Good Morning!
“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.” Romans 8:29 (MSG)
There's are new buildings going up almost every where you drive in the area where I live. Sometimes they have a sign in front that says, “Future home of _______, but sometimes there are those that have no sign. It almost becomes a game, a challenge to figure out what it is going to be. At first there is just big construction equipment and big piles of supplies and mini-mountains of debris. There's some foundation and some structure, but not much else. Sometime in the future it will begin to look like a Lowe's or a supermarket or a bank or an office complex. In the beginning stages it's hard to tell. What we do know is that somewhere someone has a blueprint and piece by piece, line by line they are following the plans for the building, the design of the architect.
We also need to remember in what we do in life that we build by laying one brick at a time, one board at at time, one line of the blueprint and sometimes it takes awhile for our intended final result to become recognizable. Sometimes our work may feel like just a process of nailing boards in place, stacking bricks -- and sometimes that's all it may look like to others, but remember God knows where He's going with you. He's working from a blueprint, a divine design and though we can't see it, He knows what the end result will be. He directs every situation and, if we allow Him, works out every detail so that His will can be
accomplished in us, just as Paul said:
“That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning.” Romans 8:28 (MSG)
During those times that all that is visible in your life is a bare structure and some piles of debris, remember that God is working from a blueprint; eventually the pieces will come together for your good and His glory.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me so much that You have a unique plan for my life. Forgive me for groaning and complaining sometimes during the building process. Help me to be submitted to Your blueprint, You divine design for me. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Hung by the Tongue
“Gary Eby is an International Trainer and Sales Strategist. The following is his message. He could be a preacher. At the end I’ll simply add some Scriptural support and a prayer (You’ll need to pray after you read this! I sure did.).
“Some people just have a knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. They are being, ‘Hung By the Tongue!’
“A state trooper pulled a man over for speeding on a deserted road. Since the road was clear and the weather fine, the trooper had indicated that he may not give the man a ticket, and let them off with a warning. He even complemented both the man and his wife for wearing their seat belts. At that point the woman leaned over and said, ‘Well, officer, when you drive the speeds we do, you have to wear them.’ That's when the trooper wrote the ticket. Hung By the Tongue!
“Gene and Carolyn were entertaining for the first time since the birth of their baby. Everything ran smoothly until one of Gene's buddies arrived with his new girlfriend-a woman whom Carolyn did not particularly care for. She beckoned her husband upstairs with the excuse that they had to check on the baby. In the privacy of the nursery, she spoke freely of her disdain for the new guest. When they went downstairs to rejoin the party, they were greeted with an awkward silence-except for the occasional murmuring of the sleeping baby that came from the infant monitor sitting on the table. Hung By the Tongue!
“There is an ancient Japanese proverb that says... ‘A tongue three inches long can kill a man six feet tall.’
“If you are continually being ‘hung by your tongue’, you can be ‘loosed from the noose’ if you would just learn to engage your mind a little bit before you speak! Here's the process... think... then speak! I believe that we need to make our words sweet... just in case we have to eat them!
“The words of your mouth are a creative force. They play a big part in predestining your future. Your words are the architects of your life. The tongue is like a tool. We need to use our tools of the present to build our future we desire.
“You see, your future will someday be your present. Your present will someday be your past. You can chart the course of your future by your compass... your tongue. It will guide you like a rudder... into either troubled waters or a calm sea. But, don't be misled... it WILL guide you.
“If you can change what you think about, you can change what comes out of your mouth. What comes out of your mouth will someday be in your future.
“The words you speak create an atmosphere. If you are going to have a meeting and you really pump it up and build it, what happens? People come with expectancy! They come excited. Your words have set the stage for success! One of the foundational revelations of a wise leader is to learn to control his or her words!
“Remember, Samson slew 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. Way too many businesses, lives, and relationships are destroyed with the same weapon...
“Be loosed from the Noose! Refuse to be... Hung By the Tongue!” — by Gary Eby
“Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 (MSG)
“What you say can mean life or death. Those who speak with care will be rewarded.” Proverbs 18:21 (NCV)
“The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.” Proverbs 25:11 (NCV)
“Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.” Ecclesiastes 10:12 (NIV)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me become like Isaiah the prophet... “The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, So I know how to encourage tired people...” Isaiah 50:4 (MSG) AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
“Some people just have a knack for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. They are being, ‘Hung By the Tongue!’
