Thursday, August 31, 2000
There is never a day that goes by that God does not remember us. But there may be days that we do not remember God. When they occur God has a way of nudging us with reminders, some which may not be so subtle. When things are good God’s voice seems to be a whisper. When there is crisis God’s voice seems to be at a shouting level. I might add, God’s voice doesn’t generally change its level but our ears seem to work differently with the circumstances in our lives.
Wednesday, August 30, 2000
Going to the dentist is one of my least favorite things to do. This morning, at 8:30 A.M. central time I will be sitting in the dentist office waiting to be called into “the chair.” The dentist is always amazed when I say, “No Novocain!” I have found that I hate the feeling from the Novocain worse than I hate the pain from the work on my teeth. So, I muster up the courage from deep within me, the dentist works on my teeth and I leave feeling great.
So it is with “fessing up” to the truth. It takes a lot of courage but once you get it over with you can go on feeling good. If you don’t, lies are about like that Novocain. It seems like it takes forever for it to wear off so you can feel good again.
Tuesday, August 29, 2000
Would you recognize a miracle if you saw one? Most people would say yes. However, when Jesus performed miracles there always lots of people who didn’t get it, denied it happening or rationalized it away. We are not so different except that most of the miracles that happen in our lives we take credit for and the world calls it success.
Monday, August 28, 2000
The strangest things about blessings are that our biggest blessings are often taken for granted. We can go through much of our lives without noticing their value or even their existence. Perhaps that’s why the hymn writer wrote, “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done.” I suggest that we do this today.
Sunday, August 27, 2000
This spring in Minnesota about 47,000 high school students were given the wrong score on their Basic Skills Test for graduation. About 8,000 students were told they failed the test. Of the 8,000, some quit school and others didn’t graduate with their class because of the failed test. After graduation it was learned the scoring was flawed and those 8,000 actually had passed. How painful it must have been for those students and their families.
So it is in life. People are always scoring other people wrong. Often it results in painful, painful times for the wrongly judged and wrongly treated person and their families. The good news is, GOD NEVER JUDGES INCORRECTLY!
However, He is not a very good scorekeeper. For His children He has a tendency to forget the bad things and only remember the good things!
Saturday, August 26, 2000
As a believer, you shouldn’t wonder about the criticism you get from others or the times that people gossip about you. It’s our rough edges that stick out the most. It’s our rough edges that people bump into. It’s our rough edges that are the most exposed to criticism. It’s our rough edges that God takes a lifetime to smooth out. As I’ve gotten older I have come to realize that, although they may get smoother and less visible, they never really totally disappear. That’s why you need to let people see who you really are at the center of your heart.
P.S. I’d much rather have a friend with rough edges and a loving heart than loving edges and a rough heart.
Friday, August 25, 2000
A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Mark McGuire’s hands is worth $19 million.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Pete Sampras’ hands is a Wimbledon Championship.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
A sling shot in my hands is a kid’s toy.
A sling shot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God’s hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it’s in.
As you see now it depends whose hands it’s in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams,
your families and your relationships in God’s hands because, you see,
It depends whose hands it’s in.
-contributed by Drenda Meeks
Thursday, August 24, 2000
There are those dear people who want to negotiate everything, from their perspective. That may work in this life but eternity is non-negotiable! The only thing that matters there is God’s perspective. In fact, that’s what matters here too but often we are to self serving or unwilling to see it. Could it be that’s why Jesus prayed, “…Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven?”
Wednesday, August 23, 2000
Recently I was told of a youth pastor who had a goal of being the Sr. Youth Pastor at one of the largest churches in the country. Finally he got the job but quit after 18 months. When asked why he left the ministry of his dreams after such a short time he replied, “I got tired of overseeing 10 Youth Pastors and other staff and never ministering to people.” In other words, what he prayed and worked so hard for wasn’t what he expected or wanted.
So it is with many of us. We have grandeur ideas of what we want in one area of life or the other only to find out when we get it that it just isn’t all we thought it was going to be. Be careful what you prayer for because you may get exactly that.
Remember, if the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence it only means it has to be mowed more often!
Tuesday, August 21, 2000
The world is in a constant state of change. The average house sells every few years, new computers are outdated before you bring them home, people switch jobs and even change careers often. Last week a man told me that his x-wife was on her twelfth marriage. Change; is it the enemy or friend of the church?
Change is a friend of the church! Just when everyone thought the modern church was taking a cultural knockout punch, people are suddenly seeking the church for stability in their lives. Why? Because people can hardly stand anymore change in their lives and God does not change.
Therefore, churches should be very careful about all the change that is so commonly being pressured into them today. Although there must be some changes to meet the need of this generation, the message must remain the same throughout all generations.
In these days, I believe that people are just beginning to seek the Lord and that churches will be very challenged to minister and disciple these presently unchurched people. I believe a revival unlike any of our present living generations have ever seen is on the horizon. The question is, will the church be ready? Will your church be ready? Will you be ready? God is ready! GET READY!
Monday, August 21, 2000
God goes with his people from the “churchplace” on Sundays to the ‘workplace” on Mondays!
Sunday, August 20, 2000
Happiness is not the absence of sadness but rather the presence of the Lord!
Saturday, August 19, 2000
Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.?
Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and
stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation
in a different manner, we will gain a new insight as we experience those
“rush” days along the way.
There’s work to do, deadlines to meet;
You’ve got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry-
ASAP – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
In the midst of family challenges,
“Quality time” is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest –
ASAP – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bare.
Slow down and take a breather –
ASAP – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
God knows how full our life is;
And wants to ease our cares,
And God will respond
To all your needs
ASAP – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.
