Thought / Question of the day !!

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

This verse and the following was sent to me this morning in the form of one of the daily devotions that comes my way each morning. I thought I'd share them with you to ponder over the weekend. Have a blessed weekend. Know that God loves you...and so do I.

When bad things happen, you may be tempted to let go of God's hand. But know this -- God will never let go of yours. What things threaten to separate you from God?

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)

People judge others all the time. We judge and are judged based on attributes such as sex, skin color, political beliefs, religious beliefs, and on and on. If a person looks a certain way or acts a certain way or believes a certain way, then there must be something wrong with that person. And judgments are often incorrect. Nathanael judged a man because of where he came from..."Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" This judgment was not a very good one indeed. For Jesus is the one he was talking about.

When we judge others, we take on a privilege that has not been given to us. For Jesus, the only perfect one to ever live, is the true Judge. We may disagree. We may argue about various things. We may try and persuade others against a certain behavior. But the difference in this and judging is when we start believing that we know the totality of God's will on the subject and that the other person (or group) cannot possibly be trying to listen to God. In other words, believing something like "I know what's right and what's wrong, whereas you cannot since you disagree with me".

Issues like homosexuality and abortion and the death penalty, along with environmental, economic or political issues can divide us because we believe so adamantly that we're right and the other side is wrong. This can lead to believing that the person on the other side is a bad person. And so we judge that person based upon his/her belief.

You may be right on an issue. And on the other hand you may be wrong. For when two sides are so far apart from each other, one or the other side has to be wrong. But never let the devil use these issues to convince you to break the second greatest commandment...love of neighbor.

You may sense that God is calling you to stand up to support or go against a certain issue. And if that's the case, by all means, do what God is calling you to do. But even though you may find it your calling to make a stand for what you believe is God's will, never allow yourself to get caught up in judging someone else. For the other person may honestly believe that they're just doing what God wants them to do as well. And only God knows for sure what is truly right. So let someone who's more qualified have the job of judging. Allow Jesus to do this. Anyway, we're supposed to be in the business of loving, not judging.

As for me, I ask for God's forgiveness where I have judged and will judge in the future. And I ask that You, oh Lord, will be more lenient in judgment of me than I have been with others at times.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

The LORD will work out his plans for my life -- for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me.
Psalms 138:8 (NLT)

The LORD has a plan and a purpose for you. You're not a robot that He controls to do this and that, but instead, you choose to follow His design for your life or not. Which will you choose (His faithful plan or what this world may tempt you with as an alternative way)?

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought / Question of the day !!

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

Lately I've gotten on this fruit and vegetable kick. It happens this time every year as gardens start producing tomatoes and corn and squash, as well as other fine foods. I don't have a garden myself, but have been brought a tomato or two. I give thanks to those who share their fruits.

The fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control are planted in those who have Jesus in them by the power of the Holy Spirit. It's a garden that we can all tend if we only will. And the God who created and grows the garden in you will give you thanks for sharing your fruits with others.

Who has been the recipients of your fruit lately?

In the love of Christ,
greg

Question of the day ??

All the Denominations got together one day and decided to have a wrestling match...a Battle Royal sort of speak. Which denomination was the last one standing?

Thought of the Day !!

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25

Have you ever heard (or said) something to the extent of "I can worship God in the woods on Sunday mornings" or "God is in nature and can be seen or felt on a golf course (or lake) just like in a church" or "I don't have to go to church to be a Christian". I know I have. I even used to say that last one.

The fact is, there is some truth in these. You CAN worship God anywhere. You CAN see God anywhere. And you DON'T have to ever walk inside a church building to be a Christian. BUT...every time I've heard these or said these, they were used as excuses not to go to church and not explanations of how someone actually planned on being with God.

The Church of today may not be what it was in the book of Acts. But when anything grows tremendously it's going change. So maybe we should look back to the early church that is detailed in Acts to remind us of our roots and where we need to be more like our beginnings. And as for coming together, we have to do this. We need it for accountability, for learning, for lifting up and being lifted up. God wants it, for it shows that we're putting Him first before ourselves.

