After I graduated from college, Tiffany and I began our journey into the ministry. I will never forget the churches we looked at. There was a church in Wyoming that was looking for a youth pastor. The pastor was great but I couldn't see myself falling in love with ranches and rodeos. So we passed on that church.
Then we started to look at another church. They invited us to visit and meet with their team. We didn't take the job. The main reason we turned away from that position was because the church people were struggling with racism. They asked me point blank, "How do you feel about ______ people?" There was a problem and they wanted to know what side we were on. We quickly learned that God was not calling us to that church.
Racism is a difficult thing in our country. We have overcome those obstacles but there are still traces of it. Traces of it in Lagrange County sorry to say. If there is anywhere for people to have the opportunity to start over, it would be in the church and it will be available for anyone, regardless of skin color. That is how God wants it.
Peter had a problem with racism. Peter was a Jewish man who was committed to reaching other Jews. Until God interrupted him and instructed him to let go of this superior attitude and reach the gentiles.
Read about in Acts 10 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+10&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
Peter learned that God wanted to give the opportunity to start over with life in the gentile people. Gentiles are non Jews which is the rest of the population on the planet. And look what happened to Cornelius. He and his family gave their lives to Jesus Christ. Peter was amazed and I'm sure he thought to himself, "I could've missed this if I let racism rule my heart. God can change anyone and it is my job to make him known to all." Peter ended up in Rome, which was the epicenter of the earth at that time, preaching the gospel to all people.
God wants to give the opportunity to start over to anyone. Is there someone who needs this good news that you are holding back sharing with? Learn from Peter today.
As you close: Pray that all white, black, hispanic and whoever else lives in our county will surrender their lives to Jesus Christ and experience the opportunity to start over. Pray that our church will reach all people groups in our area.
God Bless!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
HOPE - Opportunity to start over Day 1
Something that is really great about celebrating Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ, is that we have hope of starting over. The message of the gospel is that we can hit the start over button and do things differently.
This week we are going to be looking at different people in the bible who, through Jesus were able to start their life over.
Let's start with the apostle Paul. Paul was committed to Judiasm. He was committed to the Law. As the early church began to form, Paul naturally was opposed to it and became a violent aggressor against it. Having people killed and having people thrown into prison were just a few of the violent actions he had taken against the church.
On his way to Damascus to arrest more of those who were following Jesus Christ, something happened that changed his life forever.
Read about it in Acts 9:1-31 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A1-31&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
"He is my chosen instrument." God said this about Paul. His name was actually Saul but it was changed to Paul. Acts 13:9 is the verse that signifies the change of name..."Then Saul, who was also called Paul..." Many believe this name change is because of the change in Paul's life. Others believe it was to protect his life from those who were trying to kill Saul. Regardless, his life was different because of Jesus.
God can give anyone an opportunity to start over. The past is the past. It can't be changed but our present can. That is God's gift to you.
This Christmas season, remember that God gives the gift of a new beginning. Is there anyone that you know that might need an opportunity to start over with God? Talk to them about it. Now is the time. Is there someone you need to show love to and/or forgive? Now is the time to start over.
As you close: Pray for those who are distant from Jesus. Pray for those who have never surrendered their life to Him.
God Bless!
This week we are going to be looking at different people in the bible who, through Jesus were able to start their life over.
Let's start with the apostle Paul. Paul was committed to Judiasm. He was committed to the Law. As the early church began to form, Paul naturally was opposed to it and became a violent aggressor against it. Having people killed and having people thrown into prison were just a few of the violent actions he had taken against the church.
On his way to Damascus to arrest more of those who were following Jesus Christ, something happened that changed his life forever.
Read about it in Acts 9:1-31 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9%3A1-31&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
"He is my chosen instrument." God said this about Paul. His name was actually Saul but it was changed to Paul. Acts 13:9 is the verse that signifies the change of name..."Then Saul, who was also called Paul..." Many believe this name change is because of the change in Paul's life. Others believe it was to protect his life from those who were trying to kill Saul. Regardless, his life was different because of Jesus.
God can give anyone an opportunity to start over. The past is the past. It can't be changed but our present can. That is God's gift to you.
This Christmas season, remember that God gives the gift of a new beginning. Is there anyone that you know that might need an opportunity to start over with God? Talk to them about it. Now is the time. Is there someone you need to show love to and/or forgive? Now is the time to start over.
As you close: Pray for those who are distant from Jesus. Pray for those who have never surrendered their life to Him.
God Bless!
Friday, December 10, 2010
HOPE - Healing for the brokenhearted - Day 4
Having hope is like breathing oxygen. You can't live without it.
The world in which we live gives both hope and despair. Both are available. You can choose to live in despair and you can choose to live in hope. The choice is in your hands.
