Video Blog for Today's Study: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJnNDLpvmcA
Good morning,
Over the next few months we are going to be walking through the First Epistle of John. Today I would like to share with you some interesting things concerning the reason why the epistle was written and some discussion on the debate of calling it an "epistle" or a "letter?"
First John is authored by the Apostle John or as he refers to himself as "Jesus' beloved." He likes to remind us of this. There is not a great debate on who authored this epistle. The debate comes in the assessment of whether it is an epistle or a letter. You might be asking yourself what is the difference? A letter is considered a writing that is directed to a specific person and is not something that is required to be circulated among other churches. An epistle is a writing that is viewed as to be circulated and is addressing overall issues opposed to individual ones. Summing this up it looks like this:
- Epistle: is to a group of people and to be circulated among the body of believers.
- Letter: is to an individual and very personal.
The main reason for this epistle is to address the issue of Gnosticism. You might be asking, "What is that?" It was not an open enemy of Christianity. It was a sly, come in the back door after the leaders leave, seduction that was affecting the church at large. Gnostics had “a more excellent way.” They understood the gospel better than the apostles themselves. It was a mistake to suppose that the historical facts and moral precepts of the Scriptures were to be taken literally. It was a still greater mistake to suppose that the Scriptures contained all that was necessary for man’s spiritual well-being. There was a higher knowledge, a more profound gnosis; and this the Gnostic could attain to and impart. Illumined by this, men would see that everything else was comparatively of unimportance (1).
How did this skew ones view of Christianity? It did three things, (1) Righteousness was made of no account in comparison with intellectual illumination. (2) Scripture was made of no account in comparison with a knowledge which partly transmuted and partly superseded it. (3) The work of Christ was made of no account; for there could be no need of an atonement if there was no real evil in sin (2). As you can tell this was a cancer that was infiltrating the Gospel of Jesus Christ. John was referring to those who were teaching this as “Liars,” “seducers,” “false prophets,” “deceivers,” and “antichrists!”
Gnostics may boast of their knowledge; but believers in the Incarnation have their knowledge too. They know that they have passed over out of death into life (1 John 3:14). They know that they are children of God, and as such are freed from sin by his Son (1 John 5:18, 19). They know that the Son of God has come in the flesh, and has given them a mind wherewith to know, not the remote abstraction which the Gnostic calls God, but the loving Father in whom they can abide through his Son Jesus Christ (1 John 5:20).
We will be reading I John 1:1-4 tomorrow and discussing it over the next few days. Please join me in this wonderful time. Blessings
Pastor Rod
(1) The Pulpit Commentary: 1 John. 2004 (H. D. M. Spence-Jones, Ed.) (iv). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
(2) The Pulpit Commentary: 1 John. 2004 (H. D. M. Spence-Jones, Ed.) (v). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Childlike Faith! (Mark 10:13-15)
Mark 10:13-15
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Do you remember as a child not having a care in the world? Every day was an adventure! You didn't worry about how much money you had, what you were going to eat for lunch, or just the everyday life situations that we deal with as adults. You didn't have a care in the world! Oh, how I miss those days. I remember waking up in the morning and going to the woods or the playground. When I was hungry I would go to a friends house or back to my house and eat. The only rule I really had when I was a child was I had to be home for dinner. If not, I didn't eat! My Mom's saying was "the kitchen was closed after dinner." A child's life back then was so different than it is today. Society has changed but I don't think the heart of a child has changed that much. I believe there is still a sense of TRUST, LOVE, and BELIEF in children as was in my day.
In this passage of scripture we read how Jesus scolded the people because of their attitudes toward children. Jesus takes this opportunity to not only show the people their "wrong" attitudes toward children but he reveals the "proper" attitude toward salvation. It is not something that is earned but a gift from God that is to be accepted as such. Entering the kingdom of God is the same as being saved. Jesus shows the people that just like the faith of a child (TRUSTING, LOVING, and BELIEVE without having to see) we "must" have the same.
