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.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
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)
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)
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Consequences of Sin
The Bible teaches us that, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) And that, "there is none righteous, no not one." (Romans 3:10)
Thankfully, it also teaches us that, "God has so demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Why? Because "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
While there is forgiveness of sin and everlasting life through Jesus Christ, the bible also teaches there are consequences for the sin in our lives as well.
Adam and Eve immediately after sinning, felt shame because of their nakedness, and they doubly showed their guilt by hiding from God. (Genesis 3:9-10) Moses, God's representative to the people, could not enter the promise land because he misrepresented God. (Numbers 20:12) King David, who killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife Bathsheba for his own, lost his wives and the child conceived in sin. (2 Samuel 12) King Solomon, had his kingdom torn away form him, cause he followed after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians. (1 Kings 11:1-12)
Are we then immune to consequences of the sin in our lives? Absolutely not!
For the non-believer, the greatest consequence of sin is to their own mortal soul. Ezekiel 18:4 says, that the soul that sins shall die, and Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death.
For the born-again child of God, there is the tragic consequence of separation from God - as God has no fellowship with sin. Thankfully, God has made provision for us to return to fellowship with Him. He promised that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Remember that your actions have consequences! When tempted to sin, don't let your emotions overrule your intelligence or your desire to please God. Discipline yourself to consider the possible consequences of your actions. James 4:7-8 says, Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
The Truth
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)
Thankfully, it also teaches us that, "God has so demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Why? Because "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
While there is forgiveness of sin and everlasting life through Jesus Christ, the bible also teaches there are consequences for the sin in our lives as well.
Adam and Eve immediately after sinning, felt shame because of their nakedness, and they doubly showed their guilt by hiding from God. (Genesis 3:9-10) Moses, God's representative to the people, could not enter the promise land because he misrepresented God. (Numbers 20:12) King David, who killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife Bathsheba for his own, lost his wives and the child conceived in sin. (2 Samuel 12) King Solomon, had his kingdom torn away form him, cause he followed after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians. (1 Kings 11:1-12)
Are we then immune to consequences of the sin in our lives? Absolutely not!
For the non-believer, the greatest consequence of sin is to their own mortal soul. Ezekiel 18:4 says, that the soul that sins shall die, and Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death.
For the born-again child of God, there is the tragic consequence of separation from God - as God has no fellowship with sin. Thankfully, God has made provision for us to return to fellowship with Him. He promised that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Remember that your actions have consequences! When tempted to sin, don't let your emotions overrule your intelligence or your desire to please God. Discipline yourself to consider the possible consequences of your actions. James 4:7-8 says, Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
The Truth
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
"Jesus Wept"
We all know that the shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35 - Jesus wept. However, did you ever stop to think about that short verse? He, the Son of God, wept. Scripture reveals God as an emotional being who feels—a Person. God feels. You feel. He experienced; betrayal, rejection, condemnation, torment, pain as well as; friendship, love, acceptance, joy and peace.
The bible tells us that you and I were made in His image. So, we have those exact feelings and emotions as well. The questions is, how will we handle the tough emotional times? Those times when we feel betrayed, hurt or let down. How did Jesus handle them? Jesus taught, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)
Boy that is tough love. I must confess, I have not done this at times. I have harbored ill feelings in my heart for people who have hurt me or my family and have gone through some very dry ground as a result. However, once I understood that everything comes to me through God's hand for His purpose and that He does not give us more than we can handle - I started resting in the tough times and began to watch His greater plan unfold.
Dear Father, thank you that you are a God who feels deeply and that you created me with deep feelings, too; help me to own my feelings and learn to express them in ways that bring honor to you.
The Truth and the Secret
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)
The bible tells us that you and I were made in His image. So, we have those exact feelings and emotions as well. The questions is, how will we handle the tough emotional times? Those times when we feel betrayed, hurt or let down. How did Jesus handle them? Jesus taught, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)
Boy that is tough love. I must confess, I have not done this at times. I have harbored ill feelings in my heart for people who have hurt me or my family and have gone through some very dry ground as a result. However, once I understood that everything comes to me through God's hand for His purpose and that He does not give us more than we can handle - I started resting in the tough times and began to watch His greater plan unfold.
Dear Father, thank you that you are a God who feels deeply and that you created me with deep feelings, too; help me to own my feelings and learn to express them in ways that bring honor to you.
The Truth and the Secret
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
He Turns Mourning Into Dancing
Last year my wife lost her brother to lung cancer. It was not only difficult to watch Don struggle with the disease but to see Lori loosing her only brother made it even more difficult. Our family found comfort in Don's relationship with our Lord and God's promise of eternal life through Jesus death and resurrection.
During these times it is normal to question, Why is this happening? Even though death is inevitable for everyone; it never fits our timing, our plans, our will. We simply do not understand - let alone know the answer to the question Why? The scriptures tell us that, His ways are above our finding out.(Romans 11:33-35)
But know this, Jesus has conquered the grave, (1 Corinthians 15:55-58) and has also promised to turn our mourning into dancing.
The Truth
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. (Psalms 30:11-12)
During these times it is normal to question, Why is this happening? Even though death is inevitable for everyone; it never fits our timing, our plans, our will. We simply do not understand - let alone know the answer to the question Why? The scriptures tell us that, His ways are above our finding out.(Romans 11:33-35)
But know this, Jesus has conquered the grave, (1 Corinthians 15:55-58) and has also promised to turn our mourning into dancing.
The Truth
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. (Psalms 30:11-12)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Rekindle a Discouraged Soul
A modern parable has been written about the tools of the enemy that I believe we can really learn from.
