Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Who Are You Pleasing?
For too many believers the discussion of Christian liberty has a tendency to focus on the liberty more than the Christian. This is not a 21st century development. The exhortation given to the Christians at Rome by the Holy Spirit through Paul's letter makes it abundantly clear that there were those in the first century who were abusing the freedom given to them through salvation. Paul exhorts strong Christians to "bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please [themselves]." (Rom 15:1) Thus, the question must be asked, "Who are you pleasing?"
The world preaches self-love but the Word proclaims sacrificial love. We are reminded in the letter to the church at Ephesus that man's natural inclination is to love self and do whatever is necessary to care for self. (Eph 5:29) As a Christian, however, my greatest goal should be the care and spiritual welfare of others. As we care for others within the body the unity that we have through the Holy Spirit is magnified. God has always been concerned with the unity of His people. (Psalm 133:1; Ephesians 4:1-3)
Our example, as always, is Christ. He was consumed with the desire to please the Father and to do the work He had been sent to accomplish. (John 8:29) Jesus always did what would please the Father and bring a smile to His face. We must realize that living according to this Truth is not going to always make us popular with other people. Even Christ suffered persecution because of the hatred and rejection of people for Truth. (Psalm 69:9)
Who are you pleasing at home, at school, in the workplace, within the local church? As we seek to please the Lord we will serve and edify others and self will be put in its place.
The world preaches self-love but the Word proclaims sacrificial love. We are reminded in the letter to the church at Ephesus that man's natural inclination is to love self and do whatever is necessary to care for self. (Eph 5:29) As a Christian, however, my greatest goal should be the care and spiritual welfare of others. As we care for others within the body the unity that we have through the Holy Spirit is magnified. God has always been concerned with the unity of His people. (Psalm 133:1; Ephesians 4:1-3)
Our example, as always, is Christ. He was consumed with the desire to please the Father and to do the work He had been sent to accomplish. (John 8:29) Jesus always did what would please the Father and bring a smile to His face. We must realize that living according to this Truth is not going to always make us popular with other people. Even Christ suffered persecution because of the hatred and rejection of people for Truth. (Psalm 69:9)
Who are you pleasing at home, at school, in the workplace, within the local church? As we seek to please the Lord we will serve and edify others and self will be put in its place.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Great is THY faithfulness
As I have meditated (Joshua 1:8) on the theme verse (Lamentations 3:22,23) for 2010 God has encouraged my heart and strengthened my faith not just by degrees but by leaps and bounds. That kind of a statement may come as a surprise to some, since I am your pastor, but I will confess that there are days when I feel much like the father who brought his son to Jesus to be delivered from a "dumb spirit". "Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24) It is very easy to find walk by sight instead of by faith but when I stop to consider that no matter how difficult the way may be God is ever faithful and there is no shortage of either His mercy or His compassion. Hallelujah!
Let me encourage you to make the habit and commitment to take a few moments each day to consider this dynamic Truth and may God make it real in your heart as He has mine. Our families and our church will look to the men when the path becomes rugged and steep. May, by God's grace, they find men who submerse themselves in the truth of God's faithfulness.
Let me encourage you to make the habit and commitment to take a few moments each day to consider this dynamic Truth and may God make it real in your heart as He has mine. Our families and our church will look to the men when the path becomes rugged and steep. May, by God's grace, they find men who submerse themselves in the truth of God's faithfulness.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
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