Strength is a matter of a made up mind.
John Beecher American Poet
1 Chron 16:8-15
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth, O seed of Israel His servant, Sons of Jacob, His chosen ones! He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth. Remember His covenant forever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations. NASU
Wendell L. Willkie, who was once a Presidential Candidate, gave us this insight on strength; “Only the strong can be free. And only the productive can be strong.” Strength for the Christian is found as we produce from within us those things that are a fruit of an ongoing relationship with our God. Listen to the words that show us the way to a fruitful life. Give Thanks, Call upon Him, Make known His Name, Sing to Him, Speak of Him, Glory in Him, and Seek Him continually, and remember His covenant forever!
Now I don’t know about you, but that tells me that if I make up my mind to do those things, and continually do them, I will find the strength I need to make it from day to day in such a way that my days are filled with the Glory of God. The strength of my spiritual life is that I have made up my find and focused my life on these things with a mind determined not to be moved from God’s plan for my life.
So where are you today? Are you in God’s plan or has something changed your mind? God gave us some great help in this area, so don’t take my word for it, take the word of James, the brother of Christ in James 1:6-8, “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." So, it’s true, strength is the matter of a made up mind…God Bless.
Pastor William
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
A Spiritual Eye Chart
No life never grows great until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined.
Prov 3:1-6
My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. NASU
Samuel Johnson, a British Author had this to say of the purpose of Focus in our lives, “When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” There are some that have had the experience of a sudden and immediate focus applied to their lives and it has been life changing for them. It may have been a close call, or the close call of someone around them that made them stop and reevaluate their lives, and scrutinize the use of their time.
God will sometimes give us spiritual eye tests. He will place a chart on the wall of our lives and test our spiritual ability to navigate our life’s path. If He sees our focus drifting He will allow something in the life of His children to refocus and regain their attention. Feel God’s love and disappointment in Israel as He said to them in Isa 48:18, “If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
God suggested to you and I, ways to keep life and truth from leaving us. He calls for us bind His Truth and Word, around our necks, for it will save our heads. God then tells us to write them on the tablet of our heart. Notice there is only one tablet, not tablets, and notice that what is to be written there must always acknowledge Him as the owner and protector of your heart and life. When we make God the focus and center of our lives, we will find that His Favor will follow us wherever we may go…God Bless.
Pastor William
Prov 3:1-6
My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. NASU
Samuel Johnson, a British Author had this to say of the purpose of Focus in our lives, “When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” There are some that have had the experience of a sudden and immediate focus applied to their lives and it has been life changing for them. It may have been a close call, or the close call of someone around them that made them stop and reevaluate their lives, and scrutinize the use of their time.
God will sometimes give us spiritual eye tests. He will place a chart on the wall of our lives and test our spiritual ability to navigate our life’s path. If He sees our focus drifting He will allow something in the life of His children to refocus and regain their attention. Feel God’s love and disappointment in Israel as He said to them in Isa 48:18, “If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
God suggested to you and I, ways to keep life and truth from leaving us. He calls for us bind His Truth and Word, around our necks, for it will save our heads. God then tells us to write them on the tablet of our heart. Notice there is only one tablet, not tablets, and notice that what is to be written there must always acknowledge Him as the owner and protector of your heart and life. When we make God the focus and center of our lives, we will find that His Favor will follow us wherever we may go…God Bless.
Pastor William
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Painting Something Beautiful
Art is a private thing, the artist makes it for himself; a comprehensible work is the product of a journalist. We need works that are strong, straight, precise, and forever beyond understanding.
Tristan Tzara 1896-1963, Rumanian-born French Dadaist
Ex 36:1-2
"Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the LORD has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded." Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it. NASU
Our culture is always looking for something new in which to place hope. We know instinctively that there is something required of us and it is for each of us to discover the mystery of what it is we were made to be. Dadaism was a cultural movement that rejected the understanding of present day art and sought out a new way to understand man and his artistic expressions.
Artists are forever trying to find something new to catch our eye, after all it will also catch someone’s pocketbook and provide for them substance to continue what they love to do. Tristan Tzara, was one of the leaders of the Dadaist movement. Did you catch what type of works Tristan said was needed to replace the current artistic leanings of today? He said, “We need works that are strong, straight, precise, and forever beyond understanding.”
Now where would things like that come from? If the works are beyond us, then they certainly cannot begin in us. That means that which is clear and beautiful and touches us best comes from somewhere else, and I think that I know where that is. I think that I can glean from Exodus that a clear understanding and the skill to express it, comes from the Lord. Then man is stirred in his heart to express in some way, his gratefulness to his eternal God, and that, is where glorious art begins…God Bless.
Pastor William
Tristan Tzara 1896-1963, Rumanian-born French Dadaist
Ex 36:1-2
"Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the LORD has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded." Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it. NASU
Our culture is always looking for something new in which to place hope. We know instinctively that there is something required of us and it is for each of us to discover the mystery of what it is we were made to be. Dadaism was a cultural movement that rejected the understanding of present day art and sought out a new way to understand man and his artistic expressions.
Artists are forever trying to find something new to catch our eye, after all it will also catch someone’s pocketbook and provide for them substance to continue what they love to do. Tristan Tzara, was one of the leaders of the Dadaist movement. Did you catch what type of works Tristan said was needed to replace the current artistic leanings of today? He said, “We need works that are strong, straight, precise, and forever beyond understanding.”