“A state trooper pulled a man over for speeding on a deserted road. Since the road was clear and the weather fine, the trooper had indicated that he may not give the man a ticket, and let them off with a warning. He even complemented both the man and his wife for wearing their seat belts. At that point the woman leaned over and said, ‘Well, officer, when you drive the speeds we do, you have to wear them.’ That's when the trooper wrote the ticket. Hung By the Tongue!
“Gene and Carolyn were entertaining for the first time since the birth of their baby. Everything ran smoothly until one of Gene's buddies arrived with his new girlfriend-a woman whom Carolyn did not particularly care for. She beckoned her husband upstairs with the excuse that they had to check on the baby. In the privacy of the nursery, she spoke freely of her disdain for the new guest. When they went downstairs to rejoin the party, they were greeted with an awkward silence-except for the occasional murmuring of the sleeping baby that came from the infant monitor sitting on the table. Hung By the Tongue!
“There is an ancient Japanese proverb that says... ‘A tongue three inches long can kill a man six feet tall.’
“If you are continually being ‘hung by your tongue’, you can be ‘loosed from the noose’ if you would just learn to engage your mind a little bit before you speak! Here's the process... think... then speak! I believe that we need to make our words sweet... just in case we have to eat them!
“The words of your mouth are a creative force. They play a big part in predestining your future. Your words are the architects of your life. The tongue is like a tool. We need to use our tools of the present to build our future we desire.
“You see, your future will someday be your present. Your present will someday be your past. You can chart the course of your future by your compass... your tongue. It will guide you like a rudder... into either troubled waters or a calm sea. But, don't be misled... it WILL guide you.
“If you can change what you think about, you can change what comes out of your mouth. What comes out of your mouth will someday be in your future.
“The words you speak create an atmosphere. If you are going to have a meeting and you really pump it up and build it, what happens? People come with expectancy! They come excited. Your words have set the stage for success! One of the foundational revelations of a wise leader is to learn to control his or her words!
“Remember, Samson slew 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. Way too many businesses, lives, and relationships are destroyed with the same weapon...
“Be loosed from the Noose! Refuse to be... Hung By the Tongue!” — by Gary Eby
“Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 (MSG)
“What you say can mean life or death. Those who speak with care will be rewarded.” Proverbs 18:21 (NCV)
“The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.” Proverbs 25:11 (NCV)
“Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.” Ecclesiastes 10:12 (NIV)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me become like Isaiah the prophet... “The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, So I know how to encourage tired people...” Isaiah 50:4 (MSG) AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
Monday, March 26, 2007
Forgiving and Being Forgiving
Imagine driving to work on a busy highway, minding your own business. Suddenly, to your right, someone runs a stop sign and, with squealing tires, zips in front of your car, forcing you to slam on the brakes and pull off to the side of the road. As you try to calm your nerves, the jerk in the other car never seems to acknowledge his mistake and speeds on down the highway.
How would you react? Would you scream, cry, shake your fist, curse him and all of his ancestry? Would you spend the rest of the morning describing what happened to your coworkers? Would your day be ruined, all because of the senseless, irrational act of a stupid jerk who thinks the open road is paved for him. And another thing …… you are sick and tired of being the patsy?!!! ...
Yet, the other driver ... the jerk who caused all of your suffering is merrily going on with his life, having no knowledge of what he did to you. Think about it. The other driver was responsible for the near-accident, but your reaction was not his fault. It was yours. The real damage was entirely self-inflicted. In a word, it is called: resentment.
One definition of resentment is to re-feel the pain. Resentment is like accidentally cutting your hand with a knife and then deciding to avenge yourself by stabbing the other hand. Ouch, that hurts
The disciples were asking Jesus how to strengthen their faith. Jesus said: "If your brother (or sister) sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him" (Luke 17:3,4).
Does an attitude of forgiveness ever come easy? Never! It's a process that we must work at continually, but God makes a clear promise that your willingness to forgive will give you a faith that will move mountains and change your life. Great! Now if I can only forgive that jerk on the highway who almost killed me!
