Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
“As I look back over fifty years of ministry, I recall innumerable tests, trials and times of crushing pain. But through it all, the Lord has proven faithful, loving, and totally true to all his promises.” -David Wilkerson
“In Everything Give Thanks”.
A verse so familiar we recite it almost without thinking as an encouragement to one another in our everyday walk.
However, like a woodman’s axe, the reality of life has a way of splitting “everything” into opposing halves.
Good and bad.
Pleasure and pain.
Joys and sorrow.
The front half of the “everything” is easy. Thankful for the birth of a child. For great health. Family. A good job.
The backside of the “everything” is more difficult. The death of a loved one. Cancer. Divorce. A job lost. The empty chair at the head of the table from which dad said the Thanksgiving prayer just last year.
It’s hard to get our hearts and emotions around thanking God for the dark days, for pain, or overwhelming loss.
What’s interesting is that our Father does not ask us to. He asks us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to be thankful “in” the midst of those things.
Consider the life of Jeremiah. His autobiography recorded in Lamentations chapter 3 paints a dismal portrait of his journey.
Affliction. Darkness. Flesh wasting away. Broken bones. Bitterness. Hardship. Chains. Crooked paths. Bears. Lions. Arrows. Mocking. Rejection.
Reflecting on all of this, Jeremiah bemoans, “I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.” (Lamentations 3:20 NIV)
Too often, the tapestries of our own lives have the same threads woven through them.
But, in the midst of despair — Hope always emerges. Jeremiah calls to mind an eternal truth upon which all thanksgiving has its foundation… “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.” (vs. 22 ESV)
Every trial that enters your life comes through the doorway of the steadfast love of the Lord. It involves love that emanates from an eternally wise Father. “It is He who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom…” (Jeremiah 10:12 ESV) Isaiah adds that the Lord of Hosts is “wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom” (Isaiah 28:29 ESV)
God is infinitely wise. His steadfast love endures forever. Separate truths…which are inseparable.
And they are truths that transform trials into thanksgiving.
When life is not the way it is supposed to be…when the wheels come off…when looking up is the only choice you have, because you are flat on your back…be thankful.
Be thankful that God is infinitely wise. Be thankful that His steadfast love never ceases and endures forever.
In the midst of everything — give thanks. It will turn your life around.
And your Thanksgiving.
Source: AACC
Friday, August 26, 2011
When You Praise Him
God loves it when we “praise” Him. Psalm 22:3 portrays a picture of “God inhabiting the praises of His people”. The Hebrew essence of “inhabited” is a depiction of the Lord sitting down and dwelling. Our praises are so precious to Him that He stops and abides with us in the very midst of our praise. Think about that. The word “praise” occurs nearly 300 times in scripture. Interestingly, a vast majority of those references are in The Psalms, including:
Psalm 9:2 “I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” ESV
Psalm 22:22 “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will raise you.” ESV
Psalm 22:23 “You who fear the LORD, praise Him…glorify Him…stand in awe of Him…” ESV
Psalm 33:1 “Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.” ESV
Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” ESV
Psalm 113:1 “Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!” ESV
Are the waters deep? Are you lonely? Discouraged? Do you find yourself even doubting whether or not God hears your prayers or cares about your troubles? Every time you try to “look on the bright side” is a dark future all you see? Maybe it’s time to praise Him and ask Him to come and dwell in your life.
When it begins to rain in your life, praise Him. When you can’t breathe, praise him. He is in the midst of it all. The chorus of one of my favorite Casting Crowns songs says, “And I’ll praise you in this storm — and I will lift my hands — for You are who You are — no matter where I am…” You may not sing your troubles away, but I’ll bet you feel the presence of One who sticks closer than a brother. And I promise you that when He “inhabits your praise” it will turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Psalm 9:2 “I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” ESV
Psalm 22:22 “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will raise you.” ESV
Psalm 22:23 “You who fear the LORD, praise Him…glorify Him…stand in awe of Him…” ESV
Psalm 33:1 “Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.” ESV
Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.” ESV
Psalm 113:1 “Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!” ESV
Are the waters deep? Are you lonely? Discouraged? Do you find yourself even doubting whether or not God hears your prayers or cares about your troubles? Every time you try to “look on the bright side” is a dark future all you see? Maybe it’s time to praise Him and ask Him to come and dwell in your life.
When it begins to rain in your life, praise Him. When you can’t breathe, praise him. He is in the midst of it all. The chorus of one of my favorite Casting Crowns songs says, “And I’ll praise you in this storm — and I will lift my hands — for You are who You are — no matter where I am…” You may not sing your troubles away, but I’ll bet you feel the presence of One who sticks closer than a brother. And I promise you that when He “inhabits your praise” it will turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Laugh Again
Kids smile an average of 45 times an hour, and they will “belly laugh” 1 time every 7.5 minutes. By the time we become an adult that drops to 15 times a day. In hospitals it is nearly 0. When was the last time you had a good laugh? The popular saying, “Laughter is the best medicine” is not actually a bible quote. However, the concept comes directly out of the book of Proverbs:“A happy heart is good medicine, and a cheerful mind works healing…” (17:22 Amplified Bible)
The focus of this verse is inward, on a happy heart. The function of the verse is outward, working healing. What’s interesting is that the word translated “medicine” in this verse, literally means the “removal of a bandage, the healing of a wound.” (Strong’s Concordance)
Dr. Thomas Sydenham, a seventeenth-century physician, claimed that “The arrival of a good clown exercises more beneficial influence upon the health of a town than of twenty mules laden with drugs.”
Determine to let your thoughts and attitudes reflect the “joy of the Lord”. He is in control and His love toward us is steadfast. A cheerful disposition out of the overflow of our heart also, will often bring healing to those we come into contact with. Stop living with your head hung down, focusing on the negative, and being a joy sucker. And get away from those who are. The results of such living is a “drying up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22b).
An old Sunday school chorus goes, “If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it, No matter what, smile! Laugh again. Laugh often. Bring back the joy. It’s ‘a medicine’ that will turn your life around.
Source:AACC, Strong's Concordance
The focus of this verse is inward, on a happy heart. The function of the verse is outward, working healing. What’s interesting is that the word translated “medicine” in this verse, literally means the “removal of a bandage, the healing of a wound.” (Strong’s Concordance)
Dr. Thomas Sydenham, a seventeenth-century physician, claimed that “The arrival of a good clown exercises more beneficial influence upon the health of a town than of twenty mules laden with drugs.”
Determine to let your thoughts and attitudes reflect the “joy of the Lord”. He is in control and His love toward us is steadfast. A cheerful disposition out of the overflow of our heart also, will often bring healing to those we come into contact with. Stop living with your head hung down, focusing on the negative, and being a joy sucker. And get away from those who are. The results of such living is a “drying up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22b).
An old Sunday school chorus goes, “If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it, No matter what, smile! Laugh again. Laugh often. Bring back the joy. It’s ‘a medicine’ that will turn your life around.
Source:AACC, Strong's Concordance
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Why can’t we all just get along?
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV)
Bickering,backbiting, selfishness, grudges, fighting over things that don’t matter with family and friends, even in the church!
Disagreements happen. Arguments are inevitable. But our calling from God is to oneness to unity with brothers and sisters in the Lord. Perhaps that is why David penned Psalm 133 for his many sons, to instruct them and encourage them to dwell together in harmony. His admonition goes beyond simply not quarreling, to a much deeper depth of relationship, delighting in one another.
The precious holy oil used in anointing that David references, was strongly perfumed. The fragrance would have been pleasant and refreshing to everyone nearby. In the same way, the aroma of getting along with, and honoring, other Christian brothers and sisters, brings joyful blessing to those who see our love for one another.
