Whos Church Is It Anyway?
It is common to hear people speak of "my church" or "your church" as they speak of a particular religious group. Such terminology suggests to many that the church is just an organization which man devised for his own needs. Thus, if society and custom change man can alter the church to fit those needs. From this kind of thinking comes a "justification" for "many churches" so that the needs of various people will be met. Then we are urged to join the church of your choice," with the implication that all churches are equal in the sight of God and only personal preference should govern your decision about choosing a church.
But whose church is it, anyway? Did God say nothing in His word about the church? Did Jesus never address the subject? Did the apostles refuse to teach on the subject? Anyone who has even casually read the Scriptures knows that the Bible has much to say about the church. If we are to learn the value (or lack of it) of the church, we must go to the Bible to find it.
When Peter confessed to Jesus, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," the Lord replied, "Upon this rock I will build my church " (Matt. 16:16-18). Founders of this nation made America a great nation, a founder of a business often determines the value of the business. So it is with the church of which we read in the Bible. Jesus Christ is the builder of it, He founded the church. Man has since built many churches, and we can easily agree that these are not really important. But that church which Jesus built is important, simply because it is built by God's "only begotten Son."
The word "church" literally means, "called out" Peter writes, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Pet. 2:9). Christ has called us "by the gospel" (Jno. 6:44-45; 2 Thes. 2:13-14), out of sin and into righteousness (Rom. 1:16-17; 2 Cor. 5:21). Those who respond to His call through the gospel (Mk. 16:15-16) are "the called out" or "the church." That means the value of the church is determined by the value of the call, and the One who calls is Lord of those who are called.
The churches which have been begun by men are usually governed by synods, councils, conventions or some other such organization in which men determine the course of that church. But when He gave the "great commission" to the apostles, Christ said, " All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth " (Matt. 28:18). Jesus doesn't share His headship over the church with man. Notice again, "He is the head of the body, the church. ..that in all things he might have the pre-eminence" (Col. 1:18). Paul wrote that God has 'put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body" (Eph. 1:22-23). Man might govern his own church, if he had the right to have one. But it is not up to a man, nor to a group of men, to govern the 'church of Christ, for only Christ is head of it and only Christ has authority over it.
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Danger of Being Lazy
Lazy person, you should become like the ant. See what the ant does. Learn from the ant. The ant has no ruler, no boss, no leader. But during summer, the ant gathers all its food. the ant saves its food. In the winter, it has plenty of food.
Lazy people, how long will you lie there? The lazy people say, "I need a short nap". I will lie here for a short rest. But he sleeps and sleeps. And he becomes poorer and poorer.
Soon he will have nothing. It will be like a robber has come and stolen everything.
Genesis
Lazy people, how long will you lie there? The lazy people say, "I need a short nap". I will lie here for a short rest. But he sleeps and sleeps. And he becomes poorer and poorer.
Soon he will have nothing. It will be like a robber has come and stolen everything.
Genesis
Saturday, June 18, 2011
SILENCE
Some of the greatest tests of our faith is when we pray about an issue, and nothing happens. We pray some more, and still nothing happens. Let me say up front, there are some schools of thought that praying for something more than once shows a lack of faith. I disagree with that conclusion since we have passages of scripture (Luke 18:1-8) that shows us persistent prayer is encouraged.
The fact is, prayer is simply a conversation we have with our heavenly Father. It is like talking to our best friend, which He is. When we have a close relationship with someone, we may ask them to do something for us and it is done. We might only ask once, and it gets done. There are some things, especially when it comes to husbands and wives, or children, that we have to ask 5..10...20 times to get it done. We have all been there I am sure. So it is with our relationship with God. We may share a need with God and almost immediately it is taken care of. However, there may be some issues we pray about over, and over, and over, for a long period of time before it is taken care of.
But there are also some issues that we pray about for long periods of time that are never resolved. It is at these times that we must trust God. While the Bible clearly tells us to ask God for the desires of our heart, and we should do that, we must always pray with the heart Jesus did. He said, "not my will, but thy will be done." Jesus understood that His life was totally surrendered to God. It was God's life to use as He saw fit. God's plans may not always be our plans. It is at those times, we must set-aside our desires for His. As we grow spiritually, we actually come to the place Jesus was when we understand each day that our life belongs totally to God and our desires must be His desires. Hear this one more time. OUR DESIRES, MUST BECOME HIS DESIRES!
