THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS BELIEVERS.
This phrase, “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him,” was also spoken of the judges Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson, among others. It expresses a temporary and spontaneous increase of physical, spiritual, or mental strength. This was an extraordinary and supernatural occurrence to prepare a person for a special task. The Holy Spirit is available to all believers today, but he will come upon believers in an extraordinary way for special tasks. We should ask the Holy Spirit’s help as we face our daily problems as well as life’s major challenges.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS PRESENT IN TIMES OF HARDSHIP. Matthew 10:19-20 When you are arrested don’t worry about what to say in your defense, because you will be given the right words at the right time. For it won’t be you doing the talking-it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Jesus told the disciples that when arrested for preaching the gospel, they should not worry about what to say in their defense-God’s Spirit would speak through them. This promise was fulfilled in Acts 4:8-14 and elsewhere. Some mistakenly think this means we don’t have to prepare to present the gospel because God will take care of everything. Scripture teaches, however, that we are to make carefully prepared thoughtful statements (Colossians 4:6). Jesus is not telling us to stop preparing, but to stop worrying.
THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US WORSHIP GOD.
John 4:23-24 The time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.)
"God is spirit” means he is not a physical being limited to one place. He is present everywhere, and he can be worshiped anywhere, at any time. It is not where we worship that counts, but how we worship. Is your worship genuine and true? Do you have the Holy Spirit’s help? How does the Holy Spirit help us worship? The Holy Spirit prays for us (Romans 8:26), teaches us the words of Christ (14:26), and tells us we are loved (Romans 5:5).
THE HOLY SPIRIT TRANSFORMS US FROM WITHIN.
John 14:15-17 If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.)
Jesus was soon going to leave the disciples, but he would remain with them. How could this be? The Counselor-the Spirit of God himself-would come after Jesus was gone to care for and guide the disciples. The regenerating power of the Spirit came on the disciples just before his ascension (20:22), and the Spirit was poured out on all the believers at Pentecost (Acts 2), shortly after Jesus ascended to heaven. The Holy Spirit is the very presence of God within us and all believers, helping us live as God wants and building Christ’s church on earth. By faith we can appropriate the Spirit’s power each day.
THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS IN EVERY PART OF OUR LIFE.
The following chapters teach these truths about the Holy Spirit: he will be with us forever (14:16); the world at large cannot accept him (14:17); he lives with us and in us (14:17); he teaches us (14:26); he reminds us of Jesus’ words (14:26; 15:26); he convicts us of sin, shows us God’s righteousness, and announces God’s judgment on evil (16:8); he guides into truth and gives insight into future events (16:13); he brings glory to Christ (16:14). The Holy Spirit has been active among people from the beginning of time, but after Pentecost (Acts 2) he came to live in all believers. Many people are unaware of the Holy Spirit’s activities, but to those who hear Christ’s words and understand the Spirit’s power, the Spirit gives a whole new way to look at life.
THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US UNDERSTAND AND REMEMBER THE BIBLE.
Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would help them remember what he had been teaching them. This promise ensures the validity of the New Testament. The disciples were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life and teachings, and the Holy Spirit helped them remember without taking away their individual perspectives. We can be confident that the Gospels are accurate records of what Jesus taught and did (see 1 Corinthians 2:10-14). The Holy Spirit can help us in the same way. As we study the Bible, we can trust him to plant truth in our mind, convince us of God’s will, and remind us when we stray from it.
THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US PEACE.
The end result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our life is deep and lasting peace. Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance; with Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future. If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s peace (see Philippians 4:6-7 for more on experiencing God’s peace).
PJ
Friday, January 29, 2010
WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? PART 1
Mark 1:10-11And when Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you.”
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A MEMBER OF THE TRINITY.
As Jesus was baptized, a revelation of God was given. The Spirit descended like a dove on Jesus, and the voice from heaven proclaimed the Father’s approval of Jesus as his divine Son. That Jesus is God’s divine Son is the foundation for all we read about Jesus in the Gospels. Here we see all three members of the Trinity together-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD LIVING IN AND AMONG THOSE WHO BELIEVE.
Jesus looked ahead to a new day when he would be present with his followers not in body, but through his Holy Spirit. In the body of believers (the church), the sincere agreement of two people is more powerful than the superficial agreement of thousands, because Christ’s Holy Spirit is with them. Two or more believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, will pray according to God’s will, not their own, thus their requests will be granted.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD AT WORK IN BELIEVERS.