My prayer this morning is "God, let me live in FAITH not FACTS! Help me to trust you more, love you unconditionally, and believe that you want to use me as a servant for You!" Amen!
Blesssings
Pastor Rod
13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
Do you remember as a child not having a care in the world? Every day was an adventure! You didn't worry about how much money you had, what you were going to eat for lunch, or just the everyday life situations that we deal with as adults. You didn't have a care in the world! Oh, how I miss those days. I remember waking up in the morning and going to the woods or the playground. When I was hungry I would go to a friends house or back to my house and eat. The only rule I really had when I was a child was I had to be home for dinner. If not, I didn't eat! My Mom's saying was "the kitchen was closed after dinner." A child's life back then was so different than it is today. Society has changed but I don't think the heart of a child has changed that much. I believe there is still a sense of TRUST, LOVE, and BELIEF in children as was in my day.
In this passage of scripture we read how Jesus scolded the people because of their attitudes toward children. Jesus takes this opportunity to not only show the people their "wrong" attitudes toward children but he reveals the "proper" attitude toward salvation. It is not something that is earned but a gift from God that is to be accepted as such. Entering the kingdom of God is the same as being saved. Jesus shows the people that just like the faith of a child (TRUSTING, LOVING, and BELIEVE without having to see) we "must" have the same.
My prayer this morning is "God, let me live in FAITH not FACTS! Help me to trust you more, love you unconditionally, and believe that you want to use me as a servant for You!" Amen!
Blesssings
Pastor Rod
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The Race! (Hebrews 12:1)
I was not a big fan of running when I was younger. As a matter of fact, I despised it! Running track in High School was not at the top of my list of sports to try out for. Running short or long distance was not appealing to me unless a football was involved. But as I have grown older I've come to appreciate and even enjoy, running. I was running about 3 miles a day, 5 days a week for about 6 months. All of this stopped when my back went out. My doctor told me that with my condition, I should not run anymore. It was too "high impact" for my back so I bought an elliptical machine and I exercise with it now.
When I was able I found that after 15-20 minutes into the run I was ready to quit but I would push my way through mentally and finish the run. It was as if I had to break through a barrier or remove a weight that was holding me back but once I released it or broke through it seemed like smooth sailing to the finish line.
In the book of Hebrews Paul uses the imagery of running a race when it comes to our walk with Jesus. Hebrews 12:1 reads, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us"! I have seen so many people accept Jesus as their personal savior and take off running. Most of the time, though, they are running by themselves! This is not the way Christ set things up nor is this what Paul suggested in this passage. Paul states, "since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses," implying that we are not alone but being encouraged/mentored by those who have been down this road before us. What happens to those who take off alone is they start to struggle. They become weighed down with "issues" or "sins" that seem to hard to let go of or release. They quit!
I found that when I was running I wanted to have the lightest close and shoes on! This was so I could be more at ease and accomplish what distance or time I set for myself. If we take this analogy that Paul gives us in this passage we can see three important things when it comes to running this "RACE" of life with Jesus!
1. We need Mentor's! (a cloud of witnesses)
This is not a new concept that has been discovered and now is making its way through the church as the latest fad. What we are seeing is a reintroduction into the church and being taught as one of the basis for a spiritually healthy church. My encouragement today is for us to be mentoring someone as well as being mentored by someone. In this race of life with Jesus we should not be running alone. Christ wants to use his people to reveal himself to others. We can be Jesus to someone and someone can be Jesus to us through being a mentor.
2. Get rid of Hindrances/Sin! (Lay aside every weight, and sin)
As a runner you want to be as light and arrow-dynamic as possible so you can run without being hindered. The same is true with our race in life with Jesus! We should want to be as "hindrance free" as possible so we can, not just run the race but finish it. Paul talks about these hindrances in Col. 3:8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Jesus says something along the same lines, Luke 21:34 But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life. We want to be able to run this race with the best possibility of finishing and finishing well.