Be like the widow (Luke 18:1-8) and not be afraid to remind God over and over of the great needs that you have in your life. There is nothing wrong with reminding God. Always remember what Jesus said "Lord, not my will, but thy will be done." Trust God enough to not worry when He is silent, after all, God's plans are always better than our plans. While our plans don't always work out the way we expect, God's plans ALWAYS work out perfectly. The fact is, God is NEVER silent. He is simply waiting for His perfect timing to show you the right plan to meet your needs.
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The fact is, prayer is simply a conversation we have with our heavenly Father. It is like talking to our best friend, which He is. When we have a close relationship with someone, we may ask them to do something for us and it is done. We might only ask once, and it gets done. There are some things, especially when it comes to husbands and wives, or children, that we have to ask 5..10...20 times to get it done. We have all been there I am sure. So it is with our relationship with God. We may share a need with God and almost immediately it is taken care of. However, there may be some issues we pray about over, and over, and over, for a long period of time before it is taken care of.
But there are also some issues that we pray about for long periods of time that are never resolved. It is at these times that we must trust God. While the Bible clearly tells us to ask God for the desires of our heart, and we should do that, we must always pray with the heart Jesus did. He said, "not my will, but thy will be done." Jesus understood that His life was totally surrendered to God. It was God's life to use as He saw fit. God's plans may not always be our plans. It is at those times, we must set-aside our desires for His. As we grow spiritually, we actually come to the place Jesus was when we understand each day that our life belongs totally to God and our desires must be His desires. Hear this one more time. OUR DESIRES, MUST BECOME HIS DESIRES!
Be like the widow (Luke 18:1-8) and not be afraid to remind God over and over of the great needs that you have in your life. There is nothing wrong with reminding God. Always remember what Jesus said "Lord, not my will, but thy will be done." Trust God enough to not worry when He is silent, after all, God's plans are always better than our plans. While our plans don't always work out the way we expect, God's plans ALWAYS work out perfectly. The fact is, God is NEVER silent. He is simply waiting for His perfect timing to show you the right plan to meet your needs.
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Friday, April 29, 2011
Fiery Sermon
The story is told of a member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the minister decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The minister found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the minister's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.
The minister made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the minister took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow; and then it's fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The minister glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the minister reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."
Do we live in a world today, which tries to say too much. Consequently, few listen.
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The minister made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the minister took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow; and then it's fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The minister glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the minister reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."
Do we live in a world today, which tries to say too much. Consequently, few listen.
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Wednesday, April 13, 2011
The Seed
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.
Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.
He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you." The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.
Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.
Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.
Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"
All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story.
The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer!
His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.
"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.
Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.
All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!"
* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
Think about this for a minute....
If I happened to show up on your door step crying, would you care?
If I called you and asked you to pick me up because something happened, would you come?
If I had one day left to live my life, would you be part of that last day?
If I needed a shoulder to cry on, would you give me yours?
This is a test to see who your real friends are or if you are just someone to talk to you when they are bored.
Do you know what the relationship is between your two eyes?
They blink together,
they move together,
they cry together,
they see things together,
and they sleep together,
but they never see each other;
....that's what friendship is..
Your aspiration is your motivation, your
motivation is your belief,
your belief is your peace,
your peace is your target,
your target is heaven, and life is like hard core torture without it!
Copied.
Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.
He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you." The young executives were Shocked, but the boss continued. "I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO."
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.
Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.
Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful -- in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.
Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!"
All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!"
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story.
The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive Officer!
His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed.
"How could he be the new CEO?" the others said.
Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.
All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!"
* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.
Think about this for a minute....
If I happened to show up on your door step crying, would you care?
If I called you and asked you to pick me up because something happened, would you come?
If I had one day left to live my life, would you be part of that last day?
If I needed a shoulder to cry on, would you give me yours?
This is a test to see who your real friends are or if you are just someone to talk to you when they are bored.
Do you know what the relationship is between your two eyes?
They blink together,
they move together,
they cry together,
they see things together,
and they sleep together,
but they never see each other;
....that's what friendship is..