John 3:5-7 The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don’t be surprised at my statement that you must be born again.
Who is the Holy Spirit? God is three persons in one-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God became a man in Jesus so that Jesus could die for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead to offer salvation to all people through spiritual renewal and rebirth. When Jesus ascended into heaven, his physical presence left the earth, but he promised to send the Holy Spirit so that his spiritual presence would still be among humankind (see Luke 24:49). The Holy Spirit first became available to all believers at Pentecost (Acts 2). Whereas in Old Testament days the Holy Spirit empowered specific individuals for specific purposes, now all believers have the power of the Holy Spirit available to them. (For more on the Holy Spirit, read John 14:16-28; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; and 2 Corinthians 1:22.)
PJ
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A MEMBER OF THE TRINITY.
As Jesus was baptized, a revelation of God was given. The Spirit descended like a dove on Jesus, and the voice from heaven proclaimed the Father’s approval of Jesus as his divine Son. That Jesus is God’s divine Son is the foundation for all we read about Jesus in the Gospels. Here we see all three members of the Trinity together-God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD LIVING IN AND AMONG THOSE WHO BELIEVE.
Jesus looked ahead to a new day when he would be present with his followers not in body, but through his Holy Spirit. In the body of believers (the church), the sincere agreement of two people is more powerful than the superficial agreement of thousands, because Christ’s Holy Spirit is with them. Two or more believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, will pray according to God’s will, not their own, thus their requests will be granted.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD AT WORK IN BELIEVERS.
John 3:5-7 The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven. So don’t be surprised at my statement that you must be born again.
Who is the Holy Spirit? God is three persons in one-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God became a man in Jesus so that Jesus could die for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead to offer salvation to all people through spiritual renewal and rebirth. When Jesus ascended into heaven, his physical presence left the earth, but he promised to send the Holy Spirit so that his spiritual presence would still be among humankind (see Luke 24:49). The Holy Spirit first became available to all believers at Pentecost (Acts 2). Whereas in Old Testament days the Holy Spirit empowered specific individuals for specific purposes, now all believers have the power of the Holy Spirit available to them. (For more on the Holy Spirit, read John 14:16-28; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; and 2 Corinthians 1:22.)
PJ
Thursday, January 28, 2010
FOOD FOR THOUGHT #1
A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl. She wanted to know what the United States looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to her and said, 'Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today.
After a few minutes, she returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. 'Oh,' she said, 'on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.
So when we get Jesus back where He belonged, then our country will come together.
So – is Jesus in your life where He belongs?
PJ
After a few minutes, she returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. 'Oh,' she said, 'on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.
So when we get Jesus back where He belonged, then our country will come together.
So – is Jesus in your life where He belongs?
PJ
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
What Does God Say When Disappoint and Frustration Come Your Way?
Disappointment and frustration have many faces and you may feel baffled, canceled, crippled, defeated, disappointed, dissatisfied, intercepted, neutralized, undermined, or inhibited. You feel empty, confused, undercut and makes you feel like you were so close and yet so far away. The Bible says that disappointment and frustrations are a part of living in this sinful world. And one of the biggest is the way sin and evil seem so often to frustrate good. But God offers us the bigger picture: Disappointment and Frustrations are temporary obstacles that can be overcome, not by eliminating them, but by persevering through them.
We get disappointed and frustrated with ourselves and or with others when we let things overshadow the Lord in our lives. Let’s look at Gods Word for encouragement when we feel let down.
Romans 8:28 We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Accept God’s ability to bring good.)
Psalm 34:2 I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are discouraged take heart. (Put your faith, trust, and expectations in the Lord.)
Galatians 6:9 Don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. (Maintain the joy of doing God’s good work.)
Ecclesiastes 10:8-9 When you dig a well, you may fall in. When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake. When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you! When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax! Such are the risks of life. (To live the great adventure of life, you must accept the risks that come with the adventure.)
Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.
Proverbs 21:2 People may think they are doing what is right, but the Lord examines the heart. (Examining the source of our disappointment and frustration helps us know how to deal with it. There is a big difference between our quest to do good or because we are not getting our way. Each must be dealt with differently.)
Joshua 1:9 Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Don’t be discouraged. You have a source of strength and courage to see you through.)
Joshua 1:9 I command you-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
We are disappointed and frustrated when we fail to let God be God, or when we try to understand the reasons for everything that happens. When we let go and let God work out what is best for us, we will relieve much of our frustration. Pray is the most powerful means we have to reach out for encouragement and direction.
