The May 6 entry in the devotional ‘My Utmost for His Highest’ by Oswald Chambers points out an interesting truth that addresses a problem I have had (and maybe still do) and I know some people at our church have.
Although I am not sure those people think this is a problem for them, they think their brand of Christianity is the only way.
What would Jesus call that? I think this is like James and John wanting to sit on either side of Jesus in Mark 10:35-45. Obviously they thought they were the only ones worthy of this, but to be worthy you have to believe you are the only one who is right.
Brothers and sisters who or what are you focusing on?
***************************************************
‘A spiritually-minded person will never come to you with the demand— "Believe this and that"; a spiritually-minded person will demand that you align your life with the standards of Jesus. We are not asked to believe the Bible, but to believe the One whom the Bible reveals (see John 5:39-40 ). We are called to present liberty for the conscience of others, not to bring them liberty for their thoughts and opinions. And if we ourselves are free with the liberty of Christ, others will be brought into that same liberty— the liberty that comes from realizing the absolute control and authority of Jesus Christ.
Always measure your life solely by the standards of Jesus. Submit yourself to His yoke, and His alone; and always be careful never to place a yoke on others that is not of Jesus Christ. It takes God a long time to get us to stop thinking that unless everyone sees things exactly as we do, they must be wrong. That is never God’s view. There is only one true liberty— the liberty of Jesus at work in our conscience enabling us to do what is right.’
Don’t get impatient with others. Remember how God dealt with you— with patience and with gentleness. But never water down the truth of God. Let it have its way and never apologize for it. Jesus said, "Go . . . and make disciples. . ." ( Matthew 28:19 ), not, "Make converts to your own thoughts and opinions."
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Dealing with enemies
This is a response to my wife’s blog Krack Up where she talks about enemies. Go to http://krack-up.com/blog/
I think what Jesus is trying to teach us is not only how important it is to love others but also that we will have to change in order to love our enemies or people we just don’t plain like.
Being a Christian and following Jesus means having to change your thoughts, your beliefs and your actions. Remember what Jesus told the rich young ruler? And what did the RYR do? He either couldn’t or wouldn’t change.
I think if he was smart he would have realized he could have given up the wealth, become a Christ follower and then earned it back with a new belief, a new attitude taught to him by Jesus. But even if he didn’t earn it back his life would have been so much better with Christ.
Those who won’t change are those who haven’t come to the end of themselves and they believe what they think and do is more important than what Jesus says.
Following Jesus is a process and goes way beyond believing, repenting and being baptized. Come on take some more step toward Jesus and live the way he wants you to.
You can do it.
I think what Jesus is trying to teach us is not only how important it is to love others but also that we will have to change in order to love our enemies or people we just don’t plain like.
Being a Christian and following Jesus means having to change your thoughts, your beliefs and your actions. Remember what Jesus told the rich young ruler? And what did the RYR do? He either couldn’t or wouldn’t change.
I think if he was smart he would have realized he could have given up the wealth, become a Christ follower and then earned it back with a new belief, a new attitude taught to him by Jesus. But even if he didn’t earn it back his life would have been so much better with Christ.
Those who won’t change are those who haven’t come to the end of themselves and they believe what they think and do is more important than what Jesus says.
Following Jesus is a process and goes way beyond believing, repenting and being baptized. Come on take some more step toward Jesus and live the way he wants you to.
You can do it.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Denominations for $200
What fascinates me is how many people think that only they have the right answer to following Christ or being a Christian. To the point of being Pharisees.
Just this past week I heard that someone was not attending the right Bible Study.
What strikes me is that when Jesus recruited the disciples all He said was 'follow me'. I think if it was important what denomination or group you belonged to or who was your mentor He would have called that out almost immediately.
What if you don’t have the right answer when you get to Heaven and Jesus asks you what denomination you belonged to, or what group you were part of or who was your mentor? So if you don’t get that right you don’t get in?
I think the people who think they are the only ones with the right answers for Christianity may be keeping people away from Jesus. I don't want to have to answer for that one.
Just this past week I heard that someone was not attending the right Bible Study.
What strikes me is that when Jesus recruited the disciples all He said was 'follow me'. I think if it was important what denomination or group you belonged to or who was your mentor He would have called that out almost immediately.
What if you don’t have the right answer when you get to Heaven and Jesus asks you what denomination you belonged to, or what group you were part of or who was your mentor? So if you don’t get that right you don’t get in?
I think the people who think they are the only ones with the right answers for Christianity may be keeping people away from Jesus. I don't want to have to answer for that one.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Could you handle it?
This past Tuesday I saw a documentary / movie titled ‘The Human Experience’ at Penn State that talked about life issues that disadvantaged people face from the homeless in New York City, children that are in need of care in Peru, HIV Aids infected people in Ghana and a leper colony in Africa have to deal with.
It was informative and moving but what it showed was that life is happening all over the world and it isn’t always good. Our reaction is critical to dealing with the bad hands that we are dealt.
In the film is seen a young boy in Peru with no arms and only one leg who was energetic and enthusiastic and didn’t complain. The same can be said for a man at the leper hospital. No complaints. No whining.
The film team, all in their late teens and early tenties at the time, went with the idea that they may be able to help the people who are disadvantaged and in need but many times they stated that those who appeared to have the problem or the handicap actually taught the members of the film team more.