3. We must Persevere! (let us run with endurance)
In this race of life with Jesus we find that not everything goes as planned and road blocks are in the way. Paul uses the Greek word (hypomony) that is defined as "patient endurance!" We must persevere through those moments when it gets difficult. Those moments when we feel like quitting let us remember it's a race that does not require us to finish first, JUST FINISH!
My prayer, today, is that if you have not entered this race of life with Jesus, start today! If you have stopped in the middle of the race and quit, start back up! If you are in the race of life with Jesus and it is getting hard, don't quit! If you are in the race of life with Jesus, enjoy it! What a race it is!
Blessings
Pastor Rod
When I was able I found that after 15-20 minutes into the run I was ready to quit but I would push my way through mentally and finish the run. It was as if I had to break through a barrier or remove a weight that was holding me back but once I released it or broke through it seemed like smooth sailing to the finish line.
In the book of Hebrews Paul uses the imagery of running a race when it comes to our walk with Jesus. Hebrews 12:1 reads, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us"! I have seen so many people accept Jesus as their personal savior and take off running. Most of the time, though, they are running by themselves! This is not the way Christ set things up nor is this what Paul suggested in this passage. Paul states, "since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses," implying that we are not alone but being encouraged/mentored by those who have been down this road before us. What happens to those who take off alone is they start to struggle. They become weighed down with "issues" or "sins" that seem to hard to let go of or release. They quit!
I found that when I was running I wanted to have the lightest close and shoes on! This was so I could be more at ease and accomplish what distance or time I set for myself. If we take this analogy that Paul gives us in this passage we can see three important things when it comes to running this "RACE" of life with Jesus!
1. We need Mentor's! (a cloud of witnesses)
This is not a new concept that has been discovered and now is making its way through the church as the latest fad. What we are seeing is a reintroduction into the church and being taught as one of the basis for a spiritually healthy church. My encouragement today is for us to be mentoring someone as well as being mentored by someone. In this race of life with Jesus we should not be running alone. Christ wants to use his people to reveal himself to others. We can be Jesus to someone and someone can be Jesus to us through being a mentor.
2. Get rid of Hindrances/Sin! (Lay aside every weight, and sin)
As a runner you want to be as light and arrow-dynamic as possible so you can run without being hindered. The same is true with our race in life with Jesus! We should want to be as "hindrance free" as possible so we can, not just run the race but finish it. Paul talks about these hindrances in Col. 3:8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Jesus says something along the same lines, Luke 21:34 But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life. We want to be able to run this race with the best possibility of finishing and finishing well.
3. We must Persevere! (let us run with endurance)
In this race of life with Jesus we find that not everything goes as planned and road blocks are in the way. Paul uses the Greek word (hypomony) that is defined as "patient endurance!" We must persevere through those moments when it gets difficult. Those moments when we feel like quitting let us remember it's a race that does not require us to finish first, JUST FINISH!
My prayer, today, is that if you have not entered this race of life with Jesus, start today! If you have stopped in the middle of the race and quit, start back up! If you are in the race of life with Jesus and it is getting hard, don't quit! If you are in the race of life with Jesus, enjoy it! What a race it is!
Blessings
Pastor Rod
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
We are the Aroma of Christ - (2 Cor 2:14-16)
(But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.)
While driving around Mount Vernon last week, one of the common things that took place was coming across the fowl odor of a skunk. We all have been a part of this wonderful event that seems to come out of know were. Some of us have been so blessed to have experienced this odor to the extent of tasting it, causing your eyes to water, and for some, to even gag because it was so strong. I have yet to meet an individual who says, "I love the smell of skunk!"
Many of us have experience the other end of this aroma spectrum. We have walked into a wonderful smell of flowers or some type of cologne, aftershave, or perfume that is permeating from an individual. What a pleasant and somewhat tantalizing smell. A smell that may even cause us to ask what kind of perfume it is and were can we get it. We are so pleased with the smell we say, "I want what they have."
