Wednesday, January 31, 2001
Attitude is a major factor in aging. Depending on our attitude, we either get old or grow old! Life is a constant learning experience and the more we learn about God the more we will “grow” old.
-Col 1:10-12 (NIV)
”And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
Tuesday, January 30, 2001
Friends are a risk. If you never have any you will never be let down or disappointed by them. That’s the risk.
So it is with churches. The church is really human because it is made up of human beings. Being part of the church brings the risk of being let down and disappointed. So, many people resist God’s call to worship and the fellowship of the believers. Then they have no risk of feeling hurt. After a time of separation from the church, their hearts begin to grow cold, hard and insensitive.
So the risk is really a two edged sword; feeling hurt or feeling nothing at all! If I have to choose between feeling hurt and feeling nothing at all, I choose hurt!
-I Jn 1:7 (NIV)
”But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Monday, January 29, 2001
Moses was a great man of faith but things didn’t always go smooth. He faced many obstacles that required some great discussions with God. So if you want to smoothen out your week I suggest you do like Moses, have a great discussion with God!
-Acts 7:25 (NIV)
“Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.”
Sunday, January 28, 2001
If you are being challenged from the pulpit on Sunday mornings, you may not leave church feeling good about yourself but you should always leave feeling good about God!
-Ps 73:25-26 (NIV)
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Saturday, January 27, 2001
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:
1 cross
+ 3 nails
——————
4 given
-contributed by Bev Sederlund
-1 Cor 1:18 (NIV)
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Friday, January 26, 2001
When observing the patterns of ice fisherman, the observer noticed that without fail on every lake the fish houses were always together making a “fishing village.” However there was always the exception where someone had a fish house off all by themselves with no one else around. Being curious, the observer went over and knocked on the door of a fish house sitting all by itself. A rather friendly man answered the door and the observer asked him why his fish house was here all by itself and everyone else was bunched together in another part of the lake. His answer caught the observer totally off guard, “Oh, I’m not trying to catch the fish, I’m feeding the fish!”
Although Jesus said we would be fishers of men it appears that the church today is spending a lot of time bunched together trying to “catch” people. Thankfully there are still churches, pastors and people who are still “feeding” people!
-John 21:15-17 (NIV)
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”
Thursday, January 25, 2001
The hug, no moving parts, no batteries. No monthly payments and no fees, inflation proof, and non-taxable. In fact, it’s quite relaxing. It can’t be stolen, it won’t pollute, one size fits all and it does not dilute. It uses little energy, but yields enormous results. It relieves your tension and your stress, invigorates your happiness, combats depression, makes you beam, and elevates your self-esteem!
Your circulation it corrects without unpleasant side effects It is, I think, the perfect drug! May I prescribe, my friend,… The HUG! (Of course, it’s fully returnable!)
-Contributed by Bev Sederlund
-Prov 17:17 (NIV)
“A friend loves at all times…”
Wednesday, January 24, 2001
Being bold in your faith requires one to be sure of what they believe. Being sure of what you believe requires faith. Confused? Don’t complicate your faith. Grab hold of God with everything you’ve got from here to eternity and you will have a boldness of faith.
-2 Cor 3:10-12 (NIV)
“For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.”
Tuesday, January 23, 2001
If everyone’s attitude toward the local church were like yours, what kind of spiritual condition would your church be in? If you’re church needs an attitude change, let it start with you. One positive person can make a huge difference to a people that have lost site of a positive faith.
-Eph 4:22-24 (NIV)
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Monday, January 22, 2001
Selfishness is something that comes quite naturally for many people. Even for small children, sharing is something that usually has to be taught. When children are not taught sharing it is especially difficult for them to make the transition to a sharing person as an adult. This holds true in all areas of their lives including work, marriage and church. Perhaps that’s why evangelism seems to be such a low priority in our churches today. Somebody said we should “share the gospel”
-Acts 20:24 (NIV)
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me– the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”
Sunday, January 21, 2001
When we attend worship on Sunday mornings it would do us well to bring a mirror to help us maintain a proper perspective! And be selfish with it. We should each use it ourselves and not share it with anyone.
-Matt 7:3-5 (NIV)
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Saturday, January 20, 2001
Isn’t in interesting how anxious children are to grow up and then spend their adult lives trying to stay young! There is beauty in all stages of life if we will just take the time to enjoy them, especially the things we labor at. That’s the way God designed it to be!
-Eccl 3:22 (NIV)
“So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?
-Eccl 5:19-20 (NIV)
“Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work– this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.”
