Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
It is dark...
I wake up early in the morning and 99.9% of the time it is dark. No sun, but just street lights, shinning of the moon, and maybe a few stars. It is hard to see in. I have to turn on the lights in my home, so I can see my clothes. I have to turn on the lights in the kitchen, so I can prepare the food for me to eat. Without light, it would be impossible (if not very difficult) to function at 4:30 am.
In our minds and hearts, we sometimes are dark. We are blinded, because we do not see the light. We are blinded to our own wisdom, our own expertise, our own desires. Why? Because we don't want to be exposed. We don't want to listen to the wisdom of others, we don't want to appreciate the talents that others can give, and we rather be served in stead of serving. We live in spiritual darkness. You can not see God until His light has come into your heart. We can't use God as a dimmer switch. He must be the bright shinning light! I am going to leave now, but I will turn on the lights so I can see. What about you?
Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—
God's grace and mercy and justice! Psalm 112:4 (The Message)
In our minds and hearts, we sometimes are dark. We are blinded, because we do not see the light. We are blinded to our own wisdom, our own expertise, our own desires. Why? Because we don't want to be exposed. We don't want to listen to the wisdom of others, we don't want to appreciate the talents that others can give, and we rather be served in stead of serving. We live in spiritual darkness. You can not see God until His light has come into your heart. We can't use God as a dimmer switch. He must be the bright shinning light! I am going to leave now, but I will turn on the lights so I can see. What about you?
Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—
God's grace and mercy and justice! Psalm 112:4 (The Message)
Friday, March 20, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Passionate Preparation
I am doing a series based on John (the Baptist). I thought this message would be helpful to some of you. Please excuse any typos or misspellings. Feedback is recommended. Enjoy!
When we look at John’s words, it appears that he too was upset, angry and emotional. He has been given a charge by God to prepare the way. He is out for justice amongst three different groups of people. But John’s words were not a cry for justice to be done, but they were a cry on the human heart to make a change. So let’s take a look at what John has to say in Luke 3, beginning with verse 7.
7 He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Those are some pretty harsh words! It is almost as if he said, “You scum buckets!” He was name calling. We can look at Matthew 3:7 and find out who this crowd is. Virtually, every time you see the Pharisees and the Sadducees, mention in the NT you know there is going to be trouble or a lesson to be learned. John called the “spade a spade.” He said who told you to flee from what is coming.
He continues on by telling that what they need to do. Verse 8 says, 8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don't start saying to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! Look, your works have to come from changing. Don’t rely on your genealogy. Don’t pull that we are children of Abraham thing. And by the way, something is getting ready to happen. He uses an analogy here to make a strong point. 9 Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." Look, something so sharp is ready now to cut the tree that doesn’t produce good fruit (actions). Not only that it is coming down to be being burned. To being consumed with self. The text here, really seems as though John is laying down hard on them and he is. It is also possible, that there is some conviction. After all, John’s message had spread from the wilderness to the nearby cities. It caused people to come and see what was going on. So people in the crowd said, 10 "What then should we do?" the crowds were asking him. John begins by teaching them what they need to do.
11 He replied to them, "The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same." What you need to do is to begin to share. Share what you have to one who doesn’t. He introduced a new action that the Pharisees and Sadducees need to take. Now the second group comes. Let’s read verse 12.
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” John had heard this question before, but he gave them a different answer. He knew that they were greedy with their money. They would include a little more percentage or themselves. So he gives them a new concept. Read verse 13.
13 He told them, “Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized.” He didn’t tell them to stop collecting. He is telling them to be honest. Collect what you are supposed to collect. Nothing more. He introduces a course of action they needed to take. But look at this next group. Let’s read verse 13.
14 Some soldiers also questioned him: "What should we do?" Do you sense a pattern here? First, it was the teachers and lawyers, tax collectors, and now the people who have power. But John does not back down. Look at what he says here. He said to them, "Don't take money from anyone by force or false accusation; be satisfied with your wages." Luke 3:7-14 (HCSB) Be happy with what you have! Don’t abuse your authority. Don’t use your power for gain. We have three separate groups and each is given a particular course of action to do. What about you?
What action in your life do you need to change? Change is the first step in having a right relationship with Christ. He is right there! John was preaching repentance. He was teaching a change of the mind. He had something specific for them and now he has something specific to you!