It is interesting that when Jesus prayed for us in His great High Priestly prayer in John 17, He acknowledged that the world would hate those who trust and believe in Him. The clear message is that life would be hard, even battling the “evil one”. But in verse 21, He asks His Father that “they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (ESV) Jesus understood that unity among His children would be a reality that convinces the unbelieving world of who He truly is, the Son of God.
Pastor A. T. Pierson (1837-1911) wrote, “To a true child of God, the invisible bond that unites all believers to Christ is far more tender, and lasting and precious; and as we come to recognize and realize that we are all dwelling in one sphere of life in Him, we learn to look on every believer as our brother, in a sense that is infinitely higher than all human relationships. This is the one and only way to bring disciples permanently together. All other plans for promoting the unity of the Church have failed.”
Difference in backgrounds and personality dictate that we simply will not get along with everyone. That will happen. However, as the Apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (ESV) Press through the hard times with one another. God will give you windows of relationship restoration. Watch for them and, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10 (ESV) Unity — it just might turn your life around.
Source:AACC
when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3 (ESV)
Bickering,backbiting, selfishness, grudges, fighting over things that don’t matter with family and friends, even in the church!
Disagreements happen. Arguments are inevitable. But our calling from God is to oneness to unity with brothers and sisters in the Lord. Perhaps that is why David penned Psalm 133 for his many sons, to instruct them and encourage them to dwell together in harmony. His admonition goes beyond simply not quarreling, to a much deeper depth of relationship, delighting in one another.
The precious holy oil used in anointing that David references, was strongly perfumed. The fragrance would have been pleasant and refreshing to everyone nearby. In the same way, the aroma of getting along with, and honoring, other Christian brothers and sisters, brings joyful blessing to those who see our love for one another.
It is interesting that when Jesus prayed for us in His great High Priestly prayer in John 17, He acknowledged that the world would hate those who trust and believe in Him. The clear message is that life would be hard, even battling the “evil one”. But in verse 21, He asks His Father that “they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (ESV) Jesus understood that unity among His children would be a reality that convinces the unbelieving world of who He truly is, the Son of God.
Pastor A. T. Pierson (1837-1911) wrote, “To a true child of God, the invisible bond that unites all believers to Christ is far more tender, and lasting and precious; and as we come to recognize and realize that we are all dwelling in one sphere of life in Him, we learn to look on every believer as our brother, in a sense that is infinitely higher than all human relationships. This is the one and only way to bring disciples permanently together. All other plans for promoting the unity of the Church have failed.”
Difference in backgrounds and personality dictate that we simply will not get along with everyone. That will happen. However, as the Apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (ESV) Press through the hard times with one another. God will give you windows of relationship restoration. Watch for them and, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10 (ESV) Unity — it just might turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Sneeze
When we hear someone sneeze, the first thing that comes out of our mouths is "God Bless You", I mean that seems to be ingrained in us, it seems to be an automatic response, but the question is; when did we started doing this and why?
What’s interesting is that the custom of saying “God bless you” after a sneeze began literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory the Great (540-604 AD) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the bubonic plague (his successor Pope Pelagius II succumbed to it). Gregory called for unceasing prayer from the people for God’s help and intercession. Groups of people marched through the streets chanting, “Kyrie Eleison” (Greek for “Lord have mercy”). When someone sneezed, an immediate “God bless you!” followed from anyone nearby, in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the deadly plague. While we often use this phrase out of habit, these desperate people trusted that God would hear, and the blessing of health and protection would follow.
The history of this common phrase magnifies the meaning of Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (ESV) The words we say matter. More than we realize. Maybe our communication would change if we truly understood that the words we speak either have life breathed into them or death.
James takes this fundamental principle to a much deeper level. He acknowledges that “With it (the tongue) we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” (3:9-10 ESV) Granted. But then he strongly reprimands the readers with, “My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (vs. 10 ESV) James then gives vivid examples from nature to support his reproof. A spring of water does not simultaneously produce fresh water and salt water. A fig tree does not produce olives. Grapevines don’t grow figs. A salt water pond does not contain fresh water. (vs. 11-12)
Relationships are not perfect. Harsh words are sometimes spoken. Tempers flare and painful, even hurtful things are said. In writing to the Christians in Asia Minor, Peter encouraged them in this way “…be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless — that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing, and also get a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9 The Message)
The next time you hear a sneeze and reply with “God bless you”, let it serve as a reminder that the power of life and death is in what we “say” or “don’t say” to others! It might turn your life or someone else’s around.
Source: AACC
What’s interesting is that the custom of saying “God bless you” after a sneeze began literally as a blessing. Pope Gregory the Great (540-604 AD) ascended to the Papacy just in time for the start of the bubonic plague (his successor Pope Pelagius II succumbed to it). Gregory called for unceasing prayer from the people for God’s help and intercession. Groups of people marched through the streets chanting, “Kyrie Eleison” (Greek for “Lord have mercy”). When someone sneezed, an immediate “God bless you!” followed from anyone nearby, in the hope that they would not subsequently develop the deadly plague. While we often use this phrase out of habit, these desperate people trusted that God would hear, and the blessing of health and protection would follow.
The history of this common phrase magnifies the meaning of Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (ESV) The words we say matter. More than we realize. Maybe our communication would change if we truly understood that the words we speak either have life breathed into them or death.
James takes this fundamental principle to a much deeper level. He acknowledges that “With it (the tongue) we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” (3:9-10 ESV) Granted. But then he strongly reprimands the readers with, “My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (vs. 10 ESV) James then gives vivid examples from nature to support his reproof. A spring of water does not simultaneously produce fresh water and salt water. A fig tree does not produce olives. Grapevines don’t grow figs. A salt water pond does not contain fresh water. (vs. 11-12)
Relationships are not perfect. Harsh words are sometimes spoken. Tempers flare and painful, even hurtful things are said. In writing to the Christians in Asia Minor, Peter encouraged them in this way “…be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless — that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing, and also get a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9 The Message)
The next time you hear a sneeze and reply with “God bless you”, let it serve as a reminder that the power of life and death is in what we “say” or “don’t say” to others! It might turn your life or someone else’s around.
Source: AACC
Practice
It’s been said, “Practice makes perfect”. That is not necessarily true. Practice makes permanent. Do it over and over again incorrectly, and you have simply developed a bad habit. “Perfect practice makes perfect”. It takes a lot of sacrifice blood, sweat and guts to achieve excellence to separate yourself. The Apostle Paul understood that this same degree of intensity was necessary to reach a level of “spiritual” excellence. In his letter to young Timothy, Paul urges him to “… train yourself for godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7 ESV) It’s interesting that the Greek word for “train” is gymnazo, from which we get the word gymnasium, and it means to exercise vigorously. Strenuous spiritual exercise in order to produce godliness. Paul goes on to say, “…godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (vs. 8 ESV)
Promise for the life to come but also for this present life. Too often in this world, our spiritual lives are lethargic and weak. Maybe our lack of power as Christians is simply spiritual inactivity. Maybe we need to get our fight back. Get back in the Word. Seek spiritual excellence in prayer. Inspiration comes by perspiration. Paul must have known that there would be a tendency for Timothy to be lackadaisical in his day-to-day journey. He reminded him, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you…” (1 Timothy 4:14 NAS)… “For to this end we toil and strive…” (vs. 10 ESV)… “Practice these things… immerse yourself in them…” (vs. 10)
Spiritual determination. Sacred vigorous exercise. Daily devotional discipline. Who knows you just might get yourself out of a mess and turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Promise for the life to come but also for this present life. Too often in this world, our spiritual lives are lethargic and weak. Maybe our lack of power as Christians is simply spiritual inactivity. Maybe we need to get our fight back. Get back in the Word. Seek spiritual excellence in prayer. Inspiration comes by perspiration. Paul must have known that there would be a tendency for Timothy to be lackadaisical in his day-to-day journey. He reminded him, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you…” (1 Timothy 4:14 NAS)… “For to this end we toil and strive…” (vs. 10 ESV)… “Practice these things… immerse yourself in them…” (vs. 10)
Spiritual determination. Sacred vigorous exercise. Daily devotional discipline. Who knows you just might get yourself out of a mess and turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Abba Father
In Mark 14 we find Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is in deep distress as he looks ahead to the Cross. Usually, Jesus referred to God as “Father”. With his soul grieved to the point of death, Jesus prays, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you…” (Vs. 36 ESV). The word “Abba” can be easily translated as “daddy”. It is a very intimate term that Jesus uses at a point of incredible anxiety, dismay and fear.