Friday, January 19, 2001
People are capable of almost any rationalization to justify their own sin. A couple was meeting with the pastor to discuss their marriage problems. The pastor asked the husband if he had ever been unfaithful to his wife. He answered; “Yes, six times.” Then the pastor asked the wife if she had ever been unfaithful to her husband. She replied; “Yes, but only once!”
The pastor never asked how many times they had been unfaithful, only if they had been. Because the wife had only been unfaithful once did not justify her unfaithfulness but her response indicated she might have thought so. We should never try to rationalize our sin away by comparing it to those who sin “more often!” Because she had only sinned once did not excuse her sin nor make it less of a sin.
If we are going to compare our lives with anyone else, let’s keep it in perspective and compare it to Jesus. He is a much better example to draw from for our understanding of the Christian life.
-Luke 18:10-14 (NIV)
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men– robbers, evildoers, adulterers– or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Thursday, January 18, 2001
The cost of fuel and the electrical power blackouts in California have caused a sudden sobering across America. Consumer confidence is down 5% this month, the largest drop since the recession period of 1990. Consumer spending is down, business profits are down and the stock market has fell through the floor. But the “good news” of Jesus Christ remains the same! Perhaps the revival fires will burn after all. I think we are heading toward “high adventure in Jesus!”
-Heb 13:8 (NIV)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Wednesday, January 17, 2001
Home Bible studies or fellowship groups are imperative in the development of a church. People are bonded when they study the Word, pray, share and eat munchies together. For the growing congregation, it is nearly impossible to develop a “body bond” with people just attending a weekly worship service. So if your church is having new faces come and go, home fellowship groups may help new people come and stay!
P.S. Church growth doesn’t happen by accident. Sometimes it seems to happen mysteriously but it generally always is planned for!
-I Jn 1:7 (NIV)
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Tuesday, January 16, 2001
Considering that God’s Word will illuminate our path through life, isn’t it amazing so many Christians rarely read their Bibles?
-Ps 119:105 (NIV)
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Monday, January 15, 2001
Freedom from the fear of death is the ultimate freedom. And that freedom can only be experienced through the freedom of Christ received from Him through salvation, faith in Him.
-2 Cor 3:17 (NIV)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Sunday, January 14, 2001
The future of the church is not determined by worship but rather the depth of the commitment, dedication and love the church has for God and for other people.
-Matt 22:37-40 (NIV)
“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Saturday, January 13, 2001
To resist temptation is something you have to practice. The more you say no to temptation; the more it becomes part of your daily life. Interestingly, in time you will notice you are not tempted as often.
-James 4:7 (NIV)
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Friday. January 12, 2001
The best is yet to come! It may seem like hollow words from a friend trying to encourage us during difficult hours but… the best is yet to come. Eternity is just around the corner as life moves forward at a speed that we cannot begin to comprehend or master. Yesterday a man made reference to “religion” changing. I said, “I don’t think so. There is still a heaven and a hell!” The best is yet to come for God’s people!
-2 Cor 4:18 (NIV)
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Thursday, January 11, 2001
To accept sin in our lives or the lives of others as unavoidable or inevitable is becoming commonplace in our “user friendly” churches of today where conviction is to be avoided at all costs and replaced with a non-threatening sermon, a friendly smile, a comforting handshake and a worried thought, “I hope they like us.” If people are always treated as if they have arrived why would they ever move forward? Too often when the Holy Spirit is convicting the church the church is saying, “Don’t listen!” Could it be that the very purpose of the church is being driven the wrong direction? Could it be that the church is engaging in a battle against what God is doing in the lives of people and the Devil is winning? I think not but if we continue to fight against the conviction of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people our churches may have large attendance hear on earth but I am I am deeply concerned about when the roll is called up yonder who’ll be there!
-1Thes 1:5 (NIV)
“…because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. …”
Wednesday, January 10, 2001
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 Bev Sederlund
-James 1:2-4 (NIV)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Tuesday, January 9, 2001
It’s difficult to escape the past. People love to remember other people’s failures in an effort to sooth the wounds of their own sin. If we wallow in the scourge of the past it is impossible to thrive on the blessings of the future. Remnants of the past will hold you back from the remedy of the future. Let go, let God, let’s do it… now!
-Jer 29:11 (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Monday, January 8, 2001
NEWS FLASH
Cabbage Patch Dolls and Tickle Me Elmo were nowhere to be seen this Christmas! But all Christian churches and people around the world celebrated Jesus birth again this year as they have been for generation upon generation. The gift of God has never been a fad and has never gotten “out of style!”
