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 Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:45 am
Cool, Cooler, Coolest
Jacob limped because his hip was sore.
God was sore because Jacob was trying to be hip without Him.
Today we think we must be hip to soar.
And we're sore at those who are not hip.
Yet God's message remains the same -
If we're truly hip to Him, we soar.
If not, we become sore from trying to be hip without Him.
(See Genesis 32 for the entire story.)
Know It!
God made you in His image, and He wants you to have a healthy, positive self-esteem. He also wants you to remember, though, that everything you have and are and will be is a gift from Him. When you dare to think you've got it made in your own strength, you're in danger.
Read It!
Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 2 Corinthians 5:16; Philippians 2:3-8.
Pray It!
Jesus, it's sometimes easy for me to forget You are the reason I'm good at the things I excel in. I get caught up in the accolades from those who love me, and often start to think I'm pretty cool. Please forgive me. Deep inside, I know I'm nothing without You. Help me to keep You in the Lordship position of my life.
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Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 5:42 am
Making Good Out of Bad
Good things really can come from past mistakes! Take a quick peek at the following people who refused to allow their failures to dictate their future.
• Erle Stanley Gardner got suspended from high school when he drew a cartoon of the principal on one of the school's walls. He later became an attorney and practiced law for 20 years. He also created the fictional lawyer Perry Mason and the successful TV series revolving around his activities. Erle eventually wrote 129 detective novels that sold more than 300 million books!
• One April Fool's day, Jimmy Carter ditched school and went to a movie with friends. The principal punished him by spanking him and refusing his right to graduate as his class valedictorian. Jimmy Carter married another class valedictorian, Rosalynn Smith, and became Georgia's governor in 1970. In 1976, he was elected the 39th president of the United States.
• Christopher Columbus misfigured his calculations on the size of the globe and the width of the Atlantic Ocean and ended up discovering the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas (which he thought was in the Indies), Cuba (which he thought was in China) and the Dominican Republic (which he miscalculated to be in the Far East). Talk about being off! But he later made three more voyages to the New World and finally discovered Central and South America.
• In 1975, Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard University. Later that same year, he established Microsoft Corporation. He then designed the software to run personal computers and became the richest man in the world!
• Orville Wright was expelled from the sixth grade for misbehaving at school. In 1903, he (and his brother Wilbur) invented the world's first power-driven airplane.
• Thomas Monaghan knew all about going in circles. He spent many of his younger years in an orphanage. He was later placed in a variety of foster homes. He eventually enrolled in college, and dropped out. He enrolled in a Catholic seminary, and dropped out. He eventually went to seminary, but dropped out. He also spent a few years serving in the marines. In 1960 he borrowed $900 and purchased a filing pizza parlor in Ypsilanti, Mich., with his brother James. A year later, Thomas traded a VW Beetle for his brother's half of the company. That company became Domino's Pizza which now boasts more than 5,200 restaurants.
So does this give us permission not to take life seriously? No. But we do serve a God who has the power and desire to make good things happen from our mistakes and failures.
Know It!
God not only wants to celebrate your victories, He also wants to share your failures. When you blow it, are you tempted to simply give up? Or do you take your mistakes to God and ask Him to work in spite of?
Read It!
Deuteronomy 20:3; Joshua 1:5-9; Isaiah 51:6
Pray It!
Lord, I get so down when I blow it! And it seems as though I blow it a lot! But if you could do great things through people in the Bible who failed, that proves You can still use me. Take my failures, Jesus, and use them to bring glory to Your name.
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Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:43 am
Adhering to God's Truth
Bryan picked up a couple more rocks and handed them to Todd. Todd tossed one across the lake and watched it bounce four times before going underwater.
“Whoa! Dude, that was pretty slick,” Bryan said.
“Yep, not bad,” Todd agreed.
“I need a Coke to wash that hog dog down,” Bryan said. “Want one?”
“Sure.”
Bryan and Todd popped open their aluminum cans, and Todd took a chug. Bryan looked him in the eye.
“Todd, you're leaving in just a few minutes. I want you to listen very carefully to what I'm saying. Will you do that?”