-contributed by Ralph Fischer
Friday, August 18, 2000
We shouldn’t be so surprised at the popularity of gambling today. People have been gambling with their souls long before we ever had casinos. No amount of money can compare to the risk of losing an eternity with Christ!
Thursday, August 17, 2000
If you are going build relationships that stick you will have to use the glue of Grace!
Wednesday, August 16, 2000
Prayer should not be the end result of the circumstances in our lives but rather beginning!
Tuesday, August 15, 2000
Do you know someone who takes pleasure in the misfortunes of others? I do. His name is Satan!
Perhaps when we see others finding pleasure in the misfortune of others we can remember who they are acting like. And may God help us not to act like that either.
Monday, August 13, 2000
Yesterday at my great aunt’s 99th birthday party I met a distant cousin who is working on the genealogy from my grandfather’s side of the family. It goes all the way back to the 1300’s.
She began to tell me that I was related to some rather famous people. I’ve heard about what is dug up when people start seeking their roots so I was expecting some unknown notorious relatives to be mentioned. She went on to tell me about a Swedish opera/classical singer named Jussi Bjorling and a scientist named Glenn Seaborg who was part of the original Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb. I went on the internet and listened to music clips of Jussi Bjorling, undoubtedly one of the finest tenor voices ever. I also found pages of information on Glenn Seaborg. I read that he had won a Nobel Prize.
Although it is interesting to know about family members who are gifted, accomplished and well known nothing can compare with knowing that you are part of the family of God, an eternal heritage.
Sunday, August 13, 2000
The song, “When the Saints go Marching in” was written a long time ago. I can’t help but wonder if it was written today if it would be called, “When the Saints Go Crawling In!” Too often the church has forgotten that there is coming a great day coming when each believer enters eternity with joy and celebration. If you are going to crawl there it is going to be a long trip. So rise up, oh church of God, and live with the joy of eternity today!
Remember, Jesus is the joy of living!
Saturday, August 12, 2000
JUST IN CASE YOU FORGOT…
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If God had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.
When you want to talk, He’ll listen.
He could live anywhere in the universe and yet He chose our heart.
And that Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem?
Face it friend, He’s crazy about you
-contributed by Arlyn Flippen
Friday, August 11, 2000
ROAD TO SUCCESS
The road to success is not straight …
There is a curve called failure …
A loop called confusion …
Speed bumps called friends …
Red lights called enemies …
Caution lights called family …
You will have flats called jobs …
BUT
If you have a spare called determination …
An engine called perseverance …
Insurance called FAITH …
A driver called Jesus …
You will make it to a place called Success!
-contributed by Arlyn Flippen
Thursday, August 10, 2000
You find out how Christian you are when somebody hurts you.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For sinners love those who love them.” Luke 6:32 NIV
-contributed by Martin Wishnatsky
Wednesday, August 9, 2000
I pray that tomorrow I will want the things I already have.
-contributed by George Johnson
Tuesday, August 8, 2000
Have you noticed how senseless the television commercials have become lately? They have finally caught up with the way people live! The next thing you know churches will clone these strange commercials to “minister to people where they live.” Probably we should rethink the whole idea and start to minister to people “where they ought to live!”
Monday, August 7, 2000
To learn about God, read the scriptures.
To learn about others, read the scripture.
To learn about yourself, read the scripture.
To learn more about God, read more of the scripture.
To learn more about others, read more of the scripture.
To learn more about yourself, read more of the scripture.
And, if you don’t want to stop learning don’t stop reading the scripture!
Sunday, August 6, 2000
Great sermons are not developed in an hour, a day or a week. Great sermons are developed over a lifetime. In effect, each of us is a sermon in progress!
Saturday, August 5, 2000
There is a song that is written with the lyrics, “The older the violin the sweeter the music.” So it should be with people. But too often people grow old and the weight of the journey causes them to become bitter and judgmental. Like Naomi, in the book of Ruth, in her later years when she said to call her Mara because she was bitter. With God’s help we can grow old with the joy of the Lord regardless of the weight of the journey. It is my prayer for you that as you grow older people can call you “sugar” because you are so sweet!
Friday, August 4, 2000
The Psalmist writes, “I run in the paths of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” (Psalm 119:32) It is of great value to live with a free heart, one that is bent toward God, His will and His ways. When our hearts are free we will seek His path.
So, what sets a heart free beyond salvation? When one dies out to themselves and is sanctified (wanting more of God than anything else). Death to oneself is extremely difficult and cannot be obtained without the power of God. There have been times that I thought I had died out to myself only to discover that I had fainted! Maybe you’ve experienced the same?
Thursday, August 3, 2000
Imagine what would happen if God turned people over for collection, small claims court or filed lawsuits against people who didn’t pay their tithes or give offerings to the church! I suspect there are a lot of people who look pretty good by worldly standards but are “deadbeats” when it comes to the eternal treasury!
Wednesday, August 2, 2000
There is an old saying that I learned in Sunday School years and years ago that goes something like this, “You are your neighbors Bible. He reads you everyday!” For many, it’s a tough read. The expectation that non-believers have for believers is almost never met. So, do we somehow lower our neighbor’s expectations? No! We lower our knees!
Tuesday, August 1, 2000
In recent months we have been involved in a remodeling project on our house that has drug on and on. Have you ever noticed that most tasks in life require more time to complete than we expect or plan for? So it is with building our faith. About the time we think we’ve come along fairly good with our ‘personal faith building project,’ we discover how big the project is and how much of it is left to do. In home construction they say the finishing is the most expensive part. Perhaps the same could be said for our faith!
