We live in a put-down society where the cut down artists seem to reign supreme. Our culture is peppered with vitriolic, so-called humor in sitcoms and rap albums and even in our news programs. Our politics often majors in the art of character assassination, and we have made icons of such put-down hacks as Ann Coulter on the far right and Al Franken on the far left. Too many other pseudo-journalists have become multi-millionaires with their own versions of put-down political "commentary" that has very little to do with fairness or common decency. The list, if we wished to name aother names, could go on and on. Suffice it to say that caustic comments pervade American popular culture and the cruel commentary is rewarded by many.
American Idol, television's most popular show, is powered by the cutting remarks of Simon Cowell. And any contestant is fair game for the attacks of so-called comedians. Poor Sanjaya Malakar, only seventeen, has been ridiculed beyond any kind of politeness.
But what is all this put-down humor and lack of respect getting us as a people? Psychologists Cliff Notarius of Catholic University and Howard Markman of the University of Denver studied newlyweds over the first decade of marriage, they found a very subtle but telling difference at the beginning of the relationships. Among couples who would ultimately stay together, 5 out of every 100 comments made about each other were put-downs. Among couples who would later split, 10 of every 100 comments were insults. That gap magnified over the following decade, until couples heading downhill were flinging five times as many cruel and invalidating comments at each other as happy couples. "Hostile put downs act as cancerous cells that, if unchecked, erode the relationship over time," says Notarius, who with Markman co-authored the book, We Can Work It Out. "In the end, relentless unremitting negativity takes control and the couple can't get through a week without major blowups."
The old saying "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me" was meant to buck up kids who were told hurtful things. But the truth is that words can hurt. Words are very powerful things. The Bible tells us so.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21)
There really is power in your words. According to the Scriptures, the tongue has a power. Notice it says here, "the power of the tongue". Its obvious that the power referred to here is not the physical power of the tongue as a muscle, but the power of the words it produces. So we can see that the Word of God is saying that our speech is tremendously important, powerful and significant. So much so that our words are a matter of life and death. Perhaps this is why Jesus declared, "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36). "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:37). These declarations of Jesus Christ should cause us to sit up and take notice, and consider very carefully what kind of words are coming out of our mouths and why.
Saying positive things, encouraging things are like apples of gold --- "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." - Proverbs 25:11. We need to say positive things, not negative things. We need to say things that are in line with the Word of God. Prayers and confessions based on the Word of God bring life. Put downs and cut downs bring death. CHOOSE LIFE!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
St. Patrick's Great Faith in Christ
Saint Patrick was a tremendously effective Christian missionary. He traveled the length and breath of Ireland bringing Christianity in Patrick’ own words “to the ends of the Earth and beyond.” Everywhere that Patrick traveled he established churches, many of which are still standing, albeit in ruins, bear his name to this day.
St Patrick is recorded as having died on the 17th day of March and since that time it has traditionally been celebrated as his feast day. Born in Britain of a Romanized family, he was captured at age 16 by Irish raiders and carried into slavery in Ireland. He spent six years as a herdsman before escaping from his master and being reunited with his family in Britain. Called in a dream to bring Christianity to the Irish, he returned to Ireland and journeyed far and wide, baptizing chiefs and kings and converting whole clans. One popular story says that he explained the notion of the Holy Trinity using the shamrock, now the national flower of Ireland. He is also said to have rid Ireland of snakes.
Here is a famous poem attributed by some to St. Patrick himself. It captures his great Christian faith and commitment.
Lorica
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
St. Patrick (ca. 377)
St Patrick is recorded as having died on the 17th day of March and since that time it has traditionally been celebrated as his feast day. Born in Britain of a Romanized family, he was captured at age 16 by Irish raiders and carried into slavery in Ireland. He spent six years as a herdsman before escaping from his master and being reunited with his family in Britain. Called in a dream to bring Christianity to the Irish, he returned to Ireland and journeyed far and wide, baptizing chiefs and kings and converting whole clans. One popular story says that he explained the notion of the Holy Trinity using the shamrock, now the national flower of Ireland. He is also said to have rid Ireland of snakes.
