Opps! I didn't mean to say that!
Recently, I've been thinking about how we use our tongue. NO, I'm not talking about sticking it out at people or using it to lick frozen light post. But how do we use it in our speech. Do you use your tongue to bless people or to curse people? Do you use your tongue to tell people how bad everything is, or how good everything is.
Matthew 12 says:
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
This passage tells us that if you want to look at a person's heart, then listen to what they say. Listen to what they say when they're tired. Listen to what they say when they're irritated. Listen to what they say when they hit their thumb. Listen to what they say when their mad at their spouse. Listen to what they say when they've had wrong done to them.
Every careless word will have to be accounted for on the day of judgment.
Today I was reading about an incident of road rage. One driver was upset because a car wasn't going fast enough in the passing lane. Finally the opportunity came when he could pass - on the right hand side. He spent his time mouthing words through the windows at the inconsiderate driver. Then he cut his car back over to the left hand lane - to teach them a lesson. What a lesson! He clipped the car causing it to move into the oncoming traffic. When it was all over, he was responsible for causing the death of two teenage girls in the backseat.
What was he saying as he passed the car? Was it words of blessing or cursing? Every idle word!
Jesus believed our speech was important. I don't think he was talking so much about "bad words". I think it was more like "bad sentences". Things like, "You'll never amount to anything!" or "You never do anything right!" or "I wish you'd go away and die!" Sentences like these slash and hurt. They murder the hearer. They crush the spirit.
I wonder what would be the result if this next year, we purposed in our hearts to guard every idle word - to only speak the truth in love. One pastor I admire tried being extra nice one day in all his conversation. He only spoke words up joy and goodness. He thought he was being overboard but a funny thing happened. His staff, his secretary, the custodians at the church and others he met that day - all had a much better attitude. When he got home, he continued in this manner and then his young son made the statement, "I like this daddy!!!!"
Will anyone hear our speech and make similar comments about us this next year? I can only hope and pray!
God bless
Pastor John
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Sunday, November 27, 2005
HOSPITALITY
HOSPITALITY
What do you think of when you think of strong committed Christians? A lot of people will list items like a knowledge of the Bible, knowing the doctrines of the faith, faithful in attending worship, someone who witnesses to their faith, or someone who tithes. We all have various lists we use to evaluate how good a Christian someone is.
At work we’ve been discussing the qualifications of leadership in the church. A lot of time we discuss what disqualifies someone from being a leader. But the one quality that I believe needs to be lifted up more is hospitality. This afternoon, we again were able to partake of Christian fellowship through the hospitality of one of our committed members.
So why hospitality? First because this is a quality the Bible lifts up as vital. Let’s see what the Bible says:
Romans 12:13 says
13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
1 Timothy 5:9-10 says:
9No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
1 Peter 4:9 says
9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
3 John 1:8 says
8We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.
1 Timothy 3:2 says 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
Titus 1:8 says 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
The Bible places hospitality on a higher level than most churches.
A second reason hospitality is so important is because it ministers to Christ.
In Matthew 25:35 we have the teaching about the sheep and the goats. In verse 35 it says: 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I was a stranger and you took me in.
Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
When we show kindness and hospitality to others, we are ministering to the Lord Jesus Christ as well.
A third reason is because folks are hungry for fellowship. We live a world today which is lonely and looking for friends.
The most important thing you can possibly do to increase the impact of your Christian faith may not be in many of the traditional areas. It may be simply to show acts of kindness and hospitality to those around you.
As you go through this Advent season, think about ways you can show hospitality to people around you.
God bless you
Pastor John
What do you think of when you think of strong committed Christians? A lot of people will list items like a knowledge of the Bible, knowing the doctrines of the faith, faithful in attending worship, someone who witnesses to their faith, or someone who tithes. We all have various lists we use to evaluate how good a Christian someone is.
At work we’ve been discussing the qualifications of leadership in the church. A lot of time we discuss what disqualifies someone from being a leader. But the one quality that I believe needs to be lifted up more is hospitality. This afternoon, we again were able to partake of Christian fellowship through the hospitality of one of our committed members.
So why hospitality? First because this is a quality the Bible lifts up as vital. Let’s see what the Bible says:
Romans 12:13 says
13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
1 Timothy 5:9-10 says:
9No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
1 Peter 4:9 says
9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
3 John 1:8 says
8We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.
