Thought of the Day !!

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

Do you think that we will be forgiven if we decide not to even try to forgive others? In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us the answer in the Sermon on the Mount. And his answer is "No". He tells us if we don't forgive others, then our Heavenly Father will not forgive us.

Forgiveness can be hard though, can't it? Maybe there is someone you need to forgive, but you're having a tough time doing so. If you are bringing this problem to Jesus, asking for his help, Jesus will help you. So if you haven't completely forgiven yet, but are truly trying, I believe God takes that into consideration. After all, He IS a God of grace.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Give me neither poverty nor riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.
For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, "Who is the LORD?"
And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name.
Proverbs 30:8b-9 (NLT)

Some people believe that God wants us all to have everything we want. They look to passages in the Old Testament that speak about the faithful like Father Abraham and Job who were blessed by God with wealth. They also look to where the New Testament speaks of asking and therefore receiving. Other people look to passages like the one where Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow him to support the belief that we shouldn't have the things of this world.

No matter where on the theological spectrum you belong, how is it that you will find contentment?

The word proverb means to have a truth that is condensed into a few words and stated in a memorable fashion. And I believe that if we look to the book of proverbs (or you could say the book of truths), we can find the truth about contentment when it comes to wealth.

Our passage this morning teaches that contentment comes in having just enough. The author shows us that there are dangers with having too much, as well as dangers of having too little.

Notice that it doesn't say that if we are rich, we WILL deny God. It also doesn't tell us that we WILL steal if we are poor. But temptation is much easier to fall into when we have so much that can make us prideful or too little that can make us desperate.

Think about how much you have and be honest with yourself about the temptations that what you have can bring to you. Hit those temptations head on and bring the battle to the devil. If you have much, use it wisely, beginning with giving to God as a thanksgiving for all He's given you. If you have little, use it wisely as well so that you do not come into a desperate situation. And remember that contentment doesn't come with what you have, but whose you are.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

"Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."
Genesis 9:16 (NIV)

Just as the rainbow represents a covenant between God and all His creatures, our baptism represents the covenant between Him and us as well. And Holy Communion represents the new covenant given to us by Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins.

When we were baptized, it was a outward sign of what we did or what was done for us by our parents or guardians (depending on whether or not you believe in infant baptism).

But baptism is not just about something we do. It's preceded by an inward grace. This is the grace of God that saves us. Every day we should remember our baptism and be thankful. And in doing so, we should remember the grace and the covenant that God gave us then and continues to give us each day.

Holy Communion is an outward meal that we eat and drink of to remember that Jesus died on a cross as a sacrifice for our sins. It represents forgiveness. Each time we partake of Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist, let us also remember that grace that saves us from eternal damnation.

God loves us so much that He made covenants (or promises) to be our God and to give us a way out of sin. Think about what these two covenants mean to you today as you go about your day. And then give thanks for the promises that He has made.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"
Matthew 6:25 (NIV)

For many people food, drink, clothes and entertainment are the most important things in life. How about you? If you're not sure, ask yourself where most of your money goes.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 (NRSV)

Steven Curtis Chapman has a song entitled "The Walk". In it he speaks about friends who've answered the call to do the walk. Then my favorite part of the lyrics goes like this:

You can run with the big dogs,
You can fly with the eagles,
You can jump through all your hoops
From the ladder to the top
But when it all comes down
You know it all comes down to the walk.

Jesus taught us the walk. He lived what was proclaimed in Micah; "do justice…love kindness…walk humbly with (his) God." We can find fulfillment in this life by patterning our lives by Jesus' example. But so often we pattern them by what others think, what we see others doing, or what society tells us is acceptable.

You want joy in this life? You want contentment? You want peace? Then don't satisfy those around you or people you don't even know. Satisfy the requirements of your LORD; be a just person, love to be kind and merciful, and walk humbly (as opposed to proudly) with your God by the power of the wonderful Holy Spirit.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

Whatever you say to someone today could be forgotten right away. On the other hand, it could be remembered for a very long time.

If your words are hurtful, mean or antagonistic, people will remember. If they are arrogant or rude, people will remember. And they will remember how you made them feel.

Wouldn't it be better if people remembered that today when they spoke to you that you made them smile? Somebody might need to hear a kind word, and you'll never know just how much it meant to them. Somebody might need a little less talking down to and a little more building up today. So how about it? Are you up for the challenge?

In the love of Christ,
greg

I WANT IT ALL (an illustration of what's happening today)

Sunday morning I will preach the third part of a 4-part sermon series entitled "Getting a Grip". This week we will discuss how to get a grip on our finances. I got the idea from a small group book I picked up that's put out by Willow Creek and Bill Hybels.

