“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.4.14-16.nlt
I bet each of you can think of some adult that has never grown up. You know the type of person I'm talking about. Nothing is serious to them. Life is lived in the moment, they care only about themselves and they seem to destroy every relationship they have. They also are tossed around by every new thing that catches their eye. They lie, steal and cheat anyone. These "mature" adults act more like toddlers and kids than adults.
As a faithful follower of Jesus, we also need to grow up! We need to keep our focus on Jesus and not follow worship fads and temporary doctrine. We need to know the word of God and not count on others for our faith. We need to actively seek God, not as Santa Clais, giving gifts to anyone and everyone. We need to treat our ministry, our witness, solid and confident. We need to go through life with more than playing as our focus. We need to help and serve others instead of us being fed with selfish motivation. We need to grow up in our faith!
When we are growing we are living when we stop growing we are dying. Praise God for life and growth in our faith!
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Resolve to eliminate hostility!
“For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.”
Ephesians 2:14-16 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.2.14-16.nlt
I am appalled by the video released showing the torture of a man just outside of Chicago. We are on a path that needs to end. If we can't live in peace within our own country where we share a common heritage and share the same ideals and dreams, how can we expect peace to thrive on this planet.
We have to put and end to it now!
If Christ can bring the Jews and gentiles together, he can bring demorcats and republicans together, black and white, rich and poor, Muslim and Christian. He can bring us all together.
How will it start?
You. You are the key. I just listened to a wonderful message from Trey Gowdy. One key point, "who has ever been convinced to change their views because of and insult." Can I ridicule you into following Christ? Can I make a liberal conservative by calling them names? Of course not! We have to stop the HOSTILITY! Make this your New Years Resolution! Do it on social media. How about resolving to not post anything hostile on facebook? How about committing to being a positive role model, lifting up people. I know it will be hard! I will be tempted to post that sarcastic post or that political slam. I'm not out to agree with everything you say. I'm still going to share my views. But will you join me in lifting up people and not all the hostility? As far as I am in control, I pledge to be positive with my life in as many ways as possible. I will love my neighbor as myself.
Please Lord help us. Do we remember that when all else fails? Love is the answer! Remind me Lord!
Ephesians 2:14-16 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.2.14-16.nlt
I am appalled by the video released showing the torture of a man just outside of Chicago. We are on a path that needs to end. If we can't live in peace within our own country where we share a common heritage and share the same ideals and dreams, how can we expect peace to thrive on this planet.
We have to put and end to it now!
If Christ can bring the Jews and gentiles together, he can bring demorcats and republicans together, black and white, rich and poor, Muslim and Christian. He can bring us all together.
How will it start?
You. You are the key. I just listened to a wonderful message from Trey Gowdy. One key point, "who has ever been convinced to change their views because of and insult." Can I ridicule you into following Christ? Can I make a liberal conservative by calling them names? Of course not! We have to stop the HOSTILITY! Make this your New Years Resolution! Do it on social media. How about resolving to not post anything hostile on facebook? How about committing to being a positive role model, lifting up people. I know it will be hard! I will be tempted to post that sarcastic post or that political slam. I'm not out to agree with everything you say. I'm still going to share my views. But will you join me in lifting up people and not all the hostility? As far as I am in control, I pledge to be positive with my life in as many ways as possible. I will love my neighbor as myself.
Please Lord help us. Do we remember that when all else fails? Love is the answer! Remind me Lord!
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
But God!
“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:4-6 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.2.4-6.nlt
The absolute bedrock of what I believe is in these verses. In our society it is not popular to take a stand, to draw a line between good and evil. We are taught there is no such thing as black and white, good and bad, right and wrong. My faith is billed as one of many ways to God. But, God, here in these verses, gives us one way to be saved. He gives us the narrow way. We must accept Jesus. We must accept we are sinners. We must accept the only path to eternal life is through the power of God's grace.
We do not deserve eternal life. We have sinned and we are sinners. Who amongst you have not denied God? Which one of you have not tried to control your own life instead of letting God? We have all rejected God's plans. We ignore the path before us to pursue greed, self interest, and pleasure. Since the beginning of time we are all, like me, sinners. Our sins have killed us. There is nothing we can do to recover from what we have done. But God, through Jesus sets us in the heavenly realms to be with him forever. It is only through Jesus death, for sins he did not commit, that we are saved and given eternity!
Praise God for his perfect love!
Ephesians 2:4-6 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.2.4-6.nlt
The absolute bedrock of what I believe is in these verses. In our society it is not popular to take a stand, to draw a line between good and evil. We are taught there is no such thing as black and white, good and bad, right and wrong. My faith is billed as one of many ways to God. But, God, here in these verses, gives us one way to be saved. He gives us the narrow way. We must accept Jesus. We must accept we are sinners. We must accept the only path to eternal life is through the power of God's grace.
We do not deserve eternal life. We have sinned and we are sinners. Who amongst you have not denied God? Which one of you have not tried to control your own life instead of letting God? We have all rejected God's plans. We ignore the path before us to pursue greed, self interest, and pleasure. Since the beginning of time we are all, like me, sinners. Our sins have killed us. There is nothing we can do to recover from what we have done. But God, through Jesus sets us in the heavenly realms to be with him forever. It is only through Jesus death, for sins he did not commit, that we are saved and given eternity!
