I've been thinking as I watch the wind blow across the lake about God being known from His creation. This winter the lake was cold, blue, hard, and frozen. As the sun became stronger and shone bright upon the lake is began to melt becoming warm, reflective, fluid, and sparkling. It began to reflect the light of the sunsets and the glitter of the noonday. It moved as the spirit of the wind crossed it.
Our souls are much like that body of water. They can be cold, blue, hard, and frozen within us. As the Son of God shines on us when we repent, change our ways, and believe in Christ's resurrection from the dead and the Holy Spirit blows across our souls we become warm, shining, fluid and reflecting His character to those around us. The Holy Spirit moves us to reach out to others who are still trapped in the frozen wilderness of unrepentant lives. Oh how free they could be as their souls are warmed by the risen Son and their lives shine His light out around the world! Hallelujah! He is risen. He is risen indeed!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Body Image
I have been thinking about the Titus 2 seminar coming up concerning body image. We will be listening to a lesson from Beth Moore and I have just finished learning some excellent thoughts from Dr. Ed Welch that I will share at this seminar. He spoke at Capital Hill Baptist Church with the title "Does Thin Equal Beautiful?" and how we as Christians respond to this question. His ideas are beautiful if I may repeat that term and he reminds us that the bible has profound answers to our life struggles. He has us consider seeking something more beautiful than ourselves and loving others more than ourselves. He has us learn to understand the freedom we have in Christ and pointing others to Christ. I think you will like his look at the struggles of eating and addictions in our lives. The seminar is Saturday March 24th from 9 - 11 at Bethel Baptist Church in Greeley, Colorado. See you there.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Be Quick to Listen and Then Do Something
I have been thinking about the book of James due to our study at Bethel in Greeley, Colorado on Thursday mornings but also because it has some scriptures that ring so true in my life. The ones we have been studying this week include speaking, hearing, and doing. After reading the Spiritual Disciplines book on prayer and meditation these are especially good. James 1:19 "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. do what it says."
The reason I am writing on this is that it is so easy to read the word, hear the word, go on and forget the word. It is also easy when talking with others to be quick to cut them off in order to give them our wisdom or excuses on a subject. So much can be discovered if we learn to wait and learn to think on something before we open our mouths. God knows this and speaks to even little habits such as this that can have BIG consequences.
When we listen before we speak we can learn the heart and mind of the person or the matter at hand. This includes our husband, children, friends, and co-workers. It may totally change how we respond. While we are listening and thinking we can use verse 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, and it will be given to him." I guarantee this will change your response and the words coming out of your mouth!
This waiting and meditating IS part of the doing of God's word. Of course, there are many other things that James and Christ are teaching us about doing but we can at least start there. How many bible studies, sermons, books, podcasts do we hear without changing anything we do? It could be hundreds. I included myself in that. Let's not be crushed with guilt but really contemplate whether or not we can do something with what we have learned.
Mark Dever is now teaching in his sermons through the book of James. You can download those from the Capitol Hill Baptist Church website. Under his sermon on 1:19 he brings in Ephesians 4:29-30 and how we can grieve the Holy Spirit with our conversations. Apparently this is very important to God. Our mouths reflect our hearts and we are supposed to reflect our Savior Jesus Christ. Let's do something about our hearts and our mouths. In God's power He is changing us for the good when He teaches us these things. He tells us we will be blessed when we do what He says and what He does.
The reason I am writing on this is that it is so easy to read the word, hear the word, go on and forget the word. It is also easy when talking with others to be quick to cut them off in order to give them our wisdom or excuses on a subject. So much can be discovered if we learn to wait and learn to think on something before we open our mouths. God knows this and speaks to even little habits such as this that can have BIG consequences.
When we listen before we speak we can learn the heart and mind of the person or the matter at hand. This includes our husband, children, friends, and co-workers. It may totally change how we respond. While we are listening and thinking we can use verse 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault, and it will be given to him." I guarantee this will change your response and the words coming out of your mouth!