Most often, we conceptualize God as distant and far away. He is God, Holy, Magnificent, Powerful, Almighty. It somehow goes against our nature to think of Him with such a depth of affectionate that we can call him “dad” or “daddy”. After all, Jesus is His only begotten son. He has a relationship with His Father that we simply do not believe is possible for us to have.
In Romans 8:15, Paul turns this upside down when he says, “…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’”. (ESV) Again in Galatians 4:6 Paul confirms this line of thought. “And because you are sons, God has sent the spirit of His son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father’”. (ESV) Remember the Garden where we found Jesus? He went from the garden, to Golgotha, and there drank the bitter cup of the “cross” that God had prepared for Him, for us. A cup that Jesus drank out of obedience to His “Abba Father”.
“For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV)
For what? So that we could become the sons and daughters of God. Joint heirs with Christ. And so that your Heavenly Father, especially in the distresses of life, can be found. (Psalm 46:1) Yes, He is there for you… even now. Waiting to turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Most often, we conceptualize God as distant and far away. He is God, Holy, Magnificent, Powerful, Almighty. It somehow goes against our nature to think of Him with such a depth of affectionate that we can call him “dad” or “daddy”. After all, Jesus is His only begotten son. He has a relationship with His Father that we simply do not believe is possible for us to have.
In Romans 8:15, Paul turns this upside down when he says, “…you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’”. (ESV) Again in Galatians 4:6 Paul confirms this line of thought. “And because you are sons, God has sent the spirit of His son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father’”. (ESV) Remember the Garden where we found Jesus? He went from the garden, to Golgotha, and there drank the bitter cup of the “cross” that God had prepared for Him, for us. A cup that Jesus drank out of obedience to His “Abba Father”.
“For our sake He (God) made Him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV)
For what? So that we could become the sons and daughters of God. Joint heirs with Christ. And so that your Heavenly Father, especially in the distresses of life, can be found. (Psalm 46:1) Yes, He is there for you… even now. Waiting to turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Seeing Red
“In your anger, do not sin.” -Apostle Paul
Throwing a chair across the basketball court. Slamming a fist through a wall. The frustration when someone cuts you off in traffic. Those feelings you get when someone tells a trusted secret. How a child feels when dad doesn’t come home. When life isn’t the way we think it should be, it’s easy to get angry. God wired us that way.
Anger is one of the most often misunderstood, yet significant concepts in life. Best understood as "A state of preparedness" to respond to a real or perceived wrong doing or injustice in life, anger motivates a person to action.
Paul taught in Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger, don’t sin.” (NIV) While anger always finds an expression, what you decide to do in your “state of preparedness” determines whether or not you will “sin”.
Anger management starts when we:
1. See it — Identifying the cause of anger in your life especially opens your spirit for God’s help. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 ESV)
2.Delay it — Learn the value of "calming" to allow the anger to subside. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” (Proverbs 14:29 ESV)
3.Control it — Control your response rather than reacting emotionally. “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32 NIV)
4.Settle it — Commit to not only “doing” the right things, but also “being” the right person. “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9NIV)
When you invite God to help you identify your anger and take positive action, anger becomes a servant rather than a master.
In your anger — choose not to sin. It just might turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Throwing a chair across the basketball court. Slamming a fist through a wall. The frustration when someone cuts you off in traffic. Those feelings you get when someone tells a trusted secret. How a child feels when dad doesn’t come home. When life isn’t the way we think it should be, it’s easy to get angry. God wired us that way.
Anger is one of the most often misunderstood, yet significant concepts in life. Best understood as "A state of preparedness" to respond to a real or perceived wrong doing or injustice in life, anger motivates a person to action.
Paul taught in Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger, don’t sin.” (NIV) While anger always finds an expression, what you decide to do in your “state of preparedness” determines whether or not you will “sin”.
Anger management starts when we:
1. See it — Identifying the cause of anger in your life especially opens your spirit for God’s help. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 ESV)
2.Delay it — Learn the value of "calming" to allow the anger to subside. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” (Proverbs 14:29 ESV)
3.Control it — Control your response rather than reacting emotionally. “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32 NIV)
4.Settle it — Commit to not only “doing” the right things, but also “being” the right person. “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9NIV)
When you invite God to help you identify your anger and take positive action, anger becomes a servant rather than a master.
In your anger — choose not to sin. It just might turn your life around.
Source: AACC
Saturday, April 23, 2011
He Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed!
This is the story:
THE Passion. “And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly.” (Luke 22:44 ESV) The Garden. A place where Jesus had come many times before to pray. But this time was different. This time He was in an agony. What’s interesting is that this is the only time this phrase is used in all of scripture. It was not just agony. It was an agony. A battle,a fight,a struggle in deep anguish. “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me…” Lying on His face, prostrate before His Father. Crying out in such deep distress that the capillaries under his skin burst and “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (vs. 44). Typically this kind of agony can cause brain damage, or even death. But Jesus lived on,to die.
THE Punishment. “But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV) Being hung on a cross to die was common in those days. But this was different. Before the actual crucifixion, Jesus was brutally beaten. Burly Roman soldiers used their clenched fists and pounded His face over and over again “we esteemed Him stricken” (vs. 4). Handfuls of His beard were yanked out. Onlookers walked up to him, cleared their throats, and spit in His face. A crown of thorns was placed on His head, and then driven deep into His skull with wooden reeds “He was afflicted” (vs. 7). Stripped naked, He was scourged with a cat of nine tails, so named because there were nine strands, and on the end of those nine strands were pieces of metal or bone, designed to dig into the skin and rip it open. Normally a man was whipped with 39 lashes. 39 lashes with 9 strands. Do the math. When they were done Jesus’ lacerated flesh hung from His body in long strips, exposing muscle, sinew and even bone, “with His stripes we are healed” (vs. 5) After all of that, He was then made to carry His own cross “Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows” (vs. 4). Nailed to the cross, the One who knew no sin, became sin for us “and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (vs. 6).
THE Proclamation. Hours of wretched suffering. One last time Jesus pushed up against the nail in His feet to take the pressure off of His diaphragm so He could take His final breath. Burning lungs filled with air, and then from a parched throat, through swollen, broken bleeding lips, the very Son of God cried out, “It Is Finished!” Every Jew within earshot knew those words. They were the words the high priest used every year to proclaim that their sins had once again been atoned for, by the sacrificing of a spotless, unblemished lamb. But this was different. The Lamb of God, the perfect Passover Lamb, who came to take away the sin of the world, (John 1:29) was proclaiming for all to hear, that once and for all, the final sacrifice had been made. “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by the means of the blood of goats and calves, but by the means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12 ESV) Then He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.