Todd sighed. “Sure, Bry. Go ahead.”
“Look, Todd, I know you think you're a Christian because you believe . . . but believing's not enough. Hey, even Satan believes in God!”
“Well, yeah but - ”
“Todd, you have a tender heart. A heart that God wants to use. But He needs all of it.”
“I just don't wanna quit having fun.”
“Todd, you can still have fun - but the right kind of fun. I gotta tell you, man, I've never been more fulfilled than since I gave my life to Christ in totality.”
“Yeah, I know. I've heard it all, Bryan. But I'm not sure I can quit doing the stuff I know God doesn't want me to do.”
“Todd, do you realize what Jesus says about those who play the game?”
“Whaddya mean?”
“Playing the game - riding the fence - having a foot in the church and a foot in the world - He calls it being lukewarm.”
“That's like room temperature, right?”
“Yeah, sort of. It's a combination of hot and cold. He tells us to make a decision - to be really hot, or to go ahead and just be cold - but if we're lukewarm (if we're in the middle), He'll spew us from His mouth.”
“Spew?!? What . . . you mean like . . . vomit?”
“Yeah,” Bryan said. “That's pretty strong, huh?”
“Sure is,” Todd agreed. “Look, Man. It's not that I just love doing all that stuff so much. But it is fun, and - ”
“And the Bible says that sin is fun for a season . . . meaning it's only temporary fun, Todd.”
“Okay, here's the deal, Bry. I'm scared. I'm afraid if I make a total commitment to Christ, I'll fail. I'm human, Man! What if I blow it?
“That's where forgiveness comes in. When you approach God with a repentant heart, He'll forgive.”
“You mean, I won't have to start all over again? Like if I give God all my heart now, what if I blow it next week, then I come back to camp next summer and start over again?”
“No, Todd, you don't have to start over again. If you're truly repentant and genuinely desire to follow Christ wit hall your life, He'll forgive you when you ask. At that point, you accept His forgiveness and keep walking with Him.”
“That's what I want, Bryan! That's what I really want!”
“Are you willing to give God all of your life - even the stuff you know doesn't please Him?”
“Yeah, I am, Bryan. I said it was fun . . . but it's also miserable at the same time. I'm tired of the guilt. If God can really equip me to live the way He wants me to live, I'm ready to give Him everything.”
Know It!
God doesn't expect you to be perfect, but He does expect obedience and commitment.
Read It!
1 John 1:5-6; 1 John 2:1-2; Revelation 3:15-16.
Pray It!
Jesus, thanks so much for Your forgiveness and Your desire to help me be all You call me to be.
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Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:29 am
Coca-Cola Around the World
Though we're bombarded with a bazillion soft drinks, many throughout the world drink Coca-Cola. I've traveled to every continent in the world . . . except Antarctica . . . and I've found Coca-Cola in every country I've visited.
Even in remote villages without electricity, I've found bottled Coca-Cola. People can't read or write in many of these villages, but they drink Coke. Plumbing hasn't been heard of, clean water is a rare privilege and homes are simply huts made of grass, clay and animal dung. But look closer, and you'll notice the villagers are drinking Coca-Cola.
Amazing, isn't it? Even though Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sprite, and a ton of other drinks are popular . . . Coca- Cola rules worldwide. I couldn't find a Dr. Pepper or a Mr. Pibb in Papua, New Guinea, but I had no trouble locating a Coke.
In Jayapura, Irian Jaya no one had even heard of root beer, but they proudly displayed Coca-Cola along the side of the road. I wasn't able to get a 7-Up or a grape Nehi in the mountains of Bolivia, but I saw row after row of Cokes. In the Philippines; Ethiopia; Australia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Tahiti, on a safari in Kenya, East Africa, Calcutta, India, Tokyo, Beijing, Singapore, Guam and a plethora of other sites I've been, I couldn't always find a Squirt, Citra, Pepsi Light or Mellow Yellow. But I've never been without a Coke. No matter how far . . . no matter how remote . . . no matter what language . . . no matter what culture . . . Coca-Cola is there!
