Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Bible Conference Blessings
Why take the time for Bible Conference when there are so many things already vying for our attention? Is it really necessary or needful? Can't the time be better spent in other ways?
These are just a few of the questions that have a tendency to plague our thinking when we consider what impact a three or four day set of meetings will have on our lives. Have I occasionally contemplated any of these thoughts or wondered if all the preparation and effort was really going to be worth it? Yes, but I have always come to the same conclusion . . . what impact will it have if we don't take the time, expend the energy and make the commitment to "come apart" for a season of concentrated time on God's Word.
Once again I have been blessed and spiritually refreshed through the preaching of the timeless Truths of God's Word and my conviction has been strengthened that these times are indeed needful. The ministry of Evangelist Todd Sivnksty and Pastor Leigh Oslin during this past week was such an encouragement. There is, after all, a Biblical precedent for such meetings. We see clearly the principle put into place in the Old Testament (Exodus 23:14; Deut 16:16) when God commanded that all the men were to appear before Him three times in a year for a time of worship, thanksgiving and spiritual renewal. Certainly they were to be observing the Sabbath days throughout the year but God knew in His infinite wisdom that periodic times of concentrated focus would serve as a great blessing and safe guard to the nation. It was when the people chose a more convenient path and began to build the "high places" so as not to have to make the journey to Jerusalem that the spiritual fervor and dedication began to wane and they fell prey to the wickedness of idolatry. Do we really have to have an emphatic command or is the principle enough to encourage us in our efforts? I welcome your comments and reflections on these past days.
These are just a few of the questions that have a tendency to plague our thinking when we consider what impact a three or four day set of meetings will have on our lives. Have I occasionally contemplated any of these thoughts or wondered if all the preparation and effort was really going to be worth it? Yes, but I have always come to the same conclusion . . . what impact will it have if we don't take the time, expend the energy and make the commitment to "come apart" for a season of concentrated time on God's Word.
Once again I have been blessed and spiritually refreshed through the preaching of the timeless Truths of God's Word and my conviction has been strengthened that these times are indeed needful. The ministry of Evangelist Todd Sivnksty and Pastor Leigh Oslin during this past week was such an encouragement. There is, after all, a Biblical precedent for such meetings. We see clearly the principle put into place in the Old Testament (Exodus 23:14; Deut 16:16) when God commanded that all the men were to appear before Him three times in a year for a time of worship, thanksgiving and spiritual renewal. Certainly they were to be observing the Sabbath days throughout the year but God knew in His infinite wisdom that periodic times of concentrated focus would serve as a great blessing and safe guard to the nation. It was when the people chose a more convenient path and began to build the "high places" so as not to have to make the journey to Jerusalem that the spiritual fervor and dedication began to wane and they fell prey to the wickedness of idolatry. Do we really have to have an emphatic command or is the principle enough to encourage us in our efforts? I welcome your comments and reflections on these past days.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Demonstrating God's Love to Your Neighbor - Sunday Review
The first question that must be addressed is one which was asked of Jesus one day by a skeptical lawyer; "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus answered this question with what is undoubtedly one of the most familiar parables in all of Holy writ, the parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:29-37) At the conclusion of the parable Jesus turned the question around as He replied to the lawyer with a question, "Who was neighbor to the man?" Isn't that really the question we should all be asking ourselves each day; "Who can I be neighbor too?"
Under direction from the Holy Spirit Paul employs five of the ten commands, numbers 7,6,8,9 and 10 (Exodus 20), and the second great commandment (Leviticus 19:18) to exhort us on how we can demonstrate God's love. How are you going to keep any of these commands let alone all of them without God's grace at work in your life? What is the key to receiving that grace? Humility! (1 Peter 5:5)
Under direction from the Holy Spirit Paul employs five of the ten commands, numbers 7,6,8,9 and 10 (Exodus 20), and the second great commandment (Leviticus 19:18) to exhort us on how we can demonstrate God's love. How are you going to keep any of these commands let alone all of them without God's grace at work in your life? What is the key to receiving that grace? Humility! (1 Peter 5:5)
Some Mini-Biographical Entries
Just to give us some context and a place to start, please include a comment below (remember, try to keep it to no more than 150 words) describing some of the jobs you have held, going back as far as your first paid job (indentured servitude - also known as childhood - does not count :)). Feel free to add some extraneous memories from those jobs as well.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Demonstration of Your Love - Sunday AM Preview
Paul clearly states in Romans 10:8 that we have a debt of love to repay to those God brings into our lives whether they be family, friends, acquaintances or strangers. This debt was incurred because of the great love shown to us by our Heavenly Father as He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins. While the acknowledgement of this love debt is somewhat of a foregone conclusion the method of repayment is a great challenge.
The apostle reaches back into the Old Testament law to illustrate how we can demonstrate God's love and thereby repay the debt. Love is demonstrated as we care for our neighbors and keep the Law. God's love flows from a surrendered heart (Rom 12:1) and it take God's grace to love others as we naturally love ourselves (Phil 2:3,4).
"If we love God with all our heart and other people with all our heart, we can do as we please, because we will only want to do that which pleases God and benefits others." (unknown)
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Same Enemy...New Battle - Wed Bible Study Preview
Joshua 9 is a powerful narrative with some poignant principles for our daily lives. By examining the actions of the Gibeonites we learn about the devices of the enemy. The methods employed by Joshua and the leaders of Israel to make the decision to enter into a treaty with these impostors gives us a vivid illustration of how quickly we can experience a downfall. Through the discovery of the deceit and the way Joshua deals with the Gibeonites we are reminded that our sin will always be revealed and there are ramifications to every decision.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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