With so much economic bad news, to fret or worry about it can only cause one harm. Therefore, "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall direct your path." (Psalm 37:5) Prayerfully consider the best way to use the resources God has given you, "For the Lord upholds the righteous, even in the days of famine they shall be satisfied." (Psalm 37:17)
Our economic future is now in the hands of politicians with agendas in mind, not true recovery. George Washington warned against political parties and the interests they represent. He felt the nation's best interests would be sacrificed at the alter of party politics. Boy does that ring true right now. Washington was a true statesman, a righteous man who sought heavenly guidance, a combination long removed from American politics. The Bible states, "The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayers of the righteous." (Proverbs 15:29) Oh how we could use prayer for this nation and a righteous man to lead it.
Nominations are now open for a statesman, a righteous man, who seeks heavenly wisdom.....any suggestions?
The Truth
"The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strenght in time of trouble." (Psalm 37:39)
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Pride
Pride is the root of all sin. It is the mistaken notion that we are in control - instead of allowing God to be the master of our lives. This is what makes "pride" the ultimate sin - it brings alination that will keep us form being dependent on God.
In Proverbs (8:13, 11:2 and 16:18) it becomes clear that God is not pleased with pride in our lives. When we are self-centered and choose a life of self-reliance, we go against God's commands and his desire for our life. He wants us to be confident and bold, but reliant on Him to keep us from the negative consequences of disgrace and distruction.
Are you relying on yourself or on God to help you in the key areas in your life? It is an important question to ask yourself everyday to remain in His will.
The Truth
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirt before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)
In Proverbs (8:13, 11:2 and 16:18) it becomes clear that God is not pleased with pride in our lives. When we are self-centered and choose a life of self-reliance, we go against God's commands and his desire for our life. He wants us to be confident and bold, but reliant on Him to keep us from the negative consequences of disgrace and distruction.
Are you relying on yourself or on God to help you in the key areas in your life? It is an important question to ask yourself everyday to remain in His will.
The Truth
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirt before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Press Toward The Goal
NBC has been running a segment called, “The Olympic Zone.” This segment has covered many athletes personal stories and their families sacrifices to develop an Olympic Athlete. Some families have even moved or split up, in order to comply with the idea of training in some, “special facility.” Uprooting a family, paying for professional coaches, trainers, housing, tutors and who knows what other expenses, is an enormous amount of time, energy and resources “pressing toward the goal” of an Olympic Medal. This could be one explanation why some parents can’t watch their son/daughters perform.
Just think how close we could be to our Lord if we invested just a fraction of that amount of time, energy and resources in perfecting our walk with Jesus. In Philippians 3:12-16, Paul reminds the Christians at Philippi that even he must continue to, “strive toward the mark of perfection in his walk with Jesus. Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (Phil. 3:13)
If the apostle Paul feels he must continue to strive toward the mark of perfection, how much more should we? What sacrifices can you make to get closer to Jesus?
The Truth
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14)
Just think how close we could be to our Lord if we invested just a fraction of that amount of time, energy and resources in perfecting our walk with Jesus. In Philippians 3:12-16, Paul reminds the Christians at Philippi that even he must continue to, “strive toward the mark of perfection in his walk with Jesus. Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (Phil. 3:13)
If the apostle Paul feels he must continue to strive toward the mark of perfection, how much more should we? What sacrifices can you make to get closer to Jesus?
The Truth
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14)
Friday, August 15, 2008
Encouragement of a Friend
I have really enjoyed watching the Olympic Games. Seeing the skill level these athletes have attained through hard work, discipline and sacrifice is remarkable. Furthermore, to see the execution of their craft under such tremendous pressure and expectations is inspiring.
The true struggle for the Olympic Athlete is, perfection. Though true perfection is unattainable, they still press toward the mark to receive their prize. But what happens when they fall short or heaven forbid, make a mistake? As we have seen all to often, the media is there to magnify the mistakes - while understanding teammates have been there to, “Encourage a Friend.”
Nothing soothes the soul like the encouragement of “understanding” friends. When we are experiencing pain or disappointment, friends know how to tell us that they understand and care. As Christians, we need to be givers of encouragement: not just on the playing field but, in our home, at work, to our friends and to people we encounter in life.
Is there someone you know who needs encouragement? Give them a call.
The Truth
"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet one another, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another." (Hebrews 10: 24-25)
The true struggle for the Olympic Athlete is, perfection. Though true perfection is unattainable, they still press toward the mark to receive their prize. But what happens when they fall short or heaven forbid, make a mistake? As we have seen all to often, the media is there to magnify the mistakes - while understanding teammates have been there to, “Encourage a Friend.”
Nothing soothes the soul like the encouragement of “understanding” friends. When we are experiencing pain or disappointment, friends know how to tell us that they understand and care. As Christians, we need to be givers of encouragement: not just on the playing field but, in our home, at work, to our friends and to people we encounter in life.
