don’t want to put forth enough effort to change.
I cannot say AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US if I still hold a grudge, if I’m still angry, or if I still insist that other people change.
I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION if I deliberately or knowingly place myself in a position to be tempted.
I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I’m not actively fighting against evil through deeds of love and service for everyone in my life, especially those who cause problems.
Wise Up!
I fear that... I myself might be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27
Let's take another look at Samson!
(1) He broke the rules!
The relationships he formed destroyed him. The Bible warns: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6:14).
An ox and a donkey can't work in the same harness.
Why?
Because their natures are different!
When God says "no" to certain things He's not being difficult, He's being protective. Heed Him!
(2) He lived by his impulses!
He thought he was in love when he was only in heat. When confronted about his relationship choices he replied, "She pleases me well" (Judges 14:3). Before it was over he became a laughing stock. Peter writes: "Abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul" (1 Peter 2:11 ).
In war the strongest side wins, so keep your impulses in check.
(3) He misused his gift!
Samson exploited his God-given strength for personal gain. Listen to these words spoken to his Philistine buddies, concerning a bet he'd made with them: "Then you shall give me" (Judges 14:13).
God gives us gifts to fulfil His purposes, not ours. When we misuse them we end up in trouble.
(4) He was blind to his weaknesses!
You may not like to believe that your private imperfections will have public consequences, but you can't escape what you are. If Satan attacked Jesus three times in the wilderness, he's not going to give you a free pass!
Protect yourself! Satan always attacks those who are in line for God's blessing. Why does God make such a big deal of this?
Because sin hurts us, and anything that hurts one of His children makes Him angry.
1 Corinthians 9:27
Let's take another look at Samson!
(1) He broke the rules!
The relationships he formed destroyed him. The Bible warns: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6:14).
An ox and a donkey can't work in the same harness.
Why?
Because their natures are different!
When God says "no" to certain things He's not being difficult, He's being protective. Heed Him!
(2) He lived by his impulses!
He thought he was in love when he was only in heat. When confronted about his relationship choices he replied, "She pleases me well" (Judges 14:3). Before it was over he became a laughing stock. Peter writes: "Abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul" (1 Peter 2:11 ).
In war the strongest side wins, so keep your impulses in check.
(3) He misused his gift!
Samson exploited his God-given strength for personal gain. Listen to these words spoken to his Philistine buddies, concerning a bet he'd made with them: "Then you shall give me" (Judges 14:13).
God gives us gifts to fulfil His purposes, not ours. When we misuse them we end up in trouble.
(4) He was blind to his weaknesses!
You may not like to believe that your private imperfections will have public consequences, but you can't escape what you are. If Satan attacked Jesus three times in the wilderness, he's not going to give you a free pass!
Protect yourself! Satan always attacks those who are in line for God's blessing. Why does God make such a big deal of this?
Because sin hurts us, and anything that hurts one of His children makes Him angry.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
The Love of God
Trusting God is a step toward the solution of any problem, because trust gives us access to the love of God, and the love of God is a harmonizing force that is mighty enough to heal any adverse situation.
The love of God expressed through us looks past all outer appearances of limitation to the good that is innate in everyone.
The love of God is compassionate, yet positive and strong. It does not resist strife and contention but dissolves them.
The love of God transforms resentment and dissatisfaction into appreciation and replaces criticism with commendation.
There is no situation so inharmonious that a realization of the love of God will not be helpful.
When things about us are disturbing, let us turn to God and divine love. Since God is part of all creation, God abides not only in us but also in our environment, our surroundings, and the circumstances of our lives.
When we have knowledge and understanding of God’s love within and around us, our entire outlook changes. We see ourselves and our world through spiritual eyes, no longer seeing disorder or inharmony but recognizing divine love and peace in the minds and hearts of all. And we express divine love, changing our world from what seems to be a world of inharmony, doubt, and fear to a world of faith, love, happiness, and fulfillment.
Know that you are a perfect expression of God’s love and that as you become more attuned to God’s love, your life will be a song of happiness. Your contacts with others will be joyous and harmonious.
The love of God will go before you and smooth your way. Wherever you go, people will be glad to see you because of your loving attitude. Whatever you do, you will do easily and successfully. Whatever you need to decide, you will decide wisely, for the love of God will open to you inner sources of wisdom and guidance. Your mind will be open and receptive to God’s love, and you will receive:
“The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge.” —Isaiah 11:2
The love of God will keep your heart peaceful so that you can focus your attention on the harmony and happiness you desire.
The love of God, radiating through you, will bless everyone you contact. The love of God, expressing itself through you, will attract its own and draw to you many, many blessings.
“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
“Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 1Corinthians 13
The love of God expressed through us looks past all outer appearances of limitation to the good that is innate in everyone.
The love of God is compassionate, yet positive and strong. It does not resist strife and contention but dissolves them.
The love of God transforms resentment and dissatisfaction into appreciation and replaces criticism with commendation.
There is no situation so inharmonious that a realization of the love of God will not be helpful.
When things about us are disturbing, let us turn to God and divine love. Since God is part of all creation, God abides not only in us but also in our environment, our surroundings, and the circumstances of our lives.
When we have knowledge and understanding of God’s love within and around us, our entire outlook changes. We see ourselves and our world through spiritual eyes, no longer seeing disorder or inharmony but recognizing divine love and peace in the minds and hearts of all. And we express divine love, changing our world from what seems to be a world of inharmony, doubt, and fear to a world of faith, love, happiness, and fulfillment.
Know that you are a perfect expression of God’s love and that as you become more attuned to God’s love, your life will be a song of happiness. Your contacts with others will be joyous and harmonious.
The love of God will go before you and smooth your way. Wherever you go, people will be glad to see you because of your loving attitude. Whatever you do, you will do easily and successfully. Whatever you need to decide, you will decide wisely, for the love of God will open to you inner sources of wisdom and guidance. Your mind will be open and receptive to God’s love, and you will receive:
“The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge.” —Isaiah 11:2
The love of God will keep your heart peaceful so that you can focus your attention on the harmony and happiness you desire.
The love of God, radiating through you, will bless everyone you contact. The love of God, expressing itself through you, will attract its own and draw to you many, many blessings.
“If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
“Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 1Corinthians 13
How to pray
Relax
Set aside time each day for prayer.
Begin your quiet time by relaxing your body and opening your mind to an awareness of God. Breathe deeply, knowing that you are in the presence of God and the presence of God is within you. Let go of your concerns and know that all is well.
Concentrate
As you close your eyes and release any thought of the world around you, begin to think about God … about God’s presence in your life. Focus your mind on a single thought or idea or scripture that resonates with you. Repeat this idea over and over, either silently or aloud until it becomes your only thought.
Meditate
Allow this focused state of mind to move you into a deeper awareness of God. “Be still … and know that I am God.” Be still as you connect with this divine presence within you.
Realize
From the depth of your being, know that you are one with God. This knowing, this realization as you experience God’s holy presence is “silent soul communion.” In this receptive state of mind and heart, listen for the inspiration of God, the answers to your prayers.
Give Thanks
Let gratitude be your heart’s joyous response to this experience of communion with God and with God's infinite goodness. Give thanks for blessings to come, ready to receive your good.
Set aside time each day for prayer.
Begin your quiet time by relaxing your body and opening your mind to an awareness of God. Breathe deeply, knowing that you are in the presence of God and the presence of God is within you. Let go of your concerns and know that all is well.
Concentrate
As you close your eyes and release any thought of the world around you, begin to think about God … about God’s presence in your life. Focus your mind on a single thought or idea or scripture that resonates with you. Repeat this idea over and over, either silently or aloud until it becomes your only thought.
Meditate
Allow this focused state of mind to move you into a deeper awareness of God. “Be still … and know that I am God.” Be still as you connect with this divine presence within you.
Realize
From the depth of your being, know that you are one with God. This knowing, this realization as you experience God’s holy presence is “silent soul communion.” In this receptive state of mind and heart, listen for the inspiration of God, the answers to your prayers.
Give Thanks
Let gratitude be your heart’s joyous response to this experience of communion with God and with God's infinite goodness. Give thanks for blessings to come, ready to receive your good.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Spiritual Growth in Jesus Christ!
"The righteous man shall live by faith" [Galatians 3:11].
Spiritual growth results from trusting Jesus Christ.
A life of faith will enable you to trust God increasingly with every detail of your life, and to practice the following:
Go to God in prayer daily (John 15:7).
Read God's Word daily (Acts 17:11) - begin with the Gospel of John.
Obey God moment by moment (John 14:21).
Witness for Christ by your life and words (Matthew 4:19; John 15:8).
Trust God for every detail of your life (1 Peter 5:7).
Holy Spirit - allow Him to control and empower your daily life (Galatians 5:16-17; Acts 1:8).
God's Word admonishes us not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25). Several logs burn brightly together; but put one aside on the cold hearth and the fire goes out. So it is with your relationship with other Christians.
Spiritual growth results from trusting Jesus Christ.
A life of faith will enable you to trust God increasingly with every detail of your life, and to practice the following:
Go to God in prayer daily (John 15:7).
Read God's Word daily (Acts 17:11) - begin with the Gospel of John.
Obey God moment by moment (John 14:21).
Witness for Christ by your life and words (Matthew 4:19; John 15:8).
Trust God for every detail of your life (1 Peter 5:7).
Holy Spirit - allow Him to control and empower your daily life (Galatians 5:16-17; Acts 1:8).
God's Word admonishes us not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together" (Hebrews 10:25). Several logs burn brightly together; but put one aside on the cold hearth and the fire goes out. So it is with your relationship with other Christians.
Keep Your Sense Of Humour
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter.
Job 8:21
One of the best ways to reduce stress, is to keep your sense of humour. Don't panic, don't over react, and don't use unnecessary force. If you do people will avoid you. Happy people get more done than their oh-so-serious counterparts. Actually, being joyful can make you laugh all the way to the bank. Would you rather buy a car from a stressed-out, verbally abusive salesman, or someone whose company you enjoy? Would you rather work around someone who's congenial, or someone moaning and groaning about what ought to be done?
"A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22 ).
