Wednesday, December 31, 2014

My Thoughts on the New Year


As we go into this next year, we look for new hope, a new beginning, a chance to be better and to do the things we should be doing. But I think sometimes we miss the point. 


Lamentations 3:22-23 says the Lord's "compassions never fail. They are new every morning." We don't have to wait for a new year to realize God's compassion for us. we don't have to look forward to once-a-year mercy or forgiveness. That's something God gives us everyday.


It's sad how easily we forget this and make the new year about us trying to do better on our own. I am humbled every time God shows me that I don't have to be perfect because of His sacrifice on the cross. So this year, I will not resolve to rely on myself. I will simply trust in Him.


In the end, this year is not about us. It is not about our past failings, or any future change. It's about realizing that God is compassionate and merciful every single day, and about living a life of repentance and worship in response to that mercy. That's what we need to realize as we go into 2015.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Light in the Darkness


-Light in the Darkness-

" Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days" 
               _____________________
 "I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." - Jeremiah 31:33

     God had never been unclear about the kind of relationship he wanted with his people. 
They were to be holy and set apart, devoted to Him alone. If they remained faithful, they would remain in the land He had promised them. But if they chose to turn away from Him and worship other gods the consequences would be devastating. God would remove them from the land of the promised and scatter them among the nations.
     Even though glimmers of light shown brightly amid the spiritual darkness of Judah, the people had made their choice. They turned away from God and chased after pagan gods and their own desires. Even so, God never stopped pursuing them-through His prophets, His promised judgment, and eventually exile. Even in the darkness, God continued to call his people back to Himself, ever faithful to His character and His plan to bring eternal salvation to the world. 

I want to share a video on youtube that I saw the other day. It doesn't have much to do with what I said, but its a good reminder. God Bless. 

--


Merry Christmas!!



Monday, December 15, 2014

Body of Believers

Romans 12:3-16

Verse 10: Devoted (adjective) feeling or showing great love, commitment or loyalty to somebody or something, esp. over a long period of time


--How long should we love each other?


Verse 11: Zeal (noun) fervent or enthusiastic devotion
--Is your service enthusiastic?


--What three things does verse 12 say to be?


--What do you think it looks like when someone is faithful in prayer?


Verse 13
--Who are we supposed to share with?

Verse 15 says to “Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.” We must learn to be sensitive of when the people we are serving want someone to rejoice with them or when they want someone to mourn with them. Do what they need you to do.


Verse 16 says “Live in harmony with one another”. This goes back to the body analogy in verses 4 and 5. We must live in harmony in order to work effectively.

Have you ever been jealous of someone else’s spiritual gifts? How has that hindered your effectiveness in working with in the body?


How can you work together more effectively with this body of believers?


How can you never lose your zeal in serving the Lord?


Friday, December 12, 2014

Joy in Obedience

Acts 16:16-34

While Paul and Silas were in Philippi (out of obedience to God) they were beaten and jailed.


Verse 25
--What were Paul and Silas doing while they were in prison?


These men were “joyful in hope, faithful in prayer, patient in affliction” Rom 12:12


--What were the other prisoners doing while they were in prison?


Verse 34
--Who believed and was saved in this passage?


--What was he filled with?


--Do you think Paul and Silas would have still gone to Philippi if they knew they would be beaten and imprisoned? Why or why not?

--Is obedience to God worth possible persecution?
--What do you expect to happen today? Are things going to go according to your plan?


--How should we react when problems or trials arise?


As you go throughout the day, remember this: do not let negative circumstances affect your joy!


Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Obedience in Witnessing

Acts 16:6-15

Verse 6
--Who kept Paul and his companions from preaching in Asia?


Verse 9
--What vision did Paul have?


Verse 10-12
--How did he respond to this vision?


Verse 14-15
--Who believed because of Paul’s obedience?


--Who opened this woman’s heart to respond to the message? Was it Paul?


The Holy Spirit guided Paul and led him to a place where the gospel was received. Because of Paul’s obedience, the Lord worked through him. However, Paul only preached the gospel. He had no control over who would or wouldn’t believe.

--Have you seen a vision from God or heard Him telling you anything? If so, what? Will you obey?


--If someone is changed through your obedience, are you responsible for this change?


Stand Out

1 Peter 2:4-13

"Why fit in when you were born to stand out" -Dr. Seuss

"If fitting in means compromising your beliefs, no thanks!"

-Jesus was the cornerstone, the most important piece.

-God is our stepping stone, He leads us, He guides us through this life.

-We stumble because we don't obey Gods' word.

-We are Gods' people, He has chosen us, we have received Gods' mercy and that will change us in ways that we never imagined.

-We don't belong here, we are here to spread Gods' word. We are supposed to be different, we aren't supposed to look like everyone else and the world itself. That is not what we are supposed to do.

-Stand out... Don't fit in.

-If you are a Christian and you fit into the world, then something is terribly, terribly wrong.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Speaking well

1 Peter 4:9-11

9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.


Verse 9
--How are we supposed to offer hospitality?


Verse 11
--How are we supposed to speak?



1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.



--How well do you set an example in your speech?


--Have you ever said something without realizing someone could overhear you and then regretted it?


The way you speak is very important. Stay away from gossip and complaining. Realize that people can hear you more often that you think. Do not hurt your witness by what you say.


--What are ways you can be a better example in your speech?



Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.


--How can you build others up today through your speech?



As you go throughout your day, keep James 1:26 in mind.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.