THE Promise. A few days before, Jesus had told His disciples that He was about to die. Sensing the fear and anxiety that they were experiencing, He gave them this promise, “I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3 NASV) A dead god could never keep that promise. Surely He couldn’t mean that He would actually die. But then, albeit from distant hiding places, they watched Him do just that, die. Now what? Hopes, dreams and promises dashed upon the stone placed and sealed at the entrance of His borrowed tomb. Hear these words. In them you will find the hope of His promise, “Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James came to the tomb and looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, ‘Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here!!‘” (Mark 16:1-6 NASV) Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o’er His foes! We do not believe in a God who was once alive and now He is dead. We follow after a God who became a man to dwell among us with the purpose of dying for our redemption and now He is alive. Life is no longer a hopeless end it is an endless hope.
The death, burial and resurrection of Christ was THE moment in time that changed the course of humanity. A perfect offering presented. That which had been spoken of by the prophets in Scripture, fulfilled. God’s gift of love, freely given to all who will receive.
In the great “Resurrection Chapter”, Paul presents the gospel “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15 ESV). These words are not a defense of the resurrection. They are in effect a declaration of the most important words in Christianity. He is risen! Words that turned the world around.
Our response? He is risen indeed! Our opportunity? To “know Him, and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10 ESV)
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Source:AACC
THE Passion. “And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly.” (Luke 22:44 ESV) The Garden. A place where Jesus had come many times before to pray. But this time was different. This time He was in an agony. What’s interesting is that this is the only time this phrase is used in all of scripture. It was not just agony. It was an agony. A battle,a fight,a struggle in deep anguish. “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me…” Lying on His face, prostrate before His Father. Crying out in such deep distress that the capillaries under his skin burst and “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (vs. 44). Typically this kind of agony can cause brain damage, or even death. But Jesus lived on,to die.
THE Punishment. “But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV) Being hung on a cross to die was common in those days. But this was different. Before the actual crucifixion, Jesus was brutally beaten. Burly Roman soldiers used their clenched fists and pounded His face over and over again “we esteemed Him stricken” (vs. 4). Handfuls of His beard were yanked out. Onlookers walked up to him, cleared their throats, and spit in His face. A crown of thorns was placed on His head, and then driven deep into His skull with wooden reeds “He was afflicted” (vs. 7). Stripped naked, He was scourged with a cat of nine tails, so named because there were nine strands, and on the end of those nine strands were pieces of metal or bone, designed to dig into the skin and rip it open. Normally a man was whipped with 39 lashes. 39 lashes with 9 strands. Do the math. When they were done Jesus’ lacerated flesh hung from His body in long strips, exposing muscle, sinew and even bone, “with His stripes we are healed” (vs. 5) After all of that, He was then made to carry His own cross “Surely He has born our griefs and carried our sorrows” (vs. 4). Nailed to the cross, the One who knew no sin, became sin for us “and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (vs. 6).
THE Proclamation. Hours of wretched suffering. One last time Jesus pushed up against the nail in His feet to take the pressure off of His diaphragm so He could take His final breath. Burning lungs filled with air, and then from a parched throat, through swollen, broken bleeding lips, the very Son of God cried out, “It Is Finished!” Every Jew within earshot knew those words. They were the words the high priest used every year to proclaim that their sins had once again been atoned for, by the sacrificing of a spotless, unblemished lamb. But this was different. The Lamb of God, the perfect Passover Lamb, who came to take away the sin of the world, (John 1:29) was proclaiming for all to hear, that once and for all, the final sacrifice had been made. “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by the means of the blood of goats and calves, but by the means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12 ESV) Then He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.
THE Promise. A few days before, Jesus had told His disciples that He was about to die. Sensing the fear and anxiety that they were experiencing, He gave them this promise, “I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3 NASV) A dead god could never keep that promise. Surely He couldn’t mean that He would actually die. But then, albeit from distant hiding places, they watched Him do just that, die. Now what? Hopes, dreams and promises dashed upon the stone placed and sealed at the entrance of His borrowed tomb. Hear these words. In them you will find the hope of His promise, “Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James came to the tomb and looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, ‘Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here!!‘” (Mark 16:1-6 NASV) Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o’er His foes! We do not believe in a God who was once alive and now He is dead. We follow after a God who became a man to dwell among us with the purpose of dying for our redemption and now He is alive. Life is no longer a hopeless end it is an endless hope.
The death, burial and resurrection of Christ was THE moment in time that changed the course of humanity. A perfect offering presented. That which had been spoken of by the prophets in Scripture, fulfilled. God’s gift of love, freely given to all who will receive.
In the great “Resurrection Chapter”, Paul presents the gospel “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15 ESV). These words are not a defense of the resurrection. They are in effect a declaration of the most important words in Christianity. He is risen! Words that turned the world around.
Our response? He is risen indeed! Our opportunity? To “know Him, and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10 ESV)
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Source:AACC
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Respect
R – E – S – P – E – C – T. This 1967 smash hit by Aretha Franklin quickly exploded up the charts. While it was written by Otis Redding in 1965 as a man’s plea for respect and recognition, the roles were reversed for Franklin’s version. Her rendition was a landmark for the feminist movement, and is often considered one of the best songs of the R&B era. The popularity of this song (she won 2 Grammys in 1968) seemed to voice the general feeling of people everywhere. In 2002, the Library of Congress honored Franklin’s version by adding it to the National Recording Registry.
Rodney Dangerfield developed a whole comedy routine, and ultimately career, with one simple bi-line — “I don’t get no RESPECT!!” His comedy album No Respect also won a Grammy Award.
In her book, For Women Only, Christian author, Shaunti Feldhahn, writes that when men are asked which they would choose, to be alone and unloved, or feel inadequate and disrespected (not that we men would really want either) nearly 75% chose alone and unloved. Think about that. These men would rather be alone with no love, than to be made to feel inadequate and disrespected. What’s interesting is that if you pay close attention to today’s teens, you will hear them express a desire not to be ‘dissed"… slang for disrespected. Often this disrespect comes in the form of insulting put downs, rejection, or dismissive behavior. It seems that everyone yearns in some way for this seemingly innate desire to feel respected.
While in prison, the great Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Philippi. The overall message of the letter is "joy". Paul is not writing to just the "saints" as he did in Ephesians and Colossians. It is striking that he adds the overseers and deacons (1:1 NASV) to his greeting, as if to make a special effort to include those in leadership. In chapter 2, Paul makes a heartfelt appeal. He asks that all reading his letter would make his joy complete. How? By being intent on one purpose — “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” (vs. 3 KJV) The ultimate in respect. Each person esteeming every other person better than themselves. Perhaps that is why he added the leadership to his salutation. It’s as if he was saying that status doesn’t negate responsibility. Dignity and worth were to be attributed to every person equally. Could Paul have been remembering what David voiced in Psalm 8, “What is man that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God (ELOHIM) and dost crown him with glory and majesty.” (vs. 4-5 NASV) If God feels that way about us, then we too ought to hold each other in high regard. If we lived out our lives exhibiting this kind of respect, where each person thinks of everyone else as more worthy than themselves, it just might turn some marriages, families, teens, work relationships, and maybe even counseling sessions around.
Source:AACC, Feldham, Shaunti Christine, (2004) For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men. Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishing
Rodney Dangerfield developed a whole comedy routine, and ultimately career, with one simple bi-line — “I don’t get no RESPECT!!” His comedy album No Respect also won a Grammy Award.
In her book, For Women Only, Christian author, Shaunti Feldhahn, writes that when men are asked which they would choose, to be alone and unloved, or feel inadequate and disrespected (not that we men would really want either) nearly 75% chose alone and unloved. Think about that. These men would rather be alone with no love, than to be made to feel inadequate and disrespected. What’s interesting is that if you pay close attention to today’s teens, you will hear them express a desire not to be ‘dissed"… slang for disrespected. Often this disrespect comes in the form of insulting put downs, rejection, or dismissive behavior. It seems that everyone yearns in some way for this seemingly innate desire to feel respected.
