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July 8, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit, Patience & Perseverance

BE AN EXAMPLE

We show that we are God’s servants by our pure lives, by our understanding, by our patience, and by our kindness. We show it by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, by speaking the truth, and by depending on God’s power. [2 Corinthians 6:6-7a (ERV)]

Father in heaven, fill us with your Holy Spirit. May we always live so that people will be able to see Christ within us.

Few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle. The people you rub shoulders with everyday need that kind of challenge. Not prudish. Not preachy. Just cracker jack clean living. Just honest to goodness, bone-deep, non-hypocritical integrity. [Chuck Swindoll]

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July 7, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Knowing Him

THE THIRD STRAND

DSC09119-webTwo people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close to one another can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. [Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)]

When I first read this section of Ecclesiastes, I thought it applied beautifully to marriage. But then I got to the words, “Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” How could that relate to marriage? Was Solomon advocating a ménage a trois or bigamy? Personally, if there is supposed to be a third person in my marriage, I’m voting for a maid. It seemed to me that Solomon was simply talking about the importance of friendship and having the support of other people in our lives. Indeed, we certainly need to have friends; we’re not meant to be alone.

As I pondered that third strand, however, I found it can apply to marriage. Could that third strand be God? Certainly, with God in a marriage (or any relationship), there is a triple-braided cord: a cord that “is not easily broken.” Every marriage needs three parties to be successful: husband, wife, and God. It takes only two to be wed, but it takes three to make a strong marriage, one that will not be easily broken.

But God made them male and female from the beginning of creation. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together. [Mark 10:6-9 (NLT)]

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July 6, 2014

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Prayer

KEEP IT SIMPLE

The Lord sees the good people and listens to their prayers. [Psalm 34:15 (NCV)]

Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. The simpler it is, the better it is. God has lots of prayers to hear so let’s not consume his time trying to impress him with verbiage or flowery language. This morning, let’s take a few moments to have the most important conversation of our day. Let’s talk with God. We don’t have to be eloquent or grammatically correct. Our words just need to be genuine and heartfelt. We mustn’t forget, however, that good conversationalists are also good listeners. We’ll have to stop talking long enough to hear what God has to say to us.

Here are the two best prayers I know: “Help me, Help me, Help me,” and “Thank you, Thank you, Thank You.” A woman I know says, for her morning prayer, “Whatever,” and then for the evening, “Oh, well,” but has conceded that these prayers are more palatable for people without children. [From “Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith” by Anne Lamott]

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July 5, 2014

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God's Promises, Trusting God

THE LORD IS WITH YOU

Gabriel appeared to her [Mary] and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” [Luke 1:28 (NLT)]

For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” [Hebrews 13:5b (NLT)]

Many of us attend churches where the liturgy includes the minister or priest saying something like, “The Lord be with you,” and the congregation responding, “And with your spirit.” That wording almost implies that God needs to be called upon to join the service. God, however, has promised that he is always with us. In fact, he leads the way and promises to never disappoint or forsake us. Perhaps we should rewrite the liturgy to reflect what the angel said to Mary: “The Lord is with you.” The congregation’s response could be, “He is with us all, now and forever!”

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you. [Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)]

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise. [Methodist liturgy]

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July 3, 2014

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God's Plan, God's Word: The Bible, Sharing Our Faith

WHAT’S YOUR MISSION?

But I don’t place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I’m running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus—the mission of testifying to the Good News of God’s kindness. [Acts 20:24 (GW)]

“Mission: Impossible” was a television series that aired in the late 60s and early 70s. In the opening segment, we’d hear a recorded voice saying, “Good morning, Mr. Phelps. Your mission, Jim, should you choose to accept it is…” The assignment followed and then the voice said, “This tape will self-destruct in five seconds.” Mr. Phelps always accepted the assignment and, typical of television, the IMF team was always successful.

Jesus, John the Baptist, Paul, Timothy and the rest of the apostles all had missions: to seek God’s will and follow it. Like the IMF team, they had to travel and endure hardship and danger. For many, accepting their assignment meant suffering and death. Yet, they willing accepted it.

God didn’t stop assigning tasks to His people 2,000 years ago. In fact, God’s voice, unlike the recording heard by Mr. Phelps, hasn’t self-destructed. It remains in black and white in our Bibles. God has something great planned for us. Will we accept His assignment?

…We sent our brother Timothy to you. He serves God by spreading the Good News about Christ. His mission was to strengthen and encourage you in your faith [1 Thessalonians 3:2 (GW)]

 

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July 2, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Salvation: A New You

WE HAVE TO OPEN HIS GIFT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)]

It’s no use just looking at a beautifully wrapped gift; it needs to be opened and used to be appreciated. The gift of salvation is His; the belief in Him is our responsibility.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Romans 6:23 (NLT)]