Anyway, one of the illustrations I plan to use comes from a Chase Credit Card commercial that I've seen many times before. It has a guy going to buy a new TV. And the song comes on by Queen "I want it all".

In today's world we're taught that we can get it all. We're duped by credit card companies into believing we can have anything we want, and we can have it right away. But it's not just credit card companies. Stores will allow us to buy on credit. Car lots will let us drive the car home, even though they haven't gotten us approved yet.

We live in a society that is here and now and we all want it now. This commercial is simply a part of this.

I don't have the commercial here. But I do have the song. Listen to it and tell me if you know the commercial that I'm talking about. What are your thoughts?

Thought of the Day !!

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
James 2:15-16 (NIV)

I'm sure most, if not all of us, have heard the phrase "You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk" before. This is exactly what James is saying we must do...walk the walk. We can talk about how much we care, how loving and compassionate we are. But then when things happen, we must be ready to back up those words.

If we claim to be open-minded, but we argue with everyone who disagrees with us, we've only talked the talk.

If we claim to be compassionate, but when a problem occurs we don't do anything to alleviate the problem, we've only talked the talk.

If we claim to be a forgiving person, but when someone wrongs us we don't show forgiveness, we've only talked the talk.

If we claim to love our neighbor (even those who are not like us), but we pick and choose whom we want to help out, we've only talked the talk.

James tells us that our talk is worthless if not back up with our deeds. What is it that you need to do to back up your words today?

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world. Why would we light a candle in our houses? I can think of two answers for this question. One is for the fragrance of the different smelling candles that are made today. So when we light these, we want a pleasant smelling aroma to be in our homes.

The other reason is to light up an area (often when the electricity has gone off). In this case, we want the light from the candle to show us the way. In the same way, Jesus wants us to show others the way. He didn't say we are the light of the world sometimes though. He didn't command us to go out and form a committee to decide which aroma was the most pleasant. He didn't even tell us lighting the world would be an easy task. But still, he told us that we are the light, and he implied that we were to share ourselves with everyone in the house.

Also, let us remember that God's house is much more than the walls that enclose the place you sleep every night or the place you come to worship once or twice a week. So lets go and light up more than just those two places.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)

Sometimes people can see only what's going on in the here and now. We may forgot all the good a person has done in the past because of one mistake he or she has just recently made. It's a good thing God doesn't see us just by our mistakes. He never forgets who we are, what we are, or whose we are.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 95:1-2

Let's not forget to give thanks to God today. If things are well with your life and your soul, sing for joy. If things are not so good with your life, find something good to give thanks for. And for all who believe in Jesus, give thanks for salvation. For no matter how good or bad things may be in this world, the best is yet to come.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Matthew 22:34-40

Did you live out these commandments yesterday? And just as important a question is this. Will you live them out today and tomorrow? If so, how?

Help! I need bail money!!!!

Someone has ratted me out to the police. I don't know exactly what I did...but evidently they're going to haul me off to jail! And I need bail money!

Actually, if you'll read on, you'll get a better understanding of what's going on. So please continue reading.


This year, I have the honor and pleasure of participating in MDA's Vicksburg Lockup to help "Jerry's Kids®". To reach my goal I need your help.

I'd like to include you or your company on my list of contributors who are helping me reach my goal. Your donation would help MDA continue the important fight against muscular dystrophy. Check out my web page by clicking on the link below. There you'll find all kinds of information about MDA, and be able to make your tax-deductible donation on-line using your credit card.

MDA serves people in our community with neuromuscular disease by providing clinics, support groups, assistance with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs, braces and communication devices, and summer camp for kids. MDA also funds research grants to help find treatments and cures for some 43 neuromuscular diseases that affect people of all ages, right here in our community.

I sincerely hope that you'll take the opportunity to support MDA. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or e-mail me.

On behalf of the families MDA serves, thank you!

In the love of Christ,
Greg Hazelrig

Click here to visit my Participant Page.

If the link above does not bring you to my Participant Page, cut and paste the address below into the address bar of your internet browser.

https://www.mdaevent.org/ParticipantInfo.aspx?j=cce56e73-50ec-4379-ae85-b09a37652709

Thought of the Day !!

I was listening to the song “Old Friend” by the OC Supertones this morning and the words stuck out in my head and stayed with me.

What do I know?
Somebody tell me
I’ve been running from you for so long
Please help me, Lord
Find my direction
I just can’t do it on my own

Chorus
You lift me up
You rescue me
It’s good to be with you old friend
You lift me up
You rescue me
It’s good to be with you old friend

Sometimes I think
How can you love me?
My thoughts are so far from your own
Why choose me, Lord?
I’m a poor reflection.
Why use me to make your self known?