Here is a famous poem attributed by some to St. Patrick himself. It captures his great Christian faith and commitment.
Lorica
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
St. Patrick (ca. 377)
Your Light is Needed for the Church to be Bright
Heb 10:25 states “Do not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Within the covenant community, our local church, we are to encourage one another in the matter of worship attendance, of "meeting together." Don't forget, the purpose of worship is not to make us feel good but to bring worship and praise to the God Who gives us the blood, the forgiveness, and the covenant that makes us God’s children. Back when Hebrews was written, just like today, there were those who neglected to faithfully attend worship. I want to encourage you to keep coming to church each week, and it would be good if you came every time the doors are open, if you possibly can. To get the most out of me as your pastor, you need to sit under my teaching on a regular basis. The power of the Word, and the Word proclaimed, is incremental. The Blessing is multiplied by regular attendance.
. At the same time, it is your responsibility to encourage those who are not here today.. Look around you! Is there a family member – a parent, a husband or wife, a brother or sister, a son or daughter – who is not here today? Is there a friend or another member of the covenant community of this church who is not here? Pray for them and Seek them out this coming week and encourage them to attend. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another" (Hebrews 10:25). Let us encourage one another to faithfully attend our worship services.
In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago, a nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to his townspeople. At last he decided to build them a church.
No one saw the complete plans for the church until it was finished. When the people gathered, they marveled at its beauty and completeness, except that there were very small indows and no lamps. Then someone asked, "Where are the lamps? How will it be fully lighted?"
The nobleman said there were no windows because he wanted the people to bring their own light into the church. pointed to some brackets in the walls. Then he gave to each family a lamp which they were to bring with them each time they came to worship.
"Each time you are here the area where you are seated will be lighted," the nobleman said. "Each time you are not here, that area will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God's house will be dark."
Within the covenant community, our local church, we are to encourage one another in the matter of worship attendance, of "meeting together." Don't forget, the purpose of worship is not to make us feel good but to bring worship and praise to the God Who gives us the blood, the forgiveness, and the covenant that makes us God’s children. Back when Hebrews was written, just like today, there were those who neglected to faithfully attend worship. I want to encourage you to keep coming to church each week, and it would be good if you came every time the doors are open, if you possibly can. To get the most out of me as your pastor, you need to sit under my teaching on a regular basis. The power of the Word, and the Word proclaimed, is incremental. The Blessing is multiplied by regular attendance.
. At the same time, it is your responsibility to encourage those who are not here today.. Look around you! Is there a family member – a parent, a husband or wife, a brother or sister, a son or daughter – who is not here today? Is there a friend or another member of the covenant community of this church who is not here? Pray for them and Seek them out this coming week and encourage them to attend. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another" (Hebrews 10:25). Let us encourage one another to faithfully attend our worship services.
In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago, a nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to his townspeople. At last he decided to build them a church.
No one saw the complete plans for the church until it was finished. When the people gathered, they marveled at its beauty and completeness, except that there were very small indows and no lamps. Then someone asked, "Where are the lamps? How will it be fully lighted?"
The nobleman said there were no windows because he wanted the people to bring their own light into the church. pointed to some brackets in the walls. Then he gave to each family a lamp which they were to bring with them each time they came to worship.
"Each time you are here the area where you are seated will be lighted," the nobleman said. "Each time you are not here, that area will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God's house will be dark."
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Prayer: Believing and Receiving
Does God answer prayers? Will God provide for all of our needs? In my lifetime I have seen many answered prayers, in my life and in others. Glory be to God!
One of my inspirations in the English Christian George Mueller, Prussian born British evangelist and philantropsit. Mueller was a real man of faith who lived in the 19th century, and he certainly believed that God answered prayer! I received this little story in a recent email:
Believing is one thing. Receiving is another. George Mueller knew that. Did God REALLY come through for him? Let's take a look at some of his experiences, then you can draw your OWN conclusions!