If we live like most of us with the expectation that forgiveness only comes when asked for that person will never be forgiven because we will in all probability never see them again. But the Bible said we are to forgive in the same way God for Jesus sake forgives us. Paul tells us how in book of Romans.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)
God forgives in advance. He says, “I know you are going to hurt me so I forgive you in advance. I pay the price for your sin before you ask for forgiveness.” So when we come to Him and confess our sin (and we must do that), God doesn’t have to go for therapy to figure out how He can forgive us. He has already done that. If we can just get it! Get what! Because we are human, and those around us are human, we will all mess up and need forgiveness. Then let’s decide in advance that when they mess up and hurt us they are forgiven. That’s what Jesus did.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for my “quick to judgment” attitude, and my moments of unforgiveness. Help me to forgive as You forgave me. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
How would you react? Would you scream, cry, shake your fist, curse him and all of his ancestry? Would you spend the rest of the morning describing what happened to your coworkers? Would your day be ruined, all because of the senseless, irrational act of a stupid jerk who thinks the open road is paved for him. And another thing …… you are sick and tired of being the patsy?!!! ...
Yet, the other driver ... the jerk who caused all of your suffering is merrily going on with his life, having no knowledge of what he did to you. Think about it. The other driver was responsible for the near-accident, but your reaction was not his fault. It was yours. The real damage was entirely self-inflicted. In a word, it is called: resentment.
One definition of resentment is to re-feel the pain. Resentment is like accidentally cutting your hand with a knife and then deciding to avenge yourself by stabbing the other hand. Ouch, that hurts
The disciples were asking Jesus how to strengthen their faith. Jesus said: "If your brother (or sister) sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him" (Luke 17:3,4).
Does an attitude of forgiveness ever come easy? Never! It's a process that we must work at continually, but God makes a clear promise that your willingness to forgive will give you a faith that will move mountains and change your life. Great! Now if I can only forgive that jerk on the highway who almost killed me!
If we live like most of us with the expectation that forgiveness only comes when asked for that person will never be forgiven because we will in all probability never see them again. But the Bible said we are to forgive in the same way God for Jesus sake forgives us. Paul tells us how in book of Romans.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)
God forgives in advance. He says, “I know you are going to hurt me so I forgive you in advance. I pay the price for your sin before you ask for forgiveness.” So when we come to Him and confess our sin (and we must do that), God doesn’t have to go for therapy to figure out how He can forgive us. He has already done that. If we can just get it! Get what! Because we are human, and those around us are human, we will all mess up and need forgiveness. Then let’s decide in advance that when they mess up and hurt us they are forgiven. That’s what Jesus did.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for my “quick to judgment” attitude, and my moments of unforgiveness. Help me to forgive as You forgave me. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
Friday, March 23, 2007
Bitter or Better
In a survey in Discipleship Journal Magazine (Nov.-Dec. 1992), readers reported that their greatest spiritual challenges came from...
1. Materialism
2. Pride
3. Self-centeredness
4. Laziness
5. Anger/Bitterness (Tie)
6. Sexual Lust (Tie)
7. Envy
8. Gluttony
9. Lying
Survey respondents noted that temptations seemed more potent when they neglected their time with God and when tired physically. Notice the “tie” between anger/bitterness and sexual lust. We don’t usually put the two that close together considering sexual lust much worse the anger/bitterness. Bitterness is a powerful and destructive force in so many lives.
The writer of Hebrews warns us, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15 (NIV) He says nothing of the experience or pain that resulted in bitterness causing trouble and defiling. It is clearly the bitterness that causes the trouble or defiles us. This is actually encouraging because I cannot control the circumstances of my life altogether, but I am in complete control of my response to them.
Can I tell you, “Life is not fair.” God never promised anywhere in Scripture that life would be fair. God cannot even be described as a “fair” God. He is just and righteous. He does not change other people to fit our vision of what life should be like, but He helps us shape our attitude to fit His vision for our lives. But the key word there is “help.” The decision to change must be ours.
It’s an old story but one worth repeating. A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule
fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule "braying", or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well were worth the trouble of saving. Instead he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back.....HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself.
No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP! It was not long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL. What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him.....all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
THAT’’S LIFE! If we face our problems, respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness or self-pity... The adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us to life us up instead of push us down!