However, keep in mind two things when it comes to humour:
(1) Make sure your humour is at no one else's expense. Avoid jokes about things others might be sensitive about. Weight, bad hair dos and cheating husbands might make some people laugh, but to others it's not funny. No one likes to be the butt of the joke. Be careful with teasing someone else. Make sure that their personality can handle your humour. It's always wise to let the joke be on you; you know you're not going to offend yourself!
(2) Remember that timing is everything. "There is a time for everything… a time to weep and a time to laugh" (Ecc 3:1, 4 ).
If people don't believe you truly care about them, your humour will produce only a shallow and strained response. Every relationship, every path you cross, every conversation you have can ultimately be used by God to further His purposes. Whether at work, at home or at play, always keep these things in mind.
Job 8:21
One of the best ways to reduce stress, is to keep your sense of humour. Don't panic, don't over react, and don't use unnecessary force. If you do people will avoid you. Happy people get more done than their oh-so-serious counterparts. Actually, being joyful can make you laugh all the way to the bank. Would you rather buy a car from a stressed-out, verbally abusive salesman, or someone whose company you enjoy? Would you rather work around someone who's congenial, or someone moaning and groaning about what ought to be done?
"A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22 ).
However, keep in mind two things when it comes to humour:
(1) Make sure your humour is at no one else's expense. Avoid jokes about things others might be sensitive about. Weight, bad hair dos and cheating husbands might make some people laugh, but to others it's not funny. No one likes to be the butt of the joke. Be careful with teasing someone else. Make sure that their personality can handle your humour. It's always wise to let the joke be on you; you know you're not going to offend yourself!
(2) Remember that timing is everything. "There is a time for everything… a time to weep and a time to laugh" (Ecc 3:1, 4 ).
If people don't believe you truly care about them, your humour will produce only a shallow and strained response. Every relationship, every path you cross, every conversation you have can ultimately be used by God to further His purposes. Whether at work, at home or at play, always keep these things in mind.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Icebergs
Each tree is recognised by its own fruit.
Luke 6:44
The Titanic received five iceberg warnings just before it went down.When the sixth message came during the wee hours of the morning:
"Lookout for icebergs," the operator wired back "Shut-up! I'm busy!"
Thirty minutes later the great 'unsinkable' vessel was sinking fast.
What happened?
They forgot the truth about icebergs. What they saw above the water couldn't have sunk the great ship. But unfortunately most of an iceberg is below the water.
Do you know what?
That iceberg represents your life!
The 10% above the water is your reputation; the 90% below is your character. And it's what's below the surface that sinks your ship.
What is character?
(a) Self-discipline - the ability to do what's right,even when you don't feel like it. (b) Core values - principles you liveby in spite of the pressures around you.
(c) Sense of identity - aself-image based on who God, not others, says you are. (d) Emotionalsecurity - the capacity to be emotionally stable and consistent. Your life's greatest impact doesn't come from what you own, but from what you are.
Jesus said, "Each tree is recognised by its own fruit...
The goodman brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart"(Luke 6:44-45 ).
Whatever's happening today on the outside of your life comes from what's happening on the inside.
God puts "being" before "doing." He prioritises taking care of the inside (your heart) because that will determine what takes place on the outside (your behaviour).
Think about it!
Luke 6:44
The Titanic received five iceberg warnings just before it went down.When the sixth message came during the wee hours of the morning:
"Lookout for icebergs," the operator wired back "Shut-up! I'm busy!"
Thirty minutes later the great 'unsinkable' vessel was sinking fast.
What happened?
They forgot the truth about icebergs. What they saw above the water couldn't have sunk the great ship. But unfortunately most of an iceberg is below the water.
Do you know what?
That iceberg represents your life!
The 10% above the water is your reputation; the 90% below is your character. And it's what's below the surface that sinks your ship.
What is character?
(a) Self-discipline - the ability to do what's right,even when you don't feel like it. (b) Core values - principles you liveby in spite of the pressures around you.
(c) Sense of identity - aself-image based on who God, not others, says you are. (d) Emotionalsecurity - the capacity to be emotionally stable and consistent. Your life's greatest impact doesn't come from what you own, but from what you are.
Jesus said, "Each tree is recognised by its own fruit...
The goodman brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart"(Luke 6:44-45 ).
Whatever's happening today on the outside of your life comes from what's happening on the inside.
God puts "being" before "doing." He prioritises taking care of the inside (your heart) because that will determine what takes place on the outside (your behaviour).
Think about it!
Simplify Your Life
Let us lay aside every weight.
Hebrews 12:1
A stressed-out traveller at an airport was worried about missing his plane so he asked a man,
"What time is it?"
The man set down two big heavy bags, looked at his watch and said,
"Exactly 5:09, the temperature is 73, and it'll rain later. In London the sky is clear with a high of 28 Celsius. And let's see, in Singapore the sun is shining brightly.And... oh, this is interesting, the moon will be full over Los Angeles tonight."
"Your watch tells you all of that?" asked the traveller.
"Sure. In fact it tells me much more. You see, I invented this watch and I assure you there's no other time piece on earth like it."
The man said,
"I simply must have that watch. I'll give you $10,000 for it."
"Okay,"said the inventor,
"it's a deal,"
and held out his hand for the money.
The traveller grabbed the watch and put it on, smiling with delight. But before he could take a step the inventor stopped him.
"Wait!"
Then he reached down for the two big heavy bags and said,
"Don't forget the batteries!"
We hope the latest hi-tech gadgetry will be the very thing that will set our schedule free. But in the end it weighs us down, it increases our dependency on something that will eventually break or become obsolete with the next marvel of modern science. It's time we counted the hidden cost before investing more time, money and confidence in the next does-it-all watch. Those batteries get awfully heavy once the novelty has worn off. What's the message?
"Lay aside every weight."
Simplify your life, get back on track, focus - and run!
Hebrews 12:1
A stressed-out traveller at an airport was worried about missing his plane so he asked a man,
"What time is it?"
The man set down two big heavy bags, looked at his watch and said,
"Exactly 5:09, the temperature is 73, and it'll rain later. In London the sky is clear with a high of 28 Celsius. And let's see, in Singapore the sun is shining brightly.And... oh, this is interesting, the moon will be full over Los Angeles tonight."
"Your watch tells you all of that?" asked the traveller.
"Sure. In fact it tells me much more. You see, I invented this watch and I assure you there's no other time piece on earth like it."
The man said,
"I simply must have that watch. I'll give you $10,000 for it."
"Okay,"said the inventor,
"it's a deal,"
and held out his hand for the money.
The traveller grabbed the watch and put it on, smiling with delight. But before he could take a step the inventor stopped him.
"Wait!"
Then he reached down for the two big heavy bags and said,
"Don't forget the batteries!"
We hope the latest hi-tech gadgetry will be the very thing that will set our schedule free. But in the end it weighs us down, it increases our dependency on something that will eventually break or become obsolete with the next marvel of modern science. It's time we counted the hidden cost before investing more time, money and confidence in the next does-it-all watch. Those batteries get awfully heavy once the novelty has worn off. What's the message?
"Lay aside every weight."
Simplify your life, get back on track, focus - and run!
Living Unselfishly
Give without expecting a return.
Luke 6:35
If you're serious about becoming like Jesus, pay careful attention to His words: "Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them... give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it" (Luke 6:31-35 ).
Love, expecting nothing in return.
Give, though they'll never say thanks.
Forgive, even though they won't forgive you.
Come early, stay late, invest everything you've got even though nobody notices. Paul calls this "the high calling" (Philippians 3:14). And there's a reason: none of us would set such a standard for ourselves!
If you think some people are just naturally more loving than others, think again.
Love is a choice - one that costs!
You can't love others while you're staring into a mirror or give to others while you're clinging to what you've got.
Love will cost you your time, your money and your preoccupation with self.
If you think you'll just go to church some Sunday morning, read a book or attend a 7-step seminar and turn into the kind of person we're talking about -good luck!
There are no pre-packaged saints; no "add-and-stir" formula that makes God's love gush forth.
To be loving you've got to take up your cross, deny yourself and make others your priority.
Remember the woman caught in adultery?
Jesus stooped down to reach her, stood by her under attack, then sent her home redeemed and refocused.
Do you want to be like Him?
Go and find people who are hurting, hopeless,and even wrong.
When you do, minister to them until they're redeemed,restored and right. That's living unselfishly!
Luke 6:35
If you're serious about becoming like Jesus, pay careful attention to His words: "Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them... give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it" (Luke 6:31-35 ).
Love, expecting nothing in return.
Give, though they'll never say thanks.
Forgive, even though they won't forgive you.
Come early, stay late, invest everything you've got even though nobody notices. Paul calls this "the high calling" (Philippians 3:14). And there's a reason: none of us would set such a standard for ourselves!
If you think some people are just naturally more loving than others, think again.
Love is a choice - one that costs!
You can't love others while you're staring into a mirror or give to others while you're clinging to what you've got.
Love will cost you your time, your money and your preoccupation with self.
If you think you'll just go to church some Sunday morning, read a book or attend a 7-step seminar and turn into the kind of person we're talking about -good luck!
There are no pre-packaged saints; no "add-and-stir" formula that makes God's love gush forth.
To be loving you've got to take up your cross, deny yourself and make others your priority.
Remember the woman caught in adultery?
Jesus stooped down to reach her, stood by her under attack, then sent her home redeemed and refocused.
Do you want to be like Him?
Go and find people who are hurting, hopeless,and even wrong.
When you do, minister to them until they're redeemed,restored and right. That's living unselfishly!
"Be There!"
2 Corinthians 1:4
We can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
The loving thing we can do when someone is in pain is to share the pain- to "be there," even when we've nothing to offer except our presence, even when being there is painful to ourselves.
Paul says that God "comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." One of the fastest and surest routes to spiritual health is taking the focus off ourselves and helping others.
In fact we were born with a natural empathy for those who are hurting. Ever notice that babies in a nursery start crying when other infants cry?
Compassion, which literally means "to suffer with," is the ability to be moved by the troubles of others. When we reach out from our own pain to help others it comes back to us in healing, fulfillment and a sense of worth.
Jack Canfield says, "You take it all in. You let the pain touch your heart and you turn it into compassion. What a splendid way to go through life, bringing blessing to all we touch."
