Giving Thanks in Difficult Times by Franklin Graham
How do we give thanks after something like the tragedy at Fort Hood, not to mention our individual tragedies like cancer and divorce?
Some of you may have seen your life savings evaporate in the financial chaos that has brought down some of the pillars of our economy. Some may have lost your homes in a hurricane or foreclosure. Many of us have a personal stake in the battles against terrorism, and thousands of families are grieving for brave soldiers who have sacrificed their lives overseas — and at home.And that’s just the national headlines—not to mention individual tragedies like cancer and divorce that overshadow many of our lives.In times like these, when nations are desperate for someone they can trust, Christians know we can always find strength and hope in the Word of the Lord. He tells us through the Apostle Paul, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV).Paul knew what it meant to praise God in the midst of suffering. He gave up a relatively comfortable and prestigious lifestyle to become an itinerant preacher who was repeatedly persecuted, beaten, shipwrecked and imprisoned. When he prayed to God for relief from a thorn in the flesh—what he called “a messenger of Satan to buffet me” —God answered, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV).As the world struggles to cope with disease, famine, war, disaster and poverty, it is our responsibility as Christians to assure the world that God is still in control and that He has a plan to rescue all who repent of their sins and trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Not only has He suffered on our behalf, but He has promised to bear our burdens. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV).For that, we can be eternally thankful.This old world may be falling apart, but ultimately this is not our home. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” (Hebrews 12:28, NIV).
Article reprinted from Decision magazine
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Real Servants Pay attention
Real Servants Pay Attention
by Rick Warren
"Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now." (Proverbs 3:28 TEV).
Real servants pay attention to needs. Servants are always on the lookout for ways to help others. When they see a need, they seize the moment to meet it, just as the Bible commands us: "Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers" (Galatians 6:10 GWT).When God puts someone in need right in front of you, he is giving you the opportunity to grow in servanthood. Notice that God says the needs of your church family are to be given preference, not put at the bottom of your "things to do" list.We miss many occasions for serving because we lack sensitivity and spontaneity. Great opportunities to serve never last long. They pass quickly, sometimes never to return again. You may only get one chance to serve that person, so take advantage of the moment. "Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now" (Proverbs 3:28 TEV).John Wesley was an incredible servant of God. His motto was:"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can." That is greatness. You can begin by looking for small tasks that no one else wants to do. Do these little things as if they were great things, because God is watching.
by Rick Warren
"Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now." (Proverbs 3:28 TEV).
Real servants pay attention to needs. Servants are always on the lookout for ways to help others. When they see a need, they seize the moment to meet it, just as the Bible commands us: "Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers" (Galatians 6:10 GWT).When God puts someone in need right in front of you, he is giving you the opportunity to grow in servanthood. Notice that God says the needs of your church family are to be given preference, not put at the bottom of your "things to do" list.We miss many occasions for serving because we lack sensitivity and spontaneity. Great opportunities to serve never last long. They pass quickly, sometimes never to return again. You may only get one chance to serve that person, so take advantage of the moment. "Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now" (Proverbs 3:28 TEV).John Wesley was an incredible servant of God. His motto was:"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can." That is greatness. You can begin by looking for small tasks that no one else wants to do. Do these little things as if they were great things, because God is watching.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
66 TextMessages
How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. Psalm 119:9
Not long ago, young people were glued to their computer screens, checking e-mails and online games. Now e-mail is the new snail-mail, and few teenagers bother with it. Even MySpace and Facebook are becoming obsolete. It's all about cell phones, texting, tweeting, and instant messaging. Studies show that the average teenager sends and receives over 2270 text messages a month.
What if we had a relationship like that with our Bibles? If we stayed in touch with God's Word as frequently and tenaciously as we text and touch base with our friends, we'd have a much healthier spiritual life and a stronger grasp of the Bible.
The best texting is studying the texts of the Bible. "More to be desired are they than gold," said the Psalmist. "By them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward" (Psalm 19:10-11).
