Ascent to Sunday:
Psalm 122
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the Lord."
2 Our feet are standing
In your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 This is where the tribes go up-
the tribes of the LORD-
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgement,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
an security within your citadels."
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, "Peace be within you."
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.
Please feel free to comment below or ask a question. And we'll see you Sunday!
Church Sign
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Friday, June 17, 2016
Of Elders, Young'ns, and Lions
The second passage of Scripture that we need to consider is 1 Peter 5:1-11. You can look that up here.
I want you to consider a couple of things that Peter says to us in this passage of Scripture. First is the fact that he addresses those who are older in their faith. He tells them that they are to watch over the flock to which they have been assigned. In this passage Peter is speaking to those who have authority in the church; elders, deacons, pastors, etc. The word translated, "elders" here is speaking directly to those people.
However, the basic term of "elder" may be referring not just to those with authority in the church, but also to those who are simply older in their faith. Those who have lived their lives in obedience to Christ in the years they have lived are by default, leaders in the church of Christ. They have much to give and much to teach. In this light, we see that Peter is encouraging those who are designated as leaders in the church and those who are older to watch over those whom they been given responsibility for.
So as we look at what Peter is challenging us to be and to do, we must understand that we are called to be shepherds...overseers of what is going on and to speak up when we must, and gently guide when we can.
Second, I want you to see that Peter also speaks to those who follow. We must submit in humility because God opposes those who are proud. We must humble ourselves so that Christ will lift us up. We must walk in humility as Christ did (see Philippians 2). We must also allow Christ to carry our burdens, because He cares about us.
Finally, we are called in this passage be alert to the Devil. He is real and he will attack us if we let him. He is described here as a roaring lion. When a lion is on the prowl and looking for food, he doesn't roar...unless he can't kill his prey. What scientists have observed with lions is that the older lions, those who do not have the strength or (sometimes) the teeth to kill the prey will flank a grazing herd of zebra, antelope or whatever they may be hunting and roar so loudly it puts the herd in a panic. Thus the herd begins to scatter and the younger, more able lions, are then able to kill the prey and the feast begins.
Satan is toothless lion. He roars to put you in a panic. He wants you to run around, worried aobut what will happen next. This is because he knows he cannot kill you. He has been defeated on the cross by Jesus Christ. He has no power over you except what you allow him to have. So don't fear the devil. Stand firm against him, and run from temptation. You will be glad you did!
Have a comment or a question? Please share it below! And we'll see you Sunday!
I want you to consider a couple of things that Peter says to us in this passage of Scripture. First is the fact that he addresses those who are older in their faith. He tells them that they are to watch over the flock to which they have been assigned. In this passage Peter is speaking to those who have authority in the church; elders, deacons, pastors, etc. The word translated, "elders" here is speaking directly to those people.
However, the basic term of "elder" may be referring not just to those with authority in the church, but also to those who are simply older in their faith. Those who have lived their lives in obedience to Christ in the years they have lived are by default, leaders in the church of Christ. They have much to give and much to teach. In this light, we see that Peter is encouraging those who are designated as leaders in the church and those who are older to watch over those whom they been given responsibility for.
So as we look at what Peter is challenging us to be and to do, we must understand that we are called to be shepherds...overseers of what is going on and to speak up when we must, and gently guide when we can.
Second, I want you to see that Peter also speaks to those who follow. We must submit in humility because God opposes those who are proud. We must humble ourselves so that Christ will lift us up. We must walk in humility as Christ did (see Philippians 2). We must also allow Christ to carry our burdens, because He cares about us.
Finally, we are called in this passage be alert to the Devil. He is real and he will attack us if we let him. He is described here as a roaring lion. When a lion is on the prowl and looking for food, he doesn't roar...unless he can't kill his prey. What scientists have observed with lions is that the older lions, those who do not have the strength or (sometimes) the teeth to kill the prey will flank a grazing herd of zebra, antelope or whatever they may be hunting and roar so loudly it puts the herd in a panic. Thus the herd begins to scatter and the younger, more able lions, are then able to kill the prey and the feast begins.