This waiting and meditating IS part of the doing of God's word. Of course, there are many other things that James and Christ are teaching us about doing but we can at least start there. How many bible studies, sermons, books, podcasts do we hear without changing anything we do? It could be hundreds. I included myself in that. Let's not be crushed with guilt but really contemplate whether or not we can do something with what we have learned.
Mark Dever is now teaching in his sermons through the book of James. You can download those from the Capitol Hill Baptist Church website. Under his sermon on 1:19 he brings in Ephesians 4:29-30 and how we can grieve the Holy Spirit with our conversations. Apparently this is very important to God. Our mouths reflect our hearts and we are supposed to reflect our Savior Jesus Christ. Let's do something about our hearts and our mouths. In God's power He is changing us for the good when He teaches us these things. He tells us we will be blessed when we do what He says and what He does.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
I'm Back
I was thinking it is time to write again. Life's distractions kept me away for awhile and I have been learning about how people blog. Thus, this blog might take on different formats as I go along.
I just returned from a conference on biblical counseling. Biblical counseling believes this: "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16 -17
Put that thought with this: We do what we do because we want what we want. We want what we want out of the desires of our hearts. What are the desires of our hearts? Does every one have desires of the heart? Do people who struggle whether knowing Christ or not knowing Christ have desires of the heart? Do we as Christians think God has answers for them? If we do, do we ponder how to point people to those answers? The beauty of Christ is He has answers for changing the heart and out of that comes fruit that comes now and for eternity if we walk and talk with Him. Our lives and the lives of others can be lived more fully because of Him. There is hope for our hearts and thus for our lives now and forever!
That is some GOOD NEWS!!
I just returned from a conference on biblical counseling. Biblical counseling believes this: "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16 -17
Put that thought with this: We do what we do because we want what we want. We want what we want out of the desires of our hearts. What are the desires of our hearts? Does every one have desires of the heart? Do people who struggle whether knowing Christ or not knowing Christ have desires of the heart? Do we as Christians think God has answers for them? If we do, do we ponder how to point people to those answers? The beauty of Christ is He has answers for changing the heart and out of that comes fruit that comes now and for eternity if we walk and talk with Him. Our lives and the lives of others can be lived more fully because of Him. There is hope for our hearts and thus for our lives now and forever!
That is some GOOD NEWS!!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Glory to God in the Highest
I've been thinking about several Point of Grace Christmas songs and the sermons at church this month. I am encouraged by the words of both. Their common denominator is glorifying God. That term is used all the time in our churches, in God's word, and in Christian literature but I wonder if we really know how to do that? Here are snippets of the lyrics from three songs that move me every Christmas to focus on Christ at Christmas and all year long and they all glorify God.
Let there be light. Let it shine bright. Piercing the darkness with dazzling light. Hope for the hopeless was born on that night when God sent His son. We who are His have this calling to
PRAISE HIM AND MAKE HIS NAME KNOWN so one day the presence of Jesus shines in every heart and every home.
Oh Emmanuel, God with us. Spirit revealed in us. That we may be your hope to the world. Oh Emmanuel, God with us. With a light to break the darkness that we may show your hope to the world.
We're alive. We can breath. But do we really care for this world in need? There's a choice we must make each and every day. So close your eyes and share the dream. Let everyone on Earth believe. The Child was born, the stars shone bright and love came down at Christmas time. Love came down at Christmas time. The time has come to celebrate so let your voices fill the air. Everyone, watch and pray.
Paul Reese brought to our attention that we have the same ministry as John. His assignment was to prepare the people for the King and we are to prepare them, also. We have been given the tools. We have God's word. It shows us how to praise and shapes our thinking and our lives if we let it. We must believe in our hearts and trust His word then we must use words to prepare others. Use God's words. Use God's words to praise. Use God's words to pray. Use God's words to teach. Use God's words to comfort. These all glorify God. They make Him known. Words are necessary.