Now where would things like that come from? If the works are beyond us, then they certainly cannot begin in us. That means that which is clear and beautiful and touches us best comes from somewhere else, and I think that I know where that is. I think that I can glean from Exodus that a clear understanding and the skill to express it, comes from the Lord. Then man is stirred in his heart to express in some way, his gratefulness to his eternal God, and that, is where glorious art begins…God Bless.
Pastor William
Monday, July 28, 2008
Are You Smart?
Action
The chief difference between words and deeds is that words are always intended for men for their approbation, but deeds can be done only for God.
Count Leo Tolstoy 1828-1910, Russian Novelist, Philosopher
James 4:14-17
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. NASU
The Talmud which is a Jewish archive of Oral Tradition written around BC 500?-400 AD, says this of wisdom and deeds. “Everyone whose deeds are more than his wisdom, his wisdom endures; and everyone whose wisdom is more than his deeds, his wisdom does not endure.” In American lingo we would say of someone that they were “All talk, and no do,” or they were too smart for their own good.
What is it to be smart, well let’s break it down. To be smart is to be practical, and I have seen many unpractical intelligent people. We are to set practical, realistic and Godly goals for our lives, so to be smart is to have goals that are SMART: S = Specific M = Measurable A = Assignable (who does what) R = Realistic T = Time-Related.
Specific in that we maintain our Godly Direction. Measurable in that we measure our progress by God’s measuring stick, His Word. Assignable in that we apply His Word practically every day to our lives, and Realistic in remembering that we are human and God knows we won’t get it all right. Time related as in remembering that life is short, and then comes and eternity with Him. It’s a way we can live intelligently and not be led around by the stupidity of Satan and his limited goals for our lives…God Bless.
Pastor William
The chief difference between words and deeds is that words are always intended for men for their approbation, but deeds can be done only for God.
Count Leo Tolstoy 1828-1910, Russian Novelist, Philosopher
James 4:14-17
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. NASU
The Talmud which is a Jewish archive of Oral Tradition written around BC 500?-400 AD, says this of wisdom and deeds. “Everyone whose deeds are more than his wisdom, his wisdom endures; and everyone whose wisdom is more than his deeds, his wisdom does not endure.” In American lingo we would say of someone that they were “All talk, and no do,” or they were too smart for their own good.
What is it to be smart, well let’s break it down. To be smart is to be practical, and I have seen many unpractical intelligent people. We are to set practical, realistic and Godly goals for our lives, so to be smart is to have goals that are SMART: S = Specific M = Measurable A = Assignable (who does what) R = Realistic T = Time-Related.
Specific in that we maintain our Godly Direction. Measurable in that we measure our progress by God’s measuring stick, His Word. Assignable in that we apply His Word practically every day to our lives, and Realistic in remembering that we are human and God knows we won’t get it all right. Time related as in remembering that life is short, and then comes and eternity with Him. It’s a way we can live intelligently and not be led around by the stupidity of Satan and his limited goals for our lives…God Bless.
Pastor William
Thursday, July 24, 2008
You Are What You Pay For
Albert Einstein when asked what he considered to be the most powerful force in the universe answered: Compound interest! What you have become is the price you paid to get what you used to want.
Mignon Mclaughlin 1915?-, American Author, Editor
Matt 27:21-25
But the governor said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas." Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Crucify Him!" And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!" When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves." And all the people said, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!" NASU
This morning let’s talk about the strength of desire. Desire has been described as a strong stallion, and unbridled stallion, of unharnessed strength. It is Satan’s most used passion. Desire, unsatisfied, can turn into the strongest anger, and it can turn into a false and temporary lust that is mistaken for love. It can cause us to make instant decisions devoid of wisdom, or common sense of any kind.
Credit cards have been the demise of many Christian homes and families. A whim is followed and desires are satisfied, and whole families pay enormous prices to satisfy someone’s wants. Albert Einstein was right. You become what you pay for in your life, you are the result of what you have spent your life on. Those Jews that stood before Pilate that day in heated and stirred up passion, in one life’s instant shouted, Crucify Him, and let His blood be on us and our children.
What a statement, a statement that echoed in eternity. We also make statements with our lives every day. Every day we exercise our passions and invest our lives in one way or the other. We are either letting God control our desires, or someone else is controlling them, but you will not. Without God having control over our desire, our flesh will lead us to destruction, and the interest will be paid…God Bless.
Pastor William
Mignon Mclaughlin 1915?-, American Author, Editor
Matt 27:21-25
But the governor said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas." Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Crucify Him!" And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!" When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves." And all the people said, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!" NASU
This morning let’s talk about the strength of desire. Desire has been described as a strong stallion, and unbridled stallion, of unharnessed strength. It is Satan’s most used passion. Desire, unsatisfied, can turn into the strongest anger, and it can turn into a false and temporary lust that is mistaken for love. It can cause us to make instant decisions devoid of wisdom, or common sense of any kind.
Credit cards have been the demise of many Christian homes and families. A whim is followed and desires are satisfied, and whole families pay enormous prices to satisfy someone’s wants. Albert Einstein was right. You become what you pay for in your life, you are the result of what you have spent your life on. Those Jews that stood before Pilate that day in heated and stirred up passion, in one life’s instant shouted, Crucify Him, and let His blood be on us and our children.
What a statement, a statement that echoed in eternity. We also make statements with our lives every day. Every day we exercise our passions and invest our lives in one way or the other. We are either letting God control our desires, or someone else is controlling them, but you will not. Without God having control over our desire, our flesh will lead us to destruction, and the interest will be paid…God Bless.