One cancer patient said, "What helps me most is just to have somebody try and understand what I'm feeling."
Another said, "Just sit here and let me hold your hand. It helps when someone's close."
Today ask God to make you more sensitive to the needs and hurts of those around you. And when He answers your prayer and puts someone into your path, don't be too busy to care.
In other words, "be there!"
Friday, November 03, 2006
Happy All Souls Day!
Romans 8:38-39
For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Knowing Your Speed Limit!
It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor be hasty and miss the way.
Proverbs 19:2
A lot of us drive like the speed limits are just suggestions! No, they're there for a reason - our protection.
Ignore them and you crash! The same is true about your life. Do you take work home, stay up late after the children go to bed and your mate's asleep? Are you skipping meals to catch up on paper work that keeps replenishing itself like weeds along a hillside? Do you drive to meetings checking your electronicdiary, drinking coffee and talking on your cell phone? Isn't it crazy to run a portable office while driving at 100 k.p.h. down the highway?
Some seasons are busier than others. Occasionally opportunities come along that require extra time and attention - but you can't expect yourself to always travel at warp speed. You're mortal and fragile with physical, emotional and spiritual needs. You aren't a robot, a computer or an engine that can be operated at the flip of a switch. Even these mechanical devices, if you don't keep them fueled and maintained,eventually fail.
So, how do you discover and maintain your speed limit?
By knowing yourself inside out. Pay attention to your body's signals - to your responses to the demands that you (and others) place on you. When your body is tired to the point of distraction, rest.
That's what God did!
And don't forget your soul - you'll gain more strength, wisdom and perspective by spending time each day with God than by all your rushing and pushing.
The Bible says: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31).
Try it; it works!
Proverbs 19:2
A lot of us drive like the speed limits are just suggestions! No, they're there for a reason - our protection.
Ignore them and you crash! The same is true about your life. Do you take work home, stay up late after the children go to bed and your mate's asleep? Are you skipping meals to catch up on paper work that keeps replenishing itself like weeds along a hillside? Do you drive to meetings checking your electronicdiary, drinking coffee and talking on your cell phone? Isn't it crazy to run a portable office while driving at 100 k.p.h. down the highway?
Some seasons are busier than others. Occasionally opportunities come along that require extra time and attention - but you can't expect yourself to always travel at warp speed. You're mortal and fragile with physical, emotional and spiritual needs. You aren't a robot, a computer or an engine that can be operated at the flip of a switch. Even these mechanical devices, if you don't keep them fueled and maintained,eventually fail.
So, how do you discover and maintain your speed limit?
By knowing yourself inside out. Pay attention to your body's signals - to your responses to the demands that you (and others) place on you. When your body is tired to the point of distraction, rest.
That's what God did!
And don't forget your soul - you'll gain more strength, wisdom and perspective by spending time each day with God than by all your rushing and pushing.
The Bible says: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31).
Try it; it works!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation!
Ephesians 1:16-17
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.
The Catholic Faith, rooted as it is in Jesus Christ who is both fully God and fully man, is the only thing that can answer the hunger for a fully human as well as a fully divine life. However, this can have unforeseen consequences. Because the Faith is fully human, it can be fully sensible and sane, even while it is also fully mysterious and enigmatic. Many Catholics, raised in the Faith, can and do assume (because it is so sensible and sane) that those who react with confusion or anger to its enigmatic aspects are simply being obtuse fools, when in reality, such critics are honestly confused or mystified by the Faith. Catholics can, at such times, forget that they are the beneficiaries of a gift, not the rightful proud possessors of anything. At such moments, Paul shows the way here: don't leap to chew people out for not understanding the Faith, much less to accuse them of ill will. Pray for them that God give them (and, we might add, us) a spirit of wisdom and revelation. The Faith is not easy or obvious for many people. And for all people, including you and me, it is a purely a gift of grace from God who alone knows what's going on. We are all fools without him.
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.
The Catholic Faith, rooted as it is in Jesus Christ who is both fully God and fully man, is the only thing that can answer the hunger for a fully human as well as a fully divine life. However, this can have unforeseen consequences. Because the Faith is fully human, it can be fully sensible and sane, even while it is also fully mysterious and enigmatic. Many Catholics, raised in the Faith, can and do assume (because it is so sensible and sane) that those who react with confusion or anger to its enigmatic aspects are simply being obtuse fools, when in reality, such critics are honestly confused or mystified by the Faith. Catholics can, at such times, forget that they are the beneficiaries of a gift, not the rightful proud possessors of anything. At such moments, Paul shows the way here: don't leap to chew people out for not understanding the Faith, much less to accuse them of ill will. Pray for them that God give them (and, we might add, us) a spirit of wisdom and revelation. The Faith is not easy or obvious for many people. And for all people, including you and me, it is a purely a gift of grace from God who alone knows what's going on. We are all fools without him.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Learn To Be Content (2)
The abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.
Ecclesiastes 5:12
In a recent magazine article Jane Hammerslough tells how her family moved into a sparsely furnished rental house while their home was being renovated. Instead of missing what they'd left behind, surprisingly,they were liberated! Upon returning home they were overwhelmed by the utter excess of stuff, and gave much of it away. She concludes, "When enough's always just a little more... you don't have room for the truly great things in life."
The message isn't new; Solomon said, "The abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep."
But freedom from anxiety is more than just uncluttered closets. It's afirm conviction that what you do have is a gift from God (Ecclesiastes5:19), and that it's meant to be shared with others. Contentment simply frees you to enjoy what He's provided. So with that in mind keep the following principles before you: buy things for their usefulness, not their status. Beware of anything that produces an addiction in you. Make a habit of giving things away. Don't be lured by advertising and glitz.
Learn to enjoy things without having to own them, or be owned by them.
Be wary of "Buy now, pay later" schemes.
Steer clear of anything that prevents you from putting God first in your life.
He says He'll "give you all you need... if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern" (Matthew 6:33 ).
When your contentment is based on status or possessions, it can be taken away in an instant. But when it's based on your relationship with Jesus, nothing, absolutely nothing can rob you of it!
Ecclesiastes 5:12
In a recent magazine article Jane Hammerslough tells how her family moved into a sparsely furnished rental house while their home was being renovated. Instead of missing what they'd left behind, surprisingly,they were liberated! Upon returning home they were overwhelmed by the utter excess of stuff, and gave much of it away. She concludes, "When enough's always just a little more... you don't have room for the truly great things in life."
The message isn't new; Solomon said, "The abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep."
But freedom from anxiety is more than just uncluttered closets. It's afirm conviction that what you do have is a gift from God (Ecclesiastes5:19), and that it's meant to be shared with others. Contentment simply frees you to enjoy what He's provided. So with that in mind keep the following principles before you: buy things for their usefulness, not their status. Beware of anything that produces an addiction in you. Make a habit of giving things away. Don't be lured by advertising and glitz.
Learn to enjoy things without having to own them, or be owned by them.
Be wary of "Buy now, pay later" schemes.
Steer clear of anything that prevents you from putting God first in your life.
He says He'll "give you all you need... if you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern" (Matthew 6:33 ).
When your contentment is based on status or possessions, it can be taken away in an instant. But when it's based on your relationship with Jesus, nothing, absolutely nothing can rob you of it!
Learn To Be Content (1)
I have learned to be content.
Philippians 4:11
The average person is bombarded with about 300 advertisements a day, promising everything from whiter teeth to faster cars. It's a mega-billion-dollar industry designed to make us want what they'reselling. But there's a subtle message being conveyed. In a word, it's discontent, and it eats away at us by creating a desire for bigger, better, more. The Bible says, "We... brought nothing into the world, sowe cannot take anything out... If we have food and covering... be content" (1 Timothy 6:7-8 ).
Sounds simple enough: food to eat,clothes to wear, a place to sleep. But how we live doesn't bear it out. When Rockefeller was asked, "How much does it take to satisfy a man? "with rare insight he replied, "A little more than he has now."
So does contentment mean not setting goals or aiming higher? Does it mean not enjoying nice things? No, it just means not letting all those nice things "own" you. Learning to be satisfied is a process.
That's why Paul said, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am... to get along with humble means... to live in prosperity... I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry... of having abundance and suffering need."
Paul mastered the art of enjoying whatever came along by learning to say, "That's not essential. I can live without it."
Paul, who told Timothy to follow his example, enjoyed hot dogs or filet mignon, a holiday on the Riviera or under a bridge, a gold-covered, diamond-studded, velvet-cushioned chariot, or a dirty donkey with a limp. His focus was right on target. He held every earthly 'thing' loosely. So should you!
Philippians 4:11
The average person is bombarded with about 300 advertisements a day, promising everything from whiter teeth to faster cars. It's a mega-billion-dollar industry designed to make us want what they'reselling. But there's a subtle message being conveyed. In a word, it's discontent, and it eats away at us by creating a desire for bigger, better, more. The Bible says, "We... brought nothing into the world, sowe cannot take anything out... If we have food and covering... be content" (1 Timothy 6:7-8 ).
Sounds simple enough: food to eat,clothes to wear, a place to sleep. But how we live doesn't bear it out. When Rockefeller was asked, "How much does it take to satisfy a man? "with rare insight he replied, "A little more than he has now."
So does contentment mean not setting goals or aiming higher? Does it mean not enjoying nice things? No, it just means not letting all those nice things "own" you. Learning to be satisfied is a process.
That's why Paul said, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am... to get along with humble means... to live in prosperity... I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry... of having abundance and suffering need."
Paul mastered the art of enjoying whatever came along by learning to say, "That's not essential. I can live without it."
Paul, who told Timothy to follow his example, enjoyed hot dogs or filet mignon, a holiday on the Riviera or under a bridge, a gold-covered, diamond-studded, velvet-cushioned chariot, or a dirty donkey with a limp. His focus was right on target. He held every earthly 'thing' loosely. So should you!
What's Your Dream? (2)
And Joseph dreamed a dream.
Genesis 37:5
Pursue the dream God has given you no matter how far-fetched it may seem, for dreams are like your children; they're your off spring. They're the joy of your present and the hope of your future. Protect them. Feed them. Encourage them to grow, for as long as you have a dream you'll never be old. In spite of betrayal by his family, attempted seduction by Potiphar's wife and false imprisonment, Joseph's dream carried him all the way to his destiny as ruler of Egypt. Now, we're talking about God-given dreams that lead to God-honouring results, not selfish ambition. Paul writes, "Long before we first heard of Christ... He had... designs on us for glorious living" (Ephesians 1:11-12 ).
