One lady wrote in to a question and answer forum.
"Dear Sirs,
Our preacher said on Easter, that Jesus just swooned on the cross and that the disciples nursed Him back to health. What do you think?
Sincerely,
Bewildered.
Dear Bewildered,
“Beat your preacher with a cat-of-nine-tails with 39 heavy strokes, nail him to a cross; hang him in the sun for 6 hours; run a spear thru his side...put him in an airless tomb for three days and see what happens."
There is the if/then relationship in life. Colombus said, “If the world is round then I can reach the West by sailing East. Enrico Fermi said, “If I can split the atom then it going to produce a whole lot of energy.” Bill Gates said, “If I copied the Apple-Macintosh desktop, then people would like Microsoft Windows more.” A student says, “If I go to medical school then I can be a doctor.” There is an if/then relationship that changed the world and certainly changes the life of believers.
Paul had his list of if/then... 1 Corinthians 15:12-23 “But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” NIV
Several years ago I traveled to the former Soviet Union to teach in a Bible School and attend their annual graduation. While there I was privileged to preach in one of the evangelical churches. It happens that there Christians celebrate the orthodox Easter along with the Russian Orthodox church, and the Sunday I was there was Easter Sunday. We entered the service and many times during the course of the morning the pastor leading would say with great conviction and elation, “Christ is Risen!” Then the congregation would respond with just as much conviction and elation, “He is risen indeed!” What a great experience that was to preach the Easter message to these friends who had for many years lived in the darkness of a Godless society and now knew the resurrected Lord.
Then it dawned on me that I was going to have two Easters this year. The one there in Moscow and Easter a couple of weeks later in Austin, Texas. After that epiphany I had another and realized that nobody needs two Easters. It only took one to do what Jesus did for us. One death and one resurrection changed everything.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the truth of the resurrection that gives us hope in all our lives. If You are in control (and I know you are) then I have nothing to worry about. You can handle it... life and everything in it. I trust You, Lord even though there are moments my thoughts and even my actions relapse into old patterns. In those moments bring me back to the truth and the power of the resurrection that changes everything. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Lessons in the Last Week
This is Holy Week, the last week that Jesus walked upon this earth in the flesh of a human being. Yesterday churches around the world remembered Him riding into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey colt, using the coats of those in the crowd as a saddle, hearing the cries of Hosanna! Hosanna! meaning Save! Save! The people were oppressed and lost needing a Savior. They thought the savior they needed was a king to overthrow the oppressive government they lived in. But that is not what Jesus came to do.
The next morning He and His disciple are coming again into the city and the gospel writer, Mark, says that He is hungry (11:12). He sees a fig tree in the distance and goes to it to find fruit and eat to quiet His hunger. But when He arrives at the tree it is barren, no fruit. Mark indicates it was not even the season for figs yet. The next thing that happens is interesting. Jesus says, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” Now this could have been some of Jesus’ “humanness” coming out in frustration that He was hungry and needed something to eat. It was almost as if there were a moment of anger. He went from there (11:15-19) to the temple and began turning over tables and chairs, saying
“You have made my Father’s House a den of thieves instead of the house of prayer it was meant to be,” and He would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. What’s up with Jesus? Does He have an anger management problem?
No, but His spirit, His emotions were no doubt raw and irritable because He knew what was ahead of Him. And even the Son of God had to cringe at the thought of the pain yet to be experienced. But there were lessons to be learned to. A little while later they were passing by that same fig tree and Peter remembered and said, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” (11:20) Peter used the word cursed, but I didn’t see where Jesus used any inappropriate language. We think of cursing as using “bad words,” but they understood cursing as using words that spoke in anger or in a negative way. Jesus did not refute his words by saying that He did not curse. What we can learn is that our words are a blessing or a curse. What you have heard me quote so often from Proverbs is that we have the power of life and death in our tongue, our words. Use them carefully. When you call other people names, when you speak in a discouraging, demeaning way to others you impact their lives in ways you cannot imagine. Be careful with your words. On the other hand Jesus said we can speak to mountains and move them. Be powerful with your words!