The marketing and advertising group at the Coca-Cola headquarters have really done their job, haven't they? They've made Coca-Cola the most popular and well- known soft drink around the world. It's even featured at the Olympics!
What if Christ were marketed the same way? Think about it: Every language, every culture, in every remote area of the world, wouldn't it be exciting if everyone could tap into Christ as easily as they can get a Coke! Well, they could . . . if they knew. Hmmm. If only God could come up with an advertising committee as good as Coca-Cola.
Guess what - God does have an advertising committee. And it's a lot more powerful than even Coke's prestigious team. His marketing crew consists of you. And me. And every single Christian around the world.
So why aren't busy advertising Jesus?
Every single day of your life, you advertise something. A sweet spirit, a rotten attitude, course language, forgiveness, kind words, affirmation. Your very lifestyle is a walking advertisement.
What . . . or whom . . . have you advertised today?
Know It!
God is counting on you to be His advertisement. Think about it: You personally know the King of Kings. Tell someone! The Creator of the universe calls you by name. Talk about Him!
Read It!
1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 2 Timothy 1:6-8.
Pray It!
Lord, sometimes I'm afraid to talk about You. Please fill me with Your boldness. Help me to remember that You'll give me the right words to say at the right time, and until then,You'll use my life to be an advertisement for You.
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Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 9:30 am
Coca-Cola . . . The Real Thing?
I should probably tell you that I really like Coca-Cola. It's my favorite soft drink. In fact, I collect Cokes from around the world - cans and bottles still full of the sugary brown liquid with Coca-Cola written across the side in a foreign language. I even have a working 1950s Coca-Cola machine in my basement so I always have plenty of “the real thing” to offer my guests. (And me.)
Some have even gone as far as to say I'm obsessed with Coca-Cola. I have Coca-Cola pencils, pens, notepads, clocks, yo-yo's, lapel pins, T-shirts, pants, jackets, skirts, bath mats, towels, socks and even dishes and silverware.
I also have a working Coca-Cola telephone, board game, framed puzzle, table and chairs, light switch plate and watch. Should I even mention the napkins, salt and pepper shakers, stickers and place mats?
OK, I admit . . . I have Coca-Cola lamps, lights and Christmas ornaments. Yep, even blankets, books, wallpaper, cups, glases and mugs that all sport the Coca-Cola logo on them. Ever seen Coca-Cola marbles, wallpaper, cameras and key chains? You would if you came to my house.
You'd also see mini-cars, a cookie jar, snow globe and even a Coca-Cola candle. And to drink your Coke? You'd have your choice of cups, glasses or mugs - all boasting the Coca-Cola logo.
I guess you could say I'm saturated with Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola stuff.
As much as I enjoy the sugary-brown soft drink, and as much as I love the variety of items that proudly displaly its logo in my home, I love Jesus Christ a whole lot more. He's definitely “the real thing!” He gave His life for me. And though He understands our enjoyment of hobbies and collections, He wants to be much more than a hobby to us.
Jesus wants us to be saturated with Him. He doesn't want to be number one in your life. He wants to be your life! You see, He knows that whatever we place in the number one spot will eventually get shoved to the number two position. God doesn't want to settle for a spot or a position. He wants to saturate you. He doesn't want to simply live in your heart; He wants to take up residence inside your head as well. He wants to rearrange your thinking, affect your actions and reactions.
He wants to possess your thinking - not to control you like a puppet - God doesn't work that way. But He wants to possess your thinking in such a way that whatever breaks His heart will begin to break your heart. He wants you to be obsessed with becoming all He calls you to be.
Know It!
You may have a great collection of “Jesus stuff.” Perhaps you have more than one Bible, some Christian posters, contemporary Christian music and several Christian books. Jesus wants to move you far beyond being a “Christian collector.” He doesn't want to be your hobby; He wants to be your life.
Read It!
Psalm 74:13-17; Psalm 77:18-20; Psalm 81:9-14.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, if I start to fall into the trap of merely “collecting” You and things that resemble You, wake me up with a strong but gentle reminder that You and You alone are the real thing!