During his lifetime, George Muller founded several orphanages, often supporting and running as many as three at any one time. But running three orphanages that provided homes for more than 2000 orphans isn't an easy task to accomplish when there aren't any regular funds! After serving dinner at one of his orphanages one evening, George realized that there was no food for the next day's breakfast and no money to buy any. This didn't shake him, however. When he retired for the night, he conveyed his needs to his Heavenly Father, and then he went to sleep. He knew God would provide on time. Early the next morning, a gentleman knocked on the door and offered a donation that supplied for all of their needs.
Another time when there was no breakfast for the children, George went for an early morning walk to talk it over with God. He was so caught up in discussing his needs with the One who can help that he didn't notice when he took a wrong turn. Soon he met an old acquaintance on the street. Though George never once hinted that he had financial needs, the friend offered him five pounds-enough money to provide adequate food for the orphanage for the next few days.
One day a lady offered George a small donation: 2 pennies. She was unaware that the orphanage was lacking a penny to buy bread. Later, when facing the dilemma of paying for milk, the money arrived just minutes before the milkman!
Here is George's own description of another time when there was no food for the children: "Our bread was hardly enough for the day. After dinner, when I returned thanks, I asked Him to give us our daily bread, meaning literally that He would send us bread for the evening. While I was praying there was a knock at the door of the room. After I had concluded a poor sister came in and brought us some of her dinner, and from another poor sister five shillings. In the afternoon she also brought us a large loaf. Thus the Lord not only gave us bread but also money."
On another occasion when he was praying about not having enough money, George reported: "The instant that I got up from my knees, a brother gave me one pound which had been taken out of the chapel box."
A coincidence? If it had only happened once, it might could be considered one; but this type of thing happened over and over again. George Mueller noticed that as the numbers of orphans he was taking care of increased, the Lord's provisions also increased. One kept pace with the other. God always answered George's prayers with just the right amount of food or money, never too much, never too little. And, no meal fed to the orphans was ever more than 30 minutes late. In fact, during his lifetime, George received 7½ million U.S. dollars in answer to his prayers!
There are some who would say that God's provisions are only reserved for some special kind of faith-filled religious people. Here is George Mueller's reply to this kind of remark: "Let not Satan deceive you in making you think you could not have the same faith, but that it is only for persons situated as I am. When I lose such a thing as a key, I ask the Lord to direct me to it, and I look for an answer to my prayer; when a person with whom I have an appointment does not come, I ask the Lord to be pleased to hasten him to me, and I look for an answer. Thus in all my temporal and spiritual concerns, I pray to the Lord and expect an answer to my requests; and may you do the same?"
Friend, no matter what the need is that you are facing, God WILL provide. Depending on God is an awesome adventure! No one who does so has ever been disappointed. George Muller could rightfully conclude: "Now the truth is whilst we have not had even as much as a single penny left, or so as to have the last bread on the table, and not as much money as was needed to buy another loaf, yet never have we had to sit down to a meal without our good Lord having provided nourishing food for us. I am bound to state this, and I do it with pleasure. If I had to choose this day again as to the way of living, the Lord giving me grace, I would not choose differently."
Do you trust in the faithfulness of God? Why not try doing so today?
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." NIV
One of my inspirations in the English Christian George Mueller, Prussian born British evangelist and philantropsit. Mueller was a real man of faith who lived in the 19th century, and he certainly believed that God answered prayer! I received this little story in a recent email:
Believing is one thing. Receiving is another. George Mueller knew that. Did God REALLY come through for him? Let's take a look at some of his experiences, then you can draw your OWN conclusions!
During his lifetime, George Muller founded several orphanages, often supporting and running as many as three at any one time. But running three orphanages that provided homes for more than 2000 orphans isn't an easy task to accomplish when there aren't any regular funds! After serving dinner at one of his orphanages one evening, George realized that there was no food for the next day's breakfast and no money to buy any. This didn't shake him, however. When he retired for the night, he conveyed his needs to his Heavenly Father, and then he went to sleep. He knew God would provide on time. Early the next morning, a gentleman knocked on the door and offered a donation that supplied for all of their needs.
