Thursday, October 8, 2009
I'm Sick!
No, really, I feel bad. It may be the flu. I don't know. What I do know is that today I cannot concentrate or think. It's making me crazy. I want so bad to get caught up in God's Word but can't. I am going to rely on God to give me the strength and mercy to help me with my weakness and needs. Thank you Jesus for bridging the gap!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Cost Pt.2
Being a disciple of Christ takes commitment. It requires that we put aside relationships, possessions, positions and our own plans. It doesn't mean that we reject our abilities or interests, but devote all these things to Christ. I tried marriage without Christ....that sucked. I tried to make it all about me. It's much better now that I have devoted it to Christ. My possessions without Christ are all gone. I used to be the boss without Christ and wanted everyone to know. Now, I serve more everyday and don't care if I get noticed or not. My plans.....are nothing without Christ. I wanted to get as far away from Greenville, SC as possible. Now God is using me downtown in the center of Main Street. When I made a commitment to follow Jesus, He took care of all the things I used to put before Him.
When you make the commitment to follow Christ your identity and reputation makes you inseparable from your relationship with Christ.
So how will God view you? Do you follow the crowd or do you follow Christ?
Don't conform to the worldly patterns and cultures. Transform your heart and mind with a devotion and commitment to follow Christ.
The Cost is nothing compared to the Reward.
When you make the commitment to follow Christ your identity and reputation makes you inseparable from your relationship with Christ.
So how will God view you? Do you follow the crowd or do you follow Christ?
Don't conform to the worldly patterns and cultures. Transform your heart and mind with a devotion and commitment to follow Christ.
The Cost is nothing compared to the Reward.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Cost
With a large crowd following Him, Jesus turns to them and says: If you want to be my disciple love me more than your mom, love me more than your dad, love me more than your children, love me more than your wife. Love me more than even your own life. Jesus demands that our loyalty and love for Him be greater than any other attachment in life. This is easy for you right? Jesus died for you.....wouldn't you do the same for Him?
Jesus goes on to say...if you do not carry your own cross and follow, you cannot be His disciple. This means to put your own selfish desires aside regardless of the cost. The cross of Christ is a symbol of suffering, death, shame, ridicule, rejection and self denial. A follower of Christ IDENTIFIES with Christ.
Understanding what you are giving up to follow Christ is something we should all be reminded of on a daily basis. It's easy to get distracted and caught up in life. For the next several days I will share more on this subject because if you have made a commitment to follow Christ, we all need to understand what that means. Don't get discouraged, like I said we IDENTIFY with Christ. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. That's ROYALTY!
Jesus goes on to say...if you do not carry your own cross and follow, you cannot be His disciple. This means to put your own selfish desires aside regardless of the cost. The cross of Christ is a symbol of suffering, death, shame, ridicule, rejection and self denial. A follower of Christ IDENTIFIES with Christ.
Understanding what you are giving up to follow Christ is something we should all be reminded of on a daily basis. It's easy to get distracted and caught up in life. For the next several days I will share more on this subject because if you have made a commitment to follow Christ, we all need to understand what that means. Don't get discouraged, like I said we IDENTIFY with Christ. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. That's ROYALTY!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Integrity of the Family
Luke 1:17 (Message) "He'll drink neither wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mothers' womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God's arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to their children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics - he'll get the people ready for God."
One of the highest priorties of the church is to help in building strong families. Faithfulness and love along with the understanding of proper authority is the basis of the family unit.
The church can help alot in this area but the person most responsible for this is the father. Fathers should spend time with their children, instruct them and teach them without ceasing to live by God's Word and standards. Fathers have to be there emotionally, physically and spiritually for their children. What a great task this is for me on a daily basis with five children, marriage and work. I must admit......I could do alot better. I also think sometimes, when is my time? Like right now.....my daughter and 2 year old son are both yelling at me. One wants his cup filled and the other says the kid shows are off--"Daddy will you change the channel?" I'll be right back....... The joys of being a Father, I got a kiss on the cheek and a "tank you dadieee". It's hard sometimes but the rewards are great.
So fathers, let's step it up and make our families what God intended for them to be. Let's teach them to be faithful to God and His purposes (Ephesians 6:4), let's love and discipline them (Luke 11:11-13) and let's pray for them (John 17: 20-26).
