For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2nd Corinthians 3:5-6
Our sufficiency is from God. Not from our own works, our own righteousness, or our own goodness. In writing to the Ephesians Paul makes a direct connection between the love of Christ and being filled with all the fullness of God. The fullness of God is a wonderful, awesome concept. In John 10:10 Jesus said He came that we would "have life and have it more abundantly". He is our abundance, our source, our hope, our help, our healer. He literally is everything we need.
And yet most of us struggle to grasp just how much God loves us because we are natural legalists. What do I mean by that? Look around. Life teaches us over and over again that you get what you deserve. If you work hard you get rewarded. If you do what is right people commend you. If you do wrong people frown upon you. Life pretty much operates on sowing and reaping. And yes, we do need to understand that, or life will bite us pretty hard.
The problem we have is that God's love doesn't work that way. God's love caused Him to pour out His grace and now we receive what He has done for us by faith. Ephesians 2:4-6 says, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
We can't approach God based on what we have done or not done. My relationship with Him is not based on my goodness but His goodness. We fall short. We mess up. We do dumb things. We make mistakes and yes, we sometimes sin. Because we do not grasp the love of God we open the door for guilt and condemnation.
The letter kills. We are called to a love relationship. Love cannot thrive in an environment of fear. 1st John 4:17-18 says, "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."
The abundance, the fullness we have in Him, only comes in grasping His love. The prayer Paul prayed in Ephesians is so critical for us. Note that Paul was writing this to believers. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him".
We thing of faith in terms of believing for things we are praying about but what if we began to think in terms of actually believing what the Word of God says about how much He loves His children?
As we gain confidence in His love we gain confidence in His good work and help for our lives.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Interesting Article from CNN
The original link is http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/02/20/faith.finances.courses/index.html
HEADING TO CHURCH FOR MONEY ADVICE
By Lisa Respers France
CNN
(CNN) -- Jennifer Pedley had very little interest when her husband, Ken, suggested three years ago that they enroll in the Financial Peace University program their church in Brighton, Michigan, was offering.
Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, is seeing an increased need for financial programs.
Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, is seeing an increased need for financial programs.
The couple signed up to learn how to reduce their debt and get on a budget. Partway through the course, a light came on for her, Pedley said.
"I started to see the changes it was making not only in our money but in our relationship," she recalled.
"It was unbelievable, but 80 percent of personal finance is personal. There is so much related to communicating about money and communicating about life."
Now Pedley is facilitating the course at 2/42 Community Church, where many in the area depend on the auto industry for their livelihood and are struggling with a deepening recession.
Throughout the country, places of worship are not just offering prayers for the improvement of their members' finances. They are offering help in the form of classes, seminars and workshops. Tell us how you're surviving tough economy
Programs that teach debt elimination, financial literacy and money management are gaining popularity among the faithful who are seeking some stability in the midst of uncertain times.
Lynnette Khalfani-Cox is a personal finance expert and author who has launched the Zero Debt Tour, a financial literacy initiative designed to teach people how to better budget, manage credit and debt wisely, and save money.
Don't Miss
* iReport.com: Tell us how you're surviving
* Family of 5 weathers economy with 7 housemates
Khalfani-Cox, who provides the program free for churches, said she is hearing from places of worship, both big and small, nationwide who want to offer resources to their members.
"In faith-based communities, if you ask pastors across the country, many will tell you that attendance is up; however donations are down," said Khalfani-Cox, who is known as the Money Coach. "People are turning to the church for help, whether it's help making their mortgage payment, putting in a prayer request, assistance in finding a job or just getting practical, day-to-day strategies for managing debt."
Jeff Foy, manager of training and evaluation for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Employment Resource Services, said traffic has increased to the church's Providentliving Web site, which offers resources on family finances and employment assistance.
It's very difficult to reach someone spiritually if they are struggling temporally, Foy said, and some have had to sacrifice time with family and church to pay the bills.
"We see a lot of our members perhaps that wouldn't ordinarily be working on a Sunday that are working on a Sunday instead of attending some of their meetings," he said.
The Rev. Steve O'Dell of 2/42 Community Church said he believes that people have a desire to give more of their time and money but just don't have the means.