The godly are those who are faithful and devoted to God. David knew that God would hear him when he called and would answer him. We too can be confident that God listens to our prayers and answers when we call on him. Sometimes we think that God will not hear us because we have fallen short of his high standards for holy living. But if we have trusted Christ for salvation, God has forgiven us, and he will listen to us. When you feel as though your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, remember that as a believer, you have been set apart by God-and he loves you. He hears and answers, although his answers may not be what you expect. Look at your problems in the light of God’s power instead of looking at God in the shadow of your problems.
Hebrews 4:14-16 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testing’s we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Now go and do the right thing, “Let God be God.”
PJ
We get disappointed and frustrated with ourselves and or with others when we let things overshadow the Lord in our lives. Let’s look at Gods Word for encouragement when we feel let down.
Romans 8:28 We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Accept God’s ability to bring good.)
Psalm 34:2 I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are discouraged take heart. (Put your faith, trust, and expectations in the Lord.)
Galatians 6:9 Don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. (Maintain the joy of doing God’s good work.)
Ecclesiastes 10:8-9 When you dig a well, you may fall in. When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake. When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you! When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax! Such are the risks of life. (To live the great adventure of life, you must accept the risks that come with the adventure.)
Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.
Proverbs 21:2 People may think they are doing what is right, but the Lord examines the heart. (Examining the source of our disappointment and frustration helps us know how to deal with it. There is a big difference between our quest to do good or because we are not getting our way. Each must be dealt with differently.)
Joshua 1:9 Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Don’t be discouraged. You have a source of strength and courage to see you through.)
Joshua 1:9 I command you-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
We are disappointed and frustrated when we fail to let God be God, or when we try to understand the reasons for everything that happens. When we let go and let God work out what is best for us, we will relieve much of our frustration. Pray is the most powerful means we have to reach out for encouragement and direction.
The godly are those who are faithful and devoted to God. David knew that God would hear him when he called and would answer him. We too can be confident that God listens to our prayers and answers when we call on him. Sometimes we think that God will not hear us because we have fallen short of his high standards for holy living. But if we have trusted Christ for salvation, God has forgiven us, and he will listen to us. When you feel as though your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, remember that as a believer, you have been set apart by God-and he loves you. He hears and answers, although his answers may not be what you expect. Look at your problems in the light of God’s power instead of looking at God in the shadow of your problems.
Hebrews 4:14-16 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testing’s we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Now go and do the right thing, “Let God be God.”
PJ
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A JOURNEY TO JESUS COMMITMENT PART #4
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH US ABOUT COMMITMENTS?
Matthew 8:18-22 18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”20 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” 21 Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.” Key Bible Verse 8:22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me now! Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead.”
OUR COMMITMENT TO CHRIST MUST BE COMPLETE.
It is possible that this disciple was not asking permission to go to his father’s funeral, but rather to put off following Jesus until his elderly father died. Perhaps he was the firstborn son and wanted to be sure to claim his inheritance. Perhaps he didn’t want to face his father’s wrath if he left the family business to follow an itinerant preacher. Whether his concern was financial security, family approval, or something else, he did not want to commit himself to Jesus just yet. Jesus, however, would not accept his excuse. Jesus was always direct with those who wanted to follow him. He made sure they counted the cost and set aside any conditions they might have for following him. As God’s Son, Jesus did not hesitate to demand complete loyalty. Even family loyalty was not to take priority over the demands of obedience. His direct challenge forces us to ask ourselves about our own priorities in following him. The decision to follow Jesus should not be put off, even though other loyalties compete for our attention. Nothing should be placed above a total commitment to living for him.
BIBLE READING: Joshua 24:14-27
Key Bible Verse: 22 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD MUST BE CONSISTENT.
The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, or obey the local gods, which were only man-made idols. It’s easy to slip into a quiet rebellion-going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. In taking a definite stand for the Lord, Joshua again displayed his spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, Joshua had made a commitment to God, and he was willing to set the example of living by that decision. The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to serving God.
BIBLE READING: Romans 5:1-11
Key Bible Verse: 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
CHRIST COMMITTED HIMSELF TO US FIRST. While we were still sinners God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, because He loved us that much. Whenever you feel uncertain about God’s love for you remember that He loved you even before you turned to Him.
COMMITMENT IS THE BEGINNING OF TRUSTING GOD.