Most of us would choose hope. Who really wants despair? Not many. But unfortunately we live as if we have chosen despair. We run ourselves into the ground with work. We hold on to bitterness and anger towards others. We have addictions to occupy our thoughts. It all seems pretty oblique. Why would we take this road in our lives? It doesn't make sense.
But when you have hope you have energy, emotional freedom and confidence that things will get better.
I was reading in John 8 about a woman who was caught in adultery. By the way, you would have to be in despair to commit adultery. Hope gives you joy for a better day. She had little hope. While in the arms of another man, she was caught and taken to Jesus. How would Jesus deal with her? Tell her that she is going to get what she deserves or offer her hope of a better day?
Read about it John 8:1-11 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A1-11&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
She was offered a chance to start over. To press the re-do button on life. That is the hope that Jesus offers. He offers a second chance. A chance to change the direction of your life. What she did was wrong and she would need to make things right. But at least she can start over.
Do you need to start over in life? That is what we are going to talk about next week. We will talk about how God provides an opportunity to start over.
As you close: Thank God for hope; thank him that life can get better than this. Thank him for his birth and life here on planet earth.
God bless!
The world in which we live gives both hope and despair. Both are available. You can choose to live in despair and you can choose to live in hope. The choice is in your hands.
Most of us would choose hope. Who really wants despair? Not many. But unfortunately we live as if we have chosen despair. We run ourselves into the ground with work. We hold on to bitterness and anger towards others. We have addictions to occupy our thoughts. It all seems pretty oblique. Why would we take this road in our lives? It doesn't make sense.
But when you have hope you have energy, emotional freedom and confidence that things will get better.
I was reading in John 8 about a woman who was caught in adultery. By the way, you would have to be in despair to commit adultery. Hope gives you joy for a better day. She had little hope. While in the arms of another man, she was caught and taken to Jesus. How would Jesus deal with her? Tell her that she is going to get what she deserves or offer her hope of a better day?
Read about it John 8:1-11 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A1-11&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
She was offered a chance to start over. To press the re-do button on life. That is the hope that Jesus offers. He offers a second chance. A chance to change the direction of your life. What she did was wrong and she would need to make things right. But at least she can start over.
Do you need to start over in life? That is what we are going to talk about next week. We will talk about how God provides an opportunity to start over.
As you close: Thank God for hope; thank him that life can get better than this. Thank him for his birth and life here on planet earth.
God bless!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
HOPE - Healing for the brokenhearted - Day 3
I like Jazz. Especially when Harry Conick Jr. is singing Christmas Songs. Jazz and Christmas songs go together like peanut butter and jam. I can sit by the tree, just listening for several moments. For me, that is a long time. Ahhhh.
But for others, Christmas isn't so cheery. Christmas remind us of the brokenness in life. We are reminded that we have loss. Loss of a job, loss of a loved one, loss of stability, etc. We wonder, "Does God even care?"
King David had a moment of depression. He was running for his life from his son. He was in a foreign country that he had attacked. He was all alone. I wonder if he thought to himself, "God, do you even care about me?"
Read about it in Ps 34 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+34&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
Look at verse 18. "The lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
He is close. He is near. He is up close and personal. He knows exactly what is going on in your life. He knows about all the broken pieces of your life. He does care as the Apostle Paul tells us, "Cast all your care upon Him because he cares for you." He isn't far away. He isn't distant. He is right there with you. Weeping with you as you weep and rejoicing with you as you rejoice.
He is also going to restore your brokenness. He is going to save the day. We don't know how and we don't know when. We just know that He is going to save those who are crushed in spirit. He is working on putting the pieces back together again. Even those little slivers that many will not be aware of, He is putting those back into place.
I hope you realize that better days do await you and that is why we can hope in Him. Whatever the piece you are holding in your hand that reflects your brokenness, He cares deeply about it and is putting it back together. Some day you will be mended and whole. But until then our Hope is still in Him!
As you close: Tell God about all the broken pieces of your life. Weep with Him. He will weep with you.
God Bless!
But for others, Christmas isn't so cheery. Christmas remind us of the brokenness in life. We are reminded that we have loss. Loss of a job, loss of a loved one, loss of stability, etc. We wonder, "Does God even care?"
King David had a moment of depression. He was running for his life from his son. He was in a foreign country that he had attacked. He was all alone. I wonder if he thought to himself, "God, do you even care about me?"
Read about it in Ps 34 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+34&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
Look at verse 18. "The lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
He is close. He is near. He is up close and personal. He knows exactly what is going on in your life. He knows about all the broken pieces of your life. He does care as the Apostle Paul tells us, "Cast all your care upon Him because he cares for you." He isn't far away. He isn't distant. He is right there with you. Weeping with you as you weep and rejoicing with you as you rejoice.