What if we change where we sit, so that someone else can take our place? What if we change the way we speak to our children, how much more can we better communicate with them? What if we change our habits that are keeping us apart from God, so that we can experience the fullness of Him? What if we change from being selfish, to being selfless? If we do those things, we become the greatest change agent this community will ever see. Test God in this. Watch. Listen. Apply. Grow.
When we look at John’s words, it appears that he too was upset, angry and emotional. He has been given a charge by God to prepare the way. He is out for justice amongst three different groups of people. But John’s words were not a cry for justice to be done, but they were a cry on the human heart to make a change. So let’s take a look at what John has to say in Luke 3, beginning with verse 7.
7 He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Those are some pretty harsh words! It is almost as if he said, “You scum buckets!” He was name calling. We can look at Matthew 3:7 and find out who this crowd is. Virtually, every time you see the Pharisees and the Sadducees, mention in the NT you know there is going to be trouble or a lesson to be learned. John called the “spade a spade.” He said who told you to flee from what is coming.
He continues on by telling that what they need to do. Verse 8 says, 8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don't start saying to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! Look, your works have to come from changing. Don’t rely on your genealogy. Don’t pull that we are children of Abraham thing. And by the way, something is getting ready to happen. He uses an analogy here to make a strong point. 9 Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." Look, something so sharp is ready now to cut the tree that doesn’t produce good fruit (actions). Not only that it is coming down to be being burned. To being consumed with self. The text here, really seems as though John is laying down hard on them and he is. It is also possible, that there is some conviction. After all, John’s message had spread from the wilderness to the nearby cities. It caused people to come and see what was going on. So people in the crowd said, 10 "What then should we do?" the crowds were asking him. John begins by teaching them what they need to do.
11 He replied to them, "The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same." What you need to do is to begin to share. Share what you have to one who doesn’t. He introduced a new action that the Pharisees and Sadducees need to take. Now the second group comes. Let’s read verse 12.
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” John had heard this question before, but he gave them a different answer. He knew that they were greedy with their money. They would include a little more percentage or themselves. So he gives them a new concept. Read verse 13.
13 He told them, “Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized.” He didn’t tell them to stop collecting. He is telling them to be honest. Collect what you are supposed to collect. Nothing more. He introduces a course of action they needed to take. But look at this next group. Let’s read verse 13.
14 Some soldiers also questioned him: "What should we do?" Do you sense a pattern here? First, it was the teachers and lawyers, tax collectors, and now the people who have power. But John does not back down. Look at what he says here. He said to them, "Don't take money from anyone by force or false accusation; be satisfied with your wages." Luke 3:7-14 (HCSB) Be happy with what you have! Don’t abuse your authority. Don’t use your power for gain. We have three separate groups and each is given a particular course of action to do. What about you?
What action in your life do you need to change? Change is the first step in having a right relationship with Christ. He is right there! John was preaching repentance. He was teaching a change of the mind. He had something specific for them and now he has something specific to you!
What if we change where we sit, so that someone else can take our place? What if we change the way we speak to our children, how much more can we better communicate with them? What if we change our habits that are keeping us apart from God, so that we can experience the fullness of Him? What if we change from being selfish, to being selfless? If we do those things, we become the greatest change agent this community will ever see. Test God in this. Watch. Listen. Apply. Grow.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
8 seconds short...
I am a part of a Toastmasters group at my work. We meet every Wednesday during lunch time and have a great time of practicing our speaking and leadership skills. Today, I just finished my 10th speech as part of a program to get my Competent Communicator award. It was during a speech contest which we could speak about anything. However, a strange thing happened. There was a minimum and maximum time limit (5-7 minutes). I thought that the timer may have just flashed the green card which lets me know I met the 5 minute mark and I may not have seen it. So I began to wrap up my speech. I was curious because I thought I may have been short on time. At the end of the meeting, I found out I was 8 seconds short. I didn't meet the minimum. You can see the speech below.
But isn't it great that God has no minimum time to accept his gift. He does it right on the spot. All you have to do is ask Him to forgive you, to come into your heart and make Him the owner of your life. Do it now!
But isn't it great that God has no minimum time to accept his gift. He does it right on the spot. All you have to do is ask Him to forgive you, to come into your heart and make Him the owner of your life. Do it now!
For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard
you. On the day of salvation, I helped
you.”
Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of
salvation.~2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)
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