An aid worker for Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse was released Monday after being held hostage for 105 days in Sudan.The 35-year-old employee, Flavia Wagner, was exhausted but in good health, reported a spokesman for Samaritan's Purse. She is currently in Khartoum.
Thanks be to God for His mercy and goodness. Please pray for this Christian worker and all those who are working among the poorest peoples of the world trying to make a difference in their lives.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
What in Your Church is There to be Passionate About?
Think about it for a moment.Your church,the place where you attend faithfully every week.How long has it been since...
Someone gave their heart to the Lord?
The Spirit of God swept over your church and brought the congregation to it's knees?
Your church spent some serious time in prayer? I mean the kind of prayer that cries out for forgiveness?
New converts were baptized? New converts, not the Charlie church hoppers who leave their own church for greener pastures.
The youth of the church were serious about God?
You wept at the preaching of the Word of God?
You told a member of your congregation that you loved them?
You felt that "first love" down deep in your heart?
What in Your Church is There to be Passionate About?
How about JESUS CHRIST?
Someone gave their heart to the Lord?
The Spirit of God swept over your church and brought the congregation to it's knees?
Your church spent some serious time in prayer? I mean the kind of prayer that cries out for forgiveness?
New converts were baptized? New converts, not the Charlie church hoppers who leave their own church for greener pastures.
The youth of the church were serious about God?
You wept at the preaching of the Word of God?
You told a member of your congregation that you loved them?
You felt that "first love" down deep in your heart?
What in Your Church is There to be Passionate About?
How about JESUS CHRIST?
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Be Careful Little Ears....
Remember the song you may have learned as a child in Sunday School that went something like this: "be careful little ears what you hear,be careful little ears what you hear,for the Father up above is looking down on us with love,so be careful little ears what you hear."
What does a child's Sunday School song have to do with anything you ask?
Well, I've been listening to a number of preachers lately who have been preaching another gospel that cannot be found in the scriptures. I mean,how many people does it take to preach about money and favor and blessing? All of which are good things, but wouldn't you think these preachers could at least touch on another topic once in awhile? How about salvation? Or healing? Or maybe even something as old fashioned as helping your brothers and sisters out of a jam.
Seriously,does Jesus want us to forsake real ministry in the name of "Bless me Lord"? I think not! The church has been given the ministry of reconciliation after all. Read what Paul said to the church at Galatia:
Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Seems to me that we should be preaching to please God,not to please man all the while lining our pockets with money we are not entitled to.
God Bless
What does a child's Sunday School song have to do with anything you ask?
Well, I've been listening to a number of preachers lately who have been preaching another gospel that cannot be found in the scriptures. I mean,how many people does it take to preach about money and favor and blessing? All of which are good things, but wouldn't you think these preachers could at least touch on another topic once in awhile? How about salvation? Or healing? Or maybe even something as old fashioned as helping your brothers and sisters out of a jam.
Seriously,does Jesus want us to forsake real ministry in the name of "Bless me Lord"? I think not! The church has been given the ministry of reconciliation after all. Read what Paul said to the church at Galatia:
Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Seems to me that we should be preaching to please God,not to please man all the while lining our pockets with money we are not entitled to.
God Bless
Friday, August 27, 2010
I Am Not Alone!
Ever feel like you're all alone as you journey on with Christ? I'm pretty sure most of us have felt that way from time to time. Let's face it,life can be challenging at times and the road has it's fair share of potholes in it.
I've been reading through the bible again this year and have been studying 2nd Chronicles for a while now.In fact,I'm having a hard time moving past it for all the incredible things I'm rediscovering.
For exaple, here are two verses that clearly speak to me that with God on our side we are the majority:
2Ch 32:7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
2Ch 32:8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
God Bless as you start another day in Him.
I've been reading through the bible again this year and have been studying 2nd Chronicles for a while now.In fact,I'm having a hard time moving past it for all the incredible things I'm rediscovering.
For exaple, here are two verses that clearly speak to me that with God on our side we are the majority:
2Ch 32:7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
2Ch 32:8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
God Bless as you start another day in Him.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Can Anything Separate You From God?
After hearing several Christians I know tell me about all the things they have been going through I started to wonder if they actually believed the Bible or not.Seems that people get discouraged very easily these days.
Now,I know from first hand experience that when you are being tried and tested it's normal to question God. After all, we are still human right? And as such we wonder why He doesn't just ride in on a white horse with flaming swords and make everything right again.
But that isn't God's way is it? Our faith,being much more precious than gold that's tried in the fire, will be tested again and again as part of the refinement process all of God's children go through. None of which means our Lord has forsaken us.On the contrary, He is burning up the chaff in order to bring us closer to Him.