Another time when there was no breakfast for the children, George went for an early morning walk to talk it over with God. He was so caught up in discussing his needs with the One who can help that he didn't notice when he took a wrong turn. Soon he met an old acquaintance on the street. Though George never once hinted that he had financial needs, the friend offered him five pounds-enough money to provide adequate food for the orphanage for the next few days.
One day a lady offered George a small donation: 2 pennies. She was unaware that the orphanage was lacking a penny to buy bread. Later, when facing the dilemma of paying for milk, the money arrived just minutes before the milkman!
Here is George's own description of another time when there was no food for the children: "Our bread was hardly enough for the day. After dinner, when I returned thanks, I asked Him to give us our daily bread, meaning literally that He would send us bread for the evening. While I was praying there was a knock at the door of the room. After I had concluded a poor sister came in and brought us some of her dinner, and from another poor sister five shillings. In the afternoon she also brought us a large loaf. Thus the Lord not only gave us bread but also money."
On another occasion when he was praying about not having enough money, George reported: "The instant that I got up from my knees, a brother gave me one pound which had been taken out of the chapel box."
A coincidence? If it had only happened once, it might could be considered one; but this type of thing happened over and over again. George Mueller noticed that as the numbers of orphans he was taking care of increased, the Lord's provisions also increased. One kept pace with the other. God always answered George's prayers with just the right amount of food or money, never too much, never too little. And, no meal fed to the orphans was ever more than 30 minutes late. In fact, during his lifetime, George received 7½ million U.S. dollars in answer to his prayers!
There are some who would say that God's provisions are only reserved for some special kind of faith-filled religious people. Here is George Mueller's reply to this kind of remark: "Let not Satan deceive you in making you think you could not have the same faith, but that it is only for persons situated as I am. When I lose such a thing as a key, I ask the Lord to direct me to it, and I look for an answer to my prayer; when a person with whom I have an appointment does not come, I ask the Lord to be pleased to hasten him to me, and I look for an answer. Thus in all my temporal and spiritual concerns, I pray to the Lord and expect an answer to my requests; and may you do the same?"
Friend, no matter what the need is that you are facing, God WILL provide. Depending on God is an awesome adventure! No one who does so has ever been disappointed. George Muller could rightfully conclude: "Now the truth is whilst we have not had even as much as a single penny left, or so as to have the last bread on the table, and not as much money as was needed to buy another loaf, yet never have we had to sit down to a meal without our good Lord having provided nourishing food for us. I am bound to state this, and I do it with pleasure. If I had to choose this day again as to the way of living, the Lord giving me grace, I would not choose differently."
Do you trust in the faithfulness of God? Why not try doing so today?
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." NIV
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
How to Get the Most Out of the Christian Life, Part One
If you are a Christian and are in fellowship with God, you will want to learn more about how to grow closer to Him. The Bible calls this growing "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).
There are several areas that are important for the growing Christian. Certainly prayer and daily bible reading are a key to growth. But so is being a part of a local church family and actually going to that church as often as you can. The Bible calls us to go to church: Heb 10:23-25 "23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. "
If you are a Christian you are not in the secret service. Your life should show it by belonging to a Bible-believing local church and supporting it with attendance, prayers, service and substance. If you are not doing that you are apt to fall into destructive situations. At the very least you are not being a good Christian witness in your life. Christians go to church. They lift each other up!
The proven experience of the past 2000 years shows us that gathering with other beleivers is extremely important to the Christian life. Those that say they do not need to go to church are deluded by the devil, because even if they feel they do not need church, the church (other people) needs them to be the church. We were born to be a blessing, not just to be blessed!