Pastor William
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
An Established Center
I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today. I am today what I established yesterday or some previous day.
Harvey Spencer Lewis American Author of ''Mansions of the Soul''
Rom 16:25-27
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.
NASU
So who are you? I mean right now, what is it that you have established in your life, or centered your life around that has made you into the person you are at this very moment? Some people have centered their whole lives on a bad moment that occurred somewhere in their worldly walk. Then there are those that have focused on something that captured their imagination. They then carry that moment as the battery that charges their life from that day on, it has happened too many.
I like what Paul is saying to us here, listen well. He says that the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, will establish you. That is, it will firm you up, make you secure, and give you a solid foundation. Where is this foundation? In the mystery’s and in the secrets of life that are revealed through the Gospel, and, are made known only to us by the grace and love of our One and Only “Wise” God, through Jesus Christ.
Paul said in 1 Cor 1:21 that our wisdom would not find Him, but through the foolishness of preaching men would be saved. God did it to “establish” us. God wanted us to find our hope and security and our future in Him. Jesus came to show us how to walk in obedience to the faith, and how it would place hope, security, and His protection in the midst of our lives. Hence the question before you, is the Gospel the center of your existence right now? Without Jesus in the center, your life will always be a mystery…God Bless.
Pastor William
Harvey Spencer Lewis American Author of ''Mansions of the Soul''
Rom 16:25-27
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.
NASU
So who are you? I mean right now, what is it that you have established in your life, or centered your life around that has made you into the person you are at this very moment? Some people have centered their whole lives on a bad moment that occurred somewhere in their worldly walk. Then there are those that have focused on something that captured their imagination. They then carry that moment as the battery that charges their life from that day on, it has happened too many.
I like what Paul is saying to us here, listen well. He says that the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, will establish you. That is, it will firm you up, make you secure, and give you a solid foundation. Where is this foundation? In the mystery’s and in the secrets of life that are revealed through the Gospel, and, are made known only to us by the grace and love of our One and Only “Wise” God, through Jesus Christ.
Paul said in 1 Cor 1:21 that our wisdom would not find Him, but through the foolishness of preaching men would be saved. God did it to “establish” us. God wanted us to find our hope and security and our future in Him. Jesus came to show us how to walk in obedience to the faith, and how it would place hope, security, and His protection in the midst of our lives. Hence the question before you, is the Gospel the center of your existence right now? Without Jesus in the center, your life will always be a mystery…God Bless.
Pastor William
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Peace In Purpose
The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it.
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe 1749-1832, German Poet, Dramatist, Novelist
Ps 16:6-11
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. NASU
We are born with joy within us and it is realized as we find our purpose in life. For us to find that peace within our individual souls, it is important for us to seek out what it is that God wants us to present to the world through us. Each of us is to hold out our own candle and light our little corner of this world. That is that we each have an individual responsibility to God for this life that He has given here and our soul is at rest when we are found fulfilling His perfect will for our lives.
Listen to David as he rejoices in the “lines” that God has placed in his life. He says they are in pleasant places, and he praises God for the wonderful heritage that God has given him. He also says this and it is important for each of us to do the same thing. He says, “I have set The Lord “continually” before me, and he knows because he is in those lines that God has placed on his life that he will not be Shaken!
Now, listen to his heart, let’s hear the rumblings and output of a pleased, and purpose focused soul of God. He says, my heart is GLAD, and my glory REJOICES, and my flesh dwells in SECURITY. God makes his path known, and in that path David finds, fullness of joy and pleasures forever. Wow! Whatever could cause us not to desire to have God continually before us all in our daily lives? Well I can’t answer that question for you, but whatever it is remove it, and put Him back in His rightful place, and find your joy again…God Bless.
Pastor William
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe 1749-1832, German Poet, Dramatist, Novelist
Ps 16:6-11
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. NASU
We are born with joy within us and it is realized as we find our purpose in life. For us to find that peace within our individual souls, it is important for us to seek out what it is that God wants us to present to the world through us. Each of us is to hold out our own candle and light our little corner of this world. That is that we each have an individual responsibility to God for this life that He has given here and our soul is at rest when we are found fulfilling His perfect will for our lives.
Listen to David as he rejoices in the “lines” that God has placed in his life. He says they are in pleasant places, and he praises God for the wonderful heritage that God has given him. He also says this and it is important for each of us to do the same thing. He says, “I have set The Lord “continually” before me, and he knows because he is in those lines that God has placed on his life that he will not be Shaken!
Now, listen to his heart, let’s hear the rumblings and output of a pleased, and purpose focused soul of God. He says, my heart is GLAD, and my glory REJOICES, and my flesh dwells in SECURITY. God makes his path known, and in that path David finds, fullness of joy and pleasures forever. Wow! Whatever could cause us not to desire to have God continually before us all in our daily lives? Well I can’t answer that question for you, but whatever it is remove it, and put Him back in His rightful place, and find your joy again…God Bless.
Pastor William
Monday, July 21, 2008
Overlooked Sin
There is a heroism in crime as well as in virtue. Vice and infamy have their altars and their religion.
William Hazlitt 1778-1830, British Essayist
John 9:35-41
Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered, "Who is He, Lord that I may believe in Him?" Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you." And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind." Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, "We are not blind too, are we?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, "We see,' your sin remains. NASU
Abraham Lincoln, the Sixteenth President of the USA, said this of one man’s personality, “He reminds me of the man who murdered both his parents, and then when the sentence was about to be pronounced, pleaded for mercy on the grounds that he was orphan.” Now that’s ignorance of sin in the most highest degree isn’t it, but what worries me most about my life is how much of my sin do I “look over.”