That's why programs that help get them on track financially are beneficial, he said.
"A lot of people are imprisoned by debt," said O'Dell, whose church has expanded the number of Financial Peace University sessions to meet the growing need.
"If people are in place where they are not going further and further into debt and all of their money isn't going into paying off debt, then financially they are freed up to give to things they would like to give to," he added. "Whether that's the church or charitable organizations or places that reach out to people in times of need."
Joel Schwartz is director of the Moving from Debt to Assets program, which was founded in 2005 by the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. It offers sessions on finances, a peer support group and private sessions with a financial counselor.
Schwartz said that since its inception, Moving from Debt to Assets has graduated more than 400 participants and now has half of its groups run in languages other than English.
What makes his program and others like it so effective is that they are offered through organizations that have a relationship with those participating, Schwartz said.
"It's embedded in institutions that are part of the fabric of people's lives," he said. "This creates a lot of opportunity for reinforcement. People who see each other every Sunday can say, 'How are you doing paying down those credit card debts? I know you are working hard on that.' "
Programs like Financial Peace University and Crown Financial Ministries, which have components that speak directly to biblical principles about money, have been seen as integral to the ministry.
At Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, a stewardship workshop series based on Crown Financial Ministries "Road to Financial Freedom offers topics like "Who's in Control?" which covers God's responsibilities versus those of the believer, and "A Slave to the Lender," about living debt-free.
Kevin Stacia teaches stewardship at Ebenezer and said that with everyone from the wealthy to the disadvantaged being affected by the economy, it makes sense for churches to offer such programs.
"We always want members of the church and our community to be grounded in how God wants us to manage the things he has entrusted us with," Stacia said. "We want to give people an avenue to get knowledge and understanding."
Cheryl Spiva has attended the series and said education is the key.
Spiva retired at 45 from her position as senior vice president of sales for the southeast division of the investment group Charles Schwab and said financial education programs can be empowering.
"Often, people don't really know what to do with their money," she said. "If you give them tools, they become more confident and they make better choices."
Jennifer Pedley said she and her husband have benefited from learning how to manage their money more effectively.
They have paid off a car and their credit cards and are well on their way to being debt-free.
Pedley said they are also much better off in the current economy than had they not taken the course.
'When we took [the course], people had questions like, 'How do I budget vacations and going out to dinner?' " she said. "Now it's, 'How can I pay my mortgage and save my house?' "
And despite her initial resistance, Pedley said, she views it as a learning and growing experience.
"I never realized how practical the Bible is about money," she said. "It just makes so much sense."
HEADING TO CHURCH FOR MONEY ADVICE
By Lisa Respers France
CNN
(CNN) -- Jennifer Pedley had very little interest when her husband, Ken, suggested three years ago that they enroll in the Financial Peace University program their church in Brighton, Michigan, was offering.
Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, is seeing an increased need for financial programs.
Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, is seeing an increased need for financial programs.
The couple signed up to learn how to reduce their debt and get on a budget. Partway through the course, a light came on for her, Pedley said.
"I started to see the changes it was making not only in our money but in our relationship," she recalled.
"It was unbelievable, but 80 percent of personal finance is personal. There is so much related to communicating about money and communicating about life."
Now Pedley is facilitating the course at 2/42 Community Church, where many in the area depend on the auto industry for their livelihood and are struggling with a deepening recession.
Throughout the country, places of worship are not just offering prayers for the improvement of their members' finances. They are offering help in the form of classes, seminars and workshops. Tell us how you're surviving tough economy
Programs that teach debt elimination, financial literacy and money management are gaining popularity among the faithful who are seeking some stability in the midst of uncertain times.
Lynnette Khalfani-Cox is a personal finance expert and author who has launched the Zero Debt Tour, a financial literacy initiative designed to teach people how to better budget, manage credit and debt wisely, and save money.
Don't Miss
* iReport.com: Tell us how you're surviving
* Family of 5 weathers economy with 7 housemates
Khalfani-Cox, who provides the program free for churches, said she is hearing from places of worship, both big and small, nationwide who want to offer resources to their members.