1 Timothy 3:2 says 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
Titus 1:8 says 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
The Bible places hospitality on a higher level than most churches.
A second reason hospitality is so important is because it ministers to Christ.
In Matthew 25:35 we have the teaching about the sheep and the goats. In verse 35 it says: 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I was a stranger and you took me in.
Jesus said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
When we show kindness and hospitality to others, we are ministering to the Lord Jesus Christ as well.
A third reason is because folks are hungry for fellowship. We live a world today which is lonely and looking for friends.
The most important thing you can possibly do to increase the impact of your Christian faith may not be in many of the traditional areas. It may be simply to show acts of kindness and hospitality to those around you.
As you go through this Advent season, think about ways you can show hospitality to people around you.
God bless you
Pastor John
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Did Judas have a choice?
Did Judas have a choice?
In my Sunday School Class, we have been studying through the book of Mark. We have come now to the passage where Judas leaves the Passover table to go betray Jesus to the priest.
Jesus’ comment on this, “It would be better if he had never been born”.
How did Judas ever arrive at this terrible situation? How is it that this person who had spent three years in the presence of Jesus became the betrayer? Was it meant to be? Could it have been different?
To Review:
First, Jesus picked him to be his disciple and to be an Apostle. Did Jesus do this just to have the betrayer close at hand?
Second, Judas saw all the miracle that Jesus did and apparently never doubted their reality.
Third, Judas heard all of Jesus’ teaching.
Fourth, Judas apparently believed that Jesus wasn’t setting up a physical empire before the other disciples – that is, he understood Jesus on this issue when the others didn’t.
Fifth, he started stealing out of the money bag.
Sixth, Jesus washed his feet along with all the other disciples.
Seventh, Jesus gave Judas the seat of honor at the last supper.
So, what’s the answer? To be quite honest, I don’t really know. All I know is that up until the very end, Jesus appealed to Judas, Jesus loved Judas, and Jesus honored Judas. Jesus felt sorrow over what Judas was doing and gave him every opportunity to change his destiny.
As I read about Judas and think about how he arrived at the point of betraying the Lord of life, I switch my focus from wondering if Judas had a choice to wondering, “Could I betray Christ even as he did?”
Judas, it seems, went from a devoted disciple to a betraying brother. The Gospels all shout the answer, “Yes! He had a choice but he choose wrong”. Let’s pray that we don’t ever go down the path of Judas.
God bless
Pastor John
In my Sunday School Class, we have been studying through the book of Mark. We have come now to the passage where Judas leaves the Passover table to go betray Jesus to the priest.
Jesus’ comment on this, “It would be better if he had never been born”.
How did Judas ever arrive at this terrible situation? How is it that this person who had spent three years in the presence of Jesus became the betrayer? Was it meant to be? Could it have been different?
To Review:
First, Jesus picked him to be his disciple and to be an Apostle. Did Jesus do this just to have the betrayer close at hand?
Second, Judas saw all the miracle that Jesus did and apparently never doubted their reality.
Third, Judas heard all of Jesus’ teaching.
Fourth, Judas apparently believed that Jesus wasn’t setting up a physical empire before the other disciples – that is, he understood Jesus on this issue when the others didn’t.
Fifth, he started stealing out of the money bag.
Sixth, Jesus washed his feet along with all the other disciples.
Seventh, Jesus gave Judas the seat of honor at the last supper.
So, what’s the answer? To be quite honest, I don’t really know. All I know is that up until the very end, Jesus appealed to Judas, Jesus loved Judas, and Jesus honored Judas. Jesus felt sorrow over what Judas was doing and gave him every opportunity to change his destiny.
As I read about Judas and think about how he arrived at the point of betraying the Lord of life, I switch my focus from wondering if Judas had a choice to wondering, “Could I betray Christ even as he did?”
Judas, it seems, went from a devoted disciple to a betraying brother. The Gospels all shout the answer, “Yes! He had a choice but he choose wrong”. Let’s pray that we don’t ever go down the path of Judas.
God bless
Pastor John
Monday, September 19, 2005
No Strings Attached
No strings attached! It’s free! Nothing to purchase and no obligation!
Occasionally you’ll hear words like these – but have you ever found them to be completely true?