Your aspiration is your motivation, your
motivation is your belief,
your belief is your peace,
your peace is your target,
your target is heaven, and life is like hard core torture without it!
Copied.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
What Makes Me Laugh
Prov 15:12-15 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. 13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. 15All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Your dog may be a great companion. You may hunt together, play together, eat together, even sleep on the same bed together. Yet, although you and your dog may share life, you will never share a laugh. As far as we know, humans are the only creatures of God who enjoy humor. Laughter is a distinctive of human beings.
Laughter also can tell something about you. Show me what amuses you, and I can make a good guess about the sort of person you are. If you laugh at filthy stories, you give yourself away. If you scoff at virtue, you have embraced vice. If you laugh at another's failure or misfortune, you have a cruel streak inside of you. If you can laugh at your own stupidities and mistakes, you handle life with some skill.
I believe Christians have a greater capacity to enjoy healthy laughter than others. After all, we live with the promise of eternal life and with the knowledge that God can use even our setbacks to move us forward.
Proverbs 15:13 tells us that "a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance." But the Bible also says that the laughter of fools who are living only for this life is like the "crackling of thorns" that are burned in the fire (Eccl. 7:6). What we laugh at reveals our character. Ask yourself, "What makes me laugh?
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Sunday, March 6, 2011
Heart
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
Being over 60 years old, my heart has already beat more than 2 billion times. When my heart stops, it will be too late to change my ways. So I've got to watch my weight, get more exercise, and begun watching not only what I eat but also what's eating me.
This last point relates to another vital organ called "the heart", our spiritual heart. It too has throbbed millions of times with thoughts, affections, and choices. In the heart we determine how we will speak, behave, and respond to circumstances (Prov. 4:23). Will we trust the Lord and choose to be gracious, patient, and loving? Or will we yield to pride, greed, and bitterness?
Today's Scripture reading emphasizes the importance of caring for our heart. Are we keeping spiritually fit?
Weight: Do we need to lose the weight of unnecessary burdens and cares?
Pulse: Are we maintaining a steady rhythm of gratitude and praise?
Blood pressure: Is our trust greater than our anxiety?
Diet: Are we enjoying the life-giving nutrients of the Word of God?
Have you checked your heart lately? To keep spiritually fit, consult with the Great Physician.
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Being over 60 years old, my heart has already beat more than 2 billion times. When my heart stops, it will be too late to change my ways. So I've got to watch my weight, get more exercise, and begun watching not only what I eat but also what's eating me.
This last point relates to another vital organ called "the heart", our spiritual heart. It too has throbbed millions of times with thoughts, affections, and choices. In the heart we determine how we will speak, behave, and respond to circumstances (Prov. 4:23). Will we trust the Lord and choose to be gracious, patient, and loving? Or will we yield to pride, greed, and bitterness?
Today's Scripture reading emphasizes the importance of caring for our heart. Are we keeping spiritually fit?
Weight: Do we need to lose the weight of unnecessary burdens and cares?
Pulse: Are we maintaining a steady rhythm of gratitude and praise?
Blood pressure: Is our trust greater than our anxiety?
Diet: Are we enjoying the life-giving nutrients of the Word of God?
Have you checked your heart lately? To keep spiritually fit, consult with the Great Physician.
Copied.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Lighthouse
I came across an old copy of Life magazine, one article caught my attention. The best correspondents for Life magazine were sent all over the world to ask the question, "What is the meaning of life?" They talked to philosophers and children, taxi drivers and Nile River boatmen. Photographers provided images.
One dramatic photograph of a lighthouse off the Brittany Coast caught my eye. A huge Atlantic storm had sent gigantic waves around the mammoth brick structure, nearly swallowing it up. But on the sheltered side, literally surrounded by frothing, boiling waves, stood the lighthouse keeper. He was looking casually toward shore, his hands stuck nonchalantly in his pockets, as enormous waves crashed around him.
This powerful illustration reminded me of the many fierce storms of trial we face in life. And I was grateful for the promise that with God we are as safe as that lighthouse keeper. The words of Isaiah 25:4 are true for every christian: God is our refuge during the storms of physical affliction, emotional turmoil, and spiritual attack. With His protection we can endure any trial with the calm assurance that He who shields us cannot be moved. And that gives us peace no matter how turbulent our circumstances.