In this passage of scripture we read how Paul talks about "the fragrance of the knowledge of him (Jesus) everywhere" and "we are the aroma of Christ to God"! Paul uses a lot of imagery in his writings and these few verse demonstrate that. In these verses he gives the vision of a General in the Roman army parading down main street in victory with his captors. In these types of parades burning incense is a major part of the celebration.
If we look at what Paul is saying, Christ is leading us in this procession and through us He is spreading the fragrance of the Knowledge of Jesus. That fragrance is the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is being spread throughout the world through us! Now to some this may be a sweet fragrance but to others it may be a sour odor. For those who's hearts are tendered and open to the Gospel it is a pleasant fragrance but to those who have rejected the Gospel it is a fowl fragrance. In verse 15 Paul uses another word that is defined as "a sweet aroma!" This is how we (believers) are to God "A sweet aroma!"
In conclusion, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we need to understand that we are representatives of Jesus to a lost world. A world that is filled with grief, heartache, and sin that produces a stench that can cause us to taste it, your eyes to water, and for some, to even gag because it is so strong. The one thing this world needs is a sweet aroma that can take all the stench away. That fragrance is Jesus and we are the sweet aroma that is the carrier of it to a lost world. We want people to look at us and say, "I want what they have!" Let us be the sweet aroma of Jesus to our world today. Amen?
Blessing my friends!
Pastor Rod
While driving around Mount Vernon last week, one of the common things that took place was coming across the fowl odor of a skunk. We all have been a part of this wonderful event that seems to come out of know were. Some of us have been so blessed to have experienced this odor to the extent of tasting it, causing your eyes to water, and for some, to even gag because it was so strong. I have yet to meet an individual who says, "I love the smell of skunk!"
Many of us have experience the other end of this aroma spectrum. We have walked into a wonderful smell of flowers or some type of cologne, aftershave, or perfume that is permeating from an individual. What a pleasant and somewhat tantalizing smell. A smell that may even cause us to ask what kind of perfume it is and were can we get it. We are so pleased with the smell we say, "I want what they have."
In this passage of scripture we read how Paul talks about "the fragrance of the knowledge of him (Jesus) everywhere" and "we are the aroma of Christ to God"! Paul uses a lot of imagery in his writings and these few verse demonstrate that. In these verses he gives the vision of a General in the Roman army parading down main street in victory with his captors. In these types of parades burning incense is a major part of the celebration.
If we look at what Paul is saying, Christ is leading us in this procession and through us He is spreading the fragrance of the Knowledge of Jesus. That fragrance is the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is being spread throughout the world through us! Now to some this may be a sweet fragrance but to others it may be a sour odor. For those who's hearts are tendered and open to the Gospel it is a pleasant fragrance but to those who have rejected the Gospel it is a fowl fragrance. In verse 15 Paul uses another word that is defined as "a sweet aroma!" This is how we (believers) are to God "A sweet aroma!"
In conclusion, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we need to understand that we are representatives of Jesus to a lost world. A world that is filled with grief, heartache, and sin that produces a stench that can cause us to taste it, your eyes to water, and for some, to even gag because it is so strong. The one thing this world needs is a sweet aroma that can take all the stench away. That fragrance is Jesus and we are the sweet aroma that is the carrier of it to a lost world. We want people to look at us and say, "I want what they have!" Let us be the sweet aroma of Jesus to our world today. Amen?
Blessing my friends!
Pastor Rod
Monday, June 27, 2011
He Loved Me Anyway! (Luke 22:54-62)
As a parent I have come to understand the words of my mother from years ago. She would say things like, "This is going to hurt me more than it is you" right before she was going to whip me for doing something bad or wrong! How about this one, "One day you will have kids of your own and you will understand what I am saying!" Those words ring throughout my mind today as I parent my children. I even find myself passing on those words of wisdom to them today. The one thing that I reflect on today is the fact that my mother knew what I was going to do or knew what I was thinking before I could even get the words out of my mouth. I use to think she was a mind reader so I would not look her in the eyes thinking this would some how break the ability for her to know what I was thinking. DIDN'T WORK! What I have come to understand today, as a parent, is that she knew because she LOVED ME!