And the Temple outburst, what was that about? There are those that use this as an excuse to not talk about money or giving or any such topic in the church. That’s not what Jesus was angry about. He was angry at the profiteering of the leaders of the temple. They were not interested in the people as they should have been, but rather used the people and their need to get gain for themselves. Of course, it takes money to run a ministry, a church. I do have strong feelings about churches being “in business.” We must run with the integrity expected of successful businesses, but we also must never lose the ministry focus of serving others. That is why we exist. I do have a problem with the mentality of churches today that the senior pastor is the CEO. I am a pastor, a shepherd. While it is required of a pastor in this day to know something of business practices, I am first a spiritual leader not a business leader. The church must be focused on people and serving the people, not serving ourselves. It is easy for us to be about buildings and corporate structure, but we must fight to keep it a house of prayer and ministry for the Lord.
There are other lessons in this last week of Jesus on this earth. Stay tuned.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being willing to pay the ultimate price for my salvation. Thank You for not backing down during this last week, but setting Your heart on the goal, on the cross for me and for the world. I love You and have no words adequate to say what I feel. I am sure glad You can know my heart. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
The next morning He and His disciple are coming again into the city and the gospel writer, Mark, says that He is hungry (11:12). He sees a fig tree in the distance and goes to it to find fruit and eat to quiet His hunger. But when He arrives at the tree it is barren, no fruit. Mark indicates it was not even the season for figs yet. The next thing that happens is interesting. Jesus says, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” Now this could have been some of Jesus’ “humanness” coming out in frustration that He was hungry and needed something to eat. It was almost as if there were a moment of anger. He went from there (11:15-19) to the temple and began turning over tables and chairs, saying
“You have made my Father’s House a den of thieves instead of the house of prayer it was meant to be,” and He would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. What’s up with Jesus? Does He have an anger management problem?
No, but His spirit, His emotions were no doubt raw and irritable because He knew what was ahead of Him. And even the Son of God had to cringe at the thought of the pain yet to be experienced. But there were lessons to be learned to. A little while later they were passing by that same fig tree and Peter remembered and said, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” (11:20) Peter used the word cursed, but I didn’t see where Jesus used any inappropriate language. We think of cursing as using “bad words,” but they understood cursing as using words that spoke in anger or in a negative way. Jesus did not refute his words by saying that He did not curse. What we can learn is that our words are a blessing or a curse. What you have heard me quote so often from Proverbs is that we have the power of life and death in our tongue, our words. Use them carefully. When you call other people names, when you speak in a discouraging, demeaning way to others you impact their lives in ways you cannot imagine. Be careful with your words. On the other hand Jesus said we can speak to mountains and move them. Be powerful with your words!
And the Temple outburst, what was that about? There are those that use this as an excuse to not talk about money or giving or any such topic in the church. That’s not what Jesus was angry about. He was angry at the profiteering of the leaders of the temple. They were not interested in the people as they should have been, but rather used the people and their need to get gain for themselves. Of course, it takes money to run a ministry, a church. I do have strong feelings about churches being “in business.” We must run with the integrity expected of successful businesses, but we also must never lose the ministry focus of serving others. That is why we exist. I do have a problem with the mentality of churches today that the senior pastor is the CEO. I am a pastor, a shepherd. While it is required of a pastor in this day to know something of business practices, I am first a spiritual leader not a business leader. The church must be focused on people and serving the people, not serving ourselves. It is easy for us to be about buildings and corporate structure, but we must fight to keep it a house of prayer and ministry for the Lord.
There are other lessons in this last week of Jesus on this earth. Stay tuned.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being willing to pay the ultimate price for my salvation. Thank You for not backing down during this last week, but setting Your heart on the goal, on the cross for me and for the world. I love You and have no words adequate to say what I feel. I am sure glad You can know my heart. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
What Love!
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior. — Max Lucado
Someone said, “At the old rugged cross” we see man at his worst and God at His best.”
The story is told about Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had capturing a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, “What will you give me if I release you?”
“Half of my wealth,” was his reply.
“And if I release your children?”
“Everything I possess.”
“And if I release your wife?”
““Your Majesty, I will give myself.”
Cyrus was so moved by his devotion that he freed them all. As they returned home, the prince said to his wife, “Wasn’t Cyrus a handsome man!”
With a look of deep love for her husband, she said to him, “I didn’t notice. I could only keep my eyes on you--the one who was willing to give himself for me.”
