A friend of mine along with her family was taking a Sunday afternoon nap when someone started pounding on their front door to tell them that their house was on fire. If this person had not awakened them they probably would have been killed in the fire. The flames were already so far gone that by the time the fire department got there the place had basically burned down. The person who awakened them was a stranger who happened to be driving by their house and noticed the fire. She could have just driven past but she felt compelled to do what she could to help these people and in this case she saved their lives.
As I was reading I Thessalonians 5, I was reminded of the incident with my friend and her family. Paul is speaking to the Thessalonians about the day of the Lord and His return. We do not know when our Lord will return but we do know that He will. The writer of Acts says to the people as they witnessed Jesus' ascension "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Paul says "the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night." (I Thessalonians 5:2)
For those of us who know Christ as savior and Lord that day will not overtake us as a thief. However, Paul says "Therefore let us not sleep as others do but let us be sober." He also says, "But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation." Paul speaks those similar words to the Ephesians in 6:17.
Let us be keenly aware that Christ will return and there will not be a second chance to know Him as savior and Lord. This should incite us to have a burden for those who do not know Christ - those who are sleeping. I am speaking to myself as much as I am to you. I do not take the opportunities I should to tell people of the impending danger they are facing. Just as this stranger felt so compelled to knock on my friend's door, we should be so compelled to say to those who do not know Christ "wake up! wake up! Christ will return". Our job is to wake them up and tell them about Christ and the forgiveness that He extends to those who believe in Him. Let us desire to save them from the fire that is to come.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
PRAISE THE LORD!
It's Monday morning. Some wake up on Monday mornings and do not look forward to going to work, going to school, packing lunches and getting children off to school or just the routines Monday mornings bring. By the end of the day we are usually back into the routine and able to do Tuesday much better.
Over the weekend I read Psalm 150. It has six verses. Verse 1 speaks to where we are to praise the Lord. We are to praise Him in His sanctuary (church) and praise Him in His mighty firmament or heaven (everywhere). Verse 2 speaks to what we are to praise Him for. We are to praise Him for His mighty acts according to His excellent greatness! Verses 3-6 speak to the form or ways we are to praise Him. We are to praise Him with the trumpet, lute, harp, timbrel, stringed instruments, flutes, cymbals -clashing cymbals. It even says we are to praise Him with dancing. Wow! Think about our worship services and lives in general as we worship and praise the Lord. I don't want to get into the various theological arguments about what is or is not appropriate in a worship service. The point is, and I don't know how we can get around this, praise is to be happy and joyful and it is to be done with everything we have to use to glorify God.
Since we struggle with the Monday morning blahs sometimes, I thought this was a very appropriate Psalm to write about. Instead of waking up struggling with the routine of the day we should focus our attention on Him. C.S. Lewis said, "The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in."
In other words let us wake up to praising Him. Praise Him for His excellent greatness and mighty deeds. Be specific. As far as the music, think of a favorite hymn or song to praise the Lord. We may find Monday mornings or any morning is more welcomed.
There are two times to praise the Lord, when you feel like and when you don't. "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
P.S. I will not be posting until Oct. 30, 2009. My husband and I will be away on a fund raising/family trip. May the Lord continue His blessings on you.
Over the weekend I read Psalm 150. It has six verses. Verse 1 speaks to where we are to praise the Lord. We are to praise Him in His sanctuary (church) and praise Him in His mighty firmament or heaven (everywhere). Verse 2 speaks to what we are to praise Him for. We are to praise Him for His mighty acts according to His excellent greatness! Verses 3-6 speak to the form or ways we are to praise Him. We are to praise Him with the trumpet, lute, harp, timbrel, stringed instruments, flutes, cymbals -clashing cymbals. It even says we are to praise Him with dancing. Wow! Think about our worship services and lives in general as we worship and praise the Lord. I don't want to get into the various theological arguments about what is or is not appropriate in a worship service. The point is, and I don't know how we can get around this, praise is to be happy and joyful and it is to be done with everything we have to use to glorify God.
Since we struggle with the Monday morning blahs sometimes, I thought this was a very appropriate Psalm to write about. Instead of waking up struggling with the routine of the day we should focus our attention on Him. C.S. Lewis said, "The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in."