Bitterness is a powerful force for destruction that can be conquered with God’s help.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive my sins as I forgive those who have sinned against. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
1. Materialism
2. Pride
3. Self-centeredness
4. Laziness
5. Anger/Bitterness (Tie)
6. Sexual Lust (Tie)
7. Envy
8. Gluttony
9. Lying
Survey respondents noted that temptations seemed more potent when they neglected their time with God and when tired physically. Notice the “tie” between anger/bitterness and sexual lust. We don’t usually put the two that close together considering sexual lust much worse the anger/bitterness. Bitterness is a powerful and destructive force in so many lives.
The writer of Hebrews warns us, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:15 (NIV) He says nothing of the experience or pain that resulted in bitterness causing trouble and defiling. It is clearly the bitterness that causes the trouble or defiles us. This is actually encouraging because I cannot control the circumstances of my life altogether, but I am in complete control of my response to them.
Can I tell you, “Life is not fair.” God never promised anywhere in Scripture that life would be fair. God cannot even be described as a “fair” God. He is just and righteous. He does not change other people to fit our vision of what life should be like, but He helps us shape our attitude to fit His vision for our lives. But the key word there is “help.” The decision to change must be ours.
It’s an old story but one worth repeating. A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule
fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule "braying", or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well were worth the trouble of saving. Instead he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back.....HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself.
No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP! It was not long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL. What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him.....all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
THAT’’S LIFE! If we face our problems, respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness or self-pity... The adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us to life us up instead of push us down!
Bitterness is a powerful force for destruction that can be conquered with God’s help.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive my sins as I forgive those who have sinned against. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
What are You Attempting That is Impossible?
Steve May, an author, speaker, and preacher wrote the following.
“Jesus said, ‘With God, all things are possible.’ (Matthew 19:26)
“This principle can -- and should -- be the driving force behind our efforts. It's not enough to play it safe, reaching only for goals within our grasp. Like Schuller has been challenging church leaders for decades, we should attempt things so great for the glory of God that unless he intervenes, we will certainly fail.
“Think about the goals and projects you're currently engaged in. Are there any impossible items on the list? Is there anything beyond your reach? If not, maybe it's time to aim a little higher.
“Jesus said, ‘With God, all things are possible.’ We need to remember what this promise does and doesn't imply.
“First, it doesn't imply that all things are easy. Accomplishing the impossible typically takes extended effort.
“Second, it doesn't imply that all things are immediate. Reaching worthwhile goals requires a long-term investment of time.
“Third, it doesn't imply that all things will be painless. Personal sacrifice is part of the process.
“It may not be easy, immediate, or painless, but for those willing to step out in faith, for those bold enough to trust God to do the impossible, the reward will always be greater than the investment. As Paul said...
“‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.’ (Ephesians 3:20-21)
“Check your list one more time. Is there any impossible thing in the works?” —by Steve May, author, speaker, preacher
According to Charles Haddon Spurgeon, God delights in impossibilities: "One man says, I will do as much as I can. Any fool can do that. He that believes in Christ does what he cannot do, attempts the impossible, and performs it."
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray as the disciples prayed, “increase my faith.” I want to live life in the faith zone... that place where I have to have You to accomplish what is on my plate. I already feel like I am there most days, but it is because the tasks are just too numerous not too big. Help me to remove the unnecessary, the insignificant distractions from my life to live the dream, the plan You have for me. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
“Jesus said, ‘With God, all things are possible.’ (Matthew 19:26)
“This principle can -- and should -- be the driving force behind our efforts. It's not enough to play it safe, reaching only for goals within our grasp. Like Schuller has been challenging church leaders for decades, we should attempt things so great for the glory of God that unless he intervenes, we will certainly fail.
“Think about the goals and projects you're currently engaged in. Are there any impossible items on the list? Is there anything beyond your reach? If not, maybe it's time to aim a little higher.
“Jesus said, ‘With God, all things are possible.’ We need to remember what this promise does and doesn't imply.
“First, it doesn't imply that all things are easy. Accomplishing the impossible typically takes extended effort.
“Second, it doesn't imply that all things are immediate. Reaching worthwhile goals requires a long-term investment of time.
“Third, it doesn't imply that all things will be painless. Personal sacrifice is part of the process.
“It may not be easy, immediate, or painless, but for those willing to step out in faith, for those bold enough to trust God to do the impossible, the reward will always be greater than the investment. As Paul said...
“‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.’ (Ephesians 3:20-21)
“Check your list one more time. Is there any impossible thing in the works?” —by Steve May, author, speaker, preacher
According to Charles Haddon Spurgeon, God delights in impossibilities: "One man says, I will do as much as I can. Any fool can do that. He that believes in Christ does what he cannot do, attempts the impossible, and performs it."
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray as the disciples prayed, “increase my faith.” I want to live life in the faith zone... that place where I have to have You to accomplish what is on my plate. I already feel like I am there most days, but it is because the tasks are just too numerous not too big. Help me to remove the unnecessary, the insignificant distractions from my life to live the dream, the plan You have for me. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Extravagance and Love
A few years ago there was a true story about a man in New York City who was kidnaped. His kidnappers called his wife and asked for $100,000 ransom. She talked them down to $30,000.
The story had a happy ending: the man returned home unharmed, the money was recovered, and the kidnappers were caught and sent to jail. But, don't you wonder what happened when the man got home and found that his wife had actually haggled with the kidnappers over the price?
Try to imagine with me what the negotiations must have been like: "$100,000 for that old guy?! You have got to be kidding me. Just look at him! Look at that gut! Look at that bald head! What’s left is graying. You should hear him get out of bed in the morning. It sounds like a bowl of Rice Crispies, snap, crackle and pop. You want $100,000 for that? You have got to be kidding me. Give me a break! $10,000 is my top offer. $75,000? You’re still way too high! I’ll go to $20,000 and that’s it. $50,000? Oh, come on! I don’t have time for this. $30,000 take it or leave.”
Some reading this can identify with the wife in that story, but for some reason I find myself identifying with the husband. I'd like to think if it were me in that situation, there would be people who would spare no expense to get me back, especially my wife. They wouldn't haggle over the price. They wouldn't say, 'Well, let me think about it.' I’d like to think that they would say, “We'll do anything you ask to get him back alive."
I am forever grateful that Jesus didn’t bargain for me and for you. When He realized the ransom for rescuing us from death and destruction He did not back up or reconsider. He just laid down His life for us. There was no question whether the price was too high or whether we were worth it. I don’t know about you, but it would probably change my relationship with someone who paid a price to ransom me in this life. You’ve heard stories about the bond between those who have been saved by acts of bravery and the person who risked their life to save them. Or the bond between a person who received an organ transplant and the donor or the family of the donor. There is a special connection there.
If you feel or ever have felt worthless or less than valuable, if you ever question your importance to anyone just stop and think about the value that God has placed on your head. He gave his Son’s life for you. He watched them beat His Son without mercy till the Bible said in Isaiah that His faced was so disfigured He was not recognizable. God watched as they drove nails through His hands and feet, as they raised the cross in the air and dropped into the hole prepared for it causing every bone in His body to be disjointed. Read Psalm 22 for a graphic, prophetic description of the crucifixion. Not once did it say God had second thoughts. He considered you and me worth the price. Extravagant love!
All of us have experienced that moment when we had the opportunity to express love to someone special with a gift. When at other times we might look at the price tag and shop for a bargain, at this time we spare no expense. The price is not an issue. The relationship means everything. God did not spare even His own Son to save us. Let’s make His investment, His expression of love worthwhile. Let’s give Him a great return on His investment. Oh, I don’t mean by what we do. We could never do enough. I mean by how we love Him. Just love Him. How do we do that?
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)
We are told to love God extravagantly, withholding nothing. But how do we do that? Emotions and feelings aren’t enough for the human understanding. Then Jesus says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s it! We love God by loving his children. We often say the way to the heart of a parent is to love their children. The way to the heart of God is to love His children. So love those around you (that’s what neighbors are), and you are loving God.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for loving me in a way I can never really imagine. Thank you for not bargaining for me, but just being willing to pay the price for my eternal salvation. Thank you Jesus, for laying down Your life for me. Help me, empower me to love You extravagantly and to live for You extravagantly. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
The story had a happy ending: the man returned home unharmed, the money was recovered, and the kidnappers were caught and sent to jail. But, don't you wonder what happened when the man got home and found that his wife had actually haggled with the kidnappers over the price?