"In faith-based communities, if you ask pastors across the country, many will tell you that attendance is up; however donations are down," said Khalfani-Cox, who is known as the Money Coach. "People are turning to the church for help, whether it's help making their mortgage payment, putting in a prayer request, assistance in finding a job or just getting practical, day-to-day strategies for managing debt."
Jeff Foy, manager of training and evaluation for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Employment Resource Services, said traffic has increased to the church's Providentliving Web site, which offers resources on family finances and employment assistance.
It's very difficult to reach someone spiritually if they are struggling temporally, Foy said, and some have had to sacrifice time with family and church to pay the bills.
"We see a lot of our members perhaps that wouldn't ordinarily be working on a Sunday that are working on a Sunday instead of attending some of their meetings," he said.
The Rev. Steve O'Dell of 2/42 Community Church said he believes that people have a desire to give more of their time and money but just don't have the means.
That's why programs that help get them on track financially are beneficial, he said.
"A lot of people are imprisoned by debt," said O'Dell, whose church has expanded the number of Financial Peace University sessions to meet the growing need.
"If people are in place where they are not going further and further into debt and all of their money isn't going into paying off debt, then financially they are freed up to give to things they would like to give to," he added. "Whether that's the church or charitable organizations or places that reach out to people in times of need."
Joel Schwartz is director of the Moving from Debt to Assets program, which was founded in 2005 by the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization. It offers sessions on finances, a peer support group and private sessions with a financial counselor.
Schwartz said that since its inception, Moving from Debt to Assets has graduated more than 400 participants and now has half of its groups run in languages other than English.
What makes his program and others like it so effective is that they are offered through organizations that have a relationship with those participating, Schwartz said.
"It's embedded in institutions that are part of the fabric of people's lives," he said. "This creates a lot of opportunity for reinforcement. People who see each other every Sunday can say, 'How are you doing paying down those credit card debts? I know you are working hard on that.' "
Programs like Financial Peace University and Crown Financial Ministries, which have components that speak directly to biblical principles about money, have been seen as integral to the ministry.
At Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, a stewardship workshop series based on Crown Financial Ministries "Road to Financial Freedom offers topics like "Who's in Control?" which covers God's responsibilities versus those of the believer, and "A Slave to the Lender," about living debt-free.
Kevin Stacia teaches stewardship at Ebenezer and said that with everyone from the wealthy to the disadvantaged being affected by the economy, it makes sense for churches to offer such programs.
"We always want members of the church and our community to be grounded in how God wants us to manage the things he has entrusted us with," Stacia said. "We want to give people an avenue to get knowledge and understanding."
Cheryl Spiva has attended the series and said education is the key.
Spiva retired at 45 from her position as senior vice president of sales for the southeast division of the investment group Charles Schwab and said financial education programs can be empowering.
"Often, people don't really know what to do with their money," she said. "If you give them tools, they become more confident and they make better choices."
Jennifer Pedley said she and her husband have benefited from learning how to manage their money more effectively.
They have paid off a car and their credit cards and are well on their way to being debt-free.
Pedley said they are also much better off in the current economy than had they not taken the course.
'When we took [the course], people had questions like, 'How do I budget vacations and going out to dinner?' " she said. "Now it's, 'How can I pay my mortgage and save my house?' "
And despite her initial resistance, Pedley said, she views it as a learning and growing experience.
"I never realized how practical the Bible is about money," she said. "It just makes so much sense."
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
FINANCIAL HOPE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2009
We had our first Financial Hope class this past Monday and what a great time we had. This class is going to be a time of encouragement and equipping people to make life-changing decisions in small ways and big. We want to see people get God’s vision for their finances. We are going to be dealing with both practical and spiritual issues. For the first class we primarily spent our time of God’s goodness and things that people would like to see covered.
We had a list prepared of topics we will be covering in the class. We also asked the class what things they would like to see us talk about. We came up with the following-- budgets, agreement in marriage over finances, tithing and giving, insurance, living in God’s economy, how and where to find bargains, lowering your food bill, health and its relation to finances, investing wisely, taxes, dealing with fear and worry, emotional shopping, real estate, couponing, getting out of debt, balancing your checkbook, being in control of your money, help for college, jobs and careers, and being a blessing to others. There are so many issues and angles to hit.