Psalm 37:5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. David calls us to take delight in the Lord and to commit everything we have and do to him. But how do we do this? To be delighted in someone means to experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence. This happens only when we know that person well. Thus, to delight in the Lord, we must know him better. Knowledge of God’s great love for us will indeed give us delight. To commit everything to the Lord means entrusting our life, family, job, and possessions to his control and guidance. To commit ourselves to the Lord means to trust in him (37:5), believing that he can care for us better than we can ourselves. We should be willing to wait patiently (37:7) “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act”, and for him to work out what is best for us.
PJ
Matthew 8:18-22 18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”20 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” 21 Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.” Key Bible Verse 8:22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me now! Let those who are spiritually dead care for their own dead.”
OUR COMMITMENT TO CHRIST MUST BE COMPLETE.
It is possible that this disciple was not asking permission to go to his father’s funeral, but rather to put off following Jesus until his elderly father died. Perhaps he was the firstborn son and wanted to be sure to claim his inheritance. Perhaps he didn’t want to face his father’s wrath if he left the family business to follow an itinerant preacher. Whether his concern was financial security, family approval, or something else, he did not want to commit himself to Jesus just yet. Jesus, however, would not accept his excuse. Jesus was always direct with those who wanted to follow him. He made sure they counted the cost and set aside any conditions they might have for following him. As God’s Son, Jesus did not hesitate to demand complete loyalty. Even family loyalty was not to take priority over the demands of obedience. His direct challenge forces us to ask ourselves about our own priorities in following him. The decision to follow Jesus should not be put off, even though other loyalties compete for our attention. Nothing should be placed above a total commitment to living for him.
BIBLE READING: Joshua 24:14-27
Key Bible Verse: 22 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
OUR COMMITMENT TO GOD MUST BE CONSISTENT.
The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, or obey the local gods, which were only man-made idols. It’s easy to slip into a quiet rebellion-going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. In taking a definite stand for the Lord, Joshua again displayed his spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, Joshua had made a commitment to God, and he was willing to set the example of living by that decision. The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to serving God.
BIBLE READING: Romans 5:1-11
Key Bible Verse: 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
CHRIST COMMITTED HIMSELF TO US FIRST. While we were still sinners God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, because He loved us that much. Whenever you feel uncertain about God’s love for you remember that He loved you even before you turned to Him.
COMMITMENT IS THE BEGINNING OF TRUSTING GOD.
Psalm 37:5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. David calls us to take delight in the Lord and to commit everything we have and do to him. But how do we do this? To be delighted in someone means to experience great pleasure and joy in his or her presence. This happens only when we know that person well. Thus, to delight in the Lord, we must know him better. Knowledge of God’s great love for us will indeed give us delight. To commit everything to the Lord means entrusting our life, family, job, and possessions to his control and guidance. To commit ourselves to the Lord means to trust in him (37:5), believing that he can care for us better than we can ourselves. We should be willing to wait patiently (37:7) “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act”, and for him to work out what is best for us.
PJ
Monday, January 25, 2010
WHAT ARE SOME ASPECTS OF GOD’S GRACE & MERCY?
GOD’S GRACE IS OUR ONLY HOPE!
God puts no limit on the number of times we can come to him to obtain mercy, but we must come in order to obtain it, recognizing our need and asking him for help. This miracle of grace should inspire us to say, “What a gracious and merciful God you are!” If there is a recurring problem or difficulty in your life, continue to ask God for help, and be willing and ready to make changes in your attitude and behavior that will correct that situation.
Ephesians 1:7-8: He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
GOD’S GRACE MAKES OUR SALVATION POSSIBLE.
Grace is God’s voluntary and loving favor given to those he saves. We can’t earn salvation, nor do we deserve it. Without God’s grace, no person can be saved. To receive it, we must acknowledge that we cannot save our self, that only God can save us, and that our only way to receive this loving favor is by faith in Christ.
GOD’S GRACE SHOULD LEAD US TO SERVE OTHERS WITH LOVE. We become Christians through God’s unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, charity, and goodness, and not merely to please our self. While no action or work we do can help us obtain salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in works of service.
Ephesians 4:12: A Christian’s responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
GOD’S GRACE Grace is God’s voluntary and loving favor given to those he saves. We can’t earn salvation, nor do we deserve it. No religious, intellectual, or moral effort can gain it, because it comes only from God’s mercy and love. Without God’s grace, no person can be saved. To receive it, we must acknowledge that we cannot save our self, that only God can save us, and that our only way to receive this loving favor is by faith in Christ.
Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.
IN TIMES OF DISOBEDIENCE WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S MERCY.
David accepted God’s punishment, but he begged God not to discipline him in anger. Jeremiah also asked God to correct him gently and not in anger (Jeremiah 10:24). David recognized that if God treated him with justice alone and not with mercy, he would be wiped out by God’s wrath. Often we want God to show mercy to us and justice to everyone else. God, in his kindness, forgives us instead of giving us what we deserve.
Mercy is not getting what you deserve.
GOD’S MERCY DOES NOT COME AS A RESULT OF OUR WORTH.
We do nothing ourselves. God removes our filthy clothes (sins) and then provides us with new, clean, rich garments - the righteousness and holiness of God. All we need to do is repent and ask God to forgive us. When Satan tries to make you feel dirty and unworthy, remember that the clean clothes of Christ’s righteousness make you worthy to draw near to God.
PJ
God puts no limit on the number of times we can come to him to obtain mercy, but we must come in order to obtain it, recognizing our need and asking him for help. This miracle of grace should inspire us to say, “What a gracious and merciful God you are!” If there is a recurring problem or difficulty in your life, continue to ask God for help, and be willing and ready to make changes in your attitude and behavior that will correct that situation.
Ephesians 1:7-8: He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
GOD’S GRACE MAKES OUR SALVATION POSSIBLE.
Grace is God’s voluntary and loving favor given to those he saves. We can’t earn salvation, nor do we deserve it. Without God’s grace, no person can be saved. To receive it, we must acknowledge that we cannot save our self, that only God can save us, and that our only way to receive this loving favor is by faith in Christ.
GOD’S GRACE SHOULD LEAD US TO SERVE OTHERS WITH LOVE. We become Christians through God’s unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, charity, and goodness, and not merely to please our self. While no action or work we do can help us obtain salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in works of service.
Ephesians 4:12: A Christian’s responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
GOD’S GRACE Grace is God’s voluntary and loving favor given to those he saves. We can’t earn salvation, nor do we deserve it. No religious, intellectual, or moral effort can gain it, because it comes only from God’s mercy and love. Without God’s grace, no person can be saved. To receive it, we must acknowledge that we cannot save our self, that only God can save us, and that our only way to receive this loving favor is by faith in Christ.
Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.
IN TIMES OF DISOBEDIENCE WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S MERCY.
David accepted God’s punishment, but he begged God not to discipline him in anger. Jeremiah also asked God to correct him gently and not in anger (Jeremiah 10:24). David recognized that if God treated him with justice alone and not with mercy, he would be wiped out by God’s wrath. Often we want God to show mercy to us and justice to everyone else. God, in his kindness, forgives us instead of giving us what we deserve.
Mercy is not getting what you deserve.
GOD’S MERCY DOES NOT COME AS A RESULT OF OUR WORTH.
We do nothing ourselves. God removes our filthy clothes (sins) and then provides us with new, clean, rich garments - the righteousness and holiness of God. All we need to do is repent and ask God to forgive us. When Satan tries to make you feel dirty and unworthy, remember that the clean clothes of Christ’s righteousness make you worthy to draw near to God.
PJ
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
A JOURNEY TO JESUS PART 3
In the start of our journey to Jesus we look at the reason we are going on our journey – it is out of love for Jesus. Now we look at where that love comes from and that is God.
HOW DOES THE BIBLE DESCRIBE GOD’S LOVE?
Luke 15:1-7 1Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
The key verse is verse 7: In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
GOD’S LOVE IS FORGIVING.
We may be able to understand a God who would forgive sinners who come to him for mercy. But a God who tenderly searches for sinners and then joyfully forgives them must possess an extraordinary love! This is the kind of love that prompted Jesus to come to earth to search for lost people and save them. This is the kind of extraordinary love that God has for you. If you feel far from God, don’t despair. He is searching for you.
Romans 8:38-39 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GOD’S LOVE IS BEYOND MEASURE.
These words were written to a church that would soon undergo terrible persecution. In just a few years, Paul’s supposed situations would turn into painful realities. This passage reaffirms God’s profound love for his people. No matter what happens to us, no matter where we are, we can never be lost to his love. Suffering should not drive us away from God; it should help us to identify with him further and allow his love to reach us and heal us.
GOD’S LOVE IS ETERNAL.