Can anything separate you from God? Here's what the Apostle Paul had to say about it,and it's just as relevant for us today as for the Christians in his day:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rom 8:35-39
What a wonderful promise from God's word! Rejoice and take comfort beloved in the fact that as long as He is for us, nothing shall come between us!
Now,I know from first hand experience that when you are being tried and tested it's normal to question God. After all, we are still human right? And as such we wonder why He doesn't just ride in on a white horse with flaming swords and make everything right again.
But that isn't God's way is it? Our faith,being much more precious than gold that's tried in the fire, will be tested again and again as part of the refinement process all of God's children go through. None of which means our Lord has forsaken us.On the contrary, He is burning up the chaff in order to bring us closer to Him.
Can anything separate you from God? Here's what the Apostle Paul had to say about it,and it's just as relevant for us today as for the Christians in his day:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rom 8:35-39
What a wonderful promise from God's word! Rejoice and take comfort beloved in the fact that as long as He is for us, nothing shall come between us!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Do you know this God?
"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."
Isa 44:6
Billions all over the world believe in a "god" but God Almighty has declared from the heavens that besides Him there is NO other god.
A great many people will stumble at that statement but it is still true today. Why would you worship something that can neither hear nor help you in times of distress when all along there is a God who has been there since time began?
I rejoice in the knowledge that there is no God but Jehovah!
"That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." (Psa 83:18)
Isa 44:6
Billions all over the world believe in a "god" but God Almighty has declared from the heavens that besides Him there is NO other god.
A great many people will stumble at that statement but it is still true today. Why would you worship something that can neither hear nor help you in times of distress when all along there is a God who has been there since time began?
I rejoice in the knowledge that there is no God but Jehovah!
"That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth." (Psa 83:18)
Friday, August 20, 2010
Has Our Worship Become Too Casual?
Am I the only one that wonders what has happened to the holy reverence for the house of God that used to be so evident? For example:
*Why is it necessary to bring water bottles into the sanctuary?
*Shouldn't we feed our children at home instead of on the pew?
*Are you so important that you have to leave your cell phone on during the service?
*Ladies,do you have nothing to wear that leaves so little to the imagination?
*Men,did you know they sell shirts that actually button up past the chest?
OK...lest you think I'm a legalist or even worse a clothesline preacher from another era,I am aware that God would rather you show up just as you are than stay home and watch TV on Sunday morning. But doesn't God and His house merit a little more respect from us?
I fear that we have become far too casual in our attire, our worship,and our praise.After all, is not our God a Holy God? Would it not stand to reason that a Holy God must be approached with a Holy reverence?
"To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." (1Th 3:13)
My prayer is that we give honor and glory to our Lord in all that we do, and that our lives are a living testimony of the love of God.
*Why is it necessary to bring water bottles into the sanctuary?
*Shouldn't we feed our children at home instead of on the pew?
*Are you so important that you have to leave your cell phone on during the service?
*Ladies,do you have nothing to wear that leaves so little to the imagination?
*Men,did you know they sell shirts that actually button up past the chest?
OK...lest you think I'm a legalist or even worse a clothesline preacher from another era,I am aware that God would rather you show up just as you are than stay home and watch TV on Sunday morning. But doesn't God and His house merit a little more respect from us?
I fear that we have become far too casual in our attire, our worship,and our praise.After all, is not our God a Holy God? Would it not stand to reason that a Holy God must be approached with a Holy reverence?
"To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints." (1Th 3:13)
My prayer is that we give honor and glory to our Lord in all that we do, and that our lives are a living testimony of the love of God.
Who But God?
Who but God can empower His people to stand in the days in which we live? With so many in America discouraged and defeated it is a good thing to serve the living God! How does anyone have the strength or courage to make it from one day to the next without God in their hearts?
No matter what comes against us we have a promise from God Himself that He will make a way where there seems to be no way! In fact, He spoke through the prophet Isaiah these very powerful words:
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isa 54:17)
No weapon, no matter how sinister or evil can cause us to be defeated as long as we remember Him in our hearts. A Christian can be both rich or poor,hungry or fed,naked or clothed,on the mountain or deep in the valley. As long as we hold to the unchanging hand of our heavenly Father no weapon can defeat us!
Give God the praise!
No matter what comes against us we have a promise from God Himself that He will make a way where there seems to be no way! In fact, He spoke through the prophet Isaiah these very powerful words:
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isa 54:17)
No weapon, no matter how sinister or evil can cause us to be defeated as long as we remember Him in our hearts. A Christian can be both rich or poor,hungry or fed,naked or clothed,on the mountain or deep in the valley. As long as we hold to the unchanging hand of our heavenly Father no weapon can defeat us!
Give God the praise!
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