Praise God for his perfect love!
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Your inheritance!
“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.”
Ephesians 1:18 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.1.18.nlt
I'm working on a bible study of the book of Ephesians by J.D. Greear. He pointed out something in this verse I've never noticed. We / I am the glorious "inheritance" 0f God. How special is that? Did you know tha God values you more than anything else?
I'm not sure my kids will ever have a wonderful inheritance. Steph and I don't have any hidden wealth to pass down. All we have are some sentimental momento's. Our kids will treasure those things we leave them like I treasure the little things I have inherited. I have a Bible from my grandfather and Steph has a special cake plate left to her by her grandma. We value these trinkets for their meaning and not their financial value. But, to God, we are the best inheritance he could ever have. Isn't that strange? God can have anything . How can you give him something when he already has everything? Ah But, God doesn't have everything. The one thing he hopes to have, the one thing that could make his eternal life complete, is to have YOU as his inheritance. There is no guarantee but he dreams of having YOU as his inheritance. He values us more than gold, silver, and any other riches. You are his greatest prize. Praise God he loves us so much.
My hope is in the constant, eternal love of my Heavenly Father. It is humbling to know he cares so much that WE are his treasure. Praise God we are his!
Ephesians 1:18 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.1.18.nlt
I'm working on a bible study of the book of Ephesians by J.D. Greear. He pointed out something in this verse I've never noticed. We / I am the glorious "inheritance" 0f God. How special is that? Did you know tha God values you more than anything else?
I'm not sure my kids will ever have a wonderful inheritance. Steph and I don't have any hidden wealth to pass down. All we have are some sentimental momento's. Our kids will treasure those things we leave them like I treasure the little things I have inherited. I have a Bible from my grandfather and Steph has a special cake plate left to her by her grandma. We value these trinkets for their meaning and not their financial value. But, to God, we are the best inheritance he could ever have. Isn't that strange? God can have anything . How can you give him something when he already has everything? Ah But, God doesn't have everything. The one thing he hopes to have, the one thing that could make his eternal life complete, is to have YOU as his inheritance. There is no guarantee but he dreams of having YOU as his inheritance. He values us more than gold, silver, and any other riches. You are his greatest prize. Praise God he loves us so much.
My hope is in the constant, eternal love of my Heavenly Father. It is humbling to know he cares so much that WE are his treasure. Praise God we are his!
Monday, January 2, 2017
What are you praying for in 2017?
“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.”
Ephesians 1:16-18 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.1.16-18.nlt
It's that time of year to make New Years Resolutions. The time for breaking them will follow next week! I have a "goal". My blood sugar has been high for several months. My weight has gone up and I am committed to eat better. For a guy that loves ice cream, that is a daunting task. More important than my weight loss goal is my commitment to prayer in 2017. More specifically, "What am I praying for this year?"
These verses from Ephesians are a great place to start. My prayer is that my family and friends grow more in their knowledge of God. I pray they will draw closer to the creator of all things. I want them to worship more, study his word more, yes, pray more, and serve more. I want them to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit like never before. I could pray for jobs, homes, finances, relationships, health, or many other specific things. Praying they grow closer to God takes care of everything that could come throughout 2017. My wife, daughters, son in laws, grandkids, coworkers, and my friends all need to grow in their knowledge of Jesus. It's not that I am not proud of them, many are my rock and great examples of faithful followers. I know the upcoming 363 days will bring many challenges and battles. I know they can not survive without the power of the almighty God when the storms hit. I know their joy will never be complete without Jesus. We need Jesus more everyday.
What are you praying for? It's so much more important than any New Years resolution and has eternal benefits in the lives of those you love. To steal a holiday phrase, "It's the gift that keeps on giving!" Lord Jesus, hear our prayers. Come to us, reveal yourself to us, now and forever more. Amen!
Ephesians 1:16-18 NLT
http://bible.com/116/eph.1.16-18.nlt
It's that time of year to make New Years Resolutions. The time for breaking them will follow next week! I have a "goal". My blood sugar has been high for several months. My weight has gone up and I am committed to eat better. For a guy that loves ice cream, that is a daunting task. More important than my weight loss goal is my commitment to prayer in 2017. More specifically, "What am I praying for this year?"
These verses from Ephesians are a great place to start. My prayer is that my family and friends grow more in their knowledge of God. I pray they will draw closer to the creator of all things. I want them to worship more, study his word more, yes, pray more, and serve more. I want them to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit like never before. I could pray for jobs, homes, finances, relationships, health, or many other specific things. Praying they grow closer to God takes care of everything that could come throughout 2017. My wife, daughters, son in laws, grandkids, coworkers, and my friends all need to grow in their knowledge of Jesus. It's not that I am not proud of them, many are my rock and great examples of faithful followers. I know the upcoming 363 days will bring many challenges and battles. I know they can not survive without the power of the almighty God when the storms hit. I know their joy will never be complete without Jesus. We need Jesus more everyday.
What are you praying for? It's so much more important than any New Years resolution and has eternal benefits in the lives of those you love. To steal a holiday phrase, "It's the gift that keeps on giving!" Lord Jesus, hear our prayers. Come to us, reveal yourself to us, now and forever more. Amen!
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