Everything comes with a price. Everything comes with certain strings. We preach the good news of a free salvation – you can do nothing to earn it. But, there are strings attached. You do have to receive this gift. You do have to respond to God.
God Bless,
I’ve read on several websites recently about the importance of giving aid and comfort to others with “no strings attached”. Often these sites indicate that this is the only “Christian” way to respond to people. Give to others without condition or stipulation.
I believe in giving to others. I believe in helping those in need. However, I believe that giving with strings attached often is the best way to give. If I give with the condition that a person change their self-destructive behavior, that’s good! If I give with the condition that the person heading to hell to listen to the gospel and have the opportunity to get saved, that’s good!
I attended a Sunday School Class that was repairing a home for a mission project. Nobody knew that they were doing this work because they were Christians because they were afraid it might offend someone.
Jesus said “let your light shine so that others might see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” But how can we let others see our work if we hide it under the bushel of “no strings attached.”
Let’s give, but let’s give in such a way that it advances the cause of the Gospel and glorifies the Father who is in heaven.
God Bless
Pastor John
Occasionally you’ll hear words like these – but have you ever found them to be completely true?
Everything comes with a price. Everything comes with certain strings. We preach the good news of a free salvation – you can do nothing to earn it. But, there are strings attached. You do have to receive this gift. You do have to respond to God.
God Bless,
I’ve read on several websites recently about the importance of giving aid and comfort to others with “no strings attached”. Often these sites indicate that this is the only “Christian” way to respond to people. Give to others without condition or stipulation.
I believe in giving to others. I believe in helping those in need. However, I believe that giving with strings attached often is the best way to give. If I give with the condition that a person change their self-destructive behavior, that’s good! If I give with the condition that the person heading to hell to listen to the gospel and have the opportunity to get saved, that’s good!
I attended a Sunday School Class that was repairing a home for a mission project. Nobody knew that they were doing this work because they were Christians because they were afraid it might offend someone.
Jesus said “let your light shine so that others might see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” But how can we let others see our work if we hide it under the bushel of “no strings attached.”
Let’s give, but let’s give in such a way that it advances the cause of the Gospel and glorifies the Father who is in heaven.
God Bless
Pastor John
Monday, August 29, 2005
Does God still direct the affairs of nations?
Proverbs 14:34 states, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people".
What's this mean in todays affairs of state? Does God bless some countries and not others? Does he withdraw his blessings from countries when they turn to sin?
A few years ago, people got upset because Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson said the attacks of 9/11 might have had something to do with the level of righteous, or lack of righteousness in our nation. Is that a possibility?
This is not to excuse the terrorists by any means. The book of Romans tells us that God institutes government to be a terror to evil doers.
(13:3) For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. (NIV)
I believe that God has granted the sword to the state to bring punishment upon those who commit public evil and so I support our governments attempt to find those who support the destruction of innocent life. I believe we are doing the right thing in confronting evil and bringing freedom to oppressed peoples.
Are we as a nation affecting the level of blessing by our descent into sin? I believe the Bible teaches this.
Most people do not have a problem with the thought that nations are blessed by God for obeying his word. However, just as the message of Jesus Christ is not only about heaven but also about hell, so also the Bible teaches that God curses nations for disobedience.
We have become so conditioned to a humanistic worldview that these ideas can sound shocking! How dare you bring God into the picture. Don't you know that a nations fate is based upon it's trade balance, the interest rates the Federal Reserve sets, the marginal tax rate and the state of the military? Oh really? The Bible clearly teaches that God is sovereign in the affairs of men - including the nations.
Read the Old Testament and watch God sovereignly pick and choose kings. Watch him bring up the country of Babylon to punish Judah. Watch him punish the nation of Egypt for oppressing Israel.
Unless we believe that God has fallen asleep at the switch, or has become a different kind of God (which the book of James tells us never happens), then God is still directing the affairs of men today.
God has not revealed to me which sin he tolerates and which sin he condemns. I'm not going to say any particular disaster occured because of one sin or another. I believe that God judges all sin. However, I believe it's clear that we have, as a society lost much of our respect of God's law. We have clearly excluded him from our national intitutions. And you can read any list of sins you want, and you will find plenty of it going on.
As one famous author titled his book, "How should we then live?". This is the question each of us have to ask as we petition God in the Lord's prayer, "Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven."