(God) has sent us sixty-six love letters etched in heavenly handwriting. And the more we meditate upon those words the clearer His voice will resonate. Hank Hanegraaff
Not long ago, young people were glued to their computer screens, checking e-mails and online games. Now e-mail is the new snail-mail, and few teenagers bother with it. Even MySpace and Facebook are becoming obsolete. It's all about cell phones, texting, tweeting, and instant messaging. Studies show that the average teenager sends and receives over 2270 text messages a month.
What if we had a relationship like that with our Bibles? If we stayed in touch with God's Word as frequently and tenaciously as we text and touch base with our friends, we'd have a much healthier spiritual life and a stronger grasp of the Bible.
The best texting is studying the texts of the Bible. "More to be desired are they than gold," said the Psalmist. "By them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward" (Psalm 19:10-11).
(God) has sent us sixty-six love letters etched in heavenly handwriting. And the more we meditate upon those words the clearer His voice will resonate. Hank Hanegraaff
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Christianity -- from Billy Graham Article
Question: Recently, our pastor was preaching about heaven, and he said we would spend our time there worshipping God. I hate to admit this, but that doesn't sound very interesting to me. Maybe you can enlighten me.
Billy Graham's answer: What your pastor said is true: Worship will be an important part of our experience of heaven. The Bible tells us that in heaven "All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed" (Rev. 15:4). Perhaps you're right, however; much of what we call "worship" today does fall short of what it should be. We become distracted, and our minds wander and we become bored. But true worship isn't boring. One reason is because in heaven we'll see God in all of His power and glory and majesty. God is far greater than we realize -- and when we enter heaven and see Him as He really is, our response will be to worship and praise Him. In heaven, we will be singing "Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength...to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" (Rev 7:12)
The Bible also tells us that God will have work for us to do in heaven. It says that in heaven, "his servants will serve him" (Rev 22:3). Unlike here, however, we won't become tired or bored.
Billy Graham's answer: What your pastor said is true: Worship will be an important part of our experience of heaven. The Bible tells us that in heaven "All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed" (Rev. 15:4). Perhaps you're right, however; much of what we call "worship" today does fall short of what it should be. We become distracted, and our minds wander and we become bored. But true worship isn't boring. One reason is because in heaven we'll see God in all of His power and glory and majesty. God is far greater than we realize -- and when we enter heaven and see Him as He really is, our response will be to worship and praise Him. In heaven, we will be singing "Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength...to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" (Rev 7:12)
The Bible also tells us that God will have work for us to do in heaven. It says that in heaven, "his servants will serve him" (Rev 22:3). Unlike here, however, we won't become tired or bored.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Keep Your Focus On Jesus
So my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He's the centerpiece of everything we believe. Hebrews 3:1 (The Message)
"Take a good hard look." In other words, focus. In optics, focus is the point toward which light rays converge. In geometry, it's a special point used in describing conic sections. When we concentrate our attention, we are focusing. When we do it with others in an organized way, we're in a focus group. The Navy has a missile named Focus, and Ford has a car by the same name. In sports, lack of focus is often the reason given for defeat; and players in a slump try to regain their focus. When we take a blurred picture, it's because we didn't focus the camera on the right object.
In life, we find that Christ becomes blurred in our vision when we focus on our problems. But when we put Him in the center of the picture, our trials are less of a focal point and more of a background blur. The apostle Paul said, "We do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:15, HCSB).
Therefore, holy brothers, keep your focus on Jesus.
Focus on His perfections, not your own imperfections.
Warren W. Wiersbe
"Take a good hard look." In other words, focus. In optics, focus is the point toward which light rays converge. In geometry, it's a special point used in describing conic sections. When we concentrate our attention, we are focusing. When we do it with others in an organized way, we're in a focus group. The Navy has a missile named Focus, and Ford has a car by the same name. In sports, lack of focus is often the reason given for defeat; and players in a slump try to regain their focus. When we take a blurred picture, it's because we didn't focus the camera on the right object.