He is also going to restore your brokenness. He is going to save the day. We don't know how and we don't know when. We just know that He is going to save those who are crushed in spirit. He is working on putting the pieces back together again. Even those little slivers that many will not be aware of, He is putting those back into place.
I hope you realize that better days do await you and that is why we can hope in Him. Whatever the piece you are holding in your hand that reflects your brokenness, He cares deeply about it and is putting it back together. Some day you will be mended and whole. But until then our Hope is still in Him!
As you close: Tell God about all the broken pieces of your life. Weep with Him. He will weep with you.
God Bless!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
HOPE - Healing for the brokenhearted - Day 2
I've noticed something. Everyone is impacted by Christmas. They may celebrate differently than me, but this season, this time of year revolves around Hope. Everyone believes, to some degree, that life has got to get better than this. The question is who will make it, life, better?
I have a tendency to snap at my family. I don't know why. I'm not stressed out. I'm not under pressure. I just snap at them. I thought about it and realized that something needed to change. So I decided I needed to change. I needed to stop snapping at my family. So off I go on this grand adventure. Unfortunately, I drop the ball. I fail. I snap. Back to the drawing board.
If I think I am going to make life better, I will find myself constantly disappointed. It's not that I don't have a part to play in change, it's just that I, only me, can not make the changes necessary for life to be better. There is only one person I can hope in. His name is Jesus.
The people of Israel were in some pretty tough circumstances. They were an oppressed people for hundreds of years. They must have thought, "I need to have a positive attitude and things will get better." "I just need to be nicer to that Roman guard who is beating me up. That will make life better." No. They knew if life was going to be better, it would come from one person; the Messiah.
Read about two people who were overcome with joy at the appearing of Jesus in Luke 2:21-38 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A21-38&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
Simeon and Anna were just thrilled to see the Savior of the World. He is going to make things better. He will make life more joyful. It will be because of Him.
Who do you hope in to make life better? We all hope better days are ahead. We all hope for something great in the days to come. We need to know who we Hope IN to see those good days. Do you find your hope in your job? Family? Money? or Jesus?
As you close: Take some time and tell Jesus that your hope for better days is in Him. Ask for strength each day to find your hope in Him.
God Bless!
I have a tendency to snap at my family. I don't know why. I'm not stressed out. I'm not under pressure. I just snap at them. I thought about it and realized that something needed to change. So I decided I needed to change. I needed to stop snapping at my family. So off I go on this grand adventure. Unfortunately, I drop the ball. I fail. I snap. Back to the drawing board.
If I think I am going to make life better, I will find myself constantly disappointed. It's not that I don't have a part to play in change, it's just that I, only me, can not make the changes necessary for life to be better. There is only one person I can hope in. His name is Jesus.
The people of Israel were in some pretty tough circumstances. They were an oppressed people for hundreds of years. They must have thought, "I need to have a positive attitude and things will get better." "I just need to be nicer to that Roman guard who is beating me up. That will make life better." No. They knew if life was going to be better, it would come from one person; the Messiah.
Read about two people who were overcome with joy at the appearing of Jesus in Luke 2:21-38 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A21-38&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
Simeon and Anna were just thrilled to see the Savior of the World. He is going to make things better. He will make life more joyful. It will be because of Him.
Who do you hope in to make life better? We all hope better days are ahead. We all hope for something great in the days to come. We need to know who we Hope IN to see those good days. Do you find your hope in your job? Family? Money? or Jesus?
As you close: Take some time and tell Jesus that your hope for better days is in Him. Ask for strength each day to find your hope in Him.
God Bless!
Monday, December 6, 2010
HOPE - Healing for the brokenhearted - Day 1
The Christmas season is filled with much anticipation. Christmas day is within reach. It's like waiting for vacation to arrive. You know it's coming but it just won't get here soon enough. So let me be the first to say, "Merry Christmas." Enjoy the season.
While some are enjoying the moment, some, the holidays are a reminder of loneliness and isolation. Some are saying, "I just can't wait for the holidays to get over with." No anticipation, no excitement. If that is you, I've got some good news for you.
This month is all about hope. What is hope? Hope is believing that better days lie ahead. Hope is having confidence that it's got to get better than this. Maybe you've lost a loved one, a relationship is fractured, or a loss of a job, status or stability, better days lie ahead. It will get better than youur present circumstances.
Say this out loud, "Better days lie ahead." We have hope that better days lie ahead. And yes, even for you.
The Chicago Cubs have been living on hope for the past 100 years. They hope to return to the World Series. But 100 years is nothing compared to the Israelite people waiting for God to fulfill His promise of rescuing them with a Savior.