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One dramatic photograph of a lighthouse off the Brittany Coast caught my eye. A huge Atlantic storm had sent gigantic waves around the mammoth brick structure, nearly swallowing it up. But on the sheltered side, literally surrounded by frothing, boiling waves, stood the lighthouse keeper. He was looking casually toward shore, his hands stuck nonchalantly in his pockets, as enormous waves crashed around him.
This powerful illustration reminded me of the many fierce storms of trial we face in life. And I was grateful for the promise that with God we are as safe as that lighthouse keeper. The words of Isaiah 25:4 are true for every christian: God is our refuge during the storms of physical affliction, emotional turmoil, and spiritual attack. With His protection we can endure any trial with the calm assurance that He who shields us cannot be moved. And that gives us peace no matter how turbulent our circumstances.
Copied.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Storms
There is an old story of the West about how cattle act in storms. Sometimes the storms took a heavy toll. They would start with freezing rains. Temperatures would plummet below zero. Then, bitterly cold winds would begin to pile up huge snowdrifts. Most cattle turned their backs to the icy blasts and they would begin to move downwind until they came up against the inevitable barbed wire fence. In the big storms, they would pile up against the fence and die by the scores.
But one breed always survived. Herefords would instinctively head into the wind. They would stand shoulder to shoulder, heads down, facing the icy blasts. As one cowboy put it, “You most always found the Herefords alive and well.” I guess that’s the greatest lesson I learned on the prairie, just face life’s storms.
The apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:19, “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” In II Timothy 1:7, he wrote, “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” In II Corinthians 4:8-9, he also wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
Christians facing life’s storms together, shoulder to shoulder, encouraging one another and praying for one another, recognizing and responding to the power of the Spirit of Jesus in our lives is God’s formula for the abundant life!
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But one breed always survived. Herefords would instinctively head into the wind. They would stand shoulder to shoulder, heads down, facing the icy blasts. As one cowboy put it, “You most always found the Herefords alive and well.” I guess that’s the greatest lesson I learned on the prairie, just face life’s storms.
The apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:19, “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” In II Timothy 1:7, he wrote, “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” In II Corinthians 4:8-9, he also wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
Christians facing life’s storms together, shoulder to shoulder, encouraging one another and praying for one another, recognizing and responding to the power of the Spirit of Jesus in our lives is God’s formula for the abundant life!
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EVER GROWING
Psalm 92:14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age;
In his book The Fisherman and His Friends, Louis Albert Banks tells about a man who was spending a summer near the shores of Lake Superior. One day he came upon an old pine that had been blown down by a recent storm. Knowing something about trees, he was intrigued by that huge evergreen lying on the ground. He examined it closely and figured that it was at least 250 years old. What impressed him most, however, was what he discovered when he stripped away the bark. It was evident to him that on the day the tree fell it was still growing.
That's the way it should be in the life of a christian. The years pass and our physical strength declines. The outward man perishes, but the inner man should keep on developing--mentally, emotionally, and above all spiritually--until the day we die.
How beautiful are those who grow old gracefully, reflect the loveliness of Christ within their hearts, and keep on being spiritually productive! Such people continue to develop character traits that glorify God and contribute to the blessing and welfare of others.
Like that stately old pine, we too should keep on growing--right to the very end! The new birth takes only a moment; the growth of a saint takes a lifetime.
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In his book The Fisherman and His Friends, Louis Albert Banks tells about a man who was spending a summer near the shores of Lake Superior. One day he came upon an old pine that had been blown down by a recent storm. Knowing something about trees, he was intrigued by that huge evergreen lying on the ground. He examined it closely and figured that it was at least 250 years old. What impressed him most, however, was what he discovered when he stripped away the bark. It was evident to him that on the day the tree fell it was still growing.
That's the way it should be in the life of a christian. The years pass and our physical strength declines. The outward man perishes, but the inner man should keep on developing--mentally, emotionally, and above all spiritually--until the day we die.