Rob Crust reminded us that we want glory but God deserves glory. He is magnificent in all things. God sent Christ His son to save us and this sacrifice points us further to His glory. Everything about Christ teaches us about God and shows us how to make God known to others. Christ served humbly for our benefit. He is our model for all godly living. Are we servants to others? Are we willing to take the burdens of other people as Christ did? Are we willing to serve gladly for those around us?
What does humble service look like? As you go through your day are your eyes and ears listening for ways to serve? Here are some examples? If you are married, when you're done with your shower do you take the best, dry fluffy towel for yourself or do you think to leave it in just the right place for your husband to reach it? Do you have room mates? Do you take the last yogurt in the fridge and leave your trash and dirty spoon on the counter or do you eat something else not as appetizing to yourself, empty the dishwasher, and run to the store at the first chance to get more for the fridge? At work are you looking to get the respect you deserve or do you do a couple of extra things for your coworker who is laid low with a cold this week? At the grocery store do you park further away because your legs are strong and nimble so those whose legs are weak can park closer? Do you notice what might needs to be done at church. Do the shelves need to be straightened? A meal delivered? A card sent? There are thousands of ways to serve.
In it all you are not looking for glory for yourself as such a nice person but serving as a loving sacrifice to God in an effort to MAKE HIS NAME KNOWN. This is glorifying God at Christmas and all year long.
Merry Christmas everyone and may you know and make known our Savior each day you are given.
Let there be light. Let it shine bright. Piercing the darkness with dazzling light. Hope for the hopeless was born on that night when God sent His son. We who are His have this calling to
PRAISE HIM AND MAKE HIS NAME KNOWN so one day the presence of Jesus shines in every heart and every home.
Oh Emmanuel, God with us. Spirit revealed in us. That we may be your hope to the world. Oh Emmanuel, God with us. With a light to break the darkness that we may show your hope to the world.
We're alive. We can breath. But do we really care for this world in need? There's a choice we must make each and every day. So close your eyes and share the dream. Let everyone on Earth believe. The Child was born, the stars shone bright and love came down at Christmas time. Love came down at Christmas time. The time has come to celebrate so let your voices fill the air. Everyone, watch and pray.
Paul Reese brought to our attention that we have the same ministry as John. His assignment was to prepare the people for the King and we are to prepare them, also. We have been given the tools. We have God's word. It shows us how to praise and shapes our thinking and our lives if we let it. We must believe in our hearts and trust His word then we must use words to prepare others. Use God's words. Use God's words to praise. Use God's words to pray. Use God's words to teach. Use God's words to comfort. These all glorify God. They make Him known. Words are necessary.
Rob Crust reminded us that we want glory but God deserves glory. He is magnificent in all things. God sent Christ His son to save us and this sacrifice points us further to His glory. Everything about Christ teaches us about God and shows us how to make God known to others. Christ served humbly for our benefit. He is our model for all godly living. Are we servants to others? Are we willing to take the burdens of other people as Christ did? Are we willing to serve gladly for those around us?
What does humble service look like? As you go through your day are your eyes and ears listening for ways to serve? Here are some examples? If you are married, when you're done with your shower do you take the best, dry fluffy towel for yourself or do you think to leave it in just the right place for your husband to reach it? Do you have room mates? Do you take the last yogurt in the fridge and leave your trash and dirty spoon on the counter or do you eat something else not as appetizing to yourself, empty the dishwasher, and run to the store at the first chance to get more for the fridge? At work are you looking to get the respect you deserve or do you do a couple of extra things for your coworker who is laid low with a cold this week? At the grocery store do you park further away because your legs are strong and nimble so those whose legs are weak can park closer? Do you notice what might needs to be done at church. Do the shelves need to be straightened? A meal delivered? A card sent? There are thousands of ways to serve.