In this passage of scripture we read that Peter, who loved Jesus as only what He could understand love to be, was told that he would deny Jesus three times in less than a 24 hour period. Peter was offended, at first, but yet, afterwards was ashamed when this all came true. Can you imagine how Peter felt when Jesus acknowledged to Peter "I TOLD YOU SO" by just looking at him? I have seen that look before in my Mom! I believe all of use have seen that look from our parents before. I have been on the receiving end of it as well as the other end.
As a follower of Christ, Peter was not out to hurt Jesus, nor was he out to disappoint Him. But He did! Later on we read, in the scriptures, that Jesus and Peter restore their relationship and Peter goes on to become a powerful disciple for Jesus. But the one thing that rings true is that even though Jesus knew what Peter was going to do, He loved Him anyway. As parents we know that our children are going to make mistakes, but we love them anyway. We know that they are going to say things that are hurtful to us, but we love them anyway. This is the LOVE OF A PARENT!
I remember telling my mom that I was going to move to Nashville Tennessee with a friend of mine. I don't remember to many details about that event except my mom's face when I got into that car and pulled out onto the highway. It was a look of LOVE! Tears in her eyes, not wanting me to go, knowing this was a mistake, and telling me that if I wanted or needed to come back home she would come and get me. As a parent she was hurt and scared for me but she loved me anyway!
In this world we have all experience love in some form or another. A love of a parent, a love of a spouse, a love of a sibling, a love of a pet, a love of a friend, a love of a church, or a love of a child! We have even expressed a love to all of the above as well. Now imagine this, take all of that love and put it all in a pile. All of this cannot measure up to the love that Jesus has for us! That blows my mind (small explosion but anyway)! I am not sure if I am just getting more sentimental as I get older or what but I have never felt the love of God like I have in these last few months. I get teary eyed every time I think of the Love he has for me. It is a love that is incomprehensible but yet attainable. It is a love that is untouchable but yet embraceable.
There is a song "How You Love Me" on Christian radio today that talks about this love of God. It talks about how, we as His children have, and will, let God down (intentional or unintentional) but HE LOVES US ANYWAY. This is not an eternal security love but a unconditional love. A love that says, "He loved me Anyway!" From a human perspective this is so hard to imagine but yet it is just how our Jesus is ..... A LOVING GOD!
As a believer in Christ, we are to grow in this relationship with him. Hopefully, we mature and come to a deeper understand of Christ. But, if there is nothing else we get out of this relationship with God let the one thing we do get be the understanding and acceptance of HIS LOVE. Even though we are or were the thorns in his crown, the sweat on his brow, the nails in his wrist, Judas kiss, or the man crying out from the crowd for Him to be crucified, HE LOVED US ANYWAY! I cannot comprehend all of this but I am so thankful that He loved me anyway. I hope you come to accept and receive this love that God has for you. It is the likes of something you have never experienced before. What ever you have done in the past, HE LOVES YOU ANYWAY!
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
In this passage of scripture we read that Peter, who loved Jesus as only what He could understand love to be, was told that he would deny Jesus three times in less than a 24 hour period. Peter was offended, at first, but yet, afterwards was ashamed when this all came true. Can you imagine how Peter felt when Jesus acknowledged to Peter "I TOLD YOU SO" by just looking at him? I have seen that look before in my Mom! I believe all of use have seen that look from our parents before. I have been on the receiving end of it as well as the other end.