May we be so mesmerized by the One who gave His life for us all. I am so glad the Scripture says, “For God so loved the world He gave His only Son.” If you are part of “the world” you are included in His love.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, as we move through this holy week approaching the day we, as a church, celebrate your resurrection from the dead help me to remember how loved I am, how cherished I am by You. I don’t want to be swelled by sinful pride, but rather by a grateful heart. I may be undeserving, but I am not unloved. “Thank you” seems so small. I am glad You know my heart and the value of those two words spoken from my heart. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
Someone said, “At the old rugged cross” we see man at his worst and God at His best.”
The story is told about Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had capturing a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, “What will you give me if I release you?”
“Half of my wealth,” was his reply.
“And if I release your children?”
“Everything I possess.”
“And if I release your wife?”
““Your Majesty, I will give myself.”
Cyrus was so moved by his devotion that he freed them all. As they returned home, the prince said to his wife, “Wasn’t Cyrus a handsome man!”
With a look of deep love for her husband, she said to him, “I didn’t notice. I could only keep my eyes on you--the one who was willing to give himself for me.”
May we be so mesmerized by the One who gave His life for us all. I am so glad the Scripture says, “For God so loved the world He gave His only Son.” If you are part of “the world” you are included in His love.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, as we move through this holy week approaching the day we, as a church, celebrate your resurrection from the dead help me to remember how loved I am, how cherished I am by You. I don’t want to be swelled by sinful pride, but rather by a grateful heart. I may be undeserving, but I am not unloved. “Thank you” seems so small. I am glad You know my heart and the value of those two words spoken from my heart. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Get Off The Nail
I read this story recently. I don’t know if it is true or not, but it sure does speak to a need in our world.
One day a man was walking down the street on his way to work. As he walked down the street, there were dogs on just about every front porch and they all would bark as the man walked passed them. However, there was one dog that he remembered, because this dog was just sitting there and he was whimpering and whining and moaning, you know the little whimpering sounds dogs make when they are wounded or in some sort of pain. Well, this particular dog was just sitting there on the front porch making those sounds. The man was curious as to why this dog wasn't barking like the other dogs and why he was whimpering. He couldn't figure it out, so he just kept walking to work. The next day he was in the same situation where he was walking down the street and saw the dogs once again and this same dog that was moaning and groaning the other day was doing the same thing today and he just couldn't figure it out. Well, he walked passed for an entire week and everyday the dog would be there moaning and groaning. So, finally, the guy got fed up, he said, "let me find out what's going on."
So he went and knocked on the door and a guy came out and said, "Yes, how may I help you?"
He said, "Sir, is this your dog?"
"Yes, that's my dog."
"Well, what's wrong with him?"
The owner of the dog said, "What do you mean?"
"Well, he's been sitting here moaning and groaning, whimpering and whining for an entire week. The rest of the dogs are barking, your dog should be barking too, why is he moaning and groaning?"
The owner said, "Well, he's actually sitting on a nail."
And the guy said, "What! Your dog is sitting on a nail. Why doesn't he get off?"
"Well, it just doesn't hurt him enough."
That’s sounds too much like people we have all known (of course we’ve never been that person :). They are stuck at a place in life that is painful and can’t seem to get out of it. They probably won’t until the pain of not changing exceeds the pain of changing. But you don’t have to wait that long. You can make the change today. I have your attention now. What’s the answer you say? You are looking for a quick, easy fix. A cure all end all. It’s really very simple. Choose to change.
In the book of Joshua in the Bible, Joshua is about to die. As he prepares to leave this life he calls all Israel together. He reminds tells them that he has divided by lot all the remaining country to them, and then proceeds to recount all the blessings of God in giving them victory over all their enemies. I am sure by now there are many that are comfortable and whining about change. Then he begins to prophesy “Thus saith the Lord,” and God, through Joshua, reminds them how He fought their battles for them, that it wasn’t their strength and prowess it was His mighty hand that had given them the land and expelled their enemies before them. Near the end of the two chapters (in verse 15 of chapter 24) Joshua throws down the gauntlet. "If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve — and DO IT TODAY...” (MSG emphasis mine) It was an ultimatum. Evidently there had been some talk that maybe the “gods” of those around them were a better way. It was just easier to do that than to cause trouble. But Joshua had had enough (he’s old and cranky and about to die for Pete’s sake!) and said, “Choose, and DO IT TODAY!”
I think some of you need to get fed up with the nail and the pain it causes you. You need change in your life, but it will never come until you choose to do it. The decision is yours. You will choose to do it when the pain of sitting on the nail exceeds the pain of change. How long will it take you? I challenge you with Joshua, “Make the choice and DO IT TODAY!”