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:31 am
Crusty Facts About Coca-Cola
As refreshing as an ice-cold Coca-Cola can be at the end of the day, it's not all good. Check out these weird, but true facts about the world's favorite soft drink.
• In many states, the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.
• You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke, and the steak will be gone in two days.
• To clean a toilet: Pour a can a Coke into the toilet bowl. Let the “real thing” sit for one hour, then flush clean.
• The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.
• To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a crumpled-up piece of aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.
• To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.
• To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
• To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan. Wrap the ham in aluminum foil and bake. Thirty minutes before the ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.
• To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into a load of greasy clothes. Add detergent and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosed the grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.
• The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. It's pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about four days.
• To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate), the commercial truck must use the “hazardous material” place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.
• The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean the engines of their trucks for more than 20 years.
Though Coca-Cola looks good on the outside, the facts tell us there are some extremely strong ingredients on the inside. Used in moderation, it's not harmful to most people. But used in the above situations or in obsessive amounts, it can be unhealthy.
As Christians, it's easy for us to look good on the outside. We learn how to appear and sound spiritually attractive. But if we're harboring negative influences on the inside, we're spiritually unhealthy.
Know It!
God wants you to be “the real thing!” Acting one way but being another is phony. Let your lifestyle reflect your inner commitment to Christ.
Read It!
Psalm 139:23-24; Psalm 141: 1-4; Proverbs 28:13; Romans 2:5-9.
Pray It!
Jesus, I definitely want to be “the real thing.” Please show me anything in my life that's not pleasing to You so I can commit that to You.
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Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:00 pm
Talk About Impulsive!
In Old Testament times, there was pretty cool family tradition floating around. (Well, it was cool for the oldest son; if you were anywhere else in the birth order, it wasn't so great.) The oldest son in each family was entitled to the “birthright.” That meant, simply because he was the oldest male, he was in line for the family goods. At some point, all the family owned would become his. The farm, the animals, the house, the four- wheel-drive SUV (hey, if they'd had them back then, he could have claimed it!), everything!
But what happened if the oldest boy was a twin? Enter Esau and Jacob. Since Esau was the first-born twin, he was the one in line for the birthright. How do you think that settled with Jacob? How would you feel if you were beaten by maybe a minute or so?
So Jacob began scheming . . . and cooking. You see, Esau loved to hunt, fish and trap, while Jacob loved to clean, cook and sew. While Esau was playing Davy Crockett in the wilderness, Jacob was playing Betty Crocker in the kitchen. And one day he created a recipe for goat stew that had his bro's eyes rolling backward. Esau loved that stew! Couldn't get enough of it.
Near the end of hunting season, Esau returned home starving. Jacob had been waiting for this very moment. He pulled his famous stew out of the fridge, popped it in the microwave and sat it on the kitchen counter.
“Wow! Is that your goat stew?” Esau asked.
“Sure is, Bro. I'll bet you're hungry after that long hunting trip, huh?”
“Yeah! Where's the spoon?”
“Not so fast. I was planning eating this myself.”
“Ah, come on, Jacob! I'm starving!”
“Wanna trade me for it?”
“Sure. Anything. Just give me the stew. Hey! That's homemade bread! Yeah, anything you want.”
“I want your birthright.”
“Take it. Just give me the stew and the bread. Got any Coke to wash it down with?”
That's all it took. Esau acted on an impulse, and his decision caused a split between the brothers that's still reverberating in the Middle East today!
It's easy to act on impulse. Have you ever purchased something without thinking it through and regretted it later? Or made a rash promise you wished you could take back? If so, you know what it's like to act impulsively. It's usually always followed by regret, sorrow, bitterness or anger.
Know It!
God wants you to think things through before you act. He wants to help you with your decisions. Our choices can have long-term consequences. Don't put your needs and desires before God's plan for your life.
Read It!
Genesis 25:23-34; Genesis 27; Proverbs 5:23; Proverbs 13:18; Proverbs 23:23; Hebrews 12:11.