I really do believe that the Church would have never been formed if God didn't want us to gather together. You can debate if this gathering should be on Sunday mornings at 11:AM or Saturday or Wednesday nights. You can debate whether or not you go to a big church, a small church, a home church or whatever. The point is simply that we gather with others for the purpose of placing God first and being guided by His Holy Spirit.

So in the end, I say to you today to be a part of the Church. You'll make God happy, and you'll be blessed for doing it. Remember, the Church is not a building...it's all of us who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, putting our faith and trust in Him for our salvation.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Question of the day ??

If Jesus was looking for employment today in America, who do you think would hire him?

Thought of the Day !!

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

God is there to help you through your temptations. Amen for that!

In the love of Christ,
greg

Question of the day ??

What's your biggest weakness where you depend upon God's help?

Thought of the Day !!

Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT)

More than just about anything, I would like to be able to sing and play guitar (mostly sing). I love to sing praise songs. I love singing to the Lord. But I have to keep it down because nobody around me should be subjected to that kind of torture. :)

I guess you could say I'm weak in the area of singing. But singing is a part of worship. And God has made me stronger in other areas of worship so that I can still be strong in worshiping Him.

We all have weaknesses. We all have times when we feel weak. If we didn't, we'd rely more on ourselves and our own abilities. Our weaknesses can be used for good in that they point out our reliance on God. Don't worry about being weak...as long as you are strong in the Lord.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12 (NIV)

When the light is turned on in a room, all in that room is seen. We see the television in the corner, or the picture on the wall that we bought because it made us feel good. We may see that comfortable chair that we have sat in many times before, or that certain item that we've been looking all over for. But there are other things that can become painfully visible to us as well. The dust that has piled up an inch thick or the stack of bills that is a reminder to us that they're all due now. The point is, we see the good and the bad when the light is turned on.

Jesus said, in the Gospel of John, that the light came into the world but the world loved darkness. Think about that room and it's reminders of a cleaning that is needed or debts owed. When the light comes into our lives, we see the greatness of God, but we also see the same as in the room I just mentioned. We don't want to be reminded that our lives have become dirty or that we owe a debt to the one who created us. We don't want to know that things are not as perfect as the front we put up. And so, seeing the light can hurt. But the light is not turned on to make us miserable. It's turned on so that change can happen. And when this change happens, we will be made better and happier people.

The only way to be really happy is to be clean and debt free. And the only way we can be clean and debt free is through the powerful love and forgiveness that comes from the light of Christ.

In the powerful light and love of Christ,

greg

Question of the day ??

What do you think will be your favorite thing about being in Heaven (next to being with God/Jesus)?

Thought of the Day !!

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

Ephesians 4:1-5 (NIV)

It's not just pastors or missionaries who are called by God. Each of His children are called. First we are called to accept His invitation to be in a relationship with Him through His son Jesus. Secondly, we're called to love one another as Christ loves us. And thirdly we are each called for different purposes here on earth according to the gifts that our Father gives us.

Some live a life worthy of the calling that God has placed upon their hearts. Others fall short of this. Which are you doing? How is your everyday living? Is it worthy of your calling?

In the love of Christ,

greg

Disturbing stats about clergy and family

Here are some statistics that Mark Driscol got together from places like Barna and Focus on the Family. I'm depressed just looking at them.

Pastors

* Fifteen hundred pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.
* Fifty percent of pastors' marriages will end in divorce.
* Eighty percent of pastors and eighty-four percent of their spouses feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastors.
* Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
* Eighty percent of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.
* Seventy percent of pastors constantly fight depression.
* Almost forty percent polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.
* Seventy percent said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.

Pastors' Wives

* Eighty percent of pastors' spouses feel their spouse is overworked.
* Eighty percent of pastors' spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession.
* The majority of pastors’ wives surveyed said that the most destructive event that has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they entered the ministry.

Go to Mark Driscol's blog to find out more.

Question of the day ??

What are you most afraid of in this world?

Thought of the Day !!

One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."
Luke 8:22-25 (NIV)

The disciples had just witnessed the great power of Jesus. And they were afraid. This just isn't supposed to happen. This should encourage them that they're following the right guy...shouldn't it?