These verses contain one of the most comforting promises in all Scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: persecution, illness, imprisonment, even death. These could cause them to fear that they have been abandoned by Christ. But Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Christ. His death for us is proof of his unconquerable love. Nothing can stop Christ’s constant presence with us. God tells us how great his love is so that we will feel totally secure in him. If we believe these overwhelming assurances, we will not be afraid.
John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
GOD’S LOVE IS SACRIFICIAL.
The entire gospel comes to a focus in this verse. God’s love is not static or self-centered; it reaches out and draws others in. Here God sets the pattern of true love, the basis for all love relationships-when you love someone dearly; you are willing to pay dearly for that person’s responsive love. God paid dearly with the life of his Son, the highest price he could pay. Jesus accepted our punishment, paid the price for our sins, and then offered us the new life that he had bought for us. When we share the gospel with others, our love must be like Jesus’. We must be willing to give up our own comfort and security so that others might join us in receiving God’s love. Psalm 136:1-Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
GOD’S LOVE IS INEXHAUSTIBLE.
Repeated throughout this psalm is the phrase, “His faithful love endures forever.” This psalm may have been a responsive reading, with the congregation saying these words in unison after each sentence. The repetition made this important lesson sink in. God’s love includes the aspects of love, kindness, mercy and faithfulness. We never have to worry that God will run out of love, because it flows from a well that will never run dry.
PJ
HOW DOES THE BIBLE DESCRIBE GOD’S LOVE?
Luke 15:1-7 1Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
The key verse is verse 7: In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
GOD’S LOVE IS FORGIVING.
We may be able to understand a God who would forgive sinners who come to him for mercy. But a God who tenderly searches for sinners and then joyfully forgives them must possess an extraordinary love! This is the kind of love that prompted Jesus to come to earth to search for lost people and save them. This is the kind of extraordinary love that God has for you. If you feel far from God, don’t despair. He is searching for you.
Romans 8:38-39 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
GOD’S LOVE IS BEYOND MEASURE.
These words were written to a church that would soon undergo terrible persecution. In just a few years, Paul’s supposed situations would turn into painful realities. This passage reaffirms God’s profound love for his people. No matter what happens to us, no matter where we are, we can never be lost to his love. Suffering should not drive us away from God; it should help us to identify with him further and allow his love to reach us and heal us.
GOD’S LOVE IS ETERNAL.
These verses contain one of the most comforting promises in all Scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: persecution, illness, imprisonment, even death. These could cause them to fear that they have been abandoned by Christ. But Paul exclaims that it is impossible to be separated from Christ. His death for us is proof of his unconquerable love. Nothing can stop Christ’s constant presence with us. God tells us how great his love is so that we will feel totally secure in him. If we believe these overwhelming assurances, we will not be afraid.
John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
GOD’S LOVE IS SACRIFICIAL.
The entire gospel comes to a focus in this verse. God’s love is not static or self-centered; it reaches out and draws others in. Here God sets the pattern of true love, the basis for all love relationships-when you love someone dearly; you are willing to pay dearly for that person’s responsive love. God paid dearly with the life of his Son, the highest price he could pay. Jesus accepted our punishment, paid the price for our sins, and then offered us the new life that he had bought for us. When we share the gospel with others, our love must be like Jesus’. We must be willing to give up our own comfort and security so that others might join us in receiving God’s love. Psalm 136:1-Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
GOD’S LOVE IS INEXHAUSTIBLE.
Repeated throughout this psalm is the phrase, “His faithful love endures forever.” This psalm may have been a responsive reading, with the congregation saying these words in unison after each sentence. The repetition made this important lesson sink in. God’s love includes the aspects of love, kindness, mercy and faithfulness. We never have to worry that God will run out of love, because it flows from a well that will never run dry.
PJ
Bible Study #2 Walk the Talk James 1:22
James 1:19-27 - 22 Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
God wants us to do more than listen to his Word; he requires that we obey it. It is not enough to say that we are Christians; our speech must reflect Christ’s love and humility. It is not enough to study God’s Word; we must live it out by caring for the needy and keeping ourselves free from worldly influences. Our walk must match our talk.
Simply reading, even studying, God’s word does not profit us if we do not obey what it says. We listen to God’s message not just to know it, but also to do it. We would be fooling ourselves to congratulate ourselves about knowledge of Scripture if that’s all there is to it. Worthwhile knowledge is a prelude to action; God’s word can only grow in the soil of obedience. In order for a lesson to make a difference in a student’s life, it must enter the heart and mind, affecting his or her life. It is important to hear God’s word, but it is much more important to obey it. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitudes. Do we put into action what we have studied?