You know what I mean. It’s those little sins that can pile up, or those little sins that we choose to ignore that cause us the most harm. Gossip for instance is one that is majorly ignored, and also many times our faithfulness to be in the Word of God so as to maintain our proper spiritual growth. Here in John 9 Jesus comes to meet the blind man, who by the way had never seen Jesus until that moment. Jesus had sent him away to wash his eyes and receive his sight.
The Pharisees had drilled him with many questions, and they had overlooked all of the plain and simple facts to keep their structure of righteousness intact, they remained spiritually blind. Now the blind man is healed of blindness twice that day, spiritually and physically, for he “sees” and opens his spiritual eyes and “sees” his Savior. It is so important for each of us to ask God to let us see what is sin in our lives, and not to tell God what is and isn’t right for us, for when we do we become like the Pharisee and lose our spiritual sight and become spiritually blind. Wash first, then return and ask, and you will see…God Bless
Pastor William
William Hazlitt 1778-1830, British Essayist
John 9:35-41
Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered, "Who is He, Lord that I may believe in Him?" Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you." And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him. And Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind." Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, "We are not blind too, are we?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, "We see,' your sin remains. NASU
Abraham Lincoln, the Sixteenth President of the USA, said this of one man’s personality, “He reminds me of the man who murdered both his parents, and then when the sentence was about to be pronounced, pleaded for mercy on the grounds that he was orphan.” Now that’s ignorance of sin in the most highest degree isn’t it, but what worries me most about my life is how much of my sin do I “look over.”
You know what I mean. It’s those little sins that can pile up, or those little sins that we choose to ignore that cause us the most harm. Gossip for instance is one that is majorly ignored, and also many times our faithfulness to be in the Word of God so as to maintain our proper spiritual growth. Here in John 9 Jesus comes to meet the blind man, who by the way had never seen Jesus until that moment. Jesus had sent him away to wash his eyes and receive his sight.
The Pharisees had drilled him with many questions, and they had overlooked all of the plain and simple facts to keep their structure of righteousness intact, they remained spiritually blind. Now the blind man is healed of blindness twice that day, spiritually and physically, for he “sees” and opens his spiritual eyes and “sees” his Savior. It is so important for each of us to ask God to let us see what is sin in our lives, and not to tell God what is and isn’t right for us, for when we do we become like the Pharisee and lose our spiritual sight and become spiritually blind. Wash first, then return and ask, and you will see…God Bless
Pastor William
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Dreaming for Jesus
Achievement
The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.
Epictetus 50-120, Stoic Philosopher
Ps 29:1-4
Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is majestic. NASU
Douglas Everett, an American Hockey Player, says this about how people face the challenges life presents to each one of us. “There are some people, who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.” I think that the way we face challenges is the major ingredient that determines what we each get out of life. We will only get what we make a reality from the inspiration given to us by The Holy Spirit that indwells each of us.
I’m afraid that our problem is that we forget how to dream. We grow up and reality tells us dreams are nonsense and facts are what nail life down. Therefore we stay nailed to a dull existence without living the dreams we had as children, or are given as Children of God. Is there going to be difficulty in living our dreams, yes and there will be new challenges that will teach us new things, things that we would have never seen without that challenge.
Skillful pilots only acquire skill in storms, not on the shoreline watching the waves, but in the midst of the waves the pilot learns to master the storms. The wonderful thing is that in the midst of the storm the One who is at the helm is really Jesus Himself. He makes dreams reality, and takes us safely through. Ascribe to Him Glory, for Glory is due unto His Name. He died to give you life, an abundant life, child of God, dream big for Jesus…God Bless.
Pastor William
The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.
Epictetus 50-120, Stoic Philosopher
Ps 29:1-4
Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is majestic. NASU
Douglas Everett, an American Hockey Player, says this about how people face the challenges life presents to each one of us. “There are some people, who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.” I think that the way we face challenges is the major ingredient that determines what we each get out of life. We will only get what we make a reality from the inspiration given to us by The Holy Spirit that indwells each of us.
I’m afraid that our problem is that we forget how to dream. We grow up and reality tells us dreams are nonsense and facts are what nail life down. Therefore we stay nailed to a dull existence without living the dreams we had as children, or are given as Children of God. Is there going to be difficulty in living our dreams, yes and there will be new challenges that will teach us new things, things that we would have never seen without that challenge.
Skillful pilots only acquire skill in storms, not on the shoreline watching the waves, but in the midst of the waves the pilot learns to master the storms. The wonderful thing is that in the midst of the storm the One who is at the helm is really Jesus Himself. He makes dreams reality, and takes us safely through. Ascribe to Him Glory, for Glory is due unto His Name. He died to give you life, an abundant life, child of God, dream big for Jesus…God Bless.
Pastor William
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Jesus Fits The Pieces Together
Achievement
It’s no use saying, “We are doing our best.” You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.
Winston Churchill, 1874-1965, British Prime Minister
Luke 24:25-27
And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. NASU
Jesus is speaking here with two of His disciples, one is Cleopas and the name of the other disciple is not known. He suddenly appears and is walking with these two disciples as they are discussing all that has happened in Jerusalem. In the Greek there is a more implicit emphasis on the character of this discussion. It indicates a vigorous conversation was taking place between them on what had happened too their Savior and Lord, and what changes it would bring to their lives.