Yet today I feel like we can be afraid of the power of Jesus as well. Paul tells us that we're saved from a life of fear, but sometimes we just won't let it go. Now some fear can be good. I know that if I go down a dark alleyway or see a bear in the woods or a snake in my back yard under my feet, I'm going to be afraid. That just might save my life. But some of us are afraid of truly experiencing the power of God in our lives or our churches. And often times this fear is the fear of change. If I receive power from God then He may expect something out of me. If my church experiences the power of the Holy Spirit we won't know what we'll look like after He's through. We may not have the same people in power, or we may not look like the same church anymore.

And then there's always the fear of death. As born again Christians we're supposed to have assurance of what will happen when we die. But plenty of people still have a sliver of doubt, which I'm sure causes fear.

Jesus said to ask and we will receive. If you're afraid of the power of God changing you or your church or your family etc., then ask for courage...peace...assurance. And keep asking for it until you get it. Your Father in Heaven awaits you. Tell Him what you fear most. And ask Him to see you through.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Question of the Day ??

What are some things that people might worship, other than God?

Thought of the Day !!

[God says,] "To an image carved from a piece of wood they say, 'You are my father.' To an idol chiseled out of stone they say, 'You are my mother.' They turn their backs on me, but in times of trouble they cry out for me to save them!"
Jeremiah 2:27 (NLT)

The Israelites turned from God to worship the many gods of the pagans. These gods were worshiped by bowing down to and praising statues or carvings called idols. Today we may think this is a ludicrous idea. There is no way that we would worship some statue out in the yard or some figurine on our living room mantle.

But when we place other things in our lives before God (Jesus), then we've worshiped an idol. If our priorities are centered on how much money we can earn, then we've worshiped the god called the almighty dollar. If nothing in this life is more important than our friends, then we've become friend worshipers. It can be the same with our family or our job.

You might notice that none of these things I've mentioned are bad things. They are all wonderful things when they fit in their place right behind the love of God. For when we get into deep financial trouble where will we turn? When we have a fight with a friend or a family member...when friendships cease or divorce happens...where can we turn? When we lose that job, or it has lost it's appeal, then what can save us from turmoil?

Only God is perfect. Only God will last forever. Only God loves you more than all these put together. It's perfectly OK to cry out to God (Jesus) when you're hurting or in trouble. He will listen. And believe it or not, He understands you...even more than a spouse or best friend. But don't forget Him in the good times as well. Let us live our lives daily praising and worshiping the one true God found in the Trinity (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Keep your eyes set upon God and He will never let you down. He loves you more than you will ever know.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Chrysalis Walk #80

I worked at a spiritual retreat last weekend. You may be familiar with Emmaus. If so, Chrysalis is the walk for high school students. This particular walk was a girls walk. If any of you girls are reading this, hello and De Colores!

It was a wonderful weekend. I had to cut the weekend short so that I could get back on Sunday to be with my church. It was a special Sunday where I had a young college student preach his first sermon. I tend to believe that it won't be his last. I hope not anyway.

The weekend brought about renewal for me. Well, actually, I was pretty exhausted after the weekend. I haven't been in so much constant prayer in a long time. And I forgot how hard it can be on your knees when you actually kneel down on them so many times. :)

But the girls were great. The team of workers were great too. A few of the girls even let this old man get out and throw the Frisbee around with them. They taught me a new game called "ultimate" that is evidently growing in popularity. Boy, am I out of touch. I asked if next time we could play hacky sack...evidently that might be making a comeback (please, oh please).

When all was said and done, two of the girls gave their lives to Christ this weekend. And I know that others' spiritual lives were strengthened. I would love to say that I was a big part of it. But in actuality it was the consistent prayer, good planning, and most of all, presence of God's Holy Spirit drowning out the devil for 72 hours.

Again, for those who were there, I say have a great life...keep in touch...and that God loves you (and so do I). From Greg Hazelrig at the table of Pam's ABC's Jennie P and the Preacher Freaks. - You had to have been there :)

In the love of Christ,
greg

Question of the Day ??

How have you experienced the greatness of God's love this past week?