As a follower of Christ, Peter was not out to hurt Jesus, nor was he out to disappoint Him. But He did! Later on we read, in the scriptures, that Jesus and Peter restore their relationship and Peter goes on to become a powerful disciple for Jesus. But the one thing that rings true is that even though Jesus knew what Peter was going to do, He loved Him anyway. As parents we know that our children are going to make mistakes, but we love them anyway. We know that they are going to say things that are hurtful to us, but we love them anyway. This is the LOVE OF A PARENT!
I remember telling my mom that I was going to move to Nashville Tennessee with a friend of mine. I don't remember to many details about that event except my mom's face when I got into that car and pulled out onto the highway. It was a look of LOVE! Tears in her eyes, not wanting me to go, knowing this was a mistake, and telling me that if I wanted or needed to come back home she would come and get me. As a parent she was hurt and scared for me but she loved me anyway!
In this world we have all experience love in some form or another. A love of a parent, a love of a spouse, a love of a sibling, a love of a pet, a love of a friend, a love of a church, or a love of a child! We have even expressed a love to all of the above as well. Now imagine this, take all of that love and put it all in a pile. All of this cannot measure up to the love that Jesus has for us! That blows my mind (small explosion but anyway)! I am not sure if I am just getting more sentimental as I get older or what but I have never felt the love of God like I have in these last few months. I get teary eyed every time I think of the Love he has for me. It is a love that is incomprehensible but yet attainable. It is a love that is untouchable but yet embraceable.
There is a song "How You Love Me" on Christian radio today that talks about this love of God. It talks about how, we as His children have, and will, let God down (intentional or unintentional) but HE LOVES US ANYWAY. This is not an eternal security love but a unconditional love. A love that says, "He loved me Anyway!" From a human perspective this is so hard to imagine but yet it is just how our Jesus is ..... A LOVING GOD!
As a believer in Christ, we are to grow in this relationship with him. Hopefully, we mature and come to a deeper understand of Christ. But, if there is nothing else we get out of this relationship with God let the one thing we do get be the understanding and acceptance of HIS LOVE. Even though we are or were the thorns in his crown, the sweat on his brow, the nails in his wrist, Judas kiss, or the man crying out from the crowd for Him to be crucified, HE LOVED US ANYWAY! I cannot comprehend all of this but I am so thankful that He loved me anyway. I hope you come to accept and receive this love that God has for you. It is the likes of something you have never experienced before. What ever you have done in the past, HE LOVES YOU ANYWAY!
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
Thursday, June 9, 2011
How Do You Read It?
Luke 10:25-26
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
As a pastor, the thing that I find so disheartening in today's churches is the fact that a lot of people do not read their bible on a daily basis. Read this clip from the Baptist Press on this issue:
Standing before nearly 700 attendees at "Read the Bible for Life" conference, George Guthrie rattled off a series of statistics:
-- 25 million copies of the Bible are sold in the United States annually.
-- Nine out of 10 homes in the U.S. have a Bible.
-- More than 400 million copies of all or part of the Bible are distributed through Bible societies each year.
Despite what would appear to be a Scripture saturation of biblical proportions, the "No. 1 predictor of spiritual maturity [according to a study by LifeWay Research] is reading the Bible on a daily basis [but] only 16 percent of churchgoers read the Bible daily and 25 percent of churchgoers don't read the Bible at all," Guthrie said at the April 15-16 conference at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.
"This means that more than 50 percent of people who come through the doors of our churches on a regular basis only read their Bibles occasionally, perhaps one or two times per month, if at all," Guthrie said. "Even more sobering, only 37 percent of those who attend church regularly say that reading and studying the Bible has made a significant difference in the way they live their lives. Only 37 percent." (Read the whole article http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=35125)
In this passage found in Luke 10 we see Jesus being tested by the religious leaders with a question and Jesus answered with a question, "How do you read it?" I would ask a question today, "How OFTEN do you read it." There is such a wealth of information, guidance, direction, and instruction in the bible. The bible can assist us in living a life that is healthy, productive, and successful. Why would we not want to read it? But for some reason believers today find reading the bible low on their daily priority list.