“Some time ago, an advertisement appeared in which the devil was putting all his tools up for sale. On the day of public inspection, each one of his tools was marked with its selling price: Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on, were each on the block. Set apart, however, from all the rest of the pile, was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn, but priced very high — it was discouragement!
Someone asked the devil, ‘why is that one priced so high?’ He replied, ‘Ah, that one is more useful to me than all the rest. With it I can pry open a man’s heart and enter, when I cannot get near him with any other tools. Once inside, I can lead him any way I choose. The tool is very worn because I use it on almost everyone, since few people know it belongs to me.’”
The enemy loves to sow discouragement — but believers have a tool much more powerful — encouragement! We can speak a word into the lives of those who desperately need to hear it: to the college student adjusting to his new environment; to the missionary who may feel alone in the harvest field; to the forgotten servants of God who labor in an obscure and difficult ministry; to the orphans and the widows; to all those who need to hear a word in due season!
Inspire one another with words of encouragement! It costs nothing, and reaps an eternal reward
The Truth
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good it is! (Proverbs 15:23)
“Some time ago, an advertisement appeared in which the devil was putting all his tools up for sale. On the day of public inspection, each one of his tools was marked with its selling price: Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on, were each on the block. Set apart, however, from all the rest of the pile, was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn, but priced very high — it was discouragement!
Someone asked the devil, ‘why is that one priced so high?’ He replied, ‘Ah, that one is more useful to me than all the rest. With it I can pry open a man’s heart and enter, when I cannot get near him with any other tools. Once inside, I can lead him any way I choose. The tool is very worn because I use it on almost everyone, since few people know it belongs to me.’”
The enemy loves to sow discouragement — but believers have a tool much more powerful — encouragement! We can speak a word into the lives of those who desperately need to hear it: to the college student adjusting to his new environment; to the missionary who may feel alone in the harvest field; to the forgotten servants of God who labor in an obscure and difficult ministry; to the orphans and the widows; to all those who need to hear a word in due season!
Inspire one another with words of encouragement! It costs nothing, and reaps an eternal reward
The Truth
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good it is! (Proverbs 15:23)
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Helpless Parent
The most difficult aspect of being a parent is to, "Let go." Why? Because you feel helpless. It just seems to go against every instinct of parenting. Most parents want to fix or plan everything their way. But at some point, we must love our sons/daughters enough to let go and just be there when they call for advise or help. Like the father of the prodigal son, we welcome them back with UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. No lecture, no I told you so.
Our Heavenly Father (in a sense) can be like the "helpless parent", whose unending love is neither understood nor appreciated at times. However, He allows His sons/daughters to make their own decisions, despite how bad those choices may be. No matter what terrible wrongs they may commit, He loves them. He is not just a “loving” God — the scripture says that “God IS love” [1 John 4:6].
Therefore, when we come to realize that His love is freely given, we will serve our Heavenly Father because of His love for us! Likewise, when our sons/daughters realize that we love them enough to let them make their own choices, they too will fully understand and appreciate the depth of our love for them.
The Truth
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12)
Our Heavenly Father (in a sense) can be like the "helpless parent", whose unending love is neither understood nor appreciated at times. However, He allows His sons/daughters to make their own decisions, despite how bad those choices may be. No matter what terrible wrongs they may commit, He loves them. He is not just a “loving” God — the scripture says that “God IS love” [1 John 4:6].
Therefore, when we come to realize that His love is freely given, we will serve our Heavenly Father because of His love for us! Likewise, when our sons/daughters realize that we love them enough to let them make their own choices, they too will fully understand and appreciate the depth of our love for them.
The Truth
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12)
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Be Still and Listen
“Before refrigerators, people used ice-houses to preserve their food. Ice-houses had thick walls, no windows, and a tightly fitted door. In winter, when streams and lakes were frozen, large blocks of ice were cut from the frozen waters, hauled to the ice-houses, and covered with sawdust. Often these ice-blocks would last well into the summer.
One man lost a valuable watch while working in an ice-house. He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but didn’t find it. His fellow workers also looked, but their efforts, too, proved futile. A small boy who heard about the fruitless search slipped into the ice-house during the noon hour and soon emerged with the watch.
Amazed, the men asked him how he found it.
“I closed the door,” the boy replied, “lay down in the sawdust, and kept very still. Soon I heard the watch ticking.” (story taken from “Directions” by James Hamilton)
So often life can become so hectic that it becomes hard to find time to sit still and just listen to what the Lord is saying. But Jesus often secluded himself, so that He could commune intimately with His Father. In these days and in this hour it’s so imperative that we spend time in our own prayer closets, so we can clearly hear what our Father is saying to us, through His still small voice. If we do, we may find some wonderful and valuable things that others have missed.
The question isn’t whether God will speak, but whether we will take the time to be quiet and still enough to hear His voice.
The Truth
and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12)
One man lost a valuable watch while working in an ice-house. He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but didn’t find it. His fellow workers also looked, but their efforts, too, proved futile. A small boy who heard about the fruitless search slipped into the ice-house during the noon hour and soon emerged with the watch.
Amazed, the men asked him how he found it.
“I closed the door,” the boy replied, “lay down in the sawdust, and kept very still. Soon I heard the watch ticking.” (story taken from “Directions” by James Hamilton)
So often life can become so hectic that it becomes hard to find time to sit still and just listen to what the Lord is saying. But Jesus often secluded himself, so that He could commune intimately with His Father. In these days and in this hour it’s so imperative that we spend time in our own prayer closets, so we can clearly hear what our Father is saying to us, through His still small voice. If we do, we may find some wonderful and valuable things that others have missed.
The question isn’t whether God will speak, but whether we will take the time to be quiet and still enough to hear His voice.
The Truth
and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12)
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