What's this mean in todays affairs of state? Does God bless some countries and not others? Does he withdraw his blessings from countries when they turn to sin?
A few years ago, people got upset because Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson said the attacks of 9/11 might have had something to do with the level of righteous, or lack of righteousness in our nation. Is that a possibility?
This is not to excuse the terrorists by any means. The book of Romans tells us that God institutes government to be a terror to evil doers.
(13:3) For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. (NIV)
I believe that God has granted the sword to the state to bring punishment upon those who commit public evil and so I support our governments attempt to find those who support the destruction of innocent life. I believe we are doing the right thing in confronting evil and bringing freedom to oppressed peoples.
Are we as a nation affecting the level of blessing by our descent into sin? I believe the Bible teaches this.
Most people do not have a problem with the thought that nations are blessed by God for obeying his word. However, just as the message of Jesus Christ is not only about heaven but also about hell, so also the Bible teaches that God curses nations for disobedience.
We have become so conditioned to a humanistic worldview that these ideas can sound shocking! How dare you bring God into the picture. Don't you know that a nations fate is based upon it's trade balance, the interest rates the Federal Reserve sets, the marginal tax rate and the state of the military? Oh really? The Bible clearly teaches that God is sovereign in the affairs of men - including the nations.
Read the Old Testament and watch God sovereignly pick and choose kings. Watch him bring up the country of Babylon to punish Judah. Watch him punish the nation of Egypt for oppressing Israel.
Unless we believe that God has fallen asleep at the switch, or has become a different kind of God (which the book of James tells us never happens), then God is still directing the affairs of men today.
God has not revealed to me which sin he tolerates and which sin he condemns. I'm not going to say any particular disaster occured because of one sin or another. I believe that God judges all sin. However, I believe it's clear that we have, as a society lost much of our respect of God's law. We have clearly excluded him from our national intitutions. And you can read any list of sins you want, and you will find plenty of it going on.
As one famous author titled his book, "How should we then live?". This is the question each of us have to ask as we petition God in the Lord's prayer, "Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven."
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
It's an Infallible thing!
What does a church do once is stops believing the Bible as the inspired Word of God? The answer to that question is “Anything they want to do!” One of our members pointed out the following news story for July 4, 2005.
The president of the United Church of Christ said his denomination "acted courageously to declare freedom" when it passed a resolution endorsing same-sex marriage on Independence Day. The resolution calls on member churches of the liberal denomination's 1.3 million members to consider wedding policies "that do not discriminate against couples based on gender." It also asks churches to consider supporting legislation granting equal marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples and to work against laws banning gay marriage.
Our church (as an institution and as a body of individual believers) has staked it’s soul on the Bible, God’s infallible rule for faith and practice. What’s this mean for us?
First – The Bible is God’s gift to us. The Bible is not a book made by mere man even though men were the instruments used in writing.
Second – The Bible is infallible. That is, it does not teach anything false. If the Bible teaches it, you can believe it.
Third – it is a rule. Most people do not like rules. They want to do whatever they please. But the Bible is clear – it really is God’s way or the highway! Christianity is not just following a bunch of rules, it’s more of a relationship. However, God has clearly stated rules which reveal whether a relationship exists.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 states,
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Do not believe that you can take your favorite sin with you into heaven.
Fourth – it’s for faith and for practice. God’s Holy Word is where we find our faith. We do not find it through mystical experiences, thoughtful reasoning, or visiting with our friends over a couple of beers. We find it in God’s word. “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” – Romans.
God’s word is also our source for our practices. James tells us, “Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”.
Let’s praise God for his infallible word given to us and make it our infallible rule for faith and practice.
God Bless
Pastor John
The president of the United Church of Christ said his denomination "acted courageously to declare freedom" when it passed a resolution endorsing same-sex marriage on Independence Day. The resolution calls on member churches of the liberal denomination's 1.3 million members to consider wedding policies "that do not discriminate against couples based on gender." It also asks churches to consider supporting legislation granting equal marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples and to work against laws banning gay marriage.
Our church (as an institution and as a body of individual believers) has staked it’s soul on the Bible, God’s infallible rule for faith and practice. What’s this mean for us?
First – The Bible is God’s gift to us. The Bible is not a book made by mere man even though men were the instruments used in writing.
Second – The Bible is infallible. That is, it does not teach anything false. If the Bible teaches it, you can believe it.