My encouragement for you today is, READ YOUR BIBLE! Don't just read it to put your time in so you can say you did. Read it purposefully! Read it with the intent of hearing from God. Read it with a passion to understand God more. Read it with a desire to walk away from it feeling equip to face whatever the day may bring. Finally, JUST READ IT! (Nike Slogan)
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
As a pastor, the thing that I find so disheartening in today's churches is the fact that a lot of people do not read their bible on a daily basis. Read this clip from the Baptist Press on this issue:
Standing before nearly 700 attendees at "Read the Bible for Life" conference, George Guthrie rattled off a series of statistics:
-- 25 million copies of the Bible are sold in the United States annually.
-- Nine out of 10 homes in the U.S. have a Bible.
-- More than 400 million copies of all or part of the Bible are distributed through Bible societies each year.
Despite what would appear to be a Scripture saturation of biblical proportions, the "No. 1 predictor of spiritual maturity [according to a study by LifeWay Research] is reading the Bible on a daily basis [but] only 16 percent of churchgoers read the Bible daily and 25 percent of churchgoers don't read the Bible at all," Guthrie said at the April 15-16 conference at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.
"This means that more than 50 percent of people who come through the doors of our churches on a regular basis only read their Bibles occasionally, perhaps one or two times per month, if at all," Guthrie said. "Even more sobering, only 37 percent of those who attend church regularly say that reading and studying the Bible has made a significant difference in the way they live their lives. Only 37 percent." (Read the whole article http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=35125)
In this passage found in Luke 10 we see Jesus being tested by the religious leaders with a question and Jesus answered with a question, "How do you read it?" I would ask a question today, "How OFTEN do you read it." There is such a wealth of information, guidance, direction, and instruction in the bible. The bible can assist us in living a life that is healthy, productive, and successful. Why would we not want to read it? But for some reason believers today find reading the bible low on their daily priority list.
My encouragement for you today is, READ YOUR BIBLE! Don't just read it to put your time in so you can say you did. Read it purposefully! Read it with the intent of hearing from God. Read it with a passion to understand God more. Read it with a desire to walk away from it feeling equip to face whatever the day may bring. Finally, JUST READ IT! (Nike Slogan)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Don't Worry! Be Content! (Luke 12:22-23)
In this passage of scripture it reads:
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Lk 12:22–23). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
I remember a story about a young lady who was complaining about having to move. She was a California girl and God was moving her to Colorado Springs. For many of us we may not have ever experienced this but for her this was NOT something she wanted to do. So in her prayer time (complaining sessions with God) she asked not to move. But over and over again, God confirmed to her that this is was His will for her life. Long story short, her and her husband went on to have a very successful ministry. You may have heard of them, Jim and Shirley Dobson, founders of "FOCUS ON THE FAMILY." Shirley stated once that in her prayer time God spoke to her and said, "Shirley, I am not concerned about your happiness. I am more concerned about your obedience."
No were in the bible have I read where God says we are to be happy. We are to have "the Joy of the Lord" but this is not the same as being happy. If we are looking for happiness then we are missing the fullness of God and his love for us. Jesus tells us in the book of Luke that we are "NOT TO BE ANXIOUS!" Not being anxious means that we, instead, are to be content in Christ. Trusting that he will provide whatever is needed for his children. This is Faith!
Doctors have researched and discovered that "Stress" is the contributing factor is many illnesses found in the body. I believe what Christ was telling his people and us today was not a recommendation but a commandment, DON'T WORRY! Be content! Believe that the one who created you and I loves us so much that his desire is to feed us, protect our bodies, and clothe us. Christ tells us to allow God to take care of these things in our lives. What is required from us is to be obedient. Luke 12:31 states, "Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you." Keep our eyes on Jesus, stay in His word daily, and continue to develop our relationship with Him and all these things will take care of themselves. Don't worry, be content!
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