In difficult times it is a blessing to get support and encouragement from friends and love ones. God know just who to send and when to send them and He gives them the right words to say. As a Pastor and leader I am careful to remember that I am just a vessel and a means and not an end. A wise man once said to me trumpets never take bows only the Trumpeter. It is the one who blows the trumpet that is to be applauded. As leaders we must be ever careful that we lead people to Christ and not to ourselves. It is easy for people to look to us thinking they are looking to Christ. This is why I think sound biblical exposition is important and people must be clear on Christ's Words oppose to the words of man. Many today agree with the words preachers apart from knowing the Word's of the Word's of the PREACHER (Christ). My prayer is that God will give me the grace to always decrease that Christ may increase, for man's greatest need is Christ. Andrew Murray says, humility is the soil of all graces. People must be taught to love and respect their God given leaders. Leaders must remember their responsibility, Lead Them To Christ. I thought this was an interesting article.
Read - I Cor. 3:4-8
Over the years of working with Sports Spectrum magazine, I've heard many stories about athletes and the help they receive from spiritual mentors. That relationship is usually helpful, but occasionally it seems that the athlete is not guided toward the true source of divine power.I interview many athletees who illustrate this point. When I say, "Tell me about your faith," they reply,"Our chaplain really helps us. We really believe in the chaplain."I'm glad that the chaplain is there for then, but I'm sad that the name of Jesus is seldom mentioned.
It seems that their focus is on the human helper and not the their true source of power, Jesus, is being ignored. We must remember not to let our devotion to a leader replace our devotion to Christ. Paul reminded us that "neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God gives the increrase" (I Cor. 3:7). Too often, we put our focus on the leader and not on the One the leader is following. Are you a leader? Teach people to follow the Savior, not you the servant. Are you a follower? Follow only those who point toward Jesus - not themselves.
They truly lead who lead by love and humbly serve the Lord; Their lives will bear the Spirit's fruit and magnify His Word. -D. De Haan
I thought this was good, however I say in the words of Apostle Paul, Follow me as I follow Christ. May all God fearing men and women LEAD THEM TO CHRIST!
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Situations
If we are not careful, our situations can effect our dedication. God is deserving of complete loyalty. Circumstances that confront us in life can cause us to doubt God and even question His person. Matthew 11:1-3, John the Baptist is in prison. He has been faithful to the Lord. He is the one who prepared the way for the Lord. He has been faithul in his preaching and baptism. Yet he is in prison, obedience to Christ doesn't exempt us from difficulty. I know what the TV preachers say. Think about this John is serving God faithfully, he is in jail about to die. He hears about the works of Christ. John says hey ARE YOU THE COMING ONE? Now he starts to question whether or not Jesus is the Messiah. Here I am in jail if you are the Messiah come and get me out. John's situation is creating doubt. John had a misconception of the Messiah's agenda based on his situation. How often do we allow our situations to effect our trust in the Lord. God is only obligated to Himself. Oh how I need to remember this. Who God is should never be determined by what He does for me. This is the height of selfishness and pride. I have been going through quite a bit in the pass few months. I feel I have been trying to be faithful to God's will and His word, and I feel like God should do something. However, His is doing something and He has done something. The problem for me is He not doing what I think He should do. Certainly I know what's best for me? Ever been their? Whatever is happening in the life of a child of God is best. We must learn to want what we have. Most of us want what we don't have. We must grow to be able to say in the words of Apostle Paul, I have learned in WHATSOEVER state to be CONTENT. John never got out of prison until He got his head cut off. Pray that we will learn to love what we have, even the difficulties for they are apart of our growth and development, and that our SITUATIONS don't effect our DEDICATION. We must submitt to our Sovereign Lord and know He only does that which is for our good. Pray that God will give us peace and patience to endure hardness as a GOOD SOLDIER.
FOR HIS GLORY ALONE!
FOR HIS GLORY ALONE!
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Lord Forgive Me For Complaining
Today as I spent time with the Lord in prayer and meditation, I had to ask the Lord to forgive me for my complaining. It is so easy to do it come natural for us in our fallen state. Complaining is born out of PRIDE. It is out of the womb of pride that complaining is born. God hates it, for He resist the proud but gives grace to the humble. My prayer today is Lord help me guard my heart against complaining. Over shadow my pride with a sense of humility. Often time I justify it by saying I'm not complaining I'm just explaining. Make me honest that I might get help.
As Christian we have so much to thank God for. Complaining is a form of robbery. It steals time. The time we should be praising and thanking God, guess what we're doing? You got it right. We swim in the Sea of Blessings and are Drowning inComplaints. Think about it. Maybe this will help if we will meditate on these and ask for God's Help.