While in prison, the great Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Philippi. The overall message of the letter is "joy". Paul is not writing to just the "saints" as he did in Ephesians and Colossians. It is striking that he adds the overseers and deacons (1:1 NASV) to his greeting, as if to make a special effort to include those in leadership. In chapter 2, Paul makes a heartfelt appeal. He asks that all reading his letter would make his joy complete. How? By being intent on one purpose — “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” (vs. 3 KJV) The ultimate in respect. Each person esteeming every other person better than themselves. Perhaps that is why he added the leadership to his salutation. It’s as if he was saying that status doesn’t negate responsibility. Dignity and worth were to be attributed to every person equally. Could Paul have been remembering what David voiced in Psalm 8, “What is man that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man that Thou dost care for him? Yet Thou hast made him a little lower than God (ELOHIM) and dost crown him with glory and majesty.” (vs. 4-5 NASV) If God feels that way about us, then we too ought to hold each other in high regard. If we lived out our lives exhibiting this kind of respect, where each person thinks of everyone else as more worthy than themselves, it just might turn some marriages, families, teens, work relationships, and maybe even counseling sessions around.
Source:AACC, Feldham, Shaunti Christine, (2004) For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men. Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishing
Thursday, April 14, 2011
An Issue of the Heart
Delilah said to him, “How can you say ‘I love you’ when your heart is not with me?. So Sampson told her all that was in his heart… when Delilah saw that he had told her all that was in his heart, she sent and called the lord of the Philistines… and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his hair… she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Sampson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had abandoned him. (Judges 16)
Sampson. Powerful and strong. It is interesting that his strength was not really in his hair. His strength was in his heart. He was a Nazirite. The Hebrew word nazir means consecrated or separated. And it was by choice. His mother Manoah had dedicated him to this Nazirite vow before his birth. However, Hebrew law required that when he was old enough to understand, he recommit his life, permanently to this vow. His heart belonged solely to his God. Until he gave it up to Delilah.
In a similar story, Amaziah served as king in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 25:2 records this indictment, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.” Again, the original Hebrew language gives incredible insight into this verse. The word perfect (shalem), denotes complete full finished. Most of Amaziah’s heart was God’s. But he had saved out a little portion for himself. In the end, he was defeated and captured by Joash.
Could it be that many of the struggles in our Christian walk can be traced back to the same issue that Sampson and Amaziah had? A heart that is not “perfect” toward God. Those tiny areas that we hang onto for ourselves. The hidden parts. It has been said, “You’re only as sick as your secrets”. Perhaps that is why the Psalmist David pleaded “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me.” Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV) Again in Psalm 19:12 “… cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (KJV)
The “grace” piece in all of this, is that God will do just that. He will show you the fragment of your heart that is not His. His Light will shine in the dark places of your heart to reveal the “secret place”. The sin that we cover, He will uncover the sin that we uncover, He will cover. Surrender your whole heart to Him. Without a doubt, it will turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Sampson. Powerful and strong. It is interesting that his strength was not really in his hair. His strength was in his heart. He was a Nazirite. The Hebrew word nazir means consecrated or separated. And it was by choice. His mother Manoah had dedicated him to this Nazirite vow before his birth. However, Hebrew law required that when he was old enough to understand, he recommit his life, permanently to this vow. His heart belonged solely to his God. Until he gave it up to Delilah.
In a similar story, Amaziah served as king in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 25:2 records this indictment, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.” Again, the original Hebrew language gives incredible insight into this verse. The word perfect (shalem), denotes complete full finished. Most of Amaziah’s heart was God’s. But he had saved out a little portion for himself. In the end, he was defeated and captured by Joash.
Could it be that many of the struggles in our Christian walk can be traced back to the same issue that Sampson and Amaziah had? A heart that is not “perfect” toward God. Those tiny areas that we hang onto for ourselves. The hidden parts. It has been said, “You’re only as sick as your secrets”. Perhaps that is why the Psalmist David pleaded “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me.” Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV) Again in Psalm 19:12 “… cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (KJV)
The “grace” piece in all of this, is that God will do just that. He will show you the fragment of your heart that is not His. His Light will shine in the dark places of your heart to reveal the “secret place”. The sin that we cover, He will uncover the sin that we uncover, He will cover. Surrender your whole heart to Him. Without a doubt, it will turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Friday, April 1, 2011
Soul Care
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 have been encouraging verses for me for a very long time. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (ESV)
Often in the New Testament, the writers refer to the “God of all grace”… or the “Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Amazing Grace. What’s important to understand is that we sometimes received the Grace of God poured into our lives through the life of others. Strong’s Concordance describes grace (charis) with these words, divine influence upon the heart, and it’s reflection in the life. And don’t miss this, God comforts us in ALL our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in ANY affliction.
Let me paraphrase all of this if I might:
When we are going through hard times, God comforts us with grace, and that grace has a divine influence upon our hearts. Often he uses someone else to help bring that grace to us. And He comforts us in ALL of our trials. Then, further down the road, when we meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time, the grace that God poured into our lives is now reflected into their life, so that further down the road, when they meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time. And on and on it goes.
Life is tough. Struggles, trials and hard times will come. When they do, look around you. God is probably bringing someone along side of you to pour grace into your life. Grace to turn your life around, so that one day you can help turn someone else’s life around.
Source:AACC
Often in the New Testament, the writers refer to the “God of all grace”… or the “Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Amazing Grace. What’s important to understand is that we sometimes received the Grace of God poured into our lives through the life of others. Strong’s Concordance describes grace (charis) with these words, divine influence upon the heart, and it’s reflection in the life. And don’t miss this, God comforts us in ALL our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in ANY affliction.
Let me paraphrase all of this if I might:
When we are going through hard times, God comforts us with grace, and that grace has a divine influence upon our hearts. Often he uses someone else to help bring that grace to us. And He comforts us in ALL of our trials. Then, further down the road, when we meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time, the grace that God poured into our lives is now reflected into their life, so that further down the road, when they meet someone else who is going through ANY hard time. And on and on it goes.
Life is tough. Struggles, trials and hard times will come. When they do, look around you. God is probably bringing someone along side of you to pour grace into your life. Grace to turn your life around, so that one day you can help turn someone else’s life around.
Source:AACC
Friday, March 25, 2011
"Hope"
“Speak Lord, because I am listening! I don’t want to hear any other voice but Yours, the voice of truth. The words You speak to my heart are powerful and convicting. You are telling me that I can do it…that I can make the finish line! The Lord is telling me to run to Him Who is waiting with open arms. The Lord is waiting to come to my rescue! Amen. Thank you, Daddy!” — Jen Barrick in Hope out Loud
Hope. The concept may be one of the least understood, and yet most common phrases we hear. “I hope I get that job.” “I hope today is better than yesterday.” “I hope it doesn’t rain on our parade.” Somehow, that is not the feeling that I get when I read Jen’s prayer. Her prayer of hope is much deeper. Much more active. Hope birthed through pain and trial.
At age 15, Jen was involved in a horrible head-on car crash. A drunk driver going around 80 miles per hour hit the family van and, as a result, she suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Before that tragic day, Jen was blossoming into a beautiful young woman. She loved God with all of her heart. She read His word every morning and memorized many verses. Then, in an instant, she was changed into a broken girl, in a deep coma, struggling for life. The doctors warned her family that even if she did emerge from the coma in a timely manner, she would be different. Probably angry and irritable, cursing and crying. That’s why it was a miracle when, even in the coma, she would start praying out loud in the middle of the night. And, as she did begin to come out of the coma, before she could even recognize her own mother, brother or dad, Jen started quoting Scripture out loud.