Third – it is a rule. Most people do not like rules. They want to do whatever they please. But the Bible is clear – it really is God’s way or the highway! Christianity is not just following a bunch of rules, it’s more of a relationship. However, God has clearly stated rules which reveal whether a relationship exists.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 states,
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Do not believe that you can take your favorite sin with you into heaven.
Fourth – it’s for faith and for practice. God’s Holy Word is where we find our faith. We do not find it through mystical experiences, thoughtful reasoning, or visiting with our friends over a couple of beers. We find it in God’s word. “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” – Romans.
God’s word is also our source for our practices. James tells us, “Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves”.
Let’s praise God for his infallible word given to us and make it our infallible rule for faith and practice.
God Bless
Pastor John
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Causing Jesus to Sigh
This morning in Sunday School class, we were discussing Mark chapter 8. In this chapter Jesus, after feeding the 4000 travels across the lake and runs in to some Pharisees. There they ask for a sign to demonstrate he truly is a prophet. Jesus flat out refuses to do such a thing. In verse 11 it says, “He sighed deeply and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.'”
I wonder just how often we cause Jesus to sigh deeply. Jesus performed miracle after miracle and yet the religious teachers seemed completely unable to see anything other than a trouble maker.
People often wonder about God. You can find them discussing what God is like in the newspapers, at work, and at coffeeshops. Thoughts about God are like noses, we all have them and they all smell. It's not wrong to ponder God. The problem is we try to form opinions without using the scriptures as a guide.
I wonder if Jesus hung around me and listened to my opinions, would he sigh deeply also? I hope not.
Study to show yourselves approved unto God!
God Bless you
Pastor John
I wonder just how often we cause Jesus to sigh deeply. Jesus performed miracle after miracle and yet the religious teachers seemed completely unable to see anything other than a trouble maker.
People often wonder about God. You can find them discussing what God is like in the newspapers, at work, and at coffeeshops. Thoughts about God are like noses, we all have them and they all smell. It's not wrong to ponder God. The problem is we try to form opinions without using the scriptures as a guide.
I wonder if Jesus hung around me and listened to my opinions, would he sigh deeply also? I hope not.
Study to show yourselves approved unto God!
God Bless you
Pastor John
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
NO DUH!
My wife spent part of the day reading business books.
One book she was looking at had a whole lot of obvious information in it.
"Create Your Own Future" by Brian Tracy
(not exact quotes)
If you want to succeed, do the things successful people do.
Make time to do the things which are most likely to result in success.
There is a direct relationship between the number of different things you attempt and the likelihood of eventual success.
We look at statements like this and want to say, "NO - DUH!" But the facts are, we often do exactly the opposite.
We spend our time, energy, and effort in many self-defeating activities. This is true in both the spiritual realm and the physical realm.
What is it that you want out of life? -
What is it you desire out of eternity? -
So often I find myself wanting one goal and spend my time moving toward another goal.
Maybe we should be more like the apostle Paul who said,
"Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Pastor John
Love one another to tell the truth. Eternity depends on it!
One book she was looking at had a whole lot of obvious information in it.
"Create Your Own Future" by Brian Tracy
(not exact quotes)
If you want to succeed, do the things successful people do.
Make time to do the things which are most likely to result in success.
There is a direct relationship between the number of different things you attempt and the likelihood of eventual success.
We look at statements like this and want to say, "NO - DUH!" But the facts are, we often do exactly the opposite.
We spend our time, energy, and effort in many self-defeating activities. This is true in both the spiritual realm and the physical realm.
What is it that you want out of life? -
What is it you desire out of eternity? -
So often I find myself wanting one goal and spend my time moving toward another goal.
Maybe we should be more like the apostle Paul who said,
"Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Pastor John
Love one another to tell the truth. Eternity depends on it!
Friday, February 25, 2005
Stink on your hands
A preacher was out coon hunting with a friend of his. Coming back to the truck they found themselves stuck. There were high embankments on both sides and a skunk blocking the way in front of them. The little skunk had his head stuck in a large "Miracle Whip" jar and he couldn't get it off.
The conversation between the two went like this:
"Knock it off with a stick."
"Not a chance!"
"Then shoot it off with a pistol."
"No way!"
Finally they set down on a stump to wait it out. Eventually the little skunk fell in the creek and was carried away.