How beautiful are those who grow old gracefully, reflect the loveliness of Christ within their hearts, and keep on being spiritually productive! Such people continue to develop character traits that glorify God and contribute to the blessing and welfare of others.
Like that stately old pine, we too should keep on growing--right to the very end! The new birth takes only a moment; the growth of a saint takes a lifetime.
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Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Storms
There is an old story of the West about how cattle act in storms. Sometimes the storms took a heavy toll. They would start with freezing rains. Temperatures would plummet below zero. Then, bitterly cold winds would begin to pile up huge snowdrifts. Most cattle turned their backs to the icy blasts and they would begin to move downwind until they came up against the inevitable barbed wire fence. In the big storms, they would pile up against the fence and die by the scores.
But one breed always survived. Herefords would instinctively head into the wind. They would stand shoulder to shoulder, heads down, facing the icy blasts. As one cowboy put it, “You most always found the Herefords alive and well.” I guess that’s the greatest lesson I learned on the prairie, just face life’s storms.
The apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:19, “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” In II Timothy 1:7, he wrote, “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” In II Corinthians 4:8-9, he also wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
Christians facing life’s storms together, shoulder to shoulder, encouraging one another and praying for one another, recognizing and responding to the power of the Spirit of Jesus in our lives is God’s formula for the abundant life!
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But one breed always survived. Herefords would instinctively head into the wind. They would stand shoulder to shoulder, heads down, facing the icy blasts. As one cowboy put it, “You most always found the Herefords alive and well.” I guess that’s the greatest lesson I learned on the prairie, just face life’s storms.
The apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:19, “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” In II Timothy 1:7, he wrote, “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” In II Corinthians 4:8-9, he also wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
Christians facing life’s storms together, shoulder to shoulder, encouraging one another and praying for one another, recognizing and responding to the power of the Spirit of Jesus in our lives is God’s formula for the abundant life!
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Saturday, January 1, 2011
Beginning
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Talk about great opening lines! You can't do better than the Bible does. In just 10 words, Genesis 1:1 answers the age-old question of the origin of the universe. But what's even more important, that opening verse introduces us to the majestic One who is behind it all.
As another new year commences, it seems appropriate to turn to the beginning of the Bible and read the account of how the eternal God spoke the world into existence.
Of course, God as Creator is just one of many descriptions of the Almighty that the Bible reveals to us. That's why it might be a good idea to use the new year to study God, to find out more about who He is.
For instance, in this great beginning chapter, we are awestruck by His power as He moves across the face of the earth, fashioning it as He wants, and furnishing it with plants, animals, and humans.
As the year moves along, why not make a special effort to know God more intimately. The best way to do this is to read the Bible every day and ask, "What does this tell me about God?" You know Him as the majestic, Almighty Creator through Genesis 1, but He is so much more. Use this year to get to know God as never before. When you open your Bible, ask the Author to open your heart to His truth.
May each of us use the time which God has given us to get to know Him better, to serve Him more fully and to walk with Him in submissive obedience.
May God bless you in 2011
Have A Happy, Safe and Healthy New Year
Copied from a church site in East Tennessee
Talk about great opening lines! You can't do better than the Bible does. In just 10 words, Genesis 1:1 answers the age-old question of the origin of the universe. But what's even more important, that opening verse introduces us to the majestic One who is behind it all.
As another new year commences, it seems appropriate to turn to the beginning of the Bible and read the account of how the eternal God spoke the world into existence.
Of course, God as Creator is just one of many descriptions of the Almighty that the Bible reveals to us. That's why it might be a good idea to use the new year to study God, to find out more about who He is.
For instance, in this great beginning chapter, we are awestruck by His power as He moves across the face of the earth, fashioning it as He wants, and furnishing it with plants, animals, and humans.
As the year moves along, why not make a special effort to know God more intimately. The best way to do this is to read the Bible every day and ask, "What does this tell me about God?" You know Him as the majestic, Almighty Creator through Genesis 1, but He is so much more. Use this year to get to know God as never before. When you open your Bible, ask the Author to open your heart to His truth.
May each of us use the time which God has given us to get to know Him better, to serve Him more fully and to walk with Him in submissive obedience.
May God bless you in 2011
Have A Happy, Safe and Healthy New Year
Copied from a church site in East Tennessee
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