God has a dream for you and if you seek Him He'll reveal it to you.But when He does, remember three things:
(1) Dreams are specific, not general; personal, not public. God won't give somebody else your dream, He'll give it to you. He may confirm it through others, but He'll reveal it to you. When He does, don't share it with the wrong people or you'll get hurt. Like Joseph's brothers, they won't be able to handle it, especially if it doesn't include them.
(2) Dreams are usually outside the realm of the expected. Often your dream will cause rational people to say, "You've got to be kidding!" Remember, that's their opinion, not God's; with Him "all things are possible."
(3) Dreams separate winners from losers. Dreamers are always a minority. Those who walk by sight will always out number those who walk by faith. So today, follow your God-given dream.
Genesis 37:5
Pursue the dream God has given you no matter how far-fetched it may seem, for dreams are like your children; they're your off spring. They're the joy of your present and the hope of your future. Protect them. Feed them. Encourage them to grow, for as long as you have a dream you'll never be old. In spite of betrayal by his family, attempted seduction by Potiphar's wife and false imprisonment, Joseph's dream carried him all the way to his destiny as ruler of Egypt. Now, we're talking about God-given dreams that lead to God-honouring results, not selfish ambition. Paul writes, "Long before we first heard of Christ... He had... designs on us for glorious living" (Ephesians 1:11-12 ).
God has a dream for you and if you seek Him He'll reveal it to you.But when He does, remember three things:
(1) Dreams are specific, not general; personal, not public. God won't give somebody else your dream, He'll give it to you. He may confirm it through others, but He'll reveal it to you. When He does, don't share it with the wrong people or you'll get hurt. Like Joseph's brothers, they won't be able to handle it, especially if it doesn't include them.
(2) Dreams are usually outside the realm of the expected. Often your dream will cause rational people to say, "You've got to be kidding!" Remember, that's their opinion, not God's; with Him "all things are possible."
(3) Dreams separate winners from losers. Dreamers are always a minority. Those who walk by sight will always out number those who walk by faith. So today, follow your God-given dream.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
What's Your Dream? (1)
Faith without works is dead.
James 2:20
When you dream you move closer to the way God sees things; you see beyond your limitations; you move from where you are to where He wants you to be; you begin to see your goals in their completed state.
The question isn't can you dream, but do you have the courage to act on it?
If your dream doesn't stretch you to the point of discomfort it's probably not of God. Furthermore, God won't miraculously lift you out of your dream and set you down in the middle of its fulfillment.
The children of Israel dreamed of living in the Promised Land. But the only way to get there was through the wilderness.
That's where we learn to:
(a) trust God daily for the manna we need;
(b) discover His power in the Red Sea situations of our lives;
(c) be led by Him when there are no clear sign posts;
(d) get up every morning with our eyes on our destiny and move steadily toward it;
(e) refuse to become like those who complain and never make it out of the wilderness.
Now for a warning: someone will always try to steal your dream. Always! Often it'll be someone who never had a dream of their own, or if they did they abandoned it.
It could even be a family member who reminds you of what God couldn't or wouldn't do through someone like you.
What do you dream about?
What has God enabled you to see that doesn't yet exist?
You'll never out-dream God!
For: "God can do... far more than you can ever imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).
James 2:20
When you dream you move closer to the way God sees things; you see beyond your limitations; you move from where you are to where He wants you to be; you begin to see your goals in their completed state.
The question isn't can you dream, but do you have the courage to act on it?
If your dream doesn't stretch you to the point of discomfort it's probably not of God. Furthermore, God won't miraculously lift you out of your dream and set you down in the middle of its fulfillment.
The children of Israel dreamed of living in the Promised Land. But the only way to get there was through the wilderness.
That's where we learn to:
(a) trust God daily for the manna we need;
(b) discover His power in the Red Sea situations of our lives;
(c) be led by Him when there are no clear sign posts;
(d) get up every morning with our eyes on our destiny and move steadily toward it;
(e) refuse to become like those who complain and never make it out of the wilderness.
Now for a warning: someone will always try to steal your dream. Always! Often it'll be someone who never had a dream of their own, or if they did they abandoned it.
It could even be a family member who reminds you of what God couldn't or wouldn't do through someone like you.
What do you dream about?
What has God enabled you to see that doesn't yet exist?
You'll never out-dream God!
For: "God can do... far more than you can ever imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Some Observations On "Tact"
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable.
Proverbs 15:2
Did you hear about the husband who was totally clueless? The day his wife left on a business trip their dog died. That night she called home and he blurted out, "Your dog's dead! " Scolding him for being insensitive she said, "You should've broken it to me gently. You could have said, 'The dog's on the roof.' Then next day added, 'He fell off. 'The following day you could've said, 'He's at the vet.' And the day after that you could have told me he died. " While her husband paused to consider this she asked, "By the way, how's my mother?" Cautiously he replied, "Well dear... she's on the roof!
One dictionary definition of tact is: skill in situations where people's feelings need to be considered... an intuitive sense of what's right or appropriate. Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, tact is not about being deceptive or insincere. It's about being considerate and not hurting others unnecessarily.
Chuck Swindoll writes: "I used to sell shoes years ago... [and] a seasoned employee told me never to say, 'Lady, your foot's too big for this shoe! ' Instead I should say, 'I'm sorry, ma'am, but this shoe's just a little too small for your foot.' Both expressed the facts, but one was an insult... the other a tactful compliment.
"So, in sensitive situations engage your brain before opening your mouth.
Remember, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing," and "makes knowledge acceptable."
Or as the advertising jingle for a popular antiseptic ointment goes, "Stop the hurting and start the healing."
Make that your goal today.
Proverbs 15:2
Did you hear about the husband who was totally clueless? The day his wife left on a business trip their dog died. That night she called home and he blurted out, "Your dog's dead! " Scolding him for being insensitive she said, "You should've broken it to me gently. You could have said, 'The dog's on the roof.' Then next day added, 'He fell off. 'The following day you could've said, 'He's at the vet.' And the day after that you could have told me he died. " While her husband paused to consider this she asked, "By the way, how's my mother?" Cautiously he replied, "Well dear... she's on the roof!
One dictionary definition of tact is: skill in situations where people's feelings need to be considered... an intuitive sense of what's right or appropriate. Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, tact is not about being deceptive or insincere. It's about being considerate and not hurting others unnecessarily.
Chuck Swindoll writes: "I used to sell shoes years ago... [and] a seasoned employee told me never to say, 'Lady, your foot's too big for this shoe! ' Instead I should say, 'I'm sorry, ma'am, but this shoe's just a little too small for your foot.' Both expressed the facts, but one was an insult... the other a tactful compliment.
"So, in sensitive situations engage your brain before opening your mouth.
Remember, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing," and "makes knowledge acceptable."
Or as the advertising jingle for a popular antiseptic ointment goes, "Stop the hurting and start the healing."
Make that your goal today.
Do You Want To Change?
As the spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Did you hear about the frog that fell into a big hole and couldn't get out? Several of his friends tried to help but finally gave up.
"Since you're going to be in there for a while" they said, "we'll go and get some food."
But no sooner had they left than the frog came hopping up behind them.
"We thought you couldn't get out" they exclaimed. "Oh, I couldn't," he replied, "but suddenly there was a big truck coming right at me - and I discovered I could."
Usually it's only when we're forced to change that we discover we can. That's because we're more comfortable with old problems than new and untried solutions. If you believe nothing can ever be done for the first time, you'll never see anything done -and nothing will change.
There are three times in our lives when we're most receptive to change:
(1) When our pain levels get so high we're forced to.
(2) When we acceptthe fact that what we're doing no longer works.
(3) When we realise that by God's grace we can change.
Nothing sparks the fires of faith more than the sudden realisation that "I don't have to stay this way anymore."
And you don't Stand on these two Scriptures:
"God'[s]... gracious word can make you into what He wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need" (Acts 20:32 ).
"As the spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him" (2 Corinthians 3:18 ).
So, do you want to change?
2 Corinthians 3:18
Did you hear about the frog that fell into a big hole and couldn't get out? Several of his friends tried to help but finally gave up.
"Since you're going to be in there for a while" they said, "we'll go and get some food."
But no sooner had they left than the frog came hopping up behind them.
"We thought you couldn't get out" they exclaimed. "Oh, I couldn't," he replied, "but suddenly there was a big truck coming right at me - and I discovered I could."
Usually it's only when we're forced to change that we discover we can. That's because we're more comfortable with old problems than new and untried solutions. If you believe nothing can ever be done for the first time, you'll never see anything done -and nothing will change.
There are three times in our lives when we're most receptive to change:
(1) When our pain levels get so high we're forced to.
(2) When we acceptthe fact that what we're doing no longer works.
(3) When we realise that by God's grace we can change.
Nothing sparks the fires of faith more than the sudden realisation that "I don't have to stay this way anymore."
And you don't Stand on these two Scriptures:
"God'[s]... gracious word can make you into what He wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need" (Acts 20:32 ).
"As the spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him" (2 Corinthians 3:18 ).
So, do you want to change?
Marriage Myths (4)
May... God... give you a spirit of unity.
Romans 15:5
"Nothing can fix our relationship." A woman asked her girl friend,
"How come you're wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?"
She replied,
"Because I married the wrong man!"
Sound familiar?
The biggest mistake you can make is calling it quits because you think you married the wrong person, and that nothing short of a miracle can save your marriage.
The good news today is... God is still in the miracle business! With Him "nothing is impossible" (Luke 1:37 ).
It's when problems seem insurmountable that God comes through for you. Jeremiah said, "Lord, you... made the heavens and the earth by your great power... Nothing is too hard for you" (Jeremiah 32:17 ).
The trouble is, too many of us live in the realm of the probable, thinking things probably won't get better... that we'll probably always have money issues... or we'll probably get divorced. Instead, we should be living in the realm of the possible. Paul says, "Faith... is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen... the evidence of things we cannot yet see"(Hebrews 11:1 ).