Attend Church Regularly! Find a Bible-believing church and support it with all your heart. When you received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you began a relationship not only with Him but also with all other Christians. Whatever it meant to you in the past, going to church can now become a rich and rewarding experience:
You will grow in understanding by hearing God's Word preached and taught. As your hear the Word, your faith grows (Romans 10:17) and as the Word seeps into you, God's leading increases. Selfishness will begin to fade away and caring and compassion will abound. You can ask questions and discuss Scripture with others. The Word changes you from the inside out. Others can pray for you and encourage you, and you can do the same for them.
You will learn to worship God, which means praising Him for all that He is and thanking Him for all that He has done for you. And the Spirit will give you gifts to build up others, and the Spirit will grow fruit in you that will enhance your life. He will teach you to walk in love!
As you worship, learn and serve with other Christians, you will find individuals with whom you can form lasting friendships (friendships that will last for all eternity!).
Remember -- your pastor cannot effectively be your pastor if you do not attend church and stay under his or her Holy Spirit guided teaching. Your pastor cannot effectively be your pastor if you do not participate in the life of the church. Your pastor cannot effectively be your pastor if you do talk to him or her and let him or her know waht to be praying for in your life. A shepherd must have sheep in the flock, together and not our by themselves under attack of the devil. So a pastor needs his parishioners in church on a weekly basis.
And do not let the devil's old trick of saying that everyone in church is a hypocrite keep you away from church. As a retired minister friend of mine is fond of saying, "I had a guy tell me he was not going to come to our church because of all the hypocrites there. I told him not to worry -- there is always room for one more!"
The biggest hypocrite is one who wants us to think he is trying to avoid others who he calls hypocrites but are just like he is.
According to the Webster's dictionary, A hypocrite is "a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives ."
So, going by the defintion, I would grant that it is true, the church does have its share of hypocrites. But I beleive the reality is it has a whole lot less than anywhere else. Overall, they are at least honest about their shortcomings and admit they are sinners, while others won’t. They are at least open and trying to reform. The only step one can make from their own hypocrisy is to admit, they like everyone else are not perfect and need the forgiveness the Christ offers. Then they can have the assurance of heaven instead of hell.
The fact is there are hypocrites in all walks of life not just in religion, and we all may be guilty of at least a bit of hypocrisy from time to time. But that is where repentance comes in, and that is why we need the forgiveness and grace of Jesus Christ. And you find that in abundance in the local church.
If you let a few hypocrites stop you from becoming a Christian and going to church, you may well end up spending all eternity with them. In hell. Not because of Jesus, but because of your own selfish pride and your own stubborn will. You must humble yourself and forgive others and seek God's love.
The Church never claimed to be perfect and if you find the perfect church you may not want to join it, because you may ruin it by your hypocrisy. At least be consistent and honest in assessing yourself as you do others. Remember, when you point a finger, three are pointing back at you!
There are several areas that are important for the growing Christian. Certainly prayer and daily bible reading are a key to growth. But so is being a part of a local church family and actually going to that church as often as you can. The Bible calls us to go to church: Heb 10:23-25 "23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. "
If you are a Christian you are not in the secret service. Your life should show it by belonging to a Bible-believing local church and supporting it with attendance, prayers, service and substance. If you are not doing that you are apt to fall into destructive situations. At the very least you are not being a good Christian witness in your life. Christians go to church. They lift each other up!
The proven experience of the past 2000 years shows us that gathering with other beleivers is extremely important to the Christian life. Those that say they do not need to go to church are deluded by the devil, because even if they feel they do not need church, the church (other people) needs them to be the church. We were born to be a blessing, not just to be blessed!
Attend Church Regularly! Find a Bible-believing church and support it with all your heart. When you received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you began a relationship not only with Him but also with all other Christians. Whatever it meant to you in the past, going to church can now become a rich and rewarding experience:
You will grow in understanding by hearing God's Word preached and taught. As your hear the Word, your faith grows (Romans 10:17) and as the Word seeps into you, God's leading increases. Selfishness will begin to fade away and caring and compassion will abound. You can ask questions and discuss Scripture with others. The Word changes you from the inside out. Others can pray for you and encourage you, and you can do the same for them.