Try to imagine with me what the negotiations must have been like: "$100,000 for that old guy?! You have got to be kidding me. Just look at him! Look at that gut! Look at that bald head! What’s left is graying. You should hear him get out of bed in the morning. It sounds like a bowl of Rice Crispies, snap, crackle and pop. You want $100,000 for that? You have got to be kidding me. Give me a break! $10,000 is my top offer. $75,000? You’re still way too high! I’ll go to $20,000 and that’s it. $50,000? Oh, come on! I don’t have time for this. $30,000 take it or leave.”
Some reading this can identify with the wife in that story, but for some reason I find myself identifying with the husband. I'd like to think if it were me in that situation, there would be people who would spare no expense to get me back, especially my wife. They wouldn't haggle over the price. They wouldn't say, 'Well, let me think about it.' I’d like to think that they would say, “We'll do anything you ask to get him back alive."
I am forever grateful that Jesus didn’t bargain for me and for you. When He realized the ransom for rescuing us from death and destruction He did not back up or reconsider. He just laid down His life for us. There was no question whether the price was too high or whether we were worth it. I don’t know about you, but it would probably change my relationship with someone who paid a price to ransom me in this life. You’ve heard stories about the bond between those who have been saved by acts of bravery and the person who risked their life to save them. Or the bond between a person who received an organ transplant and the donor or the family of the donor. There is a special connection there.
If you feel or ever have felt worthless or less than valuable, if you ever question your importance to anyone just stop and think about the value that God has placed on your head. He gave his Son’s life for you. He watched them beat His Son without mercy till the Bible said in Isaiah that His faced was so disfigured He was not recognizable. God watched as they drove nails through His hands and feet, as they raised the cross in the air and dropped into the hole prepared for it causing every bone in His body to be disjointed. Read Psalm 22 for a graphic, prophetic description of the crucifixion. Not once did it say God had second thoughts. He considered you and me worth the price. Extravagant love!
All of us have experienced that moment when we had the opportunity to express love to someone special with a gift. When at other times we might look at the price tag and shop for a bargain, at this time we spare no expense. The price is not an issue. The relationship means everything. God did not spare even His own Son to save us. Let’s make His investment, His expression of love worthwhile. Let’s give Him a great return on His investment. Oh, I don’t mean by what we do. We could never do enough. I mean by how we love Him. Just love Him. How do we do that?
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)
We are told to love God extravagantly, withholding nothing. But how do we do that? Emotions and feelings aren’t enough for the human understanding. Then Jesus says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s it! We love God by loving his children. We often say the way to the heart of a parent is to love their children. The way to the heart of God is to love His children. So love those around you (that’s what neighbors are), and you are loving God.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for loving me in a way I can never really imagine. Thank you for not bargaining for me, but just being willing to pay the price for my eternal salvation. Thank you Jesus, for laying down Your life for me. Help me, empower me to love You extravagantly and to live for You extravagantly. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
Monday, March 19, 2007
No Pain... No Gain
Well, it’s Monday... again. I am sure some of you are facing things today and this week that are, to put it mildly, challenging. You did your best to put it behind you for the weekend, but you did think about it. It is just so prominent right now it is difficult to just temporarily forget. If you’re not identifying with this right now you either have at some time in the past or will in the future so just read on and say a pray for those in the fight right now.
The truth is that the times of greatest growth in our lives, the times that have weeded out of us the attitudes that kept up from moving forward, the times that we look back on and probably even talk about the most are those difficult times. But we don’t talk about them in a negative way, even though it was a painful experience, because the result was very positive.
In “Byways of Blessedness,” author, James Allen, challenges us to embrace our circumstances. "Let a person rejoice when he is confronted with obstacles, for it means that he has reached the end of some particular line of indifference or folly, and is now called upon to summon up all his energy and intelligence in order to extricate himself, and to find a better way; that the powers within him are crying out for greater freedom, for enlarged exercise and scope.
"No situation can be difficult of itself; it is the lack of insight into its intricacies, and the want of wisdom in dealing with it, which give rise to the difficulty. Immeasurable, therefore, is the gain of a difficulty transcended." — James Allen in “Byways of Blessedness”
Maybe that’s the reason we can’t seemed to get past the present situation or struggle. There is a work to be done in us, a blessing to be gained in time... God’s time. Am I saying that God creates these evils we battle against? Absolutely not! But He does allow it as He did with Job. God knew that the end of the test would result not in Job’s destruction, but in the doubling of everything he had. Our greatest successes in life come through our greatest trials.