Jen will never be the same. She will never do most of the things that she used to do. But she radiates with God’s presence. The prayer quoted above is from her journal that she wrote after the accident. Full of hope. Full of trust. Full of God.
Isaiah 40:31 says “but those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”(NIV) In the Hebrew, the word is qavah (kaw-vaw) and means “to bind together by twisting”. This is not a sit back and “hope” something happens. The word here speaks of “hope” in action, and yet, it is not about activity. This is not the flurry we so often get caught up in of trying to make things happen. Rather, the energy in this kind of hope is found in deep, intimate, uninhibited communication with God. Intertwining ourselves with Him. Immersed in His presence. Now read the verse again,those who “bind themselves to God by intertwining themselves with Him”, will renew their strength. Wow, the verse takes on a new life does it not?
Your story may not hold the pain that Jen’s does. Or it may. It really doesn’t matter. This kind of hope is offered to all who will journey with God. Bound to Him. Intertwined. A hope that will turn your life around.
Source:AACC,Jen Barrick
Hope. The concept may be one of the least understood, and yet most common phrases we hear. “I hope I get that job.” “I hope today is better than yesterday.” “I hope it doesn’t rain on our parade.” Somehow, that is not the feeling that I get when I read Jen’s prayer. Her prayer of hope is much deeper. Much more active. Hope birthed through pain and trial.
At age 15, Jen was involved in a horrible head-on car crash. A drunk driver going around 80 miles per hour hit the family van and, as a result, she suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Before that tragic day, Jen was blossoming into a beautiful young woman. She loved God with all of her heart. She read His word every morning and memorized many verses. Then, in an instant, she was changed into a broken girl, in a deep coma, struggling for life. The doctors warned her family that even if she did emerge from the coma in a timely manner, she would be different. Probably angry and irritable, cursing and crying. That’s why it was a miracle when, even in the coma, she would start praying out loud in the middle of the night. And, as she did begin to come out of the coma, before she could even recognize her own mother, brother or dad, Jen started quoting Scripture out loud.
Jen will never be the same. She will never do most of the things that she used to do. But she radiates with God’s presence. The prayer quoted above is from her journal that she wrote after the accident. Full of hope. Full of trust. Full of God.
Isaiah 40:31 says “but those who HOPE in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”(NIV) In the Hebrew, the word is qavah (kaw-vaw) and means “to bind together by twisting”. This is not a sit back and “hope” something happens. The word here speaks of “hope” in action, and yet, it is not about activity. This is not the flurry we so often get caught up in of trying to make things happen. Rather, the energy in this kind of hope is found in deep, intimate, uninhibited communication with God. Intertwining ourselves with Him. Immersed in His presence. Now read the verse again,those who “bind themselves to God by intertwining themselves with Him”, will renew their strength. Wow, the verse takes on a new life does it not?
Your story may not hold the pain that Jen’s does. Or it may. It really doesn’t matter. This kind of hope is offered to all who will journey with God. Bound to Him. Intertwined. A hope that will turn your life around.
Source:AACC,Jen Barrick
Thursday, March 24, 2011
“W-I-I-F-M”.
Most really good sales people can immediately tell you what this acronym means. It has been pounded into their psyche. The knowledge of the depth of its meaning will drive them to success. The words? “What’s In It For Me?” The question every person asks every day, about seemingly everything in their lives. Answer this question for the prospective buyer, and you make the sale. In this self consumed world that we live in, the concept of “others” and “generosity” is sadly, a forgotten grace.
God loves a “cheerful giver”. (2 Corinthians 9:7) And so does everyone I know. However, in scripture, it is not the receiving of gifts (as much fun as that is) that is really significant. The greater blessing comes from giving the gift. Paul goes on to say in verses 6-11, “The point is this”… when we give “bountifully” (generously)… not grudgingly, or because we feel that we “must – or else”, God will then pour out His grace abundantly on us. Not just for our sufficiency, but so that we can be generous to those around us. Why? To produce “thanksgiving to God.”
When was the last time you were generous? It could have been a simple word of encouragement. An “at-a-boy” at a ball game. (I love what Benjamin West said, “A kiss from my mother made me a painter.”) How about a handwritten note to a friend? Or taking a couple out to dinner that is going through hard times? Maybe an anonymous gift to a family with no job? Gifts that are given with no motive beyond the simple joy of generosity.
The true spirit of giving can only flow out of a heart that has experienced God’s gift of Grace. Paul’s exhortation concerning generosity was anchored in God’s “indescribable gift” — His son Jesus (vs 15). Our generosity must be fixed securely there as well.
W-I-I-F-M? Cheerful giving brings abundant sufficiency and blessings from God.
Generosity. It just might turn your life around.
Source:AACC
God loves a “cheerful giver”. (2 Corinthians 9:7) And so does everyone I know. However, in scripture, it is not the receiving of gifts (as much fun as that is) that is really significant. The greater blessing comes from giving the gift. Paul goes on to say in verses 6-11, “The point is this”… when we give “bountifully” (generously)… not grudgingly, or because we feel that we “must – or else”, God will then pour out His grace abundantly on us. Not just for our sufficiency, but so that we can be generous to those around us. Why? To produce “thanksgiving to God.”
When was the last time you were generous? It could have been a simple word of encouragement. An “at-a-boy” at a ball game. (I love what Benjamin West said, “A kiss from my mother made me a painter.”) How about a handwritten note to a friend? Or taking a couple out to dinner that is going through hard times? Maybe an anonymous gift to a family with no job? Gifts that are given with no motive beyond the simple joy of generosity.
The true spirit of giving can only flow out of a heart that has experienced God’s gift of Grace. Paul’s exhortation concerning generosity was anchored in God’s “indescribable gift” — His son Jesus (vs 15). Our generosity must be fixed securely there as well.
W-I-I-F-M? Cheerful giving brings abundant sufficiency and blessings from God.
Generosity. It just might turn your life around.
Source:AACC
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Basics
A husband and wife were driving down a country road. In the midst of a heated disagreement, everything went totally quiet. As they crested the top of a hill, there was a pasture filled with cows, goats and pigs. The husband looked over at his wife and sarcastically remarked, “Relatives of yours?” “Yep” she replied… “In-laws.” (lol).
Despite all that we know about love and relationships, the divorce rate is somewhere between 40 and 50% of those who actually get married today. And sadly, behind closed doors in the quiet corners of lots of hearts, resides profound sorrow. Pain from love gone bad.
Money, loss, work demands, illness, differences, expectations, so much works against our love and marriages. Solomon said that enjoying life with the woman whom we love all the days of our lives was our reward in life. (Ecclesiastes 9:9) More often than not, marriage can feel like anything but a reward. How can we get back to this place in our love and relationships?
When a basketball player struggles to find his 3 point shot, it’s important to get back to the foul line. He must work on the fundamentals and rhythm of his game to get his shot back. At the heart of every successful marriage you will find:
God. Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”(NASV) God must be the center of your home. Not just knowing about Him, but abiding in an intimate relationship with Him. And not just as an individual, but as a couple. In the well known marriage “triangle concept”, with husband and wife on the two bottom corners and God at the apex, as a husband and wife move toward God, they get closer to each other.
Love. 1 John 3:18 “…let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.” (ESV) As trite as it may sound, it is all about “the love”. Remember, love is not a feeling. Feelings come and go. Love is a choice. We must choose every day, in “word and in deed”, to show love and kindness to our spouse. Make sure she or he knows that you love them.
Blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 “Not returning…insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead.” (NASV) Your words are important. They will either speak life into your marriage, or death. Instead of bickering back and forth, speak words of blessing into each other’s lives. Here’s the key; honor not expressed, is not honor.