In it all you are not looking for glory for yourself as such a nice person but serving as a loving sacrifice to God in an effort to MAKE HIS NAME KNOWN. This is glorifying God at Christmas and all year long.
Merry Christmas everyone and may you know and make known our Savior each day you are given.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Be Joyful Always
I was thinking more about 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18 again. "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. How can we really understand that God is with us in all circumstances?
The only way I know to do that is to be where He is. If you spend each day walking in the world with no conversation with God how would you know He is with you? In that situation you are fed what the world has to say, which is often a distorted perspective, or you are having conversations with yourself that get you nowhere. How do you have conversations with God instead?
We have His Word and we have prayer. God has already given us these ways to communicate with Him. There are many precious nuggets of truth to guide our perspective right on our nightstands or coffee tables. The bible is not for Sundays only. Here is a method that will help you hear better when God speaks in His Word.
Meditate on what you have read. If you just read it and close the book God has not had time to speak into your situation. There are many ways to meditate on a passage. When you meditate on the words you absorb them into your mind. You can start with the guide in the back of your bible to find passages about trials or love or Jesus whatever you are needing to hear. The Psalms are great to meditate on. Read the words then pray through them with your situation in mind. Rewrite them in your own words. Repeat the words with emphasis on different words each time and see how the verse speaks differently.
These ideas came from the book "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" by Donald Whitney. It is a great resource to help us spend more time with our God who loves us and promises to be with us in all things.
The only way I know to do that is to be where He is. If you spend each day walking in the world with no conversation with God how would you know He is with you? In that situation you are fed what the world has to say, which is often a distorted perspective, or you are having conversations with yourself that get you nowhere. How do you have conversations with God instead?
We have His Word and we have prayer. God has already given us these ways to communicate with Him. There are many precious nuggets of truth to guide our perspective right on our nightstands or coffee tables. The bible is not for Sundays only. Here is a method that will help you hear better when God speaks in His Word.
Meditate on what you have read. If you just read it and close the book God has not had time to speak into your situation. There are many ways to meditate on a passage. When you meditate on the words you absorb them into your mind. You can start with the guide in the back of your bible to find passages about trials or love or Jesus whatever you are needing to hear. The Psalms are great to meditate on. Read the words then pray through them with your situation in mind. Rewrite them in your own words. Repeat the words with emphasis on different words each time and see how the verse speaks differently.
These ideas came from the book "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" by Donald Whitney. It is a great resource to help us spend more time with our God who loves us and promises to be with us in all things.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Give Thanks
I was thinking about Thanksgiving and this verse came to mind while I prayed. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
I imagine, if you are like most people, your reaction is to question this perspective. How in the world can you give thanks for all circumstances. Well here is the key word in this passage that trips people. The verse says "in" all circumstances not "for" all circumstances. There are many things that come into our lives that will not inspire thanksgiving but grumbling and understandably so.
When you understand the difference in the phrasing it makes all the difference. We can always be thankful that God is with us through or "in" our circumstances. He will walk with us, give us wisdom, peace, comfort, love, and guidance each step of the way.
On this Thanksgiving weekend whatever circumstance you find yourself "in" remember your all powerful, all knowing, gracious God who loves you and truly give thanks.
Holy, holy, holy are you God, our God, the God of all comfort.
I imagine, if you are like most people, your reaction is to question this perspective. How in the world can you give thanks for all circumstances. Well here is the key word in this passage that trips people. The verse says "in" all circumstances not "for" all circumstances. There are many things that come into our lives that will not inspire thanksgiving but grumbling and understandably so.
When you understand the difference in the phrasing it makes all the difference. We can always be thankful that God is with us through or "in" our circumstances. He will walk with us, give us wisdom, peace, comfort, love, and guidance each step of the way.
On this Thanksgiving weekend whatever circumstance you find yourself "in" remember your all powerful, all knowing, gracious God who loves you and truly give thanks.
Holy, holy, holy are you God, our God, the God of all comfort.
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