To be a Christian may not always seem easy. First we are to be doers not listeners only.
So many of us Christians are listeners. We focus on hearing, reading and learning the word rather than doing the word. We give Sunday school awards to those who memorize the word rather than those live according to it. We come to church to hear God’s word but do we go home to live the word? Someone said that "many Christians want to enjoy the thrill of feeling right but are not willing to endure the inconvenience of being right."
1. He first tells us what a listener does that stops him from being a doer and then he tells us what a doer does that makes him a doer. He uses the metaphor of a mirror.
2. A listener looks at his face in the mirror but then walks away and then immediately forgets what he looks like. This may seem strange but it happens everybody. Each morning I stand before the mirror and I wash my face, shave and brush my teeth. I see my face but either I am preoccupied and look but don’t see. Or else I am so familiar with my face I really don’t take a close look.
We can look in the Bible the same way. We can read or hear it but we are preoccupied and thinking about something else.
Or sometimes we think we know God’s word so well we don’t take a close look. "I know what it says, I’ve heard it before". Or perhaps we think we know ourselves very well and we don’t need to use the Bible as a mirror.
For the Bible makes us look at ourselves by comparing us to God’s holiness. It makes us see ourselves as God sees us. And in His perfect light we can’t hide any blemishes. So when we hear word we don’t apply it to ourselves. We don’t think of what it means for us and what it expects of us. And so I easily forget what it says. And so we would rather only hear and forget. It’s easier that way, so we think.
Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
PJ
God wants us to do more than listen to his Word; he requires that we obey it. It is not enough to say that we are Christians; our speech must reflect Christ’s love and humility. It is not enough to study God’s Word; we must live it out by caring for the needy and keeping ourselves free from worldly influences. Our walk must match our talk.
Simply reading, even studying, God’s word does not profit us if we do not obey what it says. We listen to God’s message not just to know it, but also to do it. We would be fooling ourselves to congratulate ourselves about knowledge of Scripture if that’s all there is to it. Worthwhile knowledge is a prelude to action; God’s word can only grow in the soil of obedience. In order for a lesson to make a difference in a student’s life, it must enter the heart and mind, affecting his or her life. It is important to hear God’s word, but it is much more important to obey it. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitudes. Do we put into action what we have studied?
To be a Christian may not always seem easy. First we are to be doers not listeners only.
So many of us Christians are listeners. We focus on hearing, reading and learning the word rather than doing the word. We give Sunday school awards to those who memorize the word rather than those live according to it. We come to church to hear God’s word but do we go home to live the word? Someone said that "many Christians want to enjoy the thrill of feeling right but are not willing to endure the inconvenience of being right."
1. He first tells us what a listener does that stops him from being a doer and then he tells us what a doer does that makes him a doer. He uses the metaphor of a mirror.
2. A listener looks at his face in the mirror but then walks away and then immediately forgets what he looks like. This may seem strange but it happens everybody. Each morning I stand before the mirror and I wash my face, shave and brush my teeth. I see my face but either I am preoccupied and look but don’t see. Or else I am so familiar with my face I really don’t take a close look.
We can look in the Bible the same way. We can read or hear it but we are preoccupied and thinking about something else.
Or sometimes we think we know God’s word so well we don’t take a close look. "I know what it says, I’ve heard it before". Or perhaps we think we know ourselves very well and we don’t need to use the Bible as a mirror.
For the Bible makes us look at ourselves by comparing us to God’s holiness. It makes us see ourselves as God sees us. And in His perfect light we can’t hide any blemishes. So when we hear word we don’t apply it to ourselves. We don’t think of what it means for us and what it expects of us. And so I easily forget what it says. And so we would rather only hear and forget. It’s easier that way, so we think.
Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
PJ
Mini Message #3
Matthew 10:32:
'Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven.But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven.
Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts.
This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, 'OK, dad, I'm ready.' His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?' 'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.' Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring rain.'
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, 'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?' Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather.' Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please His father hesitated for a moment then said, 'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.' 'Thanks Dad!'
And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract .After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted. Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell... He rang the bell, but nobody answered. He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer. Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch! He rang again and this times the door slowly opened Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do
for you, son?'
With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, 'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that * JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.' With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'
Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit. As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?' Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet. As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live. So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and broken-hearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.