This Valentine’s Day, get back to the basics so that you won’t “miss” what God has for your marriage.
Source:AACC
Despite all that we know about love and relationships, the divorce rate is somewhere between 40 and 50% of those who actually get married today. And sadly, behind closed doors in the quiet corners of lots of hearts, resides profound sorrow. Pain from love gone bad.
Money, loss, work demands, illness, differences, expectations, so much works against our love and marriages. Solomon said that enjoying life with the woman whom we love all the days of our lives was our reward in life. (Ecclesiastes 9:9) More often than not, marriage can feel like anything but a reward. How can we get back to this place in our love and relationships?
When a basketball player struggles to find his 3 point shot, it’s important to get back to the foul line. He must work on the fundamentals and rhythm of his game to get his shot back. At the heart of every successful marriage you will find:
God. Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”(NASV) God must be the center of your home. Not just knowing about Him, but abiding in an intimate relationship with Him. And not just as an individual, but as a couple. In the well known marriage “triangle concept”, with husband and wife on the two bottom corners and God at the apex, as a husband and wife move toward God, they get closer to each other.
Love. 1 John 3:18 “…let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.” (ESV) As trite as it may sound, it is all about “the love”. Remember, love is not a feeling. Feelings come and go. Love is a choice. We must choose every day, in “word and in deed”, to show love and kindness to our spouse. Make sure she or he knows that you love them.
Blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 “Not returning…insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead.” (NASV) Your words are important. They will either speak life into your marriage, or death. Instead of bickering back and forth, speak words of blessing into each other’s lives. Here’s the key; honor not expressed, is not honor.
This Valentine’s Day, get back to the basics so that you won’t “miss” what God has for your marriage.
Source:AACC
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
“Opportunity’s favorite disguise is trouble.” -Frank Tyger
Trouble: between a rock and a hard place, when life isn’t the way it is supposed to be. Ever been there? It’s been said that there are only three types of people, those who have just come out of trouble, are in the middle of trouble, or, are somewhere down the road, headed into trouble. Life’s like that.
The children of Israel experienced times of great heartache and trouble. Granted, most often it was brought on by their own actions. Invariably however, these times became opportunities for God to teach His people to trust their true King. Psalm 46 is actually a song to be sung to God in times of trouble. Within it we find amazing expressions of opportunity.
Our responsibility? Press in to God. Vs. 1 declares that “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.”(NASV). In an emergency we “dial” 911. In times of trouble we can “dial” Psalm 91:1. When we dwell in the shelter of God, we will abide in His shadow. A place of refuge. And God is not just present. He is very present. The closer a train gets, the louder it becomes. The greater the trouble, the “louder” the presence of God.
Rest and relax. As difficult as it may seem when you are being pounded by trouble, God wants you to “Be still” and know that He is God (vs. 10 KJ). Let go, drop your hands, let Him be who He is, GOD. Take the opportunity to watch Him do what you could never do in your own strength.
Our response to trouble?
Don’t fear. “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea” (vs. 2 NASV). No matter what happens, He is in the midst of it. And Paul reminds us “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 (KJV). Trouble is an opportunity to draw near to God as He draws near to us, without fear.
Trouble. While you will probably never welcome it (me either), you will, over time, learn to embrace it as a window for opportunity.
Source:AACC
Trouble: between a rock and a hard place, when life isn’t the way it is supposed to be. Ever been there? It’s been said that there are only three types of people, those who have just come out of trouble, are in the middle of trouble, or, are somewhere down the road, headed into trouble. Life’s like that.
The children of Israel experienced times of great heartache and trouble. Granted, most often it was brought on by their own actions. Invariably however, these times became opportunities for God to teach His people to trust their true King. Psalm 46 is actually a song to be sung to God in times of trouble. Within it we find amazing expressions of opportunity.
Our responsibility? Press in to God. Vs. 1 declares that “God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.”(NASV). In an emergency we “dial” 911. In times of trouble we can “dial” Psalm 91:1. When we dwell in the shelter of God, we will abide in His shadow. A place of refuge. And God is not just present. He is very present. The closer a train gets, the louder it becomes. The greater the trouble, the “louder” the presence of God.
Rest and relax. As difficult as it may seem when you are being pounded by trouble, God wants you to “Be still” and know that He is God (vs. 10 KJ). Let go, drop your hands, let Him be who He is, GOD. Take the opportunity to watch Him do what you could never do in your own strength.
Our response to trouble?
Don’t fear. “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea” (vs. 2 NASV). No matter what happens, He is in the midst of it. And Paul reminds us “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 (KJV). Trouble is an opportunity to draw near to God as He draws near to us, without fear.
Trouble. While you will probably never welcome it (me either), you will, over time, learn to embrace it as a window for opportunity.
Source:AACC
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Be a Doer
“Que Sera Sera”… Whatever will be, will be. Or will it. Some resign themselves to a life of depending on fate. Others follow the thinking of Edmund Burke who said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
During the Revolutionary war in 1776, the American forces were so outnumbered that they were forced to retreat from New York. A retreat which did not end until the crossing of the Delaware River at Trenton. With severely reduced forces who were scantily clothed and poorly armed, the American troops were horribly depressed. Washington did not give up hope, and Henry Knox followed his lead, there would be no reason for despondency. It was on Christmas night that Washington made the decision to cross the Delaware, directed by Knox, to surprise the Hessian forces at Trenton, capturing 1000 men as well as supplies. This event gave a much needed boost to the American morale and, most believe, changed the course of the war.
Life may have a strangle hold on you, but don’t give in to a spirit of defeat. Don’t quit! Pray, watch and wait expectantly for the Lord. And get some “fight” back in you. When Nehemiah was carrying out God’s call to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem, enemies plotted to thwart the work. In the face of discouragement, Nehemiah energizes the people with, “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14 (NASV) And get this… 52 days later the wall was complete.
The Lord, who is great and awesome, is also on your side. Fighting with you for your home, your family, your life. The great Apostle Paul says it this way, “Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO!” Phil 4:9 (KJV) And then the peace of God will flow, from the God of peace, into your heart and life.
Source:AACC
During the Revolutionary war in 1776, the American forces were so outnumbered that they were forced to retreat from New York. A retreat which did not end until the crossing of the Delaware River at Trenton. With severely reduced forces who were scantily clothed and poorly armed, the American troops were horribly depressed. Washington did not give up hope, and Henry Knox followed his lead, there would be no reason for despondency. It was on Christmas night that Washington made the decision to cross the Delaware, directed by Knox, to surprise the Hessian forces at Trenton, capturing 1000 men as well as supplies. This event gave a much needed boost to the American morale and, most believe, changed the course of the war.
Life may have a strangle hold on you, but don’t give in to a spirit of defeat. Don’t quit! Pray, watch and wait expectantly for the Lord. And get some “fight” back in you. When Nehemiah was carrying out God’s call to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem, enemies plotted to thwart the work. In the face of discouragement, Nehemiah energizes the people with, “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14 (NASV) And get this… 52 days later the wall was complete.
The Lord, who is great and awesome, is also on your side. Fighting with you for your home, your family, your life. The great Apostle Paul says it this way, “Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, DO!” Phil 4:9 (KJV) And then the peace of God will flow, from the God of peace, into your heart and life.
Source:AACC
Friday, January 7, 2011
GPS
“Inga”. “Freeda”. Even “Thomas”. Names given to the voices on the GPS in practically every car. Voices that help get you where you want to go. There never seems to be any hesitation or doubt to their instructions. In fact, make the inadvertent wrong turn and you will hear, “At the next available location, make a U-turn.” Or, my personal favorite, “Recalculating”. These little devices are constantly assessing where you are and if you are headed in the right direction.