Pray It!
Lord, I confess that I often act impulsively. Please help me to develop the discipline You want me to have. Jesus, I don't want to act on my desires or needs outside of Your perfect plan.
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Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:52 am
The Grabber
The Grabber
Check out yesterday’s devo, Talk About Impulsive!.
Jake is a pretty cool name . . . today. But it may not have always been. Jacob and Esau were twin brothers born to Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was born first, and Jacob followed with his hand grabbing the heel of his twin brother. Mom and Dad named him “Heelgrabber.” -or Jacob. Imagine signing up for Little League as “Heelgrabber.” They eventually shortened it to “Grabber.” But we can assume other kids made fun of him. He eventually began to lie, cheat . . . and grab.
Later in life, he grabbed Esau's birthright. In his adult life, he grabbed two wives and several farm animals from his Uncle Labon. And finally, he grabbed onto the most important thing worth grabbing in life-God Almighty. The best part of this story, though, is that God grabbed onto Jacob . . . and wouldn't let go.
He wants to grab you, too, and show you how make the most out of your life. God doesn't simply use people who seem to have it all together. He has a knack for grabbing the ordinary and helping them accomplish the extraordinary.
If you're aware of your weaknesses, you're in good company. Jacob had plenty of shortcomings! He was selfish. He became extremely wealthy but didn't want to share. When his back was against a wall, he tried to figure things out on his own instead of turning to God.< p> But God kept holding on. And eventually, God began to change Jacob and develop in him a true godliness. You see, God saw potential in the “Grabber.” God knew what Jacob could become. He didn't overlook Jake's weaknesses, but He focused His attention on developing Jacob into a man of God.
God won't overlook your shortcomings, either. In fact, if you ignore your weaknesses, He'll bring them to your attention. He wants to help you deal with failure, because He loves you too much to let you stay the way you are.
When we grab onto God, He's able to use us in spite of ourselves. What about you? Ready to become a God- grabber?
Know It!
Jacob became a man who eventually held on so tightly to God, that he wasn't willing to move ahead without God's approval. That's exactly where God wants you to be. He desires that your grip on Him becomes so tight, you'll seek His guidance in all you do.
Read It!
Genesis 28; 29; Romans 9:11-13.
Pray It!
Dear Jesus, I realize there are lots of things in life that look enticing to grab. But, Lord, I choose to grab You! Thanks for grabbing me first. In response to Your love, I grab onto You and pledge to hold tightly forever. Guide every part of my life, Jesus.
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Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:10 am
Every One Unique
“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way. This all happened on the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:31) NLT
I came across an AWESOME epiphany this morning.
I have always been different from "the norm" mentally and physically. Being 5'11," 165lbs, and obviously a horse of a different color left me feeling a little too creative, a little too funny for a girl, a little too deep thinking, a little too chubby, a little too tall, a little too smart, and a little too artistic. I've always been honored with who God created me as and have always been happy to show my true colors, but I have always longed to be a little more normal.
As I opened my day with a prayer to God, he told me something stupendous and I got so humbled and blessed from it that I can't believe that I have been so ungrateful. I have heard plenty of times that God created me to be who I am, but He focused my thoughts on that same truth from a different perspective: He CHOSE me to be unique. He showed me I couldn’t be unique and "normal" at the same time. He showed me that everyone's meaning of "normal" is different, and what is truly normal is to be who God created you to be. He wanted to bless me with the opportunity to add some spice to everyone's life. He honored me as an originalwork of his hands. I had never fully realized this.
It has changed me a lot in only a matter of minutes. No longer will I be envious of the "beautiful people" or anyone who has talents different from mine. Now, I am truly able to see others in a loving eye, not a critical one. I don't have to try to love my neighbor, I see that God chose them to be who they are and I am who I am through the Almighty's plan. I feel so content with myself and that, at least, is one person who you cannot get away from. You can't love everyone else properly until you love yourself. We all serve a different process in God's body. I am God's Only chosen Jenna. The King of all wanted me this way and loves me unconditionally for it. That is a miracle. God is wonderful!!!