We also had a wonderful time of prayer and ministry to one another. We have agreed to keep one another in prayer during the week.
Why deal with God’s goodness in a financial class? He is our source and the real hope and help for our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
When we’re looking at finances we can easily grow discouraged because of our own poor decisions or by the doom and gloom from the media and the present state of the economy or just a general sense of hopelessness. Proverbs 13:12 tells us that, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But [when] the desire comes, [it is] a tree of life.” Losing hope and becoming discouraged is a hard place. Thankfully, God is not limited by the economy. He’s not afraid, fearful or worried. He calls us to radically put our trust in Him and not in man. We gave the following handout to the class and encouraged them to take it home, put it some place prominent in the house, and read over it every day. The enemy is a master of discouragement and fear. By meditating on the Word of God we are renewing our minds and robbing the devil of the opportunity to sow fear and doubt into our hearts.
FOUNDATIONAL FINANCIAL SCRIPTURES
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.
John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct [fn] your paths.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 18:19
"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
Psalm 37:3-7
Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring [it] to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Mark 11:24
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive [them], and you will have [them].
3rd John 2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
We had our first Financial Hope class this past Monday and what a great time we had. This class is going to be a time of encouragement and equipping people to make life-changing decisions in small ways and big. We want to see people get God’s vision for their finances. We are going to be dealing with both practical and spiritual issues. For the first class we primarily spent our time of God’s goodness and things that people would like to see covered.
We had a list prepared of topics we will be covering in the class. We also asked the class what things they would like to see us talk about. We came up with the following-- budgets, agreement in marriage over finances, tithing and giving, insurance, living in God’s economy, how and where to find bargains, lowering your food bill, health and its relation to finances, investing wisely, taxes, dealing with fear and worry, emotional shopping, real estate, couponing, getting out of debt, balancing your checkbook, being in control of your money, help for college, jobs and careers, and being a blessing to others. There are so many issues and angles to hit.
We also had a wonderful time of prayer and ministry to one another. We have agreed to keep one another in prayer during the week.
Why deal with God’s goodness in a financial class? He is our source and the real hope and help for our lives.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
When we’re looking at finances we can easily grow discouraged because of our own poor decisions or by the doom and gloom from the media and the present state of the economy or just a general sense of hopelessness. Proverbs 13:12 tells us that, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But [when] the desire comes, [it is] a tree of life.” Losing hope and becoming discouraged is a hard place. Thankfully, God is not limited by the economy. He’s not afraid, fearful or worried. He calls us to radically put our trust in Him and not in man. We gave the following handout to the class and encouraged them to take it home, put it some place prominent in the house, and read over it every day. The enemy is a master of discouragement and fear. By meditating on the Word of God we are renewing our minds and robbing the devil of the opportunity to sow fear and doubt into our hearts.
FOUNDATIONAL FINANCIAL SCRIPTURES
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.
John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct [fn] your paths.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 18:19
"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
Psalm 37:3-7
Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring [it] to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Mark 11:24
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive [them], and you will have [them].
3rd John 2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Word of God
God's Word is so good! In the information age there are a lot of lies and speculation floating around. How do you know what to trust? In a topsy-turvy world God's Word is the level against which we judge. God's Word is true. He is faithful and does not lie!
Following is a selection of Bible verses concerning God's Word. Enjoy! Let them speak to your heart.
Every word of God [is] pure; He [is] a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Proverbs 30:5
Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
Psalm 119:89
Your word [is] a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
James 1:22-24
But the word of the LORD endures forever.
1st Peter 1:25
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
John 17:17
For the word of the LORD [is] right, And all His work [is done] in truth.
Psalm 33:4
For they [are] life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
Proverbs 4:22
Establish Your word to Your servant, Who [is devoted] to fearing You.
Psalm 119:38
So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.
Psalm 119:42
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
John 17:14
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16
Following is a selection of Bible verses concerning God's Word. Enjoy! Let them speak to your heart.
Every word of God [is] pure; He [is] a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Proverbs 30:5
Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
Psalm 119:89
Your word [is] a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
James 1:22-24
But the word of the LORD endures forever.