In other words let us wake up to praising Him. Praise Him for His excellent greatness and mighty deeds. Be specific. As far as the music, think of a favorite hymn or song to praise the Lord. We may find Monday mornings or any morning is more welcomed.
There are two times to praise the Lord, when you feel like and when you don't. "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!
P.S. I will not be posting until Oct. 30, 2009. My husband and I will be away on a fund raising/family trip. May the Lord continue His blessings on you.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Treasures in Heaven
I was heading to a doctor's appointment for a checkup, traveling a country road that is quite picturesque. Along the way I came upon a curve in the road where horses are usually grazing. As I looked where I normally saw the horses they were replaced by a beautiful, large, white house with pillars along the front. There is a pond that sits in front facing the morning sun. I took a long look or should I say a longing look and just basked in the beauty of it placing myself in that setting thinking "I will probably never have a house like that one."
After a brief pity party, (that did not include God's thoughts) I thought of the rash of hurricanes our state has had over the last few summers and realized how those storms could have leveled that house.
Jesus speaks in Matthew 6: 19-21 of the importance of laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven. His words in this passage tell us to "lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys."
Paul's message in I Corinthians 3: 11-15 is that we are to build on the foundation , which is Jesus Christ. If we build with gold, silver, precious stones, wood , hay or straw these things will not last when tested by fire. Our work is to be those things that will last if tested by fire. Only the things we do to serve others for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ will last when tested by fire.
Jesus tells us that we are to give things away, leave things behind, follow Him and we will have treasure in heaven. (Matthew 19:21) "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)
Lord, when I find myself longing for the things of this world, quickly cause me to think of laying up for myself treasures in heaven by giving things away and leaving things behind for the sake of following you and seeing others come to faith in Christ.
After a brief pity party, (that did not include God's thoughts) I thought of the rash of hurricanes our state has had over the last few summers and realized how those storms could have leveled that house.
Jesus speaks in Matthew 6: 19-21 of the importance of laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven. His words in this passage tell us to "lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys."
Paul's message in I Corinthians 3: 11-15 is that we are to build on the foundation , which is Jesus Christ. If we build with gold, silver, precious stones, wood , hay or straw these things will not last when tested by fire. Our work is to be those things that will last if tested by fire. Only the things we do to serve others for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ will last when tested by fire.
Jesus tells us that we are to give things away, leave things behind, follow Him and we will have treasure in heaven. (Matthew 19:21) "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)
Lord, when I find myself longing for the things of this world, quickly cause me to think of laying up for myself treasures in heaven by giving things away and leaving things behind for the sake of following you and seeing others come to faith in Christ.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Detour
When I am driving alone and come upon a sign that says "detour" I generally go into a complete panic - particularly if I am driving someplace I have not driven before. With my head I understand that I just need to follow the signs and I will generally get back out onto the direction I was going. But because of my fear I begin to think of all the "what ifs". What if the the sign is marked wrong, what if I just miss the sign, what if I end up going in a direction I've never been, etc.
I was talking on the phone with someone the other morning and we were remarking about how life has twists and turns we do not plan on. You are very contentedly going one direction in your well planned life but then all of a sudden there is that "detour" sign. Sometimes we have to leave the well planned direction to travel someplace else for a time.
Joseph found the same happening to him. Joseph is rocking along in life as the favored son with perks the other sons didn't have. Detour - his jealous brothers sold him into slavery. The Lord was with Joseph and he becomes quite successful in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Detour- Potiphar's wife tries to entice him and when he wouldn't give in, she lies and says he did things he didn't and he ends up in prison. The Lord was with Joseph and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. He was there two years and became ruler over Pharaoh's house and people after he interpreted a dream Pharoah had. After all these detours in Joseph's life we see that he is able to save his family from famine because of the position he held in Pharaoh's house. Joseph told them that God sent him before them to save their lives. In Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." Genesis 39-50 will give you the account of Joseph's successes and detours. In all of these twists and turns in his life, the Lord was with him and guiding him because He had a plan for him. Joseph remained faithful to the Lord even in the darkest times and the twists and turns in his life.