Is there someone you know who needs encouragement? Give them a call.
The Truth
"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet one another, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another." (Hebrews 10: 24-25)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sacrificial Love
All parents understand the concept of “sacrificial love,“ giving to others before yourself. Little things like, first sip of a cold drink, the better seat at the ballgame, the first choice of meat at the dinner table or the late night comfort needed to fall asleep. These sacrifices, though relatively simple to give up, show the natural love of a parent.
However, “sacrificial love” is not always that simple. Try allowing a son/daughter to go through something painful, for a greater good, without rescuing them. To watch them struggle, falter or experience pain, goes against every fiber of our being as parents.
Can you imagine what pain God the Father was experiencing seeing His Son go through the agonizing death of the cross? Then, having to turn His back on Him because He could have no fellowship with sin. God’s “sacrificial love” for us goes far beyond our limits of understanding. (Psalm 40:28)
If you offered such a gift for man and he did not accept it, how would you feel? What might be your reaction?
The Truth
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)
However, “sacrificial love” is not always that simple. Try allowing a son/daughter to go through something painful, for a greater good, without rescuing them. To watch them struggle, falter or experience pain, goes against every fiber of our being as parents.
Can you imagine what pain God the Father was experiencing seeing His Son go through the agonizing death of the cross? Then, having to turn His back on Him because He could have no fellowship with sin. God’s “sacrificial love” for us goes far beyond our limits of understanding. (Psalm 40:28)
If you offered such a gift for man and he did not accept it, how would you feel? What might be your reaction?
The Truth
“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Be Prepared
A moderate earthquake occurred today in Chino Hills at 11:42 AM. It occurred about 7 miles below the earths surface, registered 5.4 on the seismograph and shock the ground for 5-10 seconds. There was no major damage reported but it did cause: breaking news reports on all the major networks, loss of some cell phone connections, loss of power, broken water pipes, a flood of reports by numerous agencies and literally unnerved many people.
Can you imagine how unnerved people will be during, “The Great Tribulation?” Standing in your doorway or ducking under a table will not protect you form this catastrophic event. Man needs to, “be prepared”, for more than a minor shaking of the earth. The Biblical account of what will happen during the Great Tribulation can be found in Revelation, Chapters 8-11.
How can you be prepare? What will save you?
The Truth
“For there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)
Can you imagine how unnerved people will be during, “The Great Tribulation?” Standing in your doorway or ducking under a table will not protect you form this catastrophic event. Man needs to, “be prepared”, for more than a minor shaking of the earth. The Biblical account of what will happen during the Great Tribulation can be found in Revelation, Chapters 8-11.
How can you be prepare? What will save you?
The Truth
“For there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)
Monday, July 28, 2008
Peace in time of Trouble
Have you ever noticed that some people, no matter what is going on in their lives, always seem to have a peace about them; while others seem to panic under the same circumstances. Even Jesus' disciples were not at peace during trials. One Biblical example can be found in Mark 4:35-41. Here the disciples panic over the wind and waves, then wake Jesus out of His sleep to plead for their safety.
As Christians, “we have not been given a sprit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.” (1 Timothy 1:7) The Apostle Paul tell us to, “Be anxious for nothing,“ knowing that God has given to us, “ a peace that passes all understanding.” (Philippians 4:6-7) However, knowing this and putting it into practice in our lives, are two different things. Paul goes on to say in Philippians, that this peace can only be accomplished through , “prayer and supplication making our requests known unto God.”
What is causing you to be anxious? Have you been constant in prayer?
The Truth
"Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
As Christians, “we have not been given a sprit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.” (1 Timothy 1:7) The Apostle Paul tell us to, “Be anxious for nothing,“ knowing that God has given to us, “ a peace that passes all understanding.” (Philippians 4:6-7) However, knowing this and putting it into practice in our lives, are two different things. Paul goes on to say in Philippians, that this peace can only be accomplished through , “prayer and supplication making our requests known unto God.”
What is causing you to be anxious? Have you been constant in prayer?
The Truth
"Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
Friday, July 25, 2008
Day of Trouble
Christopher Laurie, son of Pastor Greg Laurie and Cathe Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., passed away on July 24, 2008 in a car accident. A resident of Huntington Beach, Laurie, 33, served as the art director at Harvest Christian Fellowship for the past three years.
While we can not understand why these events occur in this world, we must not blame God for them. He is not the cause. Instead we should look to God, "in our day of trouble” and put on the whole armor of God. This will allow us to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11) which will come during these times.
Who would you call upon in your day of trouble? Where would you look for your answers?
The Truth
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15)
While we can not understand why these events occur in this world, we must not blame God for them. He is not the cause. Instead we should look to God, "in our day of trouble” and put on the whole armor of God. This will allow us to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11) which will come during these times.
Who would you call upon in your day of trouble? Where would you look for your answers?
The Truth
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15)
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