The Bible says God's plans for you "are for good and not for disaster,to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11 ).
If you're feeling discouraged about your relationship, try fixing your thoughts on what God can do.
The Bible says that when you look earnestly for Him you'll find Him (2Chronicles 15:2) .
He's not some distant deity who's disconnected from the challenges of your everyday life. No, He wants to have an intimate relationship with you; to use His power to transform your marriage into something lasting and wonderful.
Romans 15:5
"Nothing can fix our relationship." A woman asked her girl friend,
"How come you're wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?"
She replied,
"Because I married the wrong man!"
Sound familiar?
The biggest mistake you can make is calling it quits because you think you married the wrong person, and that nothing short of a miracle can save your marriage.
The good news today is... God is still in the miracle business! With Him "nothing is impossible" (Luke 1:37 ).
It's when problems seem insurmountable that God comes through for you. Jeremiah said, "Lord, you... made the heavens and the earth by your great power... Nothing is too hard for you" (Jeremiah 32:17 ).
The trouble is, too many of us live in the realm of the probable, thinking things probably won't get better... that we'll probably always have money issues... or we'll probably get divorced. Instead, we should be living in the realm of the possible. Paul says, "Faith... is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen... the evidence of things we cannot yet see"(Hebrews 11:1 ).
The Bible says God's plans for you "are for good and not for disaster,to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11 ).
If you're feeling discouraged about your relationship, try fixing your thoughts on what God can do.
The Bible says that when you look earnestly for Him you'll find Him (2Chronicles 15:2) .
He's not some distant deity who's disconnected from the challenges of your everyday life. No, He wants to have an intimate relationship with you; to use His power to transform your marriage into something lasting and wonderful.
Marriage Myths (3)
May... God... give you a spirit of unity.
Romans 15:5
"We're not in love any more." Did you hear about the woman who ran a newspaper advert that said, "Husband wanted?" She got lots of responses, all saying the same thing:
"You can have mine!"
Seriously, if negativity and bitterness are eroding your marriage it's time to make some changes by:
(1) Remembering your history. Chances are you started out as good friends. So ask yourself how you'd treat your best friend if you were having relationship issues. Not by being critical and defensive, right? What initially attracted you to one another any how? When did you fall in love? How did you act when things were good? Recall and rehearse your best moments.
(2) Keeping your thoughts focused on what God can do. Zero in on your mate's best qualities, then start believing that God can turn your relationship around. Remember, you have more ability than you realise to change your perception of your partner. So concentrate on all the things in your marriage that are "of good report" (Philippians 4:8).
(3) Building thoughtful behaviour back into your relationship. List some of the things you know would make your spouse happy. Be specific. For example, hugging your husband when he comes home from work after a hard day, or helping your wife with the laundry. Show you care! Inject consideration back into your relationship.
(4) Seeing your partner through God's eyes. Trying to love others like God loves you is a good rule for all your relationships, not just marriage. And if you don't love yourself, start by remembering what God says about you: that you're blessed... loved... valued... and wonderfully made.
Romans 15:5
"We're not in love any more." Did you hear about the woman who ran a newspaper advert that said, "Husband wanted?" She got lots of responses, all saying the same thing:
"You can have mine!"
Seriously, if negativity and bitterness are eroding your marriage it's time to make some changes by:
(1) Remembering your history. Chances are you started out as good friends. So ask yourself how you'd treat your best friend if you were having relationship issues. Not by being critical and defensive, right? What initially attracted you to one another any how? When did you fall in love? How did you act when things were good? Recall and rehearse your best moments.
(2) Keeping your thoughts focused on what God can do. Zero in on your mate's best qualities, then start believing that God can turn your relationship around. Remember, you have more ability than you realise to change your perception of your partner. So concentrate on all the things in your marriage that are "of good report" (Philippians 4:8).
(3) Building thoughtful behaviour back into your relationship. List some of the things you know would make your spouse happy. Be specific. For example, hugging your husband when he comes home from work after a hard day, or helping your wife with the laundry. Show you care! Inject consideration back into your relationship.
(4) Seeing your partner through God's eyes. Trying to love others like God loves you is a good rule for all your relationships, not just marriage. And if you don't love yourself, start by remembering what God says about you: that you're blessed... loved... valued... and wonderfully made.
Marriage Myths (2)
May... God... give you a spirit of unity.
Romans 15:5
"We're just not compatible."
Marital disagreements fall into five categories: money, sex, in-laws, children, and household responsibilities.
Too many couples think if they argue about these things they're automatically headed for divorce. Conflict doesn't kill relationships. What's important is how you deal with it, not the fact that it exists. One woman said, "My husband hates confrontation so when problems arose in our marriage he just walked away. I went ballistic and nothing got settled. Eventually we learned to talk about handling our disagreements; he can't walk away and I can't get hysterical. It works... now we work together to resolve problems.
" Anger is just part of your emotional make-up; God didn't make a mistake when He included it. But He wants you to handle it right (Ephesians 4:26). Being upset doesn't give you license to yell and slam doors.
Solomon said, "A fool gives full vent to his anger... a wise man keeps himself under control" (Proverbs 29:11 ).
Hasty words hurt, and they can't be taken back. David said, "In your anger do not sin... search your hearts... be silent" (Psalm 4:4 ).
In other words, think, listen, and calm down before you react. And never resort to name-calling (Matthew 5:22); it serves no purpose but to intentionally hurt the other person.
We live in a culture of lawsuits and revenge, but a marriage built on retaliation is headed for trouble.
God said "Don't insist on getting even ... I'll take care of it" (Romans 12:19).
You can become physically and emotionally sick by hanging on to bitterness. So release it and ask God to fill your heart with His love.
He'll do it!
Romans 15:5
"We're just not compatible."
Marital disagreements fall into five categories: money, sex, in-laws, children, and household responsibilities.
Too many couples think if they argue about these things they're automatically headed for divorce. Conflict doesn't kill relationships. What's important is how you deal with it, not the fact that it exists. One woman said, "My husband hates confrontation so when problems arose in our marriage he just walked away. I went ballistic and nothing got settled. Eventually we learned to talk about handling our disagreements; he can't walk away and I can't get hysterical. It works... now we work together to resolve problems.
" Anger is just part of your emotional make-up; God didn't make a mistake when He included it. But He wants you to handle it right (Ephesians 4:26). Being upset doesn't give you license to yell and slam doors.
Solomon said, "A fool gives full vent to his anger... a wise man keeps himself under control" (Proverbs 29:11 ).
Hasty words hurt, and they can't be taken back. David said, "In your anger do not sin... search your hearts... be silent" (Psalm 4:4 ).
In other words, think, listen, and calm down before you react. And never resort to name-calling (Matthew 5:22); it serves no purpose but to intentionally hurt the other person.
We live in a culture of lawsuits and revenge, but a marriage built on retaliation is headed for trouble.
God said "Don't insist on getting even ... I'll take care of it" (Romans 12:19).
You can become physically and emotionally sick by hanging on to bitterness. So release it and ask God to fill your heart with His love.
He'll do it!
Marriage Myths (1)
May... God... give you a spirit of unity.
Romans 15:5
Too many couples struggling with issues have bought into four common marriage myths.
For the next few days let's look at each of them:
"If I try, I can change my partner." Give it up! If you think following the "right" plan, struggling harder and refusing to give up will do it,think again.
The Bible says, "Do not think you are better than you are"(Romans 12:3 ).
The truth is, you can only work on yourself.
Once you change your steps in the marriage dance, your mate will begin to adjust theirs. Plus, by identifying and working on your own shortcomings you'll gain credibility with your mate, and create an environment that's conducive to change.
Now, here are some things you can do:
(a) Praise the qualities you admire most (remember when you were dating?) and build on them. Anytime you see positive change, recognise and encourage it.
(b) Don't letthings escalate. Make a habit of asking, "Is there anything on your mind we haven't talked about lately? " The Bible says don't go to bed angry(Ephesians 4:26), so deal with things before they lead to hard feelings and cause strife.
(c) Try to be more understanding. When people don't feel understood, they dig in their heels and resist change.
(d) Lessen your dependence on your mate. Remember, no one can meet all your needs all the time. You need friends to talk to and share activities with.
(e)Above all, be patient; neither of you is perfect.
Ask God to "give you a spirit of unity." And bear in mind that self-control is the result of God's in dwelling Spirit, not human effort (Galatians 5:23 ).
Romans 15:5
Too many couples struggling with issues have bought into four common marriage myths.
For the next few days let's look at each of them:
"If I try, I can change my partner." Give it up! If you think following the "right" plan, struggling harder and refusing to give up will do it,think again.
The Bible says, "Do not think you are better than you are"(Romans 12:3 ).
The truth is, you can only work on yourself.
Once you change your steps in the marriage dance, your mate will begin to adjust theirs. Plus, by identifying and working on your own shortcomings you'll gain credibility with your mate, and create an environment that's conducive to change.
Now, here are some things you can do:
(a) Praise the qualities you admire most (remember when you were dating?) and build on them. Anytime you see positive change, recognise and encourage it.
(b) Don't letthings escalate. Make a habit of asking, "Is there anything on your mind we haven't talked about lately? " The Bible says don't go to bed angry(Ephesians 4:26), so deal with things before they lead to hard feelings and cause strife.
(c) Try to be more understanding. When people don't feel understood, they dig in their heels and resist change.
(d) Lessen your dependence on your mate. Remember, no one can meet all your needs all the time. You need friends to talk to and share activities with.
(e)Above all, be patient; neither of you is perfect.
Ask God to "give you a spirit of unity." And bear in mind that self-control is the result of God's in dwelling Spirit, not human effort (Galatians 5:23 ).
Do It "As To The Lord!"
Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.
Colossians 3:23
When Nicholas Herman entered the Carmelite monastery in Paris in 1666, he expected to live a life of penance because of his wild and sinful past. But instead Herman, who was given the name Brother Lawrence, found God's forgiveness and peace, plus a joy he could never have imagined. But his faith was sorely tried in the process. Clumsy by nature, he was very upset at being assigned to the monastery kitchen. Then something happened. There in his kitchen he found that even the humblest, most mundane tasks become significant - when they're done out of love for God!