We all face those times when our direction in life seems to take a "detour". Many times I respond in these circumstances the same way I do when I come upon a "detour" sign - fear of the unknown. Instead of panicking and being fearful as I do when detours come into my life, we need to remember that God, who is faithful, is leading us. He will indeed show us the direction we need to go to place us where He wants us to be. The same promise He gave Israel when they were to possess the land is true for us "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
I was talking on the phone with someone the other morning and we were remarking about how life has twists and turns we do not plan on. You are very contentedly going one direction in your well planned life but then all of a sudden there is that "detour" sign. Sometimes we have to leave the well planned direction to travel someplace else for a time.
Joseph found the same happening to him. Joseph is rocking along in life as the favored son with perks the other sons didn't have. Detour - his jealous brothers sold him into slavery. The Lord was with Joseph and he becomes quite successful in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Detour- Potiphar's wife tries to entice him and when he wouldn't give in, she lies and says he did things he didn't and he ends up in prison. The Lord was with Joseph and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. He was there two years and became ruler over Pharaoh's house and people after he interpreted a dream Pharoah had. After all these detours in Joseph's life we see that he is able to save his family from famine because of the position he held in Pharaoh's house. Joseph told them that God sent him before them to save their lives. In Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." Genesis 39-50 will give you the account of Joseph's successes and detours. In all of these twists and turns in his life, the Lord was with him and guiding him because He had a plan for him. Joseph remained faithful to the Lord even in the darkest times and the twists and turns in his life.
We all face those times when our direction in life seems to take a "detour". Many times I respond in these circumstances the same way I do when I come upon a "detour" sign - fear of the unknown. Instead of panicking and being fearful as I do when detours come into my life, we need to remember that God, who is faithful, is leading us. He will indeed show us the direction we need to go to place us where He wants us to be. The same promise He gave Israel when they were to possess the land is true for us "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Monday, October 5, 2009
Kind and Tender Hearted
My husband and I went to church in Winter Haven yesterday where he preached a sermon on communication. He used Ephesians 4 as his main text. I thought a lot about it yesterday and as I slept last night I woke up a couple different times with Ephesians 4: 32 on my lips. I was convicted in his sermon yesterday as he spoke of speaking the truth in love from v. 14 of Ephesians 4. I know that many times my words are sharp or with a tone of judgment rather than "love." I went to him this morning to ask his forgiveness.
The scriptures have a lot to say on the use of our tongues from things we shouldn't say to those things we should say. Proverbs 21:23 says "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles." That is one of those passages that caution us to guard what we say to people. Ephesians 4:32 says "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you." While this verse does not speak directly to the use of the tongue, to be kind and tenderhearted usually involves the words we say.
When we are with friends or just acquaintances we are quick to say "thank you, please, no thank you, excuse me etc." Somehow we neglect to offer the same courtesies to the people in our household. A few years ago I came to the realization that my husband and I were not being kind and tenderhearted. We were not being courteous. I shared that with him and he agreed as well that we were not speaking with one another as we should. By God's grace we are much better in using those courtesies with one another and heeding the words in v. 32.
Our families in our household are the people we love the most yet many times the people we treat with least kindness. These courtesies should be extended to our children as well. Hopefully they will learn to extend those same courtesies to family and friends.
Communication is the glue that holds us together - not just any communication but that which is helpful to those we communicate with. The lack of communication, or proper communication can destroy our relationships. As Ephesians 4: 29 tells us, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."
Perhaps this is not a struggle for you but if it is, ask forgiveness where it needs to be and begin speaking by being kind to one another and tenderhearted. We must also be willing to forgive others even as God in Christ forgave us.
The scriptures have a lot to say on the use of our tongues from things we shouldn't say to those things we should say. Proverbs 21:23 says "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles." That is one of those passages that caution us to guard what we say to people. Ephesians 4:32 says "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you." While this verse does not speak directly to the use of the tongue, to be kind and tenderhearted usually involves the words we say.
When we are with friends or just acquaintances we are quick to say "thank you, please, no thank you, excuse me etc." Somehow we neglect to offer the same courtesies to the people in our household. A few years ago I came to the realization that my husband and I were not being kind and tenderhearted. We were not being courteous. I shared that with him and he agreed as well that we were not speaking with one another as we should. By God's grace we are much better in using those courtesies with one another and heeding the words in v. 32.