The one thing that stands out and was heard was how important that faith is.
Makes you want to ask yourself - how strong is your faith?
You should check it out!
http://www.grassrootsfilms.com/
It was informative and moving but what it showed was that life is happening all over the world and it isn’t always good. Our reaction is critical to dealing with the bad hands that we are dealt.
In the film is seen a young boy in Peru with no arms and only one leg who was energetic and enthusiastic and didn’t complain. The same can be said for a man at the leper hospital. No complaints. No whining.
The film team, all in their late teens and early tenties at the time, went with the idea that they may be able to help the people who are disadvantaged and in need but many times they stated that those who appeared to have the problem or the handicap actually taught the members of the film team more.
The one thing that stands out and was heard was how important that faith is.
Makes you want to ask yourself - how strong is your faith?
You should check it out!
http://www.grassrootsfilms.com/
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
What do the words mean?
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."
- Rudyard Kipling
This quote expresses why we listen to the words that people speak but we ignore the actions of those people. Words can make us feel good just like drugs or alcohol so we will overlook things.
In an interesting piece in the April 15 Wall Street Journal titled ‘War by Any Other Name’ Joe Queenan talks about how people can be manipulated, distracted or even controlled by creating new generic phrases.
Some examples are:
War on Terror is now ‘overseas contingency operation’
Beheadings are now ‘cephalic attrition’
Genocide is now ‘maximum – intensity racial profiling’
Mass murders is now ‘peoples’ liberation army’
Guess what ‘off–site impasse adjustors’ is or ‘the ostensibly malefic’? Look them up at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123958305263912309.html
The purpose is to make the new terms or phrases more acceptable and less offensive. After we use a phrase over and over we become comfortable with it and not as upset by its implications if it doesn’t sound as bad or horrific as the actual act.
If we aren’t careful we can forget what the phrase really means. And maybe we don’t want to be reminded of how bad life can be at times.
Actions speak louder than words is a phrase that will serve us better if we will only take the time to watch what others do and the way they act and then think about what those actions tell us.
Then check out the words they use to see if they describe the act or the action or do they seem like something designed to confuse you or mix up your thinking.
- Rudyard Kipling
This quote expresses why we listen to the words that people speak but we ignore the actions of those people. Words can make us feel good just like drugs or alcohol so we will overlook things.
In an interesting piece in the April 15 Wall Street Journal titled ‘War by Any Other Name’ Joe Queenan talks about how people can be manipulated, distracted or even controlled by creating new generic phrases.
Some examples are:
War on Terror is now ‘overseas contingency operation’
Beheadings are now ‘cephalic attrition’
Genocide is now ‘maximum – intensity racial profiling’
Mass murders is now ‘peoples’ liberation army’
Guess what ‘off–site impasse adjustors’ is or ‘the ostensibly malefic’? Look them up at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123958305263912309.html
The purpose is to make the new terms or phrases more acceptable and less offensive. After we use a phrase over and over we become comfortable with it and not as upset by its implications if it doesn’t sound as bad or horrific as the actual act.
If we aren’t careful we can forget what the phrase really means. And maybe we don’t want to be reminded of how bad life can be at times.
Actions speak louder than words is a phrase that will serve us better if we will only take the time to watch what others do and the way they act and then think about what those actions tell us.
Then check out the words they use to see if they describe the act or the action or do they seem like something designed to confuse you or mix up your thinking.
How much is enough?
‘As you cannot take a day off morally and remain moral, neither can you take a day off spiritually and remain spiritual. God wants you to be entirely His, and it requires paying close attention to keep yourself fit. It also takes a tremendous amount of time. Yet some of us expect to rise above all of our problems, going from one mountaintop experience to another, with only a few minutes’ effort.’
- April 15, 2009 ‘My Utmost for His Highest’ Daily Devotional by Oswald Chambers
http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php
- April 15, 2009 ‘My Utmost for His Highest’ Daily Devotional by Oswald Chambers
http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Iron Sharpens Iron
The local Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conference is coming up soon on Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Harleysville, PA at the Branch Creek Community Church.
The conference is based on the scripture: ‘As Iron Sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another’ Proverbs 27:17
Why should you go to a Men’s conference?
So you can learn more and grow closer to God
So you can model what the men you are leading should do to grow
To get around other Christian Men and see their faith and commitment to Christ
To hear specifically what God wants you to hear and learn
To be around men who love God
To be around men who are struggling in their relationship with God
There are many more reasons
When you say that you already know all that stuff, is that God talking or you?
Check the website for more information and also to see the other ISI Conferences going on around the country
http://www.ironsharpensiron.net/conference-details.php?conference=107
Order your tickets now and let me know that you are going.
The conference is based on the scripture: ‘As Iron Sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another’ Proverbs 27:17
Why should you go to a Men’s conference?
So you can learn more and grow closer to God
So you can model what the men you are leading should do to grow
To get around other Christian Men and see their faith and commitment to Christ
To hear specifically what God wants you to hear and learn
To be around men who love God
To be around men who are struggling in their relationship with God
There are many more reasons
When you say that you already know all that stuff, is that God talking or you?
Check the website for more information and also to see the other ISI Conferences going on around the country
http://www.ironsharpensiron.net/conference-details.php?conference=107
Order your tickets now and let me know that you are going.
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