Maybe He wants to bless you with the same truth. You were chosen by the One who spun the universe and keeps our galaxy in rotation to be who you are. Listen, you hear that? It's God.
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Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:34 am
Dating Non-Christians
What does the Bible say about dating non-Christians?
I am not sure that many of you know that my wife is pregnant and due in Sept. I want to thank the Lord for His many blessing in that situation, and would also ask for your prayers as we go through the many wonderful things that we have to face with the coming of our first child. Being pregnant is cool. You have many cravings, mood swings, and of course the infamous morning sickness. Maybe some of you can remember when your parents were expecting a younger brother or sister to some along in the family.
My wife has been craving some of the weirdest things that you and I would never put together. It is true then people tell you then pickles and peanut butter go hand in hand in the delicacy of a pregnant woman. But, to you and I they are not the most appetizing choice on our menu. The same goes with us as Christians when it comes to dating and courting non-Christians. We have to be careful who we date and who we do not. Dating a non-Christian is not God's idea of a date for us. We have talked about dating and courting and what the Bible says about that. Now, the dangerous problem that comes with dating and courting is a choice of who we should and shouldn't date. Especially when it comes to dating the non-Christian. Can we as Christians date non-Christians? That's the question we will look at this week.
Love is strong. It has a way of doing things that you would never expect it to do. So many young people have started to like a person, and as always, one thing leads to another, and before they know it, they end up in a devastating situation with a broken heart. The problem with liking a non-Christian is that the same happens, but now the Christian must decide whether or not they could ever share the gospel and their faith, with the opportunity of them denying it, or take the pain or breaking up.
The other problem is that there is always going to be temptation in the situation. Just thinking that you will never get in to temptation is not enough when "Satan roars like a hungry lion." (I Peter 5: cool Being a Christian you have the strength to overcome any temptation that comes your way, but the non-Christian has no idea and it becomes very dangerous on all aspects of the relationship. They are more likely to lean into the temptation and cause you more trouble than you wanted to get in. We are better off taking people of the opposite sex and befriending them and looking for the opportunity to share the gospel.
Another problem with the Christian dating a non-Christian comes in the harmony that God wants us to have in our relationships. Especially our relationship with someone that we would like to one day marry. The Bible says, "Do not 'team up," "work together," or "be matched" with those who are unbelievers" (2 Cor. 6:14) especially in marriage. In Bible times, you just did not put an ox with a donkey to plow or pull the cart. It just did not work. Same goes with our relationships with friends and with God. God wants us to be friends with nonbelievers in order to show them His plan of salvation, and we can work with them as well, but when we date a non-Christian we will see ourselves slowly drift from Christ and find that our relationship with Him suffers.
Finally, what is the solution? Ultimately, I would say that it is not OK to date a non-Christian. We need to guard our hearts. Hold on to them. Build healthy friendships with people who are Christians and focus our dating and courting desires on people that you can be "teamed up" with. We need to learn about courtship instead of dating, while seeking wisdom from God, and our parents. That way we can set the guidelines that we so desperately need for wholesome friendships before romance sets in. May God Be With You
"By staying close to Christ, when life throws it's nasty curve ball you will always knock a home run when you play as a team. But, if you expect to win this game your team mate better be playing for the right team. That is the one that Jesus is the manager of."
Song of Sol. 2:7
Prov. 4:23
Amos 3:3
2 Cor. 6:14
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Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:53 am
When Worlds Collide
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
(Luke 15:7)
A flash of lightning can light up the sky with it's power and might. A rainbow can cast it's amazing colors across the horizon with it's beauty and wonder. And a single soul that excepts Christ can bring the angels into an uproar with dancing and shouting.
Sit with me and let your imagination wonder to a distance place, this realm we call Heaven. A normal day is taking place on earth. But, something is different this time. The wind is gently whistling through the tree's, the cars are driving through the suburbs and children can be seen playing in the streets. A school bus pulls through and the afternoon begins.