One of the highest priorties of the church is to help in building strong families. Faithfulness and love along with the understanding of proper authority is the basis of the family unit.
The church can help alot in this area but the person most responsible for this is the father. Fathers should spend time with their children, instruct them and teach them without ceasing to live by God's Word and standards. Fathers have to be there emotionally, physically and spiritually for their children. What a great task this is for me on a daily basis with five children, marriage and work. I must admit......I could do alot better. I also think sometimes, when is my time? Like right now.....my daughter and 2 year old son are both yelling at me. One wants his cup filled and the other says the kid shows are off--"Daddy will you change the channel?" I'll be right back....... The joys of being a Father, I got a kiss on the cheek and a "tank you dadieee". It's hard sometimes but the rewards are great.
So fathers, let's step it up and make our families what God intended for them to be. Let's teach them to be faithful to God and His purposes (Ephesians 6:4), let's love and discipline them (Luke 11:11-13) and let's pray for them (John 17: 20-26).
Friday, October 2, 2009
The Song in Your Heart
This morning, one hour before the alarm clock goes off, I'm awake. Which for the most part is normal on a daily basis. I get up and turn off the alarm so that it does not go off later to wake me. I turn on the television and began to watch the news before I start with my morning. I don't recall hearing a commercial on television with the song "isn't she lovely, isn't she wonderful", but that was the song I was blaring from the shower. Now, I have no musical talent what so ever inside of me. My wife has told me I sound like Garth Brooks....."KIND OF". She is not a fan of the song from my mouth. Which stinks because I actually enjoy singing. I am one of those people if I hear a random word like, "STOP" it brings a song to mind "Ice Ice Baby" or "CAN'T" it would be "Can't touch this". That's just me. Now while I was singing that song I was thinking of my wife. I love her dearly and she brings a joyful song to my heart all the time.
In Ephesians 5:19 it tells us to speak to one another in hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.
Singing is the language of the heart and a way of expressing inner joy, praise, worship, love, longing, and thankfulness to God. Singing can encourage, build others up, teach, give thanks and a way to pray.
Today..... what's the song in your heart? What a cool place it would be if we all realized what the Lord has given us and how much He loves us and let it out from our hearts. A whole planet full of praise. Let your song out today!
In Ephesians 5:19 it tells us to speak to one another in hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.
Singing is the language of the heart and a way of expressing inner joy, praise, worship, love, longing, and thankfulness to God. Singing can encourage, build others up, teach, give thanks and a way to pray.
Today..... what's the song in your heart? What a cool place it would be if we all realized what the Lord has given us and how much He loves us and let it out from our hearts. A whole planet full of praise. Let your song out today!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The Call on Your Life Part 2
"He that began a Good Work in you will carry it on to completion." Philippians 1:6
I often think, where would I be if I had stayed on track with Jesus? Where would I be if I had not taken the other road at age fourteen? I had a friend in high school that would stand on the tables in the cafeteria and tell everyone about Jesus in the mornings before class started. I see how God has used him, and think how many years I wasted before getting on track with Jesus.
So…what has He put inside of you that you have rejected for years? What is it in life that you enjoy doing? What is it that you happen to do well? What is it that breaks your heart?
According to Jeremiah 20:9 you can’t deny what He’s put inside of you…it’s fire in your heart (PASSION) His words in your heart, a fire shut up in your bones. You can't hold it in!
I'm excited He didn't forget me. Excited that He uses me to teach people about how wonderful He is. I SERVE an AWESOME GOD!
I often think, where would I be if I had stayed on track with Jesus? Where would I be if I had not taken the other road at age fourteen? I had a friend in high school that would stand on the tables in the cafeteria and tell everyone about Jesus in the mornings before class started. I see how God has used him, and think how many years I wasted before getting on track with Jesus.
So…what has He put inside of you that you have rejected for years? What is it in life that you enjoy doing? What is it that you happen to do well? What is it that breaks your heart?
According to Jeremiah 20:9 you can’t deny what He’s put inside of you…it’s fire in your heart (PASSION) His words in your heart, a fire shut up in your bones. You can't hold it in!
I'm excited He didn't forget me. Excited that He uses me to teach people about how wonderful He is. I SERVE an AWESOME GOD!
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