Jesus’ first words to them are “’O foolish men, and slow to heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Notice the tone of Jesus’ answer to them; they must have really been in a serious discussion. He then speaks to them of necessary things, things that God had set in place that were of His Master Design, and which had been foretold to them in His Word. Jesus then patiently walked with them and explained to them how the strange puzzle that had them in a state of awe and unbelief, fit together.
What can we glean from this conversation? Well, we can know that there are some things that we will not fully understand in this life when we are walking through them. But, here is the wonderful thing. Jesus, Himself will meet us somewhere after we walk through the things that leave us wondering, and explain to us why they were necessary and in God’s design for us. Hey, you see it started from the very beginning, doubt wanted to set in, but Jesus was there to calm their fears, and He is still doing that today, to keep us on the right track…God Bless.
Pastor William
It’s no use saying, “We are doing our best.” You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.
Winston Churchill, 1874-1965, British Prime Minister
Luke 24:25-27
And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. NASU
Jesus is speaking here with two of His disciples, one is Cleopas and the name of the other disciple is not known. He suddenly appears and is walking with these two disciples as they are discussing all that has happened in Jerusalem. In the Greek there is a more implicit emphasis on the character of this discussion. It indicates a vigorous conversation was taking place between them on what had happened too their Savior and Lord, and what changes it would bring to their lives.
Jesus’ first words to them are “’O foolish men, and slow to heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Notice the tone of Jesus’ answer to them; they must have really been in a serious discussion. He then speaks to them of necessary things, things that God had set in place that were of His Master Design, and which had been foretold to them in His Word. Jesus then patiently walked with them and explained to them how the strange puzzle that had them in a state of awe and unbelief, fit together.
What can we glean from this conversation? Well, we can know that there are some things that we will not fully understand in this life when we are walking through them. But, here is the wonderful thing. Jesus, Himself will meet us somewhere after we walk through the things that leave us wondering, and explain to us why they were necessary and in God’s design for us. Hey, you see it started from the very beginning, doubt wanted to set in, but Jesus was there to calm their fears, and He is still doing that today, to keep us on the right track…God Bless.
Pastor William
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Soul Health
Achievement
For what is the best choice, for each individual is the highest it is possible for him to achieve.
Aristotle BC 384-322, Greek Philosopher
1 Tim 4:8-11
For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things. NASU
We place a high value on our life here, there are many ways to lose weight, and many dollars spent on makeup and clothes to improve our looks. It can even become an obsession for some that can lead to problems with their health. There are many recipes, ointments and pills that are sold and sought after, if, they promise us a better look.
Paul is speaking to Timothy here and giving him a permanent and also a healthy prescription for life; see how he finishes his statement. Paul says, “prescribe and teach these things. A prescription is a well tested solution for what generally helps what ails most everyone. In other words, Paul is saying all of these things that help take care of this body are great, but, you cannot ignore your soul.
Many today are soul sick, they are filling their lives with things that are only temporary fixes for our body and nothing for their soul. What God gives us will profit us forever, for our soul shall live forever, in one place or “ahem” the other. Shouldn’t we also be watching for the latest “Soul enhancing” improvements as well as we do for the latest fad diet, isn’t the soul that Jesus has saved within us the most valuable thing we possess, let us fix our hope on our eternal God…God Bless.
Pastor William
For what is the best choice, for each individual is the highest it is possible for him to achieve.
Aristotle BC 384-322, Greek Philosopher
1 Tim 4:8-11
For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things. NASU
We place a high value on our life here, there are many ways to lose weight, and many dollars spent on makeup and clothes to improve our looks. It can even become an obsession for some that can lead to problems with their health. There are many recipes, ointments and pills that are sold and sought after, if, they promise us a better look.
Paul is speaking to Timothy here and giving him a permanent and also a healthy prescription for life; see how he finishes his statement. Paul says, “prescribe and teach these things. A prescription is a well tested solution for what generally helps what ails most everyone. In other words, Paul is saying all of these things that help take care of this body are great, but, you cannot ignore your soul.
Many today are soul sick, they are filling their lives with things that are only temporary fixes for our body and nothing for their soul. What God gives us will profit us forever, for our soul shall live forever, in one place or “ahem” the other. Shouldn’t we also be watching for the latest “Soul enhancing” improvements as well as we do for the latest fad diet, isn’t the soul that Jesus has saved within us the most valuable thing we possess, let us fix our hope on our eternal God…God Bless.
Pastor William
Monday, July 14, 2008
Living and Giving
Change
A wise man changes his mind, a fool never will.
Spanish Proverb Sayings of Spanish Origin
1 Corinthians 13:11-13
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. NASU
Henry Home found the true secret of a happy and blessed life. This is his idea of who is wise in this world, “The truly generous is the truly wise and he who loves not others, lives unblessed.” This wisdom does not come easily to all, in some cases it requires a massive change in the way they understand life.
For most people life is about them and what they can gain from it, and what they can collect for themselves, but it is certainly not about giving things away. Call it the nature of men, “self preservation,” or call it what you may, each one of us born to this world, must determine that our lives will include the nurture and care of others. It seems that the last place we go to find peace, comfort and completion is in the giving away of ourselves.
We find the greatest example of this in our Savior, Christ, who gave Himself freely away for each one of us individually. He was giving each of us a personal hint on how to get the most out of life, and that is in giving ourselves away. The truly wise among us will get the most from His example and will live happy and joyous lives in others. Those that will not make that change will wither away, trying to find happiness in themselves, and miss the greatest secret in life…God Bless.