A 12 Point Cure for Complaining
Complaining is unbecoming of the true Christian and yet we are proficient at it. The cure is found in these verses. In Christ we are never hopeless or forsaken. Every trial has meaning. Meditate on this cure in order to change both your language and your heart.
1. GOD COMMANDS ME NEVER TO COMPLAIN.
Do all things without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:14(NAS)
2. GOD COMMANDS ME TO GIVE THANKS IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
3. GOD COMMANDS ME TO REJOICE ALWAYS, AND ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF TRIAL.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Phil. 4:4; Rejoice always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2
4. I ALWAYS DESERVE MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT I AM SUFFERING NOW¾IN FACT, I DESERVE HELL.
Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Lamentations 3:39 Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:2-3
5. IN LIGHT OF THE ETERNAL HAPPINESS AND GLORY THAT I WILL EXPERIENCE IN HEAVEN, THIS PRESENT TRIAL IS EXTREMELY BRIEF AND INSIGNIFICANT, EVEN IF IT WERE TO LAST A LIFETIME.
The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18; For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:19
6. MY SUFFERING IS FAR LESS THAN THAT WHICH CHRIST SUFFERED, AND HE DID NOT COMPLAIN.
Who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:23
7. TO COMPLAIN IS TO SAY GOD IS NOT JUST.
Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? Genesis 18:25
8. FAITH AND PRAYER EXCLUDE COMPLAINING.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
9. THIS DIFFICULTY IS BEING USED BY GOD FOR MY GOOD AND IT IS FOOLISH FOR ME TO COMPLAIN AGAINST IT.
And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
10. THOSE MORE FAITHFUL THAN I HAVE SUFFERED FAR WORSE THAN I, AND DID SO WITHOUT COMPLAINT.
…and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. All these, having gained approval through their faith… Hebrews 11:35-39
11. COMPLAINING DENIES THAT GOD'S GRACE IS ENTIRELY SUFFICIENT.
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
12. THE GREATEST SUFFERING, THE WORST TRIAL OR DIFFICULTY, CAN NEVER ROB ME OF THAT WHICH IS OF GREATEST VALUE TO ME AND MY GREATEST JOY, NAMELY THE LOVE OF CHRIST.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39_________
As Christian we have so much to thank God for. Complaining is a form of robbery. It steals time. The time we should be praising and thanking God, guess what we're doing? You got it right. We swim in the Sea of Blessings and are Drowning inComplaints. Think about it. Maybe this will help if we will meditate on these and ask for God's Help.
A 12 Point Cure for Complaining
Complaining is unbecoming of the true Christian and yet we are proficient at it. The cure is found in these verses. In Christ we are never hopeless or forsaken. Every trial has meaning. Meditate on this cure in order to change both your language and your heart.
1. GOD COMMANDS ME NEVER TO COMPLAIN.
Do all things without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:14(NAS)
2. GOD COMMANDS ME TO GIVE THANKS IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
3. GOD COMMANDS ME TO REJOICE ALWAYS, AND ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF TRIAL.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Phil. 4:4; Rejoice always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2
4. I ALWAYS DESERVE MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT I AM SUFFERING NOW¾IN FACT, I DESERVE HELL.
Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Lamentations 3:39 Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:2-3
5. IN LIGHT OF THE ETERNAL HAPPINESS AND GLORY THAT I WILL EXPERIENCE IN HEAVEN, THIS PRESENT TRIAL IS EXTREMELY BRIEF AND INSIGNIFICANT, EVEN IF IT WERE TO LAST A LIFETIME.
The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18; For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:19
6. MY SUFFERING IS FAR LESS THAN THAT WHICH CHRIST SUFFERED, AND HE DID NOT COMPLAIN.
Who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:23
7. TO COMPLAIN IS TO SAY GOD IS NOT JUST.
Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? Genesis 18:25
8. FAITH AND PRAYER EXCLUDE COMPLAINING.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
9. THIS DIFFICULTY IS BEING USED BY GOD FOR MY GOOD AND IT IS FOOLISH FOR ME TO COMPLAIN AGAINST IT.
And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
10. THOSE MORE FAITHFUL THAN I HAVE SUFFERED FAR WORSE THAN I, AND DID SO WITHOUT COMPLAINT.
…and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. All these, having gained approval through their faith… Hebrews 11:35-39
11. COMPLAINING DENIES THAT GOD'S GRACE IS ENTIRELY SUFFICIENT.
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
12. THE GREATEST SUFFERING, THE WORST TRIAL OR DIFFICULTY, CAN NEVER ROB ME OF THAT WHICH IS OF GREATEST VALUE TO ME AND MY GREATEST JOY, NAMELY THE LOVE OF CHRIST.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39_________
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