You will learn to worship God, which means praising Him for all that He is and thanking Him for all that He has done for you. And the Spirit will give you gifts to build up others, and the Spirit will grow fruit in you that will enhance your life. He will teach you to walk in love!
As you worship, learn and serve with other Christians, you will find individuals with whom you can form lasting friendships (friendships that will last for all eternity!).
Remember -- your pastor cannot effectively be your pastor if you do not attend church and stay under his or her Holy Spirit guided teaching. Your pastor cannot effectively be your pastor if you do not participate in the life of the church. Your pastor cannot effectively be your pastor if you do talk to him or her and let him or her know waht to be praying for in your life. A shepherd must have sheep in the flock, together and not our by themselves under attack of the devil. So a pastor needs his parishioners in church on a weekly basis.
And do not let the devil's old trick of saying that everyone in church is a hypocrite keep you away from church. As a retired minister friend of mine is fond of saying, "I had a guy tell me he was not going to come to our church because of all the hypocrites there. I told him not to worry -- there is always room for one more!"
The biggest hypocrite is one who wants us to think he is trying to avoid others who he calls hypocrites but are just like he is.
According to the Webster's dictionary, A hypocrite is "a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives ."
So, going by the defintion, I would grant that it is true, the church does have its share of hypocrites. But I beleive the reality is it has a whole lot less than anywhere else. Overall, they are at least honest about their shortcomings and admit they are sinners, while others won’t. They are at least open and trying to reform. The only step one can make from their own hypocrisy is to admit, they like everyone else are not perfect and need the forgiveness the Christ offers. Then they can have the assurance of heaven instead of hell.
The fact is there are hypocrites in all walks of life not just in religion, and we all may be guilty of at least a bit of hypocrisy from time to time. But that is where repentance comes in, and that is why we need the forgiveness and grace of Jesus Christ. And you find that in abundance in the local church.
If you let a few hypocrites stop you from becoming a Christian and going to church, you may well end up spending all eternity with them. In hell. Not because of Jesus, but because of your own selfish pride and your own stubborn will. You must humble yourself and forgive others and seek God's love.
The Church never claimed to be perfect and if you find the perfect church you may not want to join it, because you may ruin it by your hypocrisy. At least be consistent and honest in assessing yourself as you do others. Remember, when you point a finger, three are pointing back at you!
Coming Out of the Pit
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3 NIV
This is a wonderful passage to encourage us to be persistent in calling on God for help when we’re in difficult circumstances. There are many possible slimy pits we may find ourselves in. The devil uses all different kinds of mud and mire to keep us in bondage to sin. If we are tired of being covered in filth and really want to get out of the pit, we need to start calling on God through prayer and truly turn away from the sin we’ve been practicing. Praying and repenting (changing, turning) go hand in hand for deliverance.
As we call on God in prayer for help, we need to remember to be patient yet persistent. We need not give up after one prayer. For whatever reason, sometimes there is a delay between the prayer request and the answer. Sometimes there are things we need to do in order to be in a position to receive help from God. If there is something holding you back, dragging you down, get rid of its weight. Then you will be lifted up.
We do know that God does things that will bring glory to his name and draw people to him. When he miraculously delivers a person from bondage to sin, he does it because he loves that person AND so that it will testify to the people around that person. Do not let other persons and their problems keep you from receiving the help you need and living the way you know (in your heart) is right and good. Do the right thing. Forgive others. Rise to a firm place in the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ. The devil keeps pulling you back into the same destructive situations, but God wants to lift you up. Choose God’s way.
God has prepared a firm place for us to stand, free of bondage to sin. As you pray and seek God for deliverance from whatever you struggle with, consider how you will glorify him as a result. Who will you tell? How will your living habits and choices change? What will you do differently that reflects the mercy and love he has shown you?