But this afternoon has all of heaven taking notice. It's this afternoon that a young teenager is accepting Christ for the first time. A few kids from school has taken the time to talk about Jesus. Taken a moment to share their love and faith.
The angels stop what their doing, Jesus leans in his thrown closer to the scene just waiting for the chance to enter in. Then it happens. "I believe in you Jesus, forgive me of my sins and enter my life." A smile crosses the Father's face, a celebration begins. Jesus meets the teenager for the first time face to face.
Anyone can impact someone with the love of Christ. Whether your a teenager, a kid, or a grown adult. All it takes is someone who is willing to take a few minutes and let someone know they care. Let someone know the reason you wake up every morning, the reason you can smile when everyone around us is frowning. All of heaven rejoices at the thought of one soul being saved. I encourage you this week, throw a party, not here on earth, but in heaven. The angels are ready, the atmosphere set, the balloons and confetti are in their positions, now all it takes is you.
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Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:12 am
Say Yes To God
And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou haste spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11- And the Lord said unto him, who hath made man’s mouth? Or maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? (Exodus 4 10)
God has been calling me into the ministry, and I think He wants me to become a preacher. One of my problems is public speaking. I'm not good at speaking in front of people and for a while I have questioned God on why would he want me to be a preacher knowing I'm not good at speaking. These verses are a very big encouragement to me. God made my month therefore He will give me the ability to speak in front of people.
These verses can be a big encouragement in any area of your life too. See God wants to use His people in His work, and many times people think that they donut have the ability to do what God tells them to do. For example, witnessing. Moses said he couldn't speak, and God said I made mouths, therefore you can. That's powerful, God wont ask you to do something you cant do.
So many times I have told God no. God has used my youth minister to work in my life by asking me to give testimony, scripture readings, or prayer time in front of the youth, but I have told him no. This year is different, my resolution is to say yes, instead of no. No matter what He asks me to do, I will be willing to do it. I'm sick of telling God no, and I hope you are too. It’s just not worth it. I hope this can be an encouragement to you, and just remember whatever God tells you to do, you can do it by the power of Jesus.
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Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 5:44 am
Dating Vs. Courtship
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life." (Proverbs 4:23)
Song of Solomon 2:7
When I was in the high school locker room before a football practice, the guys always talked about the low down on who to go out with and who not to go out with. As a matter of fact, the face mask was not the only mask put on while you were in there and “machoness” came out in full force. Needless to say, the locker room was not the best place for a Christian teenager to get the lowdown on dating, but school, friends, and locker rooms are usually where is happens.
When you talk about the definitions of dating and courtship, you find yourself looking at a fine line for the proper understanding of both worlds. Especially coming from a “Gen X” mentality in a Western Society. After much study, I feel that the question that we as teenagers need to ask ourselves is, “Is my definition of choosing to date or choosing to court what God wanted me to get out of it for His glory?” Let me explain.
When you look at what our society calls dating, you are looking at a word that means an appointment with the opposite sex with the intent to find a mate. Granted that is what we as teenagers are looking for, but the problem that I see with our dating ideas is that it has turned into a BIG GAME of wearing masks, impression and no “real” people being shown. Our physical attractions are winning over as well. I am as much a culprit on this one as anyone. I would get myself into my closet getting ready for my date, find my mask that I wanted to wear, and out the door I would go.
Physically, I had a real challenge as well, I found myself setting standards and wanting romance, but those standards kept getting lower and lower. I found myself wanting closeness and romance, but was finding myself changing what I wanted which turned into a broken heart and robbed me of what I so longed for in my heart, life, and soul. I am not wanting any closure on the idea of dating to come accross here, but I do think that after much searching and looking at God’s Word on the subject that I feel that the idea of “courting” is much better.
If you were to define courting, you would have to say that it is an attempt to gain the affections of the heart of someone of the opposite sex. The question asked here is not “What can I get out of the situation,” but “What can I give the other person while glorifying God?” It is a get to know each other mentality with a foundation of friendship and a physical standard that is out of the picture. Am I saying that you cannot go places and do things? No, but your ideas of what you want out of the relationship are the key. What can you give, not what can you get.