In his classic little book, The Practice of the Presence of God, he wrote:
"The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer... in the noise and clatter of my kitchen while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees... We ought not to be weary of doing little things, for God regards not the greatness of the work but the love with which it is performed." Talk about adding dignity to your job!
So, what's the job you hate most?
Cutting the grass?
Doing laundry?
Putting out the garbage?
Walking the dog?
Coming home from work tired and having to cook dinner?
Care-giving?
Paul said, "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:23).
The truth is, there's no difference between the secular and the sacred when it's done "as to the Lord and not to men."
Colossians 3:23
When Nicholas Herman entered the Carmelite monastery in Paris in 1666, he expected to live a life of penance because of his wild and sinful past. But instead Herman, who was given the name Brother Lawrence, found God's forgiveness and peace, plus a joy he could never have imagined. But his faith was sorely tried in the process. Clumsy by nature, he was very upset at being assigned to the monastery kitchen. Then something happened. There in his kitchen he found that even the humblest, most mundane tasks become significant - when they're done out of love for God!
In his classic little book, The Practice of the Presence of God, he wrote:
"The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer... in the noise and clatter of my kitchen while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees... We ought not to be weary of doing little things, for God regards not the greatness of the work but the love with which it is performed." Talk about adding dignity to your job!
So, what's the job you hate most?
Cutting the grass?
Doing laundry?
Putting out the garbage?
Walking the dog?
Coming home from work tired and having to cook dinner?
Care-giving?
Paul said, "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:23).
The truth is, there's no difference between the secular and the sacred when it's done "as to the Lord and not to men."
Saturday, October 07, 2006
The Need For God-Given Goals
We should make plans - counting on God to direct us.
Proverbs 16:9
There are several reasons why we fail to set goals for our lives:
(1) We haven't been taught the blessing or joy of such an action.
(2) We don'tknow how to go about it.
(3) We are afraid of failing. If we don't have a goal there's no guilt or embarrassment over not reaching it.
(4) We feel intimidated by previous failures. Solomon wrote: "We should make plans - counting on God to direct us.
"Jesus said: "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?" (Luke 14:28 ).
Goal setting takes time, discipline,courage and perseverance.
Between you and your goal there'll be road blocks, enemy attacks and temptations designed to derail you.
"So, what should I do?"
(a) Talk to God. Get into agreement with His will for you.
(b) Write your goals down. The shortest pencil is better than the longest memory. God told the prophet, "Write the vision, and make it plain" (Habakkuk 2:2). Without written goals you have no compassand you can get swept off course.
(c) Focus on your top goals. If you attempt everything you'll accomplish nothing. Remember, a big success is simply several little successes strung together.
(d) Be alert to those God sends into your life to help you fulfill His purposes. Draw on the wisdom of experienced people; stand on their shoulders. Even your critics can sharpen you.
God has a plan for your life - seek Him and He'll reveal it to you!
Proverbs 16:9
There are several reasons why we fail to set goals for our lives:
(1) We haven't been taught the blessing or joy of such an action.
(2) We don'tknow how to go about it.
(3) We are afraid of failing. If we don't have a goal there's no guilt or embarrassment over not reaching it.
(4) We feel intimidated by previous failures. Solomon wrote: "We should make plans - counting on God to direct us.
"Jesus said: "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?" (Luke 14:28 ).
Goal setting takes time, discipline,courage and perseverance.
Between you and your goal there'll be road blocks, enemy attacks and temptations designed to derail you.
"So, what should I do?"
(a) Talk to God. Get into agreement with His will for you.
(b) Write your goals down. The shortest pencil is better than the longest memory. God told the prophet, "Write the vision, and make it plain" (Habakkuk 2:2). Without written goals you have no compassand you can get swept off course.
(c) Focus on your top goals. If you attempt everything you'll accomplish nothing. Remember, a big success is simply several little successes strung together.
(d) Be alert to those God sends into your life to help you fulfill His purposes. Draw on the wisdom of experienced people; stand on their shoulders. Even your critics can sharpen you.
God has a plan for your life - seek Him and He'll reveal it to you!
Learn To Rest In God!
My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Exodus 33:14
Has success brought pressures you can't cope with?
Has the thing you celebrated yesterday got you all stressed out today?
We think we know what we want - usually because we see it in somebody else's life.
But God knows what we need - what we can live with and not fall apart. WhenGod says, "No" it's because He sees down the road. Children don't know what they don't know. Their favourite word is "gimme."
When we're tiny and don't get it, we stomp our feet and throw a fit.
When we're in our teens and don't get it, we rebel and think, "You're ruining my life.
"When we're older and wiser we say, "Thank God Mum and Dad said no."
Be careful what you pray for, you just might get it.
Here are some sobering words for fast trackers: "Then believed they His words; they sang His praise [but] they soon forgot His works; they waited not for His counsel: but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness...and He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul"(Psalm 106:12-15).
Wow! Materially enriched, but spiritually impoverished. That's a battle you'll fight too! Are you experiencing lean times in your soul?
If you are and you know it, you're blessed. You can still do something about it. It's when you don't know it that you'rein trouble. You say, "Is God asking me to leave my job or sell my big house?
" No, He's telling you you're out of balance.
"Where do I find the answer?"
God whispers, "My Presence will go with you and I will give yourest."
Learn to rest in God!
Exodus 33:14
Has success brought pressures you can't cope with?
Has the thing you celebrated yesterday got you all stressed out today?
We think we know what we want - usually because we see it in somebody else's life.
But God knows what we need - what we can live with and not fall apart. WhenGod says, "No" it's because He sees down the road. Children don't know what they don't know. Their favourite word is "gimme."
When we're tiny and don't get it, we stomp our feet and throw a fit.
When we're in our teens and don't get it, we rebel and think, "You're ruining my life.
"When we're older and wiser we say, "Thank God Mum and Dad said no."
Be careful what you pray for, you just might get it.
Here are some sobering words for fast trackers: "Then believed they His words; they sang His praise [but] they soon forgot His works; they waited not for His counsel: but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness...and He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul"(Psalm 106:12-15).
Wow! Materially enriched, but spiritually impoverished. That's a battle you'll fight too! Are you experiencing lean times in your soul?
If you are and you know it, you're blessed. You can still do something about it. It's when you don't know it that you'rein trouble. You say, "Is God asking me to leave my job or sell my big house?
" No, He's telling you you're out of balance.
"Where do I find the answer?"
God whispers, "My Presence will go with you and I will give yourest."
Learn to rest in God!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Control Your Emotions (3)
He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 14:14
Before you congratulate yourself on having your emotions in check,understand that there's another side to the coin - control but no compassion; moral indignation over human suffering yet no corresponding action.
James talks about these people (James 2:20). And they were church people too. They see the pain and unmet needs of others. They have the ability to do something about it, but they lack the willingness or compassion so they walk away muttering about being too busy. Or they try to appease their conscience with a token gift.
John asks, "How does the love of God abide in him?" (1 John 3:17).
How indeed? If we are not responsible, who is?
If we don't do something, who will?
"Faith without works is dead" (James 2:20).
You're only disciplining your emotions if you translate them into responsible action. And your "somebody ought to do something about this"sentiments won't get you off the hook.
William Barclay wrote: "There is nothing more dangerous than the repeated experience of a fine emotion with no attempt to put it into action. It is a fact that every time aman feels a noble impulse without taking action he becomes less likely ever to take action. In a sense it is true to say that a man has no right to feel sympathy unless he at least tries to put that sympathy into action.
An emotion is not something in which to luxuriate; it is something which, at the cost of effort and of toil, of discipline and of sacrifice, must be turned into the stuff of life.
" That just about says it all - doesn't it?
Matthew 14:14
Before you congratulate yourself on having your emotions in check,understand that there's another side to the coin - control but no compassion; moral indignation over human suffering yet no corresponding action.
James talks about these people (James 2:20). And they were church people too. They see the pain and unmet needs of others. They have the ability to do something about it, but they lack the willingness or compassion so they walk away muttering about being too busy. Or they try to appease their conscience with a token gift.
John asks, "How does the love of God abide in him?" (1 John 3:17).
How indeed? If we are not responsible, who is?
If we don't do something, who will?
"Faith without works is dead" (James 2:20).
You're only disciplining your emotions if you translate them into responsible action. And your "somebody ought to do something about this"sentiments won't get you off the hook.
William Barclay wrote: "There is nothing more dangerous than the repeated experience of a fine emotion with no attempt to put it into action. It is a fact that every time aman feels a noble impulse without taking action he becomes less likely ever to take action. In a sense it is true to say that a man has no right to feel sympathy unless he at least tries to put that sympathy into action.
An emotion is not something in which to luxuriate; it is something which, at the cost of effort and of toil, of discipline and of sacrifice, must be turned into the stuff of life.
" That just about says it all - doesn't it?
Control Your Emotions (2)
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil.
Psalm 37:8
As you go through life people will offend you. Sometimes it will be deliberate, other times it will be in advertent.
The question is - what are you going to do about it?
Spiritually mature people discipline their emotions and make sure they accurately reflect reality. They can be sad, joyful, angry or elated inappropriate ways at appropriate times. They refuse to allow their emotions to determine their conduct, attitude, or choices.
One Christian author writes: "When I feel things going against me, when feelings of anger and resentment begin to rise, it's time to stop and ask what's happening.
Is this for the greater good, or not?
Is God speaking to me,or isn't He?
Will my flesh rule this moment, or my Spirit?"
That's good advice for you too!
Psalm 37:8
As you go through life people will offend you. Sometimes it will be deliberate, other times it will be in advertent.
The question is - what are you going to do about it?
Spiritually mature people discipline their emotions and make sure they accurately reflect reality. They can be sad, joyful, angry or elated inappropriate ways at appropriate times. They refuse to allow their emotions to determine their conduct, attitude, or choices.
One Christian author writes: "When I feel things going against me, when feelings of anger and resentment begin to rise, it's time to stop and ask what's happening.
Is this for the greater good, or not?
Is God speaking to me,or isn't He?
Will my flesh rule this moment, or my Spirit?"
That's good advice for you too!
Control Your Emotions (1)
Cain, Why are you angry?