The words that seem to always catch my attention when I hear this song are from the last part where it asks how God could love me, seeing as though my thoughts are so far from His own. Why in the world would God choose me, a very poor reflection to make Himself known?

What I must realize is that by myself I am a poor reflection. But everyday that I wake up and choose my God, He then robes me with His robe of righteousness. The simple act of choosing Him makes me all the reflection that God is looking for. I may mess up from time to time. But even in my mistakes, God's grace can be seen. So as long as I'm choosing God, I'm reflecting Christ, who also chose the Father.

Each day we choose how good or poor a reflection we will be. Will we begin our days clothing ourselves with Christ, so that we can start out on the right foot?

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.
1 Peter 2:2

When we become Christians, we are born into a new life in Christ. So in a way we are like babies who have to begin their nourishment with milk instead of solid food. Babies must have the formula that is geared towards helping them grow into the next stage of life, and they crave that milk that their parents will give them.

In much the same way, as newly formed Christians we will most likely crave the spiritual milk that God, the Church, Christian family and friends will feed us. We have a desire to feed on the knowledge of who this Jesus character is that we fell in love with. We learn of the love that God has for us. We don't learn the intricacies of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit on day two of our Christian walk. But instead we crave that which will help us grow to the next level of our Christian maturity.

Many people never grow out of that level where they crave the pure spiritual milk. But we are called to grow. As a matter of fact, Peter says that we crave the milk so that we can "grow into a full experience of salvation." This means going on to the next level.

Where are you in your spiritual life? Have you become a Christian yet, giving you life to Christ? If so, have you gotten past the stage where your level of spiritual maturity is ONLY learning what God has done for you? Have you grown into a person whom God can now call on for ministry? Have you learned more and more about Jesus and His will for your life? Have you come to a point in your life where can take part in the decisions of your church?

Have you grown in spiritual maturity since you became a Christian? Or have you plateaued somewhere along the way? Maybe God is calling you to take the next step and go a little deeper by teaching a Bible study, attending church more often, taking on more responsibility in your church, joining in a ministry that He's placed upon your heart, or simply reading more of your bible. Ask yourself today what God is desiring of you. Is He asking you to grow in some area?

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Forgive me, but I just had to use a portion of my own devotion this morning for our "Thought of the Day !!". It comes from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest.

"Because you have kept My command to persevere..." (Revelation 3:10)

Perseverance means more than endurance - more than simply holding on until the end. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, "I can't take any more." Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God's hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).

Is there anything you're struggling with now and are telling God "I can't take on any more" or "I can't do it anymore"? Could God be strengthening you to let you fly like the archer's arrow? I think that often times when we're struggling with something we look to God for comfort when what we need is the faith that He's doing something in us that might hurt now, but will be great in the end. Just something to think about.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Now let me remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is built on this wonderful message. And it is this Good News that saves you if you firmly believe it.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 (NLT)

We all love Good news. It may be the host of a banquet that says "Mr. Hazelrig, you just won the door prize and it's a new car. It may be the daughter and son-in-law who come in and say "Guess what Mom & Dad, we're pregnant. Your gonna be grandparents."
It may be the letter that you open that announces that you made it into the college you have been dreaming about all your life. It may be the doctor who cheerfully tells you that the tests are back and everything looks fine.

Yes, we all love good news. And that's what Paul had been spreading. His was the good news that "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day." And then he appeared to many as proof of this resurrection.

If Jesus had merely died and was buried, the process wouldn't be complete. We wouldn't have a risen Savior who had defeated death for us. But instead we would have had a man...a great man maybe...but still a man.

But the Good News is that our Savior is for real. People may try to disprove Him. Some my claim He was nothing other than a prophet. Others will claim that the miracles, including the resurrection, never actually occurred. But those with true faith will not be bent...will not be persuaded otherwise.

Let us remember Jesus this day as a friend, a king, a brother, our Lord and especially our Savior. And then let us continually give him thanks for this Good News the rest of this day.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

Does the Lord hear your voice every morning? We begin our days differently. Maybe the first thing you do when you get out of bed is get into the shower, or get the paper, or get that first cup or coffee. Maybe you begin breakfast for you or the kids. Maybe you turn on the news. And maybe you say your first words of the day to God.

However your day begins, make sure to include the Lord in it. It's Him who created the day, and with you in mind I might add. He creates every day as an opportunity for us to come closer to Him. So why don't you make it a priority each morning to speak to your Heavenly Father?

In the love of Christ,
greg