Satan is toothless lion. He roars to put you in a panic. He wants you to run around, worried aobut what will happen next. This is because he knows he cannot kill you. He has been defeated on the cross by Jesus Christ. He has no power over you except what you allow him to have. So don't fear the devil. Stand firm against him, and run from temptation. You will be glad you did!
Have a comment or a question? Please share it below! And we'll see you Sunday!
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Love Your Enemies?!?! Really?
Have you ever felt as though you were being singled out by God? That somehow what you were experiencing was unique only to you? Did you ever feel yourself getting angry at the circumstances of your life and think, "THAT'S NOT FAIR!"?
Well, if that's the case, get ready because we're going to be talking about this very thing this Sunday at Grace Church. It is my hope that we will find out what God wants us to really think about our circumstances and respond accordingly. But to get ourselves ready for that, I want us to look at two passages of Scripture...one today and one tomorrow.
The first passage is from Matthew chapter 5, verses 43-48. Go ahead and read that now. If you don't have a Bible with you, click here. Then come back to the rest of the post.
Okay, so what do you think about what Jesus says here? This is some of the most difficult teaching that I think Jesus gives us, because it so goes against our natural inclinations. Our default setting is to hate our enemies and do our best to get even with them. Most of your super villains fall under this category. There is some slight done to them and now they must get their revenge... muwahahahahahahahah (for those of you unfamiliar with the super hero genre, that's an evil laugh).
But God has a better way in mind, and that is for us to love our enemies. The best way to accept this teaching is by understanding what Jesus says in verse 45, when He reminds us that God sends the "sunshine on both the evil and the good..." He tells us this because we need to understand that people are all essentially the same. None of us is better than the other and we all need to be sensitive to this fact.
You and I all live under that same sun, the same sky, the same clouds, the same rain. God is not a respecter of persons, and He will allow things to come into each of our lives, both good and bad. So do not focus on what is "fair". Focus on Jesus!
Please feel free to comment below or ask a question. And we'll see you Sunday!
Well, if that's the case, get ready because we're going to be talking about this very thing this Sunday at Grace Church. It is my hope that we will find out what God wants us to really think about our circumstances and respond accordingly. But to get ourselves ready for that, I want us to look at two passages of Scripture...one today and one tomorrow.
The first passage is from Matthew chapter 5, verses 43-48. Go ahead and read that now. If you don't have a Bible with you, click here. Then come back to the rest of the post.
Okay, so what do you think about what Jesus says here? This is some of the most difficult teaching that I think Jesus gives us, because it so goes against our natural inclinations. Our default setting is to hate our enemies and do our best to get even with them. Most of your super villains fall under this category. There is some slight done to them and now they must get their revenge... muwahahahahahahahah (for those of you unfamiliar with the super hero genre, that's an evil laugh).
But God has a better way in mind, and that is for us to love our enemies. The best way to accept this teaching is by understanding what Jesus says in verse 45, when He reminds us that God sends the "sunshine on both the evil and the good..." He tells us this because we need to understand that people are all essentially the same. None of us is better than the other and we all need to be sensitive to this fact.
You and I all live under that same sun, the same sky, the same clouds, the same rain. God is not a respecter of persons, and He will allow things to come into each of our lives, both good and bad. So do not focus on what is "fair". Focus on Jesus!
Please feel free to comment below or ask a question. And we'll see you Sunday!
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Celebrate! June 15, 2016
Take time today to celebrate what Christ is doing in your life today and throughout this week. Look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. Consider Him, who endured the hostility of sinners and considered it joy, and follow His example. Remember that your difficulties serve as a means to prove to yourself and the world around you, that you are His child, and that He is your Father! Celebrate today, and remember that the promises made to you today will be fulfilled...no matter what!
Please feel free to comment below or ask a question. And we'll see you Sunday!