Pastor William
A wise man changes his mind, a fool never will.
Spanish Proverb Sayings of Spanish Origin
1 Corinthians 13:11-13
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. NASU
Henry Home found the true secret of a happy and blessed life. This is his idea of who is wise in this world, “The truly generous is the truly wise and he who loves not others, lives unblessed.” This wisdom does not come easily to all, in some cases it requires a massive change in the way they understand life.
For most people life is about them and what they can gain from it, and what they can collect for themselves, but it is certainly not about giving things away. Call it the nature of men, “self preservation,” or call it what you may, each one of us born to this world, must determine that our lives will include the nurture and care of others. It seems that the last place we go to find peace, comfort and completion is in the giving away of ourselves.
We find the greatest example of this in our Savior, Christ, who gave Himself freely away for each one of us individually. He was giving each of us a personal hint on how to get the most out of life, and that is in giving ourselves away. The truly wise among us will get the most from His example and will live happy and joyous lives in others. Those that will not make that change will wither away, trying to find happiness in themselves, and miss the greatest secret in life…God Bless.
Pastor William
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Living a Curious Life
Biography
Show me a character whose life arouses my curiosity, and my flesh begins crawling with suspense.
Fawn M. Brodie 1915-1981, American Biographer
John 10:22-25
At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me. NASU
Curiosity, is a wonderful gift from God to us, and can be a great tool in the spread of the Gospel of Christ. Walt Disney believed that the special secret to making dreams come true was the four C s, curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way. A great thought, now what was it that caused the leaders of Jesus’ day to seek Him out? Well, it was His life, not just the Words He spoke, but the Word, lived before them.
Jesus knew His life’s plan and purpose was God’s plan for Him, and He lived it with courage, He didn’t care what someone else believed or thought of that plan. Jesus walked with faith and confidence in His Heavenly Father and it was His constant walk and faithfulness that caused the Jews to ask Him to tell them plainly if He was “The Christ.”
Now listen to the answer Jesus gave them. “The works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.” The words Jesus spoke to the Jews that day were not just for them, but He was speaking to us, today. He was telliing us to let our lives do our talking for us, and let our feet testify to the world, where we come from. We were saved and baptized into the kingdom, you and I come from a new birth and a different world, and if we will live as a citizen of that world, then the world will come ask who we are…God Bless.
Pastor William
Show me a character whose life arouses my curiosity, and my flesh begins crawling with suspense.
Fawn M. Brodie 1915-1981, American Biographer
John 10:22-25
At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me. NASU
Curiosity, is a wonderful gift from God to us, and can be a great tool in the spread of the Gospel of Christ. Walt Disney believed that the special secret to making dreams come true was the four C s, curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way. A great thought, now what was it that caused the leaders of Jesus’ day to seek Him out? Well, it was His life, not just the Words He spoke, but the Word, lived before them.
Jesus knew His life’s plan and purpose was God’s plan for Him, and He lived it with courage, He didn’t care what someone else believed or thought of that plan. Jesus walked with faith and confidence in His Heavenly Father and it was His constant walk and faithfulness that caused the Jews to ask Him to tell them plainly if He was “The Christ.”
Now listen to the answer Jesus gave them. “The works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.” The words Jesus spoke to the Jews that day were not just for them, but He was speaking to us, today. He was telliing us to let our lives do our talking for us, and let our feet testify to the world, where we come from. We were saved and baptized into the kingdom, you and I come from a new birth and a different world, and if we will live as a citizen of that world, then the world will come ask who we are…God Bless.
Pastor William
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Your Footprints
Influence
Everyone comes between men's souls and God, either as a brick wall or as a bridge. Either you are leading men to God or you are driving them away.
Canon Lindsay Dewar
Rom 14:12-13
So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this -- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.
NASU
We are either a part of the problem or a part of the plan, but we are always involved in this process whether we want to be or not. One of the most telling statements of this process is the presence, or lack thereof of men in Church. Men were designed to be leaders in the spiritual growth of our children and families, but they are missing in the numbers necessary for a healthy church.
We won’t take all the blame though; the fact is that all of us, male or female, in or out of church are leaving an impression on those who see us daily. There are those that think they can live life in their own design, and avoid involvement, or blame it on the condition of society. But the fact is that we all have a part in this world’s present condition to some degree. They way we live and act is being watched by someone and we are leaving an impression.
A great testimony to this is the story of a man who came home from hunting on Sunday morning and prepared to go to bed as his wife dressed the kids. As mom was getting the children ready for church, he heard one say, why do I have to go to church, but daddy doesn’t? The father quickly got up and went on to church. Why, in today’s world do so many think that they can march to their own drum without consequences? They are so sadly prideful, ignorant, and mistaken…God Bless.
Pastor William
Everyone comes between men's souls and God, either as a brick wall or as a bridge. Either you are leading men to God or you are driving them away.
Canon Lindsay Dewar
Rom 14:12-13
So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this -- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.
NASU
We are either a part of the problem or a part of the plan, but we are always involved in this process whether we want to be or not. One of the most telling statements of this process is the presence, or lack thereof of men in Church. Men were designed to be leaders in the spiritual growth of our children and families, but they are missing in the numbers necessary for a healthy church.
We won’t take all the blame though; the fact is that all of us, male or female, in or out of church are leaving an impression on those who see us daily. There are those that think they can live life in their own design, and avoid involvement, or blame it on the condition of society. But the fact is that we all have a part in this world’s present condition to some degree. They way we live and act is being watched by someone and we are leaving an impression.