1st Peter 1:25
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
John 17:17
For the word of the LORD [is] right, And all His work [is done] in truth.
Psalm 33:4
For they [are] life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
Proverbs 4:22
Establish Your word to Your servant, Who [is devoted] to fearing You.
Psalm 119:38
So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.
Psalm 119:42
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
John 17:14
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16
Monday, February 9, 2009
Some of My Favorite Bible Verses
While the whole Bible is the Word of God some verses affect us in a more profound way than others. An example would be John 13:34 and 35 verses John 4:4. Both are the Word of God given to us but understanding, meditating on and doing the command to love one another in John 13:34 - 35 is far more profound and life changing than the fact that Jesus traveled through Samaria as found in John 4:4. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. In Philippians 4:8 Paul writes, Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things. While there are many life changing verses in the Bible I have found the following twelve to be particularly maningful to me. Read over them. Meditate on them. Memorize them. They will become part of who you are and change who you are!
"Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Proverbs 18:21
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."
Matthew 7:1-2
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."
Galatians 6:7
"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
2 Corinthians 10:12
"For without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Hebrew 11:6
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need."
Hebrews 5:16
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Romans 10:17
"If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
John 15:7
“Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Mark 11:22-24
"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two or more of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven."
Matthew 18:18-19
"Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
Proverbs 18:21
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."
Matthew 7:1-2
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."
Galatians 6:7
"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
2 Corinthians 10:12
"For without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Hebrew 11:6
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need."
Hebrews 5:16
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Romans 10:17
"If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
John 15:7
“Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Mark 11:22-24
"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two or more of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven."
Matthew 18:18-19
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Koinonia
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."
Acts 2:42
Acts 2:42 gives us an interesting glimpse into early church life. Here we find four things emphasized.
They continued steadfastly in:
The apostles' doctrine (teaching, receiving and doing)
Fellowship
Breaking of bread (eating together)
Prayers
What we really have here is a picture of community at work. People who were together a lot! Acts 2:46 indicates they were together daily. It is easy to compartmentalize our lives: church, work, home life, friends, etc and all too often that's where things stay and we miss much that God has for us.
One of the greatest joys of the Christian life for me is relationships. We eat together a lot at our church. Some of the eating is done at church while some is done in other places. This last Thursday we were part of group that got together at Cracker Barrel. Those times are precious. It is in those times that we really get to know one another. It is our involvement in each others lives that really begins to bring meaning and purpose to what we do at church.
We've never been called to walk this journey alone. God calls us sheep. Part of the reason for that is that we have a need for community. We have a need for other people. We need one another in the body of Christ.
In Philippians 1:3-5 Paul wrote, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." Fellowship is the Greek word koinonia and it means so much more than just getting together for the occasional church supper. It's the same word we get communion from. It is a word that really points to the enmeshment of our lives together in the body of Christ. Paul had a special bond with the church at Philippi.
And maybe that's the point. We need people in our lives who we can share our hurts and struggles, as well as our joys and victories, with. We need friends who will laugh with us and cry with us and give us real help when we need it.
Ultimately, so much of life comes down to relationships. Relationships seed the opportunity to bless when we have the ability to do so and receive when we need help.
God loves you so much! Ask the Lord to get you hooked into folks who live the love of God!
Acts 2:42
Acts 2:42 gives us an interesting glimpse into early church life. Here we find four things emphasized.
They continued steadfastly in:
The apostles' doctrine (teaching, receiving and doing)
Fellowship
Breaking of bread (eating together)
Prayers
What we really have here is a picture of community at work. People who were together a lot! Acts 2:46 indicates they were together daily. It is easy to compartmentalize our lives: church, work, home life, friends, etc and all too often that's where things stay and we miss much that God has for us.
One of the greatest joys of the Christian life for me is relationships. We eat together a lot at our church. Some of the eating is done at church while some is done in other places. This last Thursday we were part of group that got together at Cracker Barrel. Those times are precious. It is in those times that we really get to know one another. It is our involvement in each others lives that really begins to bring meaning and purpose to what we do at church.