Please feel free to comment below or ask a question. And we'll see you Sunday!
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Ask Believing
On Sunday, we challenged each other to seek God when we need wisdom. We talked about what that means, and the fact that God (through James) told us that He is not stingy when it comes to giving the wisdom we need...especially when we ask with a heart that believes He will answer.
I remember a time that my father promised to do something with me on a certain day. I looked forward to that day because we had not done anything together for quite a while. When that day came, I knew that my father would be there when he promised and that there wouldn't be anything that would keep him form spending that time with me.
When the Heavenly Father makes a promise to His kids, He is always going to keep it. There is nothing in this world that will ever separate us from His love and goodness. So, we need to make sure that all of our asking for wisdom is with the confidence that God will honor His promise to give it to us.
But where do we find God's wisdom? There are a number of ways that we can gain God's wisdom. We can find God's wisdom in the teaching of those who speak for God. I'm speaking here of pastors and teachers who love God and know Him well. Many of us listen to Christian radio where we hear truth from God through men and women who know God and His Word.
Another way is through fellow Christians who have experienced the things we are going through. Many times the perspective of others can give us wisdom from God.
But the best place (and the place we should always start and end) is with God's Word. If a teacher, friend or preacher says anything that is contrary to the written Word of God, we should reject it. It is the Scripture that is the final authority for our life and doctrine. It the Scriptures that we should always begin with and return to when making wise decisions.
So believe that God will and has given you the wisdom you need. And then move forward with confidence!
Please feel free to ask a question or comment below. And we'll see you Sunday!
I remember a time that my father promised to do something with me on a certain day. I looked forward to that day because we had not done anything together for quite a while. When that day came, I knew that my father would be there when he promised and that there wouldn't be anything that would keep him form spending that time with me.
When the Heavenly Father makes a promise to His kids, He is always going to keep it. There is nothing in this world that will ever separate us from His love and goodness. So, we need to make sure that all of our asking for wisdom is with the confidence that God will honor His promise to give it to us.
But where do we find God's wisdom? There are a number of ways that we can gain God's wisdom. We can find God's wisdom in the teaching of those who speak for God. I'm speaking here of pastors and teachers who love God and know Him well. Many of us listen to Christian radio where we hear truth from God through men and women who know God and His Word.
Another way is through fellow Christians who have experienced the things we are going through. Many times the perspective of others can give us wisdom from God.
But the best place (and the place we should always start and end) is with God's Word. If a teacher, friend or preacher says anything that is contrary to the written Word of God, we should reject it. It is the Scripture that is the final authority for our life and doctrine. It the Scriptures that we should always begin with and return to when making wise decisions.
So believe that God will and has given you the wisdom you need. And then move forward with confidence!
Please feel free to ask a question or comment below. And we'll see you Sunday!
Monday, June 13, 2016
Expect Great Things
This past Sunday we talked about how we can face rough circumstance in our lives with joy. We also talked about expecting God to show up in the midst of our trials. One of the challenges from yesterday was to face our trials with expectancy. I do not know what kinds of trials you are facing today. I do not know when or where your next trial may come. But I do know it will come. Take the time now to prepare yourselves for the next trial by remembering how God has working in your life in the past...and then expect Him to show up in the future.
Also, we need to remember to expect God's answer when we ask Him for His wisdom. His wisdom is always going to lead to our betterment and the betterment of those around us. So prepare yourselves, my friends for God to do something great!
Please feel free to comment below or ask a question. And we'll see you Sunday!
Also, we need to remember to expect God's answer when we ask Him for His wisdom. His wisdom is always going to lead to our betterment and the betterment of those around us. So prepare yourselves, my friends for God to do something great!
Please feel free to comment below or ask a question. And we'll see you Sunday!
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Ascent Week 2
Once again, remember that these verses were read to encourage the people of God on their journey to worship their God in His temple. Today, may these words encourage us as we look forward to the worship we have on Sunday together!
Psalm 121New Living Translation (NLT)
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.
and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)