Genesis 4:6
Unless you learn to discipline your emotions you'll lose credibility,alienate others, and miss great opportunities.
Your emotions are like a car: properly understood and directed it can take you places; out of control it can destroy you.
When God asked Cain, "Why are you angry with your brother?" He was saying: "Listen up, Cain! Your emotions are sending you a message. If you don't get a handle on this you'll create a mess you won't be able to live with. Yes, you'll repent and regret it, but you won't be able to undo it." But Cain wouldn't listen. The situation seemed unfair; he felt unappreciated. He thought his brother's blessing had come at his expense.
What emotions were at work here? Jealousy. Resentment. Competitiveness. A sense of victimhood. These uncheckedf orces caused him to murder his brother Abel and cross a line he couldn't come back from.
Most of us have an inner response mechanism that isn't necessarily controlled by the rational side of our brain. It reacts to people and events, and like a sudden storm rises with strength from within, sometimes overwhelming us. Gordon McDonald writes: "I used to pride myself on the fact that I kept my emotions to myself. I never saw myself as an angry person... Then I got married and my wife informed me that I had plenty of anger after all. While it rarely came out in words it showed itself in full colour in facial expressions (the gift of glare,we called it) I never knew I had. I had work to do. I had emotions that needed to be disciplined." How about you?
Genesis 4:6
Unless you learn to discipline your emotions you'll lose credibility,alienate others, and miss great opportunities.
Your emotions are like a car: properly understood and directed it can take you places; out of control it can destroy you.
When God asked Cain, "Why are you angry with your brother?" He was saying: "Listen up, Cain! Your emotions are sending you a message. If you don't get a handle on this you'll create a mess you won't be able to live with. Yes, you'll repent and regret it, but you won't be able to undo it." But Cain wouldn't listen. The situation seemed unfair; he felt unappreciated. He thought his brother's blessing had come at his expense.
What emotions were at work here? Jealousy. Resentment. Competitiveness. A sense of victimhood. These uncheckedf orces caused him to murder his brother Abel and cross a line he couldn't come back from.
Most of us have an inner response mechanism that isn't necessarily controlled by the rational side of our brain. It reacts to people and events, and like a sudden storm rises with strength from within, sometimes overwhelming us. Gordon McDonald writes: "I used to pride myself on the fact that I kept my emotions to myself. I never saw myself as an angry person... Then I got married and my wife informed me that I had plenty of anger after all. While it rarely came out in words it showed itself in full colour in facial expressions (the gift of glare,we called it) I never knew I had. I had work to do. I had emotions that needed to be disciplined." How about you?
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
The MacRitchie Tree Top Walk
On Sunday Morning (24/9/06), meeting my Pre U schoolmates at Venus Dr car park at 9 am...our Team Leader Beng Luan...
with Molly, Kaijee and Diana....we have not see each other since 1988..
on the way to the tree top walk....
this is how the bridge look like.... it is quite high, can only see the top of the tree
with Diana.....
down from the bridge, take a rest at the bench....
It took us more than 2 hours to complete the journey, after that we went for tim sum at Thomson Plaza... Ting Fong gives us a treat...we depart at about 1 pm.... looking forward for another outing.........
with Molly, Kaijee and Diana....we have not see each other since 1988..
on the way to the tree top walk....
this is how the bridge look like.... it is quite high, can only see the top of the tree
with Diana.....
down from the bridge, take a rest at the bench....
It took us more than 2 hours to complete the journey, after that we went for tim sum at Thomson Plaza... Ting Fong gives us a treat...we depart at about 1 pm.... looking forward for another outing.........
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Testimonial from a cancer survivor
I was reading one of the blog, and came across this livejournal about a stage 4B lung cancer survivor. He praise God healing touch....God is the healer...Alleluia
And he has the following to advise:
Buy life insurance.
One of the main worries I had in hospital was not knowing exactly how much insurance I had. I know I bought a few but didn’t calculate in detail.Look for good agent, sit down and discuss with him, calculate how much your family needs to survive until your children can work. Luckily after being discharged, I found that I’ve been covered for more that half a million and my home loan will be automatically paid if anything happen to me.
Financial plan for my children’s study is covered too.That gave me a peace of mind and left me totally focus on fighting the cancer.
Buy Critical illness plan.
One of the mistakes I did was not buying the critical illness plan.
Why buy?
I’m fit, I run twice a week and workout in between.
I’m still young, nothing will happen to me.
All my health checks showed that I was in good health. Well, cancer happened despite all that assurance.
If I had a critical illness plan, I would have $200,000 to $300,000 now.
I will not be worried about working. With some money, I will be able to work at something less stressful and still have enough money for the family or maybe retire and work freelance.
It is funny that my death will be more beneficial than my survival.
Fitness doesn’t equate to health. It is only part of being healthy.
The food you eat and the lifestyle stress you put on your body determines your health.
I’m recommending a few books, which I hope you will find time to read. These books will educate us on being healthy.
Food as medicine,
You the owners manual,
What the doctor doesn't tell you about nutrition maybe killing you.
The cancer statistic in Singapore showed that 27% of our population would get cancer and 25% of that will die of cancer; it is a disease, which affects developing nations.
It may be the working stress, the amount of process food we eat, the environment we live in or a combination of all.
What did I think contributed to my recovery?
Having adequate insurance covered for my family.
My family – without them, there would be no meaning to survive. My wife sitting beside me the whole day in hospital from morning till night. Before I sleep I see her and when I wake, I see her lovely face smiling. Nothing can beat that.
Having a strong belief. – Will give you peace.
My whole family is Catholic, and their understanding of death is that I will be rewarded and go to heaven. Their strong belief that god will do what is right has made them strong and in turn made me strong. I didn’t have the stress of seeing them cry and suffer.I don’t fear death, nor do I welcome it, but everybody got to go sometimes sooner or later. I view it as a stage to another world. My buddy Foo brought me to healing sessions and my buddy Raymond’s prayers for me when he visited, strengthened me spiritually.That is why as I walk thru the valley of death, I fear no evil for I know that God is walking beside me.
The above came from someone who has walked thru death...
What are you waiting for?
And he has the following to advise:
Buy life insurance.
One of the main worries I had in hospital was not knowing exactly how much insurance I had. I know I bought a few but didn’t calculate in detail.Look for good agent, sit down and discuss with him, calculate how much your family needs to survive until your children can work. Luckily after being discharged, I found that I’ve been covered for more that half a million and my home loan will be automatically paid if anything happen to me.
Financial plan for my children’s study is covered too.That gave me a peace of mind and left me totally focus on fighting the cancer.
Buy Critical illness plan.
One of the mistakes I did was not buying the critical illness plan.
Why buy?
I’m fit, I run twice a week and workout in between.
I’m still young, nothing will happen to me.
All my health checks showed that I was in good health. Well, cancer happened despite all that assurance.
If I had a critical illness plan, I would have $200,000 to $300,000 now.
I will not be worried about working. With some money, I will be able to work at something less stressful and still have enough money for the family or maybe retire and work freelance.
It is funny that my death will be more beneficial than my survival.
Fitness doesn’t equate to health. It is only part of being healthy.
The food you eat and the lifestyle stress you put on your body determines your health.
I’m recommending a few books, which I hope you will find time to read. These books will educate us on being healthy.
Food as medicine,
You the owners manual,
What the doctor doesn't tell you about nutrition maybe killing you.
The cancer statistic in Singapore showed that 27% of our population would get cancer and 25% of that will die of cancer; it is a disease, which affects developing nations.
It may be the working stress, the amount of process food we eat, the environment we live in or a combination of all.
What did I think contributed to my recovery?
Having adequate insurance covered for my family.
My family – without them, there would be no meaning to survive. My wife sitting beside me the whole day in hospital from morning till night. Before I sleep I see her and when I wake, I see her lovely face smiling. Nothing can beat that.
Having a strong belief. – Will give you peace.
My whole family is Catholic, and their understanding of death is that I will be rewarded and go to heaven. Their strong belief that god will do what is right has made them strong and in turn made me strong. I didn’t have the stress of seeing them cry and suffer.I don’t fear death, nor do I welcome it, but everybody got to go sometimes sooner or later. I view it as a stage to another world. My buddy Foo brought me to healing sessions and my buddy Raymond’s prayers for me when he visited, strengthened me spiritually.That is why as I walk thru the valley of death, I fear no evil for I know that God is walking beside me.
The above came from someone who has walked thru death...
What are you waiting for?
Thursday, September 21, 2006
食物助您降血脂
隨著生活水平的提高，患高血脂症的病人越來越多，除了藥物治療外，可用下麵食物輔助降低血脂。
大豆：含人體必需的八種氨基酸、多種維生素及多種微量元素，可降低血中膽固醇。
花生：花生油有助於分解肝內膽固醇，降低血中膽固醇。
蘑菇：含有一種嘌呤衍生物，有明顯降血脂作用。
大蒜：含有揮發性味素，可清除積存在血管中的脂肪，有明顯的降低膽固醇的作用。
洋蔥：含有三烯丙基二硫化物及硫氨基酸，有良好的降血脂作用。
生薑：含有油樹脂。可抑制人體對膽固醇的吸收。
茶葉：降低膽固醇的效果明顯。
蜜桔：加速膽固醇的轉化，降低膽固醇和血脂含量。
酸奶：降低膽固醇的效果明顯。
此外，甲魚、玉米油、葵花籽、海藻等均有降低膽固醇作用。
大豆：含人體必需的八種氨基酸、多種維生素及多種微量元素，可降低血中膽固醇。
花生：花生油有助於分解肝內膽固醇，降低血中膽固醇。
蘑菇：含有一種嘌呤衍生物，有明顯降血脂作用。
大蒜：含有揮發性味素，可清除積存在血管中的脂肪，有明顯的降低膽固醇的作用。
洋蔥：含有三烯丙基二硫化物及硫氨基酸，有良好的降血脂作用。
生薑：含有油樹脂。可抑制人體對膽固醇的吸收。
茶葉：降低膽固醇的效果明顯。
蜜桔：加速膽固醇的轉化，降低膽固醇和血脂含量。
酸奶：降低膽固醇的效果明顯。
此外，甲魚、玉米油、葵花籽、海藻等均有降低膽固醇作用。
Living The Disciplined Life
You... know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith,patience, love, endurance.
