Be a Good Student

I’m not sure where I learned this, but the idea has been ingrained in my mind for over thirty years in education — if you want to be a good teacher, be a good student. When Jesus lived on the earth, his disciples were called "talmudim". The Hebrew literally means “students”. “Talmudim” comes from the verb, "Lilmod", to
learn. In essence then, talmudim are learners.

Jesus, who was commonly called "Rabbi or teacher" in the biblical times can still be viewed as such by Christians today - which would make us his students. As such, we then go through a learning process with our teacher which may include testing!

Unlike our attempts to cram knowledge into our brains the night before a test in school, in the testing of faith, we cannot cram knowledge or understanding and still hope to pass. If we try this approach to learning we will simply find ourselves retaking the test, over and over again.

If we are truly His talmudim, we will study, pray and delve deeply into the challenging material at hand, to learn and absorb the lesson well, so that we are educated, transformed, and well equipped to move forward in the Lord. Jesus wants us to learn today’s lesson – so He can teach us a new lesson tomorrow!

The Truth
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

Hebrews 12 "Run Your Race"

Have you ever felt like you were not making progress in a certain area in your life and considered quiting? I recently came accross this story and thought I would share it with you all.

Hours behind the runner in front of him, the last marathoner finally entered the Olympic stadium. By that time, the drama of the day’s event was almost over and most of the spectators had gone home. This athlete’s story, however, was still being played out. Limping into the arena, the Tanzanian runner grimaced with every step, his knee bleeding and bandaged from an earlier fall. His ragged appearance immediately caught the attention of the remaining crowd, who cheered him on to the finish line. Why did he stay in the race? What made him endure his injuries to the end? When asked these questions later, he replied, My country did not send me 7,000 miles away to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it!

Life can be your own personal marathon wearing you down, making you feel overworked, overstressed, overwhelmed. But be encouraged, God is with you, strengthening your feeble knees and moving you in the right direction to finish your race. Just when you think you can’t run any further He will be there to encourage you, through His Word, every step of the way. You may be wounded right now from an earlier fall and may feel like there’s just no way you can make it to the end, but you can in His strength. Therefore, "run your race" keeping your eyes on Jesus.

The Truth
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Prophecy Conference

Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa is hosting a 2 day prophecy conference Friday, September 17, 2010 from 7-9 PM and again Saturday, September 18, 2010 from 10-12 PM. Guest speakers include; Chuck Smith, Jim Richards, Don Stewart, Doug Hamp with worship by Terry and Nancy Clark. The conference is free and child care will be provided.

Calvary Chapel is located at 3800 S. Fairview Road, Santa Ana, California.

He Hears Our Cry

Have you ever left a phone message for someone close to you and did not get a return call right away? Or sent a text or e-mail message and.....no response. How long before you begin to wonder: did he/she received the message? Is he/she ignoring me? Has something happened, why is there no answer?

I suspect that sometimes when we pray, we think something similar has happened to God—that for some reason He isn’t there. But the Bible offers us comfort and the assurance that God hasn’t mysteriously disappeared. He is always available to us and He hears our cry.

David wrote, “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice” (Ps. 55:17). No matter when we call on God, He hears the cries of His children and that should encourage our hearts.

The Truth
"And the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles." (Psalm 34:17)