If you know anything about Israelite history, you will know that they were oppressed for around 700 years prior to the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Savior. They waiting through the Assyrians, Babylonians, Medo-Persians, Greeks, and Romans. They were taken advantage of by countless people. They paid enormous taxes, used as slaves, and used for self gratification. Bottom line, they were not allowed to be a free people. They waited, they cried out, to God for the promised Messiah. And then there was a baby's cry. Mary gave birth to a son, gave Him the name Jesus. He was the one the angels told Joseph and Mary about. He will save the day. Their Hope will be found in Him.
Read Matthew 1:18-25 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A18-25&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
They had every reason to be depressed and anticipate nothing. But their hope was renewed. Hope had become a reality in a baby boy. They had every reason to be filled with anticipation and be filled with excitement. Better days lie ahead.
For today I want to renew your hope. Better days lie ahead. Not because of you or me. But because of Him. Jesus is our hope and He is here to give us better days ahead.
As you close: Thank God for the gift of His son Jesus. Thank Him for renewing our hope for better days. Thank God for this season and ask Him to fill your heart with joy and anticipation.
God bless!
While some are enjoying the moment, some, the holidays are a reminder of loneliness and isolation. Some are saying, "I just can't wait for the holidays to get over with." No anticipation, no excitement. If that is you, I've got some good news for you.
This month is all about hope. What is hope? Hope is believing that better days lie ahead. Hope is having confidence that it's got to get better than this. Maybe you've lost a loved one, a relationship is fractured, or a loss of a job, status or stability, better days lie ahead. It will get better than youur present circumstances.
Say this out loud, "Better days lie ahead." We have hope that better days lie ahead. And yes, even for you.
The Chicago Cubs have been living on hope for the past 100 years. They hope to return to the World Series. But 100 years is nothing compared to the Israelite people waiting for God to fulfill His promise of rescuing them with a Savior.
If you know anything about Israelite history, you will know that they were oppressed for around 700 years prior to the birth of Jesus Christ, the promised Savior. They waiting through the Assyrians, Babylonians, Medo-Persians, Greeks, and Romans. They were taken advantage of by countless people. They paid enormous taxes, used as slaves, and used for self gratification. Bottom line, they were not allowed to be a free people. They waited, they cried out, to God for the promised Messiah. And then there was a baby's cry. Mary gave birth to a son, gave Him the name Jesus. He was the one the angels told Joseph and Mary about. He will save the day. Their Hope will be found in Him.
Read Matthew 1:18-25 or click to view http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A18-25&version=NIV (Click back arrow on web browser to return)
They had every reason to be depressed and anticipate nothing. But their hope was renewed. Hope had become a reality in a baby boy. They had every reason to be filled with anticipation and be filled with excitement. Better days lie ahead.
For today I want to renew your hope. Better days lie ahead. Not because of you or me. But because of Him. Jesus is our hope and He is here to give us better days ahead.
As you close: Thank God for the gift of His son Jesus. Thank Him for renewing our hope for better days. Thank God for this season and ask Him to fill your heart with joy and anticipation.
God bless!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Fully Surrender:Moses - Day 4
Do you have a favorite song? Perhaps it is one when you were building a relationship with a future spouse. Maybe it is a song during an intense time in your life. Or, it is a song that represents a change that occurred in your life.
Songs can be like markers in the brain. Whenever we sing it, hear it played or just remember it, it reminds us of a time in our lives when it meant something great.
For Moses, songs became a way to remember the stories of God's glory in his life.
Read about the song Miriam, Moses' sister, sang to recount the glory of God in Exodus 15 or click to view (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+15&version=NIV (Click Back Arrow on web browser to return)
What a way to remember what God did for the people of Israel. He revealed His glory and now they can sing songs about it. And singing songs of remembrance empower us to trust Him again. We remember and choose to fully surrender again and again. It's like a little child saying to their dad, "Do it again, daddy. Do it again."
What songs can you sing, of what God has done in your life? I realize that there probably isn't an exact song for your situation but maybe you can just put your story to music. Just sing the words back to Him for how He revealed His glory in your life.
As you close: Remember His works among you. Remember what He has done and praise Him for it.
God Bless!
Songs can be like markers in the brain. Whenever we sing it, hear it played or just remember it, it reminds us of a time in our lives when it meant something great.
For Moses, songs became a way to remember the stories of God's glory in his life.
Read about the song Miriam, Moses' sister, sang to recount the glory of God in Exodus 15 or click to view (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+15&version=NIV (Click Back Arrow on web browser to return)
What a way to remember what God did for the people of Israel. He revealed His glory and now they can sing songs about it. And singing songs of remembrance empower us to trust Him again. We remember and choose to fully surrender again and again. It's like a little child saying to their dad, "Do it again, daddy. Do it again."
What songs can you sing, of what God has done in your life? I realize that there probably isn't an exact song for your situation but maybe you can just put your story to music. Just sing the words back to Him for how He revealed His glory in your life.
As you close: Remember His works among you. Remember what He has done and praise Him for it.
God Bless!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)