We've never been called to walk this journey alone. God calls us sheep. Part of the reason for that is that we have a need for community. We have a need for other people. We need one another in the body of Christ.
In Philippians 1:3-5 Paul wrote, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now." Fellowship is the Greek word koinonia and it means so much more than just getting together for the occasional church supper. It's the same word we get communion from. It is a word that really points to the enmeshment of our lives together in the body of Christ. Paul had a special bond with the church at Philippi.
And maybe that's the point. We need people in our lives who we can share our hurts and struggles, as well as our joys and victories, with. We need friends who will laugh with us and cry with us and give us real help when we need it.
Ultimately, so much of life comes down to relationships. Relationships seed the opportunity to bless when we have the ability to do so and receive when we need help.
God loves you so much! Ask the Lord to get you hooked into folks who live the love of God!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
New Wineskins
And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins." (Mark 9:22)
In Biblical times wineskins were made from whole tanned goat skins with the head, legs and tails removed. New wineskins were used because the skin was still flexible. Wine put in an old stiff wineskin would cause it to burst as carbon dioxide was given off in the fermentation process. Think of a balloon. If you keep blowing on a balloon eventually it will burst. New wineskins were flexible enough to expand and strong enough not to burst.
The example Jesus gives us here is a poignant one concerning our need for humility and a teachable heart. One of the worst places we can be is when we think we already know everything --when we judge the sermon we just heard or the Bible verse we just read through our own lens. If the pastor agrees with me it was a good sermon. If he doesn’t it was obviously a bad sermon. If the Bible verse doesn't line up with my theology there must be a way to explain it away.
That’s one of the things I love about the Word of God. The Word of God will keep you humble if you let it. Years ago I made up my mind that I was not going to argue against God’s Word or try to make it line up with what I believe. That was one of the best decisions of my life.
Receiving the Word with joy will help you to be a new wineskin. Some people look at passages that Jesus said about prayer, or the Holy Spirit, or the power of God and then go into tortured logic to try to explain why they’re not for today. I want to read those verses and be challenged. I want to be inspired in my personal walk with the Lord. If Jesus said we would do greater works than He did then I want to embrace that – not fight against it.
When you read Bible passages that challenge your belief system does your heart leap with joy and expectation or do you quickly run to try to find a way around it?
Maintain a humble and teachable heart. Living the Christian life with wonder and excitement makes it a precious and rewarding journey. Don't try to submit the Word of God to your beliefs and circumstances. Submit your beliefs and circumstances to the Word of God. You'll be glad you did.
In Biblical times wineskins were made from whole tanned goat skins with the head, legs and tails removed. New wineskins were used because the skin was still flexible. Wine put in an old stiff wineskin would cause it to burst as carbon dioxide was given off in the fermentation process. Think of a balloon. If you keep blowing on a balloon eventually it will burst. New wineskins were flexible enough to expand and strong enough not to burst.
The example Jesus gives us here is a poignant one concerning our need for humility and a teachable heart. One of the worst places we can be is when we think we already know everything --when we judge the sermon we just heard or the Bible verse we just read through our own lens. If the pastor agrees with me it was a good sermon. If he doesn’t it was obviously a bad sermon. If the Bible verse doesn't line up with my theology there must be a way to explain it away.
That’s one of the things I love about the Word of God. The Word of God will keep you humble if you let it. Years ago I made up my mind that I was not going to argue against God’s Word or try to make it line up with what I believe. That was one of the best decisions of my life.
Receiving the Word with joy will help you to be a new wineskin. Some people look at passages that Jesus said about prayer, or the Holy Spirit, or the power of God and then go into tortured logic to try to explain why they’re not for today. I want to read those verses and be challenged. I want to be inspired in my personal walk with the Lord. If Jesus said we would do greater works than He did then I want to embrace that – not fight against it.
When you read Bible passages that challenge your belief system does your heart leap with joy and expectation or do you quickly run to try to find a way around it?
Maintain a humble and teachable heart. Living the Christian life with wonder and excitement makes it a precious and rewarding journey. Don't try to submit the Word of God to your beliefs and circumstances. Submit your beliefs and circumstances to the Word of God. You'll be glad you did.
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