When the preacher got home, God spoke to him.
"You could have saved that poor little skunk if you wanted to. But you didn't want to get the stink on your hands." Then God taught him this lesson:
There are millions of people lost and going to hell and we don't do anything about it because we are afraid to get the stink on our hands.
I listened a tape recently with this story. This preacher had been a boy growing up in a poor dysfuntional family. And no one ever came and invited them to church or told them about Jesus because they didn't want to get the stink on their hands.
I am so glad God got his hands dirty and smelly and rescued me. I cried when I listened to that tape. God forgive me for letting people die without the Gospel.
Pastor John
Love one another to tell the truth. Eternity depends on it!
The conversation between the two went like this:
"Knock it off with a stick."
"Not a chance!"
"Then shoot it off with a pistol."
"No way!"
Finally they set down on a stump to wait it out. Eventually the little skunk fell in the creek and was carried away.
When the preacher got home, God spoke to him.
"You could have saved that poor little skunk if you wanted to. But you didn't want to get the stink on your hands." Then God taught him this lesson:
There are millions of people lost and going to hell and we don't do anything about it because we are afraid to get the stink on our hands.
I listened a tape recently with this story. This preacher had been a boy growing up in a poor dysfuntional family. And no one ever came and invited them to church or told them about Jesus because they didn't want to get the stink on their hands.
I am so glad God got his hands dirty and smelly and rescued me. I cried when I listened to that tape. God forgive me for letting people die without the Gospel.
Pastor John
Love one another to tell the truth. Eternity depends on it!
Monday, January 03, 2005
New Years Resolutions
New Years Resolutions
I always dread New Years resolutions. Maybe its a committment thing. I'm always tempted to fudge a bit. You know how it is - I'll kinda try to do this, maybe I'll try and do that.
That way, when I don't succeed at the end of the year, I can make excuses and say, "I really wasn't trying - it wasn't a real goal."
Last night I read something about the 1953 class of Yale. A survey was taken and only 3% of the students had written down goals. In 1973, that group was re-interviewed. The 3% who had written down goals had a greater net worth than the other 97% of the students combined.
This is not about increasing our net worth - but about growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm afraid it just won't happen if we do not make a committment.
This is also not about legalism. What I'm planning on doing is not a method to make me right with God - that is through faith in Jesus Christ. What God is calling for you to do may or may not be anything like my list. Neither am I trying to brag.
I Peter 5:3 says the pastor is to be an example and you can't do that if you hide everything.
So, you're asking - what are you going to commit to?
Gulp! Here goes:
1 - Read the Bible through again.
2 - Fast once a month. (12 times during the year)
3 - Memorize at least one scripture verse a week. (52 verses)
4 - Have at least 4 class parties this year.
This list does not have everything on it and it may grow throughout the year. If you want to share what your resolutions are this year I would be interested. If you want to keep them a secret - that's ok too.
Enough for now
God bless
Pastor John
Love one another to tell the truth. Eternity depends on it!
I always dread New Years resolutions. Maybe its a committment thing. I'm always tempted to fudge a bit. You know how it is - I'll kinda try to do this, maybe I'll try and do that.
That way, when I don't succeed at the end of the year, I can make excuses and say, "I really wasn't trying - it wasn't a real goal."
Last night I read something about the 1953 class of Yale. A survey was taken and only 3% of the students had written down goals. In 1973, that group was re-interviewed. The 3% who had written down goals had a greater net worth than the other 97% of the students combined.
This is not about increasing our net worth - but about growing in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm afraid it just won't happen if we do not make a committment.
This is also not about legalism. What I'm planning on doing is not a method to make me right with God - that is through faith in Jesus Christ. What God is calling for you to do may or may not be anything like my list. Neither am I trying to brag.
I Peter 5:3 says the pastor is to be an example and you can't do that if you hide everything.
So, you're asking - what are you going to commit to?
Gulp! Here goes:
1 - Read the Bible through again.
2 - Fast once a month. (12 times during the year)
3 - Memorize at least one scripture verse a week. (52 verses)
4 - Have at least 4 class parties this year.
This list does not have everything on it and it may grow throughout the year. If you want to share what your resolutions are this year I would be interested. If you want to keep them a secret - that's ok too.
Enough for now
God bless
Pastor John
Love one another to tell the truth. Eternity depends on it!
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