Sunday, January 30, 2005
True Love
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
February, commonly known as the "love month," is just two days away. The word love usually brings to mind the mutual affection of our spouse, family and children. We try to express our love to one another in many ways.
The greatest expression of love known to mankind is the love God showed in giving his Son, Jesus Christ, to the world. How many of us would give our son to die for a world full of people knowing in advance that:
February, commonly known as the "love month," is just two days away. The word love usually brings to mind the mutual affection of our spouse, family and children. We try to express our love to one another in many ways.
The greatest expression of love known to mankind is the love God showed in giving his Son, Jesus Christ, to the world. How many of us would give our son to die for a world full of people knowing in advance that:
1. most people will think his life and death are meaningless
2. many will use his name to make money
3. his life will be ridiculed throughout human history
How many of us have sons who would volunteer to die under these circumstances? God gave His Son, but the Son gave Himself willingly. Much love has been shown to us by the Father and His Son.
Just for the record: true love is not found in other human beings, but in an intimate relationship with God. God is love.
3. his life will be ridiculed throughout human history
How many of us have sons who would volunteer to die under these circumstances? God gave His Son, but the Son gave Himself willingly. Much love has been shown to us by the Father and His Son.
Just for the record: true love is not found in other human beings, but in an intimate relationship with God. God is love.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Overwhelmed?
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. Psalms 61:1-4
Sometimes we feel overwhelmed in life. When we try to express our thoughts and concerns to a friend, our friend doesn't always seem to understand or sense our pain. We can avoid the pit of despair by taking our troubles to God.
The Lord encourages us to unload on Him: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7.
Sometimes we feel overwhelmed in life. When we try to express our thoughts and concerns to a friend, our friend doesn't always seem to understand or sense our pain. We can avoid the pit of despair by taking our troubles to God.
The Lord encourages us to unload on Him: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7.
God understands, He feels our pain and He is never overwhelmed.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Responsibility
I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:14-16
A man starts his day the way he starts every day -- rushing out of the house, grabbing a cup of coffee at Starbuck’s (or 7-11) and arriving at the office in a nick of time. But this day does not end like the others. Before it ends, he dies…
We tend to think the doctor will give us a “heads up” that death is near. Such is not always the case. Unexpected deaths are the norm in this world: automobile accidents, sudden heart attacks and natural events (floods, hurricanes) to name a few.
At the moment of death, only two things matter. The MAIN thing, of course, is your personal salvation. Secondly, is there a soul in heaven or on earth that knows of the love of Christ because you have shared the gospel? I believe that we get so wrapped up in our daily lives that we forget our commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20
Yes, I know if the Lord shall rapture us, we will not physically die. However, whether by rapture or physical death, we will be leaving earth someday. We have a limited amount of time to fulfill our personal responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
A man starts his day the way he starts every day -- rushing out of the house, grabbing a cup of coffee at Starbuck’s (or 7-11) and arriving at the office in a nick of time. But this day does not end like the others. Before it ends, he dies…
We tend to think the doctor will give us a “heads up” that death is near. Such is not always the case. Unexpected deaths are the norm in this world: automobile accidents, sudden heart attacks and natural events (floods, hurricanes) to name a few.
At the moment of death, only two things matter. The MAIN thing, of course, is your personal salvation. Secondly, is there a soul in heaven or on earth that knows of the love of Christ because you have shared the gospel? I believe that we get so wrapped up in our daily lives that we forget our commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20
Yes, I know if the Lord shall rapture us, we will not physically die. However, whether by rapture or physical death, we will be leaving earth someday. We have a limited amount of time to fulfill our personal responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is all that matters at the moment of death. Surely, He is all that matters every moment of our lives. Pay your debt.
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Opportunity
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
We are a whole week into the new year. What a blessing!! Have you ever asked yourself, “Why is God continuing to bless me with life?”
We are a whole week into the new year. What a blessing!! Have you ever asked yourself, “Why is God continuing to bless me with life?”
God wants us to love Him and to know Him intimately. He wants us to praise Him and tell others about His love. Each new day is an opportunity to do so.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Our Resolve
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high caling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
Resolutions made…many broken…so much stress…
As followers of Christ, we should keep the pruning hook to our lives. To take inventory of our lives once a year raises the question, “Why wait for a new year to look into the mirror?” If you are a New Year’s resolution enthusiast, I encourage you to “resolve not to resolve.” Press toward the mark daily.