A great testimony to this is the story of a man who came home from hunting on Sunday morning and prepared to go to bed as his wife dressed the kids. As mom was getting the children ready for church, he heard one say, why do I have to go to church, but daddy doesn’t? The father quickly got up and went on to church. Why, in today’s world do so many think that they can march to their own drum without consequences? They are so sadly prideful, ignorant, and mistaken…God Bless.
Pastor William
Monday, July 7, 2008
A New Door
Argument
Myself when young did eagerly frequent doctor and saint, and heard great argument about it and about: but evermore came out by the same door as in I went.
Omar Khayyam 1048-1131, Persian Astronomer, Poet
Ps 90:10
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.
NASU
Samuel Butler, a British poet, said this of the argument that we, as temporary citizens of this planet, present with our lives each day, “We are not won by arguments that we can analyze, but by tone and temper; by the manner, which is the man himself. I believe that this is the argument that Omar Khayyam the Persian Astronomer, and poet missed in his day.
I am sure that he studied with great interest for secrets and for ways to gain knowledge that others did not have, but notice his answer, “I came in and out the same door every day.” What door was that? I fear it was the door of knowledge, of knowing with the mind, and not a seeing with the eye, or ever an affirmation in his soul. Maybe no one ever lived it in front of him and showed him the great joy that comes from finding Christ as Lord and Savior.
Are we going in and out the same door every day? I am asking if you are living in front of others a Christianity that seems like the same old door, or are you living and entering in a new and different way? Paul says it this ways in Heb 10:19-20, “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh.” You see if someone had lived this way in front of Omar, he wouldn’t have been an astronomer; he might have been a preacher…God Bless.
Pastor William
Myself when young did eagerly frequent doctor and saint, and heard great argument about it and about: but evermore came out by the same door as in I went.
Omar Khayyam 1048-1131, Persian Astronomer, Poet
Ps 90:10
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.
NASU
Samuel Butler, a British poet, said this of the argument that we, as temporary citizens of this planet, present with our lives each day, “We are not won by arguments that we can analyze, but by tone and temper; by the manner, which is the man himself. I believe that this is the argument that Omar Khayyam the Persian Astronomer, and poet missed in his day.
I am sure that he studied with great interest for secrets and for ways to gain knowledge that others did not have, but notice his answer, “I came in and out the same door every day.” What door was that? I fear it was the door of knowledge, of knowing with the mind, and not a seeing with the eye, or ever an affirmation in his soul. Maybe no one ever lived it in front of him and showed him the great joy that comes from finding Christ as Lord and Savior.
Are we going in and out the same door every day? I am asking if you are living in front of others a Christianity that seems like the same old door, or are you living and entering in a new and different way? Paul says it this ways in Heb 10:19-20, “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh.” You see if someone had lived this way in front of Omar, he wouldn’t have been an astronomer; he might have been a preacher…God Bless.
Pastor William
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Life is Short
Life and Living
What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.
Crowfoot
Ps 90:10
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.
NASU
This dust that we are made of, weathers poorly through the years. The lines, the wrinkles, the cracks that appear in these jars of clay, remind us of our temporal and momentary existence. It has been expressed in many ways by many peoples, over the years, but it always ends with the same conclusion, life is really, really, short and fast. Quentin Crisp, British Author, put it this way “Life was a funny thing that happened to me on the way to the grave.”
Life is labor and much sorrow, filled with pleasant memories at times, but the fact is that we come in toothless, and helpless, and we leave much the same way. Psalm 90, is a psalm of Moses, one who faced many trials and sorrows, but in one way he was indeed a success, he spoke with God, and spent personal one on one time with Him. I would think that would be something that would carry me on to the next life, and for Moses, maybe he flew away, for they never found his body. Jude 9 says there was even an argument over his body.
Life is short, and it is a time for us to reap, while we have breath. We are to store in our heavenly barns an eternity of service to Christ. Now is our time to prepare for our eternity. Harvest time is short, the crop ripens and then goes back to the dust again, we were but dust until God formed us, and now we are eternal creations. You and I have but a short time to be about this eternal business. Let’s not be distracted from what is real during this time, but be filled with the eternal presence of Christ who will lead us through this short moment in our eternity…God Bless.
Pastor William
What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.
Crowfoot
Ps 90:10
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.
NASU
This dust that we are made of, weathers poorly through the years. The lines, the wrinkles, the cracks that appear in these jars of clay, remind us of our temporal and momentary existence. It has been expressed in many ways by many peoples, over the years, but it always ends with the same conclusion, life is really, really, short and fast. Quentin Crisp, British Author, put it this way “Life was a funny thing that happened to me on the way to the grave.”
Life is labor and much sorrow, filled with pleasant memories at times, but the fact is that we come in toothless, and helpless, and we leave much the same way. Psalm 90, is a psalm of Moses, one who faced many trials and sorrows, but in one way he was indeed a success, he spoke with God, and spent personal one on one time with Him. I would think that would be something that would carry me on to the next life, and for Moses, maybe he flew away, for they never found his body. Jude 9 says there was even an argument over his body.
Life is short, and it is a time for us to reap, while we have breath. We are to store in our heavenly barns an eternity of service to Christ. Now is our time to prepare for our eternity. Harvest time is short, the crop ripens and then goes back to the dust again, we were but dust until God formed us, and now we are eternal creations. You and I have but a short time to be about this eternal business. Let’s not be distracted from what is real during this time, but be filled with the eternal presence of Christ who will lead us through this short moment in our eternity…God Bless.
