Colossians 1:3-4 - "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people."
The Colossisn church had quite the testimony. Paul heard of their faith in Christ Jesus and of the love they had for all of God's people. What do people say about your church? What do people say about you? Do you have a good reputation? Are people talking about your faith in Christ and love you have for others? Is news spreading about you and your churches faith and love?
Lord, I pray that people may see my faith in you and love for others and that they might thank God for me being a part of their lives.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Get God Involved
Proverbs 16:1-4 - "To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
We all have plans for our lives and make plans daily. Yet, God will judge the plans and motives of our heart. We will have to give account to Him. Therefore, we must get God involved in our planning.
When he says commit to the Lord whatever you do, it doesn't mean do what you like and then ask God to bless it or give you success. It means making God part of the planning and then asking Him to establish your plans
Verse 9 -"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."
If we want our steps established, secure, and successful, we must make God a part of all the we do. We need to make Him a part even the small things. You can trip and fall on a small step as well a large step. Often we get God involved in our big decisions, but not our small decisions. Many small bad steps can be as bad as one bad big step. It is often those many small decisions that lead us to failure or success .
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Oil On My Head
Psalms 141:5 - "Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me —that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
When a righteous man corrects us it is a good thing. When he rebukes or disciplines us it is as oil on our head. Oil in O.T. time was a symbol of blessing and joy. It was used in offerings and anointing as well. Yet, here is referring to the aspect of blessing.
How do we react to someone who seeks to counsel, correct and bring discipline to our lives in love and wisdom. Often we are quick to reject it, ignore it and even be offended by it. We are even more quick to reject it when it comes from someone we think that is less than us. Yet, wisdom and counsel can sometimes come from the most unlikely people, even from the mouth of babes.
Proverbs 10:17 - " Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
Proverbs 12:1 - " Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid."
Let us take heed to the discipline of the righteous. The man or woman of God.
Yet the psalmist says, he will stand against evildoers. He will not accept their discipline or correction. They do not have the mind of Christ. We must not be quick to receive the counsel of the unrighteous and even guard ourselves against it.
When a righteous man corrects us it is a good thing. When he rebukes or disciplines us it is as oil on our head. Oil in O.T. time was a symbol of blessing and joy. It was used in offerings and anointing as well. Yet, here is referring to the aspect of blessing.
How do we react to someone who seeks to counsel, correct and bring discipline to our lives in love and wisdom. Often we are quick to reject it, ignore it and even be offended by it. We are even more quick to reject it when it comes from someone we think that is less than us. Yet, wisdom and counsel can sometimes come from the most unlikely people, even from the mouth of babes.
Proverbs 10:17 - " Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray."
Proverbs 12:1 - " Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid."
Let us take heed to the discipline of the righteous. The man or woman of God.
Yet the psalmist says, he will stand against evildoers. He will not accept their discipline or correction. They do not have the mind of Christ. We must not be quick to receive the counsel of the unrighteous and even guard ourselves against it.
Friday, June 1, 2012
Power Over the Enemy
Luke 10:17-20 - "The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Jesus says, we have the authority to overcome all the power of the enemy. The first thing I want you to see here is that the enemy does have power. Secondly, we have been given authority and our authority is greater than Satan's authority. Therefore, we have been given power to overcome the enemy. Yet, believers do not always overcome the enemy because they don't utilize the power Christ has given to them. To overcome the enemy it will require us to stand in faith on the Word of God and declare it. It will require us to walk in the Holy Spirit and live godly lives.
Christ goes on to say that nothing will harm you. Many Christians take this to mean that no physical thing will harm you. Yet, when look around us, we see Christian being harmed physically and even experience sickness that leads to death. It makes one wonder if the statement is true. We need to keep this statement in context with the whole passage. First of all, Christ wants us to know that no power of darkness can harm us. Satan can not harm us. Secondly, he wants us to know that we are secure in Him as we serve Him in ministry. Ultimately, he wants us to know that no harm spiritual or otherwise can harm us with out Him allowing it. Yes, he does let harm befall Christians for various reasons. The Bible attests to this and their are many examples of this which I will not go into.
Because of the these truths we can live in joy, peace, and victory as believers.
Jesus says, we have the authority to overcome all the power of the enemy. The first thing I want you to see here is that the enemy does have power. Secondly, we have been given authority and our authority is greater than Satan's authority. Therefore, we have been given power to overcome the enemy. Yet, believers do not always overcome the enemy because they don't utilize the power Christ has given to them. To overcome the enemy it will require us to stand in faith on the Word of God and declare it. It will require us to walk in the Holy Spirit and live godly lives.
Christ goes on to say that nothing will harm you. Many Christians take this to mean that no physical thing will harm you. Yet, when look around us, we see Christian being harmed physically and even experience sickness that leads to death. It makes one wonder if the statement is true. We need to keep this statement in context with the whole passage. First of all, Christ wants us to know that no power of darkness can harm us. Satan can not harm us. Secondly, he wants us to know that we are secure in Him as we serve Him in ministry. Ultimately, he wants us to know that no harm spiritual or otherwise can harm us with out Him allowing it. Yes, he does let harm befall Christians for various reasons. The Bible attests to this and their are many examples of this which I will not go into.
Because of the these truths we can live in joy, peace, and victory as believers.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Cry Out For Wisdom
Proverbs 2:1-6 - "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
You gain wisdom from the knowledge and understanding that the Lord gives. Yet, you must diligently seek it. This does not come by chance. It is not something that the Lord just drops on our lap. We must actively seek it. It will require effort. It comes from a great desire to know the Lord. It comes from a great love for the things of the Father. It is developed as we spend time in God's Word, with God and His people. Finally wisdom comes progressively over many years. Yet, it only when we see Christ face to face will we have the fulness.
