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

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

Thought of the Day !!

A quick thought for today comes from a quote from St. Augustine.


“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”


In the love of Christ,
greg

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

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 finished. We may not have the same people leading us, 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

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).

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
Psalm 30: (NRSV)

As we still look at the pictures on the news and the Internet of people crying or being pulled from underneath rubble in Haiti, let us give thanks to God. We give thanks for what we have, for so many have so much less. We give thanks because God loves us and has given us eternal promises that go beyond the heartaches of this world.

Today I encourage you to give thanks by your giving to support the relief effort in Haiti. There are so many ways you can give. You can give through your church or to the Red Cross or to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) or others I'm not aware of.

If you're not sure how you want to give, you can send a donation to Gibson United Methodist Church, 335 Oak Ridge Road, Vicksburg, MS 39183, and designate it Haiti. We have already collected a nice sum of money and are going to be sending it to our United Methodist Relief Effort. 100% will go to the relief effort.

The key here is not how you give, but that you give. Every time you give to help others in the name of Christ, you are giving thanks. I urge you to give thanks this week with your prayers lifted in praise, your actions and offerings, and your heart. Give thanks to a God who is just and worthy. Give thanks.

In the love of Christ,
greg

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)

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 !!

I've been listening to this song "I'm Alive" by Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews. It begins with these words:

So [darn] easy to say that life's so hard
Everybody's got their share of battle scars
As for me I'd like to thank my lucky stars that
I'm alive and well

It'd be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you've sat and watch go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me... I'm alive


Today I could focus on how cold it is outside. Or I could think about how warm it is inside where I'll be. Many folks will have to brave the cold today as they work outside.

I could focus on how my wife and I have been sick and how my nose is running right now. Or I could thank my lucky stars for as good of health as I've had all my life. Many children are born with illnesses that they never recover from.

I could focus on what I don't have. Or I could give God thanks for what I do. For I know many who have far less.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that attitude is key in our lives. If we have a poor attitude about things, then our lives and those around us will be miserable. If we have a good attitude, then joy will follow. Instead of saying "Life's so hard" this morning (in so many words), how about saying, "Thank God...I'm alive"?

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

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

Thought of the Day !!

I know about your suffering and your poverty - but you are rich!
Revelation 2:9a (NLT)

How often do we let money and/or "stuff" define how rich we are? Do we look at people who have very little and think automatically that they are poor? Do we believe that in these hard economic times we are poorer than we once were?

To be honest, money has nothing to do with how rich we are because true riches come from God and are stored in Heaven as well as given in this lifetime. Riches are gifts given to us by God.

Count your riches today and see just how wealthy you are? Count your abilities, the beauty God has placed around you, the freedoms you have, the people in your life, the love God has for you, etc.

As you count your riches (or blessings) today, may you see just how wealthy you are.

In the love of Christ,
greg

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 be faithful and true to God's will and calling 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

Thought of the Day !!

"I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. "But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first!"
Revelation 2:2-4 (NLT)

The Revelation of John is what Jesus shows John to write down. And at this point He wants John to speak to the Church of Ephesus these observations.

Jesus compliments them on their hard work and patient endurance. He appreciates the fact that they fight against bad theology and evil in general. He takes notice of the fact that through everything they have not quit Him.

BUT!

There's that word that changes things. In this case it changes the tone of the letter. It goes from being complimentary to being critical. The Ephesians had continued to work for Jesus, BUT they had forgotten the reason they began. They had lost their passionate love that resulted in them being hard workers in the first place.

We can go to church and have a very good resume of good works. But if we decide when and where and whom to serve...if we simply do the works of God because we have too or because it's what we're supposed to do and so we do it begrudgingly...then we've lost something. Let us remember that doing the right things for the wrong reasons just ain't good enough. We should never forget the love that brought us into the Kingdom in the first place. If anyone does, then seek it like a precious jewel or a hidden treasure. Because that's what love of God and each other truly is.

In the love of Christ,
greg

Thought of the Day !!

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Titus 2:11-14 (NLT)

Throughout the Bible we see that our God is a God of second chances. And I hear that coming through very clearly in our passage today. Through God's grace we were brought to salvation, or given a second chance. If it were not for second, and even third and fourth and so on chances where would we be?

Mike Piazza wasn't the best baseball player in high school or college. This is evident by fact that he was drafted in the very last round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and then only as a favor because the coach knew his dad.

Piazza didn't show promise before his major league career, but in being given a second chance, he became arguably the best hitting catcher in the game and broke the record for most home runs by a catcher a few years ago.

Being given a second chance is so important. A lot of people don't do real well coming out the gate. But the race that Paul talks about running…the race that is our lives is a marathon filled with setbacks and second chances.

Sadly, in this life people are given second chances all the time for which they do nothing with. Maybe it was a speeding ticket not given that didn't slow the person down. Maybe it was an affair forgiven, only to have another that caused divorce. Maybe it was a boss allowing an employee one more time coming in late or one more absence only to be taken advantage of.

For Piazza, he made something out of his second chance. A man who was one of the very last picked will almost assuredly be a Hall of Famer one day.

What about us? We have all been given a second chance at living a life for God. Let's make the best of our second chances in 2010 and afford others the same opportunities.

In the love of Christ,
greg