Thought of the Day !!

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.
How priceless is your unfailing love!
Psalm 35:5-7a (NIV)

This scripture has been on my heart for about a week now. As I've fought some spiritual battles within me, it's truly spoken to me. We all struggle with the devil (sometimes successfully defeating and sometimes failing). To know that God is still there, that He still loves us and is faithful to be with us no matter what we're going through can bring about comfort.

God loves you and me so much that this love reaches to the heavens. This is farther than anyone can ever imagine. And I don't know about you, but I need to know that sometimes.

Thankfully, God shows us His love in so many wondrous ways. It can come through a servant of the Lord being kind to us. It can come through a feeling He places in our hearts. It can come through the assurance He gives us or the excitement that we can derive from worshiping Him.

God's love is priceless. If I had all the money in the world and then added all the gold and silver and jewels, I could not purchase it. It's simply priceless. He puts no price on it. But even though I can never purchase it or do anything to earn it, my God has decided to freely give it to me. Oh how He loves you and me.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Get the truth and don't ever sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and discernment.
Proverbs 23:23 (NLT)

These are things that money can't buy. They are also the things that are made possible through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And the way we receive these gifts is through prayer and study of the Bible. Don't forget to do either today.

In the love of Christ,
greg

P.S. I will be working a Chrysalis Walk (Spiritual Retreat for teenagers) beginning tomorrow. I will also be attending our Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church next Monday through Wednesday. So other than a possible "Thought" tomorrow morning, this will be the last for about a week. Please keep me and the teenagers at this weekend's Chrysalis in your prayers.

Question of the day ??

I am contemplating celebrating Holy Communion weekly in a new alternative style worship service that I plan starting up in September. My question is this. Is there anything wrong with doing an abbreviated version of the liturgy (maybe giving an invitation and then summing up the Great Thanksgiving in a few short sentences in a prayer)?

In other words, how important is our Communion liturgy?

Thought of the Day !!

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Titus 3:3-6 (NIV)

When you experience, accept and allow the kindness and love of God (through the work of the Holy Spirit) to break down the walls of enslavement to this world, you'll be set free. You'll have less anxiety. And you'll be a much happier person. But God doesn't ask for a part of you. He wants your whole self. And when we're willing to give the whole of our beings to Him, He'll pour His blessings upon us generously.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Spirit Filled Manager

My own beloved Mississippi Braves (Double A minor league team for the Atlanta Braves) has had a revival. The Holy Spirit got into their manager, and he did everything he could to get those pescy umpires saved.


Watch

Thought of the Day !!

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Matthew 7:3-5 (NIV)

How easy it is to find fault in others. How much harder it is to find fault in ourselves. Almost daily we can find someone somewhere pointing out the flaws in another person. How often is it that this person is you?

Jesus is telling us that we need to realize that no person is perfect. And even though some believe that they're better than others, that pride may be the one thing right there that makes them less perfect than someone else. The key to this scripture, as with many other of Jesus' teachings, is humility. Let us try to work on fixing the imperfections in our own lives before we go pointing out the flaws in other peoples' lives.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
Acts 2:1 (NIV)

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

If any church wants to faithful and true to God's call and will, they must gather together. We were created to be a community, and we can only make a real difference when we’re connected as such.

What’s the first thing that Jesus did when he started his ministry? He brought together a community of people. We call them the disciples. Did he ever tell someone to go off and do ministry alone. No. He sent the people out by twos.

The Psalmist tells us to worship the LORD with gladness; to come into his presence with singing…or to gather.

Jesus told his disciples that where two or three are gathered in his name, he’d be there.

Paul encourages the church at Corinth to gather for the right reasons.

In coming together, we seek God’s presence as his communal children…and not just renegades out there doing as we wish. We prove that even though we're different parts of the body with different functions...different talents...different God-given gifts, we're still one body...the body of Christ.

Jesus had previously ordered his disciples to stay together in Jerusalem and wait for something great. They did. They gathered. And something great did happen. The Holy Spirit came upon them, and the living, breathing Church was born.

Let us remember to gather whenever possible.

In the love of Christ,
greg