The author says that wisdom will enable us to understand the fear of the Lord. More simply stated it instill in us the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning and end of wisdom. We know someone is when he fears the Lord. This means a wise person will live as Christ lived and think as Christ thinks. Love as Christ loves.
2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
You gain wisdom from the knowledge and understanding that the Lord gives. Yet, you must diligently seek it. This does not come by chance. It is not something that the Lord just drops on our lap. We must actively seek it. It will require effort. It comes from a great desire to know the Lord. It comes from a great love for the things of the Father. It is developed as we spend time in God's Word, with God and His people. Finally wisdom comes progressively over many years. Yet, it only when we see Christ face to face will we have the fulness.
The author says that wisdom will enable us to understand the fear of the Lord. More simply stated it instill in us the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning and end of wisdom. We know someone is when he fears the Lord. This means a wise person will live as Christ lived and think as Christ thinks. Love as Christ loves.
Monday, May 28, 2012
The Next Generation
Psalms 78:2-8 tell us that we are to testify to our children. We are to tell our story. We are to tell them of the wondrous things God has done for us. Not only for us personally, but what God has done for his people over the years. We all agree that history is important. Children need to know their roots. Often they don't appreciate this fully when they are young, but it is our responsibility to speak of our heritage. What greater thing then talking about our heritage in Christ. We need to tell them how we were saved, and what Christ has done in our lives since then.
We not only need to speak to our children the great and mighty things God has done for us, but we need to impart to the Word of God. We often in the church about making disciples for Christ. Our first and most important disciples are our children. As minister of the Lord, we can be caught up in disciples others but not our own children. Fathers are to be the spiritual head of his household. If no father, the mother is the spiritual head. Accompanied with this must be a life style that reflects your words.
If we don't do this, They may become stubborn and rebellious. Their hearts may not remain loyal to the God. Often children submit to the parents as they are in the home, and follow their religious beliefs. When they leave home, they often fall away from the teachings of their parents. Often, this is because their parents have failed to disciple them. They may have failed in their Christian life. They may have failed to impart their faith to their children. Yes, I know this is not always the cause of them turning their back on the Lord, but often this is true.
If we testify of God's goodness, works, live the life of Christ, and train them up in the way of the Lord, they will come back to the Lord even if they may stray. This must be covered in much prayer.
We not only need to speak to our children the great and mighty things God has done for us, but we need to impart to the Word of God. We often in the church about making disciples for Christ. Our first and most important disciples are our children. As minister of the Lord, we can be caught up in disciples others but not our own children. Fathers are to be the spiritual head of his household. If no father, the mother is the spiritual head. Accompanied with this must be a life style that reflects your words.
If we don't do this, They may become stubborn and rebellious. Their hearts may not remain loyal to the God. Often children submit to the parents as they are in the home, and follow their religious beliefs. When they leave home, they often fall away from the teachings of their parents. Often, this is because their parents have failed to disciple them. They may have failed in their Christian life. They may have failed to impart their faith to their children. Yes, I know this is not always the cause of them turning their back on the Lord, but often this is true.
If we testify of God's goodness, works, live the life of Christ, and train them up in the way of the Lord, they will come back to the Lord even if they may stray. This must be covered in much prayer.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
In His Presence is Understanding
Psalms 73:16-17 - "When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny."
David was troubled when he saw how the wicked prospered. He thought only the righteous should prosper. He didn't understand this he entered the sanctuary of God.
How often are we troubled by the things we see. We don't understand why God allows certain things. We don't understand the workings of God. We don't understand why certain things have happened to us or are happening to us. It doesn't make any sense to us. We become frustrated, distressed and maybe even resentful.
What must we do? We need to spend time in God's presence. As we worship the Lord, meditate on His Word, open our hearts to him in prayer, we will gain understanding. We will begin to look at these things through the eyes of the Father. As we sit at the masters feet he will teach us.
Sometimes we come out of God's presence and our questions may not be fully answered, but we will come out with a greater faith. We will no longer be frustrated, distressed or resentful, but encouraged. We will trust God knows what He is doing and His way is best.
Jesus said that those who seek me will find me. (Matt. 7:7-8) Those who call on my name I will answer. The answer to every question in life can only be found in Him. Yet. sometimes we are not ready for the answer. Sometimes we already have the answer, but unwilling to accept the answer.
David was troubled when he saw how the wicked prospered. He thought only the righteous should prosper. He didn't understand this he entered the sanctuary of God.
How often are we troubled by the things we see. We don't understand why God allows certain things. We don't understand the workings of God. We don't understand why certain things have happened to us or are happening to us. It doesn't make any sense to us. We become frustrated, distressed and maybe even resentful.
What must we do? We need to spend time in God's presence. As we worship the Lord, meditate on His Word, open our hearts to him in prayer, we will gain understanding. We will begin to look at these things through the eyes of the Father. As we sit at the masters feet he will teach us.
Sometimes we come out of God's presence and our questions may not be fully answered, but we will come out with a greater faith. We will no longer be frustrated, distressed or resentful, but encouraged. We will trust God knows what He is doing and His way is best.
Jesus said that those who seek me will find me. (Matt. 7:7-8) Those who call on my name I will answer. The answer to every question in life can only be found in Him. Yet. sometimes we are not ready for the answer. Sometimes we already have the answer, but unwilling to accept the answer.
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