2 Timothy 3:10
Living the disciplined life does three things for you:
(1) It strengthens your will! Discipline doesn't make you rigid, it makes you resilient. It provides you with shock absorbers for the potholes of life. And there will be lots of them. It enlarges your capacity to summon up courage when life gets tough. Look at Shadrach,Meshach and Abednego who refused to bow to a pagan king's idol even when threatened with a fiery furnace: "The God we serve is able to save us from it... But even if He does not... we will not serve your gods"(Daniel 3:17-18 ). All of their lives these guys had toughened themselves through discipline, in order to face such a supreme moment of test. And you'll face that moment too!
(2) It brings your gifts to their highest level of effectiveness. "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" asks the tourist of a New Yorker. Answer: "You practice, man, you practice."David's first victory wasn't over Goliath. His years of practice as a shepherd defending his sheep against wolves, a lion and a bear, had prepared him for this moment. It had given him the spirit and the skill needed to take on the Philistine champion.
(3) It inspires others. Paul writes to Timothy, "You... know all about my teaching, my way of life [living it is harder than teaching it], my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings" (2 Timothy 3:10 ). Paul's greatest gift to Timothy was the example of a disciplined life. Now Timothy had something to copy - a straight edge of excellent living. And there's no better gift!
2 Timothy 3:10
Living the disciplined life does three things for you:
(1) It strengthens your will! Discipline doesn't make you rigid, it makes you resilient. It provides you with shock absorbers for the potholes of life. And there will be lots of them. It enlarges your capacity to summon up courage when life gets tough. Look at Shadrach,Meshach and Abednego who refused to bow to a pagan king's idol even when threatened with a fiery furnace: "The God we serve is able to save us from it... But even if He does not... we will not serve your gods"(Daniel 3:17-18 ). All of their lives these guys had toughened themselves through discipline, in order to face such a supreme moment of test. And you'll face that moment too!
(2) It brings your gifts to their highest level of effectiveness. "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" asks the tourist of a New Yorker. Answer: "You practice, man, you practice."David's first victory wasn't over Goliath. His years of practice as a shepherd defending his sheep against wolves, a lion and a bear, had prepared him for this moment. It had given him the spirit and the skill needed to take on the Philistine champion.
(3) It inspires others. Paul writes to Timothy, "You... know all about my teaching, my way of life [living it is harder than teaching it], my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings" (2 Timothy 3:10 ). Paul's greatest gift to Timothy was the example of a disciplined life. Now Timothy had something to copy - a straight edge of excellent living. And there's no better gift!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Save The Children
Arise, lift up the lad... hold him with your hand... for I will make him a great nation.
Genesis 21:18
In a jealous rage Sarah told Abraham: "Cast out this bondwoman and herson" (Genesis 21:10). That's when God intervened. He met Hagar at her lowest point and gave her four steps every single parent should take:
(1) "Arise" - raise your own self esteem. You can't lift others while you yourself are down. Get God's opinion of you. Allow His Word to pull you out of every slump you've fallen into.
(2) "Lift up the lad" - give your children positive reinforcement. Regardless of your regrets, your pain or your personal state, God will empower you to lift your children.Many people are mere fragments of what they might have been if someone had lifted them up. This is so important. No one can come from the outside and tear down your child if you've truly lifted them up.
(3)"Hold him with your hand" - initiate personal contact. A warm hug, a touch, it seems simple but it's powerful. Your hand scents them like sheep are scented by the shepherd. They know his scent. They recognise his voice. They respond to his touch. If the only time your children hear your voice is in criticism they will shy away from you.Psychologists call it "bonding." If our children don't get it they become dwarfed in their personal, spiritual and mental well-being. It'samazing what a touch will do.
(4) "I will make him... great" - never think that you're not raising great children just because you're raising them alone. God is with you. Your mistakes needn't prevent your children from being great in God's kingdom!
Genesis 21:18
In a jealous rage Sarah told Abraham: "Cast out this bondwoman and herson" (Genesis 21:10). That's when God intervened. He met Hagar at her lowest point and gave her four steps every single parent should take:
(1) "Arise" - raise your own self esteem. You can't lift others while you yourself are down. Get God's opinion of you. Allow His Word to pull you out of every slump you've fallen into.
(2) "Lift up the lad" - give your children positive reinforcement. Regardless of your regrets, your pain or your personal state, God will empower you to lift your children.Many people are mere fragments of what they might have been if someone had lifted them up. This is so important. No one can come from the outside and tear down your child if you've truly lifted them up.
(3)"Hold him with your hand" - initiate personal contact. A warm hug, a touch, it seems simple but it's powerful. Your hand scents them like sheep are scented by the shepherd. They know his scent. They recognise his voice. They respond to his touch. If the only time your children hear your voice is in criticism they will shy away from you.Psychologists call it "bonding." If our children don't get it they become dwarfed in their personal, spiritual and mental well-being. It'samazing what a touch will do.
(4) "I will make him... great" - never think that you're not raising great children just because you're raising them alone. God is with you. Your mistakes needn't prevent your children from being great in God's kingdom!
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Make Prayer A Habit (2)
He did what was right... but not whole heartedly.
2 Chronicles 25:2
When you pray, "Make me a better person," what specific areas would you like God to work on?
Are you honest in your financial dealings - do you give God a tithe of your income?
Do you put yourself in sexually inappropriate situations?
Do you tell the truth even when it costs you?
Are you spending enough time with your family?
Do you find it easy to say, "I was wrong, I'm genuinely sorry," or do you make excuses?
Have you formed habits that are detrimental to your health, your job, or your walk with Christ?
We will travel half way around the world for a personal "word," yet we won't spend an hour with God, or deal with our doubt, anger and selfishness. Yet that's what separates us from Him. In God's presence things that never bothered you before begin to bother you now.
Things like words; words that wound others, exalt self and contradict God.
Sometimes God withdraws His discernable presence to make us reach for Him harder. Seeking God is what keeps our hearts tender. Without realising it we become set in our methods of ministry, set in our ideas about prayer, and set in our attitudes toward others. We take a past experience we've had with God, reduce it to a formula and feel like we don't need to seek Him afresh. You can be seemingly doing all the right things, yet your love has grown cold.Ponder these words: "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not whole heartedly" (2 Chronicles 25:2 ).
There it is - your wholeheart! Does God have it?
2 Chronicles 25:2
When you pray, "Make me a better person," what specific areas would you like God to work on?
Are you honest in your financial dealings - do you give God a tithe of your income?
Do you put yourself in sexually inappropriate situations?
Do you tell the truth even when it costs you?
Are you spending enough time with your family?
Do you find it easy to say, "I was wrong, I'm genuinely sorry," or do you make excuses?
Have you formed habits that are detrimental to your health, your job, or your walk with Christ?
We will travel half way around the world for a personal "word," yet we won't spend an hour with God, or deal with our doubt, anger and selfishness. Yet that's what separates us from Him. In God's presence things that never bothered you before begin to bother you now.
Things like words; words that wound others, exalt self and contradict God.
Sometimes God withdraws His discernable presence to make us reach for Him harder. Seeking God is what keeps our hearts tender. Without realising it we become set in our methods of ministry, set in our ideas about prayer, and set in our attitudes toward others. We take a past experience we've had with God, reduce it to a formula and feel like we don't need to seek Him afresh. You can be seemingly doing all the right things, yet your love has grown cold.Ponder these words: "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not whole heartedly" (2 Chronicles 25:2 ).
There it is - your wholeheart! Does God have it?
Friday, September 08, 2006
Make Prayer A Habit (1)
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
If you're diligent about keeping other commitments but think you can cancel your daily prayer time at a moment's notice, it says:
(a) your love for Christ has grown cold;
(b) you believe you can handle life on your own except for emergencies;
(c) you're insensitive to the fact that God longs to spend time with you. "But I'm so busy!" That's the lamest excuse you can offer; how you spend your time reveals what's importantto you! The truth is, if you don't pray it's because you don't realise its potential, or you're unaware of the condition of your heart. John Wesley said, "God does nothing except in answer to prayer."
If you don't pray the best thing that can happen - is nothing. Prayer puts the situation into God's hands, otherwise whose hands is it in? Yours?
That's a scary thought!
Paul says, "Pray without ceasing." You can pray anywhere, anytime, about anything. Your prayers can be verbal or silent, long or short, public or private. "Pray without ceasing" just means to be in conscious contact with God at all times.
Does your prayer life need a tune-up?
Answer these three questions:
(1)How often do I pray? If you can't remember when you last spent time in prayer, you're living undirected, uncorrected and unprotected.
(2) How'smy sincerity? More liturgy than life? That's because you don't know enough about Who you're talking to, or how He feels about you.
(3) How's my faith level? Do you wonder if prayer really changes anything? After all, if God decides everything, why bother? Why? Because prayer isn't just for God's benefit - it's for yours!
1 Thessalonians 5:17
If you're diligent about keeping other commitments but think you can cancel your daily prayer time at a moment's notice, it says:
(a) your love for Christ has grown cold;
(b) you believe you can handle life on your own except for emergencies;
(c) you're insensitive to the fact that God longs to spend time with you. "But I'm so busy!" That's the lamest excuse you can offer; how you spend your time reveals what's importantto you! The truth is, if you don't pray it's because you don't realise its potential, or you're unaware of the condition of your heart. John Wesley said, "God does nothing except in answer to prayer."
If you don't pray the best thing that can happen - is nothing. Prayer puts the situation into God's hands, otherwise whose hands is it in? Yours?
That's a scary thought!
Paul says, "Pray without ceasing." You can pray anywhere, anytime, about anything. Your prayers can be verbal or silent, long or short, public or private. "Pray without ceasing" just means to be in conscious contact with God at all times.
Does your prayer life need a tune-up?
Answer these three questions:
(1)How often do I pray? If you can't remember when you last spent time in prayer, you're living undirected, uncorrected and unprotected.
(2) How'smy sincerity? More liturgy than life? That's because you don't know enough about Who you're talking to, or how He feels about you.
(3) How's my faith level? Do you wonder if prayer really changes anything? After all, if God decides everything, why bother? Why? Because prayer isn't just for God's benefit - it's for yours!
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