I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly. I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.
When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES
LOVE YOU .' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand. As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't need them anymore.
You see - I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.' There was not a dry eye in the church. And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated. He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son. Except for One.
Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.
Remember, God's message CAN make the difference in the life of someone close to you.
Please share this wonderful message...
Spread His word, and share His goodness and faithfulness.
PJ
'Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven.But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven.
Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts.
This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, 'OK, dad, I'm ready.' His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?' 'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.' Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring rain.'
The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, 'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?' Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather.' Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please His father hesitated for a moment then said, 'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.' 'Thanks Dad!'
And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract .After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted. Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell... He rang the bell, but nobody answered. He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer. Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch! He rang again and this times the door slowly opened Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do
for you, son?'
With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, 'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that * JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.' With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'
Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit. As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?' Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet. As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live. So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and broken-hearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.
I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly. I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.
When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES
LOVE YOU .' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand. As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't need them anymore.
You see - I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.' There was not a dry eye in the church. And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated. He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son. Except for One.
Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.
Remember, God's message CAN make the difference in the life of someone close to you.
Please share this wonderful message...
Spread His word, and share His goodness and faithfulness.
PJ
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
20 minute Bible Study 1st Corinthians 13
Love is the distinctive mark of a Christian. Paul, in this chapter, describes the type of love Christians should show to others. This type of love does not primarily have to do with pleasure. It is a self-sacrificial love, the type of love Christ showed us when he died for our sins on the cross. This self-sacrificial love is patient and kind. It always hopes for the best and trusts God for the results. It does not stick up for its own rights or hold grudges. Instead it is a love that looks out for other people’s best interests.
1. What, in your opinion, is the ultimate expression of love?
2. How does Paul describe a person who has no love? (13:1-3)
3. What adjectives does Paul list concerning love? What verbs are used? (13:4-8)
4. What does Paul say will happen to all the other gifts, compared with love? (13:8) 5. What three things will last forever? (13:13)
6. In what ways have you experienced the power of Christ-like love?
7. How have you witnessed the opposite effects of a person or place characterized more by the absence of love that is described here?
8. Which of the attributes of love are the easiest for you to practice? Which are the most difficult?
9. How does knowing that love is a gift from God change the way you treat others?
10. Who would benefit this week from your efforts at sharing Christ-like love with that person?
Pastor Jack
1. What, in your opinion, is the ultimate expression of love?
2. How does Paul describe a person who has no love? (13:1-3)
3. What adjectives does Paul list concerning love? What verbs are used? (13:4-8)
4. What does Paul say will happen to all the other gifts, compared with love? (13:8) 5. What three things will last forever? (13:13)
6. In what ways have you experienced the power of Christ-like love?
7. How have you witnessed the opposite effects of a person or place characterized more by the absence of love that is described here?
8. Which of the attributes of love are the easiest for you to practice? Which are the most difficult?
9. How does knowing that love is a gift from God change the way you treat others?
10. Who would benefit this week from your efforts at sharing Christ-like love with that person?
Pastor Jack
Monday, January 4, 2010
OBITUARY NOTICE
I do not like to be the one to tell of bad news but our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members,Someone Else.
Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years. Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list."Let Someone Else do it." Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; "Someone Else can work with that group."
It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference.
Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do. Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did?
When you are asked to help this year, remember -- we can't depend on Someone Else anymore.
Pastor Jack
Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years. Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list."Let Someone Else do it." Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; "Someone Else can work with that group."
It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference.
Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do. Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did?
When you are asked to help this year, remember -- we can't depend on Someone Else anymore.
Pastor Jack
CHECKING IN WITH JESUS:
A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle, the minister owned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was kinda shabby and his coat was worn and dirty, the man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away. In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, He decided to stop the man and ask him, 'What are you doing here?' The old man said he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. 'I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say: '
I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'
The minister feeling foolish, told Jim that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.' He hurried to the door. The minister knelt at the altar; he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Jim was with them brought changes in the ward his smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, He voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile; 'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that he's in here all the while every day at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, Leans over and says to me:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Have you checked in with Jesus today?
Pastor Jack
I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'
The minister feeling foolish, told Jim that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.' He hurried to the door. The minister knelt at the altar; he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Jim was with them brought changes in the ward his smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, He voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile; 'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that he's in here all the while every day at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, Leans over and says to me:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'
Have you checked in with Jesus today?
Pastor Jack
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