-James 1:17 (NIV)
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Sunday, January 7, 2001
It’s interesting how churches stifle youth and then try to figure out why they don’t have an active, viable youth group. Today I worshiped at a church that had a youth praise band leading a “prelude of praise.” It was excellent. As I sat and listened to them I wondered why more churches do not encourage their youth to lead worship times and experience relative meaningful worship. My conclusion is that each generation, the “post depressioners”, the “boomers,” the “X’ers” etc., all have a tendency to be very selfish when it comes to worship. They all want it their own way and everyone loses!
-Ps 95:6-8 (NIV)
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”
-Isa 29:13 (NIV)
“The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.”
Saturday, January 6, 2001
To enable us to carry out His visions and dreams, God must always stretch our hearts before He stretches our minds.
-Joel 2:28 (NIV)
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
Friday, January 5, 2001
Even though it is white for harvest, God always prepares the laborer before He sends them into the field.
-Matt 9:37-38 (NIV)
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
-Heb 12:11 (NIV)
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Thursday, January 4, 2001
Practicing a little faith daily turns into a lot of faith over a lifetime.
-Rom 1:17 (NIV)
“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Wednesday, January 3, 2001
WHEN JESUS LOOKS
When Jesus looks upon my life,
What picture does He see?
Does He see His own reflection,
Or does He just see me?
Does He see His likeness,
The product of His hand,
Or just another Christian
Who never took a stand?
Does He see a child of God,
A child that He set free,
Living life to honor Him,
Or does He just see me?
What about the other folks,
I meet along the way?
Do I show them Jesus,
To brighten up their day?
When someone looks into my eyes,
Can they truly see
That calm and gentle peace of God
That dwells inside of me?
When I reach out and shake a hand
Is He right there in my grip?
Can they feel that strength from God
That steadies when I slip?
When folks are in my presence,
Do they know His Spirit’s there?
Can they see that He’s the one
Who guides me everywhere?
When other people think of me,
What is on their mind?
Do they think of Jesus Christ,
So gentle and so kind?
I try to be like Jesus
Every single day;
Spreading love and kindness
All along my way.
I’m afraid that I have failed;
I could not pass the test.
Deep inside my heart I know
I haven’t done my best.
I have had to fight my flesh
Since the day that I was born.
It’s always causing trouble
And being such a thorn.
That’s why His Spirit dwells in me,
He’s helping me to learn
In every situation,
Where I need to turn.
He knew I’d never pass the test,
That’s why He took my place.
He gave His life to save my soul,
He suffered my disgrace.
Now I try to be like Him.
I must present Him well,
So other folks will want His gift
And turn their backs on hell.
Other folks should see the joy,
That Christ has given me.
They should want to have it too,
Especially since it’s free.
They should begin to ask me
What is it they must do;
Just how it is they go about
Getting Jesus too.
Then I’d get to tell them
This wondrous gift is free.
It only takes a humble heart
A prayer on bended knee.
Someday when I’m face to face
With the Lord who set me free,
Will He see His own reflection
Or will He just see me?
— Author Unknown
-contributed by Ralph Fischer
Tuesday, January 2, 2000
Joy is impossible to experience when H.U.B. exist in ones life. Removing H.U.B. will bring the freedom to experience joy. Joy does not co-exist with H.U.B. (hatred-unforgiveness-bitterness). Join the (no) H.U.B. Club today and be free to experience joy!
-Ps 100:1-5 (NIV)
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Monday, January 1, 2001
Dwight Moody was tremendously influenced by a Sunday School teacher. So much so that, even though he was a shoe salesman, he began to get heavily involved in his local church and began teaching Sunday School. His class grew to 1500 people and it had to be moved into a large auditorium.
But Moody had a choice. He could have resisted God and continued in a relatively risk free environment as a shoe salesman or he could take the risk failure in ministry. Obviously, he took the risk and the rest is history. Moody Bible Institute bears his name and his passion.
This year you too have a choice. If you listen to God He will whisper His calling into your heart. And you will hear and you must listen. How you will respond will be the question. In the 70’s there was a great movement of God where many people were called to missions, Gospel groups began to travel the country and Christian schools began popping up everywhere. God whispered His call into people’s hearts and they took the risk and they responded. Many of the cutting edge ministries today, including the seeker sensitive worship service movement, are a result of this rising up. It is my prayer that you will listen and be willing to take the risk. Whenever you leave the “comfort zone” you are in the “risk zone.”
Over the next few days I must respond to a ministry offer that was been placed before me several weeks ago. It requires personal risk. And like most ministries, the risk of failure. It is also in a totally different ministry environment than I am used to. Therefore, more risk. But it also presents before me the possibility of fulfilling a dream that God has placed on my heart. I would appreciate your prayers for me in this decision as I am seeking God’s face and depending upon Him to open and close doors.
-Isa 6:8 (NIV)
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