The apostle James told us this long before James Allen lived. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5 (NIV)
Consider it PURE joy, not just joy but PURE joy. There is a key phrase in that Scripture. It is “not lacking anything.” God knows what we need and sometimes what we lack can only be gained through resistance or difficulty. He wants us to have everything.
Sometimes we feel like the soldier I read about. During the Civil War a Union soldier from Ohio was shot in the arm. His captain saw he was wounded and barked out an order, “Gimme your gun, Private, and get to the rear!”
The private handed over his rifle and ran toward the north, seeking safety. But after gong only about two or three hundred yards, he came upon another skirmish. So he ran to the east, and found himself in another part of the battle. Then he ran west, but encountered more fighting there.
Finally, he ran back to the front lines shouting, “Gimme back my rifle, Cap’n. There ain’t no rear to this battle nowhere!”
Author Emmet Fox, wrote, "It is the Law that any difficulties that can come to you at any time, no matter what they are, must be exactly what you need most at the moment, to enable you to take the next step forward by overcoming them. The only real misfortune, the only real tragedy, comes when we suffer without learning the lesson."
So let’s learn the lesson, get the wisdom, gain the knowledge and move on. But it takes patience, perseverance. It probably won’t happen in a day. Sometimes it takes longer, sometimes not so long. Just let “perseverance finish its work.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me today what I need to deal with today. Grant me the patience, the wisdom, the grace, and the strength to endure and finally overcome, and become what You have planned for me. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
The truth is that the times of greatest growth in our lives, the times that have weeded out of us the attitudes that kept up from moving forward, the times that we look back on and probably even talk about the most are those difficult times. But we don’t talk about them in a negative way, even though it was a painful experience, because the result was very positive.
In “Byways of Blessedness,” author, James Allen, challenges us to embrace our circumstances. "Let a person rejoice when he is confronted with obstacles, for it means that he has reached the end of some particular line of indifference or folly, and is now called upon to summon up all his energy and intelligence in order to extricate himself, and to find a better way; that the powers within him are crying out for greater freedom, for enlarged exercise and scope.
"No situation can be difficult of itself; it is the lack of insight into its intricacies, and the want of wisdom in dealing with it, which give rise to the difficulty. Immeasurable, therefore, is the gain of a difficulty transcended." — James Allen in “Byways of Blessedness”
Maybe that’s the reason we can’t seemed to get past the present situation or struggle. There is a work to be done in us, a blessing to be gained in time... God’s time. Am I saying that God creates these evils we battle against? Absolutely not! But He does allow it as He did with Job. God knew that the end of the test would result not in Job’s destruction, but in the doubling of everything he had. Our greatest successes in life come through our greatest trials.
The apostle James told us this long before James Allen lived. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5 (NIV)
Consider it PURE joy, not just joy but PURE joy. There is a key phrase in that Scripture. It is “not lacking anything.” God knows what we need and sometimes what we lack can only be gained through resistance or difficulty. He wants us to have everything.
Sometimes we feel like the soldier I read about. During the Civil War a Union soldier from Ohio was shot in the arm. His captain saw he was wounded and barked out an order, “Gimme your gun, Private, and get to the rear!”
The private handed over his rifle and ran toward the north, seeking safety. But after gong only about two or three hundred yards, he came upon another skirmish. So he ran to the east, and found himself in another part of the battle. Then he ran west, but encountered more fighting there.
Finally, he ran back to the front lines shouting, “Gimme back my rifle, Cap’n. There ain’t no rear to this battle nowhere!”
Author Emmet Fox, wrote, "It is the Law that any difficulties that can come to you at any time, no matter what they are, must be exactly what you need most at the moment, to enable you to take the next step forward by overcoming them. The only real misfortune, the only real tragedy, comes when we suffer without learning the lesson."
So let’s learn the lesson, get the wisdom, gain the knowledge and move on. But it takes patience, perseverance. It probably won’t happen in a day. Sometimes it takes longer, sometimes not so long. Just let “perseverance finish its work.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me today what I need to deal with today. Grant me the patience, the wisdom, the grace, and the strength to endure and finally overcome, and become what You have planned for me. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
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