In life, we find that Christ becomes blurred in our vision when we focus on our problems. But when we put Him in the center of the picture, our trials are less of a focal point and more of a background blur. The apostle Paul said, "We do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:15, HCSB).
Therefore, holy brothers, keep your focus on Jesus.
Focus on His perfections, not your own imperfections.
Warren W. Wiersbe
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Failing To Success
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23-24
The literal definition of the word "failure" is: a lack of success in or at something. In reality though, you cannot achieve success in anything without failures along the way. No one is born with the ability to do anything successfully on the first attempt. Babies fall when learning to walk; pianists hit sour notes when trying to master a composition; athletes come in second and third while building up what it takes to place first. But there is a common thread among them all: they never let fear of failure stop them from striving for success.
A lot of us have a fear of failure; but if we desire to be used by God to further His kingdom and bring glory to His name, we must ask Him to help us overcome this. Imagine the amazing things we could do in God's name if we never let fear hold us back! We might stumble along the way; but in the end, God's name would be glorified, and we would set an example for those around us that it's okay to try big things for God, even if we fail along the way to success.
Success comes in cans; failure comes in can'ts. Unknown
The literal definition of the word "failure" is: a lack of success in or at something. In reality though, you cannot achieve success in anything without failures along the way. No one is born with the ability to do anything successfully on the first attempt. Babies fall when learning to walk; pianists hit sour notes when trying to master a composition; athletes come in second and third while building up what it takes to place first. But there is a common thread among them all: they never let fear of failure stop them from striving for success.
A lot of us have a fear of failure; but if we desire to be used by God to further His kingdom and bring glory to His name, we must ask Him to help us overcome this. Imagine the amazing things we could do in God's name if we never let fear hold us back! We might stumble along the way; but in the end, God's name would be glorified, and we would set an example for those around us that it's okay to try big things for God, even if we fail along the way to success.
Success comes in cans; failure comes in can'ts. Unknown
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Unexplainable
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8
There are some things in life that just do not make sense, such as the placebo effect, a round earth with a flat horizon, and the Bermuda Triangle. Though scientists constantly search to understand these mysteries, for the majority of us, they are so far beyond our comprehension that we just accept them as a part of the universe we will never understand.
In the same way, there are things about God that even the greatest minds will never be able to comprehend. For those that need to have the answer for everything in life, this is difficult and can be an obstacle to fully accepting God's love and authority. For others, it is comforting to know that while we may not fully understand everything, the One who holds everything in His hands does.
We cannot allow doubt to creep into our thoughts when we don't understand something; this is exactly what the enemy wants. Instead, we must ask God to help us accept that some things are perhaps hidden from our understanding for a purpose, and we must trust Him regardless.
God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for Himself the knowledge of them, that He may train us up in a dependence upon Himself and a continued readiness for every event.
Matthew Henry
Isaiah 55:8
There are some things in life that just do not make sense, such as the placebo effect, a round earth with a flat horizon, and the Bermuda Triangle. Though scientists constantly search to understand these mysteries, for the majority of us, they are so far beyond our comprehension that we just accept them as a part of the universe we will never understand.
In the same way, there are things about God that even the greatest minds will never be able to comprehend. For those that need to have the answer for everything in life, this is difficult and can be an obstacle to fully accepting God's love and authority. For others, it is comforting to know that while we may not fully understand everything, the One who holds everything in His hands does.
We cannot allow doubt to creep into our thoughts when we don't understand something; this is exactly what the enemy wants. Instead, we must ask God to help us accept that some things are perhaps hidden from our understanding for a purpose, and we must trust Him regardless.
God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for Himself the knowledge of them, that He may train us up in a dependence upon Himself and a continued readiness for every event.
Matthew Henry
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