Our families in our household are the people we love the most yet many times the people we treat with least kindness. These courtesies should be extended to our children as well. Hopefully they will learn to extend those same courtesies to family and friends.
Communication is the glue that holds us together - not just any communication but that which is helpful to those we communicate with. The lack of communication, or proper communication can destroy our relationships. As Ephesians 4: 29 tells us, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."
Perhaps this is not a struggle for you but if it is, ask forgiveness where it needs to be and begin speaking by being kind to one another and tenderhearted. We must also be willing to forgive others even as God in Christ forgave us.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Testimony for Christ
For some of us it is difficult to share our faith in Christ or share the gospel message with those who do not know Him. There are many approaches that have been designed over the years such as Evangelism Explosion and the Four Spiritual Laws. These have been designed so that those of us who struggle sharing the gospel can have a system to work from. I have no problem with this if it helps people share their faith. I have seen quite a few people come to faith using the Evangelism Explosion approach. But for many it is still a struggle, I myself included, even though I've had the Evangelism Explosion training.
In the Gospel of Mark chapter 5 we have the account of Jesus crossing the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. (Please read Mark 5: 1-20) There he meets a demon possessed man. In fact even the demon said his name was Legion because there were many. The man was so tormented by these demons that even though he was bound with chains he would pull them apart and no one could tame him. Jesus calls the demons out of him, restores him and sends the demons into a large herd of swine. They run headlong over a cliff upsetting those people who fed them. The story was told in the city and many came out to see the man who had been healed and there he was "sitting and clothed and in his right mind." The people were upset with Jesus and wanted Him to depart. The demon possessed man begged Him to let him go along with Him. Mark 5: 19 says "However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion you." He departs and began to proclaim all that Jesus had done for him and all the people were amazed.
What a testimony! Now we do not know if this man came to faith in Christ but we do know this newly healed man didn't know anything about sharing the gospel or a system of how to do so. Jesus told him to go tell his friends what the Lord had done for him. When we go about our day and routine there may be opportunities for us to tell others what Christ has done for us. It could be in the form of how we came to faith in Him or a testimony of a particular answer to prayer or work of grace the Lord has done in our lives. Think of those things the Lord has done for you. Thank Him for them and let that refresh your spirit of His grace in your life. Then take every opportunity to tell others of God's grace.
Pray for courage and boldness to share the message with others of Christ's death, resurrection and forgiveness of sin. But in the meantime let us use every opportunity we can to heed Jesus' words "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."
Some may be amazed and it just might make them thirsty enough to ask more about the Christ in your life.
In the Gospel of Mark chapter 5 we have the account of Jesus crossing the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. (Please read Mark 5: 1-20) There he meets a demon possessed man. In fact even the demon said his name was Legion because there were many. The man was so tormented by these demons that even though he was bound with chains he would pull them apart and no one could tame him. Jesus calls the demons out of him, restores him and sends the demons into a large herd of swine. They run headlong over a cliff upsetting those people who fed them. The story was told in the city and many came out to see the man who had been healed and there he was "sitting and clothed and in his right mind." The people were upset with Jesus and wanted Him to depart. The demon possessed man begged Him to let him go along with Him. Mark 5: 19 says "However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion you." He departs and began to proclaim all that Jesus had done for him and all the people were amazed.
What a testimony! Now we do not know if this man came to faith in Christ but we do know this newly healed man didn't know anything about sharing the gospel or a system of how to do so. Jesus told him to go tell his friends what the Lord had done for him. When we go about our day and routine there may be opportunities for us to tell others what Christ has done for us. It could be in the form of how we came to faith in Him or a testimony of a particular answer to prayer or work of grace the Lord has done in our lives. Think of those things the Lord has done for you. Thank Him for them and let that refresh your spirit of His grace in your life. Then take every opportunity to tell others of God's grace.
Pray for courage and boldness to share the message with others of Christ's death, resurrection and forgiveness of sin. But in the meantime let us use every opportunity we can to heed Jesus' words "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."
Some may be amazed and it just might make them thirsty enough to ask more about the Christ in your life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