Pastor William
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Daily Planting
Action
Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.
Edwin Hubbel Chapin 1814-1880, American Author, Clergyman
Gal 6:8-10
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. NASU
God has always been close to the farmer, the land has always been close to us each individually, for we are made from the dust. Paul is using the term sowing to speak to us in Galatians, the reason for this is to cause us to realize that we are also planters, and farmers in this world. Regardless of our occupation each one of us will ultimately be judged by the fruit of our time spent here, and the results weighed on eternal scales.
Paul urges us today to be doers of good to others, planters of good, and examples of the Spirit filled life, showing faith and confidence in our hope and our future eternal reward. That sounds so great, and many times we walk out of church with that intention, but we are soon laid to the wayside by life’s trials. God will help us through these times if we will not grow weary or frustrated, but cry out for His strength. It is important for us to do so, for our attitude is planting seeds of some kind every day.
Our example is our most important witness, people may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do. These actions begin in church, in our interactions among the family of God. Paul says that we are to especially do good to those that are of the “household of faith.” I am afraid that many are weary in well doing even before they leave church, and when leaving church in that kind of shape, how will we treat those that are of the world. So many Christians grow weeds in their lives, because that is what they sow…God Bless.
Pastor William
Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.
Edwin Hubbel Chapin 1814-1880, American Author, Clergyman
Gal 6:8-10
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. NASU
God has always been close to the farmer, the land has always been close to us each individually, for we are made from the dust. Paul is using the term sowing to speak to us in Galatians, the reason for this is to cause us to realize that we are also planters, and farmers in this world. Regardless of our occupation each one of us will ultimately be judged by the fruit of our time spent here, and the results weighed on eternal scales.
Paul urges us today to be doers of good to others, planters of good, and examples of the Spirit filled life, showing faith and confidence in our hope and our future eternal reward. That sounds so great, and many times we walk out of church with that intention, but we are soon laid to the wayside by life’s trials. God will help us through these times if we will not grow weary or frustrated, but cry out for His strength. It is important for us to do so, for our attitude is planting seeds of some kind every day.
Our example is our most important witness, people may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do. These actions begin in church, in our interactions among the family of God. Paul says that we are to especially do good to those that are of the “household of faith.” I am afraid that many are weary in well doing even before they leave church, and when leaving church in that kind of shape, how will we treat those that are of the world. So many Christians grow weeds in their lives, because that is what they sow…God Bless.
Pastor William
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
God is Interested
Genius
What I do not like about our definitions of genius is that there is in them nothing of the Day of Judgment, nothing of resounding through eternity and nothing of the footsteps of the Almighty.
Georg C. Lichtenberg 1742-1799, German Physicist, Satirist
Ps 37:23-29
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging bread. All day long he is gracious and lends, and his descendants are a blessing. Depart from evil and do good, so you will abide forever. For the LORD loves justice and does not forsake His godly ones; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked will be cut off. The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. NASU
Going further into our scripture from yesterday, we can see that God is paying more than a passing interest in our plight here. We learn from this scripture that God takes delight in our ways here. Our Father watches us closely, our actions and reactions to the things that touch us and where they carry us.
A great and comforting promise is in this scripture, the promise that God will hold our hand. I like that idea don't you. It also says that even when trying our best that God knew we would sometimes fall, did you catch that? The scripture does not say “if” he falls, it says “when” he falls. So God knew you would fall at times, but He also says to each of us, I will maintain my grasp on your hand, and I will make sure that if you fall in battle that you will stand again, you will not lose.
What a reassurance this was to David as a King. He made many decisions, and this took the pressure away, it’s why he is rejoicing in this psalm. David knew that he would never be forsaken, and if anyone tried God’s patience, it was David. Why then did God love David so much? It was because he always stood back up, acknowledged his wrongs and continued on God’s plan for his life, held safely in the Hand of God. Sounds like something we could do too…God Bless.
Pastor William
What I do not like about our definitions of genius is that there is in them nothing of the Day of Judgment, nothing of resounding through eternity and nothing of the footsteps of the Almighty.
Georg C. Lichtenberg 1742-1799, German Physicist, Satirist
Ps 37:23-29
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his descendants begging bread. All day long he is gracious and lends, and his descendants are a blessing. Depart from evil and do good, so you will abide forever. For the LORD loves justice and does not forsake His godly ones; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked will be cut off. The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever. NASU
Going further into our scripture from yesterday, we can see that God is paying more than a passing interest in our plight here. We learn from this scripture that God takes delight in our ways here. Our Father watches us closely, our actions and reactions to the things that touch us and where they carry us.
A great and comforting promise is in this scripture, the promise that God will hold our hand. I like that idea don't you. It also says that even when trying our best that God knew we would sometimes fall, did you catch that? The scripture does not say “if” he falls, it says “when” he falls. So God knew you would fall at times, but He also says to each of us, I will maintain my grasp on your hand, and I will make sure that if you fall in battle that you will stand again, you will not lose.
What a reassurance this was to David as a King. He made many decisions, and this took the pressure away, it’s why he is rejoicing in this psalm. David knew that he would never be forsaken, and if anyone tried God’s patience, it was David. Why then did God love David so much? It was because he always stood back up, acknowledged his wrongs and continued on God’s plan for his life, held safely in the Hand of God. Sounds like something we could do too…God Bless.
Pastor William
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Pastor William
- Pastor William F Burroughs
- Gainesville, Fl, United States
- Pray for God to move greatly in "Journey of The Word Church".