In conclusion, the choice is ultimately yours. If I were to do it all over again, I would choose to court because of the priorities of the mindset. My prayer is that you too will do the same to see God glorified in all of your relationship.
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Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 5:37 am
Spiritual Gifts : God's Gift to Each of Us
The 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians is just part of a very long letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, a large cosmopolitan sea port in the southern part of Greece. The church at Corinth was established by Paul during his second missionary journey. Paul's letter was written during his third missionary journey, a three-year trip to Ephesus. The church a Corinth had been experiencing serious problems within its body and Paul's purpose in writing the letter was to teach the church members how to deal and survive in a corrupt society. The first half of chapter 12 explains what some of the spiritual gifts are, where they come from and how they are to be used. Paul tells us that some of the gifts are:
1) The gift of Wisdom
2) The gift of Knowledge
3) The gift of Faith
4) The gift of Healing
5) The gift of Miraculous Powers
6) The gift of Prophecy
7) The gift of Distinguishing between Spirits
cool The gift of Speaking in Different Kinds of Tongues
9) The gift of Interpretation (translating) the Different Kinds of Tongues
Paul tells that the source of the gift is the Holy Spirit and only the Holy Spirit. No man can posses a Spiritual gift that is not from God. Paul also tells us that a Spiritual Gift is given to each person through the Holy Spirit and the intended purpose of this gift is to be used only to minister to the body of believers. Probably the most important thing that Paul writes is that no gift is more important than any of the others. This was one of the major problems that were weakening the church. Church members began to divide because some began to think that their gift was more important than the others were.
It is very important that each of us understands that no gift is more important or more powerful that the other gifts. I have witnessed this occur in churches that I have attended and it can destroy the unity of the church body and divide a church so seriously that it will crumble. I have heard groups of our youth talking about how important they are to the church to the detriment of the others, those words are not of God. Please understand that the Spiritual Gift that the Holy Spirit has chosen for you is NOT less important than any of the other gifts. There is never a reason to feel that you are not as good a Christian than someone else is because that is far from the truth. As you continue your walk with God your Spiritual Gift will grow and your light will shine, just like everyone else's. God does not think that Billy Graham is any better than any of you are. You are as important to God as anyone else. DO NOT EVER FORGET THIS.
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Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:46 am
Here I Am
Lately in my Bible reading, I've been paying attention to detail. One detail that really caught my attention was the phrase "Here I am!". I never realized how many prophets in the Bible said that when God called them. I prayed about why God would point that out to me and He gave me the following 3 points.
We have to be........
1. Willing to listen - How many times have we actually listened to God? We want Him to answer us but we don't take time to stop our busy schedule and listen to Him. Some of us take 5 to 10 mins for quiet time but spend all of it doing the talking instead of listening. We should be like the prophets. When God speaks to us we should say, "Here I am" instead of "Hold on God, I have life happening". One good example is Moses. He was tending his sheep when God called out his name. He didn't say, "Hold on God, I'm tending my sheep". He said "Here I am" and listened to God.
2. Willing to go - When God calls us to do something He has a purpose for it. It may be a little or big job but they're all important. God doesn't show favoritism either - He can use ANYONE regardless of age, sex, denomination, etc. but we have to be willing! We need to have the heart of Isaiah: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send?'.....And I said 'Here am I, send me!" (Isaiah 6: cool
3. Willing to sacrifice - When we are willing to listen and willing to go God will use us. When He uses us He doesn't want us to just give part of what we have. He wants us to give our all. Therefore, we must also be willing to sacrifice. We've got to deny ourselves, pick up our crosses, and follow Him. Remember when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, the one God promised him? Abraham didn't even think twice about his decision. He did what God told him regardless the sacrifice and God honored him for that.
Will you be willing to listen, willing to go, and willing to sacrifice? I'm saying to the Lord, "Here I am! Use me!" Will you join me? We will be amazed what God can do through us when we do these 3 simple things. God bless you and remember to LISTEN, GO, and SACRIFICE!
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