Addictions can lead to a slimy existence, a darkness in the soul. All addictions can be disabling, but experience shows some are more destructive than others -- certainly drug and alcohol abuse lead the way in being being harmful to many people and their families. If you are addicted to alcohol or drugs get away from them. Flee from the devil that is in them. How do you know if it is harmful? If it is affecting your relationship with God, with family, with church, with your job or school. Just take a sober look and be honest with yourself, and with God.
People with addictions often are like a man in a pit. It is so hard to crawl out. But it can be done, with honest self-evaluation and repentance. You have to stop blaming everyone else, stop making excuses, and take responsibility for yourself. If you need help, don't be so stubborn or prideful that you do not reach out to get help. If you have all the answers, why are you failing and falling deeper and deeper into the pit?
The answer is you do not have all the answers. You need God. You need others. You need help. It starts with humbling yourself and asking for help. The Bible cries out to us to humble ourselves before God. Then He will lift you up. But not until you HUMBLE YOURSELF!
James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
1 Peter 5:6-9 " Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
The devil wants you to be prideful and look only at others and their problems and not your own. "Prov 16:18 Pride goes before destruction,a haughty spirit before a fall." Pride was at the root of the original sin and is at the core of so much human destruction.
Humble yourself and ask God for help. Then seek help with others. Repent of your sins and sin no more, in Jesus Name!
This is a wonderful passage to encourage us to be persistent in calling on God for help when we’re in difficult circumstances. There are many possible slimy pits we may find ourselves in. The devil uses all different kinds of mud and mire to keep us in bondage to sin. If we are tired of being covered in filth and really want to get out of the pit, we need to start calling on God through prayer and truly turn away from the sin we’ve been practicing. Praying and repenting (changing, turning) go hand in hand for deliverance.
As we call on God in prayer for help, we need to remember to be patient yet persistent. We need not give up after one prayer. For whatever reason, sometimes there is a delay between the prayer request and the answer. Sometimes there are things we need to do in order to be in a position to receive help from God. If there is something holding you back, dragging you down, get rid of its weight. Then you will be lifted up.
We do know that God does things that will bring glory to his name and draw people to him. When he miraculously delivers a person from bondage to sin, he does it because he loves that person AND so that it will testify to the people around that person. Do not let other persons and their problems keep you from receiving the help you need and living the way you know (in your heart) is right and good. Do the right thing. Forgive others. Rise to a firm place in the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ. The devil keeps pulling you back into the same destructive situations, but God wants to lift you up. Choose God’s way.
God has prepared a firm place for us to stand, free of bondage to sin. As you pray and seek God for deliverance from whatever you struggle with, consider how you will glorify him as a result. Who will you tell? How will your living habits and choices change? What will you do differently that reflects the mercy and love he has shown you?
Addictions can lead to a slimy existence, a darkness in the soul. All addictions can be disabling, but experience shows some are more destructive than others -- certainly drug and alcohol abuse lead the way in being being harmful to many people and their families. If you are addicted to alcohol or drugs get away from them. Flee from the devil that is in them. How do you know if it is harmful? If it is affecting your relationship with God, with family, with church, with your job or school. Just take a sober look and be honest with yourself, and with God.
People with addictions often are like a man in a pit. It is so hard to crawl out. But it can be done, with honest self-evaluation and repentance. You have to stop blaming everyone else, stop making excuses, and take responsibility for yourself. If you need help, don't be so stubborn or prideful that you do not reach out to get help. If you have all the answers, why are you failing and falling deeper and deeper into the pit?
The answer is you do not have all the answers. You need God. You need others. You need help. It starts with humbling yourself and asking for help. The Bible cries out to us to humble ourselves before God. Then He will lift you up. But not until you HUMBLE YOURSELF!
James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
1 Peter 5:6-9 " Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
The devil wants you to be prideful and look only at others and their problems and not your own. "Prov 16:18 Pride goes before destruction,a haughty spirit before a fall." Pride was at the root of the original sin and is at the core of so much human destruction.
Humble yourself and ask God for help. Then seek help with others. Repent of your sins and sin no more, in Jesus Name!
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