The New Year seems to be the right time for so many to make changes in their lives. A time to reassess and recalculate. Look at these practical “G.P.S.” recommendations to help get you started:
Goals. Remember the old saying, “If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time”? Very true. Goals should be personal. They should be realistic. Most importantly, set goals that matter and reflect God’s heart. 1 Kings 8:61 “Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God…” (NASV) Even the best of goals, however, need a plan.
Plans. This is where the rubber meets the road. A goal is the destination. Plans are the map to get you there. Great hitters in baseball don’t just happen. You will find them at the cage taking 3…4…even 5 hundred swings a day. Be specific in your plans, and then stick to them. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance…” Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) Even the greatest plans will fail however, without a strategy.
Strategy. The Web defines strategy as “an elaborate and systematic plan of action”. It’s what I do to execute my plans,to reach my goals. The best strategies are written down and placed where you can see them everyday,all day. After the Lord spoke to Habakkuk, He then confirmed His word by directing Habakkuk to “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets.” Habakkuk 2:2 (NASV) Strategies in written form will keep you on track.
So there you have it, GPS,Goals, Plans and Strategies…Let’s roll!!
Source:AACC
The New Year seems to be the right time for so many to make changes in their lives. A time to reassess and recalculate. Look at these practical “G.P.S.” recommendations to help get you started:
Goals. Remember the old saying, “If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time”? Very true. Goals should be personal. They should be realistic. Most importantly, set goals that matter and reflect God’s heart. 1 Kings 8:61 “Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God…” (NASV) Even the best of goals, however, need a plan.
Plans. This is where the rubber meets the road. A goal is the destination. Plans are the map to get you there. Great hitters in baseball don’t just happen. You will find them at the cage taking 3…4…even 5 hundred swings a day. Be specific in your plans, and then stick to them. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance…” Proverbs 21:5 (ESV) Even the greatest plans will fail however, without a strategy.
Strategy. The Web defines strategy as “an elaborate and systematic plan of action”. It’s what I do to execute my plans,to reach my goals. The best strategies are written down and placed where you can see them everyday,all day. After the Lord spoke to Habakkuk, He then confirmed His word by directing Habakkuk to “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets.” Habakkuk 2:2 (NASV) Strategies in written form will keep you on track.
So there you have it, GPS,Goals, Plans and Strategies…Let’s roll!!
Source:AACC
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
New day, New you.
Dieting. Reading the Bible. Spending time with family. Finally getting to that “bucket list”. It’s that time of year when “change is in the air”. Most of us don’t have trouble making New Year’s Resolutions. It’s the “keeping them” part that gets us. In fact, 40 to 45 percent of people do make a New Year’s Resolution, and while it is true that 97% of resolutions are never fulfilled, 75% do make it past the first week, and 46% make it past the six month mark.
As we start this New Year, there are three “C’s” in Psalm 37 that can offer some encouragement to help create your “breakthrough” year!
Commit
Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the LORD; Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” Every morning, noon and night (Ps. 55:17) give your desires, plans and goals to Him. Ask Him to bring strength and light to your journey.
Confess
Often, when we think of confession, we turn to 1 John 1:9 which deals with confession of sin. While this is important in the life of a Christian, we should also consider confession to the Lord of our deep need for Him. In verses 39 & 40 of Psalm 37, David acknowledges “the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble. And the LORD helps them, and delivers them…”(NAS) Confess to Him that you cannot “do life” without His help.
Confidence
David reminds us in verse 25 of the whole hearted confidence that He had in the Lord…“I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or His descendants begging bread.”(NAS) Such a bold perspective caused David to look expectantly to the Lord. In 1 Samuel 30, even when all was lost at Ziklag, David “strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (vs 6 NASV). He then “inquired of the LORD” (vs 8 NASV), believing that the LORD would hear and answer him. And He did…
As you set new goals, and face new horizons, come with a “spirit of expectation” to hear from, and be encouraged by God.
Sounds like a formula to help you join the “3%” club. New day…New you…
Source:AACC
As we start this New Year, there are three “C’s” in Psalm 37 that can offer some encouragement to help create your “breakthrough” year!
Commit
Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the LORD; Trust also in Him, and He will do it.” Every morning, noon and night (Ps. 55:17) give your desires, plans and goals to Him. Ask Him to bring strength and light to your journey.
Confess
Often, when we think of confession, we turn to 1 John 1:9 which deals with confession of sin. While this is important in the life of a Christian, we should also consider confession to the Lord of our deep need for Him. In verses 39 & 40 of Psalm 37, David acknowledges “the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble. And the LORD helps them, and delivers them…”(NAS) Confess to Him that you cannot “do life” without His help.
Confidence
David reminds us in verse 25 of the whole hearted confidence that He had in the Lord…“I have been young, and now I am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or His descendants begging bread.”(NAS) Such a bold perspective caused David to look expectantly to the Lord. In 1 Samuel 30, even when all was lost at Ziklag, David “strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (vs 6 NASV). He then “inquired of the LORD” (vs 8 NASV), believing that the LORD would hear and answer him. And He did…
As you set new goals, and face new horizons, come with a “spirit of expectation” to hear from, and be encouraged by God.
Sounds like a formula to help you join the “3%” club. New day…New you…
Source:AACC
Thursday, December 23, 2010
His Birthday
Imagine your next birthday party. Ribbons, boxes and bows. Decorations are hung everywhere. Then you are lead over to a corner and sat on a small chair. You watch as everyone begins to hand each other birthday cards and gifts. They open them with surprise and excitement. It’s joyous. Periodically, someone looks over your way, waves, and says “Happy Birthday!”
The prophet Isaiah prophesied that a child would be born (9:6). Then, as if to call attention to the monumental importance of this child, he went on to say that a son would be given. Why? “For this is how God loved the world, that He gave His only son…”John 3:16 Jesus, God’s only son, born of a virgin, simply in an effort to show the world how much God loved them. And this was no haphazard birth. It was no accident. The Apostle Paul proclaims in Galatians 4 that “…when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son… so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (vs 4 &5 ESV) God’s only son, given so that we too might be called sons and daughters of God. Amazing.
And yet, perhaps the saddest verse in all of the Bible is John 1:11 “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” (KJV) Jesus was born in the shadow of the cross.
And so we celebrate Christmas. The birth of Christ. God’s “unspeakable” gift. Given freely, at exactly the right time. And we too often leave Him out.
This year, keep Christ in your Christmas,be sure to read Matthew’s and Luke’s account of His birth. Sing Noel. Stand up when you hear the Hallelujah Chorus…Make His story…THE story…
Merry Christmas!!
Source: AACC
The prophet Isaiah prophesied that a child would be born (9:6). Then, as if to call attention to the monumental importance of this child, he went on to say that a son would be given. Why? “For this is how God loved the world, that He gave His only son…”John 3:16 Jesus, God’s only son, born of a virgin, simply in an effort to show the world how much God loved them. And this was no haphazard birth. It was no accident. The Apostle Paul proclaims in Galatians 4 that “…when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His son… so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (vs 4 &5 ESV) God’s only son, given so that we too might be called sons and daughters of God. Amazing.
And yet, perhaps the saddest verse in all of the Bible is John 1:11 “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” (KJV) Jesus was born in the shadow of the cross.
And so we celebrate Christmas. The birth of Christ. God’s “unspeakable” gift. Given freely, at exactly the right time. And we too often leave Him out.
This year, keep Christ in your Christmas,be sure to read Matthew’s and Luke’s account of His birth. Sing Noel. Stand up when you hear the Hallelujah Chorus…Make His story…THE story…
Merry Christmas!!
Source: AACC
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