Now, I know it is dangerous to throw something like this out without the time and space to be more definitive. Lest you take this and twist it to fit your wrong desires let me say, If the nail is a spouse this is not permission to leave them and divorce them. It is encouragement for you to change what you need to change in your life. It is simply amazing how other people change when I do.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for just sitting on the nail complaining about the pain of life. I ask you today for the courage to choose my destiny TODAY, to choose You first of all to be first in my life and then to make the right choices You lead me to each day of my life. I love You, Lord, and I’m so blessed to know You will walk through these changes in my life with me. Thank you. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
One day a man was walking down the street on his way to work. As he walked down the street, there were dogs on just about every front porch and they all would bark as the man walked passed them. However, there was one dog that he remembered, because this dog was just sitting there and he was whimpering and whining and moaning, you know the little whimpering sounds dogs make when they are wounded or in some sort of pain. Well, this particular dog was just sitting there on the front porch making those sounds. The man was curious as to why this dog wasn't barking like the other dogs and why he was whimpering. He couldn't figure it out, so he just kept walking to work. The next day he was in the same situation where he was walking down the street and saw the dogs once again and this same dog that was moaning and groaning the other day was doing the same thing today and he just couldn't figure it out. Well, he walked passed for an entire week and everyday the dog would be there moaning and groaning. So, finally, the guy got fed up, he said, "let me find out what's going on."
So he went and knocked on the door and a guy came out and said, "Yes, how may I help you?"
He said, "Sir, is this your dog?"
"Yes, that's my dog."
"Well, what's wrong with him?"
The owner of the dog said, "What do you mean?"
"Well, he's been sitting here moaning and groaning, whimpering and whining for an entire week. The rest of the dogs are barking, your dog should be barking too, why is he moaning and groaning?"
The owner said, "Well, he's actually sitting on a nail."
And the guy said, "What! Your dog is sitting on a nail. Why doesn't he get off?"
"Well, it just doesn't hurt him enough."
That’s sounds too much like people we have all known (of course we’ve never been that person :). They are stuck at a place in life that is painful and can’t seem to get out of it. They probably won’t until the pain of not changing exceeds the pain of changing. But you don’t have to wait that long. You can make the change today. I have your attention now. What’s the answer you say? You are looking for a quick, easy fix. A cure all end all. It’s really very simple. Choose to change.
In the book of Joshua in the Bible, Joshua is about to die. As he prepares to leave this life he calls all Israel together. He reminds tells them that he has divided by lot all the remaining country to them, and then proceeds to recount all the blessings of God in giving them victory over all their enemies. I am sure by now there are many that are comfortable and whining about change. Then he begins to prophesy “Thus saith the Lord,” and God, through Joshua, reminds them how He fought their battles for them, that it wasn’t their strength and prowess it was His mighty hand that had given them the land and expelled their enemies before them. Near the end of the two chapters (in verse 15 of chapter 24) Joshua throws down the gauntlet. "If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve — and DO IT TODAY...” (MSG emphasis mine) It was an ultimatum. Evidently there had been some talk that maybe the “gods” of those around them were a better way. It was just easier to do that than to cause trouble. But Joshua had had enough (he’s old and cranky and about to die for Pete’s sake!) and said, “Choose, and DO IT TODAY!”
I think some of you need to get fed up with the nail and the pain it causes you. You need change in your life, but it will never come until you choose to do it. The decision is yours. You will choose to do it when the pain of sitting on the nail exceeds the pain of change. How long will it take you? I challenge you with Joshua, “Make the choice and DO IT TODAY!”
Now, I know it is dangerous to throw something like this out without the time and space to be more definitive. Lest you take this and twist it to fit your wrong desires let me say, If the nail is a spouse this is not permission to leave them and divorce them. It is encouragement for you to change what you need to change in your life. It is simply amazing how other people change when I do.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive me for just sitting on the nail complaining about the pain of life. I ask you today for the courage to choose my destiny TODAY, to choose You first of all to be first in my life and then to make the right choices You lead me to each day of my life. I love You, Lord, and I’m so blessed to know You will walk through these changes in my life with me. Thank you. AMEN.
Blessings!
Pastor Roger
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
A Work in Progress
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
“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
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
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